Chapter Text
Autobots
Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen)
Bumblebee (voiced by Mark Ryan & the radio)
Ratchet (voiced by Robert Foxworth)
Sideswipe (voiced by James Remar)
Dino (voiced by the late Francesco Quinn)
Leadfoot (voiced by John DiMaggio)
Roadbuster (voiced by Ron Bottitta)
Topspin (no voice actor)
Sentinel Prime (voiced by the late Leonard Nimoy)
Decepticons
Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving)
Lensmeter Decepticons (no voice actors)
Devcon (no voice actor)
Humans
Sam Witwicky (portrayed by Shia LaBeouf)
Carly Spencer (portrayed by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley)
William Lennox (portrayed by Josh Duhamel)
Robert Epps (portrayed by Tyrese Gibson)
Hardcore Eddie (portrayed by Lester Speight)
Hooch (portrayed by Mikal Vega)
Marc L (portrayed by Kenny Sheard)
Mongo (portrayed by Aaron Garrido)
Stone (portrayed by Josh Kelly)
Lennox Lieutenant (portrayed by Dustin Dennard)
Baby Face (portrayed by Markis McFadden)
Dylan Gould (portrayed by Patrick Dempsey)
Notes:
And those are the characters who shall appear in the story. See you guys again at the Prologue!
Chapter 2: Setting the Stage
Summary:
1- Contrary to what TFWiki says, the events of DOTM take place in 2013, as Sam said he graduated in geopolitics, which takes four years to graduate, and Ron said in the film that Sam was looking for a job for three months. The junior novelization also implies this by noting that the Xantium arrived "five years ago", and it's mentioned in the film that it was the Xantium that brought the second wave of Autobots to Earth, and the second wave arrived in late 2008 according to Tales of the Fallen (Rising Storm is set in 2010 because the mini-series refers to Arcee receiving her wounds "in Egypt last year", and the Battle of Giza took place in ROTF). The video game (while not canonical to the timeline as most video games tend not to be) employs a three-year gap, whereas the "normal" novelization of the film says "several years" have passed, something that the TFWiki interprets it as "more than two".
2- Voskhod's first name is only revealed in the film's novelization, which also says that his wife and children are some of the many victims of the Chernobyl disaster. He even thanked Laserbeak for putting him out of his misery.
Notes:
3- According to TFWiki, the movie made it look like Laserbeak was disguised as a computer in Jerry's office, but is actually disguised as a TV, with the mouse that was stuck in Jerry's hand being left on the table. My explanation for this error would be that the mouse was a device that Laserbeak was using while talking to him before Sam entered, and he retrieved it sometime after killing Jerry and before attacking Sam at Accuretta Systems' HQ.
4- In the junior novelization, Sentinel left Ironhide gravely injured. This means the Weapons Specialist survived the corrupt Prime's attempt to murder him, but was unable to participate in the Battle of Chicago due to his injuries. Archive of Our Own author KaijuHobbit22 believes that Ironhide was killed in the film because the GMC TopKick that was used as his alternate mode was discontinued two years before the release of DOTM.
5- The film's novelization specifically describes Igor as the decapitated head of another Cybertronian, and the IDW adaptation depicts him as a bouncing head with a trail of wires behind him, as if it'd been ripped off a torso. This is a little less obvious in the finished film itself, however, where Igor has stubby arms and legs and walks around with the aid of a makeshift cane. Concept art done by Josh Nizzi strongly indicates that Igor used to be Long Haul, or a Generic Decepticon similar to him due to there being two Long Hauls in ROTF. Early in the film's development, Igor was named Undermine. Igor's death is based on a theory by youtuber Theorymus as an in-universe explenation on why he didn't appear after the invasion in Washington. In the novelization and comic adaptation, it is shown that Igor followed Megatron to Chicago, with Igor wondering what has become of his master at the end of the comic adaptation. In an auction for accessories for the Transformers film series held in 2019, it was revealed that Igor has a playing card similar to Harold Attinger's from Transformers: Age of Extinction, and the card does not have the red "X" that represents the dead Cybertronians. For me, that's not right, so I decided to kill him instead of keeping him alive despite the card saying otherwise due to this film originally being the final chapter before the release of AOE and Transformers: The Last Knight; specially since those cards also contains incorrect information, such as Skids and Mudflap not having the "X" despite them dying.
6- The actress who played Dylan's executive's wife and the elderly actress who played his assistant in the film are credited as "Dylan's Assistants". This is not correct, as the executive's wife doesn't even work for Dylan, so I'll keep calling his assistant as "assistant" and his executive's wife as "executive's wife".
