Chapter one

Optimus Prime groaned in agony, struggling to open his battle weary optics. After some effort, his optics finally began to function, as he became aware of his surroundings.

Right now, he was simply floating in a vast empty space, surrounded by shimmering blue and white lights. It was similar to when he had received the message from Alpha Trion while wielding the Star Sabre just weeks before.

As he slowly scanned the spectacle around him, Optimus became aware that he was alone and still severely injured. It was hard to believe that what was to be the end of a long, devastating conflict would conclude in soul wrenching defeat.

Just hours before, he and his Autobots had traveled to Cybertron after he had used the Solus Forge to upgrade their Ground Bridge to provide inter-stellar space travel capabilities. Following a brief battle between them and Megatron, the Autobots had proceeded to locate and activate the Omega Lock, and hopefully return Cybertron to its pre-war state.

Unfortunately, Megatron had captured their human allies and had used them as bargaining chips in exchange for the Omega Keys. However, shortly after completing the trade-off, Megatron had activated the Omega Lock, and had begun terra-forming Earth via his Space Bridge, so as to renew the expansion of his Decepticon Empire.

Consequently, Optimus was forced to use the Star Saber to destroy the Omega Lock, thus ending any possible hope of restoring their home world to its former glory. While the Decepticons were still recuperation from his sudden act of desperation, the Autobots returned to Earth...only to find that the Decepticons had already discovered the location of their base.

From their new fortress of Dark Mount, the Decepticons had positioned their warship the Nemesis just overhead the refurbished missile silo, so as to annihilate their Autobot adversaries with their new Turbo Laser. While the other Autobots Ground-bridged to safety, Optimus had volunteered to remain behind to destroy the Ground Bridge, and enable his allies to escape to safety.

While he successfully destroyed the Ground Bridge, he was unable to escape the blast from the Nemesis' laser cannon; hence why he had endured such grievous injuries.

"So", Optimus murmured as he closed his optics in acceptance of his fate. "It is finished; I am finally one with the All-Spark."

"Not quite yet, Optimus, for the universe still has need of your courage."

Optimus opened his optics as he searched for the origination of the voice, just as a Cybertronian figure appeared out of the haze. While he was unfamiliar, Optimus recognized him from the Iacon record databanks. "You are Vector Prime: the Guardian of Time and Space, and one of the thirteen original Primes."

The ancient being known as Vector Prime nodded, his expression hidden behind his face mask.

"It would appear that our guest has finally awakened."

Optimus' optics widened in shock and surprise; this was a voice he had not heard for a long time; a voice that belonged to the being that had taught him so much during his years as a records clerk in the Iacon Hall of Records; "Alpha Trion?" Said Cybertronian appeared before Optimus, his appearance barely showing any difference from eons ago. "Greetings Optimus, it has been a long time."

For the first time in many eons, Optimus smiled in joy and relief as he regarded his old mentor. "It gives me great happiness to see you once again, old friend." Optimus' smile then transformed into a questioning, yet determined, frown. "But why have I been brought to this place? And how are you still alive? It was to my knowledge that you had perished during the final days of the war for Cybertron."

Alpha Trion seemed to sigh in regret as he responded. "We are in the Matrix of Leadership. And we have brought you here because, while you are still alive and recovering from your injuries, both you and your human allies are still in great danger."

Optimus' optics widened in fear at his mentor's words. "What do you mean?"

Alpha Trion glanced at Vector Prime as the latter began speaking. "During my travels throughout the universal time stream, I discovered the existence of new worlds parallel to the one we reside in as living beings. Some of these worlds are what your human allies refer to as Cyberspace or afterlife dimensions: where their souls reside after they are deceased. Some of these dimensions are quite similar to our own, though also very different."  

"When you used the Star Saber to destroy the Ground Bridge controls on Earth, the energy of the Matrix and that of the Decepticon warship's weapon created an energy portal which has transported you to one of these dimensions, commonly referred to as Five Great Shinobi Countries.”

Optimus shook his head in confusion and disbelief. "I still don't understand. How is my life still at risk?"

It was now that Alpha Trion's expression became grim as he began his part in the story. "The residents of Five Great Shinobi Countries are soon to become embroiled in their own war, one that will threaten every living being on this planet...and potentially those on other worlds as well. And with the ever growing presence of Decepticon activity on this planet, the eruption of yet another conflict of this scale would surely lead to the extinction of Humanity."

