Bad news.
How did Optimus Prime die?
According to the plot, Sam should have, with quick wit, seized the opening Megatron exposed and inserted the Allspark into his core.
Then, the two energies would violently collide, causing the Allspark to be destroyed and Megatron to be temporarily eliminated.
Next would be the standard Hollywood ending, with the Prime delivering a passionate speech as the ultimate victor, in his charismatic, deep, powerful, and hoarse voice.
But... it seems the 'plot' had a tiny deviation.
Optimus Prime destroyed the Allspark at the cost of his own life.
Sam Witwicky, who should have been the male lead, was swatted away by Megatron, falling into the ruins, his fate unknown.
Ironhide was being ground into the dirt by Barricade, next to Jazz who was barely clinging to life, Ratchet was cornered, and the leader... the leader was dead. Optimus Prime lay dead in the ruins, a large hole in his chest.
The Allspark, where was my huge Allspark?!
Oh, the Allspark exploded, and God knows where the fragments flew. The plot was completely messed up!
Emrys felt as if ten thousand horses were galloping in his heart, his entire being in disarray in the strong wind, his gaze blank as he looked at 'Big Pillar' lying dead in the ruins, and Megatron, who was raging in impotent fury.
God Damn, it was a hellish start!
"Traveler, what's going on?" Emrys was utterly speechless, pointing a suspicious finger at the system: "Did you do this?"
Previously, although plot points would change, it was basically the result of his active intervention.
But this time, he had just landed, and in less than ten minutes, the plot had already run wild like a runaway horse on the prairie.
"Traveler, the system has no right to change the world's direction; everything is the choice of fate."
"Very well. I'll remember you."
Emrys' face showed a rare anger, and a hint of crimson flashed in his eyes again.
If he hadn't been delayed for a few seconds by that damned Starscream, he wouldn't have missed the timing, nor would he have allowed the Allspark to be destroyed by Optimus Prime, and the plot wouldn't have collapsed like this. Therefore... the culprit was Starscream!
In his heart, he had already condemned Starscream to death. He would definitely kill that guy next time they met!
Meanwhile, Megatron completely ignored the Autobots, searching everywhere for the shattered Allspark fragments.
The Autobot Transformers, before they could even recover from the sorrow of their leader's sudden death, were stunned by a barrage of bullets.
They turned their heads and saw that those shooting at them were... humans?
Seeing this scene, Emrys couldn't help but exclaim, "Awesome!"
God Damn, worthy of the U.S.!
Looking at the human fighter squadron suddenly changing its attack target and turning towards the Autobots, even Emrys had to marvel.
Indeed, the U.S.'s moral bottom line was too flexible; when it came to shamelessness, no one could surpass them!
As soon as they saw the Autobots losing, they immediately turned their guns and started shooting at their 'allies.'
For this move by the U.S., the speed at which they switched sides, he would call it number one!
Sidewinder missiles, trailing flames, unleashed a violent wave of explosions, sending Ironhide and Jazz flying, crashing heavily onto the ground.
Immediately following was heavy machine gun strafing from high altitude, a dense rain of bullets pouring down!
"No, humans... you're attacking the wrong target!" Under the dense bullets, Ironhide still tried to correct, mistakenly believing that the human fighter jets had misidentified the target.
But, at that instant, Barricade suddenly rushed out from behind, his arm transformed into a sharp blade, stabbing out fiercely and viciously.
"Get out of the way, Ironhide!" Jazz kicked Ironhide away, but he himself was impaled by the blade through his chest.
"Ah ah ah ah"
Jazz screamed. Although he was very careful and avoided the energy core...
But... Barricade's blade still grazed the core, and energy spilled out like water, lifting Jazz high into the air.
"Heh heh, haven't you realized yet?"
Barricade sneered chillingly, saying to the still bewildered Ironhide and Jazz: "Now, humans have chosen us!"
At this moment, Jazz's heart was filled with sorrow.
If Optimus Prime were still to live, seeing this scene, would he regret sacrificing himself for humans?
The human air squadron circled half a turn, aiming their guns at them again, while Barricade smiled coldly, slowly retreating to avoid being caught in friendly fire.
Looking at the Autobots being bombed by the human air fighter squadron, Emrys' eyes flickered: "Since Optimus Prime is no longer here, I'll give you a little help."
He infused his psionic power into the bio-armor, activating the bio-magnetic field.
Then, he transformed the bio-magnetic field into a powerful electromagnetic Force, which spread out like a storm. A visible electromagnetic storm surged in the sky, creating ripples, instantly covering and enveloping hundreds of meters!
Under the strong electromagnetic interference, the human squadron's planes immediately experienced malfunctions and failures.
