Editing Matrix of Leadership

{{Template:Disambig3|Matrix}}

[[Image:Matrix.jpg|thumb|right|300px|You put the life in the coconut.]]

The '''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (sometimes the '''Creation Matrix''') is an artifact of great power, traditionally carried by the current [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]]s. By most accounts, it holds a part of the essence of the [[Transformer]]s creator, [[Primus]], although much about it, including its exact composition, remains a mystery. It generally appears as a hollow, spherical 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.

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

==Conceptual history==

The Matrix and the concepts associated with it have continuously evolved over twenty-plus years, due to different ''Transformers'' fiction creating new ideas centred on it, which have in turn influenced its representation in ''other'' fiction, and so on, and so forth, and back-and-forth. 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.

It is not clear precisely where the "Matrix" idea originated{{m-}}if, for example, it was a part of the franchise's original treatment or not{{m-}}but the concept first appeared in the [[Marvel Comics]] [[Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 1]] continuity, where it was introduced as the Creation Matrix, a computer program housed within [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s mind that could bring new Transformers to life.

The [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|animated series]] made an attempt at introducing the Matrix concept into its continuity in the episode "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]", but the line, which dated the creation of the Matrix to 4.5 million years ago (which would ultimately conflict greatly with what would be learned of the Matrix in the future), was deleted during production. Subsequently, the animated incarnation of the Matrix, known as the "Matrix of Leadership," made its debut in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', where it was presented as a physical object housed in the chest of Optimus Prime, and passed to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and ultimately [[Rodimus Prime]]. Nothing of the Matrix's nature was actually divulged in the film, where it was treated as simply a magic talisman of prophecy that was the antithesis of [[Unicron]]. It was the mini-series "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" which revealed the key featre of the animated Matrix{{m-}}it contained the lifeforces of all previous Autobot leaders who had held it, collectively known as the "Wisdom of the Ages," which could be consulted for aid in moments of need.

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. Eventually, when Furman began writing the US series as well, the two concepts were reconciled and it was explained that Prime's head had merely contained residual Matrix energy, while the true Matrix had resided in his chest. 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]]'' 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{{m-}}rather than ''contain'' anything, the physical Matrix object from those continuities was a ''gateway'' to the Allspark. Where the animated "Matrix of the Leadership" and the comic book "Creation Matrix" had previously seemed incompatible, this revelation united them conceptually{{m-}}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.

==Fiction==

===Marvel Comics continuity===

====Generation 1====

{{note|Events from the UK-only comics are in italics.}}


[[Image:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The Creation Matrix was the [[Leader-1]]'s-head of the Marvel comic.  Can't be drawn the same way twice.]]

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}} Known holders of the Matrix throughout history included the first Transformer, [[Prima]], and subsequently, [[Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime]], and in the modern era, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} One account mentions a "[[Primon]]" as the second holder, but no other sources include him. {{storylink|Reaching the Omega Point}}

By the time of the war on [[Earth]], the fact that the Matrix was a physical object was generally unknown to all but Optimus Prime himself, who kept it within his chest. Operating under the misconception that the Matrix was a program within Prime's mind, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] captured the [[Autobots]] and decapitated Prime, using the residual Matrix energy contained within it to bring life to the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Prime was able to transfer the remaining energy into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, [[Buster Witwicky]], {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} thereby preventing Shockwave from animated his newest construct, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{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, thwarting Shockwave's plan and saving Optimus Prime. Buster returned the energy of the Matrix within his body to Prime. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

''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]]. Not long after, however, the Matrix Flame flickered out when Optimus Prime was shunted into [[limbo]] by time-travelling [[Galvatron (G1)|Decepticons]], leading the Autobots on Cybertron to send Magnus to Earth investigate. Prime was returned in due time, and the Matrix Flame re-ignited.'' {{storylink|Target 2006}}

Having deduced a new means of tapping the Matrix's power, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had [[Bombshell]] plant a cerebo-shell within Optimus Prime. Megatron was able to use the shell to channel the energy of the Matrix when Prime used it to give life to the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], employing it to animate his own new creations, the [[Stunticons]]. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

