Okay! This is a fic requested by cai-ann. Hopefully I'm doing a good enough job on it! More chapters to come. :)
I own nothing. And I hate that I have to keep saying I own nothing. It beats that nail deeper and deeper into that saddening fact. :(
Anyways! On with the story! I should mention the flashbacks are set on Cybertron.
Sacrifice.
That's what bodyguards did. They sacrificed everything for the one they protected.
Ironhide was always prepared to do whatever it took to protect Optimus. He never let his guard down once, sensors always alert, cannons always ready to spring to life to neutralize anything that was a threat to Cybertron's last Prime. Some mechs believed Ironhide to be too old and paranoid, therefore unfit to guard Optimus, but the black mech proved himself worthy to be the Autobot Commander's top bodyguard time and time again. His experience was invaluable for Optimus's protection.
But Ironhide's relationship was more than just a bodyguard to Optimus…they were friends. Close friends. Optimus had known Ironhide since the day the Prime was born. The Weapons Specialist basically raised Optimus from a Sparkling to the adult mech he was today. Again Ironhide was criticized for befriending his charge for the thought it would cloud his judgment in tough situations. But if his friendship with Optimus affected his ability to guard the Prime at all, it made the Weapons Specialist even more dedicated to Optimus's safety. Especially after the first time Megatron tried to kill him. Optimus was still young when it happened…
Ironhide was escorting Optimus back to his room after a long day of lessons and meetings. The young Prime was visibly exhausted.
"I'm not even an adult mech, and I'm shoved into all these meetings that I know nothing about! And that's on top of my lessons I still have to take. Sometimes I wish I wasn't a Prime," Optimus sighed.
Ironhide chuckled. "We can't choose who we are Optimus, only make the best of it. But I, for one, am glad you're a Prime."
"Why's that?"
Ironhide looked down to the young mech. "Because I never would have met you if you weren't."
Optimus's optics immediately lit up as he smiled. "You're the best, Ironhide."
"I know."
The pair reached Optimus's room and Ironhide opened the door, revealing Megatron obviously waiting for their return.
"Megatron," Ironhide said, optics narrowing, He never trusted the silver mech, no matter what anyone said. There was something decidedly evil that Ironhide saw in him. "What brings you here?"
"I just wanted to spend some time with dear little Optimus," he answered slowly, narrowing his optics in return. "Am I not allowed to see my own brother?"
"He's had a long day," Ironhide stated, stepping in front of the young Prime slightly. "He needs rest now. You can see him later."
"I'm sure a few moments with him wouldn't matter much now," Megatron answered dangerously, eyeing Optimus as he peered around Ironhide.
"I really am tired, Megatron," Optimus said, rubbing his optics. "I'm sure I'll have time to talk to you later."
"Alright, Optimus. Then why don't you come lie down?" the silver mech gestured towards the berth, his red optics glinting in anticipation.
"Optimus, no!" Ironhide yelled as Optimus moved forward, away from the safety Ironhide provided. The Weapons Specialist leapt in front of him as Megatron fired his fusion cannon, blocking the assassination attempt. Ironhide was thrown across the room from the force of the blast that hit him.
//Code Red! CODE RED! Assassination attempt on Prime in his chamber! I need backup NOW!// Ironhide shouted through his com link, pulling himself out of a pile of rubble.
Megatron sneered at his younger brother, who was shaking in both shock and fear. "You? The last Prime? Pathetic," he scowled, aiming his fusion cannon once more. Optimus was frozen to the spot. "It's time I rid the planet of you for good."
"Not while I'm still online!" Ironhide bellowed, shooting both cannons off simultaneously, blasting Megatron to the floor. "Optimus, hide!" the black mech yelled. Optimus obeyed and hid behind his toppled berth, peering around it fearfully.
Megatron growled as he stood, glaring at the bodyguard with as much hate he could muster. "You've intervened for the last time, bodyguard," the larger mech seethed, launching himself at Ironhide.
Ironhide braced himself for the impact, but was hit with too much force. Megatron pinned him to the floor, slowly crushing his chest right above his Spark chamber.
"Any last words?" Megatron sneered, putting more pressure on Ironhide's chest.
Ironhide only grunted and charged both of his cannons before using a burst of strength to push Megatron off him, and shot his cannons at the ceiling. The room immediately caved in, and Megatron was buried beneath the rubble.
"Optimus! Are you okay?" Ironhide yelled. He was so exhausted he couldn't stand, not to mention the damage he had to his lower circuitry, but in his determination he dragged himself across the debris-covered floor to where Optimus was hiding.
"Y…yeah…" Optimus replied, shaking all over. His optics grew even wider as he saw the injuries Ironhide sustained. "Ironhide! Y-you're hurt bad!"
