Transformers Prime (Relics and Keys)

Chapter 14- Darkest Hour (Part 2)

One of the lasers hit the side of the helicopter. The Insecticons fly in his path. Just then, they're shot out of the sky. The Jackhammer flies down as it shoots down the Vehicons. Back at the Base, the Autobots and their human friends hear from Fowler.

"Prime, reinforcements just arrived." Fowler informed over the radio.

"Agent Fowler, your military cannot prevail against the-" Optimus is interrupted by a familiar voice.

"You didn't think I was gonna let team Prime have all the fun, did you?" Wheeljack asked over the video.

"Wheeljack!" Periwinkle says in surprise.

"Jackie!" Bulkhead exclaimed happily.

"Wheeljack? But how did you-" Rachet asked, but is interrupted by Wheeljack.

"I picked up a strange energy surge. Hope you don't mind the company." Wheeljack replied over the video.

"No. It's just that after everything...well..." Rachet explained.

"We're still on the same team, Doc. Always will be." Wheeljack stated over the video.

"Be careful, okay." Periwinkle tells him.

"Don't worry, Pera. I got this." Wheeljack reassured.

He shoots down several Insecticons while piloting the Jackhammer. Back in the Base, Optimus makes another shocking decision.

"Ratchet, prepare to Bridge everyone out of here." Optimus ordered.

"We're abandoning the Base?" Rachet asked in disbelief.

"The Base is lost. Wheeljack and Agent Fowler can only buy us time to escape. Bumblebee, Rafael, you will depart first." said Optimus.

Bumblebee beeps in response.

"You're splitting us up?" Raf asked.

"Shouldn't we stick together?" Jack asked.

"All for one and one for all?" Miko added.

"This is a bad idea." Lydia stated.

"We must disperse to avoid capture until we can regroup and launch a counterattack. Survival is our only priority now." Optimus points out.

Meanwhile, Fowler flies his helicopter away from the Insecticons. Two Insecticons crash into each other, exploding into scrap upon impact. The Decepticon warship hovers above the Autobot Base. Megatron walks towards the pointed edge, his right arm still missing. Back in the Base, Bumblebee transforms into his vehicle mode.

Raf gets inside the backseat. Bumblebee drives through the Ground Bridge. Rachet sets the coordinates to Texas. Miko gets inside Bulkhead, Jack gets on Arcee, and Lydia gets on Periwinkle. Miko looks at Jack and Lydia sadly before Bulkhead drives them through the Ground Bridge.

The next coordinates are set. Jack puts on his helmet before Arcee drives them through the Ground Bridge. Rachet sets the next coordinates to New York. Lydia sadly glances at Optimus, who gives her a sympathetic expression. Periwinkle drives through the Ground Bridge with Lydia on her.

Meanwhile, June drive towards the Base with Fiona in the passenger seat. They look up to see the Decepticon warship hovering over the Base. An Insecticon shoots at them from behind. This causes June to spin on the road before it stops.

The Insecticon transforms into it's robot form and approaches the car. June gasps in fear before honking the horn. Fiona places her hand protectively on June's shoulder while looking at the Insecticon in shock. Just as the Insecticon aimed its ion blaster at them, Fowler shoots at it.

The Insecticon corpse collapses on June's car. The two women get out of the car and see Fowler's helicopter hoving over the ground. Their hair blows back from the spinning rotor blade. They walk towards the helicopter. Starscream fires two missiles at the Jackhammer. Wheeljack tries the steer the Jackhammer away, but the missiles hit his ship. The Jackhammer crashes against the ground.

"And that's how you wreck a Wrecker!" Starscream laughed.

Back at the Base, Smoke salutes Optimus before transforming into a sports car. He drives through the Ground Bridge. The Base rumbles a bit. Rachet looks at Optimus.

"What about you?" Rachet asked.

"I will ensure that the Decepticons cannot follow." Optimus replied.

Rachet walks towards the Ground Bridge.

"I...never imagined it would end like this." Rachet says sadly.

He walks through the Ground Bridge before it deactivates.

"Neither did I, old friend." said Optimus.

He looks at the switch. Outside, the Decepticon warship unleashed a machine gun. It crackles with red energy, aiming it at the Base. Fowler, Fiona, and June look at it in shock while in the helicopter. In the Base, Optimus brings out the Star Saber and raises it above the switch. He brings down the Star Saber at the switch. At the same time, a red energy beam destroys the Autobot Base. It is now on in flaming ruins.

"No." June whispered in horror.

"My baby." Fiona murmured.

Tears started falling from her face. Fowler closes his eyes in sorrow. Megatron and Starscream fly down at the flaming ruins of the Base. They transform back into their robot forms and land on the Autobot insignia.

"This is the place, all right." Starscream confirmed.

"This was the place." Megatron corrected.

"United we stand, divided they fall." Starscream sneered.

Unknown to them, Optimus' arm sticks out of the rubble, glitching.