Dear KristalShaga,
I'd like to clarify that Spike is not a suspect. The man who killed Spike's Mom was a guy called Ivan C. Crew. You may want to re-read that part, because those details will come back later in the story(hopefully).
I'd also like to thank all the reviewers for their consecutive reviews and support of this Fanfic. Thank you guys, your reviews really help with the motivation.
Everything around him was awesome. Not to mean the slang term, but something so head spinning that you feel numb and can't breathe. Spike's life in the past few days was starting to reveal a pattern. His life was taking an ominous turn for the worst and he was fearful that it was only going to get worse.
The giant Cybertronian reached down and grabbed Spike roughly around the middle. The giant's hand was large enough to engulf Spike's upper torso and legs all the way to his shins. His body was jerked back as the giant lifted back to it's full height in a split of a second and Spike felt as if he might pass out there and then.
"Our mighty leader," the giant told Spike in its screechy and sarcastic voice. "Megatron, requests your presence."
Spike's voice didn't work, or any other part of him for that matter. His eyes were as wide as saucers as he stared blind with primal fear at the sentient being before him. The robot noticed this and lavished in it.
"You should be frightened," it sneered. "You're our new bargaining chip."
Then it turned around and left the mouth of the cave, leaving the boulder where it lay. Spike noticed three other robots, of equal stature and height, standing near the mouth of the cave.
Two of them looked identical to the one whom kept Spike as a prison in its iron grip, despite the color scheme differences. They sat lazily on the ground or leaning against the side of the boulder. The last one looked more 'professional'. He stood erect on his feet and scanned the area with its visor like eye. Its chest was flat and had a glossy glass surface. An intimidating looking cannon rested on its shoulder.
"Skywarp! Thundercracker!" Barked Spike's captor. The two lazy looking Cybertronians got up and came to stand next to him.
They began walking over the hill and from the top, where Spike was able to gather his bearings. They were somewhere in the desert; a canyon by the look of it. The sun was well on its way to setting and the coolness of the twilight was settling in. Below towards the bottom of the hill was what looked like a make shift laboratory. Several different large counsels stood while large thick cabled ran throughout the space. What really caught his eye was a pile of glowing cubes stacked in the corner. The color of the cubes made his eyes hurt. The ever shifting neon colors from the cubes were enough for anyone to question weather or not they were sober. Besides the strange layout, there were also several other large robots. There were also two smaller robots, slightly taller than Spike, ambling around various counsels tinkering with cords, buttons, and various switches.
Spike's captor marched right past the makeshift lab and walked along a ridge that opened up onto a sort of platform overlooking a dry dessert valley, formed by some meteor millions of years ago, and leaving its mark on the world.
Standing on the ridge overlooking the valley was a malevolent being; Spike would soon know quite well. The Cybertronian had a dictatorship like air about him. He stood over the ridge as if looking upon a world that would soon learn his iron grip and savage nature. His head gazed up as a gust of wind blew past and swept up dust, causing a small dirt devil to form around him. His sleek and silver body revealed an unspoken strength and malice. On his arm was a gigantic black cannon. His form shifted to gaze at those who approached him. Spike met eye to optic with the being. His eyes glowed a brilliant and bloody crimson while his features contorted into a grotesque display of hexing delight.
"Starscream," The being sneered. "You're too rough. Set our guest down and go aid Soundwave with the preparations."
Spike's captor said nothing. He bent down and released Spike, who stumbled on his feet and fell, turned on his heels, and strode down the way he'd come.
Spike picked himself up and faced the large silver robot. His body was weak with fear and he didn't think he could hold his own weight. His knee strained and buckled trying to keep him standing.
The Cybertronian stared at Spike, studying him with a type of contempt curiosity.
"What's your name Human?" He ordered. His voice boomed in Spike's ears.
"S-spike." He stuttered.
"You humans are so weak and stupid." He said to himself and turned.
Spike didn't understand.
