EPISODE II: ENTER ELITA-1
Jhiaxus flew from Cybertron in jet mode. There was no way the Autobots could trail him; he had left in such a hurry that they couldn�t possibly know where he was headed. The former Cybertronian general was still angry at himself for not taking out Prime there in the Vector Sigma chamber. Even though he knew that he was by far the more powerful warrior, he had not mastered this new body.
Well, there was no tricking himself. He was also a little apprehensive about facing Optimus Prime again. Like Prime had said, it had been almost 15 years since the two had faced off in the field of battle. And as bull-headed as Jhiaxus was, fighting the commander of the Autobots was a difficult task. He had underestimated Prime�s power once, and he knew that he would have to train hard to be able to defeat him once and for all.
Jhiaxus flew on, and soon reached his destination. There, he transformed and began speaking to his new master�..
Optimus Prime drove around the shots as best he could. Both Galvatron and Megatron were firing repeatedly at him, and he tried his best not to get hit. He transformed back into robot mode, and fired his rifle at Megatron. The Decepticon fell on his back, and Prime charged Galvatron. Tackling him, Prime quickly picked him up and threw him on top of Megatron�s body. Producing his rifle once again, Optimus fired several shots to finish the job.
His task done, Optimus looked up. �Hot Rod, quit the program.�
Both of the Decepticon commanders disappeared, and the surroundings were once again that of the training center located on Cybertron. Optimus Prime had the facility built in 2007, to keep the Autobots well trained in the arts of combat. The one thing that had always been their downfall was that they had never been prepared for attack, and with this place they would be ready.
Now, Optimus Prime was training due to his recent meeting with Jhiaxus. Prime had faced several enemies in his day, but none had been as resilient as the Cybertronian general himself. Not even Megatron was able to fight as ferociously as Jhiaxus, who was almost nothing but brute power with no emotion whatsoever. Optimus was also worried about the entire situation. Although he was not sure how his foe had been restored, he felt that something bigger was out there.
Optimus walked out of the training center and met Hot Rod outside. He had never seen his friend looking as concerned as he was now.
�What�s wrong, Hot Rod?� Optimus asked.
�Well,� he began. �I�m worried. Jhiaxus seems to be just as powerful as before, and now he has the ability to cloak himself. We can�t fight something we can�t see!�
�I know, Hot Rod. But remember that cold feeling we got yesterday when this whole mess started? I believe that the common bond we share in the Matrix has helped us feel his presence. Somehow I think that through that ability we can figure out a way to defeat Jhiaxus.�
Hot Rod shrugged. �I guess you�re right. Do you know what he wanted with Vector Sigma?�
�Well, I believe that Vector Sigma is still vital to our existence here on Cybertron. If the computer were to be destroyed, the explosion would destroy the whole planet.�
�Whoa,� Hot Rod said. �So why didn�t Jhiaxus just destroy Vector Sigma? I mean, he couldn�t have hacked into the computer because he needs the Matrix, but he could have just shot it.�
�You�re right, he could have,� Optimus said. �But then he wouldn�t have been able to escape. If Vector Sigma is destroyed, the resulting explosion would be so powerful that the whole planet would just disintegrate. No, Jhiaxus needs to destabilize the computer by uploading vast amounts of energy into the terminal. This will give him time to escape before the computer becomes so unstable that it just blows up.�
�So we�ve got to keep him from the Matrix, Prime,� Hot Rod said. �If he gets it, all hope is lost.�
�WHY DIDN�T YOU FIGHT PRIME?�
Jhiaxus shuddered at the angry tone of his master�s voice. �Because, Lord, I couldn�t defeat him while there were so many other Autobots there. They would have stopped me from taking the Matrix.�
�WELL, I SUPPOSE YOU ARE CORRECT, BUT DO NOT THINK I AM FOOLED THAT EASILY. YOU WERE A LITTLE SCARED, BUT YOU WILL FIGHT PRIME EVENTUALLY.�
�Yes, I know,� Jhiaxus replied. �I am not a coward, and I will defeat him. But what I said is true: the Autobots will not let me take the Matrix. They love their home planet, even though I am not attached to it whatsoever. They will do anything to protect it.�
�YES. YOU WILL NEED SOMETHING TO LURE PRIME AWAY FROM CYBERTRON.�
�Like what?�
�HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF AN AUTOBOT NAMED ELITA-1?�
�Elita-1? No, I don�t believe I know him.�
�HER. SHE IS A FEMALE AUTOBOT, ONE OF THE FEW WHO REMAIN. WHEN YOU HAD LEFT CYBERTRON AFTER YOUR CREATION ALONG WITH THE REST OF YOUR SOLDIERS, SHE WAGED A WAR AGAINST THE DECEPTICONS STATIONED THERE.�
Jhiaxus became impatient. �So? What is her connection to Prime?�
�SHE AND PRIME ARE ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED YOU FOOL!�
�What? Romantically involved? They�re robots, not humans.�
�UNLIKE YOU, JHIAXUS, THE FIRST GENERATION OF TRANSFORMERS WERE BUILT TO HAVE EMOTION. THEY EXHIBITED FEELINGS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF ORGANIC CREATURES, AND TWO WORKER ROBOTS FELT A MUTUAL AFFECTION FOR EACH OTHER. THEIR NAMES WERE ORION PAX AND ARIEL. THEY WERE BOTH MORTALLY WOUNDED AND WERE REBUILT AS OPTIMUS PRIME AND ELITA-1, RESPECTIVELY.
