Beast Wars timeline (3H)
When Beast Wars: Transformers made its debut in 1996, the animated series became a critical success with the fandom. So much so that it not only received a direct sequel in the form of 1999's Beast Machines: Transformers, but also led to multiple other parties each wanting to make their own contributions to the world of this "Beast Era".
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, additional stories that weaved in and around the two animated series were published by 3H Productions for the official Transformers fan convention, BotCon. These extra stories created the first "expanded universe" for the Beast Era, further tying the Beast Wars and Beast Machines cartoons to certain events of the Generation 1 media of old, as well as exploring brand new avenues like alternate timelines, timeframes set before and after the cartoons, and even across the multiverse.
When 3H lost the Transformers license in 2005, BotCon was picked up by Fun Publications, who continued some of the stories that 3H had started, along with making their own additions to this sprawling 3H Beast Wars timeline.
Below is a complete chronology of the transmedia mega-continuity of the two Beast Era cartoons as expanded upon by 3H Productions and Fun Publications, and featuring additional tie-in information gleaned from certain toy bios, packaging blurbs, and Hall of Fame character bios.
{{#if:An abridged overview of this timeline, told from the perspective of the Covenant of Primus"Covenant"|| “ | They waited and watched. Saw Primus' prison become Cybertron, saw him populate it with beings like themselves, saw the great Civil War begin and spread across the galaxy - most tellingly, to Earth - saw the return of Unicron, who had also shaped his prison, saw the Matrix of Leadership pass from Primon to Prima to Prime Nova to Sentinel Prime to Optimus Prime, and ultimately to Rodimus Prime, saw the destruction of Unicron, saw the end of the Civil War, saw the restructuring of Cybertronian society into Maximal and Predacon castes. Billions of years, and an intricate weave of events that formed the tapestry of the Grand Plan. | ” |
| {{#if:An abridged overview of this timeline, told from the perspective of the Covenant of Primus| —An abridged overview of this timeline, told from the perspective of the Covenant of Primus{{#if:"Covenant"|, "Covenant"}} }}}} | ||
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Main timeline
[edit]Before the dawn of time
[edit]In an old universe, predating the current one, therein dwelled energy beings who had evolved beyond their boundaries. They were gods, omnipotent but not all-seeing. One of their number, named Unicron, became a devourer of worlds. Having developed a hungry craving, Unicron desired to consume all that existed in this universe: Planets, galaxies, even the fabric of space itself. In their failure to fully recognize the threat Unicron posed, the gods themselves were consumed as well, for even they were not immortal.
With his task completed, the Dark God Unicron was satiated, content to finally sleep within the absolute nothingness of the void. Covenant Paradox
However...
Dawn of time (billions of years ago)
[edit]Unicron had not been thorough enough: A meager speck of life lingers on to cause a subatomic chain reaction, the Big Bang, that births a new universe filled with new life. And from this act of creation is birthed the universe's protector: Primus, Covenant the last of the Light Gods, Paradox and the antithesis of Unicron. There also exists the Chronarchitect (nicknamed the "Time Walker"), one of the old gods and kin to Primus and Unicron. Unlike them, the Chronarchitect exists abstractly rather than physically. Covenant
Theomachy
[edit]
Furious at the sight of new life intruding upon the purity of his dominion of nothingness, Unicron engages Primus in battle, a cosmic duel known as the "Theomachy". However, it soon becomes apparent to Primus that this new universe was not designed to contain such powerful beings like Unicron and himself. Their battle of epic proportions brings much collateral damage to many star systems, eradicating the many forms of life that Primus had been originally created to protect and preserve. In time, Primus concocts a long-term plan to both end the threat of Unicron and keep the universe safe for all time. But before he can enact it, he prepares a trial run to test it.
Primus selects a barren, uninhabited moon and plants a fragment of his lifeforce deep within its core. Over the course of three hundred thousand years, he psionically restructures the moon from the inside out, turning it into an advanced colony world of unparalleled technology and self-sufficient civilization. Then, using the very metal of the moon, and powered by tiny sparks of his own essence, Primus creates twelve lifeforms: the Covenant. Before departing from the moon, now known as Protos, Primus charges the Covenant with monitoring and observing the ensuing events of his Grand Plan, all while staying hidden from the rest of the universe.
With his dry run a success, Primus puts his plan into action. In his continuing battle with Unicron, Primus lures the Chaos Bringer away from the physical plane and into a reality of the mind. Their duel continues and Unicron nearly triumphs, but Primus lures him back in the physical world and into his trap. Instead of returning to the bodies their minds had previous inhabited, Primus traps both himself and Unicron inside two lifeless planetoids floating in the emptiness of space, inside which they can do no more harm to the universe. Covenant Paradox
His task complete, Primus's Grand Plan is left under the watch of the Covenant. They are to observe Cybertron from afar, watching over it and the evolutionary growth of Primus's children. They are not to interfere directly, and spend the rest of many eons training, both physically and mentally, for the moment they will be needed, a time when the fate of the Grand Plan will need to be defended, a decisive battle that will determine the very future of Primus's children: A prophesized battle known in their sacred texts as "Point Omega", or "Shokaract." Covenant
Creation of Cybertron
[edit]According to the historical records of the Covenant, Primus's dimensional landing was a lifeless metal asteroid. Just as he had done with Protos, Primus psionically reshapes his prison through sheer force of mental will to become a habitable world that he names "Cybertron". Over the course of centuries, Primus creates life, a race of Cybertronian beings that can change the shape of their bodies into other forms and configurations, called the Transformers. Covenant Paradox
However, other sources state that Cybertron was originally a green, organic world filled with lush, plant-based ecosystems and animal wildlife. The first Transformers come to this planet and populate it, gradually transforming it into the metallic world of Cybertron over time. They build vast cities over the planet's original nature, constructing layers upon layers of civilizations, until all traces of its original organic state are completely lost to time and buried within the planet's innermost layers. The Reformatting Forbidden Fruit Descent Apocalypse Survivor
Another source even claims that this organic planet was originally named "Skalorr", and that it had been eco-structured into Cybertron by aliens known as Quintessons. The AllSpark Almanac II
Whatever the origin, Primus creates a physical embodiment of himself to act as a gateway between himself and the earliest Cybertronians, the supercomputer Vector Sigma. Disclosure The earliest Transformers reproduce by unidivision, and among them are the Liege Maximo and Primon, the first bearer of the Matrix of Leadership (also known as the "Creation Matrix"). At some point, however, the Matrix is stolen by the Liege Maximo, who rips it out of Primon's shattered remains. Luckily, it is (presumably) recovered and then passed to its rightful heir, Prima. And all the while, Unicron reshapes his own prison into a new transforming body of his own. Covenant
Quintesson occupation
[edit]
Centuries later, the alien Quintessons locate Cybertron, having been hired by Unicron to find Primus's dimensional landing. However, the Quintessons forgo reporting Primus's whereabouts to their employer and seize the opportunity to take control of Cybertron for their own gain. They enslave the existing population of Transformers, using the Plasma Energy Chamber to reprocess them in a failed attempt to directly control Primus himself. They also try manufacturing their own creations, which result in the feral and uncontrollable Trans-Organics.
After numerous other failures, the Quintessons finally break ground when they realize the best way to control Primus is through his physical form, Vector Sigma. A shell program is constructed, one capable of fully cutting off Vector Sigma's power and guidance from the Transformers. Through this construct, dubbed the "Oracle", the Quintessons at last gain full access to Primus's power. In time, Cybertron becomes the pinnacle of Quintesson industry. As more Cybertronian Transformers are mass-produced in factories and given life by Vector Sigma, profits continue to rise.
Further developments lead to the creation and use of a prism that can circumvent Vector Sigma altogether and channel the power of Primus directly into the prism's wielder. Eventually, however, some of the Quintessons become aware of a certain danger to Primus's true power. They try to warn their brethren about the risks involved in their attempts to fully control the Cybertronians, and are duly "rewarded" for their warnings: They are tried for treason and banished to other worlds and dimensions. Disclosure Among those banished are Merdane, who is sent to a formless void, Wreckers: Finale Part II and the scientist Al-badur, who is sent to a distant ice world at least ten star systems away.
Over time, the warnings of those exiled are proven true. Primus's children develop full minds and wills of their own and assert their independence enough into launching a rebellion against their Quintesson overlords. An important figure in the rebellion opposes the Quintessons' Dark Guardians. In the end, the rebellion is successful. The Quintessons are driven off the planet and Cybertron is left to the Transformers once more. Abandoned by its creators, Disclosure the Oracle becomes an extension of Primus OTFCC Live-Action Drama and an instrument of his will. Wreckers: Finale Part II
Millions of years ago
[edit]Over time, the Matrix of Leadership is passed from Prima to Prime Nova and then to Sentinel Prime. Covenant Throughout the ages, the Primes are guided in wisdom by the one called Alpha Trion. Departure Many of Cybertron's legends come to be immortalized in a tome called the Covenant of Primus. Nemesis Part 1 Nemesis Part 2
A village is raided by nomadic invaders Universe #1 Roulette profile Universe #2 Shadow Striker profile known as Maraudicons. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/25 One of the casualties is the younger sister of the twins Roulette and Shadow Striker, survivors of the raid. Universe #2 Shadow Striker profile While the tragedy invigorates Roulette to join Cybertron's law enforcement, Universe #1 Roulette profile Shadow Striker vows never to be manipulated by anyone ever again, having been forced to watch her younger sister's death. She learns to survive and prosper in the streets, running errands for the criminal underworld. Universe #2 Shadow Striker profile
At some point, the IntraFormers Sharpshooting Competition is held. It is won by a 'bot named Sureshot, who is made famous for this achievement. Roulette also participates and, impressively, comes in second place. Other contestants include individuals that history would best remember by the names of Megatron and Optimus Prime. Roulette eventually enrolls at the Academy of Cybertronian Law Enforcement, where she rises through the ranks faster than any prior recruit. Universe #1 Roulette profile Meanwhile, a brash young 'bot named Sideswipe lives life in the fast lane, lying and cheating to get his way. Universe #1 Sideswipe profile In the gladiatorial pits of Polyhex, a warrior named Buzzclaw fights as a member of the Insecticon clan. BotCon 2005 Buzzclaw toy bio
First Great War (9 million BC–onward)
[edit]Nine million years ago, the first Great War is begun by Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. Among his earliest followers are Flamewar, a devout believer in the Decepticon cause, BotCon 2005 Flamewar toy bio The Razor's Edge and the Insecticons. BotCon 2005 Buzzclaw toy bio BotCon 2005 Dirge toy bio The Decepticons believe it is their divine right to seize power in the galaxy and ultimately rule the universe, having been created by Primus to be so powerful and adaptable. They aim to conquer Cybertron and use it as their seat of power in the greater Decepticon Empire. However, they are opposed by the Autobots, benevolent Transformers who fight for freedom and peace in the universe. Intimidation Game The outbreak of war cuts Roulette's law-enforcement education short as she signs up with the Autobots. Universe #1 Roulette profile Sideswipe also joins the Autobots to fight for freedom against tyranny and oppression. Universe #1 Sideswipe profile
During a battle at Jan-Ja, a young Autobot warrior stands on the front lines. He picks up the banner of his fallen Monark and cries out "Never surrender!" in the face of an ongoing Decepticon phalanx. This young warrior later inherits the Matrix of Leadership from Sentinel Prime and becomes the next leader of the Autobots: Optimus Prime. Covenant He, like the Primes before him, is advised by the wisdom of Alpha Trion. Departure During an intense siege at an abandoned outpost on the far side of the Mithril Sea, the Autobots and Decepticons battle each other to a stalemate. War correspondent Rook uses his respected negotiation skills to convince first Optimus Prime and then Megatron to temporarily withdraw from the fortress and refocus their resources elsewhere. Universe #1 Rook profile In time, the Great War takes its toll on the planet, rendering it a ravaged husk. Intimidation Game
Four million years ago
[edit]
The Autobots construct a mighty vessel, the Ark, to carry its finest heroes on a voyage into space. However, during its journey through the stars, the Ark is intercepted by Nemesis, the flagship of the Decepticon space fleet. High above the planet Earth, the two vessels engage in a fierce space battle, in which the Ark is ultimately shot down by the Nemesis before it too succumbs to its battle scars. Both ships plummet to the planet below; the Ark crashes into the side of a volcanic mountain while the Nemesis plunges into the deep depths of an ocean. For the next four million years, the Autobots and Decepticons aboard the Ark lie dormant in emergency stasis, Optimus Prime and Megatron included. The Agenda (Part III) Master Blaster Nemesis Part 1
Back on Cybertron, the war continues without its leaders. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/15 The Autobot General Obsidian leads many successful campaigns against Decepticon incursions across the planet, decorating him with the highest military honors. Universe #2 Obsidian profile Among his troops is a valiant Autobot named Saber. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/15 The Autobot Chromia also serves as part of the Autobot underground's crack troops. BotCon 2005 Chromia toy bio
A thousand other wars
[edit]Obsidian and his consort Strika fight and win a thousand wars together. The two of them go on to be revered as the greatest generals in Cybertronian history. The Strike
Distant past
[edit]
Many millennia ago, Abduction an alien race known as the Vok comes to the planet Earth. They begin an experiment with the planet, Other Voices, Part 1 seeding it with raw crystalline energon Before the Storm and placing several unnatural devices across the planet, including a set of Standing Stones, Chain of Command a flying island with a powerful monument, The Trigger, Part 1 The Trigger, Part 2 a stone circle, an artificial second moon, Other Voices, Part 1 Other Voices, Part 2 a valley of plantlife designed to metamorphose into a flying fortress, Other Visits (Part 1) Other Visits (Part 2) and a golden disk designed to control said fortress. Before the Storm Other Voices, Part 2
The exact nature of this experiment is unclear, but it is said by the Vok to be in service of Primus and safeguarding his Grand Plan. Described as a "new cosmic genesis", Primeval Dawn Part 1 this project is one of many carried out by the Vok, who have spread throughout the multiverse to seed each reality with such projects in preparation for the realization of Primus's plan for the one and the all. Primeval Dawn Part 3 These projects are also a means for the Vok to atone for the tragedy and destruction that they had wrought upon the galaxy in their previous life as the Swarm, actions that were committed in the Vok's past, in a future yet to come. Primeval Dawn Part 1 Primeval Dawn Part 3
At some point, a tear in the fabric of space-time is forced open within a deep cavern inside the Earth. From within the rift, out pours the Dark Essence of Unicron, displaced through time following his destruction in the future Earth-year of 2005. When the essence finishes its outpour, the time rift closes behind it, repairing any and all damage done to the fabric of reality. The Dark Essence lays to rest below the cavern's floor within a deep crater of its own making. It remains there, undisturbed for an interminable period of time, awaiting the day when it is to be found by one destined to claim its power. Paradox Terminus
180,000 BC
[edit]Beast Wars
[edit]
In 180,000 BC,<ref>The Beast Wars episodes "The Agenda (Part III)", "Optimal Situation", and "Deep Metal" dated the Beast Wars to be set "four million years", a "couple of million years" and "a few million stellar cycles" before the Great War begins in 1984. However, the second and third parts of Primeval Dawn (which is set shortly after the Beast Wars ended) gave a more specific date for this timeframe, that being "180,000 BC".</ref> Primeval Dawn Part 2 Primeval Dawn Part 3 a transwarp portal opens in space, from which two ships emerge. The first is a Predacon ship crewed by fugitives who had stolen a relic known as the Golden Disk. The second is a Maximal science vessel, the Axalon. The two ships battle above an unknown planet before crash-landing in different areas. Upon its descent, the Axalon ejects many stasis pods into orbit. Since the planet is richly-seeded in raw, unstable energon, both crews of Transformers adopt organic-skinned Beast Modes to protect themselves from the radiation. Believing they have come to the wrong planet, one of the Predacons, Dinobot, challenges his commander, Megatron, for Predacon leadership. For his insubordination, Dinobot is blasted away and exiled from Megatron's crew.
The Maximals—Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Rattrap, and Rhinox—are soon met by the Predacons—Megatron, Scorponok, Waspinator, Tarantulas, and Terrorsaur—and a battle ensues, from which the Maximals retreat. En route back to their base, they are met by Dinobot, who challenges Optimus Primal for Maximal leadership. Beast Wars (Part 1) Their duel is cut short by another Predacon attack, which unearths a large deposit of energon on a faraway mountain. Both teams race to secure it, with Dinobot joining the Maximals. At the mountain, both sides clash in Beast Mode until Megatron risks transforming to fire a missile at Optimus. But Dinobot deflects the missile to hit the energon, causing a massive explosion. Both teams escape and Optimus declares that the Beast Wars have only just begun. Beast Wars (Part 2)
A month later, Cheetor finds himself captured by the Predacon scientist Tarantulas, but is rescued by Rattrap. The Web Cheetor then gets himself teleported inside the Predacon base during a lightning storm, but uses his wits to escape. Equal Measures The Maximals later investigate a mysterious rock formation of standing stones that bear an unnatural design. A battle with the Predacons triggers a beacon hidden beneath the stones that shoots up into outer space. An alien probe touches down that night at the stones and captures Optimus Primal. The next day, another altercation at the stones sees Optimus released from the probe, which mysteriously vanishes. Chain of Command The self-serving Terrorsaur makes a bid for power against Megatron when he finds a floating mountain full of raw energon that supercharges his body. However, his reign is cut short when Optimus and Rattrap blow up the mountain. Power Surge
Both sides soon gain new additions to their ranks as stasis pods begin to crash down from the sky. The Maximals are joined by Tigatron, Fallen Comrades while the Predacons add Blackarachnia to their ranks. Double Jeopardy The Maximals also create a new defense grid for their base in the form of Sentinel. A Better Mousetrap Meanwhile, Scorponok develops a virus that turns Optimus into a berserker. The Maximals storm the Predacon base to acquire a cure for their rampaging leader. Gorilla Warfare Soon, a temporal probe arrives from Cybertron in search of Optimus Primal and his missing crew. The Maximals attempt to make contact with it, but are prevented by Megatron. The Probe The Predacons then fake their demise to trick the Maximals into looting their ship in order to repair the Axalon, in hopes that the Predacons may steal the ship and leave the Maximals stranded on the planet. Dinobot discovers their treachery and a scuffle aboard the airborne Axalon sees it grounded once more. Victory
Megatron then begins taking more experimental measures against the Maximals. First, he captures Rhinox and forcibly reprograms him into a Predacon. But, Rhinox proves too cunning for Megatron to control and begins taking out each of the Predacons one by one, forcing Megatron to change him back into a Maximal. Dark Designs Megatron then creates a clone of Dinobot in hopes of using him to bypass the Maximals' defense grid Sentinel. However, the clone is defeated by the real Dinobot. Double Dinobot Another stasis pod comes down and Rhinox nearly risks everything to keep the pod's damaged protoform from dying. His efforts are a success and the newcomer Airazor joins the Maximals. The Spark
Two weeks later, the Predacons develop an orbital weapons satellite that can target anywhere on the planet. The Maximals stop the satellite's launch and Airazor sets it to self-destruct. The Razor's Edge prologue and epilogue From another stasis pod emerges the Predacon geochemist Fractyl, who prefers to be out in the field. BotCon 1997 Fractyl profile The Maximals are also joined by Packrat, who prefers to work alone. BotCon 1997 Packrat profile Having been a thief back on Cybertron who was stuffed into a stasis pod for his crimes, Betrayal Packrat is a chronic hoarder and kleptomaniac who leaves the other Maximals feeling wary of him. BotCon 2015 Packrat toy bio
During one of Tigatron's field reports, he is attacked by Terrorsaur and Waspinator, who blast him into a cloud-filled gorge. Inside the cloud, they all discover a flying island guarded by weapons of alien design. Seeking to protect this island, Tigatron is joined first by Airazor The Trigger, Part 1 and then Optimus and Rattrap. But Blackarachnia and Scorponok arrive and reach the island's control center first; Blackarachnia then seizes the island's power for herself. Tigatron is forced to destroy the island before it can be used to destroy the Maximal base. Upon the island's destruction, it sends a signal up to one of the planet's two moons, and is then sent out into space. The Trigger, Part 2
This ordeal puts Tarantulas on edge. Sensing the planet's forthcoming doom, he starts making plans to leave the planet when a new stasis pod crash-lands. He and Blackarachnia retrieve it and awaken the new Predacon Inferno, but Tigatron destroys the pod to prevent Tarantulas from obtaining it. Spider's Game Fractyl develops a new energon armor from a substance called furmanite, which is stolen by Packrat. When an explosive reaction with pure energon reveals the furmanite to be "anti-energon", Fractyl tries to stop Packrat from entering the energon-rich Badlands. Fractyl is knocked out by Packrat, but Rhinox convinces the thief to stand down and give back the furmanite. Ground Zero
The Predacons steal the Axalon's rectifier coil, forcing the Maximals to remain in beast mode since their base no longer shields them from the planet's energon. This causes them to act feral and animal-like until Tigatron helps to bring them back to sanity. While the Maximals battle the Predacons in a jungle, Airazor recovers the stolen rectifier coil. Call of the Wild An energon explosion leaves most of the Maximals blinded and in urgent need of repair. Rhinox leads them on a dangerous journey back to the base. Dark Voyage The disembodied Spark of the ancient Decepticon Starscream arrives on the planet and possesses the body of Waspinator. He helps the Predacons take control of the Axalon, but plots to betray Megatron and takes on Blackarachnia as an apprentice. Optimus and Dinobot retake the Axalon and Blackarachnia double-crosses Starscream, blasting his spark out of Waspinator and back into space. Possession
A new Predacon named Onyx Primal is rehabilitated as a Maximal and begrudgingly joins his new comrades. Being a former assassin for the Tripredacus Council, he keeps his past a secret in hopes to avoid termination by his ex-employers. BotCon: Beyond Onyx Primal profile A Predacon attack on the Axalon sees Tarantulas infect Rhinox with an energon discharge virus. The Maximals track down and acquire a cure from Tarantulas's lair. That is all. The Low Road As the Maximals search for any more alien sites, a Predacon attack sees Tigatron accidentally fire a stray shot at a mountain where his tiger friend Snowstalker is, causing an avalanche that claims her life. Grief-stricken, Tigatron takes a vow of pacifism and quits the Beast Wars. Dinobot argues that the war is necessary to prevent Megatron from spreading more destruction to Cybertron and other planets, but Tigatron disagrees. Optimus arrives to break the tension. While he sympathizes with Tigatron, he also reminds him that the Maximals are the only ones who can protect their friends and the planet from any harm caused by the Predacons. This convinces Tigatron to rejoin the war as a defender of life. Law of the Jungle
An alien energy anomaly inside a mountain reveals a mysterious second golden disk, which Inferno brings to Megatron. Wanting to analyze the disk, Megatron declares a truce with the Maximals. Skeptical, the Maximals have Tigatron sneak into the Predacon base to find out what's going on. He learns from the contents of the new disk that the aliens who created the flying island and seeded the planet with energon are on their way. Meanwhile, Tarantulas furthers his plans to leave the planet by stealing a Transwarp cell from the Predacon base. Megatron takes notice and secretly adds his own programming to the cell. Before the Storm
Together with Blackarachnia, Tarantulas decides to steal a stasis pod from the Axalon while some of the Maximals are out investigating another anomaly that creates a domed structure. When Optimus is captured inside the dome, the aliens assume the visage of Unicron to speak with him. They declare that the Maximals and Predacons' presence on the planet has contaminated an experiment they've been conducting, and prepare to "sterilize" the project. An energy beam shoots upward from the dome and strikes one of the moons; the ensuing energy surge knocks the remaining stasis pods out of orbit.
