Spiritimus Prime: I know I should be working on the next chapter of Gift of Life but I was determind to get this story underway. It might not be as good as Gift of Life but at least it's a little more carefully planned out. Optimus, would you do the honors?

Optimus Prime: Why must I?

Spiritimus Prime: I think you know the answer to that one already.

Optimus Prime: (sighs) Alright, fine. Spiritimus Prime does not owe the Transformers, they are the sole property of Hasbro and Takara. However, she owes Juliet, and the plot.

Spiritimus Prime: Thank you. Now, on with the story and enjoy!

"Autobots, spread out!" Optimus ordered.

"Yes, sir!" the Autobots cried in affirmative as they got to work in search of the Minicon.

It was a sunny day in Australia, like always, and Optimus Prime had the feeling that it would be mid-night in America where the kids rested. As far as he could tell, there were no humans out and about due to the sun's heated rays.

But, but of course, the Decepticons were probably not far away, and the Autobots couldn't afford to not waste a single delay.

As Hot Shot searched amongst the rocks, he had the feeling that something wasn't right. He looked up and spotted Jetfire, the Second in Command of the Autobots, and shouted, "Hey, Jetfire, you see anything?"

"Nah, not a thing with where I am," Jetfire answered from the comlink.

Try as Hot Shot might, he just couldn't shake the feeling that something was really wrong.

Far away from the rocky outcrops that overlooked the wild bush, animals, of different kinds, scattered about in fear as a massive metallic foot smashed down upon a gumtree, causing it to collapse.

Megatron, the evil leader of the Decepticons, looked left and right, his large horns disturbed lorikeets from their nests, sending them into the sky as they panicked. The Decepticon Tyrant snorted in disgust as Demolisher followed in suit, along with the rest of the Decepticons.

Megatron's optics settled onto a quiet road that passed the bush by. It would be a perfect trap for the Autobots if they dared to come this way, but unfortunately, it wasn't going to be that easy. Turning his head to Demolisher, the Decepticon Leader spoke in a dangerous tone that demanded respect, "Demolisher! Search out the perimeter of this area, I expect you to find that Minicon. The rest of you will cover his flank for once."

The other Decepticons snorted but reluctantly agreed to their leader's term without complaint.

"Yes, sir," Demolisher answered as he set off through the bush while the rest of the Decepticons stayed behind to be on the look out. But Megatron had his blood, red optics set on the road as a blue Toyota station wagon began to approach.

Smirking, he turned his cannon onto the vehicle and followed its every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Bang!

The loud explosion echoed across the entire bush as birds and animals scattered from the trees and raced for cover. Their cries of panic did not go unnoticed by the Autobot Commander and he had the feeling that the Decepticons were responsible for of this. He turned to Hot Shot, who had also heard the explosion, a look of worry planted on his face.

"Hot Shot, keep searching for the Minicon! I'll go and check it out," Optimus ordered.

Hot Shot nodded as he wished his commander good luck. "Roger that, sir, and be careful."

"I will."

The Autobot Commander then turned and headed towards the explosion, not noticing the Decepticon, Demolisher, walking past him, camouflaged amongst the greenery.

The blue Toyota lay in a broken and battered heap. Smoke was escaping the bottom of the car and a hole was punctured through the front, but it looked like the severe damage had blown off most of the engine, nearly leaving the back exposed with just the front seats protecting it. Barely.

Optimus had never seen such a horrific event like this before, and it truly disgusted him to the core of his Spark at whoever did his, but he could guess whom. In his frustration, he slammed a fist into a nearby rock and gave a scream of anguish. How could Megatron be so cold, cruel, and merciless? He had no idea why, but it burned him so deeply.

"Don't move, Prime."

Optimus' breath caught into his throat when he recognised the voice at once. Looking up, he gasped in horror when he saw Megatron standing just a human foot from the broken car with his gun pointing right at the left side.

"You wouldn't want this mere human to die, do you?" Megatron asked.

Optimus took a closer look at the car and he realised what Megatron had meant.

Inside the car's back was a young human girl. Blood was pouring from the back of her head, her right arm was twisted in an odd way, and her legs were covered, from knee high to the back of her heels, by a huge piece of metal that dug into her skin harshly. Optimus could even see that the metal had penetrated the skin really deeply.

Megatron inched his cannon closer towards the car. "Give me the Minicon, Prime, or this pathetic human gets it," he growled.

Optimus trembled a little. What should he do? He was about to give his answer when Demolisher came running up to Megatron, he was cracked in the left optic and his right arm was missing.

"Megatron, sir, I tried to get the Minicon from Blurr, but..."

"Silence, Demolisher!" Megatron bellowed.

Demolisher was silent.

Megatron turned to Optimus, his blood red optics showing his greed, "Call your pathetic minion, Prime," he snarled as the cannon inched even closer until it touched the car's frame. Optimus was at a total loss for words. Putting his hand to the left side of his helmet, he turned his comlink on. "Blurr, bring the Minicon to my coordinates. Please, don't ask questions. And bring the other Autobots with you as well." He switched his comlink off before Blurr could reply.

