MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Autobot Outpost Omega One

2012-12-14T05:28:41Z

NexusPrime98: /* Prime cartoon */

[[Image:ConJob-outpostomega1outside.jpg|right|thumb|400px|This expensive scenery will have to either die or leave by the end of the episode.]]
'''Autobot Outpost Omega One''' is the Autobots' hidden base on [[Earth]], located inside a mountain in [[Nevada]]. It serves as '''Autobot Central Command'''. It used to be a [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]] missile silo before it was converted: as a result, it's shielded against radio signals and is operated using old human machinery. Trying to run Cybertronian programs on human machinery is a recipe for bugs out the exhaust, much to [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet's]] irritation!

==Fiction==
===''Prime'' comic===
[[Team Prime]], then consisting of [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]], [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], were already based in the missile silo when [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] answered Optimus's call and arrived on Earth. Optimus and Bumblebee used the [[GroundBridge]] to rescue the two from [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)|Prime}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
[[Image:Omega1entrance.jpg|thumb|left|To the Batcave!]]
The Autobots moved into the base after arriving on Earth. After the Autobots' presence was exposed to [[Jack Darby]], [[Raf Esquivel]] and [[Miko Nakadai]], the three kids were brought to the base and introduced to everyone. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} After the other Autobots left to try to find [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], Raf proved handy in helping [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] work out some of the bugs with the base's computer systems. A sample of [[Dark Energon]] inadvertently brought into the base by [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] infected a piece of equipment. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} The base had basic medical facilities which the Autobots used to treat [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] after his experiences being tortured by the [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}

Bulkhead and Bumblebee brought a mysterious pod back to the base from the [[Arctic]]. Unfortunately it turned out to contain [[Scraplet]]s which infested the base, chewing through vital systems. The Autobots and their three human friends were eventually able to repair the GroundBridge and expel the annoying creatures into the Arctic. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}} The Decepticons had [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] masquerade as [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] in an attempt to learn the location of the Autobot Base, however the damaged caused by the Scraplets prevented him from reporting back and he was subsequently blown up before he could report the base's location. {{storylink|Con Job}}

[[Image:Omega1mainfloor.jpg|thumb|300px|Thank Primus we have the right floor insignia.]]
Jack brought [[June Darby|his mom]] to the base after she found out about the existence of giant transforming robots. {{storylink|Crisscross}} She started visiting regularly, much to the annoyance of the kids, who felt oppressed as a result. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}} After Ratchet developed a [[Synthetic Energon]], he ended up punching Bulkhead through one of the base's walls. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}} Ratchet attempted to use the base's systems to treat Raf after the boy was infected with Dark Energon. He eventually succeeded by using the equipment to give Raf an infusion of regular [[energon]]. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}

[[Image:Omegaonehumancorner.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Because aweing at giant robots does get tiring after a while.]]
[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] paid a visit to the base when the Autobots made a deal with him to help them end [[Unicron]]'s threat. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} The base was rattled by [[earthquake (event)|earthquake]]s as Optimus defeated Unicron. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Ratchet attempted unsuccessfully to upgrade the GroundBridge into a space bridge in an attempt to reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] was restricted to base as he recovered after almost being offlined by [[Hardshell]]. {{storylink|Hurt}} The many relics they'd recovered (plus [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]) were stored in a special storage area in the base. {{storylink|New Recruit}} After learning that the Autobots' human friends lived in Jasper, {{storylink|The Human Factor}} the Decepticons began narrowing in on the location of the Autobot base. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}} [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] was able to gain access to the Autobot base and pilfer the [[Omega Key]]s out of the vault, but using a combination of trickery and [[Red Energon]]. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

After obtaining the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], Optimus used it to upgrade the base's systems, allowing them to use the GroundBridge as a space bridge. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}}

[[Image:DarkestHour-thisistheplace.jpg|right|Still got the right insignia!|thumb|300px]]
Megatron used the [[Omega Lock]] to create [[New Kaon (fortress)|a huge fortress]] near the Autobot base. Following the Omega Lock's destruction at Optimus Prime's hand, the Decepticons mounted an attack on Omega One. Fowler and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] managed to keep the Decepticons occupied while the Autobots escaped through the space bridge, but even as Optimus destroyed the controls to prevent them from being followed, the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' opened fire. The blast shattered the mountain, destroying the Autobot base with Optimus still inside. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comics===
Ratchet constructed the [[Safe]], a training room on one of the lower levels of the base. In the process of testing it, the Autobots uncovered a live nuclear bomb. The warhead, which should have been taken away when the base was originally stripped, almost led to the discovery of the base by Vehicons. Luckily Raf was able to keep the bomb busy until Fowler arrived with some scientists to defuse it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}}

[[Image:Titan4.3 ice rink Omega One.jpg|thumb|left|270px]]
The Autobots decorated their base for [[Christmas]], however when Fowler told them the Decepticons had taken over a [[Yamal|nuclear-powered ship]], Optimus left Bulkhead and Arcee behind to work on their differences. On Raf's suggestion, the pair tried to find a common like, and eventually settled on ice skating. Then they turned the base into an indoor ice rink, which Ratchet didn't seem too enthusiastic about. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

When Raf became hypnotised by a video game and activated the GroundBridge, hordes of Vehicons started pouring into the base. Ratchet activated the base's defenses, providing pop-up metal shields as cover while the Autobots fought back. Raf was eventually snapped out of his trance and turned the GroundBridge into a vacuum that sucking the Vehicons back out, though there were a few loose parts left behind. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}}

==Notes==
* The name "Autobot Central Command" comes from a previous version of Ratchet's bio on [http://www.hubworld.com/transformers/shows/prime the Hub website], though the Autobots mostly just called it "base." The codename was first mentioned in "[[Con Job]]".

===Foreign names===
:*'''Japanese:''' Omega One (オメガワン, ''Omegawan'')

[[Category:Autobot bases on Earth]]
[[Category:Prime locations]]
[[Category:United States of America]]

Darkest Hour (episode)

2012-12-10T03:53:19Z

NexusPrime98: /* Trivia */

{{disambig3|Darkest Hour}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 52
|prev=Regeneration (Prime)
|next=
|image=PrimeDarkestHourOPArm.jpg
|caption=WISE FWOM YOUR GWAVE
|title="Darkest Hour"
|airdate=[[November 2]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''When Megatron turns the power of the Omega Lock on Earth, Optimus is forced into making a risky decision that could have inescapable consequences for the entire Autobot team.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:DarkestHour-captives.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jack: It's all because of us. Miko: We're so fragged. Raf: Can I go to the bathroom?]]

The two groups stand on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], locked in a face-off. While the [[Autobot]]s have the [[Omega Key]]s, the [[Decepticon]]s have [[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] orders [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] to get ready to expose Jack to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere. Though the kids are ready to sacrifice themselves to save the planet, [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] isn't, and the Autobots throw down their weapons. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] hands over his key in exchange for Miko, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] hands over his for Raf, and Megatron insists that as someone who was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Jack is surely worth ''two'' keys, so Arcee and Smokescreen are compelled to hand over theirs. The exchange done, a [[space bridge]] opens and the Autobots are quickly surrounded by [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]].

On [[Earth]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] gets a call from [[June Darby]], worried as she can't get in touch with Jack. Ratchet, unable to get in touch with Optimus and unaware that the kids are on Cybertron, is more concerned with keeping the comm lines clear, and quickly ends the call.

Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave and Knock Out each hold a key, and activate the [[Omega Lock]]. At a touch from Megatron, the lock sends out a beam of energy that recreates a nearby ruin, turning it into a pristine building. Though Optimus requests he be allowed to take the [[human]]s back to Earth, Megatron announces they'll be safer where they are. He has Starscream open up a space bridge portal over the Omega Lock site, and unleashes a mechaforming beam through it... to Earth, just outside of [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]]. A horrified June drops her phone, and the Autobot base's systems go haywire from the energy overload.

[[Image:DarkestHour-June.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I've been watching far too many movies."]]

Miko wonders aloud if the beam will simply restore Earth, but Optimus says that this won't be the case; the beam will instead [[Eco-structuring|cyberform]] the planet, tuning it into another metallic world, and in the process destroy ''all'' indigenous life. Unable to let Earth die, Optimus leaps into action, slicing his way through the guards with his blade and lunging for the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Though Megatron tries to respond with the [[Dark Star Saber]], Optimus neatly cleaves the purloined Prime arm off of the Decepticon leader and sends the Dark blade flying, charging the Lock. Starscream gets his face stamped on as he tries to stop Optimus, and the other two Decepticons dive for cover as the Star Saber finds its mark, resulting in a massive explosion.

The cyberforming beam dissipates, and Ratchet's equipment clears up in time to get a transmission from Optimus requesting a space bridge. As the Decepticons pick themselves out of the rubble, the Autobots retreat through back to Earth. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] quips, earning a quick backhand from Starscream, snarling that he needs to attend to their wounded leader. Starscream's ranting at Optimus's actions is cut of by a burst of maniacal laughter from Megatron... "They can run, but they can never again run ''home''!"

[[Image:DarkestHour-NewKaon.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Welp. There goes the neighborhood.]]

Ratchet is aghast as the Autobots return carrying the children, and even more so when they tell him Optimus has destroyed the Omega Lock. He staggers, lamenting that the sheer depth of loss the war has brought has all come to naught, with Cybertron now doomed to forever be a lifeless husk. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] snaps at Ratchet, claiming it's not his place to question Optimus's battlefield decisions, and Ratchet does not exactly react well to that. The discussion is cut short by a call from an absolutely furious [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]], suggesting they take a look outside. As the Autobots reach the mountaintop via elevator, they find a huge [[New Kaon (fortress)|Cybertronian fortress]] now stands right on their doorstep. Fowler, landing his helicopter next to them, wonders why they picked Jasper. As the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' arrives, the answer becomes painfully clear: the Decepticons have found the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]].

Megatron, still missing his arm, rallies his air troops with a speech damning Optimus for his actions, and Starscream launches his armada of silver-toned Jet Vehicons, followed by the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] horde. The Autobots retreat into the base, but Fowler jumps back into his helicopter and flies directly through the oncoming Decepticon formations. While he's soon outgunned and being chased by Vehicons, the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'' streaks into view—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] has come to lend a hand, much to the surprise of the Autobots, since their last parting was not exactly on friendly terms.

[[Image:DarkestHour-thisistheplace.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Album|We're going 'til the world stops turning, while we burn it to the ground tonight!]]]]

Optimus orders the Autobots to abandon base via [[GroundBridge]], each departing to different locations in the [[United States of America|USA]] in the hopes that it will allow them to evade capture easier and regroup. Bumblebee and Raf head out first, then Bulkhead and Miko, then Arcee and Jack. Outside, Fowler avoids more Decepticons only to see the ''Nemesis'' moving into position over the Autobot base. At the same time, June is approaching the base by car in search of her son, but is stopped by a low-flying Vehicon. Fowler moves fast, gunning the Decepticon down and pulling June to safety. Though Wheeljack has bought the Autobots time, the numbers are against him, and a pair of seeking missiles from Starscream soon send the ''Jackhammer'' plummeting to Earth in a trail of smoke.

Smokescreen having departed on his own, Ratchet and Optimus are the last ones left in the base. Optimus tells Ratchet to go on, while he will make sure the Decepticons can't follow. Realizing the implications, Ratchet sadly takes his leave. Optimus moves to use the Star Saber to destroy the space bridge controls, but at that moment his task is rendered moot as the ''Nemesis'' fires a colossal cannon, destroying the Autobot base in a huge explosion.

Megatron and Starscream fly down to the remains, landing on the Autobot [[insignia]]. The two gloat over their victory... and not far, all that can be seen of Optimus is his hand sticking out from the burning rubble...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (2)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (18)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)
* [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (17)
|c3=
* [[Jack Darby]] (7)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (11)
* [[June Darby]] (15)
* [[William Fowler]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I guess we should cancel the welcome home party."
:—'''Knock Out''' makes an ill-timed quip.

"Optimus... ''we needed that''."
:—'''Ratchet''' expresses his dismay over Optimus's actions.

"Our opportunity to revive Cybertron has been lost, due to the treachery of Optimus Prime. But from our fortress of New Kaon, we will instead seize control of THIS world! '''Decepticons! Transform and rise up!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' gives his army a motivational speech as the onslaught begins.

"And that's how you wreck a Wrecker!"
:—'''Starscream''' bragging as he shoots down Wheeljack's ship.

"I... never imagined it would end like this." 
''[Heads through the GroundBridge]'' 
"Neither did I, old friend."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the breaking of [[Team Prime]].

"United we stand, divided they fall."
:—'''Starscream''' continues to gloat at what is left of the Autobot base.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* As in previous episodes, Megatron's jet mode retains the fusion cannon even though he no longer has it.
* During Ratchet's last scene before he enters the ground bridge, you can clearly see part of his helmet going through his chest.
*When Optimus transforms his arm into his regular sword, the Vehicons behind him are suddenly ground units.

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron remembers that Jack was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]] back in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]". Technically, Jack was entrusted with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], but the end result is the same.
* Ratchet vaguely references the events of "[[Hurt]]" when expressing surprise at Wheeljack's arrival. This also seems to be the reason why no one enlisted his aid for the events of the previous episode.
* Optimus cuts off Megatron's Prime arm, which he acquired in "[[Alpha/Omega]]".
* Soundwave began narrowing down the location of the Autobots' base through knowledge of their human allies residence within [[Jasper]] in "[[Hard Knocks]]".

===Transformers references===
[[Image:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|right|thumb|180px|[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Mikado/The_criminal_cried_as_he_dropped_him_down ''With a frightful, frantic, fearful frown, I bared my big right arm'']]]
* "[[Darkest hour]]", yet again.
* Megatron commands his troops to "Transform and rise up!", a phrase coined by the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]"
* The red panel Megatron activates on the Omega Lock resembles an [[energon star]].
* Megatron plans to [[Cyberforming|cyberform]] Earth.
* The final shot of Optimus Prime's arm looks [[The War Within issue 1|oddly familiar]].

===Real-world references===
* Optimus Prime explains that the Omega Lock will "cyberform your planet in favor of its new matrix, destroying all indigenous life in the process," a reference to the Genesis Device in ''[[wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]''. [[Spock]], describing the effect of the Device on an inhabited world, explains that it "would destroy such life, in favor of its new matrix."

===Trivia===
[[Image:PrimeDarkestHourStarscreamsArmadaSingle.jpg|thumb|250px|ARE YOU SARAH CONNOR?]]
* A new type of Decepticon flyer debuts, sporting a silver and grey paint job. Just where these new awesome-looking Vehicons came from has not yet been explained.
* June Darby makes an appearance after a 23-episode absence.
* This is the first time we see a space bridge portal open facing downward and the second time we see a portal open North-South.
* June bought a new car after her old one was destroyed in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] was still being held in that stasis pod when the Autobot Base blew up, leaving open the question of her fate. The various Iacon relics are also left unaccounted for. The [[Forge of Solus Prime]] was in the Autobot base, same as Airachnid. The [[phase shifter]], [[Immobilizer]], [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], and [[polarity gauntlet]] were all last seen on Cybertron, and the Autobots made no apparent effort to retrieve them. Finally, it's never shown if Megatron retrieved his Dark Star Saber and Prime arm.
* Optimus makes use of his integrated sword for the first time since the arrival of the Star Saber.
* Megatron goes almost the entire episode without a right arm. He is old because he is ''hard'', man.
* Fowler manages to kill four Decepticons in this episode, two of which he shoots down with the gun on his helicopter. He must have gotten an upgrade after its lackluster performances in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]" and "[[Crisscross]]".
*So... Why didn't Optimus go for megatrons head instead of his arm?
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Darkest Hour (episode)

2012-12-03T21:13:38Z

NexusPrime98: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Darkest Hour}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 52
|prev=Regeneration (Prime)
|next=
|image=PrimeDarkestHourOPArm.jpg
|caption=WISE FWOM YOUR GWAVE
|title="Darkest Hour"
|airdate=[[November 2]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''When Megatron turns the power of the Omega Lock on Earth, Optimus is forced into making a risky decision that could have inescapable consequences for the entire Autobot team.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:DarkestHour-captives.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jack: It's all because of us. Miko: We're so fragged. Raf: Can I go to the bathroom?]]

The two groups stand on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], locked in a face-off. While the [[Autobot]]s have the [[Omega Key]]s, the [[Decepticon]]s have [[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] orders [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] to get ready to expose Jack to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere. Though the kids are ready to sacrifice themselves to save the planet, [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] isn't, and the Autobots throw down their weapons. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] hands over his key in exchange for Miko, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] hands over his for Raf, and Megatron insists that as someone who was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Jack is surely worth ''two'' keys, so Arcee and Smokescreen are compelled to hand over theirs. The exchange done, a [[space bridge]] opens and the Autobots are quickly surrounded by [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]].

On [[Earth]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] gets a call from [[June Darby]], worried as she can't get in touch with Jack. Ratchet, unable to get in touch with Optimus and unaware that the kids are on Cybertron, is more concerned with keeping the comm lines clear, and quickly ends the call.

Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave and Knock Out each hold a key, and activate the [[Omega Lock]]. At a touch from Megatron, the lock sends out a beam of energy that recreates a nearby ruin, turning it into a pristine building. Though Optimus requests he be allowed to take the [[human]]s back to Earth, Megatron announces they'll be safer where they are. He has Starscream open up a space bridge portal over the Omega Lock site, and unleashes a mechaforming beam through it... to Earth, just outside of [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]]. A horrified June drops her phone, and the Autobot base's systems go haywire from the energy overload.

[[Image:DarkestHour-June.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I've been watching far too many movies."]]

Miko wonders aloud if the beam will simply restore Earth, but Optimus says that this won't be the case; the beam will instead [[Eco-structuring|cyberform]] the planet, tuning it into another metallic world, and in the process destroy ''all'' indigenous life. Unable to let Earth die, Optimus leaps into action, slicing his way through the guards with his blade and lunging for the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Though Megatron tries to respond with the [[Dark Star Saber]], Optimus neatly cleaves the purloined Prime arm off of the Decepticon leader and sends the Dark blade flying, charging the Lock. Starscream gets his face stamped on as he tries to stop Optimus, and the other two Decepticons dive for cover as the Star Saber finds its mark, resulting in a massive explosion.

The cyberforming beam dissipates, and Ratchet's equipment clears up in time to get a transmission from Optimus requesting a space bridge. As the Decepticons pick themselves out of the rubble, the Autobots retreat through back to Earth. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] quips, earning a quick backhand from Starscream, snarling that he needs to attend to their wounded leader. Starscream's ranting at Optimus's actions is cut of by a burst of maniacal laughter from Megatron... "They can run, but they can never again run ''home''!"

[[Image:DarkestHour-NewKaon.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Welp. There goes the neighborhood.]]

Ratchet is aghast as the Autobots return carrying the children, and even more so when they tell him Optimus has destroyed the Omega Lock. He staggers, lamenting that the sheer depth of loss the war has brought has all come to naught, with Cybertron now doomed to forever be a lifeless husk. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] snaps at Ratchet, claiming it's not his place to question Optimus's battlefield decisions, and Ratchet does not exactly react well to that. The discussion is cut short by a call from an absolutely furious [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]], suggesting they take a look outside. As the Autobots reach the mountaintop via elevator, they find a huge [[New Kaon (fortress)|Cybertronian fortress]] now stands right on their doorstep. Fowler, landing his helicopter next to them, wonders why they picked Jasper. As the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' arrives, the answer becomes painfully clear: the Decepticons have found the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]].

Megatron, still missing his arm, rallies his air troops with a speech damning Optimus for his actions, and Starscream launches his armada of silver-toned Jet Vehicons, followed by the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] horde. The Autobots retreat into the base, but Fowler jumps back into his helicopter and flies directly through the oncoming Decepticon formations. While he's soon outgunned and being chased by Vehicons, the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'' streaks into view—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] has come to lend a hand, much to the surprise of the Autobots, since their last parting was not exactly on friendly terms.

[[Image:DarkestHour-thisistheplace.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Album|We're going 'til the world stops turning, while we burn it to the ground tonight!]]]]

Optimus orders the Autobots to abandon base via [[GroundBridge]], each departing to different locations in the [[United States of America|USA]] in the hopes that it will allow them to evade capture easier and regroup. Bumblebee and Raf head out first, then Bulkhead and Miko, then Arcee and Jack. Outside, Fowler avoids more Decepticons only to see the ''Nemesis'' moving into position over the Autobot base. At the same time, June is approaching the base by car in search of her son, but is stopped by a low-flying Vehicon. Fowler moves fast, gunning the Decepticon down and pulling June to safety. Though Wheeljack has bought the Autobots time, the numbers are against him, and a pair of seeking missiles from Starscream soon send the ''Jackhammer'' plummeting to Earth in a trail of smoke.

Smokescreen having departed on his own, Ratchet and Optimus are the last ones left in the base. Optimus tells Ratchet to go on, while he will make sure the Decepticons can't follow. Realizing the implications, Ratchet sadly takes his leave. Optimus moves to use the Star Saber to destroy the space bridge controls, but at that moment his task is rendered moot as the ''Nemesis'' fires a colossal cannon, destroying the Autobot base in a huge explosion.

Megatron and Starscream fly down to the remains, landing on the Autobot [[insignia]]. The two gloat over their victory... and not far, all that can be seen of Optimus is his hand sticking out from the burning rubble...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (2)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (18)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)
* [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (17)
|c3=
* [[Jack Darby]] (7)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (11)
* [[June Darby]] (15)
* [[William Fowler]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I guess we should cancel the welcome home party."
:—'''Knock Out''' makes an ill-timed quip.

"Optimus... ''we needed that''."
:—'''Ratchet''' expresses his dismay over Optimus's actions.

"Our opportunity to revive Cybertron has been lost, due to the treachery of Optimus Prime. But from our fortress of New Kaon, we will instead seize control of THIS world! '''Decepticons! Transform and rise up!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' gives his army a motivational speech as the onslaught begins.

"And that's how you wreck a Wrecker!"
:—'''Starscream''' bragging as he shoots down Wheeljack's ship.

"I... never imagined it would end like this." 
''[Heads through the GroundBridge]'' 
"Neither did I, old friend."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the breaking of [[Team Prime]], Goodbyes just arent the same since Bay took over.

"United we stand, divided they fall."
:—'''Starscream''' continues to gloat at what is left of the Autobot base.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* As in previous episodes, Megatron's jet mode retains the fusion cannon even though he no longer has it.
* During Ratchet's last scene before he enters the ground bridge, you can clearly see part of his helmet going through his chest.
*When Optimus transforms his arm into his regular sword, the Vehicons behind him are suddenly ground units.

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron remembers that Jack was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]] back in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]". Technically, Jack was entrusted with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], but the end result is the same.
* Ratchet vaguely references the events of "[[Hurt]]" when expressing surprise at Wheeljack's arrival. This also seems to be the reason why no one enlisted his aid for the events of the previous episode.
* Optimus cuts off Megatron's Prime arm, which he acquired in "[[Alpha/Omega]]".
* Soundwave began narrowing down the location of the Autobots' base through knowledge of their human allies residence within [[Jasper]] in "[[Hard Knocks]]".

===Transformers references===
[[Image:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|right|thumb|180px|[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Mikado/The_criminal_cried_as_he_dropped_him_down ''With a frightful, frantic, fearful frown, I bared my big right arm'']]]
* "[[Darkest hour]]", yet again.
* Megatron commands his troops to "Transform and rise up!", a phrase coined by the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]"
* The red panel Megatron activates on the Omega Lock resembles an [[energon star]].
* Megatron plans to [[Cyberforming|cyberform]] Earth.
* The final shot of Optimus Prime's arm looks [[The War Within issue 1|oddly familiar]].

===Real-world references===
* Optimus Prime explains that the Omega Lock will "cyberform your planet in favor of its new matrix, destroying all indigenous life in the process," a reference to the Genesis Device in ''[[wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]''. [[Spock]], describing the effect of the Device on an inhabited world, explains that it "would destroy such life, in favor of its new matrix."

===Trivia===
[[Image:PrimeDarkestHourStarscreamsArmadaSingle.jpg|thumb|250px|ARE YOU SARAH CONNOR?]]
* A new type of Decepticon flyer debuts, sporting a silver and grey paint job. Just where these new awesome-looking Vehicons came from has not yet been explained.
* June Darby makes an appearance after a 23-episode absence.
* This is the first time we see a space bridge portal open facing downward and the second time we see a portal open North-South.
* June bought a new car after her old one was destroyed in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] was still being held in that stasis pod when the Autobot Base blew up, leaving open the question of her fate. The various Iacon relics are also left unaccounted for. The [[Forge of Solus Prime]] was in the Autobot base, same as Airachnid. The [[phase shifter]], [[Immobilizer]], [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], and [[polarity gauntlet]] were all last seen on Cybertron, and the Autobots made no apparent effort to retrieve them. Finally, it's never shown if Megatron retrieved his Dark Star Saber and Prime arm.
* Optimus makes use of his integrated sword for the first time since the arrival of the Star Saber.
* Megatron goes almost the entire episode without a right arm. He is old because he is ''hard'', man.
* Fowler manages to kill four Decepticons in this episode, two of which he shoots down with the gun on his helicopter. He must have gotten an upgrade after its lackluster performances in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]" and "[[Crisscross]]".

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Shadowzone (episode)

2012-11-19T06:38:29Z

NexusPrime98: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig2|the episode|the dimension|Shadowzone (dimension)}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 15
|prev=Out of His Head
|next=Operation: Breakdown
|image=Shadowzone-shadow.jpg
|caption=Who zones? The Shadow zones.
|title="Shadowzone"
|airdate=[[May 14]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''After a GroundBridge failure, the kids are flung into another dimension with a reanimated Skyquake.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Shadowzone-MegsStarscream.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Baby, I don't ''want'' to hurt you!"]]

[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] lies in the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> lab, having taken a severe pounding from [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. His leader pays a visit, mostly to gloat over how their positions have changed. Once he leaves, Starscream rips himself free of the cables feeding him. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] is shocked to see Starscream up and about, but Starscream claims angrily that he feels fine and limps away. Starscream retrieves a shard of [[Dark Energon]]—the one he originally ripped from Megatron's body—from its hiding place and promises that his and Megatron's positions will be reversed.

At the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] reports that he's detected a weak but rapidly moving Dark Energon signal, which the [[Autobot]]s assume is Megatron. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] wonders if he plans to use it raise a new army of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] ([[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] seems thrilled at the prospect of zombie-cons) and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] notes that it's possible, given the Dark Energon signal is moving to a familiar site.

[[Image:Shadowzone-purple.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Im a pepper, wouldnt you like tou be a pepper too!?'']]
Starscream arrives at the site of [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]'s grave, announcing that this time the fallen warrior will be his servant. Breaking off a chunk of the Dark Energon and throwing it into the cairn, Starscream plunges the rest of it into himself and feels the power flowing through him.

Optimus Prime readies the Autobots to move out, though Ratchet's surprised that he's on the team. As Miko yells words of encouragement to [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Jack Darby|Jack]] and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] observe that she's obviously up to something, since she's acting disinterested in coming along. Indeed, as the Autobots head through the [[GroundBridge]], Miko makes a break for the opening, and Jack and Raf give chase. Jack manages to grab her on the threshold, but she shakes loose and runs through, though [[Miko's phone|her cell phone]] is knocked from her belt. The three kids arrive on site just behind the Autobots and scramble up a nearby outcropping to watch the anticipated battle. The Autobots are surprised to find Starscream instead of Megatron, and he takes advantage by shooting at them and proclaiming his invulnerability. Optimus responds by shooting one of Starscream's arms off. As the Autobots close in, Starscream takes cover and shouts at Skyquake to hurry up and rise before panicking and requesting an emergency GroundBridge. The Autobots finally spot the kids when Miko shouts at Jack for making her lose her phone, just in time for [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] to call from base asking where the kids are. Optimus orders her to send a GroundBridge. Ratchet is surprised when ''two'' GroundBridge portals open, but orders the kids to go in. They do so, and Starscream likewise dives through the 'Con GroundBridge, but moments later, green energy begins swirling around everywhere. Bulkhead runs to save the kids, but is knocked back from the GroundBridge portal, which then explodes.

Starscream arrives back on the ''Nemesis'' and tells the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] operator to keep his mouth shut. After leaving the GroundBridge room, he removes the chunk of Dark Energon from his chest.

The kids pick themselves up, as do the Autobots, but the kids quickly discover that the Autobots can't see them, and to Miko's alarm, Bulkhead steps right through her. Unaware, the Autobots speculate on what happened to the kids. Raf works out that he, Jack and Miko are in a sort of alternate dimension he calls a [[Shadowzone (dimension)|shadowzone]]. Optimus observes that Skyquake's grave is empty and requests a GroundBridge from Arcee. The kids spot Skyquake—now a Dark Energon zombie—heading towards the Autobots. Their cries of warning go unheard, but Skyquake's strike passes right through Bulkhead. The kids rapidly realize that Skyquake is in the same dimension as they are, and they and run for it. Raf trips and is carried to safety by Jack, but has lost his glasses. Miko makes an ill-advised recovery of the spectacles, and they continue their flight.

The Autobots are at a loss to locate the kids until [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] suggests calling them. Bulkhead rings Miko, only to discover her lost cellphone sitting on the floor in the Autobot base. Arcee rings Jack, and in the shadowzone, his phone rings, but there's too much interference for him and Arcee to communicate. The kids hit on the idea of sending a text message to Miko's phone but are forced to run as Skyquake finds them. Miko is just realizing that they've gone in a circle when they literally run into Starscream's lost arm.

Knock Out examines Starscream, who covers for his lost arm by saying it just fell off. The medic tries unsuccessfully to interest him in a replacement upgrade arm.

[[Image:Shadowzone_HappymusPrime.jpg|left|thumb|300px|What? Optimus is ''smiling''?! No! We're ''still'' in another dimension!]]

Meanwhile, the kids use Starscream's arm to fire a missile at Skyquake. They manage to blast Skyquake's arm off, but it promptly animates and starts charging towards them at high speed. The kids start running once again.

At base, Bulkhead notices that Miko's phone is flashing, and the Autobots finally get the kids' message. Ratchet sets about trying to locate where they are.

Starscream's piece of Dark Energon starts pulsing, which he takes to mean that Skyquake has risen. He tells Knock Out, returning with a new arm, that he's going to go and retrieve his old arm.

Ratchet pinpoints the kids to the location of Skyquake's grave and starts working on a way to return them to the normal dimension.

[[Image:Shadowzone-alone.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Hes dead, Jim.]]

The kids find themselves back at Starscream's arm and are confronted by Starscream himself, come to find Skyquake. Luckily, he can't see them, but they're forced to run toward him when Skyquake's arm appears. A GroundBridge portal opens in front of them, and they run through at the last moment. Starscream is startled by the three humans running past, but then Skyquake's arm follows them through the portal and grabs Starscream's head. He has barely shaken the thing loose when Optimus, Bulkhead and Arcee arrive, and he has to request another emergency GroundBridge.

Back at base, Miko takes responsibility for the whole venture, much to Jack's surprise, but the Autobots decide she's been through enough. Bulkhead regrets she didn't get to take any pictures, but Miko asserts that the mental image of zombie Skyquake will be enough.

Knock Out performs more repairs on Starscream and inquires whether he retrieved his arm. Back in the shadowzone, Skyquake briefly tries Starscream's arm on for size before tossing it away.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
|c2=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (3)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] (12)
*[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] (13)
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)
*[[Jack Darby]] (10)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"Miko, what were you thinking?!" 
"She wasn't."
:—'''Jack''' lets the role of deadpan wisecracker pass to '''Raf''' temporarily.

"You cannot harm me while Dark Energon flows through my veins!"
:—'''Starscream''', seconds before Optimus blows off his arm.

"I can't see without my glasses!" 
"What are you, ninety?" 
"Not. Helping!"
:—A glasses-less '''Raf''', a jerky '''Miko''', and a frustrated '''Jack'''.

"Uh, Starscream, I don't quite understand how this could have happened." 
"And yet, it DID! Can you imagine my horror? There I am, minding my own business, when my arm ''just falls off''! Clearly, Megatron inflicted more damage upon me than you realized, ''Doctor''..."
:—'''Knock Out''' listens to '''Starscream'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s frustration, who leaves out what really happened.

"How can a zombie arm move faster than the actual zombie?"
:—That's a very good question, '''Miko'''.

"Ratchet, can we triangulate the geographical position of the cell phone signal?" 
"''In a parallel dimensional plane?!'' ... Let's find out."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' poses a challenge for '''Ratchet'''.

"Look, if you're going to blame anybody, blame me." 
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that...a couple dozen times?"
:—'''Miko''' owns up, while '''Jack''' makes it clear he's still ticked off.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* In the final scene with Skyquake in the alternate dimension, it first shows Starscream's missing arm. However, Starscream is missing his ''right'' arm whereas this arm is a ''left''. In the next cut, where Skyquake tries to attach the arm to himself, it becomes the proper missing right arm.

===Continuity errors===
* Skyquake's arm continues to function even after being blasted off. When Ratchet severs a zombie's arm in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]", the arm is shown deactivating moments later. It is possible that this is due to Skyquake being infused with an actual Dark Energon crystal, the same way [[Cliffjumper (Prime)| Cliffjumper]] was still functional in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]" despite being cut in half.
* Jack [[Darkness Rising, Part 2|previously discovered]] that the Autobot base was shielded from cell-phone reception. This may have something to do with the "cell phone comlink patch" Raf mentions in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]".

===Continuity notes===
* Starscream attempts to raise Skyquake as a zombie the way Megatron raised an undead army in "[[Darkness Rising]]" parts [[Darkness Rising, Part 4|4]] and [[Darkness Rising, Part 5|5]]. He even quotes Megatron's exact line about symbiosis.
* Starscream stole the Dark Energon shard he uses from Megatron way back in "[[Masters & Students]]". Likewise, Skyquake made his previous appearance in the same episode, and the action in this episode happens around his burial site.

===Transformers references===
* This episode finally has the Autobots refer to the ''Nemesis'' by name. The name was previously given to the [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon cruiser]] from [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] in "[[Nemesis Part 1]]".
* When suggesting alternative arm weapons for Starscream, Knock Out makes a few references to past [[Starscream (disambiguation)|Starscreams]]: While he recommends a [[null-ray]] for its mix of flash and firepower, as sported by [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 Starscream]], he also proposes a reliable and low-maintenance "[[sonic cannon]]", in an apparent reference to [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' Starscream]], whose arm cannons were referred to as sonic weapons in various places (though never the ''Animated'' show itself).
* Miko appears to be drawing Optimus Prime. But instead of drawing the Optimus Prime she's known for months, she draws the [[Optimus Prime (Animated)| Animated Optimus Prime]] instead! And you can ''just'' see an arm to the side that looks like it could belong to [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. Those sneaky Art Designers!

===Real-world references===
* Ratchet fears that the GroundBridges may have "crossed streams". [[Wikipedia:Ghostbusters|This is generally a very bad thing]]. The reference was [[Marsha Griffin]]'s idea.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-transformers-prime-interview-with-executive-producer-jeff-kline/15863/news.html TFormers BotCon 2011 interview with Kline]</ref>

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die vierte Dimension'''" ("The Fourth Dimension")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 30|30 December]] [[2011]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Árny-zóna'''" ("Shadow-zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 27|27 January]] [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona d'ombra'''" ("Shadow Zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13|13 November]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shiryō Henkei! Skyquake Futatabi'''" (死霊変形!スカイクエイクふたたび, "Phantom Transformation! Skyquake Returns")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 14|14 July]] [[2012]]
:*Terrorcon Skyquake speaks, though he can only say his own name over and over like some kind of undead Pokémon.
:*Instead of the aforementioned null-ray and sonic cannon, Knock Out suggests the merits of Starscream getting a new [[Arms Micron]].

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sachawon Gonggan'''" (4차원 공간, "4-Dimensional Space")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 17|17 October]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 23|23 December]] [[2011]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 13|13 February]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona de sombras'''" ("Shadows Zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 19|19 May]] [[2012]]

===Trivia===
* The voice cast performed a script reading of the episode at [[BotCon 2011]]. [[Sean Long]] stood in for [[Frank Welker]], while [[Ernie Hudson]] filled in for [[Daran Norris]]. A "deleted scene" where [[William Fowler|Fowler]] contacts [[June Darby]] (and pretends to be something called a "Ghostbuster") was injected into the proceedings.
* Despite Megatron being pretty ticked off at Starscream in the previous episode, Starscream is still alive (albeit heavily injured). Just like old times!
* [[Jeff Kline]] claimed that when they kill a character, the character stays killed. He wasn't exactly lying: Skyquake reappears, but only as a shambling zombie. He doesn't even get lines, except for groans and moans.
* Miko claims to have learned her lesson. [[Metal Attraction|It]] [[Rock Bottom|doesn't]] [[T.M.I.|last]].
* This episode shows that Transformers need to make a special gesture with their hands in order to activate their weapons systems.
* Say, what ever happened to Skyquake's disembodied arm after Starscream threw it (still functioning) away after it attacked him?

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==External link==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyatPyA-mpQ&feature=channel_video_title Excepts of live script reading]

[[Category:Prime episodes]]
[[Category:Script reading]]

Shadowzone (episode)

2012-11-19T06:37:39Z

NexusPrime98: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig2|the episode|the dimension|Shadowzone (dimension)}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 15
|prev=Out of His Head
|next=Operation: Breakdown
|image=Shadowzone-shadow.jpg
|caption=Who zones? The Shadow zones.
|title="Shadowzone"
|airdate=[[May 14]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''After a GroundBridge failure, the kids are flung into another dimension with a reanimated Skyquake.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Shadowzone-MegsStarscream.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Baby, I don't ''want'' to hurt you!"]]

[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] lies in the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> lab, having taken a severe pounding from [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. His leader pays a visit, mostly to gloat over how their positions have changed. Once he leaves, Starscream rips himself free of the cables feeding him. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] is shocked to see Starscream up and about, but Starscream claims angrily that he feels fine and limps away. Starscream retrieves a shard of [[Dark Energon]]—the one he originally ripped from Megatron's body—from its hiding place and promises that his and Megatron's positions will be reversed.

At the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] reports that he's detected a weak but rapidly moving Dark Energon signal, which the [[Autobot]]s assume is Megatron. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] wonders if he plans to use it raise a new army of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] ([[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] seems thrilled at the prospect of zombie-cons) and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] notes that it's possible, given the Dark Energon signal is moving to a familiar site.

[[Image:Shadowzone-purple.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Im a pepper, wouldnt you like tou be a pepper too!?'']]
Starscream arrives at the site of [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]'s grave, announcing that this time the fallen warrior will be his servant. Breaking off a chunk of the Dark Energon and throwing it into the cairn, Starscream plunges the rest of it into himself and feels the power flowing through him.

Optimus Prime readies the Autobots to move out, though Ratchet's surprised that he's on the team. As Miko yells words of encouragement to [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Jack Darby|Jack]] and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] observe that she's obviously up to something, since she's acting disinterested in coming along. Indeed, as the Autobots head through the [[GroundBridge]], Miko makes a break for the opening, and Jack and Raf give chase. Jack manages to grab her on the threshold, but she shakes loose and runs through, though [[Miko's phone|her cell phone]] is knocked from her belt. The three kids arrive on site just behind the Autobots and scramble up a nearby outcropping to watch the anticipated battle. The Autobots are surprised to find Starscream instead of Megatron, and he takes advantage by shooting at them and proclaiming his invulnerability. Optimus responds by shooting one of Starscream's arms off. As the Autobots close in, Starscream takes cover and shouts at Skyquake to hurry up and rise before panicking and requesting an emergency GroundBridge. The Autobots finally spot the kids when Miko shouts at Jack for making her lose her phone, just in time for [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] to call from base asking where the kids are. Optimus orders her to send a GroundBridge. Ratchet is surprised when ''two'' GroundBridge portals open, but orders the kids to go in. They do so, and Starscream likewise dives through the 'Con GroundBridge, but moments later, green energy begins swirling around everywhere. Bulkhead runs to save the kids, but is knocked back from the GroundBridge portal, which then explodes.

Starscream arrives back on the ''Nemesis'' and tells the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] operator to keep his mouth shut. After leaving the GroundBridge room, he removes the chunk of Dark Energon from his chest.

The kids pick themselves up, as do the Autobots, but the kids quickly discover that the Autobots can't see them, and to Miko's alarm, Bulkhead steps right through her. Unaware, the Autobots speculate on what happened to the kids. Raf works out that he, Jack and Miko are in a sort of alternate dimension he calls a [[Shadowzone (dimension)|shadowzone]]. Optimus observes that Skyquake's grave is empty and requests a GroundBridge from Arcee. The kids spot Skyquake—now a Dark Energon zombie—heading towards the Autobots. Their cries of warning go unheard, but Skyquake's strike passes right through Bulkhead. The kids rapidly realize that Skyquake is in the same dimension as they are, and they and run for it. Raf trips and is carried to safety by Jack, but has lost his glasses. Miko makes an ill-advised recovery of the spectacles, and they continue their flight.

The Autobots are at a loss to locate the kids until [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] suggests calling them. Bulkhead rings Miko, only to discover her lost cellphone sitting on the floor in the Autobot base. Arcee rings Jack, and in the shadowzone, his phone rings, but there's too much interference for him and Arcee to communicate. The kids hit on the idea of sending a text message to Miko's phone but are forced to run as Skyquake finds them. Miko is just realizing that they've gone in a circle when they literally run into Starscream's lost arm.

Knock Out examines Starscream, who covers for his lost arm by saying it just fell off. The medic tries unsuccessfully to interest him in a replacement upgrade arm.

[[Image:Shadowzone_HappymusPrime.jpg|left|thumb|300px|What? Optimus is ''smiling''?! No! We're ''still'' in another dimension!]]

Meanwhile, the kids use Starscream's arm to fire a missile at Skyquake. They manage to blast Skyquake's arm off, but it promptly animates and starts charging towards them at high speed. The kids start running once again.

At base, Bulkhead notices that Miko's phone is flashing, and the Autobots finally get the kids' message. Ratchet sets about trying to locate where they are.

Starscream's piece of Dark Energon starts pulsing, which he takes to mean that Skyquake has risen. He tells Knock Out, returning with a new arm, that he's going to go and retrieve his old arm.

Ratchet pinpoints the kids to the location of Skyquake's grave and starts working on a way to return them to the normal dimension.

[[Image:Shadowzone-alone.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Zombies have no respect for personal space!]]

The kids find themselves back at Starscream's arm and are confronted by Starscream himself, come to find Skyquake. Luckily, he can't see them, but they're forced to run toward him when Skyquake's arm appears. A GroundBridge portal opens in front of them, and they run through at the last moment. Starscream is startled by the three humans running past, but then Skyquake's arm follows them through the portal and grabs Starscream's head. He has barely shaken the thing loose when Optimus, Bulkhead and Arcee arrive, and he has to request another emergency GroundBridge.

Back at base, Miko takes responsibility for the whole venture, much to Jack's surprise, but the Autobots decide she's been through enough. Bulkhead regrets she didn't get to take any pictures, but Miko asserts that the mental image of zombie Skyquake will be enough.

Knock Out performs more repairs on Starscream and inquires whether he retrieved his arm. Back in the shadowzone, Skyquake briefly tries Starscream's arm on for size before tossing it away.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
|c2=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (3)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] (12)
*[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] (13)
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)
*[[Jack Darby]] (10)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"Miko, what were you thinking?!" 
"She wasn't."
:—'''Jack''' lets the role of deadpan wisecracker pass to '''Raf''' temporarily.

"You cannot harm me while Dark Energon flows through my veins!"
:—'''Starscream''', seconds before Optimus blows off his arm.

"I can't see without my glasses!" 
"What are you, ninety?" 
"Not. Helping!"
:—A glasses-less '''Raf''', a jerky '''Miko''', and a frustrated '''Jack'''.

"Uh, Starscream, I don't quite understand how this could have happened." 
"And yet, it DID! Can you imagine my horror? There I am, minding my own business, when my arm ''just falls off''! Clearly, Megatron inflicted more damage upon me than you realized, ''Doctor''..."
:—'''Knock Out''' listens to '''Starscream'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s frustration, who leaves out what really happened.

"How can a zombie arm move faster than the actual zombie?"
:—That's a very good question, '''Miko'''.

"Ratchet, can we triangulate the geographical position of the cell phone signal?" 
"''In a parallel dimensional plane?!'' ... Let's find out."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' poses a challenge for '''Ratchet'''.

"Look, if you're going to blame anybody, blame me." 
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that...a couple dozen times?"
:—'''Miko''' owns up, while '''Jack''' makes it clear he's still ticked off.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* In the final scene with Skyquake in the alternate dimension, it first shows Starscream's missing arm. However, Starscream is missing his ''right'' arm whereas this arm is a ''left''. In the next cut, where Skyquake tries to attach the arm to himself, it becomes the proper missing right arm.

===Continuity errors===
* Skyquake's arm continues to function even after being blasted off. When Ratchet severs a zombie's arm in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]", the arm is shown deactivating moments later. It is possible that this is due to Skyquake being infused with an actual Dark Energon crystal, the same way [[Cliffjumper (Prime)| Cliffjumper]] was still functional in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]" despite being cut in half.
* Jack [[Darkness Rising, Part 2|previously discovered]] that the Autobot base was shielded from cell-phone reception. This may have something to do with the "cell phone comlink patch" Raf mentions in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]".

===Continuity notes===
* Starscream attempts to raise Skyquake as a zombie the way Megatron raised an undead army in "[[Darkness Rising]]" parts [[Darkness Rising, Part 4|4]] and [[Darkness Rising, Part 5|5]]. He even quotes Megatron's exact line about symbiosis.
* Starscream stole the Dark Energon shard he uses from Megatron way back in "[[Masters & Students]]". Likewise, Skyquake made his previous appearance in the same episode, and the action in this episode happens around his burial site.

===Transformers references===
* This episode finally has the Autobots refer to the ''Nemesis'' by name. The name was previously given to the [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon cruiser]] from [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] in "[[Nemesis Part 1]]".
* When suggesting alternative arm weapons for Starscream, Knock Out makes a few references to past [[Starscream (disambiguation)|Starscreams]]: While he recommends a [[null-ray]] for its mix of flash and firepower, as sported by [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 Starscream]], he also proposes a reliable and low-maintenance "[[sonic cannon]]", in an apparent reference to [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' Starscream]], whose arm cannons were referred to as sonic weapons in various places (though never the ''Animated'' show itself).
* Miko appears to be drawing Optimus Prime. But instead of drawing the Optimus Prime she's known for months, she draws the [[Optimus Prime (Animated)| Animated Optimus Prime]] instead! And you can ''just'' see an arm to the side that looks like it could belong to [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. Those sneaky Art Designers!

===Real-world references===
* Ratchet fears that the GroundBridges may have "crossed streams". [[Wikipedia:Ghostbusters|This is generally a very bad thing]]. The reference was [[Marsha Griffin]]'s idea.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-transformers-prime-interview-with-executive-producer-jeff-kline/15863/news.html TFormers BotCon 2011 interview with Kline]</ref>

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die vierte Dimension'''" ("The Fourth Dimension")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 30|30 December]] [[2011]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Árny-zóna'''" ("Shadow-zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 27|27 January]] [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona d'ombra'''" ("Shadow Zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13|13 November]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shiryō Henkei! Skyquake Futatabi'''" (死霊変形!スカイクエイクふたたび, "Phantom Transformation! Skyquake Returns")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 14|14 July]] [[2012]]
:*Terrorcon Skyquake speaks, though he can only say his own name over and over like some kind of undead Pokémon.
:*Instead of the aforementioned null-ray and sonic cannon, Knock Out suggests the merits of Starscream getting a new [[Arms Micron]].

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sachawon Gonggan'''" (4차원 공간, "4-Dimensional Space")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 17|17 October]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 23|23 December]] [[2011]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 13|13 February]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona de sombras'''" ("Shadows Zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 19|19 May]] [[2012]]

===Trivia===
* The voice cast performed a script reading of the episode at [[BotCon 2011]]. [[Sean Long]] stood in for [[Frank Welker]], while [[Ernie Hudson]] filled in for [[Daran Norris]]. A "deleted scene" where [[William Fowler|Fowler]] contacts [[June Darby]] (and pretends to be something called a "Ghostbuster") was injected into the proceedings.
* Despite Megatron being pretty ticked off at Starscream in the previous episode, Starscream is still alive (albeit heavily injured). Just like old times!
* [[Jeff Kline]] claimed that when they kill a character, the character stays killed. He wasn't exactly lying: Skyquake reappears, but only as a shambling zombie. He doesn't even get lines, except for groans and moans.
* Miko claims to have learned her lesson. [[Metal Attraction|It]] [[Rock Bottom|doesn't]] [[T.M.I.|last]].
* This episode shows that Transformers need to make a special gesture with their hands in order to activate their weapons systems.
* Say, what ever happened to Skyquake's disembodied arm after Starscream threw it (still functioning) away after it attacked him?

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==External link==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyatPyA-mpQ&feature=channel_video_title Excepts of live script reading]

[[Category:Prime episodes]]
[[Category:Script reading]]

Darkest Hour (episode)

2012-11-09T23:26:50Z

NexusPrime98:

{{disambig3|Darkest Hour}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 52
|prev=Regeneration (Prime)
|next=
|image=PrimeDarkestHourOPArm.jpg
|caption=WISE FWOM YOUR GWAVE
|title="Darkest Hour"
|airdate=[[November 2]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Crap gets real.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:DarkestHour-captives.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jack: It's all because of us. Miko: We're so fragged. Raf: Can I go to the bathroom?]]

The two groups stand on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], locked in a face-off. While the [[Autobot]]s have the [[Omega Key]]s, the [[Decepticon]]s have [[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] orders [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] to get ready to expose Jack to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere. Though the kids are ready to sacrifice themselves to save the planet, [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] isn't, and the Autobots throw down their weapons. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] hands over his key in exchange for Miko, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] hands over his for Raf, and Megatron insists that as someone who was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Jack is surely worth ''two'' keys, so Arcee and Smokescreen are compelled to hand over theirs. The exchange done, a [[space bridge]] opens and the Autobots are quickly surrounded by [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]].

On [[Earth]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] gets a call from [[June Darby]], worried as she can't get in touch with Jack. Ratchet, unable to get in touch with Optimus and unaware that the kids are on Cybertron, is more concerned with keeping the comm lines clear, and quickly ends the call.

Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave and Knock Out each hold a key, and activate the [[Omega Lock]]. At a touch from Megatron, the lock sends out a beam of energy that recreates a nearby ruin, turning it into a pristine building. Though Optimus requests he be allowed to take the [[human]]s back to Earth, Megatron announces they'll be safer where they are. He has Starscream open up a space bridge portal over the Omega Lock site, and unleashes a mechaforming beam through it... to Earth, just outside of [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]]. A horrified June drops her phone, and the Autobot base's systems go haywire from the energy overload.

[[Image:DarkestHour-June.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I've been watching far too many movies."]]

Miko wonders aloud if the beam will simply restore Earth, but Optimus says that this won't be the case; the beam will instead [[Eco-structuring|cyberform]] the planet, tuning it into another metallic world, and in the process destroy ''all'' indigenous life. Unable to let Earth die, Optimus leaps into action, slicing his way through the guards with his blade and lunging for the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Though Megatron tries to respond with the [[Dark Star Saber]], Optimus neatly cleaves the purloined Prime arm off of the Decepticon leader and sends the Dark blade flying, charging the Lock. Starscream gets his face stamped on as he tries to stop Optimus, and the other two Decepticons dive for cover as the Star Saber finds its mark, resulting in a massive explosion.

