When a Spark is Extinguished

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When A Spark Is Extinguished, pt. 1
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

BLACK SCREEN

RHINOX: (voice over) "When a spark is extinguished, there is much sadness."

We hear the echoes of thunder as the black screen relents to reveal very dark storm clouds. We move through the cloud, down, to reveal EXTERNAL SHOT: OPEN PLAINS, TIGATRON and CHEETOR, beast mode, padding through severe rain. Both of them are drenched.

CHEETOR: "Man, I hate these patrols. We should get back to base where it's nice and warm."

TIGATRON: "It's just a little rain, little-cat. We'll find a cave for some shelter in a few minutes."

CHEETOR: "Easy for you to say, you've got more fur between you and the rain. I'm freezing over here, big-cat."

TIGATRON: "But I have to listen to you complain."

PAN OUT and ABOVE: BUZZ SAW and WASPINATOR are hovering above. Both of them are shivering and shaking from the rain. They are watching the Maximals below with some interest.

WASPINATOR: "Waspinator should attack now, get out of lousy water spill."

BUZZ SAW: "Waspinator, wait! Flyers need to see what cat-bots are up to."

WASPINATOR: "Cat-bots are on patrol. Waspinator want to nail them and go home. Wings are all damp and Waspinator cold."

BUZZ SAW: "Buzz Saw cold too... be colder if we disobey royalty."

WASPINATOR: (giggling) "Buzz Saw listen to Inferno too much."

CUT TO: TIGATRON leading CHEETOR over the plains to some ROCK BARRENS.

CHEETOR: "All right, shelter. Now we can get out of this bad weather."

TIGATRON: (calmly) "Wait little-cat... we've got company. Tigatron, maximize!"

TIGATRON TRANSFORMS and quickly raises his weapon against WASPINATOR. CHEETOR looks around confused for a moment as TIGATRON fires. WASPINATOR dodges the blast easily.

WASPINATOR: "Waspinator not want to sit back and watch Maximals shoot at us. Waspinator want to shoot back. Waspinator, terrorize."

WASPINATOR TRANSFORMS, quickly followed by BUZZ SAW. The two of them draw their weapons and begin shooting down at TIGATRON and CHEETOR. CHEETOR gets knocked back, and TRANSFORMS.

CHEETOR: (worried) "We're sitting ducks out here."

TIGATRON: "Get to the rocks. We'll take cover in there."

CHEETOR: "You first, I'll cover you."

TIGATRON begins to break and run, firing upward at the two Predacons. WASPINATOR fires again, knocking TIGATRON off his feat, but TIGATRON scrambles up and runs off. CHEETOR quickly follows, firing behind. WASPINATOR gets nailed, hard, by a blast, and he starts spiraling down wildly.

WASPINATOR: "Waspinator hate cat-bot..."

BUZZ SAW: "Wouldn't be so bad if Waspinator could actually hit something once in a while."

BUZZ SAW dives down and snatches up WASPINATOR, preventing his crash. The two land on the ground, and press their assault. TIGATRON and CHEETOR reach the rocks and dive behind them.

CHEETOR: "Don't we ever get a break? It's raining Preds!"

TIGATRON: "We should be able to handle those two. They're not too powerful on the ground."

INFERNO: (from behind) "But I am! Inferno, terrorize!"

PAN OVER to reveal INFERNO TRANSFORM into robot mode. TIGATRON leaps up and pins him down roughly, growling, as CHEETOR fails to find a shot.

TIGATRON: "I owe you, Predacon!"

TIGATRON begins to wildly punch and tear at INFERNO, who scrambles back as best he can. CHEETOR gets nailed by twin blasts from BUZZ SAW and WASPINATOR, who are quickly advancing upon their position.

CHEETOR: "Big-cat! We've got to get out of here. The Preds are all over us."

TIGATRON: "Not until I've sent this one to the abyss!"

CHEETOR: "But-"

INFERNO kicks powerfully at TIGATRON and sends him flying. The large warrior stands, leveling his flame-thrower at TIGATRON.

INFERNO: "You... will be the one that burns, destroyer of the colony!"

As INFERNO starts to fire, CHEETOR rams into him, knocking him down, then quickly reverts to beast mode. INFERNO struggles to stand, then wildly fires at CHEETOR, barely missing him.

CHEETOR: "This is a major lose, big-cat. We've got to get to a better ground, now."

TIGATRON: "You... you're right. This isn't over yet, Inferno."

INFERNO: "Not until you're ash, Maximal."

INFERNO begins to run after the fleeing Maximals, but can't keep up with them on the ground. INFERNO's engines start to activate when BUZZ SAW stops him. INFERNO shoots an angry look at the flyer, who stammers back.

BUZZ SAW: "Can't chase cat-bots right now, Waspinator wing busted, and the storm interferes with Buzz Saw's flight. Maximals not get very far. Give us time to recover."

INFERNO: (resigned) "A few cycles, no more."

CUT TO: PREDACON BASE: TARANTULAS, MEGATRON, and BLACKARACHNIA, robot modes, are looking over Energon readings. MEGATRON is obviously concerned. TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA exchange questioning looks, then intently look over the monitor.

MEGATRON: "Strange, yes. Whatever it is, it requires a large amount of power, but it is neither a weapon or defense system. Definitely not something that we Predacons have made, no. This is obviously an alien technology."

BLACKARACHNIA: "But how do we get to it? That thing is in the middle of Maximal patrol routes."

MEGATRON: "I've already dispatched the flyers to the area..."

TARANTULAS: (shocked) "You're not letting them have a shot at it are you? You remember what happened last time when Waspinator grabbed a hold of some technology?"

MEGATRON smiles and lifts TARANTULAS by the neck in his dinosaur teeth.

MEGATRON: "...to alleviate the Maximal presence. Once Inferno reports in, the two of you will go to excavate and return whatever is there."

BLACKARACHNIA: "You would trust us with that?"

MEGATRON: "Of course. Neither of you have the resources to do adequate study of the technology on site. You will have no recourse but to bring it here, yes. And, just to make sure, I'm dispatching Scoropnok to aid you."

TARANTULAS: "Oh, joy."

CUT TO: MAXIMAL BASE: OPTIMUS PRIMAL and RHINOX, robot mode, are looking over their monitors. OPTIMUS PRIMAL looks downcast.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "They're too late. It's been three cycles, they should have reported in by now."

RHINOX: "The storm could be causing interference. Of all of us, those two are the best at taking care of themselves. I'm sure they're fine."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "Maybe. How long is the storm expected to last?"

RHINOX: "All day from the looks of it. Mostly cold rain and thunderheads. Not a pleasant experience."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: "I'm going out there."

RHINOX: (smirking) "Don't forget your raincoat."

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: (sighing) "No respect from my Lieutenants... Tell Dinobot and Airazor to stand by. If something has happened out there, I may need their help."

RHINOX: "I'll just sit here and man the phones."

CUT TO: ROCK BARRENS. TIGATRON and CHEETOR, beast mode, are stepping into a cave. Once inside, both Maximals TRANSFORM.

CHEETOR: (panting) "I think we lost them."

TIGATRON: "For the moment... strange...."

TIGATRON starts to look around the cave, sensing that something is definitely amiss. As CHEETOR looks on, TIGATRON steps deeper inside, touching the walls. After a second, his eyes flare, extending light beams throughout the inside of the game.

CHEETOR: "You find something?"

TIGATRON: "This cave isn't a natural formation, though it feels as if all of nature flows through here. I've never felt anything like this."

CHEETOR: (sighing) "Can you knock that back a few levels to reality?"

