A/N: I do not own Transformers or My Hero Academia.
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The Tragedy of Nova Prime the Unworthy
Liege Maximo: Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Nova Prime the Unworthy?
Optimus blinked. Both at the name they spoke and the word tragedy.
Solus: Maximo, of course, he wouldn't know about it. We're the ones who made sure it was kept secret.
Alchemist: He just wanted to be dramatic.
Amalgamous: Yeah. Maxxies' has always been a drama queen.
Liege Maximo: DO NOT CALL ME BY THAT NAME! LEAST I MELT YOU DOWN FOR PARTS!
Amalgamous: Too late Maxxie! Megs already beat you to it!
Liege Maximo growled and prepared to lunge at the shifter, but Onyx held him back.
Onyx: Cease your childish behavior this instant! This isn't the time!
Vector: Onyx is right. We are about to tell young Optimus why we sent him here. We cannot be distracted by petty squabbles.
Liege Maximo pouted as he pulled himself from Onyx's grip. Grumbling something like "He started it" under his breath.
Prima: Let's get back to the matter at hand. Of course, you would never have heard of such a tale, Optimus, because we ensured that no one ever would, lest they follow in Nova's footsteps.
Optimus was confused at the name. Nova Prime? He's never heard of such a person named Prime. And he's read the ancient text listing all the different Primes thousands of times repeatedly. He knew all the Primes's names, from Nominus down to Zeta, and could list them alphabetically and chronologically off the top of his head.
But never before had he heard the name Nova in that list.
Optimus: Who is Nova Prime?
All the Primes had expressions of guilt and shame, none more so than his own mentor, Alpha Trion.
Alpha Trion: Our greatest mistake. Or, more accurately, my greatest mistake.
Micronus: Alpha...
Alpha Trion held up a hand to stop his small friend.
Alpah Trion: No Micronus. We all know it's my fault.
Optimus was only getting more and more confused. His fault? Greatest mistake?
Quintus: It seems young Optimus is lost on what we are saying. So perhaps it's best we start at the beginning.
Prima: Of course. Vector, if you would.
The Prime of Time and Space nodded to his older brother, and his eyes began to glow. The clock gears on his chest began to turn and wind counterclockwise.
The scene in the realm of the Primes shifted all around Optimus, and soon, he found himself in the vastness of space. He looked down, and his eyes widened at what he beheld.
Optimus: Cybertron...
There it was—his home—the place where he was born, the home he tried and failed to save the first time. But it looked different—newer, less war-torn.
Vector: After the defeat of Unicron and Primus merging with the core of our world, we Primes set out to begin to build Cybertron's empire. New sparklings were born from the well of Allspark, and we did our best to guide them and teach them the ways of unity. Unfortunately, we were not as strong a brotherhood as he tried to present ourselves as.
The scene shifted and showed the twelve Primes sitting and arguing with each other. They all looked greatly younger. But for some reason, Alpha Trion still had his trademark super-long beard.
Prima: When Primus created us, he gave each of us unique personalities that played to our strengths and helped us in his war against Unicron. But more often than not, those differing personalities couldn't help but clash against each other.
Nexus: You saw a small taste of our arguments while in our presence.
Optimus blinked in shock. That was only a small taste of what their arguments were like.
Micronus: We would have lost against Unicron due to infighting if it hadn't been for the Thirteenth.
At the mention of the Thirteenth, all the Primes had a small and nostalgic smile on their faces.
Amalgamous: Aw, good ol' Thirteen! Now that's a true Prime.
Solus: Yes, when things were darkest, and all seemed hopeless, there was no brighter light than him.
Onyx: Indeed. He might have been the youngest and weakest among us, but his heart and courage far exceeded ours by light-years.
Nexus: As a combiner, I've always been about unity and coming together. But no one could untie others quite like Thirteen.
Quintus: Yes. Despite not having his own unique power like us, he didn't need it. His own unique spark is what truly made him great.
Liege Maximo: Indeed. I have no doubt that Thirteen was the best of all of us.
Micronus: Coming from you, that means a lot.
Seeing his predecessors talk passionately about the Thirteenth brought a smile to the young Prime's face. However, he caught a look of guilt on his mentor's face for some reason.
Prima: Indeed. But with Thirteen's sacrifice to defeat Unicron, that event marked the end of the Brotherhood of Primes.
Alpha Trion: We all took his death hard, some more than others. But no one took it as hard as Megatronus.
Optimus's eyes widened at the name. That was the Prime D-16 first named himself after.
The scene shifted to show the Twelveth Prime. He was a massive Transformer, coated in black with red highlights and a massive canon arm, similar to Megatron. Solus looked at the image of the fallen Prime with sadness and heartbreak
Vector: Out of all of us, Megatronus took the death of Thirteen the hardest. Despite being complete opposites, one being the strongest of us and the other the weakest, the two got along better than anyone else in our ranks. They were truly brothers.
Quintus: Probably had something to do with being the two youngest Primes. Megatronus always watched Thirteen's back in battle against Unicron, while Thirteen did his best to encourage Megatronus when he felt weak and unsure of himself.
Solus: He was even the one who encouraged Megatronus to confess to me.
Optimus's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. He had heard rumors and myths about the Fallen's attraction to the Prime of Creation, but he didn't think it happened.
Alchemist: Megatronus and Thirteen were indeed the best of friends. And that's why the latter's death ended up breaking the former.
