Becoming Prime

Absolutely no slash in this chapter, it is written to aid the plot bunnies. Enjoy!

Chapter 4 - Teacher

He ventured out into the city often. His battle mask covering his face at all times only his optics were visible. He kept to the shadows of the vast metallic city, not wishing to be recognised. He was fortunate to have been pretty much isolated from society most of his life, that he was not instantly recognisable to the general populace, despite being Prime for many stellar cycles. All anyone saw when they happened to glance his way was a warrior mech. He wasn’t a warrior by any standard but his build and tall stature denoted that of a warrior. He had also gotten very adept at watching his back. In case Megatron was close by. He shook his head at this thought. He mused angrily. There was nothing he could do. Megatron was still a good leader and he was handling the rebellion problem in the smaller city of Vos at the request of the council, having even set up a small task force made up of the warrior mechs that lived and worked in and around the council chambers and the central palace. The attacks had become less frequent, but energon was still being stolen. Only Megatron seemed to get any results. Optimus sighed; at this point he did not consider himself to be much of a leader.

Immersed in his thoughts, he suddenly found himself in a darker area of the city, a part that he hadn’t ventured before on one of his many long walks. He was right on the outskirts bordering the smaller city of Tarn. He slowed his pace to a wary stroll, glancing all about him. It was a mostly deserted, run down area. Small neglected buildings littered the ground. Optimus heard shouting in the distance. He cautiously crept up to the building where the noise was coming from. Glancing inside he spotted a stocky, well built mech fighting with another. Around them other ‘bots watched and shouted on their encouragement. Optimus watched in awe of the battling ‘bots’ prowess and skill. The larger one moved swiftly for his size and was clearly the stronger of the two.

After moments of wrestling he managed to slam the smaller mech in the face and take his legs out from beneath him with a swift sweep of his leg. The other landed on his aft heavily with a grunt. The rest around them laughed and Optimus watched as energon cubes swapped hands, this was an illegal gambling operation, he thought to himself, best to make himself scarce, energon resources has become dangerously low since the attacks. Optimus watched carefully as the larger mech was patted on the back as the others began to disperse.

Optimus pressed himself against the wall in the hope that he wasn’t spotted. He managed to squeeze himself into a niche as they filed out of the door. He watched them leave. Relaxing slightly Optimus started to venture from his hidey spot. A loud crack filled his audio receptors and he found himself falling backwards. He landed with a loud crash into the room. His optics off lined briefly. Coming to, he on lined his optics to find himself staring into the barrel of a large, armed canon.

“Just what the frag are you doing here?”

“Excuse me?”

“This is private property. Who are you and what do you want?” The deep voice meant business.

“Get up!” He ordered. Optimus obliged his hands raised in surrender.

“I just was passing by and I heard the noise, I saw you fighting...”

“Nobody just passes by here. That’s why we fight here. Who are you working for?” He armed his other canon and pointed them both straight at his head. “You better not be one of Lord Megatron’s spies.” His voice got dangerously low. “I will off line you right here if you are.”

Optimus found this slightly amusing; he recognised the ‘bot from the council chambers. He was a member of the warrior class; he had seen him helping the other warriors mechs guard the council chambers, when the attacks had ventured into Iacon. He was the one who had been refused appointment to the task force, despite being the one who trained the rest how to fight. Optimus had seen him; yet he did not know his name.

“If I was a spy, do you really think I would tell you?” He asked innocently. The smaller mech frowned and snorted. “Think ya smart do ya!?” He jerked forward powering up his weapons. Optimus took a sharp step back and spoke quickly. “No, just pointing out that if I was a spy you would have never found me.”

The warrior’s optics narrowed suspiciously. “Remove your mask.”

“I would rather not do that.”

“It wasn’t a request! How can I trust what you say when I can’t see your face? Remove it or I will.”

Optimus held his ground and raised his head slightly. “No.” ‘He’s not used to hearing that.’ Optimus thought as the other’s optics widened in surprise. He lowered his canons and dropped his head to look at the floor. “I warned you.”

Without further warning; the smaller mech bodily launched himself at Optimus who yelped in surprise as the full force of his weight impacted into his chest sending them both to the hard floor. The stocky mech was fast and Optimus was no fighter. In a matter of seconds Optimus found himself pinned to the floor his arms pinned by the ‘bots legs as he straddled over him. Leaning in the smug ‘bot grinned. “Now let’s see what’s under that mask.” Optimus tried to jerk his head away but it was no use. The mech’s fingers pressed slightly at the side of his helm. The mask retracted Optimus shuttered his optics with dismay.

He felt the ‘bot on top of him, go very still. He dared to open his optics. Glancing up he noticed that the ‘bot was staring at him with a look of complete horror. His mouth had dropped open. Optimus smiled weakly. The smaller ‘bot flung himself off him as if he were on fire. Standing before Optimus his head now firmly bowed, he was beside himself with mortification. Optimus picked himself up.
“I apologise, I am so… I didn’t recognise you Sir.” He kept his optics staring at the floor kicking himself. Optimus spoke quietly.

“Please don’t do that…” The mech frowned and let his optics drift up to his face. “Sir?”

“Don’t bow your head like that. I neither want nor deserve it.”

