Once Megatron retrieved Soundwave and his crew, they returned to Mobius and all the fighters, Transformers and organics alike, gathered with the seven Chaos Emeralds nearby. Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow, Megatron, and Optimus then took the stage and faced their current students. “Well, everyone,” began Sonic, “I never thought I’d see the day, but today’s the first day of Chaos Emerald training. It’s time everyone got a Super form.”
“With the threat of Tornedron and the fact that the Emeralds were a Vok creation in the first place,” continued Knuckles, “we need to be able to use them against Starscream’s forces.”
“Now, for those who were unsure, since we were banned from having a seat,” called Optimus, “don’t panic. Earthia managed to co-sign my Omega Request. We’re allowed to plead our case and debate alongside the rest of the Council. So, with all that, let’s get to it. We now have a week before we meet the Galactic Council.”
“Now, the use of the Emeralds doesn’t come from strength,” lectured Shadow, “it comes from a thought, a happy thought. Now, I know that for some of you, myself included, it’s a challenge, but there ARE happy thoughts inside our minds. Now, close your eyes everyone.” Everyone obeyed.
“We don’t expect any of you to get it on the first try,” remarked Megatron. “In fact, it would be a miracle if you do.”
“Now, imagine a ball of light,” instructed Knuckles. “It can be whatever color you want. That ball…is the very energy of the Emeralds. See that ball! You can grasp it! Each and every one of you will be granted all sorts of powers once you grasp that ball. Forget everything. Don’t bring up the fact that we’re about to fight Starscream’s side. Think on nothing but that ball. Next, think of the one thing that makes you happy, the thing that makes you very, VERY happy! Now, place that happiness within the ball, and release it through yourself!” The whole audience was trying to do as instructed.
“…Did it work?” asked Rattrap.
“…No,” sighed Shadow. “There must be a step-”
“HOLY-!” cried out Topaz. Everyone looked at her and goggled.
“…Sweet Primus, it’s a miracle!” whispered Optimus. Topaz was hovering near Crankcase’s head (much to his terror), her eyes were amber, her hair was golden, and a gold aura surrounded her! Optimus dashed towards her. “Topaz, what were you thinking of?!” he asked. “It could help us all!”
“I…I just…” stammered Topaz as she powered down, making the Chaos Emeralds fly, only for Gaia to catch them and recharge them instantly, “I just thought of…home! Mobius!” Optimus smacked his forehead.
“Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?! It’s so simple! It’s how I got it!” He returned to the stage as Knuckles began the lecture again.
“Okay, we’re gonna try again,” he said. “Only, this time, think of home! Your home! Every happy thought that makes you think of home, whether it be Cybertron, Mobius, or Nebulos, wherever you came from! Now, close your eyes.” Everyone did so. “Now, concentrate! Forget everything except what we’re all hearing now! …Now, imagine a ball of light, whatever color you see. Now…think of…home! Think of Animatros, Nebulos, Velocitron, wherever you came from! Now, take that thought, put it into the ball of light, and release it through yourself!” Everyone tried again. Their teachers grinned as they saw the results.
“Open your eyes,” chuckled Optimus. Everyone did so and were stunned! Everyone, organic and metallic, was golden and surrounded by a gold aura! …All except Knuckles. His was…a lighter shade of his usual fur color.
“…So that’s why you don’t usually turn Super,” snarked Shadow.
“What?” asked Knuckles.
“I guess real men DO wear pink.” Knuckles got the hint and snarled.
“It’s not pink! It’s a radiant magenta!”
“There’s nothing wrong with pink,” assured Amy as she finished examining her now golden quills.
“You and Arcee are pink! I turn magenta!”
“Everyone, let’s not argue of what does and doesn’t constitute pink,” chuckled Optimus. “We all managed to tap into the Emeralds…and learned that Gaia can recharge them in an instant.”
“I always could, but I dared not, should Unicron decide he needed them,” remarked Gaia.
“Well, in any case, we all learned how to get a super form and…Dr. Eggman, what happened to you?”
“What do you…?” Eggman looked down to see that his rotund shape had altered. Instead of being obese, he was muscular. As he examined himself, he grinned.
