Transformers War for Cybertron: Joining the War.

Chapter 8: To The Core.

(Author's notes: In this chapter, when Saber Rex gets separated from Optimus Prime, Corvowing Prime, Ratchet, Ironhide, Warpath and Omega Supreme after they made their way through several Decepticon checkpoints to the Omega Gate, Saber Rex meets a sort of angelic Cybertronian by the name of Astrodive who tells him how to extract the majority of the Dark Energon from Primus' spark. Upon finding himself at the Core of Cybertron and after meeting Astrodive, Saber Rex utilizes an Energon Extractor – a combination of the Spark Extractor and the Energon Harvester from Transformers Prime – to remove the Dark Energon. By the time the others get to the core, Saber Rex is hit by the corrupted worm and by the time the worm is destroyed, Saber Rex uses the last of his strength in utilizing the Energon Extractor to remove 70% of the Dark Energon at the cost of his life. And that is where the Allspark turns him into Flashtide and chooses him as its host to throw Megatron off course.

Additionally, in terms of responding to reviews of my stories, this one is for a guest reviewer who took the time to review the first chapter of my Dark Of The Moon story. You said you couldn't wait to see what I got in store for D***hole Dylan Gould, right? Well, I have something in mind, but that will come after the seventh chapter of that story since the first seven chapters take place in the console video game version of the film. I mean, after all, the video game version of the movie does take place before the actual movie, thus providing some background as to why there are no Aerialbots in the film. And at the same time, both the video games and the IDW movie comic books show us several dead Autobots and Decepticons to explain why any additional Autobots and Decepticons from the Tyran cluster – Warpath, Jolt, Skywarp and Thundercracker included – didn't show up in the film. Until then, guest reviewer, be patient. And who knows? The eighth chapter just might surprise you when Cuervosplicer reveals what he did to Dylan, his allies and the Decepticons' human allies involved in the Space Race of the sixties thanks to Cuervosplicer's ability to spread the word with concrete evidence combined with his ability to traverse time and space.

Lastly, in a cruel plot twist, Omega Supreme's surrogate sister Crank Supreme was captured in Omega's place to keep the Omega Gate under lock and key to prevent the Autobots from getting in. The reason why Crank Supreme is able to open the Omega Gate is because, before his capture and death, Sentinel Zeta Prime secretly began building several giant-sized Iacon Guardians similarly different to Omega Supreme to outnumber the Decepticons and to help guard the Omega Gate just in case one of their numbers got overwhelmed and captured.

Enjoy chapter 8.)

Optimus Prime, Corvowing Prime, Ironhide, Warpath, Ratchet, Saber Rex and Omega Supreme made their way throughout several highways to head onwards to the Omega Gate leading to Cybertron's core. In order to access it, they needed to free Omega Supreme's comrade and surrogate sister, Crank Supreme.

Along the way, Warpath couldn't resist jumping off a ramp in vehicle mode and blasting some Decepticons while shouting, "Bam! Pow!"

Of course, Ironhide didn't take kindly to Warpath accidentally bumping into him and he called out, "Warpath, slow down!"

Warpath starts driving in tank mode backwards to face Ironhide and he asks, "What's wrong, Ironhide? Too rusty to keep up?"

Warpath starts driving the right way, just in time for him to drive over a Decepticon motion sensor embedded in the ground, thus causing a doorway up ahead to go into lockdown.

Ironhide bemoans, "That's just great – the Decepticons are locking down! Why did you bring this kid, Optimus?"

Optimus replies, "You're about to find out."

Warpath starts driving at maximum speed, blasting the door apart with his tank cannon while jumping to get through the hole he created.

Warpath and his companions manage to make it through just fine while Omega Supreme looks for a doorway to accommodate his size.

The six Autobots switched to robot mode.

Warpath exclaims, "YEAH! Now THAT'S an entrance!"

Ironhide says, "Dial it down a notch, kid."

