Transformers Regenerated Comic: Issue 14 - Spotlight: Ratchet

     Date: 10/8/2013

SEARCH AND RESCUE

    (Earth, the Ark - one month after Thunderwing's demise)

    SIDESWIPE: Yeoow! That smarts, doc!

    RATCHET: And that's my fault how, exactly, Sideswipe? Look, just stop showing off your alt mode to the natives, okay? And no more races.

    SIDESWIPE: But you let Mirage--

    RATCHET: 'Cos you don't see F-1 cars in the streets.

    SIDESWIPE: Whatever. Thanks, doc.

    RATCHET: Don't mention it, kid... I do what I can...

    (During the war)

    PHARMA: Ratchet...? RATCHET!

    RATCHET: Ahh! What did I do wrong?!

    PHARMA: N-nothing, Ratchet. It's just... Warpath's all fixed now. For the past half-hour.

    RATCHET: Oh... Er, sorry about that.

    WARPATH: What for? I didn't even know I had a missile launcher!

    RATCHET: You didn't...

    PHARMA: Like I keep telling you, Ratchet, your hands are a gift from Adaptus!

    RATCHET: And like I keep telling you, Pharma, there is no such thing as "Adaptus." All forged medics have natural fluidity in their hands. It is not a gift given to us by some "god"!

    PHARMA: Whatever. You're awesome, okay? Now come help us fix up Blades, okay?

    (Present)

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Ratchet, could you come see this?

    RATCHET: What is it, Optimus?

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Looks like a message for you.

    MESSAGE: Delphi Medical Station to Ark: I hate to bother you, but I am sending a student of mine for Ratchet to tutor. KTHXBY - Fixit

    RATCHET: Apt as always, Fixit...

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Wait, there's more.

    MESSAGE: P.S.: Her name is Remedy. May ring a bell to you.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Who's Remedy?

    RATCHET: Oh, spark. You have got to be kidding me...

    (Luna 2, during the war)

    HOT SPOT: See anything yet, Evac?

    EVAC: Not yet, sir.

    HOT SPOT: Well, that distress signal had to have come from somewhere.

    GROOVE: I'm getting several spark readings, Hot Spot. I think they're coming from... there. (He points to a cave)

    RATCHET: Are these... webs?

    GROOVE: No way am I going in there!

    HOT SPOT: Fine. Evac, Ratchet, Streetwise, you're with me.

    EVAC: I have a bad--

    HOT SPOT: Shut up, Evac.

    VOICE: Heh-heh-heh

    HOT SPOT: I hear laughter.

    RATCHET: Great. We've ended up in Loonyville.

    TARANTULAS: HA! HA! HA!

    HOT SPOT: Oh, Primus.

    TARANTULAS: Hush, hush, little sparkling. Daddy will find you a body...

    STREETWISE: Did anybody bring a straitjacket?

    RATCHET: What's with all of the sparks...?

    TARANTULAS: I'll just keep you in here until you're ready. (He picks up a green spark) And as for you... I do believe your time has come.

    STREETWISE: What. The. Heck?

    RATCHET: I think I know, Streetwise. Before the war, Luna 2 was known for its sporadic spark growth. After a while, they suddenly stopped.

    HOT SPOT: And now they've started again...

    RATCHET: Yes... and this weirdo is collecting them!

    TARANTULAS: What's that? Ah, we have visitors. Autobots, no less.

    RATCHET: Uh, yeah. Sorry about the intrusion. We received a distress signal from here.

    TARANTULAS: Hmm. Ah, yes. That would be... that fellow over there! (He points to a corpse)

    RATCHET: Sharpshot! What kind of monster are you?

    TARANTULAS: The experimenting kind. Now then, if you don't mind... I have work to do. Run along if you wish to live.

    HOT SPOT: C'mon, Ratchet. There's nothing we can do here. Let's go before he changes his mind.

    RATCHET: What the-?! A... spark?

    STREETWISE: You coming, Ratchet?

    RATCHET: Yeah, Streetwise...

    (Present)

    HOUND: I think I see them! No, wait. That's just a bird. (A spaceship appears) Ah, there she is! (The ship crashes) Well... this is awkward.

    RATCHET: Help me get her free-! (He pulls Remedy out, only to find that she is missing legs) Okay. This is bad.

    HOUND: Yeah, that... and this tracking beacon. Think she's still alive?

    RATCHET: I think so, Hound. I hope so...

    (Millions of years ago)

    RATCHET: Alpha Trion?

