- Welcome, my Terran siblings, to the greatest event
Earth has to offer.
- No school day!
- [gasps] You get to stay home?
- With us?
- You know what this means!
Both: Transformer tag!
- Whoever's it has to be in alt mode.
- But I don't have an alt mode.
- We could pretend to have alt modes.
[imitates transforming] I'm an ice cream truck,
and my cannons fire pointy cones,
brain freezes, and rainbow jimmies!
- Yeah, I'm something I haven't picked yet!
[all laughing]
- Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
- Ahh!
- Sure, the kids have fun.
But really, days off are made for teachers.
Oh, yeah.
- What are you two doing out here?
- Watching the kids.
- Mm-hmm. [slurps] Where's...
[explosion booms] Ah!
[dramatic tone]
all: Nightshade!
[transforming]
[mysterious synth music]
[explosion booms]
- Overclock the processor, boost the fan speed,
and live, my darling!
And live, my darling!
- Whoa! Oh!
- Nightshade, are you OK?
We heard a bang.
- I'm fine.
Are you all right?
Then behold the Smart Trainer 5007!
- Why 5007?
- The first 5,006 tried to destroy me.
Science is dangerous, but the rewards are worth it.
My Smart Trainer is equipped with the latest
and greatest in adaptive AI.
It can act as a defensive target...
[clang] [electricity zapping]
or an offensive attacker..
Or an offensive attacker..
[laser blasts] [all exclaim]
- Ahh!
[transforming] both: Ah!
- Ahh!
- And features words of encouragement.
- Good job, Malto-bots.
- Hey, that sounds like me.
- Soon you'll be kicking Decepticon butt.
- Why does that sound like me?
- I based it off the best trainer I know.
Whoopsy-doo.
It's malfunctioning.
- [grunts]
[electricity zapping] - Help me.
[powers down]
- Fear not! I got it!
Ooh, ah, oh.
Now, who wants to help me work on the Smart Trainer 5008?
[clang]
- Hey, Nightshade, don't you wanna
come back outside with us?
- We can't have the perfect no school day
if we're not all having fun.
- But I am having fun.
Why don't you stay instead?
[clattering]
- Um, no. That's OK.
We kinda got a game going right now.
But join us later if you feel like it.
- Nightshade, you know that even
if your siblings don't always share your interests,
they like being with you.
- I'm often in my siblings' company,
but they continue to regard me as if
I'm speaking another language.
- You know, Nightshade, when I was around your age,
I had a hard time connecting with other kids, too.
So I found friends in books.
This is one of my favorite series
by a local Witwicky author all about these mythical beings
using science and magic to protect their home world.
Using science and magic to protect their home world.
Something tells me it's right up your alley.
- "And the sentry owl stood guard,
protector of all in need."
Wow, I didn't know stories could be like this...
A creation built not with material, but with words
a creation built not with material, but with words
and imagination.
D.E. O'Neil, you have spoken to me in ways I didn't know
were possible.
Surely, if we conversed, you would feel the same.
I must find out.
- [grunts] [crashing]
- Ooh! Wanna be on my team, Nightshade?
- Actually, I was hoping your internet savvy
could help me learn where this author resides.
Could help me learn where this author resides.
- Oh, cyber sleuthing, eh? [chuckles]
Well, you came to the right gumshoe.
[modem whirring]
Ho-ho! Jackpot! [chuckles]
Last known address, the old Witwicky Cemetery,
just north of those woods.
Just north of those woods.
- Yes! Thank you, Hashtag!
[clang]
[ominous music]
Oh.
[shimmering tone]
Oh, this must be where D.E. resides.
Oh.
- Hey, you. Get out of here.
- Oh, hello.
I didn't see you there.
Are you a fan of D.E. O'Neil as well?
- [glitching] Hey, you, get out of here.
- You're a hologram?
Ooh, mysterious.
Da Vinci's beard!
I've never seen such a mish-mash merging
of different technologies.
- [chittering]
- Oh, ho-ho-ho!
Cybertronian and GHOST technology?
Surely, this must be the source for the human above.
[metal legs tapping]
- [growls]
- Ahh!
- [roars]
- Oh!
[transforming] - Get away from my work!
[electricity zapping]
[lights clanging on]
[mysterious music]
- You... you're a Decepticon!
- And you... you are...
Protoform, unaffiliated,
sufficiently non-threatening.
Go. Find somewhere else to hide.
