Disclaimer: Don't own Bleach or Transformers.
It hurt, everything hurt. Ichigo couldn't remember when the last time he hurt this much was. His wings hurt, his legs and arms hurt, his spark felt overheated and about to burst. Just what the hell did Zangetsu do to him? when Ratchet knocked him offline to rest, he found himself back in his inner world but no sign of the two beings with who shared his soul. He could sense them but nothing more than that.
Whatever he did, kept Ichigo alive. The young flyer knew death enough to tell when he was dying. And he had been dying.
Shifting to his side Ichigo scans his new location. Ratchet was working on some poor unfortunate who most likely got caught up in the fighting. He couldn't see Alpha Trion, the crafty old mech probably was sulking off somewhere. Wheeljack was working on something. Ichigo suddenly felt wary of whatever he was working on. shifting some more he sighed when seeing the twins recharging on the berth next to him. guilt welled up in his chest, he knew without a doubt that the two mechlings had seen his sorry state.
Once making sure that the twins were alright Ichigo's optics landed on the last mech of the group. The mech was massive, for a ground mech. Thundercracker was taller but that was beside the point. Ichigo at first when coming out of his near-death daze thought the mech was Orion. Something about the mech reminded him of the smaller mech.
Sighing, Ichigo looked away from the strange mech. His hands clenched in frustration, his friends, no one would tell him about his three friends. They were most likely dead, and no one wanted to be the one to tell him. The knowledge made him angry and he clenches his hands harder. Sharp talons pierced his hands and little drops of energon dripped around them.
"I can hear you thinking from over here. I hope you're not undoing all my hard work," Ratchet scolded him. Ichigo snorted at the mechs back. The medic hadn't bother turning around to scold him.
"'m fine," he mumbles. He turns away from the medic and faces the sleeping twins. "How are they?"
"Oh, their fine, though seeing you dying traumatized them," he could feel Ratchet walked up behind him, "tell me mechling; what in the pit did you think would happen when you decided to take on Megatron!" a wrench slams down on his berth. "I know you are smarter than you let on. So, tell me why; Why; you did something so reckless irresponsible so-
"I didn't see any other choice," Ichigo snaps. "I was angry, he hurt my friends, betrayed and used Orion then tossed him away like trash! I-I," he chokes, "I was scared," he whispers, "Ratchet, I have been in situations where I should have been scared but I always been able to bury it. But this time…this time I couldn't. I hesitated when Thundercracker and Skywarp showed I froze. When I saw Zangetsu fight Megatron I feared. And now they're gone," Ichigo curled in on himself, "Orion, Arial, Dion…and Zangetsu are gone…and it's my fault."
"Ichigo," Ratchet says softly.
"If I had been stronger, faster, better than I am now. Then I could have saved my friends and Zangetsu wouldn't have had to sacrifice himself to save me."
A clang rattled those still awake and woke those who were deep in recharge.
"Ow!"
Ratchet waved his wrench threatening, "Now listen here mechling." He growls, "I won't have you spiraling into depression on things you had no control over." He helps Ichigo sit up. "You are not responsible for another's actions. Nor are you responsible for things you did not know of."
"The medic speaks the truth," Alpha Trion melted out of the shadows. "If things had not happened then others would not have appeared. Take spark young mech, your friends still live though they are not the same as they were before."
"Huh?"
"What pit slag are you talking about?"
Alpha Trion pointed at the curious Optimus Prime, "your young friend's frame could not be saved. There were no extra frames to transfer his spark to. But then, your friend's spark was fighting to stay lit. I decided to try another option." He smiled.
Ratchet was instantly on alert, "what did you do?"
Ichigo blinked between the three his curiosity getting the better of him.
The old mech smirks, "I gave him the Matrix of Leadership." Looking incredibly pleased with himself, "it accepted him and bonded to his spark."
Ratchet sputters the growls, "you- you…"
Ichigo almost felt bad, the medic was at a loss for words, for once. Wheeljack looked more amused than worried.
"I am confused," the large convoy mech suddenly says. "What is the Matrix of Leadership and why do I feel you in my spark?" he directed his last question towards Ichigo.
The flyer gives him a matching look, "what?"
