Cybertonium
- Cybertonium is a Cybertronic element found in the Generation 1 continuity family.
Cybertonium is a green crystaline element found only on Cybertron and is used in construction of Transformer bodies on that planet. Such Transformers bodies use Cybertonium in a manner which depletes it over time and it must be replaced. As the element dwindles it causes minor malfunctions such as an inability to fully transform or control their actions, but if it goes on long enough can lead to death. Cybertonium is mined from a pit deep in the planet.
While seemingly vital to most Transformers, those with bodies created on other worlds however do not require the element.
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon
After fleeing from battle with the Dinobots, the Decepticons began to suffer minor malfunctions which they attributed to bad Energon. Attacking a power station to refuel, the Decepticons were confronted by the Autobots, but the battle devolved into a stalemate as both sides began to suffer from increasing malfunctions.
As their conditions worsened, Perceptor concluded that both sides were being affected by Cybertonium depletion. Having also learned the real problem, Megatron contacted Shockwave, and had him prepare a shipment to be sent over the space bridge. Both factions sent groups of Transformers created on Earth and thus full functional, the Dinobots and Constructicons, to retrieve the shipment. Both groups fought and ended up destroying the Cybertonium, with the Dinobots ending up on Cybertron and refusing to assist those on Earth. With the Autobots fading fast, Spike and Carly, over the objections of Optimus Prime, travelled across the space bridge to get some more Cybertonium. Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1
Arriving on the homeworld of the Transformers, the human pair avoided Shockwave but damaged the computer controlling the space bridge and prevented even the Decepticons receiving more of the vital element. Searching Wheeljack's lab, Spike and Carly ran into Swoop, whom explained that the Dinobots were captured and re-programmed to work in the Cybertonium Pit. While attempting to rescue their friends, they were in turn captured and forced to work in pit. After Carly re-programmed the other Dinobots, the group was able to escape back across the now repaired space bridge with enough Cybertonium to save their fellow Autobots. Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2
Headmasters animated series
During the Headmasters conflict, Vector Sigma developed an alloy called Cybertonuron that was many times stronger than Cybertonium. Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1
Items of Note
- The introduction of Cybertonium throws a spanner in the works for determining the origins of the newer second-season characters such as Perceptor, Blaster, Blitzwing, etc. Previously it could be assumed they had simply arrived from Cybertron or some other planet, but the fact that their Cybertonium deteriorates in exact synch with the earlier characters suggests that they were also aboard the Ark and went through the same four million year slumber as the 1984 characters. Why we didn't see any of them for the first year is therefore a bit of a mystery within the context of the stories.
- Likewise it adds to the controversy surrounding the origin of the Constructicons, the fact the group can function and even form Devastator would seem to imply they were created on Earth as seen in Heavy Metal War, yet later in season two The Secret of Omega Supreme states they were originally from Cybertron. If the Constructicons were merely rebuilt on Earth, why can't other Transformers be rebuilt in similar fashion to not require Cybertonium?
- While in Headmasters Cybertonuron is noted as being many times stronger than Cybertonium, stated with the implication that Cybertonium is unusually strong itself, there is nothing indicated in either Desertion of the Dinobots episodes that it's a metalic or used in a alloy.
