Becoming Prime

Questions

Ironhide couldn’t feel his legs, energon tasted bitter in his throat. He clawed his hand in front of him gripping weakly onto the metal grill of the floor. He had no strength to pull himself along, he slumped to the ground. His body was covered in dents and scratches, his armour split and in some cases completely ripped away from his protoform. The air was painful on his exposed metal frame. Coolant, oil and energon pooled beneath him. He felt the heat leaving his body, his spark screamed at him inside his chest. Alarms blaring out across his sensor net as systems began shutting down one by one to conserve whatever energy he had left. His battered helm rested on the ground, his one working optic could barely focus. ‘Must warn Optimus...’ His thoughts shouted at him. His cortex fired signals that went unheard; Ironhide could no longer muster the strength to move. He was dead, he knew it. Optimus was dead and it was his fault. Anguish ripped through him as he uttered a gurgled cry of frustration, trying one last time to drag himself along the ground, to no avail. Ironhide went still his fingers still curled around the metal grill. A pair of legs standing over him was the last thing Ironhide saw before his vision failed him.
****
Chief Medic Ratchet was irritated by the commotion. “What in the name of Primus is going on here?” He demanded as he entered the chaotic med-bay. His assistant looked positively stricken.

“Thank Primus you’re here. I haven’t seen injuries like this!”

Ratchet made his way over to the occupied berth. He was horrified at the extent of the mech’s injuries. He turned away to gather his tools. A hand grabbed him. He stared at his patient.

“Optimus...” the mech whispered. “Need to... speak...” His grip went limp as he passed out. Ratchet was stunned. He buzzed his comm.

‘Chief Medic Ratchet to Prime.’
‘Go ahead Ratchet.’
‘You’re going to want to come down here, there’s someone you really need to speak to.’
‘I’m on my way.’

Optimus glanced at Ultra Magnus. “You’re coming with me.”
“Sir?”
“Med-bay now, you need repairs.” Optimus shouted behind him as he headed swiftly out of the room.
****
Ratchet managed to get him conscious again just as Optimus and Ultra Magnus entered the room. Ultra Magnus snarled upon seeing the mech on the berth and lunged for him. “You! Slaggin’ traitor!” Ratchet stood in his way and held him back. “He is my patient!”
“He is a traitor.” Ultra Magnus glared at him defiantly.

“Who he is, is irrelevant. This is my med-bay, you will do as I say or so help me you will wish you reconsidered your choices right at this moment. Now sit down and wait for your repairs quietly before I put you down.” Ultra went reluctantly to the available berth under the insistence of Ratchet’s assistant. Ratchet turned back to his patient to find Optimus standing by the berth.

“Ironhide...” He whispered, his optics taking in every inch of his injuries. No matter what Ultra had seen, no ‘bot deserved treatment like this.
Ironhide’s left optic was the only one that was functional. It flickered faintly as it landed on Optimus. He reached out and grabbed his wrist. His voice was a rasp of pain and damage, gurgling as the energon caught in his throat.

“Opt... Optimus... I’m sorry... I didn’t know...warriors betrayed me...” He spluttered painfully as Ratchet tried to stabilise him. “Mustn’t trav... Tarn... Mega... tron... task force...” His whole body tensed as convulsions racked his frame. Optimus was shaken to his core.

“He’s going into stasis lock!” Ratchet cried out as his assistant rushed to his side. Elbowing Optimus out of the way, he went to work urgently on his dying patient. Optimus stepped back, still in shock. After a few minutes Ratchet cast him a worried look.

“It doesn’t look good Sir.”
“Can you save him?”
“I can do my best.”
“Do it then. I want to speak to him when I return from Tarn.”

A cry of anguish and pain escaped from Ironhide’s mouth. He struggled against Ratchet. “Nooo!!”
“Trap!” He yelled. “Don’t... Tarn... Opt... Urrgghh...” His optics rolled back into his head as his body fell limp against the berth.

Optimus steadied himself against Ultra Magnus’s berth as he felt nausea building at the pitiful and harrowing site of the strong warrior, his teacher, his friend. Ultra placed a hand on his arm. “You can’t trust what he says Optimus. He’s one of them now. You know that.” He spoke softly. Optimus straightened himself and glared at his friend. “Someone did not want him to talk Ultra. I at least owe him the respect of listening to what he has to say.”

