Prime Power
A fanfic by Bill T. Taylor
a.k.a. RedStreak
Golden Cybertron drifted serenely through the galaxy, the dawn of a new golden age on that wondrous world already coming to pass. The skies of Cybertron were another wonder to behold – among a small collection of moons one large one, over half the size of the mother planet, had appeared. It eclipsed the stars for a brief moment, its dull yellow crescent a beacon of hope unto itself.
Atop the main dome of Iacon, newly-arrived Quickswitch and Gold Bug sat on the edge doing some stargazing. Sighing in his always-cheery tone, Gold Bug said to the Autobot six-changer, “Ah, home sweet home, eh Quickswitch?”
Glaring up at the Darius moon, Quickswitch replied, “Yeah. Home. Man, you know it’s funny, Gold Bug.”
“What is?”
Quickswitch, laughing a bit, answered, “I’ve been online for almost five million years, and yet until the day before yesterday…I never left Darius at all. Heh…never thought I’d ever need to leave Darius either, or visit any strange new planets…or even Cybertron!”
Gold Bug gave a chuckle. “Yup. I thought the same way about four million years ago myself, back then they just called me Bumblebee! But then…whoosh, bam! One little expedition with Prime and I end up waking up on some organic little planet filled with people I never knew existed!”
“Earth?” Quickswitch said.
“Exactly,” the gold-plated ‘Bot replied. Gold Bug then realized, “Say, it’s getting late. Prime’s probably already meeting the delegation from Darius as we speak! Let’s get goin’!” Gold Bug slid down the great slope of the done as if it were a slide, jumping off and landing in Volkswagen form on the bronze street below. Quickswitch shook his head with a smirk. He transformed to starfighter form and flew after Gold Bug.
Fortress Maximus laid sprawled out just outside of Iacon’s northern perimeter. Standing tall with his highest towers polished a silvery gleam, the might city-bot was host to the largest congregation of Autobots not seen for tens of millennia; even the convention Prime hosted just months ago paled in comparison to the masses that had arrived. Among the crowds were a new breed of Autobot: the Darians. A small child-bot smiled as he looked upon the new icon brandished upon her torso plate, her mother and father standing proud beside her with the same icon of their allegiance upon them.
Crowds roared when two transformers, one in the form of an Earth trailer-truck, the second an ancient, hovering Cybertronian cargo sled, drove up Fortress Maximus’ main ramp, parking at its crest. Blaster bolted from Prime’s hab, assuming his tall, broad robotic form. Optimus Prime transformed, taking on his familiar form as his counterpart also transformed.
“SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!” the crowds boomed joyously.
Prime looked to Blaster, and he cocked an eye, saying, “Allow me, Prime!” Blaster shrank back down into a boom box, his legs folding to his sides. A microphone ejected out of a compartment, Optimus Prime catching it in his hand. “Your words shall be music to my ears!” Blaster quoted.
“Thanks Blaster,” Prime said to him. Now looking out to the crowds of Cybertronian and Darian Autobots, Optimus Prime spoke out to them, his voice heard loud and crystal clear. “Cybertronians, Darians, transformers all, lend me your ears!” Prime began with words echoing Mark Anthony of Earth, “Today is a day of great honor, and time to remember, a time of brotherhood. I welcome back to Cybertron our brothers of Darius, and with them their leader, Karanis.”
Karanis was given the microphone next, a bit curious what to do with the alien device but he spoke into it just as Optimus Prime did. “It is…good to return to Cybertron,” he said simply. The Darian Autobot was of similar stature to Prime, but like the other Darians he carried an antiquated form, making him resemble Alpha Trion more strongly but younger in age and colored shades of deep blue, orange, with some white highlighting his brow. “To return to our common homeland after enduring such hardship releases a burden from our shoulders…but we shall always consider Darius our home.”
Quickswitch was on his way to Fortress Maximus, hoping not to miss the speech of his colony leader. Gold Bug was already with the crowds on the ground, much to the embarrassment of the flying Autobot. As he zoomed closer to Fortress Maximus’ spires, a twinkle of violet light came from the sky. “What in the name of Praxis?” he uttered.
The starlight became a hundred so points in the sky, all speeding toward them. They were not stars or meteor or comets…they were Decepticons!
Among the great aerial horde Galvatron commanded. “DEATH TO THE AUTOBOTS!” the tyrant lord blared. He aimed his gold arm cannon straight at the crowds of gathered Autobots below, firing with all his strength.
