Book I "Dawn of A New Age" Chapter IV "Dawn of Destiny" Near Cybertron, Unicron waited for Skyquake's return. "Unicron! Unicron! Answer me damn you", said Skyquake. "I have the Matrix. Now I'm in charge." He had the Matrix hanging from a chain around his neck. "Noooooo!", yelled Unicron. "You'll do my bidding, or taste my wrath, you fool", said Skyquake as arrogantly as he possibly could. "You underestimate me, Skyquake." Unicron Transformed into an immense robot. Skyquake, and his assembled Predators were too scared even to move. "For a time, I had considered sparing your wretched little planet, Cybertron. But now you shall witness its dismemberment." "Noooooo!", screamed Skyquake, as he tried desperately to open the Matrix. Unicron began to attack Cybertron. Down on the planet, Shockwave gives orders to the Decepticons. "Decepticons, we're under attack. Scramble!" Skyquake and the five other Predators started firing at Unicron. Unicron scooped them all up, and swallowed them. The Junkion ship, and Autobot shuttle arrived a short time later. "I don't believe it", said Optimus Prime. "Me neither", said Kup. Doesn't this remind you of anything, Kup", asked Hot Rod. "Nope. Never seen anything like it before", answered Kup. "What happened to Moon Base Two? Where's my dad", asked Daniel. "That's what we're going to find out.", said Optimus Prime. "Dinobots", Transform, and attack", ordered Optimus Prime. "Me Grimlock attack." The Dinobots jumped out of the airlock. Unicron breathed fire on the Junkion ship. "... and enamel. Resists fire, rain and corrosion for up to five years. Satisfaction guaranteed", said Wrek-gar. "Or your money back", said the Junkions. Unicron breathed fire on the Autobot ship, which careened out of control through Unicron's eye. The Autobots all abandoned the shuttle. Percepter, Kup, Arcee, and Daniel came down all together. Optimus Prime and Hot Rod were no where to be seen. "Where's Optimus Prime and Hot Rod", asked Daniel. "I don't know, but I hope they didn't get him", said Kup, as he pointed to the robotic tentacles coming out of the walls. "Quick, this way", said Arcee. Optimus Prime found himself in a dark corridor. He got up, and walked part way down the corridor. He saw a blue glow. In the shadows. "The Matrix", said Optimus. "It will do you no good, Prime. It can not be opened", said Skyquake. "Not by you anyway", Prime replied. "Like it or not, we are allies now against Unicron." A sharp pain struck Skyquake. "Ahhhhh!!" "Destroy him Skyquake, now, or you yourself shall be obliterated." "Of course Unicron. Attack", ordered Skyquake. All of a sudden Prime was surrounded by Snare, Sky Dive, Talon, Falcon, and Stalker. They all attacked at once. Meanwhile, Hot Rod, had been wandering around looking for the others, when he saw Prime being attacked by the Decepticons. He saw Skyquake with the Matrix. He ran toward Optimus Prime, and started firing at the Decepticons. He hit Snare and Talon, and they went down. Falcon and Skydive each shot back, but were too late, and were each hit. Hot Rod went to tackle Stalker, but Stalker grabbed him, and threw him right at Skyquake's feet. "Puny Autobot, I will destroy you myself." Skyquake jumped down on top of him, and wrapped his hands around Hot Rod's throat. "I'm going to enjoy this." Stalker continued to pummel Optimus Prime. Prime was barely conscious, and could hardly retaliate. The few blows he did manage to land were nothing more than an annoyance to Stalker. The other four Predators had given him quite a beating. From the corner of his eye, he could see Skyquake and Hot Rod. But Prime could not help him. He could not even help himself at that moment. Outside, the battle raged. "Me Grimlock kick butt." The Dinobots attacked Unicron, but it was futile. "Me Grimlock need new strategy." It was only a matter of time before Unicron destroyed Cybertron. Cybertron needed a miracle. Back inside Unicron, Arcee, Percepter, Kup, and Daniel ran down a hallway trying to escape the robotic tentacles. Daniel fell down, and was grabbed by a tentacle. "Help! Help", called Daniel. "Daniel", called Arcee, as she turned around and started shooting at the tentacles. One shot missed, and she hits the wall, and it explodes