*I don't own Transformers or anything affiliated with Transformers. I only own my original characters and plots. All rights go to Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg.*

My breath caught in my throat as my half of the car flipped over on its side. The car had been sawed in half and luckily none of us were hurt. Sam stood up and pulled me up from my seat before going over to help Mikaela.

What I wasn't prepared for when I turned around was Starscream's face in front of my own. He leaned over all of us and muttered something in a different language before standing back up. His optics never left my eyes and I swallowed as he smiled at me the very same way he did just two years ago; this time there was a certain morality hidden behind it. I took a step back and Mikaela grabbed my arm.

I turned around to see a new robot; one that I had never seen before though I had a very vague idea of who it might be. A fierce growl escaped his throat as his focus shifted to me and then to Sam.

"Come here, boy." His voice was deep, villainous, and filled with immense authority. This must be the Decepticon leader who was also known as Megatron. I was a little confused as to how he was alive, but right now I was a little more focused on the fact that he was standing merely seven feet in front of me.

Sam gulped before stepping forward. Megatron turned his attention to me. "You too, girl."

My eyes widened and Mikaela's hand tightened around my arm. I gently removed her hand from my arm and stepped forward. Sam looked at me in horror before grabbing me by the arm and stepping in front of me in a protective notion. He began pulling us down the stairs.

"You remember me, don't you?" Megatron said to Sam. My heart was beating so fast.

"Look. I did what you said, okay? Just don't hurt them," Sam told him, his hand wrapped tightly around my wrist.

An angry look flashed across Megatron's face. He clearly didn't like to be commanded.

"Shut up!"

The next thing I knew, we were flying through the air. I whimpered as I landed on my back. Sam was beside me, metallic branches holding him in place. I made a move to get up but was pushed down and held in place with different limbs. I nearly screamed when I noticed them to be Starscream's.

"It feels good to grab your flesh," Megatron said.

I struggled in Starscream's grip. "What do you want with us?" I asked.

Megatron shot me a look. "Your friend here has something on his mind; something I need. And you, young femme, could become the key to something very precious to our planet," he told me.

My eyes widened and he turned back to Sam. I had no clue what he was talking about but it couldn't be anything good.

"I'm going to kill you; slowly, painfully. But first we have some delicate work to do."

Starscream's grip only got tighter as I struggled which caused me to whimper. "Struggling will do you no good, young one."

I just growled and stayed still, listening to Megatron as he spoke. "Doctor examiner, alien specimen."

Suddenly a little bug bot crawled over me and onto Sam who tried to literally blow it away from him. Had I not been in such a dire situation, I probably would have laughed at his actions. I gasped when the bot sliced at Sam's face before digging into his nose. There was a snap and then two more mechanical beings were flying onto the scene, a smaller organism in their grasp.

The small organism landed on Sam. The bug bot held Sam's mouth open and I wanted to vomit as I watched it enter Sam's mouth. He began choking and in a few moments the bot crawled back out of his mouth. The bug bot held the small bot in his hand and all of a sudden, images of Mikaela, Sam's parents, and the symbols that he had been drawing just an hour earlier were being projected into the air.

"Oh. There they are," Megatron chirped. He was obviously happy about something; I assumed it to be the appearance of the symbols.

"That's what I'm seeing in my head."

"These symbols can lead us to the energon source," Starscream said.

Megatron's optics shot to me. "What about the girl?"

I stiffened and the bug bot climbed over to me.

"What about me?" I struggled again but it was no use. The bug bot examined me and I felt a strange tingling sensation inside my body.

"What are you doing to me?"

My question was ignored.

"The girl is ready to be probed for incubation. Make sure she does not get away," the bug bot said as he jumped back over to Sam.

My breath caught in my throat and my eyes widened. What in the hell did he mean by incubation?

"But, we must have us a brain on this table!" the bug bot explained to Megatron. Sam began freaking out. I was still in shock over his previous statement.

"What? What does he mean by my brain?"

"Like I told young Azalea here, you have something on your mind; something I need," Megatron replied calmly.

"Okay, hold on. I know you're pissed. You're pissed I tried to kill you and it's completely understandable. If someone tried to kill me I'd be pretty upset too," Sam started.

The bug bot took out a small saw.

"I think we have an opportunity here to start new and develop our relationship and see where it leads us. Okay? So you just call Doctor Inspector off and we'll just talk for five seconds," Sam squealed as the bug bot made a move to saw into his head.

My eyes widened in fear for my friend's life but before the bot could do any damage at all, there was a loud crash. Optimus Prime landed in front of us and Bumblebee burst through the warehouse wall. They started shooting and Starscream and Megatron released both Sam and I.

Sam grabbed my hand and pulled me off the concrete table with him. Mikaela and Leo were nowhere to be seen as Sam and I ran, shielding ourselves from the gunfire. The both of us ran outside the warehouse, my hand still tightly around Sam's. I screamed as Megatron crashed through the warehouse windows but sighed in relief as he took off into the sky.

