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       #Post#: 721--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: February 27, 2016, 5:05 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 50 – Forever Is a Long Time Coming
       Airdate: Saturday 27th February 2016
       Synopsis: Shortly after Medusa’s encounter with the Vok in
       timeline b; running hurriedly, she finds a strange, unnatural
       crack in the fabric of reality. As she approaches, its colour
       shifts from magenta to azure, and it begins to pulsate. Bracing
       herself, Medusa reaches out to the crack.
       Ancient Earth, a few billion years ago in timeline a – Cheetor,
       Silverbolt, Dinobot, Blackarachnia, K****h, Nightscream and
       Waspinator are gathered around the newly-gifted Legacy-Hunter,
       preparing to leave. Suddenly, Medusa stumbles into sight, a
       little disorientated. The Maximals assume that she is another
       returnee courtesy of the Legacy, but Medusa is simply taken
       aback when she sees the group. After a moment of taking in her
       surroundings, she confirms their assumption, and introduces
       herself. K****h quickly suggests that Medusa should come with
       them, which Cheetor agrees to as they cannot leave her alone on
       primitive Earth. Waspinator then bounces over to the new
       arrival, still talking with his original buzzy voice (though in
       first person), and introduces himself. He quietly adds that he
       knows she is a Predacon too, and that he is sure they shall
       become great friends, which Medusa half-scoffs at.
       Waspinator: You’re a Predacon too, right? I can tell! Don’t
       worry, I won’t let the otherzzz know if you don’t want me to.
       Medusa: Sure.
       Waspinator: I bet you and I are going to be great friendzzz! I
       can feel it!
       Medusa: Cheh.
       A couple of years, shortly after Cybertron’s victory over
       Unicron – Silverbolt, Blackarachnia, K****h, Nightscream and
       Razorbeak are celebrating in the bridge while a reformatted
       Medusa hangs back, faintly smiling. Heading deeper into the
       ship, she finds Waspinator sat alone solemnly. Noting that it is
       not like him, she stands beside him as he begins talking (in
       normal but light voice) about Tailturn, one of many bots trapped
       inside Unicron who got evacuated to parts unknown. He reiterates
       his promise to find and protect her, and Medusa chuckles at his
       crush, and nonchalantly claims that he shall find her.
       Waspinator: I promised her. I said I’d find her and I’d keep her
       safe.
       Medusa: *chuckles* Bless. You’re smitten. Well, you’ll find her,
       relax.
       The hornet-bot blushes at the crush comment, and forlornly
       states that he hopes she is right. Another while later, and
       Tailturn has just ascended to the Chandelier. Waspinator grimly
       walks past Medusa, both of them again in new forms; the
       viper-bot tells her long-time teammate that she is sorry, and he
       stops, shaking, on the verge of tears. He states that he never
       even got to say goodbye to Tailturn, and then comments that at
       least Medusa is always there for him. At this, she is greatly
       taken aback.
       Shortly after the defeat of Rainburst, and the large number of
       Valyssian Maximals (although they have no idea of the concept
       yet) are gathered on Cybertron, beginning to form the Elite
       Guard. Medusa is preparing to leave, when Waspinator approaches
       her – he asks what she is doing, and she says that she has been
       meaning to cut ties with the others for years. A little hurt,
       Waspinator points out that there must be a reason that she
       stayed with them for so long, and Medusa immediately responds
       that it was a tiring sense of duty. He tells her not to run
       away, and she snaps that she is not; the mech calmly points out
       that, as he sees it, she has simply realised how much she has
       grown since first joining the team, and it scares her. Medusa
       dismisses his claims, but once he leaves, she exhales heavily
       and begins unpacking again.
       Waspinator: You’re being stupid…
       Medusa: I’m not. I should’ve left long ago.
       Waspinator: But you didn’t, so there must have been a good
       reason. You’ve been with us for years and years, pretty much
       since the beginning.
       Medusa: Yes, I had an exhausting sense of duty, and I’m done
       feeling obligated.
       Waspinator: Yeah?
       Medusa: Yeah.
       Waspinator: *after a pause* That’s still no reason to do this.
       Don’t just run away.
       Medusa: I am NOT running away!
       Waspinator: I think you are. As far as I see it, this is the
       first time you’ve been able to just stop and think about
       everything that’s happened. I know I’ve done a lot of thinking…
       and honestly? It scares me. I’ve changed, so much. You have too.
       You’ve grown a whole lot, and you’re frightened. It’s okay. I
       understand. I’m here for you, we all are – I can’t say you’ve
       changed for the better, cause like I said, I sure as slag don’t
       think I have… but, well… you’re still you. And we still love
       you.
       Medusa: *flinches* You’re wrong.
       Waspinator: Yeah?
       Medusa: Yes, Waspinator.
       Waspinator: If you say so. Just remember that I’m here for you,
       okay? You’d do the same for me… even if you’d hate to admit it.
       Twenty years later, on the Puzzle Construction and Testing
       Satellite, Medusa is helping some of the other Maximals
       construct the Puzzle while Waspinator and Streetwise watch on –
       she overhears him telling the cat-bot that he shall always
       protect her, and grimaces. She goes to call out to him, but
       Dinobot requests her help (referring to her as Hex).
       Half-smiling at the Utahraptor-bot, she goes to assist him. Back
       on Cybertron a few months later, Dinobot and Hex are two of the
       bots watching the approach of a Predacon fleet. She guiltily
       leads him aside, and begins to explain that, amongst the
       Predacons that appear, there will be a younger version of
       herself. Confused, Dinobot implores her to elaborate; the
       viper-bot explains that she was not a Legacy returnee, but came
       from the distant future. An earlier version of herself is
       amongst the coming Predacons – Dinobot quickly realises that
       this is why she had changed her name recently. Hex nods, noting
       that she believes that, rather than having events play out as
       intended, her presence is an alteration to events.
       Hex: The thing is, I’m certain that this isn’t some…
       self-fulfilling prophecy, some predestination paradox. I’m not
       making sure that events happened the way they were meant to, I’m
       changing them in a million tiny ways. I’m rewriting history.
       She does not ever remember having seen a future version of
       herself, and if her young self were to learn of this, it could
       cause even more damage. Dinobot asks if Hex had travelled back
       for a reason, to prevent something; the fembot sneers that it
       was simply her need to survive.
       Waspinator (now with familiar deeper voice) and Hex briefly
       reunite on Trayka amidst Megatron’s chaotic attack. She goes to
       explain herself, but he states that he has already worked it out
       – that the venomous Medusa who roped him into the Predacons is
       an earlier iteration of her. Hex nods, and apologises, while
       Waspinator simply remarks coldly that she assumedly revives
       after his killing of her. She nods, and adds that she cannot
       explain the details, before adding that Megatron has killed so
       many of them.
       Hex: Mhm. I wouldn’t be here otherwise… it’s complicated, and I
       can’t tell you. I’m sorry. They… they’re all dying, Waspinator.
       Megatron’s killed so many of us…
       Waspinator promises to stop him, and (somewhat awkwardly) hugs
       her comfortingly. We briefly see, some five years later, Hex
       alongside Waspinator, Illyiara, Nightfall, Daybreak and Vapour
       aboard the Fibonacci; and then along with Emberscales Prime,
       Waspinator, Uproar, Cloudraker, Vapour, Sonar, Constant and
       Prophecy next to the Arcrise Machine. Waspinator turns to Hex,
       checking that she always knew this would happen; she nods and
       smiles softly. We have another brief moment with Hex along with
       the rest of the Epsilon-Zero team combatting Predacons aboard
       Fortress Maximus. Some months on, Hex approaches Waspinator
       aboard Leviathan, his own memories restored – she admits to
       having retained her memories, though her she can barely recall
       her times as the “other” Medusa; she then briefly hints towards
       the information stored within her.
       Waspinator: You didn’t have to get your memories restored.
       Hex: I’m sorry; I’ve remembered timeline a all along.
       Waspinator: That’s fine. It’s not like we would’ve believed you…
       I always did wonder why Medusa reminded me of you…
       Hex: Hey! Wait, I shouldn’t take offence at that… ugh, it’s been
       so long since I was her, you know? It just feels bizarre.
       Waspinator: She’s still our captive.
       Hex: I know what happens next.
       Waspinator: Oh?
       Hex: Can’t tell you. Sorry.
       Waspinator: I think that’s your favourite word.
       Hex: Heh…
       Waspinator: So why were you fortunate enough to retain your
       memories? Luck of the draw?
       Hex: No, probably… the little secret in my neck. I’ll tell you
       one day. Once you catch up with me… once we reach the point I
       travelled back from. I promise.
       Waspinator: I’ll hold you to that.
       We then jump to her getting hit by a fragment as Dinobot
       destroys the One True Matrix. She reels, in pain and stunned…
       but quickly finds her battle-wounds healing up, an effect of her
       fragment. Various moments pass by, with Hex as part of the Dawn
       Katana crew, aboard Leviathan during the final strike on
       Necrocide, fighting and falling in the battle against the ACL,
       and in timeline c as Unitus Prime and Arcrise join the team on
       Fothai. The Prime gives her a reassuring smile, which she
       returns in kind.
       The present – Unitus Prime is sat, with his head in his hands,
       stating that he remembers everything, but that he is still aware
       that it is wrong. Hex – Medusa – tells him that she knows it is,
       but now that she is set in place, she can finally begin acting
       on the information that she has been carrying. At this, the crew
       give her a confused look, while Fixoma looms in the distance.
