Unicron Returns

A giant monster of evil returns to destroy with the help of the holder of the Black Matrix.

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Synopsis

After completing a rigorous training program designed by Boaty, Shortstop (Anthony) prepares himself for active duty once more. With his training complete, Anthony briefly steps away from his responsibilities to spend time with his human friend Matt.

Elsewhere in the universe, two massive cosmic fractures collide, allowing the severed head of the ancient destroyer [Unicron] to enter the Zapbot Universe. At the same moment, another powerful ancient entity, Secretish, emerges. Recognizing Unicron’s threat, Secretish seizes control of a nearby cybernetic planet, reshaping it into a new body for Unicron.

Observing these events from afar, the Super Changers race back to Gearatron to warn the Zapbots of the impending danger.

Meanwhile, Anthony grows disillusioned with the weight of leadership and responsibility. Using a machine of his own invention, he alters his appearance and reverts himself into a fully human form. Seeking a simpler life, Anthony leaves the Zapbots behind and returns to Earth to live quietly alongside Matt.

During Anthony’s absence, [Unicron] launches a devastating assault on Gearatron. With the aid of Secretish, the Zapbots are overwhelmed and forced into surrender. News of the defeat eventually reaches Earth, where Anthony—now fully human and reeling from a humiliating confrontation in gym class—realizes the consequences of abandoning his destiny.

Determined to make things right, Lazer-Ray and Support, aided by Click, retrieve the Matrix of Leadership and travel to Earth. They find Anthony in Matt’s backyard, where the Matrix restores him to his true form. Reunited with his purpose, Anthony returns to battle using both his Shortstop and Fortress Misslemax bodies.

Arriving on Gearatron, Anthony prevents Secretish from executing Botimus Prime and Boaty. [Unicron] soon attacks again, but this time Fortress Misslemax combines with Gearatron, allowing the planet itself to transform into robot mode. After a prolonged and destructive battle, Unicron is finally defeated, his head cast into the nearby sun. Secretish vanishes without explanation.

In the aftermath, Anthony formally recommits himself to the Zapbots. Delivering a new flag to Council member Earnon, he vows that he will never abandon the Zapbots again.

Featured characters

Zapbots	Nonocons	Humans	Enemies	Planets
Alert Boaty Botimus Prime Click Earnon Flier Fortress Misslemax Lazer-Ray Slide Shortstop Superrobot Support Overload	Secretish	Matt Anthony's Parents Beth Dad Lisa Mom Matt's Parents President of the United States Random Bullies Random Coaches Random Schoolkids	Unicron	Earth Gearatron Tockmak 3

Quotes

"I’ve been away. But I won’t let you down again, I promise!"

— Anthony telling Earnon he won't let him down again.

Notes

Versions

• First Version: 1987?
• Second Version: 1995?
• Third Version: 2021

Production notes

• Believe this is the first appearance of the holoroom, which is of course similar to a holodeck.
• This is the first appearance of Alert, Overload, Lazer-Ray, Support and Earnon.
• Third pass to provide extra details and upgrades happened in 2021.

Real-life references

• In real life Matt and myself did have a campout in his backyard similar to the events of this story (minus robots showing up.)

Other trivia

• Earnon was inspired by Zeemon from the Gobots and the President from Star Trek IV.