TIGATRON: "There's a strong alien energy presence in here. I'm not sure what it is, but it feels very powerful, like the Matrix itself."

CHEETOR: (smirks) "Last time I checked, that was back on Cybertron."

TIGATRON: "It's not... never-mind... follow me, little-cat."

CHEETOR: "Sure, right."

TIGATRON and CHEETOR start stepping farther into the cave as we CUT TO. We see the outside of the cave. BUZZ SAW, INFERNO, and WASPINATOR, beast mode, all arrive at the outside of the cave.

BUZZ SAW: "Maximals are inside... is bad, is bad. Megatron wanted us to take them out before they found cave."

WASPINATOR: "Waspinator can fry them inside as well as out."

INFERNO: "Negative. The royalty wants whatever is in there intact. I will contact the base and inform the royalty of our situation."

CUT TO: INSIDE CAVE. The cave opens up, and it is well lit with a strange ring of fluids. TIGATRON's eyes open wide as he takes in the view. The two Maximals have taken one entrance of many into a large central cavern. We PAN to view it all. Many tropical plants grow inside here. There is a small ring of water around a central island at the center of the cave. On the island is another set of STANDING STONES. In the very center of that, is a bright pillar of light, reaching to the top of the cavern.

TIGATRON: "I've never seen anything more alien... or more beautiful."

CHEETOR: "This must be what the Preds were looking for. The question is, what in Cybertron is it?"

TIGATRON: "I don't know, little-cat. But we need to be sure that the Predacons don't get their claws into it."

We see the pillar of energy again, and zoom into it. It seems alive itself. FADE OUT as TIGATRON and CHEETOR look over it with awe.

When A Spark Is Extinguished, pt. 2
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

FADE IN: EXTERNAL SHOT: ROCKY BARRENS. We see BLACKARACHNIA, SCORPONOK, and TARANTULAS stepping forward, in beast mode, rendezvousing with INFERNO, BUZZ SAW, and WASPINATOR, also in beast mode.

WASPINATOR: About time spiders show up. Waspinator was getting sleepy.

INFERNO: The Maximals are inside the cave. We were unable to dissuade them from their path. There is an obvious energy source within.

BLACKARACHNIA: Then it's time we go in. Blackarachnia, Terrorize.

TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE. BUZZ SAW, WASPINATOR, TARANTULAS, SCORPONOK, INFERNO, and BLACKARACHNIA all transform to beast mode. Just as they finish, however, a large blast knocks them all on their backs. We PAN UP to see AIRAZOR, beast mode, and OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, firing on them from the air.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Don't let them get into the cave. Dinobot, work your way around to the entrance and prevent their movement. Airazor, give them air support.

TARANTULAS starts to move aside, then gets nailed in the back by a blast from DINOBOT, robot mode. TARANTULAS stammers, reverts to beast mode, and disappears behind a large rock as the other Predacons stand to battle.

DINOBOT: This is a bad position, Optimus. We will not be able to hold out against the Predacon forces here for very long.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We don't need to. Just time enough to get Tigatron and Cheetor out of there.

CUT TO: MYSTIC CAVERN. TIGATRON and CHEETOR, robot mode, are approaching the monument. TIGATRON was a look of awe on his face. CHEETOR is more wary of the situation.

TIGATRON: It's... beautiful. As if the entire life essence of the planet is somehow channeled through this simple circle of stones.

CHEETOR: I don't like this, big-cat. Something about all this feels very wrong.

TIGATRON: I have to find out, little-cat. If we don't investigate it, you know that the Predacons outside surely will. And I won't let that happen.

CHEETOR (nervously): Right...

CUT TO: ROCKY BARRENS. DINOBOT, robot mode, fires with his eye-beams into INFERNO. Between the positions of OPTIMUS PRIMAL, AIRAZOR, and DINOBOT, the Predacons are having a hard time getting in their licks. OPTIMUS PRIMAL fires below, but is met with a blast from INFERNO's flame thrower. We focus in on DINOBOT, and see TARANTULAS, beast mode, sneaking into the cave entrance behind him.

DINOBOT: We have to take a new position, now.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (smoldering in places) : I would have to agree with you. Everyone into the cave, we'll group with the others inside.

DINOBOT: Perfect, let us just walk right into a trap.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: It's a more defendable position. Maximals, move out.

INFERNO: Buzz Saw, Waspinator, get your stingers in there.

BUZZ SAW and WASPINATOR transform to beast mode and start to rush off into the cave. Just as they are about to enter, AIRAZOR cuts off their wings in a fast maneuver and bails into the cave. BUZZ SAW and WASPINATOR both fall to the ground.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator hate bird-bot...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL rushes into the cave entrance, with a hail of fire power rushing behind him. DINOBOT fires back a few times, before rushing into the cave behind them.

INFERNO : No, no, they're all inside. The royalty will be most displeased.

SCORPONOK: Maybe not.

SCORPONOK slams his claw on a large boulder, his CYBERBEE activates, transforms, and rushes into the cave after them.

SCORPONOK: We'll just let the Maximals do all the work, and watch it all on cable TV.

BLACKARACHNIA: And when the Maximals finally do decide to come out with their prize...

INFERNO: They will burn...

CUT TO: MEGATRON, robot mode, in his PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. Both hands are free of their 'attachments', and his chin is resting on them. His eyes are narrowed as he watches the events unfold on the screen. TERRORSAUR, robot mode, is standing behind him.

MEGATRON: This could have gone better, yes.

TERRORSAUR: The Maximals have the luck of the Matrix with them.

MEGATRON: Perhaps. Still, the Maximals have boxed themselves in, and our Predacons need do little more than wait. Normally, I would consider this an advantageous position. But no, not this time. There's no telling what that artifact is capable of doing. We must stop the Maximals from deciphering its secrets, yes.

TERRORSAUR: How do we give the order, Megatron? The spy-sat can't transmit your orders to our troops. They'll just stand there obeying that stupid ant of yours.

MEGATRON: Ah, Terrorsaur, you did notice that not all of our troops were standing outside the cave didn't you? No? Tarantulas disappeared in the battle, no doubt using his special skills of stealth to sneak into the cave itself, yes. And I'm sure that his treacherous little mind will drive him to attempt to steal the artifact for himself, Maximal presence or not.

MEGATRON stands and carefully replaces the DINOSAUR HEAD and TAIL onto his sleeves. TERRORSUR looks over, confused.

MEGATRON: Don't you see, Terrorsaur? Tarantulas will provide us with an ample opportunity. When he makes his bid for the artifact, we'll be ready to ... assist him.. yes. And our forces will wipes the Maximals out of existence when they try to escape, yes.

CUT TO: MYSTIC CAVERN. We see the MONUMENT glowing dimly as TIGATRON, robot mode, approaches it. CHEETOR, robot mode, moves behind him, taking his shoulder.

CHEETOR: Tigatron, wait... we don't know what it will...

TIGATRON, obsessed, touches the stone, and the glow from the stone extends to encompass him. CHEETOR nervously steps back. Behind him, we see TARANTULAS, beast mode, enter from the top of one of the many entrances, and scurry above along the ceiling of the cavern.

As TIGATRON looks at the stone, we see images of the various creatures on the planet arise and fan out. From the very center, twin strands, similar to DNA, rush upward. The entire cavern is filled with the strange glow coming from the stone and TIGATRON.

CHEETOR (in awe) : By the Matrix...

We PAN UP from CHEETOR, and we see the CYBERBEE, recording everything. We then PAN LEFT to show TARANTULAS, robot mode, loading his missile launcher.

