EPISODE 3: THE GREAT PRETENDERS PART 3

Sky Lynx entered Nebulan airspace with his precious cargo, the corpse of

Optimus Prime. The valiant leader of the Autobots was deactivated along with

his long-time nemesis, Galvatron.

"This is Sky Lynx, permission to land on Nebulos." Said the Autobot heavy-

heartedly. He had known the Autobot leader since his resurrection and both of

them had destroyed the 'hate-spores' that nearly caused the death of all the

humans, Transformers and Quintessons.

"Acknowledge Sky Lynx, we're sadden by the news." Said Stylor, the ex-binary

partner of Chromedome.

"It's okay..." said Sky Lynx, although it was not true.

Hot Rod had arrived on Cybertron upon the confirmation of Prime's death. He

wanted to get to Vector Sigma. It was there, he knew, that he would be able to

find the way to bring back the leader of the Autobots.

In his vehicular form, he raced down the corridors that led to Vector Sigma.

"Optimus! If you hear me, answer me!" shouted Hot Rod.

Silence. No one answered him. Finally, he reached the main core of Cybertron,

within Vector Sigma. Hot Rod transformed into his robot mode. "Prime?"

The huge vessel known as Scorponok flew towards the planet Charr. "Galvatron

is dead, who should be our new leader?" asked Weirdwolf.

"I name myself the leader of the Decepticons." Said Zarak. He had planned for

a long time to get rid of Galvatron and now that he was gone, he knew that the

leadership of the Decepticons would surely be his. How wrong he was.

"No, I think it is only logical that I be the new leader." Zarak turned to

face the voice. There, stood the purple form known as Shockwave.

"I second that." Zarak turned once more and saw that Sixshot had given his

support to Shockwave. That was bad. Sixshot was one of the most revered Decepticon

and most of the Decepticons would surely join them.

"I agree." Said Cyclonus. He had wanted to name himself leader of the Decepticons

but with heavy-hitters like Shockwave and Zarak in the bidding, he knew that

he would not stand a chance.

"It is settled, Shockwave will be the new leader of the Decepticons." Said

Soundwave.

"I disagree!" shouted Zarak and was about to give his reasons when Shockwave's

right arm, which was also his weapon, leveled at his head.

"And what would be your reason for disagreeing." Asked Shockwave.

"None..." replied Zarak. He knew that only his fellow Nebulans would support

him but that was not enough, he needed all the Decepticons to support him.

"So leader," asked Long Haul, a Constructicon, "what's your first command?"

"We attack Cybertron. Without a leader, the Autobots will stand no chance.

That is only logical" Said Shockwave as all the Decepticons cheered. Only the

Nebulans kept quiet.

"How long has he been in there?" asked Ultra Magnus.

"I don't know." Replied Kup.

"He's been in there a long time. Believe me Ultra Magnus." Ultra Magnus nodded

at Springer's words. Hot Rod had gone into the core of Cybertron to seek answers

of Optimus's demise and perhaps bring the legendary leader back to the land of

the living.

'Hurry up Hot Rod, I have a bad feeling about the future.' Thought Ultra Magnus.

The Headmaster headquarters, Fortress Maximus, slowly moved towards its

destination, Cybertron.

Fortress sat on his chair. "Chromedome, status."

The field leader of the Headmasters turned to face the new Headmaster leader.

"We'll arrive on Cybertron in thirty terran minutes."

"Good." Acknowledged Fortress. He had second thoughts about leaving Getaway

and company on Nebulos but he knew that they needed medical attention, if not

they would cease to exist.

It was that moment that Pointblank entered the command center. He looked up

at the Headmaster leader and nodded his head. Fortress acknowledged with a smile.

"We'd better get to Cybertron soon, I'm anxious to find out what Xaaron is

up to." Said Pointblank.

Fortress and the other Headmasters nodded. Xaaron is the only remaining Autobot

councilor since the Cybertronian wars ended after the Autobots retook Cybertron.

"Me too. I wonder who will be the new Autobot leader."

Pipes stood in front of the Autobot City computer, Teletran 3, and wondered

what would become of the Autobots. Optimus's recent demise meant that the Autobots

were leaderless. Who would lead the Autobots to victory against the Decepticons?

Suddenly, the Autobot City rocked with an explosion. Pipes immediately checked

the radar sensors. Two huge figures immediately appeared. "Visual!" ordered Pipes.

The screen in front of him came alive with laser fire as the Autobot City's

automatic defenses engaged both Trypticon and Predaking. "By the Matrix." Muttered

Pipes in shock.

Normally, these two Decepticons would prove no problem for the Autobots,

however, most of the Autobots had gone to Cybertron to decide what to do about

the leadership of the Autobots, leaving only a handful of Autobots on Earth.

"Autobots! Scramble! We are under attack!" shouted Pipes as he ran out of the

control room to engage the enemies.

Outside, Metroplex had begun to engage Trypticon in one-on-one combat. Also,

most of the remaining Autobots had begun to engage Predaking.

"Pipes! This is really bad! There's no way we can challenge Predaking! He

could destroy us without taxing a circuit!" shouted Bluestreak to the temporary

leader of the Autobots on Earth.

"I know, but we have to hold him back." Said Pipes with determination in his

voice.

"Let's hope we can do so." Said Swerve as the white and blue Autobot continued

blasting Predaking with his laser blaster.

Scorponok neared its destination and the hum of its weapons being primed for

battle could be heard by all within the gigantic cruiser.

Shockwave got up from his 'throne', which gave him an overview of the control

center, and of Zarak, who he greatly distrusted. "Weirdwolf, status." Said the

purple Decepticon.

"Our weapons are primed and ready. All systems are go and all Decepticon

warriors are ready for battle." Replied the Headmaster.

"Good. Soon, either Earth or Cybertron, will be ours!" with that, the new

Decepticon leader laughed maniacally.

Hot Rod stared straight into the transparent form of Optimus Prime. "Prime,

is that you?"

Optimus nodded his light blue head. "Yes it is Hot Rod. What are you doing

here?"

"We need you Prime. The Autobots will lose to the Decepticons without you."

Said Hot Rod.

Optimus shook his head. "One day, I will rise to lead the Autobots once more,

but now is not that time. You will carry on in my place." Said Optimus as Alpha

Trion, Optimus Prime's creator, appeared in his own ghostly form.

"But I am unworthy." Replied Hot Rod.

"Nonsense!" boomed Prime, "Was it not you who led the Autobots to victory

against the Decepticons in my absence?"

"But I had the Leadership Matrix, now it does not exist."

"No Hot Rod, the Leadership Matrix only confirmed your role as leader of the

Autobots. It was you who made the decisions in battle, not the Matrix. You are

a great leader, it was the Matrix that gave you the added confidence to see

those orders through."

Hot Rod stood that, thinking about the logic of Prime's words. "Now," said

Alpha Trion, "it is time for you to accept the mantle of leadership."

With those words, Alpha Trion and Optimus Prime transformed into two orbs of

light and started to circle Hot Rod. Then, with blinding speed, they entered

the body of the young Autobot. Light flooded the chamber as Hot Rod's body grew

larger and his colors became lighter.

"In the darkness, stands a hope of light," Optimus's voice filled the room,

"arise Rodimus Prime and lead the Autobots in their time of darkness."

With that, the light disappeared and Rodimus Prime stood in the place of Hot

Rod.

END OF EPISODE 3