Meanwhile, Tarantulas and Blackarachnia break into the Axalon Other Voices, Part 1 and proceed to convert a stasis pod into a flight-capable vessel. The moon is transformed into a planet-destroying machine and begins superheating the planet to ignite the energon deposits. The Maximals discover the modified stasis pod and Optimus decides to fly it up to the alien machine and destroy it with a transwarp explosion. However, Megatron's previous sabotage of its transwarp cell traps Optimus inside the pod. He is destroyed in the explosion, along with the alien machine. Other Voices, Part 2
The explosion creates a quantum surge that strikes the planet and drastically changes its environments. The surge also mutates several Maximals and Predacons into new forms called Transmetals. Aftermath Two stasis pods that survived the mass planetfall had their DNA scanners damaged, resulting in a couple of Fuzors: Quickstrike and Silverbolt. Both are recruited by Megatron, but Silverbolt has some reservations about the Predacons. While the Maximals recover another stasis pod (whose protoform is a blank), Tigatron and Airazor go off to search for other pods. Rhinox then conducts a dangerous experiment to access the Matrix.
Observing the presence of a single moon, Dinobot deduces that this planet is actually Earth. He sneaks into the Predacon base and steals both Golden Disks. He returns to the Maximal base just as Cheetor calls in about a Predacon attack. Rattrap and Dinobot come to his aid and a massive battle begins. Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1) Back at the Predacon base, Blackarachnia finds and downloads Megatron's backup data for the Golden Disks, and then destroys the computer. The battle goes well for the Predacons and their fliers take off for the Axalon. The Maximals manage to stop them and spare Silverbolt's life. When Rhinox's experiment ends, he joins the others just in time for them to be thoroughly overwhelmed by Predacon firepower. But the tide is turned by the miraculous return of Optimus Primal, reborn as a Transmetal by Rhinox's experiment with the blank protoform. Silverbolt also chooses to join to the Maximals. Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2) Despite having lost the Golden Disks, the Predacons start building jamming towers to disrupt Maximal communications. Megatron also makes plans for the future. Tangled Web
With the contents of the original Golden Disk weighing on his mind, Dinobot questions his place in the Beast Wars and considers rejoining the Predacons. He returns the disk to Megatron as a test of loyalty, but ultimately chooses to remain a Maximal, unwilling to aid Megatron's "insane" ambition that will certainly doom their race. He later discusses something urgent with Optimus. Maximal, No More Tigatron and Airazor find a valley with alien plant life that abducts the pair into space. Megatron steals back the alien Golden Disk from the Axalon and Tarantulas declares himself no longer under Megatron's command, but also Megatron's only hope of surviving the forthcoming alien attack.
As both factions rendezvous at the alien site, a massive spacecraft materializes. Other Visits (Part 1) Megatron takes control of the ship and prepares to take it back to Cybertron. But, thanks to Tarantulas's help, the Maximals are able to destroy the vessel—along with the alien disk—before it leaves the planet. Other Visits (Part 2) A new Predacon named Vice Grip proves himself to be very loyal and reliable to Megatron, taking all of his missions seriously and having excellent tracking skills. The other Predacons come to respect him and look to him for advice and guidance. BotCon 1998 Vice Grip toy bio
In a remote region of the planet, Visitations a transwarp portal brings the Maximal Apelinq from the future, following a tussle through time with the Vehicon General Mirage. Observing his new surroundings, Apelinq notices that a couple of his belongings are missing. Timewrecked One of them lands in Predacon territory, where it is found by Packrat and Onyx Primal and taken for an artifact of Predacon origin. The two Maximals are attacked by Fractyl and Vice Grip, but Rattrap and Silverbolt help fend them off. Visitations During the battle, the "artifact" is secretly taken by Apelinq. Visitations Re-visitations
After the battle, another transwarp portal suddenly opens to reveal a new female Predacon, Antagony, who demands the artifact be given to her. Megatron and Optimus arrive and Antagony faces each of them before being felled and captured by Megatron. Visitations Having recovered his belongings, Apelinq opts to observe the other Maximals and Predacons from afar. Re-visitations At the Predacon base, Megatron's attempts to interrogate Antagony have proven fruitless. He knows she comes from a future time much farther than his own, but nothing more. He uses one of Tarantulas' inventions, the mind-drill, to try prying more info from her mind, but a failsafe in her brain wipes it clean, denying Megatron any answers. Herald
A massive stasis pod emblazoned with an X is discovered, containing the monstrous "Protoform X". The Maximals and Predacons fight over it, but an explosion separates Blackarachnia and Silverbolt from their respective teams. They work together to get back to the others, but run afoul of the newly-awakened Protoform X. Once the Maximals and Blackarachnia defeat the monster, Megatron carves out a portion of X's spark to make him a loyal Predacon, naming him "Rampage". Bad Spark Realizing the severity of Megatron's ability to alter history with the Golden Disk, Dinobot sacrifices his life to stop the Predacons from exterminating the early ancestors of humankind, destroying the Golden Disk in the process. Code of Hero
A damaged stasis pod brings forth Transmutate, a deformed creature whom both Rampage and Silverbolt seek to befriend. As the two battle over the newcomer, Transmutate tries to stop their fight but gets caught in the crossfire and perishes. Transmutate Back when the aliens' "planet buster" was destroyed, it not only created the quantum surge but also a transwarp wavefront that was traveling forward in time Code of Hero and would soon reach Cybertron in the Maximals' home-time. However, both the Maximals and Predacons are surpised to find that the one who arrives from Cybertron in response to the wavefront is ex-Decepticon Covert Agent Ravage of the Predacon Alliance. He allies himself with the Maximals and helps them to finally arrest Megatron.
Meanwhile, Blackarachnia takes off for a distant location The Agenda (Part 1) and is pursued by Silverbolt. He tries to get her to leave the Predacons and join him as a Maximal, but she refuses. She tries to make him leave, but he refuses. The two lovers from opposing sides arrive at a volcanic mountain where Megatron had previously dug a tunnel and sealed it back up. They work together to unearth it. Back aboard Ravage's ship, Megatron is interrogated in a holding cell. Tarantulas is revealed to have been an ally of Ravage all along, having been planted into Megatron's gang by the Predacon Secret Police. Ravage, meanwhile, intends to leave no living witnesses.
Megatron then reveals to Ravage the real reason he stole the Golden Disk from Cybertron: It not only contained the location of a large energon source, but also a secret message from the original Megatron. Recalling his original loyalty to the ancient Decepticon leader, Ravage frees his Predacon captive and joins forces with him. The Agenda (Part 2) The Predacons launch a full assault on the Axalon, which the Maximals barely overcome, destroying Ravage and his ship in the process. Megatron retreats, but not back to his base. This worries Optimus, who orders a pursuit.
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover what was buried there: The legendary Autobot spacecraft, the Ark, containing the still-sleeping Autobot and Decepticon ancestors of the Maximals and Predacons. Having previously acquired the Ark's access codes from her download of Megatron's backup Golden Disk files, Blackarachnia plans to take control of the ship for herself. However, Megatron arrives and threatens Silverbolt's life if Blackarachnia doesn't give him access to the ship. She begrudgingly complies and stalls the approaching Maximals with one of the Ark's cannons. Megatron enters the ship's bridge and finds his prize: the dormant body of Autobot leader Optimus Prime. With nothing left to lose, Megatron takes a gamble by blasting Prime's head to kill him, hoping to change the course of history. This creates a massive timestorm that threatens to erase all Maximals from existence. The Agenda (Part III)
The effects of this temporal disruption are felt throughout the timestream, creating a paradox that sends the Chronarchitect reeling in fatal agony. Covenant Invisible to all, divine intervention from Vector Prime, the Guardian of Space-Time, helps to sustain Optimus Prime's life during the storm. Vector Prime: In the Beginning Having been originally created from a Maximal protoform, Blackarachnia refuses to die for Megatron's sake and ejects him from the Ark with its security system. She and Silverbolt put Optimus Prime on life support, stabilizing the storm. The other Maximals arrive and work to repair their ancestor's damaged form.
Optimus Primal takes Prime's fading spark into his body to save it, which causes Primal to mutate into a new, larger "Optimal Optimus" form. The Predacons are driven off from the Ark but succeed in sinking the unguarded Axalon to the bottom of a deep river. The Maximals salvage what they can from their former base and establish a new one inside the Ark's mountain to safeguard it. Blackarachnia joins Silverbolt as a Maximal-allied Predacon. Optimus Prime is repaired and the timestorm finally ends. Optimal Situation Unbeknownst to all, however, the storm leaves behind a small tear in the fabric of space-time deep inside an underground cavern about two hundred miles away. Paradox Terminus
Still hoping for a response to the transwarp wavefront from the Maximal Elders, the Maximals are instead met with the surprise arrival of Depth Charge, who has come in pursuit of Protoform X (now Rampage). He becomes a reluctant ally to their cause. Deep Metal Seeking to fortify their new base, the Maximals attempt to salvage Sentinel from the sunken Axalon. However, their efforts are thwarted by the Predacons, who steal Sentinel and install it into their own base. Changing of the Guard Megatron creates Cyber-Raptor drones to hunt the early-human anthropoids in another attempt to erase humanity's existence. As the Maximals protect the anthropoids and destroy the Cyber-Raptors, Megatron launches an assault on the understaffed Maximal base in hopes to reenter the Ark. Luckily, he is beaten back by Depth Charge. Cutting Edge
After acquiring a stasis pod, Megatron uses an alien Transmetal driver and the carved-out spark fragment of Rampage to create another clone of Dinobot: Transmetal 2 Dinobot. Cheetor and Depth Charge steal the driver, but the former is caught in the overload of Megatron's Organic Transmetal Unit and is seemingly killed. At the base, Depth Charge disposes of the driver, but Blackarachnia recovers it and keeps it for herself. Soon, a savage cyber-creature begins terrorizing Predacon and Maximal alike. Feral Scream Part 1 The creature is revealed to be Cheetor, having been mutated into a new "Transmetal 2" form. His Beast Mode is still feral, but Optimus helps brings him back to his senses. Feral Scream Part 2
An examination of Blackarachnia reveals that the removal of her Predacon shell program could potentially wipe her core consciousness. Believing the others will force this procedure on her, Blackarachnia takes off on her own, only to be tracked by the new Dinobot. Silverbolt comes to her aid and Optimus explains that the procedure was always going to be her decision to make. Proving Grounds One of Cheetor's anthropoid friends, a young girl named Una, is kidnapped by the Predacons. They use her to finish construction on their new Disuptor Ray, but Una is rescued by Rattrap and Depth Charge before she could fully install the cannon's stabilizer crystal, causing the weapon to explode. Go with the Flow
Using the Transmetal driver, Blackarachnia attempts to turn herself into a Transmetal 2. Silverbolt intervenes and her shell program begins to degrade. Before Rhinox attempts to remove it, Blackarachnia transfers the Ark's access codes to Optimus. Tarantulas finds out about the procedure and tries to disrupt it with a Predacon attack on the Maximal base. One of his safeguards in the shell program reaches Blackarachnia's core consciousness and leaves her braindead. Vengeful, Silverbolt goes after Tarantulas and near kills him in cold oil before Rampage steps in. However, the Transmetal driver revives Blackarachnia as a Transmetal 2 Maximal, allowing her to save Silverbolt from Rampage. Crossing the Rubicon
Megatron and Tarantulas use a control suit piloted by Quickstrike to possess Optimus's body. Megatron is granted access to the Ark and the Predacon leader takes the original Megatron's spark into his own body. Tarantulas has Quickstrike attempt to drown Megatron in a lava pool so that Tarantulas can rig the Ark to explode. But Megatron survives, upgraded into a new giant dragon form. Blackarachnia frees Optimus from Quickstrike's control and stops the Ark from blowing up. After a battle with Optimus, Megatron retreats, flying out of the mountain's volcano mouth. Master Blaster From afar, Apelinq makes note of Megatron's attempts to breach the Ark and is sorely tempted to take him out, but resists for the sake of preserving the timeline. The Frontiers of Our History
Some distance away, Megatron's retreat from the volcano is observed by Windrazor, a Maximal/Predacon hybrid from the far future who arrives via transwarp portal. Schism He had arrived after fighting and destroying his fission-brother, Cataclysm, who—like Antagony before him—served a future tyrant named Shokaract. Stranded in this time, Windrazor decides to search for what Cataclysm had originally been sent here to locate: a substance called the Dark Essence. Back at the the Ark, Rhinox detects the newcomer's arrival. The Maximals search for him but are ambushed in a canyon by the Predacons, who had likewise detected the new arrival.
Elsewhere, Windrazor locates the Dark Essence in a pit deep inside an underground cavern. Floating high above the pit is a swirling rift in the fabric of space-time that threatens to pull the Dark Essence up into the timestream. Windrazor is then attacked by Megatron, who identifies the Dark Essence as the lifeforce of the Dark God Unicron. Optimus arrives and tries to save him, but Windrazor is soon overcome by the Dark Essence, which possesses his body as a new vessel for Unicron. The Chaos Bringer defeats both Optimus and Megatron before leaving to attack Maximal and Predacon alike.
Optimus recovers and deduces that the Dark Essence must have been displaced through time to reside here in this cave following Unicron's destruction in 2005. Before Unicron can finish off the Maximals, his essence is expelled from Windrazor's body, exorcized by the completed fusion of Windrazor's dual mind. The Dark Essence returns to its resting place, but Windrazor can answer no questions before another transwarp portal opens: Out steps the future tyrant himself, Shokaract. Paradox And so begins Point Omega, a battle prophesized to determine the fate of the future.
Shokaract attacks the Maximals as Megatron watches from afar. Terminus Nearby, the equally-unnoticed Apelinq also observes the attack and considers leaving, Point of No Return Terminus but is stunned by the sudden arrival of legendary warriors known as the Covenant of Primus! Witness to the Covenant Terminus The Covenant attack Shokaract, but he slaughters many of them. Terminus Inspired, Apelinq abandons his reservations and joins the fight with a cry of "WRECK AND RULE!" Beyond Point Omega Terminus Meanwhile, Megatron attacks the pit of the Dark Essence, spurring Shokaract to defend it by reviving Antagony and Cataclysm.
The two Heralds of Shokaract battle Apelinq and the Covenant while their master deals with Megatron. Then, a warrior from the future named Sandstorm arrives, reuniting with his comrade Windrazor. They and Optimus Primal are soon met by other Beast Warriors from other universes, brought here by Point Omega's timestorm. As Shokaract safeguards the Dark Essence and disables Megatron, he is blasted by these new arrivals and uses his Matrix of Conquest to destroy them. Once the Covenant and Apelinq destroy Shokaract's heralds, Sandstorm is revealed to be the Covenant's missing member: Scorpius! He weakens Shokaract's defenses at the cost of his own life.
The Covenant take advantage of Shokaract's new vulnerability by becoming pure energy and entering the Matrix of Conquest, wherein they destroy an apparition of Unicron. No longer anchored to its resting place on Earth, the Dark Essence is pulled into the timestream through the overhanging rift. With the arrival of "Legends" from a place called J'nwan, everyone fires on Shokaract, finally destroying him in a massive explosion. Terminus Transwarp portals open to return all displaced participants back to their points of origin. Apelinq grabs Windrazor and disappears through time. The Maximals and Predacons native to the Beast Wars, however, are caught in the epicenter of the timequake and lose most of their memories of this battle. Departure
Elsewhere in the universe, two members of the alien race known as the Vok notice a temporal disruption at "Nexus Earth". Still possessing the abducted Tigatron and Airazor, they fuse the two Maximals together into a new being, Tigerhawk, whom they possess and dispatch to Earth as their emissary. Having not forgotten Quickstrike's recent doublecross and collaboration with Tarantulas, Megatron puts the Fuzor on trial. The court is cut short by the sudden arrival of Tigerhawk, who destroys the Predacon base upon impact. He defeats all of the evacuated Predacons and is about to eliminate Megatron before Optimus arrives to stop him, since Megatron still possesses the original Megatron's spark.
Tigerhawk despatches Optimus but is quickly subdued by Tarantulas. The spider tries to control the Vok emissary, but the two aliens emerge from Tigerhawk and enter Tarantulas; all three are killed by Tarantulas's own machine. Cheetor rescues Tigerhawk and the combined spark of Tigatron and Airazor takes its proper place within Tigerhawk's body. Other Victories The Maximals observe that Tigerhawk's arrival coincides with a prophecy written in the datatrax of the Covenant of Primus, suggesting the whole Beast Wars to have been preordained. Meanwhile, now lacking a base, the Predacons become more desperate than ever.
Megatron sends Inferno, Quickstrike, and Waspinator to search for a new base while he, Dinobot, and Rampage explore one last option left by the late Tarantulas: At some point prior, the spider had found and restored the sunken Decepticon warship Nemesis at the bottom of the sea. Now it falls into Megatron's hands. Meanwhile, Waspinator quits the Predacons after growing sick of all the suffering he's endured. The Maximals race to stop the Nemesis from launching and both Depth Charge and Rampage perish in one final duel with each other. The Nemesis rises from the sea Nemesis Part 1 and begins attacking the land.
