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Zalilak

2025-02-05T01:01:35Z

MegaSolus:

:''Zalilak is a [[Zertonian]] from the [[Energon Universe]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Zalilak.jpg|thumb|300px|It's always "Dress Up as Daft Punk" day at work for him.]]

Premier '''Zalilak''' is the leader of [[Zertonia]]. A large and imposing figure, he is secretly one of the few individuals on the [[Sacred Ring]] who knows the truth about the Zertonian's true origins. [[You]] are honored to be in his presence.

{{quote|You stand before Premier Zalilak, The Great. Vanquisher of Scorn. Bringer of the Dawn of Revelry, Guardian of All Zertonia. Founder of the Council of Vire. First Chosen of the Embrace of [[Zerta Trion|Zerta]].|Unnamed Zertonian listing as many titles for Zalilak as {{w|Daenerys Targaryen}}|[[Void Rivals issue 4|Void Rivals #4]]}}

==Fiction==
===Energon Universe===
[[File:Zalilak-Face.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Sometime before the present day, it is implied that Zalilak and [[Proximus]] had an encounter that was unpleasant for both of them. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 7|Void Rivals #7}}

Zalilak listened to one of his citizens' request for more water when he was informed about [[Solila]]'s arrival. Meeting her with guards, he is greeted with a "gift": [[Darak]], greatest of the [[Agorrian]] pilots, and son of Minister [[Dulin]]. When discussing Solila's capture of the Agorrian, he quickly surmised that the two had shown each other their faces, and threw her in a prison cell with Darak. Moments later, he called Dulin on a secret channel to inform him that his son had shown his face to Solila. Knowing what must be done, Zalilak told Dulin that he would deal with Solila as they agreed.{{storylink|Void Rivals issue 4|Void Rivals #4}}

While in the middle of his feast, Zalilak discovered the two pilots had escaped, and ordered that they be found. He was later informed that Solila and Darak had fled into the [[Wasteland (EU)|Wastelands]] of the Sacred Ring. Not willing to underestimate them again, he realized that to prevent unity, to prevent [[Goliant]]'s return... he needed to revive the hunter known as [[Proximus]]. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 6|Void Rivals #6}} Using technology that allows two people to speak in a "mental space", Zalilak convinced Proximus to hunt down Solila and Darak, though Proximus noted Zalilak's panic in his voice. Back on Zertonia, Zalilak told [[Gulan]] to release Proximus. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 7|Void Rivals #7}}

By the time Darak and Solila had reached their destination in the Wastelands, Zalilak was "summoned" to another holographic meeting by Dulin, who called him a "usurper". Before the two could begin truly arguing, Dulin apologized to Zalilak, before inquiring about his son's status. Zalilak informed Dulin that Darak was alive, and detected relief in Dulin. Reminding his co-conspirator of what was at stake, their call ended when Dulin realized Darak and Solila had escaped, causing Zalilak to abruptly end the call. Later, alarmed that Proximus's tracker was no longer transmitting a signal, he ordered his Minister of Arms to send a Squadron and Blastwings to Proximus's last location, dismissing the Minister's concerns. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 10|Void Rivals #10}} After the Zertonian forces sent to the Wastelands failed to stop Darak from reaching [[Agorria]], a defeated Zalilak passed the responsibility of preventing unity onto Dulin's hands. Leaving the secret communication chamber, a Zertonian trooper informed the Premier that their scientists had begun to examine a data pad received from one of the soldiers who went to the wastelands. Zalilak ordered the soldier to notify him when the validity of the data pad's contents was confirmed. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 12|Void Rivals #12}}

Traveling to the [[Temple of Zerta's Light]], Zalilak was greeted by [[Mistress Vill]]. Fearing he had failed to prevent unity, he became furious at Vill's suggestion that fear of unity was a flawed belief. Zalilak was knocked down by Vill in response to his fury. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 13|Void Rivals #13}} Vill mocked Zalilak's title of "First Chosen of the Embrace of Zerta", and Zalilak admitted that he was willing to walk the [[Path of Light]]. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 14|Void Rivals #14}}

[[Category:Zertonians]]
[[Category:Void Rivals characters]]

Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity

2025-01-29T04:04:02Z

MegaSolus: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|decepticon}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Brainstorm swerves the road not taken.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|"I'm Brainstorm. I own the place."]]
'''Brainstorm''' is smarter than you. Yeah, ''[[you]]''. He doesn't utterly require you to know this and acknowledge him! It's just important for ''your'' sake that you acknowledge his vast intellect and big words! Also, look at this stuff he just built, phwoar, aren't [[Unmentionable|those weapons he made]] so ''shocking'' and ''edgy''?

Also, he's better than [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]], honest.

Underneath this braggado, Brainstorm is... still boastful and a truly dodgy geezer, and a bit of a coward. His weapons have indeed killed an untold number in horrifying ways and he used to work at [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s brainwashing [[Institute]] with few qualms. Despite that, he does hold his (very few) friends dear to him and tries his hardest to hold onto them, and despite his job, somehow he's gone four million years without ever actually taking a life himself.

And deep down, he really just wishes someone who barely knew him had loved him.

{{quote|Why are you—?|quote2=Building weapons whilst hanging from the ceiling? Because no one else can. I was hoping Perceptor would walk in.|[[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] and Brainstorm|''[[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement]]''}}

{{first|[[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''All Hail Megatron'' #1]]}}

==Fiction==
There is conflicting information about the origins of the 'bot who would become Brainstorm, who was a [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|Constructed cold]] Cybertronian originally known as '''Genitus'''. One report placed him among the earliest troops assembled by [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] to serve under [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] when the Autobots were first formed, {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13#"Old Ways"|Old Ways}} but by his own account he was an [[M.T.O.]] created for [[Operation: Solar Storm]]. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} Whatever his precise origins, he kept the fact he was a cold-constructed "knockoff" a secret from most, and instead pretended to be forged, even going so far as to claim that he participated in the anti-apartheid marches that called for "equal rights for knockoffs!" which took place before he was even created. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}}

[[File:RemembranceDay-Brainstorm.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.1|"We fire the ''whole'' laser beam. That's 65% more laser per laser!"]]
Genitus was among the young scientists recruited for the [[Institute|New Institute]], and was soon nicknamed "Brainstorm" by his peers. Two of his co-workers received similar nicknames as "[[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]]" and "[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]". {{storylink|The Reluctant Specialist}} Overly eager and far more likely to ask "Can it be done?" rather than "''Should'' it be done?", Brainstorm fit in well with the vaguely (and sometimes, not so vaguely) amoral experiments and research performed by Zeta's staff. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Despite the destructive scope of his work, Brainstorm had reservations about directly killing others, and never slew anyone by his own hand. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

On one occasion, Brainstorm and Chromedome survived a raid on the New Institute by [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] and [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] to rescue [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Although Chromedome left the New Institute after that near-death experience, he and Brainstorm remained close friends. In fact, Chromedome once remarked that he was Brainstorm's only friend, and Brainstorm didn't correct him. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} For all his flaws, Brainstorm stood by the quick-to-love Chromedome as the war went on and he lost three [[Conjunx Endura]]e, even though he felt disappointed in Chromedome for using his mnemosurgery skills to wipe his own painful memories after each loss rather than remember his fallen partners. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

Brainstorm briefly appeared among the Autobot troops fighting [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and the Decepticons on Cybertron in the distant past. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

[[File:PredestinationAnExpertsGuide BrainstormSeesQuark.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.3|"Ha! I like your style. You make up your own rules, just like me."]]
Brainstorm himself was no stranger to loss. He was deeply infatuated with his fellow scientist and co-worker [[Quark]], to the point that he would later describe him as a "one-way" Conjunx Endura; to what extent Quark may have reciprocated Brainstorm's feelings is unknown, and indeed, would go tragically ''forever'' unknown, as he was captured during the fall of [[K'th Kinsere]] and imprisoned at [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore]], where he later died. Brainstorm was devastated but not broken, and eventually decided to put his vast intellect to work secretly beginning construction of a paradox trap-exempt time machine with which he planned to save his love. This project took centuries. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} Over time, his goal evolved from simply saving Quark to preventing the war in the first place by <s> killing baby Hitler</s> destroying Megatron before he was even activated. Brainstorm did this knowing that with no war, there would be no Operation: Solar Storm, and therefore no Brainstorm at all, sacrificing himself to prevent the catastrophe. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}}

Once he'd sorted the theory out, he realised the Decepticons would have more of the materials he'd need to build the thing and he became a double-agent in order to get access to them. He kept the Decepticons sweet by spinning old, already known information in different ways to make it seem as if it was new advances (though many didn't quite fall for it and he was a self-proclaimed "worst double agent ''ever''"). {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}} {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} Over time, however, his time machine took shape. The components of the machine were hidden in his network of [[Time case|briefcases]], the control case of which almost never left his arm. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

During his time as a double agent, Brainstorm would occasionally exchange spare parts with the [[Scavengers (G1)|Scavengers]]. {{storylink|Animals}}
===Working at Kimia===
[[File:AHM15 Brainstorm.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"At Kimia, we do all our science from scratch. No hand holding."]]
He was later stationed at the [[Kimia Facility]], working on lots of experimental technology and weaponry for the Autobot cause, where his designs were often considered the insane standard that all other weapon designers in Kimia held themselves to. More than any other Autobot, he had beaten a path to [[Room 113]] where his creations were time and time again rejected by the [[Ethics Committee]] as violations of the [[Non-Conventional Weapons Act]]. Undaunted by the rejections, Brainstorm continued to dream up more outlandish and dangerous weapons in his time at Kimia. His most daring inventions were referred to as the "[[Unmentionable]]s". {{storylink|Bullets}}

On [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s orders, he (alongside [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]) used [[Pretender]] technology to rebuild Kup into a sane, rejuvenated 'bot. {{storylink|Everything in Its Right Place}}

At [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]'s request, Brainstorm agreed to go over the gun that misfired the [[cerebro-sensitive bullet]] into Ironfist's skull, looking for what went wrong with the firing mechanism. Brainstorm let the review fall into his backlog for several months, probably because Ironfist neglected to mention the accident had left a bullet in his skull, slowly killing him. Brainstorm finally reported back just as Ironfist was leaving for the [[Wreckers]], revealing his findings that showed the gun had been rigged to go off at a certain angle. The saboteur, [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]], wasn't apprehended until nine months later, so Brainstorm apparently did nothing to follow up on his findings after alerting Ironfist. {{storylink|Bullets}}

At some point, Brainstorm worked with [[Kaput]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

[[File:Brainstorm Chromedome infodump.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"We reject your literary device and substitute our own!"]]
Brainstorm and the other scientists were caught by surprise when [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] invaded Kimia. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}} He survived and managed to escape before the facility's destruction, leaving in an escape pod together with Chromedome and a number of other Autobots. They were soon rescued by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|"a psychopath in pink armor"]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} From her, they learned that they had to save the universe by stopping [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] from letting the [[Dead Universe]] into it. Brainstorm had a hard time grasping all this, and together with Chromedome wondered if any species other than Cybertronians ever had to deal with this kind of problem. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

As part of his interest in the Dead Universe, Brainstorm examined [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], and during the procedure was struck by an energy discharge from [[Nova Prime]]'s corpse, which he'd been keeping in his lab. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}}

===Joining the ''Lost Light''===
Brainstorm was one of the Autobots who chose to accompany [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] on his quest to find the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. After some convincing, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] allowed Brainstorm to board the ''[[Lost Light]]'' without checking his briefcase. But as soon as the ship lifted off, an explosion had sent it into [[Quantum generator|quantum jump]] and had to land on a far, desolate planet. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}}{{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}} Brainstorm and Perceptor investigated what had caused the accident. Although they didn't find the exact cause, they did find something interesting. After Rodimus had insulted his intelligence, Brainstorm informed him that they found a [[Duobot]] had stood right next to the [[quantum generator]] when it failed, and was "totally mashed into the generator itself". He then made a joke about their deceased comrade, leaving Rodimus a bit taken aback at Brainstorm's callousness. In turn, this left Brainstorm panicking over the idea [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] might have heard the joke, but Rodimus just ordered him into the air to join the search for survivors. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On‎|Hangers On}}

[[File:MTMTE7 inverted Brainstorm.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|"Science isn't about WHY! It's about WHY NOT! Why is so much of my science dangerous? Why not invent a special safety door that won't hit [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|you]] on the butt on the way out, because you are FIRED!"]]
When a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] was loose aboard the ''Lost Light'', Brainstorm found himself trapped in an elevator with the creature, which had been hunting [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]. Brainstorm cried out that he was too ''smart'' to die and held up his briefcase in an attempt to ward the Sparkeater off. Fortunately for him, the Sparkeater decided to continue chasing Rung, leaving Brainstorm flustered, but unharmed. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

[[File:BrainstormDJDComeGetHim.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|right]]

What nobody knew was that the damaged quantum engines had created a ''second'' ship: an exact duplicate (or was ''ours'' the duplicate???), unaware of the other. That ship carried on for quite some time before [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] came clean that [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] was locked up in the basement. When Brainstorm's Decepticon handler got in contact with 'Brainstorm 2', demanding he prove he was still properly loyal to the cause, he panicked and contacted the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] to come kill Overlord as long as they promised not to kill anyone else, half-lying that he was ''soooo close'' to "[[time travel|the jackpot]]". To his horror, the Division decided on a whim to start killing anyway and this Brainstorm was left dead in his lab, a look of misery on his face. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}} {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}}{{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}}

Soon after receiving a [[Rodimus Star]] (along with his ex-colleagues Highbrow and Chromedome) for helping to save the ''Lost Light'' after it was hit by a piece of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] debris, an experiment of Brainstorm's went wrong and froze everyone on the ship, except for the forcefield-enclosed [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]]. Despite the near-disaster this caused when the ship was invaded during this time by a group of [[Titan (group)|Titan]]-hunting Decepticons led by [[Lockdown (G1)|Lockdown]] (not to mention the near-death of an away team who had crashed on a planet protected by a [[phobia shield]] and were unable to raise help from the disabled crew {{storylink|The Waiting Game}}), he still received a huge plaque engraved with a stylised Rodimus figure "for exceptional endurance in the face of adversity" along with the rest of the frozen crew, which P.O.ed Trailguy - who had driven the Decepticons off singlehandedly and only received a "normal" Rodimus Star for his effort - no end. {{storylink|The Reluctant Specialist}}

Later, new arrival [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] went loopy and shot down [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] near Brainstorm, who... protected his briefcase. Of course, he later claimed he had tried to stop Maximus. {{storylink|Interiors}} Following this incident, Rodimus tasked Brainstorm with developing an evasive bullet that would avoid hitting innocent bystanders. Chromedome had Brainstorm to look into the handgun that [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] had been constantly (and unknowingly) carrying with him, but when Brainstorm tried to examine it, the gun exploded in his face. He determined that it only held two cartridges and thus dubbed it a "binary gun", much to Chromedome's annoyance. Brainstorm also offered the opinion that the gun was possibly from the Institute. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}}

[[File:Brainstorm bets Primus You Me and Other Revelations.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5| "I look this darn good because of science."]]
When a bunch of [[Nanocon]]s mysteriously reactivated inside Ultra Magnus, Brainstorm used his [[Size changing|mass-displacement gun]] to shrink Rodimus and some of the crew members to eliminate them. After the situation was handled, Brainstorm attended [[Tailgate (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Tailgate]]'s Autobot Initiation Ceremony where [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] placed bets on how long it was going to take for Rodimus to say his famous line, [['Til all are one]]. Brainstorm bet on eight seconds to the gambling bot's surprise. Despite being three seconds ahead, he still won the bet. Upon reaching [[Theophany]], an encounter with the [[Galactic Council]] led to Rodimus and others being teleported to the planet's surface, Brainstorm among them. When they arrived, they found the [[Circle of Light]] missing and [[Crystal City]] in ruins. As they explored the ruins underground, they came across a [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. The group discovered the Titan had found Cybertron's "come home" signal but was too low on energy to free himself and return, causing it to scream and try to kill itself by willing its spark to leave its body, which caused the revival of the Nanocons and various deactivated crew members of the ''Lost Light''. With the Galactic Council's troops coming downwards to get them and the ''Lost Light'' under attack, Rodimus decided to set the Titan free to help them out of their situation. Brainstorm used his mass displacement cannon to shrink the Titan and gave the large robot more energy. Now able to move, the Titan was able to teleport the Autobots back to their ship, quantum-jump the ''Lost Light'' to safety and teleport itself to Cybertron. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

After previously wondering why the <s>forcef-</s> [[Trailbreaker (G1)|magnawheels guy]] would feel the need for a handheld gun {{storylink|The Reluctant Specialist}}, Brainstorm would ultimately build guns into Trailbreaker's legs, presumably relating to the latter's envy at Fortress Maximus's leg-guns. Soon afterward, he gave a new gun to [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] to field test, which the mad helicopter dubbed the "[[Shoomer]]" after the noise it made. As soon as [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] got his hands on it, he proceeded to accidentally shoot himself in the face. {{storylink|Before & After}} Surprisingly, he survived. As did the luckless [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] when shot by Brainstorm's [[existential gun]], despite a near-fatal dose of ennui. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}}

[[File:MTMTE22 tailgate altmode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Throughout the early months of the voyage of the ''Lost Light'', Brainstorm and several others were interviewed by [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] for his documentary. Also caught on film was Brainstorm participating in Tailgate's "[[alternate mode|alt-mode]] party," which was just a ruse to figure out what Rung transforms into. {{storylink|Little Victories}} He later collaborated with the psychiatrist to update the Autobots' [[holomatter]] avatars to be more energy-efficient and psychologically intuitive. {{storylink|Signal to Noise}}

When Rewind suffered a near-death experience in battle, Brainstorm and Drift brought Chromedome in on Project: Total Insanity, Brainstorm's helpful nickname for the fact that [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] was secretly on board the ''Lost Light''. He provided Chromedome with the security codes necessary to access the [[slow cell]] attached to the underside of the ship (nicknamed Project: End In Tears). {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Perhaps because of the prophetic project name, Overlord soon escaped from the slow cell during one of Chromedome's visits to pilfer his memories. Brainstorm was in the middle of chiding Swerve for fooling around with his [[metafictional bomb]] when the alarms sounded, indicating a scene change. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}}

[[File:Brainstorm brings briefcase to funeral.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Science is about doing things others would never be able to ''think'' of! Like bringing your briefcase full of pirated video games to a funeral!"]]
After Overlord's rampage cost the lives of Rewind and many other crew members, Brainstorm was sincerely worried about Chromedome. When the funeral was over, Brainstorm confronted him in his habitation suite about the [[shadowplay]] Chromedome performed on himself after the deaths of his last three [[Conjunx Endura]]e. Brainstorm begged him not to extract his memories of Rewind too, because that would mean Rewind was truly gone. Drawing on his experience with Quark, Brainstorm promised his friend that the pain would one day evolve into something bearable. {{storylink|The Gloaming}} {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

At some point, Brainstorm fitted [[Swerve's|Swerve's bar]] with an elaborate defense system and built [[My First Blaster]]™ for the bartender himself, as he was a notoriously poor shot. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}

When the ''Lost Light'' travelled through a portal and rediscovered the lost [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], Rodimus selected Brainstorm to be part of the landing party. On the surface they discovered a reignited "hot spot" of [[spark]]s, including a [[Point One Percenter]] which Brainstorm immediately set about harvesting before they were attacked by [[Lockdown (G1)|Lockdown]]'s [[Titan Hunter]]s. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Though they fled into a field of deactivated Titans, Brainstorm and the ''Lost Light''ers were captured and imprisoned by the insane [[Solomus|Tyrest]] where they found themselves sharing a cell with the mysterious [[Minimus Ambus]], later revealed to be none other than Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}} After Ambus departed to get answers from Tyrest, they were joined in the cell by Skids, Swerve, and [[Getaway]] {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} who used the spring-loaded clasps from Brainstorm's briefcase to help them escape. Confronting Tyrest, Brainstorm was shot by the traitorous medic [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]] which separated him from his briefcase. To compound matters, Tyrest activated a "weapon of mass suggestion" based on Getaway's [[thought bullet]] that incapacitated the rest of the ''Lost Light'' crew, leaving them unable to prevent him from activating a [[universal killswitch]] that would kill every Transformer that was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}} That included Brainstorm, who fell victim to its effects but recovered after Rodimus and Perceptor used half the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to reverse the killswitch. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} Upon returning to the ''Lost Light'' he visited Swerve's to try and find out if anyone had opened his briefcase while he was incapacitated {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} before secreting himself away in his workshop with the Point One Percenter he had recovered from the Seething Moon. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} He took to carrying the Superspark around in his chest compartment. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

[[File:MTMTE23 Brainstorm this and this.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"So, anyway, we're between banks right now, just make those checks out to cash."]]
Brainstorm was on hand to greet Orion Pax and his crew after the ''Lost Light'' snatched their ship from certain doom. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} Intending to venture into the Dead Universe, Pax consulted Brainstorm, who was able to use a [[cyberwraith]] to manufacture personal force fields to protect Pax and his party from the hostile nature of that reality. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}} When the ''Lost Light'' was later pulled off course, Brainstorm found the source of the problem—Metroplex's thumb pushing against the roof of shuttle bay 3. He talked Ultra Magnus into investigating where it was pointing them to. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} That took them to a water world, where they soon discovered they were surrounded by [[Ammonite]]s. Brainstorm joined Magnus and the others in commandeering the [[Rodpod]] to take the fight to the enemy, and they stumbled on the dormant Metroplex. {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}}

Acting on a hunch, Brainstorm took a sample of the water and found it was full of [[admium]]. They left the Rodpod in a drydock, but swiftly got lost in the city-bot's interior and ended back at the dry dock, where they were ambushed by an Ammonite who destroyed the Rodpod. {{storylink|No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|No Exit}} They survived the explosion when Metroplex's interior rearranged itself on them, and a short time later encountered [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} As the Ammonites subsequently flooded in, Brainstorm was among those who opted to retreat to Metroplex's brain, where they met [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. Brainstorm helped hook Metroplex up to the ''Lost Light'' remotely, allowing the titan to quantum jump both himself and the ship to Cybertron. {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} When Metroplex appeared to be losing the fight with the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]], Ultra Magnus suggested Brainstorm open the briefcase. It turned to be unnecessary as an eleventh hour save by Megatron resulted in a victory, and Brainstorm high-fived Nautica as he cracked a situationally relevant joke. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}}

Brainstorm later relaxed in Swerve's bar, though he was exceedingly cranky, which he put down to sparkache. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} As billions of Ammonites descended on Cybertron as the finale to [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s plan, Brainstorm was recruited by [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] as part of a team to attack the scientist's lab. After they were teleported there by [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]], Brainstorm suddenly found he didn't feel well and had to watch as the other tackled [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. Just as they were losing the fight, the team who had ventured into the Dead Universe popped out of a portal in Brainstorm's chest and lent a hand. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} With several members of said team unable to survive outside the Dead Universe, Brainstorm invited them back to his lab for treatment and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] suggested he might need to treat himself, as the portal was likely due to his exposure to the Dead Universe. With some encouragement from Rodimus, Brainstorm succeeded in making up a treatment for the injured parties. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:WorldShutYourMouth1-BrainstormNautica.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Yeah, I'm a black belt. Pretty much in everything. Karate, Larate, Jujistu, kickpunching, beltmaking, Tae Kwon Do... bedroom..."]]
Brainstorm opted to rejoin the quest for the Knights after Shockwave's defeat and on the first day, listened in as Perceptor talked to Highbrow about this Quark guy he kinda sorta remembered. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

On the voyage he spent a large amount of time with Nautica, even loading her [[Nautica's wrench|wrench]] with extra features. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} Less enjoyable for the scientist was watching Chromedome's complete emotional collapse and eventual isolation as the impact of Rewind's death set in. From his friend's misery came an epiphany: Why save ''only'' Quark when steering Megatron away from his supposed destiny as a mass-murdering tyrant could prevent the war altogether and save ''billions''? {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

When Nautica returned from investigating the disappearance of several fuel rods, Brainstorm saw fit to punctuate her belated return by leaning gently on the fourth wall. The topic of conversation soon shifted to [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]'s therapy session with the new <s>co-</s>captain, Megatron. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} Unbeknownst to anyone else, Brainstorm had a vested interest in the meeting, having slipped a sparkprint capture into one the psychiatrist's model ships with which he hoped to track the Decepticon leader through time and space. As luck would have it, the capture latched onto ''Rung's'' energy instead. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

When Rodimus found what appeared to be his own corpse in a mysterious coffin, Brainstorm was called in, along with Chromedome, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], Nautica, Nightbeat, and Skids, to help find out what was going on. Brainstorm's biggest contribution involved using his preemptively preemptive [[Early Early Warning System]] to determine that they were all in trouble, though not quite at the "Run for your life!" threshold yet. Then the ''Lost Light'', destabilized by proximity to an accidental quantum duplicate created during its [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|failed first launch]], started winking out of existence and they were. Though Brainstorm managed to evacuate, {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} he disappeared along with the rest of the original crew as the second ''Lost Light'' forced them into a sort of cosmic abeyance. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

[[File:Slaughterhouse2-BeneathBrainstormsFaceplate.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|"Alright, this next test may involve trace amounts of time travel. So, word of advice: If you meet yourself on the testing track, don't make eye contact. Lab boys tell me that'll wipe out time."]]
The remaining crew eventually discovered the remains of this ''Lost Light'', which had been savagely attacked by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. Its Brainstorm's briefcase was found in a lift by Nautica and Nightbeat, {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} and Brainstorm's body was later found in his workshop during a search for his mass-displacement gun. As Nautica mourned, she revealed Brainstorm's face. In a surprise to everyone, Brainstorm had a mouth...and a Decepticon emblem painted on the interior of his detached faceplate. As Nautica attempted to deny it and Megatron stated Brainstorm was unlike the usual double agents the Decepticons recruited, Riptide assumed that this alternate evil Brainstorm drew the D.J.D. to the ship by deactivating Overlord's slow cell, making him detectable. It took [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] to point out that if this Brainstorm was a traitor, so was the one on their ''Lost Light''. After Megatron and the quantum duplicated Rewind deactivated the second ship's engines and returned the vanished Autobots to normal, Brainstorm chose that time to begin his centuries-long plan in earnest, and began by calmly walking into the crowded Swerve's. Joining Atomizer, he placed his briefcase on the table, only to be reminded of Swerve's "No Briefcases" rule. Brainstorm calmly stated that he could do anything he liked as he opened the briefcase, activating an electro-sensitive poison he had spiked the bar's Engex supply with, causing almost everyone on board to collapse. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}} {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

===On the Run===
After disabling teetotaler Ultra Magnus with a disaggregator gun, Brainstorm enacted his master plan, using his briefcase network and a link to the ship's [[quantum generator]] to travel back through time and space and prevent Megatron from ever forming the Decepticons... {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|Stet}} with Megatron believing that Brainstorm was going back to kill Optimus so the Decepticons wouldn't lose the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. The ''Lost Light''ers took action under this false assumption. Though both his and the crew's actions were in fact essential to the timeline, a future misstep by Perceptor as he attempted to shut down the time machine inadvertently caused the birth of a [[Functionist Universe|new timeline]] in which the [[Functionist Council]] had never been overthrown slowly began erasing the old one. The result was a blood-soaked nightmarish present-day version of Cybertron dominated by the totalitarian Council. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

[[File:MTMTE37 megatron under construction.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"Ever wondered what a parallel universe you might be like? Well, stop wondering, because you're just Megatron."]]
As the briefcase was most accurate when aiming for socio-temporal hotspots, his first stop was prewar [[Messatine]], home to Megatron in his dissident miner days. Though he hoped to prevent Megatron's reassignment to [[Mining Outpost C-12]] and thus the taking of his first life, his high-energy arrival instead prompted the evacuation of the outpost. {{storylink|Births, Deaths, and Interventions}} With that a bust, he tried to intervene [[Megatron Origin issue 1|before Megatron took his first life]], but, due to being fixed on Rung's spark signature, ended up thousands of miles off course at a psychopathology conference. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}} {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} Following that, he detoured to the day of Senator [[Sherma]]'s murder, hoping to catch a glimpse of Quark outside [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's New Oil House]]. This wistful episode was interrupted when Brainstorm saw Rung fiddling with a model of the ''Lost Light'' and realized he had been followed. Though Cyclonus and Tailgate gave chase, Brainstorm traveled back a year, hoping to stop the fateful bar brawl that resulted in a certain miner's arrest. Knowing that Rung played some role, he ambushed and incapacitaed past Rung, but was unaware that time-traveling Rung, part of the team after him, had ''always been'' the Rung that accidentally got Megatron arrested.

Finally, desperate and exhausted of all other options, he went back to Megatron's creation with intent to kill. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|Stet}} However, Brainstorm still could not bring himself to directly end a life, and the newly arrived Rodimus and co. took advantage of his indecision and lobbed a [[Grenado]] at him. Though damaged, he was able to regain a bead on his target, but he paused yet again in response to Rodimus' pleas. As Brainstorm attempted to explain his motivations, Rung took note of his apparent dilemma and the millennia of work which must have gone into his plan. Appealing to his better nature, Rung ultimately convinced the scientist to stand down. Brainstorm filled them in on his progress up to that point as Whirl cuffed him, but Rewind deciding to murder Megatron's nascent spark himself brought an end to the session. Knowing Megatron's death meant eventual victory for the Functionist Council, Whirl nicked Brainstorm's Point One Percenter and placed it in Megatron's spark chamber, restoring the original timeline and granting Megatron the strength he would become infamous for. While Rodimus and Cyclonus headed out to recharge the Briefcase, Brainstorm explained his motivations to Rewind and admitted that his goals were perhaps a ''little'' lofty. Though he admitted wrongdoing, he professed his desire to stay in the past, a plea which was ignored by the rest of the crew. Brainstorm was then incarcerated upon their return to the present-day ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

===Retribution===
[[File:Brainstorm's final word Will Always Rhyme.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|"Whoever this alternate Brainstorm is, he's a jerk. Instead of sending an apology fruit assortment, he just sent a whole bunch of [[Decepticon Justice Division|angry wasps.]]"]]
Brainstorm was put on trial by the closed-room [[Lost Light Internal Legal Affairs Committee]], with Chromedome as an advocate and moral support. Though he started the proceedings by joking and deflecting, he adamantly pointed out that ''he'' was not the Brainstorm who had betrayed the ship to the DJD, and that in fact, he had never supplied his handler with ''any'' useful information, to the point that his dedication was in doubt. The Committee ruled in his favour in this regard, concluding that his Decepticon days were no longer relevant as the war was over, but that for the poisoning and the attempt to alter time, his time machine would be destroyed and he would placed under strict supervision. Brainstorm was surprised to hear that he would not be kicked off the ship; when asked if he ''wanted'' to be, he replied in the negative, dubbing the ship his home.

[[File:BRAINSTORM IS AN ASS.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]

At the end of his trial, he realized Nautica had left and abandoned the wrench he'd made her. Behind his back, [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] talked to her and had her realise that Brainstorm's actions, while they could not be condoned, were selfless and would have erased him from the timeline. As an attempted apology, Brainstorm programmed the wrench to say "BRAINSTORM IS AN ASS!". {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} Their relationship repaired, Brainstorm went on to hang out in her quarters with Getaway and Skids, where he upgraded her wrench with a light that could penetrate [[attention deflector]]s. He subsequently visited the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]'' to strut his funky stuff on the dancefloor at Thunderclash's "pre-wake," {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}} then did the same at a disco in Swerve's bar. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}}

Brainstorm was the head of logistics in the ''Lost Light''ers' mission to find Swerve's [[holomatter]] avatar on [[Swearth|Swerve's life-sized holomatter Earth]]. He assured everyone that projecting their own avatars that distance would hurt and that there was a slight chance of everyone dying. Fun! {{storylink|The One Where They Go to Earth}} He participated in the ''Lost Light''ers' brief trip to various points in the past {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} and a movie night about the fall of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], which Brainstorm converted the ship exhibition hall to host. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}}

[[File:MTMTE 54 Brainstorm Punch.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|‎"We'll see who wins this deadly game of cat and other cat."]]
Brainstorm attended Megatron's classes on the Knights of Cybertron, during which Megatron and several others were attacked by a psychic weapon. Brainstorm joined "Team Rodimus" as they followed the weapon's signal back to the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s "[[Necroworld]]," where they immediately came under attack by the Decepticon Justice Division and took shelter inside the Necrobot's fortress. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} The discovery of a quantum teleport chamber within the fortress offered an easy means of escape, but a room full of stasis pods containing living lifeforms that would be left defenseless against the DJD if they fled gave everyone pause. Brainstorm advocated leaving the pods' occupants to be destroyed, believing their heroic actions in the past and possible future to be justification enough, but Megatron passionate speech in favour of staying changed his mind. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in Flight|The Sun in Flight}}

Thinking they were doomed, Nautica held a ceremony that form an [[Amica Endura]] bond with Brainstorm, Nightbeat, Skids, Rung, and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]], singling Brainstorm out for his intellect. Afterward, Brainstorm set to work constructing weapons that would enable them to make the best last stand possible, building gargantuan "Maximus Ambus" armor for Ultra Magnus, and re-building the teleport chamber into a new [[fusion cannon]] for Megatron. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}} Skids gave up his life to super-charge the sparks of his comrades with the energies release by his death, and Brainstorm gleefully put his new super-strength to use in the battle that followed. Unfortunately, their powers all gave out mid-fight, but Megatron used his new cannon to come to their rescue. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} He provided scientific observations for the duration of Megatron's final bout with the DJD, analyzing his use of Trailbreaker's forcefield generator and his own [[antimatter]] powers. During this, he got a sick burn from a dying Ravage, who claimed he wasn't even the smartest person in their ''conversation''. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

===Necroworld===
[[File:AWorldMisplaced BrainstormNightbeatSquees.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0]]
After the battle with the DJD, Brainstorm converted Megatron's cannon back into a teleporter, though now it was more of a "den" than a chamber. After testing it by bringing Nightbeat and Rung back to the planet's surface from their mission into its depths, Brainstorm programmed in the co-ordinates for Cybertron, triple-checked them, and sent Rodimus and his team on their way home. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} He grew concerned when he was unable to make contact with Rodimus, but when his captain finally radioed in, the revelation he shared sent Brainstorm into fits of squealing excitement: the team had wound up on the Cybertron of an ''[[Functionist Universe|alternate timeline]]''. Though giddy at the prospect, Brainstorm was quick to deduce that this was not the work of his teleporter, but rather that a [[geobomb]] the [[Galactic Council]] had used on the Necroworld had sent the planet itself into the parallel universe. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

Later on, he was fiddling around with [[Killmaster]]'s death wand and managed to rescue [[Ten]] and Swerve from their pocket prison. After announcing his success in the most annoying way possible, Brainstorm revealed that he'd been keeping tabs on Killmaster for years. He found the Decepticon's innovations in the field of bi-locational weaponry fascinating. When informational readings from the wand finally came in, Brainstorm became clearly excited with what he saw. He contacted Rodimus in the Functionist Universe to let him know that he could take them home—because Killmaster's pocket dimension was located in the mainstream universe, he could supercharge the wand with temporal energy and teleport all of Necroworld back. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} He told Minimus that they only had twenty minutes to teleport back to Necroworld if they wanted to go home. Unfortunately, doing so seemed impossible, until [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] suggested teleporting all of [[Moonbase Two#2005 IDW continuity|Luna 2]] into the hollow interior of Necroworld—an idea that Brainstorm commended. Once the others teleported back, Brainstorm asked Rodimus where Megatron went, but got no response. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}}

Back in the main universe, Nightbeat questioned Brainstorm about how exactly he managed to teleport an entire planet into another universe. Brainstorm shrugged him off, saying that it wasn't even the third most farfetched thing he'd done that day. Nightbeat asked if maybe he had somehow broken science itself, but he wasn't interested. {{storylink|After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)}}

Brainstorm, along with the rest of "Team Rodimus", boarded Skip's corpse on the chase after Getaway. During the ride, he redesigned the Early Early Warning System to include famous personages, such as Optimus Prime and Megatron. As the journey progress, things got increasingly heated. Then Ten spoke up, telling everyone to listen to him. {{storylink|Sardines}} According to Ten, Ratchet was dying and they needed to do what he said. At Ten's suggestion, the ship was flown through compressed space, until Skip's corpse started shrinking further. Brainstorm bailed out along with everyone else, exposing him to the ravages of compressed space, where he died.

===Arrival in Cyberutopia===
[[File:TheGodWar BrainstormQuark.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.85]]
Then he woke up in what was apparently the Afterspark, Early Early Warning System still in hand and refusing to shut up, forcing Brainstorm to reset it to factory settings. As everyone else tried to figure out what had happened and what was going on, Brainstorm talked with Drift, in particular about why Drift could recall everything while he couldn't. When Drift wondered what Ratchet's reaction to being in the afterlife would be, Brainstorm posited he'd probably be skeptical (which proved hard to express with a faceplate). Then he witnessed Roller show up with the incredibly dead [[Springarm]], before disappearing again. As Nautica called after Roller, Brainstorm's EEWS overheated, which Brainstorm cautiously decided was a good sign. Yeah... {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}} Led into a temple by the Early Warning System, Nautica and Brainstorm encountered Quark, who claimed to always have loved him. Brainstorm, overcome with emotion, instantly forgot about what he was supposed to be doing. He told Nautica to be careful and headed off to the Matrix with Quark. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

When Nautica continued down the corridor, she came face-to-face with the [[Scavengers (G1)|Scavengers]], and bluffed her way out of the situation by saying that Brainstorm had built a gun into her arm. Unsurprisingly, it worked. Brainstorm was next seen saying farewell to the visage of Quark as it faded away after the secret of [[Cyberutopia]] was revealed. He was with the rest of Team Rodimus when the skies above [[Mederi]] clouded and an army of Sparkeaters descended from the sky: the mutinous crew of the ''Lost Light'', led by Perceptor! {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Despite the danger, Brainstorm attempted to reason with his friend, only to be scalded by acid. He was taken to safety by Nautica, and was later among the team barricaded inside the primary medical facility. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}} He was fascinated when First Aid proposed using a kinetic generator to cure the afflicted ''Lost Light''ers. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}}

===The Final Battle===
[[File:LL 24 Brainstorm and Nautica Vauvaire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|"Sorry fellas, she's married. To science!"]]

Brainstorm escaped Mederi with the rest of the survivors, and accompanied them to the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]]'s ship, {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}} but was launched into open space when a Functionist ship destroyed the airlock hatch. He was safely retrieved by the Megatron-piloted alternate "Last Light". {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} Now back in the original ''Lost Light'', Brainstorm—together with the rest of the crew—was briefed by Megatron and Rodimus on the current situation. He commented on Megatron's ability to make even the word "innocents" sound sinister, and helped come up with a plan on how to defeat the planet-sized effigy of [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}}

Brainstorm was dispatched to Vauvaire with Nautica, holding hands with her in the face of the Functionist onslaught. He did his best to protect her as she attempted to open up her Matrix copy, but was hit in the back by a barrage of rockets from the attackers. Injured but still alive, Brainstorm watched as his partner finally succeeded—the Matrix opened, and the false Primus was finally shut down. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

[[File:LostLight25 PerceptorBrainstormSimpatico.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55]]
On the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s final "victory lap", Brainstorm got to read Ultra Magnus's [[fan fiction]] about a guy named Sprinklor. Before the ''Lost Light''ers returned to Cybertron, Brainstorm helped Nautica and Perceptor put into motion a gambit that would duplicate the ''Lost Light''—together with its crew—into an alternate universe, where they would be able to continue their quest indefinitely. The experiment worked, and Brainstorm was elated when Perceptor credited him with some duly-deserved praise. The ''Lost Light'' began its new, uncharted quest into the unknown.

Years later, the version of Brainstorm that returned to Cybertron miscalculated a blast radius, resulting in a laboratory accident that critically damaged his spark. To keep himself alive, he built a recharge chamber in his lab and converted his control case into a life-support system that would house his spark externally. He kept in contact with Chromedome and Rewind, as well as with Whirl during the latter's time in the [[Garrus-10]] penitentiary. Whirl even made him a clock to augment the briefcase with.

Far in the future, this Brainstorm attended Ratchet's funeral in [[Rivets Field]]. He talked with Cyclonus and Tailgate about Chromedome and Rewind's relationship before showing them his life-support unit. He left the funeral together with Nautica and Velocity. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{--}}

==INSIRT continuity==
===''Recordicons''===
After [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity#INSIRT continuity|Rewind]] died, Brainstorm set Chromedome up on a blind date with [[Eject (G1)#Recordicons|Eject]]. {{storylink|Recordicons issue 27|Recordicons #27}}

==Notes==
*Brainstorm's role in ''More than Meets the Eye'' was originally intended for [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], but was given to Brainstorm when Barber scooped up Wheeljack for ''Robots in Disguise''.<ref>James Roberts at TFcon 2023</ref>
*Bear in mind that most of the stories on this page come from the pen of [[James Roberts]], who wrote Brainstorm with an English [[accent]]. This can notably be seen in [[Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|''More than Meets the Eye'' #17]] wherein Brainstorm {{w|Rhoticity in English|considers}} "[[Mobile Anti-Assault Battlesuit|M.A.A.B.]]s" and "[[Mobile Autobot Repair Bay|M.A.R.B.]]s" to be homophones.
*Ahead of "[[Days of Deception|Elegant Chaos]]", Roberts tweeted a theme song for Brainstorm—"Left to My Own Devices" by English synth-pop duo {{w|Pet Shop Boys}}.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/536665913660309506 Tweet by James Roberts (@jroberts332), 23 November 2014]</ref>
*Brainstorm's birth name, "[[Wiktionary:genitus|Genitus]]", is a Latin word for "engendered" or "produced".
*According to [[James Roberts]]'s ''MTMTE Notebooks'', an unexplored subplot would have involved Brainstorm being 'technically dead' due to exposure to Nova Prime's irradiated corpse. The plotline was scrapped when Roberts couldn't figure out where it could lead.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Double agents]]

Spotlight: Hardhead

2025-01-28T22:35:21Z

MegaSolus: /* Other trivia */

{{disambig3|Hardhead}}

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|The Transformers Spotlight]]'' #17
|prev=Spotlight: Cyclonus
|next=Spotlight: Doubledealer
|seriesissue2=''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]''
|title="The Transformers Spotlight: Hardhead" "Revelation: Part Two"
|image=Spotlight Hardhead cvrB.jpg
|caption=If I'm scared, then you '''know''' it's serious!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 16]], [[2008]]
|coverdate=July 2008
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Nick Roche]]
|colors by=[[Kris Carter]]
|letters by=[[Neil Uyetake]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#Revelation|Revelation]]
}}

'''With Hardhead in tow, Nightbeat retraces his steps on Gorlam Prime, while the Autobots piece together clues about the Expansion.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] is worried not only about his missing memories, but that his entire state of mind might be a danger to the [[Autobot]]s. As he investigates this mystery, he takes [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] with him to eliminate Nightbeat if he loses control. They travel to [[Gorlam Prime]], where Nightbeat discovers that the planet seems to be in suspended animation, and evolution has accelerated from organic, to techno-organic, to possibly fully technological. As they head toward the excavation site, Hardhead follows Nightbeat, giving him a clear shot if he needs it. Unfortunately, on the way, they encounter a large group of [[Micromaster]]s who begin shooting at them. Or, more precisely, at Hardhead, as they seem strangely uninterested in harming Nightbeat. Hardhead escapes by jumping from the freeway to crash through the lower suspended freeways down to the ground.

On [[Corata-Vaz]], the [[Wreckers]] are fighting a futile battle against [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], while [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] observe from the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary. Optimus requests a report from [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]], who says that there's a [[Nega-Core|large energy spike]] coming from the cavern Thunderwing's guarding that they can't categorize. He also reports that [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] has identified their "mystery Cybertronian" as being [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]], and that he, along with [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], was on the first ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Optimus remembers that the first ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s destination was the [[Benzuli Expanse]], and says that's where they'll start investigating.

Meanwhile, in the [[Dead Universe]], [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] reports to [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] that the three [[Nega-Core]]s and their guardians have all been activated. However, Cyclonus drew a fair bit of unwanted attention while activating his Nega-Core, and Nightbeat found his way back to Gorlam Prime. Nemesis is unconcerned about the results of Cyclonus's mistakes, given that Thunderwing is power incarnate, but tells Jhiaxus to see to Nightbeat personally.

Hardhead and Nightbeat enter the excavation site on Gorlam Prime while trying to elude the Micromasters. As they reach the end of the entryway, Jhiaxus suddenly takes remote control of Nightbeat, making him turn and point his gun right between Hardhead's optics. Jhiaxus speaks through Nightbeat, saying that the detective is now "theirs", and Hardhead has no place in the future they're planning.

In the [[Orcibe Cluster]], [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] arrives at what appears to be the aftermath of a major fight. After scanning for lifeforms, she discovers that [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzaitron]] is still alive amongst the wreckage, and forces him to tell her what happened. He tells her someone came and took [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. He doesn't know who they were, but he does know where they went, as each of Monstructor's parts has been tagged, so if Arcee works with him they can both get what they want. Arcee tells him that she'd follow him into the abyss if the trail led to Jhiaxus.

[[File:SpotlightHardhead HardheadsHeadshot.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Not just a name, apparently.]]
Back on Gorlam Prime, "Nightbeat" shoots Hardhead point-blank... and is amazed to discover that Hardhead lives up to his name, as it accomplishes nothing but producing a smoking pinhole in his optics. He then sics the Micromasters on Hardhead, who attempts to do battle with them but is eventually pushed back into almost entering the massive Dead Universe portal. "Nightbeat" monologues about the Dead Universe and how Hardhead should just accept that his time is up and choose which way he wants to go out. Hardhead responds by executing Nightbeat with a head shot, then diving headlong into the portal, ready to meet whatever change lies beyond it.

Jhiaxus screams in fury about their "instrument" now being gone. Displeased, Nemesis Prime states this accelerates a confrontation he had wished to avoid, but with Nightbeat dead, he will now have to do what Nightbeat was intended to do: eliminate Optimus Prime.

[[Cloudburst]], [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], [[Groundbreaker]], and [[Waverider]] arrive at the Benzuli Expanse to find that the entire surrounding area—planets, stars, etc.—is now gone, with a literal nothing in its place. When they report this to Jetfire, along with the fact that all probes and drones sent into the "nothing" cease to function as soon as they cross the event horizon, Jetfire ponders, then says to Cloudburst that the four of them "just volunteered".

Optimus Prime tells Jetfire that he's not sure about using [[Pretender|this technology]] again, but Jetfire says they need to risk it to gain information on the anomaly. Optimus agrees, then receives a transmission from [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] on a priority channel. Dealer says that he's been monitoring the current situation, and he thinks that all of the answers they seek lie in the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (1)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (2)
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (34)
* [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] (35)
* [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (36)
* [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]] (38)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]] (39)
* [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] (40)
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (41)
* [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (42)
* [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] (43)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] (44)
* [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] (45)
* [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] (46)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (47)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (48)
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (49)
* [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (50)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (51)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (56)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (57)
* [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] (65)
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (70)
* [[Cloudburst]] (71)
* [[Waverider]] (72)
* [[Groundbreaker]] (73)
* [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (75)
{{!}}}
|c2=
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (37)
* [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] (66)
* [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] (67)
* [[Axer (G1)|Axer]] (68)
* [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] (69)
* [[Doubledealer]] (74)
|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]]*(3)
* [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]] (4)
* [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] (5)
* [[Detour (G1)|Detour]] (6)
* [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] (7)
* [[Free Wheeler]] (8)
* [[Tailspin]] (9)
* [[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]] (10)
* [[Swindler]] (11)
* [[Motorhead (G1)|Motorhead]] (12)
* [[Groundpounder (G1)|Groundpounder]] (13)
* [[Ground Hog]] (14)
* [[Neutro]] (15)
* [[Hubs]] (16)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Roller Force]] (17)
* [[Greaser]] (18)
* [[Crumble]] (19)
* [[Takedown]] (20)
* [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]]*(21)
* [[Powertrain]] (22)
* [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]] (23)
* [[Tote]] (24)
* [[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]] (25)
* [[Sidetrack (G1)|Sidetrack]] (26)
* [[Tracer (Micromaster)|Tracer]] (27)
* [[Flak (G1)|Flak]] (28)
* [[Big Shot]] (29)
* [[Dropshot (G1)|Dropshot]]*(30)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Bombshock (G1)|Bombshock]] (31)
* [[Growl (G1)|Growl]] (32)
* [[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]] (33)
* [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] (on-screen display only) (52)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] (53)
* [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] (54)
* [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] (55)
* [[Blaze Master]] (58)
* [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] (59)
* [[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]] (60)
* [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]]*(61)
* [[Tread Bolt]] (62)
* [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]] (63)
* [[Sky High (Micromaster)|Sky High]] (64)
{{!}}}
}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki>See "Continuity notes", below

==Quotes==
"I want you to watch me like an [[Ardurian roc]], and if I lose control, even for an instant... '''eliminate''' me." 
"Sure."
:—'''Nightbeat''' and '''Hardhead''': Great ally both when you need your back watched ''and'' when you need it shot at.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The inhabitants of Gorlam Prime are apparently an experiment of Jhiaxus's to prepare a template for the universe, where a species can withstand even the worst extremes in preparation for merging the Dead Universe with the "living" one. Based on the masses of Micromasters in the panel where this is explained, they're the final result of Gorlam's evolution.
* For those keeping track, out of the twelve original Micromaster Patrols, only [[Trip-Up]], [[Sunrunner (G1)|Sunrunner]], and the [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue]] and [[Monster Trucks Patrol|Monster Truck Patrols]] did not appear.
* This isn't the first time Hardhead has been charged with possibly having to eliminate an ally.
* Several of the Micromasters shown here would later appear as completely unrelated full-sized characters:
** [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]], who later shows up in [[Before & After|''More Than Meets the Eye'' #12]].
** [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]], (making his second appearance after ''[[Spotlight: Nightbeat]]'') in [[First Contact (IDW)|''The Transformers'' vol. 2 #39]]
** [[Dropshot (G1)|Dropshot]], in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]]
** [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]], in [[The Killing Jar (issue)|''Punishment'' #3]].
: '''First appearances:''' virtually all the Micromasters (a relative handful appeared previously in ''Spotlight: Nightbeat''); Landmine, Cloudburst, Waverider, Groundbreaker.

===Transformers references===
* Nightbeat's license plate number is "[[Minerva (human)|M1N-3RV4]]".
* Two of the inhabitants of Gorlam Prime look like they're dressed up as Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.
* Hardhead's last line is about meeting his fate, whatever it may be, "...HEAD ON!", with those specific words emphasized by being saved for his last panel/caption box. This seems to be an uncharacteristic reference by Furman to the [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''Headmasters'']] anime series, where this was the "transformation call" of the titular characters, including Hardhead.

===Errors===
* In the bottom-left hand panel on page 12, Nemesis Prime's faceplate appears to have been drawn incorrectly; usually it has a different colored piece coming up from his chin. In this panel, it is drawn as one solid piece, like Optimus Prime's faceplate.
* "Banzai-Tron" was written as such in Arcee's lifesign readings, but is otherwise spelled without the hyphen as "Banzaitron".

===Other trivia===
[[File:Spotlight Hardhead unused.jpg||thumb|150px|Hardhead, or hard-core?]]
*Roche's original cover had a background of skulls, and the image was reversed and lighter (see image on right).
*[[Swindler]]'s Gorlam Prime-styled vehicle mode resembles the DeLorean DMC-12 of his original toy, but with [[Back to the Future|two large heat sinks on the back]].
*The flashback scene of Cyclonus was previously used as the sketch cover to ''[[Spotlight: Cyclonus]]''.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Hardhead amongst rubble, second part of 4-issue image by [[E. J. Su]].
* '''Cover B:''' Animated style of Hardhead, by [[Nick Roche]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Text-free "virgin" version of Cover A.

<gallery>
File:Spotlight Hardhead cvrA.jpg|Someone clean up this mess!
File:Spotlight Hardhead cvrB.jpg|I'm hard as a rock.
File:Spotlight Hardhead cvrRI.jpg|Hardhead a virgin? Doubtful.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Transform and Roll Out]]'' DVD (inside front cover)
* ''[[Spotlight: Doubledealer]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who]]: The Forgotten'' in [[IDWords]] section
* ''Doctor Who: The Forgotten''
* ''Journey: The Adventures of Wolverine MacAlistaire''
* ''Spike: After the Fall''
* ''The Dreamland Chronicles''
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' series
* ''Galaxy Quest''
* DrawerBoxes Box Anchors (back cover)

===Reprints===
* '''''The Transformers: Spotlight Volume 4: Revelation''''' ([[February 4]], [[2009]]) ISBN 1600104215 / ISBN 978-1600104213
* '''''[[The Transformers: The Premiere Collection]] Volume 2''''' ([[June 17]], 2009) ISBN 1600104371 / ISBN 978-1600104374
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Four]]''''' ([[May 25]], [[2011]]) ISBN 1600109381 / ISBN 978-1600109386
* '''''The Transformers: Spotlight Omnibus Volume 2''''' ([[September 9]], [[2015]]) ISBN 1613779429 / ISBN 978-1613779422
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 42: Revelation''''' ([[October 17]], [[2018]])

<gallery>
File:TF Spotlight v4.jpg|'''''Spotlight Volume 4: Revelation''''' – cover art by [[Nick Roche]]
File:Premier Collection 2.jpg|'''''The Premiere Collection Volume 2''''' – cover art by Nick Roche & [[Josh Burcham]]
File:IDWCollection4.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Volume Four''''' – cover art by [[E. J. Su]]
File:TF Spotlight Omnibus v2.jpg|'''''Spotlight Omnibus Volume 2''''' – cover art by [[Jeffrey Veregge]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v42.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 42: Revelation''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Nick Roche
</gallery>

[[Category:Spotlight issues|Hardhead]]

Autobot fleet

2025-01-08T23:52:01Z

MegaSolus: /* Regeneration One */

{{factions|autobot}}
[[File:Unicron3-AutobotFleet.jpg|thumb|upright=2.6]]
The '''Autobot fleet''' (also known as the '''Autobot navy''') is a fleet of powerful warships dedicated to the defence of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Cybertronian colonies|its colonies]], and [[Milky Way|the larger galaxy]]. Generally, their main opponent is the [[Decepticon fleet]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====''Regeneration One''====
[[File:RegenerationOne98-AutobotFleet.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Is that everyone?" "What, you wanted ''more''?"]]
When the rogue senator [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] returned to Cybertron and proved hostile, {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}} the Autobot fleet attacked the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]] but failed to defeat the technologically superior foe. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} Instead, the Hub was felled via the [[Wreckers]] utilizing the Hub's own [[slam rail]] system against it and the efforts of [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (admittedly with help from the [[Underbase]]) operating the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. When the Hub collapsed, what few ships survived limped back to Cybertron, {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}} only to find the planet and its populace had been corrupted by the [[Dark Matrix]] entity. Once [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] had defeated the creature, the Autobot fleet abandoned Cybertron once more, taking on a new life as interstellar ambassadors and champions of peace. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
[[File:DesertionDinobots Vanguard ships.jpg|thumb|200px]]
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] referred to [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] as the Autobot fleet and dispatched them to extract [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s group from [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] was revived by the [[Quintesson]]s, his brainwashing led him to lead the Autobot fleet into the path of a Quintesson doomsday device called "The Detonator". As per the Quintessons' plan, the Autobot fleet was utterly decimated by the Quintesson weapons, only being saved by the [[Matrix of Leadership]] purifying the malicious coding in Optimus's mind who ordered what remained of the fleet to return to Cybertron while he rammed the flagship into The Detonator, dying once again but saving his people. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
As the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] spread out into the cosmos, the Autobots joined several [[alien]] powers in forming the [[Universal Peace Alliance]] with the Autobots serving as the interstellar military force for the organization. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Transformers: Victory (cartoon)}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
The Autobot fleet comprised a multitude of starship classes, most of the ships being [[Ark (disambiguation)|''Ark'']]-class vessels. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}} {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} The fleet operated out of [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]]. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

In the 1700s, [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], after a disastrous adventure on the planet [[Xetaxxis]], climbed into the [[Magnus Armor]], its recall function returning the scout to the Autobot fleet where reported on the mission to [[Autobot High Command]]. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

During the [[Expansion]], the fleet came under attack from the forces of the [[Dead Universe]] the ''[[Ark-12]]'' in particular suffering heavy damage. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Some years later, [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] betrayed the Autobots to [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], granting the Decepticons all of the Autobot access codes. In what became known as the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], the Autobot fleet came under heavy attack, with the majority of its military might being wiped out. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

At some point around this time, the Decepticons stole a batch of Model 84 exploration vessels from the Autobots and began using them as prisoner escort ships. {{storylink|Animals}} {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}}

Following Cybertron's reboot, what remained of the Autobot fleet limped back home. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}}

The Autobot fleet was rebuilt by the time [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] launched its attack on the galaxy, the ''[[Ark-Zero]]'' serving as the flagship. Though [[Garnak]] had wished the fleet to jump to [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} the fleet first massed above [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] to defend the colony from the monster and its [[Maximal]] army only to be ravaged by the beasts' numerical superiority, quantum jumping back to Cybertron once the world had been consumed. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} When Starscream announced the existence of the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] proposed adding its might to the Autobot fleet only for a communication to come in that the DVD was already facing off against the monster. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

Unicron soon arrived over Cybertron, now having assumed a towering [[robot mode]]. The Autobot fleet rushed into action only to be met by the DVD, the [[Decepticon fleet]] now warped into Unicron's service. Though the Autobots fought valiantly, they were ultimately defeated by the Decepticons' superior firepower, though not before they'd managed to destroy all the Decepticon [[Warworld]]s. {{storylink|Our Finest}} What few ships survived were teleported to [[Earth]] by the [[magic]] of the [[Spectral Knight]]s. {{storylink|Road's End}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
By the 24th century, the [[Hydrax Plateau|Hydrax Spaceport]] was noted to serve as the dumping ground for the mothballed remains of the Cybertronian fleet, which presumably included the remains of the Autobot ships. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[File:Uprising-AutobotFleet.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The Autobot fleet escorted the [[Exodus (Armada)|''Exodus'']] off Cybertron, warping into action once the Decepticon fleet made their move, the [[Hyperion (Armada)|''Hyperion'']] facing off against the ''[[Doomsday]]''. Though the ''Exodus'' suffered damage to its [[Transwarp Drive|transwarp drive]], the Autobot fleet was ultimately successful in helping the [[Mini-Con]]s escape Cybertron. {{storylink|First Encounter}}

In [[2010]], when the ''[[Hydra Cannon]]'' arrived at Cybertron, a flotilla of Autobot ships scrambled to intercept it and destroy [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] forever only for them to fall to the ''Hydra Cannon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s might. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] soon arrived and had the flag transferred to the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]''. {{storylink|Uprising (Armada)|Uprising}}

When the Autobots and Decepticons joined forces to combat [[Unicron]], {{storylink|Alliance}} the Autobot fleet fought alongside its Decepticon counterpart against the Chaos Bringer, {{storylink|Union}} only for their attacks to have no effect on their foe, the god feeding off the hatred of the warriors. Unicron was only felled through Galvatron's sacrifice with what remained of the fleets returning to Cybertron afterwards. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
Some ten years later, the ''[[Miranda II]]'' had become the fleet's new flagship. {{storylink|Go for Unicron!}} When a revived Unicron returned, the Autobot fleet moved to engage him and his Decepticon supporters, succeeding in returning the monster to [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|Battle Stations}}

====''Timelines''====
When the [[Unicron Singularity]] threatened to destroy Cybertron, [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]] dispatched the Autobot fleet to find the lost colony worlds and the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s they held. Magnus oversaw these operations from the Autobot flagship, the ''[[Iron Hope (Cybertron)|Iron Hope]]''. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

===''Animated'' cartoon continuity===
To match the brutal might of their Decepticon foes, the Autobots enacted [[Project Omega]] which augmented their fleet with twelve [[Omega Sentinel (Animated)|Omega Sentinels]], powerful living weapons, the last of them, [[Sigma Supreme]], serving as the fleet's flagship. With this mighty fleet, the Autobots were able to enact a "planet-hopping" campaign and free all the captured colony worlds from Decepticon control. The [[Ambush of Floron III]] later saw the Autobot fleet decisively cripple its Decepticon counterpart. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

By the 21st century, the Autobot fleet had largely been decommissioned, with old warships being relegated to maintenance functions. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} {{storylink|TransWarped}} The militarily active remnants of the fleet scrambled into action during the [[Decepticon Uprisings]] but found their forces stretched to near breaking until [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] called off the attacks. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:RageDinobots1-AutobotFleet.jpg|thumb|200px]]
When [[Dark Energon]] contamination forced the [[Core]] to shut down, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] was forced to order a planetary evacuation. Though the Autobot fleet quickly mobilized, they were met by the orbiting [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] who used his cannon alternate mode to destroy any fleeing ships. Once Trypticon had been defeated, the fleet resumed its evacuation. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron}} Before the battle of Iacon, a handful of transports escaped the planet, followed by the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' itself. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}} Sometime after the ''Ark'' had launched, [[Impactor (Prime)|Impactor]] oversaw the departure of a later batch of ships, {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 1|Rage of the Dinobots #1}} while some stragglers, [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] among them, later departed in personal ships, intending to meet up with the larger fleet. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}}

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:IDW (2005)]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Regeneration One]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Transformers Energon Universe 2024 Special story

2025-01-08T23:09:18Z

MegaSolus: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Energon Universe Special 2024|''Energon Universe Special'' 2024]]
|prev=
|next=Void Rivals Energon Universe Special story
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]''
|prev2=Transformers (2023) issue 7
|next2=Transformers (2023) issue 8
|seriesissue3=''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''
|prev3=Cobra Commander issue 1
|next3=Cobra Commander issue 5
|image=Energon Universe Special 2024 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 4]], [[2024]]
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Ryan Ottley]]
|colors by=[[Annalisa Leoni]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Whatever happened to the Decepticon leader?'''

==Synopsis==
As the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' careens toward [[Earth|the blue and green planet]] below, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tears through the opposing forces of its [[Autobot]] crew. The [[Decepticon]] leader blasts a hole through [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s chest, causing an enraged [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to attack him. Megatron taunts Optimus as the two trade blows, blaming him for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s destruction. Using his [[energon-axe]], Optimus slices off Megatron's right arm, allowing him to kick Megatron towards an opening in the ship. Hanging onto the edge, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to aid him, but the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] uses this opportunity to finally seize leadership of the Decepticons, blasting Megatron and sending him falling to the planet.

Awaking sometime later — and now missing both arms — in the science labs of [[Cobra-La]], Megatron's fury finally allows him to escape the shackles of his captors, crushing a Cobra-La scientist under his foot. He demands the return of his limbs, but the surviving scientist tells him they were only able to find one. Megatron allows the scientist to live as thanks and reattaches his left arm. However, he is interrupted by the arrival of Lord [[Golobulus]] and his [[Royal Guard]]. Golobulus orders his soldiers not to let "the beast" escape. Living up to this description, Megatron savagely tears his way through the Royal Guard and Golobulus's Cobra-La creatures before Golobulus manages to stab him in his remaining eye. Blinded and furious, Megatron flees from the battle by flying upwards, bursting through to the surface of the planet. Amid the snowy mountains, Megatron swears that he will find Starscream and make him pay!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (3)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (4)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (5)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (6)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (7)

|h3=[[Cobra-La]]|c3=
* Scientists (8)
* [[Golobulus]] (9)
* [[Royal Guard]]s (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''STARSCREAMMM!!'''"
:–'''Megatron''' shows us that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

"You are a metal '''Abomination'''! Inorganic filth! You still belong to me!" 
"Belong? Pathetic insect...'''Do you know who I am???!!!''' '''I BELONG TO NO ONE!!!'''"
:–'''Golobulus''' provoking '''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This story finally reveals what happened to Megatron prior to the start of the main ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' series. [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|Issue #4]] had previously shown Megatron frozen in ice, with the subsequently released ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]] revealing he was found by the people of Cobra-La and taken in to be studied.
** Considering how this story ends, with Megatron emerging into the frozen wastes, the scene from ''Transformers'' #4 either takes place ''after'' his escape from Cobra-La, having been lost in the Arctic, or between his crash landing and his discovery by Cobra.
* Megatron's dialogue hints towards the ideological conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons, something that has frequently been alluded to but not yet fully established in the main ''Transformers'' comics.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Megatron's line of "I BELONG TO NO ONE!!!" echoes what he said to [[Unicron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 3: Combiner Chaos''''' ([[May 28]], [[2025]]) ISBN 153432559X / ISBN 978-1534325593 
** Collects issues #13–18, plus the ''Energon Universe Special'' story.
** Trade paperback format.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (2023) issue 7.5}}
[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 16

2025-01-08T23:06:24Z

MegaSolus: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #16
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 15
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 17
|image=Transformers 2023 16 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[January 8]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=January 2025
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Sarah Stern]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|production design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The Autobots are caught in the crossfire of a Decepticon civil war, and the only hope to end it may be the return of an even greater evil.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TF2023 no. 16 - BruticusVsDevastator.jpg|left|250px|thumb]]
Despite her reservations, [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] leads [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] across the war-torn wastes of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to what was once the home of Cliffjumper's [[clan]], long forgotten by the [[Decepticon]]s ever since they destroyed it in a bombing campaign. Cliffjumper digs through the rubble to find a [[spark canister]] he had hidden away; though there isn't enough remaining to bring back any of his friends, he says there's the possibility it can be used to create something new.

On [[Earth]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] orders the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s to merge into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to combat [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. As [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Soundwave, and their respective troops clash, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] are caught in the middle of the carnage. [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] tries to reason with Starscream, but the one-time Decepticon leader is too obsessed with revenge and reveals the truth of what he and Soundwave did to [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. As Starscream rants about the universe being made only for the strong, Thundercracker uses the [[H.I.S.S. tank]] remote control to steer Starscream's body off a ledge. The blue [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] then transforms and flies away, abandoning Soundwave to the fury of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. Optimus decides the [[Autobot]]s must intervene, fearing that the Decepticons’ senseless violence could damage the dam and endanger the humans. However, he is again overcome with visions and rage, firing his [[fusion cannon]] straight at the dam. Water bursts through the structure and sweeps away all the [[Transformer]]s. As the water rushes through the woods, Optimus spots two children on bikes fleeing from the waves. He tries to save them but is unable to reach them. Luckily, they are saved by the timely arrival of [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], who uses his force field to protect the “strange little creatures,” who managed to survive nearly being crushed by the combiners.

Back on Cybertron, the Autobots return to their makeshift headquarters and Elita explains to Cliffjumper that they’ve been unable to communicate with any other Autobot resistances and that they could be the only ones left. Elita asks Cliff what he plans to do with the sparks in the canister, and he reveals his plan to take them to the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]]. Elita reveals that the Well is deep in Decepticon-controlled territory, but Cliff insists that they need a new warrior to help them, something Bluestreak echoes. And afterward, Cliff will return to Earth. To [[Carly (G1)|Carly]].

Meanwhile, Carly and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] set off on their search for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]. Elsewhere, in some desert, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] finds that which he was sent to find: [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], sitting in a cave, wounded and blinded. Megatron thanks Laserbeak as he grabs the bird, pulls out some of his cables and connects them to his eyes; he orders Laserbeak to act as his eyes and guide him to the Decepticons.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (1)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (2)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (3)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (13)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (21)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (22)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (25)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (26)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (4)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (5)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (6)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (7)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (8)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (9)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (10)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (11)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (16)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (19)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (20)
* ''[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]'' (23)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (27)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (28)

||c3=
* Kevin (17)
* Kevin's friend (18)
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (24)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (26)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''PREPARE FOR DEVASTATION BRUTICUS!!!'''"
:—'''Devastator'''

"Starscream! How do you still function?!" 
"Sniveling '''fool'''! You cannot kill what is unkillable!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Soundwave''' meet again

"Wake up from you naivete, Thundercracker!!! The universe is only for the strong!!! [[Turborat]] eat turborat! Spark versus spark! '''Metal on metal!'''"
:—'''Starscream'''

"And when you get what you want? You just take off back to Earth? To Optimus?" 
"No. To Carly"
:—'''Elita One''' and '''Cliffjumper'''
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* We first learned about the destruction of Cliffjumper's clan in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issue #4]].
* Thundercracker initially believed the Autobots to be responsible for what became of Skywarp when he was revived in [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|issue #5]], but now knows that it was Starscream and Soundwave that used the Seeker to rebuild [[Teletraan I]].
* This is the first time Astrotrain has used his steam train mode
* It was unknown why Astrotrain was locked away aboard the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' other than his rage against Megatron when we first saw him back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|issue #8]]. Here, we learn that Megatron was responsible for "ending his love."
* Optimus Prime has been experiencing strange visions ever since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] entered the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 6|issue #6]]. However, these visions have been growing more and more corrupted, along with Optimus' eyes turning purple with rage, since [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]].
* MEGATRON RETURNS! The Decepticon leader was last seen in the series proper to be frozen in a block of ice in issue #4, though readers of ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' know that he was taken by the denizens of [[Cobra-La]] to be studied. He escaped from [[Cobra-La]] in [[Transformers Energon Universe Special story|the Transformers segment]] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2024 Special]]'', though losing his (remaining) eye to [[Golobulus]] in the process.

===''Transformers'' references===
*Thundercracker's decision to abandon the Decepticons fits in with earlier portrayals of him, calling to mind both his original toy file card and his appearances in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
*Trailbreaker's ability to generate force fields calls back to his original G1 bio.
*The Well of Sparks, more commonly known as the "Well of All Sparks" is a longtime piece of Transformers mythology, first appearing in the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity]] in ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' [[Conflagration|#6]].
*Starscream tells Soundwave that "you cannot kill what is unkillable." Being unkillable is a notable trait of many iterations of Starscream.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Bruticus vs Devastator, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Bruticus emerges from a smoking forest, by [[Jorge Corona]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover by [[Karl Kerschl]].
* '''Cover D:''' Soundwave vs Starscream, by [[Manabu Yashiro]].
* '''Cover E:''' Laserbeak perches on Megatron’s arm, by [[Homare]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 16 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 16 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 16 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 16 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 16 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 3|#3]], ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 16|#16]], and Transformers #17.
* Four-page preview for ''Invincible Universe: Battle Beast''

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 3: Combiner Chaos''''' ([[May 28]], [[2025]]) ISBN 153432559X / ISBN 978-1534325593 
** Collects issues #13–18 and the [[Transformers Energon Universe Special story|''Transformers'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe 2024 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V3.jpg|'''''Volume 3: Combiner Chaos''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Sentinel Prime (G1)

2025-01-05T04:02:15Z

MegaSolus: /* 2005 IDW continuity */

{{disambig3|Sentinel Prime}}
{{factions|autobot|quintesson|nexusprime|onyxprime|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}|{{factions/icons|custom=Security symbol Megatron Origin.png|cLink=Security Services}}}}
{{featured}}
:''Sentinel Prime is an [[Autobot]] leader from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|Well, shoot, who wants the Matrix?]]

'''Sentinel Prime''' is an imposing figure, standing head and shoulders over the average Autobot. Bristling with some of the most heavy-duty weapons and armor available to the Autobot army has instilled in Sentinel Prime a supreme confidence in his own abilities as both a leader and a fighter. Unfortunately such pride usually precedes a fall, and there will always be [[Megatron (G1)|someone]] out there keen to prove a point, or who merely sees Sentinel Prime as an obstacle on the path to a bigger destiny.

Sentinel Prime is typically, but not always, depicted as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s immediate predecessor as [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]].

{{bigquote|He was flawed, as we all are. Perhaps he failed. But he faced a choice, when the Matrix came to him. And in that moment, he chose to '''try'''.|Optimus Prime|"[[War World: Awakenings|Awakenings]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Angel]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese)|[[Éric Etcheverry]] (European French), [[Older Cazarré]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:Autobot gladiator.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|You've got the pre-Touch! You've got the pre-Power! Pre-Yeah!]]
{{Note|The original cartoon version of Sentinel Prime was never named in fiction. The character is referred to as '''U-Haul Robot''' in the dialogue script for "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4" and was not given the name "Sentinel Prime" until ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'' [[retcon|declared it so]] via an [[Ask Vector Prime]] entry. Likewise, the earlier appearance of "U-Haul Robot" was dubbed "Sentinel Major", giving him a pre-Matrix name.}}
'''Sentinel Major''' was originally one of the Quintessons' slave robots on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] around twelve million years ago. Unusual among his consumer goods brethren, Sentinel Major was equipped for combat and was forced to participate in [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial games]] for the Quintessons' amusement, wielding a spiked ball-and-chain weapon and a tire-shaped shield. He was once defeated in battle by [[Prima]], who attacked their Quintesson masters when their match was over, only to be destroyed himself.

Subsequently, the consumer goods robots rose up against the Quintessons in a rebellion that ultimately forced the aliens off the planet. Sentinel Major survived this clash, but he and the rest of his race—now dubbed "Autobots"—were robbed of any chance of peace when the military hardware robots, now known as "[[Decepticon]]s", set their sights on conquering Cybertron for themselves. Two [[Guardian Prime|Autobot]] [[Zeta Prime (G1)|leaders]] fell during the war that ensued, and Sentinel Major inherited the Matrix of Leadership and became '''Sentinel Prime''', leader of the Autobots. Under his leadership, the Autobots realized that they would never be able to defeat the Decepticons with firepower, and they turned instead to stealth, reconfiguring their bodies to be able to [[Transformation|transform]] into other forms. With the power of his new ability, Sentinel Prime defeated the [[Trannis|Decepticons' leader]], and the Autobots won the war.

[[File:Aubotot gladiator vehicle.jpg|left|thumb|He transforms into Rhi, the forgotten [[Beast Rider]].]]
The ensuing period of peace was known as the [[Golden Age|Golden Age of Cybertron]], but, around nine million years BCE, the Decepticon threat re-emerged when they too adopted transformation, and coupled it with robot-mode flight powers. One of the first of this new breed of Decepticons, the malevolent [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], killed Sentinel Prime in combat. As he died, Sentinel Prime handed off the Matrix to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], who kept it safe until the emergence of the next Autobot leader, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].

When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] journeyed into the Matrix in 2005, Sentinel Prime was the sixth guide he encountered. Sentinel Prime recounted the development of transformation, the Autobot victory in the war and the rise of Megatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

====''Legends'' comic====
The U-Haul robot's spirit was present within the Matrix alongside [[It]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] when [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] approached Magnus with an offer to bring him back to life. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}}
{{--}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{wingsnote}}
Sentinel Prime was presumably a descendant of the first of the Sentinel line, [[Sentinel EnN]]. {{storylink|A Team Effort}} Before ascending to the rank of Prime, Sentinel Prime was known as Sentinel Major. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/28}} Sentinel Prime's legacy lived on in other 'bots who took on the "Sentinel" name, including another [[Sentinel Major]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 35|''Wings Universe'' Sentinel Major profile}}

===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
{{noteukonly}}
Sentinel Prime was mentioned in a recitation of Primes, after [[Prime Nova]] and before [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} ''He passed it on during a violent situation.'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

===''Beast Machines'' toy bios===
"An ancient Autobot tracker" taught his apprentice [[Dillo]] how to use the mace bollo. {{storylink|Dillo|Dillo toy bio}}

===3H comics===
The Matrix was passed from Prime Nova unto Sentinel Prime, who subsequently bequeathed it to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|thumb|"Marley was dead to begin with..."]]
Sentinel Prime was Autobot leader for the first 500,000 years of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. With [[trithyllium]] alloy armor, an [[electro-disrupter]] and a large variety of other weapons, including various forms of artillery shell, a solar energy rifle and energon-charged sword, Sentinel Prime was a giant among giants. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

8.2 million years ago, Sentinel Prime faced Megatron on the battlefields of [[Tyrest]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|The Ultimate Guide}} He proved no match for the Decepticon leader; with his last words, he tried in vain to reason with Megatron, but Megatron was unmoved by his "sermon and doctrine" and slew him. Sentinel, however, had considered his death a likely possibility, and had already removed the Matrix of Leadership from his body before entering battle, preventing Megatron from acquiring it. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}}

Millions of years later, during the war on Earth, the Matrix used a vision of Sentinel Prime to strengthen Optimus Prime's resolve during a battle with Megatron by confronting him with the claim that Megatron had chosen Optimus to be Prime, knowing that he was weak. Megatron's alleged influence over the Prime selection process was never substantiated. Soon after, the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] created a robotic duplicate of Sentinel Prime to confuse Optimus and undermine his confidence. Though possessing all of Sentinel Prime's considerable abilities, Optimus eventually realized that the duplicate had been created from his own memories of Sentinel Prime, and was incapable of doing anything ''new''. Optimus destroyed the duplicate of Sentinel Prime, having largely overcome his own doubts about his fitness to be Autobot leader. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

===''Tranformers/G.I. Joe''===
Sentinel Prime was defeated by [[Megatron (G1)#Transformers/G.I. Joe|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Megatron (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|Titanium Series Megatron toy bio}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Megatron Origin issue 1|''Megatron Origin'' #1]]}}

{{quote|In '''my''' day, the '''good''' knew their responsibility... and the '''weak''' knew their place.|Sentinel Prime|"[[White Light]]"}}

[[File:Primes IDW.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.3|Quick, shoot 'em in the back, while they're not looking!]]

Long ago, the [[Titan Master]] '''[[Infinitus]]''' served as a herald of his master [[Nexus Prime]]; when Nexus fell in the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] at the hands of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], Infinitus joined forces with Nexus's ally, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]. {{storylink|White Heat}} As the Primes faded into the realm of myths, Infinitus remained on Cybertron and used his Titan Master talents to control a larger body, taking on the identity of "Sentinel" to disguise his ''true'' lineage while he awaited Onyx's eventual return. In time, Sentinel decided that he would use the teachings of the Primes to bring "light" to the "tarnished world" of his birth... even if it meant killing everyone who stood in his way. {{storylink|White Light}} {{storylink|Ten to Midnight}}

[[File:MegatronOrigin1 Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|My fellow Earthicans, we enjoy so much freedom, it's almost sickening.]]

In the years before the dawn of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Sentinel had worked his way up to becoming the head of security for the [[Senate]]; {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} unbeknownst to his employers, he secretly assembled a militia of sleeper agents, recruited from his closest informants. Using a forerunner of the infamous [[shadowplay]] technique, Sentinel conditioned them to serve him if the time ever came. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}

One of the duties of his security force was to go around threatening and killing people who got in the Senate's way or risked embarrassing it. Shortly after an assassination attempt on [[Nominus Prime]], he eagerly watched Senator [[Proteus (G1)|Proteus]] announcing the implementation of the "[[Clampdown (event)|Clampdown]]", which would improve security at the cost of "some of the freedoms" of the populace. He was constantly interrupted by reports that an intruder was fighting his way into the [[Grand Imperium]], defeating all the security squadrons Sentinel sent at him. Interested in seeing how things would play out, he stood by as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] entered the Senate's chamber and confronted them over their corruption and detached relation to the populace. Proteus eventually ordered Sentinel to have him removed. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

As the Clampdown began, the Senate, who were behind the attack on Nominus Prime to begin with, had Sentinel try to tap into the powers of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in the Prime's chest. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}} In the process, Sentinel discovered that the Matrix was merely a fake, and with this revelation the Senate decided they had no more use for Nominus and had him killed. They went on to spread rumours that Sentinel was showing signs of affinity for being a Prime {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} while he got to work on planning a "Decepticon terrorist attack" that would give him an excuse to round up all proto-Decepticons and send them [[Institute|off for brainwashing]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} While [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] thwarted this, Sentinel's men were still able to discover that [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Senator Shockwave]] was quietly forming an army of dissident [[Outlier (group)|outliers]]. Sentinel ordered Shockwave's academy destroyed in an "accident" and Shockwave himself taken into custody. The rebellious Senator confronted Sentinel and Proteus with his knowledge of their illegal takeover of the Senate, but they were nonplussed and had him subjected to [[empurata]] and [[shadowplay|Brainwashing]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Orion Pax and his team had a Dead <s>Or Alive</s> warrant put on their heads. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}}

Upon assuming office, Sentinel Prime operated out of the [[Security Services Headquarters]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], generally regarded as "the worst place on Cybertron." By this point Sentinel had developed great disdain for government authority, irritated that they kept telling him how to ''do things'' instead of just giving him what he asked for. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 1|Megatron Origin #1}} He would even claim he didn't get to set policy. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} Years later, [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] would say Sentinel took the bad Senate and made it get worse. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}} He worked alongside [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], his [[Second-in-command|lieutenant]], and didn't seem that keen on him either, viewing Prowl's methodical approach as anathema to his more straightforward and brutal tactics. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 1|Megatron Origin #1}} {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}} Sentinel also formed an [[Elite Guard]] for all the important work he wanted done and not known about, like secretly capturing a spark hot spot so it could be experimented on and the [[Functionist Council]] couldn't use it. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}} During this time, Sentinel and Prowl briefly visited [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]] to check up on the progress of a new [[energon]] mine supervised by [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

[[File:MegatronOrigin1 Sentinel face.jpg|upright=1.5|left|thumb|I am not a crook's head!]]

Sentinel's Elite Guard clashed with Orion Pax's outlaws over the hot spot and, well, turned out not to be that elite: Sentinel hired bruisers, not people with brains. He lost the hot spot to Pax. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}}
At some point, Sentinel did something later remembered as "lay[ing] claim to a populated world". {{storylink|New Worlds Order}}

When Senator [[Decimus (G1)|Decimus]] was badly injured in a riot, Sentinel ordered Prowl to handle the situation as he didn't "have the struts to deal with another whining senator": if only they gave him "what I need"! {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 1|Megatron Origin #1}} After a surge in illegal [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial bloodsports]] where [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron's]] rose to prominence, he personally took charge of the investigation from Prowl, ordered tactical recon teams ("Panorama") to watch eight potential venues and intelligence officers to watch ''everything'', and a core strike team ("Hammer") to hit Megatron's "cult" when the venue was identified. Officers [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]] did indeed find a venue but unfortunately, both were murdered before they could report in. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

[[File:MegatronOrigin4-SentinelPrime Apexarmor.jpg|thumb|I remember my body. Flabby, pasty-skinned, riddled with phlebitis. A good Republican body. God, how I loved it.]]

Sentinel Prime vowed not to let their deaths be in vain, and at their funeral, the Autobot leader urged others to let their deaths be a call to arms. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} In private, he told his closest minions that he planned to find a Titan and unleash it on the Decepticons! {{storylink|Ten to Midnight}} Eventually, after Senator Decimus was kidnapped by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] at Megatron's orders, Sentinel Prime led a raid on Megatron's base. They captured Megatron and most of the others, but were forced to free Soundwave per Senate directive, much to Prime's frustration. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} Unfortunately for Sentinel, this had been Megatron's plan all along and a "defecting" Starscream released all the prisoners in the Security Services' HQ!

As chaos broke out across Kaon, Sentinel Prime held the line until he decided to take things to the next level. Thus, Prime returned with his massive "[[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex]]" mode, a battle-armor/super-powerful/more-firepower-than-god mode. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}} His ensuing duel with Megatron was watched from behind the scenes by Soundwave and Shockwave. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}} The additional firepower didn't make much of a difference, seeing as Megatron tore into it and pulled Prime off a cliff. Sentinel was defeated by Megatron. Afterwards, the former Prime's barely functional body was dumped into the middle of the Autobot forces. Prowl ordered a retreat. We would too.

The next morning, Megatron discussed his next moves with Soundwave... sitting on a throne made out of Prime's Apex Armor. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}} Rumours spread that Sentinel had survived his battle until the replacement Senate put out footage of the body being retrieved. Sentinel's body was subsequently laid to rest, and received a state funeral at the [[Primal Basilica]] in which grieving crowds lined the streets. With his first body damaged beyond repair, Infinitus secretly abandoned his old body and went into hiding beneath Kaon. Unable to explain this baffling "mutilation", Prowl claimed that Sentinel's body had been desecrated by Decepticons, who had stolen Sentinel's head. Megatron was left irritated people would blame him for that. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}} Sentinel Prime was immediately succeeded by [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]], {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}} and, in spite of his many issues, Sentinel's last stand against Megatron meant that the Autobots remembered him as a hero, his last deed outweighing his many flaws. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}}

[[File:LastLight-Infinitusescapes.jpg|upright=1.5|left|thumb|Time for Dicky to get tricky!]]

From his hiding spot, Infinitus worked to build a new body for himself. This took longer than he expected; according to Infinitus, he was "subconsciously attuning" himself to the [[spark]] frequencies of the Titans, and slipped in and out of consciousness over many millions of years. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}

Shortly before the [[Dead Universe]] invasion in 2006, Optimus Prime would recall Sentinel Prime as he ruminated on the supposed infallibility of a Prime versus the depressing reality. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

Following the end of the war in 2012, Prowl recalled Sentinel's militarism as part of the lineage of 'false Primes' and their failings, expressing that while the Decepticons may have had noble intentions back then, they were long lost by the modern era. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} [[Nova Prime]] briefly took on the appearance of Sentinel Prime as he battled Optimus within the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}}

[[File:TitansReturn Infinitus Sentinel.jpg|thumb|NIXON'S BAAAAACK!]]

In 2016, an irate Starscream—now running Cybertron—was left spitting teeth at the idea anyone might give Optimus a pass for annexing Earth. He compared the action to Sentinel, saying he'd been the last Prime to lay claim to a populated world. {{storylink|New Worlds Order}} When the [[Council of Worlds]] next convened, Starscream cited Sentinel Prime as one in a series of increasingly corrupt Primes in an attempt to discredit Optimus's recent annexation of [[Earth]]. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} The crewmembers on the ''[[Lost Light]]'' discussed Sentinel frankly as a dangerous ideologue with [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] calling him the first Decepticon. Since everyone usually referred to Sentinel Prime in heroic terms, [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] was left confused; Chromedome explained that he'd "lived badly but died well".

Meanwhile, the emergence of [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] on [[Earth]] had prompted the creation of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], accompanied an energy broadcast immortalizing the deeds of Optimus Prime. This burst awoke Sentinel Prime, still hiding beneath Kaon. The former leader viewed Metrotitan's transmission... only to be disgusted by the sight of Autobots fraternizing with Decepticons and the "malformed" colonists from the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] colonies—signs of ''compromise'' that he could not abide. Sentinel activated his new body, then headed to the Decepticon ghetto outside of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], vowing to purge his planet of "inferiors" {{storylink|The Last Autobot}} Trouncing [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]'s security forces, Sentinel opened fire indiscriminately and killed 23 individuals before attacking Starscream with a [[spark disruptor]]. {{storylink|Ten to Midnight}} {{storylink|The Last Autobot}} [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] managed to save Starscream's life by taking the weapon into her own Spark chamber, but the two were unable to stop Sentinel from bridging to Earth. After arriving outside Autobot City, he took down [[Aileron]] and destroyed the [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] behind him. Sentinel took a moment to appreciate Optimus Prime's imperialistic spirit... a moment that was cut short when Infinitus detached himself from his host body, vowing to burn down everything that his successor had created. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}}

[[File:WhiteLight-bodyjackinginfinitus.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|left|"Now look here, you drugged-out Communist. I paid for this body and I'd no sooner return it than I would my little cocker spaniel dog, Checkers!"]]

His first obstacle was Alpha Trion, who he sneered at for only ever talking and ''doing'' nothing during his reign. In a brief fight, Sentinel cut Trion's head off and took control of his alternate mode as a personal plane, while Sentinel's headless body stayed behind to engage the Autobots as a distraction. Wearing Trion's body, Sentinel retrieved his fellow Titan Master [[Sovereign]], who had been under a deep-cover identity as the human [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]], and flew him back to Metrotitan to be fully transformed. After reuniting with his main body, he had Sovereign warp them, Soundwave, and Optimus Prime away. {{storylink|White Light}}

The quartet traveled to the remains of the planet [[Prion (planet)|Prion]], abandoned by [[Micronus Prime]] to die with the [[Mini-Con]]s he had watched over. Sentinel explained his history to Optimus, revealed that the identity of "Sentinel" had always been a lie to conceal his true heritage as a Titan Master, and, with Onyx's return imminent, offered his successor a chance to join him and Sovereign in their new crusade. When Soundwave insulted his Primehood, Infinitus had Sovereign impale him using Alpha Trion's body before Optimus then tackled Sentinel into Sovereign, freeing Soundwave and giving the Decepticon enough time to reawaken Sovereign's "Blackrock" persona. Undeterred, Sentinel simply grabbed Sovereign and fled through Prion's spacebridge vowing to destroy the current Cybertron. {{storylink|White Heat}}

[[File:TenToMidnight-twovstwo.jpg|thumb|"I've become bitter, and, let's face it, crazy over the years."]]

The Titan Master duo arrived on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], where Sentinel intended to finally put his old contingency plan into play by first reactivating the hordes of dead Titans that littered the moon's surface. Along the way, Sentinel cut down the Autobot [[Outrigger]] and ordered Sovereign to devour his spark to power his own system; when Sovereign refused and Outrigger escaped, Sentinel hardwired him into a Titan's brain module and had it make a beeline for the moon's [[Planetary engine|thruster]]s. [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] tried to stand up to Sentinel, but the evil Prime revealed that Red Alert had been one of his many sleeper agents, and promptly triggered the mental conditioning that led him to shoot Prowl, leaving only [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] to stand up to Sentinel. {{storylink|Ten to Midnight}}

As Red Alert battled Fortress Maximus, Sentinel gloated to Cerebros and revealed the full scope of his plan: using the [[quantum foam]] from Luna 1's engines, he would supercharge a spacebridge to Cybertron, allowing a horde of reanimated Titan corpses to travel through the portal and destroy everything on Cybertron, leaving a blank slate on which he could rebuild his "perfect" Autobot society. But before he could deliver the final blow, Prowl smashed a [[Mobile Autobot Repair Bay|M.A.R.B.]] over his head; Fortress Maximus commandeered one of the many Titans to fend off the [[zombie]] horde, holding off as many of Sentinel's Titans as he could, while Prowl and Cerebros confronted Sentinel himself. Sentinel quickly dispatched the pair and ordered Red Alert to shoot Prowl in the back of the head—but Red Alert had already broken Sentinel's conditioning, and shot his Titan Master self off of his larger body. Sentinel was quick to reassert a measure of control over Red Alert, nearly forcing him to blast his own head off before [[Beak]] slammed into Sentinel, sending the Titan Master plummeting into one of the moon's thrusters where he unceremoniously perished. The spacebridge closed without his thoughts keeping it open; {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}} although Fortress Maximus had not been able to prevent ''all'' of the Titans from making it through the bridge, the disruption meant that the Titans would materialize far away from Cybertron and ultimately took many weeks to finally arrive. {{storylink|Ping}}

===2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity===
Sentinel Prime died during the Great War, and Optimus Prime succeeded him. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Among others, Sentinel Prime appeared to haunt Megatron through the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. Sentinel in particular mocked the Decepticon's gladiatorial origins and the fact that he considered himself an emperor. Megatron, however, refused to break and continued with his plans. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfTheTitanMasters-sentinel.jpg|thumb|left|I'm meeting you halfway, you stupid hippies!]]
Sentinel Prime unexpectedly returned after unspecified circumstances. He proved himself to be an unpredictable force, with his own plans to return Cybertron to its former glory.<ref name="TRTF">''Titans Return'' ''[[Titans Return (toyline)#Summer convention exclusives|Titan Force]] 3-pack'' bio material/instructions.</ref> When the [[Titan Master]]s reemerged into the modern Autobot-Decepticon war, Sentinel Prime was partnered with the Titan Master [[Infinitus]], whose ability to slow time allowed Sentinel to unleash precision attacks even in the middle of raging battles. {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Infinitus/Sentinel Prime toy bio}}

When [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Crashbash]] attacked [[Velocitron]] during the planet's biggest race, Sentinel Prime fought alongside [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and Optimus Prime to repel the invaders, defending [[Haywire (Targetmaster)|Hyperfire]] from Decepticon abduction. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}}

When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] returned to full size and unleashed his power on the universe, Sentinel Prime went rogue and sought to control him by using a loyal Titan Master. His plans for domination put him in conflict with [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], [[Arcana|Teslor]], and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]].<ref name="TRTF"/>

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
Sentinel Prime was the [[Thirteenth Prime|thirteenth member]] of the [[Thirteen|Primes]]. When the [[Mistress of Flame]] visited the [[Primal Basilica]], she invoked the names of the Primes in prayer, calling for the wisdom of Sentinel. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|''Transformers'' #3]] (mentioned); [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four|''Transformers'' #10]] (full appearance)}}

[[File:WannabeePart2-Sentinel.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.65|"This is incredible. It’s God’s most wondrous miracle." "Sir, I think your wife wants to hold the baby." "My wife?? Where? WHERE??" ''(Runs off)'']]

During the reign of [[Nominus Prime]], Sentinel was called in into investigate an unprecedented accidental forging at the site of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Forge Pyramid|Pyramid]], and was thus the first 'bot encountered by the newly forged [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}} Eventually, Sentinel would himself rise to the rank of Prime after Nominus Prime surrendered leadership of the Autobots; accepting the Matrix of Leadership, Sentinel Prime took over as the new First Senator. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}} In his new role, the Prime adhered to his predecessor's doctrine: his party continued to uphold the historic [[Nominus Edict]] that limited Cybertronian expansionism, {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} supported Nominus's decision to keep the [[Great General]] [[Pyra Magna]] indefinitely imprisoned, {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}} and restrict the forging of new [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s, {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} as well as abolishing the traditional sport of [[gladiatorial combat]]. {{storylink|Transformers Valentine's Day Special}} Before long, Sentinel had developed a reputation for a straightforward and unsubtle approach to diplomacy, {{storylink|Nautica: Home}} although the gravitas that his force of personality exerted over the [[Senate]] was indisputable: without his presence, the Senate would be paralyzed by indecision and infighting. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}} To keep the existence of hidden-away Titansparks under the Pyramid a secret, Sentinel bribed [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] with the position of Head of Intelligence. {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}}

An image of Sentinel Prime appeared over the Senate as Termagax promoted her new Ascenticon political party, in opposition to his ideals. {{storylink|End of Time}}

[[File:NauticaHome-SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|""Demand?" Who are you to demand anything? I run this town! You're just a bunch of low income nobodies!"]]

Just before the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Sentinel Prime and his inner retinue conducted a goodwill tour of Cybertron's various [[Cybertronian colonies|colony worlds]] aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]], unaware of mounting political tensions on Cybertron between Senator [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]]'s Autobots and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon|Ascenticons]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} With Sentinel Prime offworld, Orion opted to take command of the Senate in between filling in for Sentinel's other duties, such as welcoming newly forged Transformers like [[Gauge]] into the world, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} while instructing [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] to keep Sentinel Prime informed. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}}

The situation quickly escalated beyond Pax's ability to control the Ascenticons, and upon learning of both [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Rubble]]'s murders Sentinel Prime promptly cut his tour short. At the colony world of [[Hexagon]], Sentinel informed his cadre of specialists and diplomats that they would set course for Cybertron immediately after all visiting aliens had departed. As Lodestar prepared to set course for home, [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] informed him that she and [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] had foiled a [[Thraal]] plot to destroy their Titan in an attempt to intimidate Cybertron into surrendering their [[A'ovan]] refugees. Unwilling to import such troubles into Cybertronian society, Sentinel ordered Nautica to be silent on this incident and allow it to be handled quietly. {{storylink|Nautica: Home}}

Once Lodestar touched down on Cybertron, Sentinel dismissed Ironhide and made his way directly to the Senate. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} When he arrived, [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] briefed him on the situation, specifically the events concerning [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]], who had sought asylum at [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Ascenticon Headquarters]]. Though allowing Orion Pax to try and reason with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], he only gave him until sundown to retrieve Barricade, whereupon he would give Chromia ''carte blanche'' to get to the rogue. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}} Sentinel spent the next few days catching up on what had been going on while he was away, which began to rapidly chip away at what little patience he had. The last straw came when Senator [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] delivered the Ascenticons' demand that, in light of the situation, there be an immediate election. Sentinel emphatically said "no" and subsequently ordered literally every [[Security Operations]] agent out into the field to root out [[The Rise]]. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part One}}

[[File:TheChangeInYourNaturePart3-SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.7|"I propose that I use what's left of the town treasury to move to a more prosperous town and run for mayor. And, er, once elected, I will send for the rest of you."]]

Flanked by Orion, Sentinel made a public address where he condemned the Ascenticons and their empty promises. When Pax and Chromia later brought Sentinel an update on the situation, the First Senator allowed the rules of the [[Nominus Edict]] to be bent for the purposes of Security Operations' mission but also made several other changes to their normal operations while stressing success over a zero-fatality rate, deputizing [[Colonial Security]] chiefs [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] to organize proactive response teams. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Three}} To stamp out the Ascenticons before they could do any more damage, Sentinel also planned to arrest Senator Soundwave at an upcoming debate in a sting operation, only for fellow senator [[Heretech]] to covertly forewarn Megatron of the plan. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Four}}

[[File:RiseOfTheDecepticonsAllFallDown SentinelRejectsOrion.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|"Uh, election in November, election in November." "What? ''Again?!'' This stupid country..."]]
Following a major terrorist attack on Cybertron and the destruction of the [[Tether]], Sentinel and Orion met to assess the scope and scale of the damage. Although Orion urged caution and restraint—rebuilding and reassessing rather than going after the Ascenticons—Sentinel would not be dissuaded from his course of action, and Orion's suggestion that Pyra Magna be released from prison to coordinate an anti-Ascenticon crackdown eroded Sentinel's patience to nothing. Storming from the room, Sentinel shouted that he would pass the Matrix to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] when he stepped down, ''not'' Orion. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}} When inflaming societal tensions led to protest marches, Sentinel ordered Ironhide to clear out the crowd. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}}

When [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] had finally been detained, Sentinel arranged for the murderer to be publicly marched directly to the [[Senate]] building in the hopes that the spectacle would discourage the Ascenticons and their supporters. However, his unwise pageantry only led to a coordinated strike that ended with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] murdering the escaped Quake before he could be tried. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}} Finally, Sentinel convened an emergency session of the Senate without the Ascenticons, and coined the name "[[Decepticon]]s" as a way to condemn Megatron's underhanded tactics. He didn't get far into this speech before Megatron and his retinue barged into the Senate floor; while [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] restrained Sentinel, Megatron made his own speech that began with him reclaiming Sentinel's off-the-cuff insult and ended with his Decepticon troopers taking over the Senate. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}}

[[File:WarWorldPrime-SentinelDies.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"I'll bet I get blamed for this..."]]
While Megatron kept most of his prisoners on the Senate floor itself, he had Sentinel and Orion moved to a high-security prison wing, and took a moment to gloat in front of the imprisoned First Senator. Despite Sentinel's final warning—that if Megatron restarted the cycle of colonization and expansion that had defined Cybertron's past, other races would surely fight back against Cybertron—Megatron was more interested in the Matrix he carried. [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and the [[Senate Guard]] eventually broke into the Senate building and freed Sentinel, but stopped their leader from going to personally settle his score with Megatron. After escaping to the Autobot fallback point, Sentinel instead decided to find a relay tower and broadcast a message that Megatron had not yet won—but as he transformed and flew off, he recklessly ignored the fact that the Autobot resistance didn't have any fliers to cover his departure. Sure enough, Megatron ordered the [[Rainmaker]]s to bring him back, and the three knocked him out of the sky and sent him crashing into a nearby [[The Slaarg & Turbofox|bar]]. While Sentinel easily pounded [[Ion Storm]] into a nearby wall, [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]]'s corrosive barrage weakened him and [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] sliced him in half. Chromia and Orion arrived too late to save him. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}} Deducing Starscream's betrayal, to protect the Titansparks from the Decepticons, {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} Sentinel, with his last words, told Orion to warn [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], kill Starscream, and pass his Matrix on to Ultra Magnus before he succumbed to his wounds and died. After taking the Matrix, Orion Pax glimpsed Sentinel Prime's spirit among the many other Cybertronian leaders who had carried the artifact before accepting the mantle of ''Optimus'' Prime. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

Laying Sentinel Prime's tattered body to rest, Optimus and Ironhide reflected on his last words and their meaning. Despite their past differences, Optimus Prime respectfully praised Sentinel for rising to meet the demands of leadership the Matrix placed on him and hoped to do the same. {{storylink|War World: Awakenings|Awakenings}}

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|The last card here's a little redundant on this page if you scroll back up a ways.]]
Following an uprising of working-class robots, Sentinel Prime sent Alpha Trion to investigate the gladiatorial pit fights in Kaon, and the emergence of the Decepticon movement. Alpha Trion uncovered Senator Ratbat's involvement in the whole affair, and reported his findings to Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Megatron Origins}}

As [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces made their way to activate [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[planetary engine]]s in order to wipe out the Autobots, Sentinel Prime went to meet with the Decepticon leader in [[Tyrest]], believing Megatron could be reasoned with. Instead Megatron ambushed Sentinel Prime's group and slew the Prime. Sadly for Megatron, Sentinel was not carrying the coveted [[Matrix of Leadership]], having sensibly left it behind. {{storylink|The War Within}}

===''Transformers Online'' (2017)===
During the Cybertronian Civil War, Sentinel Prime was killed. Prior to his destruction, he bestowed the Matrix of Leadership to Optimus Prime, who became the new leader of the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TitansReturntoy-SentinelPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|He's easily confused with Astrotrain. No, he's not Quintessa.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{bp-a1|'''Autobot Infinitus & Sentinel Prime''' (Voyager Class, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' 2 guns, Infinitus Titan Master
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:Sentinel Prime is part of the first wave of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Voyager Class toys. He transforms from a robot to a shuttle to an armored train and back. Both vehicle modes use many flip-out panels to fill in his vehicle mode, leaving minimal robot kibble visible. Sentinel takes design cues from both Generation 1 [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Alex Milne]]'s IDW Sentinel Prime, while Infinitus's robot mode is entirely the Sentinel design.

:His [[Titan Master]] partner [[Infinitus#Toys|Infinitus]] transforms into his head (but any [[Titan Master]]-class figure is compatible), and he features spring-loaded pylons that pop out of his shoulders on either side of his head to "bulk up" his noggin, like all ''Titans Return'' Voyager-class figures. Despite restricting the articulation of his neck, the towers themselves are in an assembly that can be rotated for a better range of motion. Sentinel can be transformed into his shuttle mode without removing his head, leaving it somewhat hidden on its backside.

:He includes two hand-held, non-firing blasters which can be combined to form a larger double-barreled weapon. The larger gun or the combined mode can be piloted by a Titan Master. Each weapon has multiple pegs which can be mounted on the wing struts, wing tips, knees, or shoulder slots. Sentinel himself can be piloted from a translucent yellow cabin between his rear stabilizers.

:The computer-generated promo art and additional stock photos for this figure are inaccurate, depicting Sentinel with the ends of his train mode for feet, while his instructions use the nose cone portion of the shuttle mode. The train engine ends ''can'' be used as feet, but they sit at an awkward angle that makes it hard for Sentinel to stand upright. He also appears darker, less saturated orange than the final product.

:Unfortunately, due to being used for transformation, the port for the collector display stand on his two-piece rear waist tends to be misaligned, and the hole is not shallow enough to fully secure its connection.

:Sentinel also comes with a collector card based on his packaging art.

:This mold was also made into ''Titans Return'' [[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Astrotrain]] and served as the model for [[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|Omega Sentinel]] in the [[Primus Vanguard]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRSentinelPrime/sentinelprime.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Sentinel Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2016}}{{anchor|TitanForce}}
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Titan-Force-Sentinel-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now with extra BURNING SPIRIT!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{bp-a1|'''Titan Force''' (Multi-pack, [[July 21]], 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Release date:'' [[July 21]], [[2016]]
:*''Accessories:'' 2 Guns, Infinitus Titan Master

:This recolored version of Sentinel Prime with translucent orange parts was only available in a [[giftset]] together with "Titan Force" redecoes of [[Brainstorm (G1)#Titans Return|Brainstorm]] and [[Windblade (G1)#Titans Return|Windblade]], each with unique decoration. Rather than being marked as an Autobot, he instead bears the symbol of the Security Forces that his troops wore in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' comic.

:In the United States, this set was [[exclusive]] to the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] website and the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2016. In the United Kingdom, it was exclusive to the A1 Toys website and their booth at London Film & Comic Con 2016 (with Brainstorm renamed into "Charon" for [[trademark]] reasons); in China, it was exclusive to Cybertron Con Shanghai; in Hong Kong, it was exclusive to Animation-Comic-Game 2016; and in Canada, it was exclusive to the HasbroStore booth at Fan Expo 2016.

:This toy is used for [[Red Sentinel Prime]] in the ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic|Generations Selects]]'' comics.
{{--}}

===''Missing Link''===
[[File:TF-Missing-Link-C-01S-Sentinel Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|EXPLORE EXPLORE! REDECO REDECO!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Sentinel Prime''' (センチネルプライム, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''ID Number'': '''C-01S'''
:*''Release date:'' [[2024]] [[September 12]]
:*Accessories: "[[Rust Cannon]]", Matrix, "[[Zeta Module]]", "[[Rage Axe]]", 4 Missiles, Fuel Pump, Nozzle and Hose
{{toydesigner|[[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] (deco, bio)}}<ref>{{citesocial|quote=はい。バイオと、少しだけ色指定のお手伝いもしました|link=https://x.com/Hirovmi/status/1843947852395057167|site=Twitter|name=Hirofumi Ichikawa|year=2024|month=10|day=9}}</ref>

:''[[Missing Link]]'' Sentinel Prime exclusively debuted at the 40th Anniversary Transformers Expo 2024 in Tokyo, Japan as a redeco of ''Missing Link'' C-01 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Missing Link|Convoy]] in predominantly yellow with a trailer in shades of grey, as a no foolin' homage to [[:File:MTMTE ep 1 Sky Spy yellow truck.jpg|the truck]] scanned by the [[Sky Spy]] in the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"<ref>[https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000396.000073415.html Press release for the 40th Anniversary Transformers Expo 2024 merchandise:] ビークル本体の黄色のカラーリングは、アニメ「戦え！超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマ―」の第1話でメインコンピューターのテレトラン１がコンボイのためにスキャニングしたトレーラートラックがモチーフとなっています。</ref> (albeit in a less saturated tone thanks to Takara's color schemes descending from the [[LaserDisc]] releases of most episodes). The color also homages Sentinel Prime from the [[2005 IDW continuity|2005 IDW series]]. As the mold is a direct recreation of the original ''The Transformers'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]] toy but with the benefit of forty years of advances in toy engineering, it retains almost all of the original toy's [[gimmick]]s, and adds a bunch more.

:Sentinel Prime retains the Convoy toy's accessories, including the transforming [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]] with repair drone, now recast as Sentinel's "[[Zeta Module]]" which can detach from the trailer and roll around on its own wheels. The [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] accessory (now [[Dillo#Missing Link|Dillo]] in an ''amazingly'' deep cut) can mount the toy's [[Rust Cannon]], a port that is hinged to rotate out of sight. Dillo's wheels and the toy's missiles are packed still attached to their [[sprue]] just like in the old days, complete with an extravagant spare set of missiles. The fuel pump, hose and nozzle are also included; in addition to these classic parts, the toy also comes with a chrome green [[Matrix of Leadership]] which fits in his chest. A special mounting piece for the Matrix sits behind the truck windows, but can be removed to reveal the classic seats for smaller ''[[Diaclone]]'' figures.

:The toy has [[rubber tires]] (with the classic real-world "[http://www.ewillys.com/2021/03/16/desert-dog-history-and-ads/ Desert Dog Formula]" brand), [[die-cast]] parts, and features all the same [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] surfaces as the vintage toy, with the gas tanks being in a darker gunmetal color. The details of the original [[sticker]]s (on the arms, knees, and toes) have been fully molded into the plastic and picked out with paint and the entire head is painted in yellow.

:The packaging for Sentinel is a grayscale version of C-01 with the name changed to Sentinel Prime. The sticker sheet remains unchanged, and unlike the box art the card includes a recoloured Optimus into the new Sentinel colors.

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Character Card''===
[[File:Transformers Character Card Senator Ratbat and Sentinel Prime.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Sentinel Prime and Ratbat Set''' ([[December 28]], [[2024]])
**''ID number:'' '''97 & 98'''

:Released as part of the thirteenth wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of Sentinel Prime (with [[Infinitus]]) in his [[#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' form]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (himself in his [[Ratbat (G1)/toys#Generations (Japan)|"Senator" form]] from the [[Transformers: Generations (Japan)|2013 ''Generations'' toyline]] toyline) along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#97|Translation of Sentinel Prime's Transformers Character Card]]''

{{--}}

==Notes==
*In an impressive case of [[size changing]], U-Haul Robot's head alone forms the ''entire'' driver's section of the truck cab!
*In a few instances throughout the third season of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 animated series]], the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] appears in the U-Haul Robot's color scheme. Guess [[AKOM]] got their "Hauls" mixed up!
*The retelling of [[Unicron]]'s origin in the UK comics included a brief glimpse of a dying Matrix bearer passing the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to Optimus Prime. However, as he is unnamed, the only way we can presume this being is Sentinel Prime is because, as we are told later, Sentinel Prime was the leader before Optimus. Fun fact: "[[State Games]]" calling Optimus Prime "Optimus Prime" means Sentinel does this pre-war!
*Sentinel's 2007 IDW design was based on his first (and otherwise only prior) appearance in the 1988 Marvel comics panel shown above. The resemblance is a little more obvious in ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'' than it is in his more stylized appearance in ''Megatron Origin'', but his yellow-red-and-orange armor, crested helm, and the row of three small "windows" on his chest are all derived from his Marvel look. IDW's Sentinel is also very heavily armed, not unlike the description of the character given by the ''Hardwired'' novel.
*Sentinel Prime didn't receive a proper toy until 2016, but he did come close previously. As revealed in the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] roundtable panel at [[BotCon 2007]], the original concept for the convention-[[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of Deluxe Class [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense]] [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#CyCDF|Hot Shot]] was Sentinel Prime. The mold DOES bear a decent resemblance to his IDW appearance, but in the end it was decided that [[Springer (G1)/toys#Timelines|Springer]] was a better choice for the mold (and likely for the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|ongoing club comic]] story).
*The resurrected Sentinel in the 2005-2018 IDW continuity appears to be wearing modular, black armor over his toy design, rather than having the toy design itself.
*According to [[ABN]] in [[Recordicons issue 9|''Recordicons'' #9]], Vector Prime "always lies about Five Faces of Darkness". If true, this would mean that the guy from Five Faces isn't necessarily Sentinel Prime; we're keeping this page as-is because there's no objective evidence either way, and Sentinel Prime is more convenient as a page title than "U-Haul Robot".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sentinel Prime''' (センチネルプライム ''Senchineru Puraimu'')

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:BotCon-Sentinel Prime-concept-robot mode.jpg|BotCon ''Classics'' robot mode concept
File:BotCon-Sentinel Prime-concept-vehicle mode.jpg|BotCon ''Classics'' vehicle mode concept
File:TR-Sentinel Prime-packaging art.jpg|Hasbro ''Titans Return'' packaging art
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Spiritguides nav}}
{{IDWPrimes nav}}
{{Thirteen}}

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]

Alien

2025-01-05T01:52:26Z

MegaSolus: /* 2005 IDW continuity */

[[File:Aliens.jpg|right|upright=2|thumb|"Hello, we're a little lost... which way to the set of ''{{w|The Real Ghostbusters}}''?"]]

An '''alien''', in the broadest sense, is someone or something not native to where they currently are. In most works of fiction, however, it refers to any creature or object from an extraterrestrial source. As a science-fiction story, the ''Transformers'' franchise has introduced many different alien species over the years, not least the [[Transformer]]s themselves.

In most (but not all) ''Transformers'' continuities, the galaxy beyond [[Earth]] and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is populated with a diverse array of alien species and civilizations. Aliens come in staggering variety of shapes and sizes; while some species superficially resemble [[human]]s or other Earth creatures, many others are utterly different from both human or Cybertronian life. Alien species may be purely mechanical, lacking the [[spark]]s that characterize the Transformer race, cybernetic hybrids of the biological and technological, or composed of exotic materials that may not even demarcate them as "alive" at first glance.

It is unusual, though not unheard of, for Transformers to adopt non-Earthly alien creatures as [[alternate mode]]s.

An exhaustive list of every alien species that has appeared in the ''Transformers'' franchise can be found [[:Category:Alien species|here]]. A list of named, individual alien characters can be found [[:Category:Aliens|here]].

===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
[[File:Mecannibals.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Numerous alien species inhabited the galaxy during the time of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Life-forms in the galaxy ranged greatly in size and height; from the diminutive [[Scraplet]]s {{storylink|Crater Critters}} to the towering Transformer-sized warriors of [[Femax]]. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}} Both mechanical and organic species exist; the fearsome [[Mecannibal]]s were known to prey on other sentient mechanoids. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} One notable alien mechanoid was the freelance peacekeeping agent [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], who found himself involved in the dealings of the Transformers after a bounty went out on [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s head. {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}}

Most life-forms in the galaxy tended to be Transformer-scale and regularly congregated at neutral places of commerce such as [[Grand Central Space Station]] and entertainment like the [[Cosmic Carnival]], which was owned by the slug-like [[Big Top]]. {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival}} Cybertronians and other mechanoids were not always welcome in these mixed-species establishments, though some Transformers eventually adopted [[Pretender]] shells that allowed them to disguise their true nature as mechanical beings. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[File:Deathshead113heardofme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

One particularly bizarre species of alien were the [[Limbo parasite]]s, who inhabited the extradimensional realm of [[limbo]] and fed off the emotions of sentient beings that accidentally entered their realm. {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

The unassuming organic world known as [[Nebulos]] was inhabited by the peaceful [[Nebulan]]s; their world would become one of the most important battlegrounds of the war after [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] fled there in an attempt to leave the war behind. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}} The native life-forms would help develop the [[binary bonding]] process, which led to the development of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] technology {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} and, eventually, the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] and [[Powermaster]] augmentations. {{storylink|People Power!}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
The villainous next-generation Transformers who called themselves the "[[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]]s" viewed organic life as an affront to their evolved ideals. Over the course of their quest to [[cyberforming|cyberform]] different worlds, the native life forms were coldly exterminated as the Cybertronians pushed outwards. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
[[File:Ravage starscream shockwave war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
After his humiliating defeat on [[Klo]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] led his troops in raiding several alien worlds. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} In 2012, his forces invaded the planet [[Torkulon]] for its technology. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} After [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] had acquired the energies of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], the Decepticons mounted an invasion of [[Cresta Superior]] as a test of their new [[Blitz Engine]]s, utterly annihilating the native [[Utmost]]. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}

When the Great War finally ended, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], the last three Decepticons, chose to travel the stars together and instill the values of peace and unity in other developing civilizations. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}} {{storylink|King of Shadows}}
{{-}}

====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:FFOD4 Early Quintessons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Aliens with wildly varying levels of technological sophistication inhabited the universe. [[Primacron]], the oldest known alien intelligence, was known to have created [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and [[Tornedron]]. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

Millions of years ago, the alien [[Quintesson]]s settled the planet that would one day be known as [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and developed a series of advanced robotic slaves. These early [[Transformer]]s would eventually revolt against their creators and successfully banish them from their world. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

During the war, the Decepticons were known to have occupied inhabited worlds. One such planet was the aquatic world of [[Tlalakan (planet)|Tlalakan]], home to the [[Tlalakan (species)|Tlalakans]] and their miraculous [[Well of Transformation]]. [[Drone]] overseer [[Deceptitran]] developed a method to forcibly extract [[energon]] from their bodies. {{storylink|Sea Change}}

[[File:Child's Play Aron Autobots telescope.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

In the modern day, the Autobots and Decepticons repeatedly encountered aliens during their adventures both on and off Earth. One [[space bridge]] accident sent members of both sides to [[Brobdingnag|a distant planet]] where they were no bigger than toys to the planet's colossal inhabitants. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} While attempting to return home, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] passed through [[Monacus]], a seedy repute for various bounty hunters, home to the corpulent [[Gyconi]] and his Pit of Destruction filled with ferocious [[Animalien]]s. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

Alien lifeforms even inhabited Earth's [[Solar System]]; the moon [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] was home to [[Titan (species)|a pre-industrial race of pink-skinned humanoids]], {{storylink|The God Gambit}} while [[Jupiter]]'s moon [[Io]] inhabited by ferocious creatures called [[lightpole]]s. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

Whether deliberately or accidentally, aliens occasionally arrived on Earth, which brought them into conflict with humans and Transformers. On one occasion, a cloud of [[Morphobot]] spores accidentally landed on Earth and wasted no time into growing into voracious mechanical plants. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} When the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s mined a passing asteroid, they accidentally released a [[Asteroid bird alien|gigantic alien]] which caused havoc in [[San Francisco]]. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

After 2005, the Transformers encountered many more alien species as the war spread beyond Earth and into space. Among them were the musical [[Eurythman]]s, {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} the [[Nijika]], who had also known Quintesson oppression, {{storylink|The Face of the Nijika}} and the warring [[Nebulan]]s, who would implement [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] technology in one of the final battles of the war. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Following a string of defeats on Earth, Galvatron's Decepticons turned their attention to nearby populated planets in an attempt to loot their energy supplies. The Autobots followed aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]]; the subsequent conflict involved the humanoid insects of planet [[Hive (planet)|Hive]], {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} the tiny mechanoids of the [[Twin Star]] system, {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} the stratified civilization of [[Daros]], {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} and the idyllic tribes of [[Paradise]]. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}}

====''Victory'' cartoon====
Numerous aliens inhabited the frontier village of [[Iron Town]], including some [[wikia:starwars:Ewok|very]] [[wikia:starwars:Jawa|familiar]] specimens. {{storylink|The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[File:Purple vok.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|You know, for kids!]]
The [[Vok]] were a mysterious energy-based species with long-ranging plans revolving around prehistoric Earth and its future; seeding the primitive planet with massive amounts of unrefined [[Energon]] in pursuit of a vaguely-defined long-range goal. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}} Following the arrival of the time-travelling [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s on the planet, the Vok took several drastic steps in an attempt to first remove the contamination from their testbed {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}} then contain the potential damage that [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] might wreak on all of space-time by sending [[Tigerhawk]] as their emissary. {{storylink|Other Victories}}

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
[[File:HomeSoil-Botanicaplantmode.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
[[Regalis V]] was a distant world covered entirely in motile plants. When the Maximal explorer [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] and her crew landed to survey the planet, they adopted new alternate modes based off the local life-forms. {{storylink|Home Soil}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
Evidence suggested that the aliens known as the [[Quintesson]]s had conquered Cybertron at one point before being driven off. Nonetheless, they managed to exert some influence on Cybertron's ruling [[Council of Ancients]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], a [[space bridge]] accident sent [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. The [[Decepticon leader]] struck a bargain with the aliens, though both intended to betray the other. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

At least six months following the destruction of [[San Francisco]], Optimus Prime, Bluestreak, Jazz and Megatron were abducted by a malevolent alien species called the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] who sought to experiment on them. After Bluestreak perished, the other three managed to escape to Earth, followed by a Keeper wearing Bluestreak's corpse. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}} Taking other Transformers as bodies, the Keepers sought to conquer Earth only to be repelled by the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], though not before they'd caused severe damage to the [[United States of America]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}} Banished to a realm they called the Void, the Keepers attempted to form a portal back to Earth but were trapped in their prison thanks to the sacrifice of [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:Ammonites little victories.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
The [[Milky Way]] galaxy is filled with thousands of alien civilizations and many more inhabited planets, largely split along organic or mechanical lines. Organic species vastly outnumber the latter, leading to a lasting social stigma against most mechanical races. {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}} The oldest known sentient species in the galaxy are the [[Stentarian]]s: a race of transforming mechanoids locked in a civil war of their own. {{storylink|Little Victories}}

Despite the general prejudice against mechanical beings, some civilizations, most notably the former inhabitants of [[Gorlam Prime]], developed advanced cybernetic implants and prostheses in what was speculated to be an attempt to artificially evolve from one state of being to the other. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}} Some Cybertronians were known to have looked down upon other mechanical races, such as the [[Catharsian]]s, for their inferior construction. {{storylink|An Axe to Break the Ice}} Non-Transformer mechanoids were sentient either due to possessing [[spark]]s of their own, such as the [[Quintesson]]s, {{storylink|Prey (issue)|Prey}} or [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], {{storylink|The Next Day, and the Next}} or due to their "warm-wired" physiology. {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} {{storylink|An Axe to Break the Ice}}

[[File:YouMeAndOtherRevelations-GalacticCouncil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

On the galactic level, most spacefaring cultures have banded together to form interplanetary coalitions and governments. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} According to the [[Space Knight]] [[Rom]], most organic civilizations attain global coherence before developing interstellar space travel. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}}

The largest governmental power in the Milky Way is the [[Galactic Council]], far and away the most powerful organization in the galaxy. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Other galactic powers include the robo-phobic [[Black Block Consortia]] {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}} and the [[Solstar Order]], enemies of the shapeshifting [[Dire Wraith]]s. {{storylink|Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor|Shining Armor}}

The first Cybertronians to encounter alien lifeforms were the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. Their extended stay in deep space and encounters with new life inevitably resulted in them becoming patients zeroes for a disease brought about via contact with organic life: [[Atrophosia]]. Seeking treatment, they made their way to [[Mederi]], an artificial hospital moon rumoured to have been constructed by the ancient and advanced [[Omega Guardian]]s. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

Following the unification of the [[Thirteen]], Onyx Prime—in reality a time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]—convinced [[Prima]] to share the gifts of Cybertron with the larger galaxy. Flanked by a vanguard of [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]], "Onyx", [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], and [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] made recorded first contact when they touched down on the planet [[Antilla]], which the Primes intended to conquer and colonize on account of its rich resources, bringing the Cybertronians into conflict with the native [[Antillan]]s. Alpha Trion, the one who to whom this conquest was dedicated to, decided then that Cybertronians had no place to meddle in the affairs of others, choosing to edit the conquering intent from the history books. As the Antillans neared extinction, the war came to an abrupt end when [[Unicron's creator|a desperate scientist]] constructed a [[Talisman (G1)|weapon]], that sterilized all life on the blighted planet. The end of the conflict caused the rest of the galaxy to learn of, and begin to fear, Cybertron. In the waning days of the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], the crash landing of the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] would be witnessed by a [[Elonian|primitive alien hunter]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Our Finest}}

One of the [[Cybertronian colonies]], [[Velocitron]] shared its region of space with organic lifeforms, ones that the Velocitronians refused to talk to due to their isolationist policies. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|Windblade vol. 2 #4}}

In the years before the Great War, Cybertron was seen as a backwater world by the inhabitants of the galaxy; mocking the stagnation of the planet's culture and society, aliens deemed the planet's inhabitants "Autobots," short for "automatons." {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} Cybertron's great contribution to the field of interspecies relations was the [[Ambus Test]], a universal test designed to ascertain the sentience of mechanical lifeforms. It is unknown if a similar test exists for organic species. {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} In the pre-war years, Cybertron's off-world [[Primal Vanguard]] would occasionally engage in peacekeeping operations on other planets, which usually ended poorly for the organics under the protection of Cybertronians. {{storylink|Before & After}} Prolonged interactions with gendered alien races would cause some Transformers to voluntarily adopt other gendered pronouns. {{storylink|An Axe to Break the Ice}}

As he organized the Decepticon movement, [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] wrote at length about the innate superiority of mechanical life in a prejudiced galaxy. Believing that the universe was innately "anti-mechanical," Megatron targeted thousands of organic species for extermination in what he claimed was self-defense: eliminating them before they could do his species harm. Anti-organic sentiment became a hallmark of the Decepticon movement, among his followers, it ranged from mere disdain to genocidal hatred. {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}}

On [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], Megatron encountered the manipulative Quintesson [[Pentius]], though it is unclear what, if any, connection the Quintessons have with the Transformers in this continuity. {{storylink|Faces of Darkness}} [[Battle of Junkion|A later Cybertronian conflict]] on Junkion ended in the planet's destruction and [[Junkion (species)|the natives]] becoming nomads. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}

After the loss of Cybertron, the Decepticon war machine reorganized along "infiltration protocol:" a system by which Decepticon agents infiltrated unaligned alien civilizations and subverted them from within to bring about their destruction. This process was naturally opposed by the Autobots, who fought to protect the inhabitants of said worlds. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}}

[[File:SpaceOperaPart1 Garnak.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

To (ostensibly) safeguard other races from the destruction that untapped Cybertronian technology might wreak, both sides worked together to implement the [[Tyrest Accord]], which banned the export of Cybertronian technology to other species and prevented Cybertronians from providing services to organic races. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}} In spite of this law, Decepticons such as [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] would regularly collude with organic races, requiring the intervention of dedicated lawmen such as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ultra Magnus}}

Some two hundred years ago, the Cybertronians were briefly entangled in the ongoing war between the Solstar Order and the Dire Wraiths, resulting in a four-way skirmish at [[Xetaxxis]] and a lesson in why Wraith [[magic]] should not be applied to [[Sky Blast (G1)|Cybertronian life]]. {{storylink|Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor|Shining Armor}}

An encounter with an alien race known as the [[Kree]] had given the human [[Ms. Marvel|Carol Danvers]] superhuman powers. Her travels with a group called the [[Starjammers]] exposed her to the worlds that the Decepticons had ravaged. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part One}} {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Two}}

The Decepticon invasion on Earth briefly involved the [[Reaper]]s, a group of monstrous living weapons led by [[Deathbringer (IDW)|Deathbringer]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

While marooned on [[LV-118]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] befriended [[Garnak]]. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|The Stars My Destination}} Garnak would join [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] when the former Autobot leader voluntarily exiled himself from Cybertron. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}} Even after the end of the Transformers' war, anti-mechanical sentiment still ran high among many organic species. The virulent hatred that Cybertronians faced became a business prospect for the ex-Decepticon [[Demus]], who began kidnapping and "[[domestication|domesticating]]" Transformers to sell as "[[Roboid]]" torture dolls for other races to abuse. {{storylink|Animals}}

[[File:TransformersRevolution-ThundercrackervsDireWraith.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

In 2016, Cybertronian activity on [[Earth]] culminated in the planet's annexation into the Cybertronian [[Council of Worlds]]. Around this time, the Dire Wraiths on Earth made themselves known, attracting the attention of the [[Space Knight]] [[Rom]]. Simultaneously, extradimensional warlord [[Baron Karza]] turned his sights on Earth's supplies of [[Ore-13]]; searching for a way to transport the mineral to his [[Microspace|dying universe]], he recruited the help of the Wraiths and [[Miles Mayhem]] in a complicated scheme. The ensuing battle saw the [[Micronaut]]s, a group of tiny aliens from Karza's home reality, stranded on Earth. {{storylink|Revolution}}

Though Kazra's initial scheme failed, he returned to Earth shortly afterwards with a larger fleet and the body of [[Micronus Prime]], creator of his universe. His plans were halted by another species from his universe, the [[Time Traveler]]s. {{storylink|Micronauts: Wrath of Karza}}

Having repeatedly encountered aliens over the course of his career, [[Joe Colton]] became convinced that Earth could only survive if it was cut off from the larger galaxy. To that end, he assembled the [[Iron Ring]] to commit a Cybertronian genocide before his plan was halted by "Garrison Kreiger" who revealed himself as [[Merklynn]]. Via the [[magic]] of the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], Merklynn terraformed a portion of Cybertron's underground into [[New Prysmos]], {{storylink|First Strike}} which soon became home to what little remained of the [[Prysmosian]] species. {{storylink|Transformers vs. Visionaries}}

When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] attacked [[Elonia]], the Cybertronians evacuated the Elonians to Cybertron. {{storylink|Our Darkest}} The Elonians then joined the Cybertronians in seeking refuge on Earth once the Chaos Bringer had destroyed Cybertron. {{storylink|Road's End}} After Unicron had been felled, the Elonians reestablished their society on Earth alongside the Cybertronians and humans. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{-}}

=====The Functionist Universe=====
In a [[Functionist Universe|alternate timeline]] where Megatron was never created, the ruling [[Functionist Council]] deliberately stoked prejudice and fear against the greater galaxy to keep the population of Cybertron fearful of the universe beyond their planet. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Cybertron clashed with the Black Box Consortia several times before a ceasefire was reached, necessitating the dissolution of the [[Primal Vanguard]]. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

Unbeknownst to most Cybertronians, Council member [[Six-of-Twelve]] had come to the conclusion that other alien species did not serve an appreciable "function" in the eyes of Primus, {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} and after taking custody of [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]], he had the entire moon re-engineered into a gigantic harvester unit that would go forth into the galaxy and strip-mine populated worlds in service of Cybertron. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}}

After losing Luna 2, {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}} the Council turned Cybertron itself into their instrument of destruction, using it to wipe out countless alien worlds. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}

====''Wings Universe''====
Numerous organic species joined up with [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s crew of [[Star Seeker]]s, including [[Squirm]], [[Izzerkilod]], and [[Vez]]. {{storylink|Hoist the Flag}}

====''Hearts of Steel''====
[[File:ElderGodInfestation2-2.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Having arrived on Earth in prehistoric times, an [[Elder God]] briefly awoke in [[1887]], posting an existential threat to humans and Cybertronians alike. To defeat the menace, the Autobots managed to awaken Optimus Prime, who succeeded in driving it and its acolytes back into the ocean from whence it had came. {{Storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}

{{note|Events identical to those of ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' and ''[[Infestation 2]]'' occurred in the [[2005 IDW continuity]]. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}}}

====''Mars Attacks: The Transformers''====
[[File:MarsAttacksTheTransformers Martians.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
The Autobots and Decepticons were briefly forced to work together when an armada of [[Martian]]s invaded Earth, seeking to colonize it for their own. The invaders were defeated after [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] used his alternate mode to infiltrate their fleet and launch a surprise attack on the aliens. {{storylink|Mars Attacks: The Transformers}}
{{-}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
[[File:AloneTogether-DeliriousFire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
The inhabitants of [[Gorlam Prime]], seeking immortality, constructed a vast lunar database designed to house the collective consciousness of their race. That database gave rise to a gestalt intelligence that called itself [[Lord Imperious Delirious]], a god-like [[second-born intellect]] who promptly annihilated the world of his creators. {{storylink|Derailment}} Searching for more of his kind, he found other organic civilizations that had created sentient robot slaves and eliminated them, forming the destructive warband of robots known as the [[Destructon]]s. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 59|Medusa's profile in Club Magazine #59}}

The ancient [[Logicon]]s had found a different way to cheat death by ascending into beings of energy. {{storylink|Intersectionality}}

In the 24th century, Cybertronians had been forcibly quarantined and cut off from the galaxy in an [[Allowed Zone]]. In spite of this, they maintained some relations with the larger galaxy, purchasing some ancient Quintesson hardware for sentry duty. {{storylink|Burning Bridges}} The [[Human Confederacy]] viewed the Quintessons with distrust, as preexisting contracts meant that they were the only species capable of entering and leaving the Allowed Zone at will.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/133737-beast-wars-uprising-ama/?p=3361342 Post by Jim S on the Allspark Forums, 2016/10/17]</ref>

When the [[Beast mode|Beast Upgrade]] hit Cybertron, some Transformers opted to adopt new beast modes based off alien creatures instead of Cybertron's own [[mechanimal]]'s. {{storylink|Safe Spaces}}

The Human Confederacy had signed the [[Treaty of Prysmos]] with the untrustworthy [[Shi-Lai]]. By the 25th century, the aliens had dramatically violated the terms of the treaty.