Warpath replies, "I've only got one setting, old timer. KA-BLAM!"

Corvowing interjects calmly, "We're a team, Warpath. Whether we take the direct approach or the smart approach is irrelevant. We have to put aside our personal differences and our overall differences in order to win this war."

Optimus adds, "Corvowing is right, Warpath. Let's focus on finding Crank Supreme."

After shooting the two locks on the next door, the six Autobots enter the room to see from a window Crank Supreme restrained and being forcefully fed Dark Energon to prevent her from escaping and obliterating her captors.

Optimus asks in shock and horror, "Crank Supreme! What have they done to you?"

Ironhide points out, "They're torturing the poor girl."

Optimus asks his trusted oldest friend, "Ratchet, can you access the terminal remotely and find a way to free Crank Supreme?"

Ratchet checks the security in the terminal and answers, "Negative, Optimus. The system is too well-protected to hack... but if we can find a way to weaken their power grid, I might be able to get in."

The door to the window closes and the six Autobots take notice of a door behind them, with the same two locks that are preventing anyone from getting inside.

After taking out the locks and entering the next room, the six Autobots observe the three power cells maintaining the power grid.

Optimus calls out, "There! Blast the power cells!"

Corvowing, Ironhide and Saber Rex blast the power cells.

Ratchet hacks the terminals and says, "That did it – I'm in. Hmm... the whole facility's in lockdown mode. Guess that means they know we're here?"

Ironhide wonders aloud, "Wonder how THAT happened."

Ratchet states, "I'll punch up a holo-map..."

The holo-map shows up on display and Ratchet continues, "There. First thing we need to do is hack the Main Security Console. That'll cancel the lockdown mode."

As soon as the door opens and several Decepticons come out of the doorway, Optimus calls out, "We've got company!"

Ironhide calls out, "Hey, Warpath! Watch how a pro deals with these creeps!"

Warpath replies, "Sure thing, old timer! Just tell me when the pro shows up!"

After dealing with the Decepticon Soldiers in the doorway, the six Autobots follow the path and they clear the next enemy position.

Upon finding a slew of Overshields, Corvowing Prime calls out, "Don't touch anything! Those are fake Overshields rigged with EMP grenades!"

The six Autobots step back as the EMP grenades detonate.

Optimus states, "Be aware! We've got Cloakers nearby!"

After contending with the Decepticon Cloakers, the six Autobots come across a door with three locks in place of the usual two.

After destroying the locks, the six Autobots kill the Decepticon guards inside, only for Corvowing Prime and Firefest to revive them and reprogram them into Autobots.

Optimus asks him, "Must you always reprogram the generic enemy soldiers into Autobots?"

Corvowing replies, "It provides us with bigger numbers, and it gives them an opportunity for redemption."

Ratchet calls out, "There. Unlock the security console just ahead."

Ironhide activates the security console.

All the while, Warpath remarks, "Wow! Look at all the hardware in here! It takes all of this just to keep Omega and/or Crank locked up?"

Corvowing replies matter-of-factly, "Omega Supreme and the other Omega Sentinels are some of the toughest giant-sized Autobots that were ever built to take on Megatron, kid. You BET it takes all of this just to keep even one of them locked up."

After going through the door, the six Autobots approach a junction.

They split up with Optimus, Warpath and Corvowing taking the left path while Ratchet, Saber Rex and Ironhide take the path on the right.

The left path team manages to get to the switch while contending with a Decepticon ambush.

Corvowing does the honors and Crank Supreme's left servo is unrestrained, allowing her to blast several Decepticons with missiles.

A Decepticon P.A. calls out, "Alert! Omega Restraint is offline."

Optimus says, "Good work! Just one more to go!"

Just as Ratchet was about to throw the second switch, Soundwave calls out over the P.A., "Autobots! Surrender immediately, or be destroyed!"

Corvowing calls back in his demonic voice, "Never gonna happen on both counts, a**hole!"

