What if - Orion Pax Dark Saga

by SilverStormPax18

What if Orion never made it to a ground bridge? What if Megatron lived up to his words "...even if I must inflicted great pain to ensure the completion of project Iacon"? What if Ratchet had to deal with the repercussions of Megatrons torture on Orion? What if... Rated T for Violence. This is not a slash. I see Optimus and Ratchet as close friends. Brothers.

Note: The ending is a little sappy but I thought of this while watching the Orion Pax Saga last night. Enjoy :)

Orion breathed heavily. He looked at the two dead troopers. Their crumpled bodies were smoking. He looked at his arms. How was he armed? Nothing was making sense. Megatron was lying to him… threatening him. Orion retracted his weapons. He took in a deep breathe.

The door slid open. Orion flinched. Grabbing the desk and pulling himself up. Despite his body protesting it from the recent blows.

"What have you done?"

Orion looked again at the troopers. Knockout was wide-eyed.

"It…it was an accident. I had no idea I was armed."

Knockout checked the troopers for pulses. Reaching up to his com link.

"Breakdown, get some troopers in here to clean this mess up."

Orion's spark stammered; he could hear it beating in his audio receptors. Knockout marched right up to him. He grabbed Orion's arm.

"I think Lord Megatron will find what I am about to do pleasing."

Orion slunk back slightly. What did the medic have in mind? Breakdown walked through the door with troopers.

"Need help?"

Knockout shook his head. "I go tit."

Orion didn't have time to react as Knockout spun around plunging something into his side that sent an electric current surging through is body.

Orion yelped before falling to the floor.

"Now I need help. Get him to my lab."

Knockout waved to Orion's body.

….

Orion groaned. His vision was blurry. What had happened? He grimaced, oh right Knockout. He shook his head. His vision clearing.

"Megatronus?"

Orion's eyes flew open when Megatron appeared above him.

"Orion."

Orion gulped. Megatron glared at him for a moment before quickly reaching forward. And grabbing Orion's neck. Orion winced not expecting Megatron to throw him across the room. His body slammed into the wall. Orion let out a loud yelp. He struggled to sit himself back up. Before he could Megatron reached down again. Grabbing his neck once more and slamming his back into the wall.

"You dare to kill my soldiers!"

Orion choked. "It…it was an a…accident."

He stammered out in between gasps. Megatron jerked his hand to the right. Orion's body slammed to the floor. He rolled onto his side to get up when Megatron's foot slammed into his side. He pushed his foot down hard on Orion's chest.

"Furthermore, it is Lord Megatron! I am no longer Megatronus!"

Orion was wincing. He tried to breathe, tried to calm down. He was scared. What was happening?

"What happened to you?" Orion grabbed onto Megatron's foot. Trying desperately to relieve the pressure from his chest. "You are who I remember."

He murmured the last bit. Megatron roared with laughter. Backing away from Orion and allowing him to stand.

"There is a lot of things you don't remember; much is different then what you believe it to be. Including me. I told you before I left. You will finish project Iacon."

Orion shook his head. His body was sore, dent, and scratched. Luckily at the moment, he wasn't leaking energon. He grimaced standing up. His hips hurt, so did his chest.

"If I don't, you'll kill me?"

Megatron just looked at him. "What did I already say?"

Orion gulped. "That you would remove my spark."

"And I will. If it comes to it. So, I suggest you do as you are told."

Orion lowered his head. He was no match for Megatronus… Megatron. He was a gladiator Afterall.

"Now this business with killing your guards."

Orion snapped his head up. "I had no idea I was armed. I swear to Primus."

Orion tried to activate his weapons. His arms clicked but nothing happened.

"Knockout had the foresight to remove your weapons systems."

Orion looked up. He was relieved? Angry? He wasn't sure anymore.

Megatron walked back towards him. Orion's chest started to heave in fear. He backed up. He didn't want to be hit again. He had enough of pain. Megatron kept coming. He backed Orion into the wall. Orion shrunk slightly. His hands were shaking. He avoided eye contact.