"Sam. Azalea," Optimus called. He jumped from the warehouse window and transformed. The driver's side door opened and the two of us rushed over. We hopped into his cabin and he wasted no time in taking off down the road.

"Oh my gosh," I said. I was now trembling. Sam gave me a comforting hug.

"Sh. It's okay. We're going to be fine," he assured me.

"What the hell did he mean by probing for incubation?" Optimus slowed down for a fraction of a second before speeding up.

"I have no idea," Sam told me.

"Gosh. I hate these damn Decepticons," I exclaimed.

We pulled onto a dirt road surrounded by forest. Sam stiffened beside me and turned around.

"He's right there. Optimus go!"

I turned around to see Megatron gaining on us. He took a shot at Optimus and suddenly I heard the clattering and scraping of metal. Sam and I were thrown out of Optimus' cabin and onto the ground below as he transformed to fight Megatron.

"Both of you, hide!" Optimus instructed us.

Before I could register what was going on, Sam grabbed my hand and began running through the forest with me. The only thing I could hear was the sound of metal on metal; it was an excruciating sound at that too.

Sam lead us over to a tree and we stopped, watching the bots fight in front of us. I ducked as Optimus hit Megatron with a tree, sending soil and rock flying in our direction. I wanted to laugh as Optimus repeatedly spat names at Megatron but I was far too frightened to even think about it.

"Decepticons," Megatron called.

The sound of helicopter blades caught my attention and I turned to see another bot, much bigger than Optimus, advancing onto the field, tearing trees down and tossing them aside. I backed into Sam.

"Sam."

Two gunshots sounded and I focused on Starscream who ripped through the trees before landing on his feet. His optics met my eyes and I gulped. "Come here, children."

Sam grabbed my hand again and began running. Starscream started chasing us and right now I was thanking the good Lord above that I had started running all those years ago.

It wasn't long before Megatron joined him but Optimus was quick to stop them. I hadn't a clue as to what he was doing to them. All I knew was that my ears were screaming for some peace and quiet.

A shot or two hit the ground behind us, sending Sam, myself, and a cloud of dirt into the air. We landed rather roughly on the ground but we weren't all that phased by it. Sam pulled me up and the two of us ran to hide behind a big tree, the mechs in full view in front of us.

"There is another source of energon on this planet and the boy can lead it to us. If all else fails, the girl will make a lovely survival reinforcement," Megatron said.

I still didn't have any idea what he meant by his words but I didn't like them.

Megatron threw Optimus to the ground and I watched in horror as he took a pede to the Autobot leader's face.

"Optimus!" Sam yelled. He groaned in pain but that wasn't all the Decepticon had in store for him. A gasp escaped my mouth as Megatron shot Optimus, sending him flying in our direction. Sam and I ran once more, barely missing being crushed by the ten ton mech.

"Is the future of our race not worth a single human life? Or even two?" Megatron asked.

"Optimus, get up!" I called from behind the tree trunk I was under. A small smile appeared on my face as Optimus took a fighting stance.

"You'll never stop at one. I'll take you all alive," he claimed and got up.

Sam pulled me back away from the fighting and under the safety of the trunk. All I could hear above me was the clashing of metal and gunshots. I could very faintly see Optimus rip off Starscream's arm before beating him with it. After dealing with Starscream he proceeded on to the helibot where he very violently ripped his face apart.

"Piece of tin," he grumbled as he threw what remained of the bot to the ground.

He hopped off the body and to the ground before kneeling down every so slightly in front of a tree.

"Sam, Lea. Where are you?" he called.

I was ready to make an appearance until I saw Megatron sneak up behind Optimus. I gasped as the bot took out his sword and shoved it through Optimus's body, leaving the Autobot to cry out in pain.

"No!" I yelled. I made a move to run to Optimus but Sam pulled me back once again.

"You're so weak," Megatron said to the bot.

An explosion erupted from Optimus's chest. I was now trembling with a mixture of fear, anger, and sadness; I could even feel Sam trembling behind me.

Megatron set Optimus down and Optimus swayed for a second before falling to the ground, a pained whir escaping his mouth. The tears burned in my eyes as I watched my Autobot friend hit the ground. Sam and I stood up to look at him, horror in both of our eyes. Optimus looked at us and rolled onto his back.

"Sam, Lea. .run." Those were his last words before his optics went out. The tears quickly made their way out of my eyes but I wiped them away and began running with Sam. We ran back towards the opening where the Autobots were now advancing onto the field. I nearly tripped as I ran towards Bumblebee's alternate mode with Sam, but as I went to get into the car I was grabbed by a large mechanical hand.

"Sam!" I called.

He gave me a "you're safe" look before getting into the car. I watched as Bumblebee took off with Mudflap and Skids on his tail. I squirmed around in my captor's hand and before I knew it I was inside a very familiar cabin. I groaned angrily and hit the dashboard with my fist.

"No! Why did you do that?"