Ratchet looked like he wanted to strangle someone. He whips out his scanner. "Aright you two open up," he barks. Ichigo doesn't hesitate, knowing how the medic's brisk manner is. Optimus however didn't and only open his chest plates after Ichigo nudges his arm. The medic doesn't take long, he's glaring at the scanner after ordering them to close up. "I'm going to hit something," he says out of the blue. "You explain this mess," he scowls towards Alpha Trion.
The old mech hums as the medic storms off with Wheeljack following at the safe distance. Ichigo had a feeling that he was not about to like this. Glancing at the giant mech next to him, he wasn't either.
"Frist, I wish to explain what the Matrix is," the old mech started, Ichigo tuned him out. He went into his mindscape hoping to see Zangetsu there, recovered from whatever he had done. What he was met with was a broken city and clouds with a distant rumble of thunder and no still no sign of his zanpakuto. At this point, he was getting worried. Their usual loud wild, presences dimmed overtaken by another, calmer brighter one. Curious, Ichigo drew closer to the presence, it didn't have a physical presence like his zanpakuto. He could only feel it, so it took a little more concentration to poke it.
Outside Alpha Trion smirked when Optimus jolted from the unseen poke, while Ichigo remained still. He knew when someone was ignoring him but was letting it slide. He knew what the young flyer was capable of and enjoyed Optimus's reaction to the curious nature that was Ichigo. He would step in when it became too much for the mech to handle. Poor Optimus was beyond confused.
Seeing his chance, Alpha Trion took a small bolt and threw it at the young flyer. He made sure to throw hard enough to jolt the mech out of his head. Ichigo scowls at the old mech rubbing the tiny dent in his helm. "You…I think I know where Ratchet gets it now." He scowls.
"Oh?" Trion looks at them full of innocence.
"Please, you're older than him, he probably saw you do it to some poor data filer," Ichigo huffs.
"Only those who don't pay attention when I explain important things."
Ichigo huffs again but doesn't say anything more. Alpha Trion continued with his explanation of the Matrix. It wasn't until he came to the point of what Optimus spark had bonded to Ichigos did the once human perked up.
"I can only assume, due to your unique nature, that the void left by your twin and your already closeness to Orion. The Matrix latched on to you. Oh don't worry, young mech, you still can spark a bond with another. Think of this as a sibling bond," he comforts a distressed Optimus.
Ichigo snorted, "Yeah I don't think I want to fight Arial for that spot. Femme will kill me." He laughs, "speaking of which. Is she not going to remember who she is, or?"
"Ah, yes, unlike young Optimus here your other friends the femme and the mech will recover just in new frames."
"Ah, that's good," Ichigo sighs then shutters when a…feeling warms in his spark. He tilts his helm at Optimus and shutters again at the curious poke. "Okay, that's a weird feeling."
"And yet you have lived with a shared spark before?" the old mech cocks an optic ridge.
"Yeah, but they didn't, geez it feels like something squirming under my skin," Ichigo rubs his chest plates. "It's just weird…uh no offense mech."
Optimus still a bit lost mentally think screw it and shrugs, "none taken my friend."
"Well, I must get back to the others, I suggest you take this time to get to know each. You are connected now."
They watched the old mech calmly walk away. They sit in silence with only the occasional roar of Ratchet and the sound of something metal hitting metal. Outside they could still hear gunfire and Ichigo wonder if he should try to contact Ironhide. Knowing the mech, he might be worried about Ichigo and the twins.
Ichigo mentally groans, he was never good at making small talk. Mostly it was someone else starting the conversation. He stands startling the mech next to him, with a muttered apology Ichigo in search of a mirror. He had a sneaking suspicion that something was a little different about him. He could feel Optimus watch him as he searched. While he was moving around, he went to check in on the twins. The two had curled into each other and thankfully, still recharging. Ichigo knew that once they woke he would be tackled.
Optimus made a noise, making Ichigo turn back towards them mech. He blinks in surprise when seeing that the larger mech had a tall shiny piece of metal. It wasn't a mirror, but it would do. Looking at himself Ichigo sighed, apparently Zangetsu left his mark on him. He still had his matte black color scheme but on the right side of his face, three red vertical jagged lines ran down his face. It looked as if someone had raked his face with their nails. But Ichigo knew different, and it was small comfort in a way.