All at once, the Primes hung their heads in shame.
Optimus: If I may ask, how did the Thirteenth Prime die?
Micronus: He took a shot for me. Idiot little brother forgot I could shield myself.
Despite his harsh words, they came not from a place of malice but of pain. The pain over losing one's brother.
Alpha Trion: Yes, but with the last of his life, he focused the remainder of his spark into a single blast that weakened Unicron, enough for us to finally defeat him and cast him out.
Quintus: I tried to do what I could. But the damage was too severe. I couldn't save him. Not even the great Primus could've done anything.
Solus: But he died with a smile on his face. Glad that his sacrifice meant we would be safe from Unicron.
Vector: But, as mentioned before. The death of the Thirteenth marked the end of the Brotherhood of Primes.
Onyx: Without a common enemy to fight and the one that held us together, tensions started to rise between all of us.
Amalgamous: We constantly argued about how to govern Cybertron, including how to organize the people, who should rule, etc.
Alchemist: During this, Megatronus suggested a system based on the powerful; only the strongest would rule.
Liege Maximo: The loss of Thirteen broke the once indomitable Prime. He began to be obsessed with the idea of strength, believing that if only he was stronger, he would have been able to save his best friend.
Solus: I did what I could to help him cope, but it wasn't enough. He descended further and further into obsession until one day, he asked me to forge him a special weapon. Only he, or those with his power, could control it to its full potential. It took me centuries to forge, more time than the Star Saber. And when I finally completed it... He... he just...
She trailed off as tears began to gather in her eyes. Several of her brothers came and placed a comforting hand on her shoulders. Vector then showed an image of Solus Prime being impaled by the weapon she had crafted for her loved one, the Void Sceptre.
Liege Maximo: He killed her with the very weapon she forged for him minutes after she completed it.
Optimus looked at the female Prime with empathy. To toil away so long for a lover, to create something magnificent for them and them alone. Only to have it then be used to strike you down the moment you hand it over.
Alpha Trion: Megatronus then led a campaign to claim Cybertron as his own. He gathered an army of followers and waged war on us. We had to respond in kind. Such an event became known as the Prime Civil War.
Optimus remembered reading about that event in the history books. The scene shifted ot the horrific battles fought all along Cybertron's surface.
Nexus: Despite being ten Primes against one, Megatronus was the strongest of all of us. That unique weapon made him even stronger.
Quintus: The war between Primes raged for millennia, and we lost half of our brothers, Amalgamous, Vector, Onyx, and Prima.
The scene shifted to show the dead bodies of the mentioned Primes; Prima stood before Megatronus, the Star Saber in his hands piercing through Megatronus' chest, and at the same moment, his own unique weapon pierced the first Prime.
Prima: I gave my life to strike down Megatronus, using the Star Saber to pierce his corrupted spark at just the same moment his sceptre pierced through me.
Quintus: Despite our victory, Cybertron was left in ruins, and the Brotherhood of Primes was only a handful.
Alchemist: Not only that, but people have begun to lose faith in the Primes. And if they lost faith in the Primes, they would lose faith in Primus, and we couldn't allow that to happen.
Alpha Trion: And so, we decided it was time for a new Prime to step up, one who was not one of the original Thirteen, but someone from the new generation of Cybertronians who could lead them into a better era than us.
Optimus seemed to get where they were going.
Optimus: And you ended up choosing Nova Prime.
Micronus: Yes, but he was called Nova Major at the time.
Vector then shifted the scene again, showing the remaining Primes standing before the well of All Sparks. Millions of Cybertonians were gathered, but one stood out as he approached the remaining Primes.
He was tall and had a dark blue and white color scheme. Six wing flaps, three on each side, spread from his back. But what surprised Optimus most about this Cybertronian was that his face was a near mirror of his own.
Nova Major stood before the gathered Primes and kneeled before them, his head bowed. The crowd was silent as they watched with anticipation.
Alpha Trion: Nova Major. Your actions during the recent war and noble and selfless character have proven you worthy. We entrust you with the future of Cybertron...
Alpha Trion then trailed off as he reached for something and pulled it out, to the wonderment of all.
Alpha Trion:... And the Matrix of Leadership!
The crowd cheered as Nova rose, his chest opening to his Spark Chamber. Alpha Trion approached the young bot and gently placed the legendary artifact inside it. Nova's chest closed as he felt the power grow inside him, feeling a rush of power he never thought was possible.
Alpha Trion: Arise... Nova Prime, First of the New Primes!
The crowd cheered as they gazed at their new leader. Who, missed by all the Primes, had an ambitious look in his eyes.
Optimus looked at the scene with wide eyes, disbelief across his features. He then turned to his mentor.
Optimus: Why did you choose him?
Alpha Trion: I chose him because I believed he represented the best of Cybertron. He was brave and selfless in battle, and his cunning strategies helped us overcome many of Megatronus's forces. In times between conflict, we talked long and deeply. He shared his vision of sharing Cybertron's glory with the rest of the universe. At the time, I believed he wanted to share our technology and resources with others and help those in the universe. I believed he was the best candidate for the first Prime.
The scene shifted to show several space bridges being constructed and many Cybertronian forces going through the portals to other star systems and species.
Alpha Trion: He oversaw the journey by campaigning several Exodus to other star systems. Thanks to his efforts, Cybertron entered its Golden Age. It seemed Cybertron and all others we contacted would prosper under his leadership.
