Chapter Text
“We are live at the scene of a devastating attack,” Raindance reported. “Earlier today, a terrorist working for the well-renowned senator Scorponok bombed the Senate building, killing five and leaving several others, among them our very own Nominus Prime, in critical condition.”
T-06 scoffed as he lay back in his chair, looking up at the screen that depicted the reporter. “Serves ‘im right. Prime had this comin’ fer a long time.”
“What’s it matter?” D-16 muttered. “In the end, either he recovers or yet another corrupt Prime takes his place.”
“Hey, bud,” Kiloton said, patting D-16 on the back. “It’s entirely possible we won’t get another corrupt Prime, y’know?”
“...Unlikely.”
“Still. There’s a chance.” Kiloton sighed. “Look, 16… I know the problems with society. But we need to at least give whoever takes the reins next a chance.”
“...Fine. But if it’s another corrupt Prime, I may just grab a fusion cannon and–”
“D-16.”
“...Alright, fine…”
T-06 scoffed. “Who d’ya think you are, Megatronus ? You ain’t rising up against the whole-aft Senate by yerself.”
D-16 looked deep in thought.
“...C’mon.” Kiloton rose. “You guys wanna go for a drive?”
“...Yeah.” D-16 smiled. “That sounds… nice, Kilo.”
T-06 looked between the two. After a moment, he smirked. “Oh … I see ya’ll.”
“Uh…?”
“Oh, don’t mind me.” He chuckled. “Let’s just go.”
“TO A DEAD PRIME!” Hun-Gurrr shouted, holding up a glass of engex. The Terrorcons around him cheered.
“‘Bout slaggin’ time,” Rot Gut muttered, taking a swig. “Oi, Shadowhawk, thanks fer bringin’ the engex, mate!”
Shadowhawk raised a glass before taking a drink herself. “No prob, Rot Gut.”
“Three cheers for Shad!” Blot shouted, raising his glass.
As the Terrorcons cheered for their comrade, Sparkstalker gazed down upon them.
“Well… they seem to be enjoying themselves,” Flyrox said as they walked up to Sparkstalker. “Wish we could be over there. Any idea why Scorponok wants us over here?”
“No clue.” The cryptologist crossed his arms. “Whatever it is, I hope it’s good.”
“Sparkstalker, Flyrox.”
The two turned to face the Terrorcon commander as he walked up to them. “Thank you for coming.”
“What’s this about, Scorponok?” Flyrox asked, tilting her head.
“I have a little… project for you two,” Scorponok said. “Your technical expertise is sorely required for this…”
“Alright…” Flyrox crossed their arms. “I’ll bite. What is it?”
“I want a strategic program,” Scorponok said. “One to assist me in creating battle plans for this war we’ve begun.”
Sparkstalker snorted. “What, your mind not enough?”
Scorponok scowled, taking a step towards the smaller Terrorcon… before sighing, pulling back. “I merely believe extra strategic value would be beneficial, as you most likely would agree.”
“Fair enough.” Sparkstalker stretched. “So… where do you want this?”
“Here,” Scorponok replied. “In this very city. And I want it done as fast as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Sparkstalker and Flyrox walked away, Scorponok glanced out over his city again. His city.
He smiled.
“No point beating around the bush: as much as I hate to say it, Scorponok has declared war.”
Dai Atlas stood before dozens of security bots, arms crossed. His blue optics combed over the crowd, noting a few familiar faces: Roadfire, Kup, Wing Dagger, Speedstream, Deftwing, Countdown, Cerebros, Fireball, and Cannonbolt. “We are going to take the fight to him. He currently holds Uraya. He cannot hold it for long.”
Cannonbolt stepped forward. “I’ll be happy to bring him down. Let me at him.”
“Cannonbolt…”
Cannonbolt glared at his friend. “Fireball, I need this. He needs to pay for what he’s done.”
“I’m going to lead this,” Countdown said, stepping forward. “Scorponok will pay for what he did to my sister.”
Atlas sighed. “I… alright. Just… try to bring him in alive, will you?”