"Ah?"
"Huh?"
Optimus looked like he wanted to say something. In a way, Ichigo could see some of his old friends in the upgraded mech.
Still…
"Ya know, we're stuck together, so we better get to know each other," Ichigo says. "You can call me Ichigo, and those two are my twins. The red one is Sideswipe; he's a menace so be careful around him. the other one is Sunstreaker, the little artist, he's got a temper on him and doesn't trust easily. I have no memory of my past beyond a certain point. I knew Megatron while he was a gladiator and fought him in the ring a few times. Met Ratchet later and Wheeljack through him. I knew Orion from working on the docks."
"You were close?"
Ichigo shrugs, "as close as one could get." He walks back, "He help me get the job and decided I needed friends."
"Ah."
The awkward silence returns, though it was short-lived. "What do you plan to do now," Optimus asks.
Ichigo almost replied before his brain caught up with him. He was going to say working at the docks, but the docks were gone. He had a feeling that this…whatever this is that was currently happening wasn't going to disappear. And if Optimus was some sort of new Holy Leader, with some long-lost piece of metal in his chest then he became a target for more than Megatron. Who is properly not happy that some unknown mech just wiped the floor with him?
"Whatever you're planning you better not do it alone."
The two startled at the new voice, Ichigo whirled around wings raised and fangs bared. He only relaxed when seeing it was Ratchet.
"Knowing you mechling, you'll end up in the worst of it." The medic walks up, "And knowing how the Senate works, you," he points towards Optimus, "thanks to that bubal you have an Omega Supreme target on your back. They'll go about you two ways; they'll have you assassinated or use you. So, you need to make yourself known that it will be hard for you to disappear."
"We can talk to Ironhide," Ichigo offered, "he or Chromia might know of someone who could act as a bodyguard." He scowls at Optimus already seeing the denial coming, "Yes you will need a bodyguard. Preferably more the one. I won't be able to be next to you all the time."
"I agree," Ratchet says boding no agreement. Adding in his trademark glare and Optimus crumbles and nods. "We need to find you a loyal medic and not one own by the Senate." He glares harder at the two, "Don't look at me like that! All of those mechs working for the Senate should never be trusted."
"How do you know so much about the Senate?" Ichigo asks curiously.
"It's because Ratchet was aiming to be a Senator at one point!" Wheeljacks' cheery voice drifted over Ratchet's growls.
Ichigo stares at the while and red medic, "Really; why didn't you?"
Ratchet snorts, "and leave you a lot to fend for yourselves and the fact that I been blacklisted until recently."
"Oh right."
Optimus speaks startling Ichigo, he forgot the mech was standing so close to him, "what about you?"
"Aah?"
"You are not tied to the Senate, and you are already aware of what had happened. If what you say is true then Ichigo and those close to him will be targeted as well. They may go after the bond shared between us."
Ratchet smirks, "mech makes a good point. If they find out your bonded to a seeker of all beings, then who knows what trick they'll pull. Most would say Ichigo be your Lord Protector but most likely he'll be seen as a threat."
"After all, if he's there they will have a harder time manipulating you. And that's not including the twins, Ratchet, your other friends, or me," Wheeljack added.
"Which is why you should call Ironhide before he starts tearing through the city looking for you," Ratchet turns towards Ichigo expectantly.
"Right," he turns to walk out before smirking up at Optimus, "Don't worry he doesn't bite…too much," he says. Optimus gave him a wary look.
The first attempt wasn't successful, Ichigo figured that the mech was busy with all the chaos. He was just going to leave a message when his inbox was flooded with a lot of large angry words. The flyer flinched as the messages kept coming in.
"Ah, it seems that he's been very upset," Ichigo sighs.
Ratchet rolls his optics, "Oh yea upset let's call it that to save his pride." He yells from the back.
"Righttt, um this may take a bit, why don't you go check on the others?" he looks at an awkward Prime. "I'll find you when I'm done." Once Optimus was gone, he tried calling Ironhide again.
"KID!"
"Ah hi, I live," Ichigo grunts at the swears words thrown at him.
"Where are you; the twins; Ratchet; Wheeljack?" he asks after yelling.