Tigerhawk dies in a brave last stand against the vessel, Inferno and Quickstrike are caught in the blast of the ship's fusion cannon, and the Maximals try desperately to reactivate the Ark, but to no avail. The Nemesis reaches the mountain and Optimus enters the ship to battle Megatron one-on-one. All the while, Dinobot develops a change of heart. Upon Rampage's passing, his spark became "complete" Nemesis Part 2, miraculously made whole by the consciousness of the first Dinobot. Hall of Fame 2010 Dinobot nominee bio
He secretly leaks word to the Maximals of an Autobot shuttle aboard the Ark, and then refuses Megatron's order to fire on the Ark with the Nemesis's fully-charged fusion cannon. Rhinox takes the Autobot shuttle and flies it up to the Nemesis; he crashes through the warship's bridge, disabling the Nemesis and causing it to crash-land somewhere far beyond the horizon. Nemesis Part 2 With Megatron finally defeated, the Maximals return the stolen spark of the original Megatron back to its rightful owner. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/23
Four of the Maximals—Blackarachnia, Optimus, Rhinox, and Cheetor—meet with Waspinator in a jungle. Descent With Megatron shackled to the roof, the Autobot shuttle takes off and flies into transwarp space; the Maximals aboard declare the Beast Wars to be finally over. Back down on the planet, Waspinator remains behind as the anthropoids' new ruler. Nemesis Part 2
After the Beast Wars
[edit]
Tarantulas was secretly a servant of Unicron and his death had been faked. He was able to capture the two Vok and infuse their powers into his very spark, reviving himself in an undead form. The Tripredacus agent Ravage is likewise restored to life in a new form, Primeval Dawn Part 1 his spark having been salvaged by the Vok. Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Tripredacus Agent toy bio Aware of this, other Vok take action to create new soldiers to combat Tarantulas's threat. Using the recovered Transmetal driver (which they call the "Datasphere"), Quickstrike's discarded control suit, and the Matrix of Leadership within the sleeping Optimus Prime, they create Primal Prime to be their champion.
The Vok had also saved Tigerhawk's binary spark from death and use it to revive Airazor and Tigatron in new Transmetal bodies: Airazor from a stasis pod and Tigatron from the remains of Ravage's old body. Primeval Dawn Part 1 Elsewhere on the planet are the Maximal Packrat and the Predacon Fractyl, both having survived the Beast Wars Primeval Dawn II while, apparently, Vice Grip did not. Departure Packrat has also since acquired a new Transmetal form through unknown means. Primeval Dawn II
While out in the field, Primal Prime, Tigatron, and Airazor find a stasis pod from which emerges Ramulus, an angry Maximal who assumes Optimus Primal has abandoned him. The four are soon attacked by Ravage, along with new Predacons Spittor, Iguanus and Razorclaw. Tarantulas joins the fight and goes straight for Primal Prime, disabling him and seizing his real target: The Matrix of Leadership, which the Vok had placed into Primal Prime's body for safekeeping. Primeval Dawn Part 2
With the Matrix in their possession, the Predacons scurry back to their base, a massively fortified cavern. They carry out the construction of a transwarp portal that will enable Tarantulas to bring the Matrix back to Unicron in the future. Back at the Ark, Primal Prime is in a coma. Inside his mind, he receives a vision from the Vok, who explain their intentions to safeguard the Grand Plan, the Creator's vision for the one and the all, which is once again threatened by the Enemy. The Vok choose to merge into a state of pure energy that rivals the Matrix itself, with Primal Prime as their vessel. Meanwhile, Ravage leads a Predacon attack on the Ark as Tarantulas's portal is nearly complete. When all hope seems lost, the revived and newly-empowered Primal Prime steps forward. Primeval Dawn Part 3
Known liar Sideways claims to have been sent back in time to witness this battle and, pretending to be MCSF, helps the Maximals fend off Ravage's forces. Sideways also claims that Tigatron and Airazor were so badly injured in the battle that he saved their lives by merging the pair back into a single composite being. He claims to have played a "long con" on Primal Prime by also pretending to have been sent by the Vok to aid the Maximals in their time of need. However, the validity of all these claims remains highly dubious. Ask Sideways, 2015/06/06
Around this time, Waspinator grows bored of ruling the anthropoids, who likewise grow sick of worshipping him. They decide to kick him out of the tribe and send him off into the night. The Catalyst Someone observes this from afar. Collections
Plus, further clues from later-set stories reveal the following: Spittor apparently defects to side with the Maximals. Ravage, Iguanus, and Razorclaw are all presumably destroyed. The Matrix is recovered from Tarantulas and presumably placed back into Optimus Prime's body. Tarantulas survives and somehow makes back to Unicron (likely through his portal). Waspinator somehow gets back to Cybertron first (again, probably via the portal), well ahead of the others. Primal Prime's final team roster consists of himself, Tigatron, Ramulus, Sonar, Packrat, Fractyl, and Spittor. And finally, this team gets back to Cybertron in the future not just via the portal but aboard a ship that travels through it. What this ship is and how they came to obtain it is not known.
Several thousand years ago
[edit]
A duplicate copy of Packrat created prior to his Transmetalization is left behind on Earth.<ref>Statements given by Jesse Wittenrich revealed that this story was supposed to be set after Primeval Dawn, with the Packrat in this story having been a duplicate of the original. An idea for this Packrat's origin was that temporal energy from the events of "Invasion" had spread across the multiverse and into this universe, which struck Packrat and split him in two. This was too convoluted to fit into this story, but the intent remains nonetheless.</ref> Living in isolation, he devotes his time to scavenging and hoarding various objects (including many Maximal and Predacon body parts) left behind from the Beast Wars. He has even recovered and installed Sentinel within the Maximals' former volcano base. However his presence serves as a temporal anomaly that catches the attention of multiversal agent Thrustinator. Before Packrat can enact his plan to begin looting the Ark, he is met and apprehended by Thrustinator, who brings him to the city of Axiom Nexus on another universe's Cybertron, removing the anomaly from this universe's timeline. Collections
The Quintesson prism that had been used to channel Primus's power somehow ends up on the planet Archa Nine, falling from out of the sky one day. It is revered by the primitive Akalouthans as a "Divine Light". Betrayal
14th Century
[edit]Akalouthan prophetic texts tell of a "protective force" that will one day come to Archa Nine to safeguard the "Divine Light" from the "five-faced demons". Betrayal
20th–21st Century
[edit]Second Great War (1984–2005)
[edit]
In 1984, the eruption of a volcano on Earth awakens the dormant Autobots and Decepticons lying within the Ark, the Autobot starship now embedded within the volcano's mountainside. The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, and the Decepticons, led by Megatron, resume their age-old conflict of civil war between the two factions, igniting a secret conflict that history would later come to call "the Great War". The Agenda (Part 2) The Agenda (Part III) Master Blaster Around this time, the humans of Earth launch a spacecraft named Voyager, aboard which a golden disk is carried out into space. The Agenda (Part 2)
Among the Autobots who fight alongside Optimus Prime on Earth is one who also fights with a team of comrades Schism known as the Dinobots. Departure Other Autobots include Brawn, Visitations Prowl, Ironhide, Jazz, Ratchet, The Agenda (Part III) Grimlock, Terminus Perceptor, Skids, Betrayal Trailbreaker, Shadow Striker, Roulette, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Abduction Tracks, Bumblebee, Cosmos, Voice Actor Drama Wheeljack, Descent into Evil Cliffjumper, and Hound. The Razor's Edge On the Decepticon side is Buzzsaw, one of Megatron's most loyal and trusted warriors, who fights alongside him on Earth and with fellow Decepticon Shockwave on Cybertron. BotCon 2006 Buzzsaw toy bio Other Decepticons include Laserbeak, BotCon 2005 Laserbeak toy bio Ravage, The Agenda (Part 2) Starscream, Possession Skywarp, Soundwave The Agenda (Part III) Thundercracker, Dirge, Wreckers: Finale Part II Blastcharge, Departure Shrapnel, Dark Designs and Bombshell. Wreckers: Finale Part II
During this time, a human scientist named Doctor Fujiyama creates a ninja robot named Nightbird. Bad things happen as a result. Departure Throughout the Great War, an Autobot named Devcon lives the life of a bounty hunter, hunting down the Decepticons that Autobot High Command deem too dangerous to be left alone. The Wreckers #2 Devcon profile On Cybertron, a tyrant named Straxus comes into power. Schism At the height of the Great War,<ref>In the original BotCon 2002 profile for Tap-Out, the war he is said to have been imprisoned during is referred to as "the third Great War". However, this was later amended to just "the Great War" when the profile was reprinted at OTFCC 2004 in the "Director's Cut" reprint of "Betrayal", retconning away the original "third Great War" mention.</ref> a routine patrol mission sees an Autobot platoon captured by the Decepticons. Imprisoned at the infamous grease pits of Polyhex, the Autobot captives are forced into gladiatorial combat against their fellow inmates for the entertainment of a Decepticon audience. The platoon's leader, Tap-Out, protects his unit by frequently volunteering to do battle in place of his comrades. BotCon 2002 Tap-Out profile Around this time, an elite Autobot strike team called the Wreckers is assembled, of which Springer is a member. Departure In time, Tap-Out and many of his fellow prisoners are freed by this Autobot strike force. BotCon 2002 Tap-Out profile
Over time, many technological developments made during the war create brand new types of Transformers, including Combiners (like Hot Spot, Departure Motormaster, The Razor's Edge Sinnertwin, Wreckers: Finale Part II Divebomb, and Razorclaw Dawn of Future's Past), Headmasters, Targetmasters (such as Sureshot, Crosshairs, Quake, Departure and Quickmix Betrayal), Clones, Pretenders, Powermasters, and Micromasters. At some point after, the intergalactic Autobot freighter OTFCC—crewed by Bumblebee, Tracks, and Cosmos—makes a voyage between Earth and Cybertron when, suddenly, it and its crew are inadvertently pulled into the far future by a temporal rift in the fabric of space and time. After a brief adventure with some future Transformers and some from other universes, the ship and her crew are sent back here to their native time through another time rift. Not long after, yet another new breed of Transformers is created: Action Masters! Voice Actor Drama One of these is Rad. Betrayal
At some point, the Wreckers are disbanded. Departure As the war escalates, however, the Autobots form a new strike team known as the Firestormers. Betrayal Soon, the Transformers face a new horror in the form of the Swarm, a flailing mass of darkness that consumes all in its path and threatens to ravage the whole galaxy. But then, a light of hope cleanses the darkness: the Creation Matrix is used (presumably by Optimus Prime) to purify the destructive madness of the Swarm, granting it a greater knowledge and understanding of life. Touched by the very essence of Primus, the newly-enlightened Swarm eventually evolves into a new form, a race of beings known simply as the Vok. As penance for the tragedy and destruction they once befell upon the universe as the Swarm, the Vok become guardians of the Grand Plan, devoting themselves to safeguarding Primus's dream in all realities. Primeval Dawn Part 1 Primeval Dawn Part 3
From the ashes of war, a new hope gleams brightly as the Autobots establish Autobot City as a new base of operations on Earth. Covenant At some point, transwarp technology comes into development. Around this time, Megatron intercepts the Earth spacecraft Voyager out in space. Hedging his bets should he lose the war, he inscribes a secret message onto the craft's golden disk, instructing any Decepticon descendants that may find the disk to use the new transwarp technology to ensure the Decepticons' total victory in the end. The Agenda (Part 2)
2005
[edit]
By the Earth year 2005, the dreaded Unicron makes his return. The sudden death of Optimus Prime leaves the ownership of the Matrix in flux. Covenant A new Decepticon leader, Galvatron, is born out of the legacy of Megatron, while Bombshell is reformatted into a warrior named Cyclonus, and Skywarp becomes Cyclonus's Armada. Wreckers: Finale Part II The traitorous Starscream is blasted into oblivion by Galvatron, after the former had betrayed the latter. Possession However, Starscream's spark possesses a mutant, indestructible quality that grants him a sense of immortality, Bad Spark enabling his spark to endure without the need of a physical body. Possession
With the death of Optimus Prime and the imminent danger that Unicron poses to the Matrix, the Chronarchitect perceives this as a dire threat to Primus's Grand Plan. The Time Walker appears before the Covenant on Protos and issues a call to arms. The Covenant, who have waited eons for the destined battle of Point Omega, ready themselves for war. However, their assistance is ultimately unneeded: The Matrix is passed to the new Autobot leader, Rodimus Prime, and is used to destroy Unicron. Thus, the Covenant stands down. Covenant Unbeknownst to all, however, the destruction of Unicron's corporeal form tears open a rupture in the fabric of overspace and displaces his lifeforce through time and space, sending it into the far distant past to lie hidden within a deep underground cavern on prehistoric Earth. Paradox Terminus
The defeat of Unicron marks the end of this Great War. The Decepticons are fully driven off of Cybertron, allowing the planet to fall under Autobot control. Betrayal The Wreckers #2 Glyph profile Wreckers: Finale Part II
21st Century
[edit]
Months after the destruction of Unicron, Cybertron exists in a state of peace. The Autobots have begun rebuilding their homeworld and Rodimus Prime initiates some postwar assessment projects. Namely, he spearheads in the construction of a small fleet of five research vessels built to carry out survey missions in outer space. They are to establish reconnaissance posts meant to monitor deep space and protect Cybertron from any new threats or "surprises" like Unicron.
Some of his senior staff—which includes Perceptor, Skids, Kup, Quickmix, and Rad—are opposed to this project, deeming it an excessive use of the Autobots' presently-limited resources, but Rodimus remains adamant. The first of these vessels is christened the "Sojourner's Passage", and two of its crewmembers—Glyph and Tap-Out—are eager and confident to begin their mission. Soon, the ship blasts off from Cybertron.
Weeks later, the Sojourner's Passage, captained by Windmill, continues its voyage in the Archa system. As its pilot, Crosscut, steers the ship past Archa Nine, the ship is hit by some kind of energy pulse that causes a transwarp drive failure. The ship erupts in a streak of fire and crash-lands to the planet. Glyph and Tap-Out are the only survivors of the wreckage. Unable to contact Cybertron, they are forced to remain on Archa Nine for the next three hundred years. While back on Cybertron, the other four research vessels are constructed and launched, but two of them are lost. Along with the Sojourner's Passage, three of the five exploration teams are never heard from again. Betrayal
Third Great War
[edit]Also known as the "Third Cybertronian War", BotCon 2009 Razorclaw toy bio another Great War is fought between the Autobots on Cybertron and Earth and the Decepticons on Chaar. Cyclonus brings Galvatron back to lead the Decepticons (the latter had apparently gone missing in the aftermath of Unicron's destruction). Rodimus Prime instills hope in the Autobots as the war goes on. However, both leaders have their faults, with Rodimus constantly questioning his worthiness as the successor to Optimus Prime while Galvatron suffers from mental instability and constantly lashes out at Cyclonus. The forces of Rodimus and Galvatron frequently clash on a weekly-to-biweekly basis. Wreckers: Finale Part II
At the same time, a third faction plays its own role in the war: the alien Quintessons, who seek to retake control of Cybertron for themselves. Disclosure Among the misadventures the Autobots experience with the Quintessons is one that involves a banishment chamber that sends a group of Autobots into "a world filled with wizards and warriors, dungeons and dragons". The tale of this adventure is told by Ultra Magnus to fellow Autobots Rodimus Prime and Arcee. Wreckers: Finale Part II Another encounter with the Quintessons occurs in 2006, in which the Transformers come under threat by a horrific worm-like monster of Quintesson design, The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 which neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons are able to destroy. Wreckers: Finale Part II
A virus known as the "Hate Plague" breaks out, which boosts one's adrenaline, suppresses the neocortex, and shuts off self-diagnostics. (It is presumably cured by the Matrix upon the return of Optimus Prime.) A Wolf in the Fold At some point, Arcee undergoes the Headmaster process, wherein she is binary-bonded to her young human friend Daniel. Betrayal After surviving a near-death experience, a young Autobot named Outback is given a new bodyform and adopts a new outlook on life. Renaming himself "Fallback", he devotes himself to being the best Autobot he can be, emulating such heroes as Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime. BotCon 2005 Fallback toy bio Over time, Daniel grows up from a young boy to a young man, and accompanies the Autobots on various missions. He is good friends with Arcee and Wheelie.
