<Darkness>

The darkness is pierced by a small ray of light as pebbles fall to the ground.  The point of light increases to a shaft, and the silhouette of three Predacons become visible.

Slapper: We're through!

<Nearby>

Phil Bond: This is a nightmare and I am asleep.  Giant transforming robots are real.  They're trying to take over Earth.  That's it.  I've completely lost it.

Dr. Onishi: This is a dream come true!

Dr. Onishi watches the Predacons smash the side of the mountain with the fervor of a starved scientist.  Raksha pushes a bound and gagged Peter Cullen towards the new entrance.

Phil Bond: You're looking better than you did a few days ago.

Dr. Onishi: Thanks to you, I hear.

Raksha rips off the gag and pushes Cullen through the entrance as Megatron looks on.  Cullen screams once inside.

Dr. Onishi: This is fantastic.  I'm still not sure what to make of all of it.

Phil Bond: Yeah.  I didn't think he'd really get Peter Cullen.

<The Just Inside the Cave Entrance>

One by one, the Predacons carry the stasis pods from inside the wrecked ship and out of the cave entrance.

Raksha: Move faster, cretins!  Your betters are entombed in these stasis pods!  Maybe once they are activated you will learn a thing or two about what it means to be minions of Megatron!

Gas Skunk: Geez, she's so mean-spirited.

Raksha: <turning to Cullen> And you.  I have *big plans* for you.

Cullen looks absolutely terrified.

<Nearby, Just Outside>

Cullen: <in background> What is this?  What are you doing?

Dr. Onishi: She certainly seems to be taking this all in stride.

Phil Bond: Well, this has already been real to her for years.  Me, I keep half expecting Andy Kaufman is going to pop up out of nowhere and tell me it's time to wake up.  I don't get it: crazy French-Canadians and sexually-charged Punjabi Pop artists I can take in stride, but a flying shark?  It's just a little too much.

Onishi watches the Predacons offer the pods to Megatron.  Megatron cackles maniacally.

Phil Bond: I feel like I'm in the third season of Digimon...

Dr. Onishi: Don't you see how wonderful this is?  Not only is there now proof that alien life exists, but they're robotic.  I had theorized, but... think of what we could learn from them!  We never figured out how robots could be used in practical military application.  My research could be shot millennia into the future!

From inside the cave, the two humans hear Cullen scream again.  A flash of light emanates from the entrance.

Phil Bond: Whatever, Archeville...

Dr. Onishi: You know Dr. Archeville?

Phil Bond: Are you serious?

Raksha emerges from the cave entrance with a large, obsidian and gray robot that resembles a certain Autobot leader.  Cullen also emerges from the cave, his clothes tattered and billowing with smoke.  Phil and Dr. Onishi walk over to examine the newcomer.

Raksha: MEGATRON!  Allow me to introduce my greatest creation!

Obsidian: You may call me Obsidian.

Raksha: Scourge...

Obsidian: But I like Obsidian better--

Raksha: SCOURGE!

Scourge: You may call me Scourge.  How may I be of service, Lord Megatron?

Megatron looks over to Phil as if for approval.  Phil gives him a condescending thumbs-up.

Megatron: What would I do without your guidance, Phil Bond?

Phil Bond: Fail miserably, I'd imagine.

Megatron: Yeeessss...

Phil Bond: Much better.

Megatron: Thank you.

<Later -- Cybertron Base>

X-Brawn walks into the medical bay, trying to hide one of his legs with his oversized arm.

X-Brawn: Um...

Ratchet: What is it, X-Brawn?

X-Brawn: It's, uh, kinda embarassin', doc.

Ratchet: Well, if you don't tell me what the problem is, how am I supposed to fix it?

X-Brawn: Well, it's just that, uh... I have this growth...

X-Brawn turns around to show Ratchet the purple and green lump on the back of his leg

Ratchet: Holy shit!

X-Brawn: Kin ya help me, doc?

Ratchet: I... I think so.  Forgive me, it just took me by surprise.  It's, er, probably nothing but a mild case of scraplets.

X-Brawn: Really?

Ratchet: Sure, all I need is a little bit of water, and...

Ratchet fetches a spray bottle and starts spraying X-Brawn's leg, but the lump won't come off.  Little suddenly lights flash alive in its tiny eyes.

Scorponok: HUG!

The small, animate toy latches on to the technician's head.

Ratchet: AAACK!  Get it off!

X-Brawn: Aw no!  Bad scraplet!

X-Brawn, a little too eager to remove Scorponok from his comrade, yanks really, really hard at the toy.  There is an audible scraping sound.

Ratchet: ARGH!  Primus, no!  My face!

X-Brawn: Whoops!  I'll, er, just be over here...

Ratchet: Sweet merciful Vector Sigma!

X-Brawn: Yeah, look I'm really sorry.

Ratchet: For the love of all that is good and holy!

X-Brawn uses his over-sized Popeye arm to smash in Ratchet's cranium.

X-Brawn: <to Scorponok> We keep this between us, ya got it?

Scorponok: HUG!

