*Chapter 7: Memories of Hope*


Optimus sat on the mountain, looking up at the full moon and the bright stars in the dark sky. Alexis is a very troubled teen, but she is trouble towards anyone but Optimus and the others. Optimus couldn't blame her, because Charles passed away and wanted him to look after Alexis. The leader of the Autobots sighed and shuts his bright optics.

"Primus, help me. The sparkling is part of my life now, and she is full of risk." He says to himself. "She is not Hope. She is nothing like Hope, but they look alike." Optimus opened his optics and look up at the full moon. He remembered last year when he and Hope are together in the fields to watch the full moon before Optimus leaves her state. He frowned when he remembered the times with her...

*Flashback*

The semi truck pulled in the grassy fields, and the girl with blue eyes and long brown hair got out of the truck and look up at the full moon in awe. Optimus transformed and sat by her. Hope turned to him with a smile, but in her eyes, she is confused.

"Hope..." Optimus says, looking at the girl with sad optics. "I'm afraid I have some bad news to tell you. And...you must tell your brother about it when he returns from the drive with Bumblebee." Hope came up to him with a sad look in her eyes. Optimus sighed a bit. "We...must go on...on separate ways since the Decepticons have gotten to a state elsewhere. They never leave Earth, and...I do not want your life to be at risk if you continue fighting alongside us." He said. Hope lowers her head a bit.

"...I know. I...kinda overheard you and Ratchet. I didn't want to believe it, but I know in my heart it's true." She said. "I don't want you or the Autobots to leave, but...I know you must protect Earth and the human race. I understand that, but...me and my brother will be alone and have a normal life. We still my aunt and uncle, and our grandfather in Arizona. But, you're our family too. You're like my father figure, Optimus, and I love you..." Optimus could feel he's going to have energon tears as he was listening to Hope. He lowered his hand down for her to climb on. He placed her on his left shoulder.

"And I love you, Hope. You are like my own sparkling, and same as Camron. You two are important to me, and Sam is important to me as well." He said. "But, we will never forget each other. In my spark, you are always here." Hope smiled at him, a tear fell from her left eye. She wiped it away.

"So...when...when are you and the others gonna leave?" She asked. Optimus shuts his optics, and then opened them again to look at Hope.

"Tomorrow night. We all wanted to spend more time with you and your brother." He replied. "If it is our good-bye forever, I have a mission for you..."

"What? What is it?" Hope asked.

"Protect your own world and the humans for me." Optimus told her. "You are the most powerful warrior I have ever encountered when we first met. If there are others like you, you will be a leader. Protect the humans, heal them with your power." Hope stared at him and made a nod.

"...I promise you."

*End flashback*

"If only I have the time to see you again, Hope. I've missed you..." Optimus says. "But, I could not let Megatron to take you away from me or your family." He stood up and transformed to return to base.


Alexis sat in her room with a look on her face. She kicked her stuffed bear away and went out of her room. She doesn't care if Optimus sees her out of her room or not. Alexis found Ratchet standing in front of the screen, and the rest of the Autobots stood around, waiting for Optimus' return. Alexis figured he went out for a drive after the argument. Alexis went up the catwalk and went over to the couch. Smokescreen noticed her and come over.

"Hey, how're you holding up, kid?" He asked. Alexis shrugged a bit in response. "Hey, don't blame yourself. It's...my fault for bringing you along. I'd be out of the team if you got...you know..." Smokescreen says, looking at the ground. Alexis turned to him and came to the bars to have a closer look at her guardian.

"I know. And...I'm sorry. But...my life was like hell. I have no family, and I'm here with you guys. But...Optimus is just..." She started when she hears Ratchet clearing his throat. She turned to him.

"Don't you start, Alexis. He is our leader, and you should not be mouthing bad behind his back." He warned her. "And when he returns, you owe him the apology."

"He's right, Alexis." Arcee says coming over with Bumblebee, and Bulkhead. "Optimus has been through worse than you have. We've lost our home, and one of our comrades. Even he had to leave Hope behind. So, whether you like it or not, you are stuck with us and with Optimus!" Alexis didn't say anything and walk down the stairs. Bumblebee beeped at her with sorrow. Alexis looked at the yellow Autobot scout and patted his foot.

"Bee, you missed your friend back home too? And it's Hope's brother?" She asked. Bumblebee beeped and nodded. "I guess all of you guys are really that close to them, huh? But, I'm not like Hope except that I'm a Psyche like you said."

"You will be a great one like Hope." Arcee says with a small smile. "When your power is discovered, you will be just as strong." Alexis crossed her arms and look at the ground in silent. She doubted she will be a strong Psyche like Hope. And she couldn't impress Optimus if she couldn't step a foot out when the Decepticons are out.

"I would hear that from your leader." Alexis said. "I mean, it's nice to hear that you think I will be a great fighter someday, but...Optimus wouldn't think so. We couldn't get along. I was only trying to help and fight those Cons myself." She then walked away to get back to her room. Arcee sighed a bit.

"Stubborn little human." Bulkhead said. "After her father's death, she's really a mess."

"Can't blame her." Arcee said. "But, Optimus will do whatever he could to help her." The Autobots hear a noise coming in. A semi truck pulled in and transformed. Optimus came over to his team in silent, and he saw a Star Saber sitting by the catwalk. "You okay, Optimus?" Arcee asks.

"I am fine." Optimus says. "How is the human femme?"

"Well, she came out for a bit, and went back to her room." Smokescreen says. "She's still a mess." Optimus sighed a bit. He went over to the Star Saber and took it. "Anyways, glad that we retrieved the sword. Megatron couldn't even take it out."

"Only a Prime could retrieve the weapon such as the Star Saber." Ratchet said. Then, Optimus' optics glowed as he stares at the blade in silent. He told his team that he is receiving a message from Alpha Trion. Little did the Autobots know, Alexis listened as she is by the hallway. She watched Optimus looking at his Star Saber, and his optics glow. She had to admit that's the most beautiful sight to see his optics glow like that. She now hears Optimus saying that there are the Omega Keys hidden around to revive their world. Alexis felt her heart stopped when the Autobots are getting excited about their home planet will be rebuilt, but that could mean that the Autobots will be leaving Earth.

"No..." Alexis whispered. "I'll be...alone. Optimus is leaving me..."