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Savage Landing Part 2

2021-03-03T05:54:23Z

Kaisatron: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Beast Wars]]'' #2
|prev=Savage Landing Part 1
|next=Transformers: Beast Wars issue 3
|title="Savage Landing Part 2"
|image=BW21 2 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 3]], 2021
|coverdate=March 2021
|written by=[[Erik Burnham]]
|art by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers: Beast Wars]]''
}}

'''Nyx goes up against Terrorsaur when the Maximals attempt to survey this strange new world, but neither side is aware that their arrival has provoked a mysterious group of aliens.'''

==Synopsis==
On the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s bridge, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] studies the confusing data obtained from the ship's scanners and reaches a disturbing conclusion: ''nothing'' about this world's geography adds up. Deserts coexist with tundras, mountains float, and the deposits of extremely potent [[energon]] make no geological sense—none of this has any real impression on [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], however, who's more interested in using his new [[beast mode]] to munch on some native fruit. Ignoring Rhinox's objections, Rattrap points out that it's much faster to use their new bodies to metabolize organic matter instead of processing the local energon into something usable... and neither of them are aware that they're being watched! From their own dimension, a trio of [[Vok]] observe the [[Maximal]]s; while [[Pakak]] finds them intriguing, [[Tonrar]] fears the aliens will contaminate their careful experiments and advocates for their immediate destruction. By analyzing Rhinox's memories, Pakak determines the presence of a second group, and the trio materialize inside the crashed ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' to investigate the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s. Pakak wonders if the two groups might be rivals, but Tonrar argues that ''two'' warring factions will surely interfere with their plans. The debate comes down to [[Tikaani]], who offers a compromise: they will monitor the two factions for the time being... but if their antics prove too disruptive, then the Vok will simply sterilize the planet and begin again. The matter settled, the three aliens return to their home dimension. [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]], briefly glimpses the flash of light, but after a conversation with [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]], he writes it off as a sign of him going stir-crazy.

While Terrorsaur goes out to get some air on a recon mission, Scorponok pays [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a visit; since the crash, the Predacon leader has recused himself in his quarters, still completely engrossed in his efforts to decode the secret of the stolen [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]]. A computer programmer himself, Scorponok suggests that ''he'' could try—and Megatron angrily throttles his subordinate in response. Scorponok sputters that his fellow Predacons are growing restless, but Megatron hurls him against the wall and reminds him that they cannot attack until [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] has finished surveying the terrain. Scorponok stalks off and his frustrations out on [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] by shouting at him to go conduct another reconnaissance sweep, oblivious to Waspinator's groans that he only just got back...
On the other side of the valley, [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] checks in with [[Nyx]] as she works on repairing the ''Axalon'''s hull. Although she's successfully boosted the ship's scanners to get a better picture of their immediate surroundings, the Maximals still don't know much about the rest of the planet, and Optimus suggests taking a break from repairs by using her new wings to scout out the area. Though Nyx is initially hesitant to leave her post, Primal gently reminds her that sometimes old-fashioned methods are the best, and so the Maximal flier gleefully transforms and takes to the sky.

Back at the Predacon base, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] enters Tarantulas's makeshift lab to inquire about his progress in mapping the surrounding area, but discovers that the Predacon scientist has already shifted priorities to tackle a different conundrum. While [[Skold]] was calibrating some sensors, she accidentally scanned the ship first and detected inexplicable unspace energy signatures all over the ''Darksyde''. ''This'', Tarantulas asserts, is far more important than mere geography, but Dinobot doesn't share that opinion and orders him to abandon his research. Tarantulas snaps that Dinobot has no authority; there can be no chain of command on a ship full of rogues who follow Megatron so long as it is convenient. If Dinobot wants data, the can wait for Terrorsaur to return—and in the meantime, he can get out of Tarantulas's lab.

Out in the wilderness, Nyx takes in the sights and sounds of this strange new world as she gets the hang of her new beast mode. Weaving through floating mountains, swooping through jungles, and soaring with flocks of birds, she's taken by the planet's natural beauty, but when she tries to contact the ''Axalon'' she discovers that the ambient [[energon radiation]] has jammed all long-range communications. Worse yet, Nyx discovers that she's not the ''only'' Cybertronian out on patrol when Terrorsaur spies the little Maximal and divebombs her! Nyx's agile bat form lets her evade Terrorsaur's snapping beak until Terrorsaur transforms into [[robot mode]] and opens fire—when one of the shots nails her in the back, Terrorsaur transforms back into beast mode and catches her unconscious body in his talons...

As night falls, Megatron's many attempts to decrypt the disk have proven. When Terrorsaur arrives at his quarters, the interruption nearly pushes him over the edge, but the Predacon leader soon composes himself when he sees that Terrorsaur has brought the Predacons a prisoner: Nyx!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
* [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (1)
* [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (2)
* [[Nyx]] (12)
* [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] (13)
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (14)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
* [[Skold]] (6)
* [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (7)
* [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (8)
* [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (9)
* [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (10)
* [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (11)
* [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (15)

|c4=
* [[Pakak]] (3)
* [[Tikaani]] (4)
* [[Tonrar]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"You gotta try this. It's some kinda '''fruit''', I think. That's the ones with the '''seeds''', right?"
:—'''Rattrap'''

"What are you looking at?" 
"Er... Wazzpinator was heading for rationzz-" 
"You should be helping Tarantulas survey the area!" 
"But Wazzpinator juzzt got back..." 
:—'''Scorponok''' and '''Waspinator'''

"Hey, Nyx! I think I figured out how get another two meters of '''energon shielding''' around the ship, I'll just need your help to—" 
"She's not here, Cheetor." 
"But my arm won't fit into that access panel." 
"So let's go ask Rattrap." 
"And get fruit garp in the circuits? It'd be better to '''crash''' again."
:—'''Cheetor''' and '''Optimus Primal'''

"Missed '''again!''' Have you ever heard the definition of '''insanity?''' Trying the same thing and hoping for a different result? Come on." 
"You know what? You're '''right'''. Luckily, I got '''other''' skills to '''fall back''' on."
:—'''Nyx''' versus '''Terrorsaur'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Scorponok describes himself as one of the top codebreakers in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. This line suggests a slight deviation from the postwar status quo in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''; as discussed in "[[Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search|The Search]]", the Iacon of that universe was abandoned during the [[Great Upgrade]], and the city of [[Cybertropolis]] was constructed over its remains.

===Transformers references===
* Rhinox flags up the planet's inconsistent geography; observing an image of a savannah and a snowy forest side-by-side, he notes the existence of "biomes that shouldn't coexist side-by-side". The original ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars cartoon]]'' featured a similarly wonky setting; in several episodes ("[[Fallen Comrades]]", "[[The Trigger, Part 1|The Trigger]]"), the characters were able to walk from a tropical jungle somewhere in eastern Africa to the icy [[Northern Sector]] in mere hours.
* The enigmatic [[Vok]] formed a major part of the original ''Beast Wars'' mythos: over the course of the show's first season, the shipwrecked Transformers gradually discovered more and more anomalous structures and artifacts scattered across the planet. In the season one finale, they contended with the Vok themselves when the aliens attempted to sterilize the planet using their powerful [[Planet Buster]] weapon. Much like the cartoon, the Vok inhabit an extradimensional realm and consider the mechanical visitors a threat to their mysterious "experiments" playing out on the planet. ''Unlike'' the show, however, these three Vok—[[Pakak]], [[Tikaani]], and [[Tonrar]]—possess individual names and personalities.
* [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] mentions that he's one of the top codebreakers in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Although his cartoon counterpart ''did'' once engineer a computer virus in the episode "[[Gorilla Warfare]]", this trait probably owes more to the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' prose stories, which depicted him as a talented computer programmer.
* While conducting aerial reconnaissance, Nyx discovers that the planet's abundant [[energon radiation]] has severely reduced the range of her communications system. The Beast Warriors faced this problem quite often in early season one, most prominently during "[[The Web]]".
* Page nineteen features the return of Megatron's iconic [[Rubber Ducky]]. The Predacon commander was awfully fond of this squeaky toy in the original cartoon, and his bathtime companion made several prominent appearances during the cartoon's third season.

===Real-world references===
* Although a [[flying mountain]] of raw energon featured prominently in the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Power Surge (episode)|Power Surge]]", this comic depicts an entire "range" of floating mountains. Unlike the barren landmass in the cartoon, these mountains feature ample greenery, dangling vines, and waterfalls pouring off of their slopes—in fact, they probably owe something to ''{{w|Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar's}}'' [https://james-camerons-avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Hallelujah_Mountains iconic airborne landscape].
* As Nyx evades Terrorsaur, she defines his insanity as "trying the same thing and hoping for a different result", a famous quote that's usually misattributed to [[Albert Einstein]].

===Errors===
* In the opening roll call, Scorponok’s name is mispelled "Scorpnok."
* The blurb for the next issue, "Tarantulas’ shocks everyone!", features an erroneous apostrophe.

===Other trivia===
* Backmatter for this issue features the debut of the "Maximal Mailbag" feature, a [[letters page]] that highlights some of the positive fan feedback to last month's issue and some Nyx and Skold fanart.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Nyx and Terrorsaur, by [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' Rhinox and Scorponok, by [[Dan Schoening]] and [[Luis Antonio Delgado]].
*'''Cover RI:''' Optimus versus Megatron, by [[Winston Chan]]

<gallery>
File:BW21 2 cvrA.jpg
File:BW21 2 cvrB.jpg
File:BW21 2 cvrRI.jpg

</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''The Last Ronin''

==External links==
[https://graphicpolicy.com/2021/03/02/preview-transformers-beast-wars-2/ Preview]

[[Category:Beast Wars (2021) issues]]

Sky High (Pretender)

2021-02-22T21:57:57Z

Kaisatron: /* Regeneration One */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Autobot Pretender helicopter|the Autobot Micromaster jet|Sky High (Micromaster)}}
:''Sky High is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Sky high(Pretender) boxart.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|BY THE POWWWERRRR OF IAAAAACOOOONNN! I HAVE THE POWWWWWERRRRR!]]

''The great barbarian '''Sky High''', titanic muscles straining under the effort of days in combat against the endless armies of orcs and trolls that guarded the castle of the Dark Lord [[Skullgrin]], raises his massive scythe and swings it in a sweeping arc that shatters the dark gate to splinters. He turns in triumph and calls the party members behind him, "Come! Brave [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], sword-wielder. Wise [[Cloudburst]], master of magic. Stoic [[Waverider]], traveler of the depths. The keep of our enemy lies before us! The day has come at last! Let the Brotherhood of Primus enter here, and victory shall be ours!"''

...and so the battle continues in the never-ending world of adventure that Sky High lives out in his imagination. Those who don't know the hulking, powerful [[Pretender]] (''great barbarian hero'', ''space adventurer'', ''dashing spy''—take your pick) assume that his quietness and spacey, erratic behavior result from his being all brawn and no brains. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sky High is as smart as he is strong, but to escape from the harsh reality of war, the imaginative Pretender (''Warrior of Primus''), an extreme introvert, has fashioned his own fantasy world of high adventure in his mind, where he is the great hero of an epic story. So involved and immersed is Sky High in his fantasy world that he works everything that happens around him into his imaginary adventures. Sky High blatantly and purposefully ignores reality in favor of his dreams. Thankfully, he is intelligent and imaginative enough that he usually has no problem working his actual situation and orders (''quests'') into his ongoing daydream.

Sky High, along with being very intelligent and imaginative, is also stronger, faster, and more durable than the average Transformer even without his Pretender shell (''Battle Armor of the Hawk'' perhaps), which boosts his strength immensely (''+5''). In his shell, he swings a [[sonic sword|sonic scythe]] (''elf-forged weapon'') that breaks molecular bonds, has access to leg-mounted energy beams that can blind opponents (''Spell of Blinding''), and wears a utility belt with rocket boosters (''Enchanted Belt of Flight'') that enables him to fly. In robot mode, he wields a cerebro-scrambling gun (''Wand of Confusion''), which he can also use when he transforms (''shape-changes'') to helicopter mode (''a hawk'').

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
[[File:Pretendertothethrone-landmine.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Poor Sky High can't escape the block colored background.]]
Sky High was chosen along with five other Autobots from the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew to undergo an augmentation procedure stolen from [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Sky High and his comrades were then transformed into the Autobot Pretenders and defended [[Ethan Zachary]]'s building from an assault by their Decepticon counterparts. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}}

Later, Sky High and the rest of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]'s troops met up with the Autobots under the command of [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Following a disagreement over leadership of the Autobots, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and Grimlock partook in ritual combat on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to determine who was most worthy of being supreme commander. Sky High stood in audience for the duel, though he never got to see the end result, as the proceedings were interrupted by a Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

Later, Sky High and [[Groundbreaker]] were on standby while Optimus Prime sent [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] on a mission. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
[[File:Sky high destiny.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Don't feel bad. A lot of people failed their will save versus Scorponok's [[Gene Key|"Dominate Transformer"]] spell-like ability.]]
In the aftermath of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s [[Gene Key]] fiasco, Sky High and the other Autobots of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] struggled to reconnect with their true natures; Sky High in particular looked very upset while sitting among the trashed piles of books in a looted library. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}

[[File:Lancer two crew war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1| Hey kid's, want to come to my superhero school?]]
Having regained his resolve, Sky High took part in the assault against [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s forces at the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], forming part of the crew of ''[[Lancer Two]]'' alongside [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], and [[Getaway]]. Unfortunately, Jhiaxus was prepared for the Autobots' plan to take out the Hub and ''Lancer Two'' was shot down almost immediately. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} Sky High was captured, locked up at the [[Corral]], and later executed along with [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] when [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] couldn't call off the [[Wrecker]]s attacking the Hub. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}
{{-}}

===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
Sky High needed refueling, a task [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] asked [[Tommy Kennedy]] if he would like to help with. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2#Season 5|Season 5: TROOP, Part 2}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Before the Dawn|Transformers: Robots in Disguise #14]]

[[File:TowardsPeace-eavesdroppers.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.6|"I rolled a 23 on my perception check, which I've got 7 ranks in. What do I hear?"]]
On Cybertron, Sky High was operating as an aerial spotter for the Autobots during the Decepticon riots. He was crushed by the mighty [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} Thankfully, he was later repaired and joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' under the command of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1skyhigh toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Not pictured: Imaginary robot tiger sidekick.]]
*'''Sky High''' ([[Pretender]], [[1988]])
**''Accessories:'' Blades, gun, helmet, belt

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Sky High's inner robot transforms into a Cybertronic helicopter. Unlike many of the other vague Cybertronic vehicles that Pretenders transformed into, Sky High's vehicle is designed to be clearly recognisable. The rotor blades turn but do not spin freely. They form his scythe melee weapon for the outer shell, which is a red-headed, orange-eyed human in a space suit. In similar fashion to Sky High's fellow Autobot Pretenders [[Splashdown#Toys|Splashdown]] and [[Groundbreaker#Toys|Groundbreaker]], the space suit chest plate features an animal-like design motif, with the "snout" at the center of his chest and yellow "eyes" at his shoulders. In his case, it is a bird.

:No version of this mold or character was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/SkyHigh/skyhigh.htm More information on Sky High at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Sky High's toy has one of the most contradictory [[Tech Spec]]/[[bio]] combos around. It describes him as a brick-dumb muscle-head, but then gives him an impressive Intelligence stat of 8 and a motto about "imagination unlocking the keys of reality." Dreamwave's ''More Than Meets The Eye'' profile book did a fairly clever job of making that all actually work together by cooking up the expanded characterization above.
*Also in common with Splashdown and Groundbreaker, Sky High's toy was not pictured in the initial version of the 1988 toy [[catalog]], instead being replaced by a "coming soon" silhouette.

===Foreign names===
*''Italian:'' '''Rotor'''

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Scouts]]

Memory's Splinter

2020-12-23T23:03:55Z

Kaisatron: /* Transformers references */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Another Light]], Part Three
|prev=Distant Fissures
|next=Restoration
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (fiction)|Shattered Glass]]''
|title="Memory's Splinter"
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|published in=[[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 63|''Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club'' #63]]
|writers=[[Jesse Wittenrich]] & [[Pete Sinclair]]
|pencils=[[Eryck Webb]]
|inks=Eryck Webb
|colors=[[Evan Gauntt]]
|letters=[[Jesse Wittenrich]]
|managing editor=Pete Sinclair
|continuity=''[[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|Shattered Glass]]''
|chronology=[[2015]]
}}

'''The siege of Decepticon City comes to a head, as Galvatron and Optimus Prime duel one last time...'''

==Synopsis==
On [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|Shatteredverse]] [[Earth]], [[Megatron (SG)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons onboard the ''[[Annex]]'' arrive to find that [[Decepticon City (SG)|Decepticon City]] is under siege by the villainous Autobots, casualties already piling up on both sides. [[Dirge (SG)|Dirge]] spies [[Superion (SG)|Superion]] on the battlefields below, and so Galvatron sends the [[Predacon (SG)|Predacon]]s into battle. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], not believing the tiny [[Micromaster]]s will be able to defeat the combiner, accompanies them, much to Galvatron's consternation. Grimlock is suprised, however, when Superion turns out to be made up of Micromasters; his components split up before Grimlock can drop down on him, rearranging behind him and shooting him in the back. Splitting up again, Superion forces Grimlock into position, as his helicopter component blasts into the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]. The Predacons soon arrive and free their new comrade; [[Razorclaw (SG)|Razorclaw]] admonishes Grimlock and tells him to meet up with the other Decepticons like planned.

As the ''Annex'' sets down, Galvatron tells [[Scourge (SG)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] to go find [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]], so they can gather enough troops for a counter-offensive. Transforming into helicopter mode, Galvatron declares that [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus]] will be stopped, no matter the cost. The Autobots spot Galvatron overhead, and begin firing, but [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] tells them to stop; after all, this is Prime's fight. Galvatron transforms back into robot mode, and is quickly met by Optimus, who accuses his underlings of being cowards. Galvatron knocks him back, but Optimus is quick back up on his feet; destroying Galvatron's gun with a swipe of his sword, Prime boasts that he'll keep Galvatron's optics for his collection. Galvatron uses his rotor blades to parry with Optimus, and knocks his sword out of his hands, taking to opening to stab Optimus in the abdomen. Angered, Prime punches him down and knocks him back, taking back his sword. Galvatron attempts to get back up, but Rodimus rushes up to him, supposedly in an attempt to keep him down. Optimus orders Rodimus to back down, and so he does, surreptitiously throwing his gun and Galvatron's feet. Prime declares that it's over; Galvatron, heroic to the end, grabs Rodimus gun and aims, telling Prime it never ends...

To be continued...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=SG Decepticons
|c1=
* [[Scourge (SG)|Scourge]] (1)
* [[Megatron (SG)|Galvatron]] (2)
* [[Dirge (SG)|Dirge]] (4)
* [[Long Haul (SG)|Long Haul]] (5)
* [[Razorclaw (SG)|Razorclaw]] (6)
* [[Divebomb (SG)|Divebomb]] (7)
* [[Predaking (SG)|Predaking]] (8)
* [[Rampage (SG)|Rampage]] (9)
* [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] (12)

|h2=[[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]] Autobots
|c2=
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (10)

|h3=SG Autobots
|c3=
* [[Cosmos (SG)|Cosmos]] (3)
* [[Superion (SG)|Superion]] (11)
* [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] (13)
* [[Big Daddy (SG)|Big Daddy]] (14)
* [[Swerve (SG)|Swerve]] (15)
* [[Drift (SG)|Drift]] (16)
* [[Tailgate (SG)|Tailgate]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
==Notes==
* Characters mentioned include: [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] and the [[Thirteen]].

===Continuity notes===
* Scourge makes his first full appearance here, after only previously being mentioned by others and having a profile. He swears by the [[Vaults of the Unknown]], which his profile indicates he guards.
* Dirge was last seen as part of [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]'s disciples in the "[[Reunification]]" storyline; looks like, as with Cyclonus, he's been pardoned. Outside of being mentioned by other characters, Long Haul (who appears onboard the ''Annex'', block colored and only discernible by his dump truck bed) last appeared in the original "[[Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass]]" comic. The Predacons last appeared in "[[Do Over]]"; Predaking makes his debut here.
* Rodimus is back under Optimus after having betrayed him and gone to Earth with his own group of Autobots onboard the ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]''. It's never ''really'' explained in the comic why he's returned under his command, but the "Teletraanic History Record" for [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] in issue [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 65|#65]] of the Collectors' Club magazine indicated that Rodimus had fallen under Optimus once more, as part of a planned surprise attack on the unprepared Decepticons; presumably, with the Decepticons having gained the upper hand in the war, Prime was willing to ignore old betrayals, at least for the time being. Rodimus had renamed himself "Rodimus Prime" when on Earth; he sarcastically tells the others that Galvatron is "a Prime's fight", referring to his former title. Big Daddy was last seen with Rodimus' forces on Earth.
* Prime mockingly asks Galvatron if he can see him waving, a question that ''Shattered Glass'' [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]] likes to ask.

===Transformers references===
* This whole chapter, of course, is a big reference to the [[Battle of Autobot City]] from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Specifcally:
** The ''Annex'' is based on the shuttles used by the Autobots throughout the movie.
** Grimlock and the Predacons fight against Superion mirrors that of the Dinobots and their fight against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], with them jumping straight from their ship; the Dinobots were defeated in the film, but the Predacons are much more successful here.
** Galvatron departing the ''Annex'' and declaring that Prime will be stopped, "no matter the cost", mirrors [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s departing from the Autobot shuttle and stating the same, with Scourge and Cyclonus taking the places of [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]].
** Galvatron transforms into vehicle mode and comes upon the Autobots, who briefly fire upon him before being told to stop by Rodimus; in the film, Prime entered the fight by ramming into the Decepticons in vehicle mode, with them firing upon him, unable to stop him.
** And of course, Galvatron and Optimus' fight mirrors that of Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s fight, with some swapped dialogue and motions. Specifics include: Prime's line of "As though I would stop you from throwing away your life so foolishly", paralleling Megatron's line "Why throw away your life so recklessly"; Prime threatening to rip out Galvatron's optics; Galvatron stabbing Prime in the stomach; Prime knocking Galvatron back with his two hands wrapped together in a fist; Prime standing over Galvatron with his sword, mirroring Megatron standing over Optimus with his gun; Prime's line "I would have thought the '''power of the Thirteen''' would have made you stronger than '''this'''" paralleling his heroic coutnerpart's line "I thought you were made of sterner stuff"; Rodimus interfering with the fight, as [[Hot Rod (G1)|his counterpart]] did: Galvatron and Prime's exchange of "It's '''over''', Galvatron" and "Never...", swapping their counterpart's final exchange in the movie.
* As usual, new characters introduced this chapter are based on a variety of things:
** Cosmos' wounded body is seen in the first panel; he's based on his positive-universe [[Cosmos (G1)|counterpart]] in the colors of Decepticon [[Action Master]] [[Krok (G1)|Krok]], in homage to a popular fan theory that Krok turned into a UFO before becoming an Action Master.
** Predaking has been added to the Predacon's roster. Rather than being based on the ''Generation 1'' combiner [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], he's based on the ''Prime'' [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] dragon [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], having been repurposed from ''Classics'' [[Nightscream (Classics)|Nightscream]].
** Superion is based on the Decepticon [[Sixwing]] from the early 2000's ''Micromaster'' toyline; none of the members are named, but we can probably guess that the helicopter is a ''Shattered Glass'' version of [[Alpha Bravo]], a new [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] from the ''Generations: Combiner Wars'' toyline. Sixwing would eventually be redecoed into a different [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]] in the 2003 ''Universe'' toyline.

===Other trivia===
* A ''Shattered Glass'' version of [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was originally scripted to be in this chapter. SG Sky-Byte would have had [[Groundbreaker]]'s colors so as to be a "tiger shark".<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/140167-ama-bish-jesse-jim/?p=3535803 Post by NightViper on the Allspark Forums, 2017/06/20]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Shattered Glass issues]]

Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity

2020-10-05T18:53:39Z

Kaisatron: /* Dark Cybertron */

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[[File:Transformersrid 17 cover clean.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|IDW is ENTIRELY his fault.]]
When it all comes down to it, everything is about resources. '''Shockwave''' has always recognized this, and while those around him pursued power and politics and other petty concerns, the master scientist focused his superlative intellect on defeating entropy and securing the future of his species. A game-player and king-maker, Shockwave plans for ''everything,'' and while the [[shadowplay]] inflicted on him by the [[Senate]] may have robbed him of his emotions, it did nothing to curb his ambitions.

Although the dangerous logician sided with the [[Decepticon]]s in the war that eventually gripped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], this is merely an alliance of convenience: Shockwave serves no cause but his own. Following eons of careful work, the scientist's influence is truly galaxy-spanning, and when his machinations reach fruition, the universe may never be the same again.

{{bigquote|All life '''is''' equal. I merely assign it a '''quantifiable value—'''zero.|Shockwave|"[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done]]"}}

{{first|''[[Spotlight: Shockwave]]''; [[Ghost Stories|''Transformers'' Annual 2017]] (as Onyx Prime)}}

==Fiction==
===Student, Senator, Shadowplay===
{{bigquote|I always did have a '''flair''' for the '''dramatic'''.|Shockwave making the understatement of the century|"[[Post]]"}}
[[File:RID17 senator shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.55|There's something different about Shockers here...]]
Six million years ago, long before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Shockwave was the greatest student of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} With the Cybertronian population growing exponentially under [[Nova Prime]]'s program of expansion, the forward-looking Shockwave grew fearful of an [[energon]] shortage that he saw as inevitable. Inspired by Jhiaxus's talk of a prophecy known as "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron]]" that predated the rise of Nova Prime, he began experiments to develop a self-regenerating energy source. Distilling an ore from energon, Shockwave sought to test his creation by seeding it beneath [[Crystal City]], but unfortunately, the city was ravaged in a battle between [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and Jhiaxus's newest terrible creation, the combiner [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. The city's ruins were subsequently sealed beneath the planet's surface, leaving Shockwave to believe his test was unlikely to complete itself. Morever, Monstructor's defeat was the first time he saw his teacher and his works as fallible, and as Jhiaxus left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]]'', Shockwave took up his role, striving to study and better his master's works. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} In doing so, he began studying the secrets of ancient Cybertron, amassing a thorough knowledge of the rise of the [[Thirteen]] and the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] that saw their alliance undone. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who was Named}}

Becoming a [[senate|senator]] in the new regime that formed on Cybertron, Shockwave marked his first day in the senate by announcing the founding of the [[Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology]], in memory of his departed teacher's good works. He immediately clashed with senator [[Proteus]], whose short-sightedness and [[functionism]] sat ill with Shockwave, but found a friend in Senator [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]], who was initially wary of his continued study of Jhiaxus's sciences, but with whom he shared a dislike of Proteus. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave quickly developed a reputation as an extremely expressive individual (known for changing his colour scheme regularly) that even saw him suspended from duty on occasion for "emotional outbursts unbecoming a senator". His master's teachings drove Shockwave in his work, as he focused on myriad ways of advancing the Transformer race: in addition to repeatedly voting to bring back Nova Prime's spark-splicing programs, he secretly used the Academy as a safe haven for [[Outlier (group)|outliers]], Transformers with abnormal abilities and functions who were hated and feared by functionists because their abilities had nothing to do with their alt modes. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} He taught his closest charges of the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]], {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} sank billions into various offworld projects, and came into contact with the enigmatic [[Omega Guardian]]s. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} His contact with the aliens would lead him to theorize that an artifact in their possession, the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]], was actually one of the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]], one with such a powerful urge for knowledge that he had surrendered his body in the process. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

[[File:ChaosTheoryPart2 Orion and the Senator.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|...something I just can't quite...]]
Recognizing that Proteus and current planet leader [[Nominus Prime]] were resistant to change, Shockwave began befriending certain promising young Cybertronians and modifying them so that they could carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]], with the hope that one of them could take leadership of their race and steer Cybertron off the dark path the Senate had placed it upon. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} When police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] stormed into a Senate meeting with accusations of corruption amongst its ranks, Shockwave saw this potential in him. The damaged Pax was apprehended after his tirade, but Shockwave arranged for his release and repair, adding a Matrix chamber to his chest. After his release, Pax met his secret benefactor in front of the ''Ark-1'' memorial, where Shockwave warned him that factions within the senate had arranged for a recent attack on Nominus Prime in an attempt to gain control of the Matrix's power. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2|Chaos Theory #2}}

[[File:Unnamed senator in Patternism.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|...seem to put my finger on...]]
In time, word of Nominus's death was released to the public; although the Prime's passing was attributed to a rust infection, when Shockwave met with Orion and his friend [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], he was able to confirm that the Senate had their head of security [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] kill Nominus when the Matrix within him proved to be a fake. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} Soon after, Pax received a tip-off from revenge-seeking former Senate agent [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] of a plot that was soon to claim Shockwave's life, so Pax had Ratchet and [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] visit the Academy of Advanced Technology and take him into protective custody. Along with Pax's other allies, Shockwave was able to provide enough evidence to help Orion figure out that the Senate had turned the fake Matrix in Nominus's body into a bomb that they would detonate as his body lay in state, which they could blame on the trouble-making [[Decepticon]] movement, an underground organization advocating the dissolution of the functionist regime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} Shockwave gathered three of his outlier students, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Tarn (DJD)|Glitch]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], to help with the theft of the Matrix-bomb, but he himself was kept under guard in case things went wrong. Shockwave laughed that off, thinking he was too high profile for Sentinel to assassinate, but in the midst of the heist, he found out how wrong he was when Senate thugs burned down the Academy and broke into the safehouse intending to capture him: Sentinel had found out about the army of outliers and was ''very'' unhappy. While Orion Pax was willing to fight to save Shockwave, the senator willingly went with his captors rather than allow Roller to be killed in his name.

[[File:Shadowplay3-SenatorWho.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|IDW sure loves their splash panels of Shockwave being assembled. And we sure love uploading them!]]
The captive Shockwave was taken to the [[Institute]] and subjected to "[[Shadowplay]]", the emotion centers of his brain cut out by [[mnemosurgery]] to change his entire personality, turning him from a fiery crusader into an emotionless husk. To add insult to injury, Proteus and Sentinel had [[empurata]] performed on him, taking away his face and hands, replacing them with a featureless mask and claws solely out of spite. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

===Joining the Decepticons===
[[File:RID17 useful effect.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|{{w|Edward Scissorhands|I'm not finished}}]]
Proteus could not have predicted the monster his actions would unleash. Where he had considered the mutilation of Shockwave a punishment, Shockwave, freed of the bonds of morality by the removal of his emotions, felt ''liberated'' by the experience, now able to take the most logical path to saving Cybertron. Shortly after lying about his previous energon-shortage concerns during a hearing so he could continue to work toward a solution alone, Shockwave was approached by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who brought him before [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], leader and founder of the Decepticons, who had recently turned to increasingly excessive terrorist tactics. Realizing that Shockwave had a goal of his own, but with no interest in what it actually ''was'', Megatron offered him a laboratory and the resources to continue his work that the senate could not provide, in return for Shockwave using Jhiaxus's technology to create a combiner for the Decepticons. Shockwave accepted, though he cautioned that the creation of the combiner could take a very long time. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} He did not know it at the time, but his mere presence had made him an object of distrust to Megatron's loyal lieuteant, [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], because he could not read his Shadowplayed mind. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

Severing his ties with Orion Pax, Shockwave used the resources Megatron had provided to secretly continue his alternate energy experiments, more sure than ever that the political strife raging across Cybertron would ultimately give way to a war not over ideals, but resources. He distilled a variety of different synthetic energons and tested them on an assortment of innocent Cybertronians, few of whom—if ''any''—survived the myriad unusual effects the new fuels had. Seeking to speed Shockwave's science, Megatron offered him a pair of hands to replace his empurata-granted claws, but upon hearing of Megatron's plan to kill the Senate the following day and truly began a war on Cybertron, Shockwave chose to take only one hand, replacing the other with a gun he saw as being more useful for the coming conflict. In one last lingering moment of sentimentality, however, he visited Dai Atlas's quarters the night before the planned assassination and shot him, wounding him enough that he was unable to attend the Senate meeting, thus sparing him the other Senators' fates. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave joined the Decepticons in their attack on [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] the next day, and met with Soundwave to arrange the construction of a new body for captured senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}}

[[File:Autocracy8 shockwave destroys destructor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Shockwave, that wasn't the enemy...that was the bunny sanctuary" "I'm still counting that as a win"]]
The deaths of the Senate and Sentinel Prime allowed [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]], another of Shockwave's candidates, to ascend to the rank of Prime. By the time of Zeta's reign, Shockwave's sinister experiments had earned the scientist a reputation as "obsessed with combiners". {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} Together with [[Ferak]], Shockwave invented a "nightmare transmitter" that used Soundwave's abilities to manipulate an average Transformer, [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], into supporting the Decepticons with terrorist acts. The experiment was ended after Orion Pax and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] tracked the signal and raided Shockwave's base. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} Over time, Zeta's extremism forged strange bedfellows; when Orion turned on Zeta, he was badly injured by the Prime and had to be rescued by Megatron and the Decepticons. Shockwave repaired his old friend's wounds, and witnessed Orion's unit form an alliance with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Choices}} When the two sides launched an attack on Zeta, Shockwave gained the satisfaction of destroying the last [[Guardian robot|Omega Destructor]], then witnessed Megatron's betrayal of Orion's unit. {{storylink|Overthrown}} Megatron's short-lived rule of Cybertron came to an end when the Autobots attacked the [[Citadel]] and defeated him, forcing Shockwave to call for a retreat. {{storylink|Endgame}}

[[File:Monstrosity9 shockwave vs grimlock.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Shockwave is foiled by the illogic of space dinosaurs.]]
Not long thereafter, Shockwave was present at [[Kolkular]] when [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]] announced that he had banished Megatron for his failure to hold Cybertron. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} When the [[Exodus (event)|exodus]] began, Scorponok had the Decepticons assault [[Starsreach Spaceport]], an attack that Shockwave saw as an inefficient use of resources. {{storylink|Massacre}} His forces met with resistance from a raging [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] who tore them to pieces and shrugged off Shockwave's firepower, forcing him to call for another retreat while picking shrapnel out of his arm. They rejoined Scorponok at the [[Toraxxis Plains]], where to their shock and horror they found him in the process of reawakening [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Unleashed}} With Scorponok having accomplished nothing but bringing Cybertron further into ruin, the Decepticons rejected him as soon as Megatron returned from his exile. Once their true leader had dealt with the usurper, Shockwave repaired the injuries he had sustained during his absence. {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}} He was subsequently present as Megatron turned a defeated Trypticon into a Decepticon, {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (issue)|Belly of the Beast}} and was among those who boarded the beast's starship mode and left Cybertron in search of the Decepticons who'd defected during Scorponok's reign. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} Once the Decepticon army was reconsolidated, they returned home for an all-out assault on Iacon, {{storylink|Primacy issue 3|Primacy #3}} during which Shockwave oversaw a failed tactical strike on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

[[File:ALonelyPillarOnThePlain ProwlVShockwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Prick Vs. One-Eyed Willie.]]
Shockwave later led a squad back to Junkion to claim the world's gravimetric core for use as a weapon. His squad was met by Prowl and eventually one of them decided to detonate the core and destroy Junkion. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}

As the war progressed, Shockwave helped create the super-Decepticons known as the "[[Warriors Elite]]", programming them with killswitches and viruses that would prevent them from turning on Megatron. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} He was also known to have commanded a [[Worldsweeper]] at some point during the conflict. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} Shockwave also made the mistake of earning the enmity of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] after they stole a cache of energon from him; reaching the logical conclusion that if he could not have the energon, neither could they, Shockwave tracked them back to Autobot territory and destroyed the energon supply. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At some point he stood over Megatron's shoulder while the Decepticon leader and [[Solomus|Tyrest]] tried to broker a peace accord. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}
{{-}}

===Regenesis===
Six hundred thousand [[Units of time|meta-cycles]] ago, Shockwave's experiments with alternative energy sources reached a turning point with the program he called "[[Regenesis]]". He covertly launched thirteen rockets from Cybertron to thirteen other worlds with specific geological properties, each carrying with them a different kind of ore distilled from energon that would be seeded across the target planets. It was Shockwave's hope that the chain reactions which would ensure would potentially yield thirteen different kinds of energy sources that could abate the energy crisis that was now looming ever larger. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At the time, Shockwave selected the planets at random, simply seeking out specific geological profiles that would allow his ores to take root. Unknown to him, all the worlds he had selected had been touched in some way by the [[Thirteen]] Primes as arranged by his future self millennia beforehand. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:Shockwave Regenesis.jpg‎|upright=1.4|thumb|left]]
Around 100,000 years after launching the rockets, Shockwave left Cybertron aboard [[Darksyde (BW)|his own ship]] to examine the fruits of his labor, his whereabouts left unknown to those he had left behind on his homeworld. The results were far from what had been expected: the mutated ores had taken on a variety of esoteric qualities that went so far as to affect the fabric of space and time around them. For next the next half-million years, Shockwave travelled from world to world, observing the various powers of the ores; on the gas giant [[Arduria]], he found that the [[Ore-6]] sent there had developed the power to halt molecular motion, blanketing the planet it eternal cold. After putting some of the slowly dying [[Ardurian roc|native rocs]] out of their misery, he remarked that while not his intended result, it served as a learning experience nonetheless. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}} {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} Other explorations discerned that about half of the ores had successfully taken root on their target worlds: [[Ore-1]], on [[LV-117]], had the ability to transcend time, offering Shockwave tantalizing glimpses of the future; {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} [[Ore-2]], on [[Gorlam Prime]], drained the life from all around it; {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} [[Ore-7]] had attained transmutative properties; {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} and [[Ore-8]], on [[Tsiehshi]], had taken the form of highly explosive, unstable crystals. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}} Though millennia away from being realized, Shockwave's mind began to piece together a scheme that would unite these different ores and their powers to achieve his dream.

10,000 years ago, Shockwave arrived on the thirteenth world: prehistoric [[Earth]], at the end of its {{w|Pleistocene|most recent ice age}}. The extremely powerful [[Ore-13]] seeded on this world was catalysing so strongly that the reaction needed to be regulated with global dampers. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

[[File:Revolutionaries5 talisman wipes axalon memories.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"A little paint, some new carpeting. A good fixer upper."]]

As he entered the orbit of the icy world, he discovered that a different Transformer ship had been drawn to Earth, attracted to his burgeoning supply of Ore-13: the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', captained by [[Domitius Major]] and crewed by the [[Maximal]]s. Shockwave bounced an intercepted transmission of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee to the starship before shooting it down over what would one day become the nation of [[Brasnya]]. Investigating the wreckage of the ship and its bestial occupants, he discovered that the vessel was carrying a [[Talisman (G1)|strange artifact]], one that had activated and scrambled the memories of its crew during the crash-landing. When [[Centurion (IDW)|one of their number]] regained consciousness and—glimpsing the Autobot transmission—wondered aloud if he was Bumblebee, his confusion gave Shockwave an idea for one of his cruel experiments.

By replacing their lost memories with data of the Autobots and Decepticons of Cybertron, Shockwave convinced the amnesiac Maximals that they were all combatants in the Great War, remaking them into copies of key players in the conflict and even rebuilding one of their number into [[Maximal Shockwave|a copy of himself]]. After conditioning them, he pitted the "Autobots" and "Decepticons" against one another in a series of [[Ice Age Wars|simulated wargames]] for his tactical benefit. As Shockwave watched their simulated battles, he studied the mysterious artifact that the Maximals had brought with them, watching as it created [[IRON Trooper|robotic drones]] from the wreckage. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

[[File:Shockwaveg1idw.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.15|Shockwave began to have second thoughts over his choice of manicurists.]]

As Shockwave went about his business, he was unaware of a threat that had shadowed him: the Dynobots had tracked him down, and were seeking to settle their old score. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Shockwave's twisted games went on for a century; when the Maximals ran low on Energon, Shockwave abandoned them and their artifact to their fate and returned to his main objective on Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

As Shockwave finished planting the dampers and was preparing to visit other Regenesis worlds, the Dynobots teleported upon him. The attack threw Shockwave off-kilter with both its ferocity and its unexpectedness, as he had anticipated a stab in the back from Megatron but had failed to consider the simple vengeance of the Dynobots. Mentally and physically confounded by the assault, Shockwave deactivated his higher reasoning and allowed a subroutine simulating rage to take over. This brutal, violent Shockwave decimated the Dynobots, burning off the organic coating shielding them from the planet's high energon fields and forcing them into [[stasis lock]]. As the battle concluded, Shockwave restored his full neural operations and logged the emotional experience for further study. But, as his logic center churned away once more, it again failed to anticipate his enemies' chaotic nature. Specifically, Grimlock had set a dead-man's switch on [[Skyfire (ship)|the Dynobots' ship]], and before Shockwave could act upon his own victory, the ship shot an energy beam into a nearby volcano, causing it to erupt and consume all of the combatants, entombing them for millennia to come. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}} In the meantime, his Maximal creations simply fought on amongst one another until they ran out of energon and entered stasis. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

Shockwave's long absence would eventually rouse Megatron's suspicions, and he assigned [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to search through Shockwave's files, {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} in turn tasking Soundwave with shadowing Bludgeon, {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}} knowing that Shockwave had been working on something in secret and intending to use it for the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

After spending centuries trapped in the [[Noisemaze]], the unaligned scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]] decided to investigate where Shockwave had trodden and refined Shockwave's old samples of Ore-13 to create the superfuel [[obtenteum]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

===Machinations===
[[File:Shockwave Agent Red.jpg‎|upright=1.5|thumb|[[Transformers (film)|Call him NBE-1]].]]
Shockwave's body was uncovered by a human [[Goring|human archaeological team]] in 2005. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} The discovery drew the attention of the government organization [[Skywatch]], who soon swept in and took the operation over. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} Skywatch proceeded to exhume both Shockwave and the Dynobots, and began experimenting with neural inhibitors to control their new discoveries. Results were consistently disastrous; both the Dynobots and their other captives [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] were soon running out of their control. Skywatch commander [[Joshua Red]] had Shockwave rebuilt and brought online in their [[Salt Lake City]] base {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} and charged him with rounding up the rogue Transformers. Rather than a neural inhibitor, Shockwave was motivated with a decidedly less sophisticated method: a bomb placed in his head would detonate in 24 hours if Skywatch didn't transmit a reset code. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

[[File:Shockwave V Scorponok MD.jpg‎‎|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Declarative: [[...All This and Civil War 2|Turnabout is fair play]].]]
Given the presence of Ravage and Laserbeak on Earth, Shockwave correctly deduced that their master, Soundwave, must also be on the planet; he had followed Bludgeon there in pursuit of Shockwave's Ore-13 and wound up trapped in his [[alternate mode]], in the possession of a child in [[Portland]], [[Oregon]]. Shockwave tracked him down shortly after Laserbeak and Ravage had retrieved him from his human captivity, and proposed a deal: Shockwave would undo the mode-lock, originally caused by a weapon of his design, in return for Soundwave intercepting the reset codes for the implanted bomb. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Soundwave attempted to further bargain for information on the Regenesis program, but was rebuffed when Shockwave observed that said information would die with him if the bomb went off. {{Storylink|Shockpoint}} Relenting, Soundwave allowed his cassettes to be "captured" and handed over to Skywatch, to sell Shockwave's deception, whilst the scientist went in search of the Dynobots. Discovering them already engaged with Scorponok and the [[Machination]], Shockwave decided to engage Scorponok's forces first, so he could destroy the Dynobots himself. By the time Shockwave beat Scorponok, only 12 minutes of his 24-hour countdown remained, and Grimlock proved to have more than 12 minutes' worth of fight left in him. On the 30-second mark, the two were still grappling in a Machination arms bunker, so Joshua Red ordered the reset code sent, wanting to ensure all other combatants were down before killing his pawn. The code was successfully intercepted and decrypted by Soundwave, who transmitted the information to Shockwave, who in return sent him instructions to mentally disable the mode-lock. Soundwave transformed, his cassettes attacked their would-be captors, and Shockwave abruptly walked away from his fight, declaring an end to the "charade". But Grimlock would not be denied his revenge, so before Shockwave could leave, he detonated a grenade that blew the arms bunker sky-high. The two were soon recovered, still functioning, by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], who took Shockwave, Scorponok and Grimlock into custody. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers3 - Shockwave.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|So do we blame Shockwave for letting Overlord off his leash, or Overlord for unleashing the one-eyed purple people eater again?]]
Shockwave was sent to the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary, where his spark was extracted for imprisonment. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} At some point prior to his imprisonment, however, Shockwave had been able to make contact with Bludgeon and the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]] and recruit them as his personal agents, though they wound up simply fighting with the main Decepticon forces some time later, when the galaxy-wide Decepticon uprising known as the [[Surge (event)|Surge]] took place. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During the Surge, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] took control of Garrus-9, and after one year of holding the facility, he had Shockwave's spark reintegrated with his body to make him an offer: in exchange for his freedom and a hand-picked crew, Shockwave would remove the [[Achilles virus]] that had been implanted in Overlord during his conversion to a Warrior Elite. Shockwave agreed to the terms as they served his own purposes, but he was quick to comment that Overlord's actions on Garrus-9 were less about the former general's gratification and more about attracting Megatron's attention. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Knowing he was on [[The List]] and that the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] would quickly catch up to him, Shockwave selected thirty-one prisoners who were also on The List so as to bribe his [[Tarn (DJD)|former pupil]]. When Tarn called however, he rejected the bribe much to Shockwave's bafflement before he began applying his killer voice to the former senator. Though forced to his knees, Shockwave simply destroyed the communicator before the ''[[Torment]]'' arrived, scaring off the D.J.D. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

During Shockwave's time in Skywatch captivity, the researchers had gathered enough information about him to design a weapon based on his technology. According to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], the first working prototypes were the size of a house, but with some unspecified "outside help", they were able to condense it to a size small enough for hand-held use by a human. Around the time of Shockwave's liberation from Garrus-9, roughly a year after Megatron's forces overran the Earth following the Surge, Spike was sent in with a military squad to retrieve the weapon from its [[New York City]] storehouse and use it to kill Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} Though his team perished, Spike survived, got the weapon, and successfully shot Megatron in the head, ending the Decepticon occupation. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

[[File:RID21 a better spacebridge.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Over the next two years, Shockwave returned his focus to Regenesis, and began slowly putting the players and pieces in motion for his ultimate endgame. He re-established communication with Bludgeon and Monstructor, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} and also recruited the Decepticon warmonger [[Turmoil]], providing him with a ship in return for his visiting LV-117 with instructions to collect data from the Regenesis missile there. In actuality, with this particular action, Shockwave was deliberately perpetuating a [[time travel|predestination paradox]] of sorts, ensuring the visions of the future that he had seen while on LV-117 years beforehand would come to pass. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} His plans for the future momentarily complete, Shockwave rejoined what remained of the main Decepticon command structure, now under the leadership of Starscream and encamped on a desolate asteroid following their retreat from Earth. Conferring with Soundwave, he agreed to help build a new body for the devastated Megatron in exchange for being able to utilize some of the Decepticons' limited resources to finally perfect [[space bridge]] travel. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} The scientist made the two projects one and the same by implanting nodes obtained from [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] in Megatron's new body, giving the Decepticon leader the power to open space bridge at will. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDWongoing7 shockwave at work.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95]]
Having been unaware of the plan to repair Megatron and believing Shockwave had been working on space bridge technology alone, {{storylink|All His Engines}} Starscream was furious when he discovered what he believed the pair had been dedicating their resources to: using the remnants of Megatron's old body to make tiny replicas of his gun form, with plans to distribute them amongst the population of Earth in order to create chaos amongst both the humans and Autobots. Megatron revealed his revival to Starscream, {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} and a short time after that, retook Decepticon leadership; Shockwave eager to run further tests on the new technology within his body, but Megatron, unwilling to be a cog in whatever machinations Shockwave was surely planning, assured him everything was in order and had him continue working on the gun replicas. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} After finishing, Shockwave carefully calculated that [[Quetzaltenango]], [[Mexico]] was the most appropriate location to deposit the Megatron guns, and stood by Megatron as he sent the weapons through the space bridge to Earth. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} Four months later, the Decepticons themselves traveled to Earth to see through their plan, where Soundwave was heavily injured in a confrontation with Optimus Prime. When ordered to repair him, Shockwave protested that he no longer had the resources he had used to rebuild Megatron, but when pressed, affirmed that he could in fact save Soundwave's life. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}}

===Shockpoint===
[[File:RID21 shockwave watches deceptigod.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|Don't see that every day.]]
Megatron would later use the space bridge technology built into in his new body to summon Shockwave and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Question}} They arrived in the midst of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s attempt to prevent the emergence of the [[Dead Universe]] entity known as the [[D-Void]], {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} and the evil entity proceeded to ensnare the minds of the Decepticons, using their collective belief in the Decepticon cause to mentally and physically fuse them all together into a huge [[Deceptigod|monster]]. All, that is, save for Shockwave, who had never believed in the cause, and silently watched as Megatron battled the giant beast. Once Galvatron and the monstrosity were defeated, Cybertron began to reformat into a primordial state; having seen potential in the merged Decepticon monster to perfect combiner technology, Megatron withdrew into the wilderness, informing Shockwave of his plans. Shockwave then shared this information with Soundwave and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and the trio began conspiring to facilitate Megatron's new scheme. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

[[File:Needlenose Autonomy Lesson.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]
Rather than try to escape or fight a battle they knew they could not win, Shockwave and his compatriots allowed themselves to taken into custody with the other Decepticons when Ratbat negotiated their surrender to the Autobots. They were kept in confinement for a few weeks in the rebuilt Iacon, now under the unstable governance of [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], before being released to deal with rioting "[[NAIL]]s" who had returned to repopulate Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} After a while, being an enforcer for the Autobots did not sit well with [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and he accused Shockwave, Soundwave and Bombshell of just sitting around instead of doing something about the Decepticons' situation. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}} He was wrong, of course: along with Soundwave, Shockwave was working with Ratbat to take control of the [[inhibitor/deterrence chip]]s implanted in them by the Autobots, though he was plainly uninterested in the plan, merely remarking that "Events will play out as they will." when asked for his opinion. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} But Megatron's ongoing plot was not the only reason for Shockwave's disinterest in Ratbat's power games: in furtheration of his own personal, secret schemes revolving around Regenesis, he had once again contacted Bludgeon and Monstructor, and had them free his old teacher Jhiaxus from Autobot captivity, before setting them on course for LV-117. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

[[File:RID9 you bore me.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Swindle...who let you back in the house?]]
Following the failure of Ratbat's plan, Shockwave was petitioned by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to help [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], who was on the run from the Autobots after claiming to have witnessed [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] murder the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. Swindle gambled that Shockwave was not as disinterested in the political strife of the planet he appeared, but Shockwave merely questioned what Swindle expected him to do with this information. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} Far greater matters occupied Shockwave's attention: Turmoil had recently returned to Cybertron, the ship Shockwave had given him now outfitted with a time machine created by inhabitants of LV-117 he had enslaved during his visit there. To ensure the future he had seen would come to pass, Shockwave had [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] steal the ship and return it to LV-117, {{storylink|Night and the City}} where it was then retrieved by Jhiaxus's group. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} Around this time, Shockwave also made contact with the [[Ammonite]]s, a faction of a robotic alien race whose cold war had recently grown hot again, and offered to end their conflict if they would work for him. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Shockwave had the Ammonites attempt to obtain the one Regenesis ore that had been lost to him: Ore-7, which had been found by Metroplex. The Titan put the ore out of his attackers' reach by jettisoning it, so as a back-up plan, Shockwave had the Ammonites infect Metroplex with Ore-2, knowing that in time, he would have to call the Ore-7 back to heal himself. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:Endofthebeginningoftheworld-astrotrainsoundwaveshockwaveblitzwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I said a dab of purple, Needlenose. A dab! DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A DAB TO YOU!?]]
After an explosive assassination attempt on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Starscream confronted Shockwave, assuming the attack was his doing. Though Starscream warned Shockwave to not interfere with his political ascension, Shockwave refused to humor him; Starscream had made his choice to live with the Autobots, while the remaining Decepticons under Shockwave's care rejected the growing new government architecture. Shockwave seemingly underestimated Starscream's cunning, however, and later he and his Decepticons were assaulted by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]. The Autobot assassin, under orders from both Prowl and Starscream, made it appear as if the Decepticons' own base had exploded and buried them, stealing Shockwave, Soundwave and those under their command away to the [[Black Room]] with Prowl's other secret prisoners. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}} In truth, this was all an act for Starscream's benefit: Prowl was under the control of Bombshell, and had only "captured" Shockwave and the others so they could be reunited with Megatron in time for his master plan: using a new and improved Devastator to conquer Cybertron once and for all. {{storylink|The Verge}} {{storylink|Before the Dawn}}

[[File:RID17 shockwave vehiclemode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|BFF's forever!]]
His role in Megatron's plan now complete, Shockwave no longer needed to keep up appearances and promptly left Iacon. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Believing both Megatron's rebellion and Bumblebee's government were doomed to fail, Shockwave took [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] with him out into the wilderness, to the subterranean remains of Crystal City, which had somehow survived Cybertron's reversion to its primitive state ''and'' the supposed recent obliteration by an exploding [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]]. It was the original seed Shockwave had sown beneath the city that had recreated it each time, [[Ore-14]], the key to resurrection—which Shockwave tested by shooting Dreadwing dead, only for the ore to immediately revive him. A plan begun millions of years ago was at last reaching its endgame. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}
{{-}}

===Dark Cybertron===
[[File:RID22 shockwave and necrotitan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Schrödinger's Robotic Demi-God didn't have quite the same punch...]]
From the new base he quickly established in Crystal City, Shockwave communicated with Jhiaxus again, who, in accordance with his plans, had lured Optimus Prime to Gorlam Prime. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} Shockwave was briefly distracted from his work by the arrival of a furious Soundwave, seeking revenge for Shockwave's abandonment of the Decepticons, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} but after a brief, vicious battle, it became apparent that the presence of Ore-14 in the cavern meant that none of the combatants could die, so Soundwave retreated, and Shockwave allowed him to leave rather than face further delay. While this was going on, Jhiaxus duped Optimus Prime into awakening a [[Quintessa (IDW)|Titan]] that had been slumbering on Gorlam Prime, which, under the direction of new recruit [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], then teleported directly to Crystal City. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}} Shockwave gleefully welcomed the Titan, and watched as the Ore-2 from Gorlam Prime in its systems began reacting with the Ore-14 around them, transforming it into a zombie "Necrotitan". Through the link to that Dead Universe this behemoth provided, Shockwave was able to contact his old contemporaries Nova Prime and Galvatron, and, feigning obeisance, vowed to serve Nova in the conquest of the living universe. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} In forging the communications link between the living and Dead Universes, however, the Necrotitan's space bridge had unexpectedly disappeared, leaving Nova and Galvatron with no means of crossing over, but Shockwave, of course, had a contingency plan: the space bridge he had equipped Megatron's body with months beforehand. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}}

[[File:RID24 shockwave waspinators staff.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Careful, the universe hates the guy who uses that.]]
Megatron was currently in Autobot custody after the failure of his most recent scheme, so Shockwave had the deceased NAIL leader [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] revived with Ore-14 and mentally controlled by Jhiaxus into retrieving Megatron's immobilized form for his use. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} Unsurprisingly, Megatron refused to co-operate, so Shockwave sliced him open and activated the bridge manually, {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} but as Nova Prime and Galvatron began to emerge, the united forces of Bumblebee's Autobot and Soundwave's Decepticons stormed Crystal City. During the ensuing battle, Shockwave took possession of Waspinator's stinger weapon, through which the hapless Decepticon had forged his link with the Titan; using this link, Shockwave was able to take direct control of the Necrotitan, and brought it crashing into the cavern to end the conflict. In the chaos that resulted, Nova Prime was forced back through the portal, but Galvatron managed to make the crossing, and was then surreptitiously directed by Shockwave to disable Megatron, shutting the portal down. Finally, Shockwave sent the Titan to ravage Iacon. {{storylink|Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Finest Hour}}

In short order, Jhiaxus, Bludgeon and Monstructor returned to Cybertron, bringing with them what ores they had obtained during their travels, the last of the pieces now in place for Shockwave's endgame to be enacted. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} The Necrotitan's rampage was no mere act of random destruction: it was intended to force Metroplex's hand, necessitating that he return to Cybertron to defend his allies, bringing the Ore-7 with him, thereby gathering all the products of Regenesis on Cybertron at last. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} Uniting the Ore-7 with Ore-2 and Ore-14 put the power of life and death in Shockwave's hands; merging Ore-6 with Ore-8 granted him control of the potential energy of all matter; and fusing Ore-1 and Ore-13 bent the fabric of time to his will. The universe itself was now Shockwave's to mould, but to do so required the sacrifice of ''another'' universe: the Dead Universe. Nova Prime's failure to cross over had not been unintentional; cast back to the Dead Universe, he was subsequently slain by Optimus Prime, who had traveled there through the Gorlam Prime portal, just as Shockwave had planned. [[File:RID27 unstuck in time.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95| See, told ya]] With Nova dead, his control of the energies of the Dead Universe was lost, allowing Shockwave to drain them via an unwitting Galvatron's link. With these powers combined within him, Shockwave could now enact the perfect solution to the problem of finite resources that he had striven to solve all his life: he would bring the Dark Cybertron prophecy to fulfillment by collapsing all of reality into a pinpoint singularity, to feed Cybertron in an endless forever. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:DarkCybertron12-Shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|"Interrogative: Is this... emotion?"]]
The time machine from Turmoil's ship was used to drain the life energy of the Dead Universe from its very beginning to its end, then linked with Shockwave's systems. Upon the machine's activation, Shockwave was assailed with images of his life from all throughout his past; only his emotionless focus prevented his mind from being set adrift on the sea of time. The unlikely pair of Bumblebee and Megatron ventured into Crystal City to stop him, but the empowered Shockwave slew Bumblebee, sending Megatron into a rage. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} The battle between the two Decepticons was soon joined by Optimus Prime, returned from the Dead Universe, who attempted to reason with Shockwave and remind him of the kindly senator he had once been. Prime's words had little effect, so Megatron opted for a more outrageous display: his recent experiences had opened up a new way of thinking to him, and before the stunned Shockwave's eye, he declared himself an Autobot and donned the faction's symbol. Confused and distraught, Shockwave's focus began to waver, and the memories of his pre-Shadowplay self began to creep back, until Optimus gave them a final push by reminding him of small, intimate details of their friendship like a broken bench at their favored meeting spot. Senator Shockwave was horrified to see what he had become, but with the time machine integrated with his systems, he was unable to simply turn if off. At Shockwave's request, Prime and Megatron opened fire and destroyed the drive, collapsing the machine into a singularity that seemingly consumed Shockwave's body. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Six months later, Shockwave's old base of Crystal City (along with Ore-14 and the Time Drive) had been completely consumed leaving a city-sized dent in the planet's surface. The singularity itself hovered a few feet above the centre of the crater. Ironhide was a frequent visitor as Shockwave's machinations had destroyed his vision for the future. No one on Cybertron either cared or knew that Shockwave had seemingly perished as his original self rather than the emotionless one he was famous for. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} News of Shockwave's demise would eventually reach Earth; when [[Action Man|Ian Noble]] encountered the "[[Maximal Shockwave]]" that the real Shockwave had once created, he mistook the facsimile for the genuine article. {{storylink|Power and Glory}}

===Onyx Prime===
[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusOrigins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"So all of IDW isn't my fault yet? Time to fix that!"]]
Unbeknownst to all, Shockwave had ''not'' perished beneath Crystal City; rather, the singularity Shockwave had inadvertently created could warp ''time'' as well as space. Shockwave was flung twelve million years back in time and wound up in the barbaric age following the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], awakening in the land where the Crystal City would one day be founded.

