The Girl and The Merformer

Chapter 7

It had been at least half an hour since Megatron had left Melody alone. She tried to sleep time away, yet her efforts proved useless. Right now, she was leaning upright against the wall with one leg stretched outwards and the other slightly lifted.

Wanting something other than the stone cold quiet, she decided to sing to help calm herself.

Upon one summer's morning

I carefully did stray

Down by the walls of whopping

Where I met a sailor gay

Conversing with a young lass

Who seemed to be in pain

Saying "William, when you go I fear you'll ne'er return again"

My heart is pierced by Cupid

I disdain all glittering gold

There is nothing can console me

But my jolly sailor bold

Her voice echoed throughout the cavern, filling the empty stone chamber with the beautiful song. As Melody sang, she thought about Optimus being the jolly sailor bold as described in the words. How nothing would make her happy than his face and arms holding her tightly to him.

By the last couple lyrics, her tone dropped to a near whisper.

My heart is pierced by Cupid

I disdain all glittering gold

There is nothing can console me

But my jolly... sailor... bold

"You have a most enchanting voice, you know."

Gasping in fright, Melody eyes darted to where Megatron was floating, his mouth quirked up in a smirk. He had arrived during the middle of her singing and stayed silent to enjoy the music she was emitting from her throat. Melody pressed against the wall. "How-how long have you been there?!" "Long enough to confirm that Optimus is incredibly lucky to have a little siren gift him such enchantment."

A blush coated her face in spite of her nerves. Her captor chuckled. "Speaking of which, I believe he's on his way here right now to rescue you." Melody's heartbeat sped up and her expression uplifted. "He's coming?!" But then her face fell. "What are you planning to do with him? You said you're going to trap him, but what are your intentions if, if you actually catch him?"

"Oh, trust me, my dear..." Claws grasped her waist, bringing her a few feet closer to the grinning warlord. "We will catch him. And when we do, I guarantee it will be the long-awaited victory that will end this war, once and for all."

"No, Optimus will save me, he will! He has to!" She screamed the words in her brain, yet they wouldn't come out vocally. Megatron just laughed at her speechless form, already marveling at what the upcoming events would bring. He imagined the great Optimus Prime bound and helpless, caring more for the life of his love than his own. It would be glorious, indeed.

......................................................................................................................................................................

The waters had grown darker the further Optimus swam, the stone in his hand glowing more brightly, which indicated he was very close to the Deceptimer base and Melody. He stayed on guard in case of any surprise attacks, which he was certain would be coming.

The stone started to shine incredibly brightly, causing him to pause. Looking ahead he saw a vast wall with a section covered by seaweed. More closely, he could make out an opening beyond the plant.

"A cave... this is it." Optimus threw the stone down and swam through the seaweed into the tunnel. There was nearly no light, so he moved slowly and carefully. He focused his hearing to pick up Melody's voice, hoping to hear it so as to locate her position.

Very, very softly he could hear feminine crying not too far away.

"Melody." He wasted no time. Using the sound to guide him through the base, it was only mere minutes before Optimus found an isolated air pocket. Sitting upon a ledge was the girl he was searching for. Her hands were on her face, shielding her from his view.

"Melody."

Her head snapped towards him, small tears drying on her face. The moment she laid her eyes on him, Melody gasped in relief, but it quickly became one of horror.

"Optimus, it's a trap!"

No sooner had the words come out of her mouth, a cage appeared from out of nowhere, locking the Automer inside. Optimus tried to destroy it but couldn't, the bars were too strong. Megatron's dark chuckled came echoing through the area. "How nice of you to come, Optimus Prime. We've been waiting for you."

Melody and Optimus's eyes met, hers wide with worry and his narrowed. What were they going to do?