Appearing in "Slow Death on the Proving Ground!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Children of the Dreaming Star (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Proving Ground Robots
Other Characters:
- Wolverine (Mentioned)
- Child of the Makers (Mentioned)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Microverse
- Proving Ground
- Spiral Path (Dream)
- Homeworld (Dream)
Items:
- Rocket Lance
- Acroyear's Energy Sword
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Slow Death on the Proving Ground!"
The Micronauts have survived the destructive atmosphere of the alien planet they have visited in their shuttle craft after it was intercepted by a large mechanical arm, but are blind and deaf from what lies outside their ship due to their sensors being non-functional. They decide to emerge from the ship despite their lack of awareness and discover a massive chamber full of complex machinery.
Meanwhile, aboard the Endeavor II, Biotron II and Microtron II attempt to move the ship into the shadow of a mountain to avoid additional damage from the laser light atmosphere of the planet but soon discover the mountain to be a transparent crystal. They attempt to burrow the ship into the ground to avoid additional harm but are overwhelmed by the immense power being produced by the amplified light of the rising sun and are seriously damaged.
The other Micronauts are trying to make sense of their surroundings but Mari and Arcturus are knocked unconscious after investigating a metal plate on a control panel. They begin experiencing a sort of dream in which they are back on Homeworld at an extravagant ball. They do not know each other in the dream but are intrigued and eventually meet. Back in reality, the remaining Micronauts are forced to combat a number of robots that suddenly appear. They struggle to overcome the machines until Huntarr spontaneously sprouts a pair of tusks that emit electromagnetic radiation that helps disable the robots. The robots seem to flee out of fear but Acroyear is skeptical that their actions are fear-driven. They are soon drawn into a trap in which the walls begin to close on them and they scramble to keep from being crushed. Mari and Rann are meanwhile continuing to experience their dream and eventually engage in a hypnotic dance that is praised by a fellow party-goer.
They suddenly come to as they realize their true selves and circumstances and they encounter a group of pink-skinned alien creatures who compliment them on their dance, explaining it to be a simulation. Mari and Arcturus seek to determine the well-being of their fellow Micronauts but quickly realize them to be quite well as they are revealed to be standing amidst a large heap of mechanical refuse. The aliens explain that the planet is used by their race as a proving ground for weapons and machinery but was not created by them. The Micronauts reunite and plead for rest after their ordeal as the aliens marvel at the group's diverse cast of characters.