A couple years ago...

Optimus groaned as his optics flickered open. His chassis was throbbing exponentially, but this worst pain was coming from his midsection. His vision still blurry, he looked down and tried to focus his optics on the blue blur. As his optics adjusted, he found that he had a large gash down his midsection, which was bleeding profusely. He groaned again, pain flaring up his entire chassis. He strained his neck cords to see where he was. He was hanging by chains, wrapped around his wrists, pedes hanging just over the floor. Energon was leaking from several wounds, the largest of which he had already seen. Another bad wound was along his arm, making it hurt even more as it strained from the chains. Panic flooded his chest chassis as he realized that he was alone in the small cell.

He realized slowly that he was on the Nemesis, remembering that he and the remaining Autobots had been captured. His spark sank harshly as he remembered Bulkhead's colorless face, his faded optics. He resisted sobbing; even if he was alone, he could not allow himself to lose it now. If he was going to get out of there, he needed to remain calm. Even so, he felt lubricant rising in his optics.

Suddenly, the door flew open with a swoosh, and a thin seeker stalked into the room, his derma twisted up in a cruel smile. Optimus' optics narrowed, swallowing the lubricant. He felt anger rise in his chest chassis, and he grit his denta.

"Starscream," he growled, his voice hoarse and quieter than he wanted it.

The said mech's twisted grin grew even bigger. "Oh, how pathetic you look," he sneered. "I though the others looked miserable, but the sight of you has changed my mind." His scarlett optics gleamed with glee when the Prime's own optics widened at the mention of the other Autobots.

"Where are they?" Optimus asked simply, praying that the boasting seeker would slip him at least some information.

Starscream laughed. "Oh, I don't think you would want to know. I'm sure Lord Megatron, however, would be happy to tell you."

Optimus remained silent, glaring daggers at the seeker.

"Isn't it funny? We were always searching for the location of the Autobot base, so that we could destroy you," Starscream rambled, his chest chassis puffed out. "But now, it seems that is no longer necessary. We have destroyed over half of you, and the rest of you are in our grasp!" He scowled when he got no reaction from the Prime. "Where we can do whatever we want with you!"

Optimus still said nothing, deciding it was better if he didn't answer the Deception second-in-command.

This made Starscream annoyed. "Well, don't go getting your T-Cog in a bunch," he muttered, crossing his arms. He remained silent for a few moments more, just enough time for the door to open again, and a large, menacing figure to arrive in the doorway.

"Well," Megatron mused, his derma twisted into a smirk. "It's quite a surprise to arrive here without hearing you in the middle of some speech, Starscream."

The offended seeker opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it and closed it again, groaning slightly. Megatron slowly strode in, towering over Starscream, but at optic level with the hanging Optimus. Megatron went right up to his faceplate, his own twisted in a sneer. Optimus didn't say anything, only hardened his gaze, his derma set in a thin line.

"It seems I have you at my mercy, Prime," Megatron spat finally, sliding a clawed digit under Optimus' chin, close to his neck cables.

"So it does," Optimus said simply, his optics narrowing even more.

Megatron growled. "Don't you want to know where the rest of your friends are?"

This did get a reaction out of the Prime, making him reel back slightly. The way Megatron had said it, the murderous gleam in his blood red optics... Optimus knew that it meant everything but good.

"Lucky for you, they seem eager to find out your fate as well, Optimus Prime," Starscream chuckles from behind the warlord.

Megatron suddenly lurched forward, making Optimus cringe. He felt pressure leave his wrists and shoulder plates, just before his chassis fell forward, nearly colliding with the warlord's own chest chassis. Megatron chuckled at the Prime, denta glinting as he watched him writhe in pain. He grabbed Optimus' wrists and dragged him forward a few inches, pulling him close to his faceplate.

"Let's go meet them, shall we?" he hissed with a smirk.