One fateful Spring Break, Doctor Fujiyama creates a whole horde of Nightbirds that run well out of his control. Arcee, Daniel, and Wheelie lead a mission to save him from his creations, but the situation worsens. A rescue team of Hot Spot, Crosshairs, and Sureshot drops in from a shuttle and retrieves Arcee and Fujiyama, but Daniel and Wheelie are surrounded by Nightbirds. Unable to save them, the shuttle's crew is forced to leave Daniel and Wheelie behind, much to Arcee's objections. Choosing to go out on their own terms in one final blaze of glory, Daniel and Wheelie sacrifice their lives to obliterate all of the Nightbirds in one big explosion. Their deaths leave Arcee in a traumatized state. Departure
At some point, Optimus Prime receives a new advantage in the war in the form of the Reconfiguration Matrix. BotCon 2005 Ironhide toy bio As the Great War moves into its later stages, more new Autobots join in the fight, such as High Beam and Skram. TCC magazine #14 The Max-Cops Getout profile The Autobot Ironhide is severely damaged in the battle of Moon Base Four. Optimus Prime uses the power of the Reconfiguration Matrix to save his life, regenerating Ironhide in a brand new bodyform. BotCon 2005 Ironhide toy bio In time, the Decepticon Empire receives a new figure of authority in the form of Deathsaurus, who bears the illustrious title of "Emperor of Destruction". BotCon 2005 Deathsaurus toy bio
During Deathsaurus's reign, TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile a whole new race of Cybertronian Transformer comes into being. Born from Protoform technology forged in facilities called the "Matrix" and the "Pit", where their sparks are joined to protoforms in a sacred ritual, these next-generation Transformers are divided into two factions: the Maximals and the Predacons The Razor's Edge (the latter of whom may or may not have some kind of inherent relation to the preexisting Decepticon subgroup of the same name Dawn of Future's Past). Smaller in size and more energy efficient, Schism Departure the first Maximals and Predacons come online during the waning years of the Great War, with the Maximals aligned with the Autobots and Predacons with the Decepticons. The Razor's Edge TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile TCC magazine #13 The Max-Cops Switchblade profile
A conversion process that enables Autobots to upgrade into Maximals is brought about, The Razor's Edge with the Maximal 9K being one of the first in a line of transitionary models bridging the Autobot and Maximal designs. TCC magazine #13 The Max-Cops 9K profile As a result, some Autobots begin to undergo the "Maximal upgrade". Meanwhile, another of the first generation of Maximals to come online is Crossblades, who is trained by the Autobots as a weapons specialist. The Razor's Edge During the final years of the war, the Maximal Switchblade comes online to serve first as a pilot and then a tank operator. TCC magazine #13 The Max-Cops Switchblade profile The Maximal Apelinq also serves in the field of combat very late in the war. OTFCC website Apelinq bio The Wreckers #3 Apelinq profile On the Decepticons' side, an ambitious young Predacon named Cryotek serves under Deathsaurus as a supply depot manager. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile
On Cybertron, the city of Iacon becomes the last stronghold of the Autobots, along with the last outpost located in the most desolate region of the planet. BotCon 1999 Sandstorm's Predacon war journal In the long run, however, Deathsaurus's reign ultimately comes to an end when he is finally defeated by an Autobot named Star Saber. BotCon 2005 Deathsaurus toy bio Following an ordeal in which the Transformers encounter the malevolent Liege Maximo, Schism the Third Cybertronian War—the Great War—finally comes to an end.<ref>It is never stated explicitly in either Beast Wars or Beast Machines when the Great War ended. In the Beast Wars episode "Possession", Blackarachnia states that the Autobots and Decepticons warred with each other "for centuries." This could either suggest that the Great War went on for that long, or refer in part to the pre-Earth warring the two factions did on Cybertron before the Great War. The general fan consensus is that the war ended at some point in the 21st century because, in the Beast Wars episode "Dark Designs", Blackarachnia says of the Insecticon Shrapnel, "That was a Decepticon from the Great Wars three centuries ago!" The BotCon 2001 story "Departure" later took this notion to heart and specified that the home-time of the Maximals and Predacons of Beast Wars was "some three hundred years after the destruction of the Chaos-Bringer, Unicron." This was in reference to the events of The Transformers: The Movie, which had also been alluded to in the Beast Wars episode "Possession". Since that movie took place in 2005, three hundred year later would be the 24th Century, so the Great War being "three centuries ago" would be the 21st Century.</ref> The Decepticon Empire is no more, with many Decepticons either destroyed or having gone into hiding. BotCon 2009 Razorclaw toy bio BotCon 2005 Deathsaurus toy bio The Predacons revolt against and overthrow the Decepticon over-caste. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile
Armistice is declared on Cybertron. The Wreckers #2 Devcon profile A few Decepticons are granted amnesty, most of whom simply retire. The Agenda (Part 1) The Predacons are also given amnesty, for having turned against their Decepticon masters in the end. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile On the Maximal's side, Apelinq is decorated with a series of field commendations for meritorious conduct during his service. OTFCC website Apelinq bio The Wreckers #3 Apelinq profile
The last remote Autobot outpost of the war becomes a sacred place, BotCon 1999 Sandstorm's Predacon war journal existing within a dimensional fissure in quantum flux, bordering the realms of the living and the dead. Certain legendary heroes and villains of the war who had passed beyond the veil come to reside in the quasi-reality of this place, which comes to be known as "J'nwan". Paradox Among the "Legends" who dwell here are the Autobots Optimus Prime and Grimlock, and the Decepticons Megatron (having apparently reverted back from being Galvatron) and Soundwave. Terminus
21st—23rd Century
[edit]As a result of the Autobots defeating the Decepticons in the Great War, it is the Maximals who become the ruling power on Cybertron, with the Predacons subordinate to their authority. The Agenda (Part III) The Maximals rise to power TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile and establish their own political nation, the Maximal Imperium. BotCon 2005 Darksyde Dinobot toy bio BotCon 2006 Unit 2 (Tigatron) toy bio Timelines #1 Megatron profile TCC Chromia 10 Pilot (Airazor) toy bio The Razor's Edge Organized as a democracy, Chain of Command the Maximals install a High Council to govern them. Deep Metal In time, the members of this council become known as the Maximal Elders. The Agenda (Part 2) Master of the House The Autobots contribute to this society, supporting the Maximals with such organizations as Autobot Intelligence, Descent into Evil The Razor's Edge of which Bumblebee eventually becomes Espionage Director. BotCon 2005 Ricochet toy bio Likewise, the young Autobot Flareup becomes a student of rescue operations officer Firestar. BotCon 2005 Flareup toy bio
As a fragile peace sweeps across Cybertron, the Maximal High Council creates new law enforcement organizations to maintain planetary order: the Imperial Peace Marshals, Departure The Wreckers #2 Devcon profile headed by Peace Marshal Command, The Terror Begins and the Maximal Command Security Force, BotCon 2006 Unit 2 (Tigatron) toy bio headed by Maximal Command. Dawn of Future's Past The former Autobot bounty hunter Devcon surprises everyone by joining the Peace Marshals, The Wreckers #2 Devcon profile while the Autobot High Beam undergoes the Maximal upgrade and joins the Security Force, in which he is promoted and demoted dozens of times. TCC magazine #14 The Max-Cops High Beam profile The Maximal 9K also joins the MCSF and rises to the rank of captain rather quickly, TCC magazine #13 The Max-Cops 9K profile while the Maximal Switchblade undergoes a reformatting to become a MaxCop as well. TCC magazine #13 The Max-Cops Switchblade profile
In time, the High Council establishes a Research Cooperative in one of Cybertron's private sectors, in which Apelinq works a civilian career as a scientist and engineer, among several others like him. He becomes one of the planet's brightest independent researchers. One of his colleagues happens to be one of Cybertron's most brilliant scientists and most gifted engineers: A Predacon named Cryotek. During this time, Cryotek makes numerous technological advances that Apelinq comes to admire. The Wreckers #3 Apelinq profile BotCon Online Cryotek profile The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 However, the ambitiously enterprising Cryotek uses materials stolen from the supply depot he worked at during the Great War to buy himself the start of his own criminal empire. From deep in the shadows, his organization begins with petty smuggling and illegal gambling. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile
Eventually, some Decepticons living in retirement grow dissatisfied with the Maximal/Autobot rule of the planet and decide to take matters into their own hands. The Decepticons Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, and Ravage are approached by Divebomb, a member of the original Predacons who was believed to have perished long ago. Divebomb presents the three with an offer to join him in a new calling, complete with new forms and a new purpose. The three accept and are reprogrammed and rebuilt as Predacons. BotCon 2006 Laserbeak toy bio More importantly, the leader of the original Predacons, Razorclaw, becomes the leader of the new Predacons and rallies them under his new calling. Declaring themselves the Predacon Empire, the Predacons instigate several wars of their own against the Autobots and Maximals, aiming to conquer Cybertron and defeat the Autobots once and for all. BotCon 2009 Razorclaw toy bio The Razor's Edge
During this time, a young Maximal named Optimus Primal—in honor of Optimus Prime—attends the Maximal Military Academy. He studies the historical and scientific records of past generations, and graduates near the top of his class. Timelines #1 Optimus Primal profile Meanwhile, a young Predacon reads excerpts from the Covenant of Primus about a legendary figure named "Megatron". Inspired by these legends, the Predacon takes the name for himself. Nemesis Part 1 As the name is also shared by the greatest leader of the Decepticons, Master Blaster the legends surrounding the exploits of the Decepticon leader Megatron also serve as inspiration for this younger Predacon Megatron. Timelines #1 Megatron profile In time, Megatron comes to enter the organization of one of his earliest mentors, the crime boss Cryotek, BotCon Online Cryotek profile whose empire has since moved into racketeering and extortion. More than just another lackey, Megatron rises through the ranks to become Cryotek's pupil, apprentice, and right-hand bot. Although, Cryotek is keen to never fully trust his new protégé. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile BotCon Online Cryotek profile
Last Great War
[edit]Another Great War breaks out for the final time, this one fought by the Predacon Empire against the Autobots and Maximals. Led by Razorclaw, the Predacon army attacks Cybertron with a renewed ferocity. Timelines #1 Optimus Primal profile The Razor's Edge BotCon 2009 Razorclaw toy bio Optimus Primal serves with the Maximals and proves his mettle as both a soldier and a tactician time and time again. Timelines #1 Optimus Primal profile The young Megatron serves as a field commander in the Predacon army, where his experiences teach him much about strategy and tactics. Timelines #1 Megatron profile A Decepticon army also serves alongside the Predacon army, The Razor's Edge fighting together as the Decepticon/Predacon Alliance. BotCon 2005 Deathsaurus toy bio
Centuries after his original demise,<ref>Deathsaurus's BotCon 2005 toy bio says he was recreated "centuries" after his defeat by Star Saber. The Victory episode this happened in was set in the 21st Century, meaning his recreation (and, by extension, the last Great War itself) must occur no earlier than the 23rd Century, only single century before the future home-time of the Beast Wars cast. However, this contradicts the statement given in the first episode that the Maximals and Predacons have been at peace "for centuries". But then again, this Great War between the Maximals and Predacons is itself a contradiction to that statement, and for the purposes of this timeline, we're stuck with it.</ref> the former Emperor of Destruction Deathsaurus is recreated to serve as a general in the Decepticon army. He leads several successful campaigns against the Maximals and Autobots. BotCon 2005 Deathsaurus toy bio Just when it seems like the Predacons may win the war, Razorclaw is assassinated, taken out by a treacherous trio of generals who assume command of the Predacons. Together, the three of them become the Tripredacus Council. BotCon 2009 Razorclaw toy bio Dissatisfied with his current role of serving under Divebomb, Ravage leaves his affiliation with Divebomb to instead pledge his allegiance to the Tripredacus Council, becoming one of their agents. BotCon 2006 Laserbeak toy bio Over time, the Maximals and Autobots begin to overwhelm the Decepticon/Predacon Alliance. BotCon 2005 Deathsaurus toy bio
In the waning stellar cycles of the war, the remaining Decepticons pretty much abandon the fight altogether, leaving the Predacons to continue a now hopeless war by themselves. The Tripredacus Council spearheads a final campaign in the J'kozian sector of space. One by one, several planets are targeted for their resources: Chakar, Loneedo, Roliak, Nibari, S'elar, and more. However, without the support of the Decepticon army, the Predacons are ultimately defeated by the more united Autobots and Maximals. The war ends with the Tripredacus Council's surrender. A set of terms for a temporary peace accord is drawn up until a formal peace treaty—the Pax Cybertronia—can be written. In time, the Predacon Empire is replaced by the Predacon Alliance, with the Tripredacus Council still in charge. The Razor's Edge A delicate state of peace between the Maximals and Predacons begins. Beast Wars (Part 1)
After the last Great War
[edit]For the next fifty years, the Autobot Ratchet travels the galaxy learning new forms of combat to enhance his battlefield rescue ability. BotCon 2005 Autobot Ratchet toy bio The Autobot rookie Flareup comes under the protection of Chromia, in order to honor her comrade and Flareup's mentor, Firestar.<ref>From Ben Yee's review of BotCon 2005 Flareup: "I was going to mention that Firestar had been killed in the last Great War but ultimately opted to keep that out of the tech spec for fear Hasbro would not appreciate me "killing" one of their characters in any way."</ref> BotCon 2005 Chromia toy bio
Despite the wars between the Maximals and Predacons having finally ended, some of the Predacon field generals refuse to lay down arms during this turbulent time of unstable peace, and continue to skirmish with the Maximal military The Razor's Edge out of a dissatisfaction with the Tripredacus Council's surrender. Among these disgruntled misfits are Deathsaurus, the Insecticons Dirge and Buzzclaw Descent into Evil and Cryotek's former pupil, BotCon Online Cryotek profile Megatron. Timelines #1 Megatron profile Cryotek himself is likewise displeased with the Council's apparently lackadaisical leadership, and expands his criminal activity further into the realms of extortion, theft, unlawful mayhem, BotCon Online Cryotek profile and several abductions. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1
In a conflict on Regulon Four, the Insecticon Dirge suffers a humiliating defeat by Chromia and Flareup. Descent into Evil The young Autobot Ricochet becomes one of the top trainees at the espionage division of the Autobot Academy. He catches the attention of Espionage Director Bumblebee, who takes him under his wing as a spy and saboteur for Autobot Intelligence. Though, his cocky attitude often puts him at odds with his teammates during missions. BotCon 2005 Ricochet toy bio
The ancient Decepticon Flamewar is wanted by Autobot Intelligence. For the next five stellar cycles,<ref>In "Descent into Evil", Bumblebee says to Flamewar, "We've been trying to flush you out for five solar cycles!" However, in his review of the story, author Ben Yee clarified that "Autobot Intelligence has been hunting [Flamewar] for ages," much longer than just five days. Bumblebee should have said "stellar cycles" instead of "solar cycles".</ref> she gives them a good chase, going undercover as an agent of the Tripredacus Council and switching to a new bodyform Descent into Evil made from stolen Autobot plans. BotCon 2005 Flamewar toy bio
~214 AU
[edit]
Around 214 AU,<ref>Fom Ben Yee's review of "Descent into Evil": "For those keeping track, I estimate this tale happening roughly one hundred years before Optimus Primal and gang take off in the Axalon."</ref> Deathsaurus establishes a base on Ceti Alpha Seven with the Insecticons Dirge and Buzzclaw. Wanting to restore the Decepticons to their former glorious empire, the three of them work to produce a new army of Insecticon Virulent Clones.
Flamewar is sent by the Tripredacus Council to keep tabs on the operation, while a team of six Autobots is sent there to destroy the clone lab. Four of them—Fallback, Ricochet, Chromia, and Flareup—are sent to the surface, where they are ambushed by Dirge and a horde of clones. The Autobots try to fight them off, until Deathsaurus steps in and overwhelms them.
The remaining two Autobots—Ironhide and Ratchet—head down to the planet to rescue their teammates, but are attacked by Buzzclaw and more clones. Ironhide disables Buzzclaw, but Deathsaurus reappears and battles Ironhide one-on-one. Flamewar, who had been watching everything, secretly takes out Ratchet and blasts Ironhide for Deathsaurus. He, however, is offended by her presence, believing the Tripredacus Council and their agents tarnish Megatron's memory.
Deathsaurus brings the defeated Ironhide and Ratchet back to his base as captives. He explains that while the Autobots did destroy the first batch of clones, a second batch was made during the battle, giving Deathsaurus all that he needs to make more. No longer needing this base, he rigs it to explode and take the captive Autobots with it. However, once Deathsaurus departs, Ricochet reveals himself, having snuck away during the battle. He frees Ironhide and Ratchet, who scoop up the other three Autobots, and all of them make their escape before the base is leveled in a massive explosion.
High above the planet aboard her ship, Flamewar reports these events to an intrigued Tripredacus Council. But then, Director Bumblebee interrupts Flamewar's video call, revealing that, during the battle with Deathsaurus, Ricochet had secretly planted a virus made by Autobot Intelligence into each of the second-batch Virulent Clones, which will cause both them and any additional clones made from them to malfunction. With Flamewar's involvement in Deathsaurus's operation now known to the High Council, the Tripredacus Council deems her a liability and cut all ties with her by blowing her ship. Descent into Evil
She survives, however, having used a personal forcefield to protect herself from the blast, but which knocks her into stasis lock. When she comes to, she awakens to find herself in what appears to be an Autobot prison cell on the planet Tantalus Five. Ricochet, along with the famous general Obsidian and the Maximal K-9, offer her a proposition: If she assassinates Deathsaurus, the three of them will let her go free, complete with a new bodyform that will make her unrecognizable to even the Tripredacus Council. Incredulous, Flamewar refuses. Though she hates him, Deathsaurus is still a Decepticon, and Flamewar remains loyal to the Decepticon cause, to Megatron's vision.
Her captors declare that the Decepticon army is no more, the Predacons are now fully ruled by the Tripredacus Council, and the Decepticon cause is lost. They also claim to have planted a bomb inside her, which will go off if she doesn't comply. Flamewar still refuses, preferring to die than to serve any Autobot or Maximal. Convinced of her sincerity, Flamewar's captors reveal their true identities: Ricochet, Obsidian, and K-9 are actually the Predacons Scourge, Buzz Saw, and Max-B, respectively. Their appearances, and the whole room, are revealed to have been an elaborate holographic projection. Scourge explains that this was all a test, for the three of them serve neither the Tripredacus Council nor Deathsaurus. Their master is a Predacon named... Megatron, Intimidation Game who now commands his own band of followers. Timelines #1 Megatron profile
Around the same time as these events, Saber, an Autobot hero of the Great Wars, is abducted by Unicron, Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/15 whose remains dwell within a world between dimensions. Abduction Refusing to fight for dishonorable sport on behalf of his abductor, Saber is imprisoned within Unicron's war arena, the Cauldron. He resists the Chaos Bringer's influence for a long time Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/15 until he and many of his fellow prisoners are freed in a jailbreak that happens about a century later. Escape Following his escape, Saber is returned to his time and place from which he had originally been taken. He would go on to have many further adventures afterward. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/15
After ~214 AU
[edit]
A young bot named Wing Saber attends the Maximal Military Academy on Cybertron. The Razor's Edge
In time, a new commander simply known as "the Leader" organizes a number of Predacon insurgents to begin attacking several Maximal outposts and several defenseless worlds in the J'kozian sector, raiding them for their resources. Over the course of thirty Stellar Cycles, each of these worlds are attacked in the same order as they were back during the Predacons' final campaign of the last Great War: from Chakar to Loneedo, to Roliak, but stopping on Nibari instead of proceeding to S'elar. On Nibari, a massive industrial project is underway: the Nibarians are enslaved by the Predacons and several factories are built to refine energon and manufacture an army of sparkless drones. The Tripredacus Council denies any affiliation with these operations, deeming them to be the work of renegades.
The timing of these attacks couldn't be worse, for the drafting of the the Pax Cybertronia is currently underway. Maximal Command sends multiple agents to deal with the various situations on these worlds. One such agent, Wing Saber, finds herself captured and interrogated by the Predacon Steelgrave during one of her recon operations, but manages to escape to her ship, the Chromia 10. On Roliak, Crossblades and her partner Stiletto (who had first come online only four stellar cycles ago and was trained by the Maximal military) defeat twenty-three rogue Predacons before they are reassigned by Maximal Command to team up with Wing Saber for a new mission. The three are to investigate and report on the situation at Nibari. Meanwhile, a small Nibarian resistance led by Ritash makes plans to attack the Predacons' robotics plant in the city of Ro'kar.
Wing Saber, Crossblades, and Stiletto infiltrate the Predacons' headquarters on Nibari and eventually sneak into the aforementioned factory. After hacking into a maintenance panel, their suspicions about the drone army are confirmed. The Nibarian rebels then launch their attack on the Predacons and a battle ensues. The three Maximals join the fight to help the Nibarians, but come face to face with the Leader: the ancient Decepticon Megatron! As the Nibarians make their retreat, Ritash is left behind to ensure the safe escape of his allies. The Maximals grab Ritash and flee from the factory as well. The three explain to Ritash the difference between Maximal and Predacon and promise to help liberate his planet. The three return to the factory and challenge Megatron to a trial by combat under Cybertronian law; the loser must leave Nibari forever. The challenge is held outside the city at a massive crater.