"However, what neither side realizes...is that this conflict could potentially disrupt the very fabric of time and reality, thus causing a far greater scale of destruction throughout the cosmos."

"As such, in order to prevent this from occurring, we knew of only one thing that could make a difference in this conflict: The power and wisdom of a Prime."

Optimus had trained under Alpha Trion's guidance long enough to know that he was serious. If such a conflict would erupt, countless innocent lives would be lost as a result. Despite his desire to return to his fellow Autobots and continue their fight against Megatron's tyranny, Optimus knew that he couldn't just ignore the plight of others when he was needed.

Furthermore, he was confident that his team would continue the fight without him, and would manage to keep the Decepticons at bay, as well as hopefully restore life to Cybertron.

"I understand." Optimus then clenched his hand into a fist before bringing it up over his chest. "I vow, with all my spark, to do whatever I can to end this conflict."

At this, Alpha Trion allowed a small smile to cross his features. "Somehow, I knew that you would, my student. However, rest assured that you will not have to travel without some assistance on your journey."

Alpha Trion turned his head to his right shoulder...as several objects materialized in front of the young Prime. Optimus narrowed his optics as he attempted to make out the objects...only to widen them in awe as he recognized the tools that were now fully formed before him. "Those are..."

Alpha Trion nodded in confirmation. "These are some of the oldest and most powerful relics of Cybertronian history, first wielded by the original Primes during their battle with Unicron. These are some of the tools you will have at your disposal during your mission in Five Great Shinobi Countries.”

Optimus could only nod as he examined the relics before him. Some of them he easily recognized from his time as an archivist in the Iacon Hall of Records: Among them were the Star Saber of Prima, the Polarity Gauntlet and a refurbished version of the Force Shield Generator (the latter originally destroyed by Bulkhead months before).

His optics then focused on three of the other relics before him. "Are those...?"

Vector Sigma nodded. "Three of the most highly valued relics of the Primes: The Fire Saber, the Solus Energon Restoration Gauntlet and Cyclone Lance of Solus Prime."

Optimus regarded said relics with awe and respect. It was with these powerful weapons that the original Primes were able to defeat Unicron. Following the God of Chaos' downfall, all three relics were supposedly cast into the far reaches of space to prevent them from falling into possession of Unicron's surviving minions. If Megatron had attained such power, the fate of all Cybertronians would have been catastrophic.

His gaze then turned to the last three relics, all of which were both familiar and unknown to him: an upgraded version of the Energon Battle Axe he once wielded during the war, a golden-red chest piece similar to the Apex Armor and what appeared to be an upgraded version of the Resonance Blaster.

Alpha Trion noted Optimus' expression towards the items before him. "Following the final battle for Cybertron, I took the liberty to attain and upgrade some of the prototype artifacts before I was forced to depart from Cybertron myself."

Optimus could only stare as his former mentor motioned to each artifact, all of which seemed to glow as he described their heritage. "For starters, your Battle Axe is now more energy efficient during combat; as such, you need not wait for an extended period of time for it to recharge."

Alpha Trion then motioned to the chest piece as he continued. "This is the Solus Battle Armor, first wielded by Solus Prime herself during the battle with Unicron. Once donned, the wearer is capable of summoning any form of battle gear – be it flight tech or armor reinforcement – should the need arise. I'm sure you are already familiar with its successor"

Optimus nodded in grim remembrance. The Apex Armor, as he had witnessed firsthand, was among the most powerful pieces of battle tech ever developed during the Great War. Though most likely a downscaled version of the Solus Battle Armor, it was still a force to be reckoned with in close combat scenarios.

Alpha Trion then motioned toward the last artifact. "And, of course, you are well aware of the history behind the development of the Sonic Distortion Cannon."

Indeed, Optimus remembered the teachings and databanks he had analysed during his time as an archivist in the Iacon Hall of Records...including the records concerning the Iacon Technological Development Institute: While the Decepticons were indeed the first to successfully construct a weapon capable of harnessing sonic waves for military purposes, the Autobots had also started conducting their own sonic distortion technology program. As such, some might say that the Sonic Distortion Cannon was the Autobot's forerunner to the design specs of the Decepticon Resonance Blaster. While the Decepticons focused their development for the production of military hardware, the basic Autobot design was primarily for civilian scientific research.

