Once all the newcomers were familiar with their surroundings and the troops and allies, everyone, Autobot and organic alike, gathered in the conference room. Optimus opened the meeting with a solemn face. \u201cGuys, I didn\u2019t want to tell you this, but this kind of news can\u2019t be put off forever. Heck, my taking an hour to decide after I heard this information was probably too long. Chip, tell us what you told me about the Emeralds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s to tell?\u201d asked Sonic. \u201cWe used the Emeralds against Unicron when we knew him as Dark Gaia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot specifically,\u201d corrected Chip. \u201cSonic, the Emeralds were only used to put Mobius back together every time Unicron tried to break out. They weren\u2019t the ACTUAL weapons that stopped him. They only served to give us an edge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut\u2026but I beat him as Super Sonic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou weakened him, yes, but it wasn\u2019t a permanent defeat for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen why did we hunt for the damn things in the first place?!\u201d snarled Ultra Magnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo keep them out of harm\u2019s way,\u201d answered Prowl. \u201cWhoever has them will have to make sure Unicron doesn\u2019t drain them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I spoke with the Primes,\u201d supplied Optimus. \u201cUnfortunately, the Allspark didn\u2019t even scratch Unicron\u2019s paint job when they battled him. The only thing that stopped him was a trio of Matrix-powered weapons. I presume everyone knows about the Star Saber, the Skyboom Shield, and the Requiem Blaster?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Three Powers, I believe they\u2019re named,\u201d recalled Arcee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBingo. They could channel the energy of the Matrix into something that could really bring the hurt on Unicron. The Matrix, by itself, can do that, but the Primes needed an edge. And so, with the Fallen\u2019s intel, they figured out how to craft such an edge. Solus Prime created the Three Powers and they made an all-powerful weapon in their combined state, the Hydra Cannon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrime, didn\u2019t you use something that looked like the Star Saber against Nemesis Prime when he made you go cuckoo?\u201d asked Grimlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat version was just a manifestation of the Star Saber\u2019s build plans. After they beat Unicron, the Primes destroyed the Three Powers. Solus, being one of the three brains of the bunch, kept the plans hidden within the Matrix.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo let\u2019s bring the plans out and build them again!\u201d replied Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Three Powers,\u201d replied Pyra Magna, \u201ccan only be constructed with the Creation Lathe and the Forge of Solus Prime, according to Camien legend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSolus confirmed that little bit of legend,\u201d supplied Optimus. \u201cSo, if we want the weapons, we need the Forge and Lathe. Prowl, be honest, can we afford another scavenger hunt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot one on the scale I calculate,\u201d answered Prowl. \u201cLooks like our best bet is work with the Decepti\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProwl, we DON\u2019T need the Decepticons!\u201d snarled Ultra Magnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBoy, hush up!\u201d snapped Windblade. Everyone turned to Windblade as Ultra Magnus subsided. Optimus sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what Soleanna Pax really looks like,\u201d he explained. Everyone then yelped in surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean\u2026you\u2026your mother is a\u2026!\u201d stammered Pyra Magna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, she\u2019s a Camien.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Chromia, you\u2019re not reacting!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I was the one who hooked her up with her husband and convinced them to use a civilian name,\u201d explained Chromia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEr, I hate to interrupt the exposition dump and unforeseen twists,\u201d called Teletraan, \u201cbut Megatron\u2019s outside!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?!\u201d yelped Windblade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDestroy him! We can\u2019t\u2026!\u201d ordered Ultra Magnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHang on!\u201d interrupted Optimus. \u201cThis might be a great opportunity! We can get him and the Decepticons to join us against Unicron!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOptimus, don\u2019t be so\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeletraan, keep the guns trained on him if he does something funny, but don\u2019t fire unless I<\/em> give the command!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOptimus, for all we know, he\u2019s aligned himself with Unicron!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow you\u2019re just making up theories! Teletraan, my orders stand!\u201d The conference room then emptied, and everyone gathered in the command center as Optimus allowed two-way communication. He then put on a stoic face and exited the base through the front door, approaching Megatron. Megatron smirked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know, this reminds me of the initial stand-off of our last encounter,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cIf memory serves, you were desperately attempting to keep the Chaos Emerald from me and critically wound me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat option remains very much in play,\u201d replied Optimus as he pointed to the guns trained on Megatron. Megatron nodded in acknowledgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would expect nothing less from one of, no, THE greatest Prime in existence. However, I have a proposal.\u201d He paused impressively. \u201c\u2026The Autobots are cordially invited to join my faction against our shared enemy, Unicron the Chaos Bringer!\u201d At that moment, Ultra Magnus\u2019 voice came through the external comms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cABSURD! Unicron is evil incarnate! If you were to take any side, why would it be ours?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause Megatron\u2019s pride would never allow anyone other than himself to rule the universe,\u201d replied Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know me all too well, Optimus!\u201d chuckled Megatron. Bumblebee\u2019s voice then came through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got Eggman to make you an army of robots to your specifications! Why come to us?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause this particular endeavor, young Bumblebee,\u201d explained Megatron, \u201crequires something beyond the realm of my command; the power of a Prime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we don\u2019t need you!\u201d scoffed Ultra Magnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn the contrary, Optimus may be the only one to defeat Unicron, but I remain the only one who can guide you to him. Unicron\u2019s life-blood runs through me. I learned this ability last night. Only I can hear his thoughts, anticipate his movements! Optimus, our past alliances, Autobot, Decepticon, no longer matter! Not while Unicron lives!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTHE PAST ALWAYS MATTERS!