Ratchet throws the second switch, completely freeing Crank Supreme from her restraints.

Warpath shouts, "Time to GET LOUD!"

The Decepticon P.A. calls out, "Alert! Alert! Omega Restraint Two is now offline. Prisoner designate: Crank Supreme is unsecured!"

Crank Supreme states for the first time, "I'm finally liberated!"

Corvowing says, "That did it! Let's get in there and help her out!"

After the main door opens, the Autobots regroup with Omega Supreme, whom manages to kill his comrade's captors.

Omega Supreme asks his surrogate sister, "Crank Supreme. Are you intact?"

Crank Supreme replies, "Yes, Omega. I'm intact."

Omega Supreme takes notice of the two Autobot leaders and says, "New Autobot leaders Optimus Prime and Corvowing Prime: identified. Omega Supreme: grateful."

Corvowing asks in reply, "What is Crank Supreme's damage level?"

Omega Supreme analyzes the damages and responds, "Crank Supreme's damage level: 75%. Ability to open Omega Gate: Severely hampered. Repairs: Required."

Corvowing and Ratchet prepare their Energon Repair Rays while Corvowing summons his medical clones to even the odds with both their own sets of Energon Repair Rays and multiple sets of Energon Repair Grenades.

Omega Supreme then announces, "Alert: Inbound Decepticons. Defensive perimeter: Advisable."

Ironhide remarks, "Good! I'm itching to blast somebody!"

Warpath remarks in response, "Now you're speaking my language, Ironhide!"

Ironhide retorts, "I'm thrilled."

Corvowing calls out, "Saber Rex, see if you can get those turrets online."

Saber Rex activates the Energon Repair Turrets.

Optimus remarks, "Energon! We can restore ourselves here."

The seven Autobots take care of the first wave of enemies, especially thanks to Corvowing's clones and Omega Supreme decimating the enemy forces.

After activating the next set of Energon Repair Turrets, Omega Supreme announces, "Omega Gate sequence: initiating."

As Omega and Crank Supreme start their work, the next wave of Decepticons comes into the room. Only this time, like their comrades, they're simultaneously revived and reprogrammed into Autobots.

Omega Supreme announces again, "Omega Gate sequence: twenty-five percent complete."

Warpath asks, "Is that it? We won?"

Corvowing answers, "No. There's only about eight hundred thousand more coming to fight us. And there's no way they'd be giving up that easily."

Optimus adds, "Agreed, Corvowing. Everyone, reload and power up before they come back."

After activating the next line of defenses, Omega Supreme announces once again, "Omega Gate sequence: fifty percent complete."

Ratchet calls out, "All right, we've repaired Crank's vitals, but she still needs more work before she can help finish opening the Omega Gate."

Then, the next wave of Decepticons arrives.

Only, they're overwhelmed by sheer numbers and reprogrammed in no time.

Optimus remarks, "That's another wave down, but gear up again. There'll be more coming this way. Ratchet, Corvowing, we can't keep this up forever. What's your progress?"

Corvowing and Ratchet reply respectively, "We managed to get Crank Supreme's primary capacitors restored." "But even with our clones and Energon Repair Grenades, Crank Supreme still needs more time."

Optimus replies back, "You two keep working, but be aware. It looks as though the next wave is coming from the sky!"

The wave of Decepticon Seekers is immediately overwhelmed and reprogrammed into Autobot Aerialbots.

Omega Supreme announces, "Omega Gate sequence: seventy-five percent complete."

The next wave of Decepticon Snipers is immediately overwhelmed and reprogrammed as well.

Soon enough, many Decepticon Soldiers, Snipers, Seekers and Heavy Soldiers arrive, only to be overwhelmed and reprogrammed.

After a few minutes, Omega Supreme and Crank Supreme finish their jobs.

Omega Supreme announces one more time, "Omega Gate sequence: complete. Core entrance: available."

