Chapter 3
(Optimus wakes with a jolt)
Optimus sat up from the most horrifying nightmare; he made a horrible whining noise looking around; and realizing Barricade hadn't come back yet from getting the supplies he needed. Optimus heard sounds, and turned thinking it was Barricade returning.
"You were gone long….." he started to say, until he saw Bumblebee and Sam.
Sam was holding a rather large intimidating rocket launcher, just like in his nightmare when he offlined him.
"Samuel…" Optimus whispered.
"SHUT UP, OPEN YOUR CHEST PLATES!" Sam demanded of Optimus.
"You wish to kill me, Samuel?" Optimus asked softly.
"What do you think?" Sam snapped.
"I think you hate me so much, that nothing I say will make you remember we …"
"SHUT UP, JUST SHUT UP!" Sam roared.
"We are friends Samuel; I never stopped loving you like the youngling I never had…..." Optimus whispered.
"STOP IT, you're a nuisance and a menace it's YOUR fault everyone is dead all your fault." Sam snarled.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Barricade snarled as he stood in the cave entrance.
Sam looked even angrier, if that was at all possible.
"Barricade…...? What's he doing here, Optimus?" Bee asked.
"He saved my life, and has protected me. He is my friend." Optimus replied, as his optics locked with Barricade's momentarily.
Sam leveled the rocket launcher at Optimus' chest plates.
"OPEN YOUR CHEST PLATES…... NOW!" Sam demanded disregarding what Optimus had told him.
A sad sound left Optimus' vocal processor at Sam's words; the sound was so similar to when Bumblebee was captured by Sector seven. The sound bothered Barricade and Bumblebee both, but when Barricade moved in front of Optimus taking a protective stance.
"I don't want to kill you boy, but I will if you don't put that weapon down." Barricade snarled, as Sam watched how possessive the Shock Trooper was of Optimus.
He couldn't find himself able to drop the rocket launcher; he leveled it at both bots unwavering in his decision to kill Optimus.
Suddenly Sam heard angry voices in his head; he dropped the rocket launcher and dropped to the floor of the cave hitting his head on a gigantic rock.
(In Sam's mind)
Sam opened his eyes, and once again found himself in front of the first Primes; and they did not look amused. In fact, they all had fury burning brightly in their optics.
"SAMUEL JAMES WITWICKY, how dare you try and assassinate our last descendent!" roared one of the ancient Primes.
"You dare blame him for something; which was out of his control. He has blamed himself for millennia about this war, when it was undeniably Megatron's fault. He has the weight of our world and now this one as well; and all you can do is blame him and attempt to steal his life." the Prime snarled.
Sam bowed his head in shame, what had he done? He had hurt Optimus once more, and brought down Bumblebee to his level by forcing him to help him try to massacre Optimus. Sam felt tears slide down his face, and he wiped them away.
"You have disappointed us greatly, Samuel James Witwicky; you were destined to be the vessel of the Allspark to bring back Cybertron. We will have to see now, if you are still worthy of that."
"The ex- Decepticon has proven himself worthier, then you have just now." the Prime remarked.
"Please let me make it up to him, I was wrong to try and kill him. I was grieving I lost everyone doesn't that count for anything?" Sam cried sliding to the ground.
One of the Prime's reached for the boy, he gently picked him up.
"We never said you couldn't grieve about your family and friends, but you acted like you were the only one who lost those they cared about." the Prime remarked.
"Optimus has been blaming himself for everything; he can't let that go. He blames himself for Cybertron's destruction, friends, family and other warrior's deaths, Megatron's betrayal, Elita-1's death, Earth's destruction, human life lost and his Autobots that were lost. You were the last straw that drove him to madness, he had wanted to offline and even toyed with the idea of deactivating himself. If it wasn't for Barricade, he would have started the deactivation process. Barricade is his strength right now that ex Con has given him power and friendship." The prime said.
Sam felt like a real loser, he never took into consideration Optimus would be grieving too. He just accused him, and then plotted to destroy him. He was the worst friend ever, then bringing Bee with him.
"I blew it, didn't I?" Sam asked.
"Things can be fixed just try and make things right."
"Alright, I will." Sam whispered, as the Prime put Sam back onto the ground; and he and his brothers raised their servos bringing Sam back.
Sam opened his eyes to find Bumblebee, and even Optimus by his side. He looked at the Autobot leader, those optics were so despondent and dejected. Optimus quickly moved away from Sam, his intakes wildly cycling. Barricade pulled Optimus away from Sam, and into his servos. He snarled at Sam making sure the boy understood to stay away from Optimus.
