Double Cross
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| "Double Cross" 二重の罠
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| Publisher | Kodansha | ||||||||||||
| Published in | Comic Bom Bom | ||||||||||||
| First published | August 1999 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | September 1999 | ||||||||||||
| Script | Shōji Imaki | ||||||||||||
| Artist | Shōji Imaki | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Beast Wars | ||||||||||||
With the aid of the Blendtrons, Magamtron has the Maximals where he wants them. But just who is pulling everybody's strings?
Synopsis
After retrieving three more Angolmois capsules from the sanctuary of the Byakurēn, the planet Wednesday, and the Graviton Prison respectively, now the Maximals have collected six Angolmois capsules — there is only one left. Inside the Gung Ho, the Black Ball thanks the Maximals for their efforts. Big Convoy asks the Black Ball for the location of the last capsule so they can retrieve it to save the universe. Before the action, Stampy, who witnessed Heinrad's secret conversation with a mysterious figure, feels concerned because Heinrad, who usually looks carefree, has a serious face today.
Upon arriving the location given by the Black Ball, NAVI finds it is a amphitheatre near the planet Cybertron, the Maximal Headquarter, but it is not on the map. Big Convoy doubts if they can find the capsule in such a desolate place. Soon they met Magmatron, whom they think should be dead, telling them the Black Ball gave him the correct information that "the Maximals would be there". He demands the capsules and called the Blendtrons to surround the Maximals. He claims that the Blendtrons are reliable soldier given by the Black Ball. Upon the others feel confused, Cohrada recognizes it is the Blendtrons who are responsible for the massacre on the planet Jörmungandr. Cohara immediately rushes out but was stabbed in the abdomen by two stretch fangs from an Elephorca. Elephorcas then put their fangs on every Maximal's face. Magmatron tells Big Convoy hand over the capsules. Considering the fact he lost the Big Cannon and Cohrada is badly wound, Big Convoy decides to give Magmatron the capsules. Upon Magmatron is happy to hear Big Convoy's decision, he is attacked by a Rartorata from behind with his own Magma Blade. This Rartorata reveals the Blendtron's true color: the servant of Unicron, the Destoyer of the Universe.
Unicron reveals that he originally created the Blendtrons to find the Angolmois capsule, but all they did was massacring on a planet to another. So he decides to trick both Maximals and Predacons to help him gather the capsules. Big Convoy questions Unicron if he is too rush for the resurrection because there are only six capsule. Unicron reveals that the energy withing the seventh capsule is split into Big Convoy and Magmatron's bodies because the capsule travelled into a distant planet where they lived, turning them into his "puppets and sacrifices". His words makes Big Convoy regain all of his memory, feeling pain, sorrow, and despairing. Upon Big Convoy is crying over his fate, Magmatron destroys all of the fangs surrounding the Maximals, convincing Big Convoy to fight Unicron together.
Big Convoy rides on Magmatron, killing a bunch of Blendtrons. However, they are powerless against Unicron. Heinrad uses his power to save Big Convoy by freezing the time. Heinrad reveals his true identity as an agent of the Ruler of Time and Space, the creator of the Universe. He starts to explain Unicron's existence and the Ruler's planning —to erase the whole universe that has been contaminated by Unicron, so he can create a whole new universe. Heinrad says he manipulated Vector Sigma in order to allow him to infiltrate Big Convoy's crew so he can keep an eye on the things around the Angolmois capsules. Although agents are not allow to interfere the history, Heinrad decides to go against the rule because he has learn the wonder of the world and the life. Heinrad then asks Big Convoy to save the Universe. Big Convoy initially refused, stating he doesn't care what will the world become because he is always alone. Heirad tell him that he isn't alone anymore. After Heinrad is forced to leave due to his interference, Big Convoy finds Magmatron was chewed up by Unicron. A dying Magmatron, now reduces to only a head, leave his Magma Blade to Big Convoy as a "parting gift" and asks Big Convoy to give him an honorable "warrior's death" with his own sword. Big Convoy kills him with the Magma Blade.
Meanwhile, Unicron heads to the planet Cybertron, destorying the Maximal 1st Fleet in his way. After arriving Cybertron, Unicron begins to use tentacles to hack the systems and the Vector Sigma, making Cybertron transform into his new body.
Back on the amphitheatre, Big Convoy tells his students that the training is over and they've become good warriors, so they can go wherever they want to go. Break asks Big Convoy what is he going to do. Big Convoy says he has something unimportant waiting for him. However, everyone knows Big Convoy is about to defeat Unicron, so they decide to help Big Convoy.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Maximals | Predacons | Humans | Others |
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Others
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Quotes
"Big Convoy, it is not the time for tear to be drained, but OUR enemy, Unicron's blood!!!"
- —Magmatron to Big Convoy
"Do you say enough yet?! How can I know what the world will become?! I'm always alone. I live alone and die alone!"
"You are not alone anymore, are you?"
- —Big Convoy shows his anger toward the fate that Heinrad shuts down.
"Big Convoy... since I've been acquainted with you for a very long time..., can you listen to my last wish?"
- —Magmatron in his last moment.
Notes
- The "二重の罠" (Nijū no Wana) in the original Japanese title means "double traps", but it was given a note to be read as "double cross".
- The sequence of panels where the Maximals obtained the fourth, fifth, and sixth Angolmois capsules would be expanded into several stories in the collected edition of the Beast Wars Neo comic. They are "Break Through! The Polar Bear Raging Claw Fist!", "To Jellyfish with Love! Cry Out, Stampy Blade", and "The Great Escape! Graviton Prison!"
- Longrack mentions that Unicron was a terrify lifeform killed by the all Transformers in the Great War twenty million years ago.
- Magmatron's words implies that he is a honorable warrior just like Dinobot.
Continuity notes
- In "The Beast Wars "Neo" Begin!!!", it is clearly established that the Angolmois energy in this capsule was used to evolve not only Big Convoy and Magmatron, but also Magmatron's original henchmen. However, Unicron claims he needs only to consume Big Convoy and Magmatron to regain his power.
Transformers references
- Unicron's head shows up in a way that Vok showing up as Unicron in Beast Wars episode "Other Voices, Part 2".
Real-word references
- Break mentioned "Tōdai Demoracy" (東大デモクラシー) is a pun/proverb parody of the Japanese phrase "灯台下暗し" (Tōdai motokurasi), literally "It's (always) dark under the lamp", meaning people often know little of what is happening in their own backyards (or under their very noses).
