MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

User talk:CHAOS STUDIOS

2017-11-07T21:59:20Z

CHAOS STUDIOS:

{{welcome}}
However, don't be needlessly snarky, which is what all of your past edits have been. [[User:West james|west james/notirishman]] ([[User talk:West james|talk]]) 16:57, 7 November 2017 (EST)
ok thank you

Freedom Fighters

2017-11-07T21:11:19Z

CHAOS STUDIOS: /* Errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' (2015) ep 71
|image=TRID S3 E26 FF MSS.jpg
|caption="When I found you, I saw raw, untamed power. And beyond that, something truly special."
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy (RID)
|next=
|title="Freedom Fighters"
|airdate=[[November 4]], [[2017]] (United Kingdom) [[November 11]], 2017 (United States)
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
|writer=[[Adam Beechen]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|director=[[Frank Marino]]
}}
'''As the Bee Team struggles to liberate Cybertron from the Decepticon controlled High Council, Optimus and his All-Stars fight back the advance force of an Earth-bound Cybertronian invasion!'''
==Synopsis==
[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"This is not going to go the way you think!"]]
Surrounded by [[High Council trooper]]s, the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] fruitlessly attempts to convince them that they're being mind controlled. [[Dropforge]] and his men arrive and take custody of the prisoners, who puzzle over the fact they previously broke the mind control over their new captor. As it turns out, Dropforge ''is'' still free of the mind control, though he's surprised [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]'s team has [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] with them. They reach the [[High Council Tower]] where Dropforge frees the team, before leaving to tell the authorities that the prisoners "escaped". Once he's left, the team realizes Steeljaw has disappeared and immediately assumes the Decepticon is up to no good, but Steeljaw has just been deactivating the defenses for them. Everyone heads inside.

Back on [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and his team have survived the destruction of the warehouse thanks to [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]'s [[Triage Shield]], though the device fails shortly after they emerge from the rubble. They resume their search for the High Council forces — according to Ratchet, the enemy are constructing a [[Space Bridge]] receiver near the [[Crown City]] coast. The team reaches the docks and start searching. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] stumbles on half a shipping container, which turns out to be partially affected by a [[Light Bender]]. Bulkhead breaks the device, revealing the council forces and their Space Bridge receiver, just in time for the rest of the team to arrive and engage the troopers in battle. Ratchet covers the area with his Triage Shield to try to avoid [[human]]s detecting the conflict. Optimus and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] take to the air, but are hit by missiles that send the pair hurtling towards the ground. Optimus fortunately recovers in enough time to save Windblade.

[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Let the past die. Kill it, if you have to. That's the only way to become what you were meant to be."]]
The Bee Team reaches the main council chamber where [[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]] is ordering [[Cyberwarp]] to make another transmission. [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] detects Light Bender technology, so [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] deploys [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] to investigate. Cyberwarp begins her transmission about the impending invasion of Earth, but falters. Cyclonus finishes the speech for her. Cyberwarp's protest that humans should control their own planet goes unheeded by Cyclonus, who orders [[Skyjack (RID)|Skyjack]] to signal the start of the invasion. Slipstream yanks a device from Cyberwarp's leg, deactivating the Light Benders and revealing the High Council to be Decepticons. As the Decepticons attempt to capture the Mini-Cons to use as hostages, [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] notes that the camera is still broadcasting to the planet, but as the mind control is still in effect, the populace won't react. The team goes to try and deactivate the signal, and Bumblebee notices Steeljaw has disappeared. Cyclonus blasts the two Mini-Cons and the Decepticons, minus Cyberwarp, engage the Autobots in a melee. The Autobots succeed in taking them down one by one. Cyclonus has the other 'Cons merge with him into [[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]], and the Autobots likewise merge into [[Ultra Bee]]. As the two combiners battle, the fight is broadcast to the rest of Cybertron.

[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"[[Mark Hamill|I've seen this raw strength only once before. It didn't scare me enough then. It does now.]]"]]
Optimus's team fights as the Space Bridge portal looms ominously overhead. Optimus has the other Autobots draw the fire of the Autobot troopers while he flies in and pulls the main dish of the receiver free. He throws the dish directly into the portal, creating a feedback loop that causes the Space Bridge to explode.

[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"We are the spark...that will light the fire that will burn the First Order down."]]
Galvatronus spots the alarm from the portal's destruction and, enraged, starts pounding Ultra Bee while outlining the various plans the Autobots have foiled. Fixit finally locates the mind control transmitter, which Steeljaw promptly destroys. The population are freed from their stupor in time to see the broadcast of Galvatronus repeatedly punching Ultra Bee and detailing his plans. His attempt to finish off Ultra Bee is put on pause when Cyberwarp rebels, giving Ultra Bee the chance to fight back. Galvatronus is defeated and splits into his component parts, as around Cybertron the Autobots cheer. The Bee Team splits as well and Cyberwarp expresses hope that both sides can work together instead of fighting.

Bee and Optimus's teams stand before a crowd of cheering Autobots. Optimus turns down the idea of leading the planet, and designates the rest of his team as a temporary council. Bee's team are keen to get back to Earth, and Optimus suggests they be appointed ambassadors.

Sometime later on Earth, the Bee Team are back in the scrapyard. Denny and Russell, despite all the times they've been endangered by their adventures with the Bee Team, happily welcome them to continue staying with them. Right on cue, the team immediately starts squabbling. They're interrupted by a distant howl from Steeljaw, resulting in them revving up and rolling out.

[['Til all are one]].

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[High Council trooper]]s (1)
*[[Drift (RID)|Drift]] (2)
*[[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] (3)
*Heavy troopers (4)
*[[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]] (5)
*Flying trooper (6)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (7)
*[[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] (9)
*[[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] (11)
*[[Dropforge]] (12)
*[[Cybertron Police officer]]s (13)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (14)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (16)
*[[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] (18)
*[[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] (24)
*[[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] (25)
*Cybertronian civilians (26)
*[[Ultra Bee]] (28)
|c2=
*[[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] (8)
*[[Cyberwarp]] (10)
*High Council infiltrators (19)
*[[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]] (20)
*[[Riotgear]] (21)
*[[Skyjack (RID)|Skyjack]] (22)
*[[Treadshock]] (23)
*[[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]] (27)
|c3=
*[[Denny Clay]] (29)
*[[Russell Clay]] (30)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The members of the High Council are revealed to be Decepticons masquerading as Autobots with Light Benders. In other words, real ''robots in disguise''.
*[[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]] lists off the actions of the High Council in Season 3: freeing [[Steeljaw's Pack]] to kill the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] and freeing [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] from the [[Shadowzone (dimension)|Shadowzone]] to summon [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] "to lead our forces"; apparently the Council hasn't gotten the memo about Megs' [[Predacons Rising (Prime)|change of heart]], or simply doesn't believe it.
*While combined as [[Ultra Bee]], the Autobots recall to their fight against [[Menasor (RID)|Menasor]].
*[[Dropforge]] and his three officers were made immune to the High Council's mind control and left for Cybertron back in "[[Five Fugitives]]".
*[[Light Bender]]s and their suitability for use as cloaking devices were first established back in "[[Guilty As Charged]]".

===Transformers references===
*The Space Bridge receiver is a near dead-ringer for the Earth-bound Space Bridge rings in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].

===Real-world references===

===Errors===
*This show was made.

===Trivia===
* It's not stated if the Decepticons that the Bee Team captured in the tail-end of the series — [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]], [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], [[Underbite]], and [[Wingcode]] — were returned to Cybertron.
*The series ends with Steeljaw as the only known Decepticon still at large on Earth; however, this is done to show that "the adventure continues" for Team Bee.
* The Decepticons' combined form of Galvatronus goes unnamed onscreen and he is shown to have the same personality as Cyclonus.
* With Cyberwarp's appearance, this marks the second time a "good" Decepticon has appeared in the series, after Grimlock who decided to change sides all the way back during the series' debut, possibly hinting that not all Decepticons are hostile after the war.

===Foreign localization===

==Home video releases==
{{epstub}}

[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) episodes]]

Transformers: The Last Knight (film)

2017-11-07T21:09:11Z

CHAOS STUDIOS: /* Continuity errors */

{{Nav-tlk}}
[[File:TLK Poster.JPG|thumb|upright=1.67|So forget any ideas you've got about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world. We do not follow maps to buried treasure, and "X" never, ever marks the spot.]]
'''''Transformers: The Last Knight''''' is the fifth film in the [[live-action film series]], serving as a sequel to ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]'', and was released on [[June 21]], [[2017]].

When he is gifted a [[Talisman (TLK)|Talisman]] by a dying [[Transformer]] knight, [[Cade Yeager]] finds himself pursued by both the [[Decepticon]]s and the [[Transformers Reaction Force]]. He is soon recruited along with [[Viviane Wembly]] by [[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]], last of the [[Order of the Witwiccans]], to once again save the world from a new impending threat.

{{quote|One hundred billion trillion planets in the cosmos. You want to know, don't you? Why they keep coming ''here?''|[[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]]|''Transformers: The Last Knight''}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:TLK Knight gives staff.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Eternal life, Doctor Jones! The gift of youth to whoever drinks from the Grail.]]
It is the year [[484]] in [[England]]. A medieval battle rages. [[King Arthur]] and his [[Knights of the Round Table|knight]]s are looking down the barrel of defeat at the hands of the [[Saxon]]s, and their only hope lies with the magician [[Merlin]]. Elsewhere Merlin, in reality merely a drunkard, rides up to a [[Guardian Knights' ship|long-crashed alien ship]] and beseeches [[Guardian Knight|the occupants]] for help. He has kept their secret, but now needs their help. The other knights are losing hope, but Arthur believes Merlin will come through. Merlin manages to convince [[Stormreign|a giant metal red-armored knight]] at the ship to help, and it presents him with a [[Staff of Merlin|staff]], allowing him to return to the battle with a [[Dragonstorm|giant metal dragon]]. The battle is won in favor of Camelot.

Present day: five years have passed since the battle of [[Hong Kong]]. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] drifts apparently lifeless in space. Both he and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] have vanished from [[Earth]], and Transformers have been declared illegal, with the [[Transformers Reaction Force]] set up to track them down, though they've found refuge in some places such as [[Cuba]], where [[Seymour Simmons]] is hanging out with some displaced Autobots. Meanwhile, Transformers continue to arrive in waves while [[NASA]]'s [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] detects something large incoming.

[[File:TLK Canopy downed.jpg|thumb|right|300px|He speaks a dozen languages and knows every local custom. He'll blend in, disappear and you'll never see him again.]]

Four kids, craving adventure, breach a fence and enter a section of [[Chicago]] ruined by a previous Transformer battle. They stumble on a [[Talisman Knight's ship|crashed Transformer ship]] with a [[Talisman Knight|still-living occupant]]. TRF [[Sentinel (TLK)|Sentinels]] close in on them and warn them that they're trespassing; however [[Izabella]] appears out of nowhere to help, slinging bottles of green ooze which result in one Sentinels shooting another. Izabella's tiny robot [[Sqweeks]] wraps a cable around the legs of the remaining Sentinel and it topples over, allowing the kids time to get away. Pursued by another Sentinel, Izabella takes the kids to shelter — a Transformer named [[Canopy]] whose back is a hollow mound of rubble. They're joined by Sqweeks, who's lost his arm in the battle. Canopy and the kids start moving, unaware the TRF has spotted them. Unable to determine what faction Canopy is and with kids possibly in danger, TRF commander [[Santos]] orders an air strike. The missile takes out Canopy, who thanks a tearful Izabella before dying. The kids are soon rescued by [[Cade Yeager]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] who destroy another Sentinel.

Cade drives the kids to the border of the no-go zone and drops them off before returning to the crashed ship. Despite his efforts, the pilot within dies, but not before attempting to present Cade with the [[Talisman (TLK)|Talisman]]. Cade does not take it. He reports the pilot's death to Bumblebee shortly before [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] appears and Cade is suddenly surrounded by TRF forces. Meanwhile, the Talisman sprouts legs and crawls away from the ship. Cade refuses to divulge where the other Transformers are. Bumblebee arrives, only to be blown to pieces by the TRF. Moments later, the parts start reconnecting as Bumblebee reassembles himself, sending the TRF forces into disarray as he does so. He and Cade take Santos hostage, but the standoff is interrupted by the arrival of [[William Lennox|Lennox]] who tries to talk Cade and Bee into standing down. [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]]'s appearance settles things however, and Cade, Bee, and Hound leave, though the TRF manages to surreptitiously attach a tracking device onto Bumblebee.

Lennox reports to [[Morshower|General Morshower]] who plays a recording of Barricade reporting back to Megatron. Megatron is disappointed Barricade failed to secure the Talisman as it is the object they need to lead them to the staff, but Barricade believes the TRF will lead them to it. Morshower orders Lennox to return to his covert infiltration of the TRF.

[[File:TLK Optimus chained.jpg|thumb|left|300px|My soul is prepared. How's yours?]]

Optimus's voyage through space comes to an end as he crashes on the ravaged surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], which has been mysteriously disassembled into many pieces. He encounters and attacks [[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]], who claims to be his creator and the "Prime of Life," but she easily restrains him.

As he returns to the [[Junkyard (TLK)|junkyard]] he calls home, Cade realizes that the Talisman has somehow ended up in his vehicle. In England, [[Cogman]] alerts [[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]] to the arrival of the Talisman. Elsewhere in England, [[Viviane Wembly]] wins a game of polo for her team before returning to the [[University of Oxford]]. She lectures her class on King Arthur, someone she believes to be a made-up legend, unaware she's being watched by Burton. Burton gives instructions to a nearby parked car.

Quintessa tells Optimus that he must retrieve her staff, stolen by her knight guardians and hidden on Earth.

[[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] and [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] are hanging out in the junkyard. Cade, Hound, and Bumblebee stop off on their way back so Cade can banter with the local authority, Chief [[Sherman]], who complains that his cruiser has been stolen. The trio continue to the junkyard where [[Jimmy (TLK)|Jimmy]] and [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] are looking at online photos of custom cars. They are unaware Izabella and Sqweeks have stowed away on Hound. While Bumblebee and Crosshairs come to blows, Cade persuades [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]] to cough up Sherman's cruiser, or what's left of it. [[Daytrader]] arrives, bringing [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s head and a new voicebox for Bumblebee. He's interested in Cade's Talisman, and says it's a sign of the impending apocalypse. Izabella fronts up to Cade and attempts to pursuade him to let her stay. They return to Cade's trailer for antics with the [[Mini Dinobot]]s and trade stories of lost family members. Izabella manages to impress Cade with her knowledge of Cybertronian physiology and he's convinced to let her stay.

In [[Namibia]], scientists arrive at a location to find a giant metal horn poking out of the ground. News of the horn, and five more like it, get back to Simmons and Burton. Meanwhile the NASA scientists meet with [[President of the United States|presidential]] staff to report they have detected an approaching planet, which they say will arrive in three days.

Helped by Hound, Cade makes an untraceable satellite phone call to [[Tessa Yeager|his daughter]] at college, but is unable to speak to her for fear that his voice will be recognized by the [[CIA]], and can only listen as she tries to convince him to get a girlfriend.

Lennox meets Morshower at the [[Pentagon]] for a briefing on the horns — Megatron has been spotted visiting them and has snatched up two CIA operatives as hostages. Lennox and some lawyers meet with Megatron to negotiate the return of some of his men. They agree to release [[Mohawk]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Nitro Zeus]]; [[Berserker]], however, turns out to be a step too far, and Megatron is forced to select [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]] instead. Morshower believes they can use Megatron so they can get hold of Cade's Talisman themselves.

[[File:TLKIzzyAndDecepticons.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Grail is mine, and you're going to get it for me.]]

As morning breaks over the junkyard, the Decepticons prepare to move in, observed by the TRF. Izabella attaches a new arm to Sqweeks, before helping Cade fit Bumblebee's new voicebox. Bee is not happy with the result, which sounds like a GPS. Sherman gives the group advanced warning of the impending Decepticon assault, and the Autobots and humans scramble to get ready to escape. Megatron's group arrives to find the junkyard deserted, at least until Hound pops up and starts shooting. Megatron returns fire. The Autobot group heads into the nearby town, where Drift finds the tracking device on Bee. Grimlock and [[Slug (AOE)|Slug]] ambush the TRF forces en route to the town. Santos has a swarm of unmanned drones sent in. The Decepticons arrive in the middle of town and immediately spot Sqweeks, which draws Izabella out in an attempt to save the tiny Autobot. Cade detonates the explosives hidden around town and flees with Izabella, pursued by Barricade. The 'Con is knocked aside by Grimlock, who also devours Dreadbot. As the battle rapidly turns against the Decepticons, with Onslaught being killed by Drift and Crosshairs, Megatron calls a retreat. Mohawk, however, is left behind and is subsequently reduced to a head by Bumblebee. Cade, Izabella, and Jimmy take cover in a disused church as the TRF drones move in, however the drones continue to pursue them through the church. Cade and Izabella take two of them out, but Jimmy tries to bluff a third, banking on the idea it's using facial recognition. He gets shot anyway, but fortunately it was only a beanbag.

The trio head into another disused building and enter a lift where they encounter Cogman, who announces he's come to collect Cade. The discussion ends when a drone arrives, and Cade ends up clinging to it as it flies wildly around the street. Cogman phones Sir Burton to report the bad news, but fortunately Cade survives his impromptu flight, partly thanks to the Talisman protecting him from bullets. He manages to ride another drone to the ground and is met by Cogman who explains that he's important because of the Talisman. Crosshairs attempts to prevent Cogman from doing anything, only for the smaller robot to break his finger. Cogman convinces Cade to go with him and leave the others. Cade and Bee accompany Cogman on a plane to England.

Morshower and Lennox track the flight, and note that Megatron's group is giving pursuit. Lennox is ordered to take the TRF team to the UK as well.

Simmons calls Sir Burton to let him know a book has been tracked down. NASA continues tracking the incoming planet, now identified as Cybertron. Quintessa reveals to Optimus that Earth is actually [[Unicron]] and that they're going to kill him with the staff, an act which will destroy Earth and restore Cybertron. Optimus's optics turn purple as Quintessa addresses him as "Nemesis Prime". Optimus swears to fight anyone who interferes with his new mission.

[[File:TLKWW2Flashback.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Nazis. I hate those guys.]]
Viviane and her family watch a news report on the giant horns. Conversation turns to her dead father, and her mother suggests she check her father's study in case there's anything useful for her work. Disinterested, she instead gets into her car where an invitation falls out of the glove compartment. The car takes off of its own accord and starts driving her through the streets of [[London]]. When she smashes a window, the car complains in a French accent and throws her into the trunk. She calls for help, having realized she's in a Transformer, and the car [[scanning|scans]] a passing Lamborghini, reconfiguring itself into a copy of the other vehicle.

Cade's plane lands at Sir Burton's castle, where he and Bumblebee are shot at by [[Bulldog (TLK)|a tank Transformer]]. Sir Burton apologizes and takes a look at the Talisman. [[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]] arrives carrying Viviane, who is unhappy at being kidnapped. Once things calm down, Sir Burton explains he's the last of the [[Order of the Witwiccans]]. Cade's boorish behavior towards Viviane results in him being assaulted by Cogman. Sir Burton shows off portraits of his family tree and the Witwiccans, and relates how the Transformers have been helping humans for centuries, such as when Bumblebee and Hot Rod took part in [[World War II]]. They head to another building which houses the original [[Round Table]] used by King Arthur and his knights when they teamed up with the twelve [[Guardian Knight]]s. Further there is a legend that a last knight would be found and thanks to possessing the Talisman, that's Cade. Only Merlin's DNA can unlock the power of the staff, which is where Viviane comes in as a direct descendant of Merlin. She has no idea where the staff might be though. Further discussion is halted as [[MI6]] and TRF forces arrive to assault the castle. Despite [[Spitfire Autobot|one of the elderly Autobots]] attempting to defend the castle only to power down as a result of his aging, Hot Rod's time stopper weapon gives the group enough time to escape.

[[File:TLK Bumblebee car attack.jpg|thumb|right|300px|How does one get off this thing?!]]
Simmons makes an irate call to Sir Burton, who is currently being pursued through London and is late for the appointment at [[Trinity Library]]. Bumblebee arrives at Viviane's house with her and Cade, and the pair start rifling through her father's study in search of a clue. Sir Burton's dropped off at the library, but Simmons demands to be inducted into the Order of Witwiccans before he'll point Sir Burton to the book, which reveals Earth is Unicron and points them to [[Stonehenge]]. Cade and Viviane find a clue in an old popup book which points them to the [[HMS Alliance|HMS ''Alliance'']] at a [[Rotal British Submarine Museum|naval museum]]. The TRF arrive at the house. Meanwhile, Sir Burton and Cogman switch cars and a high-speed chase through the streets of London ensues. Cade and Viviane, now also making a getaway in Bumblebee, let them know about the navy museum. Cogman manages to shake his pursuers while Bumblebee manages to shake Barricade by blasting the Decepticon.

Bumblebee reaches the naval museum at the same time as Cogman and Sir Burton, and they have the HMS ''Alliance'' evacuated. Sir Burton leaves the others to it, explaining that the submarine, in reality a Transformer, knows the way to the staff. The sub launches, with Bumblebee clinging to the exterior so he cam come along for the ride. The sub's departure is noted by TRF and they track it as it heads away from England. The TRF scramble their own submersibles to give chase. A nuclear sub fires missiles at the ''Alliance'' which responds by ramming the other sub and diving deeper into the ocean. Cogman fires himself out through a torpedo tube.

Sir Burton arrives at Number 10 to see the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]], but is turned away. Cogman returns to the sub with a couple of fish he's caught. Viviane and Cade share clumsy sexual chemistry until Cogman reveals he's made sushi as a "last meal". Sir Burton takes a secret back entrance into Number 10 to talk to the PM, holding off security by threatening to release the [[watch that killed Hitler]]. Sir Burton tells the PM to mobilize the military to Stonehenge. The ''Alliance'' zeros in on a vast undersea Transformer ship, which lights up as they approach. The pursuing TRF subs also spot the ship, but have to make their own way in after the airlock doors close behind the ''Alliance''. The ''Alliance'' surfaces beyond the airlock, and the group starts exploring.

[[File:TLKOptimusVsBumblebee.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Two selfless martyrs. Jesus Christ!]]
Back at the junkyard, Izabella, Sqweeks, and Crosshairs look up at the approaching Cybertron. Elsewhere, NASA and [[European Space Agency|ESA]] scientists give a briefing as the approaching planet scrapes the surface of the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. The doomsday news is broadcast on [[television]] around the world. The subs carrying the TRF teams led by Lennox and Santos emerge into an air pocket, and they move out. Daytrader arrives back at the junkyard with the [[Knight Ship|Autobots' ship]], and the group there prepares to head to England to help out. Cade and Viviane find a chamber holding motionless Knights of Iacon. Cybertron moves into Earth's atmosphere, passing the [[International Space Station]]. Viviane touches a Celtic engraving which reveals Merlin's sarcophagus, inside which they find a wooden staff. As the TRF moves through the same chamber, [[Skullitron|one of the knights]] springs to life. Cade keeps it distracted as the TRF attacks it, eventually bringing it down. Viviane grabs the wooden staff which transforms into metal in her hands. Lennox and Santos attempt to get her to hand it over, but she reveals only she can use it. More knights revive and attack, however a short time later, Optimus kills them and forces Viviane to turn the staff over to him. Sending the others back to the sub, Cade, Lennox, and Bumblebee go after Optimus.

[[File:TLK-Cade wields Excalibur.jpg|right|thumb|300px|You're strangely dressed... for a knight.]]
Bumblebee fights with Optimus atop the vast ship as it comes to the surface. Bumblebee manages to get the better of his former leader, and Cade attempts to persuade Optimus to stop fighting. As the ship rises out of the water, Optimus is able to get the upper hand and is prepared to end Bumblebee when Bee manages to talk in his own voice. Shaking Quintessa's influence, Optimus drops his sword, just in time for Megatron to swoop in and claim the staff. After the Decepticons leave, the remaining Knights of Iacon emerge from the ship and are ready to execute Optimus for aiding Quintessa's cause. The Talisman transforms into a sword which Cade uses to block the killing strike, and the Knights recognize Cade as a knight. Though Prime is ready to die, Cade talks him out of sacrificing himself, and Optimus announces they have to destroy Quintessa with the other Autobots show up in their ship.

[[File:TLK-Knightstogether.jpg|thumb|left|300px|He chose poorly.]]

Cybertron makes touchdown on Earth, causing untold destruction. Megatron arrives at Stonehenge with the staff. Lennox contacts Morshower with the coordinates for the "end game", an [[ignition chamber]] which is part of one of the dangling pieces of Cybertron and military forces move in. Cade comes up with a plan to load Ospreys onto the Autobot ship so they can get close enough to the ignition chamber to land. NASA thinks this is a bad plan and works on an alternate idea. The massive ship continues towards Stonehenge where the Decepticons, along with Sir Burton and the military forces, are waiting. At Sir Burton's signal, the military opens fire on the Decepticons as the massive ship arrives directly overhead. The Autobots regroup with Cade and the TRF, and Optimus Prime gives a stirring speech before blasting off. Cogman manages to find Sir Burton, who had been blasted by Megatron sometime prior to the Autobots' arrival, shortly before he expires.

Megatron returns to the Ignition Chamber where Quintessa is waiting. She plugs the staff into the floor, and lightning starts arcing about. The pieces of Cybertron start moving about and joining together, causing those on the ground to run for their lives. Massive worldwide destruction ensues. As the Autobot ship carries Autobots, knights and humans up to their fates, Cade asks Viviane out on a date. Jets soften up the defenses around the ignition chamber while the humans all board the Ospreys, and Cade has it out with Santos. Shamed, the TRF troops all rip off their insignias. The Ospreys launch, and Izabella and Sqweeks reveal they've stowed away on the one carrying Cade and Viviane. Covered by the jets and the giant three-headed dragon, the Ospreys head to the ignition chamber, and crash-land on the surface. The landing site is immediately a war zone as Megatron and his Decepticons stand in their way. Lennox spots the entrance to the chamber, but the team is pinned down by a gun emplacement. Izabella instructs Sqweeks to go blow the gun emplacement up. [[Infernocus]] forms under Megatron's orders and knocks Bumblebee and company out of the air.

[[File:TLKEnding.jpg|right|upright=1.6|thumb|May we go home now, please?]]
Meanwhile, the NASA scientists have come up with a plan to use nukes to cause a nearby chunk of Cybertron to destroy the ignition chamber. Morshower contacts Lennox to let him know the new plan, and the TRF forces start withdrawing. Sqweeks succeeds in blowing up the gun emplacement. Optimus arrives aboard the dragon and takes out Infernocus. As the TRF troops parachute off the platform, the jets nuke the neighbouring chunk of Cybertron. Viviane drops her parachute and heads back towards the chamber, followed by Cade. The chunk hits the platform containing the chamber, however despite the devastating impact, the chamber continues to function.

[[File:Transformers_5_Unicron.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Trust no one.]]
The chamber tumbles down until it comes to rest on another part of Cybertron. Inside, chaos reigns as the Autobots and Decepticons fight and Viviane grabs the staff. Optimus kicks Megatron through a wall shortly before another impact sends the chamber tumbling out of the sky. Bumblebee kills Nitro Zeus and blasts Quintessa as Optimus manages to distract her. Quintessa vanishes in a flash of blue light. Viviane finally pulls the staff free, shutting down the Ignition Chamber just before it crashes to the ground. Optimus dramatically drives out of the cloud of debris raised by its impact, carrying Cade and Viviane. As everyone reunites, Optimus gives another stirring speech about how Earth and Cybertron are now joined as one before the Autobots depart for Cybertron alongside the guardian knights.

Meanwhile back in Namibia, Quintessa, now in a human form, walks up to one of the scientists studying the giant metal horn and offers to tell him how to kill Unicron.

==Quotes==
"All right, I am what they say. I'm a liar, a charlatan. I've deceived my whole life, but if I could, for one moment, change this world for the better, I would give up everything! Everything! I'd give up drink! Money! Wom- ...Drink and money!"
:—'''Merlin'''

"Your world is dying. I've been waiting for you, Optimus...Come meet your ''maker''."
:—'''Quintessa'''

"You dare to strike your ''God?!'' Your war ''doomed'' Cybertron!" 
"Megatron started the war-" 
"''You'' destroyed your world, you fool!"
:—'''Quintessa''' shows '''Optimus''' who's boss after slapping him.

"There is a way to heal your world. My power of creation, the staff, was stolen from me by my twelve Guardian Knights. They betrayed me, and hid it on Earth. Gave it to your ''precious'' humans...the staff is the only way to bring life back to Cybertron. You are going to find it for me. Do you seek redemption, Prime? ''Do'' you?" 
"My maker, I ''do''." 
:—'''Quintessa''' coaxes a half-brainwashed '''Optimus''' to her side.

"The end is near, my old treacherous friend... what a shame you'll be unable to see it."
:—'''Megatron''' musing to the decapitated head of Starscream

"Go to hell!" 
"'This planet ''is'' hell!"
:—'''Izabella''' and '''Megatron''' exchange smack talk

"Don't kill the messenger... or the messenger will kill ''you''."
:—'''Cogman'''

"You are needed, sir. Urgently. My master is fond of saying that all the important decisions in life often come down to just one moment."
:—'''Cogman''' impresses on Cade the gravity of the situation.

"Optimus...it is time you knew the truth. The place you call Earth has another name: Unicron." 
"Earth...Unicron? Cybertron's ancient enemy?" 
"Yes. You are going to kill him. With my staff, we will drain the very life from Unicron. Earth ''will die''. 
"Yes..." 
"And your world will be reborn... ''Nemesis Prime''. 
"I will fight anyone who stands in my way."
:—'''Quintessa''' coaxes a completely brainwashed <s>'''Optimus'''</s> '''Nemesis Prime''' to her side.

"Introductions. Miss Viviane Wembly: Master of History, Oxford; Doctor of Philosophy, also Oxford; and Doctor of Letters, Oxford again, I think. Anything else? Anyway, meet Cade." 
"...''Yeager''. Cade Yeager. I'm an inventor."
:—'''Sir Edmund Burton''' and '''Cade Yeager'''

'''Hot Rod:''' "Bonjour, chérie! Je M'appelle Hot Rôd." 
'''Viviane:''' "Ut what?" 
'''Hot Rod:''' "Hot ''Rôd.''" 
'''Viviane''' "Hut Rud?" 
'''Hot Rod:''' "''Hot Rôd!''" 
'''Sir Edmund Burton:''' "Hot. Rod." 
'''Hot Rod:''' "Mhmm." 
'''Sir Edmund Burton:''' "It's his French accent." 
'''Viviane:''' "Is he French?" 
'''Sir Edmund Burton:''' "No, he just likes the accent." 
'''Hot Rod:''' "Non! No no no, I ''HATE'' the accent! But I can't get rid of it! I'm ''stuck'' with the accent!"
:—Everybody loves '''Hot Rod'''.

"Bee?" 
"Yes." 
"But he's so nice." 
"Behind the lines during the war they called him many things... nice was never one of them." 
:—'''Cade''' and '''Sir Edmund''' on Bumblebee's past.

"I-I am Bumblebee... Your oldest friend! Optimus... I would lay down my life for you."
:—'''Bumblebee''' regains his voice, and Optimus regains his mind.

"I knew you couldn't do it! Your time is over, Prime. You ''FAILED''! You turned your back on Cybertron, now you will watch Earth ''DIE''!"
:—'''Megatron''' denounces Optimus after his redemption

"Knights, Autobots - this cannot and will not be the end. To save Earth and her people, we are going to steal Quintessa's staff. Only you, Viviane, can take it back. I will lead the way into her chamber, and when the account of the ages is etched into the cosmos, let those who exist long after us know that this was our finest hour!"
:—'''Optimus''' rallies his new and old allies before the final battle

"Did you forget who I am? ''I AM OPTIMUS PRIME!''"
:—'''Optimus''' as he effortlessly kills the Infernocons. They should've run for cover, or at least DUCKED.

"We were brothers once!" 
"''Once.''"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

"At the heart of every legend, there is truth: a few brave souls unite to save the world. We can be heroes in our own lives, every one of us, if we only have the courage to try. Our fates were always intertwined, but now our worlds are joined as one. We need to repair our planets, work together, if we wish to survive. A dangerous secret is buried deep inside the Earth. There is more to this planet than meets the eye. I am Optimus Prime, calling all Autobots... It is time to come ''home''."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime/Nemesis Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Erik Aadahl]])
*[[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]] ([[Omar Sy]])*
*[[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] ([[John Goodman]])
*[[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] ([[Ken Watanabe]])
*[[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] ([[John DiMaggio]])
*[[Cogman]] ([[Jim Carter]])
*[[Sqweeks]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]]
*[[Slug (AOE)|Slug]]
*[[Mini Dinobot|Mini-Dinobots]]
**Mini Grimlock
**Mini Slug
**Mini Strafe
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Daytrader]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin/"Volleybot"]] ([[Steven Barr]])
*[[Canopy]]†
*"[[Bulldog (TLK)|Bulldog]]" ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Trench]]
*[[Spitfire Autobot]]
*[[Northrop Autobot]]
*[[HMS Alliance|HMS ''Alliance'']] Autobot

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Jess Harnell]])*
*[[Nitro Zeus]] (John DiMaggio/Steven Barr)**
*[[Mohawk]] (Reno Wilson)
*[[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]]†
*[[Dreadbot]]
*[[Berserker]]†
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s head
*Decepticon [[protoform]]s

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Cade Yeager]] ([[Mark Wahlberg]])
*[[Viviane Wembly]] ([[Laura Haddock]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Izabella]] ([[Isabela Moner]])
*[[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]] ([[Anthony Hopkins]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Santos]] ([[Santiago Cabrera]])
*[[Jimmy (TLK)|Jimmy]] ([[Jerrod Carmichael]])
*[[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Merlin]] ([[Stanley Tucci]])
*[[King Arthur|King Arthur]] ([[Liam Garrigan]])
*[[JPL Engineer]] ([[Tony Hale]])

|h4=[[Knights of Iacon]]|c4=
*[[Dragonstorm]]
**[[Stormreign]]†
**[[Dragonicus]]
**[[Steelbane]]
*[[Skullitron]]†
*[[Talisman Knight]]†

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]] ([[Gemma Chan]])
*[[Infernocus]]
**[[Infernocon]]s
*[[Unicron]]
*The [[watch that killed Hitler]]
*[[Vatti Bot]]
|nonumbering=true
}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Certain lines from these characters are not delivered by their credited actors, but the fill-in actors who performed the "scratch track" for the movie, whose recordings have survived into the finished film. 
<nowiki>**</nowiki>Nitro Zeus' voice actor varies depending on the version of the film (see "[[#Other versions|Other versions]]," below). The "finished" version shown in English-speaking countries features John DiMaggio, and the other, shown internationally, features Steven Barr. Both actors are credited on the official digital release, as line readings from both make it into that version of the film. 
<nowiki>†</nowiki>Denotes a character who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The internet has popularly attributed these roles to DiMaggio, Barr, and Welker, variously, but often incorrectly, and with no proof; more likely, at least some are performed by scratch track actors and were not replaced for the finished film.