Alpha Trion then let out a sigh of resignation.
Alpha Trion: Only later did I realize how wrong I was.
The scene shifted to Cybertronian battleships firing on worlds, whipping out entire civilizations who resisted, and enslaving many more. Optimus looked down at the scene in horror.
Alpha Trion: It turns out that even old bots like me can make misjudgments of one's character. And this misjudgment cost this old fool and trillions of others dearly. When discussing sharing Cybertron's glory, he meant enforcing its principles upon others. In Nova's eyes, Cybertronians are the apex species of the galaxy, gods, and he is the king. He believed it was his duty–no, his destiny to rule over all of space. Anyone who tried to resist, he wiped out their entire species. However, the last straw for us, the Primes, was when he exterminated the Rachni from the galaxy.
The scene shifted to show Nova and several other Cybertronians standing before a species of large insects. He seemed to be speaking to the queen. The familiar weapon of the Star Saber was on his back, as was Megatronus's personal weapon.
Rachni Queen: We have no quarrel with your people, Nova Prime. We are a species nearing extinction. We will submit to your rule with no fight.
Nova just stared at the disgusting organic species, thinking what use these creatures could possibly provide him and his empire. When he could think of none, he turned to his lieutenant.
Nova: Wipe them out. All of them.
His order shocked his own troops as well as the Rachni.
Cybertronian Soldier: Umm, sir? But they surrendered?
Nova: They are a disgusting species nearing leaning on the edge of extinction. They have no place in the Empire I'm going to build. It's better to eliminate an eyesore right when one sees it.
Rachni Queen: Please! Show mercy! If not for me, then for my children!
Nova looked at the queen, then glanced at her children. He then pulled out Megatronus's weapon and stabbed the nearest rachni baby.
Nova: Start with the children. Saved the queen for last. Have her watch as her species dies. Bring her to the labs afterward. I'm sure whatever future offspring she would spawn will be useful after they've been upgraded with metal. Wonder what I'll call them? How about... Insecticons? Yes, that has a nice ring to it.
The Rachni Queen cried as her children all died before her, one by one. And she felt all their deaths through her telepathic link with them.
Optimus looked at the scene in disbelief, shock, horror, and rage.
How could he do that? How could someone who was a Prime go to such lengths?! Be so cruel as to force a mother to watch as her children die one by one before forcing her to give birth more, only for them to be subjected to horrible experimentation.
Even Sentinel wasn't this evil! Nor was Megatron!
Optimus: How?! How could he do such a thing?!
Alpha Trion only looked at his apprentice with a mournful expression.
Alpha Trion: As I said, the empire Nova wanted to create was one of strength. Where the strong survive and the weak, if they serve no use, perish. Not only that, Nova had a deep hatred of anything non-metallic. Any organic species he encountered was sure to eliminate them if they couldn't provide a use. Entire species and star systems were wiped from the face of the galaxy; species no one remembers are all gone because of him.
Optimus: How did you not know? You're the wisest Cybertronian I know! How could you not have known his true nature?!
How could his mentor not have seen the danger?! How could he have been so blind to Nova's true nature?!
Alchemist: It wasn't just him. Nova managed to fool all of us.
Micronus: Yeah. Little Sparkling was a sneaky little piece of scrap.
Quintus: And it wasn't just that this was who he always was; there was the Matrix that played a role.
Optimus: The Matrix?
Prima: As you recall, we told you that one reason the true power of the Matrix was kept hidden was that someone else knew, used the power, and ended up becoming corrupted because of it.
Optimus's eyes widened in realization.
Optimus: You mean... Nova?
Vector: Indeed. Nova was told about the Matrix's true potential and could wield its power to the fullest extent, making it seem like he was more of a worthy candidate.
Alpha Trion: However, the more he used its power, the more it corrupted him into the power-hungry tyrant you saw. This was a large reason why we didn't share the Matrix's true potential with you.
Optimus nodded in understanding. While he doubted he would fall as far as Nova, no one was perfect, not even him.
Alchemist: That was when we realized Nova needed to be stopped. So we concocted a plan.
The wheels of time shifted, and Optimus saw a large conference room with the remaining Primes, and Nova had just walked in.
Nova walked into the council chambers, already feeling the tension in the air. Already, he had his preferred weapon of choice, Megatronus's personal relic, on him as he entered the chambers.
Nova: You summoned me?
All Primes turned to Alpha Trion, who stood in their center to address Nova.
Alpha Trion: We have called you here to discuss your crimes, Nova.
Nova: Crimes? What crimes have I committed?
Micronus: You want us to list them alphabetically or in terms of severity? Let's see: abuse of fellow Cybertronians, slavery, planetary destruction, and my personal favorite, extermination of an entire species! Do you want me to go on?
Quintus: Your actions are an affront on life itself!
Liege Maximo: I knew something was wrong with you, kid. Just couldn't put my finger on it, but now I know. You're a real monster.
Nexus: You're a disgrace to the title of Prime.
Alpha Trion: You have abused the privilege and power you were gifted. And as such, you are hereby stripped of the title of Prime. In light of your years of service, we sentence you to exile. You are hereby banished from Cybertron, and you will never return.
Nova listened silently to the Primes' words, making no outward action or movement. Then, he did something that chilled the old, war-torn Primes' spines.
He started laughing.
