[Video] - Event
[The feed opens up on Ironhide's training center. Apparently, the weapons master felt he was rested enough to get back to classes, while waiting for Dudewave's signal. He's pacing back and forth in front of a huddled group of mixed Cybertronians and organics of various sizes. Oddly enough, the younger Optimus is among them, despite having recently returned to life.
Ironhide does an abrupt about-face, his shoulders squared. As he does so, a drumbeat picks up, playing in a very militaristic style. He surveys the group, and, without any apparent effort, hefts a large, multiple-barreled weapon over one shoulder. However, instead of orders, the old warrior... sings. In his deep, rough voice.]
Let's get down to business
To defeat the 'Cons!
Did they send me cowards
When I asked for none?
[He resumes his pacing, looking over each trainee in turn. The camera follows him, flashing dramatically between the poor youngster, and their instructor's scowling face.]
You're the saddest bunch
I ever met
But you can bet
Before we're through
You there!
[He jabs a finger toward Optimus, who tries to ease into the crowd.]
I'll make a 'Bot
out of you.
[On that proclaimation, the video fades out, opening up again as the group lines up on a firing range. Each one is outfitted with a gun of sorts, the size of the weapon varying among them. Ironhide stands behind them, presumably directing this madness, still scowling. His voice carries, as the camera slowly pans across the trainees, while they take careful aim... and fire. A quick cut shows the targets are still mostly intact. Ironhide growls.]
Tranquil as a forest
But on fire within...
Once you find your center
you are sure to win.
[Another volley, with similar results -- except, this time, a few trainees forget to properly brace against weapon recoil, and go sprawling. The camera centers on one of them, as he looks forlornly down at his weapon, and then, against all notions of common sense... peers into the barrel. Behind him, a huge black shape can be seen approaching.]
You're a scrap-filled, weak
pathetic lot...
[Ironhide trails off, and roughly hauls the moron to his feet, letting the weapon clatter harmlessly to the ground, and all but snarling in his face.]
And you have not got a clue
Somehow I'll make a 'Bot
out of you!
[Now the feed cuts to focus on the various trainees as Ironhide puts them through their paces -- running through some kind of obstacle course. A course which includes explosions. And pitfalls. As they narrowly avoid -- or don't avoid -- the obstacles, the camera gets a close-up of their faces, and their internal monologue is suddenly displayed in song as well...]
I'm never gonna catch my breath.
[... as a human male sprawls atop a climbing wall, gasping... ]
Say good-bye to those who knew me!
[... as a Cybertronian is knocked headlong into another wall, by a Decepticon dummy... ]
Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym...
[... as another Cybertronian gets tangled in some kind of cabling net... ]
[And then the camera cuts to what appears to be an office. Inside is Jazz, watching the show through a small window, and shaking his head. He lifts a hand to his face and rubs at it.]
Big guy, you got 'em scared to death.
[... and then it's Optimus, doing rather well, but glancing around constantly, as if looking for something... ]
Hope he doesn't see right through me.
[... and last, is an organic female of some unknown species. She trips, and falls headlong into a pit with a splash.]
Now I really wish that I knew how to swim...!
[The music suddenly swells, and Ironhide's voice picks up again, calling out over the group as they perform a series of physical drills -- working on coordination, on speed. A chorus of unknown voices pick up an odd refrain between his shouts.]
Be a 'Bot!
We must be swift as a fleeing Sideswipe!
Be a 'Bot!
With all the force of an angry Prime
Be a 'Bot!
With all the strength of your weapons master
Mysterious as... someone else... that rhymes!
[The scene appears to fast-foward to some time in the future -- probably only a few hours or so. The trainees are doing a strength exercise, hefting heavy barrels and sprinting from one side of the center's main hall to the other. Most are struggling. Ironhide again stands watching, his arms folded, cold and disapproving. Watching a few tumble head-over-heels, he growls, and strides forward, easily tossing the barrels aside to haul up the poor, sprawled forms.]
Time is racing toward us
till our foes arrive!
Heed my every order
and you might survive!
[Again, it cuts, to a brutal fist-fight. Optimus is squaring off against one of the other Cybertronians, and losing. He ducks a kick, only to receive a punch square in his face. He drops, and stays down until the others move off. The camera stays focused on him, as heavy black feet approach. He looks up, the camera following his gaze. Ironhide doesn't raise his voice this time -- he sounds almost sad.]
You're unsuited for
the rage of war
So get out, go home
you're through
How could I make a 'Bot
out of you?
[Optimus' head bows. He stays that way until Ironhide leaves... but then he looks up, suddenly determined! He leaps to his feet. And as the music swells again, viewers are treated to a montage of the young Prime working himself hard through the earlier exercises. Gradually, he starts to improve!]
Be a 'Bot!
We must be swift as a fleeing Sideswipe!
Be a 'Bot!
With all the force of an angry Prime
Be a 'Bot!
With all the strength of your weapons master
Mysterious as... someone else... that rhymes!
[As the next chorus breaks out, Optimus is shown still working alone, in the firing range, this time. He raises a weapon, and, on the first try, manages to hit a target dead-center. Although, he does waver a bit at the weapon's kick. All the camera shows is a heavy, black hand steadying him from behind. He looks up, and, stepping in from off-screen, Ironhide adjusts Prime's stance, then steps back. This time, Prime doesn't waver. Viewers are treated to a few more clips of the two training together, as the song winds to a close.]
Be a 'Bot!
We must be swift as a fleeing Sideswipe!
Be a 'Bot!
With all the force of an angry Prime
Be a 'Bot!
With all the strength of your weapons master
Mysterious as... someone else... that rhymes!