       Cast:
       Medusa/Hex – Luci Christian
       Cheetor – Ian James Corlett
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       K****h – Mae Whitman
       Silverbolt – Scott McNeil
       Nightscream – Alessandro Juliani
       Blackarachnia – Venus Terzo
       Waspinator/Unitus Prime – Scott McNeil
       Razorbeak – David Anders
       Gigabyte – Bella Hudson
       Huntdown – Corey Burton
       Streetwise – Bernadette Peters
       Vapour – Corey Burton
       Illyiara/Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Daybreak – Tania Raymonde
       Nightfall – Josh Keaton
       Emberscales Prime – Jason Michas
       Prophecy – Jocelyne Loewen
       Uproar – Alessandro Juliani
       Cloudraker – Lauren Tom
       Constant – Jeremy Davies
       Sonar – Laura Bailey
       Ironfist – Colin Murdoch
       Rapticon – Billy West
       Blizzard – Eden Sher
       Howlback – Kate Higgins
       Tidal Wave – James Arnold Taylor
       Cross-Shot – Karen Gillen
       Snapjaw – David Leisure
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Buzzstreak – Sasha Paysinger
       Paladin – Brendan Hines
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Andromeda – Daniela Bobadilla
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 724--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: March 5, 2016, 5:58 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 51 – Little Whispered Secrets
       Airdate: Saturday 5th March 2016
       Synopsis: The Epsilon-Zero team are waiting in the facility on
       Fixoma, clearly tense. On the monitors, Necrocide is
       transporting the Valyssia engine through the wastelands of
       Valoran – Quickpaw observes that she feels unsettled every time
       she sees the villain’s insane grin. Freeline furrows her brow
       all the while, and mutters that she knows who Hex is.
       Unitus Prime is deep in thought as the Dawn Katana lands down
       outside of the facility; Arcrise approaches him, telling him
       that Medusa (or rather, Hex) is now a part of their history, and
       that he must accept everything that has passed. The Prime
       agrees, muttering that he remembers everything he has been
       through with her… but he still knows it is a change to what had
       originally happened.
       Unitus Prime: I know. It’s all there, it’s all happened.
       Everything she and I went through… it’s all real. But I still
       remember it happening without her too… it feels wrong to
       remember a timeline with her and it feels wrong to remember one
       without her.
       She asks if this is what it was like when he regained his
       timeline a memories on Leviathan, and he notes that it was
       similar. The team prepares to disembark, with Medusa explaining
       that she has guided another team – including the other members
       of the supposed Final Thirteen – to the planet in advance. As
       Wildfire begins to question why, the viper-bot says that she
       shall explain everything shortly; all the while, Prophecy stares
       out at the facility, observing that it feels familiar. Necrocide
       reaches the outskirts of Sepurt, and finds a group of armed
       Valoranians approaching him. They refer to him as a hybrid; he
       informs them of who he is, and they immediately begin to back
       away from the legendary war criminal.
       Valoranian 1: Halt! You have been identified as a hybrid.
       Valoranian 2: Part-Valoranian, part-Cybertronian. Origin
       unknown.
       Necrocide: What a welcoming committee. I guess the history books
       don’t have any good photos of me?
       *the Valoranians do not respond*
       Necrocide: I’m Necrocide. My reputation clearly does not precede
       me…
       *terrified, the group begins to back away*
       Necrocide: Ah, there we go, that’s more like it. Thank you.
       Necrocide chuckles diabolically at them, and uses his psionic
       abilities to telekinetically crush one of them. The other
       Valoranians flee, but quickly fall to Necrocide’s power and
       insanity as well. The crew of the Dawn Katana head through the
       Fixoma facility, with Prophecy repeatedly getting distracted by
       the equipment and different rooms – reaching the surveillance
       room, Medusa welcomes the Epsilon-Zero team. Freeline
       immediately questions the history-altering bot about her new
       memories, and Paladin interrupts, quickly summarising that she
       is the Predacon Medusa of another timeline, travelled back into
       the past and causing alterations that have only just set in.
       Arcrise adds that she is now considering the alterations to be
       timelines a*, b* and c*, meaning that they are now dealing with
       six timelines. Wildfire and Swingback share an exhausted glance
       at this, while Mirage and Scale notice the monitors following
       Necrocide.
       The citizens of Sepurt are stunned and panicked as Necrocide
       traipses through the streets, the Valyssia engine still floating
       overhead. The villain is grinning gleefully, occasionally
       attacking stray Valoranians, when he halts, noting that he can
       sense a Cybertronian. The Valyssia engine bounces in mid-air –
       Dinobot has landed on top of it, with Sickleclaw watching on
       from a nearby rooftop. As Dinobot investigates the surface of
       the engine, Necrocide sends it flying down the street on its
       side. The Utahraptor-bot leaps off, and Necrocide greets him as
       he floats the Valyssia engine back up above the buildings;
       Dinobot grimly tells the false Prime not to use the machine but
       is dismissed immediately.
       Necrocide: Dinobot! It’s been a while… we’ve rarely had the
       chance to have a proper conversation, have we?
       Dinobot: You mustn’t use the Valyssia engine.
       Necrocide: Tough. I’m going to.
       Sickleclaw watches on all the while, on-edge as Dinobot takes a
       step towards his opponent and insists that the use of the engine
       is extremely risky. Necrocide remarks that he is all for taking
       a risk, as he wants to wipe the Cybertronian race out of
       existence and intends on using the engine to do so. The Maximals
       watch on from Fixoma all the while, and Andromeda questions why
       they are sitting back and watching what Necrocide does. Medusa
       steps up, and informs the gathered bots that, before they act,
       she needs to explain the knowledge that she has been carrying
       with her for years. She begins by confronting Unitus Prime, and
       confirming for him once again that there is nothing regarding
       the Final Thirteen in ancient records.
       Medusa: To start… yes, Unitus, your suspicions are correct.
       There’s no record of the Final Thirteen anywhere prior to you
       and your team donning the Hope Braces in timeline b. Certainly
       nothing in the usual records – the Covenant of Primus, the
       temple walls on Manterax, the Gallifreyan Matrix… everything
       Cybertronian or otherwise, not a single word about a Final
       Thirteen.
       She expects that the very concept was written into being by the
       Debt Collector via the Arcrise Machine. Mirage wonders to what
       end this would be, and Medusa notes that she is unsure… but what
       she does know is that records instead speak of eight who were
       drawn together by fate, and who shall act as the final arbiters
       of the Cybertronian race. They are, of course; Unitus Prime,
       Scale, Buzzstreak, Paladin, Mirage, Wildfire, Swingback and
       Andromeda. The group are surprised, while Hummingstreak whispers
       to Ripple that he has no idea what is going on.
       Necrocide laughs at Dinobot, noting that he is unarmed and
       powerless. Smiling bitterly, the former-Archaicon states that
       words are his weapon now, but Necrocide scoffs that they have no
       effect on him. All the while, Ferros asks Medusa what purpose
       the Epsilon-Zero crew serves – the viper-bot explains that she
       assumes that the other members of the Final Thirteen have some
       significance and were not random choices.
       Ferros: Hold on. If those bots are this special eight, what’s
       the need for the rest of us? You’re supposed to be the one who
       brought us together… what for?
       Medusa: Because some of you were members of the Final Thirteen.
       If the Debt Collector selected the Thirteen, those of you not
       amongst the eight are probably not random choices. You’re
       significant. Even if you were red herrings, you mean something.
       She then explains that they must remain in the facility, while
       leading the Dawn Katana crew off to the cylindrical chamber. The
       Epsilon-Zero crew look at one another, wondering who among them
       were also amongst the Final Thirteen. Dinobot continues to
       insist that Necrocide give up on his path before it is too late,
       but the villain suggests that it is already far too late for
       him. He then kills some of the surrounding Valoranians, and
       giggles as he asks Dinobot if it upsets his honour. The saurian
       snarls, just as Unitus Prime attacks Necrocide from behind.
       Wildfire telekinetically guides the Valyssia engine as it falls
       from Necrocide’s control, while Paladin and Mirage add to the
       assault on the villain before he can recover. Medusa steps over
       to Dinobot all the while, suggesting he step back; he looks at
       her, deep in thought, before greeting her as “old friend”.
       Medusa: It’s best to step back, Dinobot. Words won’t help here.
       *Dinobot stares at her for a few moments*
       Dinobot: It’s good to see you again, old friend.
       Medusa: *smiles* And you.
       The Unitus/Paladin/Mirage tag-team continues to face Necrocide,
       with feral Swingback joining in the fray, while the Epsilon-Zero
       team watches on from the facility. Sickleclaw is also watching
       from her rooftop, somewhat scornfully, as Scale clambers up – he
       questions her not joining the fight, and she tells him that
       Dinobot told her to keep back, as fighting Necrocide is
       suicidal. Scale begins priming a sniper rifle all the while, and
       notes that Dinobot must care about her a lot. As his allies
       focus Necrocide on one spot, he fires directly at the villain’s
       head. The shell is telekinetically deflected back at the last
       minute, striking Sickleclaw; enraged, Dinobot transforms and
       dives into the fray, disrupting the unified actions of the
       Maximals while Necrocide cackles diabolically.
       Cast:
       Necrocide – Billy West
       Parallax – David Kaye
       Freeline – Wendee Lee
       Umbraven – Ellen Page
       Quickpaw – Alessandra Torresani
       Noxa – Mathew Baynton
       Straight-Aim – Alessandro Juliani
       Hummingstreak – James Arnold Taylor
       Ripple – Christina Ricci
       Ferros – Tony Todd
       Unitus Prime – Scott McNeil
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Medusa – Luci Christian
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Prophecy – Jocelyn Loewen
       Paladin – Brendan Hines
       Andromeda – Daniela Bobadilla
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Buzzstreak – Sasha Paysinger
       Valoranian 1 – Scott McNeil
       Valoranian 2 – Luci Christian
       Valoranian 3 – Wendee Lee
       Valoranian 4 – Tony Todd
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 727--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: March 12, 2016, 4:47 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 52 – Unlock
       Airdate: Saturday 12th March 2016
       Synopsis: Dinobot continues to ferociously tear into Necrocide
       in Utahraptor mode, as the diabolical villain cackles
       hysterically. Unitus Prime, Paladin, Mirage and Swingback try to
       find a way into the fray, while Medusa turns her attentions to
       Scale and Sickleclaw far above.
