Chapter 7

- Cybertron – Beachfront – Energon Sea-

The sea of rust was a place in Cybertron that only consisted of two things: a completely empty and barren land, and rusted, dead Cybertronians. It was a graveyard for those who defied the Decepticon faction during the millennial war, but now things were different. When the core of Cybertron was revived, the whole place was refilled with pure liquid energon.

Right now, it was nothing but a peaceful sea, a large body of water on the surface of the robotic planet.

Starscream felt the wind brush against the wings on his back. The former seeker was standing along the shore line, listening to the water hitting the sands over and over again. A muddled frown was etched on his lips as his red optics stared forward to the line on the horizon that separated the ground and the sky.

"By Primus, you've finally found time to relax here." a familiar female voice said from behind him, making him smirk.

"Hah, so what? You're gonna say that I'm slacking off today?" Starscream said teasingly as he faced his junxie, Windblade.

Windblade, the former city speaker, walked beside him and bore her blue optics. A wave of relief moved inside Starscream as he felt his lover's presence beside him.

"I usually stare at the horizon when I'm in deep thought." She glanced at Starscream, inquisitively, "So what's bothering you?" she asked and watched as the former Decepticon seeker made a deep resigning sigh.

"Windblade, its about Optimus and Megatron…and the girl that they'd found."

"You mean Ellie?" Windblade remembered the reports that she had read. She also knew about the horrific world where the two former leaders of the factions were currently residing and also the Cordyceps Brain Infection that ravaged the planet's surface. "She's immune, am I right?"

Starscream looked down at the sands. The ground beneath them slowly lit up from the crystallized Energon embedded within as the sun sunk on the horizon.

"Windblade, imagine that we have a Sparkling." he said and the former City Speaker darted her blue eyes at him, startled by his words. She hadn't yet thought on having a Sparkling with Starscream. This surprised her completely.

"Y-Yes, what about it?" she said, awkwardly.

"We have Sparklings and the world was being ravaged by a life-killing disease. Somehow, our Sparklings was immune to it. The only way to make that disease disappear was for our Sparklings to undergo an operation that would certainly kill him." Starscream paused as he slowly shifted his red optics at Windblade. "In short, my darling, the life of our Sparklings needs to be sacrificed in order to create a cure that may or may not work."

Windblade took a step back, now she was completely disturbed with his statement, however she'd detected no malice in his tone. She frowned in at him. "What are you saying, Starscream?"

"Would you do it?"

"Would I what?"

"Sacrifice our Sparklings."

A small gasped came out of the Autobot's mouth that was slightly open in shock. The question bothered her completely and made her take a step back in alarm. "Wh-Why would I do that-!?" she stammered in perturbed.

Starscream looked down again on the sands, lips curled down into a sad frown. "I don't want to tell this to Optimus and Megatron. However, Ratchet said that there could be a chance to get rid of the Cordyceps…only that the procedure to create a vaccine involves sacrificing Ellie's life." He closed his optics and hung his head high. "They both love her – not as Conjunx, but as parents."

Windblade stood in silence. Now it was her turn to make a sad frown.

Now that…is truly unfortunate. The former City Speaker then shifted her sympathetic blue optics at him.

"I would ask our Sparkling first and foremost if they wanted to sacrifice their life." she said.

Starscream smiled in comfort. A very common answer for a City Speaker-

"However, since I'm the Sparklings mother, I wouldn't let them sacrifice their lives for others."

"Eh?" Starscream darted his red optics at her. Now it was his turn to be startled with what had been said. "Come again?" he asked as Windblade faced him with a determined face.

"We're parents of the Sparklings, no? Then its our duty to take care of them, to give them life and to let them grow to whatever they want to be. Sparklings are not guinea pigs that others can just open up, freely. They have lives and it's meant to be protected." the former Autobot said firmly before she formed a kind smile.

"They say that 'All is fair in love and war' – I believe that. Love isn't all kind and sweet. The concept of right or wrong is completely nonexistent on it. Our Sparklings might find our actions to be selfish, the people might label us as monsters for dooming the world, but I don't care about that. We shouldn't care about that."

Windblade gently put her left hand on Starscream's face, caressing it gently, and softly said. "What matters most is that they would get to live, freely and they would get to feel love."