The cyberforming beam dissipates, and Ratchet's equipment clears up in time to get a transmission from Optimus requesting a space bridge. As the Decepticons pick themselves out of the rubble, the Autobots retreat through back to Earth. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] quips, earning a quick backhand from Starscream, snarling that he needs to attend to their wounded leader. Starscream's ranting at Optimus's actions is cut of by a burst of maniacal laughter from Megatron... "They can run, but they can never again run ''home''!"

[[Image:DarkestHour-NewKaon.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Welp. There goes the neighborhood.]]

Ratchet is aghast as the Autobots return carrying the children, and even more so when they tell him Optimus has destroyed the Omega Lock. He staggers, lamenting that the sheer depth of loss the war has brought has all come to naught, with Cybertron now doomed to forever be a lifeless husk. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] snaps at Ratchet, claiming it's not his place to question Optimus's battlefield decisions, and Ratchet does not exactly react well to that. The discussion is cut short by a call from an absolutely furious [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]], suggesting they take a look outside. As the Autobots reach the mountaintop via elevator, they find a huge [[New Kaon (fortress)|Cybertronian fortress]] now stands right on their doorstep. Fowler, landing his helicopter next to them, wonders why they picked Jasper. As the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' arrives, the answer becomes painfully clear: the Decepticons have found the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]].

Megatron, still missing his arm, rallies his air troops with a speech damning Optimus for his actions, and Starscream launches his armada of silver-toned Jet Vehicons, followed by the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] horde. The Autobots retreat into the base, but Fowler jumps back into his helicopter and flies directly through the oncoming Decepticon formations. While he's soon outgunned and being chased by Vehicons, the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'' streaks into view—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] has come to lend a hand, much to the surprise of the Autobots, since their last parting was not exactly on friendly terms.

[[Image:DarkestHour-thisistheplace.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Album|We're going 'til the world stops turning, while we burn it to the ground tonight!]]]]

Optimus orders the Autobots to abandon base via [[GroundBridge]], each departing to different locations in the [[United States of America|USA]] in the hopes that it will allow them to evade capture easier and regroup. Bumblebee and Raf head out first, then Bulkhead and Miko, then Arcee and Jack. Outside, Fowler avoids more Decepticons only to see the ''Nemesis'' moving into position over the Autobot base. At the same time, June is approaching the base by car in search of her son, but is stopped by a low-flying Vehicon. Fowler moves fast, gunning the Decepticon down and pulling June to safety. Though Wheeljack has bought the Autobots time, the numbers are against him, and a pair of seeking missiles from Starscream soon send the ''Jackhammer'' plummeting to Earth in a trail of smoke.

Smokescreen having departed on his own, Ratchet and Optimus are the last ones left in the base. Optimus tells Ratchet to go on, while he will make sure the Decepticons can't follow. Realizing the implications, Ratchet sadly takes his leave. Optimus moves to use the Star Saber to destroy the space bridge controls, but at that moment his task is rendered moot as the ''Nemesis'' fires a colossal cannon, destroying the Autobot base in a huge explosion.

Megatron and Starscream fly down to the remains, landing on the Autobot [[insignia]]. The two gloat over their victory... and not far, all that can be seen of Optimus is his hand sticking out from the burning rubble...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (2)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (18)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)
* [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (17)
|c3=
* [[Jack Darby]] (7)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (11)
* [[June Darby]] (15)
* [[William Fowler]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I guess we should cancel the welcome home party."
:—'''Knock Out''' makes an ill-timed quip.

"Optimus... ''we needed that''."
:—'''Ratchet''' expresses his dismay over Optimus's actions.

"Our opportunity to revive Cybertron has been lost, due to the treachery of Optimus Prime. But from our fortress of New Kaon, we will instead seize control of THIS world! '''Decepticons! Transform and rise up!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' gives his army a motivational speech as the onslaught begins.

"And that's how you wreck a Wrecker!"
:—'''Starscream''' bragging as he shoots down Wheeljack's ship.

"I... never imagined it would end like this." 
''[Heads through the GroundBridge]'' 
"Neither did I, old friend."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the breaking of [[Team Prime]].

"United we stand, divided they fall."
:—'''Starscream''' continues to gloat at what is left of the Autobot base.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* As in previous episodes, Megatron's jet mode retains the fusion cannon even though he no longer has it.
* During Ratchet's last scene before he enters the ground bridge, you can clearly see part of his helmet going through his chest.

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron remembers that Jack was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]] back in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]".
* Ratchet vaguely references the events of "[[Hurt]]" when expressing surprise at Wheeljack's arrival. This also seems to be the reason why no one enlisted his aid for the events of the previous episode.
* Optimus cuts off Megatron's Prime arm, which he acquired in "[[Alpha/Omega]]".
[[Image:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|right|thumb|180px|[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Mikado/The_criminal_cried_as_he_dropped_him_down ''With a frightful, frantic, fearful frown, I bared my big right arm'']]]
===Transformers references===
* "[[Darkest hour]]", yet again.
* Megatron commands his troops to "Transform and rise up!", a phrase coined by the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]].
* The red panel Megatron activates on the Omega Lock resembles an [[energon star]].
* Megatron plans to [[Cyberforming|cyberform]] Earth.
*The final shot of Optimus Prime's arm looks [[The War Within issue 1|oddly familiar]].

===Real-world references===
* Optimus Prime explains that the Omega Lock will "cyberform your planet in favor of its new matrix, destroying all indigenous life in the process," a reference to the Genesis Device in ''[[wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]''. [[Spock]], describing the effect of the Device on an inhabited world, explains that it "would destroy such life, in favor of its new matrix."

===Trivia===
[[Image:PrimeDarkestHourStarscreamsArmadaSingle.jpg|thumb|250px|ARE YOU SARAH CONNOR?]]
* A new type of Decepticon flyer debuts, sporting a silver and grey paint job. Just where these new awesome-looking Vehicons came from has not yet been explained.
* June Darby makes an appearance after a 23-episode absence.
* This is the first time we see a space bridge portal open facing downward and the second time we see a portal open North-South.
* June bought a new car after her old one was destroyed in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] was still being held in that stasis pod when the Autobot Base blew up, leaving open the question of her fate. The various Iacon relics are also left unaccounted for. The Forge of Solus Prime was in the Autobot base, same as Airachnid. The [[phase shifter]], [[Immobilizer]], [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], and [[polarity gauntlet]] were all last seen on Cybertron, and the Autobots made no apparent effort to retrieve them. Finally, it's never shown if Megatron retrieved his Dark Star Saber and Prime arm.
* Soundwave's tentacle appendages can fire lasers.
* Optimus makes use of his integrated sword for the first time since the arrival of the Star Saber.
* Megatron goes almost the entire episode without a right arm. He is old because he is ''hard'', man.
* Fowler manages to kill four Decepticons in this episode, two of which he shoots down with the gun on his helicopter. He must have gotten an upgrade after its lackluster performances in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]" and "[[Crisscross]]".

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Speed

2012-11-09T06:01:16Z

NexusPrime98: /* Synopsis */

{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=7
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=8
|title="Speed"
|japanese=激闘! スタースクリーム
|romaji=Gekitō! Starscream
|translation=Fierce Fighting! Starscream
|image=Cyb ep7 embossed starscream.jpg
|caption=
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[we've|We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Genki Yoshimura]]
|director=[[Atsushi Takeyama]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[February 26]], [[2005]] (Japanese) [[July 30]], 2005 (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy cartoon timeline|Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The search for the Cyber Planet Keys proceeds apace... but neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons are aware of the treachery quietly brewing at the heart of the conflict!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Cyb_ep7_oil_dont_stink.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]
[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] stands in the [[fire dimension]], ready to do battle with [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]], and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. As the [[Decepticon]] swordsman makes short work of the two smaller [[Autobot]]s, Optimus Prime silently converts to [[Super Mode]], but Starscream effortlessly dodges his cannon blast and takes him down. Suddenly, the three defeated Autobots fade out of existence, revealing the battle as some sort of training exercise. [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] compliments Starscream on his victory, but Starscream ignores him and stalks off through a warp gate.

On Earth, [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], [[Lori]] and [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] are watching a horror movie in a theater. Horror movies, it turns out, are not exactly Coby's favourite thing in the world, and after the movie ends, Lori and Bud tease and scare him about it as they head to the Autobot base. [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] and Optimus Prime all find this story terribly amusing, as does [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]], who suggests that he join them on their next trip to the movies. The Autobots don't think this is such a great idea, but Bud and Lori suggest the Autobots could pretend to be dressing as characters, like fanboys at anime [[convention]]s. Optimus contemplates the idea for a moment, but Jetfire makes him realize that they're a little tall for that. Landmine and [[Vector Prime]] then enter, back from their latest fruitless search for more information about the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s.

[[Image:Cyb ep7 starscream prostrates.jpg|right|thumb||220px]]

As night settles in, elsewhere on Earth, Megatron meets with Starscream over a body to water to ask if Starscream has located the [[Omega Lock]] yet. When Starscream responds that he hasn't, Megatron accuses him of slacking off, while at the same time casually mentioning his new subordinates [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]], who could, he alleges, replace Starscream at any moment. Megatron shows off the [[Planet Map]] and takes off through a warp gate, but behind his back, Starscream pulls out a copy of the map and declares himself more worthy of getting the Keys!

[[Image:Cyb ep7 lousy dancer.jpg|left|thumb|220px|MY MOTHERBOARD!]]

While drinking tea with her parents and staring up at the stars, Lori is shocked to see the [[Atlantis Pattern]] being projected into the sky from some nearby mountains. She quickly contacts the Autobots to inform them, and the heroic robots immediately [[roll out|roll]] into action, only to discover—surprise!—it's a Decepticon trap set up by Thundercracker with a spotlight. As he opens fire on the Autobots, the explosions are observed by the town sheriff and his deputy, who decide to head for the mountains to check it out. Landmine foils Thundercracker's attempt to cause an avalanche, and Optimus Prime takes out the spotlight with his trailer's cannons. Just then, Starscream arrives, distinctly displeased about Thundercracker acting without his permission, but nonetheless willing to battle the Autobots and putting his training to the test. When Optimus goes to Super Mode, Starscream executes the same move he trained with, but Optimus blocks and counters it, to Starscream's shock. Starscream decides to call the battle off when Jolt radios Prime to inform him of the approach of the sheriff, advocating that the Transformers' existence remain a secret. Optimus is surprised to hear such talk coming from one of Megatron's men, and Starscream takes offense to being lumped in with Megatron, bashing Prime a few more times before making a hasty exit with Thundercracker. The Autobots return to base, victorious, while the sheriff and his deputy are left baffled at the sight of the now-deserted battlefield.

[[Image:Cyb ep7 hotshot cyberkey.jpg|right|thumb|220px]]

Meanwhile, on [[Velocitron]], [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] and [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] are helping [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] tune himself up in preparation for his next race with [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]]. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] worries that Hot Shot has removed his entire self-analysis system, but before he can raise any objections, Override arrives and the race begins in earnest. Override even gives Hot Shot a big lead, but catches up with and passes him in no time. His heart burning for victory, Hot Shot taps into the Cyber Planet Key of Velocitron, at last awakening a [[Cyber Key]] power within himself. With this new "Accelewing" upgrade, Hot Shot soars by Override in the blink of an eye and seems sure to win... until his entire system blows out, thanks to a fault that he couldn't detect after removing his diagnostic system. He crashes through the guard-wall of the track and falls to the ground below, but fortunately, avoids serious injury. Override silently departs, but admits to herself that Hot Shot's new pace was impressive.

[[Image:Cyb ep7 your turn starscream.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Once Red Alert reaches 55 miles per hour, the bomb is armed.]]

Elsewhere on Velocitron, Starscream has joined Megatron on the planet and is introduced to Ransack and Crumplezone. Starscream asks if he can borrow the duo for a while, and leads them to a junkyard, where they surprise a scavenging Red Alert. The resultant battle doesn't go well for Red, and after Crumplezone fires his flamethrower at him, the Decepticons assume he's finished. However, Red Alert leaps out of the flames in his vehicle mode and uses his Cyber Key power to take out the surprised Ransack and Crumplezone, blasting them off into the sky. He prepares to turn his guns on Starscream, but without even flinching, Starscream deploys his chest cannons and takes Red Alert out with one shot. Leaving the unconscious Autobot lying in the junkyard. Starscream flies away, musing about beginning the "age of Starscream" with the help of his copy of the Planet Map...
{{-}}

==Featured Characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (2)
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] (3)
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (9)
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (10)
* [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (11)
* [[Six-Speed]] (12)
* [[Vector Prime]] (13)
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (17)
* [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (18)
* [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] (19)
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (20)
* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (21)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] (1)
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (5)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (14)
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] (22)
* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (23)
|c3=
* [[Bud Hansen]] (6)
* [[Lori]] (7)
* [[Coby Hansen]] (8)
* [[Ernesto]] (15)
* Lori's mom (16)
}}

==Quotes==

"Huh! Thinks his oil don't stink! Hoo-wee! Well stink it do!"
:—The ever-eloquent '''Thundercracker''' comments on Starscream's snobbishness.

'''Optimus Prime:''' Humans! 
'''Starscream:''' Bad timing. We'd better call it a night. You're a lousy dancer anyway! 
'''Optimus Prime:''' That's a sober suggestion coming from one of Megatron's lackeys! 
'''Starscream:''' I'm not Megatron's lackey! I BOW TO '''NO-ONE!!''' 
:—Prime knows how to push Starscream's buttons.

"I ''hate'' always being right!"
:—'''Red Alert''' on his lot in life

==Other notes==
===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===

*In ''Cybertron'', as Lori looks up at the stars, she speaks in veiled terms to her father about the Autobots, asking him what he would do if he ever met aliens. In ''Galaxy Force'', she merely thinks about the Autobots to herself, and comments aloud on the romantic night sky.
*In ''Cybertron'', the sheriff decides to investigate the explosion in the mountains because he doesn't believe it to be the result of fireworks. In ''Galaxy Force'', he does so because he takes issue with fireworks being set off illegally.

===Animation or technical errors===
* Optimus erroneously cries out "Cyber Key power!" instead of "Super Mode!" when shifting to his more powerful form. The error is not in the ''Galaxy Force'' version of the episode.

===Real-world references===

*Thundercracker congratulates Starscream on his completion of the training exercise with a cry of "Way to git 'r' done!", paraphrasing the catchphrase of popular hick-comedian [[wikipedia:Larry_The_Cable_Guy|Larry The Cable Guy]]. It's not the last time the joke will be made in the course of the series.
===Trivia===
*The Autobots rush awfully carelessly to the site of a mysterious light that has a very big chance of being a Decepticon trap.
*Optimus Prime uses his trailer's artillery emplacement mode for the first  time in the series.
*So... when exactly ''did'' Starscream get his hands on the planet map to copy it? In fact, later episodes indicate that the map in Megatron's clutches is the copy, created (and altered) by Starscream, while Starscream himself has the original!

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 02 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

Regeneration (Prime)

2012-10-28T03:09:03Z

NexusPrime98: /* Quotes */

{{disambig2|the episode from ''Prime''|the episode from Armada|Regeneration (Armada)}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 51
|prev=Patch (episode)
|next= Darkest Hour (episode)
|image=RegenerationOmegaKeysHologram.jpg
|caption=This is ''totally'' not gonna be epic.
|title="Regeneration"
|airdate=[[October 26]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The quest for the Omega Lock takes the Autobots and the Decepticons to Cybertron for a battle.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] is already making plans to move in with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while [[Jack Darby|Jack]] is feeling left out of the loop. [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] points out they no longer have the [[Omega Key]]s, let alone any way to get to Cybertron. They speculate that [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] has used the keys to bargain his way back with the [[Decepticon]]s. While they're wondering why Starscream didn't just try to sell the keys to the highest bidder, they are contacted by [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], who requests a meeting. [[GroundBridge|Bridging]] out to a remote location, they find Dreadwing, who presents them with the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. Disillusioned by the fate of [[Skyquake (Prime)|his brother]], Dreadwing no longer believes in the Decepticon cause, though he's not interested in joining the Autobots either.

Back at base, the Autobots wonder what [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] will do with the Omega Keys, and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] believes he will use them to restore Cybertron for political points. Optimus is aware that Megatron doesn't know of the existence of the [[Omega Lock]], which is needed to use the keys. He reveals to the others that [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] entrusted him with knowledge of the Lock and its location on Cybertron during the message stored in the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Optimus starts using the Forge to modify the GroundBridge.

Dreadwing returns to the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' where Megatron encounters him in a corridor and makes sure to stress that the Decepticons must be united to restore Cybertron. For his part, Dreadwing intends to personally reach out to [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. In the medical bay, [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] has just finished restoring Starscream's [[Transformation cog|T-Cog]] when Dreadwing arrives and immediately attempts to kill Starscream. As Knock Out flees, Dreadwing advances on the patient with his sword, but as he raises his sword, Megatron arrived and demands he stand down. Dreadwing refuses, and Megatron is forced to blast a hole through him with Dreadwing's own cannon.

The Autobots wonder why Optimus has been hiding things from them. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] points out that Megatron would have learned about the Omega Lock by now if Optimus had been more open.

Knock Out and Starscream work on studying the Omega Keys in an attempt to discover how they work. Starscream resorts to hitting one against the table, and then against Knock Out, and they inadvertently discover that the keys lock together. By combining all four, they reveal a holographic map of Cybertron with a location marker on it. Pleased, Megatron orders the [[space bridge]] fired up.

Optimus finishes turning the GroundBridge into a space bridge. The base sensors detect the Decepticon space bridge firing up, and the Autobots realize that time is short. Optimus believes they still have the element of surprise. The Autobots pull the various Iacon relics they possess from storage. Meanwhile, Megatron leaves Starscream in command of the ship and takes a platoon of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] with the Omega Keys through the space bridge. As the Autobots likewise fire up their space bridge, Optimus uses the Forge to recreate the Star Saber, and they too head through. Megatron and his men soon stand at the edge of the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]].

Jack gives Ratchet a call, as school's out and he, Miko and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] haven't been picked up by the Autobots yet. Ratchet merely tells them the others are busy and hangs up.

As Megatron and his men walk through the Sea of Rust, Smokescreen rises out of the ground and attacks them from behind. [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] drops scrap on them using the [[polarity gauntlet]], Bulkhead zaps them with the [[Immobilizer]], and Arcee smashes through them while wearing the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]. Megatron himself faces Optimus and the Star Saber, and while the pair fight, the other Autobots take back the Omega Keys. With a swipe of his blade, Optimus sends Megatron flying so the Autobots can retreat. As Megatron orders his men to follow, Smokescreen phases out of some nearby scenery and drops the [[spark extractor]] before disappearing again. The device obliterates the Vehicons before Megatron hurls the [[Dark Star Saber]], impaling it. Megatron orders Starscream to send reinforcements, but Starscream and Soundwave have an even better idea.

[[Image:RegenerationOmegaLockExpanded.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Pure. Epicness.]]
The Autobots reach the Omega Lock, an unassuming dimple on the landscape. The Keys glow, and the location transforms, creating a huge ring over their heads that fills with a shimmering energy field. Megatron arrives and demands they hand over the Keys. While the Autobots are wondering what motivation Megatron could give them for doing that, a space bridge opens and Starscream, Knock Out and [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] step out, carrying the three kids in airtight containers. Megatron threatens to expose all three to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere unless they return the Keys to him.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (2)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (6)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (7)
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (8)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (9)
|c2=
* [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (10)
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (11)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (12)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (13)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (14)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (15)
|c3=
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (1)
* [[Jack Darby]] (3)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Rise and shine! Your T-Cog transplant was a success! Yes, I am just that good."
:—'''Knock Out''' being modest about his surgery skills for a change.

"There must be ''something'' I can offer you to ease your pain!" 
"'''Your spark will suffice!'''"
:-Right about now '''Starscream''' is wishing he would have put on an extra coating to keep lubricant from slipping out.

"I said stand down! That is an order." 
"One which I cannot follow."
:—'''Megatron''' gives his last orders to '''Dreadwing''' as he gives his last words.

"Oh gee, why didn't ''I'' think of that?"
:—'''Knock Out''' lamenting '''Starscream's''' intelligence as he bashes an Omega Key against the table.

"Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' makes the obligatory [[The Transformers: The Movie|G1 shoutout]].

"I will have those keys or I will have your sparks!" 
"I can help with the last part."
:—'''Smokescreen''' verbally beats '''Megatron''' one more time.

"What crawled up his tailpipe and died?"
:—'''Miko''' on [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]]'s curt reply.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* As in "[[Inside Job]]", Megatron still has his fusion cannon when he transforms into vehicle mode, despite the arm it was attached to being removed.
* The Star Saber and Dark Star Saber vanish when their owners transform, even though both weapons are nearly as tall as their owners and shouldn't fit within their vehicle modes.
* When the Polarity Gauntlet saw action on Earth for the first time in "[[Metal Attraction]]", it affected both the bots around and the metal in the environment. When Bumblebee used it to pull the Omega Keys from the Vehicons, none of the bots around were affected, not even the reinforced Arcee.

===Continuity errors===

===Continuity notes===
* Dreadwing gives the Autobots the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], last seen being used to forge Megatron's Dark Star Saber in "[[Alpha/Omega]]". Optimus uses it to convert the GroundBridge into a space bridge and reforge the Star Saber, the latter of which was destroyed in that episode. Megatron himself references the event in battle with Optimus.
* Dreadwing attempts to kill Starscream for desecrating his twin's body in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]", which he learned about in the previous episode.
* Every relic which has been collected by the Autobots thus far sees action. This is also the first use of the spark extractor.
* The research on the Autobots' human allies, first mentioned in "[[Hard Knocks]]", sees fruition in this episode.
* At the base, Optimus explains that the plan is to first secure the [[Omega Lock]] on Cybertron, and then go after the [[Omega Key]]s. The Autobots wind up doing the exact opposite; they attack the Decepticons, acquire the keys, then travel to the coordinates of the Lock.

===Transformers references===
* The Omega Lock was previously seen in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' cartoon, where it was also used to restore life to Cybertron.
* Optimus declares "[[The Transformers: The Movie|Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost!]]"

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
* Jack, Miko, and Raf appear after a four-episode absence.
* Dreadwing's loyalty to the Decepticon cause finally proves weaker than his loyalty to his twin [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]].
* Despite the rather high stakes, no one on Team Prime thinks to contact [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] or the [[Rescue Bot]]s.
* So, if the containers ''are'' airtight, how are the kids breathing?
* Ratchet mentions that they have detected the activation of '''another''' Spacebridge. This means that with the Groundbridge upgraded to a Spacebridge, its systems can detect other portals in range. It can also be observed that the display of the Groundbridge is of a green tint. After the upgrade it is blue-grey.
*We know what arcee would look like if she were a body builder.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Regeneration (Prime)

2012-10-28T03:03:39Z

NexusPrime98: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the episode from ''Prime''|the episode from Armada|Regeneration (Armada)}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 51
|prev=Patch (episode)
|next= Darkest Hour (episode)
|image=RegenerationOmegaKeysHologram.jpg
|caption=This is ''totally'' not gonna be epic.
|title="Regeneration"
|airdate=[[October 26]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The quest for the Omega Lock takes the Autobots and the Decepticons to Cybertron for a battle.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] is already making plans to move in with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while [[Jack Darby|Jack]] is feeling left out of the loop. [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] points out they no longer have the [[Omega Key]]s, let alone any way to get to Cybertron. They speculate that [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] has used the keys to bargain his way back with the [[Decepticon]]s. While they're wondering why Starscream didn't just try to sell the keys to the highest bidder, they are contacted by [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], who requests a meeting. [[GroundBridge|Bridging]] out to a remote location, they find Dreadwing, who presents them with the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. Disillusioned by the fate of [[Skyquake (Prime)|his brother]], Dreadwing no longer believes in the Decepticon cause, though he's not interested in joining the Autobots either.

Back at base, the Autobots wonder what [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] will do with the Omega Keys, and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] believes he will use them to restore Cybertron for political points. Optimus is aware that Megatron doesn't know of the existence of the [[Omega Lock]], which is needed to use the keys. He reveals to the others that [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] entrusted him with knowledge of the Lock and its location on Cybertron during the message stored in the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Optimus starts using the Forge to modify the GroundBridge.

Dreadwing returns to the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' where Megatron encounters him in a corridor and makes sure to stress that the Decepticons must be united to restore Cybertron. For his part, Dreadwing intends to personally reach out to [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. In the medical bay, [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] has just finished restoring Starscream's [[Transformation cog|T-Cog]] when Dreadwing arrives and immediately attempts to kill Starscream. As Knock Out flees, Dreadwing advances on the patient with his sword, but as he raises his sword, Megatron arrived and demands he stand down. Dreadwing refuses, and Megatron is forced to blast a hole through him with Dreadwing's own cannon.

The Autobots wonder why Optimus has been hiding things from them. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] points out that Megatron would have learned about the Omega Lock by now if Optimus had been more open.

Knock Out and Starscream work on studying the Omega Keys in an attempt to discover how they work. Starscream resorts to hitting one against the table, and then against Knock Out, and they inadvertently discover that the keys lock together. By combining all four, they reveal a holographic map of Cybertron with a location marker on it. Pleased, Megatron orders the [[space bridge]] fired up.

Optimus finishes turning the GroundBridge into a space bridge. The base sensors detect the Decepticon space bridge firing up, and the Autobots realize that time is short. Optimus believes they still have the element of surprise. The Autobots pull the various Iacon relics they possess from storage. Meanwhile, Megatron leaves Starscream in command of the ship and takes a platoon of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] with the Omega Keys through the space bridge. As the Autobots likewise fire up their space bridge, Optimus uses the Forge to recreate the Star Saber, and they too head through. Megatron and his men soon stand at the edge of the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]].

Jack gives Ratchet a call, as school's out and he, Miko and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] haven't been picked up by the Autobots yet. Ratchet merely tells them the others are busy and hangs up.

As Megatron and his men walk through the Sea of Rust, Smokescreen rises out of the ground and attacks them from behind. [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] drops scrap on them using the [[polarity gauntlet]], Bulkhead zaps them with the [[Immobilizer]], and Arcee smashes through them while wearing the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]. Megatron himself faces Optimus and the Star Saber, and while the pair fight, the other Autobots take back the Omega Keys. With a swipe of his blade, Optimus sends Megatron flying so the Autobots can retreat. As Megatron orders his men to follow, Smokescreen phases out of some nearby scenery and drops the [[spark extractor]] before disappearing again. The device obliterates the Vehicons before Megatron hurls the [[Dark Star Saber]], impaling it. Megatron orders Starscream to send reinforcements, but Starscream and Soundwave have an even better idea.

[[Image:RegenerationOmegaLockExpanded.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Pure. Epicness.]]
The Autobots reach the Omega Lock, an unassuming dimple on the landscape. The Keys glow, and the location transforms, creating a huge ring over their heads that fills with a shimmering energy field. Megatron arrives and demands they hand over the Keys. While the Autobots are wondering what motivation Megatron could give them for doing that, a space bridge opens and Starscream, Knock Out and [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] step out, carrying the three kids in airtight containers. Megatron threatens to expose all three to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere unless they return the Keys to him.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (2)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (6)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (7)
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (8)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (9)
|c2=
* [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (10)
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (11)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (12)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (13)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (14)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (15)
|c3=
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (1)
* [[Jack Darby]] (3)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Rise and shine! Your T-Cog transplant was a success! Yes, I am just that good."
:—'''Knock Out''' being modest about his surgery skills for a change.

"I said stand down! That is an order." 
"One which I cannot follow."
:—'''Megatron''' gives his last orders to '''Dreadwing''' as he gives his last words.

"Oh gee, why didn't ''I'' think of that?"
:—'''Knock Out''' lamenting '''Starscream's''' intelligence as he bashes an Omega Key against the table.

"Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' makes the obligatory [[The Transformers: The Movie|G1 shoutout]].

"I will have those keys or I will have your sparks!" 
"I can help with the last part."
:—'''Smokescreen''' verbally beats '''Megatron''' one more time.

"What crawled up his tailpipe and died?"
:—'''Miko''' on [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]]'s curt reply.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* As in "[[Inside Job]]", Megatron still has his fusion cannon when he transforms into vehicle mode, despite the arm it was attached to being removed.
* The Star Saber and Dark Star Saber vanish when their owners transform, even though both weapons are nearly as tall as their owners and shouldn't fit within their vehicle modes.
* When the Polarity Gauntlet saw action on Earth for the first time in "[[Metal Attraction]]", it affected both the bots around and the metal in the environment. When Bumblebee used it to pull the Omega Keys from the Vehicons, none of the bots around were affected, not even the reinforced Arcee.

===Continuity errors===

===Continuity notes===
* Dreadwing gives the Autobots the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], last seen being used to forge Megatron's Dark Star Saber in "[[Alpha/Omega]]". Optimus uses it to convert the GroundBridge into a space bridge and reforge the Star Saber, the latter of which was destroyed in that episode. Megatron himself references the event in battle with Optimus.
* Dreadwing attempts to kill Starscream for desecrating his twin's body in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]", which he learned about in the previous episode.
* Every relic which has been collected by the Autobots thus far sees action. This is also the first use of the spark extractor.
* The research on the Autobots' human allies, first mentioned in "[[Hard Knocks]]", sees fruition in this episode.
* At the base, Optimus explains that the plan is to first secure the [[Omega Lock]] on Cybertron, and then go after the [[Omega Key]]s. The Autobots wind up doing the exact opposite; they attack the Decepticons, acquire the keys, then travel to the coordinates of the Lock.

===Transformers references===
* The Omega Lock was previously seen in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' cartoon, where it was also used to restore life to Cybertron.
* Optimus declares "[[The Transformers: The Movie|Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost!]]"

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
* Jack, Miko, and Raf appear after a four-episode absence.
* Dreadwing's loyalty to the Decepticon cause finally proves weaker than his loyalty to his twin [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]].
* Despite the rather high stakes, no one on Team Prime thinks to contact [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] or the [[Rescue Bot]]s.
* So, if the containers ''are'' airtight, how are the kids breathing?
* Ratchet mentions that they have detected the activation of '''another''' Spacebridge. This means that with the Groundbridge upgraded to a Spacebridge, its systems can detect other portals in range. It can also be observed that the display of the Groundbridge is of a green tint. After the upgrade it is blue-grey.
*We know what arcee would look like if she were a body builder.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Regeneration (Prime)

2012-10-27T02:00:19Z

NexusPrime98: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the episode from ''Prime''|the episode from Armada|Regeneration (Armada)}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 51
|prev=Patch (episode)
|next= Darkest Hour (episode)
|image=
|caption=
|title="Regeneration"
|airdate=[[October 26]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The quest for the Omega Lock takes the Autobots and the Decepticons to Cybertron for a battle.'''

==Synopsis==
{{comingsoon|when=18:00 October 26}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]]
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]]
|c2=
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]
* [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]]
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]
* [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]
|c3=
* [[Raf Esquivel]]
* [[Jack Darby]]
* [[Miko Nakadai]]

}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
===Continuity notes===
===Transformers references===
===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
Cybertrons Atmosphere is apparently toxic

{{epstub}}

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)

2012-10-23T17:21:39Z

NexusPrime98: /* Quotes */

{{nav-rotf}}
[[Image:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|right|250px|thumb|You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me. ]]
{{quote|We had three weeks to get our story and, really, we were going into the movie without a script. It’s tough to do that.|[[Michael Bay]], [http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/01/14/michael-bay-ready-to-make-you-forget-transformers-2-it-was-kind-of-a-mess/ LA Times interview]}}

'''''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen''''' is the second film in the [[live-action film series]], a sequel to ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''. It was released in North America on [[June 24]], [[2009]].

The film is set two years after the events of ''Transformers''. The Autobots have found a home in "NEST", a secret military unit created to eliminate the remaining Decepticons, and Sam is starting college and trying to leave his Transformer-laden past behind. The Decepticons are regrouping, however. Megatron is restored to life, and his master, The Fallen, schemes to activate an energon-producing Star Harvester on Earth, which will destroy the planet and provide the Decepticons with enough energon to raise an army. The Harvester's location, and the means to activate it, are hidden within Sam's mind, leading the Decepticons to wage war across the Earth as they hunt down the human. Witwicky turns to some unlikely allies to escape and survive. Ultimately, the last of the Primes defeats The Fallen, destroys the Harvester, and proves the Autobots' greatest power is found in their unexpectedly-ancient alliance with the humans.

Director [[Michael Bay]] set out to greatly expand the film's scope with settings ranging across the globe, and a much larger cast of Transformers, with over 40 robots in all.

::::::::::::::::::::{{bigquote|Revenge is mine!|The Fallen}}

==Synopsis==
In 17,000 B.C., a group of human hunters discover Transformers already on Earth, building [[Star Harvester|a machine]]. [[The Fallen|One of the Transformers]] notices the humans, and his reaction is less than friendly.

Two years after the battle of [[Mission City]], the Autobots have teamed up with the American soldiers, including [[William Lennox|Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps|Epps]], in a secret team named [[NEST]] under the command of the [[United States military|US military]], but also incorporating soldiers from other countries such as the United Kingdom. Officially, the US government still keeps the Transformers' existence a secret.

[[Image:ROTF-Arceethree.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Well, I guess you don't know everything about women yet.]]

NEST is hunting down the Decepticons on Earth. A region of [[Shanghai]], [[China]] is evacuated to allow NEST to deploy with a cover-up of a toxic chemical spill occurring. As soldiers probe the region, they find the heat signature of the Decepticon [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]], who transforms and wreaks havoc on the roadways. His discovery prompts his partner, [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], to escape as well. Sideways is pursued by [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], Skids, and Mudflap, although Sideswipe, waiting for the Decepticon, eventually slices him lengthwise in half. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is airlifted to Shanghai and chases Demolishor through the city with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Optimus shoots Demolishor several times in the head, while Ironhide shoots out his wheels, causing him to crash and fall off a bypass, badly injuring himself in the process. Before Optimus kills him, Demolishor delivers the cryptic message: "The Fallen shall rise again."

[[Image:ROTF Sam Cube fragment.jpg|thumb|right|250px|You will go to the Dagobah system. There you will learn from Yoda.]]

Meanwhile, [[Sam Witwicky]] is preparing for his move to college and dealing with his bipolar mother. His father is looking forward to enjoying a holiday in Paris, and [[Mojo]] has a new canine companion named [[Frankie]]. Sam is on the phone to his rather snarky girlfriend, when he finds a splinter of the [[AllSpark]] lodged in his "D-Day shirt". He experiences a brief flash of images before the splinter burns him. Dropping it, Sam sees the floor catch fire as the splinter burns its way down to the kitchen, where it brings numerous kitchen devices to life. These [[Appliancebot|appliancebots]] make their way to Sam's room and attack. He escapes to the garden, where the bots pin Sam and his father behind the water fountain. After [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] has destroyed the kitchen robots (and part of the Witwickys' house with them), Sam hands the AllSpark shard to [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]]. His mother demands Bumblebee leaves. Sam then tells Bumblebee to join the other Autobots, as both of them need to move on. Sam and Mikaela have a slight scuffle over who should say the words "I love you" first, but they kiss and move on. Sam leaves for college, and no one notices a [[Wheelie (ROTF)|toy car]] in the lawn. It detects the splinter and signals [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], who is stationed in orbit around Earth, disguised as a satellite, and Soundwave orders the truck to follow the girl.

Meanwhile, NEST is in a video briefing with [[Morshower|General Morshower]], Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when they are visited by National Security Adviser [[Theodore Galloway]], who has been dispatched to relay the President's concerns over the casualties in Shanghai. As Optimus relays the warning of "The Fallen", Soundwave takes control of the satellite transmitting the message. Galloway dismisses the threat, convinced that the only reason the Decepticons are interested in Earth is because of the presence of the Autobots. Therefore, he suggests that they may leave the planet. Optimus says that, yes, they will, but also warns Galloway that he may be wrong. During the conversation, Galloway reveals the location of the AllSpark shard Optimus Prime had picked up after killing [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], and the location of Megatron's remains in the [[Laurentian Abyss]].

Sam arrives at college with his parents and meets his roommate, [[Leo Spitz]], who operates a [[The Real Effing Deal|conspiracy website]] and is convinced that alien robots are hiding on Earth. Sam feigns ignorance and goes to see if he can get another room, but his hunt is interrupted by his father and mother, the latter of whom has unwittingly purchased some marijuana-laced brownies. In the corridor, Leo points out [[Alice]], another student he has the hots for. Sam is more concerned with tracking down his mother, who by now is roaming the school, informing random people about the state of Sam's virginity.

Soundwave dispatches his minion [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] to Earth, where he infiltrates the NEST base on [[Diego Garcia]]. Ravage horks a swarm of [[Microcon (ROTF)|microcons]] into an ventilation outlet, and they swarm down to the chamber where the AllSpark shard is being held. There they combine into [[Reedman]], who steals the shard and joins Ravage in a rapid escape.

Although he's due to have a webcam date with Mikaela, Sam is dragged to at a frat party by Leo. He suffers some sort of attack, seeing [[Cyberglyphics|alien symbols]] which he is trying to write on a table with cake icing when he's approached by Alice, who attempts to seduce him. When Bumblebee shows up, she takes a ride with Sam, but Bumblebee does everything he can to convince her to leave, up to and including spraying her with an [[lubricant|unidentifiable yellow liquid]]. Bumblebee then takes Sam to Optimus Prime, who tells him of the theft of the AllSpark shard and asks Sam to speak with the government on their behalf. Sam refuses, saying that he has his own problems and does not believe that he is the right person for this task.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|thumb|left|250px|What is thy bidding, my master?]]

At the Laurentian Abyss, Ravage meets up with several [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]], who have placed themselves aboard a cargo ship, then dives with them to the bottom of the ocean, where the US military has dumped Megatron's remains. Using the shard and spare parts from [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|one of the Constructicons]] (who is presumably killed), [[Scalpel (ROTF)|"The Doctor"]] is able to revive Megatron, who promptly travels to one of Saturn's moons, where the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' is being used as a base by the Decepticons. He is awaited by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], who is overseeing the spawning of a new army of Decepticons. After beating Starscream for leaving him to die, Megatron presents himself to his master, The Fallen. Although Megatron believes he has failed, The Fallen reveals that when the Cube was destroyed, the knowledge within the AllSpark was instead transferred to Sam, and with it the means to locate a device capable of creating vast amounts of Energon. The Fallen commands Megatron to retrieve the boy and kill Optimus, the last of the [[Prime (rank)|Primes]] and the only person who can defeat The Fallen.

As he sits in [[Colan|Professor Colan]]'s astronomy class, Sam suddenly reads through the entire reference book in a matter of seconds, before interrupting the Professor's lecture to scrawl more of the strange symbols on a blackboard and deliver a speed lecture on higher physics. After the Professor throws him out, he realises that the effects he's been experiencing may be linked to touching the AllSpark shard. When he calls Mikaela to warn her not to touch it, the [[Wheelie (ROTF)|the toy-truck Decepticon]] tries to steal the shard, but Mikaela captures the tiny Decepticon. Mikaela promptly boards a plane to see Sam.

Alerted to multiple Decepticon contacts, NEST mobilises, but the Autobots are already on their way somewhere, and refusing to answer calls from their human comrades.

[[Image:ROTF Optimus death.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Afraid I was gonna leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?]]

Leo and Alice find Sam in the dorm room, freaking out and covering the walls with glyphs. Alice pushes Leo outside, and when Mikaela arrives, she finds Sam and Alice in what appears to be an intimate moment. It soon turns out, however, that Alice is a Decepticon as well. Mikaela, Sam and Leo flee as Alice hunts them, devastating the campus library; Mikaela eventually defeats her by slamming her into a tree with a hotwired car. The three humans try to get away but are captured by [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] and delivered to the waiting Megatron in an abandoned building. Megatron orders "The Doctor" to remove Sam's brain in order to access the information from the AllSpark shard, but Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrive to free the three humans. Prime takes Sam and flees, but is soon overtaken by Megatron, Starscream and Grindor. In the subsequent battle, Prime kills Grindor but is impaled by Megatron and dies. The other Autobots arrive, saving Sam and causing Megatron and Starscream to retreat.

With the Decepticons unable to locate Sam on their own, Megatron decides that a show of force is in order to compel the humans to turn Sam over to him. Soundwave relays the mobilization order to the ''Nemesis'' and then tracks down [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky]] in Paris. Decepticons, joined by The Fallen, enter Earth and cause massive damage in their transition forms, destroying a [[United States Navy|naval carrier]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and attacking Paris, kidnapping Sam's parents. In a hijacked TV broadcast around the world, The Fallen reveals his existence to the world's public and demands Sam be surrendered to him. A manhunt for Sam is launched.

[[Image:Rotf t2 simmonsclassified.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Ready are you? What know you of ready?]]

Sam, meanwhile, is hiding out with Mikaela, Leo, Bumblebee and the Autobot twins, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. Leo complains loudly about the strange turn his life has taken of late, and Sam rightly tells him to shut the hell up.

The Autobots return to the NEST base, where they are surrounded by the military. Galloway tells them that he has placed in charge of NEST, which is to cease all activities relating to the Decepticons. NEST is being stood down, and they are all to return to Diego Garcia, while the military draws up a coordinated multinational strategy, buying time by negotiating with the Decepticons. Though Lennox tries to argue, it's futile as Galloway pulls rank. Ratchet says the Autobots should leave Earth altogether, but Ironhide points out that it's not what Optimus would want.

Feeling guilty for Prime's death, Sam decides to solve the mystery of the symbols he's been seeing. The Autobots identify the symbols as Cybertronian, but since the language predates their existence, they cannot translate them. Leo eventually suggests they may ask his rival, "[[Robo-Warrior]]", owner of a [[GiantEffingRobots.com|competing website]], for help. To everyone's surprise, Robo-Warrior turns out to be none other than [[Seymour Simmons]], former agent of [[Sector Seven]]. Simmons reveals that the Transformers were on Earth some time ago, as symbols similar to those Sam is obsessed with have been found on numerous excavation sites around the world, and that Sector Seven discovered evidence that several Transformers stayed on Earth for some time. However, in order to read the symbols, they may need a Decepticon. Mikaela then interrogates Wheelie, who identifies the symbols as the Language of the Primes, and suggests they may track down one of the ancient [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]], the Transformers believed to be on Earth. Wheelie identifies one as being nearby, in [[Washington, D.C.]]

[[Image:ROTF behold Jetfire.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Looking? Found someone you have.]]

At the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, they discover an old Decepticon named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], disguised as an SR-71 Blackbird. After some initial confusion on his part, Jetfire explains he has defected to the Autobots, inspiring Wheelie to follow suit. When Sam finishes writing down the symbols, Jetfire says that they were part of the Seekers' mission, and he opens a [[space bridge]] and teleports himself as well as Sam, Mikaela, Leo, Simmons, Bumblebee and the Twins to [[Egypt]]. He explains that thousands of years ago, the Transformers arrived on Earth on an exploratory mission under their original leaders, the [[Dynasty of Primes|Primes]]. The Primes had come to build a Star Harvester, a device which can create [[Energon]], the Transformers fuel, by destroying suns. The Primes had a single rule of never destroying a star with a living bearing world, but one of the Primes, forever known as The Fallen, despised the humans and tried to activate the machine. The Primes were unable to defeat their brother, but instead stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the key needed to activate the harvester, and gave their lives to seal it in a tomb made of their own bodies. Jetfire further explains that only a Prime can hope to defeat The Fallen, and with the death of Optimus, they are doomed. Sam suggests that they may use the Matrix to revive Optimus Prime, which is backed up by Jetfire. They head towards Giza, dodging Egyptian police on the way.

In New Jersey, NEST are loading up to return to Diego Garcia when Simmons contacts Lennox to relay information about the new quest, and co-ordinates where they can drop Optimus's body. Lennox and Epps decide to trust the new information and go against their orders. Sam's group passes through a checkpoint, allowing Soundwave to pinpoint their location, but they reach the Pyramids of Giza, where they pick up the next clue, pointing to [[Jordan]].

On the NEST aircraft, Lennox tricks Galloway into bailing out of the plane. Back in the US, General Morshower receives a communique from Lennox, and arranges to have assets in the target area.

In Petra, Sam's group discovers the [[Tomb of the Primes]]. Inside, Sam finds the Matrix, which instantly crumbles into dust into his hands. Sam collects the dust regardless, and he and Mikaela return outside where Simmons and Leo have spotted the NEST team parachuting into Egypt to begin preparing for battle near the pyramids.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_BumblebeevsRampage.jpg|left|thumb|250px|This baby's got a few surprises in her.]]

Before Sam and the others can get back to Lennox and his people, the Decepticons start their attack. Bumblebee, Simmons, Leo, and the Twins draw their fire while Sam and Mikaela make a break for the soldiers. The Constructicons merge into [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], who proceeds to swallow Mudflap. Mudflap, however, is able to free himself, together with Skids, they try to slow Devastator down. While the Autobots and NEST fight the Decepticons, Starscream leads several other Constructicons in a search for Sam, and intending to use Sam's parents to lure him into a trap. Falling into the trap, Sam offers to hand over the Matrix dust to the Constructicon [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], but only to stall for time until Bumblebee is able to attack and destroy the Decepticon. Ravage attacks Bumblebee from behind, but is killed as well. Sam then orders Bumblebee to get his parents to safety while he and Mikaela try to reach Optimus Prime's body. A remote drone relays pictures back to Morshower, who launches [[Operation: Firestorm]], ordering an immediate launch of pretty much everything they can muster.

[[Image:ROTF Devastator Mudflap swallow.jpg|thumb|right|250px|How you get so big eating food of this kind?]]

In the meantime, Devastator has begun to take apart the pyramid that has been built around the Harvester. Simmons calls a navy ship off the coast of Egypt and orders the use of a railgun. Meanwhile, Sam finally meets up with Lennox and Epps, but they're pinned down by [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]. Jetfire arrives and kills Mixmaster and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], but is mortally wounded by the smaller Decepticon. Simmons relays Devastator's coordinates to the Navy, who score a direct hit on the giant with their railgun. Devastator is torn to pieces and topples from the pyramid. After an air strike takes out most of the other Decepticons, Sam makes a dash for Prime's body, but is caught in the blast of a shot fired by Megatron. While paramedics try to reanimate him, the Matrix dust gets spilled across his hand, and Sam encounters the dead Primes in a vision. The Primes tell him that he was destined to find the Matrix and save the life of the last Prime. Sam returns to life, which is enough to get him and Mikaela to admit that they love each other, and the dust in his hand turns back into the Matrix, which which he is able to revive Optimus Prime.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFfacegotten.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Perhaps you are not as strong as the Emperor thought.]]
Just then, The Fallen teleports himself next to Optimus Prime, grabs the Matrix, and teleports himself to the pyramid, where he uses the Matrix to activate the Harvester. The soldiers and armored vehicles begin firing on the pyramid, but The Fallen raises the heavy weaponry with his telekinetic powers and destroys it all. Dying, Jetfire offers his parts to Optimus Prime, and then rips out his own Spark. [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] then proceed to turn Jetfire's remains into a battle armor for Optimus Prime, who is then able to destroy the Harvester. Optimus then faces Megatron and the Fallen. After a brief but intense battle, Optimus defeats Megatron and kills The Fallen. After the death of his master, Megatron, who has been severely damaged in the battle, follows Starscream's suggestion and retreats.

[[Image:ROTF Optimus Sam ship.JPG|right|thumb|250px|Take care, you two. May the Force be with you.]]

With the battle won, the Autobots, NEST, Sam and his friends return to the USA on board an aircraft carrier. Upon his return, Sam continues to attend college, while Optimus Prime sends another message detailing recent events, so the shared past of Humanity and the Autobots will not be forgotten as it was before.
{{-}}

==Quotes==





"Gotta wonder... if God made us in his image, who made ''him?''"
:—'''Epps''', as Galloway first witnesses Optimus's transformation.

"We've shed blood, sweat, and precious metal together." 
"Soldier, you're paid to shoot, not talk." 
[muttering] "Don't tempt me."
:—'''Epps''' is not really happy with '''Galloway'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plan to get rid of the Autobots.

"So let me ask: If we ultimately conclude that our national security is best served by denying you further asylum on our planet, will you leave peacefully?" 
"Freedom is your right. If you make that request, we will honor it. But before your President decides, please ask him this: What if we leave, and you're ''wrong''?"
:—'''Galloway''' makes the U.S. government's position on the Autobot refugees clear, while '''Optimus Prime''' counters with a pointed argument of his own

"No, uh, it's just this friend of mine went to get you a tighter shirt." 
"There is no [[tightest shirt|tighter shirt]]! We ''checked''!"
:—'''Sam''' tries to deflect a pair of '''frat boys'''

"Sam, fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', trying to convince Sam Witwicky to become involved in the conflict once again

"I know you’re pissed. I know you’re pissed because I tried to kill you and it's completely understandable. If somebody tried to kill me, I’d be upset, too."
:—'''Sam Witwicky''' tries to relate with Megatron, to no avail.

"Is the future of our race not worth a single human life?" 
"You'll never stop at ''one''. ''[Unsheathes his left blade]'' '''I'll take you all on!'''"
:—Do you smell what '''Optimus''' is cooking?

'''Sam''': "These symbols gotta mean something. Like a message... or a map. A map to an energon source. Can you guys read this?" 
'''Skids''': "''Read?''" 
'''Mudflap''': "Nuh-uh. We don't do a lotta reading."
:—Literacy with '''Skids''' and '''Mudflap'''.

"Beginning. Middle. End. Facts. Details. Condense. Plot. Tell it."
:—'''Simmons''' demands more coherent exposition from Jetfire.

"One man, alone..." 
"Stop saying that!" 
"...Betrayed by the country he loves." 
"Oh, my goodness, I'm in the car with you. You're not alone!"
:—'''Simmons''' being, well, himself, much to '''Leo Spitz'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s distress.

"Now I claim your sun!"
:—'''The Fallen''' does the standard "I claim victory before I have actually won" bit.

"You picked the wrong planet! Give me your ''face!''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' warns The Fallen of his violent fetish.

"Not to call you a coward, master, but, sometimes, cowards do survive."
:—'''Starscream''' pitches his usual battle plan to an unusually receptive Megatron.

"Our races united by a history long forgotten and a future we shall face together. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message so that our pasts will always be remembered. For in those memories, we live on."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration.

==Main cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Mark Ryan]])*
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[André Sogliuzzo]])
*[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Grey DeLisle]])
*[[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]]
|c2=
*[[The Fallen]] ([[Tony Todd]])
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Reedman]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]] ([[John Di Crosta]])
*[[Alice]] ([[Isabel Lucas]])
*[[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] ([[Calvin Wimmer]])
*[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]]
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]]
*[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]]
*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]]
*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]]
*[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]
*[[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]]
*[[Protoform]] army
*An [[Buffalo MPV Decepticon|unnamed Decepticon]]
*[[Scalpel's assistant]]s
*An [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticon]]
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]])
*[[Leo Spitz]] ([[Ramon Rodriguez]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[William Lennox|Major William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Robert Epps|Master Sergeant Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Morshower|General Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Theodore Galloway]] ([[John Benjamin Hickey]])
*[[Graham|SASF Agent Graham]] ([[Matthew Marsden]])
*[[Colan|Professor Colan]] ([[Rainn Wilson]])
*[[Fassbinder]] ([[Jonathon Trent]])
*[[Sharsky]] ([[Walker Howard]])
*[[Tova Simmons]] ([[Annie Korzen]])
|c4=
'''[[Appliancebot]]s'''
*[[Dickbot the blender guy]]
*[[Ejector]]
*[[Dyson vacuum cleaner]]
*[[Microwave bot]]
*[[Waffle iron]]
*[[Cappuccino bot]]
*[[Garbage disposal bot]]
*[[Hand mixer]]
*[[Stand mixer]]
*[[CISCO Aironet]]
'''[[Dynasty of Primes|Seven Primes]]'''
*Prime #1 ([[Michael York]])
*Prime #2 ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]])
*Prime #3 ([[Robin Atkin Downes]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

*Bumblebee's lines as spoken by Ryan were cut from the final movie, but one scene where his voice could be heard was in a promotional video created for ShoWest 2009. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRIfbFpe_sg Preview footage] from ShoWest 2009 showing Bumblebee "speaking" a line not used in the final cut.</ref>

==Errors==
===Filming / editing / technical errors===
[[Image:ROTF_filmcrewinsideplane.jpg|thumb|300px|Goddamn papparazi get ''everywhere!'']]