Badly damaged and running low on energon, Shockwave aimlessly wandered the deserts of prehistoric Cybertron, coming to grips with his newfound emotions, until the day he stumbled across "[[Onyx Prime|Onyx]]," a kindly shepherd who led a flock of less-fortunate beasts in their search for [[energon]]. Realizing the historical significance of this individual from his studies of Cybertronian history, {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Shockwave saw a way that he could complete his final goal of ensuring a lasting Cybertronian hegemony, {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} and swiftly slew him. The deed done, Shockwave recruited one of Onyx's followers and dubbed this nomad "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", so named for the Decepticon conqueror that would one day arise. Shockwave fashioned a new body for himself from Onyx's remains, and dubbed himself "'''Onyx Prime'''"; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} having learned from his mistakes, Shockwave was no longer a being of pure logic, and vowed to "embrace chaos" as he embarked on a new mission to wipe Cybertronian history clean and ensure the perpetual dominance of the Cybertronian species—a complex, multi-faceted goal that would last millions of years. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:OriginMyths-OnyxPrimeAndLiegeMaximo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Shockwave thought he was a shoo-in to win the cosplay competition, but Liege crushed the fangirl vote.]]

Knowing that the conquests of Megatronus would provide the impetus for the rest of Cybertron to unify against the warlord, Onyx trained Megatronus as his pupil, instructing him in the ways of war and eventually inspiring him to build an empire of his own in Cybertron's western lands. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} As Megatronus's [[Darklands|Darklanders]] ran amok across Cybertron, Onyx set about gathering new allies, and found a willing collaborator in the deposed king [[Liege Maximo]] {{storylink|Origin Myths}} and his army of bestial [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} Taking on the Maximals as his new "menagerie," Onyx brought his forces to the village that would one day become the Crystal City, where he met with the alliance of Primes —[[Alchemist Prime|Alchemist]], [[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Solus Prime|Solus]], [[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]—and inspired their followers to take up arms and stop Megatronus' army together, using the young Alpha Trion's belief in the power of myths and legends to goad the young civilization into taking a stand.

The next morning, Onyx and his forces joined the fight against Megatronus; as the battle ground on, however, the ground beneath Cybetrtron shook and disgorged three [[Titan (group)|Titans]]: [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]]. The sight of the ancient warriors drew the entire battle to a halt, providing Onyx Prime with the opening to slice through the Darklanders and reach Megatronus; his goal of unifying Cybertron against a common foe accomplished, Onyx and Megatronus agreed to a "truce," and that night all eight Primes agreed to work together to unify their world. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} Onyx took advantage of the new peace to begin spreading stories of his own devising—not only did he design a [[Autobot|sigil]] for their new alliance, based on his foreknowledge of the rise of the Autobots, he would also invent the "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]]" out of whole cloth, the prophecy that his younger self had tried to complete. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:OP10-SurpriseMeeting.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

Alpha Trion was less than convinced these manipulative tales, worrying that Onyx was beginning to blur the line between "stories" and outright lies, {{storylink|Origin Myths}} but Onyx Prime soon learned that he could keep Trion's suspicions at bay by feeding him one well-told tale after another. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

During the reign of the Thirteen, Onyx Prime became a feared warlord in his own right, establishing a kingdom in the city of [[Kalis]] {{storylink|The Crucible}} and taking on the Titan [[Chela]] as his servant, {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} with the [[Titan Master]] [[Sovereign]] serving as his herald. {{storylink|White Heat}} In time, the other Primes came to believe that they were immortal, and that only a Prime could kill another Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}} During this triumphant reign of the Thirteen, Onyx continued in his plans; as Shockwave had once experimented with the stranded crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', he now employed a similar method as he tracked the many complicated variables that led to his race invariably falling to civil war—an experiment he began by engineering the fall of the Primes.

[[File:OurFinest-AntillanMission.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Onyx began sowing division among the Thirteen by encouraging their leader [[Prima]], to turn the Cybertronian race's natural drive to conquer outward so as to spread [[Pax Cybertronia]] across the galaxy, eventually targeting planets such as [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]]. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Onyx and Megatronus led the first of these interstellar colonization missions; though their chronicler Alpha Trion would remember this expedition as one of interstellar goodwill, aimed at spreading the "light" of Cybertronian civilization to their neighbors, the truth was far uglier: when the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]] fleet arrived on the planet [[Antilla]], the genocidal ambitions of the Cybertronians became clear, sparking a brutal conflict between the Cybertronian colonizers and the native [[Antillan]]s. Shockwave informed Trion, who had chosen to gloss over the carnage in his official chronicle of events, that Antilla would become ''his'' world; Shockwave's means of ensuring that each of Cybertron's eventual colonies would "belong" to each member of the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The war finally came to an end when [[Unicron's creator|an Antillan scientist]] developed and deployed a destructive [[Talisman (G1)|superweapon]] that annihilated all life on the planet. In the process, the planet itself was remade, transforming it into [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]—a being whom Shockwave would come to harness in his quest to fulfill his final goal. By deliberately awakening and loosing Unicron eons into the future, Onyx realized that the could use the [[magic]] of the weapon that had created Unicron to "poison" his homeworld; in doing so, he would sacrifice Cybertron itself in order to neutralize Unicron and ensure that he could build a new empire, an empire free of the superstitions, factional violence, and stigma that had plagued his homeworld since the start of Transformer civilization. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

Still unaware of Shockwave's larger goals, Prima blamed Megatronus for the mission's failure, and Onyx manipulated events from the shadows to ensure that the simmering tensions between the tribal leaders would boil over into full-blown hostilities, encouraging his ''other'' protégé, the Liege Maximo, to join forces with Megatronus and stage a coup against Prima. This coup would end with the death of Solus Prime, the first blow in what would become known as the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|The Crucible}} According to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Onyx and the Liege Maximo were both "betrayed" by [[Micronus Prime]] during the war. {{storylink|White Heat}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Liege Maximo was eventually brought to justice; his use for this particular pawn now at an end, Shockwave agreed with the other Primes that he had forfeited his right to live on Cybertron and oversaw his banishment, imprisoning him aboard his own Titan, [[Vigilem]], and using a variation of the [[shadowplay]] technique to ensure that Maximo's Titan would become a mindless living prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

One way or another, Onyx Prime eventually allied with [[Nexus Prime]] late into the war, and together they used the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]: [[combiner]]s of beasts and 'humanoid' Transformers. {{storylink|The Crucible}} This was only an alliance of convenience, however; Onyx was disgusted by the haughty Nexus, who saw Primes as superior beings destined to rule over "lesser" Cybertronians. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} The barbarian warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] found this unification disgusting, and eventually killed Nexus, his Headmasters, and those under his command in the twilight of the conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} The death of Nexus prompted the [[Titan Master]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Infinitus]] to defect to Onyx. {{storylink|White Heat}}

[[File:OP18-MegatronusDead.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|He made sure Megatronus would flee to a planet with the ''best'' ominous lightning.]]

With the war nearly at an end, Onyx joined Prima on his mission to bring Megatronus to justice aboard [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], the three Primes tracked Megatronus to the barren world of [[Tsiehshi]]. Onyx and Prima went to confront Megatronus in a final duel; Onyx was happy to let Megatronus slice Prima in half with his own [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], but then intervened; no longer requiring Megatronus's bloodlust, he slew his former student, coldly informing him that, thanks to the eventual rise of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|his namesake]], Cybertronians would, after a fashion, remember his name. Trion was once more swayed by "Onyx Prime's" well-told tale that Prima had heroically slain Megatronus at the cost of his own life, and so this account became the "official" version of events that would find its way into the chronicles of Cybertron... and thus, the inspiration for the lie that the time-travelling Shockwave used to cover up the truth. Prima's body would be interred inside Emissary, who would carry it throughout the cosmos. Onyx, however, sabotaged Emissary's systems, and so the Titan crashed on the primitive world of [[Elonia]]: {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} one of the planets where his younger self would one day send [[Ore-12|one]] of his [[Regenesis]] ores. {{storylink|Our Darkest}}

Indeed, Onyx Prime had manipulated events so thoroughly that all of the planets where his younger self would select for the Regenesis program—Elonia, [[LV-117]], [[Arduria]], [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], [[Eukaris]], [[Gorlam Prime]], [[Prion (planet)|Prion]], [[Tsiehshi]], [[Velocitron]], and [[Earth]]—all possessed a connection to the Thirteen Primes or the [[Titan (group)|Titans]] who had once served them. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

By the end of the war, many of the Primes had either died or fled Cybertron, leaving Alpha Trion as the last Prime still on Cybertron. When Galvatron, [[Nova Prime|Nova]], and Alpha Trion visited his castle in Kalis, Onyx's former subject [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] informed them that he and most of his Maximals had fled. Though several members of his tribe stayed behind to fight on in his name, the remnants of his army were soon subjugated under [[Nova Prime]]'s growing school of [[Functionism|functionist]] doctrine, which denigrated individuals with [[beast mode]]s. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

Approximately seven million years ago, {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Chela had settled on an uninhabited jungle planet; a world that he dubbed "[[Eukaris]]," and intended to be a safe refuge where Transformers with [[beast mode]]s could live free of the prejudice they faced on Cybertron. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Eukarian legend states that Onyx's last command to Chela was to protect their home from any and all "standard-formers" by any means necessary. Even after his disappearance, the planet's inhabitants continued to venerate him, and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] the [[Fateweaver]] claimed to be his prophet. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Unaware of the truth behind his origins or his future goals, future generations of Eukarians would view Onyx as a wise and benevolent protector who preached equality for all Transformers. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}}

[[File:OurFinest-TheTalisman.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Onyx's innermost retinue of Maximals, however, would stay by their master's side aboard [[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]], as he set course for another world that would play an instrumental role in his ultimate goal: Antilla, now reduced to a barren wasteland of rust. There, Onyx excavated the heart of the superweapon responsible for devastating the planet and creating Unicron, and dubbed it the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]." Eventually, Onyx would decide that the Talisman would need to be moved to [[Earth]], to ensure that the organic world would become the seat of his new Cybertronian empire. To do so, he entrusted the artifact to his follower [[Domitius Major]] and sent them out into the galaxy aboard the ''Axalon,'' some 20,000 years ago, knowing that [[#Regenesis|his younger self would find and shoot down the ship]] and unwittingly ensuring that the Talisman would find its way to Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} The remaining Maximals stayed behind on Antilla with their leader. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

At some point during his stay on Antilla, Onyx would send Sovereign to Earth, ostensibly to find the Enigma of Combination and summon Onyx Prime when he had done so. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} Sovereign, clad in a human disguise and conditioned with false memories, remembered this experience as a childhood visit from a "black angel" who showed him a world of rust and infinite darkness. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:OP15-OnyxOnCaminus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]

In the recent past, Antilla was visited by three [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] Transformers who arrived on his planet following a Cybertronian beacon. Onyx instantly beheaded [[Magrada|one of them]] while the other two managed to escape. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Years later, Onyx followed them back to Caminus to retrieve samples of the [[Ore-4]] that his younger self had fired at the planet; arriving at [[Parvus Oppidum]], Onyx and his army felled their leader [[Praesidia Magna]], one of the two escapees, and dragged her body into a singularity under Onyx's control. Torchbearer [[Pyra Magna|Pyra]], who had survived a close encounter with the Prime himself, began experiencing nightmares of her old commander, trapped on the dead, rust-stricken world of Antilla, and Onyx Prime reciting an ancient Camien poem. It wasn't until Pyra Magna realized that if Onyx had fled when the opportunity presented itself, then he could not be infallible; bolstered by this knowledge, she and a new team of Torchbearers privately began preparing for his return. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}

In order to fulfill his eventual goals, "Onyx"—at some point after leaving Cybertron—came in contact with Metrotitan once more, and used supplies of [[Ore-10]], seeded by his younger self, to manipulate the Titan's mind, leaving him firmly convinced in the "Dark Cybertron" prophecy Onyx had invented... and championing Starscream as the "Chosen One" who would unite the planet, with Shockwave fully aware that the vainglorious Starscream would leave the war-torn planet divided and unable to properly rebuild. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Shortly after Metrotitan returned to Cybertron and imparted Starscream with this knowledge, he was seemingly swallowed up by an explosion—{{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}} in reality, however, Shockwave had used [[Ore-9]] to teleport him to [[Earth]], where Optimus Prime would one day find and raise him from the ground; an act that would seemingly prove his status as a "true" Prime, only so that Shockwave could eventually tear it all down. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

When the [[Republic of Cybertron]] made contact with Eukaris in [[2015]], the presence of [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] on the planet was enough to provoke Chela, who rose to carry out his master's final command. It wasn't enough, however; Starscream killed the Titan, allowing Eukaris and its inhabitants to join the [[Council of Worlds]]. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

In his final battle with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] in 2016, Galvatron warned his nemesis that Onyx Prime was still a threat, and would soon return. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}} When Infinitus and Sovereign made their presence known, Infinitus proclaimed that the Titan Masters were the "harbingers of [Onyx's] return". Though Optimus and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] were given pause to consider what Galvatron had said about Onyx Prime, they were confident they could best the ancient Prime. {{storylink|White Heat}}

After being captured by the [[Iron Klaw]] and hooked into a replica of the Talisman, Blackrock dreamt of Onyx Prime standing over his divided selves, reciting the same Camien poem. This vision caused him to realize that there was a connection between the Talisman and his former master. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} While hacking into [[I.R.O.N.]]'s systems, [[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]] found what Onyx had done to Centurion and declared his former master would have to go through him to get Earth. Blackrock was able to use the fact that both were pawns of Onyx to convince Centurion to stand down. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} During the final battle against [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]] and his forces, Blackrock's consciousness entered [[infraspace]] where he encountered Onyx. Onyx revealed to his former servant that the Talisman was inoculation against a coming threat before attempting to slay the [[Titan Master]]. He was stopped by the spectre of [[Atomic Man|Mike Power]]. The two returned to the living plane, leaving an enraged Onyx behind. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}

===The End of Everything===

[[File:OP15-LiegeChained.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]

After [[Liege Maximo]] escaped captivity, {{storylink|Rubicon}} he eventually crossed paths with Onyx once again. Shockwave discussed Liege's exile, and having had time to reflect in his years imprisoned, he agreed with Shockwave's decision. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Now reunited, the two began the penultimate phase of Shockwave's scheme: shattering Cybertron's faith completely, whether in Primes or Decepticonism, in order to allow chaos to reign. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} As part of Shockwave's scheme, Liege pretended to be Onyx's prisoner, subdued and chained. Onyx returned to Cybertron atop Nemesis, and on arrival announced his intent to pass judgment on Maximo for betraying the Cybertronian race. Onyx agreed to Prime's request to meet with him, declaring him the mythical figure known as "[[The Arisen]]." {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

Throwing Liege at Windblade's feet, "Onyx" declared he had come to free Cybertron from its tangled web of alliances; at the subsequent meeting in the [[Spire]], Onyx offered to fix Cybertron's corrupted energon, causing the Mistress to ask if he was intentionally trying to split the Council of Worlds. As conversation went on, Onyx kept deflecting everyone's suspicions, painting himself as a victim of false accusations; when Optimus suggested that the Transformers give "Onyx" a fair chance to explain itself, his apparent willingness to embrace the Prime angered the recently arrived Soundwave, and as the situation grew increasingly fraught, Onyx's agents set off a massive explosion that killed Alpha Trion. Onyx quickly declared Soundwave and the Decepticons guilty, that democracy had failed Cybertron, and that the rule of Primes was needed once more. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

[[File:OP17-ShockwaveRevealed.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"Old Man Shockwave?!"]]

As emergency crews scrambled, Onyx continued to slander Optimus' name in front of the arrived press, along with making himself look like a wounded party. Then he revealed his bombshell - a years-old recording of Soundwave secretly detonating [[Horri-Bull]]'s [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chip]] to make it look like Bumblebee's doing. With that, Onyx told the gathered Cybertronians that when they found Liege to "do with him what you will", and left the crowd to fight amongst themselves. As he flew back to his ship, he was caught off-guard by Metrotitan's attack, who had followed Optimus to Cybertron. As Optimus tried unsuccessfully to get the ancient Cybertronian to stand down, he fell, only for Onyx to catch him, and demonstrate the power of his ''own'' Titan, having Nemesis down Metrotitan with a single shot. Outraged at the apparent demise of his friends, Optimus attacked... and as he did, Onyx finally revealed himself as Shockwave. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

Taking his former friend captive, Shockwave began explaining to him the whole story of his survival, his trip through time, and the depths of his manipulation of history. When Optimus refuted Shockwave's belief in darkness, Shockwave—seeking to eliminate the last tenet of Cybertronian religion—dropped him into the Crystal City singularity, which promptly crushed Prime's body to nothing. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:EndlessForever ShockwaveandNemesis.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
With Optimus gone for the moment, Shockwave told Maximo to take a squad of Maximals to the not-quite dead Metrotitan, bluntly telling the Prime he was wasting time with his complaints as he shed the last of his Onyx disguise. Shockwave arrived over Metrotitan just as Starscream did the same, interrupting his former comrade's musing about whether he was The Fallen reborn to put him straight on a few facts: he had manipulated history to make sure the Seeker wound up in charge of Cybertron because he was a fool, who would have been unable to see Shockwave's plans coming, and that his religious musings meant that he was even ''stupider'' than Shockwave thought. Punctuating his revelations by finishing off Metrotitan, Shockwave left Starscream with a few more parting insults, leaving the "Chosen One" to his despair. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Watching the nearby fight between Victorion and Devastator, the later unknowingly aided by the presence of one of Shockwave's Ores in the ''Nemesis'' above them, Shockwave mused on how he was providing what Cybertron needed, and how the results would validate his methods. He then made his way toward the Singularity, where he found [[Aileron|a Camien]] and a wounded Jetfire. Holding them at arm-point, Shockwave told the scientist he was required for the "final bloom". {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}}

[[File:Unforgivable PyrabeatsShockwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3]]
With the remains of the Matrix of Leadership now annihilated, Shockwave informed them that he needed to bring Optimus ''back'' from the limbo of infraspace; this was soon revealed as a lie, however, when Pyra Magna arrived, and Shockwave informed the duo that he intended for her to serve as a host for Optimus's bodiless consciousness. Learning that Onyx and Shockwave were one and the same, Pyra briefly tried to attack the Decepticon, but was unable to overpower him. Using a sample of Cybertron's tainted energon, combined with the energies of the Matrix from within infraspace, Optimus and Bumblebee were both able to escape back to reality, taking refuge inside Pyra's mind. With the two Autobots driving her onward, Pyra was able to take down Shockwave, ripping his gun-arm off in the process. Ultimately, the Torchbearer realized that she would have to do the right thing and spared Shockwave's life, presenting him to the Council of Worlds and revealing the great lie that their civilization had been built upon: the Primes were just robots like any other. Ultimately, Shockwave had succeeded in his plans to rob Cybertron of its heritage and history, stripping it down to nothing just in time for the arrival of the final piece of his plan: Unicron, awakened thanks to the machinations of [[Merklynn]] and preparing for its assault on the galaxy. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

[[File:OurFinest ShockwaveMadPlan.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Shockwave was subsequently arrested, paraded through the streets in chains as he rambled aloud about his time as Onyx Prime. Unbeknownst to his jailers, his ancient servant [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was a part of the crowd, one of the loyal Maximals ready and willing to serve his old master during the final phase of his plan. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} As Unicron began his rampage across the galaxy, swallowing up each Cybertronian colony world one by one, Shockwave was visited by Starscream, and Shockwave took that moment to explain his plan: by relocating the Talisman to Cybertron, he had poisoned the planet, and when Unicron destroyed Cybertron, the planet-eater would die with it—leaving the rest of the universe open for him to conquer. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Shortly afterwards, Unicron did indeed appear over Cybertron, intending to consume it, leading Prime to interrogate Shockwave for more information regarding the Talisman and the doomed world of Antilla, and how the destruction of Cybertron would lead to the rebirth of a triumphant Cybertronian empire. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

[[File:RoadsEnd-Toronto.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Well, I'm off to destroy Canada. They've had it too good for too long."]]

Sure enough, Unicron began devouring Cybertron, prompting Shockwave to activate a built-in teleportation device and flee to Earth, reuniting with his Maximals in the streets of [[Toronto]]. Believing that his plan had gone off without a hitch, the Decepticon received a new cannon-arm, courtesy of Rhinox, and ordered his underlings to begin restructuring the planet into the new capitol of his empire, monitoring the destruction from atop the [[CN Tower]]. Shockwave soon learned that his plan had ''failed'', however, and for the simplest of reasons: Cybertron had indeed been annihilated by Unicron, but the Transformers on the planet had used the Talisman escape to Earth, bringing the artifact with them and allowing Unicron to consume the rest of the planet without any consequences. {{storylink|Road's End}} Trying to get his scheme back on track, Shockwave refitted the human building into a communications relay, tapping into the remains of Nemesis—now incorporated into Unicron's structure—and using it to scan Earth for the Talisman. Ordering his subordinate Bludgeon to retrieve it, Shockwave learned that the Decepticon's allegiance had shifted; he and most of the Maximals now served ''Unicron.'' {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

[[File:Ceremony ProwlandShockwavefaith.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
As Shockwave tried to exert control over Bludgeon, Rhinox turned on him only for Shockwave to easily overpower his minion. When the scientist tried to execute Rhinox however, the Maximal revealed he had rigged the cannon and made it unable to fire on his kind. Seizing the weapon, Rhinox explained that the Maximals had turned on their master when they realized "Onyx Prime" had been nothing but a trick. Shockwave was saved by Prowl who quickly dragged him out to the street where [[Stardrive]] used her [[Dire Wraith]] magic to hack into his mind, and tying into the Talisman's operating system. Though making one last attempt to convince Prowl that "faith" was meaningless, Shockwave soon came to realize the hollowness of his philosophy when his mind was briefly linked to the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

In the aftermath of Unicron's defeat, Shockwave was immobilized and chained up within the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Lemuria'']]. Shortly before Optimus Prime's funeral, Shockwave revealed to Prowl he was unsure which of the many faces he'd worn in his life was the "real" him. Before leaving, Prowl bluntly told the Decepticon that they had all been the real him. What Shockwave had always failed to realize was that people were judged, and defined, by their actions, not the intentions that they'd set out with. {{storylink|Post}}

[[File:Post Shockwavereflects.jpg|center|thumb|upright=1.8|[[Spock|"Change is the essential process of all existence."]]]]
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The unnamed senator was not intended to be Shockwave back in "Chaos Theory" but James Roberts immediately thought it would be cool to make him a character we already knew. Shockwave was picked because he was one of the few important characters that did not have an IDW pre-war backstory yet, and because it allowed Roberts to tie together empurata and shadowplay.<ref>[http://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay "The Underbase Podcast Deconstructs Shadowplay"], 42:30 - 44:00</ref>
*In his subsequent "Shadowplay" appearance, the still-unnamed Senator Shockwave was deliberately designed and coloured to look like Ultra Magnus,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/716601-transformers-more-than-meets-eye-11-discussion-spoilers-29.html#post8649838 Forum post by Alex Milne]</ref> making it a real surprise that we'd been reading the origin of Shockwave all along. It helped that Shockwave was a ''Robots in Disguise'' character and this origin was then in the 'wrong' comic, tying the two together.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t14540/ Moonbase2's second interview with James Roberts - 01:39:20 to 59:30]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Senators]]

Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity

2020-10-05T18:52:50Z

Kaisatron: /* Dark Cybertron */

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[[File:Transformersrid 17 cover clean.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|IDW is ENTIRELY his fault.]]
When it all comes down to it, everything is about resources. '''Shockwave''' has always recognized this, and while those around him pursued power and politics and other petty concerns, the master scientist focused his superlative intellect on defeating entropy and securing the future of his species. A game-player and king-maker, Shockwave plans for ''everything,'' and while the [[shadowplay]] inflicted on him by the [[Senate]] may have robbed him of his emotions, it did nothing to curb his ambitions.

Although the dangerous logician sided with the [[Decepticon]]s in the war that eventually gripped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], this is merely an alliance of convenience: Shockwave serves no cause but his own. Following eons of careful work, the scientist's influence is truly galaxy-spanning, and when his machinations reach fruition, the universe may never be the same again.

{{bigquote|All life '''is''' equal. I merely assign it a '''quantifiable value—'''zero.|Shockwave|"[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done]]"}}

{{first|''[[Spotlight: Shockwave]]''; [[Ghost Stories|''Transformers'' Annual 2017]] (as Onyx Prime)}}

==Fiction==
===Student, Senator, Shadowplay===
{{bigquote|I always did have a '''flair''' for the '''dramatic'''.|Shockwave making the understatement of the century|"[[Post]]"}}
[[File:RID17 senator shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.55|There's something different about Shockers here...]]
Six million years ago, long before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Shockwave was the greatest student of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} With the Cybertronian population growing exponentially under [[Nova Prime]]'s program of expansion, the forward-looking Shockwave grew fearful of an [[energon]] shortage that he saw as inevitable. Inspired by Jhiaxus's talk of a prophecy known as "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron]]" that predated the rise of Nova Prime, he began experiments to develop a self-regenerating energy source. Distilling an ore from energon, Shockwave sought to test his creation by seeding it beneath [[Crystal City]], but unfortunately, the city was ravaged in a battle between [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and Jhiaxus's newest terrible creation, the combiner [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. The city's ruins were subsequently sealed beneath the planet's surface, leaving Shockwave to believe his test was unlikely to complete itself. Morever, Monstructor's defeat was the first time he saw his teacher and his works as fallible, and as Jhiaxus left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]]'', Shockwave took up his role, striving to study and better his master's works. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} In doing so, he began studying the secrets of ancient Cybertron, amassing a thorough knowledge of the rise of the [[Thirteen]] and the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] that saw their alliance undone. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who was Named}}

Becoming a [[senate|senator]] in the new regime that formed on Cybertron, Shockwave marked his first day in the senate by announcing the founding of the [[Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology]], in memory of his departed teacher's good works. He immediately clashed with senator [[Proteus]], whose short-sightedness and [[functionism]] sat ill with Shockwave, but found a friend in Senator [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]], who was initially wary of his continued study of Jhiaxus's sciences, but with whom he shared a dislike of Proteus. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave quickly developed a reputation as an extremely expressive individual (known for changing his colour scheme regularly) that even saw him suspended from duty on occasion for "emotional outbursts unbecoming a senator". His master's teachings drove Shockwave in his work, as he focused on myriad ways of advancing the Transformer race: in addition to repeatedly voting to bring back Nova Prime's spark-splicing programs, he secretly used the Academy as a safe haven for [[Outlier (group)|outliers]], Transformers with abnormal abilities and functions who were hated and feared by functionists because their abilities had nothing to do with their alt modes. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} He taught his closest charges of the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]], {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} sank billions into various offworld projects, and came into contact with the enigmatic [[Omega Guardian]]s. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} His contact with the aliens would lead him to theorize that an artifact in their possession, the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]], was actually one of the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]], one with such a powerful urge for knowledge that he had surrendered his body in the process. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

[[File:ChaosTheoryPart2 Orion and the Senator.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|...something I just can't quite...]]
Recognizing that Proteus and current planet leader [[Nominus Prime]] were resistant to change, Shockwave began befriending certain promising young Cybertronians and modifying them so that they could carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]], with the hope that one of them could take leadership of their race and steer Cybertron off the dark path the Senate had placed it upon. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} When police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] stormed into a Senate meeting with accusations of corruption amongst its ranks, Shockwave saw this potential in him. The damaged Pax was apprehended after his tirade, but Shockwave arranged for his release and repair, adding a Matrix chamber to his chest. After his release, Pax met his secret benefactor in front of the ''Ark-1'' memorial, where Shockwave warned him that factions within the senate had arranged for a recent attack on Nominus Prime in an attempt to gain control of the Matrix's power. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2|Chaos Theory #2}}

[[File:Unnamed senator in Patternism.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|...seem to put my finger on...]]
In time, word of Nominus's death was released to the public; although the Prime's passing was attributed to a rust infection, when Shockwave met with Orion and his friend [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], he was able to confirm that the Senate had their head of security [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] kill Nominus when the Matrix within him proved to be a fake. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} Soon after, Pax received a tip-off from revenge-seeking former Senate agent [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] of a plot that was soon to claim Shockwave's life, so Pax had Ratchet and [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] visit the Academy of Advanced Technology and take him into protective custody. Along with Pax's other allies, Shockwave was able to provide enough evidence to help Orion figure out that the Senate had turned the fake Matrix in Nominus's body into a bomb that they would detonate as his body lay in state, which they could blame on the trouble-making [[Decepticon]] movement, an underground organization advocating the dissolution of the functionist regime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} Shockwave gathered three of his outlier students, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Tarn (DJD)|Glitch]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], to help with the theft of the Matrix-bomb, but he himself was kept under guard in case things went wrong. Shockwave laughed that off, thinking he was too high profile for Sentinel to assassinate, but in the midst of the heist, he found out how wrong he was when Senate thugs burned down the Academy and broke into the safehouse intending to capture him: Sentinel had found out about the army of outliers and was ''very'' unhappy. While Orion Pax was willing to fight to save Shockwave, the senator willingly went with his captors rather than allow Roller to be killed in his name.

[[File:Shadowplay3-SenatorWho.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|IDW sure loves their splash panels of Shockwave being assembled. And we sure love uploading them!]]
The captive Shockwave was taken to the [[Institute]] and subjected to "[[Shadowplay]]", the emotion centers of his brain cut out by [[mnemosurgery]] to change his entire personality, turning him from a fiery crusader into an emotionless husk. To add insult to injury, Proteus and Sentinel had [[empurata]] performed on him, taking away his face and hands, replacing them with a featureless mask and claws solely out of spite. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

===Joining the Decepticons===
[[File:RID17 useful effect.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|{{w|Edward Scissorhands|I'm not finished}}]]
Proteus could not have predicted the monster his actions would unleash. Where he had considered the mutilation of Shockwave a punishment, Shockwave, freed of the bonds of morality by the removal of his emotions, felt ''liberated'' by the experience, now able to take the most logical path to saving Cybertron. Shortly after lying about his previous energon-shortage concerns during a hearing so he could continue to work toward a solution alone, Shockwave was approached by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who brought him before [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], leader and founder of the Decepticons, who had recently turned to increasingly excessive terrorist tactics. Realizing that Shockwave had a goal of his own, but with no interest in what it actually ''was'', Megatron offered him a laboratory and the resources to continue his work that the senate could not provide, in return for Shockwave using Jhiaxus's technology to create a combiner for the Decepticons. Shockwave accepted, though he cautioned that the creation of the combiner could take a very long time. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} He did not know it at the time, but his mere presence had made him an object of distrust to Megatron's loyal lieuteant, [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], because he could not read his Shadowplayed mind. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

Severing his ties with Orion Pax, Shockwave used the resources Megatron had provided to secretly continue his alternate energy experiments, more sure than ever that the political strife raging across Cybertron would ultimately give way to a war not over ideals, but resources. He distilled a variety of different synthetic energons and tested them on an assortment of innocent Cybertronians, few of whom—if ''any''—survived the myriad unusual effects the new fuels had. Seeking to speed Shockwave's science, Megatron offered him a pair of hands to replace his empurata-granted claws, but upon hearing of Megatron's plan to kill the Senate the following day and truly began a war on Cybertron, Shockwave chose to take only one hand, replacing the other with a gun he saw as being more useful for the coming conflict. In one last lingering moment of sentimentality, however, he visited Dai Atlas's quarters the night before the planned assassination and shot him, wounding him enough that he was unable to attend the Senate meeting, thus sparing him the other Senators' fates. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave joined the Decepticons in their attack on [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] the next day, and met with Soundwave to arrange the construction of a new body for captured senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}}

[[File:Autocracy8 shockwave destroys destructor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Shockwave, that wasn't the enemy...that was the bunny sanctuary" "I'm still counting that as a win"]]
The deaths of the Senate and Sentinel Prime allowed [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]], another of Shockwave's candidates, to ascend to the rank of Prime. By the time of Zeta's reign, Shockwave's sinister experiments had earned the scientist a reputation as "obsessed with combiners". {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} Together with [[Ferak]], Shockwave invented a "nightmare transmitter" that used Soundwave's abilities to manipulate an average Transformer, [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], into supporting the Decepticons with terrorist acts. The experiment was ended after Orion Pax and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] tracked the signal and raided Shockwave's base. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} Over time, Zeta's extremism forged strange bedfellows; when Orion turned on Zeta, he was badly injured by the Prime and had to be rescued by Megatron and the Decepticons. Shockwave repaired his old friend's wounds, and witnessed Orion's unit form an alliance with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Choices}} When the two sides launched an attack on Zeta, Shockwave gained the satisfaction of destroying the last [[Guardian robot|Omega Destructor]], then witnessed Megatron's betrayal of Orion's unit. {{storylink|Overthrown}} Megatron's short-lived rule of Cybertron came to an end when the Autobots attacked the [[Citadel]] and defeated him, forcing Shockwave to call for a retreat. {{storylink|Endgame}}

[[File:Monstrosity9 shockwave vs grimlock.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Shockwave is foiled by the illogic of space dinosaurs.]]
Not long thereafter, Shockwave was present at [[Kolkular]] when [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]] announced that he had banished Megatron for his failure to hold Cybertron. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} When the [[Exodus (event)|exodus]] began, Scorponok had the Decepticons assault [[Starsreach Spaceport]], an attack that Shockwave saw as an inefficient use of resources. {{storylink|Massacre}} His forces met with resistance from a raging [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] who tore them to pieces and shrugged off Shockwave's firepower, forcing him to call for another retreat while picking shrapnel out of his arm. They rejoined Scorponok at the [[Toraxxis Plains]], where to their shock and horror they found him in the process of reawakening [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Unleashed}} With Scorponok having accomplished nothing but bringing Cybertron further into ruin, the Decepticons rejected him as soon as Megatron returned from his exile. Once their true leader had dealt with the usurper, Shockwave repaired the injuries he had sustained during his absence. {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}} He was subsequently present as Megatron turned a defeated Trypticon into a Decepticon, {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (issue)|Belly of the Beast}} and was among those who boarded the beast's starship mode and left Cybertron in search of the Decepticons who'd defected during Scorponok's reign. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} Once the Decepticon army was reconsolidated, they returned home for an all-out assault on Iacon, {{storylink|Primacy issue 3|Primacy #3}} during which Shockwave oversaw a failed tactical strike on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

[[File:ALonelyPillarOnThePlain ProwlVShockwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Prick Vs. One-Eyed Willie.]]
Shockwave later led a squad back to Junkion to claim the world's gravimetric core for use as a weapon. His squad was met by Prowl and eventually one of them decided to detonate the core and destroy Junkion. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}

As the war progressed, Shockwave helped create the super-Decepticons known as the "[[Warriors Elite]]", programming them with killswitches and viruses that would prevent them from turning on Megatron. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} He was also known to have commanded a [[Worldsweeper]] at some point during the conflict. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} Shockwave also made the mistake of earning the enmity of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] after they stole a cache of energon from him; reaching the logical conclusion that if he could not have the energon, neither could they, Shockwave tracked them back to Autobot territory and destroyed the energon supply. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At some point he stood over Megatron's shoulder while the Decepticon leader and [[Solomus|Tyrest]] tried to broker a peace accord. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}
{{-}}

===Regenesis===
Six hundred thousand [[Units of time|meta-cycles]] ago, Shockwave's experiments with alternative energy sources reached a turning point with the program he called "[[Regenesis]]". He covertly launched thirteen rockets from Cybertron to thirteen other worlds with specific geological properties, each carrying with them a different kind of ore distilled from energon that would be seeded across the target planets. It was Shockwave's hope that the chain reactions which would ensure would potentially yield thirteen different kinds of energy sources that could abate the energy crisis that was now looming ever larger. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At the time, Shockwave selected the planets at random, simply seeking out specific geological profiles that would allow his ores to take root. Unknown to him, all the worlds he had selected had been touched in some way by the [[Thirteen]] Primes as arranged by his future self millennia beforehand. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:Shockwave Regenesis.jpg‎|upright=1.4|thumb|left]]
Around 100,000 years after launching the rockets, Shockwave left Cybertron aboard [[Darksyde (BW)|his own ship]] to examine the fruits of his labor, his whereabouts left unknown to those he had left behind on his homeworld. The results were far from what had been expected: the mutated ores had taken on a variety of esoteric qualities that went so far as to affect the fabric of space and time around them. For next the next half-million years, Shockwave travelled from world to world, observing the various powers of the ores; on the gas giant [[Arduria]], he found that the [[Ore-6]] sent there had developed the power to halt molecular motion, blanketing the planet it eternal cold. After putting some of the slowly dying [[Ardurian roc|native rocs]] out of their misery, he remarked that while not his intended result, it served as a learning experience nonetheless. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}} {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} Other explorations discerned that about half of the ores had successfully taken root on their target worlds: [[Ore-1]], on [[LV-117]], had the ability to transcend time, offering Shockwave tantalizing glimpses of the future; {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} [[Ore-2]], on [[Gorlam Prime]], drained the life from all around it; {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} [[Ore-7]] had attained transmutative properties; {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} and [[Ore-8]], on [[Tsiehshi]], had taken the form of highly explosive, unstable crystals. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}} Though millennia away from being realized, Shockwave's mind began to piece together a scheme that would unite these different ores and their powers to achieve his dream.

10,000 years ago, Shockwave arrived on the thirteenth world: prehistoric [[Earth]], at the end of its {{w|Pleistocene|most recent ice age}}. The extremely powerful [[Ore-13]] seeded on this world was catalysing so strongly that the reaction needed to be regulated with global dampers. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

[[File:Revolutionaries5 talisman wipes axalon memories.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"A little paint, some new carpeting. A good fixer upper."]]

As he entered the orbit of the icy world, he discovered that a different Transformer ship had been drawn to Earth, attracted to his burgeoning supply of Ore-13: the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', captained by [[Domitius Major]] and crewed by the [[Maximal]]s. Shockwave bounced an intercepted transmission of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee to the starship before shooting it down over what would one day become the nation of [[Brasnya]]. Investigating the wreckage of the ship and its bestial occupants, he discovered that the vessel was carrying a [[Talisman (G1)|strange artifact]], one that had activated and scrambled the memories of its crew during the crash-landing. When [[Centurion (IDW)|one of their number]] regained consciousness and—glimpsing the Autobot transmission—wondered aloud if he was Bumblebee, his confusion gave Shockwave an idea for one of his cruel experiments.

By replacing their lost memories with data of the Autobots and Decepticons of Cybertron, Shockwave convinced the amnesiac Maximals that they were all combatants in the Great War, remaking them into copies of key players in the conflict and even rebuilding one of their number into [[Maximal Shockwave|a copy of himself]]. After conditioning them, he pitted the "Autobots" and "Decepticons" against one another in a series of [[Ice Age Wars|simulated wargames]] for his tactical benefit. As Shockwave watched their simulated battles, he studied the mysterious artifact that the Maximals had brought with them, watching as it created [[IRON Trooper|robotic drones]] from the wreckage. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

[[File:Shockwaveg1idw.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.15|Shockwave began to have second thoughts over his choice of manicurists.]]

As Shockwave went about his business, he was unaware of a threat that had shadowed him: the Dynobots had tracked him down, and were seeking to settle their old score. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Shockwave's twisted games went on for a century; when the Maximals ran low on Energon, Shockwave abandoned them and their artifact to their fate and returned to his main objective on Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

As Shockwave finished planting the dampers and was preparing to visit other Regenesis worlds, the Dynobots teleported upon him. The attack threw Shockwave off-kilter with both its ferocity and its unexpectedness, as he had anticipated a stab in the back from Megatron but had failed to consider the simple vengeance of the Dynobots. Mentally and physically confounded by the assault, Shockwave deactivated his higher reasoning and allowed a subroutine simulating rage to take over. This brutal, violent Shockwave decimated the Dynobots, burning off the organic coating shielding them from the planet's high energon fields and forcing them into [[stasis lock]]. As the battle concluded, Shockwave restored his full neural operations and logged the emotional experience for further study. But, as his logic center churned away once more, it again failed to anticipate his enemies' chaotic nature. Specifically, Grimlock had set a dead-man's switch on [[Skyfire (ship)|the Dynobots' ship]], and before Shockwave could act upon his own victory, the ship shot an energy beam into a nearby volcano, causing it to erupt and consume all of the combatants, entombing them for millennia to come. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}} In the meantime, his Maximal creations simply fought on amongst one another until they ran out of energon and entered stasis. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

Shockwave's long absence would eventually rouse Megatron's suspicions, and he assigned [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to search through Shockwave's files, {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} in turn tasking Soundwave with shadowing Bludgeon, {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}} knowing that Shockwave had been working on something in secret and intending to use it for the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

After spending centuries trapped in the [[Noisemaze]], the unaligned scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]] decided to investigate where Shockwave had trodden and refined Shockwave's old samples of Ore-13 to create the superfuel [[obtenteum]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

===Machinations===
[[File:Shockwave Agent Red.jpg‎|upright=1.5|thumb|[[Transformers (film)|Call him NBE-1]].]]
Shockwave's body was uncovered by a human [[Goring|human archaeological team]] in 2005. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} The discovery drew the attention of the government organization [[Skywatch]], who soon swept in and took the operation over. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} Skywatch proceeded to exhume both Shockwave and the Dynobots, and began experimenting with neural inhibitors to control their new discoveries. Results were consistently disastrous; both the Dynobots and their other captives [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] were soon running out of their control. Skywatch commander [[Joshua Red]] had Shockwave rebuilt and brought online in their [[Salt Lake City]] base {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} and charged him with rounding up the rogue Transformers. Rather than a neural inhibitor, Shockwave was motivated with a decidedly less sophisticated method: a bomb placed in his head would detonate in 24 hours if Skywatch didn't transmit a reset code. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

[[File:Shockwave V Scorponok MD.jpg‎‎|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Declarative: [[...All This and Civil War 2|Turnabout is fair play]].]]
Given the presence of Ravage and Laserbeak on Earth, Shockwave correctly deduced that their master, Soundwave, must also be on the planet; he had followed Bludgeon there in pursuit of Shockwave's Ore-13 and wound up trapped in his [[alternate mode]], in the possession of a child in [[Portland]], [[Oregon]]. Shockwave tracked him down shortly after Laserbeak and Ravage had retrieved him from his human captivity, and proposed a deal: Shockwave would undo the mode-lock, originally caused by a weapon of his design, in return for Soundwave intercepting the reset codes for the implanted bomb. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Soundwave attempted to further bargain for information on the Regenesis program, but was rebuffed when Shockwave observed that said information would die with him if the bomb went off. {{Storylink|Shockpoint}} Relenting, Soundwave allowed his cassettes to be "captured" and handed over to Skywatch, to sell Shockwave's deception, whilst the scientist went in search of the Dynobots. Discovering them already engaged with Scorponok and the [[Machination]], Shockwave decided to engage Scorponok's forces first, so he could destroy the Dynobots himself. By the time Shockwave beat Scorponok, only 12 minutes of his 24-hour countdown remained, and Grimlock proved to have more than 12 minutes' worth of fight left in him. On the 30-second mark, the two were still grappling in a Machination arms bunker, so Joshua Red ordered the reset code sent, wanting to ensure all other combatants were down before killing his pawn. The code was successfully intercepted and decrypted by Soundwave, who transmitted the information to Shockwave, who in return sent him instructions to mentally disable the mode-lock. Soundwave transformed, his cassettes attacked their would-be captors, and Shockwave abruptly walked away from his fight, declaring an end to the "charade". But Grimlock would not be denied his revenge, so before Shockwave could leave, he detonated a grenade that blew the arms bunker sky-high. The two were soon recovered, still functioning, by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], who took Shockwave, Scorponok and Grimlock into custody. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers3 - Shockwave.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|So do we blame Shockwave for letting Overlord off his leash, or Overlord for unleashing the one-eyed purple people eater again?]]
Shockwave was sent to the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary, where his spark was extracted for imprisonment. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} At some point prior to his imprisonment, however, Shockwave had been able to make contact with Bludgeon and the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]] and recruit them as his personal agents, though they wound up simply fighting with the main Decepticon forces some time later, when the galaxy-wide Decepticon uprising known as the [[Surge (event)|Surge]] took place. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During the Surge, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] took control of Garrus-9, and after one year of holding the facility, he had Shockwave's spark reintegrated with his body to make him an offer: in exchange for his freedom and a hand-picked crew, Shockwave would remove the [[Achilles virus]] that had been implanted in Overlord during his conversion to a Warrior Elite. Shockwave agreed to the terms as they served his own purposes, but he was quick to comment that Overlord's actions on Garrus-9 were less about the former general's gratification and more about attracting Megatron's attention. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Knowing he was on [[The List]] and that the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] would quickly catch up to him, Shockwave selected thirty-one prisoners who were also on The List so as to bribe his [[Tarn (DJD)|former pupil]]. When Tarn called however, he rejected the bribe much to Shockwave's bafflement before he began applying his killer voice to the former senator. Though forced to his knees, Shockwave simply destroyed the communicator before the ''[[Torment]]'' arrived, scaring off the D.J.D. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

During Shockwave's time in Skywatch captivity, the researchers had gathered enough information about him to design a weapon based on his technology. According to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], the first working prototypes were the size of a house, but with some unspecified "outside help", they were able to condense it to a size small enough for hand-held use by a human. Around the time of Shockwave's liberation from Garrus-9, roughly a year after Megatron's forces overran the Earth following the Surge, Spike was sent in with a military squad to retrieve the weapon from its [[New York City]] storehouse and use it to kill Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} Though his team perished, Spike survived, got the weapon, and successfully shot Megatron in the head, ending the Decepticon occupation. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

[[File:RID21 a better spacebridge.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Over the next two years, Shockwave returned his focus to Regenesis, and began slowly putting the players and pieces in motion for his ultimate endgame. He re-established communication with Bludgeon and Monstructor, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} and also recruited the Decepticon warmonger [[Turmoil]], providing him with a ship in return for his visiting LV-117 with instructions to collect data from the Regenesis missile there. In actuality, with this particular action, Shockwave was deliberately perpetuating a [[time travel|predestination paradox]] of sorts, ensuring the visions of the future that he had seen while on LV-117 years beforehand would come to pass. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} His plans for the future momentarily complete, Shockwave rejoined what remained of the main Decepticon command structure, now under the leadership of Starscream and encamped on a desolate asteroid following their retreat from Earth. Conferring with Soundwave, he agreed to help build a new body for the devastated Megatron in exchange for being able to utilize some of the Decepticons' limited resources to finally perfect [[space bridge]] travel. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} The scientist made the two projects one and the same by implanting nodes obtained from [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] in Megatron's new body, giving the Decepticon leader the power to open space bridge at will. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDWongoing7 shockwave at work.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95]]
Having been unaware of the plan to repair Megatron and believing Shockwave had been working on space bridge technology alone, {{storylink|All His Engines}} Starscream was furious when he discovered what he believed the pair had been dedicating their resources to: using the remnants of Megatron's old body to make tiny replicas of his gun form, with plans to distribute them amongst the population of Earth in order to create chaos amongst both the humans and Autobots. Megatron revealed his revival to Starscream, {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} and a short time after that, retook Decepticon leadership; Shockwave eager to run further tests on the new technology within his body, but Megatron, unwilling to be a cog in whatever machinations Shockwave was surely planning, assured him everything was in order and had him continue working on the gun replicas. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} After finishing, Shockwave carefully calculated that [[Quetzaltenango]], [[Mexico]] was the most appropriate location to deposit the Megatron guns, and stood by Megatron as he sent the weapons through the space bridge to Earth. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} Four months later, the Decepticons themselves traveled to Earth to see through their plan, where Soundwave was heavily injured in a confrontation with Optimus Prime. When ordered to repair him, Shockwave protested that he no longer had the resources he had used to rebuild Megatron, but when pressed, affirmed that he could in fact save Soundwave's life. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}}

===Shockpoint===
[[File:RID21 shockwave watches deceptigod.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|Don't see that every day.]]
Megatron would later use the space bridge technology built into in his new body to summon Shockwave and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Question}} They arrived in the midst of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s attempt to prevent the emergence of the [[Dead Universe]] entity known as the [[D-Void]], {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} and the evil entity proceeded to ensnare the minds of the Decepticons, using their collective belief in the Decepticon cause to mentally and physically fuse them all together into a huge [[Deceptigod|monster]]. All, that is, save for Shockwave, who had never believed in the cause, and silently watched as Megatron battled the giant beast. Once Galvatron and the monstrosity were defeated, Cybertron began to reformat into a primordial state; having seen potential in the merged Decepticon monster to perfect combiner technology, Megatron withdrew into the wilderness, informing Shockwave of his plans. Shockwave then shared this information with Soundwave and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and the trio began conspiring to facilitate Megatron's new scheme. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

[[File:Needlenose Autonomy Lesson.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]
Rather than try to escape or fight a battle they knew they could not win, Shockwave and his compatriots allowed themselves to taken into custody with the other Decepticons when Ratbat negotiated their surrender to the Autobots. They were kept in confinement for a few weeks in the rebuilt Iacon, now under the unstable governance of [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], before being released to deal with rioting "[[NAIL]]s" who had returned to repopulate Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} After a while, being an enforcer for the Autobots did not sit well with [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and he accused Shockwave, Soundwave and Bombshell of just sitting around instead of doing something about the Decepticons' situation. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}} He was wrong, of course: along with Soundwave, Shockwave was working with Ratbat to take control of the [[inhibitor/deterrence chip]]s implanted in them by the Autobots, though he was plainly uninterested in the plan, merely remarking that "Events will play out as they will." when asked for his opinion. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} But Megatron's ongoing plot was not the only reason for Shockwave's disinterest in Ratbat's power games: in furtheration of his own personal, secret schemes revolving around Regenesis, he had once again contacted Bludgeon and Monstructor, and had them free his old teacher Jhiaxus from Autobot captivity, before setting them on course for LV-117. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