7- In the movie, both Dylan's assistant and executive didn't die because of their loyalty to the Decepticons cause, and they don't appear in any moment that happens after the party where Dylan revealed his affiliation with the Decepticons, nor are they mentioned by him at no point during the Battle of Chicago. Considering that Mearing said that Sam was right about the Decepticons having humans working for them, it is implied that they both were arrested for their crimes (whatever their crimes are, as it was not revealed what crimes they committed to help Dylan and the Decepticons due to their short screen time) before the final battle, but off-screen. The entire household staff of the mansion, every employee at Hotchkiss Gould Investments and 35 East Wacker, every pilot on Dylan's personal helicopter, guests at the party he threw at his mansion, and the executive's wife were not arrested because either they didn't know he worked for the Decepticons or were against working for the 'Cons but were threatened with death if they let out any word of what he was doing.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chicago, Illinois, 2013
Chicago was in ruins. The once thriving city was being laid to waste by the Decepticons in their newest attack. But it wasn't a random attack by any means. In fact, it was being planned a long time ago.
Three years have passed since the Battle of Rio de Janeiro. In the meantime, the Autobots have been helping humanity with their local conflicts. One of said conflicts saw Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Dino and Que destroy an illegal nuclear facility in the Middle East.
A few days ago, a NEST team led by Lennox, Optimus Prime and Ratchet, went on a mission to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, where they discovered a fuel cell which had led to the power plant's disaster in 1986. They were attacked by Shockwave and the Driller, who were eventually forced to retreat by Optimus. Meanwhile, Laserbeak killed Alexi Voskhod, who had called NEST to Chernobyl and was secretly working for the Decepticons. After securing the fuel cell and identifying it as part of Sentinel Prime's Ark, Optimus was angry at the humans for not following through with their agreement of sharing all known information relating to Cybertron and it's inhabitants.
Despite this, he eventually informed his allies and Charlotte Mearing, the Director of National Intelligence and new NEST director, about the Space Bridge technology contained within the ship. Together with Ratchet, the Autobot Leader traveled to the Moon, where they found Sentinel Prime inside the ship. Retrieving him along with four Space Bridge Pillars and the Control Pillar, they returned to Earth, where Optimus used the Matrix of Leadership to reactivate his former mentor.
In Africa, Megatron met with his lieutenants Starscream and Soundwave in the Decepticons' base of operations in Namibia. Upon learning that the Autobots have recovered Sentinel and the Space Bridge Pillars, Megatron decided that all their human allies have outlived their usefullness, and ordered Soundwave and Laserbeak to terminate their "loose ends".
While all this was happening, Sam Witwicky was suffering from everyday problems. Even though President Barack Obama awarded him a medal for saving the Earth twice, Sam was having trouble finding a job. Together with his new girlfriend Carly Spencer, he also gave Wheelie and Brains a home. After a long search, he finally got a position as a mail carrier at Accuretta Systems, though it only happened because Carly's boss at Hotchkiss Gould Investments, Dylan Gould, had arranged it in the first place, much to Sam's displeasure.
From his colleague, Jerry Wang, he learned about the existence of the "Human Collaborators", and a conspiracy involving the lunar missions by the American and Soviet governments. Before Jerry could tell Sam more, however, he was killed by Laserbeak. Locked out of participating in the investigation by Mearing, Sam turned to Seymour Simmons, who had become a millionaire as a writer, for help. Simmons and his assistant, Dutch, helped Sam discover that the Soviets had taken photos of Decepticons removing hundreds of Space Bridge Pillars out of the Ark even before Apollo 11 had landed on the Moon.
Sam and Simmons concluded that the Decepticons had left Sentinel Prime behind on purpose, knowing that only he would be able to activate the Space Bridge, and only Optimus Prime could reactivate him due to the Matrix being a vessel for the AllSpark. Sam was able to warn the Autobots in time so they could protect Sentinel from the Dreads and escort him back to the NEST headquarters.
Upon arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime revealed that he made a deal with Megatron to ensure Cybertron's survival. After killing Ironhide and most of the NEST soldiers, Sentinel claimed the remaining Pillars and escaped. The other Autobots tracked him down to Washington, D.C., but before Optimus could stop him, Sentinel activated a Space Bridge to the Moon, allowing all the Decepticons who had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, accidentally killing Igor and forcing the Autobots to retreat.
In the meantime, Sam found Carly at the Gould Estate, and planned to get her to safety. There, Dylan revealed that he, his assistant, his executive, and his five bodyguards, were in league with the Decepticons. Unlike the other collaborators and the executive's wife, however, they all joined forces with the Decepticons by choice: at their request, Dylan's late father had used his influence to ensure that NASA would not conduct any more missions to the Moon.
When Sam and Carly attempted to flee, they discovered that Carly's car was a disguise for Soundwave, who took her captive. Dylan instructed Sam to ask Optimus Prime about the Autobots' strategy, otherwise Carly would die. To ensure that Sam wouldn't try to doublecross him, Dylan attached the Watch-bot on Sam's wrist, and it tapped into his nervous system.