After the Human Confederacy descended into civil war, the Cybertronians were free to go beyond the Allowed Zone once again and eventually made their way to the [[Andromeda Galaxy]]. Their incursion earned the ire of the native [[Ammonite]]s and precipitated an invasion of the [[Milky Way]]. After going to war with the Ammonites, the [[Convoy Council]] forbade extragalactic travel. In the 34th century, the [[Terrastar (BWU)|''Terrastar'']] and [[Hyperborea (BWU)|''Hyperborea'']] made their way to the [[Triangulum Galaxy]] where they encountered a race of hostile aliens known as the [[Skriix]]. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
The eusocial race known as the [[Vespoid]]s inhabited the primitive world of [[Chicxulania]], which had been visited by some other alien race and deliberately seeded with [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|exotic creatures]] eons ago. {{storylink|Life Finds a Way}}

Following Cybertron's near destruction, [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] fled to [[Abrax]]as and integrated into the local rescue force. After the two had been recruited into [[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]], the combiner tested out his power on a [[Mecannibal]] nest located on a nearby jungle planet. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}}

The natives of the planet [[Maarin]] built a race of terraforming robots known as the [[Teklaan]]s to heal their blighted world only for their creations to resurrect every virus that had once existed on their world, wiping out the biosphere. Left to their own devices, the Teklaans seized control of their world before recreating their techniques on other planets. When they discovered Cybertron, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] tried to have them rebuild his home only for the Wreckers to inform him of the Teklaans' penchant for viruses. Forming Wreckage, the Wreckers forced the Teklaans off their planet. {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}}

====''Star Trek vs. Transformers''====
[[File:Arex captains chair.jpg|thumb|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In the 23rd century, the [[Federation]] was an interstellar union composed of [[human]]s, [[Vulcan]]s, and [[Andorian]]s. They did not get along very well with their neighbours, the brutal [[Klingon Empire]]. On stardate 5892.7, both parties made first contact with the Cybertronian race on [[Cygnus Seven]]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}} While the Autobots allied with the crew of the Federation starship [[USS Enterprise|''Enterprise'']], the Decepticons allied with the [[Klingon]]s, {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} before the latter party's alliance fell apart when [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] went rogue to conquer the Klingon homeworld of [[Kronos]]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}} During the battle for the Klingon capital, the Decepticons initially held the advantage before the Klingons used a fleet of [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbirds]] to defeat the invaders. Though the [[Klingon High Council]] allowed [[Starfleet]] and the Autobots to leave in peace, the Decepticons remained as Klingon prisoners. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
Prior to the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], Cybertron enjoyed an Age of [[Expansion]]. In colonizing the galaxy, the Transformers came into violent contact with several alien species. The Cybertronian historian [[Codexa]], in her work ''[[The Way We Were, by One Who Saw It]]'', theorized that seeing the [[Titan (group)|Titans]] destroy planets had instilled a fear of Cybertronians in other races. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} A group of aliens who existed "behind the barrier of quintessence" abducted and overpowered the Cybertronian explorer [[Exarchon]], warping him into a warmonger who would silence Cybertron's expansion into the larger galaxy. {{storylink|War's End Part One}} {{storylink|War's End Part Three}}

After the war's end, Cybertron had rebuilt as a thriving hub of interstellar commerce and travel, inhabited by many aliens alongside the Transformers, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} such as [[Voin]] scavengers or [[A'ovan]] refugees who'd fled their blighted [[Na'conda|homeworld]], the latter group introducing the (harmless) invasive species known as [[skitter]]s into Cybertron's biosphere. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} Aliens on Cybertron lived within the [[Xeno-Quarter]], a multi-cultural district one-fifth the size of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. In one of his speeches, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] derisively claimed that the [[Nominus Edict]] had constricted the expansion of the Cybertronian race so as not to risk antagonizing other species. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}}

After Megatron took control of the [[Senate]], the bound [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] warned him that if he returned to an age of violent conquest and colonization, then the other races of the galaxy would remember and one day seek recompense from the next generation of Cybertronians. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

When Sentinel perished and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] took command of Cybertron, the Decepticons had turned their sights on the Xeno-Quarter. When [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] brought this information to the new Prime, he ordered them to evacuate the aliens from Iacon, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] considering that he could use [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']]-class vessels to relocate the immigrants. {{storylink|Escape Part One}} Ultimately only one of the vessels was used to evacuate but a portion of Cybertron's immigrants, though [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] noted that when the last ''Ark'' was repaired, it might be used to evacuate the rest. {{storylink|Escape Part Five}}

In his greed to collect the artefacts of ancient Cybertron scattered throughout the galaxy, [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]] plundered alien planets, tainting the reputation of the Cybertronian race in the eyes of the native species. {{storylink|Storm Horizon Part 3}}

What few aliens remained in Darkmount later evacuated with the Autobots when they fled Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

====''Last Bot Standing''====
As the Great War spread across the galaxy, it wiped out countless alien species. When it later consumed all known sources of [[energon]], [[Steel Jaw|Steeljaw]]'s pack of surviving Cybertronians turned what few alien species remained into [[biofuel]], a fuel source generated by the harvesting of organic matter. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} When the group came to the planet [[Donnokt]], they were stopped by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]], leaving the planet's organics to develop on their own. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

====Energon Universe====
Centuries before the present day, the [[Quintesson]]s were responsible for the [[Age of Wrath]], something that gave the species many enemies, {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 3|Void Rivals #3}} [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the Cybertronians among them. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 4|Void Rivals #4}}

The [[Sacred Ring]] was inhabited by the [[Agorrian]]s, formerly of [[Agorria]], and the [[Zertonian]]s, formerly of [[Zertonia]], who had briefly paused their war to erect the structure around the [[black hole]] that their sun had collapsed into. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 1|Void Rivals #1}} {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 2|Void Rivals #2}}
{{-}}

===''Animorphs''===
The forces of the [[Andalite]]s battle the villainous [[Yeerk]]s, who have enslaved other alien species such as [[Hork-Bajir]] and [[Taxxon]]s. {{storylink|Animorphs|Animorph packaging bios}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
====Ask Vector Prime====
When the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] of [[Aurex 615.03 Epsilon]] spilled into [[Alpha Q's universe]], the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s adopted beast modes based on the various creatures that inhabited the different planets, including [[mechamorph]]s, [[Rock Lord]]s, and [[Beastformer (species)|Battle Beast]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/23}}

====Spacewarp's Log====
An alien civilization had visited earth in its prehistory and set up a small city on [[Easter Island]].

The Decepticon adventurer [[Spacewarp]] had encountered dozens of different alien races in her journeys across space and time. Notable races she crossed paths with include the incorporeal [[Tasmian]]s, the [[Clonemasters of Tharkoros]], and the subterranean bugboys of [[Moldavus]].

On one adventure, a series of improbable events successfully transported Spacewarp and her companion [[Foldspace]] into an entirely different universe. There, she met and later alllied with distant alien analogues of the Autobots and Decepticons; the warring [[Robotix]] of [[Skalorr]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Spacewarp's Log|Spacewarp's Log}}

===Live-action film series===
====IDW movie comics====
[[File:Eshems nebula alien.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Aware of the damage that [[Star Harvester]]s could wreak on developing systems, the [[Dynasty of Primes]] decreed that no Harvester could be built to harvest a star that supported life. After knowingly, and with great malice of forethought, violating this rule, [[The Fallen]] was exiled from Cybertron. While roaming the galaxy, the Fallen slaughtered any alien species he found, stealing their engines of war and other powerful technologies while leaving burnt worlds in his wake. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 4|Tales of the Fallen #4}}

The [[Ejoornian]]s of the [[Eshems Nebula]] were attracted to a [[AllSpark|powerful energy source]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. They were repulsed by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}} and a later full-scale invasion was thwarted by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]].

[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]'s examinations revealed that their biology was eerily similar to those of a Cybertronian, even possessing what might be a [[spark]] core. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

{{-}}

====Titan movie comics====
Over the course of their search for the AllSpark, both Autobots and Decepticons encountered numerous alien civilizations. [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] was involved in the civil war between the [[Thraal]] and the [[A'ovan]] on [[Na'conda]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3}} [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] encountered a dead civilization that had been ravaged by the [[Flame (Movie)|Flame]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4}} [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] contended with a race of scavengers tracking the AllSpark, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5}} while [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] discovered a gigantic living world that absorbed the memories of its visitors. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 6}}

In his travels across the galaxy, [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] had claimed the bounty on the leader [[Coseem crime gang]], a group of alien lowlives. One of their members, [[Sojex]], attempted to claim revenge on Lockdown but was defeated by the bounty hunter. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5.4}}

====''Age of Extinction'' film====
[[File:AOE-CreatorHand.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
65 million years ago, Earth was visited by an enigmatic race of aliens known only as the "[[Creator]]s," who [[seed]]ed the planet with supplies of [[Living metal|elemental metal]] as part of their larger experiments — a series of events that apparently led to the creation of the Transformer race.

The Creators had apparently survived into the modern day; on learning of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s recent exploits, they hired Cybertronian bounty hunter [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] to find and capture him. After Optimus learned more about the Creators, he flew off into space to confront them and learn the truth about his origins.

Lockdown had members of many seemingly alien species imprisoned in his [[Knight Ship|ship]].

The [[Steeljaw (AOE)|Steeljaw]]s also appeared to be a cybernetically enhanced organic species. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
The peaceful and benevolent [[Quintesson]]s formed the [[Quintesson Federation]], maintaining peace in the galaxy while taking great care not to interfere with the development of less advanced civilizations. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}}

[[Hun-Grrr (SG)|Hun-Grrr]] adopted a [[Algean two-headed razor beast]] as his alternate mode.

===Animated continuity family===

====''Animated'' cartoon====
[[File:Ani07 arachnid.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
There are six major powers in the Milky Way galaxy: in addition to the [[Autobot Commonwealth]] and the remnants of the [[Decepticon Empire]], other galactic factions include the [[Nebulon Republic]], a loosely allied coalition of peaceful organic races, the mercantile [[Quintesson Pan Galactic Co-Prosperity Sphere]], the mysterious [[Vok]] Territory, and the empire of aggressive mechanoids known as the [[Vestial Imperium]]. Several minor coalitions such as the [[Tiresian Union]], [[Intruder|Intruder Empire]], and the [[Galran Khanganete]] control small regions of otherwise unclaimed space. {{storylink|Transformers_Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

In spite of their peaceful society, most Autobots are relentlessly xenophobic towards most organic races, considering them disgusting and potentially dangerous. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}} There is some truth to this belief, as several organic species in the galaxy—such as the gigantic [[Archa Seven arachnid|arachnoids]] of [[Archa Seven]]—are indeed capable of harming a full-sized Cybertronian. As a result of her traumatic encounter on that planet, Autobot cadet [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]] was irreversibly mutated, transforming into a [[technorganic]] version of one of the native spiders. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

The unscrupulous arms dealer [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] was an exception to the rule; he was known to have freely parleyed with many civilizations in his travels across the galaxy. {{storylink|Decepticon Air}} The unaligned bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] scavenged many parts for [[Death's Head (Animated)|his ship]] from alien sources such as the [[Taxxon]]s. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
[[Vector Prime]] speculated that [[Ben 10]]'s universe, located somewhere [[Omniverse|beyond the multiverse]], may have interacted with the [[Malgus]] cluster at some point. This reality bleed would explain why some alien species from his universe can occasionally be found in the Transformers' [[multiverse]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#June 10, 2015|Ask Vector Prime}}
{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
Following the [[Great Cataclysm]], the Quintessons discovered the rebuilding Cybertron. Disguising themselves as peaceful benefactors from the stars, the opportunistic Quintessons began tampering with the development of the primitive Cybertronians with the ultimate goal of selling them off as slaves to other galactic cultures.

After the Quintessons were banished from Cybertron, the [[Golden Age]] of Transformer civilization saw spacefaring colonists make contact with several other alien civilizations along the way. Encounters with gendered aliens caused the formerly asexual Cybertronians to begin adopting gender pronouns. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Commercial appearances====
During his takeover of [[Hub Network|The Hub]], [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] contended with an alien life form named [[ALF]], whose program had been thrown from the schedule. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime|Transformers Prime 26-Hour Takeover}}

====Aligned novels====
According to [[Xeros]], most life-forms in the galaxy were mechanical. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
[[File:NewNormal Velgrox bridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
The [[Velgrox]] were an opportunistic race that were infamous for invading planets and capturing their inhabitants for later consumption. A Velgrox scout ship landed on [[Griffin Rock]] to procure samples, though [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] successfully intimidated them into leaving before they could do any lasting harm to their captives. {{storylink|New Normal}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
The Decepticon [[Shifter]] [[Pseudo]] was arrested for selling Cybertronian secrets to aliens. {{storylink|Ghosts and Impostors}}

On the cusp of reviving the [[Decepticon Empire]], [[Cyberwarp (RID)|Cyberwarp]] questioned why aliens had to suffer in the name of Cybertron's ascension. [[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]] responded that they didn't ''have'' to suffer but it was just a happy bonus. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RID)|Enemy of My Enemy}}

====''Rescue Bots Academy'' cartoon====
When the last of the [[Galax]] was threatened, the Rescue Bot recruits were sent to its native [[Parvus]] to bring it to the safety of Earth. In this new environment, the Galax was able to begin repopulating its species. {{storylink|The Big, Small Rescue}}

While collecting rock samples in the [[asteroid belt]], Heatwave unknowingly abducted a slumbering rock-like alien. When the alien awoke in the Rescue Bots' headquarters, it went on a panicked rampage across the base before it was safely cornered and returned to its native environment. {{storylink|About a Rock}}

The Rescue Bots later dispatched their eager young cadets to the developing planet of [[Herboo]] to save a [[Herboovian]] village from a [[karknoid beetle]]. {{storylink|Tune Out}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
During the [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]], the War [[Titan (group)|Titans]] carried detachments of warriors to conquer "untamed" alien planets. By his own account, [[Maccadam]] was a participant in these battles, leading [[Iaconus]] and his crew into war against an insectoid race. {{storylink|The Citizen}}

[[Croaton (Cyberverse)|Croaton]]'s [[Cybertronian colonies|colony]] was attacked by alien invaders who abducted his citizens before subjecting him to an orbital bombardment that left him on the brink of death. {{storylink|Ghost Town}}

The popular television show ''[[Alien Hunt!]]'' chronicled the adventures of [[Meteorfire (Cyberverse)|Meteorfire]] and [[Cosmos (Cyberverse)|Cosmos]] as they travelled the galaxy and encountered all manner of strange lifeforms. On one such outing, Cosmos was taken captive by an [[obicular-class parasitic entity]] with the flying saucer managing to trap her captor on [[Moonbase 3|Luna 3]], though her disappearance saw the cancellation of ''Alien Hunt!'' {{storylink|Alien Hunt! With Meteorfire And Cosmos}}

In their quest for the [[AllSpark]], the crew of the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']] touched down on an uncharted moon where the landing party was abducted by [[Cave monster|subterranean insects]]. When [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] realized that the aliens fed off [[energon]] and were merely defending their food supply, he ordered his crew back to their ship, refusing to endanger the aliens' survival. {{storylink|The Journey}}

[[Teletraan-X (Cyberverse)|Teletraan-X]] claimed that the [[Egypt]]ians had been aliens from [[Alpha Centauri]]. {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}} As the ''Ark'' carried the AllSpark back to Cybertron, the crew made first contact with the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] race. {{storylink|Wiped Out}}

After escaping the ''Ark'', {{storylink|Ghost Town}} [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] ran across the [[Quintesson]]s, a bizarre race of extra-dimensional aliens to whom he sold out Cybertron to. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe I}} While the creatures initially conquered Cybertron, they were soon driven off-world by the combined forces of the Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}}

When searching for [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]]'s psychic shards, [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] recruited Meteorfire, the two finding and killing the obicular-class parasitic entity, whose death freed Cosmos. Overjoyed, Meteorfire revived ''Alien Hunt!'' {{storylink|Alien Hunt! With Meteorfire And Cosmos}}

===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
After helping to establish Cybertronian culture, [[Quintus Prime]] left his homeworld on a mission to seed life on planets all across the galaxy, intending to create new races that could be allies of Cybertron in the future via his [[Emberstone]]. After starting the evolutionary process, Quintus left to repeat the process on another world, abandoning what life he had created. Quintus' first creations, the [[Quintesson]]s, desired to know the purpose of their existence, and so set off into space in search of their absent creator. Upon discovering that they were just one of many experiments that Quintus had abandoned, they grew bitter and sought to destroy Quintus and claim his Emberstone for themselves, exterminating any other of Quintus' creations that they came across. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}} {{storylink|Witwicky, Part 1}}

==Games==
===''Beast Wars Transformers'' video game===
The Maximals and Predacons were both menaced by the [[Skriix]], an aggressive organic race who came to Earth through an interdimensional portal. The Maximals, aware of the Skriix's potential for destruction, had no other plans but to eradicate all present Skriix lifeforms, ending their threat to the planet.

Upon discovering that the Predacon [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was experimenting on the Skriix, the Maximals decided that it was too dangerous for the Predacons to gain insight into the Skriix's biology, and promptly dispatched a mission to destroy both Inferno and his test subjects. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Aliens| ]]
[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Animorphs franchise]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Cybertron franchise]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:The Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) aliens| ]]
[[Category:IDW (2019)]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Rescue Bots]]
[[Category:Rescue Bots Academy]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce]]
[[Category:Victory]]
[[Category:Zone]]

Matrix of Leadership

2025-01-04T23:30:12Z

MegaSolus:

{{factions|autobot|primus|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}}}
{{disambig3.5|the lore object|the titular cartoon episode|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Matrix.jpg|375px|thumb|You put the life in the coconut.]]
The '''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (also known as the '''Creation Matrix''' or rarely, the '''Leadership Matrix''',<ref>[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]</ref> the '''Autobot Matrix of Power''',<ref>[[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:]]</ref> or the '''Matrix of Light'''<ref>For the majority of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' sticker book ([[:File:DiamondStickerbookMatrixOfLight.jpg|see image]]), though it is also referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership" once or twice.</ref>) is an [[sacred treasure|artifact of great power]], traditionally carried by the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]]s. Although its appearance differs slightly from [[universal stream]] to universal stream, it generally appears as a glowing crystal sphere encased within a [[Matrix holder|hollow metal shell]], with a handle on either side.

By most accounts, the Matrix is a conduit for the power of [[Primus]], the creator-god of the [[Transformer]]s, serving as a means of access to the [[Transformer afterlife]], through which it can either bestow new Transformer life, or provide its wielder with a means of communicating with the deceased leaders who have come before them. These divine powers put it at the centre of much Autobot [[religion]], spirituality, and prophecy; while many [[Decepticon]]s are less inclined to believe in its divinity, they certainly covet the increased physical power it is known to convey upon its holders, and several have made obtaining the Matrix one of their primary goals. As one of the embodiments of the power of Primus, the Matrix is antithesis to [[Unicron]], and one of the very few things the chaos-bringer fears.

{{bigquote|But one day... an Autobot shall rise from our ranks... and use the power of the Matrix... to light... our [[darkest hour]].|A [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|dying Optimus Prime]]|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:SecondGeneration prime gives buster matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|The Matrix made its fictional debut when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred it to [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], an event recounted in this scene from "[[Second Generation!]]".]]
The Matrix and the concepts associated with it have continuously evolved over the history of the brand, with different pieces of ''Transformers'' fiction creating new ideas centred on it, which have in turn influenced its representation in ''other'' fiction, and so on. The current nature of the Matrix as it is understood is beholden to quite a few different sources, and its development is described here to minimize confusion. For the specifics on the different interpretations of the Matrix in various continuities, see the "Fiction" section below.

The concept of the Matrix originates from the brain of [[Marvel Comics]] writer [[Bob Budiansky]] and is a result of the "no girls"/"no gender" policy enforced by [[Hasbro]] regarding their then-new robot brand. Because there were no female robots/the robots had no gender, Budiansky came up with an asexual method of reproduction in the form of the Creation Matrix, a "[[Primal Program]]" housed within the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] that could bring new Transformers to life, which would also prove a helpful plot device when he was required to introduce new characters to the series.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/|name=Bob Budiansky|site=Ben's World of Transformers|quote=If you can use the Creation Matrix to create new Transformers, you could put out a lot more toys. I mean, it was basically a way to introduce new toys into the storyline by saying okay, I think was it Jetfire? That was the one I used the Creation Matrix on first? See?|title=Interviews: Bob Budiansky (February 2004)|year=2022|month=02|day=11}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/|site=Metal Machine|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=One of the first questions that I asked Hasbro when I took over writing the Transformers character profiles was were any of these characters female? The answer was no, this is a boys’ toy, so there shouldn’t be any female characters. As a result, I came up with asexual ways for new Transformers to be created, like the Creation Matrix.|title=Behind the Scenes with Bob Budiansky on the Transformers|year=2009|month=11|day=21}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801000000*/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954|site=Rusting Carcass|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=Creation Matrix, I'm fairly confident the Creation Matrix was a concept that I originated. I'm not sure if I originated the Matrix of Leadership. I might have, I don't remember. The Creation Matrix was another example of trying a couple of ways to explain new Transformers, you know to try to create, invent and introduce new Transformers.|year=2009|month=07|day=25}}</ref>

The appearance of the Matrix in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 animated series]] originated with early script drafts of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which introduced the idea of "Life Sparks", very similar to the [[spark]]s that would later be introduced with ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. The Matrix was not present in the earliest known incarnation of the movie; instead, upon his death, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred his own Life Spark to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], with the implication that this was standard practise among Autobot leaders. This idea was eventually discarded, replaced with a physical object known as the "Matrix of Leadership", which evidently derived its name from the Creation Matrix of the comic book. The episode "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" attempted to introduce the concept of the Matrix to the animated universe before the movie, but the dialogue containing the reference was deleted during production. The line, which dated the creation of the Matrix to 4.5 million years ago, would ultimately have conflicted greatly with what would be learned of the Matrix in the future.

[[File:FFOD4 passing the matrix.jpg|thumb|[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] inherits the Matrix from [[Guardian Prime]] in the first recounting of the Prime lineage from "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]].]]
Virtually nothing of the Matrix's nature was actually divulged in the finished film, where it was treated as simply a magic talisman of prophecy that was the antithesis of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. The idea that had originated with the Life Spark concept—that of dying Autobot leaders merging their lifeforces with others—remained, albeit in a vague way, as Optimus Prime intoned upon his deathbed that he would soon be "one with the Matrix". The mini-series "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" fully expanded on the meaning of his line, revealing that the Matrix contained the lifeforces of all the deceased [[ancient Autobots|Autobot leaders]] who had previously held it, collectively known as the "Wisdom of the Ages," which could be consulted for aid in moments of need.

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|left|thumb|The dying [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] passes the Matrix to Optimus Prime in this flashback scene from "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]".]]
Having already cannibalized many of the movie's best elements for use in his comic book stories, writer [[Simon Furman]] contradicted Bob Budiansky's US comic book stories by presenting the Matrix as it had appeared in the film, as a physical object, in his own UK storylines, and carried this over to the US comic when he later began writing it. This alteration was also reflected in a ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profile written for Powermaster Optimus Prime around the time, where Budiansky's "program" concept and the cartoon's "physical object" idea were merged with the explanation that the program was encoded in light patterns in the Matrix's crystal core. As Furman's run progressed, the "lifeforces of previous holders" concept was also adapted into the comics, with the Matrix possessing a genetic memory of those that had held it. Most notably, in both UK and US books, Furman crafted a [[The Legacy of Unicron!|story]] to explain the origins of the Matrix, why Unicron was vulnerable to it, and how it could create new life, ultimately revealing it to be the essence of the Transformers' creator-god, [[Primus]].

It was the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' animated series that made the next big addition to the growing mythology of the Matrix when they introduced the [[Transformer afterlife]], the extradimensional source of all Transformers sparks living or dead, which was also named "the Matrix." While not explicitly related to the Matrix seen in the Generation 1 cartoons or comics, the implication was obvious—rather than ''contain'' anything, the physical Matrix object from those continuities was a ''gateway'' to the Matrix dimension. Where the animated "Matrix of Leadership" and the comic book "Creation Matrix" had previously seemed incompatible, this revelation united them conceptually—the lifeforces of the dead from the cartoon and the ability to bring new life from the comics could now both be tied to the features of the Matrix dimension. [[Dreamwave Productions]]' comics proceeded to cement this concept, depicting a Matrix of Leadership that possessed both these traits, and explicitly identifying it not as a holder of Primus's power, but a ''conduit'' for it.

The Matrix took something of a back seat in major fiction in the latter years of the 2000s, effectively replaced in the worlds of the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]] and ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' by the [[AllSpark]]—a mystical object that, while physically distinct from the Matrix, possessed its life-giving powers and record of Transformer history. Before long, however, both these continuities reintroduced the idea of the Matrix: In both universes, the AllSpark was destroyed and its knowledge and power was reincarnated in an object either specifically named, or designed to look like, the Matrix, thereby bringing the whole concept full-circle.

Finally, the more recent revelation (implied in the movies, confirmed by [[Fun Publications]]' "[[Crossing Over]]", and reiterated in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'') that the energy that is the basis of Transformer life is actually the rarefied form of the Transformers' fuel, [[energon]] itself, suggests that the energy of the Matrix is also (a form of) energon. This had actually been portrayed as the case in some formerly-questionable pieces of fiction such as ''[[The Transformers Trilogy]]'' novels, which retroactively make sense now.
{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Prima.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Intel Inside!]]

When Primus created the Transformer race, before entering voluntary systems shutdown, he bestowed upon them a genetic matrix containing his essence and the majority of his power, which could be used to give life to more Transformers so that the race might grow without his direct involvement. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} Later named the "Creation Matrix", this divine gift took the form of a "[[Primal Program]]" encoded in intricate patterns of light within a crystal,<ref>[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Marvel comic profile]</ref> which was passed from leader to leader down through the millennia. The first holder of the Creation Matrix was the first Transformer, [[Prima]], then subsequently [[Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and in the modern era, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Autobot leaders evidently elected to keep the true nature of the Matrix a secret, since most other Transformers were shown to believe it was a program stored within the mind of Optimus Prime himself, rather than housed within a separate physical object. This mistaken belief gave rise to a legend that claimed that the Program was encoded into a new Autobot leader once every ten millennia. {{storylink|The New Order}}

[[File:WhoseLifeforce prime and longtooth.jpg|left|thumb]]
''At one point during his tenure as Autobot leader, Optimus Prime came across [[Longtooth]] struggling to save the life of [[Clockwise|a fallen comrade]] on the battlefield after a particularly ferocious conflict. Mistakenly believing he was witnessing a great show of Autobot spirit (when in actuality, Longtooth was simply terrified of being the last one left alive), Prime extracted a tiny portion of the Creation Matrix's energy and gave it to Longtooth, telling him to use it wisely. Once Prime had left, however, Longtooth gave into his fear and kept the Matrix energy for himself, to serve as a "spare life" that allowed him to be daring and brave on the battlefield without fearing death.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

[[File:DisintegratedCircuits buster uses matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When the Transformers' war moved to [[Earth]] in [[1984]], current Decepticon leader [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] elected to increase his forces by creating new Transformers with the power of the Creation Matrix. Capturing the [[Autobot]]s and decapitating Optimus Prime, Shockwave tapped the energies of the Matrix and brought the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Prime was able to transfer the Matrix into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} thereby preventing Shockwave from animating his newest construct, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], but the presence of the Matrix within Buster's mind gave the boy incredible powers over machinery. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} Deducing that Buster possessed the Matrix, Shockwave programmed the unliving Jetfire to capture the boy, but Buster used the Matrix to bring Jetfire under his control and used him to thwart Shockwave's plan and save Optimus Prime. With Prime and the Autobots rescued, Buster transferred the Creation Matrix back to the Autobot leader, {{storylink|Prime Time!}} and Prime subsequently used the Matrix to give Jetfire true life. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''Residual energy from the Matrix that lingered in Buster's brain soon began to give the youth nightmarish visions, causing him to black out and create strange images of previously-unheard of Transformers.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Seeking to help Buster, the Autobots hooked him up to equipment that would allow them to monitor his dreams, and discovered that the Matrix was showing them all them a vision of the future, and the creation of the [[Special Teams]].'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Matrixflame.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|If the Autobots were Jewish, it would have burned another six days.]]
''The Matrix was also known to have an analog on Cybertron, the [[Matrix Flame]], which burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed, no matter where in the universe it was. It could also be used to channel the energy of the Matrix, which the Autobots on Cybertron did to bring life to their new warrior, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]].<ref>Ultra Magnus profile page in Marvel UK [[Target: 2006#Defeat!|#81]]</ref> Not long after, however, the Matrix Flame flickered out when Optimus Prime was shunted into [[limbo]] by time-travelling Decepticons, leading the Autobots on Cybertron to send Magnus to Earth to investigate. Prime was returned in due time, and the Matrix Flame re-ignited.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Following the earlier vision from the Matrix,'' the Autobots created the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], and Optimus Prime used the Matrix to bring them to life. Little did the Autobots realise, however, that [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had deduced a way to usurp the Matrix's power, using a [[cerebro-shell]] previously planted in Prime's body by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to siphon off some of the life-giving energy, which he employed it to animate his own new creations, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

[[File:DarkCreation we would know more.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When Optimus Prime died following a video-game duel with Megatron a short time later, {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}, the Autobots loaded his body into a funeral bier and launched it into space in accordance with Cybertronian tradition. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Unfortunately, having been unaware of the existence of the physical Creation Matrix crystal within the corpse's chest, this meant that they unwittingly set the sacred lifeforce of their race adrift in the sea of stars. After some time, the craft eventually crashed on the distant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay undisturbed for a time. Left in solitude, the rudimentary consciousness of the Matrix formed from the genetic memory of its past holders began to desire new sensations. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

It got its chance when a [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]], a medical mechanoid created to painlessly end the life of the terminally ill, crashed on VsQs. Critically wounded, the dying robot reached out to touch the Matrix, and in its hunger for new experiences, the talisman used its powers of creation to disassemble and rebuild the Deathbringer, inadvertently warping its programming and transforming it into a powerful being who sought to destroy ''all'' life. A trace of its energy remaining in its body, the Matrix revelled in its first experience of "evil" as the Deathbringer cut a swathe of destruction across the galaxy, ultimately finding its way to Earth. ''Sensing the Matrix's power within the creature, Optimus Prime—since resurrected by the technology of [[Nebulos]]—was hesitant to destroy the only link they had discovered to the lost Matrix, but [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] solved the problem by convincing the Deathbringer that since the Matrix's power was eating away at it, it should destroy itself.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

[[File:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.15|The Creation Matrix was the Leader-1's-head of the Marvel comic. Can't be drawn the same way twice.]]
Back on VsQs, the Matrix's curiosity found new expression when an insectoid creature crawled into Prime's corpse's chest cavity and became the next recipient of the Matrix's power. Dissecting and studying the beast, the Matrix was fascinated that the creature seemed to be meant to do nothing but destroy, so it re-created the thing into a [[Matrixspawn|larger, more powerful predator]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The monster attacked a team of astronauts that had set up a research station on VsQs, killing nearly all of them, but at least one escaped and crashed in the seas of the nearby planet [[Pequod]]. His body infused with Matrix energy from the beast that had attacked him, the astronaut was swallowed by a [[klud]], which ingested the energy. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime became aware of the threat of Unicron, and, realizing that the Matrix would be necessary to defeat the Chaos-Bringer, arranged for search parties to scour the cosmos for any trace of it. ''Longtooth was among the Autobots recruited for the search mission, and was forced for the first time to truly confront the selfishness of what he had done with the Matrix energy Prime had given him millennia before. In hopes of redemption, he loaded the energy fragment into a pod and sent it back to Optimus Prime.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} [[File:Thunderwing with matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Primus says it's my turn on the Matrix.]] ''Prime agonized over how to best use the Matrix energy, knowing that it had the power to revive only one of the deactivated Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and ultimately, elected to disperse it into the Earth's atmosphere to rejuvenate damage done to the ecosystem by the Transformers' warring on the planet.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}}

In the meantime, the search parties seeking the Matrix had piqued the curiosity of new Decepticon leader [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], who possessed an affinity with the Matrix and a desire to possess its power for his own. As the opposing teams dodged each other, they eventually set their sights on Pequod, where the klud had been attracting attention because its species was supposed to have been extinct. Thunderwing used his Matrix affinity to psychically link with the Matrix-infused beast and see the memory of swallowing the dying scientist. Recognizing the "VsQs" stamp on his equipment, Thunderwing set out for that moon. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}} Once there, both sides battled the creature the Matrix had created, which had grown to enormous size, with Thunderwing ultimately killing the beast and taking the Matrix. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Decepticon immediately attacked the spaceborne Ark, manifesting the Matrix power in the form of a giant, vaguely humanoid energy field around himself. Soon, however, the Matrix began to speak through Thunderwing, delighting in the firsthand experience of evil, and the Decepticon realized he was being possessed. Thunderwing tried to mentally battle the Matrix, to no avail, but the Autobots exploited his erratic behaviour to impale him with a [[harpoon]] and blow him out the Ark's airlock into space. {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|It cures what ails ya.]]
Thunderwing's body came to rest on the surface of a planet, where the Matrix began to heal his battered frame. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Repairs took time, but once completed, the Matrix set out for Cybertron, {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} coincidentally arriving just as Unicron was trying to destroy the planet. The Matrix-creature fought Unicron, but Unicron soon realized that the Matrix had been tainted with evil, and that it was no longer a threat to him, given the infinitely greater magnitude of his own evil nature. Thunderwing was destroyed by Unicron's attack and Optimus Prime was able to recover the Matrix, cleansing it of the taint of evil and restoring its purity. Rocketing into Unicron's gaping maw, Prime released the Matrix's energy within the planet-eater's body, destroying him. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} The explosion should have killed Prime as well, but his devastated body was saturated with Matrix energy, keeping it alive long enough for the suffering Prime to pass on leadership of the Autobots to [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Still Life!}}
{{--}}

======Marvel UK future timelines======
[[File:MatrixCoconut1.jpg|thumb|"Will I become a great Autobot leader?" "All signs point to no."]]
In an alternate future timeline, a dying Optimus Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus in [[2006]]. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} It was then used by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] to destroy Unicron, in the process transforming the young Autobot into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In the year [[2008]], Unicron attempted to engineer his resurrection by mentally controlling the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] into building him a new body. Drawn into the conflict by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], Rodimus Prime used the power of the Matrix to battle Unicron on his own mindscape, while [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] set explosives to destroy the portion of Unicron's body that had been constructed. The explosion tore Unicron's body apart, but did not destroy him; instead, with no physical shell to inhabit, his essence wound up trapped within the Matrix. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-187.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Later in 2008, the [[Quintesson]]s invaded and conquered [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] while Rodimus Prime was absent, and set a trap for the Autobot leader by leaving the wounded [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] at the city entrance. Arriving to find the one-time object of his affections in dire straits, Rodimus opened his chest cavity in order to heal Arcee with the energy of the Creation Matrix, only to be blindsided by the Quintessons and have the Matrix plucked from him, transforming him back into Hot Rod. The Matrix wound up the hands of Quintesson [[Ghyrik|General Ghyrik]], who was able to harness its power and boost his strength for a throwdown with Hot Rod. A bout of impromptu ventriloquism from the young Autobot distracted Ghyrik, allowing Hot Rod to rip the Matrix from his body and transform back into Rodimus Prime, handing Ghyrik an ignominious defeat. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

When disruption to the fabric of space and time forced Rodimus and several other Autobots to travel back in time from [[2009]] to [[1989]] in order to discover the source of the disturbance, the presence of the Matrix within his body required that Optimus Prime once again be shunted into limbo in order to maintain balance. Rodimus was able to use the power of the Matrix they shared to allow Optimus to communicate with the other Autobots, and when Rodimus was then defeated in battle, Optimus risked the security of the space-time continuum by using the Matrix as a stepping stone to return to reality for a final battle with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:WhiteFire kup yanks matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|I honestly can't tell if it's the Matrix, or a weird kind of saucepan...]]
Returning to Cybertron after their time-travel adventure, Rodimus and the Autobots found that the disruption of space and time had altered their future, and that Galvatron was waiting for them. Galvatron attempted to force Rodimus Prime into a savage battle, hoping to force him to unleash his basest, most violent impulses, and by extension, lead them to corrupt the Matrix. Fortunately, Rodimus realized his plan and stopped. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} However, it soon became apparent that the Matrix required no external corruption; Unicron's essence, still trapped within the talisman following the events of 2008, slowly began to take hold of Rodimus Prime's mind, forcing him to sabotage the guidance systems of the Autobots' craft when they were on a hyperspace trip to Earth in [[2010]]. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Rodimus battled within Unicron inside the Matrix in an attempt to win back control of his mind and body, but it took [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] deducing what was going on and wrenching the Matrix from Rodimus's chest to free him from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron would be waiting for him within it... {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} {{storylink|White Fire}}

Alas, later in 2010, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

When last seen, in the far future of [[2356]], Unicron's essence remained sealed within the Matrix, causing Rodimus's body to steadily wither and weaken. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{--}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
[[File:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|left|thumb|Don't do Matrix, kids. Not even once.]]
When Optimus Prime was recreated by the [[Last Autobot]], the Matrix was also restored. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}} {{storylink|Escalation!|Generation 2 #8 letters page}} Years later, it became a target for Megatron, who required it to bring to life an army of new warriors created by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. Besting Prime in battle, Megatron tore the Matrix from his body with an energy siphon, {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} and used it to give life to the [[Laser Rod]]s and [[Rotor Force]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

Subsequently, Prime and Megatron were forced into an uneasy alliance against the massed forces of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] exploited the chaos of the huge battle to take the power of the Matrix for himself. Using it, he merged his mind and body with the Decepticons' [[Warworld]], becoming a colossal living weapon able to reshape himself at will. {{storylink|Total War!|Tales of Earth, Part Seven}} However, unlike with Thunderwing, Starscream found his own evil being subverted by the Matrix's goodness, {{storylink|Dark Shadows!|Tales of Earth, Part Eight}} and he returned the Matrix to Prime, for fear of being changed beyond recognition.

Soon after, when Prime was consumed by the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], he channelled the Matrix's energy into the dark force, enlightening and completing it with the purity of Primus's vision. Suddenly transformed from a destructive force into a force for life, the Swarm re-created Prime and departed into space. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{--}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}
With the Creation Matrix lost following the destruction of Unicron, the last reservoir of Matrix energy the Autobots had access to consisted of what traces still clung to the remains of Thunderwing, stored within the high-security [[Hall of Silence]]. When [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] was able to penetrate the Hall in [[2012]], acting commander [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] anguished over whether or not to follow protocol and destroy the Hall, and the last of the Matrix's energy with it. He was convinced it was necessary by [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], but Soundwave was able to teleport out with Thunderwing just before the building blew. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} He delivered the remains to Bludgeon, who used the Matrix energy within them to animate his new army of self-regenerating [[Blitz Engine]]s. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}

After Primus revealed to Hot Rod that he still existed, and sent Hot Rod through a portal into [[Zero Space]], {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} the young Autobot found himself tumbling through time and space. He observed the battle with the Deathbringer, only to discover that the fragment of corrupted Matrix energy survived the battle. After observing two more time periods, Hot Rod found himself on a [[Junkion (planet)|planet of junk]], witnessing the final confrontation between [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] and "Rodimus Prime"—an alternate version of himself! As Rodimus fell at the hands of Galvatron, the Matrix landed at the feet of Hot Rod, who reached for it...

... only to find himself back in his own time and place, on the deck of Bludgeon's ''[[Warworld]]'', having himself been transformed into Rodimus Prime! {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

=====''Classics''=====
The Matrix was destroyed along with Unicron. Decades later, while displaced in another universe, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] briefly confused the [[Origin Matrix]] for the Creation Matrix while speaking with [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]. {{storylink|Shattered Paths}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:Baldigus Chapter Galvatron II.jpg|thumb|100px]]
[[Galvatron II]] stole the Creation Matrix in his native universe and carried it with him to another reality, where its power allowed him to endure as a ghost when his body was destroyed. Unfortunately, it also made him a target of [[Grand Scourge]], who, as a Matrix Hunter, could manhandle even ghosts if they were in possession of a Matrix. While Scourge was fighting Galvatron for the Creation Matrix, both of them were knocked into a rift in space-time by [[Megaempress]], and the Matrix disappeared along with them to places unknown. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}
{{--}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:OracleMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"This Ming... is a psy-cho."]]
The origins of the Matrix of Leadership are almost entirely unknown. The only hint of its beginnings was given in an account from near the dawn of time, soon after the ancient genius [[Primacron]] and [[Oracle (G1)|his assistant]] created the colossal robot, Unicron. Unicron turned on his creators and destroyed the assistant's body, but seen to rise from his remains and disappear into space was an object that appeared identical to the Matrix. If this was truly the Matrix, it is wholly unknown how it came to be held by the Autobots and how it was elevated to the position of power it became known for. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

However it came to be in Autobot hands, the Matrix came to be at the centre of the robots' belief system and was safeguarded by each successive generation of Autobot leaders. Upon the passing of its holder, the Matrix became a receptacle for the deceased Autobot's lifeforce, which cumulatively became known as the "Wisdom of the Ages", a storehouse of knowledge and experience stretching back to the dawn of Cybertronian history (and potentially beyond) that could be consulted by the Matrix's living wielders in times of need. The spirits of many Autobots have been seen within the Matrix, but the names of only a select few are known: The oldest entity within the Matrix is known only as "[[It]]" {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}; [[File:Matrix 5faces4 7.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|My preciousssss!]] following this entity, the next oldest known was [[Primon]], who possessed the Matrix in the early days of the Cybertronian race around twelve million years ago; [[Prima]] bore it at the height of their oppression by the [[Quintesson]]s about a million years later; [[Prime Nova]] was its wielder during the eventual rebellion against the five-faced aliens; [[Guardian Prime]] and his successor [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] carried it during the first war between the Autobots and Decepticons, before it was passed to Sentinel Prime, under whose leadership the war came to an end.

Around nine million years ago, the Autobot/Decepticon war was reignited by the creation of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who killed Sentinel Prime as one of his first actions. In his death throes, Sentinel entrusted the Matrix to the ancient Autobot [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], who kept it hidden until a damaged young robot was brought to his workshop, another victim of Megatron's wrath. Trion recreated him as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], new leader of the Autobots, and gave him the Matrix. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Optimusg1passingthematrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Fatally wounded by Megatron in the year [[2005]], Optimus Prime passed the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots to his chosen successor, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy—that one day, a "Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots, and use the power of the Matrix to light the Transformers' darkest hour. When Prime's strength faltered at the last moment and he dropped the Matrix, the young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] stooped to catch it before it hit the floor. The Matrix glowed brightly in response to his touch, signifying what none of the Autobots present would realize until later: that Hot Rod was the Chosen One.

[[File:Tftm1986e.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When word of Unicron's approach on Cybertron reached the Autobots on Earth, Ultra Magnus believed (and Hot Rod agreed, based on nothing more than a feeling) that the Matrix might be able to stop the world-eater. Knowing that this was indeed the case, Unicron recreated Megatron as [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] and dispatched him to steal the Matrix, leading to a confrontation on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] in which Ultra Magnus tried in vain to open the Matrix and use it to fend off the attacking Decepticons. Galvatron bested him and took the Matrix, believing he could use it to subjugate Unicron himself, but he had no more luck opening it than Magnus did. Unicron swallowed Galvatron whole as punishment, and it was within Unicron's body that the Decepticon leader engaged Hot Rod in the battle that saw the young Autobot claim his destiny. Seizing the Matrix from around Galvatron's neck, Hot Rod was transformed by its power into Rodimus Prime, then proceeded to fulfil the prophecy by opening the talisman and releasing its power, which tore Unicron apart from within. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Later, when injured in battle, Rodimus's consciousness briefly entered the Matrix itself and witnessed a vision that led him to believe that the answer to the mystery of the alien Quintessons currently plaguing the Autobots was held within it. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} To find his answer, Rodimus deliberately short-circuited himself and entered the Matrix a second time. Guided by the ancient Autobots within, Rodimus was shown the history of Cybertron and discovered the Quintessons' role in the creation of the Transformers. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Darkawakening matrix pain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The zombified Optimus Prime reacts in pain from the light of the Matrix.]]
The burden of leadership weighed heavily upon Rodimus, and he was all too eager to return the Matrix to Optimus Prime when it seemed that the Autobot leader had returned from the dead in [[2006]]. It soon transpired, however, that Optimus had been reanimated by the Quintessons as "a robotic [[zombie]]" so he would lure the [[Autobot fleet]] into a fatal trap. When Rodimus went to confront his mentor on the Autobot flagship, the Matrix's energy made Optimus too powerful to defeat in single combat but also overrode the malicious coding that the Quintessons had installed within him, properly restoring Optimus to life. His mind cleared, Optimus returned the Matrix to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again to trigger the Quintessons' trap alone. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

[[File:BurdenHardest Hot Rod retrieves matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Still struggling with leadership, Rodimus tried to forget his woes with a bout of drag-racing in the hills of [[Japan]], only to be ambushed by [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. The two Stunticons stole the Matrix and brought it back to Galvatron, but when the Decepticon leader attempted to use its energy to power his cannon, he was instead tormented by the spirits of the Autobots within it. The terrified Galvatron instructed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to dispose of the Matrix, but Scourge grasped the true nature of its power where his leader could not, and instead placed it within his own chest. The Matrix's energies warped his body into a powerful, misshapen hulk, increasing his power to the point that he was able to oust Galvatron and take control of the Decepticons himself. Scourge proceeded to lead the Decepticons in an attack on Earth, only to be bested by Hot Rod, who had since learned the importance of "the burden hardest to bear", and reclaimed the Matrix once more. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Matrix open.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|FIXER BEAM!]]
When Optimus Prime was at last truly resurrected, he was forced to battle the [[Hate Plague]]-infected Rodimus in order to reclaim the Matrix from him, in hopes of consulting the Wisdom of the Ages to find a cure for the disease. Communicating with the mysterious It, he learned that the only way combat the madness of the plague was with wisdom, and opened the Matrix, expelling all of the wisdom within it to extinguish the disease (in the process claiming that this was also the Autobots' "darkest hour"). Although the Matrix was emptied, leaving only a shell, Optimus claimed they would have to start filling it with wisdom again, from that moment on. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

In [[2007]], Optimus Prime used the shell of the Matrix as a substitute key to access [[Vector Sigma]], where he consulted Alpha Trion on the mystery of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}
{{--}}

=====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic=====
[[File:Madman comic PrimeHotrod.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Optimus's proposal to Hot Rod.]]
The significance of the Matrix to the Autobots was such that when Optimus Prime prepared to lead the Autobots in an evacuation of Cybertron in the year 2001, he hid the Matrix in a bunker at the construction site of the future Autobot City. Unfortunately, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] had monitored the Autobot leader's meeting with Ultra Magnus, and moved to steal the Matrix for the Decepticons. Fate intervened in the form of Hot Rod, who defeated the Decepticons and took back the ancient Autobot relic, and at the same time received a vision of his future as the Autobot who would light Cybertron's darkest hour. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

=====Rodimus vs. Cyclonus=====
After their adventure on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], while Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s were searching space for Ultra Magnus's team, they were attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. A flash of ancient knowledge he had received from the Matrix upon catching it when Optimus Prime had passed it to Magnus inspired Hot Rod to invoke the [[Challenge of Aria-Bellum]]. {{storylink|Rodimus vs. Cyclonus}}
{{--}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, the Matrix of Leadership was being transported aboard the Autobot cargo hauler ''[[Van De Graaff]]'' when the ship was attacked by the Quintessons and crash-landed on the planet [[Beta-Nine]]. All aboard perished, but the Matrix was soon recovered by the crew of the ''[[Eight Track (G1)|Eight Track]]'', who safely delivered it back to Cybertron. There, the Matrix was passed into the care of Alpha Trion, who granted it to his new choice for Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

=====''Deviations''=====
After viewing the massive death toll at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] claimed all the deceased had found peace in the Matrix. [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] slapped him upside the head for speaking blasphemy about the Matrix. When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] arrived at Cybertron, he made a baragin with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] that the newly minted Decepticon leader would destroy the Matrix in exchange for upgrades. ''En route'' to Cybertron, Hot Rod confessed to [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] that whenever he came near Optimus, he saw visions of the Prime dying as if the Matrix was trying to tell him something. Starscream, now "Megascream", then attacked but withdrew when Unicron devoured [[Moonbase One]]. The Autobots regrouped on [[Moonbase Two]] when Unicron began attacking Cybertron directly where Optimus Prime took a shuttle to the Chaos Bringer's shell, believing the Matrix could stop him. Still haunted by visions, Hot Rod secretly climbed aboard. Megascream was waiting for Optimus and combined with several of his troops to steal the Matrix. Hot Rod saved Prime from certain death and teleported him away before he opened the Matrix, destroying Unicron at the cost his own life and the talisman. In the aftermath, Optimus Prime saw a vision of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and the newest addition to the rank of great Autobots within the Matrix: Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese animated continuity as described above, except that the events of 2006 are moved forward to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. A 2007 [[retcon]] built upon the original cartoon's confusing hints to create a full origin for the Matrix in this continuity.}}

{{stub|{{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale}}}}

What would become known as the Matrix was a device created by Primacron to convert its wielders' accumulated experiences and wisdom into a powerful all-purpose energy. It was originally built into his assistant (also known as the "Oracle") who was then targeted and destroyed by Unicron when he realized the power of the Matrix was a threat to him. However, the Oracle's lifeforce persisted within the Matrix and fled to a dead world at the centre of the galaxy, which he used his powers to transform into a lush, green world. In time, however, the alien Quintessons came to the Oracle's world and were able to bring him under their power, transforming him into the mega-computer, Vector Sigma. Using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], the Quintessons cyber-formed the Oracle's world into [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the Oracle's life-giving powers were harnessed to produce a race of robotic slaves. They also found and held onto the now empty shell of the Matrix, which absorbed their malevolent brand of wisdom and filled up with corrupted, evil energy. When the Quintessons were kicked off the planet by the robots that would become the Autobots, they claimed the Matrix and, repulsed by its contents, emptied it out again. The discarded energy would one day grow sentient and become [[Devil Z]]. {{storylink|Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|2007 TakaraTomy Transformers timeline}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

======''The Battle of the Star Gate''======
[[File:StargateBattles matrix powered megatron.jpg|thumb|Ka-me-ha-me-ha~!]]
In the mid-1990s, Optimus Prime put the power of the Matrix to an unconventional use when a battle in space forced him to team up with Megatron in order to stop the rampage of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who had fused himself with the space station known as the ''[[Trigger]]''. With Megatron in gun mode clutched in his arms, Prime summoned up the Matrix's energy and channelled it through his body, into the Decepticon leader, who unleashed it all in one colossal shot of cosmic proportions. The blast obliterated Starscream's new ''Trigger''-body, but the backwash of the explosion was so great that it sent Prime, Megatron, and all the Transformers observing the battle on a fiery plummet into Earth's atmosphere. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

======''Story of Binaltech''======
In a parallel timeline that diverged off from this one thanks to the flow of history being altered by the time-tossed [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], Optimus Prime did not die in [[2005]], and was prepared to confront Unicron himself. However, after sustaining serious injuries in the opening salvo of the battle with the chaos-bringer, Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus. Despite knowing he was not the Chosen One, Magnus bravely petitioned the Matrix to allow him to wield its power anyway, as otherwise, the Autobots' destruction was assured. The Matrix granted Magnus his wish, and its energy was used to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|Binal Time}}
{{--}}

======''Kiss Players''======
After inheriting the Matrix in 2005, Rodimus Prime was horrified to discover that when he threw Galvatron out of Unicron, the Decepticon leader had wound up crash-landing on Earth, destroying [[Tokyo]]. Seeking to atone for his sins, Rodimus returned the Matrix to Ultra Magnus and became Hot Rod again, leaving both the talisman and the role of leadership in Magnus's hands {{storylink|Tonight's Big Catch!?}} for five years until he returned to his post in [[2010]].

======''The Headmasters'' cartoon======
After emptying the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague, Optimus Prime sought to restore the lifeforce that had been lost by filling it with energy drawn from the lifeforce of [[Earth]] itself. To this end, the Matrix was secreted away in the lower levels of one of many Autobot energy-gathering facilities on Earth, where Prime hoped it would steadily recharge. Whether or not this odd-sounding plan would have ''worked'' is an area of some debate, but ultimately, a different set of circumstances soon came into play...

[[File:DoublePrime matrix recharged.jpg|left|upright=1.45|thumb|Alpha Trion's spirit re-enters the Matrix, recharging it.]]
In the year [[2011]], a catastrophic side-effect of the Matrix's energy being released became apparent—without the Matrix to act as a controlling force, Vector Sigma began to destabilize, putting all of Cybertron in great danger. The Decepticons took this opportunity to invade the planet, hoping to take control of the unstable computer and by extension, the planet itself. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} During the battle that followed, Optimus Prime headed for Vector Sigma's chamber to try and bring the computer back under control, but without the Matrix—which remained hidden on Earth, its location known only to Prime himself—the only recourse would be to give up his own life. To stop Prime from making this sacrifice, Hot Rod led the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in a methodical search across Earth, checking every Autobot energy facility. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} After successfully locating the Matrix in the last possible hiding place and evading his pursuers, Hot Rod returned to Cybertron, arriving in Vector Sigma's chamber just as Optimus Prime was facing off against the Decepticons. The ghost of Alpha Trion, who had survived the emptying of the Matrix and who had led Prime safely to the computer chamber, merged with the Matrix, restoring its lost lifeforce and giving it the power to once again transform Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. The two Primes dispatched the Decepticons, but before Rodimus could use the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with the computer to bring it back under control. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Some time later, when Cybertron was subsequently devastated thanks to the machinations of Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Rodimus Prime voyaged into space to search for a new homeworld for the Transformers, taking the Matrix with him. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}
{{--}}

======''The Headmasters'' comic======
On his many travels through space, the Matrix gave Rodimus Prime courage to face every challenge that presented itself. In addition to the teachings of the ancient Autobots, the energy of Earth's lifeforce that now dwelled within the Matrix as well truly opened Rodimus's eyes to the beauty of Earth and humanity. Believing that Transformers should aspire to be more like human beings, he returned to Earth and announced his desire for humans and Transformers to live and work together to move forward and evolve. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8|The Headmasters #8}}

======''G-2'' story pages and pack-in manga======
[[File:G2StoryPageReconfigurationMatrix1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
Presumably, Rodimus Prime must have returned the Matrix to Optimus Prime when he was restored to life as Star Convoy, since Prime had the talisman back in his chest when he adopted his "Hero" body at the beginning of the renewed war against Megatron some number of years after 2025. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 1}} A research team led by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] later discovered new properties of the Matrix, which prompted Megatron to duel Optimus Prime in the [[Mirtonian constellation]] in order to steal the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 4}} Megatron fatally wounded Prime, but the ancient Autobots within the Matrix were able to restore him thanks to the newly discovered power Jetfire's team had learned of: the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]], which repaired and restored Prime in a new Laser Rod body. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 5}}

======e-HOBBY storyline======
Having briefly held the Matrix, Ultra Magnus's spark was among the chosen few which retained autonomy within the Allspark. Sensing the threat [[Galvatron II]] posed to the universe with his fleet of [[Warworld]]s, Magnus used the powers of the Reconfiguration Matrix to resurrect himself in a new body based on Prime's Laser Rod form so that he could battle the Decepticon leader. It didn't go very well. {{storylink|Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version}}
{{--}}

======''Legends'' comic======
Alpha Trion and the Matrix played a role in Hot Rod's conversion to a [[Micromaster]]. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} During the rise of Galvatron II, Optimus Prime contacted the spirit of Alpha Trion within the Matrix and asked him to locate and bring back Ultra Magnus's spark. The process of resurrecting Magnus also brought Trion himself back in a diminutive body connected to the powers of the Matrix. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}} Scourge later captured Alpha Trion to draw upon the Matrix's energy, but it ended up overloading his [[transtector]], which exploded. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}}

====Start Your Own Decoy Collection====
[[File:Decoy comic matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Through unknown means, the Decepticons were able to steal the Creation Matrix and holed it up in their headquarters. In order to stage a recovery, the Autobots created an army of [[Decoy]]s to distract the Decepticon forces, while Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, Kup and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] secretly penetrated the base. Fighting their way through a slew of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], the team discovered the Matrix in a transparent case. Blurr blasted it open at Hot Rod's direction, and the Autobots successfully escaped with the talisman back in their possession. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection|The Decepticon Deception}}
{{--}}

====Beast Era====
=====''Beast Wars'' cartoon=====
[[File:OptimalSituation spark holder.jpg|thumb|The similarity between Prime's "spark holder" and the Matrix was a source of some confusion.]]
Several enigmatic references were made to the Matrix by the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Warriors]] at various points, though it is never precisely clear if they are referring to the Matrix of Leadership, the Allspark dimension, [[Matrix (facility)|the protoform production facility on Cybertron]] that also goes by that name, or some theoretical conglomeration of any of the above that they only speak of out of misconception.

When the body of Optimus Prime was fatally wounded by [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] opened Prime's chest compartment in order to take the Autobot leader's spark into his own body for safety. Prime's spark was shown to be contained within a holder shaped just like the Matrix of Leadership, and Rhinox remarked that Prime's spark had "the Matrix with it". {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}
{{--}}

=====3H comics=====
While experiencing a swirl of visions from throughout history, the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] witnessed the Matrix being torn by the [[Liege Maximo]] from the body of the enigmatic [[Primon]], its first holder. {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}}

[[File:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|The Matrix, beneath Prime's "spark holder".]]
The confusion surrounding the Matrix-like "spark holder" in Prime's chest and its relation to the actual Matrix of Leadership was clarified when it was revealed that the Matrix was actually concealed in a compartment beneath Prime's own spark, a deception specifically designed to protect the Matrix and keep it from those who would misuse its power.

[[File:Primevaldawn2 tarantulas matrix.jpg|215px|I'm not sure how I'll get this in my chest. Maybe I'll carry it with a sheath of some sort?|thumb]]
Following the end of the Beast Wars, the deceased [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] was resurrected, having harnessed the powers of the alien [[Vok]] with the intention of stealing the Matrix and delivering it to his master, Unicron. Seeking to keep the Matrix out of Tarantulas's hands, the Vok took the talisman from the sleeping Optimus Prime and used its power to transform the discarded control suit the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had previously used to manipulate Optimus Primal into [[Primal Prime]]. Primal Prime was made guardian of the Matrix, and filled with all the wisdom of the past leaders within it. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Vok had miscalculated: While it was within Optimus Prime, the Matrix had been safe, but once they had broken the forces that had bound it to Prime in order to transfer it to their creation, it had become vulnerable. This was proven in drastic fashion when, in the following battle, Tarantulas was able to overpower Primal Prime and rip the Matrix from his body. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}} The shock threw Primal Prime into a comatose state, while Tarantulas took the Matrix back to his lab to await the completion of the [[unspace|transwarp]] portal that would take him and his prize to Unicron. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|"Primeval Dawn" was never finished as a result of [[3H Productions]] losing the Transformers license. Obviously enough, its finale would have seen our heroes recover the Matrix from Tarantulas and replace it in Optimus Prime's chest.}}
{{--}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:Ancients.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix-shaped platform above the Oracle Tank.]]
Most modern Cybertronians eschew the mythology of the Matrix as set out by the [[Council of Ancients]], which claims that it is a conduit for the energies of Primus, choosing instead to believe in [[atechnogenesis]]. Despite this, Transformer society still holds the Matrix itself in great reverence, as, product of a deity or not, it is indisputably the most effective source of new Transformer life. Many conflicting stories and rumors swirl about the Matrix's true nature, born of claims that the Council actively prevented Alpha Trion from telling the general public more about it, but what ''is'' known about the talisman is that it is a virtually limitless source of energy. Only those with an affinity for the Matrix can wield its power; these Transformers are typically those chosen to be the next Prime, who often receive physical augmentation when the Matrix is taken into their bodies. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} The Ancients claim that the Matrix contains the wisdom of all sparks that return to it after death, though they do keep a more tangible version of that sort of thing in the form of a [[Golden Disk (council)|golden disk]] that holds the knowledge of past Primes. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}
[[File:TWW1 prime gets matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|150 points to Gryffindor!]]

The earliest known bearer of the Matrix was [[Primon|Alpha Prime]], who was succeeded by Guardian Prime, and then Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} Around 8.2 million years ago, seeking to use the Matrix to power the planetary turbine engines he had discovered beneath Cybertron's surface, Megatron attacked and killed Sentinel Prime, only to discover upon tearing his victim open that the Matrix was gone, having already been given by Sentinel Prime to the Council of Ancients for unknown reasons (perhaps having foreseen his own death). The Council subsequently chose a data archivist named Optronix to be the new bearer of the Matrix, and brought him to the [[Oracle Tank]], in which both he and the Matrix were immersed. Optronix was enlarged and strengthened by the Matrix, and transformed into Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

Soon after, Megatron attacked Prime in the catacombs beneath Cybertron and cracked open his form, exposing the Matrix. A blinding flash burst from the Matrix, showing Prime and Megatron visions of future conflicts on Earth and [[Nebulos]], but it was implied that Optimus somehow used the Matrix to force Megatron to forget these visions. How much knowledge he himself retained is unknown. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}
[[File:PrimeDirective2 spike replaces matrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]]

Millions of years later, after their war on Earth, the Transformers were set to return to Cybertron aboard the [[Ark II]] in 1999, at which point Optimus Prime gave [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] a piece of the Matrix as a promise that he would be back. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} The Ark II proved to have been sabotaged, however, and exploded in mid-flight, leaving the world to believe that the Transformers were dead until 2002, when the terrorist [[Lazarus]] recovered several of their bodies and reprogrammed them for use as weapons that he would sell on the black market. The American military recovered the body of Optimus Prime and [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] drafted Spike to help in bringing him back to life, {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} which Spike accomplished by returning the portion of the Matrix Prime had given him. Thus restored, Prime revived the other surviving Autobots by casting the light of the Matrix across the Arctic landscape where their bodies lay, melting away the ice that held them and bringing them back online. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}
[[File:G1 Vol.2 Issue6 2.jpg|thumb]]
When the Autobots and Decepticons were finally able to return to Cybertron, a chain of events ultimately led Optimus Prime into a confrontation with Shockwave in Vector Sigma's chamber. Knocking Prime out and blasting his chest open, Shockwave harnessed the energy of the Matrix and used it to access Vector Sigma's databanks in an attempt to learn all of the dark secrets at the heart of Cybertron. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Before Shockwave could complete his dark experiments, enemy forces converged on his lab, so the Decepticon logician tore the Matrix from Prime's body, intending to flee, only to be stopped and defeated by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Grimlock recovered the Matrix and returned it to Prime, {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} but the trauma of its forceful removal necessitated that Prime spend an extended session in a [[CR chamber]] to recover. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

=====''The Transformers Trilogy'' novels=====
Captured by the enigmatic aliens known as the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] and imprisoned inside their giant techno-organic bodies, Optimus Prime found himself forced into a suicide ploy, using a torrent of energon from the Matrix to destroy the creatures from within, willing to take himself with it. The gateway back to Earth was opened by Spike at the last moment, allowing Prime to hold off on his sacrifice, but unfortunately, the Keepers came through the portal as well. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}} During the battle that ensued against the Keepers in [[Las Vegas]], a pool of pure energon was uncovered beneath the city, which Prime combined with the energon of the Matrix to temporarily imbue himself with incredible power. Simultaneously, the American government launched a nuclear missile at Las Vegas in order to destroy both the Transformers and the Keepers, but the super-charged Prime was able to capture the missile's explosion in a net of Matrix energy, hurling it at the Keepers and blasting them through their portal. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

Following the Keepers' apparent defeat, Megatron called Prime in on a favour he had extracted from him in order to ensure his co-operation when they had been captives of the Keepers: Prime was to hand over the Matrix itself. Prime complied, partially out of honor, and partially due to the fact that he knew Megatron, as a Decepticon, would be unable to use the Matrix's power. Unfortunately, Prime had not reckoned with Megatron's giant soldier, [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]], who was actually a reprogrammed Autobot whose non-Decepticon circuitry could interface with the Matrix to some extent. Omega Sentinel used his new Matrix-powered strength to destroy the White House, but the talisman's effect on his systems was immediately apparent by the fact that no life was lost in the attack. When the Sentinel refused to kill the Keeper-controlled [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and Starscream on Megatron's orders, the Decepticon leader realized that the Matrix was influencing the giant and had him remove it from his body. The Matrix was recovered by the Keepers' agent [[Franklin Townsend]] and brought to the pocket-dimension into which the aliens had been transported, but Optimus Prime pursued Townsend and recovered the Matrix, once again intending to use it to destroy his alien enemies by collapsing the pocket dimension, at the cost of his own life. And once again the portal opened, leaving Prime content to force the Keepers back with the Matrix's light while he himself returned to Earth. However, Prime was unable to shut the portal off, required as he was to devote his attention to using the Matrix to keep the creatures from passing through the gateway. Salvation came in the form of the Omega Sentinel, the Matrix's effect on his systems persisting even after its removal: the giant threw himself and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] into the portal just as Prime shut off the Matrix, collapsing the gate and sealing the Keepers away forever. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

====''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''====
[[File:ArtofWar1 matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Optimus Prime was formerly a simple data archivist until the Matrix chose him to be the new leader of the Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Renegade military artificial intelligence [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] learned about the Matrix whilst downloading information on the history of Cybertron from Soundwave, and ''really'' liked the bit about "bestowing great power". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} He subsequently captured Optimus Prime and tried to convince him to give up the Matrix peacefully. From Serpent O.R.'s point of view, he was a great and respected leader too, so surely the Matrix would deem him a worthy bearer. In addition, he was sure the ancient relic would provide him with a spark so he could finally understand what life and death really meant. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}
[[File:ArtofWar5 hawk serpentor matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|My God... the Matrix has given us eye lasers!]]
Unfortunately, Prime disagreed, so Serpent O.R. ended up having to take the Matrix by force. As he had planned, the Matrix did deem him worthy and did give him a soul, all while transforming him into a new form to boot. However, with his newfound wisdom, "Serpentor Prime" quickly saw the error of his ways, and would've committed suicide if it weren't for [[Cobra Commander]] hijacking his body. In order to stop the commander, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] tried to take the Matrix away from him, and was deemed worthy of it as well. This caused a power feedback that destroyed Serpent O.R., fried Cobra Commander's mind, and imbued Hawk with all the knowledge of the Matrix. While the artifact was unharmed and was returned to Optimus Prime when everything was over, the knowledge that now filled Hawk's mind gave him visions of future conflicts to come. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

In addition to vision, the Matrix also gave Hawk the ability to control machinery with his mind, converse with Transformers telepathically, and force enough information into Transformers to incapacitate them with a single touch. Unfortunately, it also gave him recurring nightmares about an [[Unicron/Generation 1|angry god]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{--}}

====''Transformers/G.I. Joe''====
[[File:DWTFJoe3 cobra commander matrix.jpg|left|thumb|125px]]
As the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth lay deactivated among the [[Fera Islands]], the Matrix was discovered by local [[human]]s, and became the sacred relic of a group of monks, who built it into the chest of a statue. Unfortunately, a rumour spread that the glowing blue orb possessed by the monks was an "ultimate weapon", and in 1938, [[Cobra]] massacred the monks and stole the Matrix. When [[Major Bludd]] touched the relic, the Decepticons who laid dormant on the island were reactivated. {{storylink|The Line}}

The Matrix subsequently came into the possession of [[Cobra Commander]], who learned that he could use it to hurt and weaken [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Using this method, he blackmailed the Decepticons into serving him. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} In the end, Cobra Commander was killed, and [[Snake-Eyes]] grabbed the Matrix. By this time, the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] were under attack by the unstoppable [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], so [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] urged Snake-Eyes to smash the Matrix, in hopes that the destruction of the life-giving artifact would take away Bruticus's lifeforce. Snake-Eyes complied and let Bruticus crush the Matrix with his wildly swinging fists, causing a flash of blue light that killed all Transformers present. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}
{{--}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:MTMTEannual solomus matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
According to religious legend, the core of the Matrix was created from [[Solomus]], the god of wisdom, trapped in the form of a crystal by [[Mortilus]], the god of death. Following the defeat of Mortilus, Solomus managed to transform his crystal prison into the Matrix—a conduit for the energies of [[Primus]], who had himself transformed into the life-giving computer Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

In actuality, the Matrix was created by [[Rung (G1)|Primus]], {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} and passed onto the [[Knights of Cybertron]] when they left to explore new worlds. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Legend says that they called it the "Creation Matrix" for the life-giving abilities they believed its connection to Vector Sigma granted it. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} When the Knights landed on the medical hub of [[Mederi]], the moon's telepathic field, intended to induce happiness in euthanasia patients so they could die in peace, inadvertently convinced them they had discovered a perfect mechanical world, which they dubbed "[[Cyberutopia]]." To share this discovery with their homeworld, they inscribed a map to Mederi inside the Matrix's crystal core, and sent it back to Cybertron (via currently-unknown means), hoping the rest of their kind would follow it and join them in eternal happiness. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

It was, perhaps, fortunate that this roadmap to a peaceful death was never discovered by contemporary Cybertronians; upon its return to Cybertron, the Matrix was used by [[Solus Prime]] in the construction of the mighty [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword, becoming the jewel on the hilt of the blade, which came to be wielded by [[Prima]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The Matrix's integration into the Saber survived in the folklore of both Cybertron and [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} with the latter culture regarding it as the "Matrix of Light". {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} {{storylink|O Ship of State|Victorion profile in Revolution #3}} In [[Velocitron]]ian culture, the device remained known as the Creation Matrix. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 2}}

[[File:Tyrest and the matrix.jpg|thumb|left]]
Those capable of bearing the Matrix within them are marked by certain [[Signs of Affinity|signs of affinity]]: having optics the same shade of "liberty blue" as the [[Matrix Flame]], finding ''[[Living metal#2005 IDW continuity|sentio metallico]]'' wet to the touch, becoming giddy when standing on a [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]], and the ability to make a [[photonic crystal]] "snap" when placed in their chest. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

The cruel supremacist [[Nova Prime]], a former lieutenant of Prima's, is the earliest known bearer of the Matrix in recent history, though exactly how he came to carry it after Prima's death is unknown. Nova observed that the pulsewaves from Vector Sigma which generated new sparks from the substance of Cybertron and its moon were lessening in regularity, and, fearing (correctly) that they would one day stop entirely, tasked his scientists with studying the Matrix, hoping that the life-giving power the legends said it possessed could be tapped into. A team led by [[Solomus|Tyrest]] set to the task, and succeeded in finding a way to generate sparks from the Matrix in abundance, producing a vast reservoir of them which were stockpiled and steadily rolled out into society as new bodies were constructed for them. The true origin of these "Matrixed" sparks was hidden from the general public, and a cover story was put into place that claimed they were created via "spark splicing", using the energy of an existing spark to ignite a new one. Transformers created in this manner were described as "constructed cold", while those born naturally were "forged". {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Eventually, the Matrix would yield no more sparks, causing Tyrest and his team to believe it had run dry. In reality, one of the scientists had had an attack of conscience and stolen the Matrix, replacing it with a facsimile and hiding the real one away in the subterranean labyrinth of the [[Undergrid]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Once Nova Prime left the planet aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]] and vanished into the [[Benzuli Expanse]],<ref>Author Simon Furman implied in a [http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/ December 2007 Q&A on his blog] and in the narration of ''[[Spotlight: Galvatron]]'' that in his original plans for this story, Nova ''did'' take the Matrix into the Dead Universe (Optimus Prime is never shown to carry it in Furman's stories), where it would have "become" something. Presumably, it was his intention for it to become the Darkness itself, which would not have been the separate entity it was in the finished story. These plans were cut short and wrapped up when Furman left the series, and subsequent writers established that Optimus had indeed been carrying the Matrix all along.</ref> the fake Matrix was protected by the presumably-unwitting [[Primal Vanguard]], carried by its leader [[Delta Magnus]] during a period known as the [[Interregnum]] until a new bearer was chosen. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} [[Nominus Prime]] is the earliest recorded Matrix-bearer after Nova, but whether he was his direct successor or not is unknown. It's also unclear whether Nominus Prime was aware that the Matrix was a fake. It's likely he did, since Nominus presumably falsified an "affinity for the Matrix" somehow in order to be named Prime.

Many Transformers embraced the religion surrounding the Matrix during the time of Nominus's reign, though with exceptions, such as police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], who remained sceptical of its touted divinity. Some Transformers would even [[tattoo]] an image of the Matrix on their bodies as evidence of their faith, such Orion's co-worker [[Springarm]] {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} and the trainee theoretician [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Nominus's reign was a time of great civil unrest, however; a senator named [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] hoped that a new Matrix-bearer might steer the planet off the path to self-destruction the corrupt [[Senate]] had placed it upon, and so began selecting promising young Cybertronians like [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]] and Orion Pax, befriending and rebuilding them with Matrix chambers in their chests. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

[[File:Autocracy9 pax finds matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In order to take control of the Matrix's life-giving powers, the corrupt forces within the Senate arranged for an attack upon Nominus Prime, moving him into hiding so they could gain unfettered access to the talisman. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} Upon opening Nominus's chest, however, the Senate at last discovered that the Matrix had been replaced with a fake. Furious, they had Nominus killed, establishing a cover story that he had died of a rust infection, and announcing that their security head [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] was showing signs of Matrix affinity, paving the way for him to become Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} The fake Matrix was then transformed into a bomb as part of a plot to incriminate and round up the burgeoning Decepticon faction, {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} but a team led by Orion Pax uncovered the scheme, broke into the [[Primal Basilica]] and removed the Matrix-bomb, which Orion then detonated to win a battle with the [[Heavies]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} It was not long after this that tensions exploded in the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}} when reflecting back on this time, [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] distilled the reasons behind the outbreak of the conflict down to blaming the Matrix as the root cause. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

[[File:AHM7 megs rips out matrix.jpg|thumb|left|Megatron, [[Ratchet (WFC)|I needed that]]!]]
Sentinel was succeeded by Zeta Prime, who much like his predecessor used a new fake Matrix (with lights installed!) to claim the title, and only those involved with Sentinel's scheme were aware of the truth. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} Zeta was subsequently killed by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who then hurled Orion Pax into the Undergrid, where Orion found the hiding place of the true Matrix. The damaged Pax was called out to by the Matrix, which asked him to take hold of it. Upon doing so, he was linked to the sparks of every single Cybertronian alive and was overcome by the pain, fear and loneliness his people were experiencing. As power of the Matrix repaired his body, he realized that it was not only a symbol of leadership or creation, but a "Matrix of our sparks" in which [['Til all are one|all were one]]. With his newfound clarity and the Matrix in his chest, Orion declared his name to be Optimus Prime and set out to bring freedom to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} Just thereafter, the Matrix guided him to the ruins of [[Nyon]] and allowed him to sense and awaken the dormant lifeforce of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who was in deep slumber below the city. {{storylink|Rise}}

Optimus Prime would later try to unleash the power of the Matrix in an attempt to vanquish the ancient monster [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], but was for some reason unable to open it. {{storylink|Annihilation}} He revealed his possession of the Matrix to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as proof of his Primehood, {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} and later used its cleansing powers to purge the influence of [[Pentius]]'s spark from Megatron's body. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}} At some point Prime took a sabbatical and left the Matrix in the care of [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], whom it took to so well legend says it had to be surgically removed from his chest. {{storylink|Little Victories}}

After the Transformers' conflict moved to Earth in the present day, Megatron determined to separate Optimus Prime from the Matrix. He was unaware of what the Matrix was actually capable of, but viewed any unknown element as a potential threat, and reasoned that even if he could not use it himself, it would still be safer in his hands than in those of his enemies. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} To this end, Megatron staged a trap for the Autobots with the aid of the traitorous [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]], catching them off-guard with his newly created gestalt [[Devastator (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Devastator]]. Defeated, the Autobots were dumped via space bridge in the ruins of Cybertron, but not before Megatron tore the Matrix from Prime's chest himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

[[File:TFvol1 13hotrod starscream matrix.jpg|thumb|This seems familiar...]]
When Megatron was defeated a year later and his forces were routed off of Earth, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] took up the role of leader and "inherited" the captive Matrix. Frustrated by his failure to find any "ultimate power" within it after several cycles of study, he decided to throw it away, only to be caught by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] just before blowing it out an airlock. Scrabbling for an explanation as to why he had the Matrix and reminded by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] of its massive symbolic importance to the Autobots, Starscream claimed he had been "chosen" by the talisman and now wielded its power. He went on to make this declaration before all the Decepticons, boosting morale and rallying them beneath him, but immediately regretted the decision. {{storylink|Uneasy Lies the Head}} And rightfully so: with the Matrix hung around his neck on a chain, its subtle influence on his mind over the next three years made the Decepticon air commander subdued and withdrawn, lost in contemplation of its mysteries, lashing out violently at any Decepticons who tried to touch it. This left him open to a brash attack by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], who infiltrated the Decepticons' asteroid base in order to recover the Matrix. Hot Rod actually ''shot'' the Matrix to cause a discharge of energy that knocked Starscream out, then attempted to escape with the Matrix in hand, but was confronted by the newly repaired Megatron. He proceeded to blast both the Matrix and Hot Rod through the base wall, setting them adrift in the void of space. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}} Starscream's possession of the "potentially threatening" Matrix had previously made Megatron hesitant to take back leadership of the Decepticons, but with the artifact lost in space, he had nothing to fear and quickly reclaimed his position. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDW19 matrix in chest.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As they drifted through space together, the Matrix fused itself to Hot Rod's chest, keeping him alive and healing the damage Megatron had done. Eventually, Hot Rod crash-landed on the planet [[LV-118]], where he was taken captive by the [[Ilxian]] "[[Admiral]]", a stranded alien who sought to use the Matrix as a power source for his ship. With help from [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], another Autobot stranded on the planet, Hot Rod was able to seize control of the Admiral's ship, and allowed Wheelie to tap the energy of the Matrix to get them off the planet. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|The Stars My Destination}} Knocked unconscious by the process, Hot Rod awoke some time later to find that Wheelie had been able to remove the Matrix from his chest, and had piloted the ship to Cybertron. Knowing that the planet was overrun by the [[Insecticon swarm]], Hot Rod tried to convince Wheelie that they needed to leave right away, but that proved impossible, as the Matrix had ceased providing power to the ship. Things on Cybertron turned out to be better than Hot Rod had thought, though, as they met up with [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] and Sunstreaker, who provided a fuel cell for their ship. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}} The entire group returned to Earth, where Hot Rod made his first duty the return of the Matrix to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}}

Departing for Cybertron aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] with Megatron a captive, Prime removed the Matrix from his chest in order to prove to himself that even without its wisdom, he still had the ability to make rational judgements under his own power. [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] watched over the talisman while Prime deliberated on Megatron's fate, and was holding it while he examined the damaged Sunstreaker, whose ability to walk was suddenly restored by its power. Although Prime ultimately concluded that Megatron's fate should be left for Megatron himself to decide, he did experience one disquieting revelation: Hot Rod revealed that when the Matrix had bonded with him, he had experienced not pain, as Optimus had felt, but unbridled elation. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

[[File:DoOP split matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Where'd you get the Matrix?" "We found it." "Found it? In Altihex? The Matrix is tropical!"]]
Upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron, they were faced with the threat of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], latest carrier of the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], who combined it with Vector Sigma in order to allow [[D-Void]] to emerge into the universe through Cybertron. To prevent this, Optimus Prime opened the Matrix, which succeeded in stopping D-Void, but also left the Matrix spent, its crystal core darkened and split in two. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} With unrest growing between the Autobots and the unaligned Transformers in the process of returning to the planet, Prime brought the two halves of the Matrix to [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] for study, and the scientist discovered that the crystal was artificial, designed to [[photonic crystal|split in two]], and contained a map of the stars. [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] believed the map would lead the way to the long-lost [[Knights of Cybertron]], and Rodimus elected to gather a crew and follow the path it charted, much to acting leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]'s consternation. Optimus Prime gave each of them one of the Matrix-halves, before departing Cybertron himself in hopes of ending the civil unrest. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} Optimus kept the shell of the Matrix and returned it to within his chest cavity. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}}

When Rodimus set foot on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], a billion sparks suddenly lit up on the moon's surface, something he credited to the Matrix half he was carrying. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Having developed a belief that Cybertronians born from the Matrix were inherently evil, Tyrest used his knowledge of the talisman to construct the [[universal killswitch]]—a device capable of killing all cold constructed Transformers in existence by scrambling their unique sparkcode. Rodimus was able to put a stop to the process by hooking himself up to the machine and using his Matrix half to reinstate the code, but the crystal was shattered in the process. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} He later scattered the dust of the Matrix on Luna 1 in honor of the sparks that were lost before they could be harvested. {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} Optimus was...displeased when he learned of this. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[File:ForeverIsALongTimeComing-MatrixofLeadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
The other half of the Matrix remained in Bumblebee's care until his death, after which it fell back into the hands of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} On his anniversary of becoming Prime, he returned to where he had found it all those years ago, hoping to find some of the same hope to press forward. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (issue)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}} He later spoke with [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] about the Matrix where she said if the Matrix chose him, it had a good reason. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} When contact with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] was established, Optimus was unwilling to let Starscream exploit it and all the other colonies. With Windblade at his side he passed through [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] to the chamber of the [[Forgefire Parliament]] where Windblade proclaimed him to be a Prime. The [[Mistress of Flame]] demanded proof of this and Optimus revealed the glowing Matrix to all. The natives of the planet bowed in his presence and revered him as a god, equal to [[Primus]] and the [[Thirteen]] Primes. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} After being immobilized by [[Victorion]], Optimus recounted the history of the Matrix but stated he believed it to simply be a piece of advanced technology not a mystical artifact while also expressing confusion over why it had flared on Caminus. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:ToWalkAmongTheChosen-Ore13Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When Optimus had his chest ripped open by a mutated [[Baron Karza]], the Matrix shone through the damages. {{storylink|Valley Forge}}

Atop the [[Matterhorn]], waiting for [[Quintesson Cruiser|an alien spacecraft]], Optimus regarded the Matrix only for it to suddenly glow. An unimpressed [[Pyra Magna]] revealed that the Matrix was simply reacting to the nearby [[Ore-13]] deposits. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} When talking to [[Aileron]], Optimus again expressed that he did not believe the Matrix to be a divine artifact, calling it a "pulsewave generator". He noted however that could he use its symbolic importance to do good. Pyra Magna overheard his comment and was... displeased. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} After the Autobots and Junkions had gone to war, Optimus realized the precariousness of the situation and revealed the Matrix to all, allowing the assembled species to begin a peaceful resolution to the conflict. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}}

When Optimus Prime was thrown into the [[Crystal City]] [[black hole]], Starscream watched with amusement as the Matrix was ripped apart by the gravitational forces. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though the physical object had been destroyed, the powerful idea that the Matrix represented survived with Optimus when he found himself in [[infraspace]]. Realizing the symbolism that the artifact carried could represent a means to escape the realm of pure information, Optimus began to channel its power, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} expanding the black hole and allowing his and Bumblebee's minds to escape infraspace. This came at the heavy cost of disintegrating the Matrix's avatar, destroying the talisman once and for all. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:LL24 Matrix Opening Pt2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|They've got the power!!! Yeah!]]
Though the original Matrix was no more, Primus—now going by the name Rung—would rediscover his ancient memories and his alternate mode's ability to manufacture more Matrices. Though the [[Omega Guardian]]s pushed for him to forge three duplicates as part of their evil plan to blow up the Functionist Council's false Primus avatar, [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] hit on the plan to use twelve duplicates to overload [[Vector Sigma]] via the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Though Rung managed to produce the Matrices, doing so claimed his life. His sacrifice would not be in vain, however, as all twelve were opened and used to free Cybertron from the council's tyranny. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

In Megatron's [[Galactic Council]] presided trial, Rodimus would falsely testify that Megatron had opened one of the duplicate Matrices, swaying some of the more religious races on the jury. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

=====The Functionist Universe=====
[[File:ModesOfProduction-SixOfTwelveAndMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When the [[Functionist Council]] overthrew the [[Senate]], [[Twelve-of-Twelve]] obtained the false Matrix from Nominus and gave it to [[Six-of-Twelve]]. After obsessively studying the artifact, Six-of-Twelve came to believe Primus was speaking to him through it and integrated it into his head casing. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

When the council discovered Rung's ability to produce [[photonic crystal]]s, Six-of-Twelve tried to tap the Matrix to reignite Nova Prime's old cold construction program, but discovered that the Matrix was a useless fake. Undaunted, he turned the Matrix into a weapon that was able to suspend Cybertronians in a field of agonizing energy. When Rodimus was caught in this field, he immediately knew that Six-of-Twelve's Matrix was a false due to being familiar with the energies of the genuine article. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}
{{--}}

====''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga====
[[File:Henkei11 matrix.jpg|thumb|left|IT BURNS!!]]
When the demented [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] went on a rampage in [[Hoshinochō]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots were forced to abandoned the secrecy with which they had been operating on Earth in order to confront the villain and save the human lives he was threatening. Just as Galvatron targeted the Autobots' human ally [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]], Optimus Prime threw himself into the path of the villain's attack, and was knocked unconscious by the force of the attack. In addition to rendering Prime insensate, however, Galvatron's blow had also shattered his chest, exposing the Matrix of Leadership that was kept within. Responding to Wataru's ability to manipulate [[energon]], the Matrix surged to life, restoring Prime and boosting his strength. The light of the Matrix also revealed an unexpected deception: the Autobots were not merely fighting Galvatron, but [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Cyclonus]], possessed by Galvatron's disembodied spark! {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} Summoning up the Matrix's energy, Prime struck Cyclonus with one almighty Matrix-powered punch, utterly obliterating his body and causing Galvatron's spark to dissipate. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{--}}

====''Robot Heroes''====
[[File:Robotheroes primus and matrix.jpg|thumb|By the power of Grayskull! I AM OPTIMUS PRIME!]]
The Matrix is a glowing crystal that gives the Autobots knowledge. It was created by the first Transformer, Primus, who gave it to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
The Matrix was passed down to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] before his death. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] later defeated Prime and stole the Matrix, which he bonded with his [[black hole]] spark and used to subjugate [[Primus]] himself, allowing him to shape Cybertron according to his wishes. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

Atop the Dyson Sphere above the Sun, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] managed to rip the Matrix from Megatron before a reborn Optimus Prime hurled Megatron into the sun. The Decepticon managed to hold onto the Matrix however, taking it with him only for [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to seize the Matrix for himself. It was then snatched by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] beginning a game of "hot potato" before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] managed to return it to Optimus. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
To save Earth from the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], Optimus Prime sacrificed himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Book of Logos}} With the talisman lost to the Transformers, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] was instead felled by the [[Point One Percenter]]s, prompting [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] to genetically engineer more of them. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
During the Great War, the Decepticon scientists made attempts to recreate the power of the Creation Matrix, using a reasonable facsimile, or the genuine article to create Jetfire. [[Toxitron (G1)|Toxitron]] was an attempt to grow a Matrix shell, an experiment which eventually led to the creation of the [[Matrix of Malice]]. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] no longer felt worthy to carry the Matrix of Leadership and instead decided to return it to the [[Chorus of the Primes]], reverting to Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} The [[Mistress of Flame]] criticized his decision, claiming they would need the Matrix to stop [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} The Matrix projected a message to Optimus Prime, granting him a vision of future events, including the role the Matrix itself would play, prompting Optimus to head back towards the battlefield. {{storylink|The Fight Begins}} Learning from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] that Rodimus had given up the Matrix, Optimus entered the Chorus chamber in the [[Primal Basilica]] and asked to take back the Matrix, which the Chorus obliged. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}} Guiding Perceptor to a secret exit below the Basilica, Optimus asked him to take the Matrix and get as far away as possible, lest Trypticon obtain it and use its power to become unstoppable. {{storylink|Run for Our Lives}}

After running only a short while, the Matrix spoke to Perceptor and detailed its own plan; despite his apprehension, Perceptor did as it asked and tricked Trypticon into swallowing both himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Consumed}} However, because the Matrix could only be used by its chosen wielder, Trypticon could not contain its power and ejected it and Perceptor from his body, along with the previously swallowed [[Victorion]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] possessing the Titan. Before Victorion could reclaim the Matrix and Enigma, they were surrounded by a barrier of flame as [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] revealed himself. After killing Optimus and issuing a series of vague threats, Megatronus grabbed the Matrix and the Enigma for himself and blasted off into the sky. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Megatronus later removed the Matrix from its storage and installed it and the Enigma into an unknown device in the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]]. {{storylink|Without Warning}} Megatron eventually realized that Megatronus planned to use the Enigma to merge the Matrix's energy with the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], creating a weapon capable of killing every Transformer in the universe. Learning of Megatronus's use of the Matrix, the Unicron-controlled Rodimus Cron turned on him, declaring the Matrix must be destroyed. {{storylink|Consequences}} Megatronus returned to the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] and installed the Blaster into his doomsday weapon, beginning siphoning the life force from every Transformer's spark. Perceptor attempted to remove the Matrix and the other relics, but his efforts proved unsuccessful as Solus Prime began to return. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Unicron appeared, now fully in possession of Rodimus, and attempted to take the Matrix while Megatronus attempted to stop him. [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] resumed attacking the machine until it finally released the relics, and the Matrix interfaced with Primal, creating a shield protecting them from Megatronus. Having been chosen by the Matrix as its new bearer, Primal placed it in his chest, transforming him into Optimal Optimus. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}}

In the aftermath of Megatronus's and Unicron's defeats, Optimus Prime was resurrected thanks to his connection to the Matrix. He praised the Matrix's choice of Optimal as the new Prime, and agreed to guide him in his newfound role as the leader of Cybertron. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

====''Star Trek vs. Transformers''====
While mind-melded with Optimus Prime, [[Spock]] glimpsed a memory of the Matrix. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:SolusPrime-Forge-IDW2019No25.jpg|thumb|200px|right]]
Perhaps the greatest of the [[Artifacts of the Primes]], the Matrix of Leadership was forged by [[Solus Prime]] in an act that was said to be guided by [[Primus]]. It was a manifestation of the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] given form, with all the [[spark]]s of the deceased returning to the Matrix and bringing with them their experiences. When the Age of Primes came to end, the other artifacts disappeared from Cybertronian society but the Matrix persisted. Several Cybertronians would go on to carry the talisman, earning the title of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] when they did so, but they were only stewards until the Matrix found its true bearer, the [[Thirteenth Prime]]. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

In the modern era, the Matrix of Leadership had come to be held by the founder of the Autobots. Subsequently, holding the Matrix would denote the bearer as the Autobot leader. {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} Upon his death, Nominus Prime had passed it to Sentinel Prime. When Sentinel felt that Orion Pax was overstepping his authority, he gave his subordinate a verbal slap and reminded him who carried the Matrix as well as promising to pass it onto Ultra Magnus, not Orion. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

Not long afterwards, when Sentinel Prime met his end at the hand of the [[Rainmaker]]s, the Matrix ejected itself from him to begin the search for its next bearer. Though Orion Pax sought to bring it to Ultra Magnus, the talisman reacted to and bonded with Orion. Greeting him in the form of his mentor [[Codexa]], the Matrix's [[Mediator]] software educated Orion on its power and offered him the choice to not bear it. Accepting the burden, the Matrix sealed itself within the Senator, renaming him as Optimus Prime. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

Following the unleashing of the [[rust worm]]s, the Matrix's Mediator software summoned Optimus into it, offering him a warning of the future. {{storylink|Radical Time}} Not long afterwards, Megatron demanded that Optimus surrender the Matrix to him. When the Prime refused, Megatron lashed out at him, attempting to physically remove the talisman from the Prime, yielding only when he was confronted with [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity====
=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon=====
Alpha Trion was the first known Cybertronian to hold the Matrix of Leadership. Eons ago, he was confronted by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] who arrogantly demanded the Matrix. When it became clear that Sky Lynx would not back down from this request, Trion was forced to use the [[Forge of Solus Prime|Staff of Solus]] to banish the draconian to the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Matrix-on-Megatrons-chest.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
After Megatron had murdered Alpha Trion, the Matrix of Leadership was "thrusted" onto Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}} Agreeing that holding it and the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] would give Optimus too much power, the program was instead given to Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep4-Optimus-surrenders-Matrix.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] found itself in the Dead Universe, Sky Lynx, humbled by his exile, mentored Optimus in how to properly connect with the Matrix and channel its power. At the same time, the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Nemesis'']] was boarded by [[Galvatron (G1)|a new Decepticon]] who instructed Megatron to claim the Matrix at all costs. When the ''Nemesis'' caught up with the ''Ark'', Optimus used the Matrix to open a rift back to normal space. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

When both ships emerged back in their universe, the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark'' where Megatron managed to fulfill his guide's directive and claim the Matrix from Optimus. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}
{{stub|''Kingdom''}}

=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material=====
In a possible destiny recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|''Voyager'' Golden Disk]], Megatron became Galvatron and wore the Matrix of Leadership chained around his neck. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk cards}}

====Energon Universe====
The Matrix was a source of energy that channeled the spirit of its host, capable of repairing the injuries of its host and others, {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}} as well as activating electronics cut off from their power sources. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} However, while the Matrix could heal, if a Cybertronian was too badly injured, even its power could not prevent their death. In addition, as its power is also directly connected with its bearer's life force, overusing the Matrix risked killing the bearer. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

It was gifted to [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] "many years" before he came to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} After being reactivated on Earth, Prime thought to use the Matrix to heal the mortally wounded [[Jetfire (G1)#Energon Universe|Jetfire]], only for [[Ratchet (G1)#Energon Universe|Ratchet]] to inform Optimus that Jetfire was too far gone even for the Matrix. Shortly after, Jetfire succumbed to his wounds. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}}

Soon afterwards, Ratchet used the last of the Autobots' stockpiled energon to reactivate [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. When Optimus suggested pooling Ratchet and Cliffjumper's internal energon, the medic informed him that that might allow for the reactivation of another in an hour. Unsatisfied with the response, Optimus considered using the Matrix to help replenish their energon reserves only to be immediately vetoed by Ratchet due to the risk of Prime depleting his own life force when using it, and Ratchet considered Optimus himself too valuable for the Autobots to lose. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

[[File:TF2023 4 – Prime Uses the Matrix.jpg|thumb|Using the Matrix's light at a dark hour and emptying it in the fourth issue of a new continuity? It's ''[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime#Animated|another]]'' new record, Primey!|right]]
Not long afterwards, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] opened fire on the local hospital, damaging the power generator. After learning the injured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and many other patients who needed breathing machines would die without power, Optimus emptied the Matrix, over Ratchet's protests, using it to power the hospital and prevent more deaths.

With the power restored, Spike was stabilized and able to breathe again, though he remained in a coma. When [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] asked if Prime was able to use the Matrix again to bring his son back all the way, he was informed that the Matrix had been fully drained of its energy. After Ratchet managed to repair the hospital's generator, the medic scolded Optimus for wasting the Matrix's power on saving the humans instead of repairing himself. While Optimus initially dismissed him, saying that the Matrix would be fine, Ratchet reiterated that if Optimus died – either from using the Matrix or from wounds that he could have used the Matrix to repair – the war would be lost, and the Decepticons would be free to harm humanity as much as they wanted. Optimus defended his actions as he ultimately saved innocent lives, even if it was at the cost of the Matrix. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}}

Following an ambush by the Decepticons as the Autobots attempted to take back the ''Ark'', {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}} Optimus found himself heavily damaged by [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]] to the point where the Matrix was visibly showing under his chest panels. Despite being taken to a repair bay, Ratchet quickly diagnosed Prime's wounds as fatal. Feeling his spark fading, Optimus opened his chest and removed the Matrix, calling upon one of the Autobots to take it, dropping it as Devastator's blows shook the ship.

[[File:SparkyIsOneWithTheMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|Don't tell [[Steel Jaw]] the Matrix runs on [[Biofuel]].]]
Before any of them could take the Matrix, Sparky knelt in front of it, thinking of how when something bad happened to his fellow soldiers or his sons, he wished he could've been in their place instead. Knowing that Optimus would care for Earth just like Sparky had cared for his boys, Sparky asked Optimus to tell Spike that he was proud of him before entering the Matrix's core, vanishing as he became one with it. The Matrix, now recharged, instantly repaired Optimus' body, and as he put the talisman back into his chest, Optimus swore his friend would not be forgotten. Promising to protect Spike and the whole Earth, Optimus immediately started doing so by taking down Devastator and Thundercracker. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{note|In ''Car Robots'', the original Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'', "Fire Convoy" does not possess a version of the Matrix of Leadership, instead carrying an [[Energon Matrix#Car Robots cartoon|Energon Matrix]].}}

[[File:PowerToBurn prime matrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|My chestplate glows for you, Hotrod]]

Simply known as just 'the Matrix',<ref>The Matrix is never termed as the "Matrix of Leadership" in the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub. Though it is initially called Optimus Prime's "Cyber Matrix" in "[[The Test (episode)|The Test]]", it is never again referred to as such afterward. It would not be until Optimus's profile published in [[The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine issue 1|''The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine'' #1]] that this Matrix would be formally referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership".</ref> [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by Vector Sigma to be its bearer and lead the Autobots as Commander-in-Chief of Cybertron. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Less a physical object and more an energy that suffused his form, Prime could call on the power of the Matrix in moments of great emotion, at which point his body would glow with its green light. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

[[File:TwoFaces magnus matrix.jpg|thumb|I set my chestplate from studly to kill. Go nipple blasters!]]
Unfortunately for Prime, his brother [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] was furious at being passed over for the leadership role, and about halfway through Prime's campaign against [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] on Earth, Magnus arrived on the planet with the intent to take the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} When he attempted to absorb the energy of the Matrix from Prime's body, however, a bizarre fusion occurred instead, merging the two brothers into [[Omega Prime]] and revealing that the intention had always been for them to ''share'' the energy of the Matrix between them. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Magnus later inadvertently used this link to channel the energy of the Matrix into the [[Autobot Brothers]], supercharging them. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

In the final battle against Megatron—now Galvatron—at the [[Earth's core]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] channeled all his energy into Omega Prime to give his leader the power boost that he hoped would ensure triumph. The extra energy combined with that of the Matrix and it burst forth, coalescing into the colossal [[Matrix Blade]], which Omega Prime used to claim victory. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

=====''Cybertron'' comic=====
[[File:OptimusPrimeRIDprimuschamber.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Oops! Sorry, that's never happened to me before..."]]
Teleported into the midst of a battle in another universe, Prime and Magnus found themselves on Cybertron, where the evil [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] was attempting to use his [[Dead Matrix]] to destroy Primus. The brothers took him down, then separated so that Optimus could use his own Matrix to negate the evil energies released by the Dead Matrix. Opening the chamber in his Super Mode chest, he projected a beam of the Matrix's pure light into the Dead Matrix's swirling darkness, eliminating it. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}}

====Shell Game====
After the [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] was killed by [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]], once-leader of the [[Protection Team]] [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot]] was given the Matrix of Leadership by [[Ultra Trion]], becoming his team's combined form [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] himself. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 9, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}} Megazarak sought the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], believing that it would yield the location of [[Base Sigma]], the last outpost of Autobot resistance and the hiding place of the Matrix-bearer. He failed, being slightly delayed by Ultra Trion's final gambit. {{storylink|Shell Game}} Defensor would eventually triumph over Megazarak and begin to rebuild his world. However, the Matrix gave him visions of another Megazarak, one who had succeeded in conquering [[Viron 403.0 Beta|his own universe]] and was spreading out to other universes. Defensor felt the duty to seek out this Megazarak and stop him as well. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 7, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}}
{{--}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
{{note|Plot points derived only from the original Japanese versions of the Unicron Trilogy cartoons, lost to the slipshod dubbing that plagued the series, are in italics.}}
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[File:Crisis Hot Shot Matrix.jpg|left|thumb|Optimus said that I could drive this up somewhere....]]
When [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] threatened to destroy the Earth with the [[Hydra Cannon]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], not expecting to survive the battle ahead, tried to pass the Matrix on to [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] before entering the conflict. Hot Shot refused, not feeling himself worthy, and Prime subsequently died throwing himself into the path of the Hydra Cannon blast meant for Earth. Prime's body was reduced to ashes, and the Matrix was all that remained, clung onto by his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], floating helplessly until rescued. {{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}}

[[File:Miracle sparkplug and matrix.jpg‎|thumb|''in your eyes, the light, the heat 
''in your eyes, I am complete]]

Not long thereafter, as the Autobots and Decepticons battled in space on their way back to Cybertron, Sparkplug and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] presented the Matrix to the large armada of Mini-Cons who had joined the Autobots on their journey. Many Mini-Cons plunged themselves into the Matrix, using their powers to recreate Prime's body and restore him to life. {{storylink|Miracle (episode)|Miracle}}

Some time later, in the midst of the Transformers' battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime was confronted by the evil demi-god with the suggestion that, on some level, he enjoyed the thrill of combat as much as Megatron did, ''and that the only difference between the two leaders was the Matrix in Prime's chest.'' {{storylink|Origin}} Following Unicron's defeat, when Megatron (now Galvatron) challenged Optimus to one final battle, these words led Prime to discard the Matrix, that he might battle Galvatron not as the leader of the Autobots, ''but as an individual, and the equal of his foe''.

[[File:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|left|thumb|A unicorn designed this. (See the pretty rainbows?)]]
Prime flung the Matrix through Unicron's hide, out into space, where it later drifted by the two combatants as their fight moved to Unicron's surface. Soon, however, it became apparent that Prime and Galvatron's fight was sustaining and re-energizing Unicron, and Galvatron allowed himself to die into order to destroy the chaos-bringer. As the battered Prime hung in space afterwards, the Matrix floated past him. Prime turned to look at it, but, having revelled in his battle with Galvatron and in a way proven Unicron correct, shifted his glance away, pronouncing himself unworthy to carry it.

Prime did not return to his fellow Autobots immediately, as Cybertron was now at peace. Instead, he apparently embarked on some sort of soul-searching space voyage, seeking to find worthiness once again. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}
{{--}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
[[File:MysteriousMercenary matrix generates blaster.jpg‎|thumb|Also, it does not go anywhere in the robot mode. Get outta here, blaster. No one likes your style.]]
Prime returned to reclaim the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots at some point over the next ten years. ''Despite the talisman being back in his hands once more, its power was employed but once during the war for [[energon]] of 2020, when Prime was badly injured by [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] during a battle on Earth's Moon and fell unconscious. When Prime was infused with a massive jolt of Energon in an attempt by the [[Omnicon]] [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] to revive him, the interaction of the element with the Matrix brought forth the [[Energon Blaster]], which coalesced out of a sphere of light that burst out of Prime's chest. Prime considered the weapon a gift from the previous commanders within the Matrix and fended off the Decepticons with it, then proceeded to never use or even mention it again.'' {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}}
{{--}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
[[File:Cybertron matrix of leadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Good grief, Prime! There are KIDS present!]]
A further ten years later, during the quest to stop the [[Unicron Singularity]] in [[2030]], Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership in concert with [[Vector Prime]]'s [[Rhisling|sword]] to open dimension gates to the various colony worlds that held the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. It was only through the stabilizing powers of both objects that safe transit through the gates was made possible. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}} The Matrix influenced Optimus Prime's [[Cyber Key]], giving it a unique shape that mimicked the Matrix's own as opposed to the standard design shared by the other Autobots. {{storylink|Savage}}

[[File:Unfinished matrix glow prime.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix is made up of [[burning spirit]]!]]
After the Autobots had obtained the Cyber Planet Keys from [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] and Earth and placed them in the [[Omega Lock]] on Cybertron, Optimus Prime substituted the energy of the Matrix for the still-missing fourth key. This proved enough to initiate Cybertron's transformation into the body of Primus, but without the key from [[Gigantion]], the god's power remained at an ebb, unable to close the black hole. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} Before departing for Gigantion to obtain the final key, the Autobots were able to develop a method that allowed Primus to use the energy of the three keys and the Matrix to at least halt the singularity's growth, giving them the time they needed to complete their mission. {{storylink|Titans}} In order for the Autobots to safely traverse the tunnel in space-time that led to Gigantion, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] created a "vaccine" program based on the stabilizing properties of the Matrix and Vector Prime's sword. {{storylink|Family}}

The Matrix would often glow with energy when Prime poised himself to unleash powerful combat moves; during his final battle with Galvatron, the golden glow of the Matrix surrounded Prime's entire body. {{storylink|Unfinished}}
{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 404.11 Kappa]], Vector Prime held the Matrix during Cybertron's [[Golden Age]]. He led the Autobots for many years until he received a higher calling from the [[Chronarchitect]] to lead the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warrior]]s in protecting space and time. Vector passed the Matrix on to his trusty lieutenant, [[Guardian Major]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#July 12, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 12/07/2015}}

====''Galaxy Force'' manga====
[[File:GFmanga matrix.jpg|left|thumb|RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH!]]
With the Earth besieged by the [[Ancient Decepticon]]s under the command of [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the treacherous air commander himself transformed into a skyscraper-sized giant by the power of Primus, things were looking grim for the Autobots. Taking a direct hit from the giant Starscream, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s chest was smashed open, exposing the Matrix within. Reviving after only a few moments of unconsciousness to find that [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] had arrived on the planet with news that Primus had reawakened, Prime doubted how important he was to the battle if their god was now restored. Wing Saber pointed to his open chest, telling him that the Matrix within him signified him as the true leader of the Autobots, and Prime, his resolve restored, plucked the talisman from within himself and called upon its power to initiate his and Wing Saber's combination into Sonic Wing Mode for the first time. {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.9}}
{{--}}

====''Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts''====
During an interview with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], Hot Shot proved it was easy to get hold of a Matrix by telling Optimus Prime that his shoes were untied, and then yonking the Matrix right out of his chest while he was distracted. The Matrix upgraded Hot Shot into Shotimus Prime. During a later interview with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], the exasperated interviewee grabbed the Matrix, reverting Shotimus back to Hot Shot, and then beat him with it. {{storylink|Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Tf2009 mol.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Now...how do you open this thing, dammit?]]
Created by the [[Dynasty of Primes]], the '''Matrix of Leadership''' is required to operate the [[Star Harvester]]. It can only be properly utilized by one who shares the lineage of the Primes.

====Sector Seven ARG====
The Matrix was mentioned in passing.{{fact}} {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven}}

====Titan movie comic====
According to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] carries the Matrix of Leadership. Not quite yet, he doesn't, Screamer! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 8|Star Screams #2}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
[[File:ROTF Matrix crumbles.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|And Unicron breathed a sigh of relief.]]
The [[Dynasty of Primes#Revenge of the Fallen movie|Seven Primes]] had agreed never to use a [[Star Harvester]] on a [[Sun]] that fed intelligent life. But in 17,000 BC, [[the Fallen]] chose to activate it on [[Earth]], for he hated [[human]]s, so the other Primes fought him and stole the Matrix. They sealed it away in a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] made of their own bodies in a secret location. In 2009 AD, following the death of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last Prime, the Fallen had returned to Earth and was seeking the Matrix to finish what he'd started.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Hot Rod's gonna have trouble gettin' his fingers in this one.]]
[[Sam Witwicky]], having deciphered the only clue to the tomb's location, found the Matrix in [[Petra]], but it crumbled to dust. He stuffed its remains into a sock and took it to the [[Pyramid]]s of [[Egypt]], where he still hoped it could resurrect Optimus, who was being protected by the human-Autobot alliance [[NEST]]. The Fallen's pupil, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], shot and killed Sam, but the [[spark]]s of the Primes came and revived him. They also revealed the Matrix could not be found but only earned, and they restored its shape. Sam then used the Matrix to resurrect Optimus by shoving its sharp end into his chest. Almost immediately afterward, the Fallen teleported in and stole the Matrix, then used it to activate the Harvester. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{Note|The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] reveals the Matrix was created by the AllSpark to help the Primes in their search for energon. After Sam Witwicky conversed with the Dynasty of Primes in the afterlife, the intent was that the power and knowledge of the AllSpark moved from his mind into the remains of the Matrix, reconstituting it; ''this'', then, was why it was able to bring Prime back to life. In turn, this essentially transforms this universe's version of the Matrix (initially entirely distinct from the other depictions of the object seen in this article) into the same life-giving, knowledge-holding object from other Transformers fiction. Additionally, Prime was to recover the Matrix from the sun harvester and carry it within himself in traditional Matrix fashion. While none of these events were seen to play out explicitly on-screen, the Matrix's continued presence in ''Dark of the Moon'', within Prime's body, and the reverence it receives suggests that these events still "happened" within the continuity of the films, even if they didn't explicitly talk about them.}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
[[File:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|You thought they forgot about it already, didn't you?]]
After the dormant body of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was retrieved from the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], the Autobots' former leader was brought to [[NEST]] headquarters on Earth. Optimus Prime removed the Matrix of Leadership from his chest (which he was able to manipulate as it hovered through the air) and inserted it into Sentinel Prime's chest, similarly to how Sam Witwicky used it to resurrect Optimus three years prior.

Optimus later offered it to Sentinel, as he felt that Sentinel was the rightful leader of the Autobots. Sentinel refused it, citing that he was the wiser on their own homeworld, but on this strange new planet, Optimus was the more experienced.

Megatron later explained to Starscream that he wanted Prime to use the Matrix on Sentinel as he was vital to Megatron's plan for invasion. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{--}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[File:Tfanimated matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Check out my necklace!|left]]
Following [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]]'s successful reconstruction of a substantial portion of the shattered [[AllSpark#Animated|AllSpark]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] used the [[Magnus Hammer]] to forge a new containment vessel for the crystal sphere. He termed the resultant holder the "[[AllSpark Matrix]]", and wore it on a chain around his neck upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}
{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
The Matrix was created by the Primes sometime after Unicron's defeat and before the War of the Primes, though according to [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] it was a very different device at its creation than in the present day. It formed the hilt of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] but [[Prima]] surrendered it to [[Primus]] in the [[Core]] after the Primes fought.

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion went to [[Vector Sigma]] to try and retrieve the Matrix in hopes that it could reignite the fire of Cybertronian society. The supercomputer denied his request saying the time was not right, but it gave him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]].

When [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] had poisoned the core of Cybertron with [[Dark Energon]], Primus inserted a portion of his Spark into the Matrix and gave it to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] to carry and guard. This had the effect of restoring Optimus' memories of his earlier life among the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|Prime lucked out. Feel bad for the guy who has to carry that blade around in his chest.]]
Originally the jewel in the hilt of [[Prima]]'s [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword in the distant past of Cybertron, the Matrix had been missing for billions of cycles by the time data clerk [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]] met the charismatic gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Unbeknownst to Orion, Megatron plotted revolution, and, desiring the Matrix's power to fuel his ambition, had [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] send [[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]] to search for the Matrix in [[Crystal City]] to no avail.

Later, when the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] appointed Orion as Cybertron's leader, Optimus Prime, they ordered him to find the Matrix, and Megatron's true motives stood revealed as he also declared it would be his. War erupted across Cybertron and raged for millions of years, until, during the conflict's dying days, Optimus purged Cybertron's [[core]] of a [[Dark Energon]] infection that Megatron had wrought upon it. Speaking directly into Prime's mind, the core explained that Prime's predecessor, [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], had been unworthy of the Matrix, but as long as he had survived in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]'s prisons, Optimus was technically not [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and could not receive it. With Sentinel's death and the core's purification, however, the time had at last come: the Matrix emerged from the core, and Optimus accepted it into his body. Subsequently, the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', but Optimus knew that the Matrix would guide them home one day, where it would act in concert with the core to fully restore their ravaged homeworld. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

After the ''Ark'' had passed through a [[space bridge]], the Matrix projected a map to the nearby [[Cybertronian colonies|colony]] of [[Velocitron]]. After fleeing Velocitron, the ''Ark'' found its way to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], the Matrix's energies clearing the minds of the [[Junkion (species)|natives]] enough for them to help the Autobots repair the ''Ark''. The Matrix then projected another map, leading Optimus to a space bridge to the tomb of [[Solus Prime]]. When Megatron caught up to Optimus on Junkion, the Matrix sent a vision of the AllSpark's location to Optimus, preventing him from dealing the killing blow. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Continued pulls from the Matrix led the ''Ark'' to the planet [[Aquatron]], even as it plagued Optimus with visions of Cybertronians being oppressed. When the Autobots ventured to the planet's surface, the Matrix sent Optimus a vision of his former self, Orion Pax, being menaced by enslavers. The senior physician, [[Xeros]], took the chance to, eagerly, scan the Matrix when Optimus convulsed. When it was revealed that Aquatron was ruled by the [[Quintesson]]s, they put the Autobots and Decepticons on trial, the Matrix providing Optimus with his repressed memories to convince him that the aliens were lying. Learning that the Matrix was fighting off remote hacking attempts by the Quintessons, Optimus switched off the genuine article, only to be forced to reactivate it so and Megatron could escape the labyrinthine corridors. The Matrix led the two leaders to the source of the interference: the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]], a duplicate created by the Quintessons following their studying of Matrix's technology. Shortly thereafter, the Sharkticon Matrix was destroyed, restoring the Matrix to normal operating status. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}
{{--}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OneShallRise3-unleash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Care Bear Stare!|left]]
During the Great War, the core of Cybertron, which contained the Spark of the Transformers' creator Primus, became poisoned with [[Dark Energon]]. Orion Pax journeyed there hoping to cure the god, but instead was given the Matrix of Leadership by Primus himself, becoming [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

When the Autobots discovered that [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] dwelt at the center of the Earth, Optimus Prime gambled that the Matrix held the power to destroy the dark god. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} Led to the core of the planet by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], Prime emptied the full power of the Matrix into Unicron's spark. [[File:OrionPax3 Matrix of Leadership.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]] The chaos-bringer responded by possessing Megatron in an attempt to stop him, but the Matrix generated a shield to protect Prime so that the mission could be completed, and Unicron was successfully returned to stasis. Unfortunately, in draining the Matrix of its energy, Optimus lost not merely the wisdom of the Primes, but all of his own memories since becoming a Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Anticipating this, Optimus had left a solution to this problem in the hands of the Autobot's human ally [[Jack Darby]]: the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], which would allow the Matrix to be refilled, and Optimus's memory restored, via the mega-computer Vector Sigma on Cybertron. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Jack and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] travelled to Cybertron to load the key, then returned to Earth in the midst of a battle between Orion and Megatron. Though the archivist was hesitant at first, Jack convinced him that he was in fact worthy and used the key to restore the Matrix's power and Optimus's memories. {{Storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

When Optimus Prime lay dying after the destruction of the Autobot base, he told [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] that the Matrix would choose someone else to be leader, whom he believed to be Smokescreen. When Optimus did die, his chest ejected the Matrix as it began to search for a successor, only for Smokescreen simply to place the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] in Optimus's hand which, combined with the Matrix, revived and reformatted Optimus, though at the cost of draining the Forge of all its power. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

When the Great War ended and Cybertron was restored, Optimus used the Matrix of Leadership to guide him to the location of the [[AllSpark]], in the hazardous system of [[Theta Scorpii]]. To safeguard the AllSpark from Unicron, Optimus merged it with the Matrix. In doing so however, he rendered his own [[spark]] inseparable from all those within the AllSpark, ultimately sacrificing himself and the Matrix to the [[Core]] to reignite it, ending the age of Primes. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}
{{--}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
[[File:OddBotOut Optimus Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
When Optimus located the [[Liquefier]], its energies out of control and threatening [[Griffin Rock]], he used the Matrix to shut it down. {{storylink|Odd Bot Out}}
{{--}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
[[File:Dark Side of the Matrix album cover.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix of Leadership served as inspiration for the legendary rock band the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]], immortalized on the cover of their studio album "Dark Side of the Matrix". {{storylink|Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron}}
{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:MatrixOfLeadership-OPglows.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left]]
The Matrix of Leadership was an artifact of the [[Thirteen]]. Within, it held the accumulated wisdom of not only the original Primes, but all those who'd borne it, allowing for its current bearer to access this wisdom in times of crisis. Conversely, these spirits could bring the bearer before them through the Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

In the modern era, the Matrix was safeguarded by [[Alpha Trion (Cyberverse)|Alpha Trion]]. In the early days of the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]], [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] murdered all of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] save Trion who had been mortally wounded by the attack. When [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus]] was brought before his ailing mentor, Trion bestowed the Matrix onto his protege. Despite Optimus's hesitations, he accepted the talisman and became Optimus Prime, the last sight Trion witnessed before he passed. The power of the Matrix allowed Optimus to manifest a powerful blue shield in the likeness of the Autobot insignia. {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}}

After claiming that one of his [[scraplet]]s was a reborn Alpha Trion, [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] had others reveal the Matrix for him to claim. Before he could, [[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] pounced on the Seeker and disabled his scarplet horde. {{storylink|Starscream's Children}} Prime would later get his own back on Starscream by separating the treacherous Seeker from the AllSpark with a blast from the Matrix, the energies sending both into [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|I Am The Allspark}} Starscream awoke in a prison cell while Prime remained in coma with a vision of the Matrix. It closed on him and he later woke up as a turbolaser barrage from the [[Nemesis (Cyberverse)|''Nemesis'']] was ripping the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']] apart. {{storylink|Escape From Earth}}

When the [[Quintesson]]s invaded Cybertron, Optimus combined the power of the Matrix with one from another reality, stolen by Megatron, to overwhelm the now [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]] Starscream, finally killing him and ending the invasion. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}}

Not long afterwards, Cybertron was invaded by Megatron X, the owner of Megatron's stolen Matrix, whom Optimus engaged in a duel of Matrices. When Windblade sabotaged the alternate Megatron's Matrix, Optimus' beam prevailed, its energy short-circuiting the tyrant. {{storylink|The Other One}}

The Matrix was last seen being used by Optimus and a small group of his allies to open the chamber to the [[Cortex Helm]] on [[Onyx Prime|Onyx Prime's]] floating island after a [[Decepticon supersoldier]] named [[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]] manipulated them into helping him reach the artifact. {{storylink|The Perfect Decepticon}}

====Alternate universe====
In another world, upon realizing that Optimus would forever oppose him, [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] killed Optimus outright before he stole his Matrix. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}} {{storylink|The Other One}}

Untold years later, Megatron's universe was visited by an alternate version of himself who managed to steal his Matrix and flee. Knowing that his counterpart would eventually track him down, the alternate Megatron tried to access the Matrix's wisdom but the Primes refused to speak to him. {{storylink|Silent Strike}} The Primes of this reality imparted onto their Optimus a directive to destroy this otherwordly Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

A psychic shard of the native [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] wound up lodged in the Matrix, being met by Optimus' spirit who told her to destroy the Matrix. Eventually, Megatron located the reality and reclaimed his property only to be engaged in a Matrix duel by the native Optimus. Though Megatron initially held the advantage, Windblade followed Optimus' orders and destroyed the psychic pillars of the Primes, short-circuiting the Matrix. {{storylink|The Other One}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:TransformersOne-SentinelMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
For cycles, energon flowed freely through the Matrix of Leadership's power, until [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the [[Thirteen|Primes]] through a deal made with the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Prying it out of [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime's]] corpse, Sentinel was horrified when the artifact rejected him and vanished. As a result, Cybertron's energon supply dried up, leading to Sentinel removing the transformation cogs from newly born Transformers so they could mine energon as tribute for the Quintessons.