[[File:RID9 you bore me.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Swindle...who let you back in the house?]]
Following the failure of Ratbat's plan, Shockwave was petitioned by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to help [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], who was on the run from the Autobots after claiming to have witnessed [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] murder the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. Swindle gambled that Shockwave was not as disinterested in the political strife of the planet he appeared, but Shockwave merely questioned what Swindle expected him to do with this information. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} Far greater matters occupied Shockwave's attention: Turmoil had recently returned to Cybertron, the ship Shockwave had given him now outfitted with a time machine created by inhabitants of LV-117 he had enslaved during his visit there. To ensure the future he had seen would come to pass, Shockwave had [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] steal the ship and return it to LV-117, {{storylink|Night and the City}} where it was then retrieved by Jhiaxus's group. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} Around this time, Shockwave also made contact with the [[Ammonite]]s, a faction of a robotic alien race whose cold war had recently grown hot again, and offered to end their conflict if they would work for him. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Shockwave had the Ammonites attempt to obtain the one Regenesis ore that had been lost to him: Ore-7, which had been found by Metroplex. The Titan put the ore out of his attackers' reach by jettisoning it, so as a back-up plan, Shockwave had the Ammonites infect Metroplex with Ore-2, knowing that in time, he would have to call the Ore-7 back to heal himself. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:Endofthebeginningoftheworld-astrotrainsoundwaveshockwaveblitzwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I said a dab of purple, Needlenose. A dab! DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A DAB TO YOU!?]]
After an explosive assassination attempt on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Starscream confronted Shockwave, assuming the attack was his doing. Though Starscream warned Shockwave to not interfere with his political ascension, Shockwave refused to humor him; Starscream had made his choice to live with the Autobots, while the remaining Decepticons under Shockwave's care rejected the growing new government architecture. Shockwave seemingly underestimated Starscream's cunning, however, and later he and his Decepticons were assaulted by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]. The Autobot assassin, under orders from both Prowl and Starscream, made it appear as if the Decepticons' own base had exploded and buried them, stealing Shockwave, Soundwave and those under their command away to the [[Black Room]] with Prowl's other secret prisoners. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}} In truth, this was all an act for Starscream's benefit: Prowl was under the control of Bombshell, and had only "captured" Shockwave and the others so they could be reunited with Megatron in time for his master plan: using a new and improved Devastator to conquer Cybertron once and for all. {{storylink|The Verge}} {{storylink|Before the Dawn}}

[[File:RID17 shockwave vehiclemode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|BFF's forever!]]
His role in Megatron's plan now complete, Shockwave no longer needed to keep up appearances and promptly left Iacon. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Believing both Megatron's rebellion and Bumblebee's government were doomed to fail, Shockwave took [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] with him out into the wilderness, to the subterranean remains of Crystal City, which had somehow survived Cybertron's reversion to its primitive state ''and'' the supposed recent obliteration by an exploding [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]]. It was the original seed Shockwave had sown beneath the city that had recreated it each time, [[Ore-14]], the key to resurrection—which Shockwave tested by shooting Dreadwing dead, only for the ore to immediately revive him. A plan begun millions of years ago was at last reaching its endgame. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}
{{-}}

===Dark Cybertron===
[[File:RID22 shockwave and necrotitan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Schrödinger's Robotic Demi-God didn't have quite the same punch...]]
From the new base he quickly established in Crystal City, Shockwave communicated with Jhiaxus again, who, in accordance with his plans, had lured Optimus Prime to Gorlam Prime. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} Shockwave was briefly distracted from his work by the arrival of a furious Soundwave, seeking revenge for Shockwave's abandonment of the Decepticons, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} but after a brief, vicious battle, it became apparent that the presence of Ore-14 in the cavern meant that none of the combatants could die, so Soundwave retreated, and Shockwave allowed him to leave rather than face further delay. While this was going on, Jhiaxus duped Optimus Prime into awakening a [[Quintessa (IDW)|Titan]] that had been slumbering on Gorlam Prime, which, under the direction of new recruit [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], then teleported directly to Crystal City. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}} Shockwave gleefully welcomed the Titan, and watched as the Ore-2 from Gorlam Prime in its systems began reacting with the Ore-14 around them, transforming it into a zombie "Necrotitan". Through the link to that Dead Universe this behemoth provided, Shockwave was able to contact his old contemporaries Nova Prime and Galvatron, and, feigning obeisance, vowed to serve Nova in the conquest of the living universe. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} In forging the communications link between the living and Dead Universes, however, the Necrotitan's space bridge had unexpectedly disappeared, leaving Nova and Galvatron with no means of crossing over, but Shockwave, of course, had a contingency plan: the space bridge he had equipped Megatron's body with months beforehand. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}}

[[File:RID24 shockwave waspinators staff.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Careful, the universe hates the guy who uses that.]]
Megatron was currently in Autobot custody after the failure of his most recent scheme, so Shockwave had the deceased NAIL leader [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] revived with Ore-14 and mentally controlled by Jhiaxus into retrieving Megatron's immobilized form for his use. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} Unsurprisingly, Megatron refused to co-operate, so Shockwave sliced him open and activated the bridge manually, {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} but as Nova Prime and Galvatron began to emerge, the united forces of Bumblebee's Autobot and Soundwave's Decepticons stormed Crystal City. During the ensuing battle, Shockwave took possession of Waspinator's stinger weapon, through which the hapless Decepticon had forged his link with the Titan; using this link, Shockwave was able to take direct control of the Necrotitan, and brought it crashing into the cavern to end the conflict. In the chaos that resulted, Nova Prime was forced back through the portal, but Galvatron managed to make the crossing, and was then surreptitiously directed by Shockwave to disable Megatron, shutting the portal down. Finally, Shockwave sent the Titan to ravage Iacon. {{storylink|Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Finest Hour}}

In short order, Jhiaxus, Bludgeon and Monstructor returned to Cybertron, bringing with them what ores they had obtained during their travels, the last of the pieces now in place for Shockwave's endgame to be enacted. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} The Necrotitan's rampage was no mere act of random destruction: it was intended to force Metroplex's hand, necessitating that he return to Cybertron to defend his allies, bringing the Ore-7 with him, thereby gathering all the products of Regenesis on Cybertron at last. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} Uniting the Ore-7 with Ore-2 and Ore-14 put the power of life and death in Shockwave's hands; merging Ore-6 with Ore-8 granted him control of the potential energy of all matter; and fusing Ore-1 and Ore-13 bent the fabric of time to his will. The universe itself was now Shockwave's to mould, but to do so required the sacrifice of ''another'' universe: the Dead Universe. Nova Prime's failure to cross over had not been unintentional; cast back to the Dead Universe, he was subsequently slain by Optimus Prime, who had traveled there through the Gorlam Prime portal, just as Shockwave had planned. [[[File:RID27 unstuck in time.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95] See, told ya]] With Nova dead, his control of the energies of the Dead Universe was lost, allowing Shockwave to drain them via an unwitting Galvatron's link. With these powers combined within him, Shockwave could now enact the perfect solution to the problem of finite resources that he had striven to solve all his life: he would bring the Dark Cybertron prophecy to fulfillment by collapsing all of reality into a pinpoint singularity, to feed Cybertron in an endless forever. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:DarkCybertron12-Shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|"Interrogative: Is this... emotion?"]]
The time machine from Turmoil's ship was used to drain the life energy of the Dead Universe from its very beginning to its end, then linked with Shockwave's systems. Upon the machine's activation, Shockwave was assailed with images of his life from all throughout his past; only his emotionless focus prevented his mind from being set adrift on the sea of time. The unlikely pair of Bumblebee and Megatron ventured into Crystal City to stop him, but the empowered Shockwave slew Bumblebee, sending Megatron into a rage. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} The battle between the two Decepticons was soon joined by Optimus Prime, returned from the Dead Universe, who attempted to reason with Shockwave and remind him of the kindly senator he had once been. Prime's words had little effect, so Megatron opted for a more outrageous display: his recent experiences had opened up a new way of thinking to him, and before the stunned Shockwave's eye, he declared himself an Autobot and donned the faction's symbol. Confused and distraught, Shockwave's focus began to waver, and the memories of his pre-Shadowplay self began to creep back, until Optimus gave them a final push by reminding him of small, intimate details of their friendship like a broken bench at their favored meeting spot. Senator Shockwave was horrified to see what he had become, but with the time machine integrated with his systems, he was unable to simply turn if off. At Shockwave's request, Prime and Megatron opened fire and destroyed the drive, collapsing the machine into a singularity that seemingly consumed Shockwave's body. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Six months later, Shockwave's old base of Crystal City (along with Ore-14 and the Time Drive) had been completely consumed leaving a city-sized dent in the planet's surface. The singularity itself hovered a few feet above the centre of the crater. Ironhide was a frequent visitor as Shockwave's machinations had destroyed his vision for the future. No one on Cybertron either cared or knew that Shockwave had seemingly perished as his original self rather than the emotionless one he was famous for. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} News of Shockwave's demise would eventually reach Earth; when [[Action Man|Ian Noble]] encountered the "[[Maximal Shockwave]]" that the real Shockwave had once created, he mistook the facsimile for the genuine article. {{storylink|Power and Glory}}

===Onyx Prime===
[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusOrigins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"So all of IDW isn't my fault yet? Time to fix that!"]]
Unbeknownst to all, Shockwave had ''not'' perished beneath Crystal City; rather, the singularity Shockwave had inadvertently created could warp ''time'' as well as space. Shockwave was flung twelve million years back in time and wound up in the barbaric age following the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], awakening in the land where the Crystal City would one day be founded.

Badly damaged and running low on energon, Shockwave aimlessly wandered the deserts of prehistoric Cybertron, coming to grips with his newfound emotions, until the day he stumbled across "[[Onyx Prime|Onyx]]," a kindly shepherd who led a flock of less-fortunate beasts in their search for [[energon]]. Realizing the historical significance of this individual from his studies of Cybertronian history, {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Shockwave saw a way that he could complete his final goal of ensuring a lasting Cybertronian hegemony, {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} and swiftly slew him. The deed done, Shockwave recruited one of Onyx's followers and dubbed this nomad "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", so named for the Decepticon conqueror that would one day arise. Shockwave fashioned a new body for himself from Onyx's remains, and dubbed himself "'''Onyx Prime'''"; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} having learned from his mistakes, Shockwave was no longer a being of pure logic, and vowed to "embrace chaos" as he embarked on a new mission to wipe Cybertronian history clean and ensure the perpetual dominance of the Cybertronian species—a complex, multi-faceted goal that would last millions of years. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:OriginMyths-OnyxPrimeAndLiegeMaximo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Shockwave thought he was a shoo-in to win the cosplay competition, but Liege crushed the fangirl vote.]]

Knowing that the conquests of Megatronus would provide the impetus for the rest of Cybertron to unify against the warlord, Onyx trained Megatronus as his pupil, instructing him in the ways of war and eventually inspiring him to build an empire of his own in Cybertron's western lands. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} As Megatronus's [[Darklands|Darklanders]] ran amok across Cybertron, Onyx set about gathering new allies, and found a willing collaborator in the deposed king [[Liege Maximo]] {{storylink|Origin Myths}} and his army of bestial [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} Taking on the Maximals as his new "menagerie," Onyx brought his forces to the village that would one day become the Crystal City, where he met with the alliance of Primes —[[Alchemist Prime|Alchemist]], [[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Solus Prime|Solus]], [[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]—and inspired their followers to take up arms and stop Megatronus' army together, using the young Alpha Trion's belief in the power of myths and legends to goad the young civilization into taking a stand.

The next morning, Onyx and his forces joined the fight against Megatronus; as the battle ground on, however, the ground beneath Cybetrtron shook and disgorged three [[Titan (group)|Titans]]: [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]]. The sight of the ancient warriors drew the entire battle to a halt, providing Onyx Prime with the opening to slice through the Darklanders and reach Megatronus; his goal of unifying Cybertron against a common foe accomplished, Onyx and Megatronus agreed to a "truce," and that night all eight Primes agreed to work together to unify their world. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} Onyx took advantage of the new peace to begin spreading stories of his own devising—not only did he design a [[Autobot|sigil]] for their new alliance, based on his foreknowledge of the rise of the Autobots, he would also invent the "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]]" out of whole cloth, the prophecy that his younger self had tried to complete. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:OP10-SurpriseMeeting.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

Alpha Trion was less than convinced these manipulative tales, worrying that Onyx was beginning to blur the line between "stories" and outright lies, {{storylink|Origin Myths}} but Onyx Prime soon learned that he could keep Trion's suspicions at bay by feeding him one well-told tale after another. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

During the reign of the Thirteen, Onyx Prime became a feared warlord in his own right, establishing a kingdom in the city of [[Kalis]] {{storylink|The Crucible}} and taking on the Titan [[Chela]] as his servant, {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} with the [[Titan Master]] [[Sovereign]] serving as his herald. {{storylink|White Heat}} In time, the other Primes came to believe that they were immortal, and that only a Prime could kill another Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}} During this triumphant reign of the Thirteen, Onyx continued in his plans; as Shockwave had once experimented with the stranded crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', he now employed a similar method as he tracked the many complicated variables that led to his race invariably falling to civil war—an experiment he began by engineering the fall of the Primes.

[[File:OurFinest-AntillanMission.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Onyx began sowing division among the Thirteen by encouraging their leader [[Prima]], to turn the Cybertronian race's natural drive to conquer outward so as to spread [[Pax Cybertronia]] across the galaxy, eventually targeting planets such as [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]]. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Onyx and Megatronus led the first of these interstellar colonization missions; though their chronicler Alpha Trion would remember this expedition as one of interstellar goodwill, aimed at spreading the "light" of Cybertronian civilization to their neighbors, the truth was far uglier: when the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]] fleet arrived on the planet [[Antilla]], the genocidal ambitions of the Cybertronians became clear, sparking a brutal conflict between the Cybertronian colonizers and the native [[Antillan]]s. Shockwave informed Trion, who had chosen to gloss over the carnage in his official chronicle of events, that Antilla would become ''his'' world; Shockwave's means of ensuring that each of Cybertron's eventual colonies would "belong" to each member of the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The war finally came to an end when [[Unicron's creator|an Antillan scientist]] developed and deployed a destructive [[Talisman (G1)|superweapon]] that annihilated all life on the planet. In the process, the planet itself was remade, transforming it into [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]—a being whom Shockwave would come to harness in his quest to fulfill his final goal. By deliberately awakening and loosing Unicron eons into the future, Onyx realized that the could use the [[magic]] of the weapon that had created Unicron to "poison" his homeworld; in doing so, he would sacrifice Cybertron itself in order to neutralize Unicron and ensure that he could build a new empire, an empire free of the superstitions, factional violence, and stigma that had plagued his homeworld since the start of Transformer civilization. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

Still unaware of Shockwave's larger goals, Prima blamed Megatronus for the mission's failure, and Onyx manipulated events from the shadows to ensure that the simmering tensions between the tribal leaders would boil over into full-blown hostilities, encouraging his ''other'' protégé, the Liege Maximo, to join forces with Megatronus and stage a coup against Prima. This coup would end with the death of Solus Prime, the first blow in what would become known as the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|The Crucible}} According to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Onyx and the Liege Maximo were both "betrayed" by [[Micronus Prime]] during the war. {{storylink|White Heat}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Liege Maximo was eventually brought to justice; his use for this particular pawn now at an end, Shockwave agreed with the other Primes that he had forfeited his right to live on Cybertron and oversaw his banishment, imprisoning him aboard his own Titan, [[Vigilem]], and using a variation of the [[shadowplay]] technique to ensure that Maximo's Titan would become a mindless living prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

One way or another, Onyx Prime eventually allied with [[Nexus Prime]] late into the war, and together they used the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]: [[combiner]]s of beasts and 'humanoid' Transformers. {{storylink|The Crucible}} This was only an alliance of convenience, however; Onyx was disgusted by the haughty Nexus, who saw Primes as superior beings destined to rule over "lesser" Cybertronians. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} The barbarian warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] found this unification disgusting, and eventually killed Nexus, his Headmasters, and those under his command in the twilight of the conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} The death of Nexus prompted the [[Titan Master]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Infinitus]] to defect to Onyx. {{storylink|White Heat}}

[[File:OP18-MegatronusDead.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|He made sure Megatronus would flee to a planet with the ''best'' ominous lightning.]]

With the war nearly at an end, Onyx joined Prima on his mission to bring Megatronus to justice aboard [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], the three Primes tracked Megatronus to the barren world of [[Tsiehshi]]. Onyx and Prima went to confront Megatronus in a final duel; Onyx was happy to let Megatronus slice Prima in half with his own [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], but then intervened; no longer requiring Megatronus's bloodlust, he slew his former student, coldly informing him that, thanks to the eventual rise of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|his namesake]], Cybertronians would, after a fashion, remember his name. Trion was once more swayed by "Onyx Prime's" well-told tale that Prima had heroically slain Megatronus at the cost of his own life, and so this account became the "official" version of events that would find its way into the chronicles of Cybertron... and thus, the inspiration for the lie that the time-travelling Shockwave used to cover up the truth. Prima's body would be interred inside Emissary, who would carry it throughout the cosmos. Onyx, however, sabotaged Emissary's systems, and so the Titan crashed on the primitive world of [[Elonia]]: {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} one of the planets where his younger self would one day send [[Ore-12|one]] of his [[Regenesis]] ores. {{storylink|Our Darkest}}

Indeed, Onyx Prime had manipulated events so thoroughly that all of the planets where his younger self would select for the Regenesis program—Elonia, [[LV-117]], [[Arduria]], [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], [[Eukaris]], [[Gorlam Prime]], [[Prion (planet)|Prion]], [[Tsiehshi]], [[Velocitron]], and [[Earth]]—all possessed a connection to the Thirteen Primes or the [[Titan (group)|Titans]] who had once served them. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

By the end of the war, many of the Primes had either died or fled Cybertron, leaving Alpha Trion as the last Prime still on Cybertron. When Galvatron, [[Nova Prime|Nova]], and Alpha Trion visited his castle in Kalis, Onyx's former subject [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] informed them that he and most of his Maximals had fled. Though several members of his tribe stayed behind to fight on in his name, the remnants of his army were soon subjugated under [[Nova Prime]]'s growing school of [[Functionism|functionist]] doctrine, which denigrated individuals with [[beast mode]]s. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

Approximately seven million years ago, {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Chela had settled on an uninhabited jungle planet; a world that he dubbed "[[Eukaris]]," and intended to be a safe refuge where Transformers with [[beast mode]]s could live free of the prejudice they faced on Cybertron. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Eukarian legend states that Onyx's last command to Chela was to protect their home from any and all "standard-formers" by any means necessary. Even after his disappearance, the planet's inhabitants continued to venerate him, and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] the [[Fateweaver]] claimed to be his prophet. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Unaware of the truth behind his origins or his future goals, future generations of Eukarians would view Onyx as a wise and benevolent protector who preached equality for all Transformers. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}}

[[File:OurFinest-TheTalisman.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Onyx's innermost retinue of Maximals, however, would stay by their master's side aboard [[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]], as he set course for another world that would play an instrumental role in his ultimate goal: Antilla, now reduced to a barren wasteland of rust. There, Onyx excavated the heart of the superweapon responsible for devastating the planet and creating Unicron, and dubbed it the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]." Eventually, Onyx would decide that the Talisman would need to be moved to [[Earth]], to ensure that the organic world would become the seat of his new Cybertronian empire. To do so, he entrusted the artifact to his follower [[Domitius Major]] and sent them out into the galaxy aboard the ''Axalon,'' some 20,000 years ago, knowing that [[#Regenesis|his younger self would find and shoot down the ship]] and unwittingly ensuring that the Talisman would find its way to Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} The remaining Maximals stayed behind on Antilla with their leader. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

At some point during his stay on Antilla, Onyx would send Sovereign to Earth, ostensibly to find the Enigma of Combination and summon Onyx Prime when he had done so. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} Sovereign, clad in a human disguise and conditioned with false memories, remembered this experience as a childhood visit from a "black angel" who showed him a world of rust and infinite darkness. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:OP15-OnyxOnCaminus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]

In the recent past, Antilla was visited by three [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] Transformers who arrived on his planet following a Cybertronian beacon. Onyx instantly beheaded [[Magrada|one of them]] while the other two managed to escape. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Years later, Onyx followed them back to Caminus to retrieve samples of the [[Ore-4]] that his younger self had fired at the planet; arriving at [[Parvus Oppidum]], Onyx and his army felled their leader [[Praesidia Magna]], one of the two escapees, and dragged her body into a singularity under Onyx's control. Torchbearer [[Pyra Magna|Pyra]], who had survived a close encounter with the Prime himself, began experiencing nightmares of her old commander, trapped on the dead, rust-stricken world of Antilla, and Onyx Prime reciting an ancient Camien poem. It wasn't until Pyra Magna realized that if Onyx had fled when the opportunity presented itself, then he could not be infallible; bolstered by this knowledge, she and a new team of Torchbearers privately began preparing for his return. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}

In order to fulfill his eventual goals, "Onyx"—at some point after leaving Cybertron—came in contact with Metrotitan once more, and used supplies of [[Ore-10]], seeded by his younger self, to manipulate the Titan's mind, leaving him firmly convinced in the "Dark Cybertron" prophecy Onyx had invented... and championing Starscream as the "Chosen One" who would unite the planet, with Shockwave fully aware that the vainglorious Starscream would leave the war-torn planet divided and unable to properly rebuild. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Shortly after Metrotitan returned to Cybertron and imparted Starscream with this knowledge, he was seemingly swallowed up by an explosion—{{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}} in reality, however, Shockwave had used [[Ore-9]] to teleport him to [[Earth]], where Optimus Prime would one day find and raise him from the ground; an act that would seemingly prove his status as a "true" Prime, only so that Shockwave could eventually tear it all down. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

When the [[Republic of Cybertron]] made contact with Eukaris in [[2015]], the presence of [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] on the planet was enough to provoke Chela, who rose to carry out his master's final command. It wasn't enough, however; Starscream killed the Titan, allowing Eukaris and its inhabitants to join the [[Council of Worlds]]. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

In his final battle with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] in 2016, Galvatron warned his nemesis that Onyx Prime was still a threat, and would soon return. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}} When Infinitus and Sovereign made their presence known, Infinitus proclaimed that the Titan Masters were the "harbingers of [Onyx's] return". Though Optimus and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] were given pause to consider what Galvatron had said about Onyx Prime, they were confident they could best the ancient Prime. {{storylink|White Heat}}

After being captured by the [[Iron Klaw]] and hooked into a replica of the Talisman, Blackrock dreamt of Onyx Prime standing over his divided selves, reciting the same Camien poem. This vision caused him to realize that there was a connection between the Talisman and his former master. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} While hacking into [[I.R.O.N.]]'s systems, [[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]] found what Onyx had done to Centurion and declared his former master would have to go through him to get Earth. Blackrock was able to use the fact that both were pawns of Onyx to convince Centurion to stand down. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} During the final battle against [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]] and his forces, Blackrock's consciousness entered [[infraspace]] where he encountered Onyx. Onyx revealed to his former servant that the Talisman was inoculation against a coming threat before attempting to slay the [[Titan Master]]. He was stopped by the spectre of [[Atomic Man|Mike Power]]. The two returned to the living plane, leaving an enraged Onyx behind. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}

===The End of Everything===

[[File:OP15-LiegeChained.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]

After [[Liege Maximo]] escaped captivity, {{storylink|Rubicon}} he eventually crossed paths with Onyx once again. Shockwave discussed Liege's exile, and having had time to reflect in his years imprisoned, he agreed with Shockwave's decision. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Now reunited, the two began the penultimate phase of Shockwave's scheme: shattering Cybertron's faith completely, whether in Primes or Decepticonism, in order to allow chaos to reign. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} As part of Shockwave's scheme, Liege pretended to be Onyx's prisoner, subdued and chained. Onyx returned to Cybertron atop Nemesis, and on arrival announced his intent to pass judgment on Maximo for betraying the Cybertronian race. Onyx agreed to Prime's request to meet with him, declaring him the mythical figure known as "[[The Arisen]]." {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

Throwing Liege at Windblade's feet, "Onyx" declared he had come to free Cybertron from its tangled web of alliances; at the subsequent meeting in the [[Spire]], Onyx offered to fix Cybertron's corrupted energon, causing the Mistress to ask if he was intentionally trying to split the Council of Worlds. As conversation went on, Onyx kept deflecting everyone's suspicions, painting himself as a victim of false accusations; when Optimus suggested that the Transformers give "Onyx" a fair chance to explain itself, his apparent willingness to embrace the Prime angered the recently arrived Soundwave, and as the situation grew increasingly fraught, Onyx's agents set off a massive explosion that killed Alpha Trion. Onyx quickly declared Soundwave and the Decepticons guilty, that democracy had failed Cybertron, and that the rule of Primes was needed once more. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

[[File:OP17-ShockwaveRevealed.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"Old Man Shockwave?!"]]

As emergency crews scrambled, Onyx continued to slander Optimus' name in front of the arrived press, along with making himself look like a wounded party. Then he revealed his bombshell - a years-old recording of Soundwave secretly detonating [[Horri-Bull]]'s [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chip]] to make it look like Bumblebee's doing. With that, Onyx told the gathered Cybertronians that when they found Liege to "do with him what you will", and left the crowd to fight amongst themselves. As he flew back to his ship, he was caught off-guard by Metrotitan's attack, who had followed Optimus to Cybertron. As Optimus tried unsuccessfully to get the ancient Cybertronian to stand down, he fell, only for Onyx to catch him, and demonstrate the power of his ''own'' Titan, having Nemesis down Metrotitan with a single shot. Outraged at the apparent demise of his friends, Optimus attacked... and as he did, Onyx finally revealed himself as Shockwave. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

Taking his former friend captive, Shockwave began explaining to him the whole story of his survival, his trip through time, and the depths of his manipulation of history. When Optimus refuted Shockwave's belief in darkness, Shockwave—seeking to eliminate the last tenet of Cybertronian religion—dropped him into the Crystal City singularity, which promptly crushed Prime's body to nothing. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:EndlessForever ShockwaveandNemesis.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
With Optimus gone for the moment, Shockwave told Maximo to take a squad of Maximals to the not-quite dead Metrotitan, bluntly telling the Prime he was wasting time with his complaints as he shed the last of his Onyx disguise. Shockwave arrived over Metrotitan just as Starscream did the same, interrupting his former comrade's musing about whether he was The Fallen reborn to put him straight on a few facts: he had manipulated history to make sure the Seeker wound up in charge of Cybertron because he was a fool, who would have been unable to see Shockwave's plans coming, and that his religious musings meant that he was even ''stupider'' than Shockwave thought. Punctuating his revelations by finishing off Metrotitan, Shockwave left Starscream with a few more parting insults, leaving the "Chosen One" to his despair. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Watching the nearby fight between Victorion and Devastator, the later unknowingly aided by the presence of one of Shockwave's Ores in the ''Nemesis'' above them, Shockwave mused on how he was providing what Cybertron needed, and how the results would validate his methods. He then made his way toward the Singularity, where he found [[Aileron|a Camien]] and a wounded Jetfire. Holding them at arm-point, Shockwave told the scientist he was required for the "final bloom". {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}}

[[File:Unforgivable PyrabeatsShockwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3]]
With the remains of the Matrix of Leadership now annihilated, Shockwave informed them that he needed to bring Optimus ''back'' from the limbo of infraspace; this was soon revealed as a lie, however, when Pyra Magna arrived, and Shockwave informed the duo that he intended for her to serve as a host for Optimus's bodiless consciousness. Learning that Onyx and Shockwave were one and the same, Pyra briefly tried to attack the Decepticon, but was unable to overpower him. Using a sample of Cybertron's tainted energon, combined with the energies of the Matrix from within infraspace, Optimus and Bumblebee were both able to escape back to reality, taking refuge inside Pyra's mind. With the two Autobots driving her onward, Pyra was able to take down Shockwave, ripping his gun-arm off in the process. Ultimately, the Torchbearer realized that she would have to do the right thing and spared Shockwave's life, presenting him to the Council of Worlds and revealing the great lie that their civilization had been built upon: the Primes were just robots like any other. Ultimately, Shockwave had succeeded in his plans to rob Cybertron of its heritage and history, stripping it down to nothing just in time for the arrival of the final piece of his plan: Unicron, awakened thanks to the machinations of [[Merklynn]] and preparing for its assault on the galaxy. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

[[File:OurFinest ShockwaveMadPlan.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Shockwave was subsequently arrested, paraded through the streets in chains as he rambled aloud about his time as Onyx Prime. Unbeknownst to his jailers, his ancient servant [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was a part of the crowd, one of the loyal Maximals ready and willing to serve his old master during the final phase of his plan. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} As Unicron began his rampage across the galaxy, swallowing up each Cybertronian colony world one by one, Shockwave was visited by Starscream, and Shockwave took that moment to explain his plan: by relocating the Talisman to Cybertron, he had poisoned the planet, and when Unicron destroyed Cybertron, the planet-eater would die with it—leaving the rest of the universe open for him to conquer. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Shortly afterwards, Unicron did indeed appear over Cybertron, intending to consume it, leading Prime to interrogate Shockwave for more information regarding the Talisman and the doomed world of Antilla, and how the destruction of Cybertron would lead to the rebirth of a triumphant Cybertronian empire. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

[[File:RoadsEnd-Toronto.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Well, I'm off to destroy Canada. They've had it too good for too long."]]

Sure enough, Unicron began devouring Cybertron, prompting Shockwave to activate a built-in teleportation device and flee to Earth, reuniting with his Maximals in the streets of [[Toronto]]. Believing that his plan had gone off without a hitch, the Decepticon received a new cannon-arm, courtesy of Rhinox, and ordered his underlings to begin restructuring the planet into the new capitol of his empire, monitoring the destruction from atop the [[CN Tower]]. Shockwave soon learned that his plan had ''failed'', however, and for the simplest of reasons: Cybertron had indeed been annihilated by Unicron, but the Transformers on the planet had used the Talisman escape to Earth, bringing the artifact with them and allowing Unicron to consume the rest of the planet without any consequences. {{storylink|Road's End}} Trying to get his scheme back on track, Shockwave refitted the human building into a communications relay, tapping into the remains of Nemesis—now incorporated into Unicron's structure—and using it to scan Earth for the Talisman. Ordering his subordinate Bludgeon to retrieve it, Shockwave learned that the Decepticon's allegiance had shifted; he and most of the Maximals now served ''Unicron.'' {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

[[File:Ceremony ProwlandShockwavefaith.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
As Shockwave tried to exert control over Bludgeon, Rhinox turned on him only for Shockwave to easily overpower his minion. When the scientist tried to execute Rhinox however, the Maximal revealed he had rigged the cannon and made it unable to fire on his kind. Seizing the weapon, Rhinox explained that the Maximals had turned on their master when they realized "Onyx Prime" had been nothing but a trick. Shockwave was saved by Prowl who quickly dragged him out to the street where [[Stardrive]] used her [[Dire Wraith]] magic to hack into his mind, and tying into the Talisman's operating system. Though making one last attempt to convince Prowl that "faith" was meaningless, Shockwave soon came to realize the hollowness of his philosophy when his mind was briefly linked to the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

In the aftermath of Unicron's defeat, Shockwave was immobilized and chained up within the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Lemuria'']]. Shortly before Optimus Prime's funeral, Shockwave revealed to Prowl he was unsure which of the many faces he'd worn in his life was the "real" him. Before leaving, Prowl bluntly told the Decepticon that they had all been the real him. What Shockwave had always failed to realize was that people were judged, and defined, by their actions, not the intentions that they'd set out with. {{storylink|Post}}

[[File:Post Shockwavereflects.jpg|center|thumb|upright=1.8|[[Spock|"Change is the essential process of all existence."]]]]
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The unnamed senator was not intended to be Shockwave back in "Chaos Theory" but James Roberts immediately thought it would be cool to make him a character we already knew. Shockwave was picked because he was one of the few important characters that did not have an IDW pre-war backstory yet, and because it allowed Roberts to tie together empurata and shadowplay.<ref>[http://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay "The Underbase Podcast Deconstructs Shadowplay"], 42:30 - 44:00</ref>
*In his subsequent "Shadowplay" appearance, the still-unnamed Senator Shockwave was deliberately designed and coloured to look like Ultra Magnus,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/716601-transformers-more-than-meets-eye-11-discussion-spoilers-29.html#post8649838 Forum post by Alex Milne]</ref> making it a real surprise that we'd been reading the origin of Shockwave all along. It helped that Shockwave was a ''Robots in Disguise'' character and this origin was then in the 'wrong' comic, tying the two together.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t14540/ Moonbase2's second interview with James Roberts - 01:39:20 to 59:30]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Senators]]

Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity

2020-10-05T18:52:19Z

Kaisatron: /* Dark Cybertron */

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[[File:Transformersrid 17 cover clean.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|IDW is ENTIRELY his fault.]]
When it all comes down to it, everything is about resources. '''Shockwave''' has always recognized this, and while those around him pursued power and politics and other petty concerns, the master scientist focused his superlative intellect on defeating entropy and securing the future of his species. A game-player and king-maker, Shockwave plans for ''everything,'' and while the [[shadowplay]] inflicted on him by the [[Senate]] may have robbed him of his emotions, it did nothing to curb his ambitions.

Although the dangerous logician sided with the [[Decepticon]]s in the war that eventually gripped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], this is merely an alliance of convenience: Shockwave serves no cause but his own. Following eons of careful work, the scientist's influence is truly galaxy-spanning, and when his machinations reach fruition, the universe may never be the same again.

{{bigquote|All life '''is''' equal. I merely assign it a '''quantifiable value—'''zero.|Shockwave|"[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done]]"}}

{{first|''[[Spotlight: Shockwave]]''; [[Ghost Stories|''Transformers'' Annual 2017]] (as Onyx Prime)}}

==Fiction==
===Student, Senator, Shadowplay===
{{bigquote|I always did have a '''flair''' for the '''dramatic'''.|Shockwave making the understatement of the century|"[[Post]]"}}
[[File:RID17 senator shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.55|There's something different about Shockers here...]]
Six million years ago, long before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Shockwave was the greatest student of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} With the Cybertronian population growing exponentially under [[Nova Prime]]'s program of expansion, the forward-looking Shockwave grew fearful of an [[energon]] shortage that he saw as inevitable. Inspired by Jhiaxus's talk of a prophecy known as "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron]]" that predated the rise of Nova Prime, he began experiments to develop a self-regenerating energy source. Distilling an ore from energon, Shockwave sought to test his creation by seeding it beneath [[Crystal City]], but unfortunately, the city was ravaged in a battle between [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and Jhiaxus's newest terrible creation, the combiner [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. The city's ruins were subsequently sealed beneath the planet's surface, leaving Shockwave to believe his test was unlikely to complete itself. Morever, Monstructor's defeat was the first time he saw his teacher and his works as fallible, and as Jhiaxus left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]]'', Shockwave took up his role, striving to study and better his master's works. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} In doing so, he began studying the secrets of ancient Cybertron, amassing a thorough knowledge of the rise of the [[Thirteen]] and the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] that saw their alliance undone. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who was Named}}

Becoming a [[senate|senator]] in the new regime that formed on Cybertron, Shockwave marked his first day in the senate by announcing the founding of the [[Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology]], in memory of his departed teacher's good works. He immediately clashed with senator [[Proteus]], whose short-sightedness and [[functionism]] sat ill with Shockwave, but found a friend in Senator [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]], who was initially wary of his continued study of Jhiaxus's sciences, but with whom he shared a dislike of Proteus. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave quickly developed a reputation as an extremely expressive individual (known for changing his colour scheme regularly) that even saw him suspended from duty on occasion for "emotional outbursts unbecoming a senator". His master's teachings drove Shockwave in his work, as he focused on myriad ways of advancing the Transformer race: in addition to repeatedly voting to bring back Nova Prime's spark-splicing programs, he secretly used the Academy as a safe haven for [[Outlier (group)|outliers]], Transformers with abnormal abilities and functions who were hated and feared by functionists because their abilities had nothing to do with their alt modes. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} He taught his closest charges of the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]], {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} sank billions into various offworld projects, and came into contact with the enigmatic [[Omega Guardian]]s. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} His contact with the aliens would lead him to theorize that an artifact in their possession, the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]], was actually one of the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]], one with such a powerful urge for knowledge that he had surrendered his body in the process. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

[[File:ChaosTheoryPart2 Orion and the Senator.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|...something I just can't quite...]]
Recognizing that Proteus and current planet leader [[Nominus Prime]] were resistant to change, Shockwave began befriending certain promising young Cybertronians and modifying them so that they could carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]], with the hope that one of them could take leadership of their race and steer Cybertron off the dark path the Senate had placed it upon. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} When police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] stormed into a Senate meeting with accusations of corruption amongst its ranks, Shockwave saw this potential in him. The damaged Pax was apprehended after his tirade, but Shockwave arranged for his release and repair, adding a Matrix chamber to his chest. After his release, Pax met his secret benefactor in front of the ''Ark-1'' memorial, where Shockwave warned him that factions within the senate had arranged for a recent attack on Nominus Prime in an attempt to gain control of the Matrix's power. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2|Chaos Theory #2}}

[[File:Unnamed senator in Patternism.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|...seem to put my finger on...]]
In time, word of Nominus's death was released to the public; although the Prime's passing was attributed to a rust infection, when Shockwave met with Orion and his friend [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], he was able to confirm that the Senate had their head of security [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] kill Nominus when the Matrix within him proved to be a fake. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} Soon after, Pax received a tip-off from revenge-seeking former Senate agent [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] of a plot that was soon to claim Shockwave's life, so Pax had Ratchet and [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] visit the Academy of Advanced Technology and take him into protective custody. Along with Pax's other allies, Shockwave was able to provide enough evidence to help Orion figure out that the Senate had turned the fake Matrix in Nominus's body into a bomb that they would detonate as his body lay in state, which they could blame on the trouble-making [[Decepticon]] movement, an underground organization advocating the dissolution of the functionist regime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} Shockwave gathered three of his outlier students, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Tarn (DJD)|Glitch]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], to help with the theft of the Matrix-bomb, but he himself was kept under guard in case things went wrong. Shockwave laughed that off, thinking he was too high profile for Sentinel to assassinate, but in the midst of the heist, he found out how wrong he was when Senate thugs burned down the Academy and broke into the safehouse intending to capture him: Sentinel had found out about the army of outliers and was ''very'' unhappy. While Orion Pax was willing to fight to save Shockwave, the senator willingly went with his captors rather than allow Roller to be killed in his name.

[[File:Shadowplay3-SenatorWho.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|IDW sure loves their splash panels of Shockwave being assembled. And we sure love uploading them!]]
The captive Shockwave was taken to the [[Institute]] and subjected to "[[Shadowplay]]", the emotion centers of his brain cut out by [[mnemosurgery]] to change his entire personality, turning him from a fiery crusader into an emotionless husk. To add insult to injury, Proteus and Sentinel had [[empurata]] performed on him, taking away his face and hands, replacing them with a featureless mask and claws solely out of spite. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

===Joining the Decepticons===
[[File:RID17 useful effect.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|{{w|Edward Scissorhands|I'm not finished}}]]
Proteus could not have predicted the monster his actions would unleash. Where he had considered the mutilation of Shockwave a punishment, Shockwave, freed of the bonds of morality by the removal of his emotions, felt ''liberated'' by the experience, now able to take the most logical path to saving Cybertron. Shortly after lying about his previous energon-shortage concerns during a hearing so he could continue to work toward a solution alone, Shockwave was approached by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who brought him before [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], leader and founder of the Decepticons, who had recently turned to increasingly excessive terrorist tactics. Realizing that Shockwave had a goal of his own, but with no interest in what it actually ''was'', Megatron offered him a laboratory and the resources to continue his work that the senate could not provide, in return for Shockwave using Jhiaxus's technology to create a combiner for the Decepticons. Shockwave accepted, though he cautioned that the creation of the combiner could take a very long time. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} He did not know it at the time, but his mere presence had made him an object of distrust to Megatron's loyal lieuteant, [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], because he could not read his Shadowplayed mind. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

Severing his ties with Orion Pax, Shockwave used the resources Megatron had provided to secretly continue his alternate energy experiments, more sure than ever that the political strife raging across Cybertron would ultimately give way to a war not over ideals, but resources. He distilled a variety of different synthetic energons and tested them on an assortment of innocent Cybertronians, few of whom—if ''any''—survived the myriad unusual effects the new fuels had. Seeking to speed Shockwave's science, Megatron offered him a pair of hands to replace his empurata-granted claws, but upon hearing of Megatron's plan to kill the Senate the following day and truly began a war on Cybertron, Shockwave chose to take only one hand, replacing the other with a gun he saw as being more useful for the coming conflict. In one last lingering moment of sentimentality, however, he visited Dai Atlas's quarters the night before the planned assassination and shot him, wounding him enough that he was unable to attend the Senate meeting, thus sparing him the other Senators' fates. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave joined the Decepticons in their attack on [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] the next day, and met with Soundwave to arrange the construction of a new body for captured senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}}

[[File:Autocracy8 shockwave destroys destructor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Shockwave, that wasn't the enemy...that was the bunny sanctuary" "I'm still counting that as a win"]]
The deaths of the Senate and Sentinel Prime allowed [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]], another of Shockwave's candidates, to ascend to the rank of Prime. By the time of Zeta's reign, Shockwave's sinister experiments had earned the scientist a reputation as "obsessed with combiners". {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} Together with [[Ferak]], Shockwave invented a "nightmare transmitter" that used Soundwave's abilities to manipulate an average Transformer, [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], into supporting the Decepticons with terrorist acts. The experiment was ended after Orion Pax and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] tracked the signal and raided Shockwave's base. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} Over time, Zeta's extremism forged strange bedfellows; when Orion turned on Zeta, he was badly injured by the Prime and had to be rescued by Megatron and the Decepticons. Shockwave repaired his old friend's wounds, and witnessed Orion's unit form an alliance with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Choices}} When the two sides launched an attack on Zeta, Shockwave gained the satisfaction of destroying the last [[Guardian robot|Omega Destructor]], then witnessed Megatron's betrayal of Orion's unit. {{storylink|Overthrown}} Megatron's short-lived rule of Cybertron came to an end when the Autobots attacked the [[Citadel]] and defeated him, forcing Shockwave to call for a retreat. {{storylink|Endgame}}

[[File:Monstrosity9 shockwave vs grimlock.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Shockwave is foiled by the illogic of space dinosaurs.]]
Not long thereafter, Shockwave was present at [[Kolkular]] when [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]] announced that he had banished Megatron for his failure to hold Cybertron. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} When the [[Exodus (event)|exodus]] began, Scorponok had the Decepticons assault [[Starsreach Spaceport]], an attack that Shockwave saw as an inefficient use of resources. {{storylink|Massacre}} His forces met with resistance from a raging [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] who tore them to pieces and shrugged off Shockwave's firepower, forcing him to call for another retreat while picking shrapnel out of his arm. They rejoined Scorponok at the [[Toraxxis Plains]], where to their shock and horror they found him in the process of reawakening [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Unleashed}} With Scorponok having accomplished nothing but bringing Cybertron further into ruin, the Decepticons rejected him as soon as Megatron returned from his exile. Once their true leader had dealt with the usurper, Shockwave repaired the injuries he had sustained during his absence. {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}} He was subsequently present as Megatron turned a defeated Trypticon into a Decepticon, {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (issue)|Belly of the Beast}} and was among those who boarded the beast's starship mode and left Cybertron in search of the Decepticons who'd defected during Scorponok's reign. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} Once the Decepticon army was reconsolidated, they returned home for an all-out assault on Iacon, {{storylink|Primacy issue 3|Primacy #3}} during which Shockwave oversaw a failed tactical strike on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

[[File:ALonelyPillarOnThePlain ProwlVShockwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Prick Vs. One-Eyed Willie.]]
Shockwave later led a squad back to Junkion to claim the world's gravimetric core for use as a weapon. His squad was met by Prowl and eventually one of them decided to detonate the core and destroy Junkion. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}

As the war progressed, Shockwave helped create the super-Decepticons known as the "[[Warriors Elite]]", programming them with killswitches and viruses that would prevent them from turning on Megatron. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} He was also known to have commanded a [[Worldsweeper]] at some point during the conflict. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} Shockwave also made the mistake of earning the enmity of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] after they stole a cache of energon from him; reaching the logical conclusion that if he could not have the energon, neither could they, Shockwave tracked them back to Autobot territory and destroyed the energon supply. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At some point he stood over Megatron's shoulder while the Decepticon leader and [[Solomus|Tyrest]] tried to broker a peace accord. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}
{{-}}

===Regenesis===
Six hundred thousand [[Units of time|meta-cycles]] ago, Shockwave's experiments with alternative energy sources reached a turning point with the program he called "[[Regenesis]]". He covertly launched thirteen rockets from Cybertron to thirteen other worlds with specific geological properties, each carrying with them a different kind of ore distilled from energon that would be seeded across the target planets. It was Shockwave's hope that the chain reactions which would ensure would potentially yield thirteen different kinds of energy sources that could abate the energy crisis that was now looming ever larger. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At the time, Shockwave selected the planets at random, simply seeking out specific geological profiles that would allow his ores to take root. Unknown to him, all the worlds he had selected had been touched in some way by the [[Thirteen]] Primes as arranged by his future self millennia beforehand. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:Shockwave Regenesis.jpg‎|upright=1.4|thumb|left]]
Around 100,000 years after launching the rockets, Shockwave left Cybertron aboard [[Darksyde (BW)|his own ship]] to examine the fruits of his labor, his whereabouts left unknown to those he had left behind on his homeworld. The results were far from what had been expected: the mutated ores had taken on a variety of esoteric qualities that went so far as to affect the fabric of space and time around them. For next the next half-million years, Shockwave travelled from world to world, observing the various powers of the ores; on the gas giant [[Arduria]], he found that the [[Ore-6]] sent there had developed the power to halt molecular motion, blanketing the planet it eternal cold. After putting some of the slowly dying [[Ardurian roc|native rocs]] out of their misery, he remarked that while not his intended result, it served as a learning experience nonetheless. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}} {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} Other explorations discerned that about half of the ores had successfully taken root on their target worlds: [[Ore-1]], on [[LV-117]], had the ability to transcend time, offering Shockwave tantalizing glimpses of the future; {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} [[Ore-2]], on [[Gorlam Prime]], drained the life from all around it; {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} [[Ore-7]] had attained transmutative properties; {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} and [[Ore-8]], on [[Tsiehshi]], had taken the form of highly explosive, unstable crystals. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}} Though millennia away from being realized, Shockwave's mind began to piece together a scheme that would unite these different ores and their powers to achieve his dream.

10,000 years ago, Shockwave arrived on the thirteenth world: prehistoric [[Earth]], at the end of its {{w|Pleistocene|most recent ice age}}. The extremely powerful [[Ore-13]] seeded on this world was catalysing so strongly that the reaction needed to be regulated with global dampers. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

[[File:Revolutionaries5 talisman wipes axalon memories.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"A little paint, some new carpeting. A good fixer upper."]]

As he entered the orbit of the icy world, he discovered that a different Transformer ship had been drawn to Earth, attracted to his burgeoning supply of Ore-13: the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', captained by [[Domitius Major]] and crewed by the [[Maximal]]s. Shockwave bounced an intercepted transmission of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee to the starship before shooting it down over what would one day become the nation of [[Brasnya]]. Investigating the wreckage of the ship and its bestial occupants, he discovered that the vessel was carrying a [[Talisman (G1)|strange artifact]], one that had activated and scrambled the memories of its crew during the crash-landing. When [[Centurion (IDW)|one of their number]] regained consciousness and—glimpsing the Autobot transmission—wondered aloud if he was Bumblebee, his confusion gave Shockwave an idea for one of his cruel experiments.

By replacing their lost memories with data of the Autobots and Decepticons of Cybertron, Shockwave convinced the amnesiac Maximals that they were all combatants in the Great War, remaking them into copies of key players in the conflict and even rebuilding one of their number into [[Maximal Shockwave|a copy of himself]]. After conditioning them, he pitted the "Autobots" and "Decepticons" against one another in a series of [[Ice Age Wars|simulated wargames]] for his tactical benefit. As Shockwave watched their simulated battles, he studied the mysterious artifact that the Maximals had brought with them, watching as it created [[IRON Trooper|robotic drones]] from the wreckage. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

[[File:Shockwaveg1idw.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.15|Shockwave began to have second thoughts over his choice of manicurists.]]