TIGATRON: It's so beautiful, the life energy of this entire planet. The very core to its being.

CHEETOR: What do you see? Can you make any of it out?

TIGATRON: There's so much... to be a part of all this.

CUT TO: TIGATRON's world disappears around him, and is replaced by the scene of lush greens, bright sun, and warm breezes. TIGATRON is in beast mode (here, not in the 'real world'), and is taking in the sights and sounds in a state of rapture.

TIGATRON: It is so very beautiful, the gateway to a paradise.

Reality dissolves back into view as CHEETOR, robot mode, steps back to the entranced TIGATRON. We pan up and see TARANTULAS, robot mode, already having the two Maximals in his sights. As TARANTULAS begins to cackle, CHEETOR turns to see him, but TIGATRON is oblivious to the danger.

TARANTULAS: Touching, Maximal. Would you like to be a permanent resident?

TARANTULAS fires his missile directly into TIGATRON, who gets thrown violently back, getting ripped away from the strange glow. TIGATRON falls hard, and struggles to get up. TARANTULAS presses his attack, firing another missile into TIGATRON. This time, TIGATRON doesn't get up.

CHEETOR turns and begins to fire, but its clear that TARANTULAS has the advantage. He steps back, rage in his eyes.

CHEETOR: Why don't you crawl back where you came from, bug-ugly. Come on big-cat, let's nail this creep.

TIGATRON lies still. It begins to dawn on CHEETOR on what's happened.

CHEETOR (concerned): Big-cat?

ZOOM IN on TIGATRON, who is still and limp. His color has turned a dark gray.

CUT TO: CAVE. OPTIMUS PRIMAL, DINOBOT, and AIRAZOR, robot modes, are running down the cave to the MYSTIC CAVERN. We can hear the weapons fire distantly.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL : Sounds like one of the Predacons got through despite us.

DINOBOT: Undoubtedly, it was Tarantulas, his skills in stealth have proved quite annoying.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Agreed. How are your weapons?

AIRAZOR: Good enough to scrap one Predacon. I could use a recharge, though. Especially if we plan on getting out of this cave in one piece.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (sighing): Hopefully there are other exits out of here.

Suddenly, the CYBER-BEE rushes out, past the group.

AIRAZOR: Scorponok's spy bug. Nail it.

DINOBOT shoots at it once with his eye-beam, but misses as it zooms out. OPTIMUS PRIMAL fires as well, but the CYBER-BEE proves too fast and disappears. The weapons fire is silent once PRIMAL's blast ceases.

DINOBOT: It sounds like the battle is over...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL turns to the MYSTIC CAVE ENTRANCE. Standing there is CHEETOR, robot mode, completely dark. He is missing an arm, and smoke is pouring from his body. His eyes are pulsing a deep red.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Cheetor! What happened? Where's Tigatron?

CHEETOR remains silent for a long moment, takes a step forward, and falls to one working leg. OPTIMUS PRIMAL rushes over and looks to him. CHEETOR's emotions are torn between rage and sadness. AIRAZOR looks concerned down the cave.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Cheetor...

CHEETOR (weakly): I tried to stop him... he had the drop on us, Optimus. Tigatron... he...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: What happened to Tigatron?

CHEETOR (broken): He didn't make it.

CHEETOR falls quiet, his energy nearly expended. OPTIMUS PRIMAL holds him carefully as Airazor's expression turns grim. She looks down the cave to the MYSTIC CAVE and a determined expression is etched on her face. She starts to head down the cave.

AIRAZOR (wild): No... I don't believe it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Airazor, wait, it's too dangerous!

AIRAZOR runs down the cave, reverts to beast mode, and pours into the MYSTIC CAVE. It is dark, scorched, and ruined now. To her horror, she sees TIGATRON, lying still She transforms back to robot mode and kneels beside him. He is dead.

PAN OVER to show OPTIMUS PRIMAL, carrying CHEETOR, step in. DINOBOT follows quietly behind. All stand over AIRAZOR and TIGATRON's body.

AIRAZOR (broken): He can't be dead. Please... Primus... please...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (quietly): The spark has left him, Airazor. I'm sorry.

ZOOM OUT to show the entire cavern.

RHINOX (voice over): When a spark is extinguished, there is much sadness.

FADE OUT

When A Spark Is Extinguished, pt. 3
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

FADE IN: LIGHTNING plays iin the sky of dark storm clouds. PAN DOWN to see the CAVE ENTRANCE. INFERNO, BUZZ SAW, WASPINATOR, and BLACKARACHNIA, an in beast mode, are waiting patiently. SCORPONOK stands, in robot mode, reattaching the CYBER-BEE to his arm. PAN OVER to show TARANTULAS, beast mode, walking over to the group.

SCORPONOK (angry): You idiot, Tarantulas, you destroyed the artifact inside.

TARANTULAS: I didn't exactly see you doing much to assist me in there. Why didn't you press your advantage and come after the Maximals, or do I have to do everything myself?

INFERNO: We will assault the Maximals when they leave the cave.

TARANTUALS (sarcastic): Brilliant! Except for one thing. That cave had over a dozen exits from the central chamber. There's no telling where the Maximals will emerge from, and we know they're not stupid enough to come back this way.

Just as TARANTULAS finishes his speech, a massive amount of firepower pours out of the CAVE ENTRANCE. We view over and see OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode with all weapons out, lashing out wildly at the Predacon forces. AIRAZOR, in robot mode, joins him quickly. DINOBOT, robot mode, emerges last, firing with his eye-beams, carrying the severely damaged CHEETOR over his shoulder.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (enraged): Keep on them. This battle ends and here and now.

SCORPONOK: For you Maximal, Predacons, strike!

SCORPONOK fires his missiles, but they are destroyed in flight with DINOBOT's eye-beams. BUZZ SAW and WASPINATOR are pinned down by AIRAZOR's wild firing. TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA move to better positions behind some boulders, and fire their leg weaponry off. INFERNO begins to walk to OPTIMUS PRIMAL, laughing wildly.

INFERNO: First, the colony wrecker, and now his master....

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Not this time, Predacon.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL runs forward, and draws out his twin blades. There is no banter or battle-cries, he simply, and angrily, cuts through INFERNO's chest with a clean swipe of his sword. INFERNO stammers back, then fires with his flame-thrower. OPTIMUS PRIMAL ends the fight by firing his shoulder weapons into INFERNO at point blank range, blowing him back and severely damaging him.

BLACKARACHNIA: They're enraged. This will be a tough victory.

TARANTULAS: That's because I'll already terminated one of them.

BLACKARACHNIA: I don't think the others appreciated that much.

SCORPONOK stands tall in the battle, well in his element. He sends two missiles flying at OPTIMUS PRIMAL, who gets knocked back. AIRAZOR feels his sting next, getting blasted by SCORPONOK's eye-beams. Both Maximals scramble up and step back, continuing their assault.

SCOROPNOK: Buzz Saw, Waspinator, abandon your positions and return to base. Tarantulas, get Inferno's remains and pull out.

BUZZ SAW: Buzz Saw happy to leave laser fire, Maximals fight like they possessed.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator retreat.

BUZZ SAW and WASPINATOR very gladly rush back, convert to beast mode and pull out. TARANTULAS at first ignores SCORPONOK's order, but comes around to obeying it when SCORPONOK slaps him behind the head. TARANTULAS ducks under Maximal fire to begin pulling INFERNO's sliced and burned carcass.

BLACKARACHNIA (surprised): We're pulling out?