Megatron smiled. Orion was clearly distressed. Clearly scared. He was enjoying this. It had been many eons since he had seen the great Optimus Prime scared of anything. Let alone him. He slammed his fist into the wall beside Orion's head. Head gasped and squeezed his eyes shut.

Orion waited for the blow; he slowly opened his eyes when it didn't come. Megatron was close to his face. Invading his personal space, a move of authority.

"Now you see this?"

Megatron pulled his drawn sword up and placed the tip on Orion's shoulder. Orion nodded slowly.

"If you don't listen…"

Orion tensed. He grunted as Megatron twisted the tip of the sword just enough to draw energon. Orion twisted his face in a pain.

"Understood my lord."

….

Orion rotated his shoulder. The energon leak was small enough that it had already stopped. But his shoulder was still sore. Along with the rest of his body. He looked at the computer screens. Code ran across them. His hands rested on the desk. If he did this how many Autobots would be killed? He had to find a way to escape…but how?

The guards had been increased. But to Orion's surprise they had been given orders to not touch him. He wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not.

"Work Pax!"

Orion flinched. He couldn't concentrate. Was he this Prime he had found? If so, why couldn't he remember? Ratchet? Megatron had said he was alive. Or in a manner of speaking. He tapped the keyboard. A small window opened. If he could just contact them.

He hesitated. Megatron had said they were watching and documenting everything he did. He blinked in thought. His days in Iacon had learned him out to send and receive data on monitored lines without anyone seeing.

He glanced over his shoulder. The guards were murmuring to each other. Not really paying attention to him except to stop and yell at him on occasion. He quickly typed. If anything, he hoped the troopers would have no idea what he was doing and would just assume he was decoding.

…

Orion tapped the keys slowly. His bit his lip in nervousness. It had been a few hours since he had sent a message out. He was hoping it meant Megatron and Soundwave hadn't locked on it.

He rubbed his hands together. He was exhausted. He had taken quite a beating and hadn't been allowed to rest since starting this project. He lowered his head. What would Alpha Trion think of him complying with a warlord?

He smirked. Alpha Trion. Where was he now? Was he safe? He rubbed his eyes. He wasn't aware of the door opening behind him. He figured it was the guards moving around as they had been. He was suddenly spun around. A hard grip on his shoulder, and a grip of fear on his spark. His energon processor tense.

"Soundwave is quite adept at communications Orion. Did you honestly think he wouldn't vet out your ill sent plea for help?"

Orion's eyes went wide. "I was…"

"Silence!"

Orion's breathing was shaky, his voice unsteady. He shook when Megatron grabbed his forearm. "Guards!"

He wiped Orion into a group of them. The guards were surprised but caught him.

"Take him to the posts."

Megatron spoke low. Orion winced. "The polls?"

Megatron just glared at him. Orion gulped. What were the polls? It couldn't be anything good. He tried to fight the guards grip. He gasped and tried to put the brakes on when he was brought into a room. Two poles stood on either side with a chain in between. He fought as well as he could but ultimate ended up with his arms chained tightly above him.

Megatron strode into the semi dark room.

"What is this?" Orion yelled to him. He couldn't remember the last time he was so afraid. Megatron laughed and walked behind him. Orion was shaking. His chest tight.

"This is your punishment for disobeying me, and a reminder to you who has the authority here on my ship!"

Orion's back tingled with the sensation of someone behind him. He couldn't turn his head to look behind him. He breathed quickly.

"Megatron please. Let me go. I pose no threat to you. Even if I am that Prime from your records. I have no memory of it!"

Megatron relished this. The Prime was pleading with him, begging him for mercy. He smiled. Reaching to the wall and grabbing one of the many torture devices. He flicked out the whip. He could see Orion's head trying to seeing behind him. The mechs body was tense. His breathing was sporadic

"Please. Lord Megatron! You know this isn't right! There is another way!"

His voice seemed to echo off the walls. The light above him flicker. He could hear Megatron behind him, he heard something snap.