Ironhide grunted slightly and attempted a small smile. "Its nothing, kid. Don't worry about it. I'll be fine." When Optimus still looked worried, he added, "It takes a lot more than a single fusion cannon blast to take me offline."
"How about two, then?" Megatron growled, emerging from the pile of debris he was buried under. He shot at Ironhide again.
Ironhide covered the small Prime with one arm and shot several cannon blasts with the other using the rest of his energy, knocking Megatron back.
The silver mech was just about to retaliate when he heard a group of mechs rushing towards the room. He escaped just before they reached the chamber.
"What happened here?" Prowl asked, stopping abruptly. He was shocked at the destruction. "…is that Megatron?" he added, pointing to the escaping mech.
"Yes it is," Ironhide said through gritted teeth, still lying on the floor with Optimus safely covered. "He tried to kill Optimus."
"Is he okay?!?" Ratchet asked frantically.
"He's shaken up, but that's it," Ironhide replied, releasing Optimus to the medic.
"That's more that can be said for you."
"I'm a bodyguard. Its what I'm supposed to do, Ratch." Ironhide grunted again as he tried to sit up, wires sparking and energon leaking from his wounds. Ratchet was satisfied that Optimus had no injuries and allowed him to stay while he looked over Ironhide.
Prowl was alerting everyone of Megatron's betrayal, ordering his immediate capture and interrogation. "I can't believe he would do something like this…his own brother…" Prowl sighed.
"I can," Ironhide muttered. "I could always sense something evil about that mech. And somehow, 'I told you!' doesn't quite get the point across right now."
Silence followed Ironhide's words. Indeed, he had tried to warn others about Megatron, but they never took him seriously. They would now.
"Primus must have really liked you today, Ironhide," Ratchet commented, scanning the Weapons Specialist's injuries. "Both blasts missed everything vital, and your Spark chamber doesn't have any lasting damage."
"So he's gonna be okay?" Optimus asked the medic worriedly.
"He'll make a full recovery," Ratchet confirmed.
"Good," Optimus replied, hugging Ironhide tightly.
Ironhide was brought out of his memories when he saw Optimus stand. He was a fully grown adult mech now, much taller than Ironhide, and the Commander of the Autobot forces against the Decepticon Army. He would never say it aloud, but Ironhide was very proud of the mech Optimus had become. The Weapons Specialist missed the old days, especially before the Great War, but was glad to still have a part in Optimus's life. Even if it wasn't what it used to be.
"Ready, Ironhide?" Optimus asked.
"Ready, Prime," he answered.
Optimus frowned slightly. He missed when Ironhide would call him by his name, not his title. But so much had changed since he took over as the Autobot commander, especially the way Ironhide acted around him.
Optimus shook his head slowly, upset about the formality between them now…he missed the old days when Ironhide wasn't just his bodyguard, but his friend, role model, and father figure. Optimus never really knew his real father, but he saw so much of Ironhide that when he was a Sparkling, he thought Ironhide was his real father. Optimus smiled at the memory, reminiscing Ironhide's amused reaction when this was brought up. He missed that, but he'd never admit it to the black mech he'd known his whole life.
"Let's get going," Optimus said, pulling himself out of his memories. "Autobots, roll out!"
The Autobots left their base on a secret mission to securely transfer the Matrix of Leadership to a safer location, but to the outside world, it only looked like Optimus and his team were on their way to a meeting with the humans.
The group traveled to the other side of the island in silence. Optimus and Ironhide were towards the front of the group, followed by Ratchet, Jazz, Bumblebee, Jolt, and the Twins, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. It had been several months since The Fallen had been defeated, and there was still no sign of Decepticon activity on earth. But the Autobots were still weary of an attack, and thus decided to move the Matrix to a much more secure home.
The Autobots prepared to leave Diego Garcia with the Matrix along with the NEST team. They boarded a giant aircraft carrier that would take them to the continental United States, and would continue on land to the newly constructed secret resting place of the Matrix.
Ratchet watched Ironhide and Optimus closely. He noticed a change in both of their behaviors lately. And, knowing both of them for so long, he was pretty sure he knew why. The medic decided to approach Ironhide first.
"You know, there's no real reason for you to call him 'Prime,' right?"
Ironhide huffed. "Of course there is."
"What is it, then? When the rest of us all call him Optimus."
"Its…because…it just doesn't feel right."
"That's not a real reason, Ironhide," Ratchet stated, raising an optic ridge.
"So?" the black mech asked quickly.
Ratchet crossed his arms over his chest. "Why are you so defensive?"
"Why are you asking so many questions?" Ironhide snapped back, turning to leave.
"I think he'd like it if you called him Optimus again."
