Hey everyone! All right this is it! I'm actually kind of sad. Except for a really short epilogue after this chapter it's the end of my first ever fanfiction! I hope everybody liked the story and is looking forward to the sequel! Love for all!
Chapter 15: For Good
"Phoenix, Phoenix, honey, it's time to go." Optimus shook Phoenix awake gently.
Phoenix woke up slowly, unsure of what was going on. When she remembered tears welled up in her eyes.
"Do we still have time to say good-bye?"
"Yes." Optimus wiped a tear away gently.
They both went over to the crib that was set up in the corner of the room and gazed down at their five-month-old daughter, Cicada.
"I'll miss her so much!" Phoenix cried.
Optimus held her close. Knowing what had to be done didn't make the situation any easier. He reached down and picked up the sleeping baby, trying not to wake her. He held her close to her chest and whispered his blessings in her ear. She could not understand what was being said, but it didn't matter.
As he placed her back in the crib, Phoenix was wracked with shuddering sobs.
"We love you sweetie." She whispered.
"We will always love you, Cicada…" Optimus added, his voice shaking.
The sad parents slowly walked out of the room. As they shut the door behind them, they heard Cicada wake up and scream, sobbing. Phoenix pulled back, trying to get to her daughter, but Optimus held her firm.
"We have to leave. Bumblebee will take good care of her."
Phoenix bit down hard on her trembling lip, but nodded. They reached the entrance and were about to go out the door when they were stopped by none other than Bumblebee, now holding a calm, happy Cicada.
"I was looking for you guys!" He grinned. "Cicada was crying, but she's ok now." He then noticed that Phoenix was dressed for the cool weather outside and they were both standing by the door.
"Where are you going?" He asked suspiciously.
"Bumblebee," Optimus spoke quietly, "We've discovered how to stop Starscream's plan, but we have to go now, or we'll miss our chance."
It was a long drive to where the hole was and time was of the essence.
Bumblebee looked shocked. "Good!" He said, and before they could stop him he had called the Ratchet, Ironhide, Sam and Michaela.
"What's going on?" Sam asked.
"Optimus and Phoenix know how to stop Starscream." Bumblebee informed them.
"And you were going without us? Why you little…" Ironhide began.
Optimus interrupted them all. "The plan only requires Phoenix and I. None of you should come."
"We're all coming!" Ratchet said firmly. This was one time he was not going to obey commands from the leader.
"Ratchet's right!" Bumblebee agreed. "But who will stay with Cicada?"
Phoenix sighed and took the baby from him. "It won't be dangerous." She said softly. "She can come… I want a little more time with her." She added, only loud enough for Optimus to hear.
Optimus nodded.
"So what's the plan?" Ironhide asked.
Optimus didn't answer. "Let's go." He said. "Autobots transform and roll out!"
Phoenix was seated inside Optimus and contemplating what was to come. She tried not to dwell on it as she gazed down at her now wide-awake five month old. Cicada was having the time of her life, trying to squirm out of her mother's grip to explore the truck. Phoenix laughed at her attempts.
"She'll be strong like you, Optimus!" She smiled.
She told the little girl stories about the time he had fought against Starscream in the town. That reminded her of when they had gone trick or treating so she told her about that too.
"I hate that she won't remember this!" Phoenix said.
"The others will tell her. Maybe one day she'll meet Madi." The truck rumbled.
Phoenix smiled. "Little Madi. I'll miss her!"
She fell asleep holding Cicada while they drove. When their destination was reached Optimus jerked to a stop, waking her up.
"Let's go." Optimus said.
Phoenix leapt from the seat and he transformed. Cicada laughed and clapped her hands, having come to know whom her daddy was. Phoenix shrunk him so that he could see his child. He swung her around playfully and lifted her up to kiss. Phoenix watched him with tears in her eyes.
"You do make a great dad!" She grinned.
The other Autobots and Sam and Michaela came up to them.
"What's our plan of action, sir?" Ratchet asked.
"Well let's take a walk." Optimus replied.
With Cicada in one arm, he took Phoenix's hand and together they walked through the woods. Everything became increasingly familiar to Phoenix as she discovered the paths she'd walked a hundred times before. After a while they reached a clearing. Although the sun was now setting well below the trees she recognized the place.
"This is where my parents died." She said out loud.
"This is as far as we'll bring them." Optimus whispered into her ear. "It's time."
Phoenix nodded and took Cicada from him. She walked over to Bumblebee and placed her into his palm.
"Take care of her ok?"
"I will." Bumblebee smiled. "Wait! What's going on? You're here to take care of her!"
Phoenix just shook her head and smiled at him sadly.
"The time has come. Starscream is creating the Earthspark as we speak." Optimus said.
Everyone knew it was true. They could feel the deep tremors in the earth.
Optimus continued, "What he doesn't know is that the power he's creating will destroy him. Once it does, it will become out of control and destroy the earth. Phoenix and I can fix it though. I can destroy the Allspark part…"
"And I can fix the core." Phoenix said, holding up her palm.
"That's great!" Bumblebee said. "So you can go do that and you'll be right back!"
Phoenix shook her head again. "We're not coming back Bee."
"No!" Bumblebee moaned, "You have to come back!"
He stepped forward, but it was Ironhide who put up an arm to hold him back.
"They're right." He said gruffly, trying to hide his sorrow.
"This is the only way." Ratchet said sadly.
Optimus nodded and turned to Bumblebee. "You must be strong. You're the leader now."
"I'm not ready!" Bumblebee cried.
Sam and Michaela both had tears streaming down their faces.
"You're really not coming back are you?" Michaela asked.
Phoenix hugged her and Sam tightly. "Good-bye." She said softly.
She looked at Bumblebee who was still in despair.
"You have to be strong ok?" She said, but this time no tears escaped her. "Be strong for Ironhide and Ratchet, and Sam and Michaela. Everyone's counting on you. Especially me. Be strong for Cicada, Bumblebee."
Her words finally seemed to get through. Bumblebee held the little baby close.
"For Cicada." He repeated.
Phoenix nodded and finally reassured that everything was going to be all right. She took Optimus's hand and they said their last fare well. As they walked into the woods Phoenix remembered something.
"Do you remember the time I sang to you, Big Guy?"
"I do, Little One."
Phoenix began to sing, soft and sweet. The words were different this time, but still held the same meaning.
"It well may be,
That we will never meet again,
In this life time,
So let me say before we part,
So much of me,
Is made of what I've learned from you,
You'll be with me,
Like a handprint on my heart.
And now whatever way our stories end,
I know you have rewritten mine,
By being my friend.
Like a ship blown from it's mooring,
By a wind off the sea.
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird,
In a distant wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you,
I have been changed...
For good.
Optimus held her close as they reached the way to the Earthspark. Together they could destroy it, together they could overcome it. As long as they were together they could do anything, for good.