The Omega Gate opens, only for a Decepticon Destroyer to come barreling out of the entrance in tank mode, blasting the Autobots and the battlefield with barrages of Energon shells.

Ironhide calls out, "Flank 'em! They're not so tough from the rear!"

Warpath remarks, "I'll show 'em what a Defender can do!"

Ratchet calls out, "Autobots, Omega Supreme is battle ready. Hold that Destroyer off for a bit."

Optimus calls out, "You heard him. DIG IN!"

After blasting the Destroyer's fuel cell and parts of his armor with an Ion Displacer, Omega Supreme prepares his magnetic claw and states, "Omega: Battle. Omega: SMASH."

The Destroyer is pulled into Omega Supreme's grip and is torn in half in the middle.

Crank Supreme calls out, "I'm ready to transport our new troops to Autobot Headquarters."

Ratchet then says, "Optimus, I'll need to complete Crank Supreme's repairs back at Headquarters."

Optimus replies, "Thanks, Ratchet. We'll continue to the core without you."

The now five Autobots transform to vehicle mode and drive down the tunnel that the Destroyer came from.

Along the way, Optimus points out, "Keep your optics sharp, Autobots. The High Council told me about the corruptive influence and corruptive properties of Dark Energon. The closer we get to the core, the more dangerous and unstable Cybertron may appear."

As the five Autobots approach a shaft, they switch back to robot mode and Optimus says, "The Core rests at the very center of Cybertron itself. We'll have to jump into this shaft to continue, seeing as all other entrances and exits to the Core have been blocked."

Warpath exclaims, "YEAH! I'm ready!"

Ironhide retorts, "Of course you are. Let's get it over with!"

The five Autobots jump down the semi-long shaft.

Upon reaching the bottom, Ironhide remarks, "I felt THAT one."

Upon making it to a drop on top of another platform, Warpath cries out, "Look!"

Everyone bears witness to massive amounts of Dark Energon growing.

Optimus theorizes, "The Dark Energon corruption is spreading more quickly than I had imagined."

Ironhide points out, "Optimus, this growth is really unstable! Watch those spikes! They look like they'd hurt A LOT."

After coming down the projected path provided by Corvowing, the five Autobots bear witness to a space slug destroying the Dark Energon.

Warpath asks fearfully, "What are those things?"

Ironhide asks in response, "What's the matter, kid? You've never seen a space slug before?"

Corvowing answers for Warpath, "Um, I'm absolutely sure Warpath definitely hasn't seen a space slug until now."

Optimus explains, "They're a part of Cybertron's natural defenses. They'll eat away at the Dark Energon's corruption."

Warpath points out, "The corruption sealed us in! We're stuck!"

Optimus replies, "Let ME give it a try."

The elder Prime charges up his axe and cuts through the tentacle-based Dark Energon corruption.

While making it through the path to the next room, Ironhide muses to Optimus, "Something's not right."

Optimus asks his old friend, "What is it, Ironhide?"

Ironhide replies, "I don't know yet, but be ready. Something's coming."

Upon making it to the next room, the five Autobots are ambushed by a collection of Grounder Decepticon Soldiers, Snipers, Protectors, Shotgunners, and Rocket Troopers.

Of course, Corvowing Prime and Firefest just casually fired multiple harpoons at the Decepticon soldiers, reprogramming them into Autobots.

Warpath bemoans, "Now we're stuck AND stuck! That stuff is tough!"

Optimus points out, "My axe can't cut through this much corruption. We will need to find another way."

Corvowing walked up to the corruption, brought out his twin swords, charged them with pure Energon, and slashed through the corruption using his Blade Dash ability combined with his super speed.

Corvowing steps back as a space slug approaches deals with two Decepticon stragglers.

Ironhide clears his vocalizer and says, "Bah-weep-Graaaagnah wheep ni ni bong."

The space slug starts moving past as Warpath asks, "What was THAT?"

Ironhide replies, "That's the universal greeting."