Galvatron’s blast erupted at the base of the ramp Prime and Karanis stood upon. Prime grabbed him and forced him to the wall just as Cyclonus swept by, tearing up the ground they stood upon. Blaster transformed, pulling out his own energy rifle and firing back at Cyclonus. He tore off a tailfin, the Decepticon wavering in his flight but still flying on. Blaster then looked to the sky at the cloud of Decepticons. “They want a party, well let’s give them one!” he said, his yellow chest plate opening. Launching out, Steeljaw, Ramhorn, Rewind, and Eject all transformed and flew to engage the Decepticons, Blaster himself firing into the air to defend his comrades.
Optimus Prime yelled out to Blaster, “We’ve got to transform Fortress Maximus! We can’t allow the Decepticons to harm the Darians!”
At that same moment, deep within Fortress Maximus himself, a side panel to one of the numerous generator rooms blew open. Rumble jumped out, followed by black Ravage. Readily they saw Maximus’ giant transformation cog, linked to numerous other servos and gears, many the size of small buildings.
Aiming at the critical cog, Rumble said to Ravage, “Time to prove big problems come in small packages, Ravage!” He fired his laser straight at the cog. Ravage launched the twin missile packs to his sides, throwing up a potent blast. The great cog at the heart of Fortress Maximus cracked, freezing in its place as chunks of it fragmented. The surrounding mechanics also froze, grinding in place as the giant transformer they were part of attempted to activate his transformation sequence.
Inside the command tower, Cerebros pressed numerous buttons and manipulated levers, but to no avail. Warning lights came on. “Oh no!” he groaned, watching as a firefight began to break out around him, the vast crowd of Autobots panicking and scattering, “By Primus, what can I do?” Clicking on one security camera, he discovered Rumble and Ravage in one of the lower halls, still firing on the transformation cog. “Prime!” he said, activating the com-link built into the console, “Decepticons have penetrated the defenses and damaged Maximus’ transformation cog! We can’t transform!” Pulling out his sidearm, he added, “I’m going down to the cog room to take care of….”
Suddenly the glass canopy above him shattered. Soundwave and Weirdwolf crashed down. Weirdwolf transformed to beast mode, his Headmaster transforming and standing with weapon in hand. Soundwave ejected Frenzy, Laserbeak, and Ratbat, more than doubling the odds against Cerebros. “Surrender Cerebros,” Soundwave said directly to the Autobot, “Confrontation…futile. Numerical odds against you.”
“Sheer numbers alone never outmatch intellectual superiority!” Cerebros replied, firing at Soundwave. He ducked, the mass of Decepticons firing back hard.
The transmission from Cerebros broke up. “Slag!” Prime muttered. Looking to Karanis he said, “Karanis, we’ve got to fall back to Iacon. Fortress Maximus is disabled and helpless, but we can’t risk letting the Decepticons kidnap you.”
Suddenly a great booming voice filled the air about them. “It is not Karanis you should be worring about, Prime!” Devastator, the monster of Decepticons, already loomed over Prime, Blaster, and Karanis. Blaster and Optimus Prime fired straight at him, but their shots only deflected off his chest. “Galvatron orders your destruction!”
“I don’t think so, jolly green giant!” Superion descended right on top of Devastator, grabbing him with his arms. Devastator naturally fought back, but the Autobot gestalt held him tight. The boosters in his feet fired, launching both him and Devastator away from the main battle.
Sensing this was their only break, Prime said to Blaster and Karanis, “Hurry! Transform and follow me! This may be our only chance to make for Iacon!” Optimus transformed, his trailer joining up as Karanis switched back to hover sled form. Blaster leaped atop Karanis, his rifle hot in his hands as he fired to clear a path ahead of them. At full speed Optimus Prime lead the convoy down the ramp, joining onto Cybertronic Way towards Iacon itself.
Battle surrounded them on all sides. Defensor, standing close to the raised roadway, fired at the Targetmasters and Predacons gathered around him, only his sheer size and combined firepower of the Protectobots aiding him. Ahead Fastlane raced down the roadway toward a gathering of Stunticons while his clone, Cloudraker attacked from above. Further down the length of Cybertronic Way, Broadside faced off against Astrotrain and Octane, Springer and Sandstorm sweeping in from above to provide much-needed backup.
“By Primus!” Karanis said in astonishment, “Such warriors and fighting! Never before have I seen the like of!”
“I know the feeling, Karanis,” Blaster said, standing atop his sled portion, “Ain’t exactly a peaceful place we’d like it to be!”
