Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers
Summary - Optimus is betrayed by his team but welcomed by another who were once his enemies.
You belong to me
The room held an eerie silence except for the whirl of intakes as a lone figure chained to the wall hung. The red and blue flamed figure known as Optimus Prime; leader of the Autobots was now a prisoner of Megatron warlord of the Decepticons. Optimus couldn't believe he had fallen for the trick he had received a distress signal and went to help. He was ambushed by Barricade, Starscream, Bonecrusher and Sideways. It wasn't exactly a fair fight four against one; but then again whoever said that the Decepticons fought fairly. He had tried to pull free but found the chains were reinforced with dark Energon; so it was useless to fight. He knew he'd need his strength to survive whatever torture Megatron would be inflicting on him. Megatron had loved to torture it was his favorite thing to do to a captive; especially a captive Autobot or in this case the leader of the Autobots.
(Optimus' POV)
I looked around the room it held a sinister air about it; of course, what did I expect being a prisoner to the Decepticons. I was surprised the torturing hadn't started as soon as I was caught; I wasn't surprised my wounds from being captured were patched up. This was mostly because they wanted me to survive the tortures until whenever Megatron wanted to take my spark. I knew he would kill me this I was no fool about; unless my Autobots found me; they wouldn't this was a new Decepticon base. I had taken a ride to clear my head when I received the distress signal and went to investigate. You can imagine my surprise when I saw Bonecrusher I had killed him on the way to Mission City for the big battle with Megatron. However, that would not be the only time I get surprised seeing Megatron once more alive after Samuel James Witwicky pushed the cube into his chest. I thought it was done that Megatron was gone forever; I should have known better the war will never be over. Somehow Starscream and Barricade found two Allspark shards and brought back Megatron and Bonecrusher. Bonecrusher was nasty he tore into my armor and made sure I felt everything he did; he wanted revenge for me doing what I did to him and he got it. Then of course there's Megatron his revenge would be next I made it a vow I would not let him see any agony he placed on me. I let my battle mask fall into place just as the cell door opened and the deadly warlord walked in. I narrowed my optics at him as he walked closer toward me and grabbed my face.
"RETRACT THAT MASK OR I'LL RIP IT OFF!" he snarled at me his long spiky clawed fingers held my face in place. "DO IT, PRIME!" he ordered as I refused. "Very well, we'll do this the painful way then." he growled as his clawed fingers grabbed and ripped the mask off my face.
I could feel pieces of the mask were hanging as I suddenly felt exposed in his presence and I didn't like that feeling not at all. I couldn't look at him; I just couldn't I knew he would reduce me to a pile of scrap metal. I would go down fighting every possible way if I was going to die here I wasn't going without a fight. I looked up and my optics locked with his anger seethed from my body I hated him; I truly did. I had tried to bring him back, but he was far too corrupted and was lost to darkness, evil and corruption.
"Now, that's much better, isn't it?" he asked me in a mocked kind voice as he ran his fingers over my face.
"Get off me." I growled.
"You are in no position to refuse anything I do to you, Prime." Megatron snapped and of course he was right.
He watched me for a few minutes and then walked over to the cell door and glanced back at me with a ruthless smile his fangs showing.
"Doctor, come in the specimen is ready." Megatron called me a specimen like I was some common piece of trash to dissect.
I fought against the chains and Megatron looked amused as the doctor climbed on the table near me. He touched my armor in different places it didn't compute what he was doing until I heard him talking. He was testing my armor for weaknesses and he had found several spots.
"Hit him here and here sharp blows will cause desired result in him." the doctor bot said as Megatron turned to me and with a half crazed expression on his face and pummeled me without mercy.
He punched me exactly where that cold unfeeling doctor bot told him to hit me. It worked my armor cracked and as it did he rammed his hand into my wiring and sliced them apart. I tried to hold back an agonizing yell but couldn't the pain was bad.
"Slice his delicate wires and circuits more, Megatron." that doctor pushed Megatron and naturally he didn't need much encouragement.
