Endpoint (A TFP Fanfiction)

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.