"Autobots, we remain vastly outnumbered, and, despite our munitions, do not currently possess the firepower necessary to compromise the Decepticon citadel." Ultra Magnus said.
"Uncle Sam's military does. I just can't let them make a move as long as Megatron's ray guns are pointed at Washington." Agent Fowler said. "Then we must infiltrate Darkmount in order to nullify its fusion cannons." Ultra Magnus said.
"Unfortunately, it seems the fortress is heavily shielded against unauthorized Ground-Bridges. Even those originating from Decepticon technology and Megatron will not hesitate to use the magic he took from Elsa to freeze us in a summery winter." Ratchet said. "Guess we'll have to sneak past enemy lines Wrecker style." Wheeljack said.
"I couldn't deal with 'Wrecker style' back on Cybertron, and I refuse to deal with it here." Ultra Magnus said. Wheeljack grumbled. "Now, we require a means of thinning the Decepticon ranks to even the odds if we're to have any hope of completing this mission or surviving it." Ultra Magnus said.
"I-I can't do this. I mean, sure, who wouldn't wanna be a Prime? But I'm really not ready for that kind of responsibility." Smokescreen said. "Smokescreen, the choice... is neither yours nor mine to make. When it is time, the Matrix of Leadership will present itself only to one whose Spark is worthy." Optimus wheezed.
Jack walked up to an old oil station. "Because it worked so well last time." He said and grabbed his phone. He sent a random message, and the Decepticons found it. "I knew the humans couldn't resist using their telecommunications. That is all they seem to do." Starscream said. "Seek and destroy." He commanded.
Multiple Vehicons did what they were told.
"I have 5 bogeys converging right on top of Jack." Raf said. "Not anymore." Ratchet said. A Ground-Bridge opened, and Jack ran through. He nodded. "Miko, your turn." Ratchet said.
Miko was in an alleyway back in New York. "Hello? I need two large pies. Sicilian. You deliver, right?" She asked. The Decepticons found her as well. Starscream laughed. "Humans. Stand by to Ground-Bridge." He ordered.
Soundwave pointed at the screen. "Soundwave, why can't you accept a little good fortune? The Autobots couldn't possibly stay hidden forever." Starscream said.
Miko jumped through a Ground-Bridge and entered the Harbinger. "I really could have used that pizza." She said. "I've tapped into the Decepticon communications network. Are you ready, Jack?" Ratchet asked. "Decepticon command, do you read me?" Jack asked in a poor imitation of a Vehicon. "Let me try. Decepticon command, do you read me?" Elsa asked while also poorly imitating a Vehicon, but did better than Jack.
"I remain unconvinced." Ultra Magnus said. "I will enhance your performance with static." Ratchet said. "Decepticon command, do you read me? We are under Autobot attack." Elsa said kn the computer with static. "It's one of our Energon mines. Insecticons, prepare for battle." Starscream commanded.
"Autobots, lock and load." Ultra Magnus said. Each Autobot held their respective weapons.
Agent Fowler had multiple fighter jets lined up at his base. "Keep your engines warm, boys. We launch the moment Ultra Magnus gives the all-clear." Agent Fowler said.
Vehicons were mining Energon when the Insecticons howled and a horde of them entered and transformed. "There must be some mistake, Commander Starscream. The mine is not under attack." A Vehicon said on the monitor. "What? How can that -" Starscream started. "Starscream! Explain why my forces are scattering across this globe." Megatron said.
"Renegade Autobot mischief, Lord Megatron. I am in the process of deducing how they are infiltrating our communication systems without a base of -" Starscream stopped when Soundwave displayed an image of the other half of the Harbinger. "The Harbinger." Starscream gasped.
"You left abandoned Decepticon technology FULLY OPERATIONAL AND UNSECURED?!" Megatron screeched at Starscream. Starscream squeaked. "Allow me to correct my oversight immediately." He said.
"Seeker armada to the flight deck." Dozens of silver Vehicons approached the location. "Your target is the Decepticon ship, the Harbinger. You are to obliterate it at once." Starscream said.
"My armada is in position. Open a Ground-Bridge to the Harbinger." Starscream said, then the Nemesis shook. "Since it would seem that Darkmount is presently under attack. Kindly redirect all efforts toward ensuring that our invaders are eradicated." Megatron said.
"Fire in another hole." Wheeljack said and threw a grenade at Darkmount's base, and it exploded. He and Bulkhead ran for the fortress as the Vehicon armada transformed, left the Nemesis, and fired upon the Wreckers.
Bulkhead shot them out of the sky with a giant cannon while Wheeljack swung an electric whip and killed more Vehicons. The Wreckers transformed.
A Vehicon guard watched when a servo tapped his back. He turned around and was met with Chromia's servo, knocking him out.