       On the rooftop far above the conflict, Sickleclaw is heavily
       wounded; as Scale tends to her, she insists that he focus on
       taking out Necrocide, but the former-mercenary remarks that it
       is too difficult to do so anyway with Dinobot attacking so
       aggressively. Upon hearing this, the younger bot crawls to the
       edge of the roof, looking down at her mentor’s fury in dismay.
       Necrocide taunts Dinobot as the one-sided fight continues, until
       Unitus Prime suddenly blasts the saurian-bot into a nearby
       building. Paladin, Mirage and Swingback – with Buzzstreak and
       Andromeda providing additional fire – lay into Necrocide, while
       Unitus confronts the transformed Dinobot, telling him to stand
       down. Furious and incensed, Dinobot snarls that he has to make
       Necrocide pay for harming Sickleclaw; Unitus snaps that this is
       not like him, and when Dinobot questions how he would know, the
       Prime exclaims that they have been friends for years.
       Dinobot: Let me fight! He has to pay, he has to suffer for
       hurting Sickleclaw!
       Unitus Prime: Stop, Dinobot! Calm down, this isn’t like you!
       Dinobot: How would you know?!
       Unitus Prime: Because I’ve known you for years!
       Before anything more can be said, Medusa contacts Unitus, and
       tells him that Sickleclaw is healed. Up on the rooftop, she
       finishes using her healing Fragment ability to restore
       Sickleclaw to full health, and the Velociraptor-bot thanks her,
       somewhat taken aback. Dinobot is immediately relieved, and
       Unitus firmly tells him to stay back, before leaping back into
       the fight against Necrocide.
       Dinobot: She’s safe… she’s well…
       Unitus Prime: Now, stay here. Do not get involved.
       All the while, Wildfire and Arcrise attempt to move the Valyssia
       engine out of the city – Wildfire asks what the engine is, and
       Arcrise explains that it can be used to rewrite fate, recounts
       in brief the events involving it in timeline b, and reminds him
       about the Ignition keys recovered when they found Andromeda. The
       bobcat-bot awkwardly says that he was somewhat distracted during
       that mission, and Arcrise mentions that the keys are necessary
       to power the Valyssia engine. Their conversation is halted as
       Necrocide’s attention reaches them and the engine falls back
       under his telekinetic control. Scale quickly takes the
       opportunity, firing on the distracted villain and actually
       striking him in the head: he collapses to the ground
       immediately.
       Cautiously, the Maximals approach Necrocide, head clearly blown
       open. Unitus Prime reaches to the false Prime’s chest, only for
       dozens of shadowy tendrils to ensnare his hand – the skin of
       Necrocide’s face pulls away from his skull, cackling insanely as
       his oily-black substance attempts to transfer to the Prime. In
       response, Unitus opens his chest cavity, unveiling the glowing
       light of the Matrix, which wards Necrocide back into submission.
       He then reaches into Necrocide’s own chest, pulling out the
       incomplete timeline c Matrix and clearly causing the Valoranian
       pain. Medusa joins the others, congratulating them on their work
       before dragging Necrocide off by the head.
       Medusa: Well done, guys. You did spectacularly.
       Scale and Sickleclaw join the others, and Dinobot immediately
       heads for his charge, clearly grateful that she is alive and
       well. Sickleclaw smiles at Dinobot, and embraces him, before
       stating that she must leave him. The older bot is taken aback,
       and Sickleclaw elaborates that she saw how he reacted when she
       was injured and dying. If he wants to reflect and try to regain
       his old self, he needs to do so alone. Visibly upset at this,
       Dinobot agrees nevertheless, and wishes both her and the
       Maximals luck.
       Dinobot: … you’re right. No attachments, nothing but myself.
       Good luck, Sickleclaw; all of you.
       He then heads off further into the city. Arcrise asks Unitus if
       she should merge the timeline b Valyssia engine, still attached
       to her chest, with the timeline c one; the Prime agrees to this,
       just as Andromeda questions where Prophecy has gone. Looking
       around in confusion, Unitus says that he shall look for her, and
       orders the others to head back to Fixoma. They head off,
       Sickleclaw included, although Buzzstreak hesitates. In the
       facility on Fixoma, the Epsilon-Zero team congratulates Medusa
       on the defeat of Necrocide, as she puts him into extreme
       quarantine. The viper-bot coldly states that it is still far too
       early to celebrate, and that she needs to find her younger
       (though of course no longer truly alternate) self in this
       timeline.
       Unitus Prime finds Prophecy sat on a bench a few streets away.
       He sits beside her, and asks if she is okay – she tells him that
       her head has felt fuzzy since Medusa appeared, and it scares
       her. Smiling, he gently hugs her, and asks if she can remember
       the talk they had when her mind was clear for an abnormally long
       time. She nods, and rhetorically asks why feeling wrong must
       always feel right.
       Unitus Prime: Hey now… do you remember that one time, when your
       mind was clear for longer than usual… you talked to me, all
       about how you felt?
       Prophecy: *nods* Mhm… why does it always feel so right to feel
       wrong?
       After a brief moment of the two simply sat there, him supporting
       her, she jumps up excitedly, and exclaims that “you’re the
       keys”. Unitus questions what she means, but she simply takes his
       hand and leads him away. The others are already back on Fixoma,
       as Medusa runs scans on Necrocide to make sure that he is fully
       quarantined and sedated. Prophecy skips in, once again humming
       Fauré’s Pavane with Unitus in tow; immediately heading to the
       others, she exclaims that they are the keys to fate. Many of the
       team are immediately hesitant at this, having already supposedly
       been members of the Final Thirteen, but Medusa backs up her
       claim. “Hex” asks the bots what they think the Valyssia engine
       is – she explains that it is a tool for them to save the
       Cybertronian race and lead them to Valyssia. The eight of them
       were drawn together by the shattered Matrix (with Andromeda
       unreachable across universes, but still inevitably drawn into
       the fold), as Valyssia itself knew they would be needed. Scale
       asks what they need to do now, and Medusa claims that they must
       unlock themselves, although she is not yet sure what that even
       entails.
       Scale: Fine. So we’re supposed to save the Cybertronian race.
       Now what?
       Medusa: You have to – ironically enough – unlock yourselves. I
       don’t know what that actually requires, or involves, but that’s
       what you’re meant to do.
       Nodding, Unitus steps aside, stating that he shall try and
       decide on their next course of action. As he finds a quiet place
       to think, Buzzstreak joins him; he asks her what she is doing,
       and she informs him that she needs to resolve something once and
       for all. She then tells him that she loved him, and that she
       wanted him to know so that she could get closure. At first
       unsure how to respond, the Prime then smiles warmly, and thanks
       her for telling him.
       On Earth, a huge number of Megatrons are gathered out in the
       streets of the ever rain-beaten city. The nefarious-looking
       Megatron 1 takes to a huge stage (in fact a topped skyscraper),
       and rallies his fellow clones, stating that their time hiding is
       over, and their conquest shall now begin.
       Cast:
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Necrocide – Billy West
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Unitus Prime – Scott McNeil
       Paladin – Brendan Hines
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Medusa – Luci Christian
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Andromeda – Daniela Bobadilla
       Buzzstreak – Sasha Paysinger
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Freeline – Wendee Lee
       Hummingstreak – James Arnold Taylor
       Noxa – Mathew Baynton
       Quickpaw – Alessandra Torresani
       Straight-Aim – Alessandro Juliani
       Parallax – David Kaye
       Ripple – Christina Ricci
       Ferros – Tony Todd
       Umbraven – Ellen Page
       Prophecy – Jocelyn Loewen
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 735--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: April 9, 2016, 4:32 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 53 – Other Volitions
       Airdate: Saturday 9th April 2016
       Synopsis: A few months ago. The broken ruins of the Wreckers’
       ship lies in the midst of an alien rainforest. Inside, timeline
       c*’s Medusa finishes gathering up weapons and equipment as her
       former teammates lie dead and desecrated around the bridge. With
       her face still scarred, she treks into the rainforest.
       An incredibly futuristic city, bustling with tall aliens –
       Buzzstreak, now with a bob cut again, leads Quickpaw and
       Umbraven into a large building, and addresses the automated
       reception system in alien tongue. Quickpaw is taken aback by
       this, until Umbraven points out Cynder’s Legacy crystal in the
       bee-bot’s Hope Brace and remarks that it allows her to
       auto-translate languages.
       Quickpaw: Whoa. Who knew she could speak like that?
       Umbraven: It’s the crystal in the thing on her wrist.
       Quickpaw: Hope Brace.
       Umbraven: Yes, Hope Brace. That crystal gives her the power to
       translate any language, automatically. I imagine it’s a two-way
       process.
       Quickpaw: So she’s speaking normally and it’s translating for
       her? Fancy.
       Turning to the two, Buzzstreak informs them that they are to
       meet with the Informant immediately. As they proceed up the
       building in an elevator-like propulsion chamber, Quickpaw
       ponders aloud if Unitus Prime has found her “sister” yet.
       Buzzstreak assures her that he shall manage it, and Umbraven
       quips that she has incredible faith in the Prime. Smiling,
       Buzzstreak explains that the Dawn Katana crew are her family,
       and she knows what they are capable of. Quickpaw adds that this
       is why they accompanied Buzzstreak on her mission to learn what
       it means to “unlock”, and Umbraven mumbles that she was fine
       staying at the facility on Fixoma. Elsewhere, “our” Medusa is
       exploring a massive construction in deep space, a hexagonal
       tracking device in-hand. Reaching the centre of the
       construction, she finds a large column that runs through the
       structure, with a walkway leading to it and many controls
       nearby. The Debt Collector explains that it is an electromagnet
       that powers the construction – Medusa turns to her, and asks if
       it is in fact her that she has been tracking. The villain nods,
       and claims that she cannot allow the anomaly to find her
       alternate self.
       Debt Collector: You’re an anomaly. Your existence simply
       shouldn’t be. And I won’t let you find your alternate self in
       this timeline.
       When Medusa asks why, the powerful fembot responds that she is
       already enough of a problem as-is, and all iterations of her
       must be removed. She proceeds to lunge at Medusa, and the two
       begin to brawl fiercely.