*When the Twins crash during their pursuit of Sideways, the pairs' voices are switched, with Tom Kenny's voice coming from Mudflap as he announces he is okay, and Reno Wilson delivering the admonishments as Skids punches him.

*During the Shanghai battle, when the ramp on the NEST C-17 transport is lowering to reveal Optimus Prime in the cargo bay, a filming crew (including director Michael Bay) can be seen inside the plane on the left side of screen.

*The vehicle modes the Twins scan already have personalized [[license plate]]s on them, though this could theoretically just be NEST personnel customizing the cars on the Twins' behalf beforehand.
**Furthermore, despite sporting a "SKIDS" license plate in vehicle mode most of the time, Skids sports a license plate stating his vehicle model, "BEAT", in an establishing shot during the scene in New York City.

*Despite the minor cosmetic changes to his Camaro vehicle mode (i.e. new car prop) and the corresponding changes to his robot mode (i.e. modified CG model), Bumblebee still sports the same license plate''s'' as in the previous film. That is, his license plate is ''still'' inconsistent between both modes, alternating between "900 STRA" in vehicle mode and "4NZZ454" in robot mode.

*Similarly, despite still sporting his license plate from the previous movie, "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, Ironhide no longer ''has'' a license plate in vehicle mode.

*When Sam jumps from the second story of his house to escape the kitchen robots, a stuntperson who does not look much like Shia LaBeouf performs the stunt.

[[Image:ROTF Optimus missing cheek glyph.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Cybertronian tattoo removal is expensive.]]
*Optimus Prime is missing the [[Cyberglyphics|Cyberglyph]] on his cheek during the scene in the hanger.

*During the scene in which Alice meets Sam at the party Sam gets a drink and the glass is full, then the camera angle changes and the glass is half full/empty, then the angle changes again and the glass is full again.

*Bumblebee picks up Sam at the frat party in the evening. He then takes him to a graveyard where it's dawn. In real life, the graveyard is located in [[Philadelphia]], while the frat party is set a hundred miles north, in Princeton. Still, even in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] traffic, the trip wouldn't take ''all night.''

*During Sam's campus freak-out, when he drops his notes on the steps, a blonde woman in a suit can be seen coming down the steps to his left, nearly reaching him. However, when the camera angle shifts, the woman is suddenly at the top of the stairs again.

*As Alice attacks Sam, part of the window behind them is taken up by a fan. When Mikaela throws the tool box, it smashes through a glass pane where the fan had been moments before, with the fan itself now resting against the wall under the ''Bad Boys II'' poster.

*When the Autobots are driving to Sam's college shortly before the Decepticons attack him, Arcee is completely absent from the group, while previously-unseen Jolt shows up in one shot ''in front'' of the others, then when the camera angle changes, he disappears.

*In the flyover shot of the barge on which the four Constructicons sit, a red bulldozer, a concrete mixer, a green dump truck and a yellow front-end loader are visible. After the flyover shot, the yellow loader disappears and is replaced with a yellow Volvo excavator.

*During the North Atlantic sequence, on the submarine [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Topeka (SSN-754)|U.S.S. Topeka]]'s sonar, there are "five contacts" diving down to Megatron's body's location, and "six contacts" coming up after his resurrection. Although this is dramatic, since [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|one Constructicon]] was killed to repair Megatron, shouldn't there be only five contacts going up as well? Keep in mind, Scalpel is too small to register on sonar, but Ravage is just large enough.

*When the [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71|U.S.S. ''Theodore Roosevelt'']] is sunk by Decepticon [[transition form]]s, its hull number of 71 can be seen on the bridge island. However, when it sinks, a hull number of 7'''4''' can clearly be seen on the bow of the landing deck. CVN-74 belongs to the [[United States Navy#U.S.S. John C. Stennis (CVN-74)|U.S.S. ''John C. Stennis'']], a carrier that shows up later in the film and was also the carrier used for filming.

*Tasers do not cause those tased to go into convulsions. Even if they get tased in the nuts.

*There is a spiderweb in a tomb that explosively decompressed after being opened to the air for the first time in millions of years.

*While the NEST team and Director Galloway are on the C-17 headed to Egypt, Prime's body appears and disappears from shot to shot.

*When an aide to Morshower shows him a map indicating that Lennox's NEST team have airdropped in Egypt, the location marked is actually on the eastern side of the Red Sea, in Jordan. ''Oops.''

*In the quarry when Devastator forms, the Twins go from grimy and dust covered to showroom floor clean within two shots.

*When Sam and Mikaela are running at the same moment Megatron spots them, you can see Sam is holding Mikaela's arm, but his jacket is nowhere to be seen. In the next shot, he has his jacket on his arm.

*Once again, the [[wikipedia:MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]] drone is referred to as the more well-known [[wikipedia:MQ-1 Predator|MQ-1 Predator]]. The drone is powered by a propeller, which can be seen when the (real) drone takes off. However, due to the usage of footage from the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie, when the (CGI) drone approaches the battlefield, the propeller is absent, replaced by a jet engine. Also unfortunate is the fact the real drone with the propeller is white, while the CGI drone is black. ''Oy.''

*Ravage tears off Bumblebee's back kibble... but in the next shot it's back.

*As the humans and Autobots run from the bombs being dropped on the Decepticons, a damaged Ironhide ejects the cannon on his left arm. In later shots, the cannon is back on his arm.

===Story / continuity errors===
*Most of the [[NEST]] and [[United States military|American]] soldiers are seen using small-calibre arms such as assault rifles, machine guns, and sniper rifles against the Decepticons, despite the previous film establishing very clearly that such weapons were useless against Cybertronians, and that "high-heat" sabot rounds were the only Human weapons capable of penetrating Decepticon armour. Even if they somehow figured out how to make small calibre ammunition achieve the "high heat" required to damage Decepticon armour, it is ''extremely'' unlikely that such low-powered weapons would do any meaningful damage that warrants such widespread usage. After all, in real life, you can't kill a tank with a machine gun. Well, unless you're in [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]...
**[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon|Dark of the Moon]] offers up the explanation that small-arms fire hitting Decepticon armor "scrambles their circuits" and disorients them.

*The notion that a big metal box (containing a complex electronic mechanism shouting to be released) would ''ever'' make it through post-9/11 airport luggage screening is a bit on the implausible side. The novelization of the film attributes this to Mikaela's Epic Hotness distracting the guard into just letting her through; she also claims that the box contains expensive mechanic's tools which might look strange in an x-ray. Neither explanation is present in the film itself, however.

*When Alice attacks Sam and his friends, the box Wheelie is imprisoned within is taken along, and the box is not seen when Mikaela and Leo escape from the foundry in Bumblebee. The box ''should'' still be inside the wreckage of the car Mikaela hotwired at the college, but Wheelie nonetheless continues to appear in the film, despite there being no indication that anyone returned to the foundry after the battle.

*Given that the Autobots are part of NEST, and are dependent on the US Air Force for transportation around the world, it is not clear why Major Lennox had to be alerted to the fact that the Autobots were on the east coast of the United States. Do the Autobots normally go on unexplained joyrides?

*Where does Mikaela get the padding and gauze to bandage up Sam's hand? They were in the middle of a desert!

*When Jetfire teleports to Egypt, Wheelie is seen landing by him, but disappears until the group reaches the border guards. After they arrive at the pyramids, Wheelie is seen rolling in with the quartet of humans, but is never seen again.

*While running to get to Optimus' corpse, Sam meets a lot of Autobots: Bumblebee, Ironhide, the Arcee sisters... so why doesn't he simply get in one of them and ''drive'' all the way to Lennox's team instead of running?

*There's no rational reason for Simmons to climb the pyramid after Devastator. It looks like he's enabling the Navy ship to "fire on his position", which is useful when the firer can't see the target. However, as we find out just before the railgun is fired, the ship ''can'' see the pyramid. (And railguns are line-of-sight weapons, anyway.) So, Simmons didn't need to climb; he could have stayed someplace safe, called the ship, and told them, "Take a look at the pyramid, and shoot the giant robot tearing it up." It's also hard to believe he wasn't crushed by the flood of pyramid stones, which at one point are raining down on all four sides of the structure.

===Geographic discontinuities===
{{note|The on-film splicing together of disparate filming locations is a common movie phenomena; however, we wouldn't be good pedants if we didn't point out a few of the more glaring disconnects.}}
* The [[Shanghai]] "industrial district" is... interesting, to say the least. There's a company sign that translates as "Empire Import and Export" (which would be the Chinese equivalent of a US company named "Soviet Import and Export") right next to a huge steel mill, dozens of civilians are being evacuated... and at least [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] thought that a giant mining excavator wouldn't be terribly out of place there.

* The aerial view of [[Princeton University]] is immediately followed by a ground shot of the dormitories at the University of Pennsylvania.

[[Image:ROTFcap-closestone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"The closest one's in Washington." Washington... New Jersey?]]
* After Lennox is alerted to the Autobot operation on the US east coast, he orders NEST to move out. By the time Optimus Prime is killed in battle with Megatron, it appears Lennox's transport planes are already over the United States, and by the end of the day, the NEST troops are at a US air base. Given the great distance between [[Diego Garcia]] and the United States, the short time it took them to arrive is implausible.

* [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] drops the car with [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]], [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] and [[Leo Spitz|Leo]] inside into a factory just outside a huge city. Yet when [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] rescue them and flee, they almost immediately reach a huge forest that was nowhere to be seen in the aerial shot of the factory.

* In the basement of Simmons' deli, in New York City, Wheelie projects laser dots onto a map of the United States to indicate where the Seekers are located. One dot hovers over Syracuse, New York. Another hovers over Trenton, New Jersey. Yet Simmons inexplicably says the closest one is in Washington.
** There ''is'' no dot over Washington.

*When Jetfire is activated at the [[Wikipedia:National Air and Space Museum|Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]] (actually the [[Wikipedia:Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center|Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]], an annex of the Smithsonian) in Washington, he leaves the exhibition center and exits into the desert location of the [[Wikipedia:309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group]] (aka "the Boneyard"), which is in Tucson, Arizona. When Jetfire breaks out of the building, we can see a composited image of the Boneyard's rows of planes, so it's arguable that in this universe, the middle of Washington DC happens to be a desert full of old planes, and no buildings and... you get the point. Michael Bay actually admits this to be a deliberate choice in his audio commentary for the movie, and suggests that "most people in Taiwan" would probably never notice the error.

[[Image:ROTFcap-Pyramidsocean.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The foreshortening is amazing.]]
* The movie gives the impression that Giza in Egypt and Petra in Jordan are in close proximity to each other — within eyeshot, even. In reality, the two locations are about 416 kilometres (258 miles) apart. What makes this even more problematic is the fact that Egypt and Jordan don't share a common border — the country of Israel is in-between them, whose existence isn't even mentioned in the movie...

* Furthermore, the movie gives the impression that the Pyramids of Giza are located near the coast — the soldiers and tanks deployed from hovercraft arrive at the battle site almost immediately. In reality, the closest sea shore, the tip of the Red Sea, is still over 70 miles away from the Pyramids. Worse, when the [[rail gun]] is fired, a monitor screen on board the ''U.S.S. Kidd'' shows footage of the pyramids with the ''ocean in the foreground'', making it appear like they're no more than a mile or two away from the shore. Worse still, this is ''immediately'' followed by a shot of the pyramids that shows ''nothing but desert'' in the direction the rail gun shot is coming from.

==Transformers references==
In addition to carryovers from the previous film, various concepts and characters are derived from previous iterations of Transformers:
* The whole concept of "Transformers disguised as a human" used for [[Alice]] is inspired by the [[Pretender]]s. Roberto Orci even used the term "Pretender" during an interview before the movie's release.<ref name="pretender">[http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00021244.html Aceshowbiz interview with Roberto Orci]</ref> However, a Transformer with an "organic" alt-mode instead of an external shell is a concept more reminiscent of the [[Beast Era]].
* The Generation 1 iteration of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] is frequently portrayed as switching from Decepticon to Autobot (he's usually a young and technologically up-to-the-minute 'bot, however.)
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and his ejectible minion [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] both have [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1]] [[Ravage (G1)|counterparts]]. Movie Soundwave even has the same voice actor as 1984 cartoon Soundwave, using the same voice, though without the synthetic vocal processing that made the cartoon voice so distinctive.
* [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] bears little physical resemblance to his [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]], but is a vaguely similar character archetype, and he ''does'' have that characteristic door armor hanging from his elbows.
* Generation 1 [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was the first [[female Transformer]] with a starring role, and was likewise a pink-colored girlbot. The idea of Arcee the pink girlbot as a motorcycle dates back to ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], the combined form of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], was the first [[combiner]] robot in Generation 1 (unless you count [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]).
* The characters are new, but the names "[[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]", "[[Demolishor (disambiguation)|Demolishor]]", "[[Mudflap (disambiguation)|Mudflap]]", "[[Skids (disambiguation)|Skids]]", "[[Jolt (disambiguation)|Jolt]]", "[[Rampage (disambiguation)|Rampage]]" and "[[Wheelie (disambiguation)|Wheelie]]" are not. Likewise for the concept of "[[Seeker (disambiguation)|Seekers]]".
* [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] dying and coming back to life has been done [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|times beyond counting]].
* Prime combining with another 'bot to form a [[Super Mode]] which increases his power (and often gives him flight capabilities) is a trope that has occurred in many recent Transformers series (''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', ''Energon'', ''Cybertron''.) In ''Armada'', a different [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was his most frequent combination partner. This is the first time the other 'bot had to die for it to happen, though.
* [[The Fallen]] is based on a comic book character that made his debut in the 2004 miniseries [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]. In fact, according to Hasbro, he is the ''exact'' same [[character]]! ([[Multiversal singularity|It's complicated]].)
* The [[Matrix of Leadership]] is one of the franchise's oldest MacGuffins.
* [[Energon]] (mentioned though never seen) is the Transformers' power source in numerous incarnations, beginning with the original cartoon.
* The concept of a [[protoform]] as the first stage of a Transformer is a reference to the same concept introduced on the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon.
* Though it is almost certainly not an actual ''reference'' (it's a pretty generic and predictable sci-fi trope), the [[Star Harvester]] is quite similar in function to the [[Solar Needle]] from the Generation 1 episode "[[Changing Gears]]", sucking energy from the [[Sun]] to produce energon. Both devices would have destroyed the Sun if allowed to fulfill their function.
* The same is true for Sam having Cybertronian knowledge pumped directly into his brain via a sacred Transformer talisman, which is reminiscent of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s similar situation in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] G1 comics.
* A newspaper is sucked into Devastator that headlines a photograph and accompanying article about a mysterious appearance by [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]].
* When Mudflap and Skids first appear in their Ice-Cream Wagon disguise, they play the Transformers [[theme song]] in a very "ice-creamish" way.

==Other editions==
*A slightly longer edit was shown in IMAX theaters, which featured some brief additional scenes filmed with special IMAX cameras.<ref name="bayimax">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5003 Michael Bay's own announcement of the IMAX version]</ref> An exclusive deal with [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] resulted in ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' not being shown in IMAX theaters until two weeks after the movie's regular theatrical launch.<ref name="imaxpotter">[http://www.collider.com/2009/06/08/transformers-will-keep-harry-potter-off-imax-for-two-weeks/ Collider reporting on the Paramount/IMAX/Harry Pottter deal]</ref>
*It has been suggested that some international versions of the movie had the words "suck my" in the "Decepticons suck my popsicle" slogan on [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap's]] ice cream truck mode blanked out, hence only reading as "(Decepticon logo) [blank space] popsicle". This was not done across the board, however–theaters in those very same countries also showed uncensored versions of the movie. Another explanation for this would be that different theaters simply used different lightings settings, which effectively rendered the words "suck my" (which were written in dark red on a black backdrop to begin with) invisible, with no actual intention of "censorship" behind it.

==Prequel material==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
While the Decepticons were disgusted with the pro-Autobot propaganda of Bay's first documentary {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|#13's Star Screams}}, they were quite optimistic about the second film. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] took a strong interest in it, going to the trouble of personally convincing [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in the film {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|15's Star Screams}}.

The Decepticons promised this new documentary would show a glorious Decepticon victory {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|#10's Star Screams}}—whether it was in the script or not. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|#18's Star Screams}}

Shockingly, even ''they'' were under a non-disclosure agreement regarding the script; Starscream fearfully referred to a greater power keeping him quiet. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|#22's Star Screams}} Talking about it could even undermine the Decepticon war effort! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|#23's Star Screams}}

In the same week the film came out, the Decepticons suddenly became unhappy with it and the detente period ended. Bay, Kurtzman, and Orci are once again marked for extermination for their propaganda films. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|#1's Law and Disorder}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{stub}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie comics===

The sinister, unseen figure of the Fallen is secretly gathering a Decepticon army on Cybertron. Skids and Mudflap, slacking off there at the time, accidentally discover this and flee to Earth to warn the other Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}} An attempt to kill them fails {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}}, but due to their rep of telling tall tales, no one believes them. It doesn't help when they accidentally help Grindor escape capture. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}} The Fallen's agent Soundwave decides to use this, and first frames the twins as turncoats {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.5|Reversal of Fortune}}, then has them freed by their 'Decepticon allies' so they'll be hunted down.

After a few days of this, the twins began to regret ever getting involved, and Soundwave offered them sanctuary in the Decepticon army and the embrace of the Fallen: an offer they were eager to accept... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}}

==Adaptations==
{{main|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation}}
{{main|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}}
'''Children's adaptations'''
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel}}
{{main|The Last Prime}}
{{main|Operation Autobot}}
{{main|When Robots Attack!}}
{{main|I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)}}
{{main|Rise of the Decepticons}}
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: Sound Like the Transformers}}

==Sequels==
Two sequels to the first ''Transformers'' movie were greenlit in the wake of its success, with ''Revenge'' being the first. Although Michael Bay had previously stated that he might need a break from giant space robots before tackling a third film, he confirmed a [[July 1]], [[2011]] release date on his blog.<ref>[http://michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.html Official confirmation of third movie release date from michaelbay.com]</ref>

IDW published a comic sequel, ''[[Transformers: Nefarious|Nefarious]]'', which was lead into by [[Tales of the Fallen issue 5]].

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Album}}

==Score==
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Score}}

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video}}
''Revenge of the Fallen'' was released by [[Paramount Pictures]] on DVD (as both a 2-disc special edition and a regular single disc version) and Blu-ray on [[October 20]]th in the United States,<ref name="comingsoon">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58245 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Hits Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 20!]</ref> and [[November 30]]th in the UK.

==Theatrical posters==
<center><gallery perrow="3">
Image:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|Teaser poster
Image:ROTF Theatrical poster.jpg|Theatrical poster
Image:ROTF International poster.jpg|International poster
Image:ROTF Prime poster.jpg|Prime poster
Image:ROTF bumblebee poster.jpg|Bumblebee poster
Image:ROTF Starscream poster.jpg|Wait...Starscream gets a poster but Megatron doesn't? That's just wrong.
</gallery></center>

==Reception==
{{quote|Transformers: ROTF has mostly gotten pretty hideous reviews, but that's because people don't understand that this isn't a movie, in the conventional sense.|[http://io9.com/5301898/michael-bay-finally-made-an-art-movie Michael Bay Finally Made An Art Movie], Charlie Jane Anders|[http://i09.com i09.com,] [[June 24]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|[The critics] never seem to understand that I make movies for people to take a ride and escape.|[http://tinyurl.com/nyscnv forum post] by Michael Bay|[http://shootfortheedit.com shootfortheedit.com,] [[June 25]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|Rarely have critics been more disconnected from what audiences want and love.|John Horn, [http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bay29-2009jun29,0,6806652.story The Los Angeles Times], [[June 29]], 2009}}
{{quote|I'll take some of the criticism... They're [the Twins] basically gone.|Michael Bay, [http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm USA Today], [[June 11]], 2010}}

''Revenge of the Fallen'' had its world premiere on [[June 8]]th, 2009, in Tokyo, Japan. Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Isabel Lucas and Ramon Rodriguez attended.<ref>[http://www.michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/47a23fdbb6ddc8ece6a0a6c87ccc2bbe-499.html Japanese Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 8, 2009]</ref>. Other countries such as South Korea<ref>[http://www.michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/f7a7af7e754cfa877a635b95d8908eea-506.html Korean Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 9, 2009]</ref>, the United Kingdom and Germany followed over the course of the next few days. The United States premiere was held on [[June 22]]nd, 2009, in Westwood, California, during the [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles Film Festival|Los Angeles Film Festival]] for the second time.

In the week leading up to the United States release, while the film had been released in Japan and the United Kingdom, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was ranking 38% fresh on [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen/ Rotten Tomatoes.com]. As American reviews were added into the ranking on June 24, the movie's freshness slipped slowly to 22%. RottenTomatoes.com's consensus was that "''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' is a noisy, underplotted, and overlong special effects extravaganza that lacks a human touch." Roger Ebert, who had given the ''first'' Transformers film three stars <ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/REVIEWS/70620006/1023 Roger Ebert's ''Transformers'' review]</ref>, gave Revenge one star, and remarked that "if you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together." <ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090623/REVIEWS/906239997 Roger Ebert's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' review] on RogerEbert.com</ref> Todd Gilchrist of Cinematical.com said Michael Bay "has exceeded even the possibilities of sequel-driven 'moreness,' combining his own muscular, high-gloss sensibility with the conventions of blockbusters past, present, and probably future to create a monolithic action masterpiece that feels destined to be the biggest movie of all time." <ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/22/review-transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/ Review: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen] on Cinematical.com</ref> Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune said "the first, comparatively lucid ''Transformers'' was a headache, but I sort of enjoyed it....''Revenge of the Fallen'' is more like listening to rocks in a clothes dryer for 2½ hours." <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-tc-mov-transformers-0623-0624jun23,0,7350387.story 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel] on chicagotribune.com </ref> Roger Ebert went back for more in a second article, declaring not only that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was awful, but that it'd [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined action films FOREVER]]. <ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/06/the_fall_of_the_revengers.html "The Fall of the Revengers"] on suntimes.com</ref> In the face of many harsh responses to his own critique, Mr. Ebert went back a third time, not just deconstructing the film but also declaring that fans who claimed to perceive it as "great" were simply wrong.<ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/07/i_am_a_brainiac.html I am a Braniac]</ref>

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' poised itself quickly as a blockbuster maelstrom. It grossed $16 million in its opening midnight showings alone, an all-time record for Wednesday openings and a second-best for openings on any day of the week behind ''The Dark Knight''. After the full Wednesday was over, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had grossed $55 million in domestic ticket sales, surpassing the previous Wednesday release record, held by ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', by over $10 million. <ref> [http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1614673/story.jhtml 'Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen' Breaks Wednesday Box-Office Record] on MTV.com</ref> By the end of the first five days, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had taken an estimated $201.2 million in the United States, just shy of ''The Dark Knight's'' record $203.8 million 5-day US total. In the same period, international markets took in $186.1 million, bringing the 5-day worldwide total to $387.3 million.<ref name="bomjdebut">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2601&p=.htm BoxOfficeMojo.com - Weekend Report: ‘Revenge of the Fallen' Rises with Optimal Debut, June 28, 2009]</ref>

Paramount's U.S. exit polling revealed several intriguing facts: While the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie viewership skewed 60-40% toward men over women, the split for the new film was more even at 54% male, 46% female. More than 90% of those surveyed stated that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was as good as or better than the first ''Transformers'' movie. Surprisingly, about 67% said the film was "excellent", an even better score than for Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman's critically acclaimed 2009 ''Star Trek'' movie.<ref name="exitp">[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bay29-2009jun29,0,6806652.story "'Transformers' director Michael Bay as audience darling" by John Horn, Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2009]</ref>

After two weeks in most markets, ''Revenge'' continued to defy critics and dominate the U.S. box office, narrowly defeating ''Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'' on the Fourth of July weekend, finishing with upwards of $300 million in the U.S. and a similar figure in international markets.<ref name="reutjul7">[http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSTRE5671DB20090708 Reuters reporting on Revenge of the Fallen's success around the world, July 7, 2009]</ref> Ultimately, ''Revenge'' grossed more than $836 million worldwide (versus $708 million for ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''), including $402 million from US box offices alone (versus $319 million for the first movie).<ref name="bomjrotf">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers2.htm ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' at Box Office Mojo]</ref>

On [[October 20]], ''Revenge'' sold 2 million copies of its DVD/Blu-Ray release in the first 24 hours. <ref>[http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/business/Transformers-Sequel-Transforms-Hollywood-Revenues-65589247.html Transformers Sequel Transforms Hollywood Revenues]</ref>

On April 3rd, 2010, Shia LaBeouf stated that he was confused about many things in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and in fact, hated the movie. However, he noted that one of the major problems the film faced was working during the writer's strike without a script, and that he had faith that the third film would be an improvement.<ref>[http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/shia-labeouf-confused-by-transformers_1137755 Shia LaBeouf comments on ''Revenge of the Fallen'' at contactmusic.com, April 3, 2010]</ref>

In a June 11th 2010 article about the third Transformers film, Bay and producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] now said they'd taken onboard some of the criticism, and cited the writer's strike and the rushed production as a problem; Bonaventura said "we tried to do too many things in the second movie, which didn't give enough time in any one of them". Bay also said he was getting rid of the "dorky comedy", like the Twins, for the third film, and called the Fallen "kind of a (expletive) character". <ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me USA Today, "Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch"]</ref> And later, in the April 2011 dated issue of ''Empire'', Bay would again blame the strike and also cite the inclusion of "mystical" plots as a flaw in the film. <ref>''Empire'' April 2011, page 64 - released end of February</ref>

===Awards and recognition===
On February 1, 2009 it was announced that ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' was nominated for seven [[Wikipedia:Golden Raspberry Award|Golden Raspberry Award]]s.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/01/razzie.award.nominations/index.html 'Transformers,' 'Lost' lead worst movie nominees], cnn.com (February 1, 2009) retrieved 02-01-2009</ref> It was awarded three of them, for Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay. <ref>[http://enewsi.com/movies/190-16933.html 30th Annual Golden Raspberry Award Winners @ENI]</ref> This presumably represents an improvement from the 2007 film, which received only one nomination ([[Jon Voight]] in the Supporting Actor category) and no wins.

On February 2, 2009, it was announced that ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' was nominated for an [[Wikipedia:Academy Award|Academy Award]] for Sound Mixing.<ref>[http://oscar.go.com/ Oscar.com]</ref> On March 7, it lost to ''The Hurt Locker''.

==Controversies==
* A huge flap revolved around the characters of the "Twins", [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. Many critics and viewers believed them to be racist stereotypes of poorly educated black American teenagers. Much evidence points to the pair actually being stereotypes of poorly educated ''white'' American teenagers, trying their best to sound like hardcore black urban gangsters... though it's ''still'' a racist stereotype of dubious taste. Director Michael Bay, when confronted with those accusations, claimed that the personalities of the two characters had been primarily created in the recording studio by voice actors [[Tom Kenny]] and [[Reno Wilson]]. Wilson (who is African-American himself) was sad to learn his way of speaking was apparently offensive to himself.<ref name="jive"/> Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci confirmed that this portrayal of the characters hadn't been in the script, and admitted that they could understand the controversy.<ref name="racism">[http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/orci-and-kurtzman-respond-to-claims-of-racism-in-transformers-2.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman respond to accusations of racism]</ref>

* At least one reviewer claimed to find a repellent "anti-Arab subtext" to the movie's climactic scenes, which involved the damage or destruction of various Middle Eastern landmarks. <ref name="antiarab">[http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/MovieTimes?oid=978078 Chicago Reader review by Andrea Gronvall]</ref> The editors of this wiki are somewhat less than convinced.

* Along the same lines, Chinese viewers reportedly criticized the depiction of Shanghai in the opening scene of the movie. Apparently, depicting an ''industrial area'' as "very shabby" is an "insult" to an entire country, as is the destruction of parts of the city during a battle between alien robots.<ref name="insultchina">[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/6686502.html English-language article from People's Daily Online reporting on the alleged criticism against the movie in China, including rebuttals]</ref> Regardless, ''Revenge'' topped the box office in China, dethroning 1997's ''Titanic'' as the most successful movie of all times there.<ref name="recordchina">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006144.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Variety reporting on the success of ''Revenge'' in China.]</ref>

* Both professional critics and amateur bloggers noted that the film presents the [[Barack Obama|Obama]] administration as endangering Earth by being wussy, bureacratic, and ignoring the Brave Soldiers. <ref>[http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1906689,00.html Time's review of "Revenge of the Fallen"]</ref><ref>[http://hubpages.com/hub/Transformers-2-Revenge-of-the-Fallen--A-Political-Message A blogger's specific focus on the politics]</ref> <ref>[http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/screen/reviews/Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen-49559047.html Philadelphia Weekly's review of ''Revenge of the Fallen'']</ref><ref>[http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/06/24/turnabout-transformers-2-takes-a-shot-at-president-obama/ Big Hollywood: Turnabout]</ref>. Some right-wing bloggers and critics were quite happy about this, natch. As Bay had added Obama's name and image to the film as a ''tribute'' to the President, after the two of them met and had a mutually-complimentary conversation <ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a160272/michael-bay-obama-likes-my-movies.html Michael Bay: 'Obama likes my movies'] at Digital Spy, and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfT7ZF_AUk8 Bay telling the story at a press conference.]</ref>, and the writers are known Democrats <ref>[http://www.wilshireandwashington.com/2009/06/transformers-a-swipe-at-obama.html Variety: "Transformers, a Swipe at Obama?"]</ref>, the implications are probably unintentional and meant to be a [[Autobot High Council|genre trope]] rather than a deliberate dig.

* The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, a lobbyist group that already complained about the [[Transformers (film)|first film]], is currently trying to lobby the Federal Communications Commission into tightening regulations for marketing movies rated "PG-13" and associated merchandise to children. The basic reasoning behind their complaints is that ''Revenge'' contains "intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language" and "would have been rated R fifteen years ago", and yet Hasbro's [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|associated toys]] are advertised during TV programs aimed at children.<ref name="fccfilter">[http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/08/transformers-movies-get-caught-in-fcc-content-filtering-inquiry.ars Ars Technica article on the CCFC/FCC story.]</ref> Hasbro themselves appear to be still undecided about their official position regarding the more "mature" tone of the movies and its ramifications for the [[Transformers brand|brand's]] public image, having left several questions to this effect unanswered.<ref name="allsparkqa">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=61539 July/August 2009 edition] of the Allspark [[Hasbro Q&A]]</ref><ref name="tformersqa">[http://tformers.com/transformers-hasbro-answers-your-burning-questions-part-v/12149/news.html July/August 2009 edition] of the TFormers Hasbro Q&A</ref>

==Technical details==
{{stub}}

==Production staff==
* Writers [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] recruited [[Ehren Kruger]] to help them write the screenplay. [[Michael Bay]] and producers [[Don Murphy]], [[Tom DeSanto]], and [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] also returned.<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6372 Transformers 2 Writers Confirmed]</ref>
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===Visual effects===
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===Locations department===
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==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> [[Megan Fox]] had already been confirmed for the first of those sequels twelve days earlier<ref name="foxcon">[http://www.mtvmoviesblog.com/2007/05/18/megan-fox-confirmed-for-transformers-sequel/ MTV confirming Megan Fox for the sequel]</ref>, while [[Shia LaBeouf]] had already confirmed his participation in an—at that time still theoretical—sequel in November 2006.<ref name="shias">Rebecca Murray: [http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Interview with Shia LaBeouf from 2006, confirming his participation in a theoretical sequel]</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]], meanwhile, only once briefly questioned his involvement in a sequel in August 2007, when [[Paramount Pictures]] announced that ''Transformers'' would be released on HD DVD, but not on Blu-ray Disc.<ref name="bayhd">[http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/21/michael-bay-responds-to-paramounts-abandonment-of-blu-ray-no/ One of many sites reporting Michael Bay's announcement that he would not direct the sequel if the first movie wouldn't be released on Blu-ray]. Bay deleted his original post after changing his mind.</ref> Bay quickly changed his mind, however, and Paramount would later release the first movie on Blu-ray anyway, after the HD DVD had been abandoned.

In September of 2007, Paramount officially announced the first sequel for June 2009.<ref name="reldat">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972852.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety reporting Paramount's official announcement of the first sequel]</ref> Bay was given a budget of $200 million, and ultimately managed to come in $4 million below that.<ref name="showest">[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/11461/tcid/1 Michael Bay talking the ''Transformers'' sequel at ShoWest“]</ref>

The ''Transformers'' screenwriters, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], initially hesitated writing the sequel, but ultimately had a change of mind.<ref name="sciforc">[http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-reveal-tran.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talking to Sci Fi Wire.]</ref> In October 2007, [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as a third writer, who, according to Kurtzman, brought in a "fresh perspective"<ref name="kickoff">[http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/14/kicking-off-2009-with-writers-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-two-transformers-2/ Another interview with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci]</ref>, and who reportedly impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref>

In April 2009, Roberto Orci confirmed that cartoon voice actor [[Frank Welker]] would voice Soundwave.<ref name="welkers">[http://www.cinemablend.com/new.php?id=12917 Roberto Orci confirming Welker as Soundwave]</ref> Welker had previously been considered as [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] voice actor in the first movie, but ultimately Michael Bay had given that part to [[Hugo Weaving]] instead. Both Bay and the writers were also hoping that [[Leonard Nimoy]] could voice a character in the movie.<ref name="sciforc"> Bay later stated that he was nervous of asking his relative Nimoy to voice The Fallen for fear of offending him with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref name="nimoy1">[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer'', MTV.com Movies blog, April 21, 2009]</ref> Even though Nimoy openly asked Bay to simply give him a call,<ref name="nimoy2">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/leonard-nimoy-to-michael-bay-call-me-6682 Leonard Nimoy To Michael Bay: "Call Me!"], Latino Review</ref> it ultimately never worked out: after watching his guest appearance on ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Brave_and_the_Bold Batman: The Brave and the Bold]'', Bay selected [[Tony Todd]] - whom he worked with on ''The Rock'' - for the voice of The Fallen instead.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaN2g5i2k2E Interview with The Fallen himself - Tony Todd]</ref>

===Writing and production===
For the movie, Orci and Kurtzman searched the various ''Transformers'' comics and cartoons for "the most elemental bad guy", and eventually found one in [[The Fallen]].<ref name="sciforc"/>

In addition to that, they wanted to include many things in the sequel that hadn't made it into the first movie, including the Decepticon [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Likewise, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had initially been intended to be used in the first movie, but for fear of confusion with the ''Matrix'' movies, the cube had been renamed into the [[AllSpark]]. In return, the Matrix in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' bears more resemblance to the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Matrix.

In late 2007, during pre-production for the then-untitled ''Transformers'' sequel, the [[wikipedia:2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers Guild of America went on strike]], but according to all parties involved, this didn't slow down preparations of the movie much in the long run. Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci turned in their first outline of the script the night before the strike officially began. During the strike, director Michael Bay used the script as a basis for preparing the movie. After the strike had ended, Kurtzman, Orci and Ehren Kruger continued their work on the script, based on Bay's changes.<ref name="kickoff"/> One consequence of this development was that Michael Bay and Hasbro had selected some of the new Transformers characters that were to appear in the movie during the strike, because of the long production run of the toys, while they had legally not been allowed to consult with the screenwriters.<ref name="sciforc"/> The "Twins", [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], are Bay's creation.<ref name="jive">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/24/transformers-jivetalking-_n_220005.html Huffington Post article on accusations of racism with the "Twins", and Michael Bay and Reno Wilson's response.]</ref>

In early June of 2008, DreamWorks, Paramount and Hasbro officially confirmed the movie's title to be ''Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen''.<ref name="titleann">[http://www.reserveresult.com/2008/06/transformers-2-revenge-of-fallen.html One of the first announcements of the title, still with a "2" in it]</ref> A few weeks later, Roberto Orci confirmed that there would be no "2" in the title.<ref name="no2orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180738-no-2-transformers-2-a.html#post2173364 Roberto Orci confirming that there will be no "2" in the movie's title]</ref>

Principal shooting began in June 2008 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.<ref name="pennlive">[http://blog.pennlive.com/lvbreakingnews/2008/06/shooting_starts_today_on_trans_1.html Pennlive story about the beginning of ROTF's principal shooting in Bethlehem]</ref> Other shooting sites were Philadelphia, the campus of Princeton University, Long Beach, the Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Some scenes were also shot in other countries, at the [[Wikipedia:Egyptian pyramids|Pyramids of Giza]] and in Luxor, Egypt, in Jordan and in Paris.

According to director Michael Bay, ''Revenge'' is the first movie in about 30 years to be given permission to shoot at the Pyramids of Giza, and the first movie ''ever'' to film on top of [[Wikipedia:Petra|Petra]].<ref name="bayclub">[http://www.transformersclub.com/tfrof-intv09.cfm Transformers Collectors' Club interview with Michael Bay]</ref> He obtained permission to film in Egypt by contacting Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's council of antiquities, who turned out to be a fan of the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie.<ref>[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 The Collider article and video interview with Michael Bay, February 9, 2009]</ref>

During the time of shooting, actor Shia LaBeouf suffered a severe injury of his left hand in a car accident. Ultimately, however, filming was only briefly halted, and his injury worked into the film, thereby not adversely affecting the filming schedule.<ref name="TheList2008">[http://www.list.co.uk/article/10788-shia-labeoufs-transformers-hand/ The List 1 August 2008]</ref> For the movie, director Michael Bay earned himself an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the "biggest explosion on film with actors present".<ref name="guiness">[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10579085 New Zealand Herald article mentioning Bay' Guinness Book entry]</ref>

===Sponsors and partners===
====Hasbro====
[[Hasbro]] once again acted both as a licensor and actively participated in the development of the movie. Together with the first ''Transformers'' movie, the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' movie ''Rise of the Cobra'' and several other planned movie projects such as ''Monopoly'', ''Stretch Armstrong'' and ''Battleships'', ''Revenge of the Fallen'' marks the beginning of a new company policy for Hasbro, believing that the new "the movie of the toy" strategy will be more lucrative than the old "the toy of the movie" concept, which involves hefty licensing fees.<ref name="brandweek">[http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jun2009/db20090611_333306.htm Brandweek article on Hasbro's new movie-related business strategy]</ref> Still, director [[Michael Bay]] receives an 8% cut of all toy sales from the ''Transformers'' movies.<ref name="forbesbay">[http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0622/celebrity-09-transformers-michael-bay-making-movies-enemies-money.html Michael Bay article on Forbes.com June 4, 2009]</ref> During the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, when nobody was legally allowed to consult with the screenwriters, Hasbro and Bay selected several of the new Transformers characters that were to appear in the movie.<ref name="sciforc"/>

====US military====
The [[United States military]] also supported the movie again, providing vehicles, shooting locations and military personnel that appear as extras in the movie.<ref name="milit">[http://www.military.com/entertainment/movies/movie-news/military-unites-with-hollywood-on-transformers?wh=entertainment American Forces Press Service press release about the US military's contribution to ROTF]</ref> Due to scheduling coincidences, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was given a larger support by the US Department of Defense than ''G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra'', which was produced at the same time. <ref name="dod">Jeff Schogol: [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62955 Stars and Stripes article about DOD support for ''revenge of the Fallen'' and ''G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra'']</ref> Initially, Bay had intended to include German Bundeswehr soldiers in the movie (presumably as members of [[NEST]] or on board the AWACS plane), but even though the soldiers were eager to participate, the German government denied the request.<ref name="szpremiere">[http://newsticker.sueddeutsche.de/list/id/657558 Report from the German press conference (in German language)]</ref>

====General Motors and other car manufacturers====
American car manufacturer General Motors once again provided vehicles that were used by the Autobots as their [[alternate mode]]s. Returning from the first movie were the GMC Topkick ([[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]), the Hummer H2 ([[ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]) and the new Chevrolet Camaro ([[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]), the latter this time as a slightly updated Z/28 model as compared to the first movie's concept car model. Newcomers for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' are all from the Chevrolet brand, namely the Chevrolet Beat ([[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]), the Chevrolet Trax ([[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]), a new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept car ([[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]) and, as a last minute addition, the new Chevrolet Volt electric car ([[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]]).

In total, General Motors provided 67 vehicles, 52 of them being prototypes not intended for sale.<ref name="chevytroubles">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-15-gm-transformers_N.htm USA Today story on Chevrolet's participation in the movie]</ref> As a consequence of the 2007-onwards financial crisis, however, General Motors reduced their financial support for ''Revenge'' in April of 2009.<ref name="horsep">[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cotown-transformers6-2009apr06,0,5419006.story LA Times story on General Motors cutting their support for ''Revenge of the Fallen'']</ref>

Director Michael Bay estimates that, without the support of General Motors and the military, production of the movie would have cost $10 million more than the $195 million ultimately spent.<ref name="forbesbay"/> Coinciding with the release of ''Revenge of the Fallen'', General Motors reported that sales of the new Chevrolet Camaro were so strong that orders were outrunning the supply, even though the car was being sold above MSRP in many places. A direct connection to the movie, however, could not be proven.<ref name="camarosells">[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZCnXEtqqTcc Bloomberg reporting on strong sales for the new Chevrolet Camaro]</ref>

As the only car manufacturer besides General Motors, Audi was able to place its R8 in the movie, as the Decepticon [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways's]] alternate mode. The cooperation was arranged by Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing.<ref name="propaganda">[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_28/b4139068367113.htm "Hollywood's Blockbuster Role for Product Placement"], Bloomberg Businessweek, July 2009.</ref>

====Product placement====
As in the first movie, numerous companies signed a deal with the filmmakers which allowed for their product being featured in prominent places in the movie. A Mountain Dew vending machine can be seen in [[Leo Spitz|Leo's]] room, computer screens feature visible Cisco logos, [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] intend to communicate via iChat, a huge HSBC logo is seen at Times Square in New York City, a Budweiser bottle is prominently featured in one of the Paris scenes, CNN is everyone's preferred news channel, and a giant IMAX logo is seen inside the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In return, Mars heavily advertised ''Revenge of the Fallen'' with their chocolate candy brand M&M's.

===Changes before, during and after production===
*The three Autobot motorcycles were at one point meant to combine into a larger robot, but this was ultimately abandoned for unknown reasons. Concept artwork for this combined mode has surfaced, and this feature was mentioned in the novelization and appears to remain in the toys.

*According to comic book writer [[Simon Furman]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had been in an early draft of the movie's plot, but were dropped from the cast very early in development.<ref>[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/01/29/no-dinobots-in-transformers-2-revenge-of-the-fallen-original-film-consultant-explains-why/ MTV Movie Blog interview with Simon Furman, January 29, 2009.]</ref>

* According to the pre-visualization animation from the movie DVD's bonus material, [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] was originally supposed to have a Lamborghini [[alternate mode]] as compared to the Audi R8 seen in the film.

*[[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]], an Autobot who transforms into a V-22 Osprey, was to be a character in the movie, but was dropped from the cast during production.<ref name="procterdesigns">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=2772 Ben Procter's movie designs for ROTF]</ref> However, he was dropped so late during production that Hasbro still released [[Legends Class|Legends]] and [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] versions of the character based on the abandoned movie design–in the first waves of their respective assortments, no less.

*Likewise, the Deluxe Class [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] and Scout Class [[Depthcharge]] and [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] toys are based on designs [[Ben Procter]] had originally created for the movie. Breakaway had the early working name "Firestorm", while Ransack was originally conceived as a [[Ford Model T Seeker|Ford Model T]].<ref name="procterdesigns"/>

*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was originally intended to come to Earth and scan a black Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck as his new [[alternate mode]]. The Deluxe Class Soundwave toy still retains some elements of this abandoned concept in robot mode, particularly a Cybertronian version of the Chevy grill and small headlights on the lower torso.

*Several plot points about the [[Dynasty of Primes]] were dropped from the final version of the film, but feature prominently in the adaptations. In the original version, the Dynasty was founded by [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]], eleven of whom were killed by The Fallen, with [[Prima|the sole survivor]] sealing the Matrix in the Tomb of the Primes by himself. The Fallen returned to Cybertron and killed all the Primes' descendants, save the one hidden from him who had no knowledge of his ancestry: Optimus. Additionally, The Fallen would have been revealed to have promised Megatron the powers of a Prime, which Optimus would expose as impossible during the final battle around the harvester, causing Megatron and Starscream to leave The Fallen to his death.

* The Fallen was originally supposed to be trapped inside a triangular sarcophagus as seen in ''[[Transformers: Defiance|Defiance]]''. ''Defiance'' writer [[Chris Mowry]] reportedly nearly spilled his coffee when he watched the movie for the first time and saw The Fallen just sitting in a chair inside the [[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]].<ref name="mowryallsp">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=64301&view=findpost&p=1387145 Comments by Chris Mowry at the Allspark], November 2009</ref> Exactly how this was supposed to inter-connect with The Fallen surviving his battle with the Primes and returning to Cybertron is unclear. Further, if he ''had'' been sealed in a sarcophagus, then, uh, who would have sent the Seekers to Earth to look for the Matrix?

*One scene that didn't make it into the final movie would have explained [[Alice]]'s sorta-human disguise: In it, [[Leo Spitz|Leo]] watches a TV ad featuring an Alice in Wonderland animatronic from an amusement park, which heavily resembles Alice. The scene was featured in the [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 2|comic adaptation]] and the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]]. It's unclear if the scene has actually been filmed; however, the movie still features the follow-up scene in which Leo shows up to tell Sam ''something'' about Alice, only to see her robot tongue strangle him.

*Sam was to have been established as a new vessel for the AllSpark, absorbing its knowledge, which would have explained how he managed to get a scholarship to Princeton. When he was dying in Egypt, the knowledge of the AllSpark would then have transferred to the dust within the Matrix of Leadership, which was created by the AllSpark. The movie would have ended with Optimus showing Sam that he'd recovered the Matrix, which now replaced the Cube as the AllSpark's physical form.

*Another possibly dropped plot point involved an explanation for the government's cover-up of the [[Mission City]] battle in the [[Transformers (film)|first movie]]. The robots would have been declared the creations of a company either named [[McClaren Robotics]] or [[Massive Dynamics]], which allegedly had gone rogue by accident. This is referenced in [[Alan Dean Foster]]'s [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] of the movie (where the company is named "Massive Dynamics"), the junior novelization ''[[The Last Prime]]'' and [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 1|comic adaptation]] (where the company is named "McClaren Robotics"). A McClaren sign is also briefly seen in IDW's [[Transformers: Alliance|''Alliance'' issue 4]]. An extensive casting call list leaked to the internet in April 2008 listed a "Massive Dynamics CEO" as one of the new characters.<ref name="iesbcall">[http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4663&Itemid=99 Casting call at IESB, April 2008]</ref> Presumably, actor Steve Tom was originally intended to play the character in the movie. His official website is listing him as appearing in ''Revenge'' ever since July 2008<ref name="stevetom">[http://stevetom.com/picsandresume.html Resume of actor Steve Tom]</ref>, even though he isn't actually listed in the film's credits. Back in July 2008, IMDB also listed Tom as playing the role of McClaren Robotics' CEO<ref name="tfwimdbtom">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-casting-steve-tom-as-robotics-ceo-katie-lowes-as-ra-165438/ TFW2005 referencing an (unarchived) IMDB entry for Steve Tom and his alleged role in ''Revenge'']</ref>, whereas Theiapolis Cinema listed him as the CEO of Massive Dynamics at the same time<ref name="theiarotf">[http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2RLF/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/cast.html Theiapolis Cinema entry for ''Revenge'']</ref>. It's unclear if the scenes featuring Tom were cut or dropped from the script before they were even filmed.

* [[Robert Epps|Epps']] wife, [[Monique Epps|Monique]], was also supposed to appear in the movie together with [[William Lennox|Lennox's]] wife [[Sarah Lennox|Sarah]]. The casting call from April 2008 lists her under the working name "Theresa".<ref name="iesbcall"/> The original plan was that [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] would contact Epps and Lennox by calling their wives and asking them to pass on information to their husbands. This scene appears in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]] and in IDW's [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|comic adaptation]]; in the movie, the wives are never seen, and instead of Sam, it is [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]] who contacts Epps and Lennox directly.

* [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] was originally intended to appear in this film but was cut for unknown reasons.<ref>http://massiveblack.com/mbwp/?p=1368</ref>

===Disinformation===
====Persistent fake IMDB synopsis====
In July 2007, only a week after after ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' had premiered in the USA, nearly two years before ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was to premiere and half a year before a ''script'' would actually be written, a "synopsis" for the (at that point still untitled) sequel to ''Transformers'' was posted on IMDB<ref name="imdbsum">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055369/synopsis Fake "synopsis" for ROTF on IMDB]</ref>, containing vague guesses for a potential plot direction based on the first movie ([[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and taking command of the remaining Decepticons–which would actually happen in [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' comic–and "[[Scorponok (Movie)|Skorpinox]]" [sic] stealing [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] body from a military base, in contrast to the first film's actual ending), including several glaring spelling and grammar errors. The "synopsis" was eventually exposed as the work of ''Next'' and ''xXx: State of the Union'' director Lee Tamahori, who wanted to use it as a pitch to offer himself to [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] as a cheaper alternative for [[Michael Bay]].<ref name="tamahori">[http://defamer.gawker.com/hollywood/a-more-personal-kind-of-transformation/breaking-transformers-2-plot-synopsis-revealed-278307.php Gawker's Defamer reporting on the fake "synopsis" from IMDB, and updating with information about its true origins]</ref> Regardless, the "synopsis" was still heavily featured by other websites, including foreign theaters and media<ref name="prosieben">[http://www.prosieben.de/kino_dvd/previews/film/ German TV station feature about ROTF using the fake IMDB "synopsis"]</ref>, despite multiple evidence (trailers, official information provided by Paramount, leaked information about the involvement of a character named "[[The Fallen]]") suggesting that the alleged "plot" was pretty much bunk. The fake synopsis ''still'' persists in some places even after ''Revenge'' has already hit theaters, despite being directly refuted by the film itself.<ref name="dvdlisting">[http://www.comicsandcardsupplies.com/jul091794.html Premature preorder for the ROTF DVD featuring the fake IMDB "synopsis"]</ref>

====Fake treatment====
In October 2007, an alleged treatment for the (at that point still unnamed) ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' sequel surfaced on the internet.<ref name="treat">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2007/10/transfomers-2-leaked-script.html The Transformers Live Action Movie Blog reporting on the alleged treatment], October 2007.</ref> While producer [[Don Murphy]] soon claimed that it wasn't real<ref name="murphyfake">[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showpost.php?p=1052166&postcount=52 Don Murphy denies the authenticity of the leaked treatment], October 2007.</ref>, [[Michael Bay]]'s website administrator Nelson Lauren countered by suggesting that it wasn't a fan creation<ref name="nelsonfake1">Nelson's deliberately misleading comments regarding the alleged treatment at the [http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=435346&postcount=26 official Live Action Movie boards] and at [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?&showtopic=37905&st=20&p=759450&#entry759450 The Allspark], October 2007.</ref>, then referred to an ambiguous post he had made a few days earlier, in which he had hinted that information might be spread that would not be entirely reliable.<ref name="nelsonfake2">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1590&postcount=1 Nelson's ambiguous "telling the truth in a false way" post] at the official Michael bay forums, October 2007.</ref> What followed was a brief back-and-forth with Murphy accusing Nelson of "stirring shit up"<ref name="murphynelson">[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?t=22721 Don Murphy's response to Nelson's statements], October 2007.</ref>, which prompted Nelson to counter that he had better sources than Murphy<ref name="nelsonsources">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37905&st=60&p=761181&#entry761181 Nelson's counter to Don Murphy...] No, we stop here. You get the idea.</ref>.

