Disclaimer: It's almost over, isn't it? I'm actually conflicted because I don't want it to end but I know it has to end. Hence, I'm saddened by it but I'm also very proud of what I've done and I have the readers and supporters to thank for keeping this thing going. I know, I sound like a damn fool, but that's probably because I put so much effort into this story. I kinda had to after that debacle years ago. I've had other dud too but I'm not gonna get into it. On with the next chapter.

I'm gonna skip the ownership thing, by the way.

Chapter XXVI

Before Unicron knew what hit him, the crippled Quintesson cruiser crashed right through his left optic. Shards of green glass rained down, forcing the titanic robot to grab for his so far, only wound. It bought the army of Cybertronians, Autobots and Decepticons alike, a chance to mount a heavy assault. In the mean time, the crew of the Quintesson cruiser tumbled out of into a darkened abyss of steel. The cruiser itself slammed into the steel and was ripped apart upon impact. The Autobot fell far and long, as it seemed like there was no end in sight. There was though, but the bottom was coming fast. The three flight capable Transformers; Springer, Breakaway and Tempest, activated built in thrusters to slow their descent. Along the way down, they caught Kup, Arcee and Daniel and gently descended to the surface below, eventually setting down and catching a reprieve.

"So, the plan was to crash our ship right through this monster's optic and hope to survive our little suicide mission." Breakaway ran down the basics of the situation.

"Yeah, pretty much?" Kup confirmed.

"Well, we're off to a good start then." Breakaway joked.

Arcee was starting to stand up and glared at Tempest, the one who caught her and Daniel. "Thanks for the assist."

"Don't mention it." Tempest said.

"Wait a minute," Daniel said and looked around. "Where's Hotrod?"

Springer was about to speak when he noticed movement in the distance. "I don't know, but I hope they didn't get it."

The wall claws that once attacked several previous intruders returned with a vengeance, going right the latest intruders. "Quick, this way." Arcee said upon seeing a passage up ahead. The Autobots ultimately made a break for it with the claws in hot pursuit.

Hotrod had no idea what happened or where he was since crashing the ship through Unicron's optic. As he was starting to stir though, he realized he wasn't quite on solid flooring but hanging precariously onto an iron spike. Hotrod looked around briefly at several similar spikes, wondering if his friends survived the fall. He started to pull himself up but lost his grip and plummeted further down, having the unfortunate luck of slamming into random surfaces before reaching the bottom and skidding across it. The fall knocked Hotrod out briefly before he recovered. He was on his back, looking straight up at the darkened area before he started to rise.

Smooth, Hotrod. Real smooth. he thought.

A took a few agonizing moments passed before Hotrod was vertical and even then he staggered a bit. Hotrod glanced around; almost near pitch black darkness surrounded him. He could only barely make out steel walls in the shadows, though they were shaped in such a way as to make them seem unique. It was also deathly quiet and that made him uneasy. Hotrod cautiously moved through the darkness, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't alone. It might have been justified had Hotrod noticed the shadows behind him moving ever so slightly and on their own. Hotrod then noticed something up ahead, almost like static. Curiosity was an enemy here, for Hotrod went to get a better look at the static. It appeared to be some kind image, not unlike a video feed. It showed the image of an unknown metal planet being apparently ripped apart. Then it suddenly hit upon Hotrod that he was witnessing the destruction of the planet Lithone; from Unicron's perspective. Another image appeared right beside the first one, this one showing the siege at Autobot City on Earth. Then another image appeared above the second one showing, much to Hotrod's great regret, the final battle between Optimus and Megatron followed by the passing of the Matrix to Ultra Magnus. More images appeared showing countless events, and Hotrod began to think he was inside some kind of archive. So drawn to what he was seeing that he didn't notices the shadows behind him starting to take shape. The shaped first formed a set of broad legs, then a torso followed by arms. The head came next and the shape took on an all too familiar visage before it formed an axe like weapon. Hotrod suddenly turned and ducked out of the way before the shape could cleave his head off. The axe itself left a visible gash in the wall. Hotrod rolled to the side and was upright, energy crossbow ready. But then he saw the shape in full view, and it left him stunned beyond belief.

