Ironhide sighed and whipped around to find that, yet again the twins weren't working.
"You Slaggers Get Back To Work!" He roared and whipped an asteroid rock at Sunstreaker's head.
"Hey! Watch it!" The yellow Lamborghini snapped, anything but impressed to have a rock hurled at his cranium.
"I have had it up til' here with the two of ya' slacking off!" Ironhide snapped, "Now, get back to work!"
"Ok, ok… Geez, no need to blow a gasket." Sideswipe muttered as he turned and picked up his duties where he had left off.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
-Several earth week's before-
"Optimus!" Perceptor called to his commander as Prime entered his laboratory.
"Why have you called me down, Perceptor? Over the comm. link it sounded urgent." Prime said, skipping over formalities.
"It is urgent!" Perceptor insisted as he pulled up a video feed on his computer screen. "This is why I have called you here." He added, pointing at a dot and some figures on the screen.
"What exactly am I looking at Perceptor?" Prime inquired.
"It's a asteroid… And it's on a head first course for earth." The scientist informed his leader with quite a bit of dread in his voice.
Optimus stiffened as he realized what the figures meant. There was an asteroid, the size of the earths moon, heading straight for the earth.
"This is bad." The Autobot leader pointedly pointed out the obvious. "We need a plan of action."
"I am way ahead of you Optimus. I have constructed this plan." Perceptor informed his leader, handing him a data pad containing his strategy. "We need to drill a hole in the asteroid and plant a explosive device in the asteroids centre…"
"I am sorry Perceptor, but if I may ask…" Optimus cut in, "How will that help? Won't it just split the asteroid into two, and in the process, create a greater problem?" Prime seemed generally sceptical as he looked through the plans.
"Well if you allow me to finish… The explosive device is being made by Wheeljack as we speak. It will, in theory, consist of two main features: one, it will release a sudden wave of energy, like that of a seismic wave, which will loosen the rock surface and two, it will deliver a nuclear blast that will wipe out all traces of the meteor… Or at less blow it up enough that it will no longer be a threat." Preceptor explained in his usual fashion, a well-educated rant.
"I am guessing that it will be a rather large bomb then?" Optimus sighed.
"No, actually it will be rather small." The microscope informed his leader.
"Come again…" Optimus coughed on the words.
"By merging Autobot technology with earth methods, we will be able to create a maximum capacity device without having it be… gargantuan." Preceptor pointed at the data pad in Optimuses hand. "Its all in the plans."
"Very well. Perceptor I am putting you in charge of this mission. Gather a team and deploy immediately. Meanwhile, I will inform the earths governments of this new threat."
"Understood Sir."
0o0o0o0o0o0o
-Presently-
Ironhide frowned. Why did he have to be here, on this Primus forsaken rock, in the middle of space, digging holes? In truth he knew very well why he was there, it was just that he really didn't want to be on this mission. He had been hand picked by Perceptor because he possessed certain skills and attributes that greatly help in the process of the mission -- A.K.A, he was strong and was able to move a lot of rocks at once and could operate the drill easily. But the way Perceptor had described it sounded so much better then: 'you are here for manual labour.'
Ironhide would have voiced his complaints if it weren't for the fact that everyone on this mission was in the same boat as he was. Not only that, but even Perceptor and Wheeljack, the leaders of the mission, were breaking their backs digging holes and operating the drill along with everyone else. Ironhide sighed and turned back to do his work. A moment later a warning sign flashed across his vision and he jumped back and snarled, "Decepticon energy signs approaching!"
Every Autobots head within earshot of Ironhide snapped up and soon similar warnings were bestowing themselves on each and every Autobot on the huge rock. Mechs began to scramble into defensive positions and prepare for their enemies arrival. It was an organized chaos, Decepticons intervention in the mission had been highly suspected and every mech had been briefed on defensive measures if the threat proved to be authentic. It seemed that it had unfolded to be so. Soon figures far off in the distance appeared, and before details could be made out, guns began to fire.
Ironhide dove behind a lager rock outcrop for cover, and landed inelegantly on top of Ratchet. Ratchet yelped and flailed his arms in surprise.
"Ratch'! It just me, Ironhide!"
"Get off!" Ratchet snapped.