Blurr and the other Autobots arrived at the area, their optics widened in utter horror at the sight that sat before them. Hot Shot's hands clenched into fists as he growled in disgust and hatred at Megatron as he turned to face the evil Decepticon and said, in a cold tone, "You're absolutely disgusting!"

Megatron just laughed. "Your words mean nothing to me, youngling. Just tell that pathetic Autobot to hand that Minicon to me."

Hot Shot was about to throw a retort when Optimus' hand lifted up and forced him into silence. "Hot Shot, a human is still in there and it is my duty to ensure that she lives," Optimus said, his voice calm, but filled with worry as well.

Hot Shot gave a look of horror. "Sir, you can't give up the Minicon!" he cried.

Optimus ignored him as he turned to Blurr, who was also staring with shock and horror.

"Sir, don't do it!" Jetfire cried.

Optimus ignored his Second in command as he stood up and approached the Sniper Autobot.

Megatron watched with slight amusement.

Optimus forced Blurr to open his hand and took the Minicon from him before he could protest against his commander's decision. Optimus approached Megatron, and the Tyrant prepared to take it from him but was stopped by a forceful hand. "First, the girl," Optimus growled.

Megatron smirked as he, aggressively, reached into the car and pulled out the girl.

Optimus slowly reached out for her, but held the girl out of Prime's reach and gave him a swift punch to the chin, sending him flying into an old gumtree that groaned beneath his massive weight.

Megatron took a step back and laughed.

The Autobots got into a fighting stance as the Decepticon Leader caught the Minicon panel that had flown out of Optimus' hand. He turned and faced the Autobots, glory and power-hunger gleamed in his blood red optics as he snarled, "You're as pathetic as your men, Prime!"

He was about to warp out with the rest of his men when a blast knocked the girl out of his hand and sent her flying.

Megatron gave a look of shock as he disappeared.

The Autobots scattered around to try and catch the girl, but Jetfire, who was in the sky, caught her before anyone else did.

The Autobots breathed a sigh of relief.

As Jetfire landed, his comrades gathered around him and Optimus approached him and said, "Well done, Jetfire. I'm very pleased."

Jetfire handed the girl to him and the other Autobots gathered around him just to get a closer look. Red Alert moved forward and took the girl out of Prime's hand. "We have to get her back, ASAP!" he yelled. Optimus nodded as the CMO handed the girl to him as he shifted to his vehicle form and opened his back. Optimus put the girl inside and wrapped her up in a thick blanket to keep her warm before Red Alert closed up the back. The other Autobots shifted to their vehicle forms as well, but Hot Shot gave a despised stare before he transformed to his vehicle form.

The Autobot Commander caught it.

Shifting to his truck form, Optimus gave a heavy sigh of grief. He'd hoped to get the girl from Megatron's grip, and, keep the Minicon out of his reach. But a choice is a choice. He'd made it, whether he liked it or not. As far as he was concerned, he had to deal with another human. Only this one would have to live with them. Permanently. He had the feeling that Megatron had killed the girl's parents while they were driving the vehicle and he felt a wave of negative emotions, and thoughts, pulsing through his Spark.

As the Autobots vanished into the Space Bridge, tension began to build up in the air and Optimus believed it had something to do with his mistake. But he couldn't worry about that now. There was a life at stake!

Upon arriving back at the Autobot base, Red Alert opened his back, and Hot Shot carefully took the girl out as the CMO transformed back to his robot mode and he carefully took the girl in his hands before rushing off to the Med-Bay as fast as he could.

Optimus wanted to go and check on them at once, but he was forced to stay put and sort out everyone's concern and annoyance. The children would be arriving soon, and he had to make sure that everything was okay.

Hot Shot's arms had become tense, but he didn't lose his temper. Jetfire decided to take matters into his own hands. Someone's should tell everyone's feelings about what had happened. "What were you thinking?"

Optimus bowed his head, but he kept his golden optics on his SIC. "I thought I could get him to give me the girl first."

"Well, you should've known better than to trust that creep's words. I thought you knew that?"

"Jetfire, no one's perfect you know. Everyone makes mistakes. But as you know, it is my job to ensure the safety of every sentient being on this planet. Humans are just as important as the Minicons, and this planet also has its rights. Remember that."

Jetfire snorted. "But what about the Minicons? Their freedom is also important and you just let one fall into Decepticon slavery, bringing the Decepticons even closer towards their goal of galactic conquest."

"And for that foolish mistake, I apologise to you and my fellow Autobots."

"That still doesn't make it any better," Hot Shot said bitterly.

"Like I said, Hot Shot, no one's perfect. Now, you may all return to your duties. The kids will be here soon and I want everyone to not snap at them. They are not to blamed on for our failure, no, my failure. Am I clear?"

"Yes sir," was the reply he received.

Optimus gave a nod before he turned and headed for the Med-Bay.

Spiritimus Prime: I hope you enjoyed the story! And, in case you're wondering, the title of the story came from one of my favourite songs that just instantely caught my ears. The song's name is Apology (Acoustic Version) by Alesana. Not one of my favourite bands, but it's okay. I prefer sad and beautiful songs like Evanescence and Within Temptation. Now, I'm off to go work on my next chapter of Gift of Life, so stay tunned!