"Why…?"

Jack addressed the simple question to the ghostly apparition of Optimus Prime that appeared before him and Arcee. There was no anger in Jack's tone, just a desire to know the truth.

The apparition smiled, "An excellent question, Jack. However, before we proceed with the 'why,' let us discuss the 'how.'"

Optimus' gift to Jack, revealed to contain a crystal shard from the Matrix of Leadership, began to pulse with a rhythm not unlike a human heartbeat.

Images of the past began to appear in Jack and Arcee's shared minds' eye…

nightmarish images of the Nemesis, the Decepticon warship, unleashing a salvo of unimaginable power and completely destroying the Autobots' original home base…

hordes of Decepticons, sifting through the burning wreckage, narrowly missing the badly wounded Optimus Prime, buried under tons of twisted debris…

the Autobot Smokescreen, managing to rescue Optimus and getting him to safety in a nearby underground cavern…

…and a dying Optimus preparing to pass the Matrix of Leadership to Smokescreen.

"What happened next changed everything…forever. When Smokescreen chose to save my life, he rejected his destiny as the next Prime."

Optimus paused, searching for a way to explain the unknowable, "There are many paths…many roads…that lead to the future. When one path ends, another must be taken. Smokescreen chose to leave the path set before him, and so I was forced to continue as Prime, taking his place…at least for a short time. Earlier, when I lay near death, my spark had been in the presence of Alpha Trion, another of the original Thirteen Primes. Before I was returned to the world of the living, he showed me a vision of this new road to the future and entrusted me to do my part to ensure that it would come to be."

More images began to appear…

images of Optimus Prime, arms outstretched, chest panels opening to reveal the Matrix…

the Matrix' crystalline core emerging and floating in mid-air…

a fragment splitting off, becoming enveloped in a liquid metal globule from the Matrix housing, creating a second Matrix of Leadership…

the second Matrix mass-shifting and becoming tiny in size but no less powerful…

and finally, Optimus passing the second Matrix to Jack Darby.

"And thus, the new path was set."

"Life continued. The final battle against the Decepticons was fought…and won. We Autobots returned to Cybertron to rebuild our home. Finally, in order to defeat the Chaos-Bringer Unicron, I merged the AllSpark, contained within the original Matrix of Leadership, with the planetary core of Cybertron. This restored life to our world, at the cost of my own life, which finally rejoined the AllSpark. The original Matrix was lost, as well."

Jack asked, "So how is it you're able to speak with us, if you're…you know…not alive?"

Optimus explained, "The Matrix, in addition to being a repository for the ancient wisdom of the Primes, is also a conduit to the AllSpark itself. Through the power of the Matrix, we are able to communicate."

Jack thought for a moment and then smiled, "You know, this is the second time you've trusted me with this thing…and don't get me wrong, I totally understand the need for secrecy and all."

Jack thought back about two years, "I remember the first time, after you had just gotten back from battling Unicron, and we had, what, maybe five minutes before you had to set out again to take the fight to the Earth's core…and then Megatron showed up. We had been forced to ask for his help in stopping Unicron. He was right therein our base. If he even had a clue that you had asked me to carry the Key to Vector Sigma…" Jack shook his head, knowing full well that it would have been the end of everything.

Optimus was pleased that Jack possessed the insight to know his motives, but Optimus was compelled to apologize regardless, "Forgive me, Jack. If there had been any other way, I would never have deceived you."

Jack smiled at the ghostly figure, "I know, Optimus. I understand, believe me. Listen...Optimus, I - I didn't take the opportunity before, and God knows I don't deserve two second chances in one day, but…"

Jack emotionally collected himself and then looked at Optimus, tears already welling in his eyes, "I just wanted to thank you…for everything. You saved my life…my Mother…my friends…my planet…"

"Jack, there is no need to - " Optimus began.

"…but most importantly, thank you for showing me that there are still good fathers out there. I'm saying this because…you were always like a father to me."

"…and you were always like a son to me, Jack."

The two silently regarded each other. Nothing more was said. There was no need.

Arcee quietly walked up behind Jack. She had not wanted to intrude, knowing that Jack needed the opportunity to speak with Optimus. She knelt, gently placing her hands on Jack's shoulders. Jack looked at her and they smiled lovingly at each other.

"Optimus…Jack and I, we…" Arcee began.

Optimus Prime smiled, "I already knew, Arcee. It was somewhat…obvious."

Jack and Arcee spoke as one, "Why didn't someone tell US?!"

Changing the subject, Jack asked, "So…how does this work? Does the Matrix somehow tell me who to pass it to? Does Smokescreen get another shot at this...?"

Arcee interrupted, suddenly remembering, "Optimus, just before you entered the Well of All Sparks, didn't you say that the Age of Primes was over…?"

"Indeed. The Age of Primes has truly ended…on Cybertron."

Optimus looked directly at Jack.

"…wait, you mean…"

"The Matrix has already been passed, Jack. It was always meant for you."

Jack was stunned.

Optimus continued, "Even if Smokescreen had embraced the path of a Prime, the Matrix would have still ultimately passed into your hands. All paths led to this one future. This was always meant to be, Jack."

Jack's mind continued to reel.

"And so…at last we come to the 'why' of it all." Optimus grinned, a rare sight. His joyous countenance was that of one who had seen a miracle.

He began to share the vision he had seen, "One day…one day very soon…a new race will usher in a new Age of Primes."

Arcee suddenly held Jack close. Not daring to believe, she excitedly repeated, "…a new race…?"

Optimus replied, "Yes, Arcee. You and Jack are destined to be the progenitors of this new race…Cybertronian and Human…the Children of Primus and Unicron, united as one."

"Do not look so surprised. Have you never questioned how your history together has helped shape the destinies of both Earth and Cybertron since the moment you first met? You have both traveled the same road together for so long, and it is only now that you see your lives have always been forever intertwined."

Optimus went on, "For millennia, the words 'Till all are One' have been a source of hope that would light our darkest hours. This day, that time has finally come. This day…All ARE One."

The Matrix flared brightly, and then the light surrounding them began to fade…as did the spectral figure of Optimus Prime.

Panicked, Jack cried, "Optimus, wait! Arcee and I…our bodies…how are we supposed to…?"

It was too late. Optimus Prime had disappeared, leaving Jack and Arcee with nothing but questions.