The heroes walked through what appeared to be a vein, and then Elsa yelped as she had a vision. She saw violet cracks snake across the ground, Unicron smiling, and then Earth exploding. "He's getting stronger." She said as the white glow in her pupils settled down to purple. "She's right." Megatron said after having the same vision. "How do we know Unicron isn't using Megatron to lead us all into a trap?" Arcee asked. "We do not." Optimus said.
Behind them, a large bat-like creature emerged from the ceiling.
Thunder and lightning storms struck outside Autobot base. "More than 60 volcanoes are erupting worldwide, and downtown Honolulu is under 6 inches of snow. Scientists continue to devise theories connecting these unprecedented natural disasters with the planetary alignment, which -" The monitor lost signal.
"So, who wants to play a game?" June asked. "That tears it!" Agent Fowler snapped. "Where are you going?" June asked. "I can't just sit on my hands while the world spins out of control." Agent Fowler said. "And what exactly is it that you plan to do?" Ratchet questioned. "Anything! Hook up with my boys at the Pentagon, find a way to bury that monster for good." Agent Fowler talked about Unicron.
"In the event Optimus can't?" Ratchet asked. "Don't you mean Optimus and Megatron?" Agent Fowler corrected. "No one here is thrilled about this arrangement, Agent Fowler, myself included. Especially since Elsa was influenced by Unicron to follow them. But with Optimus and Megatron together again -" Ratchet started. "Whoa, wait, again?" Jack asked. "Megatron was an Autobot?" Raf asked.
"Optimus was a 'Con?" Anna asked. "No on either count, but there was a time back on Cybertron in the twilight hours of the Golden Age when Optimus and Megatron were not sworn enemies." Ratchet began to tell the story.
"Do you recall when I mentioned that Optimus wasn't always a Prime? Well, he wasn't always Optimus either. He was once a clerk in the Iacon Hall of Records named Orion Pax. But as he learned more about Cybertron's past, he grew increasingly concerned about present corruption in high places and inequality among the masses. Orion became inspired by the words and ideas of a gladiator. One who had named himself after one of the 13 Original Primes, Megatronus. Megatronus vowed to challenge Cybertron's leadership and demand that all Cybertronians be treated as equals. This gladiator turned revolutionary rapidly gathered a loyal following, Soundwave chief among them." He said.
"How did Orion meet Megatronus?" Anna asked. "Orion came to him after observing one of Megatronus' fiercest gladiator battles and began corresponding with Megatronus, who came to be something of a mentor to him. As Megatronus left the gladiatorial arena for the political, he saw fit to shorten his name. Before long, Megatron appeared before the high council to propose his vision for a just society, and it was here that he began to reveal his true colors. Proclaiming the need to overthrow the old guard with force and arrogantly demanding to be named the next Prime. But Orion did not believe in violence as a means of achieving justice. The Sparks and minds of the council were moved by Orion's words. 'Here for the first time since Cybertron's Golden Age stood someone worthy of being a Prime.' But that honor could only truly be achieved by earning the legendary Matrix of Leadership. His ambitions thwarted Megatron spitefully severed all ties with Orion and the council, and came to wage war on all who opposed him through his growing army of followers, which he named Decepticons. He vowed to claim the Matrix for himself wherever it might lie. In time, warfare consumed Cybertron. Poisoning the planet to its core. Orion journeyed there, hoping to reverse the ill effects, and found himself before the very Spark of our life-giver Primus himself. The ailing Primus sensed the unique nobility within Orion and bestowed the Matrix upon him. It was thus that a surprised and humbled Orion Pax came to be Optimus. The last of the Primes." Ratchet told.
"Whoa, Ratchy, that was amazing!" Anna said. "So, Optimus got the Matrix from Cybertron's core, and now he's gonna give it to Earth's?" Miko asked. "What's to stop Megatron from claiming the Matrix for himself this time around?" Jack asked. "Only his greater desire to save this planet so that he may in turn conquer it, as he so compellingly argued, provided the Lord of the Decepticons can ever be fully trusted." Ratchet said.
"Unicron's Spark is near." Megatron said. "He's telling the truth. I can feel it." Elsa added. "After you." Arcee said. Bulkhead groaned. Bee buzzed in concern. "Fine, Bee. Just woozy." He said. "The Dark Energon. It's starting to affect him. Steady as you go, Bulk." Arcee said.
The Dark Energon in Elsa's blood started telling her something. "Unicron is preparing to get rid of us!" She announced. They heard a faint shriek then were surrounded by hundreds of bat-like creatures. "What are those things?!" Bulkhead asked. "As we are within Unicron's body, it would stand to reason they are some sort of antibody." Optimus said.
The creatures flew at them, the Autobots, Megatron, and even Elsa attacked them. Elsa created a large barrier on one end of the tunnel to slow them down, then the antibodies literally started shooting at them. Optimus put Elsa down so he could move faster. He unsheethed his blade and sliced an antibody in half.
