Disclaimer: This is it. The final chapter and it's been a blast. Definitely my most ambitious undertaking to date. Obviously, I don't own Transformers, but does that even matter anymore?
Chapter XXVIII
Galvatron tried to pull away, but he couldn't get free. It was then that Rodimus Prime released his grip, causing Galvatron stagger back and draw his sword. Rodimus Prime drew his own melee weapon, also a sword. A standoff. Galvatron was, for once in his existence, hesitant to make the first move. Rodimus Prime was in no hurry to attack either. He was still getting used to his new form. But he was doing it relatively quickly. Galvatron was finished waiting and charged, sword held to the side. Rodimus Prime charge as well, and their swords clashed. Sparks flew with every collision as they slashes, countered, parried and missed entirely. Before, Galvatron had the clear cut advantage, but now they were evenly matched. The swords clashed again with greater intensity until the blades actually snapped apart against one another. Discarding their weapons, Rodimus Prime and Galvatron battled with their bare hands. This was where Galvatron had lost his advantage. Rodimus Prime quickly overpowered him and with a display of pure brute strength, hurled Galvatron directly into a wall. The impact was so great that Galvatron thought he'd gone right through the wall as he crumbled to the floor.
Rodimus Prime stood over the fallen Decepticon. "That was for Optimus," Rodimus stepped back and removed the Matrix from his chassis, holding it by the silvery handholds. He could feel the essence of every former Prime that held it, including Optimus Prime. "Now, in the name of all the Primes that came before," Rodimus began slowly pulling on the handholds, separating the golden exterior at the center and exposing the glowing jewel within. "Light our darkest hour."
"What? NO!" Galvatron screamed, too late to stop what happened next.
The very moment Rodimus Prime opened the Matrix, a blinding blue light illuminated the darkness. It was blinding at least to Galvatron, who felt as if his optics were shorting out. But to Rodimus Prime, it was as though he was raised to infinity. Around them, the light flashed throughout the darkness, and everything it shown upon suddenly burst into flames. It did different, and much worse, for Unicron.
From the surface of Cybertron, it appeared to the Autobots as if Unicron had suddenly become gravely ill. He hunched over holding his mighty hands to his chassis, which still displayed the damage of Omega Supreme's sacrifice. His only remaining optic flickered and large electrical surges formed at varying points if his body. Strangest of all were the blue beams of light shooting out of Unicron's body, as if he was being torn apart from the inside. In retrospect, it was a beautiful sight but also a terrifying and confusing one.
"What's happening to him?" asked Silverbolt.
Ultra Magnus caught a glimpse of the titan's optic and saw that it had dimmed. That meant one thing. "He's shutting down. Now's our chance; Sky Lynx, Silverbolt, Hotspot, all Autobots, hit him with everything we've got."
Sky Lynx was the first to launch into the sky, followed by the Aerialbots and the Protectobots. They quickly swarmed Unicron and fired every weapon in their arsenal. From the planet surface, the rest of the Autobots and the Dinobots fired away. As the only remaining Decepticons to have not abandoned the planet, Cyclonus and Scourge joined in the attack. The assault was fast and furious and brutal, as Unicron was unable to defend himself. Every attack left visible damage, scorch marks and hull breaches. Then Unicron seemed to come back online, only for the mysterious blue light to burst forth from his mouth. It finally occurred to Ultra Magnus that the Matrix of Leadership was causing this. Hotrod, he ultimately concluded. Hotrod was the Chosen One all along. And Optimus Prime was right; the Matrix was in the process of lighting their darkest hour.
A series of explosions formed around Rodimus Prime and Galvatron as they continued to duel. In a contrast of their earlier face off, in which the former Hotrod was overmatched, they were now evenly matched. They battled with a combination of expertly delivered parries and counters, as well as sheer brute force and firepower. The frequent explosions were hardly a distraction, until one especially large rocked them to the floor. Both Rodimus Prime and Galvatron hit the floor hard, whereas another explosion followed. When he recovered, Rodimus Prime saw Galvatron clinging over the edge, a deep pit beneath him. Without knowing exactly why, Rodimus Prime rushed to Galvatron and caught him just as he lost his grip. Galvatron had already resigned himself to his fate when he felt a sudden jerk, and looked up to see Rodimus Prime grasping him.