SCORPONOK: We've got what we came for. We've got to get back to base no matter what.

BLACKARACHNIA: Why? What's going on...

SCORPONOK: You'll find out at base, now pull out!

SCORPONOK fires again, in front of the Maximals, causing a great deal of smoke. BLACKARACHNIA starts to run back as OPTIMUS PRIMAL steps forward. We see the pack of Predacons rush away from battle, in a fast paced, but organized, retreat. AIRAZOR coverts to beast mode and starts to run after them, but DINOBOT slaps her down.

DINOBOT: Hold, girl. The Predacons did not retreat out of fear or a disadvantage. They have already gained all they can from today.

AIRAZOR: We can't let them get away with it... Tigatron...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (darkly): They won't, Airazor, I swear to you that.

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. BLACKARACHNIA, TARANTULAS, and SCORPONOK, all in robot mode, are looking on as MEGATRON, also in robot mode, goes over their situation. He looks serious, but not terribly angry.

MEGATRON: Tarantulas, you engaged Tigatron inside the chamber, causing us to lose to the very thing we were fighting for in the first place.

TARANTULAS: It was an accident, Megatron. Besides, I terminated Tigatron, permanently.

MEGATRON: And you, Scorponok, had the Maximals outnumbered two to one, and you still ordered a retreat, yes.

SCORPONOK: But Megatron, I was able to salvage the situation.

MEGATRON: Oh really? And how did you manage that.

SCOROPNOK (hyper): The artifact... my cyber-bee....

BLACKARACHNIA (wryly): Why don't you try taking it slowly, Scorponok?

SCOROPNOK: I sent in my cyber-bee to scan what the Maximals were doing inside the cavern. When Tigatron activate the artifact, the cyber-bee was able to link into it and download its files and resources. It seemed to be a library of some kind.

TARANTULAS: And this helps us how?

SCOROPONOK: See for yourself.

SCORPONOK fires off his CYBER_BEE, which floats between the assembled Predacons a moment, then shoots an IMAGE from its eyes. The IMAGE displays various forms of life on the planet, and two strands of material that reach to the top of the image.

MEGATRON (in awe): Ah, Scorponok, what have you handed us?

TARANTULAS: It looks like...

MEGATRON: The very thing we need, to not only win the Beast Wars, but conquer Cybertron as well, yes.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. RHINOX and RATTRAP, robot mode, are dead silent as DINOBOT loads the unconscious CHEETOR into the CR chamber. OPTIMUS PRIMAL steps in quietly, robot mode, looking downcast.

RHINOX: I've scanned the perimeter. The Predacons aren't pushing their advantage. That's all the good news I've got.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We risk this every day. It's hard for us to die, but we never forget that it's still possible.

RHINOX: Tigatron knew the risks, Optimus, just like all of us.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: He was... so young, Rhinox. He never got to see the beauty of Cybertron. All that he knew was the conflict that we've endured here. He never knew the peace that he fought for.

DISSOLVE TO: AIRAZOR, alone in her chambers, looking sadly down. She is quiet, solemn.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (Voice Over): He a friend and comrade to all of us. More than even that to some of us. I can't begin to say just how much we'll miss him.

DISSOLVE TO: CHEETOR, dark inside the CR chamber, the energy of the cell washing around him.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (Voice Over): I can only hope that wherever he is now, he is happy.

DISSOLVE TO: OPTIMUS PRIMAL, standing quietly in the main bridge of the MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Farewell, my friend. Until all are one.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL SHOT of PREDACON SHIP. We DISSOLVE inside to show MEGATRON and SCORPONOK, both in robot mode, watching OPTIMUS PRIMAL's speech on their monitors.

SCORPONOK: Our troops are fully charged. We should attack now, while they're dispirited and we have the advantage.

MEGATRON: Perhaps, strategically, it would be wise to strike now, yes. But I am not a Predacon without feelings. We'll allow the Maximals to mourn for their fallen comrade for now, yes.

SCORPONOK: We will?

MEGATRON: Of course, Scorponok. You see very soon now, the Maximals will have much much more to mourn, oh yes. ( darkly) Much more.

ZOOM IN on MEGATRON, who begins to laugh maniacally. FADE TO BLACK.

When A Spark Is Extinguished, pt. 4
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

BLACK SCREEN. THUNDER echoes from nowhere. Suddenly, LIGHTNING fills the screen, revealing EXTERNAL SHOT: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. We close up into the base, and then CUT TO: INTERIOR, TARANTULAS's LAB. SCORPNOK, robot mode, looks on grimly as TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA, also in robot mode, work on a large encasement.

TARANTULAS: If doesn't work, we're out a lot of spare parts.

BLACKARACHNIA: But if it does, Tarantulas...

COMPUTER: Compatible life form selected... error... power supply inadequate for desired function. Error.

TARANTULAS (growling): I knew it.

SCORPONOK: This is not good, not good at all. Tarantulas, route all the ship's power supply through the circuits. We have to make this work somehow.

TARANTULAS: That much power will burn out our own circuitry. I can draw up the interface all right, but the hardware that we've built isn't nearly as strong as we need it. Unless we have a better power focus, this experiment just won't happen.

BLACKARACHNIA: He's right. We can't focus our power into a tight enough beam. However these aliens did it, they were using more sophisticated technology than what we've got on this rust heap.

SCORPONOK (sighing): All right. I'll go tell Megatron.

CUT TO: MEGATRON'S COMMAND CHAMBER. WASPINATOR and BUZZ SAW, robot modes, are looking nervously out the window. LIGHTNING plays wildly outside. MEGATRON, robot mode, watches the storm with interest as SCORPONOK, robot mode, enters.

WASPINATOR: Storm go on for days. Waspinator not fly in storm. Not like rain running down my wings.

BUZZ SAW: Buzz Saw not like hearing Waspinator complain constantly about it.

MEGATRON (smirking laugh): My flyers. But storms don't usually last this long, even here, no. Something feels amiss.

SCORPONOK: Mighty Megatron, I've just returned from the lab.

MEGATRON: Let me guess, failure?

SCORPONOK (bows his head): We tried for hours. We cannot manage to the power beam tight enough for the decoding procedure. The archive I took is too well contained. We need a better focusing lens.

MEGATRON (whimsically): I suppose that going to the local optometrist is out of the question... The artifact site itself may have what we need. Since Terrorsaur is mostly intact, please send him to the artifact site to investigate.

SCORPONOK: Yes, Commander.

SCORPONOK exits quietly. MEGATRON stands and moves over to where the flyers are watching the storm out of the window. Steam rises high were the rain reaches the lava flows surrounding the Predacon Base.

MEGATRON: Interesting, as if nature itself were out of balance.

WASPINATOR (musing): Spider broke the whole planet...make the weather go all crazy when he shot the artifact.

BUZZ SAW: Spider don't need to shoot anything to make planet go crazy. Spider have that effect on people.

MEGATRON (quietly): Yes, the artifact. Maybe we didn't get the whole puzzle after all, no. There is more here than meets the eye.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL SHOT. LIGHTNING still plays over the screen. We see CHEETOR, robot mode, standing atop the cliff outside the MAXIMAL BASE. He is quiet, and his mood is grim. RATTRAP, beast mode, steps up.

RATTRAP: This rain's terrible, I thought cats hate water.

CHEETOR (whispering): The rain's warm.

RATTRAP: Yeah, a weird weather surge. Gives me the creeps. You want to come inside yet, kiddo? A Maximal can catch a nasty virus out here.

CHEETOR (nodding): I just need outside awhile, Rattrap. I need to be alone.