Love. Ah, I see now. A tranquil smile formed on Starscream's grey face as he finally understood what Windblade was saying. "Love, yes, it doesn't matter if we doom the world. As long as we have love, everything would be alright." The former Seeker took her left hand and they both stared at the horizon with smiles of peace on their face.

-Parallel Earth—

"All set!" Ellie exclaimed as she flung her backpack on her back and huffed herself up to stand. She walked outside the beachfront house and saw Optimus and Megatron standing on the sand. Their hands were lit up with a holographic screen. The satellite above had just passed through revealing them another location of an Energon cache.

"Location received. Looks like there's another cache of Energon," Optimus Prime said and shut down his screen.

"Really, just how large is that cargo ship anyways?" Megatron grumbled before he noticed Ellie walking towards them.

"So, you two know our next destination is?" the girl asked as Optimus summoned his holographic screen again.

"Its in Tropea, Italy. It's a coastal town again."

Italy, Ellie's eyes lit up in interests. She had heard of Italy. It was a country where the food was nothing but pastas and the people usually love to speak in high voices for no apparent reason. "I heard that country has lots of pastas."

A stifled chuckle escape from Megatron's lips while Optimus sheepishly smile at her. "That's a bit of a stereotype, but yeah. Anyway, are you packed up?" the red Autobot asked as Ellie made a feigning salute at him.

"Already set, Grandpa."

Megatron chuckled loudly, liking Ellie's joke on Optimus. The red Autobot blinked his eyes, and blushed blue in embarrassment.

"Nice one, Ellie," Megatron said and transformed into his jet form.

Optimus climbed on the Decepticon's back while Ellie pulled herself up on the cockpit. However, before she sat down, she glanced back at the shoreline. She felt like someone was watching her.

"Ellie?" Megatron called, but the girl quickly shrugged and sat down on the chair. The door whisked closed and the jet roared its engine. The trio took off from the beach, not noticing a creature that slowly emerged from the water.

It was a seal, but its skin was charred grey and its flippers were rotten, showing its disgusting flesh inside. Its right eye, all black and devoid of life, looked up to the departing trio while the animal showed its left eye.

Its left eye didn't have flesh. Instead, in its place, was Cordyceps protruding from the inside.

-Mediterranean Sea – Parallel Earth—

Ellie glanced out of the cockpit window and made a serene smile. The sea below them glittered in blue, like a pile of gems. The coast was very beautiful with the lush green forest, and together with the abandoned towns, contrasted with the pristine sea, creating a picturesque scene. Her hand was on her journal, sketching the scenery below her while she hummed the song that Optimus had sung last night.

"So, you know the Miner's lullaby?" She looked up and saw Megatron with a smile on his face.

"Yeah, Terminus had sung it to you, hmm?"

"Yes, whenever I can't sleep, he would always sing it to me." The former tyrant recalled his foster father, smiling in remembrance to the fond memories.

"Hmm, it looks like we're here." Optimus said as Ellie looked to her left and took a peek below. Below them she could see a long white beach, an abandoned town that stood beside it, and beautiful green mountains beyond it.

Whoa, the girl hummed in appraisal, the place was very beautiful and she couldn't wait to see the whole town up close.

-Tropea – Italy – Parallel Earth-

After they landed on the beach, Ellie quickly jumped out of Megatron. She landed on the sands and the first thing that she felt was the warm wind hitting her skin. She gasped and guffawed in thrill before she twirled on the sand, feeling the warmth that passed through her boots. The place was beautiful and very peaceful.

"Haha! Damn, this place is so much better than California's beaches." she exclaimed and took off her flannel shirt, leaving her dirty white sando shirt. She laughed in joy and the two Cybertronians watched her in contentment.

"Looked at her, dancing like a kid." Megatron said with praise as he transformed back to his bi-pedal mode.

"A beautiful kid, Megs." Optimus corrected as they both watched Ellie ran towards them.

"So, what's the plan? Are we gonna tour this town?"

"Whoa, wait a second, kiddo. We have to check first if there are Cordyceps nearby." Megatron began to scan his surroundings while Optimus opened up his left hand and summoned a holo-screen. "The Energon cache was twenty to thirty miles from here on top of a hill."

"That's good. I'm going to start digging now. You stay with Ellie, Oppy." Megatron said, but before he could fix his backpack, Optimus tapped his right shoulder and showed a thoughtful grin.