"Why am I here?" Spiked demanded with his beats brave voice.
Megatron turned slightly and peered down one glowing red optic, warningly, at Spike.
"You dare speak to me such," Megatron's voice grew more irritable. "I've no reason to even acknowledge you till Prime arrives. Which, if he values your life, will be soon enough."
Spike's brain began ticking at the mention of Optimus Prime.
"What do you mean?" Spike demanded. "What are you planning! Who are you!"
The robot's optics grew narrow.
Megatron's arm shot out and grabbed Spike roughly, knocking the breath out of him.
"My name is Megatron!" He roared in rage. "I am the new emperor of this world and you, germ, are the key to destroying the Autobots for good!
"And I'll see you and those rebellious Autobots dead before the next Orns are through!"
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The Decepticon commander's face plastered Teletran's screen as the Autobots gathered around the counsel to witness whatever it was Megatron had to say.
"What do you want," Optimus sneered. "Megatron…?"
The Decepticon's features stretched into a vile smile.
"You cut me short, Prime." Said Megatron. "I've merely called to check up."
Optimus was in no mood for any of Megatron's mockery or tricks.
"No tricks Megatron." He growled.
"Is that anyway to treat a Good Samaritan?" Megatron pouted sarcastically. "Really Prime, and after I was going to return the something you'd lost."
Optimus kept his face straight and indifferent, though his mind raced with any possibility of what Megatron could be referring to.
"What 'something'?" He asked, afraid to find out what it was.
Megatron's face revealed his true maliciousness at Prime's question. The camera panned over to an area where two smaller transformers, Soundwave's cassettes Rumble Frenzy, held a human captured by its arms. The human's body was limp in their steel grips.
"Oh no…" Bumblebee breathed.
"Recognize this?" Asked Megatron's voice out of the camera's view.
Megatron gaze a signal and Frenzy grabbed a handful of the human's hair and jerked up it's head.
Bumblebee, who stood next to Ironhide and Sunstreaker, sucked in a breath.
"Spike!" He cried. "You monster! Let him go! He's just a kid!"
Megatron's face returned to the camera.
"Such a liability," He cooed. "You should be more careful with your pets, Prime. They could get hurt."
Optimus's fists clenched together, his anger rising.
"What do you want?" Prime asked, his patience running thin.
"A trade," Megatron stated simply. "This fleshling's life for your physician cooperation for three Orns."
Almost every Autobot in the room shifted over to look at Ratchet, who seemed more surprised than anyone to here himself mentioned in the ransom.
Optimus's mind raced with different possibilities of what and/or why Megatron would want Ratchet. None of them were good.
"And if we refuse?" he asked, keeping his voice neutral as best he could.
Megatron seemed angered and surprised at Optimus's answer. He hadn't expected the Autobot commander to even think of refusing offer upfront. It made him angry.
"Then he dies!" Megatron roared. "He'll be publicly executed over Portland, with the whole thing broadcasted over every type of human media!
"Refuse me Prime and I'll reveal everything to the human populous. No more hiding, no more secrecy, and waiting for your chance to gain humanity's trust. It's your physician or you loose everything!"
The transmission went dead after that.
"Prime!" Bumblebee cried as he pushed his way to his commander. "You can't let Spike die! We've got to do something! I beg you, Optimus!"
Optimus didn't answer right away.
"Ratchet," Optimus turned to the doctor. "I've no right to gamble you away without your full willingness. If you refuse Megatron's terms, I'll respect your choice."
Ratchet gapped at Prime.
"Are you crazy, Optimus?" He snapped. "Of course I'll go through with it! I'm not having any human blood on my hands, and I certainly wont be the reason for our secret to be revealed."
Optimus looked relieved and saddened by his words, but still put his hand onto the doctor's shoulder comfortingly.
"Thank you Ratchet." Bumblebee said.
"It's like what I told you earlier Bumblebee," Ratchet smiled and looked at young Autobot. "It's the Autobot way."