sending a deluge of water down on top of them. "Arcee! Kup", called Daniel, as he was swept down a different tunnel than the rest of them. Daniel floated helplessly for a while, but manages to wash ashore. Daniel climbed out of the water, and walked toward a giant vat of acid. He looked up to see robots being dropped into the vat. He saw his father hanging from an arm that was moving towards the vat. Bumblebee, Jazz, and Cliffjumper were right behind him. "Dad!" "Daniel!" "Dad, what can I do", asked Daniel frantically. "Knock down the acid cover", he replied. "How?" "Blast it, son!" "But I don't have a gun." "Use your Exo-Suit. Hurry!" Daniel fired at the cover, knocking it closed, just as Spike and the other Autobots were dropped. Daniel looked away, fearing he did not act soon enough. "Daniel! You did it", called his father from the top of the vat." "Yeah, I did it", said Daniel. "You're done for now", said Skyquake, as he squeezed Hot Rod's neck tighter, and tighter. Hot Rod grabbed Matrix. Suddenly Skyquake was repelled by some force, and was knocked off of Hot Rod. Hot Rod stood up, and tried to open the Matrix. As hard as he tried, it would not open. Hot Rod looked up in time to see Stalker coming at him. He moved, but the Matrix was knocked from his hands, and rolled over to where Optimus Prime was barely conscious on the floor. Prime saw the Matrix. It's glow seemed to call for him. It would not open before, and Hot Rod could not open it now. What could that mean. It did not make sense. Cybertron was on the brink of destruction, yet they could not open the Matrix. Prime reached for the Matrix. The intense pain made it difficult, but he ignored it as much as he could. When he grabbed the Matrix the pain disappeared. He was about to try and open it. Then he realized he could not. With only one arm, he could not open the Matrix. He placed the Matrix on the ground, and ran toward Stalker. Skyquake had just joined the attack on Hot Rod. Prime smashed into them, sending Stalker and Skyquake tumbling. "Quickly Hot Rod. I need your help to open the Matrix", said Prime. Hot Rod picked up the Matrix, and offered it to Optimus Prime. "You open it", said Prime. "But I tried, and I could not", said Hot Rod. Prime did not know what to say. If it was his place to open the Matrix, how could he with one arm. Then he realized what he must do. "Hot Rod, grab one side of the Matrix. Give me the other." Hot Rod did as he was told, and it all became clear to both of them. "Optimus Prime", said a voice. "Alpha Trion", said Prime. "Nine million years ago, I created you to lead the Autobots. And lead them you have, and lead them you will. For how long no one knows. You have done well", said Alpha Trion's voice. "On this day, Hot Rod fulfills his destiny. Arise Rodimus Prime." Hot Rod began to be transformed into Rodimus Prime. At that moment, Skyquake was just getting back to his feet. "Noooooo", screamed Skyquake, as he fired at the Matrix. It hit Rodimus's hand, and the Matrix bounced away. "This is the end for you Skyquake. Optimus ran toward Skyquake, and hit him in the face. He fell to he ground unconscious. Rodimus Prime gave a shot to Stalker, who had just gotten to his feet. He fell to the ground again. Without a word, the two Prime's went back and picked up the Matrix. It was at this moment, that Prime realized his right arm had been replaced. It must have been by the power of the Matrix, he thought. Optimus and Rodimus picked up the Matrix, and in unison they spoke, "Now light our darkest hour." They pulled and the Matrix opened. The power was unleashed, and it began to tear through Unicron. Elsewhere, Daniel, Spike, Bumblebee, Jazz, and Cliffjumper met up with Percepter, Arcee, and Kup. "Daniel, Spike", said Arcee. "What's going on", asked Spike. "No time now lad", said Kup. "Look!", said Daniel. He pointed to a corridor. Toward them, ran Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime. "Autobots, transform and roll out", ordered Optimus Prime. Rodimus Prime Transformed, and opened the door for Daniel and Spike. "Hop in", said Rodimus. "I knew you had potential, lad", said Kup. The rest of the Autobots transformed, and led by their leader Optimus Prime, and the chosen