"Actually, Megs, you can take a break on drilling, I'll be the one to do it." He glanced down at Ellie and added. "You can guard Ellie this time."

"What, but I—"

"That's fine with me." Megatron glanced at her and saw the happy, cheerful smile of the girl beaming back to him. The former tyrant's spark chamber concaved and it made him gulp down in nervousness.

"W-Well, yes, I think I'll watch over her." Thank Primus. Megatron smiled with gladness, but masking what he was truly feeling right now and that was extreme happiness. The girl chuckled in delight and howled joyfully as she danced freely in the sands again. At least I'll have this day with her. The former Decepticon thought with happiness. He would spend a day with Ellie and that would mean she will put all of her attention on him.

After an hour of talking and planning, Optimus walked towards the location of the Energon cache. Meanwhile, Megatron and Ellie were both walking along a wide, stone road in the middle of a resort town. The girl's face had a blissful smile, looking at every house, inspecting the exquisite designs and architecture. The town, though abandoned and dirty, was very beautiful. The houses were ancient looking and screamed of history. It only fanned the energetic flame inside her.

As for Megatron, he wasn't looking at the houses. His red optics focused only at Ellie. Now…what now? His brain module was running lots of scenarios. He was clueless on what conversation he should start with her.

"So, what do you think?"

"Hm?" Frag, did she say something? I'm lost in my thoughts! Megatron looked down and displayed an oblivious look. "Uh—what?"

Ellie smiled at him and then pointed at a store on her right. "I don't read Italian…but I think that's a dress shop." Megatron looked to his right. The building beside them was a store with broken and dusty windows. He read the sign on the door and it was indeed a dressed store of a high-end brand.

"It's a dress shop."

"Right, I'm going inside and wear some fancy dress." She looked over the broken display window and saw a pile of fallen mannequins.

"Wait," Megatron called and projected his human holo-avatar. "Its not safe. Let me scan the inside first – there might be cordyceps." The Decepticon moved to the door, his red human eyes scanning the insides. He found nothing, so he grabbed the broken door and opened it for Ellie. "After you, Milady." The former Warlord said in a mocking gentleman's tone and the girl smirked in amusement.

"Why thank you…Sir Buckethead von Pailbrain." Megatron laughed loudly at her jokes as they both entered the shop.

Ok…it's been two hours already. Megatron paced on the dirty floor of the dress shop. The shop was a mess, dusts, dirt and fallen furniture were everywhere. The Cybertronian was leaning his back on a wall. His arms were crossed while a deadpanned look displayed on his face.

"Ok, how about now?" Ellie sprung out of a dressing room and faced Megatron. She was wearing a dusty, red gown that looks very heavy and very unnecessarily colorful.

"Heh, not good. Its too long. How can you run when you're being chase by Cordyceps?"

"Hmm…you're right." Ellie went back to the dressing room. The former tyrant sighed heavily and sat down on the floor. Great, now I'm gonna wait for another cycle for her to finish. He grumbled silently, impatient about the long hours of Ellie choosing clothes.

"How about this?" Ellie walked out of the dressing room. Megatron looked up lazily at her. She was now wearing a very simple, knee-length white dress, with a single yellow flower sprouting on the chest part. The Decepticon blinked and a small satisfied smile spread on his lips.

Simple, but grand and effective. "Now this is good. You look—well—perfect with that white dress." Megatron said as he stood up and watched the girl move to a full body-length dirty mirror, inspecting her dress.

"You're right. It looks simple, but I can definitely run away from a Cordycep. I can even hide my knife underneath the skirt." She smiled in delight while Megatron made a gleeful smile.

"So, are we just here to try some clothes on? I mean you're already fine with your previous clothes." the Decepticon said as the girl glanced at him.

"Well, Dina, the woman that I love before had told me that I would look very beautiful in girl's clothes. I'm just trying to feel it, to try this out." Her smile changed into a relaxed one, remembering the face of her former lover.

"Also, the women of Jackson talked about Highschool prom." She shifted her green eyes back to Megatron. "Say, what's a Highschool Prom? Do you have movies regarding that?"

Ellie. Megatron's look shifted into a sympathetic one. He didn't know much of human customs, but he could feel that the girl had missed a lot of good things in life. A wave of pity erupted in his spark chamber.