"Galvatron!" Rodimus Prime called out.
Galvatron looked down toward the pit, seeing a wall of fire forming. He looked back up at his rescuer. "Rodimus Prime!" he snarled.
"So, you can remember my name." Rodimus unintentionally joked as he felt his grip weaken.
Galvatron could feel his own grip weakening. "You can let me fall, Rodimus. I wouldn't blame you."
"Well, I'm not you. Give me you other hand." Rodimus Prime said, his grip loosening further.
Galvatron wasn't even trying to reach up. "Don't be absurd. Believe me, this is your only chance to get out of Unicron. Let me go or we both die."
"Whatever it takes," Rodimus Prime said and pulled Galvatron up as hard as he could manage. "It's what Optimus would've done.
"You are not Optimus Prime; and you don't even know when you've won." Galvatron said, and in one fell swoop, punched Rodimus Prime directly in the face.
Rodimus Prime's grip gave out. He reached down again but was too late. Rodimus Prime watched as Galvatron plummeted down, who never took his optics off of him. Rodimus Prime had seen for that one split second a glimmer of begrudging respect from Galvatron. Soon after, Galvatron disappeared within the wall of fire, defiant to the very end. Rodimus Prime stayed there for what felt like an eternity, disbelief in his optics, before he was jolted back to reality. It was time to leave this place and fast. But first, he had to find his friends. Rodimus Prime saw an opening up ahead, a breach in the wall. He quickly assumed his new alt form and raced through into another chamber. It was a tunnel path of sorts, and Rodimus Prime, perhaps because of the Matrix, knew right away which way to go.
Springer, Kup and Arcee were waist deep in trouble. The wall claws were relentlessly swarming them, moving in between blaster fire. It was a losing battle; destroy one claw and three more took its place. From time to time, a claw got through the blaster fire and slashed someone. Arcee and Kup did in fact have the wound to prove it and Springer had one around his neck. He could feel the jagged teeth begin to close in around him, but then the claw exploded in front of him. Another claw that was closing in on Kup detonated suddenly, and then all the other claws detonated. They fell to piece to the floor around the three Autobots, who stood in confusion and then felt a heavy rumble.
"What's happening?" Springer shouted.
"No idea." Kup said.
"Look, over there!" Arcee said, pointing to the far end.
A group over figures came around a corner as a geyser of liquid erupted far behind them. Kup immediately recognized two winged figured and the front; Breakaway and Tempest. Behind were two smaller figures, one yellow and one red; Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. Then there came Daniel, Spike and Carly followed by Jazz. The tremor intensified as random explosion and electrical arcs formed around the eventually reunited group.
"Where'd you guys been?" Springer asked.
"I don't think that matters right now, Springer. What's going on?" Spike responded.
"No time to answer that now; let's get outta here." said Springer.
At that moment, the walls behind the Autobots crumbled. Or rather, were ripped open by a gigantic hand. It finally occurred to the Autobots that Unicron was apparently tearing himself apart. It was time now to go and fast. With Springer taking the lead, the Autobots made a break for it. The problem was that they had no idea where to go, and everything around them was crumbling. Explosion rocked them everywhere they turn. Electrical surges just missed them by inches, and they couldn't find a way out. Every path they came to seemed endless and they stopped where they stood.
"Now what," Breakaway said. "We're just going in circles."
"I know, I know." Springer shouted over the tremor.
Daniel then heard a second rumble over the first, which sounded like an engine. Then the wall ahead burst open and a figure emerged. He appeared to be both familiar and unfamiliar. But there was not mistaking the color scheme.
"Hotrod? Is that you?" Daniel finally asked.
The giant that resembled Hotrod but was now Rodimus Prime, stood tall and imposing, but had an air of reassurance about him. "We're getting out of here. Autobots, transform and roll out."
