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)

Transformers Regenerated Comic: Issue 15 - Spotlight: Bumblebee

     Date: 10/11/2013

WHERE IS THY STING?

    (Mirage and Bumblebee are out exploring when Mirage gets a call)

    OPTIMUS PRIME(?): Mirage, have you and Bumblebee found the energon source, yet?

    MIRAGE: Not yet, Prime.

    OPTIMUS PRIME(?): Well, you better hurry. Megatron's spies are always watching.

    MIRAGE: I know, Prime.

    OPTIMUS PRIME(?): We wouldn't want something bad to happen, would we?

    MIRAGE: Nope...

    OPTIMUS PRIME(?): We wouldn't want someone changing their minds for no reason, would we?

    MIRAGE: ...Cliffjumper, is this you?

    (Turns out "Optimus" was just Cliffjumper wearing an Optimus Prime voice changer mask)

    CLIFFJUMPER: Nooooo....

    MIRAGE: *sigh* Find anything, Bumblebee?

    BUMBLEBEE: Yeah, you should check this out.

    MIRAGE: Uh... isn't Energon normally purple or blue and not... pink?

    BUMBLEBEE: You tell me. Want me to radio H.Q.?

    MIRAGE: Sure, as long as Cliff' doesn't answer.

    (Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis)

    STARSCREAM: I simply do not understand the logic, my lord... We know the location of the Autobots' base, so why don't we attack it?!

    MEGATRON: We also know the location of Iacon. Why don't we simply attack it?

    STARSCREAM: Because it's heavily protected?

    MEGATRON: Precisely.

    STARSCREAM: But--

    MEGATRON: You may not be able to notice it, but I am. Vehicon 910, attack the Ark.

    VEHICON: YEE-HAW! (He flies to the Ark and gets blown up)

    STARSCREAM: Oh.

    MEGATRON: They did more than simply repair.

    STARSCREAM: So, what are we supposed to do?

    MEGATRON: I have hired someone to capture an Autobot... and bring them to me!

    STARSCREAM: ...Yeah, like that's ever worked before.

    (Later)

    BUMBLEBEE: What do you mean we didn't bring any excavation machines?

    WHEELJACK: Well, we did, but then the Ark crashed, and they got damaged so...

    BUMBLEBEE: Okay, so how are we gonna--?

    SFX: SHWOOM! (Two new Autobots - Bulkhead and Spiral - show up)

    SPIRAL: Stuck in another situation, 'Bee? Why am I not surprised?

    MIRAGE: Who are they, 'Bee?

    BUMBLEBEE: Bulkhead? Spiral?

    (Several years ago)

    GOLDBUG: All right, you cogs, line up! You're here today so you can fulfill your dreams. How do I know this? Because that's why everyone comes to boot camp! To move up in the world! So, that's why I'm here; to crush your dreams. Why? Because you're gonna hate your job. How do I know that? 'Cause I hate mine. Now then, roll call!

    SPIRAL!

    BUMBLEBEE!

    WASP!

    ARMORHIDE!

    LONGARM!

    GOLDBUG: Hm... We seem to be missing someone. Where's--?

    BULKHEAD: Here I am, sir! Sorry. The robo-chickens had a severe nano-flea problem.

    GOLDBUG: Oh, spark, a mudflap of all mechs... All right, Mudflap--

    BULKHEAD: Bulkhead.

    GOLDBUG: Whatever. Stand next to Spiral and Bumblebee.

    BULKHEAD: Sorry. My bad.

    BUMBLEBEE: S'okay.

    GOLDBUG: Now then, thanks to Buckethead's lack of punctuality... twenty transform ups!

    BULKHEAD: Sorry...

    GOLDBUG: NOW! One! Two! Three!

    (Present)

    BUMBLEBEE: So, how did you find us?

    SPIRAL: We detected the energon signal.

    BUMBLEBEE: But why did you come here?

    SPIRAL: We were low on fuel.

    BUMBLEBEE: Oh. So, you're not planning on staying for very long?

    SPIRAL: Not really. Bulkhead and I are on a mission to Akalo for Perceptor, and meet with Windmill's crew. You're free to come with us.

    BUMBLEBEE: Well...

    SPIRAL: I mean, you're not doing much, are you?

    BUMBLEBEE: Yeah, but... this is Optimus Prime's crew I'm on. He's, like, the top bot.

    SPIRAL: But you, me, and Bulkhead are like... best of friends.

    BUMBLEBEE: Yeah...