After fifty cycles, the young miner, [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], would often break into the archives in Iacon in an attempt to find information about what had become of the long lost relic. Orion dreamed about being the one to deliver the Matrix to Sentinel, who would often lead expeditions to the surface to search for it. However, these searches were merely a cover-up for Sentinel's true dealings, delivering the Quintessons their tribute of energon. One such exchange was witnessed by Orion, his best friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who had come to surface after having found a beacon containing the possible location of the Matrix. Granted transformation cogs by [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]], the four raced back to Iacon to reveal the truth about Sentinel to the city.

[[File:TFone OptimusRaisesMatrix.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Allying with the former Cybertron [[High Guard]], the quartet led an attack on Sentinel's tower, ending with D-16 dropping Orion into Cybertron's core after the latter had attempted to stop him from executing Sentinel. Orion was met with the spirits of the Primes and, having been judged worthy by Primus, was bestowed the Matrix and upgraded into Optimus Prime. Granted powerful new armor and weaponry, Optimus returned to the surface and put a stop to D-16, who had renamed himself "Megatron". Slicing Megatron's [[Fusion cannon]] in half with his new [[Energon-axe|Energon axe]] Optimus banished him and his new followers from Iacon. With the return of the Matrix, energon flowed throughout the planet once more and all the cogless miners were given transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "Autobots". {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
In one of several possible timelines, the Matrix was destroyed millions of years in the past, along with Optimus Prime, by the time-travelling [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. Unfortunately, its destruction meant the Decepticons had no surefire way of defeating Unicron when he attacked Cybertron in 2005. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[File:TFPS2 matrix.jpg|thumb]]
The quest for the [[Zel Quartz]], a powerful crystal upon which the fate of the future hinged, led groups of Autobots and Decepticons from both the present day and time-travellers from the near-future to converge on the planet Zel Samine, culminating in a two-way showdown between Optimus Prime, Rodimus Prime, Megatron and Galvatron in the complex housing the planetary power generator [[ELTA]]. When the battle threatened to cause the computer to overload, it appeared that all four Transformers were doomed, until the twin Primes opened both their Matrices, using their power to bring the computer under control and win the day. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
[[File:Netjetmatrix.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix would appear following the successful defeat of an opponent. Picking it up would initiate the next round of combat, accompanied by a burst of music from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
[[File:WFC Matrix of Leadership.jpg||thumb|How are you supposed to hold it up and release its cleansing flame if the handles aren't even attached to the sphere?]]
Though [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots helped purge the [[Core|Core of Cybertron]] of the [[Dark Energon]] infection, its spark had been corrupted and had to shut itself down completely if it was to survive. For the millions of years that this process would take, Cybertron would be left cold and barren, meaning the Transformers would be forced to take to the stars. However, the Core bestowed a portion of its spark within the Matrix of Leadership to Optimus Prime, leader of the free Autobots. For as long as the Matrix survived, Cybertron's spark would remain. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark'' (console)===
Among the many rumours that circled the origins of the [[Dark Spark]] was that it was the natural antithesis to the Matrix of Leadership.

In the midst of the [[Great Exodus]], Megatron managed to acquire the Dark Spark and bond it to himself, forcing Optimus to personally confront him in the labs of [[Kolkular]]. After fighting a horde of Autobot [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]], Optimus unleashed the power of the Matrix against the Dark Spark, his superior experience in wielding the artefact granting him victory and blasting the Dark Spark off of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:AngryBirdsMatrix.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The Matrix can be unlocked as an accessory that when equipped; grants an effect to several characters. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Accessory'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''[[Gem]] Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Red (AB)|Red]] as [[Red (AB)#As Optimus Prime|Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|<s>325</s> Free
| Incendiary Rounds
|Became a free Accessory in June 2017
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#As Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus]]
|Chest
|Legendary
|900
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Energon Optimus Prime|Energon Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|650
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Ultimate Optimus Prime|Ultimate Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Uncommon
|100
| +10% Defense
|
|-
|}
</center>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
In the past, [[Nova Prime]] bore the Matrix of Leadership but parted with the artifact when he left Cybertron aboard the ''[[Proudstar]]''. When Optimus Prime explored the scuttled ''Proudstar'' millions of years later, the Matrix reacted to [[Unicron/Generation 1|a dark presence]] in the ship, shutting down for a second. As the Autobots ventured deeper into the ship, [[Teletraan Alpha]] used the Matrix to see their future. As the Autobots neared the ship's core and discovered the same dark presence, the Matrix allowed Optimus to learn that the entity responsible for corrupting Nova was searching and destroying its way to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Matrix of Leadership held the concentrated essence of heroism and valour, in the same way that the [[Enigma of Combination]] possessed the pure essence of cooperation. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:BBOptimusMatrixSM.jpeg|thumb]]
*On a battlefield on [[Cybertron (planet)#Live-action film series|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] sported the Matrix of Leadership in his chest. {{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Masterpiece|MPM-12 Optimus Prime stop motion video}}
*During a battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] summoned [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] holding the Matrix of Leadership (along with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]) using a [[Magic: The Gathering]] card. Subsequently, the summoned Rodimus used the Matrix to power Optimus up.
{{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Miscellaneous|Secret Lair stop motion video}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Matrix of Leadership/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1toon matrix strings.jpg|thumb|Strings connect the Matrix's core to its holder in the Generation 1 cartoon.]]
*Bob Budiansky's original pitch for the Transformers comic book included an event known as the "[[Ceremony of the Unending Circuit]]", held by the Autobots every ten millennia to commemorate the passing of the Creation Matrix from one Autobot leader to the next, according to Autobot Law. If an Autobot is not brave, strong, or wise enough, the program would either drive him insane or lobotomize him.<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref> Although the "ten millennia" bit made it into the comic, the rest of it was never realized. (Budiansky also left a note that the Matrix isn't the only way of making new Transformers, which is not touched on in English comic media until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''.)
*[[Floro Dery]] was inspired by a thermonuclear bomb in designing the Matrix of Leadership for ''The Movie''.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html|site=Transformers Philippines|name=Floro Dery|quote='''Can you tell us some trivias or story behind the Matrix of Leadership?'''" "The inspiration for the Matrix of Leadership is a thermonuclear bomb.|title=Interview With Floro Dery|year=2007|month=06|day=18}}</ref> "Light our darkest hour", indeed.
*Blink and you'll miss it—the crystal core of the original Generation 1 cartoon incarnation of the Matrix is connected to the two halves of its holder by a string! This oddity of design is visible during the two instances the Matrix is opened in the cartoon, in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".
*By pure coincidence, the [[retcon]] made in ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' (and technically ''Beast Wars'') that created the idea of there being two Matrix-shaped objects in Optimus Prime's chest also fits with an [[animation error]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where—on his deathbed—Prime is seen removing the Matrix, while an uncolored "empty" Matrix is shown still inside his chest just before his colors fade.
*The dub of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' refers to the artifact as the Matrix of Leadership when it's first introduced and for a few episodes after, but then switches to calling it the "Matrix of the Commander" for the rest of the series afterward. This is likely a result of direct translation from the generic ''shireikan no Matrix'' (司令官のマトリクス) in Japanese.
*The body-mod shop "[[Swindle, Swindle and Swindle]]" has empty Generation 1 Matrix containers for sale, as seen in an illustration from the prose story "[[I, Lowtech]]".
*The Matrix of Leadership [[:File:The Arrival 4 Lockdown's cabinet.jpg|makes a cameo]] as one of ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]'s possessions in "[[The Arrival issue 4|A Few Loose Strands]]".
*In earlier drafts of [[Revelation (IDW)|''Revelation'']], the Matrix would have been corrupted by its time in the [[Dead Universe]] (possibly similar to the [[Dark Matrix]] entity), but [[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|developments]] led to its role being filled by the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]].<ref name="IDWMatrixFurman">{{citesocial|link=http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/|name=Simon Furman|month=12|year=2007|day=12|title=A(NOTHER) QUICK Q&A…|site=Simon Furman: The Blog|quote=Well, we’ve yet to actually meet the Matrix in the IDW/TF-verse. So we may be getting ahead of ourselves here. What do we know about it so far? Well, according to Spotlight Galvatron, the Matrix was (and maybe is) “carried” by Nova Prime, and he (Nova Prime) disappeared into the Dead Universe (along with the Matrix, we assume). Nova describes a bottomless well and a resonant tug on the Matrix. What happened next we don’t know (yet). But what is the Matrix (hm, that sounds familiar somehow)? Not telling. Not yet. But ’08 holds the answers: what it is, where it came from, what is does (then and now!). The Matrix (and what it’s become) will figure large in all that happens post-Devastation. The Matrix has been gone from the IDW/TF-verse for a long time, and its return will not necessarily be a thing of celebration.}}</ref>
* In ''[[My Little Pony]]: The Manga'' volume 3, the Matrix is included as part of a scavenger hunt that [[Fluttershy]] organizes.
* A lighting fixture resembling the Generation 1 Matrix of Leadership can be seen at [[Swerve's|Swerve's Lounge]] at Universal Studios Beijing's [[Transformers Metrobase]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Matrix''' (マトリクス ''Matorikusu''), '''Leader no Matrix''' (''Revenge'', リーダーのマトリクス, "Matrix of Leader"), '''Matrix of Leadership''' (マトリックスオブリーダーシップ ''Matorikkusu obu Rīdāshippu''), '''Creation Matrix''' (クリエーションマトリクス ''Kuriēshon matorikusu'')
*''Arabic:'' '''Masfufat Alqiada''' (مصفوفة القيادة, "Command Matrix")
*''English:'' '''Power Pack''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Teremtő Mátrix''' ("Creator Matrix"), '''Vezetés Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Irányítás Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Control", ''Revenge of the Fallen''), '''Vezéri Mátrix''' ("Leader Matrix", ''The Movie'' 1st dub), '''Mátrix''' ("Matrix", ''The Movie'' 2nd dub)
*''French:'' '''Matrice de Commandement''' ("Command Matrix"), '''Matrice de Création''' (''EarthSpark'', "Matrix of Creation")
*''German:'' '''Hauptprogramm''' ("Core Program", used once in fiction), '''Matrix der Führerschaft''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Indonesian:'' '''Matriks Kepemimpinan''' ( "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Italian:'' '''Matrice''' ("Matrix"), '''Scettro del Comando''' (first ''The Transformers'' dub, "Scepter of Command"), '''Matrix''' (second ''The Transformers'' dub), '''Matrice del Comando''' (''Generations'', "Matrix of Command")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mǔtǐ''' (Taiwan, 母體, "Matrix" or "Mother Body"), '''Jǔzhèn''' (China Mainland, 矩阵, "Matrix"), '''Lǐngdǎo Mókuài''' (China Mainland, 领导模块, "Module of Leader")
*''Cantonese:'' '''Yuen Nang Gui Zaan''' (Hong Kong, 原能矩陣)
*''Polish:'' '''Matryca Przywództwa''', '''Matryca Przywódcy''' (''War for Cybertron'', "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Matriz da Liderança''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Matrix da Liderança''' (''EarthSpark''), '''Matriz de Liderança''' (''Transformers One'')
*''Russian:'' '''Matritsa Liderstva''' (Матрица Лидерства, "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Spanish:'' '''Matriz de Liderazgo''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Enerhoblok''' (ICTV, Енергоблок, "Power unit")
*''Turkish:'' '''Liderlik Matriksi''' ("Matrix of Leadership")

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Artifacts of the Primes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars objects]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Crystals]]
[[Category:Cybertron franchise]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Generation 1 objects]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei!]]
[[Category:Interjections]]
[[Category:Legends franchise]]
[[Category:Matrices]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)]]
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Matrix of Leadership

2025-01-04T22:44:18Z

MegaSolus: /* 2005 IDW continuity */

{{factions|autobot|primus|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}}}
{{disambig3.5|the lore object|the titular cartoon episode|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Matrix.jpg|375px|thumb|You put the life in the coconut.]]
The '''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (also known as the '''Creation Matrix''' or rarely, the '''Leadership Matrix''',<ref>[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]</ref> the '''Autobot Matrix of Power''',<ref>[[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:]]</ref> or the '''Matrix of Light'''<ref>For the majority of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' sticker book ([[:File:DiamondStickerbookMatrixOfLight.jpg|see image]]), though it is also referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership" once or twice.</ref>) is an [[sacred treasure|artifact of great power]], traditionally carried by the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]]s. Although its appearance differs slightly from [[universal stream]] to universal stream, it generally appears as a glowing crystal sphere encased within a [[Matrix holder|hollow metal shell]], with a handle on either side.

By most accounts, the Matrix is a conduit for the power of [[Primus]], the creator-god of the [[Transformer]]s, serving as a means of access to the [[Transformer afterlife]], through which it can either bestow new Transformer life, or provide its wielder with a means of communicating with the deceased leaders who have come before them. These divine powers put it at the centre of much Autobot [[religion]], spirituality, and prophecy; while many [[Decepticon]]s are less inclined to believe in its divinity, they certainly covet the increased physical power it is known to convey upon its holders, and several have made obtaining the Matrix one of their primary goals. As one of the embodiments of the power of Primus, the Matrix is antithesis to [[Unicron]], and one of the very few things the chaos-bringer fears.

{{bigquote|But one day... an Autobot shall rise from our ranks... and use the power of the Matrix... to light... our [[darkest hour]].|A [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|dying Optimus Prime]]|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:SecondGeneration prime gives buster matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|The Matrix made its fictional debut when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred it to [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], an event recounted in this scene from "[[Second Generation!]]".]]
The Matrix and the concepts associated with it have continuously evolved over the history of the brand, with different pieces of ''Transformers'' fiction creating new ideas centred on it, which have in turn influenced its representation in ''other'' fiction, and so on. The current nature of the Matrix as it is understood is beholden to quite a few different sources, and its development is described here to minimize confusion. For the specifics on the different interpretations of the Matrix in various continuities, see the "Fiction" section below.

The concept of the Matrix originates from the brain of [[Marvel Comics]] writer [[Bob Budiansky]] and is a result of the "no girls"/"no gender" policy enforced by [[Hasbro]] regarding their then-new robot brand. Because there were no female robots/the robots had no gender, Budiansky came up with an asexual method of reproduction in the form of the Creation Matrix, a "[[Primal Program]]" housed within the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] that could bring new Transformers to life, which would also prove a helpful plot device when he was required to introduce new characters to the series.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/|name=Bob Budiansky|site=Ben's World of Transformers|quote=If you can use the Creation Matrix to create new Transformers, you could put out a lot more toys. I mean, it was basically a way to introduce new toys into the storyline by saying okay, I think was it Jetfire? That was the one I used the Creation Matrix on first? See?|title=Interviews: Bob Budiansky (February 2004)|year=2022|month=02|day=11}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/|site=Metal Machine|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=One of the first questions that I asked Hasbro when I took over writing the Transformers character profiles was were any of these characters female? The answer was no, this is a boys’ toy, so there shouldn’t be any female characters. As a result, I came up with asexual ways for new Transformers to be created, like the Creation Matrix.|title=Behind the Scenes with Bob Budiansky on the Transformers|year=2009|month=11|day=21}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801000000*/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954|site=Rusting Carcass|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=Creation Matrix, I'm fairly confident the Creation Matrix was a concept that I originated. I'm not sure if I originated the Matrix of Leadership. I might have, I don't remember. The Creation Matrix was another example of trying a couple of ways to explain new Transformers, you know to try to create, invent and introduce new Transformers.|year=2009|month=07|day=25}}</ref>

The appearance of the Matrix in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 animated series]] originated with early script drafts of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which introduced the idea of "Life Sparks", very similar to the [[spark]]s that would later be introduced with ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. The Matrix was not present in the earliest known incarnation of the movie; instead, upon his death, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred his own Life Spark to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], with the implication that this was standard practise among Autobot leaders. This idea was eventually discarded, replaced with a physical object known as the "Matrix of Leadership", which evidently derived its name from the Creation Matrix of the comic book. The episode "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" attempted to introduce the concept of the Matrix to the animated universe before the movie, but the dialogue containing the reference was deleted during production. The line, which dated the creation of the Matrix to 4.5 million years ago, would ultimately have conflicted greatly with what would be learned of the Matrix in the future.

[[File:FFOD4 passing the matrix.jpg|thumb|[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] inherits the Matrix from [[Guardian Prime]] in the first recounting of the Prime lineage from "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]].]]
Virtually nothing of the Matrix's nature was actually divulged in the finished film, where it was treated as simply a magic talisman of prophecy that was the antithesis of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. The idea that had originated with the Life Spark concept—that of dying Autobot leaders merging their lifeforces with others—remained, albeit in a vague way, as Optimus Prime intoned upon his deathbed that he would soon be "one with the Matrix". The mini-series "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" fully expanded on the meaning of his line, revealing that the Matrix contained the lifeforces of all the deceased [[ancient Autobots|Autobot leaders]] who had previously held it, collectively known as the "Wisdom of the Ages," which could be consulted for aid in moments of need.

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|left|thumb|The dying [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] passes the Matrix to Optimus Prime in this flashback scene from "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]".]]
Having already cannibalized many of the movie's best elements for use in his comic book stories, writer [[Simon Furman]] contradicted Bob Budiansky's US comic book stories by presenting the Matrix as it had appeared in the film, as a physical object, in his own UK storylines, and carried this over to the US comic when he later began writing it. This alteration was also reflected in a ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profile written for Powermaster Optimus Prime around the time, where Budiansky's "program" concept and the cartoon's "physical object" idea were merged with the explanation that the program was encoded in light patterns in the Matrix's crystal core. As Furman's run progressed, the "lifeforces of previous holders" concept was also adapted into the comics, with the Matrix possessing a genetic memory of those that had held it. Most notably, in both UK and US books, Furman crafted a [[The Legacy of Unicron!|story]] to explain the origins of the Matrix, why Unicron was vulnerable to it, and how it could create new life, ultimately revealing it to be the essence of the Transformers' creator-god, [[Primus]].

It was the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' animated series that made the next big addition to the growing mythology of the Matrix when they introduced the [[Transformer afterlife]], the extradimensional source of all Transformers sparks living or dead, which was also named "the Matrix." While not explicitly related to the Matrix seen in the Generation 1 cartoons or comics, the implication was obvious—rather than ''contain'' anything, the physical Matrix object from those continuities was a ''gateway'' to the Matrix dimension. Where the animated "Matrix of Leadership" and the comic book "Creation Matrix" had previously seemed incompatible, this revelation united them conceptually—the lifeforces of the dead from the cartoon and the ability to bring new life from the comics could now both be tied to the features of the Matrix dimension. [[Dreamwave Productions]]' comics proceeded to cement this concept, depicting a Matrix of Leadership that possessed both these traits, and explicitly identifying it not as a holder of Primus's power, but a ''conduit'' for it.

The Matrix took something of a back seat in major fiction in the latter years of the 2000s, effectively replaced in the worlds of the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]] and ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' by the [[AllSpark]]—a mystical object that, while physically distinct from the Matrix, possessed its life-giving powers and record of Transformer history. Before long, however, both these continuities reintroduced the idea of the Matrix: In both universes, the AllSpark was destroyed and its knowledge and power was reincarnated in an object either specifically named, or designed to look like, the Matrix, thereby bringing the whole concept full-circle.

Finally, the more recent revelation (implied in the movies, confirmed by [[Fun Publications]]' "[[Crossing Over]]", and reiterated in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'') that the energy that is the basis of Transformer life is actually the rarefied form of the Transformers' fuel, [[energon]] itself, suggests that the energy of the Matrix is also (a form of) energon. This had actually been portrayed as the case in some formerly-questionable pieces of fiction such as ''[[The Transformers Trilogy]]'' novels, which retroactively make sense now.
{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Prima.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Intel Inside!]]

When Primus created the Transformer race, before entering voluntary systems shutdown, he bestowed upon them a genetic matrix containing his essence and the majority of his power, which could be used to give life to more Transformers so that the race might grow without his direct involvement. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} Later named the "Creation Matrix", this divine gift took the form of a "[[Primal Program]]" encoded in intricate patterns of light within a crystal,<ref>[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Marvel comic profile]</ref> which was passed from leader to leader down through the millennia. The first holder of the Creation Matrix was the first Transformer, [[Prima]], then subsequently [[Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and in the modern era, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Autobot leaders evidently elected to keep the true nature of the Matrix a secret, since most other Transformers were shown to believe it was a program stored within the mind of Optimus Prime himself, rather than housed within a separate physical object. This mistaken belief gave rise to a legend that claimed that the Program was encoded into a new Autobot leader once every ten millennia. {{storylink|The New Order}}

[[File:WhoseLifeforce prime and longtooth.jpg|left|thumb]]
''At one point during his tenure as Autobot leader, Optimus Prime came across [[Longtooth]] struggling to save the life of [[Clockwise|a fallen comrade]] on the battlefield after a particularly ferocious conflict. Mistakenly believing he was witnessing a great show of Autobot spirit (when in actuality, Longtooth was simply terrified of being the last one left alive), Prime extracted a tiny portion of the Creation Matrix's energy and gave it to Longtooth, telling him to use it wisely. Once Prime had left, however, Longtooth gave into his fear and kept the Matrix energy for himself, to serve as a "spare life" that allowed him to be daring and brave on the battlefield without fearing death.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

[[File:DisintegratedCircuits buster uses matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When the Transformers' war moved to [[Earth]] in [[1984]], current Decepticon leader [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] elected to increase his forces by creating new Transformers with the power of the Creation Matrix. Capturing the [[Autobot]]s and decapitating Optimus Prime, Shockwave tapped the energies of the Matrix and brought the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Prime was able to transfer the Matrix into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} thereby preventing Shockwave from animating his newest construct, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], but the presence of the Matrix within Buster's mind gave the boy incredible powers over machinery. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} Deducing that Buster possessed the Matrix, Shockwave programmed the unliving Jetfire to capture the boy, but Buster used the Matrix to bring Jetfire under his control and used him to thwart Shockwave's plan and save Optimus Prime. With Prime and the Autobots rescued, Buster transferred the Creation Matrix back to the Autobot leader, {{storylink|Prime Time!}} and Prime subsequently used the Matrix to give Jetfire true life. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''Residual energy from the Matrix that lingered in Buster's brain soon began to give the youth nightmarish visions, causing him to black out and create strange images of previously-unheard of Transformers.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Seeking to help Buster, the Autobots hooked him up to equipment that would allow them to monitor his dreams, and discovered that the Matrix was showing them all them a vision of the future, and the creation of the [[Special Teams]].'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Matrixflame.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|If the Autobots were Jewish, it would have burned another six days.]]
''The Matrix was also known to have an analog on Cybertron, the [[Matrix Flame]], which burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed, no matter where in the universe it was. It could also be used to channel the energy of the Matrix, which the Autobots on Cybertron did to bring life to their new warrior, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]].<ref>Ultra Magnus profile page in Marvel UK [[Target: 2006#Defeat!|#81]]</ref> Not long after, however, the Matrix Flame flickered out when Optimus Prime was shunted into [[limbo]] by time-travelling Decepticons, leading the Autobots on Cybertron to send Magnus to Earth to investigate. Prime was returned in due time, and the Matrix Flame re-ignited.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Following the earlier vision from the Matrix,'' the Autobots created the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], and Optimus Prime used the Matrix to bring them to life. Little did the Autobots realise, however, that [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had deduced a way to usurp the Matrix's power, using a [[cerebro-shell]] previously planted in Prime's body by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to siphon off some of the life-giving energy, which he employed it to animate his own new creations, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

[[File:DarkCreation we would know more.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When Optimus Prime died following a video-game duel with Megatron a short time later, {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}, the Autobots loaded his body into a funeral bier and launched it into space in accordance with Cybertronian tradition. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Unfortunately, having been unaware of the existence of the physical Creation Matrix crystal within the corpse's chest, this meant that they unwittingly set the sacred lifeforce of their race adrift in the sea of stars. After some time, the craft eventually crashed on the distant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay undisturbed for a time. Left in solitude, the rudimentary consciousness of the Matrix formed from the genetic memory of its past holders began to desire new sensations. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

It got its chance when a [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]], a medical mechanoid created to painlessly end the life of the terminally ill, crashed on VsQs. Critically wounded, the dying robot reached out to touch the Matrix, and in its hunger for new experiences, the talisman used its powers of creation to disassemble and rebuild the Deathbringer, inadvertently warping its programming and transforming it into a powerful being who sought to destroy ''all'' life. A trace of its energy remaining in its body, the Matrix revelled in its first experience of "evil" as the Deathbringer cut a swathe of destruction across the galaxy, ultimately finding its way to Earth. ''Sensing the Matrix's power within the creature, Optimus Prime—since resurrected by the technology of [[Nebulos]]—was hesitant to destroy the only link they had discovered to the lost Matrix, but [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] solved the problem by convincing the Deathbringer that since the Matrix's power was eating away at it, it should destroy itself.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

[[File:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.15|The Creation Matrix was the Leader-1's-head of the Marvel comic. Can't be drawn the same way twice.]]
Back on VsQs, the Matrix's curiosity found new expression when an insectoid creature crawled into Prime's corpse's chest cavity and became the next recipient of the Matrix's power. Dissecting and studying the beast, the Matrix was fascinated that the creature seemed to be meant to do nothing but destroy, so it re-created the thing into a [[Matrixspawn|larger, more powerful predator]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The monster attacked a team of astronauts that had set up a research station on VsQs, killing nearly all of them, but at least one escaped and crashed in the seas of the nearby planet [[Pequod]]. His body infused with Matrix energy from the beast that had attacked him, the astronaut was swallowed by a [[klud]], which ingested the energy. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime became aware of the threat of Unicron, and, realizing that the Matrix would be necessary to defeat the Chaos-Bringer, arranged for search parties to scour the cosmos for any trace of it. ''Longtooth was among the Autobots recruited for the search mission, and was forced for the first time to truly confront the selfishness of what he had done with the Matrix energy Prime had given him millennia before. In hopes of redemption, he loaded the energy fragment into a pod and sent it back to Optimus Prime.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} [[File:Thunderwing with matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Primus says it's my turn on the Matrix.]] ''Prime agonized over how to best use the Matrix energy, knowing that it had the power to revive only one of the deactivated Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and ultimately, elected to disperse it into the Earth's atmosphere to rejuvenate damage done to the ecosystem by the Transformers' warring on the planet.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}}

In the meantime, the search parties seeking the Matrix had piqued the curiosity of new Decepticon leader [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], who possessed an affinity with the Matrix and a desire to possess its power for his own. As the opposing teams dodged each other, they eventually set their sights on Pequod, where the klud had been attracting attention because its species was supposed to have been extinct. Thunderwing used his Matrix affinity to psychically link with the Matrix-infused beast and see the memory of swallowing the dying scientist. Recognizing the "VsQs" stamp on his equipment, Thunderwing set out for that moon. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}} Once there, both sides battled the creature the Matrix had created, which had grown to enormous size, with Thunderwing ultimately killing the beast and taking the Matrix. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Decepticon immediately attacked the spaceborne Ark, manifesting the Matrix power in the form of a giant, vaguely humanoid energy field around himself. Soon, however, the Matrix began to speak through Thunderwing, delighting in the firsthand experience of evil, and the Decepticon realized he was being possessed. Thunderwing tried to mentally battle the Matrix, to no avail, but the Autobots exploited his erratic behaviour to impale him with a [[harpoon]] and blow him out the Ark's airlock into space. {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|It cures what ails ya.]]
Thunderwing's body came to rest on the surface of a planet, where the Matrix began to heal his battered frame. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Repairs took time, but once completed, the Matrix set out for Cybertron, {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} coincidentally arriving just as Unicron was trying to destroy the planet. The Matrix-creature fought Unicron, but Unicron soon realized that the Matrix had been tainted with evil, and that it was no longer a threat to him, given the infinitely greater magnitude of his own evil nature. Thunderwing was destroyed by Unicron's attack and Optimus Prime was able to recover the Matrix, cleansing it of the taint of evil and restoring its purity. Rocketing into Unicron's gaping maw, Prime released the Matrix's energy within the planet-eater's body, destroying him. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} The explosion should have killed Prime as well, but his devastated body was saturated with Matrix energy, keeping it alive long enough for the suffering Prime to pass on leadership of the Autobots to [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Still Life!}}
{{--}}

======Marvel UK future timelines======
[[File:MatrixCoconut1.jpg|thumb|"Will I become a great Autobot leader?" "All signs point to no."]]
In an alternate future timeline, a dying Optimus Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus in [[2006]]. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} It was then used by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] to destroy Unicron, in the process transforming the young Autobot into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In the year [[2008]], Unicron attempted to engineer his resurrection by mentally controlling the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] into building him a new body. Drawn into the conflict by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], Rodimus Prime used the power of the Matrix to battle Unicron on his own mindscape, while [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] set explosives to destroy the portion of Unicron's body that had been constructed. The explosion tore Unicron's body apart, but did not destroy him; instead, with no physical shell to inhabit, his essence wound up trapped within the Matrix. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-187.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Later in 2008, the [[Quintesson]]s invaded and conquered [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] while Rodimus Prime was absent, and set a trap for the Autobot leader by leaving the wounded [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] at the city entrance. Arriving to find the one-time object of his affections in dire straits, Rodimus opened his chest cavity in order to heal Arcee with the energy of the Creation Matrix, only to be blindsided by the Quintessons and have the Matrix plucked from him, transforming him back into Hot Rod. The Matrix wound up the hands of Quintesson [[Ghyrik|General Ghyrik]], who was able to harness its power and boost his strength for a throwdown with Hot Rod. A bout of impromptu ventriloquism from the young Autobot distracted Ghyrik, allowing Hot Rod to rip the Matrix from his body and transform back into Rodimus Prime, handing Ghyrik an ignominious defeat. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

When disruption to the fabric of space and time forced Rodimus and several other Autobots to travel back in time from [[2009]] to [[1989]] in order to discover the source of the disturbance, the presence of the Matrix within his body required that Optimus Prime once again be shunted into limbo in order to maintain balance. Rodimus was able to use the power of the Matrix they shared to allow Optimus to communicate with the other Autobots, and when Rodimus was then defeated in battle, Optimus risked the security of the space-time continuum by using the Matrix as a stepping stone to return to reality for a final battle with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:WhiteFire kup yanks matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|I honestly can't tell if it's the Matrix, or a weird kind of saucepan...]]
Returning to Cybertron after their time-travel adventure, Rodimus and the Autobots found that the disruption of space and time had altered their future, and that Galvatron was waiting for them. Galvatron attempted to force Rodimus Prime into a savage battle, hoping to force him to unleash his basest, most violent impulses, and by extension, lead them to corrupt the Matrix. Fortunately, Rodimus realized his plan and stopped. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} However, it soon became apparent that the Matrix required no external corruption; Unicron's essence, still trapped within the talisman following the events of 2008, slowly began to take hold of Rodimus Prime's mind, forcing him to sabotage the guidance systems of the Autobots' craft when they were on a hyperspace trip to Earth in [[2010]]. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Rodimus battled within Unicron inside the Matrix in an attempt to win back control of his mind and body, but it took [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] deducing what was going on and wrenching the Matrix from Rodimus's chest to free him from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron would be waiting for him within it... {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} {{storylink|White Fire}}

Alas, later in 2010, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

When last seen, in the far future of [[2356]], Unicron's essence remained sealed within the Matrix, causing Rodimus's body to steadily wither and weaken. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{--}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
[[File:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|left|thumb|Don't do Matrix, kids. Not even once.]]
When Optimus Prime was recreated by the [[Last Autobot]], the Matrix was also restored. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}} {{storylink|Escalation!|Generation 2 #8 letters page}} Years later, it became a target for Megatron, who required it to bring to life an army of new warriors created by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. Besting Prime in battle, Megatron tore the Matrix from his body with an energy siphon, {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} and used it to give life to the [[Laser Rod]]s and [[Rotor Force]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

Subsequently, Prime and Megatron were forced into an uneasy alliance against the massed forces of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] exploited the chaos of the huge battle to take the power of the Matrix for himself. Using it, he merged his mind and body with the Decepticons' [[Warworld]], becoming a colossal living weapon able to reshape himself at will. {{storylink|Total War!|Tales of Earth, Part Seven}} However, unlike with Thunderwing, Starscream found his own evil being subverted by the Matrix's goodness, {{storylink|Dark Shadows!|Tales of Earth, Part Eight}} and he returned the Matrix to Prime, for fear of being changed beyond recognition.

Soon after, when Prime was consumed by the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], he channelled the Matrix's energy into the dark force, enlightening and completing it with the purity of Primus's vision. Suddenly transformed from a destructive force into a force for life, the Swarm re-created Prime and departed into space. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{--}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}
With the Creation Matrix lost following the destruction of Unicron, the last reservoir of Matrix energy the Autobots had access to consisted of what traces still clung to the remains of Thunderwing, stored within the high-security [[Hall of Silence]]. When [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] was able to penetrate the Hall in [[2012]], acting commander [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] anguished over whether or not to follow protocol and destroy the Hall, and the last of the Matrix's energy with it. He was convinced it was necessary by [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], but Soundwave was able to teleport out with Thunderwing just before the building blew. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} He delivered the remains to Bludgeon, who used the Matrix energy within them to animate his new army of self-regenerating [[Blitz Engine]]s. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}

After Primus revealed to Hot Rod that he still existed, and sent Hot Rod through a portal into [[Zero Space]], {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} the young Autobot found himself tumbling through time and space. He observed the battle with the Deathbringer, only to discover that the fragment of corrupted Matrix energy survived the battle. After observing two more time periods, Hot Rod found himself on a [[Junkion (planet)|planet of junk]], witnessing the final confrontation between [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] and "Rodimus Prime"—an alternate version of himself! As Rodimus fell at the hands of Galvatron, the Matrix landed at the feet of Hot Rod, who reached for it...

... only to find himself back in his own time and place, on the deck of Bludgeon's ''[[Warworld]]'', having himself been transformed into Rodimus Prime! {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

=====''Classics''=====
The Matrix was destroyed along with Unicron. Decades later, while displaced in another universe, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] briefly confused the [[Origin Matrix]] for the Creation Matrix while speaking with [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]. {{storylink|Shattered Paths}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:Baldigus Chapter Galvatron II.jpg|thumb|100px]]
[[Galvatron II]] stole the Creation Matrix in his native universe and carried it with him to another reality, where its power allowed him to endure as a ghost when his body was destroyed. Unfortunately, it also made him a target of [[Grand Scourge]], who, as a Matrix Hunter, could manhandle even ghosts if they were in possession of a Matrix. While Scourge was fighting Galvatron for the Creation Matrix, both of them were knocked into a rift in space-time by [[Megaempress]], and the Matrix disappeared along with them to places unknown. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}
{{--}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:OracleMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"This Ming... is a psy-cho."]]
The origins of the Matrix of Leadership are almost entirely unknown. The only hint of its beginnings was given in an account from near the dawn of time, soon after the ancient genius [[Primacron]] and [[Oracle (G1)|his assistant]] created the colossal robot, Unicron. Unicron turned on his creators and destroyed the assistant's body, but seen to rise from his remains and disappear into space was an object that appeared identical to the Matrix. If this was truly the Matrix, it is wholly unknown how it came to be held by the Autobots and how it was elevated to the position of power it became known for. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

However it came to be in Autobot hands, the Matrix came to be at the centre of the robots' belief system and was safeguarded by each successive generation of Autobot leaders. Upon the passing of its holder, the Matrix became a receptacle for the deceased Autobot's lifeforce, which cumulatively became known as the "Wisdom of the Ages", a storehouse of knowledge and experience stretching back to the dawn of Cybertronian history (and potentially beyond) that could be consulted by the Matrix's living wielders in times of need. The spirits of many Autobots have been seen within the Matrix, but the names of only a select few are known: The oldest entity within the Matrix is known only as "[[It]]" {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}; [[File:Matrix 5faces4 7.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|My preciousssss!]] following this entity, the next oldest known was [[Primon]], who possessed the Matrix in the early days of the Cybertronian race around twelve million years ago; [[Prima]] bore it at the height of their oppression by the [[Quintesson]]s about a million years later; [[Prime Nova]] was its wielder during the eventual rebellion against the five-faced aliens; [[Guardian Prime]] and his successor [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] carried it during the first war between the Autobots and Decepticons, before it was passed to Sentinel Prime, under whose leadership the war came to an end.

Around nine million years ago, the Autobot/Decepticon war was reignited by the creation of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who killed Sentinel Prime as one of his first actions. In his death throes, Sentinel entrusted the Matrix to the ancient Autobot [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], who kept it hidden until a damaged young robot was brought to his workshop, another victim of Megatron's wrath. Trion recreated him as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], new leader of the Autobots, and gave him the Matrix. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Optimusg1passingthematrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Fatally wounded by Megatron in the year [[2005]], Optimus Prime passed the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots to his chosen successor, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy—that one day, a "Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots, and use the power of the Matrix to light the Transformers' darkest hour. When Prime's strength faltered at the last moment and he dropped the Matrix, the young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] stooped to catch it before it hit the floor. The Matrix glowed brightly in response to his touch, signifying what none of the Autobots present would realize until later: that Hot Rod was the Chosen One.

[[File:Tftm1986e.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When word of Unicron's approach on Cybertron reached the Autobots on Earth, Ultra Magnus believed (and Hot Rod agreed, based on nothing more than a feeling) that the Matrix might be able to stop the world-eater. Knowing that this was indeed the case, Unicron recreated Megatron as [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] and dispatched him to steal the Matrix, leading to a confrontation on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] in which Ultra Magnus tried in vain to open the Matrix and use it to fend off the attacking Decepticons. Galvatron bested him and took the Matrix, believing he could use it to subjugate Unicron himself, but he had no more luck opening it than Magnus did. Unicron swallowed Galvatron whole as punishment, and it was within Unicron's body that the Decepticon leader engaged Hot Rod in the battle that saw the young Autobot claim his destiny. Seizing the Matrix from around Galvatron's neck, Hot Rod was transformed by its power into Rodimus Prime, then proceeded to fulfil the prophecy by opening the talisman and releasing its power, which tore Unicron apart from within. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Later, when injured in battle, Rodimus's consciousness briefly entered the Matrix itself and witnessed a vision that led him to believe that the answer to the mystery of the alien Quintessons currently plaguing the Autobots was held within it. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} To find his answer, Rodimus deliberately short-circuited himself and entered the Matrix a second time. Guided by the ancient Autobots within, Rodimus was shown the history of Cybertron and discovered the Quintessons' role in the creation of the Transformers. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Darkawakening matrix pain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The zombified Optimus Prime reacts in pain from the light of the Matrix.]]
The burden of leadership weighed heavily upon Rodimus, and he was all too eager to return the Matrix to Optimus Prime when it seemed that the Autobot leader had returned from the dead in [[2006]]. It soon transpired, however, that Optimus had been reanimated by the Quintessons as "a robotic [[zombie]]" so he would lure the [[Autobot fleet]] into a fatal trap. When Rodimus went to confront his mentor on the Autobot flagship, the Matrix's energy made Optimus too powerful to defeat in single combat but also overrode the malicious coding that the Quintessons had installed within him, properly restoring Optimus to life. His mind cleared, Optimus returned the Matrix to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again to trigger the Quintessons' trap alone. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

[[File:BurdenHardest Hot Rod retrieves matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Still struggling with leadership, Rodimus tried to forget his woes with a bout of drag-racing in the hills of [[Japan]], only to be ambushed by [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. The two Stunticons stole the Matrix and brought it back to Galvatron, but when the Decepticon leader attempted to use its energy to power his cannon, he was instead tormented by the spirits of the Autobots within it. The terrified Galvatron instructed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to dispose of the Matrix, but Scourge grasped the true nature of its power where his leader could not, and instead placed it within his own chest. The Matrix's energies warped his body into a powerful, misshapen hulk, increasing his power to the point that he was able to oust Galvatron and take control of the Decepticons himself. Scourge proceeded to lead the Decepticons in an attack on Earth, only to be bested by Hot Rod, who had since learned the importance of "the burden hardest to bear", and reclaimed the Matrix once more. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Matrix open.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|FIXER BEAM!]]
When Optimus Prime was at last truly resurrected, he was forced to battle the [[Hate Plague]]-infected Rodimus in order to reclaim the Matrix from him, in hopes of consulting the Wisdom of the Ages to find a cure for the disease. Communicating with the mysterious It, he learned that the only way combat the madness of the plague was with wisdom, and opened the Matrix, expelling all of the wisdom within it to extinguish the disease (in the process claiming that this was also the Autobots' "darkest hour"). Although the Matrix was emptied, leaving only a shell, Optimus claimed they would have to start filling it with wisdom again, from that moment on. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

In [[2007]], Optimus Prime used the shell of the Matrix as a substitute key to access [[Vector Sigma]], where he consulted Alpha Trion on the mystery of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}
{{--}}

=====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic=====
[[File:Madman comic PrimeHotrod.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Optimus's proposal to Hot Rod.]]
The significance of the Matrix to the Autobots was such that when Optimus Prime prepared to lead the Autobots in an evacuation of Cybertron in the year 2001, he hid the Matrix in a bunker at the construction site of the future Autobot City. Unfortunately, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] had monitored the Autobot leader's meeting with Ultra Magnus, and moved to steal the Matrix for the Decepticons. Fate intervened in the form of Hot Rod, who defeated the Decepticons and took back the ancient Autobot relic, and at the same time received a vision of his future as the Autobot who would light Cybertron's darkest hour. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

=====Rodimus vs. Cyclonus=====
After their adventure on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], while Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s were searching space for Ultra Magnus's team, they were attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. A flash of ancient knowledge he had received from the Matrix upon catching it when Optimus Prime had passed it to Magnus inspired Hot Rod to invoke the [[Challenge of Aria-Bellum]]. {{storylink|Rodimus vs. Cyclonus}}
{{--}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, the Matrix of Leadership was being transported aboard the Autobot cargo hauler ''[[Van De Graaff]]'' when the ship was attacked by the Quintessons and crash-landed on the planet [[Beta-Nine]]. All aboard perished, but the Matrix was soon recovered by the crew of the ''[[Eight Track (G1)|Eight Track]]'', who safely delivered it back to Cybertron. There, the Matrix was passed into the care of Alpha Trion, who granted it to his new choice for Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

=====''Deviations''=====
After viewing the massive death toll at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] claimed all the deceased had found peace in the Matrix. [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] slapped him upside the head for speaking blasphemy about the Matrix. When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] arrived at Cybertron, he made a baragin with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] that the newly minted Decepticon leader would destroy the Matrix in exchange for upgrades. ''En route'' to Cybertron, Hot Rod confessed to [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] that whenever he came near Optimus, he saw visions of the Prime dying as if the Matrix was trying to tell him something. Starscream, now "Megascream", then attacked but withdrew when Unicron devoured [[Moonbase One]]. The Autobots regrouped on [[Moonbase Two]] when Unicron began attacking Cybertron directly where Optimus Prime took a shuttle to the Chaos Bringer's shell, believing the Matrix could stop him. Still haunted by visions, Hot Rod secretly climbed aboard. Megascream was waiting for Optimus and combined with several of his troops to steal the Matrix. Hot Rod saved Prime from certain death and teleported him away before he opened the Matrix, destroying Unicron at the cost his own life and the talisman. In the aftermath, Optimus Prime saw a vision of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and the newest addition to the rank of great Autobots within the Matrix: Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese animated continuity as described above, except that the events of 2006 are moved forward to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. A 2007 [[retcon]] built upon the original cartoon's confusing hints to create a full origin for the Matrix in this continuity.}}

{{stub|{{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale}}}}

What would become known as the Matrix was a device created by Primacron to convert its wielders' accumulated experiences and wisdom into a powerful all-purpose energy. It was originally built into his assistant (also known as the "Oracle") who was then targeted and destroyed by Unicron when he realized the power of the Matrix was a threat to him. However, the Oracle's lifeforce persisted within the Matrix and fled to a dead world at the centre of the galaxy, which he used his powers to transform into a lush, green world. In time, however, the alien Quintessons came to the Oracle's world and were able to bring him under their power, transforming him into the mega-computer, Vector Sigma. Using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], the Quintessons cyber-formed the Oracle's world into [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the Oracle's life-giving powers were harnessed to produce a race of robotic slaves. They also found and held onto the now empty shell of the Matrix, which absorbed their malevolent brand of wisdom and filled up with corrupted, evil energy. When the Quintessons were kicked off the planet by the robots that would become the Autobots, they claimed the Matrix and, repulsed by its contents, emptied it out again. The discarded energy would one day grow sentient and become [[Devil Z]]. {{storylink|Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|2007 TakaraTomy Transformers timeline}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

======''The Battle of the Star Gate''======
[[File:StargateBattles matrix powered megatron.jpg|thumb|Ka-me-ha-me-ha~!]]
In the mid-1990s, Optimus Prime put the power of the Matrix to an unconventional use when a battle in space forced him to team up with Megatron in order to stop the rampage of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who had fused himself with the space station known as the ''[[Trigger]]''. With Megatron in gun mode clutched in his arms, Prime summoned up the Matrix's energy and channelled it through his body, into the Decepticon leader, who unleashed it all in one colossal shot of cosmic proportions. The blast obliterated Starscream's new ''Trigger''-body, but the backwash of the explosion was so great that it sent Prime, Megatron, and all the Transformers observing the battle on a fiery plummet into Earth's atmosphere. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

======''Story of Binaltech''======
In a parallel timeline that diverged off from this one thanks to the flow of history being altered by the time-tossed [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], Optimus Prime did not die in [[2005]], and was prepared to confront Unicron himself. However, after sustaining serious injuries in the opening salvo of the battle with the chaos-bringer, Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus. Despite knowing he was not the Chosen One, Magnus bravely petitioned the Matrix to allow him to wield its power anyway, as otherwise, the Autobots' destruction was assured. The Matrix granted Magnus his wish, and its energy was used to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|Binal Time}}
{{--}}

======''Kiss Players''======
After inheriting the Matrix in 2005, Rodimus Prime was horrified to discover that when he threw Galvatron out of Unicron, the Decepticon leader had wound up crash-landing on Earth, destroying [[Tokyo]]. Seeking to atone for his sins, Rodimus returned the Matrix to Ultra Magnus and became Hot Rod again, leaving both the talisman and the role of leadership in Magnus's hands {{storylink|Tonight's Big Catch!?}} for five years until he returned to his post in [[2010]].

======''The Headmasters'' cartoon======
After emptying the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague, Optimus Prime sought to restore the lifeforce that had been lost by filling it with energy drawn from the lifeforce of [[Earth]] itself. To this end, the Matrix was secreted away in the lower levels of one of many Autobot energy-gathering facilities on Earth, where Prime hoped it would steadily recharge. Whether or not this odd-sounding plan would have ''worked'' is an area of some debate, but ultimately, a different set of circumstances soon came into play...

[[File:DoublePrime matrix recharged.jpg|left|upright=1.45|thumb|Alpha Trion's spirit re-enters the Matrix, recharging it.]]
In the year [[2011]], a catastrophic side-effect of the Matrix's energy being released became apparent—without the Matrix to act as a controlling force, Vector Sigma began to destabilize, putting all of Cybertron in great danger. The Decepticons took this opportunity to invade the planet, hoping to take control of the unstable computer and by extension, the planet itself. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} During the battle that followed, Optimus Prime headed for Vector Sigma's chamber to try and bring the computer back under control, but without the Matrix—which remained hidden on Earth, its location known only to Prime himself—the only recourse would be to give up his own life. To stop Prime from making this sacrifice, Hot Rod led the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in a methodical search across Earth, checking every Autobot energy facility. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} After successfully locating the Matrix in the last possible hiding place and evading his pursuers, Hot Rod returned to Cybertron, arriving in Vector Sigma's chamber just as Optimus Prime was facing off against the Decepticons. The ghost of Alpha Trion, who had survived the emptying of the Matrix and who had led Prime safely to the computer chamber, merged with the Matrix, restoring its lost lifeforce and giving it the power to once again transform Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. The two Primes dispatched the Decepticons, but before Rodimus could use the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with the computer to bring it back under control. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Some time later, when Cybertron was subsequently devastated thanks to the machinations of Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Rodimus Prime voyaged into space to search for a new homeworld for the Transformers, taking the Matrix with him. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}
{{--}}

======''The Headmasters'' comic======
On his many travels through space, the Matrix gave Rodimus Prime courage to face every challenge that presented itself. In addition to the teachings of the ancient Autobots, the energy of Earth's lifeforce that now dwelled within the Matrix as well truly opened Rodimus's eyes to the beauty of Earth and humanity. Believing that Transformers should aspire to be more like human beings, he returned to Earth and announced his desire for humans and Transformers to live and work together to move forward and evolve. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8|The Headmasters #8}}

======''G-2'' story pages and pack-in manga======
[[File:G2StoryPageReconfigurationMatrix1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
Presumably, Rodimus Prime must have returned the Matrix to Optimus Prime when he was restored to life as Star Convoy, since Prime had the talisman back in his chest when he adopted his "Hero" body at the beginning of the renewed war against Megatron some number of years after 2025. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 1}} A research team led by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] later discovered new properties of the Matrix, which prompted Megatron to duel Optimus Prime in the [[Mirtonian constellation]] in order to steal the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 4}} Megatron fatally wounded Prime, but the ancient Autobots within the Matrix were able to restore him thanks to the newly discovered power Jetfire's team had learned of: the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]], which repaired and restored Prime in a new Laser Rod body. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 5}}

======e-HOBBY storyline======
Having briefly held the Matrix, Ultra Magnus's spark was among the chosen few which retained autonomy within the Allspark. Sensing the threat [[Galvatron II]] posed to the universe with his fleet of [[Warworld]]s, Magnus used the powers of the Reconfiguration Matrix to resurrect himself in a new body based on Prime's Laser Rod form so that he could battle the Decepticon leader. It didn't go very well. {{storylink|Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version}}
{{--}}

======''Legends'' comic======
Alpha Trion and the Matrix played a role in Hot Rod's conversion to a [[Micromaster]]. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} During the rise of Galvatron II, Optimus Prime contacted the spirit of Alpha Trion within the Matrix and asked him to locate and bring back Ultra Magnus's spark. The process of resurrecting Magnus also brought Trion himself back in a diminutive body connected to the powers of the Matrix. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}} Scourge later captured Alpha Trion to draw upon the Matrix's energy, but it ended up overloading his [[transtector]], which exploded. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}}

====Start Your Own Decoy Collection====
[[File:Decoy comic matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Through unknown means, the Decepticons were able to steal the Creation Matrix and holed it up in their headquarters. In order to stage a recovery, the Autobots created an army of [[Decoy]]s to distract the Decepticon forces, while Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, Kup and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] secretly penetrated the base. Fighting their way through a slew of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], the team discovered the Matrix in a transparent case. Blurr blasted it open at Hot Rod's direction, and the Autobots successfully escaped with the talisman back in their possession. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection|The Decepticon Deception}}
{{--}}

====Beast Era====
=====''Beast Wars'' cartoon=====
[[File:OptimalSituation spark holder.jpg|thumb|The similarity between Prime's "spark holder" and the Matrix was a source of some confusion.]]
Several enigmatic references were made to the Matrix by the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Warriors]] at various points, though it is never precisely clear if they are referring to the Matrix of Leadership, the Allspark dimension, [[Matrix (facility)|the protoform production facility on Cybertron]] that also goes by that name, or some theoretical conglomeration of any of the above that they only speak of out of misconception.

When the body of Optimus Prime was fatally wounded by [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] opened Prime's chest compartment in order to take the Autobot leader's spark into his own body for safety. Prime's spark was shown to be contained within a holder shaped just like the Matrix of Leadership, and Rhinox remarked that Prime's spark had "the Matrix with it". {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}
{{--}}

=====3H comics=====
While experiencing a swirl of visions from throughout history, the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] witnessed the Matrix being torn by the [[Liege Maximo]] from the body of the enigmatic [[Primon]], its first holder. {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}}

[[File:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|The Matrix, beneath Prime's "spark holder".]]
The confusion surrounding the Matrix-like "spark holder" in Prime's chest and its relation to the actual Matrix of Leadership was clarified when it was revealed that the Matrix was actually concealed in a compartment beneath Prime's own spark, a deception specifically designed to protect the Matrix and keep it from those who would misuse its power.

[[File:Primevaldawn2 tarantulas matrix.jpg|215px|I'm not sure how I'll get this in my chest. Maybe I'll carry it with a sheath of some sort?|thumb]]
Following the end of the Beast Wars, the deceased [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] was resurrected, having harnessed the powers of the alien [[Vok]] with the intention of stealing the Matrix and delivering it to his master, Unicron. Seeking to keep the Matrix out of Tarantulas's hands, the Vok took the talisman from the sleeping Optimus Prime and used its power to transform the discarded control suit the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had previously used to manipulate Optimus Primal into [[Primal Prime]]. Primal Prime was made guardian of the Matrix, and filled with all the wisdom of the past leaders within it. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Vok had miscalculated: While it was within Optimus Prime, the Matrix had been safe, but once they had broken the forces that had bound it to Prime in order to transfer it to their creation, it had become vulnerable. This was proven in drastic fashion when, in the following battle, Tarantulas was able to overpower Primal Prime and rip the Matrix from his body. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}} The shock threw Primal Prime into a comatose state, while Tarantulas took the Matrix back to his lab to await the completion of the [[unspace|transwarp]] portal that would take him and his prize to Unicron. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|"Primeval Dawn" was never finished as a result of [[3H Productions]] losing the Transformers license. Obviously enough, its finale would have seen our heroes recover the Matrix from Tarantulas and replace it in Optimus Prime's chest.}}
{{--}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:Ancients.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix-shaped platform above the Oracle Tank.]]
Most modern Cybertronians eschew the mythology of the Matrix as set out by the [[Council of Ancients]], which claims that it is a conduit for the energies of Primus, choosing instead to believe in [[atechnogenesis]]. Despite this, Transformer society still holds the Matrix itself in great reverence, as, product of a deity or not, it is indisputably the most effective source of new Transformer life. Many conflicting stories and rumors swirl about the Matrix's true nature, born of claims that the Council actively prevented Alpha Trion from telling the general public more about it, but what ''is'' known about the talisman is that it is a virtually limitless source of energy. Only those with an affinity for the Matrix can wield its power; these Transformers are typically those chosen to be the next Prime, who often receive physical augmentation when the Matrix is taken into their bodies. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} The Ancients claim that the Matrix contains the wisdom of all sparks that return to it after death, though they do keep a more tangible version of that sort of thing in the form of a [[Golden Disk (council)|golden disk]] that holds the knowledge of past Primes. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}
[[File:TWW1 prime gets matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|150 points to Gryffindor!]]

The earliest known bearer of the Matrix was [[Primon|Alpha Prime]], who was succeeded by Guardian Prime, and then Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} Around 8.2 million years ago, seeking to use the Matrix to power the planetary turbine engines he had discovered beneath Cybertron's surface, Megatron attacked and killed Sentinel Prime, only to discover upon tearing his victim open that the Matrix was gone, having already been given by Sentinel Prime to the Council of Ancients for unknown reasons (perhaps having foreseen his own death). The Council subsequently chose a data archivist named Optronix to be the new bearer of the Matrix, and brought him to the [[Oracle Tank]], in which both he and the Matrix were immersed. Optronix was enlarged and strengthened by the Matrix, and transformed into Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

Soon after, Megatron attacked Prime in the catacombs beneath Cybertron and cracked open his form, exposing the Matrix. A blinding flash burst from the Matrix, showing Prime and Megatron visions of future conflicts on Earth and [[Nebulos]], but it was implied that Optimus somehow used the Matrix to force Megatron to forget these visions. How much knowledge he himself retained is unknown. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}
[[File:PrimeDirective2 spike replaces matrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]]

Millions of years later, after their war on Earth, the Transformers were set to return to Cybertron aboard the [[Ark II]] in 1999, at which point Optimus Prime gave [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] a piece of the Matrix as a promise that he would be back. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} The Ark II proved to have been sabotaged, however, and exploded in mid-flight, leaving the world to believe that the Transformers were dead until 2002, when the terrorist [[Lazarus]] recovered several of their bodies and reprogrammed them for use as weapons that he would sell on the black market. The American military recovered the body of Optimus Prime and [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] drafted Spike to help in bringing him back to life, {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} which Spike accomplished by returning the portion of the Matrix Prime had given him. Thus restored, Prime revived the other surviving Autobots by casting the light of the Matrix across the Arctic landscape where their bodies lay, melting away the ice that held them and bringing them back online. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}
[[File:G1 Vol.2 Issue6 2.jpg|thumb]]
When the Autobots and Decepticons were finally able to return to Cybertron, a chain of events ultimately led Optimus Prime into a confrontation with Shockwave in Vector Sigma's chamber. Knocking Prime out and blasting his chest open, Shockwave harnessed the energy of the Matrix and used it to access Vector Sigma's databanks in an attempt to learn all of the dark secrets at the heart of Cybertron. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Before Shockwave could complete his dark experiments, enemy forces converged on his lab, so the Decepticon logician tore the Matrix from Prime's body, intending to flee, only to be stopped and defeated by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Grimlock recovered the Matrix and returned it to Prime, {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} but the trauma of its forceful removal necessitated that Prime spend an extended session in a [[CR chamber]] to recover. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

=====''The Transformers Trilogy'' novels=====
Captured by the enigmatic aliens known as the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] and imprisoned inside their giant techno-organic bodies, Optimus Prime found himself forced into a suicide ploy, using a torrent of energon from the Matrix to destroy the creatures from within, willing to take himself with it. The gateway back to Earth was opened by Spike at the last moment, allowing Prime to hold off on his sacrifice, but unfortunately, the Keepers came through the portal as well. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}} During the battle that ensued against the Keepers in [[Las Vegas]], a pool of pure energon was uncovered beneath the city, which Prime combined with the energon of the Matrix to temporarily imbue himself with incredible power. Simultaneously, the American government launched a nuclear missile at Las Vegas in order to destroy both the Transformers and the Keepers, but the super-charged Prime was able to capture the missile's explosion in a net of Matrix energy, hurling it at the Keepers and blasting them through their portal. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

Following the Keepers' apparent defeat, Megatron called Prime in on a favour he had extracted from him in order to ensure his co-operation when they had been captives of the Keepers: Prime was to hand over the Matrix itself. Prime complied, partially out of honor, and partially due to the fact that he knew Megatron, as a Decepticon, would be unable to use the Matrix's power. Unfortunately, Prime had not reckoned with Megatron's giant soldier, [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]], who was actually a reprogrammed Autobot whose non-Decepticon circuitry could interface with the Matrix to some extent. Omega Sentinel used his new Matrix-powered strength to destroy the White House, but the talisman's effect on his systems was immediately apparent by the fact that no life was lost in the attack. When the Sentinel refused to kill the Keeper-controlled [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and Starscream on Megatron's orders, the Decepticon leader realized that the Matrix was influencing the giant and had him remove it from his body. The Matrix was recovered by the Keepers' agent [[Franklin Townsend]] and brought to the pocket-dimension into which the aliens had been transported, but Optimus Prime pursued Townsend and recovered the Matrix, once again intending to use it to destroy his alien enemies by collapsing the pocket dimension, at the cost of his own life. And once again the portal opened, leaving Prime content to force the Keepers back with the Matrix's light while he himself returned to Earth. However, Prime was unable to shut the portal off, required as he was to devote his attention to using the Matrix to keep the creatures from passing through the gateway. Salvation came in the form of the Omega Sentinel, the Matrix's effect on his systems persisting even after its removal: the giant threw himself and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] into the portal just as Prime shut off the Matrix, collapsing the gate and sealing the Keepers away forever. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

====''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''====
[[File:ArtofWar1 matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Optimus Prime was formerly a simple data archivist until the Matrix chose him to be the new leader of the Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Renegade military artificial intelligence [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] learned about the Matrix whilst downloading information on the history of Cybertron from Soundwave, and ''really'' liked the bit about "bestowing great power". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} He subsequently captured Optimus Prime and tried to convince him to give up the Matrix peacefully. From Serpent O.R.'s point of view, he was a great and respected leader too, so surely the Matrix would deem him a worthy bearer. In addition, he was sure the ancient relic would provide him with a spark so he could finally understand what life and death really meant. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}
[[File:ArtofWar5 hawk serpentor matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|My God... the Matrix has given us eye lasers!]]
Unfortunately, Prime disagreed, so Serpent O.R. ended up having to take the Matrix by force. As he had planned, the Matrix did deem him worthy and did give him a soul, all while transforming him into a new form to boot. However, with his newfound wisdom, "Serpentor Prime" quickly saw the error of his ways, and would've committed suicide if it weren't for [[Cobra Commander]] hijacking his body. In order to stop the commander, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] tried to take the Matrix away from him, and was deemed worthy of it as well. This caused a power feedback that destroyed Serpent O.R., fried Cobra Commander's mind, and imbued Hawk with all the knowledge of the Matrix. While the artifact was unharmed and was returned to Optimus Prime when everything was over, the knowledge that now filled Hawk's mind gave him visions of future conflicts to come. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

In addition to vision, the Matrix also gave Hawk the ability to control machinery with his mind, converse with Transformers telepathically, and force enough information into Transformers to incapacitate them with a single touch. Unfortunately, it also gave him recurring nightmares about an [[Unicron/Generation 1|angry god]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{--}}

====''Transformers/G.I. Joe''====
[[File:DWTFJoe3 cobra commander matrix.jpg|left|thumb|125px]]
As the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth lay deactivated among the [[Fera Islands]], the Matrix was discovered by local [[human]]s, and became the sacred relic of a group of monks, who built it into the chest of a statue. Unfortunately, a rumour spread that the glowing blue orb possessed by the monks was an "ultimate weapon", and in 1938, [[Cobra]] massacred the monks and stole the Matrix. When [[Major Bludd]] touched the relic, the Decepticons who laid dormant on the island were reactivated. {{storylink|The Line}}

The Matrix subsequently came into the possession of [[Cobra Commander]], who learned that he could use it to hurt and weaken [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Using this method, he blackmailed the Decepticons into serving him. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} In the end, Cobra Commander was killed, and [[Snake-Eyes]] grabbed the Matrix. By this time, the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] were under attack by the unstoppable [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], so [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] urged Snake-Eyes to smash the Matrix, in hopes that the destruction of the life-giving artifact would take away Bruticus's lifeforce. Snake-Eyes complied and let Bruticus crush the Matrix with his wildly swinging fists, causing a flash of blue light that killed all Transformers present. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}
{{--}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:MTMTEannual solomus matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
According to religious legend, the core of the Matrix was created from [[Solomus]], the god of wisdom, trapped in the form of a crystal by [[Mortilus]], the god of death. Following the defeat of Mortilus, Solomus managed to transform his crystal prison into the Matrix—a conduit for the energies of [[Primus]], who had himself transformed into the life-giving computer Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

In actuality, the Matrix was created by [[Rung (G1)|Primus]], {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} and passed onto the [[Knights of Cybertron]] when they left to explore new worlds. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Legend says that they called it the "Creation Matrix" for the life-giving abilities they believed its connection to Vector Sigma granted it. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} When the Knights landed on the medical hub of [[Mederi]], the moon's telepathic field, intended to induce happiness in euthanasia patients so they could die in peace, inadvertently convinced them they had discovered a perfect mechanical world, which they dubbed "[[Cyberutopia]]." To share this discovery with their homeworld, they inscribed a map to Mederi inside the Matrix's crystal core, and sent it back to Cybertron (via currently-unknown means), hoping the rest of their kind would follow it and join them in eternal happiness. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

It was, perhaps, fortunate that this roadmap to a peaceful death was never discovered by contemporary Cybertronians; upon its return to Cybertron, the Matrix was used by [[Solus Prime]] in the construction of the mighty [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword, becoming the jewel on the hilt of the blade, which came to be wielded by [[Prima]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The Matrix's integration into the Saber survived in the folklore of both Cybertron and [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} with the latter culture regarding it as the "Matrix of Light". {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} {{storylink|O Ship of State|Victorion profile in Revolution #3}} In [[Velocitron]]ian culture, the device remained known as the Creation Matrix. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 2}}

[[File:Tyrest and the matrix.jpg|thumb|left]]
Those capable of bearing the Matrix within them are marked by certain [[Signs of Affinity|signs of affinity]]: having optics the same shade of "liberty blue" as the [[Matrix Flame]], finding ''[[Living metal#2005 IDW continuity|sentio metallico]]'' wet to the touch, becoming giddy when standing on a [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]], and the ability to make a [[photonic crystal]] "snap" when placed in their chest. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

The cruel supremacist [[Nova Prime]], a former lieutenant of Prima's, is the earliest known bearer of the Matrix in recent history, though exactly how he came to carry it after Prima's death is unknown. Nova observed that the pulsewaves from Vector Sigma which generated new sparks from the substance of Cybertron and its moon were lessening in regularity, and, fearing (correctly) that they would one day stop entirely, tasked his scientists with studying the Matrix, hoping that the life-giving power the legends said it possessed could be tapped into. A team led by [[Solomus|Tyrest]] set to the task, and succeeded in finding a way to generate sparks from the Matrix in abundance, producing a vast reservoir of them which were stockpiled and steadily rolled out into society as new bodies were constructed for them. The true origin of these "Matrixed" sparks was hidden from the general public, and a cover story was put into place that claimed they were created via "spark splicing", using the energy of an existing spark to ignite a new one. Transformers created in this manner were described as "constructed cold", while those born naturally were "forged". {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Eventually, the Matrix would yield no more sparks, causing Tyrest and his team to believe it had run dry. In reality, one of the scientists had had an attack of conscience and stolen the Matrix, replacing it with a facsimile and hiding the real one away in the subterranean labyrinth of the [[Undergrid]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Once Nova Prime left the planet aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]] and vanished into the [[Benzuli Expanse]],<ref>Author Simon Furman implied in a [http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/ December 2007 Q&A on his blog] and in the narration of ''[[Spotlight: Galvatron]]'' that in his original plans for this story, Nova ''did'' take the Matrix into the Dead Universe (Optimus Prime is never shown to carry it in Furman's stories), where it would have "become" something. Presumably, it was his intention for it to become the Darkness itself, which would not have been the separate entity it was in the finished story. These plans were cut short and wrapped up when Furman left the series, and subsequent writers established that Optimus had indeed been carrying the Matrix all along.</ref> the fake Matrix was protected by the presumably-unwitting [[Primal Vanguard]], carried by its leader [[Delta Magnus]] during a period known as the [[Interregnum]] until a new bearer was chosen. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} [[Nominus Prime]] is the earliest recorded Matrix-bearer after Nova, but whether he was his direct successor or not is unknown. It's also unclear whether Nominus Prime was aware that the Matrix was a fake. It's likely he did, since Nominus presumably falsified an "affinity for the Matrix" somehow in order to be named Prime.

Many Transformers embraced the religion surrounding the Matrix during the time of Nominus's reign, though with exceptions, such as police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], who remained sceptical of its touted divinity. Some Transformers would even [[tattoo]] an image of the Matrix on their bodies as evidence of their faith, such Orion's co-worker [[Springarm]] {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} and the trainee theoretician [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Nominus's reign was a time of great civil unrest, however; a senator named [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] hoped that a new Matrix-bearer might steer the planet off the path to self-destruction the corrupt [[Senate]] had placed it upon, and so began selecting promising young Cybertronians like [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]] and Orion Pax, befriending and rebuilding them with Matrix chambers in their chests. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

[[File:Autocracy9 pax finds matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In order to take control of the Matrix's life-giving powers, the corrupt forces within the Senate arranged for an attack upon Nominus Prime, moving him into hiding so they could gain unfettered access to the talisman. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} Upon opening Nominus's chest, however, the Senate at last discovered that the Matrix had been replaced with a fake. Furious, they had Nominus killed, establishing a cover story that he had died of a rust infection, and announcing that their security head [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] was showing signs of Matrix affinity, paving the way for him to become Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} The fake Matrix was then transformed into a bomb as part of a plot to incriminate and round up the burgeoning Decepticon faction, {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} but a team led by Orion Pax uncovered the scheme, broke into the [[Primal Basilica]] and removed the Matrix-bomb, which Orion then detonated to win a battle with the [[Heavies]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} It was not long after this that tensions exploded in the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}} when reflecting back on this time, [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] distilled the reasons behind the outbreak of the conflict down to blaming the Matrix as the root cause. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

[[File:AHM7 megs rips out matrix.jpg|thumb|left|Megatron, [[Ratchet (WFC)|I needed that]]!]]
Sentinel was succeeded by Zeta Prime, who much like his predecessor used a new fake Matrix (with lights installed!) to claim the title, and only those involved with Sentinel's scheme were aware of the truth. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} Zeta was subsequently killed by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who then hurled Orion Pax into the Undergrid, where Orion found the hiding place of the true Matrix. The damaged Pax was called out to by the Matrix, which asked him to take hold of it. Upon doing so, he was linked to the sparks of every single Cybertronian alive and was overcome by the pain, fear and loneliness his people were experiencing. As power of the Matrix repaired his body, he realized that it was not only a symbol of leadership or creation, but a "Matrix of our sparks" in which [['Til all are one|all were one]]. With his newfound clarity and the Matrix in his chest, Orion declared his name to be Optimus Prime and set out to bring freedom to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} Just thereafter, the Matrix guided him to the ruins of [[Nyon]] and allowed him to sense and awaken the dormant lifeforce of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who was in deep slumber below the city. {{storylink|Rise}}

Optimus Prime would later try to unleash the power of the Matrix in an attempt to vanquish the ancient monster [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], but was for some reason unable to open it. {{storylink|Annihilation}} He revealed his possession of the Matrix to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as proof of his Primehood, {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} and later used its cleansing powers to purge the influence of [[Pentius]]'s spark from Megatron's body. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}} At some point Prime took a sabbatical and left the Matrix in the care of [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], whom it took to so well legend says it had to be surgically removed from his chest. {{storylink|Little Victories}}

After the Transformers' conflict moved to Earth in the present day, Megatron determined to separate Optimus Prime from the Matrix. He was unaware of what the Matrix was actually capable of, but viewed any unknown element as a potential threat, and reasoned that even if he could not use it himself, it would still be safer in his hands than in those of his enemies. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} To this end, Megatron staged a trap for the Autobots with the aid of the traitorous [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]], catching them off-guard with his newly created gestalt [[Devastator (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Devastator]]. Defeated, the Autobots were dumped via space bridge in the ruins of Cybertron, but not before Megatron tore the Matrix from Prime's chest himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

[[File:TFvol1 13hotrod starscream matrix.jpg|thumb|This seems familiar...]]
When Megatron was defeated a year later and his forces were routed off of Earth, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] took up the role of leader and "inherited" the captive Matrix. Frustrated by his failure to find any "ultimate power" within it after several cycles of study, he decided to throw it away, only to be caught by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] just before blowing it out an airlock. Scrabbling for an explanation as to why he had the Matrix and reminded by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] of its massive symbolic importance to the Autobots, Starscream claimed he had been "chosen" by the talisman and now wielded its power. He went on to make this declaration before all the Decepticons, boosting morale and rallying them beneath him, but immediately regretted the decision. {{storylink|Uneasy Lies the Head}} And rightfully so: with the Matrix hung around his neck on a chain, its subtle influence on his mind over the next three years made the Decepticon air commander subdued and withdrawn, lost in contemplation of its mysteries, lashing out violently at any Decepticons who tried to touch it. This left him open to a brash attack by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], who infiltrated the Decepticons' asteroid base in order to recover the Matrix. Hot Rod actually ''shot'' the Matrix to cause a discharge of energy that knocked Starscream out, then attempted to escape with the Matrix in hand, but was confronted by the newly repaired Megatron. He proceeded to blast both the Matrix and Hot Rod through the base wall, setting them adrift in the void of space. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}} Starscream's possession of the "potentially threatening" Matrix had previously made Megatron hesitant to take back leadership of the Decepticons, but with the artifact lost in space, he had nothing to fear and quickly reclaimed his position. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDW19 matrix in chest.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As they drifted through space together, the Matrix fused itself to Hot Rod's chest, keeping him alive and healing the damage Megatron had done. Eventually, Hot Rod crash-landed on the planet [[LV-118]], where he was taken captive by the [[Ilxian]] "[[Admiral]]", a stranded alien who sought to use the Matrix as a power source for his ship. With help from [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], another Autobot stranded on the planet, Hot Rod was able to seize control of the Admiral's ship, and allowed Wheelie to tap the energy of the Matrix to get them off the planet. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|The Stars My Destination}} Knocked unconscious by the process, Hot Rod awoke some time later to find that Wheelie had been able to remove the Matrix from his chest, and had piloted the ship to Cybertron. Knowing that the planet was overrun by the [[Insecticon swarm]], Hot Rod tried to convince Wheelie that they needed to leave right away, but that proved impossible, as the Matrix had ceased providing power to the ship. Things on Cybertron turned out to be better than Hot Rod had thought, though, as they met up with [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] and Sunstreaker, who provided a fuel cell for their ship. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}} The entire group returned to Earth, where Hot Rod made his first duty the return of the Matrix to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}}

Departing for Cybertron aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] with Megatron a captive, Prime removed the Matrix from his chest in order to prove to himself that even without its wisdom, he still had the ability to make rational judgements under his own power. [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] watched over the talisman while Prime deliberated on Megatron's fate, and was holding it while he examined the damaged Sunstreaker, whose ability to walk was suddenly restored by its power. Although Prime ultimately concluded that Megatron's fate should be left for Megatron himself to decide, he did experience one disquieting revelation: Hot Rod revealed that when the Matrix had bonded with him, he had experienced not pain, as Optimus had felt, but unbridled elation. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

[[File:DoOP split matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Where'd you get the Matrix?" "We found it." "Found it? In Altihex? The Matrix is tropical!"]]
Upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron, they were faced with the threat of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], latest carrier of the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], who combined it with Vector Sigma in order to allow [[D-Void]] to emerge into the universe through Cybertron. To prevent this, Optimus Prime opened the Matrix, which succeeded in stopping D-Void, but also left the Matrix spent, its crystal core darkened and split in two. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} With unrest growing between the Autobots and the unaligned Transformers in the process of returning to the planet, Prime brought the two halves of the Matrix to [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] for study, and the scientist discovered that the crystal was artificial, designed to [[photonic crystal|split in two]], and contained a map of the stars. [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] believed the map would lead the way to the long-lost [[Knights of Cybertron]], and Rodimus elected to gather a crew and follow the path it charted, much to acting leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]'s consternation. Optimus Prime gave each of them one of the Matrix-halves, before departing Cybertron himself in hopes of ending the civil unrest. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} Optimus kept the shell of the Matrix and returned it to within his chest cavity. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}}

When Rodimus set foot on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], a billion sparks suddenly lit up on the moon's surface, something he credited to the Matrix half he was carrying. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Having developed a belief that Cybertronians born from the Matrix were inherently evil, Tyrest used his knowledge of the talisman to construct the [[universal killswitch]]—a device capable of killing all cold constructed Transformers in existence by scrambling their unique sparkcode. Rodimus was able to put a stop to the process by hooking himself up to the machine and using his Matrix half to reinstate the code, but the crystal was shattered in the process. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} He later scattered the dust of the Matrix on Luna 1 in honor of the sparks that were lost before they could be harvested. {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} Optimus was...displeased when he learned of this. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[File:ForeverIsALongTimeComing-MatrixofLeadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
The other half of the Matrix remained in Bumblebee's care until his death, after which it fell back into the hands of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} On his anniversary of becoming Prime, he returned to where he had found it all those years ago, hoping to find some of the same hope to press forward. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (issue)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}} He later spoke with [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] about the Matrix where she said if the Matrix chose him, it had a good reason. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} When contact with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] was established, Optimus was unwilling to let Starscream exploit it and all the other colonies. With Windblade at his side he passed through [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] to the chamber of the [[Forgefire Parliament]] where Windblade proclaimed him to be a Prime. The [[Mistress of Flame]] demanded proof of this and Optimus revealed the glowing Matrix to all. The natives of the planet bowed in his presence and revered him as a god, equal to [[Primus]] and the [[Thirteen]] Primes. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} After being immobilized by [[Victorion]], Optimus recounted the history of the Matrix but stated he believed it to simply be a piece of advanced technology not a mystical artifact while also expressing confusion over why it had flared on Caminus. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:ToWalkAmongTheChosen-Ore13Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When Optimus had his chest ripped open by a mutated [[Baron Karza]], the Matrix shone through the damages. {{storylink|Valley Forge}}

Atop the [[Matterhorn]], waiting for [[Quintesson Cruiser|an alien spacecraft]], Optimus regarded the Matrix only for it to suddenly glow. An unimpressed [[Pyra Magna]] revealed that the Matrix was simply reacting to the nearby [[Ore-13]] deposits. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} When talking to [[Aileron]], Optimus again expressed that he did not believe the Matrix to be a divine artifact, calling it a "pulsewave generator". He noted however that could he use its symbolic importance to do good. Pyra Magna overheard his comment and was... displeased. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} After the Autobots and Junkions had gone to war, Optimus realized the precariousness of the situation and revealed the Matrix to all, allowing the assembled species to begin a peaceful resolution to the conflict. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}}

When Optimus Prime was thrown into the [[Crystal City]] [[black hole]], Starscream watched with amusement as the Matrix was ripped apart by the gravitational forces. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though the physical object had been destroyed, the powerful idea that the Matrix represented survived with Optimus when he found himself in [[infraspace]]. Realizing the symbolism that the artifact carried could represent a means to escape the realm of pure information, Optimus began to channel its power, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} expanding the black hole and allowing his and Bumblebee's minds to escape infraspace. This came at the heavy cost of disintegrating the Matrix's avatar, destroying the talisman once and for all. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:LL24 Matrix Opening Pt2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|They've got the power!!! Yeah!]]
Though the original Matrix was no more, Primus—now going by the name Rung—would rediscover his ancient memories and his alternate mode's ability to manufacture more Matrices. Though the [[Omega Guardian]]s pushed for him to forge three duplicates as part of their evil plan to blow up the Functionist Council's false Primus avatar, [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] hit on the plan to use twelve duplicates to overload [[Vector Sigma]] via the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Though Rung managed to produce the Matrices, doing so claimed his life. His sacrifice would not be in vain, however, as all twelve were opened and used to free Cybertron from the council's tyranny. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

In Megatron's [[Galactic Council]] presided trial, Rodimus would falsely testify that Megatron had opened one of the duplicate Matrices, swaying some of the more religious races on the jury. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

=====The Functionist Universe=====
[[File:ModesOfProduction-SixOfTwelveAndMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When the [[Functionist Council]] overthrew the [[Senate]], [[Twelve-of-Twelve]] obtained the false Matrix from Nominus and gave it to [[Six-of-Twelve]]. After obsessively studying the artifact, Six-of-Twelve came to believe Primus was speaking to him through it and integrated it into his head casing. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

When the council discovered Rung's ability to produce [[photonic crystal]]s, Six-of-Twelve tried to tap the Matrix to reignite Nova Prime's old cold construction program, but discovered that the Matrix was a useless fake. Undaunted, he turned the Matrix into a weapon that was able to suspend Cybertronians in a field of agonizing energy. When Rodimus was caught in this field, he immediately knew that Six-of-Twelve's Matrix was a false due to being familiar with the energies of the genuine article. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}
{{--}}

====''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga====
[[File:Henkei11 matrix.jpg|thumb|left|IT BURNS!!]]
When the demented [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] went on a rampage in [[Hoshinochō]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots were forced to abandoned the secrecy with which they had been operating on Earth in order to confront the villain and save the human lives he was threatening. Just as Galvatron targeted the Autobots' human ally [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]], Optimus Prime threw himself into the path of the villain's attack, and was knocked unconscious by the force of the attack. In addition to rendering Prime insensate, however, Galvatron's blow had also shattered his chest, exposing the Matrix of Leadership that was kept within. Responding to Wataru's ability to manipulate [[energon]], the Matrix surged to life, restoring Prime and boosting his strength. The light of the Matrix also revealed an unexpected deception: the Autobots were not merely fighting Galvatron, but [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Cyclonus]], possessed by Galvatron's disembodied spark! {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} Summoning up the Matrix's energy, Prime struck Cyclonus with one almighty Matrix-powered punch, utterly obliterating his body and causing Galvatron's spark to dissipate. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{--}}

====''Robot Heroes''====
[[File:Robotheroes primus and matrix.jpg|thumb|By the power of Grayskull! I AM OPTIMUS PRIME!]]
The Matrix is a glowing crystal that gives the Autobots knowledge. It was created by the first Transformer, Primus, who gave it to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
The Matrix was passed down to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] before his death. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] later defeated Prime and stole the Matrix, which he bonded with his [[black hole]] spark and used to subjugate [[Primus]] himself, allowing him to shape Cybertron according to his wishes. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

Atop the Dyson Sphere above the Sun, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] managed to rip the Matrix from Megatron before a reborn Optimus Prime hurled Megatron into the sun. The Decepticon managed to hold onto the Matrix however, taking it with him only for [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to seize the Matrix for himself. It was then snatched by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] beginning a game of "hot potato" before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] managed to return it to Optimus. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
To save Earth from the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], Optimus Prime sacrificed himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Book of Logos}} With the talisman lost to the Transformers, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] was instead felled by the [[Point One Percenter]]s, prompting [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] to genetically engineer more of them. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
During the Great War, the Decepticon scientists made attempts to recreate the power of the Creation Matrix, using a reasonable facsimile, or the genuine article to create Jetfire. [[Toxitron (G1)|Toxitron]] was an attempt to grow a Matrix shell, an experiment which eventually led to the creation of the [[Matrix of Malice]]. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] no longer felt worthy to carry the Matrix of Leadership and instead decided to return it to the [[Chorus of the Primes]], reverting to Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} The [[Mistress of Flame]] criticized his decision, claiming they would need the Matrix to stop [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} The Matrix projected a message to Optimus Prime, granting him a vision of future events, including the role the Matrix itself would play, prompting Optimus to head back towards the battlefield. {{storylink|The Fight Begins}} Learning from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] that Rodimus had given up the Matrix, Optimus entered the Chorus chamber in the [[Primal Basilica]] and asked to take back the Matrix, which the Chorus obliged. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}} Guiding Perceptor to a secret exit below the Basilica, Optimus asked him to take the Matrix and get as far away as possible, lest Trypticon obtain it and use its power to become unstoppable. {{storylink|Run for Our Lives}}

After running only a short while, the Matrix spoke to Perceptor and detailed its own plan; despite his apprehension, Perceptor did as it asked and tricked Trypticon into swallowing both himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Consumed}} However, because the Matrix could only be used by its chosen wielder, Trypticon could not contain its power and ejected it and Perceptor from his body, along with the previously swallowed [[Victorion]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] possessing the Titan. Before Victorion could reclaim the Matrix and Enigma, they were surrounded by a barrier of flame as [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] revealed himself. After killing Optimus and issuing a series of vague threats, Megatronus grabbed the Matrix and the Enigma for himself and blasted off into the sky. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Megatronus later removed the Matrix from its storage and installed it and the Enigma into an unknown device in the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]]. {{storylink|Without Warning}} Megatron eventually realized that Megatronus planned to use the Enigma to merge the Matrix's energy with the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], creating a weapon capable of killing every Transformer in the universe. Learning of Megatronus's use of the Matrix, the Unicron-controlled Rodimus Cron turned on him, declaring the Matrix must be destroyed. {{storylink|Consequences}} Megatronus returned to the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] and installed the Blaster into his doomsday weapon, beginning siphoning the life force from every Transformer's spark. Perceptor attempted to remove the Matrix and the other relics, but his efforts proved unsuccessful as Solus Prime began to return. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Unicron appeared, now fully in possession of Rodimus, and attempted to take the Matrix while Megatronus attempted to stop him. [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] resumed attacking the machine until it finally released the relics, and the Matrix interfaced with Primal, creating a shield protecting them from Megatronus. Having been chosen by the Matrix as its new bearer, Primal placed it in his chest, transforming him into Optimal Optimus. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}}

In the aftermath of Megatronus's and Unicron's defeats, Optimus Prime was resurrected thanks to his connection to the Matrix. He praised the Matrix's choice of Optimal as the new Prime, and agreed to guide him in his newfound role as the leader of Cybertron. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

====''Star Trek vs. Transformers''====
While mind-melded with Optimus Prime, [[Spock]] glimpsed a memory of the Matrix. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:SolusPrime-Forge-IDW2019No25.jpg|thumb|200px|right]]
Perhaps the greatest of the [[Artifacts of the Primes]], the Matrix of Leadership was forged by [[Solus Prime]] in an act that was said to be guided by [[Primus]]. It was a manifestation of the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] given form, with all the [[spark]]s of the deceased returning to the Matrix and bringing with them their experiences. When the Age of Primes came to end, the other artifacts disappeared from Cybertronian society but the Matrix persisted. Several Cybertronians would go on to carry the talisman, earning the title of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] when they did so, but they were only stewards until the Matrix found its true bearer, the [[Thirteenth Prime]]. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

In the modern era, the Matrix of Leadership had come to be held by the founder of the Autobots. Subsequently, holding the Matrix would denote the bearer as the Autobot leader. {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} Upon his death, Nominus Prime had passed it to Sentinel Prime. When Sentinel felt that Orion Pax was overstepping his authority, he gave his subordinate a verbal slap and reminded him who carried the Matrix as well as promising to pass it onto Ultra Magnus, not Orion. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

Not long afterwards, when Sentinel Prime met his end at the hand of the [[Rainmaker]]s, the Matrix ejected itself from him to begin the search for its next bearer. Though Orion Pax sought to bring it to Ultra Magnus, the talisman reacted to and bonded with Orion. Greeting him in the form of his mentor [[Codexa]], the Matrix's [[Mediator]] software educated Orion on its power and offered him the choice to not bear it. Accepting the burden, the Matrix sealed itself within the Senator, renaming him as Optimus Prime. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

Following the unleashing of the [[rust worm]]s, the Matrix's Mediator software summoned Optimus into it, offering him a warning of the future. {{storylink|Radical Time}} Not long afterwards, Megatron demanded that Optimus surrender the Matrix to him. When the Prime refused, Megatron lashed out at him, attempting to physically remove the talisman from the Prime, yielding only when he was confronted with [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity====
=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon=====
Alpha Trion was the first known Cybertronian to hold the Matrix of Leadership. Eons ago, he was confronted by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] who arrogantly demanded the Matrix. When it became clear that Sky Lynx would not back down from this request, Trion was forced to use the [[Forge of Solus Prime|Staff of Solus]] to banish the draconian to the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Matrix-on-Megatrons-chest.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
After Megatron had murdered Alpha Trion, the Matrix of Leadership was "thrusted" onto Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}} Agreeing that holding it and the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] would give Optimus too much power, the program was instead given to Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep4-Optimus-surrenders-Matrix.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] found itself in the Dead Universe, Sky Lynx, humbled by his exile, mentored Optimus in how to properly connect with the Matrix and channel its power. At the same time, the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Nemesis'']] was boarded by [[Galvatron (G1)|a new Decepticon]] who instructed Megatron to claim the Matrix at all costs. When the ''Nemesis'' caught up with the ''Ark'', Optimus used the Matrix to open a rift back to normal space. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

When both ships emerged back in their universe, the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark'' where Megatron managed to fulfill his guide's directive and claim the Matrix from Optimus. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}
{{stub|''Kingdom''}}

=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material=====
In a possible destiny recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|''Voyager'' Golden Disk]], Megatron became Galvatron and wore the Matrix of Leadership chained around his neck. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk cards}}

====Energon Universe====
The Matrix was a source of energy that channeled the spirit of its host, capable of repairing the injuries of its host and others, {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}} as well as activating electronics cut off from their power sources. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} However, while the Matrix could heal, if a Cybertronian was too badly injured, even its power could not prevent their death. In addition, as its power is also directly connected with its bearer's life force, overusing the Matrix risked killing the bearer. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

It was gifted to [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] "many years" before he came to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} After being reactivated on Earth, Prime thought to use the Matrix to heal the mortally wounded [[Jetfire (G1)#Energon Universe|Jetfire]], only for [[Ratchet (G1)#Energon Universe|Ratchet]] to inform Optimus that Jetfire was too far gone even for the Matrix. Shortly after, Jetfire succumbed to his wounds. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}}

Soon afterwards, Ratchet used the last of the Autobots' stockpiled energon to reactivate [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. When Optimus suggested pooling Ratchet and Cliffjumper's internal energon, the medic informed him that that might allow for the reactivation of another in an hour. Unsatisfied with the response, Optimus considered using the Matrix to help replenish their energon reserves only to be immediately vetoed by Ratchet due to the risk of Prime depleting his own life force when using it, and Ratchet considered Optimus himself too valuable for the Autobots to lose. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

[[File:TF2023 4 – Prime Uses the Matrix.jpg|thumb|Using the Matrix's light at a dark hour and emptying it in the fourth issue of a new continuity? It's ''[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime#Animated|another]]'' new record, Primey!|right]]
Not long afterwards, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] opened fire on the local hospital, damaging the power generator. After learning the injured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and many other patients who needed breathing machines would die without power, Optimus emptied the Matrix, over Ratchet's protests, using it to power the hospital and prevent more deaths.

With the power restored, Spike was stabilized and able to breathe again, though he remained in a coma. When [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] asked if Prime was able to use the Matrix again to bring his son back all the way, he was informed that the Matrix had been fully drained of its energy. After Ratchet managed to repair the hospital's generator, the medic scolded Optimus for wasting the Matrix's power on saving the humans instead of repairing himself. While Optimus initially dismissed him, saying that the Matrix would be fine, Ratchet reiterated that if Optimus died – either from using the Matrix or from wounds that he could have used the Matrix to repair – the war would be lost, and the Decepticons would be free to harm humanity as much as they wanted. Optimus defended his actions as he ultimately saved innocent lives, even if it was at the cost of the Matrix. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}}

Following an ambush by the Decepticons as the Autobots attempted to take back the ''Ark'', {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}} Optimus found himself heavily damaged by [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]] to the point where the Matrix was visibly showing under his chest panels. Despite being taken to a repair bay, Ratchet quickly diagnosed Prime's wounds as fatal. Feeling his spark fading, Optimus opened his chest and removed the Matrix, calling upon one of the Autobots to take it, dropping it as Devastator's blows shook the ship.

[[File:SparkyIsOneWithTheMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|Don't tell [[Steel Jaw]] the Matrix runs on [[Biofuel]].]]
Before any of them could take the Matrix, Sparky knelt in front of it, thinking of how when something bad happened to his fellow soldiers or his sons, he wished he could've been in their place instead. Knowing that Optimus would care for Earth just like Sparky had cared for his boys, Sparky asked Optimus to tell Spike that he was proud of him before entering the Matrix's core, vanishing as he became one with it. The Matrix, now recharged, instantly repaired Optimus' body, and as he put the talisman back into his chest, Optimus swore his friend would not be forgotten. Promising to protect Spike and the whole Earth, Optimus immediately started doing so by taking down Devastator and Thundercracker. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{note|In ''Car Robots'', the original Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'', "Fire Convoy" does not possess a version of the Matrix of Leadership, instead carrying an [[Energon Matrix#Car Robots cartoon|Energon Matrix]].}}

[[File:PowerToBurn prime matrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|My chestplate glows for you, Hotrod]]

Simply known as just 'the Matrix',<ref>The Matrix is never termed as the "Matrix of Leadership" in the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub. Though it is initially called Optimus Prime's "Cyber Matrix" in "[[The Test (episode)|The Test]]", it is never again referred to as such afterward. It would not be until Optimus's profile published in [[The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine issue 1|''The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine'' #1]] that this Matrix would be formally referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership".</ref> [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by Vector Sigma to be its bearer and lead the Autobots as Commander-in-Chief of Cybertron. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Less a physical object and more an energy that suffused his form, Prime could call on the power of the Matrix in moments of great emotion, at which point his body would glow with its green light. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

[[File:TwoFaces magnus matrix.jpg|thumb|I set my chestplate from studly to kill. Go nipple blasters!]]
Unfortunately for Prime, his brother [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] was furious at being passed over for the leadership role, and about halfway through Prime's campaign against [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] on Earth, Magnus arrived on the planet with the intent to take the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} When he attempted to absorb the energy of the Matrix from Prime's body, however, a bizarre fusion occurred instead, merging the two brothers into [[Omega Prime]] and revealing that the intention had always been for them to ''share'' the energy of the Matrix between them. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Magnus later inadvertently used this link to channel the energy of the Matrix into the [[Autobot Brothers]], supercharging them. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

In the final battle against Megatron—now Galvatron—at the [[Earth's core]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] channeled all his energy into Omega Prime to give his leader the power boost that he hoped would ensure triumph. The extra energy combined with that of the Matrix and it burst forth, coalescing into the colossal [[Matrix Blade]], which Omega Prime used to claim victory. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

=====''Cybertron'' comic=====
[[File:OptimusPrimeRIDprimuschamber.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Oops! Sorry, that's never happened to me before..."]]
Teleported into the midst of a battle in another universe, Prime and Magnus found themselves on Cybertron, where the evil [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] was attempting to use his [[Dead Matrix]] to destroy Primus. The brothers took him down, then separated so that Optimus could use his own Matrix to negate the evil energies released by the Dead Matrix. Opening the chamber in his Super Mode chest, he projected a beam of the Matrix's pure light into the Dead Matrix's swirling darkness, eliminating it. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}}

====Shell Game====
After the [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] was killed by [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]], once-leader of the [[Protection Team]] [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot]] was given the Matrix of Leadership by [[Ultra Trion]], becoming his team's combined form [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] himself. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 9, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}} Megazarak sought the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], believing that it would yield the location of [[Base Sigma]], the last outpost of Autobot resistance and the hiding place of the Matrix-bearer. He failed, being slightly delayed by Ultra Trion's final gambit. {{storylink|Shell Game}} Defensor would eventually triumph over Megazarak and begin to rebuild his world. However, the Matrix gave him visions of another Megazarak, one who had succeeded in conquering [[Viron 403.0 Beta|his own universe]] and was spreading out to other universes. Defensor felt the duty to seek out this Megazarak and stop him as well. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 7, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}}
{{--}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
{{note|Plot points derived only from the original Japanese versions of the Unicron Trilogy cartoons, lost to the slipshod dubbing that plagued the series, are in italics.}}
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[File:Crisis Hot Shot Matrix.jpg|left|thumb|Optimus said that I could drive this up somewhere....]]
When [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] threatened to destroy the Earth with the [[Hydra Cannon]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], not expecting to survive the battle ahead, tried to pass the Matrix on to [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] before entering the conflict. Hot Shot refused, not feeling himself worthy, and Prime subsequently died throwing himself into the path of the Hydra Cannon blast meant for Earth. Prime's body was reduced to ashes, and the Matrix was all that remained, clung onto by his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], floating helplessly until rescued. {{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}}

[[File:Miracle sparkplug and matrix.jpg‎|thumb|''in your eyes, the light, the heat 
''in your eyes, I am complete]]

Not long thereafter, as the Autobots and Decepticons battled in space on their way back to Cybertron, Sparkplug and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] presented the Matrix to the large armada of Mini-Cons who had joined the Autobots on their journey. Many Mini-Cons plunged themselves into the Matrix, using their powers to recreate Prime's body and restore him to life. {{storylink|Miracle (episode)|Miracle}}

Some time later, in the midst of the Transformers' battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime was confronted by the evil demi-god with the suggestion that, on some level, he enjoyed the thrill of combat as much as Megatron did, ''and that the only difference between the two leaders was the Matrix in Prime's chest.'' {{storylink|Origin}} Following Unicron's defeat, when Megatron (now Galvatron) challenged Optimus to one final battle, these words led Prime to discard the Matrix, that he might battle Galvatron not as the leader of the Autobots, ''but as an individual, and the equal of his foe''.

[[File:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|left|thumb|A unicorn designed this. (See the pretty rainbows?)]]
Prime flung the Matrix through Unicron's hide, out into space, where it later drifted by the two combatants as their fight moved to Unicron's surface. Soon, however, it became apparent that Prime and Galvatron's fight was sustaining and re-energizing Unicron, and Galvatron allowed himself to die into order to destroy the chaos-bringer. As the battered Prime hung in space afterwards, the Matrix floated past him. Prime turned to look at it, but, having revelled in his battle with Galvatron and in a way proven Unicron correct, shifted his glance away, pronouncing himself unworthy to carry it.

Prime did not return to his fellow Autobots immediately, as Cybertron was now at peace. Instead, he apparently embarked on some sort of soul-searching space voyage, seeking to find worthiness once again. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}
{{--}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
[[File:MysteriousMercenary matrix generates blaster.jpg‎|thumb|Also, it does not go anywhere in the robot mode. Get outta here, blaster. No one likes your style.]]
Prime returned to reclaim the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots at some point over the next ten years. ''Despite the talisman being back in his hands once more, its power was employed but once during the war for [[energon]] of 2020, when Prime was badly injured by [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] during a battle on Earth's Moon and fell unconscious. When Prime was infused with a massive jolt of Energon in an attempt by the [[Omnicon]] [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] to revive him, the interaction of the element with the Matrix brought forth the [[Energon Blaster]], which coalesced out of a sphere of light that burst out of Prime's chest. Prime considered the weapon a gift from the previous commanders within the Matrix and fended off the Decepticons with it, then proceeded to never use or even mention it again.'' {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}}
{{--}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
[[File:Cybertron matrix of leadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Good grief, Prime! There are KIDS present!]]
A further ten years later, during the quest to stop the [[Unicron Singularity]] in [[2030]], Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership in concert with [[Vector Prime]]'s [[Rhisling|sword]] to open dimension gates to the various colony worlds that held the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. It was only through the stabilizing powers of both objects that safe transit through the gates was made possible. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}} The Matrix influenced Optimus Prime's [[Cyber Key]], giving it a unique shape that mimicked the Matrix's own as opposed to the standard design shared by the other Autobots. {{storylink|Savage}}

[[File:Unfinished matrix glow prime.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix is made up of [[burning spirit]]!]]
After the Autobots had obtained the Cyber Planet Keys from [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] and Earth and placed them in the [[Omega Lock]] on Cybertron, Optimus Prime substituted the energy of the Matrix for the still-missing fourth key. This proved enough to initiate Cybertron's transformation into the body of Primus, but without the key from [[Gigantion]], the god's power remained at an ebb, unable to close the black hole. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} Before departing for Gigantion to obtain the final key, the Autobots were able to develop a method that allowed Primus to use the energy of the three keys and the Matrix to at least halt the singularity's growth, giving them the time they needed to complete their mission. {{storylink|Titans}} In order for the Autobots to safely traverse the tunnel in space-time that led to Gigantion, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] created a "vaccine" program based on the stabilizing properties of the Matrix and Vector Prime's sword. {{storylink|Family}}

The Matrix would often glow with energy when Prime poised himself to unleash powerful combat moves; during his final battle with Galvatron, the golden glow of the Matrix surrounded Prime's entire body. {{storylink|Unfinished}}
{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 404.11 Kappa]], Vector Prime held the Matrix during Cybertron's [[Golden Age]]. He led the Autobots for many years until he received a higher calling from the [[Chronarchitect]] to lead the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warrior]]s in protecting space and time. Vector passed the Matrix on to his trusty lieutenant, [[Guardian Major]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#July 12, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 12/07/2015}}

====''Galaxy Force'' manga====
[[File:GFmanga matrix.jpg|left|thumb|RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH!]]
With the Earth besieged by the [[Ancient Decepticon]]s under the command of [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the treacherous air commander himself transformed into a skyscraper-sized giant by the power of Primus, things were looking grim for the Autobots. Taking a direct hit from the giant Starscream, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s chest was smashed open, exposing the Matrix within. Reviving after only a few moments of unconsciousness to find that [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] had arrived on the planet with news that Primus had reawakened, Prime doubted how important he was to the battle if their god was now restored. Wing Saber pointed to his open chest, telling him that the Matrix within him signified him as the true leader of the Autobots, and Prime, his resolve restored, plucked the talisman from within himself and called upon its power to initiate his and Wing Saber's combination into Sonic Wing Mode for the first time. {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.9}}
{{--}}

====''Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts''====
During an interview with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], Hot Shot proved it was easy to get hold of a Matrix by telling Optimus Prime that his shoes were untied, and then yonking the Matrix right out of his chest while he was distracted. The Matrix upgraded Hot Shot into Shotimus Prime. During a later interview with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], the exasperated interviewee grabbed the Matrix, reverting Shotimus back to Hot Shot, and then beat him with it. {{storylink|Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Tf2009 mol.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Now...how do you open this thing, dammit?]]
Created by the [[Dynasty of Primes]], the '''Matrix of Leadership''' is required to operate the [[Star Harvester]]. It can only be properly utilized by one who shares the lineage of the Primes.

====Sector Seven ARG====
The Matrix was mentioned in passing.{{fact}} {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven}}

====Titan movie comic====
According to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] carries the Matrix of Leadership. Not quite yet, he doesn't, Screamer! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 8|Star Screams #2}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
[[File:ROTF Matrix crumbles.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|And Unicron breathed a sigh of relief.]]
The [[Dynasty of Primes#Revenge of the Fallen movie|Seven Primes]] had agreed never to use a [[Star Harvester]] on a [[Sun]] that fed intelligent life. But in 17,000 BC, [[the Fallen]] chose to activate it on [[Earth]], for he hated [[human]]s, so the other Primes fought him and stole the Matrix. They sealed it away in a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] made of their own bodies in a secret location. In 2009 AD, following the death of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last Prime, the Fallen had returned to Earth and was seeking the Matrix to finish what he'd started.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Hot Rod's gonna have trouble gettin' his fingers in this one.]]
[[Sam Witwicky]], having deciphered the only clue to the tomb's location, found the Matrix in [[Petra]], but it crumbled to dust. He stuffed its remains into a sock and took it to the [[Pyramid]]s of [[Egypt]], where he still hoped it could resurrect Optimus, who was being protected by the human-Autobot alliance [[NEST]]. The Fallen's pupil, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], shot and killed Sam, but the [[spark]]s of the Primes came and revived him. They also revealed the Matrix could not be found but only earned, and they restored its shape. Sam then used the Matrix to resurrect Optimus by shoving its sharp end into his chest. Almost immediately afterward, the Fallen teleported in and stole the Matrix, then used it to activate the Harvester. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{Note|The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] reveals the Matrix was created by the AllSpark to help the Primes in their search for energon. After Sam Witwicky conversed with the Dynasty of Primes in the afterlife, the intent was that the power and knowledge of the AllSpark moved from his mind into the remains of the Matrix, reconstituting it; ''this'', then, was why it was able to bring Prime back to life. In turn, this essentially transforms this universe's version of the Matrix (initially entirely distinct from the other depictions of the object seen in this article) into the same life-giving, knowledge-holding object from other Transformers fiction. Additionally, Prime was to recover the Matrix from the sun harvester and carry it within himself in traditional Matrix fashion. While none of these events were seen to play out explicitly on-screen, the Matrix's continued presence in ''Dark of the Moon'', within Prime's body, and the reverence it receives suggests that these events still "happened" within the continuity of the films, even if they didn't explicitly talk about them.}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
[[File:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|You thought they forgot about it already, didn't you?]]
After the dormant body of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was retrieved from the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], the Autobots' former leader was brought to [[NEST]] headquarters on Earth. Optimus Prime removed the Matrix of Leadership from his chest (which he was able to manipulate as it hovered through the air) and inserted it into Sentinel Prime's chest, similarly to how Sam Witwicky used it to resurrect Optimus three years prior.

Optimus later offered it to Sentinel, as he felt that Sentinel was the rightful leader of the Autobots. Sentinel refused it, citing that he was the wiser on their own homeworld, but on this strange new planet, Optimus was the more experienced.

Megatron later explained to Starscream that he wanted Prime to use the Matrix on Sentinel as he was vital to Megatron's plan for invasion. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{--}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[File:Tfanimated matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Check out my necklace!|left]]
Following [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]]'s successful reconstruction of a substantial portion of the shattered [[AllSpark#Animated|AllSpark]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] used the [[Magnus Hammer]] to forge a new containment vessel for the crystal sphere. He termed the resultant holder the "[[AllSpark Matrix]]", and wore it on a chain around his neck upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}
{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
The Matrix was created by the Primes sometime after Unicron's defeat and before the War of the Primes, though according to [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] it was a very different device at its creation than in the present day. It formed the hilt of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] but [[Prima]] surrendered it to [[Primus]] in the [[Core]] after the Primes fought.

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion went to [[Vector Sigma]] to try and retrieve the Matrix in hopes that it could reignite the fire of Cybertronian society. The supercomputer denied his request saying the time was not right, but it gave him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]].

When [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] had poisoned the core of Cybertron with [[Dark Energon]], Primus inserted a portion of his Spark into the Matrix and gave it to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] to carry and guard. This had the effect of restoring Optimus' memories of his earlier life among the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|Prime lucked out. Feel bad for the guy who has to carry that blade around in his chest.]]
Originally the jewel in the hilt of [[Prima]]'s [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword in the distant past of Cybertron, the Matrix had been missing for billions of cycles by the time data clerk [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]] met the charismatic gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Unbeknownst to Orion, Megatron plotted revolution, and, desiring the Matrix's power to fuel his ambition, had [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] send [[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]] to search for the Matrix in [[Crystal City]] to no avail.

Later, when the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] appointed Orion as Cybertron's leader, Optimus Prime, they ordered him to find the Matrix, and Megatron's true motives stood revealed as he also declared it would be his. War erupted across Cybertron and raged for millions of years, until, during the conflict's dying days, Optimus purged Cybertron's [[core]] of a [[Dark Energon]] infection that Megatron had wrought upon it. Speaking directly into Prime's mind, the core explained that Prime's predecessor, [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], had been unworthy of the Matrix, but as long as he had survived in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]'s prisons, Optimus was technically not [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and could not receive it. With Sentinel's death and the core's purification, however, the time had at last come: the Matrix emerged from the core, and Optimus accepted it into his body. Subsequently, the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', but Optimus knew that the Matrix would guide them home one day, where it would act in concert with the core to fully restore their ravaged homeworld. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

After the ''Ark'' had passed through a [[space bridge]], the Matrix projected a map to the nearby [[Cybertronian colonies|colony]] of [[Velocitron]]. After fleeing Velocitron, the ''Ark'' found its way to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], the Matrix's energies clearing the minds of the [[Junkion (species)|natives]] enough for them to help the Autobots repair the ''Ark''. The Matrix then projected another map, leading Optimus to a space bridge to the tomb of [[Solus Prime]]. When Megatron caught up to Optimus on Junkion, the Matrix sent a vision of the AllSpark's location to Optimus, preventing him from dealing the killing blow. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Continued pulls from the Matrix led the ''Ark'' to the planet [[Aquatron]], even as it plagued Optimus with visions of Cybertronians being oppressed. When the Autobots ventured to the planet's surface, the Matrix sent Optimus a vision of his former self, Orion Pax, being menaced by enslavers. The senior physician, [[Xeros]], took the chance to, eagerly, scan the Matrix when Optimus convulsed. When it was revealed that Aquatron was ruled by the [[Quintesson]]s, they put the Autobots and Decepticons on trial, the Matrix providing Optimus with his repressed memories to convince him that the aliens were lying. Learning that the Matrix was fighting off remote hacking attempts by the Quintessons, Optimus switched off the genuine article, only to be forced to reactivate it so and Megatron could escape the labyrinthine corridors. The Matrix led the two leaders to the source of the interference: the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]], a duplicate created by the Quintessons following their studying of Matrix's technology. Shortly thereafter, the Sharkticon Matrix was destroyed, restoring the Matrix to normal operating status. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}
{{--}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OneShallRise3-unleash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Care Bear Stare!|left]]
During the Great War, the core of Cybertron, which contained the Spark of the Transformers' creator Primus, became poisoned with [[Dark Energon]]. Orion Pax journeyed there hoping to cure the god, but instead was given the Matrix of Leadership by Primus himself, becoming [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

When the Autobots discovered that [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] dwelt at the center of the Earth, Optimus Prime gambled that the Matrix held the power to destroy the dark god. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} Led to the core of the planet by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], Prime emptied the full power of the Matrix into Unicron's spark. [[File:OrionPax3 Matrix of Leadership.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]] The chaos-bringer responded by possessing Megatron in an attempt to stop him, but the Matrix generated a shield to protect Prime so that the mission could be completed, and Unicron was successfully returned to stasis. Unfortunately, in draining the Matrix of its energy, Optimus lost not merely the wisdom of the Primes, but all of his own memories since becoming a Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Anticipating this, Optimus had left a solution to this problem in the hands of the Autobot's human ally [[Jack Darby]]: the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], which would allow the Matrix to be refilled, and Optimus's memory restored, via the mega-computer Vector Sigma on Cybertron. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Jack and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] travelled to Cybertron to load the key, then returned to Earth in the midst of a battle between Orion and Megatron. Though the archivist was hesitant at first, Jack convinced him that he was in fact worthy and used the key to restore the Matrix's power and Optimus's memories. {{Storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

When Optimus Prime lay dying after the destruction of the Autobot base, he told [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] that the Matrix would choose someone else to be leader, whom he believed to be Smokescreen. When Optimus did die, his chest ejected the Matrix as it began to search for a successor, only for Smokescreen simply to place the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] in Optimus's hand which, combined with the Matrix, revived and reformatted Optimus, though at the cost of draining the Forge of all its power. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

When the Great War ended and Cybertron was restored, Optimus used the Matrix of Leadership to guide him to the location of the [[AllSpark]], in the hazardous system of [[Theta Scorpii]]. To safeguard the AllSpark from Unicron, Optimus merged it with the Matrix. In doing so however, he rendered his own [[spark]] inseparable from all those within the AllSpark, ultimately sacrificing himself and the Matrix to the [[Core]] to reignite it, ending the age of Primes. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}
{{--}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
[[File:OddBotOut Optimus Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
When Optimus located the [[Liquefier]], its energies out of control and threatening [[Griffin Rock]], he used the Matrix to shut it down. {{storylink|Odd Bot Out}}
{{--}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
[[File:Dark Side of the Matrix album cover.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix of Leadership served as inspiration for the legendary rock band the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]], immortalized on the cover of their studio album "Dark Side of the Matrix". {{storylink|Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron}}
{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:MatrixOfLeadership-OPglows.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left]]
The Matrix of Leadership was an artifact of the [[Thirteen]]. Within, it held the accumulated wisdom of not only the original Primes, but all those who'd borne it, allowing for its current bearer to access this wisdom in times of crisis. Conversely, these spirits could bring the bearer before them through the Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

In the modern era, the Matrix was safeguarded by [[Alpha Trion (Cyberverse)|Alpha Trion]]. In the early days of the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]], [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] murdered all of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] save Trion who had been mortally wounded by the attack. When [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus]] was brought before his ailing mentor, Trion bestowed the Matrix onto his protege. Despite Optimus's hesitations, he accepted the talisman and became Optimus Prime, the last sight Trion witnessed before he passed. The power of the Matrix allowed Optimus to manifest a powerful blue shield in the likeness of the Autobot insignia. {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}}

After claiming that one of his [[scraplet]]s was a reborn Alpha Trion, [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] had others reveal the Matrix for him to claim. Before he could, [[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] pounced on the Seeker and disabled his scarplet horde. {{storylink|Starscream's Children}} Prime would later get his own back on Starscream by separating the treacherous Seeker from the AllSpark with a blast from the Matrix, the energies sending both into [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|I Am The Allspark}} Starscream awoke in a prison cell while Prime remained in coma with a vision of the Matrix. It closed on him and he later woke up as a turbolaser barrage from the [[Nemesis (Cyberverse)|''Nemesis'']] was ripping the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']] apart. {{storylink|Escape From Earth}}

When the [[Quintesson]]s invaded Cybertron, Optimus combined the power of the Matrix with one from another reality, stolen by Megatron, to overwhelm the now [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]] Starscream, finally killing him and ending the invasion. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}}

Not long afterwards, Cybertron was invaded by Megatron X, the owner of Megatron's stolen Matrix, whom Optimus engaged in a duel of Matrices. When Windblade sabotaged the alternate Megatron's Matrix, Optimus' beam prevailed, its energy short-circuiting the tyrant. {{storylink|The Other One}}

The Matrix was last seen being used by Optimus and a small group of his allies to open the chamber to the [[Cortex Helm]] on [[Onyx Prime|Onyx Prime's]] floating island after a [[Decepticon supersoldier]] named [[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]] manipulated them into helping him reach the artifact.

====Alternate universe====
In another world, upon realizing that Optimus would forever oppose him, [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] killed Optimus outright before he stole his Matrix. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}} {{storylink|The Other One}}

Untold years later, Megatron's universe was visited by an alternate version of himself who managed to steal his Matrix and flee. Knowing that his counterpart would eventually track him down, the alternate Megatron tried to access the Matrix's wisdom but the Primes refused to speak to him. {{storylink|Silent Strike}} The Primes of this reality imparted onto their Optimus a directive to destroy this otherwordly Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

A psychic shard of the native [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] wound up lodged in the Matrix, being met by Optimus' spirit who told her to destroy the Matrix. Eventually, Megatron located the reality and reclaimed his property only to be engaged in a Matrix duel by the native Optimus. Though Megatron initially held the advantage, Windblade followed Optimus' orders and destroyed the psychic pillars of the Primes, short-circuiting the Matrix. {{storylink|The Other One}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:TransformersOne-SentinelMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
For cycles, energon flowed freely through the Matrix of Leadership's power, until [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the [[Thirteen|Primes]] through a deal made with the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Prying it out of [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime's]] corpse, Sentinel was horrified when the artifact rejected him and vanished. As a result, Cybertron's energon supply dried up, leading to Sentinel removing the transformation cogs from newly born Transformers so they could mine energon as tribute for the Quintessons.

After fifty cycles, the young miner, [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], would often break into the archives in Iacon in an attempt to find information about what had become of the long lost relic. Orion dreamed about being the one to deliver the Matrix to Sentinel, who would often lead expeditions to the surface to search for it. However, these searches were merely a cover-up for Sentinel's true dealings, delivering the Quintessons their tribute of energon. One such exchange was witnessed by Orion, his best friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who had come to surface after having found a beacon containing the possible location of the Matrix. Granted transformation cogs by [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]], the four raced back to Iacon to reveal the truth about Sentinel to the city.

[[File:TFone OptimusRaisesMatrix.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Allying with the former Cybertron [[High Guard]], the quartet led an attack on Sentinel's tower, ending with D-16 dropping Orion into Cybertron's core after the latter had attempted to stop him from executing Sentinel. Orion was met with the spirits of the Primes and, having been judged worthy by Primus, was bestowed the Matrix and upgraded into Optimus Prime. Granted powerful new armor and weaponry, Optimus returned to the surface and put a stop to D-16, who had renamed himself "Megatron". Slicing Megatron's [[Fusion cannon]] in half with his new [[Energon-axe|Energon axe]] Optimus banished him and his new followers from Iacon. With the return of the Matrix, energon flowed throughout the planet once more and all the cogless miners were given transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "Autobots". {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
In one of several possible timelines, the Matrix was destroyed millions of years in the past, along with Optimus Prime, by the time-travelling [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. Unfortunately, its destruction meant the Decepticons had no surefire way of defeating Unicron when he attacked Cybertron in 2005. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[File:TFPS2 matrix.jpg|thumb]]
The quest for the [[Zel Quartz]], a powerful crystal upon which the fate of the future hinged, led groups of Autobots and Decepticons from both the present day and time-travellers from the near-future to converge on the planet Zel Samine, culminating in a two-way showdown between Optimus Prime, Rodimus Prime, Megatron and Galvatron in the complex housing the planetary power generator [[ELTA]]. When the battle threatened to cause the computer to overload, it appeared that all four Transformers were doomed, until the twin Primes opened both their Matrices, using their power to bring the computer under control and win the day. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
[[File:Netjetmatrix.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix would appear following the successful defeat of an opponent. Picking it up would initiate the next round of combat, accompanied by a burst of music from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
[[File:WFC Matrix of Leadership.jpg||thumb|How are you supposed to hold it up and release its cleansing flame if the handles aren't even attached to the sphere?]]
Though [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots helped purge the [[Core|Core of Cybertron]] of the [[Dark Energon]] infection, its spark had been corrupted and had to shut itself down completely if it was to survive. For the millions of years that this process would take, Cybertron would be left cold and barren, meaning the Transformers would be forced to take to the stars. However, the Core bestowed a portion of its spark within the Matrix of Leadership to Optimus Prime, leader of the free Autobots. For as long as the Matrix survived, Cybertron's spark would remain. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark'' (console)===
Among the many rumours that circled the origins of the [[Dark Spark]] was that it was the natural antithesis to the Matrix of Leadership.

