Disclaimer: This is it. This is the final chapter of the story and man, oh man, what a ride it's been. Now I'm just going to come right out and say what I have to say; when I said this is it, I meant it. This is going to be my final Transformers story and potentially my final story overall. I want to try to to transition into writing more original content, which I have been doing on the side for a while. Heart of the Demons knows this already. This is essentially my final fan fiction story.
As usual, I don't own the rights to the Transformers. Thank you for supporting on this crazy ride. Now, one last time...
Chapter XXVI
A heavy, audible clang rang throughout the core chamber. Optimus Prime half expected the blade of the Star Saber to be buried into his head and for his entire body to be split down the middle. Instead, the blade was buried into the floor of the platform. He could see the pureness of the blade pulsating, reflecting his visage onto it. Then he looked up toward the hilt of the Star Saber, seeing Unicron seemingly frozen in place. At the same time, Unicron was exchanging a telling glare toward Optimus Prime. Optimus locked optics with Unicron and noticed those of the Chaos Bringer fluctuating between green and blue, and Optimus knew it was Hotrod. So, did Unicron.
(("WHAT?!"
"No more, Unicron," Hotrod proclaimed as he stood a short distance away from the Chaos Bringer within his own psyche. "I won't let you continue with this insanity. I won't let you kill Optimus Prime or anyone else."
Unicron remained ever cold and emotionless as he unleashed a torrent of electrical energy and struck Hotrod, dropping him to his knees. "Even after all you've endured, you still try to fight. It is pointless to resist. Nothing can stop the coming of oblivion."
Hotrod struggled against the overwhelming force of Unicron's assault, but he looked up at the Chaos Bringer with defiance in his optics. He started to force his way up back up to his feet, managed to get at least to one knee. Then he made to an upright stance. He started to force his way through the blast. Unicron appeared surprised but he didn't cease his attack. He put more power into his blast and managed to slow Hotrod down. Hotrod put his arms up to block the blast but he still kept pushing forward. Unicron increased the output but Hotrod still kept coming toward him. It was then at that moment that Hotrod made Unicron take a step back. Then, Hotrod reached out grabbed hold of Unicron by his neck.
"You're right about one thing, Unicron; nothing can stop oblivion... not even you." Hotrod snarled while tightening his grip on Unicron's neck.
"Impossible." Unicron replied in genuine shock.
"You destroyed Nebulos. You destroyed Lithone. You tried to destroy Cybertron, threaten to use it destroy Earth, and you even killed Arcee. But no more. This end here and now."))
Unicron screamed and grabbed his hand in agony. He staggered around the platform while still holding the Star Saber in his other hand, while Optimus Prime started to get back up to his own feet. He knew that Hotrod was fighting Unicron from within. This time, it seemed that Hotrod was winning, and Unicron the one struggling again the overwhelming pain. Then seemingly out of nowhere, Unicron regained his senses and glared at Optimus Prime. He approached the Autobot leader with the Star Saber still in his grip, and Optimus Prime deployed his rifle and aimed it at the rabid god.
Unicron was right on top of Optimus and held the Star Saber off to the side, looking to take one final swipe at Optimus Prime. The swing that came was wide and it came nowhere near Optimus Prime's head. Then Unicron seemingly tossed the Star Saber into the air. The Star Saber twirled in midair before coming back down into Unicron's hand. But it landed blade first, and Unicron held it in front of his own chassis. Unicron then looked into Optimus Prime's optics with a familiar blue tone, while Optimus was stunned and confused.
"No matter the cost." Hotrod said.
"HOTROD, NO..." Optimus Prime screamed and reached out for Hotrod.
It was already too late. Hotrod took the blade of the Star Saber and plunged it into his own chassis. He ran the length of the blade right through his own body. Hotrod did the deed, but Unicron felt it. He looked down at the blade in his chassis is complete shock. He dropped to his knees holding the blade, and then he attempted to pull it out. The blade was smeared with a black substance not unlike blood. He looked up at Optimus Prime, who saw Hotrod instead Unicron because of the blue hue in his optics. Then he reared his upper body back and a black mist spewed from his mouth. The mist took on the familiar shape of Unicron himself, while Hotrod appeared to revert to his original form. Unicron's ghostly apparition, his Anti-Spark, looked to the fallen Autobot, and he could only sneer at him.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Unicron bellowed.