As Shockwave went about his business, he was unaware of a threat that had shadowed him: the Dynobots had tracked him down, and were seeking to settle their old score. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Shockwave's twisted games went on for a century; when the Maximals ran low on Energon, Shockwave abandoned them and their artifact to their fate and returned to his main objective on Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

As Shockwave finished planting the dampers and was preparing to visit other Regenesis worlds, the Dynobots teleported upon him. The attack threw Shockwave off-kilter with both its ferocity and its unexpectedness, as he had anticipated a stab in the back from Megatron but had failed to consider the simple vengeance of the Dynobots. Mentally and physically confounded by the assault, Shockwave deactivated his higher reasoning and allowed a subroutine simulating rage to take over. This brutal, violent Shockwave decimated the Dynobots, burning off the organic coating shielding them from the planet's high energon fields and forcing them into [[stasis lock]]. As the battle concluded, Shockwave restored his full neural operations and logged the emotional experience for further study. But, as his logic center churned away once more, it again failed to anticipate his enemies' chaotic nature. Specifically, Grimlock had set a dead-man's switch on [[Skyfire (ship)|the Dynobots' ship]], and before Shockwave could act upon his own victory, the ship shot an energy beam into a nearby volcano, causing it to erupt and consume all of the combatants, entombing them for millennia to come. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}} In the meantime, his Maximal creations simply fought on amongst one another until they ran out of energon and entered stasis. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

Shockwave's long absence would eventually rouse Megatron's suspicions, and he assigned [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to search through Shockwave's files, {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} in turn tasking Soundwave with shadowing Bludgeon, {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}} knowing that Shockwave had been working on something in secret and intending to use it for the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

After spending centuries trapped in the [[Noisemaze]], the unaligned scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]] decided to investigate where Shockwave had trodden and refined Shockwave's old samples of Ore-13 to create the superfuel [[obtenteum]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

===Machinations===
[[File:Shockwave Agent Red.jpg‎|upright=1.5|thumb|[[Transformers (film)|Call him NBE-1]].]]
Shockwave's body was uncovered by a human [[Goring|human archaeological team]] in 2005. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} The discovery drew the attention of the government organization [[Skywatch]], who soon swept in and took the operation over. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} Skywatch proceeded to exhume both Shockwave and the Dynobots, and began experimenting with neural inhibitors to control their new discoveries. Results were consistently disastrous; both the Dynobots and their other captives [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] were soon running out of their control. Skywatch commander [[Joshua Red]] had Shockwave rebuilt and brought online in their [[Salt Lake City]] base {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} and charged him with rounding up the rogue Transformers. Rather than a neural inhibitor, Shockwave was motivated with a decidedly less sophisticated method: a bomb placed in his head would detonate in 24 hours if Skywatch didn't transmit a reset code. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

[[File:Shockwave V Scorponok MD.jpg‎‎|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Declarative: [[...All This and Civil War 2|Turnabout is fair play]].]]
Given the presence of Ravage and Laserbeak on Earth, Shockwave correctly deduced that their master, Soundwave, must also be on the planet; he had followed Bludgeon there in pursuit of Shockwave's Ore-13 and wound up trapped in his [[alternate mode]], in the possession of a child in [[Portland]], [[Oregon]]. Shockwave tracked him down shortly after Laserbeak and Ravage had retrieved him from his human captivity, and proposed a deal: Shockwave would undo the mode-lock, originally caused by a weapon of his design, in return for Soundwave intercepting the reset codes for the implanted bomb. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Soundwave attempted to further bargain for information on the Regenesis program, but was rebuffed when Shockwave observed that said information would die with him if the bomb went off. {{Storylink|Shockpoint}} Relenting, Soundwave allowed his cassettes to be "captured" and handed over to Skywatch, to sell Shockwave's deception, whilst the scientist went in search of the Dynobots. Discovering them already engaged with Scorponok and the [[Machination]], Shockwave decided to engage Scorponok's forces first, so he could destroy the Dynobots himself. By the time Shockwave beat Scorponok, only 12 minutes of his 24-hour countdown remained, and Grimlock proved to have more than 12 minutes' worth of fight left in him. On the 30-second mark, the two were still grappling in a Machination arms bunker, so Joshua Red ordered the reset code sent, wanting to ensure all other combatants were down before killing his pawn. The code was successfully intercepted and decrypted by Soundwave, who transmitted the information to Shockwave, who in return sent him instructions to mentally disable the mode-lock. Soundwave transformed, his cassettes attacked their would-be captors, and Shockwave abruptly walked away from his fight, declaring an end to the "charade". But Grimlock would not be denied his revenge, so before Shockwave could leave, he detonated a grenade that blew the arms bunker sky-high. The two were soon recovered, still functioning, by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], who took Shockwave, Scorponok and Grimlock into custody. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers3 - Shockwave.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|So do we blame Shockwave for letting Overlord off his leash, or Overlord for unleashing the one-eyed purple people eater again?]]
Shockwave was sent to the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary, where his spark was extracted for imprisonment. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} At some point prior to his imprisonment, however, Shockwave had been able to make contact with Bludgeon and the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]] and recruit them as his personal agents, though they wound up simply fighting with the main Decepticon forces some time later, when the galaxy-wide Decepticon uprising known as the [[Surge (event)|Surge]] took place. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During the Surge, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] took control of Garrus-9, and after one year of holding the facility, he had Shockwave's spark reintegrated with his body to make him an offer: in exchange for his freedom and a hand-picked crew, Shockwave would remove the [[Achilles virus]] that had been implanted in Overlord during his conversion to a Warrior Elite. Shockwave agreed to the terms as they served his own purposes, but he was quick to comment that Overlord's actions on Garrus-9 were less about the former general's gratification and more about attracting Megatron's attention. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Knowing he was on [[The List]] and that the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] would quickly catch up to him, Shockwave selected thirty-one prisoners who were also on The List so as to bribe his [[Tarn (DJD)|former pupil]]. When Tarn called however, he rejected the bribe much to Shockwave's bafflement before he began applying his killer voice to the former senator. Though forced to his knees, Shockwave simply destroyed the communicator before the ''[[Torment]]'' arrived, scaring off the D.J.D. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

During Shockwave's time in Skywatch captivity, the researchers had gathered enough information about him to design a weapon based on his technology. According to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], the first working prototypes were the size of a house, but with some unspecified "outside help", they were able to condense it to a size small enough for hand-held use by a human. Around the time of Shockwave's liberation from Garrus-9, roughly a year after Megatron's forces overran the Earth following the Surge, Spike was sent in with a military squad to retrieve the weapon from its [[New York City]] storehouse and use it to kill Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} Though his team perished, Spike survived, got the weapon, and successfully shot Megatron in the head, ending the Decepticon occupation. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

[[File:RID21 a better spacebridge.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Over the next two years, Shockwave returned his focus to Regenesis, and began slowly putting the players and pieces in motion for his ultimate endgame. He re-established communication with Bludgeon and Monstructor, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} and also recruited the Decepticon warmonger [[Turmoil]], providing him with a ship in return for his visiting LV-117 with instructions to collect data from the Regenesis missile there. In actuality, with this particular action, Shockwave was deliberately perpetuating a [[time travel|predestination paradox]] of sorts, ensuring the visions of the future that he had seen while on LV-117 years beforehand would come to pass. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} His plans for the future momentarily complete, Shockwave rejoined what remained of the main Decepticon command structure, now under the leadership of Starscream and encamped on a desolate asteroid following their retreat from Earth. Conferring with Soundwave, he agreed to help build a new body for the devastated Megatron in exchange for being able to utilize some of the Decepticons' limited resources to finally perfect [[space bridge]] travel. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} The scientist made the two projects one and the same by implanting nodes obtained from [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] in Megatron's new body, giving the Decepticon leader the power to open space bridge at will. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDWongoing7 shockwave at work.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95]]
Having been unaware of the plan to repair Megatron and believing Shockwave had been working on space bridge technology alone, {{storylink|All His Engines}} Starscream was furious when he discovered what he believed the pair had been dedicating their resources to: using the remnants of Megatron's old body to make tiny replicas of his gun form, with plans to distribute them amongst the population of Earth in order to create chaos amongst both the humans and Autobots. Megatron revealed his revival to Starscream, {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} and a short time after that, retook Decepticon leadership; Shockwave eager to run further tests on the new technology within his body, but Megatron, unwilling to be a cog in whatever machinations Shockwave was surely planning, assured him everything was in order and had him continue working on the gun replicas. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} After finishing, Shockwave carefully calculated that [[Quetzaltenango]], [[Mexico]] was the most appropriate location to deposit the Megatron guns, and stood by Megatron as he sent the weapons through the space bridge to Earth. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} Four months later, the Decepticons themselves traveled to Earth to see through their plan, where Soundwave was heavily injured in a confrontation with Optimus Prime. When ordered to repair him, Shockwave protested that he no longer had the resources he had used to rebuild Megatron, but when pressed, affirmed that he could in fact save Soundwave's life. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}}

===Shockpoint===
[[File:RID21 shockwave watches deceptigod.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|Don't see that every day.]]
Megatron would later use the space bridge technology built into in his new body to summon Shockwave and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Question}} They arrived in the midst of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s attempt to prevent the emergence of the [[Dead Universe]] entity known as the [[D-Void]], {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} and the evil entity proceeded to ensnare the minds of the Decepticons, using their collective belief in the Decepticon cause to mentally and physically fuse them all together into a huge [[Deceptigod|monster]]. All, that is, save for Shockwave, who had never believed in the cause, and silently watched as Megatron battled the giant beast. Once Galvatron and the monstrosity were defeated, Cybertron began to reformat into a primordial state; having seen potential in the merged Decepticon monster to perfect combiner technology, Megatron withdrew into the wilderness, informing Shockwave of his plans. Shockwave then shared this information with Soundwave and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and the trio began conspiring to facilitate Megatron's new scheme. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

[[File:Needlenose Autonomy Lesson.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]
Rather than try to escape or fight a battle they knew they could not win, Shockwave and his compatriots allowed themselves to taken into custody with the other Decepticons when Ratbat negotiated their surrender to the Autobots. They were kept in confinement for a few weeks in the rebuilt Iacon, now under the unstable governance of [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], before being released to deal with rioting "[[NAIL]]s" who had returned to repopulate Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} After a while, being an enforcer for the Autobots did not sit well with [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and he accused Shockwave, Soundwave and Bombshell of just sitting around instead of doing something about the Decepticons' situation. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}} He was wrong, of course: along with Soundwave, Shockwave was working with Ratbat to take control of the [[inhibitor/deterrence chip]]s implanted in them by the Autobots, though he was plainly uninterested in the plan, merely remarking that "Events will play out as they will." when asked for his opinion. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} But Megatron's ongoing plot was not the only reason for Shockwave's disinterest in Ratbat's power games: in furtheration of his own personal, secret schemes revolving around Regenesis, he had once again contacted Bludgeon and Monstructor, and had them free his old teacher Jhiaxus from Autobot captivity, before setting them on course for LV-117. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

[[File:RID9 you bore me.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Swindle...who let you back in the house?]]
Following the failure of Ratbat's plan, Shockwave was petitioned by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to help [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], who was on the run from the Autobots after claiming to have witnessed [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] murder the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. Swindle gambled that Shockwave was not as disinterested in the political strife of the planet he appeared, but Shockwave merely questioned what Swindle expected him to do with this information. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} Far greater matters occupied Shockwave's attention: Turmoil had recently returned to Cybertron, the ship Shockwave had given him now outfitted with a time machine created by inhabitants of LV-117 he had enslaved during his visit there. To ensure the future he had seen would come to pass, Shockwave had [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] steal the ship and return it to LV-117, {{storylink|Night and the City}} where it was then retrieved by Jhiaxus's group. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} Around this time, Shockwave also made contact with the [[Ammonite]]s, a faction of a robotic alien race whose cold war had recently grown hot again, and offered to end their conflict if they would work for him. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Shockwave had the Ammonites attempt to obtain the one Regenesis ore that had been lost to him: Ore-7, which had been found by Metroplex. The Titan put the ore out of his attackers' reach by jettisoning it, so as a back-up plan, Shockwave had the Ammonites infect Metroplex with Ore-2, knowing that in time, he would have to call the Ore-7 back to heal himself. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:Endofthebeginningoftheworld-astrotrainsoundwaveshockwaveblitzwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I said a dab of purple, Needlenose. A dab! DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A DAB TO YOU!?]]
After an explosive assassination attempt on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Starscream confronted Shockwave, assuming the attack was his doing. Though Starscream warned Shockwave to not interfere with his political ascension, Shockwave refused to humor him; Starscream had made his choice to live with the Autobots, while the remaining Decepticons under Shockwave's care rejected the growing new government architecture. Shockwave seemingly underestimated Starscream's cunning, however, and later he and his Decepticons were assaulted by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]. The Autobot assassin, under orders from both Prowl and Starscream, made it appear as if the Decepticons' own base had exploded and buried them, stealing Shockwave, Soundwave and those under their command away to the [[Black Room]] with Prowl's other secret prisoners. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}} In truth, this was all an act for Starscream's benefit: Prowl was under the control of Bombshell, and had only "captured" Shockwave and the others so they could be reunited with Megatron in time for his master plan: using a new and improved Devastator to conquer Cybertron once and for all. {{storylink|The Verge}} {{storylink|Before the Dawn}}

[[File:RID17 shockwave vehiclemode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|BFF's forever!]]
His role in Megatron's plan now complete, Shockwave no longer needed to keep up appearances and promptly left Iacon. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Believing both Megatron's rebellion and Bumblebee's government were doomed to fail, Shockwave took [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] with him out into the wilderness, to the subterranean remains of Crystal City, which had somehow survived Cybertron's reversion to its primitive state ''and'' the supposed recent obliteration by an exploding [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]]. It was the original seed Shockwave had sown beneath the city that had recreated it each time, [[Ore-14]], the key to resurrection—which Shockwave tested by shooting Dreadwing dead, only for the ore to immediately revive him. A plan begun millions of years ago was at last reaching its endgame. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}
{{-}}

===Dark Cybertron===
[[File:RID22 shockwave and necrotitan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Schrödinger's Robotic Demi-God didn't have quite the same punch...]]
From the new base he quickly established in Crystal City, Shockwave communicated with Jhiaxus again, who, in accordance with his plans, had lured Optimus Prime to Gorlam Prime. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} Shockwave was briefly distracted from his work by the arrival of a furious Soundwave, seeking revenge for Shockwave's abandonment of the Decepticons, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} but after a brief, vicious battle, it became apparent that the presence of Ore-14 in the cavern meant that none of the combatants could die, so Soundwave retreated, and Shockwave allowed him to leave rather than face further delay. While this was going on, Jhiaxus duped Optimus Prime into awakening a [[Quintessa (IDW)|Titan]] that had been slumbering on Gorlam Prime, which, under the direction of new recruit [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], then teleported directly to Crystal City. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}} Shockwave gleefully welcomed the Titan, and watched as the Ore-2 from Gorlam Prime in its systems began reacting with the Ore-14 around them, transforming it into a zombie "Necrotitan". Through the link to that Dead Universe this behemoth provided, Shockwave was able to contact his old contemporaries Nova Prime and Galvatron, and, feigning obeisance, vowed to serve Nova in the conquest of the living universe. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} In forging the communications link between the living and Dead Universes, however, the Necrotitan's space bridge had unexpectedly disappeared, leaving Nova and Galvatron with no means of crossing over, but Shockwave, of course, had a contingency plan: the space bridge he had equipped Megatron's body with months beforehand. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}}

[[File:RID24 shockwave waspinators staff.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Careful, the universe hates the guy who uses that.]]
Megatron was currently in Autobot custody after the failure of his most recent scheme, so Shockwave had the deceased NAIL leader [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] revived with Ore-14 and mentally controlled by Jhiaxus into retrieving Megatron's immobilized form for his use. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} Unsurprisingly, Megatron refused to co-operate, so Shockwave sliced him open and activated the bridge manually, {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} but as Nova Prime and Galvatron began to emerge, the united forces of Bumblebee's Autobot and Soundwave's Decepticons stormed Crystal City. During the ensuing battle, Shockwave took possession of Waspinator's stinger weapon, through which the hapless Decepticon had forged his link with the Titan; using this link, Shockwave was able to take direct control of the Necrotitan, and brought it crashing into the cavern to end the conflict. In the chaos that resulted, Nova Prime was forced back through the portal, but Galvatron managed to make the crossing, and was then surreptitiously directed by Shockwave to disable Megatron, shutting the portal down. Finally, Shockwave sent the Titan to ravage Iacon. {{storylink|Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Finest Hour}}

In short order, Jhiaxus, Bludgeon and Monstructor returned to Cybertron, bringing with them what ores they had obtained during their travels, the last of the pieces now in place for Shockwave's endgame to be enacted. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} The Necrotitan's rampage was no mere act of random destruction: it was intended to force Metroplex's hand, necessitating that he return to Cybertron to defend his allies, bringing the Ore-7 with him, thereby gathering all the products of Regenesis on Cybertron at last. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} Uniting the Ore-7 with Ore-2 and Ore-14 put the power of life and death in Shockwave's hands; merging Ore-6 with Ore-8 granted him control of the potential energy of all matter; and fusing Ore-1 and Ore-13 bent the fabric of time to his will. The universe itself was now Shockwave's to mould, but to do so required the sacrifice of ''another'' universe: the Dead Universe. Nova Prime's failure to cross over had not been unintentional; cast back to the Dead Universe, he was subsequently slain by Optimus Prime, who had traveled there through the Gorlam Prime portal, just as Shockwave had planned. [[File:RID27 unstuck in time.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95] See, told ya]] With Nova dead, his control of the energies of the Dead Universe was lost, allowing Shockwave to drain them via an unwitting Galvatron's link. With these powers combined within him, Shockwave could now enact the perfect solution to the problem of finite resources that he had striven to solve all his life: he would bring the Dark Cybertron prophecy to fulfillment by collapsing all of reality into a pinpoint singularity, to feed Cybertron in an endless forever. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:DarkCybertron12-Shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|"Interrogative: Is this... emotion?"]]
The time machine from Turmoil's ship was used to drain the life energy of the Dead Universe from its very beginning to its end, then linked with Shockwave's systems. Upon the machine's activation, Shockwave was assailed with images of his life from all throughout his past; only his emotionless focus prevented his mind from being set adrift on the sea of time. The unlikely pair of Bumblebee and Megatron ventured into Crystal City to stop him, but the empowered Shockwave slew Bumblebee, sending Megatron into a rage. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} The battle between the two Decepticons was soon joined by Optimus Prime, returned from the Dead Universe, who attempted to reason with Shockwave and remind him of the kindly senator he had once been. Prime's words had little effect, so Megatron opted for a more outrageous display: his recent experiences had opened up a new way of thinking to him, and before the stunned Shockwave's eye, he declared himself an Autobot and donned the faction's symbol. Confused and distraught, Shockwave's focus began to waver, and the memories of his pre-Shadowplay self began to creep back, until Optimus gave them a final push by reminding him of small, intimate details of their friendship like a broken bench at their favored meeting spot. Senator Shockwave was horrified to see what he had become, but with the time machine integrated with his systems, he was unable to simply turn if off. At Shockwave's request, Prime and Megatron opened fire and destroyed the drive, collapsing the machine into a singularity that seemingly consumed Shockwave's body. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Six months later, Shockwave's old base of Crystal City (along with Ore-14 and the Time Drive) had been completely consumed leaving a city-sized dent in the planet's surface. The singularity itself hovered a few feet above the centre of the crater. Ironhide was a frequent visitor as Shockwave's machinations had destroyed his vision for the future. No one on Cybertron either cared or knew that Shockwave had seemingly perished as his original self rather than the emotionless one he was famous for. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} News of Shockwave's demise would eventually reach Earth; when [[Action Man|Ian Noble]] encountered the "[[Maximal Shockwave]]" that the real Shockwave had once created, he mistook the facsimile for the genuine article. {{storylink|Power and Glory}}

===Onyx Prime===
[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusOrigins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"So all of IDW isn't my fault yet? Time to fix that!"]]
Unbeknownst to all, Shockwave had ''not'' perished beneath Crystal City; rather, the singularity Shockwave had inadvertently created could warp ''time'' as well as space. Shockwave was flung twelve million years back in time and wound up in the barbaric age following the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], awakening in the land where the Crystal City would one day be founded.

Badly damaged and running low on energon, Shockwave aimlessly wandered the deserts of prehistoric Cybertron, coming to grips with his newfound emotions, until the day he stumbled across "[[Onyx Prime|Onyx]]," a kindly shepherd who led a flock of less-fortunate beasts in their search for [[energon]]. Realizing the historical significance of this individual from his studies of Cybertronian history, {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Shockwave saw a way that he could complete his final goal of ensuring a lasting Cybertronian hegemony, {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} and swiftly slew him. The deed done, Shockwave recruited one of Onyx's followers and dubbed this nomad "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", so named for the Decepticon conqueror that would one day arise. Shockwave fashioned a new body for himself from Onyx's remains, and dubbed himself "'''Onyx Prime'''"; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} having learned from his mistakes, Shockwave was no longer a being of pure logic, and vowed to "embrace chaos" as he embarked on a new mission to wipe Cybertronian history clean and ensure the perpetual dominance of the Cybertronian species—a complex, multi-faceted goal that would last millions of years. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:OriginMyths-OnyxPrimeAndLiegeMaximo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Shockwave thought he was a shoo-in to win the cosplay competition, but Liege crushed the fangirl vote.]]

Knowing that the conquests of Megatronus would provide the impetus for the rest of Cybertron to unify against the warlord, Onyx trained Megatronus as his pupil, instructing him in the ways of war and eventually inspiring him to build an empire of his own in Cybertron's western lands. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} As Megatronus's [[Darklands|Darklanders]] ran amok across Cybertron, Onyx set about gathering new allies, and found a willing collaborator in the deposed king [[Liege Maximo]] {{storylink|Origin Myths}} and his army of bestial [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} Taking on the Maximals as his new "menagerie," Onyx brought his forces to the village that would one day become the Crystal City, where he met with the alliance of Primes —[[Alchemist Prime|Alchemist]], [[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Solus Prime|Solus]], [[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]—and inspired their followers to take up arms and stop Megatronus' army together, using the young Alpha Trion's belief in the power of myths and legends to goad the young civilization into taking a stand.

The next morning, Onyx and his forces joined the fight against Megatronus; as the battle ground on, however, the ground beneath Cybetrtron shook and disgorged three [[Titan (group)|Titans]]: [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]]. The sight of the ancient warriors drew the entire battle to a halt, providing Onyx Prime with the opening to slice through the Darklanders and reach Megatronus; his goal of unifying Cybertron against a common foe accomplished, Onyx and Megatronus agreed to a "truce," and that night all eight Primes agreed to work together to unify their world. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} Onyx took advantage of the new peace to begin spreading stories of his own devising—not only did he design a [[Autobot|sigil]] for their new alliance, based on his foreknowledge of the rise of the Autobots, he would also invent the "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]]" out of whole cloth, the prophecy that his younger self had tried to complete. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:OP10-SurpriseMeeting.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

Alpha Trion was less than convinced these manipulative tales, worrying that Onyx was beginning to blur the line between "stories" and outright lies, {{storylink|Origin Myths}} but Onyx Prime soon learned that he could keep Trion's suspicions at bay by feeding him one well-told tale after another. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

During the reign of the Thirteen, Onyx Prime became a feared warlord in his own right, establishing a kingdom in the city of [[Kalis]] {{storylink|The Crucible}} and taking on the Titan [[Chela]] as his servant, {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} with the [[Titan Master]] [[Sovereign]] serving as his herald. {{storylink|White Heat}} In time, the other Primes came to believe that they were immortal, and that only a Prime could kill another Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}} During this triumphant reign of the Thirteen, Onyx continued in his plans; as Shockwave had once experimented with the stranded crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', he now employed a similar method as he tracked the many complicated variables that led to his race invariably falling to civil war—an experiment he began by engineering the fall of the Primes.

[[File:OurFinest-AntillanMission.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Onyx began sowing division among the Thirteen by encouraging their leader [[Prima]], to turn the Cybertronian race's natural drive to conquer outward so as to spread [[Pax Cybertronia]] across the galaxy, eventually targeting planets such as [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]]. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Onyx and Megatronus led the first of these interstellar colonization missions; though their chronicler Alpha Trion would remember this expedition as one of interstellar goodwill, aimed at spreading the "light" of Cybertronian civilization to their neighbors, the truth was far uglier: when the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]] fleet arrived on the planet [[Antilla]], the genocidal ambitions of the Cybertronians became clear, sparking a brutal conflict between the Cybertronian colonizers and the native [[Antillan]]s. Shockwave informed Trion, who had chosen to gloss over the carnage in his official chronicle of events, that Antilla would become ''his'' world; Shockwave's means of ensuring that each of Cybertron's eventual colonies would "belong" to each member of the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The war finally came to an end when [[Unicron's creator|an Antillan scientist]] developed and deployed a destructive [[Talisman (G1)|superweapon]] that annihilated all life on the planet. In the process, the planet itself was remade, transforming it into [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]—a being whom Shockwave would come to harness in his quest to fulfill his final goal. By deliberately awakening and loosing Unicron eons into the future, Onyx realized that the could use the [[magic]] of the weapon that had created Unicron to "poison" his homeworld; in doing so, he would sacrifice Cybertron itself in order to neutralize Unicron and ensure that he could build a new empire, an empire free of the superstitions, factional violence, and stigma that had plagued his homeworld since the start of Transformer civilization. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

Still unaware of Shockwave's larger goals, Prima blamed Megatronus for the mission's failure, and Onyx manipulated events from the shadows to ensure that the simmering tensions between the tribal leaders would boil over into full-blown hostilities, encouraging his ''other'' protégé, the Liege Maximo, to join forces with Megatronus and stage a coup against Prima. This coup would end with the death of Solus Prime, the first blow in what would become known as the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|The Crucible}} According to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Onyx and the Liege Maximo were both "betrayed" by [[Micronus Prime]] during the war. {{storylink|White Heat}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Liege Maximo was eventually brought to justice; his use for this particular pawn now at an end, Shockwave agreed with the other Primes that he had forfeited his right to live on Cybertron and oversaw his banishment, imprisoning him aboard his own Titan, [[Vigilem]], and using a variation of the [[shadowplay]] technique to ensure that Maximo's Titan would become a mindless living prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

One way or another, Onyx Prime eventually allied with [[Nexus Prime]] late into the war, and together they used the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]: [[combiner]]s of beasts and 'humanoid' Transformers. {{storylink|The Crucible}} This was only an alliance of convenience, however; Onyx was disgusted by the haughty Nexus, who saw Primes as superior beings destined to rule over "lesser" Cybertronians. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} The barbarian warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] found this unification disgusting, and eventually killed Nexus, his Headmasters, and those under his command in the twilight of the conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} The death of Nexus prompted the [[Titan Master]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Infinitus]] to defect to Onyx. {{storylink|White Heat}}

[[File:OP18-MegatronusDead.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|He made sure Megatronus would flee to a planet with the ''best'' ominous lightning.]]

With the war nearly at an end, Onyx joined Prima on his mission to bring Megatronus to justice aboard [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], the three Primes tracked Megatronus to the barren world of [[Tsiehshi]]. Onyx and Prima went to confront Megatronus in a final duel; Onyx was happy to let Megatronus slice Prima in half with his own [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], but then intervened; no longer requiring Megatronus's bloodlust, he slew his former student, coldly informing him that, thanks to the eventual rise of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|his namesake]], Cybertronians would, after a fashion, remember his name. Trion was once more swayed by "Onyx Prime's" well-told tale that Prima had heroically slain Megatronus at the cost of his own life, and so this account became the "official" version of events that would find its way into the chronicles of Cybertron... and thus, the inspiration for the lie that the time-travelling Shockwave used to cover up the truth. Prima's body would be interred inside Emissary, who would carry it throughout the cosmos. Onyx, however, sabotaged Emissary's systems, and so the Titan crashed on the primitive world of [[Elonia]]: {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} one of the planets where his younger self would one day send [[Ore-12|one]] of his [[Regenesis]] ores. {{storylink|Our Darkest}}

Indeed, Onyx Prime had manipulated events so thoroughly that all of the planets where his younger self would select for the Regenesis program—Elonia, [[LV-117]], [[Arduria]], [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], [[Eukaris]], [[Gorlam Prime]], [[Prion (planet)|Prion]], [[Tsiehshi]], [[Velocitron]], and [[Earth]]—all possessed a connection to the Thirteen Primes or the [[Titan (group)|Titans]] who had once served them. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

By the end of the war, many of the Primes had either died or fled Cybertron, leaving Alpha Trion as the last Prime still on Cybertron. When Galvatron, [[Nova Prime|Nova]], and Alpha Trion visited his castle in Kalis, Onyx's former subject [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] informed them that he and most of his Maximals had fled. Though several members of his tribe stayed behind to fight on in his name, the remnants of his army were soon subjugated under [[Nova Prime]]'s growing school of [[Functionism|functionist]] doctrine, which denigrated individuals with [[beast mode]]s. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

Approximately seven million years ago, {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Chela had settled on an uninhabited jungle planet; a world that he dubbed "[[Eukaris]]," and intended to be a safe refuge where Transformers with [[beast mode]]s could live free of the prejudice they faced on Cybertron. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Eukarian legend states that Onyx's last command to Chela was to protect their home from any and all "standard-formers" by any means necessary. Even after his disappearance, the planet's inhabitants continued to venerate him, and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] the [[Fateweaver]] claimed to be his prophet. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Unaware of the truth behind his origins or his future goals, future generations of Eukarians would view Onyx as a wise and benevolent protector who preached equality for all Transformers. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}}

[[File:OurFinest-TheTalisman.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Onyx's innermost retinue of Maximals, however, would stay by their master's side aboard [[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]], as he set course for another world that would play an instrumental role in his ultimate goal: Antilla, now reduced to a barren wasteland of rust. There, Onyx excavated the heart of the superweapon responsible for devastating the planet and creating Unicron, and dubbed it the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]." Eventually, Onyx would decide that the Talisman would need to be moved to [[Earth]], to ensure that the organic world would become the seat of his new Cybertronian empire. To do so, he entrusted the artifact to his follower [[Domitius Major]] and sent them out into the galaxy aboard the ''Axalon,'' some 20,000 years ago, knowing that [[#Regenesis|his younger self would find and shoot down the ship]] and unwittingly ensuring that the Talisman would find its way to Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} The remaining Maximals stayed behind on Antilla with their leader. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

At some point during his stay on Antilla, Onyx would send Sovereign to Earth, ostensibly to find the Enigma of Combination and summon Onyx Prime when he had done so. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} Sovereign, clad in a human disguise and conditioned with false memories, remembered this experience as a childhood visit from a "black angel" who showed him a world of rust and infinite darkness. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:OP15-OnyxOnCaminus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]

In the recent past, Antilla was visited by three [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] Transformers who arrived on his planet following a Cybertronian beacon. Onyx instantly beheaded [[Magrada|one of them]] while the other two managed to escape. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Years later, Onyx followed them back to Caminus to retrieve samples of the [[Ore-4]] that his younger self had fired at the planet; arriving at [[Parvus Oppidum]], Onyx and his army felled their leader [[Praesidia Magna]], one of the two escapees, and dragged her body into a singularity under Onyx's control. Torchbearer [[Pyra Magna|Pyra]], who had survived a close encounter with the Prime himself, began experiencing nightmares of her old commander, trapped on the dead, rust-stricken world of Antilla, and Onyx Prime reciting an ancient Camien poem. It wasn't until Pyra Magna realized that if Onyx had fled when the opportunity presented itself, then he could not be infallible; bolstered by this knowledge, she and a new team of Torchbearers privately began preparing for his return. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}

In order to fulfill his eventual goals, "Onyx"—at some point after leaving Cybertron—came in contact with Metrotitan once more, and used supplies of [[Ore-10]], seeded by his younger self, to manipulate the Titan's mind, leaving him firmly convinced in the "Dark Cybertron" prophecy Onyx had invented... and championing Starscream as the "Chosen One" who would unite the planet, with Shockwave fully aware that the vainglorious Starscream would leave the war-torn planet divided and unable to properly rebuild. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Shortly after Metrotitan returned to Cybertron and imparted Starscream with this knowledge, he was seemingly swallowed up by an explosion—{{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}} in reality, however, Shockwave had used [[Ore-9]] to teleport him to [[Earth]], where Optimus Prime would one day find and raise him from the ground; an act that would seemingly prove his status as a "true" Prime, only so that Shockwave could eventually tear it all down. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

When the [[Republic of Cybertron]] made contact with Eukaris in [[2015]], the presence of [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] on the planet was enough to provoke Chela, who rose to carry out his master's final command. It wasn't enough, however; Starscream killed the Titan, allowing Eukaris and its inhabitants to join the [[Council of Worlds]]. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

In his final battle with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] in 2016, Galvatron warned his nemesis that Onyx Prime was still a threat, and would soon return. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}} When Infinitus and Sovereign made their presence known, Infinitus proclaimed that the Titan Masters were the "harbingers of [Onyx's] return". Though Optimus and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] were given pause to consider what Galvatron had said about Onyx Prime, they were confident they could best the ancient Prime. {{storylink|White Heat}}

After being captured by the [[Iron Klaw]] and hooked into a replica of the Talisman, Blackrock dreamt of Onyx Prime standing over his divided selves, reciting the same Camien poem. This vision caused him to realize that there was a connection between the Talisman and his former master. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} While hacking into [[I.R.O.N.]]'s systems, [[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]] found what Onyx had done to Centurion and declared his former master would have to go through him to get Earth. Blackrock was able to use the fact that both were pawns of Onyx to convince Centurion to stand down. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} During the final battle against [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]] and his forces, Blackrock's consciousness entered [[infraspace]] where he encountered Onyx. Onyx revealed to his former servant that the Talisman was inoculation against a coming threat before attempting to slay the [[Titan Master]]. He was stopped by the spectre of [[Atomic Man|Mike Power]]. The two returned to the living plane, leaving an enraged Onyx behind. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}

===The End of Everything===

[[File:OP15-LiegeChained.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]

After [[Liege Maximo]] escaped captivity, {{storylink|Rubicon}} he eventually crossed paths with Onyx once again. Shockwave discussed Liege's exile, and having had time to reflect in his years imprisoned, he agreed with Shockwave's decision. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Now reunited, the two began the penultimate phase of Shockwave's scheme: shattering Cybertron's faith completely, whether in Primes or Decepticonism, in order to allow chaos to reign. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} As part of Shockwave's scheme, Liege pretended to be Onyx's prisoner, subdued and chained. Onyx returned to Cybertron atop Nemesis, and on arrival announced his intent to pass judgment on Maximo for betraying the Cybertronian race. Onyx agreed to Prime's request to meet with him, declaring him the mythical figure known as "[[The Arisen]]." {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

Throwing Liege at Windblade's feet, "Onyx" declared he had come to free Cybertron from its tangled web of alliances; at the subsequent meeting in the [[Spire]], Onyx offered to fix Cybertron's corrupted energon, causing the Mistress to ask if he was intentionally trying to split the Council of Worlds. As conversation went on, Onyx kept deflecting everyone's suspicions, painting himself as a victim of false accusations; when Optimus suggested that the Transformers give "Onyx" a fair chance to explain itself, his apparent willingness to embrace the Prime angered the recently arrived Soundwave, and as the situation grew increasingly fraught, Onyx's agents set off a massive explosion that killed Alpha Trion. Onyx quickly declared Soundwave and the Decepticons guilty, that democracy had failed Cybertron, and that the rule of Primes was needed once more. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

[[File:OP17-ShockwaveRevealed.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"Old Man Shockwave?!"]]

As emergency crews scrambled, Onyx continued to slander Optimus' name in front of the arrived press, along with making himself look like a wounded party. Then he revealed his bombshell - a years-old recording of Soundwave secretly detonating [[Horri-Bull]]'s [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chip]] to make it look like Bumblebee's doing. With that, Onyx told the gathered Cybertronians that when they found Liege to "do with him what you will", and left the crowd to fight amongst themselves. As he flew back to his ship, he was caught off-guard by Metrotitan's attack, who had followed Optimus to Cybertron. As Optimus tried unsuccessfully to get the ancient Cybertronian to stand down, he fell, only for Onyx to catch him, and demonstrate the power of his ''own'' Titan, having Nemesis down Metrotitan with a single shot. Outraged at the apparent demise of his friends, Optimus attacked... and as he did, Onyx finally revealed himself as Shockwave. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

Taking his former friend captive, Shockwave began explaining to him the whole story of his survival, his trip through time, and the depths of his manipulation of history. When Optimus refuted Shockwave's belief in darkness, Shockwave—seeking to eliminate the last tenet of Cybertronian religion—dropped him into the Crystal City singularity, which promptly crushed Prime's body to nothing. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:EndlessForever ShockwaveandNemesis.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
With Optimus gone for the moment, Shockwave told Maximo to take a squad of Maximals to the not-quite dead Metrotitan, bluntly telling the Prime he was wasting time with his complaints as he shed the last of his Onyx disguise. Shockwave arrived over Metrotitan just as Starscream did the same, interrupting his former comrade's musing about whether he was The Fallen reborn to put him straight on a few facts: he had manipulated history to make sure the Seeker wound up in charge of Cybertron because he was a fool, who would have been unable to see Shockwave's plans coming, and that his religious musings meant that he was even ''stupider'' than Shockwave thought. Punctuating his revelations by finishing off Metrotitan, Shockwave left Starscream with a few more parting insults, leaving the "Chosen One" to his despair. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Watching the nearby fight between Victorion and Devastator, the later unknowingly aided by the presence of one of Shockwave's Ores in the ''Nemesis'' above them, Shockwave mused on how he was providing what Cybertron needed, and how the results would validate his methods. He then made his way toward the Singularity, where he found [[Aileron|a Camien]] and a wounded Jetfire. Holding them at arm-point, Shockwave told the scientist he was required for the "final bloom". {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}}

[[File:Unforgivable PyrabeatsShockwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3]]
With the remains of the Matrix of Leadership now annihilated, Shockwave informed them that he needed to bring Optimus ''back'' from the limbo of infraspace; this was soon revealed as a lie, however, when Pyra Magna arrived, and Shockwave informed the duo that he intended for her to serve as a host for Optimus's bodiless consciousness. Learning that Onyx and Shockwave were one and the same, Pyra briefly tried to attack the Decepticon, but was unable to overpower him. Using a sample of Cybertron's tainted energon, combined with the energies of the Matrix from within infraspace, Optimus and Bumblebee were both able to escape back to reality, taking refuge inside Pyra's mind. With the two Autobots driving her onward, Pyra was able to take down Shockwave, ripping his gun-arm off in the process. Ultimately, the Torchbearer realized that she would have to do the right thing and spared Shockwave's life, presenting him to the Council of Worlds and revealing the great lie that their civilization had been built upon: the Primes were just robots like any other. Ultimately, Shockwave had succeeded in his plans to rob Cybertron of its heritage and history, stripping it down to nothing just in time for the arrival of the final piece of his plan: Unicron, awakened thanks to the machinations of [[Merklynn]] and preparing for its assault on the galaxy. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

[[File:OurFinest ShockwaveMadPlan.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Shockwave was subsequently arrested, paraded through the streets in chains as he rambled aloud about his time as Onyx Prime. Unbeknownst to his jailers, his ancient servant [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was a part of the crowd, one of the loyal Maximals ready and willing to serve his old master during the final phase of his plan. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} As Unicron began his rampage across the galaxy, swallowing up each Cybertronian colony world one by one, Shockwave was visited by Starscream, and Shockwave took that moment to explain his plan: by relocating the Talisman to Cybertron, he had poisoned the planet, and when Unicron destroyed Cybertron, the planet-eater would die with it—leaving the rest of the universe open for him to conquer. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Shortly afterwards, Unicron did indeed appear over Cybertron, intending to consume it, leading Prime to interrogate Shockwave for more information regarding the Talisman and the doomed world of Antilla, and how the destruction of Cybertron would lead to the rebirth of a triumphant Cybertronian empire. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

[[File:RoadsEnd-Toronto.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Well, I'm off to destroy Canada. They've had it too good for too long."]]

Sure enough, Unicron began devouring Cybertron, prompting Shockwave to activate a built-in teleportation device and flee to Earth, reuniting with his Maximals in the streets of [[Toronto]]. Believing that his plan had gone off without a hitch, the Decepticon received a new cannon-arm, courtesy of Rhinox, and ordered his underlings to begin restructuring the planet into the new capitol of his empire, monitoring the destruction from atop the [[CN Tower]]. Shockwave soon learned that his plan had ''failed'', however, and for the simplest of reasons: Cybertron had indeed been annihilated by Unicron, but the Transformers on the planet had used the Talisman escape to Earth, bringing the artifact with them and allowing Unicron to consume the rest of the planet without any consequences. {{storylink|Road's End}} Trying to get his scheme back on track, Shockwave refitted the human building into a communications relay, tapping into the remains of Nemesis—now incorporated into Unicron's structure—and using it to scan Earth for the Talisman. Ordering his subordinate Bludgeon to retrieve it, Shockwave learned that the Decepticon's allegiance had shifted; he and most of the Maximals now served ''Unicron.'' {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

[[File:Ceremony ProwlandShockwavefaith.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
As Shockwave tried to exert control over Bludgeon, Rhinox turned on him only for Shockwave to easily overpower his minion. When the scientist tried to execute Rhinox however, the Maximal revealed he had rigged the cannon and made it unable to fire on his kind. Seizing the weapon, Rhinox explained that the Maximals had turned on their master when they realized "Onyx Prime" had been nothing but a trick. Shockwave was saved by Prowl who quickly dragged him out to the street where [[Stardrive]] used her [[Dire Wraith]] magic to hack into his mind, and tying into the Talisman's operating system. Though making one last attempt to convince Prowl that "faith" was meaningless, Shockwave soon came to realize the hollowness of his philosophy when his mind was briefly linked to the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

In the aftermath of Unicron's defeat, Shockwave was immobilized and chained up within the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Lemuria'']]. Shortly before Optimus Prime's funeral, Shockwave revealed to Prowl he was unsure which of the many faces he'd worn in his life was the "real" him. Before leaving, Prowl bluntly told the Decepticon that they had all been the real him. What Shockwave had always failed to realize was that people were judged, and defined, by their actions, not the intentions that they'd set out with. {{storylink|Post}}

[[File:Post Shockwavereflects.jpg|center|thumb|upright=1.8|[[Spock|"Change is the essential process of all existence."]]]]
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The unnamed senator was not intended to be Shockwave back in "Chaos Theory" but James Roberts immediately thought it would be cool to make him a character we already knew. Shockwave was picked because he was one of the few important characters that did not have an IDW pre-war backstory yet, and because it allowed Roberts to tie together empurata and shadowplay.<ref>[http://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay "The Underbase Podcast Deconstructs Shadowplay"], 42:30 - 44:00</ref>
*In his subsequent "Shadowplay" appearance, the still-unnamed Senator Shockwave was deliberately designed and coloured to look like Ultra Magnus,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/716601-transformers-more-than-meets-eye-11-discussion-spoilers-29.html#post8649838 Forum post by Alex Milne]</ref> making it a real surprise that we'd been reading the origin of Shockwave all along. It helped that Shockwave was a ''Robots in Disguise'' character and this origin was then in the 'wrong' comic, tying the two together.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t14540/ Moonbase2's second interview with James Roberts - 01:39:20 to 59:30]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Senators]]

Character

2020-10-01T20:38:51Z

Kaisatron: /* Repurposing */

[[File:Bumblebee evolution.jpg|thumb|upright=2.5|Though every one of these characters has gone by the name '''[[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|Bumblebee]]''' at some point, they are all different interpretations of the core "Bumblebee" archetype. This kind of character "speciation" has been repeated again and again across the franchise.]]

A '''character''' is a fictional depiction of an entity, usually a Transformer, that might or might not have a [[toy]] representation. If there is a toy, the character is usually, but not always, based on the toy and intended as a [[to sell toys|means of promoting said toy]].

Over the course of the numerous ''Transformers'' series and toy lines, some characters have changed their names, while in other cases, characters have appeared that share a name with another character but are separate individuals. Many characters also have counterparts in other [[continuity|continuities]] they may or may not share a lot of similarities with.

[[Hasbro]]'s attitude towards the importance of characters has changed a lot since the launch of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] in [[1984]].

==What is a character?==
[[File:MegatronG2Hero Bio&TechSpecs.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|right|The [[Tech Spec]] cards that came with the original ''Transformers'' toys introduced kids to the personality and story behind each toy.]]
Broadly speaking, every individual [[Transformer]], human, [[alien]], or other sentient being covered on this wiki is a character. Remember that ''sentient'' includes non-''sapient'' beings like [[Bob (IDW)|the Insecticon Bob]] and [[Freya]] the dog, as well as "are they technically alive or not?" artificial intelligences like the [[Diagnostic Drone]] and [[T-AI]].

Most characters have received some kind of fiction that describes their personality, defining characteristics, and unusual abilities; this may be as simple as a [[bio]] on the back of a toy packaging, or as elaborate as an appearance in one of the many live-action ''Transformers'' films. And those that don't have fiction of some form but do have a toy? Well, they're still characters.

In many cases, characters can appear in multiple different works of fiction simultaneously; iconic characters, like [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] or [[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|Bumblebee]], have starred in multiple distinct [[continuity|continuities]], often at the same time. These depictions generally adhere to a singular "idea" of what the character represents, but these individual portrayals can vary wildly between tellers: see the Hasbro/[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] depiction of [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] as a quiet computer programmer versus his ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' portrayal as a hot-headed ''shonen'' hero versus [[IDW Publishing]]'s portrayal as a moody [[Mnemosurgery|mnemosurgeon]]. Similar cases exist throughout ''Transformers'' media. In some cases, one particularly popular incarnation of a character may go on to inform future developments; while based on his original [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] toy, the bio of Chromedome's 2016 ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' toy, for instance, notes that the character can perform mnemosurgery on other 'bots.

In some cases, non-toy characters may appear in several different supporting media, such as the various humans who have gone by the surname "[[Witwicky]]." Some of them might be turned into toys later on, due to the (often unexpected) popularity of those characters; the various Witwickys, for instance, have received several toys under the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' banner as accessories alongside the larger Transformer figures.

{{-}}

==Relevance==
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The decision to kill off most of Hasbro's 1984~85 product range in the original ''Transformers'' film was poorly received by the movie's target demographic.]]
As a toymaker first and foremost, Hasbro didn't put much emphasis onto "character" during the earliest years of the ''Transformers'' franchise; the marketing department saw them as mere products—expected to have a two-year shelf life before they were replaced by new toys and new characters. It would be Marvel writer [[Bob Budiansky]] that provided early toys with names, roles, and personalities, turning them into full-fledged characters that would, in turn, find their way into the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] and [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow cartoon]]. As a consequence, Hasbro only bothered to register a small number of [[trademark]]s in the 1980s, such as "[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]"<ref name="opuspto">[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=73496873 United States Patent and Trademark Office file for the trademark "Optimus Prime"], filed in 1984, registered in 1985.</ref> or "[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]".<ref name="swuspto">[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=73496875 United States Patent and Trademark Office file for the trademark "Soundwave"], filed in 1984, registered in 1985.</ref> Unbeknownst to Hasbro, however, their ''Transformers'' media blitz meant that children had ''connected'' to these robots as relatable characters. Kids didn't just see them as colorful robot toys—for all intents and purposes, the toy ''was'' that character.

In 1986, Hasbro released the big-deal super-hyped ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' to theaters. The 1984 toys that had kicked off the franchise—Optimus Prime, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], etc.— had largely left store shelves by this time, and Hasbro saw fit to begin the movie by "clearing the deck;" hoping to [[To sell toys|advertise]] the 1986 toyline, the opening battle of ''Transformers: The Movie'' would feature the abrupt and violent deaths of many of these beloved characters, leaving the story free to focus on that year's brand-new toyline. The immediate backlash amongst young fans that this decision generated quickly led to the cartoon's writers resurrecting Optimus Prime in the series less than a year later, but the incident caused Hasbro to realize how much of a crucial role recognizable characters had played in the success of the ''Transformers'' line.

''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', the next ''Transformers'' show to hit the airwaves in the 1990s, turned the limitation of its expensive computer animation into a new advantage; as introducing all of the ''Beast Wars'' toys in the show would be impossible, the writers chose to focus on a small handful of [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], rotating the characters in and out to keep up with new toys on the shelves. The end result was that each individual ''Beast Wars'' character had a greater amount of screentime than the oft-bloated cast of the 1984 cartoon, allowing the writers to tell deeper and more multifaceted stories involving these characters. With some exceptions, this tactic would become the general approach to most ''Transformers'' storytelling: a small onscreen cast supported by a larger group of toy-exclusive characters boosted by simple association with the cartoon.

==Naming conventions==
[[File:Wheeljack-AR-DVD.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Armada'' [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] had little to do with the [[Wheeljack (G1)|Generation 1 character of the same name.]]]]

Despite having realized the role that strong, likeable characters played in their franchise, Hasbro continued to take a somewhat scattershot approach to the names of ''Transformers'' characters for some time. As Hasbro repeatedly rebooted the ''Transformers'' franchise in the late 90s and 2000s, while "core" character names were ''generally'' safe, it was common to shuffle pre-existing names around, sometimes tacking them onto characters that were utterly unrelated to their original uses. Part of this was, of course, an effort to maintain valuable [[Trademark]] ownership of "major" names for future use, but it did lead to some oddities. Examples include "[[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]]" the heroic [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]] bat from ''Beast Wars'', "[[Grimlock (RID 2001)|Grimlock]]" the upbeat excavator from ''Robots in Disguise'', and "[[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]]" the brooding young Autobot-turned-Decepticon from ''Armada''.

Conversely, 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' franchise would feature several characters obviously physically based on "Generation 1" characters (no doubt a facet of 2004 being the 20th anniversary of the ''Transformers'' brand), but their names were being used elsewhere or otherwise unavailable, giving us "[[Shockblast]]" and "[[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]]" who were ''heavily'' recognizable as new takes on [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|the original Wheeljack]]. (This of course is to say nothing about their in-fiction portrayals... and in these two cases in specific, they had little in common with their visual inspirations, personality-wise.) This was an issue on both sides of the world; in Japan, the ''Armada'' Mini-Con "[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]]" was named "Arcee", which meant that when the direct-sequel series featured an [[Omnicon]] blatantly designed after [[Arcee (G1)|Generation 1 Arcee]] and called "[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]]" in Hasbro markets, Takara had to give her the name "Ariel".

It was not until 2007, and the launch of the [[live-action film series]], that the trends would shift heavily and various "legacy" names would slowly find their way back onto a solid "archetype," with that year's [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'']] film featuring a handful of Autobots more-or-less based on their Generation 1 personalities. Subsequent mass-market franchises, such as that year's ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' franchise, and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'', would continue to realign character names with their Generation 1 appearances and personalities. Though these installments would also introduce brand-new characters to the series... sometimes using old names from minor characters and effectively becoming "the" character associated with that name, such as ''Prime'' [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and 2015's ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]].

{{-}}

==Changing attitudes and brand unification==
[[File:ShadowStriker-SSVSBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|''Cyberverse'' Bumblebee, an amalgam of several past Bumblebees in design and concept, tangles with [[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)|Shadow Striker]], a new character introduced in the series.]]

The debut of the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" take on ''Transformers'']] (heralded mainly by the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'' cartoon]]) hit right at the beginning of the Hollywood nostalgia boom, due in part to the recent debut of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}} and its new approach to comic book adaptations. This pop-cultural shift would prompt [[Hasbro]] to develop a more coherent approach to the jumbled ''Transformers'' multiverse. 2010's ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' video games were the first installment of the Aligned franchise, a distinctly G1-esque take on the ''Transformers'' continuity that featured just about every major cartoon character in some capacity, all more-or-less faithful to their original designs and personalities.

Though the Aligned continuity would subsequently deviate from this aesthetic, the idea seems to have struck a chord with Hasbro; in late 2016, Hasbro would reveal a new "[[evergreen]]" style for just about every major ''Transformers'' character, beginning with ancillary side merchandise and eventually bleeding into the mass-market through [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[2005 IDW continuity|ongoing comics]], where many major characters would be redesigned into these new forms. 2018's ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]]'' franchise would see many characters sporting these evergreen bodies.

On the other hand, Hasbro and its licensees have been unafraid to create brand-new characters; 2014-15 brought the debut of [[Windblade (disambiguation)|Windblade]] the Autobot [[cityspeaker]] and [[Victorion]] the all-female [[combiner]]. Additionally, many IDW-original characters such as [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] and [[Aileron]] have proved popular with fans, with some like [[Nautica (G1)#Toys|Nautica]] even seeing mass-market release as new toys. As fresh faces represent new storytelling opportunities and, more importantly, new toys, it's safe to say that the ''Transformers'' franchise will never run out of new characters to introduce.

{{-}}

==Characters and the wiki==
: ''See also: [[Continuity family]]''
[[File:KnockOutShockwave TheToxicTransformer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Knock Out (G1)#Of Masters And Mayhem|One version of Knock Out]] complicates matters by cheekily combining traits from his his [[Knock Out (Prime)|''Prime'']] and [[Knockout (G1)|Generation 1 Micromaster]] namesakes. Similar amalgamations have caused no small amount of debate on the wiki as to where a character best fits under our organizational schema.]]

Unlike many other popular sci-fi franchises, ''Transformers'' is not a single long-running story set in one universe, ''à la'' ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' or ''[[Star Trek]]''; rather, it is a vast entity made up of many smaller series, most of which are mutually exclusive to each other — in the Generation 1 family alone, the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity|cartoon]], [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel comic]], [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave comic]], [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW (2005)]] and [[2019 IDW continuity|IDW (2019)]] continuities all tell stories that, while broadly similar, are fundamentally irreconcilable.

On the {{SITENAME}}, we therefore align characters by what we call "[[continuity family]];" basically loose groupings of [[franchises]] that follow a rough internal theme/[[continuity]]. For instance, every appearance of the "Generation 1" version of Fortress Maximus can be found under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)]]. No matter how divergent one portrayal is from the other—the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon's]] portrayal of Maximus as a nonsentient battlesuit, his [[Marvel Comics]] depiction as a weary pacifist-turned-reluctant-warrior, or even his IDW depiction as a toughened prison guard—we consider that, since they all appeared in different versions of what we call the "[[Generation 1 continuity family]]," they are different incarnations of the same character.

Conversely, largely-identical versions of the same character may be split up across several pages according to their continuity family of origin. For example, the vain Decepticon medic [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] was a breakout new character in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, to the point where an ''incredibly'' similar take on him appeared as a major character in the 2005 IDW continuity. Specific details were tweaked to fit him into the universe, but in both appearance and personality, the characters are largely identical. ''However'', since ''this'' version of the character appeared in IDW's Generation 1 continuity, we consider "[[Knock Out (G1)]]" to be a ''different'' version of the character, if only for organizational purposes, as he appeared in a different continuity family.
;Why Do We Do This?
If that example seems a bit silly... well, it kind of is, but it's important to note that his case is a bit of an outlier, and that has a lot to do with changes in how Hasbro and its licensees have been treating characters since this wiki's creation. {{SITENAME}} was founded during the reign of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]", a time when ''Transformers'' toys and media was not anywhere as numerous and diverse as it has been in recent history, and ''was'' pretty strictly regimented, which would be the case for many years as ''Transformers'' would get a full hard-stop reboot every now and then. While previous characters might end up with analogues in whatever new franchise pops up, they were usually heavily re-interpreted for said new franchise, such as how the [[Bulkhead (Animated)|character "Bulkhead" from ''Animated'']] would get reworked to [[Bulkhead (Prime)|the similar ''Prime'' "Bulkhead"]]. And both are ''completely'' different from the [[Bulkhead (Energon)|previous holder of the name, from ''Energon'']] (well, aside from being green).

And really, how useful do you think lumping every iteration of [[Starscream (disambiguation)|Starscream]] together, regardless of franchise, would really be?

For the first 30 years of the brand, it was rare, if not nigh-unheard-of, for a character to basically be "transplanted" from one very-different franchise to another with minimal changes until the height of [[IDW Publishing]]'s original comic run. While that series is considered "Generation 1" many writers began to pull popular characters from other non-"G1" franchises and drop them into the story. While this has led to some quibble, as an organisational tool, it ''does'' in general work better to have the IDW "G1" Knock Out have his own separate page for his adventures, regardless of how similar to the original he is.

Of course, there's always extra-outliers and troublemakers, thus the need for some flexibility in special circumstances.

{{-}}

==Gray areas==
With a franchise as large, sprawling, and convoluted as ''Transformers'', it can sometimes be hard to tell what separates one character or toy from another; this section goes over some of the more common "gray areas" that have cropped up during the history of the wiki, often involving the thorny issue of [[toy]]s and how they relate to their in-fiction depictions.

===Micro-continuities===
[[File:Optimusprimaltoyultraape.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|As a result of an early promotional comic, this toy of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] simultaneously represents a new character ''and'' an upgraded version of the Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].]]
{{main|Micro-continuity}}

Most ''Transformers'' [[franchises]] are supported by a toyline and one or two "pillars:" usually a television show or comic book designed to advertise the toys. In some cases, however, early promotional material has created entirely new continuities, which we call "[[Micro-continuity|micro-continuities]]," out of a handful of promotional materials. In some notable cases, these have created entirely new characters by conflating other characters together. Most infamous was the [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|very first ''Beast Wars'' comic]], which treated the setting as an extension of the Autobot-Decepticon war on contemporary Earth and depicted [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] as merely the newest forms of the original Optimus Prime and Megatron.

The ''Beast Wars'' television show would quickly clarify that Primal and Megatron ''were'' their own characters, who hailed from the distant future; as a result of this comic, however, you ''will'' find early ''Beast Wars'' figures on the toy pages for both Optimus Prime and Megatron—because this comic established that, in at least one small continuity, those toys ''were'' Optimus Prime and the Decepticon Megatron.

{{-}}

===Repurposing===
[[File:Movie-toy Storm Surge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Storm Surge's toy can be used to represent both the movie Decepticon, or with some imagination, the evil Autobot Seaspray.]]

{{main|Repurposing}}

In some cases, a toy might simultaneously represent two or more entirely different characters. This was more common during the tail end of the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'', when the Hasbro and Takara lines began to diverge; for instance, any [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] toy could—depending on if you lived in Japan or the US—be interpreted as either an organic [[Nebulan]] in armor, or a small robot colonist from the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. In other cases, the cause might be a miscommunication (or disagreement) between Hasbro and Takara: while Hasbro intended ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] as a different character than [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], whom he was [[redeco]]ed from, the [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|''Micron Legend'' cartoon]] made the "Thundercracker" colors an upgraded form of Starscream, and Takara released their version of the toy under the name "Starscream S" ("Super Mode"). The English ''Armada'' dub of the cartoon tried to "explain" the discrepancy between toys and cartoon by having Starscream remark that he "look[s] like Thundercracker" in his new colors.

These early divergences gave way to the practice of "[[repurposing]]," interpreting a preexisting toy as a new character or applying it to a completely different individual as a new form. [[Fun Publications]] was particularly fond of this practice; the ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' series would frequently grab obscure [[redeco]]es and reinterpret them as new characters—for instance, depicting the evil Autobot [[Seaspray (SG)|Seaspray]] with the body used by the obscure movieverse Decepticon [[Storm Surge (Movie)|Storm Surge]]. Wiki-wise, this means that you'll find Storm Surge's toy on Seaspray's page, even though no such toy of Seaspray "really" officially exists—it's a question of using your imagination.

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===Names===
[[File:Shockblast energon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|''Energon'' [[Shockblast]] shares many features with G1 [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] except his name.]]
: ''See also: [[Renaming]]''

Transformer names have come and gone over the years, a combination of changing [[trademark]]s, new cast members, and Hasbro's increasing awareness of the vagaries of non-US slang (the reason why we'll never see a Transformer named [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] or [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] again). The practical upshot of this is that Transformer names can and have changed drastically over the years. Combined with our approach to structuring character pages, it can sometimes be vague as to whether or not a character from one continuity family could be said to be have a counterpart elsewhere: for instance, should ''Energon'' [[Shockblast]] be considered a version of Generation One [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], as Generation One [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is to his [[Bumblebee (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]... even if Shockblast is ''far'' from the emotionless logical sort? This debate takes an interesting turn when one factors in the existence of the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Mini-Con]] [[Shockwave (Cybertron)|Shockwave]], who hails from the same continuity as Shockblast... but has nothing in common with any of the other Shockwaves or Shockblasts.