"I'm goin', I'm goin'!" Ironhide snarled back. Looking around Ironhide found that Ratchet and himself were not the only ones taking cover behind the rocks; the twins, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, were there as well, which wasn't a surprise considering how they had been working relatively close to each other.
"Nice pile drive Ironhide. You really got Ratchet off guard" Sideswipes voice was mockingly smug. The red warrior scooted over to Ironhide and Ratchet.
"Shove it up your tail pipe Sideswipe, now is not the time for a quarrel." Ratchet growled.
Ironhide stood up abruptly, shot off a few rounds, and then fell back onto his bottom.
"How's it looking out there?" Sunstreaker asked unenthusiastically of Ironhide, preparing his own weapon for battle.
"The 'Cons have made it onto the asteroid and are advancing fast. They landed right in the middle of the drill sight." Ironhide replied with an annoyed growl.
"No slaggin' way!" Sideswipe shouted over the sound of the loud battle raging in front of them. "That's just great!"
"What now?" Sunstreaker shouted and leaned in closer to hear his commander's reply.
"Ok, listen. You and Sides are goin' to take Ratchet to the med tents that are set up on the other side of the drill. Make sure he gets there; they are probably in desperate need for a medic. Then, after you are done that, come back here and defend the west side." Ironhide hollered the instructions, trying to be heard over the random explosions that were going off overhead.
"What if the med tents have already fallen?" Ratchet asked.
"Then Sideswipe and Sunstreaker will escort you back here, try and grab whatever you can, if you can, from the drill sight and tents before returning." Ironhide turned his gaze back to the twins. "Now listen you two, don't go doing anything stupid. Go around, not straight through the battle, and try to stay under covering at all times. And if somethin' seems wrong, get back here."
"What about you?" Ratchet leaned in and placed his hand on Ironhide's.
"I will stay and provide you back up and then move to provide backup to Preceptor and Wheeljack over by the supply tents." Ironhide shouted into Ratchets adios, which, if it weren't for the deafening explosions going off in every direction, would have hurt Ratchets adio receptors.
"How do you know they are over by the supply tents?" Ratchet shouted back.
"I saw them heading over there when the first warnings went off, and even if they are not there, the supply tents need to be secured and protected." Ironhide replied hastily, leaning into the rock behind him when a bomb went off just beside their position.
"Are we all ready?" Sunstreaker yelled and all the mechs present nodded. "Good then lets get going!" With that Ratchet and the twins sprang up and began to make they're way to the drill sight. Ironhide shot up from his seat and begun to unload shots into the clearing.
From in front of him, Ratchet looked back briefly, worry written on his face as he gazed at Ironhide. Ironhide caught his stare and nodded, as if to say 'I am going to be alright.' Ratchet smiled and turned back to the twins. Once Ratchet and the twins were out of sight Ironhide leaped out from behind the rock outcrop and began to make his way to the supply tents.
Ironhide was running for all he was worth when all the sudden he was sent flying into the ground. He turned to the source of his decent to the ground. Thundercracker stood just a few feet behind his, gun barrel smoking. A sharp pain tore its way through Ironhide's circuitry. 'Hide placed a hand on his leg over the rather lager bolthole Thundercracker had bequeathed upon it.
Thundercracker walked over to Ironhide slowly weapon drawn. Ironhide hissed in pain and tried to raise his gun.
"I wouldn't be doing that." Thundercracker threatened with a wave of his gun, as if to showcase the weapon.
As his assailant approached, Ironhide's mind panicked, tearing through options for his next move. Although his swivet didn't show on his face, Ironhide was mentally flipping out. The fact was the gunshot to the leg had made moving, let alone running, near impossible, and his weapon was near out of energy. The only thing he could think to do was to throw out all notions of self-preservation and fire at Thundercracker no matter what the consequence would be.
Thundercracker was now standing right over Ironhide, who had come to the conclusion that going down fighting until the end was better then dying at the mercy of a Decepticon. With that decision Ironhide threw up his weapon and fired. Thundercracker mimicked the action, bringing his own weapon up and fired. The whole world, from Ironhide's perspective, slowed to a near stop. He saw his bullet slowly make its way to its target and then slowly drive itself into Thundercracker's shoulder. He saw the larger blue warrior knocked backwards by the force of the projectile and land gracelessly on the ground. And finally Ironhide saw Thundercracker's own shot speeding slowly towards him.