�DURING OPTIMUS PRIME�S ABSENCE FROM CYBERTRON, ELITA-1 THOUGHT HER PARTNER WAS DEAD. EVENTUALLY, SHOCKWAVE DISCOVERED AND CAPTURED HER. IN A PLAN TO DESTROY OPTIMUS PRIME, MEGATRON TOLD PRIME OF ELITA-1�S CAPTURE. LIKE AN OVEREMOTIONAL WRECK, THE AUTOBOT TRAVELED TO CYBERTRON TO RESCUE HER.
�SHE HAS SINCE BEEN LIVING ON A DISMAL PLANET, AND NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHERE SHE WENT. EXCEPT ME.�
Grinning, Jhiaxus knew that he had been given the key to Prime�s downfall. As usual, the Autobot commander would be brought to his knees due to his compassion and kindness.
As Jhiaxus and his mysterious instructor were discussing her, Elita-1 was on the planet Woe, which she had named herself. She had been living on the barren planet for over 20 years, upon hearing about Optimus Prime�s death. When she had learned that he had died while fighting Megatron in a video game world, she couldn�t bear continue her career as a soldier. Unable to cope with the loss, she resigned from the fight on Cybertron and searched for a planet devoid of life where she could live as a hermit. After a few years, she found the planet, and named it after her feelings.
She had kept up very little correspondence with the outside world. Then, as a catalyst for more depression, she learned that Optimus Prime had returned, only to die when engaging in mortal combat on Earth with Megatron. Optimus had no clue that Elita-1 was still alive, and couldn�t have contacted her. The only reason she had heard of this was because of some passers-by speaking of Rodimus Prime�s triumph over Unicron.
Now she simply just spent her days on this desolate planet, dreaming of her past life. She knew that a thing such as love was disregarded among the Transformers, but there was something there between her and Optimus. Elita-1 knew that she cared for him very deeply, and wished he was there with her everyday. She felt so foolish to have split with him after their last meeting, but she really did think that the two would finally be together.
Suddenly, she heard a noise. It sounded like a jet engine approaching very quickly. Grabbing her laser pistol, Elita-1 went outside slowly and scanned the surroundings. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She must have been daydreaming of her combat days again. She went back inside her hut and sat down.
Then, she felt very cold. Knowing this couldn�t be possible, she got up and looked around the room. Out of nowhere, a robot appeared with a gun in its hand.
�Elita-1,� Jhiaxus spoke. �It truly is an honor to meet you.�
�Who are you?� she asked.
Smiling, the brute answered, �My name is Jhiaxus. I come from a line of Transformers following yours, one that is far superior I might add. Years ago I fought against the Autobots and Decepticons, including your little boyfriend.�
�Boyfriend?�
�Oh don�t be silly. I�m talking about Optimus Prime. Well, I lost to make a long story short. Now, I have returned to destroy Cybertron along with all of the Autobots. To do that, I first need to defeat Optimus Pri..�
�Defeat Optimus?!?� Elita-1 interrupted. �He was killed on Earth when he fought Megatron.�
�Oh, he�s quite alive now, missy,� Jhiaxus said. �Has been for what, four years now? I�d love to get you two back together, but I�m afraid I have to kill one of you. And fortunately for you, he�s more useful to me dead.�
With that, he fired his weapon and Elita-1 fell to the ground. Jhiaxus had his weapon on stun: he couldn�t afford to destroy his bait now. Picking up the Autobot, he headed back to his master.