       Buzzstreak, Quickpaw and Umbraven’s propulsion chamber finally
       reaches a halt, and the trio step out into a large, dimly-lit
       room. A particularly-tall alien in full impressive regalia
       welcomes the Cybertronians, and tells them that there were
       complications in his introspecting for the answer they seek.
       Quickpaw chimes in, curious as to how the Informant’s power
       actually works; Umbraven suggests that she is being insensitive,
       but the Informant explains anyway. His power derives from an
       “infinite point” within his body, which allows him to explore
       all of the knowledge in the universe. It simply takes him time
       to search, hence needing to be sent requests in advance. The
       entire civilisation has advanced so far in no small part thanks
       to his ability. Buzzstreak asks how her request has proven so
       difficult to fulfil, and the powerful alien states that it seems
       to be knowledge only found in a single place in the whole
       universe.
       Buzzstreak: You said there were complications with my request.
       Informant: Yes. As I said, it takes me time to find information…
       there is a whole universe to search through. In the case of the
       information you seek, it seems to only exist in a single
       location.
       His comprehension of it is faint, but as he understands it,
       “unlocking” is simply a process of full self-awareness and
       -understanding. Buzzstreak is confused by this, and questions
       why they had not unintentionally unlocked themselves before.
       Smiling, the Informant tells her that it is not something that
       can be done without realising. Medusa and the Debt Collector
       continue to fight, now on the walkway, repeatedly transforming
       and dealing one another heavy blows. The Debt Collector begins
       choking Medusa with one of her chains, cackling that she does
       not have any desire to use most of her powers when the thrill of
       killing Medusa with her bare hands is so enjoyable.
       Debt Collector: *cackling maniacally* I could crush you in an
       instant! I could smear you from existence! But who cares? This
       is amazing! Killing you with my bare hands, it’s exhilarating!
       Transforming somewhat forcefully, Medusa proceeds to bite the
       Debt Collector, pumping cyber-venom into her. She then
       transforms back as the villain reels, chain leaving her neck,
       and rams the other bot into the column.
       Medusa draws back, as the Debt Collector attempts to move
       forward… and finds that her chains are magnetised to the column.
       Smirking, the viper-bot heads over to the controls and begins to
       slowly increase the electromagnet’s power – the Debt Collector’s
       chains steadily draw her back against the column, until she is
       bound tight against it. The magnetism continues increasing,
       starting to respond to the technological parts of the Debt
       Collector’s body, pressing her tighter and tighter to the column
       and drawing her head close so that the side of her face is
       against it. As Medusa mans the controls, she tells the villain
       that she is still more than willing to murder for the greater
       good; the Debt Collector’s body begins to flatten itself as she
       screams out in agony, magnetic forces compressing her until,
       with a grotesque noise, her technological components crush down,
       bursting her organics and leaving her a disgusting mess.
       Medusa: It’s been a while since I’ve killed, you know. Probably
       longer than I realise. I might be a Maximal now… but I’d kill
       the likes of you in a spark-pulse, for the greater good.
       Content with this, Medusa checks her scanner and locates a new
       reading. Buzzstreak, Quickpaw and Umbraven are headed back down
       in the propulsion chamber; Umbraven asks Buzzstreak how she
       intends on unlocking herself, and the bee-bot suggests that it
       is simply a matter of introspecting. Though Umbraven fears that
       may take time, Quickpaw assures Buzzstreak that they will
       support her as much as possible. A small ship, piloted by
       Medusa, reaches a moon – landing down beside another ship, she
       steps out and is immediately attacked by her alternate self. The
       Predacon quickly recognises her other self, and backs away,
       intensely confused, as “our” Medusa explains swiftly that she is
       herself from another timeline and that she needs to remove
       Necrocide’s scar quickly.
       Medusa (timeline c*): Wait… you’re me. That doesn’t make sense.
       You look so different but- but you’re me.
       Medusa: Yes.
       Medusa (timeline c*): Explain. And it best make sense.
       Medusa: In short… I’m you from another timeline… and the future,
       and the past… for ease, let’s just say another timeline. I
       needed to find you, and the scar.
       Medusa (timeline c*): You don’t have one…
       Medusa: But you do, and we have to remove it, as quickly as
       possible.
       A chain suddenly ensnares timeline c* Medusa’s neck, jerking and
       snapping it in an instant. “Our” Medusa is stunned, as the Debt
       Collector smirks at her, applauding her for giving her a
       creative death.
       Cast:
       Buzzstreak – Sasha Paysinger
       Quickpaw – Alessandra Torresani
       Umbraven – Ellen Page
       Automated Reception System – Scott McNeil
       Medusa – Luci Christian
       Debt Collector – Selma Blair
       Informant – David Kaye
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 737--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: April 16, 2016, 12:20 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 54 – Other Ventures
       Airdate: Saturday 16th April 2016
       Synopsis: Still heavily-damaged and under quarantined lockdown,
       Necrocide mutters to himself, his body occasionally twitching.
       Freeline watches over the villain, visibly cautious and uneasy.
       She walks away, and Necrocide grins insidiously.
       A small, elegant ship lands down in a temperate plain. Unitus
       Prime leads Prophecy, Arcrise, Hummingstreak, Ripple and
       Straight-Aim out, and together they greet a gathered group of
       Cybertronians. It is made clear that Unitus had sent out a
       message, directly to each and every Cybertronian, summoning them
       to this universe. With introductions made, Unitus leads the
       group aboard the ship – when the leader of the group, Ricochet,
       notes that the ship is too small for them all to board, the
       Prime opens a doorway at the back of the bridge and guides them
       in. Beyond the door is a vast, expansive city, with other
       Cybertronians milling about. Unitus explains that this is their
       temporary home, a pocket dimension which cannot be detected or
       reached by any of their enemies.
       Unitus Prime: This is where you’ll be living, for now. It’s a
       pocket dimension – I’m sure you gathered as much – and it’s
       perfectly safe. It’s undetectable, unreachable, and functionally
       indestructible.
       The group expresses their amazement, and Hummingstreak explains
       rapidly that Arcrise is using her incredible powers to generate
       this entire city, albeit it means she cannot do much else
       (Ripple double-checks that they understood him). Straight-Aim
       adds that the city automatically registers their presence, and
       so they shall know once they have gathered everyone. Curious,
       Ricochet asks how many more of their kind they need to find –
       Unitus smiles, and remarks that they are thankfully closer to
       the end, with only another two hundred or so. Prophecy then
       excitedly leads the group off to explore.
       Prophecy: Ooh, ooh, you guys should check out this place here,
       they sell thingy-majigs! Like, really cool ones! Look, look!
       In the Fixoma facility, Scale and Swingback are discussing
       earlier adventures as Ferros watches on; he asks the two if they
       are really okay staying with him, Noxa and Freeline, as their
       presence seems to be more a good-will gesture from Unitus than a
       necessity. Swingback assures him that they opted to stay to help
       out, especially as the “keys to fate” are not needed together
       yet anyway. Ferros clearly remains unconvinced.
       Meanwhile, Noxa visits Necrocide’s quarantined prison, but
       finds no signs of movement. He quickly summons Freeline, and as
       she rushes in, he tells her that has to check over Necrocide.
       The fembot immediately tells him not to, as the captive is a
       ruthless murderer who could well be fooling them – Noxa
       nonetheless feels the need to check, as he is a medic (and of
       course, if Necrocide is dead, he is no longer a concern for
       them).
       Freeline: Don’t. You can’t trust him, he’s a mass-murderer with
       no remorse. For all we know, he’s faking it just to try and get
       close to us.
       Noxa: I know, I know that, but I… I can’t just see someone like
       this and not try to do something. I’m a medic, empathy is kind
       of my modus operandi.
       Freeline: He’s a criminal…
       Noxa: And if he is dead, then he’s no longer a problem. But we
       need to be sure.
       Freeline instead runs a diagnostic scan remotely, and finds that
       the body shows no signs of life; cautiously breaching the
       quarantine, Noxa enters, checking over the body. Strangely, he
       cannot diagnose a cause of death. The medic takes a deep breath,
       exhales, and then leaves, the chamber returning to quarantine.
       Unitus Prime’s ship journeys through space – the crew are
       discussing their next location, a world called Yyl-3, before
       Unitus asks the junior trio if they have ever heard of the Vok.
       Met only with confusion, the Prime explains that they are some
       manner of extra-dimensional entity who have involved themselves
       in conflicts on occasion. Medusa had confided in him that it was
       the Vok who guided her into the past, and she seems to be acting
       as their new emissary, whether she realises it or not. Ripple
       asks if this would be a problem, and Unitus suggests that she
       could wind up acting against their race’s best interests down
       the line.
       Ripple: Is that a bad thing? I mean, sincerely, I have no idea
       if her acting for these Vok would be a problem…
       Unitus Prime: It could be. The Vok aren’t our allies, they’re an
       outside force. If they push Medusa to do what they want, that
       could mean her acting against us. We want what’s best for the
       Cybertronian race… I just don’t know if they do.
       Although he trusts her, he fears for the possibilities with
       their influence on her. Prophecy announces that the Vok shall
       not appear this time either, resulting in general confusion
       amongst the crew (including herself). Straight-Aim then suggests
       that the Vok are influencing everyone in some way, and Arcrise
       states that they have to free themselves from other influences
       if they wish to find their own paths in life.
       Noxa and Freeline inform Scale, Swingback and Ferros that
       Necrocide has died – the trio are all suspicious of this, but
       Noxa insists that their enemy shows no signs of life. He then
       coughs heavily, concerning Freeline while Scale narrows his eyes
       in suspicion. An alarm sounds, and Ferros brings up security
       footage to reveal Necrocide’s corpse attempting to break free.
       The elephant-bot opts to head down and kill the Valoranian,
       dismissing Noxa’s diagnosis. Scale tells the others to cover
       their mouths and leave the room swiftly.