Barricade seemed to sense the sudden magnetic storm's effect and was about to stop the Autobots attempting to escape, but he was directly swatted away by an unknown Force, crashing into the nearby building, and buried under the falling ruins.
"Quick! Retreat!"
The already heavily injured Jazz, clutching his chest in sorrow and indignation, issued a command to all Autobots: "Humans have betrayed us. For the Autobots, for everyone in the future, retreat immediately!"
For a time, the Autobots endured their sorrowful feelings.
They had been betrayed by humans; Optimus Prime's sacrifice was meaningless!
But they had to to live; only then could they avenge Optimus Prime. Ratchet dragged Optimus Prime's corpse, Ironhide dragged the heavily injured Jazz, and Bumblebee provided cover from the rear. While the magnetic storm's effects were still present, they began their desperate escape.
Looking at the successfully evacuated Autobots, Emrys felt a little relieved.
Compared to the Decepticons, he actually preferred the Autobots, mainly because Optimus Prime's personal charisma was too strong, making it hard not to like him.
Of course, Optimus Prime's death was only temporary.
Emrys took a deep look at the human army, which had already pledged allegiance to the Decepticons, a cold, sinister curve on his lips.
Currently, it was unclear whether the Allspark, destroyed by Optimus Prime, would still leave two fragments, one large and one small, as in the original plot.
"It's time to go."
Upon seeing Starscream return, Emrys realized that he, too, should leave.
He didn't want to be surrounded by the Decepticons. Once he anchored this world, it would be hard to say who would be surrounding whom!
U.S., Sector Seven.
Due to the President's orders and Sector Seven's capitulation, humanity had fully sided with the Decepticons.
And the Decepticons naturally occupied this base.
However, Megatron's expression seemed a bit off, continuously exuding a low pressure since his return.
Soundwave, Barricade, Vortex, Scorponok, and Starscream all lowered their heads, not daring to speak, fearing to provoke their boss at this moment.
"Ah ah ah—!!!"
Megatron was extremely furious; it was just that close!
He was just that close. If Starscream hadn't disappeared, how could that mortal and Optimus Prime have succeeded?
Thinking of this, Megatron poured all his rage and resentment over the destroyed Allspark onto Starscream.
The hope for their race's revival, the hope for Cybertron's resurgence, had now completely turned into an illusion!
The Allspark... was destroyed!
There was no hope left. Without the Allspark, he couldn't revive Cybertron!
The cause he had always fought for suddenly turned into nothingness. It would be hard for anyone to bear such a blow.
He had worked so hard for so long, only for it to be all for naught, and someone had to be responsible for all this.
It was well known that leaders never took responsibility, so the target was very clear.
Starscream, yes, it's you!
"Starscream, I need a reasonable explanation!"
Megatron squeezed Starscream's head, his ferocious claws suddenly tightening their grip: "Why weren't you on the front line? When I needed you most, you... my dear Commander!"
Anyone could hear the anger in his tone.
After all, the battle between the Decepticons and Autobots at that time was almost in a stalemate; neither side could do anything to the other.
But precisely at that critical moment, when he most needed Starscream to join the battle, that guy had disappeared, indirectly leading to Optimus Prime sacrificing his life to destroy the only hope... the Allspark!
In popular terms, this move by Starscream was pure war criminality!
Everyone was fighting desperately, and then you turn around, and that guy has run off and disappeared. It's an ironclad war crime; even skinning Starscream alive wouldn't be too much!
Soundwave, Barricade, Vortex, Scorponok, and other colleagues also cast angry glances.
If Starscream didn't give Megatron a reasonable explanation, Soundwave had no doubt that Starscream's life would most likely end today.
"Ah ah ah"
Starscream's head felt like it was about to explode from the squeeze, screaming and struggling in terror.
However, Starscream, seemingly of similar size, was as weak and powerless as a child before Megatron!
The two sides' strengths were not on the same level at all. Megatron easily lifted Starscream whole and then slammed him fiercely to the ground!
Boom!
Starscream was thrown around, seeing stars in his head.
"No, my master."
Before Starscream could struggle to get up, his head was stomped into the ground again.
A terrifying Force, like a hydraulic press, descended along Megatron's foot, bringing Starscream's head into intimate contact with the ground. The hard metal gradually fractured and deformed under the pressure, sparking with fire!
"Mercy... mercy"
Starscream spoke with difficulty, begging for mercy, his voice full of fear, desperately giving 'Soundwave,' who was watching, a look. He knew very well that the only one who could save him now was 'Soundwave.'
"Megatron, I think we can first hear what Starscream has to say." Soundwave saw his pleading look, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said: "Perhaps he can give us a reasonable explanation."