At that moment Ironhide's gaze was pulled away from his impending doom and up towards to sky. He was not sure why he decided to gaze at the stars in the last moments of his life, maybe it was because he found the vastness of space comforting, or maybe it was because he wanted to go out on a dramatic note, whatever it was Ironhide's last sight was a blinding white light descending from the heavens above and sweeping over his battered form with a soothing warmth.
Before he offlined he muttered, "Here I come Primus…"
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Ratchet and the twins had run more then half way to the drill sight when Hoist had abruptly pulled them to cover behind a large bolder.
"You can't go that way." He panted exhaustedly.
"Why not?" Sideswipe barked. "We need to get Ratchet to the med tents!"
"The med tents are no more. They were one of the first things to go, along with the north end of the drill sight and the communication post." Hoist hissed. Ratchet took note of the wound on Hoists side and pulled a medical kit from subspace to tend to his wounds. Hoist pushed Ratchet roughly away and snarled, "Save your medical tools for those who need them!"
Ratchet snarled a retort of, "You need them you slagger!"
"No! I don't! I will live! There are others that need it more." Hoist hissed in response.
"Like who?!" Ratchet roared.
"There is a large group of bots stationed at the supply tents. It's our last strong hold. I was radioed by Perceptor, all personal are to move to the supply tents at once and provide back up." Hoist told his company.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker exchanged exasperated glances. "Well, I guess we'll do what Ironhide instructed…" Sideswipe muttered.
Hoist nodded. "I'll lead the way. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, you two take up the rear."
With that the four filed out from behind the blocker and made their way to the supply tents. It wasn't that far of a distance, but the four were having an astonishingly hard time crossing the distance. Every few minutes they had to dive for cover, or fight off a group of enemies. The former was the case at the moment as Sideswipe had been ambushed by Skywarp and was trying to beat the seeker off, who was clinging to his back, trying to throw the red warrior to the ground.
"AAAHHHH! GET OFF YOU FRAGGER!!" Sideswipe bellowed, flailing his arms angrily. Sunstreaker threw himself into the two and all three went down. Sunny then shot into a sitting position and caught the seeker by the throat. He brought his arm up and clenched his fist. As Sunstreaker prepared to pummel the seeker into a pile of scrap, Skywarp managed to get his feet between himself and Sunstreaker and kicked the yellow twin off balance. Taking the opportunity he had gained, Skywarp warped out of sight.
Sideswipe rolled over on his side and caught sight of where Ratchet had fallen. Skywarp had taken a cheap shot at the medic just before leaping onto Sides back. The ammunition had just missed the medic, clipping the side of his arm. Ratchet stood up slowly, with help from Hoist and frowned, "We should keep moving."
Just before the four began tracking back to the supply tents, something to the off right caught Sideswipes optics. As he realized what it was he smiled and yelled, "Hey, its Ironhide!!"
All heads turned in the direction Sideswipe had indicated. Sure enough there was Ironhide, running as if his life depended on it. (Which in the current circumstances it did.) The four mech began to beckon the red warrior, shouting as loud as they could manage. But Ironhide never hindered in his sprint, the red warrior was too far away and that added to the fact that there were loud explosions going off and gunfire, it was no wonder Ironhide couldn't hear them. The group began to move towards Ironhide's position but then stopped short when something else came into view.
Ratchet screamed in horror as he watched Thundercracker darted out from behind a boulder and fired a shot into Ironhide's leg. He watched in horror as the seeker slowly made his way over to his fallen comrade. And he witnessed his comrade make a final stand, bringing his weapon up and firing off a single shot, which caught the seeker in the shoulder and threw him to the ground. But before the blue seeker went down he managed to get in his own shot. Ratchet watched as the blue jet's shot buried itself in between Ironhide's neck and shoulder. Ratchet would have looked away, but he noticed something. Right before Thundercracker's bolt impacted into Ironhide, Ironhide moved his head upwards to the heavens. Ratchet wasn't the only one to notice that fact and as one Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Hoists heads all moved, as if by their own accord, to gaze up towards the stars.