In the midst of the [[Great Exodus]], Megatron managed to acquire the Dark Spark and bond it to himself, forcing Optimus to personally confront him in the labs of [[Kolkular]]. After fighting a horde of Autobot [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]], Optimus unleashed the power of the Matrix against the Dark Spark, his superior experience in wielding the artefact granting him victory and blasting the Dark Spark off of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:AngryBirdsMatrix.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The Matrix can be unlocked as an accessory that when equipped; grants an effect to several characters. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Accessory'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''[[Gem]] Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Red (AB)|Red]] as [[Red (AB)#As Optimus Prime|Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|<s>325</s> Free
| Incendiary Rounds
|Became a free Accessory in June 2017
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#As Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus]]
|Chest
|Legendary
|900
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Energon Optimus Prime|Energon Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|650
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Ultimate Optimus Prime|Ultimate Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Uncommon
|100
| +10% Defense
|
|-
|}
</center>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
In the past, [[Nova Prime]] bore the Matrix of Leadership but parted with the artifact when he left Cybertron aboard the ''[[Proudstar]]''. When Optimus Prime explored the scuttled ''Proudstar'' millions of years later, the Matrix reacted to [[Unicron/Generation 1|a dark presence]] in the ship, shutting down for a second. As the Autobots ventured deeper into the ship, [[Teletraan Alpha]] used the Matrix to see their future. As the Autobots neared the ship's core and discovered the same dark presence, the Matrix allowed Optimus to learn that the entity responsible for corrupting Nova was searching and destroying its way to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Matrix of Leadership held the concentrated essence of heroism and valour, in the same way that the [[Enigma of Combination]] possessed the pure essence of cooperation. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:BBOptimusMatrixSM.jpeg|thumb]]
*On a battlefield on [[Cybertron (planet)#Live-action film series|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] sported the Matrix of Leadership in his chest. {{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Masterpiece|MPM-12 Optimus Prime stop motion video}}
*During a battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] summoned [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] holding the Matrix of Leadership (along with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]) using a [[Magic: The Gathering]] card. Subsequently, the summoned Rodimus used the Matrix to power Optimus up.
{{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Miscellaneous|Secret Lair stop motion video}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Matrix of Leadership/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1toon matrix strings.jpg|thumb|Strings connect the Matrix's core to its holder in the Generation 1 cartoon.]]
*Bob Budiansky's original pitch for the Transformers comic book included an event known as the "[[Ceremony of the Unending Circuit]]", held by the Autobots every ten millennia to commemorate the passing of the Creation Matrix from one Autobot leader to the next, according to Autobot Law. If an Autobot is not brave, strong, or wise enough, the program would either drive him insane or lobotomize him.<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref> Although the "ten millennia" bit made it into the comic, the rest of it was never realized. (Budiansky also left a note that the Matrix isn't the only way of making new Transformers, which is not touched on in English comic media until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''.)
*[[Floro Dery]] was inspired by a thermonuclear bomb in designing the Matrix of Leadership for ''The Movie''.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html|site=Transformers Philippines|name=Floro Dery|quote='''Can you tell us some trivias or story behind the Matrix of Leadership?'''" "The inspiration for the Matrix of Leadership is a thermonuclear bomb.|title=Interview With Floro Dery|year=2007|month=06|day=18}}</ref> "Light our darkest hour", indeed.
*Blink and you'll miss it—the crystal core of the original Generation 1 cartoon incarnation of the Matrix is connected to the two halves of its holder by a string! This oddity of design is visible during the two instances the Matrix is opened in the cartoon, in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".
*By pure coincidence, the [[retcon]] made in ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' (and technically ''Beast Wars'') that created the idea of there being two Matrix-shaped objects in Optimus Prime's chest also fits with an [[animation error]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where—on his deathbed—Prime is seen removing the Matrix, while an uncolored "empty" Matrix is shown still inside his chest just before his colors fade.
*The dub of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' refers to the artifact as the Matrix of Leadership when it's first introduced and for a few episodes after, but then switches to calling it the "Matrix of the Commander" for the rest of the series afterward. This is likely a result of direct translation from the generic ''shireikan no Matrix'' (司令官のマトリクス) in Japanese.
*The body-mod shop "[[Swindle, Swindle and Swindle]]" has empty Generation 1 Matrix containers for sale, as seen in an illustration from the prose story "[[I, Lowtech]]".
*The Matrix of Leadership [[:File:The Arrival 4 Lockdown's cabinet.jpg|makes a cameo]] as one of ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]'s possessions in "[[The Arrival issue 4|A Few Loose Strands]]".
*In earlier drafts of [[Revelation (IDW)|''Revelation'']], the Matrix would have been corrupted by its time in the [[Dead Universe]] (possibly similar to the [[Dark Matrix]] entity), but [[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|developments]] led to its role being filled by the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]].<ref name="IDWMatrixFurman">{{citesocial|link=http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/|name=Simon Furman|month=12|year=2007|day=12|title=A(NOTHER) QUICK Q&A…|site=Simon Furman: The Blog|quote=Well, we’ve yet to actually meet the Matrix in the IDW/TF-verse. So we may be getting ahead of ourselves here. What do we know about it so far? Well, according to Spotlight Galvatron, the Matrix was (and maybe is) “carried” by Nova Prime, and he (Nova Prime) disappeared into the Dead Universe (along with the Matrix, we assume). Nova describes a bottomless well and a resonant tug on the Matrix. What happened next we don’t know (yet). But what is the Matrix (hm, that sounds familiar somehow)? Not telling. Not yet. But ’08 holds the answers: what it is, where it came from, what is does (then and now!). The Matrix (and what it’s become) will figure large in all that happens post-Devastation. The Matrix has been gone from the IDW/TF-verse for a long time, and its return will not necessarily be a thing of celebration.}}</ref>
* In ''[[My Little Pony]]: The Manga'' volume 3, the Matrix is included as part of a scavenger hunt that [[Fluttershy]] organizes.
* A lighting fixture resembling the Generation 1 Matrix of Leadership can be seen at [[Swerve's|Swerve's Lounge]] at Universal Studios Beijing's [[Transformers Metrobase]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Matrix''' (マトリクス ''Matorikusu''), '''Leader no Matrix''' (''Revenge'', リーダーのマトリクス, "Matrix of Leader"), '''Matrix of Leadership''' (マトリックスオブリーダーシップ ''Matorikkusu obu Rīdāshippu''), '''Creation Matrix''' (クリエーションマトリクス ''Kuriēshon matorikusu'')
*''Arabic:'' '''Masfufat Alqiada''' (مصفوفة القيادة, "Command Matrix")
*''English:'' '''Power Pack''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Teremtő Mátrix''' ("Creator Matrix"), '''Vezetés Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Irányítás Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Control", ''Revenge of the Fallen''), '''Vezéri Mátrix''' ("Leader Matrix", ''The Movie'' 1st dub), '''Mátrix''' ("Matrix", ''The Movie'' 2nd dub)
*''French:'' '''Matrice de Commandement''' ("Command Matrix"), '''Matrice de Création''' (''EarthSpark'', "Matrix of Creation")
*''German:'' '''Hauptprogramm''' ("Core Program", used once in fiction), '''Matrix der Führerschaft''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Indonesian:'' '''Matriks Kepemimpinan''' ( "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Italian:'' '''Matrice''' ("Matrix"), '''Scettro del Comando''' (first ''The Transformers'' dub, "Scepter of Command"), '''Matrix''' (second ''The Transformers'' dub), '''Matrice del Comando''' (''Generations'', "Matrix of Command")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mǔtǐ''' (Taiwan, 母體, "Matrix" or "Mother Body"), '''Jǔzhèn''' (China Mainland, 矩阵, "Matrix"), '''Lǐngdǎo Mókuài''' (China Mainland, 领导模块, "Module of Leader")
*''Cantonese:'' '''Yuen Nang Gui Zaan''' (Hong Kong, 原能矩陣)
*''Polish:'' '''Matryca Przywództwa''', '''Matryca Przywódcy''' (''War for Cybertron'', "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Matriz da Liderança''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Matrix da Liderança''' (''EarthSpark''), '''Matriz de Liderança''' (''Transformers One'')
*''Russian:'' '''Matritsa Liderstva''' (Матрица Лидерства, "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Spanish:'' '''Matriz de Liderazgo''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Enerhoblok''' (ICTV, Енергоблок, "Power unit")
*''Turkish:'' '''Liderlik Matriksi''' ("Matrix of Leadership")

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Artifacts of the Primes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars objects]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Crystals]]
[[Category:Cybertron franchise]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Generation 1 objects]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei!]]
[[Category:Interjections]]
[[Category:Legends franchise]]
[[Category:Matrices]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010)]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Trilogy]]
[[Category:Wings Universe]]

Energon synthesizer

2025-01-04T06:35:57Z

MegaSolus:

[[File:ShiningArmor1-EnergonSynthesizer.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After [[Rom]] had rescued a [[protoform]] from the [[Gray Area]] and brought it back to [[Elonia]], the Solstar doctors built the '''energon synthesizer''' to keep it alive and allow its growth into [[Stardrive]].

Take a wild guess what it synthesizes.

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
Energon synthesizers were built in the war but proved inefficient in fully fuelling up their users, forcing the Decepticons to go the mundane route of conquering backwater worlds for power. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}}

To build Stardrive's synthesizer, Rom returned to the crash site within the Gray Area and retrieved a sample of [[energon]]. The scientists of the [[Solstar Order]] soon constructed a machine to synthesize it which allowed Stardrive to take shape and grow. As the Solstar Order was ignorant of energon's name, the machine was simply dubbed a fuel synthesizer. While recharging at ''[[Orchid Crossing]]'', Stardrive commented that it was the only thing that made her life feel okay. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

When [[Vekktral]] allied himself with the [[Decepticon]]s, promising to turn over Stardrive, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] deduced that the Solstar Order must have either had an energon synthesizer to keep her alive or a large natural energon source. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} When the Seeker found it, he mocked Stardrive for not knowing how valuable it was before [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] arrived to stop his plans. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

After a [[Dire Wraith]] had merged with [[Sky Blast (G1)|Sky Blast]] and the resulting abomination went on a rampage, Starscream decided the Dire Wraiths could serve as cannon fodder as he and [[Doomwings (G1)|Doomwings]] retrieved the energon synthesizer. The Wraith/Cybertronian hybrid however tore Doomwings apart so Starscream tried again with [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] only for Ultra Magnus to send ''Orchid Crossing'' tumbling into [[Xetaxxis]]. Starscream then gave the evacuation order and decided the Decepticons would simply retrieve the synthesizer from the wreckage. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}}

Upon Bumblebee questioning why the Decepticons would remain on Xetaxxis, Stardrive revealed the existence of the synthesizer to the [[Autobot]]s and forcing them into an awkward alliance with the [[Space Knight]]s to prevent the Decepticons from getting it. After failing to save Xetaxxians from Starscream, Stardrive bargained with the Seeker that she would give him the synthesizer in exchange for him and his forces leaving Xetaxxis. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}} Starscream tried to get Stardrive to join the Decepticons as a bonus but was chased away by [[Rom]] and [[Livia]]. The latter put forth the idea of detonating the synthesizer (an explosion of 2.27 x 1041 megajoules) to sterilize half the planet prompting Stardrive to snap at her hypocrisy before she decided to outright abandon the order of the [[Space Knight]]s, strapping the synthesizer to the back of her jet mode and flying off. She didn't get very far before Livia shot her out of the sky. The synthesizer fell to the ground while the Camien opted to fight Livia. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 4|Shining Armor #4}}

After being betrayed by Vekktral, Starscream decided to let his enemies destroy themselves and made a run for the synthesizer. Upon retrieving it however, Stardrive brutally attacked him, prompting him to retreat but not before he detonated the synthesizer as cover. The resulting explosion sterilized 48% of Xetaxxis. Reporting on the events to their respective leaders, both Bumblebee and Starscream kept secret the existence of the synthesizer. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

In 2017, when discussing the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] rendering much of Cybertron's energon unsuitable for Cybertronian consumption, Starscream <s>knew the Solstar Order was good at synthesizing energon</s> had a feeling the Solstar Order could help with the energon crisis. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}}

[[Category:Energon|Synthesizer]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) technology]]
[[Category:Power sources]]

Energon synthesizer

2025-01-04T06:31:42Z

MegaSolus:

[[File:ShiningArmor1-EnergonSynthesizer.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After [[Rom]] had rescued a [[protoform]] from the [[Gray Area]] and brought it back to [[Elonia]], the Solstar doctors built the '''energon synthesizer''' to keep it alive and allow its growth into [[Stardrive]].

Take a wild guess what it synthesizes.

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
Energon synthesizers were built in the war but proved inefficient in fully fuelling up their users, forcing the Decepticons to go the mundane route of conquering backwater worlds for power. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}}

To build Stardrive's synthesizer, Rom returned to the crash site within the Gray Area and retrieved a sample of [[energon]]. The scientists of the [[Solstar Order]] soon constructed a machine to synthesize it which allowed Stardrive to take shape and grow. As the Solstar Order was ignorant of energon's name, the machine was simply dubbed a fuel synthesizer. While recharging at ''[[Orchid Crossing]]'', Stardrive commented that it was the only thing that made her life feel okay. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

When [[Vekktral]] allied himself with the [[Decepticon]]s, promising to turn over Stardrive, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] deduced that the Solstar Order must have either had an energon synthesizer to keep her alive or a large natural energon source. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} When the Seeker found it, he mocked Stardrive for not knowing how valuable it was before [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] arrived to stop his plans. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

After a [[Dire Wraith]] had merged with [[Sky Blast (G1)|Sky Blast]] and the resulting abomination went on a rampage, Starscream decided the Dire Wraiths could serve as cannon fodder as he and [[Doomwings (G1)|Doomwings]] retrieved the energon synthesizer. The Wraith/Cybertronian hybrid however tore Doomwings apart so Starscream tried again with [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] only for Ultra Magnus to send ''Orchid Crossing'' tumbling into [[Xetaxxis]]. Starscream then gave the evacuation order and decided the Decepticons would simply pick retrieve the synthesizer from the wreckage. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}}

Upon Bumblebee questioning why the Decepticons would remain on Xetaxxis, Stardrive revealed the existence of the synthesizer to the [[Autobot]]s and forcing them into an awkward alliance with the [[Space Knight]]s to prevent the Decepticons from getting it. After failing to save Xetaxxians from Starscream, Stardrive bargained with the Seeker that she would give him the synthesizer in exchange for him and his forces leaving Xetaxxis. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}} Starscream tried to get Stardrive to join the Decepticons as a bonus but was chased away by [[Rom]] and [[Livia]]. The latter put forth the idea of detonating the synthesizer (an explosion of 2.27 x 1041 megajoules) to sterilize half the planet prompting Stardrive to snap at her hypocrisy before she decided to outright abandon the order of the [[Space Knight]]s, strapping the synthesizer to the back of her jet mode and flying off. She didn't get very far before Livia shot her out of the sky. The synthesizer fell to the ground while the Camien opted to fight Livia. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 4|Shining Armor #4}}

After being betrayed by Vekktral, Starscream decided to let his enemies destroy themselves and made a run for the synthesizer. Upon retrieving it however, Stardrive brutally attacked him, prompting him to retreat but not before he detonated the synthesizer as cover. The resulting explosion sterilized 48% of Xetaxxis. Reporting on the events to their respective leaders, both Bumblebee and Starscream kept secret the existence of the synthesizer. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

In 2017, when discussing the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] rendering much of Cybertron's energon unsuitable for Cybertronian consumption, Starscream <s>knew the Solstar Order was good at synthesizing energon</s> had a feeling the Solstar Order could help with the energon crisis. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}}

[[Category:Energon|Synthesizer]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) technology]]
[[Category:Power sources]]

Artifacts of the Primes

2025-01-04T03:43:20Z

MegaSolus: Why is the picture placed so awkwardly?

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Prima.png|cSize=35px|cLink=Prima|cPretty=Prima}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-VectorPrime.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Vector Prime}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-AlphaTrion.png|cSize=25px|cLink=Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|cPretty=Alpha Trion}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-SolusPrime.png|cSize=25px|cLink=Solus Prime|cPretty=Solus Prime}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-MicronusPrime.png|cSize=35px|cLink=Micronus Prime}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-AlchemistPrime.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Alchemist Prime|cPretty=Alchemist Prime}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-NexusPrime.png|cSize=35px|cLink=Nexus Prime|cPretty=Nexus Prime}}
|onyxprime
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-AmalgamousPrime.png|cSize=25px|cLink=Amalgamous Prime|cPretty=Amalgamous Prime}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-QuintusPrime.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Quintus Prime|cPretty=Quintus Prime}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-LiegeMaximo.png|cSize=35px|cLink=Liege Maximo|cPretty=Liege Maximo}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Megatronus.png|cSize=40x40px|cLink=The Fallen|cPretty=Megatronus}}
|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=35px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}
|primus}}
[[File:Artifacts of the Primes IDW-2019 Issue 34.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"So this orb has a real shiny blue suitcase/Ark of the Covenant/Maltese Falcon sort of vibe, what is it?"]]

Created at the dawn of time by [[Primus]] to battle his ancient foe [[Unicron]], the [[Thirteen]] original Transformers employed many powerful weapons and icons in their battles. Many of these were crafted by [[Solus Prime]], the smith of the Thirteen, while others were made by Primus himself.

Nearly all of the '''Artifacts of the Primes''' are now considered the stuff of legends, but sometimes legends have a way of turning up again...

{|style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="30%" valign="top"|The artifacts with known users include:
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-pr1|[[Prima]]}}
:* The [[Matrix of Leadership]]/[[Origin Matrix]]
:* The [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]
{{Bp-pr2|[[Vector Prime]]}}
:* The [[Blades of Time]]
:* The [[Badge of Vector Prime]]
{{Bp-pr3|[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]}}
:* The [[Covenant of Primus]]
:* The [[Quill]]
{{Bp-pr4|[[Solus Prime]]}}
:* The [[Forge of Solus Prime]]
:* The [[Creation Lathe]]
</ul>
|
|width="30%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-pr5|[[Micronus Prime]]}}
:* The [[Chimera Stone]]
{{Bp-pr6|[[Alchemist Prime]]}}
:* The [[Lenses]]
{{Bp-pr7|[[Nexus Prime]]}}
:* The [[Chaos Edge]]
:* The [[Cyber Caliber]]
:* The [[Enigma of Combination]]/[[Infinite Combinatoric]]
:* The [[Omni Saber]]
{{Bp-pr8|[[Onyx Prime]]}}
:* The [[Triptych Mask]]
:* The [[Cortex Helm]]
</ul>
|
|width="30%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-pr9|[[Amalgamous Prime]]}}
:* The [[Scythe (weapon)|Scythe]]
:* The [[Transformation cog]]
{{Bp-pr10|[[Quintus Prime]]}}
:* The [[Emberstone]]
{{Bp-pr11|[[Liege Maximo]]}}
:* The [[Liegian Darts]]
{{Bp-pr12|[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]}}
:*The [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]
{{Bp-pr13|The [[Thirteenth Prime]]}}
:* The [[Matrix of Leadership]]
:* The [[Zodiac]]
</ul>
|-
|width="30%" valign="top"|Other artifacts with no one user include:
<ul class="iconlist">
:* The [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]
:* The [[Proton Spear]]
</ul>
|
|width="30%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
:* The [[Terminus Blade]]
:* The [[Scepter of Sparks]]
</ul>
|
|width="30%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
:* The [[Throne of the Primes]]
:* The [[Halo of Primus]]
</ul>
|
|width="30%" valign="top"|
|}

==Fiction==
===Aligned continuity family===
The Artifacts of the Primes were forged by [[Solus Prime]] for usage in the upcoming battle against [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. They did little to deter to the Chaos Bringer before [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] exposed his own [[spark]] to Unicron's anti-spark, knocking both beings into [[stasis lock]]. In the aftermath, [[Quintus Prime]] used the [[Emberstone]] to revive Optimus while [[Vector Prime]] used the [[Blades of Time]] to form a time-loop around Unicron so as to lock him in stasis forevermore. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} The more potent of these artifacts would only activate in the hands of [[Prime (rank)|Primes]]. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}} {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

When the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Rust Plague]] struck the [[Cybertronian colonies]], the inhabitants of [[Neutronia]] fled their world. With the [[space bridge|Space Bridges]] destroyed, they drifted aimlessly in space, eventually finding the [[transformation cog]] of [[Amalgamous Prime]] in the orbit of a [[black hole]]. When they brought the artifact aboard their ships, the artifact's energies caused them to mutate into the [[Mutacon]]s. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion received the [[Badge of Vector Prime]] from [[Vector Sigma]], which would later be given to [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] in the hope that it would drive him into action. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}.

When [[Great War (Prime)|war]] broke out on Cybertron, [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] launched several Artifacts of the Primes into space and onto the planet [[Earth]], for Optimus Prime to eventually make use of. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} The database containing the coordinates of these relics was raided from the [[Hall of Records]] by the [[Decepticon]]s in the final days of the Great War, but they were unable to break the encryption. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}}

When the [[Ark (WFC)|''Ark'']] launched, Alpha Trion indulged in fantasies of Optimus returning to Cybertron with the [[AllSpark]] and the other lost artifacts of his brothers. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} During their voyage, the ''Ark'' crew came across several of Cybertron's long lost colony worlds and found the fragments of the [[Cyber Caliber]] which eventually led to [[Nexus Prime]] reforming on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. Simultaneously, Junkion itself was discovered to have formed around the gravitational pull of the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], which was then stolen by the [[Star Seeker]]s and affixed to the [[Tidal Wave (Prime)|''Tidal Wave'']]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} In a later space battle against the more agile [[Trypticon (WFC)|''Nemesis'']], the pirates were forced to detach the Requiem Blaster after it threatened to overheat and destroy their vessel. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

Unknown years later, Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] discovered Alpha Trion's work, with Megatron managing to claim the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] only to discover he could not access its power. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}} After Optimus Prime acquired the Star Saber, {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}} Megatron took drastic action and stole the arm of the deceased [[Liege Maximo]] to access the Forge. Via the Star Saber, Optimus learned of the [[Omega Key]]s and their potential to revive Cybertron via the [[Omega Lock]]. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Upon [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] rejoining the Decepticons, via gifting the Omega Keys to Megatron, {{storylink|Patch (episode)|Patch}} [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] gifted the Forge of Solus Prime to the Autobots, who used it to upgrade their [[GroundBridge]] into a Space Bridge. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} When Megatron threatened to use the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth, Optimus destroyed it with the Star Saber. In retaliation, Megatron destroyed [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]], wounding Optimus Prime {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}} to the point of death before [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] used what little power remained in the Forge of Solus Prime to revive him. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} In the aftermath, [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] claimed the Forge as a standard war hammer, {{storylink|Project Predacon}} before it was shattered by [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Evolution}}

Discovering an alternate method to synthesizing [[Living metal|cyber-matter]], the Decepticons began rebuilding the Omega Lock. {{storylink|Minus One}} Once completed, they attempted to use it to cyberform Earth once again only for the Autobots to claim the device and instead use it to revive Cybertron. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
As [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Mammoth]] and [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] dueled on the dimensionally-displaced "[[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]]" Earth, each boasted of possessing an Artifact of the Primes, evil Magnus with the [[Terminus Blade]] and good Mammoth with the [[Origin Matrix]]. When Magnus tried to stab his heroic counterpart in the spark, the Blade suddenly reacted with the Matrix, {{storylink|Distant Fissures}} recharging the Blade. Soon afterwards, [[Nexus Prime]] arrived to take custody of the Star Saber and the Terminus Blade. {{storylink|Restoration}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
Some of these legendary artifacts, such as the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]], predated the rise of the Thirteen. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Following the unification of the Thirteen, Solus Prime forged the Star Saber. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Some believed these artifacts to be [[magic]]al in nature while others thought them merely the products of advanced science. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} In truth, these artifacts were, according to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], more akin to "metaphors made real" with their universe bending powers being beyond the comprehension of modern Cybertronian science. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}}

Following the conclusion of the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], the warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] launched the Enigma of Combination off Cybertron, with it eventually crash landing on Earth. {{storylink|The Crucible}} The only artifact that was known to remain on Cybertron in the era that preceded the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] was the Matrix of Leadership. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

Circa 2012, Alpha Trion deduced the location of the Enigma and set out to retrieve it. {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} In the process, he sparked a three-way race for it, with [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] eventually bringing it to [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

Though the religious symbolism regarding the Primal artifacts had lessened on Cybertron, they remained venerated on the colony worlds, [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] in particular. [[Victorion]] eventually questioned Optimus Prime on what the Matrix of Leadership meant to him. Prime revealed he saw it as nothing more than a piece of technology. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

Before departing Cybertron in 2011, Optimus Prime split the Matrix in two, giving half to [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] and half to [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. Rodimus's half of the Matrix was destroyed when he used it to counteract the effects of [[Solomus|Tyrest]]'s [[universal killswitch]], while the other half was consumed by a black hole shortly before [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s [[Unicron War|apocalyptic attack]] thanks to [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s machinations. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} As part of the plan to defeat the Chaos Bringer, [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] harnessed the full power of the Enigma of Combination and used it to connect to the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. Though he was successful, the strain turned both him and the Enigma to dust. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
In addition to the Matrix of Leadership, several artifacts were crafted by Solus Prime to help battle against Unicron, such as the Enigma of Combination and the Requiem Blaster. {{storylink|The Swamp}} When Solus was accidentally killed by the Blaster, it was sealed away in [[Primal Swamp]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Eons later, the Enigma of Combination caused the outbreak of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], while the Matrix proved instrumental in stopping a rampaging [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. These were ultimately revealed to be part of a grand plan by [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], which ended with him obtaining the Enigma and Matrix for his own. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}} He later regained the Requiem Blaster, intent on combining the three into a device capable of draining the life from all Transformers and resurrecting Solus. {{storylink|Consequences}} However, these artifacts were removed from the device by a team of heroes before they could complete this task. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}}

===2019 IDW Continuity===
Counting fourteen in total, {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} the Artifacts of the Primes were said to be forged by Solus Prime and were thought lost after the Age of Primes came to an end, save for the Matrix of Leadership. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}} While some Cybertronians regarded the artifacts as Cybertron's greatest power and glories, others doubted their grandiose history. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

Noted scholar [[Termagax]] was an avid study of the artifacts, and was the one who instructed the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] on the history of the Enigma of Combination when they stumbled onto it beneath [[Rivets Field]]. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} Termagax personally doubted the existence of the Thirteen themselves, suspecting that they had been dreamt up to explain where the artifacts had come from. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

After the signing of the [[Nominus Edict]], the fact the Autobot-led senate wouldn't search for the other missing artifacts was one of many points of contention that led to Termagax secluding herself from Cybertronian society. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two}}

In her partnership with [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], the amoral scientist [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] began a project to recreate the artifacts within the asteroid colony of [[Hexagon]]. When confronted by [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]]'s team of [[Technobot (G1)|technical specialists]], Airachnid briefly monologued about the project before a battle accidentally sent the five Autobots plummeting into the [[Combination Core]], an artificial [[Enigma of Combination]], from which they emerged as [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
[[File:Disarmed-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

When the [[Great War (ES)|Great War]] broke out on Cybertron, laborer Orion Pax was granted the Matrix of Leadership, ascending to become [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Disarmed}}

Quintus Prime's Emberstone eventually wound up on [[Earth]] beneath the land that would one day become [[Witwicky (town)|Witwicky]], [[Pennsylvania]]. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}}

In the modern era, after the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s had come to Earth, the [[human]] siblings [[Robby Malto|Robby]] and [[Mo Malto]] fell into the Emberstone's cave. After knocking it off its pedestal, the siblings replaced the Emberstone, causing it to activate, creating [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] from a pool of water and bestowing [[cyber-sleeve]]s upon the humans to guide the newborn [[Terran]]s. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}}

When [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] was informed how the Terrans had come into being, he recognized the Emberstone's powers from legend, having the Terrans and Maltos retrieve it for him. After he explained its capabilities, the relic was teleported out his hand by [[Skywarp (ES)|Skywarp]]. After it had been returned to the Maltos, Optimus ordered them to retreat and protect it. Falling back to the cave, the family, outnumbered by [[Arachnamech]]s, appealed to Quintus for aid. Heeding their call, the Emberstone created [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] and [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] before [[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'s [[missile]] barrage caused a cave-in. In the subsequent chaos, Mo lost her hold on the Emberstone, sending it flying into the pool. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}}

When explaining the power of the Primes to the Malto family, Optimus Prime showed them the Matrix of Leadership and briefly mentioned the artifacts of the other Primes. {{storylink|Disarmed}}

===''One'' film===
The Primes wielded various weapons during their war against the Quintessons, such as Amalgamous Prime's [[Scythe (weapon)|Scythe]]. The [[Matrix of Leadership]] was held by [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] until his death at the hands of his aide, [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]]. The Matrix rejected Sentinel and disappeared, causing [[Cybertron (planet)#One_film|Cybertron]]'s energon supply to dry up. Fifty cycles later, [[Primus]] deemed [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] worthy of the Matrix, transforming him into Optimus Prime. {{Storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Devestation''===
The Star Saber and Forge of Solus Prime were the melee weapons the Autobots could find in their quest to stop Megatron. The Star Saber could be wielded by any Autobot, while only [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] were strong enough to wield the Forge. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

{{Charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}}}
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Forge of Solus Prime was powered by the "Flame of Solus Prime", a supernatural force of energy equivalent to a collapsing neutron star. Some Cybertronians believed that Solus Prime used her Forge to smith the various artifacts of the [[Thirteen]], including the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]], while others believed she wielded it as a weapon in the battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]].

The Enigma was said to have no set physical appearance, and exposure to it could modify the [[transformation cog]]s of Cybertronians into "C-State" cogs, which allow them to combine with others. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

{{Charstubgames|{{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{Charstubgames|{{Storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

===''Transformers: Galactic Trials''===
The Proton Spear was one of the Artifacts of the Primes that [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] attempted to steal, and which the [[Autobot|Autobots]] and [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] engaged in races to claim.
{{Charstubgames|{{Storylink|Transformers: Galactic Trials}}}}

==Toys==
{{toystub}}

{{Note|As one of the oldest known artifacts in the franchise, the '''Matrix of Leadership''' has been included in decades worth of toys and merchandise. Rather than list every single instance of a toy version of the Matrix on this page, you can visit [[Matrix of Leadership/toys|this page]] that exclusively lists every released toy version of the Matrix. Happy reading!}}

===''Prime''===
[[File:PlatinumEditiontoy-T30UltraMagnus.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
*[[Forge_of_Solus_Prime#Prime|Forge of Solus Prime]]
*[[Star Saber (Prima)#Prime|Star Saber]]
*[[Apex Armor (Prime)#Toys|Apex Armor]]
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:TCCSS1-UltraMammoth.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
*[[Origin Matrix#Toys|Origin Matrix]]
*[[Terminus Blade#Toys|Terminus Blade]]
*[[Covenant of Primus#Toys|Covenant of Primus]]

{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:BotCon2016-EnigmaofCombination.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
*[[Enigma of Combination#Toys|Enigma of Combination]]
{{-}}
===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:Throne of the Primes.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
*[[Enigma of Combination#Power of the Primes|Enigma of Combination]]
*[[Halo of Primus#Toys|Halo of Primus]]
*[[Throne of the Primes#Toys|Throne of the Primes]]
*[[Scepter of Sparks#Toys|Scepter of Sparks]]
{{-}}
===''Age of the Primes''===
[[File: AOTP Zodiac.jpg|right|thumb|130px]]
*[[Forge of Solus Prime#Age of the Primes|Forge of Solus Prime]]
*[[Star Saber (Prima)#Age of the Primes|Star Saber]]
*[[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)#Toys|Requiem Blaster]]
*[[Zodiac#Toys|Zodiac]]
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}
[[Category:Artifacts of the Primes| ]]
[[Category:EarthSpark technology]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) technology]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) technology]]
[[Category:Prime technology]]

Stormbringer issue 3

2025-01-04T03:17:10Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|series=stormbringer|issueno=3
|prev=Stormbringer issue 2
|next=Stormbringer issue 4
|image=Stormbringer 3a.jpg
|caption=Comin' to wreck house in your neighborhood.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 6]], [[2006]]
|coverdate=September 2006
|story by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|color assist by=[[grungewerx]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Chris Ryall]] & [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#2006-7|2006-7]]
}}
'''As the Decepticons try to stop Thunderwing, Optimus Prime and the Wreckers take on Bludgeon's cabal.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Roadbustertotherescue.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], now firmly under the control of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], has touched down on the once-peaceful planet of [[Nebulos]], deploying a formidable arsenal of weaponry against its occupants to further Bludgeon's insane plan to scour the planet clean in the hopes of rejuvenating Cybertron. A pleased Bludgeon watches from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as his creation rampages through a Nebulan city, but other matters soon demand his attention; setting Thunderwing on auto-control, Bludgeon and his followers move on to the next phase of their plan: having continued Thunderwing's research on the [[Pretender|polydermal grafting]] technology that ultimately drove him insane, the rogue Decepticons have improved on Thunderwing's findings and created the next generation of organic carapaces.

Up above, in the ruins of [[Nova Cronum]], [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] and [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] struggle to overpower their [[Centurion droid|Centurion]] attackers. It looks like the end for the duo... but luck's in their favor when [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] plough into the droids in the nick of time, gunning them down in a hail of fire! A few minutes later, Nosecone comes to amidst a group of Autobots; his rescuers were the vanguard for a larger detachment, one led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] himself and bringing the rest of the elite [[Wreckers]] with him. Optimus and [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] talk tactics while Topspin fills in the driller on their findings. Topspin tells him to stay topside: he's done enough, and now it's time for "the professionals" to take over.

As Thunderwing runs amok on Nebulos, the local [[Decepticon]] [[Infiltration protocol|infiltration unit]] weigh up their options in the face of certain doom. Squad leader [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] makes the final call to attack the creature, ordering [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to stay behind and erase all trace of their presence if they can't control it. As the crew rolls out, however, Darkwing makes a secret agreement with his teammate [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] to flee the scene if things get too rough.

[[File:IDWBludgeonShell.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Stormbringer coming down, meaning to stay; thunder and lightning heading your way!]]

On Cybertron, the Wreckers swing into action: [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] first use their earthmoving [[alternate mode]]s to burrow straight down into Bludgeon's bunker, and then Optimus Prime leads the charge. Bludgeon's loyalists aren't prepared for the Wreckers' onslaught and swiftly fall; [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]], meanwhile, slips away from the carnage and makes a break for the pressure vats to alert Bludgeon... only to find Bludgeon's already there, clad in a new suit of polydermal armor and wielding a glowing sword!

Back on Nebulos, the terrified Decepticons make their last stand against Thunderwing, to predictable results: [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] is pulped in one hand, [[Roadgrabber]] is swatted out of the air and crashes into a building, and [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] is crushed underfoot. Darkwing and Dreadwing make a half-hearted pass against the beast, but as the atmosphere begins to ionize, the two opt to grab Thrust, cut their losses, and run.

[[File:Stormbringer3 NebulousDecepticons2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Dark cloud gathering, breaking the day; no point running 'cause it's coming your way!]]

The Wreckers, meanwhile, have breached the pressure vat chamber and barge through, expecting a fight... only to find that Bludgeon has bisected Iguanus with his sword and suffered a system failure of his own, the flesh of his shell melting off his catatonic body. Optimus consoles the dying Iguanus as the Decepticon explains where Bludgeon went wrong: the exo-shell hadn't been properly aligned, and the resulting backlash has, in effect, trapped the mad Decepticon inside his own head. Roadbuster and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] successfully rescue [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] from one of Bludgeon's machines; he tells Optimus Prime to shut down Bludgeon's [[axis cradle]], and Springer obliges by blowing the machine to bits.

Having escaped the ravaged Nebulos, Dreadwind and Darkwing send a message to [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]], who in turn contacts the [[Decepticon High Command|High Command]]. The message finds its way to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who has recently arrived on [[Earth]]; he authorizes Razorclaw to do whatever is necessary to stop Thunderwing... even if it means destroying Cybertron in the process.

And, on Cybertron, Jetfire gets to work decoding the data in Bludgeon's systems, discovering that Bludgeon has used a mysterious substance known as "[[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]]" to awaken Thunderwing in the first place. Before he can get any further, however, an orbital perimeter alarm sounds—with Bludgeon's control system destroyed, Thunderwing is coming home...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (8)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (9)
* [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (10)
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (11)
* [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (12)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
* [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] (14)
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (15)
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (16)
* [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (24)
* [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] (25)
* [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] (26)
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (1)
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (2)
* [[Skullgrin]] (3)
* [[Finback]] (4)
* [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (5)
* [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (6)
* [[Centurion droid|Centurion Drones]] (7)
* [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (17)
* [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (18)
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (19)
* [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (20)
* [[Roadgrabber]] (21)
* [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (22)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (23)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (27)
* [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] (28)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Suppose there's no point in asking you to stay up here, out of the firing line." 
"No."
:—'''Springer''' and '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Damn! Damn! Damn! It's all gone to Hell!"
:—'''Iguanus''' is having a bad day.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* They sure look dead in this issue, but under the pen of [[James Roberts]] both Crankcase and Skullcruncher would be revealed to have ''survived'' their encounter with Thunderwing in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]:'' Crankcase would go on to join the misfit [[Scavengers (G1)|Scavenger]]s, while Skullcruncher got off better and started a new life as a stand-up comedian.
* In a similar vein, several of Bludgeon's cultists sure ''look'' as though they've been killed, but ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' would suggest that at least three members — [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]], [[Skullgrin]], and [[Finback]] — had merely been subdued and eventually imprisoned in the Autobot's infamous [[Garrus-9]] prison facility.
* Megatron's brief appearance in this issue links directly to the concurrent [[The Transformers: Infiltration|''Infiltration'']] miniseries, where we see Megatron's side of the conversation in the pages of [[Infiltration issue 4|issue #4]] and [[Infiltration issue 5|#5]].
* '''First appearances:''' Razorclaw

===Transformers references===
* Optimus Prime's hand-held rifles are pretty obviously those from his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Powermaster body]]. This in mind, his arm-mounted twin-cannons could be inspired by the same toy.
* Bludgeon's new suit of polydermal armor is heavily based on his toy's Pretender shell. Unlike the original, however, its design suggests that, like the [[Mega Pretender|Mega]] and [[Ultra Pretender]]s, it's able to assume an alternate mode all its own; in Bludgeon's case, some kind of treaded ground vehicle.

===Errors===
* In the recap, Thunderwing is called Bludgeon.
* Iguanus has a different design for his face during his death scene with Prime.

===Other trivia===
* Japanese characters can be seen on the monitor in the last panel, suggesting that someone didn't want to go to the trouble of coming up with suitably alien letters...
* The Decepticomments section had readers' mail answered by Chris Ryall.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Wreckers wraparound cover by Don Figueroa and Josh Burcham. This cover can be combined with similar ones from the other three issues to form a giant battle scene.
* '''Cover B:''' Cybertron sketch wraparound cover by Don Figueroa; this was later colored for ''[[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman|The Best of Simon Furman]]'' trade paperback and the [[Madman Entertainment]]-exclusive [[The Transformers (Madman)|comic]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Cover A uncolored.

<gallery>
File:Stormbringer 3a full.jpg|Who ya gonna call? The Wreckers!
File:Stormbringer 3b.jpg|Cybertron is a spiky ball!
File:Stormbringer 3ria.jpg|Cover RI-A
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Optimus Prime [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]] toy
* ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' series
* ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' TPB
* ''[[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|Generations]]'' series
* ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' 20th Anniversary DVD
* Transformers posters

===Reprints===
In addition to [[The Transformers: Stormbringer#Collections|collections of the full series]].
* N/A

Dark Creation

2025-01-03T04:26:35Z

MegaSolus: Made a mistake. Undo revision 1806954 by MegaSolus (talk)

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #65
|prev=Deadly Obsession
|next=All Fall Down
|title="Dark Creation"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #290–293
|prev2=End of the Road! (UK)
|next2=All Fall Down
|image=MarvelUS-65.jpg
|caption=Get away from me, you GLITCH!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=February [[1990]]
|coverdate=April 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|artist=[[Geoff Senior]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Jim Massara]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''In space, no one can hear you transform.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:DarkCreation we would know more.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
And so, the true history of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] after it left Earth in [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s body unfolds. Crash landing on the barren moon [[VsQs]], the Matrix lies inactive until a droid crashes nearby as well, on the edge of death. Revitalized, the mechanoid who once brought death only to the terminally ill becomes willing and able to take all life in its path. The Matrix maintains a psychic link with the [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] after it departs, and experiences new sensations through the being, such as pain, terror, and evil. It becomes... curious.

Next, a [[Matrixspawn|small predatory creature]] crawls into Prime's dead chest and is exposed to the Matrix's power. Recognizing the creature as a predator that kills victims which are neither food nor enemy, the Matrix becomes fascinated by the nature of evil. To experiment with more sensations, it recreates the creature into a larger and more deadly form, something that [[VsQs Exploration Team|curious scientists]] from [[Cameron]] [[Cameron Space Control|Space Control]] learn to their eternal lament.

Cut to the present. The [[Classic Pretender]]s are exploring what remains of the VsQs exploration habitat. As [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] uncovers the survey logs, which end abruptly after the first encounter with Optimus Prime's funeral barge and the [[Matrixspawn]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] returns from exploring the ruins. He's found the research team... what's left of them. While the Autobots are pondering their options, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] suddenly crashes through the window, demanding they hand over the Matrix to him.

Back at Thunderwing's ship, [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] is monologuing to himself about how unfair it is that he's stuck on guard duty. He contends (to himself, still) that being backhanded across the room by Thunderwing should've been punishment enough. Little does he realize that his impact shook loose a circuit, sending an electrical surge through the [[Mind Leech]] technology holding the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] prisoners in stasis.

[[File:Dark Creation Matrix Spawn about to eat Windsweeper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"What about our lives, you son of a glitch?" "I repeat: All other priorities are rescinded."]]
In the research station, [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] makes a vain attempt to reason with Thunderwing before he crushes Bumblebee's neck, but Grimlock just hauls off and slugs him. As Thunderwing's [[Decepticon]] warriors join the fight, [[Windsweeper]] sees how outnumbered the Autobots are and decides to just hang back in the shadows and let the other Decepticons do the work. This strategy works pretty well until the Matrixspawn grabs him from behind with its tail and begins pulling him up to the rafters.

Meanwhile, off the coast of [[United Kingdom|England]], a [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|shadowy figure dressed all in purple, and with only one eye]], emerges from the waters. Their monologuing is witnesssed by a solitary human, who they decree must be silenced. But WHO could it be...?

On VsQs, the Decepticons notice Windsweeper is missing, and spot the creature about ready to devour him. [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] draws a bead on the Matrixspawn to kill it and save his comrade, but Thunderwing shoves him out of the way when he recognizes the Matrix energy dripping from the creature. Afraid of being separated from its vessel, the Matrix bids it to retreat. Thunderwing takes off in hot pursuit, leaving some very chagrined Decepticon troopers wondering just how far gone their leader is.

As the Pretenders regroup, they realize the moon's heavy gravity is beginning to have an effect on them; it seems they had been burning extra [[energon]] over the last few hours to compensate, which only means that now they're low on fuel reserves. Chasing after the creature as best they can, the [[Autobot]]s are caught between Thunderwing and the Matrixspawn as they battle for the right to possess the Matrix. Bumblebee, all-but dry of energy, reaches slowly towards the Matrix as their enemies fight to the death and...

At the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the Classic Pretenders' [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] is coming in for a smooth landing, and Optimus Prime eagerly goes to meet the conquering heroes and reclaim their prize. The laugh's on him though, as Thunderwing steps forth from the shuttle wielding the power of the Matrix as his own.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (7)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (10)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (11)
*[[Siren (G1)|Siren]] (12)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (19)
|c2=
*[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (8)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (9)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (13)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (14)
*[[Windsweeper]] (15)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shadowy figure]] (18)
|c3=
*[[Patch's owner]] (17)
|c4=
*[[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]/[[Dark Matrix]] (1)
*[[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] (2)
*[[Matrixspawn]] (4)
*[[Patch (G1)|Patch]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"We are '''Primus'''. We are '''Prima'''. We are '''Prime Nova'''. We are '''Sentinel Prime'''. We are '''Optimus Prime'''. '''''We are Creation Matrix!''''' We know pleasure, purity--'''goodness'''. But we would know... '''more'''."
:—The '''Creation Matrix''' monologues, ominously

"'''Pah'''! Fed up with '''weaklings''' crying about Unicron! Give me back my '''Dinobots''' and we '''kick butt!'''" 
"Of '''course!''' It's so '''obvious!''' Why didn't any of us see this before? Except -- without the Matrix, how do you expect to '''revive''' the Dinobots? '''Sheesh!'''"
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Jazz'''

"Don't '''talk''' -- '''''HIT!''''"
:—'''Grimlock''' explains his nuanced approach to dealing with Thunderwing

"Interesting. I almost '''felt''' that."
:—A full-force punch from Grimlock fails to impress '''Thunderwing'''

"'''''AAAAH!''''' '''It's got me! It's got me!''' ...Ah ha. Well... the '''floor's''' got me, actually."
:—'''Jazz''' takes a tumble through a decaying deck

"You reckon we should go after Thunderwing, help out?" 
"Nah, it's '''his''' fight -- he's made that plenty clear to us already! Anyway, he doesn't care about what happens to us -- why should '''we''' worry about '''him?''' If Thunderwing beats the creature, the Autobots -- that's fine by me. If he dies -- '''I'll send flowers!'''"
:—'''Needlenose''' and '''Spinister'''

"We are '''Primus'''. We are '''Prima'''. We are '''Prime Nova'''. We are '''Sentinel Prime'''. We are '''Optimus Prime'''. '''''WE ARE THUNDERWING!'''''"
:—The '''Creation Matrix''' again. Toldja it was ominous!

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Page 14: Thunderwing's thighs are colored as if they were part of Jazz's torso.

===Continuity notes===
*This is the first fictional mention of [[Prima]], [[Prime Nova]], and [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], although Prima and Sentinel Prime were previously depicted in "[[The Primal Scream|Primal Scream]]" and "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]", respectively, as unnamed characters.
*Ruckus got knocked into the Mind Leech by Thunderwing just [[Deadly Obsession|last issue]].
*Bumblebee, Jazz, and Grimlock's Pretender Shells make their last appearance in the comics. Bumblebee's shell gets a hole blasted through it by Thunderwing, but Jazz and Grimlock's just disappear forever without explanation after they exit them to fight.
*The Deathbringer story the Matrix references occurred in "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]", making it one of the biggest references to the UK comic ever made by the US comic.

===Real-life references===
*The assorted creatures in this story are obviously inspired in part by the critters from the {{w|Alien (franchise)|''Alien'' film series}}, particularly the "{{w|facehugger}}". Given that, the name of the moon, "VsQs," may be an homage to {{w|List of characters in the Alien series|PFC Vasquez}} from ''{{w|Aliens (film)|Aliens}}'' and the name of the planet it orbits, "Cameron", is certainly an homage to {{w|James Cameron}}, the director of that film.
*{{w|Blackpool}} is a [[United Kingdom|UK]] seaside resort famous for its tower (which resembles the [[Eiffel Tower]]) and pleasure beach.

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 27 active; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 31 offline, 25 presumed offline. (95 total)
*Decepticons: 23 active; 4 rogue Micromasters; 1 rogue Shockwave returns; 26 offline, 25 presumed offline. 3 offline/missing. (82 total)

===UK printing===
'''Issue #290:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|G.I. Joe the Action Force]]'' - "Bailout" and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*With this issue, Combat Colin reverted to color (for a few issues at least)
*The AtoZ reached the end of the list alphabetically. Future AtoZs would use characters who had been missed out.
'''Issue #291:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "The Legacy of Unicron!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Bailout" and ''Combat Colin''
'''Issue #292:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "The Legacy of Unicron!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Bailout" and ''Combat Colin''
'''Issue #293:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "The Legacy of Unicron!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Bailout" and ''Combat Colin''

===Other trivia===
*''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] and [[Windsweeper]] are found after the main story.

===Foreign Localization===
*'''Swedish'''
:* ''Title (1990):'' "'''Skapad ur mörkret'''" ("Created from the Darkness")
:* ''Title (2019):'' "'''Mörk skapelse'''" ("Dark Creation")

===Covers (5)===
*'''US issue #65 cover:''' Grimlock attacked by the alien, by [[Bill Sienkiewicz]].
*'''UK issue #290 cover:''' Optimus Prime's corpse, by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]].
*'''UK issue #291 cover:''' Bumblebee about to be attacked by the alien, by Stewart Johnson.
*'''UK issue #292 cover:''' Windsweeper attacked by the alien, by Stewart Johnson.
*'''UK issue #293 cover:''' Thunderwing with the Matrix, by Stewart Johnson.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-65.jpg|'''US issue #65''' - Zoinks!
File:MarvelUK-290.jpg|'''UK issue #290''' - Brings a new meaning to 'heartburn'
File:MarvelUK-291.jpg|'''UK issue #291''' - Feed me Seymour!
File:MarvelUK-292.jpg|'''UK issue #292''' - Windsweeper gets swept off his feet.
File:MarvelUK-293.jpg|'''UK issue #293''' - Hmm, a floaty green thing. Can't be harmful!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
====US====
*Trix cereal - inside front cover
*Instant Quaker Oatmeal presents ''Popeye'' - between pages 4 & 5 and between pages 5 & 6
*Acclaim Douple Player wireless head-to-head system - between pages 7 & 8
*Capcom ''Bionic Commando'' - between pages 8 & 9
*''Airwolf'' engine powered model helicopter - between pages 16 & 17
*''Wheels and Wings'' cards - between pages 17 & 18
*Star Signals and Checklist - between pages 19 & 20
*''WCW'' video game for Nintendo - between story and Spinister profile
*[[Letters page|Transmissions]]
*Marvel subscription service
*Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover
*Lucky Charms cereal (back cover)

====UK====
????

===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Matrix Quest]]'' TPB:''' Thunderwing, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]], [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and half of [[Primus]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''''Transformers: Matrix Quest'' HC:''' Thunderwing with the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], by [[Pat Lee]].
*'''''[[Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm]]'':''' Optimus Prime, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], by Andrew Wildman.
*'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 5|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 5]]:''' panels from this issue, "[[Eye of the Storm]]", "[[Deadly Obsession]]" and "[[...All This and Civil War 2]]".
*'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 6]] cover:''' [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Volume 17: Matrix Quest:''''' Nightbeat and Prime's corpse by [[Makoto Ono]] and [[Geoff Senior]].
<gallery>
File:Titan-MatrixQuestSC.jpg|'''''Matrix Quest'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:Titan-MatrixQuestHC.jpg|'''''Matrix Quest'' hardback''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:Best of Transformers.jpg|'''''Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm''''' (Titan Books, 2008)
File:Classic Transformers Vol5.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 5''' (IDW Publishing, 2009)
File:TFClassicsVol6.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 6''' (IDW Publishing, 2013)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v17.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection vol. 17: Matrix Quest''''' (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
</gallery>

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Dark Creation

2025-01-03T04:19:23Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #65
|prev=Deadly Obsession
|next=All Fall Down
|title="Dark Creation"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #290–293
|prev2=End of the Road! (UK)
|next2=All Fall Down
|image=MarvelUS-65.jpg
|caption=Get away from me, you GLITCH!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=February [[1990]]
|coverdate=April 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|artist=[[Geoff Senior]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Jim Massara]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''In space, no one can hear you transform.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:DarkCreation we would know more.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
And so, the true history of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] after it left Earth in [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s body unfolds. Crash landing on the barren moon [[VsQs]], the Matrix lies inactive until a droid crashes nearby as well, on the edge of death. Revitalized, the mechanoid who once brought death only to the terminally ill becomes willing and able to take all life in its path. The Matrix maintains a psychic link with the [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] after it departs, and experiences new sensations through the being, such as pain, terror, and evil. It becomes... curious.

Next, a [[Matrixspawn|small predatory creature]] crawls into Prime's dead chest and is exposed to the Matrix's power. Recognizing the creature as a predator that kills victims which are neither food nor enemy, the Matrix becomes fascinated by the nature of evil. To experiment with more sensations, it recreates the creature into a larger and more deadly form, something that [[VsQs Exploration Team|curious scientists]] from [[Cameron]] [[Cameron Space Control|Space Control]] learn to their eternal lament.

Cut to the present. The [[Classic Pretender]]s are exploring what remains of the VsQs exploration habitat. As [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] uncovers the survey logs, which end abruptly after the first encounter with Optimus Prime's funeral barge and the [[Matrixspawn]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] returns from exploring the ruins. He's found the research team... what's left of them. While the Autobots are pondering their options, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] suddenly crashes through the window, demanding they hand over the Matrix to him.

Back at Thunderwing's ship, [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] is monologuing to himself about how unfair it is that he's stuck on guard duty. He contends (to himself, still) that being backhanded across the room by Thunderwing should've been punishment enough. Little does he realize that his impact shook loose a circuit, sending an electrical surge through the [[Mind Leech]] technology holding the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] prisoners in stasis.

[[File:Dark Creation Matrix Spawn about to eat Windsweeper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"What about our lives, you son of a glitch?" "I repeat: All other priorities are rescinded."]]
In the research station, [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] makes a vain attempt to reason with Thunderwing before he crushes Bumblebee's neck, but Grimlock just hauls off and slugs him. As Thunderwing's [[Decepticon]] warriors join the fight, [[Windsweeper]] sees how outnumbered the Autobots are and decides to just hang back in the shadows and let the other Decepticons do the work. This strategy works pretty well until the Matrixspawn grabs him from behind with its tail and begins pulling him up to the rafters.

Meanwhile, off the coast of [[United Kingdom|England]], a [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|shadowy figure dressed all in purple, and with only one eye]], emerges from the waters. Their monologuing is witnesssed by a solitary human, who they decree must be silenced. But WHO could it be...?

On VsQs, the Decepticons notice Windsweeper is missing, and spot the creature about ready to devour him. [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] draws a bead on the Matrixspawn to kill it and save his comrade, but Thunderwing shoves him out of the way when he recognizes the Matrix energy dripping from the creature. Afraid of being separated from its vessel, the Matrix bids it to retreat. Thunderwing takes off in hot pursuit, leaving some very chagrined Decepticon troopers wondering just how far gone their leader is.

As the Pretenders regroup, they realize the moon's heavy gravity is beginning to have an effect on them; it seems they had been burning extra [[energon]] over the last few hours to compensate, which only means that now they're low on fuel reserves. Chasing after the creature as best they can, the [[Autobot]]s are caught between Thunderwing and the Matrixspawn as they battle for the right to possess the Matrix. Bumblebee, all-but dry of energy, reaches slowly towards the Matrix as their enemies fight to the death and...

At the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the Classic Pretenders' [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] is coming in for a smooth landing, and Optimus Prime eagerly goes to meet the conquering heroes and reclaim their prize. The laugh's on him though, as Thunderwing steps forth from the shuttle wielding the power of the Matrix as his own.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (7)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (10)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (11)
*[[Siren (G1)|Siren]] (12)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (19)
|c2=
*[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (8)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (9)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (13)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (14)
*[[Windsweeper]] (15)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shadowy figure]] (18)
|c3=
*[[Patch's owner]] (17)
|c4=
*[[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]/[[Dark Matrix]] (1)
*[[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] (2)
*[[Matrixspawn]] (4)
*[[Patch (G1)|Patch]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"We are '''Primus'''. We are '''Prima'''. We are '''Prime Nova'''. We are '''Sentinel Prime'''. We are '''Optimus Prime'''. '''''We are Creation Matrix!''''' ...We know pleasure, purity — '''goodness'''. But we would know... '''more'''."
:—The '''Creation Matrix''' monologues, ominously

"'''Pah'''! Fed up with '''weaklings''' crying about Unicron! Give me back my '''Dinobots''' and we '''kick butt!'''" 
"Of '''course!''' It's so '''obvious!''' Why didn't any of us see this before? Except — without the Matrix, how do you expect to '''revive''' the Dinobots? '''Sheesh!'''"
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Jazz'''

"Don't '''talk''' — '''''HIT!''''"
:—'''Grimlock''' explains his nuanced approach to dealing with Thunderwing

"Interesting. I almost '''felt''' that."
:—A full-force punch from Grimlock fails to impress '''Thunderwing'''

"'''''AAAAH!''''' '''It's got me! It's got me!''' ...Ah ha. Well... the '''floor's''' got me, actually."
:—'''Jazz''' takes a tumble through a decaying deck

"You reckon we should go after Thunderwing, help out?" 
"Nah, it's '''his''' fight — he's made that plenty clear to us already! Anyway, he doesn't care about what happens to us -- why should '''we''' worry about '''him?''' If Thunderwing beats the creature, the Autobots -- that's fine by me. If he dies — '''I'll send flowers!'''"
:—'''Needlenose''' and '''Spinister'''

"We are '''Primus'''. We are '''Prima'''. We are '''Prime Nova'''. We are '''Sentinel Prime'''. We are '''Optimus Prime'''. '''''WE ARE THUNDERWING!'''''"
:—The '''Creation Matrix''' again. Toldja it was ominous!

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
* Page 14: Thunderwing's thighs are colored as if they were part of Jazz's torso.

===Continuity notes===
*This is the first fictional mention of [[Prima]], [[Prime Nova]], and [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], although Prima and Sentinel Prime were previously depicted in "[[The Primal Scream|Primal Scream]]" and "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]", respectively, as unnamed characters.
*Ruckus got knocked into the Mind Leech by Thunderwing just [[Deadly Obsession|last issue]].
*Bumblebee, Jazz, and Grimlock's Pretender Shells make their last appearance in the comics. Bumblebee's shell gets a hole blasted through it by Thunderwing, but Jazz and Grimlock's just disappear forever without explanation after they exit them to fight.
*The Deathbringer story the Matrix references occurred in "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]", making it one of the biggest references to the UK comic ever made by the US comic.

===Real-life references===
*The assorted creatures in this story are obviously inspired in part by the critters from the {{w|Alien (franchise)|''Alien'' film series}}, particularly the "{{w|facehugger}}". Given that, the name of the moon, "VsQs," may be an homage to {{w|List of characters in the Alien series|PFC Vasquez}} from ''{{w|Aliens (film)|Aliens}}'' and the name of the planet it orbits, "Cameron", is certainly an homage to {{w|James Cameron}}, the director of that film.
*{{w|Blackpool}} is a [[United Kingdom|UK]] seaside resort famous for its tower (which resembles the [[Eiffel Tower]]) and pleasure beach.

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 27 active; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 31 offline, 25 presumed offline. (95 total)
*Decepticons: 23 active; 4 rogue Micromasters; 1 rogue Shockwave returns; 26 offline, 25 presumed offline. 3 offline/missing. (82 total)

===UK printing===
'''Issue #290:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|G.I. Joe the Action Force]]'' - "Bailout" and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*With this issue, Combat Colin reverted to color (for a few issues at least)
*The AtoZ reached the end of the list alphabetically. Future AtoZs would use characters who had been missed out.
'''Issue #291:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "The Legacy of Unicron!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Bailout" and ''Combat Colin''
'''Issue #292:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "The Legacy of Unicron!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Bailout" and ''Combat Colin''
'''Issue #293:'''
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "The Legacy of Unicron!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Bailout" and ''Combat Colin''

===Other trivia===
*''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] and [[Windsweeper]] are found after the main story.

===Foreign Localization===
*'''Swedish'''
:* ''Title (1990):'' "'''Skapad ur mörkret'''" ("Created from the Darkness")
:* ''Title (2019):'' "'''Mörk skapelse'''" ("Dark Creation")

===Covers (5)===
*'''US issue #65 cover:''' Grimlock attacked by the alien, by [[Bill Sienkiewicz]].
*'''UK issue #290 cover:''' Optimus Prime's corpse, by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]].
*'''UK issue #291 cover:''' Bumblebee about to be attacked by the alien, by Stewart Johnson.
*'''UK issue #292 cover:''' Windsweeper attacked by the alien, by Stewart Johnson.
*'''UK issue #293 cover:''' Thunderwing with the Matrix, by Stewart Johnson.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-65.jpg|'''US issue #65''' - Zoinks!
File:MarvelUK-290.jpg|'''UK issue #290''' - Brings a new meaning to 'heartburn'
File:MarvelUK-291.jpg|'''UK issue #291''' - Feed me Seymour!
File:MarvelUK-292.jpg|'''UK issue #292''' - Windsweeper gets swept off his feet.
File:MarvelUK-293.jpg|'''UK issue #293''' - Hmm, a floaty green thing. Can't be harmful!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
====US====
*Trix cereal - inside front cover
*Instant Quaker Oatmeal presents ''Popeye'' - between pages 4 & 5 and between pages 5 & 6
*Acclaim Douple Player wireless head-to-head system - between pages 7 & 8
*Capcom ''Bionic Commando'' - between pages 8 & 9
*''Airwolf'' engine powered model helicopter - between pages 16 & 17
*''Wheels and Wings'' cards - between pages 17 & 18
*Star Signals and Checklist - between pages 19 & 20
*''WCW'' video game for Nintendo - between story and Spinister profile
*[[Letters page|Transmissions]]
*Marvel subscription service
*Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover
*Lucky Charms cereal (back cover)

====UK====
????

===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Matrix Quest]]'' TPB:''' Thunderwing, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]], [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and half of [[Primus]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''''Transformers: Matrix Quest'' HC:''' Thunderwing with the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], by [[Pat Lee]].
*'''''[[Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm]]'':''' Optimus Prime, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], by Andrew Wildman.
*'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 5|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 5]]:''' panels from this issue, "[[Eye of the Storm]]", "[[Deadly Obsession]]" and "[[...All This and Civil War 2]]".
*'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 6]] cover:''' [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Volume 17: Matrix Quest:''''' Nightbeat and Prime's corpse by [[Makoto Ono]] and [[Geoff Senior]].
<gallery>
File:Titan-MatrixQuestSC.jpg|'''''Matrix Quest'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:Titan-MatrixQuestHC.jpg|'''''Matrix Quest'' hardback''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:Best of Transformers.jpg|'''''Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm''''' (Titan Books, 2008)
File:Classic Transformers Vol5.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 5''' (IDW Publishing, 2009)
File:TFClassicsVol6.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 6''' (IDW Publishing, 2013)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v17.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection vol. 17: Matrix Quest''''' (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
</gallery>

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Well of All Sparks

2025-01-01T04:46:58Z

MegaSolus:

{{disambig2|the mythological region of Cybertron associated with the AllSpark and Primus|the extradimensional afterlife realm sometimes called the Well of All Sparks|Transformer afterlife}}
[[File:PredaconsRisingWellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|AllSpark: Taste the Rainbow.]]
The '''Well of All Sparks''', also known as the '''Well of AllSparks''',<ref>[[Transformers Comic issue 3.1]]</ref> the '''Well of Sparks''',<ref>''Transformers: The Last Knight'' app, the ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]'' cartoon, and the ''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]]'' film</ref> and the '''Well of the AllSpark''',<ref>''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]''</ref> is the fount from which [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s living god, [[Primus]], birthed the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] race. Across the [[Multiverse|multiverse]], the Well of All Sparks is sometimes the original home of the [[AllSpark]] before the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]], or the site of significant moments involving the [[Thirteen|Primes]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:Wellofallsparks.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Just close your eyes and think of science, Jetfire.]]
The Well of All Sparks is located under the surface of either [[Protihex]] or [[Altihex]].<ref>"[[Conflagration]]" identifies the location above the Well of All Sparks first as Protihex in a narrative box. A few pages later, Prowl says it's Altihex. Given the layout of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as shown in ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', Protihex and Altihex are equally likely candidates.</ref> After giving birth to his children, Primus sealed the Well in order to prevent his rival [[Unicron]] from locating the planet and destroying them.

In an effort to draw his master to a weakened Primus, the [[The Fallen|Fallen]] gathered four Cybertronians he described as representing angles in the "[[Geometry of Dissolution]]" and performed a ceremony he referred to as "the [[Unbinding]]", an attempt to open the [[Seal of Primus]], which would cause Primus to awaken and allow Unicron locate Cybertron. This ceremony succeeded, but quick thinking by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] bought Primus enough time to manifest and destroy his traitorous servant before sealing the Well once more. In the absence of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], the scattered factions of the warring populace agreed to place a lock on the chamber that could only be opened with the consent of all parties involved. Or, as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] put it, "[['Til all are one|Until all are one]]."

It is unknown if Jetfire remained an atheist even after this event, though he has claimed that the glorious glowing manifestation of his race's deity blinded him, and thus he didn't see a thing. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
The Well of Sparks was created as a result of [[Solus Prime|Solus Prime's]] death. {{storylink|Consequences}} Megatronus later made the Well his base of operations, ordering his acolytes [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]] to kill as many Transformers as possible so that their sparks might fill the Well in order to resurrect Solus. He also utilized a device designed to fuse the [[Matrix of Leadership]], and the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] using the [[Enigma of Combination]]. {{storylink|Without Warning}} When Megatronus finally got his hands on the Blaster, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s team acquired the Well's location from the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]'s database and followed him there through the shifting [[Labyrinth of Tunnels]]. {{storylink|Consequences}} Megatronus reappeared in the Well and activated his doomsday weapon, channeling the siphoned life energy into the Well. Though he was interrupted by the arrival of Megatron's team, Solus began to manifest from the collected energy. Before Megatronus could finish Megatron and the others, Rodimus Cron also arrived at the Well. {{storylink|Collision Course}} The heroes ultimately managed to stop the machine, {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} and Solus pulled Megatronus into the Well, killing him. This led to an explosion of energy from the Well as the accumulated sparks were released across Cybertron and throughout the universe, where they would give birth to a new generation of Transformers. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] also emerged from the well, his spark having been protected by his connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
After being created by the [[AllSpark]], {{storylink|War's End Part Two}} new sparks ascended to Cybertron's surface via the Well of All Sparks. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} To help the sparks form bodies for themselves, the Cybertronians constructed the [[Forge Pyramid]] atop the Well. After a cataclysmic battle at the Pyramid, the building flooded with molten plasma and blocked off the Well of All Sparks. {{storylink|War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====Aligned novels====
The Well of All Sparks housed the [[AllSpark]]. In the past when [[protoform]]s emerged they would brave the terrors of the [[Underworld]] to leave, but in the era of the [[Functionism|caste system]] there a Cybertronian was taught how to transform, assume their most natural [[alternate mode]] and were put into a Guild. During the [[Autobot]]-[[Decepticon]] war the AllSpark was ejected into space, and the Well remained empty until [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] journeyed through it to the [[core]] to purge it of [[Dark Energon]]. [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] had the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' built in the Well, and there it launched into space. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:COP-WellOfAllSparks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.50]]
The Well of All Sparks came into being when [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] killed [[Solus Prime]], and her corpse unexpectedly melted its way underground to the core of Primus and Cybertron, becoming the Well of All Sparks. After the climactic battle of the [[War of the Primes]], the mortally wounded [[Onyx Prime]] chose to travel to the Well, where the presence of Primus would sustain him forever. He would use his [[Triptych Mask]] to enable the new race of Cybertronians to have as much diversity as Primus had created the Thirteen with. [[Micronus Prime]] chose to accompany his friend to his eternal retreat, and ''[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Thirteen]]'' chose to accompany them so that he would be reborn as one of these new Cybertronians so that he would be able to help them by experiencing their lives.

After ''Thirteen'', Micronus, and Onyx vanished into the Well, the power of the Triptych Mask sent forth a universe-spanning beam that scanned and transmitted back information on the universe's life on which new Cybertronians could be modeled. For the next three days, new Cybertronian lifeforms of all shapes and sizes emerged from the Well, marking the beginning of the [[Age of Evolution]]. Thereafter, the Well would occasionally send forth new beings to replace the dead or simply to introduce new life to Cybertron until the planet became a lush, rich world.

During the [[Golden Age]], replicas of the Well were built on many of Cybertron's new colony worlds. These miniature Wells were activated by a "torch"- ignited from the original Well on Cybertron then carried through a [[space bridge]] to the new Well. When activated, the new Wells could produce energon and give birth to new Transformers just like the original Well. The first replica was built on [[Archon]]. The design was mimicked on countless other worlds throughout the galaxy, making them entirely self-sufficient. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
Following the [[Expulsion of Unicron|defeat of Unicron]], Primus became one with the [[Core]] of Cybertron, and he gave life to future generations of Transformers through the Well of All Sparks. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Having gained control of the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', the Autobots fired the [[Omega Lock]] on its underside directly into the Well of All Sparks, restoring Cybertron. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}} Cybertron's revival would re-awaken [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] from across the cosmos, causing the dark god to return to Cybertron. Possessing the body of [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], Unicron resurrected a swarm of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] to descend into the Well, hoping to snuff out Primus permanently. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] was able to defeat Unicron, causing the horde to disintegrate. Optimus later restored the [[AllSpark]] to its rightful place in the Well, sacrificing himself and the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in the process. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:Cyberverse - Battle for Cybertron IV - Allspark Chamber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
A series of naturally occurring tunnels led to the Well of the AllSpark. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron I}} Officially, the entry point to the Well was the [[Threshold of the Well]]. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron III}}

[[Repugnus (Cyberverse)|Repugnus]] led [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] to the Well's backdoor underneath the planet's surface. The duo was led by the [[Monsterbot (Cyberverse)|Monsterbot]] to the Well, with Bumblebee telling Cheetor that he had not set foot in the Well since his birth. Although [[Shockwave (Cyberverse)|Shockwave]] attacked with his [[Shockwave's drones|drones]], the AllSpark was returned to its rightful place. Shockwave attempted to corrupt the AllSpark with his evil and corrupted spark, but Cheetor sacrificed his life to prevent the mad scientist from dooming Cybertron. The AllSpark renewed Cybertron, allowing new life to emerge from the Well. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron IV}}

===''One'' film===
The Well of Sparks led to the core of Cybertron, where Primus's spark resided. From the Well, Energon flowed in channels across Cybertron. The [[Hall of Primes]] was built on the Well's edge in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City and became the site of [[Megatron (One)|D-16]]'s transformation into Megatron and [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]]'s death. [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] would fall through the void of the Well, being summoned by the sparks of Primus and the Primes. In the deepest part of the Well, it was here that Orion Pax was given the [[Matrix of Leadership]], becoming Optimus Prime. Optimus would return to the top of the Well, engaging in his first battle against Megatron, along with [[High Guard]] members [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]], [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]], and [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]].

After Megatron and the High Guard's retreat, Optimus Prime used the Matrix to restore the flow of Energon from the Well, with [[transformation cog|cogs]] flying out from the Well to change the [[Cogless]] citizens of Iacon into the newly formed [[Autobot|Autobots]]. {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|Transformers One}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
The [[Patterner]]s or the [[Disciples of the Thirteen]] believed the [[Dark Spark]] to be a corruption ejected from the Well of All Sparks. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''All Spark no Izumi''' (オールスパークの泉 ''Ōru Supāku no Izumi'', "Fountain of All Spark")
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:WellofAllSparksWideShot-OneShallRisePrime.jpg|The Well of All Sparks marks the beginning of the [[Age of Evolution]] in the Aligned continuity.
File:OneShallRise1-WellofAllSparks.jpg|The Primes dramatically pose around the Well of All Sparks.
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Omega Lock]]
*[[Divine Light]]
*[[Vector Sigma]]
*[[Omega Gate]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:Prime locations]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron locations]]
[[Category:Rise of the Dark Spark]]
[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Cyberverse locations]]

Alchemist Prime

2024-12-12T05:23:59Z

MegaSolus: He's doing something cool in this one.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-AlchemistPrime.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Alchemist Prime|cPretty=Alchemist Prime}}}}
{{featured}}
[[File:8AlchemistPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Fullmetal Alchemist.]]

'''Alchemist Prime''' arose from [[Primus]] with a deep connection to the elements, and even among the [[Thirteen]] his powers straddle the line between science and mysticism. Alchemist's natural intelligence and curiosity are augmented by his personal [[Artifacts of the Primes|artifact]], the [[Lenses]]; permanently affixed into his [[Sensor#Optical sensors|optic]]s, they allow him to perceive the physical and spiritual cycles of the universe in equal measure. Always in tune with creation, Alchemist's constant quest to understand the mechanisms of change means that he thinks of himself as a mere student of the natural world. Above all, Alchemist trusts his instincts and natural intuition, which rarely lead him wrong.

Alchemist Prime possesses the ability to transmute metals and temporarily alter the properties of any object. While these powerful abilities make him an unpredictable foe on the battlefield, Alchemist is one of the most even-tempered and gentle members of the Thirteen, with a friendly, sympathetic nature that makes him easy to be around. Among his twelve siblings, Alchemist was closest to [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], [[Vector Prime]], and [[Nexus Prime]]. Alchemist Prime's mastery of chemistry extends to various intoxicating beverages, which he has a professed fondness for.

While most of the Thirteen dispersed across space and time after their great schism, Alchemist opted to remain on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for a time, quietly guiding the progress of the earliest [[Transformer]] civilizations. Indeed, rumors swirl that Alchemist may still walk Cybertron after untold millennia, disguised as [[Maccadam|a humble bartender]].

==Fiction==
===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
Alchemist Prime was the sixth Prime created by Primus to defeat his arch-foe [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. These new Primes began strategizing for the upcoming conflict, and Alchemist was one of the Primes who believed that destroying Unicron would have negative repercussions for Primus. As one of the Thirteen's "Free Agents", Alchemist found himself working closely with [[Solus Prime]], [[Nexus Prime]], and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]. Conversely, he also befriended the troubled [[The Fallen|Megatronus]].

As their battle against the chaos bringer drew closer, Alchemist and Nexus Prime developed a strategy to initiate Unicron's "cerebral shutdown", forcing the giant into hibernation. He and Nexus drew up a complicated battle plan for the other members of the Thirteen to follow; they would distract Unicron long enough for Optimus to breach Unicron's [[Spark]] chamber and trigger the shutdown. When the Primes took the fight to Unicron, Alchemist fulfilled his duty with aplomb. The triumphant Primes returned to Cybertron, seemingly unscathed, but what they didn't know was that close contact with Unicron had amplified some of their inner darkness.

The Thirteen turned their attention to building a settlement and laying the foundations for civilization and society on Cybertron, dividing themselves into like-minded cliques. Alchemist drifted freely from one group to another, never really gelling with one particular concept or ideal.

[[File:COP-WellOfAllSparks.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Know this, I will return to this land! Rebuild where the ruins did stand!]]

The end of the Thirteen came after [[Prima]] discovered that Megatronus, [[Quintus Prime]], and [[Liege Maximo]] had worked on a secret "farm" of robotic creatures, which Alchemist found troubling. Suspecting a sinister motive, Prima forced the rest of the Thirteen into a vote on the matter, and Alchemist voted against letting the project continue. Furious with the results of the debate, Megatronus inadvertently killed Solus in a dispute that [[Liege Maximo]] had orchestrated. Drawn by the commotion, Alchemist arrived in time to see Solus's body return to the [[Core]], its passage creating the [[Well of All Sparks]].

Even after Megatronus offered his side of the story, accusations began to fly. The investigation degenerated into a free-for-all brawl between the remaining twelve siblings, which ended with Maximo getting killed by the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] through uncertain means. Alchemist was badly wounded in the fight, but made a recovery with time.

The survivors buried Liege Maximo's remains in a chasm and held a memorial to Solus Prime in deep space. Hoping to put their ugly past behind them, the Primes then turned their attention to Cybertron and their plans for the future. They decided to use [[Onyx Prime]]'s [[Triptych Mask]] to create a new race of robotic beings, as Primus had created them, with Onyx, Micronus, and Optimus travelling into the Well. They created a wave of Cybertronian creatures which the surviving Primes oversaw.

The Primes retired from active life, but continued to guide the earliest Cybertronian civilizations from afar. When the [[Great Cataclysm]] threatened the primitive Cybertronians, Alchemist was one of the Primes who helped mitigate the damage wrought to the planet's surface, blasting apart smaller rocks and asteroids before they could impact the surface.

After the Great Cataclysm, the surviving Cybertronians soon forgot about the Thirteen, remembering them only as the heroes of ancient folklore. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
After [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] murdered [[Solus Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] made his bid for power, the Thirteen began to separate. Alchemist Prime and Alpha Trion remained behind on Cybertron and orchestrated the beginnings of Cybertronian civilization. Once the process was well underway, Alchemist headed off into space to hunt down the renegade Liege Maximo. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Before he left Cybertron, Alchemist Prime had one last conversation with his old friend Alpha Trion. Trion noted that he showed no interest in anything except bringing Liege Maximo to justice. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

Alpha Trion never heard from him again, but believed in the core of his spark that Alchemist Prime had succeeded in his mission. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:QuintusAmalagamousAlchemist-ArtofPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|200px|right|Chain of the demons set free! Strange alchemy!]]

According to legend, at the beginning of time, Unicron and Primus battled each other for eons, with neither side remaining victorious for long. Till, that is, Primus created the [[Thirteen]]. These Thirteen defeated Unicron and cast him into space. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|''Transformers'' #35]] (mentioned); [[Heavy|''Till All Are One'' #9]] (obscured image); [[Origin Myths|''Optimus Prime'' #10]] (full appearance)}}

[[File:OriginMyths-AlchemistPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|I have plundered time itself, put the world inside it, I'm the mysteries, day and night, divide it.]]
In the primitive age following the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], Alchemist Prime was one of the many Primes who arose to lead a tribe of like-minded followers. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Fond of alcohol, Alchemist was rarely seen without a glass in his hand and was prone to frequent bouts of inebriation.

Twelve million years ago, Alchemist Prime joined four other Primes—[[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Solus Prime|Solus]], [[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]—and this quintet founded the humble [[energon]]-farming village that would one day become the [[Crystal City]]. Their fledgling peace was threatened by the advancing armies of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] and his [[Darklands|Darklander]]s, intent on conquering the region. Salvation arrived in the form of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]], his army of [[beast mode]] Transformers, and [[Liege Maximo]], who raised a fighting force from the villagers.

The next morning, the Primes watched as their forces battled the Darklanders, and were surprised when the battle prompted three [[Titan (group)|Titans]] to rise from the ground. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} Unbeknownst to the other Primes, "Onyx Prime" was simply an alias assumed by a time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], who, using his historical knowledge, had deliberately engineered the battle to bring the Primes together against a common threat. His mission fulfilled, "Onyx" was able to reach his pupil Megatronus and convinced him and his forces to lay down arms, joining the other Primes in mutual cooperation. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

In the ensuing celebration that commemorated this new alliance, Alchemist Prime got drunk after consuming rancid [[Engex]] while conversing with "Onyx Prime" — using his understanding of Cybertron's past to steer history along its preordained course, "Onyx" spoke to Alchemist Prime about a "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]]" and a "chosen one," {{storylink|Origin Myths}} setting in motion the prophecies that Shockwave's younger self would one day learn about and harness. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Alchemist would drunkenly recall what "Onyx Prime" had told him to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], who wondered if "Onyx" had begun spinning tales for his own personal gain. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

Over the next two million years, the founders of the Crystal City united with [[Prima]] and his northern alliance, becoming the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Like the other Primes, Alchemist was affiliated in some fashion with one of the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s; in his case, [[Metrobase (G1)|Metrobase]] {{storylink|Ceremony|The Lost Colonies of Cybertron}} The Thirteen ruled peacefully for a period of time, but "Onyx Prime," knowing that their civilization was doomed to fail, began sowing the seeds of dissent that would cause this collapse. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The Primes grew increasingly arrogant, however, and sought to maintain their hold on power forever by spreading stories that only a Prime could kill a Prime — stories that, in time, even they came to believe. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Following a disastrous offworld expedition, Megatronus and Liege Maximo, secretly encouraged by "Onyx", staged a coup against Prima; though Prima survived, [[Solus Prime]] sacrificed herself to defend him and Alchemist was slashed by Megatronus' stolen [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] as the villain made his escape.

He recovered in time to watch as Liege Maximo was imprisoned and banished from Cybertron aboard the Titan [[Vigilem]]; following the deaths of both Prima and Megatronus, some years later, he joined the remaining Primes as they commemorated Prima's body by interring it within Prima's Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

When [[Nexus Prime]] perished at the hands of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] during the subsequent [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], the news that the Primes were not immortal quickly spread, and the surviving Primes chose to flee Cybertron entirely. Eons later, the younger Shockwave would send one of his [[Regenesis]] ores, [[Ore-6]], to the planet [[Arduria]], a world associated with Alchemist. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Ceremony}}

Millions of years later, Galvatron, while mocking [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]'s religion, recounted Alchemist Prime's inebriated state when he supposedly came up with the prophecy of "the Chosen One". {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}}

===Fun Publications===
[[File:DionysusAlchemistPrimeAVP.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I was the keeper of the books! I had the knowledge of the scrolls!]]

In some of [[Vector Prime]]'s memories during the Thirteen's time in Greece on ancient Earth, Alchemist Prime used a [[holomatter]] avatar which, combined with his fondness for the imbibing concoctions of all sorts, inspired the myth of Dionysus. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} Vector recalled how he had nothing but happy times with Alchemist in these days. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}} At another time, Vector and Alchemist together defended the planet [[Karn]] against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/14}} Vector Prime theorized that if Alchemist Prime wielded [[Rhisling]], the weapon would take on properties based on transmutation while losing its power to manipulate time. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/20}}

According to Vector, some on Cybertron say Alchemist walks the planet still, pretending to be a simple publican [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|whose pub is a place of peace in wartime]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/14}}

As [[Nexus Prime]] united the [[Terminus Blade]] and the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], he felt his siblings among the [[Thirteen]] being drawn to the event. Time and space were rewritten that day, as the walls between the multiverse grew stronger and less permeable. A consequence of strengthening the multiverse was that Alchemist Prime and the original Thirteen could no longer continue to exist as multiversal singularities, and so they were splintered and scattered throughout the multiverse. And so the one became many, sentient reoccurring themes each appearing in their own way, if at all, in all the worlds of the multiverse. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-SubmarauderAlchemistPrime-CardArt.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
Alchemist Prime's [[Spark]] passed into the possession of one of the twelve [[Prime Master]]s; hidden within a suit of decoy armor, they safeguarded the abilities of the Primes until the present day. By uniting with a larger Transformer, the Prime Master could channel the powers of Alchemist's Spark and grant them unique abilities that varied with each new partner. {{storylink|#Generations|''Power of the Primes'' Submarauder / Alchemist Prime online bio}}

{{note|For a list of every permutation of Alchemist Prime's abilities, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this link]].}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
{{main|Maccadam#Cyberverse cartoon}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon===
[[File:EarthriseEpisode5-AlchemistPrime.jpg|thumb|We all float in here.]]

Alchemist Prime, wearing his [[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] decoy armor, was seen floating around in the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:TheCreationOfCrystalCity-IDW2019.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.75|"Equivalent Exchange" can kiss my skid plate!]]

Alchemist Prime was one of the Thirteen. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} According to legend, at the dawn of the [[Age of the Firstforged]], he sculpted the foundations of [[Crystal City]] by transmuting the ground into pure crystal. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}
{{--}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:One-Alchemist-Prime.jpg|thumb|Poor guy didn't get the chance to grow old and open [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|his bar...]]]]

Alchemist Prime was one of the original thirteen Primes created by Primus. When the Quintessons invaded Cybertron, Alchemist fought with his fellow Primes against them. He would join the Primes in a secret meeting with the Primes' aide [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel]], unaware that it was a trap. Alchemist would be killed during the battle, with his brothers' and sisters' bodies resting in a hidden cave for fifty cycles before being rediscovered by miners [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita]], and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]]. A revived [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] would give Alchemist's [[Transformation cog|transformation cog]] to Elita-1, unlocking her lost ability to transform into an alternate form and providing a new, improved robot form.

A vision of Alchemist Prime and the other Primes later appeared as Alpha Trion declared a damaged Orion Pax to be the next wielder of the Matrix of Leadership, Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|Transformers One}}

==Toys==
===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:TF-POTP-Prime-Master-Alchemist-Prime-with-Submaruder.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Another 'Con Prime? And it's not Megatronus?]]
*'''Alchemist Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-10'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[June 30]], 2018'''
**''Accessories'': [[Submarauder (G1)#Generations|Submarauder]] decoy armor, trident
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Alchemist Prime is a [[Prime Master]] with [[Submarauder (G1)#Power of the Primes|Submarauder]] decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell.

:This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[You|your]] imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.

:Alchemist Prime was retooled with a new [[Prime Master]] sigil as [[Nexus Prime#Power of the Primes|Nexus Prime]].
{{--}}

===''Cyberverse''===
[[File:TF-Cyberverse-Deluxe-BAF-Maccadam.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Thew Adams|Thewbot]]. (Does not convert into a mechanical mess of clockworks, unfortunately)]]
*'''[[Bumblebee_(Cyberverse)#Deluxe_Class|Bumblebee]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)
*'''[[Optimus_Prime_(Cyberverse)#Deluxe_Class|Optimus Prime]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)
*'''[[Shockwave_(Cyberverse)#Deluxe_Class|Decepticon Shockwave]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)
*'''[[Megatron_(Cyberverse)#Deluxe_Class|Megatron]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)
*'''[[Hot Rod_(Cyberverse)#Deluxe_Class|Hot Rod]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)
*'''[[Grimlock_(Cyberverse)#Deluxe_Class|Grimlock]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)
*'''[[Arcee (Cyberverse)#Deluxe Class|Arcee]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)
*'''[[Thunderhowl (Cyberverse)#Deluxe Class|Thunderhowl]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)

:This toy of Maccadam is a non-transforming "build-a-figure", the first to be released in the ''Transformers'' line since ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' [[Transmutate_(BW)#Toys|Transmutate]] in 2006. Maccadam can be built from the parts included with the eight figures released in the first two waves of ''Cyberverse'' Deluxe Class toys. Maccadam's legs come with Hot Rod and Shockwave, the waist with Bumblebee, the torso with Megatron, the forearms with Grimlock and Optimus, the shoulders and weapon with Arcee, and the head with Thunderhowl.

:Maccadam's posability and quality are closer to a main line Warrior class figure than the Deluxes with his parts.
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Alchemist Prime''' (アルケミストプライム ''Arukemisuto Puraimu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Xié Tiān Cuì''' (撷天萃)

{{Thirteen}}

[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:One Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Prime Transformers]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise characters]]

File:TerminusBlade-AnotherLight.jpg

2024-12-10T11:48:37Z

MegaSolus:

The origins of the [[Terminus Blade]] are revealed. Also seen in the panel from left to right: [[The Fallen]], ''Shattered Glass'' [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]], ''Shattered Glass'' [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]], [[Vector Prime]], and a partial view of [[Unicron]].
{{art|line-art=[[Eryck Webb]]|colors=[[Evan Gauntt]]|letters=[[Jesse Wittenrich]]}}
{{FunPubcomicinterior|source="[[Out of the One, Many]]"|year=15}}

[[Category:Images by Eryck Webb]]
[[Category:Images by Evan Gauntt]]

File:TF-AOTP-Voyager-Prima-Prime.jpg

2024-12-08T21:40:04Z

MegaSolus:

''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'' Voyager Class [[Prima#Age of the Primes|Prima Prime]] stock photography.

{{aotpstock}}

File:TF-Age of the Primes-Solus Prime.jpg

2024-12-08T21:38:14Z

MegaSolus:

Hasbro stock photography of [[Transformers: Age of the Primes|''Transformers'': ''Age of the Primes'']] The Thirteen [[Solus Prime#Age of the Primes|Solus Prime]].

{{stock}}

Transformers (2023) issue 14

2024-12-06T06:21:16Z

MegaSolus:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #14
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 13
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 15
|image=Transformers 2023 14 Cover B.jpg
|caption=We're sure this is going to end splendidly for everyone involved.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[November 13]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=November 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jason Howard]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|production design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Though wounded, Starscream's ambitions remain strong. With a new group of allies at his side, he is determined to regain control of the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
Having recovered the body of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[M.A.R.S.]] commander [[Horton]] and his team have decided to affix the [[Decepticon]] warrior to their [[H.I.S.S. tank]], complete with a remote control for the vehicle. However, after completing their project, Starscream awakens, horrified at what they've done to him. He tries to kill the humans (along with [[Razz|Private Razz]]'s [[cat]]), but is weak without [[energon]] and unable to control his movements. Horton offers to help Starscream, which the angry [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] rebuffs. However, Horton reveals that they took the precaution of installing explosives in Starscream's body while he was out, forcing Starscream to capitulate to him. Starscream goes along with Horton, sensing that they both have the same desire for power.

''Years ago, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and Starscream attack a group of [[Autobot]]s. Taking them prisoner, Megatron offers them the chance to join the Decepticons. When they refuse, Megatron transforms into his gun mode and orders Starscream to use him to execute their enemies. Starscream is hesitant, not wanting to murder prisoners of war. However, Megatron compels him and Starscream follows through, apologizing all the while. Over the course of the war, the pair kill more and more Autobots, Megatron turning Starscream into his "hand of death."''

[[File:TF2023 no.14 - StarscreamsBrigade.jpg|left|thumb|250px]]

As Starscream and the M.A.R.S. troops travel, they come across the chained-up [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], much to Starscream's surprise. Astrotrain reveals that [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] released him from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', offering him revenge on Megatron to join his plan. Starscream balks at the idea that Soundwave would willingly give up his master, but frees Astrotrain and assures him that if the [[Triple Changer]] joins him, he will deliver on Soundwave’s false promise. Horton is about to object, but the conversation is interrupted by a piece of Cybertron falling from the sky into the [[Pacific Ocean]]. As the piece's impact causes a tidal wave, the humans begin to flee while Astrotrain transforms to transport Starscream away. However, Horton uses the controller to prevent Starscream from boarding his ally. Starscream demands Horton get him onto Astrotrain, offering to get the M.A.R.S. team to safety as well.

Aboard Astrotrain's shuttle mode, Horton reminds Starscream that he's in charge of their arrangement. Astrotrain then alerts Starscream to the sight of [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] in the water. The Decepticons rescue their allies, much to the irritation of Horton as he loses more and more control over the situation. Horton orders his team to be taken down to the surface, but at that moment, Astrotrain hits a rogue wave, sending the humans tumbling and knocking Horton unconscious.

When he awakes, Horton finds himself on the chunk of Cybertron, with Starscream being hailed as leader by Astrotrain and the reassembled roster of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. Starscream tells his assembly that their first order of business will be to take the fight to Soundwave and his Decepticons, but they are interrupted by Horton, who has realized Starscream has double-crossed him. The M.A.R.S. commander threatens Starscream with the explosives his team placed in him, but when he presses the button, nothing happens. Razz and the rest of the team emerge and reveal Starscream promised to free them if they removed the explosives. Starscream thanks Razz for her help... then squashes her with his hand before turning his [[null-ray]]s on Clayton and squishing Horton under his tank treads, leaving only Razz's cat and Martin alive. He orders Martin to begin sketching, wanting the artist to document his rise to power.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* ''Autobot prisoners'' (7)

|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (5)
* ''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'' (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (8)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (9)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (10)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (11)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (12)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (13)

|h3=[[M.A.R.S.]]|c3=
* [[Horton]] (1)
* [[Razz|Private Razz]] (2)
* [[Martin (Energon Universe)|Private Martin]] (3)
* [[Clayton|Private Clayton]] (4)
}}

==Quotes==
“'''WAIT!!!!''' You were in '''lava!''' (Holds up rough sketch) '''See??!''' Your legs were '''gone! ''' We saved you!” 
“That…is '''ALL WRONG!''' My proportions are '''completely off! Draw me again, and do it right this time!!!'''
:—'''Private Martin''' and '''Starscream''' have different priorities.

"Do not fight this, Starscream. It is better this way." 
"Please... I don’t... I don’t want to--" 
"What you desire matters not. You are mine now. You will obey my command."
:—'''Megatron''' exerts his will over a still reluctant '''Starscream'''.

"'''Never again''' will I be the property of '''anyone! I will be the master of my own destiny. The captain of my own fate.'''"
:—'''Starscream'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The events of this issue take place alongside that of the previous arc, with Starscream and Astrotrain witnessing the piece of Cybertron that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] accidentally blew off in [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]] falling into the ocean.
* Starscream's reluctance to kill the Autobot prisoners runs in stark contrast to his murder of the deactivated [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]], meaning that this flashback can't have taken place too much longer after the final flashback segment of [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|last issue]]. More important, though, is the reveal of why this version of Starscream sought to take down Megatron: the Decepticon leader used some sort of mind-control power to force Starscream into killing Autobot after Autobot using his pistol mode.
** Reminder that, even with Megatron regularly taking away his autonomy, Starscream's aligned with the Decepticons because he has good reason to believe that the Autobots are responsible for his best buddy [[Genvo]]'s death. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend," after all...
* Astrotrain was freed from the ''Nemesis'' by Soundwave in [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|issue #8]], and chained up by [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 10|issue #10]]. He’s been eager for revenge on Megatron ever since, which Starscream uses to recruit him. Of course, Starscream believes he already finished off their leader, as seen in the [[Transformers Energon Universe Special story]].
* Brawl is still missing his lower half after being bisected by the closing [[space bridge]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue #9]]. Onslaught followed Brawl to Earth that same issue, while [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], and [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] were last seen fleeing from Optimus in issue 12. Notably, the latter three are first seen aboard the blown-off piece of Cybertron rather than in the ocean with their teammates, which is consistent with #12, where they retreated further into Shockwave's lair rather than through the portal to Earth.
* Brawl mentions that he and Onslaught overheard Soundwave plotting against Shockwave earlier, referring to Soundwave's conversation with [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] towards the end of issue #10, which Onslaught was shown listening in on as he kept the bisected Brawl company.
** While it wasn't fully explicit if Optimus crushing Shockwave's head was a full-on death in issue #12, Brawl here refers to him as having been killed. Given this is Shockwave, however, it remains to be seen as to how long this will stick.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Starscream recruiting the Combaticons for a coup d'état against the established Decepticon forces echoes the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode “[[Starscream's Brigade]]”. The cartoon also saw Starscream convince Astrotrain and his fellow Decepticon Triple Changer [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to join him in claiming Decepticon leadership in the episode "[[Triple Takeover]]". Notably, both the Combaticons ''and'' the Triple Changers turned on Starscream in their respective episodes, so we'll have to wait and see if history repeats itself again...

===Errors===
* Horton's first speech bubble on page 14 is rendered in the square shape of the Transformers rather than the traditionally rounded style used by human characters.

===Other trivia===
* The nature of Megatron's gun [[alternate mode]] is further explored in this issue. As in several episodes of the Generation 1 cartoon, the Decepticon leader requires someone else to use him when he transforms due to the limits of his power.

===Covers===
{{comicstub|10/11 covers documented}}
* '''Cover A:''' Astrotrain in chains, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Starscream firing with his new H.I.S.S. form, by [[Jorge Corona]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover by [[Viktor Bogdanovic]].
* '''Cover D:''' A very '80s inspired Optimus Prime, by [[Jorge Fornés]].
* '''Cover E:''' Optimus Prime, Jazz, and Arcee in an homage to Generation 1 toy packaging, by [[Derrick Chew]].
* '''Big Time Collectibles Cover A:''' Megatron standing before a graffiti-covered building in the rain, by [[Ivan Tao]]
* '''Big Time Collectibles Cover B:''' Megatron atop a pile of rubble, by [[Kael Ngu]].
* '''East Side Comics Cover:''' Bruticus, by [[Alan Quah]].
* '''TopShelfComic Cover A:''' Megatron atop a pile of rubble in the rain, by [[Jimbo Salgado]].
* '''TopShelf Comic Cover B:''' Optimus Prime leading the Autobots into battle, by [[Livio Ramondelli]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 14 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 Cover E.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 Big Time Collectibles Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 Big Time Collectibles Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 East Side Comics Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 TopShelfComic Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 14 TopShelfComic Cover B.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* The biggest comic book of the decade is here: ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''!
* A new era from Larry Hama in ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]''
* The Energon Universe has arrived in trade paperbacks for ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'', ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'', ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'', ''[[Void Rivals]]'', and ''Transformers''

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 3: Combiner Chaos''''' ([[May 28]], [[2025]]) ISBN 153432559X / ISBN 978-1534325593 
** Collects issues #13–18 and the [[Transformers Energon Universe Special story|''Transformers'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe Special 2024]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V3.jpg|'''''Volume 3: Combiner Chaos''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Solus Prime

2024-12-05T01:19:47Z

MegaSolus: /* Gallery */

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-SolusPrime.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Solus Prime|cPretty=Solus Prime}}}}
{{featured}}
[[File:Solusprime covenant profile.jpg|thumb|right|263px|Rosie the riveted.]]

Among the [[Thirteen]], '''Solus Prime''' is the Maker and creator. Among her friends she is much loved both for her abilities to forge nearly any device they need and for her intelligence and positive supportive personality. If she has any flaw, it is her fierce and angry temper that quickly flares up at any sign of injustice. She finds joy in creation, which is why she's particularly close friends with [[Nexus Prime]], [[Micronus Prime]], and [[Onyx Prime]] who revel in similar pursuits. Her closest relationship, however, is to [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]. The two are bound by a close devoted romantic love unique among the Thirteen, and spend much of their time online and off rejoicing in each other's presence. (The fact that both have quick fiery tempers surely won't cause issues down the road.)

All [[female Transformer]]s are patterned from her template and thus are gifted with a similar processing architecture, which is the main differentiation between them and their male counterparts.

Many of the arsenal of magnificent weaponry and icons wielded by the other original Transformers are her impressive handiwork, created by an icon of her own, the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], aided by her unique cognitive systems specializing in wide-ranging and powerful parallel processing, and manifesting in the holographic lattice known as the [[Creation Lathe]]. Her creations include:

* The [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]
* The [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]
* The [[Chimera Stone]]
* The [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]
* The [[Infinite Combinatoric]]
* The [[Chaos Edge]]
* The [[Cyber Caliber]]
* The [[Quill]]
* The [[Zeonomicon]]
* The [[Terminus Blade]]
* The [[Enigma of Combination]]

==Fiction==
===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
Solus Prime was the fourth Prime created by [[Primus]] to defeat [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. The builder and creator of the Thirteen, Solus opted to remain a free agent as the newborn Primes strategized for their upcoming battle against the chaos-bringer. As part of their training, Solus created a holo-suite, which contained a virtual copy of Unicron for the Primes to train against. The Primes quickly learned that their enemy was more than capable of trouncing them in direct combat.

Solus Prime befriended the conflicted Megatronus, building for him the first set of [[Dark Energon]] [[Dark Energon skin|skin]]s. At Megatronus's urging, she constructed the Requiem Blaster, a weapon that she considered virtually unstoppable. Doubtful at what she had created, the Requiem Blaster led to a heated debate amongst the Thirteen, with [[Liege Maximo]] pointing out that the moody Megatronus could easily turn on his brothers and become unstoppable. Solus Prime defended Megatronus, arguing that Megatronus- who had successfully resisted the temptation of his inner demons- was perhaps best suited to carrying the destructive weapon. Megatronus was proud of her speech, and Solus Prime continued to churn out new weapons and artifacts for her brothers, working closely with them in order to mimic some of their innate powers. Continuing their training, Solus worked with [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]], [[Micronus Prime]], and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] to build a [[Vector Sigma|computer]] capable of predicting all of Unicron's potential moves.

Eventually, the time came to launch an assault on Unicron himself. Wielding her Forge and a sword, Solus led the charge through [[Vector Prime]]'s [[space bridge]] and onto Unicron himself. After [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] shut down Unicron from the inside, the weary but triumphant Primes headed back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Unbeknownst to them all, Unicron's presence had left them all a little more susceptible to their inner darkness.

[[File:COP-Megatronusshootssolus.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Yeah, we're not fond of this scene either.]]

In the era that followed, Solus continued to work at her Forge, building useful items for the burgeoning settlement of the Primes. She and Megatronus remained close to each other. Tensions between the Primes began to grow on the day that Solus refused to make a suit of armor for Liege Maximo, who claimed that he was building some robotic creatures for company. As a gift, Liege Maximo gave her one of the creatures, whom she adopted as a pet. After some wheedling from Maximo, Solus decided to forge the armor in question.

[[Prima]] and some of the other Primes got word of the "farm", and called a vote to decide its future. Solus voted against the continuation of the project, but not without a defiant remark aimed at Prima, who had cast aspersions on Megatronus's character.

Megatronus confronted Solus Prime over Maximo's suit of armor, which had been completed long ago but had never been delivered to its intended recipient. Their disagreement eventually grew into a full-fledged fight after Megatronus killed her pet, which had secretly been recording Solus Prime's actions. In the chaos, Megatronus fired the Requiem Blaster without thinking, fatally wounding Solus Prime. Before Solus passed away, however, she professed her love for him. Solus's body returned to the core of Cybertron and [[Primus]], and the passage it left behind became the [[Well of All Sparks]].

Following the death of Liege Maximo, the surviving Primes built a tomb in her memory, far away from Cybertron. There, they held a funeral for their fallen comrade. A repentant Megatronus attended the celebration, where he mused that Solus Prime had seen something good in him and that he would find a way to live up to that.

Following the beginning of Cybertronian civilization, one-thirteenth of Cybertron's population considered themselves descendants of Solus Prime, and possessed a very similar neural structure to their progenitor. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
Near the dawn of time, while the Thirteen were struggling with the threat of [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]], [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] commissioned Solus Prime to create a weapon of incredible destruction to use against the Chaos Bringer. Solus Prime had strong reservations, but after a long period of time managed to create the Requiem Blaster. She gathered the interested members of the Thirteen to witness a test of its powers, and leveled a mountain. She pointed out that power corrupts and worried that the existence of such a weapon could possibly lead to their own downfall. Ultimately, the Thirteen voted seven to six to keep the Requiem Blaster and not destroy it.

It was Solus Prime's sudden murder at the hands of the enraged Megatronus that caused the first major schism in the Thirteen. After Megatronus became The Fallen and was defeated by the remnants of the Thirteen, a tomb was fashioned for Solus Prime out of a meteor and set adrift in the stars, reachable only by a series of [[space bridge]]s.

Countless years later, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] came across Solus Prime's tomb while searching for a mystical artifact. A semi-sentient hologram of Solus Prime appeared and warned Optimus and his Autobots to leave. Solus Prime directed them towards a Space Bridge which would take them to the location of the lost Requiem Blaster.
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[Image:OneShallRise1-SolusPrime.jpg|left|thumb|I'm a godly being from the dawn of creation... but I'm not [[Override Prime|the first female Prime]]?!]]
According to legend, at the beginning of time, [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] and [[Primus]] battled each other for eons, with neither side remaining victorious for long. Till, that is, Primus created the [[Thirteen]]. These Thirteen defeated Unicron and cast him into space. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} At some point statues of Solus Prime and the Thirteen were created and placed in the high council chamber. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} In more recent times, her forge was among the artifacts sealed the [[Vaults]] of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], and was later sent to Earth by Alpha Trion, where it was found and used by Optimus Prime and the Autobots. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
In the distant past, Megatronus destroyed Solus Prime. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

[[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] occasionally swore by Solus Prime, {{storylink|True Colors}} as did [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Combine and Conquer}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]] (mentioned); [[The Sum and Its Parts|''Windblade'' #1]] (depicted)}}

[[File:Windblade 1 solus prime.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Rosie the Riveter. Wait, we already made that joke. Ah, crap.]]

In the age following the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], Solus Prime was one of the many Primes that arose on prehistoric Cybertron, tribal leaders who gathered like-minded followers. {{storylink|Heavy}} Approximately twelve million years ago, Solus and her tribe joined a coalition of like-minded Primes—[[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], [[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Alchemist Prime]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]—and founded the village that would eventually become the [[Crystal City]].

One evening, Vector brought news that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] and his [[Darklands|Darklander]]s had invaded the neighboring city of [[Protihex|Protohex]] and slain [[Septimus Prime]]. Solus was unmoved, but when [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] arrived to confirm Vector's warnings, they agreed to join forces. The next morning, the Primes watched as Onyx's army of beasts battled the Darklanders until a trio of [[Titan (group)|Titans]] emerged from the ground and gave Onyx the opportunity to reach Megatronus and call for a truce. The eight Primes then agreed to an alliance, and were joined shortly afterwards by [[Prima]] and his northern alliance. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

Over the next two million years, the Primes ruled benevolently; Solus Prime became known for her friendship with Megatronus {{storylink|Heavy}} and her endless creativity, using her [[Creation Lathe]] to build the collection of weapons, artworks, and scientific devices that comprised the "Artifacts of the Primes." {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} Solus even commanded the loyalty of a Titan, [[Caminus (Titan)|Caminus]]. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} In time, however, some of the Primes grew arrogant, and sought to preserve their hold on power by claiming that they were functionally immortal: it was falsely claimed that only a Prime could kill a Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

Unbeknownst to the other Primes, however, "Onyx Prime" was not who he appeared to be—in reality, "Onyx" was a convenient identity assumed by a time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], who sought to guide history along its preordained course while analyzing the variables that inevitably led his race to fall to civil war. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Solus eventually forged a powerful sword for Prima that incorporated the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and dubbed it the "[[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]" {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} causing "Onyx" to realize that—in order to maintain the timeline and ensure that the Matrix of Leadership would one day find its way to [[Nova Prime|its next bearer]]—he would have to engineer the fall of the Primes as history dictated.
[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusKillsSolus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.65|left|Alex {{w|Women in refrigerators|the refrigerator'd.}}]]

Following a disastrous offworld expedition, Prima blamed Megatronus for this failure; though Megatronus tried to convince Solus Prime that he had been in the right, she rejected his explanations, arguing that the Primes needed to use their powers to "light the way," not destroy indiscriminately. This rejection pushed him towards the more receptive [[Liege Maximo]], a betrayal that led to the two hatching a plan to stage a coup against Prima. When this treachery was revealed, Solus was able to defend Prima from the traitors, but at the cost of her own life—she was slain by her former friend Megatronus and impaled on her own Star Sabre. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The fallout from this act would, in turn, spark the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], {{storylink|The Crucible}} and prompt some of Liege Maximo's own followers to turn against him; {{storylink|Heavy}} none of the Primes or their followers would ever learn that "Onyx" had deliberately orchestrated this entire sequence of events from the shadows. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

At some point before the [[Golden Age]], Caminus would leave Cybertron and colonize [[Caminus (planet)|a distant moon]] that he named after himself, founding a new Transformer civilization. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}} This Transformer colony would develop a religion known as the [[Way of Flame]]. Based off the teachings and philosophies of Solus Prime, the religion deified the Thirteen as gods and venerated Solus Prime as the greatest among this pantheon, beliving that every Camien's [[spark]] contained a fragment of Solus's essence. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} On death, the devout held that all sparks returned to Solus Prime's forge, where it would be reincarnated as a new Cybertronian. {{storylink|The Life of Sideswipe}} The religious organization known as the [[Torchbearer]]s considered themselves servants of Solus Prime and organized themselves into groups of six to commemorate Solus Prime's Creation Lathe. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}}

===Fun Publications===
[[File:HephaestusSolusPrimeAVP.jpg|thumb]]
[[Vector Prime]] shared many happy memories with his sister. When the Thirteen spent time in ancient Greece of some [[universal stream]]s, the male holomatter avatar Solus used inspired/co-opted the myth of Hephaestus, blacksmith of the gods. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} During this time, (s)he crafted the Aegis of [[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Athena]] and the trident of [[Adaptus|Poseidon]], and was "bonded" to Liege Maximo (who manifested as the female Venus) by [[Prima]] in hopes of quelling the animosity that had flared up between them. It didn't go so well; "Interesting times," Vector Prime recalls. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}} Vector also noted that there were [[universal stream]]s where she was known as Solus [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/24}}

As the original Cybertronian master forger, Solus created the [[Zeonomicon]] for [[Logos Prime]] {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}} and the [[Terminus Blade]] for her siblings to cross dimensions in their campaign against Unicron, though the latter was soon rendered obsolete by technological advancement and carelessly discarded. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

As [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] began acting for evil causes, his siblings among the Thirteen resolved to keep the all-powerful [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] out of his hands. To this end, Solus Prime used her [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]] to split the mighty blade into five pieces. [[Nexus Prime]] volunteered to split himself into five pieces to hide the five fragments across the multiverse. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}} {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}} The [[Origin Matrix]], the most powerful fragment, was hidden on prehistoric [[Earth]] of [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]] and time-locked by [[Vector Prime]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}}

Vector Prime stated that Solus went on to be the first of the Thirteen to perish. However, this was at a time after the opening of the [[Uniend|Uniend Cluster]] and soon before the [[Shroud]], so it is uncertain whether Vector was referring to the Uniend or non-Uniend version(s) of Solus. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/14}}

After escaping from the clutches of [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] in [[Axiom Nexus]], [[Vector Prime]] (deliberately playing up to the public image of himself as a doddering old fool) pretended to momentarily mistake his [[Axiom Nexus News]] colleague [[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] for his sister Solus Prime. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/07/08}}

When [[Nexus Prime]] united the [[Terminus Blade]] and the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], the other [[Thirteen]] were drawn to the event—including an expression of Solus's singularity that existed from a time before she had perished. Time and space were rewritten that day, as the walls between the multiverse grew stronger and less permeable. A consequence of strengthening the multiverse was that Solus Prime and the original Thirteen could no longer continue to exist as multiversal singularities, and so they were splintered and scattered throughout the multiverse. And so the one became many, sentient reoccurring themes each appearing in their own way, if at all, in all the worlds of the multiverse. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
Solus Prime's [[Spark]] passed into the possession of one of the twelve [[Prime Master]]s; hidden within a suit of decoy armor, they safeguarded the abilities of the Primes until the present day. By uniting with a larger Transformer, the Prime Master could channel the powers of Solus's Spark and grant them unique abilities that varied with each new partner. {{storylink|#Power of the Primes|Octopunch / Solus Prime online bio}}

{{note|For a list of every permutation of Solus Prime's abilities, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this link]].}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Jaime King]] (English)}}
[[File:Machinima-POTP-Solus.jpg|thumb|left|Well, I'm sure this heavy red filter on the scene doesn't bode poorly for me in the slightest!]]
Solus Prime created many tools to help defend against [[Unicron]], including the [[Enigma of Combination]] and the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]. After her lover Megatronus used the Blaster to vanquish Unicron, she welcomed him back to her forge. Its purpose now served, Solus believed the weapon should be destroyed to prevent its misuse, though Megatronus believed it was safer in his care. {{storylink|The Swamp}} The two began fighting over the weapon, inadvertently causing it to fire and mortally wound Solus. Dying in Megatron's arms, her life force was released into the air before forming the Well of Sparks. {{storylink|Without Warning}} {{storylink|Consequences}} Because of her death, the other members of the [[Thirteen]] sealed the Blaster away and Megatronus began brainstorming a plan to reunite with Solus. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}}

Ultimately, Megatronus obtained the Enigma, Blaster and [[Matrix of Leadership]], combining their powers to siphon life energy from Transformers everywhere into the Well. As his team arrived and subdued Megatronus, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] watched as the energy coalesced and Solus began to reform. Confused by her circumstances, she asked Megatron what was happening to her, which he explained. She proceeded to only stand and observe as Megatronus eliminated each of his foes. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Horrified by what she witnessed, Solus repeatedly begged Megatronus to stop, directing the others to destroy the machine tethering her to the Well. The machine eventually released the relics, causing Solus to begin to fade away. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Still begging for help and for Megatronus to stop, Solus took matters into her own hands and used the energy of the sparks to grow in size and grabbed Megatronus. Calling him out on the many atrocities he had committed, including causing her death, she pulled him down into the Well, killing them both and releasing all the accumulated sparks. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
Solus Prime was one of the [[Thirteen]], {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}} {{storylink|Silent Strike}} {{storylink|The Other One}} later generations sometimes invoking her name as a form of swearing. {{storylink|Shadowstriker (episode)|Shadowstriker}}

After gaining control of the [[AllSpark|Allspark]], [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] believed he had pulled Solus Prime's spark back to the world of the living and implanted it into one of his "[[scraplet|children]]", though some questioned the legitimacy of his claims. {{storylink|Parley}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:ADustOfCrystals-AgeOfTheFirstforged.jpg|thumb]]

One of the Thirteen Primes, {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} Solus Prime forged the [[Matrix of Leadership]] during the [[Age of Primes]], an act that was said to be guided by Primus himself. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

She survived the end of the Age of Primes, living into the [[Age of the Firstforged]] where her own Ur-Forge brought forth new life on Cybertron. {{storylink|End of Time}} In that age, Solus Prime was once visited by a supplicant named [[Solomus]], who shared his vision for [[Crystal City]]. Solus and [[Alchemist Prime]] helped Solomus bring his dream to fruition. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}

===''One'' film===
Solus Prime was one of the original thirteen Primes created by Primus. When the Quintessons invaded Cybertron, Solus fought with her fellow Primes against them. She would join the Primes in a secret meeting with the Primes' aide [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel]], unaware that it was a trap. As the Primes held their own, Sentinel enacted his plan and shot Solus with the deceased Nexus Prime's weapon. The force of the blast sent her flying into a pile of fallen [[Quintesson Soldier]]s, impaling her one of their blades. Solus and her kin laid there for fifty cycles until miners [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita]], and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] discovered their bodies with Alpha Trion's message for help.

A vision of Solus Prime and the other Primes later appeared as Alpha Trion declared a damaged Orion Pax to be the next wielder of the Matrix of Leadership, Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Some Cybertronians believed that Solus Prime crafted the [[Enigma of Combination]] using her supernatural [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]]. The Torchbearers of Caminus venerated Solus Prime, and organized themselves into six in tribute to her [[Creation Lathe]]. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Toys==
===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Prime-Master-Solus-Octopunch.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
* '''Solus Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])
** ''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-28'''
** ''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[September 29]], 2018'''
** ''Accessories'': [[Octopunch (G1)#Power of the Primes|Octopunch]] decoy armor, tentacle device
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Solus Prime is a [[Prime Master]] with [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell.

: This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[You|your]] imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.

: Solus Prime was retooled with a new [[Prime Master]] sigil as [[Prima#Power of the Primes|Prima Prime]].
{{anchor|PWTSE}}{{anchor|SpecialEdition}}
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Special-Edition-Prime-Master-Solus-Prime.jpg|200px|thumb|Refrigerator not included.]]
* '''Repugnus''' (Special Edition, 2018)

: Available only with ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class [[Repugnus (G1)#PWTSE|Repugnus]] and [[Dastard#Titans Return|Dastard]], this version of Solus Prime is a [[redeco]] of the above Prime Master featuring translucent parts, and lacking the decoy armor. This "Special Edition" set celebrates the ''Titans Return'' portion of the ''[[Prime Wars Trilogy]]''.

: This set was an [[Amazon (website)|Amazon.com]] online [[exclusive]], revealed on the site before Hasbro officially announced it. It was also available at general retail in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore.

==Notes==
* Solus, like other members of the Thirteen, was once a [[multiversal singularity]] who existed as one being throughout all of space and time, but that is [[Shroud|no longer the case]].
* Suns are capable of forging any raw element under the right conditions, so it's fitting that Solus Prime can forge anything ''from'' raw elements.
* The explanation for the use of the 'she' pronoun for Solus in the Aligned continuity, as detailed in her section of the ''Covenant'', is that Cybertronians do ''not'' "have gender in the same way that humans and certain other biological species do", but instead use pronouns as a result of a communication protocol designed to help facilitate dialogue between Cybertronians and the members of those biological races, as a means of recognizing and celebrating difference. It indicates, however, that 1/13th of the Cybertronian population has a divergent neurological architecture that supposedly is necessary to interact with the Creation Lathe, thus effectively denoting that their neurology has gender-equivalent differences. This explanation does not preclude the possibility that a Cybertronian could voluntarily self-identify with a gender concept found among organics.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''Solus Prime''' (ソラスプライム ''Sorasu Puraimu'')
* ''Mandarin:'' '''Sài Tiān Jiāo''' (赛天骄, "Race the Proud of Heaven")

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Potp-Solus-Prime-Concept.JPG|''Power of the Primes'' concept art.
SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|''Power of the Primes'' cartoon.
One-Solus-Prime.jpg|''One'' film.
</gallery>

{{Thirteen}}

[[Category:Amazon exclusives]]
[[Category:Caminus]]
[[Category:Cyberverse Transformers]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:One Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Prime Transformers]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Transformers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise characters]]

Great Cataclysm

2024-12-01T09:28:15Z

MegaSolus:

{{disambig3|Cataclysm}}
[[File:GraveyardofPredacons-PredaconsRising.jpg|thumb|right|300px|'''Age of Evolution:''' [[Primus|God]] creates [[Predacon (Prime)|dinosaurs]]. 
'''Great Cataclysm:''' God destroys dinosaurs... 
'''Millions of Years Later:''' ...[[Unicron/Aligned|The Devil]] brings dinosaurs back from the dead?]]

The '''Great Cataclysm''' is a catastrophic event in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s prehistory that abruptly ended the [[Age of Evolution]].

==Fiction==
===''Prime'' cartoon===
The disaster wiped out the planet's dominant lifeforms at the time, the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacons]], leaving fossil artifacts with extractable [[CNA]] as the only trace of their existence. {{storylink|Evolution}} A [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] possessed [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] would find the fossilized remains of [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacons]] who died in the Great Cataclysm, using his [[Dark Energon]] powers to raise them from the ground as undead [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}.

===''The Covenant of Primus''===
The Great Cataclysm was the result of a passing red star interfering with Cybertron's sun. The gravitational effects ejected a number of asteroids from an asteroid belt, causing them to crash into Cybertron. Additionally, the heat from the red star created solar flares which in turn rained fire and radiation upon the planet, causing the Predacons to go insane and turn against each other. While humanoid Cybertronians took shelter underground in [[stasis lock]], most of the Predacons remained on the surface, where they took the full brunt of the disaster. Although [[Predaking (COP)|Predaking]] tried to rally his brethren, his efforts proved futile and all but a handful perished. Predaking and two other Predacon survivors—[[Lazerback (COP)|Lazerback]] and [[Twinstrike (COP)|Twinstrike]]—managed to take shelter underground and rode out the cataclysm alongside other Cybertronians, but were never heard from again, effectively ending the age of Predacons and allowing other Transformers to tame Cybertron's wilderness. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

[[Category:Aligned history]]
[[Category:Prime]]

Matrix of Leadership

2024-11-28T02:22:22Z

MegaSolus: /* 2019 IDW continuity */

{{factions|autobot|primus|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}}}
{{disambig3.5|the lore object|the titular cartoon episode|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Matrix.jpg|375px|thumb|You put the life in the coconut.]]
The '''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (also known as the '''Creation Matrix''' or rarely, the '''Leadership Matrix''',<ref>[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]</ref> the '''Autobot Matrix of Power''',<ref>[[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:]]</ref> or the '''Matrix of Light'''<ref>For the majority of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' sticker book ([[:File:DiamondStickerbookMatrixOfLight.jpg|see image]]), though it is also referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership" once or twice.</ref>) is an [[sacred treasure|artifact of great power]], traditionally carried by the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]]s. Although its appearance differs slightly from [[universal stream]] to universal stream, it generally appears as a glowing crystal sphere encased within a [[Matrix holder|hollow metal shell]], with a handle on either side.

By most accounts, the Matrix is a conduit for the power of [[Primus]], the creator-god of the [[Transformer]]s, serving as a means of access to the [[Transformer afterlife]], through which it can either bestow new Transformer life, or provide its wielder with a means of communicating with the deceased leaders who have come before them. These divine powers put it at the centre of much Autobot [[religion]], spirituality, and prophecy; while many [[Decepticon]]s are less inclined to believe in its divinity, they certainly covet the increased physical power it is known to convey upon its holders, and several have made obtaining the Matrix one of their primary goals. As one of the embodiments of the power of Primus, the Matrix is antithesis to [[Unicron]], and one of the very few things the chaos-bringer fears.

{{bigquote|But one day... an Autobot shall rise from our ranks... and use the power of the Matrix... to light... our [[darkest hour]].|A [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|dying Optimus Prime]]|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:SecondGeneration prime gives buster matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|The Matrix made its fictional debut when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred it to [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], an event recounted in this scene from "[[Second Generation!]]".]]
The Matrix and the concepts associated with it have continuously evolved over the history of the brand, with different pieces of ''Transformers'' fiction creating new ideas centred on it, which have in turn influenced its representation in ''other'' fiction, and so on. The current nature of the Matrix as it is understood is beholden to quite a few different sources, and its development is described here to minimize confusion. For the specifics on the different interpretations of the Matrix in various continuities, see the "Fiction" section below.

The concept of the Matrix originates from the brain of [[Marvel Comics]] writer [[Bob Budiansky]] and is a result of the "no girls"/"no gender" policy enforced by [[Hasbro]] regarding their then-new robot brand. Because there were no female robots/the robots had no gender, Budiansky came up with an asexual method of reproduction in the form of the Creation Matrix, a "[[Primal Program]]" housed within the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] that could bring new Transformers to life, which would also prove a helpful plot device when he was required to introduce new characters to the series.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/|name=Bob Budiansky|site=Ben's World of Transformers|quote=If you can use the Creation Matrix to create new Transformers, you could put out a lot more toys. I mean, it was basically a way to introduce new toys into the storyline by saying okay, I think was it Jetfire? That was the one I used the Creation Matrix on first? See?|title=Interviews: Bob Budiansky (February 2004)|year=2022|month=02|day=11}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/|site=Metal Machine|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=One of the first questions that I asked Hasbro when I took over writing the Transformers character profiles was were any of these characters female? The answer was no, this is a boys’ toy, so there shouldn’t be any female characters. As a result, I came up with asexual ways for new Transformers to be created, like the Creation Matrix.|title=Behind the Scenes with Bob Budiansky on the Transformers|year=2009|month=11|day=21}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801000000*/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954|site=Rusting Carcass|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=Creation Matrix, I'm fairly confident the Creation Matrix was a concept that I originated. I'm not sure if I originated the Matrix of Leadership. I might have, I don't remember. The Creation Matrix was another example of trying a couple of ways to explain new Transformers, you know to try to create, invent and introduce new Transformers.|year=2009|month=07|day=25}}</ref>

The appearance of the Matrix in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 animated series]] originated with early script drafts of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which introduced the idea of "Life Sparks", very similar to the [[spark]]s that would later be introduced with ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. The Matrix was not present in the earliest known incarnation of the movie; instead, upon his death, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred his own Life Spark to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], with the implication that this was standard practise among Autobot leaders. This idea was eventually discarded, replaced with a physical object known as the "Matrix of Leadership", which evidently derived its name from the Creation Matrix of the comic book. The episode "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" attempted to introduce the concept of the Matrix to the animated universe before the movie, but the dialogue containing the reference was deleted during production. The line, which dated the creation of the Matrix to 4.5 million years ago, would ultimately have conflicted greatly with what would be learned of the Matrix in the future.

[[File:FFOD4 passing the matrix.jpg|thumb|[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] inherits the Matrix from [[Guardian Prime]] in the first recounting of the Prime lineage from "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]].]]
Virtually nothing of the Matrix's nature was actually divulged in the finished film, where it was treated as simply a magic talisman of prophecy that was the antithesis of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. The idea that had originated with the Life Spark concept—that of dying Autobot leaders merging their lifeforces with others—remained, albeit in a vague way, as Optimus Prime intoned upon his deathbed that he would soon be "one with the Matrix". The mini-series "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" fully expanded on the meaning of his line, revealing that the Matrix contained the lifeforces of all the deceased [[ancient Autobots|Autobot leaders]] who had previously held it, collectively known as the "Wisdom of the Ages," which could be consulted for aid in moments of need.

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|left|thumb|The dying [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] passes the Matrix to Optimus Prime in this flashback scene from "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]".]]
Having already cannibalized many of the movie's best elements for use in his comic book stories, writer [[Simon Furman]] contradicted Bob Budiansky's US comic book stories by presenting the Matrix as it had appeared in the film, as a physical object, in his own UK storylines, and carried this over to the US comic when he later began writing it. This alteration was also reflected in a ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profile written for Powermaster Optimus Prime around the time, where Budiansky's "program" concept and the cartoon's "physical object" idea were merged with the explanation that the program was encoded in light patterns in the Matrix's crystal core. As Furman's run progressed, the "lifeforces of previous holders" concept was also adapted into the comics, with the Matrix possessing a genetic memory of those that had held it. Most notably, in both UK and US books, Furman crafted a [[The Legacy of Unicron!|story]] to explain the origins of the Matrix, why Unicron was vulnerable to it, and how it could create new life, ultimately revealing it to be the essence of the Transformers' creator-god, [[Primus]].

It was the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' animated series that made the next big addition to the growing mythology of the Matrix when they introduced the [[Transformer afterlife]], the extradimensional source of all Transformers sparks living or dead, which was also named "the Matrix." While not explicitly related to the Matrix seen in the Generation 1 cartoons or comics, the implication was obvious—rather than ''contain'' anything, the physical Matrix object from those continuities was a ''gateway'' to the Matrix dimension. Where the animated "Matrix of Leadership" and the comic book "Creation Matrix" had previously seemed incompatible, this revelation united them conceptually—the lifeforces of the dead from the cartoon and the ability to bring new life from the comics could now both be tied to the features of the Matrix dimension. [[Dreamwave Productions]]' comics proceeded to cement this concept, depicting a Matrix of Leadership that possessed both these traits, and explicitly identifying it not as a holder of Primus's power, but a ''conduit'' for it.

The Matrix took something of a back seat in major fiction in the latter years of the 2000s, effectively replaced in the worlds of the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]] and ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' by the [[AllSpark]]—a mystical object that, while physically distinct from the Matrix, possessed its life-giving powers and record of Transformer history. Before long, however, both these continuities reintroduced the idea of the Matrix: In both universes, the AllSpark was destroyed and its knowledge and power was reincarnated in an object either specifically named, or designed to look like, the Matrix, thereby bringing the whole concept full-circle.

Finally, the more recent revelation (implied in the movies, confirmed by [[Fun Publications]]' "[[Crossing Over]]", and reiterated in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'') that the energy that is the basis of Transformer life is actually the rarefied form of the Transformers' fuel, [[energon]] itself, suggests that the energy of the Matrix is also (a form of) energon. This had actually been portrayed as the case in some formerly-questionable pieces of fiction such as ''[[The Transformers Trilogy]]'' novels, which retroactively make sense now.
{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Prima.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Intel Inside!]]