"Stop begging Orion. It's quite pathetic!"

Everything seemed to go into slow motion. Orion could hear his spark in his audio receptors. He heard a snap behind him then something strike his back. Pain shot through him. He called out in pain. A whip.

Orion gasped. "Stop this!"

He tried again only to earn himself another snap of the whip.

Megatron smiled as the whip snapped. The energon from Orion's back was running down and dripping onto the floor. A puddle was beginning to form as the whip lashed and cut into Orion's back.

…..

Orion wasn't sure how many times he had been struck. He had lost count. He head was loped forward. He could feel the warm energon had coated his burning back. A puddle below him worried him how much he loosing. He was struggling to breath now. Struggling to stay conscious.

"Knockout!"

Orion heard Megatron behind him call to the medic who was watching from the doorway. He had been leaning against the entry way and rolled his eyes as he approached Orion. Carful not to step in the puddle, he reached up tilting Orion's head up.

Orion blinked painful. Grimacing and wincing as Knockout looked him over.

"MMMM he is still alive Lord Megatron, but I would stop. He doesn't look like he could take much more."

Megatron walked around Orion, he ran his hand the whip. Scrapping off the energon and then flinging it at Orion. Orion flinched. He shifted his eyes to look at Megatron.

"Now you know who is in charge here. If you don't listen and continue to refuse my orders I will make each of your punishments more and more painful."

Megatron leaned in, whispering harshly to Orion whose breathing was extremely labored. Megatron walked back behind him. He placed the whip back on it hold and closed the hidden panel of devices back into the wall.

Megatron walked back over to the polls. He released the chains causing Orion to crash down painful with a cry into the puddle of energon beneath him.

Orion couldn't move. He felt the warm, sticky energon on his body, but he couldn't move. Even breathing at this point was painful. Megatron just sneered.

"Leave him to contemplate his choices."

Megatron spoke to his crew. Orion could hear them leave. He groaned loudly. He try to pull himself forward only to be met with his body screaming at him to stop.

…

Ratchet paced the base floor. They had managed to secure the matrix within the keycard. Jack had locked in a safe box at the base. They had also managed to pushed Megatron back enough to retrieve Arcee and Jack and flee. Now he was waiting for Agent Fowler to contact him. They had to find the warship. Their best bet was the US Military's satellites.

The monitors beeped with an incoming message. Ratchet jumped. He had been lost in thought. He clicked open the message.

"Optimus!"

He spoke loudly in surprise. His voice echoed in the empty base. The others were out searching for the ship. He quickly clicked to open the message.

"Ratchet. I am not certain you will receive this. My actions are being heavily monitored. I am not certain who I am at the moment. I have been told lie after lie. I am risking a lot sending this out. Megatron might find it. I included a geographical point; you should be able to back track this message. Hopefully. – Orion"

Ratchet felt his spark untense in relief. "Optimus. We are coming for you!"

…

Orion felt his head swimming. Was his back burning more then before? He grunted trying once again to move and failed. He would have called for help but who would help him. He looked around. How long had he been passed out for? The energon on his back felt more dried now then wet, but it still worried him. He was weak. Too weak to even lift his head. He groaned. He hoped somehow Ratchet had still gotten his message.

….

Orion jumped. Gunshots? He moaned. He had passed out again. He listened. Something was happening outside. He lifted his head, his eyes blinking. Ratchet? He could only hope. He took in a deep breathe, reaching forward and pulling himself forward. He grunted and winced. His legs were barely working. He dug his fingers into the groves on the floor. He managed to finally get himself up to the door. He didn't bother looking behind him. He knew it would only worry him how much energon he had lost.

Orion cried out as he maneuvered himself to the side of the door. The control panel was mid-way up the door. Orion gasped, he struggled to reach the control panel. His outstretched arm was aggravating his back, opening the injuries back up. He was shaking, his arm was shaking violently.

"Please Primus!"

