Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Transformers One!Transformers One Autobots and Decepticons to unearth the dark truth about Sentinel Prime's rule of Cybertron.

Once Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, and Elita realize the reality of Cybertron's state and loss of Energon, they take it upon themselves to share the news with the rest of Cybertron. However, Orion Pax and D-16 have different ideas about the best action to take. The best friends' diverging points of view come to a head in Transformers One's ending as they return to Iacon City with conflicting plans to expose Sentinel Prime for the liar he is. What unfolds from there is an action-packed and emotional finale as Orion Pax and D-16 evolve into Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Optimus Prime & Megatron's War Begins After Freeing Cybertron From Sentinel Prime

Friends Become Enemies

After exploring the growing divide between Orion Pax and D-16, Transformers One finally transitions their relationship from friends to enemies by the end. D-16 is consumed by hate for Sentinel Prime because he felt betrayed by the leader he greatly ired - only second to Megatronus Prime. This left him wanting to kill Sentinel Prime after exposing his secret deal with the Quintessons to maintain his power over Cybertron and the truth about what happened to the Matrix of Leadership and the Elder Primes. Meanwhile, Orion Pax wants to bring Sentinel Prime to justice the right way.

Once the two Transformers are back in Iacon City, they succeed in overthrowing Sentinel Prime as Cybertron's leader. Orion Pax plays recordings from Airachnid that expose Sentinel Prime's secrets, leading all of Cybertron to turn against him. However, this is not enough for D-16, and he begins fighting Sentinel Prime. Orion Pax steps in just before D-16 can kill Cybertron's former leader, leading D-16 to accidentally shoot his friend and drop him into Cybertron's core. With Orion out of the picture, D-16 kills Sentinel Prime in front of his fellow Cybertronians and takes Megatronus' cog, rebranding himself as Megatron.

Just as Megatron orders an attack on Cybertron to destroy all remnants of Sentinel Prime's reign, Optimus Prime emerges from the middle of Cybertron empowered by the Matrix of Leadership. Primus saved Orion and gave him the rare power thanks to his character, leading to Orion officially becoming known as Optimus Prime. His return leads to an inevitable clash with Megatron as they fight for the right to lead Cybertron and usher in a new era for the Transformers. Ultimately, Optimus Prime defeats Megatron in Transformers One's ending to establish himself as Cybertron's new leader.

Optimus Prime Becomes The Leader Of The Autobots & Cybertron

Optimus Becomes More Powerful

Orion Pax officially becomes Optimus Prime by the end of Transformers One thanks to the transformation he undergoes. powerful Transformers weapon, Optimus Prime emerges in Iacon City as the leader that Cybertron deserves.

Optimus Prime's reign over Cybertron is immediately different from Sentinel Prime's, as he ushers in a new age for the civilians. His leadership means Primus allows Energon to flow freely across Cybertron like it did long ago, eliminating the need for miners. This allows Optimus Prime to restore another lost aspect of other Transformers' lives from Sentinel Prime's rule as he gives transformation cogs to everyone. Now known as Autobots due to their freedom and autonomy, Iacon City is now inhabited by dozens, if not hundreds, of newly minted Autobots with transformation abilities.

The impact of Optimus Prime becoming the leader of the Autobots and Cybertron extends beyond the broad scope of what it means for both. It is also an excellent development for Elita and B-127, who have proven to be trusted allies along the journey. Optimus promotes Elita to the role of commander so she can his leadership. B-127 does not receive an official promotion and title, but Optimus does ensure that his days in sublevel 50 are over, as he'll need the Autobot better known as Bumblebee to be right next to him as this new era begins.

Optimus Prime Banishes Megatron & The High Guard

The Decepticons Are Born

As good as the future looks for Optimus Prime, the Autobots, and Cybertron, his first act as a leader comes at Megatron's expense. Optimus defeats Megatron after cutting his arm canon in half, but he shows his former best friend mercy by not killing him - something that would not have happened if the roles were reversed. Instead, Optimus decides to banish Megatron from Iacon City and tells him to take the remnants of the High Guard with him. This marks the end of Optimus and Megatron's friendship, although the evil Transformer remarks, "This isn't over Prime," as he leaves.