Prime's persistence in keeping the physical shell of the Matrix a secret proved to have been a mistake when the Autobot leader died. In accordance with Cybertron funerary practises, Prime's boaded was loaded into a funeral bier and launched it into space, unwittingly sending the Matrix with it. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} 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, and began to hunger for new experiences. {{storylink|

It got a chance at new experience when a dying mechanoid crashed on VsQs and touched the Matrix. The mechanoid was a Deathbringer, which had been dedicated to ending unnecessary suffering, and was warped by the Matrix into a new and very powerful being who sought to destroy ''all'' life.  Though he left the Matrix in Prime's body, he still carried some of its energy, and the Matrix reveled in the vicarious experience of evil. The Deathbringer found its way to Earth, where it rained destruction down upon a human city. ''Sensing the Matrix's power within the creature, Optimus Prime (since resurrected) 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 (comic issue)|Deathbringer}}

[[Image:Geneticmatrix.jpg|right|thumb|150px|No one can be told what the Matrix is.  Because Optimus is an idiot.]]

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 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 [[Pequod]], another planet in the same solar system. 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 realized that the Matrix would be necessary to defeat the Chaos-Bringer. Search parties were dispatched to track down the funeral barge, which piqued the curiosity of new Decepticon leader [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], who possessed an affinity with the Matrix and desire to possess its power for his own.  As the opposing teams dodged each other, they eventually set their sights on Pequod, where the klud had been attracting attention because its species was supposed to have been extinct.  Thunderwing used his Matrix affinity to psychically link with the Matrix-infused beast and see the memory of swallowing the dying scientist.  Recognizing the "VsQs" stamp on his equipment, Thunderwing set out for that moon. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}}

Once there, both sides battled the creature the Matrix had created, which had grown to enormous size, with Thunderwing ultimately killing the beast and taking the Matrix. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} The Decepticon immediately attacked the spaceborne [[Ark]], manifesting the Matrix power in the form of a giant, vaguely humanoid energy field around himself. Soon, however, Matrix began to speak through him, delighting in the firsthand experience of evil, and Thunderwing realized he was being possessed. Thunderwing tried to mentally battle the Matrix, to no avail, but the Autobots exploited his erractic behaviour to impale him with a harpoon and blow him out the Ark's airlock into space. {{storylink|All Fall Down!}}

The Matrix took time to heal Thunderwing's body, then set out for Cybertron.  Coincidentally, it arrived 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)|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! (Marvel US comic)|End of the Road!}}

[[Image:MatrixCoconut1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Will I become a great Autobot leader?" <br> "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, and it was then used by [[Hot Rod]] to destroy Unicron, in the process transfiguring Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie}} Subsequently, in 2008, Unicron attempt to eningeer his resurrection, but Rodimus Prime trapped his mind within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

''Later in 2008, the [[Quintesson]] [[General Ghyrik]] was able to steal the talisman from its owner at that time, [[Rodimus Prime]]. Ghyrik used the power of the Matrix to enhance his strength as he battled [[Hot Rod]], but was duped by some impromptu ventriloquism from his opponent and soon lost the talisman. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}} Later, in 2009, Rodimus and several other Autobots travelled back in time to 1989. As the Matrix was unable to exist in two places in time at once, Optimus Prime was again shunted to limbo, but used the power of the Matrix to communicate with the other Autobots through Rodimus. When Rodimus was then defeated in battle, Optimus risked the security of the space-time continuum to use the Matrix as a stepping stone to return to reality, battling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''Return to Cybertron after their time-travel adventure, Rodimus and the Autobots found that the disruption of space and time had altered theire future, and that Galvatron was waiting for them. Galvatron attempted to force Rodimus Prime into a savage battle, hoping to corrupt the Matrix, but Rodimus realized his plan and stopped before it was too late.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''Later, Rodimus and the Autobots were on a hyperspace trip to Earth when they discovered that their craft's guidance systems had been damaged. During the flight, Rodimus Prime vanished {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}}, and Kup discovered that he was the saboteur, {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} deducing that he had been corrupted by an evil force from within the Matrix. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} Inside the Matrix, Rodimus battled with the essence of Unicron, trapped there since the events of 2008, until Kup wrenched the Matrix from his chest, freeing from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron will be waiting for him within it... {{storylink|White Fire}} and 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!}}

