Monday, July 28, 2025

Transformers Regenerated Comic: Issue 16 - Spotlight: Punch

     Date: 10/13/2013

HORRORCONS RISING PART 1:

THE STRANGE CASE OF PUNCH AND COUNTERPUNCH

    PUNCH: (narration) My life has never been an easy one. When I got recruited by Autobot Intelligence, I thought it would take a better turn. I was wrong.

    PUNCH: Will this hurt?

    PERCEPTOR: At first, yes. But don't worry... the effects will wear off eventually. (He attaches something to the side of Punch's head)

    PUNCH: Couldn't you have gotten a Shifter or something?

    ULTRA MAGNUS: You're the only person we can trust, Punch. I'm sorry.

    PUNCH: (narration) I slumber. And he awakens.

    COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) My life has been a glorious one. When I was awakened by my Autobot foes, I thought it could not get any better. I was wrong.

    AUTOBOT: Team Sigma-12 to Cybertron! We need reinforcements, I repeat--!

    COUNTERPUNCH: Such a pathetic way to die. You really should've planned out your life better.

    AUTOBOT: No, please don't--

    COUNTERPUNCH: I'm sorry.

    SFX: BLAM!

    COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) I slumber. And he reawakens.

    HIGHBROW: This is good information, agent. We could use this. Does anyone suspect you?

    PUNCH: No, thankfully. However... I think I'm going insane, sir. This dual personality thing is--

    HIGHBROW: Hold together, agent. This is very important. When this war is over... you will be relieved of duty.

    PUNCH: I... Thank you, sir. *Sigh*

    SFX: Knock knock

    COUNTERPUNCH: Coming... What?

    STEAMHAMMER: Megadeath requires our presence.

    COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) Megadeath. If anyone could outdo me in paranoia and psychotic levels... it was him.

    MEGADEATH: My fellow Decepticons, it is time to break free of our restraints and rebel against Megatron!

    SWITCHBLADE: And just what are the odds of that working? I'm sure several 'Cons have attempted that and--

    MEGADEATH: You underestimate me, Switchblade. Megatron will be no match for us!

    COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) Though he was prone to hyperbole, Megadeath truly was a force to be reckoned with. If Megadeath were to overthrow Megatron, the war would take a sharp turn in the 'Cons' favor. It was time to play my part.

    COUNTERPUNCH: Lord Megatron, I have something of interest for you.

    (Soon; Lugnut is dismembering Megadeath)

    LUGNUT: Foul traitor! You shall pay for daring to defy the glorious Megatron!

    MEGADEATH: No! Please, don't--!

    SFX: SKRTCH

    MEGATRON: I suppose I owe you my thanks, Counterpunch... it was only a matter of time before someone like Megadeath turned against me.

    COUNTERPUNCH: Don't mention it, Lord Megatron. I was simply protecting the Decepticon cause.

    MEGATRON: Ah, but you've done far more than that.

    COUNTERPUNCH: Pardon?

    MEGATRON: Bots like Megadeath are formidable assets. I require elite warriors that I can both use and trust. Congratulations, Counterpunch. I have an idea on how to win the war.

    COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) Slag.

    (Later into the war)

    PUNCH: Director? This is Agent 111. Come in. Uh, where's the director?

    LONGARM: Heh, I am the director. I am Longarm, the new head of Intelligence. Is this channel safe?

    PUNCH: Yes. For now.

    LONGARM: Then report.

    PUNCH: I don't have much time. I've gained Megatron's trust a few years ago, but... I think my "teammates" are growing suspicions. I have to make my reports less frequent.

    LONGARM: Hmm. I might have an idea...

    (In battle; Steve the Vehicon perishes. RIP. Less importantly, Counterpunch shoots an Autobot in the shoulder with a bullet)

    SANDSTORM: Aggh!

    FIRST AID: Sandstorm! He's still alive. Turborun, call for Evac!

    TURBORUN: Right!

    COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) I could get used to this...

    PUNCH: (narration) Too used to this. Each day, I feel more and more... comfortable as Counterpunch. But I can't stop. I have a mission to accomplish. All I can do is hope...

    COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) ...that this war comes to an end soon.

    (Millions of years later; present era)

    RUNG: Gently... (he is arranging his model ships) Just one last budge. (KNOCK KNOCK!) Ah! Coming!

    PUNCH: I need help, doctor...

    RUNG: Punch? By Primus, it's been ages! Where have you been? What's wrong?

    PUNCH/COUNTERPUNCH: I. Need. Help. (He constantly fluctuates between the two forms)

    (Later)

    RUNG: I really don't know how to help you, Punch.

    PUNCH: What do you mean?!

    RUNG: I've never really dealt with split personalities. Well, once I did... [in Spotlight: Blitzwing] but it wasn't quite your case.

    PUNCH: So, what am I supposed to do?

    RUNG: You could go see Froid (as much as it pains me to say that). But I somehow doubt that even he has had patients with--

    COUNTERPUNCH: RAAAGH!

    RUNG: No! Please, Punch! You know better than to--

    COUNTERPUNCH: Punch does. But I don't. (He gets zapped in the back)

    RUNG: ...Punch?

    BLURR: He's in stasis lock, doctor... he'll be all right.

    RUNG: Blurr? I... I don't--

    BLURR: Magnus knew that if Punch survived the war, he'd be visiting you. I was tasked with keeping an eye on him.

    RUNG: I see. What will happen to him now?

    BLURR: He'll be taken to the Stockade where he can recover... hopefully.

    (Now)

    PUNCH/COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) My life has never been easy. I often consider just ending it. But he insists on stopping me; like a conscious, but with a bad influence. They left me with my gun, no doubt hoping that I would end my misery. (Then why not do it themselves?) Anyway, whenever I try to shoot myself... he stops me.

    [Geez, I really was an edgelord in 2013, wasn't it?]

    PUNCH/COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) I'm in a body that I cannot control. It's only a matter of time before Punch dies... and Counterpunch reigns supreme.

    (An explosion takes out the wall and causes the energy bars of his cell to disappear)

    PUNCH/COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) Eh? An opportunity has appeared. Do I take it and become free to form my own destiny?

    (Through the wall, we see someone - maybe Wasp - escape through the space bridge)

    PUNCH/COUNTERPUNCH: (narration) Why the heck not? After all, for as long as I live... I will never be free!

    TO BE CONTINUED

CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Blurr, Checkpoint, First Aid, Highbrow, Longarm, Mainframe, Perceptor, Punch/Counterpunch, Rung, Sandstorm, Turborun, Ultra Magnus

    Decepticons: Backfire, Demolishor, Lugnut, Megadeath, Megatron, Quake, Skywarp, Soundwave, Steamhammer, Switchblade, Vehicons (Steve)

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