Sentinel Prime gave an ultimatum for humanity to exile the Autobots from Earth, and the US government promptly passed a bill to this effect. Mearing brought Sam with her because he deserved an opportunity to say goodbye to the Autobots since she was wrong to dismiss his help, and he was right about Sentinel being the key and the Decepticons having humans working for them, as they learned about Dylan's assistant and executive's involvement in the Decepticons' scheme and were both arrested for their actions.
Before the Autobots left Earth aboard their spaceship, the Xantium, Sam asked Optimus about his plan, only for him to reply that there was no plan and mankind was on it's own now. With all Autobots on board, the Xantium took off, but was promptly intercepted by Starscream, who had waited in Earth's orbit. With the Xantium destroyed, the Decepticons assumed the Autobots were dead and let Sam go, though he managed to stomp the Watch-bot for making him spy on the Autobots.
With the Autobots out of the way, the Decepticons took over Chicago, killing most of it's population and setting up the Control Pillar inside the city, placing the other Space Bridge Pillars around the world. Dylan informed Carly that the Decepticons were planning to transport Cybertron into Earth's orbit, because Earth not only had the necessary resources, but also six billion slaves to rebuild the Cybertronians' homeworld. He also added that, while he did inherit his father's servitude to the Decepticons, he was promised a position of power once his kind was enslaved in addition to rule over humanity, which was why he was helping them in the first place.
Dutch used Sam's phone to make a call to Dylan and pinpoint his location. After tracking him down, Sam decided to go to Chicago to save Carly. Robert Epps, who was working for NASA, accompanied him as well because he also had a grudge against Dylan for helping the Decepticons kill the Autobots. Together with Hardcore Eddie, Hooch, Marc L, Mongo and Stone, all of whom were also former NEST soldiers, they headed towards the Windy City.
Upon arrival in Chicago, they were promptly attacked by the Decepticons, but were rescued by Optimus and the other Autobots; knowing that Sentinel couldn't be trusted and never having intended to leave Earth, they had hidden themselves inside a modified rocket booster that was jettisoned before Starscream destroyed the Xantium, and didn't reveal the plan because they needed the Decepticons to believe they were gone so they could take them by surprise. The Autobots and the human soldiers made their way to Chicago to stop the Decepticons.
Using an Orbital Assault Carrier, Sam and Bumblebee headed to Trump Tower to rescue Carly, killing all of Dylan's bodyguards and Laserbeak in the process. After crashing, they found a damaged UAV and Carly alerted the military to the Decepticons' plans. However, Dylan survived the attempt at his life, and headed towards 35 East Wacker, the building containing the Control Pillar, to warn Megatron about the Autobots' survival. Due to another attack by a Decepticon squad led by Shockwave and Devcon, the team was separated once more.
While the Autobots fought the Decepticons, Epps and his team tried to destroy the Control Pillar from the Galileo Building. However, they were attacked by Shockwave and the Driller, who brought the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime came to their aid and destroyed the Driller, but was shot by Shockwave and became trapped in crane cables. In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST made their way using wingsuits. With Lennox's help, Sam killed Starscream using the Urban Combat Prototypes provided by Que.
The Decepticons have captured several Autobots; having formerly seen everything as "just business" and wanting revenge for almost being killed earlier, Dylan convinced them not to keep prisoners and kill them all as a way to "teach them some respect" for making things personal. Barricade executed Que, and Soundwave moved in to kill Bumblebee next, but Wheelie and Brains managed to make one of the Motherships crash, thereby distracting the Decepticons long enough for the Autobots to get free, with Bumblebee overpowering and killing Soundwave.
NEST soldiers and US Marines sniped the Decepticons, killing Barricade in the process. Autobots and tanks rolled in and ambushed the Decepticons. Optimus Prime returned and massacred a large group of Decepticons before killing Shockwave and using his arm cannon to topple over the Control Pillar, deactivating the Space Bridge. Optimus then confronted Sentinel and the two engaged in a ferocious battle of student vs master. Meanwhile, the military sent tomahawk missiles that destroyed most of the Decepticons' aerial forces, while the Autobots killed most of their ground forces.
Since the Decepticons were too busy to obey Sentinel's command to reactivate the Control Pillar, Dylan decided to reactivate it himself. Sam tried to intervene, but the corrupt businessman managed to reactivate the Control Pillar and bring Cybertron to Earth. Meanwhile, Carly found Megatron in an alley outside the main battle zone. Having previously witnessed a violent argument between Sentinel Prime and Megatron, Carly began having an idea; a very risky idea, but it could help turn the tide of the battle to the Autobots' favor.