He choked desperately, "Please help…me…" He grew to weak again. His arm fell along with his body back to the ground. The gunfire was getting closer. He rolled painfully to his side. He pulled himself against the wall for support. His back was near the wall, but not touching. He breathed heavily, his head laying on his arm. He jumped, placing a hand over his mouth when the door opened.

Anyone could find him, they just had to look at the energon trail, but he had to try and hide…Ratchet?

…..

Ratchet ran for another door. Arcee and Bumblebee were fighting the troopers. Trying to keep them at bay. Wheeljack and Bulkhead were attempting to hold off Megatron. Ratchet ran into the room. He gasped at the sight. A puddle of energon on the floor, chains were soaking in it. He scanned the area, his eyes falling to a trail of energon leading toward the door.

He pleaded that it was Orion's blood, his eyes falling on a crumpled body.

"Orion! No."

….

Orion groaned. Ratchet walked over to him, kneeling down. His face was mortified.

"What hurts?"

Ratchet spoke quickly. He had to get Orion out of here. Orion blearily looked at Ratchet.

"Everything."

He stammered. Ratchet reached up for his commlink. "I found him. We need to get him out of here now!"

Ratchet yelled into his com link. He reach down to help Orion up when he placed his hand on Orion's back. Orion cried out, cringing, and tensing. He was struggling to breathe. Ratchet was confused. He rolled Orion over slightly. His eyes widening in horror when he saw Orion's back cut open to shreds. "By the allspark! What have they done to you?"

Bumblebee appeared in the room. Ratchet looked up at him. "quickly. Don't touch his back!"

Bumblebee cocked his head confused by complied. Ratchet and Bumblebee drug Orion out of the room. Arcee was with the wreckers. They were having trouble maintaining their stand.

"Raph! Bridge now!"

Ratchet called into his commlink.

Orion could barely keep himself awake. He couldn't move his legs. He saw a green vortex open before them. He was drug through. He heard Megatron shout angrily. He didn't care, right now he didn't care about anything. He was in to much pain.

"Sit him here."

Bumblebee helped Ratchet sit Orion on a med berth. Orion couldn't keep his balance and began to fall over when Bumblebee caught him. Ratchet gasped. "Primus!"

Orion head floated, where was he? He heard voices he didn't recognize.

"What do you need doc?" Wheeljack walked to Ratchet.

Ratchet was in a frenzy. "Help Bumblebee hold him up. I need to patch his back and its not going to feel nice. If he passes out, I need him stable."

Wheeljack nodded and took Orion's opposite arm and relieving some of his weight off of Bumblebee. Ratchet was laying out his tool when his eyes caught the children. They were horrified. Ratchet looked at Bulkhead. "Take Bumblebees spot. Bumblebee and Arcee get the kids out of here now."

Bulkhead nodded without a word. He was strong then Bee anyway and would be able to hold Orion down if he struggled. Which looking at him now that didn't appear to be a threat.

Arcee growled. "Ratchet don't you need us here?"

Ratchet shot her a glare. "Optimus… Orion is in a weakened state. He is not the Prime we have come to know. He may cry out in pain and I don't want them to hear that."

He whispered to her harshly. "They are already scared. Let's not traumatize them further."

Arcee's face fell from one of anger to one of understanding. "let's go Jack."

Jack nodded; he was all to happy to get out of there. Seeing the Prime so hurt, so weak unnerved him. Miko and Raph followed suite piling into Bumblebee as the five left the base.

Ratchet turned to Wheeljack and Bulkhead. "I need to clean the area, apply antiseptics, weld up what I can, then bandage it. You need to hold him still."

Orion heard muffled voices. Two mechs were holding him in a sitting position. He didn't like this. The way he was being held left his back open. He gulped, his breathing labored and sharp.

"Ratchet?"

He moaned. His head still heavy to hold up, his eyes not fully open. Ratchet appeared in front of him.

"Its going to be okay Op… Orion. I have to clean those whip lashes. I won't lie, this is going to be very painful. Bulkhead and Wheeljack are the mechs on your sides. You can trust them."

Orion tried to nodded. He was scared, his body was tense. He trusted Ratchet. Right now, he didn't have a choice.