“OH YEAH! I SHOULD HAVE CUT TO THE CHASE YEARS AGO!” he cackled. “Gyms, you’re nothing more than a bush-league sweatshop!”
“Okay, that’s enough!” called Gaia. She snapped her fingers, and everyone went back to normal.
“Aw!” protested Eggman. Gaia gathered up the Emeralds.
“We’ll return here tomorrow and learn more skills,” called Megatron. “Right now, get some rest.” The crowd dispersed. Megatron then noticed Optimus heading off somewhere.
Optimus arrived at Ironhide and Chromia’s grave markers. He knelt by them. “Hey Ironhide, hey Chromia. …Yeah, I’m back, though I don’t have good news. …I don’t know if you noticed, but we’ve put aside our differences again.” Optimus then heard footsteps and turned to see Megatron approaching.
“Talking to Ironhide and Chromia?” he asked.
“Yeah, just about to tell them-”
“About the truth of our Gods?” asked a voice. The two bots stared at each other, then turned, then promptly yelped in surprise as transparent version of Ironhide, Chromia, and a young femme with earth motorcycle kibble stood by the grave markers.
“I must be seeing things!” gulped Optimus.
“If you’re seeing things, so am I!” muttered Megatron.
“Gaia granted us permission,” assured Ironhide’s ghost. “We learned about Primacron and his experiment when we died.”
“It’s good to see that you’re banding together,” sighed Chromia happily. The young femme just glared at Megatron.
“Megatronus,” she greeted.
“…Firestar,” returned Megatron.
“That’s Firestar?!” asked Optimus. Firestar’s face became more pleasant when she saw Optimus.
“And you’re the bot that gave Mom and Dad some sanity after my death,” she replied. She held her hand out for a shake. Optimus accepted and was surprised he could touch her.
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
“No doubt.”
“Optimus, Megatron,” Ironhide cut in, “we can’t do much because we’re dead, but there IS a way for you to beat Primus and Unicron!”
“There is?!” asked Megatron.
“You need to recombine Primus and Unicron into Primacron,” elaborated Chromia. “Tornedron also can’t absorb Chaos energy. To recombine Primus and Unicron, you must awaken Gaia’s mothers and her half-siblings. Once he’s gone and Primacron is one again, only then can you defeat him!”
“So, we need the Vok’s help,” muttered Megatron. He then looked to Optimus. “There IS something we need to do, Optimus.”
“Oh?” asked Optimus.
“Something that will unite us in our common goal against Primacron.” Megatron then pulled out an elaborate, empty container.
“…The Rite of Oneness?”
“The very same. We must not rest until Primacron’s machinations are undone.”
“…Then let’s get to it. Ironhide, Chromia, Firestar, can we avail upon you to be witnesses?”
“The dead are witnesses to every time someone’s performed the Rite of Oneness,” replied Chromia.
“But yes, we will,” Firestar finally answered. Optimus and Megatron took opposite sides of the container, then held their right pointer and middle fingers on their left wrists.
“I, Megatron, the one who suggested this ritual, proclaim the following vow: neither of us shall rest until Primacron’s twisted plans are undone permanently and Primacron and his armies are removed from the universe!”
“I, Optimus Prime, the one who agreed to this ritual, repeat the vow: neither of us shall rest until Primacron’s twisted plans are undone permanently and Primacron and his armies are removed from the universe!” They then removed their fingers from their wrists and opened a slot in them, then they held their wrists over the container, letting their innermost Energon flow out.
“To symbolize the strength of our agreement,” announced both bots, “we each contribute a portion of our most precious bodily substance, our fuel, our innermost Energon, and let our contributions mix and join as one!” They closed their wrists and pressed a button that ignited the fuel. “Now, with this sacrifice, so shall our bond be sealed! Whosoever breaks the bond gives his life in forfeit according to Cybertronian law!”
“And we serve as witness to your vow,” called Firestar. “Now, I need to see Thundercracker.”
“…Why meet your killer?” asked Megatron.
“Because he needs to know how much of him really was behind my death.”