A blinding light plummet from the sky and struck the asteroids surface in the exact spot where Ironhide had gone down. All watched on as the ray widened, and in a brilliant spectacle, the surface of the asteroid in contact with the light fulminated. Large pieces of rock flew into the air and slowly were disintegrated by the light. If one had paid close attention to the outer most edge of the explosion, they would had noticed the body of Thundercracker flying through the air and they would have also noticed a black shape materialize in front of the blue seeker, wrap its arms around the unconscious jet and vanish into thin air once again, taking Thundercracker with it. But none of the four Autobots noticed. Their optics were glued to the spot Ironhide had been. They just stood motionless, mouths gapping open, dumfounded by the scene before them.
Ratchet, once again, let out a shriek of horror and began to run towards the light. A black hand caught his wrist and jerked him backwards, stopping his advancement. Ratchet wiped around to face the owner of the hand, face-radiating anger. But Sideswipe wasn't looking at him, his optics were fixated on the light, with his mouth hanging open as he shook his head slowly from side to side. Ratchet turned back to stare at the horrifically beautiful scene in front of him. The light that shone from the sky was… Heavenly, it had several different shades of white and it sparkled all the colours of the spectrum.
And just as the light had appeared, it vanished once again; receding back into the heavens from once it came, with no warning.
All stood still.
All gaped at the spot of the incident.
All were dazed with astonishment… And terror.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Megatron had to force himself to stop gawking at the skies, tearing his optics from the heavens to rest instead upon his second and third in command. Starscream and Soundwave stood frozen, optics opened as wide as they could pry them, gazing bewilderedly into the sky. All had seen the light… And now, all were terrified. Even Starscream, the usually quick-to-get-in-his-two-cents loud mouth was speechless.
"Starscream report status." Megatron growled in his usual manner.
Contradictory to his usual manner, Starscream answered calmly, still stunned from the events he had just witnessed. "We have conquered the drill sight, the medical tents, and communication post, but the explosive device we came for was in none of those locations. The only place left it could be is in the supply tents, but the Autobots have made that their stronghold… What was that light?"
"I don't know… But this is apparent; we are out numbered and have little chance of succeeding in our mission. Furthermore, whatever that light was, it couldn't have been a good thing. It could have been the explosive device we came for, or it could have been a new Autobot weapon, either way, we no longer have any business here. I am issuing a retreat. Decepticons, fallback!" The dictator roared as he took to the skies, his minions following quickly behind.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Ratchet regained enough composure to snarl "Sideswipe if you know what's good for you, you will let go of me…"
"Why, so you can run off to look for a ghost?" The red twin shot back insensitively. "You saw what happened… Its over, he's gone… Lets just go…" The red warriors voice faded until it was no more than a soft whisper.
Ratchet stepped back and cried, "No! He might still be alive! He might need help! I need to go help him!!"
"Stop Ratchet!" Sideswipe cried in return.
"BOTH OF YOU STOP!" Hoists voice was like a wave crashing into the medic and the red twin, knocking them both back a few steps. "Look, Ratchet might be right, Ironhide might have miraculously survived…" He said as he pushed Sideswipe away from Ratchet. "So listen, this is how it's going to be, you and Sunny are going to go on ahead and inform Preceptor what has happened and tell him to arrange immediate emergency transportation to earth well Ratchet and I go and look for Ironhide, savvy?"
Sideswipe didn't know what to say, he was totally against what Hoist had just ordered, but still he was speechless. Finally he managed to form a decent retort and growled, "Who made you the leader?"
"Well someone has to be, and none of you are volunteering for the role." Hoist shot back mockingly.
Sideswipe opened his mouth to rebuttal but Sunstreaker beat him to the punch. "Fine, we will go."
Over the bond he shared with Sides, Sunstreaker snapped :Don't you even think about arguing. Look at Ratchet; he's two second away from having a mental meltdown, do him a favour and just do what your told, for once.:
At that moment Sideswipe could have killed his brother, but the truth was Ratchet was distressed and that he was going to have to obey his orders if he liked it or not. But he didn't like it, and he wasn't going to take it. He opened his mouth to try and reason his point across further when Ratchets scanners picked up a faint distress signal.
Ratchet jumped with joy, "I am picking up Ironhide's distress signal, he's alive!! He's Alive!!"
Sideswipe growled with frustration, now there was no point in arguing. "Lets go Sunny!" With that he turned and stormed off. Sunstreaker did the equivalent of a human rolling their eyes and followed after his twin.
