Sorry, I'm not good at writing fight scenes so please look past that. Enjoy!
The following morning, Optimus' systems staged a revolt against him and the moment he tried to stand he collapsed to his knees. "Optimus! Are you alright?" Ratchet asked as he helped his friend and leader back onto his pedes.
"I-I'm fine. Just... a little dizzy," Optimus replied. He shook his helm as he placed a servo against it. Ratchet helped him sit back down on the berth. Optimus felt panic flow from his son's side of the bond but was too dizzy to try and comfort him. He felt Ratchet touch the crest of his helm and hissed at the heat Ratchet's servo provided. The medic scanned Optimus before sighing and moving away.
"You're systems are over heating, Optimus. Lie down," Ratchet ordered. Optimus did as Ratchet asked but flinched when something cold was draped across the front of his helmet. "I'm trying to bring your temperature down." Optimus' optics flickered towards Ratchet but closed as a wave of pain washed over him. He felt a needle puncture one of his Energon lines before everything faded and all pain was thankfully forgotten.
Ironhide stood near Optimus' helm with little Bumblebee in his arms. The sparkling reached out and tried to touch his sire but was pulled away by the black mech holding him. He gave a whine as Energon tears pooled behind his optics. "What happened? He was perfectly fine yesterday," Ironhide asked. He readjusted his grip on Bumblebee as the medic went through a cabinet that was attached to the wall across from Optimus' berth.
"And last night. This morning however, he wasn't. Like I said before, he'll be ill for a while," Ratchet responded. He groaned as he knocked a few containers over that bounced off the counter below the cabinet and spilled their contents all over the ground. "It looks like the symptoms will be off and on from now on. What he went through today was new for him. He fell to his knees saying he felt dizzy. He was burning up when I touched him, so I had to give him a sedative. He should be fine when he wakes up, but I can't be sure." He knelt down and gathered the containers. He stood and dumped them on the counter.
"There's nothing you can do for him?" Ironhide asked. Ratchet shook his helm as he pressed a button to request a cleaning drone to clean up the rest of the mess. His attention returned to Ironhide.
"Not really. If he's alright when he wakes up, he can go back to work on one condition. That he has someone with him at ALL times. I'm not willing to put him back together after he gets himself blown up by blacking out in battle," Ratchet said. Ironhide looked suprised before nodding slowly and focusing on the now wailing sparking in his arms.
"Ssshhh. It's okay, little Bee. You're alright," Ironhide cooed. Ratchet chuckled at the sight before shaking his helm and walking away.
Just as Optimus' systems began the process of bringing him online, Ironhide got a comm from Jazz. The Decepticons had shown up at one of the outposts. Megatron himself was there. At this Ironhide was torn. He had to be at that battle. And so did Optimus. He met Ratchet's optics with fear in his own. "How soon can you get Optimus on his pedes?" Ironhide asked. His voice seemed almost timid from the emotions raging in his spark. Chromia asked what was wrong through their sparks, but Ironhide chose to ignore her at the moment.
"In a breem or two," Ratchet half-asked. He looked up from the data-pad he'd retrieved from his office.
"Too long. I need him online and ready to go in ten klicks. No arguements," Ironhide responded. Ratchet opened his mouth to say something, but one look from Ironhide made him close it again. He sighed but stood to help Optimus wake up completely.
In ten klicks (minutes) Optimus and Ironhide were driving towards the battle that was still raging on. Optimus' thoughts wandered back to his sparkling waiting for him back at the base. Ironhide had told Chromia that he was going to fight the 'Cons and that Optimus was going as well, so Chromia had hurried to see them off. She and Ratchet were watching Bumblebee until they returned. Ironhide moved over on the road until he was able to nudge Optimus. "You're not focused, Prime," Ironhide said. Optimus sighed.
"I know. I'll try to pay more attention," Optimus responded. Ironhide laughed.
"You're just bein' a good sire and worryin' about your son."
"How..."