    ALPHA TRION: Yes, Ratchet? What is it?

    RATCHET: I have... something of interest.

    ALPHA TRION: Is that... a spark?! Newborn, I take it?

    RATCHET: I guess. I found it when the Protectobots and I were leaving Luna 2.

    ALPHA TRION: Yes, it's a new one, all right. Healthy, powerful... and it's a female.

    RATCHET: How can you tell?

    ALPHA TRION: Each spark is like a snowflak; there's never two identical ones. They all pulsate unique signatures. Whether if it's personality, its "gender" programming, etcetera, etcetera... You didn't understand a word I just said, did you?

    RATCHET: Nope.

    [Yeah, this is not how I would write this scene nowadays]

    ALPHA TRION: Follow me...

    RATCHET: Sir, where are you taking--? Oh.

    VECTOR SIGMA: I am Vector Sigma. Before Cybertron was, I was.

    RATCHET: What-- I...? Is that--?

    ALPHA TRION: Vector Sigma? Yes.

    RATCHET: Does that mean--?

    ALPHA TRION: Whether this confirms legends such as Primus... I will leave it for you to decide. (He places the spark inside Vector Sigma)

    RATCHET: Wait. That's it?!

    ALPHA TRION: I shall have a body constructed for the spark. Until then, it is home for now.

    (Present)

    OPTIMUS PRIME: How's it going, Ratchet?

    RATCHET: *Sigh* Wheeljack's trying to rebuild what's left of her legs... but I can't get any of her systems back online!

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Do what you can, doctor. You've never lost a life in your career...

    RATCHET: Wrong.

    (Years ago)

    RATCHET: We're losing him.

    FASTFIX: Don't say things like that, Ratchet! Rest-Q, I need you to rejump his spark! Hang in there, Heavypunch. Now!

    SFX: VMMP!

    FASTFIX: Scan him.

    MEDIC: ...He's dead.

    RATCHET: It's okay. There's nothing we could do.

    FASTFIX: No...

    RATCHET: We're at war. It's not your fault--

    FASTFIX: It was yours!

    RATCHET: What--?

    FASTFIX: You wouldn't let me help until Pharma told you to! You're just too arrogant and full of yourself and... and... Forget it. I'm done.

    (Present)

    WHEELJACK: And... there! Any luck on getting her back online?

    RATCHET: No. I just don't get it! Her spark is healthy, her brain module and transformation cog are intact. What could be wrong with her?

    WHEELJACK: Uh... I wouldn't be too sure about the brain module...

    RATCHET: What do you mean?

    WHEELJACK: Well, it's intact, as you say... but it's been erased.

    RATCHET: You mean...?

    WHEELJACK: If she does wake up, she won't remember a thing... not even her name. You'll not only have to teach her as a medic... but as a Cybertronian as well. I'm sorry. So, what do you want to do?

    RATCHET: ...Put her module back in. I'll jump-start her spark.

    (Soon)

    WHEELJACK: Ready?

    RATCHET: Yes.

    WHEELJACK: Here goes nothing...

    SFX: VMMP!

    WHEELJACK: Did it work?

    RATCHET: I... think so?

    REMEDY: Wh-who are you?

    RATCHET: I'm... Ratchet. And you are...?

    REMEDY: M-Minerva.

    RATCHET: Well, Minerva... welcome to the Ark. Welcome home...

    (Years ago, Luna 2...)

    HAWKEYE: This the place?

    ROTORSTORM: Pretty sure.

    HAWKEYE: All right, spark-lover, throw your hands... up? (Tarantulas is nowhere to be seen) Scrap.

    (Elsewhere, Tarantulas walks with his Insecticons, carrying the green spark)

    TARANTULAS: Don't worry, little one. They won't find you. Your siblings, yes, but by Primus, not you. Hush, baby. Daddy will find you a home... I promise you!

    TO BE CONTINUED

CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Alpha Trion (flashbacks), Blades (flashbacks), Evac (flashbacks), Fastfix (flashbacks), Fixit (flashbacks), Groove (flashbacks), Hawkeye (flashbacks), Heavypunch (flashbacks), Hot Spot (flashbacks), Hound, Optimus Prime, Pharma (flashbacks), Prowl, Ratchet, Remedy/Minerva, Rotorstorm (flashbacks), Sharpshot (flashbacks), Sideswipe, Streetwise (flashbacks), Tripwire (flashbacks), Warpath (flashbacks), Wheeljack, Xaaron (flashbacks)

    Others: Insecticons, Tarantulas, Vector Sigma (all in flashbacks)

Transformers Regenerated Comic: Issue 13 - Spotlight: "Climax"

     Date: 10/6/2013

STORMBRINGER, PART VIII: APOCALYPSE NOW

    (A fleet of Autobot ships approach Earth)

    ULTRA MAGNUS: We're approaching Earth, Autobots. Prepare yourselves...