\u201d roared Ultra Magnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA truce between Autobot and Decepticon,\u201d mused Optimus. \u201c\u2026You know, we were just entertaining that notion. I don\u2019t suppose you know about the effectiveness of the Allspark and Chaos Emeralds against the Chaos-Bringer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs I said, I learned how to access his thoughts,\u201d answered Megatron. \u201cHe\u2019s frighteningly unconcerned about them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith that in mind, how long do you expect us to believe our alliance will last?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOnly as long as is mutually beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd when our proposed shared mission is complete?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will conquer this world\u2026my way!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Brutal honesty from a Decepticon,\u201d came Windblade\u2019s voice, causing Megatron\u2019s optics to widen. \u201cI just never thought that Decepticon would be my own son!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Mother?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLike you, I got some new troops,\u201d explained Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut\u2026our MOTHER?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe knew.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAligning with the lesser of two evils,\u201d growled Ultra Magnus, returning the discussion to its original point, \u201cis STILL siding with evil!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBesides, I\u2019ve faced Unicron before when he was just Dark Gaia!\u201d called Sonic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy dear hero of Mobius,\u201d scoffed Megatron, \u201cdo you think you\u2019ve witnessed the full power of Unicron when he just had Dark Gaia Monsters?! Those foot soldiers were nothing more than a taste! Unicron has yet to fully awaken! With each passing moment, the Bringer of Chaos evolves, calling followers to his fold, raw materials for his body, and mutating Mobius from the inside-out! What the Terrorcons have shown us during our encounters with them is nothing more than a prelude of the utter devastation his rising will wreak upon this world!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLike the Decepticons did with Cybertron all those millions of years ago?!\u201d shouted Hot Rod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMake no mistake, my Velocitronian friend! With me at the helm, there WILL be a planet for the Decepticons to rule!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven if we agree,\u201d remarked Shadow, \u201cUnicron\u2019s all the way down at the center of the planet! How are we supposed to get there, drive?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShadow, you possess one means of transport,\u201d replied Optimus, \u201cthen there\u2019s the Ground Bridge\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cABSOLUTELY NOT!\u201d cut in Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRatchet\u2019s right!\u201d agreed Tails. \u201cGround-bridging near a Space Bridge apparatus and Chaos Controlling inside a moving trailer\u2019s bad enough\u2026but plotting a blind jump near a Hyper-energy organism of that caliber?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBesides, direct exposure to that much Dark Energon will debilitate you!\u201d continued Ratchet. \u201cYou haven\u2019t built up an immunity like Megatron appears to have!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYet another strong argument for soliciting my guidance,\u201d replied Megatron. Optimus raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026You can provide Unicron\u2019s exact coordinates?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you transport us to this planet\u2019s core, I can lead you directly into Unicron\u2019s Anti-spark, the very heart of his darkness!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOptimus, even if we survive the trip,\u201d interrupted Rouge, \u201cyou said so yourself that the Three Powers are gone! All you have is the Matrix!\u201d Optimus appeared to consider his options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Perhaps that\u2019s all we need,\u201d he surmised. \u201cThe Three Powers were meant to damage his body and the Matrix was designed to hurt his Anti-spark. The way I see it, without a physical body of his own, Unicron\u2019s actually more vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt WAS the combined power of the Primes that defeated Unicron so long ago,\u201d confirmed Megatron, \u201cthe very reason he would seek to destroy you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt would follow that unleashing the power of the Matrix directly into Unicron\u2019s Anti-spark would return him to stasis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold on,\u201d interrupted Amy, \u201cif everything goes right, Unicron\u2019s just gonna stay down there?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, can\u2019t we syphon him out or something?\u201d asked Sonic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf we tried, then my creator, the original Gaia, would have to let herself succumb to darkness in order to keep balance,\u201d explained Chip. \u201cI can\u2019t die or lose my power\u2026outside of external interference, so Gaia would have to be the new Dark Gaia instead of the master of both light AND dark as she was. Unicron\u2019s now a part of Mobius. Always has been and always must be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI still say allying with Megatron is a bad idea!\u201d growled Ultra Magnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook, if I surrendered and let myself be your prisoner,\u201d asked Megatron as he took out his mace and Cyber-key, \u201cwould you consider my offer?\u201d He then let them and the fusion cannon fall to the ground. Optimus looked at Megatron, highly perplexed, then made his decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cProwl, get a pair of stasis cuffs out here. Megatron is our prisoner.\u201d Megatron smirked. He got them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can always be relied upon to listen to reason, Optimus.\u201d There was a silence before Prowl stepped outside and approached the two. Megatron held his hands out and Prowl slapped the cuffs onto him. The two Autobots then led Megatron into the base and he got a good look at everyone. \u201cSo, you people make the magic happen. \u2026Quaint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI believe there\u2019s a maximum-security cell with your name on it,\u201d remarked Prowl. He led the Decepticon Lord towards the brig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re being played!\u201d growled Ultra Magnus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerhaps, but we need to defeat Unicron,\u201d answered Optimus. \u201cBesides, he\u2019s still our brother.\u201d Ultra Magnus snarled before leaving. The command center emptied, leaving only Optimus by the main monitor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Once all the newcomers were familiar with their surroundings and the troops and allies, everyone, Autobot and organic alike, gathered in the conference room. Optimus opened the meeting with a solemn face. \u201cGuys, I didn\u2019t want to tell you this, but this kind of news can\u2019t be put off forever. Heck, my taking an hour […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3936,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,650],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-3935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-13-clearing-the-air","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3935"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3935\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3937,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3935\/revisions\/3937"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}