"You'd be wise to quiet yourself. You're already in trouble as it is," Ironhide told me.

His lesser form suddenly materialized in the driver's seat. I gave him a look.

"In trouble? Me? For what?" I seethed. He quickly drove out of the forest and onto the freeway.

"First and foremost, you hung up on me earlier and refused to inform me of what the problem was when there clearly was one. Secondly, you promised Optimus you would stay away from this yet I find you here in the forest ready to be killed at the hands of the ones who nearly killed you two years ago," he told me.

I groaned.

"Listen. I hung up on you because Sam was about to die at the hands of a Decepticon wench and I refused to sit and watch another friend of mine die because of one of them. And I intended to keep that promise until my roommate tried to kill me by throwing me against a wall. Did I mention that you were right about her? She was very sketchy. Sketchy as in Decepticon sketchy; a Decepticon whom I killed all by myself by the way," I explained.

He growled. "Was this before or after I called you?"

I looked out of the window. "Before."

"You should have told me," he scolded.

"I was far more concerned with saving my friend. And another thing. How on earth would I have managed to stay out of this? Would you and Optimus have expected me just to leave Sam to fight this on his own? You both know me better than that. You should have let me go with Sam in the first place," I retorted.

He gave me a stern look. "No. This is not your fight."

I clenched my fist.

"And why the hell isn't it? Have you not been informed of my supposed importance for Cybertronian survival? Starscream is still after me, Hide. As far as I'm concerned, this is just as much my fight as it is Sam's."

He grunted but there was a confused look on his face. "All the more reason to keep you out of it."

I groaned and looked out the windshield. The Autobots were in front of us and we were speeding down the highway, much over the legal limit.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" I asked.

"To the base in New Jersey."

I raised a brow. "Why don't you just take me back to school?"

He shot me a look. "I don't trust you."

I rolled my eyes and sat back in my seat. "And what am I supposed to do at the base? Are you going to lock me in a room until the fighting ends?" I baited.

"That's the plan," he answered calmly.

"Fuck you."

He sighed. "Lea, your attitude."

"No. Don't talk to me about my attitude. I shouldn't be here right now. I should be with Sam, Mikaela and Leo. I should be helping my friends," I exclaimed angrily.

"Only that's the kind of help that can get you killed. Do you not realize that all I'm trying to do is protect you? I can't lose you Azalea. I refuse to," he shot back.

I sighed and hugged my knees to my chest. I knew exactly what he was doing and I appreciated it more than anything but I needed to help my friends. I couldn't just leave them like this. Sam and I had only known each other for two days at the most, yet I felt like it's been more. He was like a brother to me; he was like family and I could not and would not abandon my family.

"I know you are and I love you for it. I really do and you know that, but I hate not being able to do anything to help the people I care about. The last time something like this happened, I lost my best friend and it was all because I couldn't help her. I don't want it to happen again, Hide." There were now tears in my eyes. He gave me a soft look.

"I'm sorry, Lea. I just can't let you risk your life like that. I've almost lost you once and I refuse to allow it to happen this time," he told me.

I just squeezed my eyes shut and leaned my head against the window, Optimus instantly coming to mind; he sacrificed himself just to protect Sam and I.

My Autobot friend who had become so close to me in the past two years was now dead because of me and Sam; lost at the hands of a Decepticon. I knew that there was nothing we could've done but it still hurt a great deal.

"No," I whimpered.

"What's wrong?" Hide asked me.

"Optimus is dead because of Sam and I. He died trying to protect us. That wasn't supposed to happen," I cried.

Hide sighed sadly and grabbed my hand.

"It is not and never will be your fault, Lea. As a matter of fact it isn't even Sam's fault. Optimus knew what he was doing and he wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice himself for those he cares for; you and the boy just so happen to fall into that category," he told me.

I had a hard time believing his words though. I knew Optimus would sacrifice himself for those he cared about but I still felt I needed to take part of the blame for his death.

"You could at least allow me to do this for him then."

He squeezed my hand. "You know perfectly well he wouldn't want you risking your life like this either. You're not leaving my sight, Azalea."

I let a tear roll down my cheek. Hide gave me a sad look. I let go of his hand and shrunk back into the seat.

"I love you so much, Azalea."

I frowned. "I love you," I whimpered.

He sighed and before I knew it, the seat belt was being wrapped tightly around my body in a loving and protective gesture. I felt comfort in it and laid my head down on the strap before closing my eyes and letting my thoughts take over.

I would find a way to Sam and I didn't care how hard it would be. Ironhide definitely wouldn't approve of my disobeying him once he found out, but I didn't care. I especially wanted to do this for not only Optimus, but for Braelynn; two very dear friends that I had managed to lose at the hands of the enemy and I refused to lose anymore. My friends needed my help and I would do everything in my power to ensure they got it. This was my fight just as it was Sam's and I refused to leave him alone in this.

*Please vote and comment. It'd mean so much to me. I wanna know what you guys think.*