“What could you possibly owe him Optimus he’s a trait...”
“Everything!” Optimus snapped, his powerful voice silencing the med-bay. Ultra Magnus was taken aback at the outburst. Optimus dropped his gaze towards where Ratchet was working frantically to try and save Ironhide.
“I owe him everything.” He continued softly. Ultra Magnus was at a loss. “I saw him Optimus. I was there at Tarn. I saw what he did.”
Optimus absently rubbed the plates bridging his nose and shuttered his optics wearily. “Let me know when he wakes up.”
“Sir...”
“I want to question him.” He was firm. Ultra Magnus relented.
“Of course.”
Optimus gave him a thin smile. “Get yourself fixed up Ultra.” He made to leave.
“What are you going to do?”
Optimus hesitated for a split second his head dropped; he left the room without answering.

In truth Optimus had no idea what he could possibly do. He felt utterly helpless. The shock of seeing Ironhide in that state rattled him. Who could have done that, why? Why would Ironhide risk his spark to speak to him if he had betrayed him? Why had he mentioned Megatron and the task force? Optimus decided he needed to speak with Megatron urgently.

The whole planet was going to slag and Optimus couldn’t help but feel more than a little responsible.
****
Megatron stood tense on the other side of Optimus’s desk. Optimus pulled up security footage of the small faction of warriors attacking the Iacon refinery. Warriors who Optimus knew were on Megatron’s task force. He turned to him. His gaze was fierce, angry.

“Did you know about this?”
Megatron was placid. “How can you ask me that Optimus?”
“Just answer the question Megatron. Did you know what your task force was doing? Did you know they were the rebels?”

“Of course I didn’t, how dare you accuse me!” Megatron snarled. He swore silently he would off line the warriors himself for being so incompetent as to allow themselves to be seen, jeopardising everything he had worked to achieve. He softened his tone as Optimus glared at him. “Optimus, you know I wouldn’t do that to you. I swear to you those responsible will be apprehended and dealt with accordingly.”

Optimus shut off the image. “You will bring them to me.” He replied quietly, he sighed before continuing.

“Megatron, did you have anything to do with what happened to Ironhide?”

Megatron turned away from Optimus in disgust and paced over to the window. “I am appalled at how he has been treated Optimus, I suspect that it was the same warriors who attacked the refinery. They are not renowned for their loyalty to each other.” He turned back his optics narrowed. “I will find them.”

Optimus nodded his acknowledgement. “I am surprised however...” Megatron continued. “That you are relieved at his survival. He is a traitor is he not? With the extent of his injuries by all accounts he should be dead, yet you allowed the medic to try and save him. Forgive my boldness but isn’t that a waste of precious resources?”

Optimus frowned at him. “We don’t allow someone to die Megatron just because they have wronged us in some way or because our resources are low. That’s not who we are. That’s not who we should allow ourselves to become.” Megatron bowed slightly. “Of course.” He drawled. He glanced up, Optimus looked weary. Megatron decided to risk his chances. Moving swiftly over to the young mech, he embraced him firmly. Optimus went completely stiff with tension and surprise at the gesture of comfort. Megatron purred softly into his ear finial. “You are taking this all too hard Optimus. This is too much for one to bear alone.” He felt Optimus resist, pushing him back.

“It is my burden to bear Megatron. It is not a choice I’m given.”
“It could be...” He whispered,
“What?”

“Share it with me Optimus...” Megatron heard the earnest yearning in his own voice. He had never denied to himself how much he wanted Optimus.

“Megatron you help me enough...”

He ventured closer raking his talons down Optimus’s armour covering his spark chamber, causing the leader to quiver at his touch. “I could be more...”

Optimus stared at him incredulously. “What are you saying?” He drifted off not really wanting to know the answer. He took an unconscious step back. Megatron pinned him to the wall with one stride. He wasn’t dominating; he merely pressed his own frame into Optimus’s gently, holding him there. His tone was insistent. He brought up his other hand resting it on Optimus’s chest.

“Let me in Optimus...” He pressed lightly on the plating covering Optimus’s spark chamber enough to emphasise his point. Optimus’s optics widened as it dawned on him what Megatron was asking of him.

“Megatron I don’t think this is...appropriate right now...”