When Primus created the Transformer race, before entering voluntary systems shutdown, he bestowed upon them a genetic matrix containing his essence and the majority of his power, which could be used to give life to more Transformers so that the race might grow without his direct involvement. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} Later named the "Creation Matrix", this divine gift took the form of a "[[Primal Program]]" encoded in intricate patterns of light within a crystal,<ref>[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Marvel comic profile]</ref> which was passed from leader to leader down through the millennia. The first holder of the Creation Matrix was the first Transformer, [[Prima]], then subsequently [[Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and in the modern era, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Autobot leaders evidently elected to keep the true nature of the Matrix a secret, since most other Transformers were shown to believe it was a program stored within the mind of Optimus Prime himself, rather than housed within a separate physical object. This mistaken belief gave rise to a legend that claimed that the Program was encoded into a new Autobot leader once every ten millennia. {{storylink|The New Order}}

[[File:WhoseLifeforce prime and longtooth.jpg|left|thumb]]
''At one point during his tenure as Autobot leader, Optimus Prime came across [[Longtooth]] struggling to save the life of [[Clockwise|a fallen comrade]] on the battlefield after a particularly ferocious conflict. Mistakenly believing he was witnessing a great show of Autobot spirit (when in actuality, Longtooth was simply terrified of being the last one left alive), Prime extracted a tiny portion of the Creation Matrix's energy and gave it to Longtooth, telling him to use it wisely. Once Prime had left, however, Longtooth gave into his fear and kept the Matrix energy for himself, to serve as a "spare life" that allowed him to be daring and brave on the battlefield without fearing death.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

[[File:DisintegratedCircuits buster uses matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When the Transformers' war moved to [[Earth]] in [[1984]], current Decepticon leader [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] elected to increase his forces by creating new Transformers with the power of the Creation Matrix. Capturing the [[Autobot]]s and decapitating Optimus Prime, Shockwave tapped the energies of the Matrix and brought the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Prime was able to transfer the Matrix into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} thereby preventing Shockwave from animating his newest construct, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], but the presence of the Matrix within Buster's mind gave the boy incredible powers over machinery. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} Deducing that Buster possessed the Matrix, Shockwave programmed the unliving Jetfire to capture the boy, but Buster used the Matrix to bring Jetfire under his control and used him to thwart Shockwave's plan and save Optimus Prime. With Prime and the Autobots rescued, Buster transferred the Creation Matrix back to the Autobot leader, {{storylink|Prime Time!}} and Prime subsequently used the Matrix to give Jetfire true life. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''Residual energy from the Matrix that lingered in Buster's brain soon began to give the youth nightmarish visions, causing him to black out and create strange images of previously-unheard of Transformers.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Seeking to help Buster, the Autobots hooked him up to equipment that would allow them to monitor his dreams, and discovered that the Matrix was showing them all them a vision of the future, and the creation of the [[Special Teams]].'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Matrixflame.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|If the Autobots were Jewish, it would have burned another six days.]]
''The Matrix was also known to have an analog on Cybertron, the [[Matrix Flame]], which burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed, no matter where in the universe it was. It could also be used to channel the energy of the Matrix, which the Autobots on Cybertron did to bring life to their new warrior, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]].<ref>Ultra Magnus profile page in Marvel UK [[Target: 2006#Defeat!|#81]]</ref> Not long after, however, the Matrix Flame flickered out when Optimus Prime was shunted into [[limbo]] by time-travelling Decepticons, leading the Autobots on Cybertron to send Magnus to Earth to investigate. Prime was returned in due time, and the Matrix Flame re-ignited.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Following the earlier vision from the Matrix,'' the Autobots created the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], and Optimus Prime used the Matrix to bring them to life. Little did the Autobots realise, however, that [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had deduced a way to usurp the Matrix's power, using a [[cerebro-shell]] previously planted in Prime's body by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to siphon off some of the life-giving energy, which he employed it to animate his own new creations, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

[[File:DarkCreation we would know more.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When Optimus Prime died following a video-game duel with Megatron a short time later, {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}, the Autobots loaded his body into a funeral bier and launched it into space in accordance with Cybertronian tradition. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Unfortunately, having been unaware of the existence of the physical Creation Matrix crystal within the corpse's chest, this meant that they unwittingly set the sacred lifeforce of their race adrift in the sea of stars. After some time, the craft eventually crashed on the distant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay undisturbed for a time. Left in solitude, the rudimentary consciousness of the Matrix formed from the genetic memory of its past holders began to desire new sensations. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

It got its chance when a [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]], a medical mechanoid created to painlessly end the life of the terminally ill, crashed on VsQs. Critically wounded, the dying robot reached out to touch the Matrix, and in its hunger for new experiences, the talisman used its powers of creation to disassemble and rebuild the Deathbringer, inadvertently warping its programming and transforming it into a powerful being who sought to destroy ''all'' life. A trace of its energy remaining in its body, the Matrix revelled in its first experience of "evil" as the Deathbringer cut a swathe of destruction across the galaxy, ultimately finding its way to Earth. ''Sensing the Matrix's power within the creature, Optimus Prime—since resurrected by the technology of [[Nebulos]]—was hesitant to destroy the only link they had discovered to the lost Matrix, but [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] solved the problem by convincing the Deathbringer that since the Matrix's power was eating away at it, it should destroy itself.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

[[File:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.15|The Creation Matrix was the Leader-1's-head of the Marvel comic. Can't be drawn the same way twice.]]
Back on VsQs, the Matrix's curiosity found new expression when an insectoid creature crawled into Prime's corpse's chest cavity and became the next recipient of the Matrix's power. Dissecting and studying the beast, the Matrix was fascinated that the creature seemed to be meant to do nothing but destroy, so it re-created the thing into a [[Matrixspawn|larger, more powerful predator]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The monster attacked a team of astronauts that had set up a research station on VsQs, killing nearly all of them, but at least one escaped and crashed in the seas of the nearby planet [[Pequod]]. His body infused with Matrix energy from the beast that had attacked him, the astronaut was swallowed by a [[klud]], which ingested the energy. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime became aware of the threat of Unicron, and, realizing that the Matrix would be necessary to defeat the Chaos-Bringer, arranged for search parties to scour the cosmos for any trace of it. ''Longtooth was among the Autobots recruited for the search mission, and was forced for the first time to truly confront the selfishness of what he had done with the Matrix energy Prime had given him millennia before. In hopes of redemption, he loaded the energy fragment into a pod and sent it back to Optimus Prime.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} [[File:Thunderwing with matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Primus says it's my turn on the Matrix.]] ''Prime agonized over how to best use the Matrix energy, knowing that it had the power to revive only one of the deactivated Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and ultimately, elected to disperse it into the Earth's atmosphere to rejuvenate damage done to the ecosystem by the Transformers' warring on the planet.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}}

In the meantime, the search parties seeking the Matrix had piqued the curiosity of new Decepticon leader [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], who possessed an affinity with the Matrix and a desire to possess its power for his own. As the opposing teams dodged each other, they eventually set their sights on Pequod, where the klud had been attracting attention because its species was supposed to have been extinct. Thunderwing used his Matrix affinity to psychically link with the Matrix-infused beast and see the memory of swallowing the dying scientist. Recognizing the "VsQs" stamp on his equipment, Thunderwing set out for that moon. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}} Once there, both sides battled the creature the Matrix had created, which had grown to enormous size, with Thunderwing ultimately killing the beast and taking the Matrix. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Decepticon immediately attacked the spaceborne Ark, manifesting the Matrix power in the form of a giant, vaguely humanoid energy field around himself. Soon, however, the Matrix began to speak through Thunderwing, delighting in the firsthand experience of evil, and the Decepticon realized he was being possessed. Thunderwing tried to mentally battle the Matrix, to no avail, but the Autobots exploited his erratic behaviour to impale him with a [[harpoon]] and blow him out the Ark's airlock into space. {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|It cures what ails ya.]]
Thunderwing's body came to rest on the surface of a planet, where the Matrix began to heal his battered frame. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Repairs took time, but once completed, the Matrix set out for Cybertron, {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} coincidentally arriving just as Unicron was trying to destroy the planet. The Matrix-creature fought Unicron, but Unicron soon realized that the Matrix had been tainted with evil, and that it was no longer a threat to him, given the infinitely greater magnitude of his own evil nature. Thunderwing was destroyed by Unicron's attack and Optimus Prime was able to recover the Matrix, cleansing it of the taint of evil and restoring its purity. Rocketing into Unicron's gaping maw, Prime released the Matrix's energy within the planet-eater's body, destroying him. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} The explosion should have killed Prime as well, but his devastated body was saturated with Matrix energy, keeping it alive long enough for the suffering Prime to pass on leadership of the Autobots to [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Still Life!}}
{{--}}

======Marvel UK future timelines======
[[File:MatrixCoconut1.jpg|thumb|"Will I become a great Autobot leader?" "All signs point to no."]]
In an alternate future timeline, a dying Optimus Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus in [[2006]]. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} It was then used by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] to destroy Unicron, in the process transforming the young Autobot into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In the year [[2008]], Unicron attempted to engineer his resurrection by mentally controlling the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] into building him a new body. Drawn into the conflict by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], Rodimus Prime used the power of the Matrix to battle Unicron on his own mindscape, while [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] set explosives to destroy the portion of Unicron's body that had been constructed. The explosion tore Unicron's body apart, but did not destroy him; instead, with no physical shell to inhabit, his essence wound up trapped within the Matrix. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-187.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Later in 2008, the [[Quintesson]]s invaded and conquered [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] while Rodimus Prime was absent, and set a trap for the Autobot leader by leaving the wounded [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] at the city entrance. Arriving to find the one-time object of his affections in dire straits, Rodimus opened his chest cavity in order to heal Arcee with the energy of the Creation Matrix, only to be blindsided by the Quintessons and have the Matrix plucked from him, transforming him back into Hot Rod. The Matrix wound up the hands of Quintesson [[Ghyrik|General Ghyrik]], who was able to harness its power and boost his strength for a throwdown with Hot Rod. A bout of impromptu ventriloquism from the young Autobot distracted Ghyrik, allowing Hot Rod to rip the Matrix from his body and transform back into Rodimus Prime, handing Ghyrik an ignominious defeat. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

When disruption to the fabric of space and time forced Rodimus and several other Autobots to travel back in time from [[2009]] to [[1989]] in order to discover the source of the disturbance, the presence of the Matrix within his body required that Optimus Prime once again be shunted into limbo in order to maintain balance. Rodimus was able to use the power of the Matrix they shared to allow Optimus to communicate with the other Autobots, and when Rodimus was then defeated in battle, Optimus risked the security of the space-time continuum by using the Matrix as a stepping stone to return to reality for a final battle with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:WhiteFire kup yanks matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|I honestly can't tell if it's the Matrix, or a weird kind of saucepan...]]
Returning to Cybertron after their time-travel adventure, Rodimus and the Autobots found that the disruption of space and time had altered their future, and that Galvatron was waiting for them. Galvatron attempted to force Rodimus Prime into a savage battle, hoping to force him to unleash his basest, most violent impulses, and by extension, lead them to corrupt the Matrix. Fortunately, Rodimus realized his plan and stopped. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} However, it soon became apparent that the Matrix required no external corruption; Unicron's essence, still trapped within the talisman following the events of 2008, slowly began to take hold of Rodimus Prime's mind, forcing him to sabotage the guidance systems of the Autobots' craft when they were on a hyperspace trip to Earth in [[2010]]. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Rodimus battled within Unicron inside the Matrix in an attempt to win back control of his mind and body, but it took [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] deducing what was going on and wrenching the Matrix from Rodimus's chest to free him from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron would be waiting for him within it... {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} {{storylink|White Fire}}

Alas, later in 2010, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

When last seen, in the far future of [[2356]], Unicron's essence remained sealed within the Matrix, causing Rodimus's body to steadily wither and weaken. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{--}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
[[File:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|left|thumb|Don't do Matrix, kids. Not even once.]]
When Optimus Prime was recreated by the [[Last Autobot]], the Matrix was also restored. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}} {{storylink|Escalation!|Generation 2 #8 letters page}} Years later, it became a target for Megatron, who required it to bring to life an army of new warriors created by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. Besting Prime in battle, Megatron tore the Matrix from his body with an energy siphon, {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} and used it to give life to the [[Laser Rod]]s and [[Rotor Force]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

Subsequently, Prime and Megatron were forced into an uneasy alliance against the massed forces of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] exploited the chaos of the huge battle to take the power of the Matrix for himself. Using it, he merged his mind and body with the Decepticons' [[Warworld]], becoming a colossal living weapon able to reshape himself at will. {{storylink|Total War!|Tales of Earth, Part Seven}} However, unlike with Thunderwing, Starscream found his own evil being subverted by the Matrix's goodness, {{storylink|Dark Shadows!|Tales of Earth, Part Eight}} and he returned the Matrix to Prime, for fear of being changed beyond recognition.

Soon after, when Prime was consumed by the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], he channelled the Matrix's energy into the dark force, enlightening and completing it with the purity of Primus's vision. Suddenly transformed from a destructive force into a force for life, the Swarm re-created Prime and departed into space. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{--}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}
With the Creation Matrix lost following the destruction of Unicron, the last reservoir of Matrix energy the Autobots had access to consisted of what traces still clung to the remains of Thunderwing, stored within the high-security [[Hall of Silence]]. When [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] was able to penetrate the Hall in [[2012]], acting commander [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] anguished over whether or not to follow protocol and destroy the Hall, and the last of the Matrix's energy with it. He was convinced it was necessary by [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], but Soundwave was able to teleport out with Thunderwing just before the building blew. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} He delivered the remains to Bludgeon, who used the Matrix energy within them to animate his new army of self-regenerating [[Blitz Engine]]s. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}

After Primus revealed to Hot Rod that he still existed, and sent Hot Rod through a portal into [[Zero Space]], {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} the young Autobot found himself tumbling through time and space. He observed the battle with the Deathbringer, only to discover that the fragment of corrupted Matrix energy survived the battle. After observing two more time periods, Hot Rod found himself on a [[Junkion (planet)|planet of junk]], witnessing the final confrontation between [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] and "Rodimus Prime"—an alternate version of himself! As Rodimus fell at the hands of Galvatron, the Matrix landed at the feet of Hot Rod, who reached for it...

... only to find himself back in his own time and place, on the deck of Bludgeon's ''[[Warworld]]'', having himself been transformed into Rodimus Prime! {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

=====''Classics''=====
The Matrix was destroyed along with Unicron. Decades later, while displaced in another universe, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] briefly confused the [[Origin Matrix]] for the Creation Matrix while speaking with [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]. {{storylink|Shattered Paths}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:Baldigus Chapter Galvatron II.jpg|thumb|100px]]
[[Galvatron II]] stole the Creation Matrix in his native universe and carried it with him to another reality, where its power allowed him to endure as a ghost when his body was destroyed. Unfortunately, it also made him a target of [[Grand Scourge]], who, as a Matrix Hunter, could manhandle even ghosts if they were in possession of a Matrix. While Scourge was fighting Galvatron for the Creation Matrix, both of them were knocked into a rift in space-time by [[Megaempress]], and the Matrix disappeared along with them to places unknown. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}
{{--}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:OracleMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"This Ming... is a psy-cho."]]
The origins of the Matrix of Leadership are almost entirely unknown. The only hint of its beginnings was given in an account from near the dawn of time, soon after the ancient genius [[Primacron]] and [[Oracle (G1)|his assistant]] created the colossal robot, Unicron. Unicron turned on his creators and destroyed the assistant's body, but seen to rise from his remains and disappear into space was an object that appeared identical to the Matrix. If this was truly the Matrix, it is wholly unknown how it came to be held by the Autobots and how it was elevated to the position of power it became known for. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

However it came to be in Autobot hands, the Matrix came to be at the centre of the robots' belief system and was safeguarded by each successive generation of Autobot leaders. Upon the passing of its holder, the Matrix became a receptacle for the deceased Autobot's lifeforce, which cumulatively became known as the "Wisdom of the Ages", a storehouse of knowledge and experience stretching back to the dawn of Cybertronian history (and potentially beyond) that could be consulted by the Matrix's living wielders in times of need. The spirits of many Autobots have been seen within the Matrix, but the names of only a select few are known: The oldest entity within the Matrix is known only as "[[It]]" {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}; [[File:Matrix 5faces4 7.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|My preciousssss!]] following this entity, the next oldest known was [[Primon]], who possessed the Matrix in the early days of the Cybertronian race around twelve million years ago; [[Prima]] bore it at the height of their oppression by the [[Quintesson]]s about a million years later; [[Prime Nova]] was its wielder during the eventual rebellion against the five-faced aliens; [[Guardian Prime]] and his successor [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] carried it during the first war between the Autobots and Decepticons, before it was passed to Sentinel Prime, under whose leadership the war came to an end.

Around nine million years ago, the Autobot/Decepticon war was reignited by the creation of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who killed Sentinel Prime as one of his first actions. In his death throes, Sentinel entrusted the Matrix to the ancient Autobot [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], who kept it hidden until a damaged young robot was brought to his workshop, another victim of Megatron's wrath. Trion recreated him as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], new leader of the Autobots, and gave him the Matrix. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Optimusg1passingthematrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Fatally wounded by Megatron in the year [[2005]], Optimus Prime passed the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots to his chosen successor, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy—that one day, a "Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots, and use the power of the Matrix to light the Transformers' darkest hour. When Prime's strength faltered at the last moment and he dropped the Matrix, the young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] stooped to catch it before it hit the floor. The Matrix glowed brightly in response to his touch, signifying what none of the Autobots present would realize until later: that Hot Rod was the Chosen One.

[[File:Tftm1986e.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When word of Unicron's approach on Cybertron reached the Autobots on Earth, Ultra Magnus believed (and Hot Rod agreed, based on nothing more than a feeling) that the Matrix might be able to stop the world-eater. Knowing that this was indeed the case, Unicron recreated Megatron as [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] and dispatched him to steal the Matrix, leading to a confrontation on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] in which Ultra Magnus tried in vain to open the Matrix and use it to fend off the attacking Decepticons. Galvatron bested him and took the Matrix, believing he could use it to subjugate Unicron himself, but he had no more luck opening it than Magnus did. Unicron swallowed Galvatron whole as punishment, and it was within Unicron's body that the Decepticon leader engaged Hot Rod in the battle that saw the young Autobot claim his destiny. Seizing the Matrix from around Galvatron's neck, Hot Rod was transformed by its power into Rodimus Prime, then proceeded to fulfil the prophecy by opening the talisman and releasing its power, which tore Unicron apart from within. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Later, when injured in battle, Rodimus's consciousness briefly entered the Matrix itself and witnessed a vision that led him to believe that the answer to the mystery of the alien Quintessons currently plaguing the Autobots was held within it. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} To find his answer, Rodimus deliberately short-circuited himself and entered the Matrix a second time. Guided by the ancient Autobots within, Rodimus was shown the history of Cybertron and discovered the Quintessons' role in the creation of the Transformers. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Darkawakening matrix pain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The zombified Optimus Prime reacts in pain from the light of the Matrix.]]
The burden of leadership weighed heavily upon Rodimus, and he was all too eager to return the Matrix to Optimus Prime when it seemed that the Autobot leader had returned from the dead in [[2006]]. It soon transpired, however, that Optimus had been reanimated by the Quintessons as "a robotic [[zombie]]" so he would lure the [[Autobot fleet]] into a fatal trap. When Rodimus went to confront his mentor on the Autobot flagship, the Matrix's energy made Optimus too powerful to defeat in single combat but also overrode the malicious coding that the Quintessons had installed within him, properly restoring Optimus to life. His mind cleared, Optimus returned the Matrix to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again to trigger the Quintessons' trap alone. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

[[File:BurdenHardest Hot Rod retrieves matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Still struggling with leadership, Rodimus tried to forget his woes with a bout of drag-racing in the hills of [[Japan]], only to be ambushed by [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. The two Stunticons stole the Matrix and brought it back to Galvatron, but when the Decepticon leader attempted to use its energy to power his cannon, he was instead tormented by the spirits of the Autobots within it. The terrified Galvatron instructed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to dispose of the Matrix, but Scourge grasped the true nature of its power where his leader could not, and instead placed it within his own chest. The Matrix's energies warped his body into a powerful, misshapen hulk, increasing his power to the point that he was able to oust Galvatron and take control of the Decepticons himself. Scourge proceeded to lead the Decepticons in an attack on Earth, only to be bested by Hot Rod, who had since learned the importance of "the burden hardest to bear", and reclaimed the Matrix once more. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Matrix open.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|FIXER BEAM!]]
When Optimus Prime was at last truly resurrected, he was forced to battle the [[Hate Plague]]-infected Rodimus in order to reclaim the Matrix from him, in hopes of consulting the Wisdom of the Ages to find a cure for the disease. Communicating with the mysterious It, he learned that the only way combat the madness of the plague was with wisdom, and opened the Matrix, expelling all of the wisdom within it to extinguish the disease (in the process claiming that this was also the Autobots' "darkest hour"). Although the Matrix was emptied, leaving only a shell, Optimus claimed they would have to start filling it with wisdom again, from that moment on. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

In [[2007]], Optimus Prime used the shell of the Matrix as a substitute key to access [[Vector Sigma]], where he consulted Alpha Trion on the mystery of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}
{{--}}

=====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic=====
[[File:Madman comic PrimeHotrod.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Optimus's proposal to Hot Rod.]]
The significance of the Matrix to the Autobots was such that when Optimus Prime prepared to lead the Autobots in an evacuation of Cybertron in the year 2001, he hid the Matrix in a bunker at the construction site of the future Autobot City. Unfortunately, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] had monitored the Autobot leader's meeting with Ultra Magnus, and moved to steal the Matrix for the Decepticons. Fate intervened in the form of Hot Rod, who defeated the Decepticons and took back the ancient Autobot relic, and at the same time received a vision of his future as the Autobot who would light Cybertron's darkest hour. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

=====Rodimus vs. Cyclonus=====
After their adventure on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], while Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s were searching space for Ultra Magnus's team, they were attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. A flash of ancient knowledge he had received from the Matrix upon catching it when Optimus Prime had passed it to Magnus inspired Hot Rod to invoke the [[Challenge of Aria-Bellum]]. {{storylink|Rodimus vs. Cyclonus}}
{{--}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, the Matrix of Leadership was being transported aboard the Autobot cargo hauler ''[[Van De Graaff]]'' when the ship was attacked by the Quintessons and crash-landed on the planet [[Beta-Nine]]. All aboard perished, but the Matrix was soon recovered by the crew of the ''[[Eight Track (G1)|Eight Track]]'', who safely delivered it back to Cybertron. There, the Matrix was passed into the care of Alpha Trion, who granted it to his new choice for Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

=====''Deviations''=====
After viewing the massive death toll at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] claimed all the deceased had found peace in the Matrix. [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] slapped him upside the head for speaking blasphemy about the Matrix. When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] arrived at Cybertron, he made a baragin with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] that the newly minted Decepticon leader would destroy the Matrix in exchange for upgrades. ''En route'' to Cybertron, Hot Rod confessed to [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] that whenever he came near Optimus, he saw visions of the Prime dying as if the Matrix was trying to tell him something. Starscream, now "Megascream", then attacked but withdrew when Unicron devoured [[Moonbase One]]. The Autobots regrouped on [[Moonbase Two]] when Unicron began attacking Cybertron directly where Optimus Prime took a shuttle to the Chaos Bringer's shell, believing the Matrix could stop him. Still haunted by visions, Hot Rod secretly climbed aboard. Megascream was waiting for Optimus and combined with several of his troops to steal the Matrix. Hot Rod saved Prime from certain death and teleported him away before he opened the Matrix, destroying Unicron at the cost his own life and the talisman. In the aftermath, Optimus Prime saw a vision of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and the newest addition to the rank of great Autobots within the Matrix: Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese animated continuity as described above, except that the events of 2006 are moved forward to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. A 2007 [[retcon]] built upon the original cartoon's confusing hints to create a full origin for the Matrix in this continuity.}}

{{stub|{{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale}}}}

What would become known as the Matrix was a device created by Primacron to convert its wielders' accumulated experiences and wisdom into a powerful all-purpose energy. It was originally built into his assistant (also known as the "Oracle") who was then targeted and destroyed by Unicron when he realized the power of the Matrix was a threat to him. However, the Oracle's lifeforce persisted within the Matrix and fled to a dead world at the centre of the galaxy, which he used his powers to transform into a lush, green world. In time, however, the alien Quintessons came to the Oracle's world and were able to bring him under their power, transforming him into the mega-computer, Vector Sigma. Using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], the Quintessons cyber-formed the Oracle's world into [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the Oracle's life-giving powers were harnessed to produce a race of robotic slaves. They also found and held onto the now empty shell of the Matrix, which absorbed their malevolent brand of wisdom and filled up with corrupted, evil energy. When the Quintessons were kicked off the planet by the robots that would become the Autobots, they claimed the Matrix and, repulsed by its contents, emptied it out again. The discarded energy would one day grow sentient and become [[Devil Z]]. {{storylink|Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|2007 TakaraTomy Transformers timeline}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

======''The Battle of the Star Gate''======
[[File:StargateBattles matrix powered megatron.jpg|thumb|Ka-me-ha-me-ha~!]]
In the mid-1990s, Optimus Prime put the power of the Matrix to an unconventional use when a battle in space forced him to team up with Megatron in order to stop the rampage of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who had fused himself with the space station known as the ''[[Trigger]]''. With Megatron in gun mode clutched in his arms, Prime summoned up the Matrix's energy and channelled it through his body, into the Decepticon leader, who unleashed it all in one colossal shot of cosmic proportions. The blast obliterated Starscream's new ''Trigger''-body, but the backwash of the explosion was so great that it sent Prime, Megatron, and all the Transformers observing the battle on a fiery plummet into Earth's atmosphere. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

======''Story of Binaltech''======
In a parallel timeline that diverged off from this one thanks to the flow of history being altered by the time-tossed [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], Optimus Prime did not die in [[2005]], and was prepared to confront Unicron himself. However, after sustaining serious injuries in the opening salvo of the battle with the chaos-bringer, Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus. Despite knowing he was not the Chosen One, Magnus bravely petitioned the Matrix to allow him to wield its power anyway, as otherwise, the Autobots' destruction was assured. The Matrix granted Magnus his wish, and its energy was used to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|Binal Time}}
{{--}}

======''Kiss Players''======
After inheriting the Matrix in 2005, Rodimus Prime was horrified to discover that when he threw Galvatron out of Unicron, the Decepticon leader had wound up crash-landing on Earth, destroying [[Tokyo]]. Seeking to atone for his sins, Rodimus returned the Matrix to Ultra Magnus and became Hot Rod again, leaving both the talisman and the role of leadership in Magnus's hands {{storylink|Tonight's Big Catch!?}} for five years until he returned to his post in [[2010]].

======''The Headmasters'' cartoon======
After emptying the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague, Optimus Prime sought to restore the lifeforce that had been lost by filling it with energy drawn from the lifeforce of [[Earth]] itself. To this end, the Matrix was secreted away in the lower levels of one of many Autobot energy-gathering facilities on Earth, where Prime hoped it would steadily recharge. Whether or not this odd-sounding plan would have ''worked'' is an area of some debate, but ultimately, a different set of circumstances soon came into play...

[[File:DoublePrime matrix recharged.jpg|left|upright=1.45|thumb|Alpha Trion's spirit re-enters the Matrix, recharging it.]]
In the year [[2011]], a catastrophic side-effect of the Matrix's energy being released became apparent—without the Matrix to act as a controlling force, Vector Sigma began to destabilize, putting all of Cybertron in great danger. The Decepticons took this opportunity to invade the planet, hoping to take control of the unstable computer and by extension, the planet itself. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} During the battle that followed, Optimus Prime headed for Vector Sigma's chamber to try and bring the computer back under control, but without the Matrix—which remained hidden on Earth, its location known only to Prime himself—the only recourse would be to give up his own life. To stop Prime from making this sacrifice, Hot Rod led the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in a methodical search across Earth, checking every Autobot energy facility. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} After successfully locating the Matrix in the last possible hiding place and evading his pursuers, Hot Rod returned to Cybertron, arriving in Vector Sigma's chamber just as Optimus Prime was facing off against the Decepticons. The ghost of Alpha Trion, who had survived the emptying of the Matrix and who had led Prime safely to the computer chamber, merged with the Matrix, restoring its lost lifeforce and giving it the power to once again transform Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. The two Primes dispatched the Decepticons, but before Rodimus could use the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with the computer to bring it back under control. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Some time later, when Cybertron was subsequently devastated thanks to the machinations of Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Rodimus Prime voyaged into space to search for a new homeworld for the Transformers, taking the Matrix with him. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}
{{--}}

======''The Headmasters'' comic======
On his many travels through space, the Matrix gave Rodimus Prime courage to face every challenge that presented itself. In addition to the teachings of the ancient Autobots, the energy of Earth's lifeforce that now dwelled within the Matrix as well truly opened Rodimus's eyes to the beauty of Earth and humanity. Believing that Transformers should aspire to be more like human beings, he returned to Earth and announced his desire for humans and Transformers to live and work together to move forward and evolve. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8|The Headmasters #8}}

======''G-2'' story pages and pack-in manga======
[[File:G2StoryPageReconfigurationMatrix1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
Presumably, Rodimus Prime must have returned the Matrix to Optimus Prime when he was restored to life as Star Convoy, since Prime had the talisman back in his chest when he adopted his "Hero" body at the beginning of the renewed war against Megatron some number of years after 2025. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 1}} A research team led by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] later discovered new properties of the Matrix, which prompted Megatron to duel Optimus Prime in the [[Mirtonian constellation]] in order to steal the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 4}} Megatron fatally wounded Prime, but the ancient Autobots within the Matrix were able to restore him thanks to the newly discovered power Jetfire's team had learned of: the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]], which repaired and restored Prime in a new Laser Rod body. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 5}}

======e-HOBBY storyline======
Having briefly held the Matrix, Ultra Magnus's spark was among the chosen few which retained autonomy within the Allspark. Sensing the threat [[Galvatron II]] posed to the universe with his fleet of [[Warworld]]s, Magnus used the powers of the Reconfiguration Matrix to resurrect himself in a new body based on Prime's Laser Rod form so that he could battle the Decepticon leader. It didn't go very well. {{storylink|Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version}}
{{--}}

======''Legends'' comic======
Alpha Trion and the Matrix played a role in Hot Rod's conversion to a [[Micromaster]]. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} During the rise of Galvatron II, Optimus Prime contacted the spirit of Alpha Trion within the Matrix and asked him to locate and bring back Ultra Magnus's spark. The process of resurrecting Magnus also brought Trion himself back in a diminutive body connected to the powers of the Matrix. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}} Scourge later captured Alpha Trion to draw upon the Matrix's energy, but it ended up overloading his [[transtector]], which exploded. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}}

====Start Your Own Decoy Collection====
[[File:Decoy comic matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Through unknown means, the Decepticons were able to steal the Creation Matrix and holed it up in their headquarters. In order to stage a recovery, the Autobots created an army of [[Decoy]]s to distract the Decepticon forces, while Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, Kup and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] secretly penetrated the base. Fighting their way through a slew of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], the team discovered the Matrix in a transparent case. Blurr blasted it open at Hot Rod's direction, and the Autobots successfully escaped with the talisman back in their possession. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection|The Decepticon Deception}}
{{--}}

====Beast Era====
=====''Beast Wars'' cartoon=====
[[File:OptimalSituation spark holder.jpg|thumb|The similarity between Prime's "spark holder" and the Matrix was a source of some confusion.]]
Several enigmatic references were made to the Matrix by the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Warriors]] at various points, though it is never precisely clear if they are referring to the Matrix of Leadership, the Allspark dimension, [[Matrix (facility)|the protoform production facility on Cybertron]] that also goes by that name, or some theoretical conglomeration of any of the above that they only speak of out of misconception.

When the body of Optimus Prime was fatally wounded by [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] opened Prime's chest compartment in order to take the Autobot leader's spark into his own body for safety. Prime's spark was shown to be contained within a holder shaped just like the Matrix of Leadership, and Rhinox remarked that Prime's spark had "the Matrix with it". {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}
{{--}}

=====3H comics=====
While experiencing a swirl of visions from throughout history, the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] witnessed the Matrix being torn by the [[Liege Maximo]] from the body of the enigmatic [[Primon]], its first holder. {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}}

[[File:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|The Matrix, beneath Prime's "spark holder".]]
The confusion surrounding the Matrix-like "spark holder" in Prime's chest and its relation to the actual Matrix of Leadership was clarified when it was revealed that the Matrix was actually concealed in a compartment beneath Prime's own spark, a deception specifically designed to protect the Matrix and keep it from those who would misuse its power.

[[File:Primevaldawn2 tarantulas matrix.jpg|215px|I'm not sure how I'll get this in my chest. Maybe I'll carry it with a sheath of some sort?|thumb]]
Following the end of the Beast Wars, the deceased [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] was resurrected, having harnessed the powers of the alien [[Vok]] with the intention of stealing the Matrix and delivering it to his master, Unicron. Seeking to keep the Matrix out of Tarantulas's hands, the Vok took the talisman from the sleeping Optimus Prime and used its power to transform the discarded control suit the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had previously used to manipulate Optimus Primal into [[Primal Prime]]. Primal Prime was made guardian of the Matrix, and filled with all the wisdom of the past leaders within it. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Vok had miscalculated: While it was within Optimus Prime, the Matrix had been safe, but once they had broken the forces that had bound it to Prime in order to transfer it to their creation, it had become vulnerable. This was proven in drastic fashion when, in the following battle, Tarantulas was able to overpower Primal Prime and rip the Matrix from his body. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}} The shock threw Primal Prime into a comatose state, while Tarantulas took the Matrix back to his lab to await the completion of the [[unspace|transwarp]] portal that would take him and his prize to Unicron. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|"Primeval Dawn" was never finished as a result of [[3H Productions]] losing the Transformers license. Obviously enough, its finale would have seen our heroes recover the Matrix from Tarantulas and replace it in Optimus Prime's chest.}}
{{--}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:Ancients.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix-shaped platform above the Oracle Tank.]]
Most modern Cybertronians eschew the mythology of the Matrix as set out by the [[Council of Ancients]], which claims that it is a conduit for the energies of Primus, choosing instead to believe in [[atechnogenesis]]. Despite this, Transformer society still holds the Matrix itself in great reverence, as, product of a deity or not, it is indisputably the most effective source of new Transformer life. Many conflicting stories and rumors swirl about the Matrix's true nature, born of claims that the Council actively prevented Alpha Trion from telling the general public more about it, but what ''is'' known about the talisman is that it is a virtually limitless source of energy. Only those with an affinity for the Matrix can wield its power; these Transformers are typically those chosen to be the next Prime, who often receive physical augmentation when the Matrix is taken into their bodies. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} The Ancients claim that the Matrix contains the wisdom of all sparks that return to it after death, though they do keep a more tangible version of that sort of thing in the form of a [[Golden Disk (council)|golden disk]] that holds the knowledge of past Primes. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}
[[File:TWW1 prime gets matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|150 points to Gryffindor!]]

The earliest known bearer of the Matrix was [[Primon|Alpha Prime]], who was succeeded by Guardian Prime, and then Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} Around 8.2 million years ago, seeking to use the Matrix to power the planetary turbine engines he had discovered beneath Cybertron's surface, Megatron attacked and killed Sentinel Prime, only to discover upon tearing his victim open that the Matrix was gone, having already been given by Sentinel Prime to the Council of Ancients for unknown reasons (perhaps having foreseen his own death). The Council subsequently chose a data archivist named Optronix to be the new bearer of the Matrix, and brought him to the [[Oracle Tank]], in which both he and the Matrix were immersed. Optronix was enlarged and strengthened by the Matrix, and transformed into Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

Soon after, Megatron attacked Prime in the catacombs beneath Cybertron and cracked open his form, exposing the Matrix. A blinding flash burst from the Matrix, showing Prime and Megatron visions of future conflicts on Earth and [[Nebulos]], but it was implied that Optimus somehow used the Matrix to force Megatron to forget these visions. How much knowledge he himself retained is unknown. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}
[[File:PrimeDirective2 spike replaces matrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]]

Millions of years later, after their war on Earth, the Transformers were set to return to Cybertron aboard the [[Ark II]] in 1999, at which point Optimus Prime gave [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] a piece of the Matrix as a promise that he would be back. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} The Ark II proved to have been sabotaged, however, and exploded in mid-flight, leaving the world to believe that the Transformers were dead until 2002, when the terrorist [[Lazarus]] recovered several of their bodies and reprogrammed them for use as weapons that he would sell on the black market. The American military recovered the body of Optimus Prime and [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] drafted Spike to help in bringing him back to life, {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} which Spike accomplished by returning the portion of the Matrix Prime had given him. Thus restored, Prime revived the other surviving Autobots by casting the light of the Matrix across the Arctic landscape where their bodies lay, melting away the ice that held them and bringing them back online. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}
[[File:G1 Vol.2 Issue6 2.jpg|thumb]]
When the Autobots and Decepticons were finally able to return to Cybertron, a chain of events ultimately led Optimus Prime into a confrontation with Shockwave in Vector Sigma's chamber. Knocking Prime out and blasting his chest open, Shockwave harnessed the energy of the Matrix and used it to access Vector Sigma's databanks in an attempt to learn all of the dark secrets at the heart of Cybertron. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Before Shockwave could complete his dark experiments, enemy forces converged on his lab, so the Decepticon logician tore the Matrix from Prime's body, intending to flee, only to be stopped and defeated by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Grimlock recovered the Matrix and returned it to Prime, {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} but the trauma of its forceful removal necessitated that Prime spend an extended session in a [[CR chamber]] to recover. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

=====''The Transformers Trilogy'' novels=====
Captured by the enigmatic aliens known as the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] and imprisoned inside their giant techno-organic bodies, Optimus Prime found himself forced into a suicide ploy, using a torrent of energon from the Matrix to destroy the creatures from within, willing to take himself with it. The gateway back to Earth was opened by Spike at the last moment, allowing Prime to hold off on his sacrifice, but unfortunately, the Keepers came through the portal as well. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}} During the battle that ensued against the Keepers in [[Las Vegas]], a pool of pure energon was uncovered beneath the city, which Prime combined with the energon of the Matrix to temporarily imbue himself with incredible power. Simultaneously, the American government launched a nuclear missile at Las Vegas in order to destroy both the Transformers and the Keepers, but the super-charged Prime was able to capture the missile's explosion in a net of Matrix energy, hurling it at the Keepers and blasting them through their portal. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

Following the Keepers' apparent defeat, Megatron called Prime in on a favour he had extracted from him in order to ensure his co-operation when they had been captives of the Keepers: Prime was to hand over the Matrix itself. Prime complied, partially out of honor, and partially due to the fact that he knew Megatron, as a Decepticon, would be unable to use the Matrix's power. Unfortunately, Prime had not reckoned with Megatron's giant soldier, [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]], who was actually a reprogrammed Autobot whose non-Decepticon circuitry could interface with the Matrix to some extent. Omega Sentinel used his new Matrix-powered strength to destroy the White House, but the talisman's effect on his systems was immediately apparent by the fact that no life was lost in the attack. When the Sentinel refused to kill the Keeper-controlled [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and Starscream on Megatron's orders, the Decepticon leader realized that the Matrix was influencing the giant and had him remove it from his body. The Matrix was recovered by the Keepers' agent [[Franklin Townsend]] and brought to the pocket-dimension into which the aliens had been transported, but Optimus Prime pursued Townsend and recovered the Matrix, once again intending to use it to destroy his alien enemies by collapsing the pocket dimension, at the cost of his own life. And once again the portal opened, leaving Prime content to force the Keepers back with the Matrix's light while he himself returned to Earth. However, Prime was unable to shut the portal off, required as he was to devote his attention to using the Matrix to keep the creatures from passing through the gateway. Salvation came in the form of the Omega Sentinel, the Matrix's effect on his systems persisting even after its removal: the giant threw himself and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] into the portal just as Prime shut off the Matrix, collapsing the gate and sealing the Keepers away forever. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

====''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''====
[[File:ArtofWar1 matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Optimus Prime was formerly a simple data archivist until the Matrix chose him to be the new leader of the Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Renegade military artificial intelligence [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] learned about the Matrix whilst downloading information on the history of Cybertron from Soundwave, and ''really'' liked the bit about "bestowing great power". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} He subsequently captured Optimus Prime and tried to convince him to give up the Matrix peacefully. From Serpent O.R.'s point of view, he was a great and respected leader too, so surely the Matrix would deem him a worthy bearer. In addition, he was sure the ancient relic would provide him with a spark so he could finally understand what life and death really meant. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}
[[File:ArtofWar5 hawk serpentor matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|My God... the Matrix has given us eye lasers!]]
Unfortunately, Prime disagreed, so Serpent O.R. ended up having to take the Matrix by force. As he had planned, the Matrix did deem him worthy and did give him a soul, all while transforming him into a new form to boot. However, with his newfound wisdom, "Serpentor Prime" quickly saw the error of his ways, and would've committed suicide if it weren't for [[Cobra Commander]] hijacking his body. In order to stop the commander, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] tried to take the Matrix away from him, and was deemed worthy of it as well. This caused a power feedback that destroyed Serpent O.R., fried Cobra Commander's mind, and imbued Hawk with all the knowledge of the Matrix. While the artifact was unharmed and was returned to Optimus Prime when everything was over, the knowledge that now filled Hawk's mind gave him visions of future conflicts to come. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

In addition to vision, the Matrix also gave Hawk the ability to control machinery with his mind, converse with Transformers telepathically, and force enough information into Transformers to incapacitate them with a single touch. Unfortunately, it also gave him recurring nightmares about an [[Unicron/Generation 1|angry god]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{--}}

====''Transformers/G.I. Joe''====
[[File:DWTFJoe3 cobra commander matrix.jpg|left|thumb|125px]]
As the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth lay deactivated among the [[Fera Islands]], the Matrix was discovered by local [[human]]s, and became the sacred relic of a group of monks, who built it into the chest of a statue. Unfortunately, a rumour spread that the glowing blue orb possessed by the monks was an "ultimate weapon", and in 1938, [[Cobra]] massacred the monks and stole the Matrix. When [[Major Bludd]] touched the relic, the Decepticons who laid dormant on the island were reactivated. {{storylink|The Line}}

The Matrix subsequently came into the possession of [[Cobra Commander]], who learned that he could use it to hurt and weaken [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Using this method, he blackmailed the Decepticons into serving him. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} In the end, Cobra Commander was killed, and [[Snake-Eyes]] grabbed the Matrix. By this time, the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] were under attack by the unstoppable [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], so [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] urged Snake-Eyes to smash the Matrix, in hopes that the destruction of the life-giving artifact would take away Bruticus's lifeforce. Snake-Eyes complied and let Bruticus crush the Matrix with his wildly swinging fists, causing a flash of blue light that killed all Transformers present. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}
{{--}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:MTMTEannual solomus matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
According to religious legend, the core of the Matrix was created from [[Solomus]], the god of wisdom, trapped in the form of a crystal by [[Mortilus]], the god of death. Following the defeat of Mortilus, Solomus managed to transform his crystal prison into the Matrix—a conduit for the energies of [[Primus]], who had himself transformed into the life-giving computer Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

In actuality, the Matrix was created by [[Rung (G1)|Primus]], {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} and passed onto the [[Knights of Cybertron]] when they left to explore new worlds. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Legend says that they called it the "Creation Matrix" for the life-giving abilities they believed its connection to Vector Sigma granted it. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} When the Knights landed on the medical hub of [[Mederi]], the moon's telepathic field, intended to induce happiness in euthanasia patients so they could die in peace, inadvertently convinced them they had discovered a perfect mechanical world, which they dubbed "[[Cyberutopia]]." To share this discovery with their homeworld, they inscribed a map to Mederi inside the Matrix's crystal core, and sent it back to Cybertron (via currently-unknown means), hoping the rest of their kind would follow it and join them in eternal happiness. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

It was, perhaps, fortunate that this roadmap to a peaceful death was never discovered by contemporary Cybertronians; upon its return to Cybertron, the Matrix was used by [[Solus Prime]] in the construction of the mighty [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword, becoming the jewel on the hilt of the blade, which came to be wielded by [[Prima]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The Matrix's integration into the Saber survived in the folklore of both Cybertron and [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} with the latter culture regarding it as the "Matrix of Light". {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} {{storylink|O Ship of State|Victorion profile in Revolution #3}} In [[Velocitron]]ian culture, the device remained known as the Creation Matrix. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 2}}

[[File:Tyrest and the matrix.jpg|thumb|left]]
Those capable of bearing the Matrix within them are marked by certain [[Signs of Affinity|signs of affinity]]: having optics the same shade of "liberty blue" as the [[Matrix Flame]], finding ''[[Living metal#2005 IDW continuity|sentio metallico]]'' wet to the touch, becoming giddy when standing on a [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]], and the ability to make a [[photonic crystal]] "snap" when placed in their chest. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

The cruel supremacist [[Nova Prime]], a former lieutenant of Prima's, is the earliest known bearer of the Matrix in recent history, though exactly how he came to carry it after Prima's death is unknown. Nova observed that the pulsewaves from Vector Sigma which generated new sparks from the substance of Cybertron and its moon were lessening in regularity, and, fearing (correctly) that they would one day stop entirely, tasked his scientists with studying the Matrix, hoping that the life-giving power the legends said it possessed could be tapped into. A team led by [[Solomus|Tyrest]] set to the task, and succeeded in finding a way to generate sparks from the Matrix in abundance, producing a vast reservoir of them which were stockpiled and steadily rolled out into society as new bodies were constructed for them. The true origin of these "Matrixed" sparks was hidden from the general public, and a cover story was put into place that claimed they were created via "spark splicing", using the energy of an existing spark to ignite a new one. Transformers created in this manner were described as "constructed cold", while those born naturally were "forged". {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Eventually, the Matrix would yield no more sparks, causing Tyrest and his team to believe it had run dry. In reality, one of the scientists had had an attack of conscience and stolen the Matrix, replacing it with a facsimile and hiding the real one away in the subterranean labyrinth of the [[Undergrid]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Once Nova Prime left the planet aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]] and vanished into the [[Benzuli Expanse]],<ref>Author Simon Furman implied in a [http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/ December 2007 Q&A on his blog] and in the narration of ''[[Spotlight: Galvatron]]'' that in his original plans for this story, Nova ''did'' take the Matrix into the Dead Universe (Optimus Prime is never shown to carry it in Furman's stories), where it would have "become" something. Presumably, it was his intention for it to become the Darkness itself, which would not have been the separate entity it was in the finished story. These plans were cut short and wrapped up when Furman left the series, and subsequent writers established that Optimus had indeed been carrying the Matrix all along.</ref> the fake Matrix was protected by the presumably-unwitting [[Primal Vanguard]], carried by its leader [[Delta Magnus]] during a period known as the [[Interregnum]] until a new bearer was chosen. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} [[Nominus Prime]] is the earliest recorded Matrix-bearer after Nova, but whether he was his direct successor or not is unknown. It's also unclear whether Nominus Prime was aware that the Matrix was a fake. It's likely he did, since Nominus presumably falsified an "affinity for the Matrix" somehow in order to be named Prime.

Many Transformers embraced the religion surrounding the Matrix during the time of Nominus's reign, though with exceptions, such as police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], who remained sceptical of its touted divinity. Some Transformers would even [[tattoo]] an image of the Matrix on their bodies as evidence of their faith, such Orion's co-worker [[Springarm]] {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} and the trainee theoretician [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Nominus's reign was a time of great civil unrest, however; a senator named [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] hoped that a new Matrix-bearer might steer the planet off the path to self-destruction the corrupt [[Senate]] had placed it upon, and so began selecting promising young Cybertronians like [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]] and Orion Pax, befriending and rebuilding them with Matrix chambers in their chests. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

[[File:Autocracy9 pax finds matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In order to take control of the Matrix's life-giving powers, the corrupt forces within the Senate arranged for an attack upon Nominus Prime, moving him into hiding so they could gain unfettered access to the talisman. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} Upon opening Nominus's chest, however, the Senate at last discovered that the Matrix had been replaced with a fake. Furious, they had Nominus killed, establishing a cover story that he had died of a rust infection, and announcing that their security head [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] was showing signs of Matrix affinity, paving the way for him to become Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} The fake Matrix was then transformed into a bomb as part of a plot to incriminate and round up the burgeoning Decepticon faction, {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} but a team led by Orion Pax uncovered the scheme, broke into the [[Primal Basilica]] and removed the Matrix-bomb, which Orion then detonated to win a battle with the [[Heavies]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} It was not long after this that tensions exploded in the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}} when reflecting back on this time, [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] distilled the reasons behind the outbreak of the conflict down to blaming the Matrix as the root cause. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

[[File:AHM7 megs rips out matrix.jpg|thumb|left|Megatron, [[Ratchet (WFC)|I needed that]]!]]
Sentinel was succeeded by Zeta Prime, who much like his predecessor used a new fake Matrix (with lights installed!) to claim the title, and only those involved with Sentinel's scheme were aware of the truth. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} Zeta was subsequently killed by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who then hurled Orion Pax into the Undergrid, where Orion found the hiding place of the true Matrix. The damaged Pax was called out to by the Matrix, which asked him to take hold of it. Upon doing so, he was linked to the sparks of every single Cybertronian alive and was overcome by the pain, fear and loneliness his people were experiencing. As power of the Matrix repaired his body, he realized that it was not only a symbol of leadership or creation, but a "Matrix of our sparks" in which [['Til all are one|all were one]]. With his newfound clarity and the Matrix in his chest, Orion declared his name to be Optimus Prime and set out to bring freedom to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} Just thereafter, the Matrix guided him to the ruins of [[Nyon]] and allowed him to sense and awaken the dormant lifeforce of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who was in deep slumber below the city. {{storylink|Rise}}

Optimus Prime would later try to unleash the power of the Matrix in an attempt to vanquish the ancient monster [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], but was for some reason unable to open it. {{storylink|Annihilation}} He revealed his possession of the Matrix to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as proof of his Primehood, {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} and later used its cleansing powers to purge the influence of [[Pentius]]'s spark from Megatron's body. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}} At some point Prime took a sabbatical and left the Matrix in the care of [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], whom it took to so well legend says it had to be surgically removed from his chest. {{storylink|Little Victories}}

After the Transformers' conflict moved to Earth in the present day, Megatron determined to separate Optimus Prime from the Matrix. He was unaware of what the Matrix was actually capable of, but viewed any unknown element as a potential threat, and reasoned that even if he could not use it himself, it would still be safer in his hands than in those of his enemies. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} To this end, Megatron staged a trap for the Autobots with the aid of the traitorous [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]], catching them off-guard with his newly created gestalt [[Devastator (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Devastator]]. Defeated, the Autobots were dumped via space bridge in the ruins of Cybertron, but not before Megatron tore the Matrix from Prime's chest himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

[[File:TFvol1 13hotrod starscream matrix.jpg|thumb|This seems familiar...]]
When Megatron was defeated a year later and his forces were routed off of Earth, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] took up the role of leader and "inherited" the captive Matrix. Frustrated by his failure to find any "ultimate power" within it after several cycles of study, he decided to throw it away, only to be caught by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] just before blowing it out an airlock. Scrabbling for an explanation as to why he had the Matrix and reminded by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] of its massive symbolic importance to the Autobots, Starscream claimed he had been "chosen" by the talisman and now wielded its power. He went on to make this declaration before all the Decepticons, boosting morale and rallying them beneath him, but immediately regretted the decision. {{storylink|Uneasy Lies the Head}} And rightfully so: with the Matrix hung around his neck on a chain, its subtle influence on his mind over the next three years made the Decepticon air commander subdued and withdrawn, lost in contemplation of its mysteries, lashing out violently at any Decepticons who tried to touch it. This left him open to a brash attack by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], who infiltrated the Decepticons' asteroid base in order to recover the Matrix. Hot Rod actually ''shot'' the Matrix to cause a discharge of energy that knocked Starscream out, then attempted to escape with the Matrix in hand, but was confronted by the newly repaired Megatron. He proceeded to blast both the Matrix and Hot Rod through the base wall, setting them adrift in the void of space. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}} Starscream's possession of the "potentially threatening" Matrix had previously made Megatron hesitant to take back leadership of the Decepticons, but with the artifact lost in space, he had nothing to fear and quickly reclaimed his position. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDW19 matrix in chest.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As they drifted through space together, the Matrix fused itself to Hot Rod's chest, keeping him alive and healing the damage Megatron had done. Eventually, Hot Rod crash-landed on the planet [[LV-118]], where he was taken captive by the [[Ilxian]] "[[Admiral]]", a stranded alien who sought to use the Matrix as a power source for his ship. With help from [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], another Autobot stranded on the planet, Hot Rod was able to seize control of the Admiral's ship, and allowed Wheelie to tap the energy of the Matrix to get them off the planet. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|The Stars My Destination}} Knocked unconscious by the process, Hot Rod awoke some time later to find that Wheelie had been able to remove the Matrix from his chest, and had piloted the ship to Cybertron. Knowing that the planet was overrun by the [[Insecticon swarm]], Hot Rod tried to convince Wheelie that they needed to leave right away, but that proved impossible, as the Matrix had ceased providing power to the ship. Things on Cybertron turned out to be better than Hot Rod had thought, though, as they met up with [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] and Sunstreaker, who provided a fuel cell for their ship. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}} The entire group returned to Earth, where Hot Rod made his first duty the return of the Matrix to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}}

Departing for Cybertron aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] with Megatron a captive, Prime removed the Matrix from his chest in order to prove to himself that even without its wisdom, he still had the ability to make rational judgements under his own power. [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] watched over the talisman while Prime deliberated on Megatron's fate, and was holding it while he examined the damaged Sunstreaker, whose ability to walk was suddenly restored by its power. Although Prime ultimately concluded that Megatron's fate should be left for Megatron himself to decide, he did experience one disquieting revelation: Hot Rod revealed that when the Matrix had bonded with him, he had experienced not pain, as Optimus had felt, but unbridled elation. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

[[File:DoOP split matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Where'd you get the Matrix?" "We found it." "Found it? In Altihex? The Matrix is tropical!"]]
Upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron, they were faced with the threat of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], latest carrier of the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], who combined it with Vector Sigma in order to allow [[D-Void]] to emerge into the universe through Cybertron. To prevent this, Optimus Prime opened the Matrix, which succeeded in stopping D-Void, but also left the Matrix spent, its crystal core darkened and split in two. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} With unrest growing between the Autobots and the unaligned Transformers in the process of returning to the planet, Prime brought the two halves of the Matrix to [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] for study, and the scientist discovered that the crystal was artificial, designed to [[photonic crystal|split in two]], and contained a map of the stars. [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] believed the map would lead the way to the long-lost [[Knights of Cybertron]], and Rodimus elected to gather a crew and follow the path it charted, much to acting leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]'s consternation. Optimus Prime gave each of them one of the Matrix-halves, before departing Cybertron himself in hopes of ending the civil unrest. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} Optimus kept the shell of the Matrix and returned it to within his chest cavity. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}}

When Rodimus set foot on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], a billion sparks suddenly lit up on the moon's surface, something he credited to the Matrix half he was carrying. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Having developed a belief that Cybertronians born from the Matrix were inherently evil, Tyrest used his knowledge of the talisman to construct the [[universal killswitch]]—a device capable of killing all cold constructed Transformers in existence by scrambling their unique sparkcode. Rodimus was able to put a stop to the process by hooking himself up to the machine and using his Matrix half to reinstate the code, but the crystal was shattered in the process. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} He later scattered the dust of the Matrix on Luna 1 in honor of the sparks that were lost before they could be harvested. {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} Optimus was...displeased when he learned of this. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[File:ForeverIsALongTimeComing-MatrixofLeadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
The other half of the Matrix remained in Bumblebee's care until his death, after which it fell back into the hands of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} On his anniversary of becoming Prime, he returned to where he had found it all those years ago, hoping to find some of the same hope to press forward. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (issue)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}} He later spoke with [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] about the Matrix where she said if the Matrix chose him, it had a good reason. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} When contact with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] was established, Optimus was unwilling to let Starscream exploit it and all the other colonies. With Windblade at his side he passed through [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] to the chamber of the [[Forgefire Parliament]] where Windblade proclaimed him to be a Prime. The [[Mistress of Flame]] demanded proof of this and Optimus revealed the glowing Matrix to all. The natives of the planet bowed in his presence and revered him as a god, equal to [[Primus]] and the [[Thirteen]] Primes. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} After being immobilized by [[Victorion]], Optimus recounted the history of the Matrix but stated he believed it to simply be a piece of advanced technology not a mystical artifact while also expressing confusion over why it had flared on Caminus. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:ToWalkAmongTheChosen-Ore13Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When Optimus had his chest ripped open by a mutated [[Baron Karza]], the Matrix shone through the damages. {{storylink|Valley Forge}}

Atop the [[Matterhorn]], waiting for [[Quintesson Cruiser|an alien spacecraft]], Optimus regarded the Matrix only for it to suddenly glow. An unimpressed [[Pyra Magna]] simply revealed that the Matrix was simply reacting to the nearby [[Ore-13]]. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} When talking to [[Aileron]], Optimus again expressed that he did not believe the Matrix to be a divine artifact, calling it a "pulsewave generator". He noted however that could he use its symbolic importance to do good. Pyra Magna overheard his comment and was... displeased. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} After the Autobots and Junkions had gone to war, Optimus realized the precariousness of the situation and revealed the Matrix to all, allowing the assembled species to begin a peaceful resolution to the conflict. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}}

When Optimus Prime was thrown into the [[Crystal City]] [[black hole]], Starscream watched with amusement as the Matrix was ripped apart by the gravitational forces. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though the physical object had been destroyed, the powerful idea that the Matrix represented survived with Optimus when he found himself in [[infraspace]]. Realizing the symbolism that the artifact carried could represent a means to escape the realm of pure information, Optimus began to channel its power, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} expanding the black hole and allowing his and Bumblebee's minds to escape infraspace. This came at the heavy cost of disintegrating the Matrix's avatar, destroying the talisman once and for all. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:LL24 Matrix Opening Pt2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|They've got the power!!! Yeah!]]
Though the original Matrix was no more, Primus—now going by the name Rung—would rediscover his ancient memories and his alternate mode's ability to manufacture more Matrices. Though the [[Omega Guardian]]s pushed for him to forge three duplicates as part of their evil plan to blow up the Functionist Council's false Primus avatar, [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] hit on the plan to use twelve duplicates to overload [[Vector Sigma]] via the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Though Rung managed to produce the Matrices, doing so claimed his life. His sacrifice would not be in vain, however, as all twelve were opened and used to free Cybertron from the council's tyranny. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

In Megatron's [[Galactic Council]] presided trial, Rodimus would falsely testify that Megatron had opened one of the duplicate Matrices, swaying some of the more religious races on the jury. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

=====The Functionist Universe=====
[[File:ModesOfProduction-SixOfTwelveAndMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When the [[Functionist Council]] overthrew the [[Senate]], [[Twelve-of-Twelve]] obtained the false Matrix from Nominus and gave it to [[Six-of-Twelve]]. After obsessively studying the artifact, Six-of-Twelve came to believe Primus was speaking to him through it and integrated it into his head casing. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

When the council discovered Rung's ability to produce [[photonic crystal]]s, Six-of-Twelve tried to tap the Matrix to reignite Nova Prime's old cold construction program, but discovered that the Matrix was a useless fake. Undaunted, he turned the Matrix into a weapon that was able to suspend Cybertronians in a field of agonizing energy. When Rodimus was caught in this field, he immediately knew that Six-of-Twelve's Matrix was a false due to being familiar with the energies of the genuine article. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}
{{--}}

====''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga====
[[File:Henkei11 matrix.jpg|thumb|left|IT BURNS!!]]
When the demented [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] went on a rampage in [[Hoshinochō]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots were forced to abandoned the secrecy with which they had been operating on Earth in order to confront the villain and save the human lives he was threatening. Just as Galvatron targeted the Autobots' human ally [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]], Optimus Prime threw himself into the path of the villain's attack, and was knocked unconscious by the force of the attack. In addition to rendering Prime insensate, however, Galvatron's blow had also shattered his chest, exposing the Matrix of Leadership that was kept within. Responding to Wataru's ability to manipulate [[energon]], the Matrix surged to life, restoring Prime and boosting his strength. The light of the Matrix also revealed an unexpected deception: the Autobots were not merely fighting Galvatron, but [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Cyclonus]], possessed by Galvatron's disembodied spark! {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} Summoning up the Matrix's energy, Prime struck Cyclonus with one almighty Matrix-powered punch, utterly obliterating his body and causing Galvatron's spark to dissipate. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{--}}

====''Robot Heroes''====
[[File:Robotheroes primus and matrix.jpg|thumb|By the power of Grayskull! I AM OPTIMUS PRIME!]]
The Matrix is a glowing crystal that gives the Autobots knowledge. It was created by the first Transformer, Primus, who gave it to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
The Matrix was passed down to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] before his death. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] later defeated Prime and stole the Matrix, which he bonded with his [[black hole]] spark and used to subjugate [[Primus]] himself, allowing him to shape Cybertron according to his wishes. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

Atop the Dyson Sphere above the Sun, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] managed to rip the Matrix from Megatron before a reborn Optimus Prime hurled Megatron into the sun. The Decepticon managed to hold onto the Matrix however, taking it with him only for [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to seize the Matrix for himself. It was then snatched by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] beginning a game of "hot potato" before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] managed to return it to Optimus. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
To save Earth from the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], Optimus Prime sacrificed himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Book of Logos}} With the talisman lost to the Transformers, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] was instead felled by the [[Point One Percenter]]s, prompting [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] to genetically engineer more of them. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
During the Great War, the Decepticon scientists made attempts to recreate the power of the Creation Matrix, using a reasonable facsimile, or the genuine article to create Jetfire. [[Toxitron (G1)|Toxitron]] was an attempt to grow a Matrix shell, an experiment which eventually led to the creation of the [[Matrix of Malice]]. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] no longer felt worthy to carry the Matrix of Leadership and instead decided to return it to the [[Chorus of the Primes]], reverting to Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} The [[Mistress of Flame]] criticized his decision, claiming they would need the Matrix to stop [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} The Matrix projected a message to Optimus Prime, granting him a vision of future events, including the role the Matrix itself would play, prompting Optimus to head back towards the battlefield. {{storylink|The Fight Begins}} Learning from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] that Rodimus had given up the Matrix, Optimus entered the Chorus chamber in the [[Primal Basilica]] and asked to take back the Matrix, which the Chorus obliged. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}} Guiding Perceptor to a secret exit below the Basilica, Optimus asked him to take the Matrix and get as far away as possible, lest Trypticon obtain it and use its power to become unstoppable. {{storylink|Run for Our Lives}}

After running only a short while, the Matrix spoke to Perceptor and detailed its own plan; despite his apprehension, Perceptor did as it asked and tricked Trypticon into swallowing both himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Consumed}} However, because the Matrix could only be used by its chosen wielder, Trypticon could not contain its power and ejected it and Perceptor from his body, along with the previously swallowed [[Victorion]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] possessing the Titan. Before Victorion could reclaim the Matrix and Enigma, they were surrounded by a barrier of flame as [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] revealed himself. After killing Optimus and issuing a series of vague threats, Megatronus grabbed the Matrix and the Enigma for himself and blasted off into the sky. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Megatronus later removed the Matrix from its storage and installed it and the Enigma into an unknown device in the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]]. {{storylink|Without Warning}} Megatron eventually realized that Megatronus planned to use the Enigma to merge the Matrix's energy with the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], creating a weapon capable of killing every Transformer in the universe. Learning of Megatronus's use of the Matrix, the Unicron-controlled Rodimus Cron turned on him, declaring the Matrix must be destroyed. {{storylink|Consequences}} Megatronus returned to the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] and installed the Blaster into his doomsday weapon, beginning siphoning the life force from every Transformer's spark. Perceptor attempted to remove the Matrix and the other relics, but his efforts proved unsuccessful as Solus Prime began to return. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Unicron appeared, now fully in possession of Rodimus, and attempted to take the Matrix while Megatronus attempted to stop him. [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] resumed attacking the machine until it finally released the relics, and the Matrix interfaced with Primal, creating a shield protecting them from Megatronus. Having been chosen by the Matrix as its new bearer, Primal placed it in his chest, transforming him into Optimal Optimus. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}}

In the aftermath of Megatronus's and Unicron's defeats, Optimus Prime was resurrected thanks to his connection to the Matrix. He praised the Matrix's choice of Optimal as the new Prime, and agreed to guide him in his newfound role as the leader of Cybertron. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

====''Star Trek vs. Transformers''====
While mind-melded with Optimus Prime, [[Spock]] glimpsed a memory of the Matrix. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:SolusPrime-Forge-IDW2019No25.jpg|thumb|200px|right]]
Perhaps the greatest of the [[Artifacts of the Primes]], the Matrix of Leadership was forged by [[Solus Prime]] in an act that was said to be guided by [[Primus]]. It was a manifestation of the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] given form, with all the [[spark]]s of the deceased returning to the Matrix and bringing with them their experiences. When the Age of Primes came to end, the other artifacts disappeared from Cybertronian society but the Matrix persisted. Several Cybertronians would go on to carry the talisman, earning the title of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] when they did so, but they were only stewards until the Matrix found its true bearer, the [[Thirteenth Prime]]. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

In the modern era, the Matrix of Leadership had come to be held by the founder of the Autobots. Subsequently, holding the Matrix would denote the bearer as the Autobot leader. {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} Upon his death, Nominus Prime had passed it to Sentinel Prime. When Sentinel felt that Orion Pax was overstepping his authority, he gave his subordinate a verbal slap and reminded him who carried the Matrix as well as promising to pass it onto Ultra Magnus, not Orion. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

Not long afterwards, when Sentinel Prime met his end at the hand of the [[Rainmaker]]s, the Matrix ejected itself from him to begin the search for its next bearer. Though Orion Pax sought to bring it to Ultra Magnus, the talisman reacted to and bonded with Orion. Greeting him in the form of his mentor [[Codexa]], the Matrix's [[Mediator]] software educated Orion on its power and offered him the choice to not bear it. Accepting the burden, the Matrix sealed itself within the Senator, renaming him as Optimus Prime. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

Following the unleashing of the [[rust worm]]s, the Matrix's Mediator software summoned Optimus into it, offering him a warning of the future. {{storylink|Radical Time}} Not long afterwards, Megatron demanded that Optimus surrender the Matrix to him. When the Prime refused, Megatron lashed out at him, attempting to physically remove the talisman from the Prime, yielding only when he was confronted with [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity====
=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon=====
Alpha Trion was the first known Cybertronian to hold the Matrix of Leadership. Eons ago, he was confronted by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] who arrogantly demanded the Matrix. When it became clear that Sky Lynx would not back down from this request, Trion was forced to use the [[Staff of Solus]] to banish the draconian to the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Matrix-on-Megatrons-chest.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
After Megatron had murdered Alpha Trion, the Matrix of Leadership was "thrusted" onto Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}} Agreeing that holding it and the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] would give Optimus too much power, the program was instead given to Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep4-Optimus-surrenders-Matrix.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] found itself in the Dead Universe, Sky Lynx, humbled by his exile, mentored Optimus in how to properly connect with the Matrix and channel its power. At the same time, the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Nemesis'']] was boarded by [[Galvatron (G1)|a new Decepticon]] who instructed Megatron to claim the Matrix at all costs. When the ''Nemesis'' caught up with the ''Ark'', Optimus used the Matrix to open a rift back to normal space. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

When both ships emerged back in their universe, the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark'' where Megatron managed to fulfill his guide's directive and claim the Matrix from Optimus. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}
{{stub|''Kingdom''}}

=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material=====
In a possible destiny recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|''Voyager'' Golden Disk]], Megatron became Galvatron and wore the Matrix of Leadership chained around his neck. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk cards}}

====Energon Universe====
The Matrix was a source of energy that channeled the spirit of its host, capable of repairing the injuries of its host and others, {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}} as well as activating electronics cut off from their power sources. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} However, while the Matrix could heal, if a Cybertronian was too badly injured, even its power could not prevent their death. In addition, as its power is also directly connected with its bearer's life force, overusing the Matrix risked killing the bearer. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

It was gifted to [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] "many years" before he came to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} After being reactivated on Earth, Prime thought to use the Matrix to heal the mortally wounded [[Jetfire (G1)#Energon Universe|Jetfire]], only for [[Ratchet (G1)#Energon Universe|Ratchet]] to inform Optimus that Jetfire was too far gone even for the Matrix. Shortly after, Jetfire succumbed to his wounds. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}}

Soon afterwards, Ratchet used the last of the Autobots' stockpiled energon to reactivate [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. When Optimus suggested pooling Ratchet and Cliffjumper's internal energon, the medic informed him that that might allow for the reactivation of another in an hour. Unsatisfied with the response, Optimus considered using the Matrix to help replenish their energon reserves only to be immediately vetoed by Ratchet due to the risk of Prime depleting his own life force when using it, and Ratchet considered Optimus himself too valuable for the Autobots to lose. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

[[File:TF2023 4 – Prime Uses the Matrix.jpg|thumb|Using the Matrix's light at a dark hour and emptying it in the fourth issue of a new continuity? It's ''[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime#Animated|another]]'' new record, Primey!|right]]
Not long afterwards, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] opened fire on the local hospital, damaging the power generator. After learning the injured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and many other patients who needed breathing machines would die without power, Optimus emptied the Matrix, over Ratchet's protests, using it to power the hospital and prevent more deaths.

With the power restored, Spike was stabilized and able to breathe again, though he remained in a coma. When [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] asked if Prime was able to use the Matrix again to bring his son back all the way, he was informed that the Matrix had been fully drained of its energy. After Ratchet managed to repair the hospital's generator, the medic scolded Optimus for wasting the Matrix's power on saving the humans instead of repairing himself. While Optimus initially dismissed him, saying that the Matrix would be fine, Ratchet reiterated that if Optimus died – either from using the Matrix or from wounds that he could have used the Matrix to repair – the war would be lost, and the Decepticons would be free to harm humanity as much as they wanted. Optimus defended his actions as he ultimately saved innocent lives, even if it was at the cost of the Matrix. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}}

Following an ambush by the Decepticons as the Autobots attempted to take back the ''Ark'', {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}} Optimus found himself heavily damaged by [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]] to the point where the Matrix was visibly showing under his chest panels. Despite being taken to a repair bay, Ratchet quickly diagnosed Prime's wounds as fatal. Feeling his spark fading, Optimus opened his chest and removed the Matrix, calling upon one of the Autobots to take it, dropping it as Devastator's blows shook the ship.

[[File:SparkyIsOneWithTheMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|Don't tell [[Steel Jaw]] the Matrix runs on [[Biofuel]].]]
Before any of them could take the Matrix, Sparky knelt in front of it, thinking of how when something bad happened to his fellow soldiers or his sons, he wished he could've been in their place instead. Knowing that Optimus would care for Earth just like Sparky had cared for his boys, Sparky asked Optimus to tell Spike that he was proud of him before entering the Matrix's core, vanishing as he became one with it. The Matrix, now recharged, instantly repaired Optimus' body, and as he put the talisman back into his chest, Optimus swore his friend would not be forgotten. Promising to protect Spike and the whole Earth, Optimus immediately started doing so by taking down Devastator and Thundercracker. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{note|In ''Car Robots'', the original Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'', "Fire Convoy" does not possess a version of the Matrix of Leadership, instead carrying an [[Energon Matrix#Car Robots cartoon|Energon Matrix]].}}

[[File:PowerToBurn prime matrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|My chestplate glows for you, Hotrod]]

Simply known as just 'the Matrix',<ref>The Matrix is never termed as the "Matrix of Leadership" in the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub. Though it is initially called Optimus Prime's "Cyber Matrix" in "[[The Test (episode)|The Test]]", it is never again referred to as such afterward. It would not be until Optimus's profile published in [[The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine issue 1|''The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine'' #1]] that this Matrix would be formally referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership".</ref> [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by Vector Sigma to be its bearer and lead the Autobots as Commander-in-Chief of Cybertron. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Less a physical object and more an energy that suffused his form, Prime could call on the power of the Matrix in moments of great emotion, at which point his body would glow with its green light. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

[[File:TwoFaces magnus matrix.jpg|thumb|I set my chestplate from studly to kill. Go nipple blasters!]]
Unfortunately for Prime, his brother [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] was furious at being passed over for the leadership role, and about halfway through Prime's campaign against [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] on Earth, Magnus arrived on the planet with the intent to take the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} When he attempted to absorb the energy of the Matrix from Prime's body, however, a bizarre fusion occurred instead, merging the two brothers into [[Omega Prime]] and revealing that the intention had always been for them to ''share'' the energy of the Matrix between them. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Magnus later inadvertently used this link to channel the energy of the Matrix into the [[Autobot Brothers]], supercharging them. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

In the final battle against Megatron—now Galvatron—at the [[Earth's core]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] channeled all his energy into Omega Prime to give his leader the power boost that he hoped would ensure triumph. The extra energy combined with that of the Matrix and it burst forth, coalescing into the colossal [[Matrix Blade]], which Omega Prime used to claim victory. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

=====''Cybertron'' comic=====
[[File:OptimusPrimeRIDprimuschamber.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Oops! Sorry, that's never happened to me before..."]]
Teleported into the midst of a battle in another universe, Prime and Magnus found themselves on Cybertron, where the evil [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] was attempting to use his [[Dead Matrix]] to destroy Primus. The brothers took him down, then separated so that Optimus could use his own Matrix to negate the evil energies released by the Dead Matrix. Opening the chamber in his Super Mode chest, he projected a beam of the Matrix's pure light into the Dead Matrix's swirling darkness, eliminating it. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}}

====Shell Game====
After the [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] was killed by [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]], once-leader of the [[Protection Team]] [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot]] was given the Matrix of Leadership by [[Ultra Trion]], becoming his team's combined form [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] himself. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 9, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}} Megazarak sought the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], believing that it would yield the location of [[Base Sigma]], the last outpost of Autobot resistance and the hiding place of the Matrix-bearer. He failed, being slightly delayed by Ultra Trion's final gambit. {{storylink|Shell Game}} Defensor would eventually triumph over Megazarak and begin to rebuild his world. However, the Matrix gave him visions of another Megazarak, one who had succeeded in conquering [[Viron 403.0 Beta|his own universe]] and was spreading out to other universes. Defensor felt the duty to seek out this Megazarak and stop him as well. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 7, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}}
{{--}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
{{note|Plot points derived only from the original Japanese versions of the Unicron Trilogy cartoons, lost to the slipshod dubbing that plagued the series, are in italics.}}
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[File:Crisis Hot Shot Matrix.jpg|left|thumb|Optimus said that I could drive this up somewhere....]]
When [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] threatened to destroy the Earth with the [[Hydra Cannon]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], not expecting to survive the battle ahead, tried to pass the Matrix on to [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] before entering the conflict. Hot Shot refused, not feeling himself worthy, and Prime subsequently died throwing himself into the path of the Hydra Cannon blast meant for Earth. Prime's body was reduced to ashes, and the Matrix was all that remained, clung onto by his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], floating helplessly until rescued. {{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}}

[[File:Miracle sparkplug and matrix.jpg‎|thumb|''in your eyes, the light, the heat 
''in your eyes, I am complete]]

Not long thereafter, as the Autobots and Decepticons battled in space on their way back to Cybertron, Sparkplug and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] presented the Matrix to the large armada of Mini-Cons who had joined the Autobots on their journey. Many Mini-Cons plunged themselves into the Matrix, using their powers to recreate Prime's body and restore him to life. {{storylink|Miracle (episode)|Miracle}}

Some time later, in the midst of the Transformers' battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime was confronted by the evil demi-god with the suggestion that, on some level, he enjoyed the thrill of combat as much as Megatron did, ''and that the only difference between the two leaders was the Matrix in Prime's chest.'' {{storylink|Origin}} Following Unicron's defeat, when Megatron (now Galvatron) challenged Optimus to one final battle, these words led Prime to discard the Matrix, that he might battle Galvatron not as the leader of the Autobots, ''but as an individual, and the equal of his foe''.

[[File:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|left|thumb|A unicorn designed this. (See the pretty rainbows?)]]
Prime flung the Matrix through Unicron's hide, out into space, where it later drifted by the two combatants as their fight moved to Unicron's surface. Soon, however, it became apparent that Prime and Galvatron's fight was sustaining and re-energizing Unicron, and Galvatron allowed himself to die into order to destroy the chaos-bringer. As the battered Prime hung in space afterwards, the Matrix floated past him. Prime turned to look at it, but, having revelled in his battle with Galvatron and in a way proven Unicron correct, shifted his glance away, pronouncing himself unworthy to carry it.

Prime did not return to his fellow Autobots immediately, as Cybertron was now at peace. Instead, he apparently embarked on some sort of soul-searching space voyage, seeking to find worthiness once again. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}
{{--}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
[[File:MysteriousMercenary matrix generates blaster.jpg‎|thumb|Also, it does not go anywhere in the robot mode. Get outta here, blaster. No one likes your style.]]
Prime returned to reclaim the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots at some point over the next ten years. ''Despite the talisman being back in his hands once more, its power was employed but once during the war for [[energon]] of 2020, when Prime was badly injured by [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] during a battle on Earth's Moon and fell unconscious. When Prime was infused with a massive jolt of Energon in an attempt by the [[Omnicon]] [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] to revive him, the interaction of the element with the Matrix brought forth the [[Energon Blaster]], which coalesced out of a sphere of light that burst out of Prime's chest. Prime considered the weapon a gift from the previous commanders within the Matrix and fended off the Decepticons with it, then proceeded to never use or even mention it again.'' {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}}
{{--}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
[[File:Cybertron matrix of leadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Good grief, Prime! There are KIDS present!]]
A further ten years later, during the quest to stop the [[Unicron Singularity]] in [[2030]], Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership in concert with [[Vector Prime]]'s [[Rhisling|sword]] to open dimension gates to the various colony worlds that held the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. It was only through the stabilizing powers of both objects that safe transit through the gates was made possible. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}} The Matrix influenced Optimus Prime's [[Cyber Key]], giving it a unique shape that mimicked the Matrix's own as opposed to the standard design shared by the other Autobots. {{storylink|Savage}}

[[File:Unfinished matrix glow prime.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix is made up of [[burning spirit]]!]]
After the Autobots had obtained the Cyber Planet Keys from [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] and Earth and placed them in the [[Omega Lock]] on Cybertron, Optimus Prime substituted the energy of the Matrix for the still-missing fourth key. This proved enough to initiate Cybertron's transformation into the body of Primus, but without the key from [[Gigantion]], the god's power remained at an ebb, unable to close the black hole. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} Before departing for Gigantion to obtain the final key, the Autobots were able to develop a method that allowed Primus to use the energy of the three keys and the Matrix to at least halt the singularity's growth, giving them the time they needed to complete their mission. {{storylink|Titans}} In order for the Autobots to safely traverse the tunnel in space-time that led to Gigantion, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] created a "vaccine" program based on the stabilizing properties of the Matrix and Vector Prime's sword. {{storylink|Family}}

The Matrix would often glow with energy when Prime poised himself to unleash powerful combat moves; during his final battle with Galvatron, the golden glow of the Matrix surrounded Prime's entire body. {{storylink|Unfinished}}
{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 404.11 Kappa]], Vector Prime held the Matrix during Cybertron's [[Golden Age]]. He led the Autobots for many years until he received a higher calling from the [[Chronarchitect]] to lead the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warrior]]s in protecting space and time. Vector passed the Matrix on to his trusty lieutenant, [[Guardian Major]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#July 12, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 12/07/2015}}

====''Galaxy Force'' manga====
[[File:GFmanga matrix.jpg|left|thumb|RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH!]]
With the Earth besieged by the [[Ancient Decepticon]]s under the command of [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the treacherous air commander himself transformed into a skyscraper-sized giant by the power of Primus, things were looking grim for the Autobots. Taking a direct hit from the giant Starscream, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s chest was smashed open, exposing the Matrix within. Reviving after only a few moments of unconsciousness to find that [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] had arrived on the planet with news that Primus had reawakened, Prime doubted how important he was to the battle if their god was now restored. Wing Saber pointed to his open chest, telling him that the Matrix within him signified him as the true leader of the Autobots, and Prime, his resolve restored, plucked the talisman from within himself and called upon its power to initiate his and Wing Saber's combination into Sonic Wing Mode for the first time. {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.9}}
{{--}}

====''Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts''====
During an interview with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], Hot Shot proved it was easy to get hold of a Matrix by telling Optimus Prime that his shoes were untied, and then yonking the Matrix right out of his chest while he was distracted. The Matrix upgraded Hot Shot into Shotimus Prime. During a later interview with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], the exasperated interviewee grabbed the Matrix, reverting Shotimus back to Hot Shot, and then beat him with it. {{storylink|Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Tf2009 mol.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Now...how do you open this thing, dammit?]]
Created by the [[Dynasty of Primes]], the '''Matrix of Leadership''' is required to operate the [[Star Harvester]]. It can only be properly utilized by one who shares the lineage of the Primes.

====Sector Seven ARG====
The Matrix was mentioned in passing.{{fact}} {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven}}

====Titan movie comic====
According to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] carries the Matrix of Leadership. Not quite yet, he doesn't, Screamer! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 8|Star Screams #2}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
[[File:ROTF Matrix crumbles.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|And Unicron breathed a sigh of relief.]]
The [[Dynasty of Primes#Revenge of the Fallen movie|Seven Primes]] had agreed never to use a [[Star Harvester]] on a [[Sun]] that fed intelligent life. But in 17,000 BC, [[the Fallen]] chose to activate it on [[Earth]], for he hated [[human]]s, so the other Primes fought him and stole the Matrix. They sealed it away in a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] made of their own bodies in a secret location. In 2009 AD, following the death of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last Prime, the Fallen had returned to Earth and was seeking the Matrix to finish what he'd started.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Hot Rod's gonna have trouble gettin' his fingers in this one.]]
[[Sam Witwicky]], having deciphered the only clue to the tomb's location, found the Matrix in [[Petra]], but it crumbled to dust. He stuffed its remains into a sock and took it to the [[Pyramid]]s of [[Egypt]], where he still hoped it could resurrect Optimus, who was being protected by the human-Autobot alliance [[NEST]]. The Fallen's pupil, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], shot and killed Sam, but the [[spark]]s of the Primes came and revived him. They also revealed the Matrix could not be found but only earned, and they restored its shape. Sam then used the Matrix to resurrect Optimus by shoving its sharp end into his chest. Almost immediately afterward, the Fallen teleported in and stole the Matrix, then used it to activate the Harvester. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{Note|The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] reveals the Matrix was created by the AllSpark to help the Primes in their search for energon. After Sam Witwicky conversed with the Dynasty of Primes in the afterlife, the intent was that the power and knowledge of the AllSpark moved from his mind into the remains of the Matrix, reconstituting it; ''this'', then, was why it was able to bring Prime back to life. In turn, this essentially transforms this universe's version of the Matrix (initially entirely distinct from the other depictions of the object seen in this article) into the same life-giving, knowledge-holding object from other Transformers fiction. Additionally, Prime was to recover the Matrix from the sun harvester and carry it within himself in traditional Matrix fashion. While none of these events were seen to play out explicitly on-screen, the Matrix's continued presence in ''Dark of the Moon'', within Prime's body, and the reverence it receives suggests that these events still "happened" within the continuity of the films, even if they didn't explicitly talk about them.}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
[[File:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|You thought they forgot about it already, didn't you?]]
After the dormant body of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was retrieved from the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], the Autobots' former leader was brought to [[NEST]] headquarters on Earth. Optimus Prime removed the Matrix of Leadership from his chest (which he was able to manipulate as it hovered through the air) and inserted it into Sentinel Prime's chest, similarly to how Sam Witwicky used it to resurrect Optimus three years prior.

Optimus later offered it to Sentinel, as he felt that Sentinel was the rightful leader of the Autobots. Sentinel refused it, citing that he was the wiser on their own homeworld, but on this strange new planet, Optimus was the more experienced.

Megatron later explained to Starscream that he wanted Prime to use the Matrix on Sentinel as he was vital to Megatron's plan for invasion. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{--}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[File:Tfanimated matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Check out my necklace!|left]]
Following [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]]'s successful reconstruction of a substantial portion of the shattered [[AllSpark#Animated|AllSpark]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] used the [[Magnus Hammer]] to forge a new containment vessel for the crystal sphere. He termed the resultant holder the "[[AllSpark Matrix]]", and wore it on a chain around his neck upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}
{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
The Matrix was created by the Primes sometime after Unicron's defeat and before the War of the Primes, though according to [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] it was a very different device at its creation than in the present day. It formed the hilt of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] but [[Prima]] surrendered it to [[Primus]] in the [[Core]] after the Primes fought.

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion went to [[Vector Sigma]] to try and retrieve the Matrix in hopes that it could reignite the fire of Cybertronian society. The supercomputer denied his request saying the time was not right, but it gave him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]].

When [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] had poisoned the core of Cybertron with [[Dark Energon]], Primus inserted a portion of his Spark into the Matrix and gave it to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] to carry and guard. This had the effect of restoring Optimus' memories of his earlier life among the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|Prime lucked out. Feel bad for the guy who has to carry that blade around in his chest.]]
Originally the jewel in the hilt of [[Prima]]'s [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword in the distant past of Cybertron, the Matrix had been missing for billions of cycles by the time data clerk [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]] met the charismatic gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Unbeknownst to Orion, Megatron plotted revolution, and, desiring the Matrix's power to fuel his ambition, had [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] send [[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]] to search for the Matrix in [[Crystal City]] to no avail.

Later, when the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] appointed Orion as Cybertron's leader, Optimus Prime, they ordered him to find the Matrix, and Megatron's true motives stood revealed as he also declared it would be his. War erupted across Cybertron and raged for millions of years, until, during the conflict's dying days, Optimus purged Cybertron's [[core]] of a [[Dark Energon]] infection that Megatron had wrought upon it. Speaking directly into Prime's mind, the core explained that Prime's predecessor, [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], had been unworthy of the Matrix, but as long as he had survived in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]'s prisons, Optimus was technically not [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and could not receive it. With Sentinel's death and the core's purification, however, the time had at last come: the Matrix emerged from the core, and Optimus accepted it into his body. Subsequently, the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', but Optimus knew that the Matrix would guide them home one day, where it would act in concert with the core to fully restore their ravaged homeworld. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

After the ''Ark'' had passed through a [[space bridge]], the Matrix projected a map to the nearby [[Cybertronian colonies|colony]] of [[Velocitron]]. After fleeing Velocitron, the ''Ark'' found its way to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], the Matrix's energies clearing the minds of the [[Junkion (species)|natives]] enough for them to help the Autobots repair the ''Ark''. The Matrix then projected another map, leading Optimus to a space bridge to the tomb of [[Solus Prime]]. When Megatron caught up to Optimus on Junkion, the Matrix sent a vision of the AllSpark's location to Optimus, preventing him from dealing the killing blow. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Continued pulls from the Matrix led the ''Ark'' to the planet [[Aquatron]], even as it plagued Optimus with visions of Cybertronians being oppressed. When the Autobots ventured to the planet's surface, the Matrix sent Optimus a vision of his former self, Orion Pax, being menaced by enslavers. The senior physician, [[Xeros]], took the chance to, eagerly, scan the Matrix when Optimus convulsed. When it was revealed that Aquatron was ruled by the [[Quintesson]]s, they put the Autobots and Decepticons on trial, the Matrix providing Optimus with his repressed memories to convince him that the aliens were lying. Learning that the Matrix was fighting off remote hacking attempts by the Quintessons, Optimus switched off the genuine article, only to be forced to reactivate it so and Megatron could escape the labyrinthine corridors. The Matrix led the two leaders to the source of the interference: the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]], a duplicate created by the Quintessons following their studying of Matrix's technology. Shortly thereafter, the Sharkticon Matrix was destroyed, restoring the Matrix to normal operating status. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}
{{--}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OneShallRise3-unleash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Care Bear Stare!|left]]
During the Great War, the core of Cybertron, which contained the Spark of the Transformers' creator Primus, became poisoned with [[Dark Energon]]. Orion Pax journeyed there hoping to cure the god, but instead was given the Matrix of Leadership by Primus himself, becoming [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

When the Autobots discovered that [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] dwelt at the center of the Earth, Optimus Prime gambled that the Matrix held the power to destroy the dark god. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} Led to the core of the planet by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], Prime emptied the full power of the Matrix into Unicron's spark. [[File:OrionPax3 Matrix of Leadership.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]] The chaos-bringer responded by possessing Megatron in an attempt to stop him, but the Matrix generated a shield to protect Prime so that the mission could be completed, and Unicron was successfully returned to stasis. Unfortunately, in draining the Matrix of its energy, Optimus lost not merely the wisdom of the Primes, but all of his own memories since becoming a Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Anticipating this, Optimus had left a solution to this problem in the hands of the Autobot's human ally [[Jack Darby]]: the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], which would allow the Matrix to be refilled, and Optimus's memory restored, via the mega-computer Vector Sigma on Cybertron. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Jack and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] travelled to Cybertron to load the key, then returned to Earth in the midst of a battle between Orion and Megatron. Though the archivist was hesitant at first, Jack convinced him that he was in fact worthy and used the key to restore the Matrix's power and Optimus's memories. {{Storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

When Optimus Prime lay dying after the destruction of the Autobot base, he told [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] that the Matrix would choose someone else to be leader, whom he believed to be Smokescreen. When Optimus did die, his chest ejected the Matrix as it began to search for a successor, only for Smokescreen simply to place the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] in Optimus's hand which, combined with the Matrix, revived and reformatted Optimus, though at the cost of draining the Forge of all its power. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

When the Great War ended and Cybertron was restored, Optimus used the Matrix of Leadership to guide him to the location of the [[AllSpark]], in the hazardous system of [[Theta Scorpii]]. To safeguard the AllSpark from Unicron, Optimus merged it with the Matrix. In doing so however, he rendered his own [[spark]] inseparable from all those within the AllSpark, ultimately sacrificing himself and the Matrix to the [[Core]] to reignite it, ending the age of Primes. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}
{{--}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
[[File:OddBotOut Optimus Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
When Optimus located the [[Liquefier]], its energies out of control and threatening [[Griffin Rock]], he used the Matrix to shut it down. {{storylink|Odd Bot Out}}
{{--}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
[[File:Dark Side of the Matrix album cover.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix of Leadership served as inspiration for the legendary rock band the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]], immortalized on the cover of their studio album "Dark Side of the Matrix". {{storylink|Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron}}
{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:MatrixOfLeadership-OPglows.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left]]
The Matrix of Leadership was an artifact of the [[Thirteen]]. Within, it held the accumulated wisdom of not only the original Primes, but all those who'd borne it, allowing for its current bearer to access this wisdom in times of crisis. Conversely, these spirits could bring the bearer before them through the Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

In the modern era, the Matrix was safeguarded by [[Alpha Trion (Cyberverse)|Alpha Trion]]. In the early days of the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]], [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] murdered all of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] save Trion who had been mortally wounded by the attack. When [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus]] was brought before his ailing mentor, Trion bestowed the Matrix onto his protege. Despite Optimus's hesitations, he accepted the talisman and became Optimus Prime, the last sight Trion witnessed before he passed. The power of the Matrix allowed Optimus to manifest a powerful blue shield in the likeness of the Autobot insignia. {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}}

After claiming that one of his [[scraplet]]s was a reborn Alpha Trion, [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] had others reveal the Matrix for him to claim. Before he could, [[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] pounced on the Seeker and disabled his scarplet horde. {{storylink|Starscream's Children}} Prime would later get his own back on Starscream by separating the treacherous Seeker from the AllSpark with a blast from the Matrix, the energies sending both into [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|I Am The Allspark}} Starscream awoke in a prison cell while Prime remained in coma with a vision of the Matrix. It closed on him and he later woke up as a turbolaser barrage from the [[Nemesis (Cyberverse)|''Nemesis'']] was ripping the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']] apart. {{storylink|Escape From Earth}}

When the [[Quintesson]]s invaded Cybertron, Optimus combined the power of the Matrix with one from another reality, stolen by Megatron, to overwhelm the now [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]] Starscream, finally killing him and ending the invasion. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}}

Not long afterwards, Cybertron was invaded by Megatron X, the owner of Megatron's stolen Matrix, whom Optimus engaged in a duel of Matrices. When Windblade sabotaged the alternate Megatron's Matrix, Optimus' beam prevailed, its energy short-circuiting the tyrant. {{storylink|The Other One}}

The Matrix was last seen being used by Optimus and a small group of his allies to open the chamber to the [[Cortex Helm]] on [[Onyx Prime|Onyx Prime's]] floating island after a [[Decepticon supersoldier]] named [[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]] manipulated them into helping him reach the artifact.

====Alternate universe====
In another world, upon realizing that Optimus would forever oppose him, [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] killed Optimus outright before he stole his Matrix. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}} {{storylink|The Other One}}

Untold years later, Megatron's universe was visited by an alternate version of himself who managed to steal his Matrix and flee. Knowing that his counterpart would eventually track him down, the alternate Megatron tried to access the Matrix's wisdom but the Primes refused to speak to him. {{storylink|Silent Strike}} The Primes of this reality imparted onto their Optimus a directive to destroy this otherwordly Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

A psychic shard of the native [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] wound up lodged in the Matrix, being met by Optimus' spirit who told her to destroy the Matrix. Eventually, Megatron located the reality and reclaimed his property only to be engaged in a Matrix duel by the native Optimus. Though Megatron initially held the advantage, Windblade followed Optimus' orders and destroyed the psychic pillars of the Primes, short-circuiting the Matrix. {{storylink|The Other One}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:TransformersOne-SentinelMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
For cycles, energon flowed freely through the Matrix of Leadership's power, until [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the [[Thirteen|Primes]] through a deal made with the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Prying it out of [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime's]] corpse, Sentinel was horrified when the artifact rejected him and vanished. As a result, Cybertron's energon supply dried up, leading to Sentinel removing the transformation cogs from newly born Transformers so they could mine energon as tribute for the Quintessons.

After fifty cycles, the young miner, [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], would often break into the archives in Iacon in an attempt to find information about what had become of the long lost relic. Orion dreamed about being the one to deliver the Matrix to Sentinel, who would often lead expeditions to the surface to search for it. However, these searches were merely a cover-up for Sentinel's true dealings, delivering the Quintessons their tribute of energon. One such exchange was witnessed by Orion, his best friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who had come to surface after having found a beacon containing the possible location of the Matrix. Granted transformation cogs by [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]], the four raced back to Iacon to reveal the truth about Sentinel to the city.

[[File:TFone OptimusRaisesMatrix.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Allying with the former Cybertron [[High Guard]], the quartet led an attack on Sentinel's tower, ending with D-16 dropping Orion into Cybertron's core after the latter had attempted to stop him from executing Sentinel. Orion was met with the spirits of the Primes and, having been judged worthy by Primus, was bestowed the Matrix and upgraded into Optimus Prime. Granted powerful new armor and weaponry, Optimus returned to the surface and put a stop to D-16, who had renamed himself "Megatron". Slicing Megatron's [[Fusion cannon]] in half with his new [[Energon-axe|Energon axe]] Optimus banished him and his new followers from Iacon. With the return of the Matrix, energon flowed throughout the planet once more and all the cogless miners were given transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "Autobots". {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
In one of several possible timelines, the Matrix was destroyed millions of years in the past, along with Optimus Prime, by the time-travelling [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. Unfortunately, its destruction meant the Decepticons had no surefire way of defeating Unicron when he attacked Cybertron in 2005. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[File:TFPS2 matrix.jpg|thumb]]
The quest for the [[Zel Quartz]], a powerful crystal upon which the fate of the future hinged, led groups of Autobots and Decepticons from both the present day and time-travellers from the near-future to converge on the planet Zel Samine, culminating in a two-way showdown between Optimus Prime, Rodimus Prime, Megatron and Galvatron in the complex housing the planetary power generator [[ELTA]]. When the battle threatened to cause the computer to overload, it appeared that all four Transformers were doomed, until the twin Primes opened both their Matrices, using their power to bring the computer under control and win the day. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
[[File:Netjetmatrix.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix would appear following the successful defeat of an opponent. Picking it up would initiate the next round of combat, accompanied by a burst of music from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
[[File:WFC Matrix of Leadership.jpg||thumb|How are you supposed to hold it up and release its cleansing flame if the handles aren't even attached to the sphere?]]
Though [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots helped purge the [[Core|Core of Cybertron]] of the [[Dark Energon]] infection, its spark had been corrupted and had to shut itself down completely if it was to survive. For the millions of years that this process would take, Cybertron would be left cold and barren, meaning the Transformers would be forced to take to the stars. However, the Core bestowed a portion of its spark within the Matrix of Leadership to Optimus Prime, leader of the free Autobots. For as long as the Matrix survived, Cybertron's spark would remain. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark'' (console)===
Among the many rumours that circled the origins of the [[Dark Spark]] was that it was the natural antithesis to the Matrix of Leadership.

In the midst of the [[Great Exodus]], Megatron managed to acquire the Dark Spark and bond it to himself, forcing Optimus to personally confront him in the labs of [[Kolkular]]. After fighting a horde of Autobot [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]], Optimus unleashed the power of the Matrix against the Dark Spark, his superior experience in wielding the artefact granting him victory and blasting the Dark Spark off of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:AngryBirdsMatrix.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The Matrix can be unlocked as an accessory that when equipped; grants an effect to several characters. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Accessory'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''[[Gem]] Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Red (AB)|Red]] as [[Red (AB)#As Optimus Prime|Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|<s>325</s> Free
| Incendiary Rounds
|Became a free Accessory in June 2017
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#As Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus]]
|Chest
|Legendary
|900
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Energon Optimus Prime|Energon Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|650
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Ultimate Optimus Prime|Ultimate Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Uncommon
|100
| +10% Defense
|
|-
|}
</center>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
In the past, [[Nova Prime]] bore the Matrix of Leadership but parted with the artifact when he left Cybertron aboard the ''[[Proudstar]]''. When Optimus Prime explored the scuttled ''Proudstar'' millions of years later, the Matrix reacted to [[Unicron/Generation 1|a dark presence]] in the ship, shutting down for a second. As the Autobots ventured deeper into the ship, [[Teletraan Alpha]] used the Matrix to see their future. As the Autobots neared the ship's core and discovered the same dark presence, the Matrix allowed Optimus to learn that the entity responsible for corrupting Nova was searching and destroying its way to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Matrix of Leadership held the concentrated essence of heroism and valour, in the same way that the [[Enigma of Combination]] possessed the pure essence of cooperation. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:BBOptimusMatrixSM.jpeg|thumb]]
*On a battlefield on [[Cybertron (planet)#Live-action film series|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] sported the Matrix of Leadership in his chest. {{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Masterpiece|MPM-12 Optimus Prime stop motion video}}
*During a battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] summoned [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] holding the Matrix of Leadership (along with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]) using a [[Magic: The Gathering]] card. Subsequently, the summoned Rodimus used the Matrix to power Optimus up.
{{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Miscellaneous|Secret Lair stop motion video}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Matrix of Leadership/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1toon matrix strings.jpg|thumb|Strings connect the Matrix's core to its holder in the Generation 1 cartoon.]]
*Bob Budiansky's original pitch for the Transformers comic book included an event known as the "[[Ceremony of the Unending Circuit]]", held by the Autobots every ten millennia to commemorate the passing of the Creation Matrix from one Autobot leader to the next, according to Autobot Law. If an Autobot is not brave, strong, or wise enough, the program would either drive him insane or lobotomize him.<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref> Although the "ten millennia" bit made it into the comic, the rest of it was never realized. (Budiansky also left a note that the Matrix isn't the only way of making new Transformers, which is not touched on in English comic media until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''.)
*[[Floro Dery]] was inspired by a thermonuclear bomb in designing the Matrix of Leadership for ''The Movie''.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html|site=Transformers Philippines|name=Floro Dery|quote='''Can you tell us some trivias or story behind the Matrix of Leadership?'''" "The inspiration for the Matrix of Leadership is a thermonuclear bomb.|title=Interview With Floro Dery|year=2007|month=06|day=18}}</ref> "Light our darkest hour", indeed.
*Blink and you'll miss it—the crystal core of the original Generation 1 cartoon incarnation of the Matrix is connected to the two halves of its holder by a string! This oddity of design is visible during the two instances the Matrix is opened in the cartoon, in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".
*By pure coincidence, the [[retcon]] made in ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' (and technically ''Beast Wars'') that created the idea of there being two Matrix-shaped objects in Optimus Prime's chest also fits with an [[animation error]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where—on his deathbed—Prime is seen removing the Matrix, while an uncolored "empty" Matrix is shown still inside his chest just before his colors fade.
*The dub of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' refers to the artifact as the Matrix of Leadership when it's first introduced and for a few episodes after, but then switches to calling it the "Matrix of the Commander" for the rest of the series afterward. This is likely a result of direct translation from the generic ''shireikan no Matrix'' (司令官のマトリクス) in Japanese.
*The body-mod shop "[[Swindle, Swindle and Swindle]]" has empty Generation 1 Matrix containers for sale, as seen in an illustration from the prose story "[[I, Lowtech]]".
*The Matrix of Leadership [[:File:The Arrival 4 Lockdown's cabinet.jpg|makes a cameo]] as one of ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]'s possessions in "[[The Arrival issue 4|A Few Loose Strands]]".
*In earlier drafts of [[Revelation (IDW)|''Revelation'']], the Matrix would have been corrupted by its time in the [[Dead Universe]] (possibly similar to the [[Dark Matrix]] entity), but [[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|developments]] led to its role being filled by the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]].<ref name="IDWMatrixFurman">{{citesocial|link=http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/|name=Simon Furman|month=12|year=2007|day=12|title=A(NOTHER) QUICK Q&A…|site=Simon Furman: The Blog|quote=Well, we’ve yet to actually meet the Matrix in the IDW/TF-verse. So we may be getting ahead of ourselves here. What do we know about it so far? Well, according to Spotlight Galvatron, the Matrix was (and maybe is) “carried” by Nova Prime, and he (Nova Prime) disappeared into the Dead Universe (along with the Matrix, we assume). Nova describes a bottomless well and a resonant tug on the Matrix. What happened next we don’t know (yet). But what is the Matrix (hm, that sounds familiar somehow)? Not telling. Not yet. But ’08 holds the answers: what it is, where it came from, what is does (then and now!). The Matrix (and what it’s become) will figure large in all that happens post-Devastation. The Matrix has been gone from the IDW/TF-verse for a long time, and its return will not necessarily be a thing of celebration.}}</ref>
* In ''[[My Little Pony]]: The Manga'' volume 3, the Matrix is included as part of a scavenger hunt that [[Fluttershy]] organizes.
* A lighting fixture resembling the Generation 1 Matrix of Leadership can be seen at [[Swerve's|Swerve's Lounge]] at Universal Studios Beijing's [[Transformers Metrobase]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Matrix''' (マトリクス ''Matorikusu''), '''Leader no Matrix''' (''Revenge'', リーダーのマトリクス, "Matrix of Leader"), '''Matrix of Leadership''' (マトリックスオブリーダーシップ ''Matorikkusu obu Rīdāshippu''), '''Creation Matrix''' (クリエーションマトリクス ''Kuriēshon matorikusu'')
*''Arabic:'' '''Masfufat Alqiada''' (مصفوفة القيادة, "Command Matrix")
*''English:'' '''Power Pack''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Teremtő Mátrix''' ("Creator Matrix"), '''Vezetés Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Irányítás Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Control", ''Revenge of the Fallen''), '''Vezéri Mátrix''' ("Leader Matrix", ''The Movie'' 1st dub), '''Mátrix''' ("Matrix", ''The Movie'' 2nd dub)
*''French:'' '''Matrice de Commandement''' ("Command Matrix"), '''Matrice de Création''' (''EarthSpark'', "Matrix of Creation")
*''German:'' '''Hauptprogramm''' ("Core Program", used once in fiction), '''Matrix der Führerschaft''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Indonesian:'' '''Matriks Kepemimpinan''' ( "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Italian:'' '''Matrice''' ("Matrix"), '''Scettro del Comando''' (first ''The Transformers'' dub, "Scepter of Command"), '''Matrix''' (second ''The Transformers'' dub), '''Matrice del Comando''' (''Generations'', "Matrix of Command")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mǔtǐ''' (Taiwan, 母體, "Matrix" or "Mother Body"), '''Jǔzhèn''' (China Mainland, 矩阵, "Matrix"), '''Lǐngdǎo Mókuài''' (China Mainland, 领导模块, "Module of Leader")
*''Cantonese:'' '''Yuen Nang Gui Zaan''' (Hong Kong, 原能矩陣)
*''Polish:'' '''Matryca Przywództwa''', '''Matryca Przywódcy''' (''War for Cybertron'', "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Matriz da Liderança''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Matrix da Liderança''' (''EarthSpark''), '''Matriz de Liderança''' (''Transformers One'')
*''Russian:'' '''Matritsa Liderstva''' (Матрица Лидерства, "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Spanish:'' '''Matriz de Liderazgo''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Enerhoblok''' (ICTV, Енергоблок, "Power unit")
*''Turkish:'' '''Liderlik Matriksi''' ("Matrix of Leadership")

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

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[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Artifacts of the Primes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars objects]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Crystals]]
[[Category:Cybertron franchise]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Generation 1 objects]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei!]]
[[Category:Interjections]]
[[Category:Legends franchise]]
[[Category:Matrices]]
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[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
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[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
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Matrix of Leadership

2024-11-26T05:24:40Z

MegaSolus:

{{factions|autobot|primus|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}}}
{{disambig3.5|the lore object|the titular cartoon episode|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix}}
{{featured}}
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[[File:Matrix.jpg|375px|thumb|You put the life in the coconut.]]
The '''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (also known as the '''Creation Matrix''' or rarely, the '''Leadership Matrix''',<ref>[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]</ref> the '''Autobot Matrix of Power''',<ref>[[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:]]</ref> or the '''Matrix of Light'''<ref>For the majority of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' sticker book ([[:File:DiamondStickerbookMatrixOfLight.jpg|see image]]), though it is also referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership" once or twice.</ref>) is an [[sacred treasure|artifact of great power]], traditionally carried by the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]]s. Although its appearance differs slightly from [[universal stream]] to universal stream, it generally appears as a glowing crystal sphere encased within a [[Matrix holder|hollow metal shell]], with a handle on either side.

By most accounts, the Matrix is a conduit for the power of [[Primus]], the creator-god of the [[Transformer]]s, serving as a means of access to the [[Transformer afterlife]], through which it can either bestow new Transformer life, or provide its wielder with a means of communicating with the deceased leaders who have come before them. These divine powers put it at the centre of much Autobot [[religion]], spirituality, and prophecy; while many [[Decepticon]]s are less inclined to believe in its divinity, they certainly covet the increased physical power it is known to convey upon its holders, and several have made obtaining the Matrix one of their primary goals. As one of the embodiments of the power of Primus, the Matrix is antithesis to [[Unicron]], and one of the very few things the chaos-bringer fears.

{{bigquote|But one day... an Autobot shall rise from our ranks... and use the power of the Matrix... to light... our [[darkest hour]].|A [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|dying Optimus Prime]]|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:SecondGeneration prime gives buster matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|The Matrix made its fictional debut when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred it to [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], an event recounted in this scene from "[[Second Generation!]]".]]
The Matrix and the concepts associated with it have continuously evolved over the history of the brand, with different pieces of ''Transformers'' fiction creating new ideas centred on it, which have in turn influenced its representation in ''other'' fiction, and so on. The current nature of the Matrix as it is understood is beholden to quite a few different sources, and its development is described here to minimize confusion. For the specifics on the different interpretations of the Matrix in various continuities, see the "Fiction" section below.

The concept of the Matrix originates from the brain of [[Marvel Comics]] writer [[Bob Budiansky]] and is a result of the "no girls"/"no gender" policy enforced by [[Hasbro]] regarding their then-new robot brand. Because there were no female robots/the robots had no gender, Budiansky came up with an asexual method of reproduction in the form of the Creation Matrix, a "[[Primal Program]]" housed within the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] that could bring new Transformers to life, which would also prove a helpful plot device when he was required to introduce new characters to the series.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/|name=Bob Budiansky|site=Ben's World of Transformers|quote=If you can use the Creation Matrix to create new Transformers, you could put out a lot more toys. I mean, it was basically a way to introduce new toys into the storyline by saying okay, I think was it Jetfire? That was the one I used the Creation Matrix on first? See?|title=Interviews: Bob Budiansky (February 2004)|year=2022|month=02|day=11}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/|site=Metal Machine|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=One of the first questions that I asked Hasbro when I took over writing the Transformers character profiles was were any of these characters female? The answer was no, this is a boys’ toy, so there shouldn’t be any female characters. As a result, I came up with asexual ways for new Transformers to be created, like the Creation Matrix.|title=Behind the Scenes with Bob Budiansky on the Transformers|year=2009|month=11|day=21}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801000000*/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954|site=Rusting Carcass|name=Bob Budiansky|quote=Creation Matrix, I'm fairly confident the Creation Matrix was a concept that I originated. I'm not sure if I originated the Matrix of Leadership. I might have, I don't remember. The Creation Matrix was another example of trying a couple of ways to explain new Transformers, you know to try to create, invent and introduce new Transformers.|year=2009|month=07|day=25}}</ref>

The appearance of the Matrix in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 animated series]] originated with early script drafts of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which introduced the idea of "Life Sparks", very similar to the [[spark]]s that would later be introduced with ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. The Matrix was not present in the earliest known incarnation of the movie; instead, upon his death, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] transferred his own Life Spark to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], with the implication that this was standard practise among Autobot leaders. This idea was eventually discarded, replaced with a physical object known as the "Matrix of Leadership", which evidently derived its name from the Creation Matrix of the comic book. The episode "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" attempted to introduce the concept of the Matrix to the animated universe before the movie, but the dialogue containing the reference was deleted during production. The line, which dated the creation of the Matrix to 4.5 million years ago, would ultimately have conflicted greatly with what would be learned of the Matrix in the future.

[[File:FFOD4 passing the matrix.jpg|thumb|[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] inherits the Matrix from [[Guardian Prime]] in the first recounting of the Prime lineage from "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]].]]
Virtually nothing of the Matrix's nature was actually divulged in the finished film, where it was treated as simply a magic talisman of prophecy that was the antithesis of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. The idea that had originated with the Life Spark concept—that of dying Autobot leaders merging their lifeforces with others—remained, albeit in a vague way, as Optimus Prime intoned upon his deathbed that he would soon be "one with the Matrix". The mini-series "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" fully expanded on the meaning of his line, revealing that the Matrix contained the lifeforces of all the deceased [[ancient Autobots|Autobot leaders]] who had previously held it, collectively known as the "Wisdom of the Ages," which could be consulted for aid in moments of need.

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|left|thumb|The dying [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] passes the Matrix to Optimus Prime in this flashback scene from "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]".]]
Having already cannibalized many of the movie's best elements for use in his comic book stories, writer [[Simon Furman]] contradicted Bob Budiansky's US comic book stories by presenting the Matrix as it had appeared in the film, as a physical object, in his own UK storylines, and carried this over to the US comic when he later began writing it. This alteration was also reflected in a ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profile written for Powermaster Optimus Prime around the time, where Budiansky's "program" concept and the cartoon's "physical object" idea were merged with the explanation that the program was encoded in light patterns in the Matrix's crystal core. As Furman's run progressed, the "lifeforces of previous holders" concept was also adapted into the comics, with the Matrix possessing a genetic memory of those that had held it. Most notably, in both UK and US books, Furman crafted a [[The Legacy of Unicron!|story]] to explain the origins of the Matrix, why Unicron was vulnerable to it, and how it could create new life, ultimately revealing it to be the essence of the Transformers' creator-god, [[Primus]].

It was the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' animated series that made the next big addition to the growing mythology of the Matrix when they introduced the [[Transformer afterlife]], the extradimensional source of all Transformers sparks living or dead, which was also named "the Matrix." While not explicitly related to the Matrix seen in the Generation 1 cartoons or comics, the implication was obvious—rather than ''contain'' anything, the physical Matrix object from those continuities was a ''gateway'' to the Matrix dimension. Where the animated "Matrix of Leadership" and the comic book "Creation Matrix" had previously seemed incompatible, this revelation united them conceptually—the lifeforces of the dead from the cartoon and the ability to bring new life from the comics could now both be tied to the features of the Matrix dimension. [[Dreamwave Productions]]' comics proceeded to cement this concept, depicting a Matrix of Leadership that possessed both these traits, and explicitly identifying it not as a holder of Primus's power, but a ''conduit'' for it.

The Matrix took something of a back seat in major fiction in the latter years of the 2000s, effectively replaced in the worlds of the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]] and ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' by the [[AllSpark]]—a mystical object that, while physically distinct from the Matrix, possessed its life-giving powers and record of Transformer history. Before long, however, both these continuities reintroduced the idea of the Matrix: In both universes, the AllSpark was destroyed and its knowledge and power was reincarnated in an object either specifically named, or designed to look like, the Matrix, thereby bringing the whole concept full-circle.

Finally, the more recent revelation (implied in the movies, confirmed by [[Fun Publications]]' "[[Crossing Over]]", and reiterated in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'') that the energy that is the basis of Transformer life is actually the rarefied form of the Transformers' fuel, [[energon]] itself, suggests that the energy of the Matrix is also (a form of) energon. This had actually been portrayed as the case in some formerly-questionable pieces of fiction such as ''[[The Transformers Trilogy]]'' novels, which retroactively make sense now.
{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Prima.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Intel Inside!]]

When Primus created the Transformer race, before entering voluntary systems shutdown, he bestowed upon them a genetic matrix containing his essence and the majority of his power, which could be used to give life to more Transformers so that the race might grow without his direct involvement. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} Later named the "Creation Matrix", this divine gift took the form of a "[[Primal Program]]" encoded in intricate patterns of light within a crystal,<ref>[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Marvel comic profile]</ref> which was passed from leader to leader down through the millennia. The first holder of the Creation Matrix was the first Transformer, [[Prima]], then subsequently [[Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and in the modern era, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Autobot leaders evidently elected to keep the true nature of the Matrix a secret, since most other Transformers were shown to believe it was a program stored within the mind of Optimus Prime himself, rather than housed within a separate physical object. This mistaken belief gave rise to a legend that claimed that the Program was encoded into a new Autobot leader once every ten millennia. {{storylink|The New Order}}

[[File:WhoseLifeforce prime and longtooth.jpg|left|thumb]]
''At one point during his tenure as Autobot leader, Optimus Prime came across [[Longtooth]] struggling to save the life of [[Clockwise|a fallen comrade]] on the battlefield after a particularly ferocious conflict. Mistakenly believing he was witnessing a great show of Autobot spirit (when in actuality, Longtooth was simply terrified of being the last one left alive), Prime extracted a tiny portion of the Creation Matrix's energy and gave it to Longtooth, telling him to use it wisely. Once Prime had left, however, Longtooth gave into his fear and kept the Matrix energy for himself, to serve as a "spare life" that allowed him to be daring and brave on the battlefield without fearing death.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

[[File:DisintegratedCircuits buster uses matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When the Transformers' war moved to [[Earth]] in [[1984]], current Decepticon leader [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] elected to increase his forces by creating new Transformers with the power of the Creation Matrix. Capturing the [[Autobot]]s and decapitating Optimus Prime, Shockwave tapped the energies of the Matrix and brought the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Prime was able to transfer the Matrix into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} thereby preventing Shockwave from animating his newest construct, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], but the presence of the Matrix within Buster's mind gave the boy incredible powers over machinery. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} Deducing that Buster possessed the Matrix, Shockwave programmed the unliving Jetfire to capture the boy, but Buster used the Matrix to bring Jetfire under his control and used him to thwart Shockwave's plan and save Optimus Prime. With Prime and the Autobots rescued, Buster transferred the Creation Matrix back to the Autobot leader, {{storylink|Prime Time!}} and Prime subsequently used the Matrix to give Jetfire true life. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''Residual energy from the Matrix that lingered in Buster's brain soon began to give the youth nightmarish visions, causing him to black out and create strange images of previously-unheard of Transformers.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Seeking to help Buster, the Autobots hooked him up to equipment that would allow them to monitor his dreams, and discovered that the Matrix was showing them all them a vision of the future, and the creation of the [[Special Teams]].'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Matrixflame.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|If the Autobots were Jewish, it would have burned another six days.]]
''The Matrix was also known to have an analog on Cybertron, the [[Matrix Flame]], which burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed, no matter where in the universe it was. It could also be used to channel the energy of the Matrix, which the Autobots on Cybertron did to bring life to their new warrior, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]].<ref>Ultra Magnus profile page in Marvel UK [[Target: 2006#Defeat!|#81]]</ref> Not long after, however, the Matrix Flame flickered out when Optimus Prime was shunted into [[limbo]] by time-travelling Decepticons, leading the Autobots on Cybertron to send Magnus to Earth to investigate. Prime was returned in due time, and the Matrix Flame re-ignited.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Following the earlier vision from the Matrix,'' the Autobots created the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], and Optimus Prime used the Matrix to bring them to life. Little did the Autobots realise, however, that [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had deduced a way to usurp the Matrix's power, using a [[cerebro-shell]] previously planted in Prime's body by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to siphon off some of the life-giving energy, which he employed it to animate his own new creations, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

[[File:DarkCreation we would know more.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When Optimus Prime died following a video-game duel with Megatron a short time later, {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}, the Autobots loaded his body into a funeral bier and launched it into space in accordance with Cybertronian tradition. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Unfortunately, having been unaware of the existence of the physical Creation Matrix crystal within the corpse's chest, this meant that they unwittingly set the sacred lifeforce of their race adrift in the sea of stars. After some time, the craft eventually crashed on the distant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay undisturbed for a time. Left in solitude, the rudimentary consciousness of the Matrix formed from the genetic memory of its past holders began to desire new sensations. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

It got its chance when a [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]], a medical mechanoid created to painlessly end the life of the terminally ill, crashed on VsQs. Critically wounded, the dying robot reached out to touch the Matrix, and in its hunger for new experiences, the talisman used its powers of creation to disassemble and rebuild the Deathbringer, inadvertently warping its programming and transforming it into a powerful being who sought to destroy ''all'' life. A trace of its energy remaining in its body, the Matrix revelled in its first experience of "evil" as the Deathbringer cut a swathe of destruction across the galaxy, ultimately finding its way to Earth. ''Sensing the Matrix's power within the creature, Optimus Prime—since resurrected by the technology of [[Nebulos]]—was hesitant to destroy the only link they had discovered to the lost Matrix, but [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] solved the problem by convincing the Deathbringer that since the Matrix's power was eating away at it, it should destroy itself.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

[[File:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.15|The Creation Matrix was the Leader-1's-head of the Marvel comic. Can't be drawn the same way twice.]]
Back on VsQs, the Matrix's curiosity found new expression when an insectoid creature crawled into Prime's corpse's chest cavity and became the next recipient of the Matrix's power. Dissecting and studying the beast, the Matrix was fascinated that the creature seemed to be meant to do nothing but destroy, so it re-created the thing into a [[Matrixspawn|larger, more powerful predator]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The monster attacked a team of astronauts that had set up a research station on VsQs, killing nearly all of them, but at least one escaped and crashed in the seas of the nearby planet [[Pequod]]. His body infused with Matrix energy from the beast that had attacked him, the astronaut was swallowed by a [[klud]], which ingested the energy. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime became aware of the threat of Unicron, and, realizing that the Matrix would be necessary to defeat the Chaos-Bringer, arranged for search parties to scour the cosmos for any trace of it. ''Longtooth was among the Autobots recruited for the search mission, and was forced for the first time to truly confront the selfishness of what he had done with the Matrix energy Prime had given him millennia before. In hopes of redemption, he loaded the energy fragment into a pod and sent it back to Optimus Prime.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} [[File:Thunderwing with matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Primus says it's my turn on the Matrix.]] ''Prime agonized over how to best use the Matrix energy, knowing that it had the power to revive only one of the deactivated Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and ultimately, elected to disperse it into the Earth's atmosphere to rejuvenate damage done to the ecosystem by the Transformers' warring on the planet.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}}

In the meantime, the search parties seeking the Matrix had piqued the curiosity of new Decepticon leader [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], who possessed an affinity with the Matrix and a desire to possess its power for his own. As the opposing teams dodged each other, they eventually set their sights on Pequod, where the klud had been attracting attention because its species was supposed to have been extinct. Thunderwing used his Matrix affinity to psychically link with the Matrix-infused beast and see the memory of swallowing the dying scientist. Recognizing the "VsQs" stamp on his equipment, Thunderwing set out for that moon. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}} Once there, both sides battled the creature the Matrix had created, which had grown to enormous size, with Thunderwing ultimately killing the beast and taking the Matrix. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Decepticon immediately attacked the spaceborne Ark, manifesting the Matrix power in the form of a giant, vaguely humanoid energy field around himself. Soon, however, the Matrix began to speak through Thunderwing, delighting in the firsthand experience of evil, and the Decepticon realized he was being possessed. Thunderwing tried to mentally battle the Matrix, to no avail, but the Autobots exploited his erratic behaviour to impale him with a [[harpoon]] and blow him out the Ark's airlock into space. {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|It cures what ails ya.]]
Thunderwing's body came to rest on the surface of a planet, where the Matrix began to heal his battered frame. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Repairs took time, but once completed, the Matrix set out for Cybertron, {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} coincidentally arriving just as Unicron was trying to destroy the planet. The Matrix-creature fought Unicron, but Unicron soon realized that the Matrix had been tainted with evil, and that it was no longer a threat to him, given the infinitely greater magnitude of his own evil nature. Thunderwing was destroyed by Unicron's attack and Optimus Prime was able to recover the Matrix, cleansing it of the taint of evil and restoring its purity. Rocketing into Unicron's gaping maw, Prime released the Matrix's energy within the planet-eater's body, destroying him. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} The explosion should have killed Prime as well, but his devastated body was saturated with Matrix energy, keeping it alive long enough for the suffering Prime to pass on leadership of the Autobots to [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Still Life!}}
{{--}}

======Marvel UK future timelines======
[[File:MatrixCoconut1.jpg|thumb|"Will I become a great Autobot leader?" "All signs point to no."]]
In an alternate future timeline, a dying Optimus Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus in [[2006]]. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} It was then used by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] to destroy Unicron, in the process transforming the young Autobot into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In the year [[2008]], Unicron attempted to engineer his resurrection by mentally controlling the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] into building him a new body. Drawn into the conflict by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], Rodimus Prime used the power of the Matrix to battle Unicron on his own mindscape, while [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] set explosives to destroy the portion of Unicron's body that had been constructed. The explosion tore Unicron's body apart, but did not destroy him; instead, with no physical shell to inhabit, his essence wound up trapped within the Matrix. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-187.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Later in 2008, the [[Quintesson]]s invaded and conquered [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] while Rodimus Prime was absent, and set a trap for the Autobot leader by leaving the wounded [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] at the city entrance. Arriving to find the one-time object of his affections in dire straits, Rodimus opened his chest cavity in order to heal Arcee with the energy of the Creation Matrix, only to be blindsided by the Quintessons and have the Matrix plucked from him, transforming him back into Hot Rod. The Matrix wound up the hands of Quintesson [[Ghyrik|General Ghyrik]], who was able to harness its power and boost his strength for a throwdown with Hot Rod. A bout of impromptu ventriloquism from the young Autobot distracted Ghyrik, allowing Hot Rod to rip the Matrix from his body and transform back into Rodimus Prime, handing Ghyrik an ignominious defeat. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

When disruption to the fabric of space and time forced Rodimus and several other Autobots to travel back in time from [[2009]] to [[1989]] in order to discover the source of the disturbance, the presence of the Matrix within his body required that Optimus Prime once again be shunted into limbo in order to maintain balance. Rodimus was able to use the power of the Matrix they shared to allow Optimus to communicate with the other Autobots, and when Rodimus was then defeated in battle, Optimus risked the security of the space-time continuum by using the Matrix as a stepping stone to return to reality for a final battle with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:WhiteFire kup yanks matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|I honestly can't tell if it's the Matrix, or a weird kind of saucepan...]]
Returning to Cybertron after their time-travel adventure, Rodimus and the Autobots found that the disruption of space and time had altered their future, and that Galvatron was waiting for them. Galvatron attempted to force Rodimus Prime into a savage battle, hoping to force him to unleash his basest, most violent impulses, and by extension, lead them to corrupt the Matrix. Fortunately, Rodimus realized his plan and stopped. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} However, it soon became apparent that the Matrix required no external corruption; Unicron's essence, still trapped within the talisman following the events of 2008, slowly began to take hold of Rodimus Prime's mind, forcing him to sabotage the guidance systems of the Autobots' craft when they were on a hyperspace trip to Earth in [[2010]]. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Rodimus battled within Unicron inside the Matrix in an attempt to win back control of his mind and body, but it took [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] deducing what was going on and wrenching the Matrix from Rodimus's chest to free him from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron would be waiting for him within it... {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} {{storylink|White Fire}}

Alas, later in 2010, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

When last seen, in the far future of [[2356]], Unicron's essence remained sealed within the Matrix, causing Rodimus's body to steadily wither and weaken. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{--}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
[[File:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|left|thumb|Don't do Matrix, kids. Not even once.]]
When Optimus Prime was recreated by the [[Last Autobot]], the Matrix was also restored. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}} {{storylink|Escalation!|Generation 2 #8 letters page}} Years later, it became a target for Megatron, who required it to bring to life an army of new warriors created by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. Besting Prime in battle, Megatron tore the Matrix from his body with an energy siphon, {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} and used it to give life to the [[Laser Rod]]s and [[Rotor Force]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

Subsequently, Prime and Megatron were forced into an uneasy alliance against the massed forces of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] exploited the chaos of the huge battle to take the power of the Matrix for himself. Using it, he merged his mind and body with the Decepticons' [[Warworld]], becoming a colossal living weapon able to reshape himself at will. {{storylink|Total War!|Tales of Earth, Part Seven}} However, unlike with Thunderwing, Starscream found his own evil being subverted by the Matrix's goodness, {{storylink|Dark Shadows!|Tales of Earth, Part Eight}} and he returned the Matrix to Prime, for fear of being changed beyond recognition.

