Editing Matrix of Leadership

{{Template:Disambig3|Matrix}}

[[Image:Matrix.jpg|thumb|right|250px|You put the life in the coconut.]]

'''The Matrix of Leadership''' (sometimes the '''Creation Matrix''') is an artifact of great power. It is traditionally carried by the current Autobot Leader.

Much about the Matrix remains a mystery, including its exact composition. It generally appears as a hollow, sphereical metal shell with two handles on either side and with a core sphere of blueish crystal at its center.

The Matrix is the one thing, the only thing which [[Unicron]] fears.

''(The exact nature and power of the Matrix varied according to continuity. See individual entries below for details.)''

== Fiction == 

==Generation One==

===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[Image:Geneticmatrix.jpg|left|thumb|150px|No one can be told what the Matrix is.]]

Called the Creation Matrix, here it contains the essence of the Transformer's creator-god [[Primus]]. Thus it is the one thing that can destroy Unicron because it is the essence of his ancient enemy and antithesis. 

Other than this its main power is being the only source of new Transformer life. The [[Keeper]] of Primus refers to the Creation Matrix as the '''Genetic Matrix.'''

It's know bearers are:
*[[Prima]]
*[[Prime Nova]]
*[[Sentinel Prime]]
*[[Optimus_Prime_(G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Ultra_Magnus_(G1)|Ultra Magnus]] ''(UK comics only)''
*[[Hot_Rod_(G1)|Rodimus Prime]] ''(UK comics only)''
*[[Thunderwing_(G1)|Thunderwing]]
*[[Starscream_(G1)|Starscream]]

''(In the later Botcon text story [[Reaching the Omega Point]] [[Simon Furman]] adds [[Primon]] to this number though he is never mentioned elswhere. Not even by the Matrix itself.)''

''('''Note:''' In its earliest stories the comic book version of the Matrix was portrayed as a life-granting computer program residing within Optimus Prime. After [[The Transformers: The Movie]] established it as a physical object Simon Furman [[retcon]]ned it into being such in the comics as well, first in the UK then the US books.)'' 


===Animated continuity===
[[Image:Matrix.jpg|thumb|right|250px|You put the life in the coconut.]]

Called '''The Matrix of Leadership''' or '''Autobot Matrix''' or some combination of the two is an artifact of great power which holds within it the accumulated wisdom of past Autobot Leaders. As such it is traditionally carried by the current Autobot Leader.

Why the Matrix is the one thing, the only thing, which [[Unicron]] fears is not quite clear, but it seems to be in some way connected to [[Primacron's Assistant]]. It generally displays no powers beyond granting wisdom/visions and acting as a key to [[Vector Sigma]]. However it does, on occasion, seem capable of empowering and upgrading a Transformers physical form.


==Known Matrix Bearers==
The only named robots known to have posessed the Matrix of Leadership in the cartoon are:
*[[Optimus Prime]]
*[[Rodimus Prime]]
*[[Scourge_(G1)|Scourge]]
However, more than a dozen more past Autobot Leaders are seen within it at various points, but none of these are ever given names.


In the distant past the scientist [[Primacron]] and his assistant created some of the first, primitive Transformers ''(how exactly this connects to their Quintessonian origin revealed elsewhere in the Cartoon is unrevealed).'' Primacron eventually created Unicron, who rebeled against his maker. In the ensuing conflict Primacron was badly injured and his robotic-seeming assistant appeared destroyed. His Assistant surrvived however and out of his remains rose what appeared to be the Autobot Matrix of Leadership which then flew off into space. ''(The exact meaning and import of this flashback is unclear, but it seems to suggest the Matrix began as the essence of Primacron's assistant.)''
  
The Matrix of Leadership first documented appearence in modern times occured when a dying [[Optimus Prime]] passed it, and Autobot Leadership to his chosen successor, [[Ultra Magnus]]. 

Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy - that one day, "The Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots, and use the power of the Matrix to light the Transformers' darkest hour. That darkest hour soon came upon Cybertron in the form of the world-eater, [[Unicron]], who knew that the Matrix's power was the one thing that could destroy him. Recreating Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], he dispatched him to steal the Matrix, but when Galvatron obtained the talisman, he tried and failed to use its power against Unicron. Ultimately, the Chosen One who could open the Matrix proved to be the youthful [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], who reclaimed the Matrix and was transformed by its power into [[Rodimus Prime]], before opening it within Unicron and releasing its power, which tore Unicron apart from within.

Later, when injured in battle, Rodimus's consciousness briefly entered the Matrix itself, and he discovered that it was more than a mere source of energy - it, in fact, contained the amassed wisdom of deceased Autobot leaders throughout history. Venturing into the Matrix a second time, Rodimus was shown the history of Cybertron by the ancient Autobots whose consciousnesses existed within the Matrix, revealing to him the [[Quintessons]] role in the creation of the Transformers. When he was resurrected, Optimus Prime later did the same thing when faced with the [[Hate Plague]], (which he ALSO seemed to claim as their "darkest hour"). To cure the madness of the plague he expelled all of the wisdom from within the Matrix, saving the universe, but emptying the Matrix and leaving only a shell. He claimed they would have to start filling it with wisdom again, from that moment on.

Optimus Prime eventually used the shell of the Matrix as a substitute key to access [[Vector Sigma]].