The Weapons Specialist paused and turned back to face Ratchet. "You think so, huh?" he asked offhand, trying to hide his curiosity but failing.
"Yes, I do," Ratchet smirked, satisfied at Ironhide's reaction. He turned to go below deck. "Things can still go back to the way they were," he added over his shoulder.
Ironhide scowled slightly at the retreating mech, but it turned to a reluctant smile. Maybe Ratchet was right…maybe things could go back to what they used to be. No, he couldn't let that happen. Ironhide couldn't let his feelings get in the way again. Optimus needed him as a bodyguard, not a friend.
Optimus was resting below deck. He wished he could gather the courage to tell Ironhide how much he missed their old friendship. He smiled sheepishly to himself…he was Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, capable of taking on an entire group of Decepticons by himself with no fear, yet he couldn't tell his oldest friend what was on his mind. Optimus sighed. He wasn't always the leader he was today, and though Ironhide would never admit to it, he had a big part in who Optimus had become. The Prime soon became lost in his thoughts, flashes of memories passing through his processor. One particular one caught his attention. It was the day Optimus took over as the Autobot Leader…
The day had finally come. The day when Optimus Prime would finally assume full leadership of the Autobots. Before the Great War was started, this would have been the day Optimus took on the role of leading Cybertron with peace and justice. But now, since the planet was caught in the middle of a vicious civil war, it was impossible to do.
Still, the elders insisted on a ceremony, saying Optimus deserved one. Ironhide and several others objected to this, saying it would make Optimus a wide-open target for assassination, but they finally gave in once they were convinced there would be sufficient security.
Ironhide was on the stage with Optimus when he was giving his speech as the new Autobot Commander, scanning the area for threats, but also supporting his best friend on this big day. Ironhide was proud of Optimus, more than the new leader probably knew. Security bots were scattered all over the area to ensure Optimus's safety as well, keeping in constant contact with each other. Everything was going flawlessly according to plan, until the traitor in the crowd emerged.
"Optimus!" Ironhide yelled, seeing the threat an astrosecond too late. He was distracted for that tiny moment during Optimus's speech, admiring the mech he'd become…but it was all the time that was needed for Optimus to be shot. Ironhide watched his best friend fall to the floor in slow motion, a gaping wound over his chest.
Optimus blinked a few times, not realizing what had happened. One second he was standing, the next he was lying on the floor, and Ironhide was shouting his name and leaning over him with fear in his optics. Optimus also had this weird sensation in his chest, and slowly lifted his head to look…black, twisted metal. Suddenly the pain crashed into him with the realization that he had been shot.
"Optimus! Listen to me. Stay with me!" Ironhide pleaded, kneeling next to the fallen leader.
Ratchet was at the scene mere astroseconds after it happened. He wordlessly motioned for the other medics to join him while he worked on Optimus then and there. "No time to move him to the medbay," the CMO said, not looking up from his work. "If we're going to save him, it will be right here, right now."
Ironhide was dragged out of the way by Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. But Ironhide wanted to be there next to Optimus. He needed to apologize for messing up, for not doing his job as a bodyguard, for letting his feelings get in the way of what he was supposed to do.
Prowl and Red Alert somberly approached Ironhide. "Do you want to know who it was?" Prowl asked slowly, not daring to look Ironhide in the optic.
"Yes," the Weapons Specialist growled, anger now replacing his shock and fear.
"Barricade."
It was the only time Ironhide had ever let his guard down…just that one astrosecond. And it just happened to be that astrosecond that Barricade chose to show himself as a traitor.
Prowl explained to Optimus that Ironhide blamed himself for the attack that day, even when absolutely no one else did. Barricade was a trusted member of the Autobot team, and no one else noticed the threat in time either. But it didn't stop Ironhide from feeling the guilt, thinking if he had just been a bodyguard, not a friend, he could've stopped it from happening. Optimus tried to talk to Ironhide about it, but the mech wouldn't listen to what anyone said. It didn't matter to Ironhide that Optimus had made a full recovery with no lasting effects...it was the fact it happened in the first place that made the Weapons Specialist beat himself up over the situation. "They were right," he would say. "I should never have let my friendship get in the way of protecting you. I won't make that mistake again."
Ever since that day, Ironhide became a different mech. He was never truly happy anymore. He addressed Optimus formally, like a bodyguard would, and made it his personal mission to wipe out anything that had even the tiniest chance of being a threat to Optimus. Though this proved to be very effective for his safety, Optimus no longer had the role model, friend, and father figure he had before. They were still close, and shared rare moments of friendship together, but it was never the same. And it upset the leader more than he'd let anyone know.
What do you think so far? Okay? :P Reviews would be loved!