====Michael Bay's alleged disinformation campaign====
In April 2008, director Michael Bay claimed he had initiated a huge disinformation campaign in order to prevent content details from the movie being revealed to the public before he wanted them to.<ref name="misinf">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a94406/bay-tries-to-fool-transformers-fans.html Mirrored copy of Michael Bay's original claims about his alleged "disinformation campaign"]. Bay apparently deleted his original post from his official message board.</ref> Ultimately, Bay himself turned out to be the main source of genuine disinformation, despite claiming that ''only'' what he said was 100% true. Therefore, the disinformation campaign mostly hinged on fans believing in its existence, and rejecting any genuinely "leaked" information, including set photos, statements by third parties such as [[Hasbro]] or [[IDW Publishing]] and stolen toy [[prototype]]s, as "disinformation". Screenwriter Roberto Orci eventually admitted that the disinformation campaign wasn't really working.<ref name="orcicampaign">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-150.html#post2437185 Roberto Orci confirming Michael Bay's biggest fear: The disinformation campaign doesn't work!]</ref>

In June 2008, when principal shooting had just begun, a call sheet was leaked to the internet<ref name="bethcall">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/06/bethlehem-call-sheet-cast-tf-and-next.html Leaked call sheet at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog], June 5, 2008</ref>, which revealed the casting of [[Ramon Rodriguez]] as a character named "[[Leo Spitz|Leo]]", the appearance of an [[Sideways (ROTF)|Audi R8]] and [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] as well as a character with the working name "[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Stinger]]". Furthermore, an ice cream truck that had just been spotted on the Bethlehem set a day earlier<ref name="bethfirst">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-2-bethlehem-images---update---ironhide-on-set-165046/ Set photos from the Bethlehem shoot at TFW2005], June 4, 2008</ref> was hinted to be two characters only referred to as "[[The Twins]]". Lastly, the call sheet revealed that the next shooting location would be the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where an SR-71 Blackbird would be revealed to be a Decepticon named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. A character named "[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheels]]" was also supposed to appear in that scene. In July 2008, Bay then claimed that fake scripts, treatments, "wrong schedules and call sheets with fake scenes on them" had been deliberately leaked to the internet.<ref name="bayfakescript">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=44729&postcount=2 Michael Bay's forum post claiming that only he and the writers had seen the script]</ref>

For the longest time, Bay upheld the position that [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] would ''not'' return in ''Revenge of the Fallen''. After concept designs of Megatron's new [[alternate mode]] had surfaced (some of which would later turn out to be designs for the [[Robot Powered Machines|RPM]] Megatron toy, while the first ones that surfaced were far too advanced for mere "toy" designs<ref name="megsleak">Various leaks of the new Megatron design for ROTF mirrored at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, September 2008: [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/tf2-megatron-image.html Robot mode design], [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/megatrons-alt-mode.html concept art for the alternate mode], [http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/megatron-toy-pictures.html control drawings for Megatron's RPM vehicle toy]</ref>), Bay insisted that this was "just Hasbro coming up with a new toy", and Megatron would not appear in the movie.<ref name="EmpireFeb2009">''Empire'' magazine issue 236, dated February 2009, pages 68 and 69, article entitled "20 to watch in 2009", written by Nick de Semelyn</ref> Following ''officially released'' evidence to the contrary (including Megatron's brief appearance in the February 1 Super Bowl TV spot and the February teaser trailer), screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] confirmed that Megatron would indeed return.<ref name="mreturns">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-211.html#post3333713 Roberto Orci confirming Megatron's return on TFW2005.com - February 22, 2009]</ref> Shortly afterwards, Bay retracted his claims, but not entirely, suggesting that Megatron would only appear in a flashback scene "from the long lost past", despite the fact Megatron could be seen pinning [[Sam Witwicky]] to the ground in the aforementioned TV spot and teaser trailer. He also denied that Megatron would transform into a tank.<ref name="catoutbag">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=66825&postcount=4 Bay retracting from his claims about Megatron on his forum - March 6, 2009]</ref>

====General Motors and the Chevrolet Volt====
In August 2008, after a Chevrolet Volt vehicle had been spotted on the set of ''Revenge'', General Motors reluctantly admitted having provided the car to the production crew, and that the car would indeed appear in the film, but claimed that it was no production vehicle (i.e. some details may differ from the final car, similar to Bumblebee's Concept Camaro in the first movie). Chevrolet also claimed that the Volt was only used for one or two days of shooting, and that it would only "appear in the movie very briefly", and "not as a Decepticon or Autobot", so it would "not have a Transformer nickname".<ref name="edmundsjolt">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090129105851/http://edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=131426 Edmunds Inside Line article on the Chevrolet Volt spotted on the set], August 2008</ref> (While it's true that [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] was a last-minute addition to the movie, the car was spotted again later at a different set.<ref name="joltwhite">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2008/09/chevy-volt-at-white-sands-set.html Set photos from White Sands Missile Range] including the Chevrolet Volt, September 2008.</ref>)

====Edited IDW interviews====
Bay and/or Paramount also tried to have information prematurely revealed by third parties contained after the fact: During San Diego Comic-Con 2008, in an interview on July 25th, comic book writer [[Simon Furman]] revealed that the film would feature a character named [[The Fallen]], which was a character they had created for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]''.<ref name="furmancbr">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17412Simon Furman interview with Comic Book Resources], edited version.</ref> Three days later, [[IDW Publishing]] writer [[Chris Mowry]] corroborated the claim in an interview with MTV Splash Page, calling "The Fallen" the main villain of ''Revenge''. [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was also confirmed in the same interview.<ref name="mowrymtv">[http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/07/28/exclusive-transformers-2-prequel-comic-gives-inside-scoop-on-2009-movie/ MTV Splash Page interviews Chris Mowry], edited version.</ref> Less than a week after this, however, Michael Bay reiterated that everything leaked thus far was part of his alleged disinformation campaign, and that only a handful of people involved with the production of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had actually seen the script, contradicting IDW's interviews where their representatives confirmed that they had the script. Additionally, Bay claimed the only truth about the film revealed up to that point was Sam going to college.<ref name="bayfakescript"/> Curiously, on August 5th 2008, after a fan had pointed out the contradiction to Bay, all references to The Fallen (and Arcee) were removed from the aforementioned interviews, as well as any references to IDW Publishing having the script.<ref name="interviewsoriginal">[http://tfwiki.net/~fortmax/movie/index.html Mirrored copies of the unedited versions of the interviews.]</ref>

====Other (minor) instances of disinformation and misconceptions====
Other (in)famous instances of disinformation included an alleged sighting of both [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz's]] Pontiac Solstice vehicle mode and voice actor [[Darius McCrary]] on the Bethlehem set<ref name="jazzrumor">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/autobot-jazz-is-back-for-transformers-movie-sequel-165008/ TFW reporting on the alleged sightings of the Jazz Pontiac Solstice and voice actor Darius McCrary], May 2008</ref> (it's ''possible'' that someone mistook an [[Sideways (ROTF)|Audi R8]] or the [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Chevrolet Corvette concept car]] for a Pontiac Solstice, and McCrary ''might'' have genuinely visited the set out of sheer curiosity) and an "update" to a (legitimate) casting call that contained nothing but fake character names and descriptions<ref name="fakecall">[http://spoilertv-movies.blogspot.com/2008/04/transformers-2.html Fake casting call at Spoiler TV], April 2008. Note: Everything up until "CNN Reporter" originates from another, legitimate casting call; everything from "Head of Sector 7" onward is made up.</ref>, including a funeral director who would allegedly bury [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]]. It's unclear whether any of these were instances of deliberate disinformation on behalf of Bay, or just attention-seeking fans coming up with made-up "scoops" on their own. Furthermore, three of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade's]] Saleen Mustang prop vehicles were spotted on a truck bed in Culver City, California, in March 2008, more than two months before principal shooting for ''Revenge'' started.<ref name="vehspotted">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=6980 Superhero Hype reporting on the spotting of Barricade vehicles in March 2008]</ref> It's unclear if this was an instance of deliberate disinformation, or just a genuine move of the vehicles with no further intention behind it.

==Notes==
*The official title of the film is ''Revenge of the Fallen'' (with a lower-case "t" in "the") even though it is apparently referring to [[The Fallen]] (with a capital "T" in "The").
*Marketing for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' briefly used the tagline "Our World. Our War.", a play on the primary marketing tagline from the first live-action film, "Our World. Their War.".
*Leo's room features posters for [[Wikipedia:Naruto|Naruto]], [[Wikipedia:Cloverfield|Cloverfield]] (whose infamous first teaser debuted at screenings of the first Transformers film), and [[Wikipedia:Bad Boys 2|Bad Boys 2]] (another of Michael Bay's movies).
*During the scenes set in and around the deli in NYC, posters for the bands [[Wikipedia:Catch 22 (band)|Catch Twenty-Two]] and [[wikipedia:Voodoo Glow Skulls|Voodoo Glow Skulls]] are prominently featured.
*Even though ''Revenge'' features mostly domestic voice actors for the foreign market dubs, [[Frank Welker]] voiced [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] not only in English, but also in a large number of foreign dubs, including the Italian and French versions. As a result, in the Italian dub of the movie, Soundwave speaks with a strange, foreign accent. Welker is also credited for an unspecified voice role in the Latin Spanish dub, most likely Soundwave again. Furthermore, Welker is ''incorrectly'' credited for voicing Soundwave in the German dub, even though German dubbing insiders insist that the voice heard in the actual movie has been provided by someone else ([[Horst Lampe]], who also dubbed ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]), presumably as a last-minute decision because Welker's "German" performance was considered sub-standard.<ref name="germandub">[http://215072.homepagemodules.de/t511643f11775323-Transformers-Die-Rache-Transformers-Revenge-of-the-Fallen-7.html German dubbing board thread about ROTF, with a discussion about Soundwave's voice]</ref> Welker described the entire process of dubbing Soundwave in different languages as "very hard".<ref name="welkernewsarama">[http://www.newsarama.com/tv/090915-Animated-Shorts-Welker.html Newsarama interview with Frank Welker], September 2009.</ref>
*The prequel novel introduced other Autobots into the ranks of [[NEST]]—[[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]], and [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knockout]]. They were present up until the events directly leading into the Shanghai incident, but were not present for any of the events featured in the film or adaptations. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}
* While ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' used 20 terabytes of disk space for visual effects, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' used 154 terabytes.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>
* The Chinese name for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was called "[[wikia:c:starwars:Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back|Decepticon Strikes Back]]" for a while before the title was changed into "The War of Revenge" in theaters and media in Taiwan around mid to late 2008.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Revenge''''' (トランスフォーマー/リベンジ ''Toransufōmā/Ribenji'')
*''Cantonese:'' (變形金剛: 狂派再起, "Transformers: The Return of the Decepticons")
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Kaatuneiden kosto''''' ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers: La Revanche''''' ("Transformers: The Revenge")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers: Die Rache''''' ("Transformers: The Revenge")
*''Italian:'' '''''Transformers 2: La Vendetta del Caduto''''' ("Transformers 2: The Revenge Of The Fallen")
*''Polish:'' '''''Transformers: Zemsta Upadłych''''' ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: Retaliação''''' (Portugal, "Transformers: Retaliation"), '''''Transformers: A Vingança dos Derrotados''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Vengeance of the Defeated")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biàn-hsín Jīn-gāng: Fù-chóu jr Jàn''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛: 復仇之戰, "Transformers: The War of Revenge"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Duòluòzhě dē Fùchóu''''' (China, 变形金刚：堕落者的复仇, "Transformers: The Revenge of the Fallen")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Mest' Padshikh''''' (Трансформеры: Месть падших, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones")
*''Serbian:'' '''''Transformersi: Osveta Poraženog''''' (''Transformers: The Revenge Of The Fallen'')
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: La Venganza de los Caídos''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')
*''Swedish:'' '''''Transformers: De Besegrades Hämnd''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ones'')

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com Dreamworks/Paramount's ''Transformers'' Movie website]
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/ Hasbro's ''Transformers'' homepage]
*Designer portfolios: [http://www.joshnizzi.com/ Josh Nizzi], [http://www.ryanchurch.com/images/tf2/04PRO_TF2.htm Ryan Church], [http://skulboyfilmwork.blogspot.com/2009/07/transformers-revenge-of-fallen.html Duncan Crawford], [http://www.paulozzimo.com/ Paul Ozzimo], [http://www.stevejung.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4 Steve Jung], [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=2772 Ben Procter], [http://www.seanhaworth.com/SH_Design/Portfolio/Portfolio.html Sean Haworth]
*[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 Interview with Michael Bay 02/09/2009] — Collider.com

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}
[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen| ]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen media| ]]

Patch (episode)

2012-10-20T02:55:44Z

NexusPrime98: /* Featured characters */

{{disambig2|the episode from ''Prime''|the dog from Generation 1|Patch (dog)}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 50
|prev=Inside Job
|next=Regeneration (Prime)
|image=PatchMegatronStarscream.JPG
|caption=Because we've never seen this before.
|title="Patch"
|airdate=[[October 19]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Starscream proposes a truce with Megatron, but Dreadwing threatens to stand in the way.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] tells [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] that he wishes to once more become a [[Decepticon]]. While Megatron points out that [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] is now his second-in-command, Starscream insists he will keep to his place. Skeptical, Megatron has [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] extracted from the wall so that he can connect Megatron and Starscream with a [[cortical psychic patch]]. By rummaging through Starscream's memories, Megatron intends to find what really drives him, and first reviews the events surrounding the [[space bridge]] explosion. Knock Out monitors the mental images with interest. Megatron watches various instances of Starscream insisting on his leadership, the time he made a bunch of clones to assassinate Megatron, and when he tried to make a deal with Airachnid to terminate Megatron. Starscream claims he was half-crazed with energon deficiency at the time, but Megatron is unconvinced. Starscream insists he's always had Megatron's best interests at heart. Replaying Starscream's monologue during the time when Megatron was trapped underground, Megatron suggests Starscream refrain from thinking out loud in the future. He also drops the hint that if Starscream fails to be convincing, it'll likely end in Starscream's termination.

Starscream claims being beaten is enough to bring him back into line and tries to play up his own generosity by recalling the time when he provided Megatron with [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'s corpse for experimentation, and his use of his wits in dealing with the Autobots. Megatron points out his wits are usually insufficient to compensate for his arrogance, like when he faced [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] while charged up on [[Dark Energon]], or when he tried to use the [[Energon Harvester]] on [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]. The revelation that [[MECH]] took Starscream's [[transformation cog|T-Cog]] greatly amuses Megatron, though Starscream is hoping that that might be restored to him in exchange for the [[Omega Key]]s—after all, he usually transforms with such style. He points out that at the time he deserted the Decepticon cause, he wasn't being made to feel particularly welcome there, despite apparently learning his place. Megatron doesn't believe Starscream's change of heart at the time would have lasted, and replays a discussion between Starscream and Knock Out while Megatron was lying in a coma in the sick bay. In the real world, Knock Out starts to realize that Starscream's memories are going to be equally incriminating to himself. Panicking, he comes up with a plan to disconnect the patch, trapping Megatron in Starscream's mind.

[[Image:PatchKnockOutDreadwing.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Awkward...]]
As Knock Out goes to unplug Megatron, Dreadwing stops him and he's forced to make up an excuse. Megatron's psychic interrogation of Starscream continues, and while Starscream claims that no one is perfect, not even Dreadwing, Megatron points out at least Dreadwing and his departed brother [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] were loyal. Starscream's memories of Skyquake's death and revival through Dark Energon are replayed, and he recalls how Skyquake was left in an undead state in some dimensional nether-realm. This revelation comes as a shock to Dreadwing, still watching in the lab. Megatron announces that Starscream will be allowed to rejoin the Decepticon forces proper, as they ''must'' be working as one unit if Cybertron is to be properly restored, a fact also addressed to the watching Knock Out. Knock Out realizes that Dreadwing is no longer standing behind him. Dreadwing stands on the outer hull of the ''Nemesis'' and aims a scream of rage at the sky.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* ''[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]'' (6)
* ''[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'' (12)
* ''[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]]'' (13)
* ''[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]'' (14)
* ''[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]]'' (15)
* ''[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]]''
|c2=
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (3)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (4)
* ''[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]]'' (5)
* ''[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]]'' (7)
* ''[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
* ''[[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream clone]]s'' (9)
* ''[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]'' (10)
* ''[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]'' (11)
* ''[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]'' (17)
|c3=
* ''[[Silas]]'' (16)

}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>''Only appeared in flashback.''

==Quotes==
"Few things of value come without a price."
:—'''Megatron''', who apparently hasn't heard of the enormous amount of free games on the internet.

"Ah, I do transform with an exceptional sense of style. ...I said that out loud, didn't I?"
:—'''Starscream'''

"Awkward."
:—'''Knock Out''' aptly summarizes the general atmosphere of the episode.

==Notes==
* This episode is the second [[clip show|clip episode]], the first being "[[Grill]]".

===Animation and technical errors===

===Continuity errors===
* Starscream was not present when Skyquake was trapped in an alternate dimension in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]", nor was that fact ever made clear to him. While it is obvious that Skyquake lost his arm (since it attacked Starscream), Starscream should have no knowledge of his fate beyond that.

===Continuity notes===
* This is the first truly Decepticon focused episode, with no Autobots appearing outside of flashbacks.
* This is also a clip show focusing on Starscream, so virtually every Starscream-relevant episode is revisited.
* This episode firmly establishes that Starscream never installed the T-cog he scavenged from the clone he murdered.
* Dreadwing learns of Starscream's attempt to revive Skyquake as a zombie minion, as well as his imprisonment in an alternate dimension.

===Transformers references===

===Real-world references===
*Dreadwing screaming to the sky in the rain at the end of the episode might be a reference to the Stephen King book, The Shawshank Redemption.
*When Starscream's memory of the attempt to unplug Megatron replays, Knock Out frantically looks for a fastfoward or erase button on the viewer. These are common features on DVR.

===Trivia===
* This is the first episode to feature humans after three episodes which didn't, albeit only in flashbacks.
* This is also the first episode to not feature any Autobots outside of flashbacks.
* Like in the previous episode, Megatron's mental projection has his original arm, not the Prime arm.
* For being clever enough to engineer a plan to successfully steal all four Omega Keys, Starscream didn't really think through his plan to regain Megatron's favor. He went in with no insurance policy to make sure Megatron didn't just simply scrap him and take the keys instead.
{{epstub}}

[[Category:Prime episodes]]
[[Category:Clip shows]]

Energon

2012-10-15T05:21:29Z

NexusPrime98: /* The Transformers cartoon */

{{disambig3|Energon}}
{{featured}}
[[Image:EnergonCubesCartoon1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Taste the not-so-rainbow-but-shiny-pink]]
'''Energon''' (sometimes spelled with a capital letter, sometimes not<ref>Original Sunbow documentation from the production of the Generation 1 cartoon series (as seen on the [[Metrodome]] DVD collections, among other places) alternates between spelling the fuel's name with an upper- and a lower-case "e", with the lower-case option appearing more frequently—a standard reflected in other contemporary media such as the [[Action Cards]], and even publications as recent as the [[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|''Timelines'' stories]] written by [[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]]. Only in recent years, beginning in force around the time of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' franchise, has the upper-case "Energon" become more pervasive, with perhaps the earliest example being its intermittent use in ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[instructions]] sheets (in reference to the line's [[rubsign]]s, which would alternately be called "Energon Chips", "Energon chips" and "energon chips". Most recently, the novel ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' and the ''Timelines'' stories by [[Jesse Wittenrich]] have used the capital-E spelling. This article opts to use the original lower-case as the default, using the upper-case for continuities where it has been explicitly spelled that way.</ref>) is the preferred fuel of the [[Transformer]] race. It takes many forms, including ore, crystal, gas, and raw energy, but it is most commonly used by Transformers in its liquid state, which is stored in many different mediums, most famously the [[energon cube]]. It is ubiquitous in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] culture; in addition to being the Transformers' primary "foodstuff", it also serves as the default power source for their machines and weapons, and is even used as a currency, a catch-all fuel of life, technology, war and commerce on Cybertron and beyond. This widespread use also comes in defiance of its extreme volatility: energon is prone to detonating explosively if mishandled, and is even used as ammunition in order to exploit this attribute.

True energon is an emanation of [[Primus]], the creator-god of the Transformers, and is, in its most [[Rarified Energon|rareified state]], the basic building block of Transformers' bodies and [[spark]]s. A highly coveted substance, it is sometimes capable of inducing remarkable transformations in Cybertronians, [[spontaneous recoloration|reshaping and otherwise altering]] their bodies while imbuing great strength and other powers, either temporary or permanent depending on the duration or strength of exposure. True energon is, however, extremely rare: in most [[universal stream]]s, the Transformers' long [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|war]] has left Cybertron drained of all but the smallest fraction of the substance, and although it ''has'' been known to exist on a small sampling of other planets throughout the multiverse (usually [[Earth]]), its paucity leaves the Transformers usually subsisting on artificially-generated substitutes created from other local energy sources.

{{bigquote|They're all after this stuff called Energon, which is kinda like food and gas and blood and electricity all mixed into one.|[[Raf Esquivel]]|[[Raf's Notes]]}}

==Conceptual history==
Energon has undergone extensive redefinition and reimagination over the past 25+ years of Transformers fiction.

[[Image:Energon_cube_design_evolution.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Layered, iridescent cubes alternated their screentime with non-layered ones before being supplanted entirely by purple ones.]]

When it was originally introduced in the [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|first episode]] of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon series]], energon was a liquid fuel used by the [[Decepticon]]s and stored in [[Energon cube|cubes]], which was created by processing virtually any available energy resource; in the opening mini-series alone, oil, [[Sherman Dam|hydro-electric power]], [[ruby crystal]]s and rocket fuel were all converted into energon, and many more types of energy would be used by the villains throughout the show's run. The cubes themselves began a visual evolution almost immediately: in "More than Meets the Eye", they were stacked high and filled with the energy in question, then compressed, taking on a layered appearance and an iridescent rainbow coloration, though they also appeared as solid cubes without the layered effect. Immediately following the mini-series, however, in "[[Transport to Oblivion]]", the stacking-and-compressing idea was omitted, and the cubes were instead colored a glowing purple-pink. This was the only time the cubes were depicted this way in season one; otherwise, they remained rainbow-hued, and alternated between layered and non-layered, for the remainder of the season and the early portion of season two, until the purple-pink cubes reappeared in "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]", and suddenly became the standard depiction of energon for the remainder of the cartoon—and indeed, the default coloration for energon in much future media.

It was very rarely overtly stated, but at this point in time, energon was treated as an exclusively-Decepticon energy; [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] had never heard of it in the pilot episode, while "[[Attack of the Autobots]]" presented the Autobots as using [[recharging chamber]]s to re-energize, and "[[Traitor]]" involved [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] puzzling over where [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] would have acquired energon from. This standard began to slip towards the end of the second season, presumably by accident rather than a deliberate change in policy—[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] spoke of having an "[[energon pump]]" in his body in "[[Sea Change]]", while "[[Masquerade]]" had the Autobots using [[energon bar]]s to hold the captive [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], and frustratingly, "[[War Dawn]]" depicted energon in use on Cybertron millions of years beforehand. The divide was eventually broken in a more conscious way by ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which had the Autobots using energon cubes and [[energon goodie|goodies]]. The movie's original script justified this change by explaining that [[Autobot City]] had been built to harness renewable, natural energy sources, thus supplying the Autobots with energon. The Autobots continued to use energon throughout the third season, and far beyond, with the idea of it being of Decepticon purview alone never revisited in any subsequent fiction.

[[Image:Raw energon.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The raw form of natural energon has taken several different forms in different continuities, including crystals and ore.]]

The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]] treated energon much like the cartoon did, depicting it as cubes produced by the processing of other energy sources, albeit freely used by both Autobots and Decepticons. The first piece of fiction to re-examine energon was, surprisingly, the short-lived and comparatively obscure 1987 comic ''[[Transformers in 3-D]]'' by [[Blackthorne Publishing]]. The first issue of the series, "[[The Test (issue)|The Test]]", was the first story to explicitly present energon as something other than an artificially-generated fuel, establishing that it also existed as a unique natural element. Through pleasant coincidence, the idea of natural energon returned and gained widespread acknowledgement in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon in 1996, where it was depicted as a highly unstable, naturally-occurring [[energon crystal|crystalline mineral]] that emitted dangerous radiation. In 2003, [[Dreamwave Productions]] directly incorporated the ''Beast Wars'' depiction of energon into its continuity, reconciling it with the liquid energon of Generation 1 by explaining that the liquid could be created by processing either the crystals, or, as seen in the cartoon, other natural resources. Later still, [[IDW Publishing]]'s continuity would specifically refer to energon created from sources other than natural energon as "artificial".

The series to truly redefine energon was, fittingly enough, the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' franchise. Taking its cue from ''Beast Wars'', the energon of ''Energon'' also existed naturally and was dangerous to Transformers before being processed into a usable form. Beyond these facts, however, it was scarcely recognizable as any of the substances seen in previous fiction, possessed as it was of several strange, unusual, and indeed, nigh-on ''magical'' powers, including the ability to cause full-body reconfiguration. Perhaps this was not so surprising, however, as ''Energon'' was the first series to depict the fuel as the creation of the nigh-magical Primus, who appeared in this series as a glowing orb of energon itself, and who had produced energon as part of a grand destiny for the Cybertronian race.

The 2007 live-action movie universe revisited the importance ''Energon'' had placed upon the titular fuel, establishing it as the source of Transformer life itself. It wasn't name-checked in the [[Transformers (film)|first film]] itself, but rather in the [[Transformers The Game|video game adaptation]] of the movie, where it was revealed to be the energy emitted by the life-giving [[AllSpark]]; unsurprising, given that the AllSpark was originally to be called the "Energon Cube". Soon after, in 2008, the ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (Comic Bun Bun)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' [[manga]] published in ''[[Comic Bun Bun]]'' combined some of the movie's ideas with the more "magical" concepts of ''Energon'', creating the power-boosting, body-transforming, vision-inducing [[Energon Cube]]. And while all this was going on, the ongoing comic book story published in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club]] magazine introduced [[Rarified Energon]], revealing that it was not merely a ''fuel'', but actually the base substance from which Transformers were ''created'' at the molecular level. The fuel being a product of Primus and the base material of Transformer life were key points in the 2010 novel, ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]''. With this knowledge, it might be safely theorized that the life-giving energy of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] is also a form of energon; something that had actually been claimed by the anomalous-at-the-time [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels.

[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]] gave furthur varieties of energon including a [[Tox-En|highly toxic form]] and a [[Red Energon|speed inducing form]]. The [[Aligned continuity family]] as a whole also introduced and capitalized on [[Dark Energon| dark energon]], the blood of [[Unicron]] and counter to the substance associated with Primus.

And that's where we are on understanding energon right now. The natural version of it comes from Primus himself, usually just on Cybertron but sometimes on other planets, while the liquid cubes we've been seeing since 1984 are an artificial substitute. Phew. Now, for specifics on energon in all of this various fiction, read on.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Cartoon continuity====
:''For further information, see: [[Energon cube]], [[energon-axe]], [[energon mace]], [[energon chains]], [[Energon Transfer Device]], [[energon convertor]], [[energon pump]], [[energon bar]], [[energon goodie]], [[energon infuser]]''
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[Image:Mtmte1 prepare the energon cubes.jpg|left|225px|thumb|Soundwave tests out a 'tapedeck enhancement' pill. Ahem.]]
The history of energon in this universe is confusing at best. It appears to have been in use on Cybertron in the distant past: the inhabitants of the colony world of [[Paradron]] were aware of it in the year 2006, despite fleeing Cybertron during [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|civil wars]] millions of years beforehand, {{storylink|Fight or Flee}} and nine million years ago, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]] and his [[Autobot]] dockworker companions were seen loading and transporting what very much appeared to be energon cubes as part of their daily routine. {{storylink|War Dawn}} These accounts, then, seem to stand in complete contradiction to the Autobots subsequent apparent ignorance and disuse of the fuel during their early years on Earth and the Decepticons' monopolization of it—but this would not be only time that Transformers were shown to have poor memories of their personal histories.<ref>Optimus Prime and [[Elita One]] completely forgot that Alpha Trion was their creator, for instance.</ref>

Over 1984 and 1985, energon cubes were solely seen being used by the Decepticons. The cubes were a self-sustaining forcefield framework with no internal mechanisms, which was capable of converting virtually any form of energy that entered it into liquid energon. The empty cubes initially had to be generated by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} but other Decepticons eventually gained the ability to manifest them. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} The Autobots' lack of knowledge about energon was displayed almost immediately after Transformers awoke on [[Earth]] in 1984; upon learning of Megatron's plan to convert Earthly resources into the fuel, Hound could only report back to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] that the villains were intending to create "some kind of cube". {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Indeed, even [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] showed a lack of familiarity with the cubes, driven as he was to test them so he could make sure they worked. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

[[Image:TransporttoOblivion fillingcubes.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Filling up the tanks... err... I mean cubes...]]
The Decepticons created energon from a massive amount of varied resources during their time on earth, ranging from conventional electricity, oil and geothermal to more esoteric, extra-dimensional sources like [[antimatter]]. The exact nature of the conversion process was never detailed, but usually simply involved taking an empty energon cube and attaching it to, or placing it next to, the energy source to be drained. The cube itself then carried out the conversion, processing the energy into liquid energon that filled the cube. Sometimes, the process required an [[Energon Transfer Device]]. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} Energon was occasionally influenced by the source materials used to create it, sometimes taking on its properties: Cubes created with anti-matter, for instance, reacted violently due to prolonged exposure to normal matter {{storylink|Roll for It}} while the especially pure oil of [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] yielded a particularly potent "super-energon" that "smelled" different (according to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]) and created an instantly perceptible increase in vigor and strength in those who consumed it. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}} In addition to powering them personally, the Decepticons occasionally used energon for even more nefarious means; Megatron's arsenal included an [[energon mace]], {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} and the Decepticons once forged [[energon chains]] to bind the Autobots with. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

[[Image:Gamblersmokescreenbets.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"Wait a minute." "What?" "Well, we're supposed to haggle."]]

Energon was first seen being used as a currency in the form of chips—by non-Cybertronians, no less—in the den of iniquity known as [[Sheol]], on the asteroid of [[Monacus]], where the Decepticons were running a protection racket, forcing local crime boss [[Gyconi|Lord Gyconi]] to pay them a cut of his profits. This dank place was also home to the first documented instance of Autobots running on energon, when Gyconi powered up a group of Autobots he had captured with an unstable brew that quickly depleted and left them defenseless during pit fights. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

Other than this forced instance, the Autobots refrained from using energon during their first year on Earth: [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] was heard to balk at the notion of Mirage having energon cubes, {{storylink|Traitor}} while the Autobots used [[recharging chamber]]s to re-energize themselves, rather than drinking energon. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}} Evidently, however, they began experimenting and using energon some time in 1985; when describing his physiology to the [[Tlalakan]] [[Alana]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] noted that he had an [[energon pump]] inside him, {{storylink|Sea Change}} and when they captured the Stunticons, the Autobots used [[energon bar]]s to imprison them. {{storylink|Masquerade}} By the year 2005, they had fully embraced energon as their own fuel, and began creating and storing it at Autobot City on Earth, using it to power their attempt to retake Cybertron after the planet fell entirely into Decepticon hands. The Autobots followed the Decepticons' lead in their use of energon cubes, but also created the bite-sized "[[energon goodie]]". {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}} By 2006, use of energon had become widespread enough in the galaxy that it was on the menu at a neutral alien space station visited by [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Octane]], although their energon was served in the unique form of small orange wedges. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

[[Image:Microbots_overenergizing.jpg|right|thumb|275px|"''Red solo cup....I fill you up.....Lets have a partyyyyyyyyyy....''"]]

Liquid energon is measured in [[astroliter]]s. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} Transformers consume energon in the same manner as [[human]]s eat or drink: by simply putting it in their open mouths. The liquid can be drunk from a whole cube, leaving the empty framework behind, {{storylink|Microbots}} but the framework itself is obviously safe to "eat" as well, as Transformers have also been seen biting into cubes, breaking pieces off to chew on, and in the case of particularly large individuals, eating them whole. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}. Notably, breaking a chunk off a cube does not damage the structural integrity of either the cube or the removed piece; evidently, the forcefield resolves itself around the broken area to prevent spillage of the precious contents. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Once consumed, energon is passed through an [[energon convertor]] within the Transformer's systems. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} Excessive consumption of energon results in "over-energizing", a state of inebriation accompanied by all the singing, burbling and reminiscing that you might expect. {{storylink|Microbots}} In emergency cases, a shot of energon can be injected directly into a Transformer's system with an [[energon infuser]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

{{note|Later media has classified the energy axe Optimus Prime wields in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]" as an "[[energon-axe]]", but this is something of a misnomer as far as cartoon continuity goes, as the only time he was seen to use the axe in this continuity was when the Autobots were not supposedly ''using'' energon.}}{{-}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
:''For further information, see: [[energon wine]], [[Energon Z]]''
[[Image:Sixshot energon.jpg|left|thumb|250px|When Sixshot is on the road, he carries his liquid energon in a Transformers lunchbox.]]
By the year 2011, Earth had also embraced the potential that energon held to solve its own energy crisis. Earth's ambassador to Cybertron, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], worked closely with the Autobots and teams of human scientists to develop new sources of energon, which was closely stockpiled, guarded and rationed between Cybertron, Earth and the Autobots' secondary headquarters on the planet [[Athenia]]. [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] had little tolerance for [[energon wine]], over-energizing after a single glass, {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} while Spike viewed the energon as so important that when the energy-starved planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]] sent a request for aid, he had to crunch the numbers to see if it was viable to share any! {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

The Decepticons also continued energon production, spreading their reach to more and more planets, raiding the worlds of [[Hive (planet)|Hive]], {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} [[Twin Star]], {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} [[Daros]], {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} [[Paradise]] {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} and the [[Pirate Planet]] {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}} as part of a master plan by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to accumulate a huge quantity of the fuel, which he would then use to help him integrate the very Earth into his body. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

[[Image:EnergonZ.jpg|right|thumb|I love... lava lamp.]]
Galvatron's rival for leadership, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], did not place nearly as much significance on energon, instead experimenting with the deadly [[plasma energy]] to achieve his goals. He still drank it, though, and being an evil mastermind, he did enjoy swishing it around in a snifter, because he was classy like that. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} [[Sixshot]] also enjoyed taking his energon in a glass, and was less prone to crushing them in fits of melodramatic rage than Scorponok was. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

Energon fell out of focus after Scorponok's Decepticons were forced off Earth; the forces of [[Devil Z]] who terrorized the planet a few years later were not interested in gathering energy, {{storylink|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce}} while [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]'s campaign against Earth in 2025 targeted a wide array of different energy types, not bothering with the energon conversion process. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory}} The Autobots did continue to experiment with the fuel on the planet [[Micro]], however, and developed an even more potent version known as "[[Energon Z]]", which became a target for [[Violen Jiger]] and his [[Nine Great Demon Generals]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Zone}}
{{-}}

====Marvel Comics continuity====
{{see|Energon Stick}}
[[Image:Energoncubesrockandrollout.jpg|left|150px|thumb]]
[[Image:FinalBattle-energonsticks.jpg|right|160px|thumb|Stick, cube, whatever!]]

Although energon was not mentioned by name until the Transformers had been on Earth for a while, it ''was'' quickly established that Earthly fuels were incompatible with Cybertronian systems and needed to undergo ''some'' kind of conversion process before they were consumable. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

Energon made its first named appearance with the debut of a [[power siphon]] invented by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], which was capable of converting multiple energy sources into energon cubes. After testing it out on oil from a captured [[Blackrock Corporate Conglomerate|Blackrock Enterprises]] offshore oil platform, the villains then took it to a [[Brick Springhorn]] concert and used it to make cubes from the raucous sonic energy of the singer's performance. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

The Autobots also went on to make smart use of energon: [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] invented a [[Geothermal Generator]] to transform the [[Earth]]'s underground heat into energon cubes, successfully producing so many that the Autobots were able to power the entire [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and get the ship airborne again. {{storylink|Used Autobots}} They were also seen using a [[:Image:Marvel52 concentratedenergoncubes.jpg|concentrated form of energon]], green in color and much smaller and less-explosive than normal cubes, which was employed as currency when dealing with alien races. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] complained to himself about an energon shortage on Earth and planned to use [[Dynamo|Hector Dialonzo]] as some kind of super-[[Powermaster]]. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}}

In an alternate future timeline, when the Autobots were stranded on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] tried making peace with the native [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] using the [[universal greeting]] and the offering of [[Energon Stick|energon sticks]]. Junkion leader [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] was most enthralled by the "tasty sticks". {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

{{note|Energon sticks were called for by the script of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', but were replaced in the finished film by energon goodies. The sticks appear in the comic book adaptation of the film (albeit ''called'' "energon cubes", even though they are not drawn as such), as well as other works based on the script like the [[Sticker Adventures]] book, ''[[Battle on the Junk Planet]]''.}}

In a different alternate future, [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] conquered the western hemisphere of Earth and planned on allowing the [[European Crisis Coalition]] to nuke North and [[South America]] to smithereens. He would have hid behind the shield generated at the East Coast [[Decepticon Powerbase]] while various powerbases converted the resulting radiation into energon. It didn't work out that way. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

====''Transformers in 3D''====
[[Image:Energon molecule.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Energon is alien poop? We guess Primus works in mysterious ways...]]

This universe is home to the first documented appearance of the true element of energon. The conversion process for transforming the element into a consumable form involves combining it with various other molecules, resulting in what is termed "pure energon". While not discussed explicitly, this would imply the existence of an "impure" energon that can be manufactured without use of the element.

True energon was evidently rare enough that it's discovery was cause for immediate action, as evidenced when both the Autobots and Decepticons mobilized with haste to investigate a potential source of it on a barren asteroid far from Cybertron. Puzzlingly, their quest led to some small, organic alien creatures, and each faction took one back to their base for study. It was [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], studying the creatures' biological processes, who realized that their ''excrement'' was true energon! Before anything could be done with this information, however, a battle broke out between the two faction, and the two aliens wandered off, revealed to actually be supremely intelligent lifeforms who had been employed to spy on the Transformers by the [[Quintesson]]s! {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}{{-}}

====European toy bio continuity====

[[Image:Energonfigures.jpg|right|thumb]]

{{see|Energon figure}}

The many deadly functions of the dimension-traversing [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]'s body were controlled by "[[Energon figure]]s", small humanoid forms that could transform into engines and connect to his body. To stop this monolithic horror, the Autobots stole and duplicated the technology, providing the trio known as the [[Motorvator]]s with Energon Figures that gave them new powers: [[Flame (Motorvator)|Flame]]'s Energon Figure had an analytical compu-unit that gave him enhanced problem solving abilities, [[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]]'s provided the dual functions of wide-sweep radar and sonic scanner, while [[Lightspeed (Motorvator)|Lightspeed]]'s was equipped with micro lens photo-record equipment. <ref>Overlord, Gripper, Flame and Lightspeed's [[bio]]s and packaging blurbs.</ref>

====Beast Era====
=====''Beast Wars'' cartoon=====
:''For further information, see: [[Energon crystal]], [[energon radiation]], [[energon discharge virus]], [[energon storm]], [[energon armor]], [[furmanite|anti-energon]]''
[[Image:PowerSurge energon crystals.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
Following the information on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] to prehistoric Earth, the teams of [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] under the command of [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] discovered the planet to be teeming with natural crystalline energon. In fact, the element was in such abundance that it had blanketed the planet with an all-encompassing field of [[energon radiation]], which threatened to overload the Transformers' unprotected bodies and send them into [[stasis lock]]. As the organic creatures of the planet were unaffected by the radiation, the Maximals and Predacons adopted beast modes with organic skins in order to shield themselves from its harmful effects, able only to transform into robot mode outside of their shielded headquarters for comparatively short periods of time before the energon build-up in their systems became dangerous. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} Manipulation of the crystals was a particularly challenging task, given their explosive instability; among the Predacons, only [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] had the skill to carve them up safely. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 2)}} If a significant mass of crystals exploded, the radiation could interact with the local atmosphere and induce an [[energon storm]] that would see energon lance from the sky as lightning. {{storylink|Bad Spark}} While it was experimented with, used to power various machines and even weaponized on occasion, neither the Maximals nor the Predacons were ever seen actually ''consuming'' any energon during their [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] on Earth, but it certainly did run through their bodies, as demonstrated rather violently when [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was infected with an [[energon discharge virus]] that left him sneezing and...''otherwise'' shooting energon out of his body. {{storylink|The Low Road}}
[[Image:TangledWeb_energon_cubes.jpg|right|thumb|225px]]
By all accounts, the existence of natural energon on a planet other than Cybertron was not uncommon in this universe, but it was eventually revealed that the energon was not there naturally: Earth had been ''seeded'' with the crystals by the mysterious aliens known as the [[Vok]].<ref>''Beast Wars'' writer [[Larry DiTillio]] envisioned the Vok as placing the energon on Earth for future generations of humanity to find and use as a clean energy source.</ref> Viewing the intrusion of the Transformers onto the planet as a disruption to enigmatic experiments they were conducting on Earth, the Vok attempted to "sterilize" their work-surface by activating their orbital [[Planet Buster]] weapon, and blasting the planet with its energy beam. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}} This beam caused most of the planet's energon crystals to explode before it was destroyed by Optimus Primal, but a not-insubstantial portion of them remained, some of which were transformed into a more stable form referred to as "energon cubes". {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}} These rarely-seen "natural" cubes are different to the artificial energon cubes seen in other universes; they remain composed of crystal, but are much safer to handle and to generally be around, unless they are cracked, at which point the radiation locked within them will be violently released. {{storylink|Tangled Web}}
{{-}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
{{see|Energon Matrix}}
[[Image:PrimalLeadershipMatrix1.jpg|left|thumb|200px|]]
At some point over the three centuries that followed the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], a new energon-powered device was created: the [[Energon Matrix]]. Sculpted in the likeness of the legendary [[Matrix of Leadership]], these objects of power were given to [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]-ranked [[Maximal]]s, and were capable of supplying huge boosts of energon to their wielders in moments of desperate need, which could be further magnified if more than one Energon Matrix was used together. These power boosts could massively enhance the wielder's physical attributes, usually accompanied by [[spontaneous recoloration]], such as when Optimus Primal and Lio Convoy used theirs to become the super-strong "Burning Convoy" and super-fast "Flash Lio Convoy", {{storylink|Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!}} or be released as mighty energy blasts, as when [[Big Convoy]] combined his with his [[Big Cannon]] to create a weapon powerful enough to obliterate [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (BWN)|The Final Battle}} The Matrices may also have some connection to [[Vector Sigma]], the mega-computer at the heart of Cybertron, since it was able to communicate through Big Convoy's Matrix, making him say what it wanted. {{storylink|Big Convoy, Move Out}}

When Optimus Primal and Lio Convoy were caught up in the dimensional fissure known as the [[Blasty Zone]], they found themselves teleported from their respective time periods to Earth circa 2004. Here, they teamed up with Optimus Prime, and their Energon Matrices apparently unlocked the power of an Energon Matrix within Prime himself, as he was soon using his in tandem with theirs to create shatteringly powerful attacks like the "Double Convoy Tornado" {{storylink|Fight! The Group of the Strongest Commanders!}} and the "Lio Typhoon Arrow". {{storylink|The Lio Convoy Typhoon Enters (episode)|The Lio Convoy Typhoon Enters}}
{{-}}

====Dreamwave comics continuity====
{{see|Energon Pools}}
[[Image:OriginalSin PushButton.jpg|right|thumb|160px]]
{{note|The Dreamwave continuity specifically incorporates the depiction of energon as seen in the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.}}
Natural Energon exists in crystalline form both on Cybertron and select other planets throughout the galaxy, with Earth being home to a particularly high concentration of it. Transformers can power themselves off the crystals by using ambient absorption circuits in their body to soak up their energy, but this is always a dicey prospect, given the explosive nature of the mineral. For safety's sake, the crystals are usually processed into a liquid state before they consumed by Transformers, at which point the Energon can be taken orally in robot mode or loaded directly into the Transformer's fuel tank in alternate mode. This processed, liquid Energon can also be synthesised from other energy resources—an unfortunate necessity, given the rarity of the natural crystals on Cybertron after the Transformers' war took its toll on the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye #8}}

Approximately 3.5 million years ago, Cybertron's supply of Energon was completely depleted, and the entire planet and all the Transformers on it were deactivated for a long, pre-programmed period known as the [[Great Shutdown]]. During this time, Cybertron slowly regenerated, and by the time the Transformers came back online around 3000 years ago, Energon was back in supply. With Cybertron restored to peace, the fuel was no longer a scarcity; by 2003, the [[High Council Pavilions]]' [[Energon Pools]] were recharged {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} and the Transformers had even started canning the fuel in [[Kremzeek]]-branded cans, which were enjoyed by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] in a moment of riverside relaxation {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} and served at Autobot strategy meetings along with small Energon cubes. {{storylink|Original Sin}}

{{note|A large pool of purple-pink goop was uncovered beneath the surface of the Earth by [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] in "Original Sin", but it was never explained if this was actually energon or not, since Dreamwave went bankrupt and ceased publication before this plot thread could be revisited.}}{{-}}
=====Keepers Trilogy novels=====
{{note|Although they are notionally part of the Dreamwave continuity, the depiction of energon in the [[Keepers Trilogy]] of novels stands in complete contradiction to Dreamwave's writings.}}
Pure energon is a silvery-yellow liquid that exists naturally on certain planets, and is the power source of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. During a battle with the alien [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] in [[Las Vegas]], a subterranean reservoir of the fuel was discovered beneath the city that was of such size that Optimus Prime claimed he had never seen so much of it in one place before. With an American nuclear missing streaking towards Vegas in order to eliminate both the Keepers and the Transformers, Prime immersed himself in the energon pool, supercharging the Matrix and suffusing his entire body with the energon's power. With this added power, Prime used the Matrix to contain and redirect the nuclear blast, apparently destroying the Keepers while protecting the rest of the city. {{storylink|Annihilation}}

====IDW comics continuity====
{{see|Ultra-Energon}}
[[Image:Stormbringer1_ultra_energon.jpg|left|thumb|]]
In this universe, natural energon is known only to exist on Cybertron, {{storylink|Escalation issue 1|Escalation #1}} and in the pre-war days, Megatron was among the workers that mined it. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 1|Megatron Origin #1}} Unfortunately for the Transformers, their war stripped Cybertron of its resources, energon included, precipitating a cataclysm that ultimately rendered the planet sterile and uninhabitable. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} With their homeworld lost to them, the Autobots and Decepticons subsequently scattered across the galaxy, seeking new sources of fuel, subsisting on "artificial energon derivatives" and "foul local brews" {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} that [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] described as "nowhere near as good as the real thing". {{storylink|Spotlight: Cliffjumper}}

Millennia beforehand, the Decepticon logician [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] correctly predicted that Cybertron's resources would eventually dry up, and formulated the [[Regenesis]] program as a countermeasure to the inevitable energon drought. Distilling energon, he created an ore with which he seeded specially-selected planets—including Earth—where energon would then flourish and grow, so that he could harvest it in the centuries to come. In fact, the worlds became ''so'' rich in energon that they began to undergo geological collapse, generating an atmosphere that was hazardous to Transformer life. [[Image:Infiltration6 starscream on ultraenergon.jpg|right|thumb|Hepped up on goofballs.]] Shockwave visited each of the planets and regulated the reactions with [[global damper]]s, but when he visited Earth, he was stopped by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] and buried in a volcanic eruption, leaving his grand vision for the energon unrealized. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}}

Investigating Shockwave's research, the scheming [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] learned of the Regenesis program, and travelled to Earth in the 1980s to harvest a sample of the super-powerful energon that had matured there. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}} Using this "[[Ultra-Energon]]", as he termed it, Bludgeon reactivated the monstrous [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to facilitate his agenda of conquest. {{storylink|The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer}} Meanwhile, a team of Decepticons led by Starscream independently discovered the existence of the Ultra-Energon on Earth and, dubbing it "Ore-13", initiated [[infiltration protocol]] to conquer the planet and harvest it. Seeing in Ore-13 the potential power to help him overthrow Megatron, Starscream powered himself up with the energon and staged his own coup. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} It was the instability of the Ultra-Energon that was the downfall of both Starscream and Thunderwing: although the additional power it provided them was undeniable, it burnt out very quickly, at which point they were left extremely weakened and easily bested.

The methods by which energon is distilled and absorbed in this universe are not particularly detailed. Natural energon is mined as ore, and undergoes processing into an unknown state, after which it has only been shown being absorbed via a [[delivery capsule]], a large full body capsule which the Transformer enters. Even what goes on inside the capsule is unknown; all that can be discerned is that when the process is over, a cloud of gas colored in energon's traditional purple-pink escapes as the capsule re-opens. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} In contrast, Cliffjumper required no capsule to take in artificial energon from a convertor; it was simply transferred through a tube that ran from the device into a port in his forearm. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cliffjumper}} Energon flows within Transformers' bodies in purple-pink liquid form, which is prone to splattering ''eeeeverywhere'' if the Transformer receives serious injury. {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers}}
{{-}}

====''Henkei! Henkei! Comic Bun Bun'' manga====

{{see|Energon Cube}}
[[Image:Henkei chpt 03 energon-cube chase.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
This universe's Cybertron gained its supply of energon from the colossal "Energon Cube", a solid mass of energon bigger than a starship. When it was lost to the reaches of space, [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]] each led two small teams in pursuit of it, but they were unable to intercept the Cube before it crash-landed on Earth and shattered into innumerable fragments that were scattered all across the planet. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}} Additionally, the release of energy caused by the cube's shattering endowed a special ability in some newborn babies within range of the impact wave: they became [[Booster]]s, legendary beings able to generate and control energon. {{storylink|Wataru's Power}}

The Autobots and Decepticons hid themselves amongst human society to search for the cube shards and the Boosters. Both sides were able to accumulate substantial portions of energon, but only the Autobots were able to locate any Boosters: first was [[Akira Kihara]], who sadly died using his powers to save Optimus Prime, {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} and second was [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]]. When they first met Wataru, the Autobots were unaware that he was a Booster, but Optimus Prime soon realized the truth after showing Wataru the chunk of the Energon Cube that they had recovered. [[Image:Henkei8 megatron energon bath.jpg|right|thumb|225px]] When Wataru touched the shard, a wave of energon swept over the Autobots, healing their wounds and offering them a mystic, cross-dimensional vision of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|another time and place]]. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

As a Booster, Wataru was able to aid his Autobot allies by temporarily increasing their strength, healing their injuries, generating protective forcefields and powering up their weapons, as he did when he transformed Optimus Prime's [[energon-axe]] into a sword that the Autobot leader used to grievously wound Megatron. {{storylink|Optimus Prime's Secret}} [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] sought to heal his leader by placing him in a bath of molten energon cubes, but Optimus Prime tracked him down while he was still recovering. Megatron flew into a rage at the sight of Prime, and the energon began reacting to his furious emotions, levitating and whirling around. The maddened Megatron seized one of the cubes and bit deeply into it, triggering an explosive release of power. Consumed by the explosion, Megatron emerged, transformed by the power of energon into [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]]! {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}}
{{-}}

===Robots in Disguise===
:''For further information, see: [[Energon chains]].''