"Optimus?" He called out.

The mechanoid, shadowed in a destingishing pitch black, greatly resembled the late Optimus Prime. Only there was lingering differences; apart from the color scheme, the axe itself glowed dark violet and crackled electricity. Its optics gave off the same crackling dark violet as the axe. At first, Hotrod wanted to think that Optimus was alive and well and standing right front of him. Maybe Optimus had actually slipped into a prolonged stasis lock. That theory was blown out the airlock when the darkened Optimus Prime lunged at Hotrod, axe held high. Hotrod ducked and rolled, avoiding a heavy overhead slash and then a quick swipe.

"Okay, you are definitely not Optimus Prime." Hotrod said.

The creature that so greatly resembled Optimus Prime, but clearly was not, charged at Hotrod again with it axe raised. Hotrod aimed his energy crossbow but hesitated. But he forced himself to fight back and fired. The first stream of bolts struck and ultimately bounced from the chassis of this Anti-Optimus… This Nemesis Prime that was still coming. Hotrod saw that his crossbow wasn't going to cut it and switched to his regular blasters. He fired away, striking Nemesis Prime in the chassis and shoulder and driving him back. Hotrod continued to fire, forcing Nemesis Prime to block most the shots with his axe. Nemesis Prime roared angrily and suddenly transformed into a demented version Optimus Prime's alt form. The twisted trailer revved its engine.

Hotrod, marveling at the further similarities between Optimus and this creature, could only mutter, "Scrap."

The hulking black machine rolled directly toward Hotrod, who just barely avoided initial contact. Righting himself, Hotrod fired at the trailer, striking the cab portion even as it coming back around. Hotrod continued to fire away as the trailer was approaching fast and hard. By the time the trailer was almost right on top of him, Hotrod knew it was time in improvise. He leaped and caught hold of the cab and the machine gunned its engine and sped up. Fast. The trailer drove madly and even plowed into the walls in its attempts to be rid of its unwanted passenger. Hotrod held on, while at the same time thinking his method of attack was a bad idea. Nemesis Prime's own attempts to shake the young Autobot loose weren't going as planned, if this thing were capable of planning at all. He assumed proto form with Hotrod still clinging to him. Nemesis Prime quick caught Hotrod and wailed on him and then tossed over his head. Hotrod crashed down into the floor and right back up just in time to see Nemesis Prime lunging at him. Nemesis Prime missed a wild swing of his right fist, and Hotrod struck with a series of body blows. He then struck with a swift left hook to the face plate. Nemesis Prime didn't appear phased.

"Son of a…" Hotrod couldn't finish as Nemesis Prime head butted him.

Hotrod was staggered as Nemesis Prime grabbed him and continued to pummel him. For the next few cycles, it was all Nemesis Prime dominating the much smaller Hotrod in a straight ahead fist fight. Hotrod tried to fight back but he clearly no match for the twisted Optimus Prime clone. In the end, Hotrod was thrown down onto his back and Nemesis Prime stood over him. Hotrod caught sight of Nemesis Prime holding a huge gun, all too similar to Optimus Prime's plasma rifle. Nemesis Prime aimed the barrel of his rifle straight at Hotrod's face and was just about ready to fire. But then Nemesis Prime was attacked and blown clear across the area. Hotrod climbed onto a knee and found of all Cybertronians, Galvatron storming right by him and focusing on Nemesis Prime. Nemesis Prime started to stand and Galvatron fired his partical cannon, this time blowing the clone's rifle, and arm, clean off. The arm hit the floor with a clang and then disintegrated into nothing. Still, Nemesis Prime kept coming and Galvatron kept shooting, each shot ripping a chunk from the clone. One final shot practically ripped Nemesis Prime in two, and the body disintegrated. Galvatron soon turned his attention to Hotrod, who could clearly see the Matrix dangling from his neck.

