Optimus gradually regains his senses and slowly open your eyes. It is still lying on the ground in the forest, but the sun is up. He was unconscious the most of the night. His head is still suffering after the blow he has received, and he gets up somehow, still weakened. Around him, the remains of the battle that took place against the Decepticons. He looks around and he sees Chromia in the middle of a pile of rubble, which also recovers her senses.

(Optimus): "Chromia!"

The Autobot leader rushes to his friend for help her. Chromia is still a bit groggy, and Optimus helps her to rise up, gently. The female Autobot shakes the head and looks around her, then to Optimus.

(Chromia): "What's happened?"

(Optimus): "The Decepticons were able to beat us, for the moment. And they have kidnapped Mathias and Emily."

The female Autobot is horrified, but it's the sad truth. Optimus does not stop to think that it's his fault, and he can not imagine what Megatron will dare to do of both young humans. Chromia and Optimus Prime are very worried for them.

(Chromia): "What are we gonna do now?"

(Optimus): "Let's find the others. We will not let Emily and Mathias in this situation."

Chromia has the same and determined look that Optimus, and nods. Both Autobots return to their forms of vehicles and start riding at full speed toward the north, hoping to find the others as quickly as possible.

*********

In the base of the Decepticons, Mathias and Emily walk in a long, dark and disturbing corridor whose walls are covered with spiky metal plates. The two young humans are escorted by two soldiers Decepticons, who grow them when they are not moving fast enough. Emily and Mathias have the hands tied by sophisticated handcuffs, specially made for humans. They come in an even more disturbing piece that resembles the cockpit of a huge alien ship. Megatron is at the center of the room, sitting on his seat and smiled cruelly when he turned to Emily and Mathias. When he rises from his seat and walks towards them, both humans feel fear, but do not show it.

(Megatron): "I guess Optimus Prime has already spoken you about me, right?"

(Emily): "Yes, and we know what you want to do in our planet, but you will not succeed."

Megatron turns to Emily and feels provocation in her voice. He approached the girl and took her by the chin with his metal claws.

(Megatron): "Threats, huh? Rather unusual for a young girl like you. You have courage, for a human."

(Mathias): "Leave her alone, scrap piles!"

Megatron turned to Mathias with a dark look. He grabs him by the throat and began to threaten him.

(Megatron): "How dare you speak to me like that? You have courage too, human, unless you're in a hurry to die?"

Megatron drops Mathias on the floor and the young man rises up, rubbing his throat. The leader of the Decepticons begins to take a few steps to his seat then he turns back to the two humans.

(Megatron): "I know that the Autobots have taken the Allspark, and you were with them at the moment. Tell me where the Allspark is, now!"

(Emily): "I would rather die than betray Optimus and the Autobots!"

Mathias said nothing, but thinks exactly like Emily, having a thought for Chromia. Megatron smiles and chuckles softly, as if he expected to hear this answer.

(Megatron): "Die? No.....Not right now. We have ways of making you talk. I saw how Chromia love you, Mathias, and how Optimus love you, Emily. Perhaps with the special treatment that I prepare for you, they will eventually tell me where the Allspark is. Decepticons, take them to the room 13 and prepare them for treatment."

Mathias and Emily feel the cruelty in the voice of Megatron, but they don't know what they are going to suffer, but with a Decepticon like him, they have to expect the worst.

*********

Meanwhile, Optimus and Chromia managed to call the others and tell them to meet them in a secret place, deep in the forest. Ironhide, Bumblebee, Arcee, Ratchet and Flareup are come. Ironhide has took the Allspark with him and Arcee has the key. When the group of Autobots arrives and sees the faces of Chromia and Optimus, they feel that something went wrong.

(Arcee): "What has happened? Where are Mathias and Emily?"

(Chromia): "We were attacked by the Decepticons. They were more numerous, and Megatron was with them. They have kidnapped Mathias and Emily."

(Ironhide): "Raaaaah! Cowards of Decepticons! When I'll find them, they will taste my guns!"

(Optimus): "We do not know what they could do to our friends, but with Megatron, I fear the worst for the life of Emily and Mathias."

Unfortunately, while the group thinks the same thing. Megatron is probably the most dangerous and powerful Decepticon, and his cruelty is without limitation, especially to the races he considers as inferior or useless, like humans. Optimus suddenly receives a transmission from Megatron. Optimus decides to respond to the message and presses the button. A giant virtual screen materializes in front of the Autobots, and Megatron appears in the screen. The Autobots do not say anything, and Optimus sighs of anger at seeing his nemesis. Megatron begins to speak provocatively.

(Megatron): "Optimus Prime and the Autobots. Thanks to reply to my message. I would go straight to the point: I know that you have the Allspark, and I suggest you give it to me."

(Optimus): "Never!"

(Megatron): "I knew you'd say that, but I don't really give you a choice, and I have an argument to prove it."

The Decepticon deviates himself from the screen to show something to the Autobots: Mathias and Emily are attached at two metal tables and surrounded by Decepticons. Seeing this, all the Autobots are shocked, especially Chromia and Optimus. Mathias and Emily turned to look at the screen and with fear in their eyes.

(Chromia): "MATHIAS, NO!!"

(Optimus): "EMILY!!! Megatron, let them alone! This fight is between you and me, not them!"

(Megatron): "That's where you're wrong, Optimus. By taking these two humans under your protection, you have taken them in the conflict, and now they will suffer the consequences."

The leader of the Decepticons snaps his fingers, and the soldiers began to send electric shocks to Mathias and Emily. Both humans screaming in pain. The pain is unbearable and very painful, and the Decepticons seem to take pleasure in torturing them. Chromia and Optimus see it with horror. Chromia can not bear to see Mathias undergo this torture, and grits her teeth. Optimus clenches his fists and growls of anger, but seeing Emily suffer like that, he can not prevent himself to feel fear and sadness. Hear them screaming in pain is unbearable. Megatron orders the soldiers to stop. The electricity stops, and Mathias and Emily retake their breath, but they still suffer from electrical shocks. Megatron turned back to the Autobots.

(Megatron): "What you see was just a demonstration. I'll leave you 2 days to bring me the Allspark and the key, in the city of Toronto. Otherwise, I'll kill your two loves without hesitation, and I will send videos to show how I did."

(Chromia): "Megatron, let us talk to Mathias and Emily!"

(Megatron): "! I'll let you 2 days. You make me laugh. Your love and devotion to humans is your greatest weakness."

With these words, Megatron cuts the transmission. Chromia and Optimus sit themselves on the ground, and a dead silence fell on the forest.

(Ratchet): "What are we gonna do?"

(Optimus): "I think we have no choice."

The other Autobots watching Optimus with amazement.

(Flareup): "Optimus! Are you serious? You can not give the Allspark to Megatron!".

(Chromia): "Emily and Mathias do not deserve to suffer for us but on the other hand, we can not give the Allspark, otherwise all will be lost!".

Optimus gets up and starts to walk slowly towards the forest. He needs to be alone, and it's understandable. Chromia remains seated, and her two sisters come to comfort her. Now the Autobots are faced with a terrible choice. What's going to happen next?

TO BE CONTINUED