Becoming Prime

The plot is moving forward. Not so much slashy as it is story now. Prime's character is coming more into his own.

Betrayal

“You can’t let them do this!”

“Megatron I don’t have a choice it was a unanimous vote.”

“You can change it… You’re supposed to be the leader.”

Megatron’s tone was threatening, angry. Optimus remained patient.

“The task force is to be withdrawn, the council believe your presence there is more antagonistic to the people and they no longer think it is safe…”

Megatron growled angrily as he paced the room. Optimus was doing his best to hide his feelings of intimidation from Megatron. Ironhide had helped him since that fateful day his secret was discovered. Now over a solar cycle later Optimus was facing Megatron for the first time since. Megatron spun to face him and slammed his heavy talon onto the desk.

“The council don’t know what they’re talking about! They are not out there, the people need me!”

“They need you?” Optimus was slightly surprised by the outburst. Megatron back tracked quickly. “They need security Optimus; they need to know Iacon cares about their plight… Energon is low, the smaller states are starving.” Megatron dropped his head.

Optimus was genuinely saddened by the situation. “I know Megatron.” He let his guard down very briefly by placing an understanding hand onto Megatron’s. Despite all he had done to him, Optimus still believed him to be a good leader and he hated to admit it but he needed him. Even now Optimus did not believe himself worthy to be called Prime and felt deep down that Megatron was the rightful leader.

Megatron paused, his optics falling onto Optimus’s hand. He pulled away. “The energon refinery?”

Optimus shook his head. “They voted against it; believe it to be a waste of already scarce resources…” He trailed off, unable to offer any excuse. “I am sorry Megatron. I am trying to get them to see the plight of the smaller city states. I am even travelling to Tarn myself in a solar cycle to try and convince them of its necessity.”

Megatron felt Optimus standing behind him as he spoke, he frowned. “You’re going to Tarn?” He questioned curiously.

“Yes.”

Megatron turned to face him. “I can’t allow that.” He stated angrily. Optimus was slightly taken aback. “It is not your decision to make.” He argued defensively, his patience strained to breaking point. Megatron grabbed him roughly. “Isn’t it?” He snarled.

Optimus, this time however, was prepared. With a swift move he grabbed Megatron’s arms, gripping so tightly Megatron winced at the pain, giving Optimus the opportunity to get out of his grasp. Being slightly smaller Optimus was faster, before Megatron could defend himself he found his arm twisted painfully behind his back as he slammed into the wall. Optimus pressed into him hard, Megatron was completely shocked. Optimus had gotten strong. This was not good, not good at all.

“What are you going to do Megatron?” He snarled, “Haven’t you already done everything? And look it still hasn’t worked. Why are you so set against the council? Why are you set against me?!”

Megatron tried a different tactic as he felt his control over Optimus slipping.
“Optimus, you must understand… I only have your best interests at heart… the council don’t… urrgghh….!”

Megatron yelped as Optimus put even more pressure on his already wrenched arm.

“I have heard that from you before…” He spoke quietly, his tone dangerous.

Megatron allowed himself to submit. Optimus felt him relax beneath him. “I simply, care… Optimus.” His deep voice was soothing, imploring, apologetic. He felt Optimus relax a little, no matter how he’d demeaned him Megatron knew Optimus still wanted to trust him. He felt Optimus hesitate before backing off and letting him go. He turned slowly, maintaining his demeanour of submission.

“The council is wrong Optimus, you must see that. They want to keep the energon for Iacon.”

“Megatron their plans are logical, we must ensure the security of Tarn before a refinery can be built there. Energon is becoming short across Cybertron thanks to these raids, we can’t afford any more losses at the hands of the rebels.”

Megatron moved closer hearing the frustration in Optimus’s voice. His back was now facing him; gently he placed a hand on Optimus’s shoulder pulling him close. He purred into his ear finial. “I know this is difficult for you…we must work together Optimus… we need to unite against the council…”

“No Megatron…that would cause more chaos on top of an already tense and unstable situation. The council are trying to find a solution that is best for the entire planet.”

Megatron growled. “You are so naïve…” Optimus spun to face him, his patience finally too thin to hide his anger. “And you are out of line…” Megatron growled dangerously, only to be greeted with a similar growl from Optimus. “I will defend myself Megatron…” Optimus warned softly. His blue optics were hard, cold. Megatron acted quickly. Bowing his head slightly, he allowed his red optics to glance up at the young leader. “I respect your order Optimus… you know that.” He purred.