==Continuity notes==
*Optimus left Earth at the end of [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|the last movie]], to look for the mysterious [[Creator (AOE)|Creators]]. The [[Seed]] he was carrying is absent and its fate is unmentioned, but he ''did'' say he was going to take it where "it could never be found," so perhaps he accomplished that first. As for the Creators, they are left ambiguous; Quintessa professes to have created the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] race, but no attempt is made to connect or reconcile her with the biomechanical alien arm seen in ''Age of Extinction'', and she is labelled "the great deceiver" by the knights, throwing anything she claims into question.
*It seemed as though Cybertron was disintegrated at the end of ''Dark of the Moon'', but it was unclear if what we were seeing was literal, or just an exaggerated visual of the space bridge collapsing and the planet disappearing with it (this was a film in which a planet could be "half-teleported" and be absolutely fine, after all). Here, it appears partially broken-apart, chunks of the planet tethered to the rest by cables.
*Merlin mentions that Cybertron was "destroyed"; he's referring not to ''Dark of the Moon'' (which, obviously, hadn't happened yet at that time), but to the planet being ravaged by the war, and left barren and lifeless by the loss of the [[AllSpark]] prior to the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]].
*As per the end of ''Age of Extinction'', Drift has only one of his two longswords, having evidently never recovered the other after he hurled it into a [[Trax (AOE)|Trax]] during the final act of the film. However, see "[[#Errors|Errors]]".
*Wheelie reappears following his absence from the previous film, revealed to have survived [[Cemetery Wind]]'s Autobot hunt. Given that [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] was also mentioned to have been killed by Cemetery Wind in ''Age of Extinction'' tie-in material, the only Autobots who survived the end of ''Dark of the Moon'' whose current statuses are unknown are [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] and [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]].
*The Dinobots were "set free" by Optimus at the end of the last movie, though at least some of them have since joined up with the main Autobot team in hiding, presumably for pragmatic reasons. Unnamed in dialogue in the previous film, Grimlock is here called by name (by Cade), the only Dinobot named on-screen.
*Izabella mentions that her parents were killed during the Decepticon invasion of Chicago in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''.
*We can see [[Jolt_(ROTF)|Jolt]]´s head in the Junkyard, that ties perfectly with [[Rising_Storm_issue_4|Rising Storm issue 4]], where Jolt is killed.
*Cade's daughter Tessa was a soon to graduate high school student in ''Age of Extinction'', and she has since gone on to college.
*Starscream was killed by a [[NEST]] boomstick at the climax of ''Dark of the Moon''. ''Age of Extinction'' established that scavengers had salvaged many objects from the Battle of Chicago, explaining why Daytrader found his head in Buffalo.
*The T.R.F.'s prison facility is labeled "[[N.B.E.]] Supermax", in reference to [[Sector Seven]]'s acronym for the Transformers.
*Megatron addresses Starscream's disembodied head as "my treacherous old friend". Back in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', Megatron accused Starscream of abandoning him to die in the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]]. We wouldn't call that a justified accusation, but what can we do? It's the word of a dead skull against that of the universe's greatest warlord.
*When Viviane is abducted by Hot Rod, she asks if her captor is a famous Transformer such as [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] or [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], unaware that they both died in ''Dark of the Moon''.
*Pictures of [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] are briefly visible in Burton's mansion. Burton's claim that he is the last living member of the Witwiccans indirectly implies that Sam died off-screen after his last appearance in ''Dark of the Moon''.
*Daytrader gives the Autobots [[Knight Ship|Lockdown's ship]], which was last seen being attacked by [[People's Liberation Army|Chinese military]] jets in Hong Kong.
*The ''Ark'' is briefly seen on the Moon, where it was revealed to be back in ''Dark of the Moon'', having been left there untouched in the years since, along with the site of the [[Apollo 11]] moon landing.
*Among the landmarks trashed by the hanging chunks of Cybertron is the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]], where the climax of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' took place, recognizable by the top missing to reveal the Star Harvester hidden underneath.
*The Decepticons are seen using several [[Orbital Assault Carrier]]s, as they were in ''Dark of the Moon''.

==Transformers references==
*[[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]] and [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]] take their names from Generation 1 characters, but they have little relevance to their progenitors as far as appearance, personality, or role in the story goes.
*Quintessa is inspired by the [[Quintesson]]s, the extraterrestrials antagonists from season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original 1980's cartoon]]. In the cartoon continuity, the Quintessons were the creators of the Transformers, in the same way that Quintessa claims to be in the film. She seems to be physically based off of [[Quintus Prime]], a relatively new character introduced through 2013's ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', who has the power to create life (as Quintessa claims she does) and was responsible for creating the Quintessons.
*[[Unicron]] is the ancient enemy of [[Primus]]/Cybertron, who was introduced in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. The idea of Unicron being Earth is derived from the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, in which the planet formed around his dormant body. Whether or not these particulars hold true for the movie's incarnation of Unicron remains to be seen.
* When Optimus Prime falls under Quintessa's control, he is dubbed "[[Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)|Nemesis Prime]]", an obvious reference to the evil clone of Optimus Prime that has appeared in many continuities.
* Several Transformers introduced in this film have altered designs from past films, yet are entirely new characters nevertheless. Onslaught and [[Canopy]] are both altered versions of [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Nitro Zeus]] employs the same body design as the [[KSI Boss]]es but has a head identical to [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]'s, [[Dreadbot]] is an altered version of [[Crowbar]], [[Berserker]] is a homage to [[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], and [[Trench]] is the same body-type as [[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Also, despite being based off Constructicons, Canopy and Trench are both Autobots.
* Edmund Burton claims Cogman is a [[Headmaster (technology)|"headmaster"]], which is typically a human-sized bot that transforms into the head of a larger bot. While this reference ''is'' borne out by his [[Cogman#Toys|Deluxe Class toy]], which features a larger vehicle body and a detachable head, indicating it was ''supposed'' to be part of the film, it didn't happen on-screen.
* Burton's walking stick makes the classic transformation sound when it turns into a gun.

==Real-life references==
*King Arthur, Merlin and the associated knights are from British legend. The battle depicted at the beginning of the movie is the [[w:Battle of Badon|Battle of Badon]].
*The TRF Sentinel that attacks Bumblebee and the kids bears resemblance to the ED-209 from ''Robocop'', with a nearly identical leg design.
*The bogus voice box Bumblebee gets from Daytrader has the voice of {{w|Siri}}, the AI assistant found in most iPhones.
*Crosshairs calls Cogman a "[[Star_Wars_(film)|C-3PO]] ripoff".
*Sir Edmund Burton quotes the song ''[[w:It's a Long Way to Tipperary|It's a Long Way to Tipperary]]'' in reference to World War I.
*While evading the constabulary in London, Cogman breaks into an impromptu rendition of Ludacris's 2002 hit "[[w:Move Bitch|Move Bitch]]", though he incorrectly sings "get out of my way" rather than "get out the way".
*Optimus saying "Say hello to my friend, Bumblebee!" is loosely based off of the line "Say hello to my little friend!" from ''Scarface''.

==Other editions==
==="International" version===
Two versions of the film were released to theaters: one screened in English-speaking countries, which seems to be the "finished" version, and another shown internationally, with foreign language subtitles, which appears to be an earlier version. There are numerous differences in dialogue between the two versions, with some lines being dropped, added, or changed completely for the finished version, including ones that even help to make the film make more sense!
*When Hound shows up when TRF are talking to Bee and Cade, in the finished version he says, "Sorry I'm late! My invitation to this ass-kicking must have gotten lost in the mail." The alternate version has him say "Mornin', fellas! I like showing up to a gun fight! This round mound's gonna mow you down. Translation: Sayonara, suckers!"
*When Crosshairs sits on the orbital assault carrier in the junkyard, in the finished version he says, "Losing our heads sitting around here, So tired of hiding.", while in the alternate version, he says "Ughhhhh, so bored on this forsaken rock.". Take note that his lip syncing is supposed to pair up with the alternate version's dialogue.
*When Hound arrives in the junkyard, he tosses aside a weapons cache that explodes on impact behind him. For some reason, the film plays this as a "flatulence" gag, though it differs between versions; in the finished version, Hound says "I shouldn't have eaten all of that Tijuana street machinery!" while in the alternate version, he says "Woah, been holding that one in for a while!"
*When Daytrader says "You always resort to violence, right off the bat!", in the finished version Hound replies "I love violence!". Hound does not reply in the alternate version.
*Hound has an extra line about wanting to "deep-six" Daytrader in the alternate cut right before the Vatti Bot appears, whereas he remains silent in the final edition.
*Izabella laughs at Cade's attempts to make Grimlock spit out the cruiser in the alternate cut. She smiles, but remains silent in the final version.
*When Jimmy and Wheelie argue, the finished version has Wheelie back down a bit when Jimmy threatens and grabs him, with Wheelie adding that Jimmy is the worst "senior vice president ever". In the alternate cut, Wheelie continues to berate him , threatening "I'll have my Autobot brethren kick your ass!". Oddly, he still flails his hands around when he's not saying anything in the latter version, meaning his animation is meant to be paired with the "finished" audio.
*In the "earlier" version, all of Nitro Zeus's dialogue is provided by Steven Barr, and the actor receives an on-screen credit for the role. For the "finished" version, it was all re-recorded by John DiMaggio (with the credits altered to reflect the change), with some differences. During his introduction, for instance, the finished version has him say: "I know where you live, Enrique, say hello to your wife for me!" while the other, he says: "By the way, Enrique, Chet's sleeping with your wife!" Though in the international version, after said dialogue, DiMaggio's laughter can be heard.
*When arriving at the Junkyard, DiMaggio-Nitro remarks "Aw man, I kicked more ass in prison!" upon learning that Cade and co. have left, while in the alternate version Barr-Nitro says "Unfortunate, because I was looking to knock some heads!".
*While Megatron is musing to the head of Starscream, as he says "The end is near", DiMaggio-Nitro cuts in with "Oh, she's coming!" while Barr-Nitro remains silent.
*When the Decepticons arrive in the abandoned town, Barr-Nitro says: "I know they're close!" while DiMaggio-Nitro says: "Oh, I feel a fight comin'!"
*In the final film, when the Autobots discover the tracker planted on Bumblebee, Crosshairs remarks "The tracker led 'em right to us! When are you gonna grow up?" but in the alternate version, he says "What's this? You brought 'em right to us!"
*In the final film, after Drift kills Onslaught ("and his fat head!"), Crosshairs remarks, "Don't get any deader than that!" In the alternate version, Crosshairs is silent, and Drift instead says "Fantastic!" after his quip about Onslaught's head. In the final film, Drift's lips are still visibly moving at the point when he says "Fantastic!" in the alternate cut.
*After the town battle, Crosshairs calls the TRF drones "gnats" as he shoots them down in the finished version. He remains silent in the alternate version.
*In the finished version, when Crosshairs is talking about Cogman he says, "Hey Cade, what's with the C-3PO ripoff?", but in the alternate version he says, "I'll swat this metal cockroach for you Cade."
*Crosshairs whines that his finger is broken in the background when Cogman is speaking to Cade in the finished version. He remains silent in the alternate version.
*As the WWII flahsback begins, a closeup of the Nazi stronghold's entrance is added in the international version, while the final version has the clip omitted.
*Before the end of the WWII flashback, Hot Rod screams a French language version of "Kill them!" in the finished version. He screams it twice in the alternate version.
*When Megatron steals the staff from Optimus, the "finished" film features Nitro Zeus saying: "You blew your chance to kill Unicron!" followed by Megatron saying: "I knew you couldn't do it. Your time is over, Prime! You failed!" The other has no Nitro Zeus dialogue, and instead features Megatron saying: "Quintessa, the most ruthless of our Gods, knew you couldn't do it. She knows I'm strong and you're weak."
*When the Guardian Knights attack Optimus, in the alternate version one of the Knights tells Prime "She put you under a spell!". In the finished version, that line was removed.
*Barricade has an extra line at Stonehenge in the alternate version, where he says "Yes! Drain Unicron! He will be powerless!"
*When Hot Rod flies to attack Infernocus, he responds "I got him!" in the finished version. In the international version, the original line is "I got him, Hound!".
*The finished version adds an extra line between Cade and Lennox on Cybertron about Optimus never having made it to the Ignition Chamber, while the alternate version never acknowledges his absence.
*When Optimus Prime attacks Quintessa, In the finished version she says, "You traitor!", and Optimus retracts his faceplate. In the alternate version she says, "Nemesis! You traitor!", and Optimus's faceplate does not retract.
*The final version has Quintessa scream as Bumblebee blasts her, while Bumblebee quips "Sting like a bee!"—but in the other version, Quintessa is silent, and Bumblebee's dialogue is very slightly different, with him saying "''I'' sting like a bee."

===Home video===
[[File:TLK_BlueHound_vs_RedHound.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Hound was feeling a little ''blue.'']]
The DVD and Blu-Ray releases of the film use the theatrical version, but with Hound's Red Cross symbols digitally recolored blue. The digital version, however, changes a few other things:
*The scene of Wheelie checking the used car website has been removed.
*Hound's "Tijuana street machinery" line is replaced with his "been holding that one in" from the alternate version.
*A scene where Daytrader rummages through his backpack and accidentally pulls out a small [[Vatti Bot]] which Bumblebee angrily squashes, has been cut.
*Nitro Zeus's "Unfortunate, because I was looking to knock some heads!" line from the alternate version is used in place of DiMaggio's "I kicked more ass in prison!", despite DiMaggio providing the voice for Nitro Zeus in every other scene. Both actors are credited for the role in the film's credits.

==Errors==
===Continuity errors===
*Sir Edmund says the battle depicted at the start of the movie took place in 484 AD, while a caption over the first present day scene says it takes place 1600 years later, which would result in the rest of the film taking place in 2084.
*Cybertron appears as smaller than Earth, when in ''Dark of the Moon'', it was significantly larger than it.
*No explanation is offered for how Megatron met/became loyal to Quintessa, nor how Galvatron became Megatron again. He even transforms normally now, as opposed to bursting into a cloud of [[Transformium]] and reforming the way he did in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]''.
*When Optimus first crash lands onto Cybertron, he makes grunting sounds but his lips don't move.
*Cade blows up the cockpit of the dying knight's ship, yet as he walks away from it the cockpit is intact.
*After Cade says "I don't sell out friends", he looks to his right, but in the next shot he's looking to his left.
*When Barricade throws the truck door, several fiery papers are strewn across the ground. Yet when the door hits the ground, none of the papers are there, nor is the area illuminated by flames.
*During the scene where Bumblebee reassembles his body, Cade hits someone over the head with his door and shatters the glass. When Bumblebee later transforms and drives off, both windows are intact.
*Speaking of, how Bumblebee gained the ability to reassemble himself is completely unexplained.
*The removal of the Vatti Bot sequence in the digital version introduces a continuity error: Cade can be seen falling over when parts fall off Daytrader's back, but is suddenly standing up in the next shot.
*Absent for the rest of the film, Drift suddenly has his second longsword for one scene, using the two blades to raise himself into a meditation pose on the morning of the Decepticons' attack on the junkyard.
*When Cade and Izzy are fitting a new voice box into Bumblebee, it is clear that they are using a prop on set, with no sign of Bumblebee's body. It is possible that due to his reforming ability, Bee was able to remove his head for the procedure.
**A similar scene occurs later in the film: after Cade produces the Excalibur sword, he's standing on Optimus's back—which is obviously a prop as Optimus isn't moving at all.
*Bumblebee tears out the "defective" voicebox yet is able to talk to Optimus later with no voicebox. Maybe he put the old one back in offscreen?
*Sqweeks is missing his scavenged Decepticon arm when the Decepticons invade the junkyard, his original arm appearing back in its place. It returns in all subsequent scenes with the character.
*The abandoned town the Autobots and humans seek refuge in has buildings which are a few stories tall at most, then Jimmy, Cade and Izabella are abruptly in a multi-story building with janitorial staff and an external lift when they encounter Cogman. After Cade's ride on a drone, they're suddenly back in the area with no tall buildings in sight.
*When the Decepticons arrive at the abandoned town, Nitro Zeus transforms and lands in front of the group, on the right side of the screen. However, when Izabella begins approaching the Decepticons, Nitro Zeus is now in the back and on the left of the screen.
*Brief shots of the Witwiccans and some of their artifacts depict various Transformers such as Hot Rod and Optimus Prime with their "modern" forms, years before they would take on such bodies.
*When leaving Burton's mansion, the order of the vehicles are (from front to back) Bumblebee, Hot Rod and the Aston Martin. However, several shots later, Hot Rod and the Aston Martin have switched places.
*Optimus remarks that he has not heard Bumblebee's voice "since Cybertron fell". Bumblebee actually spoke with his real voice briefly at the end of the [[Transformers (film)|first film]], albeit with a different voice actor.
*When the knights charge at Optimus, at least eleven can be seen running across the ship. This excludes [[Skullitron]] and the [[Talisman Knight]], who died by this point—however, Quintessa confirms there are "twelve guardian knights"—not thirteen.
*When Optimus shouts, "Viviane! Get in here!", he and the Autobots are shooting at Megatron and Nitro Zeus from a distance, as the Decepticons guard the entrance to the ignition chamber. However, two shots later, they're both gone and the Autobots have moved all the way to the chamber's entrance.
*This movie was made

===Technical/animation errors===
*A shot of two horsemen being hit by arrows and fireballs during the opening battle is "reused" five minutes later; the same scene was shot but from a different angle/camera.
*When Hound arrives at the junkyard and transforms, several guns are briefly visible in the back of his truck mode—yet they weren't there when he drove in.
*Before crashing on Cybertron, Optimus's sword was attached to his back—yet when he crash-lands, he's kneeling in a crater holding his sword.
*When Optimus meets Quintessa and tosses his shield away, it reappears on his arm in the very next shot before disappearing again.
*Onslaught is shown to have a redesigned head in his intro scene, one which resembles Brawl's, to showcase exaggerated speech. Yet it strangely reverts to Long Haul's head for the remainder of his screentime.
*Despite transforming into a larger vehicle, Dreadbot is visibly shorter than Barricade.
*When Megatron picks up Sqweeks, the handle to his iklakalaka sword is constantly flipping around between shots, before the sword itself disappears after Cade sets off the explosives, and reappearing as he shoots at Cade and Izabella before Grimlock arrives.
*After Cade sets off the explosions, Megatron can be heard shouting, "Get those vile beings!" When he rises from the smoke, his mouth opens as if he shouts something, but no words are heard.
*When Mohawk jumps on top of the car, Onslaught's head is shown leaning against the vehicle's left door. However, when Drift decapitated Onslaught, his head fell behind the car.
**And for some reason, two different cars are used for the shots. The doors of the car were also open when Drift decapitated Onslaught, but are closed when Mohawk jumps onto the car.
*For two separate scenes, Hot Rod and Barricade's voices are not provided by their credited actors. The performers delivering these lines appear to be the fill-in actors who performed the "scratch track" for the movie, whose recordings survived into the finished film.
**Hot Rod's anomalous line—"She's very difficult!"—comes when he and Viviane arrive at Burton's estate. We can tell this is the scratch track because a promotional clip of the scene released before the film featured ''all'' of Hot Rod's dialogue being delivered by this actor, before Omar Sy recorded over it; his first line in the clip ("Leetle lady, non!") is replaced in the film (with "Non non non, leetle lady, why do you have to be zat way? Pour quoi?") but "She's very difficult!" remains unchanged.
**Barricade's non-Jess Harnell dialogue can be heard when the Decepticons arrive at Stonehenge ("I've lived for this! I've lived to kill a planet!" and "Drain Unicron! He will be powerless.").
*When Cade, Viviane, and Cogman are aboard HMS ''Alliance'', there is a camera shot of Cade looking through the periscope with Cogman to the right of screen. The camera angle then changes and shows Viviane in another part of the chamber. The camera returns to Cade, Cogman has vanished. The camera pans back to Viviane again, then returns to Cade, with Cogman back in the shot.
*When the HMS ''Alliance'' Transformer crashes into the submarine, a similar scene, the shot of Megatron crashing into a submarine in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', is reused. This wouldn't be nearly as bad had Megatron not been removed from the shot—he can be seen flying towards the ocean's surface.
*After Bumblebee speaks and says "Optimus.", the subsequent shot of Optimus staring lasts too long, as his wristblade can briefly be seen retracting—however, this happens two shots later.
*When the Autobots are commenting on the Guardian Knights, Hound's mouth is animated to be saying something too soon before he actually begins speaking.
*When the group begins advancing on the ignition chamber, Hound is missing from his previous position behind them. He returns in the very next shot.
*As Optimus shouts, "Viviane! Get in here!", the ignition chamber can be seen in the background. However, the lightning Quintessa is producing between the giant knights is absent.
*When Optimus attacks Quintessa in the final battle, his faceplate is on, yet it disappears in the subsequent shot when he's being electrocuted. Then, after Quintessa is vanquished, it is put on again.
**Oddly, in the film's special edition, Optimus has the faceplate on throughout this scene—fixing the error.

===Geographic discontinuities===
*A road trip from the outskirts of Chicago to the Badlands of South Dakota takes about twelve hours, but Cade, Bumblebee, and Hound make the commute to and from Chicago all in the same day and are back by mid-afternoon.
*When the authorities arrive at Burton's mansion, it is noted that "TRF and MI6" are in pursuit. In real life, MI6 is the UK's ''external'' intelligence agency; it is more likely that {{w|MI5}}, the UK's domestic intelligence agency, would be the British central government's agency present.
*American street signs of the hanging green-coloured variety can be seen during the chase scene in London.
*Viviane leads her class from a large, expansive archaeological museum into the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. While there is an archaeological museum attached to the Natural History Museum, it looks nothing like the one featured in the film.
*The Royal Navy's submarine museum is nowhere near London as the movie depicts; it is actually in Gosport, Hampshire.
*Stonehenge is not as isolated in open countryside and from main roads as portrayed—the A303 among other roads runs past the monument. Also, the town of Amesbury is across said main road, less than two miles away.

==Adaptations==
Two comic adaptations are made for the film: "[[A New Friend]]" by IDW Publishing as the promotion for both the film and Schick's Hydro line of electric razors, and "[[Mission to Cybertron]]" released exclusively for the Toys"R"Us exclusive Transformers: The Last Knight Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

==Music==
===Score===
:''Main Article'': [[The Last Knight (Music From the Motion Picture)]]
Continuing the tradition of the previous films, the music is once again composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]]. The ending theme of the movie is Torches by [[X Ambassadors]].

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center><gallery>
File:TLK Poster wide Dragonstorm.jpg|The big dragon is advertised as the big bad fighting Optimus. Now Dragonstorm knows how [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] felt!
File:TLK Poster Rethink Heroes.jpg
File:TLK Poster.JPG|Divided We Fall.
File:TLK Poster Stonehenge.jpg|It's time for the Jedi to end.
File:TLK Poster Legend Secret.jpg|Yeah, this is like a 40 second scene in the film, so...
File:TLK Poster Here Forever.jpg
File:TLK Poster IMAX 3D.jpg|Dragonstorm, you forgot to wear clothes today!
File:TLK Poster char Optimus Prime.jpg|Optimus "Barely Appearing in this Movie" Prime
File:TLK Poster char Megatron.jpg|It took ten years, but we finally got [[Frank Welker|the king]] on the big screen, baby!
File:TLK Poster char Bumblebee.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Hound.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Hot Rod.jpg|''Watch me engagin' em, escapin' em, enragin' em!''
File:TLK Poster char Cogman.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Burton.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Lennox.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Yeager.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Izabella.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Jimmy.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Wembly.jpg
</gallery></center>

==Reception==

{{quote|[sighs] Here we go again.|BBC Radio 5 critic Mark Kermode on ''The Last Knight''<ref>[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ee6xh5AmQo Mark Kermode review]</ref>}}

After four films where critics hated it but the audience showered it with money, ''The Last Knight'' broke the trend by ''not'' being showered with money. It had been projected to make $70-75m in its first days in North America, itself the lowest opening<ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/spider-man-homecoming-hoping-to-catch-opening-in-the-100m-vicinity-1202114641/ Deadline, June 15th 20917: "‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Hoping To Catch Opening In The $100M Vicinit"]</ref>, but that was downgraded to $63m after the first few days were even lower than the lowest expected.<ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/ "Deadline: ‘Transformers’ Still Rusty At $63M+"]</ref> In the end it made almost $70m over the first five days, better than the revised projection but lower than all of the previous films. <ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/ Deadline: "Why ‘Transformers’ Is Screaming For Reboot After $69M Start; ‘Wonder Woman’ & ‘Cars 3’ Fight Over 2nd Place"], 25th June 2017</ref> By mid-July, after over three weeks, the film had grossed $122.1m in North America against a $217m budget (not counting marketing costs). This meant a lot of critics began to zero in on the sluggish profit, taking the view that American audiences were just getting bored of Bay's version of the franchise.

Internationally the film did $196.2m in the same first five days, of which $123.4m came from [[China]] alone<ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/ Deadline: "Why ‘Transformers’ Is Screaming For Reboot After $69M Start; ‘Wonder Woman’ & ‘Cars 3’ Fight Over 2nd Place"], 25th June 2017</ref>(who love the franchise so much delaying ''The Last Knight'' reduced 2016 cinema growth to 3%, down from 48% in 2015!)<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2017/06/11/transformers-gears-up-for-another-1-billion-box-office-bounty/#659ff09e2325 Forbes: "'Transformers' Gears Up For Another $1 Billion Box Office Bounty"]</ref> The Chinese had been expected to spend up to $290m on the film's run. <ref>[http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/chinas-weying-boards-paramounts-transformers-the-last-knight-1202465635/ Variety:"China’s Weying Boards Paramount’s ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’"]</ref> However, in its second week in China takings dropped by a harsh 75% and after 10 days it had only grossed $198 million, which was seen as a disappointment—some pundits had expected $400m from China—and left it unlikely the film would perform as well as ''Age of Extinction'' had.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-transformers-5-crashes-back-earth-75-percent-slide-second-weekend-1018449]</ref> ''The Hollywood Reporter'' visited a [[Shanghai]] screening and reported "walkouts, general disinterest and plenty of snickering over a conspicuous abundance of [Chinese] product placement" despite a truly massive PR campaign and the fourth film's mega-popularity. Chinese social media made it clear the plot was too complicated and the product placement, all products the Chinese knew weren't in America, was too dumb; the audience found it ''very'' funny when Wheelie looked up a Chinese used car website.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-last-knight-has-pandering-chinese-audiences-hurt-transformers-5-1016926 The Hollywood Reporter: "Has Pandering to Chinese Audiences Hurt 'Transformers 5'?", July 2 2017]</ref>

In the end, the film finished a 65 day run in cinemas with a worldwide gross of only $604m. <ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers5.htm]</ref> It even did not exceed the gross of the first film, which concluded with a worldwide gross of $709m, with domestic numbers over double what ''The Last Knight'' was able to take home. <ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers06.htm]</ref>

==Production staff==
The film was directed by [[Michael Bay]], and was written by [[Art Marcum]], [[Matt Holloway]], and [[Ken Nolan]].

==Development details==
[[File:Transformers 5 provisional logo.png|thumb|right|143px|Transfivemers doesn't have the same ring to it.]]
*December 18, 2014 — [[Mark Wahlberg]] confirms to MTV that he is signed on for the next two Transformers films.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/2030612/mark-wahlberg-transformers-5/ Mark Wahlberg Just Found A 'Transformers' Sequel] on MTV.com</ref>
*March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
*May 27, 2015 — As part of the news surrounding Barrer and Ferrari joining the room, it's revealed that another pitch is an animated prequel movie set on Cybertron, with the working title of ''[[Transformers One]]''.<ref name="barrerferrari" />
*June 8, 2015 — The writers meet on the Paramount lot for the writer's room.<ref name="nolandworet" /> The writers work for the next three months to plot out the next ten years of ''Transformers'' films.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://youtu.be/F_P2fw_DlS4?t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
*July 28, 2015 — DeKnight reports that as a result of the gathering of writers, Goldsman and Pinkner will be co-writing Transformers 5.<ref name="deknightreveals">[http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/07/28/daredevils-steven-deknight-on-the-transformers-writers-room-and-planning-ahead Daredevil's Steven DeKnight on the Transformers Writers Room and Planning Ahead] on IGN</ref>
*September 17, 2015 — Deadline reveals more about the writer's room process and reports that Barrer and Ferrari will write the animated feature, with Pinkner and Beer writing later films.<ref name="deadlinereveal" /> Bay remains uncommitted to directing.<ref>[https://twitter.com/michaelbay/status/644622092110032896 Tweet by Michael Bay]</ref>
*October 3, 2015 — [[Hasbro Studios]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] relates more details of the writing process in a keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote" />
*November 20, 2015 — With Goldsman now enlisted to create a writer's room for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''[[Microman|Micronauts]]'', Paramount begins negotiating with Marcum, Holloway and Nolan to write the film.<ref>[http://deadline.com/2015/11/transformers-g-i-joe-micronauts-akiva-goldsman-paramount-hasbro-1201632388/ Akiva Goldsman 'Transformers' Writers Room Leads Paramount & Hasbro To Set One For 'G.I. Joe', 'Micronauts'] on Deadline</ref>
*December 14, 2015 — Wahlberg re-confirms in an interview with CinePop that he'll be back in Transformers 5.<ref>[http://cinepop.com.br/exclusivo-mark-wahlberg-confirma-ao-cinepop-que-estara-em-transformers-5-109295 Mark Wahlberg interview with CinePop]</ref>
*January 4, 2016 — Bay confirms he will be returning to direct.<ref name="rollingstone">[http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/13-hours-can-michael-bay-pull-off-a-gritty-movie-about-benghazi-20160104 '13 Hours': Can Michael Bay Pull Off a Gritty Movie About Benghazi?] on Rolling Stone</ref>
*January 12, 2016 — It's totally definitely the last ''Transformers'' film for him this time though.<ref>[https://youtu.be/Yn9bkPNV4JA?t=472 Michael Bay interview with Collider]</ref>
*February 12, 2016 — Transformers 5 is now being released on June 23, 2017. In addition, [[Transformers Universe: Bumblebee|Transformers 6]], acting as a [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] spin-off, and [[Transformers 7]] are set to be released respectively on [[June 8]], 2018 and [[June 28]], 2019.<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref><ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-6-tentative-title-revealed-bumblebee-movie-309597 Transformers 6 Tentative Title Revealed – The Bumblebee Movie] at TFW2005</ref>
*February 18, 2016 — Casting calls go out for June filming in [[London]] and [[Detroit]], also confirming [[Peter Cullen]]'s return as [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]].<ref>[http://www.acting-auditions.org/2016/02/transformers-5-casting-calls-for-new-lead-roles.html Transformers 5 casting call for new lead roles] on acting-auditions.org</ref>
*February 26, 2016 — After negotiations, it's announced that Michigan will provide $21 million in incentives towards the film.<ref>[http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIEDC/bulletins/138dd29 'Transformers 5' lands in Detroit] from the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office</ref>
[[File:TLK Optiface Prime.jpg|thumb|right|300px|5 movies in and [[Michael Bay]] is still finding ways to make my face even more ridiculously detailed. Pretty soon I'm going to look like [[Deceptigod]].]]
*April 6, 2016 — Cinematographer [[Jonathan Sela]] is reported as being booked to work on the film.<ref>[http://variety.com/2016/artisans/news/agencies-book-artisans-on-fast-8-transformers-5-to-the-bone-macgyver-and-altered-carbon-1201747892/ Agencies Book Artisans on 'Fast 8,' 'Transformers 5,' 'To the Bone,' 'MacGyver' and 'Altered Carbon'] on Variety</ref>
*April 13, 2016 — Filming dates are revealed via a casting call on acting-auditions.org.<ref>[http://www.acting-auditions.org/2016/04/transformers-5-casting-calls-auditions-information.html 'Transformers 5' Casting Calls and Auditions Information] on acting-auditions.org</ref>
*May 12, 2016 — [[Isabela Moner]] tweets that she's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://twitter.com/isabelamoner/status/730835465163530241 Tweet by Isabela Moner]</ref>
*May 14, 2016 — Bay suggests [[Tyrese Gibson]] is under consideration to return.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BFXbTA2IWpr/]</ref>
*May 16, 2016 — The film's title is officially revealed to be ''Transformers: The Last Knight'' in [https://www.instagram.com/p/BFfCGhRoMmW/?taken-by=transformersmoviea teaser trailer] posted on a newly-launched Transformers Movie Instagram.
*May 17, 2016 — [[Josh Duhamel]] announced to be returning for ''Transformers: The Last Knight''.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BFg6ffIoMvx/]</ref>
*May 25, 2016 — Michael Bay posts a [https://www.instagram.com/p/BF1sPamoWtc/?taken-by=michaelbay photo] as production begins in Cuba.
*May 27, 2016 — A [https://twitter.com/transformers/status/736286302870605824 teaser] is posted containing morse code which translates to "I'm coming for you May 31st."
*May 31, 2016 — Michael Bay posts [https://www.instagram.com/p/BGFEZ9vIWv1/a video] of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and announces production is about to start.
*June 3, 2016 — [[Anthony Hopkins]] joins the cast.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/anthony-hopkins-joins-transformers-5-899343]</ref>
*June 4, 2016 — [https://www.instagram.com/p/BGPsjYZoMpq/?taken-by=transformersmovie&hl=en First look] at [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s vehicle mode, which is a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BGPsjYZoMpq/?taken-by=transformersmovie&hl=en Bumblebee vehicle mode reveal]</ref>
*June 4, 2016 — The [[Freya|World's Loneliest Dog]] is cast.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2016/06/04/freya/ MichaelBay.com - Freya]</ref>
*June 10, 2016 — [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] is confirmed to return as a 2016 Ford Mustang.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BGes1IfoMqf/?taken-by=transformersmovie&hl=en]</ref>
*June 18, 2016 — [[Mitch Pileggi]] reveals he has a role.<ref>[https://twitter.com/mitchpileggi1/status/743667068138979329 Tweet from Mitch Pileggi]</ref>
[[File:TLK Bumblebee profile.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Back to the basics.]]
*June 20, 2016 — [[Laura Haddock]] joins the cast.<ref>[https://twitter.com/laurajhaddock/status/744915023299026944 Tweet from Laura Haddock]</ref>
*June 22, 2016 — New robot character [[Sqweeks]] is revealed.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BG-IEBroWgA/ Michael Bay on Instagram]</ref>
*June 28, 2016 — Tyrese Gibson is confirmed to return.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BHLBipSDqcO/ Tyrese on Instagram]</ref>
*June 30, 2016 — [[Santiago Cabrera]] joins the cast.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BHSfP9EAIi_/ Official movie Instagram reveal of Santiago Cabrera]</ref>
*July 1, 2016 — [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] is confirmed to return with a new Mercedes alt-mode.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2016/07/01/drift/ Drift - MichaelBay.com]</ref>
*July 27, 2016 — [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]] is confirmed to appear in the film.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1112021768833269/?type=3&theater Onslaught photo] on the official Transformers movie Facebook page.</ref>
*August 4–13, 2016 — A series of character profiles are released on the official movie Facebook. New character [[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1116775651691214/?type=3&theater Hot Rod Facebook reveal]</ref> is first to be revealed, and [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1119387291430050/?type=3&theater Crosshairs Facebook reveal]</ref> and [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1120161021352677/?type=3&theater Hound Facebook reveal]</ref> are confirmed to return. Also shown are profiles for Drift,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1117988908236555/?type=3&theater Drift Facebook reveal]</ref> Sqweeks,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1118574891511290/?type=3&theater Sqweeks Facebook reveal]</ref> Barricade,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1120871694614943/?type=3&theater Barricade Facebook reveal]</ref> Megatron,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1121491451219634/?type=3&theater Megatron Facebook reveal]</ref> and Bumblebee.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1122785391090240/?type=3&theaterBumblebee Facebook reveal]</ref>
*August 9, 2016 — Members of a number of ''Transformers'' fan sites, including TFWiki, are treated to [[Transformers 5 set visit|a set visit]].
*September 4, 2016 — [[Stanley Tucci]] is back as [[Joshua Joyce]] (He later turned out to be playing Merlin, but it's unclear from the article where the confusion originated).<ref>[http://variety.com/2016/film/global/stanley-tucci-to-reprise-transformers-role-in-the-last-knight-1201852108/ Stanley Tucci to Reprise 'Transformers' Role in 'The Last Knight'] on Variety</ref>
[[File:TLK Izabella trailer speech.jpg|thumb|right|250px|True fact: Isabela had to beat Megatron in an arm wrestling contest to get this part.]]
*September 24, 2016 — Location shooting at Blenheim Palace in England proved controversial as [[Winston Churchill]]'s birthplace became draped in Nazi banners. Bay told BBC News that veterans shouldn't be too upset as Churchill is a "big hero" in the film.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-37453284 Transformers' Blenheim Palace 'Nazi' scenes defended] from the BBC</ref>
*October 14, 2016 — Bay announces via Facebook that [[John Turturro]] will be back as [[Seymour Simmons]] & [[John Goodman]] back to voice [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/videos/1174984035870375/ Michael Bay video on Facebook]</ref>
*December 5, 2016 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyVKK87hYYM teaser trailer] is released.
*February 3, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npaVgxxtKxQ "Big Game Spot"] is released on YouTube.
*March 12, 2017 — The [https://twitter.com/transformers/status/840751026693062656 Kid's Choice Award Clip] is revealed.
*March 17, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYSyiL4iis "Izzy Stays and Fights" preview], a family-aimed trailer attached to ''{{w|Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)|Beauty and the Beast}}'', is released.
*March 22, 2017 — Eight [http://ew.com/movies/2017/03/22/transformers-last-knight-motion-posters/ "motion posters"] for the film's robot cast are released.
*April 12, 2017 — Another [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FIH1TeIS9Q trailer] is released.
*April 24, 2017 — As part of the "[[Reveal Your Shield]]" promotion, Hasbro releases [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWXj0JSZQjE a video] featuring [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Frank Welker]] credited as the voices of Optimus and Megatron.
*May 5, 2017 — Variety reports that the film's release is being moved forward two days to June 21.<ref name="datemove">[http://variety.com/2017/film/news/mark-wahlberg-transformers-the-last-knight-1202410380/ 'Transformers: The Last Knight' Moves Forward Two Days]</ref>
*May 7, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7toS4s_79ZA "Optimus Prime Dialog Coach" teaser] is released.
*May 9, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVZhsL3vV8M "Secret Past" TV spot] is released.
*May 15, 2017 — A preview of an Empire Magazine feature on the film includes the news that [[Jim Carter]] has been cast as Cogman.<ref>[http://www.empireonline.com/movies/transformers-last-knight/exclusive-explosive-new-look-bumblebee-transformers-last-knight/ Exclusive, Explosive New Look At Bumblebee In Transformers: The Last Knight] on Empire Online</ref>
*May 17, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue7cNNfjCyc International Trailer] is released.
{{--}}

=== Changes before, during and after production ===
*Tyrese Gibson was intended to return as [[Robert Epps]], but the logistics of filming in Europe and a scheduling conflict with ''[[Wikipedia:The Fate of the Furious|The Fate of the Furious]]'' resulted in him being unable to take part.<ref>[http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/1104536/tyrese-gibson-transformers-the-last-knight-robert-epps-josh-duhamel-mark-wahlberg-michael-bay Tyrese Gibson exclusively admits he was 'p****d' to miss out on filming Transformers: The Last Knight alongside original co-star Josh Josh Duhamel] on OK! Online</ref>
[[File:TLK Primal concept.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|This would ''probably'' start another era of [[Trukk not munky]].]]
*Concept art was made for a movie incarnation of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and a Cybertronian snake that never made into the final film.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/07/26/optimus-primal-concept-art-last-knight-345543]</ref><ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/08/02/transformers-last-knight-new-unused-snake-concept-art-furio-tedeschi-346195]</ref>

{{-}}

==Notes==
*Topspin, seen in Cuba with Simmons, is credited as "Volleybot", initially leaving it unclear whether or not he was meant to actually be Topspin, especially since he's sporting [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]'s head. A later Transformers Fan Favorite poll held on the Transformers Movie web site credited Topspin as appearing in both ''Dark of the Moon'' and ''The Last Knight'', along with using a picture of Volleybot as his mug shot, confirming that Volleybot is Topspin.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/official-confirmation-that-volleybot-is-topspin.1122432/]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers Saigo no Kishiō''''' (トランスフォーマー最後の騎士王, "Transformers: The Last Knight King")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Viimeinen Ritari''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers - L'ultimo cavaliere''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformers: Choehuui Gisa''''' (트랜스포머: 최후의 기사, "Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng 5: Zuìhòu de Qíshì''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛5：最後的騎士, "Transformers 5: The Last Knight"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng 5: Zuìhòu de Qíshì''''' (China, 变形金刚5：最后的骑士, "Transformers 5: The Last Knight")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Último Cavaleiro''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Last Knight"), '''''Transformers 5''''' (Portugal)
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Posledniy rytsar' ''''' (Трансформеры: Последний рыцарь, "Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El último caballero''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''''Трансформери - Останній лицар''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Czech:'' '''''Transformers: Poslední Rytíř''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Transformersmovie.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3371366/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ''The Last Knight'' at IMDB.com]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers:_The_Last_Knight ''The Last Knight'' film on Wikipedia]
* [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_last_knight/ ''The Last Knight'' on RottenTomatoes.com]

{{stub}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Last Knight(film)}}
[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:The Last Knight| Last Knight (film)]]

Transformers: The Last Knight (film)

2017-11-07T21:08:48Z

CHAOS STUDIOS: /* Continuity errors */

{{Nav-tlk}}
[[File:TLK Poster.JPG|thumb|upright=1.67|So forget any ideas you've got about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world. We do not follow maps to buried treasure, and "X" never, ever marks the spot.]]
'''''Transformers: The Last Knight''''' is the fifth film in the [[live-action film series]], serving as a sequel to ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]'', and was released on [[June 21]], [[2017]].