Although he also looked down on Starscream, the current Decepticon Transformers were in urgent need of combat power.
Moreover, as Megatron's most trusted second-in-Commander, he had long seen through Megatron's intentions, which was simply to seize the opportunity to put Starscream in his place and make him less ambitious. So, he took the initiative to give Megatron a way out.
Indeed, with Soundwave providing the way out, Megatron, though still very angry, did release his foot.
Terrified, Starscream, having escaped death, immediately reined in his petty thoughts and timidly looked up at Megatron: "My master, please let me explain. At that time, I had a reason I couldn't ignore."
"Speak!"
Megatron's anger had not subsided, and the chilling killing intent in his eyes, as if substantial, lingered around Starscream's energy core.
Touching his cracked head, Starscream, filled with grievances, explained aggrievedly, "My master, it's not that I didn't go to battle, but because I discovered a target more threatening than the Autobots."
"A target more threatening than the Autobots?"
A hint of suspicion immediately appeared on Megatron's fierce face: "Starscream, you'd better not be lying to me, otherwise... you should know that I hate deceit the most!"
"No, no, no, my master, how could I deceive you?"
Starscream's face showed a human-like fawning expression, and he cautiously said, "While I was reconnoitering at high altitude, I suddenly detected strange energy signals. After analysis, the genes were clearly not Earth species, and they were wearing biological form armor, posing a great threat to us."
As he spoke, Starscream projected the image from his eyes.
A male with a human appearance actually jumped dozens of meters directly from the ground, wearing unanalyzable biological armor, and with some unknown power, he directly broke the sound barrier, flying towards the center of the battle at an extremely fast speed.
"My master, please look." Starscream covered his cracked face, saying very aggrievedly, "My reconnaissance system showed that this creature has more than 90% difference from humans and might pose a threat to you, which is why I went to intercept him."
Immediately after, the image showed that the creature, similar in appearance to a human, remained unharmed after taking several Sidewinder missiles head-on!
Not only that, under the continuous strafing of 20mm autocannons, there seemed to be an invisible barrier that blocked all attacks!
And then, the steel bar thrown by that person with his bare hands broke through Mach 5 at initial velocity!
What is the concept of Mach 5?
Powerful kinetic energy could, in an instant, penetrate their tough bodies and directly pin them to the ground!
The originally somewhat angry crowd suddenly fell silent after watching Starscream's recorded footage. It seemed, apparently, should, possibly, probably... they really couldn't blame Starscream!
This time, it was indeed Starscream who stopped the most threatening alien life form!
If that alien life form had entered the battle, regardless of whether the Decepticons or the Autobots would ultimately win, it was certain that neither Megatron nor Optimus Prime would want their 'Allspark' to fall into the hands of an alien.
"Soundwave, do we have records of similar alien life forms in our database?"
After watching the various performances of the suspected alien life form in the footage, Megatron showed a solemn expression.
"I need time, master." Soundwave was silent for a moment, then said, "During Cybertron's most glorious period, it explored millions of worlds. The related records are too complex; I need to filter them to find the information."
Calmed down, Megatron's thoughts became clear, and he turned to Starscream: "You, keep a close eye on the humans. Let them search for Allspark fragments. Optimus Prime couldn't have completely destroyed the Allspark; there must be remaining parts!"
Starscream, who had just made a big mistake, nodded desperately, saying sinisterly, "Don't worry, my master, I will make those humans find the Allspark fragments for us."
Then, Megatron turned his attention to Barricade, Blackout, and Scorponok: "Although Optimus Prime is dead, his body is still there. I want you to retrieve his body and completely destroy the Autobot Transformers for me, understand?!"
"Yes, my master!"
Barricade said sinisterly, "I will follow Bumblebee's scent to find Optimus Prime's body and their location!"
His grudge with Bumblebee had been long-standing.
The two Transformers had been in a love-hate relationship since long ago. As valiant generals under their respective leaders, they could never defeat each other in every encounter.
But this time, he finally had hope of proving that he was the strongest one!
Optimus Prime's remains lay stiffly in a gully in the wilderness.
The flickering flames illuminated the surroundings, and the massive bodies of Ratchet and Ironhide were riddled with bullet holes, covered in scars.
Bumblebee sat closest to the leader, remaining silent. His usual cheerful and lively personality had become gloomy.
They looked at the Matrix of Leadership in their leader's chest, which had been completely destroyed by the Allspark.
The huge wound, as if melted, looked so shocking!
"He's dead." As a professional Doctor, Ratchet could tell at a glance that their leader, the great Optimus Prime, had completely lost the breath of life. His current remains were merely a pile of scrap metal.