The rationale for Optimus Prime's two decisions here is somewhat understandable, even if they will come back to haunt him in time. He does not want to kill Megatron because he'd prefer to show mercy over aggression, and the Autobots leader does not desire a fatal conclusion to their fight. Banishing Megatron gives him time to reconsider his actions in theory. Meanwhile, having the High Guard go with him is a calculated decision. Starscream and his comrades are unlikely to follow Optimus Prime's rule, so it makes sense to send them away, hoping they can peacefully return later on.

Megatron and the High Guard's banishment is not the end of their story. Transformers One's post-credits scene shows Megatron now fully in charge of the former High Guard . With Megatronus Prime's transformation cog in his chest, Megatron embraces the Megatronus logo Sentinel Prime carved into his chest to make it the symbol for his new group: the Decepticons - named because they will no longer be deceived. Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave are confirmed of Megatron's first wave of Decepticons, and they have now taken a new base somewhere else on Cybertron to regroup.

What Happens To The Quintessons Now?

The Alien Race Gets A Warning

One of the biggest unanswered questions left in Transformers One is the future of the Quintessons. The movie establishes them as an overarching threat to Cybertron, only to reveal that they helped Sentinel Prime kill the 13 Elder Primes so he could take their power. This was done in exchange for Sentinel Prime giving them large quantities of Energon at designated times, with the last shipment being short of the desired amount. Transformers One's Quintessons have not attacked Cybertron again because of the Energon exchanges, but that peace ends with Sentinel's death.

Since Optimus Prime knows about Sentinel's dealings with the Quintessons, Transformers One's ending includes a warning to the alien race not to return. But, it is undetermined if they will listen to him or return to Cybertron looking for the Energon they desire. Considering the large role the Quintessons play in the overall franchise lore and the rather minimal screentime they receive here, it would appear that Transformers One has left the alien race in a spot where they could return and be a larger threat to all of Cybertron.

How Transformers One Sets Up A Sequel

"This Isn't Over Prime"

By the end of Transformers One, the movie drops several different clues about what could come in a potential sequel. Paramount has yet to officially announce plans for a Transformers One sequel, but there have been indications that there is hope that one will happen. Any future film building off the 2024 animated movie would certainly continue to explore the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron as the Autobots and Decepticons take shape under their leads.

The movie's final moments also help pave the way for several missing characters to the fight in the next installment. Optimus giving all of Iacon City their transformation cogs means an entirely new wave of Autobots with transformation abilities, with Jazz and Arcee among those shown receiving the cogs. And while a few different Decepticon are confirmed by the credits scene, there is also room for Megatron to recruit new or reveal other notable characters who are already part of the Decepticon ranks.

The Quintessons' warning also seems noteworthy when it comes to Transformers One setting up a sequel. The alien race's return to Cybertron under Quintessa's lead could prove to be a big enough threat that Optimus Prime and Megatron could be forced to set their differences aside so Autobots and Decepticons fight together to save the planet. Even if they do not unite in this fashion, it would appear that the Quintessons are not done with Cybertron just yet.

The Real Meaning Of Transformers One

Everyone Has The Power To Change The World

Transformers One is ultimately an animated movie aimed at kids that is more so concerned with its comedy and action, but there are still some grand thematic ideas and meanings in play. The biggest is the idea that everyone has the power to change the world, but it's up to them to determine how that will be. Alpha Trion relays a similar sentiment to Orion Pax, D-16, Elita, and B-127 as they get their transformation cogs. Each of them can now transform and change the world, but whether the results are good or bad is entirely up to them.

Transformers One shows both sides of this idea through Optimus Prime and Megatron. Optimus Prime gains more power and becomes a great force for good, rallying the miners in Iacon City and becoming a leader worth holding the power of the Matrix of Leadership. He changes the world for the better. Meanwhile, Megatron becomes more consumed by hate the more his power grows. He changes the world in his own way by killing Sentinel Prime and starting the Decepticons, but his actions and motivations turn him into a villain.