Ratchet and Hoist exchanged odd looks before heading off themselves. Their track to the incident sight was relatively short and soon Ratchet and Hoist started to look for the Weapons specialist. Ratchet was trying to pinpoint Ironhide's signal, well Hoist watched his back, in case there were still Decepticons in the vicinity. Ratchets scanners finally locked on to Ironhide's signal and the medic made a dash in the direction the signal was emitting from, leaving Hoist behind. The medic stopped in front of a large cluster of rocks, muffled whimpers could be heard from underneath the rock and his spark jumped painfully in its casing.
"Hide!" He cried as he fell upon his hands and knees and began digging. With each rock he became more and more desperate, repeating Ironhide's name over and over.
"I am coming 'Hide… I am coming, 'Hide… I am coming, 'Hide… I am coming, 'Hide!"
The medic spotted what seem to be a small opening in the rocks, it appeared there was a sort of small rock shelter in the rocks and what's more, through the cracks in the rocks, Ratchet could see red armour.
"Ironhide!" He sang the name as the last few rocks were removed and the weapons specialist was revealed. Large blue optics met Ratchets and the medic gasped.
"Ironhide… you… your…" The medic trailed off in disbelief. He reached for his friend but abruptly stopped when the other whimpered and drew back, clutching to his wounds.
"Come on Ironhide, I will make you feel all better." Ratchet cooed softly, "Come on buddy."
Ironhide hesitated for a moment, but then opened his arms, allowing the medic to pick him up.
Hoist walked up behind Ratchet, rubbing his head in annoyance. "Hey Ratchet, warn a mech before you just up and run off, ok?"
Ratchet didn't move from his crouching position, not even his head came up to acknowledge the complaint. Hoist walked close to the medic, stopping short at his back.
"Ratchet, is everything all right? Did you find Ironhide?"
"Ya… ya, I did find him…sort of…" The med-bots voice quivered.
"What are yo--" Hoists question was cut off as the medic turned around and revealed what was in his arms and Hoists mouth fell open in disbelief.
"He… He's…"
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Preceptor had gotten the transportation and med tools ready just as Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had informed him to. He had even had all of the requested materials set up at the edge of the camp, so that the moment Ratchet and Hoist arrived with Ironhide, they could depart. Most of the Autobots had been sent either back to work, or to the medic tents. Which left only Perceptor, Skyfire, the transportation, and the twins, who had refused to go back to work until they saw Ironhides safe return.
"Here they come!" Sideswipe leaped up from his sitting position upon spotting the figures approaching in the distance.
Hoist was in front and his bulky Body was blocking most of Ratchets white body from sight. Hoist went on slightly ahead and stopped a good distance from the group of mechs awaiting their return.
"We found Ironhide." He announced.
"Ya, so were is the big baby?" Sideswipe chuckled, trying to conceal his desperation and failing miserably.
"Here." Ratchet called from behind Hoist. Hoist stepped out of the way as Ratchet walked up to the group, holding Ironhide in his arms. Upon seeing Ironhide, all jaws dropped.
"Is that…?" Perceptor breathed astonished.
"Yes." Ratchet replied calmly.
"Are… you sure…?" Sunstreaker stepped forwards, shock written on his face.
"Yes I am sure, my scanners don't lie…" The medic whispered softly.
"He…" Sideswipe brought up a shaky hand and pointed at Ironhide. "He… He's a…"
The medic took it upon himself to finish the red twins sentence.
"A sparkling."
--
A.N-- Ok, lets see… How to explain this…this fiction was
inspired by a drawing I did of Ironhide as a baby. (Or I guess
sparkling would be the appropriate term) Immediately after drawing
the picture plot bunnies begun to slap me in the face with ideas, and
so this was born. I hope you enjoy the totally random crap that makes
up my thought process.
Future Pairings- This fic will eventually be a Ratchet/Ironhide love story… (Sort of)
Ummm… I wanna keep the other pairings a surprise, not that they are anything unexpected or special, but it will be more fun for my to… That and I might promise a pair and never get around to them… '
But there will be more pairings than just Ratchet/Ironhide. Nods
Side note- I know the general plans for blowing up the asteroid weren't that scientifically sound, but I am not a scientist so you cant expect much. Further more this was mostly just what ever come to mind (off the top of my head sort of deal.) and it should be noted that this fic is totally spontaneous and if it has plot gapes or mistakes I am sorry.