Somehow still functional, Hotrod smirked and weakly replied, "You lose, Unicron."
Unicron moved toward Hotrod again before a bright light shined from the core. "Unicron!"
Spinning around to see the light from the core, Unicron replied, "Primus!"
The light grew brighter and seemed to envelop the entire chamber, and Primus said, "You shall torment this universe no longer."
Unicron spun around again to see Optimus Prime quickly rushing for Hotrod. Looking back at the core and with pure, unbridaled rage, Unicron lunged forward. The core exploded in a brilliant white light that spread out through the chamber, bathing everything around. Optimus Prime quickly shielded Hotrod. Unicron felt the full force of the light. The light was so blinding that Optimus Prime couldn't see anything. He could only shield his view and focus on protecting Hotrod. He could still hear however, and he could faintly hear screams of protest and even fear... and they were coming from Unicron.
"NO! YOU CANNOT DESTROY... MY... DESTINY!"
But Primus replied, "UNICRON... BE GONE!"
It was right then, at that very moment, that Unicron came to realize that he was doomed. The light from the core exploded and completely engulfed Unicron's Anti-Spark within it. Optimus Prime didn't look back for a single moment, focusing instead on protecting Hotrod. He could hear Unicron's screams within the light, and he sounded as though he was desperately trying to endure the light. Within the light itself, Unicron was not fighting but slowly being disintegrated. As only an energy-base life form and without a host body, Unicron could do nothing against the light of Primus. Nothing, that is, except scream in agony and protest as his ethereal form was being completely vaporized.
In his last moments, Unicron could only scream out, "NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO..." Then, his ethereal form seemingly vanished from existence.
Megatron fell to the hard surface and attempted to get back up. A long shard of metal was driven into his left shoulder by Galvatron. Galvatron kept the elongated shard buried into the shoulder joint which in turn kept Megatron himself pinned down. Megatron wanted to fight back. His fusion cannon was damaged although he was unable to remember if it had been Galvatron or Nemesis Prime who damaged it. As if on cue, Nemesis Prime himself stood beside Galvatron as the latter of the two readied his own particle cannon. One shot was all Galvatron needed, and Megatron would've at least accepted his fate like any warrior. Then, something happened that Megatron never expected.
Moments before the trigger could be pulled, Galvatron went rigid and still. Nemesis Prime did the same thing, and Megatron watched with confusion, something that was an annoyance in itself. Then Galvatron seemed to take on an all too familiar ash gray shade, as did Nemesis Prime. They stood inert for a moment, and then they crumbled to nothing more than ashes. Megatron was still at a loss even as Soundwave and Starscream rushed to assist him. Soundwave helped Megatron up, while Starscream leered at him. Megatron met his gaze and for a quick millisecond, he thought that Starscream was on the verge of returning to his old ways. Starscream did nothing, because he was busy watching what happened to Galvatron and Nemesis Prime begin to take hold of the rest of Unicron's many avatars.
One by one, ever single avatar went still, turned a deep shade of gray and then finally crumble to ashes. The largest of the avatars rained thousands of bits of ash down on the battle, most of it dissipating in nothing even remoting resembling a living being. The clones of Cyclonus, Scourge, Tempest, Sideways and Thunderwing all seemed to fall apart until nothing was left of them. Shockwave, Tarn and the rest of the DJD were gathered together and watched in silence as the many avatars crumbled right in front of them seemingly without warning.
Across the battlefield, the Autobots and Maximals watched the same phenomenon transpire all around them. Many of the Autobots kept their guns or melee weapons ready for any trouble to come. No trouble came. Instead, the avatars continued to break apart inexplicably. Some of the Maximals were still in their beast forms, and the pointed the noses up toward the ashes as they came. Optimal Optimus and Rhinox watched in stunned silence as every avatar turned to ash. At the same time, Ultra Magnus, Ironhide and several other Autobots were shown to be equally dumbfounded by the event.
Springer looked over to Kup and asked him, "Does this remind you of anything?"
"Not in the least." Kup replied.