He ripped wires out of my side; but he stopped as suddenly as he started. He stared at the leaking Energon and smiled.
I could taste Energon in my mouth I was growing sick I spat at Megatron and hung my head down the miserable slagger was taking everything away from me. Megatron reached for my throat and snarled as he banged my head against the wall.
"Fix him..." was all Megatron ordered with a snarl and then left.
The doctor bot patched up all my wounds and the doctor bot tried to make me drink Energon but I refused. He hooked up an IV and forced the Energon into my system obviously they wanted me to live longer yet.
"You better listen; no Autobots will save you next time he might damage you more." the doctor bot said but I was exhausted and offlined for a while needing rest I was drained.
The hours turned into days and days turned into weeks and obviously no one missed me or cared I was gone and none of the Autobots were searching for me. I figured Ironhide must have assumed command now and my spark almost gave out knowing no cared to even search for me. Was I that unimportant to my men and even to the humans I had sworn to protect? Was I that easily replaced? I heard rather then saw the cell door open and in walked Barricade and Sideways laughing as they set up some sort of place to view something they had recorded I was almost afraid to see it. But all it showed was what I already figured Ironhide had assumed leadership of the Autobots and things were going on like normal no one even seemed to miss me. What I hadn't noticed was Megatron joining us, but I hadn't cared about anything to tell you the truth this was worse than anything Megatron could have done to me. My men never needed me they were fine without me and so were the humans. I hadn't realized my optics had misted until I heard Megatron's voice booming.
"TURN IT OFF!" Megatron yelled at them shocking them.
"But sir, we figured it would help to..." Barricade started to say.
"NOW...!" Megatron commanded. "LEAVE US!" Megatron said as I saw Megatron approach me.
He merely looked at me and held a container of some kind with high grade Energon he walked up to me.
"Do not refuse this; open your mouth." Megatron ordered as I did what he wanted I was still filled with hate; but what good did it do to fight him I had lost everything what did it matter now.
Everything I had fought for seemed so damned unimportant now in the end I was replaceable and the Autobots would go on without me. Megatron held the container steady and let me drink my fill of the High grade some of it spilled; but he didn't seem bothered by it.
"I saw the expression in your optics you didn't need to see that; you were a leader and didn't need to see your weakling Autobots being traitors to you. Those insects didn't deserve your protection, Prime; you should have never bothered." Megatron said.
I only shook my head he was wrong my duty as Prime would always steer my spark no matter how hurt or disappointed I became.
"I am a Prime it is my duty to protect ALL creatures." was all I could reply with.
Megatron became agitated then and his arms became animated as he spoke.
"This is how they treat you for your protection; this is a travesty even YOU must see this, "Prime?" he demanded from me.
I really didn't want to argue with him I didn't want to believe any of what he was telling me; but how could I not believe no one was even looking for me. Megatron moved closer to my body and ran his hands over my body. He got a devious look on his face as his hand went into my neck wiring and on a cable that was rather sensitive to me. He bit into the wiring making me go cold inside I didn't want this he was my enemy a cold-blooded killer. He had injured me once more physically and mentally and I couldn't take it; soon this would break me like a human child's toy and when it did Primus help me.
Xxx
(Normal POV – With Bumblebee)
Bumblebee refused to go to the base anymore; because Ironhide hadn't sent search parties out to look for Optimus. Bumblebee cared deeply for Optimus he was like a father unit to him; because he'd practically raised the Autobot scout. He was angry none of the other Autobots cared enough to investigate his disappearance all they said was he deserted his post and everyone around him; this infuriated the scout. Bumblebee was sitting on the hill overlooking the bluff where Sam and Mikaela made out on his hood after the battle in Mission City. Bee sensed Sam and Mikaela approaching him he didn't look at them; he was missing Optimus and just off in his own little world.
"Hey, big guy..." Sam said.
