Date: 9/6/2013
STORMBRINGER, PART I: OLD FLAMES
(At a cantina on a remote planet)
BARTENDER: I swear, I've never seen them here!
LOCKDOWN: Oh, really? Then how do you explain us being able to trace their Energon signal?
BARTENDER: I--I...
AXER: Face it, Lockdown, they were never here. He doesn't have any reason to not give them away.
LOCKDOWN: Hn. Point taken. You're off the hook, ugly... but if it turns out you're lying, your body will be on this hook. Capisce?
BARTENDER: Y-yes, sir. Understood.
(The two bounty hunters leave. The bartender hastily puts up a "No Transformers allowed" sign in the window)
LOCKDOWN: Bugly, this is Lockdown. No luck finding them at the bar.
BUGLY: No worries there, bounty hunter. I can always do better. Skullgrin, show these natives a little... intimidation.
SKULLGRIN: Heh. (He transforms to his tank mode and shoots his barrel, startling native aliens)
ALIEN: Eek!
BUGLY: Natives of Skara-Bara, now that I have your attention... allow me to make a request.
(Elsewhere, at the other cantina...)
DRIFT: Do you think they'll find us here?
WINDBLADE: Eventually, yeah. I can't get this tracking device off.
DRIFT: Why were the 'Cons after you?
WINDBLADE: Why were you captured?
DRIFT: I asked first.
WINDBLADE: *sigh* You know how you asked me if I had ever completed my training?
DRIFT: Yeah...
WINDBLADE: Well, I didn't... at least not under Yoketron. Well, after I was expelled, I met another failed student named Bugly. He took me to a secret institution made for bots like me; a place where failed students could finish our training. The institution was run by a bot known only as the Master. I never really learned his true name. He pointed me and Bugly to Master Banzai-Tron. You'd recognize him as the 'Con chasing me... Under him, I actually learned more than I did under Yoketron. And to think, I came this close to joining the 'Cons. Pretty scary, huh?
DRIFT: Yeah...
WINDBLADE: So, then--
DRIFT: Er, could we save this for another time? We've got company...
LOCKDOWN: Huh. If I'd known that guy had a rivalling business, I would've gotten him to talk.
BUGLY: And yet you didn't. Such a pity. Skullgrin?
SKULLGRIN: Heh. (He fires his cannon, blasting into the cantina)
SFX: THWOM!
DRIFT: Get down!
BUGLY: All right, you have your options. You either turn yourselves in, or I kill you both. (Drift and Windblade draw their swords) Hm. What I thought. Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let's dance.
(Shortly before the war...)
DECEPTICON RECRUITER: (on screen) Why should your life be bounded by your caste? Why should you not be able to choose your destiny? Join the Decepticons today!
BUGLY: Awesome! Finally, someone is doing something about the Senate's tyranny!
MEGATRON: (on screen) I am Megatron and I approve this message!
BUGLY: Windblade? What's wrong?
WINDBLADE: Nothing, Bugly, it's just... I don't really agree with this Megatron person...
BUGLY: How come?
WINDBLADE: Haven't you seen the videos? He suggests we take violence against the Senate!
BUGLY: But don't they deserve it for what they've done?
WINDBLADE: Maybe so, but- *sigh* I'm sorry, Bugly. You can join these Decepticons if you want... but don't expect me to follow you!
(Present)
BUGLY: It's been a while, hasn't it, Windblade?
WINDBLADE: How do you know my name?
BUGLY: Well, of course you don't recognize me. You may remember me as Bugly.
WINDBLADE: Bugly? (He electrocutes her) AHH!
DRIFT: Windblade!
BUGLY: Oh, don't worry. You'll be next. Tell me, my friend. Have you heard of Circuit-Su?
DRIFT: Heard, yes. But I've never practiced it.
BUGLY: You see, Circuit-Su focuses less on the motion of the body... and more on the spark. Thus, given enough concentration... I can channel a portion of my spark's energy... and unleash it! (He hits Drift with a burst of electricity)
DRIFT: AGGGH! ARRRGH!
AXER: Yes! Fear the power of the dark side! (Lockdown glares at him) What?
BUGLY: Hm? What's that? ...Silence. All too easy. Shall we leave, then?
(Sometime during the war, Bugly and other future Pretenders gather...)
THE MASTER: It is our "glorious" leader's belief that Cybertron would benefit under new rulership. He thinks that our home must suffer in order to make us strong enough to take on the universe. He says "survival of the fittest." I say "no." Why? Because Thunderwing has revealed the truth! Cybertron must be destroyed in order to be reborn! The only way we can be free of past tyranny... is to start anew. So come, my fellow Decepticons. Prepare to be reborn!
(Present)
BANZAI-TRON: Were you successful in capturing the Autobots?
BUGLY: Yes, Banzai-Tron. I - we- have captured the Autobots Drift and Windblade.
BANZAI-TRON: Excellent. The Secret Service will reward you as you see fit.
BUGLY: Don't mention it, but I must ask... what's so important about them? And wouldn't capturing them be breaking the Tyrest Accord?
BANZAI-TRON: I never had you pinned down as one who cared about laws and rules, Bugly. After all, you've always preferred being the one in control... or am I missing something? Ah, yes. I believe I am. It's about her, isn't it? You always did seem to have an attraction to her.
BUGLY: You leave that out. Answer my question!
BANZAI-TRON: I think not. You've done your job, Bugly. Turn the two Autobots in and be done with it. Let go of the past for once.
(Before the war...)
BUGLY: Windblade! Wait up!
WINDBLADE: Bugly, I-
BUGLY: Look, just... listen to me. I know you don't want to join the Decepticons, but... I want you to. I want you to come with me, because... I don't know what I'd do without you. You're clever, you're helpful, you... look, I just see you as more than a friend--
WINDBLADE: I'm sorry, Bugly. But... I don't feel... that way towards you. I've made my choice. Nothing you can say or do can make me change my mind. I'm sorry, Bugly...
(Present)
LOCKDOWN: You okay, bug-eyes?
BUGLY: Let's make a deal. You can hand the Autobots in and take the credit... and you never mention my conversation with Banzai-Tron.
LOCKDOWN: Why not?
BUGLY: Do you care? (His hand sparkles with lightning)
LOCKDOWN: Guess not.
(They part ways)
SFX: BWEEP!
SKULLGRIN: Message, Bugly. It's the boss. Says it's time.
BUGLY: Then let's greet him, shall we?
TO BE CONTINUED
CHARACTERS
Autobots: Drift, Windblade
Decepticons: Axer, Banzai-Tron, Bomb-Burst (flashbacks), Bugly, Iguanus (flashbacks), Lockdown, The Master / Bludgeon (flashbacks), Megatron (flashbacks), Skullgrin
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