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(Item in Popular Fiction)
In the G1 Continuity, the Autobot Matrix of Leadership or Creation Matrix as it is known in the comics contains the essence and wisdom of all Autobot leaders (and possibly all autobots and perhaps decepticons) that have passed on (Ref: The phrase "Till all are one").
The matrix is held within an oval-shaped container whose main purpose seems to be containment of what has been described (In the dreamwave continuity) as Hard Light, a technology beyond even the transformers comprehension. The exact nature of the blue light inside the container is unknown. To open the matrix is to release an unpredictable wave of power. The matrix itself seems to have an intelligence of its own, able to determine when and how it will be used. It can not be opened by someone without a matrix affinity.
The Matrix also serves as a source of power, able to morph a transformer with a matrix affinity (i.e. Hot Rod, Scourge) into a higher-powered being. The transfer of the matrix usually carries with it to the recipient, upon transformation, the title "Prime". Unexpected results may occur when a non-matrix holder receives the matrix - such as the ghosts of autobot leaders of old appearing when Galvatron attempted to hold it in The Burden Hardest To Bear. It is also possible, under extreme conditions, for a living being to enter the matrix, similar to a NDE or spirit quest. It is, however, possible and even likely that the user entering the matrix will get lost in it and never return. The matrix is also the only source known to be able to defeat Unicron and contain the hate plague, but it itself is not an infinite power source as it was used up to cure the universe from the Hate Plague.
In the Transformer G1 comics, the Matrix is a piece of Primus, the god of the Transformers and was used to give sentience to new Transformers. Though it doesn't appear to allow the user to communicate with the sparks or laser cores of deceased transformers, it however still appear as the only thing capable of destroying Primus's enemy, Unicron. The matrix also appears sentient in the comic books and is capable of changing both machine and biological life. The portrayal of the matrix is also inconsistent in the comic books as it was initially portrayed as a program and later as a solid and tangible object.
In the Beast Wars cartoon however, the Matrix is viewed by the writers as a gateway into the allspark, which all transformers come from and go back to. Furthermore, the Matrix along with the Pit are the nicknames for the installations that created the transformer protoforms.
In the Beast Machines cartoon, the Matrix is constantly used as a synonym for the transformer god or allspark.
In the Japanese Continuity the Matrix also has the ability to temporarily superpower a being it has already changed, for instance, turning Convoy into Burning Convoy in the Beast Wars Second movie (Japanese Continuty) and it was also used by Big Convoy in Beast Wars Neo to power up his cannon though one suspects that those matrices are actually lesser versions of the actual one.
Known holders of the matrix (using a combined continuity of TV and Comics):