When he is gifted a [[Talisman (TLK)|Talisman]] by a dying [[Transformer]] knight, [[Cade Yeager]] finds himself pursued by both the [[Decepticon]]s and the [[Transformers Reaction Force]]. He is soon recruited along with [[Viviane Wembly]] by [[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]], last of the [[Order of the Witwiccans]], to once again save the world from a new impending threat.

{{quote|One hundred billion trillion planets in the cosmos. You want to know, don't you? Why they keep coming ''here?''|[[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]]|''Transformers: The Last Knight''}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:TLK Knight gives staff.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Eternal life, Doctor Jones! The gift of youth to whoever drinks from the Grail.]]
It is the year [[484]] in [[England]]. A medieval battle rages. [[King Arthur]] and his [[Knights of the Round Table|knight]]s are looking down the barrel of defeat at the hands of the [[Saxon]]s, and their only hope lies with the magician [[Merlin]]. Elsewhere Merlin, in reality merely a drunkard, rides up to a [[Guardian Knights' ship|long-crashed alien ship]] and beseeches [[Guardian Knight|the occupants]] for help. He has kept their secret, but now needs their help. The other knights are losing hope, but Arthur believes Merlin will come through. Merlin manages to convince [[Stormreign|a giant metal red-armored knight]] at the ship to help, and it presents him with a [[Staff of Merlin|staff]], allowing him to return to the battle with a [[Dragonstorm|giant metal dragon]]. The battle is won in favor of Camelot.

Present day: five years have passed since the battle of [[Hong Kong]]. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] drifts apparently lifeless in space. Both he and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] have vanished from [[Earth]], and Transformers have been declared illegal, with the [[Transformers Reaction Force]] set up to track them down, though they've found refuge in some places such as [[Cuba]], where [[Seymour Simmons]] is hanging out with some displaced Autobots. Meanwhile, Transformers continue to arrive in waves while [[NASA]]'s [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] detects something large incoming.

[[File:TLK Canopy downed.jpg|thumb|right|300px|He speaks a dozen languages and knows every local custom. He'll blend in, disappear and you'll never see him again.]]

Four kids, craving adventure, breach a fence and enter a section of [[Chicago]] ruined by a previous Transformer battle. They stumble on a [[Talisman Knight's ship|crashed Transformer ship]] with a [[Talisman Knight|still-living occupant]]. TRF [[Sentinel (TLK)|Sentinels]] close in on them and warn them that they're trespassing; however [[Izabella]] appears out of nowhere to help, slinging bottles of green ooze which result in one Sentinels shooting another. Izabella's tiny robot [[Sqweeks]] wraps a cable around the legs of the remaining Sentinel and it topples over, allowing the kids time to get away. Pursued by another Sentinel, Izabella takes the kids to shelter — a Transformer named [[Canopy]] whose back is a hollow mound of rubble. They're joined by Sqweeks, who's lost his arm in the battle. Canopy and the kids start moving, unaware the TRF has spotted them. Unable to determine what faction Canopy is and with kids possibly in danger, TRF commander [[Santos]] orders an air strike. The missile takes out Canopy, who thanks a tearful Izabella before dying. The kids are soon rescued by [[Cade Yeager]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] who destroy another Sentinel.

Cade drives the kids to the border of the no-go zone and drops them off before returning to the crashed ship. Despite his efforts, the pilot within dies, but not before attempting to present Cade with the [[Talisman (TLK)|Talisman]]. Cade does not take it. He reports the pilot's death to Bumblebee shortly before [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] appears and Cade is suddenly surrounded by TRF forces. Meanwhile, the Talisman sprouts legs and crawls away from the ship. Cade refuses to divulge where the other Transformers are. Bumblebee arrives, only to be blown to pieces by the TRF. Moments later, the parts start reconnecting as Bumblebee reassembles himself, sending the TRF forces into disarray as he does so. He and Cade take Santos hostage, but the standoff is interrupted by the arrival of [[William Lennox|Lennox]] who tries to talk Cade and Bee into standing down. [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]]'s appearance settles things however, and Cade, Bee, and Hound leave, though the TRF manages to surreptitiously attach a tracking device onto Bumblebee.

Lennox reports to [[Morshower|General Morshower]] who plays a recording of Barricade reporting back to Megatron. Megatron is disappointed Barricade failed to secure the Talisman as it is the object they need to lead them to the staff, but Barricade believes the TRF will lead them to it. Morshower orders Lennox to return to his covert infiltration of the TRF.

[[File:TLK Optimus chained.jpg|thumb|left|300px|My soul is prepared. How's yours?]]

Optimus's voyage through space comes to an end as he crashes on the ravaged surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], which has been mysteriously disassembled into many pieces. He encounters and attacks [[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]], who claims to be his creator and the "Prime of Life," but she easily restrains him.

As he returns to the [[Junkyard (TLK)|junkyard]] he calls home, Cade realizes that the Talisman has somehow ended up in his vehicle. In England, [[Cogman]] alerts [[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]] to the arrival of the Talisman. Elsewhere in England, [[Viviane Wembly]] wins a game of polo for her team before returning to the [[University of Oxford]]. She lectures her class on King Arthur, someone she believes to be a made-up legend, unaware she's being watched by Burton. Burton gives instructions to a nearby parked car.

Quintessa tells Optimus that he must retrieve her staff, stolen by her knight guardians and hidden on Earth.

[[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] and [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] are hanging out in the junkyard. Cade, Hound, and Bumblebee stop off on their way back so Cade can banter with the local authority, Chief [[Sherman]], who complains that his cruiser has been stolen. The trio continue to the junkyard where [[Jimmy (TLK)|Jimmy]] and [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] are looking at online photos of custom cars. They are unaware Izabella and Sqweeks have stowed away on Hound. While Bumblebee and Crosshairs come to blows, Cade persuades [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]] to cough up Sherman's cruiser, or what's left of it. [[Daytrader]] arrives, bringing [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s head and a new voicebox for Bumblebee. He's interested in Cade's Talisman, and says it's a sign of the impending apocalypse. Izabella fronts up to Cade and attempts to pursuade him to let her stay. They return to Cade's trailer for antics with the [[Mini Dinobot]]s and trade stories of lost family members. Izabella manages to impress Cade with her knowledge of Cybertronian physiology and he's convinced to let her stay.

In [[Namibia]], scientists arrive at a location to find a giant metal horn poking out of the ground. News of the horn, and five more like it, get back to Simmons and Burton. Meanwhile the NASA scientists meet with [[President of the United States|presidential]] staff to report they have detected an approaching planet, which they say will arrive in three days.

Helped by Hound, Cade makes an untraceable satellite phone call to [[Tessa Yeager|his daughter]] at college, but is unable to speak to her for fear that his voice will be recognized by the [[CIA]], and can only listen as she tries to convince him to get a girlfriend.

Lennox meets Morshower at the [[Pentagon]] for a briefing on the horns — Megatron has been spotted visiting them and has snatched up two CIA operatives as hostages. Lennox and some lawyers meet with Megatron to negotiate the return of some of his men. They agree to release [[Mohawk]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Nitro Zeus]]; [[Berserker]], however, turns out to be a step too far, and Megatron is forced to select [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]] instead. Morshower believes they can use Megatron so they can get hold of Cade's Talisman themselves.

[[File:TLKIzzyAndDecepticons.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Grail is mine, and you're going to get it for me.]]

As morning breaks over the junkyard, the Decepticons prepare to move in, observed by the TRF. Izabella attaches a new arm to Sqweeks, before helping Cade fit Bumblebee's new voicebox. Bee is not happy with the result, which sounds like a GPS. Sherman gives the group advanced warning of the impending Decepticon assault, and the Autobots and humans scramble to get ready to escape. Megatron's group arrives to find the junkyard deserted, at least until Hound pops up and starts shooting. Megatron returns fire. The Autobot group heads into the nearby town, where Drift finds the tracking device on Bee. Grimlock and [[Slug (AOE)|Slug]] ambush the TRF forces en route to the town. Santos has a swarm of unmanned drones sent in. The Decepticons arrive in the middle of town and immediately spot Sqweeks, which draws Izabella out in an attempt to save the tiny Autobot. Cade detonates the explosives hidden around town and flees with Izabella, pursued by Barricade. The 'Con is knocked aside by Grimlock, who also devours Dreadbot. As the battle rapidly turns against the Decepticons, with Onslaught being killed by Drift and Crosshairs, Megatron calls a retreat. Mohawk, however, is left behind and is subsequently reduced to a head by Bumblebee. Cade, Izabella, and Jimmy take cover in a disused church as the TRF drones move in, however the drones continue to pursue them through the church. Cade and Izabella take two of them out, but Jimmy tries to bluff a third, banking on the idea it's using facial recognition. He gets shot anyway, but fortunately it was only a beanbag.

The trio head into another disused building and enter a lift where they encounter Cogman, who announces he's come to collect Cade. The discussion ends when a drone arrives, and Cade ends up clinging to it as it flies wildly around the street. Cogman phones Sir Burton to report the bad news, but fortunately Cade survives his impromptu flight, partly thanks to the Talisman protecting him from bullets. He manages to ride another drone to the ground and is met by Cogman who explains that he's important because of the Talisman. Crosshairs attempts to prevent Cogman from doing anything, only for the smaller robot to break his finger. Cogman convinces Cade to go with him and leave the others. Cade and Bee accompany Cogman on a plane to England.

Morshower and Lennox track the flight, and note that Megatron's group is giving pursuit. Lennox is ordered to take the TRF team to the UK as well.

Simmons calls Sir Burton to let him know a book has been tracked down. NASA continues tracking the incoming planet, now identified as Cybertron. Quintessa reveals to Optimus that Earth is actually [[Unicron]] and that they're going to kill him with the staff, an act which will destroy Earth and restore Cybertron. Optimus's optics turn purple as Quintessa addresses him as "Nemesis Prime". Optimus swears to fight anyone who interferes with his new mission.

[[File:TLKWW2Flashback.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Nazis. I hate those guys.]]
Viviane and her family watch a news report on the giant horns. Conversation turns to her dead father, and her mother suggests she check her father's study in case there's anything useful for her work. Disinterested, she instead gets into her car where an invitation falls out of the glove compartment. The car takes off of its own accord and starts driving her through the streets of [[London]]. When she smashes a window, the car complains in a French accent and throws her into the trunk. She calls for help, having realized she's in a Transformer, and the car [[scanning|scans]] a passing Lamborghini, reconfiguring itself into a copy of the other vehicle.

Cade's plane lands at Sir Burton's castle, where he and Bumblebee are shot at by [[Bulldog (TLK)|a tank Transformer]]. Sir Burton apologizes and takes a look at the Talisman. [[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]] arrives carrying Viviane, who is unhappy at being kidnapped. Once things calm down, Sir Burton explains he's the last of the [[Order of the Witwiccans]]. Cade's boorish behavior towards Viviane results in him being assaulted by Cogman. Sir Burton shows off portraits of his family tree and the Witwiccans, and relates how the Transformers have been helping humans for centuries, such as when Bumblebee and Hot Rod took part in [[World War II]]. They head to another building which houses the original [[Round Table]] used by King Arthur and his knights when they teamed up with the twelve [[Guardian Knight]]s. Further there is a legend that a last knight would be found and thanks to possessing the Talisman, that's Cade. Only Merlin's DNA can unlock the power of the staff, which is where Viviane comes in as a direct descendant of Merlin. She has no idea where the staff might be though. Further discussion is halted as [[MI6]] and TRF forces arrive to assault the castle. Despite [[Spitfire Autobot|one of the elderly Autobots]] attempting to defend the castle only to power down as a result of his aging, Hot Rod's time stopper weapon gives the group enough time to escape.

[[File:TLK Bumblebee car attack.jpg|thumb|right|300px|How does one get off this thing?!]]
Simmons makes an irate call to Sir Burton, who is currently being pursued through London and is late for the appointment at [[Trinity Library]]. Bumblebee arrives at Viviane's house with her and Cade, and the pair start rifling through her father's study in search of a clue. Sir Burton's dropped off at the library, but Simmons demands to be inducted into the Order of Witwiccans before he'll point Sir Burton to the book, which reveals Earth is Unicron and points them to [[Stonehenge]]. Cade and Viviane find a clue in an old popup book which points them to the [[HMS Alliance|HMS ''Alliance'']] at a [[Rotal British Submarine Museum|naval museum]]. The TRF arrive at the house. Meanwhile, Sir Burton and Cogman switch cars and a high-speed chase through the streets of London ensues. Cade and Viviane, now also making a getaway in Bumblebee, let them know about the navy museum. Cogman manages to shake his pursuers while Bumblebee manages to shake Barricade by blasting the Decepticon.

Bumblebee reaches the naval museum at the same time as Cogman and Sir Burton, and they have the HMS ''Alliance'' evacuated. Sir Burton leaves the others to it, explaining that the submarine, in reality a Transformer, knows the way to the staff. The sub launches, with Bumblebee clinging to the exterior so he cam come along for the ride. The sub's departure is noted by TRF and they track it as it heads away from England. The TRF scramble their own submersibles to give chase. A nuclear sub fires missiles at the ''Alliance'' which responds by ramming the other sub and diving deeper into the ocean. Cogman fires himself out through a torpedo tube.

Sir Burton arrives at Number 10 to see the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]], but is turned away. Cogman returns to the sub with a couple of fish he's caught. Viviane and Cade share clumsy sexual chemistry until Cogman reveals he's made sushi as a "last meal". Sir Burton takes a secret back entrance into Number 10 to talk to the PM, holding off security by threatening to release the [[watch that killed Hitler]]. Sir Burton tells the PM to mobilize the military to Stonehenge. The ''Alliance'' zeros in on a vast undersea Transformer ship, which lights up as they approach. The pursuing TRF subs also spot the ship, but have to make their own way in after the airlock doors close behind the ''Alliance''. The ''Alliance'' surfaces beyond the airlock, and the group starts exploring.

[[File:TLKOptimusVsBumblebee.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Two selfless martyrs. Jesus Christ!]]
Back at the junkyard, Izabella, Sqweeks, and Crosshairs look up at the approaching Cybertron. Elsewhere, NASA and [[European Space Agency|ESA]] scientists give a briefing as the approaching planet scrapes the surface of the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. The doomsday news is broadcast on [[television]] around the world. The subs carrying the TRF teams led by Lennox and Santos emerge into an air pocket, and they move out. Daytrader arrives back at the junkyard with the [[Knight Ship|Autobots' ship]], and the group there prepares to head to England to help out. Cade and Viviane find a chamber holding motionless Knights of Iacon. Cybertron moves into Earth's atmosphere, passing the [[International Space Station]]. Viviane touches a Celtic engraving which reveals Merlin's sarcophagus, inside which they find a wooden staff. As the TRF moves through the same chamber, [[Skullitron|one of the knights]] springs to life. Cade keeps it distracted as the TRF attacks it, eventually bringing it down. Viviane grabs the wooden staff which transforms into metal in her hands. Lennox and Santos attempt to get her to hand it over, but she reveals only she can use it. More knights revive and attack, however a short time later, Optimus kills them and forces Viviane to turn the staff over to him. Sending the others back to the sub, Cade, Lennox, and Bumblebee go after Optimus.

[[File:TLK-Cade wields Excalibur.jpg|right|thumb|300px|You're strangely dressed... for a knight.]]
Bumblebee fights with Optimus atop the vast ship as it comes to the surface. Bumblebee manages to get the better of his former leader, and Cade attempts to persuade Optimus to stop fighting. As the ship rises out of the water, Optimus is able to get the upper hand and is prepared to end Bumblebee when Bee manages to talk in his own voice. Shaking Quintessa's influence, Optimus drops his sword, just in time for Megatron to swoop in and claim the staff. After the Decepticons leave, the remaining Knights of Iacon emerge from the ship and are ready to execute Optimus for aiding Quintessa's cause. The Talisman transforms into a sword which Cade uses to block the killing strike, and the Knights recognize Cade as a knight. Though Prime is ready to die, Cade talks him out of sacrificing himself, and Optimus announces they have to destroy Quintessa with the other Autobots show up in their ship.

[[File:TLK-Knightstogether.jpg|thumb|left|300px|He chose poorly.]]

Cybertron makes touchdown on Earth, causing untold destruction. Megatron arrives at Stonehenge with the staff. Lennox contacts Morshower with the coordinates for the "end game", an [[ignition chamber]] which is part of one of the dangling pieces of Cybertron and military forces move in. Cade comes up with a plan to load Ospreys onto the Autobot ship so they can get close enough to the ignition chamber to land. NASA thinks this is a bad plan and works on an alternate idea. The massive ship continues towards Stonehenge where the Decepticons, along with Sir Burton and the military forces, are waiting. At Sir Burton's signal, the military opens fire on the Decepticons as the massive ship arrives directly overhead. The Autobots regroup with Cade and the TRF, and Optimus Prime gives a stirring speech before blasting off. Cogman manages to find Sir Burton, who had been blasted by Megatron sometime prior to the Autobots' arrival, shortly before he expires.

Megatron returns to the Ignition Chamber where Quintessa is waiting. She plugs the staff into the floor, and lightning starts arcing about. The pieces of Cybertron start moving about and joining together, causing those on the ground to run for their lives. Massive worldwide destruction ensues. As the Autobot ship carries Autobots, knights and humans up to their fates, Cade asks Viviane out on a date. Jets soften up the defenses around the ignition chamber while the humans all board the Ospreys, and Cade has it out with Santos. Shamed, the TRF troops all rip off their insignias. The Ospreys launch, and Izabella and Sqweeks reveal they've stowed away on the one carrying Cade and Viviane. Covered by the jets and the giant three-headed dragon, the Ospreys head to the ignition chamber, and crash-land on the surface. The landing site is immediately a war zone as Megatron and his Decepticons stand in their way. Lennox spots the entrance to the chamber, but the team is pinned down by a gun emplacement. Izabella instructs Sqweeks to go blow the gun emplacement up. [[Infernocus]] forms under Megatron's orders and knocks Bumblebee and company out of the air.

[[File:TLKEnding.jpg|right|upright=1.6|thumb|May we go home now, please?]]
Meanwhile, the NASA scientists have come up with a plan to use nukes to cause a nearby chunk of Cybertron to destroy the ignition chamber. Morshower contacts Lennox to let him know the new plan, and the TRF forces start withdrawing. Sqweeks succeeds in blowing up the gun emplacement. Optimus arrives aboard the dragon and takes out Infernocus. As the TRF troops parachute off the platform, the jets nuke the neighbouring chunk of Cybertron. Viviane drops her parachute and heads back towards the chamber, followed by Cade. The chunk hits the platform containing the chamber, however despite the devastating impact, the chamber continues to function.

[[File:Transformers_5_Unicron.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Trust no one.]]
The chamber tumbles down until it comes to rest on another part of Cybertron. Inside, chaos reigns as the Autobots and Decepticons fight and Viviane grabs the staff. Optimus kicks Megatron through a wall shortly before another impact sends the chamber tumbling out of the sky. Bumblebee kills Nitro Zeus and blasts Quintessa as Optimus manages to distract her. Quintessa vanishes in a flash of blue light. Viviane finally pulls the staff free, shutting down the Ignition Chamber just before it crashes to the ground. Optimus dramatically drives out of the cloud of debris raised by its impact, carrying Cade and Viviane. As everyone reunites, Optimus gives another stirring speech about how Earth and Cybertron are now joined as one before the Autobots depart for Cybertron alongside the guardian knights.

Meanwhile back in Namibia, Quintessa, now in a human form, walks up to one of the scientists studying the giant metal horn and offers to tell him how to kill Unicron.

==Quotes==
"All right, I am what they say. I'm a liar, a charlatan. I've deceived my whole life, but if I could, for one moment, change this world for the better, I would give up everything! Everything! I'd give up drink! Money! Wom- ...Drink and money!"
:—'''Merlin'''

"Your world is dying. I've been waiting for you, Optimus...Come meet your ''maker''."
:—'''Quintessa'''

"You dare to strike your ''God?!'' Your war ''doomed'' Cybertron!" 
"Megatron started the war-" 
"''You'' destroyed your world, you fool!"
:—'''Quintessa''' shows '''Optimus''' who's boss after slapping him.

"There is a way to heal your world. My power of creation, the staff, was stolen from me by my twelve Guardian Knights. They betrayed me, and hid it on Earth. Gave it to your ''precious'' humans...the staff is the only way to bring life back to Cybertron. You are going to find it for me. Do you seek redemption, Prime? ''Do'' you?" 
"My maker, I ''do''." 
:—'''Quintessa''' coaxes a half-brainwashed '''Optimus''' to her side.

"The end is near, my old treacherous friend... what a shame you'll be unable to see it."
:—'''Megatron''' musing to the decapitated head of Starscream

"Go to hell!" 
"'This planet ''is'' hell!"
:—'''Izabella''' and '''Megatron''' exchange smack talk

"Don't kill the messenger... or the messenger will kill ''you''."
:—'''Cogman'''

"You are needed, sir. Urgently. My master is fond of saying that all the important decisions in life often come down to just one moment."
:—'''Cogman''' impresses on Cade the gravity of the situation.

"Optimus...it is time you knew the truth. The place you call Earth has another name: Unicron." 
"Earth...Unicron? Cybertron's ancient enemy?" 
"Yes. You are going to kill him. With my staff, we will drain the very life from Unicron. Earth ''will die''. 
"Yes..." 
"And your world will be reborn... ''Nemesis Prime''. 
"I will fight anyone who stands in my way."
:—'''Quintessa''' coaxes a completely brainwashed <s>'''Optimus'''</s> '''Nemesis Prime''' to her side.

"Introductions. Miss Viviane Wembly: Master of History, Oxford; Doctor of Philosophy, also Oxford; and Doctor of Letters, Oxford again, I think. Anything else? Anyway, meet Cade." 
"...''Yeager''. Cade Yeager. I'm an inventor."
:—'''Sir Edmund Burton''' and '''Cade Yeager'''

'''Hot Rod:''' "Bonjour, chérie! Je M'appelle Hot Rôd." 
'''Viviane:''' "Ut what?" 
'''Hot Rod:''' "Hot ''Rôd.''" 
'''Viviane''' "Hut Rud?" 
'''Hot Rod:''' "''Hot Rôd!''" 
'''Sir Edmund Burton:''' "Hot. Rod." 
'''Hot Rod:''' "Mhmm." 
'''Sir Edmund Burton:''' "It's his French accent." 
'''Viviane:''' "Is he French?" 
'''Sir Edmund Burton:''' "No, he just likes the accent." 
'''Hot Rod:''' "Non! No no no, I ''HATE'' the accent! But I can't get rid of it! I'm ''stuck'' with the accent!"
:—Everybody loves '''Hot Rod'''.

"Bee?" 
"Yes." 
"But he's so nice." 
"Behind the lines during the war they called him many things... nice was never one of them." 
:—'''Cade''' and '''Sir Edmund''' on Bumblebee's past.

"I-I am Bumblebee... Your oldest friend! Optimus... I would lay down my life for you."
:—'''Bumblebee''' regains his voice, and Optimus regains his mind.

"I knew you couldn't do it! Your time is over, Prime. You ''FAILED''! You turned your back on Cybertron, now you will watch Earth ''DIE''!"
:—'''Megatron''' denounces Optimus after his redemption

"Knights, Autobots - this cannot and will not be the end. To save Earth and her people, we are going to steal Quintessa's staff. Only you, Viviane, can take it back. I will lead the way into her chamber, and when the account of the ages is etched into the cosmos, let those who exist long after us know that this was our finest hour!"
:—'''Optimus''' rallies his new and old allies before the final battle

"Did you forget who I am? ''I AM OPTIMUS PRIME!''"
:—'''Optimus''' as he effortlessly kills the Infernocons. They should've run for cover, or at least DUCKED.

"We were brothers once!" 
"''Once.''"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

"At the heart of every legend, there is truth: a few brave souls unite to save the world. We can be heroes in our own lives, every one of us, if we only have the courage to try. Our fates were always intertwined, but now our worlds are joined as one. We need to repair our planets, work together, if we wish to survive. A dangerous secret is buried deep inside the Earth. There is more to this planet than meets the eye. I am Optimus Prime, calling all Autobots... It is time to come ''home''."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime/Nemesis Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Erik Aadahl]])
*[[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]] ([[Omar Sy]])*
*[[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] ([[John Goodman]])
*[[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] ([[Ken Watanabe]])
*[[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] ([[John DiMaggio]])
*[[Cogman]] ([[Jim Carter]])
*[[Sqweeks]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]]
*[[Slug (AOE)|Slug]]
*[[Mini Dinobot|Mini-Dinobots]]
**Mini Grimlock
**Mini Slug
**Mini Strafe
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Daytrader]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin/"Volleybot"]] ([[Steven Barr]])
*[[Canopy]]†
*"[[Bulldog (TLK)|Bulldog]]" ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Trench]]
*[[Spitfire Autobot]]
*[[Northrop Autobot]]
*[[HMS Alliance|HMS ''Alliance'']] Autobot

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Jess Harnell]])*
*[[Nitro Zeus]] (John DiMaggio/Steven Barr)**
*[[Mohawk]] (Reno Wilson)
*[[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]]†
*[[Dreadbot]]
*[[Berserker]]†
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s head
*Decepticon [[protoform]]s

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Cade Yeager]] ([[Mark Wahlberg]])
*[[Viviane Wembly]] ([[Laura Haddock]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Izabella]] ([[Isabela Moner]])
*[[Edmund Burton|Sir Edmund Burton]] ([[Anthony Hopkins]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Santos]] ([[Santiago Cabrera]])
*[[Jimmy (TLK)|Jimmy]] ([[Jerrod Carmichael]])
*[[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Merlin]] ([[Stanley Tucci]])
*[[King Arthur|King Arthur]] ([[Liam Garrigan]])
*[[JPL Engineer]] ([[Tony Hale]])

|h4=[[Knights of Iacon]]|c4=
*[[Dragonstorm]]
**[[Stormreign]]†
**[[Dragonicus]]
**[[Steelbane]]
*[[Skullitron]]†
*[[Talisman Knight]]†

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]] ([[Gemma Chan]])
*[[Infernocus]]
**[[Infernocon]]s
*[[Unicron]]
*The [[watch that killed Hitler]]
*[[Vatti Bot]]
|nonumbering=true
}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Certain lines from these characters are not delivered by their credited actors, but the fill-in actors who performed the "scratch track" for the movie, whose recordings have survived into the finished film. 
<nowiki>**</nowiki>Nitro Zeus' voice actor varies depending on the version of the film (see "[[#Other versions|Other versions]]," below). The "finished" version shown in English-speaking countries features John DiMaggio, and the other, shown internationally, features Steven Barr. Both actors are credited on the official digital release, as line readings from both make it into that version of the film. 
<nowiki>†</nowiki>Denotes a character who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The internet has popularly attributed these roles to DiMaggio, Barr, and Welker, variously, but often incorrectly, and with no proof; more likely, at least some are performed by scratch track actors and were not replaced for the finished film.

==Continuity notes==
*Optimus left Earth at the end of [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|the last movie]], to look for the mysterious [[Creator (AOE)|Creators]]. The [[Seed]] he was carrying is absent and its fate is unmentioned, but he ''did'' say he was going to take it where "it could never be found," so perhaps he accomplished that first. As for the Creators, they are left ambiguous; Quintessa professes to have created the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] race, but no attempt is made to connect or reconcile her with the biomechanical alien arm seen in ''Age of Extinction'', and she is labelled "the great deceiver" by the knights, throwing anything she claims into question.
*It seemed as though Cybertron was disintegrated at the end of ''Dark of the Moon'', but it was unclear if what we were seeing was literal, or just an exaggerated visual of the space bridge collapsing and the planet disappearing with it (this was a film in which a planet could be "half-teleported" and be absolutely fine, after all). Here, it appears partially broken-apart, chunks of the planet tethered to the rest by cables.
*Merlin mentions that Cybertron was "destroyed"; he's referring not to ''Dark of the Moon'' (which, obviously, hadn't happened yet at that time), but to the planet being ravaged by the war, and left barren and lifeless by the loss of the [[AllSpark]] prior to the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]].
*As per the end of ''Age of Extinction'', Drift has only one of his two longswords, having evidently never recovered the other after he hurled it into a [[Trax (AOE)|Trax]] during the final act of the film. However, see "[[#Errors|Errors]]".
*Wheelie reappears following his absence from the previous film, revealed to have survived [[Cemetery Wind]]'s Autobot hunt. Given that [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] was also mentioned to have been killed by Cemetery Wind in ''Age of Extinction'' tie-in material, the only Autobots who survived the end of ''Dark of the Moon'' whose current statuses are unknown are [[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]] and [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]].
*The Dinobots were "set free" by Optimus at the end of the last movie, though at least some of them have since joined up with the main Autobot team in hiding, presumably for pragmatic reasons. Unnamed in dialogue in the previous film, Grimlock is here called by name (by Cade), the only Dinobot named on-screen.
*Izabella mentions that her parents were killed during the Decepticon invasion of Chicago in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''.
*We can see [[Jolt_(ROTF)|Jolt]]´s head in the Junkyard, that ties perfectly with [[Rising_Storm_issue_4|Rising Storm issue 4]], where Jolt is killed.
*Cade's daughter Tessa was a soon to graduate high school student in ''Age of Extinction'', and she has since gone on to college.
*Starscream was killed by a [[NEST]] boomstick at the climax of ''Dark of the Moon''. ''Age of Extinction'' established that scavengers had salvaged many objects from the Battle of Chicago, explaining why Daytrader found his head in Buffalo.
*The T.R.F.'s prison facility is labeled "[[N.B.E.]] Supermax", in reference to [[Sector Seven]]'s acronym for the Transformers.
*Megatron addresses Starscream's disembodied head as "my treacherous old friend". Back in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', Megatron accused Starscream of abandoning him to die in the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]]. We wouldn't call that a justified accusation, but what can we do? It's the word of a dead skull against that of the universe's greatest warlord.
*When Viviane is abducted by Hot Rod, she asks if her captor is a famous Transformer such as [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] or [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], unaware that they both died in ''Dark of the Moon''.
*Pictures of [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Archibald Witwicky]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] are briefly visible in Burton's mansion. Burton's claim that he is the last living member of the Witwiccans indirectly implies that Sam died off-screen after his last appearance in ''Dark of the Moon''.
*Daytrader gives the Autobots [[Knight Ship|Lockdown's ship]], which was last seen being attacked by [[People's Liberation Army|Chinese military]] jets in Hong Kong.
*The ''Ark'' is briefly seen on the Moon, where it was revealed to be back in ''Dark of the Moon'', having been left there untouched in the years since, along with the site of the [[Apollo 11]] moon landing.
*Among the landmarks trashed by the hanging chunks of Cybertron is the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]], where the climax of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' took place, recognizable by the top missing to reveal the Star Harvester hidden underneath.
*The Decepticons are seen using several [[Orbital Assault Carrier]]s, as they were in ''Dark of the Moon''.

==Transformers references==
*[[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]] and [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]] take their names from Generation 1 characters, but they have little relevance to their progenitors as far as appearance, personality, or role in the story goes.
*Quintessa is inspired by the [[Quintesson]]s, the extraterrestrials antagonists from season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original 1980's cartoon]]. In the cartoon continuity, the Quintessons were the creators of the Transformers, in the same way that Quintessa claims to be in the film. She seems to be physically based off of [[Quintus Prime]], a relatively new character introduced through 2013's ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', who has the power to create life (as Quintessa claims she does) and was responsible for creating the Quintessons.
*[[Unicron]] is the ancient enemy of [[Primus]]/Cybertron, who was introduced in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. The idea of Unicron being Earth is derived from the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, in which the planet formed around his dormant body. Whether or not these particulars hold true for the movie's incarnation of Unicron remains to be seen.
* When Optimus Prime falls under Quintessa's control, he is dubbed "[[Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)|Nemesis Prime]]", an obvious reference to the evil clone of Optimus Prime that has appeared in many continuities.
* Several Transformers introduced in this film have altered designs from past films, yet are entirely new characters nevertheless. Onslaught and [[Canopy]] are both altered versions of [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Nitro Zeus]] employs the same body design as the [[KSI Boss]]es but has a head identical to [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]'s, [[Dreadbot]] is an altered version of [[Crowbar]], [[Berserker]] is a homage to [[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], and [[Trench]] is the same body-type as [[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] and [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]. Also, despite being based off Constructicons, Canopy and Trench are both Autobots.
* Edmund Burton claims Cogman is a [[Headmaster (technology)|"headmaster"]], which is typically a human-sized bot that transforms into the head of a larger bot. While this reference ''is'' borne out by his [[Cogman#Toys|Deluxe Class toy]], which features a larger vehicle body and a detachable head, indicating it was ''supposed'' to be part of the film, it didn't happen on-screen.
* Burton's walking stick makes the classic transformation sound when it turns into a gun.