Warpath states fretfully, "I don't think it worked!"

Optimus replies, "We have nothing to fear, Autobots. The slugs will count us as friends."

After jumping down another shaft, Warpath exclaims, "Huh? It's a dead end!"

Soon, the five Autobots hear some space slugs growling, even though they don't know that the space slugs are making the noises.

Ironhide asks, "You hear that sound? What is that?"

The space slugs burst through the Dark Energon crystals, and Ironhide exclaims, "Whoa!"

Warpath remarks, "Those look like turrets on their backs!"

Optimus theorizes, "I think they WANT us to ride them. They can sense that we're here to help."

As Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Warpath ride the slugs and mount the turrets, Saber Rex follows in jet mode and Corvowing Prime follows in his two-headed dragon mode while holding Firefest.

Warpath exclaims, "YEEEE-HAW!"

Ironhide remarks, "My sentiments exactly."

After bursting through another set of Dark Energon crystals, the five Autobots are ambushed by a LARGE assortment of Decepticon Soldiers, Shotgunners, Seekers, Rocket Troopers, Protectors, and Heavy Soldiers, amounting to fifty thousand each.

Corvowing Prime and Firefest casually reprogram them with Firefest's harpoon cannon mode firing at the same rate of fire as the Death Machine Gun wielded by the Cybertron Megatron/Galvatron.

Warpath remarks, "This place is crawling with Decepticons! Megatron has an entire army down here!"

Optimus replies, "It makes sense for Megatron to have Cybertron's core so heavily protected. It's his most valuable asset."

Corvowing adds, "Yeah, and even if Megatron finally realizes the consequences of infecting the Core with Dark Energon, he'll still be deadset on his initial goals of winning the war and ruling Cybertron with an iron fist."

After bursting through another set of Dark Energon crystals, the five Autobots bear witness to a corrupted worm bashing his way across the wall to another section.

Warpath asks, "Did you see that?!"

Ironhide retorts, "How could I NOT see it?"

Almost immediately, the five Autobots are besieged by an army of Decepticon Seekers, only for them to be reprogrammed.

All the while, Corvowing used his various clones to transport the reprogrammed Decepticons turned Autobots to Autobot Headquarters.

Then, all of a sudden, the corrupted worm turns up to challenge the five Autobots to a fight.

After a few rounds of shooting homing rockets and deploying Decepticon Seekers, only for the Seekers to be reprogrammed, the corrupted worm gives up for the time being.

The space slugs continue on their way, and they enter the next large room.

After spotting a Decepticon Destroyer on the overhead bridge, Optimus calls out, "Destroyer! On the bridge!"

Corvowing and Firefest reprogram the Destroyer.

After entering the next room, the worm appears again.

Warpath asks, "What is this thing? It won't leave us alone!"

Corvowing calls out, "It's a corrupted worm, and it's standing between us and saving Cybertron!"

The two Primes call out in unison, "Autobots, ATTACK!" "Autobots, ATTACK!"

As the slugs charge forward, the worm gives up again.

After bursting through even more Dark Energon crystals, the Decepticon soldiers among the ground try to shoot at the slugs, only to be either shot down or mowed down by the slugs.

Suddenly, the worm appears yet again and burrows into the floor behind the slugs so hard the floor crumbles.

Ironhide calls out, "Optimus! The floor's collapsi-i-ing!"

The five Autobots fall onto the ground in separate locations.

In the process, Saber Rex is separated from the others and finds himself being teleported to the core by... a Cybertronic angel that closely looks like the Generation 1 Nova Prime.

The angelic Cybertronian says, "Saber Rex, I have brought you here to help remove the Dark Energon from the Core of Cybertron. You must use this Energon Extractor to do so."

The angelic Cybertronian hands Saber Rex the Energon Extractor, which is a combination of the Spark Extractor and the Primeverse Energon Harvester.

Saber Rex asks, "Who are you?"