"Oh, it's you; the little Autobot upstart." spat Galvatron.

"Oh, it's you; the Megatron wannabe." Hotrod spat back. "What're you doing here?"

"Paying the price for serving Unicron," Galvatron then noticed Hotrod glancing at the Matrix. "You want this, don't you?" he said, tapping the Matrix with his finger.

"The Matrix is the only thing that can stop Unicron. So yeah, I'm gonna need that back." Hotrod said.

"You act as though it's your birthright," Galvatron huffed. "It'll do you no good, Autobot. This little hunk of steel has proven rather ineffective against Unicron."

Hotrod didn't want to listen to the claims from Galvatron about the Matrix, which he kept in full view. "You're wrong, Galvatron," He said with a certainty he never knew he felt. "The Matrix can stop Unicron."

"Really, and who's going to make it work? You," Galvatron disbelievingly spat and laughed. "Ultra Magnus couldn't use it and neither could I. What makes you so unique?"

All the while the two Transformers argued, they were being watched from the shadows the newly reborn Starscream. Starscream, who had only recently taken control of Slipstream's body, was hanging on every word in Galvatron and Hotrod's heated exchange. He could clearly see the Matrix dangling from around Galvatron's neck. Its enticingly brilliant glowing jewel seemed to beckon him to it. It could be the thing Starscream needed to finally do away with Galvatron. He just had to find a way to seize it. Starscream continued to listen, and he didn't notice the shadows taken shape behind him.

"I didn't say I was unique, but only an Autobot, a Chosen One, can use the Matrix." Hotrod continued.

"And you're implying that you're this so-called Chosen One? Don't make me laugh." Galvatron said.

Hotrod contemplated this and, after everything he'd endured, all of the experiences, he boldly declared, "Maybe I am!"

Before Galvatron could say more, he and Hotrod heard screaming. They soon saw Slipstream, or at least her body, fumbling from the shadows, followed closely by a resurrected Nemesis Prime. Unlike Hotrod, Galvatron knew full well that Slipstream was really Starscream, and that he deserved whatever this mecha of shadows called Nemesis Prime was about to do to him. Starscream flailed across the floor, crawling backwards to avoid Nemesis Prime before stopping right at the feet of a very angry Galvatron. Upon seeing Galvatron and looking back at Nemesis Prime, Starscream grabbed Galvatron's leg.

"Galvatron, save me! Please!"

Typical! Galvatron thought and kicked Starscream away. "Save yourself, Starscream," he spat as Starscream fumbled out of harm's way. Nemesis Prime was approached with an axe literally to grind. Turning to Hotrod, Galvatron said, "We'll discuss this later, Autobot."

Galvatron activated his duel edged sword as Nemesis Prime suddenly halted. He raised his arms and the darkness crept out into view before taking multiple shapes. Hotrod had his crossbow ready as the shadows began assuming the image of another bot Galvatron had eliminated. Starscream had once again taken refuge as the shadows became a horde of Sideways'. Nemesis Prime stood dead center amid the Sideways clones; Galvatron, annoyed, counted about ten to fifteen of them.

"Sideways; didn't I kill you already?" Galvatron snarled.

"If you did, he didn't get the message the first time." Hotrod exclaimed.

Galvatron leered at Hotrod. "Just shut up and fight."

As Nemesis Prime and the army of Sideways clone began to close, Starscream watched from afar and out of sight. He'd have to wait for another opportunity to take the Matrix. Then, he'll finish off Galvatron himself. Personally.