       Scale: Cover your mouths. Right now. Don’t breathe in, and
       follow me out of the room.
       Ferros reaches the quarantined chamber, and smashes it open
       before crushing Necrocide’s body, breathing heavily in rage and
       exertion – Scale contacts him, and orders him not to breathe.
       When the hulking Maximal responds in confusion, his arm moves
       beyond his control and slices his head off. The others are
       stunned, and Scale explains that Necrocide is employing his
       telepathic abilities by having them ingest tissue particle,
       which his mind is coasting on. Swingback clarifies that the
       villain psychically abandoned his body and inhabited myriad
       stray skin particles, which Scale confirms even as Noxa lunges
       for them. Freeline responds in kind, knocking the controlled
       medic back and suggesting that they run. Scale, Swingback and
       Freeline exit the room, locking Noxa inside – Swingback suggests
       that they have to put the whole facility under quarantine, but
       Freeline adds that they too may be “infected”.
       Swingback: Necrocide’s… mini-me’s could be all over the place
       already. We need to put the entire place under quarantine.
       Freeline: You’re right, but we might have particles of him in us
       too. We can’t say for sure that we didn’t breathe any in… we’d
       have to quarantine ourselves too.
       As the trio ponder this, another realisation hits them…
       Necrocide’s chamber has been breached. The villain, back in his
       own body, swiftly makes his escape from the facility, cackling
       madly and cooing that he shall leave a parting gift. The
       Maximals hear a sickening thud in the locked room before they
       can act. Scale opens the door again, and grimly informs his
       companions that Noxa is dead. Swingback insists that they follow
       Necrocide, but Scale points out that he could easily control and
       dispel them if they give chase. They must cleanse themselves
       first… and let the mass-murderer slip through their fingers.
       Cast:
       Necrocide – Billy West
       Freeline – Wendee Lee
       Unitus Prime – Scott McNeil
       Hummingstreak – James Arnold Taylor
       Ripple – Christina Ricci
       Ricochet –
       Prophecy – Jocelyn Loewen
       Straight-Aim – Alessandro Juliani
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Ferros – Tony Todd
       Noxa – Mathew Baynton
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 740--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: April 23, 2016, 5:48 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 55 – Other Virtues
       Airdate: Saturday 23rd April 2016
       Synopsis: The Dawn Katana rockets through the stormy skies above
       an Earth city, chased by a fleet of Megatrons in advanced jet
       modes. Aboard the ship, red warning lights flash as Paladin
       attempts to out-manoeuvre the attackers – Parallax shakes,
       insisting that it is all his fault.
       Megatron 13 watches the aerial dogfight from a large control
       room, manned by dozens of other Megatrons. Sneering, he orders
       for the Giga Laser Cannons to be primed and to blast the
       Cybertronian ship out of the sky. As the mobile weapons begin
       charging up, the Dawn Katana veers past, firing at the bases and
       damaging them. The senior Megatron snarls, and immediately
       cancels his order lest the charging backfires and detonates the
       area.
       Megatron: Scratch the previous order! If we let the GLCs charge
       in that condition, they could short-circuit. We don’t want to
       annihilate the entire area. Cursed Cybertronians…
       Other clones head outside, pointing large blasters to the sky
       and firing upon the enemy vehicle – the ship’s shields manage to
       block the blasts, but they pack enough power to rock it.
       Irritated, Mirage places Midnight’s Legacy crystal into her Hope
       Brace, before manipulating the ambient shadows in the dark skies
       and the city below, ruthlessly lashing back at their attackers.
       Sighing, Paladin places Cross-Shot’s crystal into his own Hope
       Brace and turns the Dawn Katana’s weaponry on the terrestrial
       Megatrons, hitting them with near-100% accuracy. Sickleclaw
       watches him curiously. Megatron 13 makes contact with them,
       remarking proudly that the Megatrons’ technological advances
       allow for easy remote communication without establishing contact
       links – Wildfire simply shuts down the link and asks the others
       where they shall be landing.
       Megatron: Greetings, Cybertronians! I’m sure you’re surprised by
       my sudden contact – we Megatrons have been pooling our abilities
       for the past months and engineering incredible technologies. We
       can remotely access communication lines and establish links with
       such phenomenal-
       *Wildfire shuts down the link*
       Wildfire: So, where are we thinking of landing?
       An infuriated Megatron 13 re-establishes the link, and tells the
       team that the Megatrons shall not allow them to trespass on
       their world. Mirage responds that it is not their world, and
       demands to know what they have done to the planet. Smirking, the
       clone tells them that the entire biosphere of the planet is in
       “shutdown” – induced biological hibernation, granting the
       Megatrons free reign across the planet. He then taunts the
       Cybertronians, suggesting that their technological advances will
       see them as conquerors and rulers.
       The Dawn Katana comes to rest in the midst of the nearby city.
       As Mirage and Paladin remove the Legacy crystals from their Hope
       Braces, Megatron 13 begins to detail the Megatrons’ plan: to
       spread across reality, and conquer every universe in a single
       action. Andromeda asks what this action would be, and Megatron
       13 receives an electric shock before he can answer. Regaining
       himself, he observes that the clones have a built-in shocking
       device in case they go too far into a villainous speech which
       reveals everything. The six are all unimpressed, and the villain
       simply gives an awkward “yeeeess” before shutting the line.
       Megatron: My apologies… we are all engineered with technology
       that gives a mild electric shock if we venture too deep into
       arrogant monologues…
       *the Maximals all stare back, eyebrows lowered*
       Megatron: … yeeeess…
       *the link shuts*
       Wildfire questions how competent the Megatrons really are, and
       Mirage reminds him that Waspinator, Dinobot, Medusa and their
       allies had to fight against the original Megatron time and time
       again. Awkwardly, Parallax asks why they have to be here, and
       Paladin covers how important it is for them to investigate the
       Megatrons’ intentions, much like the other threats they have
       probed. Parallax changes his question, asking why he has to be
       here instead of being left on the moon (or the other side of the
       solar system). Patting his back, Andromeda assures him that he
       should not be afraid of the Megatrons. All the while, Megatron
       13 is informed that Megatron One Billion was on the ship – the
       senior clone confirms that he already knew as much, and that the
       traitor cannot resist his nature forever.
       Megatron: 13, I believe that One Billion is aboard the
       Cybertronian ship.
       Megatron: I am well aware. We can all sense him. Have no fear…
       he can’t resist his true nature forever. He’ll return to us in
       due course.
       Immediately after saying this, he is summoned by Megatron One.
       Insisting that the lower-ranking clones keep alert in case the
       Dawn Katana makes a move, he heads out of the control room. Some
       of the other Megatrons present begin to discuss how disgusting
       Cybertronians are, and how everything shall be better once they
       rule. The clones quickly grow absorbed in their conversation,
       and do not notice as the computer systems are remotely accessed.
       Sickleclaw approaches Paladin as he mans the computer systems
       on the Dawn Katana – he checks that she is coping, and she
       affirms that she is, telling him to stop asking her. The
       conversation grinds to a halt, until the Raptor-bot cautiously
       asks him why he seemed upset at using a Legacy crystal. Somewhat
       defensively, Paladin tells her that he is not comfortable with
       using the powers of the dead, but Sickleclaw points out that he
       has used other crystals before without seeming so affected.
       Instead of giving her an answer, the lyrebird-bot asks why it
       matters, and she snaps that she is simply concerned.
       Paladin: Why does it even matter?
       Sickleclaw: I’m just concerned! Is that a problem?!
       The tension between them is diffused as Wildfire bounces over,
       asking Paladin how the information-drain is going. With the
       confusing atmosphere between Paladin and Sickleclaw, the ship’s
       A.I. addresses Wildfire instead, stating that it is 64%
       complete. Megatron 13 enters the Zero Chamber, and is greeted by
       Megatron 1. The nefarious-looking clone immediately informs the
       later Megatron that Parallax will likely never return to them.
       As 13 recoils in shock, 1 elaborates that the original Megatron
       was the same being as the legendary Optimus Prime… and he
       believes that Megatron One Billion is the miniscule chance of
       Megatron having possibly inherited the heroic traits that he had
       displayed as Optimus.
       Megatron: What…?!
       Megatron: Remember, the original Megatron was, at one point in
       his long life, the legendary Autobot hero, Optimus Prime. While
       he returned from such a degrading position, it still stands to
       reason that there is a tiny chance of such… heroic tendencies
       returning to light. I believe that One Billion is that chance.
       He’s the one of us that still has Optimus’ “goodness”.
       Before 13 can give this a proper response, he is contacted and
       informed of the information-drain. Paladin informs Mirage that
       the drain has completed, and she orders a quick retreat – the
       Dawn Katana lifts off and shoots towards the sky, as the
       Megatrons in the control room watch on. Megatron 1 warns
       Megatron 13 that the Cybertronians are ingenious… but that they
       can still be bested. As the [I]Dawn Katana[/I] A.I. sifts
       through the Megatrons’ data, he brings up imagery of Vok
       artefacts from within. While the others have no idea of the
       significance, Parallax becomes panicked, stating that the Vok
       might be interfering with events.
       Cast:
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Paladin – Brendan Hines
       Parallax – David Kaye
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Andromeda – Daniela Bobadilla
       Megatron – David Kaye
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 744--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: April 30, 2016, 4:00 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 56 – Reclaim Thy Honour
       Airdate: Saturday 30th April 2016
       Synopsis: A solemn alien temple stands untouched in the middle
       of an overgrown forest. Deep inside, a pool of silvery liquid
       ripples and shimmers gently, as an almost holographic image
       begins to manifest above it.
       Elsewhere in the forest, Dinobot mediates in isolation. The
       trees and flora move about gently all around him – clearly
       sentient in some manner. The Utahraptor-bot furrows his brow
       somewhat as he focuses, and his thoughts flash over his actions
       in timeline b, Sickleclaw’s rant, and her timeline c self’s
       near-death experience in the battle against Necrocide. Losing
       his focus, he stops his meditation, letting out a sigh.