“That’d be a first…” Optimus grumbled. Megatron was no submissive, he was bold. He reached up and took Optimus’s helm in his hands. “I of all ‘bots understand your position my dear Optimus…” He held his optics with his own, “I will withdraw and stand by your side… you will be convinced that it should be us and not the council that make the ultimate decisions for Cybertron…We will stand together.” He lowered his head close to Optimus’s, he felt him tense, smiling faintly to himself he gently pressed a kiss onto his labia plates. The gentle touch took Optimus by surprise and was temporarily stunned. Megatron pulled away quickly and flashed a smile at Optimus. “I shall return, and you will see the logic of my plans Optimus.” He smiled once again, before exiting the room swiftly leaving Optimus standing.

Once in the corridor, his face changed to one of dark menace. A soft growl sounded from his chest. His optics were narrow and dark. Megatron was angry.

****
Ironhide was suspicious as the small trio of warriors approached him. He was currently on patrol around the council chambers and his students rarely sought him out when he was on duty.

One sidled up to him. “So… is it true?” He asked coyly. Ironhide frowned. “Is what true?”

The second warrior spoke up from behind him. “The rumours about your private lessons…?” Ironhide turned to face him. “Just what the frag are you implying?” The warrior held up his hands and smirked. “’Hide come on you know you can tell us.” Ironhide relaxed slightly. “Yeah, you can’t tell me what you’re up to though.” His tone was more than a little defensive. The three warriors smiled at each other knowingly.

“We will if you will ‘Hide… we’re all friends here.”

Ironhide did indeed trust these three warriors, they were all from the city of Tarn and they had trained together for many stellar cycles and he was proud when they were among the first warriors chosen personally by Megatron to help lead the task force.

“So… is it true?” Ironhide glared at the smallest of the three who looked at him eagerly. “Are you really teaching Prime?”

Ironhide didn’t respond, remembering his vow to Optimus to not speak of their arrangement to anyone. The largest warrior chuckled. “You do know he’s ordered the task force to be withdrawn from Tarn?”

“What?” Ironhide was surprised. The other two nodded. They gathered in closely as the warrior continued softly. “The council are going to try and withdraw all the remaining energon from the city states so they can ration it back to the people.” Ironhide was shocked. “They’ve also denied permission to build another energon refinery in Tarn.” He snarled. “What does that tell you?”

“I haven’t heard any of this.” Ironhide spoke up indignantly.

“But I thought you were close to Prime?” The other mechs looked surprised.

Ironhide shook his head. “Optimus would have mentioned such plans, he talks to me…” He drifted off mentally kicking himself for revealing so much. The others widened their optics questioningly.

“You’re telling me Prime, THE Optimus Prime, doesn’t know what’s going on right under his optics?!” The ‘bots all started laughing, Ironhide felt uncomfortable. “Come on ‘Hide!” They wheezed between laughs, “He’s Prime!”

“He wouldn’t let the council do…”

“The council runs things… don’t you know that… only Lord Megatron has any real power.”

“Megatron is a tyrant!” Ironhide snapped before controlling himself. The others stared at him.

“At least he gets things done.” The third warrior now spoke up quietly, must to the agreement of the others. Ironhide sighed. “Optimus would have said something.” He muttered defensively.

“You’re on a first name basis now?!” The others asked excitedly. “What the slag does that matter?” Ironhide was irritated now; he needed to speak to Optimus.

“Hey ‘Hide?” They pulled him closer. “You’re going to join us right?”

“Join you with what?”

“We’re going to protect the last depot in Tarn, stop them from taking what belongs to us.”

“How?”

They grinned, “We have our ways. Are you going to help us? We need you; the central refinery in Iacon is going to be hit too.”

“Why?” Ironhide was slightly shocked by how willing his students were to act against the council.

“Prove a point.” The ‘bot stated simply.

“You’re with us aren’t you ‘Hide?” The smaller one prodded keenly.

“I… I don’t know. I need to think about it.”

The mechs sniggered. “He needs to check with his Prime.”

“He’s not my…! Slag don’t you glitching idiots have anything better to do other than to torment me?”

“That’s not how to treat your friends ‘Hide.” The largest warrior managed to look hurt. Ironhide growled. The warrior placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at him earnestly.

“You’ll think about it?” Ironhide nodded, catching his gaze with a thin smile. “Good, it goes ahead in one cycle. Get in touch.”
Ironhide watched the warriors leave. He paced anxious to speak with Optimus. He could barely contain himself until his shift was over. He would get to the bottom of these rumours. He would set his friends straight about Optimus.

****
Ironhide was impatient as he waited for Optimus to arrive. He paced absently, a gentle hand landed on his shoulder; he whirled round ready to attack. Optimus smirked at him.

“Little jumpy aren’t we?”

“Sorry.” Ironhide mumbled. “Shall we start?” Optimus was a little surprised by his gruff demeanour.

“Of course.”