Sometimes a toy released under one name sees re-release under a new alias. Depending on the circumstances, this can pan out as either two different characters, or just a rename. In 2006, several ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Mini-Cons were released under the ''Cybertron'' banner as part of a promotional pack-in with big-ticket item [[Primus#Toys|Primus]]: ''Classics'' [[Dirt Rocket (Classics)|Dirt Rocket]] and [[Thunderwing (Classics)|Thunderwing]] were released as [[Offshoot (Cybertron)|Offshoot]] and [[Nightscream (Cybertron)|Nightscream]] (respectively) in ''Cybertron''. Later fiction would make the distinction that the ''Cybertron'' versions were in fact ''completely'' different characters (from origin to personality to ''gender'' in Dirt Rocket/Offshoot's case).

{{-}}

===''Robots in Disguise''===
[[File:RIDMegatronGrippy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Robots in Disguise'' [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] appeared in [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW's comic universe]] as "Gigatron," his original ''Car Robots'' name. For simplicity's sake, both versions are on the same page.]]

The 2001 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' franchise is an oddity in the ''Transformers'' franchise, as it has the dubious honor of being considered part of two very different continuity families simultaneously. Originally, the series was conceived as a reboot of sorts after the conclusion of the [[Beast Era]], a back-to-basics tale that returned the action to contemporary Earth and featured vehicular Autobots. Outside of some vaguely-worded Japanese promotional backstory, both ''Robots in Disguise'' and the Japanese version, ''Car Robots'', were unconnected to the Generation 1 continuity that had come before. All seemed well... until years later, when [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] declared that ''Car Robots'' was ''not'' a reboot, and officially tied the series into their own [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|elaborate Generation 1 cartoon continuity]] as part of a ''huge'' gap-filling and continuity-tying-up retcon that pulled a ''lot'' of pieces of fiction together, both major and obscure.

However, no similar proclamation was made for ''Robots in Disguise''. To this day the Hasbro version of the series stands alone, without any direct ties to any other fictional universe (aside from the whole "multiverse" thing, of course).

On the wiki, at least, this means that ''Robots in Disguise'' characters who have received additional appearances elsewhere in the Generation 1 continuity family, such as [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]'s supporting role in IDW's comics, are consolidated onto a single page to avoid a redundant and nigh-identical "Sky-Byte (Car Robots)," page, even though the Japanese ''Car Robots'' and American ''Robots in Disguise'' franchises are considered two entirely separate continuity families.

(It also helps that ''Robots in Disguise'' is something of a "forgotten" series, so its transplants are few and far between.)

{{-}}

===Multiversal singularities===
{{main|Multiversal singularity}}

[[File:Unicron-UltimateGuide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Unicron]]'s status as a former multiversal singularity means that his page is organized differently than a more "standard" ''Transformers'' character.]]

One of Hasbro's earliest attempts to tie together a cohesive ''Transformers'' mythology was the creation of "multiversal singularities:" the story pitch was that there there was only ''one'' of them ever in-fiction, existing as higher-dimensional beings who could inhabit multiple universes simultaneously. The first character that got this treatment from Hasbro was [[Unicron]], starting with the supporting fiction for the 2003 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' toy line, depicting him as the force responsible for abducting many heroes and villains from across the multiverse to aid in his restoration. Subsequent fiction would reconcile his various conflicting [[Unicron/Generation 1#Generation1 cartoon continuity|cartoon]] and [[Unicron/Generation 1#Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics]] backstories by describing all of his various incarnations as a sort of "virus" that could manifest in different universes through mystical or mundane means. On the wiki, this meant that we organized Unicron's page as a single, long article, detailing ''all'' of his exploits throughout the ''Transformers'' multiverse, rather than splitting them up into "Unicron (G1)", "Unicron (Armada)..."

[[File:Sidewayses.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Trying to figure out a cohesive article for [[Sideways]] caused many organizational problems on the wiki during the days of "[[Ask Vector Prime]]."]]

Other notable characters demarcated as singularities included [[Primus]], [[Unicron]], and the [[Thirteen]]. This admittedly high-concept premise... didn't ''really'' work as planned; immediately, it became clear that many of these so-called singularities had radically different characterizations and origin stories across multiple continuities, which made the entire concept harder to rationalize as the ''Transformers'' multiverse continued to change hands. The most infamous of these was the treacherous Decepticon [[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]]; while [[Sideways (Armada)|some]] fictions implied he was one supernatural 'bot jumping from one dimension to the next, [[Sideways (ROTF)|others]] seemed decidedly mortal, and [[Sideways (Animated)|still others]] tried to bridge the gap between these two extremes, which caused no small amount of debate on the wiki as to how to best organize Sideways's page.

As things grew more fraught, some more fiction from [[Fun Publications]] would put the entire concept to rest by [[retcon]]ning the concept away entirely, through the in-fiction medium of the [[Shroud]], which retroactively nullified the entire concept of singularities—G1 Unicron was his own guy again, as was ''Armada'' or ''Prime'' Unicron. However, owing to their legacy as singularities, and their status as very important characters within ''Transformers'' lore, we at the wiki have continued to consolidate their information all onto a single page, even though each of their fictional appearances are now recognized to belong to entirely separate characters. The exception to this rule is Sideways, who is now treated like most other ''Transformers'' characters and has had all of his appearances split into separate characters by continuity.

{{-}}

===Merchandise and the multiverse===
{{main|Iocus}}
[[File:Bot Shots S1 B002 Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''[[Bot Shots]]'' Starscream is pretty clearly based on G1 [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—and on this wiki, we sort him under [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream's toy page]]. In the in-fiction ''Transformers'' multiverse, however, he and many other merchandise-based representations are established to hail from [[Iocus|a separate universal cluster]].]]

The in-fiction world of the Transformers is based around an elaborate [[multiverse]], which more-or-less follows our own system of classification by continuity family; breaking down into a series of "universal clusters" that, are, in turn, made up of "[[universal stream]]s," corresponding to real world continuity families and individual continuities. The rise of these universal streams as the primary system of in-fiction universal classification coincided with Hasbro's release of multiple new, merchandise-oriented sidelines: ''[[Kre-O]]'', ''[[Construct-Bots]]'', ''[[Hero Mashers]]'', ''[[Bot Shots (franchise)|Bot Shots]]'', and so on.

As these characters seemingly represented new versions of old standby characters like Optimus Prime or Grimlock, the wiki initially gave each of these characters a separate page: "Optimus Prime (Bot Shots)," "Optimus Prime (Construct-Bots)," "Optimus Prime (Hero Mashers)," and so on... in spite of the fact that often (but not always) these characters were clearly based on specific prior iterations, and the fact that almost none of these ''specific'' incarnations received any real fiction that would separate them from their namesakes outside of a handful of toys and maybe a commercial or two. As it soon became clear that the wiki would be overrun by these tiny, one-note articles, "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" would introduce a new cluster, "Iocus," which would serve as a "dumping ground" for all of these miscellaneous toys; under this schema, there would be one "Optimus Prime (Iocus)" page, which would consolidate ''all'' of the side merchandise as a single "character."

However, the Iocus cluster landed right as these miscellaneous toylines had begun stronger cross-promotional synergy with the main franchises, ''directly'' featuring characters from these series in their toylines. For ease of access, it was decided that all of these side appearances would be directly integrated under the character they most resembled, so Hound's Construct-Bots toy was moved to "[[Hound (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots]]," and so on. The end result of all of this is that while these side toys are cast in the images of characters from Generation 1, the movies, ''Prime'', or lord knows where else, they officially ''simultaneously exist'' as their own characters, who hail from the "Iocus" universal cluster.

Some exceptions exist as far as wiki organization is concerned, such as those rare ''Kre-O'' characters who received enough fiction in enough forms to make this sort of sorting ''problematic''. Thus, "[[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)]]" remains its own page, but the toys ''also'' appear on the various relevant other Optimusses said toys are based on.

{{-}}
===Official perspectives===
====Hasbro's position====
[[File:WMTheLegacyOfBumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hasbro generally treats major characters as "archetypes", with only minimal consideration for franchise/continuity as needed for marketing purposes.]]

[[Hasbro]]'s handling of "character" is a lot more, well, big-picture marketing-driven. As a ''general'' rule, Hasbro is mostly concerned with if their latest Starscream is a conniving Decepticon second-in-command that (ideally) turns into a jet with visual cues taken from [[Starscream (G1)|the original Starscream]]. What franchise they're in and how that relates to other franchises is not super-high-up in their concern outside of how they label a toy.

Effectively, a Starscream is a Starscream, and they're all "Starscream", all reflections of the same core jerk. They are aware that it is important as a selling tool to differentiate the [[Starscream (Movie)|live-action movies Starscream]] from the original, and both of those from [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' Starscream]] and so on, because kids (and adults) get attached to specific incarnations of characters, thanks to media portrayals. While Hasbro has "crossed the streams" with merchandise many times by using older toys designed for a different franchise with a different aesthetic in a new line, this practice is ''usually'' reserved for "filler" product. The overwhelming majority of "Starscream" toys for any given line are going to be based on the core design for the franchise in question, especially new molds and bigger-ticket items. They are going to try and keep internal consistency of a character's portrayal within a franchise as much as possible.

Basically, Hasbro runs on the "squint test". The fine details of fiction don't particularly matter. They are not concerned with "continuity" so much as brand consistency. After all, they're not an information archive.

{{-}}

====TakaraTomy's position====
Japanese Transformers fiction is less fractured than its American counterpart: most modern Japanese fiction takes place in what we call the "[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]," which incorporates a variety of American and Japanese shows into a single semi-cohesive entity. Elaborate [[retcon]]s that frequently split out or merge separate characters are common ways to explain discrepancies away.

TakaraTomy seldom weighs in on the dicey issue of character analogs in other universes. However, during a Q&A at the [http://www.wcc-jp.com/ World Character Convention] in December 2002, the head of Takara's Boys Division, when asked flat out if the (then just announced) ''Micron Densetsu'' Convoy (''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]) represented the same character as G1 Convoy (Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]), said that no, he was a different character, more like [[Lio Convoy]].<ref>'''Q:''' <tt>"...in the past, we've seen a variety of "Convoy" who are different characters, such as Lio Convoy and Convoy of Beast Wars. Is the Armada Convoy intended to be a representation of the G1 Convoy, or an original character?"</tt></ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Characters| ]]

Enemy of My Enemy Part Four

2020-09-30T13:50:55Z

Kaisatron: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #4
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy Part Three
|next=
|image=TFTerminator 4 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part Four"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[September 30]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=September 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
}}

'''The future hangs in the balance as Optimus Prime and Megatron face off in final battle—but will Earth's inheritors be human, machine, or Cybertronian?'''

==Synopsis==
[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s made an offer he's sure the [[T-800]] can't turn down: since his robotic foe hails from the future, he gloats that the timeline now hangs on whether or not he executes the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] employees he's holding hostage—and he ''will'' spare the humans, but only if the Terminator returns the favor by helping him to depose [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. But what Starscream ''doesn't'' realize is that the Terminator has already seen through his ploy by analyzing the captives, deducing that none of them are crucial to [[Skynet]]'s creation, and feigning surrender; unaware of the deceit, Starscream lays out his plan...

[[Sarah Connor]] takes cover inside Cyberdyne's parking booth, where she uses the two-way radio try and contact the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' for reinforcements. She gets no answer, however, and the situation gets worse when [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] locks on to her position. Surrounded on all sides by the Decepticons, it seems like the end for the trio of [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]]... until [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] detects Sarah's transmission and breaks off from the fight to investigate. He deduces that she cannot reach the ''Ark'', but before he can inform [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] that there are no Autobot reinforcements on the way, Starscream swoops overhead and blasts him through the torso! As Megatron duels [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Starscream swoops in over the pair and ejects the Terminator from his cockpit. This living missile streaks right towards Megatron, but even his heavy-duty weapons only dent the Decepticon leader's thick armor. Tired of the irritating little robot, Megatron contemptuously hurls his attacker back into the sky, and his impact against Starscream's cockpit sends the Air Commander crashing to the ground. The interruption gives Prime the opening he needs to cleave his [[energon-axe]] straight into Megatron's chest, but in spite of this grevious injury, the Decepticon leader still refuses to surrender.

As Ravage witnesses Starscream's betrayal and Soundwave's near-destruction, he finds himself torn away from his mission to stop Sarah and help Soundwave... and that gives the once-meek human the opportunity to grab a handgun and wrestle the feline Decepticon long enough to shove the gun into his mouth and shoot him through the head. Arcee takes out [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] while Velocity and Bumblebee incapacitate [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]], the two remaining [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s while Sarah tries to pull the badly damaged Terminator out from underneath Starscream,but only retrieves the top half of his body from the wreckage. Starscream has survived the crash, however; as he transforms and prepares to kill the android for his failure, a blast from a furious Soundwave prompts him to make a cowardly retreat. Sparking and leaking, the dying Soundwave accuses the pair of having destroyed the Decepticons... but his words only encourage the pair to join forces and blast him with small-arms fire until he finally collapses.

By the time Bumblebee arrives, Sarah tells him that she couldn't raise [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and suspects that nobody's coming to help them. Without legs, the Terminator can't complete his mission; he informs Bumblebee that he needs Bumblebee's help. On his instructions, the yellow Autobot tosses the Terminator to Velocity, who hurls him to Arcee... and as Arcee tosses the T-800 at Megatron, the smaller robot flies right into Megatron's chest wound and blasts his [[spark]]! The surge of energy annihilates the Terminator on the spot and rips Megatron apart from the inside; as he dies, Megatron spits defiance at his old friend, who bids him a weary goodbye before turning his attention to their four Decepticon captives. As the Autobots load their prisoners into Optimus's trailer and prepare to return to the ''Ark'', Bumblebee asks Sarah if she'd like to join them as an honorary [[Autobot]]. Sarah declines; she'll do what she can to help the human survivors and keep the police off their trail. They'll keep in touch, Sarah promises, and she'll do her best to keep an eye on her alien friends.

Once Optimus and the Autobots arrive at the molten remains of [[Mount St. Hilary]], however, everything becomes clear—the Terminator had ''always'' intended to double-cross the Autobots, and his betrayal has left the last eight Transformers on [[Earth]] without reinforcements or a way home. Velocity can't process the loss, but Optimus urges them to let the past lie and try and find a new way forward. With Megatron gone, Autobots and Decepticons should lay down their arms and live on Earth in secret until they can find a way to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]; both sides agree, and as Prime stares out at the lake of molten magma, he briefly eulogizes the Terminator as best he could: in death, he completed his mission and ended the Cybertronian war.

Time passes, and Sarah eventually gets a job at the [[Skywatch]] corporation, where she uses her new connections to keep an eye on the Transformers in hiding. It seems a happy ending, and perhaps it might be... if not for Skywatch's ''new'' top-secret project. In Skynet's secret [[Omega Base|Alpha Base]], scientists dissect, study, and reverse-engineer Megatron's lifeless remains to create a computerized defense network. Armies of robotic tanks and airborne drones take shape. Legions of skeletal Terminator androids stand ready. Skynet activates... and Megatron lives again.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (9)
* [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (12)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (13)

|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (3)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (5)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (6)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (7)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (8)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (11)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (14)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (4)
* [[Chet]] (15)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (2)
* [[T-8000]]s (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"We got this, right, Bee? You and I each take an Insecticon and Arcee takes the other two?" 
"I dunno, Lotty. Mebbe if we didn't have Soundwave coming up on our rear, too." 
"Oh... then we're '''doomed''', huh?" 
"Mmm... yep." 
:—'''Velocity''' and '''Bumblebee'''

"I don't fear you. I don't fear your Autobots or the meatbags or the children's toys or Starscream. '''FOR I AM FEAR ITSELF!'''" 
:—'''Megatron'''

"Guess you always land on your feet, huh? Time for your permanent catnap." 
:—'''Sarah Connor''' versus Ravage

"This was supposed to be '''your''' death, Prime. Your death..."
:—'''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s last words

"No use wondering if I ever got through to the Terminator. His mission was accomplished and from '''that''', he is free. I can only hope that was enough."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* As he pretends to accept [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s offer, the Terminator remembers the battle against the 2029 Decepticons from [[Enemy of My Enemy Part One|issue #1]], including the exchange where Starscream calls the Terminators "slave-bots".
* Sarah describes her fight against [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] as "round two", having previously tangled with the Decepticon aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part Two|issue #2]].
* [[Skywatch]] appears in the final page; although issue #2 depicted it as a purely anti-Cybertronian military operation formed in response to the Cybertronian invasion of Earth, in this new timeline it seems to be a more generalized research and development firm, since the invasion never occurred. That's not to say that this new version Skywatch doesn't have ''some'' connections to the Transformers, however...
* ... because the final scene of the comic is set in the same secret bunker underneath the Big Jeff's restaurant that appeared in issue #1, which now hosts anew version of Skynet reverse-engineered from Megatron's remains. Here, however, it's called "Alpha Base" instaed of that comic's "[[Omega Base|Omega]]". Much like Omega Base, it features regular Terminator robots, HK tanks and jets, and a new version of the giant [[T-8000]] units, but since ''these'' models are directly reverse-engineered from Megatron's remains, they sport his famous bucket helmet instead.

===Transformers references===
* Bumblebee calls Velocity "Lotty", the nickname she frequently went by in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''.
* The Cybertronians ratify their truce by solemnly chanting "[['Til all are one|Till all are one]]", in what's probably a reference to the ending of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', where the victorious Autobots marked the apparent end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] by repeating the phrase.

===Terminator references===
* The loading bay on the side of Cyberdyne System features signage that reads "T2" and "T3", the generally-accepted fan acronyms for the {{w|Terminator 2: Judgement Day|second}} and {{w|Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines|third}} films in the series.
* The final scene of the miniseries, featuring a new version of Skynet poised and ready to unleash itself upon humanity, appears to tie into a long-running theme from the ''Terminator'' films: the eventual extinction of mankind cannot be stopped, only delayed. Whether it's extensive time-travel manipulation, an entirely new AI taking Skynet's place, or—as seen here—an alien intelligence hijacking the network, the machines ''will'' rise...

===Real-life references===
* The calendar inside the Cyberdyne parking booth on page three features the starship ''[[USS Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' of ''[[Star Trek]]'' fame.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for a June 24th release, this issue was pushed back to September 16th as a result of IDW Publishing suspending operations, then slipped to the 30th as a result of regular production delays.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Sarah, the Terminator, and Megatron, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': Optimus Prime and the Terminator, by [[Billie Montfort]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus merged with the Terminator's skull, by [[Freddie E. Williams]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 4 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 4 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 4 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Joe Hill novels
*''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection]]'' [[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11|#11]]
*''The Crow''
*''[[Star Trek]]: Picard''

==External links==
[https://comic-watch.com/news/sneak-peek-preview-of-dark-horse-idws-transformers-vs-the-terminator-4 Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. The Terminator issues]]

Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2020-09-17T20:34:05Z

Kaisatron: /* Transformers '84 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Muk306 tacitus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Insert [[Furmanism]] here for humorous effect.]]
What did '''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]''' do? Find out in [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marrrrrrrrvel Comics]]!

'''Hint:''' {{w|Giri (Japanese)|Heavy is the head... and heavier the heart.}}

{{quote|With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.|[[Abraham Lincoln]]|{{w|Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address|March 4, 1865}}}}

==Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics==
{{noteukonly}}
Before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] broke out on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Optimus Prime was a Transformer of note, displaying his skills in the [[IntraFormers Sharpshooting Competition]]. {{storylink|Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}} As a serious-minded individual, he also spoke out against [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]]'s faddish "[[Chic Chips]]" line of hardware accessories. {{storylink|Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}}

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|thumb|left]]
''At some point pre-war'', {{storylink|State Games}}<ref>This almost certainly wasn't the intention but later stories establish "Prime in name" = "has Matrix"</ref> the Matrix was passed to him by Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

''Gladiatorial [[Games]] were commissioned between the city-states to increase good will as the planet's population outpaced its resources. Optimus Prime was the gladiator champion of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], and he shared a sporting rivalry with a young champion from [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] called [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. During a match in Tarn, Optimus intervened to stop Megatron killing his opponent, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. But sabotage plunged Tarn and [[Vos (polity)|Vos]] into an inter-city war that night. An [[Overlord (rank)|Autobot Overlord]] was damaged while trying to sort it out, so Optimus Prime left to get help. However, the Overlord 'mysteriously' perished while under the care of Megatron and Overlord's bodyguard, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]].'' {{storylink|State Games}} ''Following the destruction of Tarn and Vos, Prime had planned to become a medical officer, but enrolled in the Autobot army as soon as the Decepticons declared war. He was immediately put in charge of the [[Elite Flying Corps]].'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Optimus Prime datafile}}

''The Autobots were completely unprepared for Megatron's initial strike, and many fell in battle. Optimus was barely able to organize his troops to fight back in time to save his kind from a total genocide.'' {{storylink|Once upon a Time...}}

''Optimus Prime saved the life of an Autobot named [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb]] from another [[Divebomb (G1)|flying Decepticon]] who had previously beaten him and taken his name. "Divebomb" hated Prime with a passion, and was humiliated by his rescue, and so he kept this to himself.'' {{storylink|What's in a Name?}}

[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|Optimus Prime's Cybertronic truck mode, along with a Cybertronic Grumman X-29, a Cybertronic Suzuki touring motorcycle, and a Cybertronic Porsche 962.]]
[[Lieutenant Commander]] Optimus Prime of the [[Autobot Fourth Computerized Division]] quickly made a name for himself as a combat leader. He decided the neutral [[Boltax (G1)|Boltax]] could help the Autobots win the war and, ignoring the risk to the neutral and [[Override (G1)|Override's]] concern this could escalate the war, went with the [[Triggerbot]]s to recruit him. This not only violated a neutrality agreement, and thus meant Megatron could claim Boltax's [[Underbase]] databank himself, but also allowed the Decepticons how to get past Boltax's defences. The [[circuit sect]] were butchered and Prime was forced to jettison the massive databank into space to prevent anyone acquiring its power. This 'victory' helped make his career but he knew he'd been driven by pride and glory-seeking. The shame of what he'd done always remained with him. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} ''Afterwards, Prime would learn that the Underbase was linked to Cybertron's core, and thus the power of [[Primus]] himself.'' {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}

[[File:Marvel71 neversurrender.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left|thumb]]
As a general, he proved to be the only one capable of rallying the rag-tag forces into a proper army. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''As his reputation became known, he was promoted to field commander of the entire Autobot army but regrettably, the [[Council of Autobot Elders]] still pulled the strings. Unknown to the Elders, Optimus Prime began orchestrating unsanctioned military actions.'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Optimus Prime datafile}} ''As the Great War intensified, Autobot territories began falling under Decepticon dominion, one City-State at a time. The last City-State to be taken was the Autobot capital of Iacon.''{{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} The Decepticons almost overpowered the Autobot defensive line at [[Jan-Ja]] but Optimus fired up his troops and made an unexpected charge, repulsing the superior Decepticon forces. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

''As Decepticons besieged Iacon, the Council of Elders prepared to surrender. Councillor [[Xaaron]] suggested that High Councillor [[Traachon]] step down and allow a military officer to assume Autobot leadership. Traachon then used his powers of veto and effectively elected himself out of office, allowing Optimus Prime to assume supreme command of the Autobots, becoming the first soldier to ever hold the mantle of Autobot leadership. This came when Optimus had already set in motion a plan behind their back: using [[shatter bomb]]s to collapse the bridge into Iacon after the Decepticons had 'triumphantly' begun crossing it. To ensure this worked, Optimus fought Megatron personally to keep his attention away from advancing: their first meeting since the Vos-Tarn war.'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} ''After one battle during which thousands of Autobots and Decepticons alike were killed, Prime came across [[Longtooth]] mourning his fallen comrade and gave him a fragment of the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

[[File:Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Prime had to go through an experimental "box with a gun on top" phase before he could commit to the truck thing.]]
After over a thousand years of war, Cybertron—shaken from its orbit and drifting through space—came under threat when it floated into the path of a massive asteroid swarm that could potentially devastate the planet. Prime led a group of his most powerful Autobot warriors on the Autobot starship, the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], on a mission to destroy the asteroids. Although the Autobots were successful, in the aftermath of this mission the Ark was attacked by Decepticons, hoping to overcome their weakened foes. Intent on keeping the secrets of the Ark's computer, [[Aunty]], from the Decepticons, Prime set the craft on a suicide course, crashing it into the prehistoric planet Earth. After lying dormant for four million years, the Ark was awakened by the eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]] in [[1984]], and Optimus Prime was rebuilt so that he could reconfigure his body into a semi truck. As the Decepticons fled, Optimus Prime called for a roll call of his own troops. Suspecting that after all this time, Cybertron probably no longer existed, Optimus Prime began studying the planet upon which they had landed; he was startled to realize that this planet did have sentient life! He swore that the Autobots would hide themselves from Earth's natives, so that they would be spared the horrors of the Transformers' war. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:PowerPlay-Optimustransforms.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|In the live-action movie's version of this scene, Sparkplug was replaced with some hot chick.]]
Optimus Prime and the other Autobots were all dangerously low on fuel, but thankfully [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] had befriended some humans who could help—[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and his son, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Leading the Autobots to Sparkplug's auto shop, Optimus Prime introduced himself to the humans. Unfortunately, the Decepticons had the same idea, and the warring factions met in battle. But while Prime was busy shooting Decepticons out of the air, Megatron grabbed Sparkplug, and so Prime was forced to face his nemesis one-on-one. Despite Prime's apparent victory, Sparkplug was snatched away by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], and the Decepticons retreated. Optimus Prime acknowledged Buster's sorrow at the kidnapping of his father, but noted that without fuel, retrieving him would be impossible. {{storylink|Power Play!}} Carrying [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] in his trailer, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots returned to the Ark, where [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] awaited. Optimus and a handful of his soldiers were refueled, and left to confront the Decepticons at their [[Fortress Sinister|cliffside fortress]]. With the mysterious [[Spider-Man]]'s help, Sparkplug was rescued, but not before Sparkplug had converted fuel for the Decepticons! {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Unfortunately, Optimus Prime couldn't stop the Autobots from overreacting to this bad news, and their actions caused Sparkplug Witwicky to suffer a heart attack. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[File:Boulderdamfight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Better get used to seeing this scene.]]
''When the Ark alerted Optimus Prime of a power surge at [[Sherman Dam]], he and his Autobots weren't surprised to find the Decepticons behind it. Afraid of the dam crumbling under the stress of the Decepticons' manipulations, he faced off against Megatron on the top of the dam, brandishing his energy ax. As he trash-talked Megatron, Prime was suddenly distracted by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s defeat. Megatron used this moment to his advantage, knocking Prime off the dam and firing his cannon into the dam itself. Prime quickly assembled his troops, directing them to divert the waves by digging trenches and elevating the neighboring humans. Mirage was angered when the humans still vilified them, despite their hard work, but Prime calmed him.'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime sent a team of Autobots to investigate the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]], a local legend in the [[United Kingdom]]. After befriending [[Sammy Harker]], and tangling with the Decepticons over the remains of the Man of Iron's ship, Optimus Prime and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] were forced to destroy the ship and its inhabitants, not realizing that its [[Navigator (Autobot)|Navigator]] knew the location of Cybertron. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} ''Back at the Ark, after [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] suffered a psychotic break and ran off, Optimus Prime ordered the Autobots to hunt him down before he could harm any humans! After Brawn was cornered, he threatened the Autobots with death, but was quickly overwhelmed, and Optimus Prime carried Brawn's defeated body back to the Ark. Another electrical shock returned Brawn to his senes, but in order to prove Brawn's loyalty, a [[Trial by Combat]] was orchestrated between him and the traitorous Decepticon, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. With the help of [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]]'s holograms, Brawn's death was faked once he had proved himself, and the two factions returned to their respective bases.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} ''The Decepticons did not stay there for long, and suddenly a full-scale attack was launched on the Ark! Mid-clash, the Ark's computer systems, "[[Aunty]]", went berserk, and it fell to Optimus and Megatron to team up against the malfunctioning program to save both armies. Megatron used his [[Antimatter|ability to tap into the power of a black hole]], in a bid to free them, only for Ravage and Windcharger to burst in and destroy Aunty themselves. Seeing little reason to put the cosmic energies he had gathered to waste, Megatron turned to finish off Optimus Prime. Thankfully, Windcharge used his magnetic abilities to propel Megatron from the Ark, and the rest of the Decepticons retreated in the absence of their leader.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

[[File:Marvel-us04-last-stand-megatron-stands-supreme.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] alerted Optimus Prime to information that Ratchet had uncovered from the Ark's databanks: millions of years ago, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] battled [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] to a standstill. This raised some questions, but there was little Optimus Prime could do with this knowledge now. With a Decepticon attack imminent, and the Autobots dangerously low on fuel, Optimus Prime had a desperate gamble. Using the [[Tubes of Transference]], the combined remaining fuel was compiled into five of the strongest Autobots, himself, [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], Huffer, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], and Mirage. Sure enough, the Decepticons descended quickly upon them, but even though Prime was still low on fuel, he was still quick enough to grab Starscream out of the air! It was not enough to defeat Megatron, however, and his nemesis hoisted Prime's body over his head in complete victory. ...That is, until Megatron and the other Decepticons doubled over in pain. Sparkplug had poisoned the Decepticons' fuel! Unfortunately, Optimus Prime's subsequent speech was short as he and the other Autobots were blasted into pieces. Shockwave had awakened and returned. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[File:NewOrder-OptimusPrimehead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Buster regretted the low volume on his Optimus Prime voice changer helmet.]]
Though the Decepticons had taken over the Ark, Ratchet was able to sneak Buster Witwicky inside, and the young human was startled to find Optimus Prime's decapitated head attached to machinery. {{storylink|The New Order}} Optimus Prime, in this weakened state, pleaded with Buster to detach two power cords and attach them to either side of the human's head. This released a tremendous amount of energy, transferring Optimus Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to the human, and Buster blacked out. After Buster awoke, he returned to Ratchet to tell him of Optimus Prime's defeat. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} Ratchet had to see this for himself, and he was saddened to find out that Buster was correct. The Autobots were defeated, even including the mighty Optimus Prime! But Optimus would not let Ratchet give up or despair. He pushed Ratchet to action, telling him that even though Ratchet was nothing more than a doctor, now was the time for him to learn to be a warrior. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Since Shockwave's return, he had wrested leadership of the Decepticons from Megatron, and so the former Decepticon leader was ordered by Shockwave to prepare to move Optimus Prime's head from the Ark to the Decepticons' base of operations within [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]]. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

Shockwave planned to use the Creation Matrix energies within Optimus Prime's head to give life to a new Decepticon army, despite Optimus Prime's obvious objections. Shockwave didn't know that he had transferred most of the energy to Buster Witwicky, so Optimus Prime took quiet solace in the fact that the last of his remaining energies would be used on only six new warriors. {{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}} {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} ''Meanwhile back at the Ark, Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] remotely controlled Prime's headless body to prevent [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] from setting off [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]]'s nuclear arsenal.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}

[[File:PrimeTime-Primewantsyou.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|He's mad as hell, ain't he ain't gonna take your orders anymore!]]
Optimus Prime's head watched helplessly as Shockwave brought his [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life using the rest of Prime's stored Creation Matrix energies. But Shockwave realized something was wrong when Prime failed to give life to his next creation, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Shockwave deduced what had happened, and so he sent Jetfire (who was still little more than a drone) out to capture Buster. Optimus Prime realized he had put Buster in tremendous danger, but thankfully Buster prevailed in thwarting his would-be-captors through applied use of the Creation Matrix on them. However, with the Matrix energy within Prime spent, the Autobot leader was useless to Shockwave, and so the Decepticon made plans to dispose of the head. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} In actuality, the head Shockwave disposed of was an impostor. Shockwave had learned that his headquarters were bugged, and so when the Autobots came to retrieve the head from a nearby swamp, the impostor head took control of Prime's body and turned on the Autobots. The day was saved only by the efforts of Buster, who was able to wrest control of Jetfire so that he could deliver the real head to its body. Once again whole, Prime retaliated against the Decepticons battling at the swamp, and one by one, they were destroyed. Shockwave himself arrived to battle Prime, but after they grappled, Shockwave was thrown into the swamps and disappeared. Instead of delivering a final blow, Optimus Prime rushed back to the plant to assure Buster's safety. The nightmare over, Prime transferred the Creation Matrix energies from Buster back into himself. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[File:Arkchristmastree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Prime may reconsider his return to the Autobots.]]
''His dignity restored with his head once again reunited with his body, Prime afterwards dressed as Santa Claus to appease Buster's strong sense of [[Christmas]] spirit.'' {{storylink|Christmas Breaker!}}

''Optimus Prime questioned his ability to lead after his recent series of trials when a fight broke out amongst the Autobots on whether to use the Creation Matrix to create an army of unstoppable robot monsters. His introspection was interrupted by the intrusion of Ravage. The spy was captured, but it was not known by the Autobots that this was part of a larger Decepticon plot. Ravage escaped easily, and when Bumblebee gave chase, the Autobot was captured by the Decepticons. His disembodied arm was dropped in front of the Ark by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], a gauntlet cast. Prime decided to go alone to Decepticon headquarters to rescue Bumblebee, despite the other Autobots' objections. Indeed, Prime bested the Decepticons one-by-one, felling them all, until he arrived, heavily damaged, in the chamber where Bumblebee was held. After making short work of Soundwave, Optimus Prime returned to the Autobots, determined to do things right from then on.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}

[[File:Optimus prime icarus theory.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
''After Optimus Prime visited Bumblebee in the repair bay, the Autobots were surprised to be attacked by the Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]], who was thought to be dead. After Swoop's mind was reclaimed from [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]], Swoop went berserk and left once more. After learning that the Dinobots all would suffer the same involuntary rage, Optimus Prime called for a Dinobot Hunt!'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''Optimus Prime briefed the Autobots on the Dinobots and their nature and sent them to find the Dinobots in groups. Later, Optimus Prime traveled via [[Ark shuttlecraft]] to put a stop to a fight between Grimlock and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] that had claimed several Autobot and human injuries. Prime neutralized the rampaging Dinobots, but was saddened to hear that the Decepticons had seized the opportunity to steal large quantities of energy from the humans while the Autobots were kept busy. With the Dinobots in ruin and the Decepticons fueled, Optimus Prime's Autobots had suffered a major defeat.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} ''Optimus Prime later checked in with Ratchet, who was monitoring the comatose Dinobots. He implored Ratchet to find a way to save them from their constant nightmares.'' {{storylink|Victory!}}

[[File:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
With the Autobot ranks drastically depleted, Optimus Prime gave life to Jetfire using the Creation Matrix, and performed on him the [[Rite of the Autobrand]]. He guided Jetfire through the Ark; first into Ratchet's repair bay, and next into Wheeljack's lab, where additional troops were being assembled. Optimus Prime assigned Bumblebee to train these new recruits, but ordered them not to engage the enemy. When the group stumbled onto a Decepticon plot to siphon energy from a [[Brick Springhorn]] concert, Optimus gathered every able Autobot to assist. However, Bumblebee had disobeyed orders and his rookies had successfully thwarted the Decepticons. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

When a human named [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] appeared on television, claiming he controlled all Transformers, Optimus Prime led a team of Autobots into the [[Powder River Basin]] to prevent the human from getting hurt. Megatron, who had frozen, deactivated, at the bottom of the basin, was subsequently re-energized by Soundwave and his minions, and the combined might of their firepower and the human military's drove away Optimus and the Autobots in defeat. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} Afterward, Bumblebee felt he had failed Optimus Prime due to his relative lack of size and strength, and so he ran away. When Optimus discovered that Bumblebee had become a target of interest for the Decepticons, Optimus hurriedly led another team of Autobots to the rescue, an act that helped prove Bumblebee's worth to himself. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

[[File:RobotBuster-outofyourminds.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"There's ''no slaggin' way'' Mary-Kate is the cuter Olsen Twin!"]]
''Optimus Prime was absolutely appalled to discover that Wheeljack and Ratchet had built Buster Witwicky a [[battlesuit]] to aid him in the battle against the Decepticons, asking them outright if they had lost their minds. Though Buster protested, noting that since he was trusted with holding the Creation Matrix he should be trusted with the suit as well, Optimus Prime ordered the armored suit destroyed. But Buster stole the armored suit under cover of night and attacked the Decepticon headquarters, where he defeated Frenzy. The victory was a fluke however, one not to be repeated against Shockwave. Shockwave bested the human, but the arrival of Optimus Prime and the Autobots convinced Shockwave to spare his life.'' {{storylink|Robot Buster!}} ''Following this incident, Buster began having strange nightmares, and Optimus Prime suspected that these nightmares were induced by the Creation Matrix.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Optimus himself featured prominently in Buster's visions, appearing in battle against Shockwave, only to be destroyed. Wanting to investigate these Creation Matrix-induced dreams, Optimus Prime and Buster were hooked up to machinery so that the human could share them. Optimus Prime and Buster witnessed strange five-robot combiners from each faction named [[Special Teams]] fighting at the [[Pullen Power Plant]], and awoke shouting their name. They had seen a vision of the next generation of Transformers...'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

Meanwhile on Cybertron, a group of Autobots were happy to learn that Optimus Prime and his Autobots still lived. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

''Optimus sent [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] out on a scouting mission to [[Greater Portland]], only for his soldier to fail to report back afterwards. Despite others among the Autobot ranks assuming that Tracks's vain streak had gotten the better of him once more, and he was too busy showing off to resume contact, Optimus sent out Jazz to check up on him. Jazz failed to find his fellow Autobots, and as a week passed, Optimus dispatched more soldiers to seek him out, but soon lost hope that they would ever retrieve their teammate. His optimism returned when Cosmos reported a possible lead placing Tracks in [[New York City]]. Optimus once more sent out troops to retrieve him, this time tasking the mission to [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. The trio succeeded in their mission, and Optimus debriefed Tracks upon his return.'' {{storylink|Missing in Action}}

[[File:Optimus prime prowl jazz mirage to a power unknown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
''While on a mission to build friendly relations with the people of [[Pinewoodsville]], Optimus and the other Autobots were hit with a strange blast of energy that temporarily reversed their personalities. The group rampaged through the town, ruining months of goodwill work. Tracking the source of the blast to England, the Autobots flew overseas to put an end to what they assumed was a Decepticon plot. But the Decepticons had also been affected by the blast, and were likewise tracking its origin. Starscream happened upon Optimus and drove him off the road, sending the Autobot crashing into a tree, just as another energy blast muddled up the circuitry of all those present. Starscream became friendly, while Optimus's troops turned on him violently and tried to overthrow him. The personality reversal ended before Jazz could execute Optimus, but the latter was nonetheless left banged up from the ordeal. With his weapons non-responsive, Optimus was forced to hide inside a nearby tunnel while his troops carried on the mission. The culprit turned out to be a human invention, the "[[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence|PARD]]." It was destroyed, along with [[Zeke Heilmann|a spy]] trying to steal it, after Starscream battled Jazz over both. With the threat neutralized, the Autobots carried Optimus back to their UK Base, where Ratchet was waiting to fix him up. '' {{storylink|To a Power Unknown!}}

[[File:CommandPerformances-Autobotsattack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|"Year Two toys, attack!"]]
In front of all the active Autobots, Optimus Prime and Grapple unveiled their secret project: [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]! Designed to be their last line of defense, Prime planned to leave Omega Supreme to guard the Ark while Prime led the Autobots to the [[Wyoming base|Decepticon river basin headquarters]] to steal combiner technology from Devastator and promptly leave. The Dinobots scoffed at this plan, refusing to start a battle they were required to run away from, and so Grimlock and his Dinobots seceded from the Autobots. Though [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] raised concerns, Optimus Prime maintained that he had allowed for this. In fact, he allowed for everything save the interference of the humans, and after the mission was successfully pulled off, one human came after Skids; revenge for an earlier fender-bender with the Autobot. Skids was forced to pause, giving the Decepticons the opening they needed to blast him. Optimus Prime regretfully had to leave Skids behind, having to keep the safety of the rest of his troops in mind. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:Primewoods.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
''Learning of the Dinobots' disastrous solo adventures, Optimus Prime wanted to disown them, but reluctantly acknowledged that they were necessary muscle for the team. Tragically, while speaking to the Autobots about their war thus far on Earth, he, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], and Ratchet mysteriously vanished in a flash of light!'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''They found themselves in a strange dimension called [[Limbo]], where they joined a conflict between [[Cloran|two]] [[Zenag|factions]] of creatures whose warring behavior seemed rather familiar. Though Prime agreed to help one tribe in staving off an invading army, he refused to take any life in doing so. The opposing tribe proposed to give Optimus access to a device that would allow the Autobots to return to their world should they eliminate the enemy tribe, but Optimus once more refused to take part in wholesale slaughter. The Autobots soon allied with Shockwave, [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]], and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], who were also shunted into this dimension. Though Shockwave was more willing to use violence to escape this world, they found out the whole alien war was just an illusion created by [[Limbo parasite|native parasites]], who fed on their emotions.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}} ''Upon his return, Optimus learned that they had been displaced by Autobots and Decepticons traveling from the future.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Aerialbots minds wiped marvel 22.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
As Ratchet sealed up one of Prime's wounds, the Autobot commander was delighted to see Skids was alive, having returned to him along with [[Donny Finkleberg]] (previously the Robot-Master). They had news for him regarding the arrival of Autobot reinforcements from Cybertron, but they were interrupted by a news bulletin. [[Hoover Dam]] was being attacked by Decepticons, so Optimus Prime leapt from the repair bay despite Ratchet's objections to call the new [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] into service. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} Later Ratchet was able to finish sealing Prime's wound, but not before the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] was able to implant a [[cerebro-shell]] within Prime's body. Through this link, the Decepticons would be able to share use of the Creation Matrix to give life to new troops! The Aerialbots hadn't done well on their first outing, so as Optimus Prime reformatted them, Megatron gave life to the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]! Shortly afterwards, Prime sent the Aerialbots out to assist Skids but they were thwarted by the Stunticons and all the Autobots present fell into the hands of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} When [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] experimented on the captive Skids's [[brain module]], she was able to access many images of Optimus Prime in his memory chips. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} ''When Prowl tried to apprehend the [[Battlecharger]]s, Prime intercepted and rebuked him for causing too much destruction.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

''When it dawned on Optimus that he had gone back on his word to not create a generation of "Ultimate Autobots" with the Matrix upon bringing the Aerialbots to life, a great unease befell him. Worse yet, he was troubled to consider that the Aerialbots' various neuroses and weaknesses might outwheigh their value in the field. The Autobot commander called upon Jetfire to lead the Aerialbots in an investigative mission, and to undermine them throughout to test them while pushing them to their psychological limits. Upon hearing Jetfire's report, he would decide if the Aerialbots' worth.''

''After the mission, wherein the Aerialbots fought against a group led by Starscream for control of a power plant, Jetfire informed Prime that the Aerialbots performed valiantly, despite their hang-ups, putting the debate at rest.'' {{storylink|The Return of the Transformers}}

''Prior to the Christmas of 1986, Prime gave the go-ahead to Prowl and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s mission to intercept Decepticon activity at a [[NASA]] facility and asked Jetfire to go along as support.'' {{storylink|The Gift}}

[[File:Facsimile construct optimus prime prey.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
''Optimus Prime observed the records of how poorly the Autobots performed in his absence in Limbo, specifically how they went so far as to seek leadership from Megatron out of sheer desperation. Optimus Prime began to consider whether he was too important to the Autobots, and if they could carry on should he fall. To alleviate his doubts, he and a reluctant [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] plotted to fake Prime's death to teach the Autobots how to fend for themselves. While Prime was setting up an [[Facsimile construct|impostor version of himself]] to leave behind destroyed for the Autobots to find, Megatron sent the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to attack Prime.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

[[File:HarderTheyDie-Iaconno.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|You can't go home again.]]
''During the scuffle, Optimus and Megatron were transported to Cybertron, while Prime's counterfeit body, torn apart, was found by the Autobots. Optimus Prime surveyed Cybertron for the first time in four million years, and he couldn't believe how terribly it had fallen. Cities and buildings were cut to the ground, and even his beloved Iacon was in shambles. After Prime saved [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] from a [[Well-armed Decepticon bully|roving Decepticon]], the tiny Autobot followed him despite Prime's wishes to be alone. Unfortunately, Megatron (in league with [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]) had spread rumors that an imposter Optimus Prime had infiltrated Cybertron, which were readily believed due to Prime's four-million-year absence. Before too long, Prime was surrounded and shackled by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Wrecker]]s!'' {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}} ''With Outback's help, Prime was able to escape, and the two set out to clear Optimus's name. Unfortunately, a couple of Guardian units caught up to them, and though Prime defeated them, he was only able to do so after Outback had suffered mortal wounds.'' {{storylink|Under Fire!}} ''As Outback began to die in his arms, Prime told Outback of the time he, Prowl, and Ratchet were stuck in Limbo. His story was overheard by the Wreckers, but hearing Prime's words convinced Emirate Xaaron that this was in fact the real Optimus Prime!'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

[[File:Primefuneralnumberone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He approved of it ''so much'' that when he died for real the next day, they instead shot him into space.]]
''The return of Optimus Prime was a welcome boost to the Autobot underground resistance. Not only did Autobot morale increase, but Decepticons were spooked at his very appearance! But after a few [[Decepticon fuel store|strategic victories]], Prime knew he had to return to Earth. Prime and Ultra Magnus planned one last raid—they would besiege the [[Polyhex Decepticon stronghold|Decepticon stronghold]] in [[Polyhex]] and destroy Megatron! But Megatron's "eccentricities" had become too much for Cybertron's Decepticons to handle, and in the middle of their battle, all three were whisked away to Earth by the [[space bridge]]. Optimus Prime appeared before the Autobots just as they had finished their Earth-inspired burial of the impostor body he had left behind.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Afterdeath-gameoverman.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Game over, man! Game over!]]
The Autobots had been monitoring the humans' creation of [[Power Station Alpha]], and Optimus Prime, sensing its completion would need closer inspection, sent Bumblebee to its unveiling. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} Optimus Prime met an anticlimactic end in a gambit for [[Energy Futures Industries]]' [[Hydrothermocline]]. He and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] agreed to fight Megatron and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] in a simulated, virtual world named ''[[Multi-World]]''. They agreed whichever leader lost in the virtual world would be blown up in the real world. Originally virtual Megatron was killed. But when Megatron cheated using the game's "Afterdeath" code, Prime resorted to killing virtual beings to gain the upper hand, and despite his victory, Prime believed he had truly lost. Before their eyes, the human [[Ethan Zachary]] detonated Optimus Prime's body, as was previously agreed. In secret, Ethan secured away a [[floppy disk]] that held a copy of Optimus Prime's mind. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} Meanwhile, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] had been sent to investigate Bumblebee's destruction at the hands of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], but he was recalled in the middle of this altercation when it was discovered that Optimus Prime had been "assassinated". {{storylink|Power Struggle}}

Optimus Prime's death unhinged Megatron further. The Decepticon leader simply couldn't believe that his eternal foe was truly dead, and he began blowing up random trucks. Megatron's paranoia grew so much that he blew up the space bridge with himself on it. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} Ratchet's subsequent efforts to restore Optimus Prime were unsuccessful, and after much grieving, Optimus Prime's body was launched into space as per Cybertronian custom. Omega Supreme presided over his funeral, and both he and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] gave eulogies. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

In front of a holographic image of Optimus Prime's head, the surviving Autobots tried to choose a new leader. Optimus Prime's replacement would be like him: a great warrior, wise, compassionate, kind, and courageous. As luck would have it, Grimlock chose exactly that moment to show all of those qualities for the first and only time in his life. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

''When Shockwave and [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snap Trap]] experimented on a [[Archforce|clone]] of Megatron using a [[psycho-probe]], it experienced visions of being defeated by Optimus Prime and Straxus.'' {{storylink|Salvage!}} ''Around the same time, [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] thought back over the mistakes he had made as leader of the Wreckers, including nearly executing Prime as a Decepticon spy.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}}

Optimus Prime's funeral barge eventually crashed on a giant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay for an untold time. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:Ethanzacharypretendertothethrone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Reaching level 70 was a momentous occasion.]]
Years passed as [[Ethan Zachary]], who still possessed the floppy disk that contained a copy of Optimus Prime's mind, tried to coax it into full sentience. This copy of Optimus Prime believed he was a video game character and nothing more, despite Ethan Zachary's constant prodding. Ethan thought he finally had a chance to jolt Prime back to his old self when he was investigated by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. The two put Optimus Prime in charge of a real team of Autobots, the [[Pretender]]s, and the disk copy Prime led them in battle against Decepticon Pretenders. Prime's delusions were unshaken. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Goldbug took the disk with him, but all attempts to rebuild Optimus Prime ended in failure. An argument over supreme Autobot leadership erupted between Grimlock's earthbound Autobots and a group of Autobots who had just arrived from [[Nebulos]] under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]. Ultimately, Fortress Maximus realized that Optimus Prime was the true leader of the Autobots, not anyone else, and so he sent Goldbug, [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Getaway]] back to Nebulos where the technology existed to fully restore Optimus Prime to life. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:PeoplePower-reprogrammed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Seriously, Prime's been playing WoW waaaay too long.]]
It wasn't quite so simple, however. Fortress Maximus's Autobots had left Nebulos in ruin, and the planet poisoned its fuel supply so that robots could never return and wage war. A loophole was found, however, in the [[Powermaster]] process, created by the scientist [[Hi-Q]]. As luck would have it, Hi-Q was the exact person Goldbug was searching for to rebuild Optimus Prime, but the scientist refused on the grounds that he would be reintroducing the war to his planet—and he didn't believe the Transformers were any more than clever yet unsentient machines. Optimus Prime was rebuilt anyway, even though he wouldn't live very long at all without unpoisoned fuel. Hi-Q changed his mind on the sentience of Transformers when he saw the rebuilt Optimus Prime (shocked out of his video game persona delusions) interact with Goldbug. Hi-Q underwent the Powermaster process himself to save Optimus Prime's life, and Powermaster Optimus Prime was able to defeat two Powermaster-enhanced Decepticons, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]]. Optimus Prime and his crew left Nebulos with their new Nebulon partners. {{storylink|People Power!}}

[[File:Rorzatherocket-cycleracerfromrigeliii.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
As they traveled through the void of space, Optimus taught his Nebulon companions about the Cybertronian civil war, only for his history lesson to be interrupted by a transmission advertising the "[[Cosmic Carnival]]," an intergalactic traveling show housing acts from many worlds. Optimus was ready to ignore the broadcast and push forward, only to notice that the Autobot [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] was part of the carnival's line-up. He changed course, and investigated alongside Goldbug. As they poked around, the two Autobots took note of [[Spacehikers|four human children]] being kept as sideshow attractions. Outraged to see them held against their will, Prime confronted [[Berko]], another human acting as their keeper, and demanded to see his manager. Unfortunately, the head honcho, [[Big Top]], produced an ironclad contract signed by all four children as well as Sky Lynx. They had agreed to work to pay off a debt to the carnival, and were being legally held until they had done so. A conversation with Sky Lynx later, the Autobots decided to disregard any legalese and bust out both him and the children anyways; it was apparent that the carnival would never consider their debts payed, no matter how long they worked. Optimus further learned that Berko was also a prisoner of sorts, and offered him his freedom and safe passage to Earth if he helped them. Touched by the Autobot's show of genuine concern, Berko agreed. Goldbug and Berko went off to liberate the children while Optimus focused on freeing Sky Lynx. During Sky Lynx's next act, Optimus leaped into the circus ring with him, and helped his fellow Autobot ram through any opposition. Many of the other performers tried to stop them, including [[Rorza, the Rocket-cycle Racer from Rigel III]], who vowed to cleave Optimus in half for, allegedly, daring to ignore him. After the Autobots defeated all who stood in their way, the crowd broke into a cheer, and Optimus took a bow at Sky Lynx's suggestion. He reconvened with Goldbug on the ''Steelhaven'', who had been equally successful in his task. {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival}}

[[File:Optimus prime cold comfort and joy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
''Before reuniting with the other Earthbound Autobots, Optimus Prime and the other Powermasters took a [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to Earth on [[Christmas]] Day. Optimus Prime, seeing Earth's frozen wasteland, wondered why he even cared about the Earth in the first place, much less fought desperately to defend it. But after recalling the events that first brought him there, he remembered that it was his fault that the Ark crashed there four million years ago, and so any pain and suffering caused by the Transformers' war was his burden. His compassion for Earth renewed, he sought out his troops and announced that henceforth, the Autobots would make greater attempts at bringing more than just violence to the humans.'' {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}}

''Returning to the Ark, Optimus easily assumed command of the Autobots there; while the Dinobots were initially unhappy, Prime quickly and effortlessly sweet-talked them into going along with it.'' {{storylink|The Quest!}} That done, he learned via television about the Decepticons' baffling island vacation resort, [[Club Con]]. Optimus Prime sent Blaster to investigate. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

[[File:TimeWars-OptimusPrimeentersthefray.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Enter a new challenger!]]
''Despite a mysterious disruption in time and space that threatened all reality, due to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s adventures in his own past (which was Prime's present), Optimus Prime halted a conference on the matter to rescue [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]. While Highbrow apologized for interrupting more important matters, he, Optimus Prime, and a few other Autobots were displaced to Limbo once again, allowing [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and other Autobots from the future to investigate the mysterious disruption. The other present-day Autobots thought Optimus Prime and the others had been disintegrated, and so attacked the "impostor" Autobots under Rodimus Prime's command, but Optimus spoke to them through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and calmed them down. A crazed yet seemingly unbeatable Galvatron attacked them, and Optimus Prime debated whether he should leave Limbo and team up with Rodimus against him, even though two Matrix-bearers coexisting at the same time would accelerate the timestorm's destruction of reality. Eventually, Optimus decided to ignore the dangers, and he materialized through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and engaged Galvatron one-on-one. Finally, Galvatron himself was eaten by the timestorm, and Scourge and the body of Cyclonus were also fed to it, which caused the timestorm to subside temporarily. Rodimus Prime promised to Optimus Prime that he would destroy all time machines when he returned to the future.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''When an battle between [[Getaway]] and [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] resulted in a human getting critically injured, a life-support system was assembled to keep the injured party alive. Saving the man's life became a race against time when [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] stole the power cell needed to power said system, forcing the Autobots to chase after him. The Aerialbots botched their task in forcing the [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]], Throttle's vehicle, to double back, and the jet wound up on the ocean floor along with the thief's loot. A team headed by Optimus took on the arduous task of heading underwater to retrieve the battery, with only a thirty minute window to do so before their Nebulan partners drowned. As Prime's team approached their objective, they were met by the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]. Badly outclassed by the enemy's superior underwater maneuverability and running out of time, Optimus ordered the Nebulans to see the power cell's retrieval through while the Autobots carried on the fight. Though odds were stacked against them, the Autobots emerged victorious when the Dreadwing's cockpit was breached by Hi-Q; with their own Nebulan allies now at risk of drowning, the Seacons saw to their rescue instead of remaining on the offensive.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

[[File:Fortmaxboat.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Prime's not back five minutes and he's already using the previous leader as his personal boat.]]
Optimus Prime and Fortress Maximus accompanied Blaster to where Club Con was last situated, but it had been relocated by then. Despite this setback, Prime assured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] that the search for his brother Buster, who had been kidnapped by the Decepticons, would continue. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Sure enough, a distress signal in the Arctic led the Autobots to Buster, but also to a Decepticon ambush! After several Autobots were incapacitated, the battle stopped as it was discovered that this had all been arranged by Starscream, who had launched into space to seize the powers of the long lost [[Underbase]]. As the Autobots and Decepticons formed a loose alliance to stop Starscream, Optimus Prime warned that he had learned in his youth that fully possessing the Underbase led to madness or death. Starscream was stopped before he could absorb all of the Underbase, but he had absorbed enough of it to be able to destroy the Decepticons' island spacecraft in which the two factions were traveling. Thankfully, Optimus Prime had thought ahead and had the Ark follow them there in case of an emergency.