<And In the Main Control Room...>

Prime is still introducing Koji to his Autobot team.  Three trains being to merge together...

Railracer: <reverb> Form RAILRACER!

Koji: <yawning> Hi, Railracer!  <to Prime> Okay, now can we go save my dad?

Prime: Not yet!  I still have to introduce you to the Spychangers, and then there are the new recruits who will be coming later today...

Koji:  <to T-AI> Does he always do this?

T-AI: Dou deshou ka nee...

A blinking signal distracts T-AI.  Her holographic image floats up to the main control.

T-AI: Faia Convoy!  I-MA-JEN-SHI!

Prime: Oh poo.  We'll have to continue this later.  T-AI, have you had any luck homing in on that distress signal?

T-AI: Sumimasen, Faia Convoy!  Dekinai n desu kedo--

Koji: Why are we talking about distress signals when we should be saving my dad?  He could be hurt or scared or dead for all we know!

Prime nonchalantly hands Koji a sheet.

Koji: <reading> "What is it, Prime?  A Mini-Con?"

Prime: Whoops!  Wrong one!  <hands Koji another sheet>

Koji: "Boy, I hope this means I get to ride in Optimus's cab again!"

T-AI: A!  Yatta desu!  Destron-tachi wa Foato Makoi ni irun deshite...

Prime: Good work, T-AI!  Call the engage the nearest team!

T-AI: Hai!  Faia Convoy!  Imajenshi!  Imajenshi!  Buretto Torain Tiimu!  Imajenshi!

Across the room, Railspike and the other bullet team members look up from their game of cards.  Railspike talks into his comm device as if none of them were there.  His image appears on the view screen.

Railspike: <into comm> Ah, Prime!  Is that you?

Prime: <talking into the view screen> Railspike!  We need you in Wisconsin immediately!

Railspike: Ahhh... no can do Prime.

Prime: But this is urgent!

Railspike: You'll have to speak up, Prime, you're >CRACKLE< -ing up >CRACKLE<

Railspike is hunched over his communications device in the corner of the main Autobase control room while the other two Team Bullet Train members make crackling sounds.

Railspike: >SNICKER< I can't hear what you're saying.  Heh heh heh...

Prime: Damn.  The signal is breaking up.

T-AI: Warukatta desu...

Koji: <pointing> But they're right over there!

Prime: You know what to do, T-AI.  Send in... <dramatic close-up> The Build Team.

T-AI: Hai...

Prime: May the ancients preserve us.

Koji: What's the matter?  Is this bad?

Prime: Ha ha ha!  Of course not!

Prime scrapes a foot against the floor.

Prime: Hold me, Spike...

<Moments later -- Fort McCoy, Wisconsin>

Kelly: What do you mean you don't make fake snow?

Kelly is decked out in ski gear with her own skis arguing with one of the ski hill's attendants.  He can only shrug at her.  A line of military vehicles passing outside makes the building rumble.

Kelly: Well, what am I going to do?  I can't find my car, and I have to do SOMETHING until I can find it!

<Just outside>

Optimus Prime and the Autobot brothers come through the Global Space Bridge.  Prime lets Koji out of his cab and transforms.  Their appearance scares a nearby Boy Scout troop.  Kelly runs outside to see what all the commotion is about.  She freaks out along with everyone else, rushing out side to see the robots.  A sweat drop appears above X-Brawn's head.  Koji sees the Boy Scout troop and their very female leader trying to calm them down.  He smirks and walks over to them in the confusion.

Side Burn: All I see are five  heavily-armed military vehicles.

X-Brawn: Nuthin' out of the ordinary here, Prime.

Momentarily, the vehicles transform into robots with a familiar purple symbol shining and gleaming like new on each of them.

Prime: Ah, these must be the new recruits!  On behalf of the Autobots I bid you welcome to Earth!

Mega-Octane fires a blast at Prime that barely misses and destroys a row of Jeeps behind him.  Prime whips around quickly to check on the humans.

Prime: Koji?  Are you okay?

<Nearby>

Koji approaches the woman Boy Scout leader, who is trying to keep her troop under control.

Koji: Hi, my name's Koji.  I--

Before he can finish, an explosion rocks the ground nearby, overturning a Hummer near both of them.  It lands on top of Koji and the female Troop leader.

<The Bottom of the Ski Hill>

Human-driven military vehicles are deployed into action and begin firing on both the Autobots and newly born troops.  Megatron and the Predacon Trio watch with approval.  Raksha stares doe-eyed at her brigade.  As Slapper makes his way down the ski slope to rejoin his comrades, he hears a loud PTANG! and feels a bruise on his neck.

Slapper: Huh?  What was that?

Seconds later, he catches a small missile with his tongue and crushes it.

Gas Skunk: Geez, you could hurt someone with that thing!

Megatron: By the Pit, what is going on?  This wasn't part of the plan!

Raksha: Megatron, quick, transform into a gun and jump into my hand so we can take care of this rabble!

Megatron: How do you mean?

Raksha: What good are you if you can't even transform into a gun?!

Megatron transforms into a giant hand and flicks away one of the nearby helicopters.

