Things had gone from bad to worse since the fight in the abandoned factory had devolved into a high-speed chase. Bumblebee had been able to provide some support, but not enough. And now, Optimus was hurtling down the road with three Decepticons giving close pursuit.
Sam was huddled back in the driver's seat, clutching at the fabric.
Optimus knew that he had to get Sam away from the Decepticons and at the same time, he had to keep the human under close watch. There would be no point to all this if Sam were to simply be caught again by one of the Decepticons pursuing them. And somewhere, in the back of his mind : Optimus knew he needed to get back to Laurelin. Not only for the great comfort it would undoubtedly bring him, but also because Optimus worried the Decepticons got to her to. Dismissing the thought and telling himself that he wouldn't let that happen, Optimus focused on the pressing matters he had at hand. If he could just reach some secluded place, that would give Sam enough cover to escape while he created a distraction…
As if the universe were reading his thoughts, a thick forest came into view as Optimus sped around a wide curve. The trees were packed close enough together that he could drop the human off and let him run to safety while he engaged the Decepticons. Word had come across the comm that Ironhide and Ratchet were quickly closing in. Even Lennox and his men were moving to Optimus's location. So, soon enough : The Decepticons would be grossly outnumbered. All Optimus had to do was hold the three Decepticons off for a short while.
Swerving sharply off the road and heading towards the forest, Optimus tore across the grass-covered ground. Fortunately, the soft ground provided surprisingly good traction against his tires. :: Sam, listen to me ! :: Optimus ordered firmly across the radio as the treeline got closer and closer. :: As soon as I can, I'm going to drop you off in the forest. I want you to run as far and as fast as you can. I will hold the Decepticons off. ::
Despite looking obviously worried, Sam shot a concerned look to the radio : « I… Are you sure ? »
:: We do not have time to debate this, Sam. :: With that, Optimus transformed, letting Sam slide out into his waiting hand. He set the human down, who immediately began sprinting through the woods. Optimus followed closely behind, already hearing the airborne Decepticon swooping down and transforming to attack. « Run, Sam ! Run ! »
Though he heeded Optimus's urging, Sam was still much smaller and couldn't cover as much ground as was needed. He was going to need more time.
Pivoting sharply and bracing himself, Optimus caught the first Decepticon as it made a rough landing. Its helicopter blades had now become considerably lethal weapons, and the Decepticon swung them directly at Optimus's helm. Ducking down as the blades whizzed harmlessly by, Optimus reached out and grabbed the mech's outstretched arm. Yanking it roughly to throw the Decepticon off balance, Optimus grabbed the second set of blades and rammed them clean through the unfortunate mech's chassis. Sparks and Energon sprayed across his armor as the Decepticon made a pained, metallic shriek. Optimus could already hear the second Decepticon charging him from his left. Swinging the heavy body of the first – now dying – Decepticon around, Optimus slammed it against his second attacker. While the impact didn't do much damage, it did succeed in making the mech stagger. The Decepticon lunged at Optimus, firing a blast at him as he did so. It struck across Optimus's shoulder, but didn't cause any severe damage. Unsheathing the deadly blade housed in his right gauntlet, Optimus brought it down in a powerful arc. It tore into armor and severed vital circuitry and tubing. The Decepticon roared in panicked pain, swinging blindly as Optimus landed another – this time lethal – blow.
Realizing that he had lost track of Sam in all of the chaos and confusion, Optimus glanced around quickly. All the while, his thoughts focused on getting through this so that he could see Laurelin once again. He was so busy that he didn't notice Megatron slowly coming up behind him.
« Sam ! Where are you !? »
As soon as the words had left Optimus's vocalizer, pain suddenly erupted clean through his spark. Vital energon and sparks sprayed into the air as Megatron's blade pierced through his back and chassis. Internal alarm systems blared frantically, only adding credence to the shock of the impalement. Despite his reflexive struggles against Megatron's blade, the Autobot leader was unable to free himself. As if to add insult to injury : Megatron hoisted the Prime up into the air, his shoulder joint creaking with the effort. It was a brief moment, though, as Megatron shot a charged blast clean through Optimus's gravely damaged chassis. It tore across his spark, damaging the vital energy source straight to its core.
In that split second, the pain of the impalement seemed to fade. In its place came the crushing realization that Optimus would never see Laurelin again, that he was being forced to abandon her in a world threatened by Decepticons. As his world began to fade into an empty darkness, Optimus's thoughts were solely of Laurelin. His memories were of the short but precious time they had spent together during those two years, everything from the first time they had met to the night where they had been finally able to consummate their love for each other. They had both given into that perfect dream of them being together, but now that dream was lost taken away with a single, brutal moment.
As Megatron withdrew his blade, the sharp metal screeching across wounded armor : Optimus could feel fluid rising to his optics. It was incredibly rare for him, but it was more reflex than anything at this point. And when the blade had been completely wrenched free of his body, Optimus collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash. Though he weakly urged Sam to run, to flee from the threat of the Decepticon leader : Optimus's last word was his beloved's name.
« ...Laurelin. »
From his hiding place : Sam could only watch on in mute, horrified shock as the last threads of life faded from Optimus.
From the direction of the road, the rest of the Autobots were quickly converging on his position. Though they were capable of driving back the Decepticon threat, the loss had already been rendered.
Optimus Prime was dead.
