Book I "Dawn of a New Age" Chapter III "As Darkness Falls" Out in space, the Autobot shuttle flew toward Cybertron. "Looks like we lost them", said Optimus Prime. "I hope Ultra Magnus and the others can keep Autobot City in one piece." "Yep, I remember the dust was so thick off Beta 4, you had to use windshield wipers on your optic sensors.", said Kup to Grimlock and the Dinobots. "Me Grimlock know all about wipers, want to hear good part of story." "Good part, Kup. Tell Swoop good part." "Okay, okay. Well, the dust was really thick. And then this gigantic Ichyac came tromping and stomping down the mountain, flames spewing out of its nostrils. And I thought for sure..." "Hey, Kup, don't you think we have better things to do now than tell old stories", finished Hot Rod as he continued to fight the practice robot. "Like what", said Kup. "Like try to figure out how we're going to rescue our friends, and then save Cybertron", said Hot Rod. "In good time", said Optimus Prime. There isn't anything we can do until we get there. "Tell story", howled Grimlock. "Ssssh. Quiet. We want to hear story. Tell story, tell story", said the other Dinobots. "Kup, tell them, so they'll keep quiet", said Prime. "Sure thing Prime." Hot Rod shrugged, and was struck from behind by the robot he was practicing with. Hot Rod grabbed the robot by the throat, and it buzzed and said "Time out, time out, time out!" Meanwhile, aboard the Decepticons ship, Skyquake was getting a report from the battle on Earth. "What do you mean you were defeated", demanded Skyquake. "Omega Supreme, Defensor, and Superion were too much for us", said Onslaught. "Incompetent fools!" Skyquake smashed his fist down on the console, and the screen went dark. "Autobot shuttle ahead", said Sky Dive. "All right", began Skyquake, "Stalker, you take command here, and prepare to attack. I'm going after them myself." Skyquake got up, and left the bridge. "They're closing on us", said Hot Rod. "Yup, like the shrikebats of Dromedon", said Kup. "How'd you beat them", asked Hot Rod. "I'm trying to remember. There were an awful lot of casualties that day" "Kup, take evasive action", ordered Prime. Behind them, Skyquake leapt from an air lock of the Decepticon shuttle, and transformed. "Prime, Skyquake's incoming", said Hot Rod. Prime thought a moment. They needed to get away from the Decepticons, and deal with the monster planet. "Prime, the Decepticons will stop at nothing. We've got to do something", said Kup. "Prepare for emergency separation", ordered Prime. "That's too dangerous", said Percepter. "Do you have a better option", asked Prime. "I guess not", replied Percepter. Skyquake closed in on the shuttle, and prepared to fire his missiles. Kup prepared the shuttle to separate. Out in space, Skyquake closed in on his victims. "Take this", he said, as he launched his missiles at the Autobot shuttle. The missiles hit the shuttle, and it exploded, completely destroying the Autobot Shuttle. Unseen to Skyquake and the Decepticons, the front portion of the shuttle escaped into space. "The Autobots have been destroyed", said Stalker on the Bridge of the Decepticon ship. "Excellent. And the Matrix is no more", said Skyquake. Just then, Skyquake was hit with a sharp pain. Aaaah! No! Unicron! What are you doing?" Skyquake transformed. "Stalker, pick me up, and take me to Unicron." "Did you have to let them detonate three-quarters of the ship", asked Arcee. "Would you have preferred they detonate the ship with us in it", asked Optimus Prime. "I suppose not. But now how are we going to get there in this wreck", asked Arcee. "I'm open to suggestions", said Prime. "Let me see if I can find a place to land for repairs", said Percepter. "Gamma rays in this sector of space create marginal navigation probabilities. However... ahem, yes. I believe I can. The planet of junk is in this vicinity." "Kup, Hot Rod, set course for the planet of junk", ordered Optimus Prime. The Autobot Shuttle approached the planet of junk. "Hold on everyone, this could get bumpy", said Prime. The shuttle crashed into the planet, skidding along the ground. "Oooh, my aching head", said Prime as he pushed a piece of ceiling off of his head. "Is everyone all right." "We're okay", said Arcee, and she pulled Daniel up off of the floor. "You okay lad", said Kup to Hot Rod, as