*Chapter 14: A Darkest Hour Part 5*
Smokescreen kept holding Alexis from getting her into a tantrum after Optimus' death. She cries loudly and screamed for the leader's name. She got on her knees and cried more as Smokescreen continues to hold her shoulders. Smokescreen looked at the Forge in silent and released Alexis.
"This isn't how it suppose to end..." He says. Alexis didn't listen to him as she cries. She wiped her tears away and look at Optimus' body with the Matrix of Leadership glowing brightly. She came over to climb on him to see his face. The optics are dark. No sound, no movement. Alexis's tears continue to fall from her eyes that landed on Optimus' face plates. Smokescreen watched in silent. He watched Alexis leaning towards Optimus' cheek and planted it a kiss.
"You may be gone...but you are inside my heart..." She whispered. "...Hope and I...will never forget you." She climbed off and sat quietly on the ground, lowering her head. "I'm so sorry this have to happen, Optimus. If me and my dad hadn't move here in Nevada, this whole mess shouldn't happen..." Smokescreen kneeled down and place his fingers on her back.
"Alexis, this isn't your fault." He told her. "Optimus and the other Autobots are glad they have met you, and so was I." Alexis didn't reply back. "Believe me, Optimus was glad that he have met you and have you as a new sparkling figure." Alexis slowly stood up and turn towards the tunnel of the cave with a hatred look on her face. Smokescreen stood up and backed away a little. "Alexis?"
"Megatron will pay for this..." Alexis said in a dark tone and ran down the cave to leave. "Stay with Optimus! I'll be back!" She told her Autobot friend.
"Wait! Where are you going? It's too dangerous!" Smokescreen called, but Alexis ignored him as she ran down the darkness of the cave. "It's not over." He says and he picked up the Forge to place the handle on Optimus' hand.
Alexis didn't care she is bad shape of fighting, but she has to have her revenge on the Decepticon leader. She promised herself that she will kill him herself. No matter the cost.
'I will avenge you, Optimus!' Alexis thought. After she got out of the cave and found herself in an unknown area. Which way is Darkmount? On the road below the cliffs, Alexis can see a green sports truck driving down on the road in a hurry, and she noticed there is no driver! Alexis ran down the cliffs and almost fell on the ground, but she continued to run down to the road to stop the vehicle. Decepticon or not, she had to make it take her to Megatron.
"Stop! I know what you are!" Alexis cried out as she stood in the middle of the road and the sports truck made a instant halt before running into her. "Whatever you are, you have to take me to this Darkmount! If you are a Con, I'll make you take me to your master!" But the vehicle transformed and it's a female bot! The optics are green, and there is an Autobot insignia. "Holy crap, you're an Autobot! But, I've never met you before..." Alexis says in shock.
"Human, I know what you are from what I heard. Hope is here on this planet, but she is in this state with the Autobots." The female Autobot said. "You are Alexis May, correct?"
"...Yeah? And...who are you?"
"I am Jade." The femme replied. "Ultra Magnus and I have been separated since we got here, but we are both trying to find Megatron."
"Hold on a second, did you just say that Hope is here right now? In this state?" Alexis asked. "And the Autobots and my human friends are alive?" Jade nodded and transformed. The passenger door opened for Alexis.
"Hop in. We have so much fighting to do! Ultra Magnus is expecting me!" She says. Alexis hesitated, but she got inside Jade and drove off. Alexis looked at the radio. "Have you transform into a warrior by any chance?" Jade asked.
"No. I haven't found my true power yet, but I do have the power of gravity whenever I am in danger." Alexis replied. "So let me guess, you and Ultra Magus are...?"
"I know what you are thinking. We are mates." Jade said. "For eons." Alexis blinked in shock. They never grew apart. That's love there. "But, seriously, have you seen Optimus Prime?" Jade asked by changing the subject. Alexis could feel tears forming again.
"He..." She paused and covered her face. Jade didn't say anything, but let out a sigh from the radio from where she spoke. "Let's find the others and...destroy Megatron, but he is mine to kill!" Alexis said.
"Alexis, you cannot offline Megatron without your power. You'll get killed." Jade said.
"I don't care. I'm doing this for Optimus." Alexis says. "He keeps my heart going."
In the hideout, the Autobots and the children tries to come up with a plan to keep the Decepticons in Darkmount distracted. Only to keep them out is to make contacts with cell phones, and retreat back to the hideout. Jack and Miko have done it first, and now the Autobots started to head out to the Darkmount. But, Hope remained behind with the children and her brother. She didn't transform into a warrior...