Rodimus Prime returned to his vehicle form and opened his doors for the Witwicky family to enter. Daniel was set inside first, followed by Carly and then Spike. Once the humans were inside, Rodimus Prime gunned his engine and roared onward. The other Autobots, though initially hesitant, quickly assumed their alt forms one by one, and followed Rodimus Prime. Something about him instilled the Autobots with a trust they had only felt around another Autobot. Like, perhaps, Optimus Prime. Rodimus Prime seemed no exactly where he was going, with certainty that came with bearing the Matrix of Leadership. The surroundings around the convoy of vehicles continued to crumble around them. Rodimus Prime led the convoy onward toward a giant green window, which happened to be Unicron's only remaining optics.
"Tempest, Breakaway, shoot it out." Rodimus Prime said.
The two jets soared passed the cars and fired on the optic, damaging it and causing cracks to form. Springer, in helicopter form, also fired at the optic and further damaging it. Every shot caused a shower of shards to fall, and they shattered upon hitting the hard surface. Springer, Breakaway and Tempest all pulled back once the damage was done.
"Gun it, Autobots!" Rodimus Prime shouted.
Rodimus Prime rammed his way through the optic and shattered it entirely. Kup followed him out, and then Arcee. Jazz was out next, followed closely by Cliffjumper and Bumblebee. Springer, Breakaway and Tempest were the last to follow. By the time the Autobots made it out, the damage done to Unicron, by Unicron, was made evident. His body was littered with hull breaches, scorch marks, fires and smoke. He was even missing his left leg, which he himself pulled off. Down on the surface of Cybertron, Perceptor was in his scope form and spotted the group of vehicle floating through space.
"I can see them, Ultra Magnus." he said.
If anyone is reading me, we could really use some up here."
Ultra Magnus recognized the voice and yet it sounded different. Regardless, he turned to the one Autobot who could help. "Sky Lynx, get up there. Fast!"
"I'm on it." Sky Lynx announced and launched into the sky.
He quickly assumed shuttle mode and bolted toward the falling convoy. The Autobots all transformed, Rodimus Prime holding Daniel while Arcee and Kup held Spike and Carly. Sky Lynx arrived just in time, opening a hatch on his transport module. The Autobots entered one after another until they were all inside. Sky Lynx took off just as Unicron attempted to grab him and failed. Unicron could no longer control himself as his titanic form fell apart and he made a last attempt to catch Sky Lynx. He failed; his right arm seemed to disintegrate in a shower of mechanical parts. Sky Lynx was halfway back to Cybertron when Unicron uttered his final words.
"Destiny. You cannot destroy my desti…."
Unicron never finished. His head finally blew off and clear from the body, blowing passed Sky Lynx by several meters and Cybertron by miles. Then in a massive flash of light, the body exploded into pieces. A giant fireball formed in which Sky Lynx was suddenly lost, while those on Cybertron lost contact. Pieces of Unicron rained downed to the planet surface. Several large pieces entered the atmosphere and slammed into random buildings. The Autobots still planet side had to shield their optics from the blast. After a few tense moments, the fireball began to fade but there was still no contact from Sky Lynx or the group of Autobots. Then something emerged from the fireball. It was not part of Unicron. It was Sky Lynx, who emerged unscathed. He ran into some turbulence on his approach before the Aerialbots took flight and guided him toward a clearing. Ultra Magnus and the rest of planet side Autobots headed straight to where Sky Lynx and the Aerialbots were about to land. Sky Lynx finally landed roughly with the Aerialbots flying over head and then transforming and hitting groundside. Ultra Magnus and company rolled up just in time to see the transport module hatch open. Rodimus Prime led his group out, where they were soon greeted by Ultra Magnus and the rest of survivors.
"I'll be damned," Magnus said with a surprised smile. "It was you all along, wasn't it, Hotrod?"
Rodimus Prime simply smiled. "You're not jealous, are you, Magnus?" he joked.
Ultra Magnus laughed. "Nope."
