Predacons Rising (Prime)

The name or term "Predacons Rising" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Predacons Rising (disambiguation).

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"Today we face the monsters that are at our door, today we are cancelling the apocalypse!"
Predacons Rising
Production company	Hasbro Studios
Airdate	October 4 (TV premiere) and October 8 (home video release), 2013
Written by	Duane Capizzi Marsha Griffin Steven Melching
Directed by	Vinton Heuck Scooter Tidwell Todd Waterman
Animation studio	Polygon Pictures

Autobots, Decepticons and Predacons form an unlikely alliance to battle a resurrected Unicron.

Synopsis

Cybertron has been restored, and Optimus Prime gives a speech honoring those not still with them who helped make it possible. However even as he does so, back on Earth at the bottom of the ocean, Megatron is awoken by Unicron. Megatron is confused as to why his spark not one with the AllSpark, but Unicron explains that Megatron's Dark Energon use has made that impossible. Requiring a new vessel with which to carry out his plans, Unicron reformats Megatron's body into a more powerful form, takes possession of it and heads into the sky. Meanwhile, Optimus holds a short ceremony to promote Bumblebee to warrior, before announcing that he ans Wheeljack are going to go and retrieve the physical AllSpark from where it was hidden during the Great War.

Streaking through space, Megatron believes Unicron intends to become ruler of Cybertron, but Unicron reveals that he instead intends to destroy Primus, which will spell the end for that planet, and soon all of the universe.

As Bulkhead finds construction with Vehicons a troublesome task, Arcee reports they've had no luck finding Starscream and Shockwave. Knock Out, incarcerated on the warship, attempts to persuade the Bumblebee he's on their side by providing him with information on where they might locate the fugitive Decepticons. Ultra Magnus and Smokescreen patrol the Sea of Rust, now restored to a city, and run into an unpleasant surprise—the Predacons Darksteel and Skylynx. The two Autobots are no match for the new clones, and Magnus is severely injured before Smokescreen manages to use the phase shifter to make their escape. Ratchet is called to Cybertron to tend to Magnus, while the other Autobots try to decide on their next step.

So, uh, when do we start rising?

Across space, Optimus and Wheeljack track the AllSpark to Theta Scorpii. Not wanting to risk losing Ultra Magnus's ship in the hazardous conditions there, Optimus continues on alone.

Utilizing Bumblebee's tracking skills, the Autobots find Predaking, who has located a Predacon burial ground uncovered by the restoration of Cybertron. Bumblebee attempts to persuade Predaking that there can be a truce, but Predaking refuses to forget the Autobots' role in the destruction of his brethren. The Autobots instead head for Megatron's old fortress of Darkmount, which Knock Out has informed them may contain a map showing the location of Shockwave's laboratories.

Shockwave's current lab is in the ruins of Six Lasers Over Cybertron. Starscream arrives with another recovered Predacon bone, shortly before Darksteel and Skylynx return, laughing about their recent scrap. Starscream is furious to learn they've wandered off and revealed themselves to the Autobots, ruining their one major advantage, the element of surprise.

Over at Theta Scorpii, Optimus finally sights the AllSpark's container, but there's also an incoming plasma storm, and he has to rush to retrieve their target before it can close in.

As the Autobots are checking out the Darkmount computer, they're interrupted by the arrival of Unicron, who makes it aggressively clear to both Autobot and Megatron alike who's in control of the Decepticon leader's form. The Autobots are no match for the dark god, so they attempt to scram. They're brought to a halt by a smelting pit, and a blast from Unicron leaves Bulkhead, Arcee and Smokescreen dangling over certain doom. Bumblebee manages to keep Unicron occupied long enough for Ratchet to provide a means of escape via GroundBridge.

Meanwhile, Optimus has retrieved the AllSpark and made it back to the ship mere seconds before the plasma storm, and the Autobots book it out of there, though an asteroid thrown by the chaos collides with the ship. Back on the warship, Bumblebee attempts to contact Optimus, but the damage Magnus's ship sustained means though his message gets through, Optimus can't respond. The Autobots quickly realize that Unicron's plan is to destroy their home planet.

Acting on information from Bumblebee, Predaking finds evidence of Darksteel and Skylynx. He creates a signal in the form of a column of fire to try and attract the pair to his position, however the first to respond to it is Unicron. Megatron tricks Unicron into fighting the Predacon in the hopes if their shared body is mangled enough, it will be of no further use to Unicron and Megatron will be freed, however Unicron manages to defeat Predaking and, probing the Predacon's mind, learns of the burial ground.

The burial ground has also been found by Starscream, Darksteel and Skylynx, who summon Shockwave to help in gathering up the bones. Their task is interrupted by the arrival of Unicron, and Starscream is overjoyed to see whom he assumes is Megatron, however Unicron corrects him and bats him aside. Darksteel and Skylynx attack, but have no more luck against Unicron than anyone else has had. Opposition defeated, Unicron uses his power to raise the Predacon bones as an army of Terrorcons. Starscream flees, while Shockwave is quickly dogpiled by the horde.