Raksha: Feh.

<The Heart of the Battle>

Scourge appears in the line of fire in front of his troops.  Prime and the Autobots have taken cover from the military onslaught.

Prime: I have to find Koji!

Prowl: Prime, there's no time for that!

Prime: Who are you, my older brother?  That tender human child is in danger.  I'll never forgive myself if something happens to another one!

Optimus walks up to the tanker and opens the door.

Prime: <peering inside the cab> Koji?  Are you in there?

Scourge: Optimus Prime!

Optimus looks away from the tanker and gapes at ebony and gray doppelganger of himself.

Prime: Who... who is that lovely creature?

Scourge: You may call me Scourge!

Prime: Scourge, is it?  Well, not matter how dashing the opposition I cannot allow you to harm these poor, tasty humans!

Scourge: I'm afraid our confrontation will have to wait, Optimus Prime.  Your destruction may be my only reason for existing, but when that destruction comes it must be honorable and fully mine!  Know that one day I will crush you with my bare hands!  These humans might not be able to distinguish between us, but fortunately they have provided us with enough cover fire to allow us to escape.  Your Autobot "goodness" will not allow you to follow while they are still in danger!

Prime: What danger?

Scourge pulls out a giant glowing sword, jumps over Prime and slashes the wooden supports holding up the restaurant and warming house at the bottom of the ski hill.  The other Autobots run to hold up the building before it collapses too much.  At that moment, Scorponok detaches himself from X-Brawn and starts running towards Scourge.

X-Brawn: Oh no you don't, scraplet!

With his smaller, weaker arm, he reaches out and grabs Scorponok's arm.  Wasting no time, Scorponok's head pops off from the larger body, transforms into Lord Zarak, and continues the pursuit.  Megatron's giant torso-shaped ship appears above the ski hill.  The new Cybertronians fly up to its hatch, leaving only Scourge behind.  Almost unseen, Lord Zarak crawls into a vent in the dark one's leg.

Scourge: Next time we meet, Prime, your destruction is assured.

He follows his troops, and the ship disappears.  As Prime stares at the retreating ship, four differently-colored construction vehicles pull up behind him.

Build Boy: We're here, Prime!  Ready to initiate battle protocol as ordered!  And boy oh boy are we excited!  You won't regret this, Optimus.  We're ready to kick Predacon skidplate into the next galaxy.  Uh, Prime?  Are you alright?

Prime: <still looking at sky> Who was that magnificent creature?

The Autobots, still trying to avoid the military fire and keep the crumbling building together, begin to beat a quick retreat.

Prime: Let's... uh... <wipes away the closest thing a robot has to tears> let's head back to base.  There's nothing else for us here.  Except... KOJI!

<Beneath the wreck of the Hummer>

The young scout leader is trying to console the crying Koji.

Koji: I... I don't want to die like this.  I can't help that I'm only a child.  Did you know that I've never known a woman's touch?  I don't want to die without having experienced love at least once.  In these final moments, please... please... help me...

The woman briefly considers the proposition, but before she can say or do anything the Jeep is suddenly lifted from above them.

Prime: <holding the wrecked Jeep> Come on, Koji, let's go.

Koji: Aw... dammit, Prime!

As the space bridge portal opens to take them all back to Autobase, X-Brawn looks down at Scorponok, whose body has reverted to fortress mode.  Before he jumps into the portal he sees Kelly, and discreetly saunters off to revert to Vehicle Mode.

Kelly: There's my car!  I've been looking everywhere!

<Inside the Mountain -- An Ancient Crashed Autobot Ship>

Raksha: Good work, Mega-Octane.  You do not disappoint.  You did so well with that big, powerful gun of yours.

She pats him on the back of the leg.

Mega-Octane: Hands off the hardware, lady.

Raksha: Such a fitting debut for the Decepticons, don't you think, Megatron?

The Predacon Trio: Decepticons?

Megatron: Decepticons, eh?  I like the sound of that.

Raksha: And their leader... the ruthless... the terrible... the cunning... and most of all, the deadly and striking figure that is...

Scourge: Me.

Raksha tries to giggle like a schoolgirl, but it comes off as more of a dry, husky maniacal cackle.  

<Nearby>

Ignoring a nearly comatose and sniveling Peter Cullen, Dr. Onishi and Phil follow Megatron to another chamber in the badly damaged ship.

Phil Bond: I'd keep an eye on Scourge.  He's going to betray you, you know.

Megatron: Hm, you think so?

Phil Bond: Just call it a hunch.

Megatron: Your advice is indeed appreciated, Phil Bond, but this is quite the amicable arrangement.  The she-devil gets what she wants, and I also come one step closer to my realization of ultimate power!

A vaguely robotic form can be seen inside a darkened alcove.  The lights snap on to reveal what is, to Phil, the familiar curves of a headless robot.

Megatron: At last... Cerebros.  You are the key that will unlock the most powerful weapon this universe has ever seen.

Phil Bond: Woah, this is heavy.

Dr. Onishi: What does weight have to do with it?

Phil Bond: Sigh...

>To be continued