Arcee spent the same amount of time watching the avatar break apart, and then a feeling of dread washed over her. "Hotrod..."
The light from the core seemed to fade away as Optimus Prime tried to readjust his optics. Unicron was nowhere to be seen, yet the sound of his languished screaming still seemed to linger for a moment. Aside from that, there was nothing more the Chaos Bringer. Optimus felt pure exhaustion but that was mixed in with relief that the battle was finally over. Then reality set in as Optimus looked down into his arms. Hotrod was laying there with a lengthy gash in his chassis where he stabbed himself with the Star Saber. The twisted, miscolored visage that he once had when Unicron possessed him was gone and his original flamed scheme had returned. But the gash... Optimus Prime could see the platform on the other side. A crisp, bluish fluid spewed from the wound. Realization set in that Hotrod was mortally wounded, and it was much worse than the time Thunderwing nearly killed him on Earth.
A sound of thrusters approached from above. Optimal Optimus flew down in his jet form with Arcee riding him down. She dropped to the platform and her Spark felt like it had been ripped from her chassis when she saw Hotrod in Optimus Prime's arms. She rushed forward as Optimal Optimus transformed to robot form. He took in the full scope of the damage done to Hotrod, but he could offer no words that would've been appropriate. Arcee reached down to rest Hotrod's head in her arms while she looked up at Optimus Prime.
"Optimus, please tell me there's something we can do."
Optimus Prime looked at Arcee, then at Optimal, before standing up and approaching the core. "Primus... I am... I was once one of the Thirteen whom you created to combat Unicron the Chaos Bringer at the beginning of Cybertron's creation. I was looked upon as the Visionary of my brethren."
"Yes, I remember you, Optimus Prime," Primus replied in a soothing tone. "It was you who long ago, rallied the Primes to stand against the Great Unmaker and prevail where I could not."
"As you remember me, I ask you... no, I beg of you, please save Hotrod. He was a victim of Unicron's dark influence, unable to act of his own free will until..." Optimus Prime looked back worried at Hotrod, seeing the light from his optics dim with every passing second.
Arcee looked at Optimus, fearfully saying, "Optimus, we're losing him."
"You wish me to spare the life of you ally, Optimus." Primus said.
"He is more than an ally. Hotrod is part of something greater than an army. He is family," Optimus Prime declared and as he stepped further toward the core, he added, "And, I would sacrifice all that I am so he might live."
"Optimus Prime, I hear the truth in your words. You would sacrifice all that you are to save one life. But I ask you this; would you sacrifice your very Spark to save Hotrod?" Primus said.
Without hesitation, Optimus Prime replied, "Yes."
"Then step forward into this core of the world I've long constituted. Become with the Allspark." Primus implored, and the light started expanding once again.
Optimus Prime looked into the light of the core as it shined out, and then he looked back at the trio of Transformers that were present. Arcee continued to hold Hotrod in her arms while Optimal Optimus approached him. A look of confusion was awash along the young Maximal's face. At the same time, he had a feeling that he knew exactly what Optimus Prime was intending. It was either intuition or more likely, it was the Matrix of Leadership still resting in his chassis that gave Optimal the sense of realization. The two leaders were face to face, and Optimus Prime handed Optimal Optimus the Star Saber. Optimal hesitantly took the blade while maintaining optical contact with Prime.
"What is this? What're you doing?" Optimal asked.
"If my only course of action as it pertains to sparing Hotrod's life, then I must become with Primus. I must join the Allspark." Optimus Prime replied.
"Optimus, if you join the Allspark, you'll die... again." Arcee said even as she held Hotrod close.
"As long as Hotrod lives, then that is a sacrifice worth making." Optimus Prime replied.
"Optimus," Optimal said. "Cybertron has been restored, but it needs a leader."
Optimus patted Optimal on his broad shoulder and replied, "Cybertron has a leader, Optimal Optimus."
Optimal was stunned but didn't seem to buckle under the sudden weight of Optimus Prime's words. He stood confident and replied, "I'll do my best to live up to your legacy."
"Your best is enough. I know that Cybertron will be in good hands." Optimus Prime said.
"Op... Optimus..." Hotrod laboriously called out. Optimus quickly approached the fallen Autobot and knelt down next to him. "Don't do this... please."