Notes:
8- When Sam stomps it with his foot, it is possible to hear the Watch-bot emitting a sound very similar to the one that a Lensmeter Decepticon emitted when Megatron crushed it to death with his fingers in Namibia, but no dead body was seen when Sam removed his foot from the Watch-bot after crushing it, so it's final fate in the film is left ambiguous. In both the novelization and junior novelization, the Watch-bot managed to avoid the stomping and joined Megatron to rebuild Cybertron, while in the comic adaptation by IDW, Sam tells Optimus that he managed to get rid of the Watch-bot with some help from Epps. The novelization calls the Decepticon watch as "Spider-bot", while the name I'm using comes from the junior novelization. Again, I believe it died due to film originally being the final chapter before AOE and TLK came to be.
9- For those who don't know, at one point in the movie, Dylan answered a phone call and told the person who was calling that he could see Megatron coming. The person who called him was Dutch using his hacking skills to locate him; he says: "The call was tracked en route." in an excited tone as if that was part of the plan, and in the novelization, Simmons says that Dylan now knows that they know where he is and would probably get rid of his phone because of it.
10- In the film, all of Dylan's bodyguards were killed by Bumblebee as a way to get revenge on them for what he they to Carly, and the simple fact that none of the corrupt businessman's henchmen showed up at any point that takes place after the Trump Tower shooting, such as the "No prisoners, only trophies" part of the film confirms that they all died there.
11- In the film, 35 East Wacker is owned by Dylan's company because Carly says: "Sentinel is here with the Space Bridge Pillars. They're on top of a building on Chicago River. It's owned by Hotchkiss Gould Investments. Now, the Control Pillar is in the southeast cupola.". TFWiki says that the building is not mentioned by name or any other nickname, but that's not right; the novelization called the building as "Hotchkiss Gould Building in Chicago". 35 East Wacker is the concrete cupola'd building where Megatron and Sentinel were standing when they took over Chicago.
12- Devcon's design was inspired by the monster from the movie Cloverfield, with elongated and double front legs, short back legs and a pair of appendages under the waist. The first Cloverfield teasers were shown during the 2007 film's release. Leo Spitz also owned a Cloverfield poster in ROTF. His true name was revealed in the concept art, where he is shown to transform into a Russian Missile Launcher. The concept art shows him with twelve wheels in robot mode instead of the eight his alternate mode has, which was corrected for the film.
13- According to TFWiki, the Galileo Building does not exist in real life, and therefore has no name in the film itself. It's name is only revealed in the novelization. According to TFWiki, the film has a continuity error: the building scene makes it clear that Stone has fallen to his death. The moment the Driller attacks the building, however, he appears with the group alive and well, which means that he was not supposed to die, and that it is an anonymous soldier who dies at that moment.
14- In the IDW comic book adaptation, Barricade did not participate the Battle of Chicago, and thus, he didn't die. The reason Barricade returned was because the producers of TLK learned that fans really wanted to see him back, so the film's production team decided to bring him back in the film to act as fanservice, causing his death to suffer a retcon. I decided to have Barricade die because that was the scene's intention when DOTM was released.
And that was all for the Prologue, folks. I know there was no need to recap, but I decided to do it so this story could have Chapters, Prologue and Epilogue, as I didn't want it to be a one-shot story. Also, I want to apologize for how long this Prologue is, but it's because there was a lot of stuff to explain in the "A/N" section above. Check the Trivia Book for more. Anyways, I'll see you guys again in the story's single chapter, where the battle between Optimus, Meatron and Sentinel will take place!
Chapter Text
With Megatron
The Decepticon Leader was sitting among the rubbish; his hood off his head for all the Lensmeter Decepticons to work on his damaged head; his back against the wall; looking as pathetic as anyone has ever looked. He then looked up and saw his long lost homeworld.
Megatron: Cybertron, you were saved... At last!
But now was not the time to celebrate; he could sense that Shockwave, Starscream, Soundwave, Loader and Barricade were no longer alive, leaving Devcon as the only officer able to command his forces to contain the Autobots until Cybertron had fully entered the system.
Just then, he took notice of a certain blonde human female; one which was brought to the Windy City as hostage by his only usefull human ally: Carly Spencer. The Decepticon Leader asked: "Well, have you come to surrender?", as she climbed a bus to reach his height.
Carly: Was it all worth it?
Megatron: Obviously.
Carly: All your work to bring Sentinel back, and now clearly he has all the power. It's actually almost tragic!
Her tone when saying those words, and their implication, really pissed him off. Megatron grabbed all the Lensmeter Decepticons with his left hand and threw them towards the human to make her back away, killing all of the Scalpel clones in the process, as he angrily asked: "You dare lecture me, slave?!", as his face got closer to her.
The young woman didn't show any signs of fear, replying: "Your Decepticons are finally conquering this planet, and yet their leader won't be you!".
Megatron: It will be me! It will always be me!
Carly: At any minute now, you'll be nothing... but Sentinel's bitch.