"Hello, Sam and Mikaela..." Bumblebee said as Sam went to his friend who lowered his hand to Sam and Mikaela. "I miss him so much I can't stand going to the base anymore. They talk like Optimus deserted his post and the humans are furious with him. Ironhide is leader now and says if and when Optimus ever returns he wouldn't step down. He is not a traitor and I'll blast anyone whoever suggests such a thing in my presence." Bee said as Sam looked over and saw tears streaming down Mikaela's face.
"What about the Decepticons that are left Barricade and Starscream could they have hurt Optimus?" Sam asked Bee.
"It's possible." was all Bee said.
"Then we look for him to hell with the others; we can find Optimus and make our own group." Mikaela said trying to encourage the Autobot scout.
"You mean it?" Bee asked.
"Yes, I do; Ironhide had no right stealing Optimus' leadership away like that who does he think he is anyway?" she demanded as they heard engines behind them and the familiar sound of transforming.
"I think I am leader of the Autobots...the rightful leader." Ironhide said with a nasty tone.
"How could you betray, Optimus like this?" Sam snarled.
"Shut it, Sam; Prime deserted us and I did what I had to do." Ironhide said snidely. "Besides, if Optimus returns he can call me on it and I'll be more than willing to step down. If he beats me, that is." Ironhide said sarcastically confusing Sam and Mikaela.
"What do you mean if he beats you?" Sam demanded of Ironhide.
"If everyone including the humans on the base believes Optimus deserted them when he returns. Then he had to fight Ironhide to the...death to get his leadership back from him." Bee said as Sam and Mikaela shot Ironhide cold unfeeling glares knowing Ironhide and the others would be setting up their own leader.
"Optimus is your friend how can you backstab him like this?" Mikaela demanded.
"You're no different than Megatron he gets enough crap from the Decepticons; he doesn't need it from you too." Sam said as Ironhide growled at those words. "You'd make a better Decepticon; Ironhide just like Starscream in fact. He is a traitor always trying to find a way to hurt his leader and steal his leadership; he's a backstabber just like you." Sam retorted.
Ironhide's cannons powered up in anger and the second they did; Bumblebee was on his feet with his own cannon up.
"Power down both of you...!" Ratchet ordered walking up while neither backed down. "We have new arrivals coming stop this now!" he ordered.
"We should be looking for Optimus!" Sam roared.
"No Samuel; we shouldn't." Ratchet said softly and then added. "He's deserted us and if he does return and wants his leadership back; then he will have to fight Ironhide for it." Ratchet said.
"He will never kill his friend and you know it!" Mikaela yelled.
"I'm sure that you're right; but Ironhide will if need be to prove his point. It's either a fight to the death or he is exiled out of the Autobots forever. The latter causing the military to throw him off the planet as well." Ratchet said.
Bumblebee spoke up then shocking both Ironhide and Ratchet with his words.
"If you do this to Optimus I will leave with Optimus; if you turn your backs on him." Bee said and kept his cannon trained on Ironhide.
"Autobots preserve and protect life and Optimus always upheld that law and when he needs his men and the humans of Earth most; they run like scared dogs with their tails between their legs." Sam growled.
"Samuel enough...!" Ratchet ordered.
"No, I won't stop! Optimus is my friend and he was your friend too! Sam yelled. "He saved my life I WON'T betray him to anyone especially you and Ironhide."
"You young punk; you have no respect." Ironhide growled.
"For you, I have none; especially if you treat Optimus like that." Sam snarled as Bumblebee backed up and lowered Sam and Mikaela to the ground and transformed.
Sam and Mikaela quickly got into the yellow and black Camaro as Bumblebee revved his engine loudly.
"If you leave now, Bumblebee; you will be exiled. Is that what you want, Bumblebee?" Ratchet demanded as they heard Bee rev his engine even louder and sped off leaving a trail of dust behind him.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Ironhide asked Ratchet.
"Yes, he and the two humans are exiled from the base as well." Ratchet said. "Do you really want to kill Optimus, Ironhide?" Ratchet asked.
Silence...
"If I have to prove a point by killing him I will do it no questions will be asked." Ironhide said as Ratchet watched Bumblebee disappearing out of sight as Ratchet's intakes whirled as he and Ironhide suddenly transformed and drove off toward the base.
