Date: 6/14/2012
GHOSTS OF THE PAST, PART 4: FIVE SERVOS OF DOOM
(Opens with Hailstorm getting blasted by Hardhead)
HAILSTORM: Argh!
HARDHEAD: Man, you're pathetic. I was hoping for an actual fight from you. So... any last words before I pound you into scrap?
HAILSTORM: And here I thought all Autobots were goody-two-shoes. (Transforms into tank mode) If it's a fight you want... then ask, and you shall receive.
(He fires rockets into the air, summoning a pair of Destructors)
HAILSTORM: Hey... it worked for me!
(The Destructors unload rockets on the Autobots)
NIGHTBEAT: Crud.
(There's a big explosion, taking out the four Autobots)
HAILSTORM: Tell Lord Straxus... that he may have a case of Autobots coming.
(Meanwhile, at Darkmount, a Decepticon resembling BW Buzzclaw beats up Kick-Off)
BUZZCLAW: C'mon, you energon guzzler! Fight like a mech! Really, now. Is that all you've got?
KICK-OFF: P-please, have mercy. (Buzzclaw tears off his arm)
STRAXUS: How crude. I must say, your fighters are quite... savage.
GIGATRON: What can I say? At least they get the job done. Enough about sports. You summoned me here because of a certain 'Shockblast.'
STRAXUS: Ah, yes. Did you know Shockwave personally, Gigatron?
GIGATRON: I... wouldn't say we were the best of partners.
STRAXUS: I see. Did he ever mention his... creations?
GIGATRON: Not that I recall.
STRAXUS: Then you may be intrigued by this. Flatline, show him the second memory you've found.
FLATLINE: Yes, my lord.
(Datatrax 7-3-4 plays)
SHOCKBLAST: What the-? I-I-wha-?
SHOCKWAVE: As you can see, I've decided to give you a second chance.
SHOCKBLAST: What are you-? What happened?
SHOCKWAVE: I've erased your memory of your original life, save for your name and purpose. Anyway, your first mission is to take on the guise of a ruthless gladiator. Head for Gigatron's pits in Kaon... and gain his trust. If you are successful, report his actions to me. I don't believe I can trust--
(Gigatron blasts the monitor in rage)
FLATLINE: Hey! I just fixed that monitor!
STRAXUS: So now, Gigatron... what do you think we should do?
(Autobot HQ)
ULTRA MAGNUS: Nightbeat, this is Ultra Magnus. Do you copy? Nightbeat? Nightbeat?! Blast! Lost contact with him! Longarm, I'm sure he and Siren visited you. Do you know where Nightbeat is?
LONGARM: Well, I sent them to Kaon along with Arcee. Don't know much beyond that.
ULTRA MAGNUS: Hm. Springer, head for Kaon and try to find them.
SPRINGER: On it.
(As he transforms and drives off, Bludgeon watches from afar)
BLUDGEON: Hmm... How convenient.
(He fires at Springer)
SPRINGER: What the-?!
BLUDGEON: Well, well, well...
SPRINGER: No... it can't--
BLUDGEON: If it isn't my old pal, Springer.
SPRINGER: Bludgeon...
(Many years ago, Yoketron meditates... until he hears a bang)
SPRINGER: Ow! I just can't do it!
YOKETRON: The balancing handstand is indeed a difficult act. With patience and practice... you will get the hang of it.
SPRINGER: All right...
YOKETRON: You know, Springer... you remind me of a student I once had, long ago. He was impatient just as you are, as well as reckless and... brash.
SPRINGER: Did he learn from that?
YOKETRON: To be honest... I don't think he did.
(Present day, Bludgeon slashes at Springer)
BLUDGEON: What's the matter, Springer? Afraid of a little scratch?
SPRINGER: Hng!
BLUDGEON: Didn't Sensei Yoketron teach you pain?
SPRINGER: He would never do such a thing!
