{{disambig3|Darkest Hour}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 52
|prev=Regeneration (Prime)
|next=
|image=
|caption=
|title="Darkest Hour"
|airdate=[[November 2]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Megatron's plans force Optimus to make a risky decision that could have inescapable consequences for the entire Autobot team.'''

==Synopsis==
The two groups stand on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], staring each other down. While the [[Autobot]]s have the [[Omega Key]]s, the [[Decepticon]]s have [[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] orders [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] to get ready to expose Jack to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere. Though the kids are ready to sacrifice themselves to save the planet, [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] isn't, and the Autobots throw down their weapons. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] hands over his key in exchange for Miko, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] hands over his for Raf, and Megatron insists that as someone who was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Jack is surely worth two keys, so Arcee and Smokescreen are compelled to hand over their keys. The exchange done, a [[space bridge]] opens and the Autobots are quickly surrounded by [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]].

On [[Earth]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] gets a call from [[June Darby]], who's unable to find Jack. Ratchet is more concerned with keeping the comm lines clear, unaware that the kids are on Cybertron, where at that moment the Decepticons are activating the [[Omega Lock]]. At a touch from Megatron, the lock sends out a beam of energy that recreates a nearby building in pristine condition. Though Optimus requests he be allowed to take the [[human]]s back to Earth, Megatron announces they'll be safer where they are. He has Starscream fire up the space bridge and shoots another beam from the Omega Lock through it. The beam strikes near [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]], where June stops trying to contact Jack to watch the beam strike ground, and Ratchet finds all of the base's systems are disrupted.

Miko doesn't see the problem with the Omega Lock restoring Earth until Optimus points out that the Omega Lock will turn her planet into a metallic world like Cybertron, killing all organic life. As Megatron gloats that he will have two worlds to rule, Optimus finally snaps and grabs the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Though Megatron tries to respond with the [[Dark Star Saber]], Optimus neatly cleaves his arm off before stomping on Starscream and striking the Omega Lock with the sword. A massive explosion ensues.

Ratchet's equipment clears up in time to get a transmission from Optimus requesting a space bridge. The Autobots retreat through back to Earth, while Starscream cuts off a quip from [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to suggest he tend to Megatron. Though Starscream is furious at Prime's actions, Megatron laughs as he knows the Autobots will find their base is no longer a safe haven.

Ratchet is aghast as the Autobots return carrying the children, and even more so when they tell him Optimus has destroyed the Omega Lock. While he's pointing out that Optimus has thrown away any hope for a restored Cybertron, the discussion is cut short by a call from [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]], suggesting they take a look outside. As they step out on top of the mountain, the Autobots see that a huge [[New Kaon (fortress)|Cybertronian fortress]] now stands right on their doorstep. Fowler wonders why they picked Jasper, but as the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' arrives, Optimus realizes that the Decepticons have found the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]]. After a speech from Megatron, Starscream launches his armada of Vehicons, followed by the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] horde. The Autobots retreat into the base, but Fowler jumps back into his helicopter and flies directly through the oncoming Decepticon formations. While he's soon outgunned and being chased by Vehicons, the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'' streaks into view—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] has come to lend a hand.

Optimus orders the Autobots to abandon base, splitting up to different parts of the [[United States of America|USA]]. Outside, Fowler avoids more Decepticons only to see the ''Nemesis'' moving into position over the Autobot base. The Autobots quickly start moving out through the space bridge. June, driving her car along a Jasper road, is attacked by a Vehicon that Fowler destroys before picking her up. Starscream manages to shoot down the ''Jackhammer'' which plunges to Earth. As [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] heads out, Optimus tells Ratchet that he will make sure the Decepticons can't follow them, shortly before the medic leaves. Optimus moves to use the Star Saber to destroy the space bridge controls, but at that moment his task is rendered moot as the ''Nemesis'' fires, destroying the Autobot base in a huge explosion. Megatron and Starscream fly down to the remains, landing on the Autobot [[insignia]] so they can gloat, while a short distance away, Optimus's arm sticks out of the rubble.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (2)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (18)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)
* [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (17)
|c3=
* [[Jack Darby]] (7)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (11)
* [[June Darby]] (15)
* [[William Fowler]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I guess we should cancel the welcome home party."
:—'''Knock Out''' makes an ill-timed quip.

"Optimus... ''we needed that''."
:—'''Ratchet''' expresses his dismay over Optimus's actions.

"Our opportunity to revive Cybertron has been lost, due to the treachery of Optimus Prime. But from our fortress of New Kaon, we will instead seize control of THIS world! '''Decepticons! Transform and rise up!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' gives his army a motivational speech as the onslaught begins.

"And that's how you wreck a Wrecker!"
:—'''Starscream''' bragging as he shoots down Wheeljack's ship.

"I... never imagined it would end like this." 
''[Heads through the GroundBridge]'' 
"Neither did I, old friend." 
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the breaking of <s>the Fellowship</s> [[Team Prime]].

"This is the place all right." 
"This ''was'' the place."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''' land in the smoking hole where the Autobot base used to be.

"United we stand, divided they fall."
:—'''Starscream''' continues to gloat at what is left of the Autobot base.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* As in previous episodes, Megatron's jet mode retains the fusion cannon even though he no longer has it. Taking it a step further, his transformation appears unaffected by the absence of his right arm.

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron remembers that Jack was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]] back in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]".
* Ratchet vaguely references the events of "[[Hurt]]" when expressing surprise at Wheeljack's arrival. This also seems to be the reason why no one enlisted his aid for the events of the previous episode.
*Airachnid was still being held in that stasis pod when the Autobot Base blew up, so it can be assumed that she was killed. ''Assumed'' being the key word...

===Transformers references===
* "[[Darkest hour]]", yet again.
* Megatron commands his troops to "Transform and rise up!", a phrase coined by the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]].
* The red panel Megatron activates on the Omega Lock resembles an [[energon star]].
* Starscream refers to the silver Decepticon flyers in this episode as [[Cyclonus's Armada#The Transformers cartoon|his armada]].
* This isn't the [[Dark_Designs|first]] [[Transformers:_Revenge_of_the_Fallen_(film)|time]] an Optimus slices off a Megatron's arm

===Real-world references===
* The laser used by the ''Nemesis'' to destroy the Autobot base is a reference to the city-destroying weapons used by the alien saucers in ''[[wikipedia:Independence Day (film)|Independence Day]]''.

===Trivia===
[[Image:PrimeDarkestHourStarscreamsArmadaSingle.jpg|thumb|250px|ARE YOU SARAH CONNOR?]]
* A new type of Decepticon flyer debuts, sporting a silver and grey paint job.
* June Darby makes an appearance after a 23-episode absence.
* This is the first time we see a Spacebridge portal open facing downward and the second time we see a portal open North-South.
* June bought a new car, after her old one was destroyed in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* It looks like this is another one for the collection of [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime]], which will make this twice in one series that Prime has died - once metaphorically, once literally.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]