====Generation 2====

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 it to give life to the [[Laser Rod]]s and [[Rotor Force]] {{storylink|New Dawn}}, and subsequently, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] used the power of the Matrix on himself, merging himself with the [[Warworld]] and reshaping the interior of the ship.  However, unlike with Thunderwing, Starscream found his own evil being subverted by the Matrix's goodness, and he returned the Matrix to Prime, for fear of being changed beyond recognition.

When Prime was consumed by the [[Swarm]], he channelled the Matrix's purity and goodness into it, completely reversing the nature of the Swarm. Suddenly transformed from a destructive force into a force for life, it re-created Prime and departed into space. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven}}


===American animated continuity===

[[Image:Matrix_5faces4_7.jpg|left|thumb|200px|My preciousssss!]]

The origins of the Matrix of Leadership are almost entirely unknown. Some rather unusual evidence suggests that it may be linked in some way to the [[Oracle (G1)|assitant]] of the ancient genius [[Primacron]], who created Unicron ''(see the character's own article for details)'', but even if that is true, it is wholly unknown how it came to be held by the Autobots and how it was elevated to the position of power it is known for.

Traditionally carried by the current Autobot leader, it serves as a receptacle for the lifeforces of past holders, known collectively as the "Wisdom of the Ages." Virtually all of its holders have been unnamed, but are known as the "[[Ancient Robot]]," the "[[Brooding Robot]]," the "[[Powerful Robot]]," the "[[Pre-Transformer (character)|Pre-Transformer]]," the "[[New Narrator]]" and the "[[U-Haul Robot]]." Many other Autobots have been seen within the Matrix, but their identities are unknown.

Following the death of the U-Haul Robot at the hands of Megatron, the ancient Autobot [[Alpha Trion]] kept the Matrix safe and hidden away, until a damaged [[Orion Pax|young robot]] was brought to his workshop. Trion recreated him as Optimus Prime, new leader of the Autobots, and gave him the Matrix. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} 

[[Image:MovieMagnus_matrix.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Will I at least get to ''use'' the Matrix?"<br>"No! Quit asking."]]

The Matrix of Leadership's first documented appearance in modern times occurred in 2005, when a dying [[Optimus Prime]] passed it and leadership of the Autobots to his chosen successor, Ultra Magnus. Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy{{m-}}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 Megatron as 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, 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. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:Dark_awakening_matrix.jpg|left|thumb|150px|"Swap Matrix for braaainnns?"]]

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}}

The Matrix weighed heavily upon Rodimus, and he was all to eager to return it to Optimus Prime when it seemed that the Autobot leader had returned from the dead in 2006. It transpired, however, than Optimus had only been reanimated as a robotic zombie by the Quintessons, but the Matrix overrode the evil intentions the aliens had programmed him with, and he returned it to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

[[Image:Matrix_burden_2.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Decepticons using the Matrix either become disgusting freaks...]]

At one point, Rodimus was ambushed by the Stunticons, who stole the Matrix from him and brought the it to Galvatron, who attempted to use its energy to power his cannon, only to be tormented by the spirits of the Autobots within it. Galvatron instructed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to dispose of the Matrix, but Scourge understood the true nature of its power and placed it within his own chest. Warped by its power, Scourge took control of the Decepticons and led them in an attack on Earth, only to be bested by Hot Rod, who reclaimed the Matrix once more. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[Image:Matrix_burden_1.jpg|left|thumb|150px|...or get harassed by the ghosts of Optimus Prime, Robocop, and [[Boba Fett]].]]