“As much as I’d hate to say it,” Optimus Prime admitted, “this is exactly what’s been going on Cybertron for the past several million years while you and Darius enjoyed the advantage of peace and isolation. I fear for better or worse, you’re a part of this Great War now.”
Just a few blocks ahead was the entrance to Iacon. It seemed Prime’s group was going to make it, but a section of the road ahead broke away, crumbling for no apparent reason. In the gap formed between them and the city, the gestalt Bruticus rose up, Galvatron himself perched on his shoulder. “Iacon is no longer your refuge, Prime!” gloated the Decepticon.
Prime and Karanis braked hard. Optimus reversed, the fists of Bruticus slamming into the pavement he formerly occupied. He then transformed, as did his trailer. The array of weapons tied into his battle platform turned on Bruticus, as did Prime’s rifle. Blaster fired on the giant as well, holding the Decepticon gestalt at bay momentarily.
“Admit it Prime!” Galvatron blared loudly, firing his cannon towards his foes, “I have the advantage, and I have you!”
“Don’t think yourself so lofty, Galvatron!” Optimus Prime yelled to him. Glancing briefly at his battle platform, he triggered it with but a thought. Roller, docked inside, came online. A few electronic beeps came from the mobile drone-bot, and then a burst of blue flame rocketed from his rear. Roller was launched into the air, flying over Bruticus’ shoulder and slamming right against Galvatron himself.
“AGH!” Galvatron was knocked backwards, falling for a few seconds along with Prime’s co-component. Hardly damaged, he reactivated his anti-gravity, floating back up and glaring down at Optimus Prime. “This time you ARE MINE!” He flung himself head-first at Prime, locking arms with him as the pair slammed into the walled side of Cybertronic Way.
“OPTIMUS!” Blaster yelled, but then his attention was drawn back by a blast to his shoulder. Bruticus fragmented, the five Combaticons landing right before him, weapons drawn.
“You have battles of your own to fight, Autobot!” Onslaught said.
Karanis revved up, driving himself straight at the five Decepticons. Brawl and Vortex he slammed with a glancing blow, sending the two falling over the edge. He then transformed, standing beside Blaster. “Not alone he doesn’t!” said the Darian Autobot leader.
“Not alone alright!” another voice said. Rewind and Eject slammed feet-first into Onlaught, knocking him to the ground. Steeljaw flew down and bit into Blast-Off’s hand, forcing him to drop his weapon, while Ramhorn charged Swindle, sending him down to join Brawl and Vortex.
Not much further away, Galvatron reached his grip around Optimus Prime’s neck, trying to squeeze it hard. “This is the end this time, Prime!” Galvatron swore, growling as he squeezed tighter.
Prime laughed. “Now…where have I…heard that…before?” He punched Galvatron in the face, but the Decepticon refused to release his grip. A second, then a third followed, finally knocking Galvatron off him. Prime managed to stand, but Galvatron was on top of him again in seconds.
Fists locked with Prime’s, Galvatron snarled, “YOU THINK THIS IS A JOKE?! THIS DAY SHALL BE YOUR FINAL, OPTIMUS PRIME!” His arm cannon pointed down, Galvatron fired it. Together he and his mortal enemy spiraled high into the Cybertronian stratosphere, miles above Iacon. Optimus Prime glanced down, realizing just how high they really were. Galvatron’s smirk grew wider. Then, Galvatron released him.
With wide eyes, Prime found himself falling fast toward the unyielding ground, pulled down by the very planet he swore to protect. Mile after mile he fell, Galvatron’s visage vanishing as he grew more distant. “GALVATRON!” he yelled out.
“A pity Autobots never learned to fly,” Galvatron smiled to himself. Aiming his cannon at the falling transformer, he further said, “A pity…and a blessing.” His blast raced downward, toward Prime’s body. In the span of a second it pierced through Prime’s left shoulder, slicing off his arm with frayed circuits, wires, and gears flung out with burning smoke.
Quickswitch, still circling around Fortress Maximus, saw Optimus Prime hurtling down helplessly. “PRIME!” he yelled out, rocketing his way straight at his new leader. He flew at the speed of sound, racing to save the one he turned to against his father.
“RAAAR!” A pair of claws sliced hard into Quickswitch’s nosecone and canopy, causing the Autobot to yell out. A white winged wolf of a Decepticon clung to him, snarling at him. “His fate is sealed, Quickswitch…as is yours!” Six-Shot told him. With a swipe of his steel paw, Six-Shot trashed Quickswitch’s cockpit controls, sending him falling down.