Meanwhile back at the Decepticon base; Optimus was trying to make his body relax but he just couldn't. He could feel his body throbbing from all the blasted abuse and torture he had received because he did not accept being Megatron's torture victim. He felt his fuel tank suddenly jolt and he dimmed realized he was going to heave everything in his fuel tank. Megatron turned hearing Optimus vomit as well as hearing Optimus' broken sobs something he never dreamed would ever happen. But Megatron was not pleased and he couldn't understand it here was his greatest enemy almost broken and sobbing. But he could not feel happy about it or gloat about it and it was eating him up inside why! He growled and transformed thinking perhaps a quick flight would ease his trouble processors. This was a very good idea for Starscream and Bonecrusher; but it would be excruciatingly bad for Optimus.
They came in like a group of vultures ready to pull apart a dead carcass the Prime before them being their target so to speak. Optimus watched halfheartedly as they pounced at him double teaming the Autobot. Bonecrusher chuckled in a sinister way as he broke apart Optimus' armor plates. Optimus was exhausted and in agony, but they refused to stop. Optimus felt hot Energon explode from him as he once more vomited but all over hitting the seeker as well.
"You disgusting, Autobot...!" Starscream roared. "How dare you?" Starscream snarled as his sharp talons wracked over Prime's cheek plates making Optimus scream out in pain and agony causing him tremble badly.
Starscream and Bonecrusher laughed, and then left him alone as well as leaving the Autobot unchained. Optimus crawled to the corner of the cell and curled up in a little ball crying and shaking.
Megatron got a peculiar feeling deep down in his spark something was wrong with Optimus; why he had this feeling it eluded him completely. All he knew was he had to return to base and as quickly as he could. He arrived and landed speedily transforming into robot form and headed for the cell where Optimus was. He opened the door and was flabbergasted to find Optimus was unchained and curled up in a ball in the corner of the cell sobbing and shaking. Megatron walked over and saw the Autobot's condition the vicious claw marks on his cheek plates, and the torn armor ripped from his body, and pools of Energon were everywhere.
"Optimus..." Megatron said reaching for Optimus.
Megatron could tell Optimus must have thrown up Energon the stall smell of it assaulted him quickly.
"No...please no more...please I am begging you, I can't take any more of this." Optimus begged as Megatron heard laughter behind him.
"Wow, how the mighty have fallen." Starscream said sarcastically as Megatron moved quickly as a deadly cobra and grabbed Starscream violently.
"You did this to him?" Megatron demanded of his second in command.
"Yes, Lord Megatron and Bonecrusher helped; we do absolutely wonderful work, wouldn't you say?" Starscream said with a smirk.
"You insolent fool, you've traumatized him!" Megatron yelled as Starscream glared at him.
"What do you care what we did to him; you said you were going to kill him anyway?" Starscream snarled. "We wanted a piece of him, so we took it!" the seeker laughed.
"Do not tell me what my plans will be, Starscream; I make the plans and rules NOT you!" Megatron roared.
"You are a poor leader giving mercy to an Autobot." Starscream spat as Megatron grabbed the seeker slashing his sensitive wings.
"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT; BEFORE I RIP YOUR SPARK OUT OF ITS CHAMBER!" Megatron roared as Starscream glared for a moment then stumbled away from Megatron.
Megatron watched Starscream leave and then knelt beside the Autobot leader and saw how he was trembling relentlessly.
"Optimus, it's Megatron; can you walk?" he asked.
Optimus didn't seem to hear him so he tried once more to get the Autobot's attention.
"Optimus, I need to get you to my quarters; can you walk?" he asked once more.
Megatron realized dimly Optimus was just far too traumatized and cursed Starscream and Bonecrusher for their stupidity. He needed to offline him long enough to get him into his quarters. He summoned the doctor who quickly offlined Optimus. Megatron lifted Optimus up bridal style and took him to his spacious quarters. Once he laid him down on his recharge berth the doctor took over.
"This lot of damage here, Lord Megatron." the doctor said.