"We're fine, a little upset and banged up, but we're fine," he tries to sound convincing and left out a majority of what happened.
"What aren't you telling me?" Damn, Ironhide must sense lies through the comms. "The docks are near melted; I know you were on shift today."
"I'm aware," Ichigo sighs, "nearly offline and met a new-
"What! What do you mean you almost terminated! Ya fool where are you is Ratchet with you!"
"Ironhide I'm fine, Ratchet helped but…But."
"Kid?" despite his rough way of talking there were times the older mech could sound soft, "what happen over there?"
"Zangetsu…he's-he's gone." Ichigo chokes out. even knowing that his other half was still with him in a way. The loss brought back unwanted memories. "He's the reason I'm still here."
"Oh Kid…wait yer twins; how- ya know never mind, tell me later," Ichigo can hear the other sigh, "right now the fighting more in pockets of the city but if ya can get back to your warehouse I'll meet ya there."
"You won't get in trouble for leaving an active crisis?"
"Nah, got a hole in ma shoulder, Mia orders me to rest. If I just happen to check in on a crazy engineer, a pair of younglings, and try to tempt a grouchy medic to help. Then what could they be mad about?"
"Ah, good point. I can't fly yet, and I'll be bringing a…" Ichigo glances to Optimus's large red back, "a new friend."
"Figures you make a friend during this slag."
"Oh, trust me, you're going to flip when you meet him."
"Oh?"
"Yep."
Ironhide huffs, "I'll be there soon." He cuts off the comm. Ichigo leans against the wall feeling every ache he ever gains since he was fifteen. His spark felt sore, but he brushes it off and goes to lie next to the twins. Despite knowing that Ironhide is waiting it will still be a while before he gets close to the warehouse. A short nap wouldn't hurt.
When he wakes, it's to being nearly thrown off the slab he was resting on. The next thing he notices is that the twins had shifted more to his front curled into his chest and middle. After that, he notices that they are not in Alpha Trion's warehouse, and they are moving.
"Awake, are we?"
Ah yes, hearing Ratchet so early means he'll live another orn.
The medic snorts, "I forget you have such a lovely personality after waking."
Oops, he said that out loud, oh well. Ichigo moves off the gurney without jostling the twins. Soon they'll be too large to curl into his frame. He would be wrong to say he won't miss this. God the two were almost like Yuzu and Karin that he would sometimes forget that he was trillions of miles away from Earth and that his planet was still a dust cloud.
"Hey Ratchet, how long before the twins need their upgrades?"
"Sunstreaker turned in his blueprints for both. I say a few more weeks before we can start."
"That soon?"
"With the way, things are going; add in a new Prime and your new bond. I am afraid to leave them as younglings too long. Then again I don't like rushing in upgrading."
"But I'll feel better if they're not fun size for large hands to grab. I know, it's just-
"Just that you know that they will want to leave and you're worried." The medic sighs, "I can understand, they will still need another upgrade after this one but Ichigo. It is normal for them to want to leave. It doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you."
"I know." He does know but it still hurts to be left behind. It's how he felt when everyone left him when he became useless. "I know that it is natural."
"We can wait if you wish."
"No, I'll let the twins decide." Ichigo groans as his back and shoulders creak. "I feel like I got run over."
"Your frame may be fixed but there will be lingering soreness. Your spark is still showing signs of stress, so once we get home you are to rest until I am happy."
"Yes, dad."
"Don't get snippy with me youngling." there was no heat to his words.
"What about Optimus?" now that he thought about it he never did tell him where he lived.
"Driving behind me, Wheeljack went on ahead to meet up with Ironhide. Your other friends are stable but Alpha Trion wanted to keep them in stasis a little while longer. I agreed to it."
"Okay, think Ironhide will be mad?"
"What could he be mad about. It is not like you ask to nearly terminate."
"Ah well."
"He'll be upset that you got hurt and that you somehow bonded to a new Prime that will most definitely have a price on his blue helm. But no, he won't be mad. If he is, I'll wrench him until Chromia shows up to talk sense into his thick helm."
That does make Ichigo laugh. He leans forward stretching what he could when he feels Ratchet slow down. They must be home. It was confirmed when he heard Ironhide's brassy voice through Ratchet's doors. Well, time to face the music.