"Now, now, this is ruining the mood." Ellie noticed his sudden silence. She walked towards the door and then called the Decepticon. "Let's start walking. There's something I want to check first."

The warm Italian wind blew hard against the frail frame of Ellie, whose face etched an excited smirk. The girl was standing on top of a cliff and below her was the sea. The waves churned against the rocks, throwing tons of foam into the air.

"Uh—El, I think its dangerous for a human like you to jump from this spot." Megatron reminded her nervously, but the girl scoffed off.

"Come on. Live life to the fullest." She looked down again. Her grin just became wider from excitement.

"No, Ellie, I don't like this at all." Megatron said again, this time with a hint of sternness. The girl slowly shifted her green eyes at him, all plain and deadpanned before shrugging her shoulders.

"You're right. Its dangerous. Let's go back."

"Good, I'll just show you a movie about Highschool Prom-"

"SIKE!" Ellie said and sprinted to the edge, jumping off the cliff before Megatron could shout.

"Wee-!"

"ELLIE!" Megatron shouted in fear as his audio senses detected a sound of her body hitting the water. He looked below, red optics scanning frantically, and then her head and her white dress sprouted out of the waves.

"WOO-HOO! THAT'S FUCKING FUN!" Ellie howled and laughed her heart out while she swam harmlessly on the surface. Megatron, however, scowled in worry.

"That's not funny!"

"Oh, come on. Don't be such a pussy! Jump in!"

Pussy? I am Megatron, the Decepticon leader! Once ruler of all galaxies! Megatron growled in irritation and then he formed a sinister grin. "Fine. You want me to jump? Be prepared to be crushed!" he shouted and forcefully pushed himself up. Ellie watch in amazement as the former Decepticon twirled magnificently in mid air and dive down towards the water.

"I calculated that I would be safe in this spot when he jumps…but boy, I'm bad at math—"

"TALLY-HO!" Megatron hit the waters and created a huge tsunami that quickly swept Ellie towards the rocks. The wave died down quickly and the former Decepticon proudly laughed. "Now that was fun! Who's the pussy now, huh!?"

Ellie, who was currently hugging a rock, made a mirthful grin. "See? I told you it's fun!" the girl said. The former gladiator opened his right-hand, which Ellie climbed onto. The girl looked down to herself. Her dress was drenched from the water and she could feel the cold entering her body.

"You should change, humans usually get colds when they are wet."

"Thanks for the reminder…Now shall we wait for Optimus. I saw a very interesting place when I was up on the cliff." Megatron smiled at her suggestion and walked towards the shore.

"Sure, let's wait for him there."

Perching on top of the hill, standing on his bi-pedal mode, Optimus Prime scanned the ground. His indicators had detected the Energon cache deep beneath him. "About twenty to twenty-five meters below me. Guess I should start now."

He unloaded his backpack and took his driller. However, before he could move, he heard the wind howl and brush pass his metallic body. He looked to his side and saw the town from afar.

I wonder if Megatron and Ellie were having fun. He thought with slight envy. The girl was happy whenever she was with them. However, he couldn't help but notice that she was happier whenever she landed her gaze or talk to his friend, Megatron. And every time she called him, the Decepticon would answer back with pure kindness and joy.

It was a sight that felt very rare for him. At least, he's changed. That's what I was hoping for him. Optimus looked down and form a sympathetic smile on his face.

*REEE!*

The Autobot darted his blue optics in front as the familiar screech of the Cordyceps reverberated throughout the hill. "Frag, Cordys…" His optics sharpened as he summoned his mask and transformed his left hand into an ion cannon while he took out his survival battle axe from his backpack with his right hand.

From afar, he saw a single infected running towards him. However, the ground beneath him began to shake. "Based on this vibration…there's a lot of you coming here."

The Autobot readied himself. The single Runner was no longer alone. Emerging behind him and running at the same pace as him was a wave of hundreds of Cordyceps. Runners, Clickers, and Bloaters, the green pasture had changed into a field of running, frenzied infectees, who had probably felt or heard his arrival.

Optimus stared with dread, but then his optics sharpened again as he muttered underneath his mask.

"I will help you all…by ending all of your sufferings."