    SPIRAL: It'd be just like boot camp!

    (Past)

    BUMBLEBEE: I'm sorry, sir! I didn't know you were--!

    GOLDBUG: (covered in oil) Don't. Care. Sort out all of the crates in the warehouse. IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER!

    BUMBLEBEE: Okay, okay! Gosh, sure are a lot of crates.

    VOICE: Lord Megatron will speak with you now.

    MEGATRON: Why exactly am I taking the time to speak with you?

    SPY: I have something of interest to you, my lord.

    MEGATRON: And what would that be?

    SPY: Intel on the Cybertron Elite Guard. I made a copy of the data given by my drill sergeant. I shall send it to you now.

    MEGATRON: Hm. This intel seems to be reliable. If this turns out to be legit... I will be contacting you again.

    SPY: Thank you, Lord Megatron.

    BUMBLEBEE: This can't be good...

    (Later; Bumblebee is peeking through a window with a recorder)

    BULKHEAD: What'cha doin'?

    BUMBLEBEE: There's a Decepticon spy.

    BULKHEAD: Really? Who?

    BUMBLEBEE: I think it's Wasp.

    BULKHEAD: Why?

    BUMBLEBEE: 'Cause he's a jerk.

    BULKHEAD: But he's right over there!

    BUMBLEBEE: Huh?! Then... who am I--

    GOLDBUG: So I said... that Sentinel Prime is yesterday's model and that if this Decepticon thing turns to war, then-- (He spots Bumblebee) Fifty transform-ups.

    (Present)

    BULKHEAD: I think that's all of-- No, wait, there's more.

    MIRAGE: Better hurry. Don't want any unwanted company from the 'Cons.

    SPIRAL: Speaking of 'Cons, remember that spy you were trying to catch?

    BUMBLEBEE: Huh?

    SPIRAL: Before the war, at boot camp, you were trying to catch some spy.

    MIRAGE: Don't any of you go "Cliffjumper" on me.

    BUMBLEBEE: Heh, I'm surprised you remember that. Even though it got me into plenty of trouble, I soon found evidence that Wasp was indeed a spy. I showed it to Goldbug, who was convinced and had Wasp taken away. I'll never forget the look on his face.

    SPIRAL: Cool. So, about coming with me and Bulk...

    BUMBLEBEE: I don't know, Spiral. I'd love to, but... *sigh* I just can't leave behind the friends I've made here.

    MIRAGE: I'd leave behind Cliffjumper, Gears, and--

    BUMBLEBEE: No, I mean guys like you and Wheeljack and even Ratchet! I'm sorry, Spiral. I just can't leave my family.

    SPIRAL: Hey, that's totally cool, 'Bee. But remember, if you change your mind--

    BUMBLEBEE: Heh, I know.

    SPIRAL: Mind if we use this to refuel?

    BUMBLEBEE: Sure. Don't know why it's pink though.

    SPIRAL: See ya' later, 'Bee!

    BUMBLEBEE: Bye, guys!

    SFX: THWOOSH!

    MIRAGE: ...You sooo have a crush on her.

    BUMBLEBEE: Who are you, Tracks?

    (Elsewhere)

    ALARM: Alert! Alert! Prison breakout in section 113!

    OFFICER: All units, report to cell block 827! Checkpoint, report!

    CHECKPOINT: Uh, good news or bad news first?

    OFFICER: Whichever.

    CHECKPOINT: Well, bad news: he's escaped.

    OFFICER: And the good news?

    CHECKPOINT: He couldn't have gotten far. Tell a lie; he's just gotten through a space bridge.

    OFFICER: Scrap...

    (In space, Wasp emerges from the space bridge)

    WASP: Why universe hate Wasp...? Wasp will have revenge!

    (The Nemesis)

    MEGATRON: Report.

    SPY: I have retrieved the ore, Lord Megatron.

    MEGATRON: Excellent. Your shape-changing abilities are a benefit to the Decepticon Empire... even if you must reach beyond your comfort zone.

    SPY: Yes, Amalgamous be praised.

    MEGATRON: You have done well... Spiral, Or, should I say... Makeshift!

    TO BE CONTINUED

CHARACTERS

    Autobots: Armorhide (flashbacks), Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Checkpoint, Cliffjumper, Goldbug (flashbacks), Longarm (flashbacks), Mirage, Spiral, Streetwise (flashbacks), Wasp (flashbacks), Wheeljack

    Decepticons: Makeshift, Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Vehicon 910