Arcee jumped over one, and shot it, until it exploded. Arcee fell to the lower level. Bulkhead's vision became blurry, and the Wrecker stumbled over the edge, but he grabbed the ledge and held on. Bee beeped urgently and ran to save Bulkhead. "Let me go! I'll only take you down with me!" The Wrecker said.
As Elsa continues freezing the antibodies, she saw Optimus and Megatron shooting, stabbing, and freezing the monsters like they were paper. They both deflected a shot from two antibodies, and those shots arced up and hit an antibody right above them. They fought as though they shared one mind. The leaders backed into each other, then split apart. Arcee saw Bulkhead dangling off the edge, with Bumblebee's grip slipping. "Just let me go, kid!" Bulkhead said. Bee's grip on his servo started to slip. Then, as Bee lost grip, Optimus grabbed Bulkhead's servo, and helped him up. "I got you!" He groaned.
Optimus picked up Elsa, and they ran for the next tunnel. Arcee saw them, then lept on an antibody. She forced it to obey her will, and she jumped off at the platform with the other heroes as the antibody crashed.
They entered the tunnel as more chased them.
Meanwhile, on the Nemesis, Airachnid said, "Fellow Decepticons, while our loyalty to Megatron's command has always remained steadfast, our leader's recent behavior has been questionable at best, and it would seem as though Earth has become nothing short of a failed experiment." She motioned to the monitors.
"Commander Airachnid, you're not suggesting that we abandon Lord Megatron?" Knockout questioned. "Despite Soundwave's efforts, we have been unable to detect our master's signal. Megatron is either permanently offline, or in the thrall of Unicron. Neither is in ths best interest of the Decepticons. So, I am deeming an exodus to be the most prudent course of action. Unless anyone has a problem with that." Airachnid said.
The Vehicons remained silent. "Set course for Regulon 4." Airachnid commanded, but then Soundwave stepped in front of her. "You have something to say, Soundwave?" Airachnid asked. Soundwave didn't break his Vow of Silence. "I command this vessel. You will resume your post." Airachnid ordered while ising her spider legs. Soundwave didn't budge.
"Step aside!" Airachnid growled. She charged at Soundwave and tried to stab him, but he blocked the attacks with his long, slender arms, then grabbed Airachnid by the neck and held her in the air. "Ooh!" Knockout gasped.
Soundwave threw Airachnid away. "I'll tear out your Spark for that!" Airachnid threatened, then noticed Laserbeak wasn't on Soundwave's chassis. She heard a noise and saw Laserbeak. The Minicon shot at her, but Airachnid jumped away from the first shot, but the second hit her.
She tried to get up and Soundwave stomped on her helm. Laserbeak returned to Soundwave's chassis. "I yield." Airachnid surrendered. Soundwave returned to work. "Watch out for the quiet ones." Knockout advised.
"Communications are still down, and so is their signal." Ratchet said. He had been trying to reconnect for the umpteenth time. "Doesn't that mean -" Raf started. "Not likely. It's the levels of Dark Energon combined with the electromagnetic anomalies scrambling the signal." Ratchet said.
"So, if they stop Unicron, we still won't be able to get them back?" June asked. Ratchet heard clanging and saw the device Optimus gave Jack. "Where did you get that?" He asked. "Optimus. He gave one to Elsa, too. Honesty, I don't know why he gave us the keys to the Ground-Bridge power supply." Jack said.
"Jack, there are no keys to the Ground-Bridge." Ratchet said. "Well, then what are they?" Jack asked. "They are the keys to Vector Sigma." Ratchet said. "The what?" Jack asked. "You and Elsa carry two of Cybertron's most important relics." Ratchet said.
"Then we shouldn't have them." Jack said as he held out his key. "Optimus entrusted them to you both, Jack." Ratchet said. "But that doesn't make any sense. So, why?" Jack asked. "Because he doesn't plan on coming back." Ratchet said.
The heroes entered a large room while fending off the antibodies. "Elsa." Elsa heard the voice in her head again. "Do as I command."
Elsa found herself in a purple space with the Chaos Bringer right behind her. "Destroy the Prime!" He ordered. "Optimus, help!" She cried as she fought Unicron's control. Megatron was having the same issue as well.
"Megatron, Elsa!" Optimus called their names. Megatron shoved Optimus aside and created an ice barrier. "Unicron's Spark thing is on the other side." Elsa groaned.
"How do we get inside?" Optimus asked. "By fooling Unicron's defenses into believing we're not a threat." Megatron said. His insignia glowed again, and he presented it to some kind of scanner, which accepted him, but the door didn't open. "Why isn't it working?" Optimus asked.
"Because it needs to sense one more being with Unicron's blood." Megatron said. Optimus took Elsa from his shoulder and reluctantly gave her to Megatron. "All you have to do, little one, is press your hand against it." Megatron instructed. Elsa raised a hand and touched the purple thing, and the door opened. Megatron gave Elsa back to Optimus.
"Autobots, I will need you to keep our attackers at bay for as long as you can!" Optimus said and followed Megatron inside. "We gotta hold. For Optimus!" Cyclonus shouted.
Optimus ran through another tunnel and into a large room. He set Elsa down, and they all got a good look at the massive Anti-Spark. "Optimus, swiftly!" Megatron said.