*REEE!*

The running dead screeched loudly to their meal, who slowly raised his battle axe and shouted a battle cry. "I won't let you all ruin Ellie and Megatron's day!"

Standing on top of a cliff with towers reaching to the sky was a beautiful Santa Maria dell'Isola Monastery. As one of the town's famous spots, the old monastery was a home to many monks and priests. However, after the apocalypse started, the whole place was empty and in shambles.

Ellie was sitting on the verandah, overlooking the sea. Her face was buried on her journal as her hands moved and sketched the outline of Megatron. The former tyrant was standing beside the verandah in his original body. His red optics were closed as he was feeling the air around him.

"Hmm, about Optimus Prime, what do you think about him?" Megatron opened his red optics and looked down to Ellie.

"What about him?"

"How did you meet him?"

The girl asked in a curious way. The Cybertronian formed a reminiscing grin. "He was a data clerk back on Iacon. It was a fight at night that time, and I was about to fight this famous defending gladiator champion. I defeated it, but I was heavily injured." He paused and made a side-glanced to the girl.

"I was in the infirmary when he came up to me and asked for my autograph." Ellie chuckled. She imagined the red Autobot, looking so innocent and naïve, asking for an autograph from a massive person like Megatron. The Decepticon continued. "He then swears to me that he will always watch me every time I go to battle and he did. That is until he realized that my life was all but hell. He swore to me then that he will change the world with me…and I believe him."

Megatron shifted his red optics and looked at his hands, his smile slowly turned into an uneasy frown as dark memories started to surface.

"I…betrayed him. I got lost in revenge. I wanted to change the world to, but I smeared it with my selfish vengeance." He slowly sat down and spoke in a forlorn tone. "Do I deserve his forgiveness? Do I deserve a second chance?" Do I deserve this happiness whenever I'm with you…Ellie? The question agonizingly echoed as dark thoughts started to cloud his brain module.

"You do deserve to be forgiven." Megatron's red optics looked at Ellie. The girl was standing beside him. Her face was calm and serene. Her green eyes looked at him with sympathy.

"You may've fuck up your life. However…as long as you can breathe and stand, you can still turn it all around." Ellie climbed up to his open left servos and declared to him. "No matter what happens, you've to keep looking for something to fight for. No matter what happens, you deserve to find happiness, so don't be sad, Megs. I'm sure Oppy is happy to your current state."

Megatron felt joy to her words. It touched his spark chamber and he felt the invisible chains that restrained him finally break. Peace and relief had reigned inside him.

"You're right, Ellie. I shouldn't stay in the dark anymore."

"Indeed. Plus, it's kinda offending for Optimus. That guy is trying his best to make you move on from your problems."

The two chuckled in agreement and looked into the horizon, where the sun was slowly sinking into the sea.

"Agh!" Optimus swung his axe downward, cutting a Bloater in half. Blood splattered everywhere and most of it hit his chest armor, smearing the glass with red. The red Autobot's color was now deep red now that he was showered in the blood of the infectees that attacked him.

"It's done…" he said with a sad yet lightened voice. He looked around and everywhere that his blue optics had laid upon was filled with the mangled bodies of the infectees. The once green and luscious field were now dyed blood red. This scene would usually sicken him, but right now, he felt nothing but serenity. And this made Optimus close his optics and frown in displeasure.

"I'm getting used to this, this violent killing of infected natives." He looked up the sky, it was already afternoon and the sun was setting fast. I should get moving, he thought and approached his backpack to get the driller.

But before he could open it, the surface of his backpack lit up and the familiar sound of an incoming call reverberated out of it.

"Radio call from Iacon." Optimus exclaimed and answered the call.

"Iacon center to Optimus or Megatron, do you copy?" the familiar voice of Ratchet poured out of the speaker. It made the Autobot smile.

"Ratchet, dear friend of mine, this is Optimus. I can hear you loud and clear."

"Optimus, glad you could take this call. How is it there? I hope its not too hellish."

Hell is a kind description for this place. Optimus thought and answered.

"Everything is fine. The Cordyceps are still bad and I'm still travelling with Megs and Ellie. How were the samples that we've sent by the way? Are you making progress on making a cure or vaccine for the natives of this place?" Optimus said in reminder. Ever since he got here and learned about the Cordyceps, he had asked Ratchet to create a vaccine or cure. It was the only way for him, to help the humans of this 'Parallel Earth'.