It started as a small chuckle, then grew louder before he exploded in insane cackling. He laughed long and hard for some time. The Primes looked at each other in concern.
Alchemist: What do you find so funny, boy?
Nova began to calm down and looked at the Primes; a dark look of anger was in his optics.
Nova: You truly are nothing but old fools.
Alpha Trion: Excuse me?
Nova: Only an old fool would be blind to the greatness I am performing for Cybertron.
Quintus: 'Greatness'? You call the cruel extermination of a species 'greatness'?!
Nova: Of course. After all, it is all to make Cybertron stronger, which, if I recall from you all, is the duty of a Prime.
Nexus: A Prime's duty is to safeguard Cybertron and her people. To be the shield that protects them from threats that would dare harm them.
Nova: Ah, and there's the flaw in your words. What is a shield good for? Protecting, defending, standing completely still. And that is the flaw. How can we protect ourselves if all we do is stay where we are and wait for the next threat to come to us? Why should we wait for our enemies to come to us when we can go to them and exterminate the threat before it grows? No, I will not wait around like a shield for an attack to come to us. I will be the sword that cuts down the threat before it can even begin to grow.
Micronus: And will these actions you've taken keep Cybertron safe?
Nova: Of course! What do you fossils think I've been doing these past centuries? I've been growing our Empire. Expanding further in space than anyone has ever traveled. Establishing our hold on new worlds. Gathering resources needed to protect our world.
Liege Maximo: At the expense of others' lives?
While Maximo wasn't the nicest and altruistic of the Primes, he was still created to help defend life and would gladly give his life to defend innocents.
Nova: If that's what it takes, then so be it.
Alpha Trion: In what was the extinction of the Rachni necessary, especially in such a cruel and terrible method?
Nova looked directly at the one who had crowned him Prime all those years ago, once telling him he was more worthy than anyone to wield the title of Prime.
Nova: Tell me something, old bots, what are we?
His question caught the others off guard.
Quintus: Automous robotic organisms?
Nova: Yes, and what, my dear predecessors, are we made of?
Alchemist: Metal?
Nova: Indeed. We are forged from metal, the strongest in the universe. Unique. No other species has a body like ours, a perfectly crafted frame to blend life and machinery in perfect balance.
Nexus: What is your point, Nova?
Nova: Because we were crafted so perfectly, doesn't that mean it is our destiny to rule?
His words stunned the Primes, allowing him to continue.
Nova: Think about it! We are the apex species of the universe! No other species can match our strength, our stature, our durability. Some other metallic species may come close, like the Quintessians, but no one is capable of matching up to us in terms of might and power. We are Gods! And as Prime, doesn't that make me the king of Gods?
His eyes then began to darken as rage took hold of him.
Nova: And do you know the greatest insult to Gods like us? Organics. They are tiny beings made from flesh, blood, and bones. Weak, fragile, and disgusting. I hate them! I despise them! They serve no purpose! They are an eyesore, an insult that must be purged from the face of the galaxy! And I will be the one to do it! I SWEAR IT BY PRIMUS HIMSELF!
All the other Primes could feel Nova's level of anger and hatred. He truly believed in what he was saying and meant it when he vowed to wipe out organic life. And at that moment, the Primes couldn't help but replace Nova with the image of the monster they were created to fight. One who too sought the destruction of life in the universe simply because it offended him.
Alpha Trion felt hollow and empty as he stared at the Cybertronian he had such high hopes for. Never before had he felt so devastated and betrayed. He had handpicked Nova because he believed the young Cybertronian he fought beside would truly lead Cybertron into a glorious new age.
Alpha Trion: "It looks like I was wrong. He's not him after all."
Nova had fallen too far. He couldn't be allowed to remain.
Alpha Trion: I have failed you, Nova. I have failed you.
His admission of guilt caused his brothers to turn to him while Nova raised his brow.
Alpha Trion: I should have seen the signs. Should have seen the anger festering in you. But I was blinded by my hopes. I shouldn't have given you this responsibility. You weren't ready to bear the burdens that came with leadership.
That comment sparked Nova's anger.
Nova: Don't you dare talk down to me, Trion! If anyone was unfit for leadership, it's you all! You're all a remnant of the past! Seeking for things to stay the same. Afraid to change anything! I refuse to allow myself to become anything like that. I seek the future and do whatever I must to acquire it for Cybertron!
Alpha Trion: At the cost of innocent lives?! You are no Prime! And you are certainly no disciple of Primus! You might as well be a Herald of Unicron himself! Now you will surrender the Matrix and surrender yourself and your followers!
Nova did nothing for a long moment, just standing in the middle of the room with the light shining down upon him.
He then let out another chuckle.
Nova: It seems you are nothing but old fools.
His body then glowed with a blue, luminous color as his eyes flashed. Micronus's eyes widened.
Micronus: EVERYBODY DOWN!
Nova then tapped into the power of Megatronus Prime, his favored power, and a powerful telekinetic shockwave exploded from him. Chairs flew in all directions, and tables were torn from the floor. Micronus floated before his brothers and created a forcefield to protect them. But the force of the blast was so strong it broke the shield, causing all the Primes to go flying.
When the shockwave finally ceased, the room was a complete mess, like several bombs went off. The Primes struggled to stand and looked to the center to see Nova Prime, undamaged by the carnage he had unleashed.
Nova: Did you forget who I am?!