Soon after, when Prime was consumed by the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], he channelled the Matrix's energy into the dark force, enlightening and completing it with the purity of Primus's vision. Suddenly transformed from a destructive force into a force for life, the Swarm re-created Prime and departed into space. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{--}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}
With the Creation Matrix lost following the destruction of Unicron, the last reservoir of Matrix energy the Autobots had access to consisted of what traces still clung to the remains of Thunderwing, stored within the high-security [[Hall of Silence]]. When [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] was able to penetrate the Hall in [[2012]], acting commander [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] anguished over whether or not to follow protocol and destroy the Hall, and the last of the Matrix's energy with it. He was convinced it was necessary by [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], but Soundwave was able to teleport out with Thunderwing just before the building blew. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} He delivered the remains to Bludgeon, who used the Matrix energy within them to animate his new army of self-regenerating [[Blitz Engine]]s. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}

After Primus revealed to Hot Rod that he still existed, and sent Hot Rod through a portal into [[Zero Space]], {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} the young Autobot found himself tumbling through time and space. He observed the battle with the Deathbringer, only to discover that the fragment of corrupted Matrix energy survived the battle. After observing two more time periods, Hot Rod found himself on a [[Junkion (planet)|planet of junk]], witnessing the final confrontation between [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] and "Rodimus Prime"—an alternate version of himself! As Rodimus fell at the hands of Galvatron, the Matrix landed at the feet of Hot Rod, who reached for it...

... only to find himself back in his own time and place, on the deck of Bludgeon's ''[[Warworld]]'', having himself been transformed into Rodimus Prime! {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

=====''Classics''=====
The Matrix was destroyed along with Unicron. Decades later, while displaced in another universe, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] briefly confused the [[Origin Matrix]] for the Creation Matrix while speaking with [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]. {{storylink|Shattered Paths}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:Baldigus Chapter Galvatron II.jpg|thumb|100px]]
[[Galvatron II]] stole the Creation Matrix in his native universe and carried it with him to another reality, where its power allowed him to endure as a ghost when his body was destroyed. Unfortunately, it also made him a target of [[Grand Scourge]], who, as a Matrix Hunter, could manhandle even ghosts if they were in possession of a Matrix. While Scourge was fighting Galvatron for the Creation Matrix, both of them were knocked into a rift in space-time by [[Megaempress]], and the Matrix disappeared along with them to places unknown. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}
{{--}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:OracleMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"This Ming... is a psy-cho."]]
The origins of the Matrix of Leadership are almost entirely unknown. The only hint of its beginnings was given in an account from near the dawn of time, soon after the ancient genius [[Primacron]] and [[Oracle (G1)|his assistant]] created the colossal robot, Unicron. Unicron turned on his creators and destroyed the assistant's body, but seen to rise from his remains and disappear into space was an object that appeared identical to the Matrix. If this was truly the Matrix, it is wholly unknown how it came to be held by the Autobots and how it was elevated to the position of power it became known for. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

However it came to be in Autobot hands, the Matrix came to be at the centre of the robots' belief system and was safeguarded by each successive generation of Autobot leaders. Upon the passing of its holder, the Matrix became a receptacle for the deceased Autobot's lifeforce, which cumulatively became known as the "Wisdom of the Ages", a storehouse of knowledge and experience stretching back to the dawn of Cybertronian history (and potentially beyond) that could be consulted by the Matrix's living wielders in times of need. The spirits of many Autobots have been seen within the Matrix, but the names of only a select few are known: The oldest entity within the Matrix is known only as "[[It]]" {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}; [[File:Matrix 5faces4 7.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|My preciousssss!]] following this entity, the next oldest known was [[Primon]], who possessed the Matrix in the early days of the Cybertronian race around twelve million years ago; [[Prima]] bore it at the height of their oppression by the [[Quintesson]]s about a million years later; [[Prime Nova]] was its wielder during the eventual rebellion against the five-faced aliens; [[Guardian Prime]] and his successor [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] carried it during the first war between the Autobots and Decepticons, before it was passed to Sentinel Prime, under whose leadership the war came to an end.

Around nine million years ago, the Autobot/Decepticon war was reignited by the creation of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who killed Sentinel Prime as one of his first actions. In his death throes, Sentinel entrusted the Matrix to the ancient Autobot [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], who kept it hidden until a damaged young robot was brought to his workshop, another victim of Megatron's wrath. Trion recreated him as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], new leader of the Autobots, and gave him the Matrix. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Optimusg1passingthematrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Fatally wounded by Megatron in the year [[2005]], Optimus Prime passed the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots to his chosen successor, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy—that one day, a "Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots, and use the power of the Matrix to light the Transformers' darkest hour. When Prime's strength faltered at the last moment and he dropped the Matrix, the young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] stooped to catch it before it hit the floor. The Matrix glowed brightly in response to his touch, signifying what none of the Autobots present would realize until later: that Hot Rod was the Chosen One.

[[File:Tftm1986e.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When word of Unicron's approach on Cybertron reached the Autobots on Earth, Ultra Magnus believed (and Hot Rod agreed, based on nothing more than a feeling) that the Matrix might be able to stop the world-eater. Knowing that this was indeed the case, Unicron recreated Megatron as [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] and dispatched him to steal the Matrix, leading to a confrontation on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] in which Ultra Magnus tried in vain to open the Matrix and use it to fend off the attacking Decepticons. Galvatron bested him and took the Matrix, believing he could use it to subjugate Unicron himself, but he had no more luck opening it than Magnus did. Unicron swallowed Galvatron whole as punishment, and it was within Unicron's body that the Decepticon leader engaged Hot Rod in the battle that saw the young Autobot claim his destiny. Seizing the Matrix from around Galvatron's neck, Hot Rod was transformed by its power into Rodimus Prime, then proceeded to fulfil the prophecy by opening the talisman and releasing its power, which tore Unicron apart from within. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Later, when injured in battle, Rodimus's consciousness briefly entered the Matrix itself and witnessed a vision that led him to believe that the answer to the mystery of the alien Quintessons currently plaguing the Autobots was held within it. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} To find his answer, Rodimus deliberately short-circuited himself and entered the Matrix a second time. Guided by the ancient Autobots within, Rodimus was shown the history of Cybertron and discovered the Quintessons' role in the creation of the Transformers. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:Darkawakening matrix pain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The zombified Optimus Prime reacts in pain from the light of the Matrix.]]
The burden of leadership weighed heavily upon Rodimus, and he was all too eager to return the Matrix to Optimus Prime when it seemed that the Autobot leader had returned from the dead in [[2006]]. It soon transpired, however, that Optimus had been reanimated by the Quintessons as "a robotic [[zombie]]" so he would lure the [[Autobot fleet]] into a fatal trap. When Rodimus went to confront his mentor on the Autobot flagship, the Matrix's energy made Optimus too powerful to defeat in single combat but also overrode the malicious coding that the Quintessons had installed within him, properly restoring Optimus to life. His mind cleared, Optimus returned the Matrix to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again to trigger the Quintessons' trap alone. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

[[File:BurdenHardest Hot Rod retrieves matrix.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Still struggling with leadership, Rodimus tried to forget his woes with a bout of drag-racing in the hills of [[Japan]], only to be ambushed by [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. The two Stunticons stole the Matrix and brought it back to Galvatron, but when the Decepticon leader attempted to use its energy to power his cannon, he was instead tormented by the spirits of the Autobots within it. The terrified Galvatron instructed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to dispose of the Matrix, but Scourge grasped the true nature of its power where his leader could not, and instead placed it within his own chest. The Matrix's energies warped his body into a powerful, misshapen hulk, increasing his power to the point that he was able to oust Galvatron and take control of the Decepticons himself. Scourge proceeded to lead the Decepticons in an attack on Earth, only to be bested by Hot Rod, who had since learned the importance of "the burden hardest to bear", and reclaimed the Matrix once more. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Matrix open.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|FIXER BEAM!]]
When Optimus Prime was at last truly resurrected, he was forced to battle the [[Hate Plague]]-infected Rodimus in order to reclaim the Matrix from him, in hopes of consulting the Wisdom of the Ages to find a cure for the disease. Communicating with the mysterious It, he learned that the only way combat the madness of the plague was with wisdom, and opened the Matrix, expelling all of the wisdom within it to extinguish the disease (in the process claiming that this was also the Autobots' "darkest hour"). Although the Matrix was emptied, leaving only a shell, Optimus claimed they would have to start filling it with wisdom again, from that moment on. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

In [[2007]], Optimus Prime used the shell of the Matrix as a substitute key to access [[Vector Sigma]], where he consulted Alpha Trion on the mystery of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}
{{--}}

=====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic=====
[[File:Madman comic PrimeHotrod.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Optimus's proposal to Hot Rod.]]
The significance of the Matrix to the Autobots was such that when Optimus Prime prepared to lead the Autobots in an evacuation of Cybertron in the year 2001, he hid the Matrix in a bunker at the construction site of the future Autobot City. Unfortunately, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] had monitored the Autobot leader's meeting with Ultra Magnus, and moved to steal the Matrix for the Decepticons. Fate intervened in the form of Hot Rod, who defeated the Decepticons and took back the ancient Autobot relic, and at the same time received a vision of his future as the Autobot who would light Cybertron's darkest hour. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

=====Rodimus vs. Cyclonus=====
After their adventure on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], while Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s were searching space for Ultra Magnus's team, they were attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. A flash of ancient knowledge he had received from the Matrix upon catching it when Optimus Prime had passed it to Magnus inspired Hot Rod to invoke the [[Challenge of Aria-Bellum]]. {{storylink|Rodimus vs. Cyclonus}}
{{--}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, the Matrix of Leadership was being transported aboard the Autobot cargo hauler ''[[Van De Graaff]]'' when the ship was attacked by the Quintessons and crash-landed on the planet [[Beta-Nine]]. All aboard perished, but the Matrix was soon recovered by the crew of the ''[[Eight Track (G1)|Eight Track]]'', who safely delivered it back to Cybertron. There, the Matrix was passed into the care of Alpha Trion, who granted it to his new choice for Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

=====''Deviations''=====
After viewing the massive death toll at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] claimed all the deceased had found peace in the Matrix. [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] slapped him upside the head for speaking blasphemy about the Matrix. When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] arrived at Cybertron, he made a baragin with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] that the newly minted Decepticon leader would destroy the Matrix in exchange for upgrades. ''En route'' to Cybertron, Hot Rod confessed to [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] that whenever he came near Optimus, he saw visions of the Prime dying as if the Matrix was trying to tell him something. Starscream, now "Megascream", then attacked but withdrew when Unicron devoured [[Moonbase One]]. The Autobots regrouped on [[Moonbase Two]] when Unicron began attacking Cybertron directly where Optimus Prime took a shuttle to the Chaos Bringer's shell, believing the Matrix could stop him. Still haunted by visions, Hot Rod secretly climbed aboard. Megascream was waiting for Optimus and combined with several of his troops to steal the Matrix. Hot Rod saved Prime from certain death and teleported him away before he opened the Matrix, destroying Unicron at the cost his own life and the talisman. In the aftermath, Optimus Prime saw a vision of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and the newest addition to the rank of great Autobots within the Matrix: Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese animated continuity as described above, except that the events of 2006 are moved forward to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. A 2007 [[retcon]] built upon the original cartoon's confusing hints to create a full origin for the Matrix in this continuity.}}

{{stub|{{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale}}}}

What would become known as the Matrix was a device created by Primacron to convert its wielders' accumulated experiences and wisdom into a powerful all-purpose energy. It was originally built into his assistant (also known as the "Oracle") who was then targeted and destroyed by Unicron when he realized the power of the Matrix was a threat to him. However, the Oracle's lifeforce persisted within the Matrix and fled to a dead world at the centre of the galaxy, which he used his powers to transform into a lush, green world. In time, however, the alien Quintessons came to the Oracle's world and were able to bring him under their power, transforming him into the mega-computer, Vector Sigma. Using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], the Quintessons cyber-formed the Oracle's world into [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the Oracle's life-giving powers were harnessed to produce a race of robotic slaves. They also found and held onto the now empty shell of the Matrix, which absorbed their malevolent brand of wisdom and filled up with corrupted, evil energy. When the Quintessons were kicked off the planet by the robots that would become the Autobots, they claimed the Matrix and, repulsed by its contents, emptied it out again. The discarded energy would one day grow sentient and become [[Devil Z]]. {{storylink|Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|2007 TakaraTomy Transformers timeline}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

======''The Battle of the Star Gate''======
[[File:StargateBattles matrix powered megatron.jpg|thumb|Ka-me-ha-me-ha~!]]
In the mid-1990s, Optimus Prime put the power of the Matrix to an unconventional use when a battle in space forced him to team up with Megatron in order to stop the rampage of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who had fused himself with the space station known as the ''[[Trigger]]''. With Megatron in gun mode clutched in his arms, Prime summoned up the Matrix's energy and channelled it through his body, into the Decepticon leader, who unleashed it all in one colossal shot of cosmic proportions. The blast obliterated Starscream's new ''Trigger''-body, but the backwash of the explosion was so great that it sent Prime, Megatron, and all the Transformers observing the battle on a fiery plummet into Earth's atmosphere. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

======''Story of Binaltech''======
In a parallel timeline that diverged off from this one thanks to the flow of history being altered by the time-tossed [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], Optimus Prime did not die in [[2005]], and was prepared to confront Unicron himself. However, after sustaining serious injuries in the opening salvo of the battle with the chaos-bringer, Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus. Despite knowing he was not the Chosen One, Magnus bravely petitioned the Matrix to allow him to wield its power anyway, as otherwise, the Autobots' destruction was assured. The Matrix granted Magnus his wish, and its energy was used to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|Binal Time}}
{{--}}

======''Kiss Players''======
After inheriting the Matrix in 2005, Rodimus Prime was horrified to discover that when he threw Galvatron out of Unicron, the Decepticon leader had wound up crash-landing on Earth, destroying [[Tokyo]]. Seeking to atone for his sins, Rodimus returned the Matrix to Ultra Magnus and became Hot Rod again, leaving both the talisman and the role of leadership in Magnus's hands {{storylink|Tonight's Big Catch!?}} for five years until he returned to his post in [[2010]].

======''The Headmasters'' cartoon======
After emptying the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague, Optimus Prime sought to restore the lifeforce that had been lost by filling it with energy drawn from the lifeforce of [[Earth]] itself. To this end, the Matrix was secreted away in the lower levels of one of many Autobot energy-gathering facilities on Earth, where Prime hoped it would steadily recharge. Whether or not this odd-sounding plan would have ''worked'' is an area of some debate, but ultimately, a different set of circumstances soon came into play...

[[File:DoublePrime matrix recharged.jpg|left|upright=1.45|thumb|Alpha Trion's spirit re-enters the Matrix, recharging it.]]
In the year [[2011]], a catastrophic side-effect of the Matrix's energy being released became apparent—without the Matrix to act as a controlling force, Vector Sigma began to destabilize, putting all of Cybertron in great danger. The Decepticons took this opportunity to invade the planet, hoping to take control of the unstable computer and by extension, the planet itself. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} During the battle that followed, Optimus Prime headed for Vector Sigma's chamber to try and bring the computer back under control, but without the Matrix—which remained hidden on Earth, its location known only to Prime himself—the only recourse would be to give up his own life. To stop Prime from making this sacrifice, Hot Rod led the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in a methodical search across Earth, checking every Autobot energy facility. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} After successfully locating the Matrix in the last possible hiding place and evading his pursuers, Hot Rod returned to Cybertron, arriving in Vector Sigma's chamber just as Optimus Prime was facing off against the Decepticons. The ghost of Alpha Trion, who had survived the emptying of the Matrix and who had led Prime safely to the computer chamber, merged with the Matrix, restoring its lost lifeforce and giving it the power to once again transform Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. The two Primes dispatched the Decepticons, but before Rodimus could use the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with the computer to bring it back under control. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Some time later, when Cybertron was subsequently devastated thanks to the machinations of Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Rodimus Prime voyaged into space to search for a new homeworld for the Transformers, taking the Matrix with him. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}
{{--}}

======''The Headmasters'' comic======
On his many travels through space, the Matrix gave Rodimus Prime courage to face every challenge that presented itself. In addition to the teachings of the ancient Autobots, the energy of Earth's lifeforce that now dwelled within the Matrix as well truly opened Rodimus's eyes to the beauty of Earth and humanity. Believing that Transformers should aspire to be more like human beings, he returned to Earth and announced his desire for humans and Transformers to live and work together to move forward and evolve. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8|The Headmasters #8}}

======''G-2'' story pages and pack-in manga======
[[File:G2StoryPageReconfigurationMatrix1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
Presumably, Rodimus Prime must have returned the Matrix to Optimus Prime when he was restored to life as Star Convoy, since Prime had the talisman back in his chest when he adopted his "Hero" body at the beginning of the renewed war against Megatron some number of years after 2025. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 1}} A research team led by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] later discovered new properties of the Matrix, which prompted Megatron to duel Optimus Prime in the [[Mirtonian constellation]] in order to steal the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 4}} Megatron fatally wounded Prime, but the ancient Autobots within the Matrix were able to restore him thanks to the newly discovered power Jetfire's team had learned of: the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]], which repaired and restored Prime in a new Laser Rod body. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 5}}

======e-HOBBY storyline======
Having briefly held the Matrix, Ultra Magnus's spark was among the chosen few which retained autonomy within the Allspark. Sensing the threat [[Galvatron II]] posed to the universe with his fleet of [[Warworld]]s, Magnus used the powers of the Reconfiguration Matrix to resurrect himself in a new body based on Prime's Laser Rod form so that he could battle the Decepticon leader. It didn't go very well. {{storylink|Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version}}
{{--}}

======''Legends'' comic======
Alpha Trion and the Matrix played a role in Hot Rod's conversion to a [[Micromaster]]. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} During the rise of Galvatron II, Optimus Prime contacted the spirit of Alpha Trion within the Matrix and asked him to locate and bring back Ultra Magnus's spark. The process of resurrecting Magnus also brought Trion himself back in a diminutive body connected to the powers of the Matrix. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}} Scourge later captured Alpha Trion to draw upon the Matrix's energy, but it ended up overloading his [[transtector]], which exploded. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}}

====Start Your Own Decoy Collection====
[[File:Decoy comic matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Through unknown means, the Decepticons were able to steal the Creation Matrix and holed it up in their headquarters. In order to stage a recovery, the Autobots created an army of [[Decoy]]s to distract the Decepticon forces, while Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, Kup and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] secretly penetrated the base. Fighting their way through a slew of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], the team discovered the Matrix in a transparent case. Blurr blasted it open at Hot Rod's direction, and the Autobots successfully escaped with the talisman back in their possession. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection|The Decepticon Deception}}
{{--}}

====Beast Era====
=====''Beast Wars'' cartoon=====
[[File:OptimalSituation spark holder.jpg|thumb|The similarity between Prime's "spark holder" and the Matrix was a source of some confusion.]]
Several enigmatic references were made to the Matrix by the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Warriors]] at various points, though it is never precisely clear if they are referring to the Matrix of Leadership, the Allspark dimension, [[Matrix (facility)|the protoform production facility on Cybertron]] that also goes by that name, or some theoretical conglomeration of any of the above that they only speak of out of misconception.

When the body of Optimus Prime was fatally wounded by [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] opened Prime's chest compartment in order to take the Autobot leader's spark into his own body for safety. Prime's spark was shown to be contained within a holder shaped just like the Matrix of Leadership, and Rhinox remarked that Prime's spark had "the Matrix with it". {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}
{{--}}

=====3H comics=====
While experiencing a swirl of visions from throughout history, the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] witnessed the Matrix being torn by the [[Liege Maximo]] from the body of the enigmatic [[Primon]], its first holder. {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}}

[[File:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|The Matrix, beneath Prime's "spark holder".]]
The confusion surrounding the Matrix-like "spark holder" in Prime's chest and its relation to the actual Matrix of Leadership was clarified when it was revealed that the Matrix was actually concealed in a compartment beneath Prime's own spark, a deception specifically designed to protect the Matrix and keep it from those who would misuse its power.

[[File:Primevaldawn2 tarantulas matrix.jpg|215px|I'm not sure how I'll get this in my chest. Maybe I'll carry it with a sheath of some sort?|thumb]]
Following the end of the Beast Wars, the deceased [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] was resurrected, having harnessed the powers of the alien [[Vok]] with the intention of stealing the Matrix and delivering it to his master, Unicron. Seeking to keep the Matrix out of Tarantulas's hands, the Vok took the talisman from the sleeping Optimus Prime and used its power to transform the discarded control suit the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had previously used to manipulate Optimus Primal into [[Primal Prime]]. Primal Prime was made guardian of the Matrix, and filled with all the wisdom of the past leaders within it. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Vok had miscalculated: While it was within Optimus Prime, the Matrix had been safe, but once they had broken the forces that had bound it to Prime in order to transfer it to their creation, it had become vulnerable. This was proven in drastic fashion when, in the following battle, Tarantulas was able to overpower Primal Prime and rip the Matrix from his body. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}} The shock threw Primal Prime into a comatose state, while Tarantulas took the Matrix back to his lab to await the completion of the [[unspace|transwarp]] portal that would take him and his prize to Unicron. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|"Primeval Dawn" was never finished as a result of [[3H Productions]] losing the Transformers license. Obviously enough, its finale would have seen our heroes recover the Matrix from Tarantulas and replace it in Optimus Prime's chest.}}
{{--}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:Ancients.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix-shaped platform above the Oracle Tank.]]
Most modern Cybertronians eschew the mythology of the Matrix as set out by the [[Council of Ancients]], which claims that it is a conduit for the energies of Primus, choosing instead to believe in [[atechnogenesis]]. Despite this, Transformer society still holds the Matrix itself in great reverence, as, product of a deity or not, it is indisputably the most effective source of new Transformer life. Many conflicting stories and rumors swirl about the Matrix's true nature, born of claims that the Council actively prevented Alpha Trion from telling the general public more about it, but what ''is'' known about the talisman is that it is a virtually limitless source of energy. Only those with an affinity for the Matrix can wield its power; these Transformers are typically those chosen to be the next Prime, who often receive physical augmentation when the Matrix is taken into their bodies. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} The Ancients claim that the Matrix contains the wisdom of all sparks that return to it after death, though they do keep a more tangible version of that sort of thing in the form of a [[Golden Disk (council)|golden disk]] that holds the knowledge of past Primes. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}
[[File:TWW1 prime gets matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|150 points to Gryffindor!]]

The earliest known bearer of the Matrix was [[Primon|Alpha Prime]], who was succeeded by Guardian Prime, and then Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}} Around 8.2 million years ago, seeking to use the Matrix to power the planetary turbine engines he had discovered beneath Cybertron's surface, Megatron attacked and killed Sentinel Prime, only to discover upon tearing his victim open that the Matrix was gone, having already been given by Sentinel Prime to the Council of Ancients for unknown reasons (perhaps having foreseen his own death). The Council subsequently chose a data archivist named Optronix to be the new bearer of the Matrix, and brought him to the [[Oracle Tank]], in which both he and the Matrix were immersed. Optronix was enlarged and strengthened by the Matrix, and transformed into Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

Soon after, Megatron attacked Prime in the catacombs beneath Cybertron and cracked open his form, exposing the Matrix. A blinding flash burst from the Matrix, showing Prime and Megatron visions of future conflicts on Earth and [[Nebulos]], but it was implied that Optimus somehow used the Matrix to force Megatron to forget these visions. How much knowledge he himself retained is unknown. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}
[[File:PrimeDirective2 spike replaces matrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]]

Millions of years later, after their war on Earth, the Transformers were set to return to Cybertron aboard the [[Ark II]] in 1999, at which point Optimus Prime gave [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] a piece of the Matrix as a promise that he would be back. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} The Ark II proved to have been sabotaged, however, and exploded in mid-flight, leaving the world to believe that the Transformers were dead until 2002, when the terrorist [[Lazarus]] recovered several of their bodies and reprogrammed them for use as weapons that he would sell on the black market. The American military recovered the body of Optimus Prime and [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] drafted Spike to help in bringing him back to life, {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} which Spike accomplished by returning the portion of the Matrix Prime had given him. Thus restored, Prime revived the other surviving Autobots by casting the light of the Matrix across the Arctic landscape where their bodies lay, melting away the ice that held them and bringing them back online. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}
[[File:G1 Vol.2 Issue6 2.jpg|thumb]]
When the Autobots and Decepticons were finally able to return to Cybertron, a chain of events ultimately led Optimus Prime into a confrontation with Shockwave in Vector Sigma's chamber. Knocking Prime out and blasting his chest open, Shockwave harnessed the energy of the Matrix and used it to access Vector Sigma's databanks in an attempt to learn all of the dark secrets at the heart of Cybertron. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Before Shockwave could complete his dark experiments, enemy forces converged on his lab, so the Decepticon logician tore the Matrix from Prime's body, intending to flee, only to be stopped and defeated by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Grimlock recovered the Matrix and returned it to Prime, {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} but the trauma of its forceful removal necessitated that Prime spend an extended session in a [[CR chamber]] to recover. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

=====''The Transformers Trilogy'' novels=====
Captured by the enigmatic aliens known as the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] and imprisoned inside their giant techno-organic bodies, Optimus Prime found himself forced into a suicide ploy, using a torrent of energon from the Matrix to destroy the creatures from within, willing to take himself with it. The gateway back to Earth was opened by Spike at the last moment, allowing Prime to hold off on his sacrifice, but unfortunately, the Keepers came through the portal as well. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}} During the battle that ensued against the Keepers in [[Las Vegas]], a pool of pure energon was uncovered beneath the city, which Prime combined with the energon of the Matrix to temporarily imbue himself with incredible power. Simultaneously, the American government launched a nuclear missile at Las Vegas in order to destroy both the Transformers and the Keepers, but the super-charged Prime was able to capture the missile's explosion in a net of Matrix energy, hurling it at the Keepers and blasting them through their portal. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

Following the Keepers' apparent defeat, Megatron called Prime in on a favour he had extracted from him in order to ensure his co-operation when they had been captives of the Keepers: Prime was to hand over the Matrix itself. Prime complied, partially out of honor, and partially due to the fact that he knew Megatron, as a Decepticon, would be unable to use the Matrix's power. Unfortunately, Prime had not reckoned with Megatron's giant soldier, [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]], who was actually a reprogrammed Autobot whose non-Decepticon circuitry could interface with the Matrix to some extent. Omega Sentinel used his new Matrix-powered strength to destroy the White House, but the talisman's effect on his systems was immediately apparent by the fact that no life was lost in the attack. When the Sentinel refused to kill the Keeper-controlled [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and Starscream on Megatron's orders, the Decepticon leader realized that the Matrix was influencing the giant and had him remove it from his body. The Matrix was recovered by the Keepers' agent [[Franklin Townsend]] and brought to the pocket-dimension into which the aliens had been transported, but Optimus Prime pursued Townsend and recovered the Matrix, once again intending to use it to destroy his alien enemies by collapsing the pocket dimension, at the cost of his own life. And once again the portal opened, leaving Prime content to force the Keepers back with the Matrix's light while he himself returned to Earth. However, Prime was unable to shut the portal off, required as he was to devote his attention to using the Matrix to keep the creatures from passing through the gateway. Salvation came in the form of the Omega Sentinel, the Matrix's effect on his systems persisting even after its removal: the giant threw himself and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] into the portal just as Prime shut off the Matrix, collapsing the gate and sealing the Keepers away forever. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

====''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''====
[[File:ArtofWar1 matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]
Optimus Prime was formerly a simple data archivist until the Matrix chose him to be the new leader of the Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Renegade military artificial intelligence [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] learned about the Matrix whilst downloading information on the history of Cybertron from Soundwave, and ''really'' liked the bit about "bestowing great power". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} He subsequently captured Optimus Prime and tried to convince him to give up the Matrix peacefully. From Serpent O.R.'s point of view, he was a great and respected leader too, so surely the Matrix would deem him a worthy bearer. In addition, he was sure the ancient relic would provide him with a spark so he could finally understand what life and death really meant. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}
[[File:ArtofWar5 hawk serpentor matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|My God... the Matrix has given us eye lasers!]]
Unfortunately, Prime disagreed, so Serpent O.R. ended up having to take the Matrix by force. As he had planned, the Matrix did deem him worthy and did give him a soul, all while transforming him into a new form to boot. However, with his newfound wisdom, "Serpentor Prime" quickly saw the error of his ways, and would've committed suicide if it weren't for [[Cobra Commander]] hijacking his body. In order to stop the commander, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] tried to take the Matrix away from him, and was deemed worthy of it as well. This caused a power feedback that destroyed Serpent O.R., fried Cobra Commander's mind, and imbued Hawk with all the knowledge of the Matrix. While the artifact was unharmed and was returned to Optimus Prime when everything was over, the knowledge that now filled Hawk's mind gave him visions of future conflicts to come. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

In addition to vision, the Matrix also gave Hawk the ability to control machinery with his mind, converse with Transformers telepathically, and force enough information into Transformers to incapacitate them with a single touch. Unfortunately, it also gave him recurring nightmares about an [[Unicron/Generation 1|angry god]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{--}}

====''Transformers/G.I. Joe''====
[[File:DWTFJoe3 cobra commander matrix.jpg|left|thumb|125px]]
As the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth lay deactivated among the [[Fera Islands]], the Matrix was discovered by local [[human]]s, and became the sacred relic of a group of monks, who built it into the chest of a statue. Unfortunately, a rumour spread that the glowing blue orb possessed by the monks was an "ultimate weapon", and in 1938, [[Cobra]] massacred the monks and stole the Matrix. When [[Major Bludd]] touched the relic, the Decepticons who laid dormant on the island were reactivated. {{storylink|The Line}}

The Matrix subsequently came into the possession of [[Cobra Commander]], who learned that he could use it to hurt and weaken [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Using this method, he blackmailed the Decepticons into serving him. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} In the end, Cobra Commander was killed, and [[Snake-Eyes]] grabbed the Matrix. By this time, the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] were under attack by the unstoppable [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], so [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] urged Snake-Eyes to smash the Matrix, in hopes that the destruction of the life-giving artifact would take away Bruticus's lifeforce. Snake-Eyes complied and let Bruticus crush the Matrix with his wildly swinging fists, causing a flash of blue light that killed all Transformers present. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}
{{--}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:MTMTEannual solomus matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
According to religious legend, the core of the Matrix was created from [[Solomus]], the god of wisdom, trapped in the form of a crystal by [[Mortilus]], the god of death. Following the defeat of Mortilus, Solomus managed to transform his crystal prison into the Matrix—a conduit for the energies of [[Primus]], who had himself transformed into the life-giving computer Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

In actuality, the Matrix was created by [[Rung (G1)|Primus]], {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} and passed onto the [[Knights of Cybertron]] when they left to explore new worlds. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Legend says that they called it the "Creation Matrix" for the life-giving abilities they believed its connection to Vector Sigma granted it. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} When the Knights landed on the medical hub of [[Mederi]], the moon's telepathic field, intended to induce happiness in euthanasia patients so they could die in peace, inadvertently convinced them they had discovered a perfect mechanical world, which they dubbed "[[Cyberutopia]]." To share this discovery with their homeworld, they inscribed a map to Mederi inside the Matrix's crystal core, and sent it back to Cybertron (via currently-unknown means), hoping the rest of their kind would follow it and join them in eternal happiness. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

It was, perhaps, fortunate that this roadmap to a peaceful death was never discovered by contemporary Cybertronians; upon its return to Cybertron, the Matrix was used by [[Solus Prime]] in the construction of the mighty [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword, becoming the jewel on the hilt of the blade, which came to be wielded by [[Prima]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The Matrix's integration into the Saber survived in the folklore of both Cybertron and [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} with the latter culture regarding it as the "Matrix of Light". {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} {{storylink|O Ship of State|Victorion profile in Revolution #3}} In [[Velocitron]]ian culture, the device remained known as the Creation Matrix. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 2}}

[[File:Tyrest and the matrix.jpg|thumb|left]]
Those capable of bearing the Matrix within them are marked by certain [[Signs of Affinity|signs of affinity]]: having optics the same shade of "liberty blue" as the [[Matrix Flame]], finding ''[[Living metal#2005 IDW continuity|sentio metallico]]'' wet to the touch, becoming giddy when standing on a [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]], and the ability to make a [[photonic crystal]] "snap" when placed in their chest. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

The cruel supremacist [[Nova Prime]], a former lieutenant of Prima's, is the earliest known bearer of the Matrix in recent history, though exactly how he came to carry it after Prima's death is unknown. Nova observed that the pulsewaves from Vector Sigma which generated new sparks from the substance of Cybertron and its moon were lessening in regularity, and, fearing (correctly) that they would one day stop entirely, tasked his scientists with studying the Matrix, hoping that the life-giving power the legends said it possessed could be tapped into. A team led by [[Solomus|Tyrest]] set to the task, and succeeded in finding a way to generate sparks from the Matrix in abundance, producing a vast reservoir of them which were stockpiled and steadily rolled out into society as new bodies were constructed for them. The true origin of these "Matrixed" sparks was hidden from the general public, and a cover story was put into place that claimed they were created via "spark splicing", using the energy of an existing spark to ignite a new one. Transformers created in this manner were described as "constructed cold", while those born naturally were "forged". {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Eventually, the Matrix would yield no more sparks, causing Tyrest and his team to believe it had run dry. In reality, one of the scientists had had an attack of conscience and stolen the Matrix, replacing it with a facsimile and hiding the real one away in the subterranean labyrinth of the [[Undergrid]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Once Nova Prime left the planet aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]] and vanished into the [[Benzuli Expanse]],<ref>Author Simon Furman implied in a [http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/ December 2007 Q&A on his blog] and in the narration of ''[[Spotlight: Galvatron]]'' that in his original plans for this story, Nova ''did'' take the Matrix into the Dead Universe (Optimus Prime is never shown to carry it in Furman's stories), where it would have "become" something. Presumably, it was his intention for it to become the Darkness itself, which would not have been the separate entity it was in the finished story. These plans were cut short and wrapped up when Furman left the series, and subsequent writers established that Optimus had indeed been carrying the Matrix all along.</ref> the fake Matrix was protected by the presumably-unwitting [[Primal Vanguard]], carried by its leader [[Delta Magnus]] during a period known as the [[Interregnum]] until a new bearer was chosen. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} [[Nominus Prime]] is the earliest recorded Matrix-bearer after Nova, but whether he was his direct successor or not is unknown. It's also unclear whether Nominus Prime was aware that the Matrix was a fake. It's likely he did, since Nominus presumably falsified an "affinity for the Matrix" somehow in order to be named Prime.

Many Transformers embraced the religion surrounding the Matrix during the time of Nominus's reign, though with exceptions, such as police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], who remained sceptical of its touted divinity. Some Transformers would even [[tattoo]] an image of the Matrix on their bodies as evidence of their faith, such Orion's co-worker [[Springarm]] {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} and the trainee theoretician [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Nominus's reign was a time of great civil unrest, however; a senator named [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] hoped that a new Matrix-bearer might steer the planet off the path to self-destruction the corrupt [[Senate]] had placed it upon, and so began selecting promising young Cybertronians like [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]] and Orion Pax, befriending and rebuilding them with Matrix chambers in their chests. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

[[File:Autocracy9 pax finds matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In order to take control of the Matrix's life-giving powers, the corrupt forces within the Senate arranged for an attack upon Nominus Prime, moving him into hiding so they could gain unfettered access to the talisman. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} Upon opening Nominus's chest, however, the Senate at last discovered that the Matrix had been replaced with a fake. Furious, they had Nominus killed, establishing a cover story that he had died of a rust infection, and announcing that their security head [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] was showing signs of Matrix affinity, paving the way for him to become Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} The fake Matrix was then transformed into a bomb as part of a plot to incriminate and round up the burgeoning Decepticon faction, {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} but a team led by Orion Pax uncovered the scheme, broke into the [[Primal Basilica]] and removed the Matrix-bomb, which Orion then detonated to win a battle with the [[Heavies]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} It was not long after this that tensions exploded in the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}} when reflecting back on this time, [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] distilled the reasons behind the outbreak of the conflict down to blaming the Matrix as the root cause. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

[[File:AHM7 megs rips out matrix.jpg|thumb|left|Megatron, [[Ratchet (WFC)|I needed that]]!]]
Sentinel was succeeded by Zeta Prime, who much like his predecessor used a new fake Matrix (with lights installed!) to claim the title, and only those involved with Sentinel's scheme were aware of the truth. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} Zeta was subsequently killed by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who then hurled Orion Pax into the Undergrid, where Orion found the hiding place of the true Matrix. The damaged Pax was called out to by the Matrix, which asked him to take hold of it. Upon doing so, he was linked to the sparks of every single Cybertronian alive and was overcome by the pain, fear and loneliness his people were experiencing. As power of the Matrix repaired his body, he realized that it was not only a symbol of leadership or creation, but a "Matrix of our sparks" in which [['Til all are one|all were one]]. With his newfound clarity and the Matrix in his chest, Orion declared his name to be Optimus Prime and set out to bring freedom to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} Just thereafter, the Matrix guided him to the ruins of [[Nyon]] and allowed him to sense and awaken the dormant lifeforce of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who was in deep slumber below the city. {{storylink|Rise}}

Optimus Prime would later try to unleash the power of the Matrix in an attempt to vanquish the ancient monster [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], but was for some reason unable to open it. {{storylink|Annihilation}} He revealed his possession of the Matrix to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as proof of his Primehood, {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} and later used its cleansing powers to purge the influence of [[Pentius]]'s spark from Megatron's body. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}} At some point Prime took a sabbatical and left the Matrix in the care of [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], whom it took to so well legend says it had to be surgically removed from his chest. {{storylink|Little Victories}}

After the Transformers' conflict moved to Earth in the present day, Megatron determined to separate Optimus Prime from the Matrix. He was unaware of what the Matrix was actually capable of, but viewed any unknown element as a potential threat, and reasoned that even if he could not use it himself, it would still be safer in his hands than in those of his enemies. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} To this end, Megatron staged a trap for the Autobots with the aid of the traitorous [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]], catching them off-guard with his newly created gestalt [[Devastator (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Devastator]]. Defeated, the Autobots were dumped via space bridge in the ruins of Cybertron, but not before Megatron tore the Matrix from Prime's chest himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

[[File:TFvol1 13hotrod starscream matrix.jpg|thumb|This seems familiar...]]
When Megatron was defeated a year later and his forces were routed off of Earth, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] took up the role of leader and "inherited" the captive Matrix. Frustrated by his failure to find any "ultimate power" within it after several cycles of study, he decided to throw it away, only to be caught by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] just before blowing it out an airlock. Scrabbling for an explanation as to why he had the Matrix and reminded by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] of its massive symbolic importance to the Autobots, Starscream claimed he had been "chosen" by the talisman and now wielded its power. He went on to make this declaration before all the Decepticons, boosting morale and rallying them beneath him, but immediately regretted the decision. {{storylink|Uneasy Lies the Head}} And rightfully so: with the Matrix hung around his neck on a chain, its subtle influence on his mind over the next three years made the Decepticon air commander subdued and withdrawn, lost in contemplation of its mysteries, lashing out violently at any Decepticons who tried to touch it. This left him open to a brash attack by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], who infiltrated the Decepticons' asteroid base in order to recover the Matrix. Hot Rod actually ''shot'' the Matrix to cause a discharge of energy that knocked Starscream out, then attempted to escape with the Matrix in hand, but was confronted by the newly repaired Megatron. He proceeded to blast both the Matrix and Hot Rod through the base wall, setting them adrift in the void of space. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}} Starscream's possession of the "potentially threatening" Matrix had previously made Megatron hesitant to take back leadership of the Decepticons, but with the artifact lost in space, he had nothing to fear and quickly reclaimed his position. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDW19 matrix in chest.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As they drifted through space together, the Matrix fused itself to Hot Rod's chest, keeping him alive and healing the damage Megatron had done. Eventually, Hot Rod crash-landed on the planet [[LV-118]], where he was taken captive by the [[Ilxian]] "[[Admiral]]", a stranded alien who sought to use the Matrix as a power source for his ship. With help from [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], another Autobot stranded on the planet, Hot Rod was able to seize control of the Admiral's ship, and allowed Wheelie to tap the energy of the Matrix to get them off the planet. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|The Stars My Destination}} Knocked unconscious by the process, Hot Rod awoke some time later to find that Wheelie had been able to remove the Matrix from his chest, and had piloted the ship to Cybertron. Knowing that the planet was overrun by the [[Insecticon swarm]], Hot Rod tried to convince Wheelie that they needed to leave right away, but that proved impossible, as the Matrix had ceased providing power to the ship. Things on Cybertron turned out to be better than Hot Rod had thought, though, as they met up with [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] and Sunstreaker, who provided a fuel cell for their ship. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}} The entire group returned to Earth, where Hot Rod made his first duty the return of the Matrix to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}}

Departing for Cybertron aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] with Megatron a captive, Prime removed the Matrix from his chest in order to prove to himself that even without its wisdom, he still had the ability to make rational judgements under his own power. [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] watched over the talisman while Prime deliberated on Megatron's fate, and was holding it while he examined the damaged Sunstreaker, whose ability to walk was suddenly restored by its power. Although Prime ultimately concluded that Megatron's fate should be left for Megatron himself to decide, he did experience one disquieting revelation: Hot Rod revealed that when the Matrix had bonded with him, he had experienced not pain, as Optimus had felt, but unbridled elation. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

[[File:DoOP split matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Where'd you get the Matrix?" "We found it." "Found it? In Altihex? The Matrix is tropical!"]]
Upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron, they were faced with the threat of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], latest carrier of the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], who combined it with Vector Sigma in order to allow [[D-Void]] to emerge into the universe through Cybertron. To prevent this, Optimus Prime opened the Matrix, which succeeded in stopping D-Void, but also left the Matrix spent, its crystal core darkened and split in two. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} With unrest growing between the Autobots and the unaligned Transformers in the process of returning to the planet, Prime brought the two halves of the Matrix to [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] for study, and the scientist discovered that the crystal was artificial, designed to [[photonic crystal|split in two]], and contained a map of the stars. [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] believed the map would lead the way to the long-lost [[Knights of Cybertron]], and Rodimus elected to gather a crew and follow the path it charted, much to acting leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]'s consternation. Optimus Prime gave each of them one of the Matrix-halves, before departing Cybertron himself in hopes of ending the civil unrest. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} Optimus kept the shell of the Matrix and returned it to within his chest cavity. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}}

When Rodimus set foot on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], a billion sparks suddenly lit up on the moon's surface, something he credited to the Matrix half he was carrying. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Having developed a belief that Cybertronians born from the Matrix were inherently evil, Tyrest used his knowledge of the talisman to construct the [[universal killswitch]]—a device capable of killing all cold constructed Transformers in existence by scrambling their unique sparkcode. Rodimus was able to put a stop to the process by hooking himself up to the machine and using his Matrix half to reinstate the code, but the crystal was shattered in the process. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} He later scattered the dust of the Matrix on Luna 1 in honor of the sparks that were lost before they could be harvested. {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} Optimus was...displeased when he learned of this. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[File:ForeverIsALongTimeComing-MatrixofLeadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
The other half of the Matrix remained in Bumblebee's care until his death, after which it fell back into the hands of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} On his anniversary of becoming Prime, he returned to where he had found it all those years ago, hoping to find some of the same hope to press forward. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (issue)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}} He later spoke with [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] about the Matrix where she said if the Matrix chose him, it had a good reason. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} When contact with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] was established, Optimus was unwilling to let Starscream exploit it and all the other colonies. With Windblade at his side he passed through [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] to the chamber of the [[Forgefire Parliament]] where Windblade proclaimed him to be a Prime. The [[Mistress of Flame]] demanded proof of this and Optimus revealed the glowing Matrix to all. The natives of the planet bowed in his presence and revered him as a god, equal to [[Primus]] and the [[Thirteen]] Primes. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} After being immobilized by [[Victorion]], Optimus recounted the history of the Matrix but stated he believed it to simply be a piece of advanced technology not a mystical artifact while also expressing confusion over why it had flared on Caminus. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:ToWalkAmongTheChosen-Ore13Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When Optimus had his chest ripped open by a mutated [[Baron Karza]], the Matrix shone through the damages. {{storylink|Valley Forge}}

Atop the [[Matterhorn]], waiting for [[Quintesson Cruiser|an alien spacecraft]], Optimus regarded the Matrix only for it to suddenly glow. An unimpressed [[Pyra Magna]] simply revealed that the Matrix was simply reacting to the nearby [[Ore-13]]. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} When talking to [[Aileron]], Optimus again expressed that he did not believe the Matrix to be a divine artifact, calling it a "pulsewave generator". He noted however that could he use its symbolic importance to do good. Pyra Magna overheard his comment and was... displeased. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} After the Autobots and Junkions had gone to war, Optimus realized the precariousness of the situation and revealed the Matrix to all, allowing the assembled species to begin a peaceful resolution to the conflict. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}}

When Optimus Prime was thrown into the [[Crystal City]] [[black hole]], Starscream watched with amusement as the Matrix was ripped apart by the gravitational forces. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though the physical object had been destroyed, the powerful idea that the Matrix represented survived with Optimus when he found himself in [[infraspace]]. Realizing the symbolism that the artifact carried could represent a means to escape the realm of pure information, Optimus began to channel its power, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} expanding the black hole and allowing his and Bumblebee's minds to escape infraspace. This came at the heavy cost of disintegrating the Matrix's avatar, destroying the talisman once and for all. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:LL24 Matrix Opening Pt2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|They've got the power!!! Yeah!]]
Though the original Matrix was no more, Primus—now going by the name Rung—would rediscover his ancient memories and his alternate mode's ability to manufacture more Matrices. Though the [[Omega Guardian]]s pushed for him to forge three duplicates as part of their evil plan to blow up the Functionist Council's false Primus avatar, [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] hit on the plan to use twelve duplicates to overload [[Vector Sigma]] via the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Though Rung managed to produce the Matrices, doing so claimed his life. His sacrifice would not be in vain, however, as all twelve were opened and used to free Cybertron from the council's tyranny. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

In Megatron's [[Galactic Council]] presided trial, Rodimus would falsely testify that Megatron had opened one of the duplicate Matrices, swaying some of the more religious races on the jury. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

=====The Functionist Universe=====
[[File:ModesOfProduction-SixOfTwelveAndMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
When the [[Functionist Council]] overthrew the [[Senate]], [[Twelve-of-Twelve]] obtained the false Matrix from Nominus and gave it to [[Six-of-Twelve]]. After obsessively studying the artifact, Six-of-Twelve came to believe Primus was speaking to him through it and integrated it into his head casing. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

When the council discovered Rung's ability to produce [[photonic crystal]]s, Six-of-Twelve tried to tap the Matrix to reignite Nova Prime's old cold construction program, but discovered that the Matrix was a useless fake. Undaunted, he turned the Matrix into a weapon that was able to suspend Cybertronians in a field of agonizing energy. When Rodimus was caught in this field, he immediately knew that Six-of-Twelve's Matrix was a false due to being familiar with the energies of the genuine article. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}
{{--}}

====''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga====
[[File:Henkei11 matrix.jpg|thumb|left|IT BURNS!!]]
When the demented [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] went on a rampage in [[Hoshinochō]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots were forced to abandoned the secrecy with which they had been operating on Earth in order to confront the villain and save the human lives he was threatening. Just as Galvatron targeted the Autobots' human ally [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]], Optimus Prime threw himself into the path of the villain's attack, and was knocked unconscious by the force of the attack. In addition to rendering Prime insensate, however, Galvatron's blow had also shattered his chest, exposing the Matrix of Leadership that was kept within. Responding to Wataru's ability to manipulate [[energon]], the Matrix surged to life, restoring Prime and boosting his strength. The light of the Matrix also revealed an unexpected deception: the Autobots were not merely fighting Galvatron, but [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Cyclonus]], possessed by Galvatron's disembodied spark! {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} Summoning up the Matrix's energy, Prime struck Cyclonus with one almighty Matrix-powered punch, utterly obliterating his body and causing Galvatron's spark to dissipate. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{--}}

====''Robot Heroes''====
[[File:Robotheroes primus and matrix.jpg|thumb|By the power of Grayskull! I AM OPTIMUS PRIME!]]
The Matrix is a glowing crystal that gives the Autobots knowledge. It was created by the first Transformer, Primus, who gave it to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
The Matrix was passed down to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] before his death. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] later defeated Prime and stole the Matrix, which he bonded with his [[black hole]] spark and used to subjugate [[Primus]] himself, allowing him to shape Cybertron according to his wishes. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

Atop the Dyson Sphere above the Sun, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] managed to rip the Matrix from Megatron before a reborn Optimus Prime hurled Megatron into the sun. The Decepticon managed to hold onto the Matrix however, taking it with him only for [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to seize the Matrix for himself. It was then snatched by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] beginning a game of "hot potato" before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] managed to return it to Optimus. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
To save Earth from the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], Optimus Prime sacrificed himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Book of Logos}} With the talisman lost to the Transformers, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] was instead felled by the [[Point One Percenter]]s, prompting [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] to genetically engineer more of them. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
During the Great War, the Decepticon scientists made attempts to recreate the power of the Creation Matrix, using a reasonable facsimile, or the genuine article to create Jetfire. [[Toxitron (G1)|Toxitron]] was an attempt to grow a Matrix shell, an experiment which eventually led to the creation of the [[Matrix of Malice]]. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] no longer felt worthy to carry the Matrix of Leadership and instead decided to return it to the [[Chorus of the Primes]], reverting to Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} The [[Mistress of Flame]] criticized his decision, claiming they would need the Matrix to stop [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} The Matrix projected a message to Optimus Prime, granting him a vision of future events, including the role the Matrix itself would play, prompting Optimus to head back towards the battlefield. {{storylink|The Fight Begins}} Learning from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] that Rodimus had given up the Matrix, Optimus entered the Chorus chamber in the [[Primal Basilica]] and asked to take back the Matrix, which the Chorus obliged. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}} Guiding Perceptor to a secret exit below the Basilica, Optimus asked him to take the Matrix and get as far away as possible, lest Trypticon obtain it and use its power to become unstoppable. {{storylink|Run for Our Lives}}

After running only a short while, the Matrix spoke to Perceptor and detailed its own plan; despite his apprehension, Perceptor did as it asked and tricked Trypticon into swallowing both himself and the Matrix. {{storylink|Consumed}} However, because the Matrix could only be used by its chosen wielder, Trypticon could not contain its power and ejected it and Perceptor from his body, along with the previously swallowed [[Victorion]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] possessing the Titan. Before Victorion could reclaim the Matrix and Enigma, they were surrounded by a barrier of flame as [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] revealed himself. After killing Optimus and issuing a series of vague threats, Megatronus grabbed the Matrix and the Enigma for himself and blasted off into the sky. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Megatronus later removed the Matrix from its storage and installed it and the Enigma into an unknown device in the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]]. {{storylink|Without Warning}} Megatron eventually realized that Megatronus planned to use the Enigma to merge the Matrix's energy with the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], creating a weapon capable of killing every Transformer in the universe. Learning of Megatronus's use of the Matrix, the Unicron-controlled Rodimus Cron turned on him, declaring the Matrix must be destroyed. {{storylink|Consequences}} Megatronus returned to the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] and installed the Blaster into his doomsday weapon, beginning siphoning the life force from every Transformer's spark. Perceptor attempted to remove the Matrix and the other relics, but his efforts proved unsuccessful as Solus Prime began to return. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Unicron appeared, now fully in possession of Rodimus, and attempted to take the Matrix while Megatronus attempted to stop him. [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] resumed attacking the machine until it finally released the relics, and the Matrix interfaced with Primal, creating a shield protecting them from Megatronus. Having been chosen by the Matrix as its new bearer, Primal placed it in his chest, transforming him into Optimal Optimus. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}}

In the aftermath of Megatronus's and Unicron's defeats, Optimus Prime was resurrected thanks to his connection to the Matrix. He praised the Matrix's choice of Optimal as the new Prime, and agreed to guide him in his newfound role as the leader of Cybertron. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

====''Star Trek vs. Transformers''====
While mind-melded with Optimus Prime, [[Spock]] glimpsed a memory of the Matrix. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:SolusPrime-Forge-IDW2019No25.jpg|200px|right]]
Perhaps the greatest of the [[Artifacts of the Primes]], the Matrix of Leadership was forged by [[Solus Prime]] in an act that was said to be guided by [[Primus]]. It was a manifestation of the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] given form, with all the [[spark]]s of the deceased returning to the Matrix and bringing with them their experiences. When the Age of Primes came to end, the other artifacts disappeared from Cybertronian society but the Matrix persisted. Several Cybertronians would go on to carry the talisman, earning the title of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] when they did so, but they were only stewards until the Matrix found its true bearer, the [[Thirteenth Prime]]. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

In the modern era, the Matrix of Leadership had come to be held by the founder of the Autobots. Subsequently, holding the Matrix would denote the bearer as the Autobot leader. {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} Upon his death, Nominus Prime had passed it to Sentinel Prime. When Sentinel felt that Orion Pax was overstepping his authority, he gave his subordinate a verbal slap and reminded him who carried the Matrix as well as promising to pass it onto Ultra Magnus, not Orion. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

Not long afterwards, when Sentinel Prime met his end at the hand of the [[Rainmaker]]s, the Matrix ejected itself from him to begin the search for its next bearer. Though Orion Pax sought to bring it to Ultra Magnus, the talisman reacted to and bonded with Orion. Greeting him in the form of his mentor [[Codexa]], the Matrix's [[Mediator]] software educated Orion on its power and offered him the choice to not bear it. Accepting the burden, the Matrix sealed itself within the Senator, renaming him as Optimus Prime. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

Following the unleashing of the [[rust worm]]s, the Matrix's Mediator software summoned Optimus into it, offering him a warning of the future. {{storylink|Radical Time}} Not long afterwards, Megatron demanded that Optimus surrender the Matrix to him. When the Prime refused, Megatron lashed out at him, attempting to physically remove the talisman from the Prime, yielding only when he was confronted with [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity====
=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon=====
Alpha Trion was the first known Cybertronian to hold the Matrix of Leadership. Eons ago, he was confronted by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] who arrogantly demanded the Matrix. When it became clear that Sky Lynx would not back down from this request, Trion was forced to use the [[Staff of Solus]] to banish the draconian to the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Matrix-on-Megatrons-chest.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
After Megatron had murdered Alpha Trion, the Matrix of Leadership was "thrusted" onto Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}} Agreeing that holding it and the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] would give Optimus too much power, the program was instead given to Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep4-Optimus-surrenders-Matrix.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] found itself in the Dead Universe, Sky Lynx, humbled by his exile, mentored Optimus in how to properly connect with the Matrix and channel its power. At the same time, the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Nemesis'']] was boarded by [[Galvatron (G1)|a new Decepticon]] who instructed Megatron to claim the Matrix at all costs. When the ''Nemesis'' caught up with the ''Ark'', Optimus used the Matrix to open a rift back to normal space. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

When both ships emerged back in their universe, the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark'' where Megatron managed to fulfill his guide's directive and claim the Matrix from Optimus. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}
{{stub|''Kingdom''}}

=====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material=====
In a possible destiny recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|''Voyager'' Golden Disk]], Megatron became Galvatron and wore the Matrix of Leadership chained around his neck. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk cards}}

====Energon Universe====
The Matrix was a source of energy that channeled the spirit of its host, capable of repairing the injuries of its host and others, {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}} as well as activating electronics cut off from their power sources. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} However, while the Matrix could heal, if a Cybertronian was too badly injured, even its power could not prevent their death. In addition, as its power is also directly connected with its bearer's life force, overusing the Matrix risked killing the bearer. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

It was gifted to [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] "many years" before he came to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} After being reactivated on Earth, Prime thought to use the Matrix to heal the mortally wounded [[Jetfire (G1)#Energon Universe|Jetfire]], only for [[Ratchet (G1)#Energon Universe|Ratchet]] to inform Optimus that Jetfire was too far gone even for the Matrix. Shortly after, Jetfire succumbed to his wounds. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}}

Soon afterwards, Ratchet used the last of the Autobots' stockpiled energon to reactivate [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. When Optimus suggested pooling Ratchet and Cliffjumper's internal energon, the medic informed him that that might allow for the reactivation of another in an hour. Unsatisfied with the response, Optimus considered using the Matrix to help replenish their energon reserves only to be immediately vetoed by Ratchet due to the risk of Prime depleting his own life force when using it, and Ratchet considered Optimus himself too valuable for the Autobots to lose. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

[[File:TF2023 4 – Prime Uses the Matrix.jpg|thumb|Using the Matrix's light at a dark hour and emptying it in the fourth issue of a new continuity? It's ''[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime#Animated|another]]'' new record, Primey!|right]]
Not long afterwards, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] opened fire on the local hospital, damaging the power generator. After learning the injured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and many other patients who needed breathing machines would die without power, Optimus emptied the Matrix, over Ratchet's protests, using it to power the hospital and prevent more deaths.

With the power restored, Spike was stabilized and able to breathe again, though he remained in a coma. When [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] asked if Prime was able to use the Matrix again to bring his son back all the way, he was informed that the Matrix had been fully drained of its energy. After Ratchet managed to repair the hospital's generator, the medic scolded Optimus for wasting the Matrix's power on saving the humans instead of repairing himself. While Optimus initially dismissed him, saying that the Matrix would be fine, Ratchet reiterated that if Optimus died – either from using the Matrix or from wounds that he could have used the Matrix to repair – the war would be lost, and the Decepticons would be free to harm humanity as much as they wanted. Optimus defended his actions as he ultimately saved innocent lives, even if it was at the cost of the Matrix. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}}

Following an ambush by the Decepticons as the Autobots attempted to take back the ''Ark'', {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}} Optimus found himself heavily damaged by [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]] to the point where the Matrix was visibly showing under his chest panels. Despite being taken to a repair bay, Ratchet quickly diagnosed Prime's wounds as fatal. Feeling his spark fading, Optimus opened his chest and removed the Matrix, calling upon one of the Autobots to take it, dropping it as Devastator's blows shook the ship.

[[File:SparkyIsOneWithTheMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|Don't tell [[Steel Jaw]] the Matrix runs on [[Biofuel]].]]
Before any of them could take the Matrix, Sparky knelt in front of it, thinking of how when something bad happened to his fellow soldiers or his sons, he wished he could've been in their place instead. Knowing that Optimus would care for Earth just like Sparky had cared for his boys, Sparky asked Optimus to tell Spike that he was proud of him before entering the Matrix's core, vanishing as he became one with it. The Matrix, now recharged, instantly repaired Optimus' body, and as he put the talisman back into his chest, Optimus swore his friend would not be forgotten. Promising to protect Spike and the whole Earth, Optimus immediately started doing so by taking down Devastator and Thundercracker. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{note|In ''Car Robots'', the original Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'', "Fire Convoy" does not possess a version of the Matrix of Leadership, instead carrying an [[Energon Matrix#Car Robots cartoon|Energon Matrix]].}}

[[File:PowerToBurn prime matrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|My chestplate glows for you, Hotrod]]

Simply known as just 'the Matrix',<ref>The Matrix is never termed as the "Matrix of Leadership" in the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub. Though it is initially called Optimus Prime's "Cyber Matrix" in "[[The Test (episode)|The Test]]", it is never again referred to as such afterward. It would not be until Optimus's profile published in [[The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine issue 1|''The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine'' #1]] that this Matrix would be formally referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership".</ref> [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by Vector Sigma to be its bearer and lead the Autobots as Commander-in-Chief of Cybertron. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Less a physical object and more an energy that suffused his form, Prime could call on the power of the Matrix in moments of great emotion, at which point his body would glow with its green light. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

[[File:TwoFaces magnus matrix.jpg|thumb|I set my chestplate from studly to kill. Go nipple blasters!]]
Unfortunately for Prime, his brother [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] was furious at being passed over for the leadership role, and about halfway through Prime's campaign against [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] on Earth, Magnus arrived on the planet with the intent to take the Matrix for himself. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} When he attempted to absorb the energy of the Matrix from Prime's body, however, a bizarre fusion occurred instead, merging the two brothers into [[Omega Prime]] and revealing that the intention had always been for them to ''share'' the energy of the Matrix between them. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Magnus later inadvertently used this link to channel the energy of the Matrix into the [[Autobot Brothers]], supercharging them. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

In the final battle against Megatron—now Galvatron—at the [[Earth's core]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] channeled all his energy into Omega Prime to give his leader the power boost that he hoped would ensure triumph. The extra energy combined with that of the Matrix and it burst forth, coalescing into the colossal [[Matrix Blade]], which Omega Prime used to claim victory. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

=====''Cybertron'' comic=====
[[File:OptimusPrimeRIDprimuschamber.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Oops! Sorry, that's never happened to me before..."]]
Teleported into the midst of a battle in another universe, Prime and Magnus found themselves on Cybertron, where the evil [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] was attempting to use his [[Dead Matrix]] to destroy Primus. The brothers took him down, then separated so that Optimus could use his own Matrix to negate the evil energies released by the Dead Matrix. Opening the chamber in his Super Mode chest, he projected a beam of the Matrix's pure light into the Dead Matrix's swirling darkness, eliminating it. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}}

====Shell Game====
After the [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] was killed by [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]], once-leader of the [[Protection Team]] [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot]] was given the Matrix of Leadership by [[Ultra Trion]], becoming his team's combined form [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] himself. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 9, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}} Megazarak sought the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], believing that it would yield the location of [[Base Sigma]], the last outpost of Autobot resistance and the hiding place of the Matrix-bearer. He failed, being slightly delayed by Ultra Trion's final gambit. {{storylink|Shell Game}} Defensor would eventually triumph over Megazarak and begin to rebuild his world. However, the Matrix gave him visions of another Megazarak, one who had succeeded in conquering [[Viron 403.0 Beta|his own universe]] and was spreading out to other universes. Defensor felt the duty to seek out this Megazarak and stop him as well. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 7, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 07/09/2015}}
{{--}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
{{note|Plot points derived only from the original Japanese versions of the Unicron Trilogy cartoons, lost to the slipshod dubbing that plagued the series, are in italics.}}
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[File:Crisis Hot Shot Matrix.jpg|left|thumb|Optimus said that I could drive this up somewhere....]]
When [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] threatened to destroy the Earth with the [[Hydra Cannon]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], not expecting to survive the battle ahead, tried to pass the Matrix on to [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] before entering the conflict. Hot Shot refused, not feeling himself worthy, and Prime subsequently died throwing himself into the path of the Hydra Cannon blast meant for Earth. Prime's body was reduced to ashes, and the Matrix was all that remained, clung onto by his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], floating helplessly until rescued. {{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}}

[[File:Miracle sparkplug and matrix.jpg‎|thumb|''in your eyes, the light, the heat 
''in your eyes, I am complete]]

Not long thereafter, as the Autobots and Decepticons battled in space on their way back to Cybertron, Sparkplug and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] presented the Matrix to the large armada of Mini-Cons who had joined the Autobots on their journey. Many Mini-Cons plunged themselves into the Matrix, using their powers to recreate Prime's body and restore him to life. {{storylink|Miracle (episode)|Miracle}}

Some time later, in the midst of the Transformers' battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime was confronted by the evil demi-god with the suggestion that, on some level, he enjoyed the thrill of combat as much as Megatron did, ''and that the only difference between the two leaders was the Matrix in Prime's chest.'' {{storylink|Origin}} Following Unicron's defeat, when Megatron (now Galvatron) challenged Optimus to one final battle, these words led Prime to discard the Matrix, that he might battle Galvatron not as the leader of the Autobots, ''but as an individual, and the equal of his foe''.

[[File:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|left|thumb|A unicorn designed this. (See the pretty rainbows?)]]
Prime flung the Matrix through Unicron's hide, out into space, where it later drifted by the two combatants as their fight moved to Unicron's surface. Soon, however, it became apparent that Prime and Galvatron's fight was sustaining and re-energizing Unicron, and Galvatron allowed himself to die into order to destroy the chaos-bringer. As the battered Prime hung in space afterwards, the Matrix floated past him. Prime turned to look at it, but, having revelled in his battle with Galvatron and in a way proven Unicron correct, shifted his glance away, pronouncing himself unworthy to carry it.

Prime did not return to his fellow Autobots immediately, as Cybertron was now at peace. Instead, he apparently embarked on some sort of soul-searching space voyage, seeking to find worthiness once again. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}
{{--}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
[[File:MysteriousMercenary matrix generates blaster.jpg‎|thumb|Also, it does not go anywhere in the robot mode. Get outta here, blaster. No one likes your style.]]
Prime returned to reclaim the Matrix and leadership of the Autobots at some point over the next ten years. ''Despite the talisman being back in his hands once more, its power was employed but once during the war for [[energon]] of 2020, when Prime was badly injured by [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] during a battle on Earth's Moon and fell unconscious. When Prime was infused with a massive jolt of Energon in an attempt by the [[Omnicon]] [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] to revive him, the interaction of the element with the Matrix brought forth the [[Energon Blaster]], which coalesced out of a sphere of light that burst out of Prime's chest. Prime considered the weapon a gift from the previous commanders within the Matrix and fended off the Decepticons with it, then proceeded to never use or even mention it again.'' {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}}
{{--}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
[[File:Cybertron matrix of leadership.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Good grief, Prime! There are KIDS present!]]
A further ten years later, during the quest to stop the [[Unicron Singularity]] in [[2030]], Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership in concert with [[Vector Prime]]'s [[Rhisling|sword]] to open dimension gates to the various colony worlds that held the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. It was only through the stabilizing powers of both objects that safe transit through the gates was made possible. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}} The Matrix influenced Optimus Prime's [[Cyber Key]], giving it a unique shape that mimicked the Matrix's own as opposed to the standard design shared by the other Autobots. {{storylink|Savage}}

[[File:Unfinished matrix glow prime.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.2|The Matrix is made up of [[burning spirit]]!]]
After the Autobots had obtained the Cyber Planet Keys from [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] and Earth and placed them in the [[Omega Lock]] on Cybertron, Optimus Prime substituted the energy of the Matrix for the still-missing fourth key. This proved enough to initiate Cybertron's transformation into the body of Primus, but without the key from [[Gigantion]], the god's power remained at an ebb, unable to close the black hole. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} Before departing for Gigantion to obtain the final key, the Autobots were able to develop a method that allowed Primus to use the energy of the three keys and the Matrix to at least halt the singularity's growth, giving them the time they needed to complete their mission. {{storylink|Titans}} In order for the Autobots to safely traverse the tunnel in space-time that led to Gigantion, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] created a "vaccine" program based on the stabilizing properties of the Matrix and Vector Prime's sword. {{storylink|Family}}

The Matrix would often glow with energy when Prime poised himself to unleash powerful combat moves; during his final battle with Galvatron, the golden glow of the Matrix surrounded Prime's entire body. {{storylink|Unfinished}}
{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 404.11 Kappa]], Vector Prime held the Matrix during Cybertron's [[Golden Age]]. He led the Autobots for many years until he received a higher calling from the [[Chronarchitect]] to lead the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warrior]]s in protecting space and time. Vector passed the Matrix on to his trusty lieutenant, [[Guardian Major]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#July 12, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 12/07/2015}}

====''Galaxy Force'' manga====
[[File:GFmanga matrix.jpg|left|thumb|RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH!]]
With the Earth besieged by the [[Ancient Decepticon]]s under the command of [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the treacherous air commander himself transformed into a skyscraper-sized giant by the power of Primus, things were looking grim for the Autobots. Taking a direct hit from the giant Starscream, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s chest was smashed open, exposing the Matrix within. Reviving after only a few moments of unconsciousness to find that [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] had arrived on the planet with news that Primus had reawakened, Prime doubted how important he was to the battle if their god was now restored. Wing Saber pointed to his open chest, telling him that the Matrix within him signified him as the true leader of the Autobots, and Prime, his resolve restored, plucked the talisman from within himself and called upon its power to initiate his and Wing Saber's combination into Sonic Wing Mode for the first time. {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.9}}
{{--}}

====''Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts''====
During an interview with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], Hot Shot proved it was easy to get hold of a Matrix by telling Optimus Prime that his shoes were untied, and then yonking the Matrix right out of his chest while he was distracted. The Matrix upgraded Hot Shot into Shotimus Prime. During a later interview with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], the exasperated interviewee grabbed the Matrix, reverting Shotimus back to Hot Shot, and then beat him with it. {{storylink|Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Tf2009 mol.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Now...how do you open this thing, dammit?]]
Created by the [[Dynasty of Primes]], the '''Matrix of Leadership''' is required to operate the [[Star Harvester]]. It can only be properly utilized by one who shares the lineage of the Primes.

====Sector Seven ARG====
The Matrix was mentioned in passing.{{fact}} {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven}}

====Titan movie comic====
According to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] carries the Matrix of Leadership. Not quite yet, he doesn't, Screamer! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 8|Star Screams #2}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
[[File:ROTF Matrix crumbles.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|And Unicron breathed a sigh of relief.]]
The [[Dynasty of Primes#Revenge of the Fallen movie|Seven Primes]] had agreed never to use a [[Star Harvester]] on a [[Sun]] that fed intelligent life. But in 17,000 BC, [[the Fallen]] chose to activate it on [[Earth]], for he hated [[human]]s, so the other Primes fought him and stole the Matrix. They sealed it away in a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] made of their own bodies in a secret location. In 2009 AD, following the death of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last Prime, the Fallen had returned to Earth and was seeking the Matrix to finish what he'd started.

[[File:TheFallen-ROTFMatrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Hot Rod's gonna have trouble gettin' his fingers in this one.]]
[[Sam Witwicky]], having deciphered the only clue to the tomb's location, found the Matrix in [[Petra]], but it crumbled to dust. He stuffed its remains into a sock and took it to the [[Pyramid]]s of [[Egypt]], where he still hoped it could resurrect Optimus, who was being protected by the human-Autobot alliance [[NEST]]. The Fallen's pupil, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], shot and killed Sam, but the [[spark]]s of the Primes came and revived him. They also revealed the Matrix could not be found but only earned, and they restored its shape. Sam then used the Matrix to resurrect Optimus by shoving its sharp end into his chest. Almost immediately afterward, the Fallen teleported in and stole the Matrix, then used it to activate the Harvester. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{Note|The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] reveals the Matrix was created by the AllSpark to help the Primes in their search for energon. After Sam Witwicky conversed with the Dynasty of Primes in the afterlife, the intent was that the power and knowledge of the AllSpark moved from his mind into the remains of the Matrix, reconstituting it; ''this'', then, was why it was able to bring Prime back to life. In turn, this essentially transforms this universe's version of the Matrix (initially entirely distinct from the other depictions of the object seen in this article) into the same life-giving, knowledge-holding object from other Transformers fiction. Additionally, Prime was to recover the Matrix from the sun harvester and carry it within himself in traditional Matrix fashion. While none of these events were seen to play out explicitly on-screen, the Matrix's continued presence in ''Dark of the Moon'', within Prime's body, and the reverence it receives suggests that these events still "happened" within the continuity of the films, even if they didn't explicitly talk about them.}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
[[File:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|You thought they forgot about it already, didn't you?]]
After the dormant body of [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was retrieved from the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], the Autobots' former leader was brought to [[NEST]] headquarters on Earth. Optimus Prime removed the Matrix of Leadership from his chest (which he was able to manipulate as it hovered through the air) and inserted it into Sentinel Prime's chest, similarly to how Sam Witwicky used it to resurrect Optimus three years prior.

Optimus later offered it to Sentinel, as he felt that Sentinel was the rightful leader of the Autobots. Sentinel refused it, citing that he was the wiser on their own homeworld, but on this strange new planet, Optimus was the more experienced.

Megatron later explained to Starscream that he wanted Prime to use the Matrix on Sentinel as he was vital to Megatron's plan for invasion. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{--}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[File:Tfanimated matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Check out my necklace!|left]]
Following [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]]'s successful reconstruction of a substantial portion of the shattered [[AllSpark#Animated|AllSpark]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] used the [[Magnus Hammer]] to forge a new containment vessel for the crystal sphere. He termed the resultant holder the "[[AllSpark Matrix]]", and wore it on a chain around his neck upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}
{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
The Matrix was created by the Primes sometime after Unicron's defeat and before the War of the Primes, though according to [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] it was a very different device at its creation than in the present day. It formed the hilt of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] but [[Prima]] surrendered it to [[Primus]] in the [[Core]] after the Primes fought.

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion went to [[Vector Sigma]] to try and retrieve the Matrix in hopes that it could reignite the fire of Cybertronian society. The supercomputer denied his request saying the time was not right, but it gave him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]].

When [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] had poisoned the core of Cybertron with [[Dark Energon]], Primus inserted a portion of his Spark into the Matrix and gave it to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] to carry and guard. This had the effect of restoring Optimus' memories of his earlier life among the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|Prime lucked out. Feel bad for the guy who has to carry that blade around in his chest.]]
Originally the jewel in the hilt of [[Prima]]'s [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword in the distant past of Cybertron, the Matrix had been missing for billions of cycles by the time data clerk [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]] met the charismatic gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Unbeknownst to Orion, Megatron plotted revolution, and, desiring the Matrix's power to fuel his ambition, had [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] send [[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]] to search for the Matrix in [[Crystal City]] to no avail.

Later, when the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] appointed Orion as Cybertron's leader, Optimus Prime, they ordered him to find the Matrix, and Megatron's true motives stood revealed as he also declared it would be his. War erupted across Cybertron and raged for millions of years, until, during the conflict's dying days, Optimus purged Cybertron's [[core]] of a [[Dark Energon]] infection that Megatron had wrought upon it. Speaking directly into Prime's mind, the core explained that Prime's predecessor, [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], had been unworthy of the Matrix, but as long as he had survived in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]'s prisons, Optimus was technically not [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and could not receive it. With Sentinel's death and the core's purification, however, the time had at last come: the Matrix emerged from the core, and Optimus accepted it into his body. Subsequently, the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', but Optimus knew that the Matrix would guide them home one day, where it would act in concert with the core to fully restore their ravaged homeworld. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

After the ''Ark'' had passed through a [[space bridge]], the Matrix projected a map to the nearby [[Cybertronian colonies|colony]] of [[Velocitron]]. After fleeing Velocitron, the ''Ark'' found its way to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], the Matrix's energies clearing the minds of the [[Junkion (species)|natives]] enough for them to help the Autobots repair the ''Ark''. The Matrix then projected another map, leading Optimus to a space bridge to the tomb of [[Solus Prime]]. When Megatron caught up to Optimus on Junkion, the Matrix sent a vision of the AllSpark's location to Optimus, preventing him from dealing the killing blow. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Continued pulls from the Matrix led the ''Ark'' to the planet [[Aquatron]], even as it plagued Optimus with visions of Cybertronians being oppressed. When the Autobots ventured to the planet's surface, the Matrix sent Optimus a vision of his former self, Orion Pax, being menaced by enslavers. The senior physician, [[Xeros]], took the chance to, eagerly, scan the Matrix when Optimus convulsed. When it was revealed that Aquatron was ruled by the [[Quintesson]]s, they put the Autobots and Decepticons on trial, the Matrix providing Optimus with his repressed memories to convince him that the aliens were lying. Learning that the Matrix was fighting off remote hacking attempts by the Quintessons, Optimus switched off the genuine article, only to be forced to reactivate it so and Megatron could escape the labyrinthine corridors. The Matrix led the two leaders to the source of the interference: the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]], a duplicate created by the Quintessons following their studying of Matrix's technology. Shortly thereafter, the Sharkticon Matrix was destroyed, restoring the Matrix to normal operating status. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}
{{--}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OneShallRise3-unleash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Care Bear Stare!|left]]
During the Great War, the core of Cybertron, which contained the Spark of the Transformers' creator Primus, became poisoned with [[Dark Energon]]. Orion Pax journeyed there hoping to cure the god, but instead was given the Matrix of Leadership by Primus himself, becoming [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

When the Autobots discovered that [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] dwelt at the center of the Earth, Optimus Prime gambled that the Matrix held the power to destroy the dark god. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} Led to the core of the planet by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], Prime emptied the full power of the Matrix into Unicron's spark. [[File:OrionPax3 Matrix of Leadership.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]] The chaos-bringer responded by possessing Megatron in an attempt to stop him, but the Matrix generated a shield to protect Prime so that the mission could be completed, and Unicron was successfully returned to stasis. Unfortunately, in draining the Matrix of its energy, Optimus lost not merely the wisdom of the Primes, but all of his own memories since becoming a Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Anticipating this, Optimus had left a solution to this problem in the hands of the Autobot's human ally [[Jack Darby]]: the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], which would allow the Matrix to be refilled, and Optimus's memory restored, via the mega-computer Vector Sigma on Cybertron. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Jack and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] travelled to Cybertron to load the key, then returned to Earth in the midst of a battle between Orion and Megatron. Though the archivist was hesitant at first, Jack convinced him that he was in fact worthy and used the key to restore the Matrix's power and Optimus's memories. {{Storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

When Optimus Prime lay dying after the destruction of the Autobot base, he told [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] that the Matrix would choose someone else to be leader, whom he believed to be Smokescreen. When Optimus did die, his chest ejected the Matrix as it began to search for a successor, only for Smokescreen simply to place the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] in Optimus's hand which, combined with the Matrix, revived and reformatted Optimus, though at the cost of draining the Forge of all its power. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

When the Great War ended and Cybertron was restored, Optimus used the Matrix of Leadership to guide him to the location of the [[AllSpark]], in the hazardous system of [[Theta Scorpii]]. To safeguard the AllSpark from Unicron, Optimus merged it with the Matrix. In doing so however, he rendered his own [[spark]] inseparable from all those within the AllSpark, ultimately sacrificing himself and the Matrix to the [[Core]] to reignite it, ending the age of Primes. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}
{{--}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
[[File:OddBotOut Optimus Matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
When Optimus located the [[Liquefier]], its energies out of control and threatening [[Griffin Rock]], he used the Matrix to shut it down. {{storylink|Odd Bot Out}}
{{--}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
[[File:Dark Side of the Matrix album cover.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix of Leadership served as inspiration for the legendary rock band the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]], immortalized on the cover of their studio album "Dark Side of the Matrix". {{storylink|Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron}}
{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:MatrixOfLeadership-OPglows.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left]]
The Matrix of Leadership was an artifact of the [[Thirteen]]. Within, it held the accumulated wisdom of not only the original Primes, but all those who'd borne it, allowing for its current bearer to access this wisdom in times of crisis. Conversely, these spirits could bring the bearer before them through the Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

In the modern era, the Matrix was safeguarded by [[Alpha Trion (Cyberverse)|Alpha Trion]]. In the early days of the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]], [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] murdered all of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] save Trion who had been mortally wounded by the attack. When [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus]] was brought before his ailing mentor, Trion bestowed the Matrix onto his protege. Despite Optimus's hesitations, he accepted the talisman and became Optimus Prime, the last sight Trion witnessed before he passed. The power of the Matrix allowed Optimus to manifest a powerful blue shield in the likeness of the Autobot insignia. {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}}

After claiming that one of his [[scraplet]]s was a reborn Alpha Trion, [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] had others reveal the Matrix for him to claim. Before he could, [[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] pounced on the Seeker and disabled his scarplet horde. {{storylink|Starscream's Children}} Prime would later get his own back on Starscream by separating the treacherous Seeker from the AllSpark with a blast from the Matrix, the energies sending both into [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|I Am The Allspark}} Starscream awoke in a prison cell while Prime remained in coma with a vision of the Matrix. It closed on him and he later woke up as a turbolaser barrage from the [[Nemesis (Cyberverse)|''Nemesis'']] was ripping the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']] apart. {{storylink|Escape From Earth}}

When the [[Quintesson]]s invaded Cybertron, Optimus combined the power of the Matrix with one from another reality, stolen by Megatron, to overwhelm the now [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]] Starscream, finally killing him and ending the invasion. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}}

Not long afterwards, Cybertron was invaded by Megatron X, the owner of Megatron's stolen Matrix, whom Optimus engaged in a duel of Matrices. When Windblade sabotaged the alternate Megatron's Matrix, Optimus' beam prevailed, its energy short-circuiting the tyrant. {{storylink|The Other One}}

The Matrix was last seen being used by Optimus and a small group of his allies to open the chamber to the [[Cortex Helm]] on [[Onyx Prime|Onyx Prime's]] floating island after a [[Decepticon supersoldier]] named [[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]] manipulated them into helping him reach the artifact.

====Alternate universe====
In another world, upon realizing that Optimus would forever oppose him, [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] killed Optimus outright before he stole his Matrix. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}} {{storylink|The Other One}}

Untold years later, Megatron's universe was visited by an alternate version of himself who managed to steal his Matrix and flee. Knowing that his counterpart would eventually track him down, the alternate Megatron tried to access the Matrix's wisdom but the Primes refused to speak to him. {{storylink|Silent Strike}} The Primes of this reality imparted onto their Optimus a directive to destroy this otherwordly Matrix. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

A psychic shard of the native [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] wound up lodged in the Matrix, being met by Optimus' spirit who told her to destroy the Matrix. Eventually, Megatron located the reality and reclaimed his property only to be engaged in a Matrix duel by the native Optimus. Though Megatron initially held the advantage, Windblade followed Optimus' orders and destroyed the psychic pillars of the Primes, short-circuiting the Matrix. {{storylink|The Other One}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:TransformersOne-SentinelMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
For cycles, energon flowed freely through the Matrix of Leadership's power, until [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] betrayed the [[Thirteen|Primes]] through a deal made with the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Prying it out of [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime's]] corpse, Sentinel was horrified when the artifact rejected him and vanished. As a result, Cybertron's energon supply dried up, leading to Sentinel removing the transformation cogs from newly born Transformers so they could mine energon as tribute for the Quintessons.

After fifty cycles, the young miner, [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], would often break into the archives in Iacon in an attempt to find information about what had become of the long lost relic. Orion dreamed about being the one to deliver the Matrix to Sentinel, who would often lead expeditions to the surface to search for it. However, these searches were merely a cover-up for Sentinel's true dealings, delivering the Quintessons their tribute of energon. One such exchange was witnessed by Orion, his best friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who had come to surface after having found a beacon containing the possible location of the Matrix. Granted transformation cogs by [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]], the four raced back to Iacon to reveal the truth about Sentinel to the city.

[[File:TFone OptimusRaisesMatrix.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Allying with the former Cybertron [[High Guard]], the quartet led an attack on Sentinel's tower, ending with D-16 dropping Orion into Cybertron's core after the latter had attempted to stop him from executing Sentinel. Orion was met with the spirits of the Primes and, having been judged worthy by Primus, was bestowed the Matrix and upgraded into Optimus Prime. Granted powerful new armor and weaponry, Optimus returned to the surface and put a stop to D-16, who had renamed himself "Megatron". Slicing Megatron's [[Fusion cannon]] in half with his new [[Energon-axe|Energon axe]] Optimus banished him and his new followers from Iacon. With the return of the Matrix, energon flowed throughout the planet once more and all the cogless miners were given transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "Autobots". {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
In one of several possible timelines, the Matrix was destroyed millions of years in the past, along with Optimus Prime, by the time-travelling [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. Unfortunately, its destruction meant the Decepticons had no surefire way of defeating Unicron when he attacked Cybertron in 2005. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[File:TFPS2 matrix.jpg|thumb]]
The quest for the [[Zel Quartz]], a powerful crystal upon which the fate of the future hinged, led groups of Autobots and Decepticons from both the present day and time-travellers from the near-future to converge on the planet Zel Samine, culminating in a two-way showdown between Optimus Prime, Rodimus Prime, Megatron and Galvatron in the complex housing the planetary power generator [[ELTA]]. When the battle threatened to cause the computer to overload, it appeared that all four Transformers were doomed, until the twin Primes opened both their Matrices, using their power to bring the computer under control and win the day. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
[[File:Netjetmatrix.jpg|thumb]]
The Matrix would appear following the successful defeat of an opponent. Picking it up would initiate the next round of combat, accompanied by a burst of music from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
[[File:WFC Matrix of Leadership.jpg||thumb|How are you supposed to hold it up and release its cleansing flame if the handles aren't even attached to the sphere?]]
Though [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots helped purge the [[Core|Core of Cybertron]] of the [[Dark Energon]] infection, its spark had been corrupted and had to shut itself down completely if it was to survive. For the millions of years that this process would take, Cybertron would be left cold and barren, meaning the Transformers would be forced to take to the stars. However, the Core bestowed a portion of its spark within the Matrix of Leadership to Optimus Prime, leader of the free Autobots. For as long as the Matrix survived, Cybertron's spark would remain. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark'' (console)===
Among the many rumours that circled the origins of the [[Dark Spark]] was that it was the natural antithesis to the Matrix of Leadership.

In the midst of the [[Great Exodus]], Megatron managed to acquire the Dark Spark and bond it to himself, forcing Optimus to personally confront him in the labs of [[Kolkular]]. After fighting a horde of Autobot [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]], Optimus unleashed the power of the Matrix against the Dark Spark, his superior experience in wielding the artefact granting him victory and blasting the Dark Spark off of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:AngryBirdsMatrix.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The Matrix can be unlocked as an accessory that when equipped; grants an effect to several characters. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Accessory'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''[[Gem]] Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Red (AB)|Red]] as [[Red (AB)#As Optimus Prime|Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|<s>325</s> Free
| Incendiary Rounds
|Became a free Accessory in June 2017
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#As Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus]]
|Chest
|Legendary
|900
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Energon Optimus Prime|Energon Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Epic
|650
| +10% Fire Rate
|
|-
|Red as [[Red (AB)#Ultimate Optimus Prime|Ultimate Optimus Prime]]
|Chest
|Uncommon
|100
| +10% Defense
|
|-
|}
</center>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
In the past, [[Nova Prime]] bore the Matrix of Leadership but parted with the artifact when he left Cybertron aboard the ''[[Proudstar]]''. When Optimus Prime explored the scuttled ''Proudstar'' millions of years later, the Matrix reacted to [[Unicron/Generation 1|a dark presence]] in the ship, shutting down for a second. As the Autobots ventured deeper into the ship, [[Teletraan Alpha]] used the Matrix to see their future. As the Autobots neared the ship's core and discovered the same dark presence, the Matrix allowed Optimus to learn that the entity responsible for corrupting Nova was searching and destroying its way to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Matrix of Leadership held the concentrated essence of heroism and valour, in the same way that the [[Enigma of Combination]] possessed the pure essence of cooperation. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:BBOptimusMatrixSM.jpeg|thumb]]
*On a battlefield on [[Cybertron (planet)#Live-action film series|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] sported the Matrix of Leadership in his chest. {{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Masterpiece|MPM-12 Optimus Prime stop motion video}}
*During a battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] summoned [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] holding the Matrix of Leadership (along with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]) using a [[Magic: The Gathering]] card. Subsequently, the summoned Rodimus used the Matrix to power Optimus up.
{{storylink|Official stop motion videos#Miscellaneous|Secret Lair stop motion video}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Matrix of Leadership/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1toon matrix strings.jpg|thumb|Strings connect the Matrix's core to its holder in the Generation 1 cartoon.]]
*Bob Budiansky's original pitch for the Transformers comic book included an event known as the "[[Ceremony of the Unending Circuit]]", held by the Autobots every ten millennia to commemorate the passing of the Creation Matrix from one Autobot leader to the next, according to Autobot Law. If an Autobot is not brave, strong, or wise enough, the program would either drive him insane or lobotomize him.<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref> Although the "ten millennia" bit made it into the comic, the rest of it was never realized. (Budiansky also left a note that the Matrix isn't the only way of making new Transformers, which is not touched on in English comic media until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''.)
*[[Floro Dery]] was inspired by a thermonuclear bomb in designing the Matrix of Leadership for ''The Movie''.<ref>{{citesocial|link=http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html|site=Transformers Philippines|name=Floro Dery|quote='''Can you tell us some trivias or story behind the Matrix of Leadership?'''" "The inspiration for the Matrix of Leadership is a thermonuclear bomb.|title=Interview With Floro Dery|year=2007|month=06|day=18}}</ref> "Light our darkest hour", indeed.
*Blink and you'll miss it—the crystal core of the original Generation 1 cartoon incarnation of the Matrix is connected to the two halves of its holder by a string! This oddity of design is visible during the two instances the Matrix is opened in the cartoon, in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".
*By pure coincidence, the [[retcon]] made in ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' (and technically ''Beast Wars'') that created the idea of there being two Matrix-shaped objects in Optimus Prime's chest also fits with an [[animation error]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where—on his deathbed—Prime is seen removing the Matrix, while an uncolored "empty" Matrix is shown still inside his chest just before his colors fade.
*The dub of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' refers to the artifact as the Matrix of Leadership when it's first introduced and for a few episodes after, but then switches to calling it the "Matrix of the Commander" for the rest of the series afterward. This is likely a result of direct translation from the generic ''shireikan no Matrix'' (司令官のマトリクス) in Japanese.
*The body-mod shop "[[Swindle, Swindle and Swindle]]" has empty Generation 1 Matrix containers for sale, as seen in an illustration from the prose story "[[I, Lowtech]]".
*The Matrix of Leadership [[:File:The Arrival 4 Lockdown's cabinet.jpg|makes a cameo]] as one of ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]'s possessions in "[[The Arrival issue 4|A Few Loose Strands]]".
*In earlier drafts of [[Revelation (IDW)|''Revelation'']], the Matrix would have been corrupted by its time in the [[Dead Universe]] (possibly similar to the [[Dark Matrix]] entity), but [[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|developments]] led to its role being filled by the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]].<ref name="IDWMatrixFurman">{{citesocial|link=http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/|name=Simon Furman|month=12|year=2007|day=12|title=A(NOTHER) QUICK Q&A…|site=Simon Furman: The Blog|quote=Well, we’ve yet to actually meet the Matrix in the IDW/TF-verse. So we may be getting ahead of ourselves here. What do we know about it so far? Well, according to Spotlight Galvatron, the Matrix was (and maybe is) “carried” by Nova Prime, and he (Nova Prime) disappeared into the Dead Universe (along with the Matrix, we assume). Nova describes a bottomless well and a resonant tug on the Matrix. What happened next we don’t know (yet). But what is the Matrix (hm, that sounds familiar somehow)? Not telling. Not yet. But ’08 holds the answers: what it is, where it came from, what is does (then and now!). The Matrix (and what it’s become) will figure large in all that happens post-Devastation. The Matrix has been gone from the IDW/TF-verse for a long time, and its return will not necessarily be a thing of celebration.}}</ref>
* In ''[[My Little Pony]]: The Manga'' volume 3, the Matrix is included as part of a scavenger hunt that [[Fluttershy]] organizes.
* A lighting fixture resembling the Generation 1 Matrix of Leadership can be seen at [[Swerve's|Swerve's Lounge]] at Universal Studios Beijing's [[Transformers Metrobase]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Matrix''' (マトリクス ''Matorikusu''), '''Leader no Matrix''' (''Revenge'', リーダーのマトリクス, "Matrix of Leader"), '''Matrix of Leadership''' (マトリックスオブリーダーシップ ''Matorikkusu obu Rīdāshippu''), '''Creation Matrix''' (クリエーションマトリクス ''Kuriēshon matorikusu'')
*''Arabic:'' '''Masfufat Alqiada''' (مصفوفة القيادة, "Command Matrix")
*''English:'' '''Power Pack''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Teremtő Mátrix''' ("Creator Matrix"), '''Vezetés Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Irányítás Mátrixa''' ("Matrix of Control", ''Revenge of the Fallen''), '''Vezéri Mátrix''' ("Leader Matrix", ''The Movie'' 1st dub), '''Mátrix''' ("Matrix", ''The Movie'' 2nd dub)
*''French:'' '''Matrice de Commandement''' ("Command Matrix"), '''Matrice de Création''' (''EarthSpark'', "Matrix of Creation")
*''German:'' '''Hauptprogramm''' ("Core Program", used once in fiction), '''Matrix der Führerschaft''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Indonesian:'' '''Matriks Kepemimpinan''' ( "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Italian:'' '''Matrice''' ("Matrix"), '''Scettro del Comando''' (first ''The Transformers'' dub, "Scepter of Command"), '''Matrix''' (second ''The Transformers'' dub), '''Matrice del Comando''' (''Generations'', "Matrix of Command")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mǔtǐ''' (Taiwan, 母體, "Matrix" or "Mother Body"), '''Jǔzhèn''' (China Mainland, 矩阵, "Matrix"), '''Lǐngdǎo Mókuài''' (China Mainland, 领导模块, "Module of Leader")
*''Cantonese:'' '''Yuen Nang Gui Zaan''' (Hong Kong, 原能矩陣)
*''Polish:'' '''Matryca Przywództwa''', '''Matryca Przywódcy''' (''War for Cybertron'', "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Matriz da Liderança''' ("Matrix of Leadership"), '''Matrix da Liderança''' (''EarthSpark''), '''Matriz de Liderança''' (''Transformers One'')
*''Russian:'' '''Matritsa Liderstva''' (Матрица Лидерства, "Matrix of Leadership")
*''Spanish:'' '''Matriz de Liderazgo''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Enerhoblok''' (ICTV, Енергоблок, "Power unit")
*''Turkish:'' '''Liderlik Matriksi''' ("Matrix of Leadership")

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Artifacts of the Primes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars objects]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Crystals]]
[[Category:Cybertron franchise]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Generation 1 objects]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei!]]
[[Category:Interjections]]
[[Category:Legends franchise]]
[[Category:Matrices]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010)]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Trilogy]]
[[Category:Wings Universe]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-23T20:52:57Z

MegaSolus:

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$129 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations... are permanent.|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor. In their excitement, they fail to notice a Tracker about to shoot them from behind until D-16 uses his new tank mode to kill him first... and then starts laughing at what he just did. D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''Orion Pax''' and '''D-16''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"Hey, look, I know it's all a big joke to you. But not me. I was paying my dues. I was going places. And now they're gonna bust me down I-- I don't even know how many tiers!" 
'"I'm sorry, D. But come on, didn't you feel it? Even for just a second, didn't you feel liberated? Didn't you feel like you were something else? Like you could be more than what they say you are?" 
"Yeah, I felt it. I did. But it doesn't matter. We're going to get punished ''and'' demoted. Ugh, Sentinel Prime saw the whole thing, this is so ''embarrassing''."
:—"''D-16''' knows his place, despite what '''Orion Pax''' tries.

'''D-16''', with a huge grin: "Sentinel Prime. [laughs] '''THE''' Sentinel Prime!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "You still mad at me?" 
'''D-16''', his smile gone: "I am less mad at you."
:-D-16 meets his idol, and Orion Pax kills the mood.

"Every day... Every ''single'' day of my life. Has been... a lie." 
"He deceived ''everyone''." 
"Sentinel ''lied'', to my face." 
:—'''D-16''' takes time to process the fact that his idol is a sham.

'''D-16''': "You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Me? What did I do?" 
'''D-16''': "You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Who cares about protocol?" 
'''D-16''': "'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
'''D-16''', grabbing his head and groaning: "And what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "I'm not ''thinking'' about what he's going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
'''D-16''': "That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Don't you want to stop him?" 
'''D-16''': "NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''FALSE PRIME''' that he is! I want him to '''suffer''', and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? [he chuckles bitterly] We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The cracks in D-16 and Orion Pax's friendship finally surface.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending like I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and then running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves here unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly to Pax)'' "Louder." 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''' takes a deep breath, then: "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't win, miner! ''I see '''everything!'''''" 
"That's right, you do... Except the tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down everything I've built?!" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... Is. ''WHAT. I. '''MAKE IT!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"What's wrong, D-16? ''Rise up!''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' mockingly gives D-16 his future slogan.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:—"''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, [[Disney]] secured a near-stranglehold on toys named "{{w|Ariel (The Little Mermaid)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
** It is ambiguous to what the origin of the Quintessons actually is. In most modern media, the Quintessons are the renegade creations of Quintus Prime (such as in ''[[Transformers: EarthSpark]]''). While they do share some similarities, such as part of their names, multiple appendages, need for Energon, and their coloration, nothing is ever stated that Quintus Prime created them. They aren't the creators of the Cybertronian race like in media before Primus was created, either. It is possible that the Quintessons are simply an alien race unrelated to the Cybertronians.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's [[core]] and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*D-16's eye color gradually shifting from yellow to red upon declaring himself "Megatron" is similar to how his [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]'s eye color changed from blue to red after being denied the rank of Prime (and given to his friend Orion, which he viewed as a "betrayal") as seen in the flashbacks of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
** Likewise, a damaged Sentinel pleaded mercy and tried to reason to his soon-to-be executioner, the one 'bot who trusted him the most. In ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]'', it was Optimus; here, it was Megatron. Also, Sentinel offers Megatron to work together, which they did in ''Dark of the Moon'' until Sentinel briefly usurped Megatron's leadership.
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* Orion is caught by a beam and brought to Primus to be reformatted into Optimus Prime, much like how Megatron was caught by [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and reformatted into [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* When the energy burst from Optimus' return to the surface blows Megatron off his feet, he crashes to the ground in a [https://www.reddit.com/r/transformers/s/QRpmFJRCXz pose] identical to his G1 self after Optimus threw him off during their duel in ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus also comes from the iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* The restoration of Cybertron's Energon supply is somewhat similar to the planet's revitalization at the end of "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]".
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]]. This also happens at the end of "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]".
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* When Starscream interrogates the main quartet in the High Guard lair, Slipstream's hands are [https://www.reddit.com/r/Transformemes/comments/1gw87v2/something_feels_missing/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=1 positioned] as if she is holding a blaster but the blaster itself is not present at all, resulting in a rather awkward pose.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* Additionally, one of Sentinel’s lines in Airachnid’s mind isn’t present in the scene it should come from; her memory of the meeting with the Quintessons includes Sentinel saying “I’m working my miners as hard as I can”, a line that’s never said in the original scene.
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite mixed to overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between $30-$40 million on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made $24.6 million and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere $9.2 million after suffering a 62.8% drop.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update"]</ref>

The film's theatrical run was finished in November 2024, grossing $128.7 million worldwide.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/11/22/transformers-one-ends-its-theatrical-run-how-much-did-it-make/ "‘Transformers One’ Ends Its Theatrical Run. How Much Did It Make? - Forbes"]</ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story.<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.
*Concept air for Airachnid reveals she was initially planned to transform into a spider rather than a drone.
*A bot resembling [[Reflector]] was also present in concept art, but makes no appearance in the film proper. Unless he was the cameraman.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Origin")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Cyber Key

2024-11-23T19:34:41Z

MegaSolus: /* Cybertron cartoon */

[[File:Landmine cyberkey emerges.jpg|thumb|300px]]
'''Cyber Keys''' are devices that give Transformers power-up abilities. Each one contains a fragment of the power of a [[Cyber Planet Key]]. A Transformer can use one to boost their abilities for a duration of time before the Cyber Key is used up.

It may look like the Transformers have just the one Key per person, but there are actually ''countless'' Cyber Keys throughout space and the Transformers summon a different one each time: their awesome power burns bright for just a short while, and is then used up.<ref>[[Ask Vector Prime]]</ref>

==Fiction==
===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
====Beast Wars Reborn====
{{stub}}
{{storylink|The Extraordinary Reformat}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====

{{bigquote|Is that going to happen ''every'' time we need extra power?|[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], ''[[Hidden]]''}}

The Cyber Keys are a small piece of the divine power of [[Primus]] {{storylink|Haven}} and are even capable of turning up if you invoke Primus's name. {{storylink|Invasion (episode)|Invasion}} That said, even ''Primus himself'' has used Cyber Keys to boost his power. {{storylink|Titans}}

The Cyber Keys first turned up when [[Vector Prime]] used '''CYBER KEY POWER!!''' to drive back [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]; he then gave the Autobot team the power to summon Keys of their own (both [[Earth]] Keys and [[Insignia|Autobrand]] Cybertron Keys, depending on the bot). The Autobots had not seen or heard of the Cyber Keys before. {{storylink|Haven}} Soon after, the Keys showed the ability (much to Vector Prime's surprise) to turn up ''before'' the Transformers called them forth. The Autobots considered that this might happen any time they needed extra power. {{storylink|Hidden}}

Soon, the Decepticons gained the power to summon Cyber Keys from somewhere. [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] had an Earth Key, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] had Decepticon-branded Cybertron ones. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}}

The descendants of the ancient Transformer colonists have easy access to Cyber Keys: several of the Earth-based Transformers like [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] wielded Earth Cyber Keys, {{storylink|Trap}} while almost ''everyone'' on [[Velocitron]], {{storylink|Space (episode)|Space}} [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]], {{storylink|Search (episode)|Search}} and [[Gigantion]] {{storylink|Giant}} seemed to have access to them. Why the ancients had Cyber Keys but the modern-day Cybertronians didn't (and had no record of them) is unknown.

As first noted by [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], {{storylink|Space (episode)|Space}} different Cyber Keys on different worlds have different colours. Due to the effect of the Prime's Matrix and [[Rhisling|sword]], the original Autobot team had different colored Keys. Velocitron, Jungle Planet, and Gigantion, by comparison, all had red, green, and mauve (respectively) Keys. Red Alert also theorized that different Keys would produce different results and that they could [[reformatting|reformat]] Autobots. {{storylink|Savage}}

Hot Shot was somehow able to summon a Velocitron Cyber Key through his [[burning spirit|desire to go even faster]], though he initially couldn't handle the power. {{storylink|Speed}} On Jungle Planet, [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] could upgrade his [[beast mode]] into a three-headed form with his Key power, and used it to (successfully) intimidate Megatron. Contact with the Keys would also reformat vehicular Transformers into beast mode ones; feats of extreme bravery and courage, such as [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul's]], could cause a foreign robot to contact the [[Cyber Planet Key]] and be granted access to this world's Keys. {{storylink|Detour (episode)|Detour}} When Starscream was wielding the Omega Lock's power, Megatron's sheer rage was able to tap into it and Earth's Cyber Planet Key, giving him a new Cyber Key that unlocked a hideously powerful firearm. {{storylink|Revelation (episode)|Revelation}}

Once revived by the combined powers of the [[Omega Lock]], [[burning spirit]], and some energy... wave... ''thing'' from Cybertron, Red Alert, [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], and Hot Shot were given new bodies; with these came new ''Cybertron'' Planet Keys, marked with a prominent Autobot insignia. {{storylink|Critical}} This same Key is used by Primus himself, {{storylink|Titans}} so if you're a Decepticon we guess God hates you.

Agents of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], such as [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]], wield orange Cyber Keys with prominent Decepticon insignias on them. As they're not actually Decepticons (though they started hanging with them), it's not clear why the insignia is there. {{storylink|Ship}}

====Force of Habit====
{{stub}}
[[Brushguard]] is of the opinion that Cyber Keys are more powerful than [[Energon star|Energon chip]]s. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Viron 704.08 Gamma]], the warlord leader of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], a seeming non-singularity version of [[Unicron]], used a Cyber Key to merge his consciousness with his planet. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 28/7/2015}}

==Types and powers==
Each Cyber Key derives its power from the [[Cyber Planet Key]] of its respective world (in the case of Cybertron's keys, their power comes from Primus himself). A Transformer does not have to be a planetary native to tap into the power of that world's Cyber Planet Key, nor do they have to be on-planet to call upon its power. Although visually distinct, the individual types of keys do not really have any kind of unified theme in the powers and abilities they bestow upon the Transformers who summon them; they all simply unlock a hidden weapon or supply a power boost for an existing one. These weapons are mostly fairly ordinary (if powerful) lasers, projectile launchers and melee weapons, but some Transformers have more esoteric accoutrements unlocked, like forcefields, high-power wind-fans or speed-enhancing "accele-wings".

*Cybertron's Cyber Keys are clear with silver detailing, with either an Autobot or Decepticon symbol in the middle.
*The Cyber Keys of [[Velocitron]] are red with silver accents and decorated with the symbol of a speedometer needle. In addition to the inhabitants of Velocitron, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] also uses a Velocitron key.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]]'s Cyber Keys are green with a silver border, marked with a clawed paw print. After transforming into Leobreaker, Overhaul gained a new Jungle Planet Cyber Key.
*[[Earth]]'s Cyber Keys are blue with silver edging and bear the image of a sunrise. Several of the Autobots and Decepticons from Cybertron used Earth Cyber Keys, including Landmine, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] and [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]], as did the ancient Autobots and Decepticons who came to the planet ages ago.
*[[Gigantion]]'s Keys are purple with silver detailing, bearing a gear symbol.
*The keys employed by the inhabitants of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] are orange in color with silver accents and bearing a Decepticon symbol (despite the unaligned nature of these Transformers). These keys presumably derive from the power of Unicron, the secret benefactor of the Planet X survivors, given that the planet was not a colony world.
[[File:Combatron Cyber Key.jpg|right|100px|thumb|A Combatron key.]]
*The planet [[Combatron (planet)|Combatron]] has red keys with silver metal frames that resemble a grenade (complete with pull ring) and a symbol resembling a mushroom cloud.

Red Alert was the first to notice the different color-coding of the Cyber Keys and further speculated that the unique keys employed by Optimus Prime and Vector Prime were created due to a normal Cyber Key being affected by the objects of power the two wielded, namely Optimus Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership]] and [[Rhisling]], Vector Prime's sword. Although Red Alert did not comment on the unique key wielded by Megatron, presumably his is created through the power of the [[Armor of Unicron]] that he wears. An animation error makes Galvatron look like he has TWO cyber keys. As each time Galvatron uses the cyber key power for his spiked gauntlet, the key itself doesn't appear, just the expanding outline. But the key appears when he uses his gun.

==Symbols==
<gallery>
File:Cyber Key symbol Earth.png|'''[[Earth]]''' ''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from Earth.''
File:Cyber Key symbol Velocitron.png|'''[[Velocitron]]''' ''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the planet Velocitron.''
File:Cyber Key symbol Jungle Planet.png|'''[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]]''' ''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the Jungle Planet.''
File:Cyber Key symbol Gigantion.png|'''[[Gigantion]]''' ''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the planet Gigantion.''
File:Cyber_Key_Combatron.png|'''[[Combatron (planet)|Combatron]]''' ''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from Combatron.''
</gallery>

==Cartoon Screenshots==
{{Main|Cyber Key/gallery}}

==Toys==
===''Cybertron''===
[[File:JunglePlanet CyberKey.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.67|A Cyber Key of Jungle Planet.]]
Just about every single toy released in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' line came with at least one key, the only real exceptions being the Mini-Cons. In the US, the keys had [[Cyber Key Codes|codes printed on the back]] for an interactive feature on [[Hasbro]]'s ''Transformers'' toy website.[[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s website did not incorporate this feature however, leaving the Japanese ''Galaxy Force'' keys (referred to in ''Galaxy Force'' as "Force Chips" along with the greater "Planet Force") without the code tampo. The toy packaging refers to all keys as [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. This differs from the cartoon which only refers to the four colony keys as Cyber Planet Keys, and the other, everyday keys as simply Cyber Keys.

Any ''Cybertron'' toy that was originally released in the ''Armada'' toyline often included a Cyber Key instead of their partner Mini-Con partner. In order to still activate the toy's gimmicks, these keys had a molded Mini-Con port on the back of the key.

A common misconception among the [[fandom]] is that the keys all use the ''exact'' same molds, and can be interchanged between one another—this isn't true. Despite being sometimes marketed as interchangeable, each key features ''slightly'' different molding depending on the gimmick they're meant to activate on the respective figures they're packed-in with; with some keys featuring a couple of longer tabs on the underside molded to a different length by a few millimeters, and other keys having a few millimeters difference in the width and height of the main plug-section. Trying to swap keys between toys can often result in some keys getting jammed in the ports of the figures they're not made for, or not being able to push in all the way, due to the plug being either too big for the port, or the longer tabs on the key made for one figures' gimmicks not being taken into account for the ports on other figures that don't utilize said tabs to activate their gimmicks. For example: [[Thundercracker (Armada)#Cybertron|Thundercracker]]'s key has ''slightly'' longer tabs on the underside, and a slightly thicker plug-section than the key packed-in with [[Jetfire (Armada)#Cybertron|Jetfire]], and can get jammed in the port on Jetfire, despite both keys being Earth key molds. Some keys are also made with these different measurements in mind, to create enough friction or even a latch for the respective figures they're packed with, so that the keys can store in the ports—and sometimes—give the toy some added functionality, such as [[Sideways (Armada)#Cybertron|Sideways]], who uses his Cyber Key to switch between an [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] by locking his key into his arm-mounted weapon; whereas [[Snarl (Cybertron)#Toys|Snarl]]'s Cyber Key doesn't have any friction or any ability to lock into an open position, and instead features a pair of clips on his thigh for storing it.

Luckily, the codes printed on the back of the Hasbro keys make it easier to keep track of which key goes with which figure, especially for those that tend to throw all of their Cyber Keys into a bag (which appears to be a large majority of the fandom). The Takara keys on the other hand… well, you'll probably have to figure that out yourself through manual testing… good luck!

===Other toylines===
Cyber Planet Keys (most often simply called "Keys") were included in later toylines with toys that were [[redeco]]s from the ''Cybertron'' line. There is (presumably) no cosmic technology underlying them.

Examples include: several ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' toys—notably the [[BotCon 2006]]-[[exclusive]]s, which came with [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] keys; multiple toys released in the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]] that represent Generation 1 characters; and several [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 movie]] toys released exclusively at [[Walmart]] and [[Target]] in the US featured [[Sector Seven]] keys.

The 2024 ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' toyline includes smaller Cyber Key accessories, packed with updated versions of ''Cybertron'' era characters such as [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#LegacyCybertron|Cybertron Universe Starscream]] and [[Cannonball (Cybertron)#Legacy|Star Raider Cannonball]].

==Notes==
* In "[[The Dark Heart of Sandokan]]" and "[[Force of Habit]]", the Cyber Keys are treated somewhat differently than they were in the ''Cybertron'' cartoon. Here, they are depicted as tangible objects that must be manufactured from crystals, while they are portrayed as energy-ish manifestations of a Transformer's [[burning spirit]] in the cartoon.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Force Chip''' (フォースチップ ''Fōsu Chippu'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://snakas.web.fc2.com/cybertron/forcechip.htm Force Chip catalog] (Japanese)

[[Category:Cybertron technology]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) technology]]

A Bridge Too Close, Part II

2024-11-18T00:56:46Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|ep=29
|ep2=26
|prev2=A Bridge Too Close, Part I
|next2=TransWarped
|image=TFA ABTC Megatron monologue.JPG
|caption= And don't forget my [[cy-gar]]s!
|title="A Bridge Too Close, Part II"
|airdate=[[June 28]], 2008 (Canada) [[July 5]], 2008 (US)
|season=2
|season ep=13
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by=[[Irineo Maramba]] [[Christopher Berkeley]] [[Noboro Huruse]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''The fates of Cybertron and Earth lie in the balance as Optimus Prime and his Autobots battle Megatron and his Decepticons in a fight to the finish for the AllSpark.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:ABridgeTooCloseII-Mixmasteroilburst.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|left| "'Ey! I was drinkin' dat!"]]

[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and [[Starscream clone (Animated)|his clones]] swoop into the [[Decepticon]]s' mine headquarters and concentrate their fire on [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. Chaos erupts as the [[Autobot]]s free themselves and start tackling the clones, and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Professor Sumdac]] attempt to deactivate the [[space bridge]]. Mixmaster is attacked by the [[Thundercracker (Animated)|Egomaniac Starscream]] and binds him in cement, while [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] [[stasis cuffs]] the [[Skywarp (Animated)|coward]]. As fast as he is, though, Blurr fails to get out of the way of Thundercracker, who crashes into both him and Skywarp, getting them caught in his cement overcoat and sending them all tumbling into the space bridge. Bulkhead attempts to recall them, but explains that the targeting coordinates of the bridge were never set, meaning that they could have been sent anywhere in the galaxy. Before he can complete his task, he is attacked by the [[Slipstream (Animated)|female clone]], but she overpowers him and hits him with stasis cuffs. Simultaneously, Megatron and Starscream engage in a one-on-one duel, but the balance doesn't last long, as the female and [[Ramjet (Animated)|the Liar]] approach Megatron from behind. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], of all 'Bots, comes to Megatron's rescue, though the irony is not lost on the two combatants.

Meanwhile, on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] finishes loading the [[AllSpark]] fragments into Teletran-1's [[spark]] chamber. [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]] uses the [[AllSpark Key]] to jump-start the craft, but still can't fathom why Ratchet is talking to the ship...until the ship talks back! Ratchet explains that the ship used to be a warrior who sacrificed his spark to win the Great War, and whose body has been in a state of modified stasis ever since.

[[File:TFA ABTC2 Head Starscream.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|right|Total ownage, n00b.]]

Back in the mine, Prime and Megatron continue battling the remaining Starscream clones, but Megatron is not above seizing Prime and using him as a shield. He calls for Mixmaster, currently battling [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], to focus his efforts on the "head Starscream," giving Professor Sumdac an idea. Just as the clones overpower Megatron and Starscream prepares to finish him, Sumdac clambers inside the [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]] unit and uses it to decapitate Starscream and take over his body. As Sumdac-Starscream lunges for Megatron, however, the Decepticon leader makes it clear that he is not impressed, and he blasts the Headmaster and Sumdac clean off Starscream's body. With Starscream now in two pieces and thoroughly defeated, the clones swear loyalty to Megatron.

Back on Dinobot Island, Ratchet and Sari put the AllSpark Key to work repairing the ship's memory core. The ship comments that it is unable to see, and Ratchet explains that's because it's buried in a cliff and that getting out is priority number one. With another Key boost to help, the ship fires up its engines and manages to tear itself free and take to the air once more.

In the mine, things are looking bad for the Autobots—they've all been stasis-cuffed, Professor Sumdac is a captive again, and Scrapper has found [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]]. Prowl tries a mind-over-matter style of humming (which is annoying Bumblebee) to get rid of the Stasis Cuffs. Bulkhead was surprised he could do that. However, he said it was only in theory, as he never actually ''completed'' his Cyber-Ninja training. In true supervillain style, Megatron explains to the Autobots that he plans to use the space bridge to lead his Decepticons in an attack on the under-protected [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where they will take over the entire space bridge network and transport the entire Decepticon army to the planet. Bulkhead notes that the space bridge requires a receiving code to work, which would mean Megatron would have to have someone on Cybertron, but Bumblebee points out that there ''is'' someone: [[Wasp]], the spy he caught at [[Autoboot Camp|boot camp]]. Someone is eager to correct Bumblebee, however, as Megatron's true double agent, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], appears on a monitor and reveals how he, as Longarm Prime, deceived Bumblebee so long ago. With the theatricalities and exposition complete, Megatron prepares to toss Optimus Prime through the space bridge as a test, when suddenly, the base is rocked by heavy fire from outside. Teletran-1 has arrived!

[[File:ABridgeTooCloseII-OmegaSupremeRobotMode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85| "Stock footage? Bite me."]]

The fight moves outside as the Starscream clones, Lugnut and Blitzwing all lay siege to the Autobot ship, which is quickly overpowered by the onslaught and begins to fall out of the sky. With another burst of AllSpark Key power to boost its systems, Ratchet has the ship activate its emergency defense system, codename: Omega. As the shocked Decepticons look on, the ship transforms into a colossal [[robot mode]]—the mountainous [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]!

[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] directs the Decepticons to fire on his legs to bring him down, and the move succeeds, but Ratchet links his own systems up to Omega to give him the strength he needs to rise back up and strike back. A hail of lasers and missiles is unleashed upon the villains as Omega strikes, kicks and headbutts them all across the battlefield.

[[File:TFA ABTC sacrifice.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.85|Omega Supreme, no! You're too cool to die so soon!]]
Down in the mine, as the Constructicons clear rubble away from the space bridge and Megatron prepares to continue his test, Prowl successfully employs a [[processor-over-matter]] focusing technique to escape his stasis cuffs. Just as Prime is about to disappear through the bridge, Prowl hurls a [[shuriken]] that breaks his leader's cuffs, enabling him to fire his grappling line and haul himself to safety. At this point, the space bridge shuts down, and Megatron quickly deduces that the AllSpark fragment powering it is not strong enough. Luckily for him, he has another one—and he promptly grabs Starscream's head and stuffs it in the power core, along with the fragment the head contains. This, however, causes the core to overload and the bridge to malfunction. As it begins to pull in all surrounding material, Shockwave reports that the destination code has been deleted and that the bridge could send them anywhere. Even in defeat, Megatron attempts to take Prime with him, but before he can fire the blast that will rid him of the Autobot leader, Prime manages to slap a pair of stasis cuffs on Megatron, immobilizing him and causing his body to be sucked into the space bridge. Prowl and Prime free Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Sumdac, but the bridge still threatens to consume the entire state until help comes from above in the form of Omega Supreme. Omega blocks the bridge with his massive body and absorbs its [[unspace|transwarp]] energies, willing to sacrifice himself once more to save the Autobots. After ejecting Sari and Ratchet from his body, Omega is sucked into the bridge, which collapses in upon itself and vanishes in a dramatic implosion. As Sari and her father are reunited at last, the mine begins to cave in, and the Autobots escape while the Constructicons are buried alive attempting to save their oil.

[[File:TFA ABTC Sari spoilers.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|...There's no way we can make a funny without being [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|jerk]]s.]]
Retreating to the edge of a nearby cliff that overlooks the destruction, the Autobots reflect on the fact that Omega is probably still out there, somewhere. As Sumdac expresses relief that the whole ordeal is over, Sari once again tells the Autobots that she knew her father could never have betrayed them to the Decepticons. However, even as she espouses her father's honesty, Sari looks down at a cut on her arm...and beneath her skin, she and all around her are shocked to see the sparking circuitry of robotics. Terrified and confused, Sari clutches her arm and takes a few steps away from her father, who explains that they...need to talk...

[[File:TFA ABTC2 Megatron Screamer End.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|right|Next, on ''Crossfire''...]]
Somewhere out in the endless void of space, Megatron and the decapitated Starscream float aimlessly in the cosmic night, with nothing to do but snark back and forth at each other.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (10)
*[[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] (11)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (20)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] (2)
*[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] (3)
*[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] (4)
*[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] (5)
*[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] (6)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] (8)
*[[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] (9)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (14)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (15)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime / Shockwave]] (21)

|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] (17)

|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Thundercracker, the Egomaniac Starscream''': Fool! A mere construction-bot is no match for ''my'' superior firepower. 
'''Mixmaster''': Oh, really. Well, you know where you can stick it? 
''(Traps the clone with a glob of adhesive goo)'' 
'''Thundercracker''': Impossible! You cannot defeat me! You are not worthy! You are inferior! And your joke stinks!
:—Arrogance claims yet another [[Starscream (disambiguation)|Starscream]].

'''Slipstream''': WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!! AIM FOR HIS SPARK CHAMBER! 
'''Starscream''': ''(Mocking her)'' 'Aim for his spark chamber!' Don't tell me how to slag Megatron! I was slagging Megatron when you were still a dream in my spark! 
'''Slipstream''': And look how well that turned out!
:—Ah! '''Screamer''' and '''Streamer'''! Don't they make a lovely couple?

"It's not like you to hide behind an Autobot." 
"But it's ''completely'' like you to hide behind an army of cheap [[knockoff]]s."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''' always discuss each other's flaws—even in the midst of battle.

'''Starscream''': What are you waiting for? Destroy Megatron! Now! 
'''Slipstream''': ...Any leader has to be an improvement over you! 
'''Sunstorm, the Sycophant Starscream''': Oh wise and great Megatron, you have truly proven your vast superiority! 
'''Ramjet, the Liar Starscream''': I will remain loyal to you forever! 
''[Kicks Starscream's body and walks over to Megatron]''
:—Starscream learns that his clones all share the worst aspect of his personality—his treachery.

'''Prowl''': ''*humming*'' 
'''Bumblebee''': Will you stop that stupid humming!? 
'''Prowl''': This "stupid humming" is a focusing technique. A trained [[Cyber-Ninja Corps|Cyber-Ninja]] can use [[Processor-over-matter]] to remove these cuffs. 
'''Bulkhead''': You can really do that? 
'''Prowl''': In theory... I never actually completed my Cyber-Ninja training.
:—'''Prowl's''' skills don't seem like what they're cracked up to be... [[Five Servos of Doom|yet]].

'''Optimus''': I still don't see where all this "expertise" came from. 
'''Bulkhead''': I had a lot of time to study space bridge schematics back on the [[energon farm]]. I just had a knack for 'em, I guess. 
'''Bumblebee''': Oh, well, that's great. So the ''one thing'' you're good at is going to hand Cybertron over to the Decepticons.
:—Even after being declared a technical genius, Bulkhead still can't catch a break.

'''Megatron''': Decepticons! Prepare for our conquest of Cybertron! 
''[The Decepticons start cheering wildly.] 
'''Scrapper''': What's a Cybertron? 
'''Mixmaster''': I have no idea, he lost me at "Your fate is sealed now."
:—The Constructicons are in this for the oil, not the conquests.