The angelic Cybertronian replies, "I am Astrodive. I may not be an Autobot just yet, but I will do my part to assist you and your allies."

Saber Rex starts using the Energon Extractor while pointing it in the direction of the Core.

Meanwhile, Optimus wakes up and moans, "Hrrgh. Autobots, report your positions. Where are you?"

Warpath replies from his end, "I'm, uh, hmm, I have no clue where I am."

Ironhide adds from his end, "I don't see either of you, or the slug I was riding."

Corvowing adds as well, "I don't see you guys either. But I think Saber Rex might be here somewhere."

Optimus states, "We need to regroup. Move forward and stay in contact."

After moving forward, Optimus Prime contacts Ironhide and says, "Ironhide, I can see you from my platform."

Ironhide replies, "Optimus, there's a release gate blocking the way."

Optimus replies back, "Hold on. I see a switch that might help."

Optimus activates the switch.

The release gate is deactivated and Ironhide remarks, "It worked!"

As Warpath manages to get past a ceiling masher while contending with spider-bots, Optimus states, "Ironhide, I've encountered another flood gate. Do you see a control panel nearby?"

Ironhide activates the control panel and remarks, "There you go."

Optimus states, "Now, let's find Warpath, Corvowing and Saber Rex."

Corvowing finds his way out of a Dark Energon facility while avoiding any alien lifeforms, spider-bots, enemy detection barriers and early Decepticon Guardians.

Along the way, Corvowing is able to recharge his ability to teleport and he manages to teleport to where Optimus and Ironhide are.

Corvowing remarks cheekily, "You found me."

Warpath manages to find his way while avoiding another ceiling masher.

Warpath comes across a platform overlooking a squadron of Decepticons.

Warpath contacts Optimus and says, "Optimus! I've got the drop on a squad of Decepticons. I'm gonna take them out!"

Warpath starts shooting at the Decepticon soldiers as Ironhide shouts, "Wait! No!" Ironhide bemoans, "Why does he always do that? Next time, wait for us!"

After Warpath takes out the last Decepticon Soldier, Optimus states, "We see you, Warpath, but we can't reach you. We'll try to find a way around."

Upon finding a river of Dark Energon, Optimus gets Warpath's attention as he says, "Warpath, we're at the shore of an Energon river, but we have no way of getting across it."

Warpath replies, "Hang on, I think I'm at the control station for that area."

Warpath activates the console for the platform necessary to cross the Energon river.

As the pipes in Warpath's way clear out, Optimus remarks, "That did it. Keep them coming."

Ironhide adds, "Yeah, and thanks for not shooting the control panels first!"

As Warpath activates the next console, he replies, "Ironhide, I'm starting to think that you're jealous of my fine aim."

As the first Dark Energon spouts burst and stop flowing, Ironhide retorts, "I can't be jealous of something you don't have."

Soon, all of the Dark Energon spouts burst and they stop working.

Optimus calls out, "Good work, Warpath. We're across now."

Soon enough, Warpath gets to another part of the platform, where there is a turret at one end of it.

Suddenly, the same corrupted worm appears and disappears by burrowing while leaving behind a trail of Dark Energon.

Ironhide calls out, "Look! There it went!"

Optimus replies, "It's leaving a trail of corruption wherever it goes."

Warpath mounts the turret and calls out, "Decepticons inbound!"

Corvowing and Firefest reprogram all of the Decepticons while smashing the spider-bots to pieces.

Corvowing's clones manage to teleport the new Autobots to Autobot Headquarters.

After Warpath dismounts the turret, Optimus calls out, "Let's get the last of those flood gates open."

Corvowing activates the switch and Warpath jumps down while saying, "Hi, guys! Welcome back!"

Upon entering the next room, the four Autobots find themselves encountering a Decepticon Destroyer about to destroy the same space slugs.

Corvowing shoots down the stalactite and the stalactite crushes the Destroyer.