Optimus Prime took Hotrod's hand in his own and told him, "Everything will be okay, Hotrod."
"No... it won't." Hotrod whispered.
Optimus Prime looked away for a moment, knowing of how Elita One's potential despair so soon after being restored. Then he told Hotrod, "Please, Hotrod, tell Elita that I will always be with her."
Hotrod was already too weakened from his ordeal and could feel his Spark fading, so he couldn't stop Optimus Prime from undertaking his action. Arcee held Hotrod close and didn't try to stop Optimus Prime. Optimus continued toward the core, passing by Optimal Optimus, who didn't try to stop him. Upon reaching the core and standing at arm's length of it, Optimus Prime turned back around. He looked at the three Transformers as they looked toward him. He could see Hotrod clearly wanting to get up and stop him despite his mortal injury, but Arcee wasn't letting him. Optimal Optimus met Prime's gaze and gave him a telling nod. Optimus Prime returned it before turning back toward the core.
Gunning his back thrusters for the final time, Optimus Prime lifted into the air and hovered toward the glowing core. He could make out countless rune-like symbols even with the light being so blinding. Optimus Prime reached his hand toward the core and within a moment of touching, he was almost certain that he could hear the voice Primus and the Original Primes. The light then expanded outward, cascading all throughout the chamber and bathing Optimal Optimus, Arcee and Hotrod. Hotrod felt a change within himself, his energy rapidly returning and apparently, his body evolving. His optics lit bright blue and he could barely see Optimus Prime within the light of the core. It seemed as though Optimus Prime looked back at him and smiled. Then, the light expanded further and Optimus Prime was gone.
A great wall of white light sprung out from the Well of Sparks before any single of the restored Cybertronians could process what was happening. Being nearest to the Well, Megatron, Soundwave, Ultra Magnus and Elita One had to shield their optics from the light. Even Sari, still sitting in Brainstorm's head, had to close one of her eyes, or optics rather, amid the brightness of the light. Then the light vanished just as quickly as it appeared. The Transformers were all left in a state of confusion, many of them unsure of whether to disperse or fight. Many on both sides were ready to fight if the need arose, but a sonic boom sounded from the Well.
Optimal Optimus flew up from the Well, dropping two robots the base. One of them was Arcee and the other appeared to resemble Hotrod but was much larger. It was apparent that Hotrod had been reborn as Rodimus. Arcee held Rodimus close to steady him, while Kup and Springer rushed to his aid. Optimal Optimus returned soon afterward and assumed his robot form. He landed gracefully beside his fellow Maximals, the Star Saber still firmly in his grasp. Ultra Magnus and Elita One approached Rodimus and Arcee.
"Hot... Rodimus," Ultra Magnus said to the reborn Autobot. "Are you okay?"
Rodimus looked up at his restored friend and replied, "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine."
"What happened, Rodimus," Elita One frantically asked. "Where's Optimus? What happened to Optimus?"
Rodimus, still recovering from his ordeal but at least to stand on his own, looked at the restored Elita One and replied, "Elita... I'm sorry."
Elita was confused and scared and she asked, "What're you talking about? Where is Optimus?"
Rodimus could only look away now as he replied, "Optimus is... one with the Allspark."
Elita One's confusion gave way to devastation once she processed the words that came from Rodimus. Then she glanced toward the Well and started slowly approaching it. She reached the edge of the Well and dropped to her knees, looking down the seemingly endless drop. Everyone else that was most immediately present could only stand in silence. Among them all, Megatron maintained a stoic expression. But on the inside, he felt a torrent of random emotions ranging from denial to anger and, surprisingly, respect toward his long-time rival. Starscream on the other hand felt the urge to cock his Null Ray and make for the nearest Autobot he could find. One step forward was taken before Starscream was suddenly halted by Megatron, who threw up his right arm to stop the Seeker. Starscream glared at Megatron and Megatron glared back at him, and Starscream could only back away.
"There will be no more fighting here, Starscream. There will be no more fighting ever again." Megatron stated.
A surprised Starscream looked dumbfounded at Megatron and asked, "What?"
Megatron looked toward the Autobots before turning to address his Decepticons. "Cybertron has at long last been restored to its former glory. A new Golden Age is upon us, and I for one do not intend to spoil it."