Megatron is powerful and overwhelms all three Maximals, but not without taking significant damage; too much damage to be the real Megatron. Wing Saber manages to break Megatron's shoulder armor to reveal a completely different shoulder underneath. The drone army soon arrives, having been reprogrammed by the Nibarians. Ritash unleashes the drones' full payload on the Predacons and "Megatron", revealing the latter to actually be an exosuit disguise worn by the Decepticon Flamewar. The three Maximals recover and place Flamewar under arrest, planning to take her back to Cybertron. Wing Saber also decides to remain partners with Stiletto and Crossblades. Ritash thanks the three for their help and says that the drones will be put to good use as construction robots. The Razor's Edge
The Pax Cybertronia is finally ratified and signed by the Maximal Elders and the Tripredacus Council, at long last formalizing peace between the Maximal Imperium and the Predacon Alliance. The Razor's Edge Although, the Tripredacus Council secretly plots a long game, planning for such a time when the Predacons can rise up and take Cybertron for themselves. The Agenda (Part 1) Until that time, however, they must cooperate with the Maximal Elders to keep the peace on Cybertron. The Agenda (Part 2) To protect this new fragile peace, The Wreckers #3 Apelinq profile the Maximal Command Security Force BotCon 2006 Unit 2 (Tigatron) toy bio and the Imperial Peace Marshals work to enforce the law and maintain planetary order. Departure The Wreckers #2 Devcon profile Wing Saber and her team continue to work for the Maximal Imperium, operating as one of many squadrons sent on recon missions into Predacon space to prevent any rogue entities from operating outside the terms of the Pax Cybertronia. TCC Chromia 10 Pilot (Airazor) toy bio
By now, Apelinq is a head official in a leading research facility, having spearheaded many advances in computer xenoscience. BotCon 2000 Apelinq toy bio However, as planetwide peace is declared, OTFCC website Apelinq bio he is called back to active duty by the Maximal High Council. He is chosen to be the platoon commander of a new version of the legendary Autobot strike force known as the Wreckers, The Wreckers #3 Apelinq profile who are recommissioned as an ironic last resort the Council hopes to never have need of for open warfare. Departure Rather, the Wreckers are used to fight a secret war of politics from behind the scenes of the planet's new cities and supposedly egalitarian government, in order to maintain peace and preserve Cybertron's future. The Wreckers #3 Apelinq profile
Several months later, the Autobot Arcee still mourns the loss of her human friend Daniel. The former Rodimus Prime—now simply "Rodimus"—and fellow Autobot Springer attempt to help her move past her depression, but she dismisses them. All three undergo the Maximal upgrade, which unlocks and magnifies their latent abilities. For Rodimus, the process manifests his status as a Matrix Templar, Departure a legendary state of being held by five Transformers at a time, and each of whom possess a special affinity with the Well of All Sparks. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18 For Arcee, however, the upgrade grants her a sense of precognition that enables her to see a person's imminent death, an ability that nearly drives her mad. To keep her sanity, she disappears shortly after, secluding herself in isolation, not to be seen or heard from again for a long time. Departure
23rd–24th Century
[edit]
Eventually,<ref name="time span">Exactly how much time passes between the age of the Autobots and Decepticons and that of the Maximals and Predacons was never clarified in a consistent manner between the Beast Wars and Beast Machines cartoons. The most common consensus is three centuries, because of a line in the episode "Dark Designs" where Blackarachnia states that the "Great Wars" were "three centuries ago." The first episode mentioned that the Maximals and Predacons had been at peace "for centuries", and "Law of the Jungle" mentioned that there had been "hundreds of stellar cycles" (that is, "hundreds of years") since the Great War first began. However, the rest of Beast Wars would suggest a significantly greater span of time: The production bible for Beast Wars indicated that the age of the Autobots and Decepticons was considered by the Maximals and Predacons to be the stuff of "Cybertron Mythology", which was reflected in episodes like "The Agenda (Part III)", "The Reformatting", "The Key", and "End of the Line" where characters initially treated things like the Ark, Vector Sigma, its key, and the Plasma Energy Chamber all as mere legends before discovering the reality of each. The episode "Possession" also established the Autobots and Decepticons to be the Maximals' and Predacons' "ancient ancestors", with only Blackarachnia, Optimus Primal, and Dinobot having ever heard of the Decepticon Starscream. In the Beast Machines episode "Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search", Nightscream mentioned that the Great War was "eons ago", which feels truer to the spirit of how far removed from the Autobots and Decepticons Beast Wars intended the Maximals and Predacons to be. But, for the purposes of this timeline, "Departure" leaned into the "three centuries" statement and explicitly placed the time of Beast Machines three hundred years after 2005, which would also be the 24th Century.</ref> Cybertron completes "the great upgrade from Autobot to Maximal," The Search in which much of the planet's population is reborn as Maximals and Predacons, Departure downsizing to more energy-efficient forms. Schism By this point, the entire planet's society has been completely restructured into Maximal and Predacon castes. Covenant New city layers are built over the city-states of old, with the city of Cybertropolis built over the ancient Autobot city of Iacon. The Search However, some Autobots and Decepticons do still remain, living in retirement. Other Visits (Part 2) The Agenda (Part 1)
By now, Cryotek has become one of the most notorious outlaws and crime bosses on Cybertron, BotCon Online Cryotek profile having been wanted by the High Council for vorns. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 His organization moves into arms dealing and banned sciences. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile Obsessed with upgrading bodyframes, Cryotek believes that the Pax Cybertronia stifles Cybertronian evolutionary growth. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1
He pioneers in the development of several dangerous Predacon body upgrades that are technically still legal for construction and research purposes, thanks to some loopholes in the Pax Cybertronia's Combat Bodyframe ban. He even acquires his own body-retrofitting plant. Yet, despite their suspicions, the Maximal Security Forces are never able to convict the crafty Cryotek of any illegal activity. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile Likewise, Megatron and his own criminal gang also work in defiance of the Pax Cybertronia. Timelines #1 Megatron profile In time, Megatron becomes a publicly known criminal. Home Soil
At some point since its original space launch centuries ago, the Golden Disk of Planet Earth ends up on Cybertron and becomes the most carefully guarded relic on the planet, Beast Wars (Part 1) The Agenda (Part 2) locked away deep within the Hall of Records. Hall of Fame 2011 Waspinator bio Two MaxCops (and longtime friends), codenamed "Unit-1" and "Unit-2", are stationed at the disk's location to serve as security guards. Timelines #1 Maximal Command Security Force bio A thousand Maximals and Predacons attempt to hunt for this coveted disk, but every attempt ends in their demise. Theft of the Golden Disk Though some historical records remain accessible to the public through the Chronicles of Cybertron, certain information about the planet's war history is classified by the Maximal Elders, Possession with all travel to Earth-space forbidden by the High Council. Deep Metal However, these restrictions seem to apply less so for the Predacons, as one young Predacon is able to study Cybertron's military history. Possession
24th Century
[edit]
By the 24th Century,<ref name="time span"/><ref>In "Escape", the inside-cover recap of "Abduction" claims that the events of Universe (and, by extension, the home-time of the Beast Wars/Beast Machines characters) take place in the 23rd Century. Author Simon Furman was likely going by the timeframe of the Great War as depicted in the Marvel Generation 1 comics (as he was wont to do), which ended during the late 20th Century in the 1990s. Despite this, the setting was already established by "Departure" to be three centuries after 2005, which is during the 24th Century.</ref> the Pax Cybertronia remains in effect. The Agenda (Part 1) Cybertron and its Maximal populace are still governed by the High Council of Maximal Elders The Agenda (Part 2) Deep Metal Master of the House who reside within the Council Citadel in Cybertropolis, the central city of the planet. Master of the House Out in space, the Tripredacus Council rules the Predacons from their space station, Predacon Command Outpost One. The Agenda (Part 1) Maximal law and order is maintained by the Imperial Peace Marshals Departure and the Maximal Command Security Force. BotCon 2006 Unit 2 (Tigatron) toy bio while Predacon law is enforced by the Predacon Secret Police. The Agenda (Part 2)
It is a time of exploration and technological advancement. Departure The Maximals and Predacons reside both on Cybertron and on various space stations, such as Colony Omicron and Starbase Rugby. Deep Metal Nemesis Part 1 Energon is mined as a natural resource in places like the Vespa System. Dark Voyage Stasis pods equipped with DNA scanners are used to carry protoforms on deep space missions to other planets, placed aboard vessels equipped with transwarp technology. Beast Wars (Part 1) The Spark Once such vessel is the Axalon, Beast Wars (Part 1) whose navigator serves as an interplanetary surveyor. Dinobots Airraptor toy bio Another ship captained by a young scientist leaves Cybertron on a voyage of exploration; its crew settles on a planet inhabited by chlorophyll-based lifeforms, Home Soil the planet Regalis V. Wreckers: Finale Part II The crew acquires new alternate modes based on the planet's local lifeforms, adopting the forms of sentient plants. Home Soil
New MaxCops have since joined the Maximal Command Security Force, TCC magazine #13 The Max-Cops Overshoot profile such as Shatterpoint, a former pollster. TCC magazine #14 The Max-Cops Shatterpoint profile Overshoot joins upon activation, his protoform having been deemed more suited for police work than space exploration. TCC magazine #13 The Max-Cops Overshoot profile The young Maximal Getout becomes the MCSF's best flier, TCC magazine #14 The Max-Cops Getout profile while Stopgap joins after returning from a deep-space mission on the planet Edaps, where he gathered scientific data on the local mechanoid lifeforms and culture, and made a living as a private investigator. TCC website Max Cops Stopgap profile
At some point, Cryotek comes to learn of the ancient prism that the Quintessons had used to channel the power of Primus back during their occupation of Cybertron eons ago. Betrayal He locates and reaches out to the Quintessons, now living in a rather sorry state of being The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 on the planet New Quintessa. Together, they begin a business partnership and craft a long-term and rather elaborate plan to invade and conquer Cybertron in the not too distant future. Betrayal Disclosure Said plan involves the collaborative design and cultivation of a new kind of matter that blends together the organic and the technological. Unbeknownst to either party, however, this plot is actually part of a much deeper plan, one preordained and orchestrated entirely by Primus himself. Wreckers: Finale Part II
Cryotek also begins recruiting new minions into his organization. TCC website Max Cops Backslash profile TCC website Max Cops Buzzbomb profile He approaches the ancient Decepticon Cyclonus with an offer to join him in his plan with the Quintessons, but doesn't yet seem to fully convince the old warrior. BotCon 2002 Cyclonus packaging art sequence A young Predacon named Backslash comes online as a new recruit for the Predacon Police, but instead pursues a life of crime in the streets of Darkmount, becoming a petty thug who is so good at what he does that he has no criminal record. He catches the attention of Cryotek, who brings him into his organization as an enforcer. TCC website Max Cops Backslash profile A complacent dock hauler named Buzzbomb is approached by Cryotek with a more enticing offer than the life of tedium he currently lives. Shocking all of his coworkers, Buzzbomb drops a ten-ton crate on his foreman and terminates the dock's security team, creating enough of a spectacle for Cryotek's organization to step in and take control of the situation. Buzzbomb goes on to become Cryotek's top enforcer. TCC website Max Cops Buzzbomb profile Cryotek also gains a new right-hand-mech in Dirge, a sleazy Predacon who rises through the ranks of Cryotek's empire as a professional "finder of lost objects." TCC website Max Cops Dirge profile
The unpublished bio describes Scorponok as having first come online as a lab assistant to Cryotek. He is constantly passed over for a promotion, but fears the wrath of his boss should he ever decide to quit. His life is changed when, one day, he is reassigned from the lab to work with members of Cryotek's other "profession". Teamed up with the recently-recruited Backslash, Scorponok now works as a criminal sneaking through the shadows, and considers undergoing a body upgrade.
310 AU
[edit]Maximal scientists conduct an experiment on a protoform, attempting to replicate the immortal qualities of the ancient Decepticon Starscream's mutant indestructible spark. The result is "Protoform X", an uncontrollable monster incapable of being recycled. Bad Spark Protoform X escapes to Colony Omicron and massacres everyone there. The only survivor is Depth Charge, Deep Metal an Imperial Peace Marshal Pieces of a Puzzle who works as the colony's head of security. Filled with a thirst for vengeance justice, Depth Charge proceeds to hunt X down for four stellar cycles. Deep Metal
310–314 AU
[edit]Protoform X continues his rampage. He pays a visit to Starbase Rugby, where some of Depth Charge's friends reside. They are slaughtered too. Nemesis Part 1
A young Maximal works as an energon miner in the Vespa System. Dark Voyage He later works as a spy for Maximal Command, a career that sends him through the murky depths of Cybertron's sewers and earns him a great deal of infiltration experience. BotCon 2006 Axalon Rattrap toy bio
314 AU
[edit]At some point, Apelinq pays a visit to Cryotek's lab at a research facility, and takes notice of some circuitry patterns of the Predacon's own making.<ref>In "Disclosure", Apelinq says that this visit occurred "two stellar cycles ago." The present time of that story is set during the time of Beast Machines. In the script for "The Wreckers: Finale Part 1", Apelinq also says "Cryotek disappeared a few stellar cycles ago – not long after [Optimus Primal] and his crew went after Megatron and the Golden Disc." [sic] Since Cryotek was arrested right after the Golden Disk heist (as seen in "Theft of the Golden Disk"), said heist could not have occurred more than two stellar cycles before "Disclosure", meaning the disk was stolen just two stellar cycles before the time of Beast Machines, which Apelinq's War Journals placed during the stellar cycle of 316 AU.</ref> Disclosure The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 Deeming the Predacon known as Megatron to be a dangerous rogue, The Agenda (Part 1) the Predacon Secret Police plants a mole, Lieutenant Tarantulas, into Megatron's criminal gang, in hopes that Tarantulas's infiltrating Megatron's operations may eventually lead to the Predacon criminal's inevitable capture. The Agenda (Part 2) A Maximal thief named Packrat is apprehended by Peace Marshal Devcon, convicted of a long list of petty crimes, and sentenced to be shipped off-world inside a stasis pod aboard the Axalon. Betrayal
A young cadet in the MCSF leaves the Security Force to pursue a new career, one that he hopes will take him on adventures in outer space. BotCon 2006 Axalon Cheetor toy bio As Optimus Primal begins his career as the new captain of the Axalon, TCC magazine #9 Optimus Primal profile he recruits the former cadet to join him as part of the Axalon's new crew, seeing potential in the young bot. BotCon 2006 Axalon Cheetor toy bio Also joining the crew is a former spy for Maximal Command, who sees the Axalon as a potential respite from his intrigue-filled life. BotCon 2006 Axalon Rattrap toy bio There is also a defense specialist among the new crew. BotCon 2006 Axalon Rhinox toy bio
After four long stellar cycles, Depth Charge finally captures the renegade monster Protoform X. He brings the creature back to Cybertron and asks the High Council to find a way for its spark to be destroyed. The Council, however, declines his request and instead turns Protoform X over to the science division to be placed into a stasis pod aboard the Axalon and be shipped off-world to be dumped someplace far away. Depth Charge is displeased with this decision and warns the Council that Optimus Primal, the captain of the Axalon, is likely to botch the disposal of Protoform X. Deep Metal Bad Spark
The ancient Decepticon/Predacon Divebomb begins working a new machination, one that involves the theft of the fabled Golden Disk. Dawn of Future's Past Cryotek also desires to steal the disk and plans to frame the theft on his old apprentice and pupil, Megatron. BotCon Online Cryotek profile TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile Cryotek's agents "stumble" upon an escape ship needed for the theft, Theft of the Golden Disk its location and accessibility having been leaked by Divebomb. Dawn of Future's Past Cryotek also learns of the particular archive that contains all the information the Maximals have on the Golden Disk, including its location. Theft of the Golden Disk However, Megatron likewise orchestrates a plot to steal the disk for himself. Hall of Fame 2012 Megatron (Beast Wars) bio Having grown dissatisfied with the Predacon Alliance's slow methods in taking over Cybertron, Megatron had already gathered his own band of subordinates The Agenda (Part 2) (one of whom is named Wasp) Hall of Fame 2011 Waspinator bio to help him steal the Golden Disk, and instilled loyalty in them with the prospect of the disk containing the location of a great source of energon The Agenda (Part 2) Beast Wars (Part 1) (hiding his true agenda from most of them). Tangled Web Maximal, No More The Agenda (Part 2)
Setting his plan into motion, Cryotek calls Megatron to his lair to discuss a partnership between the two in stealing the Golden Disk. When Megatron and his gang arrive, they agree to team up with Cryotek's minions and carry out the heist that very night. Three teams are dispatched. Team Alpha—Backslash and his partner—takes out the power grid at Maximal Power Station B4-Y, while Team Beta—Buzzbomb, Wasp, and a red 'bot—breaks into Predacon Transwarp Research Center D-F to secure the escape ship. At the power station, Backslash is caught in the explosion and abandoned by his partner.
With the power offline, the third team—Megatron, his lieutenant, and Dirge—break into the central branch of the Cybertropolis Maximal Data Archive and locate the data-con containing the Golden Disk info. Megatron, in defiance of Cryotek's orders, secretly transmits the data to Tarantulas to decode it. However, a transmitter hidden in the archive secretly attaches itself to Megatron while his lieutenant sets a time bomb to destroy the archives. Back with Team Beta, the red 'bot kills Buzzbomb and makes it look like one of the facility's security guards did it. As the power comes back on, Megatron's team is attacked by the Maximal Security Force upon exiting the archives.
While Megatron and his lieutenant fight off the MaxCops, Dirge takes the stolen data-con back to Cryotek. However, Cryotek reveals to Dirge that he had tipped off the MaxCops to Megatron's break-in at the archives. With Megatron arrested and the archives destroyed, there would be no evidence to trace the heist back to Cryotek. But, upon opening the data-con, all Cryotek finds is the transmitter from the archives, which leads the MaxCops directly to Cryotek. Elsewhere, Megatron, his lieutenant, and Backslash's former partner infiltrate the disk's secret location Theft of the Golden Disk within the Hall of Records. Hall of Fame 2011 Waspinator bio Once Megatron claims the disk for himself, Theft of the Golden Disk he and his teammates begin their escape. Dawn of Future's Past The stolen ship takes off from its hangar Theft of the Golden Disk Trailer and arrives to pick up Megatron and his teammates, the red 'bot having christened the vessel "Darksyde".
Elsewhere, Divebomb instructs his agents, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw, to ensure Megatron and his allies get away with the disk and reach their destination. Unit 2 of the Maximal Security Force commandeers a vessel, the Chromia 10, to pursue Megatron's gang, its pilot agreeing to help him give chase. Maximal Command discusses the recent theft, noting that the Tripredacus Council denies any involvement. Observing that the stolen ship is equipped with a transwarp drive, Command selects the Axalon as the only transwarp ship within range that can intercept Megatron. Aboard their own vessel in deep space, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw are instructed by Divebomb to prevent any pursuing Maximal vessels from stopping Megatron.
Aboard a space station, the crew of the Axalon receives Protoform X's stasis pod. After it's loaded onto the ship, Optimus Primal announces to his crew a new mission to dump their new special cargo on a barren moon in the Alpha Quadrant. Suddenly, Maximal Command radios in, ordering the Axalon to pursue the stolen Predacon ship and retrieve the Golden Disk, which the High Council deems an even higher priority than the disposal of Protoform X. On the way, the Axalon is attacked by Buzzsaw and Laserbeak's ship. The Chromia 10 arrives to provide assistance, but sustains critical damage in the battle.
Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, and their ship are destroyed and the Axalon crew performs a remote spark core transfer in an attempt to save the wounded Chromia 10 pilot and Unit 2, transferring their sparks into stasis pods containing blank protoforms but losing much of their core mainframes in the process. Aboard the Predacon ship, Tarantulas begins analyzing the Golden Disk and reports some of his findings to the Tripredacus Council. The Axalon soon catches up to the ship and introductions are made as Megatron contacts his Maximal pursuers. The two ships engage one another as the Predacon ship activates its transwarp drive. A transwarp portal opens in space ahead and the Predacon ship enters, followed by the Axalon. Both ships disappear through time. Dawn of Future's Past
Back on Cybertron, the wanted Cryotek is finally taken into custody by the Maximal Security Force, TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile disappearing from the Cybertronian public. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 However, with Megatron and the disk both gone, and with no living witnesses, the Maximals are only able to charge Cryotek with tax evasion and for operating a body-retrofitting facility without a license. Though finally sent to prison, Cryotek remains in full control of his criminal empire from behind bars. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile Dirge, meanwhile is extradited from the Maximals to the Predacons to stand trial for a long list of crimes. TCC website Max Cops Dirge profile Though he was blown up at the power plant, there were enough parts of Backslash for the MaxCops to recover. Reassembled, the comatose Backslash lies in intensive care at a Maximal hospital. TCC website Max Cops Backslash profile
Furious over the disappearance of the Axalon, Depth Charge leaves Cybertron aboard a Starhopper to seek out the missing vessel himself and finish what he started, Deep Metal going against the orders of his superiors at Peace Marshal Command. Pieces of a Puzzle In time, the Maximals send out temporal probes to search for the missing Axalon across space and time. The Probe Unfortunately, the probes' searches reveal no findings of the Axalon. The Agenda (Part 1)
Meanwhile, an up-and-coming agent in the Tripredacus Council's assassination corps has a falling-out with his superiors. Fleeing to escape termination from his ex-employers, the fugitive somehow ends up going back in time to wind up in the Beast Wars. BotCon: Beyond Onyx Primal profile
A transwarp wavefront from the time of the Beast Wars travels into the future and arrives within Cybertron space about a deca-cycle<ref>The episode incorrectly used the term "mega-cycle", which is approximately one Earth hour. "Deca-cycle" was the likely intended term, as it is approximately one Earth month.</ref> after the disappearance of the Axalon and Megatron's ship. The wavefront hits Predacon Command Outpost One, where the Tripredacus Council identifies its signature as matching that of the ship stolen by Megatron.
Wanting to rid themselves of the threat of Megatron for good, the Council sends one of their agents, Ravage, back in time aboard an experimental transwarp cruiser to eliminate Megatron and all witnesses to his mission. Wanting to handle this situation themselves, the Council also arranges for one of their satellites to "accidentally" explode in the path of the transwarp wavefront, preventing it from being detected by Maximal sensors on Cybertron.
314–316 AU
[edit]
Out in deep space, Depth Charge continues his search for the missing Axalon. His Starhopper enters the forbidden Earth-space sector in defiance of the High Council. Conducting a quantum scan yields a positive detection of Protoform X's energy signature in the vicinity. Suddenly, a temporal anomaly materializes ahead; Depth Charge's ship is pulled into the vortex, which proceeds to Transmetalize Depth Charge. He and his ship disappear as the anomaly closes, pulling him back in time to the Beast Wars. Deep Metal
In the Mirtonian constellation, an attack specialist is stationed in Sector 17. Dinobots T-Wrecks toy bio A famous Predacon named Magmatron, known by all as an "Emperor of Destruction", embarks on an interplanetary quest for energy capsules. He is presumably accompanied by his followers. Dinobots Magmatron toy bio
Back on Cybertron, the planet undergoes the Quantum Cycle Upgrade, in which external DNA scanners and stasis pod technology are discarded in favor of incorporating internal DNA scanners directly into the superstructures of each Transformer, creating a more convenient method for scanning Beast Modes. Survivor
316 AU
[edit]In transwarp space, the Maximal victors of the Beast Wars travel back to their future home-time aboard Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta, with the Predacon criminal Megatron bound to the ship's roof as their captive. Descent Suddenly, their ship is hit by a disruption in the timestream, which loosens Megatron's bonds. Abduction Megatron manages to break free of his bonds and tumbles off and away from the ship, disappearing in transwarp space before a massive blast rocks the shuttle and its crew. Unbeknownst to the Maximals, Megatron lands back on Cybertron well ahead of his captors, Descent arriving through a transwarp anomaly. Pieces of a Puzzle During this time, he somehow develops a strong distaste for his beast mode and all organic life in general. He makes it his life's mission to purge both himself and all of Cybertron of any and all organic material, to create a sense of pure technological perfection. Master of the House
On the distant moon of Protos, Covenant leader Leonicus observes sunrise, a rare and fleeting occurrence due to Protos's synchronous orbit with its mother planet, the ancient world of Methuselah. Since their creation by Primus at the dawn of time, he and his fellows have continued to prepare for the fated battle of Point Omega, which the now weary Leonicus wonders if it may ever come. Upon returning from the surface of Protos to subterranean home, the Sanctuary, Leonicus soon receives an answer: A sudden wave of sensation washes over himself and his brethren, in which Leonicus witnesses many mental images of the past and a dark future. Leonicus takes this as a sign of the arrival of the Time Walker, the Chronarchitect. Locating the time god's point of arrival, Leonicus is startled to see it reeling in agony.