Nexus let out a battle cry as he charged the fallen Prime, throwing out a fist that Nova easily caught, thanks to utilizing the strength of Nexus from the Matrix. While Nexus Prime was indeed powerful, he was also old and rusty, while Nova was young and utilizing the strength of the first combiner when he was in his Prime.
Nova: I am destined to rule this universe as its king!
He then tore the arm he had caught off of Nexus and used it to beat the Prime to death quickly.
His combat instincts told him to move, and he listened as he dodged a line of metal spikes out to impale him, formed by Alchemist Prime, who used his powers to change the floor. He went on with this tactic, repeatedly changing the floor around Nova. Fire, acid, rust, spikes, etc. All while Nova quickly closed the distance.
Nova: I am the one who brought forth Cybertron's golden age while you all sat in your chambers and rusted.
He then placed his hands on Alchemist Prime and used his own power to transform his entire body to rust. Alchemist only looked in horror as his body quickly rusted, trying to cry out for mercy, but his vocal cords were already rusted. His body soon followed as his form quickly crumbled into dust.
Nova then caught sight of Liege Maximo charging at him, knife in hand. He drew the Void Sceptre and moved to strike, but hit nothing but air as the weapon passed through the Trickster Prime, who disappeared. He saw Maximo again, moving to strike, but the same thing happened again. And again, and again.
Meanwhile, the true Liege Maximo moved to sneak attack Nova. Pulling out his personal relic, the Daggar of Mischief, he approached the back of Nova. Memories flashed of their time training together, when he taught the promising Prime how to use cunning to fool his enemies, but he focused on the task at hand.
When he was right behind him, Maximo thrust his dagger into a vital point in his back, only to feel no resistance as he did so, like he was stabbing through air. Nova's form dissolved, and Maximo realized too late he'd been tricked when he felt an invisible force impale through his back out his chest.
As he felt his Spark going out, he caught Nova appearing out of the thin air, and the other of the Void Sceptre, the weapon that impaled him, materializing from his chest.
Nova: Did you forget, old bot? You taught me all your tricks.
He pulled the staff and let the Prime of Mischief fall to the floor, dead. Nova then cried out as he felt something hit him from behind. He turned to see Micronus firing off orbs of energy, the same ones formed from his forcefields.
Micronus: You didn't think all I could do was defend, did you? I'm more than just a one-trick pony, unlike you and your use of my power!
That caused Nova to growl behind his face plate, and he advanced on the Mini-Con. He always hated Micronus the most, mainly because he was small. Micronus fired off more orbs of Energy, all of which Nova either dodged, destroyed with the Void Sceptre, or just outright tanked. Micronus then trapped Nova within a force field and shrank it around the fallen Prime, seeking to crush him.
Nova: I am the one who will cleanse this universe with fire!
He then concentrated the power of Megatronus and unleashed a powerful blast that destroyed the barrier, causing Micronus to stumble. Inspired by the smallest Prime, he crafted a force field around Micronus and began to close it around the Mini-Con. But unlike Nova, Micronus couldn't break out of it with raw power. All he could do was keep making force field after force field to try and keep it from crushing him. It only slowed it down and made his death all the more painful and agonizing.
As Nova deactivated the force field and let the crumpled remains of Micronus fall to the floor, he was seized by tentacles and held up to face Quintus Prime. A look of rage crossed the Prime of Life's face.
Quintus: As a doctor, I made a vow to save lives. But you, I'll keep you alive long enough to fully feel the pain I'll put you through.
His tentacles snaked around Nova's limbs and neck and began to pull and squeeze, causing Nova to scream in pain. He struggled, feeling the strain of his metallic limbs as they were being crushed and stretched to their limits simultaneously.
He then used the Fallen's power to teleport out of Quintus's grip. He appeared above the Prime and hit him hard in the back with the Void Sceptre. When he was down, he gripped the dazed Quintus with the Fallen's power and threw him across the room, hitting the walls around them. He then proceeded to slam him onto the floor over and over again. After about a dozen times, the body of Quintus was nothing but a pile of scrap.
As he looked around at the carnage around him, the corpses of the dead Primes, he could not help but feel a level of elation. He had just killed legends! Gods among his people's eyes!
Only one remained.
Nova: Do you finally know who I am?!
He then pulled Alpha Trion to him with Megatronus's power, gripped him by the neck, and began choking him. He then pulled his staff back and prepared to end the last of the old Primes.
Nova: I AM NOVA PRIME! I AM THE LEGACY OF PRIMUS!
Alpha Trion gasped as he felt his neck begin to be crushed, but despite the pain, he had a smirk on his face. All according to plan.
Alpha Trion: Not anymore!
He then pulled out a device and slapped it on Nova's chest, above the spark chamber where the Matrix was housed. The device came to life as it sent a shock throughout Nova's body, causing him to cry in pain and drop Alpha Trion.
He clawed at his chest, trying to pry the device Trion had placed on him, but it was useless. Then, he suddenly felt something inside him change, as if the power he'd grown accustomed to for years was no longer being stripped away from him. He clawed and did whatever he could to try and keep that from happening, to keep the power he believed belonged solely to him, but it was too late. The device finished powering up, and an explosion erupted, sending Nova into the wall.
When he came to, he instantly felt something was different about him than before, like he lost a part of himself. He looked at his chest and noticed the gaping hole in it. Thankfully, it didn't go through him, and his spark was intact. But the way the hole was formed made it seem like something escaped from his body instead of something going in. His eyes widened when he realized the Matrix was not where it should be.