At that moment, Megatron had enough; he angrily roared as he brought his right hand towards Carly with intent on killing her. Then he stopped, a shocked expression in his face as realized she was right: Sentinel Prime was slowly but surely usurping him as leader of the Decepticons. Soon he would be nothing and Sentinel would rule.
Well, over his dead body.
Without another word, Megatron got up and walked out of the alley, heading towards the elder Prime's last known location.
Carly had no idea of what she just did, nor did she have any idea of what she'd just unleashed. But considering that she was still alive, she was beginning to like the odds.
Elsewhere
Bumblebee and Sideswipe were fighting the corrupt Prime, who raised his Cosmic Rust Cannon at them. The former backed away but the Frontliner was hit in the right shoulder, though he managed to resist it. Sentinel was about to fire at 'Bee when he heard a human yell: "Rocket!" and something hit him in his lower chest, knocking him backwards with concussive force. Hooch, glad at finally getting to use the rocket launcher, watched with satisfaction from his position as Sentinel was literally knocked off his feet.
Hooch: Die!
As Sentinel started to get up, he began to assess the situation. The Pillars were functioning again, but the Control Pillar had to be defended. He quickly transformed and withdrew from the battlefield, ignoring enemy fire. Optimus had finally managed to get to his feet when he saw Sentinel's alternate mode passing by. The young Prime brought out his Energon Sword and Axe once more, running after him.
With Sam
Said young man started fighting Dylan again. At that moment, the corrupt businessman was kicking Sam in the abdomen, trying to knock him down.
Dylan: You chose sides?! You chose wrong!
After another kick, Dylan finally knocked Sam from the top of the pile of rubble, causing him to roll down and back to the ground.
With Optimus Prime
Sentinel had just transformed when Optimus stabbed him in the abdomen, bringing his own weapons and the two were locked in combat once more. Their duel led them to a drawbridge where Optimus began to get the upper hand upon knocking his Primax Blade away.
Suddenly, Sentinel slammed his shield into Optimus' head with enough force to stun him. He followed by kicking the Autobot Leader, knocking him down and making Optimus drop his Energon Sword and Axe as they skidded to the side. Before Optimus could get up, Sentinel pinned him to the ground with his right foot. He then cast aside his shield before pulling his Cosmic Rust Cannon from subspace and aiming it at Optimus' neck/face.
Sentinel Prime: Always the bravest of us, Optimus. But you could never make the hard decisions! Our planet will survive!
The old Prime charged the ranged weapon, ready to kill his former student... When suddenly his arm was pulled back, and the Cosmic Rust Cannon went flying. The corrupt Prime turned around in confusion, and both he and the young Prime were stunned to see who had committed such an unexpected act.
Sentinel Prime: Megatron?
Megatron: Lord Megatron to you!
The Decepticon Leader punched Sentinel Prime with all his might in the face, sending him backwards as he staggered, before firing a shot from his shotgun, knocking the corrupt Prime off his feet and sending him to the street some distance away from the drawbridge.
Megatron then turned his attention towards Optimus before reaching his right hand towards him. It wasn't a hand holding a handheld ranged or melee weapon. Much less a hand turned into a built-in ranged or melee weapon. It was just a hand.
Optimus took the hand of the one who once slayed him, and the Decepticon Leader hauled him back to his feet. They both then stood side by side as Sentinel stood himself up again.
Megatron: Two shall stand, and one shall fall!
Sentinel Prime: We were gods once, all of us. But here... THERE Will ONLY BE ONE!
Optimus Prime: AND IT WON'T BE YOU!!!
The leaders of both factions then charged towards the corrupt Prime, who in turn was willing to face the two in battle.
At the same time with Sam
Dylan was seeing Cybertron get closer when he turned around to see the young man, holding a pipe with a small bit of concrete attached to it, climbing the pile of rubble. The expression on his face looked like he was amused by it, as he taunted Sam about everything that he had accomplished over the years by saying: "I just saved a whole other world. You think you're a hero, huh? YOU THINK YOU'RE A HERO?!".
Dylan was obviously insulting the young man's attempts to make a difference; the risks he took; the mistakes he tried to correct; the lessons he learned about responsibility and sacrifice; and all the obstacles he faced from the day he bought his first car. Sam may not be as much of a hero as Lennox, the NEST members, or any of the Autobots who spent every day trying to make the world safe for the rest of humanity by hunting down the Decepticons, but he still tried to make a positive difference in the world and to his friends.
He may not have been trained for these situations, but he no longer tried to ignore the call to arms in exchange for a normal life. He has matured since those days when he met the Autobots and accepted his role. Samuel James Witwicky did not refuse to come when he was needed, even if others didn't ask him to do so. That was his duty to his planet, his race and friends, whose lives were on the line and he would do everything in his power to help them.