BLUDGEON: Well then... consider this a lesson! (He deploys and fires his chest cannon)
(Meanwhile, the Destructors are transporting the captured Autobots while Nightbeat monologues to himself)
NIGHTBEAT: Datalog 8589. Siren and I were directed to Kaon by head of CyberIntel Longarm. We met up with Arcee and began searching for the spy when we ran into the Decepticon Hailstorm. Even after summoning my friend, Hardhead, the 'Con was too much for us. And now we're being taken to Polyhex, ruled by the tyrant Straxus. End log.
SIREN: Hey, how did you call Hardhead?
NIGHTBEAT: Comm-link. 'Cons disabled it, though.
SIREN: Dang.
NIGHTBEAT: Don't think it would be any use, though. I mean, who do we know that can save--
SFX: BOOM!
SIREN: Whoa!
DESTRUCTOR-ALPHA: Destructor-Beta?
(The Destructor crashes, releasing the Autobots)
HAILSTORM: What in the Pit is going... on?
BLUDGEON: Sorry about your ship. I was aiming for him.
ARCEE: Springer! Let me help!
SPRINGER: No, Arcee. This is between Bludgeon and me.
(Years ago)
YOKETRON: You have trained well, Springer. With skill, patience and practice... you have become a great warrior.
SPRINGER: Er, thank you, Sensei.
YOKETRON: Which is why I believe you deserve a place... in the Hall of Heroes! Here lies the portraits of my greatest students!
SPRINGER: You mean I'm-?
YOKETRON: Indeed you are. And to show my gratitude of training such an amazing Autobot, I present you... your sword! Made of tironium, it was forged specifically for you.
SPRINGER: I... I am honored. Thank you, Sensei.
YOKETRON: No, Springer. Thank you.
(Present)
BLUDGEON: He always said you were his best! But I know better...
(Years ago)
YOKETRON: I am disappointed, Springer. I gave you your sword so you can protect. But instead you use it to destroy.
SPRINGER: We're at war, Sensei!
YOKETRON: Against whom? The Decepticons? They are little more than glorified criminals. Impactor and the Wreckers are taking this conflict too far... as well as you. I had faith in you, Springer. But now... I have nothing but chagrin.
(Present)
BLUDGEON: Despite this, you still try to avenge him, even though he surely still showed resentmen towards you!
SPRINGER: No... you're wrong...
(Years ago; Springer finds the dojo ablaze and Yoketron badly damaged)
SPRINGER: Master Yoketron!
YOKETRON: S-Springer?
SPRINGER: What happened? Who did this?!
YOKETRON: It... it was Bludgeon. You came... you came back. I always knew you would. You.. always were... my... greatest... student.
SPRINGER: But... but you said two days ago...
YOKETRON: I only said that... so you would understand. Farewell... Springer. May your wires... never... cross.
(Present)
SPRINGER: From that day forth, I swore that I would avenge him... by any means necessary.
BLUDGEON: How touching. Speaking of that event, I took great pleasure in taking Yoketron's helmet. How wonderful is it to have the belonging of the greatest warrior on Cybertron. Now... what are you going to do about it?
(Springer punches him hard in the face before blasting him, setting his face ablaze)
SPRINGER: Does that answer your question? So, where's that other 'Con?
NIGHTBEAT: Uh, looks like he ran off.
ARCEE: We need to get you to a medic.
SPRINGER: I'm--ow!--fine.
HARDHEAD: Arcee's right. Besides... that guy doesn't look like he's itchin' for a fight anymore.
ARCEE: So... do you think you've avenged Yoketron?
SPRINGER: To be honest, Arcee... I am not sure. Yoketron once reprimanded me for killing others. I'm not sure how he'd feel about being avenged... by having someone lose their face.
(As he says this, we see a faceless Bludgeon don Yoketron's helmet...)
TO BE CONTINUED
CHARACTERS
Autobots: Arcee, Hardhead, Kick-Off, Longarm, Nightbeat, Siren, Springer, Ultra Magnus, Yoketron (flashbacks)
Decepticons: Bludgeon, Buzzclaw, Destructors, Flatline, Gigatron, Hailstorm, Shockblast (flashbacks), Shockwave (flashbacks), Straxus
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