Ratchet walked behind Orion. He was hunched over. Orion was shaking. Ratchet could tell he was scared. It had been eons since he had seen Optimus or even Orion scared but he remembered that look. And right now, Orion was terrified, and it unnerved the war hardened medic to no end.

Ratchet looked up at Wheeljack and Bulkhead, "Okay I am going to begin cleaning."

A large bucket of steaming hot water was on the berth behind Orion. Multiple rags laid next to it and in the water. Ratchet reached in, wringing one out. It steamed with the heat. He reached forward gently grasping Orion's shoulder, and began rubbing the rag on Orion's back.

Orion jolt forward. He tried to move away from the pain. Something was rubbing on his back. "Easy Orion. I know it hurts, hang on."

He heard a soft, reassuring voice behind him. Orion grimaced. He felt the grip on his arms tighten and push him back. He groaned. The rubbing wasn't stopping. He clenched his fist. He couldn't fight the strength of the two rather large mechs holding him down.

"Please stop." He stammered quietly. He couldn't take the pain anymore.

Ratchet grimaced as he cleaned the lashes. They were deep. He hated hearing Optimus plead so desperately. He hated that it was hurting him, but he had to continue.

He was wetting another rag, he glanced at the wreckers. They both had pained looks, they kept their gazes low and their grips tight on Orion's arms. Ratchet began to wipe the energon again. The wet, newly bled energon was easier to clean. It was the dried energon that was causing the problem. Orion twitched and shook.

"Please no more. I'll comply. Please."

Ratchet felt his spark breaking. Orion was out of it. He thought he was still being tortured.

"How much more doc? I hate hurting him."

Wheeljack looked at Ratchet. Ratchet sighed heavily. "I know. And I'm almost done here. And this isn't the most painful part. The antiseptics is what is going to cause him the most pain. I am hoping he passes out before then but if not, I am sure he will during that process."

A few more minutes passed. Orion was still groaning. He twitched his arms and arched his back every now and then. Ratchet side as he sat the rags and bucket of energon filled water aside. He had hoped Orion would have passed out by now. He walked back over to his work station and grabbed the bottle of antiseptic and salve. He also grabbed a large bandage for the Primes back.

Ratchet looked at Wheeljack and Bulkhead. He took in a breathe and let it out slowly.

"Okay. You two are going to need to have a good grip on him. The more he moves the more he breaks these lashes back open."

Ratchet placed his supplies down and turned for his spot welder. Bulkhead winced.

"Are you sure you have to use that stuff?"

Bulkhead eyed the bottle. Ratchet nodded. "it's the strongest I have. We cannot risk him getting an infection. He is not strong enough to fight it off."

Ratchet laid his welder to the side. He took in another deep breathe. Generally being a medic meant his had to have steady hands. But right now, he wasn't sure of himself. He had tended to Optimus before, but Orion had never been hurt so badly. Optimus was stronger the Orion, mentally and physically and could handle more pain. Orion… Ratchet wasn't sure. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear Orian scream either. But as the medic he had to force those feelings to the side and do his job.

"Ratchet."

Bulkhead spoke soft. Ratchet looked over to him.

"Your hands are shaking."

Ratchet looked down, they were. That was a first. He breathed shakily.

"I don't want to do this."

He breathed; his voice wavered. Wheeljack removed one of his hands from Orion's arm and placed it on Ratchets shaking hands.

"We know you don't. But we've also seen you work before. You are exceptional. I've never met another medic like you."

Ratchet blinked. His spark was fluttering with anxiety.

"Thanks."

He breathed. He closed his eyes. "I wish I could send you two away too, but I need help."

Bulkhead smiled slightly. "we can handle it Doc. Wreckers are the toughest bots around."

Wheeljack nodded in agreement. Ratchet opened his eyes back up. He had hesitated long enough. His hands were steading. He grabbed the bottle and opened the cap. The smell of the chemical inside had never made his energon processor turn before but it was now. He had to talk. "I am going to pour this down his back. It will coat it and fill the lashes and make sure any infection or bacteria is destroyed."

