This is still Optronix. He will not be Optimus until chapter four of five, depending on what more my muse comes up with. Please enjoy. Remember this is AU while staying in the G1/Comic genre.
First Truly Terrifying Moment
Optronix was awakened from recharge by a loud banging. As he sat up and his systems became more alert, he realized it was knocking at his front door. It was growing more persistent and desperate. So he hurried to answer it and was surprised to see to Enforcers.
"Can I help you, Sirs?" he asked them.
"Are you Optronix?" the taller one with a red chevron on his head asked.
"I am. What's this about?"
"Please, step back inside and I will explain," he replied. When Optronix hesitated, he added in a most serious tone. "It's not safe out here."
Optronix nodded and allowed the Enforcers to enter his home.
"I'll check out the rest of the place," the smaller Enforcer said to his partner.
"Can you tell me what this is about?" Optronix reiterated.
"I'm following orders. My name is Prowl. That's my partner, Streetwise. We were given orders to find you and protect you."
"Orders? Why would I need protection?"
"I don't know. My Commander didn't elaborate and I'm in no position to question my orders. All I know was that his orders came from the High Council of Elders."
"Prowl!" Streetwise exclaimed, running into the main living quarters. "We've got company! Sensors are picking up six enemy signals entering the building! Two coming up the stairs and four in the elevator. They'll be in the hallway any astrosecond. Back up is ten klicks away."
"Decepticons," Prowl growled softly. "Let's get moving. From the schematics of the building I was able to access there's a back way out of here using the maintenance elevator."
"There's only one way in or out of the building!" Optronix exclaimed, his spark racing with fear as Prowl firmly latched on his arm.
"Trust me if you want to live," Prowl said calmly, pulling out a weapon with his other hand. "Do as I say and we will make it out of here."
"Ready to move when you are," Streetwise said, weapon ready as he stood at the door.
Prowl nodded curtly and the door whooshed open. Streetwise went out gun first, firing. Laser fire shot past him in rapid succession. Optronix froze, terrified. Were the Decepticons really here for him? Why?
He didn't have a chance to think on it. Prowl literally dragged him out and shoved him in the opposite direction. The Enforcer kept himself between Optronix and the weapons fire, while pushing the young mech down the hallway, away from the Decepticons.
"Hit the call button when we get there!" Prowl ordered, turning, one hand on Optronix to keep him moving while he fired at the approaching Decepticons. "Street…pull back! I've got you covered!"
Optronix did as he was told the moment he could reach the elevator's call button. Then he turned and looked over Prowl's shoulder. Streetwise was running towards them as ordered. Beyond him were six of the biggest mechanisms Optronix had ever laid optics on!
"THERE'S THE PIT SPAWN!" one of them yelled pointing directly at Optronix.
"KILL HIM!" another Decepticon shouted.
"STREET!" Prowl exclaimed as the elevator dinged upon arrival.
"I'M ON IT!" the Enforcer shouted, pulling a grenade from subspace. He whirled around and tossed it at the Decepticons.
Optronix was shoved into the elevator and pressed into a corner. Prowl continued to lay down covering fire until Streetwise burst into the elevator.
"Come on, close!!!" Streetwise growled as he pushed the button for the top floor.
Finally the doors closed a split astrosecond before an explosion sounded. Optronix grabbed onto Prowl as the elevator cab rocked and swayed. It started to climb and steadied itself out.
"Who are you?" Streetwise asked Optronix, flabbergasted at the show of force by the Decepticons. "That was a hit squad!"
"I'm no one. Just a records clerk," Optronix replied, trembling, optics wide as they could be.
"It doesn't matter," Prowl responded calmly. "We will protect you, I promise."
Optronix nodded. Yes. He believe Prowl would protect him from the confidence the mech displayed.
"Frag," Streetwise cursed softly.
"Report," Prowl ordered.
"Still six signals inside the building. Five more outside now. Frag! They're steadily climbing. Must be flyers."
Prowl's shoulders suddenly transformed into missile launchers, both armed. Then he pulled another gun from subspace. Beside him Streetwise also pulled out a second gun. Optronix hugged himself sliding down the wall onto the floor.
"He's going into shock!" "Streetwise exclaimed. "This is all we need!"
"He'll be fine," Prowl replied smoothly, kneeling down, cupping Optinox's chin in his hand. "Just try to relax. You're systems are in a mild state of shock because your spark rate is too high. Calm down and it will wear off soon. Trust me."
"Back up is now five klicks away!" Streetwise announced. "We're almost on the roof. We'll only have a few astroseconds before the 'Cons reach the roof top."
"That's all we need by my calculations. Optronix, I need you to stand now."
The mech numbly nodded. With Prowl's help he was able to stand on his feet.
"That's good. Now, I need you to run with me when I do. Understand."
"Yes," Optronix mumbled, nodding rapidly blinking back his tears. "Why do they want to kill me?"
"I don't know. First things first, we must keep you alive. Now stay with me stride for stride and jump when I do," Prowl urged. "You can do this."