The Chronarchitect appears to die in a reverse order of events, and warns Leonicus of a great disruption to the timestream that has thrown history into chaos. The integrity of the Grand Plan is threatened, and time now flows to a critical, decisive point. The Time Walker leaves Leonicus with the cryptic entreaty "Return to the beginning." Afterward, the Covenant hold a zemstvo to discuss the Chronarchitect's words, which Leonicus suspects are a prelude of things to come, of Point Omega. He assigns tasks to other members to investigate this matter, to decipher the meaning of these words and to examining the now-corrupted timeline, searching for a specific temporal event to determine where and when Point Omega may come to pass, lest the whole Transformer race and the Grand Plan be doomed to oblivion. Covenant
On the far side of Cybertron, Megatron takes up residence at Shuttle Complex Ohm in the city of Dodecahex. In this city, he creates and mass produces a new breed of Transformer, the Vehicons, lifeless drones operated without the need of a spark. From within Shuttle Complex Ohm, Megatron amasses a great army of early-model Vehicons and disperses them out into other parts of the planet. Departure In time, the Vehicons reach the outskirts of Cybertron's developmental sectors and begin their attacks. These acts of terrorism are met by the Imperial Peace Marshals, who take control of the situation. The Council of Elders give their full attention to the matter, affording no time for other concerns. Meanwhile, the Maximal Wrecker Apelinq continues an investigation of his own, The Terror Begins looking into the disappearance of the Axalon and the rogue Peace Marshal who left to pursue the missing vessel some time ago.
Alas, Apelinq's trail runs cold. He is left with little recourse but to return to investigating the recent transwarp anomaly that, unbeknownst to all, had brought Megatron back to Cybertron from the Beast Wars. All the while, more attacks continue to spread chaos across the planet. Pieces of a Puzzle During these Vehicon attacks, the Predacon criminal Cryotek manages to escape from prison. TCC website Max Cops Cryotek profile He is soon reunited with his former pupil, Megatron and strikes up a bargain with him: He attempts to "assist" Megatron in ridding him of him organic dragon beast mode, when Cryotek really seeks to take it for himself. However, the transfer process is more than Cryotek is prepared for and the Transmetal 2 metamorphosis sends him into stasis lock. Megatron, meanwhile, seizes much of Cryotek's research and inventions, including the prized spark extractor. BotCon Online Cryotek profile
Armed with this new technology, Megatron assaults the ancient Decepticon Cyclonus. In a torturous experiment, Cyclonus's spark is extracted and transferred into the body of a Vehicon Aero Drone. However, Cyclonus is not so easily cowed and escapes from Megatron's captivity, flying off to leave Cybertron altogether. BotCon 2002 Cyclonus packaging art sequence and toy bio As Megatron continues his Vehicon invasion, many more Cybertronians—including Peace Marshals—begin to go missing. Crumbling Edges Among those who are captured and have their sparks placed into Vehicon bodies are the ancient Decepticon Skywarp, the Predacon Rotorbolt, and the Peace Marshal Devcon. Betrayal
As Apelinq's tracking of the transwarp anomaly yields little success, more Marshals continue to go missing. Apelinq's offers for the Wreckers to provide assistance are continually met with cordial rejection by Peace Marshal Command, much to the growing agitation of the Wreckers. Crumbling Edges An explosion at New Cybertropolis spaceport finally forces the Wreckers break protocol and investigate the attacks. The planetwide chaos has escalated to the point where the Tripredacus Council is now demanding martial law. And yet, Maximal Command remains confidant that the group responsible for these terrorist attacks is small and limited. Chaos
Soon, Megatron begins a plan to make his victory absolute. Within a lab located in or near Cybertropolis, Mercenary Pursuits he develops a virus designed to inhibit one's transformation abilities and eventually induce permanent shutdown. Master of the House However, when testing the new virus in its experimental form on four hapless Fuzors, something goes wrong. While they remain trapped outside of their robot modes, the virus reconfigures their transformation abilities to now switch between two different beast modes. Calling themselves "Mutants", the four of them—Icebird, Poison Bite, Razor Claw, and Soundwave—band together to wage their own private little war against Megatron. Mutant Beast Wars packaging blurb
Megatron is met with more resistance when a jailbreak at one of his facilities sees the release of a few victims whose sparks had been transferred into Vehicon bodies. Among the escapees are Devcon, Skywarp, and Rotorbolt. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 Megatron is finally revealed to the Cybertronian public as the mastermind behind the recent terrorist attacks. While the Maximal High Council is thrown into a frenzy over the news of Megatron's return, nearly thirty Peace Marshals break rank to go after Megatron and hunt him down. The Tyrant Returns However, the rogue Marshals are all killed and hordes of Vehicons begin sweeping the planet all at once. Wreckers leader Rodimus has Apelinq remain at the Wrecker Command Base while he takes the rest of their team to face the Vehicons head on. Wreck and Rule
Spark War
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There is no warning. Having perfected his transformation virus, Megatron sets it off, unleashing it all across the planet Cybertron, infecting and deactivating everyone in its path. Forbidden Fruit The virus breaches every defense. The High Council, the Peace Marshals, everyone is helpless to stop its spread. The Virus Revealed Departure Then, Vehicon drones swarm through Cybertropolis, hunting down any survivors Forbidden Fruit to have their sparks extracted in special factories. Discovery No one is spared from this fate, not even incarcerated criminals, Wreckers: Finale Part II nor Megatron's old ally Backslash, who still lies comatose in a Maximal hospital. TCC website Max Cops Backslash profile Even Waspinator, Megatron's old comrade from the Beast Wars, has his spark extracted.<ref>Exactly how Waspinator returned to Cybertron in the 24th Century is never explained. As described above, an answer would have been provided by the conclusion of Primeval Dawn, had 3H Productions not lost the Transformers license. Said conclusion would have seen Waspinator get sent back to 24th-Century Cybertron through a Transwarp portal designed and built by Tarantulas and his minions.</ref> The Catalyst
Megatron installs himself as the new ruler of Cybertron inside the Council Citadel, hooked up to a special harness that grants him full control over every facet of the planet. Master of the House He also develops a new kind of rapid pursuit vehicles inspired by ancient Quintesson technology: the Beast Riders. Beast Machines Beast Riders packaging blurb He creates them to hunt down any remaining survivors on the planet and extract their sparks. In another failed attempt to rid himself of his organic beast mode, Megatron's personal chariot, Mechatron, is given an appearance based on Megatron's dragon mode. Beast Machines Mechatron toy bio
As the Vehicons overrun the planet, Magmatron returns to Cybertron from his quest. Dinobots Magmatron toy bio Also returning is the attack specialist from the Mirtonian constellation. Dinobots T-Wrecks toy bio Both of them, along with six other survivors—Triceradon, Airraptor, Dinotron, Striker, Rapticon, and Terranotron—are all reformatted by the ancient and legendary supercomputer, the Oracle, in a desperate attempt to combat Megatron's virus. The eight are given new dinosaur-based forms by the Oracle, using the DNA schematics of the deceased Maximal Dinobot to create a new team of technorganic Dinobots. Beast Machines Dinobots packaging blurb The specialist, now named T-Wrecks, is made the Dinobots' commander, Dinobots T-Wrecks toy bio with Triceradon chosen to be his second-in command. Dinobots Triceradon toy bio Though, Magmatron also serves above T-Wrecks as his boss. Betrayal They emerge from deep within the planet to make trouble for Megatron. Departure
Meanwhile, all is quiet at Wrecker Command. As a dreadful silence spreads across Cybertron, Apelinq fears the worst. No word from Rodimus or the other Wreckers, no contact or any communication with the outside world, and no signs of any life on the on planet. In less than a Stellar Cycle, Megatron has reduced the whole of Cybertron into a lifeless husk, with Apelinq left to fear that he may be the last living Transformer on the planet. Circle of Dread Around the same time, the newly-Transmetalized Cryotek finally awakens from his time in stasis lock, only to find all that had once been his criminal empire now under Megatron's control, along with the rest of the planet. BotCon Online Cryotek profile He presumably leaves Cybertron to join up with the Quintessons on New Quintessa, as part of a much bigger business venture between the two. Betrayal Cyclonus is also finally recruited to their cause. Wreckers: Finale Part II
High above Cybertron, Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta finally emerges from transwarp space only to be fired upon Descent and shot down by the planet's automated defenses. Fires of the Past. Maximal Wrecker Apelinq attempts to contact the shuttle, but it falls out of range. Back From the Past The shuttle's Maximal crew is immediately set upon by Vehicon Tank Drones that incapacitate each Maximal with Megatron's virus. While the paralyzed Rhinox and Silverbolt have their sparks taken, the other four are devolved from their Transmetal bodies back into their organic beast mode forms and cannot transform. Descent They go into hiding and go offline for a time. Fires of the Past
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They each awaken with amnesia, unaware of how they got back to Cybertron and why they're back in their older forms and cannot transform. Vehicons continue to hunt them down until a mysterious voice leads Optimus Primal to reunite with Rattrap, Cheetor, and Blackarachnia. The voice guides them down deep into Cybertron's underground and reveals to them its identity as the Oracle, an ancient supercomputer. The Oracle reformats the Maximals into new technorganic bodies in which they must re-learn how to transform. The Reformatting
Cheetor and Blackarachnia go topside to visit Cybertropolis, only to find the whole city completely depopulated. Optimus investigates the Council Citadel for answers, but is shocked to find none other than Megatron inside and in full control of Cybertron! Megatron claims to have won the Beast Wars and that his sparkless creations—the Vehicons—represent his vision of a technologically-pure Cybertron devoid of the organic life that the Maximals represent. The Maximals best the Vehicons at first, but are forced to retreat. Master of the House
Frustrated with the Maximals continuing to defeat his Vehicons, Megatron creates the Vehicon Generals—Tankor, Jetstorm, and Thrust—from three stolen sparks. Meanwhile, Blackarachnia begins having flashes of the past that set her curious to discover what happened when she and the others first returned to Cybertron. She and Rattrap uncover their old Autobot shuttle, but its destruction prevents them from learning more beyond recovering their memories of Rhinox and Silverbolt. Fires of the Past
Inside the Wrecker Command Base, Apelinq develops a shield suit to protect him from Megatron's virus, and decides to finally leave the base and determine the state of things on the rest of the planet. The Wait is Over He is elated to discover that Rodimus is still alive, having miraculously been immune to the virus! Rodimus informs Apelinq that the rest of the Wreckers, and the rest of the planet, are all dead. Yet, both are resolved to continue the fight against Megatron. Two Against a World
The Vehicon Generals compete against each other in capturing the Maximals to receive a reward from Megatron. As the Maximals search for a potential survivor, Cheetor and Rattrap find the laboratory where Megatron created his virus. Rattrap uses a transformation enhancer to stimulate his transformation abilities, but his inability to control it gets all of the Maximals captured. Inside the Citadel, he manages to free himself and the others and a battle ensues. Optimus tries to contact Tankor's spark to sway him to the Maximals' side, but Megatron undoes Optimus's effort, restoring Tankor to normal. Mercenary Pursuits
As Rattrap continues to struggle learning how to transform, his efforts are observed by a bat, who turns out to be a Maximal survivor. The bat leads them to an organic tree whose fruit has sustained him, but the fruit regresses the other Maximals to primitive, feral mindsets when they eat it. Cheetor is forced to destroy the tree and Optimus reformats the bat into a technorganic form, introducing himself as Nightscream. Forbidden Fruit Using Rodimus's immunity, Apelinq is able to synthesize an inoculant for Megatron's virus. A Cure is Found Rattrap finally learns how to transform, but finds his body to be without weapons. He also causes an accident at a Vehicon assembly plant, that sees a complete power outage for the whole city.
Overhearing the other Maximals discuss Rattrap as a liability, he risks bargaining with a now weakened Megatron; in exchange for weapons, Rattrap promises no harm will come to Megatron until he's repaired himself. Megatron offers Rattrap to join his side for one night; should any harm befall Megatron, Rattrap gives up his weapons. The other Maximals arrive and mistake Rattrap for a traitor, unaware of his deal with Megatron. Dawn comes and Optimus arrives, arguing that Rattrap is stronger than everyone gives him credit for. Seeing that Rattrap kept his end of their bargain, Megatron does as well. Rattrap discards the weaponry and returns to the Maximals. The Weak Component
During a field mission, the Maximals discover a factory yard full of bodies whose sparks were all removed. A battle with the Vehicon Generals sees Blackarachnia trapped inside the factory alone with Thrust, who begins to show some unusual concern for her. Blackarachnia deduces that this factory was used by Megatron to steal everyone's sparks, and begins to suspect that Thrust's spark may actually be that of the missing Silverbolt. This leads the Maximals to realize that all three of the generals must be saved instead of destroyed. Discovery
As Optimus seeks guidance from the Oracle, Cheetor leads a mission to try to get through to the sparks of the Vehicon Generals. While he and Rattrap target Tankor, Blackarachnia attempts to get through the Thrust. Rattrap taps into Tankor's old memories and discovers that the Tank General is none other than Rhinox. Meanwhile, Blackarachnia's spark is extracted by Jetstorm, Descent but Nightscream recovers it. Below ground, Optimus receives a couple of haunting, nightmarish visions from the Oracle. Apocalypse Secretly, these disturbing visions are the work of the Quintessons tapping into the Oracle and using it to manipulate Optimus, but which is actually all part of an even grander plan by Primus—the true master behind the Oracle—manipulating the Quintessons. Wreckers: Finale Part II
As the Maximals try to reach Rhinox's spark within Tankor, Optimus meets Rhinox on the mental plane and is devastated to hear his old friend side with Megatron. His spark having apparently been corrupted, Rhinox's personality asserts itself over Tankor and declares himself in agreement with Megatron's vision of technological perfection. Optimus arrives and convinces the other Maximals to accept Rhinox's choice. Back at the Maximals' base, Optimus tells them that he now believes that they were sent to Earth by the Matrix to fight in the Beast Wars and bring the organic elements in their bodies back to Cybertron, to restore nature to the planet. Apocalypse Independently, the Mutants come to a similar but much more extreme conclusion from the Oracle, believing that their mission is to eliminate all technology in the name of attaining a total organic existence. Mutant Beact Wars Icebird toy bio Mutant Beact Wars Razor Claw toy bio
Determined to rid himself of his organic beast mode, Megatron decides to capture Nightscream and figure out how he acquired an organic beast mode on Cybertron and then reverse it. He sends his Diagnostic Drone with the Vehicon Generals, but while Jetstorm and Thrust battle the Maximals, the new Tankor-Rhinox begins his own agenda to overthrow Megatron and reprograms the Diagnostic Drone to serve him instead. During the battle, Optimus and Nightscream discover a deep underground cavern filled with fossilized animal skeletons from Cybertron's ancient past—where Nightscream must have scanned his beast mode. While the Diagnostic Drone pretends to still be loyal to Megatron, Tankor discovers the location and existence of the Oracle. Survivor However, Megatron is no fool and suspects Tankor's treachery. End of the Line
Megatron creates a new experimental general, Mirage, to breach the intelligence gap between the Vehicon Generals and their drones. Beast Machines Mirage toy bio On the far side of Cybertron, Departure another transwarp portal opens closer to the planet's surface, releasing another ship that crash-lands in the Polyhex sector. Apelinq and Rodimus detect its arrival and head for the crash site. Call From the Heavens Megatron also detects the new arrivals in Polyhex and assembles a large force of Vehicons to send there. VEHICON ALERT! When Apelinq and Rodimus reach Polyhex, they are met by Primal Prime and his crew. Apelinq prepares to close the transwarp portal before inoculating the newcomers with his cure for Megatron's virus, but is attacked by Mirage.
In the scuffle, both Apelinq and Mirage are sent through the portal together, just as it closes behind them, leaving Rodimus the last Wrecker on Cybertron. In Apelinq's absence, Primal Prime takes command (Primal Prime) Assuming Command Timewrecked and his crewmates become Wreckers as well. Betrayal They also become acquainted with others who happened to be in Polyhex at the time, such as the secluded Autobot Arcee and the Vehicon-bodied Predacon Rotorbolt and Decepticon Skywarp. Cyclonus also turns up, VEHICON ALERT! having wandered Cybertron alone. He allies himself with fellow fugitives Rotorbolt and Skywarp. The Wreckers #2 Cyclonus profile A trio of sparkless combat drones and a mysterious entity are also reportedly sighted in Polyhex, as is the Vehicon-bodied Devcon. VEHICON ALERT!
Having taken up residence within the fossil chamber, the Maximals begin drilling for water but instead unearth organic goop from the planet's core. Meanwhile, Tankor uses the Diagnostic Drone to access the ancient Vector Sigma Core inside the Oracle to acquire a program for the Key to Vector Sigma, one that can turn organics into technomatter. He tests it on the Maximals and seemingly perishes from the key program overloading. However, he had actually faked his death to throw himself off of both Optimus and Megatron's radars while he manipulates both sides to his own ends. Meanwhile, Cheetor becomes frustrated with Optimus's decisions and continues to butt heads with him. The Key In his frustration, he gets his hands on Megatron's Beast Rider blueprints and creates his own Beast Rider, Che, from a subterranean Quintessian alloy. Beast Machines Che toy bio Once tensions subside, the Maximals hold a funeral for Rhinox, unaware that he was secretly still alive.
Wanting the Maximals and Megatron to destroy each other, Tankor enables Rattrap to find a catalyst program that rapidly increases plant growth. Cheetor uses it on some vines and Megatron decides to retaliated by downloading the Key to Vector Sigma program into his Tank Drones, all according to Tankor's plan. At the same time, Blackarachnia discovers that Thrust's spark is actually that of Waspinator, while Jetstorm is Silverbolt. Optimus also finds out that the Oracle has been tampered with. The Catalyst But when he hears about the Key program in the Tank Drones, Optimus throws caution to the wind and blindly follows a false Oracle vision created by Tankor that leads the Maximals to the legendary Plasma Energy Chamber, whose energy can overload any electro-mechanical system.
With Optimus and Megatron each armed with a doomsday weapon, a great battle ensues. Both leaders confront each other before Tankor reveals himself as the mastermind behind this battle. However, Megatron was onto him all along and disables Tankor with a built-in failsafe. As the Tank Drones activate the Key program, Optimus unleashes the plasma energy, creating a storm of mixed energies that kills all three and threatens to destroy the whole planet. End of the Line Entering the Matrix, Optimus realizes his mistake and is consoled by the spirit of Rhinox, having been restored to his old self upon his death.
Optimus is given a second chance to save Cybertron and redirects all the energies of both the Key program and the plasma energy through the Oracle into the Matrix. Cybertron is saved, but at the cost of Optimus's life. The other Maximals gather together and plead for Optimus to come back. Optimus now realizes that their mission is to create a balance on Cybertron between the organic and the technological, and is permitted by the Oracle to return to life. The Oracle then disappears from its chamber, Fallout placing itself inside Optimus, The Search while an ominous flying fortress—the Grand Mal—emerges from Megatron's citadel. Fallout
Another Maximal survivor named Noble is found, along with a savage creature that attacks Maximal and Vehicon alike. It is revealed that both Noble and "Savage" are one and the same, a fully organic Transformer with two beast modes. Savage Noble On the far side of Cybertron, Primal Prime, Acting Commander of the Wreckers, reflects on events since he first arrived on Cybertron. (Primal Prime) Assuming Command He and the other Wreckers busy themselves by attacking several of Megatron's key facilities on that side of the planet. Departure Noble begins exhibiting primal episodes where he uncontrollably tries to break into Megatron's citadel every night. On the sixth night, he successfully gets inside and reveals to everyone that he is really Megatron! Having finally split himself between his organic and mechanical halves, his spark had ended up in the organic half. He transfers his spark into the Grand Mal and discards the organic Noble. Prometheus Unbound However, Noble develops an animal-like mind of his own and forms a bond with Nightscream. In Darkest Knight
The time-lost Apelinq finally returns from the past to find Primal Prime now in full command of the Wreckers. In time, the two of them find Shuttle Complex Ohm and begin retrofitting an old Autobot shuttle. Departure Now in command of his Grand Mal form, Megatron abducts Optimus and Cheetor, scanning the former to learn about the Oracle. Meanwhile, Blackarachnia takes matters into her own hands and uses a combination spark extractor/DNA scanner with some organic goop and bone fossils to reformat Jetstorm back into Silverbolt. However, he is less than grateful to her and full of vengeance toward Megatron. The two break into the Grand Mal and rescue Optimus and Cheetor. Silverbolt, however, is wracked with guilt over having secretly enjoyed his time as the villainous Jetstorm. In Darkest Knight Megatron spends his time studying his Oracle download from Optimus. The Search He also unleashes a new hate-inducing virus on the Maximals to try to prove to Optimus how their chaotic existence goes against the Maximal leader's own ideals of harmony, but the Maximals overcome the viral infection. A Wolf in the Fold
Eventually, the technorganic orchard begins to wilt and die, just as a lost Cybertronian ship arrives and crashes near Cybertropolis. The Maximals race to get there ahead of Thrust and find the ship full of alien plantlife. A monstrous plant creature attacks them and bores down into the Oracle's chamber. Recognizing symptoms of Megatron's virus in the creature, Optimus reformats it, revealing it to be a plant-based Maximal scientist named Botanica. She defends the chamber from invading Vehicons and uses her plant knowledge to revitalize the orchard. Home Soil The new addition to the Maximals prompts Megatron to create new Vehicon Generals.