But Dylan Gould would never understand something like that. He was trying to destroy everything just so he could have power in the aftermath. The corrupt businessman sold his own kind to the Decepticons to become slaves; turned Sam into a spy against the Autobots; kept his girlfriend prisoner for leverage and tried to make her his wife by force; ordered the execution of the Autobot prisoners they've acquired just because Bumblebee helped Sam rescue Carly and almost killed him when he destroyed his penthouse; continued to aid the Decepticons' agenda by restarting the Control Pillar; and he simply was the worst monster in a tailored suit that Sam had ever seen: he neither wanted nor deserved forgiveness for what he'd done.
Sam responded to the enemy with the same words that Mearing used when she tried to dismiss him in the past; the words she had used when trying to discourage his attempts to help the Autobots and get involved in the situation before he proved that nothing in the universe would stop him from doing what was needed.
Sam: No. I'm just the messenger.
With a shout, Sam swung his makeshift club at the corrupt businessman. The impact sent Dylan Gould crashing into the Control Pillar, which proceeded to electrocute him to death. As electricity surged through the man's entire body, Sam watched as the man he swore he would kill screamed in agony as the energy from the Control Pillar fried him in a rather uncomfortable manner.
After his lifeless body rolled to the ground below, Sam just stared at it, unable to believe he'd killed the human mastermind behind all this chaos; the death of him and all of his bodyguards, along with his assistant and executive being in jail for their crimes would serve to avenge all the innocent people who died in Chicago. Then he realized that it was not over yet; the Control Pillar was still functioning, and it needed to be dealt with if the imminent destruction of Earth via another world was to be averted.
Then he heard a voice yell: "The Pillar's still connected!". Turning around, he saw Devcon being killed by the Wreckers. They, along with all NEST soldiers, National Guards, Navy SEALs, and the remaining Autobots arrived to destroy the Pillar.
Epps: Let's go! Bring it up!
Sam: 'Bee, let's do this!
Lennox: Let's go, let's go! Move, move! Pillar's still connected!
Roadbuster: Rip that Pillar down!
Ratchet fired a few shots at the Control Pillar, but it wasn't enough to bring it down. Bumblebee then did something dangerous but worth the shot: he leapt into the air and tackled the Control Pillar with all his might, destroying it as it's energy surged through his circuits, before rolling on the ground.
As the others looked up, they saw Cybertron retreating through the Space Bridge. Without the Control Pillar, the other Pillars had no way of bringing the planet through, but to return it to it's original orbit. In doing so, the energy from the remaining Pillars blasted all the remaining Orbital Assault Carriers and Motherships that were still flying/hovering over Chicago, sending them back with Cybertron, where they would explode upon crashing into the planet, killing all Decepticons within.
Back with Optimus Prime
Despite it being an unfair two-on-one fight, Sentinel was still able to fight back against both Megatron and Optimus. Still, Sentinel frustrated both Optimus and Megatron. He moved faster than anything the Autobot Leader had ever seen, and they pounded upon him and exchanged blows at dizzying speed. The air rang with the repeated impact of metal on metal, and stray explosions blasted apart everything within range of the battle, and still Sentinel was on his feet, and still they weren't able to overcome him.
Just then, they paused their battle as they looked up to see their homeworld being sent back to it's original orbit. As Megatron let out a long, loud cry of protest, Sentinel had a look of horror written on his face as all of his hard work disappeared. Optimus had enough time to catch a glimpse of his homeworld, and reached out with his right hand, imagining that he was holding Cybertron in the palm of his hand, before it was finally drawn back to it's original orbit.
Suddenly, Sentinel Prime snarled: "This is all on both of you!", as he slammed into Meatron, and the speed of it carried both him and Optimus Prime through another wall, pulverizing it. Optimus managed to toss Sentinel aside, but he landed on his feet and was ready to come at him again.
Then Megatron charged in, skidding on his side, akin to a baseball runner sliding into base. The slide took Sentinel's legs out from underneath him, and as the corrupt Prime fell, Optimus leapt over him, landing in the street behind him. Sentinel was instantly on his feet once again, ready to fight, ready to end the battle. So was Optimus. And he happened to be the one holding the Cosmic Rust Cannon. The old Prime really taught the young Prime well on what to do in such situation. For this one instant, the student truly has surpassed the teacher.
Sentinel Prime froze. It was all Optimus Prime required as he unleashed a blast of Cosmic Rust that hit his former mentor fully in the chest. The corrupt Prime staggered, clutching the rapidly expanding hole in his chest, looking bewildered that such a thing could possibly be happening to him, and then he sagged to his knees.
Sentinel Prime: Optimus, all I ever wanted was the survival of our race. You must see why... I had to betray you.