RATTRAP: Right. Listen, I know you want to keep all the grief for yourself, kid, but remember that there's a lot of sadness for all of us.

CHEETOR looks hurt by the comment as RATTRAP turns around quickly and heads back inside the base. We CUT TO and see OPTIMUS PRIMAL and RHINOX, robot mode, inside the COMMAND CENTER. RHINOX is dutifully going over readings as OPTIMUS PRIMAL watches CHEETOR through a view-screen.

RHINOX: The storm is increasing in severity. Thing is I can't tell where the storm's pulling the moisture from. It's like the planet is feeding its energy magically.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (not paying attention): It's been four days. I had hoped that Airazor and Cheetor would have at least broken their depression by now.

RHINOX: And what about you, Commander? You haven't listened to a word I've said.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: You're right. I haven't. I'm sorry, Rhinox, but we're vulnerable, our troops are outnumbered, outgunned, and depressed. On top of that, Megatron clearly got what he wanted from that artifact.

RHINOX: Nope, that's not what's bugging you, and you know it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (nods quietly): No, it isn't.

RHINOX: Care to talk about it?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL turns and looks seriously to RHINOX. He steps forward to the command table and leans against it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: After all we've been through, all the fighting with the Predacons, I never thought it would really happen. I've never lost anyone under my command before. I keep thinking that I should have done more, that I should have been there.

RHINOX: We all feel that way, Optimus. But you have to accept that sometimes, we give all we can and still come up short. We lost one, and a good friend, and each of us will have to learn to deal with that.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: But I've got to ensure that it never happens again.

RHINOX: You can't. Any one of us can get killed on our next mission. We all know that, deep down. The only way to avoid that risk is to run and let Megatron win. And we can't let that happen.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: You're right, old friend.

RHINOX: Let's just wish Tigatron well, wherever his spark has departed to.

CUT TO: GREYSCALED SCENE: TARANTULAS, robot mode, fires a missile at TIGATRON, robot mode, in the MYSTIC CAVE. TIGATRON falls dead. CHEETOR, robot mode fires at the Predacon, but TARANTULAS nails him as well. TARANTULAS leaves both Maximals for dead and departs.

CUT TO: CHEETOR, outside the MAXIMAL BASE, covered with rain-water, in robot mode. He shakes off the memory that constantly replays in his mind.

CHEETOR (to himself): I'll get that Predacon, big-cat. I swear it. Beast mode.

CHEETOR TRANSFORMS to beast mode and runs along the edge of the cliff, away from the base. He does not notice AIRAZOR, flying behind him, in beast mode.

CUT TO: TERRORSAUR, robot mode, standing outside the CAVE ENTRANCE. He slams a COMMUNICATIONS ARRAY into the ground, which gets struck by lighting as soon as it's embedded. TERRORSAUR gets knocked on his backside from the shock.

TERRORSAUR: Slag! What did he make me come out here? What did I do to Megatron this week?

The COMMUNICATIONS ARRAY sparks and sizzles a moment, but the screen activates and reveals the face of SCORPONOK, robot mode.

SCORPONOK: Well, what's your report?

TERRORSAUR: I'm tired, singed, and wet. What do you care?

SCORPONOK: I meant about the artifact. Can anything be salvaged? TERRORSAUR: Looks like some outside damage only, knocked a few systems loose maybe. No way am I going to be able to carry anything out of there, even if the weather was nice.

SCORPONOK: All right, guard your position. We'll be there to relieve you as soon we can make it out. If you see any Maximals, just keep out of sight, we'll deal with them when we get there.

TERRORSAUR: Great, you want me to wait out in the rain?

SCORPONOK: Stay next to the dish in case we need to give you new orders.

TERRORSAUR (whimpering): Slag!

CUT TO: MAXIMAL BASE: OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, and DINOBOT, beast mode, are in the command center. RHINOX and RATTRAP look on.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (concerned): Are you sure? Have you checked everywhere?

DINOBOT: I am quite thorough, Optimus. Airazor was supposed to relieve me on patrol duty. She never showed. I went to look for her, and she is nowhere near our headquarters.

RATTRAP: Yeah, and on top of that, Cheetor off and split.

DINOBOT: If the Predacons chose this moment to attack...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (annoyed): I know what would happen, Dinobot, I don't need a guided tour. For now, we'll have to man Sentinel on high alert. Rhinox, see if you can scan for either of them on extended range.

RHINOX: No can do, the storm has dropped our sensor range to one-half click. Our optic sensors are better.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: That's just Prime.

CUT TO: ROCK BARRENS. CHEETOR, beast mode, looks over the CAVE ENTRANCE. He sees TERROSAUR fuming next to the COMMUNICATIONS ARRAY. Just as CHEETOR prepares to pounce, he feels AIRAZOR, robot mode, gently lay a hand on him to keep him down.

CHEETOR (surprised): What... what are you doing?

AIRAZOR makes a 'shush' motion with her finger over her mouth and steps back. CHEETOR looks again at TERRORSAUR, and steps back with her.

CHEETOR: I had him, he's all alone. Why you pulling me back?

AIRAZOR: He's guarding this place for a reason. We need to know what it is.

CHEETOR: He's a Predacon! I don't care about his reasons, I want to rip him apart.

AIRAZOR: Don't you think I feel the same way? Tigatron meant everything to me, but if we go in without using our heads, we're as good as killing ourselves.

CHEETOR (angrily): Do you think I care?

AIRAZOR: He wouldn't have wanted that.

CHEETOR (sadly): I ... know. It just hurts so bad.

AIRAZOR: Wait, something's happening.

PAN OVER: We see MEGATRON and BLACKARACHNIA, step to where TERRORSAUR is waiting. SCORPONOK and TARANTULAS, robot mode, arrive next, carrying a huge assortment of laboratory gear.

TERRORSAUR: About time you showed up, my scales are flaking off.

BLACKARACHNIA: 'Flake' is the operative word.

MEGATRON: Terrorsaur, good work, yes. No go home and get yourself ready. You will need to arrange new living quarters, yes.

TERRORSAUR: Living quarters?

MEGATRON: Of course, Terrorsaur, for when we are successful here, we'll have a new Predacon, yes.

ZOOM IN on CHEETOR and AIRAZOR, who look at each-other in surprise, then FADE TO BLACK.

When A Spark Is Extinguished, pt. 5
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

FADE IN: A bright white view fills the screen. FADE to reveal a lush paradise. Birds are singing, the sun is shining, and billowy clouds fill the sky. On the green grass below, we see a group of white tigers moving as a pack. TIGATRON, beast mode, and SNOWSTALKER are among them. They both seem content and happy in their new 'after'-life.

SNOWSTALKER: No matter how much you try, you can't catch me!

TIGATRON (smiling): Catch you wife? I did that a long time ago.

SNOWSTALKER giggles at this and stops, then turns, and pounces TIGATRON onto his back. Quickly, she nuzzles him.

TIGATRON: I've missed you, Stalker...

SNOWSTALKER: And I you, beloved.

We hear a distant rumbling. TIGATRON and SNOWSTALKER pad backward as nervous looks cross their faces. Many of the other tigers run. Other animals flee from in front of them.

TIGATRON: What in the matrix is happening?

SNOWSTALKER (frightened): It cannot be...

As the two enjoy their company, we see a GIANT WHIRLPOOL, black, rip from the ground. The animals around start to run in panic, and the very essence of the 'world' seems to come apart. When the GIANT WHIRLPOOL hits the sky, it blackens it completely. The wind howls dangerously, and TIGATRON and SNOWSTALKER fall to the ground.