He looked at the center of the room, and his optics saw the Matrix lying on the floor. Alpha moved to pick up the Matrix and cradled it in his arms.
Nova: What... what did you do...?
Alpha Trion: We did what we had to do. Given your temperament, we knew this would dissolve into a fight. And we knew that we would lose, given our age and your prowess with the Matrix. But you have one fatal flaw shared with all those who think themselves above the lives of others like Megatronus and Unicron. You were so focused on overwhelming us with brute strength that you never noticed you were falling right into our trap. Using the device created with the Forge of Solus Prime, we could permanently separate the Matrix from your spark.
Nova then looked at the bodies of the dead Primes before chuckling.
Nova: Then... you sent your brothers to their deaths.
Alpha Trion had a look of regret on his face.
Alpha Trion: They knew the risks. They knew the sacrifices they had to make to stop you and your quest for power. And they paid it gladly.
Nova growled that he managed to be tricked. But still, despite his weakened state, he rose to his feet and grabbed the Void Sceptre, the unique relic feeling heavier in his hands. He used it to help prop himself up.
Nova: Very clever, Alpha Trion. It seems you have been getting tips from Maximo. But I don't need the power of a dozen fossils to kill you, old man.
Alpha Trion: No, you don't, but you would need them to save yourself.
He then pulled out a strange-looking gun with a large circle where the barrel was supposed to be and a red circle.
He pulled the trigger and fired a red beam that flew right past Nova. Suddenly a glowing red vortex opened up and began to suck everything in. Nova felt himself getting dragged into the portal as he stabbed his staff into the ground to stop himself, but the vortex was so strong it was slowly dragging him in.
Nova: What have you done?!
Alpha Trion: If you've been paying attention in my lectures, I'm sure you've heard about the Dead Universe. A mysterious and malevolent realm, a universe that lurks on the far side of all living worlds, outside of time, space, and even reality. There are even theories that when any living thing dies, from all different realities, it ends up there!
Nove: GET TO THE POINT, YOU OLD FOOL!
Alpha Trion: There were theories that a living being could be sent to Dead Universe without dying. So I used the Forge to create this gun to open a portal to the Dead Universe, which is exactly where you're going!
Nova's eyes widened in shock at his mentor's cruelty before he let out a mad laugh.
Nova: I'm impressed! Didn't think good old Alpha Trion had it in him to develop such a terrible weapon!
A look of disgust and shame crossed Alpha Trion's face.
Alpha Trion: I take no joy in creating a weapon this terrible. We only had to use this weapon once before to seal a terrible evil. But with someone as manevolent as you, Nova, I'll do whatever it takes to keep the Universe safe from you!
His anger rising, Nova thrust his hand out and tried to use Fallen's telekinesis to pull the Matrix toward him. Nothing happens, but he tries again, reaching deep within himself for the power he believes to be there.
Feeling something within him, if only small, he caught it and used all his willpower to draw it to the surface. He succeeded and threw his hands out again for the Matrix. Alpha Trion then felt the Matrix in his hands, and it almost pulled out of his grasp, but he quickly caught it. He looked at Nova in shock.
Alpha Trion: How can this be?! How can you still use the power of Megatronus without the Matrix?!
Nova laughed.
Nova: Guess he'd rather be with me than the rest of you uptight, arrogant fools in the Matrix!
Alpha Trion kept hold of the Matrix, refusing to let it fall into the hands of this monster once again. He then formed a blaster and took several shots at Nova. He targeted the bot's feet, causing him to lose his footing, clinging onto the Void Sceptre to keep himself from being swallowed up in the vortex. But it was a losing battle. Nova glared at Alpha Trion.
Nova: You think this prison will hold me?! You think I won't return to seek my revenge?! Well mark my words, Alpha Trion! I will return, and when I do, I will wipe any trace of you and those old fools off the universe and ensure that Cybertronians rain supreme, with me as their king!
Alpha Trion: I'll have to ensure we're ready for you! NOVA PRIME... BEGONE!
He held the Matrix up, and it unleashed a bright light that seemed to burn Nova. The staff was pulled from the ground, and Nova yelled in fury as he fell into the Vortex. Alpha Trion then pulled out the gun he used to create the portal and shut it.
When the vortex closed, Alpha Trion wasted no time and destroyed the portal gun, not wanting his followers to use it to try and bring Nova back.
Now, the chamber was all quiet. Alpha Trion looked all around the room at the metal remains of his remaining brothers. They all readily gave their lives to stop Nova, but they wouldn't have had to if Alpha Trion hadn't chosen Nova as the successor.
All this death, all this suffering that's come upon other species, was because he chose wrong.
Alpha Trion: Forgive me.
He pleaded with the dead, the living, and Primus.
Alpha Trion: After his defeat, I surrendered the Matrix into the core of Cybertron, so that Primus himself could choose a champion he truly found worthy of wielding the Matrix. As it should have been in the beginning.
Optimus looked at the memory with a forlorn expression. He then turned to his mentor to see he had a face that just radiated guilt.
Optimus: I'm sorry.
That was all Optimus could say. Because what else could he say?
Alpha Trion: I made the choice to choose him and have already suffered the consequences. Little did I know that was only the beginning.
Seeing that continuing was too much for his brother, Vector Prime stepped forward.