“But…”

“Look at me as I am. Don’t make me out to be something I’m not.” Optimus finished, his tone tired. The smaller mech stared at him incredulously. “You’re Prime.” Optimus huffed at the statement. “What’s your name? I know you work at the council chambers.” He quickly changed the subject.

“It’s Ironhide Sir. I am the lead trainer for the warrior class and now Lord Megatron’s task force.”

“Yes… I have heard about you.” Optimus smiled. Ironhide seemed to regain some of his composure. “Nothing bad I hope.” He muttered. Optimus put on his most commanding tone. “You are supposed to be the best.”

“Really?” Ironhide was genuinely surprised that Optimus Prime even knew he existed never mind how talented he was. “It comes with experience Sir, as one of the oldest warrior’s; I have had my fair share of scrapes.” Ironhide frowned. “May I speak frankly Sir?”

Optimus nodded, he already had an inclination of what was coming.

“You shouldn’t be out here without an armed guard. There are rebels dotted all over this part of Iacon; they have a base in Tarn. It’s too dangerous.”

Optimus couldn’t help but chuckle, startling Ironhide. “It’s no more dangerous for me than staying at the Central palace or the Council chambers.” Ironhide was puzzled by his statement; the young leader betrayed an air of someone trying to escape from something.

This was not the leader he had heard about and admired. One who always seemed to be in control, stoic, wise beyond his years and had a calming presence on everyone around him. Ironhide had a lot of respect for a ‘bot so young to take on the role of Prime and not crumble under the pressure. He also put stock in the rumours that Optimus was actually a descendant of the original Prime’s, but right now all he saw was a youngling racked by self doubt. He had been around enough in his time to see when another was hiding something from him. He watched him curiously. “Why are you here Sir?”

“Stop calling me Sir. Please, my name is Optimus.”

“Alright, why are you here Optimus?”

“That’s actually none of your concern now is it?” Ironhide noted the defensive reaction. He continued carefully. “Actually Optimus, it is my duty to escort you back. If you’ll permit me. I can not in good conscience continue to allow you to wander through the city unattended.”

Optimus raised his brow with amusement. “I am no sparkling soldier.” He stated firmly. Ironhide visibly stiffened at the tone. “With all due respect. Optimus, you are a youngling compared to myself and it is too dangerous for you to be out here.”

“Why were you refused a place on Megatron’s task force?” Ironhide was taken aback by the question.

“I am more suitable as a teacher in Lord Megatron’s opinion than as a soldier.” He spoke firmly and felt himself getting riled up. “He likely doesn’t trust me and frankly Sir… I don’t completely trust him, he’s also young and we don’t see eye to eye on some of his… um… decisions… Sir.” He replied stiffly, well aware of over stepping his bounds. He stared at Optimus defiantly. Optimus eyed him curiously.

“Do you trust me?” Optimus asked quietly.
“You are Prime and I am of the opinion that Lord Megatron should know his place.” Optimus’s optics widened at Ironhide’s boldness. “Explain yourself.”

“I am no glitching idiot Optimus I have heard how he treats you!”

Ironhide hid his surprise as he watched Optimus’s face be over taken by a look of sheer horror.

“How he treats me?” Optimus asked his voice almost a whisper. Ironhide was confused. ‘Why is he having such a strong reaction?’ He thought to himself suspiciously. He decided to speak his mind and deal with the consequences later.

“The way he Lords over the place like it’s his. He is not very respectful of you or your position. Many of the ‘bots I have trained have told me of the things he says when you two have not seen optic to optic on an issue. Or you have countermanded one of his orders. He believes himself to be a superior leader. It is my opinion that one should keep such opinions to oneself especially when in command of impressionable young warriors.”

“You are out of line Ironhide.” Optimus managed his most commanding tone, maintaining the pretence that he was actually in control, Ironhide dropped his head and mumbled an apology. Nothing could be further from the truth. Optimus felt relief wash over him, thankful that Ironhide hadn’t actually seen how Megatron really treated him. He smiled, confusing Ironhide even more.

“Have I said something funny?”

“Yes.” He did not elaborate. “You have permission to escort me back Ironhide. On one condition.”

Ironhide straightened and stood to attention.

“I want you to teach me.”

Ironhide could not believe what he was hearing. “What?”

Optimus was serious. “Teach me how to fight. How to defend myself.”

Ironhide could almost hear the pleading in Optimus’s deep voice.

‘What possible reason could Optimus Prime have that makes him want to learn how to defend himself, how to fight?’ Ironhide was slightly disturbed by this revelation. ‘Of course he wouldn’t need any training in the council’s opinion; they had Megatron the protector of their Prime. Who did Optimus have?’ Ironhide eyed him carefully, studying him as these thoughts ran through his head. His thoughts also fell to his fellow warriors, how would they react to him teaching a ‘bot how to fight and not just any ‘bot. He weighed up the consequences in his mind before deciding.

“I accept.”

“Good. You will not speak a word of this to anyone am I understood?” Ironhide felt the commanding presence in the words it was his turn to feel relief, at least none of his other students would know, he nodded. Optimus smiled he replaced his mask and headed out of the building. Ironhide followed more than a little shocked. He was determined now that Optimus was hiding something, something disturbing.