they got up. "I think so", said Hot Rod. "Wonderful landing", said Percepter. "Grimlock", began Prime", are you okay. "Me Grimlock fine. Dinobots all fine. Take more than little accident to stop us." "Let's see if the ship is salvageable", said Prime. "Can I help too", asked Daniel. "It's dangerous Daniel", said Prime. "I think Daniel can make himself useful with this. It was Spike's Exo-Suit", said Arcee. "Dad's Exo-Suit! He told me all about it." "Here, try it on", said Arcee. She put Daniel in the Exo-Suit. "Now try to walk. Come on, you can do it." "Think about what you want to do", said Kup. "Then do it." Daniel tried to walk, and nearly fell over. "It's kind of tricky." "Keep on practicing. You'll get the hang of it", said Arcee. "Come on everybody, we've got work to do", said Prime. Outside, the Autobots look at the landscape before them. "This must be the junk capitol of the universe", said Daniel. A short distance away, the Junkions emerge from the garbage. "Stop, thief! No welcome-wagon hello stranger with that good coffee flavor for you", said Wrek-Gar. "Yeah, yeah. Or your money back", said another Junkion. "Offer expires while you wait. Operators are standing by", finished Wrek-gar. Out in space, the Decepticons ship approached the massive form of the evil Unicron. Skyquake flew out of his ship in jet mode, and transformed in front of Unicron. "What do you think you were doing!! You had no reason to torture me." "You have failed", said Unicron. "What are you talking about. The Autobot shuttle Prime was on was destroyed. He is dead, and the Matrix died with him you overgrown beach ball." "The Matrix has not been destroyed, and Optimus Prime lives on the planet of junk. Stalk him. Tear him apart, and destroy the Matrix", said Unicron. Back on the junk planet, the Autobots begin the task of repairing the damage to the shuttle. "Be sure the fittings are securely welded", said Percepter. "No problem", said Kup. They'll be perfect." "Woah, this Exo-Suit's fantastic. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it", said Daniel. Looking on, Wrek-Gar says, "Forward, avanti, and like, go for the gusto. Hold on." Off in the sky, the Autobots saw the Decepticons heading right for them. It was Skyquake, and the four Predator jets. They were followed by another group of Decepticons. "Quick, every one head this way, we'll try to draw their fire, and double back later." "There is no escape Autobots", said Skyquake, as he and the Predators began firing missiles at the Autobots. The missiles missed the shuttle completely, as the Autobots ran away from it." "What about the shuttle", said Hot Rod. "We'll worry about that later", said Prime. "Transform and roll out of here. Dinobots, follow us." "Dinobots no run, we fight", said Grimlock. "And if we lose you here, what will we do when we get to the monster planet." "Me Grimlock had not thought of that." The fleeing Autobots transformed. "What do I do", said Daniel. "Daniel, Transform", said Hot Rod. "Concentrate, I know you can do it." "Transform", said Daniel, as Snare transforms and lands in front of him, flanked by Scavenger and Shrapnel. "You are mine human pest", said Snare. "Transform", said Daniel. All of a sudden his Exo-Suit transformed into car mode, and he sped right by Snare. Optimus Prime did not know what to do. Could this be their darkest hour? They had to get to the monster planet, and try to save Cybertron. He decided to try the Matrix. "Everyone, take cover. I'm going to try and open the Matrix." The Autobots all got under cover, and Optimus Prime fired above their heads, brings a wall of junk down in front of them. "Till all are one!", they said, as the junk fell in front of them. "Till all are one", said Optimus Prime. He removed the matrix from his chest, and tried to open it. "Open. For Primus sake open. Damn it. The Matrix is supposed to light our darkest hour. How can it get any darker than this." Prime did not want to think about that. Skyquake and the Predators landed in front of Prime, Transforming just before they landed. "Prime, give me the Matrix", ordered Skyquake, as Prime continued to try to open the Matrix. "That will be the day", said Prime. "Then I'll take it", said Skyquake. Skyquake fired a missile at almost point blank range. It tore through Optimus's right shoulder severing