"Megatron," Optimal Optimus called out, drawing Megatron's attention to him. Walking up to the Decepticon leader, Optimal turned to address everyone present. "Cybertron has a second chance. What countless eons of war destroyed, we can rebuild, but only if we put down our guns and work together. No more fighting, no more wars and no more death. Whether we are Decepticons or Autobots, it matters not, for we are Cybertronians and we are home.
After a long pause of silence mixed with and some audible deliberation, Starscream callously said, "Well, that is a fine little notion you've presented, whoever you are, but I think I speak for all Decepticons when I say..."
Megatron suddenly stepped in front of Starscream, looking down on him with malice in his red optics. "You may have had your own resurrection, dear Starscream, but I do not recall permitting you to speak on my behalf, let alone anyone's else."
"W... what are you saying, Megatron?" Starscream wondered.
Megatron ignored Starscream and instead came face to face with Optimal Optimus. "We've all experienced the true horrors of oppression and war. I for one, have lost my tasted for inflicting it," Megatron turned back to Starscream and further declared, "The war is over and that is final."
Starscream appeared stunned as he looked around, and it seemed as though everyone present was in agreement with Megatron and Optimal Optimus. "Well, I guess we all of much to think about, don't we?" he said out loud before launching into the sky, transforming and flying away.
Once Starscream had gone, Rodimus looked over toward Elita One as she remained near the edge of the Well of Sparks. Approaching her with a noticeable limp, Rodimus said, "Elita, I..."
"Did he say anything?" Elita asked suddenly, turning to face Rodimus directly.
Rodimus silently replied, "He asked me to tell you that he'll always be with you."
Elita managed to produce a telling smirk. "He always did prefer putting others before himself," she said as she looked up toward the bright new sky above Cybertron. "Til all are one, Optimus."
Sometime after the battle for Cybertron, Iacon was once again a bustling metropolis filled with many of the restored Cybertronians. The rebuilding had begun in earnest, with both Autobots, Decepticons, and Maximals working together in the process of it all. Zarak had been granted entry into Iacon's main command center by Rodimus, and he couldn't stop marveling at the sheer amount of technology around him. He noted several Autobots and various stations, a few having been restored and present during the final battle against Unicron.
"I'm assuming you're Zarak, yes," one of the Autobots said out loud. "I'm Perceptor and I've been expecting you."
"Have you now? Did Spike Witwicky tell you about me?" Zarak asked somewhat suspiciously.
"He did, and he also told me of your lost home world, Nebulos. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for your loss." Perceptor said.
"Hm, your sympathy is kind but unnecessary. With Unicron gone, I think I can rest easy knowing that my people have been avenged." Zarak said.
"Perhaps not, actually. You see I've spent a much of my retirement on the planet Zamojin and as luck would have it, several of the inhabitants of that world were actually Nebulon themselves." Perceptor revealed to a surprised Zarak.
"Wait, there are Nebulon refugees on residing on Zamojin?"
"So, it would seem. I've already transmitted the coordinates to your titan ship. It might be worth investigating." Perceptor stated.
Zarak was unsure of how to process the information, and yet he felt some type of relief. "So, my family might still be alive."
Spike arrived in the center and said, "I figured that after everything that's happened, you'd need some kind of closure. Although, this info doesn't promise anything."
"It's a start at least," Zarak replied before he offered his hand. "Thank you, both of you."
Spike accepted the gesture and replied, "We hope that you find the closure you deserve, Zarak."
We will see, Mr. Witwicky," Zarak graciously replied before taking his leave with a genuine smile on his face. "We will see."
Shortly afterward, Zarak had returned to Skorponok where he sat at the command console and contemplated his next move. The news of potential Nebulon refugees on Zamojin seemed too good to be true. Yet, Zarak found himself holding out hope that it was all true. More so, he hoped that his family were among the refugees.
"Zarak?" a voice said, and Zarak turned to see Giga and Mega in the room.
"What are you two doing here?" Zarak asked.
"Giga and I have been discussing it and that since Arkeville is no longer a concern, we've decided that we'd like permission to join you on your travels." Mega stated.
"But why?" Zarak asked.