"Good to hear; and I go by Rodimus Prime now."
"Fair enough." Magnus concluded.
A sonic boom sounded and Cyclonus and Scourge, the only remaining Decepticons, landed in front of the Autobots. "Where is Galvatron? Cyclonus angrily asked.
Rodimus Prime stepped forward. "He's gone. Vaporized."
"You're lying." Scourge snarled and aimed his weapon at the Autobots.
"You really want to try it, Scourge," Rodimus Prime said. "In case you didn't notice, you're way outnumbered."
Scourge didn't back down, especially when he saw Tempest among the Autobots. "Tempest, attack them. Destroy them, all of them," But Tempest didn't budge. "You are a Decepticon. Destroy them, now."
Tempest narrowed her optics. "I'm not a Decepticon anymore. I realized a long time ago that my place is with the Autobots."
"You traitorous little…" Scourge was ready to attack when Cyclonus stopped him, and Scourge finally lowered his gun.
Cyclonus' red optics met Rodimus Prime's blue optics. Defiantly, he declared, "This isn't over. The Decepticons will rise again." With that, Cyclonus and Scourge transformed at rocketed to the stars.
Once they were out of sight, Ultra Magnus murmured to Rodimus Prime. "He's probably right, you know."
"Yeah, I know," Rodimus Prime said. "And we'll be waiting."
Some time after battle against Unicron, the Autobots returned to their home city/state of Iacon. The damage there was more superficial than in Kaon or the Badlands, but still was quite extensive. There were many casualties during the battle; Autobots, Decepticons and even those unbranded. Some Autobots that survived the battle were badly damaged but salvageable; Sunstreaker and Bumblebee in particular. Sunstreaker had lost an arm, and Bumblebee had his voice, although First Aid and Wheeljack did what they could to repair them. Others found their place among the survivors, including Tempest, who at the request of Breakaway, was branded with the Autobot insignia. The Witwicky family was finally reunited after an arduous journey. But alone among the ruins, Rodimus Prime was looking toward the horizon. Pieces of Unicron were still raining down; most burned up in the atmosphere relatively quickly. Elita One approached Rodimus Prime and took a stance right next to him.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" she asked.
"It has its moments." Rodimus Prime said.
Elita chuckled slightly and turned to face Rodimus Prime. "I own you an apology. I doubted you, mistrusted you. I even blamed for Optimus' death. That, coupled with happened to Chromia, Firestar and Moonracer, was a lot I couldn't live with."
"Believe me, I'm learning to live with a lot of things now," Rodimus Prime said. "Optimus was the closest thing I had to a father. Losing him was the burden hardest to bear."
"I can attest to that, but maybe Optimus died for a reason," Elita One said. "Maybe he knew that you were the one who would take his place when the time came. Personally, I think he made the right choice."
"It's possible, but I know deep down in my Spark that I'll never the leader he was." Rodimus Prime admittedly said.
Elita was about to walk before she stopped short a step. "Then don't try to be like Optimus Prime. Be like Rodimus Prime, because that's who you are. Now, you should get going; the Autobots are waiting for you." Elita One started off.
"What will you do now," Rodimus asked, stopping Elita. "Blackarachnia is still out there. Will you try to find her?"
"She was my friend and I want to remember her as she was, before the Quintessons changed her," Elita said without looking back at Rodimus Prime. "I figure, the best to do that is to honor her request never to search for her. For now, I'm content to remain on Cybertron," Elita then turned to face Rodimus. "You know, I was right; you really do make a great leader."
With that, Elita One continued onward. Rodimus Prime returned to watching the horizon over Iacon, while Elita One's words ran through his mind. He was certain though that he heard the voices of all the previous Transformers to have held the Matrix. Including Optimus. Rodimus looked toward the sky at an especially large star, or some type of object. Paying it no mind, Rodimus started on his own way. He had a group of Autobots to address. Meanwhile, the object that Rodimus had seen earlier moved across Cybertron's orbit. The object turned out to be the severed head of Unicron, now nothing more than an ominous new satellite and a grim reminder of toll the Great War had taken among Cybertron.