Several teams of allied Autobots and Decepticons followed Starscream to Earth to stop him, but Optimus Prime insisted that he stay behind on the Ark to work on a plan on his own. [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] had growing suspicions that the Autobot leader was really trying to claim the rest of the Underbase for himself, and they snuck on board as the Transformers on Earth were being shut down en masse by Starscream. Unfortunately for Optimus, they caught him while Hi-Q was disconnected from him, and so he was drastically overpowered. Optimus revealed to Scorponok that he was not trying to possess the Underbase... rather, he had been working on a rocket to deflect the Underbase towards Earth. He knew Starscream would try to absorb the rest, and sure enough, Starscream did—growing in size and power before their eyes. But possession of the Underbase resulted in madness ''and'' death, and Starscream's massive body exploded. Scorponok apologized for his bad appraisal of Optimus Prime's intentions, and the two commanders resolved to cease fighting so that they could gather their wounded and resume the fight another day. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:People's Gas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hell, let's just put the robot arms right there on the front of the trailer, why not.]]
Now that Buster had been reclaimed from the Decepticons, Spike told Optimus Prime that he felt his obligation to the Autobots was over. Prime reluctantly let Spike go, but told him that he was more attached to Fortress Maximus than he knew. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}} Not only was Fortress Maximus now out of commission, but the Autobots had suffered incredible losses at the hands of the Underbase-powered Starscream. Optimus Prime assigned [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] to purchase [[microchip]]s on the black market at [[Grand Central Space Station]], knowing their Pretender shells would allow them to hide their robotic forms from the robophobic aliens there. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} Cloudburst and Landmine reached an ethical impasse involving the microchips, and so Optimus Prime reached out to Cybertron for reinforcements. He called upon the [[Micromaster]]s, specifically the [[Race Car Patrol]] and [[Off Road Patrol]], to investigate some Decepticon-originated weather problems in [[New York City]]. Hi-Q worried that the Micromasters were unreliable punks, but they were able to prove themselves against the Decepticons in the end, though they refused to join the Autobots proper. {{storylink|King Con!}}

[[File:Doubledealerofthecentury.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Optimus Prime is also corresponding with a cash-strapped Nicaraguan prince...]]
''The Race Car Patrol accompanied Prime on a more rural mission: receiving Autobot resistance plans couriered by [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]]. But a Decepticon, [[Doubledealer|Dealer]], abducted Chainclaw before he could deliver them, and offered the plans back to Prime as a ransom. Optimus Prime accepted, and a new Autobot named [[Doubledealer|Double]] offered to deliver the Energon payment himself. Upon his return with Chainclaw's unconscious form, Dealer claimed to have been "ransacked" by the Decepticons, who had taken both the energon and the plans. With Chainclaw safe, Optimus vowed to deal with the Decepticons himself, and led the Race Car Patrol against Scorponok's troops while "Double" hung back to rest.'' {{storylink|(Double) Deal of the Century!}}

''The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] trained against [[solid light simulation]]s of Optimus Prime and other high-ranking Autobots in [[Slaughter City]].'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}}

''Optimus Prime lamented that he could no longer use the Creation Matrix to heal his fallen troops, as the Matrix was inside his old body which had been shot into space; the Autobots had not known that the Matrix was in Optimus Prime's chest to remove at the time. On cue, a being who called himself [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] appeared on Earth, and it was seemingly powered by a piece of the Creation Matrix! Deathbringer proved to be invulnerable, but Optimus Prime couldn't bring himself to harm something that held the essence of the Matrix anyhow. But after enough destruction, Optimus Prime was finally able to defeat it with help from [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], who convinced it to self-destruct in concordance with its primary function.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}} {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:AssaultontheArk a noble sentiment.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
''[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] led a seemingly suicidal assault on the Ark, entirely for the purpose of seeking revenge against his defeat at the hands of Nightbeat, [[Siren (G1)|Siren]], and [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]]. Optimus Prime took Thunderwing on, berating him for having more courage than sense. True to Prime's words, Thunderwing's own troops dragged him away.'' {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}

Optimus Prime ordered Ratchet to get some downtime, fearing his overworked medic (and friend) was losing his grip on sanity. Soon after, Optimus Prime saw news reports of the Micromaster [[Air Strike Patrol]] holding [[MacDill Air Force Base]] hostage, so he took the largest ensemble of troops down to Earth he could muster, given the Autobots' depleted ranks. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} [[File:Resurrectiongambit-bombburst.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]] As he told the Micromasters to surrender or face the consequences, he received a transmission from Ratchet, back at the Ark, but [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] fired at Prime's communicator before the message could be completed. This enraged Optimus Prime, who began to suspect grander, more sinister things at work behind the scenes. Optimus Prime had been led to a staged battle, but before he could leave, Scorponok and his Decepticons also arrived, itching for a fight! But after the circumstances of the day, Optimus Prime wasn't about to deny them the opportunity, and he fought back with a shocking, cold fury that baffled even Scorponok. The humans at the Air Force base called out Prime on his reckless violence, and Prime apologized for his outburst. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}}

Since Optimus Prime knew the battle was staged, he scaled back his troops accordingly, and ordered them to return to the Ark and leave him behind. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] refused and remained at Optimus's side, helping him fend off the hordes of Decepticons who had attacked him. But Optimus Prime stopped Hot Rod short of firing on [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], as Prime had begun to appeal to his sense of logic. An unknown party was pulling the strings! Scorponok hesitated, but before an agreement could be reached, they were confronted by an old enemy thought defeated—Starscream! {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

Though Starscream's performance started out impressively, he soon began to show his true cowardly colors, and Optimus was able to rouse Scorponok from his stunned stupor. Optimus convinced him to order a coordinated strike against Starscream, ending with the Pretender begging Scorponok to retake him under his command. The conflict brought to an end, both factions again parted ways. Once again Optimus Prime turned his thoughts towards Ratchet... {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

[[File:YesterdaysHeroes-Whyyyy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Meanwhile, nobody mourns poor [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]].]]
...but it was too late! Ratchet had sacrificed himself to destroy Megatron, the orchestrator behind the events at MacDill Air Force Base. Optimus Prime was overcome with grief, and he decided to stop fighting altogether. After parking the Ark on Earth's moon, he walked out on its surface, apparently never to return again. This, of course, caused the Autobots to worry about the future of their cause, and Hot Rod quickly threw together a risky plan to win Prime back. He plotted a "rampage" by an "out-of-control" [[Guardian (Marvel)|Mark V Guardian droid]] to whisk Prime back into fighting shape, but when the droid truly went out of control, the plan worked just a little too well. Prime came to his senses, returned to the Ark, and destroyed the droid, but not before several Autobots suffered genuine injury. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

''Around the same time, Prime sent Cloudburst, [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] and [[Getaway]] to check up on the resurrected Starscream. This also resulted in them suffering genuine injury.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

''Out of nostalgia, Optimus kept a spare copy of his mind stored in an [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]] warehouse, seeing it as his last link to all those he had met in [[Ethan Zachary]]'s virtual world. Unfortunately, this made the installation a target for Decepticons, who could put the [[floppy disk]] to malicious use. The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] were stationed at the warehouse, but when the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were spotted near the [[Rutter U.S. Military Base]], Optimus dispatched the Autobot [[Powermaster]]s to relieve Hot Spot's team, allowing them to battle their old rivals.''

[[File:Optimus hi-q prime bomb.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
''Both the Powermasters and the Protectobots failed in their respective tasks. As a result, Scorponok was able to build a smart missile, one able to track Prime down wherever he went, and dodge any interference that came its way. After being briefly held captive by the Decepticons, Getaway learned of Scorponok's plan, and forewarned Prime of the deadly projectile. Prime insisted that he deal with the situation alone, blaming himself for allowing such a weapon to be created; had he not been so sentimental, the disk integral to its conception could have been destroyed long ago. He and Hi-Q drove out to an uninhabited area, and awaited the missile's approach. Their first attempt at disabling it had them go into a tunnel and collapse its entrance before the missile followed. When this failed to provoke a harmless detonation, Optimus Prime next used his battle station mode to attempt blasting the missile out of the sky. It managed to evade the entirety of his salvo, leaving Prime depleted of ammo. He next attempted to simply outpace the missile, pushing Hi-Q to his limit to afford him the necessary speed. The pair managed to dive into a nearby lake before the missile reached them, though the exertion damaged Hi-Q's armor, allowing water to seep inside. Optimus was forced to re-emerge to prevent the Nebulan from drowning.''

''After setting Hi-Q down out of harm's way, Optimus turned to the missile as it changed its course to meet him once more. Realizing that he couldn't evade it for much longer, Prime resolved to take the hit, and punched the missile down. No explosion followed, as the missile was revealed to be a dud! It turned out that Getaway had managed to convince the [[A.B.C.|Decepticons' computer]] of Optimus's nobility, and it had disarmed the missile in order to spare the Autobot leader. Though Prime was saddened that the A.I. would likely meet its end at Scorponok's hand for its betrayal, Getaway tried to cheer him up; he pointed out that at the very least, it had been his honorable qualities which had inspired Earth's first fully-independent A.I. to make a decision for itself.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

Meanwhile, their creator, [[Primus]] had awakened within Cybertron, alerting his enemy [[Unicron]] to its location. Since the only thing that could stop Unicron was the Creation Matrix, and the Creation Matrix had been shot into space inside Optimus Prime's funeral barge, Prime and Emirate Xaaron assembled several teams of Autobots to scour a specific star system in which the funeral barge likely would have landed. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} ''On Cybertron, Longtooth learned of the quest for the Matrix and, feeling guilty, sent back the fragment that Optimus had given him.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} ''Prime deliberated about which Autobot he should revive with the fragment but after witnessing the environmental damage caused by the Autobots' pursuit of the Air Strike Patrol he decided to use its power to restore the Earth itself.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}} Though Optimus Prime was never very comfortable with the mystical side of the Creation Matrix, he approached an altar aboard the Ark and was given a vision of a Matrix corrupted by evil and imminent oblivion! {{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier.}} After several dead ends, the Prime's funeral barge and the Creation Matrix were found on the barren moon of [[VsQs]]. Optimus Prime and Hot Rod went together to meet the [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport]] as it landed, but were shocked to realize that Autobots were not delivering the Matrix at all! No, they were face to face with Lord Thunderwing, the Creation Matrix's next vessel! {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:AllFallDown-andweshallwin.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"The sky will open. The lights will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect!"]]
Powered by the corrupted energies of the Matrix, Thunderwing was unstoppable. Even so, Optimus Prime pleaded for his troops to avoid trying to damage Thunderwing, for the Matrix was their only chance to destroy Unicron! After numerous losses were incurred, however, Optimus Prime decided to forgo the soft touch, and the Autobot leader let loose his full fury on the possessed Decepticon leader. More and more, the Matrix assumed control of Thunderwing, even taking possession of his mind, but Prime could not make Thunderwing notice this development. Thunderwing was not stopped by Prime's strength or by logic or reason, but by the cunning of Nightbeat. Nightbeat harpooned Thunderwing to the All-Terrain Turbo-Transport, shut off the [[artificial gravity]] systems, and Thunderwing and the transport were flung out into space. Thunderwing and the Matrix were presumed destroyed when the transport's self-destruct activated. Despite this seemingly catastrophic loss, Optimus Prime vowed to never give hope or give in to evil. With good on their side, they would ultimately prevail! {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:PriceofLife-Icannot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Optimus Prime is firmly against the Right to Die movement.]]
Optimus Prime was still hung up on Ratchet's death, and assigned Nightbeat to investigate any chance that his friend still lived. Nightbeat suggested that Ratchet and Megatron might still be alive in [[Transwarp|Unspace]], the dimension that serves as a middleman between transdimensional portal openings. Though Optimus didn't understand most of the details in Nightbeat's plan to retrieve the lost Autobot, the morsel of hope his subordinate gave him steeled Optimus for his next task. With the Matrix out of the picture, Optimus Prime had turned to another prophecy, one that claimed that Unicron could be destroyed if all Transformers worked together as one. That would be impossible so long as the war continued, so Prime announced his intentions to surrender the Autobots to the Decepticons on Earth. Unsurprisingly, this was met with hostility. Soon after concluding his announcement, Optimus learned that Nightbeat had been correct in his assumption that Ratchet still existed... but there were complications in his retrieval: Ratchet had been fused molecularly with Megatron into one frightening creature! {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} Optimus Prime refused to let anyone harm the creature. This caused even more complications when the creature, unchecked, began to tear apart the Ark's engine systems. [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], Prime's security officer, warned him that if he didn't put the creature down, he would personally remove Prime from command. Optimus Prime reluctantly approached the creature, intending to kill it, but when the half that was Ratchet put the barrel of Prime's gun to its own head, begging Prime to kill it, Optimus Prime had second thoughts. He ordered [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] to separate the two, even though Megatron would survive. Worse, one could not survive without the other. This did not please Kup and the others. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

[[File:Optimus prime zarak surrender.jpg|thumb]]
True to his word, Optimus Prime surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok's Decepticons, stationed in the [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamps. The Decepticons were enjoying this turn of events a little too much, which drew an outburst from Kup. Optimus Prime tried to tell Kup to have patience, but Kup reminded him that the Optimus Prime he knew would never back down, never surrender, no matter what the cost! But no matter, the deed was done, and Optimus Prime and the Autobots were escorted into cells. After a while, Optimus Prime began to suspect that Scorponok didn't really want to talk about an alliance against Unicron at all, and was ignoring the long term to satisfy his short-term problems with commanding respect amongst his troops. Optimus Prime knocked aside Soundwave, his guard, and found Kup and Hot Rod. Unfortunately, Kup wouldn't be so easily rounded up, citing Prime's recent problems. But Prime pleaded to him at length, noting that for a warrior race, perhaps surrender took the most courage of all! Kup quietly admitted Prime was right, and the three Autobots burst into Scorponok's quarters, where Scorponok's body had been stowed, leaving Lord Zarak and Bludgeon mostly vulnerable. Zarak and Hot Rod grabbed a hostage each, but Prime ordered both sides to stand down. They had to begin trusting each other, if they were to team up against Unicron. Optimus Prime and Scorponok were once again about to reach an agreement when they were once again interrupted! A splinter team of Decepticons, led by Shockwave and Starscream, attacked the Decepticons' underground base, causing it to implode. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

[[File:They are YOU splash page.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2]]
Optimus Prime's immediate concern was damage control—and not just towards the humans in nearby New York City, but to the fragile alliance that was nearly formed! He and Nightbeat left to keep Scorponok and Shockwave's feud from reaching New York, but the fight was accelerated with the arrival of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s new superhuman team, the [[Neo-Knights]]! {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Their best chance at securing the alliance was keeping Scorponok alive, but Circuit Breaker was making it very difficult. Upon approaching her, Optimus fell into Circuit-Breaker's sights, and she began to fry his circuits. Thanks to Blackrock pointing out to her that Shockwave, the robot who had initially crippled her, was present, Optimus was spared from going to the junkheap. Once Shockwave was out of the picture, Circuit-Breaker drained from her efforts in bringing him down, Optimus Prime and Scorponok once again (again) went to shake hands... {{storylink|Out of Time!}} when all Earthbound Transformers were whisked away by Primus to Cybertron. Primus spoke to them through the glowing body of Emirate Xaaron, telling them of the eternal conflict between himself and Unicron, and their part in defeated his eternal nemesis. Optimus began to grow concerned over Primus's apparent lack of concern over the well-being of his creation, and began to fear that their god saw them only as disposable chess pieces. Primus also selected Optimus Prime to be the Transformers' leader, which caught the attention of a hidden sect of [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultists]]. While Scorponok confided in Prime that he was scared of dying in the upcoming battle, the two were jumped by the cultists. Scorponok, the Autobots, and even the rest of the Decepticon army came to Prime's rescue, and it seemed the alliance was finally forged. ...Till, at least, Kup pointed out that Unicron himself was hovering over the planet, ready for attack. This coincided with Optimus Prime doubling over in debilitating pain, a condition he had been hiding from the Autobots for some time. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[File:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime's been reading his [[Jesus|New Testament]].]]
Kup and Getaway tried to push Prime along, but the force of Unicron's claws punching into the surface of Cybertron sent them reeling. Just the sheer, impossible size of Unicron paralyzed Optimus Prime and Scorponok with fear and awe. With both leaders' factions unable to rally their troops, Primus tried to intervene and battle Unicron himself. His efforts amounted to little however, and his avatar was destroyed. Optimus Prime was not shaken into action until a [[Galvatron II|brave, unidentified soldier]] attacked Unicron singlehandedly and was swatted away. Given new resolve by this act, Optimus charged alongside the remaining Autobots and Decepticons. But even as a united army, the Transformers seemed capable of little more than annoying their opponent. Casualties continued to mount, Scorponok among them. Having martyred himself, Scorponok asked Optimus Prime if he "did good" as he succumbed to his death throes. Optimus Prime nodded, called him his friend, and finally Scorponok passed away. Then, a Matrix-possessed Thunderwing suddenly returned. Although Thunderwing's body was completely disintegrated by Unicron, the Matrix itself persisted. As the artifact plummeted down planet-side, Prime ejected Hi-Q from his chest, knowing this next act would kill him. He seized the Matrix, fought its corruption, and plunged himself into Unicron's maw while holding it aloft. The Matrix's goodness came to the forefront once more thanks to Prime's influence, and its power was unleashed to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

[[File:EndOfTheRoad-itcanitis.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Gotta sell that one last toy!]]
The Transformers' ultimate battle was won, but the cost was high! What was left of Optimus Prime's body was found, and he was amazingly still holding on to life, thanks to the Matrix energy that he'd absorbed. But he hadn't much longer, so he pulled Prowl close to him and told him that Grimlock would lead the Autobots. Prime died (again), and Prowl screamed in agony. But before too long, after the Powermaster absorbed [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] energy from Grimlock, Hi-Q announced that ''he'' was Optimus Prime! {{storylink|Still Life!}} Since Cybertron was threatening to break apart after the stress of Unicron's attack, Hi-Q and the other Neo-Knights were packed up on a ship meant to escape the planet. But Hi-Q had other ideas. {{storylink|Exodus!}} He persuaded the Neo-Knights to stay on the dying planet and search for the [[Last Autobot]], explaining that the pains Optimus Prime were feeling before he died were the start of a larger metamorphosis. If Prime had lived, the Powermaster process would have eventually merged the two into one, but it continued on even with Prime dead. Thankfully for the Neo-Knights, Hi-Q was not crazy, and they stumbled across the storage chamber for the Last Autobot. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

The Last Autobot set in motion the planet's healing process and took an interest in Hi-Q. A new robotic body was forged around Hi-Q's, and he and Optimus Prime were truly combined into one being! Optimus Prime, fully reborn as an [[Action Master]], took the Neo-Knights and the Last Autobot to [[Klo]], where the final battle was taking place. The Autobots had dwindled to just five of their number, and the Decepticons were approaching total victory, when Optimus Prime miraculously returned. Optimus Prime ushered in a new age of peace and harmony by shoving his fists through the Decepticons' heads and torsos, and with some resurrection help from the Last Autobot, the dead Autobots were restored and the Decepticons were forced to flee. The war finally over, Optimus Prime told his fellow Autobots that they'd help Klo rebuild... and then they'd finally go home! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Annual 1985===
{{note|Due to being published early in the franchise, these stories are out of continuity with the above.<ref>"Plague of the Insecticons!" was later designated as [[universal stream]] [[Primax 1285.0 Gamma]] by [[Vector Prime]].</ref>}}
[[File:Optimus prime plague of the insecticons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|"Shredder!"]]
Realizing that their mission on Earth would be infinitely more difficult without capable human allies, Optimus attempted to open a dialogue with the American government. Planning the meeting in utmost secrecy, Optimus, [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], and [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] managed to secure an audience with the [[Ronald Reagan|President of the United States]]. The three Autobots drove to the White House, where they were warmly received by their host... only for their talk to be interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. The Autobots did their best to take down the trio, only for [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to loudly proclaim that Optimus was his leader, and he was off to attack [[Washington, D.C.|the city]] as per his orders. Unfortunately, the President's soldier escorts were quick to turn on the Autobots, having assumed that Bombshell had revealed the robots' true intent.

Optimus sent Prowl and Warpath to deal with the Insecticons, while he went off on his own to "cut them off at their source"; Optimus had noticed that the Insecticons were sluggish and restrained during their initial strike, at odds with their sleek, efficient designs. He reasoned that they were not acting under their own free will, but were rather being remote-controlled by someone else. His assumption proved correct: [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] was operating all three Insecticons using a nearby control module. While he tracked the cat down, Optimus split his concentration in two, sending his [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] drone to help his soldiers on the battlefront. But upon being found, Ravage commanded Bombshell to double back and help him deal with Optimus, sending out a mental signal for his minion to infect the Autobot with a [[cerebro-shell]], and take control of his mind. But just as Bombshell was about to do so, Optimus's Roller drone was destroyed, and the Autobot keeled over in pain. The cerebro-shell missed its intended target, and implanted itself in Ravage, putting him under Bombshell's control. Since Bombshell himself was already under Ravage's control, the end result was two mindless and immobile Decepticons. With the battle over, Optimus and his troops fled the scene; they felt that the humans would not believe them should they try and explain the situation, and that the Decepticon had already sullied their reputation beyond repair. {{storylink|Plague of the Insecticons!}}

Optimus took a the bulk of the Autobot forces on a later mission, leaving only a handful behind and instructing them to purvey news broadcasts for Decepticon activity in his absence. {{storylink|Hunted!}}

===''Robo-Capers''===
Optimus Prime introduced to his readers four Transformers that, for various comical reasons, never made "the cut"; [[Bozo]], [[Busby]], [[Lamphead]], and [[Gogglebox]]. {{storylink|Robo-Capers issue 88}}

===Trigger-Happy!===
[[File:Optimus prime trigger-happy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7]]
The Autobots intercepted a message from [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] and [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] to Megatron, detailing how the pair were planning to deliver battle plans to their leader. Optimus led a sting operation to seize the plans in transit, only for his lookout, [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]], to botch the whole mission by firing his weapon during the Decepticons' approach, despite being under strict orders not to do so. The resulting firefight imperiled the residents of [[Rivers' Town]], and Optimus sent [[Override (G1)|Override]] to fetch Backstreet from his post so he could explain himself. Override wound up exaggerating Optimus's frustration over the situation, and Backstreet was led to believe that he would be terminated for his lapse in judgement! Panicked, Backstreet fled the scene.

Optimus ordered his troops to track down and bring in Backstreet before he did further harm, either to himself or to innocent bystanders. Though still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, Optimus had no choice but to tell his troops that Backstreet's termination might be necessary upon hearing that the fugitive had attacked a human military convoy unprovoked. This announcement prompted Override to come clean about the exchange that had preceded Backstreet going on the run. Optimus was outraged that such crucial information had ben kept from him, but relieved to learn that Backstreet hadn't gone rogue without reason. Right on cue, [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] then contacted Prime and told him that Backstreet had finally been sighted. Unfortunately, Megatron had already gotten to him, and was in the process of recruiting Backstreet over to his side! Optimus ordered all other units to stand back, lest their swarming give off the wrong impression, and resolved to rescue Backstreet on his own.

Crashing through a perimeter made up of Megatron's goons, Optimus tackled down his nemesis just as he was about to strike Backstreet down, the former having already refused to defect. Megatron ordered all of his soldiers to stand back, declaring the honour of killing Prime to be his alone, and the two leaders clashed. Though paralyzed by his anxiety at first, Backstreet eventually snapped back to his senses upon hearing that Prime was still willing to take him back, despite recent events. He intervened just as Optimus was about to get his head blown off, knocking Megatron out cold in the process. The Decepticons rushed forward in response, but Optimus provided enough cover fire for both he and Backstreet to slip away safely.

Back at Autobot Headquarters, Backstreet pled guilty to the charges of desertion and insubordination levelled against him, and told Optimus that he was ready to accept whatever punishment awaited him. Instead reprimanding him, Optimus declared that Backstreet would henceforth always be accompanied by another Autobot while acting as lookout to prevent similar incidents from happening again. {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

===Marvel UK future timelines===
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Arcee optimus primes rib.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
In an alternate timeline, Optimus Prime still maintained his Powermaster body in 1995. When a [[Feminist mob|feminist group]] on Earth raised complaints that all the Autobots seemed to fit male archetypes, Optimus tried to appease them in the name of public relations. When explanations that, as living machines, Transformers didn't ''have'' genders failed, Optimus opted to give in to their demands and construct a new warrior, fitting their specifications. The unveiling of a powder pink and curvaceous Autobot, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], did little to improve the humans' mood. A group of Decepticons led by Shockwave then crashed the unveiling, under the impression that the Autobots had constructed some sort of secret weapon. They were proved partially right, as after Optimus fell in combat, Arcee easily sent the Decepticons packing. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

Years later, in [[2004]], Prime was back in his original Earthly appearance. While attending the grand opening of Autobot City on Earth, the Autobots came under fire from Shockwave and his Decepticons. Optimus Prime and the Autobots bravely used their bodies as shields to protect their human guests until the Decepticons were driven off. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[File:Megatron prime duel the planet-eater.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
''By the year [[2005]], the Decepticons had conquered all of Cybertron, relegating the Autobots to its two moons and Autobot City on Earth. In anticipation for an offensive strike against Megatron's army, Optimus sent Ironhide to Earth to fetch the Energon cubes necessary for this endeavor. Little did Optimus know that Laserbeak had been spying on them the whole time; Megatron ambushed the shuttle and slew everyone on board.''

''The Decepticons next moved to attack Autobot City. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] informed Optimus of the attack, and Optimus too traveled to Earth, bringing the Dinobots as reinforcements. As they battled Devastator, Optimus vowed to stop Megatron himself, no matter the cost. He barreled through Megatron's soldiers, and went toe-to-toe with his long-time foe. In the brutal confrontation, Megatron was able to get the drop on Optimus by feigning surrender, only to pull a pistol and deal a fatal blow to the Autobot. Optimus nonetheless managed to impart severe injuries on his nemesis, forcing the Decepticons to flee.''

''As Optimus lay dying, he passed on the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus, telling him that one day an Autobot would use its power to light their darkest hour. Telling those present to follow Ultra Magnus as their new leader, Optimus then expired.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

In another timeline, Optimus was similarly responsible for beating Megatron to near-death in the year 2005. Unicron reformatting this version of the Decepticon leader yielded the crazed [[Galvatron II]]. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

A time traveler from the distant future, [[Dicet Alpha-zero]], would one day traverse the time-stream to observe several key moments in the Transformers' war. Among the many events he witnessed were Optimus's decision to crash the Ark on Earth; his time as a disembodied head in Shockwave's possession; his first death following his duel within [[Ethan Zachary]]'s computer game world; his subsequent resurrection as a Powermaster; his confrontation against Grimlock upon his return to Earth and his battle against Galvatron at the end of the Time Wars. {{storylink|The Quest!}}

===Earthforce===
{{Earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Primevsgrimlockbreakaway.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|That's got to be therapeutic.]]
After a group of Autobots were revived following an unsuccessful attempt on [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s part to brainwash them, Optimus sent out two of them, Wheeljack and Prowl, to investigate Decepticon activity in Arizona. {{storylink|Starting Over!}}

While dealing with the oncoming threat of Unicron, Optimus Prime came under a great deal of stress and began actively berating [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and his newly reactivated Dinobots for their more brutal methods of combating the enemy. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} This reprimand prompted Grimlock to offer his resignation from the Autobot army. Tempers got heated, and the two Autobots actually started brawling with one another in the conference room. After a few minutes of furious fighting, however, Prime and Grimlock effectively beat some sense into each other. Optimus Prime decided to take the Ark and its crew out into space, leaving Grimlock behind to command an "Earthforce" of Autobots, dedicated to protecting the planet in his absence. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-280-4MYItch-ObservationusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Optimus Prime returned briefly for an inspection after the Autobot [[Earthbase]] was completed, and the Dinobots barely managed to keep him from learning about the [[Emotional damper|berserker rages]] which plagued [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] every few million years. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}} He also oversaw the reconstruction of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] in Wheeljack's [[Body Shop]], only to be left disconcerted when a saboteur kept on impeding Wheeljack's efforts to return the damaged Autobot to life. Optimus tasked Grimlock with uncovering whoever was behind delaying Wheeljack's efforts, unaware that the culprit was Grimlock himself. Tracks was nonetheless reactivated, and Optimus decided to leave the vain Autobot under Grimlock's command before returning to space, still unaware of Grimlock's hatred towards his newest underling. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}}

While assigning [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] a mission to the [[Acid Wastes]], Optimus found the latter five uncharacteristically lost in thought during his briefing. After regaining their attention, Optimus explained that he was sending them off to seek out the [[Underbase]]'s remains, hoping to use its connection to [[Primus]] as a substitute for the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in their impending battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He was further bewildered to find his troops making ridiculous excuses to avoid the mission. He sent them off despite this apparent show of cowardice.

Afterwards, Optimus accessed the Ark's archives for any clues as to why some of his finest were acting so strangely. He uncovered reports stating that Prowl and the others had been to the region before, and been tortured there by the sadistic [[Megadeath (G1)|Megadeath]]. Though puzzled over why they had kept this chapter of their lives a secret from him, the mission allowed the group to face the ghosts of their past, and they eventually succeeded in reaching their goal anyway. {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}
{{-}}

===Another Time & Place===
[[File:TFAnnual1991rip.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.1|They will each keep half in special BFF lockets.]]
After Klo, the Autobots returned to Cybertron in an effort to rebuild the planetary government and resources. Optimus Prime naturally took the lead in these endeavours, but matters weighed heavily on his spark. The Nucleon-soaked Hi-Q at the core of his new body was one thing, reducing Prime to a non-transforming "[[Action Master|Actionmaster]]" like many of his fellow Autobots. But more importantly, Optimus Prime feared that the newfound peace on Cybertron would not last. He desperately wanted his soldiers to stop being soldiers, yet was petrified that something might come along and disturb their inactivity. This trepidation kept Optimus from stopping Grimlock from jetting off on an ill-advised mission to [[Hydrus Four]] in search of a way to reverse the Nucleon process, and he even refused to listen to Prowl when he reported that Grimlock had taken off anyway. Prowl struck a chord, however, when he pointed out that if he could track Grimlock's destination, so could the Decepticons. Shamed by Prowl's rebuke, Optimus Prime soon pushed aside his recalcitrance and assembled a strike team to go after the Dinobots.

On Hydrus Four, the Autobots discovered the Decepticons had taken over the medical facility with the Nucleon supply, and taken the Dinobots hostage. It seemed Bludgeon had a plan for the Nucleon, using it to recreate Megatron himself. With a surgical strike, however, they managed to free the Dinobots and take the fight to the enemy. Optimus confronted Bludgeon himself in battle, but was saved when Grimlock suddenly charged through and struck the Decepticon leader in dino-mode. It turned out the Nucleon process could be reversed after all! After that, all Prime and Grimlock had to do was tear apart the zombie-like, half-revived Megatron. Piece o' cake.

Eons later, Prime reminisced on this adventure, relishing the sense of closure it had brought him. But since that time, Autobot probes had uncovered a new breed of Decepticons amassing in deep space. Steeling himself after his reverie, Prime walked off to warn his fellows that a new battle awaited them, and it was time to take up arms once more. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{--}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
Powermaster Optimus Prime led the Autobots when the joint Decepticon leaders [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] tried to hijack the oil reserves of [[Alaska]]. The Autobots drove off the Decepticons, but not before [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] shot a minibot because he turned off his targeting computer. Optimus then sat his troops down and explained to them the differences between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Attack at Dawn}}

He was monitoring the Decepticons from a distance when Megatron made peaceful gestures to humanity in [[New York City]]. The Autobots returned to the Ark and discovered that a statue of [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] that the Decepticons had gifted to New York was actually Snaptrap in disguise. Snaptrap went on a rampage and the Decepticons used this distraction to attack various other targets. Prime led the Autobots to narrowly defeat this menace. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4#Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle|The Troy Principle}} Those events were recorded on a videotape that was later found and watched by Autobots on Cybertron after a [[City of Fear!|nuclear disaster]] in [[Kalis]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 21|In Memory of Earth}}

In [[1973]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}} Optimus Prime held a meeting in which he discussed with his fellow Autobots the importance of defending Earth's oil supply from the Decepticons in case they had forgotten, and applauded [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]'s call for a one-world Autobot government. The Decepticons then attacked an oil tanker. Prime put [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] in charge of the rescue mission, while he coordinated stopping the other raids that the Decepticons were systematically carrying out. At the end of a long night full of battles, he treats the Autobots to a stash of Energon. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 6|A Big Day for Powermaster Optimus Prime}} Those events would later be observed via log recording by Autobots in the year [[2008]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}}

Optimus Prime requested that the [[Micromaster]]s take on Earth modes and join him on Earth. The [[Race Car Patrol]], [[Off Road Patrol]], [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]] and [[Sports Car Patrol]] emerged from hyperspace at several hundred mach into the Ark. A day later, a huge battle took place in New York as the Autobots battled the Decepticons. The Decepticons unleashed a robotic hell-beast known as 'King Con', however Optimus Prime rented a helicopter to fly a banner announcing huge raw oil deposit finds in the Rocky Mountains. After a short hesitation, the Decepticons retreated to pursue these findings. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

When the Decepticons stole three nuclear missiles from the United State Federation to hold the world to ransom, Optimus Prime put the entire burden of discovering their whereabouts on the shoulders of the Double Targetmasters. Once the Decepticon base was located, he ordered that [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] be given the power and abilities of [[Pretender]]s and sent to defeat the Decepticons (and they did, hurrah!). {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Megatron's Ultimatum}}

Optimus Prime was part of a wayward simulation watched by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] that mashed up previous adventures of the Autobots. It prominently ended with Optimus reviewing the characteristics of various Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 15|Memories of Bumblebee}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|"Save Nevada Alpha"}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|The Transformers' Grand Hour: Headmaster of the Dimensions}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Transformers in Action: Wanderer Between the Worlds}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 12|Transformers in Action: "By their Blasters you shall know them ...!"}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 13|The Energon Trap}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|Transformers in Action: The Countdown to a New Space Age!}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 16|Transforming Robots in Action: The Case of Optimus Prime}}}}

==Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic==
[[File:Optimusprime-g2.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|More apocalyptic visions than you can shake a covenant at.]]
As time passed, with the Decepticons supposed in exile and Cybertron at peace, the Autobots functionally disbanded. They scattered across the galaxies, with many retiring in peace while others continued to fight ''for'' peace among other civilizations they came across. Optimus Prime was still based out of Cybertron for a time, when he was alerted to Megatron's resurgence on Earth by the Joe team. {{storylink|Goin' South}} He also had at least one encounter with Bludgeon's forces after [[Klo]], (which ended with both sides fleeing from the planet's [[Guardian (G2)|Guardian]]) {{storylink|Ghosts}} but eventually was no longer in direct command of all Autobots as they scattered across the galaxy.

The time came when Optimus Prime was called back into the skirmish, alongside his honor guard of [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], when Grimlock and his combat unit discovered a greater [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] that had sprouted up without their noticing it. These next generation Decepticons, led by the Liege Centuro [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], would conquer world after world using terraforming and exo-structuring processes to remake raw materials into a new Cybertron for their use. Optimus Prime, Grimlock and their "Dirty Dozen" of Autobots began a small resistance movement against Jhiaxus and his people, but realized they were out of their depth. As the call went out to reassemble the Autobot army en masse, Prime worried that they were still missing some greater threat—he had begun experiencing visions of an unknown peril that was heading their way, and wasn't sure if even the united Autobots would be enough to deal with it. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

A temporary cease fire with the Cybertronian Empire in the [[K'tord Nebula]] after encountering psychic parasites that fed off of aggression did nothing to forestall the greater conflict between them. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

Until he could identify this secondary threat, Prime ordered the Autobots to remain inactive at an Autobase built into a small asteroid belt. But certainly Grimlock was having none of that. He grabbed a sizeable percentage of their displaced warriors who had already arrived and headed out after Jhiaxus and his flagship, [[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]. Naturally, they got in over their heads. Prime grabbed some of his personal soldiers (Hot Rod, Kup, Prowl, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]) and hijacked a strike ship to get close enough to Twilight for a rescue mission. Once Grimlock and his men were sent out on a prison vessel, Optimus blasted the ship just enough to cause chaos, and give Grimlock enough time to overtake the crew. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Surprisingly enough, he gave Grimlock no rebuke once they met up again—in fact, Prime put the Dinobot commander in charge of the entire army! In order to fully understand the visions of impending doom he was receiving, Optimus Prime decided he needed to return to Cybertron itself, to help "cut through the static" that was garbling whatever message the Matrix was trying to send him. Engaging in a quasi-mystical ritual to expand his psychic boundaries, Optimus cast himself mentally back through time to witness the birth of the first Transformer, [[Prima]], as he rose from the living structure of Cybertron itself. What he saw next, however, was astonishing—Cybertronians birthing new Cybertronians themselves, causing living metal to burst forth from them in a bio-morphic reproduction process called "[[Reproduction#Budding|budding]]". Primus had apparently allowed this only up till a point, allowing the race to evolve in stages before discontinuing the ability and the memory of it from his progeny. Jhiaxus and his new Cybertronians, however, were the end result of some Decepticons somehow relearning the budding process. They were stronger, yes, and perhaps more evolved physically, but their souls, their sparks, were distilled too many times over. Optimus Prime awoke from his trance, believing he had come to understand the threat he sensed: the fractioning of his species. Little did he know that the threat was far less philosophical, and far more tangible, than he realized. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}

Megatron led an attacked on Washington D.C., prompting [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] to seek out Optimus for reinforcements. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Parth Three}} Prime jumped at the idea of joining forces with the original Decepticons to face off against the Cybertronians. Traveling to Earth alone, Optimus approached Megatron with the intent to talk. Instead, Megatron blasted him from behind, beat him to a pulp, ionized his every circuit, and then ripped out his chest and siphoned away the power of the Matrix. So no, the talking didn't go too well. Prime only survived due to Grimlock's talent for insubordination, as the Dinobot leader brought a massive strike team down to save their fallen leader before Megatron finished him off. Still, as the Autobots dragged Prime away to receive repair treatment, he knew Megatron would be back—Optimus had stuttered out enough information about "new Decepticons" to pique his old foe's interest, and once Megatron went after them and bit off more than he could chew, they'd meet again. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

In this, at least, Optimus Prime knew Megatron all too well. Only days later a heavily battered and bruised Megatron wandered into Autobase: Earth, looking for that alliance Prime had offered. {{storylink|New Dawn|Tales of Earth Part Four}} Prime accepted, but when news reached him that the planet [[Ethos]] was under attack, Megatron refused to involve himself; he considered the endangered world to be beneath his notice. Making it clear that their alliance would only work if the Decepticons accepted to work under Autobot terms, Optimus left to fight Ethos's invaders. {{storylink|Escalation!|Tales of Earth Part Five}} The culprit turned out to be once more Jhiaxus's army, who appalled Optimus with the complete amorality with which they dealt out genocide. Engaging them proved to be a losing battle, until Megatron and his troops turned up after all. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance was cemented through combat, and though Ethos lay in shambles, its last few survivors gained a reprieved from obliteration. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

With new allies, things were looking up for Prime until the unthinkable happened. His visions of death and apocalypse finally came true as the Autobots came across a devastated world looking almost identical to the images he had been experiencing. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}} Optimus now realized his visions were not metaphorical in nature, and almost drew the conclusion himself before [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s science team completed their analysis of the genocide—it was their fault. More specifically, some by-product of the Cybertronian race had been formed by the budding process which created Jhiaxus and the Cybertronians, an animate entity that scoured the cosmos of its own design. Before more data and analysis could be had, however, Jhiaxus and his troops arrived on Earth seeking to end their ancestors once and for all. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Tales of Earth Part Six}}

[[File:Megatrong2idiot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|No, no, shoot at ''each other''!]]
Optimus and Megatron fought shoulder-to-shoulder as the enemy forces descended en-masse, and though the first wave was destroyed, subsequent ones threatened to overwhelm the alliance utterly. Knowing that Jhiaxus's acquisition of the Matrix would signal their defeat, Optimus Prime asked Megatron if he had the means of reaching it, aboard the [[Warworld]] in orbit. His old foe answered in the affirmative; he had stashed a small vessel nearby in case the need for a quick getaway ever presented itself. {{storylink|Total War!}} The pair made their way out of Earth's atmosphere, but found the Warworld gunning down the Cybertronian fleet, despite reports that the enemy had already overrun it. Sneaking aboard, they found the Warworld's interior transformed into a living, squirming mass. The reason for this change was soon made evident; Starscream after having already betrayed the alliance to Jhiaxus, had in turn betrayed his new ally, taken the Matrix for himself, and used it to merge with Warworld! {{storylink|Total War!|Tales of Earth Part Seven}} Starscream tried to force Optimus and Megatron into the Warworld's plasma core, though Megatron prevented their fall by grabbing hold of a cable. Megatron then flung Optimus to safety and kept Starscream's attention on himself so that Prime could progress unimpeded. As Optimus made his way through the ship, he found it strangely responsive to his needs, as though Starscream was, for some reason, out to help him. Upon reaching a communications console, Optimus begged Jhiaxus for an audience to discuss the impending threat which was bearing down on them all. As badly as Prime's last attempt to "just talk" with an enemy had gone, this time it went much worse, as Jhiaxus responded by ordering the orbital bombardment and destruction of the human city of [[San Francisco]]. Millions of lives were wiped out in an instant. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}}

[[File:Jhiaxusyouhavedestroyedme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Do you like me? Check (yes) or (no)."]]
As bad as things were, a silver lining did develop—Starscream proved too much of a "pedestrian villain" to actually corrupt the Matrix as had happened in the past. Instead, it was actually turning him more heroic, giving him selfless and self-sacrificing urges! The Warworld began blasting at Jhiaxus's ship in an attempt to forestall further attacks on Earth. But before Prime could even respond to this development, the Swarm itself arrived in orbit. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!|Tales of Earth Part Eight}} Not wanting to be a hero, much less a dead hero, Starscream willingly relinquished the Matrix to Optimus Prime. In yet another effort at unity and compromise, Prime took a skysled over to Jhiaxus's flagship, Twilight, in order to talk the Liege Centuro into working with the Autobots and Decepticons to commune with the Swarm.

[[File:RageInHeaven-HeroPrime.jpg|left|thumb|100px|He really does like to push the new toy at the last possible moment.]]
Instead, Jhiaxus tore off his face.

The formerly icy Cybertronian had been driven completely off his rocker by the extended conflict with his ancestors, and was now little more than a mad dog pounding away at Optimus Prime. The brutality only ended when the Swarm entered Twilight and consumed Jhiaxus utterly. At this point, Optimus had reasoned that the Swarm was merely a void, searching for something to complete the emptiness inside it. With desperate reasoning, Prime allowed the Swarm to assail him, hoping that he (and the Matrix inside him) would prove to be what it was searching for. His body ravaged to the point of total disintegration, Optimus Prime still managed to make mental contact with the Swarm as it consumed him, and expose it to the will of Primus. Having successfully purified the Swarm, Optimus Prime rematerialized in a new, more powerful body. In the aftermath, in front of the cheering masses, Prime declared a new age of peace and enlightenment.

Privately, however, Prime knew that [[Furmanism|it never ends]]... {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

==Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic==
[[File:Optimus megatron war without end.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When the diabolical [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] launched an all-out attack on [[London]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] called in Optimus Prime who traveled to Earth with a small squad comprising [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Skram (G2)|Skram]]. On their arrival, Grimlock was nowhere to be found, having been incapacitated by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] in a new body. Sending his troops to deal with the other Decepticons, Optimus sought out and confronted Bludgeon, blasting [[Windrazor (G2)|Tornado]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] out of the way and soundly beating the Decepticon leader in one-on-one combat. It was only then that the real threat revealed himself — Megatron! {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}}

Still weary from his battle with Bludgeon, Prime wasn't sure if he could beat Megatron and he was quickly proved correct as the Decepticon showed off the features of his new body, including the powerful [[Particle cannon|particle accelerator cannon]]. Fortunately for the Autobot leader, [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] ordered his [[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtroopers]] to attack Megatron, then Grimlock and his [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] intervened and finally Jazz and the others arrived. Outnumbered, Megatron summoned [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and retreated.

Later at [[Autobase]], Grimlock filled Prime in on what had happened in his absence. Thousands, perhaps millions of [[Cybertronian (faction)|new Decepticons]] had shown up and were [[eco-structuring]] worlds into new Cybertrons all over the galaxy and Grimlock had even tussled with these Decepticons' leader, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. However disturbing this news, Optimus's visions had warned him that there was something much worse out there... {{storylink|War Zone}}

Prime was still having apocalyptic visions when Grimlock went against orders and attempted to destroy the Cybertronian flagship ''[[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]''. The mission went badly, leading to the deaths of [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], until Prime showed up to save the day aboard the captured Cybertronian ship ''[[Sabre]]''. Afterwards, Optimus left Grimlock in charge of the Autobots as he went to investigate the source of his visions. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Deep beneath the surface of Cybertron, Prime was shown the creation of the Transformer race and learned of a previously-unknown method of [[reproduction]], that of budding. He also saw how the Cybertronian Empire had rediscovered this process to massively bolster their numbers. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}
{{-}}

==''Classics''==
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Classicscomicautobots.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"All right, do-over. This time I'll skip the visions of doom, and you won't get yourself tangled up with Cobra. Deal?"]]
After the war ended on Klo, Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron exhausted. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} Several of his most powerful warriors, uneasy with peacetime, left Cybertron to pursue whatever Decepticon stragglers remained in outer space. Though Optimus objected to their departure, he made no effort to actually stop them. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13|Grimlock's profile in Club magazine #13}} Since the war had gone on for so long, Prime had all along resigned himself to an inevitable death, and so finding the war at an end, Prime simply withdrew from society. No civilian job satisfied him. Now that peace was finally here, he had no idea what to do! {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} In his attempts to keep busy, he helped some of his soldiers adjust to the new status quo. Among these was Hot Rod, who he set up with an administrative job, {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|Rodimus's profile in Club magazine #15}} and Nightbeat and Muzzle, to whom he offered a place as his personal investigative agents. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Muzzle's profile in Club magazine #22}} He also helped [[Lug (G1)|Lug]] in acquiring a ship to take him back to [[Nebulos]], {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Lug's profile in Club magazine #22}} and organized a project to restore the data destroyed from Cybertron's archives during the war. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Quig's profile in Club magazine #22}} As the years passed, Optimus became more and more of a recluse, spending deca-cycles within the Last Autobot's orbital watchtower. What the two legendary figures discussed in isolation is a mystery to all others. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}}

Fifteen years later, Optimus was somewhat relieved that Megatron had resurfaced on Earth. Though it shamed him, he once again had a purpose. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} He sent out messages to his off-world troops, key among them Grimlock {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13|Grimlock's profile in Club magazine #13}} and Rodimus (formerly Hot Rod) {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|Rodimus's profile in Club magazine #15}} to rejoin the battle alongside him on Earth.

The team Optimus Prime returned to Earth commanding wound up including some of his best warriors, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus]], united to counter the return of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. When Transformers from another reality, [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], arrived on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron stumbled upon them, only to find himself under attack by Prime and his Autobots. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} Overwhelmed, Megatron managed to escape with Landquake, while the Autobots returned to Autobot headquarters with Skyfall. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}}

Optimus Prime took his Autobots and Skyfall to [[South America]], where the Decepticons were investigating a mysterious energy source that was similar to the radiation readings of their new dimension-traveling companions. After Prime left Jetfire in mid-transit to help [[Armored Robot Hunters|RUNT]] fight the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], he and the remaining Autobots arrived at their destination and battled the rest of Megatron's forces on the ground. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} As the battle raged, Optimus Prime took on Megatron in a one-on-one battle. Megatron tried repeatedly to escape Prime so that he could discover the location of the energy readings, but Prime prevented him from doing so. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 4}} Megatron tried intimidation tactics, boasting that his troops outnumbered Prime's, assuring him the victory. Optimus was nearly felled, but Grimlock intervened in the duel by tossing Bonecrusher into Megatron, giving Optimus the respite he needed to continue keeping Megatron at bay. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} As Megatron's troops were eliminated from the fight, the Decepticon leader realized his gambit was up. He swore the next time he and Prime met, it would be different! Optimus Prime told him to leave before he lost his patience, and the Decepticons withdrew. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

The battle won, but the energy source still a mystery, Prime and his Autobots returned to their headquarters heavily damaged, and seemingly having lost Skyfall and Cliffjumper (along with Landquake). Later, he was pleased to have been visited (seemingly very quickly, if really at all) by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] when their paths crossed while the latter was hunting [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

At another time, Optimus Prime fought alongside Jetfire, Sunstreaker, and Ironhide to protect some humans from [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. Later still, after Ratchet had been rescued from Megatron, Optimus overlooked the medic as he recovered from his trauma, and welcomed him back to the Autobots. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{note|The entire [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]] was destroyed in the [[BotCon 2012]] comic story "[[Invasion (issue)|Invasion]]". Optimus Prime was not featured in "Invasion", but comments made at BotCon 2012 imply that he was not on Earth at the time and would thus have been killed along with the rest of his universe.}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Optimus prime loose ends 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Hot Rod's first action as Autobot leader was to order a more comfortable chair.]]
In the twenty-one years since defeating Bludgeon on Klo and returning to Cybertron, Optimus Prime had grown more distant, sequestering himself to [[Nova Point]], where he was mentoring [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]]. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], catching wind of some dissident Decepticon activity, visited Prime to ask him to send the [[Wrecker]]s in to stop a potential uprising before it began. Prime, believing that such an action would only galvanize the Decepticons, forbade it. However, shortly thereafter, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] was able to hijack a defense satellite and use it to destroy the [[Last Autobot]] where it stood in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Counterpoint}}

Kup defied the stand-down order and activated the Wreckers to stop a Neo-Decepticon raid on a weapons decommissioning facility in [[Kalis]], preventing the detonation of reclaimed warheads. Prime reluctantly conceded that the Wreckers' actions saved countless lives and chose not to punish Kup at this time, much to Magnus' concern due to the influence the Wreckers' war-hero status had had on his cadets. Prime didn't hear Magnus' concerns, however, as he was overcome with a vision of [[Unicron]], threatening to return and kill him again. Frustrated with Prime's lack of action, Kup decided to take a more proactive approach, and left with the Wreckers for [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}}

Kup's mission proved disastrous, as [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had devastated the planet, and had been waiting for Prime to return for one more showdown—a fact he revealed to Kup when the Wrecker leader was captured. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}} [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]'s distress signal was received on Cybertron, at which time the Autobots discovered a repeating message from Megatron, calling for Prime and taunting him. Ultra Magnus and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] took these messages to Optimus. With the revelation of Megatron's survival, Prime had no choice but to mobilize the Autobots to Earth, though he ordered Hot Rod to stay behind to watch over Cybertron. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Optimus arrived on Earth to find Megatron, along with an army of [[zombie]] Decepticons that he had revived and lobotomized, in the remains of [[Washington, D.C.]], about to destroy Springer. The insane Decepticon was thrilled to see that his nemesis had finally come. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} Prime realized that his inaction had resulted in Megatron's devastation of the planet, but did his best to contain himself as he ordered Megatron to let Springer go. Megatron proceeded to shoot Springer in the head with his [[fusion cannon]], and then sarcastically suggested that he misinterpreted Prime's meaning. This was enough to make the Autobot leader snap, and as the other Autobots engaged Megatron's zombie army, Prime and Megatron went head-to-head.

[[File:Prime megatron loose ends 5.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As the battle commenced, Megatron revealed his dark designs — he had set this confrontation up to be their final battle. Being linked with [[Aunty|Auntie]], the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s computer, he had programmed her to launch all of Earth's remaining nuclear weapons should he be terminated; should Megatron prevail over Prime, or should the two find themselves in a stalemate, he intended to fire the missiles anyway, ensuring that both would be destroyed, along with every remaining living thing on the planet!