"I'm s…sorry Optimus; please find it in your spark to forgive me." Sam answered.
Optimus whined slightly, not sure if the boy was being truthfully or not.
"Rest Optimus….." Barricade offered, as he shifted the leader in his servos.
Sam could see the ancient Primes were right, Barricade made the difference in Optimus. He watched the leader fall into recharge; he saw Barricade had slipped his claw into Optimus' hand.
"I'm here just recharge." Barricade whispered, as his optics turned hard as he looked at Sam. "If you EVER pull a stunt like that again I will make you go squish." Barricade growled, as Bumblebee understood what he was saying; as he went to the other side of the cave with Sam.
Sam pulled his legs in, and stared at Optimus.
(Sam's POV)
What have I done? I pushed him away once again, I was always hurting him. He came back to the first time, and died saving me from his brother. Then what do I go and do, I try to murder him some friend I turned out to be.
My thoughts were casted aside, when I heard the soft whining sounds Optimus made. I started to get up and go to him, when Barricade's red optics burned with fury. I slowly sat back down watching; while Barricade positioned Optimus so that his helm was on his lap.
I couldn't get over it; Barricade really looked like he cared about Optimus. They were best friends.
"I'm sorry Barricade…" I replied, as he looked at me then.
In all honestly, the look in his optics scared me; I wasn't afraid of him it wasn't that kind of being afraid. He treated Optimus with so much respect; and I had been so cruel to him. I blinded him in his one optic and verbally abused him. It was no wonder the first primes were so mad at me, I would be mad too if I were them.
"Can I please come over to him?" I asked.
"Why should I let you near him?" he demanded.
"You shouldn't I was mean and evil; I was no different than Megatron." I muttered. "I even made Bumblebee turn against him, if he never forgives I would completely understand I wouldn't forgive me either." I replied.
Barricade glanced at me his optics shining blood red.
"You weren't the only one who lost loved ones, what you said and did to Optimus was unacceptable." Barricade replied.
"I know and I don't blame you for being mad at me, I was a jerk a big jerk."
(Several hours later)
Sam saw Optimus online his optics locked with Barricade first, and then he looked at Sam his optics turned from contentment to sadness. Sam saw Barricade destroy the rocket launcher with his claws. Then he helped Optimus to lean against the cave wall.
"I have some fuel, think you can fuel the normal way?" he asked.
"Yes, I believe so." Optimus answered, as Barricade handed him a bowl.
Barricade gently handed Optimus the bowl, and then watched as he drank greedily. Optimus looked over at Bumblebee; he saw how his door wings drooped.
"Barricade take some too, and can you give some to Bumblebee too." Optimus replied.
Barricade sighed.
"Alright, I'll get some more, come on Bug help me." Barricade ordered.
Silence…...
"Do not hurt him, Ladiesman217 or I WILL make you go squish." Barricade said, as he and Bee went outside.
"I won't I promise." Sam insisted, while his eyes went back to the leader.
Optimus continued to drink the fuel, while Sam finally inched closer to him.
"Optimus, I am sorry; I know you hate me, and I don't blame you." Sam replied.
Silence…...
Sam climbed up on Optimus, Optimus glanced down at Sam. There was a time when the gentle giant; would have done anything for the boy.
Sam went to grab onto something, and lost his footing; he yelled and started to fall. He was caught instantly by Optimus' hand; Sam gazed up into those desperate looking optics. He plopped the boy on his chest plates, and then went back to drinking his fuel.
"Thanks…." Sam said.
Optimus nodded.
"I made a big mistake, I was cruel to you and I was out of line. Can you ever forgive me?" Sam asked.
Optimus gently picked the boy up once more, and then brought him up to his face. He nuzzled his human boy as a sound escaped Optimus, when the boy gently ran a hand over his face.
"Thank you for accepting my apology Optimus." Sam said.
"We are not out of the woods yet, Sam; Megatron, Starscream and his trine are online and gunning for me and Barricade." Optimus explained.
"Well, we will handle it…. all of us." Sam stated, as he nuzzled Optimus' face once more making the Autobot purr knowing he had his friend back.
Barricade and Bumblebee watched from afar, and knew their friendship was back on track. However, Barricade was rather concerned about Megatron, Starscream and his trine; but one thing was for sure Optimus was his friend, and he would protect his new friend ruthlessly.