[[Image:Sideburnsobsession_energon_chains.jpg|left|thumb]]
Energon played only a minimal role in this universe, as the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]] came to Earth in search of [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], rather than for more traditional energy theft. It did crop up from time to time, though: the Predacons' craft, the [[Megastar]], ran on energon cubes, and they carried out a few heists to gather up Earthly energy sources they could process to create them—though flashlight batteries were not an especially viable option for conversion. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}} Either the conversion or the process by which the cubes powered the ship involved a smelter. {{storylink|The Fish Test}} At one point, the Predacons created chains from energon and staged a trap for the Autobots using them. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

Energon is ingested through an "energon intake" {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} and comes in "leaded" and "unleaded" varieties—[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] swore off the latter when he found he didn't have the energy to keep up with the speedy [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]]. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}
{{note|In the original Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'', Optimus Prime wields an Energon Matrix (see [[#Beast Era|Beast Era]], above) rather than the Matrix of Leadership.}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
:''For further information, see: [[energon star]], [[energon weapon]], [[Energon Sword]], [[Energon Saber]], [[energon tower]], [[energon grid]], [[Energon Blaster]], [[Energon band]], [[Energon Orb]], [[energon gas]], [[Super Energon]], [[Energon Volant Accumulator]], [[energon tomato]]

====''Energon'' cartoon====

[[Image:Energonep1_omnicons_and_energon.jpg|right|thumb|220px]]

Energon exists naturally on multiple planets throughout the universe in the form of glowing golden ore. Following the end of [[The Unicron Battles]] in 2010, the allied forces of the Autobots and Decepticons united with humankind to mine Energon for the betterment of both their species. The Transformers' reawakened creator-god Primus—manifesting in this universe as a glowing white orb of Energon itself—bestowed upon the young human [[Kicker Jones]] the ability to sense the location of Energon, {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}} and Kicker's father, [[Brian Jones (Energon)|Brian Jones]], used his son's new power to find Energon deposits on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], in the [[asteroid belt]] and on multiple locations on Earth. The Transformers and humans set up [[Cybertron City (city)|Cybertron Cities]] in all these various locations to mine the ore: [[Mars City]], [[Asteroid City]], [[Ocean City]], [[Plains City]] in [[United Kingdom|England]], [[Jungle City]] in [[Mexico]], [[Desert City]] in [[Egypt]], [[Blizzard City]] in the [[Arctic]], {{storylink|Unicron Trilogy guidebooks#Energon|Transformers Energon Official Guidebook}} and later [[Lunar City]] on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. {{storylink|Kicker Beware!}}

[[Image:Energonep2 energon stars.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]

In its unprocessed form, Energon ore is bursting with raw energy, and hence hazardous to normal Transformer life. The only Transformers capable of safely handling energon are the [[Omnicon]]s, whose bodies became immunized to the ore's hazardous effects after years of mining it in space, and the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|Survival Instincts}} These master Energon sculptors can absorb the energy from Energon ore into their bodies, and then generate sold-state [[Energon star]]s that can be given to other Autobots to temporarily boost their strength. The Stars are also capable of generating [[Energon weapon]]s like spears and axes, though these drastically shorten the Star's lifespan. {{storylink|Scorpinok}} In one particularly puzzling instance, the interaction of multiple Energon Stars with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s [[Matrix of Leadership#Unicron Trilogy|Matrix of Leadership]] led to the creation of the [[Energon Blaster]]. {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}} Energon can also be processed into a liquid form that can be used as a medicinal bath capable of incredible feats like limb regeneration. {{storylink|Megatron Raid}} This refined, positively-charged "Autobot" Energon is typically red in color.

[[Image:Energonep3_shock_shock_shock.jpg|right|thumb|220px]]

In 2020, trapped in the ruined, deactivated body of Unicron, the insane alien [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] realized Energon's immense potential to create, and using what little Energon remained in the planet-eater's husk, created the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] from the very substance of Unicron to raid the Autobots' Energon mines. It was Alpha Q's intention to use indefinable, mystic properties of the Energon they would gather to recreate all the worlds that Unicron had consumed over the millennia. {{storylink|A Tale of Two Heros}} To rally the disenfranchised Decepticons to his side, Alpha Q forged an [[Energon Sword]] from the Spark of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], who had been trapped in Unicron's body for a decade. {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}} Megatron, however, was able to siphon off some of the Energon the Terrorcons returned with and crafted a new body for himself, ousting Alpha Q (who escaped in Unicron's disembodied head) and taking control of the Terrorcons. Under Megatron's directions, the Terrorcons gathered Energon to rebuild Unicron himself, so that Megatron could use him as a weapon. {{storylink|Megatron Resurrected}} The Terrorcons were created to be immune to the harmful effects of raw Energon; they consume it orally, and convert it into green, negatively-charged "Decepticon" Energon Stars internally. Like the Autobots' Omnicon-made stars, these could be used by the Decepticons as power-enhancers, but they apparently remained unsafe to touch directly: When [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] tried to grab one, he received a debilitating jolt of energy that scarred his body with jagged lightning patterns. {{storylink|Scorpinok}} The Terrorcons were also not the only thing Alpha Q used Energon to create: using the small supply he had left after escaping from Megatron, he restored the deceased [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] to life. Unfortunately, he ran out halfway through the process, leaving Starscream incomplete, a sort of Energon "ghost", whose body constantly shifted from physical to incorporeal. {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}}

[[Image:Energonep14 energon grid.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]

Setting off into space to stop Megatron's plans, the Autobots left Earth protected by Doctor Jones's newest Energon innovation: the [[Energon grid]], a protective field of plasma-state Energon generated by [[energon tower]]s positioned at each of the Cybertron Cities. {{storylink|Battle of the Asteroid Belt}} The mechanism was later duplicated on Cybertron, where the towers were fuelled by [[Energon gas|gaseous green Energon]]. {{storylink|Battle Stations}} Earth's defense had to be sacrificed for the greater good, however, when Kicker convinced his father to beam all of Earth's Energon to Alpha Q, who used it to charge Unicron's head. Alpha Q rammed the positively-charged head into Unicron's body, causing the release of the "sparks" of all the planets Unicron had destroyed. {{storylink|Open Fire!}} Trying to destroy Alpha Q, Megatron triggered the release of all the negatively-charged Energon in Unicron's body, causing a violent reaction between the two kinds of Energon that tore open a fissure in space. {{storylink|Ripped Up Space}}

[[Image:Energonep28 energon sun.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Red sun at night, sailor’s delight. Red sun in morning, sailor’s warning.]]

In the [[Alpha Q's universe|newly-created dimension]] this fissure led to, Unicron's head became a glowing [[Energon Orb|sun]], nurturing all the reborn planets with its life-giving Energon light. Consequently, however, all of the planets were rich in Energon themselves, making them ripe targets for Decepticon pillaging. {{storylink|Protection}} Alas, the villains were able to gather enough Energon to restore and reactivate Unicron's body, and even reclaimed his head, extinguishing the Energon sun it had become and killing Alpha Q in the process. {{storylink|A Heroic Battle}} To stop Megatron's schemes, Primus transmitted Energon from Cybertron to the Autobots, [[burning justice|recoloring and powering them up]], and transforming the combined Optimus Prime and [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] into a planetary-scale giant. {{storylink|Optimus Supreme}} Prime and Omega were able to destroy Unicron's body, but Alpha Q's planets were in danger of dying due to the destruction of Energon sun. {{storylink|Unicron Perishes}} Salvation came in the form of Primus's greatest creation: a reservoir of liquid blue [[Super Energon]], sealed away beneath Cybertron's surface, from a time when Autobots and Decepticons were allies, intended to usher in a new era of peace. {{storylink|Ambition}} This Energon had incredibly potent transformational abilities: it transformed Megatron into Galvatron, recolored and powered up [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], {{storylink|Wishes}} and turned [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]] Terrorcons into giants. {{storylink|Decepticon Army}} A second immersion transformed Galvatron into a giant as well, at which point he was possessed by Unicron's still-living [[Spark]], but Primus orchestrated his downfall by gathering up the entire reservoir of Super-Energon and transforming it into a new foundling sun. Struggling against Unicron's control, Megatron flung himself into the sun, and both he and the planet-eater were seemingly destroyed as it burst into life. This new Energon sun took up position in Alpha Q's universe, nurturing his planets once more. {{storylink|The Sun}}

====''Energon'' comic====
[[Image:Energon22_terrorcons_power_up.jpg|left|thumb|250px]]

In this universal stream, Energon's raw form is a green gas. It normally undergoes processing before use for optimal efficiency, but even in its crude gaseous form, it remains a very effective power source. [[Energon Volant Accumulator]] planes are used to collect Energon vapour before it is lost to the atmosphere. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 4}}

The existence of pockets of energon gas on Earth was discovered by the alternative energy research and development company [[Alterenergy]], who dubbed it "01 Source". Unknown the public, the discovery was the work of Alterenergy consultant Brian Jones, whose son Kicker had the unexplained ability to detect Energon. This made Alterenergy a target for the Terrorcons, a cell of Decepticons who had been recruited by the evil alien [[Alpha Quintesson]], who bade them gather Energon to reactivate his master Unicron. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath}} Attacking Alterenergy's [[Australia|Western Australia]] facility, the Terrorcons stole Energon using siphons that condensed the gas into green liquid form, which they then used to power themselves up with. [[Image:Energon29 energon weapons.jpg|right|thumb|350px]] Thankfully, the Autobots arrived, able to take on their Energon-empowered foes thanks to their new [[Spark of Combination|combining abilities]]. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Three}} Following the Autobots' victory, {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Four}} they entered into an alliance with the humans, and began setting up drilling sites around the Earth to replenish their own dwindling supplies of Energon. {{storylink|Omni-Potent}}

Energon can be shaped and moulded by the small group of evolved [[Mini-Con]]s known as Omnicons, who can fire it as blasts, create energy-constructs from it and sculpt it into powerful weapons. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Four}} Kicker also discovered that his energon-manipulating powers had evolved when he was attacked by Decepticons over an Energon pocket in [[Turkey]] and was able to channel and redirect the energy into the Omnicons. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 4}}

===Live-action film series===
:''For further information see: [[AllSpark]], [[Energon drone]], [[Dual Energon Swords]], [[Energon detector]]

{{quote|Without it, we'd all perish, oxidize and rust, ''like my wretched self!'' Do you have any idea what it's like to slowly fall apart and die?!|[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] explains the importance of Energon|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

[[Image:Defiance4 allspark creates primes.jpg|left|thumb|165px]]

Cybertron's source of Energon in this universe was the legendary, life-giving [[AllSpark]] cube, which sustained the planet and the Transformer race through its constant generation of the fuel, presumably in the form of crystals or ore. It was the Energon produced by the AllSpark that gave life to the first Cybertronians, the [[Dynasty of Primes]], creating them from Cybertron's metal surface itself. The Primes were soon to learn that the AllSpark's supply of Energon was not infinite: it required periodic recharging to continue Energon generation, and the only source of energy viable enough was that of suns. Using [[Star Harvester]]s, the Primes converted the suns of lifeless star systems into Energon, which fuelled the AllSpark, in turn allowing it to generate exponentially greater amounts of the energy, thereby allowing Cybertron to thrive, and more and more Transformers to be given life. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}

Millions of years later, at the height of the civil war between the Autobots and Decepticons, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] had the AllSpark blasted into space, to put its power beyond the reach of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Without the AllSpark's constant supply of Energon, however, Cybertron began to atrophy, eventually becoming a ruin of a planet, uninhabitable by the Transformers. They too took to the stars, searching for the lost cube: the Autobots to reinvigorate Cybertron, Megatron planning to use its Energon to bring to life the machinery of other worlds, forging an even greater army. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}} Without true Energon from the Allspark, the Transformers were forced instead to subsist on a manufactured brew processed out of other natural resources on the other worlds they visited. Although much more stable that the Energon of most universes, if this artificial Energon ''were'' hypothetically detonated, the resultant explosion would be large enough to obliterate most of a good-sized continent. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}

[[Image:MovieAdaptation4 nokia bot.jpg|right|thumb|275px]]

The AllSpark landed on Earth in what would become Colorado, directly on top of an entrance into a mysterious network of subterranean caves that criss-crossed the entire planet. The cube's Energon radiation was funnelled into the tunnels for thousands of years, stimulating the growth of Energon ore, and mutating the animals that lived there into huge monstrosities. The Energon was discovered in caves in the Sierra Nevada mountains by gentleman adventurers [[Walter Simmons]] and [[Theodore Joseph Wells]] in the late 19th Century, {{storylink|Original}} but while these two men would go on to found the organization [[Sector Seven]], dedicated to protecting the Earth against the Transformers, they would not realize that this discovery was connected to their larger mission until they found the AllSpark and excavated it in 1913, uncovering more of the substance in the caves beneath it. They also discovered the abandoned [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]] [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], who was looking for the cube himself, and who accidentally triggered a surge of Energon from it that overloaded his systems and brought a nearby crane, car, gun and radio to life. {{storylink|Irreplaceable}} Energon was the subject of some study on Earth in later years; scientist [[Dina Morgan]] experimented with the energy potential of converting the crystals into liquid, and a memo about her research was later discovered by [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] during his advance recon on the planet in the early 21st century. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Chevy Autobots}}

In 2007, Bumblebee was joined on the planet by more representatives of both factions, leading to a battle for possession of the AllSpark in [[Mission City]], during which a wave of Energon was released that brought [[Dispensor|several]] [[Xbox 360 robot|Earth]] [[steering wheel robot|machines]] to life. Ultimately, the cube was destroyed when [[Sam Witwicky]] plunged it into Megatron's Spark, overloading and apparently destroying him. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}} Following the destruction of the cube and the defeat of the Decepticons, the Autobots allied with humankind, and, lacking the time to confirm the presence of true Energon on Earth, instead began stockpiling manufactured Energon at [[NEST]] base on [[Diego Garcia]]. When questioned about the substance by [[Robert Epps]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] explained that it was basically useless to humanity; they could not use it to power weapons the way the Transformers did (like Optimus Prime's [[Dual Energon Swords]]) because its chemical composition was far beyond their ability to master. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}

[[Image:ROTF jetfire awakens.jpg|left|thumb|250px]]

In 2009, the small fragments that remained of the AllSpark cube were revealed to still possess Energon-generating powers when one was stolen by the Decepticons and used to restore Megatron to life. At the bidding of his master, a renegade member of the Dynasty of Primes known as [[The Fallen]], Megatron uncovered a hidden Star Harvester The Fallen had built in Egypt nineteen thousand years beforehand, planning to use it to convert Earth's sun into Energon that could be used to sire a new race of Decepticon [[hatchling]]s. Another shard brought a group of [[Appliancebot|kitchen appliances]] in Sam Witwicky's home to life; Sam later used it to rouse Jetfire from his years-long slumber. Jetfire was living proof of the fact that without regular consumption of Energon of any kind, a Transformer's body and mind begin to slowly break down, rusting away in a kind of robotic senility. By combining with Jetfire, Optimus Prime gained the power to stop Megatron and The Fallen and destroy the Star Harvester. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
[[Image:ROTF fallen leaks energon.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The [[Tony Todd|Candyman]] can, 'cause he mixes it with love, and makes the world taste good...]]
Not long after the Autobot victory in Egypt, [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] stumbled across a cave full of natural Energon, and was nearly brainwashed by the Decepticon [[Mindwipe (ROTF)|Mindwipe]] into harvesting it for the Decepticons. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 5}} Later still, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] were seen transporting a cargo of Energon ''cubes'', but whether they were created from the natural Energon Ironhide found or just more manufactured Energon is unknown. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 10}} Within a few years, NEST developed [[Energon detector]]s that could alert them to the approach of Cybertronian lifeforms, and had them stationed around major cities, forcing the Decepticons to withdraw to unmonitored regions of the planet like [[Namibia]], [[Africa]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

Energon flows inside Transformers' bodies in a liquid form through a structure akin to a human's circulatory system. It is prone to gushing out when a Transformer receives debilitating injuries—glowing blue Energon showered from the wounds sustained by several Transformers during the battle of [[Mission City]], {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}} while a golden form of liquid Energon oozed from The Fallen's dying frame<ref>Hasbro's online [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/TRANSFORMERS-Glossary.cfm Transformers glossary].</ref> when Optimus Prime killed him. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} In fact, quite a ''lot'' of differently-colored fluids were seen slooshing and squirting from the Transformers during the quest for the Matrix of Leadership and the battles over [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]'s space bridge, including a disturbingly blood-like red liquid, but whether or not any of these were Energon is unclear. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Collectors' Club comics===
{{see|Rarified Energon}}
[[Image:CrossingOver5 rarified energon.jpg|left|thumb|165px|"The formula is water! Pure, ordinary water!"]]
On the second leg of their multiverse-hopping journey, amnesiac Transformers [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]] discovered a pool of liquid energon beneath the jungles of South America, being watched over a similar Transformer named [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} They were informed by Breakway's assistant, the computer system known as the [[Caretaker]], that the pool was no ordinary energon: it was [[Rarified Energon]], the base substance that made up Transformers' bodies and sparks. Skyfall, Landquake and Breakway were, in fact, components of [[Nexus Prime]], one of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], who had been tasked with guarding Rarified Energon by Primus eons in the past. When Nexus Prime had been divided into five separate robots in order to protect the secret of [[Prima]]'s [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], Rarified Energon was left without a guardian, and was consequently secreted away in the corners of the multiverse—for if it should be destroyed, then it would be impossible for more Transformer life to be created. The Caretaker opened a cross-dimensional portal to take the three Transformers to the universe where they would find the [[Topspin (Classics)|fourth of their number]], assuring them that the Rarified Energon would be teleported away to a new safe location once they had left. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}
{{-}}

===Animated===
{{see|Energon farm}}
[[Image:Ani07 sllsparkinfusedenergon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"Mine mine mine! All mine!"]]
Crystalline formations of natural energon are cultivated on Cybertron at [[energon farm]]s, a menial task that earns workers a reputation as hayseeds despite its extreme importance, {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}} {{storylink|The Stunti-Con Job}} and stored in energon cubes. Despite the Autobots being in full control of Cybertron and no excess energon being expended in a war effort, the substance remains extremely precious, as evidenced by the risks cadet [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]] took when he and fellow cadets [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] and [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]] attempted to recover a huge stockpile of it from a starship that had crashed on the planet [[Archa Seven]] centuries beforehand. Sentinel called this "AllSpark-infused energon", but there was nothing to indicate that it was any different from normal energon, suggesting that the energies of the life-giving [[AllSpark]] are known to be shared by energon in this universe, as they are in [[#live-action film series|others]]. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

Contrary to the hardships faced by Transformers in other universes, when [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s teams were stranded on Earth with no energon, they proved quite able to survive on simple [[oil]]. Back on Cybertron, though, energon remained on the menu at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], where varieties served included Z and Ultra blends from various different planets, as well as energon-on-a-stick for the little 'bots. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} Energon is used to power the machines and weapons of Cybertron, like those of the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]]'s [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]], {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}} and small energon cubes are used as blasting charges in construction {{storylink|Endgame, Part I}}

{{note|The episode title "[[A Fistful of Energon]]", parodying the Western movie "A Fistful of Dollars", suggests energon is employed as a currency in this universe, though nothing that occurs in-universe addresses this use.}}

===Shattered Glass===
[[Image:Cliffjumper&SGGoryu Dungeons&Dinobots.jpg|left|thumb|100px|[[Steven Spielberg]] takes the directorial reins.]]
{{see|Energon rod}}
The energon of this twisted mirror universe is superficially different to the more recognizable fuel of most worlds. Here, it is a sickly green-yellow in color, is stored primarily in [[energon rod|rod]]s, and is considered by the dimensionally-displaced [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] to have a strange aftertaste when compared to the energon of his home dimension. It remains used as a form of currency among Transformers.

Among the natural sources of energon on this universe's Cybertron are bright blue crystalline deposits that form on the shores of the [[Rust Sea]], when the sea's innate trace energon content is solidified by evaporation. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}
{{-}}

===Aligned===
:''For further information, see: [[Energon battle pistol]], [[Energon grenade]], [[Energon repair ray]], [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]], [[Dark Energon]], [[Energon prod]], [[Energon Harvester]], [[Synthetic Energon]], [[Tox-En]], [[Red Energon]]
[[Image:Wfc_energon_cubes.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
[[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] explained that Energon is an emanation of Primus, and a different form of that which makes up a [[Transformer]] and everything else on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}} Energon occurs naturally in the form of blue crystals, {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} though these sometimes resemble normal rocks. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} It is stored within Energon cubes, {{storylink|Masters & Students}} the framework for which can be produced by the Decepticon [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron}} and is fashioned into smaller ingots for oral ingestion by Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

In Cybertronian prehistory, the ancients moved Energon by reconstituting and concentrating it into its most rarefied form, that of pure energy, which is transmitted between arrays such as the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}} [[Image:Starscreamharvestingcrystals.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Starscream harvesting raw Energon.]] Similarly, they used [[Energon Harvester]]s to draw this energy right out of Energon crystals. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Later, during the [[Golden Age]], a formula for a synthetic version of Energon was developed; apparently never put into production, this formula was programmed into a [[Cybertronian data cylinder|data cylinder]] and sent into space. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

When war broke out on Cybertron, Energon was weaponized in the form of the [[Energon battle pistol]] and the [[Energon prod]] (the latter an instrument of torture that would later prove to have a particularly deleterious, if temporary, effect on the human neural system {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}), but also found use on the battlefield as an implement of healing in medical tools like the [[Energon grenade]], which releases a localized aura of Energon that restores the vigor of Transformers within the grenade's range. Medics were also known to carry [[Energon repair ray]]s, more focused tools that fire a beam of Energon to heal the injured. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)}} As the war depleted Energon supplies on Cybertron, both sides tried hiding their stockpiles of this valuable commodity on many other planets, including [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} The Decepticons even began experimenting with Energon's poisonous counterpart, [[Dark Energon]], a product of [[Unicron]] in the same way that true Energon is a product of Primus. Using it, the Decepticons corrupted the [[core]] of Cybertron, and although the Autobots restored it, the planet's Energon supply had been crippled, necessitating that the Transformers depart Cybertron so that it would be able to recharge and regenerate enough Energon to once again support life. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron}}

By coincidence or design, the Transformers' war eventually carried them back to Earth in the 21st century. After an undetailed initial clash, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] retreated into space to gather up an army, and [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], left in charge of the Decepticons on Earth, set about mining the Energon that had flourished on the planet, claiming there was enough there to repower Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)}} The shifting geology of Earth occasionally stymied his attempts, as some deposits had become unmineable since originally being stored; the largest of these was labelled "ND-7 Class". {{storylink|Out of His Head}} After three years, however, Megatron returned, having recovered more Dark Energon from the depths of space {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}, but he was fortunately stopped by the Autobots from using it to reanimate Cybertron's dead. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[Image:Crossfire Insecticon holding energon.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots later discovered the data cylinder containing the synthetic Energon formula, but its contents were beamed directly into [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]'s brain. The formula threatened to wipe his mind, so he was only able to transcribe a portion of it before it was necessary to remove it shoot it off into space. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] then attempted to complete the formula, but the result of experiments was a green liquid form of Energon which supercharged his physical attributes at the loss of his mental stability. In the throes of this rage, Ratchet attacked a Decepticon mine and was wounded by Megatron, allowing [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to obtain for the Decepticons a sample of the synthetic Energon that drained from his wounds. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

Having gone rogue, Starscream was forced to either steal energon from the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} or scavenge for it in abandoned mines. {{storylink|Crossfire}} After [[MECH]] stole [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]]'s [[transformation cog|T-cog]] in an attempt to get their own creation working, Starscream pointed out that it required Energon to properly function. He used a small amount of his own as a demonstration. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} With Starscream's help, they were able to track down a sizable deposit. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}} [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] later found an [[Insecticon (Prime)| Insecticon]] which searched for energon for her. {{storylink|Crossfire}}

A sample of [[Tox-En]] was stored in the Iacon Vaults, and eventually made its way to Earth, which was found by Bulkhead. After a fight with [[Hardshell]], Bulkhead began to drip liquefied Energon, which Bulkhead figured was leaking from a loose gasket. Bulkhead used the leak to make a false trail of Energon puddles to lead the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] away while he carried the Tox-En to a nearby volcano for disposal. At one point, Hardshell took time out to taste an Energon puddle. {{storylink|Toxicity}}

A chunk of [[Red Energon]] was uncovered on Earth, and during the race to get hold of it, Starscream managed to secure a chunk. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

A bizarre interaction with the Energon of Earth was responsible for bringing many weapons, including the Transformers' personal armaments, to life as the [[Arms Micron]]s.

{{--}}

==Toys and merchandise==
===''Beast Wars''===

[[Image:Big_convoy_energon_matrix.jpg|left|thumb]]

The [[rubsign]]s introduced into the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' toyline in 1997 were called "Energon Chips". On the Japanese side of things, Energon Matrices were included with [[Lio Convoy]] and [[Big Convoy]]'s toys; while the former's was merely sculpted detail beneath a panel on his chest, the latter's was fully removable.
{{-}}
===Generation 1===

[[Image:G1_energon_toys.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Foooood Fiiight!!!]]
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]]'s energon-axe and energon mace were the first toys that represented physical energon. [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] has enjoyed a long love affair with these weapons, which up until their release in plastic form, had only been ''very'' rarely seen. After several ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' PVC figurines depicted Prime and Megatron with the weapons deployed, the armaments made the jump to true toys with the ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' line of reissues, which featured new axe and mace accessories for the 2003 re-releases of the original Generation 1 [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Transformers_Collection|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron_(G1)/toys#Transformers_Collection|Megatron]] toys. These weapons were also included with the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' versions of the characters, and on Prime's ''[[Hybrid Style]]'' and ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' figures as well. Prime's axe in particular has gotten a lot of face-time, having been recolored with each new [[redeco]] of these various Prime toys—and that's been quite a few! See the [[energon-axe]] article for a full listing of this weapon's releases.

''The Transformers Collection'' also featured the first, and to-date only, toys made of energon cubes, three of which came packaged with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] giftset. The translucent pink cubes are made of soft rubbery plastic, and are quite small; fairly in-scale with the Insecticons themselves, but undeniably dinky next to any larger toys. The reason for their small size is so that they can fit into the Insecticons' opening cockpits, left over from their days as ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys. Three cubes were also included with the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive [[Insecticon clone]] [[redeco]] of this set.
{{-}}
===''Energon''===

[[Image:Energon_weapons.jpg|left|thumb|275px]]

All the Omnicon and Terrorcon toys released in the ''Energon'' toyline came packaged with an Energon star (called an "Energon chip" in the toyline) which could attach to the Spark crystals that most of the toys in the series feature, and an Energon weapon, itself formed from several modular pieces that could be mixed and matched with other figures and other Energon weapon components through the miracle of [[5mm post]]s. The Autobot stars and weapons were various shades of red, while the Decepticons' were green, with each faction sporting a different design for their Energon stars. These weapons included [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]]'s '''Energy Axe''' (formed from a boom arm and a spare tire) [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]]'s '''Energy Spear''' (the merging of a cannon and two rocket boosters), [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]'s '''Energy Cutter''' (made up of a projecting dish and two shield panels), [[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]]'s compound bow (built from fuel tanks and exhaust pipes), [[Battle Ravage]]'s twin cannons, [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]]'s '''Energy Raiden''' (the united form of two blades) [[Cruellock]]'s '''Energy Blade''' (a large sword made even larger with the addition of a small gun as a handle) and [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]]'s '''Energy Drill''' (a dagger and gatling cannon combined). In addition to being recolored and sold in the ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' and live-action movie toylines along with the figures who wielded them, many of these weapons were released in new colors as exclusives in Japan, sometimes on their own, sometimes packaged with different toys. See the [[Energon weapon|Energon weapon article]] for a full list. One other set of modular Energon weapons was available as part of the line: the rifle and sword which came with Starscream, owing to the character's status as an "Energon ghost". This pair of weapons could combine to form a ''huge'' sword.

[[Image:Energontoy_sword_and_combiner.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]

The limb components of the three "Maximus" [[Combiner]]s released during ''Energon'' also each came with a translucent blue "Super Energon" star and an Energon weapon. Rather than follow the modular mix-and-match pattern of the earlier toys, however, these Energon weapons converted into either a hand or foot for their combined super robot mode. From [[Superion Maximus]], [[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]] and [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]] came with twin double-ended cannons, while [[Sky Shadow (Energon)|Sky Shadow]] and [[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]] were armed with double-barrelled blasters; from [[Constructicon Maximus]], [[Sledge (Energon)|Sledge]] and [[Bonecrusher (Energon)|Bonecrusher]] wielded odd clawed cudgels that were particularly strange next to [[Duststorm (Energon)|Duststorm]] and [[Wideload (Energon)|Wideload]]'s pincer-claws; and from [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]], [[Kickback (Energon)|Kickback]] and [[Blight (Energon)|Blight]] bore combined double-barrelled cannon radar arrays, while [[Blackout (combiner)|Blackout]] and [[Stormcloud (Energon)|Stormcloud]] brandished modular quintuple-barrelled arsenals. These figures were redecoed across the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'', ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toylines, and select limbs were chosen by the Transformers Collectors' Club to become components of their exclusive combiner figure, the energon-manipulating Nexus Prime.

[[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]]'s Energon Sword was his perennial accessory throughout the ''Energon'' toyline, available in various sizes and colors with his toys, and also with a ''Super Link'' exclusive Kicker figure and as a rather large role-play weapon. See the [[Energon Sword|Energon Sword article]] for a full list of releases. By contrast, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s Energon Blaster was ''only'' released as a role-play weapon, its role in the toyline about as memorable as its brief, puzzling appearance in the cartoon.

Energon took another form for a small line of European-exclusive [[List_of_Transformers_restaurant_promotions|McDonald's Happy Meal ''Energon'' toys]]. The four figures in the series each came with a large, translucent "Energon cube", which could be inserted inside their body and featured various effects: Optimus Prime and [[Ironhide (Energon)#Toys|Ironhide]]'s had electronic sounds, while Megatron and [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]]'s featured LED lights.

===Live-action movies===
[[Image:ROTF_energon_swords.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

The first [[subline imprint]] of the [[Movie (toyline)|live-action movie toyline]] was the "[[AllSpark Power]]" series, in which all the figures sported bright blue parts to represent the glowing blue Energon power of the AllSpark. The AllSpark itself was also rendered in plastic form: it came as a small accessory packaged with the Japanese releases of the "AllSpark Power" figures, or as more esoteric objects like a Rubik's Cube, a paperweight and a candy container. We guess that would make the candy itself the Energon! See the [[AllSpark|AllSpark article]] for a complete listing of merchandise.

[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s original live-action movie toy did not include the Energon Sword he was seen deploying in the feature film, but the blade was soon added when the figure was retooled for the "[[Premium Series]]" subline imprint. A second sword was added to Prime's arsenal in the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie, and given that the swords played a major part in one of the film's set-piece battles, they were quickly established as a fixture on almost all of the line's Optimus Prime toys, from his large-scale Leader-class figure, all the way down to his ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' figurine. See the [[Dual Energon Swords|Dual Energon Swords article]] for a full listing of toys wielding these face-taking blades.
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Energon''' (エネルゴン ''enerugon'')
*''Russian:'' '''Energon''' (Энергон)

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animated substances]]
[[Category:Beast Machines]]
[[Category:Beast Wars substances]]
[[Category:Drink]]
[[Category:Energon| ]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Generation 1 substances]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Power sources]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Substances]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron]]

Akase

2012-10-03T05:31:47Z

NexusPrime98:

:''Okasai is a [[human]] from the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Hunt of Black Pyramid Dr Okasai.jpg|right|150px|The longer you look at it the shorter he gets.|thumb|]]

Doctor '''Okasai''' is an oceanographer.

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Simon Prescott]] (English), [[Eiji Takemoto]] (Japanese)

[[Koji Onishi]] accompanied Doctor Okasai on a new oceanographic vessel on a mission to explore the [[Black Pyramid]]. On reaching their destination, the pair climbed into the observation unit, and the ship reorientated into dive mode. Unfortunately, at that time, the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]] were trying to tap into the Black Pyramid's power reserves, and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] and [[Dark Scream]] launched an attack on the ship to attempt to stop them discovering the Predacon presence. After unsuccessfully attempting to raise the observation unit back up, Okasai went to check the machine room. Another attack by Sky-Byte threw him against a control panel, rendering him unconscious and leaving Koji to contact the Autobots for help. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Akashi''' (明石)

[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category: Robots in Disguise humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Matrix of Leadership

2012-10-02T02:01:12Z

NexusPrime98: /* 3H comics */

{{disambig3|Matrix}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}

[[Image:Matrix.jpg|right|375px|thumb|You put the life in the coconut.]]

The '''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (also known as the '''Creation Matrix''' or rarely, 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 (see right), though it is also referred to as the "Matrix of Leadership" once or twice.</ref>) is an [[sacred implement|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 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|Transformers]], serving as a means of access to the [[Allspark]], the "afterlife" of the Transformer race, 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.

{{quote|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==
[[Image:SecondGeneration prime gives buster matrix.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The Matrix made its fictional debut when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|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 twenty-five-plus years, 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>[http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/ Bob Budiansky Interview at BWTF.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Metal Machine interview with Bob]</ref><ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass interview]</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 Spark]]s", 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)|Optimus Prime]] transferred his own Life Spark to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|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.

[[Image:FFOD4 passing the matrix.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[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]]. 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.

[[Image:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|left|thumb|200px|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 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 Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Machines'' animated series]] which made the next big addition to the growing mythology of the Matrix when it introduced the [[Allspark]], the extradimensional source of all Transformers sparks living or dead, which was also known as "the Matrix." Although it did not explicitly make any callbacks to the Matrix as 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 Allspark. 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 Allspark 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 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 [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels, which retroactively makes sense now.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Prima.jpg|right|thumb|275px|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|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}}

[[Image:WhoseLifeforce prime and longtooth.jpg|left|200px|thumb]]

''At one point during his tenure as Autobot leader, Optimus Prime came across [[Longtooth]] struggling to save the life of [[Longtooth's comrade|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?}}

[[Image:DisintegratedCircuits buster uses matrix.jpg|right|thumb|275px]]

When the Transformers' war moved to [[Earth]] in 1984, current Decepticon leader [[Shockwave (G1)|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!}}

[[Image:Matrixflame.jpg|left|thumb|275px|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)|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!}}

[[Image:DarkCreation_we_would_know_more.jpg|right|thumb|275px]]

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}}

[[Image:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|left|thumb|210px|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?}} [[Image:Thunderwing with matrix.jpg|right|thumb|215px]] ''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 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 (G1)|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}}

[[Image:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|left|thumb|275px|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!}} Prime's consciousness, however, was transferred to his [[Nebulan]] partner, [[Hi-Q]], who was later recreated into a new Optimus Prime by the [[Last Autobot]], complete with a reconstructed Matrix. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}
=====Marvel UK future timelines=====

[[Image:MatrixCoconut1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Will I become a great Autobot leader?" "All signs point to no."]]

''In the alternate future timeline of [[Earth-120185]], a dying Optimus Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus in 2006. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} It was then used by [[Hot Rod (G1)|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!}}

[[Image:MarvelUK-187.jpg|left|thumb|215px]]

''Later in 2008, the [[Quintesson]]s invaded and conquered [[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}}

[[Image:WhiteFire kup yanks matrix.jpg|right|thumb|160px|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)|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====
[[Image:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|left|thumb|180px]]
Requiring the Matrix to bring the new warriors created by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to life, Megatron defeated Optimus Prime in battle and tore the Matrix from his body with an energy siphon. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} The Matrix's energy was then used 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!}}
{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[Image:OracleMatrix.jpg|right|225px|thumb|"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 (G1)|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}}; [[Image:Matrix 5faces4 7.jpg|left|225px|thumb|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]] 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}}

[[Image:Optimusg1passingthematrix.jpg|right|thumb|225px]]

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.

[[Image:Tftm1986e.jpg|left|thumb|250px]]

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}}

[[Image:Darkawakening_matrix_pain.jpg|right|225px|thumb|The zombified Optimus Prime reacts in pain to 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 transpired, however, that Optimus had only been reanimated as a robotic zombie by the Quintessons, with the intent of luring the assembled Autobot forces into a trap. Fortunately, with the Matrix now back within him, its energies overrode the evil intentions the aliens had programmed him with, and he returned it to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again to trigger the Quintessons' trap alone. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

[[Image:BurdenHardest Hot Rod retrieves matrix.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

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}}

[[Image:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Matrix open.JPG|right|thumb|225px]]

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====
[[Image:Madman comic PrimeHotrod.jpg|left|150px|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]], 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}}

====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.}}

When Primacron and his assistant (also known as the "Oracle") were attacked by the rebelling Unicron, the assistant's body was destroyed, but his lifeforce persisted. Sealed within a protective shell, the Oracle's lifeforce fled to a dead world at the centre of the galaxy, which the Oracle 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. The shell which had contained the Oracle's essence became the Matrix, but precisely how it came to be held by the Quintessons' consumer goods robots (later known as the Autobots), or even why the Quintessons would ''allow'' their creations to possess such a powerful item, is unknown. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|2007 TakaraTomy Transformers timeline}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====

[[Image:StargateBattles_matrix_powered_megatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]

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)|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 for five years until he returned to his post in 2010. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|A Big Catch Tonight?!}}

=====''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...

[[Image:DoublePrime matrix recharged.jpg|left|260px|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}}
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=====''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 mini-comics=====

[[Image:G2StoryPageReconfigurationMatrix1.jpg|right|250px|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)|Wheeljack]] and [[Perceptor (G1)|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}}
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===Start Your Own Decoy Collection===
[[Image: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 (G1)|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}}
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===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:OptimalSituation_spark_holder.jpg|right|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/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}}
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====3H comics====
While experiencing a swirl of visions from throughout history, the [[Covenant]] witnessed the Matrix being torn by the [[Liege Maximo]] from the body of the enigmatic [[Primon]], its first holder. {{storylink|Herald, Covenant, Schism, Paradox|Covenant}}

[[Image:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|300px|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.

[[Image:Primevaldawn2 tarantulas matrix.jpg|right|215px|Im not sure how I'll get this in my chest.Maybe Ill 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 miscalcuated: 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 [[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.}}
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===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
[[Image:Ancients.jpg|left|thumb|225px|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}}
[[Image:TWW1 prime gets matrix.jpg|right|225px|thumb]]

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}}
[[Image:PrimeDirective2 spike replaces matrix.jpg|left|300px|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}}
[[Image:G1 Vol.2 Issue6 2.jpg|right|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}}

====Keepers 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|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|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|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image: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}}
[[Image:ArtofWar5 hawk serpentor matrix.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
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|angry god]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
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===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[Image: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}}
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===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
{{spoiler|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|October 10}}
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 [[Primus]], who had himself transformed into the life-giving computer Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

The Matrix was carried by each successive generation of Primes, stretching back to the days of the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]], who claimed it could create life, and so called it the "Creation Matrix". {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} For reasons unknown, the cruel supremacist [[Nova Prime]] did not take the Matrix with him on the fateful space voyage that ultimately led him to the [[Dead Universe]].<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> There, Nova came into contact with the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], a kind of "anti-Matrix" created by the ultimate evil of the Dead Universe, the [[D-Void]], to seek out Matrix-bearers and use them as agents to forge a link between the dead and living universes. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}{{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

[[Image:AHM7 megs rips out matrix.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
The Matrix came to be held by [[Nominus Prime]], and although some Autobots like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] remained sceptical of its touted divinity, most embraced the religion surrounding it—Orion's co-worker [[Springarm]] even had an image of the Matrix "tattooed" on his helmet, and claimed that in moments of stress, he tried to calm himself by channeling the talisman's wisdom.

When rebel factions within the [[Senate]] arranged for an attack upon Nominus Prime in order to orchestrate the introduction of a draconian new planet-wide security regime that became known as the "[[Clampdown]]", they also moved Nominus into hiding so that they would have unfettered access to the Matrix, hoping to unlock the life-giving secrets the Knights spoke of. Learning of the corruption within the Senate, Orion Pax was imprisoned for speaking out, but an anonymous Senator, aware of the misdeeds of his fellows, arranged for his release. Moved by Orion's speech and realizing that greatness lay in his future, the senator secretly had a chamber built within Orion's chest to contain the Matrix. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} It was not long after the initiation of the Clampdown that tensions exploded in the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}} when reflecting back on this time, 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}} The Matrix passed from Nominus to Sentinel Prime, then to Zeta Prime. By the time of Zeta's rule, the Matrix was hidden away in an ancient vault in the [[Undergrid]] beneath the [[Citadel]], where it lay untouched for "a very long time". Just after Zeta's death, Orion Pax was damaged and discarded in the Undergrid, where the Matrix called out to him and 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 are 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}}

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 rationed 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)|Sunstreaker]], catching them off-guard with his newly-created gestalt 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}}
[[Image:IDW13 hotrod starscream matrix.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
When Megatron was defeated a year later and his forces were routed off of Earth, 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|All Hail Megatron issue 13|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, 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}}
[[Image:IDW19_matrix_in_chest.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
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)|Ironhide]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|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 watched over the talisman while Prime deliberated on Megatron's fate, and was holding it while he examined the damaged [[Sunstreaker (G1)|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}}

Upon the Autobots' return to Cybertron, they were faced with the threat of Galvatron, latest carrier of the Heart of Darkness, who combined it with Vector Sigma in order to allow the D-Void to emerge into the universe through Cybertron. To prevent this, Optimus Prime opened the Matrix, which succeeded in stopping the 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)|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)|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|The Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' comic===
[[Image:Henkei11 matrix.jpg|thumb|left|IT BURNS!!]]

When the demented [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun comic|Galvatron]] went on a rampage in [[Hoshinochō]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun comic|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 comic|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''===
[[Image:Robotheroes primus and matrix.jpg|right|thumb]]
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}}
{{-}}

<hr>

===''Robots in Disguise''===
====''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[Image:PowerToBurn_prime_matrix.jpg|left|225px|thumb]]
[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by Vector Sigma to be leader of the Autobots and to carry the Matrix. 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}}
[[Image:TwoFaces magnus matrix.jpg|right|215px|thumb]]
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]] channelled 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}}
{{note|In ''Car Robots'', the original Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'', Prime does ''not'' possess the Matrix of Leadership, instead carrying an [[Energon Matrix]].}}
{{--}}
====''Cybertron'' comic====
[[Image:OptimusPrimeRIDprimuschamber.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
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}}
{{note|This was the first fictional use of the detail sculpted into the ''Robots in Disguise'' Prime toy's Super Mode chest as the Matrix; the ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon had opted to portray it as a power socket, and treated the Matrix as an energy, as noted above.}}
{{-}}
<hr>

===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
{{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====
[[Image:Crisis_Hot_Shot_Matrix.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
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)|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}}

[[Image:Miracle sparkplug and matrix.jpg‎|right|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}}

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''.

[[Image:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|left|thumb|200px|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====
[[Image:MysteriousMercenary matrix generates blaster.jpg‎|right|thumb]]
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)|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====

[[Image:Cybertron matrix of leadership.jpg|left|thumb|225px|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}}

[[Image:Unfinished matrix glow prime.jpg‎|right|thumb|225px]]

After the Autobots had obtained the Cyber Planet Keys from [[Velocitron]], [[Animatron|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 the 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===
Vector Prime claimed to have held the Matrix in Cybertron's past, during its [[Golden Age|golden age]]. He led for many years until he received a higher calling to become the protector of space and time. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

===''Galaxy Force'' comic===
[[Image: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}}
{{-}}
<hr>

===Live-action ''Transformers'' film series===
[[Image:Tf2009 mol.jpg|thumb|250px|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 Magazines====
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====
[[Image:ROTF Matrix crumbles.jpg|thumb|left|250px|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.

[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFMatrix.jpg|right|thumb|250px|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 (Earth)|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====
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelOptimusMatrix.jpg|left|300px|thumb]]
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 Megatrons plan for invasion. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}
{{-}}

----
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Image:Tfanimated_matrix.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
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}}
{{-}}

----
===''Exodus'' novel===
[[Image:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|left|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 (Prime)|Orion Pax]] met the charismatic gladiator named [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. Unbeknownst to Orion, Megatron plotted revolution, and, desiring the Matrix's power to fuel his ambition, had [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] send [[Rumble (Prime)|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]]'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}}
{{-}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
[[Image:OneShallRise3-unleash.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Care Bear Stare!]]
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 (Prime)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

When the Autobots discovered that Unicron's spark 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 (Prime)|Megatron]], Prime emptied the full power of the Matrix into Unicron's spark. [[Image:OrionPax3 Matrix of Leadership.jpg|thumb|left|275px]] 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 it's 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}} Fortunately, 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 (Prime)|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}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[Image:TFPS2_matrix.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
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 and Rodimus Prime and 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''===
[[Image:Netjetmatrix.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
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)===
[[Image:WFC Matrix of Leadership.jpg|left|thumb|200px|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 (Prime)|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}}
{{--}}

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

==Notes==
[[Image:G1toon matrix strings.jpg|right|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. Although the "ten millennia" bit made it into the comic, the ceremony itself was never realized.
*When asked about the visual design of the Matrix in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "The inspiration for the Matrix of Leadership is a thermonuclear bomb."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</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".
* The body-mod shop "[[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]]" has empty Generation 1 Matrix containers for sale, as seen in an illustration from the prose story "[[I, Lowtech]]".
*The Matrix of Leadership [[:Image: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]]".

===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")
*''English:'' '''Power Pack''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''German:'' '''Hauptprogramm''' ("Core Program", used once in fiction), '''Matrix der Führerschaft''' ("Matrix of Leadership")
*''Polish:'' '''Matryca Przywództwa''', '''Matryca Przywódcy''' (''War for Cybertron'' PC, "Matrix of Leadership", "Matrix of the Leader")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Matriz da Liderança'''
{{--}}

==Footnotes==
[[Image:DiamondStickerbookMatrixOfLight.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Not shown: Anything in the caption.]]
<references />

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

Hot Shot (Armada)

2012-10-01T19:54:53Z

NexusPrime98: /* Superdeformers */

{{factions|autobot|{{factions/icons|custom=Energon Powerlinx Silver symbol.png|cLink=Powerlinx}}|velocitron}}
{{disambig3|Hot Shot}}{{suite}}
:''Hot Shot is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Hotshotut.jpg|thumb|350px|I'm Optimus Prime's choice for successor. Scary what goes through the big guy's head, huh?]]
'''Hot Shot''' is the quintessential young hero. He's been around long enough to earn a name for himself and a place in [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime's]] entourage, but he's still too young to know when he's in over his head. In other words, he's blunt, overconfident, naïve, and more than just a little annoying, yet brave, honorable, loyal to his friends, and willing to risk his life to stop the [[Decepticon]]s and help the Autobots. With time and experience, Prime believes, he could make an excellent leader, and Prime has appointed him to his command structure accordingly. Hot Shot's got the goods, but he just needs to pay attention for more than five seconds. Until that day, Hot Shot's likely response to most anything is, "Yeah yeah, like, whatever."

Hot Shot's [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]], though he has been known to moonlight with [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]. Hot Shot also proclaims a love for a strange substance called [[JaAm]], but none of his Autobot peers can figure out what it is.

