Chapter 14
Orion felt wonderful after finally being able to rest. Ratchet worked on the broken ankle while he rested. Awaking, Orion faintly remembered where he was. Sitting up, he found Ratchet yelling at Wheeljack near the edge of the hall. Elita stood in between them, rolling her optics at each.
"He's resting," argued Ratchet.
"I just want to see him real fast!" begged Elita.
"Oh boy," sighed Wheeljack.
"You are not helping, Jack!" howled Ratchet.
"Both of you are impossible to argue with!" cried Wheeljack.
"Just let me through, Hatchet," ordered Elita.
"Ratchet! The name is Ratchet!"
Orion laughed. A three looked at him. Elita shoved past Ratchet, running toward Orion. She stood by his bed, resting one hand on his shoulder. She looked at Ratchet with a devilish grin. Ratchet snarled, glaring at her, and then spun on his heels to leave. Wheeljack looked at Elita, at Ratchet, then at Orion. He made a slight whimper and raced after Ratchet. Orion laughed again.
"Now, why would you do that," hummed Orion.
"It was too easy," smiled Elita.
"You cause Ratchet more stress than he needs," Orion sighed.
"Thank you," whispered Elita, hugging Orion around the neck.
"For?" Orion questioned.
"If it wasn't for you we'd be caught by those Seekers or…worse," Elita mumbled, pulling away. "You saved us."
"I was only trying to help," smiled Orion.
"Hey, he's up and moving!"
The two turned to see Jazz enter with Prowl. Wheeljack and Ratchet peered around the turn, the latter still glaring. Elita looked at Orion and backed away, leaving. Ratchet glanced at her and pulled into the makeshift room. Wheeljack came in behind him. Orion smiled at his friends.
"So, you feel better?" Prowl asked.
"Or did Hatchet screw you up worse!" laughed Jazz.
"Hey!" howled Ratchet. "The name isn't Hatchet, for the last time, it is Ratchet!"
"Whatever, party pooper," growled Jazz.
"Everyone's fine?" Orion smiled.
"Sure," shrugged Jazz. "But do you really expect us to survive down here?"
"Anything's possible," nodded Orion.
"Orion, the optimistic," growled Prowl.
"The Optimistic leader doesn't sound very catchy, though," yawned Wheeljack.
"I heard once that leaders back in the day were called Primes," offered Prowl.
"Optimistic Prime?" Ratchet mumbled.
"Not Optimistic Prime, Optimus Prime!" cheered Jazz. "Perfect!"
"Optimus Prime, catchy," nodded Wheeljack.
"Do I get a say in this?" gasped Orion. "I like my name you know."
"But when you go down in history, Optimus sounds better than Orion," suggested Jazz.
"Whatever," sighed Orion. "I'm not exactly a leading type."
"Sure you are, Prime," smiled Jazz. "You just need practice."
"Don't call me a prime. I'm Orion Pax!" ordered Orion.
"Still has the OP nickname," nodded Jazz, crossing his arms.
"Orion…We need to tell you something," whispered Prowl.
"Huh?" perked Orion, sitting up straight.
"We didn't find Oenopion," mumbled Jazz.
"What?" gasped Orion.
"Oenopion and the wave brothers aren't among the group," explained Prowl. "We lost them."
"The seekers…" groaned Orion, pushing off the makeshift berth. "I've gotta…I have to find him."
"Not in the state you're in!" ordered Ratchet, pushing Orion down.
"He's my brother…I can't leave him behind!" Orion argued, pushing Ratchet off.
Orion didn't make it very far. He barely left the makeshift room before he stumbled downward and into the wall. Ratchet pulled him back to his feet, leading him to the berth. Orion sighed.
"Leave finding Oenopion to us, got it," nodded Prowl, motioning to Jazz and himself.
"Fine," whimpered Orion.
Wheeljack pulled Ratchet away, mumbling something about leaving them alone for a moment. Jazz marched away as well. Prowl sighed, looking over at Orion. The latter sniffled.
"We'll find him, Orion," nodded Prowl. "Don't worry!"
"He was the last of my family," sniffled Orion.
"I…I know," whispered Prowl.
"I feel like I left him on a bad note. Last time I really talked to him, we fought and I got this…" mumbled Orion, touching the large scar.
"I know," nodded Prowl.
"I just…I don't know," Orion sighed, leaning back.
"Enough!"
Orion perked. He's never heard Prowl raise his voice in such a way. Prowl gave Orion a solid glare with hands positioned on his hips. His frown encouraged all the get out of his way. Orion pulled back lightly.
"Enough of this poor me's!" ordered Prowl. "We've been with you halfway through this adventure and whether or not you want to lead you're in charge now! No one can do it better and no one will do it better!"
"Prowl…" stuttered Orion.
"You know why we listened to you about the tunnels or the seekers attacking? We're your friends! We'll follow you anywhere! We'd do anything…" sighed Prowl. "We're here for you, if you want us here or not…"
Afterward, Prowl left. Orion sighed. All alone, Orion thought things over. First he thought over his family, the family he seemingly no longer had. Then he thought of his new friends. After a moment, he smiled. He had a family in his new found friends.