==Real-life references==
*King Arthur, Merlin and the associated knights are from British legend. The battle depicted at the beginning of the movie is the [[w:Battle of Badon|Battle of Badon]].
*The TRF Sentinel that attacks Bumblebee and the kids bears resemblance to the ED-209 from ''Robocop'', with a nearly identical leg design.
*The bogus voice box Bumblebee gets from Daytrader has the voice of {{w|Siri}}, the AI assistant found in most iPhones.
*Crosshairs calls Cogman a "[[Star_Wars_(film)|C-3PO]] ripoff".
*Sir Edmund Burton quotes the song ''[[w:It's a Long Way to Tipperary|It's a Long Way to Tipperary]]'' in reference to World War I.
*While evading the constabulary in London, Cogman breaks into an impromptu rendition of Ludacris's 2002 hit "[[w:Move Bitch|Move Bitch]]", though he incorrectly sings "get out of my way" rather than "get out the way".
*Optimus saying "Say hello to my friend, Bumblebee!" is loosely based off of the line "Say hello to my little friend!" from ''Scarface''.

==Other editions==
==="International" version===
Two versions of the film were released to theaters: one screened in English-speaking countries, which seems to be the "finished" version, and another shown internationally, with foreign language subtitles, which appears to be an earlier version. There are numerous differences in dialogue between the two versions, with some lines being dropped, added, or changed completely for the finished version, including ones that even help to make the film make more sense!
*When Hound shows up when TRF are talking to Bee and Cade, in the finished version he says, "Sorry I'm late! My invitation to this ass-kicking must have gotten lost in the mail." The alternate version has him say "Mornin', fellas! I like showing up to a gun fight! This round mound's gonna mow you down. Translation: Sayonara, suckers!"
*When Crosshairs sits on the orbital assault carrier in the junkyard, in the finished version he says, "Losing our heads sitting around here, So tired of hiding.", while in the alternate version, he says "Ughhhhh, so bored on this forsaken rock.". Take note that his lip syncing is supposed to pair up with the alternate version's dialogue.
*When Hound arrives in the junkyard, he tosses aside a weapons cache that explodes on impact behind him. For some reason, the film plays this as a "flatulence" gag, though it differs between versions; in the finished version, Hound says "I shouldn't have eaten all of that Tijuana street machinery!" while in the alternate version, he says "Woah, been holding that one in for a while!"
*When Daytrader says "You always resort to violence, right off the bat!", in the finished version Hound replies "I love violence!". Hound does not reply in the alternate version.
*Hound has an extra line about wanting to "deep-six" Daytrader in the alternate cut right before the Vatti Bot appears, whereas he remains silent in the final edition.
*Izabella laughs at Cade's attempts to make Grimlock spit out the cruiser in the alternate cut. She smiles, but remains silent in the final version.
*When Jimmy and Wheelie argue, the finished version has Wheelie back down a bit when Jimmy threatens and grabs him, with Wheelie adding that Jimmy is the worst "senior vice president ever". In the alternate cut, Wheelie continues to berate him , threatening "I'll have my Autobot brethren kick your ass!". Oddly, he still flails his hands around when he's not saying anything in the latter version, meaning his animation is meant to be paired with the "finished" audio.
*In the "earlier" version, all of Nitro Zeus's dialogue is provided by Steven Barr, and the actor receives an on-screen credit for the role. For the "finished" version, it was all re-recorded by John DiMaggio (with the credits altered to reflect the change), with some differences. During his introduction, for instance, the finished version has him say: "I know where you live, Enrique, say hello to your wife for me!" while the other, he says: "By the way, Enrique, Chet's sleeping with your wife!" Though in the international version, after said dialogue, DiMaggio's laughter can be heard.
*When arriving at the Junkyard, DiMaggio-Nitro remarks "Aw man, I kicked more ass in prison!" upon learning that Cade and co. have left, while in the alternate version Barr-Nitro says "Unfortunate, because I was looking to knock some heads!".
*While Megatron is musing to the head of Starscream, as he says "The end is near", DiMaggio-Nitro cuts in with "Oh, she's coming!" while Barr-Nitro remains silent.
*When the Decepticons arrive in the abandoned town, Barr-Nitro says: "I know they're close!" while DiMaggio-Nitro says: "Oh, I feel a fight comin'!"
*In the final film, when the Autobots discover the tracker planted on Bumblebee, Crosshairs remarks "The tracker led 'em right to us! When are you gonna grow up?" but in the alternate version, he says "What's this? You brought 'em right to us!"
*In the final film, after Drift kills Onslaught ("and his fat head!"), Crosshairs remarks, "Don't get any deader than that!" In the alternate version, Crosshairs is silent, and Drift instead says "Fantastic!" after his quip about Onslaught's head. In the final film, Drift's lips are still visibly moving at the point when he says "Fantastic!" in the alternate cut.
*After the town battle, Crosshairs calls the TRF drones "gnats" as he shoots them down in the finished version. He remains silent in the alternate version.
*In the finished version, when Crosshairs is talking about Cogman he says, "Hey Cade, what's with the C-3PO ripoff?", but in the alternate version he says, "I'll swat this metal cockroach for you Cade."
*Crosshairs whines that his finger is broken in the background when Cogman is speaking to Cade in the finished version. He remains silent in the alternate version.
*As the WWII flahsback begins, a closeup of the Nazi stronghold's entrance is added in the international version, while the final version has the clip omitted.
*Before the end of the WWII flashback, Hot Rod screams a French language version of "Kill them!" in the finished version. He screams it twice in the alternate version.
*When Megatron steals the staff from Optimus, the "finished" film features Nitro Zeus saying: "You blew your chance to kill Unicron!" followed by Megatron saying: "I knew you couldn't do it. Your time is over, Prime! You failed!" The other has no Nitro Zeus dialogue, and instead features Megatron saying: "Quintessa, the most ruthless of our Gods, knew you couldn't do it. She knows I'm strong and you're weak."
*When the Guardian Knights attack Optimus, in the alternate version one of the Knights tells Prime "She put you under a spell!". In the finished version, that line was removed.
*Barricade has an extra line at Stonehenge in the alternate version, where he says "Yes! Drain Unicron! He will be powerless!"
*When Hot Rod flies to attack Infernocus, he responds "I got him!" in the finished version. In the international version, the original line is "I got him, Hound!".
*The finished version adds an extra line between Cade and Lennox on Cybertron about Optimus never having made it to the Ignition Chamber, while the alternate version never acknowledges his absence.
*When Optimus Prime attacks Quintessa, In the finished version she says, "You traitor!", and Optimus retracts his faceplate. In the alternate version she says, "Nemesis! You traitor!", and Optimus's faceplate does not retract.
*The final version has Quintessa scream as Bumblebee blasts her, while Bumblebee quips "Sting like a bee!"—but in the other version, Quintessa is silent, and Bumblebee's dialogue is very slightly different, with him saying "''I'' sting like a bee."

===Home video===
[[File:TLK_BlueHound_vs_RedHound.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Hound was feeling a little ''blue.'']]
The DVD and Blu-Ray releases of the film use the theatrical version, but with Hound's Red Cross symbols digitally recolored blue. The digital version, however, changes a few other things:
*The scene of Wheelie checking the used car website has been removed.
*Hound's "Tijuana street machinery" line is replaced with his "been holding that one in" from the alternate version.
*A scene where Daytrader rummages through his backpack and accidentally pulls out a small [[Vatti Bot]] which Bumblebee angrily squashes, has been cut.
*Nitro Zeus's "Unfortunate, because I was looking to knock some heads!" line from the alternate version is used in place of DiMaggio's "I kicked more ass in prison!", despite DiMaggio providing the voice for Nitro Zeus in every other scene. Both actors are credited for the role in the film's credits.

==Errors==
===Continuity errors===
*Sir Edmund says the battle depicted at the start of the movie took place in 484 AD, while a caption over the first present day scene says it takes place 1600 years later, which would result in the rest of the film taking place in 2084.
*Cybertron appears as smaller than Earth, when in ''Dark of the Moon'', it was significantly larger than it.
*No explanation is offered for how Megatron met/became loyal to Quintessa, nor how Galvatron became Megatron again. He even transforms normally now, as opposed to bursting into a cloud of [[Transformium]] and reforming the way he did in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]''.
*When Optimus first crash lands onto Cybertron, he makes grunting sounds but his lips don't move.
*Cade blows up the cockpit of the dying knight's ship, yet as he walks away from it the cockpit is intact.
*After Cade says "I don't sell out friends", he looks to his right, but in the next shot he's looking to his left.
*When Barricade throws the truck door, several fiery papers are strewn across the ground. Yet when the door hits the ground, none of the papers are there, nor is the area illuminated by flames.
*During the scene where Bumblebee reassembles his body, Cade hits someone over the head with his door and shatters the glass. When Bumblebee later transforms and drives off, both windows are intact.
*Speaking of, how Bumblebee gained the ability to reassemble himself is completely unexplained.
*The removal of the Vatti Bot sequence in the digital version introduces a continuity error: Cade can be seen falling over when parts fall off Daytrader's back, but is suddenly standing up in the next shot.
*Absent for the rest of the film, Drift suddenly has his second longsword for one scene, using the two blades to raise himself into a meditation pose on the morning of the Decepticons' attack on the junkyard.
*When Cade and Izzy are fitting a new voice box into Bumblebee, it is clear that they are using a prop on set, with no sign of Bumblebee's body. It is possible that due to his reforming ability, Bee was able to remove his head for the procedure.
**A similar scene occurs later in the film: after Cade produces the Excalibur sword, he's standing on Optimus's back—which is obviously a prop as Optimus isn't moving at all.
*Bumblebee tears out the "defective" voicebox yet is able to talk to Optimus later with no voicebox. Maybe he put the old one back in offscreen?
*Sqweeks is missing his scavenged Decepticon arm when the Decepticons invade the junkyard, his original arm appearing back in its place. It returns in all subsequent scenes with the character.
*The abandoned town the Autobots and humans seek refuge in has buildings which are a few stories tall at most, then Jimmy, Cade and Izabella are abruptly in a multi-story building with janitorial staff and an external lift when they encounter Cogman. After Cade's ride on a drone, they're suddenly back in the area with no tall buildings in sight.
*When the Decepticons arrive at the abandoned town, Nitro Zeus transforms and lands in front of the group, on the right side of the screen. However, when Izabella begins approaching the Decepticons, Nitro Zeus is now in the back and on the left of the screen.
*Brief shots of the Witwiccans and some of their artifacts depict various Transformers such as Hot Rod and Optimus Prime with their "modern" forms, years before they would take on such bodies.
*When leaving Burton's mansion, the order of the vehicles are (from front to back) Bumblebee, Hot Rod and the Aston Martin. However, several shots later, Hot Rod and the Aston Martin have switched places.
*Optimus remarks that he has not heard Bumblebee's voice "since Cybertron fell". Bumblebee actually spoke with his real voice briefly at the end of the [[Transformers (film)|first film]], albeit with a different voice actor.
*When the knights charge at Optimus, at least eleven can be seen running across the ship. This excludes [[Skullitron]] and the [[Talisman Knight]], who died by this point—however, Quintessa confirms there are "twelve guardian knights"—not thirteen.
*When Optimus shouts, "Viviane! Get in here!", he and the Autobots are shooting at Megatron and Nitro Zeus from a distance, as the Decepticons guard the entrance to the ignition chamber. However, two shots later, they're both gone and the Autobots have moved all the way to the chamber's entrance.
This movie was made

===Technical/animation errors===
*A shot of two horsemen being hit by arrows and fireballs during the opening battle is "reused" five minutes later; the same scene was shot but from a different angle/camera.
*When Hound arrives at the junkyard and transforms, several guns are briefly visible in the back of his truck mode—yet they weren't there when he drove in.
*Before crashing on Cybertron, Optimus's sword was attached to his back—yet when he crash-lands, he's kneeling in a crater holding his sword.
*When Optimus meets Quintessa and tosses his shield away, it reappears on his arm in the very next shot before disappearing again.
*Onslaught is shown to have a redesigned head in his intro scene, one which resembles Brawl's, to showcase exaggerated speech. Yet it strangely reverts to Long Haul's head for the remainder of his screentime.
*Despite transforming into a larger vehicle, Dreadbot is visibly shorter than Barricade.
*When Megatron picks up Sqweeks, the handle to his iklakalaka sword is constantly flipping around between shots, before the sword itself disappears after Cade sets off the explosives, and reappearing as he shoots at Cade and Izabella before Grimlock arrives.
*After Cade sets off the explosions, Megatron can be heard shouting, "Get those vile beings!" When he rises from the smoke, his mouth opens as if he shouts something, but no words are heard.
*When Mohawk jumps on top of the car, Onslaught's head is shown leaning against the vehicle's left door. However, when Drift decapitated Onslaught, his head fell behind the car.
**And for some reason, two different cars are used for the shots. The doors of the car were also open when Drift decapitated Onslaught, but are closed when Mohawk jumps onto the car.
*For two separate scenes, Hot Rod and Barricade's voices are not provided by their credited actors. The performers delivering these lines appear to be the fill-in actors who performed the "scratch track" for the movie, whose recordings survived into the finished film.
**Hot Rod's anomalous line—"She's very difficult!"—comes when he and Viviane arrive at Burton's estate. We can tell this is the scratch track because a promotional clip of the scene released before the film featured ''all'' of Hot Rod's dialogue being delivered by this actor, before Omar Sy recorded over it; his first line in the clip ("Leetle lady, non!") is replaced in the film (with "Non non non, leetle lady, why do you have to be zat way? Pour quoi?") but "She's very difficult!" remains unchanged.
**Barricade's non-Jess Harnell dialogue can be heard when the Decepticons arrive at Stonehenge ("I've lived for this! I've lived to kill a planet!" and "Drain Unicron! He will be powerless.").
*When Cade, Viviane, and Cogman are aboard HMS ''Alliance'', there is a camera shot of Cade looking through the periscope with Cogman to the right of screen. The camera angle then changes and shows Viviane in another part of the chamber. The camera returns to Cade, Cogman has vanished. The camera pans back to Viviane again, then returns to Cade, with Cogman back in the shot.
*When the HMS ''Alliance'' Transformer crashes into the submarine, a similar scene, the shot of Megatron crashing into a submarine in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', is reused. This wouldn't be nearly as bad had Megatron not been removed from the shot—he can be seen flying towards the ocean's surface.
*After Bumblebee speaks and says "Optimus.", the subsequent shot of Optimus staring lasts too long, as his wristblade can briefly be seen retracting—however, this happens two shots later.
*When the Autobots are commenting on the Guardian Knights, Hound's mouth is animated to be saying something too soon before he actually begins speaking.
*When the group begins advancing on the ignition chamber, Hound is missing from his previous position behind them. He returns in the very next shot.
*As Optimus shouts, "Viviane! Get in here!", the ignition chamber can be seen in the background. However, the lightning Quintessa is producing between the giant knights is absent.
*When Optimus attacks Quintessa in the final battle, his faceplate is on, yet it disappears in the subsequent shot when he's being electrocuted. Then, after Quintessa is vanquished, it is put on again.
**Oddly, in the film's special edition, Optimus has the faceplate on throughout this scene—fixing the error.

===Geographic discontinuities===
*A road trip from the outskirts of Chicago to the Badlands of South Dakota takes about twelve hours, but Cade, Bumblebee, and Hound make the commute to and from Chicago all in the same day and are back by mid-afternoon.
*When the authorities arrive at Burton's mansion, it is noted that "TRF and MI6" are in pursuit. In real life, MI6 is the UK's ''external'' intelligence agency; it is more likely that {{w|MI5}}, the UK's domestic intelligence agency, would be the British central government's agency present.
*American street signs of the hanging green-coloured variety can be seen during the chase scene in London.
*Viviane leads her class from a large, expansive archaeological museum into the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. While there is an archaeological museum attached to the Natural History Museum, it looks nothing like the one featured in the film.
*The Royal Navy's submarine museum is nowhere near London as the movie depicts; it is actually in Gosport, Hampshire.
*Stonehenge is not as isolated in open countryside and from main roads as portrayed—the A303 among other roads runs past the monument. Also, the town of Amesbury is across said main road, less than two miles away.

==Adaptations==
Two comic adaptations are made for the film: "[[A New Friend]]" by IDW Publishing as the promotion for both the film and Schick's Hydro line of electric razors, and "[[Mission to Cybertron]]" released exclusively for the Toys"R"Us exclusive Transformers: The Last Knight Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

==Music==
===Score===
:''Main Article'': [[The Last Knight (Music From the Motion Picture)]]
Continuing the tradition of the previous films, the music is once again composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]]. The ending theme of the movie is Torches by [[X Ambassadors]].

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center><gallery>
File:TLK Poster wide Dragonstorm.jpg|The big dragon is advertised as the big bad fighting Optimus. Now Dragonstorm knows how [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] felt!
File:TLK Poster Rethink Heroes.jpg
File:TLK Poster.JPG|Divided We Fall.
File:TLK Poster Stonehenge.jpg|It's time for the Jedi to end.
File:TLK Poster Legend Secret.jpg|Yeah, this is like a 40 second scene in the film, so...
File:TLK Poster Here Forever.jpg
File:TLK Poster IMAX 3D.jpg|Dragonstorm, you forgot to wear clothes today!
File:TLK Poster char Optimus Prime.jpg|Optimus "Barely Appearing in this Movie" Prime
File:TLK Poster char Megatron.jpg|It took ten years, but we finally got [[Frank Welker|the king]] on the big screen, baby!
File:TLK Poster char Bumblebee.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Hound.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Hot Rod.jpg|''Watch me engagin' em, escapin' em, enragin' em!''
File:TLK Poster char Cogman.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Burton.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Lennox.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Yeager.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Izabella.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Jimmy.jpg
File:TLK Poster char Wembly.jpg
</gallery></center>

==Reception==

{{quote|[sighs] Here we go again.|BBC Radio 5 critic Mark Kermode on ''The Last Knight''<ref>[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ee6xh5AmQo Mark Kermode review]</ref>}}

After four films where critics hated it but the audience showered it with money, ''The Last Knight'' broke the trend by ''not'' being showered with money. It had been projected to make $70-75m in its first days in North America, itself the lowest opening<ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/spider-man-homecoming-hoping-to-catch-opening-in-the-100m-vicinity-1202114641/ Deadline, June 15th 20917: "‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Hoping To Catch Opening In The $100M Vicinit"]</ref>, but that was downgraded to $63m after the first few days were even lower than the lowest expected.<ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/ "Deadline: ‘Transformers’ Still Rusty At $63M+"]</ref> In the end it made almost $70m over the first five days, better than the revised projection but lower than all of the previous films. <ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/ Deadline: "Why ‘Transformers’ Is Screaming For Reboot After $69M Start; ‘Wonder Woman’ & ‘Cars 3’ Fight Over 2nd Place"], 25th June 2017</ref> By mid-July, after over three weeks, the film had grossed $122.1m in North America against a $217m budget (not counting marketing costs). This meant a lot of critics began to zero in on the sluggish profit, taking the view that American audiences were just getting bored of Bay's version of the franchise.

Internationally the film did $196.2m in the same first five days, of which $123.4m came from [[China]] alone<ref>[http://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/ Deadline: "Why ‘Transformers’ Is Screaming For Reboot After $69M Start; ‘Wonder Woman’ & ‘Cars 3’ Fight Over 2nd Place"], 25th June 2017</ref>(who love the franchise so much delaying ''The Last Knight'' reduced 2016 cinema growth to 3%, down from 48% in 2015!)<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2017/06/11/transformers-gears-up-for-another-1-billion-box-office-bounty/#659ff09e2325 Forbes: "'Transformers' Gears Up For Another $1 Billion Box Office Bounty"]</ref> The Chinese had been expected to spend up to $290m on the film's run. <ref>[http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/chinas-weying-boards-paramounts-transformers-the-last-knight-1202465635/ Variety:"China’s Weying Boards Paramount’s ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’"]</ref> However, in its second week in China takings dropped by a harsh 75% and after 10 days it had only grossed $198 million, which was seen as a disappointment—some pundits had expected $400m from China—and left it unlikely the film would perform as well as ''Age of Extinction'' had.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-transformers-5-crashes-back-earth-75-percent-slide-second-weekend-1018449]</ref> ''The Hollywood Reporter'' visited a [[Shanghai]] screening and reported "walkouts, general disinterest and plenty of snickering over a conspicuous abundance of [Chinese] product placement" despite a truly massive PR campaign and the fourth film's mega-popularity. Chinese social media made it clear the plot was too complicated and the product placement, all products the Chinese knew weren't in America, was too dumb; the audience found it ''very'' funny when Wheelie looked up a Chinese used car website.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-last-knight-has-pandering-chinese-audiences-hurt-transformers-5-1016926 The Hollywood Reporter: "Has Pandering to Chinese Audiences Hurt 'Transformers 5'?", July 2 2017]</ref>

In the end, the film finished a 65 day run in cinemas with a worldwide gross of only $604m. <ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers5.htm]</ref> It even did not exceed the gross of the first film, which concluded with a worldwide gross of $709m, with domestic numbers over double what ''The Last Knight'' was able to take home. <ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers06.htm]</ref>

==Production staff==
The film was directed by [[Michael Bay]], and was written by [[Art Marcum]], [[Matt Holloway]], and [[Ken Nolan]].

==Development details==
[[File:Transformers 5 provisional logo.png|thumb|right|143px|Transfivemers doesn't have the same ring to it.]]
*December 18, 2014 — [[Mark Wahlberg]] confirms to MTV that he is signed on for the next two Transformers films.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/2030612/mark-wahlberg-transformers-5/ Mark Wahlberg Just Found A 'Transformers' Sequel] on MTV.com</ref>
*March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
*May 27, 2015 — As part of the news surrounding Barrer and Ferrari joining the room, it's revealed that another pitch is an animated prequel movie set on Cybertron, with the working title of ''[[Transformers One]]''.<ref name="barrerferrari" />
*June 8, 2015 — The writers meet on the Paramount lot for the writer's room.<ref name="nolandworet" /> The writers work for the next three months to plot out the next ten years of ''Transformers'' films.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://youtu.be/F_P2fw_DlS4?t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
*July 28, 2015 — DeKnight reports that as a result of the gathering of writers, Goldsman and Pinkner will be co-writing Transformers 5.<ref name="deknightreveals">[http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/07/28/daredevils-steven-deknight-on-the-transformers-writers-room-and-planning-ahead Daredevil's Steven DeKnight on the Transformers Writers Room and Planning Ahead] on IGN</ref>
*September 17, 2015 — Deadline reveals more about the writer's room process and reports that Barrer and Ferrari will write the animated feature, with Pinkner and Beer writing later films.<ref name="deadlinereveal" /> Bay remains uncommitted to directing.<ref>[https://twitter.com/michaelbay/status/644622092110032896 Tweet by Michael Bay]</ref>
*October 3, 2015 — [[Hasbro Studios]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] relates more details of the writing process in a keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote" />
*November 20, 2015 — With Goldsman now enlisted to create a writer's room for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''[[Microman|Micronauts]]'', Paramount begins negotiating with Marcum, Holloway and Nolan to write the film.<ref>[http://deadline.com/2015/11/transformers-g-i-joe-micronauts-akiva-goldsman-paramount-hasbro-1201632388/ Akiva Goldsman 'Transformers' Writers Room Leads Paramount & Hasbro To Set One For 'G.I. Joe', 'Micronauts'] on Deadline</ref>
*December 14, 2015 — Wahlberg re-confirms in an interview with CinePop that he'll be back in Transformers 5.<ref>[http://cinepop.com.br/exclusivo-mark-wahlberg-confirma-ao-cinepop-que-estara-em-transformers-5-109295 Mark Wahlberg interview with CinePop]</ref>
*January 4, 2016 — Bay confirms he will be returning to direct.<ref name="rollingstone">[http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/13-hours-can-michael-bay-pull-off-a-gritty-movie-about-benghazi-20160104 '13 Hours': Can Michael Bay Pull Off a Gritty Movie About Benghazi?] on Rolling Stone</ref>
*January 12, 2016 — It's totally definitely the last ''Transformers'' film for him this time though.<ref>[https://youtu.be/Yn9bkPNV4JA?t=472 Michael Bay interview with Collider]</ref>
*February 12, 2016 — Transformers 5 is now being released on June 23, 2017. In addition, [[Transformers Universe: Bumblebee|Transformers 6]], acting as a [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] spin-off, and [[Transformers 7]] are set to be released respectively on [[June 8]], 2018 and [[June 28]], 2019.<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref><ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-6-tentative-title-revealed-bumblebee-movie-309597 Transformers 6 Tentative Title Revealed – The Bumblebee Movie] at TFW2005</ref>
*February 18, 2016 — Casting calls go out for June filming in [[London]] and [[Detroit]], also confirming [[Peter Cullen]]'s return as [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]].<ref>[http://www.acting-auditions.org/2016/02/transformers-5-casting-calls-for-new-lead-roles.html Transformers 5 casting call for new lead roles] on acting-auditions.org</ref>
*February 26, 2016 — After negotiations, it's announced that Michigan will provide $21 million in incentives towards the film.<ref>[http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIEDC/bulletins/138dd29 'Transformers 5' lands in Detroit] from the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office</ref>
[[File:TLK Optiface Prime.jpg|thumb|right|300px|5 movies in and [[Michael Bay]] is still finding ways to make my face even more ridiculously detailed. Pretty soon I'm going to look like [[Deceptigod]].]]
*April 6, 2016 — Cinematographer [[Jonathan Sela]] is reported as being booked to work on the film.<ref>[http://variety.com/2016/artisans/news/agencies-book-artisans-on-fast-8-transformers-5-to-the-bone-macgyver-and-altered-carbon-1201747892/ Agencies Book Artisans on 'Fast 8,' 'Transformers 5,' 'To the Bone,' 'MacGyver' and 'Altered Carbon'] on Variety</ref>
*April 13, 2016 — Filming dates are revealed via a casting call on acting-auditions.org.<ref>[http://www.acting-auditions.org/2016/04/transformers-5-casting-calls-auditions-information.html 'Transformers 5' Casting Calls and Auditions Information] on acting-auditions.org</ref>
*May 12, 2016 — [[Isabela Moner]] tweets that she's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://twitter.com/isabelamoner/status/730835465163530241 Tweet by Isabela Moner]</ref>
*May 14, 2016 — Bay suggests [[Tyrese Gibson]] is under consideration to return.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BFXbTA2IWpr/]</ref>
*May 16, 2016 — The film's title is officially revealed to be ''Transformers: The Last Knight'' in [https://www.instagram.com/p/BFfCGhRoMmW/?taken-by=transformersmoviea teaser trailer] posted on a newly-launched Transformers Movie Instagram.
*May 17, 2016 — [[Josh Duhamel]] announced to be returning for ''Transformers: The Last Knight''.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BFg6ffIoMvx/]</ref>
*May 25, 2016 — Michael Bay posts a [https://www.instagram.com/p/BF1sPamoWtc/?taken-by=michaelbay photo] as production begins in Cuba.
*May 27, 2016 — A [https://twitter.com/transformers/status/736286302870605824 teaser] is posted containing morse code which translates to "I'm coming for you May 31st."
*May 31, 2016 — Michael Bay posts [https://www.instagram.com/p/BGFEZ9vIWv1/a video] of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and announces production is about to start.
*June 3, 2016 — [[Anthony Hopkins]] joins the cast.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/anthony-hopkins-joins-transformers-5-899343]</ref>
*June 4, 2016 — [https://www.instagram.com/p/BGPsjYZoMpq/?taken-by=transformersmovie&hl=en First look] at [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s vehicle mode, which is a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BGPsjYZoMpq/?taken-by=transformersmovie&hl=en Bumblebee vehicle mode reveal]</ref>
*June 4, 2016 — The [[Freya|World's Loneliest Dog]] is cast.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2016/06/04/freya/ MichaelBay.com - Freya]</ref>
*June 10, 2016 — [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] is confirmed to return as a 2016 Ford Mustang.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BGes1IfoMqf/?taken-by=transformersmovie&hl=en]</ref>
*June 18, 2016 — [[Mitch Pileggi]] reveals he has a role.<ref>[https://twitter.com/mitchpileggi1/status/743667068138979329 Tweet from Mitch Pileggi]</ref>
[[File:TLK Bumblebee profile.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Back to the basics.]]
*June 20, 2016 — [[Laura Haddock]] joins the cast.<ref>[https://twitter.com/laurajhaddock/status/744915023299026944 Tweet from Laura Haddock]</ref>
*June 22, 2016 — New robot character [[Sqweeks]] is revealed.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BG-IEBroWgA/ Michael Bay on Instagram]</ref>
*June 28, 2016 — Tyrese Gibson is confirmed to return.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BHLBipSDqcO/ Tyrese on Instagram]</ref>
*June 30, 2016 — [[Santiago Cabrera]] joins the cast.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BHSfP9EAIi_/ Official movie Instagram reveal of Santiago Cabrera]</ref>
*July 1, 2016 — [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] is confirmed to return with a new Mercedes alt-mode.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/2016/07/01/drift/ Drift - MichaelBay.com]</ref>
*July 27, 2016 — [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]] is confirmed to appear in the film.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1112021768833269/?type=3&theater Onslaught photo] on the official Transformers movie Facebook page.</ref>
*August 4–13, 2016 — A series of character profiles are released on the official movie Facebook. New character [[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Hot Rod]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1116775651691214/?type=3&theater Hot Rod Facebook reveal]</ref> is first to be revealed, and [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1119387291430050/?type=3&theater Crosshairs Facebook reveal]</ref> and [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1120161021352677/?type=3&theater Hound Facebook reveal]</ref> are confirmed to return. Also shown are profiles for Drift,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1117988908236555/?type=3&theater Drift Facebook reveal]</ref> Sqweeks,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1118574891511290/?type=3&theater Sqweeks Facebook reveal]</ref> Barricade,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1120871694614943/?type=3&theater Barricade Facebook reveal]</ref> Megatron,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1121491451219634/?type=3&theater Megatron Facebook reveal]</ref> and Bumblebee.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/a.196236317078490.37515.180774635291325/1122785391090240/?type=3&theaterBumblebee Facebook reveal]</ref>
*August 9, 2016 — Members of a number of ''Transformers'' fan sites, including TFWiki, are treated to [[Transformers 5 set visit|a set visit]].
*September 4, 2016 — [[Stanley Tucci]] is back as [[Joshua Joyce]] (He later turned out to be playing Merlin, but it's unclear from the article where the confusion originated).<ref>[http://variety.com/2016/film/global/stanley-tucci-to-reprise-transformers-role-in-the-last-knight-1201852108/ Stanley Tucci to Reprise 'Transformers' Role in 'The Last Knight'] on Variety</ref>
[[File:TLK Izabella trailer speech.jpg|thumb|right|250px|True fact: Isabela had to beat Megatron in an arm wrestling contest to get this part.]]
*September 24, 2016 — Location shooting at Blenheim Palace in England proved controversial as [[Winston Churchill]]'s birthplace became draped in Nazi banners. Bay told BBC News that veterans shouldn't be too upset as Churchill is a "big hero" in the film.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-37453284 Transformers' Blenheim Palace 'Nazi' scenes defended] from the BBC</ref>
*October 14, 2016 — Bay announces via Facebook that [[John Turturro]] will be back as [[Seymour Simmons]] & [[John Goodman]] back to voice [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]]<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/videos/1174984035870375/ Michael Bay video on Facebook]</ref>
*December 5, 2016 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyVKK87hYYM teaser trailer] is released.
*February 3, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npaVgxxtKxQ "Big Game Spot"] is released on YouTube.
*March 12, 2017 — The [https://twitter.com/transformers/status/840751026693062656 Kid's Choice Award Clip] is revealed.
*March 17, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYSyiL4iis "Izzy Stays and Fights" preview], a family-aimed trailer attached to ''{{w|Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)|Beauty and the Beast}}'', is released.
*March 22, 2017 — Eight [http://ew.com/movies/2017/03/22/transformers-last-knight-motion-posters/ "motion posters"] for the film's robot cast are released.
*April 12, 2017 — Another [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FIH1TeIS9Q trailer] is released.
*April 24, 2017 — As part of the "[[Reveal Your Shield]]" promotion, Hasbro releases [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWXj0JSZQjE a video] featuring [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Frank Welker]] credited as the voices of Optimus and Megatron.
*May 5, 2017 — Variety reports that the film's release is being moved forward two days to June 21.<ref name="datemove">[http://variety.com/2017/film/news/mark-wahlberg-transformers-the-last-knight-1202410380/ 'Transformers: The Last Knight' Moves Forward Two Days]</ref>
*May 7, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7toS4s_79ZA "Optimus Prime Dialog Coach" teaser] is released.
*May 9, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVZhsL3vV8M "Secret Past" TV spot] is released.
*May 15, 2017 — A preview of an Empire Magazine feature on the film includes the news that [[Jim Carter]] has been cast as Cogman.<ref>[http://www.empireonline.com/movies/transformers-last-knight/exclusive-explosive-new-look-bumblebee-transformers-last-knight/ Exclusive, Explosive New Look At Bumblebee In Transformers: The Last Knight] on Empire Online</ref>
*May 17, 2017 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue7cNNfjCyc International Trailer] is released.
{{--}}

=== Changes before, during and after production ===
*Tyrese Gibson was intended to return as [[Robert Epps]], but the logistics of filming in Europe and a scheduling conflict with ''[[Wikipedia:The Fate of the Furious|The Fate of the Furious]]'' resulted in him being unable to take part.<ref>[http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/1104536/tyrese-gibson-transformers-the-last-knight-robert-epps-josh-duhamel-mark-wahlberg-michael-bay Tyrese Gibson exclusively admits he was 'p****d' to miss out on filming Transformers: The Last Knight alongside original co-star Josh Josh Duhamel] on OK! Online</ref>
[[File:TLK Primal concept.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|This would ''probably'' start another era of [[Trukk not munky]].]]
*Concept art was made for a movie incarnation of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and a Cybertronian snake that never made into the final film.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/07/26/optimus-primal-concept-art-last-knight-345543]</ref><ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/08/02/transformers-last-knight-new-unused-snake-concept-art-furio-tedeschi-346195]</ref>

{{-}}

==Notes==
*Topspin, seen in Cuba with Simmons, is credited as "Volleybot", initially leaving it unclear whether or not he was meant to actually be Topspin, especially since he's sporting [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]'s head. A later Transformers Fan Favorite poll held on the Transformers Movie web site credited Topspin as appearing in both ''Dark of the Moon'' and ''The Last Knight'', along with using a picture of Volleybot as his mug shot, confirming that Volleybot is Topspin.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/official-confirmation-that-volleybot-is-topspin.1122432/]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers Saigo no Kishiō''''' (トランスフォーマー最後の騎士王, "Transformers: The Last Knight King")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Viimeinen Ritari''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers - L'ultimo cavaliere''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformers: Choehuui Gisa''''' (트랜스포머: 최후의 기사, "Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng 5: Zuìhòu de Qíshì''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛5：最後的騎士, "Transformers 5: The Last Knight"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng 5: Zuìhòu de Qíshì''''' (China, 变形金刚5：最后的骑士, "Transformers 5: The Last Knight")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Último Cavaleiro''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Last Knight"), '''''Transformers 5''''' (Portugal)
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Posledniy rytsar' ''''' (Трансформеры: Последний рыцарь, "Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El último caballero''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''''Трансформери - Останній лицар''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")
*''Czech:'' '''''Transformers: Poslední Rytíř''''' ("Transformers: The Last Knight")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Transformersmovie.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3371366/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ''The Last Knight'' at IMDB.com]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers:_The_Last_Knight ''The Last Knight'' film on Wikipedia]
* [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_last_knight/ ''The Last Knight'' on RottenTomatoes.com]

{{stub}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Last Knight(film)}}
[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:The Last Knight| Last Knight (film)]]

Freedom Fighters

2017-11-07T21:05:06Z

CHAOS STUDIOS: /* Errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' (2015) ep 71
|image=TRID S3 E26 FF MSS.jpg
|caption="When I found you, I saw raw, untamed power. And beyond that, something truly special."
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy (RID)
|next=
|title="Freedom Fighters"
|airdate=[[November 4]], [[2017]] (United Kingdom) [[November 11]], 2017 (United States)
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
|writer=[[Adam Beechen]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|director=[[Frank Marino]]
}}
'''As the Bee Team struggles to liberate Cybertron from the Decepticon controlled High Council, Optimus and his All-Stars fight back the advance force of an Earth-bound Cybertronian invasion!'''
==Synopsis==
[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"This is not going to go the way you think!"]]
Surrounded by [[High Council trooper]]s, the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] fruitlessly attempts to convince them that they're being mind controlled. [[Dropforge]] and his men arrive and take custody of the prisoners, who puzzle over the fact they previously broke the mind control over their new captor. As it turns out, Dropforge ''is'' still free of the mind control, though he's surprised [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]'s team has [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] with them. They reach the [[High Council Tower]] where Dropforge frees the team, before leaving to tell the authorities that the prisoners "escaped". Once he's left, the team realizes Steeljaw has disappeared and immediately assumes the Decepticon is up to no good, but Steeljaw has just been deactivating the defenses for them. Everyone heads inside.