The young Prime's optics narrowed on Sentinel as he looked at him with a mixture of pity and disgust. Like many others, the Great War changed Sentinel Prime. He had started the conflict as a warrior and inventor, forging the weapons and technology to win the war and inspiring the Autobot troops.
Over time, however, he lost hope. The only thing he was supposed to give to others, he himself lost. He was the one who had forgotten his place, both as an Autobot and as a Prime; he had tried to use his power to fix Cybertron to the detriment of his values, compromising everything he was and had stood for in exchange for a fleeting chance at survival. And because of it, he killed Ironhide. He had willfully ordered the slaughter of thousands of humans. He even tried to take leadership of the Deceptcons from Megatron for himself and proved to be just as rotten and depraved.
Optimus just ignored the trembling hand his former mentor reached out to him, as he replied: "You didn't betray me, Sentinel. You betrayed yourself.".
Sentinel's hand then sagged, fell to the ground and dissolved. Moments later, so did the rest of him. Optimus felt as if he had just slain a part of himself. Just as humans who have lost limbs claim that they still feel the phantom pain from the missing body parts, so too will he always know the sensation of the absent part of his life called Sentinel. Except... he lost him once, he could lose him again.
Notes:
1- The existence of the Decepticon that transforms into the Superfund security truck that took the Pillars of Hotchkiss Gould Investments to 35 East Wacker in Chicago was revealed through an article that said that the truck was Shockwave's alternate mode, something that obviously did not come to pass. This Decepticon's true name was revealed in an entry on the Facebook edition of Ask Vector Prime in 2015. TFWiki says that Loader is exclusive to the film by not including a note template to say that his involvement in events similar to those in the film were also chronicled in novels, comics or interactive books for children, but that's not quite right: I found out that he also appeared in the film's novelization, where he is called as "Decepticon Armored Truck". While it wasn't shown on-screen, Loader was killed during the Battle of Chicago, as in AOE, one of Attinger's cards is about Loader, and his card has the red "X". I know I didn't reveal how Loader died, but that's because he didn't have any really important role in the Battle of Chicago other than bringing the Pillars to the Windy City, and also because he didn't want to reveal his robot mode in the movie. That's why I didn't give him any prominence, I just said he died.
2- The Lensmeter Decepticons were created just for the movie, meaning they don't exist in the novelization or the IDW comic adaptation. In the film, the last time they appeared was while Carly was encouraging Megatron to betray Sentinel; they did not appear again when Megatron attacked Sentinel, nor when Optimus killed him, leaving their final fates open to fans' imaginations. In my opinion, they all died off-screen before Megatron fought Sentinel due to DOTM originally being the final chapter as I've mentioned in the Prologue.
3- Originally, Dylan was supposed to be incinerated to ashes by the Control Pillar's energy. It was changed because it was deemed too dark for younger viewers, but was kept in both the novelization and comic book adaptation.
And that's all for the Single Chapter. At last, Dylan Gould is finally dead. He got what he deserved for willingly betraying his entire species to the Decepticons and putting the entire Earth at risk, all in exchange for a position of power in the aftermath. Basically he was no better than those who willingly collaborated with the Axis powers during World War II. And Sentinel's death in this version of events is karmic justice at it's finest in my opinion. Now all that's left is the Epilogue, where Megatron's final fate will be revealed. Hope you like it.
Chapter Text
With Optimus Prime
All was silence. Slowly, the leaders of both factions turned to each other, their optics completely focused on the Cybertronian standing in front of them.
Megatron: You felt it, you must have felt it. The draw of our world. It calls to you just as forcefully as it calls to me. The difference between us is that I was willing to answer that call.
Optimus Prime: No, it was never about Cybertron, any more than it was about Earth now. It was always about you. Whatever nobility you may have had once, or think you've had, was long consumed by your overwhelming need to dominate all you see before you.
Megatron: Such pompousness from you, Prime. Your sanctimoniousness would be more impressive if we both didn't know that we are very much alike.
Optimus Prime: We are nothing alike.
Megatron: I wanted to control Cybertron because I thought I was right. You fight me because you believe you are right.
The Autobot Leader couldn't take this anymore. He aimed the Cosmic Rust Cannon at Megatron as he replied: "I, am tired of your control!", ready for another battle.
Megatron: And I... I am tired of fighting.
The Autobot Leader had no idea of what reply to make, so he waited as the Decepticon Leader sagged to the ground on both kness.
Megatron: I sue for peace, Optimus. I will order all Decepticons to stand down. It's over. All this is over. Sometimes, even endless wars must come to an end. Our world calls, and I'll devote the rest of my life and the existence of all Decepticons, not to attacking you, the Autobots or the humans, but to rebuilding our homeworld. If you want, I can even send the coordinates of my base of operations so you can retrieve the Hatchlings and raise them properly. I've spent far too long destroying, and it has brought me nothing. Nothing. So I wish to try creating for a time and see if that brings me... something.