his arm and shoulder, and he fell to the ground. He could not hold onto the matrix, and it bounced away. Skyquake picked it up. "Unicron.....now it's my turn. To do the torturing. The Decepticons flew off into space. A short time later, the Autobots dug their way out. They ran to Optimus's side. "Are you okay Prime", asked Kup. "Except for the lack of a right arm, I think I'm okay." "The Matrix", asked Hot Rod. Prime looked down at the ground. "I lost it. After nine million years, I lost it." "It's not your fault Optimus", said Hot Rod. Prime could not help feeling that Hot Rod was wrong. But, he did not have time to worry about his failure now. He had to go on. Cybertron was still in danger. Perhaps more so now than ever. "Percepter, is my arm re-attachable?" Percepter picked up Prime's arm, and examined it. "I'm afraid not. The internal structure was completely shattered. I'll have to make a new one, but I will need my workshop to do it. I can at least ease the pain though." Percepter took a tool, and did something to Prime's shoulder. "Pain's gone. Thanks Percepter. I guess I'll be one arm short for the time being." Prime had just began to contemplate their next move, when Daniel screamed. "Look", cried Daniel, when he saw the Junkions jump from the ground. "Autobots, stay together, don't move", said Prime. "Me Grimlock say we smash them." "Shut up Grimlock", said Kup. "In case you forgot, they are the least of our problems." The Autobots and Dinobots formed a circle, and they could see the Junkions coming from all sides. Wrek-Gar, riding one of the other transformed Junkions headed straight for the group. "Don't look behind door number two, Monty. It's time to play End of the Line, My Valentine. Geroni-geron-ron-ronimo!" "Anyone have any suggestions", asked Prime. "You could try the universal greeting", said Kup. "The what", asked Hot Rod. "Bah weep granah weep nini bong", said Prime. "Did I say that right", he whispered to Kup. "Perfect, but it works best if you offer energeon too", replied Kup. "As if we weren't low enough on energeon as it is." Prime took a small piece of energeon, and held it out to Wrek-Gar. As Wrek-Gar approached. Wrek-Gar slowed down, and dismounted the motorcycle, who transformed behind him. He took the energeon, and said "Bah weep granah weep nini bong!" The Junkions began to play music, and started to dance around, obviously in friendship. Some of the Autobots joined in. However, Prime did not. One of the Junkions kissed Grimlock on the nose. "Ugh! Me Grimlock not kisser. Me king." "Have a nice day and...so say the Junkions", said Wrek-Gar. "Where'd you learn to talk like that", asked Hot Rod. "TV. We talk TV. You talk some TV", asked Wrek-Gar. "I talk some TV, and now the news, don't touch that dial", said Kup. "Bah weep granah weep nini bong", chanted the Junkions. Optimus Prime just looked at the scene. The Autobots were having fun with the Junkions. They deserved some fun. But now was not the time for it. "Autobots, Dinobots, we haven't time for this. We must find Skyquake, and retrieve the Matrix. "Where is Skyquake", asked Grimlock. "And the answer is, Unicron", said Wrek-Gar. "Unicron, who's Unicron", asked Hot Rod. "Unicron's the big cheese, the man, the law in these parts", said Wrek-Gar. "So that's the monster's name. We must destroy Unicron before he can destroy Cybertron", said Optimus Prime. "Yes, friends, act now; destroy Unicron. Kill the Grand Poobah. Eliminate even the toughest stains. Hurry, hurry, hurry, sale must end. Rush right on down and test-drive latest model with no obligation", said Wrek-Gar, as he activated a switch, and a ship rose from beneath the junk. "New improved Junkion planet this sleek, sexy import with turbo handling." "Percepter, how long to repair the shuttle." "No need to worry, warranty not expired", said Wrek-Gar. The Autobots looked toward the shuttle. It had been repaired by the Junkions. They work really fast, thought Prime. "Let's go." The Junkions began to board their ship. All were yelling, "Yeah! Destroy Unicron! Kill the Grand Poobah! Eliminate even the toughest stains! Yeah! Destroy Unicron! Kill the Grand Poobah! Eliminate even the toughest stains! Yeah! Destroy Unicron! Kill the Grand Poobah! Eliminate even the toughest stains!" Both ships were boarded, and they took off into space.