PREDACON COMPUTER (off screen): Life form selected.

TIGATRON (whispered): The Predacons.

SNOWSTALKER: They can't have... Tigatron, what are they doing?

PREDACON COMPUTER: Predacon programming accepted.

TIGATRON: They're stealing a spark from here!

CUT TO: MYSTIC CAVE. MEGATRON, SCORPONOK, and BLACKARACHNIA, all in robot mode, look over the central chamber, connected by wires and conduits to a strange ARTIFACT. TARANTULAS, robot mode, approaches a large cylinder near the chamber, and activates it.

TARANTULAS: I.. these readings are unusual...

MEGATRON (impatient): Did it work or didn't it?

INSECTICON (darkly, off screen): It worked-worked. I am Insecticon-Insecticon.

The chamber opens, revealing INSECTICON, beast mode. TARANTULAS steps back warily, and pulls back his weaponry.

INSECTICON: Insecticon-Insecticon, Terrorize!

INSECTICON TRANSFORMS. SCORPONOK looks over the new PREDACON warily, but not without a smile on his face. MEGATRON looks most pleased.

MEGATRON: Greetings, Insecticon. I am Megatron, yes. You may refer to me as your leader.

INSECTICON: Leader-Leader? I have been programmed with the knowledge of you-you. Megatron, Predacon Commander-Commander. Insecticon, Predacon-Predacon.

CUT TO: Behind the Predacons, hidden behind rocks, are AIRAZOR and CHEETOR, robot mode, looking grimly over the situation.

CHEETOR: This is bad, very bad.

AIRAZOR (stunned): They've managed to get the alien technology to make new Predacons. I don't believe it. I've seen it, but I don't believe it.

CHEETOR: We've got to report back to Optimus.

AIRAZOR starts to step back to flee. CHEETOR stands and converts to beast mode, but INSECTICON, being the only Predacon to face their direction, notices them.

INSECTICON: Maximals-Maximals. Predacons-Predacons, we are invaded-invaded. They won't escape Insecticon-Insecticon. Arise my children-children, arise!

CHEETOR: Slag! Airazor, bug out of here! I'll cover you.

MEGATRON: Ah yes, another heroic Maximal about to be one with the after-life.

The other Predacons turn and fire at CHEETOR's position, but the cat ducks behind rocks and transforms, again, to robot mode. AIRAZOR stammers a bit, wanting to help him, but transforms and bails quickly. As the one-sided battle begins, we see several scraps of metal around the ARTIFACT begin to change shape. Slowly, they convert to miniature versions of INSECTICON, painted green, yellow, and gray. About a dozen of these small-scale DRONES begin to crawl their way to CHEETOR.

CHEETOR (fearful): Oh this is just Prime.

CHEETOR fires, destroying a few of the DRONES, but there are too many of them for him to nail. He steps back, fires a few more times, and starts to break and run. INSECTICON and SCORPONOK begin to pursue. SCOPONOK fires off his CYBER-BEE, which is the only thing that remotely keeps up with the fast-moving Maximal.

BLACKARACHNIA (fuming): He's getting away. Now our little surprise for the other Maximals is ruined.

MEGATRON: Not yet, no. Tarantulas, how long before we can reactivate the chamber?

TARANTULAS: A few cycles. But we're running out of parts. We'll need a way to manufacture building materials if we want to keep this up.

MEGATRON: There will be plenty of time for that later. Right now I want a special surprise for Optimus Primal when he inevitably arrives, yes.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. OPTIMUS PRIMAL and RHINOX, robot modes, are looking carefully over their instruments when the entire base begins to shudder and quake. Debris falls from the ceiling. DINOBOT, beast mode, attempts to walk in, but falls on his side under the severity of the rumbling.

DINOBOT (annoyed): This is most undignified.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: What's happening? I thought the geologic scans showed this area to be mild.

RHINOX stammers to his feet as the major quake continues. He steps over back to the command center and sits down to begin work on the computer.

RHINOX: Bad news, this quake isn't an isolated phenomenon. It seems like the epicenter is located near the core of the planet.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: What's causing it?

DINOBOT: I am more concerned about how long it will last. Earthquakes are usually momentary things.

As DINOBOT finishes his statement, the quaking stops. The oppressive rain-storm still remains, but the earth-quake has passed.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: There was nothing natural about that quake.

RHINOX: Agreed, but we've got no way to determine exactly why it went off.

DINOBOT (standing up): And no way to predict another one, I suppose.

RHINOX: Right. One thing's for sure, like the rest of this planet, those quakes weren't caused by any natural occurrence. Geologically, they should not have happened.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Maybe the Predacons have stumbled onto to something new.

DINOBOT: I do not think that Megatron would intend to blow up the entire world while he's still trapped on it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: True, but Megatron knows about as much about this world as we do. It's possible that he tripped off something accidentally.

The COMMUNICATIONS CONSOLE cracks to life. At first we hear static, then AIRAZOR's voice comes over. It's broken and unintelligible. OPTIMUS PRIMAL walks over and begins to work on it. Her image appears briefly on the screen, then fades out to static, then back in again.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Airazor, repeat your message, you're breaking up.

AIRAZOR: Too... far out of range. Meet me at... this tower. Megatron has....

The signal falls apart completely as an echo of thunder rips around outside. OPTIMUS PRIMAL slams his fist into the COMMUNICATIONS CONSOLE, but not hard enough to actually damage it. RHINOX looks over as OPTIMUS PRIMAL steps up.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I'm going to meet Airazor.

DINOBOT: Alone, in this weather? You will require assistance.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Probably true. Go get Rattrap and we'll head off. Rhinox, you mind staying behind and watching the fort?

DINOBOT: Must we bring along the vermin?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (sighing): We need the extra support, and I can't carry Rhinox when I'm flying. Besides, he's got a pet-project that he's been working on.

RHINOX: Yep, I'll be fine, Dinobot, don't be concerned about me.

DINOBOT (wryly): I wasn't.

CUT TO: MYSTIC CAVE. MEGATRON, robot mode, looks over INSECTICON, SCORPONOK, and BLACKARACHNIA, all in robot mode, and struggling to get up. TARANTULAS, robot mode, is checking over the equipment connected to the ARTIFACT.

MEGATRON: Not a fun experience, no. At least we survived it uninjured.

BLACKARACHNIA: I wonder if we caused that.

SCOROPNOK: Yeah, it's like the planet's got some objection to what we're doing.

MEGATRON: Possible, yes. But now we need more troops. Tarantulas, have you assembled the carcass, yet? I'm expecting guests any moment now, and I would so hate to disappoint them.

TARANTULAS: Megatron, I have to reset the programming chip, make sure the spare-parts we've gathered act like a proto-form. Convince our computers, again, that the alien material really is compatible. Don't expect too many miracles from me in such a short time. I'm doing what I can.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (voice over, demanding): You've done enough, Tarantulas.

TARANTULAS: Maximals! And so punctual.

PAN OVER to show DINOBOT, CHEETOR, RATTRAP, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, and AIRAZOR, robot modes and guns out, ready to fire on the Predacon forces.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Step away from the artifact, Predacons.

MEGATRON: Oh come now, Optimus, that's no way for a guest to behave, no. Scorponok, Blackarachnia, stand with Tarantulas and help him activate our little surprise. Insecticon, how about introducing your family to our guests.

INSECTICON: And what will you be doing-doing?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: He'll be talking to me!