A silent, oppressive, and sad atmosphere enveloped every Autobot.
The death of their leader, without a doubt, dealt a devastating blow to the Autobots' morale!
They seemed to have lost their direction, immediately falling into endless confusion and helplessness. Although the Allspark was destroyed, the Decepticons had achieved victory.
And even more tragically, after the Battle of Los Angeles, the U.S. President capitulated at light speed, directly embracing the Decepticons.
It must be said, this was also a traditional skill of the U.S. The President took the lead in becoming a 'human traitor.'
Under the leadership of the President and Sector Seven, the identities of the Autobots and Decepticons were shockingly overturned by the media.
Optimus Prime and the Autobots, who sacrificed themselves to protect humanity, were portrayed in media reports as evil forces from outer space, daemons intending to destroy human society!
And the Decepticons?
They became the Heroes who saved Los Angeles, earning praise from humanity, the U.S. President, and the media!
It was the Decepticons who started the war, and it was the Autobots who fought desperately, yet the outcome was overturned in a few words. To say they weren't angry was false, but more than that, it was heartbreak. They felt Optimus Prime's death was not worth it!
To sacrifice oneself to save such humans, only to receive such a dramatic result.
Is it ironic?
No, no, no, they still underestimated the flexible moral bottom line of the U.S. government.
The human soldiers who fought alongside them in Los Angeles, within hours after the war ended, also, due to protesting the high-level decision, transformed into members of a terrorist organization, as described by the U.S. President, attempting to subvert the free regime and make a deal with 'daemons.'
It was truly... too ridiculous.
Soldiers who fought for their country ultimately became 'terrorists' in the mouths of politicians!
"We failed."
Ironhide had one arm torn off, leaning against a dilapidated oil drum, his voice filled with desolation.
Originally, Jazz, as the second-in-command, should have stepped up to take charge at this moment.
But in the Battle of Los Angeles, Jazz was ambushed, causing his energy core to be severely damaged and him to fall into a deep coma.
Even though Ratchet was the most professional Doctor, a clever housewife cannot cook without rice. To treat Jazz's injuries, a huge amount of energy was required.
However, to escape the pursuit of humans and Decepticons, they were forced to flee all the way to a remote mountainous area.
In this desolate, godforsaken place, there was nothing but sand and rocks, not even kerosene could be found, let alone a huge amount of energy.
Bumblebee hugged his knees, like a wronged child, staring eagerly at Optimus Prime.
As if doing so could resurrect the great leader, who would lead them as always, finding a glimmer of hope from despair.
But unfortunately... this time, Optimus Prime never stood up again.
"What do we do now?"
Ironhide asked Ratchet blankly.
Within a day, they lost their leader, their comrades, and even their former human companions.
It was as if they had fallen from heaven to hell in an instant. The huge disparity once made Ironhide want to give up, but the remains of their leader before him were like a heavy hammer, reminding them that their mission was not yet over!
"I... I don't know either."
Ratchet was just a Doctor. He never participated in decisions and could not decide the future direction.
Just as the atmosphere once again plunged to a freezing point, a voice suddenly came.
"It looks like you need help."
In the flickering firelight, Ironhide and Ratchet suddenly aimed their guns at the source of the sound.
"Don't be so nervous, I'm your... friend."
A small figure gradually walked into the range of the bonfire, it was Emrys.
He was wearing a trench coat, a hat like a Western cowboy, and leather boots, making a slight sound in the sand.
"Human?!"
Ironhide, already hostile towards humans, immediately angrily reached for the trigger.
But before he could pull the trigger, he was directly pressed to the ground by an invisible force, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Don't be so nervous, gentlemen of the Autobots? Ladies?" Emrys teased, a smile on his lips: "In a sense, if it weren't for me, you would have probably died in Los Angeles."
Hearing this, Ratchet seemed to guess something: "The magnetic storm at that time was you?"
Emrys smiled without speaking, then took off his hat and sat on a rock as if no one else was there: "Let me introduce myself, I'm Merlin Emrys, a wandering merchant. I guess you must need help, right?"
Ironhide, pressed to the ground by telekinesis, still roared indignantly: "If you have the guts, let me go! We don't need your help! Despicable human!"
"Is that so?"
Looking at the silent Ratchet and Bumblebee, Emrys raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise: "I thought you really wanted to revive your leader 'Optimus Prime.' Now it seems... that's not the case."
Instantly, Ironhide stopped struggling, Bumblebee stopped staring blankly, and Ratchet stopped being silent.
"You... what did you say?!"
"Then, let's make a deal."
Emrys fiddled with his felt hat, a smile appearing on his lips: "I'll help you revive Optimus Prime, and in return... you need to promise me one thing."