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 empited, 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}}


===Japanese animated continuity===


{{note|The Matrix was the subject of a massive [[retcon]] propogated by [[TakaraTomy]] in 2007, explicitly tying it to Primacron's assistant, and various other animated concepts like [[Vector Sigma]] and the ''[[Beast Machines]]'' [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]]. Although the retcon takes as its starting point various small things that originate in the American animated continuity, it applies only to the Japanese continuity (so far, anyway).}}


====Generation 1====

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)|Kiss Players Transformers timeline}}

====''The Headmasters''====

A key distinction between the Matrix in this continuity and its sister timeline is that in addition to containing the Wisdom of the Ages, it is a source of exceptionally pure energy. It was this energy which was released by Optimus Prime to cure the Hate Plague. In order to recharge the emptied Matrix, it was hidden in an Autobot energy-gathering facility, steadily absorbing the pure, natural energy of Earth. Unfortunately, Prime had not forseen the one great side-effect of releasing the Matrix's energy{{m-}}it caused Vector Sigma to become unbalanced, 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, and Optimus Prime headed for Vector Sigma's chamber to try and rectify the situation. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come Out Of The Sky}} The Matrix, however, remained hidden on Earth, with no-one but Prime aware of its precise location. Hot Rod led the Autobot [[Headmaster]]s in a search for the Matrix, but although they successfully recovered it, it was still not fully recharged. Nevertheless, they brought the Matrix to Cybertron, where the ghost of Alpha Trion re-energized it fully, transforming Hot Rod back into Rodimus Prime. Before Rodimus could use the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, however, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with the computer to bring it back under control. {{storylink|A Dream is Born, Double Prime}}

When Cybertron was subsequently destroyed 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}} On his many travels, the power of the Matrix and the energy of Earth now dwelling within it in gave him strength, and opened his eyes to the beauty of Earth and humanity, convincing him that humans and Transformers must live and work together to move forward and evolve. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8}}

No known subsequent [[Supreme Commander]]s held the Matrix, and its precise fate in this universe is unknown. By the time of the "Beast Era," Supreme Commanders were known to carry with them similar but entirely different objects known as [[Energon Matrix|Energon Matricies]].


===Dreamwave comics continuity===

[[Image:Ancients.jpg|thumb|left|Matrix-shaped platform above the Oracle Tank]]

Seeking to use the Matrix to power the planetary turbine engines he had discovered beneath Cybertron's surface, Megatron attacked and killed the current holder of the talisman, [[Sentinel Prime]]. Tearing his victim open, however, Megatron discovered that the Matrix was gone, having already been given by Sentinel Prime to the [[Council of Ancients]] for unknown reasons (perhaps having forseen his own death). The Council subequently 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}}

Soon after, Prime was attacked by Megatron, who cracked open his form and exposed 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, though how much knowledge he himself retained is unknown. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5}}

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]] a piece of the Matrix with the promise that he would be back. 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 [[General Hallo]] drafted Spike to help in restoring him to life by replacing the portion of the Matrix he had removed. Thus restored, Prime proceeded to use the Matrix to bring his fellow Autobots back on-line. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

[[Image:Matrix back.jpg|thumb|A Dreamwave newsletter provides us a seldom-seen image of the ''back'' of the Matrix.]]

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 (G1)|Shockwave]] in the chamber containing Vector Sigma. Blasting Prime's chest cavity open, Shockwave claimed the Matrix for himself and used it to access Vector Sigma's databanks as part of a complex plan, the implications of which were never fully revealed. Shockwave was defeated by [[Ultra Magnus]] and the Matrix returned to Optimus Prime, but not before its activation caused an energy beam to be broadcast out into space, drawing the attention of Unicron. {{storylink|Revelation (comic issue}} 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 Optimus Prime's systems, necessitating an extended session in a CR chamber to recover. {{storylink|Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|DW G1 ongoing}}

It appears that this Matrix does not hold the wisdom of past Autobot leaders, as [[Golden Disk (council)|another datatrak]] contained its wisdom.


===Beast Era===

====''Beast Wars''====

Several enigmatic references were made to the Matrix at various points, though it is never precisely clear if they refer to the Matrix of Leadership, the Allspark dimension, the [[Matrix (facility)|the protoform production facility on Cybertron]] that also goes by that name, or some theoretical conglomeration of all three that the Beast Wars only speak of out of misconception.