Optimus Prime fell like a rock…a very heavy rock. He crashed straight through Cybertronic Way, falling another three stories before hitting the surface beneath the great causeway. Rubble atop him, Prime lay there in agony.
Blaster, Karanis, as well as Blaster’s Cassetticons rushed over to the hole Prime made in the road to gaze down at the Autobot leader’s body. “Prime!” Blaster yelled out to him.
“The Prime,” Galvatron uttered, picking up Optimus’ fallen energy rifle, “Is no more.” With his left hand, Galvatron fired the weapon of Optimus Prime, flinging away the group of Autobots. He walked to the road’s ravaged end, gazing down at Optimus Prime himself. “One shall stand, one shall fall. So it is, Optimus Prime.”
Galvatron’s cannon on his right arm, Prime’s own rifle in his left, Galvatron fired both down into the crater Prime dug out below. That double-shot echoed over all of Cybertron, all the warriors near-by freezing as they heard it sound out. Some say, even in the farthest corner of the universe that sound still echoes...the death of Optimus Prime….
An hour later, Jazz laid Optimus Prime’s body on an operating table, the Autobot standing solemnly before his old commander. “Optimus…please, it…it just can’t be.”
Gathered around were Perceptor, Cerebros, Springer, Sandstorm, Gold Bug, Blaster, RedStreak, and Quickswitch, all staring solely at Prime’s inert body. Prime lay there with one arm, the other nothing more than a scorched socket. His chest was laid bare, torn entirely apart with bare servos, wiring, even his shielded spark chamber, former host of the now empty Matrix of Leadership, clearly visible. His face was nearly as bad, barely recognizable with his blue optics cracked and flickering.
“There…there must be something we can do,” Quickswitch broke the silence.
“He’s…he’s too far gone,” Cerebros reluctantly said, “Even…for stasis lock.”
Perceptor added, “Even the finest engineers in the galaxy couldn’t restore him now.”
RedStreak looked up at Perceptor. “But…he died once before…and came back. Surely we can pull it off again!”
Springer glanced at RedStreak. “The only thing that brought Prime back at all was the will of the Matrix itself! And in case you haven’t noticed, we’re a tad short on fresh Matrices right now!”
A voice, Spike’s, arose from Cerebros. “What about RedStreak? He was on the verge of death as well…and he came back.”
From within RedStreak’s head Chip realized the same thing. “High-Q! Of course! He built RedStreak a new body…maybe he can do the same for Prime!”
Perceptor shook his head. “I…I honestly don’t know.”
RedStreak approached the remains of Prime, staring deeply at them. After a minute, he reached to it, lifting it up in his arms. Turning to the others, RedStreak spoke aloud, “Prime risked his own life trying to save my life…I’ll be damned if I don’t return the favor for him. Autobots…we need to seek out High-Q once more…for Prime’s sake.”
On Galvinok, Galvatron sat on his throne in silence, alone…well…almost alone. To his right, a large cage lined with energy bars sat, humming softly as Zarak himself lay inside, staring at Galvatron with a scowling face. The throne Zarak of the Hive formerly occupied was now vacant, his exosuit in storage. Galvatron had, boastfully, even planned an execution date for the branded traitor.
“A pity you weren’t there, Zarak. You would have seen just how strategic and brilliant our attack was…how…useful we Decepticons can be without any pathetic Hive help. Perhaps I can…reconsider you Nebulons’ use to me now that my reign is secured,” Galvatron said from his throne.
Zarak continued to glare emotionlessly at Galvatron defiantly. “I’ve heard the rumors and I don’t need to hear your gloating,” said the deposed Hive commander, “You are only happy because you terminated Prime. I doubt your jubilation will last for long, Galvatron.”
Galvatron turned and looked directly at Zarak for a change. “What do you mean, little Nebulon?” he addressed Zarak.
“I’ve heard the rumors, as well as the tale of Prime’s ‘resurrection’ when you killed him as Megatron. Even on Nebulos we learned of such tales, and given the obvious devotion of his troops to him…Prime is not likely to remain dead for long, Galvatron,” Zarak openly said.
“He’s dead…dead for GOOD this time!” Galvatron sneered, “This time, there is no Matrix of Leadership to preserve either him or his memory! No Quintesson magic to revive him! He is beyond all repair and will remain so for all eternity!”
Casually, Zarak turned away from Galvatron in his cage, arms over his chest. “Really,” he said, “I know what they would do to save him. I know exactly where they would go to restore him…perhaps even make him more powerful than you.”
