The Champion's Return

Stormy Weather

Hope moved through the barren land. She was surrounded by high canyons and her feet padded softly down the dusty path. The sky was filled with stars but no life moved around her.

Strangely it all felt familiar somehow. As she continued to walk, she felt a presence beside her. Looking over, she saw the image of an old mech. Hope stopped in her tracks and faced him.

"Who are you?"

"I am Primus child. You do not remember me?"

"I'm sorry but no. Why? Should I know you?"

The old mech smiled with a hint of sadness. He walked closer to Hope but she felt no fear, only the need to sooth the pain he radiated. 

"Why are you sad?" She wondered out loud.

"The world I helped create is gone and its inhabitants scattered to the winds."

Hope looked around and saw the remains of multiple buildings. It appeared that they stood in the midst of a destroyed city.

"They have need of you back on Earth. Protect my children and remember who you are, my champion. "

Before Hope could respond, the ground started shaking and she was knocked to the dirt. Under her the ground cracked and heaved, splitting apart. A wave of terror shook her body and she fell screaming into the abyss.

*****************

Optimus ran through the woods towards base, Hope's limp body in his servo. Panic shot through him with each step he took. The on-coming storm echoed his steps as he got closer to base. Suddenly he felt her stir and he slowed his steps.

Hope blinked up at him, her eyes wide and unfocused. One moment she was falling into darkness, the next secure in his servo. As she sat up, twin bolts of panic shot through her once again. Clutching her chest, she sent back  reassurance to her brothers. The answering message was full of concern and questions.

"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are worried."

"They're not the only ones."

Hope peeked over the edge of his servo to view the base below them. What had begun as a thunderstorm had turned into a destructive force of nature. Strong winds swept the woods around them.

"They're securing the base due to high winds. We need to get inside." he shouted over the din.

She tried to answer but her words were swept away in the screaming wind. Optimus quickened his pace until they reached the base of the valley and he was able to transform to vehicle mode. His wheels hit the dirt hard and with Hope safely inside the cab, he resumed the race to base.

As they pulled through the closing doors, Optimus pulled to a stop in the midst of confusion.  Soldiers and Autobots alike worked fast to secure the base. Both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe stopped what they were doing and approached Optimus. 

Before they could take Hope, Optimus spoke up. "Status report on all Autobots and base personal."

The twins came to a halt and stood at attention.

"We're only missing Bumblebee now that you and Hope have returned. "

"Where is Bumblebee?"

The twins snapped their attention to Hope as she spoke. Once again Sideswipe held out his servo and this time she stepped on. Raising her up to his optic level, she placed her palms on both sides of his face plate. A raw feeling of panic bubbled up inside her.

Before they could answer, a new voice piped in.

"Prime! Mother Nature has her britches in a knot! Crew reports a tornado heading this way in ten minutes. Get your soldiers underground!"

Hope's gaze snapped to the black man standing on a nearby balcony.

"Agent Fowler, we are missing Bumblebee. Have your scanners picked him up?"

"Sir! There's a black and yellow camero headed this way at a high rate of speed!"

Jack ran onto the balcony next to Agent Fowler.

"Raf's with him!"

Optimus turned his attention to the main screen where the image of Bumblebee was displayed. In the distance Hope could see the tornado approaching with Bumblebee maybe a mile ahead of it. She didn't know who Raf was but she sensed his importance to the team.

Optimus turned to the twins. "Take Hope down below to safety."

They nodded and turned towards the back of the base when a tree came hurtling through a window. Sunstreaker dodged but Sideswipe wasn't so lucky. The trunk clipped him and he lost his grip on Hope, sending her flying to the side.

Hope groaned in pain and lifted blurry eyes to the ceiling where a gaping hole now existed. The door widened and the yellow camero zipped through, coming to a stop just feet away from her. Sunstreaker rolled and scooped her up before Bee's door could hit her.

To their horror, the sound of tearing metal was heard as the roof slowly bowed to the wind. Pieces of metal and glass rained down on them as the tornado approached.  They all ran for the underground hold and made it, save Bumblebee.

The wind picked him up like a toy as he held  onto the bay doors. Hope could see the frightened face of a young man inside Bumblebee.

"We have to help them!"