The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts



The Autobots race to rescue a Peruvian village when the Decepticons cause a nearby volcano to erupt.


 * English/Malay dub name: ?

Detailed synopsis
In Autobot City on Earth, Ultra Magnus and Scattershot detect some unusual seismic activity centred on the South American village of Pan. At that moment in this village, as a young orphan boy named Pipiro, along with his donkey Koro, returns to the home he shares with his sister, Alyssa, when a seismic tremor occurs, putting the village in danger.

Meanwhile, on Athenia, the Autobots are examining the data they have acquired on the mysterious planet Zarak in the dark nebula, and Twincast deploys Steeljaw and Ramhorn to acquire information. Simultaneously, on Chaar, Scorponok converses with Sixshot on Earth, instructing him to occupy the Autobots' with Earth affairs as much as possible - this seismic tremor is the first of such attempts. Scorponok's aim is to draw the Autobots' attention away from their operations on planet Zarak, where Octane is running a slave labor camp forcing imprisoned Beastformers to construct a giant robot.

Back on Earth, the volcano near Pan erupts, and molten lava sweeps toward the village. The Protectobots and Trainbots are scrambled for a rescue mission, but Sixshot dispatches the Predacons and Decepticon Headmasters to stymie them. As Raiden and Predaking fight, Defensor is paralyzed by a blast from Mindwipe, while Pipiro and the rest of the village watch. With Ultra Magnus unable to spare any more troops, the call goes out to Athenia, and the Autobot Headmasters are transported to Earth by Broadside to join the fight. As the Headmasters take out Predaking, the Trainbots save the villagers. A burning hot ash cloud soon fills the sky from the volcano's eruption, but Brainstorm is able to use it to his advantage, flying around and through it to drag the hot vapors down, forcing the Decepticon Headmasters to retreat.

Earlier, the Headmasters' departure for Earth had been observed by Laserbeak, who, along with Soundblaster report back to Scorponok that his strategy is working. When the Autobots claim victory on Earth, however, Cyclonus and Scourge question the validity of Scorponok's strategy - more seismic and volcanic activity like that can only ultimately result in the Earth's destruction, and if that were to occur, what would become of all the natural energy it offers? Scorponok dismisses these concerns, revealing that he has discovered a new source of energy far beyond the simple energon that Earth's natural resources can offer - plasma energy, an unlimited force of planetary energy that was released when Cybertron was destroyed. On the day that the Decepticons have gathered the power of plasma energy for their own, Scorponok vows, he will reveal his true face, and destroy the Autbots. This revelation, however, is overheard by Steeljaw and Ramhorn, who are pursued by Soundblaster as they try to escape.

Back on Earth, the Autobots and humans are relaxing, only for the Decepticon Headmasters to make a devious move, emerging from the undergrowth to seize Pipiro's sister, threatning her life if the Autobots do not disconnect from their Transtectors. It is Koro the donkey who saves the day, charging at Skullcruncher long enough to create a distraction that enables the Autobots to get the upper hand, saving Alyssa and forcing the villains to reatreat. As goodbyes are said, Alyssa gives Chromedome her necklace as a token of thanks.

Returning to Athenia, the Autobots hear Steeljaw and Ramhorn's report, and their resolve to defeat the Decepticons' strengthens even more.

Stats
Original airdate: 25th September 1987

Featured Characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Animation and/or technical glitches

 * Even while surrounded by flame, Scorponok can still remain entirely surrounded by shadow. That takes a certain kind'a skill.

Transformers references

 * The mysteries of planet Zarak, the dark nebula and the robot being built there first came to light in The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok. See that article for the details.
 * Beastformers previously appeared in Rebellion on Planet Beest.

Miscellaneous trivia

 * Exactly how the Decepticons cause the volcano to erupt is never explained.
 * Pipiro is waaaay to friendly with his donkey.