Bulkhead shifted, as did Wheeljack they moved more to the front of Orion. They kept his arms grasped and braced themselves.

Orion saw the mechs move in the front of him. They looked worried, scared. He could hear ratchet breathing behind him. His back was sore from the rubbing. He was not prepared for what happened next.

A white-hot fire raced through his body. He couldn't control his lurch. He tried to move forward away from the pain and was stopped. Held into place. The white-hot feeling was excruciating. He screamed. How much more pain was he going to be put through?

Ratchet cringed. As expect Orion jumped, lurching forward. Wheeljack and Bulkhead were able to hold him in place. Ratchet watched the medicine go to work. It fizzed and bubbled inside the lashes. He cringed. His hands shaking more now as he set the empty bottle down. Orion was screaming in pain. His body jolt and twitch violently. Bulkhead and Wheeljack were grunting in attempts to hold him still. Ratchet had to grit his teeth to keep himself from crying. Orion was screaming, begging, and pleading for the pain to stop.

"Ratchet Hes not breathing!"

Orion's chest seize. His breathing stopped. He couldn't take this anymore. He struggled to get a breathe.

"Give him a minute."

Ratchet spoke calmly despite freaking out on the inside. After a moment Orion's body went limp. Ratchet breathed a sigh of relief. "He's out."

Wheeljack and Bulkhead were panting. Orion had Optimus's physically strength and when pain was involved, adrenaline flowed, and it had been a fight to keep Orion seated. Ratchet remained quiet the rest of the time he worked. He welded up the deeper lashes. He patched a few. He gentle tapped on the bandage.

He helped Wheeljack and Bulkhead maneuver Orion to lay on his stomach and chest. Ratchet was exhausted. He sat back at his desk. "Bulkhead the others can come back."

He spoke absently mindedly. His adrenaline was coming down. His medical instincts were slowly coming down. He leaned forward on his desk. Placing his head in his hands.

Bulkhead and Wheeljack looked at each other. "Maybe we should tell the others to stay away for a bit longer?"

Wheeljack whispered to Bulkhead. Bulkhead shook his head. "I think its better if they are here." He called them back. It wasn't long till they showed up. There was a saddened hush over the base. Energon was splashed over the med bay. Orion was lay still on the medical berth, the spark monitor beeped slowly.

"Is Ratchet okay?"

Jack murmured to Arcee. Arcee looked at Bulkhead and Wheeljack. They shrugged slightly.

"That was difficult for him. I've never seen Ratchet struggle like that before. Then again, I've never seen Optimus… well I guess Hes Orion right now, in that much pain."

Bulkhead stated. Jack looked over at the medic. His face was still covered with his hands. They appeared to be shaking.

"He needs us. Hes been there for all of us when we were hurt. I think its time we are there for him."

Raph spoke up. Jack nodded. "I agree."

Jack started over with Raph and Miko following. The Autobots followed as well. Raph jumped over the railing first. Jack was impressed with the normally meek mild-mannered teen being assertive and leading.

"Ratch?"

Raph cocked his head, speaking to the medic. Ratchet took in a sharp breath and removed his hands from his face. His optics were dim. Water brimmed them. Tears? He blinked shaking his head.

"Raphael? I did not hear you return."

Ratchets hands were shaking, his legs were shaking. His spark felt like it was shaking. Raph walked forward laying his hand on Ratchets shaking hand. Jack and Miko followed suite.

Raph smiled up at him. "We're here for you Ratchet. You've been there for each one of us at some point when we were hurting. So, it's our turn to be here for you."

Ratchet cocked his head slightly, realizing the others were surrounding him. He looked around him. "What is this?"

His voice was tired and weak.

"We know how hard that was for you. You and Optimus or Orion have been friends for a long long time. We know it wasn't easy for you to do what you did. Quiet frankly I don't know how you do what you do."