The battle against Unicron raged over Cybertron, its fury becoming more evident. The combined efforts of the six gestalts, led by Omega Supreme, were finally starting to break through the Unicron's defenses. Coupled with the assistance Sky Lynx, the few remaining Seekers and Sweeps and the Dinobots, Unicron was finding it difficult to keep track of his target. The Junkion cruiser, with Wreck-Gar, Ultra Magnus and Elita One at the helm, led the assault with Sky Lynx, who buzzed around Unicron taken pot shots all while bragging about it. Omega Supreme got in his fair shots, as did Superion and Devastator. At the same time, Menasor, Bruticus and Defensor clung to the titan and bashed at his armor, leaving a series of gaping hole. Unicron fought back every chance he got, frequent swinging his massive arms and spewing his acid breath and shooting optic burst from his intact right optic. The Junkion cruiser took the brunt of the acid breath, yet the Junkions managed to quickly repair the damage.

Inside the cruiser, Wreck-Gar chattered, "Happy Bludgeoning. Rock-a-doodle-doo!"

"Seriously, where'd you learn to like that?" Ultra Magnus asked.

Wreck-Gar produced a small monitor and tossed it to Ultra Magnus who caught it in his palm. "TV! We talk TV. You talk some TV?"

"No!" Magnus plainly said.

"Aw, you disappoint the folks at home, and the guy typing this story." Wreck-Gar said.

Magnus looked at Elita, who asked, "Who in the Pit is he yammering about?"

Again, Magnus simply stated, "No idea."

As Unicron was distracted by the multiple flying objects, a group of Transformers landed unseen below his face. Of these Transformers, there were the Autobots Wheeljack, Hound, Tracks, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, joined by the Decepticons Cyclonus, Scourge, Soundwave and Blitzwing. In turn, the motley crew of bots were joined by the Dinobots all in their proto form. They all exchanging glances before turning their weapons on Unicron and firing. The attack most certainly got Unicron's attention as the shot left a series of scorch marks. Unicron made a grab for the intruding bots, missing them with his massive hand. The nine bots were still sent flying, although the Decepticons were able to fly out of range. The Autobots and Dinobots were sent adrift before Omega Supreme approached in rocket mode and rescued them. Omega rocketed out of range before Unicron could strike, allowing Menasor to go on the attack followed by Defensor. They brutally bashed at Unicron while Devastator, Superion and Bruticus attacked from afar. Sky Lynx joined them and attacked with a great laser emanating from his dragon jaws. Unicron wasn't going down without a fight and swiped and missed Sky Lynx before spewing more of his acid breath.

Sky Lynx looped around the attack to avoid it. "We've got to give Hotrod and the others as much to time as possible. Keep pressing, everybody. For Cybertron."

Hotrod and Galvatron did better than either expected in holding off the multiple Sideways' and Nemesis Prime. Hotrod fired a near endless rain of bolts from his crossbow, striking several clones and causing them to explode. Galvatron effortlessly hacked other clones and they disintegrated into nothing. Then Nemesis Prime approached, axe up high, and Galvatron was soon focused on him.

"Hmph, you might resemble Optimus Prime, but you'll never be Optimus Prime."

With that, Galvatron charged, leaving Hotrod to eliminate the last of Sideways clones. From his hiding place, Starscream watched as Galvatron and Nemesis Prime battled. He waited for the moment for Galvatron to drop his guard and then he'd strike. Then he'd snag the Matrix and make a break for it. He still had to contend with that Autobot though. Galvatron and Nemesis Prime continued their battle, a series of quick swipes, parries and close calls between them. Galvatron reveled in it, and he was also clearly superior to the abomination called Nemesis Prime. He eventually overpowered the clone, cleaving off one of its arms. The clone still had its axe wielding arm and tried a mighty swing. Galvatron practically danced around it and cleave the arm, followed by a deathly slice to the torso and another to the left knee. Nemesis Prime sank to the same wounded knee and Galvatron held his sword at the neck.

"I believe the real Optimus Prime said it best; One shall stand…" Galvatron then swiftly sliced the head of Nemesis Prime clean off. "One shall fall." He finished.

