Decepticon Clone
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The Decepticon Clones (known in Japan as the Clonetrons) are two fictional characters from the Transformers universe.
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[edit] Profiles
Released as a two-pack of figures in 1987, the Decepticon Clones, Pounce and Wingspan, derive their name from the fact that they are virtually identical in their robot modes, while each possesses a distinct alternate mode. In addition to the traditional heat-activated stickers which reveal their Decepticon symbols, the toys also included similar stickers which reveal different symbols that denote the alternate mode of each figure. These symbols were employed for the clones' animated designs, serving as the only way to immediately tell the two characters apart in the animated series.
[edit] Pounce
Pounce is as antisocial, vicious and downright nasty a Decepticon as you could never want to meet. Cunning and merciless, he’s the machine who will do the jobs that no one else wants, with silent, savage fury. Although he his skills are superior, however, a lot of his success is a result of the almost-legendary reputation that he has deftly crafted for himself by shrouding himself in mystery – it is said that no one, not even the Decepticons, know when or where he will next strike. His mission to stalk deep in enemy territory is an open-ended one, as he hunts his prey under cover of night, stalking the shadows without mercy. Despite a slight tendency to believe his own hype, Pounce has no evident weaknesses - the more vicious and disgusting the job, the more Pounce will enjoy it.
In his puma alternate mode, Pounce can move without making a sound, and is able to leap seven miles. His senses of smell and sight are particularly enhanced, enabling him to track virtually anything, anywhere. In robot mode, his optical sensors possess a laser range finder and a target lock, providing 99.4% accuracy with his twin anti-personnel missile launching guns, both of which come complete with metal shearing bayonet attachments.
[edit] Wingspan
Wingspan has a voracious appetite for new data to absorb and analyze, and by extension, is incredibly nosey. Forever poking his beak where it does not belong, his natural hunger for information serves him well as a data processor for the Decepticons, even if he is just as likely to snoop through someone’s window as he is to spy on the latest Autobot meeting.
Wingspan transforms into a hawk, and possesses incredibly visual acuity, all the better to perform his function with. In addition to this ability, he is also equipped with a collection of chemical an infra-red sensors for collecting and analyzing geographical data to help him locate natural resources for the Decepticons. In robot mode, he wields twin electro-burst rifles.
[edit] Animated Series
The Decepticon Clones only appeared in the original Transformers animated series in The Rebirth, Part One, the first episode of the show's fourth and final season. When the Decepticon forces attacked Autobot City in 2007, Pounce and Wingspan were assigned a special task – under cover of the diversionary assault, the clones were to break into the city’s vault and steal the key to the legendary Plasma Energy Chamber. When the Autobot double-agent Punch spotted them blasting their way into the city, he attempted to discern their mission by assuming his Decepticon guise of Counterpunch, but when they rebuffed his aid, he resumed his Autobot form and attacked. Pounce countered, mauling Punch while Wingspan opened the vault, transforming to hawk mode and seizing the key before escaping aboard Scourge.
Although the characters’ voices noticeably fluctuate from line to line, officially, Stan Jones provided the voice of Pounce, while Peter Cullen portrayed Wingspan.
[edit] Transformers: Headmasters
Pounce and Wingspan were also featured in the Japanese-exclusive Transformers: Headmasters animated series. Formerly friends with the Autobot Clones, when the two groups went their separate ways to travel and enhance their skills, Pounce and Wingspan came under the wing of Galvatron and joined the Decepticon forces. The Autobot Clones, meanwhile, had discovered a map that lead to a hidden source of proton energy, and the Decepticon Clones attacked their former friends, stealing half of it. Heading to the “Pirate Planet” on which the energy was hidden, they were ambushed by the Autobots Clones upon arriving, but with help from Sixshot, they defeated them and claimed the other half of the map. Within the pyramid that the map uncovered, the two sets of clones faced off, and the Autobot Clones claimed victory, forcing Pounce and Wingspan to retreat. The proton energy, however, was revealed to have been depleted long ago.
Pounce and Wingspan subsequently accompanied Scorponok’s forces to Planet Master, but returned to Earth ahead of them. Following orders sent by Scorponok as he headed back to the planet, the two launched an energy-absorbing satellite from a site in Athens, then rendezvoused with Sixshot, unaware of the fact that he had been betrayed by Scorponok and planned to derail his scheme. Inadvertently revealing to Sixshot the information he needed, the clones were attacked by the ninja and severely damaged, but managed to survive the assault, helping in the final steps of Scorponok’s plan and participating in the massive battle at the North Pole.
Pounce’s voice was supplied by Masashi Ebara, while Yoshitada Ohtsuka provided the voice of Wingspan.