==Fiction==
===Toy pack-in mini-comics===
[[Image:Hotshotarmadaminicomic.jpg|thumb|left|200px|How dumb can he be? He's fluent in three languages!]]
[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] chose Hot Shot to stop a Decepticon plot to drain power from the city, but Hot Shot balked when Prime picked [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] to be his partner. After speeding off to complete the mission alone, Hot Shot found himself overwhelmed by [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and his partner [[Crumplezone (Armada)|Crumplezone]]. Thankfully, Jolt arrived and gave Hot Shot a hand, and Cyclonus and Crumplezone were defeated. Hot Shot had learned a valuable lesson about teamwork. {{storylink|Armada Volume 1}}

Optimus Prime later contacted Hot Shot from [[Autobot Headquarters (Armada)|Autobot Headquarters]]. {{storylink|Armada Volume 3}}

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hot Shot, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] were present for [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s defeat of [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. They didn't, however, see his smile upon his capture. {{storylink|Armada Volume 4}}

[[Image:HotShotEnergonminicomic.jpg|thumb|200px|He's so polite.]]
After Hot Shot and [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] found a pool of [[Energon]], they were attacked by [[Battle Ravage]]s. When the situation was bleakened further by the arrival of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]], Strongarm fashioned an [[Energon weapon]] for Hot Shot, and the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] were driven away. With the Energon secured, Hot Shot and Strongarm were relieved that they had faced a formidable foe and come out on top. {{storylink|Energon Volume 1}}

Some time after, Hot Shot was seen alongside [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] and Optimus Prime battling Scorponok and his Terrorcons. {{storylink|Energon Volume 2}}

Optimus Prime and Hot Shot (powerlinked with Inferno) found themselves alone and outmatched in a battle with Megatron, [[Shockblast]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]]. As the Decepticons closed in on Optimus, he warned Powerlinx Hot Shot to stay away, for he was too damaged. But at the last minute, [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] arrived, combined with Prime, and drove the Decepticons away! {{storylink|Energon Volume 4}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[Image:Hotshotraizeyes.jpg|thumb|left|Hot Shot watches in horror as [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] buys the last can of [[jaAm]].]]
One million years ago, Hot Shot was a member of the Autobots, the guardians of [[Cyber City]]. Soon, news of a warlike faction called [[Decepticon]]s, led by the power-hungry [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], reached Cyber City via a dying [[Mini-Con]] Hot Shot found. The Mini-Con handed him a video disc, and with his dying breath, demanded Hot Shot take it to Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime played the disc, a distress signal from [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]], head of [[Mini-Con Sector|Mini-Con village D10]], who begged the Autobots for help. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 1|Armada #1}}

The Decepticons themselves soon arrived in Cyber City, armed with Mini-Cons they had captured and reconfigured to bestow incredible power when [[Powerlinx]]ed. Outclassed and near total defeat, Optimus Prime called his troops into retreat, and after the majority of Mini-Cons escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to parts unknown, {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 2|Armada #2}} the Autobots lost much of the planet to the Mini-Con-powered Decepticons. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 3|Armada #3}}

[[Image:Hotshotfreecomicbookday.jpg|thumb|300px|Hot Shot, stop stealing Jolt's gun!]]
In the present day, both the Autobots and Decepticons received a signal of the Mini-Cons' activation on the planet [[Earth]]. Hot Shot and his colleagues [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] were led by Optimus Prime to the planet, {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 4|Armada #4}} where they met the Decepticons in battle. But this time, with the help of the estranged Mini-Cons, the Autobots regained the edge they'd lost against the Decepticons one million years prior. An uneasy alliance was formed, and Hot Shot was partnered with the Mini-Con [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 5|Armada #5}}

When their human friends [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]], and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] befriended a Mini-Con named [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], they soon attracted the attention of the Decepticons, and Hot Shot and the other Autobots weren't far behind. With the arrival of Megatron, however, the Autobots were quickly defeated and restrained, and the children were shocked to learn that Swindle had been working with the Decepticons all this time! Swindle found himself conflicted, as he genuinely liked the human children, and so he eventually had a small change of heart. Grabbing Hot Shot's gun, he was able to disable the Autobots' restraints, and the Decepticons retreated... though with Swindle. {{storylink|Armada Free Comic Book Day}}

[[Image:Hotshotdwissue6.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Wait, Jolt attaches ''where?'']]
After their initial battles on Earth, Megatron was quick to capture the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] and forge them into the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 6|Armada #6}} Optimus Prime led Hot Shot and Red Alert against the Decepticons again, despite being at a strategic disadvantage while the Mini-Cons were missing, a point Hot Shot belabored. Thankfully, the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons arrived just in time to Powerlinx with Hot Shot and the other Autobots, fend off Megatron, and rescue the Air Defense Mini-Cons from the Decepticon leader's clutches. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 7|Armada #7}}

[[Image:Hotshotguido.jpg|thumb|"Well, let's go!"]]
Soon, a Mini-Con beacon tower was erected in [[Tranquility, Kansas|Tranquility]], [[Kansas]] drawing all Earth-bound Mini-Cons to it. Hot Shot and the rest of the Autobots again met the Decepticons in battle at the location when the tower's effect was discovered. However, they were too busy fighting to notice the beacon tower blasting off toward the Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 8|Armada #8}} Hot Shot and Red Alert secreted Optimus Prime into the Decepticon base for the use of their space bridge, so that the Autobot leader could ask for reinforcements from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9|Armada #9}}

After the Mini-Cons were evacuated from the Moon, five did not return home safely and sent a distress signal from northern Alaska. When the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]] failed to retrieve them, Hot Shot and the other Autobots arrived in full force, though they were kept in check by Cyclonus, who was suffering from a Mini-Con overdose. Though they were successful, Optimus Prime disappeared before their eyes, {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}} and when Hot Shot returned to Autobase, he found [[Optimus Prime (G1)|another Optimus Prime]], dying, sent from a different timeline to warn of [[Unicron]]'s coming. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} Learning of the "real" Optimus Prime's disappearance, Megatron and his Decepticons stormed Autobase, nearly killing Smokescreen and heavily injuring Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Scavenger. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}}

Optimus Prime was returned to them and insisted on teaming up with the Decepticons to battle the arriving Unicron. Hot Shot excused himself from this alliance, as Smokescreen's critical condition due to the Decepticons' recent attack still weighed heavily in his mind. So when Megatron stole away during the battle with Unicron to strike a deal with the Dark God, Hot Shot, Scavenger, and Red Alert ambushed him, leaving him to die as Unicron was seemingly destroyed by the [[Mini-Con Matrix]]. {{storylink|The End}}
{{--}}
====''Energon'' comic====
[[Image:Hotshotironhidedw.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Sorry, Hot Shot, you've been replaced.]]
Ten years later, at the beginning of the Energon Era, Hot Shot accompanied Optimus Prime, who was skeptical and restless about the new peacetime, on his visit with the High Council in Cyber City. Prime's demands for vigilance were denied, so Hot Shot later followed him to a special [[uplink platform]] that [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] had directed them to. This trip was a first outing for the rookie Autobot [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], who fawned over Hot Shot. Hot Shot met this with difficulty. Learning of the continued existence of [[Unicron]], {{storylink|This Evil Reborn}} Prime once again returned to the High Council, again accompanied by Hot Shot. But this time, Cyber City was attacked by [[Cheetor (Armada)|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]], [[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]], and [[Terrorsaur (Armada)|Terrorsaur]], who were presumed dead during [[The Unicron Battles]], but in fact were transformed into [[Unicron's Four Horsemen]]. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath}} The Four Horsemen overwhelmed Hot Shot and the other Autobots, and they were saved from destruction only by the timely arrival of the [[Omnicon]]s. Hot Shot, Optimus Prime, and the others were granted the [[Spark of Combination]] by [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Sig-Omega]], and thanks partly to the combined powerlinked form of Hot Shot and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]], the Horsemen were deterred. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Two}}

Hot Shot, along with Inferno, Ironhide, and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], followed Prime to Earth after the Autobots received a distress signal. They regrettably arrived four hours later than the signal was sent, and Hot Shot boggled at how much damage could have been done in that time. Indeed, [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] and his [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] had caused massive devastation while chasing after a young boy named [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]] who could detect [[Energon]]. The Terrorcons outclassed the Autobots upon arrival, however, and left only when their Energon-mining gear was destroyed...but not without taking Kicker. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Three}} After the Autobots reunited with [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]], [[Rad White|Rad]], and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]], Hot Shot and the Omnicon [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] were able to pursue the Terrorcons and deliver a special suit to Kicker that his father, [[Brian Jones (Energon)|Dr. Brian Jones]], had made for him. With Kicker's help, the Terrorcons were defeated and returned to Unicron. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Four}}

Hot Shot, along with Optimus Prime and Inferno, attended a public meeting with the [[United Nations]] in [[New York City]] after the ratification of the [[Cybercord Treaty]]. {{storylink|Multiplicity}}

[[Image:Hotshotomni-potent.jpg|thumb|300px|Wait, ''Hot Shot'' has wisdom?]]
After the Terrorcons attacked an [[energon tower]] in [[Chicago]], Hot Shot was put in charge of the unruly Omnicons and sent to [[Base Site One]] in [[Yukon|Yukon Territory]]. Immediately upon arrival, Strongarm crashed into the base site's intrathermal uplink assembly and subsurface transference grid, frustrating Ironhide. This was the final straw for Hot Shot. After telling them to get lost, he was darkly amused that this was the first order he'd given that they actually followed to the letter. An hour later, Hot Shot had a change of heart, and he and Kicker left to track them down. Their search abruptly ended when [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] was dropped in their laps, defeated during the Omnicons' solo adventure. Eight days later, Hot Shot had returned to Optimus, who tasked him with protecting the Autobots' growing Energon-gathering installations on Earth. However, Prime soon disappeared into a portal, his whereabouts completely unknown. {{storylink|Omni-Potent}}

When Terrorcons orchestrated an attack on four major Earth cities, Hot Shot (leading a team consisting of [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Beachcomber (Energon)|Beachcomber]], and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]]) was sent to repel [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]] drones in [[Toronto]]. Badly outnumbered and confined, Rodimus suggested the group split up. Hot Shot agreed, sending him and Red Alert elsewhere. Hot Shot contacted Jetfire in [[Los Angeles]], telling him it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed and the battle was lost, but he interrupted his transmission to witness a spectacle above. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 3}} [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] had arrived in a new body, and he was dramatically tearing through the Divebomb drones. After Megatron cleared away enough of the Terrorcons in Toronto to give Hot Shot's team a fighting chance, he moved on to the concurrent battle in [[Tokyo]]. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 4}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Brent Miller]] (English), [[Kōsuke Okano]] (Japanese)|[[Alexandre Moreno]] (Portuguese), [[Martin Halm]] (German), [[Ola Norman]] (Swedish)}}

[[Image:Past Part 1 Hot Shot flashback.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'll be back to save you, Wheeljack, right after 4:20.]]
An indeterminate number of years ago on Cybertron, Hot Shot was appointed the supervisor of a young Autobot named [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]]. Wheeljack strongly looked up to Hot Shot as a potential mentor and as a friend, but after a blazing battle, Wheeljack was incapacitated under some debris. Hot Shot left him behind as the flames closed in, promising to get help. However, when Hot Shot reached the other Autobots, his [[Arrogant Autobot officer|commander]] would not let him endanger his own life by returning to help his friend. Hot Shot ignored this order, running back into the battle to find Wheeljack, but he was overwhelmed by the heat and passed out. Instead, Wheeljack was rescued by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. Thinking he had been abandoned by Hot Shot, Wheeljack swore vengeance against him and the Autobots. {{storylink|Past}} {{storylink|Past II}}

[[Image:Metamorphosis Hot Shot Red Alert arrive.jpg|thumb|200px|Wave 1 all accounted for, sir!]]
When [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] received a distress signal from the long-lost [[Mini-Con]]s, Hot Shot was one of two soldiers he brought with him to Earth to investigate. When they arrived, Hot Shot was quick to block [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] from attacking some human children who had stumbled upon the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]], and before long, the Decepticons warped away. Hot Shot suggested that the Decepticons' base must be within sight if they were able to use short-warp teleportation; [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] correctly assumed this base was on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. Hot Shot and the other two Autobots returned when the humans and the Mini-Cons once again found themselves under attack from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Metamorphosis}} Hot Shot and Red Alert used their bodies to shield the human kids from the Decepticons' firepower. During the battle, Hot Shot and Red Alert recovered two [[Mini-Con storage panel]]s, and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] was one of two Mini-Cons who materialized when the panels were activated. Hot Shot partnered with this Mini-Con, and together with Red Alert and Mini-Con [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], their combined firepower was able to drive the Decepticons away. The Autobots then returned to their Earth base with the human children and the Mini-Cons, and the nature of their war over the Mini-Cons was explained. Hot Shot and the other Autobots also learned the Earth custom of fist-bumping to signify friendship. {{storylink|Base}}

[[Image:Soldier Hot Shot axelzooka.jpg|thumb|left|200px|This is exactly why his shoulders hurt.]]
Immediately thereafter, the Autobots' computer systems warned them of a detected Mini-Con, and so Hot Shot and the others made plans to travel to [[Grand Canyon|Big Canyon]] to find it. In their rush, [[Rad White]] was left behind, but [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] and Hot Shot returned soon enough to pick him up. Alexis apologized, for Hot Shot's sleek power excited her so much that she'd forgotten about Rad. As they left for the Big Canyon once again, Hot Shot's driving was extremely rough, yet despite the children's complaints, he increased his speed—so much so that upon arrival, Hot Shot nearly drove into the canyon itself. After Hot Shot followed [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] into the canyon, [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] warped into the area and attacked him. Ultimately, the Autobots won, and everyone returned to base after having retrieved the Mini-Con [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]]. {{storylink|Comrade}}

The hotheaded Hot Shot often found himself at odds with Red Alert, including one incident when he was playing tag with the three children instead of doing work. He resented being chastised by the Autobot medic, who didn't even have a personality, as far as he was concerned. Soon after this, the Autobots, Mini-Cons, and the human children ventured to [[Antarctica]] to uncover another Mini-Con, and Hot Shot was paired with [[Carlos Lopez]]. When the two came across the Decepticons, Hot Shot continued to battle them despite having Carlos inside him. Finally, he ejected Carlos over a gorge, leaving Jolt to catch him. Hot Shot soon found himself outnumbered, and it took Red Alert's skills to rescue him from the grip of the Decepticons. Hot Shot learned some respect for Red Alert that day, even if he claimed to save Hot Shot not out of friendship, but merely because it was his job. {{storylink|Soldier (episode)|Soldier}}

[[Image:Hotshotarmada.jpg|thumb|200px|He grins because he's too stupid to be sad.]]
Hot Shot also accompanied the others on a Mini-Con rescue mission in a jungle, where they learned to respect the Earth's environment. {{storylink|Jungle}} Later, as the children wondered why the Mini-Con panel they'd uncovered in Antarctica hadn't opened yet, Hot Shot asked them to pass him a spanner too heavy for them to lift because he thought it would be funny. A bored Carlos and Rad then ran off with some Mini-Cons to a local carnival, where they got into trouble. Alexis, Hot Shot, and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] followed Laserbeak to the carnival, and after some mischief, Hot Shot was able to avert disaster. {{storylink|Carnival}} When the Autobots followed the Decepticons into the desert in pursuit of more Mini-Cons, Hot Shot was frustrated with his tires' incompatibility with the terrain. Unfortunately, he was unable to prevent [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] from acquiring the Mini-Con [[Bonecrusher (Armada)|Bonecrusher]] from within an ancient desert temple. {{storylink|Palace}}

[[Image:Underground merchandising.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Hey, [[Ruined FOREVER|they're right]]! Hot Shot's car mode DOES look like a [[Playskool]] toy!]]
When the Decepticons held the children hostage in a ghost town, Hot Shot and the other Autobots grappled with them, reluctant to hand over their Mini-Cons to get the children returned unharmed. Eventually, after some close calls, Hot Shot was able to kick Rad out of Megatron's hand, the tide was turned, and things were restored to the status quo. {{storylink|Confrontation (episode)|Confrontation}} While working in the underground ruins of half of the crashed Mini-Con ship, Hot Shot was called by Optimus to join them in another Mini-Con search. The Mini-Con was deep within the subway system of a local city, and the Autobots' presence in vehicle mode caused some stir. Here they met up with another Autobot, [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]], though they lost the Mini-Con to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Underground}} Smokescreen joined Hot Shot and the others when they journeyed underwater to the lost city of [[Atlantis]], where, despite their efforts, they lost yet another Mini-Con to the Decepticons. Worse still, this one could combine with two others to form the mighty [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber sword]]. {{storylink|Ruin (episode)|Ruin}} As compensation, Hot Shot and the Autobots found another of the three Star Saber Mini-Cons within a volcano. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

Megatron and his Decepticons soon attacked the Autobot base, hoping to steal the two Mini-Cons they needed to complete the Star Saber sword. While Optimus Prime hid the Mini-Con panels, Hot Shot confronted Megatron directly. Hot Shot was defeated by Megatron's prehensile antlers, which tossed him to the ground like a doll. During another skirmish with Megatron, the Mini-Con panels activated, and Megatron was able to grasp the powerful Star Saber sword! His victory was short-lived, as Optimus was able to knock it out of his hands and into Hot Shot's. With the Star Saber sword, Hot Shot was able to ward off the Decepticons and force them to retreat. {{storylink|Swoop (episode)|Swoop}}

[[Image:Hotshotstarsaber.jpg|thumb|200px|He loves his Star Saber sword. It's so bad.]]
Optimus assigned the three Star Saber Mini-Cons to Hot Shot. The Autobot was young, inexperienced, and hotheaded, so the great advantage the Star Saber granted him went straight to his ego. With the sword, he was nearly unbeatable on the battlefield, which enraged the Decepticons. Then an enigmatic Decepticon named [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] appeared at a battle, mocking Hot Shot's skill. Hot Shot was angered when Scavenger told him that he was nothing without the sword, so he rushed the Decepticon, but was knocked aside. Hot Shot learned the hard way that power without skill is useless against an experienced opponent. {{storylink|Overmatch}} Scavenger confronted Hot Shot again on an unfinished stretch of a highway overpass, while a mysterious motorcycle observed. After exchanging a few blows, Scavenger left Hot Shot again, promising to prove his incompetence another day. The motorcycle introduced himself as the Autobot [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], and Red Alert and Hot Shot wondered if they could truly trust this stranger. {{storylink|Gale}}

[[Image:Overmatch Scavenger-HotShotbeatdown.jpg|thumb|left|300px|And later, he gets [[:Image:Credulous Hot Shot beatdown.jpg|curb-stomped]].]]
During another battle with the Decepticons for a Mini-Con, Sideways and Hot Shot were accidentally warped away with Megatron to their base on Earth's Moon. With Sideways's guidance, Hot Shot was able to fight his way through an army of holographic Autobots, only to have Megatron capture Sideways and demand the Star Saber sword in return. Hot Shot reluctantly relinquished it, but once Megatron released Sideways, Hot Shot called for its Mini-Con components to return to him. At this moment, Sideways betrayed Hot Shot, knocking the Star Saber sword away from him and towards Starscream. Helpless without his powerful weapon, Hot Shot was brutally beaten by the humiliated Decepticons and dropped back at the Autobots' base. {{storylink|Credulous}}

[[Image:Conspiracy faces.jpg|thumb|150px|Like all future Autobot leaders, Hot Shot is amused easily.]]
Hot Shot was understandably in a dour mood following this fall from grace, so the kids made faces at him to cheer him up. Because this was Hot Shot, it worked. During the next battle, Hot Shot targeted the traitor, Sideways, and was once again bested by Scavenger. Hot Shot was surprised to discover later that Scavenger was actually an Autobot working undercover as a Decepticon. {{storylink|Conspiracy}} With Scavenger now with the Autobots again, he began personally training Hot Shot. {{storylink|Trust (Armada)|Trust}} Hot Shot and the others were later caught by local television news journalists while they were rescuing some young children who were lost near a dam, but footage of them was destroyed. {{storylink|Vacation}} When a new recruit, [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], joined the team, Hot Shot at first had trouble getting along with him. However, after working together to retrieve a Mini-Con, they were able to make peace. {{storylink|Reinforcement}}

With both the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield and the Star Saber sword in his possession, Megatron issued a challenge to Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. When the two factions met on a stretch of rocky desert, Hot Shot was disappointed to discover that none of his firepower could penetrate Megatron's shield. His weapons useless against the Decepticon leader, Hot Shot joined Blurr in running interference during the battle between Megatron and Optimus. The tide was turned when the Skyboom shield fell into Autobot hands. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}} For a while, Hot Shot and the other Autobots wouldn't allow their human friends to enter the base. {{storylink|Vow}} While Hot Shot and the others were away, the kids traveled into a digital realm and met with an [[Unicron|evil force]]. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}} Optimus Prime led Hot Shot and the others into battle in a gully, but it was actually a trap conceived by the Decepticons' new tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]]. To the Decepticons' surprise, the Autobots had an incoming addition of their own, and Prime's second-in-command, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], arrived and saved the Autobots. {{storylink|Tactician}} However, Optimus Prime was badly damaged in the fight, so Jetfire took over as leader. Hot Shot didn't like this, as he thought Jetfire was nothing more than a braggart. Jetfire led Hot Shot and the Autobots to another battle for a Mini-Con on a distant island, and Optimus Prime arrived, repaired, just in time to combine with Jetfire and save the day. {{storylink|Linkup}}

[[Image:Desperate Tidal Wave blocked.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yes, punch my tiny shield!]]
After Hot Shot and the other Autobots sparred with one another at their base, their morale boosted by Jetfire's arrival, Hot Shot wondered openly about the nature of Sideways, and whether he was really in either faction at all. They left for yet another battle, but this time, the Decepticons had a secret weapon: The gigantic warrior known as [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] had arrived. {{storylink|Detection}} The Autobots barely held up against Tidal Wave. {{storylink|Awakening}} Hot Shot attempted to block Tidal Wave's mighty blows with the Skyboom shield, and with help, the Autobots were finally able to topple the titan. The battle ended with the awakening of the three Mini-Cons which formed the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. {{storylink|Desperate}}

When the kids ran off with the Mini-Cons, fearful that they would be used as objects by either faction, Hot Shot and the others had to hunt them down. To reassure the kids, Hot Shot decided that the Autobots would only work with the Mini-Cons as a team! {{storylink|Runaway}}

[[Image:Past Part 2 Wheeljack Hot Shot fight.jpg|thumb|300px|"I won't fight you, I won't! Well, maybe just a little."]]
Wheeljack returned to Hot Shot's life, seeking revenge for abandoning him on the battlefield all those years ago. Unfortunately, Hot Shot was training a new Autobot recruit, [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]], when Wheeljack returned, and the young Autobot found himself caught up in Wheeljack's vendetta as well. {{storylink|Past}} When Wheeljack explained to Hot Shot that it was Megatron who'd rescued him and saved his life, Hot Shot couldn't believe it. Hot Shot refused to fight his former friend, yet Wheeljack Shot him, leaving him on the road. Side Swipe dragged Hot Shot's body back to base, where he was placed in intensive care, but Hot Shot's memories still haunted him. Events seemed to repeat themselves when Wheeljack confronted Hot Shot once again within an abandoned human facility. When Side Swipe showed up to help Hot Shot, the area was caught in flames, and Hot Shot was forced once again to save the young Autobot under his care. Wheeljack had chained up Side Swipe within the facility, and he told his captive not to expect rescue from Hot Shot. Regardless, Hot Shot threw himself through the fire and saved Side Swipe, despite the latter's pleas to keep away lest the place blow up with both of them inside. Wheeljack was deterred, but promised he'd be around later to revisit his ill will. {{storylink|Past II}}

[[Image:Rescue Megatron vs Hot Shot.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]] wants to know why mommy and daddy are fighting!]]

When the Autobots were informed by a mysterious source to meet the Decepticons in battle within a forest, Hot Shot wondered why they didn't bring the Requiem Blaster with them. He was told to shut up, and soon the Decepticons arrived to fight them, as promised. Megatron noticed the absence of the Requiem Blaster and realized it was back at the Autobots' base, where Smokescreen was guarding it, alone. Hot Shot and the Autobots returned to their base too late to assist Smokescreen, who nearly died valiantly trying to protect the Mini-Cons. Despite his sacrifice, Megatron took the Requiem Blaster and retreated. {{storylink|Sacrifice}} Hot Shot was among the Autobots who watched Red Alert begin to repair Smokescreen. Hot Shot then took Side Swipe with him to investigate the appearance of Starscream on Earth, who had left the Decepticons with the Star Saber sword after an argument with Megatron. After a fight with Tidal Wave, Starscream returned with the Autobots to their base, despite Hot Shot's objections. He didn't trust Starscream and believed this was a trick, citing the treachery of Sideways. And worse, Starscream was partly to blame for Smokescreen's condition! Outside, Hot Shot picked a fight with Starscream as their Mini-Cons watched. Their battle, which lasted until dusk, was interrupted by a strange Transformer, whom Hot Shot yelled at for interrupting the avenging of his friend. The fight was stopped when Hot Shot realized this Transformer was Smokescreen, rebuilt in a new body. {{storylink|Regeneration (Armada)|Regeneration}}

Using coordinates given by Starscream, the Autobots were able to warp themselves directly into the Decepticons' base. Hot Shot confronted Wheeljack again, telling the "creep" to get out of his way. With Starscream's help, the Autobots were able to locate where the Decepticons were keeping their captured Mini-Cons, and Hot Shot fought Megatron, giving the Mini-Cons a chance to escape. Starscream interfered, saving Hot Shot's life, and after the two teamed up against the Decepticon leader, they returned to the Autobot base with the rescued Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Rescue}} Hot Shot stayed home while Jetfire and Starscream journeyed to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] to retrieve another Mini-Con. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}} Hot Shot was frustrated with Starscream's apathy, and his original suspicions were confirmed when Starscream had a change of heart in the midst of a battle, bringing the Skyboom shield and the Star Saber sword to Megatron, giving him control of all three weapons. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}}

[[Image:Crisis Hot Shot Matrix.jpg|thumb|300px|Awww, ''hell'' naw.]]
When Megatron harnessed the power of the three weapons to power the [[Hydra Cannon]], a starship powerful enough to destroy Earth in one blast, Hot Shot and the others worked to build a starship of their own. {{storylink|Threaten}} Hot Shot blamed everything on Starscream's betrayal and angrily accused Optimus Prime for letting Starscream join their team and beginning this series of events. This had some effect on the Autobot leader, as Optimus Prime later offered the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix of the Commander]] to Hot Shot. Hot Shot refused, saying he couldn't take such an important thing from Optimus. Optimus Prime put the Matrix back in his chest, warped into space, and blocked the Hydra Cannon's Earth-shattering shot with his own body. The Autobot leader disintegrated before their eyes. {{storylink|Crisis}}

[[Image:Remorse democracy.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Scavenger, you're fired.]]
The death of Optimus hit Hot Shot hard. After starting fights with everyone, he left the Autobots and ran out on his own, only to face Scavenger. Scavenger assaulted Hot Shot, revealing that the former Decepticon had left their team for the Autobots because of him. As the two beat on each other, Side Swipe arrived with a small group of Mini-Cons, and they all pleaded for Hot Shot to stop fighting with everyone. Hot Shot realized he was being selfish, that he needed his teammates just as much as they needed him, and he promised to stop treating his friends as if they were enemies. The rest of the Autobots arrived, and they were pleased with Hot Shot's discovery. Jetfire nominated Hot Shot to lead the Autobots because it was what Optimus would have wanted. Scavenger went to hit Hot Shot one more time, but Hot Shot didn't move. Proving he was without fear, Hot Shot became leader of the Autobots. As a stipulation, Hot Shot stated that he would only be leader until they return to Cybertron, and that they should put the Matrix of the Commander someplace safe, as he didn't feel he should carry it. {{storylink|Remorse}}

Hot Shot oversaw the completion of their starship, the [[Axalon (Armada)|''Axalon'']], and asked the Mini-Cons if they wanted to come or not. They unanimously decided to accompany the Autobots to Cybertron. He initially forbade the kids from coming, but the Mini-Cons convinced him to change his mind. {{storylink|Depart}} As the ''Axalon'' left Earth, Hot Shot said some final words in memory of Optimus Prime. Their starship caught up with the Decepticons', and soon there was a huge battle between the two factions. Hot Shot battled Megatron in space, but it was a one-sided battle. Hot Shot placed himself between Megatron's Requiem Blaster and the ''Axalon'', hoping to spare his friends, but then a miracle occurred. The Mini-Con Sparkplug was able to resurrect Optimus Prime from within the Matrix, and the formerly-deceased Autobot Leader reappeared in a blinding flash of green light. Optimus turned the tide, {{storylink|Miracle}} and he reintroduced himself to a very grateful Hot Shot and the rest of the crew. But before anything else could happen, Hot Shot and Red Alert were pulled through a strange hole to an alien landscape. Here they met a [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|strange dark version of Optimus Prime]] who battled them. It was discovered that Megatron, Starscream, and Demolishor were on this strange planet, too, and despite their combined numbers, the Prime doppelganger overwhelms them. Arriving Mini-Cons bathe the planet in a strange light, and when the larger Transformers woke up, they were completely repaired, yet in strange new colors. Ultimately, their battle caused the planet itself to disintegrate, and both factions were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Puppet}}

[[Image:Dash Hot Shot crouch.jpg|thumb|250px|Twenty episodes ago, he cooed like a baby if you made faces at him.]]
By the time the Autobots had repaired the ''Axalon'' and arrived over Cybertron, the Decepticons had managed to take over the planet. Hot Shot and Blurr fought through Decepticons on the planet's surface, while a strange phenomenon appeared in the sky. {{storylink|Uprising}} [[Unicron]], the Chaos Bringer, was looming over their planet, but [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (previously Megatron) would not listen to Optimus Prime's pleas to unite their two factions against him. Hot Shot decided to take matters into his own hands and fought his way through the Decepticon base and countless Decepticon warriors to reach Galvatron and reason with him. If not for Wheeljack's intervention, he might not have survived. Wheeljack's hatred for Hot Shot seemed to have softened, and Hot Shot's former friend joined him in pleading to Galvatron to stop the war so that the two factions could unite against Unicron. Galvatron was unconvinced, but Thrust, a secret pawn of Unicron, panicked and ran away with the Requiem Blaster and the Skyboom shield. Hot Shot and Wheeljack took off after him. {{storylink|Dash (episode)|Dash}}

Hot Shot continued to hunt Thrust down, while the true nature of the Mini-Cons was revealed; they were created by Unicron long ago. {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}} Hot Shot and Wheeljack aided Starscream against Sideways within the surprisingly organic-looking caverns of Cybertron. But when Unicron formed out of Cybertron's moon, the battle dissipated as each side readied for the final battle. {{storylink|Portent}} Despite Hot Shot's intentions to convince Galvatron himself, the Decepticon leader did not change his mind until Starscream sacrificed himself to Unicron. {{storylink|Cramp}} After a formal alliance between Autobots and Decepticons was formed, Hot Shot was part of a unified team sent to Unicron's surface. However, once the team arrived, the Decepticons abandoned Hot Shot and the other Autobots. Later, Demolishor made up for this by begrudgingly catching Side Swipe before could fall to his doom. In return, Hot Shot had found Demolishor's Mini-Con partner, [[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]]. They agreed to work together from then on. {{storylink|Alliance}} Optimus Prime and Megatron traveled together to the core of Unicron, leaving both armies under the command of Hot Shot. {{storylink|Union}} No matter how much damage Hot Shot's teams inflicted on Unicron, Unicron could repair himself. Their massive opponent was fed by the negative energies of the battle. Ordering a cease fire, Unicron stood motionless, seemingly defeated. {{storylink|Origin}}

[[Image:Mortal Combat Hot Shot Jetfire.jpg|thumb|left|250px|When we come back, we'll be terrible cel-shaded CGI!]]
Hot Shot told both armies to begin rebuilding Cybertron while he went to Unicron to find Optimus, but Jetfire demanded he go instead. Inside, after a fight between Optimus Prime and Megatron, Megatron sacrificed himself to Unicron so that their negative energies would not revive him. But Optimus Prime felt he had failed as Autobot Leader, and with the end of the conflict between the two factions, he exiled himself to parts unknown. Hot Shot and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] were left in charge of the Transformers. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

{{-}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brent Miller]] (English), [[Kōsuke Toriumi]] (Japanese), [[Ola Norman]] (Swedish)

[[Image:E1 titlecard.jpg|thumb|300px|Hot Shot always forgets he's not supposed to shoot at the humans.]]
Ten years on, Hot Shot was stationed on Earth as the commander of [[Ocean City]] while Optimus Prime trained new soldiers on Cybertron. He faced administrative challenges such as [[Demolishor (Armada)|surly former adversaries]] and teenaged angst from the resident teenaged angster, [[Kicker Jones]]. Hot Shot had proved himself up to the task of being "city commander," and was seen with fanboy-like adoration by younger Autobots such as [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]. Ironhide in particular wished he could advance further in rank just so he could combine with Hot Shot.

Kicker seemed to have a certain clairvoyance when it came to trouble (and [[Energon]]!), though Hot Shot would often dismiss Kicker's warnings. But one day, like most days, Kicker was right. Mysterious bestial Transformers, the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]], suddenly attacked Ocean City, forcing Hot Shot, Kicker, Ironhide, and the others to go on the defensive. When Optimus Prime arrived, Hot Shot and Inferno were granted the [[Spark of Combination]], which allowed the two to combine into a single super robot. With everyone working together, the last of that batch of Terrorcons were defeated. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}}

When [[Mars City]] on Mars was destroyed by more Terrorcons, Hot Shot was among those assembled to hear the news. The Terrorcons' next target was Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]], so after Ocean City was raised, Hot Shot and the others, including the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], used the [[space bridge]] to warp there. But despite their efforts, the Terrorcons were able to flee with much stolen Energon. {{storylink|Energon Stars}} Later, Hot Shot headed up a strikeforce to [[Desert City]] to fortify it against possible Terrorcon assault. While there he flirted with jailbait super-scientist [[Misha Miramond]] and filled her ear with what a dork her not-my-boyfriend (Kicker) was back at Ocean City. When Terrorcons invaded the city, Hot Shot and his troops performed a holding action at the entrance to the Energon Mine, but their position was overrun, and Hot Shot was the only survivor. Though battered, Hot Shot commended [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]'s decision to leave him behind and rescue the humans, resulting in the other Autobot being awarded his own Combination Spark. Finally, Ironhide could combine with Hot Shot, just as he'd always wanted! {{storylink|Scorpinok}}

As part of [[Prime Squad]], Hot Shot prepared to travel to Mars before the mission was canceled, and took part in the defense of [[Plains City]], again tasked with securing the Energon supply. He was the first to feel the wrath of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]'s [[Energon Sword|Megatron Sword]], and later battled [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] while attempting to shore up [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]]'s flagging confidence in the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}} Hot Shot also led a recon team searching for a [[Energon point]] in the mountains, the future location of [[Blizzard City]]. He ordered Ironhide and Demolishor to team up for their mutual benefit. While trying to rescue Kicker, Hot Shot was buried in an avalanche by Cyclonus. He evacuated his team before they could be crushed by the emergency deployment of a new [[Cybertron City (city)|Cybertron City]] via [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|The New Cybertron City}}

[[Image:E07 hotshotarm.gif|thumb|left|Ironhide kept it as a souvenir for his [[User:ItsWalky|Hot Shot shrine]].]]

Hot Shot and his crew were still at Plains City when the newly-resurrected [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] attacked. He was defeated in battle by Megatron and 'dis-armed' as an object lesson to Optimus. {{storylink|Megatron Resurrected}} Optimus retreated to Ocean City with the injured Hot Shot and left the Plains City Energon supply to the Decepticons. Hot Shot's injury awakened a protective streak in Optimus Prime, who briefly forbade Kicker from accompanying the Autobots on missions. At Ocean City Hot Shot underwent medical treatment, submerged in liquefied Energon while his damaged exostructure re-grew. When the base was breached, Hot Shot broke out of his medical unit to defend Inferno from Terrorcons and, armed with a clone of the Megatron Sword, he helped kick the visiting Decepticons back out. {{storylink|Megatron Raid}}

[[Image:Energon Tower groupshot.jpg|thumb|300px|Why even take multiple screencaps? He always looks the same.]]
Hot Shot organized a covert surveillance of Optimus Prime while he was targeted by a [[Starscream (Armada)|Mysterious Mercenary]]. Unfortunately, his large shoulder armor made it impossible to hide behind objects and Optimus discovered him. When Optimus fought Starscream on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], Hot Shot placed Inferno in temporary command of Ocean City so he could bring a supply of Energon Stars to [[Lunar City]]. {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}} When the Autobots encountered the [[Decepticon mobile fortress]] near [[Asteroid City]], Hot Shot panicked, momentarily believing it was Unicron himself, and [[Brainstorm#Marvel Comics continuity|fired blindly and ineffectually into it]] using a hand weapon. {{storylink|Battle of the Asteroid Belt}} During the construction of an [[energon tower]] that would help protect their cities from attack, the Terrorcons chose the moment to strike. After Inferno combined with Hot Shot to form Powerlinx Inferno, the tower was finally activated and the Terrorcons fled. {{storylink|Energon Tower}}

Hot Shot wandered over when he heard Ironhide telling Kicker to 'lose the attitude', but was unable to wholly endorse Ironhide's statement that Kicker should automatically look up to [[Brian Jones (Energon)|his father]]. Instead he gently suggested that Kicker might want to seek a ''different'' hero to look up to, and told Ironhide that he'd looked up to [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] since he was a young Autobot. {{storylink|The Legend of Rodimus}} Hot Shot later supervised the project to construct the second energon tower at [[Jungle City]]. Ironhide was placed in co-command when the larger Autobot contingent arrived for the final stage, and when the city was attacked and put to siege they split duties, with Hot Shot taking Aerial defense. As the siege wore on, Hot Shot had to be the one to confront Optimus Prime and force him to admit that this battle was unwinnable. They destroyed Jungle City rather than letting it fall to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Crisis in Jungle City}}

[[Image:Energon-HotShot-Hand-Drawn.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Eeeyeaagh!]]

Hot Shot accompanied the rescue mission to [[Lunar City]]. {{storylink|Kicker Beware!}} When Earth was threatened by artificial cometary impacts, he was part of the orbital team sent to intercept them as they approached Earth's atmosphere. Forced to wait as other teams tried to slow the comets, Hot Shot occupied himself by aggravating [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], who eventually just told him to be quiet. He, Jetfire and Optimus Prime supercharged themselves with Energon to push against the comets, delaying their approach long enough for the [[energon grid]] to come online. {{storylink|Energon Grid}}

On Earth, Hot Shot was shocked when [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], a transformer he idolized in his youth, broke in on a communication with [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and demanded a secret meeting. He traveled to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], where he discovered Scorponok had reactivated the destroyed Energon mines. Rodimus appeared to head off a fight between the two of them. He attempted to recruit Hot Shot as a double agent for the secret agenda that he, Scorponok and [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] shared—the revival of Unicron! Hot Shot refused to betray Optimus Prime, and pulled a gun on Rodimus... but he was unable to fire on his one-time idol. Rodimus had no such compunctions, and he shot Hot Shot, but Kicker and Ironhide intervened to save him. {{storylink|Rodimus Friend or Foe?}}

Hot Shot attended the launch of the ''[[Miranda II]]'' Autobot-human spacecraft. He joined the crew and was part of a space battle in the [[Asteroid belt]] to defend the [[Energon Ring]] before their journey could begin. {{storylink|Go for Unicron!}}

After Rodimus saved Hot Shot's life, he regretted his quick judgment. The relationship between Hot Shot and Rodimus was eventually restored and they become Powerlink partners.

[[Image:Energon-Autobot-Redecos.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Yes, everyone follow Hot Shot. He'll know what to do.]]

Hot Shot continued to serve under Optimus Prime, surviving many battles on Cybertron and other worlds. Along with several other Autobots, Hot Shot was injured when the reborn Unicron destroyed a fledgling planet in the reformed Q-system. Hot Shot was reformatted into a slick silver body along with his Autobot comrades.

Hot Shot warned Sally not to go spy on the Decepticons, but she got away from him by wiggling disturbingly through a human-size passageway. He was suitably impressed when she captured the control room the Decepticons had been using all by herself. {{storylink|Galvatron Terror}} He watched in horror as Galvatron grew to enormous size using Super Energon, and led Cliffjumper and Downshift onto the battlefield. He powerlinxed with Downshift to try and rescue Optimus from Galvatron, but they were engaged by Starscream instead. {{storylink|Destructive Power}} He eventually merged his [[spark]] with that of [[Optimus Supreme]] and his partners in the final battle with [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Sun}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Kirby Morrow]] (English), [[Daisuke Hirakawa]] (Japanese), [[Ola Norman]] (Swedish)
[[Image:Hotshotcybertron.jpg|thumb|250px|He knows kung-fu.]]
Hot Shot thought that the new [[Earth]]-based [[alternate mode]] provided to him by [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was "so him," but couldn't believe they were abandoning [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. When the Decepticons attacked, he battled [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. He was unable to stop the Decepticons from stealing the map, and accompanied [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] to Earth. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} Once there, he assisted in helping build the new Autobot base. When the Decepticons attacked, Hot Shot battled Starscream to stop them from detecting the base. {{storylink|Haven}} When [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] attempted to close the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]], Hot Shot viewed from Earth. He then arrived as backup when Optimus Prime battled [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Hidden}} Hot Shot was racing on a speedway. Optimus Prime arrived and gave him a lecture about their need to stay hidden on Earth. So when they decided to split up to search for the [[Omega Lock]], Hot Shot went with Red Alert to the [[Velocitron|Speed Planet]]. When they arrived he marveled at the open roads and took to enjoying himself. He was then surprised at something faster than him. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}}

[[Image:Cyb ep7 hotshot cyberkey.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Slag yeah, ladies. I bring those ''blue'' sparks.]]
Hot Shot thought the Speed Planet was his type of place, but was adamant he wouldn't disobey Optimus Prime's orders. From a distance he watched [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] utilize his [[Cyber Key]], then saw [[Ransack (Cybertron)|two]] [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|bullies]] terrorizing [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|some]] [[Clocker (Cybertron)|locals]]. He argued with Red Alert about interfering. At first he said he wasn't going to interfere but eventually when things looked bad he saved them. {{storylink|Space (episode)|Space}} Hot Shot was then attacked by Ransack and Crumplezone. He transformed and drove off. When driving between them he caused them to blast each other. Red Alert then berated him for breaking cover against Prime's orders, but Hot Shot was still excited over every little part of Speed Planet. Upon seeing a race between [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and Megatron he joined in. He would have won the race if Crumplezone's missiles hadn't hit him. {{storylink|Rush}} Afterward Hot Shot trained to get into peak performance for his next race against Override. He removed his entire self analysis system to lighten his weight. During the race he felt a need for more speed and was able to summon Cyber Key Power. With this burst of speed, though, he broke and was thrown off the track. {{storylink|Speed}}

Hot Shot readied himself for another race while Red Alert accused him of no longer caring for his mission. Hot Shot was ready to hit Red Alert when Brakedown stepped in. Later while testing out his racing skills he went too fast and almost crashed into a wall, but was saved by Clocker. Reflecting on this, he decided that he was too lightweight. {{storylink|Time (episode)|Time}} Hot Shot still felt he needed to win his race despite being injured. Ransack tricked him into racing [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] by telling him the winner would race Override again 1-on-1. He was damaged by Dirt Boss's [[Cyber Key]] attack, but kept racing. Later he was shot at by Ransack but fired back and caused a landslide, burying himself. After being unburied by Landmine, he apologized to a newly arrived [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] for disobeying his orders and possibly failing his mission. He then collapsed. While in an unconscious state Red Alert repaired the damage he had been putting on himself. Landmine berated him to snap him out of the rut his mind was in. He took it hard and for a bit felt like he wasn't part of the team until Clocker convinced him otherwise. Optimus Prime later decided to use Hot Shot's original plan. Then he raced along with the other Autobots for interference. {{storylink|Hero (episode)|Hero}}

[[Image:Cyb_ep13_hotshot_injured.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"JaAm overdose?""JaAm Overdose.""Ah."]]
At the start of the race, Hot Shot took the lead, but was again passed by Override and Dirt Boss. Crumplezone and Ransack spun him in circles, but he quickly recovered and continued to purse Override. The duo later cut away the bridge, but Hot Shot jumped the gap by leapfrogging off of Optimus Prime. He was not able to win the race, but placed second place. {{storylink|Race}} Hot Shot then raced in the next race. Seeing the twisting course up ahead, he attempted to take the lead early in the race and passed Override. He went the wrong direction when Ransack switched over the course. When hearing the fact that he was on the wrong course he shared the information with Override to beat her fair and square. Later after an avalanche he helped out a buried Override rather than continue to race. Once again he came in second place due to Dirt Boss passing him while he was busy helping Override. {{storylink|Detour (episode)|Detour}} Hot Shot continued to train with the rest of the Autobots to be ready for the next race while Optimus Prime and [[Vector Prime]] went to find another planet key. He then listened to Red Alert's lecture about the Cyber Keys and then lined up for the next race. {{storylink|Savage}}
[[Image:Cyb_ep18_champion.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hot Shot receives a gold trophy from Star Cup]]
After qualifying for the next race, Hot Shot initially took the lead through the desert. He then realized he couldn't get much in the way of traction in the sands, causing him to fall way behind Dirt Boss. To complicate matters, he also fell into a quicksand vortex. Brakedown began to pulling him out of the vortex but they targeted by Dirt Boss. They were saved when [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] jumped in the way and reflected the shots. After continuing the race, Hot Shot stopped as Brakedown broke down, but after listening to the old bot, finished the race. After the race he requested that [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] remain on [[Velocitron]] to help him through the final race. {{storylink|Sand}} Hot Shot was chosen by the Planet Cup for the final race. At the Autobot base he found out that his damage would cause him to be unfamiliar with his vehicle mode. The Autobots decided that Coby would sit in Hot Shot's cockpit to have the continuous ability to modify his circuits. The race began and he started out with an early lead. When Ransack and Crumplezone attempted to steal the Planet Cup, he warded them off with the help of Override. Then they continued the race. As Hot Shot's system links kept breaking down, Coby was able to rewire him in order for him to keep pace with Override. It wasn't enough, as his circuits were still having trouble holding, so he used Cyber Key Power to help finish up a loop. After a photo finish with Override, he was declared the winner of the race and was going to take the Planet Cup, but Megatron showed up out of nowhere to take it. In vehicle mode Hot Shot knocked over Megatron, giving Optimus Prime and Leobreaker an opportunity to take Megatron down. Afterward Hot Shot attended the victory celebration in his own honor. Returning to Earth, he was also present when Override added the Cyber Planet Key to the [[Omega Lock]]. {{storylink|Champion}}

Following coordinates provided by the Omega Lock, Hot Shot was part of a team of Autobots that headed to the north pole. He was able to respond to a Autobot distress signal to save a frozen [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]]. {{storylink|Ice}} After sustaining damage, he was fixed up by Red Alert and Coby {{storylink|Honor}} and then followed the Autobots to Jungle Planet {{storylink|Primal}}. After the Autobots received Jungle Planet's Cyber Planet Key, Hot Shot heard the incoming Decepticons attempting to win it back. He was able to take cover as they strafed. After leaving the temple with a diversionary box that may have contained the key, he was knocked over by Crumplezone when he turned to fight Ransack. Later he saw a space bridge and headed toward it, joining the Autobots in surrounding Megatron. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}

Hot Shot readied equipment with Scattorshot back on Earth. He chose to follow Red Alert to the north pole to back up Optimus Prime's team. {{storylink|Trap}} Surprisingly, he was the voice of caution and told Jetfire not to blast ice debris that trapped Optimus Prime. It would cause a collapse. After Jetfire freeing Optimus Prime using his engines, the Autobots were attacked by Decepticons and human drone planes. He was going to attack the drone planes, but was stopped by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Invasion (episode)|Invasion}}

[[Image:Retreat-HotShotholomatteravatar.jpg|thumb|left|200px|JaAm executive.]]
When the Autobots realized the kids and Mini-Cons were missing, Hot Shot was sent out to investigate. While on his route he ran into [[Tim Hansen]] and assured him that his younger brothers would be okay. After finding the kids who escaped from [[Mike Franklin|Colonel Franklin]], Hot Shot began retreating to [[Velocitron]] via the space bridge. Starscream attacked to steal away the [[Omega Lock]] and Hot Shot was one of the first to fall in battle. {{storylink|Retreat}}

[[Image:Cyb ep27 parts delivery.jpg|thumb|right|200px|We're surrounded by all these military vehicles, but, man, I'm so tired, let's just get new bodies from Primus instead.]]

Later, Hot Shot, Red Alert and Scattorshot faced Megatron alone when the Decepticon leader returned to Earth thirsting for revenge against the treacherous Starscream. Humiliating the Decepticon in combat, they enraged Megatron, who used his new Omega Lock-powered Death Machine Gun on the three Autobots, crippling them beyond repair. {{storylink|Revelation (episode)|Revelation}} Fortunately, the powers of Primus acting through the Omega Lock bathed the trio in the creator's holy light, repairing and reformatting the young Autobot into Cybertron Defense Hot Shot. Along with his newly
reformatted friends, the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] arrived on the battlefield and easily defeated the Decepticons Scourge and Megatron. {{storylink|Critical}}

[[Image:Cyb ep27 cyb def team.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Excuse me, we're here to be the most awesome toys ever.]]

Hot Shot continued to battle Megatron and his forces. After Megatron retreated, Hot Shot followed to aid Optimus Prime at the volcanic island. He helped fight off Scourge with the rest of the Cybertron Defense Team. Later, when questioning [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]]'s "orders," he was shot and forced to dance to avoid being blasted. After the altercation Optimus Prime sent him and the rest of Cybertron Defense Team to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in an attempt to slow down the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]]. {{storylink|Assault}} En route to the planet, however, his team encountered a meteor shower. He began blasting his way through, but in doing so got goop all over his windshield, obscuring his vision. [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] then took over his movements via [[synchro-control]]. Later he countered [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]]'s claim in who had the most points by blowing up the most asteroids, saying he had shot at least 2 to every one of Scattorshot's. Upon arrival at Cybertron and finding it swarming with [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]], he led the assault to cleanse the planet. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} They fought their way through legions of the robotic pests. {{storylink|United}}

[[Image:CDHotShot fists.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Now we know why his shoulders hurt]]
Hot Shot continued fighting off Scrapmetals until all in the vicinity were destroyed. Upon Megatron's arrival, Hot Shot immediately attacked. After Megatron's apparent defeat, Hot Shot helped give a tour of Cybertron to the kids and other offworlders. He was then present when Optimus Prime presented the Omega Lock which caused Cybertron to apparently break apart. He then drove via the space bridge to Cybertron's moon to witness the full transformation of [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} Hot Shot was first awed by Primus, then confused when he found out that [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] was originally from [[Gigantion]]. He attacked Starscream after the Decepticon's arrival and continued fighting Decepticons until [[Megatron (Armada)|something]] appeared in the sky. {{storylink|Balance}}

Hot Shot was attacked by the newly powered up Crumplezone once he was raised from mortal wounds by Megatron. He wasn't much tougher than before and Hot Shot was able to defeat his rival. {{storylink|Darkness (episode)|Darkness}} He later chased after the Decepticons attempting to steal the Omega Lock. {{storylink|Memory}}

When the Autobots reached [[Gigantion]], he split off into a group to explore the planet. Later, in an altercation with the Decepticons, he fired at [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]. Hot Shot unloaded the ship for the Autobots to be able to use the Omega Lock. He and the rest of the Cybertron Defense team were taken out by a newly powered up [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Fury}}

Hot Shot watched as Optimus battled [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], then joined the rest of the Cybertron Defense Force as team three when the Autobots split up. {{storylink|City}} He later ran into Sideways and [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] while searching for the Cyber Planet Key. He listened to Soundwave's story of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]]. He was then surrounded by [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]]'s smoke and accidentally hit Scattorshot believing he was Sideways. When Scattorshot cleared the smoke Hot Shot powered up his Cyber Key and helped the rest of his squad blast a pillar upon Soundwave and Sideways. {{storylink|Challenge}}

[[Image:Cyb ep45 save the universe.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Come back from the dead and all I get are these lousy group shots.]]

Hot Shot and his team looked for a downward passage when they ran into Galvatron and [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]]. After a brief skirmish, they utilized the [[triangle formation|triangle attack]] to take Menasor down. Then they battled Galvatron at full strength, but were once again beaten down. {{storylink|Scourge (episode)|Scourge}} He slowly got to his feet, recovered, and made his way down to the inner part of Gigantion to join the rest of the Autobots in shooting Galvatron. {{storylink|Optimus (episode)|Optimus}}

Hot Shot watched as [[Vector Prime]] inserted the final Cyber Planet Key into the [[Omega Lock]]. when Galvatron arrived, Hot Shot was defeated with the rest of the Autobots. While Optimus Prime and the other flying Autobots were intercepted by Soundwave and Sideways, Hot Shot opened fire from the ground. {{storylink|Showdown}} When the new space bridge opened and the denizens from Planet X were coming through, Hot Shot began firing. Afterward, with the help of Vector Prime, he was able to leave Gigantion with the rest of the Autobots. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}} After returning to [[Primus]], the Decepticons attacked. Hot Shot quickly counterattacked, {{storylink|Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming}} battling Thundercracker while the Decepticon taunted Optimus Prime {{storylink|End}}

[[Image:CybertronKicker.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kicker needs to update his contact information.]]