Officially, the design specs for the SDC were destroyed by Autobot scientists to prevent them from falling into Decepticon hands...though the defection of most of the projects head scientists to Megatron's ranks certainly rendered these measures worthless. According to recovered documents, the first prototype was listed as having been destroyed during the early months of the war.

Of course, the same was said about the Spark Extractor and the supposed death of CILAS and MECH.

Vector Prime then spoke up. "A word of caution Optimus: these artifacts are among Cybertron's most valued weaponry, and as such should not be used for trivial incidents. If they were to fall into the wrong hands, they would be used to bring utmost destruction throughout the multi-verse."

Optimus nodded in agreement. "I understand; I will use them only when all other potential methods of reason and negotiation have proven futile."

Vector Prime seemed to relax as he regarded the younger Prime. "Then there is one last matter to attend to: Do you still possess the Key to Vector Sigma?"

Optimus' optics widened in surprise as he summoned forth the most valuable relic ever created by Solus Prime; said artifact glowed brightly as Vector Prime summoned it towards him. The Guardian of Time then began transferring mystical energy into the artifact, slowly reshaping and reprogramming its function. As soon as the transformation was complete, the Key returned to Optimus Prime, whom painfully reached out to retrieve the artifact.

However, upon touching the key, his body was enveloped in a bright flash of light, as the key seemed to be healing all of his wounds and burns. As the light finally faded, Alpha Trion summoned a figure-sized Cybertronian mirror, in which Optimus was able to inspect his body...and was thoroughly shocked at what he saw.

"I'm...a human child?"

Staring back at him was a young human male sparkling, approximately around the age of 6 or 5 with ear length dark blue hair. His face was adorable and innocent, with clear blue eyes and shining white teeth. Most of his outer armor appeared the same, with a mixture of blue and red on his torso and shoulder pads. As well, his helmet was as it was before, able to function as a mouth-guard during combat and act as a close-range sensor unit, capable of detecting objects and/or people within his vicinity. And on both shoulder pads and his center chest plate was the dark-grey Autobot's insignia.

"Indeed; the key will now allow you to transform from your Cybertronian form into the standard organic structure and image of the local population on this planet, and vice versa. As well, the key is also able to store and contain the artifacts as particle energy. This will allow you to keep them safely stored away until you most need them."

True enough, Optimus noted that all of the artifacts were now gone, most likely stored within the Key to Vector Sigma; yet another example of the blending of Cybertronian mythical energy and science.

Alpha Trion's optics seemed to twinkle as he continued from where Vector Prime's left off. "This way, you need not worry of having to carry them with you throughout your mission in Five Great Shinobi Countries. We wouldn't want you to stumble in the middle of a battle under such a heavy burden!"

Optimus couldn't help but smirk at his former master's pun; even during the most harrowing of times, the master archivist was well known for his witty comments and light sense of humor.

"The time has come," Vector Prime declared as he and Alpha Trion raised their hands, gathering mythical energy from the surrounding mist. At the same time, ten other figures appeared out of the haze, forming a circle around the now human child Optimus. All twelve of them had soon gathered a tremendous quality of energy, their bodies outlined against the aura mist as they began speaking.

"Behold Optimus Prime, for a new journey lies before you. A new war is about to begin, one which will shake the Heavens and this planet to its core. You must stop the escalating aggression before all of Humanity perishes. Do you accept this responsibility, and swear to uphold your role as the Guardian to Humanity and to Cybertron?"

Optimus felt no hesitation or regret as he answered. "I will!"

"Then go forth Optimus, and may Primus aid you in your quest to bring light to this dark hour."

Optimus closed his 'eyes' as he felt the power of the Primes surround him. Soon the gathered aura energy began to encircle the newly reborn Prime, opening a space-bridge portal to a new dimensional world. The energy pulled Optimus forward until, with a brief flash of light and energy, the portal had consumed the young Prime.

As the energy subsided, the twelve beings began to vanish into the mist. Their task was now complete, and hopefully the young Prime would banish this new evil from this world forever.

Soon only Alpha Trion remained, his aged optics lingering on where his former student had entered the slip-space portal to Five Great Shinobi Countries. While he was concerned with what the former Konohagakure ninja madara had in store for the humans, he was confident that Optimus was the one that would make the difference in the end.

"Good luck Optimus," Alpha Trion murmured to himself, before he himself began to depart from this realm. He still had a far more vital part to play in this conflict, which would hopefully bring a new ally to the aid of the Autobots on Earth.

"Until all are one!"