Galvatron paused. For a moment, he sat contempt in his throne, paying little if any heed to Zarak’s mutterings. Finally, he asked, “Where…Zarak?”
Zarak glanced over his shoulder. “I assure you, it is…just a thought.”
Galvatron stood up, and with a switch the bars around Zarak vanished. The Hive member stood up, meeting eyes with the Decepticon. Zarak stepped out of his cage, smirking at Galvatron. “Where?” Galvatron asked, intending not to ask again.
Zarak finally answered, “Nebulos…of course. To the one mind who could bring back Optimus Prime…High-Q.”
Skylynx was nearing Nebulos at maximum speed. Entering the outer threshold of the planet’s atmosphere, the speedy Autobot said to his passengers within, “Nearly there chaps! I’m sparing not an iota of energy to speed Optimus to Nebulos!”
Prime’s ruined body lay strapped to a hovering table as RedStreak and Quickswitch sat beside it. Sitting up ahead were Blaster, Springer, and the Headmasters, including Cerebros and Spike.
“His systems have just switched to triple emergency stasis,” RedStreak said, his optic sensors penetrating Prime’s spark casing, “He’s fading fast – won’t be much longer I fear.”
Skylynx flew over the canyon they had previously visited, only to find it totally empty and barren this time. “I’m scanning every micrometer of this canyon, but there’s no sign of High-Q or his fortress!”
Blaster looked to Highbrow, Brainstorm, and the other Headmasters. “Man, do you Nebulons know where you’re going? Skylynx says there ain’t a sign of your guy anywhere!” he said to the Nebulon components of the four of them.
Arcana, speaking out from Brainstorm’s head, tentatively said, “This was the exact location of his secret laboratory, I assure you. But then again, High-Q was more reclusive than anyone else I’ve known.”
Gort, from Highbrow, seconded the notion. “Yeah; given that we and the Decepticons discovered his hiding ground, he may have opted to move.”
“Makes sense to me,” Spike agreed from within Cerebros.
Springer groaned, “We don’t have time to play hide and seek! Prime’s life is on the line!”
RedStreak looked straight ahead, sensing something. “Skylynx, go to coordinates six one three, eight eight nine,” he told the flyer.
“What on Earth for?” Skylynx asked.
Bluntly, the newest Headmaster replied, “I…I’m not sure…but I sense a disturbance there. It may be important.”
Minutes later, they arrived at the specified coordinates. Hightbrow, and Gort’s eyes, widened. “No…” Gort uttered. On the view screen, as well as on the ground below Skylynx, was a small Nebulon city, its cobblestone streets and majestic buildings smoking and cracked with craters. “Byzantum…it’s devastated!”
“I feared this,” RedStreak said.
Upon landing, Gort, Arcana, Stylor, and Duros detached from their Autobot counterparts, as did Chip and Spike. Rushing out to the populace, many carrying others in carts and stretchers, they sought to find out the attackers...and why the city was attacked at all.
Gort, reaching down to one wounded Nebulon woman, listened closely to her. “Great…machines…came. Burned…smashed. Came to find…oh.” She slipped, falling unconscious.
“Decepticons. They were looking for someone,” Gort stated.
“Yeah, three guesses as to who that would be,” Spike said.
“And all three would be High-Q,” Chip further said, “But…how could they suspect we were looking for him?”
“That still leaves the problem of tracking down High-Q for us,” Springer said, exiting Skylynx along with Blaster.
Quickswitch, following behind, paused. He looked around, as if sensing something. “I might be able to relieve that problem,” he told his fellow Auotbots. He transformed, becoming a large red and green panther. His nostrils flared as he put his nose to the ground. Giving a slight growl, he lifted his head up. “Decepticons were here most certainly…but I smell something else, an odd energy trace…I think.”
“Arcana, transform and use my scanners,” Brainstorm suggested. The Nebulon and jet transformed together, Brainstorm kneeling beside Quickswitch and looking to the ground.
“I don’t believe it!” Arcana said, gazing at Brainstorm’s console monitor images, “There’s an actual trail of muon particles leading around the edge of the city! Given that they decay far too quickly, these must have come from…some artificial source.”
“One of High-Q’s inventions I bet,” Chip said.
“Perhaps that’s what lead the Decepticons to Byzantum in the first place,” Stylor suggested.
“Maybe, in which case,” Spike said to his fellow Headmasters and Autobots, “we need a plan. Blaster, deploy Steeljaw. He and Quickswitch can sniff out High-Q’s trail and lead us to him. Highbrow, Brainstorm, Springer, RedStreak…you guys patrol the skies around here. I’m betting the Decepticons are closer than we think. Cerebros….”