"I know." was all Megatron said at first. "I know." he mumbled once more. "Just try to help him." Megatron growled as he left and went wandering the base halls.
He was confused and didn't like it one little bit; why did he care what happened to his arch enemy Optimus Prime? Why did he suddenly feel the need to help him this was so unlike him, indeed?
And, how did he know Optimus needed him?
Xxx
The Autobot base...
Ratchet and Ironhide were surprised to find that NEST had already handled the new arrivals for them. They transformed and greeted Sideswipe, Jolt, Arcee, Flare-up, Chromia and the Twins Skids and Mudflap.
"Were you briefed on the situation?" Ratchet asked.
"Yes, Optimus deserted us." Jolt said.
Robert Epps and Will Lennox walked up to Ratchet and Ironhide both had deep concern etched on their faces.
"How are you going to handle this and him if he decides to return?" Epps asked.
"If he wants to try and get leadership he has to fight Ironhide to the death or be exiled." Ratchet said.
"Interesting match; but do you think it's evenly matched?" Lennox asked.
"Optimus has an advantage he's a Prime as well." Arcee said. "If Ironhide has any hope of defeating him he has to play dirty." Arcee said as Ironhide huffed.
"When it comes to a deserter I will not play fair; he brought this on himself." Ironhide said.
"Well, if you don't kill him he is going to be thrown off this planet for leaving us high and dry." Epps said as Ironhide huffed suddenly.
"What is it, Hide?" Lennox asked.
"Bumblebee, Sam and Mikaela have turned against us because of Prime; we were expecting this from Bumblebee, but the two humans might be a problem." Ratchet said speaking for Ironhide.
"Bumblebee will join Prime in exile if he isn't killed in the fight from me." Ironhide said.
"I can't see him surviving an attack by you, Hide." Epps said with almost a laugh.
"He can't if I let him have it full force." Ironhide said.
"We can ban Sam and Mikaela from the base and if they get in the way of the fight or anything we can take them into military custody." Lennox said as Epps pulled him to the side. "What's with the look?"
"I am kind of hoping he makes an appearance I would like to see Hide take him down for deserting us. I mean it's been months since anyone has heard anything and if Starscream ever rallied any new troops we would have been sitting ducks." Epps said as Lennox smirked.
"Yeah, you have to figure Optimus might have been leader and may be a Prime but Ironhide could rip into him something furious. I don't think Optimus would stand a chance now Ironhide is really angry at his deserting us and the other Autobots. Hey Arcee, what did you mean Hide would have to play dirty?" Lennox asked her.
"Well as Autobots we don't cheat usually but with this fight, Hide would have to pull out all the stops and use everything he could against Optimus. Let me give you an example say Optimus had the upper hand and cornered Hide; well one of us might lend a hand and distract Optimus like Jolt could send a bolt through his body giving Hide enough time to either fight him more or finish him depending on how the fight is going." Arcee said.
"Can we help you cheat?" Lennox asked Ironhide.
"Yes, of course you can." Ratchet said. "Do you have liquid nitrogen? If you spray it at Prime, it will rapidly cool and by the time it gets on him it will be ice. It will freeze his joints and cool his internal systems making him sluggish and finally collapse not being able to move." Ratchet said as Lennox nodded.
"How else can he be taken down?" Lennox asked.
"I can pound on his armor unit I crack it enough to let one of the NEST soldiers shoot shockers into his circuits; this in turn will cause him to malfunction." Ironhide explained.
"Why don't you just concentrate on his spark and destroy his spark killing him that way?" Epps said.
"A Prime is harder to take down their sparks are stronger than any of us they have to be worn down." Ratchet said.
"We don't want to kill him right away; we want to make him suffer for deserting us first." Sideswipe said as the others agreed wholeheartedly.
Xxxx
Meanwhile at the Decepticon base Optimus was on Megatron's recharge berth still offline; while the doctor treated him. Megatron came in to check on Optimus and was not surprised to see him still offline.
"How is he?" Megatron asked as he approached.
"I cleaned up most wounds; he was deeply wounded from them." the doctor said.