The Autobots, using the warship's computer to try and locate Unicron, detect the huge build up of Dark Energon at the burial ground and quickly realize what Unicron intends. As the horde starts moving across Hydrax Plateau towards the Well of All Sparks, the Autobots prepare to use the warship to defend the location. Ratchet and Ultra Magnus are dropped off at a safe location and Smokescreen goes to retrieve the remaining relics from storage. Starscream arrives on the ship and frees the imprisoned Deceptions. They attempt to retake the ship, however Knock Out turns against Starscream, using the phase shifter to seize the Immobilizer and clock him with it... which also destroys the Immobilizer. Ooops.

Predaking arrives back at the burial ground and is horrified to see it has been desecrated. He asserts his dominance over Skylynx and Darksteel by fighting them, however Shockwave pops up to suggest they go put their combat skills to more productive use against Unicron's horde.

The Autobots make their last stand in the warship, opening fire on the oncoming Terrorcons. While the horde flies up to attack the ship, the Predacon trio arrive to lend a hand. Unfortunately the warship is shot down a short time later and the Autobots emerge, but Predaking tells them to leave the fighting to the beasts. The Predacons are only able to slow the horde's advance though, and the Terrorcons start heading into the Well of All Sparks. Unicron himself feels the presence of the AllSpark as Magnus's ship arrives back on Cybertron. Optimus jumps out to attack Unicron, who shoots down the ship down before Optimus can engage him. Even Optimus has trouble fighting Unicron, and he's only saved when Bumblebee uses the polarity gauntlet to halt Unicron's blow. Optimus flies to where Bulkhead and Arcee are helping Wheeljack out of the wreck of Magnus's ship, intending to secure the AllSpark. Unicron breaks free of the polarity gauntlet's grasp and catches up with Optimus, who is now fleeing with the AllSpark, shooting the Autobot leader down. Opening the AllSpark container, Unicron opens it intending to devour the contents, only to find it is empty. Unicron's anti-spark is drawn out of Megatron by the vessel, which pulls it into itself and seals, trapping it there. The link to Unicron severed, Terrorcon army disintegrates just before it can reach the core.

Starscream lands, having escaped his cell during the crash, and welcomes Megatron back from the dead, believing Megatron will once again lead the Decepticons. Having been put through the torments of Unicron, Megatron is broken, and no longer wishes to be an oppressor. Over Starscream's objections, he declares the Decepticons no more, and flies away, destination unknown. Starscream also flees, going instead to Darkmount where he intended to take his place as Decepticon leader. His reign is short-lived, as the Predacons arrive looking to settle some old scores with him.

AllSpark: Taste the Rainbow.

At the Well of All Sparks, Optimus revealed that in order to set the trap for Unicron, he was forced to empty the AllSpark into the Matrix of Leadership inside him. This unfortunately means that he is now one with the AllSpark, and the only way it can be restored to the Well is by him giving up his own life. Optimus assures them there is no other way, and that the age of Primes is over... and that new leaders will arise not by decree of ancient talismans, but by the virtue of their actions. Optimus dives into the Well, sacrificing himself and releasing a multitude of sparks into the sky.

'Til all are one.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots	Decepticons	Predacons	Others
Optimus Prime (1) Smokescreen (2) Arcee (3) Bulkhead (4) Ultra Magnus (5) Wheeljack (6) Bumblebee (7) Knock Out (11) Ratchet (14)	Megatron (8) Vehicons (10) Starscream (16) Shockwave (17)	Darksteel (12) Skylynx (13) Predaking (15)	Unicron (9) Terrorcon Predacons (18)

Quotes

"Optimus Prime would deem it a tragedy to stain Cybertron's fresh soil with any newly-spilled energon. So help us prove what Megatron was never willing to, that more than one race can peacefully co-exist on our planet."
"You assume that because I turned against Megatron, I can forgive the Autobots their role in the destruction of my brethren on Earth? Leave me be and dare not trespass here again."

—Bumblebee tries to appeal to Predaking.

"Lord Smokescreen, Emperor of Destruction!"

—Smokescreen unintentionally mocks Starscream.

"It isn't fair. How many more times do we have to save a world? Have to fight for the survival of our home?"
"Regrettably the struggle between creation and destruction is an eternal one, and the battle lines which separate the two run through the very spark of Cybertron. Good and evil; order and chaos; one victorious, one vanquished. Each forming the core of their own separate worlds, Cybertron and Earth. And now the darkness has followed us all the way home."

—Arcee and Ratchet lament the latest developments.

"In the name of the mighty legions of Predacons who preceded me, I shall never again yield to your charge, but I will heed your previous advice and face my true enemy as a beast!"

—Predaking

"The past shall consume the future, the dead shall consume the living, and chaos shall reign supreme!"

—Unicron rides into battle.

"What are we supposed to call him, huh? Megacron? Unitron?"