The line was silent for a second and it puzzled the Autobot. "Ratchet?"

"Oh, uh, about that Optimus. I know that you and Megatron had grown fond of the girl since you keep reporting and sending her name to us ever since you two met her."

"Yes, we both like her." Why do I feel a foreboding feeling? The Autobot gulped down in nervousness. He felt something weigh heavily inside his spark chamber.

Ratchet breathed hard on the other end of the line. "Optimus, I want you to listen carefully to my report." Optimus didn't answer and the former Autobot medic began to report his findings.

The Autobot stood in silence as Ratchet's words filled his brain module. The Cordyceps were dangerous and highly infectious, and it was still mutating into a new strain. The vaccine or, based on the doctor's words, cure may or may not work in defeating the harmful infection. But he had also learned a dark truth and it slowly made Optimus's blue optic widen in shock.

"Are you saying…Ellie needs to sacrifice her life?" he said with a disbelieving tone. The words that came out of his mouth felt foreign and strange.

"Yes, Optimus. But like I said, the cure may or may not work. There are indeed cures for fungal infections…but not as bad as this. This is a 'super bug' Optimus and we need more time to study it further."

And we can't have that, because that fragging Cordyceps is mutating. The Autobot thought with agony. This wasn't good for him and for Megatron. How would he react if he learned that Ellie needs to sacrifice her life just so they could build a cure or vaccine that might not even work?

"Optimus?" The Autobot snapped form his inner thoughts after Ratchet called him.

"Yes?"

"What's the plan now?" Optimus stared towards the town. His doom blue optics reflected the setting sun. For the first time in the longest time of peace, the Autobot's feelings were completely torn in two. He wanted to save the natives of this world, but in doing so, he had to sacrifice Ellie, which would hurt Megatron's mental state and for him.

His second plan, however, was a selfish one. He would bring Ellie into his universe, and make her live in his universe's own Earth. However, he remembered that the girl wanted to offer her life to save the humans of this Earth. She wouldn't like this plan and it could ruin the friendship that he and Megatron had built around her.

"Frag," Optimus cursed the two options only that he had. Both of which would hurt all of them.

"Ratchet…thank you for the report." he said softly with sadness as the line went dead. The wind howled and brushed on the Autobot's back. He heard it and it felt very ominous, as if it was telling him about the impending tragic ending that they will soon meet.

Optimus Prime slowly frowned and closed his blue optics and, with a heavy heart, his mind had finally decided on what to do. "Megatron, I'm so sorry…please forgive me. Forgive me!"

He called, loudly and desperate, as if Megatron was in front of him. The conclusion that he had arrived to would spell the end of Ellie.

Nighttime had arrived on the seaside town. Megatron was still sitting on the verandah and right on the palm of his left servos, snugged tightly on her sleeping bag, was Ellie. She had decided to sleep outside. However, the temperature suddenly dropped and the wind was cold enough to make the girl shiver. So, he had said to her that it would be ok for her to sleep on the palm of his hand.

Megatron was clearly happy with it, providing comfort and peace to the girl that he loved.

His senses suddenly picked up movement behind him, but he already knew who it was.

"Ah, finally you're back, Optimus." Megatron glanced behind him and saw the Autobot, walking towards them.

"Hey, Megs," Optimus said with a strained smile, hiding the pain inside his spark chamber. "Where's Ellie, by the way—"

"Shh," Megatron shushed him softly and the Autobot stopped. The Decepticon raised his left hand, showing the sleeping girl. The beautiful sight made Optimus's blue optics widen in agony and sorrow.

"She's sleeping, Oppy, and she's even snoring. How cute of her." The Decepticon could smile peacefully and it made Optimus tightened his right servos.

I must tell him…but how would he react? Primus, help me, Optimus breathed the air hard and called his friend.

"Megatron…I want to talk to you about something."

"What is it, Oppy?" Megatron glanced at him and was puzzled after he saw the Autobot summon his human avatar.

"Can we talk in private in our human holo-avatar and away from Ellie?" he asked in a pleading manner that it puzzled Megatron more. But the Decepticon complied and materialized his human avatar.

The Autobot looked at him with a strange expression before he nodded and walked towards the darkened part of the verandah. Megatron followed him, his face also forming a bothered look. He didn't like his friend's expression at all.