Hot Shot ran to assist the Autobots in sending [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] back to orbit. When Galvatron entered the Autobot base, he wanted to attack the Decepticon leader until Optimus said it was his fight solely. So instead he ran out to save Jungle Planet. After helping put out fires, Hot Shot lent his strength to push the rocket to adjust the planet's trajectory. After the planet was saved, he joined the rest of the Autobots in assisting Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Unfinished}} With Galvatron finally defeated, Override resigned from leadership of Velocitron in order to travel to new worlds, and Hot Shot won the race to determine who would be her successor, despite his bulky new body. {{storylink|Beginning}}

{{-}}

===Panini ''Armada'' comic===
[[Image:DevicesandDesires-yourownsize.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Well, gee, Hot Shot, when you put it that way, it doesn't sound fair anymore.]]
As the Autobot-Decepticon war was in its early stages, Hot Shot was stationed at the main [[Autobot Command HQ]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Upon detecting four Decepticon battalions heading towards them, he reported this to [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and raced into battle. He and the other Autobots were eventually forced to abandon their base when it turned out to be rigged with explosives. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 9|Counter-Strike!}} After the Mini-Cons left Cybertron, he was seen dispensing firepower and sarcasm during another clash with the Decepticon forces. {{storylink|First Encounter!}}

Hot Shot and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] were later summoned to [[Earth]] when the Mini-Cons were found to have awakened there. The Mini-Con [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] grudgingly power-linked with Hot Shot, allowing him to fly through the air and ram [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Friends and Foes!}} Following the battle, he stood guard outside a small cave while the Mini-Cons and their [[human]] friends made their way inside. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 3|Deep Trouble!}} When the Autobots decided to keep the Mini-Cons safe by sending them back to Cybertron, Hot Shot stood watch, and soon reported that the Decepticons were going on the offensive again. In the ensuing battle, the Mini-Cons decided to stay on Earth, and Jolt power-linked with Hot Shot and helped him drive the Decepticons away. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|No Way Back!}}

Alongside Optimus Prime and Red Alert, Hot Shot later saved the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] from getting captured by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 5|Devices and Desires!}} After the Air Defense Team revealed that the [[Land Military Mini-Con Team|Land Military Team]] had been captured by humans, Hot Shot piloted an Autobot shuttle to the [[Nevada]] desert and helped liberate them. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 7|Sale of the Century!}} Next, the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were planning to nuke them from the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], and their [[space bridge]] was too busted up for them to do anything about it. Hot Shot was tasked with repairing the device and use it to warp the incoming warheads elsewhere, and he succeeded at the last second. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Earthshaker!}}

===Bendon ''Armada'' books===

Hot Shot and Optimus Prime were forced to defend the Autobot base from a surprise attack. When the attack accidentally triggered a landslide, Hot Shot rushed in to save the kids. {{storylink|Cave Catastrophe}}

Hot Shot would once again rush in to save the kids after they left themselves out in the open, ramming Demolishor hard enough to flip him over. {{storylink|Race to Disaster}}

===''Superdeformers''===
[[Image:Superdeformers Hot Shot.jpg|thumb|right|Hot shot stumbles upon JaAm.|150px]]
Facing down [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] one day, Hot Shot was unprepared when the Decepticon lobbed [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] at him. Luckily before the Mini-Con could hit Hot Shot, Blurr jumped in and snatched it out of the air. The pair promptly ran off with Thunderwing, leaving Thrust to face [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s wrath. {{storylink|Superdeformers}}

===Lonesome Diesel===
Hot Shot was part of the Autobot forces during a battle in [[Yellowstone National Park]], and seconded Optimus's warning that the area was too geologically unstable to battle in. Megatron ignored their advice. {{storylink|Lonesome Diesel}}

===3H comics===
Hot Shot was one of several Transformers from across the [[multiverse]] suggested by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] for [[Optimus Primal]] to recruit into his [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. Optimus Primal decided to pluck [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] back from death instead. {{storylink|Homecoming (issue)|Homecoming}}

==Games==
===The Energon Within===
As Optimus and Hot Shot prepare to escort a truckload of energon away from a mine, the Decepticons launch a full scale assault. Their objective is to steal 100 energon cubes. Though they eventually succeed, the cost is high and the mine remains in Autobot hands.{{storylink|Transformers Armada: The Energon Within}}

As Optimus and Hot Shot prepare to escort a truckload of energon away from a mine, the Decepticons launch a full scale assault. Their objective is to steal 100 energon cubes. Before they can succeed, Hot Shot inadvertently blows up the mine. {{storylink|Transformers Armada: The Energon Within}}

===''Transformers''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Dublin James]] (English)
[[Image:BalanceOfPower-Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Hot Shot has particular skills?]]
Shortly after Hot Shot was brought online, he and Red Alert were sent deep into Decepticon territory to uncover an [[Data-Con|ancient relic]] that would tell them how to find the long-lost race of [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]. The two were discovered by passing [[Dropship|Dropships]] and the [[Spider Tank|Spider Tanks]] they carried, and so they quickly dodged for cover. But there was nowhere to run; the Decepticons had created a massive army of [[Decepticlone|Decepticlones]]. After sending out an auto-distress signal, Optimus Prime arrived to bolster their firepower. This caught the attention of Megatron, and the two leaders grappled while Hot Shot and Red Alert continued to evade the Decepticlones. Meanwhile, Starscream had managed to find the relic, and a portal was opened in front of them. Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Optimus Prime followed the Decepticons through the portal to [[Earth]]. The search for the Mini-Cons began! {{storylink|The Balance of Power}}

[[Image:PS2game-HotShotDecepticlones.jpg|thumb|200px|He's the best there is at what he does! (We don't like to say what he does...)]]

Hot Shot found himself in the sweeping jungles that surrounded abandoned Aztec ruins. After failing to find Mini-Cons under a rock, he managed to pair up with the Mini-Con Jolt, and when he reached the top of the ruins, he faced Cyclonus. The following battles took him many places, such as a frozen wasteland, the interior of a battleship (which eventually revealed itself as the gigantic Tidal Wave), and ultimately Hot Shot battled Unicron himself.

Hot Shot, having collected all the Mini-Cons on Earth, was able to wield the legendary [[Matrix Cannon]], which he used to fire a deadly Shot into the core of the Planet Eater. {{storylink|Transformers (PS2)|Transformers}}

{{note|The events of the game listed above are exactly the same for when players choose to take Red Alert or Optimus Prime into battle instead of Hot Shot... except for the rock thing. That's all Hot Shot, baby.}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Shot (Armada)/toys }}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:HotShotisBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|YELLOW KID APPEAL SINGULARITY]]
* In an early ''Armada'' series bible, Hot Shot was originally called "Bumblebee". His character description says that he is the youngest of the Autobots at "about 16 years of age". The Autobots' teen-aged human allies would have teased him for not being old enough to have a driver's license. It further notes that "Everything about him is fast- including his speech," which definitely wasn't taken to heart. The rest of his personality was as you would expect, being young and brash yet showing leadership potential, and his Mini-Con was still called Jolt. One of the reasons he was ultimately not named "Bumblebee" was because the name was unavailable as a [[trademark]] for Hasbro at that time.
* According to the [[Transformers (PS2)|''Armada'' Playstation 2 game]] instruction booklet, Hot Shot's ''Armada'' body has the following statistics:
:*Mass: 3,109 lbs
:*Robot height: 16' 5"
:*Robot top speed: 50 mph
:*Vehicle height: 5' 11"
:*Vehicle top speed: 186 mph
:*Vehicle power: 400 hp @ 8000 rpm

* For a while, ''Galaxy Force'' was treated by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as a separate universe from ''Micron Legend'' and ''Super Link'', which would have made Exillion (Hot Shot's Japanese name in ''Galaxy Force'') a different guy, even though the character's head design and [[control drawing|control art]] labeled him "Hot Shot" in English.<ref name="control">[http://snakas.web.infoseek.co.jp/event/0410entama.htm Galaxy Force control art on display at Tokyo International Entertainment Market 2004], at Autobase Aichi.</ref> With ''Galaxy Force'' later reintegrated into the "[[Unicron Trilogy|Micron Trilogy]]", this original distinction likely became irrelevant.

* A character looking quite similar to Hot Shot showed up to die in "[[Drift issue 2|Drift #2]]" because someone convinced artist [[Alex Milne]] to draw him as a casualty. This in order to spite longtime fan [[David Willis]], who wuvs Hot Shot. Milne drew him into the story based on his dislike of ''Armada'' and reasoning that the character would not be one used again in the continuity.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=204657#204657 markerguru's post in "Transformers Drift #1: Reactions, Reviews, Spoilers" from the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> Because it is a Generation 1-based story, however, the incident is documented on [[Hot Rod (Henkei!)|"Generation 1" character Hot Rod]]'s page, rather than here.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rod''' (ホットロッド ''Hotto Roddo''), '''Hot Shot''' (''Super Link'', ホットショット ''Hotto Shotto''), '''Exillion''' (''Galaxy Force'', エクシリオン ''Ekushirion''), '''Exigeyser''' (Vanguard Team, エクシゲイザー ''Ekushigeizā'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Nagymenő''', '''Tűzgolyó''' (''Energon'', ''Cybertron'', "Fireball"), '''Nagyágyú''' ("[[Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle]]")
*''Polish:'' '''Piorunus''' (''Armada'', "Thunderboltus")
*''Romanian:'' '''Șmecherul'''
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Garyachkun''' (Гарячкун, "Hot Head")
*''Russian:'' '''Likhach''' (Лихач, "Scorcher")

==External links==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Energon Autobots]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Velocitron]]

Hot Shot (Armada)

2012-10-01T19:51:56Z

NexusPrime98: /* Cybertron cartoon */

{{factions|autobot|{{factions/icons|custom=Energon Powerlinx Silver symbol.png|cLink=Powerlinx}}|velocitron}}
{{disambig3|Hot Shot}}{{suite}}
:''Hot Shot is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Hotshotut.jpg|thumb|350px|I'm Optimus Prime's choice for successor. Scary what goes through the big guy's head, huh?]]
'''Hot Shot''' is the quintessential young hero. He's been around long enough to earn a name for himself and a place in [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime's]] entourage, but he's still too young to know when he's in over his head. In other words, he's blunt, overconfident, naïve, and more than just a little annoying, yet brave, honorable, loyal to his friends, and willing to risk his life to stop the [[Decepticon]]s and help the Autobots. With time and experience, Prime believes, he could make an excellent leader, and Prime has appointed him to his command structure accordingly. Hot Shot's got the goods, but he just needs to pay attention for more than five seconds. Until that day, Hot Shot's likely response to most anything is, "Yeah yeah, like, whatever."

Hot Shot's [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]], though he has been known to moonlight with [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]. Hot Shot also proclaims a love for a strange substance called [[JaAm]], but none of his Autobot peers can figure out what it is.

==Fiction==
===Toy pack-in mini-comics===
[[Image:Hotshotarmadaminicomic.jpg|thumb|left|200px|How dumb can he be? He's fluent in three languages!]]
[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] chose Hot Shot to stop a Decepticon plot to drain power from the city, but Hot Shot balked when Prime picked [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] to be his partner. After speeding off to complete the mission alone, Hot Shot found himself overwhelmed by [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and his partner [[Crumplezone (Armada)|Crumplezone]]. Thankfully, Jolt arrived and gave Hot Shot a hand, and Cyclonus and Crumplezone were defeated. Hot Shot had learned a valuable lesson about teamwork. {{storylink|Armada Volume 1}}

Optimus Prime later contacted Hot Shot from [[Autobot Headquarters (Armada)|Autobot Headquarters]]. {{storylink|Armada Volume 3}}

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hot Shot, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] were present for [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s defeat of [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. They didn't, however, see his smile upon his capture. {{storylink|Armada Volume 4}}

[[Image:HotShotEnergonminicomic.jpg|thumb|200px|He's so polite.]]
After Hot Shot and [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] found a pool of [[Energon]], they were attacked by [[Battle Ravage]]s. When the situation was bleakened further by the arrival of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]], Strongarm fashioned an [[Energon weapon]] for Hot Shot, and the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] were driven away. With the Energon secured, Hot Shot and Strongarm were relieved that they had faced a formidable foe and come out on top. {{storylink|Energon Volume 1}}

Some time after, Hot Shot was seen alongside [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] and Optimus Prime battling Scorponok and his Terrorcons. {{storylink|Energon Volume 2}}

Optimus Prime and Hot Shot (powerlinked with Inferno) found themselves alone and outmatched in a battle with Megatron, [[Shockblast]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]]. As the Decepticons closed in on Optimus, he warned Powerlinx Hot Shot to stay away, for he was too damaged. But at the last minute, [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] arrived, combined with Prime, and drove the Decepticons away! {{storylink|Energon Volume 4}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[Image:Hotshotraizeyes.jpg|thumb|left|Hot Shot watches in horror as [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] buys the last can of [[jaAm]].]]
One million years ago, Hot Shot was a member of the Autobots, the guardians of [[Cyber City]]. Soon, news of a warlike faction called [[Decepticon]]s, led by the power-hungry [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], reached Cyber City via a dying [[Mini-Con]] Hot Shot found. The Mini-Con handed him a video disc, and with his dying breath, demanded Hot Shot take it to Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime played the disc, a distress signal from [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]], head of [[Mini-Con Sector|Mini-Con village D10]], who begged the Autobots for help. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 1|Armada #1}}

The Decepticons themselves soon arrived in Cyber City, armed with Mini-Cons they had captured and reconfigured to bestow incredible power when [[Powerlinx]]ed. Outclassed and near total defeat, Optimus Prime called his troops into retreat, and after the majority of Mini-Cons escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to parts unknown, {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 2|Armada #2}} the Autobots lost much of the planet to the Mini-Con-powered Decepticons. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 3|Armada #3}}

[[Image:Hotshotfreecomicbookday.jpg|thumb|300px|Hot Shot, stop stealing Jolt's gun!]]
In the present day, both the Autobots and Decepticons received a signal of the Mini-Cons' activation on the planet [[Earth]]. Hot Shot and his colleagues [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] were led by Optimus Prime to the planet, {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 4|Armada #4}} where they met the Decepticons in battle. But this time, with the help of the estranged Mini-Cons, the Autobots regained the edge they'd lost against the Decepticons one million years prior. An uneasy alliance was formed, and Hot Shot was partnered with the Mini-Con [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 5|Armada #5}}

When their human friends [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]], and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] befriended a Mini-Con named [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], they soon attracted the attention of the Decepticons, and Hot Shot and the other Autobots weren't far behind. With the arrival of Megatron, however, the Autobots were quickly defeated and restrained, and the children were shocked to learn that Swindle had been working with the Decepticons all this time! Swindle found himself conflicted, as he genuinely liked the human children, and so he eventually had a small change of heart. Grabbing Hot Shot's gun, he was able to disable the Autobots' restraints, and the Decepticons retreated... though with Swindle. {{storylink|Armada Free Comic Book Day}}

[[Image:Hotshotdwissue6.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Wait, Jolt attaches ''where?'']]
After their initial battles on Earth, Megatron was quick to capture the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] and forge them into the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 6|Armada #6}} Optimus Prime led Hot Shot and Red Alert against the Decepticons again, despite being at a strategic disadvantage while the Mini-Cons were missing, a point Hot Shot belabored. Thankfully, the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons arrived just in time to Powerlinx with Hot Shot and the other Autobots, fend off Megatron, and rescue the Air Defense Mini-Cons from the Decepticon leader's clutches. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 7|Armada #7}}

[[Image:Hotshotguido.jpg|thumb|"Well, let's go!"]]
Soon, a Mini-Con beacon tower was erected in [[Tranquility, Kansas|Tranquility]], [[Kansas]] drawing all Earth-bound Mini-Cons to it. Hot Shot and the rest of the Autobots again met the Decepticons in battle at the location when the tower's effect was discovered. However, they were too busy fighting to notice the beacon tower blasting off toward the Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 8|Armada #8}} Hot Shot and Red Alert secreted Optimus Prime into the Decepticon base for the use of their space bridge, so that the Autobot leader could ask for reinforcements from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9|Armada #9}}

After the Mini-Cons were evacuated from the Moon, five did not return home safely and sent a distress signal from northern Alaska. When the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]] failed to retrieve them, Hot Shot and the other Autobots arrived in full force, though they were kept in check by Cyclonus, who was suffering from a Mini-Con overdose. Though they were successful, Optimus Prime disappeared before their eyes, {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}} and when Hot Shot returned to Autobase, he found [[Optimus Prime (G1)|another Optimus Prime]], dying, sent from a different timeline to warn of [[Unicron]]'s coming. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} Learning of the "real" Optimus Prime's disappearance, Megatron and his Decepticons stormed Autobase, nearly killing Smokescreen and heavily injuring Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Scavenger. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}}

Optimus Prime was returned to them and insisted on teaming up with the Decepticons to battle the arriving Unicron. Hot Shot excused himself from this alliance, as Smokescreen's critical condition due to the Decepticons' recent attack still weighed heavily in his mind. So when Megatron stole away during the battle with Unicron to strike a deal with the Dark God, Hot Shot, Scavenger, and Red Alert ambushed him, leaving him to die as Unicron was seemingly destroyed by the [[Mini-Con Matrix]]. {{storylink|The End}}
{{--}}
====''Energon'' comic====
[[Image:Hotshotironhidedw.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Sorry, Hot Shot, you've been replaced.]]
Ten years later, at the beginning of the Energon Era, Hot Shot accompanied Optimus Prime, who was skeptical and restless about the new peacetime, on his visit with the High Council in Cyber City. Prime's demands for vigilance were denied, so Hot Shot later followed him to a special [[uplink platform]] that [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] had directed them to. This trip was a first outing for the rookie Autobot [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], who fawned over Hot Shot. Hot Shot met this with difficulty. Learning of the continued existence of [[Unicron]], {{storylink|This Evil Reborn}} Prime once again returned to the High Council, again accompanied by Hot Shot. But this time, Cyber City was attacked by [[Cheetor (Armada)|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]], [[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]], and [[Terrorsaur (Armada)|Terrorsaur]], who were presumed dead during [[The Unicron Battles]], but in fact were transformed into [[Unicron's Four Horsemen]]. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath}} The Four Horsemen overwhelmed Hot Shot and the other Autobots, and they were saved from destruction only by the timely arrival of the [[Omnicon]]s. Hot Shot, Optimus Prime, and the others were granted the [[Spark of Combination]] by [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Sig-Omega]], and thanks partly to the combined powerlinked form of Hot Shot and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]], the Horsemen were deterred. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Two}}

Hot Shot, along with Inferno, Ironhide, and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], followed Prime to Earth after the Autobots received a distress signal. They regrettably arrived four hours later than the signal was sent, and Hot Shot boggled at how much damage could have been done in that time. Indeed, [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] and his [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] had caused massive devastation while chasing after a young boy named [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]] who could detect [[Energon]]. The Terrorcons outclassed the Autobots upon arrival, however, and left only when their Energon-mining gear was destroyed...but not without taking Kicker. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Three}} After the Autobots reunited with [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]], [[Rad White|Rad]], and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]], Hot Shot and the Omnicon [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] were able to pursue the Terrorcons and deliver a special suit to Kicker that his father, [[Brian Jones (Energon)|Dr. Brian Jones]], had made for him. With Kicker's help, the Terrorcons were defeated and returned to Unicron. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Four}}

Hot Shot, along with Optimus Prime and Inferno, attended a public meeting with the [[United Nations]] in [[New York City]] after the ratification of the [[Cybercord Treaty]]. {{storylink|Multiplicity}}

[[Image:Hotshotomni-potent.jpg|thumb|300px|Wait, ''Hot Shot'' has wisdom?]]
After the Terrorcons attacked an [[energon tower]] in [[Chicago]], Hot Shot was put in charge of the unruly Omnicons and sent to [[Base Site One]] in [[Yukon|Yukon Territory]]. Immediately upon arrival, Strongarm crashed into the base site's intrathermal uplink assembly and subsurface transference grid, frustrating Ironhide. This was the final straw for Hot Shot. After telling them to get lost, he was darkly amused that this was the first order he'd given that they actually followed to the letter. An hour later, Hot Shot had a change of heart, and he and Kicker left to track them down. Their search abruptly ended when [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] was dropped in their laps, defeated during the Omnicons' solo adventure. Eight days later, Hot Shot had returned to Optimus, who tasked him with protecting the Autobots' growing Energon-gathering installations on Earth. However, Prime soon disappeared into a portal, his whereabouts completely unknown. {{storylink|Omni-Potent}}

When Terrorcons orchestrated an attack on four major Earth cities, Hot Shot (leading a team consisting of [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Beachcomber (Energon)|Beachcomber]], and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]]) was sent to repel [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]] drones in [[Toronto]]. Badly outnumbered and confined, Rodimus suggested the group split up. Hot Shot agreed, sending him and Red Alert elsewhere. Hot Shot contacted Jetfire in [[Los Angeles]], telling him it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed and the battle was lost, but he interrupted his transmission to witness a spectacle above. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 3}} [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] had arrived in a new body, and he was dramatically tearing through the Divebomb drones. After Megatron cleared away enough of the Terrorcons in Toronto to give Hot Shot's team a fighting chance, he moved on to the concurrent battle in [[Tokyo]]. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 4}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Brent Miller]] (English), [[Kōsuke Okano]] (Japanese)|[[Alexandre Moreno]] (Portuguese), [[Martin Halm]] (German), [[Ola Norman]] (Swedish)}}

[[Image:Past Part 1 Hot Shot flashback.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'll be back to save you, Wheeljack, right after 4:20.]]
An indeterminate number of years ago on Cybertron, Hot Shot was appointed the supervisor of a young Autobot named [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]]. Wheeljack strongly looked up to Hot Shot as a potential mentor and as a friend, but after a blazing battle, Wheeljack was incapacitated under some debris. Hot Shot left him behind as the flames closed in, promising to get help. However, when Hot Shot reached the other Autobots, his [[Arrogant Autobot officer|commander]] would not let him endanger his own life by returning to help his friend. Hot Shot ignored this order, running back into the battle to find Wheeljack, but he was overwhelmed by the heat and passed out. Instead, Wheeljack was rescued by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. Thinking he had been abandoned by Hot Shot, Wheeljack swore vengeance against him and the Autobots. {{storylink|Past}} {{storylink|Past II}}

[[Image:Metamorphosis Hot Shot Red Alert arrive.jpg|thumb|200px|Wave 1 all accounted for, sir!]]
When [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] received a distress signal from the long-lost [[Mini-Con]]s, Hot Shot was one of two soldiers he brought with him to Earth to investigate. When they arrived, Hot Shot was quick to block [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] from attacking some human children who had stumbled upon the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]], and before long, the Decepticons warped away. Hot Shot suggested that the Decepticons' base must be within sight if they were able to use short-warp teleportation; [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] correctly assumed this base was on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. Hot Shot and the other two Autobots returned when the humans and the Mini-Cons once again found themselves under attack from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Metamorphosis}} Hot Shot and Red Alert used their bodies to shield the human kids from the Decepticons' firepower. During the battle, Hot Shot and Red Alert recovered two [[Mini-Con storage panel]]s, and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] was one of two Mini-Cons who materialized when the panels were activated. Hot Shot partnered with this Mini-Con, and together with Red Alert and Mini-Con [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], their combined firepower was able to drive the Decepticons away. The Autobots then returned to their Earth base with the human children and the Mini-Cons, and the nature of their war over the Mini-Cons was explained. Hot Shot and the other Autobots also learned the Earth custom of fist-bumping to signify friendship. {{storylink|Base}}

[[Image:Soldier Hot Shot axelzooka.jpg|thumb|left|200px|This is exactly why his shoulders hurt.]]
Immediately thereafter, the Autobots' computer systems warned them of a detected Mini-Con, and so Hot Shot and the others made plans to travel to [[Grand Canyon|Big Canyon]] to find it. In their rush, [[Rad White]] was left behind, but [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] and Hot Shot returned soon enough to pick him up. Alexis apologized, for Hot Shot's sleek power excited her so much that she'd forgotten about Rad. As they left for the Big Canyon once again, Hot Shot's driving was extremely rough, yet despite the children's complaints, he increased his speed—so much so that upon arrival, Hot Shot nearly drove into the canyon itself. After Hot Shot followed [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] into the canyon, [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] warped into the area and attacked him. Ultimately, the Autobots won, and everyone returned to base after having retrieved the Mini-Con [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]]. {{storylink|Comrade}}

The hotheaded Hot Shot often found himself at odds with Red Alert, including one incident when he was playing tag with the three children instead of doing work. He resented being chastised by the Autobot medic, who didn't even have a personality, as far as he was concerned. Soon after this, the Autobots, Mini-Cons, and the human children ventured to [[Antarctica]] to uncover another Mini-Con, and Hot Shot was paired with [[Carlos Lopez]]. When the two came across the Decepticons, Hot Shot continued to battle them despite having Carlos inside him. Finally, he ejected Carlos over a gorge, leaving Jolt to catch him. Hot Shot soon found himself outnumbered, and it took Red Alert's skills to rescue him from the grip of the Decepticons. Hot Shot learned some respect for Red Alert that day, even if he claimed to save Hot Shot not out of friendship, but merely because it was his job. {{storylink|Soldier (episode)|Soldier}}

[[Image:Hotshotarmada.jpg|thumb|200px|He grins because he's too stupid to be sad.]]
Hot Shot also accompanied the others on a Mini-Con rescue mission in a jungle, where they learned to respect the Earth's environment. {{storylink|Jungle}} Later, as the children wondered why the Mini-Con panel they'd uncovered in Antarctica hadn't opened yet, Hot Shot asked them to pass him a spanner too heavy for them to lift because he thought it would be funny. A bored Carlos and Rad then ran off with some Mini-Cons to a local carnival, where they got into trouble. Alexis, Hot Shot, and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] followed Laserbeak to the carnival, and after some mischief, Hot Shot was able to avert disaster. {{storylink|Carnival}} When the Autobots followed the Decepticons into the desert in pursuit of more Mini-Cons, Hot Shot was frustrated with his tires' incompatibility with the terrain. Unfortunately, he was unable to prevent [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] from acquiring the Mini-Con [[Bonecrusher (Armada)|Bonecrusher]] from within an ancient desert temple. {{storylink|Palace}}

[[Image:Underground merchandising.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Hey, [[Ruined FOREVER|they're right]]! Hot Shot's car mode DOES look like a [[Playskool]] toy!]]
When the Decepticons held the children hostage in a ghost town, Hot Shot and the other Autobots grappled with them, reluctant to hand over their Mini-Cons to get the children returned unharmed. Eventually, after some close calls, Hot Shot was able to kick Rad out of Megatron's hand, the tide was turned, and things were restored to the status quo. {{storylink|Confrontation (episode)|Confrontation}} While working in the underground ruins of half of the crashed Mini-Con ship, Hot Shot was called by Optimus to join them in another Mini-Con search. The Mini-Con was deep within the subway system of a local city, and the Autobots' presence in vehicle mode caused some stir. Here they met up with another Autobot, [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]], though they lost the Mini-Con to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Underground}} Smokescreen joined Hot Shot and the others when they journeyed underwater to the lost city of [[Atlantis]], where, despite their efforts, they lost yet another Mini-Con to the Decepticons. Worse still, this one could combine with two others to form the mighty [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber sword]]. {{storylink|Ruin (episode)|Ruin}} As compensation, Hot Shot and the Autobots found another of the three Star Saber Mini-Cons within a volcano. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

Megatron and his Decepticons soon attacked the Autobot base, hoping to steal the two Mini-Cons they needed to complete the Star Saber sword. While Optimus Prime hid the Mini-Con panels, Hot Shot confronted Megatron directly. Hot Shot was defeated by Megatron's prehensile antlers, which tossed him to the ground like a doll. During another skirmish with Megatron, the Mini-Con panels activated, and Megatron was able to grasp the powerful Star Saber sword! His victory was short-lived, as Optimus was able to knock it out of his hands and into Hot Shot's. With the Star Saber sword, Hot Shot was able to ward off the Decepticons and force them to retreat. {{storylink|Swoop (episode)|Swoop}}

[[Image:Hotshotstarsaber.jpg|thumb|200px|He loves his Star Saber sword. It's so bad.]]
Optimus assigned the three Star Saber Mini-Cons to Hot Shot. The Autobot was young, inexperienced, and hotheaded, so the great advantage the Star Saber granted him went straight to his ego. With the sword, he was nearly unbeatable on the battlefield, which enraged the Decepticons. Then an enigmatic Decepticon named [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] appeared at a battle, mocking Hot Shot's skill. Hot Shot was angered when Scavenger told him that he was nothing without the sword, so he rushed the Decepticon, but was knocked aside. Hot Shot learned the hard way that power without skill is useless against an experienced opponent. {{storylink|Overmatch}} Scavenger confronted Hot Shot again on an unfinished stretch of a highway overpass, while a mysterious motorcycle observed. After exchanging a few blows, Scavenger left Hot Shot again, promising to prove his incompetence another day. The motorcycle introduced himself as the Autobot [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], and Red Alert and Hot Shot wondered if they could truly trust this stranger. {{storylink|Gale}}

[[Image:Overmatch Scavenger-HotShotbeatdown.jpg|thumb|left|300px|And later, he gets [[:Image:Credulous Hot Shot beatdown.jpg|curb-stomped]].]]
During another battle with the Decepticons for a Mini-Con, Sideways and Hot Shot were accidentally warped away with Megatron to their base on Earth's Moon. With Sideways's guidance, Hot Shot was able to fight his way through an army of holographic Autobots, only to have Megatron capture Sideways and demand the Star Saber sword in return. Hot Shot reluctantly relinquished it, but once Megatron released Sideways, Hot Shot called for its Mini-Con components to return to him. At this moment, Sideways betrayed Hot Shot, knocking the Star Saber sword away from him and towards Starscream. Helpless without his powerful weapon, Hot Shot was brutally beaten by the humiliated Decepticons and dropped back at the Autobots' base. {{storylink|Credulous}}

[[Image:Conspiracy faces.jpg|thumb|150px|Like all future Autobot leaders, Hot Shot is amused easily.]]
Hot Shot was understandably in a dour mood following this fall from grace, so the kids made faces at him to cheer him up. Because this was Hot Shot, it worked. During the next battle, Hot Shot targeted the traitor, Sideways, and was once again bested by Scavenger. Hot Shot was surprised to discover later that Scavenger was actually an Autobot working undercover as a Decepticon. {{storylink|Conspiracy}} With Scavenger now with the Autobots again, he began personally training Hot Shot. {{storylink|Trust (Armada)|Trust}} Hot Shot and the others were later caught by local television news journalists while they were rescuing some young children who were lost near a dam, but footage of them was destroyed. {{storylink|Vacation}} When a new recruit, [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], joined the team, Hot Shot at first had trouble getting along with him. However, after working together to retrieve a Mini-Con, they were able to make peace. {{storylink|Reinforcement}}

With both the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield and the Star Saber sword in his possession, Megatron issued a challenge to Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. When the two factions met on a stretch of rocky desert, Hot Shot was disappointed to discover that none of his firepower could penetrate Megatron's shield. His weapons useless against the Decepticon leader, Hot Shot joined Blurr in running interference during the battle between Megatron and Optimus. The tide was turned when the Skyboom shield fell into Autobot hands. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}} For a while, Hot Shot and the other Autobots wouldn't allow their human friends to enter the base. {{storylink|Vow}} While Hot Shot and the others were away, the kids traveled into a digital realm and met with an [[Unicron|evil force]]. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}} Optimus Prime led Hot Shot and the others into battle in a gully, but it was actually a trap conceived by the Decepticons' new tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]]. To the Decepticons' surprise, the Autobots had an incoming addition of their own, and Prime's second-in-command, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], arrived and saved the Autobots. {{storylink|Tactician}} However, Optimus Prime was badly damaged in the fight, so Jetfire took over as leader. Hot Shot didn't like this, as he thought Jetfire was nothing more than a braggart. Jetfire led Hot Shot and the Autobots to another battle for a Mini-Con on a distant island, and Optimus Prime arrived, repaired, just in time to combine with Jetfire and save the day. {{storylink|Linkup}}

[[Image:Desperate Tidal Wave blocked.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yes, punch my tiny shield!]]
After Hot Shot and the other Autobots sparred with one another at their base, their morale boosted by Jetfire's arrival, Hot Shot wondered openly about the nature of Sideways, and whether he was really in either faction at all. They left for yet another battle, but this time, the Decepticons had a secret weapon: The gigantic warrior known as [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] had arrived. {{storylink|Detection}} The Autobots barely held up against Tidal Wave. {{storylink|Awakening}} Hot Shot attempted to block Tidal Wave's mighty blows with the Skyboom shield, and with help, the Autobots were finally able to topple the titan. The battle ended with the awakening of the three Mini-Cons which formed the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. {{storylink|Desperate}}

When the kids ran off with the Mini-Cons, fearful that they would be used as objects by either faction, Hot Shot and the others had to hunt them down. To reassure the kids, Hot Shot decided that the Autobots would only work with the Mini-Cons as a team! {{storylink|Runaway}}

[[Image:Past Part 2 Wheeljack Hot Shot fight.jpg|thumb|300px|"I won't fight you, I won't! Well, maybe just a little."]]
Wheeljack returned to Hot Shot's life, seeking revenge for abandoning him on the battlefield all those years ago. Unfortunately, Hot Shot was training a new Autobot recruit, [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]], when Wheeljack returned, and the young Autobot found himself caught up in Wheeljack's vendetta as well. {{storylink|Past}} When Wheeljack explained to Hot Shot that it was Megatron who'd rescued him and saved his life, Hot Shot couldn't believe it. Hot Shot refused to fight his former friend, yet Wheeljack Shot him, leaving him on the road. Side Swipe dragged Hot Shot's body back to base, where he was placed in intensive care, but Hot Shot's memories still haunted him. Events seemed to repeat themselves when Wheeljack confronted Hot Shot once again within an abandoned human facility. When Side Swipe showed up to help Hot Shot, the area was caught in flames, and Hot Shot was forced once again to save the young Autobot under his care. Wheeljack had chained up Side Swipe within the facility, and he told his captive not to expect rescue from Hot Shot. Regardless, Hot Shot threw himself through the fire and saved Side Swipe, despite the latter's pleas to keep away lest the place blow up with both of them inside. Wheeljack was deterred, but promised he'd be around later to revisit his ill will. {{storylink|Past II}}

[[Image:Rescue Megatron vs Hot Shot.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]] wants to know why mommy and daddy are fighting!]]

When the Autobots were informed by a mysterious source to meet the Decepticons in battle within a forest, Hot Shot wondered why they didn't bring the Requiem Blaster with them. He was told to shut up, and soon the Decepticons arrived to fight them, as promised. Megatron noticed the absence of the Requiem Blaster and realized it was back at the Autobots' base, where Smokescreen was guarding it, alone. Hot Shot and the Autobots returned to their base too late to assist Smokescreen, who nearly died valiantly trying to protect the Mini-Cons. Despite his sacrifice, Megatron took the Requiem Blaster and retreated. {{storylink|Sacrifice}} Hot Shot was among the Autobots who watched Red Alert begin to repair Smokescreen. Hot Shot then took Side Swipe with him to investigate the appearance of Starscream on Earth, who had left the Decepticons with the Star Saber sword after an argument with Megatron. After a fight with Tidal Wave, Starscream returned with the Autobots to their base, despite Hot Shot's objections. He didn't trust Starscream and believed this was a trick, citing the treachery of Sideways. And worse, Starscream was partly to blame for Smokescreen's condition! Outside, Hot Shot picked a fight with Starscream as their Mini-Cons watched. Their battle, which lasted until dusk, was interrupted by a strange Transformer, whom Hot Shot yelled at for interrupting the avenging of his friend. The fight was stopped when Hot Shot realized this Transformer was Smokescreen, rebuilt in a new body. {{storylink|Regeneration (Armada)|Regeneration}}

Using coordinates given by Starscream, the Autobots were able to warp themselves directly into the Decepticons' base. Hot Shot confronted Wheeljack again, telling the "creep" to get out of his way. With Starscream's help, the Autobots were able to locate where the Decepticons were keeping their captured Mini-Cons, and Hot Shot fought Megatron, giving the Mini-Cons a chance to escape. Starscream interfered, saving Hot Shot's life, and after the two teamed up against the Decepticon leader, they returned to the Autobot base with the rescued Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Rescue}} Hot Shot stayed home while Jetfire and Starscream journeyed to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] to retrieve another Mini-Con. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}} Hot Shot was frustrated with Starscream's apathy, and his original suspicions were confirmed when Starscream had a change of heart in the midst of a battle, bringing the Skyboom shield and the Star Saber sword to Megatron, giving him control of all three weapons. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}}

[[Image:Crisis Hot Shot Matrix.jpg|thumb|300px|Awww, ''hell'' naw.]]
When Megatron harnessed the power of the three weapons to power the [[Hydra Cannon]], a starship powerful enough to destroy Earth in one blast, Hot Shot and the others worked to build a starship of their own. {{storylink|Threaten}} Hot Shot blamed everything on Starscream's betrayal and angrily accused Optimus Prime for letting Starscream join their team and beginning this series of events. This had some effect on the Autobot leader, as Optimus Prime later offered the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix of the Commander]] to Hot Shot. Hot Shot refused, saying he couldn't take such an important thing from Optimus. Optimus Prime put the Matrix back in his chest, warped into space, and blocked the Hydra Cannon's Earth-shattering shot with his own body. The Autobot leader disintegrated before their eyes. {{storylink|Crisis}}

[[Image:Remorse democracy.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Scavenger, you're fired.]]
The death of Optimus hit Hot Shot hard. After starting fights with everyone, he left the Autobots and ran out on his own, only to face Scavenger. Scavenger assaulted Hot Shot, revealing that the former Decepticon had left their team for the Autobots because of him. As the two beat on each other, Side Swipe arrived with a small group of Mini-Cons, and they all pleaded for Hot Shot to stop fighting with everyone. Hot Shot realized he was being selfish, that he needed his teammates just as much as they needed him, and he promised to stop treating his friends as if they were enemies. The rest of the Autobots arrived, and they were pleased with Hot Shot's discovery. Jetfire nominated Hot Shot to lead the Autobots because it was what Optimus would have wanted. Scavenger went to hit Hot Shot one more time, but Hot Shot didn't move. Proving he was without fear, Hot Shot became leader of the Autobots. As a stipulation, Hot Shot stated that he would only be leader until they return to Cybertron, and that they should put the Matrix of the Commander someplace safe, as he didn't feel he should carry it. {{storylink|Remorse}}

Hot Shot oversaw the completion of their starship, the [[Axalon (Armada)|''Axalon'']], and asked the Mini-Cons if they wanted to come or not. They unanimously decided to accompany the Autobots to Cybertron. He initially forbade the kids from coming, but the Mini-Cons convinced him to change his mind. {{storylink|Depart}} As the ''Axalon'' left Earth, Hot Shot said some final words in memory of Optimus Prime. Their starship caught up with the Decepticons', and soon there was a huge battle between the two factions. Hot Shot battled Megatron in space, but it was a one-sided battle. Hot Shot placed himself between Megatron's Requiem Blaster and the ''Axalon'', hoping to spare his friends, but then a miracle occurred. The Mini-Con Sparkplug was able to resurrect Optimus Prime from within the Matrix, and the formerly-deceased Autobot Leader reappeared in a blinding flash of green light. Optimus turned the tide, {{storylink|Miracle}} and he reintroduced himself to a very grateful Hot Shot and the rest of the crew. But before anything else could happen, Hot Shot and Red Alert were pulled through a strange hole to an alien landscape. Here they met a [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|strange dark version of Optimus Prime]] who battled them. It was discovered that Megatron, Starscream, and Demolishor were on this strange planet, too, and despite their combined numbers, the Prime doppelganger overwhelms them. Arriving Mini-Cons bathe the planet in a strange light, and when the larger Transformers woke up, they were completely repaired, yet in strange new colors. Ultimately, their battle caused the planet itself to disintegrate, and both factions were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Puppet}}

[[Image:Dash Hot Shot crouch.jpg|thumb|250px|Twenty episodes ago, he cooed like a baby if you made faces at him.]]
By the time the Autobots had repaired the ''Axalon'' and arrived over Cybertron, the Decepticons had managed to take over the planet. Hot Shot and Blurr fought through Decepticons on the planet's surface, while a strange phenomenon appeared in the sky. {{storylink|Uprising}} [[Unicron]], the Chaos Bringer, was looming over their planet, but [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (previously Megatron) would not listen to Optimus Prime's pleas to unite their two factions against him. Hot Shot decided to take matters into his own hands and fought his way through the Decepticon base and countless Decepticon warriors to reach Galvatron and reason with him. If not for Wheeljack's intervention, he might not have survived. Wheeljack's hatred for Hot Shot seemed to have softened, and Hot Shot's former friend joined him in pleading to Galvatron to stop the war so that the two factions could unite against Unicron. Galvatron was unconvinced, but Thrust, a secret pawn of Unicron, panicked and ran away with the Requiem Blaster and the Skyboom shield. Hot Shot and Wheeljack took off after him. {{storylink|Dash (episode)|Dash}}

Hot Shot continued to hunt Thrust down, while the true nature of the Mini-Cons was revealed; they were created by Unicron long ago. {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}} Hot Shot and Wheeljack aided Starscream against Sideways within the surprisingly organic-looking caverns of Cybertron. But when Unicron formed out of Cybertron's moon, the battle dissipated as each side readied for the final battle. {{storylink|Portent}} Despite Hot Shot's intentions to convince Galvatron himself, the Decepticon leader did not change his mind until Starscream sacrificed himself to Unicron. {{storylink|Cramp}} After a formal alliance between Autobots and Decepticons was formed, Hot Shot was part of a unified team sent to Unicron's surface. However, once the team arrived, the Decepticons abandoned Hot Shot and the other Autobots. Later, Demolishor made up for this by begrudgingly catching Side Swipe before could fall to his doom. In return, Hot Shot had found Demolishor's Mini-Con partner, [[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]]. They agreed to work together from then on. {{storylink|Alliance}} Optimus Prime and Megatron traveled together to the core of Unicron, leaving both armies under the command of Hot Shot. {{storylink|Union}} No matter how much damage Hot Shot's teams inflicted on Unicron, Unicron could repair himself. Their massive opponent was fed by the negative energies of the battle. Ordering a cease fire, Unicron stood motionless, seemingly defeated. {{storylink|Origin}}

[[Image:Mortal Combat Hot Shot Jetfire.jpg|thumb|left|250px|When we come back, we'll be terrible cel-shaded CGI!]]
Hot Shot told both armies to begin rebuilding Cybertron while he went to Unicron to find Optimus, but Jetfire demanded he go instead. Inside, after a fight between Optimus Prime and Megatron, Megatron sacrificed himself to Unicron so that their negative energies would not revive him. But Optimus Prime felt he had failed as Autobot Leader, and with the end of the conflict between the two factions, he exiled himself to parts unknown. Hot Shot and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] were left in charge of the Transformers. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

{{-}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brent Miller]] (English), [[Kōsuke Toriumi]] (Japanese), [[Ola Norman]] (Swedish)

[[Image:E1 titlecard.jpg|thumb|300px|Hot Shot always forgets he's not supposed to shoot at the humans.]]
Ten years on, Hot Shot was stationed on Earth as the commander of [[Ocean City]] while Optimus Prime trained new soldiers on Cybertron. He faced administrative challenges such as [[Demolishor (Armada)|surly former adversaries]] and teenaged angst from the resident teenaged angster, [[Kicker Jones]]. Hot Shot had proved himself up to the task of being "city commander," and was seen with fanboy-like adoration by younger Autobots such as [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]. Ironhide in particular wished he could advance further in rank just so he could combine with Hot Shot.

Kicker seemed to have a certain clairvoyance when it came to trouble (and [[Energon]]!), though Hot Shot would often dismiss Kicker's warnings. But one day, like most days, Kicker was right. Mysterious bestial Transformers, the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]], suddenly attacked Ocean City, forcing Hot Shot, Kicker, Ironhide, and the others to go on the defensive. When Optimus Prime arrived, Hot Shot and Inferno were granted the [[Spark of Combination]], which allowed the two to combine into a single super robot. With everyone working together, the last of that batch of Terrorcons were defeated. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}}

When [[Mars City]] on Mars was destroyed by more Terrorcons, Hot Shot was among those assembled to hear the news. The Terrorcons' next target was Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]], so after Ocean City was raised, Hot Shot and the others, including the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], used the [[space bridge]] to warp there. But despite their efforts, the Terrorcons were able to flee with much stolen Energon. {{storylink|Energon Stars}} Later, Hot Shot headed up a strikeforce to [[Desert City]] to fortify it against possible Terrorcon assault. While there he flirted with jailbait super-scientist [[Misha Miramond]] and filled her ear with what a dork her not-my-boyfriend (Kicker) was back at Ocean City. When Terrorcons invaded the city, Hot Shot and his troops performed a holding action at the entrance to the Energon Mine, but their position was overrun, and Hot Shot was the only survivor. Though battered, Hot Shot commended [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]'s decision to leave him behind and rescue the humans, resulting in the other Autobot being awarded his own Combination Spark. Finally, Ironhide could combine with Hot Shot, just as he'd always wanted! {{storylink|Scorpinok}}

As part of [[Prime Squad]], Hot Shot prepared to travel to Mars before the mission was canceled, and took part in the defense of [[Plains City]], again tasked with securing the Energon supply. He was the first to feel the wrath of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]'s [[Energon Sword|Megatron Sword]], and later battled [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] while attempting to shore up [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]]'s flagging confidence in the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}} Hot Shot also led a recon team searching for a [[Energon point]] in the mountains, the future location of [[Blizzard City]]. He ordered Ironhide and Demolishor to team up for their mutual benefit. While trying to rescue Kicker, Hot Shot was buried in an avalanche by Cyclonus. He evacuated his team before they could be crushed by the emergency deployment of a new [[Cybertron City (city)|Cybertron City]] via [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|The New Cybertron City}}

[[Image:E07 hotshotarm.gif|thumb|left|Ironhide kept it as a souvenir for his [[User:ItsWalky|Hot Shot shrine]].]]

Hot Shot and his crew were still at Plains City when the newly-resurrected [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] attacked. He was defeated in battle by Megatron and 'dis-armed' as an object lesson to Optimus. {{storylink|Megatron Resurrected}} Optimus retreated to Ocean City with the injured Hot Shot and left the Plains City Energon supply to the Decepticons. Hot Shot's injury awakened a protective streak in Optimus Prime, who briefly forbade Kicker from accompanying the Autobots on missions. At Ocean City Hot Shot underwent medical treatment, submerged in liquefied Energon while his damaged exostructure re-grew. When the base was breached, Hot Shot broke out of his medical unit to defend Inferno from Terrorcons and, armed with a clone of the Megatron Sword, he helped kick the visiting Decepticons back out. {{storylink|Megatron Raid}}

[[Image:Energon Tower groupshot.jpg|thumb|300px|Why even take multiple screencaps? He always looks the same.]]
Hot Shot organized a covert surveillance of Optimus Prime while he was targeted by a [[Starscream (Armada)|Mysterious Mercenary]]. Unfortunately, his large shoulder armor made it impossible to hide behind objects and Optimus discovered him. When Optimus fought Starscream on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], Hot Shot placed Inferno in temporary command of Ocean City so he could bring a supply of Energon Stars to [[Lunar City]]. {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}} When the Autobots encountered the [[Decepticon mobile fortress]] near [[Asteroid City]], Hot Shot panicked, momentarily believing it was Unicron himself, and [[Brainstorm#Marvel Comics continuity|fired blindly and ineffectually into it]] using a hand weapon. {{storylink|Battle of the Asteroid Belt}} During the construction of an [[energon tower]] that would help protect their cities from attack, the Terrorcons chose the moment to strike. After Inferno combined with Hot Shot to form Powerlinx Inferno, the tower was finally activated and the Terrorcons fled. {{storylink|Energon Tower}}

Hot Shot wandered over when he heard Ironhide telling Kicker to 'lose the attitude', but was unable to wholly endorse Ironhide's statement that Kicker should automatically look up to [[Brian Jones (Energon)|his father]]. Instead he gently suggested that Kicker might want to seek a ''different'' hero to look up to, and told Ironhide that he'd looked up to [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] since he was a young Autobot. {{storylink|The Legend of Rodimus}} Hot Shot later supervised the project to construct the second energon tower at [[Jungle City]]. Ironhide was placed in co-command when the larger Autobot contingent arrived for the final stage, and when the city was attacked and put to siege they split duties, with Hot Shot taking Aerial defense. As the siege wore on, Hot Shot had to be the one to confront Optimus Prime and force him to admit that this battle was unwinnable. They destroyed Jungle City rather than letting it fall to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Crisis in Jungle City}}

[[Image:Energon-HotShot-Hand-Drawn.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Eeeyeaagh!]]

Hot Shot accompanied the rescue mission to [[Lunar City]]. {{storylink|Kicker Beware!}} When Earth was threatened by artificial cometary impacts, he was part of the orbital team sent to intercept them as they approached Earth's atmosphere. Forced to wait as other teams tried to slow the comets, Hot Shot occupied himself by aggravating [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], who eventually just told him to be quiet. He, Jetfire and Optimus Prime supercharged themselves with Energon to push against the comets, delaying their approach long enough for the [[energon grid]] to come online. {{storylink|Energon Grid}}

On Earth, Hot Shot was shocked when [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], a transformer he idolized in his youth, broke in on a communication with [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and demanded a secret meeting. He traveled to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], where he discovered Scorponok had reactivated the destroyed Energon mines. Rodimus appeared to head off a fight between the two of them. He attempted to recruit Hot Shot as a double agent for the secret agenda that he, Scorponok and [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] shared—the revival of Unicron! Hot Shot refused to betray Optimus Prime, and pulled a gun on Rodimus... but he was unable to fire on his one-time idol. Rodimus had no such compunctions, and he shot Hot Shot, but Kicker and Ironhide intervened to save him. {{storylink|Rodimus Friend or Foe?}}

Hot Shot attended the launch of the ''[[Miranda II]]'' Autobot-human spacecraft. He joined the crew and was part of a space battle in the [[Asteroid belt]] to defend the [[Energon Ring]] before their journey could begin. {{storylink|Go for Unicron!}}

After Rodimus saved Hot Shot's life, he regretted his quick judgment. The relationship between Hot Shot and Rodimus was eventually restored and they become Powerlink partners.

[[Image:Energon-Autobot-Redecos.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Yes, everyone follow Hot Shot. He'll know what to do.]]

Hot Shot continued to serve under Optimus Prime, surviving many battles on Cybertron and other worlds. Along with several other Autobots, Hot Shot was injured when the reborn Unicron destroyed a fledgling planet in the reformed Q-system. Hot Shot was reformatted into a slick silver body along with his Autobot comrades.