OPTIMUS PRIMAL leaps out from cover, firing into MEGATRON once, who falls back. Before MEGATRON can fully recover, PRIMAL is on top of him, slamming his fist into MEGATRON's chest. INSECTICON raises his arms again, as before, and the shard of scrap littering the floor once again take the form of six miniature INSECTICON DRONES.

RATTRAP: Man, I thought you were kidding about that.

CHEETOR: They're just bugs, and fall apart real easy.

INSECTICON: My children, Terrorize.

The six DRONES TRANSFORM, no weapons, but start running for the Maximal position, much to the dismay of RATTRAP and CHEETOR, who start firing into them.

RATTRAP: You know, kid, every time you talk, things get worse.

AIRAZOR: I'm going for the Artifact, cover me.

BLACKARACHNIA: Alone, against us? You're stupider than I thought.

AIRAZOR leaps out as BLACKARACHNIA starts firing her leg-lasers into her. AIRAZOR dives aside, still trying to move forward. After another series of blasts, she jumps back behind cover.

AIRAZOR (annoyed): What part about 'cover me' did you not understand?

RATTRAP: We are a little occupied here, missy. Try taking out that big bug.

RATTRAP and CHETOR are fighting off the DRONES, while INSECTICON keeps mystically raising them whenever they are knocked apart. AIRAZOR tries to get a bead on INSECTICON, but rapid fire blasts from BLACKARACHNIA keep her pinned down. The battle is very obviously going MEGATRON's way. MEGATRON, for his part, throws off OPTIMUS PRIMAL, knocking him into the cavern wall, then follows up by blasting him with his DINOSAUR HEAD LASER. OPTIMUS PRIMAL falls, stunned.

MEGATRON: You've lost this time, Primal. You're troops are outnumbered and outgunned. Tarantulas, ready the new Predacon.

TARANTULAS (cackling): On its way, Megatron.

CHEETOR (near panic): We can't let them do it again.

TARANTULAS: You're too late, Maximal.

TARANTULAS activates the ARTIFACT once again, and the world shakes. MEGATRON falls to one knee as the MYSTIC CAVES vibrates roughly. Both Maximal and Predacon crews are knocked down, and the fight ends.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Maximals, concentrate fire on the Artifact itself.

MEGATRON (smiling): Oh, I wouldn't do that now, Optimus. What would happen to this wonderful planet you've sworn to protect from us?

COMPUTER: Selecting life-form from library.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (angry and determined): Open fire.

DINOBOT: No, he is right. Just using the artifact causes these quakes. Destroying it could rip the entire planet apart.

CUT TO: AFTER-LIFE PARADISE. The BLACK WHIRLPOOL has returned, and the ground rips open again. TIGATRON, beast mode, stands next to SNOWSTALKER, fear wide in their eyes. The storm is worse, wider than before.

SNOWSTALKER (wincing): It hurts, Tigatron. Please...

TIGATRON: What can I do, my wife? How can I stop this?

SNOWSTALKER (in pain): There has to be a way, beloved. If you don't, all of our world, our essence, will be destroyed. The storm will grow each time it comes. Eventually, the entire essence will be ruptured. Please...

ZOOM IN on TIGATRON, his eyes narrow. We see the BLACK WHIRLPOOL grow and swell around the two of them. TIGATRON TRANSFORMS, and looks longingly to SNOWSTALKER.

TIGATRON (grim): I know what I have to do.

SNOWSTALKER (sadly): I don't want to lose you again.

TIGATRON: Fate hasn't taken us apart yet. I'll return to you, someday.

SNOWSTALKER (painful, and sad): I love you, husband.

TIGATRON: And I you, my wife.

TIGATRON looks to the storm again, and builds his resolve. Quickly, and gracefully, he runs directly into it. We see SNOWSTALKER look sadly to him as he disappears into the BLACK WHIRLPOOL. FADE TO BLACK.

When A Spark Is Extinguished, pt. 6
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

FADE IN: INTERNAL SHOT of MYSTIC CAVE. DINOBOT, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, and AIRAZOR, robot mode, dive for cover under an assault by SCORPONOK, robot mode. RATTRAP and CHEETOR, robot modes, attempt to fire upon several INSECTICON DRONES, robot mode. BLACKARACHNIA and MEGATRON, robot mode, stand back from the fight, more interested in the CHAMBER in the center of the MYSTIC CAVE.

COMPUTER: Warning, life form selection is randomizing. Access to library unstable.

MEGATRON (happy): It doesn't matter, no. Victory is so near. Only these few Maximals, and then your base, yes.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We don't have a choice. Maximals, we have to pull out.

CHEETOR (angry): No, Optimus. I'm not letting Tigatron down.

CHEETOR starts ripping through the INSECTICON DRONES, quite easily. Just as he breaks through, however, he is met by a blast from MEGATRON's DINOSAUR CANNON. AIRAZOR leaps out behind him and rushes toward MEGATRON. She too is hit, this time from BLACKARACHNIA's LEG CANNONS. She falls hard to the ground, and scrambles back as BLACKARACHNIA nears.

RATTRAP: Man, we just can't pull it here. We've got to fall back.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Agreed. Dinobot, grab the others, by force if necessary. We've got to run. Megatron's got every advantage here.

DINOBOT: We have to make our stand, Optimus. If Megatron is allowed any victory here, his forces will too greatly outnumber ours. We must win here.

DINOBOT fires his eye beams at TARANTULAS, who slams full-bodied into the chamber. MEGATRON answers back with another blast, but DINOBOT ducks quickly. The Maximals are, very obviously, too pinned down. They can't win.

COMPUTER: Warning, computer cannot select life form. Life form is automatically selecting.

MEGATRON: Beginning the programming, Tarantulas. Let the universe see the birth of a new Predacon warrior, yes.

CHEETOR: No!

CHEETOR gives up and risks everything, firing wildly into the artifact itself. As his blast his the chamber, the entire world shakes violently. MEGATRON fires, but his aim is knocked off as he falls hard to one knee. CHEETOR tries to press his assault on the ARTIFACT but cannot score another hit as bits of the MYSTIC CAVE start to fall around both factions.

MEGATRON (enraged): You idiot, Maximal. You'll destroy us all.

MEGATRON rushes over to CHEETOR and leaps on him, slamming his pointed tail-weapon into CHEETOR's hide. DINOBOT quickly knocks MEGATRON back with a solid blow, but the damage to CHEETOR is severe enough to take him out of the fight.

CHEETOR (whispering): I'm sorry, big-cat... I've failed again...

AIRAZOR: Not yet, you haven't.

COMPUTER: Warning, Predacon interface ruptured from damage. Warning, proto-form robot is self-programming. Warning, robot is self-programming.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I've got to do it. Maximals, pull back and regroup at base. I'll take out what's here. Computer, destruction initiative one, code one, one alpha.

COMPUTER (in PRIMAL): Acknowledge, one minute until self-destruct.

RATTRAP (stammering): What are you doing, are you crazy?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I've got to take out the Predacon's advantage, no matter the cost. It's the only way.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL fires off a missile and slams it hard into SCORPONOK, who spirals flipping backward. SCOROPNOK falls and is quite distress to find bits of him missing, namely, his CYBERBEE arm. He growls in pain and fires back. The missiles ram into OPTIMUS, but the Maximal leader is hell-bent on his course now, and rushes towards MEGATRON.

COMPUTER (in PRIMAL): Thirty seconds until destruct sequence.

MEGATRON: So, you would be willing to sacrifice everything to claim victory, even your own life to destroy me. I'm flattered, but it won't happen today, no. Blackarachnia, immobilize his circuitry, yes.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL turns and sees BLACKARACHNIA, who has reverted back to beast mode, just as she bites into him, dipping venom along the wound. OPTIMUS PRIMAL falls, falling victim to the poison. He struggles a moment, then feels the paralysis kick in.