Vector: With a leader's sudden and unexplainable loss, Cybertron was once again thrown into chaos. All the colonels we established on other worlds crumbled and were soon abandoned. The spacebridges were destroyed. Cybertron's 'Golden Age' ended, if it could ever be called that.
Liege Maximo: And if that wasn't the worst of it. A few of Nova's most zealous followers sought to continue his style of leadership. That's what led to the creation of the Caste system.
Optimus: If Nova was such a popular leader, and someone who did such atrocities, why is there no mention of him.
Alpha Trion: That was my choice. I decided to seek to erase all trace of Nova and his actions from history. It wasn't easy, especially in the first few eons after his disappearance, but over time, his name became lost, and so did his actions.
Optimus: Why did you do this?
Alpha Trion: I didn't want the name of Prime to be sullied any further. Megatronus already did devastating damage to the title of Prime with his war. If the true extent of Nova's actions were known, then the people of Cybertron would have completely lost faith in the Primes and Primus. But now, I'm wondering if that was indeed the right choice. Maybe if they knew of Nova's fall, they could learn from it. I'm certain D-16 maybe could've learned something from it.
Optimus looked down at that. Would Megatron learn from Nova's fall? And if he did, what would he even learn? A fate to avoid, or an example to follow? Optimus didn't know as he instinctively placed a hand on the place where his brother shot him.
Optimus shook his head. Now was not the time to think of those thoughts, so he turned back to the Primes.
Optimus: I now know about Nova Prime. But what does he have to do with All For One and the League of Villains? He should be trapped, right?
Solus: He should, and still is, thank the All Spark.
Onyx: But we underestimated the influence he could have from that dimension.
Optimus: What do you mean?
Quintus: While we don't know much about the Dead Universe, we theorize it's a place where the dead of all realities go when they die. Or at least, a part of them goes there.
Micronus: And since it's from all realities, it's possible that someone alive within the Dead Universe, could communicate with other realities. Or certain individuals in them. Were not exactly sure how.
Amalgamous: What we do know is for the past century, Nova was communicating with someone from this reality. We didn't know who, till now apparently.
Alchemist: We figured he planned to manipulate the one of this world to help him escape somehow. While such a thing would be impossible, in this world of strange superpowers, it could be possible one could be born with the ability to travel dimensions, and Nova could use that to escape. Or he could have them build a machine to help him escape. We don't know what Nova's trying to do.
Prima: Except that he plans to escape. And when he does... We can only hope he won't be at full strength.
Optimus: But it's been eons. He would have no followers, no one to support him. And he would be up against the entirety of Cybertron if he finds a way to our home universe.
Quintus: Prehaps. But he's survived for eons in the Dead Universe. There's no telling what all that time there did to his body. It could have made him weaker, or it could have strengthened him into a true monster. Plus, he still has the power of Megatronus.
Hearing the name of The Fallen, Optimus looked at his mentor.
Optimus: How was it possible that he could still use that power, despite being separate from the Matrix?
Alpha Trion: I don't know. In the eons that followed, I thought about it a lot, and even after discussing it with the others, I'm not sure how he did it.
Onyx: One reason we have is that Nova used Megatronus's power the most out of all our powers, which is why he was able to hold onto it, albeit a mere fraction of what it was when he held the Matrix.
Nexus: Another is that Megatronus may have voluntarily chosen to stay with Nova since he may have shared his beliefs.
Prima: At the moment, it doesn't matter. What matters is that he's had the power for eons, and it has no doubt gotten stronger.
Optimus: Is that why I have not seen Megatronus since arriving here?
Vector: Yes. When Nova was separated from the Matrix, after managing to keep the power of Megatronus, somehow, his own soul was separated from the Matrix.
Optimus: What happened to it?
The Primes looked at each other, wondering if they should share.
Quintus: We don't know. For all we know, when Megatronus was separated from the Matrix, his own soul was possibly extinguished.
Solus looked down at that. While he was the one who killed her, she still couldn't help the feelings of affection she once held for him.
Alpha Trion: So now you know the truth.
Optimus looked over to his mentor, who had his back facing him and the other Primes.
Alpha Trion: Now you know my greatest failure, my greatest shame. I understand if you feel disappointed in me, Optimus.
Optimus was silent for a long moment, the Primes watching what the last of their legacy would say to his mentor.
Optimus: Alpha Trion, I could never be disappointed in you.
The old bot gasped.
Optimus: You made grave mistakes, but you've done your best to atone for them since then. And I cannot discount all the good you've done just because of one mistake, especially all the good you've done for me.
Alpha Trion turned to his protege. If he was human, he would be crying.
Alpha Trion: Optimus...
Optimus had a grateful smile on his face as he looked at his mentor.
Optimus: You believed in me. You took me in. Taught me so much. Some lowly miner bot who thought he could make it big by trying and failing to win a race. You saw something in me. You had faith in me. And I've done my best to repay that faith ever since. And whenever I've been at my lowest, I'm always reminded of the faith you have for me, which gives me the push to continue. To keep going, even when it seems hopeless. And I could never thank you enough for that, my dear mentor.
The words of his student so moved Alpha Trion. He knew the young bot was special when he saw him participate in the race. It took a special level of boldness and bravery to participate in such a dangerous race without the ability to transform, and he did it anyway and almost won. But it was his willingness to go back, give up the win, and help his crippled friend that truly showed Alpha Trion young Orion Pax was worthy of the title of Prime.
