III

Orion wasn't fond of doctors. After the long process of meeting up with over fifty, he just was feeling more and more accepting of the fact that he was never going to get better. The headaches weren't even the worst part now that he was used to the pain, it was the passing out or these hallucination that made the illness something troubling. The last several doctors he had seen told him he was fine, nothing wrong. This was the last doctor within Iacon's city limits that he could afford. This was his last chance.

With a sigh, he entered the facility. The doctor, by the name of First Aid if Orion remembered correctly, was suggested by the guard at Megatronus' prison who had overheard the conversation. Upon entering, Orion noticed the several medical degrees listed around the room along with famous bots he had helped. It didn't matter. Orion was sure he couldn't be helped. The waiting room was empty though, making Orion's spark jump and twitch. He stepped slowly up to the counter, tapping on the window.

The bot that wandered up was probably slightly older than Orion, colored white and red, with shimmering blue optics. He slid the window open, offering a smile. Orion couldn't help but smile in return. This seemed like an oddly familiar bot, though Orion could not figure out from where.

"Can I help you?" offered the bot.

"I'd like to make an appointment," sighed Orion.

"Is everything alright?" the bot perked.

"Just some headaches that have been growing more frequent," Orion shrugged.

"I'm afraid First Aid is out. He'll be out for the next few weeks," the bot mumbled. "I can give you some numbers of other medics, if this is serious."

"No thanks. I've seen them all already," grinned Orion. "I've seen every medic in Iacon. This was my last stop."

The bot perked slightly, almost taken back. He turned, looking within the office for something. Orion waited patiently. The bot ducked down, disappearing from view and returned with a data pad, flicking through the pages.

"How long have these processor aches been going?" the bot purred. He paused, perking. Quickly, he turned to Orion saying, "My name's Ratchet by the way."

"Orion," he replied. "It's been a while. A few months to say the least."

"Months?" whispered Ratchet, tapping on the data pad. "And the other doctors have said…"

"I'm fine," nodded Orion. "Nothing is wrong with me."

"But you keep getting these pains?" commented Ratchet, looking up. "Something has to be causing it."

"I'm pretty much done caring," Orion shrugged.

"Why did you come in now? Something change?" perked Ratchet, leaning in the window.

"Oh, it's nothing. I can come back when First Aid is in," sighed Orion.

"I wish I could," groaned Ratchet. "I'm still a medical student."

"Oh?" grinned Orion. He never passed up a chance to talk to something.

"I'm almost done but getting a job in Iacon seems impossible. Like you said, there's tons of places in the city," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "I could do some scans, if you want."

"Scans?" perked Orion.

"Processor scans. They're real simple," offered Ratchet.

"I've had those," sighed Orion.

"It couldn't hurt to have one more," grinned Ratchet. "I'll let you in."

Orion waited patiently as Ratchet rounded the office space and opened the door. He followed the medical student into the back where a large berth sat. Orion sat, waiting again as Ratchet left the room. As if on cue, his headache began sizzling in the back of his processor. By the time Ratchet had returned, it was burning so much Orion had to rest his head in one hand. Ratchet set down a data pad, glancing over at Orion.

"Headache?" questioned Ratchet.

"It's nothing," assured Orion, looking up lightly.

"Perfect time for the scan though," grinned Ratchet, picking up one of the medical scanners. "I don't have one installed yet."

"That's fine," nodded Orion.

Ratchet lifted the scanner, hovering it over Orion, moving it up and down. He viewed the scanner carefully, optics narrowed as he read the results. Eventually the scanner beeped, signaling its completion. Orion smiled lightly as Ratchet frowned, stepping over to the data pad. He could here the medic snarl, growl and pound as he pressed the buttons on the pad.

"Find nothing?" chuckled Orion. The pain was growing.

"But its obvious you're in pain. There's no misplaces circuits, false signals, damaged wiring," grumbled Ratchet. "Scrap…it's something."

He sighed, turning back to Orion. He grinned lightly, readjusting the scanner. Orion perked, sitting up. Ratchet returned to Orion's side, rescanning him. This time, however, Ratchet moved the scanner from the head to the foot, continuously.

"What are you doing?" whispered Orion.

"Full body scan," explained Ratchet. "The pain is coming from somewhere."

Orion listened to the scanner beep, but not the signal that the results were done. For a moment, Orion forgot the pain in his processor. For a moment. Orion groaned, lowering his head quickly as the pain overtook him. He shut his optics, whimpering. Ratchet's voice grew faint. He was terrified to open his optics since every time beforehand had revealed a horribly destroyed world.

"Optimus!?"

Orion opened his optics slowly. That was a name, he knew it. Optimus was a familiar name but Orion couldn't figure out from where. Opening his optics, Orion looked wearily up the warlike world. Ratchet was kneeled down beside him, looking out with him. The medic, looking more worn by damage and age, turned slowly to Orion. He could see Ratchet's mouth move but the words were blurred, echoing.

"Optimus!"

Orion sighed, shutting his optics slowly. The call for Optimus faded, blurring into the call for Orion. Opening his optics again, Orion was back in the medical room, Ratchet shaking Orion by the shoulder. The medic looked dazed, shocked and frightened, stepping back. The scanner was on the ground, no doubt dropped when Ratchet realized Orion fell into his hallucination.

"Are you okay!?" gasped Ratchet, picking up the scanner.

"Fine…it's gone now," panted Orion, leaning back against the wall.

"Did you black out?" whimpered Ratchet.

Orion paused, looking away. "Yeah, sure."

"Be honest with me," urged Ratchet. "What happened?"

"Hallucinations," sighed Orion.

"Like?"

"The whole world…changes. It's destroyed, completely burned and decimated. Sometimes there's other people there but…" groaned Orion.

"People? Such as?" Ratchet commented, moving to the data pad.

"My friend…" shrugged Orion.

"Me?" questioned Ratchet.

"Yes," nodded Orion.

"What was I doing?"

"Just kneeling beside me…calling a name," Orion explained. "Optimus."

"Optimus?" repeated Ratchet. "I don't know it."

"Me either."

"Well this is interesting," grinned Ratchet, taking the data pad and leaning beside Orion.

"What?" perked Orion, leaning over and checking Ratchet's pad over his shoulder.

"There's a stray signal entering your system from an external source," instructed Ratchet. "Here's the catch, it isn't going to you central processor."

"Where's it going?" whimpered Orion.

"Your spark," Ratchet smirked.