"Hope, you must help them. You have protection and you can heal. Why can't you go with them?" Ratchet asks. Hope turned back to him.
"I've been captured once, and I know what Megatron will do to me. He will kill me right there." She replied. "And that dragon is nothing like I have ever seen before. A Predacon..."
"You've heard about those things?" Raf asked. Hope nodded.
"I've read and heard so many things about them from Optimus himself. Since I became a warrior, he taught me so much about Cybertron, and Ratchet taught me well about being there for those who need to be healed. Every Autobot were like teachers to me when I was a beginner, but now...we're like family." Hope replied. "But, it's been so long since I've fought along side you. Sure, I still got it, but...I might not be that strong anymore."
"Once you fight, you still got it, sis!" Camron says with a smile. "Do it for Primus' sake! You are the first Psyche he chose, along with that girl they were referring to." Hope looked at Ratchet and the children. Hope looked down at the pendant again. "Fight for Optimus Prime. He would want you to fight along side them again right now." Camron continued. "We are here together again."
"...This may not be a pretty battle, but...I can do this for Optimus." Hope says and transformed into a Psyche Warrior.
"Awesome!" Miko cried out. "Your outfit was blazing if you catch my drift!" Hope left the hideout to catch up with Ultra Magnus and the others. Ratchet smiled proudly after Hope have left.
"Welcome back, Hope Simmons." He whispered.
Jade and Alexis found Darkmount ahead of them, and they also found the Autobots arriving as well. When Jade made a stop, Alexis got out and called for them, the Autobots stopped and transformed to see her and Jade who also transformed. Arcee approached to them, same goes with Bumblebee and Bulkhead since Wheeljack is behind them watching and waiting for them.
"Where is Magnus?" Jade asked.
"Don't worry, we're following him so we can sneak inside." Arcee replied. She looked down at Alexis. "Oh Primus, look at you, you look worse."
"Never mind me, Jade brought me here so I can destroy Megatron myself. He will pay for what he did to Optimus and to everything." Alexis replied.
"Have you seen Optimus?" Bulkhead asked. "Is he alive?" Alexis didn't reply to him as she walk pass by him. Bumblebee beeped in worry.
"Autobots, what is your hold up?" Ultra Magnus' voice asked in their commlinks.
"We're on our way now, sir. The Psyches are with us." Arcee replied. Alexis turned to her in confusion at first, until she remembered what Jade had told her about Hope's arrival. Speaking of which...
"So, who is your friend?" Hope asked by coming towards Alexis. "And wow...we do look alike!" Alexis stares at Hope in silent. A true person right in front of her. The one that Optimus cares so much. "I'm Hope. And you are?"
"I...I'm Alexis. I...I can't believe I...met you just now! Optimus told me so much about you and-"
"Ladies, you two will greet each other later. We have a mission to do now." Wheeljack says by coming over. "Ultra Magnus couldn't be up there alone much longer." Hope and Alexis nodded and got inside Jade who transformed as the Autobots ran ahead.
"Stay beside me, Alexis." Jade said seriously. "If we get outnumbered, just make a run for it." Alexis nodded at her. As they were getting close to the building, a Predacon flew down with a roar. Alexis got out as Jade transformed to see it. "By the All Spark..." Jade whispered. "It's a Predacon."
"A what? That dragon is a what now?" Alexis asked, not hearing correctly.
"Alexis, watch out!" Hope screamed and uses a force field on Alexis as the Vehicon tries to strike her. The Con bounced back. Alexis noticed the Vehicons and a Con that she never saw before. None other than Shockwave. Jade took out her gun and aimed it at Shockwave.
"Alexis, run! Go with Hope!" She says. Alexis didn't hesitate and followed Hope who has a force field on them. The Autobots were shooting the Decepticons and the Predaking as the two girls were running towards the Darkmount, but then there is Ultra Magnus' ship coming down for them. Hope and Alexis jumped on it and the ship flew around with them.
"What do we do now?!" Alexis asked.
"We have to get inside Darkmount! Magnus will take care of the Predacon!" Hope replied. "Get ready for this!" She took Alexis's hand and the ship got close to the throne where Knock Out is standing. Alexis didn't see Megatron or Starscream on the platform. "Jump!" Hope yelled. The girls jumped off the ship and landed on the throne, but Alexis was hanging on the ledge, and Hope helped her up. Knock Out noticed the girls and took out his saw.