During the battle, Kup destroyed Ratchet, sending Megatron into agony and providing Prime with the opening he needed to rip Megatron's spark from his chest, ending his old foe once and for all. Fortunately for Optimus, at about the same time, the group of Wreckers led by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] had reached the Ark, and Circuit Smasher was able to disable Auntie, not only preventing the nuclear launch, but deactivating the zombie Decepticons as well. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

Prime mournfully watched as the bodies of the fallen zombie army—which had even included Autobots that had been left in stasis on the Ark—were gathered up to be destroyed by orbital bombardment. He refused First Aid's offer of repairs, choosing to wear his battle scars in memory of the fallen. Prime offered an apology to Kup, who wasn't quick to forgive. He was then tersely confronted by Circuit Smasher, who informed Prime that he and his human allies had unanimously voted for the Autobots to leave Earth immediately. Prime tried to ask his former ally to reconsider, believing that the Autobots could help humanity rebuild, but Spike rebuffed him, stating that they were far beyond "rebuilding" and had to start from scratch. Not wishing to bring further conflict upon the humans, Prime reluctantly chose to abide by their decision. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

[[File:Spike fort max optimus the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
At least, he would ensure the other Autobots abide by the humans' wishes, as he surprised Ultra Magnus with the revelation that he was staying behind to help rebuild. Prime also revealed to Magnus that he believed his own resurrection at the hands of the Last Autobot had been a mistake, that his own time had passed, and that it was time for Hot Rod to assume the mantle of leadership. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}} Optimus proceeded to drive to the [[Yukon]], with the intent of destroying the Ark and its Cybertronian technology once and for all, though he was unable to decide whether this was out of altruism, or atonement. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}} However, when Optimus arrived at the Ark, he was surprised to find it taking off... and with a Transformer aboard who Prime recognized as Megatron. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

Later, Optimus sent a message to the Autobots on Cybertron telling them of the [[Galvatron II|Megatron-like character]]'s presence on the Ark. Hearing about the state of shock Scorponok left the people of Nebulos in, Prime reasoned the two damaged worlds of Earth and Nebulos could help each other. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Despite Circuit Smasher's electrified reception, Optimus Prime presented his plan to Blackrock and the humans, and they accepted. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}} Circuit Smasher remained recalcitrant, however, and even threatened to blow up the space bridge while Prime was constructing it. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} Nevertheless, work on Earth and Nebulos neared completion. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}}

[[File:Three primes war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
When the space bridge was activated, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] came through, defeated the already wounded Prime and captured Spike. Optimus had to be hurriedly ushered in for repairs. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} He was being treated by G.B. Blackrock when his body suddenly vanished. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}

When Rodimus was journeying to [[Zero Space]], the [[Dark Matrix]] creature called on three different versions of Optimus from different points in this timeline. Of them was the wounded-'current'-Prime. The Dark Matrix creature commanded the Primes to attack Rodimus Prime who was carrying the [[Sword of Primus]]. Rodimus couldn't handle even one Prime and three Primes were too much for him. It was then that he called [[Rodimus (disambiguation)|multiple Rodimuses from across the multiverse]]. They managed to hold off Optimus long enough for him to shake off the entity's control. Optimus Prime counseled Rodimus on how to defeat the Anti-Matrix, and the beast was cut off from the rest of the multiverse. Optimus and Rodimus reverted to Cybertron, where Optimus finally expired from his accumulated injuries. He was at peace, though, believing the Last Autobot made a mistake reviving him years ago, and the Autobots were now in the hands of a worthy successor. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{--}}

==''Transformers '84''==
[[File:'84Optimus and The Ark.jpg|thumb|400px]]
With the earliest battles of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] all being in favour of the Decepticons, it was thought that they had all but won the conflict. Optimus Prime emerging as Autobot leader however led to the disorganized resistance rallying together into meaningful opposition against the Decepticons, stalling the aggressors' advance. Indeed Megatron became so obsessed with defeating this "upstart" that he all but forgot his original ambition of [[Project Dreadnought]]. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

After so many eons of war, Optimus Prime became convinced that Megatron represented not only the greatest threat to Cybertron's future, greater even than the [[Stellae Cimeterium]], but the lynchpin of the Decepticon army. As Cybertron drifted towards an [[asteroid belt]], Optimus saw a chance to remove Megatron from the combat theatre through the Ark, a ship which Optimus would crewed with the entirety of [[Autobot High Command]] to tempt [[Decepticon High Command]] into following, ordering [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] to inform Megatron of the ship's construction. After dodging questions from both the [[Council of Autobot Elders]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] about his plan, Optimus met with Punch in the [[Badlands (Cybertron)|Badlands]], praising the spy for his performance and informing him of his true plan. After taking a moment to reflect on the trusts he was betraying, Optimus ordered Punch to ensure that no one would ever find the Ark and that Megatron never be allowed to return to Cybertron. When the time for launch came, Optimus led his troops in destroying the rocks before, as he predicted, Megatron attacked the ship. Without missing a beat, Optimus set the Ark on a collision course with the nearby [[Earth]], crashing it and cutting off everyone from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}}

==Notes==
*In an alternate ending to [[The Last Stand]] (printed in [[The Transformers: The Complete Works Part 2]]) Optimus gets to finish up his speech as Shockwave's attack never comes. Optimus Prime declares that the Decepticons have been defeated once and for all instead.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Robo-Capers characters]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

A Flash Forward

2020-09-16T00:48:32Z

Kaisatron: /* Synopsis */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[A Flash Forward (story arc)|A Flash Forward]]''
|prev=Battle Lines, Part 6
|next=A Flash Forward, Part 2
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers: Wings Universe]]''
|prev2=Generation 2: Redux
|title="A Flash Forward"
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|published in=[[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 43|''Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club'' #43]]
|writers=[[Flint Dille]] (2005 intro), [[Jesse Wittenrich]] & [[Pete Sinclair]]
|pencils=[[Dan Khanna]] (2005 intro), [[Matt Frank]]
|inks=[[Josh Warner]] (2005 intro), Matt Frank
|colors=[[Thomas Deer]]
|letters=Jesse Wittenrich
|managing editor=Pete Sinclair
|continuity=[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]
|chronology=[[2005]] & [[2010]]
}}

'''Runabout and Runamuck give a history lesson.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the year [[2005]], the [[Battle of Autobot City]] rages on. The Decepticon Combiner, [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] has broken his way into the city. He does not, however, go unchallenged, as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] comes to a halt right in from of him, carrying [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] on his trailer. Transforming, the four manage to pour in enough fire to cause the massive Decepticon to separate into the individual [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s. Undeterred, the Constructicons advance, causing Ultra Magnus to call for a retreat. Red Alert tells the others to go on as he tries to hold them off, but he is offlined as a blast tears through his back. All the while, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] watches on.''

7 years later, [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] recount this and the other events of the battle. Megatron was soon confronted by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and the two fought each other to the death. Megatron was revived and turned into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], but he had changed, his insanity causing as much trouble for the Decepticons as the Autobots; the two [[Battlecharger]]s note that they stayed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] instead of leaving with the other Decepticons due to him. Finding their history lesson highly informative, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] feels that it is now the time to rebuild the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]!

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in the flashback.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'' (2)
*''[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]'' (3)
*''[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]'' (4)
*''[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]]'' (5)

|c2=
*''[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]]'' (1)
*''[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]'' (6)
*''[[Hook (G1)|Hook]]'' (7)
*''[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]'' (8)
*''[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]'' (9)
*''[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'' (10)
*''[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]'' (11)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'' (12)
*[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (13)
*[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (14)
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"And then he threw Megatron '''off a cliff!''' Can you believe it? Who does that?"
:—'''Runamuck'''

==Notes==
*Characters mentioned but not seen include: the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], and [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]].

===Continuity notes===
*The Autobot City battle pages are directly based on a set of storyboards for a deleted scene from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' down to the individual panels.
*Additionally, Runamuck and Runabout recount Prime and Megatron's fight, and Galvatron's creation, also from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
*Galvatron was driven insane by the plasma baths of [[Thrull]], as seen in ''Transformers'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]".
*The majority of the Decepticon army fled into space after the events of "[[The Rebirth]]".
*Runamuck claims that Galvatron was "crazier than a [[Three-headed Nullusceran]]", giving a species name to one of the patients seen in "[[Webworld]]", a three-headed alien who claimed he had no head.

===Transformers references===
*Jhiaxus appears with the design of his [[Jhiaxus (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' counterpart]].

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flash Forward}}
[[Category:Generation 2 issues]]
[[Category:Wings Universe issues]]

Identity Politics

2020-09-11T22:21:12Z

Kaisatron: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|''Transformers Timelines'']] text story
|prev=Trigger Warnings
|next=Lively Pursuit
|seriesissue2=''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]''
|prev2=A Change to the Agenda
|next2=Alone Together: Prologue
|image=BWU-IdentityPolitics-title.jpg
|caption= ''Los Pollos Hermanos!'' Taste the Family!
|title="Identity Politics"
|publisher=[[Transformers Collectors' Club]] (online exclusive)
|date=[[September 13]], [[2016]]
|by=[[Jim Sorenson]] with [[David Bishop]]
|illustrations=[[Tomoya Hosono]]
|colors=[[Winston Bolen]]
|pagecount=29pp
|chronology=Circa [[2363]]
|continuity=''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]''
}}

'''A shady business venture leads Scorponok into Cybertron's criminal underworld.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:IdentityPolitics Scorponok.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Say my name.]]

One night outside a [[Dynamic Energon Distillery]] plant, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]—a nervous programmer—has a run-in with two [[Maximal]]s. Just as he thinks he's gotten away without the situation getting violent, he bumps into the plant's security officer [[Impound]], who realizes the two Maximals had been robbing the place, and Scorponok had just stopped them.

Three days later, as Scorponok gets back into the usual groove of work, the plant's administrator summons him for a meeting. The [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] in question, a large, bombastic sort named [[Megatron (BW)|Gnashteeth]], proves to be good-natured and approachable. The two spend a whole three megacycles talking about Scorponok's passion for programming. As he leaves, Scorponok cannot help but feel optimistic for the future.

Elsewhere, the Builder [[Double Punch]] meets with Councilors [[Sigil (BWU)|Sigil]] and [[Halogen (G1)|Halogen]], who are very interesting in bringing a new Decepticon into the Builder Assembly, especially if it shuts up their fellows who suggest bringing on a [[Micromaster]], or ''worse'', a Predacon. Immediately realizing the implication, Double Punch leaves, knowing the day has come to have a talk with Gnashteeth. In a meeting at the Builder's opulent estate, Double Punch tells his protégé, even a friend, that the time has come for him to make a play for the [[Builder Assembly]], thanks to Gnash's sterling work on his behalf improving the efficiency of the D.E.D. plant. Of course, he'll have to make someone his replacement as chairman, and it isn't going to be Gnash. After all, there's no way any Builder will knowingly take the orders of a Predacon. Angered, Gnash asks if his job will be a risk too. The situation gets heated, with Double Punch telling Gnash to show some gratitude to his "betters" for being allowed to get further than a Predacon has a right to. Managing to get his anger under control, Gnash bids his mentor good day, but as he goes the ancient Decepticon can't help but feel apprehensive.

Things go on the up-and-up for Scorponok, with a promotion to senior programmer at the plant. Twenty-one solar cycles after his first meeting with the administrator he's summoned to his office again, where the larger Predacon is brooding. Gnashteeth quickly changes the topic of conversation to a suggested increase in efficiency Scorponok promised him. The problem is that the time it would take to properly test it would take deca-cycles, lest they risk a meltdown, and Gnashteeth wants it implemented now, to prove his worth to the Builders. This leaves him in a bind. He cannot suggest the idea openly, for it will be shot down, and he can't implement it in secret without having to explain the sudden increase of energon. Then Scorponok idly mentions that if it was just energon he'd found he could've sold it. This gives Gnashteeth an idea. They implement one of Scorponok's ideas, and take the surplus cubes for themselves.

[[File:IdentityPolitics beatdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|MAGNETS!]]
Their first sale goes smoothly, but Gnashteeth notes they were swindled on the price for their fifty-four cubes. So he declares next time they will just sell directly to the customers. Scorponok points out they'll need people to help with that, which they don't. Gnashteeth just says they'll get them.

Time passes, and the two gather a bevy of [[Empty|Empties]] to sell their produce, despite some roadbumps, like one of their dealers stealing his supply of cubes, forcing Gnashteeth to put a hit on him, and their best dealer, a 'bot named [[Dipstick]], getting murdered by the [[Kospego (group)|Kopsego]] gang. Back at the plant, Double Punch is replaced by a Builder named [[Ego (BWU)|Ego]], who has Gnash bumped down to co-deputy administrator in favor of a skidplate named Datamine, who plans to set Gnashteeth against his former deputy [[Budora (BWU)|Budora]]. An angered Gnashteeth vows not to be forced from the streets the same way. He tells Scorponok to spread the word out that he wants to meet with the Kopsegos, and he wants muscle for when they do.

The two, and their hired security, wait for the meeting in a secluded alleyway, only for fifteen cycle to pass without the Kopsegos showing up. Just as Gnashteeth declares the endeavor a waste of time, the gang leader—a large Maximal named [[Thunderhoof (BWU)|Thunderhoof]]—makes his presence known. He compliments the quality of Gnashteeth's goods, then bristles when Gnash mentions "respect". He then pays Gnash and Scorponok's security to make themselves scarce. Once they're gone, Thunderhoof offers the Predacon a deal: three thousand and five-hundred [[Cyber Planet Key|cyber planet key]]s for one-hundred and seventy-five cubes. Gnashteeth is incensed at Thunderhoof's attempted underselling, and refuses Thunderhoof's second offer of five thousand keys. In response, the Maximal viciously beats Gnashteeth down. In response to the Predacon's colorful threat to hang Thunderhoof's head from the spires of Iacon, Thunderhoof's goon [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] mockingly calls him "[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]". After blowing Gnashteeth's leg off, Thunderhoof tells him he has a solar cycle to think about the offer, before departing.

Scorponok takes Gnashteeth's battered body back to the D.E.D. plant, and a CR Chamber. Within a megacycle, Budora appears and mentions it might be best if Gnashteeth resigns without a fuss. After thirteen megacycles, Gnashteeth finally emerges. Scorponok suggests taking what they can and going to another city, but Gnashteeth refuses. If they can't play by the rules, they won't bother. Rather than breaking his resolve, Thunderhoof's beating has increased it. They're going to take ''all'' the energon.

[[File:IdentityPolitics DeadImpound.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Fulminated mercury, and a little tweak of chemistry.]]
Double Punch returns from his first day at the Builder Assembly in a good mood, only to find something suspicious going on at his estate. Making his way inside, he finds his vaunted weapons have been taken. At that point Gnashteeth makes his presence known. The Predacon has burgled a Builder, murdered [[Bruticus (RID)|his bodyguard]] and framed the Kopsego gang. Realizing he's going to die, Double Punch demands to know why Gnashteeth is even doing this. The last thing he hears is Gnashteeth announcing how Double Punch's pawn has become a queen.

With newfound confidence, the two Predacons march back into the plant, Gnashteeth telling Scorponok to head to the loading dock, while he goes to "talk" with Budora. By the time Scorponok gets there, Gnashteeth has dealt with his former deputy. With the flip of a switch, the former administrator triggers a meltdown. Scorponok opens the doors, allowing the workers to flee, while he programs the small fleet of Dropkick drones to head to a new destination with their loads of energon. As he does, he notices the meltdown is happening a bit quicker than his projections estimated, and tries to slow it down to let the haulers fill up further. But as Scorponok works, Impound shows up, thinking the diminutive Predacon is trying to play hero, and tries dragging him out, ignoring Scorponok's protests. Left with no recourse, Scorponok shoots Impound dead.

A deca-cycle after Double Punch's murder, and Thunderhoof is increasingly on edge in his new position as public enemy number one, which is forcing him to stay out of trouble. Then news comes to his receptors that the newbies want to meet up with him again, in a little warehouse by the Rust Sea. Wanting to bring the purple Predacon under heel, Thunderhoof attends the meet. Almost immediately, the Predacon alarms Thunderhoof by addressing him by name, then by mocking his goons' lousy opinion of him. Offended, Thunderhoof demands Terrorsaur and [[Scavenger (BM)|Scavenger]] kill the Predacon... and nothing happens. Demanding to know how this happened, Terrorsaur shows him the warehouse stacked full of energon Gnashteeth has bought their loyalty with. Before Thunderhoof can repay him minions, they shoot him down.

Later, Gnashteeth and his newly acquired underlings celebrate Thunderhoof's death, as his head hangs from the spires of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] as Gnashteeth promised. Scavenger mentions that with the Kospegos literally decapitated, they'll need a new name. Scorponok thinks of what Terrorsaur had said back during the first meet-up, and the gang settle upon the name of "[[Darksyder]]s". Asking Gnashteeth if he likes the name, Scorponok is told not to call him that any more. As the Predacon explains, Gnashteeth died with the D.E.D. plant. From now on, they shall refer to him... as ''[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]''.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Stockade (Universe 2003)|Stockade]] (1)
*[[Rav (BWU)|Rav]] (3)
*[[Gauntlet (BWU)|Gauntlet]] (14)
*[[Thunderhoof (BWU)|Thunderhoof]] (22)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c2=
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (2)
*[[Impound]] (4)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Gnashteeth/Megatron]] (5)
*[[Bruticus (RID)|Cerberus]] (8)
*[[Hydrax]] (9)
*[[Ped (BWU)|Ped]] (11)
*[[Budora (BWU)|Budora]] (19)
*[[Raze]] (20)
*[[Sting (G1)|Sting]] (21)
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (23)
*[[Snitch (BWU)|Snitch]] (26)
*[[Scavenger (BM)|Scavenger]] (27)

|h3=[[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]]s
|c3=
*[[Double Punch]] (6)
*[[Sigil (BWU)|Sigil]] (7)
*[[Krunix (G1)|Krunix]] (12)
*[[Tappet]] (13)
*[[Dipstick]] (15)
*[[Skater]] (16)
*[[Ego (BWU)|Ego]] (17)
*[[Datamine]] (18)
*[[Halogen (G1)|Halogen]] (24)
*[[Traachon]] (25)

|h4=Others
|c4=
*[[Dropkick (G1)|Dropkick]] haulers (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"Why, Gnash? You were my friend." 
"I was your pawn! To be sacrificed the moment it became embarrassing to have a Predacon in your company. But this pawn… has become a queen."
:—'''Double Punch''' and '''Megatron'''

"You shall call me by the name I was truly protoformed to hold. A name torn from prophecy, and from history. From now on you can call me… Megatron."
:—'''Megatron'''

==Notes==
*Characters mentioned but not appearing include: the [[Destron Boy]]s, the [[Firestormer]]s, [[Megatron (G1)|the original Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Kudon]], [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Cross-Cut]], [[Borehole]], [[Hydrau (BWU)|Hydrau]], [[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]], [[Fracas]], and [[Floron]].
*Following the trend of previous stories, Gnashteeth/Megatron has a body based on an existing toy, in this case [[Megatron (G1)/toys#GenerationsLegends|G1 Megatron's ''Thrilling 30'' Legends Class toy]]. Scorponok is his [[Scorponok (BW)#Generations|TFSS 5.0 toy]]—and the story was written by editorial request to promote the toy<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/133737-beast-wars-uprising-ama/?p=3360052 Allspark: "Beast Wars Uprising AMA"] </ref>—while Terrorsaur takes his [[Terrorsaur (BW)#Generations|BotCon 2016 toy body]]. Thunderhoof's design, save for his Maximal insignia, is lifted directly from that of his [[Thunderhoof (RID)|original ''Robots in Disguise'' counterpart]].
*According to Scorponok, fifty-four energon cubes would be enough to power him from anywhere from a stellar cycle to three orbital cycles at full power.
*Once again, interludes between scenes contain [[Cybertronix]] text; when translated, this turns out to be a conversation involving Scorponok (as "[[Cyberbee]][[Beast Wars (Part 1)|42296]]") on [[alt.toys.transformers|alt.software.dev]]; other users include "[[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|FSS15]]", "[[Fractyl|GEOFAN]]", "[[Tarantulas (BW)|MesothulasSinner]]", "[[Ravage (G1)|Agent3P]]", and... "[[Ravage (SG)|ravagekitteh]]"?!

===Errors===
*At one point on Page 22, Cerberus is mistakenly called "[[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]]" by the narration text.
*In the Cybertronix text, Scorponok's username keeps changing (from "Megabee42296" to "Cyberbee42296" to "CyberBee42296").
*Also in the Cybertronix, MesothulasSinner's line about "shall we aggressive strategy" is missing a "say".

===Continuity notes===
*Chronologically, this story is the earliest ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' fiction, discounting "[[A Change to the Agenda]]", which straddles an intersection between timelines. On top of no mention being made of the [[Grand Uprising]], the story revolves around the formation of the Darksyders, who were established in ''[[Alone Together]]'' to have been the Predacons fought by [[Optimus Primal (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Optimus Primal]]'s team of Maximals, as described in [[Blackarachnia (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|"TransTech" Blackarachnia]]'s [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 25|magazine bio]]. "[[Not All Megatrons]]" confirms that this story takes place twenty-one stellar cycles before the events of "[[Broken Windshields]]".
*Several members of the Builder Assembly in this story were previously mentioned in "[[Broken Windshields]]".
*Continuing from that, Sigil mentions there are notions of bringing Micromasters onto the Builder Assembly, which he and Halogen are opposed to. Given the chronologically later "Broken Windshields" had the Micromaster Riker identified as one of the Assembly, it's safe to say Sigil and Halogen would ultimately lose that battle.
*The Maximal Flying Corps was first mentioned in "[[Burning Bridges]]".
*The Firestormers were previously mentioned as one of the gangs on ''Uprising'' Cybertron in "[[Trigger Warnings]]". Their nature is not elaborated upon, but their membership is probably made of [[Cyberdroid]]s, given that their leader Ptero is based on a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]-style toy.

===Transformers references===
*The Destron Boys first appeared in "[[Gone Too Far]]" as an [[Lowtech|Offworlder]] gang in [[Axiom Nexus]].
*[[Cyber Planet Key]]s first appeared as currency in "[[Hoist the Flag]]".
*Ptero is obviously based on the contemporaneous [[Swoop (G1)/toys#TitansReturn|''Titans Return'' Ptero toy]] (renamed from "Swoop" due to lost [[trademark]]). While not explicitly laid out here, "[[A Brush With Infamy–Prologue|A Brush With Infamy]]" would establish that in the ''Uprising'' universe, new names and/or distinctive toy designs are frequently separate characters rather than just preexisting characters in new bodies. In the case of Ptero, ''Uprising'' trends point to him having been the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partner of [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] during the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]].
*A version of Bulletbike first appeared in the ''TransTech'' story "[[I, Lowtech]]" as a businessbot.
*[[Electronic paint job|E-paint]] first appeared in the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|''Animated'' cartoon]].
*Megatron as the gladiatorial champion of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] comes from the [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel UK continuity]].
*Krunix debuted in the Marvel UK comic as an art error which resulted in a Fracas-looking bot who wasn't Fracas. Rather cleverly, this story [[Repurposing|repurposes]] the [[Fracas#Generations|''Titans Return'' version of Fracas]] (a head-former) as the ''Uprising'' version of Krunix while still giving the ''Uprising'' version of Fracas his original Nebulon gun-former status.
*Thunderhoof leading a gang called the Kospegos comes from [[Kospego (myth)|the fictitious being of the same name]] which his [[Thunderhoof (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' namesake]] pretended to be.
*[[Raze]] and [[Sting (G1)|Sting]] are both characters from the ''[[Transformers Legends (book)|Transformers Legends]]'' anthology, though each is from a different story.
*Megatron's [[Antroid|ant-droid]] colony and reference to himself as a queen is a reference to the title [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] gave him in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon, which really annoyed him.
*The name of the Darksyders being coined based on a reinterpretation of Terrorsaur's line, "welcome to the dark side", is pretty much exactly how the naming of the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' came about in the real world.

===Real world references===
* According to Jim Sorenson, many aspects of the story's plot (about a novice who enters the criminal underworld, eventually gaining a feared reputation) were partially based off the television series ''{{w|Breaking Bad}}'', with Megatron in the role of Walter White and Scorponok in the role of Jesse Pinkman.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://transformersclub.com/prose/identity_politics-v2.0.pdf "Identity Politics"] at The Official Transformers Collectors' Club

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising media]]
[[Category:Text stories]]
[[Category:Timelines media]]

User:Kaisatron

2020-08-24T02:19:57Z

Kaisatron: Kaisatron

User talk:Kaisatron

2020-08-24T02:18:36Z

Kaisatron: Thoughts on fan subs?

I recently came across a fan subbing of Beast Wars Neo. While I realize that the translation isn't official, I was wondering whether or not editors could use it to fill up the Neo section of the wiki?

Blackarachnia (BW)

2020-08-01T01:04:13Z

Kaisatron: /* A Change to the Agenda */

{{featured}}
{{factions|predacon|maximal|maximalbm|unicron|decepticon|ttautobot|autobot|onyxprime|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Blackarachnia}}
{{suite}}
:''Blackarachnia is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] who changes allegiances with alarming frequency from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TFLegends-Blackarachnia.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Hot, poisonous, and deadly. Rawr!]]

A sultry femme fatale, '''Blackarachnia''' is smart, sly, and dangerous. She's got eight legs, and she knows how to use them. Of the several rebellious Predacons under [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s command, she's one of the very few who can, on occasion, outguile him. Always looking out for Number One, Blackarachnia values her independence and freedom above all else. She would rather be deactivated than be a slave.

Blackarachnia's greatest weakness, other than her overconfidence, is her feelings for the Maximal [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. Something about his heroic demeanor and the kindness he shows her makes her uneasy. She hasn't experienced unconditional love before, and it scares her, though she'll never admit it.

Sometimes she is previously known as '''White Propionica''', and sometimes she utilizes the aliases '''Venus''' or '''Elita'''.

{{quote|Even if I'm good, I'm still bad.|Blackarachnia|"[[Crossing the Rubicon]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
Working by moonlight, Blackarachnia posed as a double agent. In reality, this was merely a ruse she utilized in order to lure unwitting Maximals into her darkened den, where she first paralyzed her victim with a poisonous missile. She then proceeded to restrain her victim with her powerful legs, and subsequently sucked their life force dry... kinky. She was capable of converting thermal energy into [[cyber venom]]. {{storylink|Blackarachnia (BW)#Toys|Blackarachnia bio}}

The new [[Transmetal 2]] body Blackarachnia acquired from Megatron's mysterious new technology had the power to cast illusions, altering her physical appearance and position for up to five minutes thanks to the electro disruptor housed in her... rear segment. {{storylink|Blackarachnia (BW)#Beast Wars|Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia toy bio}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Venus Terzo]] (English), [[Ryōka Yuzuki]] (Japanese)|[[Xu Lin]] (Chinese), [[Fátima Noya]] (Portuguese), [[Françoise Vallon]] (French), [[Loredana Alfieri]] (Italian), [[Uta Dahlbridge]] (German), [[Olga Hnidey]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Marisa Marco]] (Castilian Spanish)}}

[[File:BAintroduction.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|"I want one." "NO."]]
Blackarachnia was born from one of the [[Maximal]]s' fallen [[stasis pod]]s. [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], watching a black widow fight and devour another spider, was inspired. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], observing the slim and attractive Blackarachnia transform and strike a few poses, suggested that he had "ulterior motives behind her beast form selection" but she was a Predacon, and that was what was important. In the battle with the Maximals that followed, she easily defeated [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] with a well-placed kick. She was later reported as "missing," though the reasons why and how were never addressed. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}}

She was soon assigned to a mission with [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to dig under the [[Axalon (BW)|Maximal base]] and use a [[sonic emitter]] she had invented to blow a hole into the bottom. She didn't get on well with either of them, but they managed to eventually get to the point where they were ready to trigger the emitter... only for [[Tigatron]] to steal it. By the time they caught up with the Maximal, the emitter was ready to explode, and they could only flee the blast area. {{storylink|A Better Mousetrap}} When [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]'s virus turned [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] into a berserker and he invaded the [[Darksyde (BW)|Predacon base]], Blackarachnia and Terrorsaur battled the other Maximals as they also tried to gain entry. Unfortunately Cheetor slipped past them and was able to rescue Primal, however at least the other Maximals were held off. {{storylink|Gorilla Warfare}}

Blackarachnia was present during the interrogation of Cheetor when the Predacons discovered that a [[temporal probe|Maximal probe]] was flying past the planet, and took part in the battle to destroy the signal array which the Maximals were building. Once [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] was locked into his dino-mode by Tarantualas's [[Transformation Lock Lens|transformation lock lens]], Blackarachnia delivered the coup de grâce to his pride after hitting the disabled Maximal with several kicks to the face, only to be subsequently blasted off a cliff by [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]. {{storylink|The Probe}} The Predacons staged a deception, faking their own destruction and using signal dampeners invented by Blackarachnia to hide while the Maximals use parts from their ship to repair the ''Axalon''. After being discovered by Dinobot, they pursued him. During an attempt to rush the ''Axalon'', Blackarachnia was blasted by the ship's defenses. {{storylink|Victory (episode)|Victory}}

[[File:TheSpark Blackarachnia spidermode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Prime used to leave his trailer behind when he transformed, so why ''can't'' she do the same with her thorax?]]
After Megatron turned [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] into a Predacon using a [[Transmuter (BW)|Transmuter]], Blackarachnia and Megatron were startled by Waspinator's impression of [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. {{storylink|Dark Designs}} Blackarachnia and Scorponok were dispatched to retrieve the latest crashed stasis pod. They encountered Tigatron, who disabled Scorponok, but was himself paralyzed by Blackarachnia's venom. At the pod, she fought Cheetor at length, but he caught her venom dart and used it to knock her out. {{storylink|The Spark}}

[[File:The Trigger Blackarachnia chair.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Regimes fall every day. I tend not to weep about that.]]
The discovery of a mysterious [[Brigadoon|flying island]] led to Megatron dispatching Blackarachnia and Scorponok to investigate it. Blackarachnia, when she saw the power wielded by the island, resolved to herself that she would take control of it. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 1}} As the pair reached the obelisk in the center of the island, Waspinator and Terrorsaur arrived, and Blackarachnia tricked them into using their weapons, causing the island defenses to blast them. She then got rid of Scorponok using one of the island's traps, and took control of the island's power herself. Though she started piloting the island toward the ''Axalon'', Tigatron was able to destroy its energy supply, and the whole thing crashed to the ground. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 2}}

She soon attempted to forge an alliance with Tarantulas, flattering him and accompanying him on a mission to secure the latest stasis pod to crash. Unfortunately they were too late to ensure the protoform obtained an arachnid [[beast mode]], and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was born. While Blackarachnia was trying to get the new Predacon under control, Tarantulas made off with the real prize — the stasis pod itself. After the pod was destroyed, Tarantulas revealed to her that the planet was doomed, and she realised he'd intended to use the pod to build an escape ship, but he rebuffed her offer of further help and threw her out of his lair. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

[[File:Possession Blackarachnia slags Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|Her eyes are up there! And down there! Take your pick.]]
A Predacon plan to steal the [[rectifier coil]] from the ''Axalon'' resulted in the Maximals going feral, and Blackarachnia was part of the hunting party which pursued them into the jungle. She was defeated by Dinobot after the Maximals overcame their little problem. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}} When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] took control of Waspinator's body and the Predacons were able to conquer the ''Axalon'', the Decepticon took Blackarachnia under his wing as a student and revealed his true intent to overthrow Megatron. After he abandoned her in the Maximal base, leaving her to escape Primal and Dinobot on her own, she took that as a hint to return the favour, and later shot a cluster of energon crystals, blasting Starscream free from Waspinator. She then engaged in some quick talking to get herself out of trouble with Megatron. {{storylink|Possession}}

Tarantulas infected Rhinox with an [[energon discharge virus]], and was later himself incapacitated, leading the Predacons to investigate his lair to see if they could dig up any more of the virus. Blackarachnia was able to find a counter-virus, but while Megatron was attempting a brilliant gambit against the attacking Maximals, Rhinox countered with an almighty fart which left the Predacon forces hanging from a tree. {{storylink|The Low Road}} Some time later, Megatron called a truce when signs pointed to the [[Vok|aliens]] returning. Tarantulas stole a transwarp cell from the ''Darksyde'', leading Megatron to assign Blackarachnia to keep an eye on him. The two spiders attempted to stop Tigatron escaping the Predacon base, but were tricked into being flattened by a boulder by Dinobot. They were the least damaged, however, and dragged the rest of the Predacons back to base. {{storylink|Before the Storm}}

[[File:OtherVoices2 possessed Blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|I'm sorry; did I step on your moment?]]
Blackarachnia offered to help Tarantulas break into the Maximal base to steal a stasis pod. They were able to use one of Blackarachnia's inventions to penetrate the ''Axalon'' shields and overcome Rhinox and Dinobot. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}} As Tarantulas worked to turn the stasis pod into an escape ship, Blackarachnia turned on him, intending to use the pod herself. They were interrupted by Inferno, who slagged Tarantulas, but Blackarachnia was easily able to defeat him in return. She linked to Tarantulas's mind to obtain the necessary information, and successfully completed modifying the pod... only to be captured by the Maximals. Optimus forced her to change the control codes to respond to him, so he could pilot the pod himself and destroy the [[Planet Buster]] weapon threatening the planet. But as she badmouthed the Maximals' good-byes, she was subsequently knocked temporarily off-line by [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], but as it happened, Megatron had sabotaged the transwarp cell, and Optimus was unable to eject before impact. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

While attempting to escape from the Maximal base, Blackarachnia was shocked to discover that her earlier interfacing with Taratulas had resulted in a permanent mind-link between the two of them. Tarantulas was able to force her to take his body with her as she left the base. Though she was intercepted by Tigatron and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], Megatron happened to turn up at that point. He threatened to terminate Blackarachnia, but she talked her way out of it by pointing out the simple fact that Megatron's stock of troops was sorely depleted. Of course, during the inevitable battle, Tarantulas forced Blackarachnia to retreat with his body. {{storylink|Aftermath}}

[[File:ComingoftheFuzors Blackarachnia downloading.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|She blinded me with computer science!]]
Returning to the Predacon base, Blackarachnia interrupted Dinobot stealing the [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disk]]s, but refused Tarantulas's order that she should try to get them back. Instead she repaired him, but discovered that the mind link persisted. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}} While Tarantulas went to help Megatron's latest battle, Blackarachnia dug through the base's computer for information on the Golden Disks and discovered important data, including the access codes to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. she was able to download it while Tarantulas was unconscious, and destroyed the computer. She later told Megatron and Tarantulas that Dinobot had destroyed the computer and the data lost. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}

The two spiders were later sent with new recruit [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] to build a refueling station in a cave full of energon. Tarantulas schemed to take over the cave himself and attempted to persuade Blackarachnia to join him, but soon realised she was hiding something from him. When he tried to rip the information from her mind, she cracked an energon cube, the radiation causing them both pain and forcing him to sever the mental link. He threatened to tear her apart, but was interrupted when Rattrap and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] arrived to fight. Silverbolt, much to Rattrap's annoyance, refused to strike Blackarachnia because she was female. In the end, Tarantulas used the battle as cover to fake the destruction of the cave, and the trio had to report their failure to Megatron. {{storylink|Tangled Web}}

When Dinobot attempted to defect back to the Predacons, Blackarachnia suggested he prove himself by fighting with Quickstrike. {{storylink|Maximal, No More}} During another alien incursion, Megatron took Blackarachnia and Inferno to the Maximal base, where they were able to overcome Rhinox, the sole Maximal there. Blackarachnia grabbed the alien [[Golden Disk (Vok)|Golden Disk]]. Megatron and Tarantulas colluded to work against the aliens, and when Megatron questioned why, Blackarachnia revealed that she had learned from the mind link that Tarantulas hated the aliens and wanted to destroy them. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 1)}} Though Blackarachnia was rendered unconscious by a blast from the [[Metal Hunter|alien construct]] that appeared, she was reactivated when Megatron took control of the construct and brought the other Predacons aboard. She was one of the Predacons sent out to defend the construct against the Maximals, but Tarantulas managed to infiltrate and destroy it anyway. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 2)}}

[[File:Blackarachnia fightback.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"We're still friends, right?" 
"Depends on how hard ya hit me."]]
When an energon blast sent her and Silverbolt into the middle of the dense jungles, they were forced to work together. Though attracted to the [[Fuzor]], Blackarachnia was endlessly frustrated by his seemingly idiotic chivalry and need to treat her specially. Megatron, listening in via a [[synch-pulse transmitter]] he'd planted on her, was disgusted by the obvious romance going on. Still Silverbolt and Blackarachnia worked together surprisingly well, saving each other's life in turns, and eventually defeating [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] with the help of Optimus and Cheetor. {{storylink|Bad Spark}}

When the Predacons attacked the valley of proto-humans, Blackarachnia was teamed with Inferno. She did considerable damage to Dinobot before being blasted herself. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

Blackarachnia took advantage of Silverbolt's obvious interest in her, meeting the Maximal at a secluded location to obtain a [[graviton generator]]. She used the generator to convert a stasis pod into a makeship hoversled, and later overheard Megatron giving a mission to Waspinator. As the Maximals fought their way into the Predacon base, Blackarachnia emerged on her sled to encounter Silverbolt. Silverbolt refused a direct order from Optimus to shoot her, allowing her to leave and tail Waspinator instead. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} Silverbolt eventually caught up with Blackarachnia, who resorted to shooting him in order to try to get the point across that he should leave her alone. It didn't really work, and when the hoversled she was on hit Waspinator, Silverbolt saved her from plummeting to the ground. He subsequently joined her in digging into the side of the mountain they had been heading towards. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

[[File:BA Silverbolt Agenda3.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Was that your first kiss since 1945?]]
Finally they broke through into a huge cavern containing the Ark, and Blackarachnia explained the ship's significance to her companion. While she was keen to take the power for herself, Megatron arrived and knocked Silverbolt offline before caving in the tunnel they'd dug. Having always intended for her to reach the Ark as he knew she had the access codes, Megatron threatened to vape Silverbolt unless she did what he said. Bitterly, she agreed to his demands, reluctantly opening the ship and, while Megatron went on, using the Ark's security system to hold off the Maximals. Megatron took the opportunity to attempt to assassinate [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], potentially erasing the Maximals from history. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

Unfortunately for Megatron, Blackarachnia had originally been a Maximal protoform, and certainly wasn't willing to die for his cause. She activated [[Teletraan I]]'s security nets to force Megatron off the ship. With Silverbolt's help, she got the dying Autobot leader under life support and began the repairs. The Maximals were forced to accept her help, but while the Maximals were occupied with Megatron, Blackarachnia slipped out... only to be trapped by falling rocks, and slagged by Megatron during his escape. Silverbolt cradled her to his chest as she shut down, swearing vengeance until the other Maximals suggested he stop messing around and get her to a repair chamber. With no much other choice, Blackarachnia joined the Maximal ranks. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}} She even spent time on guard duty outside the base with Silverbolt. {{storylink|Deep Metal}}

Blackarachnia quickly showed her usefulness to the Maximals, building a hand-powered [[subaquatic stealth vessel]] that could retrieve Sentinel from the ''Axalon'''s underwater resting place. Rattrap was less than thrilled about having to use the "Predacon beach ball". {{storylink|Changing of the Guard}}

[[File:Cutting Edge Blackarachnia kids.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, fellas. Either one of you know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil.]]
She was even less thrilled when she ended up having to escort two human children back to their tribe along with Cheetor, who was exhibiting a boyish crush on her, much to Silverbolt's annoyance. Rattrap was also rather distrusting of her, as earlier he had spied Blackarachnia sneaking some parts from a classified area. But when Megatron's new [[cyber raptor]]s attacked, Blackarachnia showed her good side by defending the children, even taking a hit from Tarantulas for them, which she immediately denied to an impressed Silverbolt by saying she slipped. With the cyber raptors defeated, she informed Cheetor that he was a nice kid - which were two strikes against him, so don't go looking for strike three. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}}

[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] returned from a mission reporting that Cheetor had been destroyed trying to interfere with Megatron's experiment, however the Maximal had secretly brought back the [[Transmetal driver]], a component of Megatron's experiment. Though he tossed it into a pool of lava, Blackarachnia was able to grab it before it was destroyed. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 1}} She took part in the search for Cheetor, leading Silverbolt to develop jealousy at her apparent concern for their comrade. He later turned up with, it transpired, a new [[Transmetal 2]] body, which Blackarachnia took particular interest in. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 2}}

[[File:ProvingGrounds Blackarachnia wink.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Look at that trustworthy face! Blackarachnia's not going to backstab us!]]
After Rhinox scanned her and found the [[shell program]] that made her a Predacon, Blackarachnia finally got fed up with Rattrap's attitude and Cheetor's crush, and would have choked/blasted them both if Optimus hadn't intervened. Weary that apparently she hadn't proven herself to the Maximals and thinking that Optimus and Rhinox were planning to force her to remove the shell, Blackarachnia decided to split... which turned out to be a bad decision, as [[Dinobot II]] had been waiting for this moment. Taking turns hunting each other, Blackarachnia got the upper hand but was caught off-guard by Dinobot's power and durability. Fleeing to a mesa, she was found by Silverbolt, who got in a fight with Dinobot and was about to be slagged. Blackarachnia shot him out of the way, then tried to make a deal with Dinobot to take over the Ark and the Predacons, which backfired and allowed Dinobot to stun her, but he was distracted by Silverbolt long enough for the two Maximals to finally defeat him. After an argument between the pair, where Blackarachnia was enraged that Silverbolt thought she'd really been striking a deal with Dinobot instead of trying to con the villain, Optimus arrived to point out that the decision to remove the program had always been up to her. {{storylink|Proving Grounds}}

When Megatron attempted to fire his new [[disruptor cannon]] on the Maximal base, the Maximals prepared for the worst, but the cannon blew up instead. {{storylink|Go with the Flow}}

[[File:CrossingtheRubicron-newbody.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|Boy, it must be hard to shake the whole double agent thing, huh? Sticks in the DNA.]]

Seeking more power, Blackarachnia attempted to use the Transmetal driver on herself. Silverbolt, not realizing what she was planning, bailed her out of the contraption. Like every good girlfriend, she began to chew him out, but was cut off as an energy surge made her lose control of her circuits. A security system Tarantulas installed had been triggered by her tampering with her core, and the only way to fix it was to cut the Predacon [[shell program]] loose. Reluctantly, she agreed, especially since this was a very difficult procedure that could lead to her death. With time running out, she passed the Ark's access codes on to Primal in case she didn't make it and shut herself down, leaving herself in Rhinox's care. Rhinox began the operation, but his tinkering tripped an alert in [[Tarantulas's lair]]. The Predacons got wind of what he was doing and mounted an attack on the Maximal base. The Maximals countered their attack, but the power was disrupted by a shot fired by Tarantulas at a critical stage. This apparently killed Blackarachnia.

Distraught, Silverbolt took off to avenge her death, blinded by rage. However, in Silverbolt's absence, Blackarachnia's body attracted the attention of the Transmetal driver, and she was resurrected in a new Transmetal 2 form. She arrived just in time to save Silverbolt from Rampage. Rampage admitted that he liked her new look, but tried to kill her just the same. Surprisingly, Blackarachnia was able to disarm and stun the titanic Rampage, ultimately throwing him over the horizon using her webs. Silverbolt was, of course, overjoyed to see his beloved alive, but Blackarachnia told him to knock off the vengeful hero stuff so she wouldn't have to keep endangering herself with inevitable rescue attempts. {{storylink|Crossing the Rubicon}}

[[File:MasterBlaster Blackarachnia beast mode.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Actually a real spider in [[Australia]].]]
Some time later, Blackarachnia returned to base to find the doors open. It was the result of Megatron's latest plan as it turned out, which involved Quickstrike taking control of Optimus Primal's body, rendering the other Maximals unconscious and placing them in a cage. Left in Rampage's "care", Blackarachnia was able to use some sort of telekinesis to make a girder fly through the air and disable the Predacon. After dealing with Inferno, she went to release the other Maximals, only to run into Quickstrike and Primal. She freed Primal by disabling Quickstrike's control suit, and subsequently managed to stop the Ark's destruct sequence, which Tarantulas had set in motion, before rescuing the other Maximals and helping fight Megatron off. {{storylink|Master Blaster}}

[[File:Nemesis2-Maximals.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Spot the Mega Class toy!]]

When an object from space destroyed the Predacon base, Blackarachnia realised that the aliens had returned — in this case in the form of the Vok emissary [[Tigerhawk]]. She cut short Rattrap's celebrations by pointing out that when Tigerhawk had finished with the Predacons, he'd probably come for them. {{storylink|Other Victories}} Tigerhawk, in fact, joined the Maximals. When Silverbolt was injured looking for the Predacons, Blackarachnia rode to his aid on Cheetor's back, and the pair took him back to base for repairs. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}} After Megatron raised the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' from the depths of the ocean, the Maximals struggled to prepare the Ark for moving. In search of something to make a power link, Blackarachnia grabbed Rattrap's tail-whip, snipping off the end and repurposing it as a power cable. Though the attempt to shift the Ark failed, Rhinox used a shuttle to defeat Megatron. The Maximals subsequently blasted off for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the shuttle. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}
{{-}}

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Venus Terzo]] (English), [[Ryōka Yuzuki]] (Japanese)|[[Xu Lin]] (Chinese), [[Márcia Moreli]] (Portuguese), [[Rossella Acerbo]] (Italian), [[Heike Schroetter]] (German), [[Olga Hnidey]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Maxo Barjas]] (Castilain Spanish), [[Nathalie Stas]] (French)}}

[[File:Thereformattingmaximalsmaximize.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|When they say she's all legs, they ain't kidding!]]
When the Autobot shuttle crashed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the Maximal team was gassed, Blackarachnia's Transmetal 2 powers were stripped away from her, as were her memories. As such, the amnesiac Maximal decided to head underground, distraught and confused. Locked out of her [[robot mode]], she awaited her imminent deactivation...until the other three survivors—an equally disoriented [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]], [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]—plunged into her web. Primal made the decision to head underground, and Blackarachnia complied, using her webs to grant them safe passage. However, in her weakened state her webbing was limited, and so the foursome plummeted most of the way down into the chamber of the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]. She watched as Optimus emerged in his [[technorganic]] form, and she was the fourth and last Maximal to be [[Reformatting|reformatted]], emerging as a pink black widow spider with green markings. When attacked by a squadron of Cycle Drones, she put her technorganic mode to good use, trapping one of the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] in a tangle of web. {{storylink|The Reformatting}}

[[File:Blackarachniamasterofthehouse.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|That's not a forehead. That's a five or sixhead.]]
Under Primal's tutelage, Cheetor and Blackarachnia relearned the ability to transform, and the Maximals set about finding a new base. Blackarachnia managed to goad Cheetor into accompanying her aboveground to find out what had happened to the residents of Cybertron. They accessed the [[Cybertron InfoCore]], only to find it had been wiped. The Maximals visited the [[Council Citadel]], allowing Blackarachnia to test her new powers in combat, including an ability to fire electrical "stings" through the ground. To her shock, they discovered that the mastermind behind the cleansing of Cybertron was none other than Megatron. {{storylink|Master of the House}} During an attempt to access the [[Cybertron Archives]], she received a vision of prehistoric [[Earth]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. She sneaked off to the spaceport to consult the records of their arrival and was followed by Rattrap. As well as encountering Megatron's new, sentient [[Vehicon general]]s, they discovered that there had been six occupants in the shuttle. Seeking more information, Blackarachnia attempted to access the logs from the shuttle itself, only for Megatron to attempt to access her own mind, and she was only prevented from revealing the location of the Maximal base by Rattrap severing the link. The pair were subsequently rescued by Primal and Cheetor, but Blackarachnia's information reawakened memories of Rhinox and Silverbolt in them all. {{storylink|Fires of the Past}}

Rattrap's use of a transformation enhancer got the Maximals captured by Megatron for a short time, but during their escape, Optimus reported that [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]'s spark seemed familiar. {{storylink|Mercenary Pursuits}} Blackarachnia and crew later discovered the bat-creature [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]], who led them to a strange, organic fruit tree. Upon eating the fruit, Blackarachnia began to revert to her instinctual "animal" mind, and it was only thanks to [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] that her feral mind returned to normal, and thanks to Primal that the bat's life was saved and reformatted into a technorganic body. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}} After another mission was fouled up by Rattrap's antics during Optimus's convalescence from reformatting Nightscream, the remaining Maximals discussed what they needed to do about Rattrap. Blackarachnia was irritated by Rattrap's uselessness, but Cheetor asserted that they had to cover for their friend. They were shocked to find a while later that Rattrap had overheard them and taken up with Megatron in exchange for weapons. Primal talked Rattrap around, scolding the other Maximals that they undervalued their teammate. {{storylink|The Weak Component}}

[[File:Revelations3 Blackarachnia closeup.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|She looks a bit more normal when she closes the extra eyes.]]
Later, the group stumbled across one of Megatron's many Transformer junkyards, where the lifeless, [[spark]]less bodies of the city's inhabitants were disposed of. When [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] and Blackarachnia were split up from the battle, the two made an unofficial truce, but when Thrust saved her life and her spark, having strange recollections of doing so before, her mind was set: He was Silverbolt, mutated and made evil by Megatron. She resolved to get her lover back, but didn't reveal to the other Maximals that she believed Thrust was Silverbolt. {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery|Discovery}} When Cheetor enacted a subsequent plan to try to hack into Tankor, Blackarachnia volunteered to keep Thrust busy. She made numerous appeals to Thrust to try to bring out his Maximal nature, but Thrust was hesitant and was soon bullied into extracting her spark by [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part II: Descent|Descent}} As her spark rocketed into the darkness, Nightscream fought Jetstorm for it. At the same time, on another plane of existence, Blackarachnia encountered Primal, who calmed her astral spirit down, at the same time allowing Nightscream to restore it and bring her back. She and Nightscream were able to come to Cheetor and Rattrap's aid, but they had found that Tankor was really Rhinox, and their old friend was now siding with Megatron's view of a technological Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelations Part III: Apocalypse|Apocalypse}}

[[File:Survivor Blackarachnia beast mode head.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Nine eyes, then two, now ''six'': fourth time lucky?]]
After Nightscream was snatched away by the Vehicons, the other Maximals gave pursuit. Blackarachnia's hesitation in attacking Thrust allowed the Vehicon to pursue Primal and Nightscream, who had discovered a [[fossil chamber|cave full of fossils]], proving Cybertron was once organic. {{storylink|Survivor}} When Tankor gained control of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] and "infected" Nightscream and the new orchard with the Key, Blackarachnia quickly found that the [[organic goo]] they'd just discovered was a cure to the [[Living metal|technomatter]]. While the other Maximals went to get a mole drone, Blackarachnia stayed behind to look after Nightscream, only to be infected by him and temporarily lose her own sanity. The other Maximals eventually returned with a drone and were able to cure her. {{storylink|The Key}}

[[File:Silverboltjetstorm.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Sorry, your boyfriend was behind door number 2!]]
Taking a vial of the goo, Blackarachnia kidnapped Thrust, trapping him in a web and using the goo to force out his inner personality, in the expectation that Silverbolt would emerge. Instead, she discovered that Thrust was [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], who'd flown to Cybertron from prehistoric Earth. When Jetstorm attacked, another mishap with the organic goop occurred, and for a moment Silverbolt's true personality emerged, sweeping Blackarachnia in his arms. However, as he and Waspinator fought over Blackarachnia, the goo vanished from the both of them, and the Vehicons' minds both returned. Blackarachnia was swiftly rescued by the other Maximals, riding a giant vine created by a catalyst which Rattrap had found. {{storylink|The Catalyst}}

Blackarachnia was involved in the battle in Megatron's Citadel, holding off the Vehicons as Primal confronted Megatron within, though she, along with the others, were all overwhelmed by the Key to Vector Sigma and became comatose. {{storylink|End of the Line}} The clashing energies of the Key and the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] restored the four Maximals to life. Entering the Council Citadel, they found that the battle had claimed Primal, Megatron and Tankor. They headed for the Oracle in search of guidance, where they found Optimus Primal floating within, and they convinced him to return to real-space and continue his leadership.

