Dynasty of Primes

2011-07-09T05:14:11Z

74.13.107.207:

:''The Dynasty of Primes is a group from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Cyberglyphics Prime Symbol.png|100px|right|]]

The '''Dynasty of Primes''' was the ruling class of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] eons ago. Formed by the first [[Thirteen original Transformers|<strike>Thirteen</strike>]] <strike>Seven</strike> Cybertronians, the Dynasty ruled Cybertron and protected the [[AllSpark]] until they were betrayed by [[The Fallen|one of their own]].

The only named Primes are [[Prima]], the first Prime, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel]], who remembered his ancestry, [[Bendy-Bus Prime|Bendy-Bus]], whose status is unknown, and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes.

{{bigquote|Primes are born. Not made.|[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]|''[[Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

==Fiction==
===IDW comics===
[[Image:TalesoftheFallen4-dynasty.jpg|left|thumb|300px|We don't look like this in the film.]]
Eons ago, the AllSpark created thirteen beings, the first Cybertronians, who had the ability to move between dimensions. They soon realized that the AllSpark's power, though vast, was not infinite, and required the energy of stars to be replenished. Once a nearby star went nova, the AllSpark created a worker race, the Transformers, who would assist the Dynasty in replenishing the AllSpark. One of the thirteen, later known as the Fallen, {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} believed the AllSpark was talking to him and that it wanted him to harvest ''any'' sun, local lifeforms or no local lifeforms, rather than spend ages searching. He harvested the sun of a living world behind his brother's backs, only to be caught and told off. This didn't stop him {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 4|Tales of the Fallen #4}} and eventually, the Dynasty ruled that all <strike>thirteen</strike> seven of them) would decide on the harvester's use.

[[Image:TalesoftheFallen4-notlikethis.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Hey, are [[Prima| you]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s dad?]]

In response, the Fallen assembled his own army, the [[Decepticon]]s, and deliberately built a harvester on Earth... in order to draw his brothers into a trap. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3|Tales of the Fallen #3}} A great battle erupted as the Fallen fought to gain the AllSpark's power for himself. However, once he had destroyed his <strike>six</strike> twelve brothers' [[sarcophagus|sarcophagi]], he still had to face the final survivor, [[Prima]], who tricked him into running out of power and then used the remaining power in the Dynasty's corpses to imprison the Fallen in his own sarcophagus. The last Prime then built a tomb for the Matrix out of the corpses and sacrificed himself to close it. Knowledge of the thirteen faded, and the Dynasty of Primes became little more than a myth. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3}} {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 4|Tales of the Fallen #4}} {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

Thousands of years later, the [[Science Division]] discovered the Fallen's sarcophagus and the remains of the other Twelve's sarcophagi. As the Fallen influenced [[Lord High Protector]] [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], the members of the Science Division, under the direction of their leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], studied the remains of the other relics and discovered the [[Cyberglyphics|symbol of the Primes]]. This was the first proof that they had found of the Dynasty, and what's more, the symbol was etched on the head of the Science Division's leader, who was soon dubbed Optimus [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] by his fellow scientists. After the [[Autobot]]s refused to follow Megatron's [[Decepticon]]s, the term Prime came to denote Optimus as leader of the Autobots. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actors:'' [[Michael York]], [[Kevin Michael Richardson]], [[Robin Atkin Downes]] (English), [[Banjō Ginga]], [[Daisuke Gōri]], [[Yasuyoshi Hara]] (Japanese)

[[Image:ROTF Primes vs Fallen.jpg|250px|thumb|left|You do realize that they could have killed him right now instead of hiding the Matrix, right?]]
At least by 17,000 BC, ancient beings known as the "Seven Primes," reached the Solar System in their quest to build a [[Star harvester|Star Harvester]], but they discovered the chosen system contained [[Earth|a life-bearing world]], and so six of the Primes objected to using the Harvester on the system's sun. The seventh, however, insisted on using the Harvester anyway upon weighing the longevity of his planet and his race against a seemingly meaningless organic world. This Prime quickly turned on his brothers and their creed, waging war against them, with those who agreed with his ideals by his side. After attacking and killing many of his fellow Primes and slaughtering a large number of early [[human]]s he was thereafter ever known as "The Fallen." The remaining Primes mounted an attack on their new nemesis and hid the [[Matrix of Leadership#Live-action film series|Matrix of Leadership]]—without which he could not activate the harvester—in a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb composed of their own bodies]] on the very planet he sought to destroy, using the last of their energy left from the epic battle to completely seal it.