“I…” Countdown paused, conflict dancing in his optics. After a moment, he nodded. “Alright.”
Cannonbolt clenched his fists.
“How is he, Cogwheel?”
“...Not great,” the doctor replied, looking back at the room where Nominus lay. “I’m… not sure if he’ll survive. Ratchet and Pharma are doing their best, but…”
Guardian Major sighed. “I see. What… what will we do?”
“...You wait. We’ll do our best.”
“Cogwheel?”
The two turned to see Ratchet sticking her head out the door.
“Yes, Ratchet?”
“Um… he’s awake. He’s asking for Guardian Major.”
The two glanced at each other, then back at Ratchet. “What?”
Ratchet sighed. “You heard me. Get in there already.”
Guardian Major stepped into the room where Nominus lay, his body hooked up to various machines.
“He… doesn’t have long,” Cogwheel noted. She looked down. “I’m sorry.”
Guardian glanced down at Nominus. “Prime…”
“Guardian… come closer…”
Guardian stepped to the slab, standing beside the Prime. Nominus’ eyes glowed blue, and he glanced over at Major.
“I… am not long…” he muttered. “But… it is to you that I pass… the Matrix…”
“M… me?” Guardian’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
Nominus nodded. “The Matrix has chosen… and it has chosen you .”
Nominus’ chest opened up, revealing a golden talisman shaped like an orb. Two silver handles were on the side, with four slots in the lining of each, about the size of a Cybertronian’s fingers. Nomius reached in and grasped it by the handles (notably his fingers were too large to fit in the slots in the handle). He lifted it out, holding it towards Guardian. The orange and yellow Cybertronian hesitantly took it.
“Please… carry on my legacy,” Nominus muttered. “Ensure… my laws… stay…”
His sentence went unfinished as his optics darkened. His body went limp and, after a moment, turned monochrome as his spark faded away.
Guardian gazed down at the talisman in his hand.
“It chose you, Guardian,” Cogwheel said. “Go on.”
After a moment, Guardian’s chest opened and he moved the Matrix towards it. Suddenly, the Matrix pulled out of his hands, floating into his open chest. Parts shifted around, forming a chamber that the Matrix came to rest perfectly in. Guardian’s optics widened as a bright blue glow overcame his senses, and his body froze up…
Guardian’s optics flickered on. He found himself floating in an empty blue expanse.
“Where… am I?” he muttered, looking around the place in awe.
“The Creation Matrix.”
Guardian turned around to see a white and blue Cybertronian. His optics looked like goggles. Some wires hung down from his face, forming a sort of beard. On his head was an ancient red symbol, one that bore a similarity to how the legends depicted Primus. It wasn’t quite the same, more of a simplified version of it.
“Who… are you?” Guardian asked.
“My name is irrelevant. Here, I am but a Mediator.” This “Mediator” smiled. “And you have been chosen.”
“...you mentioned a Creation Matrix.”
“Yes.” The Mediator stepped closer to Guardian, stopping in front of him. “You know it as the Matrix of Leadership. It holds the wisdom of all who have come before, and will inform the generations to come.”
The Mediator began to walk, and Guardian followed. “The Matrix is destined to one day find its final bearer, the one who will bring all together as one, as written in the Covenant.”
Guardian looked around. He spotted images in the Matrix; moments in the lives of previous Primes: Prima’s death at the hands of the Quintessons, Nova’s quest at a second Expansion, Septimus’ ignorance giving rise to the Functionists and the end of the Golden Age, and his eventual meaningless death and succession by the Functionists’ lackey, Nominus.
“Now… you do not have to accept,” the Mediator noted. “You can always refuse the Matrix, if you so choose.”
Guardian looked over the memories of both tragic and wondrous times long past. After a moment of silence, he spoke. “...If I don’t, we won’t have anyone to lead us against Scorponok, will we?”
“You are the most suitable to lead us in this time of need,” the Mediator said. “Another will come someday. I know where the Matrix will go, the path it will take from here onward, until it finds the final bearer.”