—Smokescreen debating over what to call a Unicron possessed Megatron.

"I say we show 'Lord of the Undead' what it's like to be unliving."

—Skylynx gets a big boost of confidence.

"'Bee, in case I'd never get another chance to say this, you've really proved your mettle."
"I'd like to think my actions always spoke louder than my words, Arcee, but it didn't hurt to watch and learn from the best."
"Would be nice if Optimus showed up about now."
"I was referring to a powerful little two-wheeler I know."

—Arcee and Bumblebee

"And who made you boss?"
"I...am not your boss. I am your KING!"

—Darksteel expresses his usual defiance, before receiving a badass boast à la Predaking.

"Knock Out! We needed that!"

—Bumblebee channels Ratchet while telling off his new ally.

"An impressive display from my creations. But would it not be more logical to employ your might elsewhere at this time?"

—Shockwave to the Predacons, after inexplicably cheating death by zombie mobbing.

"Why'd you do it Knock Out? Why'd you turn against Starscream?"
"Even if I had helped him seize this ship, he would probably just fire me out of the first airlock. Oh. And he's rude..."

—Knock Out explains his actions to Arcee, also commenting on his former comrade's behavior. Guess scratching one's paint and pinning the blame on the doc will leave that kind of impression.

"Enough! The Decepticons are no more, and that is final."

—Megatron delivers the wham line to Starscream.

Starscream: This is not quite how I envisioned my rise to the throne, but since Megatron all but surrendered it to me, I will gladly revive the Decepticons in my name.
[Starscream screams upon the Predacons' arrival]
Starscream: Though, perhaps, the throne is more befitting of an actual king?
Predaking: I am not here to seize thrones, Starscream. But to settle scores.

—And the second reign of Starscream is shorter than Terrorsaur's.

"Above all, do not lament my absence, for in my spark, I know that this is not the end, but merely a new beginning. Simply put, another transformation."

—Optimus Prime

Notes

Animation and technical errors

• The pile of pipes that a crane picks up at Bulkhead's construction site doesn't behave like a pile of loose pipes, but as though they'd been welded together in the shape of a pile. In real life, the pipes are first tied together then lifted by a strap or other indirect method.
• The manacles that Knock Out and the Vehicons are wearing in their first appearance are gone when Starscream shows up to break them out.
• Ratchet's medical scan of Ultra Magnus shows two intact hands.
• Darkmount's throne is undamaged when Starscream tries to claim it, even though Unicron shot it multiple times and pitched a spear through it.

Continuity notes

• Bumblebee is promoted to Warrior-class after first mentioning it as his goal in "Masters & Students", and later admitting he was holding back to be promoted on Cybertron in "Project Predacon".
• The AllSpark was introduced to the Aligned continuity family in the novel Exodus, where it was launched from Cybertron during the war. The novel concluded with the Autobots' picking up its signal after departing Cybertron—an obvious allusion to a live-action movie-style journey to Earth in search of it—but this was dropped for the sequel Exiles, and nobody but Optimus seems to remember much about the whole affair here (likely as a means to better explain it to the audiences who didn't read the novels).
• Knock Out was locked up after being decked by Miko in "Deadlock".
• Knock Out gets payback on Smokescreen by sticking him in a wall with the Phase Shifter in an identical position to his own wall-imprisonment in "Inside Job".
• Knock Out destroys the Immobilizer, which was introduced in "Partners", by knocking Starscream out with it.
• Smokescreen mentions that he almost became a Prime, which occurred in "Rebellion".
• Bulkhead goes back to construction as Ratchet suggested in Alpha/Omega.
• Predaking takes Megatron's advice and faces his true enemy as a beast!

Transformers references

• Lord Smokescreen, Emperor of Destruction!
• Unicron calls his new form an Instrument of Destruction.
• One of the weapons that Unicron manifests is a pair of huge, purple scythes. This could be a reference to the Arms Micron Hades, who is similarly a huge, purple scythe.
• Megatron's new alternate mode bears a resemblance to Gaia Unicron's "space cruiser" mode.
• Optimus brings new life to Cybertron by jumping into a pit that leads to the core of the planet and committing suicide. Why does that sound familiar?

Real-world references

• The laying of a sword on the shoulders as Optimus does with Bumblebee during the warrior ceremony is from the investiture ceremony used when someone is knighted.

Trivia

• Oddly, TVGuide's listing for this movie is split into three part episodes incorrectly (yet still more appropriately) titled "Chaos Rising".
• Predacons Rising is a Hub Original Family Movie, concluding the Prime cartoon.
• The Star Saber is used by Optimus to promote Bumblebee, and is never seen again in the rest of the movie. It's never mentioned as being aboard the Nemesis like the other Iacon relics are, so Optimus must still have it. But if so, why didn't he use it against Unicron?
• Come to think of it, if Predacon bones were on Cybertron, why weren't they turned into Terrorcons back in "Darkness Rising"?
• The film was leaked online a few weeks before its airdate.