The Autobots were all gathered at a ruined spaceport in Iacon, where a giant vessel was being prepped for launch. It was in fact a mausoleum, constructed long ago during the early days of the Great War. Resting inside were the bodies of the Autobots who died during the war, from the legendary Autobot warrior Sentinel Prime all the way up to Optimus Prime. Now it was the turn of Rodimus Prime to take up the mantle of leadership. He arrived at the service, joining Ultra Magnus and Elita One. Ahead of the trio stood the rest of the Autobot survivors, gathered to pay their final respects to their lost brethren. Rodimus steeled himself, knowing his first duty as Autobot leader laid before him.
"I wonder if I'm truly ready for this." he whispered to Ultra Magnus.
Ultra Magnus set a hand onto Rodimus Prime's shoulder. "The first step is always the hardest."
Rodimus glanced at Magnus before stepping forward, allowing the survivors to glimpse him. "As of this day, this one moment, we mark the end of Great Cybertronian War. On this day, we march forward to a new Golden Age; one of peace, freedom, justice and happiness. But let us never forget those who gave their lives for this moment. Courageous and noble to the very end, they lived as warriors and died as heroes. Let their Sparks join our maker Primus; the Greatest of Cybertron."
The Aerialbots stepped forward with their guns ready, followed by the Protectobots. Springer stepped up and then said out loud, "Honor Guard, atten-shun. Present arms," The Aerialbots and Protectobots raised their guns toward the sky and Springer said, "Ready. Aim. Fire."
On cue, the Honor Guard fired the guns. At the same time, the mausoleum ignited its main thrusters. The Honor Guard fired again as the mausoleum began its slow ascent toward the stars. There were mixed feeling among those who watched the mausoleum take off. Several Autobots, such as Jazz, Perceptor, Blur, Sideswipe, Wheeljack and many others, saluted their fallen brothers. The Witwicky family was gathered in silence, joined by Arcee. Breakaway and Tempest stood beside each other holding hands. The Dinobots, along with Sky Lynx had their heads pointed toward the mausoleum as it rose higher toward the stars. Wreck-Gar and Wheelie simply stood in respectful silence. Kup approached Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and Elita One in bidding farewell to the fallen.
"For the rest of my life, I hope I never see this thing again." he said.
Elita One appeared visibly shaken; she was remembering the times she shared with Optimus. "Goodbye, my love."
Ultra Magnus approached Rodimus Prime, who was bowing his head in silence. "Rodimus," he said, prompting Rodimus to face him. "It's not going to be easy from this point on. But for what it's worth, I'm glad the Matrix chose you."
"Optimus chose me." Rodimus said solemnly.
"Then he made the right choice," Ultra Magnus said with a smile. "He'd be proud."
Rodimus Prime returned the smile as he and the rest of the Autobots watched the mausoleum disappear into the stars. In watching, Rodimus Prime mused to himself.
"For now, everything is as it should be; the Decepticons, our enemies, our brothers, are gone. Fate had yielded its reward, but at a high price. I don't believe that it was fate that placed me here, but destiny, for I have experienced more that I could ever imagine. More than ever, I realize that experience is the benchmark of maturity. I am Rodimus Prime, and I send this message to any wayward Transformers wandering the stars. We are here. We are finally home. We are waiting. Til all are one."
Author's note: Well, that's it. It's finally over. Finished. Done. Complete. In the books. Whatever cliché you want to use.
Just a couple of things to point out. First; Rodimus Prime tried to save Galvatron for a potentially fatal fall, which was of course very different from the movie. In a way he was right; Optimus would've done to the same. I highly doubt we've seen the last of Galvatron. Just a hunch.
Second; the memorial service. I wanted there to be some closure, considering how many characters died. The 21 Gun Salute was a nice touch, I think. And, the ending monologue from Rodimus Prime, clearly inspired by the Michael Bay films.
Anyway, that's it. I have the cast chapter coming up, so stay tuned.