"Alright, has he been online at all?" Megatron asked.
"No, he was in a lot of pain better he stay offline." the doctor said.
Megatron watched Optimus apprehension speared his spark and ran all through his circuits.
"I be right back." the doctor said. "Want me to online him for you, Lord Megatron?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes..." Megatron said as the doctor nodded as he switched Prime back online.
Optimus groaned painfully as his optics onlined and when he locked optics with Megatron fear came crashing through him all over again. He trembled badly as Megatron reached for his hands. The fear in Prime's optics the absolute shattered expression in his optics nearly undid Megatron himself.
"I'm sorry, Prime; you never should have been hurt like that." Megatron said in a crusty tone.
"It doesn't matter I am not wanted anyway; you were right not even my own men want me nor the humans I had protected." Optimus said as Megatron glanced down at him with irritation on his face.
"What did you say?" Megatron asked.
"I'm not wanted..." Prime replied shakily.
Megatron huffed.
"If you are referring to those fickle Autobots of yours and those insolent insects that roam this planet they do not matter. I will tell you what matters to me is you returning to health and returning as leader doing what you do best fighting with me." Megatron remarked.
"Why do you even care?" Optimus asked.
Megatron glanced at Prime with an unreadable stare.
"Why?" Optimus repeated.
"I'm not sure why." Megatron said finally. "That answer eludes even me." he growled.
(Megatron's POV)
I wasn't sure why I cared what happened to him he was my enemy; maybe it was the fact that he was a leader and a good leader. He was crafty and conning; regardless of his weaknesses he was strong and seeing him reduced to this shell was enough to anger me. But I couldn't help but wonder what else was driving me to protect and help him; there had to be something else causing me to do this and if I searched down deep I knew I could find it. The question was would I be ready for the answer and would Optimus accept that answer with dignity or would he fight me. I already knew the answer he'd fight me until I beat him down and forced him to accept the truth. You are wondering yourself I take it; ah yes well unfortunately Primus plays nasty tricks on us and this new evil trick he is playing on me is simple. It has to be the only reason why I want to make him stronger then he already was. This was all Ironhide's fault stealing leadership from Prime like that as if Prime would desert the Autobots or the insects. The very idea was preposterous; that it was laughable to me. Those wretched Autobots should have known better Optimus Prime gave them his all- all the time and this was the thanks he got for it. They didn't deserve a leader such as Optimus; if they could desert and throw accusations around about him like that. I saw the pain shining in Optimus' optics he was trying to hold back his pain I knew he was afraid for me to see him like this.
"It's okay I am not going to think less of you I know you've been through hell, Optimus." I said.
Optimus looked away once he realized I knew his hand moved unconsciously to his face. "Starscream did this to me…"
Optimus looked so lost. "I will help you, Optimus you have my word." I said in a gruff and rough tone.
He looked at me when I said that with such mistrust in his optics; that it had to make me smirk because of it.
"Why are you being so nice to me, Megatron...Why...?" he demanded as he continued to tremble.
"Trust me for once in your life, Optimus." I growled and then decided to answer his first question whether he believed me or not. "You want to know why I am doing this okay I'll tell you; I realized how I knew you were in trouble. It was our brother bond. It is still there buried under all that…... hate and resentment." I asked as he looked at me oddly.
"What are you saying?" he asked.
"You are a courageous leader but Primus you are thick headed...I could never kill you in battle at the most just hurt you badly. Why do you think that is?" I said as all he could do was stare at me with those bright blue optics of his. "I think somehow our brother bond has reignited." I said.
Don't think I wasn't shocked at my realization that our brother bond was still intact because I was; but one thing I knew for sure our brother bond had to be kept secret not just for his sake but mine. I had a traitor with Starscream already and if he knew my brother bond with Optimus never left there would be more betrayals from other Decepticons. Plus, the Autobots would never stand for it or the humans. But what I wouldn't give to just leave and take Prime with me someplace where no one could find us where we could just be ourselves and not worry about what anyone thought about our brother bond never leaving.