Using the sparks of the two greatest generals in Cybertron history, Megatron brings forth Obsidian and Strika. The Strike He also creates Spy Streak from the spark of a lowly Predacon named Attack Bird. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/28 Optimus and Nightscream travel to the far side of Cybertron, Departure where the latter discovers three ancient task drones, the Deployers—Rav, Dillo, and Mol—buried deep underground. Beast Machines Deployers packaging blurb Nightscream forms a bond of friendship with the three. Beast Machines Rav toy bio Beast Machines Dillo toy bio
On their way back to Cybertropolis, Optimus, Nightscream, and the Deployers are attacked by Vehicons and saved by the Wreckers Primal Prime, Apelinq, and Ramulus. The Wreckers escort them back to the Oracle's chamber, where the Oracle is suddenly active and issuing assignments to a large gathering of the Dinobots, the Mutants, and the other Wreckers. Optimus declares that this many allies could easily liberate Cybertron from Megatron, but the Oracle uncharacteristically wipes his and Nightscream's minds of all memories of this meeting.
After delivering orders to the Dinobots and Mutants, the "Oracle" suddenly cries out "It has awakened! It has detected us!" A datastream of energy shoots out of the "Oracle" into Primal Prime's mind, mentally giving him the Wreckers' new mission. Meanwhile, Megatron continues to bolster his ranks with Quake and Blastcharge as two more Vehicon Generals. Back underground, the Wreckers locate the secluded Arcee and try to convince her to join their mission, but she refuses. The Predacon Fractyl shows empathy for her, but is shot by Quake and Blastcharge. This spurs Arcee into action, saving Fractyl's life by reformatting him into a new form.
At Shuttle Complex Ohm in Dodecahex, Apelinq leads the others to the old Autobot shuttle he and Primal Prime had been retrofitting. They are soon attacked by Spy Streak and a massive swarm of early-model Vehicon drones. Reinforcement comes for both sides with Blastcharge and Quake aiding the Vehicons while Rotorbolt, Cyclonus, and Skywarp assist the Wreckers. Tigatron destroys Quake, Arcee and Fractyl arrive with the latter slicing up Blastcharge, and Spy Streak is taken out by an explosive that blows up the whole place just as the shuttle takes off with all the Wreckers and their new allies aboard. Departure
Secretly, Devcon had tracked Rotorbolt and Skywarp to Dodecahex and boarded the Wreckers' shuttle as a stowaway. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 Back in the Oracle's chamber, the "Oracle" senses a threat to its plans and summons the spirit of Alpha Trion to guide Primal Prime on his mission. Departure Aboard the shuttle, the hotheaded Devcon "introduces" himself to the Wreckers. Departure Rodimus and Apelinq calm him down and explain their situation. Fractyl, meanwhile, had been injured in the scuffle with Devcon and is brought to the repair bay. Apelinq uses his Transfer Interlink to create a medic in the form of CatSCAN to treat him.
An explosion in the cargo hold spurs Packrat to make the rash decision to separate the shuttle's rear section, leaving Spittor, Sonar, and the Deployers to their fiery fates. Betrayal However, right as Sonar is about to die in the explosion, she is abducted by a dimensional portal and sent to another universe, where she has a rather bizarre adventure with several other abductees from other dimensions. Afterward, all are returned to where and whence they came from, placing Sonar back inside the explosion in which she unfortunately perishes. Prevenge Packrat is sent to the brig as punishment for his callous decision and the shuttle resumes its course. Primal Prime receives a vision from Alpha Trion, warning him of an eventual treachery. Betrayal
As Megatron's plans for Cybertron near their completion, he uses his Oracle download to send Optimus a false vision about the missing sparks, sending the Maximals on wild goose chases to lure them into Vehicon ambushes. In the abandoned city of Iacon, Megatron uses a hologram of Optimus Prime to trick Optimus Primal into granting him full access to the Oracle, but which Optimus also uses to download from Megatron the location of the sparks into himself, revealing that they are inside the Grand Mal. The Search The Maximals prepare to storm the Grand Mal and liberate the sparks, but the reappearance of Noble complicates their plans. Nightscream is forced to get tough with him and orders him to stay behind.
As the Maximals infiltrate the Grand Mal, Megatron begins his grand ascension by absorbing all the sparks into his own. His spark rises from the fortress and lashes out at the Maximals. Before he can strike Nightscream, Noble arrives and saves him. Megatron impales the creature, who dies in Nightscream's arms. An anguished Nightscream fires a sonic scream directly at Megatron's spark, depolarizing it and causing it to release the sparks back into their containment grid. The Maximals take control of the Grand Mal and eulogize Noble for his sacrifice that gave them this victory. The Siege However, as the Maximals celebrate and work to restore life to Cybertron, a mysterious force possesses various fallen bodies and attacks Maximal and Vehicon alike. This force is revealed to be Megatron's depolarized spark, which Rattrap re-polarizes and traps within a Diagnostic Drone. The still-loyal Obsidian and Strika seize him and retreat. Spark of Darkness
On the planet Arkus, the Dinobots find the planet in ruin, filled with energy vampires and a giant slug monster. Betrayal Magmatron, Airraptor, and Rapticon are lost in the ensuing conflict, while Striker mysteriously vanishes. The remaining Dinobots barely escape the planet with their lives. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1
On the world of New Quintessa, the Mutants are brought before a Quintesson Judge, who sentences them to death by Sharkticons. In attendance of this court are the Predacon Cryotek and Judge Derodomontatus, who discuss their current business arrangement. While the Dinobots and Mutants have been dealt with, Cryotek informs Derodomontatus that he has made sure that the Wreckers will not interfere with their plans for Cybertron.
As the Wreckers' shuttle approaches the planet Archa Nine, they detect an old Autobot signal on the planet. They land and find Glyph and Tap-Out, the only two survivors of an old Autobot exploration mission. Glyph explains that the Wreckers' arrival coincides with an ancient Akalouthan prophecy about protectors who would come to safeguard a precious artifact known as the "Divine Light". However, the Wreckers are soon betrayed by Cyclonus, who kills Packrat, injures Rotorbolt, and steals the Divine Light for his master, Cryotek! Afterward, CatSCAN reconfigures Devcon from out of his Vehicon body back into his old Autobot body. Devcon then leaves Archa Nine to pursue the escaped Cyclonus. Betrayal
On Cybertron, Megatron manufactures a massive army of Vehicon drones with Strika, Obsidian, and Thrust leading the charge. He also plans to build a new, more powerful body for himself. The Maximals work to defend the Grand Mal and prevent the Vehicons from accessing the sparks within, but eventually, the drones breach the fortress's shield and send it to crash-land into the Citadel. The Downward Spiral As the Vehicons begin field repairs, Optimus confers with the Oracle one final time and receives a spark power boost that he passes on to the other Maximals. The final battle commences with the Vehicons' assault on the Grand Mal. They attack underground as well, destroying the technorganic orchard and the fossil chamber. The Maximals defend both fronts, but Megatron uses his access to the Oracle to depower their spark boosts. Cheetor faces all three generals at once, sending Strika and Obsidian into orbit with the Grand Mal's anti-gravity generators and uses a spark extractor to finish off Thrust.
As Megatron's new body is completed, the Maximals are overwhelmed and all but Optimus have their sparks extracted. Megatron reveals himself to Optimus in a recreation of his old "Optimal Optimus" body (sans Beast Mode). When Legends Fall The last two living beings on Cybertron, Optimus and Megatron duke it out in one final duel: Seeds of the Future the Battle for the Sparks. Dawn of Future's Past Megatron proves himself the victor and takes the fallen Optimus to the top of the Citadel, where he unleashes all of the sparks and absorbs them into his own, renewing his grand ascension.
Megatron then proceeds to activate the Oracle's Key to Vector Sigma program to fully mechanize the planet's organic core, but cannot while Optimus is still linked to the Oracle. Megatron severs Optimus's connection and fires the Key at the core, but the Oracle enables Optimus to reformat Megatron's throne into technorganic vines that ensnare Megatron. Optimus pushes him forward and blasts him free of the vines to send both of them plummeting down into the organic core. Seeds of the Future
After the Spark War
[edit]
The deaths of Optimus and Megatron, both still connected to the Oracle, triggers the Great Transformation, a planetwide reformatting into a completely technorganic state. The dawn of a new day reveals Optimus's Maximal comrades restored to life, along with the entire population of Cybertron's spark now restored to new bodies. Even Waspinator is revived in a diminutive Thrust-headed wasp body. The downed Grand Mal now lies as a mountain covered in plants and trees. Seeds of the Future It is renamed "Mount Megatron" as a silent testament of Megatron's contribution. Wreckers: Finale Part II
News journalist/reporter Rook is the first Autobot to return to Cybertron from the stars, and is quite shocked by the new state of the planet. Abduction Waspinator eventually comes under the command of Galvatron, a Predacon leader who begins a massive construction project of building a fortified city at the new Predacon capital of Darkmount. Wreckers: Finale Part II
On Archa Nine, the Wreckers help the Akalouthans recover from the loss of the Divine Light. Primal Prime does some soul searching and determines the Wreckers' next course of action. The next morning, Glyph and CatSCAN opt to remain behind on Archa Nine as the Wreckers, now joined by Tap-Out, take off for their next destination. On New Quintessa, the Quintessons and Cryotek discuss the end of their business together, noting the recent reformatting of Cybertron and the sudden loss of the Oracle. Cryotek awaits only to escort the Quintessons back to Cybertron. In space, the Wreckers eventually land on a distant ice planet located ten star systems away, where they are met by Al-badur, a lone Quintesson Scientist living there in exile.
Al-badur explains to the Wreckers the history of the Quintessons' ancient rule of Cybertron, and reveals that the Oracle had originally been a Quintesson-built shell program meant to control Primus's physical form, Vector Sigma. Realizing it was Vector Sigma breaking through the "Oracle" who gave them their mission, the Wreckers are soon attacked by a platoon of Sharkticons.
Defeating the horde, the Wreckers agree to bring Al-badur with them in exchange for information on the true nature of the Divine Light: It is a prism that directly channels Primus's power into the prism's wielder. At the same time, Apelinq salvages a Sharkticon blaster weapon and examines its circuitry, noting that it looks familiar to him. Elsewhere, Devcon tracks down some individuals at Spaceport CSSB-16 who could help him get revenge on Cyclonus, none other than the surviving Dinobots! Disclosure
Quintesson invasion
[edit]
One week after the planet's reformatting,<ref>Dialogue from "The Wreckers: Finale Part 1" instead placed this event just under three months after the reformatting, but "Wreckers: Finale Part II" said it was "barely a Cybertronian week" after. Between these two, the latter is the more sensible since the entirety of The Wreckers is very tight-knit, spanning only a few days rather than three whole months.</ref> the Quintessons' invasion fleet arrives at Cybertron, accompanied by Cryotek. Wreckers: Finale Part II As Cybertropolis is overrun by Sharkticons, Maximals Snarl and Longhorn make a call for reserve troops to rally in Polyhex. Meanwhile, Devcon and the Dinobots head back to Cybertron in a new vessel, the Rusty Mace. Aboard the Wreckers' shuttle, Apelinq studies the recovered Sharkticon weapon and discovers that his old colleague Cryotek was the one who created it. Learning that Cryotek is now in league with the Quintessons and plans to use the Divine Light to control Primus's power, the Wreckers head straight for Cybertron. There, Cryotek affixes the Divine Light to his chest and is escorted underground by Derodomontatus. The Maximal reserve forces are soon joined by the arrival of the Dinobots and Devcon. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1
Still en route to Cybertron, Primal Prime has another vision from Alpha Trion, who assures him that the Oracle and the Technorganics are all part of Primus's plan. As the shuttle approaches Cybertron, the Wreckers are all shocked by the planet's newly-reformatted state. Wreckers: Finale Part II When they finally arrive, Primal Prime takes a small unit underground to confront Cryotek. They find him at an industrial access flue linked directly to the planet's core, where Cryotek prepares to draw Primus's power into himself. He unleashes a blast of primordial energy at Apelinq, but Primal Prime jumps in to take the blast himself; the divine energy envelopes the two and miraculously merges them together into a new being: Sentinel Maximus! The Wreckers: Finale Part 1
Across the planet, the Quintessons face all kinds of resistance. Derodomontatus is killed by Cryotek's pet Deployer Chro, whom Cryotek then mutates into a giant monster form. When the other Wreckers finally make landfall, Rodimus senses that they're needed underground and meet Cheetor on the way, who had likewise been summoned below by the Oracle.<ref>The Oracle that summoned Cheetor was the real Oracle, the one that had previously hid itself inside Optimus Primal back in "Fallout", rather than the one that the Quintessons and Cryotek used in "Departure" to send the Dinobots and Mutants on false missions.</ref> They join their comrades in the battle against Cryotek, Chro, and Cyclonus, until mysterious bolts of energy suddenly vaporize Skywarp and Tap-Out. On the surface, the Dinobot Triceradon and several Sharkticons all vanish as well. Snarl is also nowhere to be found, leaving behind the Beast Rider Che.<ref name="Snarl">The implication in "Wreckers: Finale Part II" is that Snarl also vanished in the same way that Skywarp, Tap-Out, Triceradon, and the Sharkticons did, having all been abducted by Unicron. However, Snarl's profile in the later-set "Abduction" (published four years before "Wreckers: Finale Part II") describes his life on Cybertron during the time between Beast Machines and Universe, meaning he originally wasn't supposed to disappear until the time of "Abduction".</ref>
Rodimus faces Cyclonus in personal combat while, high in orbit, a recovered Obsidian and Strika destroy a Quintesson warship with the planet's orbital defenses. Rodimus is gravely injured while the dying Cyclonus is finished off by Rotorbolt.
Al-badur brings the Wreckers and their allies to an ancient Quintesson banishment chamber, which he plans to use to finally destroy Cryotek. But when Sentinel Maximus arrives with the Predacon criminal, Al-badur double-crosses the Wreckers by erecting a forcefield that ensnares both Maximus and Cryotek. He then opens a portal meant to pull them into a formless void of nothingness. As the two combatants resist the pull of the portal, Ramulus sneaks behind Al-badur and punches him into the forcefield, sending him helplessly through the portal. Cheetor and a dying Rodimus tap into their Matrix Templar abilities and drain Cryotek of his Primus power from the Divine Light. Cryotek destroys the Divine Light to stop them, but Sentinel Maximus manages to force both Cryotek and himself down into the portal, which finally shuts off as they disappear. Rodimus succumbs to his injuries and perishes; he is laid to rest by Arcee and Fractyl.
On New Quintessa, the Mutants Icebird and Poison Bite reveal themselves to have survived their previous execution. Using Icebird as a vessel, Primus himself speaks through the Mutant leader to Judge Heirodyus, declaring that he had been the true mastermind behind the technorganic evolution of the Cybertronians, having manipulated the Quintessons into helping fulfill the prophesied Great Transformation. The two Mutants soon position themselves in charge of a gradually-reformatting New Quintessa, and use their Primus-given powers to grant the Sharkticons emotions of hope and joy. Back on Cybertron, the Quintessons are driven off the planet for good, with much of their forces destroyed and many of their retreating vessels obliterated by the orbital defenses.
In the formless void, Cryotek survives on a fragment of Primus's power he still carries. He is left alone in the void (or is he?) as Sentinel Maximus is suddenly pulled away by Primus. He is met by Windrazor, whom Primus saved from oblivion when Shokaract's future was erased. Now a spirit guide in service of Primus, Windrazor sends Sentinel Maximus off to complete a new mission to protect Primus in another universe. Wreckers: Finale Part II
316–317 AU
[edit]
Cybertron is restored to peace once more. Abduction Optimus Primal is revered as a legend among the populace, Universe #2 Optimus Primal profile while his surviving Maximal allies, such as Silverbolt, are hailed as heroes. Universe Silverbolt toy bio A Memorial Spaceport is built to honor those who perished in the wars that led to this new peacetime. Abduction
Blackarachnia and Silverbolt live an idyllic life of happiness together, Universe Blackarachnia toy bio Universe Silverbolt toy bio while Snarl trains as a Matrix Templar under Alpha Trion,<ref name="Snarl"/> the latter of whom has since become the avatar of Primus. Universe #1 Snarl profile Other Matrix Templars include Cheetor, Grizzly-1, and their leader Magnaboss Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18 who also sits as a member of the reinstated High Council. Homecoming
The Oracle comes under the full control of Primus and Alpha Trion, Abduction but public knowledge of their existence is suppressed by Magnaboss and the rest of the Council, who believe that the general populace is not yet ready to accept the full reality of Primus and the legends surrounding him. Homecoming Though the planet is finally united as one, Abduction occasional, trivial border skirmishes between Maximal and Predacon still occur every now and then. Universe #1 Snarl profile
Universe War (317 AU–onward)
[edit]
On the one-year (or one-stellar cycle) anniversary of the Great Transformation, Escape a crowd of Maximals and Predacons gathers at the Memorial Spaceport to witness the return to Cybertron of five time-lost Autobots, veterans of the Great Wars. A ship lands and out steps Trailbreaker, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Roulette, and Shadow Striker. Just as the Maximals greet them, seven bolts of energy suddenly blast down from the sky and abduct the five Autobots, along with the Maximals Silverbolt and Blackarachnia. Deep inside Cybertron, Primus and Alpha Trion observe more abductions from both this and other universes; among which is the Maximal Snarl.<ref name="Snarl"/> The seven abductees from the spaceport are brought to a place called "the Pit", where they are painfully and torturously rebuilt into new bodyforms.
Emerging from the Pit, the seven are attacked by legions of drones (known as "Hate Collectors" Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/29) that bring them to an arena called the Cauldron, where they witness a battle to the death between two Smokescreens overseen by generals Tankor, Obsidian, Razorclaw, Reptilion—all from other realities—and the missing and now-brainwashed Dinobot Striker. Obsidian reveals that the Cauldron lies deep within the remains of Unicron, who feeds upon the sparks of those defeated in the arena, filled with hate and rage that will serve to revitalize the Chaos Bringer.
Back on Cybertron, Primus and Alpha Trion decide to bring forth a champion that will fight on their behalf. Reaching into the core of Cybertron, Primus uses the Oracle to resurrect Optimus Primal. Abduction Alpha Trion explains the situation to Optimus and uses the Oracle to send him between dimensions where Unicron resides, so that he may liberate the captured Transformers inside the monster planet. Escape Once inside Unicron, Optimus meets a Grimlock and a Megatron from other universes and informs them of Unicron's abductions. The three venture deeper into Unicron and are set upon by Striker and Reptilion. while Megatron and Grimlock hold them off, Optimus reaches the Cauldron in time to witness the start of a battle between Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Striker and Reptilion catch up to Optimus, but so do Grimlock and Megatron. Together, the three subdue Striker and ward off Reptilion. OTFCC Live-Action Drama
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker's fight proceeds as Optimus tries and fails to heal Striker's corrupted mind. As Reptilion returns with Tankor and Obsidian, Megatron and Grimlock fight them as Optimus sneaks into the Cauldron. He is attacked by Razorclaw as Trailbreaker and Silverbolt try to break out of their cells by switching minds with each other. As Primal and Razorclaw duke it out, Trailbreaker and Silverbolt free all of the other prisoners—including the missing Snarl, Tap-Out, and Triceradon—inciting a massive jailbreak.