Sprike transformed, binary-bonding with his Autobot ally. Together, they brought out the hover-bed carrying Prime’s body. “We’ll need to move and carry Prime. Alright Autobots, let’s move out!”
Springer transformed to helicopter mode, taking off along with Brainstorm, Highbrow, and RedStreak. Skylynx split into his two halves, his lynx form remaining in the city while his flying pterodactyl half followed after the other four. The land-bound transformers, including all the Headmasters, moved out, Quickswitch leading the way.
Miles away, at the highest peak of the Darkblade Mountains, Laserbeak eyed the scene. The camera mounted to his head retracted back inside. He waddled, turning about face and lifting off, cawing as he flew to the southwest.
Steeljaw sniffed the ground closely. Growling, he looked to Blaster. The larger red Autobot said to Cerebros’ group, “Steeljaw says that muon-whon whatever is getting stronger. High-Q musta been here recently.”
“I agree,” Quickswitch said, transforming to robotic form. He pointed toward a rock crag, saying, “The trail appears to lead in that direction. High-Q must have relocated his facilities here, in this area.”
The whole group of transformers, with Steeljaw, Blaster, and Quickswitch in the lead and Hardhead holding up the rear moved forward. The landscape became bleak as they went further uphill, but then, the trail ended cold right against a sharp cliff cut in the hillside. Chip stepped up, gazing at the cliff in front of the group. “This doesn’t make any sense. There should be something here.”
Hardhead readily spoke up. “Allow me! Duros, let’s do a little discovering…our style!” The tank-like transformer opened his canopy, Duros jumping inside. The other Auotbots moved far back, Hardhead swiveling his large weapons as Duros aimed his targeting systems from within. Hardhead fired, twin blasts rocking the cliff.
A rockslide resulted, tons of rubble raining down from above. Amid it all, a small tripod device, sitting obscurely on the cliff, was knocked hard by the rain of pebbles and boulders, smashed like a bug. With a blip, a section of the cliff vanished in a flash, a broad, deep cave plainly visible.
“A hologram!” Arcana declared.
The minute the hologram vanished, a dozen-odd devices came into play. Lined all along the cliff face appeared automated gatling guns. Behind them, boulders vanished, their holographic illusions replaced instead by laser turrets that clicked in place. The entire group was surrounded!
From within the cave, a small, solitary figure stepped out. A mid-aged Nebulon with streaks of white in his hair spoke aloud to the Autobots, “It took me weeks to find another suitable hiding place, several more to relocate as well as setup my defense systems and holoprojectors. Now, transformers, you’ve wasted all my effort in isolating myself from your intrusive civil war!”
Chip, Cerebros and Spike, and Gort all stepped forward towards High-Q, who simply glared at them all indifferently. “High-Q,” Chip spoke out to him, “We need your help once more. Your skills….”
“Are not yours to call upon every moment,” High-Q bluntly stated in an aloof tone, “I have no desire to take part in your silly war…I thought I made that clear before.”
“Please, High-Q,” Cerebros said, pushing forward the hover-bed, “we would not disturb you if it weren’t so vital. Optimus Prime is dead. Only you have the power to restore him.”
High-Q was still stern. “Have I become the mortician of Autobots? I violated my vow of neutrality once to save one of your kind, I do not wish to do so again…even for your noble Optimus Prime.”
Blaster shook a fist, Steeljaw growling at the Nebulon beside him. “Why you jerk!”
A laser turret fired a warning shot at Blaster’s foot, forcing him to step back. “I warned you all, remember,” spoke High-Q, “I neither wish to aid nor inadvertently annihilate you. You have my pity for Optimus Prime and your cause, but nothing else I will spare!”
Over Byzantum RedStreak and Brainstorm soared in tandem, monitoring the city limits. “I hope Chip can find High-Q…I don’t know how any of us can survive without Prime guiding us in this war,” said RedStreak.
“Try not to worry RedStreak,” Brainstorm offered some encouragement, “Chip and the others will not let us down.”
In a blur of light, a missle struck Brainstorm’s side, sending him tumbling down. Apeface, Snapdragon, and Six-Shot, all in jet mode, soared by, firing at everything in sight. “Holy slag!” RedStreak exclaimed, unable to find himself overwhelmed by Decepticons. Just like on Iacon earlier, Decepticons immediately began swariming on the scene, and the pitiful patrol of Auotbots here was no match for them. “Mayday! Mayday! Decepticon attack…major problem here guys!” RedStreak radioed out.