Brief flashes appeared. A blue and gold Cybertronian with a crown-shaped crest. An orange ‘bot with wings protruding from his back. A red and blue ‘bot with windows on his chest. A black and gray beast-mode. A young Cybertronian who bore a striking resemblance to Guardian. Many faces flashed, none of which lasted long enough for him to recognize.
Guardian considered. It wasn’t long before he came to a conclusion. “Cybertron… needs a leader.” He stood up straight, tall. “If that leader is me… then I accept the burden, with all that I am.”
The Mediator smiled as a white glow filled Guardian’s vision. “Then arise… Guardian Prime.”
Guardian’s optics lit up, and he fell onto one knee. Cogwheel and Ratchet stood over him, concerned. “Are you okay?” Cogwheel asked.
“I… will be.” Guardian Prime rose to his feet. “I… need to speak with the Council. Scorponok will be a problem, even if he’s right about the Functionists.”
Guardian turned and stormed out of the building, leaving Ratchet and Cogwheel behind.
::“Scorponok?” ::
“Yes, Chromhorn?”
::"Rocket inbound.” ::
The outpost shook as a rocket collided with it. Scorponok frowned. “You could have told me someone was incoming.”
::“S-Sorry, boss.” ::
“Sky Lynx, Shadowhawk, meet me outside.” Scorponok turned and headed towards the lift. “We have visitors…”
“That was a warning shot!” Countdown shouted, the rocket launcher on his shoulder reloading. “Don’t make me fire again!”
“I wouldn’t mind it,” Hardspark muttered, tapping his foot on the ground.
Cannonbolt frowned, focused up on the city ahead. As he saw Sky Lynx and Shadowhawk flying out, he clenched his fists. “Where is he…?”
Suddenly, the ground erupted, and Scorponok emerged in his construction vehicle mode. The Terrorcon assumed his robot mode, towering over the security forces. “Well, well. Countdown. They sent you here.”
“You’re coming in with us, Scorponok!” Countdown shouted, aiming his blaster at the larger Cybertronian. “You have a lot to answer for! Nominus…!”
“SCORPONOK!” Cannonbolt shouted, assuming his tank mode and firing upon the Gigantion native. Scorponok blocked the shots with his claw, scowling as he lowered it.
“Ah,” he muttered. “You.”
“You will pay for all those you slaughtered!” Cannonbolt roared as he continued to fire. “For everyone you killed!”
“Cannonbolt!” Countdown snapped. “I understand, but we have to bring him in alive! You heard the boss!”
“I don’t care!”
Sky Lynx paused as he hovered over the group. “Slaughtered…?”
While he hesitated, Shadowhawk and Chromhorn dove down towards the others. Fire from the duo drove the small Autobot team back behind a bit of rubble not too far away. Scorponok reverted to his jet form and joined the other two in raining fire down from above.
“I can take ‘em!” one green and brown ‘bot shouted, grinning as he leapt over the ledge they were hiding behind.
“Gunlift, no!” Countdown shouted, reaching out, but he was unable to stop the Autobot from dashing out.
“Don’t worry!” Gunlift shouted as he assumed his mobile artillery mode. “You brought me for heavy artillery, after all!” With that, he opened fire on the fliers. He managed to hit Chromhorn, knocking the insect-like Terrorcon out of the sky.
Seeing Chromhorn go down, Shadowhawk quickly assumed her robot mode. She fell towards Gunlift as she drew her swords, then swung them down, cleaving his cannon off. Gunlift assumed his robot mode, pulling out his handguns and firing on her.
“OKAY MAYBE YOU WERE RIGHT!” he shouted as Shadowhawk dashed towards him, deflecting his shots with her blades. Before he could react, she swung her swords up and cleaved his arms clean off. Another swing of her sword, and before he could scream, his head was separated from his body. She then drove the sword through his chest and his spark, ensuring there was no putting him back together.
“Welp, there goes the heavy artillery,” Deadwheeler muttered. Then, one of Shadowhawk’s knives flew through the air and hit him right in the neck. The racer fell to the ground.
