The Autobot Run

When the Autobots perform a race for charity, the Decepticons take the opportunity to trap them in their vehicle modes.

Detailed synopsis
While watching a race, Spike and Chip comment on how cool it would be to see the Autobots perform in a race. Suggesting the idea to the Autobots, Optimus Prime agrees, as long as it's for charity. Huffer complains that it's a waste of time and a bad idea, but Autobots decide to do it. Huffer, Brawn, Ratchet, and Wheeljack remain to guard the base.

Meanwhile, in a ghost town, the Constructicons have completed the Transfixatron, a new device that will lock a Transformer in the mode they currently occupy. Megatron tests the device on Starscream, who begs to be released, saying he'll do whatever Megatron wants. Megatron gets bored of Starscream's whinning, and frees him. Laserbeak arrives, informing the Decepticons about the Autobot race, providing Megatron a chance to test his new weapon.



The Autobots arrive and begin a race, though it's unclear if Jazz or Mirage won. During the race, Skywarp flies in and uses the Transfixatron on the Autobots. After Sunstreaker decides it would be cool to do a stunt drive over the Autobots (having to be saved by Trailbreaker's force field, the Decepticons arrive. The Autobots attempt to transform, only to learn that they cannot. Optimus orders the Autobots to try and ram the Decepticons, but they simply shoot the Autobots tires out. Bumblebee takes Spike and Chip back to the base, hoping Ratchet and Wheeljack can figure something out. As usual, Huffer complains, but a massive bearhug from Brawn gets him to shut up, while Ratchet and Wheeljack get to work. At the town, Hound manages to send a signal to Teletraan I, just as Ratchet and Wheeljack finish working on a device which will allow the Autobots to transform...a grenade (real good thinking there, guys).

At the ghost town, Megatron decides force Optimus Prime to watch his soliders die one by one in a horrific crushing device, starting with Ironhide. The Autobot leader, however, dispatches Roller to distract Megatron, allowing Prime to ram the crusher, freeing Ironhide. The free Autobots arrive to save their comrades, but Soundwave dispatches Ravage and Rumble to to deal with them. Spike manages to get the grenade close enough to release it's energy, allowing the Autobots to transform to robot mode. The Constructicons form Devastator, but Cliffjumper fires the Transixatron at Devastator, causing the Combiner to separate. The Decepticons retreat, and the Autobots destroy the Transfixatron.

Stats
Original airdate: ???

Written by: Donald F. Glut

Notable quotes
"What is that?"

"I call it a TARGET!"
 * -- Skywarp and Starscream spotting Roller

Animation and/or technical glitches

 * Shockwave appears twice in this episode: first, when Megatron is gloating about the Transfixatron, then when the Decepticons arrive at the race. Of course, it was never actually stated that Shockwave was on Cybertron or not, so it's entirely possible that he was on Earth...but probably not.

Continutity errors

 * References

Transformers references

 * This is Roller's third and final appearance.
 * The Transfixatron's effects are similar to such Beast era inventions as Tarantulas' transformation lock lens and Megatron's transformation lock virus.

Real-world references

 * References

Miscellaneous trivia

 * Trivia

Keywords
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