"Well, well. Double trouble." He says with a smirk. Hope glared at him and took out her sword and pointed it at Knock Out. "Willing to fight against me now, aren't you? Well, bring it, sweetspark."
"I'll take care of him. Go down below and find Megatron if you have to. Ultra Magnus will be there to help you out." Hope told Alexis. Without saying a word, Alexis ran off and leave Hope alone with Knock Out.
"I do hope you don't mind me saying this to you, but I do like the touches of your outfit, Psyche girl." Knock Out said.
"I don't take words from the likes of you, Knock Out." Hope said with a glare. Knock Out chuckled at her.
"Let's not chat too much, shall we?" He says. He charged at her, but Hope dodged him by rolling between his legs and swung her sword and a blue sound wave hits him. Knock Out sat up and look down and found a scratch on his paint job. He growled at her.
"You'll pay for that, Psyche!" He yelled. Hope smirked at him and they continue to battle. Knock Out tries to hit Hope with his saw, but she summoned her shield from her right silver band to block his attacks.
With Alexis, she found Ultra Magnus and Megatron fighting each other. But Ultra Magnus is down from being thrown. Alexis ran towards him and got in front of Megatron with a glare. The Decepticon leader chuckled at her.
"Hello, Alexis." He said. "I see you already met Ultra Magnus, the second in command."
"We're here to stop you, Megatron! You will pay for everything you have done!" Alexis said. "Hope and I will stop the Decepticons along with the Autobots."
"You've met Hope as well? Heheheheh." Megatron chuckled. Alexis clenched her fists. Ultra Magnus groaned a bit, making Alexis turn to him and kneel down. She had to say to herself that Ultra Magnus looks like Optimus...but he isn't Optimus.
"Psyche, you must run." Ultra Magnus said. Alexis shook her head.
"I can't do that. I never run from anyone or anything." She says. "Optimus would want me to do that."
"Optimus? Where is that leader?" Megatron asks by taking out his blade. "You've seen him, haven't you?" Alexis didn't move or speak to him. He won't know a thing about Optimus' death. "Where is he?!" Megatron asked with a growl.
"...That is none of your damn business, Megatron." Alexis said in a low voice. Next thing she knew was that she was grabbed by Megatron. He then dragged Ultra Magnus with him. Alexis demands Megatron to let him go, but he never listens.
They arrived on the throne, Megatron threw Ultra Magnus and Alexis down. Knock Out have his electric staff to pin Hope down on the ground. Starscream arrived and smirked at Hope.
"Little girls shouldn't be messing with bots like us." He taunted. Hope snarled at him.
"Now, I will not ask again. Where is Optimus Prime?" Megatron asked. Alexis tried to get up, but she is too sore and weak. Ultra Magnus towered over her to protect her.
"I...can't tell you. So...just go to hell..." Alexis said.
"So be it..." Megatron whispered and raised his blade. "Execute the prisoners." Alexis shuts her eyes. This is it. She's going to die. Hope struggled to reach for her sword, but she is kept down by Knock Out's staff.
"Master, something's coming." Starscream spoke by looking at the morning sun. Megatron walked pass Ultra Magnus and Alexis who look up ahead to see what they see. Alexis squinted her eyes to see something flying towards the Darkmount. She couldn't what it is.
"A Predacon?" Megatron asked.
"Hmm, not beasty enough." Starscream replied by backing up. Hope looked up as well in silent. What do they see? It's not a Predacon. Alexis cane see bright colors as the flying figure comes close. Red and blue... It can't be, can it?
"...Optimus?" Alexis wondered. The three Decepticons heard her by turning to her in shock. Hope formed a smile.
"But, he can't fly! Can he?!" Starscream asked. But Megatron didn't say a word. He is stunned. The alive Optimus Prime who looks more upgraded than ever. He landed on the throne and punched Megatron who flew back. The Vehicons started to shoot him, but Optimus took out his machine gun to shoot them all. Alexis watched with a smile, but her vision is getting blurry and she became out cold after being injured for a long time since yesterday.
I remembered black skies the lightning all around me,
I remembered each flash as time began to blur,
Like a startling sign that fate had finally found me,
And your voice was all I heard.
That I get what I deserve.
Hope was free from Knock Out and took her sword and made a swing and a blue sound wave hits him. She turned to Optimus with a smile. Optimus looks different now. He looks...huge.
