They arrived on Cybertron in the middle of a heated battle. It was decided that Bumblebee, Ratchet and Ironhide would remain on the ARC with Ellie and Sparkplug, while, Jazz, Optimus, Hot Rod and the twins joined the fight... Ironhide had thrown a fit over being forced to stay behind, but Ratchet wouldnt hear it. With the sparkling so close to being due, there was no way the medic would allow the old warrior to join the battle. So it was, that for the first time in history, Ironhide was playing Go Fish in the middle of a war.
Sparkplug "Do you have any seven's?"
Ironhide, grumbling "Go fish"
Bumblebee almost smiled, seeing Ironhide sitting there with his legs spread to accomadate his massive buldging belly, playing cards with Sparkplug. It was almost enough to take the heaviness from his spark.
Ironhide, straightening his back as he tried to get comfertable "Got any four's?"
Sparkplug was about to reply when a massive explosion shook the ship. Grunting, Ironhide heaved himself out of his chair, charging his cannons as Bumblebee stepped infront of Sparkplug.
Bumblebee, charging his own cannon "It came from Medbay."
Sparkplug, sounding scared. "Are we being attacked?"
Ironhide, looking down at the little sparkling. "Dunno kiddo. Stay here. I'm gonna go check it out"
Bumblebee nodded, gently taking Sparkplug's hand and giving it a comforting squeeze "It'll be ok Sparks..."
Cursing his wide girth, Ironhide made his way down the hallway, cannon's charged and ready. He saw the smoke coming from Ratchet's med bay, just as a decepticon stepped through the doorway. Ironhide didnt wait to be noticed before firing. The decepticon returned fire, Ironhide dodging, somewhat clumsily. The deception fired several more shots before slumping to the ground as with a sickening grinding sound, his head was removed, falling to the floor with a thunk. Ratchet stepped through the doorway, leaning heavily against the wall before sliding to the floor, unconcious as bright blue energon trickled from a gaping hole in his side. Ironhide barely had time to examine him before another volley of shots slammed into the wall next to him, crouching as best he could, he fired back, then slammed into the charging decepticons that had come around the corner in a flurry of hand to hand combat. He almost doubled over as the Decepticon he was fighting slammed a fist into his middle. Struggling to stay upright, he brought his cannon back, firing point blank into the head of the decepticon. He had barely managed to finish the decepticon he was fighting when six more came around the corner. Grunting inspite of the burning agony shooting through him, Ironhide aimed his cannons, praying to primus the sparkling inside of him was ok.
-On the planet Cybertron-
Jazz flipped over Skyfire, slamming both of his feet into the face of the decepticon that was aiming a missle at the back of his friend's head, when a shooting pain almost took his breath away. Gasping, he landed hard on his shoulder, before rolling and running in the direction of the ARC.
"Optimus Prime To Jazz"
Jazz, speaking into his com, his voice dazed and full of fear "Something is wrong with Ironhide"
Prowl "Jazz, have you glitched? We are in the middle of a battle"
Optimus Prime "Go, we have this covered"
Prowl "Optimus..."
Optimus Prime "I dont have time to argue Prowl, as you said we are in the middle of a battle"
Jazz was no longer listening as he charged through the gaping hole in the side of the ARC, frantically searching for the source of his pain. "IRON WHERE ARE YOU?" Jazz leapt over the smoking decepticon bodies in the hallway, making his way rapidly through the ship. He ran into Bumblebee and Sparkplug first, Bee had her pressed against the wall behind him, cannon still smoking from the several shots he had fired. Sparkplug threw her arms around Jazz and he held her, ignoring his fear for a moment to comfort the terrified sparkling.
Sparkplug "Jazz! We're being attacked!"
Jazz "Shh... I know kiddo...It'll be ok. I got this covered. You stick with Bee, I'll go take care of tha bad guys, can ya do that?"
She nodded and Jazz turned his gaze to Bee "Which way did Iron go?"
Bee "Medbay..."
Jazz didnt wait another moment, he handed Sparkplug off to Bee and jogged in the direction of the Medbay. He knew Ironhide had been there, when he saw the trail of decepticon pieces littering the hall. He heard more shots coming from the east corrider. Fear gripped his spark as the scene unfolded. Ten Decepticons had Ironhide backed against the wall. He was fighting them off, but it was obvious he was losing as he struggled to keep on his feet. Jazz didnt think, he just charged in. When it was over, not a single decepticon still functioned. Panting he turned his attention to Ironhide, who was leaning heavily against the wall, a puddle of blue forming under him.
Jazz, worry lacing his voice "Hide..."
Ironhide, grunting and pushing himself off the wall, swaying slightly as energon continued to trickle rapidly down his leg and pool on the floor at his feet "Saved me again..."
Jazz, wrapping his arms around Ironhide as he fell forward "Dontcha dare leave me Iron Man..."
Ironhide moaned softly "Not...Gonna...Leave...Ya..."
As Ironhide's optic's dimmed, Jazz could only pray that Ratchet was still alive.