MEGATRON: And now my victory is almost complete.

RATTRAP (worried, to DINOBOT and AIRAZOR): What do we do know?

INSECTICON: Simple, Maximals-Maximals... you die.

As INSECTICON levels his crossbow to fire, we hear hammering from behind. We PAN OVER to the CENTRAL CHAMBER to see the door fly off. A pair of red eyes glow dimly inside.

MEGATRON: Ah, I see our newest Predacon has arrived.

POLAR CLAW: Predacon? Who said anything about being a Predacon? Polar Claw, maximize!

POLAR CLAW, beast mode, steps out of the chamber, then TRANSFORMS. Before the Predacons can fully react, he opens fire into MEGATRON with eye-beams. MEGATRON is more stunned than damage, but falls back nearly on top of OPTIMUS PRIMAL.

MEGATRON (incredulous): No, it cannot be.

TARANTULAS: I mpossible, there was no programming chip installed. You could not have been programmed as a Maximal.

POLAR CLAW turns and fires at TARANTULAS, missing him barely. BLACKARACHNIA moves up to bite into him, but POLAR CLAW is aware of the attack and backhands her, sending her flying back. She TRANSFORMS to robot mode, ready to fire on the newcomer.

AIRAZOR (from behind): Forgetting something?

BLACKARACHNIA moves to change her attack, but AIRAZOR is already on her, sending her missiles into BLACKARACHNIA. BLACKARACHNIA is forced into a defensive move and takes cover behind the artifact.

TARANTULAS (realizing): The tiger... he must still be inside the codex... that must be it. Megatron, the codex has been tainted with Maximal presence. We cannot use it.

CHEETOR (weakly): Maximal presence? Tigatron? He's... inside the Artifact.

MEGATRON (growling): Well, since there is nothing to take...

MEGATRON raises his weapon to fire on the systems connected to the ARTIFACT. He fires briefly, but gets knocked over by DINOBOT, robot mode, who is itching for the attack. Out of rage, MEGATRON backhands the Maximal and slams him into the wall. MEGATRON is unable to pursue the matter, however, because POLAR CLAW is behind him, throwing a now-unconscious INSECTICON into him. MEGATRON lets out an inhuman growl.

MEGATRON: You are saved by the gods' machine, Maximals. Predacons, abandon your positions and return to base.

TARANTULAS: Of course. But not without a little surprise first.

TARANTULAS trips something on the connections to the artifact, then grabs the dazed BLACKARACHNIA and starts to run out. MEGATRON picks up INSECTICON and runs out of the MYSTIC CAVE. RATTRAP fires a few blasts as they retreat, but gets knocked over by SCORPONOK as he beats a hasty exit. OPTIMUS PRIMAL begins to stir again as the Predacons disappear from view.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (weakly): Computer, cancel destruct sequence.

COMPUTER (in PRIMAL): Acknowledged.

COMPUTER (on ARTIFACT): Unable to comply. Tarantulas DNA print required.

DINOBOT: The spider has triggered a self-destruct mechanism. We have to make our exit as well.

CHEETOR: No way. Tigatron is in that thing.

RATTRAP: You got some wires crossed somewhere? Megatron hit you a little too hard this time, kid.

POLAR CLAW: No. The boy is right. Tigatron created me from his own essence. It resides within the codex, and can be returned.

RATTRAP (suspicious): And why should we trust you?

POLAR CLAW: That is your decision. Tigatron remains inside. He is happy there, as he would be here. But the codex itself is in danger. You may save yourselves by fleeing, but the explosion will certainly kill him, and erase the knowledge of this world's life.

CHEETOR: I'm staying.

RATTRAP: You don't know a thing about explosives, let the expert handle it.

DINOBOT: We do not have time to fetch one.

RATTRAP: That's it, laugh it up in certain doom.

RATTRAP steps to the console and starts looking over the computer. There is a small explosive charge placed on it, and RATTRAP's eyes widen in abject terror. On the charge is written 'NUCLEAR DEVICE, CLASS SIX'. RATTRAP sighs heavily.

RATTRAP (worried): Oh boy. This will take out the whole cavern.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Can you disarm it?

RATTRAP: Yeah, but there's no timer. I don't know how long we've got.

CHEETOR picks up the carcasses of the INSECTICON DRONES and starts throwing them into the CENTER CHAMBER. AIRAZOR, the only other one to realize what he's doing, helps him quickly.

DINOBOT: What in the matrix are you doing?

CHEETOR: It's his only chance. We've got to get Tigatron out of there. He can use these bodies for parts for his new one.

RATTRAP starts carefully pulling out wires. He is obviously very concerned about pull out the wrong ones, but seems to be making a little progress. Meanwhile, OPTIMUS PRIMAL and POLAR CLAW look on. While PRIMAL looks concerned, POLAR CLAW looks strangely peaceful.

CHEETOR: That's all we got. How do we turn this thing on?

POLAR CLAW: You do not need to, young one. Your brother is already here.

RATTRAP: Got it! One deactivated bomb... whoops... nevermind. Anyone got a way to get rid of a small-scale nuclear device?

POLAR CLAW steps to the ARTIFACT, touching it. We see him surrounded by the same STRANGE GLOW that enveloped TIGATRON before. The ARTIFACT rumbles slightly, and moves up into the empty air as POLAR CLAW steps back from it. All assembled Maximals look incredulous at the hovering stone.

POLAR CLAW: The codex will be saved.

The ARTIFACT begins to spin wildly, and SPARKS start rushing out from its core, thrown out of the MYSTIC CAVE's many entrances, and beyond. When the SPARKS finish rushing away, the ARTIFACT dissolves, along with the attached bomb and all the Predacon equipment.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (whispering): ...in the name of the Matrix.

POLAR CLAW slumps to one knee, weakened. We see TIGATRON, robot mode, place his hand on POLAR CLAW's shoulder. No one is exactly sure when he appeared, but everyone takes a nervous step back from the two Maximals.

CHEETOR (shocked): Big cat? Is that really you?

TIGATRON: I have touched the world, little-cat.

CHEETOR and AIRAZOR rush over and warmly embrace their friend. TIGATRON smiles faintly, his eyes more distant than usual. POLAR CLAW stands and rights himself, and is met by OPTIMUS PRIMAL.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I'm not sure what all is happening here, but it appears that I should thank you, for saving our skins, and for Tigatron.

POLAR CLAW: It's more Tigatron that you should thank. I merely did what I could.

RATTRAP (frustrated): Does anyone mind telling me what in Primus is going on?

TIGATRON: I don't think we'll ever truly know, Rattrap, not in life anyway. But for now its enough to know that this world's life is safe from further tampering. (quietly) Snowstalker can rest in peace.

AIRAZOR (whispering): It's good to have you back.

POLAR CLAW smiles at the small group of Maximals and turns to leave. Just as he heads out of the corridor, OPTIMUS PRIMAL stops him as he leaves.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Not coming back with us?

POLAR CLAW: Thank you, Optimus, but no. I am a Maximal only through Tigatron's own programming. My inner being belongs to this world, however, and not yours. Be assured, however, that if this world is threatened again by the Predacons, or even by you, I will be there to defend it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: In that case, I hope to stay on your good side, Polar Claw.

POLAR CLAW: May you fare well on your course, Optimus.

At that POLAR CLAW leaves quietly, and we FADE TO BLACK.