Ancient Autobots
The Ancient Autobots was the name given to the life force and accumulated wisdom of the previous bearers of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. They would manifest themselves when the Matrix was abused, though this was not always the case.
Fiction
Generation 1 animated continuity
After Dead End and Wildrider removed the Matrix from Rodimus Prime, they presented their find to Galvatron, who placed the Matrix in his cannon believing the Autobot relic would give him great power. However, his cannon merely fired a puff of smoke. In anger at the Stunticons' possible dropping of the Matrix and thus damaging it, he attempted to shoot them as he usually does when he is angered. However, this time a bluish energy shot out and the entire throneroom was haunted by the Ancient Autobots (including Optimus Prime). The ghosts demanded Galvatron return it or they would haunt him all his life. Fearful, Galvatron quickly decided to remove it from his cannon, though he ordered it be disposed of rather than returned to the Autobots. The Burden Hardest to Bear
Strangely, when Scourge then took the Matrix, these Ancient Autobots did not manifest, although he did go mad with power in the process. That might be a manner they punish the abusers of their wisdom in cases when the madness would not be redundant. The Burden Hardest to Bear