    (The Xantium)

    SPRINGER: Remember, Wreckers; our chances of survival are going to be even less here than at Styx.

    (The Trion)

    KUP: So, if anyone dies, don't say I didn't warn ya'.

    (The Valiant)

    SWERVE: Awesome. No idea what these do, but awesome.

    WINDBLADE: How long do you think we'll last?

    DRIFT: Eh... half a mega-cycle, at best...

    WINDBLADE: Well, in that case, let me just say--

    BRAINSTORM: Hey, guys! How are-- Is that a sword?!

    WINDBLADE: Um, yeah?

    BRAINSTORM: Not cool. Guns, blasters, and cannons for the win, darkling. Takes less energy than a melee weapon. (He tosses a big gun at Windblade)

    WINDBLADE: OOF!

    HAWKEYE: All right, guys. We're entering the atmosphere... get ready to drop...

    (Earth; Thunderwing holds the Matrix)

    THUNDERWING: Here I hold, in my hands, the relic of the Primes. The wisdom of the ages. The heart of Primus. Do I destroy this ancient artifact, as intended, thus denying me its rich power? Or do I take it all for myself, becoming more powerful than any Prime? ... Greed is always the ultimate victor.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: No!

    THUNDERWING: We are Prima. We are Nova Prime. We are Sentinel Prime. We are Optimus Prime! We... are... THUNDERWING! The heart of Primus lies in my chest. The blood of Unicron runs through me. I am no longer a mere Decepticon... (He supersizes himself with the Matrix) I am a demigod! I shall bring this universe to its knees! I am power incarnate! I--

    SPRINGER: Need to shut up!

    (He shoots Thunderwing but the blast just bounces off)

    SPRINGER: Yeah, that worked as good as I'd expected.

    WRECKERS: Wreck and rule!

    BLUDGEON: Decepticons, attack!

    DRIFT: Alright, before we duke it out, do I have assurance from you that you aren't a hologram?

    BLUDGEON: No.

    DRIFT: Then do forgive me if I slice off a limb or two.

    WINDBLADE: Bugly... I'm only going to ask this once, because I know it'll never work again... but if you truly loved me like you said you did long ago, would you change sides for me?

    BUGLY: No. The Bugly who loved you died long ago. I have become far more since then. I have become reborn. Shall we get this over with, then?

    SWERVE: Ha ha! Take that, Decepticreeps! (He gets blasted away by Skullgrin) I--I didn't mean it quite like that...!

    SKULLGRIN: Right... (He gets shot) ARRGH!

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Leave the Autobot be, Skullgrin.

    SWERVE: No. Way.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: You're asking for trouble at this point.

    THUNDERWING: Ah, and so the Prime enters the fray. Will you be the one to challenge me then?

    OMEGA SUPREME: No.

    THUNDERWING: Eh?

    OMEGA SUPREME: I will.

    THUNDERWING: Omega Supreme?! But-- (Omega socks him in the face. He then fires his arm cannon, which Thunderwing blocks) My turn. (He shoots dark energon lightning)

    OMEGA SUPREME: Dark Energon: Corrupting systems. Shutdown: Impending...

    THUNDERWING: Really, now. If the last Omega Sentinel cannot withstand my power... what possible chance do the rest of you have?!

    OMEGA SUPREME: Valor. (He fires another blast, blowing a hole through Thunderwing's chest and exposing the Matrix)

    THUNDERWING: HURRKK! Heh... did you really think that would stop me? The Matrix makes me invincible! The power of the gods is at my command!

    OMEGA SUPREME: Boasts: Unappreciated. (He fires another blast which Thunderwing dodges by transforming and taking off)

    THUNDERWING: I no longer have time to play games. I have a planet to destroy!

    OPTIMUS PRIME: You're letting him escape?

    OMEGA SUPREME: Affirmative.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Why?

    OMEGA SUPREME: The Matrix will do the rest of the work.