"What else would you be thinking about?" Ironhide asked. Optimus would've nodded if he was in his bipedal mode, but he flashed his headlights in reply. Ironhide chuckled, but his laughter was cut short when they heard shots being fired. "We're here," he growled. He transformed when Optimus did and ran after his leader when the younger took off. "Frag, I thought he was through runnin' straight into battles! Optimus!" He ducked as a shot ran out in his direction. He nearly had his helm taken off. "Optimus!" Not even there long enough to fire, and Ironhide had lost sight of his charge.
"Here!" Optimus called. He released his blades and sent a brief signal over Ironhide's comm-link. His battle mask slipped into place and he waited for Ironhide to catch up. Once the black mech was at his side they took off together at a run towards the Decepticons.
Most of the Autobots that had been stationed there or had arrived before Optimus and Ironhide were trapped in a group across the battlefield. Ironhide swore under his breath as they hid and looked to his charge. "Got a plan?" Ironhide asked. A look crossed Optimus' face that made Ironhide worry slightly. "Prime..."
"I have a plan. Although... you may not like it," Optimus replied. Ironhide huffed but gave Optimus a smile.
"I expected that. All the same, what's your plan?"
"Give me your cannon," Optimus stated. Ironhide gapped. "Your cannon, Ironhide. Please." Ironhide sighed but removed it from his arm and Optimus handed his smaller weaker one over. "Now, stay. When I give you a signal over the comm-link, attack. Head over to where the other Autobots are and get them out of here. Promise me you will." Ironhide looked at him with an expression that told him that if he hadn't added that part, Ironhide would've gone out with him. Finally Ironhide gave a frustrated groan but nodded. Optimus attached the weapon to his forearm. He moved from the hiding spot to keep the Decepticons from finding Ironhide and stopped behind another large chunk of debris.
When the time was right, Optimus sprung up from his hiding place, and charged with a yell at the Decepticons. Caught off guard, the 'Cons closest to Optimus were cut down within moments. He slashed one 'Cons throat, while he shot at another. The Decepticons finally began to attack him. One shot at his arm but missed as Optimus' other smashed his helm. A shot fired caught his back but Optimus ignored it and looked around to find where Megatron was hiding. Not seeing him, Optimus focused on the battle again. He swung his sword at one that was trying to slash his knee joints.
Optimus caught sight of a flash of gray at the same time a warning from Ironhide flowed through the comm-link. He barely had a chance to move away as Megatron jumped at him. He struggled against Megatron's servo's but managed to get his sword free and brought it down on Megatron's arm. The Decepticon leader roared at him but didn't let go. Energon dripped from the wound and down Optimus' arm. Megatron threw his enemy. Optimus crashed against the debris nearby and forced himself back onto his pedes. Black began to dot his vision but he shook his helm and took shot after shot at Megatron. Only one or two missed. He gave the signal over the comm-link and Ironhide jumped from his hiding place and towards the trapped Autobots without allowing himself to be seen.
Ironhide watched as Optimus was thrown against one of the few remaining upright walls. Optimus gathered his strength and stood but stumbled as he stepped forwards. Ironhide tore his optics away from Optimus' fight and focused on the remaining Autobots. He got closer to the group as Optimus lauched himself at Megatron and the two clashed. Ironhide joined the group. "Ironhide?" Jazz's voice called from the group. Ironhide searched them for a moment until he caught sight of Jazz. He moved around them and to where Jazz was standing. "You came. Took you long enough."
"Sorry but I had to wait for Prime to come back online. He basically collapsed this morning on Ratchet, and he was only waking up when you commed me," Ironhide snapped. Jazz glanced back and forth between Ironhide and Optimus with wide optics.
"And he's out there fighting?" Jazz asked. His voice raising a few tones in panic. Ironhide nodded. "Primus! We need to help him!" Ironhide shook his helm.
"I have orders, and I promised Prime I'd follow them. And so are you," Ironhide stated. He motioned for all 'Bots to follow him and they did (reluctantly) follow him away from the battle. Once they were a safe distance away, Ironhide ordered them to retreat. He also promised anyone who refused to stay that he'd get Prime and bring him back home. Even Jazz, who's shoulder was dislocated, finally agreed. He led the others towards home, and Ironhide headed back towards Optimus. And not a moment too soon. Colours blended together, black dotted everything, and Optimus collapsed. Right at Megatron's pedes. And the Decepticon leader raised his sword for the killing blow.