Special power
A special power denotes a kind of ability that is unlike other abilities. Only two Transformers are known to have a special power, those being Elita One and Megaempress. Elita One's special power is to stop time and Megaempress's special power is to seduce Transformers into her service. Disparate as these abilities are, they do have in common that when activated, their possessors emit a swarm of colored lights.
Fiction
The Transformers cartoon
Although it was ill-advised to use her special power to stop time because it would drain all of her life force, Elita One put it all on black when it was the only way to save Optimus Prime and herself from the Decepticons. After breaking free and dragging Optimus out of danger's path, she touched him to bring him into her flow of time, explained what was happening, and instructed him on how to save her. The Search for Alpha Trion
Legends comic
Elita One was among the heroic female Transformers who appeared in one of Tigatron's dreams to protect him from the evil female Transformers. She assured him that she'd keep him safe by using her special power. Bonus Edition Vol. 11
Unite Warriors
Megaempress threatened Galvatron that she'd use her special power to bring him under her control. Although she was already gearing up as evidenced by the appearance of the lights, she didn't go through with it and suggested she'd drain his energy with a kiss instead. She also threatened Cyclonus and Optimus Prime with her special power. Megatronia Chapter
Notes
- The term "special power" comes from "The Search for Alpha Trion" and is used by both Elita One and Alpha Trion to describe Elita's power. It is a generic term there, notwithstanding the unique visual effect used to punctuate the power's useage. In the Japanese version of the episode, the wording of "special power" is replaced by "secret power", which works just as well in context and is just as generic. Things changed when in 2015-2016 Hayato Sakamoto had Elita One mention her "secret power" again and assigned Megaempress a "secret power" of her own, reusing both the wording and the lights from Elita. Neither instance comes with any clarification what makes these powers different from others, although not unlike how Elita's special power has at least two components—stopping time and unstopping it for selected individuals—Megaempress alludes to having the power to enslave and to absorb another's energy.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Secret power (シークレットパワー)
