Forward

Forward is the eighteenth and final episode of the third season of Sandguardians and the fiftieth overall.

Plot
At DotCom, ONC reinforcements move up closer towards the base. Their attacks are endless. Legend regroups with Claire, Gates, & Bart and urges them to get to the pipe while he holds them off. However, the three refuse to leave Mickey behind, who is injured out on the battlefield. A pair of ONC guards suddenly flank the group but Legend quickly kills them. As the ONC guards move closer, Legend tells them that they may have to leave Mickey behind, else they die too. Bart, in a fit of fury, strides over behind an adjacent piece of cover and yells to Mickey, urging him to stand.

A weakened Mickey manages to shoot Bernard in the back, but the latter quickly knocks him to the ground. Bernard then proceeds to mock Mickey and the Guardians, comparing them to cockroaches rather than freedom-fighters. Mickey, in response, calls Bernard and his men lab monkies working for a pair of tyrants. Bernard then assures him that the Guardians will not stop him from rising up the ranks of the ONC. Mickey simply laughs and explains that he feels sorry for him. Bernard, finished toying with him, proceeds to kill Mickey with his brute shot.

Legend, Claire, Gates, and Bart watch in horror. Bart goes ballistic and fires haphazardly, while Claire and Gates flee into the pipe. Gates yells for Legend and Bart as the two make their way to the pipe. Bart is suddenly shot at and collapses, injured. Legend is shot at too as Bernard and his men surround him. In a last-ditch effort, Legend tosses Gates the Life Saver and tells him to be strong. He then fires at the pile of propane tanks next to the pipe, causing them to explode. The explosion then causes the entrance to the pipe to collapse, as Gates retreats inside with the Life Saver before the entrance closes.

In an unknown location, Dax awakens to see Jason and himself in different colored armor. Jason explains "they" gave it to them, prompting Dax to ask who "they" are. Confused, Jason realizes that Dax doesn't remember arriving in the area nor the events of yesterday. All Dax remembers is Seal's sacrifice. Allan suddenly enters and informs Dax that they're at the Guardian base. Dax asks Allan what will happen to the others. Allan replies that there's nothing they can do for them now and leaves.

On his way out, Allan punches the wall and screams in frustration. Ichabod stands over him and tells him to get up but Allan doesn't. Icky then calls out Dax and Jason and informs them that the Guardians want to speak with them about the Project Genesis files they recovered. Overwhelmed and scared, Dax refuses and states that he just wants to go home, not wanting to see any more of his friends get hurt, killed, or leave. Icky tries to convince him to have hope but Dax remains upset, stating that neither Legend nor Seal can help them now. Icky argues that leaving will not solve anything, and asks if Legend or Seal would want him to give up. Dax states their opinions don't matter since they're not here. As a result, Icky allows him to leave. Dax, however, doesn't. Icky, seeing that he is hurting, comforts both Dax and Jason and explains they can still bring the ONC to justice with the info they have.

The three then oversee a hole in the ground leading to an underground base, with Icky stating that the Guardian base is a lot bigger than they think. Worried if Allan will be okay, Dax, trying to be optimistic, states that maybe the others are still alive somehow. Icky nods in response. Dax then hops down the hole; Jason follows suit. Ichabod takes a deep breath and hops down as well.

Guardians

 * Ichabod
 * Jason
 * Dax
 * Allan
 * Mickey
 * Bartholomew
 * Claire

Blue Team

 * Legend

Red Team

 * Gates

ONC

 * Bernard
 * Several soldiers

Transcript

 * [[File:Sandguardians_Episode_50.pdf]]

Music

 * "Clash Defiant" by Kevin MacLeod
 * "Ghostpocalypse - 1 Departure" by Kevin MacLeod
 * "Just As Soon" by Kevin MacLeod
 * "I'm Not Dreaming" by Josh Woodward

Trivia

 * This is the second longest-running episode of the series, behind Birthday Bash!
 * The POV shot of Dax opening his eyes occurs for a third time this season. The first time being in Imprisoned and the second in Early in the Mourning.
 * The scene where Legend shoots the propane tank in order to close off the opening to the pipe was inspired by the eighteenth episode of Red vs. Blue: Season 11.