Optimus stepped forward while putting his servos on his chassis, ready to open the Matrix. But then bolts of lightning erupted from the Anti-Spark, one struck Optimus down, while two others hit Elsa and Megatron.
"Elsa!" Elsa's purple eyes snapped open, emitting violet smoke now. She screamed and held her head as Unicron appeared behind her. "Destroy the Prime! I command you!" Elsa and Megatron walked towards Optimus, the warlord had his blade unsheethed, while Elsa's hands emitted snow.
Megatron raised his blade, but hesitated. He struggled again, and his blade went down, but he caught it. He roared and resheethed it. "Megatron is commanded by NO ONE!" He declared. Unicron forced Elsa to raise her hamds at Optimus' Spark.
But she forced her hands to move away, making the ice blasts hit the ground. "No one makes me hurt my family! Do you hear me? NO ONE!" She screamed at the Anti-Spark, which began to pulse violently. Elsa and Megatron fell to their knees and screamed in pain as they held their heads as Unicron tortured both of them.
The Dark Energon volcano grew more violent, triggering an earthquake throughout the planet. "Earthquake!" Agent Fowler said. "Take cover!" Ratchet covered the humans.
A huge face appeared on the Anti-Spark, which stared everybody down. Both Elsa and Megatron passed out. Optimus groaned as he got up. "Matrix of Leadership, I call upon you." Deep within his chassis, the Matrix warbled and glowed in response.
Elsa and Megatron rose back up as purple fire engulfed their bodies. "You cannot defeat me, disciple of Primus. I have transcended physical being. By my will alone, all upon this world shall fall into chaos!" Unicron spoke through them. "Not while I still function, Unicron! The power of the Matrix will light our darkest hour!" Optimus declared.
"No!" Elsa and Megatron shouted as they pointed their ice magic, but it was too late. A blue force field surrounded Optimus as he opened his chassis and the Matrix energy shot into the Anti-Spark, creating a shock wave which knocked Elsa and Megatron away.
As soon as the Matrix was done, Optimus fell down in a heap. Unicron let out a cry of rage before his Anti-Spark shrunk and disappeared.
The antibodies burst through the ice barrior, but then fell down. The Autobots groaned in relief.
The Dark Energon in the volcano returned to normal magma.
The tornado that nearly killed Raf and June dissipated.
The Tsunamis shrunk away, as the black sky returned to blue.
The monitors in Autobot base beeped, and started coming back online. "There could be aftershocks." June warned. The monitors were active again. "Do you think?" Jack asked. "I do." Ratchet said. The monitor displayed the life-signals of Optimus, Megatron, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Chromia, Jetfire, and Cyclonus, even detecting the ice signal of Elsa.
Everybody cheered, and Agent Fowler hugged June but backed off awkwardly.
Soundwave detected their life-signals as well and began to type something in.
Elsa groaned as she slowly got up. "He's gone." She muttered. Megatron got up as well. "Teamwork? Hmm." He scoffed and approached Optimus with his blade at the ready. "Megatron, what are you doing?!" Elsa shouted.
Optimus looked at Megatron with blurry vision, and said, "Where are we, Megatronus?"
"Huh?" Elsa gasped. Megatron stared at him like he was crazy, but then put his blade away and offered a servo to Optimus. "Don't you remember, old friend?" He asked.
Then, Bulkhead broke the door down. "Optimus, are you okay?" He asked. "Why did he call me that?" Optimus asked. "No." Elsa muttered, realizing that Optimus had amnesia. "What did you do to him?!" Cyclonus demanded. "Who are they?" Optimus asked, then a Ground-Bridge portal opened.
"Our mortal enemies. We're outnumbered! Go! I'll cover you!" Megatron said. He stomped his pede and created a sheet of purple ice on the ground, making the Autobots and Elsa slip. "How did you do that?" Optimus asked. "I'll tell you later, go!" Megatron said.
Optimus looked at Bee, who buzzed in sadness, but Optimus and Megatron entered the portal and escaped, leaving the Autobots in shock.
Ratchet finally activated the Ground-Bridge, and they stepped through, with Arcee holding Elsa. "Arcee!" Jack said. "Elsa!" Anna and June said together. Arcee put Elsa down and the 8-year-old ran to her family for a hug. "I was worried, Bulk." Miko said. "Are you alright, Bee?" Raf asked.
"And Optimus? Is he -" Ratchet asked. "Dead? No." Arcee said. "He looked at us like we were strangers." Chromia said. "I need some rest." Jetfire walked away. "When Optimus surrendered the Matrix of Leadership, he lost more than the collective wisdom of the Primes, he lost his own memories." Ratchet said.
Megatron entered the bridge of the Nemesis. His troops bowed before him. "Welcome back, Lord Megatron." Knockout said. Megatron stepped aside, and Optimus appeared. Breakdown turned his servo into a sledge hammer and charged at the Prime. "At ease, Breakdown. That is no way to welcome a long-lost comrade." Megatron stopped him.
"Orion Pax is one of us." He declared.
To be continued...