Back on [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and his team have survived the destruction of the warehouse thanks to [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]'s [[Triage Shield]], though the device fails shortly after they emerge from the rubble. They resume their search for the High Council forces — according to Ratchet, the enemy are constructing a [[Space Bridge]] receiver near the [[Crown City]] coast. The team reaches the docks and start searching. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] stumbles on half a shipping container, which turns out to be partially affected by a [[Light Bender]]. Bulkhead breaks the device, revealing the council forces and their Space Bridge receiver, just in time for the rest of the team to arrive and engage the troopers in battle. Ratchet covers the area with his Triage Shield to try to avoid [[human]]s detecting the conflict. Optimus and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] take to the air, but are hit by missiles that send the pair hurtling towards the ground. Optimus fortunately recovers in enough time to save Windblade.

[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Let the past die. Kill it, if you have to. That's the only way to become what you were meant to be."]]
The Bee Team reaches the main council chamber where [[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]] is ordering [[Cyberwarp]] to make another transmission. [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] detects Light Bender technology, so [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] deploys [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] to investigate. Cyberwarp begins her transmission about the impending invasion of Earth, but falters. Cyclonus finishes the speech for her. Cyberwarp's protest that humans should control their own planet goes unheeded by Cyclonus, who orders [[Skyjack (RID)|Skyjack]] to signal the start of the invasion. Slipstream yanks a device from Cyberwarp's leg, deactivating the Light Benders and revealing the High Council to be Decepticons. As the Decepticons attempt to capture the Mini-Cons to use as hostages, [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] notes that the camera is still broadcasting to the planet, but as the mind control is still in effect, the populace won't react. The team goes to try and deactivate the signal, and Bumblebee notices Steeljaw has disappeared. Cyclonus blasts the two Mini-Cons and the Decepticons, minus Cyberwarp, engage the Autobots in a melee. The Autobots succeed in taking them down one by one. Cyclonus has the other 'Cons merge with him into [[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]], and the Autobots likewise merge into [[Ultra Bee]]. As the two combiners battle, the fight is broadcast to the rest of Cybertron.

[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"[[Mark Hamill|I've seen this raw strength only once before. It didn't scare me enough then. It does now.]]"]]
Optimus's team fights as the Space Bridge portal looms ominously overhead. Optimus has the other Autobots draw the fire of the Autobot troopers while he flies in and pulls the main dish of the receiver free. He throws the dish directly into the portal, creating a feedback loop that causes the Space Bridge to explode.

[[File:TRID S3 E26 FF SC 4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"We are the spark...that will light the fire that will burn the First Order down."]]
Galvatronus spots the alarm from the portal's destruction and, enraged, starts pounding Ultra Bee while outlining the various plans the Autobots have foiled. Fixit finally locates the mind control transmitter, which Steeljaw promptly destroys. The population are freed from their stupor in time to see the broadcast of Galvatronus repeatedly punching Ultra Bee and detailing his plans. His attempt to finish off Ultra Bee is put on pause when Cyberwarp rebels, giving Ultra Bee the chance to fight back. Galvatronus is defeated and splits into his component parts, as around Cybertron the Autobots cheer. The Bee Team splits as well and Cyberwarp expresses hope that both sides can work together instead of fighting.

Bee and Optimus's teams stand before a crowd of cheering Autobots. Optimus turns down the idea of leading the planet, and designates the rest of his team as a temporary council. Bee's team are keen to get back to Earth, and Optimus suggests they be appointed ambassadors.

Sometime later on Earth, the Bee Team are back in the scrapyard. Denny and Russell, despite all the times they've been endangered by their adventures with the Bee Team, happily welcome them to continue staying with them. Right on cue, the team immediately starts squabbling. They're interrupted by a distant howl from Steeljaw, resulting in them revving up and rolling out.

[['Til all are one]].

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[High Council trooper]]s (1)
*[[Drift (RID)|Drift]] (2)
*[[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] (3)
*Heavy troopers (4)
*[[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]] (5)
*Flying trooper (6)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (7)
*[[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] (9)
*[[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] (11)
*[[Dropforge]] (12)
*[[Cybertron Police officer]]s (13)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (14)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (16)
*[[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] (18)
*[[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] (24)
*[[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] (25)
*Cybertronian civilians (26)
*[[Ultra Bee]] (28)
|c2=
*[[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] (8)
*[[Cyberwarp]] (10)
*High Council infiltrators (19)
*[[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]] (20)
*[[Riotgear]] (21)
*[[Skyjack (RID)|Skyjack]] (22)
*[[Treadshock]] (23)
*[[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]] (27)
|c3=
*[[Denny Clay]] (29)
*[[Russell Clay]] (30)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The members of the High Council are revealed to be Decepticons masquerading as Autobots with Light Benders. In other words, real ''robots in disguise''.
*[[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]] lists off the actions of the High Council in Season 3: freeing [[Steeljaw's Pack]] to kill the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] and freeing [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] from the [[Shadowzone (dimension)|Shadowzone]] to summon [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] "to lead our forces"; apparently the Council hasn't gotten the memo about Megs' [[Predacons Rising (Prime)|change of heart]], or simply doesn't believe it.
*While combined as [[Ultra Bee]], the Autobots recall to their fight against [[Menasor (RID)|Menasor]].
*[[Dropforge]] and his three officers were made immune to the High Council's mind control and left for Cybertron back in "[[Five Fugitives]]".
*[[Light Bender]]s and their suitability for use as cloaking devices were first established back in "[[Guilty As Charged]]".

===Transformers references===
*The Space Bridge receiver is a near dead-ringer for the Earth-bound Space Bridge rings in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].

===Real-world references===

===Errors===
This show was made.

===Trivia===
* It's not stated if the Decepticons that the Bee Team captured in the tail-end of the series — [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]], [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], [[Underbite]], and [[Wingcode]] — were returned to Cybertron.
*The series ends with Steeljaw as the only known Decepticon still at large on Earth; however, this is done to show that "the adventure continues" for Team Bee.
* The Decepticons' combined form of Galvatronus goes unnamed onscreen and he is shown to have the same personality as Cyclonus.
* With Cyberwarp's appearance, this marks the second time a "good" Decepticon has appeared in the series, after Grimlock who decided to change sides all the way back during the series' debut, possibly hinting that not all Decepticons are hostile after the war.

===Foreign localization===

==Home video releases==
{{epstub}}

[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) episodes]]

Nucleon (substance)

2017-11-07T21:04:22Z

CHAOS STUDIOS: /* IDW Generation 1 continuity */

{{disambigr|Nucleon|Galvatron's Titan Master partner|Nucleon (Generations)}}
[[File:Nucleon pool Marvel.jpg|thumb|375px]]
'''Nucleon''' is an incredibly powerful energy source capable of being used as fuel by [[Transformer]]s and other mechanoid life forms, but though it can give great strength and power and has even revived the nonfunctional, it often has terrible side effects. Nucleon is said to affect no two types of mechanoid the same. One very common effect for Transformers is the loss of [[transformation]] ability. The [[Action Master]]s resulted from injudicious use of this mysterious, dangerous substance.

Nucleon appears as a funky liquid with a dangerous glow. It looks like fun, and seems to help, but don't be a fool! Listen to your momma and stay off the stuff!

==Fiction==
===Toy packaging blurb===
According to the toy packaging [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] went searching for new energy sources and, within the heart of a [[black hole]] discovered Nucleon: a miracle fuel that made Transformers stronger, faster, and more alive, but cost them the ability to transform. Soon the Decepticons stole the technology and created Action Masters of their own.

{{note|This story was later referenced with the Japanese release of Nucleon Quest Super Convoy, a black redeco of Powermaster Optimus Prime who was given the backstory of being Prime specially outfitted for this trip into the black hole.}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] heard about a risky new miracle fuel on the planet [[Hydrus Four]]. Against orders he stole the non-functioning bodies of his fellow [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and headed there to find out. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} What he discovered was a ruined world filled with [[Nucleon guardian|creepy, obsessive, rotting zombie-like beings]] warning him that it was all because of Nucleon. Being Grimlock, he then went ahead and used the fuel anyway, first on himself and then to revive his fallen teammates. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}}

Grimlock soon found parts of his body inexplicably seizing up, and began to fear that he should have listened to the creepy dying robots after all. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} After returning to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] Grimlock used the Nucleon to repair all the damaged Transformers in the ship's medical bay, including [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and also [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], whom he didn't know was there. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Following the Transformers' battle with [[Unicron]], Grimlock froze up entirely. It was then that [[Hi-Q]] (in the process of merging with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]) saw with "[[Powermaster]] eyes" that Grimlock wasn't malfunctioning, but changing. He used his Powermaster abilities to speed up the process and Grimlock burst forth in his new, more-powerful Action Master form. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

Meanwhile, Hi-Q's own mental merger with Prime was also accelerated by his contact with Nucleon. Soon afterward, the [[Last Autobot]] re-created Hi-Q as Optimus Prime in a new ''nontransformable'' body. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}} {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

''Exposure to Nucleon results in a Transformer's [[Figure Alteration System]]s being converted into [[Energy Storage Reactor]]s.'' {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!|Issue #300 letters section}}

====Earthforce====
[[File:Devastator rebuild.png|thumb|Did they forget he'd need two legs or what?]]
{{earthforcefiction}}
Nucleon robbed the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] of their ability to combine into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], prompting them to attempt to build him as an independent being. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}} {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
Shortly after being revived with Nucleon, [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] was caught in an explosion at a Nucleon processing factory and even more severely mutated. The Autobot [[Mini-Con]]s stepped in and were able to get that reaction under control but Swoop himself was transformed into a (very powerful) Mini-Con by the Nucleon. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Mini-Con Swoop's bio}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
The [[null-reality pod]]s from [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]]'s home dimension were powered by impacted Nucleon power cells. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4|Worlds Collide #1}}

===Force of Habit===
The melee weapons known as [[nucleon shock gauntlet]]s are probably powered by nucleon. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

===''TransTech''===
According to [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], nucleon is a controlled substance in [[Axiom Nexus]]. [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] was unconcerned when it was pointed out that [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] had this contraband, as Jackpot did not get the Nucleon in this universe. Instead, his body could create nucleon all on its own, by somehow processing and converting normal [[energon]] into nucleon. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

Nucleon's status as a contraband didn't stop [[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]] from getting his hands on some regardless, by lethally mugging a "[[lowtech]]". He then used the hyposyringe full of nucleon as a weapon against [[Ego]], with the injection arresting the constant transformation Ego's body was designed to rely on, and causing him to become paralyzed and subsequently at the mercy of Bulletbike's murderous intentions. {{storylink|I, Lowtech}}

===Titan movie comics===
{{notetitantlg}}
Nucleon is an energy source that [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] believes could save Earth from destruction, calming the techno-organic struggle that's tearing the world apart. However, the Autobots never dared mine it as a power source before due to its chimeral nature—it flips between calm to hideously volatile at random, and could just as easily blow Earth to pieces. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron #2}}

It was also used by [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] and his mates as a way of staying alive on the lifeless Cybertron, and it turned Stockade a little... funny. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Return to Cybertron #1}} It also got used as an energy source for the monstrous [[Unicron]], though its volatile nature allowed for it to be used to stop him. After that battle, Stockade gave Optimus the remaining Nucleon so he could save Earth. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron #4}}

{{stub}}

===''Wings Universe''===
A chunk of Hydrus Four containing a large crystal of Nucleon broke off from the planet and was sent hurtling through space towards Cybertron. When [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]], a [[Decepticon Warlord]], got wind of the unknown power contained in the asteroid, he began preparations to try and seize it. The [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] also heard about the asteroid and Gutcruncher's mission, and [[Powerflash]]'s [[Stealth Team]] was assigned to try and stop them. During the course of affairs, three Autobots and three Decepticons were exposed to the crystal's power. Despite gaining extraordinary power, they also lost the ability to transform. The crystal itself was destroyed soon after by [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]]. [[Sentinel Major]] later said that the shattered remains of the asteroid had begun raining down on Cybertron and they were keeping an eye out for any surviving pieces of crystal. {{storylink|A Team Effort}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
The Transformers had been mining nucleon on the planet [[Messatine]] for over four million years. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} Even after the war broke out, the Autobots continued mining operations in the planet's [[Serp Mines]]. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}} The substance was used for medical purposes at [[Delphi]], where [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] was hooked up to a nucleon feed after being infected by [[Red Rust]]. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

Enriched nucleon was extremely dangerous when weaponized, causing it to be outlawed as part of the [[Tyrest Accord]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}

[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] once tricked [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] into drinking a glass of weapons-grade nucleon, knocking him out on the spot. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}}

The Decepticon Justice Division have a stash of chronal energy-enriched Nucleon, as a result of Brainstorm's time travelling, in their base on Messatine. It would gain the name [[Nuke]].DON'T DO DRUGS KIDS! {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution|The Permanent Revolution}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[Nucleon Nail]]s were a type of narcotic used by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[Maximal Command Security Force|MCSF]] officer [[Betabear]] had a bad Nucleon habit which he was going to kick any day now. Everyone on the force knew about it, they just didn't think it was a problem until he tried killing [[Sea Panic|some nobody]] and got a knife to the brain from [[Stiletto (BW)|his partner]] for it.

Some time later, minor criminal [[Elephan|Sledgehammer]] tried committing a robbery. MCSF attempts to stop him were stymied by his nucleon-enhanced and addled state, which allowed him to ignore fatal wounds. {{storylink|Burning Bridges}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Nucleon''' (ニュークリオン ''Nyūkurion'')

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising substances]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Cybertron franchise]]
[[Category:Generation 1 substances]]
[[Category:Hydrus Four]]
[[Category:Intoxicants]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Power sources]]
[[Category:Substances]]
[[Category:TransTech substances]]

Aligned timeline

2017-11-07T21:01:37Z

CHAOS STUDIOS: /* Present day */

{{ongoing}}

The '''timeline of the [[Aligned continuity family]]''' has its roots in the so-called "[[Binder of Revelation]]", a brand bible assembled by [[Hasbro]] with the aim of drawing from the very best of previous ''Transformers'' fiction. This document lays out much of the backstory and important concepts for this new "Aligned" universe, and as such, the fiction derived from the Binder can in theory be assembled to paint a broader picture of the history of this world.

In actuality, the leeway with the source material afforded to licensees by Hasbro, in the name of good storytelling, means that certain details fail to match up between separate pieces of fiction. Indeed, Hasbro has stated that they merely expect fiction to match up under a "squint test"<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-hasbro-story-building-panel-172316/ BotCon 2011 Hasbro story building panel]</ref> – so long as the main bullet-points pass inspection, some contradiction in specific details is not a concern. Consequently, this timeline follows the same approach: when a discrepancy arises, the relevant events are related in terms general enough that the inconsistencies can be ignored.

{{bigquote|Cybertron, our home. For generations, it has been a peaceful world. Until pride and a lust for power divided us. Now we fight - enemies who were once our brothers.|Optimus Prime|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==In the beginning==
[[File:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|upright=2.8|Solus, Unicron has escaped! Recruit a team of Cybertronians with attitude!]]

A single omnipotent being of unknown origin travels the galaxy, discovering life along the way. With no other creatures equaling its power, the being begins to converse with itself, and in time two unique personas form. The first is [[Primus]], a reassuring presence that accepts the universe at is; the second is [[Unicron]], who discovers and seeks to correct perceived flaws in the order of the universe. The two personas grow increasingly divergent from one another, and begin to argue. In time, the being splits physically, creating two separate bodies for each half of its warring psyche. Unicron grows increasingly rapacious and destructive, while Primus grows increasingly withdrawn. Eventually, Primus takes up arms to stop Unicron from devouring the galaxy. This struggle lasts for eons, with neither side able to gain an advantage over the other. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

==The Age of the Thirteen==

To try and turn the tide, Primus creates the [[Thirteen]], each given a unique role, nature, and artifact of power to aid the struggle. In order of their creation, they are [[Prima]], [[Vector Prime]], [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], [[Solus Prime]], [[Micronus Prime]], [[Alchemist Prime]], [[Nexus Prime]], [[Onyx Prime]], [[Amalgamous Prime]], [[Liege Maximo]], [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|the Thirteenth Prime]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===The Expulsion of Unicron===
The newly created Primes begin training and strategizing for the upcoming conflict. Solus Prime, the artificer of the Thirteen, creates many [[Artifacts of the Primes|weapons and icons of power]] for them to use. At the urging of Megatronus, she creates a [[Requiem Blaster (Prime)|great weapon]] to fight Unicron, although Solus herself worries that this power could corrupt them. The Thirteen vote seven to six to keep the Requiem Blaster and not destroy it. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} Ultimately, the Primes defeat Unicron, and the Chaos Bringer's inert form drifts off into space, where it later forms the core of [[Earth]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} His fossilized blood, spilled in this conflict, becomes known as [[Dark Energon]]. Following the defeat of Unicron, Primus becomes one with the [[Core]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where he gives life to future [[Transformer]]s through the [[AllSpark]], within the [[Well of All Sparks]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} Although the Primes stand triumphant, Unicron's influences has tainted all of them with a touch of darkness. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===The War of the Primes===
After a period of peaceful building and construction, tensions between the Primes slowly grow. Secretly manipulated by Liege Maximo, Megatronus kills Solus Prime, causing the first schism in the Primes. After Megatronus is defeated, the Liege Maximo makes his own play for power, but is defeated in the process. After this great battle, Nexus Prime fragments himself into five robots, each one carrying and guarding a fragment of the [[Cyber Caliber]]. His components are dubbed [[Clocker (Prime)|Clocker]], [[Mainspring]], [[Chaindrive]], [[Cannonspring]], and [[Pinion]]. The fight has lasting repercussions for the Thirteen—Megatronus, now "The Fallen", and the Liege have left the Primes for good, the once idealistic Vector Prime despairs and seals himself away in a pocket dimension, and Solus Prime is dead. Onyx Prime, Micronus Prime, and the Thirteenth Prime willingly enter the Well of All Sparks and sacrifice their lives in order to jump-start its creative processes, with the intent of creating a new race to inhabit the world.

[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] vow to remain on Cybertron and nurture this new civilization. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} [[Quintus Prime]] travels into deep space with his [[Emberstone]], with the intention of creating new races that will ally with future Cybertronian civilizations. Meanwhile, far out in space, the forgotten Requiem Blaster gradually accrues a collection of space junk around it. As its gravitational pull increases, more and more drifting shipwrecks and space junk gather around it, eventually forming an artificial planetoid. This artificial planet will later become known as [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

==The Age of Evolution==
The three Primes that entered the Well activate the Allspark, which in turns emits a great burst of energy. From this beam of energy comes a wide variety of mechanical life, including precursors to modern Cybertronians. Among them is a robot named Orion Pax; in reality, he is the Thirteenth Prime reborn in a humbler shape, unaware of his origins or true heritage.
On the last stellar cycle, the Allspark's largest and most powerful creations of all, the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]s emerge. [[Predaking (COP)|Predaking]], their leader, is the first of their kind, followed by [[Lazerback (COP)|Lazerback]] and [[Twinstrike (COP)|Twinstrike]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} Many more follow, and some of them come into conflict with humanoid Cybertronians.

Cybertron's fledgling ecosystems continue to grow and prosper for many thousands of years. Eventually, however, a passing [[Wikipedia: red giant|red giant]] star interferes with Cybertron's own sun, causing meteor strikes and solar flares. While many humanoid Transformers take shelter underground in [[stasis lock]], the Predacons remain unshielded on the surface. They do not survive, though they leave behind a multitude of fossils containing extractable [[CNA]]. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

==The Age of Origins==
The surviving Cybertronians are quick to rebuild their wounded world. In the era that follows, many small settlements and villages form as protection from marauding warlords and barbarian armies. One such settlement, known as [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], becomes home to an influential group known as the [[Patterner]]s. Composed of survivors from the Great Cataclysm, this group of rationalists and philosophers rallies under the leadership of [[Azimuth]]. Their quest for knowledge leads them to study the movements and patterns of the stars, and eventually carve great geometric symbols into the face of Cybertron. Their movement eventually spawns many splinter groups and counter-cults, such as the cult of [[Random]] led by [[Galvatron (COP)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

At some point during this time, the [[Dark Spark]] is discovered and studied by the Patterners and [[Disciples of the Thirteen]], with some debate as to its origins. After witnessing its dark power, the [[Crystal Guardians]] decided that it was too powerful for study to be allowed to continue, and locked it away in vaults deep beneath [[Crystal City|their city]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

Eventually, the [[Quintesson]]s - creations of Quintus Prime - discover the world of Cybertron. Remotely observing the world by a system of probes secretly inserted into Cybertronians, the aliens begin preparing to invade the world, secretly intending to turn Cybertronians into mindless workers and selling them into slavery.

==The [[Age of Wrath]]==
A young [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] discovers a Quintesson probe inside the worker [[Coldweld]]. Not long afterwards, the first Quintesson ships descend from the sky in a grand arrival, setting themselves up as benevolent emissaries sent to "uplift" Cybertron into the galactic community. They win the public support of Cybertronians by "teaching" them how to transform - in reality, they are simply activating the dormant [[transformation cog]]s in the bodies of all Transformers.

Buoyed by popular opinion, the Quintessons soon establish a globalized puppet government ruled by [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] and a [[High Council]] of thirteen Transformers. Under Quintesson guidance, Cybertronians rapidly develop both public and private infrastructure, and eventually master spaceflight and dimensional travel. Before long, however, cracks begin to show in their benign façade. The Quintessons establish a new [[Supreme Court]] in line with their twisted ideals of justice, while other Quintessons siphon off the fruit of Cybertron's labour for their own ends. Some Transformers are even modified to serve as transportation for their rulers, such as installing cockpits on the bodies of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. The Quintesson occupation has a negative effect on the Well itself; Cybertronians begin emerging from the Allspark without names or personalities. One such Transformer is the newly born [[Megatron (WFC)|D-16]], who is assigned a position in Cybertron's mines.

When a resistance movement finally exposes the many lies of the Quintessons, they are overthrown and routed from the system in a war effort headed by Sentinel Prime himself, the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]], and the aforementioned resistance. D-16 is one of the many working-class Cybertronians called to arms. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} With new [[space bridge]]s engineered from the Quintesson's half-completed projects, Cybertron enters its [[Golden Age]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

==The Golden Age==
The [[Golden Age]] brings sweeping changes to Cybertronian social structure and hierarchy. Sentinel Prime takes full control over the ex-Quintesson bureauccracy with the support of the High Council. The Well of All Sparks brings forth many new sparks, many of which are eventually harnessed as part of Cybertron's colonization efforts. Under Sentinel's rule, the new [[space bridge]] network allows trailblazing Cybertronians to colonize more than two hundred faraway planets, including [[Archon]], [[Neutronia]], [[Gigantion]], [[Velocitron]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], [[Aquatron]], and the [[Hub (G2)|Hub]]. Concerted construction and cyberforming efforts turn many of these worlds into miniature Cybertrons. While these new colony worlds are initially supported by Cybertronian energon, many of them harness "torches" to create miniature Wells, rendering them completely independent from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The construction of the spaceport on the [[Hydrax Plateau]] begins, and [[Moonbase One|Moonbases One]] and [[Moonbase Two|Two]] are constructed on the [[Mini-Con]] inhabited moons of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

[[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station is put into orbit as well, and a crew of Seekers are tasked with defending the Dark Energon stored within, remnants of Unicron's attack on the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The High Council encouraged the gathering and storage of Dark Energon aboard the vessel. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The first [[Cybertronian data cylinder]]s are created, which store and preserve the accumulated knowledge of Cybertronian civilization. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

At some point during the Golden Age, a civilization known only as the [[Ancient]]s arises. A civilization of explorers and astronomers, they travel the galaxy using Space Bridge technology, gather treasures from many worlds, and chart the known universe in their [[Ancient map room|stellar cartography chamber]]. Among the planets visited by the Ancients is Earth.<ref>In its brief appearance in ''Fall of Cybertron'', an intact [[Wikipedia: Pangaea|Pangaea]] is present on Earth's surface, indicating that the Ancients arrived on Earth between the [[Wikipedia: Late Permian|Late Permian]] and [[Wikipedia: Early Jurassic|Early Jurassic]] periods, approximately 250-175 million years ago. The ''Fall of Cybertron'' comic, and its assertion that Space Bridges can warp time as well as space, make it impossible to tell whether or not Cybertron's Golden Age occurred concurrently during this time period.</ref> The Ancients are undone by a mysterious cataclysm that also devastates the nearby region, creating the lifeless, inhospitable region known as the [[Rust Sea]]. Many of their structures survive intact- albeit forgotten- including the large tomb that also houses their maps. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

After 8,000 years of prosperity and exploration, the Golden Age draws to a close. The Well of All Sparks begins slowing down its production of new life, and other cracks begin to show in Cybertronian civilization. Meanwhile, among the colonies, the dreaded [[Rust Plague]] sweeps from star system to star system via the space bridge network, devastating some worlds and completely sterilizing others. In desperation, Sentinel orders the destruction of the space bridge network entirely to prevent the spread of the contagion. Cybertron is spared from destruction, at the cost of its many colony worlds. Millions of Transformers stranded across the galaxy continue adapting to their homeworlds, and many forget their origins entirely. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

As time goes by, various crises on the ex-colony worlds lead to drastic changes among their inhabitants. Velocitron's inhabitants, plagued by resource shortages, slip deeper and deeper into their racing obsession as a form of cultural diversion. The Junkions begin building cities and structures entirely out of their planetoid's bountiful supplies of garbage and trash, forming a stable and productive society. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} The Neutronians discover Amalgamous Prime's mythical transformation cog, changing the entire population into omnicombinational [[shifter]]s. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} Aquatron is re-colonized by Quintessons, who forcefully incorporate the planet into their Imperium while simultaneously tampering with the planet's inhabitants to create the [[Sharkticon (Prime)|Sharkticon]]s. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

==The Age of Rust==
[[File:WFCcomicD16.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[[Gold Plastic Syndrome]] strikes again.]]

In the waning years of the Golden Age, the [[caste system]] is implemented, where civilian guilds oversee and assign newly created Transformers to jobs, and it eventually becomes a major social institution under the urging of Sentinel. Alpha Trion grows troubled with the increasingly oppressive social system, and consults the supercomputer [[Vector Sigma]] for guidance, hoping to use the Matrix to revitalize Cybertron's culture. Vector Sigma declines his request, but reassures him that the time will soon be right for the Matrix's reactivation. Instead, Vector Sigma gives him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]], a gift for Sentinel Prime. While Alpha Trion waits for the Matrix, he retreats further and further into the [[Hall of Records]], eventually becoming a recluse.

Cybertron abandons many ancient traditions, such as travelling through the Underworld. These controversial reorganizations do not go unnoticed, though, and many newly born Transformers become dissatisfied with their lot in life, some seeking change. Cybertron's culture and society stagnates greatly as a result; the dynamic architecture and artwork that characterize older eras of society are replaced by dull, drab buildings. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The city-states of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] and [[Slaughter City]], populated mostly by low-caste miners and workers, soon turn to gladiatorial combat as a way to escape from the drudgery of their lives. The High Council, aware of why the games began, does nothing to stop them. D-16 begins a prosperous career of pit fighting, and eventually takes on the name Megatronus in honor of the Prime of the same name. He later shortens it to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Megatron uses his newfound publicity to denounce the stifling caste system. His rhetoric inspires a group of followers that includes fellow gladiator and spymaster [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] and the sadistic scientist [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Realizing the threat that this upstart poses, Sentinel Prime sends his agents [[Bumper (WFC)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (WFC)|Fastback]] to infiltrate his organization. Megatron soon discovers the duo and has them executed.

At the same time, a young data clerk named [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]], monitoring transmissions from across Cybertron, befriends Megatron, and the two of them begin a secret correspondence. Alpha Trion encourages his protégé, in the hopes that Orion's ideals will temper Megatronus's extremism. They have intense but friendly debates over the nature of free will and the dangerousness of their ideals, and soon Orion begins training with [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], learning to fire an ion-cannon and to fashion his arms into an axe and a sword. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

[[File:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|And so the fangirls leapt to their computers, and produced horrible things.]]

Before long, Orion visits Megatron in person in Kaon. Terrorists, calling themselves "[[Decepticon]]s", begin bombings in Megatron's name, attacking such popular spots as [[Six Lasers Over Cybertron]]. Megatron himself makes his first public announcement on the Grid, stating he is not responsible for the attacks and will bring the perpetrators to justice. In reality, however, Megatron had heard rumors about the bombings and terrorist attacks but did nothing to prevent them. Megatron and Orion are eventually granted a meeting with the High Council. In his speech, Megatron demands that he be named the next Prime, and threatens to violently overthrow the Council if they do not comply. Orion, does not believe in violence, and follows him up with a speech of his own. He argues that the members of Cybertron should be autonomous robots, or "[[Autobot]]s", and that everyone should be able to make their own choices in life. Orion's speech moves the Council and inspires them to appoint Orion a Prime. They give him the new name of "Optimus". Megatron is incensed by the fact that his speech went unnoticed. In a fit of anger, he kills the Council member [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]] and spitefully severs all ties with his former friend. At Optimus's urging, the two sides retreat for now to avoid further bloodshed in the Council halls. However, the Council itself has fragmented; [[Contrail]], [[Ratbat (WFC)|Ratbat]], and [[Drivetrain (WFC)|Drivetrain]] now support the Decepticon cause. Megatron officially declares war on Optimus Prime and his followers, sparking the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

==Great War==
[[File:WarforCybertron-OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Yeah, why don't ya come over and say that to my face, tough guy? Bonk!]]

The war quickly spreads beyond the High Council, and before long battle lines are drawn as various city-states declare their allegiances. Autobots and their allies control the most important locations on Cybertron, including [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Kalis]]. Shortly after the declaration of war, the Allspark stops producing new Cybertronians; some interpret this as an act of divine rebellion. Undeterred, the Decepticons launch their first strike by seizing [[Fort Scyk]]. [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] and his Council Guardians manage to hold the line long enough for the Autobots to send reinforcements. The Decepticons then attack and occupy the [[Hydrax Plateau]]. With this crucial region under Decepticon control, Megatron quickly takes over the majority of Cybertron's eastern hemisphere, which remains in Decepticon hands for the majority of the war. Decepticons then capture the [[Satellite Command Center]] at [[Polyhex]]. The battle of [[Crystal City]] sees the [[Constructicon (WFC)|Constructicons]] deploy their combined [[Devastator (WFC)|Devastator]] against the Autobots, razing the city. Many of its scientific treasures survive the destruction. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Many dangerous weapons, such as the [[Cybonic plague]], are developed by the [[Decepticon Biological Warfare Program]]. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

The Autobots win their first major victory at [[Kalis]], where Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, and Jazz topple the Decepticon [[combiner]] [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]]. Kalis remains in Autobot hands and the Autobots begin using long-range combat against Decepticons. Shockwave's armies occupy the cities of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] and [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]. Shockwave manipulates the two cities and turns them against one another, destroying them both. The Decepticon campaign reaches [[Praxus]], where they encounter stiff Autobot resistance. The city-state is ultimately leveled by the fighting, and to this day the outcome is unclear. [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]] and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], citizens of Praxus, join the Autobot cause and become part of Optimus Prime's inner circle of confidants. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

Megatron, still stinging from the loss of Praxus, orders Bruticus Maximus to spearhead a massacre at [[Nova Cronum]]. In the meantime, Minicon saboteurs manage to steal and reverse-engineer Shockwave's secrets, and before long the Autobots create their own combiners. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Optimus Prime assigns Ultra Magnus to lead the unruly squadron known as the [[Wrecker]]s in the hopes of instilling discipline into their ranks {{storylink|Project Predacon}}, and with the aid of the newly created [[Defensor (WFC)|Defensor]] the team defends the Tagan Heights against the Constructicons, although the fighting between Defensor and Devastator demolishes the area. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

At some point during the war, Optimus Prime survives an assassination attempt by [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] at the [[Battle of Technahar]]. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

After centuries of stasis, the [[Allspark]] creates a final generation of Transformers, most of whom side with the Autobots. Among them is the Autobot [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who distinguishes himself on the battlefield and becomes one of Optimus Prime's closest compatriots. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Another young Autobot named [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] enters the boot camp of the Elite Guard with hopes of becoming a full-fledged soldier. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and her combat partner [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] serve in [[Delta Team]] for most of the war. After a raid on a Decepticon munitions depot, both of them are captured and interrogated by the Decepticon [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Although Arcee is rescued by Bumblebee and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]], they are too late to save Tailgate. {{storylink|Predatory}}

As the war continues, the Autobots are gradually outnumbered and outgunned. Optimus Prime makes the painful decision to eject the AllSpark from Cybertron, so that Megatron cannot create more Transformers. In the ensuing battle, the Allspark is fired into deep space from [[Tyger Pax]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The Autobots also decide to eject the data cylinders from Cybertron to prevent Decepticons from using the vital knowledge within. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} With the Allspark gone, the Decepticons focus their attention on Iacon, one of the last regions still under Autobot control.

Seeking a new edge in the war, Megatron storms Trypticon Station and wrests control of it from [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], empowering himself and other Decepticons with the Dark Energon stored there. As part of their next strike, the Decepticon-allied Seekers travel deep underneath Cybertron in search of the long-abandoned [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] beneath the ruins of Crystal City, which will allow the manufacture of new Dark Energon for the Decepticons' use.

Megatron leads a group of Decepticons into Iacon, to find a means of travelling to the very core of Cybertron to spread the Dark Energon. Though Sentinel Prime attempts to stand in his way, he is soon defeated by the vengeful Decepticon—but unbeknownst to Megatron, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] is reactivated due to these events, and is intent on stopping the Decepticons. The Decepticon forces manage to cripple the Guardian's alternate mode, and Megatron and his troops soon defeat him on ground level. Because of this, the Decepticon leader manages to reach Cybertron's core and corrupt it with Dark Energon—a critical blow against the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

The Autobots, however, are not yet defeated, and muster a counter-attack to rout the remaining Decepticons from Iacon. Sentinel, now imprisoned in Kaon, is able to send a transmission, and a small group of Autobots, lead by Optimus, soon launch an incursion into the prison to recover him. However, the former Prime perishes just as he has been rescued. The Autobots return the body to Iacon, and Optimus officially comes to accept that he is a Prime and must take up his role as leader. From then on, he fully becomes known as Optimus Prime, the last of the Primes. Optimus's first task as true Prime is to cleanse the infected core. Heading down through Cybertron's inner layers, Optimus finds much of the planet is thoroughly infected by Dark Energon. The core tells Prime that Cybertron is so greatly corrupted that it will take millions of years of shutdown in order to undo the grievous damage done by Megatron's Dark Energon. Optimus is given the [[Matrix of Leadership]] by the Core, a fragment of [[Prima]]'s powerful sword that contains a portion of Cybertron's spark. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

==Great Exodus ("A few thousand years ago"<ref name="greatexodustime" />)==

[[File:WFCgalactic transports.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Just a little while back<ref name="greatexodustime">Assorted promotional material for the ''Fall of Cybertron'' video game dates this period to 70 million years ago. This seems ''particularly'' excessive, even for a race that normally measures its history in millions of years, and is clearly only employed to justify the presence of dinosaurs on Earth, so Shockwave can create the Dinobots by studying them. IDW's ''Fall of Cybertron'' comic addressed this by making it clear that Shockwave was looking through ''time'' as well as space, as he makes mention of the dinosaurs' extinction by meteorite, establishing that this era is ''after'' the dinosaurs died out. This is also reinforced (perhaps unintentionally) by the fact that Snarl and Sludge transform into a ''Stegosaurus'' and an ''Apatosaurus''- dinosaur species that lived almost a hundred million years before ''T. rex'', ''Pteranodon'', and ''Triceratops''. Later, solicitations for IDW's first ''Beast Hunters'' comic issue would establish that series's setting as "a few thousand years" after this era, and that comic's exact point in time would be spelled out in the final two ''Beast Hunters'' issues, placing it towards the end of the ''Prime'' cartoon in the present day era.</ref>]]

As soon as Prime reaches the surface, he orders that an exodus from Cybertron will take place immediately. Preparations are made to flee the planet, but many of the escaping [[galactic transport]]s are shot down by Trypticon Station before they can leave Cybertron's orbit. Trypticon itself comes to life, thanks to multiple sparks implanted by Shockwave, and Optimus Prime leads his forces in a battle to knock it out of orbit. The ensuing battle results in Trypticon hurtling towards Cybertron's surface. However, Trypticon is not killed, and it transforms into its robot form. After another battle with it, Optimus and his forces regroup at the site of the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', a deep-space interceptor and the flagship of the makeshift Autobot fleet. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

With the Decepticons in control of most of Cybertron, the remaining Autobots begin fuelling the ship with scavenged Energon. Both factions develop an interest in the ancient, powerful artifact known as the [[Dark Spark]], and the Decepticons manage to locate and open the vault below Crystal City that contains it. Shockwave makes contact with the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, subterranean creatures that have been driven to the surface after Cybertron's core shut down. The Decepticon scientist manages to form an alliance with these creatures, and their sentient representatives- [[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]], [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]], and [[Sharpshot]]- join the Decepticons, pledging the support of their numerous feral brethren.