"Frankly, we've no purpose on Cybertron. So, maybe we might find a purpose amongst the stars." Giga stated.
It suddenly became clear to Zarak that Giga and Mega wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, and he replied, "Welcome aboard. Now, let's go find my family."
Upon returning to Earth, the Alchemor hovered over a singular patch of land that seemed to be in the middle of one of Earth's oceans. The hatch lowered and Dinobot emerged from within the ship. He dropped down onto an outstretched cliff and took in the view of the land. A volcano in the distance billowed smoke but didn't appear to be on the verge of erupting. Various forms of foliage rustled in a faint gust of wind. The land below appeared littered with pools of boiling black ooze. But the most astonishing aspect of this land was the lifeforms: dinosaurs. For the first time in a long while, Dinobot had returned to Dinobot Island. Rhinox appeared at the ramp, but he offered no words to Dinobot. He instead gave Dinobot a farewell.
Dinobot gave Rhinox a nod as the Maximal retreated into the Alchemor. Then, the ship lifted up toward the sky and rocketed away. Dinobot soon heard the loud roar of a mighty animal somewhere on the island, and he transformed to his raptor form and rushed off. He bolted along like lightning, giving several dinosaurs a wide berth so as not to startle them. One of the first dinosaurs he encountered was a Triceratops, and it reminded him of Slag. Dinobot continued onward and further into the island. He looked upward to see a flock of Pteranodons in flight, and he was reminded this time of Swoop.
A herd of Brontosaurs lumbered along, reminding Dinobot of Sludge. He then encountered another herd of Stegosaurs, and brief images of Snarl flood his thoughts. Dinobot continued along, having heard the same loud roar from earlier. Eventually, he spotted a mighty Tyrannosaurus on the hunt for its prey. Dinobot watched on as the T-Rex ripped its prey apart, and his thoughts wandered onto Grimlock. He lemented that his brethren were not restored, but took solace that they lived on in a way in the many creatures that roamed Dinobot Island. Then, he heard another sound, a booming, deafening call from somewhere on the other side of the island.
Dinobot rushed forward to track the source of the roar that was far too big to be from any of the creatures. He eventually found his way to a coastline where he transformed to robot form. He was astonished to find an enormous footprint in the sand, again too big to be from a random dinosaur. He knew instantly that it was no mere saurian. The loud roar sounded again, this time scattering many of the dinosaurs in every direction. It sounded close yet deep within the vast jungles of the island, and Dinobot knew exactly what and who was calling.
"Trypticon..." he mused with a smirk before returning to his raptor form and racing into the jungles.
Spike had been gone for roughly five Earth days. Autobot City was still in ruins. Daniel had returned there frequently with Verity, Jazz and Bumblebee. Carly had been given a proper burial, but Daniel couldn't shake the feeling of utter loneliness. Verity tried to comfort him as best as she could and Daniel worked to reciprocate it, but the pain of his losses ate away at him all the same. That all seemed to change by the time of the sixth day as Daniel and company were approaching the ruins yet again. They heard a loud boom from above and Daniel through the windshield of Bumblebee's vehicle form to see the Alchemor flying overhead.
Bumblebee and Jazz stopped just a few meters from the Alchemor as it touched down. Daniel and Verity rushed out into the open, allowing for Bumblebee and Jazz to assume their robot forms. Daniel was closest to the ship as it shut down its thrusters and the ramp lowered from beneath it. Verity was right next to him, holding onto his hand. They could hear heavy footsteps from inside the ship, and then Daniel's eyes widened when he saw Rodimus emerging. Arcee appeared right next to him, but then Daniel was stunned to see Kup, Springer and Ultra Magnus. Verity appeared just as surprised to see the restored Autobots, as were Bumblebee and Jazz as they exchanged surprised looks. Rodimus started moving toward Daniel with a very noticeable limp and he dropped to a knee to get his bearings and Arcee was at his side.
Daniel hastily approached him and whispered. "Rodimus?"
Rodimus looked down at Daniel and managed a small smile. "Hey, Dan-O."
Verity approached and said, "Kup? Springer? How are you guys...?"
Kup knelt down and replied, "It's a long story, lass, and not one even I can believe."