The Maximals returned to the surface to find a [[Grand Mal|giant floating head]] in the likeness of Megatron. {{storylink|Fallout (episode)|Fallout}} Blackarachnia and Nightscream tried unsuccessfully to infiltrate the head. Leaving Optimus to try and contact Megatron's spark, the other Maximals went to find the two remaining Vehicon generals and encountered a strange, organic Transformer named [[Noble (BM)|Noble]], who changed from a wolf into the dragon-like Savage. {{storylink|Savage Noble}} The Maximals later infiltrated the Council Citadel, looking for information, only to discover that Noble was actually Megatron, trapped in his own organic half. Megatron used [[spark extractor]]s to remove his spark, taking over the huge, flying head and reactivating the Vehicon drone army, which forced the Maximals back underground. {{storylink|Prometheus Unbound}}

[[File:Blackarachniasilverboltdarkestknight.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Vamp meets goth.]]
When Rattrap revealed he's created a device he hoped could be used to restore the stolen sparks into new bodies, Blackarachnia "borrowed" it. She managed to force Jetstorm into a large pool of the organic goo, and his body began to change. Scanning a nearby condor skeleton, he awoke in a new form, a purple technorganic bird of prey. Blackarachnia was startled by the change in him. Instead of the lovable, chivalrous knight in shining armor, he was a brittle, haunted bot, tormented by the images of the evil deeds he had done...done by choice. Though he gave up on himself, she never did, urging Silverbolt to forgive his past, prompting him to head to the Grand Mal to confront his old master and rescue Primal and Cheetor. {{storylink|In Darkest Knight}}

Blackarachnia continued to assure Silverbolt that things would get better. After Silverbolt inadvertently spread a new, [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]-enhanced version of the old [[Hate Plague]], causing dissension in the ranks, he blamed himself, but she and the other Maximals were supportive. {{storylink|A Wolf in the Fold}} Later, when a Maximal spaceship crashed, the Maximals split up to reach it in time. As they did, Blackarachnia confided to Rattrap that she'd found Silverbolt increasingly cold towards her. At the ship, they encountered a strange, alien plant monster, which Primal reformatted, revealing it to be [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], a fellow Maximal. {{storylink|Home Soil}}

The Maximals would soon encounter two new Vehicon generals, [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], whose gambit almost defeated them until Botanica stepped in. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike|The Strike}} Blackarachnia and Silverbolt were teamed up with Cheetor during a search for the missing sparks. Though Silverbolt was uncomfortable about following someone he still regarded as a kid, Blackarachnia defended Cheetor. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search|The Search}} The Maximals attempted to infiltrate the Grand Mal to find the missing sparks, only to discover that Megatron was using them to fuel his great ascension. Nightscream's intercession appeared to dispel the Vehicon leader's spark. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege|The Siege}}

[[File:Silverboltblackarachniaseedsofthefuture.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Eeek! That smile! Go back to glowering!]]
Once the Maximals had celebrated, Blackarachnia tried to talk to Silverbolt, believing now was the time for them to renew their romance. Silverbolt was not convinced of Megatron's demise, and in fact, he was right: Megatron still lived as a disembodied and depolarized spark. The pair found themselves being attacked by a zombie of pieced-together Vehicon parts, animated by the power of Megatron's spark. Megatron was later trapped in a [[Diagnostic Drone]] by Rattrap. {{storylink|Spark of Darkness}}

Silverbolt, Blackarachnia and Nightscream attacked the Vehicons while the others attempted to secure the sparks in the Grand Mal. They were subsequently able to put Megatron's Vehicon factory out of commission, but the Grand Mal itself was brought down. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. I: The Downward Spiral|The Downward Spiral}} Blackarachnia and Silverbolt were able to share a quiet moment before the final battle, and they received a spark power-up from the collective population of Cybertron. However, they were both felled during battle by Obsidian and Thrust, respectively. Their sparks were then torn from them by cycle drones. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall|When Legends Fall}} Though unable to assist physically, Blackarachnia and the other Maximals were able to give moral support to Primal during his final battle against Megatron, which resulted in the sacrifice of both leaders and the reformatting of Cybertron into a technorganic paradise. With harmony restored, Silverbolt and Blackarachnia were finally able to be together. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|Seeds of the Future}}
{{-}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''Beast Wars Diorama Story''=====
[[File:BWDS 6.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Soon after [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s intrusion into the Beast Wars, Blackarachnia joined a battle between Maximals and Predacons. {{storylink|Optimus Primal Chapter}} Blackarachnia faced off against Dinobot, who attacked with his Dino Sabel. {{storylink|Dinobot Chapter}} Blackarachnia counterattacked with her Anchor Shot. {{storylink|Blackarachnia Chapter}} The battle was joined by [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s from another universe, {{storylink|Tigatron Chapter}} and the collective Maximal/Autobot forces faced off against their opposite factions. {{storylink|Motorarm Chapter}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Following the [[Great Reformatting]], Blackarachnia and the other surviving Maximals listened to Cheetor explain that Rhinox's spark was not gone for good, but lost in [[Legends World|another universe]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} After [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] were sent to retrieve their comrade, Blackarachnia was elated to see the two return with Rhinox accompanying. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}
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====3H comics====
[[File:Groundzero-blackarachnia-insectilemoron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right]]
Blackarachnia brought [[Fractyl]] back to reality after the Predacon scientist had been daydreaming about the worst case scenarios that would follow up his presentation to Megatron about his "[[energon armor]]". When Fractyl expressed a desire to inform Megatron about the current progress of his experiements with [[furmanite]], Blackarachnia dissuaded him from doing so, secretly hoping to use Fractyl's invention for her own gain. She and Inferno continued to keep watch over Fractyl, until [[Packrat]] stumbled upon the scene, causing Inferno to lash out violently. In the confusion that followed, Packrat ran off, prompting Blackarachnia to order Inferno to pursue him. She then turned to Fractyl for an explanation to his armor's volatilie nature, only to learn that furmanite was, in truth, "anti-energon". Realizing that if enough energon came into contact with the furmanite, it could spell doom for the entire planet, Blackarachnia went to fetch Megatron while Fractyl pursued the Maximal. When she and Megatron came upon Fractyl, he had retrieved the armor, and was sending a small group of Maximals fleeing. {{storylink|Ground Zero}}

[[File:Terminus-Blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|left]]
After Blackarachnia had acquired her Transmetal 2 form, she and the other Maximals set out to investigate a temporal anomaly detected by Rhinox. They encountered the Predacons en-route. The two factions were locked in a firefight, though the advantage lay with the Predacons. After Megatron took off to reach the time-traveler that both teams had previously detected, Optimus was forced to pursue him, leaving his troops against insurmountable odds. Blackarachnia was sure to voice her displeasure over the situation. The Predacons eventually began to push the Maximals back towards a cliffside. Then, suddenly, Predacon fire ceased entirely. The situation had not become any safer however, the Maximals now had to contend with [[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]], the aforementioned time-traveler, possessed by Unicron's dark essence. Though Windrazor was able to expunge Unicron from his systems, the much more powerful Shokaract appeared immediately aftwerwards... {{storylink|Paradox}}

This led to Blackarachnia participating in [[Point Omega]], a battle that would determine the fate of all Cybertronians. She was eviscerated by [[Shokaract]]'s firepower. She got better as space-time rebooted itself with the disappearance of the [[Dark Essence]] from the past, and these events were erased from her timeline. {{storylink|Terminus (issue)|Terminus}}

Shortly after Cybertron underwent the [[Great Reformatting]], the [[Quintesson]]s seized the opportunity to attack, believing that the revolutionary change would have rendered the planets' inhabitants confused and docile. Suffice to say, the Transformers were greatly underestimated. Silverbolt and Blackarachnia were successfully able to fend [[Cybertropolis]] from Quintesson invaders. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

[[File:Blackarachniaabduction.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|She stabbed my basketball, and the speakers to my stereo!]]
One year later, Silverbolt and Blackarachnia were chosen to greet a ship of returning Autobot heroes from the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Their welcomes were ignored by the crew, which included [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]], and [[Shadow Striker (Universe)|Shadow Striker]], when they realized that their home had been transformed into a strange technorganic paradise. Only [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] was unfazed, choosing to talk up Blackarachnia and Silverbolt so that he could mug for [[Rook (Universe)|Rook]]'s cameras.

[[File:TFU Blackarachnia vs Rattrap.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Hey, guys, I turned evil again!]]
Their greeting was interrupted by a series of what appeared to be fireworks. Instead, they were beams of energy sent by [[Unicron]] to capture the returning crew, Blackarachnia, and Silverbolt, and bring them to him. When they arrived, a booming voice welcomed them to the [[Pit (Universe)|Pit]], a dimension inside Unicron. Blackarachnia and her fellow captives were painfully smelted down and reformed; only Trailbreaker emerged unchanged. Since she arrived, Blackarachnia had begun to feel [[Unicron virus|a growing anger]] that she couldn't control. And in this new Unicron-tainted form, she more than welcomed the swarm of creatures that began swarming her group. Overwhelmed, Blackarachnia and the others were herded into the [[Cauldron]] and filed into prison cells. As Blackarachnia protested, she was silenced by [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], one of their hosts.

It was revealed to them by the master of ceremonies, [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]], that they would be forced to fight fellow abducted Transformers. The loser's [[spark]] would fuel and empower Unicron, whose form had fallen into disrepair. Blackarachnia's uncontrollable rage welcomed this bloodsport; Silverbolt watched helplessly as she fell under Unicron's evil spell. {{storylink|Abduction}}

Optimus Primal, resurrected by [[Primus]], arrived to rescue the prisoners of the Cauldron, and with help from Silverbolt and Trailbreaker, its captives were set free. But Unicron's grip on Blackarachnia was too strong. She began lashing out madly, even at Silverbolt, and the Fuzor took tight hold of her so that he might swiftly remove her from Unicron's grip. But as the others began jumping through a portal that would lead them to their respective homes across the [[multiverse]], Blackarachnia had a moment of clarity. Sadly, she told Silverbolt that Unicron had awakened her ''true'' nature, then bid him farewell and threw him through the portal.

[[File:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Closure? Maybe?]]
Soon, she was escorted by Tankor and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] to the center of Unicron, where she was repulsed to meet a familiar face: Tarantulas! {{storylink|Escape (Universe)|Escape}}

Blackarachnia was dispatched to her home Cybertron's [[Undercity]], where she observed Rattrap for a while. Finally, she made her presence known, stinging him with her cybervenom. She never had liked the vermin, after all. Suddenly, Rattrap was saved by [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], back from the dead. Blackarachnia was knocked out, and Depth Charge left the weakened Rattrap to fend for himself. As Depth Charge departed, he found himself surrounded by Blackarachnia's [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacons]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}}

Much later, Optimus Primal waged one last desperate assault against Unicron, and his [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] were able to defeat the [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions of Unicron]]. As Unicron himself seemed to dissolve below them, Silverbolt carried Blackarachnia with him, saving her from sharing the gruesome fate of her evil peers. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}
{{-}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
On the way back to Cybertron after the end of the Beast Wars, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt dozed off to sleep while cuddling each other. {{storylink|Ain't No Rat}}

{{BW Shell Game}}
They awoke, affected by a Transwarp agitator planted on the shuttle by a new team of Predacons hiding on Earth. This device caused Blackarachnia and the other Maximals aboard to act aggressively towards one-another, and they tried to force Rattrap into the ship's C.R. Chamber due to its influence. Rattrap resisted, managed to get away, and deactivated the ship's Transwarp drive. Though this restored the Maximals to their senses, it also returned them to prehistoric Earth. {{storylink|Shell Game issue 1|Shell Game #1}}

====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
Not long after Megatron took the original Megatron's spark into himself, he had Quickstrike deliver a device to the Maximal base which amplified the Maximals' aggression. Blackarachnia was attacked by Rhinox before escaping while Silverbolt distracted him. Once Optimus Primal was able to overcome the device's effects and free the other Maximals, they attempted unsuccessfully to capture Megatron in one of Blackarachnia's webs. {{storylink|A Meeting of Minds}}

After the Maximals returned to Cybertron, Blackarachia was trying to persuade Silverbolt that it was all right for them to resume their romance after Megatron's apparent death, when they were attacked by a strange zombie-like creature. After it zapped Silverbolt, she unsuccessfully tried to attack it in retaliation. {{storylink|Singularity Ablyss}}

====IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics====
[[File:TMblackarachnia.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
"White Propionica"<ref>The [[BotCon 2016]] script reading, "[[The Hot Rod]]" established this name as Blackarachia's pre-Earth name in this continuity.</ref> was walking down a street shortly after the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}}

As [[Magmatron]] was surveying the timestream, he witnessed several key moments taking place during the Beast Wars. Among these was Blackarachnia fiddling around with some technology. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 1|The Gathering #1}}

While the Maximals attempted to remove her Predacon shell program, an alternate Transmetal "Vok" body was somehow automatically created (by someone, somehow) in [[Transwarp|subspace]] just in case it was needed. It wasn't, and so it was "sidelined". {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #1}}
{{-}}

====Waspscream continuity====
In [[Primax 208.06 Zeta]], the machinations of the [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] from [[Primax 206.15 Gamma]] resulted in the local Predacons defeating the Maximals, prompting the [[Vok]] to attempt to sterilize their experiment. Blackarachnia was killed when Megatron tricked her into destroying [[Planet Buster|the Vok weapon]] while she was trying to escape Earth. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/16}}

====''Story of Binaltech''====
As the victorious Maximals travelled forward in time from prehistoric Earth to far-future Cybertron in [[Primax 496.22 Alpha]], their shuttle was suddenly struck by a powerful force of darkness. This was the result of the temporal machinations of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] in [[OG World|Primax 785.06 Alpha]] and the [[Alternity]]'s response effort to repair the timeline. However, these events resulted in two copies of the Maximals' shuttle being created: one copy went on home to Cybertron where its crew would participate in the [[Spark War]] while the other was hurled into the early 21st century of [[BT World|Primax 903.0 Beta]]. [[Unicron]] observed the shuttle and destroyed it, scattering most of the crew into [[transwarp]] space. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/30}}{{storylink|Outlier (comic)|Outlier}} Blackarachnia, however, was forced by Unicron to aid him in his efforts to destroy the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Her spark was placed inside the silver Beta Unit Honda S-2000 Aero Style body intended for the Autobot warrior [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], and her mind was overwhelmed by an evil essence that forced her to do Unicron's bidding.

Still possessing her extrasensory Transmetal 2 powers including telekinesis, Blackarachnia gained several additional weapons courtesy of her new form: a long-range Venom Sniper Gun that fired system-disrupting energy bullets, a defensive riot shield that projected an electromagnetic field from its edge, and the ability to fire strong artificial webs from her grill, exhaust pipe and hands in robot mode.

Blackarachnia was partnered with the newly-created [[Decepticharge]] and dispatched to confront [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s forces on Earth. Finding them in the middle of a [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]-led uprising, the pair put down the rebellion and ordered the Decepticons to defeat [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and destroy the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].

While forced to act as a Decepticon, Blackarachnia's true self remained intact but submerged, struggling to overcome Unicron's control and desperate to correct the warped Binaltech timeline. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Outlier (comic)|Outlier}}}}

====''Wings Universe''====
[[File:HoistTheFlag-PrimalPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Following the Great Reformatting of Cybertron, Blackarachnia and her friends stood guard over Cheetor as their leader attempted to commune with the Oracle. {{storylink|Hoist the Flag|Alpha Trizer's profile}}

An image of Blackarachnia carrying a Maximal flag and being led by [[Primal Prime]] into battle (presumably taken during the [[Quintesson]] invasion) hung in the [[Cybertronian Knight]]s' headquarters. {{storylink|Hoist the Flag}}
{{-}}

====A Change to the Agenda====
After his attack on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] was thrown out of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when Blackarachnia activated the ship's defense systems. However, he was not thrown far enough and the Predacon managed to reenter the Ark and blasted the Autobot leader, decisively erasing the Maximals from the timeline. But before he could gloat further, Blackarachnia attacked the [[Megatron (G1)|original Megatron]] with her [[cyber-venom]] before she disappearred, ensuring the Predacon Megatron's nonexistence. {{storylink|A Change to the Agenda}} In [[Primax 209.0 Gamma|the wildly different timeline]] that followed, Blackarachnia's life would take [[#Beast Wars: Uprising|a very different track]].

===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga===
[[File:BlackarachniaMetalsMangaDrop.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Are those high heels or platform shoes?]]
Following the [[Quantum surge]], Blackarachnia was one of the few Transformers ''not'' to be upgraded into a [[Transmetal]]. As [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and his armies laid siege to the weakened Maximal base, Blackarachnia waited in secret for an opening. When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was forced to shut [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] down to let an injured [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] in, Blackarachnia saw her chance and entered the base. Knocking out Airazor and ripping [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]'s arm off, Blackarachnia confronted Rhinox. Rhinox proceeded to pull out a "gun", but instead of shooting her with it, he blasted himself in the head (the "gun" actually being a machine allowing him to enter [[Transwarp]] space). Confused, but seeing no further use for the Maximals, Blackarachnia left the base. As the base collapsed behind her, she was approached by Quickstrike, who didn't like her "interfering" with his business. Not in the mood, she immediately kicked his head off. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 1|Beast Wars Metals #1}}

She later teamed with Tarantulas in confronting Tigatron. Tarantulas was promptly cut in two by the Maximal, though Blackarachnia blocked his sword with her legs and was able to escape with her comrade's body. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 2|Beast Wars Metals #2}}

Tarantulas recovered and took control of Tigatron's mind. Blackarachnia disapproved of such an invasive attack, but Tarantulas ignored her. While Airazor fought to save Tigatron's mind and body, Blackarachnia had a change of heart and decapitated Tarantulas with her thighs. She then entered the battle to help Airazor, but was shot in the back by Tarantulas' headless body. Ultimately, Tigatron's mind was saved, but Airazor died in the process. With nobody noticing, Blackarachnia slunk away to the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 4|Beast Wars Metals #4}}

There, she met the severed head of Megatron and disapproved of his plan to kill the sleeping Optimus Prime and disrupt the timestream. She kicked his head into a lava pit, but this only allowed Megatron to merge with the spark of [[Megatron (G1)|his ancestor]] and become even more powerful. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}}

After Megatron was killed and the Maximals reunited, Blackarachnia encountered Silverbolt and the two immediately hit it off. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 6|Beast Wars Metals #6}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
When [[human]] archaeologists uncovered a cave filled with primitive language, [[Mini-Con]] [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] translated it for them. The markings told of a time when the Maximals and Predacons crash-landed on prehistoric Earth, though the stranded Transformers were seen by the protohumans as gods. When one of the archeologists, [[Jessica Theist]], later touched one of the markings, she was bestowed a vision of the Maximals' and Predacons' battles. Among them, she saw Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Fire in the Dark}}

===''Universe'' CD-ROM===
Blackarachnia followed [[Reptilion|Reptillion]]{{sic}} in battle against [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and his Autobot forces. She teamed up with [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]] to fight [[Striker]] before being abducted by [[Acheron|a mysterious ship]], which was bringing the Decepticons to [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Universe CD-ROM}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:Scavengerblackarachniaalphatriontranscendent.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Silverbolt would not approve.]]
Blackarachnia was brought online in a [[Primax 209.0 Gamma|universe]] where the Autobots and Decepticons had grown too decrepit to carry on the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], and had made the [[Maximal]]s and Predacons continue the war in a series of ritualized [[Games]]. As a result from her first moments Blackarachnia knew only strife and combat. Increasingly questioning the orders of her Autobot masters, the breaking point came with the death of her colleagues [[Silverbolt (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Silverbolt]] and [[Rhinox (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Rhinox]], and the apparent death of [[Rattrap (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Rattrap]]. She conspired with [[Nightscream (BM)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Nightscream]] and together they killed their commander, Optimus Primal.

Joined by the malcontent Predacons [[Immorticon (BW)|Immorticon]] and [[Scavenger (BM)|Scavenger]], they fled and activated an experimental [[transwarp]] device, hoping to escape Cybertron. Instead, they found themselves in ''another'' Cybertron, in [[Axiom Nexus]]. After processing, they were placed in the care of [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. He convinced her that the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s who ruled the city were little different from the Autobots under whose yoke she had chafed. Under his tender ministrations, her spark was transferred from her Lowtech body into that of her Transcendent Technomorph [[Blackarachnia (TransTech)|counterpart]], with the authorities of Axiom Nexus none the wiser. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 25|Blackarachnia's profile in Club magazine #25}}

Thus upgraded, she joined Alpha Trion's insurrectionist organization, and was part of the raid on [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]]'s laboratory in the hopes of rescuing [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]. Blackarachnia and her comrades successfully stormed into Shockwave's inner sanctum, where they came face-to-face with the formidable [[Megatron (TransTech)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 5}} Despite that rather severe obstacle, Blackarachnia and the Alpha Trion's minions managed to secure the transit room and transwarp to the Old One's [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|original universal stream]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 6}}

On the other side of the transwarp portal, Alpha Trion ordered Blackarachnia to prepare the cloaking device in order to keep his return a secret. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 1}}

Through some form of transdimensional navigation, Blackarachnia arranged to return to her home universe. She intended to arrive on Earth, but instead found herself drawn back to Cybertron due to a unique but powerful energy matrix of Terran design she detected. She was discovered after impact by [[Lio Convoy#Beast Wars: Uprising|Lio Convoy]], Guardian of Order in the [[Games]] and unknowingly the possessor of this [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] at the core of his spark. Blackarachnia's words stirred the fires of revolution in Lio Convoy, and he recognized the need to throw off their Builder oppressors. Blackarachnia got back in touch with the resistance, getting a new body along the way.

At the start of the next Games, Blackarachnia and her team of rebels ([[B'Boom]], [[Scylla]], [[Break]], [[Longhorn]], and [[Retrax]]) stormed the stadium and overcame the Builder [[Override (BWU)|Override]]. Taking control of the cameras and broadcast equipment, they ensured Lio Convoy had the world's undivided attention when he executed the Games' [[Supersonic|announcer]] and declared it was time for [[Grand Uprising|revolution]]. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}}

Blackarachnia was tasked with recruiting [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]] into the resistance, until Twirl was murdered. She started her own investigation into the murder, and infected [[Wolfang (Predacon)|Wolfang]] with a virus, to probe his core conscious for information. Wolfang's secret Predacon identity was revealed, giving Blackarchania leverage over him. Wolfang discovered she purchased the virus from [[Overrun]] under the psuedonym "Elita." Both Wolfang and Blackarachnia traced Twirl's murder to the Mayhemist movement. Despite knowing Twirl for a short period of time, Blackarachnia sought to avenge her death, setting up a sniper's nest outside the Mayhemist base. Wolfang found her and threatened to arrest her, but Blackarachnia countered, stating that she could end his life with a single anonymous transmission. The two reluctantly teamed up, deeming the Mayhemists a mutual threat. The pair shared cy-gar-ettes while waiting for the Mayhemists to arrive. Wolfang was shocked to see that Tarantulas, head of the Predacon Secret Police, was directly involved with the Mayhemists. Blackarachnia suggested killing him outright, but Wolfang insisted on trying to arrest him. Blackarachnia temporarily fled to avoid the PSP, later intending to meet Wolfang back at the Spark of Genius. However, she was apprehended by Overrun on the way, who confessed to the murder after Wolfang confronted him. Blackarachnia managed to free herself, but not before the PSP arrived. Overrun escaped, pursued by Wolfang and Blackarachnia, as well as the MCSF and PSP. Overrun attempted to escape near the border of [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]. While Wolfang decided what to do with him, Blackarachnia bought them time by prompting a mortar strike on the area. Blackarachnia offered an escape for Overrun and Wolfang, but Wolfang declined, knowing that their time was near. Wolfang and Blackarachnia shared a brief romantic moment, before she fled the scene. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}}

Pragmatic to a fault, Blackarachnia was quick to accept "dirty" business as a necessity of war. When the Predacons declared their secetion from the Builders as the [[Independent Predacus States]], they initially opted for neutrality. The Tripedacus Council was willing to entertain an open alliance with the Resistance under certain conditions, one which was non-negotiable: the elimination of [[Preditron]], founder of the Predacons and the council's only real threat to power. Blackarachnia and Lio Convoy agreed to arrange the death of Preditron, who had been in their care since the breakout at Fortress Maximus.

Blackarachnia was also encouraging Games of a new sort in [[Protihex]]—captive Micromasters fighting against each other to the death, just as the proto-races did for centuries. She called it a needed release for their tired troops, but Cheetor wondered how much Lio Convoy knew about such an idea. {{storylink|Safe Spaces}}

As High Command attempted to deal with independent warlords and the rise of the [[Maximal Nation]] and Independent Predacus States as potential allies, the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] began. Blackarachnia supported Operation Amputation, an excessive counter-strike to wipe out the infected regions of [[Damaxus]], [[Carpessa]], and Protihex with [[K-Class]] Commandos. The failure to cauterize the infected areas mean the Vehicons spread beyond their initial borders, and the Resistance was now caught between the Builders to the north and a growing menace to the south. Faced with little choice, High Command ordered an all-out assault on Iacon, hoping that winning the war and bringing down the [[Builder Assembly]] would also provide the means to contain or deactivate the Vehicon horde.

In order to press onwards to Iacon, the [[Yuss Naval Batteries]] could not be firing on the Resistance Navy when they traversed the [[Rust Sea|Great Rust Sea]]. And so, the Resistance fought to seize the seven fortresses guarding the batteries, and the batteries themselves. Blackarachnia led the successful siege on [[Fort Xern]]. The Maxilla was conquered and the batteries seized, but at great cost. No longer having the necessary naval ships to transport the army up the Sea, the Resistance had to proceed largely on foot to Iacon. They began to double-time it once they realized [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], commander of the Micromaster 001st in Iacon, was refusing to engage in open warfare in the streets and risk civilians. The enemy's general had, effectively, left the front door open to them.

At the [[High Pavilion of Iacon]], Blackarachnia and Lio Convoy secured the outer perimeter while Psycho-orb and B'Boom led squads inside to reach the Builder Assembly. Instead, the Builders seemingly chose to come to them. The Assembly bunker raised into the sky, exposing the Builders in a naked display of arrogance. Lio Convoy and Blackarachnia ascended to greet them with [[Grimwing (BWU)|Grimwing]] and the Flying Meteors. As they tried to "negotiate" the Assembly into surrendering, the Vehicon hordes finally reached Iacon. They were completely unprepared when the Vehicons turned on the Builder Assembly, assimilating them and going on to augment their numbers with the three million Builders also in Iacon. All hope of shutting the Vehicons down was lost. The Vehicons would not, could not be stopped. The [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] had begun.

Two megacycles later, the army of the Resistance was still fighting to survive in the ruins of the High Pavilion. Lio Convoy was prepared to activate their last K-Class, [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]], and destroy the entire planet to stop the Vehicons when Administrator [[Eject (G1)|Eject]] arrived with intelligence on the Vehicons' home base, the [[Grand Mal]] of [[Nova Cronum]]. Working quickly, Blackarachnia and Lio Convoy assembled a small squad of special forces troopers to assault the Grand Mal and hopefully defeat [[Galva Convoy]], the dark mirror of Lio Convoy who created the Vehicons.

Entering the Grand Mal and making their way to the command center cost lives, and the final door was heavily guarded. Ro-Tor, [[Apexus]], and [[Razorbeast]] were sent off to cause a diversion while Blackarachnia and Lio Convoy used the concealing power of his [[Soplisistic Sword]] to move past the Vehicon guards. They confronted Galva Convoy, but were overwhelmed by his defenses. Trying a different tactic, Lio Convoy claimed to have seen the light, and expressed a desire to join his "brother". To prove it, he agreed to have Blackarachnia turned into a Vehicon. Instead, he interposed himself between Blackarachnia and the nano-injection, taking the plague for himself. Their shared CNA allowed him to pass the infection into Galva Convoy with a touch. With a heavy heart, Blackarachnia used her mandible-blaster to shoot Lio Convoy with cyber-venom before he too succumbed to the plague.

Destroying Galva Convoy didn't stop the Vehicons, unfortunately. It only revealed the true malefactor behind the Apocalypse: [[Lord Imperious Delirious]], a second-born intellect who slipped into Cybertron during the Uprising to destroy the Transformers from within. Uncertain of Lio Convoy's chances of survival, Blackarachnia pulled the supreme commander to safety and hooked up with the commandos. She ordered the last surviving special forces trooper, Razorbeast, to get Lio Convoy to safety by any means necessary. After that, she and Ro-Tor pressed on to the engineering section, hoping to detonate the K-Class warrior and stop the flying fortress. Instead, the crazed Rampage intervened and stole Ro-Tor's core bomb for himself. Attaching the explosive to his own spark by ripping open his chest, Rampage bade Ro-Tor and Blackarachnia to run while they still could. The Resistance fighters made it out of the Mal before Rampage detonated his bomb, destroying Delirious and severing the Vehicons from their hive mind.

In the days that followed, Blackarachnia rested at Lio Convoy's bedside in Stanix until he recovered from her cyber-venom, which proved remarkably effective in cleansing the nano-plague. Once he awakened, Lio Convoy insisted on a Grand Summit of the surviving factions to ensure peace was forged and the world didn't slide back into war again. A Cybertronian Parliament was hammered out, with the Resistance gaining three voices our of sixteen, joined by Maximals, Predacons, Neutrals, and a few concessions to the surviving Builders. In the meantime, Resistance territory would be reforged into the League of Autonomous Proto-States, each having a voice while governing themselves. Unfortunately, Lio Convoy wouldn't be around to see it. Blackarachnia's oldest friend and collaborator rightly decided he was too polarizing a figure to remain, and planned to leave Cybertron good-bye. As he departed, Blackarachnia and "Aslan" shared a final moment together, as she thanked him for all his efforts since they first met, stellar cycles earlier. {{storylink|Derailment}}

Millennia later, Blackarachnia would be unfairly remembered as trying to capture "Oversurge" and trying to turn him into a weapon of mass destruction. She was also mistakenly attributed with Lio Convoy's murder of Supersonic. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
Using the [[Autoscout]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] delivered a love-letter to Blackarachnia. She didn’t seem too happy about it. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Regeneration One''===
[[File:Gas skunk blackarachnia jetstorm leobreaker starscream war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As the Dark [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] creature tortured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] with visions of his [[Sparkplug Witwicky|dead father]] in [[Zero Space]], cracks began to appear in the membrane of infinite worlds. Through one, Blackarachnia could be seen alongside [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], [[Gas Skunk]] and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
A Decepticon believed to have been killed by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], Blackarachnia had in fact survived and made her way into [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s [[Cerebros (G1)|head]], corrupting the giant's brain and turning him into a mindless, violent zombie. She was eventually discovered and defeated by [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Tunnel Rat]], restoring Maximus to normal. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-9-Blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|right]]

Blackarachnia was part of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s forces that uncovered the [[Red Bucket]]. She panicked and fled when they were attacked by a giant [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] robot. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}
{{-}}

===''Legends'' comic===
Blackarachnia visited the Transformers Celebration 2014 event, where she browsed the toys for sale. {{storylink|Legends Bonus Vol.}} At day, she was an office worker at [[Tera-Kura Co.]], while, at night, she worked at a [[w:Host and hostess clubs|host club]] where she'd often entertain her employer, President [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 10#Head of Partying, Cheetor|Head of Partying, Cheetor}} She was also a huge ''Transformers'' fan, something that prompted Megatron to learn more about the franchise to impress her. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 14#President Mega's Requests|President Mega's Requests}} Before long, he was able to recite all kinds of Transformer names, to Blackarachnia's enjoyment. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 14#President Mega's Studies|President Mega's Studies}} She also received a bunch of presents from him for [[Christmas]]. {{storylink|Merry X'mas!!}}

When Blackarachnia stayed at work longer than other employees, Megatron told her to finish up, wanting to leave and go the bar. He was unaware that she also wanted to get done quick as she had to go ''work'' at said bar. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 16#Widow-chan at Work|Widow-chan at Work}} Megatron later went to a ''[[Q-Transformers]]'' event, hoping to buy merchandise Blackarachnia would like, and found to his surprise that she was also there. {{storylink|Deckss × Q-Transformers Collaboration Event Report|Deckss × Q-Transformers}} When [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|the original Megatron]] appeared in the [[Legends World|Legends Universe]], seeking to conquer it, Blackarachnia was happy to see him and gave him some oil as an offering. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 23#Lord Megatron Goes to the Legends World|Lord Megatron Goes to the Legends World}} She did, however, fail to recognize him when President Megatron brought him as a guest to the club. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 13|Bonus Edition Vol. 13}} Blackarachnia was overjoyed when the original Megatron became the chairman of Tera-Kura Co., but worked hard to act natural around him as she didn't want people at the office knowing she was a big nerd. {{storylink|LG13 Megatron Sequel#Widow-chan's Usual Day|Widow-chan's Usual Day}}

[[File:TFLegendVol17DecepticonHalloweenCostumes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|Kitty cat/spider Fuzor!]]

President Megatron later invited all his employees for a night on the town, but Blackarachnia turned him down. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#The Autumn Megatron Festival|The Autumn Megatron Festival}} Among his visions of things to come, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] foresaw that something would happen to Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 14|Bonus Edition Vol. 14}} She would attend the unveiling of Tera-Kura's latest product, the [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird Shadow]] ninja maid robot. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 15|Bonus Edition Vol. 15}} Trion's prediction came to pass when Blackarachnia contracted [[Transformers sickness]], granting her a full-scale Transformer body. Happy to have another Transformer on his team in time for [[Halloween]], Chairman Megatron had her to go trick-or-treating for energy alongside Nightbird and [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], which she did dressed as a cat. When Autobots [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] showed up to spoil their fun, Blackarachnia defeated all three by tying them up in webbing. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}}

[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Starscream]], another employee at the club, called Blackarachnia for help when he got in trouble with Slipstream, but she assumed ''he'' had started it and took Slipstream's side. {{storylink|LG-16 Slipstream Sequel}} When [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] arrived in the Legends world, Blackarachnia found him ''very'' easy on the eyes {{storylink|LG19 Sprung Prologue}} and was quite literally all over him alongside Nightbird and Slipstream. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} The three later went with Chairman Megatron on a hot springs trip, and were thus absent when Tera-Kura Co. was briefly taken over by [[Waspinator (BW)#Cartoon continuity|Waspinator]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Blackarachnia grieved over G1 Megatron's body after he was seemingly killed by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], only to find a tiny new Megatron located inside the remains of the old one. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20|Bonus Edition Vol. 20}}

After their company merged with the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] to become Decepticon Tera-Kura Co., Blackarachnia appeared on a chart of the current employees. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 22|Bonus Edition Vol. 22}} When Megatron turned into the violent [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], Blackarachnia, Nightbird and Slipstream tried to dissuade him from destroying the city only to be blasted for their trouble. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}} Blackarachnia was later present for [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]]'s failed attempt at usurping Megatron, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}} and was temporarily hypnotized by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] into clinging all over him. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 34|Bonus Edition Vol. 34}} She sat on Tigatron during the filming of ''[[Transformers: Convobat Amazon Showdown]]'', which he didn't mind but the [[Nightscream (BM)|director]] did. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Convobat)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Blackarachnia later had her dresses ripped off by [[Apeface]]'s telekinetic powers, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 38|Bonus Edition Vol. 38}} and started taking [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s commuter service to work. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}}

Blackarachnia helped defend Tera-Kura when the treacherous Headmaster faction came to steal [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]], but was defeated by [[Trickdiamond]] {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}} and sat back at base during the ensuing battle with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} She remained loyal to G1 Megatron even after he departed the company, and later helped him clear out invading [[Viper]]s from Tera-Kura's office. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 63|Bonus Edition Vol. 63}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|''The Transformers: Windblade'' vol. 2 #6]]}}

[[File:ThePriceOfYou FateSpinners.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
A native of [[Eukaris]], Blackarachnia was a member of the [[Fateweaver]] tribe, a small group of Transformers who specialized in the art of prophecy and fortune-telling. {{storylink|The Price of You}} Blackarachnia was one of the very few Fateweavers to be born with the gift of true precognition and the ability to access what she called the "Web of Time". Her unusual precognitive powers set her apart from the other citizens of Eukaris, and over time she took up the life of a hermit. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

When fellow Fateweaver [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] went rogue and began experimenting on unwilling Eukarian victims, Blackarachnia oversaw her banishment from the tribe and subsequent exile. {{storylink|The Price of You}}

[[File:Windblade6-blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

One evening, Blackarachnia was visited by Airazor and Tigatron, who had witnessed a [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|pair of]] [[Devastator (G1)|combiners]] from Cybertron fighting in nearby [[Talon Valley]]. Consulting the "Web of Time", Blackarachnia foresaw the coming of Cybertronians and [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]]s to their isolated world. Not long afterwards, Blackarachnia assembled representatives from all four of Eukaris's tribes at the planet's [[Space bridge|spacebridge]], where they encountered Cybertronian representative [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]].

Not long afterwards, the tribes reconvened to greet a second delegation, consisting of Starscream and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. Windblade used her Camien heritage to try and parley favor of the Eukariens, but the arrival of "standard-formers" reawakened Chela - another part of a prophecy that Blackarachnia had forseen. The two Cybertronians were able to put down the mad Titan; although Windblade was saddened by the loss Blackarachnia consoled her by telling her that the death of Chela was but the first step towards changing Eukaris for the better.

Eukaris agreed to join the [[Council of Worlds]]; Blackarachnia decided that Tigatron and Airazor's status as outcasts would make them ideal delegates. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

===''Generations Selects'' comic===
Blackarachnia was a member of the [[Yellow Order]]. {{Storylink|God Neptune comic 1}}

==Games==
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game continuity===
====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game advertising comic====
Upon arriving on "[[Earth|Planet Energon]]," the dangers of Energon radiation forced the six surviving Predacons and their Maximal adversaries to take on beast alternate forms. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic}}

====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game====
{{voiceactor|??? (English), ??? (Japanese)}}

Blackarachnia joined her fellow Predacons in battling not only the persistent Maximal resistance, but the interdimensional monsters known as the [[Skriix]].

=====Maximal campaign=====
{{note|In the Maximal campaign, the stasis pod that would contain Blackarachnia is instead rescued by the Maximals, producing [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]. It is thus questionable whether or not Blackarachnia even exists in this specific version of the Beast Wars.}}

=====Predacon campaign=====
When Blackarachnia's stasis pod landed in the "Polluted Area," it was secured by the Predacons whom she subsequently joined. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers}}

{{Note|Due to the nature of this game, a player may select various individual characters to perform the feats required in every level, and complete the game's narrative. Thus, any playable Maximal can fill the role of protagonist in Maximal Mode, and any playable Predacon can fill the role of protagonist in Predacon Mode. To view the various feats Blackarachnia can accomplish throughout gameplay in Predacon Mode, it is told on the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|''Beast Wars'' video game]] page, wherein Blackarachnia fills the role of the nameless Predacon.}}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
{{voiceactor|[[Janet-Laine Green]] (English), ? (Japanese)}}
[[File:N64Blackarachnia.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm... sure she has a nice personality... wait, no. No, she doesn't.]]

Transmetal Blackarachnia joined her fellow Predacons in distributing various one-on-one beat downs to the Maximals. Eventually, Silverbolt convinced her to defect to the Maximals but she never truly reformed. It was her betrayal at a key moment that eventually assured the Maximals victory in the Beast Wars. Once back on Cybertron, she worked as a double-agent between the Maximal and [[Tripredacus Council]] with no loyalty to either side. She often pondered what would have happened if she had remained on the Predacon team throughout the war. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)}}

{{note|Each character possessed an alternate ending, displayed if the Nintendo 64 version of the game was beaten with said character. Each character has only their own ending listed on their pages, see the other characters' pages for Blackarachnia’s fate in those outcomes.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (PS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Janet-Laine Green]] (English), ? (Japanese)}}
{{Storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)}}
{{charstubgame}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Alongside Waspinator and Terrorsaur, Blackarachnia came upon the crash-site of a large stasis pod marked with a red "X". Finding the Maximal Silverbolt already there, a battle ensued. When the content of the pod was accidentally let loose, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt were blown away from the fight by the newly emerged Rampage, and sent flying into a hostile swamp. Finding that they need to rely on one another to survive, Blackarachnia is slowly won over by Silverbolt's chivalrous attitude, despite them being on opposing sides of a war. Eventually returning to where Waspinator, Terrorsaur, and a recently arrived Depth Charge continue to do battle with Rampage, all present manage to defeat Rampage just as Megatron arrives on-site. {{storylink|When Sparks Fly}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsBlackarachnia.jpg|thumb|right|400px]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Blackarachnia-TM-II.jpg|thumb|right|400px|If she's defeated, she drops her swords, but not her chestplate.]]
Blackarachnia participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of her! She appeared in multiple different bodies:
*''Blackarachnia'' — This Epic character first appeared in the "Beast Wars - Episode 2" event, and could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
*''Blackarachnia TM II'' — This Epic character first appeared in the third "Transmetals 2: Episode 1" mini events, and could be recruited by collecting 650 units of Cybermetal, 350 units of Transmetal, 150 exclusive cores, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:Blackarachnia-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb||upright=2| I'm bored, so talk to the hand.]]
Blackarachnia and [[Cheetor (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cheetor]] were investigating a massive anomaly where Megatron and Optimus Primal had seemingly disappeared. Seeing as both Blackarachnia and Cheetor were reverted to their pre-transmetal states, Cheetor had a hard time believing Blackarachnia could be trusted.
{{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars}}
{{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars|Primal Call}}
{{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars|Arachnophobia}}
{{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars|Not So Fast}}
{{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars|String Theory}}

*'''Class''': Special
*'''Weapons''': Blackarachnia can use her built-in gun to shoot a peculiar beam at defenses. In beast mode, she chops and dices at enemy targets with her razor-sharp spider legs.
*'''Ability''': Bestial Fury - For 15 seconds, use melee attacks dealing 37.8 damage. Destroy buildings to increase your attack and movement speed by 25% - the buff lasts 90 seconds and can stack 5 times.
**'''Cost''': 4 ability points +2 cost increase.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:blackarachnia Blackarachnia at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{--}}
{{chargamestub|Specifics: Event Stories}}

==Toys==
{{main|Blackarachnia (BW)/toys}}

==Notes==
*Reportedly, Blackarachnia's show model was created after some Mainframe folks had taken the design modeler to a strip club only a few days prior for, um... ''inspiration''.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/593687e427efddad Why Blackarachnia Looks Asian] on [[alt.toys.transformers]].</ref>
*Like her fellow spider [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], her original [[beast mode]] is depicted with ''nine'' eyes rather than eight.
*An [[Bitch Wars|unproduced ''Beast Wars'' episode concept]] would have seen Airazor and Blackarachnia join forces as a "third faction" for a bit. It went unproduced as the writers couldn't see where to go with the idea.
*In the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Blackarachnia's character underwent a few noteworthy changes. Firstly, she had a voice that can only be described as "bipolar". She would switch between her usual sultry, flirtatious voice to a screaming blood-thirsty maniac at the drop of a hat. Another notable change is that she was made more vain and bratty, occasionally being prone to whining, crying and begging for mercy from her enemies (things she never did in the English version). Her unique verbal tic was a habit of making a hissing ''tssshaaaa'' noise, a trait actress [[Ryōka Yuzuki]] would pass on to ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] and ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]].
*Blackarachnia was the first character to willingly embrace the change to Transmetal, as the others were unwillingly changed by external forces or by [[Optimal Situation|sharing the spark of another]]. The second was Megatron.
*{{anchor|TriviaTM2spark}}Even though Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia's toy has a unique faction-switching [[spark crystal]], the feature doesn't make sense in a fictional context. By that point in the ''Beast Wars'' television series, the Transmetal Driver had destroyed her Predacon [[shell program]], making her fully Maximal. (Though, to be fair, it ''had'' happened mere moments previously.)
*Blackarachnia exhibited what appears to be telekinesis not long after gaining her Transmetal 2 form, levitating a steel girder to stop Rampage in "[[Master Blaster]]". The ability only appeared once and was never explained, though it resembles the other strange, almost supernatural powers wielded by Transmetals 2 in the cartoon. Following her reformatting in ''Beast Machines'', Blackarachnia no longer possessed this ability.
*Blackarachnia's Transmetal 2 [[character model|animation model]] is noticeably tweaked from the toy design, with her extremely large shoulder-pads and back rockets all being significantly reduced to a very discreet size. Although arguably more [[Show-accuracy|toy-accurate]] than the CG model of her original body, this level of alteration was uncommon in [[To sell toys|new characters/upgraded bodies]] introduced from Season 2 onwards, as their animation models were more closely based on their respective toys (at least in appearance, if not always in capabilities.) Additionally, the CG render omitted her toy's chest armor.<ref>"Animators' Interview" from [[Madman Entertainment]]'s ''Beast Wars'' Season 3 DVDs.</ref>
[[File:BW Sourcebook Blackarachina single vs trade.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Woke up in Vegas next to [[BB#Notes|BB]].]]{{anchor|TriviaBinaltech}}
*Character and fiction information for the cancelled BT-16 "Blackwidow" toy finally emerged in late 2007 with the release of ''The Transformers Binaltech Stories: Profiles and Technical Specifications'', an unofficial publication by ''Binaltech'' story writer [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] that compiled all then-current ''Binaltech'' information as well as that of the unreleased Blackarachnia and [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] toys. [[Ask Vector Prime]] would canonize her bio almost a decade later.
*Blackarachnia is (strangely) depicted solely using a golden orange version of her Transmetal II body in her IDW ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' profile entry. She received properly colored coverage of all her modes in the trade paperback version.
*In the Nintendo 64 version of ''Beast Wars: Transmetals'', Blackarachnia was a stretched [[palette swap|palette-swap]] of [[Tarantulas (BW)|Transmetal Tarantulas]]. The PlayStation version does not stretch out Tarantulas, instead remeshing the model to resemble her Transmetal 2 form.
*As Blackarachnia appeared in the ''Kre-O'' webcomic months before her ''Kre-O'' toy was revealed, her comic appearance doesn't completely match up with the toy, lacking the spider legs and featuring additional paint details that make her more accurate to the original Blackarachnia.
*''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' Blackarachnia was depicted in a [[BotCon 2016]] lithograph as a "virtual redeco" of [[Chromia (G1)#Generations|''Generations'' Chromia]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackwidow''' (ブラックウィドー ''Burakkuwidō''), '''Blackarachnia''' (ブラックアラクニア ''Burakkuarakunia'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Alaina''' (雅麗娜 ''Aa Lai Naa'')
*''French:'' '''La Veuve Noire''' (French cartoon dub, "The Black Widow"), '''Mygale''' (Canada toy)<ref name=TM2BA>Whether Transmetal II Blackarachnia had different French and Spanish names is uncertain at this point.</ref>
*''German:'' '''Schwarze Arachnia''' (''Beast Wars'' cartoon)
*''Italian:'' '''Arachnia'''
*''Korean:'' '''Black''' (브랙 ''Beulaeg'')
*''Latvian:'' '''Zirneklene''' (derived from ''zirneklis'', meaning "spider")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Zhīzhū''' (''Beast Wars'', 蜘蛛, "Spider"), '''Dú Zhīzhū''' (''Beast Machines'', 毒蜘蛛, "Venomous Spider")
*''Polish:'' '''Arachna'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Aracniana''' (Portugual), '''Viúva Negra''' (Brazil ''Beast Wars'', "Black Widow")
*''Russian:'' '''Chornaya Vdova''' (Чёрная Вдова, "Black Widow")
*''Spanish:'' '''Araña Negra''' ("Black Spider")<ref name=TM2BA/>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Alpha Trion's acolytes]]
[[Category:Alternators Decepticons]]
[[Category:Armada Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:Eukaris]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Predacons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Transformers]]
[[Category:Resistance]]
[[Category:Saboteurs]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Transmetals 2]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Yellow Order]]

Blitzwing (BB)

2020-07-20T01:06:16Z

Kaisatron: /* Studio Series */

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Blitzwing}}
:''Blitzwing is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Bumblebee (franchise)|Bumblebee]] portion of the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''
[[File:Bumblebee-Blitzwing-concept.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Midway presents...'''NFL BLLLLLLLLLLLITZ!''']]
Though his nature varies between a [[Triple Changer|triple changer]] and a [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]], '''Blitzwing''' is just another Decepticon who holds a grudge against [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]].

==Fiction==
===''Bumblebee Movie Prequel''===
[[File:BBPrequel3-Energon-is-Forever-Blitzwing-transforms.jpg|thumb|left|230px|"When the universe is broken, only one handyman can fix it!"]]
During the Great War, Blitzwing functioned as [[Diabla (BB)|Diabla]]'s handler during her stint as an Autobot spy, being the one who ultimately had her return to her faction. A later encounter with the Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ended in a humiliated Blitzwing being left for dead and swearing revenge on the scout. Several thousand years later, Blitzwing made his way to [[Earth]] during the [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]] and fell under the command of [[Malignus (BB)|Malignus]].

In [[1964]], Blitzwing reunited with Bumblebee in [[London]] and eagerly began exacting his revenge. Unable to match the Triple Changer's strength, Bumblebee was forced to detonate a gas main and flee underground. The encounter with his thought-dead foe led to Bumblebee erroneously believing that Blitzwing was in charge of the Decepticon forces on Earth, only realizing his error when Blitzwing appeared among Malignus's troops. {{storylink|Energon Is Forever}}

Unfortunately, Malignus' master plan began going sideways when Diabla suddenly turned on the Decepticons by saving Bumblebee from a [[Sharkticon (BB)|Sharkticon]]. With [[Runabout (BB)|Runabout]] butchered by [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]] and [[Astrotrain (DOTM)|Astrotrain]] fleeing the battle out of disgust for Malignus' leadership, Blitzwing was the only one left to deal with the renegade Diabla. He was almost succeeded in killing her before Bumblebee tackled him, throwing off his aim and accidentally striking the nuclear warhead fired by Malignus. Blitzwing tried to use the chaos to fire at the unsuspecting Bumblebee only for [[P.R.O.G.R.A.M.M.E.]] agent [[David Reeve]] to warn his friend in time, the blast instead killing Dead End. Using Dead End's corpse as a shield, Blitzwing was able to survive the base's collapse and flew off into the night, being hunted by Bumblebee for the next two decades. {{storylink|From Cybertron with Love}}
{{--}}

===''Bumblebee'' film===
{{voiceactor|[[David Sobolov]] (English), [[Haruo Yamagishi]] (Japanese)|[[Frédéric Souterelle]] (European French)}}
[[File:BumblebeeMovie-Blitzwing-flies.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|left|You thought I was [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], BUT IT WAS I, BLITZWING!]]
When the Autobot scout [[Bumblebee (Movie)|B-127]] was cornered by a brigade of [[Sector Seven]] troops led by [[Jack Burns|Agent Burns]], Blitzwing, in the form of an [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] jet, took his chance to swoop in. While the humans were confused by the arrival of the Air Force, Bumblebee recognized the jet for a Decepticon, and warned the humans to run. Blitzwing didn't give them the chance, bombarding Autobot and humans alike with missiles before transforming to attack Bumblebee directly, assuring him that he will [[Furmanism|die screaming]]. While much larger and capable of flight, he lost their first clash when the nimbler Autobot damaged his thrusters and sent him crashing to the ground.

[[File:Bumblebee-BeeVsBlitz.jpg|thumb|300px|"Yup, that's me. You're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation."]]
This wasn't enough to down him, however, and the [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]] subdued the scout and dangled him over a cliff as he interrogated him about Optimus Prime's whereabouts. When the scout refused to answer and defiantly asserted that he would never speak, an enraged Blitzwing "[made] it official" by tearing his voice synthesizer out and throwing him off the cliff. The Decepticon then prepared to execute the "traitor", but was taken by surprise when the Autobot tore a [[missile]] from his arm and jammed it in his chest. Blitzwing only had a moment to comprehend this and try to pull the explosive out before B-127 kicked himself away from him and fired upon the missile, detonating it and blowing him to pieces. {{storylink|Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee}}
{{note|Blitzwing's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novel "[[Transformers: Bumblebee: The Junior Novel]]".}}
{{-}}

===''Bumblebee's First Life on Earth''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Picked Up from the Junkyard}}}}

==Toys==
===Bumblebee===
[[File:Bumblebee-Energon-Igniters-Power-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|300px|"The name's Lobo. That's L as in "Lacerate", O as in "Obliterate", B as in "disem- Bowel" and O as in, uh... Well, I guess I can use "Obliterate" twice, huh?"]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Power Series, [[2018]])
:''[[Transformers: Bumblebee (toyline)|Bumblebee]]'' Power Series Blitzwing is a redeco of the [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Energon Igniters|Megatron]] figure from the Energon Igniters line. The figure's head has been retooled to match the CGI design, but the choice of military-green for the tank mode makes for a rather inaccurate robot mode. As an Energon Igniter, he can interact with the Cores included with other toys in the line.

{{-}}{{anchor|Nitro}}
[[File:Bumblebee-Energon-Igniters-Nitro-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|300px|"Now the more ya move, the worse it'll hurt. So, feel free to go crazy!"]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Nitro Series, [[2019]])
:''Bumblebee'' Nitro Series Blitzwing is a Voyager-sized mold that transforms from robot into a jet plane that is not the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. He also comes with his own Igniter Core, which allows his jet to zip along smooth surfaces. Blitzwing also features a head-swapping gimmick, which gives him an alternate head that is reminiscent of his [[Blitzwing (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart's]] crazy face.
{{-}}
===Generations===
====Studio Series====

[[File:TF-Studio-Series-Voyager-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
* '''Blitzwing''' (Voyager Class, [[2020]])
**''ID number'': '''65'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''??'''
**''Japanese release date'': '''??, 2020'''
**''Accessories'': Blaster, Spike Hand, "Canyon Attack" backdrop
:''[[Studio Series]]'' Blitzwing is a new Voyager Class mold that transforms from robot into a generic fighter jet bearing little resemblance to a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II jet in 27 steps. He comes with a forearm blaster based on the cannon he used to fire upon Bumblebee, a spike hand based off the weapon used to tear off Bumblebee's voice box, and a cardboard backdrop display depicting the canyon where he fought Bumblebee in the movie.

:Bizarrely, despite his initial renders depicting a movie-accurate black head, gray crotch, and a mostly white jet fuselage, stock photography of physical figures depict a completely different and movie-inaccurate deco consisting of a ''white'' head and crotch as well as a random gray overspray around the jet cockpit and fuselage for apparently no reason. The final figure, while still containing the gray overspray, has a black head.
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===ThreeZero===
[[File:3A_Bumblebee_Blitzwing_DLX.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"DID YOU THINK YOUR WALLET CAN HIDE?!"]]
*'''3A DLX Blitzwing''' (2019)
**''Accessories'': Display Stand, 2 Alternate Hand Sets, Spike Hand, Blaster Arm
:[[3A]] DLX Blitzwing is a non-transforming figure based on his appearance in the Bumblebee Movie, standing at 10.6 inches tall and made to scale with their DLX [[Bumblebee (Movie)/merchandise#ThreeZero|Bumblebee]]. He has use of [[die-cast]] parts alongside extensive use of painted parts to match the appearance of the character model.

:Directly outside the packaging, Blitzwing will require assembly as the wings are detached from the figure in order to maintain packaging size. His right arm can be detached and replaced with a Blaster piece based on the Seeker's Weapon, and his hands can be replaced with a set of closed fists, grabbing hands, and his left hand can be replaced with the Spike Hand based on the weapon he used when he tore Bumblebee's voice box out.

:Much like other 3A Figures, Blitzwing comes with light-up eyes can be activated once two LR-44 Batteries are placed inside the Battery slots.

::*''[https://www.threezerohk.com/product/blitzwing-transformers-bumblebee More information on 3A DLX Blitzwing at the official threezero website]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
*When the first trailer for the ''Bumblebee'' movie was released, many assumed that this very [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]-y looking Decepticon, who features many design and transformation elements lifted from the original Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] bodytype and the classic red and grey/white colours of the [[Starscream (G1)|original Starscream]], was... well, Starscream. A synopsis for the film posted on the official Viacom blog even referred to the treacherous Decepticon by name<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/06/20/paramount-reveals-the-possible-identity-of-the-mysterious-seeker-from-transformers-bumblebee-movie-366024 "Paramount Reveals The Possible Identity Of The Mysterious Seeker From Transformers: Bumblebee Movie" - TFW2005.com]</ref>—only for the synopsis to be edited within hours to remove it. Director [[Travis Knight]] then stated at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018 that the Decepticon was, in fact, Blitzwing. 
*Blitzwing was used as a "cover" name on concept art of [[Shockwave (Movie)|''Dark of the Moon'' Shockwave]].<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/portfolio/tf3/ Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>
*David Sobolov’s portrayal of Blitzwing is clearly doing an impression of [[Blitzwing (G1)|the character’s G1 namesake]]. This is further backed up by voice artist [[Jon Bailey]] stating that the actors were shown compilations of characters from [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] prior to their recording sessions. Radical. Despite this, his performance is distinct via the audible baritone.
*It is possible that [[Travis Knight]] believed Blitzwing to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]. This isn't too far-fetched - one of Blitzwing's alt-modes is a jet, he often travels with the Seekers in the cartoon, and his general robot mode silhouette does resemble that of a Seeker (back wings, boxy helmet, general size). This is further backed up by Knight's saying how he wanted to capture the original Seeker aesthetic in relation to Blitzwing. Heck, Takara even released a retool of Blitzwing as Starscream.
*In the final movie, it isn't made clear how Blitzwing tracked Bumblebee down, or even how he got to Earth in the first place. Even [[Shatter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)|Dropkick]] only found out Bumblebee was there when he accidentally broadcast a tracking signal at them, and at no point do they show any awareness that there had been another Decepticon on the planet.
** ''[[Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle at Half Dome|The Battle at Half Dome]]'' has [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] mentioning that he made a bet with Blitzwing to see which of them can reduce a human into at least one kilounit of water; considering this, it's possible that Blitzwing was a crew member of the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''.
*Like the others of his body type seen on Cybertron (with the exception of Starscream) Blitzwing has a gas-mask like apparatus on his face. While it was assumed this was simply the design of his mouth region, a more conventional mouth underneath can be seen when Bumblebee stabs him through the shoulder (00.09.27 on the Blu-ray).

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blitzwing''' (ブリッツウィング, ブリッツ・ウィング ''Burittsuwingu'')

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Bumblebee Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie Seekers]]
[[Category:Studio Series Decepticons]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]