- This interaction, it does not seem like
typical Decepticon behavior.
- I am not a typical Decepticon.
I am Tarantulas.
- Well, my name is Nightshade.
My pronouns are they/them.
And I am not a typical Protoform.
- Leave! Before I change my mind.
- So you aim to improve this mobile projector, yes?
Perhaps as a cloaking device.
- I aim to disguise myself with a human avatar.
- In order to infiltrate them?
- In order to evade GHOSTs.
I can't live the rest of my life in these shadows.
I will remotely pilot my avatar and integrate
into human society,
start a new life elsewhere,
one less complicated.
- Good news!
Your projector was working.
The guard looked the part but lacked behavioral nuance.
You are working from a purely Cybertronian perspective.
Human and Cybertronian technologies
were not made to communicate.
And so, you have a missed connection.
- Finally, after weeks of toiling,
I may complete my work.
Now I only need to find the necessary parts.
- Necessary parts, you say?
- Come on. If we get this thing working,
then Nightshade will have time to play with us.
Then Nightshade will have time to play with us.
- Am I missing some fun?
- Oh, no! - Ahh!
- Nightshade! Hey!
Didn't see you sneak in.
- We were just, um, not messing with anything
that belongs to you, or...
That belongs to you, or...
- Hey, did you meet your author?
- Oh, no.
But I found someone even better...
A scientist.
I want to help him.
So I came home for the Smart Trainer.
- Uh, Nightshade...
- We wanted to fix it for you, but we sort of
just broke it more.
Just broke it more.
- This is perfect. Thank you!
And you've started disassembly already.
I've gotta get back to work!
Tarantulas!
- [hisses]
What? [transforms]
What is this?
- It's an invention of my own design,
using Earth and Cybertronian technology.
Using Earth and Cybertronian technology.
- What do you want in return?
- Oh. [chuckles]
Perhaps I could help you work?
- I might have use for an assistant
if you follow my instructions implicitly.
If you follow my instructions implicitly.
- I'll prepare the workstation!
This webbing is so versatile,
a truly ingenious design.
A truly ingenious design.
- Yes. Yes, it is, Nightshade.
Most fail to properly appreciate my inventions.
- Not even other Decepticons?
- Especially other Decepticons.
[beep] [projector powering on]
And to think, once this device is complete,
I will pass for human.
I won't be bound by constrictive labels like
Autobot or Decepticon anymore.
[beeping]
At last, I will be free.
- Isn't that a contradiction, though?
You'll be free but also hiding.
- Um... you'll understand once you choose an alt form.
- But I don't want an alt form.
- You are a Transformer.
Another mode is your birthright.
- I see no need for one.
I'm sufficient as I am.
- Young one, alt forms aren't meant
to complete you as though you have a missing part.
To complete you as though you have a missing part.
They further express who you already are.
- I haven't heard it explained that way before.
This is why you've chosen such a unique appearance.
- Yes. I will always be Tarantulas.
And you, Nightshade, however you may appear
who will you be?
- I'll be me, a scientist, a protector,
someone who helps those in need.
- I... I am glad for it.
No one's ever been so generous to me, I...
It is a gift to know yourself so well so young.
Take pride in that.
[upbeat rock music]
[no audible dialogue]
- Behold!
Your new mobile hologram projector is complete.
Thank you for everything.
Our collaboration was brief, but I'll never forget...
- Nightshade, wait.
We could leave together, forge new identities,
at least until the war begins again.
- But the war is over.
- There were many times over the last 4 million years
I thought that.
But I was wrong.
Why is now any different?
- This time, you can choose not to fight.
- I never chose to fight, Nightshade.
I chose to survive.
And now I'm choosing to live.
With this, we both can.
- I'm sorry. I cannot go with you.
- But... - I have obligations
here in Witwicky.
Here in Witwicky.
Goodbye, Tarantulas.
- Ah! Nightshade, honey,
what are you doing back there?
- I need advice.
How did society come to accept Megatron
as good after only knowing him as a bad Decepticon?
As good after only knowing him as a bad Decepticon?
- Well, Decepticons aren't inherently good or bad.
Who they are depends on their character and actions.
But, Nightshade,
everyone deserves a second chance,
whether they're human, Autobot, or Decepticon.
Whether they're human, Autobot, or Decepticon.
- And the Decepticons that are living
in shadows or in prison?
- Not everyone uses their second chance wisely.
- I see.
Thank you, Mom.