After following the rest of the path, the four Autobots enter the lift.

As they ride to the lower level leading to Cybertron's core, Ironhide notices Optimus looking glum.

Ironhide asks, "Are you all right, Optimus?"

Optimus replies, "These are sacred grounds, Ironhide. The Core provides massive quantities of Energon and spark-granting life to all of Cybertron's inhabitants, including it's somewhat dangerous wildlife. It pains me to see it defiled this way."

Corvowing adds, "Yeah, and since you all know about my true nature, I just have to say that even though I lived on Cybertron for only a few Earth weeks, I'm gonna miss living on the planetary form of Primus himself."

Ever since Optimus learned about Corvowing's true nature, Corvowing told Optimus everything he knew about the Transformers in general, no matter the universal cluster. That happens to be the main reason why Optimus, Ironhide and Warpath didn't show any reactions to what Corvowing said about Cybertron being the planetary alternate mode of Primus, the Creator-God of the Transformers.

Once the lift comes to a stop at ground level, the four Autobots transform to vehicle mode, Corvowing in particular using his ground vehicle mode so as to not bump into anything just in case he used his jet mode and he bumped into Dark Energon crystals.

Ironhide points out, "Optimus, this whole area is unstable. We need to move carefully – especially YOU, Warpath."

Warpath replies, "What? I can be careful!"

Corvowing interrupts, "That's enough! Warpath, I know you can be careful, which is why I'm going to say I have faith in you, and it's been an honor fighting alongside an Autobot Defender."

Warpath replies, "Oh, you're gonna make me blush."

Ironhide mentally grumbled, but he knew Corvowing Prime had a point: arguing with Warpath about being careful was not gonna help solve anything.

Upon making it to the path leading to a Dark Energon river, Optimus points out as he and his companions switch to robot mode, "The entrance to the Core lies just ahead."

Everyone gets a good look at the Core entrance just ahead of them.

Ironhide asks, "Okay, now what? I don't see any way across this Dark Energon river."

Warpath points out, "What about that stalactite up there? Bet we could blast that thing and bring it down so we can use it to get across."

Optimus replies teasingly at the end, "Good idea, Warpath. Let's see how fine your aim really is."

Warpath shoots down the stalactite with his tank cannon, bringing the stalactite down without damaging anything else.

The four Autobots jump onto the stalactite and use it to jump across the river.

Optimus points out, "There's no telling what we'll find in there. Gear up for anything, Autobots."

Ironhide states, "By the way, Optimus, it's nice to see you step up and be the leader I always knew you could be. What took so long?"

Optimus replies meekly, "That... is a story for another day, Ironhide."

After making it across the river to the Core entrance, Optimus activates the console to open the door.

Upon entering the Core's chamber, several floor tiles converge on top of the chasm leading to an Energon river to enable the four Autobots to get across.

Upon getting closer, Warpath remarks, "I can feel the raw energy from here!"

Ironhide growls, "Ugh. Dark Energon is everywhere."

Corvowing asks, "Wait. Is that Saber Rex over there?"

Optimus, Ironhide and Warpath look ahead to see Saber Rex extracting Dark Energon from the Core.

But the excessive amount of Dark Energon is weakening Saber Rex and his Energon Extractor.

Saber Rex stumbles his way to Corvowing and falls into his arms.

Corvowing asks, "Saber, what happened?"

Saber Rex replies weakly, "I've... been using... an Energon Extractor... to extract... the Dark Energon... from Cybertron's Core... under the orders... of an... angelic Cybertronian... by the name... of... Astrodive."

Optimus' optics widened in shock. He knew who Astrodive was: a former member of the High Council before Sentinel Zeta Prime took office as the Prime ruling Cybertron.

Saber Rex immediately went into shutdown mode.

Optimus says, "We must not waste anymore time. We need to destroy the corruption and ensure that—"

Suddenly, the corrupted worm appears in front of them from the Dark Energon river, letting out a bellowing roar.