This was a lesson in self defence and hand to hand combat techniques. Ironhide was distracted by his earlier conversation. Optimus could sense something was wrong. Then he began to feel it as Ironhide’s strikes got harder each time until he finally cracked Optimus across the jaw sending him stumbling backwards, rubbing his facial plates that now throbbed painfully, Optimus glared a little at Ironhide.

“Mind telling me what’s wrong?”

Ironhide caught his gaze and sighed. “I’m sorry Optimus, I’m just distracted.”

“That much is obvious.” Faint amusement danced across Optimus’s optics.

Ironhide shrugged. “I heard that the task force is being withdrawn…” He gave Optimus a quick glance.

“How did you know that?” He replied with surprise. Ironhide frowned slightly. “My students, my friends are on the task force Optimus, did you think they wouldn’t speak to me?”

“Yes, of course, Ironhide. I apologise it’s just a very recent decision.”

“How recent?”

“They came to the decision just over a cycle ago.”

“You didn’t think to tell me?”

“I ah… didn’t think it important… it slipped my mind Ironhide… did you want to know?”

Ironhide sighed, his anxiety building. “They’re my students, my friends Optimus of course I want to know.”

Optimus nodded, a frown forming on his features. “I’m sorry.” He offered lightly. Ironhide’s stance became defensive.

“You don’t know anything about the council shutting down the energon depot in Tarn do you?” He stared at Optimus hoping he didn’t know his capacitor cycled up with tension running through his circuitry. Optimus stared at him his optics widened slightly. His pause told Ironhide all he needed to know.

“You did know.” He couldn’t mask his disappointment.

“So I am assuming that you are also aware of the plans to ration energon and denying permission to build their own refinery?”

Ironhide felt his anger building as Optimus struggled to come up with a satisfactory answer.

“Ironhide please let me explain. The decision was only …”

“You did know?”

“Ironhide… I…”
“Answer me Optimus!”

“Yes I knew. I gave the order!” He glared back at him, confusion spread across his face. Ironhide couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“You didn’t tell me! Why?”

“Ironhide there has barely been enough time for the order to be carried out. I am surprised that you are even aware of it.”

“So you weren’t going to tell me?”

“That’s not what I meant…!” Optimus was becoming frustrated;

“You know Optimus I thought… I actually thought you were my friend outside of being the fraggin’ leader.”

Optimus was hurt by this statement. “I am Ironhide, please let m…”

“Then why couldn’t you tell me! Me!? Those are my people out there, fellow warriors. Friends Optimus! Tarn is my home! It, they need energon just as much as Iacon does! What gives you the right to…?”

“Ironhide!” Optimus snapped causing Ironhide to clamp his mouth shut. “The council voted unanimously, I had no choice. I am travelling to Tarn to try and better understand the situation there.”

“You don't have a choice?! You’re Prime!” Ironhide yelled angrily.

“Please Ironhide there are things you don’t… that you’re not aware of…”

“Yeah I got that message loud and clear.” He snarled dangerously. “You know what Optimus… Sorry Prime…” Optimus winced at the emphasis on his title.

“I thought you were different.” Ironhide was pointing his finger defiantly at Optimus now, his cannons whirring in response to his temper. He continued before Optimus had a chance to defend himself.

“But you’re just like the rest of those glitching bureaucrats! In fact, you’re worse. At least none of them would pretend to be a friend and betray them!”

Optimus’s mouth dropped open he was clearly upset and shocked by the accusation.

“You and that slaggin’ overlord deserve each other!” He snarled his anger taking over. He knew deep down he would regret saying that. He registered the pained anguish that crossed Optimus’s face at his words. His jaw clenched and he glared at him with a burning that Ironhide had not seen or felt from Optimus before. He would never admit it, but it frightened him as Optimus took a tense step toward him before thinking better of his actions.

“I think we’re done here.” Optimus uttered his tone dangerous.

Ironhide’s optics narrowed his pride and temper too far gone to be controlled.

“I think we’re done… period…” Ironhide let his last statement hang in the air. He felt a flash of ache across his spark as he saw the hurt in Optimus’s optics. He knew the young Prime well enough to know that he had hurt him deeply. He no longer wanted to see it; he did not want to feel guilty for this.

“Get the slag out of my sight.” He snarled harshly. He turned away from Optimus. Hearing him transform, he felt empty and heavy as Optimus left him alone without so much as a word. Regret washed over him, but he would not take back his words, he meant every one of them. Optimus had betrayed his trust, turned against those who needed him. That was not something he could forgive.

He buzzed his comm. A voice drawled into his head expectantly. “’Hide I didn’t think you’d call.” Ironhide merely grunted in response. He spoke briefly much to the delight of the other warrior.

“Count me in.”