“We may not get another chance.” Megatron purred, allowing his glossa to probe the sensitive wiring exposed in Optimus’s neck. His cortex raced through his plans. If he couldn’t destroy Optimus’s resolve then he could certainly control him through a spark bond. He knew Optimus desired him physically; it was to be expected after the stellar cycles of being touched by nobody but him. Now Megatron wanted his mind, wanted him inside, wanted to have Optimus rule by his side. No, not to rule, he thought to himself. To have him submit to him completely, their thoughts and desires as one, he wanted everything that made Optimus who he was.

He pressed his labia plates against his neck and allowed his dentals to scrape along the wiring, Optimus moaned softly.

“Be one with me Optimus... we will only be stronger together...”

His voice was seductive and his gentle touches felt exquisite on Optimus’s frame. He trembled involuntarily, clenching and unclenching his fists, struggling to maintain his concentration as Megatron’s talons played lightly across his spark chamber. His capacitor quickened as Megatron enticed him, seduced him slowly. He was not used to Megatron being this way; it was too gentle, too... caring... Optimus’s logic circuits screamed at him. ‘He’s just trying to control you, fight him. Don’t give in.’ He heard himself moan out loud as Megatron ran his glossa from his neck to his chassis. ‘Don’t... give in.’ He kept trying to tell himself. The thoughts melted away to nothing as Megatron pressed himself firmly against Optimus’s trembling frame, his talons probing beneath the armour of his spark chamber urging him to release, to open up to him.

Megatron uttered a soft guttural growl as Optimus began to succumb to his tender touches. His labia curled with satisfaction. Soon the young leader would be his, completely and willingly. The thought was incredibly arousing. Nobody would be left to stand in his way.

Optimus’s comm. buzzed loudly startling them both. Optimus’s optics shot open, he stared at Megatron.

“Ignore it.” Megatron commanded unable to keep the frustrated snarl from his voice.

Optimus held his optics. ‘Optimus here.’
‘It’s Ratchet, he’s awake Sir.’
‘I’ll be right there.’

He held Megatron’s gaze for a little while longer. Relief washed through him at the interruption. Megatron was far too adept at seducing him, he would never again let him get so close, would never let him touch his spark. He tensed. Megatron appeared to know what he was thinking. His optics darkened threateningly, with a loud snarl he exited Optimus’s quarters. Optimus slid down the wall to the floor, a faint ache of regret washed through his circuits. What if Megatron had been genuine? Optimus shuttered his optics as he heard Megatron’s roar of frustration and anger reverberate down the corridor.
****
He had no clue what he was going to say to Ironhide. He racked his brain as he marched down the corridor to the med-bay. Where would he start? He was furious at the betrayal but also felt completely relieved that Ironhide would survive. He entered the med-bay.
Ironhide was propped into a sitting position on the berth. Wires and an energon drip were tied to his systems, keeping him alive while his body underwent repair. His optics were shuttered. Optimus noted the angry scar that now ran across his right optic. His optics looked down the complete length of Ironhide’s body. One of his cannons were missing, part of his armour had been torn away from the spark chamber. He was covered in dents and cracks and stains of blue energon still dotted his frame.

“You shouldn’t stare, it’s rude.” His gruff voice shook Optimus to his senses, feeling the heat building in his facial plates; he had in fact been staring. He moved towards Ironhide’s berth.

They stared at each other for a few moments. Optimus was the first to speak.
“Ironhide I...”
“Optimus please... don’t.” Ironhide interrupted gently. Ratchet exited his office and approached them.

“Prime I ask that you try not to stress my patient. He is under a powerful sensor block for the pain but I would much rather he goes into recharge as soon as possible.”
“Understood Ratchet, thank you.” Ratchet hovered. “May I have a moment alone with him?” Ratchet cast a look towards Ironhide who nodded faintly. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

“Optimus I want you to know, how deeply sorry I am... I know you can’t ever forgive me for what I did... I was angry but I didn’t know Optimus. They were my friends, I trusted them...” He trailed off, his face betraying his pain, his anger.

“I saw you kill a guard. A defenceless guard at that.” Ultra Magnus seethed from the med-bay door. He joined Optimus’s side. Optimus gazed at him with concern. “Is this true?”

Ironhide shuttered his optics. “Yes.” He whispered.

“I told you he was one of them.” Ultra Magnus growled.

“He was dead already!” Ironhide retorted angrily. Wincing as the efforts strained one of the wires linked to his chest. “He had lost almost his entire supply of energon. The warrior who attacked him... he ripped out his main energon line... he would have died slowly and painfully. You wouldn’t have been able to get him to help in time.”

“That’s some excu...”