Ironhide shouts, "LOOK OUT! It's that corrupted worm that's been following us!"

The worm attaches its back legs to the Core and starts draining its Dark Energon.

Optimus calls out, "It's feeding off the Core's Dark Energon! Autobots, take it out!"

The fight commences, with the worm's claws detonating Dark Energon near Saber Rex, completely weakening him while waking him up.

The four Autobots fire on the worm, but their shots bounce off its armor.

As the worm scratches the ground to spread Dark Energon, Warpath calls out, "Stay away from those spikes! Blast your way through!"

As the Autobots continue firing, Warpath asks incredulously, "What the-? My shots are just bouncing off him! How is THAT possible?"

Ironhide calls out, "This isn't working! We need to find a weak spot!"

Saber Rex calls out, "It's armor is thick, but it's mouth is vulnerable! If you wait until it starts charging, you can shoot it!"

Optimus observes the worm's mouth charging and shouts, "Autobots, fire at the worm's mouth!"

Corvowing Prime calls out, "No need! I have this under control!"

Corvowing Prime uses his Lightning Storm ability to summon lightning from the Core and the massive lightning bolt destroys the corrupted worm, especially since part of it went into the worm's mouth and obliterated it.

The worm falls into the Dark Energon rivers, completely deactivated.

As Saber Rex gets up, much to the bewilderment of his four comrades, he uses the last of his strength to energize the Energon Extractor to remove approximately 70% of the Dark Energon from Cybertron's Core.

As Saber Rex goes offline, Optimus approaches the Core via a walkway.

The Core says, "My children, I thank you for your efforts."

Optimus asks, "Primus? Is that you?"

The now revealed Creator-God of the Transformers replies, "Indeed. Optimus Prime, you and Saber Rex have delivered me from the foul influence of Dark Energon. But I'm afraid my spark is corrupted already."

Optimus asks in response, "We're too late?"

Primus reveals, "Even though Saber Rex's Energon Extractor has removed 70% of the Dark Energon, I'm afraid I have to repair myself through the only means available. I must shut down my systems completely for one million years. During that time, I will be unable to produce any more Energon, and Cybertron will be left cold and barren."

Optimus Prime declares, "Then we must leave our home, if we are to survive."

Corvowing smiles sadly at Saber Rex's corpse.

Primus continues, "The line of Primes has failed, yet hope still remains. I offer you and I offer Corvowing Prime and Saber Rex three portions of my spark to take with you to the stars. For as long as they survive, so shall I. Will Corvowing Prime, Saber Rex and you accept these responsibilities with all that you are, Optimus Prime?"

The two Primes reply in unison, "We will." "We will."

Primus reveals the Matrix of Leadership, the Allspark Matrix, and the Allspark.

Saber Rex's body floats towards the Allspark and his body is reformatted as Primus explains that Saber Rex will now be known as Flashtide.

Primus bestows the Matrix of Leadership to Optimus and the Allspark Matrix to Corvowing.

Primus finishes, "Behold, the Allspark Matrix and the Matrix of Leadership. Cybertron recognizes and welcomes Optimus Prime and Corvowing Prime, keepers of the Matrices. Leaders of the free Autobots!"

Optimus and Corvowing's chestplates open to welcome the Matrix of Leadership and the Allspark Matrix respectively.

At the same time, Saber Rex/Flashtide is revitalized and cured of Dark Energon poisoning.

Corvowing says to his comrades, "Autobots, to the surface! It's time to evacuate Cybertron!"

The End.

(Author's notes: There you have it, folks. Optimus Prime has the Matrix of Leadership, Corvowing Prime has the Allspark Matrix, and Saber Rex AKA Flashtide is now the host of the Allspark itself. Will Corvowing Prime's powers enable Flashtide to hide the Allspark from Megatron? We'll find out in the future of this story and in future stories of the Aligned continuity.

See you in chapter 9: Aerial Assault.)