"I assure you, Master. I have everything under control." Starscream said. Megatron snarled. "Lord Megatron, I accept that military considerations are outside of my domain, but perhaps it is once again time to release the Predacon." Shockwave said.
Bulkhead and Wheeljack transformed as the Vehicon armada returned to the Nemesis. The Pentagon appeared on it. It spreads its wings and dive-bombs at the Wreckers. Bulkhead and Wheeljack fired at it until Ultra Magnus blasted it away with his ship.
The Predacon roared and chased him. "Ratchet, now!" Ultra Magnus said. Ratchet opened a large Ground-Bridge, and Ultra Magnus moved aside, and the Predacon was transported into the Arctic and froze.
"Oh, well." Starscream said as he watched the portal close from the Nemesis. Shockwave turned to leave. "Yes, that's right. Go off and sulk, why don't you?" The Seeker taunted. Shockwave left the Nemesis and started leaping off different parts of Darkmount.
"Who... stands before me?" Optimus weakly asked. "What? It's me, Optimus. Smokescreen." Smokescreen said. "Who... beckons?" Optimus asked as his optics began to flicker.
Optimus walked through a space with a blue light in front of him. "Come, Optimus." Alpha Trion said. "Is it truly you, Alpha Trion?" Optimus asked. "I stand before you, my student. As such, it would seem that it is your time." Alpha Trion said.
Optimus didn't move. "Why do you hesitate?" Alpha Trion asked. "I do not fear joining with Allspark, but for the fate of the Matrix of Leadership." Optimus said. "You know as well as I, a worthy candidate, is near. One who will learn to be a Prime as you once did." Alpha Trion said.
"Ultra Magnus to stealth team, status report." Ultra Magnus said. "Having a little trouble reaching the objective." Chromia said. She, Cyclonus, Arcee, Bumblebee, and Jetfire were fighting Vehicons. "Security is tighter than anticipated, sir." Chromia said.
"Keep them occupied." Ultra Magnus said. He circled the ship to the top of Darkmount. The elevator hatch lowered, and Ultra Magnus held a gun and landed on one of the fusion cannons. He ran forward, leaped up, and shot his way into the power core chamber, killing Vehicons. One returned fire but was killed.
Ultra Magnus' cannon was suddenly shot out of his servos by a beam of purple ice. "Ultra Magnus. Allow me to venture. You intend to disarm my fusion cannons by disabling their power core." Megatron said and jumped down. "Indeed, Megatron. And you are standing in my way." Ultra Magnus said and readied his cannons.
Shockwave landed at the bottom of Darkmount and saw Bulkhead and Wheeljack tearing apart the Vehicon forces. He transformed into a cyber tank and fired. The blast blew the Wreckers down as Shockwave transformed and approached them. "Your mission was most illogical." The scientist said.
Arcee ran across the hall to join the other Autobots, but then the gunfire ceased. "What happened?" Jetfire asked. Dozens of Vehicons surrounded them from all corners. "Scrap." Arcee said.
Megatron and Ultra Magnus fired and blocked each other's cannons. Ultra Magnus kicked the warlord but got headbutted into the wall. Ice magic manifested around Megatron's servo and formed into a purple mace. "When I'm done with you, Magnus, there won't be enough pieces to bother sweeping up." The warlord grinned maliciously.
Ultra Magnus aimed a cannon, but Megatron swatted it aside with his icy mace, and the blast hit the wall. Ultra Magnus pushed Megatron back and started firing relentlessly. Megatron created an ice shield and deflected the blasts.
He bashed Ultra Magnus with the icy shield, and then his mace met Magnus' helm. The lieutenant fell unconscious. "Ultra Magnus. You are no Optimus Prime." Megatron said.
"What in the name of Paul Revere's horse is taking them so long?!" Agent Fowler asked.
Megatron dragged Ultra Magnus to the throne room. "All invaders have been taken captive, Master. There was no sign of Optimus Prime." Starscream said. "So tell me, commander, where might your leader be?" Megatron asked.
"Take my hand, Optimus, and join me. Join with the Allspark." Alpha Trion said. Optimus walked towards the ghost of his mentor and hesitently reached for his servo.
"Optimus, no!" Smokescreen said. Optimus' optics went dark. His chassis opened, and the Matrix of Leadership started glowing. "This isn't how the story's supposed to end." Smokescreen muttered. He looked at the Forge, dragged it towards the deceased Prime, and the handle fell into his servo. The Forge of Solus Prime glowed with the Matrix, and a blue shock wave knocked Smokescreen away.
"I will not ask again." Megatron said. "If I knew, I wouldn't tell you." Ultra Magnus said. "Very well. Execute our prisoners and fire each cannon at the nearest metropolis within its sights. It is time to show the known universe that this planet belongs to Megatron." Megatron said.