    (In space. Thunderwing approaches Cybertron)

    THUNDERWING: Ah, Cybertron. For a time, I had seen you as a magnificent beauty. But, alas, I was wrong. Believe me when I say that this... is a mercy kill! (He prepares to shoot a blast of lightning only for the Matrix to glow within him) What the--? Why can't I--? My powers... they've abandoned me! The Matrix... it's ridding me of my glory! I must get rid... (He tears the Matrix out of his chest) of it! Now, to do what I came to do. Feel the wrath of Uni-- (lightning crackles throughout his body) ...cron? What is... happening to me? No! I shall not be denied of my destiny. I. AM. THUNDERWI--!

    (Thunderwing go boom)

    (Earth)

    BLUDGEON: He's dead... Thunderwing is dead.

    MEGATRON: Giving me the opportune moment... to give some of you a choice. Followers of Thunderwing, you have two options. Option 1: You forget about your 'dreams' and return to my side, pledging your undying loyalty. Option 2: You don't. And with option 2, I hunt you all down and kill you one-by-one. So, what will it be?

    ALL PRETENDERS (sans Bugly and Bludgeon): All hail Megatron!

    MEGATRON: And what about you, Bludgeon? What do you choose?

    BLUDGEON: I choose my own destiny. I will not stand by your tyranny!

    MEGATRON: So be it. Run along then... I will find you eventually.

    (Bludgeon and Bugly leave on the Empirion)

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Megatron...

    MEGATRON: We shall put our conflict to a pause for now, Prime. Give ourselves time to catch up on recent events. But believe me, Prime. Our war will start again. And I shall be the victor.

    (The Decepticons leave)

    OPTIMUS PRIME: So be it, then.

    ULTRA MAGNUS: Optimus Prime.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Ultra Magnus. Do you have the time to take my crew and I back to Cybertron?

    ULTRA MAGNUS: Plenty.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Good. And can the Wreckers repair my ship?

    SPRINGER: Sure thing.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: Good. Let's roll out.

    (In space. A portal opens and Galvatron emerges. He recovers Thunderwing's remains... and the Matrix, before teleporting away)

    THE END?

CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Brainstorm, Drift, Hawkeye, Hot Rod, Ironhide, Jazz, Kup, Omega Supreme, Optimus Prime, Roadbuster, Scoop, Skram, Springer, Swerve, Topspin, Twin Twist, Ultra Magnus, Whirl, Windblade

    Decepticons: Bludgeon, Bugly, Megatron, Octopunch, Skullgrin, Soundwave, Starscream, Submarauder, Thunderwing

    Others: Galvatron

Transformers Regenerated Comic: Issue 12 - Spotlight: Bludgeon

     Date: 10/3/2013

STORMBRINGER, PART VII: COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION

    BLUDGEON: (narration) Every thing that I have done has led to this moment. Today shall be the last day I live as a Decepticon warrior... and become something far greater.

    BLUDGEON: Is this it?

    SUBMARAUDER; Yes, Bludgeon. Ultra-Energon. AKA, Ore-13.

    BLUDGEON: I never could fathom what motive Shockwave had for creating these ores. But no matter. Begin the excavation!

    (Cybertron, High Council H.Q.)

    ULTRA MAGNUS: Members of the esteemed High Council, I come to you with a proposal. Bludgeon's plan is no doubt nearing its culmination and Thunderwing's resurrection is inevitable. I suggest that we fight fire with fire and contact Omega Supreme for help.

    ALPHA TRION: That may be... difficult. Although Omega Supreme helped us in the last days of the Great War... he is still wary of us considering the fate of his brethren.

    ULTRA MAGNUS: I understand... However, Thunderwing's return could mean total Armageddon, nut just for Cybertron... but for the galaxy.

    ALPHA TRION: The Council shall deliberate.

    PERCEPTOR: What is there to deliberate? I know what Bludgeon's planning; he forced me to develop his formula!

    ULTRA MAGNUS: Formula?

    PERCEPTOR: It involves modified energon called Ore-13.

    ULTRA MAGNUS: What does it do?

    PERCEPTOR: On its own, it amplifies a Transformer's capabilities. But mixed with other properties... it can make one utterly invincible.

    LONGARM: Thunderwing's remains are in the Sea of Rust. If Bludgeon has recovered the ore, that'll surely be his next stop.

    RED ALERT: Indeed. I shall deploy a detachment of Autobots to protect it.

    ULTRA MAGNUS: And Omega Supreme?

    ALPHA TRION: We shall summon him as a last resort.

    ULTRA MAGNUS: Then let us hope it doesn't come to that...