Hot Shot warned Sally not to go spy on the Decepticons, but she got away from him by wiggling disturbingly through a human-size passageway. He was suitably impressed when she captured the control room the Decepticons had been using all by herself. {{storylink|Galvatron Terror}} He watched in horror as Galvatron grew to enormous size using Super Energon, and led Cliffjumper and Downshift onto the battlefield. He powerlinxed with Downshift to try and rescue Optimus from Galvatron, but they were engaged by Starscream instead. {{storylink|Destructive Power}} He eventually merged his [[spark]] with that of [[Optimus Supreme]] and his partners in the final battle with [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Sun}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Kirby Morrow]] (English), [[Daisuke Hirakawa]] (Japanese), [[Ola Norman]] (Swedish)
[[Image:Hotshotcybertron.jpg|thumb|250px|He knows kung-fu.]]
Hot Shot thought that the new [[Earth]]-based [[alternate mode]] provided to him by [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was "so him," but couldn't believe they were abandoning [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. When the Decepticons attacked, he battled [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. He was unable to stop the Decepticons from stealing the map, and accompanied [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] to Earth. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} Once there, he assisted in helping build the new Autobot base. When the Decepticons attacked, Hot Shot battled Starscream to stop them from detecting the base. {{storylink|Haven}} When [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] attempted to close the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]], Hot Shot viewed from Earth. He then arrived as backup when Optimus Prime battled [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Hidden}} Hot Shot was racing on a speedway. Optimus Prime arrived and gave him a lecture about their need to stay hidden on Earth. So when they decided to split up to search for the [[Omega Lock]], Hot Shot went with Red Alert to the [[Velocitron|Speed Planet]]. When they arrived he marveled at the open roads and took to enjoying himself. He was then surprised at something faster than him. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}}

[[Image:Cyb ep7 hotshot cyberkey.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Slag yeah, ladies. I bring those ''blue'' sparks.]]
Hot Shot thought the Speed Planet was his type of place, but was adamant he wouldn't disobey Optimus Prime's orders. From a distance he watched [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] utilize his [[Cyber Key]], then saw [[Ransack (Cybertron)|two]] [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|bullies]] terrorizing [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|some]] [[Clocker (Cybertron)|locals]]. He argued with Red Alert about interfering. At first he said he wasn't going to interfere but eventually when things looked bad he saved them. {{storylink|Space (episode)|Space}} Hot Shot was then attacked by Ransack and Crumplezone. He transformed and drove off. When driving between them he caused them to blast each other. Red Alert then berated him for breaking cover against Prime's orders, but Hot Shot was still excited over every little part of Speed Planet. Upon seeing a race between [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and Megatron he joined in. He would have won the race if Crumplezone's missiles hadn't hit him. {{storylink|Rush}} Afterward Hot Shot trained to get into peak performance for his next race against Override. He removed his entire self analysis system to lighten his weight. During the race he felt a need for more speed and was able to summon Cyber Key Power. With this burst of speed, though, he broke and was thrown off the track. {{storylink|Speed}}

Hot Shot readied himself for another race while Red Alert accused him of no longer caring for his mission. Hot Shot was ready to hit Red Alert when Brakedown stepped in. Later while testing out his racing skills he went too fast and almost crashed into a wall, but was saved by Clocker. Reflecting on this, he decided that he was too lightweight. {{storylink|Time (episode)|Time}} Hot Shot still felt he needed to win his race despite being injured. Ransack tricked him into racing [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] by telling him the winner would race Override again 1-on-1. He was damaged by Dirt Boss's [[Cyber Key]] attack, but kept racing. Later he was shot at by Ransack but fired back and caused a landslide, burying himself. After being unburied by Landmine, he apologized to a newly arrived [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] for disobeying his orders and possibly failing his mission. He then collapsed. While in an unconscious state Red Alert repaired the damage he had been putting on himself. Landmine berated him to snap him out of the rut his mind was in. He took it hard and for a bit felt like he wasn't part of the team until Clocker convinced him otherwise. Optimus Prime later decided to use Hot Shot's original plan. Then he raced along with the other Autobots for interference. {{storylink|Hero (episode)|Hero}}

[[Image:Cyb_ep13_hotshot_injured.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"JaAm overdose?""JaAm Overdose.""Ah."]]
At the start of the race, Hot Shot took the lead, but was again passed by Override and Dirt Boss. Crumplezone and Ransack spun him in circles, but he quickly recovered and continued to purse Override. The duo later cut away the bridge, but Hot Shot jumped the gap by leapfrogging off of Optimus Prime. He was not able to win the race, but placed second place. {{storylink|Race}} Hot Shot then raced in the next race. Seeing the twisting course up ahead, he attempted to take the lead early in the race and passed Override. He went the wrong direction when Ransack switched over the course. When hearing the fact that he was on the wrong course he shared the information with Override to beat her fair and square. Later after an avalanche he helped out a buried Override rather than continue to race. Once again he came in second place due to Dirt Boss passing him while he was busy helping Override. {{storylink|Detour (episode)|Detour}} Hot Shot continued to train with the rest of the Autobots to be ready for the next race while Optimus Prime and [[Vector Prime]] went to find another planet key. He then listened to Red Alert's lecture about the Cyber Keys and then lined up for the next race. {{storylink|Savage}}
[[Image:Cyb_ep18_champion.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hot Shot receives a gold trophy from Star Cup]]
After qualifying for the next race, Hot Shot initially took the lead through the desert. He then realized he couldn't get much in the way of traction in the sands, causing him to fall way behind Dirt Boss. To complicate matters, he also fell into a quicksand vortex. Brakedown began to pulling him out of the vortex but they targeted by Dirt Boss. They were saved when [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] jumped in the way and reflected the shots. After continuing the race, Hot Shot stopped as Brakedown broke down, but after listening to the old bot, finished the race. After the race he requested that [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] remain on [[Velocitron]] to help him through the final race. {{storylink|Sand}} Hot Shot was chosen by the Planet Cup for the final race. At the Autobot base he found out that his damage would cause him to be unfamiliar with his vehicle mode. The Autobots decided that Coby would sit in Hot Shot's cockpit to have the continuous ability to modify his circuits. The race began and he started out with an early lead. When Ransack and Crumplezone attempted to steal the Planet Cup, he warded them off with the help of Override. Then they continued the race. As Hot Shot's system links kept breaking down, Coby was able to rewire him in order for him to keep pace with Override. It wasn't enough, as his circuits were still having trouble holding, so he used Cyber Key Power to help finish up a loop. After a photo finish with Override, he was declared the winner of the race and was going to take the Planet Cup, but Megatron showed up out of nowhere to take it. In vehicle mode Hot Shot knocked over Megatron, giving Optimus Prime and Leobreaker an opportunity to take Megatron down. Afterward Hot Shot attended the victory celebration in his own honor. Returning to Earth, he was also present when Override added the Cyber Planet Key to the [[Omega Lock]]. {{storylink|Champion}}

Following coordinates provided by the Omega Lock, Hot Shot was part of a team of Autobots that headed to the north pole. He was able to respond to a Autobot distress signal to save a frozen [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]]. {{storylink|Ice}} After sustaining damage, he was fixed up by Red Alert and Coby {{storylink|Honor}} and then followed the Autobots to Jungle Planet {{storylink|Primal}}. After the Autobots received Jungle Planet's Cyber Planet Key, Hot Shot heard the incoming Decepticons attempting to win it back. He was able to take cover as they strafed. After leaving the temple with a diversionary box that may have contained the key, he was knocked over by Crumplezone when he turned to fight Ransack. Later he saw a space bridge and headed toward it, joining the Autobots in surrounding Megatron. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}

Hot Shot readied equipment with Scattorshot back on Earth. He chose to follow Red Alert to the north pole to back up Optimus Prime's team. {{storylink|Trap}} Surprisingly, he was the voice of caution and told Jetfire not to blast ice debris that trapped Optimus Prime. It would cause a collapse. After Jetfire freeing Optimus Prime using his engines, the Autobots were attacked by Decepticons and human drone planes. He was going to attack the drone planes, but was stopped by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Invasion (episode)|Invasion}}

[[Image:Retreat-HotShotholomatteravatar.jpg|thumb|left|200px|JaAm executive.]]
When the Autobots realized the kids and Mini-Cons were missing, Hot Shot was sent out to investigate. While on his route he ran into [[Tim Hansen]] and assured him that his younger brothers would be okay. After finding the kids who escaped from [[Mike Franklin|Colonel Franklin]], Hot Shot began retreating to [[Velocitron]] via the space bridge. Starscream attacked to steal away the [[Omega Lock]] and Hot Shot was one of the first to fall in battle. {{storylink|Retreat}}

[[Image:Cyb ep27 parts delivery.jpg|thumb|right|200px|We're surrounded by all these military vehicles, but, man, I'm so tired, let's just get new bodies from Primus instead.]]

Later, Hot Shot, Red Alert and Scattorshot faced Megatron alone when the Decepticon leader returned to Earth thirsting for revenge against the treacherous Starscream. Humiliating the Decepticon in combat, they enraged Megatron, who used his new Omega Lock-powered Death Machine Gun on the three Autobots, crippling them beyond repair. {{storylink|Revelation (episode)|Revelation}} Fortunately, the powers of Primus acting through the Omega Lock bathed the trio in the creator's holy light, repairing and reformatting the young Autobot into Cybertron Defense Hot Shot. Along with his newly
reformatted friends, the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] arrived on the battlefield and easily defeated the Decepticons Scourge and Megatron. {{storylink|Critical}}

[[Image:Cyb ep27 cyb def team.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Excuse me, we're here to be the most awesome toys ever.]]

Hot Shot continued to battle Megatron and his forces. After Megatron retreated, Hot Shot followed to aid Optimus Prime at the volcanic island. He helped fight off Scourge with the rest of the Cybertron Defense Team. Later, when questioning [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]]'s "orders," he was shot and forced to dance to avoid being blasted. After the altercation Optimus Prime sent him and the rest of Cybertron Defense Team to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in an attempt to slow down the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]]. {{storylink|Assault}} En route to the planet, however, his team encountered a meteor shower. He began blasting his way through, but in doing so got goop all over his windshield, obscuring his vision. [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] then took over his movements via [[synchro-control]]. Later he countered [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]]'s claim in who had the most points by blowing up the most asteroids, saying he had shot at least 2 to every one of Scattorshot's. Upon arrival at Cybertron and finding it swarming with [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]], he led the assault to cleanse the planet. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} They fought their way through legions of the robotic pests. {{storylink|United}}

[[Image:CDHotShot fists.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Now we know why his shoulders hurt]]
Hot Shot continued fighting off Scrapmetals until all in the vicinity were destroyed. Upon Megatron's arrival, Hot Shot immediately attacked. After Megatron's apparent defeat, Hot Shot helped give a tour of Cybertron to the kids and other offworlders. He was then present when Optimus Prime presented the Omega Lock which caused Cybertron to apparently break apart. He then drove via the space bridge to Cybertron's moon to witness the full transformation of [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} Hot Shot was first awed by Primus, then confused when he found out that [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] was originally from [[Gigantion]]. He attacked Starscream after the Decepticon's arrival and continued fighting Decepticons until [[Megatron (Armada)|something]] appeared in the sky. {{storylink|Balance}}

Hot Shot was attacked by the newly powered up Crumplezone once he was raised from mortal wounds by Megatron. He wasn't much tougher than before and Hot Shot was able to defeat his rival. {{storylink|Darkness (episode)|Darkness}} He later chased after the Decepticons attempting to steal the Omega Lock. {{storylink|Memory}}

When the Autobots reached [[Gigantion]], he split off into a group to explore the planet. Later, in an altercation with the Decepticons, he fired at [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]. Hot Shot unloaded the ship for the Autobots to be able to use the Omega Lock. He and the rest of the Cybertron Defense team were taken out by a newly powered up [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Fury}}

Hot Shot watched as Optimus battled [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], then joined the rest of the Cybertron Defense Force as team three when the Autobots split up. {{storylink|City}} He later ran into Sideways and [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] while searching for the Cyber Planet Key. He listened to Soundwave's story of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]]. He was then surrounded by [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]]'s smoke and accidentally hit Scattorshot believing he was Sideways. When Scattorshot cleared the smoke Hot Shot powered up his Cyber Key and helped the rest of his squad blast a pillar upon Soundwave and Sideways. {{storylink|Challenge}}

[[Image:Cyb ep45 save the universe.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Come back from the dead and all I get are these lousy group shots.]]

Hot Shot and his team looked for a downward passage when they ran into Galvatron and [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]]. After a brief skirmish, they utilized the [[triangle formation|triangle attack]] to take Menasor down. Then they battled Galvatron at full strength, but were once again beaten down. {{storylink|Scourge (episode)|Scourge}} He slowly got to his feet, recovered, and made his way down to the inner part of Gigantion to join the rest of the Autobots in shooting Galvatron. {{storylink|Optimus (episode)|Optimus}}

Hot Shot watched as [[Vector Prime]] inserted the final Cyber Planet Key into the [[Omega Lock]]. when Galvatron arrived, Hot Shot was defeated with the rest of the Autobots. While Optimus Prime and the other flying Autobots were intercepted by Soundwave and Sideways, Hot Shot opened fire from the ground. {{storylink|Showdown}} When the new space bridge opened and the denizens from Planet X were coming through, Hot Shot began firing. Afterward, with the help of Vector Prime, he was able to leave Gigantion with the rest of the Autobots. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}} After returning to [[Primus]], the Decepticons attacked. Hot Shot quickly counterattacked, {{storylink|Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming}} battling Thundercracker while the Decepticon taunted Optimus Prime {{storylink|End}}

[[Image:CybertronKicker.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kicker needs to update his contact information.]]

Hot Shot ran to assist the Autobots in sending [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] back to orbit. When Galvatron entered the Autobot base, he wanted to attack the Decepticon leader until Optimus said it was his fight solely. So instead he ran out to save Jungle Planet. After helping put out fires, Hot Shot lent his strength to push the rocket to adjust the planet's trajectory. After the planet was saved, he joined the rest of the Autobots in assisting Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Unfinished}} With Galvatron finally defeated, Override resigned from leadership of Velocitron in order to travel to new worlds, and Hot Shot won the race to determine who would be her successor, despite his bulky new body. {{storylink|Beginning}}

{{-}}

===Panini ''Armada'' comic===
[[Image:DevicesandDesires-yourownsize.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Well, gee, Hot Shot, when you put it that way, it doesn't sound fair anymore.]]
As the Autobot-Decepticon war was in its early stages, Hot Shot was stationed at the main [[Autobot Command HQ]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Upon detecting four Decepticon battalions heading towards them, he reported this to [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and raced into battle. He and the other Autobots were eventually forced to abandon their base when it turned out to be rigged with explosives. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 9|Counter-Strike!}} After the Mini-Cons left Cybertron, he was seen dispensing firepower and sarcasm during another clash with the Decepticon forces. {{storylink|First Encounter!}}

Hot Shot and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] were later summoned to [[Earth]] when the Mini-Cons were found to have awakened there. The Mini-Con [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] grudgingly power-linked with Hot Shot, allowing him to fly through the air and ram [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Friends and Foes!}} Following the battle, he stood guard outside a small cave while the Mini-Cons and their [[human]] friends made their way inside. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 3|Deep Trouble!}} When the Autobots decided to keep the Mini-Cons safe by sending them back to Cybertron, Hot Shot stood watch, and soon reported that the Decepticons were going on the offensive again. In the ensuing battle, the Mini-Cons decided to stay on Earth, and Jolt power-linked with Hot Shot and helped him drive the Decepticons away. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|No Way Back!}}

Alongside Optimus Prime and Red Alert, Hot Shot later saved the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] from getting captured by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 5|Devices and Desires!}} After the Air Defense Team revealed that the [[Land Military Mini-Con Team|Land Military Team]] had been captured by humans, Hot Shot piloted an Autobot shuttle to the [[Nevada]] desert and helped liberate them. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 7|Sale of the Century!}} Next, the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were planning to nuke them from the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], and their [[space bridge]] was too busted up for them to do anything about it. Hot Shot was tasked with repairing the device and use it to warp the incoming warheads elsewhere, and he succeeded at the last second. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Earthshaker!}}

===Bendon ''Armada'' books===

Hot Shot and Optimus Prime were forced to defend the Autobot base from a surprise attack. When the attack accidentally triggered a landslide, Hot Shot rushed in to save the kids. {{storylink|Cave Catastrophe}}

Hot Shot would once again rush in to save the kids after they left themselves out in the open, ramming Demolishor hard enough to flip him over. {{storylink|Race to Disaster}}

===''Superdeformers''===
[[Image:Superdeformers Hot Shot.jpg|thumb|right|150px]]
Facing down [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] one day, Hot Shot was unprepared when the Decepticon lobbed [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] at him. Luckily before the Mini-Con could hit Hot Shot, Blurr jumped in and snatched it out of the air. The pair promptly ran off with Thunderwing, leaving Thrust to face [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s wrath. {{storylink|Superdeformers}}

===Lonesome Diesel===
Hot Shot was part of the Autobot forces during a battle in [[Yellowstone National Park]], and seconded Optimus's warning that the area was too geologically unstable to battle in. Megatron ignored their advice. {{storylink|Lonesome Diesel}}

===3H comics===
Hot Shot was one of several Transformers from across the [[multiverse]] suggested by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] for [[Optimus Primal]] to recruit into his [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. Optimus Primal decided to pluck [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] back from death instead. {{storylink|Homecoming (issue)|Homecoming}}

==Games==
===The Energon Within===
As Optimus and Hot Shot prepare to escort a truckload of energon away from a mine, the Decepticons launch a full scale assault. Their objective is to steal 100 energon cubes. Though they eventually succeed, the cost is high and the mine remains in Autobot hands.{{storylink|Transformers Armada: The Energon Within}}

As Optimus and Hot Shot prepare to escort a truckload of energon away from a mine, the Decepticons launch a full scale assault. Their objective is to steal 100 energon cubes. Before they can succeed, Hot Shot inadvertently blows up the mine. {{storylink|Transformers Armada: The Energon Within}}

===''Transformers''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Dublin James]] (English)
[[Image:BalanceOfPower-Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Hot Shot has particular skills?]]
Shortly after Hot Shot was brought online, he and Red Alert were sent deep into Decepticon territory to uncover an [[Data-Con|ancient relic]] that would tell them how to find the long-lost race of [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]. The two were discovered by passing [[Dropship|Dropships]] and the [[Spider Tank|Spider Tanks]] they carried, and so they quickly dodged for cover. But there was nowhere to run; the Decepticons had created a massive army of [[Decepticlone|Decepticlones]]. After sending out an auto-distress signal, Optimus Prime arrived to bolster their firepower. This caught the attention of Megatron, and the two leaders grappled while Hot Shot and Red Alert continued to evade the Decepticlones. Meanwhile, Starscream had managed to find the relic, and a portal was opened in front of them. Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Optimus Prime followed the Decepticons through the portal to [[Earth]]. The search for the Mini-Cons began! {{storylink|The Balance of Power}}

[[Image:PS2game-HotShotDecepticlones.jpg|thumb|200px|He's the best there is at what he does! (We don't like to say what he does...)]]

Hot Shot found himself in the sweeping jungles that surrounded abandoned Aztec ruins. After failing to find Mini-Cons under a rock, he managed to pair up with the Mini-Con Jolt, and when he reached the top of the ruins, he faced Cyclonus. The following battles took him many places, such as a frozen wasteland, the interior of a battleship (which eventually revealed itself as the gigantic Tidal Wave), and ultimately Hot Shot battled Unicron himself.

Hot Shot, having collected all the Mini-Cons on Earth, was able to wield the legendary [[Matrix Cannon]], which he used to fire a deadly Shot into the core of the Planet Eater. {{storylink|Transformers (PS2)|Transformers}}

{{note|The events of the game listed above are exactly the same for when players choose to take Red Alert or Optimus Prime into battle instead of Hot Shot... except for the rock thing. That's all Hot Shot, baby.}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Shot (Armada)/toys }}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:HotShotisBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|YELLOW KID APPEAL SINGULARITY]]
* In an early ''Armada'' series bible, Hot Shot was originally called "Bumblebee". His character description says that he is the youngest of the Autobots at "about 16 years of age". The Autobots' teen-aged human allies would have teased him for not being old enough to have a driver's license. It further notes that "Everything about him is fast- including his speech," which definitely wasn't taken to heart. The rest of his personality was as you would expect, being young and brash yet showing leadership potential, and his Mini-Con was still called Jolt. One of the reasons he was ultimately not named "Bumblebee" was because the name was unavailable as a [[trademark]] for Hasbro at that time.
* According to the [[Transformers (PS2)|''Armada'' Playstation 2 game]] instruction booklet, Hot Shot's ''Armada'' body has the following statistics:
:*Mass: 3,109 lbs
:*Robot height: 16' 5"
:*Robot top speed: 50 mph
:*Vehicle height: 5' 11"
:*Vehicle top speed: 186 mph
:*Vehicle power: 400 hp @ 8000 rpm

* For a while, ''Galaxy Force'' was treated by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as a separate universe from ''Micron Legend'' and ''Super Link'', which would have made Exillion (Hot Shot's Japanese name in ''Galaxy Force'') a different guy, even though the character's head design and [[control drawing|control art]] labeled him "Hot Shot" in English.<ref name="control">[http://snakas.web.infoseek.co.jp/event/0410entama.htm Galaxy Force control art on display at Tokyo International Entertainment Market 2004], at Autobase Aichi.</ref> With ''Galaxy Force'' later reintegrated into the "[[Unicron Trilogy|Micron Trilogy]]", this original distinction likely became irrelevant.

* A character looking quite similar to Hot Shot showed up to die in "[[Drift issue 2|Drift #2]]" because someone convinced artist [[Alex Milne]] to draw him as a casualty. This in order to spite longtime fan [[David Willis]], who wuvs Hot Shot. Milne drew him into the story based on his dislike of ''Armada'' and reasoning that the character would not be one used again in the continuity.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=204657#204657 markerguru's post in "Transformers Drift #1: Reactions, Reviews, Spoilers" from the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> Because it is a Generation 1-based story, however, the incident is documented on [[Hot Rod (Henkei!)|"Generation 1" character Hot Rod]]'s page, rather than here.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rod''' (ホットロッド ''Hotto Roddo''), '''Hot Shot''' (''Super Link'', ホットショット ''Hotto Shotto''), '''Exillion''' (''Galaxy Force'', エクシリオン ''Ekushirion''), '''Exigeyser''' (Vanguard Team, エクシゲイザー ''Ekushigeizā'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Nagymenő''', '''Tűzgolyó''' (''Energon'', ''Cybertron'', "Fireball"), '''Nagyágyú''' ("[[Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle]]")
*''Polish:'' '''Piorunus''' (''Armada'', "Thunderboltus")
*''Romanian:'' '''Șmecherul'''
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Garyachkun''' (Гарячкун, "Hot Head")
*''Russian:'' '''Likhach''' (Лихач, "Scorcher")

==External links==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Energon Autobots]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Velocitron]]

Alpha/Omega

2012-10-01T02:25:30Z

NexusPrime98: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 47
|prev=Legacy
|next=Hard Knocks
|image=AlphaOmega-ohmy.jpg
|caption=You have forgotten me, Simba. Wait, wrong franchise.
|title="Alpha/Omega"
|airdate=[[September 28]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[David McDermott]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Megatron takes extreme measures to harness the power of the Primes, while Optimus learns the secret of the Omega Keys.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] volunteers to counterattack the [[Autobot]]s, but [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] points out that with the power of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] in the hands of [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]], the [[Decepticon]]s will not stand a chance against him and must find a means of meeting that power. As the Seeker mentions the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], Megatron counters that it will only work for a Prime, but then comes up with an idea.

Optimus telepathically communicates with [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]], or rather a recorded message from same, through the Star Saber. Alpha Trion tells Prime that through the [[Covenant of Primus]], he foresaw the battle against the Decepticons on [[Earth]] and intentionally transported the Iacon relics there for use by the [[Autobot]]s. He furthermore informs Prime of the most important of the relics: the [[Omega Key]]s which hold the power to restore [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After Optimus comes out of his trance, he tells the other Autobots about their new mission to retrieve the keys.

The ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' reaches Earth's [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], beyond which is the Decepticon [[space bridge]], hidden there after the Autobots discovered its previous location on Earth. Megatron and Dreadwing head through it to Cybertron.

The Autobots are overjoyed at the fact they're going to be able to go back to their homeworld and truly restore it, but quickly realize they will have to leave their [[human]] friends behind. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] wonders if the keys can really restore Cybertron, and Optimus assures him that the [[Ancient]]s possessed knowledge beyond current sciences and so starts decoding the last four coordinates.

On Cybertron, Megatron and Dreadwing break into a sealed tomb which contains the lifeless shell of a Prime. Though Dreadwing does not like the place, as it reminds him of his lost twin, Megatron has him crack open the coffin and "respectfully" takes what he needs.

[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] ponder if they really want to go back to Cybertron if it means leaving their friends on Earth, with Bulkhead wondering if he can do anything other than fight. [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] suggests he go back to construction as the cities will still be in ruin. Arcee reminds everyone that they still need to locate the four Omega Keys first before leaving Earth.

Having returned to the ''Nemesis'', Megatron directs [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to attach his new arm. Though the doctor suggests inducing [[stasis lock]] for the procedure, Megatron refuses and insists he witness the transplant.

Optimus finishes decoding the first Omega Key coordinates. Smokescreen immediately volunteers to go look and Arcee joins him to keep an eye on him. They arrive in [[Egypt]] and start tracking down the relic. As they search, Smokescreen attempts to apologise again for endangering [[Jack Darby|Jack]], but Arcee rebuffs him by saying that she does not want to lose a '''third''' partner.

Megatron tests his new appendage on the Forge, and is elated to see it react to his touch. He starts using the Forge to pound out a new weapon from a lump of [[Dark Energon]]. He is interrupted by [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], who has decoded more Iacon coordinates.

Arcee and Smokescreen follow the signal through underground ruins until they pull aside a stone and find the Omega Key they're after. They're soon back in the open air, only to find Megatron waiting for them with a shiny new sword. He sends them flying with an energy wave and when Smokescreen tries to charge at him, the Autobot is sent flying into the side of a pyramid. Megatron spares Arcee so she can tell Optimus to come get the Omega Key personally. Returning to base, Arcee reports Smokescreen's death and the other Autobots are ready to exact revenge. Optimus insists on going alone with the Star Saber. When he arrives, he's shocked to see Megatron has a new arm and a [[Dark Star Saber]]. The pair use their swords to send energy waves at each other but each manages to dodge or dispel the energy waves. They move in to close combat but it doesn't take long before Megatron's sword smashes right through the Star Saber. Megatron's about to make the killing blow when Smokescreen speaks up, having grabbed the Omega Key while Megatron was occupied. Optimus takes advantage of Megatron's distraction to renew his assault on the Decepticon leader, but after a short struggle, Megatron throws him off and flings a wave of energy. The energy wave passes right through Prime and Smokescreen, who disappear through the [[GroundBridge]].

Back at base, Smokescreen reveals that he borrowed the [[phase shifter]] again, and that's how he escaped destruction. Ratchet says Smokescreen can keep the device, but Smokescreen's joy is short-lived as they contemplate the destroyed Star Saber. Optimus, however, is right back at work decoding coordinates.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] (5)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (1)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"So, did Alpha Trion ask about me?"
:—'''Smokescreen'''

"Yeah, I don't think I'd ever wanna leave Miko." 
"We've made friends here. Family." 
"We could always... 'text' them."
:—'''Bulkhead''', '''Arcee''', and '''Ratchet'''.

"At last we take our rightful places, Optimus, as ''gods'', wielding the power of the cosmos." 
"I am but a soldier, Megatron, and ''you'' are a prisoner of your own twisted delusions!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange banter during battle.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===

===Continuity notes===
* The episode continues from the end of the [[Legacy|previous one]], showing the message from Alpha Trion.
* The Autobots learned the location of the second space bridge in "[[Orion Pax, Part 2]]", necessitating its relocation.
* Dreadwing feels uneasy being in a tomb due to [[Masters & Students|what happened]] to his twin brother [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], and Megatron uses that and recalls Dreadwing's proclamation that [[Loose Cannons|every Autobot shall pay]] to egg Dreadwing on.
* Megatron uses the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], which he acquired in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]". The Dark Energon he uses it on was acquired in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* Smokescreen uses the [[phase shifter]] [[New Recruit|again]], and [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] allows him to keep it as a "signature weapon".
* Optimus loses yet another sword to Megatron in battle, as he did in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" and "[[One Shall Fall]]".

===Transformers references===
* The idea that the Covenant of Primus could give Alpha Trion a blurry glimpse into the future as well as be a recording of the past was belabored in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* The Omega Keys are an amalgam of the [[Omega Lock]] and [[Cyber Planet Key]]s from ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'', which together had the power to reawaken [[Primus]].
* Megatron and Dreadwing loot the tomb of an unnamed Prime. In ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'', [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] was laid to rest in a funeral vault somewhere in Iacon.

===Real-world references===
* The battle takes place at the pyramids of [[Giza]], which was also the site for the [[Operation: Firestorm|final battle]] of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]].''

===Trivia===
* Smokescreen has a vague knowledge of Earth religion. Maybe Jack told him about it.
* According to Bulkhead, smokescreen is considered a 'kid' by cybertronion standards.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

NexusPrime98: /* Quotes */

{{Template:Nav-foc}}
{{videogame
|prev=Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)
|title=''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''
|image=Fall of Cybertron PC cover.jpg‎
|caption=
|developer=[[High Moon Studios]]
|publisher=[[Activision Blizzard|Activision]]
|date=[[August 21]], [[2012]]
|platform=PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 PC
|ratings=ESRB: T PEGI: 12
}}
'''''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''''' is a direct sequel to the 2010 game ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)| War for Cybertron]]'' that was released on [[August 21]], [[2012]]. Published by [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]] and developed by [[High Moon Studios]], the game is a continuation of the events of ''War for Cybertron'', It explores the [[Autobot]]s' attempts to escape from a rapidly deteriorating [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', as well as the gradual downfall and collapse of the remnants of Cybertronian society. A side story also focuses on the creation of the [[Dinobot (FOC)| Dinobots]].
==Synopsis==
===Chapter I: The Exodus===
:''Character: [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]]''

The [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]] heads off to the portal which will take them to [[Earth]]. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] invades the ship using the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', sending [[Decepticon]]s over directly to the bridge of the Ark, forcing Bumblebee, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] to fight off the aggressors. With more Decepticons swarming the engine room, Optimus heads off to help, leaving Bumblebee to protect the bridge. The artillery cannons are taken offline and the ship blows a [[moleculon fuse|fuse]]. Ratchet sends Bumblebee off to fix it, and after braving nearly being sucked into space, the scout soon replaces the fuse and ascending up a lift to the defense tower. He witnesses Autobots being overrun by a [[Titan (FOC)|Titan]] and then on another level, [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] and [[Rumble (Prime)|Rumble]] attacking. He reaches the defense mainframe and rushes the Decepticon manning it, reactivating the Ark's guns. The tower is hit by a claw that knocks him down a shaft. With his alternator jarred back into gear, Bumblebee transforms and races through an outer area, avoiding explosions, Decepticon tow cables and large chunks of rubble. He passes [[Bruticus (Prime)|Bruticus]] having a [[Brawl (WFC)|brawl]] and bringing an [[Onslaught (WFC)|onslaught]] of destruction. He makes it to a stronghold, restocking on ammo, energon and weapons. He fights his way through a few waves of Decepticons, making his way to the engine room, where Prime and Megatron are doing battle. He pushes through enemy lines, with the help of two Titans, and makes his way to the engine room. There he finds Optimus and Megatron engaging in a fierce melee battle on the hull of the ship, and just as Megatron fires a huge cannon at Optimus, Bumblebee throws himself forwards, taking the shot meant for Prime. As Bumblebee falls, Optimus lifts his body...

===Chapter II: Defend the Ark===
:''Character: Optimus Prime''
Six days earlier, the Autobots are preparing the last transport for launch. [[Ironhide (Prime)|Ironhide]] reports the energon reserves are aboard, and Perceptor is overseeing city shutdown, only for the news to come that the Decepticons have invaded the city. Optimus tries to contact [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]], as it's his sector the Decepticons have invaded, but gets no answer. As Prime moves to head out, a [[Warp Cannon]] crashes to the ground nearby and targets the Ark. Optimus heads through the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] ruins and enters Autobot City through a side door to find the Autobots trying to get the city stable without the absent Grimlock. After helping Ratchet stabilize a badly-injured [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]], Prime sends [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] to find where Grimlock's disappeared to. At the armory, [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]] reports that [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]] and others are trapped in a nerve center, so he and Optimus fight their way there. After fighting off a horde of Decepticons, they unseal the [[detpak]] from the nerve center door. Sending Warpath back to the Ark, Optimus goes in to meet with Perceptor, who's struggling to get the city working again so they can fight off the Decepticons. He sends Prime to activate an old artillery gun using energon from the Ark, and Prime soon puts the weapon to good use taking out Decepticons. With news that the Warp Cannons are firing on the Ark, Optimus heads to the engine room, but as he moves towards the flight deck, the corridors restructure around him. Decepticons, including [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], have invaded the area, and Optimus finds many bodies, but heads for the neutron cannon. After fighting his way through more Decepticons, he brings the neutron gun online, but again the targeting is out. Optimus takes manual control and helps defend the Ark refueling station from a number of Decepticon tanks. When the cannon runs out of energon, Optimus heads back inside the city and is guided by a mysterious intelligence to the city's core where he pulls a lever... and the entire city transforms into [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]].

===Chapter III: Metroplex Heeds the Call===
:''Character: Optimus Prime''
Optimus and Metroplex head for the Iacon ruins where the Warp Cannons are located. Once they find the first Warp Cannon, Metroplex laboriously synchronizes his targeting systems with Optimus and together they take out the first cannon. Moving on, Prime helps the survivors of a crashed Autobot ship and finds Warpath in a huge plaza. With the second Warp Cannon shelling them, they head into a building and manage to get close enough to the cannon for Optimus to mark it for destruction by Metroplex. That done, Optimus heads down more corridors and is confronted by three Leapers, which Metroplex handily takes out by putting a fist through the wall. After fighting his way across a huge bridge, Prime gets close enough to the last Warp Cannon to mark it, only for it to take out Metroplex first. With no other choice, Optimus makes his way to the base of the cannon and forces open a door, only to be blasted by Starscream, bashed by Brawl and Onslaught, and dragged in front of Megatron. While Starscream gloats at his victory over Prime, Megatron simply blasts his Air Commander before killing an Autobot in front of the bound Prime. Luckily it turns out Metroplex is back online, and he rips the roof off Megatron's throne room before smashing Megatron into the ground repeatedly with his fist. Starscream pronounces Megatron dead, himself leader and orders the Decepticons back to base. The day is won, but unfortunately all the Autobots' energon is exhausted and they need to find more. Prime believes Grimlock may hold the key, and says Jazz and [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] are tracking down their missing comrade.

===Chapter IV: Eye of the Storm===
:''Character: Cliffjumper''
[[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] drops Jazz and Cliffjumper off over the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]] in the middle of a rust storm to look for Grimlock. In a ruined base, they find a crashed ship which they recognize as one that was stolen by Grimlock from the base. They soon spot Decepticons moving around and sneak inside the base. As they stealthily make their way through, they overhear some Decepticons discussing [[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave]] and his "pets". Using a garbage conveyor, Cliffjumper finds himself in an ancient tomb where guardians are roaming around, scanning for Autobots. Jazz reports the rust storm is increasing in intensity outside. Cliffjumper finds a huge domed room and activates a starmap that shows him an image of [[Earth]]. Continuing through the tomb, Cliffjumper finds more Decepticons, plus sword marks and a trail of destruction he recognizes as Grimlock's work. Eventually he reaches outside again and spots Jazz, but a collapse cuts them off from each other. Cliff hunts through the storm and finds Jazz, freeing his companion from some fallen debris. They soon find more devastation and Jazz detects a faint Autobot distress signal which Cliffjumper tracks to a huge pit, just as the Decepticons seal it. Luckily the two Autobots find a huge bomb they use to blow the pit open and, leaving Cliffjumper behind, Jazz leaps in.

===Chapter V: Cut and Run===
:''Character: Jazz''
Jazz reaches the bottom of the pit and quickly finds [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] in [[stasis lock]]. The audio he plays back from Sludge's memory is not promising. The meaning of the green pods Jazz spots is clear when he finds himself under attack by the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] horde. He blasts a tank which releases a toxic green gas, and he has to race to escape in time. Escaping the pit, he seals it and pair continue to look for the source of the distress signal. They stumble on a huge lake filled with energon which the Decepticons are mining. They fight their way across the moat to the Decepticon facility where Cliffjumper promptly manages to trip an alarm. Jazz utilizes a network of service tunnels, but creeping down one of them, he falls through a grating and is ambushed. Naturally he fights the Decepticons off and even helps out Cliffjumper who's pinned down by Wall Crawlers and other Decepticons. The pair rendezvous at the other side of the moat and head inside the tower. Within, they find Insecticons in tubes and a map pointing to Earth's solar system. Intriguing! Further in, they find Shockwave arguing with Starscream via hologram. Cliffjumper fails to creep up on Shockwave, who sets a bunch of Insecticons on them before leaving. While Jazz keeps the Insecticons busy, Cliffjumper diverts toxic waste into the refinery to make it overload. The refinery starts to melt down and the pair book out, getting picked up by Sideswipe just in time. Jazz contacts Optimus with the news there's a lake of energon ripe for the taking. The Autobots begin preparing a massive energon transport to take the energon to the Ark.

===Chapter VI: Death from Above===
:''Character: Vortex''
The Decepticons get wind of the Autobot plan, and as the transport heads back with a load of energon, Starscream tasks the [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticon]]s with intercepting it and leading it to an ambush. [[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]] and [[Blast Off (FOC)|Blast Off]] are sent to clear a short-cut so Brawl can take a dropship and destroy a bridge. They fly through an ancient Autobot city. The pair run into Autobots though, and Blast Off ends up racing ahead, leaving Vortex to fight them. They eventually reach the bridge, but when Brawl shells it, they find it's shielded. Vortex deactivates the shielding, allowing Brawl to take out the side supports. The central support is a little trickier, and Brawl has to blow a hole in it so Vortex can get in to find the shield controls. After fighting more Autobots, including a Titan, Vortex uses a detpak on the central support and races out as the bridge collapses.

===Chapter VII: Belly of the Beast===
:''Character: Swindle''
Starscream springs his ambush on the transport, but the transport's defenses blast them. Onslaught exasperatedly sends [[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]] under the transport to try to stop it. Swindle takes out the rear wheels and heads to the front, using his grapple to avoid the deadly acid pools, and takes out the front wheels. This unleashes a pair of titans which he has to destroy. However just as victory looks certain, the transport's wheels convert into jets. As the transport takes to the air, Swindle grapples on board.

===Chapter VIII: Combaticons Combine!===
:''Character: Swindle/Bruticus''
Within the transport, Swindle begins heading through the transport, aiming to take out the anti-aircraft defenses so the other Combaticons can come over in their drop ship. He blows a hole in an exterior wall and starts making his way along the side of the transport. Starscream announces he's calling off the assault, but is corrected by Onslaught, who still believes they can pull it off. Swindle finds the anti-aircraft cannons can be destroyed by simply shooting the shells being fed into them, so he does that, then moves around to the other side of the ship. Unfortunately the Autobots are wise to what the Decepticons are doing and destroy the controls for the shell feed shields so Swindle can't deactivate them. Onslaught brings the drop ship around, and Swindle hops on. Once he uses the top turret to destroy the last gun emplacement, the Combaticons merge into [[Bruticus (Prime)|Bruticus]] and start breaking things. He smashes through the transports turbine and break into the control room where the Combaticons split and make swift work of the Autobots. Unfortunately though they have the transport in their control, it's badly damaged and going down, and they can do little more than try to control its course as it crashes. Starscream's unimpressed that they managed to destroy half the energon supply in the crash, and when Onslaught talks back, pointing that the Autobots would have gotten all of it if they did nothing and everything going wrong was a result of Starscream's incompetence, Starscream orders the Combaticons arrested.

===Chapter IX: Megatron Returns===
:''Character: [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]/Megatron''
In his [[Soundwave's workshop|old workshop]] under the gladiator pits, Soundwave powers up the assembly systems so he can put Megatron's salvaged body back together. With the help of his minions, he manages to get Megatron back in one piece and uses an infusion of [[Dark Energon]] to bring his master back to life. Megatron's enraged by the news Starscream is in charge and, grabbing his cannon, heads out to confront his former lieutenant. He arrives, naturally, in the middle of Starscream's coronation. Starscream sets the assembled Decepticons onto their former leader, but as Megatron points out, he was practically forged in these arenas. Once he finishes with the many, many Decepticons, he blasts Starscream who flees. Onslaught offers to chase them down, but Megatron doesn't consider him a threat and has other plans. As the Decepticons move a huge statue of him into pride of place, Megatron meets with Shockwave who has deciphered the ancient technology to open wormholes and located a suitably energy rich planet for them to plunder. Megatron boards a drop ship and heads for the crater where [[Trypticon (Prime)|Trypticon]] crashed with the intention of recovering the giant Decepticon's power core. Unfortunately his drop ship is shot down on the way.

===Chapter X: The Final Countdown===
:''Character: Megatron''
Jumping clear of the ship, Megatron notes that the Autobots have installed anti-aircraft defenses. Once the Decepticons assault the facility and take it over, Soundwave detects a power source nearby—the Autobots are using Trypticon's power core as an energy source. Furious, Megatron goes to investigate and takes out the defenses surrounding the main compound before calling in Bruticus to clear a path. The Combiner makes short work of the remaining Autobots and holds the massive doors open so Megatron can enter. After emptying the main compound of Autobots, he enters the main building where some Autobots are reporting to Optimus. Megatron slags them and makes it clear he blames Optimus for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s depleted state. The Autobots redouble their attempts to keep Megatron away, but as he gets closer to Trypticon, he realizes that the Autobots haven't removed the power core—Trypticon is still functional. Fighting through more Autobot defenses, including a titan, Megatron gets to Trypticon's legs and finds they've been bound. A few shots of Megatron's cannon frees them. Trypticon's torso is similarly easy to find, with a little help from Laserbeak. Once Megatron breaks Trypticon's bonds, Soundwave arrives and hacks the computer while Megatron smashes the Autobots attacking them. Trypticon, however, is still badly damaged. Megatron informs Trypticon that he failed to destroy the Autobots and will be rebuilt into a new form—the ''Nemesis''.

===Chapter XI: Starscream's Betrayal===
:''Characters: Decepticon trooper/Starscream/Grimlock''
As the Nemesis nears launch, the Decepticons are roused by an alarm as someone tries to hack Shockwave's data logs. A trooper is sent to check the main server. As the two troopers enter the server, they discuss Starscream, only for Starscream himself to decloak and flatten them. He checks the data logs and finds that Shockwave's latest experiment is in the central tower. He uses EMP detpaks to take out the security towers providing the defenses, which takes out the [[force field]]s protecting the maintenance shafts. Flying inside, he finds Shockwave experimenting on Grimlock with [[Hardshell]] and [[Sharpshot]]. Once they leave, Starscream drops into the lab and informs Grimlock he'll be set free if he pledges allegiance to the Air Commander. Grimlock's responds that he can free himself and throws Starscream into a wall before going to look for [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]]. He finds Swoop, only to be confronted by a hologram of Shockwave, who has predicted this move. After destroying all the Decepticons who come, he solves the problem of freeing Swoop by smashing things and the pair look for the rest of their team. They find more of Shockwave's experiments—Insecticons in tubes—and Swoop remembers where [[Slug]] is. Unfortunately Hardshell is waiting for them with some artillery, and Grimlock has to throw fuel pods at him until the ship's destroyed. Grimlock holds the Insecticon up to the optical scanner so they can progress. When they reach the surgical lab, it's totally trashed and there's a big hole in the floor. Grimlock and Swoop jump in.

===Chapter XII: Grimlock Smash===
:''Character: Grimlock''
Beneath the lab, the ground gives way under Grimlock, dropping him into a tunnel, and he decides they'll split up to find Slug. He soon finds the area is infested with Insecticons. Shockwave's voice rings out, telling Grimlock that he has yet to fulfill his full potential and transform, and [[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]] has volunteered to help. The Insecticon taunts Grimlock and unleashes a huge "bruiser" Insecticon to fight him. When Grimlock is angry enough, he finally changes form into a space ''T-rex''. Kickback decides discretion is the better part of not being slagged, but before he can escape, the door crashes down on him as Slug enters. Slug relates the news that Sludge didn't make it out of the caves, and Snarl's been taken by Shockwave for "extensive testing". As they step outside where Swoop is waiting, they see Shockwave's [[space bridge]] tower firing up. They soon track down Snarl being guarded by Sharpshot and squash his captor. Searching for a place to take shelter and patch up Snarl, they find an observatory and Slug discovers Shockwave's plans to open a space bridge portal. They contact Prime orders Grimlock to return to base, but Grimlock insists on taking the space bridge himself. With Swoop's help, he flies to the tower and fights his way though more Decepticons until he finds Shockwave working. As he goes to hit Shockwave, he's seized by energy chains, while Shockwave reports to Megatron that all is ready. Grimlock switches to dino mode to break free and rip Shockwave's arm off before bashing the space bridge which explodes. Back in Autobot City, the Autobots note that Megatron's portal is becoming unstable and decide they must urgently launch. Metroplex offers whatever spark energy he has left, which allows the Autobots to launch the Ark, at the cost of Metroplex's life.

===Chapter XIII: Till All Are One===
:''Characters: Soundwave/Jetfire/Bruticus/Jazz/Optimus/Megatron''
The ''Nemesis'' draws close to the ''Ark'' as it nears the portal. Megatron orders Soundwave to lead the first wave of the assault. Soundwave rides a tow cable over and, with the help of Rumble and Laserbeak, neutralizes the Ark's cannons. The Decepticons begin their assault en-mass. [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] flies outside and severs the tow cables, but even though he's successful, Bruticus flies right past him and lands on the hull of the ''Ark''. After smashing his way through the Autobot defenses, he busts the ship's main energon tank. Jetfire raises the alarm, and Jazz responds. He tries grappling onto Bruticus and shooting the giant in the face, but with the help of Jetfire and an EMP mine, the Autobots hit Bruticus with a series of air strikes, sending him flying off into space. Elsewhere, Bumblebee jumps in the path of Megatron's shot, saving Optimus. Enraged, Optimus punches Megatron across the hull and they face off once again. Their fight is eventually interrupted by the unstable space bridge portal sucking them and both starships in before closing.

==Featured characters==
{{stub}}
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus_Prime_(Prime)|Optimus Prime]] <ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/10/06/november-cover-revealed-transformers-fall-of-cybertron.aspx November Cover Revealed]</ref> ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] ([[Troy Baker]])
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]])
*[[Ironhide (Prime)|Ironhide]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]])
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] ([[Nolan North]])
*[[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] ([[Troy Baker]])
*[[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] ([[Gregg Berger]])
*[[Hound (Prime)|Hound]] <ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/26/play-transformers-fall-of-cybertron-multiplayer-on-july-31 Transformers: Fall of Cybertron - G1 Optimus Vignette]</ref>
*[[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]] ([[Mark Allan Stewart]])<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/21/transformers-resurrecting-
the-dinobots.aspx Resurrecting the Dinobots.]</ref>
*[[Slug]] ([[Travis Willingham]])
*[[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]]
*[[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]] ([[Sam Riegel]])
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]
*[[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]] ([[Jamieson Price]])
*[[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]] ([[Jim Ward]])
*[[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] ([[Travis Willingham]])
*[[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (Prime)|Ultra Magnus]] <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/transformers-video-game-discussion/27314578d1345329191-full-game-being-played-live-right-now-um.jpg]</ref>
*[[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) <ref>November 2011 GameInformer</ref>
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]])
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] ([[Sam Riegel]])
*[[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Onslaught (WFC)|Onslaught]] ([[Travis Willingham]])
*[[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]] ([[Dave Boat]])
*[[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Blast Off (FOC)|Blast Off]] ([[Keith Silverstein]])<ref name="ArtofApocalypse">[http://tformers.com/transformers-fall-of-cybertron-exclusive/16903/news.html Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Exclusive Art of the Apocalypse Preview], December 2011</ref>
*[[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]] ([[Nolan North]])<ref name="ArtofApocalypse"/>
*[[Bruticus (Prime)|Bruticus]] ([[Nolan North]])
*[[Trypticon (Prime)|Trypticon]]
*[[Sharpshot]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]] ([[Troy Baker]])
*[[Hardshell]]
*[[Rumble (Prime)|Rumble]] ([[Keith Silverstein]])<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ2oWKGOcxQ&list=FLcq7kqQpk6QT-sn9f9IKKtg&index=2&feature=plpp_video</ref>
*[[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Leaper]]
*[[Guardian (FOC)|Guardian]]
*[[Wall Crawler]]<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/20/clever-devils-the-enemies-and-ai-of-fall-of-cybertron.aspx The AI of War for Cybertron]]</ref>
*[[Dragstrip]]
*Quake <ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/transformers-video-game-discussion/27312924d1344389064-fall-cybertron-quake.png</ref>
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"Cliffjumper, you catch any of that?" 
"You mean the screaming, the horror, followed by more screaming?" 
"Ah, yeah, that'd be it."
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Cliffjumper'''

'''Kickback''': Now its time for me to take my leave! 
''[Slug busts the door down on Kickback]'' 
'''Slug''': Excuse me.
:—Never gets old, '''Slug'''

"After eons of conflict, I finally see the truth of words, Megatron." 
"And what might that be, Optimus?" 
"This universe, no matter how vast, will never be big enough for the both of us." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' tells '''Megatron''' he's done holding back.

"Cmon, let me take point, they dont call me cliffjumper for nothing!" 
''Jazz jumps into the sewers'' 
"Hey!Thats not fair!" 
:—'''Jazz''' tells '''Cliffjumper''' to shove his name up his hard-drive.

==Gameplay==
In an extensive interview with London's ''The Metro'', [[Matt Tieger]] spoke at length about the gameplay improvements ''Fall of Cybertron'' would feature. Tieger acknowledged ''War of Cybertron''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s story was undermined by designing the game levels first, and then finding ways to build the story around it. The story in Fall of Cybertron will also be given depth by Teletraan 1 terminals throughout the game, designed to give the player more information on the backstory of characters, events, etc. This time, the story's first act focuses on the Autobots, the second on the Decepticons and then returns to the Autobots, as opposed to having essentially two games about each faction that did not offer a different experience. Tieger promised the locations would offer the player more freedom, a sense of breathing space between gunfire gameplay segments, and the choice of whether to pass obstacles in robot or alternate mode (rather than forcing them to race to the next part of the map). Unique weaponry befitting each character's original [[Tech Spec]]s were also promised, as well as more unique locations, with artists rendering different types of "rusted, pitted, steel, nickel, chrome" metal environments.<ref>[http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/884575-transformers-fall-of-cybertron-exclusive-interview-planetary-reboot Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron exclusive interview - planetary reboot]</ref>

==Transformers References==
Aside from the obvious G1 inspired character designs, the game has some references to previous iterations of Transformers, a number of them from [[The Transformers: The Movie|the original 1986 movie]] and [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]]:

* Soundwave does a short impression of a light fixture.
* Jazz and Cliffjumper are paired together, just as they were in the film.
* During his coronation, Starscream is wearing the same crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore in the movie, and the dialogue he has with Megatron during the scene is the almost word for word as well. The crown can be found in Starscream's level and worn for its duration.
* When Kickback runs to the door, Slug pushes it from outside and the door falls, smashing Kickback to the ground and when Slug sees Kickback under the door, he says "Excuse me!". This is a straight homage to the scene where [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] pushes the door and it smashes the [[Quintesson]] prosecutor.
* A secret room can be found in Grimlock's level containing his waiter outfit from "[[Madman's Paradise]]"; upon finding it, Grimlock utters his famous movie quote, "Me Grimlock no bozo, me king."
* After defeating a group of Insecticons, Slug says that Grimlock tore through them like they were "[[beryllium baloney]]", but Grimlock says "[[cesium salami]]", mirroring the scene where their Generation 1 counterparts argue on [[Quintessa]].
* In an audio log left by [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]], the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' is described as [[Vanguard-class Deep Space Interceptor]], a term which originated in [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]].
* The five [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]]s are originally grouped together as the "[[Lightning Strike Coalition]]", the name of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s breakaway Autobot faction in "[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages]]".

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersgame.com/ Official Website]
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/10/06/november-cover-revealed-transformers-fall-of-cybertron.aspx November cover revealed: Fall of Cybertron] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/07/transformers-high-moon-studios-tour.aspx Transformers: High Moon Studio tour] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/10/fall-of-cybertron-the-new-optimus-prime.aspx Fall of Cybertron: The New Optimus Prime] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/games/transformers_fall_of_cybertron/b/xbox360/archive/2011/10/14/grimlock-rises-in-transformers-fall-of-cybertron-teaser-trailer.aspx Grimlock Rises In Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Teaser Trailer] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/12/behind-the-crosshairs-the-weapons-of-transformers.aspx Behind the Crosshairs: The Weapons of Transformers] @ GameInformer
*[http://youtu.be/Tn4ECyCExeg Fall of Cybertron Teaser 01] @ YouTube
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/13/the-illustrated-tour-of-cybertron.aspx The Illustrated Tour of Cybertron] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/17/directing-transformers-fall-of-cybertron.aspx The Story And Direction Of Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/19/animating-the-transformers.aspx Animating The Transformers] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/20/clever-devils-the-enemies-and-ai-of-fall-of-cybertron.aspx The Enemies & AI Of Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/21/transformers-resurrecting-the-dinobots.aspx Transformers: Resurrecting The Dinobots] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/24/fall-of-cybertron-deep-character-dive-jazz.aspx Fall Of Cybertron Deep Character Dive: Jazz] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/26/the-transformers-timeline.aspx The Transformers Timeline] @ Game Informer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/26/true-to-character-transformer-fall-of-cybertron.aspx True To Form: Safeguarding The Transformers License] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/28/creating-the-sounds-of-the-transformers.aspx Creating The Soundscape Of Transformers] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/31/larger-than-life-designing-transformer-s-set-piece-moments.aspx Larger Than Life: Designing Fall of Cybertron's Set Piece Moments] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/11/02/transformers-fall-of-cybertron-gameplay-roundtable.aspx Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Gameplay Roundtable] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2011/11/03/tfse.aspx Special Edition Podcast: Transformers: Fall of Cybertron] @ GameInformer
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVsINYfFG5Q Fall of Cybertron Cinematic Teaser Trailer] @ YouTube
*[http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011/world-premiere-trailers/ul8dqy Fall of Cybertron Cinematic Trailer] @ Spike TV ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3E358n7pcI Mirrored] @ YouTube)
*[http://www.gamespot.com/transformers-fall-of-cybertron/videos/transformers-fall-of-cybertron-official-trailer-6368583/ Fall of Cybertron Official Gameplay Trailer] @ Gamespot

==Footnotes==

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Aligned video games]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron]]