However, the Decepticons and Insecticons are tailed by the Autobots, and a running battle ensues, with both groups trying to return the artifact to their respective strongholds. Eventually, the Decepticons succeed in bringing the Dark Spark to Megatron at [[Kolkular]], where he places the artifact in his chest in imitation of the Matrix of Leadership. Optimus Prime arrives to confront the Decepticon leader, but is set upon by a horde of undead Autobots reanimated by the Dark Spark's power. The Autobot leader overcomes these corrupted foes and engages Megatron, and the two combatants unleash the powers of the artifacts in their chests. The power of the Matrix of Leadership wins out, violently ejecting the Dark Spark from the Decepticon leader and into space. With the artifact no longer a threat, Optimus orders the Autobots to fall back to Iacon and the Ark. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

While most of the Autobots ready the ''Ark'' for liftoff, the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] warrior [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]] discovers a massive reserve of untainted Energon in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]. He tries to contact [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and the other Autobots, but is captured by Shockwave before he can reveal the nature of his discovery. Grimlock and the rest of his squadron disobey Prime's orders and hijack an Autobot dropship to rescue him. Grimlock, [[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]], [[Slug (FOC)|Slug]], and [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] reach the outskirts of Shockwave's tower, but are overwhelmed by Shockwave's [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s and taken captive by Shockwave, who has plans for the quintet of warriors. Inspired by [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|alien lifeforms]] he has viewed with ancient Space Bridge technology, he begins experimenting on them. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)|Fall of Cybertron}}

Shockwave uses the critically injured Sludge as a test run, successfully rebuilding his alternate mode into a sauropod dinosaur, before ordering [[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]] to dump his body in the tunnels underneath the Rust Sea. {{storylink|Beast Hunters #2}} Shockwave rebuilds the rest into powerful berserkers with saurian alternate modes and imprisons them in his tower, intending to use them as his own personal warriors. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)|Fall of Cybertron}}

With Grimlock missing in action, Optimus leads his warriors to buy time for the Autobots to shut down Iacon and launch the Ark. Optimus discovers the existence of [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], an enormous Autobot incorporated into Iacon's structure who has lain dormant for millions of years. Optimus and Metroplex team up to help fight the Decepticons, and despite suffering numerous injuries Metroplex manages to deal a lethal blow to Megatron, grievously injuring him. However, the attack depletes all of the Autobot's remaining supplies of energon. With Megatron out of commission, Starscream takes advantage of the situation and declares himself the new leader of the Decepticons.

Jazz and Cliffjumper go searching for Grimlock and his forces in the Sea of Rust, where they find Shockwave's tower, Sludge's body in [[stasis lock]] and the uncorrupted Energon Swoop had discovered earlier. However, on Starscream's orders, the [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticons]] attack the Autobot convoy, then combine into Bruticus and crash the transport, recovering half of the Energon. Starscream is unimpressed with their performance and orders their imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Soundwave has recovered Megatron's remains and rebuilds his body, using an infusion of [[Dark Energon]] to revive him. Megatron confronts Starscream and resumes control of the Decepticons. Seeking use of Trypticon, Megatron heads for his location in Iacon and successfully scavenges many of his components.

In Shockwave's lab, a disgraced Starscream discovers Grimlock, who he attempts to recruit to his cause. Grimlock throws Starscream into the wall and escapes. As he fights his way through Shockwave's cadre of Decepticons and Insecticons, Grimlock reunites with the surviving members of the Lightning Strike Coalition, although he believes Sludge is dead. Now operating as the "[[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]]s", Grimlock confronts Shockwave and destroys his space bridge. Both are caught in the ensuing explosion.

Metroplex sacrifices his life to ensure that the ''Ark'' can launch. Optimus and many of the Autobots escape aboard the Ark. They are pursued, however, by Megatron aboard Trypticon, now a [[Trypticon (WFC)|spacecraft]] dubbed the ''Nemesis''. The two vehicles and their respective crews battle as they race for the space bridge above the planet, which explodes, scattering the two vessels across the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

==After the Great Exodus==
Grimlock, having fallen to the ground from the collapsing space bridge tower, is found by his Dinobot comrades. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}} Four cycles after the launch of the Ark, an Autobot cleanup crew discovers Sludge's abandoned body and manage to bring him back online. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 2|Beast Hunters #2}}

Sludge, Grimlock, and the other Dinobots all join up with Ultra Magnus's Wreckers, and together they continue to fight against Shockwave's forces for control of Cybertron, even as the planet commences its shutdown sequence.

The Space Bridge detonation takes the ''Ark'' and ''Nemesis'' to the outskirts of the [[Milky Way]] galaxy, where Optimus detects a faint signal left behind by the Allspark's passage. Prime and his crew are guided by the Matrix to nearby Velocitron, teetering on the brink of civil war. However, [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], having infiltrated the crew, manages to provoke enough civil unrest among the Velocitronians that [[Ransack (Prime)|Ransack]] and his group of political malcontents attack Override, sparking a civil war. The Autobots manage to escape through a space bridge, Optimus having recovered two pieces of the Blades of Time on Velocitron's surface, though he mistakenly believes they are pieces of the Star Saber. The Autobots next travel to Junkion, where they befriend the native Junkions and begin repairs on the ''Ark''. However, Makeshift once again sabotages the repair effort, but is caught. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Meanwhile, Alpha Trion is put under house arrest by Shockwave, but manages to send the Autobot Chaindrive to Optimus with another piece of the Blades of Time. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} Armed with a hazy knowledge of the future from the [[Covenant of Primus]] that [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] would eventually end up on Earth, [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] launches Cybertronian relics located within the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] [[Hall of Records]] to Earth, not to keep them from the Decepticons, but to ensure that Optimus would eventually find them. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Smokescreen, having ended up on security detail for Alpha Trion, is taken by Decepticon forces during their attacking the Hall of Records, {{storylink|New Recruit}} but not before Alpha Trion secretly manages to hide [[Omega Key|one of the relics]] within the young Autobot. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

The ''Nemesis'', following the trail of the ''Ark'', lands on Velocitron and later Junkion. Axer, an ex-Decepticon, recovers the Requiem Blaster from the core of Junkion, causing the demi-planet to tear apart. Prime, meanwhile, manages to contact Vector Prime in his pocket dimension, who also helps to reunite five bots the Autobots have met (Chaindrive among them) into Nexus Prime. A climatic battle takes place on Junkion, with the Autobots triumphant and the Blaster destroyed. However, the Junkions themselves are enslaved by space-pirate expatriate Transformers called the [[Star Seeker]]s and taken to places unknown. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

With Autobot control over the planet steadily weakening, Shockwave and the remaining Decepticons take control of Iacon, forcing the Wreckers to retreat to Cybertron's comparatively barren polar regions to launch hit-and-run attacks on Decepticon convoys. Shockwave builds his newest tower in the center of Iacon and continues his experiments, studying the effects of Dark Energon on the city's beleaguered inhabitants. He eventually kidnaps Alpha Trion and tries to use him to access [[Vector Sigma]] to forge a [[Decepticon Matrix]] that will further enhance his control over Cybertron. The Wreckers team up with Omega Supreme to launch a rescue mission.

Simultaneously, out in space, Optimus Prime and company discover the seemingly utopic world of [[Aquatron]], inhabited by friendly amphibious robots. In reality, the Aquatronians are subjugated servants of the Quintessons, and their leader [[Inquirata (Prime)|Inquirata]] manipulates both Optimus Prime and Shockwave to further his own ends. The ''Nemesis'' arrives not long afterwards, following a skirmish with Thundertron, but the two sides are forced into a temporary truce by the Quintessons. When the Quintessons reveal their true colours, Optimus Prime and Megatron are forced to work together to escape from the Quintesson's twisted courtrooms Thanks to Shockwave's experiments with Dark Energon on Vector Sigma, the Quintessons are able to launch a second invasion of Cybertron using their [[Sharkticon (Prime)|Sharkticon]] shock troops. Although the Wreckers manage to save Alpha Trion, they are too late to stop the invasion. General [[Tyrannicon]] storms Iacon, takes down both Omega Supreme and Devastator, and allies with Senator Ratbat to gain access to the Hall of Records. The invasion is only stopped when Megatron, still on Aquatron, discovers the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]] and uses it to override Tyrannicon's command over his troops. The Wreckers manage to keep the Hall of Records in Cybertronian hands while [[Rack n' Ruin]] splits off from the group and rigs Shockwave's tower to explode. In the ensuing fight underneath Aquatron, Tyrannicon and Inquirata are killed, while Optimus and Megatron barely manage to escape the detonation of the Space Bridge. The two factions depart the now-freed Aquatron while Optimus continues his search for the Allspark. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

Cybertron's conditions continue to deteriorate, and eventually Ultra Magnus puts out the call for the final Autobot evacuation of the planet. A convoy of ships escapes, but Magnus's personal craft is shot down, and the Wrecker leader is captured by the [[Forged]], a faction of ex-Decepticons serving under Shockwave. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 1|Rage of the Dinobots #1}} The Dinobots mount a rescue mission to a Forged prison in the Sea of Rust, where they find not only Magnus, but scores of other Autobot prisoners. They stage a prison break, but are confronted by the leader of the group, [[Ser-Ket (Prime)|Ser-Ket]], who has been altered with [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] [[CNA]] in much the same way that they were altered with [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] DNA. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 2|Rage of the Dinobots #2}} Grimlock is able to defeat her in battle, but Shockwave arrives soon afterwards, {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 3|Rage of the Dinobots #3}} and Magnus and the Dinobots are recaptured.

The Decepticon scientist attempts to complete his work on Grimlock and erase the Dinobot's free will, but his teammates and Ultra Magnus are able to escape their cell in time to intervene, violently decapitating Shockwave. However, a hologram message reveals that Shockwave is in fact alive and well, and what the Dinobots just killed was merely a remote avatar. With the immediate threat passed, Magnus sets off to join the leaving fleet, whilst the Dinobots resolve to remain on Cybertron, seeking to hunt down their nemesis Shockwave and help the few Autobots that remain. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}}

Eventually, energon shortages force Cybertron's remaining population into the tunnels under the surface, where they scavenge fuel from underground deposits and by hunting the planet's subterranean fauna. Survivors group together to establish underground cities, one of which is led by "king" Grimlock, and the surface is left desolate and ruined. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 1|Beast Hunters #1}}

The war continues to rage on other worlds across the galaxy. One of them is [[Earth]], which is seeded with energon by Cybertronians. During Earth's Stone Age, a group of Autobots rescues a tribe of primitive humans from a meteor shower. {{storylink|Did You See What I Thaw?}}. Among the Decepticon combatants are a group of genetically engineered Predacons created by Shockwave. Their presence inspires the human legends of [[dragon]]s, although they eventually die, leaving behind remains. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} Other Decepticons include Skyquake, dispatched to Earth to guard its energon resources. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} At some point, a group of Autobots visits ancient [[Greece]], where they leave behind an [[Energon Harvester]]. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} The Cybertronians on Earth eventually leave, die, or enter stasis lock, leaving Earth abandoned... for the time being.

==Modern Era==
===1649===
[[File:ReignOfMorocco Horace Burns statue.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
A North American island off the coast of Maine is founded by a group of settlers, led by [[Horace Burns]], from the mainland. The island becomes the town of [[Griffin Rock]], and a lighthouse with a [[Settlers' Bell|bell]] is erected in the town's port.{{storylink|The Reign of Morocco}}{{storylink|The Lost Bell}}

===1800s===
In 1812, Griffin Rock is raided and looted by the pirates of the ''[[Oaken Crow]]''. The pirates set the town ablaze and make off with their booty, including the Settlers' Bell. Their ship gets caught in a storm and becomes trapped within a cave on an unknown island.{{storylink|The Lost Bell}}

At some point, [[Thaddeus Morocco]] is born, who would go on to make a career in science by stealing the works of others, including a [[Chamber of Youth|rejuvenation chamber]] that would extend his life artificially with each use. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

===1939===
The [[World's Fair]] takes place, which features the artificial volcano [[Mount Magma]]. Afterward, the volcano is relocated to Griffin Rock.{{storylink|Under Pressure}}

The [[Griffin Rock Technology Expo]] also occurs, during which Griffin Rock scientists attempt to create a [[Temporal Station|time machine]], but are incapable of powering it up.{{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

On [[August 17]], the day after the Temporal Station's decommissioning, a group of time-displaced individuals consisting of four Rescue Bot Autobots, the human children [[Cody Burns]] and [[Frankie Greene]], and the Helper Bot [[Dither]], accidentally travels through the time machine from the future. They are discovered by Dr. Thaddeus Morocco, who takes interest in the robots and begins to study them. The two kids are sent away, but escape and, along with Dither, recover the Autobots in Morocco's captivity. A surprise intervention by Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, who subsequently followed the Rescue Bots through the time machine to help them, along with some assistance from [[Elma Hendrickson]], gives all of the time-travelers the chance to escape back to the future. However, a damaged Dither is accidentally left behind, and comes into Morocco's possession. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

{{Note|It is from here that the timeline is split in two, as the time travel incident creates an alternate timeline (see below), but then erases it and has history put back on its corrected course.}}

Morocco starts to open up Dither to begin studying him, but the previous group of time travelers returns once again to retrieve their forgotten robot before returning to their own time, leaving Morocco unable to study the future technology. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

===1940s===
Around the late 1940s, the [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]] likely begins, in which a [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|missile silo]] is constructed inside a mountain in [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]], and a bunker is built under Griffin Rock. Both locations would eventually become occupied by the Autobots in the present day. {{storylink|Darkness Rising}} {{storylink|Family of Heroes}}

In 1949, Griffin Rock celebrates its tricentennial, which features holograms of some of its most prominent citizens, including its first female scientist Elma Hendrickson, on display in historical exhibits. {{storylink|The Haunting of Griffin Rock}}

===1950s===
Griffin Rock scientists experiment with [[subspace]] technology as part of the [[Sanctuary Plan]], in which the insect-like [[Tracer (RB)|tracers]] would transport the island's entire populace to a safe haven during the condition of a crisis. The plan is abandoned due to instability of the shelter, with the tracers being locked away in storage.{{storylink|Countdown (RB)|Countdown}}

===1960s===
The scientists of Griffin Rock install a magnetic pulse generator to disable all circuitry at [[Griffin Crest]], setting it as a safe zone in case an experimental machine ever went haywire on the island.{{storylink|Rules and Regulations}}

In [[1966]], the ''[[S.S. Isolde]]'' transports experimental technology to Griffin Rock from the mainland. During one of its voyages to the island, however, a piece of its cargo, the [[Sub-Zero Expander]], is accidentally damaged and activated. After contacting the island for advice, the ship's captain, [[Zachary Burns]], and crew are ordered to abandon the vessel and all of its cargo, leaving it to be encased completely within an iceberg. {{storylink|Tip of the Iceberg}}

===1980s===
A small group of Cybertronians return to Earth, unaware of its true nature. Bumblebee is the first Autobot to land on Earth, sent ahead of the others to scout out the planet.<ref>Bumblebee's [http://www.hubworld.com/hubworld/specials/transformers-prime-downloadables/printables/tprime-bumblebee-coloring-page.pdf online coloring page] at hubworld.com</ref> He is later joined by Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, and Ratchet, who set up a base inside the dormant volcano [[Mount St. Hilary]].

===28 years ago===
Professor [[Anna Baranova]] begins an investigation of the [[Griffin Rock Triangle]] with [[Midgard|Project Midgard]]. Her mobile undersea laboratory, the ''Midgard'', fails in its mission and is rendered permanently submerged. {{storylink|The Griffin Rock Triangle}}

===Present day===
At some earlier point, Dr. Morocco, who had become Griffin Rock's lead scientist, is dismissed from his position due to his technology proving dangerous and inferior. He is replaced by [[Ezra Greene|Doc Greene]].{{storylink|The Other Doctor}}{{storylink|The Reign of Morocco}}

[[File:CliffArcee ognpreview.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
The Decepticons begin mining the energon deposits left on earth with the intention of using it to restore Cybertron. Starscream is tasked by Megatron with recreating space bridge technology, so that the energon can be quickly transferred between planets. After scouring the galaxy on this mission, the Air Commander returns to their home planet with a number of troops to construct a space bridge. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|''Prime'' comic}}

The earthbound Autobots obtain terrestrial alternate modes and secretly ally themselves with the United States government. They are assigned [[William Fowler]] as a government liaison, and provided with an abandoned missile silo to use as a [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] in exchange for keeping the Decepticon threat contained. A great deal of Cybertronian technology is installed there, including a [[GroundBridge]] of Ratchet's design. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}}

Optimus Prime sends a message into space, calling all Autobots to the new battleground. Arcee and Cliffjumper are both investigating the Decepticon activity on the desolate Cybertron when they receive the message. They hijack a Decepticon space bridge to travel to Earth. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|''Prime'' comic}} The Air Commander follows them through, but, after a brief confrontation, the two Autobots are able to join up with [[Team Prime]] and [[scanning|scan]] new terrestrial alternate modes. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|''Prime'' comic}} Subsequently, Megatron leaves Earth with the intention of gathering a new army. The Decepticons under Starscream avoid conflict with the Autobots, and continue to secretly mine the planet's energon, along with constructing a new space bridge in orbit. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} During his three-year journey, meanwhile, Megatron finds a far greater prize than new troops: solidified crystals of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

At some unspecified time, Optimus Prime sets up a [[Rescue Force Sigma-17|team]] of [[Rescue Bot]]s on Griffin Rock, in which they live with a local family to better understand humanity and serve as their protectors. {{storylink|Family of Heroes}}

On Earth, hostilities between the Autobots and Decepticons resurface when Cliffjumper is executed by Starscream; later, he is reanimated by Megatron with the power of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} A series of accidents draws three [[human]]s—[[Jack Darby]], [[Raf Esquivel]], and [[Miko Nakadai]]—into the mayhem. Megatron's plan is to reanimate the thousands of dead Transformers on Cybertron and transport them to Earth via the orbital space bridge, but this is ultimately foiled by the Autobots. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} Megatron himself is caught in the explosion of the bridge as it is destroyed, but survives thanks to the Dark Energon in his body. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Megatron's wounded form is discovered by Starscream after a failed attempt to bring Skyquake under his control. Starscream attempts to kill him, but Soundwave's presence compels him to put the Decepticon leader in stasis in the ''Nemesis''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s sick bay instead. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Wheeljack, now an interstellar nomad, briefly arrives on Earth, but after a run-in with [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], he leaves. {{storylink|Con Job}}

An encounter with the mysterious human terrorist organization [[MECH]] introduces a second antagonistic party for the Autobots. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and his partner [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] arrive on Earth to aid with Megatron's repairs. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Airachnid, too, lands on Earth to rekindle her standing grudge against Arcee and collect some "specimens", but she is stranded on Earth when her ship is destroyed by Jack and Arcee. {{storylink|Predatory}}

Events come to a head when Optimus Prime and Ratchet detect an ancient Autobot distress signal, and come across an abandoned Autobot ship infected with cybonic plague. Optimus is contaminated, and so to find a cure for the sickness Bumblebee and Arcee are forced to infiltrate the ''Nemesis'' and enter Megatron's mind. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} However, Megatron manages to download himself into Bumblebee's consciousness, and by taking control of the Autobot's body he restores his original body with Dark Energon and uploads his mind into it, restoring himself to life. {{storylink|Out of His Head}} Megatron grievously wounds Starscream sometime after this as punishment, but Starscream makes another play for power by reanimating Skyquake's corpse, which ends in failure. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

MECH enters the picture again, first capturing and mutilating Breakdown {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} and later teaming up with Airachnid to lure Arcee into a trap. {{storylink|Crisscross}} Both of these end in failure for MECH.

After Megatron and Starscream are trapped in the energon mine due to the actions of the Autobots {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}, Starscream renounces Megatron's command and tries to join the Autobots, but this ends in failure when Starscream lets slip that he killed Cliffjumper. {{storylink|Partners}}. Starscream becomes an independent faction in the war. Ratchet manages to devise a formula for synthetic energon from a retrieved data cylinder, but it proves to be incomplete and unsafe. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}.

[[File:OneShallRise2-bigdude.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Megatron seeks more power from the Dark Energon, and refers to an ancient prophecy in the [[Covenant of Primus]] that a "rising darkness" will come when the planets in the Solar System align. In reality, the "rising darkness" is Unicron's slumbering form, and the alignment of the planets will create the correct gravitational pull sufficient to awaken him. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}. As Unicron gradually awakens, the Dark Energon rising from his body causes several natural disasters to occur across the world. Optimus Prime confronts an avatar of Unicron head on, but diplomacy ends in failure when the chaos bringer decides to wipe out the many [[Human|"parasites"]] on his surface. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} After another battle with Unicron, Megatron and the Autobots make a truce, as the Dark Energon in Megatron's system allows him to locate Unicron's spark core and provide the Autobots with a way to destroy him. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} After the five Transformers bridge their way into Unicron, Megatron and Prime attempt to destroy Unicron's spark core with the Matrix of Leadership. The plan works- but Optimus loses many of his memories, believing that he is Orion Pax once again and that Megatron is his friend. Megatron takes him on board the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Megatron decides to use the fact that Orion Pax lost his memory to the Decepticon's advantage, and lies to Orion Pax about certain facts. He tells Orion that he was taken captive by the Autobots and kept in stasis long enough for the war to have moved to [[Earth|another planet]]. He then shows Orion a picture of a lifeless Cybertron, and informs him that [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] is responsible for the damage. Orion Pax vows to do his part to help the Decepticons, by completing [[Project Iacon]]. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Soon however, Orion Pax starts to see through Megatron's lies. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}}

Eventually, with the help of [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], Orion Pax rebels against Megatron before completing Project Iacon. Using [[Vector Sigma]], [[Jack Darby]] is able to restore Prime's memory. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}
[[File:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's operation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Soon, [[Team Prime]] is back to business. When [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] is investigating an ancient Autobot signal, [[MECH]] stuns him into temporary stasis, and removes his [[Transformation cog|T-cog]]. They use it to try to craft their own transformer, and seem to be making progress with [[Starscream (WFC)|help]]. Bumblebee starts to question his usefulness, as he has lost his speed, which is his primary attribute. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}}

Megatron, still working with the information from Project Iacon, manages to find the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. He sends Knockout to recover it, and with a fight, manages to accomplish his mission. However, Ratchet is able to restore Bumblebee's T-cog. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] returns to Earth, in pursuit of [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake's]] twin, [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. After an intense fight between [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], Wheeljack, and Dreadwing, Wheeljack finally gets an [[Earth]] mode, and Dreadwing pledges his allegiance to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}}

Airachnid's [[One Shall Rise, Part 3|earlier]] remarks about leaving Megatron finally catch up to her, and she goes rogue. Megatron sends Dreadwing to exterminate her, something that Megatron would normally do himself. Dreadwing meets up with Airachnid and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] to investigate a suspected energon deposit. Airachnid succeeds in making Breakdown very angry, and the two go at it. Airachnid cuts up Breakdown, and leaves his remains for [[MECH]].

Airachnid finally goes for Megatron, and issues him a challenge. He accepts, and forbids Dreadwing to follow him. However, Dreadwing disobeys, and gets caught in the middle of the fight, and suddenly the Autobots appear. Prime, as always, does the honorable thing and lets Dreadwing go in return for his word that he would not kill any of the Autobots. Megatron, however, disagreed, and fires at the Autobots. Later, Megatron remarks that Dreadwing will make a fine first lieutenant. {{storylink|Crossfire}}
[[File:NemesisPrime-NemesisPrime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Punk ass Decepticon! Oh, wait...]]

After [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] seemingly tries to run [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] off the road and attacks a military base, the U.S. military gives orders to fire at any bot on sight. However, [[Team Prime]] finds out that [[MECH]] has succeeded with [[Project Chimera]], and that the bot that attacked the base was actually designed and built by MECH. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] dubs this drone "Nemesis Prime". Optimus Prime and Nemesis Prime have a climatic battle on top of MECH's base of operations, and Nemesis falls on top of Silas, seemingly killing him. However, in an undisclosed location, Silas lays on an operating table, with Breakdown's corpse seemingly ready to transplant. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}}

Agent Fowler is called into [[Bryce|General Bryce's]] office to explain [[Nemesis Prime (episode)|recent events]]. Bryce tells Fowler that people higher up on the chain of command are questioning [[Team Prime|Team Prime's]] loyalty. Some are suggesting Team Prime's termination and a military tribunal for Fowler, who assures General Bryce that Prime, and the rest of the Autobots, are completely and totally loyal to the [[United States of America|United States]], and to humanity. {{storylink|Grill}}

Dual plots against Megatron's life, one orchestrated by Airachnid and her Insecticons and the other by Starscream and an army of clones, are hatched while Bulkhead found himself aboard the ''Nemesis''. The clones are destroyed, Arachnid is apprehended by the Autobots, the surviving Insecticons are integrated into Megatron's forces, and Bulkhead busts the ship's power core on his way out. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}} After [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] infuses the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' with dark energon in an attempt to repair it, the ship becomes sentient and puts all the Decepticons on board into stasis. The ship starts to head toward the first set of new Iacon coordinates that it has decoded. Jack, Miko, Raf, and Fowler bridge aboard the ship and download the coordinates. In the process, Jack undoes the dark energon infusion, returning the ship to its normal state. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[Team Prime]] splits up, and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], [[Jack Darby|Jack]], and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] travel to [[New York City]] to search for the first of the new Iacon relics. The new relic turns out to be a [[phase shifter]]. The Autobots are successful in recovering the device. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} Meanwhile, in the Antarctic, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] goes hunting for the second relic. It turns out to be the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] built by [[Solus Prime]]. After [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] takes the relic for his own, Optimus and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] form a brief alliance, and force Starscream below the ice. {{storylink|Triangulation}}
[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] travel to search for the third relic, which turns out to be a [[Resonance Blaster|resonance blaster]]. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] manages to recover the relic, Ratchet returns to base, and Wheeljack sets about repairing the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]''. {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}}
[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] sets out to locate and retrieve the final relic. It turns out to be [[Tox-En]], a toxic form of energon. Bulkhead fights with the Insecticon named [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]]. Though Bulkhead is initially victorious, Hardshell shoots him in the back just as he heads through the [[GroundBridge]]. {{storylink|Toxicity}}

As [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] tries to stabilize [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] arrives to base, having been alerted by [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] to what had transpired. In the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', he goes looking for whoever injured Bulkhead. As normal, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] secretly tags along. After reaching an understanding, Miko and Wheeljack go looking for Hardshell, destroying an energon mine in the process. After an intense fight with Hardshell, Wheeljack emerges victorious. However, the rest of the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] hive pursues him and Miko as they take off in the ''Jackhammer''. Wheeljack uses a portion of his stash of grenades to dispatch them. However, the happiness doesn't last, as Ratchet reports that Bulkhead will survive, but will not likely be fully functional again. Wheeljack leaves again, stating that he is unable to see Bulkhead like this. {{storylink|Hurt}} Arcee comforts Miko by telling her the story of how she and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] became partners and joined [[Team Prime]]. {{storylink|Out of the Past}}

A [[Decepticon]] escape pod is discovered on [[Earth]] at the same time as [[Red Energon]], a rare and volatile type of energon that gives the user hyperspeed. The escape pod turns out to belong to [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]], a former member of the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]]. Although he appears to be [[Wheeljack (Prime)|another hotshot]], he proves himself by retrieving the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] from [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], who manages to make off with the Red Energon. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

[[MECH]] reawakens their leader, [[Silas]], by integrating his body into Breakdown's corpse. Renaming himself "Cylas", he dispatches the MECH technical team and goes to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] with a new weapon: the [[Project Damocles]] satellite. Megatron tries to utilize the Damocles satellite, but is foiled by the hacking efforts of [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Angered with the satellite's failure, Megatron allows [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to dissect Cylas. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

[[File:Legacy-PrimeStarSaber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Voldemort is ''evil'', [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Prime]]. Stop trying to be him. [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Unless...]]]]

The [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s both find the location of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] is forced to try and retrieve it for the Autobots, while Megatron has an entire army of workers trying to get at it. However it takes the power of a [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Prime]] for the sword to finally come free from the rock that encases it. After almost crashing the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' with the sword, Optimus and the Autobots emerge victorious. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] receives a prerecorded message from [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] telling him to locate the four [[Omega Key]]s. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] uses a [[space bridge]] to travel to Cybertron to retrieve the arm of a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. He attaches it to his body and uses his new limb to craft the [[Dark Star Saber]] from the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. The Dark Star Saber breaks the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] in half, but the Autobots come away with the first Omega Key. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}}

Optimus dispatches [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to go after the second relic, and [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to go after the third. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] wins over the second relic for the [[Decepticon]]s, while [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] beats out Bulkhead, Smokescreen, and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] to get the third. Smokescreen is captured by the Decepticons when he is revealed to be the fourth and final key. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

Knock Out uses Smokescreen's phase shifter to remove the final Omega Key from within his body. However, Smokescreen manages to escape with the two Omega Keys that were in Megatron's possession, leaving the fourth one with Starscream. Starscream manages to invade the Autobot base and steal all three of theirs, acquiring all four. He then goes to Megatron on the ''Nemesis'' with the Omega Keys as bargaining chips. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] uses a [[cortical psychic patch]] on [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] in order to find out his ''true'' motives for coming back to Megatron. However, he decides that Starscream is of more value fighting ''with'' Megatron, not against him, and welcomes him back to the [[Decepticon]]s. While viewing the results of the patch, [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] learns of his [[Skyquake (Prime)|twin's]] fate in the [[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]. {{storylink|Patch (episode)|Patch}}

Knock Out operates on Starscream and repairs him, giving him a new T-cog. Infuriated by Starscream's treatment of Skyquake and Megatron's nonchalance, Dreadwing presents the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] to the [[Autobot]]s so that they can avenge his twin's death. After traveling back to the ''Nemesis'', he attempts to kill Starscream, but Megatron strikes him down before he gets the chance. Megatron and Starscream travel to Cybertron with a detachment of Vehicons to reactivate the planet. Using the Forge, Optimus modifies the Ground Bridge into a Space Bridge, and the Autobots launch an attack on the Vehicons using the gathered Iacon relics. They manage to retrieve the Omega Keys and reach the [[Omega Lock]]. However, Megatron reveals that the three kids have been captured by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}}

[[File:DarkestHour-Basedestroyed.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.4|We didn't even pay off the rent for this place!]]
The Autobots are forced to turn over the Omega Keys in exchange for the kids, and Megatron reveals his master plan includes [[cyberforming]] Earth as well. Optimus uses the Star Saber to destroy the Omega Lock, and the Autobots return to Earth, only for the Decepticons to attack their base. The Autobots abandon base, scattering across country, except for Optimus who is still in the base when the Decepticons destroy it. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] spirits the badly damaged Optimus Prime away from the wreckage of [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]] using the [[phase shifter]]. Megatron sends [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to search for the rest of the relics. He returns with the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], and something even better...[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] and his latest creation, a Predacon cloned from recovered CNA. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}} {{storylink|Scattered}}

[[File:Rebellion-Autobotgroupshot.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]

Concurrently, [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] lands on Earth and begins to reunite the disparate Autobot forces, who have gone into hiding. Among them are Raf and Bumblebee, who have turned the ''Harbinger'' into a new temporary base of operations with Ratchet's aid {{storylink|Scattered}}. Smokescreen, still in hiding, breaks into the ''Nemesis'' and recovers the Forge of Solus Prime. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} The Autobots launch a final assault on the Decepticon fortress. With the help of Optimus Prime, given a new lease on life thanks to the Forge, their combined efforts bring down Darkmount for good, forcing the Decepticons into a retreat. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

[[File:PlusOne-snatched.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb]]

Agent Fowler brings Optimus a new, beefed up truck to scan for his alternate mode, couresty of [[M.A.S.K.]] He also brings news of Decepticon activity in Texas and Scotland. He sends the Wreckers to Scotland, and brings Bumblebee and Smokescreen to Texas with him. Both parties discover the Decepticons transporting ancient Predacon fossils. Although the Autobots try to recover the fossils, both missions fail. Wheeljack drives off alone alone, fed up with Ultra Magnus and worried Bulkhead has gone soft. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} {{storylink|Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command}}

Wheeljack bridges back to base without Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead. He and Arcee track down Decepticon activity in New Mexico, but end up having to rescue Fowler and [[June Darby|June]] after the latter two get themselves kidnapped by Knock Out. After returning to base, Wheeljack and Bulkhead make up. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

Wanting Megatron's favor back, Starscream orders Knock Out to inject the imprisoned Cylas with a mix of Dark and Synthetic Energon, turning him into a vampiric Terrorcon who brings his plague upon the ''Nemesis''. Cylas ends up freeing Airachnid before being killed by her, and she retakes control of the Insecticons, but their attempt at a coup is halted when Soundwave bridges them to a desolate moon of Cybertron. Starscream ends up facing Megatron's wrath for losing them the Insecticons and more than half of the Vehicons while Shockwave speeds up progress on Project Predacon to make up for the extensive loss of manpower. {{storylink|Thirst}}

[[File:Evolution Predaking Stand.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Anyone wanna make a ''Dragonball Z'' joke?]]
On the verge of the project's completion, the Predacon reveals his newfound ability to transform as well as his sentience, and though he pledges loyalty to Megatron, his ambition does not go unnoticed, and the Decepticons decide to let the Autobots wipe out the Predacons for them. Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack end up facing off against Predaking, putting aside their past grievances with each other and forging a mutual respect, but are ultimately bested by the Predacon, who also destroys the Forge of Solus Prime and Magnus's hand. Optimus is able to save his men in the nick of time, while Shockwave finds the destruction of his lab and the presence of synthetic Energon has produced [[cyber-matter]]. {{storylink|Evolution}} Megatron decides to use this newfound discovery to rebuild the Omega Lock to Cyberform Earth and restore Cybertron, believing the two planets to be two halves of one. While Starscream procures Earth technology for the project, the recently captured Soundwave brings Ratchet to Megatron to perfect the synthetic Energon formula. {{storylink|Minus One}} Raf and Wheeljack build a probe using Laserbeak's transponder that was broken off while capturing Ratchet, which will lead them to the ''Nemesis'. Megatron is able to persuade Ratchet to help produce the formula, having played to Ratchet's love for his home planet to override his justified reservations. {{storylink|Persuasion}} While the probe is destroyed by Starscream, it does not take long for Ratchet, Knock Out, and Shockwave to produce the formula, but Ratchet tries to make a run for it, only to be stopped by Megatron and tossed to Predaking for execution. Having caught Knock Out's slip of the tongue, Ratchet reveals Megatron's plot to exterminate the Predacons to Predaking, who goes on a rampage. Ratchet disables the ''Nemesis' '' shield, allowing the Autobots to storm the ship, just as Megatron is able to scrape a victory against Predaking by knocking him out of an airlock. {{storylink|Synthesis}}

