What is the origin of the Autobot combiner known as Tonkanator? Why do its components all have such similar names among each other and the ones that form Devastator? Are they Autobot clones of them made through experiments?
Dear Tonka Tough Guy,
Although the Gobots successfully saved their home reality and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity, not all the inhabitants of Gobotron were happy with this new status quo. Soon enough, the dastardly Master Renegade escaped captivity on New Earth and soon returned to his old tricks. In time, he made contact with Zero, newly-appointed leader of a small group of fanatics who’d renounced Cy-Kill after the Renegade leader abandoned his evil ways and set up a new base of operations, working out of Magmar’s abandoned fortress on Quartex.
Armed with some unique Cybertronian schematics purloined from a distant dimension, samples of cybernucleic acid, and whatever resources they could gather, the group set about creating six new Gobots—fusions of Transformer and Gobot technology, these entirely mechanical super lifeforms possessed hand blasters and the ability to fly, but their positronic brains were sustained by an artificially-induced “spark” of life. These six Renegades—modest Motor Load, put-upon Mega Hauler, destructive Mega Dozer, manic Motormix, insecure Power Digger, and the stuck-up Skyhook—inherited much from their genetic templates, including the ability to combine into a mighty, if dim-witted, form.
Zero’s Neo-Renegades attacked the Guardians during a routine goodwill mission on Quartex. The towering Tonkanator easily outpowered Leader-1’s Courageous combiner, and neither Puzzler nor Fossilsaurus could match Tonkanator’s unbridled fury. With no other options, Leader-1 and Cy-Kill were forced into an undignified retreat to lick their wounds. Fortunately, an unexpected ally presented himself: Steamer, an ex-Renegade with a construction vehicle alternate mode, believed that he could infiltrate Zero’s temporary headquarters and turn the Tonkanator Six against their creators—if nothing else, he could repay the debt that he himself owed Leader-1 and his allies when they helped him escape the Renegades. Leader-1 agreed, doubtfully, and sent Steamer on to try and reason with Motor Load and his minions. Although Motor Load initially doubted Steamer’s message of goodwill, Zero quickly realized the true nature of Leader-1’s plan and took Steamer prisoner.
Suspended over a boiling vat of molten magma, Zero and his followers broadcast a message to Leader-1, warning him that he had two hours to surrender Quartex to the Renegades or else Steamer would perish. Salvation, however, came from an unexpected source—unable to ignore the plight of a fellow construction vehicle, Motor Load and his fellows turned on their benefactors and sent the Renegades scattering; as they freed Steamer and took off, Skyhook took a moment to dismiss the Master Renegade as an “uncharismatic bore!”
In the end, Leader-1 allowed Motor Load and his fellows to join the Guardians. Together with Steamer, they now make up the “Auto-Bots”, a unique subgroup of Go-Bots who use their construction powers to assist in the rebuilding of Gobotron.