Springer looked toward the Alchemor and told Daniel, "I think there is something we can all believe."
Daniel looked to where Springer was looking and his eyes widened when he saw his father stepping off the ramp with Cerebros close behind him. Without a second thought, Daniel rushed for Spike and embraced his father. Verity felt a tear dropping from her eyes and approached the father and son. Spike reached his arm out to invite Verity and she joined the embrace. At the same time, Bumblebee and Jazz joined up with Rodimus and the rest of the Autobots. They looked toward the ruins of Autobot City and mused at the loss.
"I guess not everyone could be restored." Ultra Magnus solemnly claimed.
"You think it's because Metroplex was built on Earth instead of Cybertron? Like the Dinobots and Technobots?" Arcee wondered out loud.
"So were the Combaticons." Springer pointed out.
"Yeah, but their core components, including their Sparks, were created on Cybertron. So, they'd be an exception." Kup claimed.
"Let's not dwell on what we've lost," Ultra Magnus said as he looked back toward Spike, Daniel and Verity. "Let's just focus on what we still have."
Cybertron was restored and the Cybertronian race was no determined to rebuild their home. Of all the Transformers, Elita One was the only one not involved in the rebuilding. She'd spent most of her time at the Well of Sparks. She was there now, looking down into the vast drop and wondering what she was going to do now without Optimus Prime. As she pondered the future, Optimal Optimus arrived at the Well and approached her. He stood beside her at the edge of the Well and spoke no words at first, giving her a moment to acknowledge his presence. At last, Elita offered that acknowledgement.
"Optimal Optimus, was it?" she said.
"That's right." Optimal replied.
"I guess you're his successor now. You have a responsibility to live to his legacy. Think you're up to it?" Elita stated.
"I promised him that I'd do my best. He told me that would be enough." Optimal claimed.
Elita smirked at the words of the young Maximal and said, "That's Optimus Prime; always encouraging others to be the best of themselves. I'm going to miss you."
Optimal was able to form a small smile and placed a hand on Elita's shoulder. "I know, but I doubt he'd want us to mourn him. Cybertron is getting a second chance, so I imagine he'd want us to preserve the coming peace with all our being."
Elita bowed her head not in despair but hopefulness as she replied, "Yes. That'd be the best to honor him."
Optimal Optimus gave Elita One a nod before he took his leave. He assumed his jet form and took off into the newly bright skies above Cybertron. He flew overhead of Kaon, the Decepticon capital. He managed to make large numbers of both Decepticons and Autobots working together to rebuilt the capital, just as what was being done in Iacon. Transforming to robot form and looking down, Optimal Optimus could pinpoint Megatron and Shockwave overseeing the reconstruction. Optimal half-expected Megatron to attack him, but Megatron looked up toward the Maximal and nodded his approval. Optimal returned the gesture before returning to jet form and continuing his flight across Cybertron.
He eventually made it to Iacon, finding more Autobots and Decepticons working together in the rebuilding. He found his way to a tower overlooking the city and transformed before landing atop of it. Seeing both Autobots and Decepticons working side by side to rebuild their home planet brought a smile to Optimal's face. He felt pride for the first time, but he also wondered what Optimus Prime would've thought had he seen what was happening. Perhaps it was his imagination, but Optimal Optimus was almost certain that Optimus Prime was standing beside him.
Optimal Optimus raised his optics toward the infinite numbers of stars above Cybertron and he said, "I won't let you down, Optimus Prime. I will preserve the peace, fight the noblest of fights and protect not just Cybertron, but Earth as well."
In the vast ocean of space, a single star flickered brighter than any star in the universe. In a way, this single star was the Spark of Optimus Prime delivering one final message... "I am Optimus Prime and this message is to all sentient beings living freely; do not lament my absence, for in my Spark, I know that this is not the end but merely a new beginning. Simply put... another transformation. Til all are one."
Author's Note: That's it. That puts an end to the menace of Unicron, but it came at a cost. Now, I'm aware that I might have left some things open ended and I apologize if it's not up standards. Look at it this way; those open ended aspects are up for interpretation, so let the imagination fly. I'll be soon with the VOICE CAST so stay tuned and don't forget to review. Peace out, fellow Cybertronians.