The com-link on Cerebros’ arm activated, RedStreak’s panic-filled voice booming loudly. Spike transformed, jumping down from Cerebros momentarily. “You hear that, High-Q? The Decepticons are here and attacking, and with them Zarak! They’re attacking Byzantum, they’re attacking innocent Nebulons! Does that mean anything to you?”
High-Q seemed to freeze in place. “Zarak? Byzantum? No….” He looked at the hover-bed holding Optimus Prime’s remains. Glancing back at the Autobots, High-Q uttered, “Go. Save my people. I will join you shortly.”
Chip asked, “But what about Optimus….”
“I will take care of him!” High-Q blared, “Now go!” Quickly, the platoon of Autobots double-backed and rushed down the hill towards the city in the distance. High-Q again looked upon Prime, setting a hand on the back of his scalded blue helmet. “It appears war affects us all…no matter what our choice or our destiny.” He turned back to his cave, the hover-bed following behind the Nebulon. “Come Prime, it is time to forge a new destiny and purpose for us both.”
It didn’t take long for the other Autobots to join the battle. Once at Byzantum they already found Skylynx there, half-dead in stasis lock, as well as Highbrow and Brainstorm. RedStreak landed, rejoining with Chip to robotic form as Springer filled Cerebros and Spike in on the situation.
His right shoulder vent nearly blown entirely off, the damaged Springer reported, “They literally came out of nowhere! Highbrow and Brainstorm were hit almost instantly the moment fire broke out. Red, Skylynx, and I barely held out a few minutes longer!” Pulling out his sword, which was nothing more than a broken handle, Springer further said, “It doesn’t look good for us Autobots!”
“Indeed!” a great menacing voice boomed. A massive shadow fell on them all, Springer and Cerebros both looking up, gawking in horror. The great bulk of Scorpinok loomed over the city in scorpion form, a monster beyond proportion. Zarak, donned in his exosuit and standing atop Scorpinok’s head, called out, “Your end is here, Autobots!”
From the underside of Scorpinok opened a hanger. Cyclonus, Scourge, Misfire, Slugslinger, Triggerhappy, all armed with their Hive Targetmasters, flew out and besieged the hapless Autobots. Buildings exploded, endangering still more lives, both Nebulon and Autobot. Finally, one fateful blast hit, a building collapsing atop the all the Autobots and Nebulon Headmasters, pinning them there. As he struggled to get up, a great claw grabbed Cerebros, raising it up high.
“Ah, Cerebros, and Spike as well,” Zarak said, gazing directly at the Autobot, “How misfortunate you did not bring Fortress Maximus along this time.”
Next Galvatron appeared, hovering before Cerebros…an evil smile on his face. “So, the would-be commander of the Autobots. I must congratulate Zarak for once – his anticipation of your arrival here is true, and a great miscalculation on your part.” Galvatron allowed himself to drift closer to Cerebros, Scorpinok holding him securely. “Prime will not be making any ‘triumphant’ returns this time – now tell me, where is the body of Optimus Prime?”
A gold shot flew out, grazing by Galvatron’s foot and striking Scorpinok’s claw. Cerebros fell free, Zarak and Galvatron both looking to the hillside where the shot was fired. “Right here!” answered an all-too-familiar voice, “Right here with its original owner!”
“Prime!” Galvatron snarled, clenching his fist. Somehow, Optimus Prime stood there, fully repaired and restored, clenching a new, slightly larger energy rifle in his right hand. “I’LL CRUSH YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS!” Galvatron flew straight at Optimus, hands outstretched in blind rage.
Aiming his gun square at the Decepticon symbol on Galvatron’s chest, Optimus Prime uttered, “It is over…Galvatron!” As Galvatron rushed at him, Prime fired. The shot was dead center, the blast blowing a huge hole in Galvatron’s chest, the Decepticon flying backwards and yelling in anguish.
A giant insect foot slammed before Prime, the bulk of Scorpinok now upon him. “You may have destroyed Galvatron, but I am a far different matter!” Zarak yelled. Scorpinok took another step forward, Prime jumping back.
“Exactly, Zarak, which is why I have a little help now!” Optimus Prime transformed into his red truck form. From High-Q’s cave rolled out an even more massive trailer, twin sets of cannons mounted to it on the front and top. Linking with Optimus Prime, the weapons fired directly up at Scorpinok with the ferocity of a swarm of killer bees.