�Dammit! Where is he?�
Optimus Prime was pacing around the Great Hall. He had been waiting on Jhiaxus to come challenge him, and felt he was ready. The reason he was being so impatient was because he knew something had to be wrong. Jhiaxus was a Decepticon through and through, and usually wouldn�t wait a while before striking. There was something very sinister going on.
At that moment, Hot Rod burst into the room. �Optimus! We�re receiving a transmission for you. It sounds like it�s from Jhiaxus.�
Optimus left the room hurriedly and ran to the communications tower. Speaking into the radio, he asked, �Jhiaxus, is that you?�
�Ah, Optimus Prime. It�s about time you answered. I am prepared to fight you, but not at Cybertron. I wish to meet you at the planet of J�Asik, a deserted planet. You should be able to find it on your maps.�
Hot Rod looked at Optimus. �It�s a trap, don�t do it.�
�I know Hot Rod, I�m not that foolish,� Optimus replied. He spoke into the radio again. �Jhiaxus, I will not meet you where you can ambush me. I will fight you at Cybertron, no where else. If you truly wish to defeat me and destroy the planet, do so here.�
�Uh-uh, Prime,� Jhiaxus said. �Not going to work that way. But I can tell you need some more convincing. Speak!�
A new voice was heard over the receiver. �Don�t touch me!� Elita-1 said. �Don�t come Optimus, it�s not worth it! Don�t co��
Jhiaxus�s voice came back. �Okay, that�s all you�re going to hear, Prime. If you ever want to see Elita-1 other than in a scrap heap, I suggest you come here immediately. Oh, and Prime? Come alone, or she dies.�
The radio fizzled out. Hot Rod looked at Optimus Prime, who suddenly had a mixed look of fear and anger in his eyes. He knew that Elita-1 and Prime had been romantically involved, and that Optimus loved her with every circuit in his being.
�You�ll surely die, Optimus,� Hot Rod said. �And he�ll kill Elita-1 too.�
�I know he will,� the Autobot commander said. �But what other choice do I have?�
�Optimus! This is crazy!�
Hot Rod was pleading with his leader. He knew that Prime was being completely irrational as he was preparing a transport to leave Cybertron.
�Don�t go! He�ll kill you, and then there will be no stopping him!�
For the first time in the history of their friendship, Optimus Prime yelled at Hot Rod. �Listen! I�m going! All of these years I have thought that Elita-1 was dead. Now I�ve been given a second chance to be with her, and a maniac is holding her hostage! I can�t let her slip through my fingers again, even if it means I may die.�
�I just don�t understand why sacrificing your life as well as the life on Cybertron is worth it!� Hot Rod said. �We need you, Optimus!�
Optimus looked at Hot Rod. �Have you ever loved anything, Hot Rod? Well in my days before I was known as Optimus Prime, I loved a robot named Ariel. It is a silly thought for two robots to be in love, but with her I felt companionship. And even after we were rebuilt, the emotions were still there. I loved her before, I love her now, and I will not let that monster destroy her!�
With that, he boarded the ship and took off. For the first time in his existence, Hot Rod felt that Optimus Prime had made a major mistake.
As he walked back from the launch site, he saw Ultra Magnus running up. He was yelling for Hot Rod.
�What is it?� he asked.
Ultra Magnus was holding a package. �Optimus told me to give you this, said that he couldn�t take it with him. Where did he go?�
�Went to fight Jhiaxus,� Hot Rod replied. �He�s got Elita-1.�
�We have to help him!�
�No, he doesn�t want anyone following him. If he comes with help, Jhiaxus will kill her.�
Ultra Magnus was confused. �It�s not like Prime to go like that.�
�I know. What�s in the package?�
�I don�t have a clue,� Magnus said.
Hot Rod shrugged, and opened it. Inside, he finally saw that Optimus Prime was not being irrational. At that moment, he realized that his leader had a plan.
He looked back at Ultra Magnus and smiled. �Son of a gun.�
TO BE CONTINUED