Possession (Beast Wars)
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Possession is a first season episode of Beast Wars which first aired on February 3, 1997.
[edit] Plot
A violent storm rocks both Maximal and Predacon bases, knocking out power and shorting out systems for both sides. During this maelstrom, Waspinator is hit with a power surge while trying to get the Darkside's computer network back up, knocking him out. When his fellow Predacons come to check on him, they are greeted not by Waspinator, but by Starscream, air commander of the former Decepticon army, and second-in-command under the first Megatron, now inhabiting Waspinator's body. When questioned by the Predacon Megatron, Starscream reveals that he had died protecting his commander Galvatron from the wrath of the evil Transformer Unicron, but his spark lived on, tossed beyond the reach of time and space, eventually leading him to the planet both current factions had crashed on. The power surge that hit Waspinator had transferred Starscream's disembodied spark into him, but not before Starscream was able to observe the damage the storm had done to the Axalon, prompting him to swear loyalty to Megatron in exchange for helping them conquer against the Maximals. Megatron, intrigued by this notion, agrees to Starscream's show of loyalty, but warns Scorponok to watch their new ally closely.
The next day, after the storm has passed, the Predacons use Starscream's knowledge of the Axalon's damage to launch a surprise attack, forcing the Maximals out of their base, injuring Dinobot in the process. For his service, Megatron grants Starscream command of the Axalon with Scorponok and Blackarachnia while he and the rest of the Predacons return to the Darksyde, in case the Maximals decide to launch their own attack while the Predacon ship is derelict. As they're left alone, however, Blackarachnia takes that time to confront Starscream on his treachery, pointing out that he wasn't scrapped defending Galvatron from Unicron, but by Megatron, after he betrayed the Decepticon leader and Unicron transformed him into Galvatron (see Transformers: The Movie). However, she agrees to keep this fact quiet, as long as she's let in on Starscream's real schemes: to take control of the Predacons.
At that same instance, the Maximals begin questioning themselves about Waspinator's new personality, not quite believing that he is who he says he is and lamenting that they don't know more about Starscream, his files having been sealed by the Maximal Elders. Dinobot, however, has thoroughly studied Transformer military history, including Starscream's background, and mentions the Decepticon to be the most notorious traitor of them all. This gives Optimus an idea. Heading back to the Axalon, Optimus and the rest of the Maximals feign surrender, on the premise that they require the CR Chambers within their base to repair Dinobot's (exaggerated) wounds. Starscream allows Optimus and Dinobot to come aboard, but instantly betrays the Maximal commander as soon as Dinobot is put inside the chamber, stripping Optimus of his weapons and chaining him in the hold. Now with Optimus as his prisoner, Starscream orders the rest of the Maximals to attack the Predacon base, an order they are forced to comply. Unbeknownst to Starscream, his betrayal of Optimus was all part of the Maximals' plan, and while the others attack the Darkside, Optimus breaks himself and Dinobot free and retakes the Axalon, forcing Starscream and Blackarachnia into a strategic retreat back to the Predacon base. Optimus follows them, however, and in the ensuing firefight bests the Decepticon air commander, downing him and forcing him to plead for Blackarachnia's help. The she-spider, however, has already led him deep into a double-cross, and helps Optimus forcefully 'exorcize' Starscream's spark from Waspinator with an energon explosion.
The episode ends with Megatron personally repairing a now-normal Waspinator while voicing his dissatisfaction with Blackarachnia's actions, warning her that - even though he accepts that her betrayal was the only way for her to learn of Starscream's true motives - it still does not inspire confidence in her. Back at the Axalon, the Maximals finish repairing their base, as Cheetor admires the night sky, quipping "Twinkle, twinkle, little Starscream". Speaking of Starscream, he is last seen hurling back through space and time, swearing vengeance against both crews, no matter how long it takes.
| Preceded by "Dark Voyage" |
Transformers episodes | Followed by "The Low Road" |