“Deadwheeler!” Hardspark shouted. He assumed his tank mode and opened fire on Scorponok alongside Cannonbolt while Countdown rushed to Deadwheeler’s side. He quickly determined that he was still alive, but that could change. His gaze turned to the fallen Gunlift, whose colors had faded away to a dull gray.
After a moment, Countdown sighed. “Hardspark, Cannonbolt, we’re pulling out.”
“What?!” Cannonbolt glared back at the commander. “We can take him!”
“Sky Lynx hasn’t even joined the fight and we’re outnumbered!” Countdown snapped. “We need a plan to take him on, not just rushing in headlong!”
“But…!”
“We’re pulling out! Now!”
“He’s right!” Hardspark shouted, returning to his robot mode as other Sec-Ops members fired to hold the Terrorcons back as Hun-Gurrr and his crew joined the fight. “And we got more joinin’ the fight now!”
“...Slaggit.” Cannonbolt turned away. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”
“Of course not.” Hardspark turned. “Darkstar, Wing, Waver, Powerbomb! Let’s get outta here!”
The security force quickly began to retreat (though Darkstar and Powerbomb ended up being blasted by Scorponok).
As they fled, Shadowhawk flew closer to Scorponok. “Should we pursue, boss?”
“...No. Get to ground. Let them slink back. They’re leaderless.” The Terrorcon commander flew to the ground and reverted to his robot mode. “We’re close to winning this war already. I feel it.”
“Scorponok!” Sky Lynx flew down and landed in front of the Gigantion native. “What is going on here?! You said we were opposing the regime, not slaughtering security forces!”
“What’s the difference?” Scorponok shrugged.
“The difference, you Gigantion buffoon, is that my spectacular talents are being used for evil!” Sky Lynx snapped. “I will not allow my magnificence to be spoiled by your murderous desires!”
“...I see.” Scorponok sighed. “Well, I don’t want to kill you , Sky Lynx. But… you could be a problem. Hun-Gurrr?”
“Terrorcons, take him down!” Hun-Gurrr shouted. He and his crew quickly blasted Sky Lynx with stunning charges. The large Cybertronian roared as he was shocked relentlessly before finally collapsing.
Scorponok sighed as the Terrorcons began to take him away. “Oh, Sky Lynx. I’ll release you in my new world, and then you’ll see the truth to my goals. A world where the strongest thrive, and the weak burn.”
“Senators!”
Various Senators perked up at the sound of Guardian’s voice echoing through the chamber. The red and orange ‘bot stormed in, flanked by Cerebros and Fireball.
“Guardian Major?” Proteus rose. “You dare interrupt this meeting? Zeta, remove him.”
Zeta smiled as he stepped forward. “Yes, Proteus.”
“Wait.” Alpha Trion stood up. “Something’s different. You… are not Guardian Major anymore, are you?”
“No.” Guardian’s chest opened up, revealing the Matrix resting inside. “Nominus Prime is dead. I… am Guardian Prime. And we are going to stop Scorponok and his reign of terror before it begins.”
“We needn’t bother with him,” Proteus replied, waving his hand towards the new Prime dismissively. “Scorponok is no danger.”
“Then how do you explain how Countdown is in Cogwheel’s medical bay right now, with three dead officers and one critically wounded?”
Ratbat frowned. “...Perhaps the Prime is right. He may be a threat. He did kill Nominus.”
“For once, Ratbat and I agree.” Dai Atlas smiled. “All in favor of taking active measures against Scorponok?”
Almost everyone in the Senate chamber answered with a resounding “aye”. After a moment, even Proteus crumbled and responded with an affirmative.
Alpha Trion smiled and turned his gaze to Guardian Prime. “Very well, then. You have our unanimous support in bringing Scorponok to justice.”
“Good.” Guardian Prime turned and walked out, with the other two following close. “Fireball, Cerebros, prepare for training. And get me Hyperdrive. I have a job for him.”