War against time

Morning commotion

Hot Shot was hesitant to knock on the door to Prime's room. He hadn't heard word from the young leader since yesterday. Optimus had seemed so frazzled when they couldn't find Perceptor before the deadline. The leader had closed himself off in the room. Everyone had dispersed afterward. Now Hot Shot stood outside, with morning's light coming through, wanting to knock but couldn't find the strength.

"What's up?"

Hot Shot turned to se Prowl coming over. The other Autobot didn't seemed too worried that Prime hadn't come out yet, by the way he was the other night. The two agreed that the young Prime wasn't happy with last night's ending. Nothing seemed different today though. Technically they still had one more day. The two were ready but they needed Optimus to help. Something about having him as leader just clicked the group together.

"Optimus?" hummed Hot Shot, knocking on the door.

There was a moment of silence. Prowl shrugged, offering that the young leader had stayed up all night, falling asleep real late. Prowl began to leave. Hot Shot sighed, about to follow Prowl's leave. Suddenly there was a thud from within the room. Prowl spun on his heels, rushing back for the door. Hot Shot knocked down the door.

Optimus had fallen to the floor. He was attempting to push himself up, his hands pressing hard against the floor. He slipped and collapsed again. Hot Shot and Prowl rushed in. There was no outer damage. They lifted him up and onto the berth. By this time, Optimus opened his optics lightly.

"Hey, guys," he mumbled. "What time is it?"

"Morning," nodded Hot Shot. "What happened!"

The young leader didn't respond but passed out once more. Hot Shot looked hastily at Prowl. The two paused but for a moment. The silence was shattered as Hot Shot look off running in order to find Rodimus. Prowl was left to watch after Optimus in case he woke up. Prowl sat on the windowsill, watching the young leader slip in and out of consciousness.

"What happened," whispered Prowl, lowering his head to sleep.

Suddenly, Optimus sat upright, startling Prowl from the sill. The young leader panted and looked around hastily. Prowl slowly made his way to the young leader. Optimus looked around as if he were in a strange place. By the time Prowl stood by the bedside, he'd laid back down. His optics lowering once more as he mumbled something. Before he returned unconscious, Rodimus and Hot Shot appeared.

"He wake up yet?" Hot Shot asked, making his way to the bed side.

"Once or twice but he didn't seriously wake up yet," Prowl assured. "Right now he'd mumbling something."

"What's he mumbling?" Rodimus inquired, approaching the berth as well.

"Hard to say," shrugged Prowl.

In fact, the words were inaudible to any audio censor. Still Optimus whispered as if someone would hear him. Prowl sighed, returning to his seat on the windowsill. Hot Shot looked over to Rodimus. The Autobot leader began to pace.

"We can't just call a medic," he sighed. "His systems are far too different."

"What if he's sick or something," groaned Hot Shot.

"Wouldn't he have shown symptoms yesterday?" Prowl asked.

"He isn't ill…"

The three perked at a voice not belonging to any of them. While Rodimus looked up worried, Hot Shot and Prowl smiled warmly at their guest. It was Vector in the doorway. He closed it quickly and made his way in. he gave a weary smile to the three and glanced at Optimus.

"If he isn't sick," mumbled Rodimus, turning to address Vector. "Then what's wrong with him."

"A nightmare, you could say," offered Vector.

"Seriously, though," grumbled Hot Shot. "What's up with him?"

"The Matrix of Leadership had successful reached his central processor," replied Vector. "The Optimus of this world has brought the young leader into the Matrix in order to have a word with him."

"Isn't the Matrix in him though," mumbled Hot Shot, pointing to Rodimus.

"It is."

"How do we get him out!" ordered Rodimus.

"He will awake when his counterpart releases his mind," Vector assured.

"Wait…" Prowl gasped. "Why are you here?"

"A very serious warning for you three," explained Vector, glancing at Prowl.

"About what?" Rodimus hummed.

"Hot Rod," Vector whispered, glancing to the leader. "Or Rodimus as you are referred to currently, you are not to be concerned by this matter."

"I'm involved in this matter now!" countered Rodimus, pointing a thumb to his chest. "I'm here to stay and I want to know as much of what's going on as they do!"

"Alright," nodded Vector, turning to away. "Hot Shot?"

"Yea?"

"Are you familiar with a certain bot by the name of Sideways?"

"Yes…"growled Hot Shot, clenching a tight first. "That double traitor bot. Almost got me killed!"

"He's here."

"He's what!"

"Who's Sideways?" gasped Prowl and Rodimus.

"A double-crosser," replied Hot Shot. "A trickster who doesn't care for anyone!"

"He's been given a mission by another master though. one you are not yet aware of," nodded Vector, turning to Rodimus. "However, you know this villain already."

"Who? Sideways?" Rodimus gasped.

"No, his master," explained Vector.

"Who's his master?" questioned Prowl.

"Unicron, the destroyer of worlds," Vector introduced.

"Unicron," growled Rodimus.

"I'm afraid I must take my leave quickly," sighed Vector, opening a door.

"Why?" questioned Hot Shot. "Boss bot is still out cold too!"

"Optimus will awaken shortly," assured Vector. "But the time frame around this world is narrow. Travel between worlds will soon be impossible if the machine is not disabled."

"We'll shut it off," replied Rodimus.

"I assure you of this," Vector whispered, more to himself then the others. "If you don't, it will be quite the cost to fix things."

With this, Vector disappeared.