       Suddenly, a voice refers to him as a slaggin’ saurian; stunned,
       Dinobot turns to see none other than Rattrap, stood with his
       arms folded. The taller Cybertronian is taken aback, stating
       that Rattrap is dead (the Maximal checks himself over, and
       questions that statement). After a moment, Dinobot resigns
       himself to losing his sanity, but Rattrap clarifies that he is
       indeed here, just that he is drawn directly from Dinobot’s
       memories… a figure from his past who means a lot to him.
       Dinobot: No wonder I cannot focus. I’m losing my sanity. The rot
       is truly setting in…
       Rattrap: Relax, yer not losin’ it. I’m really here… just not me,
       y’know? I’m the me that you remember, basically. Plucked outta
       yer memories, someone who means a lot to ya.
       Dinobot scoffs and claims that Rattrap means nothing to him but
       a nuisance – the two quickly begin to squabble, until the
       Utahraptor-bot catches himself and smiles faintly. He asks
       Rattrap why he is here, and the illusory Maximal admits that he
       himself is not certain. However, he knows that there is a
       message for Dinobot. The honour-driven bot is confused as to who
       would have a message for him, and Rattrap transforms, trying to
       work out the necessary path. As he locks onto a “tantalising”
       scent and begins to scurry off, Dinobot transforms too and
       follows after him. Rattrap comments on Dinobot’s beast mode
       being even larger and more fearsome than he recalls, before
       adding that it is also more feathery.
       Rattrap: Yer lookin’ bigger than ya used to, chopperface. And
       more fearsome. And a lot more… how ta put it… feathery.
       Dinobot snarls and explains that he correct the DNA scans for
       his recent beast modes, but Rattrap quips that the larger bot
       just wanted to look more attractive as opposed to being “a scaly
       old Pred”.
       Dinobot and Rattrap approach the hidden temple – the former
       remarks that there always seems to be a temple somewhere in a
       forest, while his illusory companion leaps past some moving
       vines and heads into the building. Following, Dinobot is
       impressed by the architecture, exotic and almost haunting.
       Rattrap leads his companion on, asking him all the while why he
       seems so different; Dinobot sighs, and explains that he has come
       to realise that he can be manipulated too easily, and lead
       astray with only tenuous connections to his own honour and
       morality.
       Rattrap: So what’s been up with you since I last saw ya? I’m
       pickin’ up a whole other vibe off of ya. Somethin’s changed.
       *Dinobot sighs*
       Dinobot: I’ve come to realise that I am exposed to the
       manipulations of others, to become tainted and twisted to the
       whims of others. The honour, principals, morality which I have
       bound myself to… none of it is enough to hold me to the right
       path. It can all be taken advantage of, corrupted, leaving me
       blinded and thinking foolishly that I am doing what, in
       isolation of those malicious breeds, I would naturally feel
       just.
       A little taken aback by this, Rattrap proceeds to scoff and
       claims that the Dinobot he knows would not be concerned by such
       things. The saurian bot responds that he never would have
       considered himself so easily controlled before, and adds that
       lives were put at stake due to his misguided actions. Stopping
       and transforming, Rattrap informs Dinobot that, while he may be
       a Predacon by origin, his spark is always honourable; and that
       the very fact that he feels remorse means he is already close to
       redemption. He just has to act.
       Rattrap: Look, Dinobot… yer basically a Predacon, right? That’s
       how ya started. But yer not a Predacon where it really counts!
       Yer honour, right down to yer spark! And whatever it is that ya
       did, no matter how bad, y’feel bad about it. That puts ya close
       enough to redemption to give ya a head-start. All ya gotta do is
       act.
       The illusory Maximal then steps aside, showing Dinobot the
       silvery pool. As the taller bot transforms and approaches it, an
       echoed voice can be heard. The closer Dinobot gets, the clearer
       the voice becomes… and it introduces itself as Nosk’yra, the
       head of the Anti-Cybertronian League. Dinobot is immediately on
       the defensive, but Nosk’yra continues that he is not intending
       on doing the Cybertronian any harm. Instead, he has an important
       message. Scowling, Dinobot asks how he can trust the alien, and
       is told to press his hand into the liquid and find out how
       himself. Though he is uncertain, a thumbs up from Rattrap gives
       the saurian bot the push needed to place his hand into the pool
       of mysterious liquid.
       With a jolt, Dinobot awakens. His senses are hazy as he tries
       to sit upright – Nosk’yra looks over him, telling him gently to
       remain calm. As Dinobot begins to gain control over his senses,
       the ACL leader informs him that he cannot leave this room at
       present. He continues that he cannot explain much, only that
       they are currently in another universe and that Dinobot, being
       in isolation, was the only one that he could reach.
       Nosk’yra: And I’m sorry; I really can’t explain much to you at
       all. Much of it, you will have to discover for yourself… but
       right now, we are in another universe. You were the only one
       that could be reached, what with presently not interacting with
       anyone… but that doesn’t matter…
       The Utahraptor-bot again tries to sit up, but finds that he is
       secured in place by sensory equipment. Nosk’yra again tells him
       to remain calm, and makes brief reference to mind-bridge
       technology, but Dinobot simply demands to know what is
       happening. Grimacing, Nosk’yra tells Dinobot that he must find
       the Omniconfigurator, join Unitus Prime and Arcrise, and then
       use the Quantum Stopwatch. He then adds that their return is
       reality’s only hope, and wishes Dinobot luck before the
       Cybertronian’s senses begin to blur once more. As soon as he
       blacks out entirely, he stumbles back from the silvery liquid.
       Just about catching himself, he finds that Rattrap is nowhere to
       be seen. Clearly despondent at this, the Utahraptor-bot picks
       himself up and begins to exit the temple. Reaching the entrance,
       he notices an ornate sword hung above it – he pauses, before
       taking the weapon and unsheathing it, inspecting it. Dinobot
       recounts the path that has lead him here, and that, while he
       must never forget what he has done, that includes his good
       actions too. He resolves to reclaim his honour and to save
       reality.
       Dinobot: Elegant blade… you know not what I have done. I was
       once a warrior, a traitor to my kind in the name of honour. I
       gave my life for the greater good, more than once, and was
       continually rewarded with resurrection. And as my life continued
       on, and my experiences grew in number, I became assured of my
       philosophies. Indeed, I became so assured that I lost my
       bearings. I opened myself to corruption… so confident that I was
       right, that I forgot what I believe myself to be right about.
       Like you, I was used by others as an implement of their own
       intentions. I came to realise far too late what had become of
       me. It is something that I will never forget, and likely never
       forgive myself for. But, dear blade, I am not that bot alone. I
       have done good deeds as well as ill. I shall remember. I shall
       remain. I shall reclaim the honour that I feel lost, prove
       myself to be who I always believed myself to be… and save
       reality.
       Stepping out of the temple, he faintly hears Rattrap’s voice
       wishing him luck. Nosk’yra leaves the previous room, occupied by
       Dinobot’s unconscious body; as he passes through a corridor, he
       is approached by Medusa, who asks if all is going well. The
       alien confirms that Dinobot is aware of what must be done, and
       Medusa assures him that her timeline c self shall also help as
       best as she can.
       Cast:
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Rattrap – Scott McNeil
       Nosk’yra – Stephen Fry
       Medusa – Luci Christian
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 747--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: May 7, 2016, 5:02 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 57 – Necessities
       Airdate: Saturday 7th May 2016
       Synopsis: Unitus Prime’s small ship returns to Fixoma, skimming
       close to the planet’s surface as it heads to the facility. On
       board, the team try in vain to contact their allies… and as they
       reach the building, they see the entrance torn open. Ripple
       finally manages to get through to Scale, who says that things
       have taken a turn for the worst.
       Scale, Swingback and Freeline, clearly tired, exit the facility
       and greet Unitus Prime’s team as they disembark from their ship.
       The leopard gecko-bot explains the events of Necrocide’s escape,
       and that it is best that they do not enter the facility to be
       safe. Unitus bemoans this, before informing the trio that his
       team have successfully gathered every Cybertronian. Straight-Aim
       then chimes in, stating that Buzzstreak and co. are about ten
       minutes away, with the Dawn Katana a little under an hour away.
       However, Medusa cannot be reached. Hummingstreak suggests that
       she is busy, but Straight-Aim adds that he has not heard from
       her in a while.
       Hummingstreak: Maybe she’s busy? Y’know, “can’t come to the
       phone right now”, that kind of thing?
       Straight-Aim: It’s been too long, though. I haven’t heard from
       her in a while.
       Concerned, Unitus then turns to Scale, Swingback and Freeline,
       inviting them aboard the ship since they cannot enter the
       facility. Elsewhere, Medusa slowly comes to, eyes heavy and
       groggy. Taking in her surroundings, she quickly realises that
       she is in a rundown basement, clearly unmaintained. With her
       wrists and ankles bound by chains to the wall, the viper-bot has
       no hope of escape, while a collar inhibits her ability to
       transform. The Debt Collector enters the basement, telling her
       captive that they are currently in the middle of nowhere, a
       random abandoned house on a backwater world. The villain says
       that she shall leave her captive here and she shall never be
       heard from again… unless she explains what she knows. Medusa
       smirks, and makes clear that she will never explain herself to
       the villain. In response, the Debt Collector sits herself down,
       and tells Medusa that she can practically smell the Vok
       knowledge emanating from her.
       Debt Collector: Listen, Medusa… I know your little secret.
       You’re so clearly holding Vok knowledge, I can practically smell
       it on you.
       As Medusa shifts uncomfortably, the Zefetraian leans forward,
       and tells her captive that she knows that she is acting as an
       emissary, and that it truly began when timeline b started –
       before the splitting of events.
       Within the massive city aboard Unitus Prime’s ship, Prophecy is
       giving Scale, Swingback and Freeline an excited tour; the trio
       are impressed, although Scale attempts to downplay it. The rest
       of Unitus’ team are in the bridge all the while, as Buzzstreak’s
       ship soars into view. Unitus heads off, as Arcrise flinches –
       she warns him that they must be quick, as she is not sure for
       how long she can maintain the city.
