#6 - "The Iron Fist"

Credits

Writer - John Ney Reiber / Art - Jae Lee / Colors - June Chung / Letters - Ben Lee

Story

As Grimlock, Bumblebee, Stalker, and Roadblock approach the shores of the Fera Island, Stalker's tension becomes palpitable -- without the Autobots accompanying them into battle, the Joes are sure to be cut down by Cobra and the Decepticons. Roadblock is unfazed, reassured by Hawk that the American fleet will arrive for backup, and Grimlock spots them a moment later.

The assault continues, with Shockwave firing on both Superion and the newly-arrived fleet, Hound and Wheeljack rescuing a handful of Joes from drowning, and Lady Jaye taking down Major Bludd and the Dreadnoks. Bludd gets taken down by Flint, but Jaye recognizes him as Zartan in disguise, and attacks him instead!

Elsewhere on the battlefield, Skywarp is terrorizing some disgruntled Cobras when he's suddenly ambushed by Optimus Prime, who orders the Autobots to join the battle. While Grimlock attacks Soundwave and the other Autobots revel in a chance to strike back, Prime reminds them that they still haven't faced the Decepticons' full might. But unknown to Prime, Cobra Commander has problems of his own -- Megatron insists that Shockwave's recent barrage has damaged him into uselessness, and the only solution is for Megatron to use the Matrix to repair him. But Cobra Commander refuses to give him the Matrix and lose his control, and Megatron feigns indifference to Cobra's fate.

In a remote cove, Snake-Eyes and Scarlett attempt a covert assault on Shockwave, and find the hidden form of Bruticus lying in wait. Nearby, Starscream urges Destro to unleash Bruticus to destroy all their enemies; Destro agrees, and the Baroness reveals herself as Destro's spy and lover -- just as she kills Starscream with a well-placed shot in his head! Destro then commands Bruticus to destroy everyone, unaware of Scarlett and Snake-Eyes eavesdropping...

Chaos erupts as Bruticus attacks. Cobra Commander gets pinned in an avalanche, and the only aid Megatron offers is a chance to commit suicide before he is captured. While the Autobots and the Joes puzzle over Bruticus' arrival, Grimlock and Roadblock attack. They are quickly swatted aside, and Optimus Prime orders the Autobots to evauate the area while he tries to find the Matrix...

Cobra Commander rejects Megatron's offer of suicide, but is killed by the Baroness instead. She, in turn, is promptly captured by Scarlett, and throws the Matrix away during her surrender. Snake-Eyes chases the Matrix, but is confronted by Megatron, who demands it from him. Optimus Prime suddenly attacks, and yells for Snake-Eyes to destroy the Matrix as their only hope of stopping Bruticus.

With Bruticus approaching for the kill, Snake-eyes destroys the Matrix, which explodes in a blinding flash of brilliance.

As the battle ends, Scarlett takes Destro and the Baroness into custody, and the Joes try to make sense of the aftermath -- Cobra Commander is dead, the forces of Cobra are scattered, and the Transformers are now nothing but lifeless husks of metal...