The generals are all beaten back and the escapees make their way out of the Cauldron. However, Shadow Striker and Blackarachnia succumb to Unicron's influence and betray the others: Shadow Striker blasts away the bridge they're on and Blackarachnia abandons Silverbolt. As the generals give chase, Optimus uses Snarl's power as a Matrix Templar to reach out to Primus, who summons a portal of light into which the escapees flee. In the aftermath, Blackarachnia joins the generals and is brought to see a familiar face: Tarantulas! Escape
Back on Cybertron, the Maximal High Council declines Optimus Primal's request to prepare Cybertron for the war between the gods of order and chaos, as he asks for too much to be taken on mere faith. Snarl goes behind the Council's back and brings Optimus to the Vector Sigma Chamber to meet with Primus and Alpha Trion. Trion informs Optimus of their plans to proceed without the Council; namely, the construction of an orbital platform to guard the planet, and a special unit to operate an "underground railroad" within Unicron. With the power to summon anyone from any time and place, Optimus asks for the revival of Rhinox and Depth Charge, who emerge from the other side of the Matrix via the Oracle. Rhinox is grateful for a chance to atone for his time as Tankor, but Depth Charge wants no part in this war. In his stead, Alpha Trion summons a warrior from another universe, Omega Prime, Homecoming who is ready and willing to fight against evil in any universe. TCC magazine #8 Optimus Prime profile
Unicron continues his abductions across the multiverse, recruiting more victims to become his minions. To combat this, Rhinox creates a device meant to deflect Unicron's efforts by intercepting the Dark God's tractor beams and depositing his would-be abductees somewhere away from him, where a retrieval/extraction team would be sent to rescue the redirected abductees. Two such attempts saw two teams of Autobots from different universes sent to an icy planetoid. A team consisting of Silverbolt, Rattrap, and Waspinator (now an ally of his former enemies) is sent to rescue them.
However, a side effect from Rhinox's device also creates a temporal rift through which the Autobot stellar freighter OTFCC—crewed by Bumblebee, Tracks, and Cosmos—is sent from the past into this future time. The three time-displaced Autobots aid the two Maximals and Predacon in a battle against Reptilion and his forces. The two groups of stranded Autobots also join the battle and, together, all of the heroes fend off the villains as the OTFCC and her crew depart back to the past through another time rift. Voice Actor Drama
Depth Charge eventually joins the underground refugee network headed by King Atlas, Universe #3 Depth Charge profile another warrior from a different universe Force of Habit who had been liberated from Unicron in the jailbreak. Escape With Alpha Trion's help, Optimus Primal begins forming an aligned Maximal/Autobot army, the Children of Primus, to counter the growing roster of Minions of Unicron. Primal leads a lengthy campaign against Unicron, freeing many more abductees from several prison cities within the Chaos Bringer, leading missions into other universes to protect other would-be captives targeted by Unicron, and inspiring more Maximals and Autobots to take up arms and join his cause. However, continuous exposure to Unicron's domain only worsens a nanotech "Unicron virus" that gradually corrupts and contaminates the minds and bodies of both Primal and his comrades. To counter this, Primus personally reformats all of the afflicted, rejuvenating them with new bodies and granting Optimus the all-cleansing Matrix of Purification.
Many months pass and both sides amass large armies. The Children of Primus and the Minions of Unicron go to full war against each other. The Maximal High Council continues to suppress word of this conflict from Cybertron's civilian populace, in order to maintain order and political stability. But, Unicron's hordes eventually incite "the Culling", a massive invasion of Cybertron in which many innocents, including the Council, are slaughtered and massacred, with their spark energies consumed by Unicron. Optimus Primal's forces are successful in driving off the invading armies, but a crippling blow is still dealt to Cybertron's population. TCC magazine #9 Optimus Primal profile With the death of Magnaboss in the recent carnage, he is succeeded as a Matrix Templar by King Atlas, along with the returning Sentinel Maximus succeeding the late Rodimus.<ref>While not explicit, this answer given by Ask Vector Prime suggests that Sentinel Maximus eventually returns to his home dimension at some point during the Universe War. By total coincidence, this jibes very well with how, in "Revelations Part 1", Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime expresses familiarity with Sentinel Maximus, having apparently already met him back in the Universe War before he (Optimus) was transported to the Unicron Trilogy cartoon universe. At the time that "Revelations" was written, it was likely presumed that Maximus would have already participated in the Universe War after the events of The Wreckers and would have met Optimus then. But since 3H lost the Transformers license before completing either Universe or The Wreckers, that was never certain. "Wreckers: Finale Part II" wasn't published until a year after "Revelations" ended, so it wasn't yet known that Maximus would have been sent away from his home dimension prior to the Universe War. Ask Vector Prime suggesting that he returns home would thus explain how Optimus already knew him. Although, Maximus does not seem to know Optimus in "Revelations Part 2", which implies that his return home doesn't occur until after his adventure in the Unicron Trilogy cartoon universe comes to an end.</ref> Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18 However, the aftermath of the Culling soon brings to light a more startling revelation. TCC magazine #9 Optimus Primal profile
Back when Primus first brought Optimus Primal back to life, a side effect of his resurrection had also revived his eternal rival Megatron, Escape their fates fundamentally tied to one another. Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal toy bio Since his return to life, Megatron worked to assume a position of power and prestige in the Predacon military hierarchy. Upon finally making his presence known to Optimus, the two immediately resume their bitter conflict, TCC magazine #9 Optimus Primal profile waging war against each other across time and space throughout the multiverse. Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal toy bio Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Megatron toy bio Finally realizing the greater threat of Unicron, Megatron eventually calls for a truce with Optimus to better unite the remaining Cybertron forces against the Minions of Unicron. TCC magazine #9 Optimus Primal profile
In what turns out to be the final raid on Unicron, Optimus Primal leads the Children of Primus against the last of the Minions of Unicron (including the long-missing turncoat Skywarp) inside the Pit when, suddenly, the whole place begins to collapse. Without warning, Unicron's body starts breaking down and disappearing, the result of his destruction in another universe. His remaining Minions either fall into the Pit's ocean of Angolmois Energy and perish, Revelations Part 2 Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/16 or escape to parts unknown. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/07
The Children of Primus scramble to evacuate the Pit, with those who can fly scooping up many who cannot, including Silverbolt finally saving Blackarachnia. Omega Prime sends others through a portal back to the technorganic Cybertron. But when he passes through the portal himself, he arrives instead on the Cybertron of a completely different universe, having been summoned there for another mission. Revelations Part 2 Meanwhile, the Cauldron survives Unicron's disappearance and remains intact. It wanders aimlessly through inter-dimensional space, passing through various universes throughout the multiverse, where its Hate Collectors continue to abduct new combatants to fight in its arena, but lacking the guidance of Unicron. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/29
With the Universe War finally over, Optimus Primal still has one last loose end to contend with: Megatron. TCC magazine #9 Optimus Primal profile
After the Universe War
[edit]
At some point, years later in the future, a lone Predacon Hunter is pursued by some Maximal Skyblades on a backwater planet. Forced to take cover behind a cliffside, the Hunter presses against the rock wall and unearths an ancient passage that leads to a dark cavern. Paradox Terminus At first, he thinks he hears a presence calling to him from deep within the darkness... but it's only the wind. Terminus
Many stellar cycles later
[edit]
About fifty-to-a-hundred years after Cybertron's reformatting,<ref>According to statements given by Pete Sinclair.</ref> the ancient Predacon leader Razorclaw mysteriously returns, having somehow survived his apparent assassination by the Tripredacus Council all those stellar cycles ago. BotCon 2009 Razorclaw toy bio He is brought up to speed on things by fellow survivor Divebomb Dawn of Future's Past and reassumes command of the renewed Predacon army, determined more than ever to conquer Cybertron and destroy the Maximals once and for all. BotCon 2009 Razorclaw toy bio
Shokaract's alternate timeline (erased)
[edit]180,000 BC
[edit]The Beast Wars happen basically the same way, only without the timestorm ever happening, meaning the Dark Essence remains undisturbed on prehistoric Earth, so Point Omega doesn't happen either.
Megatron still acquires his dragon form and still gets back to Cybertron conquer it. Paradox
24th Century
[edit]Megatron returns to Cybertron from the Beast Wars. Paradox
On the distant moon of Protos, Covenant leader Leonicus observes sunrise, a rare and fleeting occurrence due to Protos's synchronous orbit with its mother planet, the ancient world of Methuselah. Since their creation by Primus at the dawn of time, he and his fellows have continued to prepare for the fated battle of Point Omega, which the now weary Leonicus wonders if it may ever come. Upon returning from the surface of Protos to subterranean home, the Sanctuary, Leonicus soon receives an answer: A sudden wave of sensation washes over himself and his brethren, in which Leonicus witnesses many mental images of the past and a dark future. Leonicus takes this as a sign of the arrival of the Time Walker, the Chronarchitect. Locating the time god's point of arrival, Leonicus is startled to see it reeling in agony.
The Chronarchitect appears to die in a reverse order of events, and warns Leonicus of a great disruption to the timestream that has thrown history into chaos. The integrity of the Grand Plan is threatened, and time now flows to a critical, decisive point. The Time Walker leaves Leonicus with the cryptic entreaty "Return to the beginning." Afterward, the Covenant hold a zemstvo to discuss the Chronarchitect's words, which Leonicus suspects are a prelude of things to come, of Point Omega. He assigns tasks to other members to investigate this matter, to decipher the meaning of these words and to examining the now-corrupted timeline, searching for a specific temporal event to determine where and when Point Omega may come to pass, lest the whole Transformer race and the Grand Plan be doomed to oblivion. Covenant
Megatron conquers Cybertron, but with Predacons instead of Vehicons. His reign over Cybertron lasts for several years, with Predacons regularly hunting down and executing helpless Maximals. It isn't until years after Megatron took over that the Maximals are able to make a more concerted effort to fight back against the Predacons. Paradox
At some point, years later in the future, a lone Predacon Hunter is pursued by some Maximal Skyblades on a backwater planet. Forced to take cover behind a cliffside, the Hunter presses against the rock wall and unearths an ancient passage that leads to a dark cavern. A presence within calls to him and reveals the Dark Essence lying in wait. Paradox Fashioning an encased housing for the essence, the Hunter dubs it the "Decepticon Matrix of Conquest" in direct mockery of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, and comes to call himself "Shokaract". BotCon 2000 Shokaract toy bio
24th–32nd Century
[edit]
Two hundred years after the Chronoarchitect had delivered his ominous warning,<ref>"Terminus" stated that Shokaract's future era is set in the 32nd Century. The original implication of this 200-year time skip mentioned only in "Schism" was that "Covenant" (and, by extension, the home-time of the Beast Wars and Beast Machines cast) took place in the 30th Century. This was never stated outright, however, and "Departure" would instead place Beast Machines three centuries after 2005, during the 24th Century.</ref> the Covenant continues to search for when and where Point Omega may come to pass. Four of their members have been dispatched through transwarp portals to search for the temporal event that will serve as the prelude to Point Omega, but only three have since returned. Leonicus observes the changing developments on Cybertron, as a new tyrant named Shokaract proceeds to conquer the planet. He wonders if this new crisis may finally be the moment he and his brethren have awaited for so long, but there is still no certainty of it. Though, he does take notice of the fact that this Shokaract person does bear the very same name that the Covenant's scriptures refer to as the alternate name of Point Omega. Schism
At some point, the missing member of the Covenant, Scorpius, adopts the moniker of "Sandstorm". Terminus He plays a pivotal role in ending the conflict between the warring Maximals and Predacons on Cybertron, uniting them together against the tyrannical threat of Shokaract. BotCon 1999 Sandstorm toy bio However, the dark cloak of Shokaract's Matrix of Conquest remains impenetrable. Covenant For more than a hundred years of civil war, Schism thousands of Transformers fall to its might; those that aren't instantly molecularized become mountains upon mountains of smoldering corpses. Covenant One of the proud city-states is likewise reduced to a ruined landscape of Badlands during the war. The united Maximal and Predacon rebels are eventually forced to wage a guerilla war from beneath the surface of Cybertron, their alliance shifting from one born out of convenience to one of necessity. Schism In time, the very name of Shokaract's Matrix instills a sense of fear in all Transformers for centuries to come. BotCon 2000 Shokaract toy bio
32nd Century
[edit]By the 32nd century, Terminus Shokaract has conquered all of Cybertron and more than half the known galaxy, Herald having claimed the lives of billions in the process. Paradox Resistance pockets from Maximals and Predacons still wage war against him from underground bases hidden all across Cybertron, but these are little more than a nuisance to him. His powerbase is headquartered at the Royal Palace in Corumkan, and each of his most loyal lieutenants are branded as a Herald of Shokaract in a ceremony of awakening known as the Ko-tu. One such Herald, Antagony, serves Shokaract loyally as Herald Maximo, the highest-ranking Herald. As such, Antagony is often called away from Cybertron, her duties taking her to faraway planets and star systems ripe for conquest and colonization in the name of Shokaract. In her travels, she conquers Xeres, Z'Gun, Macron, Herald and leads an especially brutal assault against the Kolar. Paradox
A campaign against several rim worlds takes Antagony away from Cybertron for an extended period, during which time a new potential Herald named Cataclysm makes his bid to gain Shokaract's favor. Herald Having risen through the ranks of Shokaract's army, BotCon: Beyond Cataclysm bio, Cataclysm infiltrates one of the main resistance cells, gaining their trust by eliminating hundreds of Shokaract's troops. Once ensconced, he makes plans for a dangerous gambit, a full assault on the Royal Palace to end the reign of Shokaract for good.
However, the sixteen thousand resistance fighters under his command are betrayed by their own commander, who leads them into a trap in which all are deftly massacred. Shokaract rewards Cataclysm duly. For his Ko-tu, he effortlessly kills one of the toughest members of the Maximal/Predacon resistance as his alpha target, and is appointed as another Herald. Antagony witnesses this ceremony and develops a deep dislike of Cataclysm that quickly becomes a mutual hatred.
Over the years, Antagony and Cataclysm's rivalry worsens, with the latter constantly outwitting the former at every turn. All attempts by Antagony to impress Shokaract are repeatedly twisted by Cataclysm into looking like they were his ideas, earning him honors that rightfully belonged to Antagony. As far as Shokaract knows, the two Heralds are committed allies working as one, unaware of their bitter hatred of each other.
Despite the might of Shokaract's forces, one empire remains unyielding. A bio-synthetic despot named Horus had established a massive powerbase in the strategically-important Argos Cluster, where his vast armies of fervently-devoted followers worship him as a living deity. Powered by raw solar energy channeled from the system's sun, Horus is a formidable foe who costs Shokaract two Heralds, sixteen Reaver divisions and over fifty thousand drones.
Naturally, both Antagony and Cataclysm see the Horus Campaign as a chance for advancement, and each makes their own plan to take down Horus. Antagony sets up a series of diversions in the Falcon Nexus and a dense Crab Nebula to let her sneak into the Argos Cluster, board Horus's flagship on a stolen Helioflyer, and engage him in personal combat. During their fight, Cataclysm just blows up the sun, decimating Horus's fleet and cutting him off from his power supply. Caught in the explosion, an injured Antagony finishes Horus off, but remains convinced that Cataclysm had mainly intended to kill her rather than Horus. Nonetheless, Shokaract commends both, believing the entire attack had been a cooperative effort between the two.
In time, Antagony comes to learn of two weaknesses of Cataclysm's: His fear of time-travel, and his sponsorship of his fission-brother as an up-and-coming Herald. She exploits the first when, one day, Shokaract senses a disruption to the timeline that threatens his very existence. Someone must travel back in time to Planet Earth and right the wrong that has befallen history, by locating a particular artifact capable of repairing the temporal damage in question, as well as to locate and secure the Dark Essence. For this mission, Antagony suggests Cataclysm, whose briefest show of hesitation is all Antagony needs for Shokaract to choose her instead. Before she departs, however, Antagony also exploits Cataclysm's second weakness. When the time comes to prepare for the Ko-tu of Cataclysm's brother, Antagony suggests his alpha target be a resilient Maximal warrior known only as "the Veteran", whom Antagony secretly hopes will not only best the brother but also spare his life, forcing Cataclysm to have to kill his own kin. Though, Antagony sets off for the past prior to the Ko-tu, unable to witness its outcome. Herald
At some point, the Predacon resistance leader Sandstorm successfully infiltrates Shokaract's empire, becoming another one of his Heralds. But said heraldship is secretly a ruse; his true loyalties lie with the resistance (and with his brethren). Terminus He also learns of an old bot who knows of the last outpost from the Great War many millennia ago. He waits for a rendezvous with his informant at the ancient stronghold of Iacon, but during the exchange of information, Sandstorm is betrayed. The informant had sold him out to Shokaract's sentry guards, who ambush Sandstorm along with another Herald. Sandstorm barely manages to evade being caught and found out, but does get away with the knowledge he seeks: The whereabouts of the fabled J'nwan. BotCon 1999 Sandstorm's Predacon war journal
The time comes for the Ko-tu of Cataclysm's brother, a Predacon simply known as the Cub. He tracks his alpha target, the Veteran, to the ruins of the Badlands. Their battle is fierce, but the Veteran is not so easily culled. Weary from eons of war, the Veteran spares the Cub's life, unknowingly sentencing him to a more deadly fate. Afterwards, the Veteran's Predacon counterpart, Sandstorm, proposes a crazy idea: That the Veteran merge his spark with the Cub's in order to access his knowledge of Shokaract's operations.Tracking the Cub's movements reveals the outcome of his failed Ko-tu: The Cub is sentenced to a brutal trial-by-combat against his sponsor and brother, Cataclysm, who leaves him in a near-dead state. When the dust settles, the resistance moves in and, after some contemplation, the Veteran agrees to Sandstorm's plan.
As the fusion begins, the Cub and Veteran squabble on the mental plane until the Veteran assures him that this is not a possession, that the Cub will live on with his free will intact. Coming to an understanding, the two complete the fusion and Windrazor is born. Schism he tells the rebels of Shokaract's weakness, of a temporal imbalance in the past that must be corrected. He informs them that Cataclysm is to travel back in time to complete the mission that Antagony started but from which she never returned. Paradox While Windrazor is sent to stop Cataclysm, Sandstorm prepares his troops for another mission: They are to search for the mythical region of J'nwan.
At the Royal Palace in Corumkan, Cataclysm cautiously prepares to step through a transwarp portal inside the palace's Empire Room. He is to travel to Earth's past, discover Antagony's fate, and locate the Dark Essence. Suddenly, Windrazor bursts into the room and attacks, sending both Cataclysm and himself through the portal. A battle ensues within the quantum tunnel of overspace, Cataclysm besting Windrazor until accidentally tearing a rupture in the tunnel. Windrazor sends Cataclysm through the rupture, scattering his base components across the eons. Windrazor struggles to survive the quantum tunnel's collapse until he finally emerges on prehistoric Earth during the time of the Beast Wars. Schism
On Protos, Leonicus grows anxious as the situation on Cybertron worsens. He feels that Point Omega may have to be a judgment call, that the Covenant may have to choose to step in and stop Shokaract themselves, for his name is the same as the alternate name of Point Omega. Reflecting on these matters, he is urged by Ariex, another of the Covenant, to look at something. Leonicus witnesses a recording of the creation of Windrazor, of his telling the Maximal/Predacon resistance about Cataclysm's temporal mission, of his hasty bid for the Royal Palace and his tussle through time with Cataclysm. Realizing the potential significance of these events, Leonicus concludes that this could be a sign of the moment they have long awaited and prepared for, and readies his brethren to depart for Windrazor's destination.
Back on Cybertron, Sandstorm leads the rebels on a dangerous journey to J'nwan. The terrain is treacherous, in a state of ever-changing quantum flux. Detection by Shokaract's legions looms as a constant threat. Nevertheless, the rebels press on despite the difficulty, holding onto the final hope that the myths of J'nwan were true, that it was home to "Legends", ancient heroes who had long since passed beyond the veil but could possibly return to help end the terror of Shokaract's reign. Eventually, the region takes its toll on the rebels, with Sandstorm the only one left, his eons of intense training with the Covenant having better prepared him for this mission. Fighting to keep his sanity, he reaches a great cliff wall and proceeds to climb upward.
After what seems like an eternity, Sandstorm reaches the top and is met by "the Authority". Sandstorm pleads with him, requesting that the Legends help to defend Primus's Grand Plan. The Authority communes with the other Legends and solemnly declines Sandstorm's request. Declaring the death of Primus's dream, an upset Sandstorm leaves J'nwan and returns to the rebels. He receives a report that Shokaract himself is going back in time, to Point Omega! Paradox