"Master, something's coming." Starscream said. The Autobots below and Shockwave noticed something in the sky. "The Predacon!" Megatron said. "Not beasty enough." Starscream observed. Megatron stepped forward. Ultra Magnus saw the object, too.
"How is that possible?" Ratchet asked. "What's possible?" Elsa asked. "A 10th Autobot signal. But it's airborne." Ratchet said.
"I know that color scheme." Starscream said. Megatron's optics widened when he realized the object was a new and improved Optimus Prime who was jetting towards Darkmount. "Wait, he can't fly! Can he?" Starscream asked.
Optimus flew into the throne room and punched Megatron down. Another punch sent the warlord flying straight into his icy throne. The Vehicons fired, but Optimus grabbed a minigun from his back and killed them all.
Starscream backed up but was punched away by Ultra Magnus. Optimus turned around. "Commander?" He asked. "Sir, you're looking... robust. It is paramount that we disable the fusion cannons below." Ultra Magnus said. "Understood." Optimus said and took off.
"All units, Optimus Prime has returned." Ultra Magnus said. Ratchet and the humans cheered inside the Harbinger. "I repeat, Prime is alive and quite well." Ultra Magnus said. "Yes!" Agent Fowler cheered. Bulkhead and Wheeljack nodded at each other, and then the white Wrecker grabbed his swords and yelled. Bulkhead bashed a Vehicon away, and the Wreckers charged at Shockwave but were beaten back.
Megatron burst out of his destroyed throne as Starscream watched Ultra Magnus jump off Darkmount and onto his ship and escaped. Megatron looked over the edge and saw Optimus flying around below. He roared in fury, transformed, and started chasing the Prime.
Optimus arrived at one of the fusion cannons and prepared his minigun. "OPTIMUS!" Megatron screamed and started firing at Optimus. A blast of ice magic hit Optimus in the shoulder, and he fell but regained balance and flew around as Megatron chased him. Another shot hit Optimus from behind, and the Autobot leader turned around and fired his mingun.
Starscream watched Optimus chase Megatron. "Commander, a cluster of enemy signals incoming." A Vehicon reported. "Grr. Humans. Activate the fusion cannons." Starscream ordered. The Vehicons set to work, and one of the fusion cannons glowed.
"Sky strikers, await my command." Agent Fowler said. Megatron kept firing at Optimus. Optimus sped up, and Megatron used wind to boost his speed as sharp ice spikes formed on his front. Optimus punched Megatron before the warlord could stab him and grabbed his wings. "Megatron, begone!" Optimus declared as he started spinning and launched Megatron at Darkmount.
Megatron burst through the wall and fell into the power core. Vehicons were blown away, and the fusion cannons powered down. Optimus saw the military coming and flew aside. "Autobots, clear the area." Ultra Magnus commanded.
The Autobots transformed into their land and air vehicles as Shcokwave threw Wheeljack off his back, but Chromia collided with him, and Bulkhead transformed as well. Wheeljack stopped on Shockwave and transformed, and Shockwave fired. "Let's do this." Agent Fowler said.
Each jet fired two rockets, and the top of Darkmount was engulfed in fire. Shockwave watched the tower begin to collapse. "Soundwave, O require a Ground-Bridge." Shockwave said calmly, and a portal opened, and he stepped through.
Megatron fell out of the power core as Starscream ran into the room. "Transport Lord Megatron to the warship." He ordered. "What are you doing?! No! We will not retreat!" Megatron groaned. "This battle is lost, my liege. We must retreat if we are to have any hope of winning the war." Starscream said.
Smokescreen drove down the highway, transformed, and saw Darkmount on fire. "Aw! I missed it!" He groaned. The Nemesis took off as Darkmount collapsed.
"On behalf of the president and the joint chiefs, I thank you all for your selfless heroism in defense of this planet. I'm only sorry that the world can't yet know of your dying dedication. Because I, for one, owe you my life, my liberty, and my future." Agent Fowler said at their new base, which was a rebuilt Harbinger. Elsa had infused the broken ship with her magic, and it repaired itself and became the mobile new base of operations for the Autobots.
Agent Fowler saluted. "Sir, I am honored to relinquish command of the Autobots and captain's position of the Harbinger to you." Ultra Magnus said.
"Welcome to Earth, Ultra Magnus, and to Team Prime." Optimus said. "Okay, someone's gotta say it. Optimus 2.0 is rad! Imagine what the Forge could do for your bod." Miko said. "Is it true that the Forge has been drained of its power?" Ratchet asked as Jetfire put the Iacon Relic into the new vault.
"Then, any hope of rebuilding the Omega Lock has truly been lost." Cyclonus said. "I... did what I felt was right." Smokescreen said. "And your instincts have again proven to be quite sound." Ratchet said. The Autobots encircled each other in the Harbinger's bridge.