[[File:Deadlock-Megatron-Decepticons-extinguished.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|Soundwave, what's happening to my glow in the dark tattoo?!?]]
The Autobots wage their final battle to defeat the forces of the Decepticons, with Megatron facing Optimus with his Dark Star Saber, Ratchet fighting Shockwave, the Wreckers aiming to secure the bridge, and Arcee's Stealth Team bringing the Star Saber to Optimus. When the Wreckers are bridged away by Soundwave, Jack and an Apex Armor-clad Miko banish him to the Shadowzone. As the Omega Lock is activated, Bumblebee tries to get the Saber to Optimus, but is blasted to death by Megatron and falls into the pool of Cybermatter created by the Omega Lock. Though enraged by his scout's death, Optimus is beaten and is soon hanging off the edge of the Lock by Megatron... who is then run through with the Star Saber by the revived Bumblebee, whose voices has been restored as well. Megatron dies and his corpse falls to Earth, while Starscream, Shockwave, and the surviving Vehicons abandon ship. After a failed attempt at abandoning ship as well, Knock Out receives little welcome from the Autobots when he tries to switch sides as well. Now in command of the ''Nemesis'', Optimus has it journey to Cybertron, where the Omega Lock is fired into the core, reviving the planet at last. The Autobots bid farewell to their human family, with Ratchet staying on Earth to support Unit:E, and depart to rebuild their home. Meanwhile, Predaking, having clung to the warship's hull, flies off into the distance of this new world with intentions unknown... {{storylink|Deadlock}}

Sensing Primus's reawakening, Unicron returns and possesses Megatron's corpse as a new vessel to destroy his eternal nemesis. Optimus and Wheeljack set off to retrieve the [[AllSpark]], whilst Starscream and Shockwave brought online two new Predacons, [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] and [[Skylynx]] in an effort to defeat the Autobots with a new army of beasts. The two are successful in heavily damaging Ultra Magnus, prompting Ratchet to return to Cybertron to treat him and leadership falling upon Bumblebee's shoulders. Unicron makes his presence known, and following a battle with Predaking, learns of an ancient burial ground of Predacons. Predaking takes command over Darksteel and Skylynx, while Knock Out defects to the Autobots after tiring of Starscream's abuse. At the burial ground, the Chaos Bringer raises a new army of the undead to destroy Primus, prompting a desperate last stand from the united Autobots, Decepticons, and Predacons. Their efforts buy enough time for Optimus to return and take on Unicron, but after being defeated, takes the drastic measure of taking the AllSpark into the Matrix of Leadership. Unicron is tricked into having his ethereal form sealed into the AllSpark's container, finally ridding Megatron of his torturous possession. Now knowing what oppression truly is, Megatron officially disbands the Decepticons and departs, leaving Starscream as the last active Decepticon. His reign is short-lived, as the Predacons trap him to enact revenge for all the trouble he's caused them. The Autobots gather at the Well of All Sparks, where Optimus announces that merging the AllSpark with the Matrix means he must sacrifice his life to restore Cybertron's ability to create new life, assuring his saddened comrades that this is not an end, but only a new beginning - another transformation. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)}} With Cybertron rejuvenated, the remainder of Team Prime meet up with the Dinobots and work together to subdue a rogue Predacon. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 8|Beast Hunters #8}}

Years later, a rebuilt Cybertron is once again the homeworld of the Transformers. At some point, the prison ship ''[[Alchemor]]'' is launched, housing some of the most dangerous Decepticon criminals, as well as Grimlock. The ship eventually crashes on Earth, deactivating its [[stasis cell]]s and unleashing hundreds of rogue Decepticons on the unsuspecting planet. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

====Post-''Alchemor'' crash====
Three years later, {{storylink|Uninvited Guest}} Bumblebee, now a lieutenant, was working as a beat cop while mentoring the Elite Guard cadet [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]]. While chasing down the hoodlum [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]], Bumblebee receives a vision from Optimus Prime urging him to travel back to Earth. Bumblebee hijacks a space bridge, but finds himself burdened by the two young Autobots. The trio encounters the wreckage of the Alchemor and the Minicon [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]], who informs them about the dire circumstances. They eventually befriend the humans Denny and Russell Clay and, with the aid of [[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]], successfully recapture the Decepticon [[Underbite]]. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Pilot (Part 2)}}
Grimlock is later accepted to be a part of the new team and is put on probation
{{stub}}

==Future==
{{stub}}
{{storylink|The Last of Morocco}}

==Alternate timeline==
{{Note|The events of this timeline diverge from the main timeline at 1939 of the Modern Era, in which a great time travel incident both created and subsequently erased this new timeline. As the exact extent of all that was changed beyond the borders of Griffin Rock is not known, this section will only cover the known divergences.}}

===1939===
The [[Griffin Rock Technology Expo]] occurs, during which Griffin Rock scientists attempt to create a [[Temporal Station|time machine]], but are incapable of powering it up.{{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

On [[August 17]], the day after the Temporal Station's decommissioning, a group of time-displaced individuals consisting of four Rescue Bot Autobots, the human children [[Cody Burns]] and [[Frankie Greene]], and the Helper Bot [[Dither]], accidentally travels through the time machine from the future. They are discovered by Dr. Morocco, who takes interest in the robots and begins to study them. The two kids are sent away, but escape and, along with Dither, recover the Autobots in Morocco's captivity. A surprise intervention by Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, who subsequently followed the Rescue Bots through the time machine to help them, along with some assistance from [[Elma Hendrickson]], gives all of the time-travelers the chance to escape back to the future. However, a damaged Dither is accidentally left behind, and comes into Morocco's possession. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

Studying Dither's future technology, Morocco falsely takes credit as the robot's inventor, redubbing it the MorBot 1.1. From this robot, Morocco gains great fame and power with the promise of technological prosperity for Griffin Rock. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

===Present day===
Morocco, having come to gain power over Griffin Rock, rules the now-dystopian island of "Moropolis" with an army of transformable MorBot mechanoids.{{storylink|It's a Bot Time}} {{storylink|Bot to the Future}} The Burns family are a family of mechanics, with Charlie Burns being a janitor at the [[Hall of Inspiration]], while all secretly heading a resistance movement against Morocco. Huxley Prescott is a taxi driver, Mr. Luskey owns a restaurant, no Cody Burns exists in this timeline, and no "Doc Greene" lives on the island. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

When the group of time-traveling Autobots and humans return from 1939 to the present, they find themselves in this timeline. The team splits up as Optimus and Bumblebee fend off the MorBots while the others seek answers. Learning of the altered history from the Hall of Inspiration, the group meets this timeline's Charlie Burns, who is suspicious of them at first, but eventually comes to aid them. The team accompanies Charlie back to his home, but Morocco has caught wind of their arrival. The Burns siblings are also initially skeptical of the newcomers, but agree to help once their home is attacked. As Morocco is about to destroy the fire house, the Burns family unveil its new secret weapon: The [[Mobile Headquarters]]. After a great battle, all six Autobots and the Burns family arrive at the Temporal Station. The departing time travelers are given the MHQ as a parting gift and vanish through the portal back to 1939, just as Morocco arrives and crashes his MorBot.{{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

{{Note|From here, the team retrieves Dither from 1939 and returns to the present in their corrected timeline, thus erasing this timeline from existence.}}

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Aligned history]]
[[Category:Chronologies]]

Aligned timeline

2017-11-07T20:59:34Z

CHAOS STUDIOS:

{{ongoing}}

The '''timeline of the [[Aligned continuity family]]''' has its roots in the so-called "[[Binder of Revelation]]", a brand bible assembled by [[Hasbro]] with the aim of drawing from the very best of previous ''Transformers'' fiction. This document lays out much of the backstory and important concepts for this new "Aligned" universe, and as such, the fiction derived from the Binder can in theory be assembled to paint a broader picture of the history of this world.

In actuality, the leeway with the source material afforded to licensees by Hasbro, in the name of good storytelling, means that certain details fail to match up between separate pieces of fiction. Indeed, Hasbro has stated that they merely expect fiction to match up under a "squint test"<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-hasbro-story-building-panel-172316/ BotCon 2011 Hasbro story building panel]</ref> – so long as the main bullet-points pass inspection, some contradiction in specific details is not a concern. Consequently, this timeline follows the same approach: when a discrepancy arises, the relevant events are related in terms general enough that the inconsistencies can be ignored.

{{bigquote|Cybertron, our home. For generations, it has been a peaceful world. Until pride and a lust for power divided us. Now we fight - enemies who were once our brothers.|Optimus Prime|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==In the beginning==
[[File:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|upright=2.8|Solus, Unicron has escaped! Recruit a team of Cybertronians with attitude!]]

A single omnipotent being of unknown origin travels the galaxy, discovering life along the way. With no other creatures equaling its power, the being begins to converse with itself, and in time two unique personas form. The first is [[Primus]], a reassuring presence that accepts the universe at is; the second is [[Unicron]], who discovers and seeks to correct perceived flaws in the order of the universe. The two personas grow increasingly divergent from one another, and begin to argue. In time, the being splits physically, creating two separate bodies for each half of its warring psyche. Unicron grows increasingly rapacious and destructive, while Primus grows increasingly withdrawn. Eventually, Primus takes up arms to stop Unicron from devouring the galaxy. This struggle lasts for eons, with neither side able to gain an advantage over the other. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

==The Age of the Thirteen==

To try and turn the tide, Primus creates the [[Thirteen]], each given a unique role, nature, and artifact of power to aid the struggle. In order of their creation, they are [[Prima]], [[Vector Prime]], [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], [[Solus Prime]], [[Micronus Prime]], [[Alchemist Prime]], [[Nexus Prime]], [[Onyx Prime]], [[Amalgamous Prime]], [[Liege Maximo]], [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|the Thirteenth Prime]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===The Expulsion of Unicron===
The newly created Primes begin training and strategizing for the upcoming conflict. Solus Prime, the artificer of the Thirteen, creates many [[Artifacts of the Primes|weapons and icons of power]] for them to use. At the urging of Megatronus, she creates a [[Requiem Blaster (Prime)|great weapon]] to fight Unicron, although Solus herself worries that this power could corrupt them. The Thirteen vote seven to six to keep the Requiem Blaster and not destroy it. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} Ultimately, the Primes defeat Unicron, and the Chaos Bringer's inert form drifts off into space, where it later forms the core of [[Earth]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} His fossilized blood, spilled in this conflict, becomes known as [[Dark Energon]]. Following the defeat of Unicron, Primus becomes one with the [[Core]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where he gives life to future [[Transformer]]s through the [[AllSpark]], within the [[Well of All Sparks]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} Although the Primes stand triumphant, Unicron's influences has tainted all of them with a touch of darkness. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===The War of the Primes===
After a period of peaceful building and construction, tensions between the Primes slowly grow. Secretly manipulated by Liege Maximo, Megatronus kills Solus Prime, causing the first schism in the Primes. After Megatronus is defeated, the Liege Maximo makes his own play for power, but is defeated in the process. After this great battle, Nexus Prime fragments himself into five robots, each one carrying and guarding a fragment of the [[Cyber Caliber]]. His components are dubbed [[Clocker (Prime)|Clocker]], [[Mainspring]], [[Chaindrive]], [[Cannonspring]], and [[Pinion]]. The fight has lasting repercussions for the Thirteen—Megatronus, now "The Fallen", and the Liege have left the Primes for good, the once idealistic Vector Prime despairs and seals himself away in a pocket dimension, and Solus Prime is dead. Onyx Prime, Micronus Prime, and the Thirteenth Prime willingly enter the Well of All Sparks and sacrifice their lives in order to jump-start its creative processes, with the intent of creating a new race to inhabit the world.

[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] vow to remain on Cybertron and nurture this new civilization. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} [[Quintus Prime]] travels into deep space with his [[Emberstone]], with the intention of creating new races that will ally with future Cybertronian civilizations. Meanwhile, far out in space, the forgotten Requiem Blaster gradually accrues a collection of space junk around it. As its gravitational pull increases, more and more drifting shipwrecks and space junk gather around it, eventually forming an artificial planetoid. This artificial planet will later become known as [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

==The Age of Evolution==
The three Primes that entered the Well activate the Allspark, which in turns emits a great burst of energy. From this beam of energy comes a wide variety of mechanical life, including precursors to modern Cybertronians. Among them is a robot named Orion Pax; in reality, he is the Thirteenth Prime reborn in a humbler shape, unaware of his origins or true heritage.
On the last stellar cycle, the Allspark's largest and most powerful creations of all, the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]s emerge. [[Predaking (COP)|Predaking]], their leader, is the first of their kind, followed by [[Lazerback (COP)|Lazerback]] and [[Twinstrike (COP)|Twinstrike]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} Many more follow, and some of them come into conflict with humanoid Cybertronians.

Cybertron's fledgling ecosystems continue to grow and prosper for many thousands of years. Eventually, however, a passing [[Wikipedia: red giant|red giant]] star interferes with Cybertron's own sun, causing meteor strikes and solar flares. While many humanoid Transformers take shelter underground in [[stasis lock]], the Predacons remain unshielded on the surface. They do not survive, though they leave behind a multitude of fossils containing extractable [[CNA]]. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

==The Age of Origins==
The surviving Cybertronians are quick to rebuild their wounded world. In the era that follows, many small settlements and villages form as protection from marauding warlords and barbarian armies. One such settlement, known as [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], becomes home to an influential group known as the [[Patterner]]s. Composed of survivors from the Great Cataclysm, this group of rationalists and philosophers rallies under the leadership of [[Azimuth]]. Their quest for knowledge leads them to study the movements and patterns of the stars, and eventually carve great geometric symbols into the face of Cybertron. Their movement eventually spawns many splinter groups and counter-cults, such as the cult of [[Random]] led by [[Galvatron (COP)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

At some point during this time, the [[Dark Spark]] is discovered and studied by the Patterners and [[Disciples of the Thirteen]], with some debate as to its origins. After witnessing its dark power, the [[Crystal Guardians]] decided that it was too powerful for study to be allowed to continue, and locked it away in vaults deep beneath [[Crystal City|their city]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

Eventually, the [[Quintesson]]s - creations of Quintus Prime - discover the world of Cybertron. Remotely observing the world by a system of probes secretly inserted into Cybertronians, the aliens begin preparing to invade the world, secretly intending to turn Cybertronians into mindless workers and selling them into slavery.

==The [[Age of Wrath]]==
A young [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] discovers a Quintesson probe inside the worker [[Coldweld]]. Not long afterwards, the first Quintesson ships descend from the sky in a grand arrival, setting themselves up as benevolent emissaries sent to "uplift" Cybertron into the galactic community. They win the public support of Cybertronians by "teaching" them how to transform - in reality, they are simply activating the dormant [[transformation cog]]s in the bodies of all Transformers.

Buoyed by popular opinion, the Quintessons soon establish a globalized puppet government ruled by [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] and a [[High Council]] of thirteen Transformers. Under Quintesson guidance, Cybertronians rapidly develop both public and private infrastructure, and eventually master spaceflight and dimensional travel. Before long, however, cracks begin to show in their benign façade. The Quintessons establish a new [[Supreme Court]] in line with their twisted ideals of justice, while other Quintessons siphon off the fruit of Cybertron's labour for their own ends. Some Transformers are even modified to serve as transportation for their rulers, such as installing cockpits on the bodies of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. The Quintesson occupation has a negative effect on the Well itself; Cybertronians begin emerging from the Allspark without names or personalities. One such Transformer is the newly born [[Megatron (WFC)|D-16]], who is assigned a position in Cybertron's mines.

When a resistance movement finally exposes the many lies of the Quintessons, they are overthrown and routed from the system in a war effort headed by Sentinel Prime himself, the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]], and the aforementioned resistance. D-16 is one of the many working-class Cybertronians called to arms. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} With new [[space bridge]]s engineered from the Quintesson's half-completed projects, Cybertron enters its [[Golden Age]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

==The Golden Age==
The [[Golden Age]] brings sweeping changes to Cybertronian social structure and hierarchy. Sentinel Prime takes full control over the ex-Quintesson bureauccracy with the support of the High Council. The Well of All Sparks brings forth many new sparks, many of which are eventually harnessed as part of Cybertron's colonization efforts. Under Sentinel's rule, the new [[space bridge]] network allows trailblazing Cybertronians to colonize more than two hundred faraway planets, including [[Archon]], [[Neutronia]], [[Gigantion]], [[Velocitron]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], [[Aquatron]], and the [[Hub (G2)|Hub]]. Concerted construction and cyberforming efforts turn many of these worlds into miniature Cybertrons. While these new colony worlds are initially supported by Cybertronian energon, many of them harness "torches" to create miniature Wells, rendering them completely independent from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The construction of the spaceport on the [[Hydrax Plateau]] begins, and [[Moonbase One|Moonbases One]] and [[Moonbase Two|Two]] are constructed on the [[Mini-Con]] inhabited moons of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

[[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station is put into orbit as well, and a crew of Seekers are tasked with defending the Dark Energon stored within, remnants of Unicron's attack on the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The High Council encouraged the gathering and storage of Dark Energon aboard the vessel. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The first [[Cybertronian data cylinder]]s are created, which store and preserve the accumulated knowledge of Cybertronian civilization. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

At some point during the Golden Age, a civilization known only as the [[Ancient]]s arises. A civilization of explorers and astronomers, they travel the galaxy using Space Bridge technology, gather treasures from many worlds, and chart the known universe in their [[Ancient map room|stellar cartography chamber]]. Among the planets visited by the Ancients is Earth.<ref>In its brief appearance in ''Fall of Cybertron'', an intact [[Wikipedia: Pangaea|Pangaea]] is present on Earth's surface, indicating that the Ancients arrived on Earth between the [[Wikipedia: Late Permian|Late Permian]] and [[Wikipedia: Early Jurassic|Early Jurassic]] periods, approximately 250-175 million years ago. The ''Fall of Cybertron'' comic, and its assertion that Space Bridges can warp time as well as space, make it impossible to tell whether or not Cybertron's Golden Age occurred concurrently during this time period.</ref> The Ancients are undone by a mysterious cataclysm that also devastates the nearby region, creating the lifeless, inhospitable region known as the [[Rust Sea]]. Many of their structures survive intact- albeit forgotten- including the large tomb that also houses their maps. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

After 8,000 years of prosperity and exploration, the Golden Age draws to a close. The Well of All Sparks begins slowing down its production of new life, and other cracks begin to show in Cybertronian civilization. Meanwhile, among the colonies, the dreaded [[Rust Plague]] sweeps from star system to star system via the space bridge network, devastating some worlds and completely sterilizing others. In desperation, Sentinel orders the destruction of the space bridge network entirely to prevent the spread of the contagion. Cybertron is spared from destruction, at the cost of its many colony worlds. Millions of Transformers stranded across the galaxy continue adapting to their homeworlds, and many forget their origins entirely. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

As time goes by, various crises on the ex-colony worlds lead to drastic changes among their inhabitants. Velocitron's inhabitants, plagued by resource shortages, slip deeper and deeper into their racing obsession as a form of cultural diversion. The Junkions begin building cities and structures entirely out of their planetoid's bountiful supplies of garbage and trash, forming a stable and productive society. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} The Neutronians discover Amalgamous Prime's mythical transformation cog, changing the entire population into omnicombinational [[shifter]]s. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} Aquatron is re-colonized by Quintessons, who forcefully incorporate the planet into their Imperium while simultaneously tampering with the planet's inhabitants to create the [[Sharkticon (Prime)|Sharkticon]]s. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

==The Age of Rust==
[[File:WFCcomicD16.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[[Gold Plastic Syndrome]] strikes again.]]

In the waning years of the Golden Age, the [[caste system]] is implemented, where civilian guilds oversee and assign newly created Transformers to jobs, and it eventually becomes a major social institution under the urging of Sentinel. Alpha Trion grows troubled with the increasingly oppressive social system, and consults the supercomputer [[Vector Sigma]] for guidance, hoping to use the Matrix to revitalize Cybertron's culture. Vector Sigma declines his request, but reassures him that the time will soon be right for the Matrix's reactivation. Instead, Vector Sigma gives him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]], a gift for Sentinel Prime. While Alpha Trion waits for the Matrix, he retreats further and further into the [[Hall of Records]], eventually becoming a recluse.

Cybertron abandons many ancient traditions, such as travelling through the Underworld. These controversial reorganizations do not go unnoticed, though, and many newly born Transformers become dissatisfied with their lot in life, some seeking change. Cybertron's culture and society stagnates greatly as a result; the dynamic architecture and artwork that characterize older eras of society are replaced by dull, drab buildings. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The city-states of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] and [[Slaughter City]], populated mostly by low-caste miners and workers, soon turn to gladiatorial combat as a way to escape from the drudgery of their lives. The High Council, aware of why the games began, does nothing to stop them. D-16 begins a prosperous career of pit fighting, and eventually takes on the name Megatronus in honor of the Prime of the same name. He later shortens it to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Megatron uses his newfound publicity to denounce the stifling caste system. His rhetoric inspires a group of followers that includes fellow gladiator and spymaster [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] and the sadistic scientist [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Realizing the threat that this upstart poses, Sentinel Prime sends his agents [[Bumper (WFC)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (WFC)|Fastback]] to infiltrate his organization. Megatron soon discovers the duo and has them executed.

At the same time, a young data clerk named [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]], monitoring transmissions from across Cybertron, befriends Megatron, and the two of them begin a secret correspondence. Alpha Trion encourages his protégé, in the hopes that Orion's ideals will temper Megatronus's extremism. They have intense but friendly debates over the nature of free will and the dangerousness of their ideals, and soon Orion begins training with [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], learning to fire an ion-cannon and to fashion his arms into an axe and a sword. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

[[File:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|And so the fangirls leapt to their computers, and produced horrible things.]]

Before long, Orion visits Megatron in person in Kaon. Terrorists, calling themselves "[[Decepticon]]s", begin bombings in Megatron's name, attacking such popular spots as [[Six Lasers Over Cybertron]]. Megatron himself makes his first public announcement on the Grid, stating he is not responsible for the attacks and will bring the perpetrators to justice. In reality, however, Megatron had heard rumors about the bombings and terrorist attacks but did nothing to prevent them. Megatron and Orion are eventually granted a meeting with the High Council. In his speech, Megatron demands that he be named the next Prime, and threatens to violently overthrow the Council if they do not comply. Orion, does not believe in violence, and follows him up with a speech of his own. He argues that the members of Cybertron should be autonomous robots, or "[[Autobot]]s", and that everyone should be able to make their own choices in life. Orion's speech moves the Council and inspires them to appoint Orion a Prime. They give him the new name of "Optimus". Megatron is incensed by the fact that his speech went unnoticed. In a fit of anger, he kills the Council member [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]] and spitefully severs all ties with his former friend. At Optimus's urging, the two sides retreat for now to avoid further bloodshed in the Council halls. However, the Council itself has fragmented; [[Contrail]], [[Ratbat (WFC)|Ratbat]], and [[Drivetrain (WFC)|Drivetrain]] now support the Decepticon cause. Megatron officially declares war on Optimus Prime and his followers, sparking the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

==Great War==
[[File:WarforCybertron-OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Yeah, why don't ya come over and say that to my face, tough guy? Bonk!]]

The war quickly spreads beyond the High Council, and before long battle lines are drawn as various city-states declare their allegiances. Autobots and their allies control the most important locations on Cybertron, including [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Kalis]]. Shortly after the declaration of war, the Allspark stops producing new Cybertronians; some interpret this as an act of divine rebellion. Undeterred, the Decepticons launch their first strike by seizing [[Fort Scyk]]. [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] and his Council Guardians manage to hold the line long enough for the Autobots to send reinforcements. The Decepticons then attack and occupy the [[Hydrax Plateau]]. With this crucial region under Decepticon control, Megatron quickly takes over the majority of Cybertron's eastern hemisphere, which remains in Decepticon hands for the majority of the war. Decepticons then capture the [[Satellite Command Center]] at [[Polyhex]]. The battle of [[Crystal City]] sees the [[Constructicon (WFC)|Constructicons]] deploy their combined [[Devastator (WFC)|Devastator]] against the Autobots, razing the city. Many of its scientific treasures survive the destruction. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Many dangerous weapons, such as the [[Cybonic plague]], are developed by the [[Decepticon Biological Warfare Program]]. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

The Autobots win their first major victory at [[Kalis]], where Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, and Jazz topple the Decepticon [[combiner]] [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]]. Kalis remains in Autobot hands and the Autobots begin using long-range combat against Decepticons. Shockwave's armies occupy the cities of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] and [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]. Shockwave manipulates the two cities and turns them against one another, destroying them both. The Decepticon campaign reaches [[Praxus]], where they encounter stiff Autobot resistance. The city-state is ultimately leveled by the fighting, and to this day the outcome is unclear. [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]] and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], citizens of Praxus, join the Autobot cause and become part of Optimus Prime's inner circle of confidants. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

Megatron, still stinging from the loss of Praxus, orders Bruticus Maximus to spearhead a massacre at [[Nova Cronum]]. In the meantime, Minicon saboteurs manage to steal and reverse-engineer Shockwave's secrets, and before long the Autobots create their own combiners. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Optimus Prime assigns Ultra Magnus to lead the unruly squadron known as the [[Wrecker]]s in the hopes of instilling discipline into their ranks {{storylink|Project Predacon}}, and with the aid of the newly created [[Defensor (WFC)|Defensor]] the team defends the Tagan Heights against the Constructicons, although the fighting between Defensor and Devastator demolishes the area. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

At some point during the war, Optimus Prime survives an assassination attempt by [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] at the [[Battle of Technahar]]. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

After centuries of stasis, the [[Allspark]] creates a final generation of Transformers, most of whom side with the Autobots. Among them is the Autobot [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who distinguishes himself on the battlefield and becomes one of Optimus Prime's closest compatriots. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Another young Autobot named [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] enters the boot camp of the Elite Guard with hopes of becoming a full-fledged soldier. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and her combat partner [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] serve in [[Delta Team]] for most of the war. After a raid on a Decepticon munitions depot, both of them are captured and interrogated by the Decepticon [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Although Arcee is rescued by Bumblebee and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]], they are too late to save Tailgate. {{storylink|Predatory}}

As the war continues, the Autobots are gradually outnumbered and outgunned. Optimus Prime makes the painful decision to eject the AllSpark from Cybertron, so that Megatron cannot create more Transformers. In the ensuing battle, the Allspark is fired into deep space from [[Tyger Pax]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The Autobots also decide to eject the data cylinders from Cybertron to prevent Decepticons from using the vital knowledge within. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} With the Allspark gone, the Decepticons focus their attention on Iacon, one of the last regions still under Autobot control.

Seeking a new edge in the war, Megatron storms Trypticon Station and wrests control of it from [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], empowering himself and other Decepticons with the Dark Energon stored there. As part of their next strike, the Decepticon-allied Seekers travel deep underneath Cybertron in search of the long-abandoned [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] beneath the ruins of Crystal City, which will allow the manufacture of new Dark Energon for the Decepticons' use.

Megatron leads a group of Decepticons into Iacon, to find a means of travelling to the very core of Cybertron to spread the Dark Energon. Though Sentinel Prime attempts to stand in his way, he is soon defeated by the vengeful Decepticon—but unbeknownst to Megatron, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] is reactivated due to these events, and is intent on stopping the Decepticons. The Decepticon forces manage to cripple the Guardian's alternate mode, and Megatron and his troops soon defeat him on ground level. Because of this, the Decepticon leader manages to reach Cybertron's core and corrupt it with Dark Energon—a critical blow against the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

The Autobots, however, are not yet defeated, and muster a counter-attack to rout the remaining Decepticons from Iacon. Sentinel, now imprisoned in Kaon, is able to send a transmission, and a small group of Autobots, lead by Optimus, soon launch an incursion into the prison to recover him. However, the former Prime perishes just as he has been rescued. The Autobots return the body to Iacon, and Optimus officially comes to accept that he is a Prime and must take up his role as leader. From then on, he fully becomes known as Optimus Prime, the last of the Primes. Optimus's first task as true Prime is to cleanse the infected core. Heading down through Cybertron's inner layers, Optimus finds much of the planet is thoroughly infected by Dark Energon. The core tells Prime that Cybertron is so greatly corrupted that it will take millions of years of shutdown in order to undo the grievous damage done by Megatron's Dark Energon. Optimus is given the [[Matrix of Leadership]] by the Core, a fragment of [[Prima]]'s powerful sword that contains a portion of Cybertron's spark. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

==Great Exodus ("A few thousand years ago"<ref name="greatexodustime" />)==

[[File:WFCgalactic transports.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Just a little while back<ref name="greatexodustime">Assorted promotional material for the ''Fall of Cybertron'' video game dates this period to 70 million years ago. This seems ''particularly'' excessive, even for a race that normally measures its history in millions of years, and is clearly only employed to justify the presence of dinosaurs on Earth, so Shockwave can create the Dinobots by studying them. IDW's ''Fall of Cybertron'' comic addressed this by making it clear that Shockwave was looking through ''time'' as well as space, as he makes mention of the dinosaurs' extinction by meteorite, establishing that this era is ''after'' the dinosaurs died out. This is also reinforced (perhaps unintentionally) by the fact that Snarl and Sludge transform into a ''Stegosaurus'' and an ''Apatosaurus''- dinosaur species that lived almost a hundred million years before ''T. rex'', ''Pteranodon'', and ''Triceratops''. Later, solicitations for IDW's first ''Beast Hunters'' comic issue would establish that series's setting as "a few thousand years" after this era, and that comic's exact point in time would be spelled out in the final two ''Beast Hunters'' issues, placing it towards the end of the ''Prime'' cartoon in the present day era.</ref>]]

As soon as Prime reaches the surface, he orders that an exodus from Cybertron will take place immediately. Preparations are made to flee the planet, but many of the escaping [[galactic transport]]s are shot down by Trypticon Station before they can leave Cybertron's orbit. Trypticon itself comes to life, thanks to multiple sparks implanted by Shockwave, and Optimus Prime leads his forces in a battle to knock it out of orbit. The ensuing battle results in Trypticon hurtling towards Cybertron's surface. However, Trypticon is not killed, and it transforms into its robot form. After another battle with it, Optimus and his forces regroup at the site of the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', a deep-space interceptor and the flagship of the makeshift Autobot fleet. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

With the Decepticons in control of most of Cybertron, the remaining Autobots begin fuelling the ship with scavenged Energon. Both factions develop an interest in the ancient, powerful artifact known as the [[Dark Spark]], and the Decepticons manage to locate and open the vault below Crystal City that contains it. Shockwave makes contact with the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, subterranean creatures that have been driven to the surface after Cybertron's core shut down. The Decepticon scientist manages to form an alliance with these creatures, and their sentient representatives- [[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]], [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]], and [[Sharpshot]]- join the Decepticons, pledging the support of their numerous feral brethren.

However, the Decepticons and Insecticons are tailed by the Autobots, and a running battle ensues, with both groups trying to return the artifact to their respective strongholds. Eventually, the Decepticons succeed in bringing the Dark Spark to Megatron at [[Kolkular]], where he places the artifact in his chest in imitation of the Matrix of Leadership. Optimus Prime arrives to confront the Decepticon leader, but is set upon by a horde of undead Autobots reanimated by the Dark Spark's power. The Autobot leader overcomes these corrupted foes and engages Megatron, and the two combatants unleash the powers of the artifacts in their chests. The power of the Matrix of Leadership wins out, violently ejecting the Dark Spark from the Decepticon leader and into space. With the artifact no longer a threat, Optimus orders the Autobots to fall back to Iacon and the Ark. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

While most of the Autobots ready the ''Ark'' for liftoff, the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] warrior [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]] discovers a massive reserve of untainted Energon in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]. He tries to contact [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and the other Autobots, but is captured by Shockwave before he can reveal the nature of his discovery. Grimlock and the rest of his squadron disobey Prime's orders and hijack an Autobot dropship to rescue him. Grimlock, [[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]], [[Slug (FOC)|Slug]], and [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] reach the outskirts of Shockwave's tower, but are overwhelmed by Shockwave's [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s and taken captive by Shockwave, who has plans for the quintet of warriors. Inspired by [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|alien lifeforms]] he has viewed with ancient Space Bridge technology, he begins experimenting on them. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)|Fall of Cybertron}}

Shockwave uses the critically injured Sludge as a test run, successfully rebuilding his alternate mode into a sauropod dinosaur, before ordering [[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]] to dump his body in the tunnels underneath the Rust Sea. {{storylink|Beast Hunters #2}} Shockwave rebuilds the rest into powerful berserkers with saurian alternate modes and imprisons them in his tower, intending to use them as his own personal warriors. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)|Fall of Cybertron}}

With Grimlock missing in action, Optimus leads his warriors to buy time for the Autobots to shut down Iacon and launch the Ark. Optimus discovers the existence of [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], an enormous Autobot incorporated into Iacon's structure who has lain dormant for millions of years. Optimus and Metroplex team up to help fight the Decepticons, and despite suffering numerous injuries Metroplex manages to deal a lethal blow to Megatron, grievously injuring him. However, the attack depletes all of the Autobot's remaining supplies of energon. With Megatron out of commission, Starscream takes advantage of the situation and declares himself the new leader of the Decepticons.

Jazz and Cliffjumper go searching for Grimlock and his forces in the Sea of Rust, where they find Shockwave's tower, Sludge's body in [[stasis lock]] and the uncorrupted Energon Swoop had discovered earlier. However, on Starscream's orders, the [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticons]] attack the Autobot convoy, then combine into Bruticus and crash the transport, recovering half of the Energon. Starscream is unimpressed with their performance and orders their imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Soundwave has recovered Megatron's remains and rebuilds his body, using an infusion of [[Dark Energon]] to revive him. Megatron confronts Starscream and resumes control of the Decepticons. Seeking use of Trypticon, Megatron heads for his location in Iacon and successfully scavenges many of his components.

In Shockwave's lab, a disgraced Starscream discovers Grimlock, who he attempts to recruit to his cause. Grimlock throws Starscream into the wall and escapes. As he fights his way through Shockwave's cadre of Decepticons and Insecticons, Grimlock reunites with the surviving members of the Lightning Strike Coalition, although he believes Sludge is dead. Now operating as the "[[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]]s", Grimlock confronts Shockwave and destroys his space bridge. Both are caught in the ensuing explosion.

Metroplex sacrifices his life to ensure that the ''Ark'' can launch. Optimus and many of the Autobots escape aboard the Ark. They are pursued, however, by Megatron aboard Trypticon, now a [[Trypticon (WFC)|spacecraft]] dubbed the ''Nemesis''. The two vehicles and their respective crews battle as they race for the space bridge above the planet, which explodes, scattering the two vessels across the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

==After the Great Exodus==
Grimlock, having fallen to the ground from the collapsing space bridge tower, is found by his Dinobot comrades. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}} Four cycles after the launch of the Ark, an Autobot cleanup crew discovers Sludge's abandoned body and manage to bring him back online. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 2|Beast Hunters #2}}

Sludge, Grimlock, and the other Dinobots all join up with Ultra Magnus's Wreckers, and together they continue to fight against Shockwave's forces for control of Cybertron, even as the planet commences its shutdown sequence.