“I put him out of his misery! I worked with him, I knew him. Could you do the same?”

Ironhide glared at Ultra Magnus who pressed his mouth into a thin line.
“Didn’t think so...” Ironhide rested his head back and shuttered his optics. Optimus spoke up softly.
“Ultra could you give us a moment alone please.”
“But... Optimus.”
“Now, Ultra.” Optimus held his gaze firmly; Ultra Magnus clenched his jaw before storming from the room.

Optimus found Ironhide watching him curiously. He felt his capacitor tic over more rapidly in response to his questioning gaze. He frowned struggling to find the right words.

“Tell me everything.” He said finally. Ironhide relaxed a little and proceeded to tell Optimus everything that had happened since their argument.
“I’m sorry I betrayed you.” He finished quietly. Optimus’s gaze had turned to a scowl as he processed all the information Ironhide had given him.
“You’re telling me the entire task force, warriors I appointed myself are the ones carrying out the attacks? They are in fact the rebels?”

“Yes.”

“How can you be certain it’s not just a select few?”

“Optimus I was there.” Ironhide replied wearily. “They’re led by Megatron.”

“He wouldn’t do that.” Optimus stated defensively in disbelief. Ironhide frowned at him. “You know him better than anyone Optimus; you know full well what he’s capable of.”

“But to have done what you’re accusing him of... I just can’t believe he would go so far.”

“Optimus please, what do I have to gain from lying to you?” Ironhide’s voice was pleading, desperate to get Optimus to see the truth. “He ordered, my friends, mechs I thought were my friends to do this to me so I couldn’t warn you.”

Optimus stopped pacing suddenly. “Warn me of what?”
“His plans to kill you...”

Optimus’s optics widened with surprise and disbelief. “What... he wants to kill me? I don’t understand...” He spoke more to himself than to Ironhide, his memories drifting back to earlier in his quarters. “Why would he try to spark bond with me, if he intended on killing me?” He muttered distractedly, temporarily forgetting that Ironhide was there.

“What?!” Ironhide yelled. Optimus was startled. “He did what with you?”
“He tried to spark bond with me...” Ironhide was horrified. “Please tell me you didn’t...”

“Of course I didn’t.” Optimus retorted, neglecting to mention how close he’d unwittingly come to almost being spark bonded with Megatron. Ironhide sank back onto the berth. “Thank Primus.” He breathed. “Optimus you have to believe me”

“Ironhide I don’t have to believe anything you tell me. You turned your back on me and everything I hold dear. You were the one who assumed that I had betrayed you.” He moved closer to Ironhide almost threateningly. “So tell me why it is I should believe you?”

“Have you told anyone about postponing your visit to Tarn?”

Optimus was surprised at the question. “No, I haven’t had chance. How did you...?”

“I trust you to listen to me.” Ironhide smiled sadly. “Don’t tell anyone, not even the council and especially not Megatron. You’ll see that I am not lying to you.” He dropped his optics down and slowly rested his hand onto Optimus’s hand as he leaned on his berth. “I would never lie to you Optimus.” Ironhide’s voice was low, rough with emotion as the last few days caught up to him. Optimus stared at his hand, he did not pull away.

The warmth of Ironhide’s battered body near to him soothed him, helped him think clearer, he felt his circuits heating up at the touch of his hand; inappropriate thoughts flashed through his cortex, residual energies pulsed through his circuits from his unwilling arousal by Megatron. He jerked away with a start, his emotions running high. Ironhide caught the look of confusion and frustration on his face. Optimus avoided his gaze and backed slowly towards the door. He could feel his control slipping.

He straightened and looked Ironhide directly in his optics. “I hope for everyone’s sake that you’re wrong Ironhide.” Optimus spoke sadly. Ironhide couldn’t help but detect the tremor in his voice. His optics narrowed at the young leader something else was wrong; he was clearly uncomfortable in his presence. Ironhide suspected he knew why.

“Optimus, please talk to me.”

Optimus held up his hand and shook his head. “Not now Ironhide. I can’t... I am not going to deal with this now.” He opened his mouth to say something more, before closing it again and exiting the room swiftly.

Ironhide jumped as Ratchet cleared his throat beside him as he adjusted the wiring leading to Ironhide’s chest. “He’s an angsty youngling isn’t he?” Ironhide raised his brow in surprise at the medic’s tone. Ratchet shrugged. “It’s my job to notice these things.” He stated simply before returning to his office.