Optimus Prime: And I am supposed to believe in your words? Am I supposed to accept this call for a truce? After all the lies and deceits? After all the attempts to lay waste to an entire world?
Megatron stared at him for a while, and then spoke again: "Honestly, Prime, it doesn't matter to me what you believe. You're still holding Sentinel's ranged weapon. Use it. Finish me. I no longer care what you do. All I ask is that whatever decision you make next, make it quickly.".
Optimus Prime looked down at the ranged weapon in his left hand. How easy would it be to kill him. How easy it would be to end this once and for all. He glanced towards the sky. Cybertron was gone. But while he didn't want to admit it, he knew Megatron was right; his homeworld was calling to him. Calling with the song of what it once was, and what it could be again if only they, as a race, were capable of living up to the potential they once had. The Autobot Leader dropped the Cosmic Rust Cannon on the ground.
Optimus Prime: You are wrong. I am not like you. Because if I were, I would've just killed you for showing what any Decepticon would define as weakness. Your own people may well tear you apart for this change in your attitude. For your sake as well as theirs, control them.
Megatron slowly rose to his feet, trying to display some measure of dignity, and said: "I will. When I return to Cybertron and make things right, I will send for you and yours. And we will join and be one race again. A race of peace. Once again we'll have a home.".
Optimus Prime said nothing as Megatron departed the Windy City peacefully. He wanted to believe there would be peace. He wanted to believe that Megatron could truly change. He understood that all sentient beings had a compassionate side, no matter how dark and twisted their minds and processors were. And he would hold out hope, because in the end... that was all they had.
Just after Megatron was out of sight, the sound of a car engine was heard behind him. Turning around, he saw Bumblebee in his alternate mode, driving towards the street he was. Along with him were Lennox, his lieutenant, Epps, the NEST soldiers and Autobots. Some of the 'Bots were damaged; Dino was holding his left arm, and Ratchet looked a little beaten up but otherwise fine, alongside the others.
As Sam opened the door and got out to let Bumblebee transform into robot mode, he looked up at the Autobot Leader, who retracted his battle mask and nodded back. The Battle of Chicago ended, and the war between the Autobots and Decepticons had finally come to an end.
The sound of human feet made the young man look at the street behind the young Prime to see Stone, Marc L, Mongo, Hooch, Eddie, Baby Face, Navy SEALs and National Guards walking towards them.
Lennox: Sam.
Looking at where the NEST Field Commander was pointing, Sam found Carly among the soldiers. He immediately ran towards her, and they both hugged each other. They then kissed, before giving each other a warm look.
Carly: I love you.
Sam: I love you. You're the only thing I need in this world, and I'll do anything to make it up to you, I promise.
Carly: I'm going to hold you to that. Just never let me go.
Sam: I promise.
Suddenly, Bumblebee produced a selection of gears from inside his body, and let them fall on the ground. The young woman commented: "Oh, rings.", as she picked one of the gears. Sam also picked one of them as the yellow 'Bot played the Wedding March on the radio.
Bumblebee (radio): Show her how much you care by slipping a ring on there.
Carly: I love this car.
As his girlfriend giggled, Sam said: "'Bee, you've got to slow it down. You got to slow way down, okay?".
Bumblebee: Oh, I'm just trying to help out.
Optimus Prime smiled as he watched Epps and Eddie bump fists and their other friends helping each other.
In any war, there are calms between storms.
Ratchet placed his right hand on the Autobot Scout's left shoulder before saying: "You fought bravely.". 'Bee held his head up in pride at the Autobot Chief Medical Officer's praise.
There will be days were we will lose faith, days were our own allies turn against us. But the day will never come, that we forsake this planet... and it's people. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to the universe: we are here. We are home.
Notes:
1- While it's not revealed what happened to the Hatchlings in the film, the comic book adaptation illustrated that they were brought to Chicago, something that is not shown in the film.
2- The ending as you read above is based on the end of the film's novelization, which was based in an earlier version of the script. When asked about the changes, Nelson Lauren, Michael Bay's website administrator, explained on the TFW2005 website that the ending was changed because Paramount didn't want the film to share the same ending with it's novelization and comic adaptation. Youtuber Theorymus said in his video explaining this matter that Paramount probably didn't want the ending of the film to be identical to that of the novelization and comic book adaptation because of a leak that spoiled the film's major plot twists 2 months prior to the it's release. Had the original ending been used for the film as originally planned, it would probably prevent AOE and TLK from seeing the light of day, thus making DOTM be considered the final chapter of the saga.
And that's all for the Epilogue. And with that, my take on the original ending of Transformers: Dark of the Moon is finished. There are other Transformers stories set in the Bayverse that I would like to write, but they can wait. I want to thank everyone who has read this far and I hope to see you again in my next story. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for reading.