The Space Bridge detonation takes the ''Ark'' and ''Nemesis'' to the outskirts of the [[Milky Way]] galaxy, where Optimus detects a faint signal left behind by the Allspark's passage. Prime and his crew are guided by the Matrix to nearby Velocitron, teetering on the brink of civil war. However, [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], having infiltrated the crew, manages to provoke enough civil unrest among the Velocitronians that [[Ransack (Prime)|Ransack]] and his group of political malcontents attack Override, sparking a civil war. The Autobots manage to escape through a space bridge, Optimus having recovered two pieces of the Blades of Time on Velocitron's surface, though he mistakenly believes they are pieces of the Star Saber. The Autobots next travel to Junkion, where they befriend the native Junkions and begin repairs on the ''Ark''. However, Makeshift once again sabotages the repair effort, but is caught. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Meanwhile, Alpha Trion is put under house arrest by Shockwave, but manages to send the Autobot Chaindrive to Optimus with another piece of the Blades of Time. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} Armed with a hazy knowledge of the future from the [[Covenant of Primus]] that [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] would eventually end up on Earth, [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] launches Cybertronian relics located within the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] [[Hall of Records]] to Earth, not to keep them from the Decepticons, but to ensure that Optimus would eventually find them. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Smokescreen, having ended up on security detail for Alpha Trion, is taken by Decepticon forces during their attacking the Hall of Records, {{storylink|New Recruit}} but not before Alpha Trion secretly manages to hide [[Omega Key|one of the relics]] within the young Autobot. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

The ''Nemesis'', following the trail of the ''Ark'', lands on Velocitron and later Junkion. Axer, an ex-Decepticon, recovers the Requiem Blaster from the core of Junkion, causing the demi-planet to tear apart. Prime, meanwhile, manages to contact Vector Prime in his pocket dimension, who also helps to reunite five bots the Autobots have met (Chaindrive among them) into Nexus Prime. A climatic battle takes place on Junkion, with the Autobots triumphant and the Blaster destroyed. However, the Junkions themselves are enslaved by space-pirate expatriate Transformers called the [[Star Seeker]]s and taken to places unknown. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

With Autobot control over the planet steadily weakening, Shockwave and the remaining Decepticons take control of Iacon, forcing the Wreckers to retreat to Cybertron's comparatively barren polar regions to launch hit-and-run attacks on Decepticon convoys. Shockwave builds his newest tower in the center of Iacon and continues his experiments, studying the effects of Dark Energon on the city's beleaguered inhabitants. He eventually kidnaps Alpha Trion and tries to use him to access [[Vector Sigma]] to forge a [[Decepticon Matrix]] that will further enhance his control over Cybertron. The Wreckers team up with Omega Supreme to launch a rescue mission.

Simultaneously, out in space, Optimus Prime and company discover the seemingly utopic world of [[Aquatron]], inhabited by friendly amphibious robots. In reality, the Aquatronians are subjugated servants of the Quintessons, and their leader [[Inquirata (Prime)|Inquirata]] manipulates both Optimus Prime and Shockwave to further his own ends. The ''Nemesis'' arrives not long afterwards, following a skirmish with Thundertron, but the two sides are forced into a temporary truce by the Quintessons. When the Quintessons reveal their true colours, Optimus Prime and Megatron are forced to work together to escape from the Quintesson's twisted courtrooms Thanks to Shockwave's experiments with Dark Energon on Vector Sigma, the Quintessons are able to launch a second invasion of Cybertron using their [[Sharkticon (Prime)|Sharkticon]] shock troops. Although the Wreckers manage to save Alpha Trion, they are too late to stop the invasion. General [[Tyrannicon]] storms Iacon, takes down both Omega Supreme and Devastator, and allies with Senator Ratbat to gain access to the Hall of Records. The invasion is only stopped when Megatron, still on Aquatron, discovers the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]] and uses it to override Tyrannicon's command over his troops. The Wreckers manage to keep the Hall of Records in Cybertronian hands while [[Rack n' Ruin]] splits off from the group and rigs Shockwave's tower to explode. In the ensuing fight underneath Aquatron, Tyrannicon and Inquirata are killed, while Optimus and Megatron barely manage to escape the detonation of the Space Bridge. The two factions depart the now-freed Aquatron while Optimus continues his search for the Allspark. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

Cybertron's conditions continue to deteriorate, and eventually Ultra Magnus puts out the call for the final Autobot evacuation of the planet. A convoy of ships escapes, but Magnus's personal craft is shot down, and the Wrecker leader is captured by the [[Forged]], a faction of ex-Decepticons serving under Shockwave. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 1|Rage of the Dinobots #1}} The Dinobots mount a rescue mission to a Forged prison in the Sea of Rust, where they find not only Magnus, but scores of other Autobot prisoners. They stage a prison break, but are confronted by the leader of the group, [[Ser-Ket (Prime)|Ser-Ket]], who has been altered with [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] [[CNA]] in much the same way that they were altered with [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] DNA. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 2|Rage of the Dinobots #2}} Grimlock is able to defeat her in battle, but Shockwave arrives soon afterwards, {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 3|Rage of the Dinobots #3}} and Magnus and the Dinobots are recaptured.

The Decepticon scientist attempts to complete his work on Grimlock and erase the Dinobot's free will, but his teammates and Ultra Magnus are able to escape their cell in time to intervene, violently decapitating Shockwave. However, a hologram message reveals that Shockwave is in fact alive and well, and what the Dinobots just killed was merely a remote avatar. With the immediate threat passed, Magnus sets off to join the leaving fleet, whilst the Dinobots resolve to remain on Cybertron, seeking to hunt down their nemesis Shockwave and help the few Autobots that remain. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}}

Eventually, energon shortages force Cybertron's remaining population into the tunnels under the surface, where they scavenge fuel from underground deposits and by hunting the planet's subterranean fauna. Survivors group together to establish underground cities, one of which is led by "king" Grimlock, and the surface is left desolate and ruined. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 1|Beast Hunters #1}}

The war continues to rage on other worlds across the galaxy. One of them is [[Earth]], which is seeded with energon by Cybertronians. During Earth's Stone Age, a group of Autobots rescues a tribe of primitive humans from a meteor shower. {{storylink|Did You See What I Thaw?}}. Among the Decepticon combatants are a group of genetically engineered Predacons created by Shockwave. Their presence inspires the human legends of [[dragon]]s, although they eventually die, leaving behind remains. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} Other Decepticons include Skyquake, dispatched to Earth to guard its energon resources. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} At some point, a group of Autobots visits ancient [[Greece]], where they leave behind an [[Energon Harvester]]. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} The Cybertronians on Earth eventually leave, die, or enter stasis lock, leaving Earth abandoned... for the time being.

==Modern Era==
===1649===
[[File:ReignOfMorocco Horace Burns statue.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
A North American island off the coast of Maine is founded by a group of settlers, led by [[Horace Burns]], from the mainland. The island becomes the town of [[Griffin Rock]], and a lighthouse with a [[Settlers' Bell|bell]] is erected in the town's port.{{storylink|The Reign of Morocco}}{{storylink|The Lost Bell}}

===1800s===
In 1812, Griffin Rock is raided and looted by the pirates of the ''[[Oaken Crow]]''. The pirates set the town ablaze and make off with their booty, including the Settlers' Bell. Their ship gets caught in a storm and becomes trapped within a cave on an unknown island.{{storylink|The Lost Bell}}

At some point, [[Thaddeus Morocco]] is born, who would go on to make a career in science by stealing the works of others, including a [[Chamber of Youth|rejuvenation chamber]] that would extend his life artificially with each use. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

===1939===
The [[World's Fair]] takes place, which features the artificial volcano [[Mount Magma]]. Afterward, the volcano is relocated to Griffin Rock.{{storylink|Under Pressure}}

The [[Griffin Rock Technology Expo]] also occurs, during which Griffin Rock scientists attempt to create a [[Temporal Station|time machine]], but are incapable of powering it up.{{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

On [[August 17]], the day after the Temporal Station's decommissioning, a group of time-displaced individuals consisting of four Rescue Bot Autobots, the human children [[Cody Burns]] and [[Frankie Greene]], and the Helper Bot [[Dither]], accidentally travels through the time machine from the future. They are discovered by Dr. Thaddeus Morocco, who takes interest in the robots and begins to study them. The two kids are sent away, but escape and, along with Dither, recover the Autobots in Morocco's captivity. A surprise intervention by Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, who subsequently followed the Rescue Bots through the time machine to help them, along with some assistance from [[Elma Hendrickson]], gives all of the time-travelers the chance to escape back to the future. However, a damaged Dither is accidentally left behind, and comes into Morocco's possession. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

{{Note|It is from here that the timeline is split in two, as the time travel incident creates an alternate timeline (see below), but then erases it and has history put back on its corrected course.}}

Morocco starts to open up Dither to begin studying him, but the previous group of time travelers returns once again to retrieve their forgotten robot before returning to their own time, leaving Morocco unable to study the future technology. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

===1940s===
Around the late 1940s, the [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]] likely begins, in which a [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|missile silo]] is constructed inside a mountain in [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]], and a bunker is built under Griffin Rock. Both locations would eventually become occupied by the Autobots in the present day. {{storylink|Darkness Rising}} {{storylink|Family of Heroes}}

In 1949, Griffin Rock celebrates its tricentennial, which features holograms of some of its most prominent citizens, including its first female scientist Elma Hendrickson, on display in historical exhibits. {{storylink|The Haunting of Griffin Rock}}

===1950s===
Griffin Rock scientists experiment with [[subspace]] technology as part of the [[Sanctuary Plan]], in which the insect-like [[Tracer (RB)|tracers]] would transport the island's entire populace to a safe haven during the condition of a crisis. The plan is abandoned due to instability of the shelter, with the tracers being locked away in storage.{{storylink|Countdown (RB)|Countdown}}

===1960s===
The scientists of Griffin Rock install a magnetic pulse generator to disable all circuitry at [[Griffin Crest]], setting it as a safe zone in case an experimental machine ever went haywire on the island.{{storylink|Rules and Regulations}}

In [[1966]], the ''[[S.S. Isolde]]'' transports experimental technology to Griffin Rock from the mainland. During one of its voyages to the island, however, a piece of its cargo, the [[Sub-Zero Expander]], is accidentally damaged and activated. After contacting the island for advice, the ship's captain, [[Zachary Burns]], and crew are ordered to abandon the vessel and all of its cargo, leaving it to be encased completely within an iceberg. {{storylink|Tip of the Iceberg}}

===1980s===
A small group of Cybertronians return to Earth, unaware of its true nature. Bumblebee is the first Autobot to land on Earth, sent ahead of the others to scout out the planet.<ref>Bumblebee's [http://www.hubworld.com/hubworld/specials/transformers-prime-downloadables/printables/tprime-bumblebee-coloring-page.pdf online coloring page] at hubworld.com</ref> He is later joined by Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, and Ratchet, who set up a base inside the dormant volcano [[Mount St. Hilary]].

===28 years ago===
Professor [[Anna Baranova]] begins an investigation of the [[Griffin Rock Triangle]] with [[Midgard|Project Midgard]]. Her mobile undersea laboratory, the ''Midgard'', fails in its mission and is rendered permanently submerged. {{storylink|The Griffin Rock Triangle}}

===Present day===
At some earlier point, Dr. Morocco, who had become Griffin Rock's lead scientist, is dismissed from his position due to his technology proving dangerous and inferior. He is replaced by [[Ezra Greene|Doc Greene]].{{storylink|The Other Doctor}}{{storylink|The Reign of Morocco}}

[[File:CliffArcee ognpreview.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
The Decepticons begin mining the energon deposits left on earth with the intention of using it to restore Cybertron. Starscream is tasked by Megatron with recreating space bridge technology, so that the energon can be quickly transferred between planets. After scouring the galaxy on this mission, the Air Commander returns to their home planet with a number of troops to construct a space bridge. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|''Prime'' comic}}

The earthbound Autobots obtain terrestrial alternate modes and secretly ally themselves with the United States government. They are assigned [[William Fowler]] as a government liaison, and provided with an abandoned missile silo to use as a [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] in exchange for keeping the Decepticon threat contained. A great deal of Cybertronian technology is installed there, including a [[GroundBridge]] of Ratchet's design. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}}

Optimus Prime sends a message into space, calling all Autobots to the new battleground. Arcee and Cliffjumper are both investigating the Decepticon activity on the desolate Cybertron when they receive the message. They hijack a Decepticon space bridge to travel to Earth. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|''Prime'' comic}} The Air Commander follows them through, but, after a brief confrontation, the two Autobots are able to join up with [[Team Prime]] and [[scanning|scan]] new terrestrial alternate modes. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|''Prime'' comic}} Subsequently, Megatron leaves Earth with the intention of gathering a new army. The Decepticons under Starscream avoid conflict with the Autobots, and continue to secretly mine the planet's energon, along with constructing a new space bridge in orbit. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} During his three-year journey, meanwhile, Megatron finds a far greater prize than new troops: solidified crystals of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

At some unspecified time, Optimus Prime sets up a [[Rescue Force Sigma-17|team]] of [[Rescue Bot]]s on Griffin Rock, in which they live with a local family to better understand humanity and serve as their protectors. {{storylink|Family of Heroes}}

On Earth, hostilities between the Autobots and Decepticons resurface when Cliffjumper is executed by Starscream; later, he is reanimated by Megatron with the power of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} A series of accidents draws three [[human]]s—[[Jack Darby]], [[Raf Esquivel]], and [[Miko Nakadai]]—into the mayhem. Megatron's plan is to reanimate the thousands of dead Transformers on Cybertron and transport them to Earth via the orbital space bridge, but this is ultimately foiled by the Autobots. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} Megatron himself is caught in the explosion of the bridge as it is destroyed, but survives thanks to the Dark Energon in his body. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Megatron's wounded form is discovered by Starscream after a failed attempt to bring Skyquake under his control. Starscream attempts to kill him, but Soundwave's presence compels him to put the Decepticon leader in stasis in the ''Nemesis''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s sick bay instead. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Wheeljack, now an interstellar nomad, briefly arrives on Earth, but after a run-in with [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], he leaves. {{storylink|Con Job}}

An encounter with the mysterious human terrorist organization [[MECH]] introduces a second antagonistic party for the Autobots. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and his partner [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] arrive on Earth to aid with Megatron's repairs. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Airachnid, too, lands on Earth to rekindle her standing grudge against Arcee and collect some "specimens", but she is stranded on Earth when her ship is destroyed by Jack and Arcee. {{storylink|Predatory}}

Events come to a head when Optimus Prime and Ratchet detect an ancient Autobot distress signal, and come across an abandoned Autobot ship infected with cybonic plague. Optimus is contaminated, and so to find a cure for the sickness Bumblebee and Arcee are forced to infiltrate the ''Nemesis'' and enter Megatron's mind. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} However, Megatron manages to download himself into Bumblebee's consciousness, and by taking control of the Autobot's body he restores his original body with Dark Energon and uploads his mind into it, restoring himself to life. {{storylink|Out of His Head}} Megatron grievously wounds Starscream sometime after this as punishment, but Starscream makes another play for power by reanimating Skyquake's corpse, which ends in failure. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

MECH enters the picture again, first capturing and mutilating Breakdown {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} and later teaming up with Airachnid to lure Arcee into a trap. {{storylink|Crisscross}} Both of these end in failure for MECH.

After Megatron and Starscream are trapped in the energon mine due to the actions of the Autobots {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}, Starscream renounces Megatron's command and tries to join the Autobots, but this ends in failure when Starscream lets slip that he killed Cliffjumper. {{storylink|Partners}}. Starscream becomes an independent faction in the war. Ratchet manages to devise a formula for synthetic energon from a retrieved data cylinder, but it proves to be incomplete and unsafe. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}.

[[File:OneShallRise2-bigdude.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Megatron seeks more power from the Dark Energon, and refers to an ancient prophecy in the [[Covenant of Primus]] that a "rising darkness" will come when the planets in the Solar System align. In reality, the "rising darkness" is Unicron's slumbering form, and the alignment of the planets will create the correct gravitational pull sufficient to awaken him. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}. As Unicron gradually awakens, the Dark Energon rising from his body causes several natural disasters to occur across the world. Optimus Prime confronts an avatar of Unicron head on, but diplomacy ends in failure when the chaos bringer decides to wipe out the many [[Human|"parasites"]] on his surface. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} After another battle with Unicron, Megatron and the Autobots make a truce, as the Dark Energon in Megatron's system allows him to locate Unicron's spark core and provide the Autobots with a way to destroy him. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} After the five Transformers bridge their way into Unicron, Megatron and Prime attempt to destroy Unicron's spark core with the Matrix of Leadership. The plan works- but Optimus loses many of his memories, believing that he is Orion Pax once again and that Megatron is his friend. Megatron takes him on board the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Megatron decides to use the fact that Orion Pax lost his memory to the Decepticon's advantage, and lies to Orion Pax about certain facts. He tells Orion that he was taken captive by the Autobots and kept in stasis long enough for the war to have moved to [[Earth|another planet]]. He then shows Orion a picture of a lifeless Cybertron, and informs him that [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] is responsible for the damage. Orion Pax vows to do his part to help the Decepticons, by completing [[Project Iacon]]. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Soon however, Orion Pax starts to see through Megatron's lies. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}}

Eventually, with the help of [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], Orion Pax rebels against Megatron before completing Project Iacon. Using [[Vector Sigma]], [[Jack Darby]] is able to restore Prime's memory. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}
[[File:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's operation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Soon, [[Team Prime]] is back to business. When [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] is investigating an ancient Autobot signal, [[MECH]] stuns him into temporary stasis, and removes his [[Transformation cog|T-cog]]. They use it to try to craft their own transformer, and seem to be making progress with [[Starscream (WFC)|help]]. Bumblebee starts to question his usefulness, as he has lost his speed, which is his primary attribute. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}}

Megatron, still working with the information from Project Iacon, manages to find the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. He sends Knockout to recover it, and with a fight, manages to accomplish his mission. However, Ratchet is able to restore Bumblebee's T-cog. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] returns to Earth, in pursuit of [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake's]] twin, [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. After an intense fight between [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], Wheeljack, and Dreadwing, Wheeljack finally gets an [[Earth]] mode, and Dreadwing pledges his allegiance to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}}

Airachnid's [[One Shall Rise, Part 3|earlier]] remarks about leaving Megatron finally catch up to her, and she goes rogue. Megatron sends Dreadwing to exterminate her, something that Megatron would normally do himself. Dreadwing meets up with Airachnid and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] to investigate a suspected energon deposit. Airachnid succeeds in making Breakdown very angry, and the two go at it. Airachnid cuts up Breakdown, and leaves his remains for [[MECH]].

Airachnid finally goes for Megatron, and issues him a challenge. He accepts, and forbids Dreadwing to follow him. However, Dreadwing disobeys, and gets caught in the middle of the fight, and suddenly the Autobots appear. Prime, as always, does the honorable thing and lets Dreadwing go in return for his word that he would not kill any of the Autobots. Megatron, however, disagreed, and fires at the Autobots. Later, Megatron remarks that Dreadwing will make a fine first lieutenant. {{storylink|Crossfire}}
[[File:NemesisPrime-NemesisPrime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Punk ass Decepticon! Oh, wait...]]

After [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] seemingly tries to run [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] off the road and attacks a military base, the U.S. military gives orders to fire at any bot on sight. However, [[Team Prime]] finds out that [[MECH]] has succeeded with [[Project Chimera]], and that the bot that attacked the base was actually designed and built by MECH. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] dubs this drone "Nemesis Prime". Optimus Prime and Nemesis Prime have a climatic battle on top of MECH's base of operations, and Nemesis falls on top of Silas, seemingly killing him. However, in an undisclosed location, Silas lays on an operating table, with Breakdown's corpse seemingly ready to transplant. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}}

Agent Fowler is called into [[Bryce|General Bryce's]] office to explain [[Nemesis Prime (episode)|recent events]]. Bryce tells Fowler that people higher up on the chain of command are questioning [[Team Prime|Team Prime's]] loyalty. Some are suggesting Team Prime's termination and a military tribunal for Fowler, who assures General Bryce that Prime, and the rest of the Autobots, are completely and totally loyal to the [[United States of America|United States]], and to humanity. {{storylink|Grill}}

Dual plots against Megatron's life, one orchestrated by Airachnid and her Insecticons and the other by Starscream and an army of clones, are hatched while Bulkhead found himself aboard the ''Nemesis''. The clones are destroyed, Arachnid is apprehended by the Autobots, the surviving Insecticons are integrated into Megatron's forces, and Bulkhead busts the ship's power core on his way out. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}} After [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] infuses the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' with dark energon in an attempt to repair it, the ship becomes sentient and puts all the Decepticons on board into stasis. The ship starts to head toward the first set of new Iacon coordinates that it has decoded. Jack, Miko, Raf, and Fowler bridge aboard the ship and download the coordinates. In the process, Jack undoes the dark energon infusion, returning the ship to its normal state. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[Team Prime]] splits up, and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], [[Jack Darby|Jack]], and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] travel to [[New York City]] to search for the first of the new Iacon relics. The new relic turns out to be a [[phase shifter]]. The Autobots are successful in recovering the device. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} Meanwhile, in the Antarctic, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] goes hunting for the second relic. It turns out to be the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] built by [[Solus Prime]]. After [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] takes the relic for his own, Optimus and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] form a brief alliance, and force Starscream below the ice. {{storylink|Triangulation}}
[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] travel to search for the third relic, which turns out to be a [[Resonance Blaster|resonance blaster]]. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] manages to recover the relic, Ratchet returns to base, and Wheeljack sets about repairing the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]''. {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}}
[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] sets out to locate and retrieve the final relic. It turns out to be [[Tox-En]], a toxic form of energon. Bulkhead fights with the Insecticon named [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]]. Though Bulkhead is initially victorious, Hardshell shoots him in the back just as he heads through the [[GroundBridge]]. {{storylink|Toxicity}}

As [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] tries to stabilize [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] arrives to base, having been alerted by [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] to what had transpired. In the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'', he goes looking for whoever injured Bulkhead. As normal, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] secretly tags along. After reaching an understanding, Miko and Wheeljack go looking for Hardshell, destroying an energon mine in the process. After an intense fight with Hardshell, Wheeljack emerges victorious. However, the rest of the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] hive pursues him and Miko as they take off in the ''Jackhammer''. Wheeljack uses a portion of his stash of grenades to dispatch them. However, the happiness doesn't last, as Ratchet reports that Bulkhead will survive, but will not likely be fully functional again. Wheeljack leaves again, stating that he is unable to see Bulkhead like this. {{storylink|Hurt}} Arcee comforts Miko by telling her the story of how she and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] became partners and joined [[Team Prime]]. {{storylink|Out of the Past}}

A [[Decepticon]] escape pod is discovered on [[Earth]] at the same time as [[Red Energon]], a rare and volatile type of energon that gives the user hyperspeed. The escape pod turns out to belong to [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]], a former member of the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]]. Although he appears to be [[Wheeljack (Prime)|another hotshot]], he proves himself by retrieving the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] from [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], who manages to make off with the Red Energon. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

[[MECH]] reawakens their leader, [[Silas]], by integrating his body into Breakdown's corpse. Renaming himself "Cylas", he dispatches the MECH technical team and goes to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] with a new weapon: the [[Project Damocles]] satellite. Megatron tries to utilize the Damocles satellite, but is foiled by the hacking efforts of [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Angered with the satellite's failure, Megatron allows [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to dissect Cylas. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

[[File:Legacy-PrimeStarSaber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Voldemort is ''evil'', [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Prime]]. Stop trying to be him. [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Unless...]]]]

The [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s both find the location of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] is forced to try and retrieve it for the Autobots, while Megatron has an entire army of workers trying to get at it. However it takes the power of a [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Prime]] for the sword to finally come free from the rock that encases it. After almost crashing the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' with the sword, Optimus and the Autobots emerge victorious. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] receives a prerecorded message from [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] telling him to locate the four [[Omega Key]]s. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] uses a [[space bridge]] to travel to Cybertron to retrieve the arm of a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. He attaches it to his body and uses his new limb to craft the [[Dark Star Saber]] from the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. The Dark Star Saber breaks the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] in half, but the Autobots come away with the first Omega Key. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}}

Optimus dispatches [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to go after the second relic, and [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to go after the third. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] wins over the second relic for the [[Decepticon]]s, while [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] beats out Bulkhead, Smokescreen, and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] to get the third. Smokescreen is captured by the Decepticons when he is revealed to be the fourth and final key. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}

Knock Out uses Smokescreen's phase shifter to remove the final Omega Key from within his body. However, Smokescreen manages to escape with the two Omega Keys that were in Megatron's possession, leaving the fourth one with Starscream. Starscream manages to invade the Autobot base and steal all three of theirs, acquiring all four. He then goes to Megatron on the ''Nemesis'' with the Omega Keys as bargaining chips. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] uses a [[cortical psychic patch]] on [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] in order to find out his ''true'' motives for coming back to Megatron. However, he decides that Starscream is of more value fighting ''with'' Megatron, not against him, and welcomes him back to the [[Decepticon]]s. While viewing the results of the patch, [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] learns of his [[Skyquake (Prime)|twin's]] fate in the [[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]. {{storylink|Patch (episode)|Patch}}

Knock Out operates on Starscream and repairs him, giving him a new T-cog. Infuriated by Starscream's treatment of Skyquake and Megatron's nonchalance, Dreadwing presents the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] to the [[Autobot]]s so that they can avenge his twin's death. After traveling back to the ''Nemesis'', he attempts to kill Starscream, but Megatron strikes him down before he gets the chance. Megatron and Starscream travel to Cybertron with a detachment of Vehicons to reactivate the planet. Using the Forge, Optimus modifies the Ground Bridge into a Space Bridge, and the Autobots launch an attack on the Vehicons using the gathered Iacon relics. They manage to retrieve the Omega Keys and reach the [[Omega Lock]]. However, Megatron reveals that the three kids have been captured by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}}

[[File:DarkestHour-Basedestroyed.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.4|We didn't even pay off the rent for this place!]]
The Autobots are forced to turn over the Omega Keys in exchange for the kids, and Megatron reveals his master plan includes [[cyberforming]] Earth as well. Optimus uses the Star Saber to destroy the Omega Lock, and the Autobots return to Earth, only for the Decepticons to attack their base. The Autobots abandon base, scattering across country, except for Optimus who is still in the base when the Decepticons destroy it. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] spirits the badly damaged Optimus Prime away from the wreckage of [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]] using the [[phase shifter]]. Megatron sends [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to search for the rest of the relics. He returns with the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], and something even better...[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] and his latest creation, a Predacon cloned from recovered CNA. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}} {{storylink|Scattered}}

[[File:Rebellion-Autobotgroupshot.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]

Concurrently, [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] lands on Earth and begins to reunite the disparate Autobot forces, who have gone into hiding. Among them are Raf and Bumblebee, who have turned the ''Harbinger'' into a new temporary base of operations with Ratchet's aid {{storylink|Scattered}}. Smokescreen, still in hiding, breaks into the ''Nemesis'' and recovers the Forge of Solus Prime. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} The Autobots launch a final assault on the Decepticon fortress. With the help of Optimus Prime, given a new lease on life thanks to the Forge, their combined efforts bring down Darkmount for good, forcing the Decepticons into a retreat. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

[[File:PlusOne-snatched.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb]]

Agent Fowler brings Optimus a new, beefed up truck to scan for his alternate mode, couresty of [[M.A.S.K.]] He also brings news of Decepticon activity in Texas and Scotland. He sends the Wreckers to Scotland, and brings Bumblebee and Smokescreen to Texas with him. Both parties discover the Decepticons transporting ancient Predacon fossils. Although the Autobots try to recover the fossils, both missions fail. Wheeljack drives off alone alone, fed up with Ultra Magnus and worried Bulkhead has gone soft. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} {{storylink|Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command}}

Wheeljack bridges back to base without Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead. He and Arcee track down Decepticon activity in New Mexico, but end up having to rescue Fowler and [[June Darby|June]] after the latter two get themselves kidnapped by Knock Out. After returning to base, Wheeljack and Bulkhead make up. {{storylink|Plus One (Prime)|Plus One}}

Wanting Megatron's favor back, Starscream orders Knock Out to inject the imprisoned Cylas with a mix of Dark and Synthetic Energon, turning him into a vampiric Terrorcon who brings his plague upon the ''Nemesis''. Cylas ends up freeing Airachnid before being killed by her, and she retakes control of the Insecticons, but their attempt at a coup is halted when Soundwave bridges them to a desolate moon of Cybertron. Starscream ends up facing Megatron's wrath for losing them the Insecticons and more than half of the Vehicons while Shockwave speeds up progress on Project Predacon to make up for the extensive loss of manpower. {{storylink|Thirst}}

[[File:Evolution Predaking Stand.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Anyone wanna make a ''Dragonball Z'' joke?]]
On the verge of the project's completion, the Predacon reveals his newfound ability to transform as well as his sentience, and though he pledges loyalty to Megatron, his ambition does not go unnoticed, and the Decepticons decide to let the Autobots wipe out the Predacons for them. Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack end up facing off against Predaking, putting aside their past grievances with each other and forging a mutual respect, but are ultimately bested by the Predacon, who also destroys the Forge of Solus Prime and Magnus's hand. Optimus is able to save his men in the nick of time, while Shockwave finds the destruction of his lab and the presence of synthetic Energon has produced [[cyber-matter]]. {{storylink|Evolution}} Megatron decides to use this newfound discovery to rebuild the Omega Lock to Cyberform Earth and restore Cybertron, believing the two planets to be two halves of one. While Starscream procures Earth technology for the project, the recently captured Soundwave brings Ratchet to Megatron to perfect the synthetic Energon formula. {{storylink|Minus One}} Raf and Wheeljack build a probe using Laserbeak's transponder that was broken off while capturing Ratchet, which will lead them to the ''Nemesis'. Megatron is able to persuade Ratchet to help produce the formula, having played to Ratchet's love for his home planet to override his justified reservations. {{storylink|Persuasion}} While the probe is destroyed by Starscream, it does not take long for Ratchet, Knock Out, and Shockwave to produce the formula, but Ratchet tries to make a run for it, only to be stopped by Megatron and tossed to Predaking for execution. Having caught Knock Out's slip of the tongue, Ratchet reveals Megatron's plot to exterminate the Predacons to Predaking, who goes on a rampage. Ratchet disables the ''Nemesis' '' shield, allowing the Autobots to storm the ship, just as Megatron is able to scrape a victory against Predaking by knocking him out of an airlock. {{storylink|Synthesis}}

[[File:Deadlock-Megatron-Decepticons-extinguished.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|Soundwave, what's happening to my glow in the dark tattoo?!?]]
The Autobots wage their final battle to defeat the forces of the Decepticons, with Megatron facing Optimus with his Dark Star Saber, Ratchet fighting Shockwave, the Wreckers aiming to secure the bridge, and Arcee's Stealth Team bringing the Star Saber to Optimus. When the Wreckers are bridged away by Soundwave, Jack and an Apex Armor-clad Miko banish him to the Shadowzone. As the Omega Lock is activated, Bumblebee tries to get the Saber to Optimus, but is blasted to death by Megatron and falls into the pool of Cybermatter created by the Omega Lock. Though enraged by his scout's death, Optimus is beaten and is soon hanging off the edge of the Lock by Megatron... who is then run through with the Star Saber by the revived Bumblebee, whose voices has been restored as well. Megatron dies and his corpse falls to Earth, while Starscream, Shockwave, and the surviving Vehicons abandon ship. After a failed attempt at abandoning ship as well, Knock Out receives little welcome from the Autobots when he tries to switch sides as well. Now in command of the ''Nemesis'', Optimus has it journey to Cybertron, where the Omega Lock is fired into the core, reviving the planet at last. The Autobots bid farewell to their human family, with Ratchet staying on Earth to support Unit:E, and depart to rebuild their home. Meanwhile, Predaking, having clung to the warship's hull, flies off into the distance of this new world with intentions unknown... {{storylink|Deadlock}}

Sensing Primus's reawakening, Unicron returns and possesses Megatron's corpse as a new vessel to destroy his eternal nemesis. Optimus and Wheeljack set off to retrieve the [[AllSpark]], whilst Starscream and Shockwave brought online two new Predacons, [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] and [[Skylynx]] in an effort to defeat the Autobots with a new army of beasts. The two are successful in heavily damaging Ultra Magnus, prompting Ratchet to return to Cybertron to treat him and leadership falling upon Bumblebee's shoulders. Unicron makes his presence known, and following a battle with Predaking, learns of an ancient burial ground of Predacons. Predaking takes command over Darksteel and Skylynx, while Knock Out defects to the Autobots after tiring of Starscream's abuse. At the burial ground, the Chaos Bringer raises a new army of the undead to destroy Primus, prompting a desperate last stand from the united Autobots, Decepticons, and Predacons. Their efforts buy enough time for Optimus to return and take on Unicron, but after being defeated, takes the drastic measure of taking the AllSpark into the Matrix of Leadership. Unicron is tricked into having his ethereal form sealed into the AllSpark's container, finally ridding Megatron of his torturous possession. Now knowing what oppression truly is, Megatron officially disbands the Decepticons and departs, leaving Starscream as the last active Decepticon. His reign is short-lived, as the Predacons trap him to enact revenge for all the trouble he's caused them. The Autobots gather at the Well of All Sparks, where Optimus announces that merging the AllSpark with the Matrix means he must sacrifice his life to restore Cybertron's ability to create new life, assuring his saddened comrades that this is not an end, but only a new beginning - another transformation. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)}} With Cybertron rejuvenated, the remainder of Team Prime meet up with the Dinobots and work together to subdue a rogue Predacon. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 8|Beast Hunters #8}}

Years later, a rebuilt Cybertron is once again the homeworld of the Transformers. At some point, the prison ship ''[[Alchemor]]'' is launched, housing some of the most dangerous Decepticon criminals, as well as Grimlock. The ship eventually crashes on Earth, deactivating its [[stasis cell]]s and unleashing hundreds of rogue Decepticons on the unsuspecting planet. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

====Post-''Alchemor'' crash====
Three years later, {{storylink|Uninvited Guest}} Bumblebee, now a lieutenant, was working as a beat cop while mentoring the Elite Guard cadet [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]]. While chasing down the hoodlum [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]], Bumblebee receives a vision from Optimus Prime urging him to travel back to Earth. Bumblebee hijacks a space bridge, but finds himself burdened by the two young Autobots. The trio encounters the wreckage of the Alchemor and the Minicon [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]], who informs them about the dire circumstances. They eventually befriend the humans Denny and Russell Clay and, with the aid of [[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]], successfully recapture the Decepticon [[Underbite]]. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Pilot (Part 2)}}
Grimlock is later accepted to be a part of the new team.
{{stub}}

==Future==
{{stub}}
{{storylink|The Last of Morocco}}

==Alternate timeline==
{{Note|The events of this timeline diverge from the main timeline at 1939 of the Modern Era, in which a great time travel incident both created and subsequently erased this new timeline. As the exact extent of all that was changed beyond the borders of Griffin Rock is not known, this section will only cover the known divergences.}}

===1939===
The [[Griffin Rock Technology Expo]] occurs, during which Griffin Rock scientists attempt to create a [[Temporal Station|time machine]], but are incapable of powering it up.{{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

On [[August 17]], the day after the Temporal Station's decommissioning, a group of time-displaced individuals consisting of four Rescue Bot Autobots, the human children [[Cody Burns]] and [[Frankie Greene]], and the Helper Bot [[Dither]], accidentally travels through the time machine from the future. They are discovered by Dr. Morocco, who takes interest in the robots and begins to study them. The two kids are sent away, but escape and, along with Dither, recover the Autobots in Morocco's captivity. A surprise intervention by Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, who subsequently followed the Rescue Bots through the time machine to help them, along with some assistance from [[Elma Hendrickson]], gives all of the time-travelers the chance to escape back to the future. However, a damaged Dither is accidentally left behind, and comes into Morocco's possession. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}}

Studying Dither's future technology, Morocco falsely takes credit as the robot's inventor, redubbing it the MorBot 1.1. From this robot, Morocco gains great fame and power with the promise of technological prosperity for Griffin Rock. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

===Present day===
Morocco, having come to gain power over Griffin Rock, rules the now-dystopian island of "Moropolis" with an army of transformable MorBot mechanoids.{{storylink|It's a Bot Time}} {{storylink|Bot to the Future}} The Burns family are a family of mechanics, with Charlie Burns being a janitor at the [[Hall of Inspiration]], while all secretly heading a resistance movement against Morocco. Huxley Prescott is a taxi driver, Mr. Luskey owns a restaurant, no Cody Burns exists in this timeline, and no "Doc Greene" lives on the island. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

When the group of time-traveling Autobots and humans return from 1939 to the present, they find themselves in this timeline. The team splits up as Optimus and Bumblebee fend off the MorBots while the others seek answers. Learning of the altered history from the Hall of Inspiration, the group meets this timeline's Charlie Burns, who is suspicious of them at first, but eventually comes to aid them. The team accompanies Charlie back to his home, but Morocco has caught wind of their arrival. The Burns siblings are also initially skeptical of the newcomers, but agree to help once their home is attacked. As Morocco is about to destroy the fire house, the Burns family unveil its new secret weapon: The [[Mobile Headquarters]]. After a great battle, all six Autobots and the Burns family arrive at the Temporal Station. The departing time travelers are given the MHQ as a parting gift and vanish through the portal back to 1939, just as Morocco arrives and crashes his MorBot.{{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

{{Note|From here, the team retrieves Dither from 1939 and returns to the present in their corrected timeline, thus erasing this timeline from existence.}}

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Aligned history]]
[[Category:Chronologies]]