Alpha Trion: "But that wasn't the only reason."
And again, guilt and shame filled Alpha Trion, not because of his fallen student but because of the student that stood before him, who constantly made him proud. While Optimus was the greatest student Alpha Trion could ask for, he wasn't the mentor Optimus thought he was, not because of his failure with Nova. Because he kept a secret from Optimus, one he was tempted to share.
The true reason Alpha Trion believed him worthy to be a Prime.
Alpha Trion: "Tell him. He deserves to know. Especially now."
He wanted to. So desperately did he want to confess the truth he's kept hidden since they first met. But just before he spoke, he stopped himself. He couldn't do it, not now. Not with Nova still out there.
Alpha Trion: Thank you... Orion.
Hearing his mentor call him by his old name surprised Optimus, but it caused him to smile and nod, not picking up that his mentor was hiding something from him. The other Primes noticed but they refused to comment on that.
Prima: Now that you know the threat you face, you must do all you can to prepare for Nova, Optimus.
Optimus nodded in understanding, turning to face the leader of the Primes.
Optimus: I understand.
Maximo scoffed.
Liege Maximo: Really? You understand? No, I don't think you do.
Nexus: Maximo.
Micronus: No, he's right. You don't understand Optimus. This is someone unlike any you've faced before. He's ruthless, cruel, cunning, and by far one of the strongest warriors ever to grace Cybertron.
Onyx: He was already the strongest of his era. I have little doubt that he grew in strength during his time in the Dead Universe.
Solus: And unlike Megatron, he won't have any emotional connection to you. If anything, he'll hate you more than anything, seeing you as nothing but a usurper who took what was his.
Vector: There is no lines he won't cross. To him, nothing is sacred. There is no tactic he won't employ. Not only to defeat his enemies, but utterly crush them.
Optimus heeded the words of his predecessors. The way they were making him sound, it was as if he was worse than Megatron.
Optimus: What would everyone suggest I do?
Alpha Trion: One of Nova's favored tactics is to use the failure of his foes against them. It makes them lose confidence in themselves, and it makes them easy pickings. To avoid this, you need to make peace with your failures.
Optimus: But I have made peace with them.
Alpha Trion: Not all of them.
Alpha Trion's blunt remark brought Optimus up short.
Alpha Trion: I know you, Optimus. Plus, the other Primes and I can feel your emotions through the Matrix. There's still one open wound there, one that has refused to heal, despite all the time that's passed.
Optimus knew what his mentor was referring to because he'd thought about it for a long time. It made him see foes where there was friends. Caused him to push himself to the brink of exhaustion and beyond. And it nearly made him take the life of a human.
Optimus: How... How can I move on from this? What can I do to keep myself from letting Megatron rule over me anymore?! Please, answer me!
The Primes looked at him with pity and empathy.
Alpha Trion: That's something you need to decide for yourself. We can help you however you need, but it's up to you to decide how you want to resolve your feelings with Megatron. Just take some time to think it over.
Optimus was disappointed that he didn't get a straight answer, but he nodded in acceptance.
Prima: For now, it's time for you to go. When you decided what you want to do to take that step forward, we will be waiting, but not a moment sooner. Healing takes time. Especially for one with scars as deep as yours.
Optimus nodded in acceptance and soon, his body was enveloped in light and he was gone. Once they were gone, all the Primes turned to Alpha Trion.
Solus: You didn't tell him?
Amalgamous: Yeah, AT. I thought you said you would tell him the whole truth after we got all that Nova scrap out of the way. Would you not tell him?
Alpha Trion: He doesn't need to know.
Nexus: On the contrary, he must know if he's going up against someone like Nova.
Onyx: Indeed. It will only keep him from his full potential if he remains in the dark.
Alpha Trion: If he knows the truth, it could destroy his faith in himself.
Micronus: You don't know that, Trion.
Alpha Trion: And you do?!
His sudden shout of anger took them all by surprise.
Alpha Trion: Do you think any of you know him better than I do? I helped raise him for centuries. He calls me friend and teacher when I see him as my own son!
Liege Maximo: And that's the problem. You're too attached to him. You're too afraid of hurting his feelings that you can't tell him the truths he needs to know.
Vector: Indeed, he needs to know. Perhaps one of us should tell him instead.
Prima: Enough!
Everyone turned to Prima.
Prima: We all agreed that the one who should tell Optimus the truth should be Alpha Trion, and we won't go back on that word. Am I understood?
Everyone looked at each other before, one by one, nodding their heads, Maximo being the last. Prima nodded back before turning to Alpha Trion.
Prima: While I will respect your wishes, I also believe you should tell him sooner than later, least he finds out from someone else.
Alpha Trion could do nothing but nod as he looked out at the endless landscape of the Realm of the Primes.
Alpha Trion: "Whether he finds out from me or others wouldn't matter. The result would be the same. His confidence will be forever shattered."
A/N: So now you know the story of Nova Prime in this universe. I hope you all enjoyed reading this.
And we finally learned why Optimus isn't able to use Megatronus's powers when he enters Prime Mode. Because Nova managed to snag that piece when the Matrix was separated from him. And in case you didn't catch it, Megatronus's powers were telekinesis and teleportation. They were the same abilities he had in Revenge of the Fallen, and the Void Sceptre is the same weapon he used from the movies.