- Of course.
Wait, did you meet a Decep...
Guh.
[ominous music]
[growling]
And now all this talk about Decepticons.
- What are you thinking?
- Something has to be done about Nightshade.
- Oh, Dottie, you don't think this is the Decepticon?
[distant screaming]
- Mom and Dad!
- Help, somebody!
- Look!
[dramatic music]
[vehicle approaching]
[transforming]
- Bumblebee, help!
- A giant spider took Mom and Dad!
What are we supposed to do?
Who do we call to stop a giant spider?
- Easy, team.
We gotta remain calm. Now tell me again,
you said, giant spider?
You said, giant spider?
[electricity zapping]
- Oh, Dottie, you don't think this is the Decepticon
Nightshade was asking about?
Hashtag did mention Nightshade went to a cemetery.
- Let's not stick around to find out.
We can... [grunts] make a run for it.
[clanging]
- You would not even make it to the door.
- What do you want, Tarantulas?
If you were going to get rid of us,
you would have done it by now.
- If only it could be that simple with you GHOST agents.
- I don't know what you're talking...
- Spare me your lies.
I've seen your file in this primitive tech.
You work for GHOST,
you and your lackey. - Partner.
You and your lackey. - Partner.
- GHOST like to pretend to be noble all while
you imprison or indenture bots.
You imprison or indenture bots.
Well, tonight, I will walk free
alongside... - Let her go.
Alongside... - Let her go.
- Nightshade!
- No! - Get away, Nightshade!
- Why are you doing this?
- I heard them conspiring earlier tonight.
We must escape Witwicky, but we can't risk these two knowing.
So we'll delete their memories.
[weapon whirrs]
This device was designed by GHOST for use
on Cybertronians.
With my modifications,
it should work on humans. [whirring]
They'll forget you ever existed,
and we can do whatever we wish.
[electricity zapping] [lights popping]
[dramatic music]
- Mom, Dad, I am so sorry.
- [grunts] Nightshade, stop!
They are human. You can't trust them.
Fine. I didn't want to do this,
but at least we can test our new tech.
But at least we can test our new tech.
[whirring]
- Nightshade, honey, look out!
- Why do you protect your captors?
- [grunts]
- Look, another one!
- They are GHOST agents!
- Tarantulas,
if only you listened! [transforming]
- I don't think he's listening to anybody right now.
- [panting]
- [chittering]
- One day, you'll thank me for this.
- Nightshade, no matter what happens...
- Know that we love you.
- Mom, Dad! [grunting]
[shimmering tone]
"And the sentry owl stood guard,
protector of all in need."
[whirring]
[blasting]
[beeping]
[transforming]
[screeches]
[whirring]
- Ah! - [screeches]
- That's my baby!
Get him, child!
- [grunting]
- Nightshade, you read the book!
- You've made an interesting choice for an alt mode.
[transforms] But you're still
just the lost Protoform I first met.
- You've just proven you don't really know me
because I was never lost!
[screeches] - [grunts]
- [screeches]
[whirring, blasting]
- [grunting]
Ahh! [grunting]
- [transforming]
- [grunts]
- [grunting]
- [transforming]
[screeching]
- [grunts]
[Tarantulas transforming]
[grunting, panting]
Ah! [groans]
- [transforming]
- No, all of our work.
[vehicles approaching]
[transforming]
- Mom, Dad! - You're OK!
- Nightshade! [gasps] Is that you?
[chuckles] Wow, nice!
- You look awesome.
- You did good, baby.
- Tarantulas, my least favorite not so itsy bitsy spider.
You're abducting humans now, huh?
Typical Decepticon.
- No, Bumblebee.
Tarantulas only did this because he
thought he was protecting me.
Thought he was protecting me.
He didn't realize Mom and Dad were my parents
and that they protect me.
But everyone deserves a second chance...
whether they're human, Autobot, or Decepticon.
Whether they're human, Autobot, or Decepticon.
[radio chatter]
- Guys, I'm picking up GHOST chatter, getting nearer.
- Our combat must have alerted their surveillance sensors.
- That's our cue. Time to roll out.
- We're surrounded!
[helicopter whirring]
- So you're hiding, too.
All of you?
Get your family to safety.
I'll lead them away.
- But Tarantulas...
- Please, if this is my second chance,
let me take advantage of it.
[shattering]
- Come on, Nightshade.
Let's go home.
[helicopter whirring]
[dramatic music]