He turned sharply, still holding his wrists, dragging the Prime through the room. Starscream smiled evilly at him, walking just behind Optimus. Occasionally, as he was pulled through the hall, the seeker would kick his legs harshly. Optimus couldn't struggle or protest, for while he didn't have the strength, there also wasn't any point. He merely held back his cries of pain as his chassis scarped across the floor. Eventually, he was dragged into a larger room, but he couldn't see what was there on account that the lights were dim and his helm was hanging, his neck cables aching. He felt the pressure from his wrist give, and a split second later his faceplate hit the floor. He heard a small chuckle coming from Megatron.

"<O-Optimus?>" came a weak, warbled voice.

The Prime jumped from the floor, lifting his faceplate quickly. His optics widened in horror as he saw the rest of his team, all hanging from Energon chains, their knees on the floor, helms hanging tiredly. Bumblebee was barely conscious, his optics flickering in and out, which was no surprise considering all the wounds he had been given all over his chassis. He looked panicked and terrified, his chassis shaking violently when he saw his leader. Ultra Magnus was fully conscious, and for once looked seriously angry. He was practically fuming, glaring holes into Megatron's helm. His own chassis was nearly unharmed, the only major problems being the large dent on his helm and a large gash near his neck cables. Ratchet was hanging limply, his optics closed. Energon was still leaking from the gash on his optic, suggesting that it hadn't been long since their capture. His faceplate was twisted in a grimace of pain, and the rest of his chassis was painted with Energon from recently inflicted wounds. His vent was coming out rattled and shaky.

"My newest playthings are starting to bore me," Megatron mused. "You have raised a stubborn team, Optimus; they refused to scream even once."

"Their whimpers could only satisfy enough for a little while," Starscream sneered.

Megatron took a step back and kicked Optimus' side, near the gash on his midsection. "So I thought I would bring out something to liven the mood." He took Optimus' helm and pulled him up, just before slamming his fist into Optimus stomach. Several times.

"<No!>" Bumblebee cried, struggling against the bonds. "<Stop!>"

Ultra Magnus' faceplate turned up into a growl, while Ratchet was roused from the noise, his remaining optic widening at what he saw.

Megatron through the Prime into the wall with a smirk. "But the one I want to hear scream the most is you, Optimus." He turned on one pede and stalked toward the chained Autobots.

Optimus slowly got up the best he could, leaning on the wall, watching the warlord carefully.

Megatron stopped in front of Bumblebee and drew his blade. The scout looked at him in horror as he grinned darkly, sharp denta gleaming.

"Who should I bring down first, Prime?" he chuckled. "Your beloved scout?" He placed the blade under the terrified bot's helm.

Optimus glared darkly at the warlord. "You have no reason for torture."

Megatron took the blade away from Bumblebee, turning towards the old medic. "No reason other than pleasure, yes," he sneered, this time putting his blade away and aiming his plasma cannon at Ratchet's helm. "How about your precious lap dog? He has felt so much pain. Maybe I should end it, here and now."

"Megatron," Optimus warmed, despite the fact he was in no position to stop him.

The Decepticon leader smirked, turning his canon away quickly and stalking towards Ultra Magnus. "While destroying him may not have the same effect as the other two," he growled, drawing his blade and raising his arm above his helm.

Optimus' optics widened as he realized that he was serious. He was going to do it. He pushed off the wall to leap forward and stop him, but Starscream held him back.

"Any last words, commander?" The warlord hissed, his blade at the ready.

Ultra Magnus simply glared at him with pure hatred and stubbornness. "You will never prevail, Megatron."

The Decepticon leader's faceplate turned into one of anger and disgust. "You will never know, Ultra Magnus," he snarled, throwing his blade down at Ultra Magnus' neck cables.

"NO!!"

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Ugh, the last part was so hard to write....

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh I hate writing these sad parts... but at the same time I don't. I'm so weird.

I mean, this story is supposed to be sad so I just have to deal with it....

Kay bye...

*waves*