Scorpinok, although staggering back, was yet to be defeated. “You will have to do better than that, Prime! Scorpinok, transform!” Once more the Hive mechanoid took on a new form. Standing tall as a mountain, Scorpinok’s head, from which Zarak himself gazed, looked down upon Optimus Prime.
Prime and his new trailer turned and raced, Scorpinok storming after, each of his steps shaking the land around them both. He crossed over a river, the water slashing his sides as he rode on. Scorpinok left a massive footprint, the water turning a new course and filling the new, small lake in its path. Optimus made a sharp right turn, heading toward High-Q’s hill from the opposite side now. He activated his com-link, radioing out to High-Q. “It is time, High-Q. You are certain this new bond will work?”
“It shall Prime, I guarantee it in the name of Nebulos itself.” High-Q, in one corner of his cave, donned a large, bulky suit. Now he looked as mechanoid as any transformer, yet he still retained the heart of a Nebulon scientist.
Optimus Prime, driving at over ninety miles an hour, flung himself at the cliff, for several minutes, the Autobot was airborne. Prime separated, his trailer falling fast below him as he soared a moment longer. It flipped, the forward half unfolding and the rear, blue half seemingly splitting into two great, feet-like pillars. Prime now aimed himself square at the trailer-tower, his legs arcing back to make him into a rough cube shape. Like a giant peg, he slammed into the open section of his trailer, sparks flying. The trailer-tower’s true nature became more clear – two huge red arms with twin mounted turrets at the shoulders, a new body standing roughly nine stories tall, easily comparable to any gestalt. Finally, a large blue head, eyes glowing bright yellow with a vent-like crest above and a dull faceplate flipped up, completing the transformer body. The new Autobot was an all new image of Optimus Prime, akin to the original yet bigger, more powerful than imagined.
The new Prime stood before the still imposing Scorpinok, facing off against him. Prime pulled from his backside two large guns, training them on the mega-Decepticon. “Even in your new form, you can not defeat me Autobot!” Scorpinok swore.
“Wanna bet your head on it?” a voice from below posed the question. One last element came into play. High-Q rushed out from his cave, Scorpinok watching in amazement as the new Nebulon actually ran to Optimus Prime.
“High-Q? No…it’s impossible!” Zarak-Scorpinok uttered.
“It is, Zarak,” High-Q said, “And this time, I’m fighting back!” Before disbelieving eyes, High-Q bolted into the air, his legs shifting to the sides. He merged with Prime’s chest, becoming an oversized engine for the Autobot to draw power from. Optimus Prime’s eyes grew brighter still, lines of energy flowing from his chest up to his arms.
“Scorpinok,” Prime-High-Q’s voice called out the Hive Headmaster, “This time you face not Optimus Prime…you face…Powermaster Prime!” The guns, both those in his hands and on his shoulders, fired with the combined force of a small megaton bomb. Focused solely on Scorpinok’s head, they burned away the armor, the shielding, everything. Zarak, caught within the shell, screamed in pain as he himself was burned away.
The now headless mass stood there, swaying helplessly. Suddenly, it jerked forward, falling down toward both Powermaster Prime and Byzantum. Prime stood there unmoving, fixed. A second before Scorpinok fell, he held up his arms, and with a metallic groan, he stopped the behemoth. As crowds in the city let out a surprised gasp, Prime grunted, hoisting it up, then with a forceful push, he sent the whole dreaded monstrosity tumbling backwards, crashing onto the land, laying like the statue of a toppled tyrant in a freed land. Cheering went up, the battle at last won.
Later, Optimus Prime met with his brother Autobots in his primary form. Though battered, they stood before him prouder than before. “It is good to be back, this time to stay!” Prime told his soldiers. He turned, looking down at High-Q, standing at his side. Kneeling to the Nebulon, Optimus Prime said to him, “We owe you more than our lives, High-Q. Today, you may have just marked the final turning point in the war against the Decepticons. But…tell me…what made you change your mind?”
High-Q replied, taking a breath, “The fact that I realized there is…no such thing as being neutral. I always want to look out for my people’s interests, and yet, this war of yours is more than…just a war. Your fight is not just amongst yourselves, but for the freedom of all.”
“Freedom,” spoke Optimus Prime, “Is the right of all sentient beings. That right must be upheld, and although Zarak is dead and Galvatron wounded…that fight is not yet over.” Looking up, Prime added, “Though…I sense our millennia-long conflict…is nearly over. We must persevere just a little longer.”
The End