    (Earth)

    BLUDGEON: (narration) No one has any idea what is upon them. Not just the Autobots and the Decepticons, but my own followers. They simply follow the orders I give them without any regard toward their own safety. It's almost pathetic if they weren't benefiting the plan.

    OCTOPUNCH: Sir? We've loaded enough of the ore as we could. Any more, and we can't take off.

    BLUDGEON: Very well. Onward to Cybertron.

    BLUDGEON: (narration) I sometimes - not often - wonder what fate befell Megatron and the Autobots whom he pursued. Again, not often.

    (As Bludgeon's ship takes off, we see the crashed Ark in the mountains)

    (Cybertron, the Sea of Rust)

    TIGERTRACK: Ugh, Red Alert just had to dispatch me of all people.

    HAWKEYE: Whining won't make things better, Tigertrack. You guys know what to do?

    FLAK: Yeah; see a D.U.X.-class heavy transport, shoot on sight.

    HAWKEYE: Glad your audio receptors are still working.

    COUNTDOWN: And speak of the Devil. We've got company. The Empirion...

    SKULLGRIN: We have an Autobot welcoming party.

    BLUDGEON: As expected. Fire on them, but don't waste too much energon. It won't be necessary.

    HAWKEYE: Fire!

    (Flak and co fire rockets at the Empirion)

    BLUDGEON: Alright, forget what I said. (He and his Pretenders drop from the ship, homaging a panel from the Marvel G2 comics) I'm in the mood to kill something!

    (Chaos ensues. Skullgrin destroys an Autobot soldier. A second fires rockets at Bludgeon only for him to "force" them back and destroy them)

    BLUDGEON: Child's play.

    HAWKEYE: Hold still, Bludgeon. You've got an apple on your head! (He fires arrows at Bludgeon only for Bludgeon to transform to tank mode and shoot him) AGH!

    BLUDGEON: Pathetic, really. Now to do what I came here for. (Narration) And now, things finally reach a climax. Finally.

    (He injects Thunderwing's remains with the ore, and Thunderwing comes back to life)

    THUNDERWING: RAAARRRGH! THE MATRIX! WHERE IS IT?!

    HAWKEYE: The Matrix...?

    THUNDERWING: It's... not here! The Matrix is... elsewhere. (He transforms and takes off)

    BLUDGEON: Master! Where are you--?!

    THUNDERWING: The Matrix!

    BLUDGEON: My Pretenders, return to the Empirion! (They retreat)

    FLAK: They're getting away, Hawkeye!

    HAWKEYE: Contact Ultra Magnus, now!

    (Autobot H.Q.)

    ULTRA MAGNUS: This is it, Autobots. We have tracked Thunderwing and his followers to a neutral planet called Earth. According to Perceptor, the world is inhabited, so we must ensure no harm reached the natives.

    SPRINGER: So how do we stop Thunderwing?

    ULTRA MAGNUS: I've contacted Omega Supreme. He shall meet us... soon. In the meantime, hold him off as long as you can. Magnus, out.

    BLURR: The Steelhaven is ready, sir!

    ULTRA MAGNUS: Then let's move.

    (The Steelhaven takes off)

    (Earth. Thunderwing arrives at the Ark's crash site, while a voice (his own?) chants "Matrix. Find it. Mine. Mine. Mine. Must have. Matrix." His smaller "inner robot" enters the Ark and walks among the deactivated bots, eventually reaching Optimus Prime. He brings a hand to Prime's chest... only for Prime to reactivate)

    OPTIMUS PRIME: No.

    THUNDERWING: Huh? (Optimus socks him in the face. Thunderwing then touches Megatron, reactivating him) Oops.

    MEGATRON: Prepare to die, Optimus Prime! (He fires his fusion cannon at Optimus)

    OPTIMUS PRIME: AGH!

    THUNDERWING: Thanks for that.

    MEGATRON: Thunderwing?!

    THUNDERWING: Now, to take my prize.

    OPTIMUS PRIME: No...

    THUNDERWING: Oh, but yes. (He takes the Matrix from Prime's chest and holds it above his head) Victory is mine!

    TO BE CONTINUED

CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Alpha Trion, Blurr, Botanica, Bumblebee, Countdown, Flak, Hawkeye, Hot Spot, Ironhide, Kup, Longarm, Optimus Prime, Perceptor, Ratchet, Red Alert, Scattershot, Scattorshot, Silverbolt, Springer, Tigertrack, Ultra Magnus

    Decepticons: Bludgeon, Bugly, Megatron, Octopunch, Skullgrin, Soundwave, Starscream, Submarauder, Thunderwing