===Leadership Matrix===
{{see|Leadership Matrix}}
The original Matrix held by Optimus and Rodimus Prime was portrayed more as a power source than anything else, though it did apparently determine which faction Vector Sigma would obey.
In later Japanese continuity, a Matrix was carried by any individual with a ranking of "[[Hyper Convoy|Convoy]]" (a rank named after Japan's name for [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]) who achieves the status of [[Hyper Convoy]].  Therefore, there are several distinct Matrices, possibly each a piece of the original Matrix of Leadership or its own unique identity.  ''(Note: [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]] specifically did not have a Matrix.)''

*[[Optimus_Primal|Beast Convoy]]
*[[Leo Prime]]
*[[Lio Junior]] (a copy of Leo Prime's)
*[[Big Convoy]]
*[[Crow Convoy]]
*[[Great Convoy]]
*[[Maximal Elder|The Convoy Council]]


===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Ancients.jpg|thumb|right|Matrix-shaped platform above the Oracle Tank]]Prior to Optimus, the Matrix was held by [[Sentinel Prime]], an Autobot leader killed by Megatron in an attempt to gain possession of the artifact.  But Sentinel had already given up the Matrix for reasons unknown (perhaps forseeing his own death), passing it to the [[Council of Ancients]], who chose a data archivist named Optronix as the new bearer.  Optronix and the Matrix were lowered into the [[Oracle Tank]], with the words "Fill this sacred vessel with the wisdom of the ages", though it may be that the council was referring to Optronix and not the Matrix.  Like [[Hot Rod]], Optronix - now [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)|Optimus Prime]] - is physically changed by the installation of the Matrix, his frame altered to become larger and more powerful.  Soon after, he is attacked by Megatron who cracks open his form and exposes the Matrix, which shows both Optimus and Megatron visions of the future, seeming to transport them to [[Earth]], then to [[Nebulon]].  It is implied that Optimus somehow uses the Matrix to force Megatron to forget these visions, though how much knowledge he himself retains is unknown.

Before the Autobots leave for [[Cybertron_(planet)|Cybertron]] on the [[Ark II]], Optimus Prime gives [[Spike Witwicky]] a piece of the Matrix to safeguard during their journey.   The Ark II crashes, but when Spike and Optimus are reunited, Spike returns the piece to him.  Optimus uses the complete Matrix of Leadership to awaken his deactivated troops and call them to him.

After returning to Cybertron, a chain of events ultimately leads Optimus Prime to a confrontation with [[Shockwave]] in the chamber containing Vector Sigma.  Shockwave transforms and blows open Optimus Prime, claiming the Matrix for himself and using it to access Vector Sigma's databanks.  Shockwave was defeated by [[Ultra Magnus]] and the Matrix returned to Optimus Prime, but the forceful removal of the Matrix from his body combined with the long period of time spent without it caused a great deal of trauma to his systems, necessitating an extended session in a CR chamber to recover, and suggesting that at least in the [[Dreamwave]] comics the Matrix actually integrates with the systems of its holder to some degree rather than merely residing inside them.

==Beast Wars==
In the [[1990]]s animated series, [[Beast Wars]] and [[Beast Machines]] series, the nature of the Matrix was explored and evolved.

These series used "The Matrix" as a term that referred not merely to the physical object, but to an actual other-dimensional realm - the Transformer [[afterlife]] also called the [[Allspark (dimension)|Allspark]], the well of all sparks that are, have been, or ever shall be. From the Allspark springs all Transformer life, and when a Transformer dies, their spark returns to the Allspark, sharing its life experience with the collective, creating a huge store of accumulated wisdom and knowledge. Understanding this, it can be retroactively assumed that the physical Matrix object wielded by Autobot leaders in the cartoon continuity is not simply a storehouse of knowledge itself, but rather, a gateway to this afterlife realm. Similarly, this also explains its ability to bestow life as seen in the comic book continuity - by transferring a spark from the Allspark through its connection to the realm.

The Matrix was also used as a nickname in the Beast Wars series for the facility which produced [[Maximal]] [[protoform]]s.

==Beast Machines==
See [[Allspark (dimension)|Allspark]].


==Unicron Trilogy==
[[Image:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|right|thumb|Armada's version of the Matrix]]
When [[Optimus Prime (UT)|Optimus Prime]] died by standing purposefully in the path of the Hydra Cannon built by [[Megatron (UT)|Megatron]] from the three Mini-Con weapons. It was the Mini-Cons themselves, who resurrected him, entering the Matrix and reconstructing a new body for him (as well as forging a new trailer known as [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]]), Subsequently, Prime was forced to face the dark part of his soul by Unicron, who forced him to face the fact that on some level, he enjoyed the thrill of combat. Following Unicron's defeat, Prime's denial was sorely tested as Galvatron forced him into one final furious battle, that ended when Galvatron sacrificed himself to end the circle of hate that powered Unicron. Prime survieved this battle, but he discarded the Matrix and exiled himself as he thought that he was un-worthy.

In Transformers Cybertron, Optimus Prime uses the Matrix of Leadership to widen [[Vector Prime_(UT)|Vector Prime]]'s dimension gates. Optimus Prime's distinctive [[cyber key]] is unique becuse of the influence of his matrix.

[[Category: Generation 1]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Objects]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers| ]]
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