       Arcrise: We have to hurry… this is really starting to wear me
       out. I don’t know how long I can keep on holding the city
       together for.
       Buzzstreak’s ship lands, and she, Quickpaw and Umbraven exit it.
       They approach Unitus, and he informs them of his team’s success
       and the escape of Necrocide. Hearing the news, Quickpaw asks if
       her “sister” is still alive; the Prime nods, and the fembot
       immediately rushes onto the ship excitedly, dragging an
       overwhelmed Umbraven with her. Unitus then turns to Buzzstreak,
       who tells him that, to unlock themselves, they must become fully
       self-aware of themselves. When the Prime questions this, the
       bumblebee-bot elaborates that it is something that must be done
       consciously, and that she feels that she has already achieved it
       during the return trip. She feels more powerful than before,
       more Zen.
       Unitus Prime: Is that it? I understand how that must be a
       challenge, but at the same time…
       Buzzstreak: It has to be done consciously, for one. No chance of
       us having unlocked by chance. Actually… I’m pretty sure I’ve
       unlocked myself on the journey back.
       Unitus Prime: Really?
       Buzzstreak: Mhm, I did some introspecting… I feel different now.
       More powerful. Kind of… Zen. At peace. I don’t know…
       Smiling, Unitus congratulates her on her achievement. Quickpaw,
       still dragging Umbraven along, rushes into the hidden city, only
       to realise how ridiculously huge it is. Exiting again, she asks
       the bots in the bridge how she is supposed to locate a certain
       bot within the city; Ripple brings up the register, but finds it
       blank. Arcrise yells out in pain all the while, before heading
       into the city and shutting the door. When Quickpaw goes to open
       it, there is nothing behind it – the city has vanished. Umbraven
       suggests that Arcrise almost lost control over the city, and
       opted to head into it so as to not lose control over it
       completely. Nonetheless, Quickpaw is panicked, and begins
       slamming on the door in desperation.
       Medusa glares at the Debt Collector, as the chain-strewn bot
       continues to probe her about her Vok connections. Met with
       nothing but a continued glare, the Debt Collector stands up,
       walking close to her captive and pressing down on her face with
       her foot. She remarks that she could crush Medusa, but that it
       would not be interesting – instead, she will allow her to rot
       here, undiscovered and unmissed.
       Debt Collector: I could crush you, Medusa. It wouldn’t take a
       moment. But that’s not interesting. So I’m going to leave you
       here. No one will find you – honestly, no one will miss you –
       you’ll die here and rot away. Happily ever after.
       Adding that Medusa should know that the Vok cannot reach her in
       this timeline, she then departs. Prophecy, Scale, Swingback and
       Freeline stumble upon Arcrise as they travel the city, pained
       and struggling to keep the city together. All the while, Unitus
       Prime and Buzzstreak are now in the bridge of the former’s ship
       with the others, discussing Arcrise and the concerns with the
       city. The Dawn Katana begins flying close, and Mirage contacts
       the ship, informing Unitus that they have gained information on
       the Megatrons, including Vok artefacts. Surprised by this,
       Unitus asks that she send the data across; it comes through even
       as the Dawn Katana lands down nearby. Mirage leads Paladin,
       Wildfire, Andromeda, Sickleclaw and Parallax out, and Unitus
       again departs his own ship to meet them – he explains the
       situation regarding unlocking, the city and Medusa being
       unreachable. When the jackal-bot asks what their next move is,
       the Prime insists that they wait until the city manifests again
       before trying to find their way to Valyssia. Medusa is still
       within the basement, tired and downtrodden. Suddenly, Prophecy
       chronoskims in: the Aadorean wildcat-bot is overjoyed to see her
       teammate, and grabs her into a hug before removing her collar
       and bonds. While Medusa is confused at first, Prophecy quickly
       explains that she came back from the future to free Medusa, and
       only knew to come here as the already-free Medusa told her in
       the future.
       Medusa: How did you find me…?
       Prophecy: It’s simple! I’m from the future, I came back to free
       you, because you were free in the future and you told me to come
       back to free you so you’d be free in time for the future! And I
       did it!
       Taking the viper-bot’s hand, she insists that they have to get
       back to the others before the end.
       Cast:
       Unitus Prime – Scott McNeil
       Ripple – Christina Ricci
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Straight-Aim – Alessandro Juliani
       Hummingstreak – James Arnold Taylor
       Prophecy – Jocelyn Loewen
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Freeline – Wendee Lee
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Medusa – Luci Christian
       Debt Collector – Selma Blair
       Quickpaw – Alessandra Torresani
       Umbraven – Ellen Page
       Buzzstreak – Sasha Paysinger
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Paladin – Brendan Hines
       Andromeda – Daniela Bobadilla
       Parallax – David Kaye
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 749--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: May 14, 2016, 4:28 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 58 – Galvanised by Fear
       Airdate: Saturday 14th May 2016
       Synopsis: A platoon of sinister, scaled aliens is manning an
       extermination camp, with aliens of another species imprisoned,
       some being tortured. As a high-ranking alien rants, he is
       impaled by a large spiked weapon – Galvatron, flanked by the
       other Archaicons, roars that their disgusting behaviour shall
       end today.
       A few hours later, the camp is now splattered with the blood
       and corpses of the oppressive aliens. Kickback asks Galvatron if
       the complete massacre was justified; the leader sneers that any
       oppressive force must be dealt with ruthless efficiency. Though
       the Merychippus-bot goes to disagree, Rapax holds her back,
       suggesting that they should abide by Galvatron’s philosophy for
       now. Airazor speaks up, asking when they will finally get around
       to trying to deal with other Cybertronians, but the Archaicon
       leader points out that they have steadily disappeared. Whether
       it is to do with Necrocide, or someone else such as Unitus
       Prime, there is little that the Archaicons can do.
       Galvatron: Maybe Necrocide has finally taken them all out.
       Maybe… Unitus Prime or someone has gathered them up. All I know
       is we turned our backs and suddenly they’re all gone… there’s
       not much that we can do about it.
       Dinobot approaches the gathered team at this point, and tells
       her that they could still do better than senseless slaughter. He
       adds that he needs the Omniconfigurator, but Galvatron simply
       grimaces, telling him that the device is still being used to
       shield them (or more accurately, the Renegade Wish) from being
       found by Necrocide. Dinobot counters that Unitus Prime’s team
       have subdued and captured the villain. The Archaicon leader asks
       why her predecessor wants the all-powerful device, and he
       explains that he was given a mission to save reality, the first
       step of which is to retrieve the weapon.
       Galvatron: Why do you want it?
       Dinobot: I have been given a mission. As I understand it, it is
       vital to save reality. The first step is to acquire the
       Omniconfigurator… so here I am.
       After some thought, Galvatron relents, but adds that she shall
       be accompanying him to supervise its use. Haywire is clearly
       cautious, as the gathered bots head out of the extermination
       camp. As they approach the Renegade Wish, Necrocide lunges from
       a hiding place, still damaged, and attacks Galvatron. The others
       are quick to attention, but Galvatron is faster in throwing the
       Valoranian away from her and firing upon him. Just about
       managing to hold the blasts telekinetically, Necrocide redirects
       them at his opponents, scattering the bots across the area. The
       villain then attempts to remove the Omniconfigurator from the
       ship’s hull, still in the form of markings.
       The Archaicons gather themselves, and Haywire quickly ensnares
       Necrocide with her barbed wires – the villain cackles in pain,
       falling to his knees as the others hurry aboard the Renegade
       Wish. The A.I. greets them, and Galvatron transforms the
       Omniconfigurator back into its default state before turning to
       Dinobot, pointing out to him flatly that Unitus Prime failed to
       keep Necrocide captive. The ship begins to leave, as Dinobot
       suggests that the villain is still too weak to achieve much… he
       is likely after the Omniconfigurator to grant himself a new
       infinitely-transforming body.
       Dinobot: He still has significant injuries. He can’t attempt the
       feats he has displayed before… if he is after the
       Omniconfigurator, he likely desires its power. Or perhaps…
       Airazor: Finish the train of thought, please…
       Dinobot: Perhaps he wishes to use it as a new body for himself.
       Incredibly powerful and mutable almost beyond comprehension.
       While the ship begins its ascension through the planet’s
       atmosphere, Necrocide clings onto the hull, struggling through
       his sharp bonds. The A.I. informs the team of the Valoranian’s
       presence, just as he clambers onto the windows of the bridge,
       grinning maniacally at the Archaicons. Narrowing her eyes,
       Galvatron takes the Omniconfigurator and declares that she will
       handle Necrocide.
       Galvatron: Enough of this. I’ll deal with him.
       Before the others can respond, she opens the ship’s door and
       lunges out – Necrocide immediately lunges after her, and the two
       enter freefall. The Omniconfigurator transforms into a railgun,
       and Galvatron fires on her opponent, but the blasts simply
       pierce through him. He telekinetically draws her close, allowing
       her to roast him with the weapon as a flamethrower. She then
       kicks him away, and transforms the device into rotors, lowering
       her ascent as he continues to plummet. The villain grabs hold of
       her legs with oily-black tendrils, yanking her down too; she
       transforms the device again, using it as a massive scythe to
       tear through the tendrils before shifting it into a jetpack,
       soaring downwards and grappling with her opponent all the while.
       All the while, Dinobot has the Archaicons fly their ship down
       again, hoping to intercept the fight should things shift in
       Necrocide’s favour.