Arcee spoke for the team. Ratchet lowered his gaze. "Normally it doesn't affect me. I have seen enough on the battlefield to not be phased anymore but this…"

He turned his eyes to Orion's sleeping form. His chest shook but he was breathing and alive. "This was different."

The team stood around Ratchet, each sharing their support for him.

…

Orion groaned. He was waking up. His back felt cool, sore. He blinked slowly. His eyes landing on Ratchet. The medic was sleeping at his desk. His head resting on his folded arms. Orion brought his arms up under him, pushing himself up. He groaned. "Ouch."

Ratchet jolted. He looked over to Orion who was attempting to sit.

"Optimus! What are you doing?"

Ratchet sprang up quickly. Orion looked at him. There was that slagging name again.

"You to?"

He stammered. Managing to shift himself around before Ratchet could reach him.

"Don't move around to much. You're very weak."

Orion waved his hand. He slide himself with Ratchets help so the wall supported him sitting.

"How is your back?"

Ratchet smiled faintly. Orion rubbed his neck. "Sore." He looked at Ratchet.

"You got my message."

Ratchet nodded. "Yes, I did. Hold on."

"Jack."

Ratchet called up to the teen. Jack appeared over the railing. "Yeah? Optimus! Er… Orion you're awake!"

Orion glanced at Ratchet. "What is that?"

Jack smiled, crossing his arms. "I'm a human."

Orion blinked. "Human? You are very small."

Jack laughed. "Yeah I know." He dove over the side landing in Ratchets hands. Ratchet smiled. "Do you have it?"

Jack reached into his shirt. The key was on a chain around his neck.

"I've been wearing it the past few days. I figured when he woke up, we would want to be ready."

Ratchet nodded placing Jack down next to Orion. Orion flinched slightly. This little creature was odd. He hesitantly reached forward and poked Jack gently.

"You are not made of metal."

Jack smirked "Nope flesh." He held up the keycard.

Orion's face transitioned to one of shock. "That looks like the legendary key to Vector Sigma."

Jack nodded. "That's cause it is. It's going to put the matrix power back in you"

Orion turned his gaze to him. "How would a human, no offense, know if I am worthy to receive such power?"

Ratchet stepped forward.

"You'll see."

Jack held up the keycard. Power shot out of it.

Orion leaned back, stunned when his chest was forcibly opened. He stared at the beam; his mind went fuzzy.

Jack held the card loosely. Not sure what it would do. Ratchet was as enthralled as Jack was. Optimus's face went neutral. His emotion seemed stoic. The keycard vibrated then lifted out of Jacks hand. Ratchet and Jack watched the keycard return to its original size and float toward Optimus. The Prime head snapped up; his eyes brightened. He reached up and grabbed the keycard looking down to see Jack and Ratchet.

"Jackson? Ratchet?"

Jack swallowed. "Optimus is that you?"

Optimus nodded. "Indeed. I…"

Optimus went to move forward. His body protested causing the Prime to gasp loudly. Ratchet held up his hand "Ep Ep Don't move"

Optimus let out a sharp breathe. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" Ratchet questioned.

Optimus shook his head. Ratchet lowered his gaze to Jack who shrugged.

"Megatron took you. He took advantage of you amnesia. You figured it out though and managed to contact us for help, but we weren't able to get to you before Megatron flogged you within an inch of your life."

Optimus furrowed his eyebrows. "Flogged me!?"

Ratchet nodded. "Not to mention the beatings you took. Or I assume you took from the dents and scratches."

Optimus cringed inwardly. That would explain why his back was on fire. He looked up at Ratchet who faintly smiled, it seemed forced. "I am going to get you a new bandage. Its time tot change that one. I'll be right back."

Optimus watched Ratchet lumber away. Something was wrong.

"Jackson is Ratchet alright?"

Jack looked up at Optimus all sincerity in his eyes and voice.

"No. He was really affected by what Megatron did to you. He had to deal with the repercussions. Meaning he had to patch you up. You were pretty out of it. At least Orion was."

Optimus's expression changed to a pained one, not from his back, from his spark.

"Got it."