When [[Rhinox]] voyaged into the Allspark to recover [[Optimus Primal]]'s lost [[spark]], the image of the Matrix of Leadership could be seen floating in the void. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors, Part 2}} Later, when the body of Optimus Prime was fatally wounded by [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], Optimus Primal opened his chest compartment to take his 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}}

====''Universe''====

[[Image:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|right|220px|thumb|The Matrix, beneath Prime's "spark holder".]]

The confusion surrounding the Matrix-like 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. This was established when, after the end of the Beast Wars, the deceased [[Tarantulas]] was resurrected, intending to use his new [[Vok]] powers to steal the Matrix and warp reality to his liking.  To protect the timestream, the Vok took the Matrix of Leadership from the unconscious Optimus Prime residing within the Ark, used it to create [[Primal Prime]], then gave the Matrix to their new creation. {{storylink|Departure|Primeval Dawn, Part 1}} In the following battle, however, Tarantulas was able to overpower Primal Prime and rip the Matrix from his body. {{storylink|Betrayal|Primeval Dawn, Part 2}}

{{stub}}


===Robots in Disguise===

[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by Vector Sigma to carry the Matrix, leaving his brother, [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], with a serious microchip on his shoulder. About halfway through Prime's campaign against [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] on Earth, Magnus arrived on Earth, intent on taking the Matrix from Prime for himself. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} When he attempted to steal the Matrix, however, a bizarre fusion occurred instead, merging the two brothers into [[Omega Prime]], 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 inadvertantly used this link to channel the energy of the Matrix into the [[Autobot Brothers]], supercharging them. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}


===Unicron Trilogy===
====Animated continuity====

[[Image:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|right|thumb|A Unicorn designed this. (see the rainbows?)]]

[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] tried to pass the Matrix on to [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] before he warped into space with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], but Hot Shot refused it, not feeling himself worthy.

When Optimus died standing purposefully in the path of the [[Hydra Cannon]] blast meant for Earth, Prime's [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] held on to the Matrix, floating helplessly until rescued.

Later, it was the Mini-Cons who resurrected Prime, entering the Matrix and reconstructing a new body for him. Some time later, Unicron forced Prime to face the fact that on some level he enjoyed the thrill of combat. Following Unicron's defeat, Galvatron challenged Optimus to one final, furious battle. Prime choose to discard the Matrix at this time, flinging it into the void of space, so that he could battle Galvatron not as the leader of the Autobots, but as himself. How Optimus Prime got the Matrix back after this is uncertain.

{{note|Although in ''Energon'', Optimus Prime appears to have a permanent Matrix-like structure (complete with handles and all) in his chest, this is not the case. The device located in his chest is the [[Spark of Combination]] and not the Matrix of Leadership.}}

During the quest to stop the [[Unicron Singularity]], Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership to widen [[Vector Prime]]'s dimension gates, allowing transport for larger numbers of troops.

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==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''New Year Convoy''' (2002)
: He comes with the Matrix of Leadership!

*'''[[Galvatron II]]''' (2005)
: He comes with the Creation Matrix!  It's green.

*'''Revoltech Convoy''' (2007)
: He comes with a Matrix accessory which does not open or store inside his chest.

===Robots in Disguise===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2000, 2001)
: ''[[Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] has a little door on his chest that hides a sculpted Matrix. It cannot be removed.

===20th Anniversary/Masterpiece===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (2003/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-01'''
: 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime includes a removable vacuum-metalized Matrix of Leadership that can also be pulled open.

* '''Ultra Magnus'''
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-02'''
: He had it too.

* '''Convoy Perfect Edition''' (2006)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-04'''
: He still had it here.


===Armada===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Super Base, 2002/2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MC-01'''

:The large version of ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] has a non-removable Matrix of Leadership behind the grill on his chest.  This feature was kept for the various [[redeco]]s of this mold.

===Cybertron===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GC-01'''

:''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' Optimus Prime has a removable Matrix of Leadership in his chest.  This feature was kept for the "Galaxy Force Optimus Prime" redeco.

===Classics===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)
:Yep, this version of the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime mold still has the Matrix.

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==Trivia==
*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.


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==Footnotes==
<references />

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