According to Sam Witwicky, who had absorbed the AllSpark, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] led an expedition where it took him fourteen galactic convergences to get an echo of something, seemingly related to the existence of other dimensions where the theory of relativity was not applicable.

In the present day, their descendant [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] perished in battle whilst protecting the human adolescent [[Sam Witwicky]], the chosen vessel of the AllSpark after the Cube's physical destruction. With the seemingly confusing knowledge of an advanced alien civilization in his mind, Sam and his companions set out to find the Matrix of Leadership after learning it might be the only thing that could resurrect Optimus—the last of the Primes—who was the only being who could defeat "The Fallen". Travelling to [[Petra]] in [[Jordan]], Sam discovered the Tomb of the Primes hidden within, quickly discovering the small Matrix. His hopes were soon dampened however, when the artifact crumbled into dust upon it being moved. Nevertheless, he held onto his faith and gathered up the dust in a tattered sock, intending to revive Optimus with it in any way feasible.

[[Image:ROTF-sixprimes.jpg|250px|thumb|You must avenge my death, Simba—uh, I mean, Sam.]]

During a climactic battle around the Star Harvester between the [[Autobot]]s and The Fallen's [[Decepticon]] forces, Sam died in an attempt to use the remnants of the Matrix to resurrect Optimus Prime. Appearing to leave his body, the six Primes soon appeared before Sam, telling him that they had been observing him for a long period of time, praising his sacrificial acts to save the last Prime's spark. They pronounced him worthy of receiving the Matrix, revealing to him that it is now never merely found but instead ''earned'', then instantaneously resuscitated him. Brought back to life by the six Primes, he was able to fulfill his destiny by reviving Optimus, propagating the complete destruction of the Star Harvester and the defeat of "The Fallen" and Megatron. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen the falllen sucks ass

{{-}}
===Revenge of the Fallen adaptations===
According to [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], the Dynasty of Primes was formed by the first Thirteen Cybertronians. These beings could not transform, but they and their transforming descendants possessed powers beyond that of the average Cybertronian. The Dynasty ruled Cybertron and protected the AllSpark, replenishing it with the energy harvested from stars. However, the Dynasty of Primes was also benevolent, believing that all life was sacred, and refused to harvest stars with worlds inhabited by sentient races. To better prevent abuse, the Dynasty guarded the Matrix of Leadership, an artifact formed by the AllSpark to power the [[Star harvester|Great Machines]] used to harvest stars. However, one of these Primes believed that they should harvest the star [[Sun|Sol]], which promised to yield vast amounts of energy, even though Sol was orbited by a small world with primitive inhabitants, [[human]]s. After this plan was unanimously rejected by the others, this Prime betrayed and killed most of his brothers, but [[Optimus Prime's ancestor|one survived]] and hid the Matrix in the Tomb of the Primes on [[Earth]], fusing it shut with his own life essence. The Fallen, as the renegade Prime was now known, dispatched the [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]]s to retrieve the Matrix, but they were unsuccessful and eventually abandoned. On Cybertron, the Fallen hunted down and killed every last Prime he could find, knowing that they were a threat to him. A single orphan was hidden away with no knowledge of his lineage: Optimus Prime.

In time, The Fallen encountered Megatron, and directed him to form the Decepticons, promising him the powers of a Prime in exchange for his loyalty. When Megatron left Optimus Prime in stasis lock, the last threat to the Fallen was removed, and he prepared for his return to Earth. However, [[Sam Witwicky]], using the knowledge of the AllSpark within his mind, found the Matrix in [[Petra]], [[Jordan]]. Unfortunately, it had turned to dust in the millennia in the tomb. When his heart stopped after an attack by Megatron, Sam communed with the [[spark]]s of the Twelve original Primes, who had judged Sam worthy of stewardship of the Matrix, and instructed him to merge the Matrix with Optimus. The Dynasty then returned Sam to life and transferred the knowledge of the AllSpark into the restored Matrix. With the Matrix restored, Sam used it to revive Optimus Prime and give him the knowledge of his ancestors. Unfortunately, the Fallen then attacked and stole the Matrix, activating the harvester.