"Now's my chance," Starscream muttered and launched into the air. "Your turn to die, Galvatron."

"Galvatron, down!" Hotrod shouted.

Galvatron dove out of the way as Hotrod took his shot. Starscream had no time at all to dodge the blast that struck him directly in the face. He spiraled out of control, passed Hotrod and flew uncontrollably throughout the area. With no way to see where he was going, Starscream instantly crashed and slid across the floor. He came to a stop right beneath Galvatron. Starscream pulled his hand away, and Galvatron got a first look at the damage done.

"Starscream, you poor deluded fool."

Half of Starscream's face, Slipstream's face rather, was sheered to pieces as he stood up and backed away from Galvatron. "Please Galvatron, spare me. I beg of you. Grant me mercy."

"A word of advice, Starscream…" Galvatron started, and then he aimed his particle cannon and fired.

The beam struck Starscream dead on, causing an enormous stream of electricity to engulf him. Hotrod had to shield his optics as Starscream was ripped apart by the blast. Starscream's, or Slipstream's body, trembled and convulsed violently before the electrical current subsided. Hotrod saw the result; Starscream seemed to still stand there, only his entire body had gone ash gray. The next moment, the body fell apart in a cloud of ashes and dust. Galvatron simply stood over the mess of ashes that were once Starscream. And Slipstream. Both.

"…Stay dead this time," Galvatron finished and looked to Hotrod. "As for you, Autobot, I doubt the Matrix will do anything to stop Unicron, even if you seem to think otherwise."

"I know in my Spark that I right, Galvatron. And I really don't care what you think." Hotrod declared.

Galvatron had to admire the resolve of the young Autobot. "Fine. Like it or not, we're allies now. Against a common foe."

Galvatron went to remove the Matrix from his neck even though he didn't fully trust the Autobot before him. It was better than the alternative; continue to serve Unicron. Something about the resolve of this young Autobot remind Galvatron of Optimus Prime. The real Optimus Prime. He seemed so certain of everything he'd been saying. But before Galvatron could hand over the Matrix, he suddenly doubled over holding his head. He screamed in agonizing pain, while Hotrod watched in utter confusion. Galvatron already knew who was behind the torture, because he could hear his voice.

"Destroy him, Galvatron. Destroy him now, or you yourself shall be obliterated."

Galvatron tried to fight it but the torture was too much. "Of course, my master."

Hotrod had his weapon trained on Galvatron, still with no idea what was happening. "Galvatron?"

At the very sound of his name, Galvatron suddenly lunged at Hotrod with his sword. He went for a wild swing, missing the Autobot by inches and then tried another swing and a miss. Galvatron tried an overhead swipe that Hotrod sidestepped, and then backhanded Hotrod hard to the floor. Hotrod went down and got right back up; he caught sight of Galvatron's glowing crimson optics. He then saw Galvatron pointing his particle cannon straight at him. Hotrod made a break for it as Galvatron opened fire, missing Hotrod several times as Hotrod vanished into the shadows. Galvatron narrowed his glowing optics at the darkness, now completely unhinged and downright furious.

"You weak, puny waste of metal," he shouted angrily. "You lack even Optimus Prime's courage. Get out here and face me. NOW!"

Author's note: Aren't I just fully of surprises?

I had to extend the climax to include the battle against Unicron, but the real surprise was the appearance of Nemesis Prime. I thought his inclusion would really work at this stage of game, along with a small army of Sideways. And Starscream just can't seem to catch a break.

So close to the end, it almost brings a tear to my optic, uh I mean eye.

And yes, Wreck-Gar is aware that he's in fanfic. Seriously, he knows. And I'm gonna rip out his optics if he doesn't stop breaking the bloody Fourth Wall. He is not Wade Wilson.

Anyway, send in the feedback and whatnot. See ya bye for now! (say that 3x's fast)