"...Hope?" He asked in shock. Hope came to his foot and embraced it. Optimus smiled at her and run his finger down her hair to gently stroke it. Hope pulled away and saw Ultra Magnus picking up Alexis in his hands. "Commander?"
"Sir, you look...robust." Ultra Magnus said. "I'm taking this human to safety. You and Hope will handle the rest. I'll meet up with you soon."
"Yes sir!" Hope said with a nod. Optimus picked her up and place her on the back of his neck, so she can fly with him. Ultra Magnus communicated with the Autobots and the humans that Optimus is alive and well.
"Magnus..." Alexis whispered.
"Stay with me, Alexis. I'm taking you to safety now." Ultra Magnus says.
So give me reason to prove me wrong,
To wash this memory clean,
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes,
Give me reason to fill this hole connect the space between.
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies.
Across this new divide.
"Come on, let's go!" Jack says by leaving the hideout. Miko, Raf, and Camron ran out as Ratchet follows them and transformed. He told the children to hop in. After the children got inside Ratchet, he drove off with them to get to Darkmount.
"That Optimus is one tough bot I know." Camron says with a smile.
There was nothing in sight but memories left abandoned,
There was nowhere to hide the ashes fell like snow.
And the ground caved in between where we were standing.
And your voice was all I heard.
That I get what I deserve.
Jade and the other Autobots were fighting against the Vehicons. Ultra Magnus found them in his vehicle form with Alexis inside. Jade noticed him and came to him, asking if he was okay. But she noticed Alexis.
"Is she...?" She asked in worry.
"No. But, take her with you. She needs to be somewhere safe. Take her to the humans, and she needs medical attention." Ultra Magnus says. Jade nodded and took Alexis out of the truck of her mate. With one arm, she shoots the Cons out of her way as she is running to find the human base.
So give me reason to prove me wrong,
To wash this memory clean,
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes,
Across this new divide.
In every loss in every lie,
In every truth that you'd deny.
And each regret and each goodbye,
Was a mistake to great to hide,
And your voice was all I heard.
That I get what I deserve.
Optimus placed Hope on the throne and Megatron's scream for Optimus was heard. Megatron flew towards Optimus by shooting at him and Hope, but uses her force field on Optimus. The two bots fought in the air as Hope watched. Optimus grab a hold of Megatron by spinning him.
"Megatron! Be gone!" He yelled and released the Decepticon into the building. The Darkmount shook and about to collapse. Hope jumped off and Optimus caught her and flew off. "So glad to see you again, Hope." Optimus said. Hope smiled at him.
"You should thank the Predacon." She said jokingly. Optimus rolled his optics bit and flew across the desert to get the new base. "Seems like you guys need some help."
"If you want to stick by us once again, you are welcome to." Optimus said.
"Thank you."
So give me reason to prove me wrong,
To wash this memory clean,
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes,
Give me reason / to fill this hole connect the space between.
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies.
Across this new divide.
Across this new divide.
Inside the new headquarters, Agent Fowler thanked the Autobots and welcome Hope and Camron to the base. After they shook hands, Hope turned to the Autobots with a smile after she turned back to her normal self. Camron sat on Bumblebee's shoulder, Jack was by Arcee, Raf was by Ratchet, and Miko was by Bulkhead. Hope came to Optimus with a smile. Optimus smiled back at her.
"It's...been a while, huh?" She asked him.
"...To my spark, it felt like eons." Optimus replied. Hope chuckled a bit.
"It's never been the same without you guys." Camron spoke. Bumblebee beeped. "So, we're actually glad we're here. But, we have to go back sometime."
"Camron, we can go back home after we deal with the Decepticons." Hope said. "Besides, we have some new friends here." Then, June came out from the room where Alexis is resting.
"How is she?" Jack asked. "Is she gonna make it?"
"She's going to be fine. She needs to stay in bed for a few days and she will be recovered in time." June replied. Hope smiled and rushed in the room. June followed her. "Hope, what're you-" She paused when she saw Hope's hands glow that is near Alexis's body. Cuts and bruises are gone, but the scar on Alexis's side isn't going away. Hope turned to June.
"She'll wake up soon." She told her. "I can heal anyone who is injured." She left the room. June smiled at herself. She turned back to Alexis who is resting on the bed peacefully. Once she wakes up, she will be in the new type of adventure.