one Rodimus Prime, they drove right out of Unicron's eye. The chain reaction caused by the unleashed force of the Matrix tore through Unicron. "Destiny... you cannot destroy my... Destinyyyyyyyy...", said Unicron, as he exploded. Skyquake and the other Predators did not regain consciousness, and were destroyed with him. Optimus Prime addressed the Autobots, with Rodimus at his side. "Let this mark the end of the Cybertronian Wars as we move forward to a new age of peace, happiness, and prosperity. Till all are one." The crowd of Autobots cheered. Finally, Cybertron would be at peace. Optimus and Rodimus went inside the command center. Optimus never liked giving speeches, but this is one that he had enjoyed. "Optimus", began Rodimus, "There is one thing I don't understand." Optimus Prime knew the question, but decided to let Rodimus ask it. What is it Rodimus. "Well...you see...I...." "You are wondering how there can be two Prime's." "Well, yes." "Having the Matrix, gives me the wisdom of the ancient Autobot leaders. In times past, some of our darkest times were after the fall of an Autobot leader. There was not always someone ready to take there place. You are sort of a...well..." "I'm the vice-president", said Rodimus. "Well, I guess that's as good a term as any. The Matrix knows that none of us last forever. One day, I may be gone, destroyed somehow, or perhaps, my time as leader will simply be over. The Matrix in it's wisdom has decided that I should prepare our next leader. It is your destiny to lead us some day. You'll need to be ready." "I can never replace you Optimus", said Rodimus. "You can do as your destiny demands. You will be ready. But don't worry. I plan on being around for a very long time." "In that case, I'm going to do what any good vice-president does. I'm going to play some Cyber-Golf." Rodimus got up and left. Prime laughed to himself. It would be a long time before Rodimus would be able to lead. He had a great deal to learn, but Prime was confident that he would. Someday, Rodimus Prime would become the leader he was meant to be. Prime looked out the view port. Unicron's head, had now replaced Cybertron's moon. It would always stand as a reminder to him of what they almost lost. Just then, the communication console came on. "This is Ultra Magnus to Cybertron. Come in Cybertron." "Optimus Prime here." "Optimus. I'm afraid I have some disturbing news." Prime felt like the room had just turned cold. "What has happened." "Autobot City was broken into an hour ago." "Broken into? By who? Thieves?" "We have no idea. We don't even know if they were human, or Transformer. They somehow bypassed the security systems, and left the guards unconscious. The guards remember nothing", said Ultra Magnus. Prime did not like the sound of this. Something about this was not right. "What did they take?" "They only took one thing. I'm afraid that's the real problem", said Ultra Magnus. Now Prime was more worried. Ultra Magnus did not usually beat around the bush like he was doing now. Whatever had been taken, he knew it was very bad news. "Well spit it out Ultra Magnus. What did they take." "Prime.....they took Megatron's body." Prime sat back in the chair. They had won a great victory, but now what lay ahead was more uncertain than ever. "I'll be there as soon as possible Ultra Magnus. Prime out." Prime hit the communications panel. "Computer, summon Rodimus Prime, Kup, Grimlock, Spike, and Daniel to the shuttle pad. I want a shuttle ready in 30 minutes to depart for Earth." "Acknowledged", said the computer. "Well, as you can see, that one little event changed many things", said Uatu. Starscream, Soundwave, Thrust, Dirge and Blitzwing are dead, or are they? Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge, and the Sweeps were never created. Megatron died, but his body is gone, and no one knows who took him. Hot Rod, Kup and the Dinobots never landed on Quintessa, and met the Quintessons and Wheelie. Rodimus Prime never had to take leadership before he was ready. I am sure you all have one burning question. Who took Megatron's body, and more importantly, why? Of course the most important difference is that Optimus Prime still lives. And now, the story continues."