       Necrocide cackles as Galvatron continues to grapple with him,
       and informs her that he is actually timeline b’s Necrocide,
       having piggy-backed on Galvatron as the timeline switch
       occurred. Galvatron is shocked, and Necrocide takes the
       opportunity to tie a tendril around her neck. As the Archaicon
       leader chokes, she transforms the Omniconfigurator into an
       armour suit, enclosing around her and severing the tendril. Even
       as Galvatron uses her increased power to pummel Necrocide, the
       remaining piece of tendril slithers around within the suit,
       quickly entering its inner workings. The suit jerks, before
       ejecting Galvatron – Necrocide punches her brutally, before
       taking her place within the suit. As the planet’s surface comes
       ever closer, the Valoranian continues to pummel his opponent, as
       she desperately attempts to regain the Omniconfigurator. Aboard
       the Renegade Wish, Scorpinax and the A.I. focus in on the
       conflict, quickly deducing that Necrocide is within the suit and
       firing on it.
       Renegade Wish: I’ve got a lock on Galvatron and the enemy.
       Scorpinax: And she’s not in the Omniconfigurator… which means he
       is.
       Renegade Wish: I shall commence fire upon the enemy target.
       With the villain jolted, Galvatron manages to spin them around,
       and Necrocide takes the force of their collision back into the
       planet. The Omniconfigurator reverts back to its default form,
       before quickly transforming into a basic skeletal form. The
       flesh of Necrocide’s body pours onto it in a fierce torrent, and
       Galvatron’s blasts upon it with her own plasma cannon have no
       effect. With Necrocide’s new body complete, he cackles at
       Galvatron – the Renegade Wish continues firing at Necrocide,
       though Dinobot orders against this. Necrocide redirects the
       blasts at Galvatron before they even reach him, striking her
       down while he taunts her for giving him a second chance at life.
       Necrocide: This all comes down to you, you know! You brought me
       here! You gave me this second chance… and brought this all on
       yourself.
       Roaring, Galvatron lunges at him, but he stabs her through the
       chest, and whispers “goodnight again” to her as she dies. The
       villain then salutes the Renegade Wish, as its crew watch on in
       horror, before teleporting away with the Omniconfigurator’s
       power.
       Cast:
       Alien Oppressor – Scott McNeil
       Galvatron – Carey Mulligan
       Kickback – Wendee Lee
       Rapax – Billy West
       Airazor – Tom Kenny
       Scorpinax – Brian Drummond
       Haywire – Tania Raymonde
       Toxiclaw – Jennifer Hale
       Dinobot – Scott McNeil
       Necrocide – Billy West
       Renegade Wish – Hannah Tointon
       [hr]
       A.
       #Post#: 752--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Transformers: Hope
       By: Ashes Date: May 21, 2016, 4:25 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Episode 59 – Unexpected Barricades
       Airdate: Saturday 21st May 2016
       Synopsis: On Earth, the Megatrons are busy in their facility,
       rushing about and making preparations. Parts of the facility are
       reconfiguring, exposing complex equipment to the rain and the
       heavens. The Debt Collector is sat on part of the roof, smirking
       to herself.
       The city containing the vast majority of the Cybertronian race
       is starting to become a little hazy – Arcrise is deep in
       meditation as Prophecy, Scale, Swingback and Freeline watch on.
       The former athlete ponders what will happen if Arcrise fails to
       hold the city together; whether they shall all be deposited back
       into the universe itself, or be left floating in some kind of
       ethereal pocket void. Scale points out that Arcrise’s efforts to
       hold the city together suggests that it would be a very bad
       thing if the city did cease to exist.
       Scale: I think the amount of effort she’s putting into holding
       this city together makes me think that any other option would be
       a bad one.
       All the while, a new signal blips into view on the computer
       systems of Unitus Prime’s ship. He and the others quickly take
       note of it; the Prime is confused, stating that the ship should
       have been able to find any Cybertronians. Sickleclaw speaks up,
       asking if they had retrieved the Archaicons yet. They had been
       masking their presence from Necrocide with the Omniconfigurator,
       and that may have kept them hidden from Unitus too. She adds
       that they have their own ship, so they do not need to be taken
       into the city. Unitus starts the ship up, saying that they shall
       head for the source of the signal and have faith that Arcrise
       can restore the pathway to the city. Mirage asks him if he is
       comfortable with bringing the Archaicons into the fold, and he
       makes clear that his duty as a Prime is to protect all
       Cybertronians, and he must at least give the Archaicons a
       chance.
       Mirage: Unitus, before you do anything… tell me, is this what
       you want to do? Are you okay with bringing the Archaicons into
       this?
       Unitus Prime: Honestly? Yes. I’m the One True Prime – it’s my
       responsibility to protect every Cybertronian. They’ve been our
       enemies in the past, but I have to at least reach out to them.
       We need to stick together.
       He adds that they should try and find the pathway to Valyssia in
       the meantime – he brings up the data so far on the ship’s
       computers, explaining that Arcrise had kept hold of Noxa’s
       workings from timeline b. Sending the information across to the
       Dawn Katana and Buzzstreak’s ship, he suggests that the three
       ships’ systems can work on pin-pointing the location of the
       mysterious planet. Buzzstreak and Mirage lead their teams back
       off to their ships, while Unitus, Hummingstreak, Ripple and
       Straight-Aim prepare their ship for flight.
       The Debt Collector wanders unnoticed through the Megatrons’
       facility as they continue to gather weaponry and technology.
       Heading into the large control room, she finds dozens of
       Megatrons performing the calculations necessary to cross
       universes. The sinister bot chuckles to herself, and observes
       that they can calculate forever and never break free of timeline
       c. Megatron 1 addresses her – surprised, but curious, she turns
       to face him in the doorway, as do the other Megatrons, still
       unable to see their unnoticed guest. The leader tells them to
       ignore him, before demanding that the Debt Collector explain
       herself. Smirking slyly, she asks him if he is sure that he
       wants to hear it.
       Debt Collector: Think long and hard before you answer this… are
       you sure you want to hear my explanation?
       The power in the city has drained away now, and the Cybertronian
       citizens are panicked. Swingback and Freeline are attempting to
       calm the citizens, while Scale continues to keep an eye on
       Arcrise, clearly struggling to control the city. Prophecy crawls
       over to her team-mate on her hands and knees, asking if she is
       feeling sea-sick as they cross the sea on Valoran. She then
       tilts her head, and questions how she is supposed to save Medusa
       when she has not been asked to yet. Scale eases her away from
       Arcrise, suggesting the Aadorean wildcat-bot allows her to
       focus. Clearly not concerned, Prophecy declares that she does
       not have to be sent back in time, she just has to know to do it
       and can bluff the rest.
       Prophecy: But I don’t actually have to be told! I said I was
       told, but I know that I said it, so I told myself! I just have
       to make sure I say it – I’ll bluff my way through! Thanks
       Medusa, see you in a now!
       She proceeds to chronoskim before Scale can ask what she means.
       As he turns back to Arcrise, he notices a tear trickling down
       her cheek. Letting out a shaky breath, she tells Scale that she
       is sorry, before the city blinks out of existence. Arcrise finds
       herself in the bridge of Unitus Prime’s ship – he immediately
       rushes over to her, and she tells him that the city, and its
       inhabitants are all gone. As she grabs him into a hug, she sobs
       that she was not strong enough.
       Megatron 1 is visibly shaken as the Debt Collector watches on,
       smirking and insisting that she is telling the truth. The clone
       asks how it is possible, and she remarks that she has more power
       than one could ever imagine… just not as much as she needs. She
       then confirms that the Megatrons will never be able to exit
       timeline c unless they use her Quantum Stopwatch, currently in
       the possession of Unitus Prime and Arcrise.
       Debt Collector: Like I said, Megatron… there is no way for you
       to leave this timeline, this universe. About the only thing you
       can do is use my Quantum Stopwatch, which Unitus Prime and
       Arcrise are currently in possession of. But let’s face it…
       you’ve given up already, haven’t you?
       The villain tells Megatron 1 that he has no hopes of achieving
       anything. Buzzstreak and Mirage’s teams hear the news of
       Arcrise’s return and the city’s fall; Quickpaw is distraught,
       while the others are all shocked. Wildfire and Andromeda
       question what this means for Prophecy, Scale, Swingback and
       Freeline, while Mirage asks if Arcrise could attempt to regain
       control and recover the city and the Cybertronians within it.
       The phoenix-bot remarks that she can barely access her powers…
       which Unitus Prime quickly blames the Debt Collector for.
       Arcrise: I don’t know. I don’t know… I can barely do anything, I
       can’t use my powers.
       Unitus Prime: … the Debt Collector. She must be restraining you.
       The Dawn Katana A.I. then informs the bots that, while
       Valyssia’s location can be pinpointed, it is seemingly not
       there. There is apparently nothing beyond Universe 1. Unitus is
       baffled by this, while Ripple reports that the detected signal
       is heading towards them. Sighing deeply, the Prime suggests they
       meet up with the other Cybertronians. As the Megatrons continue
       their work, Megatron 1 orders them to cease immediately – there
       is general uproar, but the clone leader elaborates that there is
       no point in them trying to achieve anything anymore. Slumped in
       his throne, Megatron 1 suggests that anyone who still has some
       vain hopes of trying to win should try to take the Quantum
       Stopwatch from Unitus Prime and Arcrise… and be prepared for a
       shock. All the while, the Debt Collector stands in the rain on
       the outskirts of the Earth city, looking up into the dark sky
       and promising that she is close to completing her mission after
       so long.
       Cast:
       Megatron – David Kaye
       Debt Collector – Selma Blair
       Arcrise – Kira Vincent-Davis
       Swingback – Susan Eisenberg
       Scale – Ron Perlman
       Freeline – Wendee Lee
       Prophecy – Jocelyn Loewen
       Unitus Prime – Scott McNeil
       Hummingstreak – James Arnold Taylor
       Paladin – Brendan Hines
       Sickleclaw – Tiffany Grant
       Quickpaw – Alessandra Torresani
       Umbraven – Ellen Page
       Mirage – Tuppence Middleton
       Wildfire – Johnny Yong Bosch
       Buzzstreak – Sasha Paysinger
       Ripple – Christina Ricci
       Straight-Aim – Alessandro Juliani
       Andromeda – Daniela Bobadilla
       Parallax – David Kaye
       Dawn Katana – Joe Thomas
       [hr]
       A.
       *****************************************************
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