Transformers Prime: Through Bad and Through Worse

Chapter Twenty Three

Energon stained the floor around Sir's peds, leaking from a gash across his torso, given to him by Cliffjumper, as he stumbled backwards, and shouted, "How the Pits did you glitches get in here!?"

As Bulkhead, Arcee and Cliffjumper handled the silver mech, Ratchet and Bumblebee set off to find their leader, who wasn't in the main cave at the time. Ratchet had felt pure agony from his mate's side of the bond hours before, and it had worried him even more than he was before. It's what led to him to the plan: sneak into the caves, and attack. Not the best, but, it was working, and that's all that counts.

::We should split up. We'll find him faster that way.:: Bumblebee said as they came to three caves leading to different tunnels.

"I'll go into this one." Ratchet nodded, before heading into the first cave and beginning his search.

It took near fifteen minutes to find a clearing, in the winding tunnels. When Ratchet did, it was empty, and had one dim light source.

Great... The medic growled and turned to leave, but stopped when he noticed the huge hole in the ground. What could that be? He slowly approached it, and looked down into the darkness. He could barely make out the frame of his mate.

"Optimus?" He called down, a relieved look coming to his faceplate.

"Ngh.... R-Ratchet-t?" Optimus replied weakly, his voice quiet and shaky.

"I'm coming!" Ratchet exclaimed worriedly, before accessing a lift type device, that lowered down into the hole. He immediately used it, and reached his mate as soon as he possibly could.

Optimus was laying on his back, shifting weakly, barely conscious, which worried Ratchet. He knew his mate's life was in danger, and if his condition wasn't stabilized...

"Wh-What are y-you.. doing here?" The Prime choked out, as his mate dropped to his knees beside him.

"Saving you." Ratchet replied, resting a servo on his shoulder. "Can you walk?"

"I told-d y-you to leave while you still c-c-could..."

"I couldn't just- Mmf!" Ratchet was cut off when Optimus pulled him downward and brought their lips to meet passionately, his servos holding a tight grip around Ratchet's waist. Ratchet slid his servo to Optimus's cheek, and smiled into the kiss.

When they broke, Optimus forced a weak smile. "F-For the both of us... I t-truly hope Sir g-gets his a-aft kicked..."

Ratchet couldn't help but laugh. "I thought Primes didn't make comments like that."

"I-I've had a long day..."

~~

Sir was on one knee and bleeding terribly by the time Ratchet managed to get the exhausted Prime out of the hole and into the main cave, unarmed and feeling rather upset.

"How DARE you!" The silver mech snarled at Ratchet. "I will rip your spark out!"

"Try, we dare you." Cliffjumper growled in warning, pointing a blaster at him.

"Is this really how you want to live your life?" Ratchet asked quietly, earning an even darker glare from Sir. "Is... is this what your son would want?"

"My son would've wanted me to avenge his mother! And his unborn sibling! It's all your fault!" Sir screamed, tears coming to his optics. "She was murdered! How can I stand for such a malicious kind!? That's why we left Cybertron in the first place!"

Ratchet took a second to process the new information before replying, "but... not the entire Cybertronian race is evil like that."

"I beg to differ. My mate was murdered, clearly if that happened, it's a lost cause." Sir growled.

"N.. well..." The medic silently prepared his next argument. "Look... there are good beings, and there are bad beings, just because a couple bad Cybertronians hurt you... doesn't mean that all of them are bad. Do you understand?"

"THEY MURDERED HER!" The silver mech screeched, tears beginning to rapidly fall from his optics.

"That's what you were planning to do to Ratchet's mate. Doesn't that make you the same as them?" Cliffjumper said softly, coming to stand beside Ratchet. "How is it different?"

Sir didn't say anything, only stared at the pile of rocks, his son's grave, with a broken spark.

"Okay I'd love to continue this debate, but our leader is currently going to die if we don't medically enhance his condition." Arcee piped up, gesturing to Optimus.

"Yeah, get the frag out of my home." Sir spat.

"But what are we going to do with him?" Bulkhead asked, his gaze on the silver mech that appeared to be rapid. (Everyone is thinking it. Admit it.)

Cliffjumper waved a servo. "I'll handle it. You guys go."

"Come on, Optimus..." Ratchet and Bulkhead helped the Prime out the entrance to the cave and disappeared into the tunnels.

Once they were gone, Cliffjumper lowered to one knee to be at level with Sir, his gaze sad.

"Well," The red mech sighed. "I'll make it quick."

"Do it." Sir whispered dryly. "Put me out of my misery."

Cliffjumper stood, and activated his blaster. "Well, because you asked me to."

He aimed right in between Sir's red optics, who watched him silently, a smile coming to his lips.

Cliff turned his helm away and fired.

~~

After a fair amount of medical care, Optimus's condition had been stabilized, much to everyone's relief, and was resting on a berth in the ship they had arrived on Earth in. Ratchet stayed by his side, holding the Prime's servo in his, a soft smile on his lips.

"I was afraid, Optimus." He whispered softly.

"I was as well..." The Prime replied, smiling back. "Where's Lightswipe?"

"She's recharging. Bumblebee is going to get her." Ratchet stood and looked down the hall. "He should be here any minute now."

"We were fortunate Sir had an expertise in medical care." Optimus watched him, his voice quiet. "I don't know what we would've done if he hadn't."

At that moment, Bumblebee entered the room, carrying a giggling and squirming Lightswipe.

::Here's your bundle of joy.:: He said as he gave her to Ratchet. ::She was a pain to wake up. Heavy sleeper.::

Ratchet laughed. "Thank you, Bumblebee."

When the scout had left, the medic put Lightswipe in Optimus's arms. She giggled and snuggled up to the Prime the moment she was in his hold.

Optimus smiled.

~~

Hours later, Cliffjumper left the caves. It had taken work to gather enough stones to accomplish his task, but he had managed.

In the main cave, beside the first pile of stones that served as the son's grave, was a new pile, neatly stacked, with thoughtful and warm-hearted work.

Sir would never be alone again.