[The music dies away, the other trainees wandering off, and Ironhide approaches Optimus. He clasps a hand onto Prime's shoulder, grinning.]
... Knew that would get you motivated, Prime. Good work.
Ironhide does an abrupt about-face, his shoulders squared. As he does so, a drumbeat picks up, playing in a very militaristic style. He surveys the group, and, without any apparent effort, hefts a large, multiple-barreled weapon over one shoulder. However, instead of orders, the old warrior... sings. In his deep, rough voice.]
Let's get down to business
To defeat the 'Cons!
Did they send me cowards
When I asked for none?
[He resumes his pacing, looking over each trainee in turn. The camera follows him, flashing dramatically between the poor youngster, and their instructor's scowling face.]
You're the saddest bunch
I ever met
But you can bet
Before we're through
You there!
[He jabs a finger toward Optimus, who tries to ease into the crowd.]
I'll make a 'Bot
out of you.
[On that proclaimation, the video fades out, opening up again as the group lines up on a firing range. Each one is outfitted with a gun of sorts, the size of the weapon varying among them. Ironhide stands behind them, presumably directing this madness, still scowling. His voice carries, as the camera slowly pans across the trainees, while they take careful aim... and fire. A quick cut shows the targets are still mostly intact. Ironhide growls.]
Tranquil as a forest
But on fire within...
Once you find your center
you are sure to win.
[Another volley, with similar results -- except, this time, a few trainees forget to properly brace against weapon recoil, and go sprawling. The camera centers on one of them, as he looks forlornly down at his weapon, and then, against all notions of common sense... peers into the barrel. Behind him, a huge black shape can be seen approaching.]
You're a scrap-filled, weak
pathetic lot...
[Ironhide trails off, and roughly hauls the moron to his feet, letting the weapon clatter harmlessly to the ground, and all but snarling in his face.]
And you have not got a clue
Somehow I'll make a 'Bot
out of you!
[Now the feed cuts to focus on the various trainees as Ironhide puts them through their paces -- running through some kind of obstacle course. A course which includes explosions. And pitfalls. As they narrowly avoid -- or don't avoid -- the obstacles, the camera gets a close-up of their faces, and their internal monologue is suddenly displayed in song as well...]
I'm never gonna catch my breath.
[... as a human male sprawls atop a climbing wall, gasping... ]
Say good-bye to those who knew me!
[... as a Cybertronian is knocked headlong into another wall, by a Decepticon dummy... ]
Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym...
[... as another Cybertronian gets tangled in some kind of cabling net... ]
[And then the camera cuts to what appears to be an office. Inside is Jazz, watching the show through a small window, and shaking his head. He lifts a hand to his face and rubs at it.]
Big guy, you got 'em scared to death.
[... and then it's Optimus, doing rather well, but glancing around constantly, as if looking for something... ]
Hope he doesn't see right through me.
[... and last, is an organic female of some unknown species. She trips, and falls headlong into a pit with a splash.]
Now I really wish that I knew how to swim...!
[The music suddenly swells, and Ironhide's voice picks up again, calling out over the group as they perform a series of physical drills -- working on coordination, on speed. A chorus of unknown voices pick up an odd refrain between his shouts.]
Be a 'Bot!
We must be swift as a fleeing Sideswipe!
Be a 'Bot!
With all the force of an angry Prime
Be a 'Bot!
With all the strength of your weapons master
Mysterious as... someone else... that rhymes!
[The scene appears to fast-foward to some time in the future -- probably only a few hours or so. The trainees are doing a strength exercise, hefting heavy barrels and sprinting from one side of the center's main hall to the other. Most are struggling. Ironhide again stands watching, his arms folded, cold and disapproving. Watching a few tumble head-over-heels, he growls, and strides forward, easily tossing the barrels aside to haul up the poor, sprawled forms.]
Time is racing toward us
till our foes arrive!
Heed my every order
and you might survive!
[Again, it cuts, to a brutal fist-fight. Optimus is squaring off against one of the other Cybertronians, and losing. He ducks a kick, only to receive a punch square in his face. He drops, and stays down until the others move off. The camera stays focused on him, as heavy black feet approach. He looks up, the camera following his gaze. Ironhide doesn't raise his voice this time -- he sounds almost sad.]
You're unsuited for
the rage of war
So get out, go home
you're through
How could I make a 'Bot
out of you?
[Optimus' head bows. He stays that way until Ironhide leaves... but then he looks up, suddenly determined! He leaps to his feet. And as the music swells again, viewers are treated to a montage of the young Prime working himself hard through the earlier exercises. Gradually, he starts to improve!]
Be a 'Bot!
We must be swift as a fleeing Sideswipe!
Be a 'Bot!
With all the force of an angry Prime
Be a 'Bot!
With all the strength of your weapons master
Mysterious as... someone else... that rhymes!
[As the next chorus breaks out, Optimus is shown still working alone, in the firing range, this time. He raises a weapon, and, on the first try, manages to hit a target dead-center. Although, he does waver a bit at the weapon's kick. All the camera shows is a heavy, black hand steadying him from behind. He looks up, and, stepping in from off-screen, Ironhide adjusts Prime's stance, then steps back. This time, Prime doesn't waver. Viewers are treated to a few more clips of the two training together, as the song winds to a close.]
Be a 'Bot!
We must be swift as a fleeing Sideswipe!
Be a 'Bot!
With all the force of an angry Prime
Be a 'Bot!
With all the strength of your weapons master
Mysterious as... someone else... that rhymes!
[The music dies away, the other trainees wandering off, and Ironhide approaches Optimus. He clasps a hand onto Prime's shoulder, grinning.]
... Knew that would get you motivated, Prime. Good work.