Again, Optronix nodded his head. A part of him was in denial, believing that none of this was real, that it was all a horrible dream. Looking into the intently focused faces of the two Enforcers, hearing the sound of their weapons priming up, even feeling the tense energy radiating from their forms as they were prepared to fight made Optronix even more terrified for his own life.
He'd never felt such fear before and prayed to Primus that he never would again.
"Doors opening in five…four…three…two…one…."
"Now!" Prowl exclaimed he flew out the opening door with Optronix right behind him and Streetwise behind him.
Up ahead two 'Cons appeared, Prowl picked them both off with a few acid pellets to their faces. A third 'Con rose up and a missile was launched damaging his thrusters. He screamed free falling to the ground far below. The other two rose up firing at them.
Optronix could feel bits of the roof hits his legs as it exploded around him with gun fired. One in particular stung badly, making him stumble. As promised, Prowl grabbed hold of him, keeping him up on his feet. The Enforcer didn't even let go as they both leapt from the side of the roof towards the adjacent building.
Prowl quickly subspaced his gun in his other hand so he could grab on to the other roofs edge. They'd lost momentum when Optronix stumbled and thus came up just short. Streetwise stayed behind to make sure his partner and their charge were safe.
"AHH!" Optronix screamed as he dangled high above the ground.!
"Optronix! Hang on! I've got you!"
He looked up to see the strain on Prowl's face as he continued holding onto the side of the roof with one hand while clinging to Optronix with the other. Then suddenly a mech's face peered over the roof's edge to look down at them.
"PROWL!"
A powerful fist flew down and landed solidly on Prowl's noseplates just as he turned to see what Optronix was pointing at. Energon spurted violently, sprinkling down on them as another fist landed on the Enforcer's face again and again. Optronix helplessly cried out knowing that this was his end. He figured it was a matter of time before the Enforcer would end up dropping Optronix to his death.
Prowl suddenly howled in pain as the Decepticon ripped off one of his doorwings.
Optronix thought for certain that the mech would drop him after that to save himself. Only he wasn't dropped. Prowl continued to take the punishment much to Optronix's dismay. After all, he was a nobody, one mech out of billions. Why would this Enforcer be so willing to put himself in harms way to save him?
"DROP HIM YOU STUPID ENFORCER!" the Decepticon snarled, bashing the Enforcer's hand as he stubbornly clung to the side of the roof top.
"I WILL NOT!" Prowl growled back, tightening his grip on Optronix's forearm even more.
"You fool!! Megatron ordered him to be terminated! Do you know what happens to mechanisms that go against our Lord?"
"Your Lord can shove my acid pellets up his aft!!" Prowl gritted. "You will not harm this mech!"
"Then I will kill you both!" the Decepticon spat, pulling out his weapon.
Like a frightened child, Optronix whimpered, turning away afraid to face the end. His optics landed upon Prowl's sidearm that he'd placed on his hip quickly just before his hand latched on to Optronix's arm, helping him get back on his feet.
Without thinking, he roared, grabbing the weapon and fired wildly up at the 'Con. Optronix completely missed him but startled the Decepticon enough to make him stagger backwards out of the line of fire. Even Prowl never expected that and let out a short chuckle.
"Did I kill him?" Optronix shakily asked.
"No, but you did good," Prowl smiled through a grimace. "Think you can shoot at him again?"
"I don't know."
"Just try until we get help."
Optronix nodded, his hand shaking badly as aimed the gun. They both hung there, waiting for several long moments. Nothing happened. Optronix wasn't sure if that was more frightening or not. He definitely didn't know if he could pull the trigger again.
"Back up has arrived and it looks like the 'Cons are retreating!" Streetwise shouted as he leapt across the gap. "Frag, they did a number on you Prowl."
"Get Optronix up first," Prowl grunted lifting the mech up so Streetwise could grab him.
"Got him. Slag, he's heavier than he looks!" Streetwise laughed, hefting Optronix over the edge. He quickly glanced at his partner who was busy pulling himself up on the roof. The mech laid on his front for a few moments, recovering. "You ok, Prowl?"
"I'll be fine," Prowl grimaced, getting to his feet.
"You say that every time you get hurt," Streetwise replied. "I'll make sure the medi-bot gets his aft up here to check you both out."
Prowl nodded, turning his attention to Optronix. It was all finally too much for the mech. He dropped the gun, turned and purged his tanks. Then he collapsed onto his hands and knees shaking badly.
"It's ok to be scared. It happens to all of us," Prowl said, kneeling beside the mech.
"Even you?"
"Even me," Prowl smiled kindly.
Although he was badly shaken and frightened beyond all belief, Optronix still had enough control when he looked up at the Enforcer and spoke from the deepest recesses of his spark.
"Thank you for saving my life, Prowl. I will never forget it."
The Enforcer was slightly taken aback by the intensity in the mech's optics. Respectfully he bowed his head, humbly accepting Optronix's gratitude.