'''Ratchet''': Careful not to fire on our friends! 
'''Sari Sumdac''': And try to get a visual of my dad! 
'''Omega Supreme''': Sure... what's a dad?
:—Omega Supreme is confused on the concept of organics and their paternal relationships. Bit like us really.

"Sari, we... need to talk."
:—'''Isaac Sumdac''''s entry in "The Understatement of the Year" competition.

'''Megatron:''' Stop ''staring'' at me. 
'''Starscream:''' No. ''You'' stop staring at ''me''! 
'''Megatron:''' Do you think I actually ''want'' to spend the rest of eternity gazing at your unsightly visage? 
'''Starscream:''' Trust me: your visage is no picnic either. And your face is ugly too! 
'''Megatron:''' Oh, someone just take me offline now... 
'''Starscream:''' What do you think I've been trying to ''do'' for the last four million stellar cycles?! AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It's funny, really, when you think about it. Tragic, but ''funny''! AHAHAHAHAHA! 
'''Megatron:''' Oh, shut up.
:—Stranded and helpless in space, Megatron and Starscream bicker to the end.

==Notes==

===Transformers references===
*Omega Supreme refers to the energy given off by the space bridge as "transwarp energy", similar to the [[Transwarp Drive|transwarp drive]]s used in the [[Beast Era]].
*[[Knockoff]]s? Oh my...

===Real-world references===
*The restoration of Omega Supreme's memory is very similar to the scene in ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}'' when Dave Bowman takes HAL-9000's higher functions offline (just in reverse).
*Prowl's humming forcing the stasis cuffs to open seems inspired by a similar sequence in British superspy spoof movie ''{{w|Johnny English}}'', where the titular hero attempts to escape a prison cell by whistling at the door-lock in the hope that the right frequency will cause the tumblers to rotate. Unlike Johnny however, Prowl succeeded. He is ''that'' awesome.

===Animation errors===
*When Skywarp is dodging Bumblebee's stinger blasts, his eyes shift to Autobot blue for a split-second.
*After Shockwave reveals to Bumblebee that he is Longarm Prime, the pan-across shot that follows shows Shockwave on the monitor. In the next close-up of the monitor, Longarm is shown transforming back into Shockwave.
*When Megatron closes in on Optimus to toss him into the space bridge, Sunstorm's face is dark grey instead of white.
*Just before Ratchet gives his "don't give up on me now" speech to Omega, there is a shot from the front showing Ratchet with Sari tucked into the mouth of his "backpack". In the next shot, it shows Ratchet from behind, with Sari ''on top of'' the backpack, and then switches back to the front view with Sari back in the gap.
*When Megatron is dragged into the Space Bridge, only one hand is cuffed. When we see him next, both of them are.
*When Ratchet was about to slam a button inside Omega Supreme, his hand was missing in one frame.
*When Starscream is holding Megatron's sword, the glow of his AllSpark Fragment isn't reflected but the rest of his face is.
*At many points in the episode, Slipstream is shown with the face (and [[chin]]) of her male counterparts.
*As Bulkhead says Bumblebee sent an innocent bot to the stockade, both Optimus and Prowl sit up despite being stasis-cuffed.

===Continuity errors===
*Several immobilised characters are shown in different positions to last episode:
**Lugnut and Blitzwing are shown lying face-down on the floor, when they were sitting back-to-back last episode.
**Bumblebee and Blurr apparently swapped positions in Scrapper's arms since last episode.

===Trivia===
[[File:TFA Headmaster unit facial expression changed.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|right|GASP!!!]]
*The Headmaster unit even works on Decepticons, whose armor is much tougher than Bulkhead's. Where did [[Headmaster (Animated)|Masterson]] get that cutting beam?
*Speaking of the Headmaster unit, this is the first time its facial expression has changed.
*With Bulkhead and Sentinel Prime, it was unclear how their decapitated heads survived disconnected from their Sparks. Not so with Starscream, as the AllSpark fragment keeping him alive is in his head.
*Mixmaster is ''veeery'' disobedient in this episode. Megatron orders him to find Lugnut and Blitzwing at the start of the battle, but Scrapper does it instead. Then, after he cements Bumblebee to the wall, Megatron orders Mixmaster to attack Starscream, instead he just disappears until after Omega Supreme gets free. And yet Megatron never punishes him.
*In the shots after Slipstream yells "Aim for the legs", Lugnut is shown firing his engine pods (which are his hands in [[robot mode]]) as missiles at Omega. Those probably weren't supposed to come off. However he's shown doing the same thing a minute later, and this time in robot mode, so it isn't a lone animation error. One has to wonder where he keeps all the spare hands. Certainly nothing up his sleeve...
*Fans had been theorizing that the Autobot ship was Omega Supreme since quite literally the first episode.
*Fans had ''also'' been theorizing that Sari had a li'l bit of robot in her since the first episode too! [[Bee in the City|How silly!]]
*Fans did ''not'' theorize that when this episode premiered on YTV ''AND'' on Cartoon Network, the announcers would happily yammer inanely over the closing credits sequence of Megatron and Starscream insulting each other in space. The Cartoon Network repeat the following day aired the credits without incident, thankfully.
*It was said at [[BotCon 2008]] that the entire closing credits sequence was improvised.
*When Omega Supreme transforms, he uses the same transformation sound [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] used in the battle of Mission City when he was attacking [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]].
*When Omega Supreme is trying to get out of the cliff, some music from [[Transform and Roll Out|the movie]] can be heard.
*In this episode, this is the first time that Shockwave speaks with his real accent while still in Autobot mode as Longarm, indicating that he has to mask his voice in that mode.
*Several times after Starscream's head is cut off, he is shown with pupils.
*This episode, along with part 1, was adapted in comic book format using screen captures as "[[Transformers Animated Volume 13]]".

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La porte d'à côté, 2ème partie'''" ("The Next Door, 2nd Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Weltraumbrücke, Teil 2'''" ("The Spacebridge, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 31|31 July]] [[2008]]

'''Spanish (Latin America)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A un puente de distancia, parte 2'''" ("A bridge away, part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 13|13 December]] [[2008]]
::* Unfortunately, this was the last espisode being dubbed on Chile. The next season was changed to Colombia instead.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un Ponte Troppo Vicino (Seconda Parte)'''" ("A Bridge Too Close (Second Part)")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 11|11 April]] [[2009]]
::* Sadly, this is the last episode in the Italian dub of Animated. Season 3 was never dubbed for unknown reasons.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kyōdai naru Chikara'''" (強大なる力, "The Enormous Power")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 25|25 September]] [[2010]]
::* Ratchet's turn on a new transforming [[stock footage]], with Blitzwing and Lugnut doing the intro.

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Jeden Most Za Blisko, Część 2'''" ("A Bridge Too Close, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Uma Ponte Muito Próxima, Parte 2'''" ("A Bridge Too Close, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Six: Black Friday (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Six: Black Friday (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Sechs: Schwarzer Freitag (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2011 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 7 (Paramount) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bridge Too Close, Part II}}
[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Spark fuser

2024-11-17T01:21:31Z

MegaSolus: /* Age of the Primes */

[[File:Battlegrounds2 Megatronus holds aloft the spark fuser.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Are you really sure you want to destroy the planet you happen to be standing on?]]
A '''spark fuser''' combines two sparks together. It is powerful enough to open a portal and draw a spark from a distant planet.

==Fiction==
===2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
[[The Fallen|Megatronus]] had [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] construct a spark fuser using [[Earth]] technology. Steeljaw, apparently unaware of its purpose, sat examining it while the rest of his team constructed the arch that would allow Megatronus to cross the dimensions into the material world. After Megatronus contacted them to demand they hasten their work, an enraged Steeljaw jammed the end of the spark fuser into the ground. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}} After Megatronus's successful arrival on Earth, he took possession of the spark fuser and used it to draw [[Unicron]]'s anti-[[spark]] from the core of the planet. As he explained to Steeljaw, he intended to merge it with the [[AllSpark]], an action which would destroy both worlds. The staff produced a ray of energy which opened a portal in the sky, through which the AllSpark was drawn. Just as the AllSpark was about to reach the fuser, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] hurled his [[Prime Decepticon Hunter]], severing the lower end of the staff and deactivating it. The two sparks abruptly returned to their points of origin. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2015)===
[[File:RID2015-Ultra-5-Step-Changer-Megatronus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Megatronus''' (Mega 5-Step Changer, 2015)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Spark fuser, Cannon
: 5-Step Changer [[The Fallen/toys#5step|Megatronus]] includes an unpainted purple spark fuser with a [[5 mm post]] jutting perpendicular out of its center handle.
{{--}}

===''Age of the Primes''===
[[File:AOTP Megatronus the Fallen.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Megatronus the Fallen''' (Leader Class, [[2025]])
:*''Accessories:'' [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], suppressor, [[Spark fuser]], machete, 4 [[Fire Blast effect|Fire Blast effects]]

:[[The Fallen/toys#Age of the Primes|"Megatronus the Fallen"]] includes a two-part spear, of which the upper half is sculpted and painted to represent (half of) the spark fuser from the 2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon. It can store on the side of his tank mode or in two pieces on his back.

{{comingsoontoy}}

{{--}}

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

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-12T07:05:41Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$129 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor. In their excitement, they fail to notice a Tracker about to shoot them from behind until D-16 uses his new tank mode to kill him first... and then starts laughing at what he just did. D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. Chased out of the archive?" 
"Yeah. I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"Every day. Every ''single day'' of my life. Has been... a lie! You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
"Me? What did I do?" 
"You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
"Who cares about protocol?" 
"'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
"Uh, and what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not ''thinking'' about what he's going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending that I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''': "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't win, miner! ''I see '''everything!'''''" 
"That's right, you do... Except the tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down everything I've built?!" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... Is. ''WHAT. I. '''MAKE IT!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"What's wrong, D-16? Rise up!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' mockingly gives D-16 his future slogan.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, Disney secured a near-strangehold on toys named "{{w|The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Tracks (One)|Tracks]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cosmos (One)|Cosmos]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], [[Bludgeon (One)|Bludgeon]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's [[core]] and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*D-16's eye color gradually shifting from yellow to red upon declaring himself "Megatron" is similar to how his [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]'s eye color changed from blue to red after being denied the rank of Prime as seen in the flashbacks of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite mixed to overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story.<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-09T22:03:28Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$128 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor. In their excitement, they fail to notice a Tracker about to shoot them from behind until D-16 uses his new tank mode to kill him first... and then starts laughing at what he just did. D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. Chased out of the archive?" 
"Yeah. I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"Every day. Every ''single day'' of my life. Has been... a lie! You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
"Me? What did I do?" 
"You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
"Who cares about protocol?" 
"'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
"Uh, and what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not ''thinking'' about what he's going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending that I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''': "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't defeat me, miner. ''I see '''everything.'''''" 
"That's right, you do, except the tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down what I've built?" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"What's wrong, D-16? Rise up!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' mockingly gives D-16 his future slogan.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, Disney secured a near-strangehold on toys named "{{w|The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Tracks (One)|Tracks]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cosmos (One)|Cosmos]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], [[Bludgeon (One)|Bludgeon]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's [[core]] and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*D-16's eye color gradually shifting from yellow to red upon declaring himself "Megatron" is similar to how his [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]'s eye color changed from blue to red after being denied the rank of Prime as seen in the flashbacks of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story. <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-09T02:52:25Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$128 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor. In their excitement, they fail to notice a Tracker about to shoot them from behind until D-16 uses his new tank mode to kill him first... and then starts laughing at what he just did. D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. Chased out of the archive?" 
"Yeah. I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
"Me? What did I do?" 
"You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
"Who cares about protocol?" 
"'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
"And what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending that I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''': "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't defeat me, miner. ''I see '''everything.'''''" 
"That's right, you do, except the tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down what I've built?" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"What's wrong, D-16? Rise up!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' mockingly gives D-16 his future slogan.

"What's wrong, D-16? Rise up!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' mockingly gives D-16 his future slogan.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, Disney secured a near-strangehold on toys named "{{w|The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Tracks (One)|Tracks]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cosmos (One)|Cosmos]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], [[Bludgeon (One)|Bludgeon]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's [[core]] and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*D-16's eye color gradually shifting from yellow to red upon declaring himself "Megatron" is similar to how his [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]'s eye color changed from blue to red after being denied the rank of Prime as seen in the flashbacks of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story. <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-09T02:50:23Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$128 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor. In their excitement, they fail to notice a Tracker about to shoot them from behind until D-16 uses his new tank mode to kill him first... and then starts laughing at what he just did. D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. Chased out of the archive?" 
"Yeah. I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
"Me? What did I do?" 
"You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
"Who cares about protocol?" 
"'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
"And what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending that I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''': "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't defeat me, miner. ''I see '''everything.'''''" 
"That's right, you do, except the tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down what I've built?" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"What's wrong, D-16? Rise up!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' mockingly gives D-16 his future slogan.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, Disney secured a near-strangehold on toys named "{{w|The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Tracks (One)|Tracks]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cosmos (One)|Cosmos]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], [[Bludgeon (One)|Bludgeon]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's [[core]] and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*D-16's eye color gradually shifting from yellow to red upon declaring himself "Megatron" is similar to how his [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]'s eye color changed from blue to red after being denied the rank of Prime as seen in the flashbacks of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story. <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-09T02:42:21Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$128 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor. In their excitement, they fail to notice a Tracker about to shoot them from behind until D-16 uses his new tank mode to kill him first... and then starts laughing at what he just did. D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. Chased out of the archive?" 
"Yeah. I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
"Me? What did I do?" 
"You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
"Who cares about protocol?" 
"'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
"And what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending that I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''': "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't defeat me, miner. ''I see '''everything.'''''" 
"That's right, you do, except the tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down what I've built?" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, Disney secured a near-strangehold on toys named "{{w|The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Tracks (One)|Tracks]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cosmos (One)|Cosmos]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], [[Bludgeon (One)|Bludgeon]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's [[core]] and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*D-16's eye color gradually shifting from yellow to red upon declaring himself "Megatron" is similar to how his [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]'s eye color changed from blue to red after being denied the rank of Prime as seen in the flashbacks of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story. <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Loose Ends, Part 5

2024-11-07T20:20:20Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #85
|prev=Loose Ends, Part 4
|next=Natural Selection, Part One
|title="Loose Ends" Part 5
|image=RG1 85 cvrA.jpg
|caption="I threw a rock at [[Batman|him]]."
"It was a big rock."
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 7]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=November 2012
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''One stands... one falls!'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Autobots v zombies loose ends.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.9]]
In the realm of [[Zero Space]], the nothingness at the end of all time... a crack appears in the fabric of the universe...

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads his [[Autobot]]s into [[Washington, D.C.]], there to confront [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] in final conflict. Riddled with guilt over the fate of [[Earth]], essentially a result of his own inaction, Prime manages to keep himself composed as he commands Megatron to let the captive [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] go... but when Megatron kills the [[Wreckers]]' leader with a single [[fusion cannon]] blast, all the fury Prime has suppressed comes spilling out. As Megatron's [[zombie]] Decepticons engage the other Autobots, the two ancient enemies meet in battle, with Megatron gleefully revealing that he has taken steps to ensure this will be their last confrontation: when their duel reaches its end, whatever the outcome, [[Aunty|Auntie]], the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s computer, is programmed to launch [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear missiles]] all across the world, destroying winners, losers, and everyone else.

In the Yukon, the Wreckers and their human allies continue their press toward the Ark, battling their way through a phalanx of [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] robots. Discovering that [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]]'s powers are unable to damage the robots, and that they consequently do not register him as a threat, [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] instructs the cybernetic superhuman to leave them behind and enter the Ark alone, gambling that the ship's systems will not react to him. Circuit Smasher is able to make it into Auntie's mainframe nest, but once there, the computer registers his presence and traps him in a cloud of nano-parasites that threaten to dissolve him within minutes.

Meanwhile, a new crisis grips the Autobots on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]: [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] has penetrated the [[Hall of Silence]], resting place of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s remains. With a [[null field]] keeping the Autobots out of the facility, [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] advocates destroying it entirely to prevent the reservoir of Matrix energy that still lingers within Thunderwing's body from falling into Decepticon hands, but acting commander [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] can only wonder how Optimus Prime would handle the situation...

[[File:Prime megatron loose ends 5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
Back on Earth, while Prime and Megatron's battle continues to rage, the [[Scraplet]]-infected [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] drags himself toward Megatron's [[battle sled]], following [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]'s instruction to kill the still-living head of [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] mounted on its prow. Doing so will kill Megatron through the psychic link he and Ratchet share; the very link that gave him the scientific knowledge to revive the dead Decepticons and take control of Auntie. [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] attempts to tend to Kup, but the elderly 'bot instead demands the medic's gun and has him hold his arm steady so he can deliver the killshot. Simultaneously, Optimus Prime pins Megatron and prepares to crush his eternal foe with a huge chunk of rubble... but when Megatron laughs that doing so will make Prime as bad as he is, Optimus relents, and Megatron seizes the opening to stab the Autobot leader with a shard of debris. The tables turned, Megatron leans in for the kill, at which point Kup shoots Ratchet point-blank. Megatron screams in agony, and Prime plunges his fist into the Decepticon's chest, ripping out his spark and killing him once and for all. Their clash at an end, Auntie is seconds away from letting the missiles fly, but Circuit Smasher is able to attune his powers to her systems and shorts them all out, shutting down the Ark, and with it the missiles, the zombie Decepticons and the Guardians.

But elsewhere in the frozen wastes of the Yukon... a crack appears in the ice... and from the frozen depths, [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] emerges!

And across the universe, on [[Nebulos]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] finds himself a prisoner of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. The Decepticon's head, long left behind on the planet after his merging with [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], now sits atop a new, functional body and he offers Grimlock the same treatment, thereby restoring his lost powers of [[transformation]], but in return Grimlock must stand at Scorponok's side as he begins a plan to rewrite Cybertronian evolution!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (3)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (4)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (5)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (6)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (7)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (8)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (9)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (10)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (12)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (13)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (14)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (15)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (19)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (22)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (23)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin (G1)|Rack 'n' Ruin]] (24)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (25)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (31)
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (32)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (33)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (34)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (37)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (39)
}}
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (11)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (17)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (18)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (35)
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (36)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (40)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] (26)
*[[Rob]] (27)
*[[Gordon Kent]] (28)
*[[Nel]] (29)
*Mossof or Daley (30)
*[[Paula]] (38)
|c4=
*[[Aunty|Auntie]] (20)
*[[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian units]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==
"But I can't help wondering...what Optimus Prime would do?"
:—'''Hot Rod''' confirms that Prime is [[Jesus]].

"I should have put you down '''''centuries''''' ago... like the rabid dog you are! This time we end it - once and for all."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' faces Megatron in a climactic battle

"Blast it, First Aid - pass me your sidearm!"
:—'''Kup''' runs out of patience with [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] when time is of the essence.

"Scruples are for lesser beings."
:—'''Megatron'''; ever the elitist.

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*The four battlesuits are supposed to be distinguished by red (Gordon), blue (Paula), green (Nel) and brown (Rob) helmets, but when Daley and Mossof are called for, both suits visible have red helmets.
*On page 20, "permafrost" is misspelled "permaforst", this was corrected for the TPB.

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Optimus not Action Master.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|right|Less alive, more ferocious.]]
*Optimus Prime is seen to transform in this issue, confirming that whatever effect [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] had upon him when he was exposed to the substance through [[Hi-Q]] in the final issues of the original Marvel series, it did not make him an [[Action Master]].
*Prowl and Tracks are also seen in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] so Nucleon seems to have affected them differently as well.
*Given that last issue featured only four humans in battlesuits, it follows that the "Mossof" and "Daley" called for in this issue are the surnames of Rob, Nel or Paula (but who they would be, we can't tell — see Errors). As with their first names, they are named after Furman's former colleagues on the US [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic series]], most likely ''Generation 2'' colorist [[Sarra Mossoff]] and editor [[Don Daley]].
*The choice of Kup to kill off Ratchet is surely no accident; he was strongly in favor of destroying the combined Megatron/Ratchet fusion back in "[[The Pri¢e of Life!]]"
*Galvatron emerges from the ice after being thrown into it by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in "[[The Last Autobot?]]". In a nod to continuity, a section of Galvatron's chest is still crushed where Max gripped him before the final blow.

===Furminated===
*Springer is killed by a point-blank headshot from Megatron.
*Ratchet gets put out of his misery by Kup.
*Prime crushes Megatron's spark chamber.

===Covers (3)===
<gallery>
File:RG1 85 cvrA.jpg|
File:RG1 85 cvrB.jpg|
File:RG1 85 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Prime about to crush Megatron, by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]].
*'''Cover B:''' Prime carrying a dead Megatron by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''Cover RI:''' Ultra Magnus fights the [[zombie]] hordes, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]].

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #86
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The End of the Beginning of the World|#11]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|#11]]
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' Volume 1
*''Judge Dredd'' comic
*''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' comic
*''Dorothy of Oz Prequel'' comic
*''[[Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots]]'' comic (back cover)

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/script-wrap-transformers-rg1-85/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]

[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]

Rules of Disengagement (issue)

2024-11-07T20:13:09Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{disambigr|Rules of Disengagement|the mobile game event|Rules of Disengagement (Legends)}}
{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=7
|prev=Interiors
|next=Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations
|seriesissue2="Scavengers"
|next2=Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?
|caption=
|image=MTMTE7_cvrA.jpg
|title="Rules of Disengagement"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 25]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=July 2012
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#2012-2013|Current era (2012)]]
}}
'''A mismatched group of Decepticons find themselves in the crosshairs of the deadliest team of killers there is... the Decepticon Justice Division!'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Mtmte7 djd.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|"No one cared who I was until I put on the mask."]]
As a [[Phase Sixer]], [[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]] is one of the most feared Decepticons, having tackled the [[Wreckers]] single-handedly, defeated the entire [[113th Battalion]], and massacred the population of [[Rigel IV]]. But when he accepted a bribe to blow up a fleet of [[Warworld|War Worlds]], he landed himself in the sights of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], a team of vicious killers fanatically dedicated to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and charged with destroying all who cross him. It's not a pretty sight when the D.J.D. catch up to Black Shadow: melted by [[Helex (G1)|Helex]], crushed by [[Tesarus (G1)|Tesarus]], and electrocuted by [[Kaon (G1)|Kaon]], he is explosively finished off when DJD leader [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] uses his ability of "weaponized conversation" to stop the pulse of his [[spark]]. Their task done, the DJD set off to find their next target on the planet of [[Clemency]]—a target guilty of simply living.

On the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], and [[Ambulon]] combine their medical expertise to save the life of the wounded [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], though the psychiatrist remains comatose. A few hours later, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] visits Rung in secrecy, believing—in his increasing paranoia—that the attempt on Rung's life was a deliberate one after Red told him about the voice he heard from beneath the ship. Certain that he is next, Red hides a [[data slug]] containing video he has taken of the voice's owner—[[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]]—on Rung's body and bids him goodbye. But a medical [[Diagnostic Drone]] has observed the entire thing, and soon, a shadowed figure arrives in the medibay and recovers the slug...

[[File:RulesofDisengagement-FulcrumMisfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
On Clemency, a band of [[Decepticon]] [[Scavengers (G1)|Scavengers]] consisting of [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], [[Krok (G1)|Krok]], [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]], and [[Flywheels]] are in the process of draining [[Transformer fuel|fuel]] from the vast array of Transformer corpses that litter the war-torn world when one of them, a chipper fellow named [[Fulcrum]], proves to be still alive. After a slight panic over the possibility that he might be a [[zombie]], the six 'cons settle down around a fire to talk about the great battle in Clemency's past, and the grim reality of war and how it reduces lives to statistics. Fulcrum is shocked to discover that the war is ''over'', barely able to comprehend such a thing, and the other Decepticons mumble about how meaningless it all turned out to be and how unclear their goals had been anyway. In spite of this, though, when one of the Autobot bodies stoking the Decepticons' fire proves to still be alive, Krok casually kills the poor 'bot.

Back on the ''Lost Light'', [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] visits [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] in his lab to get the scientist's analysis of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'s mysterious gun, which Chromedome palmed from the theoretician when he was distracted. The weapon immediately blew up when Brainstorm tried to examine it, but he was able to recognise at least some of the engineering, and has concluded that as impossible as it may seem, the gun may have come from somewhere known as "the [[Institute]]"...

[[File:MTMTE7 artificial gravity.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2.2]]
As dawn breaks on Clemency, the Decepticons resume their scavenging, only for Misfire to suddenly break away from the group, thinking that he has spotted the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]], a mythical Grim Reaper-like figure in Cybertronian culture. Instead, what he has discovered is a P-6 [[Worldsweeper]], a famous model of gigantic Decepticon spaceship cast in the image of the faction's [[insignia]]. Investigating the vessel, the Decepticons make some horrifyingly strange discoveries: a ceiling covered entirely in [[brain module]]s, tanks of warped, malformed [[protoform]]s, [[Treecon|a non-functional robot]] made entirely of wood, and a corridor composed of organic flesh that proves to have been responsible for causing the ship to crash, having ''bled'' into the fuel supply and polluted it. Misfire in particular is aghast and advocates immediate departure, but Fulcrum, coming around to the idea of new horizons, is eager to investigate. All emotions on the ship quickly turn to terror, however, when Krok receives a communication from the D.J.D., announcing that one of their number is on the Division's list. Tarn signs off with the promise that if the guilty party is handed over, the other six will be allowed to watch his execution. The numbers don't add up, and Fulcrum assumes the D.J.D. simply miscounted their life-signs... but Krok soon discovers that there is indeed a seventh party on the ship, unconscious and sealed in a stasis tube... [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]]!
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* ''[[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum">[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=301648#301648 James Roberts, IDW forum]: A while back I was PM'd by Ironhide/Paul, who asked me for some information on the Wreckers who showed up in the flashback on Page 1 of issue 7. I promised to post something on this forum. Here's the relevant extract from the script:

2 / Flashback. BLACK SHADOW fights the Wreckers (an old version of the team) at close quarters: tight, dirty and violent. He rips CREST’s head off and blasts PISTON through the chest, killing him. Also in shot are VALVE, HYPERION, IMPACTOR and RACK, all trying to get a piece of him. But it’s clear that Black Shadow owns this fight. Crest has been mentioned but not seen before, but should be readily identifiable by a big old crest on his chest. Valve is a spark brother to Springarm and Wheelarch, so should look like them. Piston is all-new. Hyperion was glimpsed in MTMTE issue 2.</ref> (2)
* ''[[Rack'n'Ruin (G1)|Rack]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (3)
* ''[[Valve]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (4)
* ''[[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (6)
* ''[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]'' (7)
* ''[[Crest]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (8)
* ''[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'' (9)
* ''[[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]]'' (10)
* ''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (11)
* ''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'' (12)
* ''[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]'' (13)
* ''[[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]]'' (14)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (22)
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (23)
* [[Ambulon]] (24)
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (25)
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (26)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (27)
* [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] (34)
* [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] (35)
* ''[[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]'' (36)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] (37)
{{!}}}
|c2=
* [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] (1)
* [[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]] (5)
* [[Kaon (G1)|Kaon]] (15)
* [[Helex (G1)|Helex]] (16)
* [[Tesarus (G1)|Tesarus]] (17)
* [[Vos (G1)|Vos]] (18)
* ''[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'' (19)
* [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (28)
* [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (28)
* [[Flywheels]] (30)
* [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (31)
* [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (32)
* [[Fulcrum]] (33)
|c4=
* [[Dominus Ambus|The Pet]] (20)
}}

==Quotes==
"'My weapon is my burden: a reminder of the path I was forced to take. When the word 'weapon' is emptied of meaning; when the '''purpose''' of a weapon is impossible to grasp; when the rejection of my weapon is of significance to no one other than myself... only then shall I remove it from my arm. Because only then will I have earned the right to rid myself of my burden.'"
:—'''Tarn''' recites a passage from Megatron's ''[[Towards Peace]]''

"Nice to meet you, loser! They call me '''Misfire'''. Long story. Actually, you know what? It isn't. It's a very short story involving a machine gun, a '''misunderstanding''', and a dozen dead Decepticons."
:—In the IDW-universe, '''Misfire''' actually managed to hit something!

'''Fulcrum:''' "Ah! Now! Just—just wait a second! Just— The thing about me—my big thing is this: I'm really not keen on '''dying'''. Now '''survival'''—oh wow, '''huge''' fan. Put me down for some of '''that'''. Besides, we don't even know each other! You might '''like''' me! You might find me—disarming! Yes! I'd '''disarm''' you!" 
'''Spinister:''' "You'd '''what''' me?" 
'''Flywheels:''' "Careful—he's using words to confuse and frighten us."

"'''Go away.''' I'm busier than you've ever been and I'm doing more important things than you've ever done." 
"It's Chromedome." 
"So?" 
"So you have to be '''nice''' to me, I'm your only friend. Why are you—?" 
"Building weapons whilst hanging from the ceiling? Because no one else can. I was hoping '''Perceptor''' would walk in."
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Chromedome'''

"Chromedome, you're looking at a bona fide '''Binary Gun.'''" 
"What's a Binary Gun?" 
"I'm not sure—I've only just made up the name. But I called it that because inside there's only room for two cartridges, '''here''' and '''here.'''" 
"So what does it '''do?''' Where'd Skids get it? Why'd he carry it around with him all the time?" 
"I don't know! I've done my bit...!" 
"You made the gun '''blow up''' and then you '''gave it a name!''' I could have done that '''and''' I'd have come up with a better name!"
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Chromedome''' again

"But there's '''always''' been a war! That's like saying there's no more '''blue''' or—or the '''weather's''' stopped!"
:—'''Fulcrum''' catches up on recent history

"I always dreamed of captaining my own P-6—Followin' the likes of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and the other big guns. I'd have called it something '''noble''' and '''majestic''', like '''''Mega Starpuncher''''' or '''''Mighty Spaceship'''''."
:—'''Crankcase'''

"You know, there are some Decepticons who, upon finding themselves in a skin-covered room surrounded by '''aborted protoforms''' and '''mechanoids made of bark,''' would rub their hands together, marvel at the universe's infinite capacity for surprise and '''dive right in.''' I am not one of those Decepticons. I say we run away screaming." 
"I '''am''' one of those Decepticons, Misfire, and I say we stick around—because frankly, this is amazing." 
"What's amazing?" 
"This! Us! Now! Who owns this ship? Where are they now? Where will '''we''' be an '''hour''' from now, or '''tomorrow''', or '''next month?''' The answer to '''all''' those questions is '''"Who knows?"''' And that's a '''great answer!''' That's the '''best answer ever!''' All our lives we've followed orders—all our lives someone else has always told us what to do next! Well, not anymore! For the first time in '''forever,''' we can do whatever we like! We're '''free!'''"
:—'''Misfire''' and '''Fulcrum'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Black Shadow was established to be a Phase Sixer in his sole previous IDW appearance in ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|#2]].
* Tarn quotes a passage from ''[[Towards Peace]]'', which will later be established as Megatron's autobiography.
* In addition to obvious members Impactor and Rack (pre-Ruin), the version of the Wreckers that Black Shadow fights is made up mostly of characters mentioned and briefly glimpsed in past James Roberts works which he specified in the script.<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> None are named on-panel but Hyperion is recognizable from his corpse's role in [[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|issue #2]], while Valve has never been seen before, but shares a body-type with his brothers [[Wheelarch]] and [[Springarm]] from "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]". Crest was mentioned in "[[Bullets]]" (and can be recognized by his large chest-crest), while the unfortunate Piston is a new character, separate from the earlier IDW character [[Piston (mechanic)|of the same name]].
* The Decepticon Justice Division were first mentioned in one of Roberts's earliest IDW works, [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #1]], and have come up on occasion since then. They are named after cities on Cybertron; specifically, the "[[Fall of the First Five Cities|First Five Cities]]" to fall to the Decepticons in the war, which were listed in [[Life After the Big Bang|issue #4]].
* Chromedome palmed Skids's gun between pages 4 and 5 of [[Life After the Big Bang|issue #4]].
* Reference was previously made to the mysterious "Institute" by the [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|nameless senator]] in [[Chaos Theory Part 2|"Chaos Theory", Part 2]], and as part of Red Alert's paranoid delusions in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue #5]].
* The [[Mortilus|Necrobot]] was previously mentioned by [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] in [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]] among other [[:Category: Things that don't exist|things that don't exist]] like the [[Shimmer]] or the [[Moonbase One|Seething Moon]]. All of these turn out to exist in some form...
* Grimlock was last seen at the close of the ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]'' mini-series, over three years before the publication of this issue. Since then, all we've heard is that he had left [[Garrus-9]] after it was sacked by the Decepticons under unrevealed circumstances, as detailed in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #4]].

===Transformers references===
* Black Shadow's design is based on his ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Black Shadow (G1)#Generations|toy]].
* Whilst [[Rigel III|other]] [[Rigel 6|planets]] that orbit [[Rigel|the same star]] have shown up in Transformers fiction before, this issue is the first mention of Rigel IV. It's also known as being the home of {{w|Kang and Kodos|a pair of pesky space aliens}} from ''The Simpsons''.
* Surprisingly, this isn't [[Mara-Al-Utha|the first time]] that wooden robots have shown up in a G1 continuity.
* Black Shadow's bribe is in [[Shanix]], a little-referenced Cybertronian currency that first appeared in [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|issue #113]] of the Marvel UK series. It's seen some previous mentions in IDW continuity in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|''The Transformers'' #22]] and [[Stick Together|''Robots in Disguise'' #3]].
* The ''Warworld'' was the Decepticon mothership in the Marvel ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comic. The idea of a fleet of multiple Warworlds originated with the non-canon ''[[Alignment]]''.
* Vos's dialogue, referred to as the "[[Cybertronian language#2005 IDW continuity|Primal Vernacular]]", is written using the [[Cyberglyphics]] symbol language from the [[Movie continuity family|live-action movie continuity]]. Employing the substitution cypher regularly used by [[Titan Books|Titan]] in their [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|UK ''Transformers'' comic]] shows that most of his speech bubbles are nonsense, however, save for the first, which reads: "So tired me go night xth".
* [[Kol]] was first seen in [[Swarm (issue)|''Generation 2'' #9]], where it was a planet. It became the name of a [[Kol System|system]] in [[Stormbringer issue 2|''Stormbringer'' #2]] with the introduction of [[Varas Centralus]], which is located there.
* Roberts had previously created a Decepticon named Fulcrum in his fan-published ''Transformers: Eugenesis'' novel. Whether these are meant to be iterations of the same character (as was the case with Rung) or just a name reuse is unclear.
* That Flywheels should freak out so seriously at the prospect of a [[zombie]] is fitting, given his prominent role in the greatest ''Transformers'' zombie story, Marvel UK's "[[City of Fear!]]" (indeed, his only prominent role in anything before now).
* Amusingly, to go by the original tech spec numbers, Krok is actually the lowest ranking Decepticon of his group. But since when was fiction accurate to the tech specs?
* [[Hydrus Four|Hydrus 4]] is the planet of origin for [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]], seen in the original Marvel series. Its sister world [[Hydrus 5]] was created by James Roberts and first mentioned in "[[Bullets]]".
* The planet [[Elpasos]] is mentioned in passing, a world that debuted in—you guessed it, issue #113 of the Marvel UK series. It got a previous IDW mention in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #5]].
* Reference is made to "Nova Peak", which is prrrrrobably the same thing as [[Nova Point]].

===Trivia===
* Although "Rules of Disengagement" is the only on-page title for this issue's story, the following issue was labelled "Scavengers (Part 2)", identifying this as an unmarked Part 1.
* The 113th Battalion is another use of the number 113 by James Roberts, referring to the [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|issue of the UK comic]] that got him hooked on the series. On the same page, Black Shadow is seen battling the '''11'''th iteration of the Wreckers, with '''3''' kills.
* This is not the first time Roberts has written a character as having been "talked to death", though this version is a lot more literal than the reference made in "Bullets" to [[Violator|a Decepticon]] who killed himself rather than listen to [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] drone on!
* Krok's ship is named the ''[[Weak Anthropic Principle]]'', which is a philosophical postulate which basically states that only a universe capable of supporting intelligent life is able to be noted by said life, whereas a universe incapable of supporting such life will go unbeheld.

===Errors===
* "Halt" is misspelled "hault" on page 3; this was corrected for the TPB.
* Spinister was previously shown to be among the Decepticons who had already returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|#1]]. Quick, someone [[Bluster|make up]] [[Firster Aid|a name]]!
* Spinister's name is misspelled as "Spinisther" during the search of the Symbol Ship; this remained uncorrected in the TPB.
* Krok spends most of the issue in a new set of colors, only appearing in his toy's colors in one panel on page 20.

===Crew Manifest===
* The "Story so far" segment on the inside front cover notes that "a number of [[Delphi]]'s patients" were brought to the ''Lost Light'', which is the first mention that anyone other than [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] came back with Ratchet and the medics.
* 5 deaths, 5+ new arrivals since the launch.

===Soundtrack===
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gOpULt67dU "Easter Parade"] by {{w|Emmy the Great}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzDihi17EY8 "My Year in Lists"] by {{w|Los Campesinos!}}

===Foreign localization===
'''Japanese'''
* ''Title:'' "'''Tettai Kitei'''" (撤退規定, "Withdrawal Rules")

'''Swedish'''
* ''Title:'' "'''Skrotletarna, Del 1: Den som ger sig in i leken...'''" ("The Scavengers, Part 1: You've Made Your Bed...", lit. "He who joins the game...")

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Tarn, by Alex Milne and [[Josh Perez]]
* '''Cover B:''' Misfire, Crankcase, Spinister, Flywheels, and Krok, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Cover RI:''' [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]], the second quarter of a combined image formed with the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Interference Patterns|#7]], [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#8]], and ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]].

<gallery>
File:MTMTE7_cvrA.jpg|The last image in Black Shadow's mind.
File:MTMTE7_cvrB.jpg|Hi, can I have your heart?
File:MTMTE7_cvrRI.jpg|Cover RI
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]]
* ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#8]]
* ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Loose Ends, Part 2|#82]]
* Sergio Aragones' ''Groo: Artist's Edition''
* ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]''
* ''Regeneration One'' [[Loose Ends, Part 1|#81]]
* IDW's ''Mars Attacks'' comic (back cover)

===Reprints===
* '''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 2''''' ([[October 17]], [[2012]]) ISBN 1613774982 / ISBN 978-1613774984 
** Collects ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #4–8.
** Bonus material includes art from most covers, "Meet the Crew" and "Meet the 'Cons" pages.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 2]]''''' ([[August 12]], [[2015]]) ISBN 1631403648 / ISBN 978-1631403644
** Collects ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' issues [[Law and Disorder|#1]]–[[Endgame|12]], ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]], [[The Waiting Game|Hoist]]'' & ''[[Omega's Conundrum|Orion Pax]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' issues [[Interference Patterns|#7]] & [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#8]]–[[Night and the City|9]], and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #6–8.
** Hardcover format.

* '''''Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Box Set''''' ([[December 2]], 2015) ISBN 1631404741 / ISBN 978-1631404740
** Collects ''More Than Meets the Eye'' volumes 1–5.
** Bonus material unknown at this time.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 55: Shadowplay''''' ([[January 9]], [[2019]])
** Collects ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #7–13 and Annual 2012.
** Bonus material includes the second of a new three-part interview with Roberts, early pages of scripts, design sketches from Alex Milne, a cover gallery and a forward by [[Simon Furman]].
** Hardcover format.

* '''''Transformers: Mer än ögat kan se''''' ([[June 15]], 2019)
** Collects ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #1–8 & Annual 2012, ''Spotlight: Trailcutter'' & ''Hoist'', and a special illustrated edition of "[[Bullets]]".
** Swedish reprint. Hardcover format.

<gallery>
File:MTMTE vol2.jpg|'''''More Than Meets the Eye Volume 2''''' – cover art by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V2.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 2''''' – cover art by [[Saren Stone]]
File:MTMTE boxset.jpg|'''''More Than Meets the Eye Box Set''''' – cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v55.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 55: Shadowplay''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] (Whirl) and Alex Milne (retro)
File:MTMTE_SWE_01.jpg|'''''Mer än ögat kan se''''' – cover art by Alex Milne and [[Joana Lafuente]].
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

Reproduction

2024-11-07T19:58:33Z

MegaSolus: /* 2005 IDW continuity */

{{featured}}

[[File:MangaDinoforceBabies.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|HOW IS BABBY FORMED?]]

Though their bodies may be mechanical, [[Transformer]]s are, at heart, living beings, and like all creatures, Cybertronians also create new members of their species. But while organic life-forms procreate through a comparatively quick, self-contained, and straightforward procedure, Cybertronian '''reproduction''' is a complicated affair. The vast majority of Cybertronians reproduce asexually, but how exactly a new Transformer is created, given life, and introduced to the world is a complicated process—a process that often plays a key role in the origin of their species and culture, even if individual methods of reproduction often vary wildly across different [[continuity family|continuity families]].

{{quote|This is only one method of creating new Transformers. There are others.|[[Bob Budiansky]] knows not to leave himself tied down, in his pitch for the Matrix concept<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref>}}

==Reproductive methods==
''See also: [[Protoform]], [[Hatchling]]''

===Mechanical construction===
: ''See also: [[Drone]], [[:Category:Man-made Transformers|Man-made Transformers]]
[[File:SOSDinobots buildingSludge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|"I've been workin' on the Dinobot, all the live long day..."]]

In the very earliest days of the ''Transformers'' franchise, before the franchise established the more supernatural aspects of Cybertronian biology, early fictional portrayals treated the Transformers like conventional—albeit highly sophisticated—robots. With the right parts and technical knowledge, anyone could simply build a new Transformer like an ordinary machine. Once built, this new Transformer simply springs to life, a sentient and fully-functioning individual. In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''Transformers'' cartoon]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and company created the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] this way, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s rebuilt a human city into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and the temporarily super-intelligent [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] created the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

As the ''Transformers'' franchise continued to evolve, this mundane treatment was largely forgotten in favor of more mystical means of procreation, but permutations and new twists on the idea have continued to surface. The [[Cyberfactory|Cyberfactories]] from the cartoon-based ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'', for instance, are said to have mass-produced a new generation of Transformer life on the planet [[Earth]], and the process of "cold construction" from the [[2005 IDW continuity]] combines the concept of mechanically assembled bodies with the idea of [[spark]] infusion from an outside source. In still other stories, mechanically built Transformers are specifically flagged up as mindless "[[drone]]s." Lacking the presence of an animating [[spark]], these drones are "artifical" beings—mindless, mass-produced units who operate on a set of preprogrammed directives rather than a conscious mind.

In some ''Transformers'' universes, sufficiently connected [[human]] organizations have studied and reverse-engineered alien techno-biology to manufacture their own Transformers. In some stories, these man-made Transformers are mere drones, mindless human machines that approximate Cybertronian anatomy for their own destructive purposes, while in others the intersection of human and Cybertronian technology has given rise to fully-sentient, human-built Autobots such as the [[Autorooper]]s.
{{-}}

===Spark infusion===
{{see also|Sacred treasure|Matrix of Leadership|Primal Program|Matrix Flame|Vector Sigma|AllSpark|AllSpark Mutation}}

[[File:VectorSigmaG1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Vector Sigma holds "Disco Night" every Friday at 11 pm.]]

As the ''Transformers'' franchise evolved beyond these simple roots, later stories would firmly establish that Transformers were ''not'' simple automatons; rather, they were fully-sentient living beings. Thus, both the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] and cartoon would separately explain that the creation of a Transformer entailed infusing their physical form with a guiding, animating life-force. The ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon would eventually dub this life-force a "[[spark]]," and still later fiction revealed that sparks generally came from a supernatural artifact capable of imbuing new Transformers with life. In the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]], this artifact was the "Creation Matrix," and its [[Primal Program]], conceptual forerunner of the later [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Concurrently, the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] introduced the omniscient supercomputer [[Vector Sigma]], which turned Megatron's transforming but non-sentient robots into the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s.

After the release of both ''Beast Wars'' and its sequel ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', later stories set in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]] would essentially [[retcon]] that both the Matrix and Vector Sigma were creating new sparks whenever they brought Transformers to life. Soon, the [[Transformers (film)|2007 ''Transformers'' film]] introduced the [[AllSpark]]—coopting the name of the [[Transformer afterlife]] given in ''Beast Machines'', the metaphysical "realm" from which all Sparks were generated and returned to after death—as an artifact with similar life-giving properties, which carried over into that year's ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' cartoon. Much like Vector Sigma, both ''Animated'' and the live-action film depicted the artifact with life-giving powers, but even more pronounced: the AllSpark can infuse ''any'' machine with a spark and spontaneously bring it to life—though results can range from articulate, fully-sentient Transformers to the animalistic creatures collectively known as "[[AllSpark Mutation]]s."

In rarer circumstances, exotic substances like [[energon]] can have a similar effect on mundane objects; The various [[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBot]] tribes, for instance, are the products of [[energon radiation]] infusing everyday objects at a human shopping mall with Cybertronian robot forms. In a similar vein, [[Angolmois Energy]] displayed the ability to "evolve" normal, organic animals into [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s.

===Forging===
{{see also|Protoform|Pit (BW)|Transformer afterlife|Well of All Sparks|}}

[[File:PredaconsRisingWellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

In some ''Transformers'' tales, the creation of new sparks is tied to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself—only a healthy, thriving planet can naturally create the sparks that will become the next generation of Cybertronians. Some stories, most notably [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave's ''Generation 1'' comics]] and the [[Aligned continuity family]] have described the [[Well of All Sparks]] as the physical mechanism from which new sparks are drawn up from the core of the planet. In other stories, a sacred artifact such as Vector Sigma or the AllSpark can serve as an intermediary, the physical mechanism by which new sparks are imbued into the [[living metal]] that will become their mortal form. This mass of living metal becomes a [[protoform]], a living entity that's roughly analogous to a human fetus. Over time, the liquid metal mass cools and develops into a fully-fledged Transformer, adopting a unique personality and [[alternate mode]]. Sometimes referred to as "protoforming" or "being protoformed," [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' comic book coined the term "forging" to describe the entire process, and in the years since the term has grown to become a loose synonym for "birth" in general.
{{-}}

===Other means===
; Sexual reproduction

[[File:Sariprime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] asks where organic beings come from... and realizes that there are some questions best left unanswered.]]

{{see also|Transformer romance}}

Although the vast majority of ''Transformers'' universes feature both male and [[female Transformer|female]] Transformers with an understanding of [[Transformer romance|love]], the vast majority of Transformers do not reproduce sexually, and indeed regard this kind of procreation as something entirely alien to their mechanical worldview. (Though admittedly, there isn't a lot of direct evidence for [[human]]s reproducing sexually in most ''Transformers'' media, which is, after all, aimed towards kids.) A handful of stories have nevertheless revealed that some Transformers organize themselves into humanlike family units that could imply organic methods of reproduction... although, again, as ''Transformers'' is mostly for kids, little has been revealed beyond infrequent mentions of parents and the occasional crude innuendo, the latter almost certainly added for comedy's sake rather than any kind of definitive canon.

Some versions of [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s backstory, for instance, note that his parents died in the crash that marooned him on the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. Similarly, the Japanese [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]] reveals that [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] and his forces have been fighting for the sake of their civilian families living on top of the [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]], which include Deathsaurus's wife [[Esmeral (G1)|Esmeral]] and many [[Baby Dinoforce|children]]. In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] mentions parents, while in ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] alludes to a bad relationship with his father.
{{-}}

{{anchor|Budding}}
; Budding
{{See also|Swarm (G2)|l1=Swarm}}

[[File:G2issue5-PowerandtheGlory-BuddingSteps.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Budding doesn't look like much fun at ALL. It looks like ''Aliens versus Predator'' all over again.]]

The [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Transformers: Generation 2'' comic]] revealed that, after their creation by [[Primus]], early Transformers reproduced by "budding," a {{w|mitosis|mitosis}}-like form of asexual reproduction whereby Transformers could rapidly reproduce by generating a mass of energized liquid metal from within their body. This mass then splits itself off from the "parent" Transformer to become a new Cybertronian. Illustrations suggest that this is something of a communal event, with others surrounding the budding robot in a circle. Once the Transformers had hit a population level that Primus deemed desirable, the practice stopped and all memory of it was erased.

When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] faction rediscovered and revived the process over the next 4 million years after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s disappearance, Primus's lifeforce was spread thinner and thinner between them, and the successive generations of budded Transformers became increasingly less sentient and emotional. The lifeform called the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] was created as a byproduct of the process. Transformers who have undergone the budding process retain some sort of primal link to their offspring; the Decepticon [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] doubles over in pain when his Cybertronian descendant [[Mindset (G2)|Mindset]] is destroyed, and the [[Liege Maximo]] says he would know if his descendant, Megatron, were to die.
{{-}}

; Cloning
{{See also|Cloning}}

[[File:Lotta starscreams.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Transformers possess [[CNA|genetic material]] of a sort, and this "genome" can be copied and manipulated by scientifically minded individuals to create [[cloning|clones]]. In some instances, these cloned Transformers are identical in every way to the donor Transformer; in other stories, cloned Transformers may take on different names, color schemes, develop new personalities, and even possess radically different [[alternate mode]]s—they are, essentially, a new individual with little connection to the original beyond the circumstances of their creation.

{{--}}

===Familial relationships===
''See also: [[Relatives]], [[Twin]]s

[[File:PrimeDirective4 Cover SunstreakerSideswipe.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

Although the Transformers are generally understood to reproduce asexually, canonical sources have sometimes used genealogical terminology to describe certain relationships. Most commonly, some Transformers possess siblings, and more often than not these siblings are referred to as [[twin]]s— [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], or [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. When ''Transformers'' fiction has deigned to give an explanation for this phenomenon, the most common explanation is that twins are the result of a "split protoform" or a "split spark"; akin to the random splitting of a human zygote.

The setting of the [[Beast Era]] featured a cast of characters far removed in time from the original [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, which the show's cast of [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s referred to as their "ancestors." [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] occasionally mentions his "great-aunt" [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and some sources have referred to [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s descendant. In the absence of sexual reproduction, the use and meaning of these genealogical references is difficult to explain. This term may also be used in an ideological sense or even a technological sense, much as the CD or MP3 player is, in a way, a "descendant" of the gramophone.
{{-}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comic=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Prima.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
Before Primus shut down, he gave the Transformers a "genetic matrix" that contained his essence and power, which could be used to create more Transformers without his direct involvement. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} This "Creation Matrix" contained a "[[Primal Program]]" encoded within the Matrix's crystal,<ref>[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Marvel comic profile]</ref> which could be used to give life to new Transformers. Over time, the Matrix passed from one leader to the next, until, by the modern day, it had come into the possession of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The New Order}} ''Although Optimus Prime would eventually leave Earth, the [[Matrix Flame]] on Cybertron burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed and could channel its life-giving energies. The Autobot resistance on Cybertron harnessed the Flame to create their new warrior, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]].''<ref>Ultra Magnus profile page in Marvel UK [[Target: 2006#Defeat!|#81]]</ref>

Once the Transformer war spilled over to modern Earth, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] captured and decapitated the Autobot leader, using the Creation Matrix to build and animate the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Shockwave then attempted to imbue life into the newly built [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], but was thwarted by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], who had had the Matrix downloaded into his mind by Prime's still-living head. {{storylink|Prime Time!}} Once Prime had been rescued, he used the Matrix to bring Jetfire to life. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
[[File:TNA.gif|thumb|left|200px|With the right early screening, even [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarming]] might some day be preventable.]]
Soon after Primus created [[Prima]] and the first generation of Cybertronians, he gave them the ability to "bud" off from one another as a way to rapidly increase their population, replicating their own genetic material in the process. However, this method of reproduction posed its own unique dangers, and was only ever intended to be a stopgap measure to quickly grow their numbers beyond the Transformers Primus himself had created from the fabric of Cybertron. If Transformers budded ''too'' much, the essence of their creator would grow thinner and thinner between them, resulting in a cold and emotionless race.

Once Cybertron's population grew to a desired number, Primus caused his creations to forget about the process entirely, leaving them to reproduce using the Matrix alone... but eventually a group of Decepticons would resurrect the process, quickly shedding their ignoble origins to become the coldly efficient [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] empire. This new faction relied exclusively on budding to procreate, but their overuse of the process led to the creation of the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}
{{-}}

====Cartoon continuities====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:Aerialbots group.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
Although some Transformers such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} were simply built on Earth like conventional machines, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] first created the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s by rebuilding five normal road machines into transforming, remote-controlled robots; unlike the Dinobots, these remained entirely mindless automatons. To turn them into truly sapient Cybertronian lifeforms, Megatron took them to [[Vector Sigma]] on Cybertron, and ordered the ancient computer to bring his creations to life, granting them Cybertronian intellects and personalities. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} In turn, the Autobots constructed their own team, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], and brought them to life through a similar process. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

A temporarily superintelligent [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] created the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s using parts from [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s severed head, and sacrificed his own enormous intellect to imbue the team with above-average intelligence—a process, that, notably, did not involve Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

=====''Victory'' comic=====
A large population of civilian Decepticons lived atop the [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]], including [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s wife [[Esmeral (G1)|Esmeral]], his son, and many other small dinosaur Transformers, collectively dubbed the "[[Baby Dinoforce]]." {{storylink|The Grand Victory War}}

=====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity=====
Although the Autobots and Quintessons made several Transformers without the aid of Vector Sigma (a form of [[Primus]]), those base Transformers were not considered fully alive robots, being considered by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] in [[1985]] as more akin to animals. He would change his mind after creating the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbots]] in [[2011]], where he realized they were still legitimate [[Transformer]]s in their own right, just with less intelligence. Over time, the Monsterbots would grow fully-developed minds. {{Storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 3}} The intelligent [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]' creation was possible because [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] had absorbed Vector Sigma's knowledge when he became a genius. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
Cybertronians in this universe are created on assembly lines at specialized production centers. These plants seem to create Cybertronians based on set blueprints that determine both their design and to some degree their personality, as both [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn's]] unique appearance/attitude and [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist's]] extra processor are explained as being the result of "glitches" in their production lines. Cybertronians seem to hold some loyalty to the center that created them, as Side Burn joined the Autobots after his own was destroyed by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 39|Side Burn's profile in Club magazine #39}} {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 36|Ironfist's profile in Club magazine #36}}

In the years following the revitalization of Cybertron, a Cybertronian alliance with Earth and Nebulos led to the proliferation of [[Cyberfactory|Cyberfactories]] across the planet to mass-produce a new generation of Earthborn Transformers. These factories operated using technology reverse engineered from Vector Sigma to bring the new Transformers online. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

Following the Rebirth, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] utilized advanced cloning technology to birth a "second generation" of Cybertronians modelled after the mightiest of Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|A Flash Forward (story arc)|A Flash Forward}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[File:Stasispod.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Both [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s begin as protoforms, nonsentient masses of liquid metal. Protoforms are fragile in their unprotected state, vulnerable to [[energon radiation]], {{storylink|The Spark}}, but given the right circumstances they can survive indefinitely when inside a [[stasis pod]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} Where exactly these new protoforms and the sparks they carry ''come'' from is something of a mystery; some semi-canonical sources have inferred the existence of an autonomous "[[Matrix (facility)|Matrix facility]]" and a "[[Pit (BW)|Pit]]" where Maximal and Predacon protoforms are respectively manufactured, but details are scarce and sometimes contradictory. {{storylink|Beast Wars Universe}} {{storylink|The Razor's Edge}}

The protoforms aboard the Maximal starship ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' were placed in stasis pods for their journey, but after the ship and its crew found themselves diverted to prehistoric [[Earth]], the newborn protoforms were ejected into orbit rather than risk damage in the crash. When a stasis pod landed on Earth, its inbuilt [[DNA scanner]] surveyed the terrain for nearby lifeforms, then generated a [[beast mode]] for the new protoform, based on the local wildlife, to bring the new Transformer online. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}} {{storylink|The Spark}} Predacon [[shell program]]s are capable of altering the personality of a protoform before its activation, potentially turning them into an obedient Predacon soldier. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}} {{storylink|Spider's Game}}
{{-}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:MTMTE-cloning.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Transformers generally begin life as a protoform, a skeletal mass of partially formed circuits that can be altered to suit specific needs. These are kept in stasis pods filled with nurturing nutrient gel until the body is infused with a spark, usually from the Matrix. If the Matrix is absent, life can be granted by attuning the protoform to an energy wavelength similar to the Matrix and then applying a concentrated burst of energon. This alternative is rarely used, as it is extremely resource-consumptive and requires restrictively high amounts of energon. Once a spark is infused into a protoform, it begins a reformatting process that designs its own robot and alternate modes for the new Cybertronian. Some believed that the Cybertronian race had yet to explore other potential avenues of creating Transformers, although what form this might take remains mysterious. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

Following the loss of the ''Ark'', [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] began experimenting with new methods of creating life, including cloning. {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}} The process sought to induce the natural splitting of a spark through technological means, manipulating a pair of protoforms to match based on a set of pre-programmed variables. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}} From this, he created several unique individuals based on both Autobots and Decepticons like including [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], an experimental, highly unstable clone of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} As resources grew scarce, Shockwave worked with the Autobots to create a new generation of Transformers by secretly tapping the power of Vector Sigma. Eventually, their efforts gave rise to the [[Micromaster]]s, a smaller and more fuel-efficient breed of Cybertronian. {{storylink|Destined for Nothing}}
{{-}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
{{quote|No one has a right to know how a fellow Cybertronian was created. There's a thin line between categorization and segregation, and I never want to see it crossed again.|[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]|"[[Twenty Plus One]]". No one tell him about the table below.}}

[[File:Chromedome and Rodimus with a spark.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|Baby ''boom''? Baby fuel-air bomb!]]
According to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], no mechanical lifeforms in the galaxy are capable of sexual reproduction. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} Thus, Cybertronians are normally created through one of two methods: they are either "'''forged'''" or "'''constructed cold'''." Their names include an "of [place]" suffix to describe where they were born, e.g. "[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]".

Forged Transformers are created when an energy pulse from Vector Sigma flashes across Cybertron and its moons, igniting [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s where new sparks emerged from the planet. After a great celebration, Cybertronians would gather "[[living metal|sentio metallico]]" from the planet's surface, "nurturing" the substance until it coalesced around a freshly-harvested spark. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Beginning as a simple geometric shape, a newborn protoform follows the [[CNA|genetic instructions]] hard-coded within their spark to develop limbs, facial features, and components related to their future alternate mode. {{storylink|Silent Light}} If the protoform struggles to find a form, specialized medical professionals known as [[blacksmith]]s help the new Transformer along by sculpting the metal into its most natural shape. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Once a protoform cools into a solid mechanical form, the young Transformer develops by imprinting on its surroundings, learning how to walk, talk, interact with others, and even [[Transformation|transform]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} From "first flash" to the final product, the maturation process lasts no more than two weeks, {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} with the specific protoform-to-Transformer phase taking anywhere from two to five days. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

A small group of forged Transformers are known as "[[Point One Percenter]]s" (about 0.01% of the population) and may possess strength, durability, or endurance beyond that of the average Transformer. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Some [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s carried hot spots within their bodies, using the Transformers birthed from these hot spots to colonize distant worlds during the reign of the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} The [[Velocitron]]ian Titan [[Navitas]] once identified [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] as the "sparkling" of [[Caminus (planet)|her planet]]'s Titan, [[Caminus (Titan)|Caminus]]. {{storylink|Race Against the Light}}

[[File:YourFirstMistake-ColdConstruction.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Sex Ed. Volume 1, or: '''PANTS FULL OF SHAME'''.]]

Cold construction was instituted by [[Nova Prime]] after the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]; fearing that the increasingly infrequent pulsewaves from Vector Sigma would halt entirely and leave him without enough Transformers to create his [[Expansion|grand galactic empire]], Nova entrusted the Matrix of Leadership to a science team headed by [[Solomus|Tyrest]] and charged them with tapping its legendary energies of creation. The scientists succeeded in doing so, and proved able to generate thousands of sparks a day and house them in artificially-built bodies in what historians would dub the "[[Silver Harvest]]." Sparks were produced at such a rapid rate that they had to be stockpiled until new bodies could be constructed. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} To do so, the sparks were "frozen" in [[photonic crystal]]s until they were "thawed" and placed in a body inside a specialized postnatal facility, leading to the term "constructed cold". {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} Unbeknownst to the majority of Cybertronians, these photonic crystals were themselves manufactured by a unique Cybertronian, [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} The prefabricated forms that housed Matrix-derived sparks did not match the "genetic instructions" encoded within a newborn spark, and at least one constructed cold Transformer, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], developed a habit of periodically changing bodies. [[Windblade (G1)|Some]] interpreted this as a sign that his spark was still subconsciously trying to find its "true form", {{storylink|Your First Mistake}} but [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|others]] held that it was merely a sign of his own vanity. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

[[File:TheLopsidedTriangle-MTOs.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

Recognizing the potential for outcry against what they were doing, a cover story was put in place to explain the birth of these new Transformers: the public were told that they were created via '''spark-splicing''', using the energy of a Forged spark to ignite a new one. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Eventually, one of the scientists had an attack of conscience and stole the Matrix, replacing it with a forgery; unaware of this, Tyrest and his team believed that they had bled the Matrix dry. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} The public were never told why the "spark-splicing" program was stopped; as such, by the time of [[Nominus Prime]]'s assassination, Senator [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] had made repeated lobbies to resurrect it. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Resentment towards constructed cold robots led to religiously motivated prejudice in the name of [[Adaptus]] and even apartheid against the "knock-offs." By the time [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] was first arrested, the [[Senate]] had relaxed these laws and the discrimination was ''officially'' considered a thing of the past, cough cough. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} Megatron himself occupied a unique position as the only "hybrid" 'bot. Originating as a wholly cold-constructed bot, the body's original spark was destroyed by a time-travelling [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]; a Point One Percenter spark which had been harvested on Luna 1 in the present day was placed in the empty shell by [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

[[File:KillAllCons ScorponokWithLilBaby.jpg|thumb|150px|"The next thing I knew, I was pregnant."]]

As the war dragged on, the Autobots discovered a long abandoned cache of frozen sparks from Nova Prime's era. Desperate to bolster their numbers, Autobot command began mass-producing legions of cold-constructed soldiers to fill out their ranks. These "[[M.T.O.|Made to Order]]" soldiers were named after the campaigns they were activated for, e.g. "[[Getaway]] of the [[Corcapsia Incursion]]". Early M.T.Os followed a ten-step education program before they could be declared fit for duty; as the war worsened, however, the number of steps dwindled to seven, then, finally, three simple directives uploaded directly into their minds as their sparks thawed so that new M.T.Os could be airdropped as soon as they came online. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} The Decepticons had their own supplies of M.T.O. soldiers, including [[Ambulon]]. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} Decepticon M.T.Os were constructed using raw material from melted-down Autobot prisoners, but where their sparks were sourced from is not known. {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}} The Decepticons experimented with cloning late in the war and created three sentient [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s from experiments on a naturally-occurring subterranean species. The process proved horribly inefficient, however, and the three thousand failures lived on as the ravenous [[Insecticon swarm|"Insecticon swarm"]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

The scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)#2005 IDW continuity|Mesothulas]] invented a third form of "reproduction" after discovering the ability to create an artificial spark by synthesizing Matrix energy. The only known being created through this method was "Ostaros", a robot who would later become [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]], indistinguishable from any other Cybertronian save for the circumstances of his creation. Whether or not Springer counts as a "true" Cybertronian, or merely an advanced <s>replicant</s> <s>synth</s> robot, is presumably up to the reader to decide. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}} After the war, Scorponok obtained the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] and learned how to infuse organic lifeforms with extracted sparks. To revitalize the dying Decepticon movement, he planned to mass-produce these biological creatures; by reproducing sexually, the spark they carried would split again and again and again until their population reached a desired number, at which point their sparks would be harvested and placed back into cold constructed bodies. Only [[Firstborn|one organic]] was produced as a proof of concept before Scorponok lost possession of both the child and the Magnificence. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}}

{| cellpadding="5" class="tt1_featuredCharacters mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
|colspan="6"|Characters by origin
|-
! style="background:#004000;color:white" colspan="3"|Forged
! style="background:navy;color:white" colspan="3"|Constructed cold
|-
! style="background:#a1f088" align="center"|Pre-war
! style="background:#b7f78d" align="center"|"Warborn"
! style="background:#bcf27c" align="center"|Unknown
! style="background:#9abce2" align="center"|First wave
! style="background:#8ec1f6" align="center"|Second wave/M.T.O.
! style="background:#7dc7f1" align="center"|Unknown
|-
| style="background:#BCF7AA" valign="top"|
{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent;"
|-
| valign="top"|
*[[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
*[[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]
*[[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
*[[Tarn (G1)|Damus/Glitch/Tarn]]
*[[Dominus Ambus]]
*[[Eucryphia]]
*[[Functionist Council|The Functionist Council]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]
*[[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]]
*[[Grindcore (G1)|Grindcore]]
*[[Guiding Hand]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]
*[[Knights of Cybertron|The Knights of Cybertron]]
*[[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]]
*[[Maximal#2005 IDW continuity|Maximals]]
*[[Minimus Ambus]]
*[[Myskrion]]
*[[Nova Prime|Nova Major/Nova Prime]]
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]
| valign="top"|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax/Optimus Prime]]
*[[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]]
*[[Quark]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]]
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]
*[[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
*[[Septimus Prime]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Tailpipe (G1)|Tailpipe]]
*[[Thinkbox]]
*[[Thirteen#IDW|The Thirteen Primes]]
*[[Titan (group)|Titans]]<ref group="idw">At least thirteen of the Titans carried hot spots within their bodies for colonization purposes; by extension all known Transformers native to the colony worlds are Forged.</ref>
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Tusk]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
|}
| style="background:#D0FCB3" valign="top"|

*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]
*[[Fulcrum]]
| style="background:#CEF99D" valign="top"|
*[[Animus]]
*[[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]]
*[[Blockus]]
*[[Convoy (G1)|Convoy]]
*[[Datum]]
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
*[[Heretech]]
*[[Misfire (G1)|Flyhigh/Misfire]]
*[[Ramp]]
*[[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]]
*[[Suture (G1)|Suture]]
*[[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]]
| style="background:#B8D1ED" valign="top"|
*[[Kaon (G1)|Kaon]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]
*[[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]<ref group="idw">Megatron is a hybrid Transformer, consisting of a forged spark in a cold constructed body.</ref>
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]
*[[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]
*[[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]]
*[[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Tumbler/Chromedome]]
| style="background:#b4d8fc" valign="top"|
*[[Ambulon]]
*[[Ammo]]
*[[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]
*[[Dipstick]]
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Genitus/Brainstorm]]
*[[Getaway]]
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]
*[[Scattergun]]
| style="background:#9ed7f8" valign="top"|
*[[Agonizer]]
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]]
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]
|}

<references group="idw"/>
{{--}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
Little is known about how the "[[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]]"—the former Autobots and Decepticons who fought the Great War—reproduced, although they regarded Vector Sigma as their "font of life". {{storylink|Head Games}} By the end of their conflict Vector Sigma was counted among the casualties, threatening the dying Cybertronian race with slow extinction. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} During their heyday, science identified some particularly exceptional Builders as Point One Percenters, who had helped thwart Unicron's attack on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

Correctly realizing that the Cybertronian race was doomed without an alternate means of generating new sparks, [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] bargained with the hyper-evolved [[Human Confederacy]] in the hopes that they could grant his race a future. Using the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] they provided, he helped to create the Maximals and Predacons as successors to the Autobots and Decepticons—but even though his contemporaries merely saw these newly created "proto-races" as slaves to continue their old grudges via vicious gladiatorial [[Games (competition)|Games]], Cerebros viewed this as an acceptable sacrifice to curtail further Cybertronian aggression. {{storylink|Head Games}}

Years into the [[Grand Uprising]], the artificially created [[Galva Convoy]] and his cloned energon matrix devised the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]], a mass-produced proto-race that could "reproduce" by infecting other Cybertronians and transforming them into more mindless Vehicons. Originally conceived as a weapon of war, the rise of the Vehicons soon snowballed into the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] that effectively ended the Grand Uprising. {{storylink|Derailment}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
After the onset of the Great War, several Cybertronians were constructed cold. {{storylink|The Truth We Make}}

====''TransTech''====
As Maximals with "fully integrated organic parts," [[Kitte Shūshū]] and her husband [[Z Grill]] conceived their son [[Stampy (BW)|Stampy]] using them—the only explicit confirmation of sexual reproduction in the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref>This hasn't stopped fan fiction writers from speculating, though.</ref> {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/10}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
Following [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s defeat, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and his spouse [[Cover Girl]] used a combination of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], [[binary bonding]], and [[technoactive cube|technoactive core]] technology to conceive a half-Cybertronian, half-human child. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:WannabeePart2-BumblebeeForging.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
New Transformers are forged from Cybertron's living metal, a process that begins with the mass harvesting of raw materials by gigantic, mobile crawlers such as [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} and continues at the [[Forge Pyramid|Pyramid]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], where this metal is shaped into a new body to house a spark obtained from the Well of All Sparks. Finally, the newborn Transformer is introduced to the people of Cybertron in a great open-air celebration officiated by the reigning [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}} The Transformers of this universe emerge in a comparatively underdeveloped state; born without a concrete understanding of the world around them and lacking an [[alternate mode]], the task of educating these new Transformers falls to a volunteer "[[mentor]]" that essentially serves as a parent. Under their mentor's tutelage, new Cybertronians learn about life on Cybertron, apprentice themselves in a job that suits their interests and talents, and eventually [[scanning|scan]] an alternate mode for themselves. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

With the passing of the [[Nominus Edict]] in the years that followed the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], the forging of new Transformer lives became a strictly controlled affair, only permitted every few kilocycles when the [[Senate]] deemed it appropriate. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}} Despite this, at least one freak accident resulted in the birth of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] mere hours after [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s own forging. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}}
{{-}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
[[File:Linkage7 Twirl-Baby.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
====''Armada'' cartoon====
Very little is known about how new Transformers come online in this continuity, with the exception of the [[Mini-Con]]s. These tiny Transformers were deliberately created by [[Unicron]] from his cells so as to accelerate the ferocity of the Transformer war on Cybertron; their collective birth had them all hatch from glowing green pods of energy inside Unicron's innermost workings. {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}}

====Linkage====
[[Redline]] and [[Falcia]] combined energy from their [[Digital Entity Frame|spark frame]]s in order to create a new body for [[Twirl (Armada)|Twirl]] to inhabit after her [[Mini-Con storage panel]] was destroyed in battle. After returning to the living world, Twirl viewed the pair as her "father" and "mother," a claim that Falcia vehemently denied. {{storylink|Linkage Part 7}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Foundation1-hatchlings.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Transformer mythology holds that their race was created by the [[AllSpark]], an ancient artifact of unknown origin. When the artifact found its way to Earth, the [[human]]s of [[Sector Seven]] experimented with the AllSpark's life-giving properties, and discovered that the AllSpark's energy could animate machinery and turn any electronic device into feral "[[AllSpark Mutation]]s." This power made it of interest to the Decepticons, who, after arriving on Earth, sought to recover the AllSpark and use its power to create a new generation of Decepticons from Earth's technology to conquer the organic world. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

Somewhat confusingly, this continuity family also provides the most evidence for some kind of sexual reproduction: various characters such as [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}} and [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} have alluded to mothers and fathers, ancillary tie-in media has claimed that [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] killed his and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s father, {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers Autobots}} Megatron himself supposedly possesses "chromosomes," {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}} and [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] humps [[Mikaela Banes]]' leg in a moment of passion. (Yeah...) {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

At any rate, those Transformers in this universe who are not simply brought to life by the AllSpark begin as "[[hatchling]]s," tiny unprogrammed protoforms who gestate in fluid sacs and require regular doses of [[energon]] to survive. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} As they mature, hatchlings leave this pod and begin to consume minerals. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}} Eventually, they assume their adult dimensions, becoming a [[protoform]] capable of engaging in [[scanning]] for new alternate modes. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} The [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]]s appeared to have reproduced during the three years since [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s departure from Earth, birthing the rambunctious "[[Mini Dinobot]]s," but details beyond this are scarce. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}
{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[File:Ani42 protoformblank.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
New protoforms are created from Cybertron's abundant reserves of [[Living metal|protomatter]], mined from the planet's [[Sonic Canyons]]. Once harvested, this metal then placed inside a [[stasis pod]] and exposed to the light of the special Matrix Chamber within the dojo of the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]]. After many stellar cycles, the protoforms are imbued with sparks and brought online. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} Young Autobots may attend [[Autobot boot camp]] to learn how to work as a team. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}} Traditionally, protoforms were granted sparks through the [[AllSpark]], which had supposedly created the Transformer race ten billion years prior; when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s Decepticons sought to seize the AllSpark for themselves during the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], the Autobots hid the artifact in deep space, far from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} Although the Autobots no longer controlled the AllSpark, they could still bring new protoforms online by using [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

When [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and his crew inadvertently stumbled upon the AllSpark in the present day and destroyed its physical form during a battle on [[Earth]], the "AllSpark fragments" that remained displayed the ability to animate machinery, {{storylink|The Elite Guard}} each fragment acting as an immortal, indestructible [[spark]]. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}} Two AllSpark fragments turned a pair of [[human]] machines into the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s; {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}} another fragment brought a heap of garbage to life as the eccentric [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]], {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out}} and [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] used a cadre of stolen protoforms and subdivided his own AllSpark fragment to create a legion of dysfunctional [[Starscream clone (Animated)|clones]]. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
In this backwards universe, new Cybertronians receive "[[Spark#Embers|embers]]" from the [[Omega Terminus]] supercomputer. Legions of misshapen [[mutant (SG)|mutant]]s attend to this twisted machine by gathering the corpses of the dead from across Cybertron and bringing them to the mass graveyard that surrounds the computer's plinth. Over time, Omega Terminus processes, breaks down, and recycles these remains into fresh robotic bodies, then imbues them with embers to bring them to life. The influence of Omega Terminus ensures that newborn Transformers quickly forget their origins, and its existence is thus considered to be a myth to the people of Cybertron.

In addition to this, the Omega Terminus can also grant embers to non-sentient Cybertronian mechanoids. [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]] was one such being; under the influence of the Omega Terminus, he rapidly evolved from a simplistic, AI-powered machine into a true Cybertronian, gaining a powerful robot mode and a sophisticated intellect to boot. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:OneShallRise1-WellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

All Cybertronians begin their existence in the [[Well of All Sparks]]. This channel to the living core of Cybertron, created after the death of [[Solus Prime]] and her return to Primus, {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} is where new sparks are formed through the [[AllSpark]] that traditionally resides within the Well. In eras past, new protoforms would first have to reach the surface via a death-defying run through the [[Underworld]] and its assorted horrors to prove their courage and bravery, but this practice eventually faded—by the era just before the Great War, protoforms were simply harvested from the Well, taught to transform, and put to work under the [[Functionism|caste system]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Other near-Cybertronian creatures, such as the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, could replicate themselves, but each successive generation grew increasingly primitive. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

The earliest Transformers born from the Well were unaware that they could [[transformation|transform]] at all; when the [[Quintesson]]s took control of the planet during the [[Age of Wrath]], they claimed that they had given the Cybertronian race this ability. The influence that the Quintessons exerted over the primitive planet was considerable to the point where newborn Cybertronians during this era began emerging from the well without names, merely numbers. Finally, however, an underground resistance group captured [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]] as he emerged from the Well and examined him to prove that the [[transformation cog|T-cog]] was a natural part of Transformer biology.

[[File:Armada-protoforms.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]

In the [[Golden Age]] that followed the expulsion of the Quintessons from their world, Transformers colonized other planets by using [[conversion beam]]s to instantaneously [[cyberforming|cyberform]] promising planets into metallic, Cybertron-like worlds. A portion of Cybertron's own AllSpark energy was used to ignite the colony's core to create a miniature copy of the original Well on Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

When the Autobot/Decepticon war erupted, however, the AllSpark briefly ceased to produce life in a seeming act of divine rebellion. However the AllSpark created one final wave of Transformers who unanimously joined the Autobots, a generation that included [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} During the war, the Decepticon [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] experimented with cloning, and even managed to create armies of [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]s based off prehistoric creatures who had once roamed ancient Cybertron. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} The Decepticons were able to clone protoforms, and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] used an abandoned science lab aboard the Decepticon vessel ''[[Harbinger]]'' to briefly create a team of [[Starscream clone (Prime)|clone]]s. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}} After the end of the war, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who had since absorbed the energy of the AllSpark into his physical form for safekeeping, sacrificed his life to reignite the Well and give birth to a brand-new generation of Cybertronians. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
The Decepticon [[Ragnarok]] was an [[Outlier (group)|Outlier]] who could clone himself at will by budding. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/25}}

Any part of [[The One|The Source]]—including both [[Primus]] and [[Unicron]], as well as the [[Chronarchitect]]—can be harnessed to create a new spark, and even Unicron's poisonous emanations like [[Dark Energon]] and [[Angolmois Energy]] can be used, under the correct circumstances, to grant life to Cybertronian bodies. [[Vector Prime]] held that it was not the ''origins'' of a spark that determined its future alignment, and pointed out that all sparks had the capacity for both good and evil. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 23/07/2015}}

===''Cyberverse''===
The [[AllSpark|Allspark]] was the source of Cybertronian life and the mechanism by which new sparks came into existence. {{storylink|Allspark (episode)|Allspark}} During the Great War, [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] hoped to use Vector Sigma to reprogram the Allspark, then use it to create to a new generation of unstoppable Decepticon warriors. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}} Although this plan was ultimately foiled in one universe, [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|the Megatron of an alternate timeline]] accomplished this goal after killing his universe's [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]], and used the Allspark of his universe to create an army of [[Decepticon supersoldier]]s. {{storylink|The Other One}}

===''EarthSpark''===
Fifteen years after the end of the [[Great War (ES)|Transformers' war]], the first new generation of Transformers in many years were created when [[Robby Malto|Robby]] and [[Mo Malto|Mo]] Malto placed their hands on the [[Emberstone]], an artifact of [[Quintus Prime]]. The stone constructed new protoforms from the Earth, creating the first ever [[Terran]] Transformers, [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]]. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}}

==Toys==
When two toy manufacturing companies love each other very much, [[Hasbro|one of them]] may start shooting Transformer design propositions to the [[TakaraTomy|other one]]. There, during several months of gestation, engineers will work on those designs, which will be developed into functional and manufacturable Transformers. Once the Transformer is ready to be produced, its design will be sent to marketing and ultimately to the chain manufacturer for the delivery. Voilà! A new Transformer is born!

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==Notes==
* During the early years of the ''Transformers'' franchise, Hasbro had a strict "no-girls" policy regarding the potential existence of [[female Transformer]]s. Hence, Marvel writer [[Bob Budiansky]]'s invention of the Creation Matrix as a means of generating new life began as a way to explain how the Transformers could procreate.<ref>[http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/ Bob Budiansky Interview at BWTF.com]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Jiko zōshokunō''' (自己増殖能, "budding"), '''Forged''' (フォージド ''Fōjido''), '''Constructed cold''' (コンストラクテッド・コールド ''Konsutorakuteddo Kōrudo''), '''Spark ketsugō''' (スパーク結合, "spark-splicing")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Reproduction

2024-11-07T19:53:20Z

MegaSolus: /* EarthSpark */

{{featured}}

[[File:MangaDinoforceBabies.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|HOW IS BABBY FORMED?]]

Though their bodies may be mechanical, [[Transformer]]s are, at heart, living beings, and like all creatures, Cybertronians also create new members of their species. But while organic life-forms procreate through a comparatively quick, self-contained, and straightforward procedure, Cybertronian '''reproduction''' is a complicated affair. The vast majority of Cybertronians reproduce asexually, but how exactly a new Transformer is created, given life, and introduced to the world is a complicated process—a process that often plays a key role in the origin of their species and culture, even if individual methods of reproduction often vary wildly across different [[continuity family|continuity families]].

{{quote|This is only one method of creating new Transformers. There are others.|[[Bob Budiansky]] knows not to leave himself tied down, in his pitch for the Matrix concept<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref>}}

==Reproductive methods==
''See also: [[Protoform]], [[Hatchling]]''

===Mechanical construction===
: ''See also: [[Drone]], [[:Category:Man-made Transformers|Man-made Transformers]]
[[File:SOSDinobots buildingSludge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|"I've been workin' on the Dinobot, all the live long day..."]]

In the very earliest days of the ''Transformers'' franchise, before the franchise established the more supernatural aspects of Cybertronian biology, early fictional portrayals treated the Transformers like conventional—albeit highly sophisticated—robots. With the right parts and technical knowledge, anyone could simply build a new Transformer like an ordinary machine. Once built, this new Transformer simply springs to life, a sentient and fully-functioning individual. In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''Transformers'' cartoon]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and company created the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] this way, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s rebuilt a human city into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and the temporarily super-intelligent [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] created the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

As the ''Transformers'' franchise continued to evolve, this mundane treatment was largely forgotten in favor of more mystical means of procreation, but permutations and new twists on the idea have continued to surface. The [[Cyberfactory|Cyberfactories]] from the cartoon-based ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'', for instance, are said to have mass-produced a new generation of Transformer life on the planet [[Earth]], and the process of "cold construction" from the [[2005 IDW continuity]] combines the concept of mechanically assembled bodies with the idea of [[spark]] infusion from an outside source. In still other stories, mechanically built Transformers are specifically flagged up as mindless "[[drone]]s." Lacking the presence of an animating [[spark]], these drones are "artifical" beings—mindless, mass-produced units who operate on a set of preprogrammed directives rather than a conscious mind.

In some ''Transformers'' universes, sufficiently connected [[human]] organizations have studied and reverse-engineered alien techno-biology to manufacture their own Transformers. In some stories, these man-made Transformers are mere drones, mindless human machines that approximate Cybertronian anatomy for their own destructive purposes, while in others the intersection of human and Cybertronian technology has given rise to fully-sentient, human-built Autobots such as the [[Autorooper]]s.
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===Spark infusion===
{{see also|Sacred treasure|Matrix of Leadership|Primal Program|Matrix Flame|Vector Sigma|AllSpark|AllSpark Mutation}}

[[File:VectorSigmaG1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Vector Sigma holds "Disco Night" every Friday at 11 pm.]]

As the ''Transformers'' franchise evolved beyond these simple roots, later stories would firmly establish that Transformers were ''not'' simple automatons; rather, they were fully-sentient living beings. Thus, both the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] and cartoon would separately explain that the creation of a Transformer entailed infusing their physical form with a guiding, animating life-force. The ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon would eventually dub this life-force a "[[spark]]," and still later fiction revealed that sparks generally came from a supernatural artifact capable of imbuing new Transformers with life. In the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]], this artifact was the "Creation Matrix," and its [[Primal Program]], conceptual forerunner of the later [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Concurrently, the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] introduced the omniscient supercomputer [[Vector Sigma]], which turned Megatron's transforming but non-sentient robots into the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s.

After the release of both ''Beast Wars'' and its sequel ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', later stories set in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]] would essentially [[retcon]] that both the Matrix and Vector Sigma were creating new sparks whenever they brought Transformers to life. Soon, the [[Transformers (film)|2007 ''Transformers'' film]] introduced the [[AllSpark]]—coopting the name of the [[Transformer afterlife]] given in ''Beast Machines'', the metaphysical "realm" from which all Sparks were generated and returned to after death—as an artifact with similar life-giving properties, which carried over into that year's ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' cartoon. Much like Vector Sigma, both ''Animated'' and the live-action film depicted the artifact with life-giving powers, but even more pronounced: the AllSpark can infuse ''any'' machine with a spark and spontaneously bring it to life—though results can range from articulate, fully-sentient Transformers to the animalistic creatures collectively known as "[[AllSpark Mutation]]s."

In rarer circumstances, exotic substances like [[energon]] can have a similar effect on mundane objects; The various [[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBot]] tribes, for instance, are the products of [[energon radiation]] infusing everyday objects at a human shopping mall with Cybertronian robot forms. In a similar vein, [[Angolmois Energy]] displayed the ability to "evolve" normal, organic animals into [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s.

===Forging===
{{see also|Protoform|Pit (BW)|Transformer afterlife|Well of All Sparks|}}

[[File:PredaconsRisingWellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

In some ''Transformers'' tales, the creation of new sparks is tied to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself—only a healthy, thriving planet can naturally create the sparks that will become the next generation of Cybertronians. Some stories, most notably [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave's ''Generation 1'' comics]] and the [[Aligned continuity family]] have described the [[Well of All Sparks]] as the physical mechanism from which new sparks are drawn up from the core of the planet. In other stories, a sacred artifact such as Vector Sigma or the AllSpark can serve as an intermediary, the physical mechanism by which new sparks are imbued into the [[living metal]] that will become their mortal form. This mass of living metal becomes a [[protoform]], a living entity that's roughly analogous to a human fetus. Over time, the liquid metal mass cools and develops into a fully-fledged Transformer, adopting a unique personality and [[alternate mode]]. Sometimes referred to as "protoforming" or "being protoformed," [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' comic book coined the term "forging" to describe the entire process, and in the years since the term has grown to become a loose synonym for "birth" in general.
{{-}}

===Other means===
; Sexual reproduction

[[File:Sariprime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] asks where organic beings come from... and realizes that there are some questions best left unanswered.]]

{{see also|Transformer romance}}

Although the vast majority of ''Transformers'' universes feature both male and [[female Transformer|female]] Transformers with an understanding of [[Transformer romance|love]], the vast majority of Transformers do not reproduce sexually, and indeed regard this kind of procreation as something entirely alien to their mechanical worldview. (Though admittedly, there isn't a lot of direct evidence for [[human]]s reproducing sexually in most ''Transformers'' media, which is, after all, aimed towards kids.) A handful of stories have nevertheless revealed that some Transformers organize themselves into humanlike family units that could imply organic methods of reproduction... although, again, as ''Transformers'' is mostly for kids, little has been revealed beyond infrequent mentions of parents and the occasional crude innuendo, the latter almost certainly added for comedy's sake rather than any kind of definitive canon.

Some versions of [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s backstory, for instance, note that his parents died in the crash that marooned him on the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. Similarly, the Japanese [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]] reveals that [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] and his forces have been fighting for the sake of their civilian families living on top of the [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]], which include Deathsaurus's wife [[Esmeral (G1)|Esmeral]] and many [[Baby Dinoforce|children]]. In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] mentions parents, while in ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] alludes to a bad relationship with his father.
{{-}}

{{anchor|Budding}}
; Budding
{{See also|Swarm (G2)|l1=Swarm}}

[[File:G2issue5-PowerandtheGlory-BuddingSteps.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Budding doesn't look like much fun at ALL. It looks like ''Aliens versus Predator'' all over again.]]

The [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Transformers: Generation 2'' comic]] revealed that, after their creation by [[Primus]], early Transformers reproduced by "budding," a {{w|mitosis|mitosis}}-like form of asexual reproduction whereby Transformers could rapidly reproduce by generating a mass of energized liquid metal from within their body. This mass then splits itself off from the "parent" Transformer to become a new Cybertronian. Illustrations suggest that this is something of a communal event, with others surrounding the budding robot in a circle. Once the Transformers had hit a population level that Primus deemed desirable, the practice stopped and all memory of it was erased.

When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] faction rediscovered and revived the process over the next 4 million years after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s disappearance, Primus's lifeforce was spread thinner and thinner between them, and the successive generations of budded Transformers became increasingly less sentient and emotional. The lifeform called the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] was created as a byproduct of the process. Transformers who have undergone the budding process retain some sort of primal link to their offspring; the Decepticon [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] doubles over in pain when his Cybertronian descendant [[Mindset (G2)|Mindset]] is destroyed, and the [[Liege Maximo]] says he would know if his descendant, Megatron, were to die.
{{-}}

; Cloning
{{See also|Cloning}}

[[File:Lotta starscreams.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Transformers possess [[CNA|genetic material]] of a sort, and this "genome" can be copied and manipulated by scientifically minded individuals to create [[cloning|clones]]. In some instances, these cloned Transformers are identical in every way to the donor Transformer; in other stories, cloned Transformers may take on different names, color schemes, develop new personalities, and even possess radically different [[alternate mode]]s—they are, essentially, a new individual with little connection to the original beyond the circumstances of their creation.

{{--}}

===Familial relationships===
''See also: [[Relatives]], [[Twin]]s

[[File:PrimeDirective4 Cover SunstreakerSideswipe.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

Although the Transformers are generally understood to reproduce asexually, canonical sources have sometimes used genealogical terminology to describe certain relationships. Most commonly, some Transformers possess siblings, and more often than not these siblings are referred to as [[twin]]s— [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], or [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. When ''Transformers'' fiction has deigned to give an explanation for this phenomenon, the most common explanation is that twins are the result of a "split protoform" or a "split spark"; akin to the random splitting of a human zygote.

The setting of the [[Beast Era]] featured a cast of characters far removed in time from the original [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, which the show's cast of [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s referred to as their "ancestors." [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] occasionally mentions his "great-aunt" [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and some sources have referred to [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s descendant. In the absence of sexual reproduction, the use and meaning of these genealogical references is difficult to explain. This term may also be used in an ideological sense or even a technological sense, much as the CD or MP3 player is, in a way, a "descendant" of the gramophone.
{{-}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comic=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Prima.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
Before Primus shut down, he gave the Transformers a "genetic matrix" that contained his essence and power, which could be used to create more Transformers without his direct involvement. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} This "Creation Matrix" contained a "[[Primal Program]]" encoded within the Matrix's crystal,<ref>[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Marvel comic profile]</ref> which could be used to give life to new Transformers. Over time, the Matrix passed from one leader to the next, until, by the modern day, it had come into the possession of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The New Order}} ''Although Optimus Prime would eventually leave Earth, the [[Matrix Flame]] on Cybertron burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed and could channel its life-giving energies. The Autobot resistance on Cybertron harnessed the Flame to create their new warrior, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]].''<ref>Ultra Magnus profile page in Marvel UK [[Target: 2006#Defeat!|#81]]</ref>

Once the Transformer war spilled over to modern Earth, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] captured and decapitated the Autobot leader, using the Creation Matrix to build and animate the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Shockwave then attempted to imbue life into the newly built [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], but was thwarted by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], who had had the Matrix downloaded into his mind by Prime's still-living head. {{storylink|Prime Time!}} Once Prime had been rescued, he used the Matrix to bring Jetfire to life. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
[[File:TNA.gif|thumb|left|200px|With the right early screening, even [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarming]] might some day be preventable.]]
Soon after Primus created [[Prima]] and the first generation of Cybertronians, he gave them the ability to "bud" off from one another as a way to rapidly increase their population, replicating their own genetic material in the process. However, this method of reproduction posed its own unique dangers, and was only ever intended to be a stopgap measure to quickly grow their numbers beyond the Transformers Primus himself had created from the fabric of Cybertron. If Transformers budded ''too'' much, the essence of their creator would grow thinner and thinner between them, resulting in a cold and emotionless race.

Once Cybertron's population grew to a desired number, Primus caused his creations to forget about the process entirely, leaving them to reproduce using the Matrix alone... but eventually a group of Decepticons would resurrect the process, quickly shedding their ignoble origins to become the coldly efficient [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] empire. This new faction relied exclusively on budding to procreate, but their overuse of the process led to the creation of the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}
{{-}}

====Cartoon continuities====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[File:Aerialbots group.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
Although some Transformers such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} were simply built on Earth like conventional machines, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] first created the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s by rebuilding five normal road machines into transforming, remote-controlled robots; unlike the Dinobots, these remained entirely mindless automatons. To turn them into truly sapient Cybertronian lifeforms, Megatron took them to [[Vector Sigma]] on Cybertron, and ordered the ancient computer to bring his creations to life, granting them Cybertronian intellects and personalities. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} In turn, the Autobots constructed their own team, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], and brought them to life through a similar process. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

A temporarily superintelligent [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] created the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s using parts from [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s severed head, and sacrificed his own enormous intellect to imbue the team with above-average intelligence—a process, that, notably, did not involve Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

=====''Victory'' comic=====
A large population of civilian Decepticons lived atop the [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]], including [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s wife [[Esmeral (G1)|Esmeral]], his son, and many other small dinosaur Transformers, collectively dubbed the "[[Baby Dinoforce]]." {{storylink|The Grand Victory War}}

=====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity=====
Although the Autobots and Quintessons made several Transformers without the aid of Vector Sigma (a form of [[Primus]]), those base Transformers were not considered fully alive robots, being considered by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] in [[1985]] as more akin to animals. He would change his mind after creating the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbots]] in [[2011]], where he realized they were still legitimate [[Transformer]]s in their own right, just with less intelligence. Over time, the Monsterbots would grow fully-developed minds. {{Storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 3}} The intelligent [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]' creation was possible because [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] had absorbed Vector Sigma's knowledge when he became a genius. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
Cybertronians in this universe are created on assembly lines at specialized production centers. These plants seem to create Cybertronians based on set blueprints that determine both their design and to some degree their personality, as both [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn's]] unique appearance/attitude and [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist's]] extra processor are explained as being the result of "glitches" in their production lines. Cybertronians seem to hold some loyalty to the center that created them, as Side Burn joined the Autobots after his own was destroyed by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 39|Side Burn's profile in Club magazine #39}} {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 36|Ironfist's profile in Club magazine #36}}

In the years following the revitalization of Cybertron, a Cybertronian alliance with Earth and Nebulos led to the proliferation of [[Cyberfactory|Cyberfactories]] across the planet to mass-produce a new generation of Earthborn Transformers. These factories operated using technology reverse engineered from Vector Sigma to bring the new Transformers online. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

Following the Rebirth, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] utilized advanced cloning technology to birth a "second generation" of Cybertronians modelled after the mightiest of Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|A Flash Forward (story arc)|A Flash Forward}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[File:Stasispod.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Both [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s begin as protoforms, nonsentient masses of liquid metal. Protoforms are fragile in their unprotected state, vulnerable to [[energon radiation]], {{storylink|The Spark}}, but given the right circumstances they can survive indefinitely when inside a [[stasis pod]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} Where exactly these new protoforms and the sparks they carry ''come'' from is something of a mystery; some semi-canonical sources have inferred the existence of an autonomous "[[Matrix (facility)|Matrix facility]]" and a "[[Pit (BW)|Pit]]" where Maximal and Predacon protoforms are respectively manufactured, but details are scarce and sometimes contradictory. {{storylink|Beast Wars Universe}} {{storylink|The Razor's Edge}}

The protoforms aboard the Maximal starship ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' were placed in stasis pods for their journey, but after the ship and its crew found themselves diverted to prehistoric [[Earth]], the newborn protoforms were ejected into orbit rather than risk damage in the crash. When a stasis pod landed on Earth, its inbuilt [[DNA scanner]] surveyed the terrain for nearby lifeforms, then generated a [[beast mode]] for the new protoform, based on the local wildlife, to bring the new Transformer online. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}} {{storylink|The Spark}} Predacon [[shell program]]s are capable of altering the personality of a protoform before its activation, potentially turning them into an obedient Predacon soldier. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}} {{storylink|Spider's Game}}
{{-}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:MTMTE-cloning.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Transformers generally begin life as a protoform, a skeletal mass of partially formed circuits that can be altered to suit specific needs. These are kept in stasis pods filled with nurturing nutrient gel until the body is infused with a spark, usually from the Matrix. If the Matrix is absent, life can be granted by attuning the protoform to an energy wavelength similar to the Matrix and then applying a concentrated burst of energon. This alternative is rarely used, as it is extremely resource-consumptive and requires restrictively high amounts of energon. Once a spark is infused into a protoform, it begins a reformatting process that designs its own robot and alternate modes for the new Cybertronian. Some believed that the Cybertronian race had yet to explore other potential avenues of creating Transformers, although what form this might take remains mysterious. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

Following the loss of the ''Ark'', [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] began experimenting with new methods of creating life, including cloning. {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}} The process sought to induce the natural splitting of a spark through technological means, manipulating a pair of protoforms to match based on a set of pre-programmed variables. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}} From this, he created several unique individuals based on both Autobots and Decepticons like including [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], an experimental, highly unstable clone of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} As resources grew scarce, Shockwave worked with the Autobots to create a new generation of Transformers by secretly tapping the power of Vector Sigma. Eventually, their efforts gave rise to the [[Micromaster]]s, a smaller and more fuel-efficient breed of Cybertronian. {{storylink|Destined for Nothing}}
{{-}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
{{quote|No one has a right to know how a fellow Cybertronian was created. There's a thin line between categorization and segregation, and I never want to see it crossed again.|[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]|"[[Twenty Plus One]]". No one tell him about the table below.}}

[[File:Chromedome and Rodimus with a spark.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|Baby ''boom''? Baby fuel-air bomb!]]
According to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], no mechanical lifeforms in the galaxy are capable of sexual reproduction. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} Thus, Cybertronians are normally created through one of two methods: they are either "'''forged'''" or "'''constructed cold'''." Their names include an "of [place]" suffix to describe where they were born, e.g. "[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]".

Forged Transformers are created when an energy pulse from Vector Sigma flashes across Cybertron and its moons, igniting [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s where new sparks emerged from the planet. After a great celebration, Cybertronians would gather "[[living metal|sentio metallico]]" from the planet's surface, "nurturing" the substance until it coalesced around a freshly-harvested spark. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Beginning as a simple geometric shape, a newborn protoform follows the [[CNA|genetic instructions]] hard-coded within their spark to develop limbs, facial features, and components related to their future alternate mode. {{storylink|Silent Light}} If the protoform struggles to find a form, specialized medical professionals known as [[blacksmith]]s help the new Transformer along by sculpting the metal into its most natural shape. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Once a protoform cools into a solid mechanical form, the young Transformer develops by imprinting on its surroundings, learning how to walk, talk, interact with others, and even [[Transformation|transform]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} From "first flash" to the final product, the maturation process lasts no more than two weeks, {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} with the specific protoform-to-Transformer phase taking anywhere from two to five days. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

A small group of forged Transformers are known as "[[Point One Percenter]]s" (about 0.01% of the population) and may possess strength, durability, or endurance beyond that of the average Transformer. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Some [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s carried hot spots within their bodies, using the Transformers birthed from these hot spots to colonize distant worlds during the reign of the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} The [[Velocitron]]ian Titan [[Navitas]] once identified [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] as the "sparkling" of [[Caminus (planet)|her planet]]'s Titan, [[Caminus (Titan)|Caminus]]. {{storylink|Race Against the Light}}

[[File:YourFirstMistake-ColdConstruction.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Sex Ed. Volume 1, or: '''PANTS FULL OF SHAME'''."]]

Cold construction was instituted by [[Nova Prime]] after the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]; fearing that the increasingly infrequent pulsewaves from Vector Sigma would halt entirely and leave him without enough Transformers to create his [[Expansion|grand galactic empire]], Nova entrusted the Matrix of Leadership to a science team headed by [[Solomus|Tyrest]] and charged them with tapping its legendary energies of creation. The scientists succeeded in doing so, and proved able to generate thousands of sparks a day and house them in artificially-built bodies in what historians would dub the "[[Silver Harvest]]." Sparks were produced at such a rapid rate that they had to be stockpiled until new bodies could be constructed. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} To do so, the sparks were "frozen" in [[photonic crystal]]s until they were "thawed" and placed in a body inside a specialized postnatal facility, leading to the term "constructed cold". {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} Unbeknownst to the majority of Cybertronians, these photonic crystals were themselves manufactured by a unique Cybertronian, [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} The prefabricated forms that housed Matrix-derived sparks did not match the "genetic instructions" encoded within a newborn spark, and at least one constructed cold Transformer, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], developed a habit of periodically changing bodies. [[Windblade (G1)|Some]] interpreted this as a sign that his spark was still subconsciously trying to find its "true form", {{storylink|Your First Mistake}} but [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|others]] held that it was merely a sign of his own vanity. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

[[File:TheLopsidedTriangle-MTOs.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

Recognizing the potential for outcry against what they were doing, a cover story was put in place to explain the birth of these new Transformers: the public were told that they were created via '''spark-splicing''', using the energy of a Forged spark to ignite a new one. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Eventually, one of the scientists had an attack of conscience and stole the Matrix, replacing it with a forgery; unaware of this, Tyrest and his team believed that they had bled the Matrix dry. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} The public were never told why the "spark-splicing" program was stopped; as such, by the time of [[Nominus Prime]]'s assassination, Senator [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] had made repeated lobbies to resurrect it. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Resentment towards constructed cold robots led to religiously motivated prejudice in the name of [[Adaptus]] and even apartheid against the "knock-offs." By the time [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] was first arrested, the [[Senate]] had relaxed these laws and the discrimination was ''officially'' considered a thing of the past, cough cough. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} Megatron himself occupied a unique position as the only "hybrid" 'bot. Originating as a wholly cold-constructed bot, the body's original spark was destroyed by a time-travelling [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]; a Point One Percenter spark which had been harvested on Luna 1 in the present day was placed in the empty shell by [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

[[File:KillAllCons ScorponokWithLilBaby.jpg|thumb|150px|"The next thing I knew, I was pregnant."]]

As the war dragged on, the Autobots discovered a long abandoned cache of frozen sparks from Nova Prime's era. Desperate to bolster their numbers, Autobot command began mass-producing legions of cold-constructed soldiers to fill out their ranks. These "[[M.T.O.|Made to Order]]" soldiers were named after the campaigns they were activated for, e.g. "[[Getaway]] of the [[Corcapsia Incursion]]". Early M.T.Os followed a ten-step education program before they could be declared fit for duty; as the war worsened, however, the number of steps dwindled to seven, then, finally, three simple directives uploaded directly into their minds as their sparks thawed so that new M.T.Os could be airdropped as soon as they came online. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} The Decepticons had their own supplies of M.T.O. soldiers, including [[Ambulon]]. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} Decepticon M.T.Os were constructed using raw material from melted-down Autobot prisoners, but where their sparks were sourced from is not known. {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}} The Decepticons experimented with cloning late in the war and created three sentient [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s from experiments on a naturally-occurring subterranean species. The process proved horribly inefficient, however, and the three thousand failures lived on as the ravenous [[Insecticon swarm|"Insecticon swarm"]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

The scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)#2005 IDW continuity|Mesothulas]] invented a third form of "reproduction" after discovering the ability to create an artificial spark by synthesizing Matrix energy. The only known being created through this method was "Ostaros", a robot who would later become [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]], indistinguishable from any other Cybertronian save for the circumstances of his creation. Whether or not Springer counts as a "true" Cybertronian, or merely an advanced <s>replicant</s> <s>synth</s> robot, is presumably up to the reader to decide. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}} After the war, Scorponok obtained the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] and learned how to infuse organic lifeforms with extracted sparks. To revitalize the dying Decepticon movement, he planned to mass-produce these biological creatures; by reproducing sexually, the spark they carried would split again and again and again until their population reached a desired number, at which point their sparks would be harvested and placed back into cold constructed bodies. Only [[Firstborn|one organic]] was produced as a proof of concept before Scorponok lost possession of both the child and the Magnificence. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}}

{| cellpadding="5" class="tt1_featuredCharacters mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
|colspan="6"|Characters by origin
|-
! style="background:#004000;color:white" colspan="3"|Forged
! style="background:navy;color:white" colspan="3"|Constructed cold
|-
! style="background:#a1f088" align="center"|Pre-war
! style="background:#b7f78d" align="center"|"Warborn"
! style="background:#bcf27c" align="center"|Unknown
! style="background:#9abce2" align="center"|First wave
! style="background:#8ec1f6" align="center"|Second wave/M.T.O.
! style="background:#7dc7f1" align="center"|Unknown
|-
| style="background:#BCF7AA" valign="top"|
{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent;"
|-
| valign="top"|
*[[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
*[[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]
*[[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
*[[Tarn (G1)|Damus/Glitch/Tarn]]
*[[Dominus Ambus]]
*[[Eucryphia]]
*[[Functionist Council|The Functionist Council]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]
*[[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]]
*[[Grindcore (G1)|Grindcore]]
*[[Guiding Hand]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]
*[[Knights of Cybertron|The Knights of Cybertron]]
*[[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]]
*[[Maximal#2005 IDW continuity|Maximals]]
*[[Minimus Ambus]]
*[[Myskrion]]
*[[Nova Prime|Nova Major/Nova Prime]]
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]
| valign="top"|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax/Optimus Prime]]
*[[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]]
*[[Quark]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]]
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]
*[[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
*[[Septimus Prime]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Tailpipe (G1)|Tailpipe]]
*[[Thinkbox]]
*[[Thirteen#IDW|The Thirteen Primes]]
*[[Titan (group)|Titans]]<ref group="idw">At least thirteen of the Titans carried hot spots within their bodies for colonization purposes; by extension all known Transformers native to the colony worlds are Forged.</ref>
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Tusk]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
|}
| style="background:#D0FCB3" valign="top"|

*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]
*[[Fulcrum]]
| style="background:#CEF99D" valign="top"|
*[[Animus]]
*[[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]]
*[[Blockus]]
*[[Convoy (G1)|Convoy]]
*[[Datum]]
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
*[[Heretech]]
*[[Misfire (G1)|Flyhigh/Misfire]]
*[[Ramp]]
*[[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]]
*[[Suture (G1)|Suture]]
*[[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]]
| style="background:#B8D1ED" valign="top"|
*[[Kaon (G1)|Kaon]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]
*[[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]<ref group="idw">Megatron is a hybrid Transformer, consisting of a forged spark in a cold constructed body.</ref>
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]
*[[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]
*[[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]]
*[[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Tumbler/Chromedome]]
| style="background:#b4d8fc" valign="top"|
*[[Ambulon]]
*[[Ammo]]
*[[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]
*[[Dipstick]]
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Genitus/Brainstorm]]
*[[Getaway]]
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]
*[[Scattergun]]
| style="background:#9ed7f8" valign="top"|
*[[Agonizer]]
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]]
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]
|}

<references group="idw"/>
{{--}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
Little is known about how the "[[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]]"—the former Autobots and Decepticons who fought the Great War—reproduced, although they regarded Vector Sigma as their "font of life". {{storylink|Head Games}} By the end of their conflict Vector Sigma was counted among the casualties, threatening the dying Cybertronian race with slow extinction. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} During their heyday, science identified some particularly exceptional Builders as Point One Percenters, who had helped thwart Unicron's attack on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

Correctly realizing that the Cybertronian race was doomed without an alternate means of generating new sparks, [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] bargained with the hyper-evolved [[Human Confederacy]] in the hopes that they could grant his race a future. Using the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] they provided, he helped to create the Maximals and Predacons as successors to the Autobots and Decepticons—but even though his contemporaries merely saw these newly created "proto-races" as slaves to continue their old grudges via vicious gladiatorial [[Games (competition)|Games]], Cerebros viewed this as an acceptable sacrifice to curtail further Cybertronian aggression. {{storylink|Head Games}}

Years into the [[Grand Uprising]], the artificially created [[Galva Convoy]] and his cloned energon matrix devised the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]], a mass-produced proto-race that could "reproduce" by infecting other Cybertronians and transforming them into more mindless Vehicons. Originally conceived as a weapon of war, the rise of the Vehicons soon snowballed into the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] that effectively ended the Grand Uprising. {{storylink|Derailment}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
After the onset of the Great War, several Cybertronians were constructed cold. {{storylink|The Truth We Make}}

====''TransTech''====
As Maximals with "fully integrated organic parts," [[Kitte Shūshū]] and her husband [[Z Grill]] conceived their son [[Stampy (BW)|Stampy]] using them—the only explicit confirmation of sexual reproduction in the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref>This hasn't stopped fan fiction writers from speculating, though.</ref> {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/10}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
Following [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s defeat, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and his spouse [[Cover Girl]] used a combination of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], [[binary bonding]], and [[technoactive cube|technoactive core]] technology to conceive a half-Cybertronian, half-human child. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:WannabeePart2-BumblebeeForging.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
New Transformers are forged from Cybertron's living metal, a process that begins with the mass harvesting of raw materials by gigantic, mobile crawlers such as [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} and continues at the [[Forge Pyramid|Pyramid]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], where this metal is shaped into a new body to house a spark obtained from the Well of All Sparks. Finally, the newborn Transformer is introduced to the people of Cybertron in a great open-air celebration officiated by the reigning [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}} The Transformers of this universe emerge in a comparatively underdeveloped state; born without a concrete understanding of the world around them and lacking an [[alternate mode]], the task of educating these new Transformers falls to a volunteer "[[mentor]]" that essentially serves as a parent. Under their mentor's tutelage, new Cybertronians learn about life on Cybertron, apprentice themselves in a job that suits their interests and talents, and eventually [[scanning|scan]] an alternate mode for themselves. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

With the passing of the [[Nominus Edict]] in the years that followed the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], the forging of new Transformer lives became a strictly controlled affair, only permitted every few kilocycles when the [[Senate]] deemed it appropriate. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}} Despite this, at least one freak accident resulted in the birth of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] mere hours after [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s own forging. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}}
{{-}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
[[File:Linkage7 Twirl-Baby.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
====''Armada'' cartoon====
Very little is known about how new Transformers come online in this continuity, with the exception of the [[Mini-Con]]s. These tiny Transformers were deliberately created by [[Unicron]] from his cells so as to accelerate the ferocity of the Transformer war on Cybertron; their collective birth had them all hatch from glowing green pods of energy inside Unicron's innermost workings. {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}}

====Linkage====
[[Redline]] and [[Falcia]] combined energy from their [[Digital Entity Frame|spark frame]]s in order to create a new body for [[Twirl (Armada)|Twirl]] to inhabit after her [[Mini-Con storage panel]] was destroyed in battle. After returning to the living world, Twirl viewed the pair as her "father" and "mother," a claim that Falcia vehemently denied. {{storylink|Linkage Part 7}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Foundation1-hatchlings.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Transformer mythology holds that their race was created by the [[AllSpark]], an ancient artifact of unknown origin. When the artifact found its way to Earth, the [[human]]s of [[Sector Seven]] experimented with the AllSpark's life-giving properties, and discovered that the AllSpark's energy could animate machinery and turn any electronic device into feral "[[AllSpark Mutation]]s." This power made it of interest to the Decepticons, who, after arriving on Earth, sought to recover the AllSpark and use its power to create a new generation of Decepticons from Earth's technology to conquer the organic world. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

Somewhat confusingly, this continuity family also provides the most evidence for some kind of sexual reproduction: various characters such as [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}} and [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} have alluded to mothers and fathers, ancillary tie-in media has claimed that [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] killed his and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s father, {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers Autobots}} Megatron himself supposedly possesses "chromosomes," {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}} and [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] humps [[Mikaela Banes]]' leg in a moment of passion. (Yeah...) {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

At any rate, those Transformers in this universe who are not simply brought to life by the AllSpark begin as "[[hatchling]]s," tiny unprogrammed protoforms who gestate in fluid sacs and require regular doses of [[energon]] to survive. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} As they mature, hatchlings leave this pod and begin to consume minerals. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}} Eventually, they assume their adult dimensions, becoming a [[protoform]] capable of engaging in [[scanning]] for new alternate modes. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} The [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]]s appeared to have reproduced during the three years since [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s departure from Earth, birthing the rambunctious "[[Mini Dinobot]]s," but details beyond this are scarce. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}
{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[File:Ani42 protoformblank.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
New protoforms are created from Cybertron's abundant reserves of [[Living metal|protomatter]], mined from the planet's [[Sonic Canyons]]. Once harvested, this metal then placed inside a [[stasis pod]] and exposed to the light of the special Matrix Chamber within the dojo of the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]]. After many stellar cycles, the protoforms are imbued with sparks and brought online. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} Young Autobots may attend [[Autobot boot camp]] to learn how to work as a team. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}} Traditionally, protoforms were granted sparks through the [[AllSpark]], which had supposedly created the Transformer race ten billion years prior; when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s Decepticons sought to seize the AllSpark for themselves during the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], the Autobots hid the artifact in deep space, far from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} Although the Autobots no longer controlled the AllSpark, they could still bring new protoforms online by using [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

When [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and his crew inadvertently stumbled upon the AllSpark in the present day and destroyed its physical form during a battle on [[Earth]], the "AllSpark fragments" that remained displayed the ability to animate machinery, {{storylink|The Elite Guard}} each fragment acting as an immortal, indestructible [[spark]]. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}} Two AllSpark fragments turned a pair of [[human]] machines into the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s; {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}} another fragment brought a heap of garbage to life as the eccentric [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]], {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out}} and [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] used a cadre of stolen protoforms and subdivided his own AllSpark fragment to create a legion of dysfunctional [[Starscream clone (Animated)|clones]]. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
In this backwards universe, new Cybertronians receive "[[Spark#Embers|embers]]" from the [[Omega Terminus]] supercomputer. Legions of misshapen [[mutant (SG)|mutant]]s attend to this twisted machine by gathering the corpses of the dead from across Cybertron and bringing them to the mass graveyard that surrounds the computer's plinth. Over time, Omega Terminus processes, breaks down, and recycles these remains into fresh robotic bodies, then imbues them with embers to bring them to life. The influence of Omega Terminus ensures that newborn Transformers quickly forget their origins, and its existence is thus considered to be a myth to the people of Cybertron.

In addition to this, the Omega Terminus can also grant embers to non-sentient Cybertronian mechanoids. [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]] was one such being; under the influence of the Omega Terminus, he rapidly evolved from a simplistic, AI-powered machine into a true Cybertronian, gaining a powerful robot mode and a sophisticated intellect to boot. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:OneShallRise1-WellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

All Cybertronians begin their existence in the [[Well of All Sparks]]. This channel to the living core of Cybertron, created after the death of [[Solus Prime]] and her return to Primus, {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} is where new sparks are formed through the [[AllSpark]] that traditionally resides within the Well. In eras past, new protoforms would first have to reach the surface via a death-defying run through the [[Underworld]] and its assorted horrors to prove their courage and bravery, but this practice eventually faded—by the era just before the Great War, protoforms were simply harvested from the Well, taught to transform, and put to work under the [[Functionism|caste system]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Other near-Cybertronian creatures, such as the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, could replicate themselves, but each successive generation grew increasingly primitive. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

The earliest Transformers born from the Well were unaware that they could [[transformation|transform]] at all; when the [[Quintesson]]s took control of the planet during the [[Age of Wrath]], they claimed that they had given the Cybertronian race this ability. The influence that the Quintessons exerted over the primitive planet was considerable to the point where newborn Cybertronians during this era began emerging from the well without names, merely numbers. Finally, however, an underground resistance group captured [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]] as he emerged from the Well and examined him to prove that the [[transformation cog|T-cog]] was a natural part of Transformer biology.

[[File:Armada-protoforms.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]

In the [[Golden Age]] that followed the expulsion of the Quintessons from their world, Transformers colonized other planets by using [[conversion beam]]s to instantaneously [[cyberforming|cyberform]] promising planets into metallic, Cybertron-like worlds. A portion of Cybertron's own AllSpark energy was used to ignite the colony's core to create a miniature copy of the original Well on Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

When the Autobot/Decepticon war erupted, however, the AllSpark briefly ceased to produce life in a seeming act of divine rebellion. However the AllSpark created one final wave of Transformers who unanimously joined the Autobots, a generation that included [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} During the war, the Decepticon [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] experimented with cloning, and even managed to create armies of [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]s based off prehistoric creatures who had once roamed ancient Cybertron. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} The Decepticons were able to clone protoforms, and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] used an abandoned science lab aboard the Decepticon vessel ''[[Harbinger]]'' to briefly create a team of [[Starscream clone (Prime)|clone]]s. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}} After the end of the war, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who had since absorbed the energy of the AllSpark into his physical form for safekeeping, sacrificed his life to reignite the Well and give birth to a brand-new generation of Cybertronians. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
The Decepticon [[Ragnarok]] was an [[Outlier (group)|Outlier]] who could clone himself at will by budding. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/25}}

Any part of [[The One|The Source]]—including both [[Primus]] and [[Unicron]], as well as the [[Chronarchitect]]—can be harnessed to create a new spark, and even Unicron's poisonous emanations like [[Dark Energon]] and [[Angolmois Energy]] can be used, under the correct circumstances, to grant life to Cybertronian bodies. [[Vector Prime]] held that it was not the ''origins'' of a spark that determined its future alignment, and pointed out that all sparks had the capacity for both good and evil. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 23/07/2015}}

===''Cyberverse''===
The [[AllSpark|Allspark]] was the source of Cybertronian life and the mechanism by which new sparks came into existence. {{storylink|Allspark (episode)|Allspark}} During the Great War, [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] hoped to use Vector Sigma to reprogram the Allspark, then use it to create to a new generation of unstoppable Decepticon warriors. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}} Although this plan was ultimately foiled in one universe, [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|the Megatron of an alternate timeline]] accomplished this goal after killing his universe's [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]], and used the Allspark of his universe to create an army of [[Decepticon supersoldier]]s. {{storylink|The Other One}}

===''EarthSpark''===
Fifteen years after the end of the [[Great War (ES)|Transformers' war]], the first new generation of Transformers in many years were created when [[Robby Malto|Robby]] and [[Mo Malto|Mo]] Malto placed their hands on the [[Emberstone]], an artifact of [[Quintus Prime]]. The stone constructed new protoforms from the Earth, creating the first ever [[Terran]] Transformers, [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]]. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}}

==Toys==
When two toy manufacturing companies love each other very much, [[Hasbro|one of them]] may start shooting Transformer design propositions to the [[TakaraTomy|other one]]. There, during several months of gestation, engineers will work on those designs, which will be developed into functional and manufacturable Transformers. Once the Transformer is ready to be produced, its design will be sent to marketing and ultimately to the chain manufacturer for the delivery. Voilà! A new Transformer is born!

{{-}}

==Notes==
* During the early years of the ''Transformers'' franchise, Hasbro had a strict "no-girls" policy regarding the potential existence of [[female Transformer]]s. Hence, Marvel writer [[Bob Budiansky]]'s invention of the Creation Matrix as a means of generating new life began as a way to explain how the Transformers could procreate.<ref>[http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/ Bob Budiansky Interview at BWTF.com]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Jiko zōshokunō''' (自己増殖能, "budding"), '''Forged''' (フォージド ''Fōjido''), '''Constructed cold''' (コンストラクテッド・コールド ''Konsutorakuteddo Kōrudo''), '''Spark ketsugō''' (スパーク結合, "spark-splicing")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Loose Ends, Part 3

2024-11-07T19:34:58Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #83
|prev=Loose Ends, Part 2
|next=Loose Ends, Part 4
|title="Loose Ends" Part 3
|image=RG183 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 5]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=September 2012
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''The Wreckers join up with some old allies on Earth, while Optimus Prime and Bludgeon gather their forces.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:SpikeWitwicky CircuitSmasher LooseEnds3.jpg|thumb|left|"I want YOU, to stare at these guns!"]]
In the [[Mojave Desert]] on [[Earth]], the cybernetic [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] attacks and fells [[Rack'n'Ruin (G1)|Rack 'n' Ruin]], and then turns on [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]. The [[Jumpstarter]] recognizes the human as former [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Spike Witwicky, and keeps him talking long enough for the other [[Wreckers]] to surround him. Topspin proposes an alliance, and Spike's friend [[Gordon Kent]] encourages him to agree. Spike leads the assembled group through the Argus mountains, angrily explaining how the current state of Earth is the Autobots' fault for leaving the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] behind on Earth. He and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] were initially able to protect it, but when a group of humans were able to penetrate the ship in [[1994]], Megatron was reactivated and began laying waste to the Earth. Humanity resorted to nuclear tactics, but Megatron was able to hack the [[Nuclear weapon|missiles]] and use them to destroy major human population centers, after which he revived the various dead Transformers that had been kept in the Ark as a zombie army to eradicate what resistance remained. [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] wonders where Megatron got the tech and know-how to accomplish these many feats, but Spike has no answer, and at this stage, does not particularly care. Presently, the group arrive at [[Argus Base]], former headquarters of an ultra-secret government combat group which the rebels have taken as their own. Here, Spike introduces the Autobots to the man behind their organization, and the creator of Argus Base's tech: their old ally, [[G.B. Blackrock]]!

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] gives [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] a talk on making decisions and living with their consequences, admitting that he is probably trying too hard to cling to the current peace. The [[Cybertronian Civil Defense|Civil Defense]] officers [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] then arrive with evidence that [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] has gone to Earth, and two transmissions they have consequently picked up from the planet after turning every dish in [[Altihex]] towards it: the distress call sent by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and a message that has been repeating for years, from [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], demanding Prime's presence. There can be no hesitating now—Prime orders the Autobots to Earth.

In Argus Base, Springer and [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] attend a meeting with Spike, Blackrock and Kent via remote hologram projection to co-ordinate a strike against the Ark in order to take out Megatron's power base. Spike explains his transformation into Circuit Smasher: Fortress Maximus died in the conflict with Megatron, leaving Spike's mind and nervous system shut down, but his body alive. Reminded of a [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|former employee]] with a similar condition, Blackrock used a cybernetic process she had developed to revive Spike. As the discussion continues, a message arrives from Megatron in [[Washington, D.C.]], demanding the Wreckers leave the planet or be hunted down. Before leaving, however, they must collect Kup, in Megatron's clutches and infected with [[Scraplet]]s—an obvious trap, but one that means Megatron's attention will be focused away from the Ark, giving Springer an idea...

As an Autobot battle unit boards a shuttle bound for Earth, Optimus Prime instructs Hot Rod to stay behind, sensing in him a greatness that must be protected. Prime and Magnus are the last to board, and as the ship leaves, Hot Rod turns to go, and bumps into [[Dirtbag]]. Excusing himself, the young Autobot leaves... and Dirtbag radios [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] that the Autobots have left. In turn, Soundwave makes contact with [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], whose forces are busy razing the planet [[Torkulon]], informing him that Cybertron is now under-protected... and the opportunity to rescue the remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] has arisen!

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (2)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (3)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin (G1)|Rack 'n' Ruin]] (4)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (5)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (6)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (7)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (8)
*[[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] (10)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (12)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (13)
*''[[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]'' (15)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'' (19)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (21)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]? (22)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]? (23)
*? (24)
*? (25)
*? (26)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]? (27)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (14)
*''[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]]'' (16)
*''[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'' (17)
*[[Dirtbag]] (28)
*[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (29)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (30)
*[[Stranglehold]] (31)
*[[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (32)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (33)
*[[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] (34)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (35)
*[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (36)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] (1)
*[[Gordon Kent]] (9)
*''[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|She who must not be named]]'' (18)
*[[G.B. Blackrock]] (20)
}}

==Quotes==
"''YOU!'' Stand accused ... of condemning planet Earth to a protracted and painful ''death!'' 
"Who? Us?"
:—'''<s>Spike</s> Circuit Smasher''' gets angry at '''Rack 'n' Ruin'''

"Every tiny or momentous decision we make -- in any scale of circumstances -- has ''consequences''. Often instantaneously we must make choices, and those choices must be lived with. And ''learned'' from."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' imparts his wisdom to '''Hot Rod'''.

"Wow. That sounded ''serious''. Wonder what it is?" 
"Consequences."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' learns from his own choices (whilst talking to '''Hot Rod''').

"Where ''are'' you, Prime?! Don't you want to ''see'' what I've ''done'' to you precious planet?"
:—'''Megatron''', having gone a little stir crazy whilst trapped on Earth.

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Repugnus can be seen amongst Megatron's zombie troops. This was initially assumed to be an art error, but it will be confirmed in [[Natural Selection, Part One|issue #86]] that there were Autobots, and specifically [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s, as well as Decepticons left lying in stasis aboard the Ark. (See also "Continuity errors", below.)
*On page 2 Circuit Smasher tells Topspin that badge he's sporting counts for nothing no more. Neither he or Rack'n'Ruin are drawn with Autobot symbols. It is also a double negative.