Ratchets voice came form the hall. Optimus looked at Jack. "Would you mind if I had a word alone with Ratchet?"

Jack nodded. "Of course."

He hoped off the berth and ran for the back. Arcee and Bulkhead were sparing and that's where everyone else had congregated.

Ratchet held the bandaged in his hand. "We have to change that every few hours to keep infections from occurring."

"Ratchet. I'm sorry."

Ratchet turned to him. "I'm Sorry?"

Optimus looked at him, his eyes full of empathy. "Jack told me some of what had occurred."

Ratchet closed his eyes, clenching his fists.

"he shouldn't have."

He whispered. Optimus smiled slightly.

"Ratchet what is wrong?"

Ratchet scoffed. "nothing."

Optimus eyed him. "Ratchet we have never lied to each other. Why start now?"

Ratchet had his back to Optimus. He was embarrassed. It wasn't Optimus's fault he was having trouble with what had happened.

"I'm just struggling with something. Its not your fault. I'll be fine."

Optimus shifted slightly. He raised an eyebrow.

"Go on."

"Its just… I've known you for ever Optimus. I see you more then a friend, you are a brother to me. When you were Orion, your job was never dangerous. At least not I that knew of. I never worried for your safety. But when you became Optimus, danger was part of your new job description. But even as Optimus if you were hurt, you never showed it. I was annoying at time when you hid it. Like right ow. I know you are in pain. But anyone else would look at you and not see it. You hide it well. Optimus hides it well."

Ratchet stopped. He sighed heavily.

"I know Optimus and Orian are one in the same but Optimus you've always been stronger the Orion. Your mental, physical, and emotional strength was much more then that of Orion's. When you were brought back here, hurt and in pain, and I knew the only way to help you was to induce more pain…"

Optimus hummed slightly. "I trust you Ratchet. As you said I see you as my brother. I trust your methods."

Ratchet shook his head. "For the first time since I had become a medic, I wish I had chosen a different career. I didn't want to be a medic anymore."

Ratchet looked up at Optimus. Tears had welled in his optics which he quickly tried to hide.

"even during the war Optimus, when you were severely injured. And there have been times. You never…"

Ratchet stopped. He couldn't go on. He took a shaky breath. Optimus's face was pained. Again, not his injuries. He was upset that Ratchet was in pain.

"I never?"

Optimus pushed. He had found that Ratchet sometimes had to be pushed to talk out his pain.

"Screamed."

Optimus sat back in shock. That wasn't what he was expecting. Ratchet looked at him.

"I have never once, not even when we were kids heard you scream in pain. I am not talking about a battle cry or screaming in anger, or fear. I am talking about a blood curdling, scream in pain. Pleading for the pain to stop."

Optimus felt his spark break for the medic. He had heard such screams from other mechs and femmes. He could only imagine hearing someone on his team scream in such a way and the traumatic impact it would have on him. Especially Ratchet.

"Ratchet, I… I don't know what to say to make you feel better. I am sorry you had to experience that."

Ratchet smiled faintly. "It's not your fault. It's just hard for me to not hear it over and over. It's a sound I never want to hear again."

Optimus smiled. He tried to convey a calming demeanor.

"Ratchet. Look at me please."

Ratchet looked at Optimus. In many ways Optimus… Orion was in many ways like his little brother. He had always felt protective over him. Even when they were kids running through the streets of Iacon up until they both had entered the work force. Ratchet felt responsible for him, being the old of the two.

"I appreciate you and everything you do and have done for me. Do not think for a moment that I have not noticed your protective manner about me. Since we were children."

Optimus smiled amused.

"Even though you are not that much older then I, you still placed yourself in the role of my protector."

Ratchet smiled back with a shrug.

"Instinct I guess. To this day I feel protective over you."

Ratchet sighed in relief; a burden felt lifted. "Alright enough talk. We need to change this."

He walked over to Optimus smiled. He was blessed to be surrounded by a family such as this. Not everyone was so lucky to have people around them who supported them when they were weak and stood beside them when they were strong.