"What is it that you want to talk about?" Megatron said as he and Optimus stopped their walk. The two stood on the beach below the Monastery. The moon was already high and its light was enough to provide illumination for the two.

The Decepticon saw Optimus's face. It had changed into a sorrowful one. "I…received a call from Iacon today. From Ratchet."

Megatron's face lit up. He knew what Optimus had asked on the Autobot medic. He was creating a cure or vaccine. "What did he say? Was he finally successful on creating a vaccine or cure? Can Ellie's hellish world become a normal one for her?"

He cast an anticipating smile, but it was betrayed after he noticed a pained gasped escape from Optimus.

"My friend," the Autobot moved closer and spoke deeply. "Please listen to me… this is what Ratchet's had concluded." Megatron stood in silence as the Autobot began to recount what the Autobot medic had told him.

The waves softly crawled on the sand, the sea glistened in immaculate white light and the moon above was huge and wide, like an eye that was looking down on the two men. Optimus had finished what Ratchet had told him. Megatron stood still for a second before his red eyes widened and his body shook as he took a step back in shock.

"Wh-What are you saying? Ellie needs to sacrifice her life…?" He felt his spark chamber thump loudly. Terror flooded his insides. "No, no, no, not like this!" He gnashed his teeth in denial as Optimus slowly shook his head.

"It is as it is. There are no more options."

"No, there should be! We-! We can relocate the healthy people back to other Earth-!"

"We can't. They're all carriers. If they go to our Earth, there's a big chance that it could also spread in there." Megatron growled in frustration and paced back and forth on the sands. The former tyrant could feel the world was starting collapse around him. He couldn't bear it. Ellie's death – he couldn't imagine it.

Is this my punishment? No…absolutely not! Ellie is innocent. She shouldn't be affected by my sins. Megatron looked down on the sands. His red eyes were now wide in panic and horror.

Optimus felt the distress of his friend and he hated seeing him like this. "Megatron." He approached him and put his right hand on his left shoulder. "Should we tell this to her?"

"No!" Megatron shouted and his red eyes glared with fury and sadness. The look shocked Optimus, who took a step away from him. The Decepticon noticed his reaction and quickly look away.

"We will not tell her this. She doesn't need to know about that vaccine or cure."

"Megatron, that ok too, but Ellie has a freedom to choose. We should let her-"

"No, I won't let her," Megatron moved closer, towering Optimus. His red eyes were all but serious, as if he had reverted back to his warlord days and he bore it on Optimus Prime, frightening the Autobot to his very core.

"She…she's just a girl…my baby girl, our baby girl." He added with a half threatening and half desperate voice. He then turned towards the sea and closed his red eyes. "She doesn't deserve this. She deserves to live a happy life."

Optimus felt the concern in his voice. He couldn't help but feel pity for his friend and for Ellie. Sadness had also crowded in his spark chamber – for he too, wouldn't be able to bear if Ellie died. However, he also couldn't bear the sufferings of the innocent people who were living in this infernal world. He had to help them, or else he would live in guilt and what ifs if he didn't.

"Yes, Megs. She should live with happiness." the Autobot said and shifted his blue eyes away from him, hiding his sad and bitter frown while he whispered, somberly. "Our baby girl deserves a happy ending."

Woo-HOO! New Chapter is up! I would like to thank for the people who read this fanfic, you guys are the best! Our trio of gang had arrive in Italy, Tropea. I Heard that place is called the beaches of the gods for it has a long, white and sandy beaches! Looks like its one of my bucket list places to go! So, how's the chapter? Do you want some moral existential dilemma? Then how about this: Are you willing to sacrifice a child just for a cure that might or might not work?

I would like to post more however, it might made your mood more foul.

Special thanks to Pure Red Crane for beta reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Transformers Prime and the characters of TLOU. Names, Places and events in the fanfic are purely fictional. If one exists in real life then its completely coincidental.

I have depression. However I'm taking medicine to ward it off. I also watch videos too, one of my favorite videos is Lev getting punch by 'Fat Geralt' and it was so freaking hilarious. I hope LEV THE THING died there, sadly The THING didn't. But most precious video however is when he we BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF ABBY THE WHORESHIT. Its freaking funny and satisfying when Ellie stabbed her.