Using parts donated by a critically injured Jetfire, Optimus went to the star harvester, recovered the Matrix, and confronted the Fallen. In the battle that followed, Optimus proclaimed that the Fallen had forfeited his right to be a Prime when he slaughtered his brothers, and told Megatron that Primes were born, not made. Realizing he had been betrayed, Megatron and Starscream abandoned the Fallen and used the space bridge he had created to escape. Optimus then impaled the Fallen through the head with his own spear. With the death of The Fallen, Optimus Prime became sole inheritor of the Matrix and the last of the Dynasty of Primes. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

===Titan Magazines===
The original Transformers are explicitly stated to number only seven. There's also a legend they might actually be created by some guy called [[Primus]], which they don't believe {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen Profile}}... but it's true! He was the first Cybertronian. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3.1|Sentinel Prime Profile}}

They were imprisoned by the Fallen {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.8|Jetfire Profile}} except when they weren't. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen Profile}}

==Toys==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
[[Image:Movie ProtoformOptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Guess who ya gotta buy now to finish your [[thirteen original Transformers]] collection?]]
*'''Protoform Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MA-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun with flame attachment

:Based upon the "[[Protoform]]" (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the Movie, Protoform [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] transforms into his "entry" mode. This mode somewhat resembles a cybertronic truck, with false wheels sculpted onto the sides, and Optimus Prime's trademark windows in front. A flame decoration piece fits to the back of the "vehicle", creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail. The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces. Oddly, it has NO [[Automorph|automorph]] gimmick at all, a feature most main-line figures have.

:In robot mode he resembles previous Optimus characters: his angular chest windows are reminiscent of ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], while his near-animalistic limbs and color scheme are evocative of ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Optimus Primal]]. He has excellent articulation due to his many ball joints, and is armed with a rifle. The flame attachment can fit onto the end of the (non-firing) gun barrel.

:Some packaging variants of this figure (perhaps a Wal-Mart exclusive) included a free movie poster depicting a Cybertronian eye overlooking Earth. While an added sticker to the outer plastic bubble says "Exclusive movie poster!", it is more of a preview of upcoming figures.

:This toy was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Optimus Prime's ancestor|a member of the Dynasty of Primes]] in [[Tales of the Fallen issue 4|''Tales of the Fallen'' #4]].

==Merchandise==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
[[Image:RotF Bendy Bus Prime.jpg|thumb|250px|right|]]
*'''Bendy-Bus Prime''' (2009)
:Bendy-Bus Prime is a life-sized non-transformable sculpture with the dimensions 13×11×6 feet. There was only one produced by [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount Home Entertainment]] and [[Pinewood Studios]] or [[Propshop]], which was given away on [[December 9]], 2009 in a contest hosted by [[Wikipedia:The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]] in conjunction with the release of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' on DVD.

:He is made out of 100 original bus parts, and even has an Oyster card reader.

{{-}}
==Notes==
*The [[Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] and [[Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)|comic book adaptation]] vary quite differently from the version told in the movie, as they were based on early versions of the final script.
*For example, IDW's film adaptation shows 13 Primes instead of 7. In [[Tales of the Fallen issue 3|a later comic]], only 7 are [[retcon|shown]].
*But then The Fallen's bio in the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD/Blu-Ray bonus material says there were in fact 13.
*[[Hasbro]] tried clearing the matter up in a [[Hasbro Q&A|Q&A exchange]], saying that there were 13 "Original Epic Warriors of Cybertron," but only 7 of them were Primes.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=63609&view=findpost&p=1367057 Allspark.com Hasbro Q&A: Oct 2009]</ref> This distinction has not yet appeared in the fiction.
*More recently, a quiz in the [[Transformers Comic issue 2.10|Titan comic]] asked how many Primes there were, and the answer was "Seven (though you could have said 13!)". At least they're both prime numbers.
[[Image:RotF The Twelve heads.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Give me your... faces?]]
*Though barely glimpsed in the film, [[Josh Nizzi]] designed somewhat unique bodies and heads for each of the 12 during the film's pre-production. Interestingly, ''all'' of them appear to have energy glowing within their armor just as The Fallen does.<ref>[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF2.htm Concept art on JoshNizzi.com]</ref> Only 7 of them made into the film, of course.
*The Dynasty is a bit more lenient in the IDW comics than in the film and other spin-offs: There, the Fallen killed a planet before, and their reaction to this ''deliberate omnicide'' is little more than wagging a finger and saying "now don't do it again!"

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Prime Ōchō''' (プライム王朝 ''Puraimu Ōchō'', "Prime Dynasty")

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

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Dynasty of Primes