===Continuity errors===
*The Decepticon zombies are all [[Underbase Saga]] casualties who were salvaged from the Ark. However, the Saga ended with both factions claiming they would be collecting their own fallen.
*A caption refers to Prime's death taking place in [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]] when in fact he managed to cling to lifelong enough to die at the beginning of [[Still Life!|issue #76]].

===Continuity notes===
*Unnamed and not drawn in detail for fear of legal terrors, Circuit Breaker can be spotted flying into battle alongside Fortress Maximus on page 9.
*The former owners of Argus Base were an "ultra-secret" covert team who "went up against your lot [Transformers] way back when". While not explicitly named, this and the large eagle-head sigil on the conference desk seems to implicitly identify the team as [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who gained a similar avian symbol with [[2009]]'s ''Rise of Cobra'' series and did indeed fight the Transformers during Marvel's run. (It's unlikely to be [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] as they were a public team.)
*On a similar note, while they go unnamed, the yellow costumes and implicit motivation of the group who inadvertently revive Megatron bear a distinct resemblance to the Marvel Comics terrorist group AIM (arch-enemies of [[Nicholas Fury|Nick Fury]] and [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]], who appeared in [[Prisoner of War!|issue #3]] of the Marvel ''Transformers'' (US) series). But this might just be coincidence; the characters are just wearing yellow hazmat suits, complete with backpacks and hazard markings, rather than the distinctive "beekeeper" AIM outfits.
*The Ark's computer is referred to with its original name, [[Aunty|Auntie]], for the first time in Marvel US continuity since its [[The Transformers (issue)|very first issue]]. It was otherwise only referred to by this name in the UK continuity's stories "[[Raiders of the Last Ark]]" and "[[In the Beginning...]]".

===Real-life references===

===Other trivia===

===Transformers references===
*The idea of Megatron taking the nuclear weapons fired by the world and using it against them is eerily similar to Galvatron's plan in the classic story "[[Rhythms of Darkness!]]". Also, that idea, combined with machines seeking out the remaining human resistance, is very similar to the ''Terminator'' franchise, which Furman has also written for.
*The robotic [[battlesuit]]s lined up in Argus Base are based on Buster's battlesuit from the Marvel UK story, "[[Robot Buster!]]".
*The planet [[Torkulon]] originated with the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] episode "[[Webworld]]", but, aside from having vaguely spidery-looking native lifeforms that have something to do with brains, this depiction of the world seems to owe virtually nothing to its cartoon predecessor.
*The term "[[Scramble City (disambiguation)|Scramble City]]" has been used for a bunch of things in its time, but with this issue, it is the first use as the name of a [[Scramble City Complex|city on Cybertron]].
*Bludgeon's forces appear to be travelling aboard the ''[[Warworld]]'', just as in ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]''.

===Furminated===
*In flashback the deaths of Fortress Maximus, Circuit Breaker and countless human soldiers are all implied.
*All the backwards talking spider like creatures inhabitants of the planet Torkulon.

===Covers (3)===
<gallery>
File:RG183 cvrA.jpg|
File:RG1 83 cvrB.jpg|
File:RG1 83 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Circuit Smasher zaps the Wreckers, by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]].
*'''Cover B:''' The Ex-Bots (featuring [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]) loom over Kup, by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''Cover RI:''' Zombie Starscream, Razorclaw, and Blitzwing stomp through Washington, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]].

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' [[Loose Ends, Part 4|#84]]
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Night and the City|#9]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]]
*''[[Star Trek]]: The Next Generation — Hive''
*''Rocketeer: Cargo of the Doom''
*''Robots in Disguise'' Annual
*''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' comic (back cover)

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/script-wrap-regeneration-one-83/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]

[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]

The End Of The Universe I

2024-11-07T01:25:01Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]'' ep 50
|image=Cyberverse - EOTU 1 - Multiverse Portal.jpg
|caption=A traveler from distant stars escaped from a dying world...
|prev=The Judge (episode)
|next=The End Of The Universe II
|title="The End Of The Universe I"
|airdate=[[February 20]], [[2020]] (UK) [[April 26]], 2020 (USA)
|season=3
|season ep=14
|production company=[[Allspark Animation]]
|writer=[[Zac Atkinson (writer)|Zac Atkinson]] [[Mae Catt]] [[Gavin Hignight]] [[Dan Salgarolo]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|director=[[Ehud Landsberg]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxqsK1rOHhs
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''The Autobots and Decepticons combine forces to defend Cybertron from its impending judgment.'''

==Synopsis==
''Standing in front of a giant Autobot symbol, [[Kup (Cyberverse)|Kup]] addresses the universe, telling them that they nearly found themselves wiped out all thanks to one 'bot: [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]].''

''Having last been seen on [[Croaton (Cyberverse)|Croaton]]'s back, Starscream was dragged along for the ride as the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] passed through a space storm and then a star, the heat causing him to black out. When he came to, he saw a ship in the distance. But it was a [[Quintesson]] ship, and Croaton was disabled. Starscream was dragged in front of the [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]], and the egotistical Decepticon was almost immediately found in contempt. Before the Sharkticons could execute him, Starscream managed to talk his way out by pointing the Quintessons in the direction of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the [[AllSpark]]. In gratitude, the Judge promised Starscream the highest reward the Quintessons could offer... The joke, however, was on Starscream. As he entered the [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|Scientist]]'s lab, the Quintesson immobilized him, but assured the Decepticon he would be gentle with his face.''

[[File:Cyberverse EOTU I JudgeStarscream.jpg|230px|thumb|left|"I AM THE LAW!"]]

The newly ascended Judge Starscream uses his Quintesson given powers to immobilize Autobots and Decepticons alike, but his gloating is ruined when the two personalities he now shares a body with disagree on what to do with their captives. One wishes to probe them, while the other simply wishes to eat them all. [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] asks they make up their mind, causing Starscream to declare them all in contempt. The assembled Autobot-Decepticon alliance open fire on Starscream, but he immobilizes them before commanding the Prosecutors to round up everyone else.

Once everyone else has been rounded up, the Scientist explains to Starscream his role as a Judge: the Quintessons believe that every universe should be judged by its inhabitants, so they select representatives from each species to be a part of a Judge. Reassuring him that all the prior Judges can offer advice, the Scientist calls up the previous Quintesson Judge. It explains that once Starscream reaches a verdict, he will need to know how to destroy the universe and the best way to destroy space is with [[unspace]], which they have access to.

With the orientation over, the Scientist tells Judge Starscream he must begin immediately. However, Judge Starscream refuses to do so until [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] have answered for their crimes against ''him''. The Scientist's attempts to explain that destroying the universe would destroy them along with it are ignored since Judge Starscream wants to see them humiliated (and the other two want them probed and eaten). The Scientist balks, since they are already far behind schedule, but Judge Starscream is adamant.

Down below, Hot Rod tells [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] to do his thing, the Decepticon warning that it will only work once. He lets lose a massive burst of sound which paralyzes the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] guards and the Cybertronians begin a jailbreak. However, Judge Starscream notices and again uses his powers to freeze everyone. With that, a Sharkticon stabs out Soundwave's speaker and Judge Starscream gloats.

''Kup reassures his audience that while the escape didn't work for everyone, it did work for one 'bot, and that's enough.''

Unseen by Judge Starscream, [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] manages to escape the arena, flying off into [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon City]]. Meanwhile, Hot Rod and Soundwave are brought before Judge Starscream, and for once the three personalities are in agreement: the two are very, ''very'' guilty. Noting how well they work together, Judge Starscream doles out an ironic punishment, having the Scientist place two of the virtual reality masks over their faces. The two will continue to work together until he has rendered judgment.

''In the simulation, the two are faced with the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Rust Plague]] rapidly approaching on all sides. Their only hope is to buff for their lives. As they do, Soundwave vows to make Starscream pay.''

Judge Starscream demands the captive Cybertronians tell him the location of Optimus and Megatron. [[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] tells him he will never find them, regardless of how powerful he is. Optimus and Megatron were lost when the Quintesson tower went down. Judge Starscream refuses to believe it, as does the listening Kup. Their reaction is justified: as the Judge was raging out of control, Optimus told [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] to head for the multiverse portal with the injured [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]], declaring it their only chance for survival.

The three go through the portal and wind up in a very different universe, consisting of free-floating stairs and platforms. No sooner has Bumblebee said that at least they're safe, reality starts shifting around them, sending the scout falling...

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks or video messages. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Kup (Cyberverse)|Kup]] (1)
*[[Whirl (Cyberverse)|Whirl]] (2)
*[[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] (4)
*[[Chromia (Cyberverse)|Chromia]] (12)
*[[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] (13)
*Autobot soldiers (16)
*[[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] (18)
*[[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] (19)
*[[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
*[[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] (22)
*[[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] (23)

|c2=
*[[Clobber (Cyberverse)|Clobber]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Alpha Strike]] (11)
*[[Lockdown (Cyberverse)|Lockdown]] (14)
*Decepticon soldiers (17)
*[[Seeker (Cyberverse)|Seeker]]s (20)

|c4=
*Judge [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] (6)
*''[[Croaton (Cyberverse)|Croaton]]'' (7)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s (8)
*''[[Quintesson]] [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]]'' (9)
*Quintesson [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|Scientist]] (10)
*Quintesson [[Prosecutor (Cyberverse)|Prosecutor]]s (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"Name's Kup, and I'm proud to be an Autobot. Now listen up! The universe. Ever thought about it? Wh-what if it didn't exist? Where would you be then, huh? ''Nowhere'', that's where!"
:—'''Kup''' gets philosophical.

"I am Starscream! I do not recognize the authority of this court! You have no right to—" 
"We have our verdict. You are guilty! ''(face switches)'' SEIZE HIM!"
:—'''Starscream's''' big mouth gets him in trouble once again.

"Welcome to my laboratory." 
"What?!" 
"Don't worry, I'll be gentle with your face."
:—The '''Scientist''' gives '''Starscream''' his reward. Sucker.

'''Scientist:''' Congratulations. You are the new Judge! And you have been chosen to judge your universe! It it is the Quintesson belief that each universe in the multiverse should be judged by its own species. As a new Quintesson Judge, you might feel this is a daunting task. But do not worry. Many Judges have come before you, and they can help show you the way! 
'''Judge:''' Once you've assessed the evidence and judged your universe as guilty, you will need to know how to destroy it. ''(face switches)'' The best way to destroy ''space'' is with ''un''space. ''(face switches)'' Your universe and everything within it will be completely wiped away. ''(face switches)'' All gone! ''(face switches)'' It's that easy!"
:—Quintesson Orientation with the '''Scientist''' and the '''Judge'''.

"And now... You must carry out your duty immediately." 
"No! This universe will not be judged until Megatron and Optimus are here to answer for their crimes against ''me''." 
"That is not necessary. They will be wiped away along with everything else." 
"First I must witness their humilitation! ''(face switch)'' And we must probe them! ''(face switch)'' And eat them!" 
"But... we are already behind schedule!" 
"Prime and Megatron ''will'' be found, and they ''will'' be punished!" 
"Ugh..."
:—To the '''Scientist's''' dismay, '''Starscream''' is extremely petty.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The episode opens with a flashback detailing what happened to Starscream and Croaton after the events of "[[Ghost Town]]", as well as showing why the Quintessons came to Cybertron in the first place.
*Optimus, Bumblebee, and Wheeljack were inside the Quintesson tower when it was apparently destroyed [[The Judge (episode)|just last episode]]. The flashback here is a little bit of a cheat because that episode showed the tower going down immediately after the Judge flew into it, but here there was enough time for them to get out.
**Perceptor also assumes Megatron and [[Dead End (Cyberverse)|Dead End]] went down as well. However, this is because no one saw them taking off in the Quintesson ship.
*The Rust Plague first appeared in the flashback sequences of "[[Terminal Velocity]]" where it consumed [[Velocitron]].

===Transformers references===
*One of Judge Starscream's other faces is a [[Velgrox]], a race of carnivorous aliens seen in the ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'' episode "[[New Normal]]".

===Real-world references===
*The other of Judge Starscream's other faces is a [[Gray]], its constant demands to probe the Cybertronians references some of the more... unsavory tales of alien abduction.
*Kup's opening monologue is a reference to the movie {{w|Patton_(film)|Patton}}.

===Other trivia===
*The Cybertronian text on the map Starscream brings up, as well as labeling Cybertron and the Quintesson ship (as Cyberfun), also describes the three nearest systems as Samsko, Nakoil, and Dethol.

===Animation and technical errors===
*TBA

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Das Ende des Universums Teil 1'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 26]], 2020

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Fim do Universo, Parte 1'''" ("The End of the Universe, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 24]], 2021
:*''Notes:'' Astonishingly, the YouTube upload of this episode suffers from having ''three'' audio tracks (English, Portuguese and Spanish) playing on top of each other. Good job there, guys.

==Home video releases==
*TBA

{{DEFAULTSORT:End Of The Universe I}}
[[Category:Cyberverse episodes]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-11-06T18:44:48Z

MegaSolus: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]] [[Greg Moordain]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=$128 million<ref>https://the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-One-(2024)#tab=summary</ref>
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an [[Cogless|underclass]] of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a [[Mouth of Unicron|hidden and extremely creepy cave]]. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, their bodies lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor... although D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

[[File:TFOneSentinelvsD16.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened.]]
Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests an energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon, ultimately winning their fight. Unwilling to kill his oldest friend, Optimus reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen#One film|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. Chased out of the archive?" 
"Yeah. I had to jump out of a window this time. Almost died. It was wild." 
"And digging through ancient data is worth dying for?" 
"Yes, it is." 
"Oh, I need a new best friend..."
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' meet up before their shift.

"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"You just '''had''' to do it, didn't you?" 
"Me? What did I do?" 
"You just had to go to the surface, had to enter the Iacon 5000, you just '''HAD''' to break protocol!" 
"Who cares about protocol?" 
"'''I do'''! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you ''stay on protocol!''" 
"Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears strip. And all the while he's been giving our Energon away to our greatest enemies!" 
"And what do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax 'master plan'! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.'' But we all know it doesn't matter what I want, ''right'', Pax? The fact is, we're just cogless bots. Right? We had limited options, and now... now we have ''none''."
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in his chest, but the spark in that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. My fellow Primes had that spark. And I see their strength in you. Take their cogs and access your full potential. Prima. Onyx. Alchemist. Micronus. Warriors of noble spirit, loyalty, strength. Their uniqueness enhanced by these. They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
"Wait. We have... You-- You gave us..." 
"The ability to change your world. How you choose to use that power is up to you."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates '''Orion Pax''' and our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

'''Starscream''': Now, are you spies, or incompetent lackeys? 
'''Orion Pax''': We're not spies. 
'''Elita-1''': But he is incompetent.
:—Elita-1 on her boss-to-be

"Uh... why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Hey! What are you doing?" 
"I'll tell you what I'm not doing. I'm not cowering in some busted ship, playing king of the throne. I'm not pretending that I'm making a difference by throwing one punch and running away to hide. I found out that Sentinel is rotten today, and I'm going to make him pay for it! TODAY!" 
"You think you can insult me and just walk away? No one leaves unless I say so." 
"Is that right? Well, how can you say so... with my head in your teeth?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''D-16''', right before he beats the living scrap out of him.

"Bear witness! ''This'' is the '''last''' time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel '''ONCE AND FOR ALL!'''"
:—'''D-16''', as he usurps the High Guard's leadership from Starscream.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening?" 
[Orion looks up at Elita] 
"I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you." 
"I'm better than you in every way, ''except'' you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep talk?" 
"You're inspiring. You can envision a better future that no one else can see. If you ever want to see B and D-16 again, that, ''that'' is the Orion Pax that we need right now. Listen to me. We can do this."
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

'''Jazz''': "Is that... Orion?" 
'''Orion Pax''': "Jazz." 
'''Jazz''': "Is it really you?" 
'''Orion''': "Yeah, I know I, uh, look a little... different." 
'''Jazz''': "Little? There's nothing 'little' about you." 
'''Ironhide''': "Uh- How is this possible?" 
'''Moonracer''': "Sentinel told us you died from your race injuries!" 
'''Orion''': "Sentinel is a '''liar'''." 
'''Arcee''': "Huh?" 
'''Ironhide''': "What?" 
'''Orion''': "Look, I know how this will sound coming from me. I was never the most... ''focused'' miner, but as you can see, everything is different now. I went to the surface. And I learned the truth. My friends, we were ''all'' born with transformation cogs. And then Sentinel, ''he stole them from us.'' '''He took away our ability to make our own decisions.''' '''''He stole our freedom.''''' But now, I'm offering you your first '''real choice'''. You can work a twenty-third shift and mine yourself to death, or fight back against Sentinel with me. Right now." 
'''Sideswipe''': "How are we supposed to do that?" 
'''Arcee''': "We can't fight. We don't have cogs." 
'''Orion''': "What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark that resides in their core. A spark that gives you the will to make your world better. And that spark, Sentinel can ''never'' take from us." 
'''Jazz''': "There's not enough of us. We need an army." 
'''Orion''': "And we have one. Elita is bringing troops. We are not alone in this. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me. Nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—And with the miners chanting his name, Orion Pax delivers his first heroic speech.

''(Airachnid opens the back of her head to reveal'' dozens ''of eyes.)'' 
"You can't defeat me, miner. ''I see '''everything.'''''" 
"Yes, you do, except for that tower we're about to crash into."
:—'''Airachnid''' gets creepy and '''Orion Pax''' gets an idea.

"You pathetic little twits! Did you really think that you could knock down what I've built?" 
"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so that I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' teaches '''Orion Pax''' that he won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—'''D-16''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"The Age of Primes has ended! '''NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS'''! Follow me, and you will ''never again'' be ''deceived!'' '''RISE UP!''' ''I'' will lead us all into the future! ''I...'' '''AM...''' '''''MEGATRON!'''''"
:—With the death of Sentinel Prime, '''D-16''' renames himself as '''Megatron'''

"''Orion Pax.'' Your noble sacrifice for the greater good has proven you worthy in the eyes of Primus. He entrusts in you the future of Cybertron, and... the Matrix of Leadership! '''Arise...''' '''''Optimus Prime.'''''"
:—Speaking for Primus, '''Alpha Trion''' and the Primes rebuild Orion Pax.

"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over... ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will ''not'' be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was recut into a film that contradicted ''The Last Knight'' and its depictions of Bumblebee fighting in [[World War II]], shifting the film and [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|its sequel]] into a more ambiguous "soft reboot" that only loosely connect to the five Bay films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just ''how'' distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127", the function of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in which it dissolves into dust if it deems someone unworthy to wield it and the incorporation of a closing monologue delivered by Optimus—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]] and has gone on to inform just about every major ''Transformers'' universe afterwards, particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat ''One'' and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]] entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film. D-16 takes [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s place as his best friend and co-worker.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". (This exclusion is perhaps less odd when one considers that subsequent to 1985, Disney secured a near-strangehold on toys named "{{w|The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|Ariel}}".)
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]]. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin, as well as carrying on his 'arrogant jerkwad' personality rather than the more stoic attitude of other Sentinels. His double-bladed weapon takes specific inspiration from DOTM Sentinel's [[Primax Blade]], now with the additional ability to retract one or both of its blades when required.
* Airachnid is derived from the ''Prime'' [[Airachnid (Prime)|character of the same name]]—a notable inclusion given the primarily G1-based main cast—sharing a similar design, alternate mode as a helicopter, and antagonistic personality. Role-wise, however, she draws from her [[Airachnid (G1)|IDW 2005 counterpart]] being a subordinate of the [[Starscream_(G1)/2005_IDW_continuity|shady sovereign ruler of Cybertron]].
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in the "Aligned" lorebook [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus' design seen in the hologram Orion plays is largely based on the [[IP infringement|"third party"]] 01 Studio Seed figure, itself inspired by the oft-referenced [[:File:UltimateGuidePrimus.jpg|original character model]] for his planet-body from [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']]. His head and chest are closer to his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, also pulling a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|that toy]]'s transformation scheme. Primus' willing sacrifice of his locomotion and birthing of the Thirteen pulls from his appearance in the eponymous ''Covenant of Primus''.
* The Thirteen are similarly based on their "Aligned"' incarnations for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his original ''Cybertron'' design.
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus' face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. This is likely because it would contradict Sentinel's narrative painting himself as a fourteenth Prime. Notably, none of the archives or displays of the Thirteen include Sentinel.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 Autobot cast of the original cartoon]], along with the [[Female Autobots]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The background High Guard characters, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Notably, one of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s, while some Seekers including [[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]] sport triple-barreled weapons on their arms that resemble the [[neutron assault rifle]] from ''Fall of Cybertron'' – specifically the split-in-half configuration seen in the [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream toy]] and its redecoes, even including a gear-shaped detail behind the barrels echoing the gears on the toy's accessories.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*The jet modes of Starscream/the Seekers are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Tracks (One)|Tracks]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cosmos (One)|Cosmos]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], [[Bludgeon (One)|Bludgeon]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of "idiot [[GoBots|go-bots]]".
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's core and Optimus Prime is born. Incidentally, this scene and the music are also quite similar to when Megatron fatally shoots Bumblebee in the ''Transformers: Prime'' series finale "[[Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock]]".
*The part of "The Fall" that plays when Megatron rips Sentinel in half also includes a leitmotif from [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron's]] "The Great Exodus".
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* An empty Matrix chamber is visible behind Orion's chest window after receiving his cog, even before finding the actual Matrix.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice (for Steve Buscemi, anyway) when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
[[File:TFoneOrionJump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let my people go!]]
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* After Optimus and Megatron's fight concludes, Megatron is shown with "tear stains" of mech fluid under his eyes, precisely matching the fluid-streaks the original Megatron had running down ''his'' face after his fight with Optimus in ''The Transformers: The Movie''. In ''One'', Megatron then declares "This isn't over, Prime," mirroring his line from ''The Movie'': "It's over, Prime."
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus' concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
*Optimus' transformation during his ending monologue is accompanied by the original transformation noise.
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* As Orion Pax and D-16 approach the finish line in the Iacon 5000, the announcer quotes verbatim Joe Starkey's call of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play_(American_football) The Play] from the 1982 Cal-Stanford game. "The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of—" It can be assumed he would say "The Iacon 5000" in place of "college football," had Chromia not sped past to win the race.

==Errors==
* The history record about Primus, the Primes, and the Matrix that Orion Pax watches in the archives is recorded by [[Laurence Fishburne|a voice]] that clearly belongs to Alpha Trion. Yet, the events described in the history record include the disappearance of the Matrix, which happened after the Primes were killed and Alpha Trion went offline. So how could Alpha Trion have made that recording when he was lying comatose in a cave during that time?
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots, with many, such as Ironhide, having numerous occupations and being in multiple places at the same time.
* The High Guard has the same issue. Slipstream is shown to have been captured by the Death Trackers, but is later shown to take part in the attack on Sentinel's tower. Thundercracker is sliced in half by Airachnid, but is present the rest of the film.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too. Production designer Jason Scheier would confirm the miner bot is just a bot that resembles Chromia, while the one in the Iacon 5000 is the 'real' Chromia.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* Airachnid's legs are floating behind her back in her conversation with Sentinel Prime after he murders Alpha Trion.
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. She wasn't exaggerating when she said "I see ''everything''"!
* During the long take of Optimus Prime using his Energon axe to fight off Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave at the end of the film, Soundwave's shoulder cannon is on his left shoulder. In every other shot of the film, he is depicted with the cannon over his right shoulder like his G1 counterpart usually does.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The score also has other Transformers references, both in the melodies and titles of the tracks. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

Canadian DJ {{w|Excision_(musician)|Excision}} released the dubstep song "Together As One", which samples numerous lines from the film's cast, as part of the film's marketing campaign. Many of the lines in this song would go unused in the film's final cut. Chinese artist {{w|Yuqi}} released the song "ONE" as part of the film's Chinese marketing campaign. Neither song is present in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Just when you’re about to give up on stories that endlessly repackage the same trademarked properties, along comes a movie like Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One.” As its subtly confident title suggests, it carries itself as if nobody had ever made a Transformers movie before.|Matt Zoller Seitz|[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-one-film-review Rogerebert.com]}}

While [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Transformers'' films were notable for their record-breaking profits despite overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Transformers One'' faced the opposite problem. While [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|the previous theatrical ''Transformers'' film]] met with mixed reviews, ''Transformers One'' enjoyed an almost universally positive reception from both film critics and casual moviegoers. Critics praised the film's visual design, its nuanced approach to characterization and worldbuilding, and the performances of the film's voice actors, with many singling out Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry for their portrayals of Orion Pax and D-16. As of October 2024, its RottenTomatoes rating sits at 89% positive critical reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.

In the United States and Canada, ''Transformers One'' was originally projected to gross between 30 and 40 million dollars on its opening weekend. Ultimately, the film only made 24.6 million dollars, and finished second in the box office behind ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}'' (which had been released ''two weeks'' prior) in a surprise upset. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-can-transformers-one-borrow-a-page-from-spider-verse-and-recover-1236009559/ "Box Office: Can Transformers One Borrow a Page From Spider-Verse and Recover?"] </ref> In its second weekend, the film lost out out to rival animated robot movie ''{{w|The Wild Robot}}'', and ultimately took in a mere 9.2 million dollars after suffering a 62.8% drop. <ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/09/box-office-megalopolis-the-wild-robot-1236101618/ "'Wild Robot' Powers To Third Best September Animated Pic Debut With $35M; 'Megalopolis' Collapses With $4M & D+ CinemaScore; 'Saturday Night' Alive In Limited Release -- Box Office Update" </ref>

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
*March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
*December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
*April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
*May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
*May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
*January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
*April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
*April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
*April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
*May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
*June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
*June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
*July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
*December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
*April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
*April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
*April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
*May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
*June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
*June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
*June 12, 2024 — Several media outlets, including representatives from TFWiki, are invited to an [[Transformers One London advance screening|advance screening]] hosted by di Bonaventura and Cooley.
*June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
*June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
*July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
*July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
*July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
*July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
*July 25, 2024 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
*August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
*August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
*August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
*September 17, 2024 — In an interview with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Josh Cooley, when asked again about ''One''{{'}}s relation to any of the live-action movies, di Bonaventura stated, "It was like 300 million years before the [[Transformers (film)|first Michael Bay movie]], so if that's a prequel, that's a prequel."<ref>[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-and-josh-cooley-interview/ Transformers One Producer Hopes For Sequel & Confirms G.I. Joe Crossover]</ref>
*September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
*September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
*Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
*At one point, a bird robot based on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Aerobolt]] would've played a role in the story. <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "In an older version of the story we explored Aerobolt being part of the story. It never made it into the final."|link=https://x.com/ScheierJason/status/1840624306465755358|name=Jason Scheier|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=9|day=30}}</ref>
*An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
*Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin Ying Gam Gong: Choh Chi Pin''''' (變形金剛：初始篇, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers Egy''''' ("Transformers One")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Solus Prime

2024-11-05T21:01:21Z

MegaSolus: /* One film */

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-SolusPrime.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Solus Prime|cPretty=Solus Prime}}}}
{{featured}}
[[File:Solusprime covenant profile.jpg|thumb|right|263px|Rosie the riveted.]]

Among the [[Thirteen]], '''Solus Prime''' is the Maker and creator. Among her friends she is much loved both for her abilities to forge nearly any device they need and for her intelligence and positive supportive personality. If she has any flaw, it is her fierce and angry temper that quickly flares up at any sign of injustice. She finds joy in creation, which is why she's particularly close friends with [[Nexus Prime]], [[Micronus Prime]], and [[Onyx Prime]] who revel in similar pursuits. Her closest relationship, however, is to [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]. The two are bound by a close devoted romantic love unique among the Thirteen, and spend much of their time online and off rejoicing in each other's presence. (The fact that both have quick fiery tempers surely won't cause issues down the road.)

All [[female Transformer]]s are patterned from her template and thus are gifted with a similar processing architecture, which is the main differentiation between them and their male counterparts.

Many of the arsenal of magnificent weaponry and icons wielded by the other original Transformers are her impressive handiwork, created by an icon of her own, the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], aided by her unique cognitive systems specializing in wide-ranging and powerful parallel processing, and manifesting in the holographic lattice known as the [[Creation Lathe]]. Her creations include:

* The [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]
* The [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]
* The [[Chimera Stone]]
* The [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]
* The [[Infinite Combinatoric]]
* The [[Chaos Edge]]
* The [[Cyber Caliber]]
* The [[Quill]]
* The [[Zeonomicon]]
* The [[Terminus Blade]]
* The [[Enigma of Combination]]

==Fiction==
===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
Solus Prime was the fourth Prime created by [[Primus]] to defeat [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. The builder and creator of the Thirteen, Solus opted to remain a free agent as the newborn Primes strategized for their upcoming battle against the chaos-bringer. As part of their training, Solus created a holo-suite, which contained a virtual copy of Unicron for the Primes to train against. The Primes quickly learned that their enemy was more than capable of trouncing them in direct combat.

Solus Prime befriended the conflicted Megatronus, building for him the first set of [[Dark Energon]] [[Dark Energon skin|skin]]s. At Megatronus's urging, she constructed the Requiem Blaster, a weapon that she considered virtually unstoppable. Doubtful at what she had created, the Requiem Blaster led to a heated debate amongst the Thirteen, with [[Liege Maximo]] pointing out that the moody Megatronus could easily turn on his brothers and become unstoppable. Solus Prime defended Megatronus, arguing that Megatronus- who had successfully resisted the temptation of his inner demons- was perhaps best suited to carrying the destructive weapon. Megatronus was proud of her speech, and Solus Prime continued to churn out new weapons and artifacts for her brothers, working closely with them in order to mimic some of their innate powers. Continuing their training, Solus worked with [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]], [[Micronus Prime]], and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] to build a [[Vector Sigma|computer]] capable of predicting all of Unicron's potential moves.

Eventually, the time came to launch an assault on Unicron himself. Wielding her Forge and a sword, Solus led the charge through [[Vector Prime]]'s [[space bridge]] and onto Unicron himself. After [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] shut down Unicron from the inside, the weary but triumphant Primes headed back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Unbeknownst to them all, Unicron's presence had left them all a little more susceptible to their inner darkness.

[[File:COP-Megatronusshootssolus.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Yeah, we're not fond of this scene either.]]

In the era that followed, Solus continued to work at her Forge, building useful items for the burgeoning settlement of the Primes. She and Megatronus remained close to each other. Tensions between the Primes began to grow on the day that Solus refused to make a suit of armor for Liege Maximo, who claimed that he was building some robotic creatures for company. As a gift, Liege Maximo gave her one of the creatures, whom she adopted as a pet. After some wheedling from Maximo, Solus decided to forge the armor in question.

[[Prima]] and some of the other Primes got word of the "farm", and called a vote to decide its future. Solus voted against the continuation of the project, but not without a defiant remark aimed at Prima, who had cast aspersions on Megatronus's character.

Megatronus confronted Solus Prime over Maximo's suit of armor, which had been completed long ago but had never been delivered to its intended recipient. Their disagreement eventually grew into a full-fledged fight after Megatronus killed her pet, which had secretly been recording Solus Prime's actions. In the chaos, Megatronus fired the Requiem Blaster without thinking, fatally wounding Solus Prime. Before Solus passed away, however, she professed her love for him. Solus's body returned to the core of Cybertron and [[Primus]], and the passage it left behind became the [[Well of All Sparks]].

Following the death of Liege Maximo, the surviving Primes built a tomb in her memory, far away from Cybertron. There, they held a funeral for their fallen comrade. A repentant Megatronus attended the celebration, where he mused that Solus Prime had seen something good in him and that he would find a way to live up to that.

Following the beginning of Cybertronian civilization, one-thirteenth of Cybertron's population considered themselves descendants of Solus Prime, and possessed a very similar neural structure to their progenitor. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
Near the dawn of time, while the Thirteen were struggling with the threat of [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]], [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] commissioned Solus Prime to create a weapon of incredible destruction to use against the Chaos Bringer. Solus Prime had strong reservations, but after a long period of time managed to create the Requiem Blaster. She gathered the interested members of the Thirteen to witness a test of its powers, and leveled a mountain. She pointed out that power corrupts and worried that the existence of such a weapon could possibly lead to their own downfall. Ultimately, the Thirteen voted seven to six to keep the Requiem Blaster and not destroy it.

It was Solus Prime's sudden murder at the hands of the enraged Megatronus that caused the first major schism in the Thirteen. After Megatronus became The Fallen and was defeated by the remnants of the Thirteen, a tomb was fashioned for Solus Prime out of a meteor and set adrift in the stars, reachable only by a series of [[space bridge]]s.

Countless years later, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] came across Solus Prime's tomb while searching for a mystical artifact. A semi-sentient hologram of Solus Prime appeared and warned Optimus and his Autobots to leave. Solus Prime directed them towards a Space Bridge which would take them to the location of the lost Requiem Blaster.
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[Image:OneShallRise1-SolusPrime.jpg|left|thumb|200px|I'm a godly being from the dawn of creation... but I'm not [[Override Prime|the first female Prime]]?!]]
According to legend, at the beginning of time, [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] and [[Primus]] battled each other for eons, with neither side remaining victorious for long. Till, that is, Primus created the [[Thirteen]]. These Thirteen defeated Unicron and cast him into space. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} At some point statues of Solus Prime and the Thirteen were created and placed in the high council chamber. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} In more recent times, her forge was among the artifacts sealed the [[Vaults]] of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], and was later sent to Earth by Alpha Trion, where it was found and used by Optimus Prime and the Autobots. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
In the distant past, Megatronus destroyed Solus Prime. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

[[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] occasionally swore by Solus Prime, {{storylink|True Colors}} as did [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Combine and Conquer}}

{{-}}

===Generation 1 continuity family===
====2005 IDW continuity====
:* ''First Appearance:'' [[The Crucible|''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' #34]] (mentioned); [[The Sum and Its Parts|''Transformers: Windblade'' vol. 2 #1]] (depicted)

[[File:Windblade 1 solus prime.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Rosie the Riveter. Wait, we already made that joke. Ah, crap.]]

In the age following the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], Solus Prime was one of the many Primes that arose on prehistoric Cybertron, tribal leaders who gathered like-minded followers. {{storylink|Heavy}} Approximately twelve million years ago, Solus and her tribe joined a coalition of like-minded Primes—[[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], [[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Alchemist Prime]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]—and founded the village that would eventually become the [[Crystal City]].

One evening, Vector brought news that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] and his [[Darklands|Darklander]]s had invaded the neighboring city of [[Protihex|Protohex]] and slain [[Septimus Prime]]. Solus was unmoved, but when [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] arrived to confirm Vector's warnings, they agreed to join forces. The next morning, the Primes watched as Onyx's army of beasts battled the Darklanders until a trio of [[Titan (group)|Titans]] emerged from the ground and gave Onyx the opportunity to reach Megatronus and call for a truce. The eight Primes then agreed to an alliance, and were joined shortly afterwards by [[Prima]] and his northern alliance. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

Over the next two million years, the Primes ruled benevolently; Solus Prime became known for her friendship with Megatronus {{storylink|Heavy}} and her endless creativity, using her [[Creation Lathe]] to build the collection of weapons, artworks, and scientific devices that comprised the "Artifacts of the Primes." {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} Solus even commanded the loyalty of a Titan, [[Caminus (Titan)|Caminus]]. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} In time, however, some of the Primes grew arrogant, and sought to preserve their hold on power by claiming that they were functionally immortal: it was falsely claimed that only a Prime could kill a Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

Unbeknownst to the other Primes, however, "Onyx Prime" was not who he appeared to be—in reality, "Onyx" was a convenient identity assumed by a time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], who sought to guide history along its preordained course while analyzing the variables that inevitably led his race to fall to civil war. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Solus eventually forged a powerful sword for Prima that incorporated the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and dubbed it the "[[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]" {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} causing "Onyx" to realize that—in order to maintain the timeline and ensure that the Matrix of Leadership would one day find its way to [[Nova Prime|its next bearer]]—he would have to engineer the fall of the Primes as history dictated.
[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusKillsSolus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.65|left|Alex {{w|Women in refrigerators|the refrigerator'd.}}]]

Following a disastrous offworld expedition, Prima blamed Megatronus for this failure; though Megatronus tried to convince Solus Prime that he had been in the right, she rejected his explanations, arguing that the Primes needed to use their powers to "light the way," not destroy indiscriminately. This rejection pushed him towards the more receptive [[Liege Maximo]], a betrayal that led to the two hatching a plan to stage a coup against Prima. When this treachery was revealed, Solus was able to defend Prima from the traitors, but at the cost of her own life—she was slain by her former friend Megatronus and impaled on her own Star Sabre. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The fallout from this act would, in turn, spark the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], {{storylink|The Crucible}} and prompt some of Liege Maximo's own followers to turn against him; {{storylink|Heavy}} none of the Primes or their followers would ever learn that "Onyx" had deliberately orchestrated this entire sequence of events from the shadows. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

At some point before the [[Golden Age]], Caminus would leave Cybertron and colonize [[Caminus (planet)|a distant moon]] that he named after himself, founding a new Transformer civilization. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}} This Transformer colony would develop a religion known as the [[Way of Flame]]. Based off the teachings and philosophies of Solus Prime, the religion deified the Thirteen as gods and venerated Solus Prime as the greatest among this pantheon, beliving that every Camien's [[spark]] contained a fragment of Solus's essence. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} On death, the devout held that all sparks returned to Solus Prime's forge, where it would be reincarnated as a new Cybertronian. {{storylink|The Life of Sideswipe}} The religious organization known as the [[Torchbearer]]s considered themselves servants of Solus Prime and organized themselves into groups of six to commemorate Solus Prime's Creation Lathe. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}}

====''Power of the Primes'' marketing material====
Solus Prime's [[Spark]] passed into the possession of one of the twelve [[Prime Master]]s; hidden within a suit of decoy armor, they safeguarded the abilities of the Primes until the present day. By uniting with a larger Transformer, the Prime Master could channel the powers of Solus's Spark and grant them unique abilities that varied with each new partner. {{storylink|#Power of the Primes|Octopunch / Solus Prime online bio}}

{{note|For a list of every permutation of Solus Prime's abilities, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this link]].}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
{{voiceactor|[[Jaime King]] (English)}}
[[File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|left|thumb|200px|]]
[[File:Machinima-POTP-Solus.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Well, I'm sure this heavy red filter on the scene doesn't bode poorly for me in the slightest!]]
Solus Prime created many tools to help defend against [[Unicron]], including the [[Enigma of Combination]] and the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]. After her lover Megatronus used the Blaster to vanquish Unicron, she welcomed him back to her forge. Its purpose now served, Solus believed the weapon should be destroyed to prevent its misuse, though Megatronus believed it was safer in his care. {{storylink|The Swamp}} The two began fighting over the weapon, inadvertently causing it to fire and mortally wound Solus. Dying in Megatron's arms, her life force was released into the air before forming the Well of Sparks. {{storylink|Without Warning}} {{storylink|Consequences}} Because of her death, the other members of the [[Thirteen]] sealed the Blaster away and Megatronus began brainstorming a plan to reunite with Solus. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}}

Ultimately, Megatronus obtained the Enigma, Blaster and [[Matrix of Leadership]], combining their powers to siphon life energy from Transformers everywhere into the Well. As his team arrived and subdued Megatronus, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] watched as the energy coalesced and Solus began to reform. Confused by her circumstances, she asked Megatron what was happening to her, which he explained. She proceeded to only stand and observe as Megatronus eliminated each of his foes. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Horrified by what she witnessed, Solus repeatedly begged Megatronus to stop, directing the others to destroy the machine tethering her to the Well. The machine eventually released the relics, causing Solus to begin to fade away. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Still begging for help and for Megatronus to stop, Solus took matters into her own hands and used the energy of the sparks to grow in size and grabbed Megatronus. Calling him out on the many atrocities he had committed, including causing her death, she pulled him down into the Well, killing them both and releasing all the accumulated sparks. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

{{-}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:ADustOfCrystals-AgeOfTheFirstforged.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

One of the Thirteen Primes, {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} Solus Prime forged the [[Matrix of Leadership]] during the [[Age of Primes]], an act that was said to be guided by Primus himself. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

She survived the end of the Age of Primes, living into the [[Age of the Firstforged]] where her own Ur-Forge brought forth new life on Cybertron. {{storylink|End of Time}} In that age, Solus Prime was once visited by a supplicant named [[Solomus]], who shared his vision for [[Crystal City]]. Solus and [[Alchemist Prime]] helped Solomus bring his dream to fruition. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}

{{-}}

===Fun Publications===
[[File:HephaestusSolusPrimeAVP.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
[[Vector Prime]] shared many happy memories with his sister. When the Thirteen spent time in ancient Greece of some [[universal stream]]s, the male holomatter avatar Solus used inspired/co-opted the myth of Hephaestus, blacksmith of the gods. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} During this time, (s)he crafted the Aegis of [[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Athena]] and the trident of [[Adaptus|Poseidon]], and was "bonded" to Liege Maximo (who manifested as the female Venus) by [[Prima]] in hopes of quelling the animosity that had flared up between them. It didn't go so well; "Interesting times," Vector Prime recalls. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}} Vector also noted that there were [[universal stream]]s where she was known as Solus [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/24}}

As the original Cybertronian master forger, Solus created the [[Zeonomicon]] for [[Logos Prime]] {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}} and the [[Terminus Blade]] for her siblings to cross dimensions in their campaign against Unicron, though the latter was soon rendered obsolete by technological advancement and carelessly discarded. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

As [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] began acting for evil causes, his siblings among the Thirteen resolved to keep the all-powerful [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] out of his hands. To this end, Solus Prime used her [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]] to split the mighty blade into five pieces. [[Nexus Prime]] volunteered to split himself into five pieces to hide the five fragments across the multiverse. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}} {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}} The [[Origin Matrix]], the most powerful fragment, was hidden on prehistoric [[Earth]] of [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]] and time-locked by [[Vector Prime]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}}

Vector Prime stated that Solus went on to be the first of the Thirteen to perish. However, this was at a time after the opening of the [[Uniend|Uniend Cluster]] and soon before the [[Shroud]], so it is uncertain whether Vector was referring to the Uniend or non-Uniend version(s) of Solus. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/14}}

After escaping from the clutches of [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] in [[Axiom Nexus]], [[Vector Prime]] (deliberately playing up to the public image of himself as a doddering old fool) pretended to momentarily mistake his [[Axiom Nexus News]] colleague [[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] for his sister Solus Prime. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/07/08}}

When [[Nexus Prime]] united the [[Terminus Blade]] and the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], the other [[Thirteen]] were drawn to the event—including an expression of Solus's singularity that existed from a time before she had perished. Time and space were rewritten that day, as the walls between the multiverse grew stronger and less permeable. A consequence of strengthening the multiverse was that Solus Prime and the original Thirteen could no longer continue to exist as multiversal singularities, and so they were splintered and scattered throughout the multiverse. And so the one became many, sentient reoccurring themes each appearing in their own way, if at all, in all the worlds of the multiverse. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
Solus Prime was one of the [[Thirteen]], {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}} {{storylink|Silent Strike}} {{storylink|The Other One}} later generations sometimes invoking her name as a form of swearing. {{storylink|Shadowstriker (episode)|Shadowstriker}}

After gaining control of the [[AllSpark|Allspark]], [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] believed he had pulled Solus Prime's spark back to the world of the living and implanted it into one of his "[[scraplet|children]]", though some questioned the legitimacy of his claims. {{storylink|Parley}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:One-Solus-Prime.jpg|thumb|For once she doesn't get killed [[The Fallen|by love]]... then [[Sentinel Prime (One)|this jerk]] shows up...]]
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers One (film)|Transformers One}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Some Cybertronians believed that Solus Prime crafted the [[Enigma of Combination]] using her supernatural [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]]. The Torchbearers of Caminus venerated Solus Prime, and organized themselves into six in tribute to her [[Creation Lathe]]. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Toys==
===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Prime-Master-Solus-Octopunch.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
* '''Solus Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])
** ''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-28'''
** ''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[September 29]], 2018'''
** ''Accessories'': [[Octopunch (G1)#Power of the Primes|Octopunch]] decoy armor, tentacle device
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Solus Prime is a [[Prime Master]] with [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell.

: This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[You|your]] imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.

: Solus Prime was retooled with a new [[Prime Master]] sigil as [[Prima#Power of the Primes|Prima Prime]].
{{anchor|PWTSE}}{{anchor|SpecialEdition}}

{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Special-Edition-Prime-Master-Solus-Prime.jpg|200px|thumb|Refrigerator not included.]]
* '''Repugnus''' (Special Edition, 2018)

: Available only with ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class [[Repugnus (G1)#PWTSE|Repugnus]] and [[Dastard#Titans Return|Dastard]], this version of Solus Prime is a [[redeco]] of the above Prime Master featuring translucent parts, and lacking the decoy armor. This "Special Edition" set celebrates the ''Titans Return'' portion of the ''[[Prime Wars Trilogy]]''.

: This set was an [[Amazon (website)|Amazon.com]] online [[exclusive]], revealed on the site before Hasbro officially announced it. It was also available at general retail in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore.

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Potp-Solus-Prime-Concept.JPG|200px|thumb|Power of the Primes concept art]]
* Solus, like other members of the Thirteen, was once a [[multiversal singularity]] who existed as one being throughout all of space and time, but that is [[Shroud|no longer the case]].
* Suns are capable of forging any raw element under the right conditions, so it's fitting that Solus Prime can forge anything ''from'' raw elements.
* The explanation for the use of the 'she' pronoun for Solus in the Aligned continuity, as detailed in her section of the ''Covenant'', is that Cybertronians do ''not'' "have gender in the same way that humans and certain other biological species do", but instead use pronouns as a result of a communication protocol designed to help facilitate dialogue between Cybertronians and the members of those biological races, as a means of recognizing and celebrating difference. It indicates, however, that 1/13th of the Cybertronian population has a divergent neurological architecture that supposedly is necessary to interact with the Creation Lathe, thus effectively denoting that their neurology has gender-equivalent differences. This explanation does not preclude the possibility that a Cybertronian could voluntarily self-identify with a gender concept found among organics.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''Solus Prime''' (ソラスプライム ''Sorasu Puraimu'')
* ''Mandarin:'' '''Sài Tiān Jiāo''' (赛天骄, "Race the Proud of Heaven")

{{Thirteen}}

[[Category:Amazon exclusives]]
[[Category:Caminus]]
[[Category:Cyberverse Transformers]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:One Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Prime Transformers]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Transformers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise characters]]

Soundwave (One)

2024-11-05T19:16:35Z

MegaSolus: /* One film */

{{factions|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Soundwave}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] from [[Transformers One (franchise)|One]].''

[[File:Onesoundwave.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]

'''Soundwave''' is a high-ranking member of the [[High Guard]] and one of [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]'s top lieutenants. A bot of few words compared to his comrades, he possesses powerful sonic abilities and can scan the electrical impulses of other Cybertronians' brains, which allows him to detect any lie or deception.

{{bigquote|High Guard, eject!|Soundwave does what he does best|''[[Transformers One (film)|One]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''One'' film===
{{voiceactor|[[Jon Bailey]] (English), [[Yōji Ueda]] (Japanese, current voice), [[Itaru Yamamoto]] (Japanese, original theatrical voice)|[[Domenic Strobel]] (German), [[Héctor Estrada]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Alessandro Ballico]] (Italian), [[Janne Komppa]] (Finnish), [[Bertrand Nadler]] (European French)}}

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Sorcerers, fortify your minds!"]]
Soundwave was a member of the Cybertronian [[High Guard]]. Upon bearing witness to [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]]'s betrayal of the Primes, he and the rest of the High Guard resolved to hide away from the rest of Cybertronian society and delegate resources towards sabotaging Sentinel's rule.

Flanking Starscream alongside [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]], Soundwave stood in attendance as Starscream interrogated [[Optimus Prime (One)|a]] [[Megatron (One)|quartet]] [[Bumblebee (One)|of]] [[Elita-1 (One)|trespassers]]. He scanned the electrical impulses of [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]]'s brain and informed Starscream that Orion was speaking the truth, but Starscream rebuked him and claimed it only meant Orion believed what he was saying. He then received a complaint from Shockwave that they should have applied a stronger gag when [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] managed to get it off his mouth, though he did not respond. When things went sour and a fight broke out between Starscream and [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], Soundwave silently stopped Shockwave from intervening with a single gesture.

Though the duel ended with D-16 victorious and Starscream's life spared, that was when a swarm of [[Death Tracker]]s led by [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] descended upon them. Soundwave fought bravely against them and managed to avoid being captured himself, but could not prevent the numerically superior enemy from carrying off many prisoners including Starscream, D-16, and B-127. In the aftermath of the battle, Soundwave ordered the remaining High Guard to prepare for battle once [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] had 'convinced' Shockwave to join forces.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveTrioShot.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Don't stop moving to that S Club beat!"]]
Soundwave took part in the assault on Sentinel's tower, piloting the energon transport train carrying the High Guard warriors and commanding them into battle. Once the train had breached Sentinel's tower, he swooped through the air in vehicle mode and fired a sonic pulse that disabled all the prisoners' [[stasis cuffs]], allowing them to join the fight as well. He watched and cheered as Megatron tore Sentinel in half and participated in the destruction of Iacon City, only to be interrupted by a returned Orion - now rechristened Optimus Prime. He then rushed in to engage the Prime in combat when Megatron commanded his men to attack, but got bashed in the head with a missile by Optimus for his troubles. Soundwave and his fellow High Guard officers chose to follow Megatron and retreat after Optimus exiled Megatron and all his followers from Iacon.

Later, Soundwave received a new [[insignia|brand]] on his chest alongside all of Megatron's other followers. He watched as Megatron officially announced the formation of the [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

==Notes==
*Soundwave's hovercraft alternate mode is very similar to the one designed for his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|live-action ''Bumblebee'' counterpart's]] ''[[Studio Series]]'' toy.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Soundwave''' (サウンドウェーブ ''Saundowēbu'')

[[Category:One Decepticons]]

Stinger (weapon)

2024-11-05T00:50:26Z

MegaSolus: /* Fiction */

{{disambig3|Stinger}}
[[Image:TFA Bumblebee stingers.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Can fry anything except the guys he's shooting at.]]

'''Stingers''' are weapons capable of firing blasts of concentrated electricity. As their name suggests, they tend to be favored by 'bots named [[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|Bumblebee]].

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' continuity===
Both [[Wasp]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] possessed stingers, both proudly displaying them to [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Minor]] at boot camp. The drill sergeant awarded the former his codename for his fine control over his weapons and the latter for his lack thereof. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

When Bumblebee was demoted to a repair crew, his stingers were reduced in power. {{storylink|TransWarped}} In this reduced state, they were still able to blast through rock, [[space barnacle]]s, and any old [[Earth]] material. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} {{storylink|Nature Calls}} The stinger could also be combined with [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s magnets to create [[electromagnetic pulse]]s. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}} {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

The stingers were however useless against [[Decepticon]] [[armor-plating]], their full power harmlessly deflecting off of [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

When facing off against a [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] controlled [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]], Ratchet returned Bumblebee's stingers to battle grade. They failed to so much as scratch the Omega Guardian. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

===Live-action film series===
====''Revenge of the Fallen'' battle bio====
[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] is equipped with stingers that can demolish machines at short range. Some Transformers can be temporarily disabled with them.<ref>Bumblebee's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref>

====''Bumblebee'' film====
Bumblebee possessed two different stinger weapons. One was the '''Stinger Sword''', a small sword that came out of his wrist. The other was the '''Stinger Blaster''', a blaster that his right arm could transform into.

Upon his arrival on Earth, Bumblebee used his Stinger Sword to damage [[Blitzwing (BB)|Blitzwing]]'s jet engines, stripping the [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]] of his flight. When he was impaled by the [[Sector Seven]] harpoon guns, Bumblebee used the Stinger Sword to cut the ropes of the harpoons to free himself. The sword was broken off during his fight with [[Shatter]], who impaled him in the shoulder with it. She nearly used it to deliver the killer blow before Bumblebee caused a flood that resulted in Shatter getting crushed to death by a cargo ship. {{storylink|Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] can transform one of his hands into a stinger, delivering a massive jolt of electricity into any enemy he strikes with it. This seems to leave them in a stasis-lock-like state for a brief period. The weapon can also function as a blade, and the jolt is surprisingly accurate to the point that when it hits two bots in close contact, only the intended target gets shocked. Bee can also extend 2 stinger blades from the rims of his tires in vehicle mode. Despite the weapon's effectiveness, a few bots can resist the electric shock, and not even Bee himself is safe from the weapon's power.

When Bumblebee and [[Chromia (Cyberverse)|Chromia]] faced the [[Dweller (Cyberverse)|Dweller]], the latter found that stinger could negate the Dweller's hypnotic gas. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material===
The sting(er) blaster was one of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s powers and weapons, as was [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] wielded his stingers in battle, but could also apply them with more finesse for smaller tasks, such as signing [[Alex Malto]]'s merchandise. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 2}} {{storylink|Moo-ving In}} Despite this, he refused to use them for menial household chores. {{storylink|House Rules}}

===''One'' film===
{{Stub}}
{{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

==Notes==
[[Image:MovieBumblebeeStinger.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Unused movie stinger model.]]
* Bumblebee's stingers were first developed as a concept for the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]] before being scrapped from the finished cut. They were eventually repurposed in other media.
* [[Bumblebee_(Movie)/toys#MPM3|''Masterpiece Movie'' Bumblebee]] explicitly renames movieverse Bumblebee's primary weapon (formerly known as a "[[plasma cannon]]" in most tie-in media) as a "Stinger Blaster". This name change has continued since then.
* Bumblebee's wrist sword and gun arm in the ''Bumblebee'' movie were named the Stinger Sword and Stinger Blaster in some toy and merchandise information.<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/product/transformers-bumblebee-movie-toys-power-charge-bumblebee-action-figure-lights-and-sounds-10-5-inch:A2A70A6A-2957-4F54-ACBB-150776C88CA5 Power Charge Bumblebee on the official Transformers site]</ref><ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Disguise-Bumblebee-Stinger-Costume-Accessory/dp/B079Z7K1KQ Bumblebee Halloween costume Stinger Sword accessory]</ref><ref>[https://www.threezerohk.com/product/transformers-bumblebee-bumblebee-premium-scale/ 3A Transformers Bumblebee – Bumblebee Premium Scale figure on Threezero website]</ref> They did not appear to be electrical weapons, unlike other incarnations.
* In the ''War for Cybertron: Kingdom'' webpage, both Bumblebee and Waspinator have the stinger blaster as one of their powers and weapons. This is a nod to their ''Animated'' counterparts, who shared a [[body-type]] prior to Wasp's transformation into Waspinator.
** Considering this, it is implied that all Cybertronians wearing the [[65356-9292-346]] body-type have stingers.
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Stinger Sword''' (''Cyberverse'', スティンガーソード ''Sutingā Sōdo'')

==Merchandise==
[[File:Bumblebee_Stinger_Blaster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now you can sting like a bee in real life Note: product does not actually sting.]]
*'''Bumblebee Stinger Blaster''' (2018)
**''Parts:'' Launching disks (5), Stinger Blaster weapon.
:Based of the appearance in the ''Bumblebee'' film, this [[roleplay toy]] can convert between blaster and stinger modes, allowing the stinger blade to pop out. As a blaster it can fire included disk projectiles. It also includes a code for the [[Bee Vision]] app for use with the Bee Vision Bumblebee Augmented Reality Mask.
{{-}}
==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated weapons]]
[[Category:Cyberverse weapons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen weapons]]
[[Category:Bumblebee weapons]]

Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I

2024-10-31T19:52:41Z

MegaSolus:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #34
|prev=Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II
|next=Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II
|caption=
|image=TF2019 34 cvrA.jpg
|title="Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 1]], 2021
|coverdate=August 2021
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Anna Malkova]]
|colors=[[David García Cruz]] and [[Evan Gauntt]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Termagax has a secret—and when the Decepticons go after Megatron's old mentor, Landmine and Geomotus are caught in the middle.'''

==Synopsis==
While conducting a geological survey near the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]], [[Geomotus]] and his best friend [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] observe that the frenzied [[rust worm]]s have disrupted the usually placid sea, putting it in a state of upheaveal. [[Termagax]] cuts in to explain that the creatures have been in a frenzy ever since the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Citadel (Titan)|Citadel]] splashed down in their feeding grounds and provided them with a feast, the likes of which they haven't seen in eons. Since her last confrontation with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the reclusive engineer has retreated into the deep wilderness to evade the [[Decepticon]]s who've been searching for her; with the latest such patrol inbound, Termagax warns the pair that they should take shelter inside her mobile [[House (building)|House]]. Indeed, when the Decepticon flier [[Red Wing (G1)|Red Wing]] and his [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s spy Termagax's tower, the trio immediately recognize the building for what it is—when Red Wing suggests they fall back and inform their superiors, the reckless [[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]] and [[Wingstun]] ignore Termagax's warnings, attempt a landing, and are promptly repelled by an electrical field. The pair don't take the hint and try a second pass... at which point House launches a barrage of surface-to-air projectiles that transform into energy-draining clamps. As Wingstun retreats, Space Case loses power and crashes into the sea, where the rust worms promptly devour him alive.

In [[Crystal City]], the remnants of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Security Operations]] division have come together with the specialists, scientists, and engineers displaced by Megatron's coup to form a new Autobot faction. As [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] wraps up his speech congratulating the new recruits, he informs [[Pyra Magna]] that he's got news: thanks to a tip-off from his former spy [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], he's learned that Termagax may possess the most powerful weapon on Cybertron—something that could change the course of the war. Although finding the notoriously reclusive philosopher will pose a challenge, [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] points out that tracking her down might not be an issue—he's just received an interesting transmission from Geomotus, out near the Sea of Rust...

Elsewhere, Megatron has arranged an audience with notorious war criminal [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Although most Cybertronians thought him dead after the end of the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], the mercurial Seeker explains that after he abandoned [[Exarchon]], he was banished from the planet... but when he grew bored and attempted to return home, he wound up stranded in [[unspace]] for kilocycles. Megatron has no patience for his antics, and when [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] informs Megatron that Red Wing has located Termagax out in the Rust Sea, the Decepticon leader tells Soundwave to get [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] on the job. Skywarp, eager to spread his unique brand of mayhem once more, asks if he can come along too, but when Soundwave refuses to tell him where he can find Shockwave, Skywarp just teleports away.

While Termagax catches up with Landmine and Geomotus, [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] leader [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] receives a transmission from Shockwave: although Bombshell and Shockwave have agreed on a ceasefire, that agreement came with the stipulation that Bombshell and his clone-drones must support the Decepticons when asked—and right now, he's delegating the task of capturing Termagax to the Insecticons. When his minion [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]] wonders why Shockwave's not using his own army of superior [[Insecticon clone]]s, Shockwave explains that forcing his rival's hand will give Shockwave an edge—forcing Bombshell to throw his army of cheap, shoddy clones into combat will weaken him in the long run. If Bombshell succeeds, then Shockwave will have the [[Enigma of Combination]]... and if Bombshell fails, then Shockwave will still have undermined a potential competitor while still having [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to fall back upon.

Landmine warns Geomotus that they really should leave before the Decepticons show up in force—but Geomotus, taken by Termagax's collection of rare Cybertronian strata, wants to dawdle and enjoy himself. Termagax reminds Landmine that it will take time for the Decepticons to muster a coordinated response... but when the House AI detects something on the horizon, Termagax sees what the Decepticons have sent after her: a gigantic swarm of Insecticon clones!

Meanwhile, in [[Praxus]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] have finally awoken [[Jumpstream]] from her slumber. Jumpstream groans that she saw another world... but Perceptor reveals to her that his teleport harness took her across time, not space. This revelation shakes Jumpstream to her core: if she saw the future, then that means the darkness she saw is still coming. Exarchon never died, Jumpstream tells them; Exarchon ''will'' return... and when Exarchon comes back, ''he wins''.

At first, House tries to outrun the swarm; as a panicked Landmine and Termagax snipe back and forth, Termagax finally decides to take charge and fight back. With a few verbal commands, House brings ''every'' weapon to bear—concealed missile launchers and antipersonnel weapons emerge from recessed compartments and begin chewing through the swarm. With their safety temporarily assured, Termagax takes a moment to explain ''why'' the Decepticons are after her: she holds the [[Enigma of Combination]], and although she might doubt the veracity of the [[Thirteen]], there's no denying the power of their incredible artifacts. Megatron will do anything to get that power in his hands... but before she can finish that thought, the House AI cuts in to alert the three that its systems are about to run out of ammunition. The surviving Insecticons promptly swarm over Termagax's fortress, and Termagax apologizes to the pair for getting them involved... until House picks up more contacts, coming in hot. A gout of flame incinerates multiple Insecticons and heralds some Autobot reinforcements: [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Geomotus]] (1)
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (2)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (7)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (8)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (9)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (10)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (11)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (12)
* [[Pyra Magna]] (13)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (14)
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (15)
* [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (16)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (17)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (18)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (19)
* [[Strongarm (G1)|Strongarm]] (20)
* [[Vibes]] (21)
* [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]] (22)
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (23)
* [[Pointblank]] (24)
* [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (25)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (39)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (40)
* [[Jumpstream]] (41)
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (49)
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (50)
{{!}}}

|h2=[[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s/[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
* [[Termagax]] (3)
* [[Wingstun]] (4)
* [[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]] (5)
* [[Red Wing (G1)|Red Wing]] (6)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (26)
* [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] (27)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (28)
* [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (29)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (30)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (31)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (32)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (34)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (35)
* [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]] (36)

|c4=
* [[Insecticon clone]]s (33)
* ''[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]'' (37)
* ''[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'' (38)
* ''[[Vector Prime]]'' (42)
* ''[[Quintus Prime]]'' (43)
* ''[[Micronus Prime]]'' (44)
* ''[[Liege Maximo]]'' (45)
* ''[[Solus Prime]]'' (46)
* ''[[Alchemist Prime]]'' (47)
* ''[[Nexus Prime]]'' (48)
}}

==Quotes==
"You waited until Exarchon was '''losing''', then changed sides to save your own '''life'''." 
"I survived, you won. Good result all around. And now we get to dance again, Sixshot."
:—'''Sixshot''' and '''Skywarp'''

"Of the '''fourteen artifacts''', only it and the Matrix have been seen since the Primes fell. And it has only resurfaced '''twice''' in all those ages, each time creating terror... and wonder. And only '''I''' know where the second of those wonders is, and how to direct it. If the Insecticons succeed, I gain the Enigma. If they '''fail''', we lose nothing. I already '''have''' what the Enigma offers. I have '''Devastator'''. A monopoly on wonder and terror is a good thing to hold."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"I don't understand. How can you not have '''heard''' that there's an '''Insecticon swarm''' on the loose?! They attacked '''Darkmount!''' They've been roaming the mountains for '''cycles! Everyone''' knows!" 
"The best way of '''avoiding''' attention is '''paying''' no attention. I am '''hiding''', you idiot!"
:—'''Landmine''' and '''Termagax'''

"I never really believed in the existence of the Thirteen—the Primes—as '''actual''' beings. Solus, Quintus, Nexus, Alchemist, and the rest. '''Metaphors'''. The embodiments of all the mysteries and abilities that make us. Everything that makes us unique, given a name and a face. And what else does a species '''do''' with its mysteries? But then there are the '''artifacts'''. I have seen the Matrix. Held the Enigma. And if they exist, perhaps the others do. The Mask and the Cog and the Stone. All the others. Perhaps the Primes were invented to explain '''them'''."
:—'''Termagax'''

"Never fear, lesser beings! '''SKY LYNX''' is here!"
:—'''Sky Lynx''' brings the cavalry

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Termagax went on the lam in [[War World: Awakenings|issue #26]] and took House with her after a final attempt to make Megatron see sense. She's still in possession of the [[Enigma of Combination]], which she'd previously used to create [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] in ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' [[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|#1]]. Her central workshop still includes both a dead [[Voin]] in a tank and what appears to be [[Gridlock]]'s severed head, furnishings that'd previously appeared in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two|#8]].
* Geomotus's best friend [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] last appeared in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|issue #21]]. Termagax commends his traumatic descent into Cybertron's [[Sonic Canyons]], an ill-fated expedition that Geomotus had previously mentioned in #14.
* The mysterious [[rust worm]]s first appeared in [[War World: Awakenings|issue #26]], but weren't specifically named until ''[[Transformers: Escape|Escape]]'' [[Escape Part Two|#2]]. During an exchange with Highbrow, Geomotus identified them as a serious threat to the planet's integrity, and they later appeared in again in [[War World: Titans|#29]] after the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Citadel (Titan)|Citadel]] crashed in the Sea of Rust. This issue finally clarifies the relationship between the worms, the sea, and the rest of Cybertron: the rust worms were originally a hostile, possibly invasive species who threatened the planet at some point during the [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]]. They ate their way through the planetary strata, defying all attempts to contain them, until finally the living planet did what Cybertronian could not by forming an impermeable basin to contain both the worms and the liquid rust particulates they excreted, and creating the Sea of Rust in the process.
* Red Wing's compatriots give him a hard time about his recent encounter with [[Pyra Magna]]'s [[Companion]]s in [[War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|#30]]. According to [[Nacelle (G1)|Nacelle]], Red Wing turned tail in the middle of the fight and left him—to be more precise, Red Wing told Nacelle to fall back when he saw who they were up against, but Nacelle didn't understand why Red Wing was retreating and got wailed on by a pissed-off [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] as a result.
* Although Pyra Magna claims that she barely knew Termagax, Optimus tells her that she became "something of a cause" for the ambitious Ascenticon leader. As discussed in issue #8, Termagax viewed Pyra's punishment as unjust; she told Megatron that she'd only return to society if [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] pardoned the former Great General.
* The last few issues have been a bit vague about Skywarp's situation, but his exchange with Megatron clarifies some details—most prominently, Skywarp changed sides at some point before the end of the war, and was later banished from the planet by [[Nominus Prime]] like Shockwave and the Insecticons. At some point afterwards, he attempted to jump back home using his teleportation powers, but wound up stranded in [[unspace]] instead, or so he claims, anyways...
* Bombshell and the other Insecticons deserted Shockwave and went rogue in the pages of ''[[Transformers: Escape]]'' to raise a clone army of their own—Landmine even recalls their attack on [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] in [[Escape Part Five|the final issue]]. At some point over the forty-cycle timeskip between then and [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|''Transformers'' #31]], it seems as though Bombshell and Shockwave have reached some kind of truce, although Bombshell points out that he only suggested a ceasefire after realizing he couldn't root them out—he sent [[Hydradread]] and [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] to assassinate the main trio in [[Escape Part Four|''Escape'' #4]] but things quickly went ''Aliens'' for them and they barely got out alive.
* [[Storm Horizon Part 3|''Galaxies'' #10]] ended with the reveal that Shockwave had been using the raw materials sourced from Soundblaster's splice-thieving operation to construct an army of [[Insecticon clone]]s of his own, with the implication that these clones would play a role in the then-upcoming ''Escape'' miniseries. In the actual ''Escape'' story, however, the clones were instead created by Bombshell and the gang after they stole one of Shockwave's cloning machines. This issue addresses the apparent discrepancy by revealing that Shockwave ''did'' create clones of his own, and they are noted to be of higher quality than the mindless monsters the Insecticons have created. Perhaps this sophistication has something to do with the Insecticons we saw in [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|#32]]'s bad future, which possessed the power to transform?
* In the same conversation, Shockwave finally confirms that Soundblaster is indeed a clone, presumably of the original Soundwave. Shockwave speaks of a "we" when discussing Soundblaster's creation, which suggests that he might have been a collaborative effort between Shockwave and Exarchon.
* As he contemplates the Enigma of Combination and the other lost artifacts of the Primes, Shockwave notes that the Enigma has only been used twice in recent history: it created [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] at some point before the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] immediately afterwards, who's shown to be sulking on an asteroid somewhere in deep space. Although Shockwave gloats that his command over Devastator gives him a monopoly on combiner power, he doesn't know that another combiner's recently come into play—[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] and his team absorbed [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]]'s artificial Enigma of Combination and became [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] in the [[Light/Star|2021 annual]].
* As the Insecticons overwhelm House, Termagax attempts to power up a [[spectrosynth drone]], the same kind of life-model-decoy tech she used in issue #26 to confront Megatron.
* The final panel shows that [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] has returned to duty—he was sidelined for a while after Sixshot mauled him in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|#23]], but evidently recovered over the course of the timeskip.

===Transformers references===
* The rust worms that plague the region resemble the [[Driller]]s from the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' film. Their wormlike shape, serrated fangs, description as "machine-animals", and their mysterious appearance at some point in Cybertron's deep past also recall the [[Dweller (G1)|Dweller]] from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]".
* [[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]] and [[Wingstun]] originated in the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' franchises respectively. Much like [[Hooligan (G2)|Hooligan]] in [[War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|#30]], the pair use the generic ''Siege'' [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] body-type, even though they weren't Seekers in their original franchises.
* Since returning to Cybertron in [[War World: Moon|issue #28]], it seems as though Huffer has upgraded to a new body off-screen based on his recent [[Huffer (G1)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''War for Cybertron'']] toy.
* Termagax's brief flashback features a look at seven members of the original [[Thirteen]] Transformers and some of the artifacts they carried. Many of them—[[Solus Prime|Solus]], [[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]], and [[Micronus Prime|Micronus]]—are immediately recognizable, but a few have been reinterpreted to varying degrees.
** If we assume that the sword on the top right is [[Prima]]'s [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], then that would probably make the beardy, blade-wielding 'bot in the top left corner [[Vector Prime]], who's wielded [[Rhisling|a different sword]] in various ''Transformers'' stories.
** Although basically all of the [[Liege Maximo]]'s contemporary fictional appearances have based the character on his {{w|Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki}}-esque depiction in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', this continuity returns Liege to his roots by giving him fangs, claws, a shrouded face, and a tentacle loincloth, all traits lifted from his monstrous [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'']] look.
** [[Alchemist Prime]], sporting a windscreen chest, round shoulders, and smokestacks, is physically based on [[Maccadam]] as he appeared in the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon, who was revealed to be Alchemist Prime in the cartoon's final season.
* The other side of the spread features several [[Artifacts of the Primes]]: in addition to the well-known [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], and the [[Enigma of Combination]], other artifacts include [[Onyx Prime]]'s [[Triptych Mask]], an hourglass trinket that's probably the [[Blades of Time]], and two artifacts that hadn't shown up in visual media before this: an atom-themed sphere that represents the [[Chimera Stone]] of [[Micronus Prime]],<ref>{{citesocial|quote=mm, that's Micronus' chimera stone, loosely based on an atom with electronic orbits, because why not? Nobody stopped me from doing so :D|link=https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1685268487290208256|name=Anna Malkova|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=7|day=29}}</ref> and a crystalline [[Transformation Cog (Amalgamous Prime)|Transformation Cog]] of [[Amalgamous Prime]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=uhhh as far as i can remeber it's Amalgamous t-cog in the book, i thought it'd be funny if it was actual t-shape XD, idk if earthspark is using it for the same|link=https://twitter.com/Anna__Malkova/status/1685244832443207680|name=Anna Malkova|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=7|day=29}}</ref>

===Errors===
* Throughout the comic, Landmine's chest is colored solid grey instead of orange.
* On page 4, the Seekers' underslung cannons disappear in panel 2.
* On page 7, Huffer's chest is orange instead of blue.
* When they first appear, Geomotus's comfort shapes are colored bronze. When the Insecticons attack, the shapes are colored blue, red, and green, and stay that way for the rest of the comic.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for August 18th, this issue arrives two weeks late, on September 1st.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Termagax, [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]], and Red Wing, with the Enigma of Combination, by [[Winston Chan]]
* '''Cover B''': Termagax grabs the flyswatter, by [[Susan Margevich]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Shockwave and the Insecticons, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]]

<gallery>
File:TF2019 34 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 34 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 34 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Star Trek]]'': The Mirror War
* ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Transformers: Shattered Glass]]''
* ''[[Transformers: King Grimlock]]''

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 5: Horrors Near and Far''''' ([[June 8]], [[2022]]) ISBN 168405883X / ISBN 978-1684058839
** Collects ''Transformers'' (2019) issues #31–36 & Annual 2021, ''Transformers Halloween Special'', and ''[[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits|Wreckers—Tread & Circuits]]'' issues [[Tread & Circuits Part 1|#1]]–[[Tread & Circuits Part 4|4]].
** Bonus material includes alternate covers.
** Hardcover format.

<gallery>
TF-IDW-2019v5.jpg|'''''Volume 5: Horrors Near and Far''''' – cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://comic-watch.com/news/sneak-peek-preview-of-idw-publishings-transformers-34 Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Thirteen

2024-10-25T00:05:59Z

MegaSolus: /* One film */

{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Thirteen}}
[[File:Original13.jpg|center|upright=2.8|thumb|Guess the one on fire!]]

{{quote|We are the 13, the first, the forgotten, each of us serving a function vital to the survival of the universe. Each of us designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and given a function to serve during the long march of infinity.|[[Vector Prime]]|"[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]"}}

The '''Thirteen''' are the first [[Transformer]]s created by [[Primus]]. Rightfully huge and powerful, each was designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]],<ref>A Hasbro Q&A response would later try to alter this. See Notes above.</ref> and given unique roles and natures to battle Primus's ancient foe [[Unicron]].

==Conceptual history==
[[File:BW Covenant.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] shares the same base concept with the Thirteen, and served as the prototype for them.]]
The concept of the Thirteen wasn't introduced until around 20 years into the ''Transformers'' brand's history, and the slow drip-feeding of information that characterized the early stages of their story has not been presented in a very linear manner. The development of the concept is described in this section to minimize confusion; for details of their history and actions in specific bits of fiction, see below.

The very earliest seeds of the Thirteen can be found in material produced by [[3H Productions]] for [[BotCon]], most notably 1999's "[[Covenant (story)|Covenant]]". Written by [[Simon Furman]], this story introduces the undeniably similar concept of the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]], a group of twelve zodiac-themed robots who are the first creations of [[Primus]], created as a test-run for the Transformer race. Despite the basic similarity between the Covenant and the Thirteen, there was no canonical connection between the two groups, aside from an ambiguous [[Ask Vector Prime]] entry published much later in 2015, which presented several different interpretations of how the groups might be related. Certainly, those same stories by 3H were incompatible with later lore of the Thirteen, as they introduced [[Primon]], a Matrix-bearer who preceded [[Prima]].

[[File:Vectorprimeut.jpg|thumb|[[Vector Prime]] was a prominent member of the Thirteen.]]

It was in the pages of 2004's ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' that the mysterious "Thirteen Original Transformers" were first spoken of, and their basic origin was laid down: they were the first Transformers created by Primus to battle Unicron, and their number included Prima, the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-bearer from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Comics series]]; [[The Fallen]], an enigmatic servant of Unicron from [[Dreamwave Productions]]' 2003 comic, ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages]]''; and the [[Liege Maximo]], an ancient evil [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] from the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comics]] (whose implied status as one of the first Transformers had previously been affirmed only in Furman's unofficial novella, ''[[Alignment]]''). The book also contained a passing mention that the enigmatic [[Maccadam|manager]] of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], a Cybertronian pub introduced in the UK Generation 1 Marvel Comics, was rumored to be one of the Thirteen (though it also admits that this could be a fabrication by the pub's drunken patrons). Not surprisingly, it was the creator of all four of these characters—the aforementioned Simon Furman—who both wrote the guide and conceived the idea of the Thirteen,<ref>Simon Furman panel, BotCon 2012</ref> recycling the same general idea behind the Covenant.<ref>Simon Furman at BotCon 2022.</ref>

[[File:ThirteenAaronArcherSketch.jpg|thumb|The roster of the Thirteen was not established from the outset.]]

The concept of the Thirteen quietly bubbled under for the next year, until another element was added with the introduction of [[Vector Prime]] in 2005's ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series. Created by lead Hasbro designer [[Aaron Archer]], Vector Prime was given a clockwork aesthetic to signify his old age and mastery over time itself, with his face evoking the [[Autobot]] sigil. While the original Japanese version of the ''Cybertron'' cartoon would simply treat him as a very ancient Autobot, Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]] would canonise him as one of the Thirteen in [[Vector Prime: In the Beginning|the first story]] produced for the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]. This story also introduced the idea that all of the Thirteen were [[Prime (rank)|Primes]], and that each had a specific function or purpose; Vector Prime's was stewardship of time, while a 2007 [[bio]] written for The Fallen's ''[[Titanium Series]]'' toy would later reveal he was the overseer of entropy.

[[File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|left|thumb|Fun Publications also introduced the first [[combiner]], [[Nexus Prime]].]]

While it was not immediately apparent, Hasbro had put a plan in motion for the Thirteen with the Collectors' Club comic: across the next five years, five separate robots were introduced who were gradually revealed to be components of the very first combiner, Nexus Prime, who was one of the Thirteen. Behind the scenes, Aaron Archer developed the remaining roster of the Thirteen, carrying forward Prima, The Fallen (whose true name became Megatronus), Liege Maximo, and Vector Prime, and adding [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], the Autobot elder from [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]]. The new members he introduced were intended to embody different kinds of Transformers: [[Onyx Prime]] (at first named simply "Maximus", after the [[Maximal]]s) represented the beasts, [[Micronus Prime|Micronus]] was the progenitor of the [[Mini-Con]]s, [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]] was tied to the [[Quintesson]]s, with a Japan-inspired "trickster", a female "forger" ([[Solus Prime]]), and an "elemental" proto-Transformer filling out the group.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Really we were trying to create a representation of each of the classic Transformer forms. So as I was creating the Thirteen, some had been figured out, right? So Megatronus I think, Liege Maximo, Alpha Trion I believe were already named characters... but then I tried to figure out how to bring the concept of beasts and combiners [and the Mini-Cons] and different elements into the concept, so that you had the whole pantheon of gods, different shapes and sizes and whatnot. So I went through and I drew kind of visions of what they could be. So this is not trying to figure the character out, but get the vibe of what the character was about, other talented people would come in behind me and do that. So there's like the idea that—why did the Quintessons think that they might have made the Transformers? Well they come from the guy that was like the Johnny Appleseed, or the character that seeded some of the planets, so they were confused... try to shore up some of these ideas for the Aligned continuity, right? Here's an elemental kind of concept, gears and metal and magnetism, kind of a proto-Transformer, kind of weird thing. [...] Here's another weird version of Megatronus, how big he is compared to like what Megatron would have been.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQLQ4VzuCGA&t=689s|name=Aaron Archer|site=''The Toy Armada''|title=Toy Armada Friday night LIVE: Creating characters and lore|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref> While most of these are recognisable in the final roster, it appears that the design from the "elemental" was given to the "trickster" character, resulting in [[Amalgamous Prime]], while [[Alchemist Prime]] took over as the Prime of matter. Additionally, [[The Arisen|one member]] of the group would remain a mystery.

While these plans developed, Japanese writer [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] introduced the character of [[Logos Prime]] in the 2006 text story ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'', alluding to the idea that he was one of the Thirteen. Working independently from Hasbro, Ichikawa evidently didn't think it would be appropriate to explicitly declare that Logos Prime was one of the Thirteen,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Vector PrimeとThe Fallen以外の人影は全く誰のことも想定していません。ファンの方々は「1人はLogos Primeだ」と推察していますが、それも間違いです（彼を勝手に13人とするのは図々しく不適当と感じたので、そうしたくなかった）。満足いく答えではないかも知れませんが、これが本当のところです。🙇‍♂️|link=https://twitter.com/Hirovmi/status/1627056614024036352|name=Hirofumi Ichikawa|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=02|day=18}}</ref> but a silhouette matching Logos appeared in a lineup of the Thirteen from Ichikawa's "[[World of the Transformers]]" website (as seen at the top of this page), all but confirming the idea in the minds of fans. During this time, most of the information on the Thirteen came from Q&A sessions with Hasbro representatives at BotCon—where it was established that the Thirteen were [[multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]], a concept which purported that across all the different [[universal stream]]s, only one incarnation of each of the Thirteen existed, moving between worlds. This idea would later be canonized within the pages of Fun Publications' comics. The full story of the Thirteen was to be told in a comic book mini-series by [[IDW Publishing]], written by Simon Furman, but after numerous teases the plans were eventually nixed while Hasbro worked out what they wanted to do with the characters.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The Thirteen is probably not going to happen for a while, as it’s become more of a Hasbro thing than an IDW thing, and Hasbro need to crystallise the whole concept before it can be turned into a comic book. I think and hope it will still happen, as it’s a story I’d dearly love to tell, but I have no firm grasp or when or in what form it will eventually see print.|link=http://web.archive.org/web/20110612025753/https://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-10-Simon-Furman-130246343|name=Simon Furman|site=deviantART|year=2009|month=07|day=20}}</ref> Hasbro's desire to control and fully conceptualize the story of the Thirteen was further made evident when, after [[Fun Publications]]' Nexus Prime story concluded in the same year, they effectively took "custody" of the character as part of their future plans. This control, however, was evidently not all-encompassing: also in 2009, The Fallen made a surprising appearance as the titular villain of the second-live action Transformers film, ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', where he was a member not of a group of thirteen, but only ''seven'' Primes. Hasbro's [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#AllSpark.com|October 2009 online Q&A]] retroactively justified this by explaining that while all the Thirteen were Primes, only seven actually had the word "Prime" ''in their names''.

[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|The new design for [[Prima]] was revealed at [[BotCon 2010]].]]

Eventually, in 2010, the grand scope of the new [[Aligned continuity family]] became the "delivery method" for Hasbro's long-percolating tale of the Thirteen. However, the "Aligned" continuity was also established to ''not'' be part of the multiverse in which all preceding Transformers fiction took place, which until then had lain the groundwork for the Thirteen. As such, the new information introduced by the Aligned continuity was only true for ''that'' continuity, resulting in some incongruities: the surprise inclusion of [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], the inevitable omission of Logos Prime, and a revised backstory for The Fallen that removed any connection he had to Unicron. From 2010 to 2013, various pieces of Aligned media—including the novels ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]'', the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, and the prose work ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''—finally detailed in full the complete roster and history of the Thirteen in the Aligned Continuity, which can all be read about further down this article.

In spite of the metaphysical complexities that had built up with the lore surrounding the Transformers multiverse and its singularities, Hasbro's Aligned roster for the Thirteen has pretty much served as the basis of every story they've appeared in since. In 2014, they were introduced to IDW Publishing's long-running continuity, receiving a whole new backstory beginning with [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]]. Fun Publications would work to massage the continuity implications this had for the rest of the multiverse: Ask Vector Prime revealed that non-singularity versions of the Thirteen also exist within the multiverse (with the "Aligned Thirteen" being one such example) and finally established their own complete roster for the "Multiverse Thirteen", before the 2015 Collectors' Club comic storyline ''[[Another Light]]'' culminated in the Thirteen's existence as multiversal singularities being nullified entirely. Freed from the complex bounds of this concept, the story of the Thirteen is now free to be told any way, in any continuity.
{{--}}

==Members==
Because of their complicated fictional natures, conceptual histories, and status as multiversal "archetypes", {{SITENAME SHORT}} opts to break our standard rules a little and give most members of the group a single article that covers all different versions of that character, as opposed to separate articles (G1, Unicron Trilogy, Movie, etc...) for each incarnation.

===Covenant Thirteen===
[[File:OneShallRise1-WellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|325px|"No, Harry, no! Don't look at the light!"]]
The first full lineup of the Thirteen was originally formalized for the [[Aligned continuity family]], and properly revealed in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''. The "Aligned Thirteen" were initially considered to be separate from the "Multiverse Thirteen", something backed up in fiction which described their [[universal stream|universal cluster]] as being previously separate from the multiverse, but the core list has since propagated far beyond the bounds of Aligned media into such places as the [[2005 IDW continuity]], the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon, and even the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' toyline.

*'''[[Prima]]'''—The leader of the Thirteen, a warrior of light and the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] who wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]].
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The master of time and space, which he could manipulate through his [[Blades of Time]].
*'''[[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Alpha Trion]]'''—Holder of the [[Quill]], which he uses to record the past, present, and future of Cybertron in the [[Covenant of Primus]] as part of his role as recordskeeper of the Primes.
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—The master artificer and creator of many of the Primes' weapons through use of her incredible [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]]. She was the first [[female Transformer|female Cybertronian]].
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The conscience of the Thirteen, and the first [[Mini-Con]], able to [[Powerlinx|link up with and enhance the power]] of his siblings through the use of his [[Chimera Stone]]; responsible for creating the alternate dimension of [[Microspace]].
*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Student of the elemental structure of the natural world, aided in this by his [[Lenses]], which allowed him to see further and deeper than anyone, in both material and spiritual senses; fond of the occasional tipple, with some claiming that he still walks Cybertron in the form of [[Maccadam|a humble bartender]].
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first and greatest [[combiner]], granted the ability to divide himself into separate forms by his [[Enigma of Combination]]. Unpredictable, fascinated by change, and a lighthearted prankster.
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—The first beast-form Cybertronian, a primitive and spiritual being able to view other times, places, souls, and even the afterlife through his three-faced [[Triptych Mask]].
*'''[[Amalgamous Prime]]'''—The joker of the Thirteen and the first [[Shifter]], unpredictable and easygoing. He was first Cybertronian with the ability of [[transformation]], granted him by his [[Transformation cog]], which became the basis for the cogs in all subsequent Transformer life.
*'''[[Quintus Prime]]'''—A daydreamer and perfectionist whose drive to express his ideas led him to become a scientist. His artifact was the [[Emberstone]], which gave him the ability to create life; the [[Quintesson]]s were among his creations.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—The "Prime of Lies", a black-hearted and amoral manipulator. Though his artifact was notionally the toxin-loaded [[Liegian Darts]], his real skill was his ability to talk others into his way of thinking.
*'''[[The Fallen]]'''—Once known as '''Megatronus''', guardian of entropy and wielder of the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], the Fallen's name was stricken from history when the dark warrior turned on his siblings.
*'''The [[Thirteenth Prime]]'''— the last and most mysterious of the Thirteen, all we can say for certain is that he bore a strong connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and his depictions look [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|awfully familiar...]]

===Multiversal Thirteen===
[[File:AnotherLight-Thirteen.jpg|thumb|325px|Who are we? You'll never know!]]
Though the "multiversal Thirteen"—considered separate to the "Aligned Thirteen"—had almost half of their members revealed before any non-multiversal incarnation was ever mentioned, the remainder of their membership was unknown until a [[Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#ThirteenList|June 2015 Facebook post]] from [[Ask Vector Prime]] listed off twelve of Vector Prime's siblings. The members known before then were:
*'''[[Prima]]'''—The first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] and first Transformer born from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the leader of the Thirteen.<ref>''Sentinel Prime was one of a dynasty of Primes, stretching back to the original '''13 Transformers''' and their leader, Prima.''—''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' (2005) 1st ed p15, "Sentinel Prime"</ref> He wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], a mighty blade capable of unparalleled destruction.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—A legendary schemer.<ref name="askvectorprime">[[Ask Vector Prime]] on Facebook</ref>
*'''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'''—Formerly the guardian of entropy, whose name was stricken from history when he betrayed his brothers and became a [[Herald of Unicron]] under the new name "'''The Fallen'''".<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''</ref>
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The guardian of space and time, who spent most of his life outside of reality, observing it and occasionally stepping in to help.
*'''[[Logos Prime]]'''—An enigmatic figure who, operating in the present day under the new name Soundblaster, sought to pass on his incredible powers over time and space to an heir.
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first combiner and the guardian of [[Rarified Energon]].

To these Vector Prime added four of the ones invented by the Covenant:

*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Rumored to have established [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|a bar]] on modern Cybertron, seeking to provide a respite from endless war.<ref name="askvectorprime"/><ref>In [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']], the enigmatic [[Maccadam]] was rumored to be a member of the Thirteen by drunken patrons of his bar. Vector Prime would later half-jokingly imply that Alchemist Prime and Maccadam were the same individual, as described above. There's nothing that explicitly ''says'' they're the same, but... you know.</ref>
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—A renowned smith who wielded a powerful [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]].<ref name="askvectorprime"/>
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The progenitor of the [[Mini-Con]]s.<ref>[[Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist]]</ref>
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—In-tune with nature and the organic.<ref name="askvectorprime"/>

And three other powerful figures from "Transformers" lore:

*'''[[Last Autobot|Autonomous Maximus]]'''—A lonely sentinel who renounced his name, becoming simply known as the Last Autobot.
*'''[[Solomus]]'''—A gentle and kind individual, who is instead in some universes a member of the [[Guiding Hand]].
*'''[[Epistemus]]'''—A Cybertronian of unconventional intellect, also sometimes of the Guiding Hand.

===Other members===
Particularly following the Shroud, certain realities include entirely different lineups of the Thirteen, which have included:
*'''[[Adaptus]]'''—Blessed with powers of change, ''also'' sometimes of the Guiding Hand; may or may not in some universes be the same individual as Amalgamous Prime.
*'''[[Mortilus]]'''—A solitary member of the Thirteen who stayed apart from the others, who was in some universes a member of the Guiding Hand.
*'''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'''—A Prime known for his wisdom.<ref>''[[Transformers: Titans Return (cartoon)|Transformers: Titans Return]]'' episode 4, "[[Overlord and Emissary]]"</ref>
*'''[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'''—A Prime that in some universes takes the role as leader and first Matrix-bearer from Prima.<ref>''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]]''</ref>

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:Thefallen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|No, seriously guys, is it just me, or is it hot in here?]]

[[The Fallen]] was thwarted in his attempt to sabotage [[Primus]]'s [[Cybertron (planet)|physical form]], and the rest of the Thirteen died after casting the Fallen and his master [[Unicron]] through a [[black hole]] into another dimension. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|The Ultimate Guide}}

After [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Megatron]] were lost in a [[space bridge]] explosion, the Fallen was free from his prison in [[unspace|underspace]], and returned to Cybertron. He immediately set about trying to undo the [[Seal of Primus]] that locked the Well of All Sparks. However, upon his success, the Fallen was promptly destroyed by his reawoken creator. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
In the present day, Jetfire discovered that Shockwave had broken the Seal for his cloning experiments. The Fallen's essence escaped and corrupted [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], and following his death, passed into Jetfire. This corruption caused Jetfire to be plagued by many visions, among them The Fallen beating down his brethren in an ancient battle. {{storylink|The Enemy Within}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]
*[[Maccadam]] (rumored)

====Fun Publications====
[[Vector Prime]] aided the [[Autobot]]s in finding the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to close the [[Unicron Singularity]]. He regularly reported their progress to [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Alpha Trion]], but during one visit Unicron's servants [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] attacked. {{storylink|Balancing Act}} [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] came to Cybertron looking for clues to his past, only to be attacked by [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]], {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} but his forcefield protected him. Ramjet offered him clues to his past in exchange for his <s>soul</s> service. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 3}} They went to Primus's spark core to destroy him with the [[Dead Matrix]], but Vector and [[Sentinel Maximus]] fought back. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 4}} Ramjet said he would stop trying to kill Primus if Vector aided them in restoring the balance by resurrecting Unicron, but he refused. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Pt 5}} Skyfall tried to save Ramjet but his forcefield only ignited an explosion that killed Ramjet. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}} Vector had drones repair Skyfall and found [[Omega Prime]]—the creation of one of Trion's [[Viron]] counterparts—had helped Sentinel defeated Nemesis. Omega's presence saddened Vector, as it confirmed the multiverse was falling apart, and he left for Earth. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

Skyfall was helping Sentinel repair [[Vector Sigma]], when [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] informed him he had found a twenty-million-cycle-old carving of him and another bot. {{storylink|Revelations Part 4}} Immediately during a battle between [[Mini-Con]] Autobots and [[Decepticon]]s, Skyfall found [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} The two seemingly vanished when Unicron attacked, {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}} when they had been transported to [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]'s universe, {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} and the trio and went through a [[space bridge]] {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}} to find [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] in [[Axiom Nexus]]. [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Silverbolt (TransTech)|Silverbolt]] introduced the trio to [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] had Breakaway quietly subdued and taken to his laboratory. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}} Skyfall and Landquake realized Breakaway was gone, but Alpha Trion told them to come with him if they wanted to rescue their brother from the evil [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 2}} He explained he was not from this dimension and was part of a resistance movement, introducing them to Topspin, whose job was to transfer their [[lowtech]] followers' [[spark]]s into their TransTech counterparts. Realizing Topspin was one of their kin, Skyfall and Landquake agreed to help. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 3}} [[Nightscream (TransTech)|Nightscream]] found Breakaway was being held near the portal to Alpha Trion's dimension, {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}} and his acolytes attacked, rescuing Breakaway {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 5}} and entering the [[unspace|transwarp]] device. Alpha Trion explained to Skyfall he was the key to the reunification, and killed him as they entered [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|his universe]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 6}}

[[File:Reunification5-arisenexusprime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|"It's beautiful..." "Holy crap!" "It's perfect!" "This is the best thing!"]]
Despite his claim his was a peaceful world, Alpha Trion shot [[Downshift (SG)|Downshift]], and Breakaway realized Skyfall had been killed by an energy blade rather than shot from behind as the old Autobot claimed. Alpha Trion's troops arrived, took the four components and he proclaimed he would kill them all—as reunification still worked with one of them dead—and that his reign would begin. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 1}} Landquake manipulated the raw energon and used smokebombs to escape, with Topspin and Breakaway carrying Skyfall. Weeks later, after trying unsuccessfully to revive Skyfall, {{storylink|Reunification: Part 2}} the [[Quintesson]] [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] appeared to take them to [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}} Landquake explained their situation to the Decepticons, and Megatron asked [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] to bring [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], but then Cyclonus, revealing himself to be an agent of Alpha Trion, assassinated Megatron. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 4}} Breakaway suggested they use their powers to revive Megatron, and found themselves in a white space with Skyfall and Primus. They made their choice: [[Nexus Prime]] was reborn. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}} Nexus resurrected Megatron as Galvatron and defeated [[Omega Doom]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}} Using Galvatron's gift of the [[Space bridge|stellar spanner]], Nexus and Aquarius began dimension-hopping to find the shards of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|artifact]] he had been entrusted with, so he could complete his memories. While Nexus outlined the artifact's background to Aquarius, the faces of Vector Prime and [[The Fallen]] flashed through his mind. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

The TransTechs knew the [[Mini-Con]]s to be the children of [[Micronus Prime]] {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/09}} and early on in their history were threatened with an ultimately failed coup led by [[Jhiaxus (TransTech)|Jhiaxus]], a follower of the [[Liege Maximo]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}}

When the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]s detected significant multiversal chaos resulting from negative polarity Primax Autobots [[Invasion (issue)|crossing over into a mirror universe]], they suspected that [[Rarified Energon]] was somehow involved. [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]] was also aware of (correct) rumors that the Thirteen were involved with Rarified Energon. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}} As part of their response to the multiversal chaos, the TransTechs deployed [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] to prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth in order to keep the [[Origin Matrix]] out of evil hands. {{storylink|Invasion: Epilogue}}

After several unspecified adventures, Aquarius ended up in Axiom Nexus and took charge of a shard of the Star Saber from [[Chifumi Takahashi|a courier]]. In exchange, he promised to help her get home. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 48|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}} To their surprise, however, they ended up on Shatteredverse Cybertron. It soon became obvious that Nexus had transported them there in order to receive the [[Origin Matrix]], the fifth and final piece, from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], recently retrieved from prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 54|Transformers I.Q. trivia bonus #12}} {{storylink|Falling into Place}}

When he reunited the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] and the [[Terminus Blade]], Nexus Prime decided that he was going to return things to "how they used to be", {{storylink|Restoration}} and strengthened the walls between the various realities of the multiverse, which had the consequence of ending the existence of he and siblings as multiversal singularities. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Multiversal Thirteen|Multiversal Thirteen]]" above''

====''Beast Wars Reborn''====
[[File:Bwreborn text.jpg|thumb]]
The '''Ancients''' (エンシェント ''Enshento'') were the original clan of Transformers created by Primus before he became [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and possessed extraordinary powers over space and time. One of them, [[Logos Prime]], lost sight of his objective and memory of him faded away. {{Storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}} He would return under the name of Soundblaster, abducting [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] so he could apparently appoint Megatron as his successor. [[Vector Prime]] was sent by Primus to stop the plot and was taken aback when confronted with his fellow Ancient who he thought lost. {{Storylink|Master of the Game}} While Vector Prime and what remained of Logos Prime fought on the astral plane, Soundblaster revealed the [[Zeonomicon]], the key to his power, and had Optimus and Megatron hunt it down on [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Animatron]] to decide who would inherit his power. {{storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Logos Prime]]

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:Heavy-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|left|350px|"I think the Thirteen were blurry, that's the problem. It's not the artist's fault. The Primes were blurry, and that's extra scary to me. There were thirteen large, out-of-focus Transformers roaming Cybertron."]]
After the departure of the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]], Cybertronian civilization, deprived of their benevolent guidance, descended once more into a primitive state of barbarism, with lesser tribal leaders carving out kingdoms and territories of their own. It was to this landscape that the [[Decepticon]] [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] was cast back in time by the destruction of his [[chronal drive]], and—after an encounter with a kindly shepherd named [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]]—realised from his extensive historical foreknowledge that he could study why Cybertronians inevitably fell to war by ensuring that history followed the path he knew that it must. As such, Shockwave murdered Onyx and took his identity as "Onyx Prime" in order to engineer the rise of the Thirteen Primes; his first act was to christen the most fearless member of Onyx's flock as "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", taking him on as a student.

Knowing that Megatronus's conquests would be the impetus for the founding of Cybertronian civilization, Shockwave allowed his pupil to run amok; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Megatronus thus began a new war of conquest to expand the [[Darklands]], annexing nearby regions such as the city of [[Protihex|Protohex]] and the [[Forgotten Plains]], murdering neighbouring ruler [[Septimus Prime]] and recruiting the fearsome twin [[gladiatorial combat|gladiators]] [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] to become his vanguards. Other tribal leaders who had arisen, including [[Alchemist Prime]], [[Vector Prime]], [[Solus Prime]], [[Nexus Prime]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], agreed in the face of Megatronus's conquests to work together, uniting their followers and founding a small village that they named "[[Crystal City]]." {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

[[File:OP18 Thirteen in Crystal City.jpg|thumb|right|375px|Ruling from an ivory tower. What could possibly go wrong?]]

While Megatronus's legions marched on Crystal City, the united Primes were bolstered by Onyx Prime and his ''other'' student, [[Liege Maximo]], {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} whose kingdom had been claimed by the Darklander advance. The two armies met in a battle that had the unexpected side effect of awakening three slumbering [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s—[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]]—from beneath Cybertron's surface, but while the armies were distracted by the arrival of the colossal beings, Onyx "realized" that their enemy was his "old friend" Megatronus. The two armies agreed to a truce, and all eight Primes vowed to work together to rebuild and unify their planet. Having been enlightened on the value of myths and stories by Alpha Trion, Onyx Prime began telling tales of his own, inspiring Alchemist with legends of a "Chosen One" and dreaming up a new [[Autobot|insignia]] to commemorate their alliance—{{storylink|Origin Myths}} all, of course, based on his own knowledge of what the future held. The [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|"Dark Cybertron" prophecy]] and idea of the Chosen One were specifically concocted to ensure [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s future rise to power, as a "fool" like Starscream would not be able to see through Shockwave's machinations. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

The eight original Primes were soon joined by five more, and over time Cybertron's inhabitants united under the banner of the [[Thirteen Tribes]], each Prime building a distinct civilization. {{storylink|The Crucible}} In this era of peace, the Liege Maximo was responsible for building and maintaining the alliance between the Thirteen; in honor of his feats, Liege Maximo's followers became known as skilled diplomats and negotiators. {{storylink|Heavy}} Each Prime commanded the loyalty of at least one [[Titan (group)|Titan]], {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} while the diminutive [[Titan Master]]s served as their heralds. {{storylink|White Heat}} Over the years, however, the decidedly mortal Primes had come to believe that they were inherently superior to other Cybertronians due to their powerful artifacts and historic feats; indeed, it was commonly held only another Prime could kill a Prime, though this was decidedly untrue. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusKillsSolus.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Sephiroth, you jerk!]]
With Cybertron now in a "golden age", Onyx advised the Thirteen's leader [[Prima]] to spread Cybertron's "enlightenment" to other worlds, with their expedition—led by Onyx and Megatronus, with Alpha Trion accompanying them as recordskeeper—being the first to leave the planet since the Knights of Cybertron. However, their first planetary landing on the world of [[Antilla]] ended in a brutal conflict and the extinction of the native [[Antillan]]s, with Prima blaming Megatronus for the expedition's failure. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} Liege Maximo, who (seeing helpful lies as more beneficent than harmful truths) had become increasingly manipulative and self-serving, {{storylink|Heavy}} acted on Onyx's orders to stoke Megatronus's resentment over this incident, leading him to attack Prima. Solus Prime intervened to save Prima's life, but Megatronus killed her with the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] that she had created. Megatronus fled the planet, while Liege Maximo was captured by the Primes and imprisoned within his Titan, [[Vigilem]], whom the other Titans deemed unworthy of remembrance and exiled into space. A repentant splinter of Liege Maximo's old tribe agreed to keep their former leader and his Titan permanently interred, renaming their dormant Titan "[[Vigilem|Carcer]]". {{storylink|Rubicon}} {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

The fallout from Maximo's betrayal sparked the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], turning the tribes against one another in a planet-wide conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Battle lines were drawn, but allegiances shifted throughout the war, necessitating betrayals and new alliances; Onyx initially allied with Micronus, {{storylink|White Heat}} but by ten million years ago, with the war drawing to a close, his tribe of [[beast mode]] Transformers had joined forces with Nexus Prime and his [[combiner]]s. Together, they raised a new army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] using the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Disgusted by this fusion, [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] abandoned his post in Megatronus' army to slaughter the Headmasters to the last 'bot. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

Together, Onyx Prime and Prima hunted down Megatronus aboard Prima's Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], finding him on the planet [[Tsiehshi]]. Megatronus killed Prima before being slain by Onyx, his usefulness to Shockwave's machinations at an end; Emissary carried Prima's body to the stars, but Onyx ensured that he would crash on [[Elonia|a faraway planet]]. On returning, Onyx told Alpha Trion that Megatronus and Prima slew each other in final battle—the account of their deaths that he had learned from Trion in his youth. Megatronus's name was soon forgotten by history, and he became known only as "the Fallen". {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Eventually, Galvatron tracked down and confronted Nexus Prime, obliterating the Prime with a single blast. Realizing that they were as mortal as any other Transformer, the remaining few Primes fled the planet for other worlds, with the exception of Alpha Trion. The war finally ended when Galvatron and [[Nova Prime|Nova Major]] famously routed the bestial hordes of [[Onyx Prime]] and, with Trion's aid and blessing, united the tribes as one planet under Nova '''Prime'''. Only Galvatron and Trion were left aware of what had happened to the Thirteen Primes; Alpha Trion simply let himself fade into the background of Cybertronian society, his true background as a Prime forgotten by the general populace. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

One way or another, the Thirteen departed Cybertron and vanished from history at around the same time that the thirteen Titans departed Cybertron, with the intent of founding new colonies elsewhere in the galaxy. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} Exact details are unclear, but the mythologies of several of these colony planets claim that the Primes, including [[Solus Prime]] and [[Onyx Prime]], had spearheaded the colonization missions themselves and subsequently left these newly settled worlds to their own devices. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Either way, the developing civilizations on the colony worlds – cut off from Cybertron and the brutal injustices committed by Nova Prime and [[Nominus Prime|his]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|dubious]] [[Zeta Prime (G1)|successors]] – began deifying the Thirteen Primes, with some going so far as to worship any leader who wielded the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. The [[Way of Flame|dominant religion]] on [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] exalted Solus Prime as the greatest of the Thirteen, {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} while the four tribes of [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]] and their prophet [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] viewed Onyx Prime as a benevolent protector. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

The role that the original Primes had played in the establishment of Cybertronian society would eventually be immortalized on the silver screen in the "hella-racist" film, ''[[The Birth of Cybertron]]''. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

[[Micronus Prime]], master of [[Prion (Titan)|Prion]], {{storylink|White Heat}} was known to have abandoned his native universe entirely after founding a colony of [[Mini-Con]]s. By the present day, his body lay dormant in the center of an alternate universe: the subatomic realm of [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|O Ship of State}} The ruler of Microspace, [[Baron Karza]] eventually [[enerchange]]d with Micronus and used the Prime's power to try and conquer the Earth, {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 1|Wrath of Karza #1}} only for [[Shazraella]] to use [[Time Traveler]] energy to separate the Prime from her husband and banish the Mini-Con through time. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 5|Wrath of Karza #5}}

[[File:GhostStories-onyxprime.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Stand and address your Almighty Tallest, Camien child."]]

The colony of Caminus detected a Cybertronian beacon emanating from the planet [[Antilla]] and sent three representatives to make contact with their ancestors. When they arrived, they found the planet to be a rusted wasteland ruled by Onyx Prime, who murdered [[Magrada]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Following the expedition's return to Caminus, the [[Torchbearer]] [[Pyra Magna]] encountered Onyx Prime when an army of robotic beasts terrorized the inhabitants of [[Parvus Oppidum]] so they could retrieve a sample of [[Ore-4]]. The experience left her traumatized, but with time she realized that the Primes were not the divine entities that she had believed them to be and began preparing to take up arms against Primes should the need arise. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

In the modern day, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] unknowingly sent the [[Regenesis]] ores off to what he believed were random suitable worlds, but were, thanks to his future self's time-travelling manipulations, worlds touched by the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

When Cybertron re-opened a [[space bridge|spacebridge]] link with Caminus after years of isolation, the [[Mistress of Flame]] believed that Optimus, wielding the Matrix of Leadership, was the legendary reincarnation of the Thirteenth Prime: a mysterious figure from Cybertron's past known as "[[the Arisen]]". {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} Optimus's supposed divinity proved a double-edged sword as he grew increasingly bold and unilateral in his decision making; leaning on the faith of others to unconditionally support his choices, he wound up annexing Earth into the [[Council of Worlds]] and sparking an interplanetary diplomatic crisis. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} [[Colonist Soldiers|New recruits]] from Caminus, Eukaris, [[Velocitron]], and [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]] believed wholeheartedly in Optimus's status as one of the Thirteen and began wearing [[mouthplate]]s to better emulate their leader. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}}

Liege Maximo escaped from his imprisonment in Carcer in 2017, following a [[zombie]] Titan invasion on Cybertron. {{storylink|Rubicon}} The Camien [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] was released from prison by Cybertron's leader Starscream to hunt Maximo down, {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Chosen One}} but Liege—who, by this point, had come to understand his master's decision to exile him aboard his loyal Titan—was found by Onyx, and brought with him in chains on his return to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Liege was taken into custody while Optimus and the [[Council of Worlds]] entered negotiations with Onyx, but the Prime's manipulations caused infighting and chaos, as well as an explosion that killed Alpha Trion. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} With all of his plans falling into place, Shockwave discarded his "Onyx" identity, having no further use for it after he cast Optimus into the Crystal City singularity. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Though Maximo soon perished and Shockwave was taken prisoner, the Decepticon's machinations had forced all of Cybertron accept a bitter truth: the Thirteen had been nothing more than ordinary Cybertronians. Upon hearing [[Pyra Magna]] vocalize this, Shockwave claimed this acceptance had been part of his plan to render all faiths and beliefs on Cybertron meaningless in preparation for [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s arrival. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

====Olympian universe====
In certain universes, the Thirteen visited [[Greece]] in a time before human technology was advanced enough for them to assume vehicular disguises. Instead, twelve of their number dwelled on [[Mount Olympus]] and used [[holomatter]] avatars to interact with the natives, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} while [[Mortilus]] remained beneath the Earth with their ship, alongside his vassal [[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As "quasi-humans", the Thirteen would become known to the local humans as the {{w|Twelve Olympians|gods of Olympus}}. [[Vector Prime]] was {{w|Hermes}}; the rage-filled [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] was {{w|Ares}}; the hard-working [[Solus Prime]] was {{w|Hephaestus}}; the wise [[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Alpha Trion]] was {{w|Athena}}; the eldest of their number [[Prima]] was {{w|Zeus}}; his close ally [[Nexus Prime|Nexus Maximus]] was {{w|Hera}}; the nature-loving hunter [[Onyx Prime]] was {{w|Artemis}}; the hard-drinking [[Alchemist Prime]] was {{w|Dionysus}}; the vain and manipulative [[Liege Maximo]] was {{w|Aphrodite}}; the healer [[Last Autobot|Autonomous Prime]] was {{w|Apollo}}; the chaotic [[Adaptus]] was {{w|Poseidon}}; the solitary Mortilus was {{w|Hades}}; and the knowledge-sharing [[Epistemus]] was {{w|Demeter}}. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As the Olympians, several of the Thirteen deviated from both their more common gender identities and their status as siblings; Vector considered Hades and Poseidon to be his uncles, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} and because of the animosity between Hephaestus and Aphrodite, Zeus decreed that they should be [[Transformer romance|bonded together]] to avoid further conflict (which only made things worse). Amongst the Thirteen's many experiences, Hades and Demeter quarrelled over a woman named [[Persephone]]; Vector would later note that as "quasi-humans" their conflicts were far more petty and frequent. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Vector Prime|Hermes]]
*[[The Fallen|Ares]]
*[[Solus Prime|Hephaestus]]
*[[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Athena]]
*[[Prima|Zeus]]
*[[Nexus Prime|Hera]]
*[[Onyx Prime|Artemis]]
*[[Alchemist Prime|Dionysus]]
*[[Liege Maximo|Aphrodite]]
*[[Last Autobot|Apollo]]
*[[Adaptus|Poseidon]]
*[[Mortilus|Hades]]
*[[Epistemus|Demeter]]
}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' continuity====
=====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material=====
[[File:Throne of Primes Thirteen.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2.0|Before time began, there was just a whole mess of cubes.]]
The [[spark]]s of the original Primes were carried by the [[Prime Master]]s, diminutive Transformers who, when in spark mode, could unite with larger Transformers to grant them [[Prime Master/Combinations|the powers of the Primes]] to wield as they choose. To minimise unwanted attention from those who sought the power they held, the Prime Masters hid themselves inside special decoy armor, which cloaked their vast power from the outside world.

Rather than a Prime Master, the role of the Thirteenth Prime was held by whoever currently bore the [[Matrix of Leadership]].<ref name="POTPMatrix">Comments made by Hasbro representatives at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2017.</ref> The Thirteenth Prime was, however, made into a Prime Master too, transforming into a core resembling the Matrix of Leadership.

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''

=====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoon=====
The combined knowledge of the Thirteen was hidden away in the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. In the wake of [[Solus Prime]]'s death at [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'s hands, the remaining members chose to seal away the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] in [[Primal Swamp]], tasking a series of guardians with protecting it that culminated in [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}}

During a crisis, the [[Mistress of Flame]] prayed to Primus and the Thirteen for spiritual guidance and aid. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Alpha Trion]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
}}
{{note|The intro sequence to ''Power of the Primes'' shows the wheel of symbols representing the twelve Primes of the ''Power of the Primes'' marketing material; however, considering the anomalous presence of Sentinel, it's hard to take this as confirmation that those twelve are members of the Thirteen in-universe.}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
The Thirteen Primes were said to have lived in the [[Age of Primes]], before they vanished. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}} [[Termagax]] considered them to be metaphors, avatars, or an expression of the life pattern that made up Cybertron itself, {{storylink|End of Time}} even postulating that the Thirteen might have been fabricated by the early Cybertronians to explain the origins of their [[Artifacts of the Primes|fourteen artifacts]]. Out of all these artifacts, only the Matrix of Leadership and the Enigma of Combination had been seen following the Primes' disappearance. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

The Age of Primes gave way to the [[Age of the Firstforged]]. This new generation of Cybertron emerged from the [[Ur-Forge]] of Solus Prime. {{storylink|End of Time}} Though their time had passed, some of the Primes who had not fallen or departed lingered among the [[Firstforged]]. Legend said that Solus Prime and Alchemist Prime received [[Solomus]] to hear his plans for [[Crystal City]], and contributed to its construction. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}

When forced to take [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] on an almost certainly suicidal mission against a crazed [[Vigilem]], [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] prayed that the Thirteen would see the two through their task. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}}

Legends of the Thirteenth Prime, the final bearer of the Matrix, persisted into the present day, and how they would one day claim it. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''

{{note|Though the Thirteen's membership in this timeline is based off the "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]", only ten of the group's members were identified before the continuity came to a close. Of the missing three, the [[Transformation cog]] of [[Amalgamous Prime]] and the [[Triptych Mask]] of [[Onyx Prime]] were mentioned by Termagax and while [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] appeared, there was no explicit confirmation, or rejection, that he was one of the Thirteen. Though he ''does'' appear in a stained-glass mural alongside other members of the Thirteen in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five|issue #11]].}}
{{--}}

===Live-action film series===
{{main|Dynasty of Primes}}

[[File:ROTF-sixprimes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|The Primes in the Matrix/Allspark/surreal part of Primus's imagination.]]
The Primes were the guardians of the [[AllSpark]], charged with replenishing it. They commanded [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]] and [[Constructicon (ROTF)|workers]] to find stars and replenish the AllSpark with their energy. The Fallen began seeing himself as the AllSpark's chosen one and began destroying solar systems with sentient life to replenish the Cube. His brothers warned him not to do it again, so The Fallen tried it again on [[Earth]] to lure them. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3|Tales of the Fallen #3}} The Fallen slaughtered all his brothers bar Prima himself, who gathered his brothers' lifeforce to trap The Fallen in his [[sarcophagus]]. Prima sacrificed himself to form a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] with his brothers' bodies to hide the Matrix. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 4|Tales of the Fallen #4}}

A long time passed, and The Fallen was eventually dug up. From his prison, he pushed [[Megatron (Movie)|High Protector Megatron]] into forming the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}} Thousands of years later, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the sole surviving descendant of the Primes to survive The Fallen's rampage, {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|Revenge of the Fallen #3}} had been killed. The Primes appeared to [[Sam Witwicky]], giving him the Matrix to revive Optimus, and Optimus avenged The Fallen's brothers by killing him. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]

{{note|The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' adaptations have thirteen Primes. While designs were made for twelve non-Fallen Prime heads, the finished film shows only seven Primes, and this change was followed in ''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]'' and [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|the Titan magazine]].}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|They're not a fan of direct lighting.]]

Seeing the endless stalemate between him and [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]], [[Primus]] created the Thirteen, warriors in the mould of himself and Unicron, to fight in his stead and introduce random variables. The Thirteen did indeed succeed in defeating Unicron but were infected with a touch of the Chaos-Bringer's darkness as a result of direct proximity to the Dark God.

Following Unicron's exile, the Primes began reshaping their world before the manipulations of [[Liege Maximo]] caused the group to descend into civil war. The skirmish claimed both Maximo and [[Solus Prime]]. [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]], [[Micronus Prime|Micronus]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] chose to descend into the [[Core]] and join Primus so they could aid in the creation of the Cybertronian race with [[Prima]], [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] remaining on Cybertron to act as stewards for the newborn species while [[Nexus Prime]] separated himself into separate individuals to live among the ordinary Cybertronians. [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]], [[Amalgamous Prime|Amalgamous]], [[Vector Prime]] and [[The Fallen]] left Cybertron outright.

Following the [[Great Cataclysm]], Prima and Alchemist Prime disappeared with Alpha Trion choosing to fall into obscurity. As a result, the Thirteen became little more than a myth in the new era. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|Covenant of Primus}}

What lore regarding the Primes survived into the pre-War era is that their war made "enemies of brothers, murderers of lovers, heroes of the insignificant, and cowards of the mighty". Allegiances formed and broke apart: Megatronus refused to bow before his brothers, and he believed he would be vindicated someday despite his destructive methods. The murder of one sent them across the stars, to battle among themselves for billions of cycles. Finally, there came a time when Prima had to relinquish the Matrix. Afterwards, the [[Covenant of Primus]] decreed Cybertron could only have one Prime at a time. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The chamber of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council of Cybertron]] had statues depicting the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

[[File:OneShallRise1-Thirteenattack.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Three seconds of one episode made up for a lifetime of lack of Thirteen images.]]
[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] remained on Cybertron, recording these events into the Covenant, and the Primes became myths doubted by [[Jazz (WFC)|some]]. Alpha Trion retreated into becoming the Archivist of the [[Hall of Records]] when [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], and the [[Guilds of Cybertron]] ignored his protests about the [[Functionism|caste system]]. The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] did not bestow itself onto another until the unworthy Sentinel died, and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] was imbued with it, while his nemesis had become known as [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], who like his namesake had come to destroy that he believed in. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

During his travels across the galaxy, Optimus Prime encountered both [[Vector Prime|Vector]] and [[Nexus Prime]] both of whom expressed surprise that Alpha Trion still lived and wondered if any of their other brothers might still be alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

When Unicron stirred, Optimus Prime explained the history of the Thirteen to his human allies. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Before Optimus Prime was to die, {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} the Primes intercepted his [[spark]] and brought him to their [[Realm of the Primes|realm]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

After his death, Optimus was able to appear to Bumblebee when the Primes deemed the young bot's need was most dire. {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}} As part of Optimus's training, Micronus challenged him to a test which resulted in him unlocking the capabilities of the [[Prime Decepticon Hunter]]. {{storylink|Out of Focus}} Though Optimus did not fully complete his training, he had six of the Primes in the [[Realm of the Primes]] send him to Earth to deal with the return of Megatronus, {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}} which he successfully accomplished with the aid of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]]. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
Legendary figures in Cybertronian society, the Thirteen were the first of the Primes, each having a psychic pillar dedicated to them in the Matrix of Leadership where their spirits persisted after their physical deaths. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}} Through this, the bearer of the Matrix could commune with the Thirteen and seek their power and wisdom in times of crisis. {{storylink|Silent Strike}}

In the modern era, the only known members of the Thirteen to survive were [[Alpha Trion (Cyberverse)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]]. {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}} Under unknown circumstances, Alchemist adopted the alias of "[[Maccadam]]" and hid his connection to the group though rumours, ones that [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] personally didn't buy into, of his true origins circled around. {{storylink|Maccadam's}} Alpha Trion, meanwhile, carried the [[Matrix of Leadership]], seeking to pass it on to a worthy bearer; he eventually found someone worthy in [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]], and passed the Matrix on to him after Trion was mortally wounded, inducting him as a Prime. {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''

{{note|The fact that Optimus Prime is not, apparently, an ancient Cybertronian like he is in the [[Aligned continuity family]] makes it unclear how he fits into the Thirteen, despite having one of the thirteen pillars in [[Matrix of Leadership#Alternate universe|a divergent timeline's Matrix]]. ''Cyberverse'' writer [[Mae Catt]] suggested that it was possible that there were additional pillars for other Primes within the Matrix that just happened to be "offscreen".}}

===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
[[File:Disarmed-TheThirteen.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Solus has been hulking up.]]
The Thirteen Primes established [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s culture in its early days. One of their number, Quintus, eventually left Cybertron, using his [[Emberstone]] to seed life on other planets. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}}

When explaining the power of the Primes to the Malto family, [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] showed them the [[Matrix of Leadership]], granted to him by the Primes, briefly touching on the history of the Primes and their [[Artifacts of the Primes|artifacts]]. {{storylink|Disarmed}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Quintus Prime]]

{{-}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:TransformersOne-ThePrimesholograms.jpg|thumb|300px|'''Hasbro''': "''Power of the Primes'' wasn't that successful. How are we gonna make the Thirteen popular enough to make toys out of them?" 
'''Josh Cooley''': "I'm going to do what's called a pro-gamer move!"]]
The original thirteen Primes were created by [[Primus]] at the dawn of Cybertron, the first Transformers and the leaders of the race's Golden Age. The [[High Guard]] served as their elite bodyguards. The Primes ruled in peace for eons until the Quintessons attacked and threw Cybertron into violent war. The war raged for years until [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel]], the Primes' secretary, informed them of a secret gathering of Quintesson generals. The Primes, realizing that a decisive attack could decimate enemy leadership and win the war, went as a group to attack the council in a hidden cave. When they arrived, they found a waiting Quintesson ambush. The Primes fought and gained the upper hand when Sentinel betrayed them, stabbing Nexus Prime through his chest, decapitating Megatronus Prime, and using Nexus' weapon to kill several of the others, including Solus Prime and Zeta Prime. Sentinel attempted to take the Matrix of Leadership from Zeta's body, but it rejected him and disintegrated. Instead, Sentinel took Megatronus' transformation cog as his trophy. Sentinel declared himself the new Prime and left to take control of Cybertron, unaware that Alpha Trion survived the battle in stasis. To the public, Sentinel disseminated a cover story in which he was the last survivor of the Primes, the rest of whom died heroically to defeat the Quintessons.

Fifty cycles later, [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]], [[Megatron (One)|D-16]], [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], and [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] discovered the Primes' resting place following an S.O.S. beacon from Trion. They reawakened the sleeping Prime and he recounted Sentinel's betrayal to them, before bestowing them with transformation cogs borrowed from Prima, Alchemist, Micronus, and Onyx. The four left to take the evidence to Iacon while Trion held off Sentinel's forces, killing several Death Trackers before being captured by [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]]. Trion was taken to face Sentinel, who gloated with him before killing the Prime for trying to give him a speech.

Later, during a battle with Sentinel's forces, D-16 accidentally shot Orion and allowed him to fall towards Cybertron's core. There, the spirits of the Primes appeared and informed Orion that Primus had chosen him to carry the Matrix of Leadership, and he was reborn as Optimus Prime. While this was happening, D-16 killed Sentinel and took Megatronus' cog for his own, renaming himself Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers One (film)|One}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima#One film|Prima Prime]]
*[[The Fallen#One film|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]
*[[Vector Prime#One film|Vector Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime#One film|Solus Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime#One film|Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime#One film|Nexus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo#One film|Liege Maximo]]
*[[Onyx Prime#One film|Onyx Prime]]
*[[Micronus Prime#One film|Micronus Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime#One film|Quintus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime#One film|Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]
}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
Upon [[Vector Prime]]'s arrival into regular spacetime, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[C.L. (G1)|C.L.]] took only a moment to recognise their saviour as one of the original Thirteen. Vector had broken his vow of non-interference to stop the machinations of his renegade sibling, [[Nova Prime]]. {{storylink|Mayhem: Enemy of My Enemy}} Vector also approached the time-lost [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], who was very honoured to meet his forebear. {{storylink|Mayhem: Enemy of My Enemy|Vector Prime arrival}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Some Transformers theorized that the Thirteen may have been the original combiners. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Notes==
*The notion of the Primes being originally huge is similar to early ''Revenge of the Fallen'' concepts where the Fallen dwarfed Optimus and was almost the size of a pyramid, as evident from [[Defiance issue 4|''Defiance'' #4]] and the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]].
*In most iterations, Solus Prime is depicted as the only female member of the thirteen, however, in ''[[Transformers One (film)|Transformers One]]'', Sentinel Prime refers to the Thirteen as his "brothers and sisters in arms", implying that there is at least one more female member amongst them.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Saisho no Jūsannin no Prime''' (最初の13人のプライム, "Original 13 Primes")
*''Turkish:'' '''On Üç''' ("Thirteen")

==See also==
*[[Covenant (group)|Covenant]]
*[[Primus Vanguard]]

==References==
<references/>

{{Thirteen}}
{{IDWPrimes nav}}

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