The moment Ratchet stepped back onto the battle field it all started again. The fighting, the shooting, the shelling, the explosions, the cries of agony, the cries for help, the clashing of hard metal, the fear of losingyour best friend, even the fear of losing your own life. That—Ratchet couldn't do. Now that he had something to live for he had to at least try and stay alive—for her—for Arcee.

Ratchet spoke often about her to his close friends. His best friend, Omega Supreme, wished to meet her if ever he got leave. Ratchet just smiled and wished the same thing. He told everyone how they first met and how sweet she was . . . of course he got teased by some for becoming a 'softy', he just shot them his mouth and instantly showed he was no softy among them.

They were just joking and he knew that, but he was now more eager to finish this war. He knew, being a medic, he'd never get leave seeing how there was a great need for them in those days. He was kept quite busy running here and there from dead zone to another to find survivors and help heal them and get them functioning properly. On numerous occasions he's been attacked by Decepticon 'clean-ups' in other words scavengers who searched the field making sure no one was online.

Those were the medic's worst enemies. Sure Ratchet was a good fighter, but if he was caught off-guard him and his paitent could be killed so he kept both optics open always. For Arcee it was a different story. He forgot to do that once and look where it ended her—Ratchet swore never to let that happen again.

Ultra Magnus would often check-up on Ratchet to make sure he was still online. He knew if he ever would fall offline Arcee might forget all over again and he knew the poor femme had been through enough as it was. Ratchet didn't mind it for sometimes Ultra Magnus would come to his aid if ever he was in a jam, but it was very few for he was always stationed with Omega Supreme who kept him quite safe seeing how he was a Guardian. It was nice to know someone's got his back.

Ultra Magnus would often leave war to settle things back at home. Paper work and things as such. Or speaking to those who have lost loved ones. One of the worst jobs on Cybertron, but he did it.

He was a good fighter, but he had more of a desk job than a combat job like the others. So he'd check in on Omega Supreme to check on Ratchet. Ratchet was usually with Omega Supreme when he signaled in, but sometimes he was out in battle trying to save lives. Sometimes getting separated from Omega Supreme.

Omega Supreme couldn't always watch him. He wasn't the only large transformer. The Decepticons had a few as well and now and then he'd run into them in the middle of hard war and couldn't always guard Ratchet. One time when this happened it was just the two of them.

Ratchet was looking for survivors and it just so happened Menasor, one of the Decepticons' great transformers came upon them and saw Omega Supreme. The two got in a fist fight and Ratchet knew he had to act fast and save who he could 'cause, at times, Omega Supreme lost and had to retreat in a haste before he was taken offline. Little did Ratchet know that Megatron sent out an order to capture, or kill Autobot medics seeing how without them the Autobots would die.

And so as Ratchet came to a wounded soldier he touched his shoulder and let him know it was going to be alright as he turned him over to see the extent of the damage.

"Don't worry soldier, I'm a medic," he said turning him over.

"Are you now?" the soldier smirked as he suddenly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Ratchet—he was a Decepticon.

Ratchet's optics widened as he starred down the barrel of the murderous Decepticon's barrel. It was a trap and Ratchet fell for it. The Decepticon just stood up ever keeping his blaster on the young medic and said—

"You know there's an order out from Megatron to either capture or kill any autobot medic—you know, so the Autobots will die out on the battle field like they're supposed to."

"I'd rather die!" spat Ratchet knowing it was a whole lot worse to be a prisoner-of-war than to die.

"We could do that do," he said with a smirk as he signaled for other fake Autobots to come to him.

Ratchet was now surrounded by Decepticons. He looked over to see Omega Supreme fairly holding his own. Menasor picked the wrong day to mess with this big guy. As they were locked in pushing each other away Omega Supreme heard the cry of Ratchet saying—

"Omega! Help me!!"

Omega Supreme turned his head to see a company of Decepticons with their blasters on Ratchet take hold of him and kidnap him.

"Ratchet NO!!" he cried seeing his best friend be taken by the scum of Cybertron.

Omega Supreme turned to rescue him, but that was his mistake. Menasor had then hit him in the back of the head unattaching some precious wires and so Omega Supreme fell. Menasor stood over his offline body. He smiled, he wasn't dead—yet, but he figured it was better to let him livewith the guilt of not being able to save his friend.

And so Menasor left with the other Decepticons and Ratchet was gone. Omega Supreme didn't come back online till a younger medic by the name of First Aid found him. Once online Omega frantically searched for Ratchet, but the other Autobots just told him the field's been deserted for megacycles. At that Omega Supreme's spark sunk and was grieved.

He was informed by Ultra Magnus about the order from Megatron, but didn't bother telling Ratchet seeing how he didn't think he'd be in any danger soon for he was with him. Now he regretted it all too much. He wished he could go offline now and more when he had to inform Ultra Magnus about Ratchet.

"Ratchet . . . he's . . . gone," grievedOmega Supreme bowing his head.

Ultra Magnus' optics widened once he heard this ill news. His spark too sank for Ratchet was his good friend as well. He just wished Omega Supreme would have told Ratchet about the possible danger of being captured or killed. Now he had to tell Arcee who still waited for Ratchet to come back to her.

It had only been a millennium since he left and now he was taken from the Autobots. Ultra Magnussent out a squad to go and find out what happened to the captured medics and if they were dead retrieve their bodies. And so they had no choice to inform any friends or loved ones of Ratchet's condition.

Ultra Magnus was pleased to find Arcee out of the Disaster Recover and on her own with her own home and thinking about getting a job, but he knew it wouldn't be good when he told her about Ratchet.

"Arcee," he said with heavy optics once she answered the door.

"What is it Magnus?" she asked in wonderment.

"It's Ratchet," he sighed out.

At that her optics widened only knowing the worst was to come. She covered her mouth once he said—

"Megatron's sent out an order to capture or kill any Autobot medic. Ratchet wasn't aware of this and so—was taken."

"No!" she gasped shaking her head.

"We sent out a squad to find out what happened to those who were captured for Omega Supreme said he last saw him as he was being taken away," said Ultra Magnus.

"I understand," she said shaking her head trying to find the courage to have optimism. "Tell me . . . if you find anything . . . please."

"We will inform you," said Ultra Magnus shaking his head and leaving.

And so a couple of years past before the squad found anything. When they did though—it wasn't pleasant. They had found a mound of dead Autobot medics. It was quite large and soon they found another elsewhere.

They feared the Decepticons had found no use for them and so killed them all. It would take a while before all the names and information on the dead medics were found for some of the bodies were badly scared and mangled. It was an aweful sight to behold and any friend or loved one of any medic was forbid to see it. Omega Supreme on the other hand, there was no stopping him.

He flew in haste to see the mounds and see if Ratchet was one of the victims. He transformed and landed seeing this awful sight. He gasped and took a step backward seeing all their bodies intertwined with one another mangled and beaten to no recognition. There was no way he'd be able to find out if any was Ratchet.

His spark sunk so deep that day to where he couldn't even stand. Ratchet was his best friend and has been ever since protoform school. How could this havehappened? He felt it was his fault and never forgave himself for letting him be taken and brutally killed.

Ultra Magnus had to tell Arcee about the mounds whether Ratchet was in there or not. Once he came to her home he couldn't even find the spark to knock. Arcee saw him though and so came to him and was afraid because of his mood. Ultra Magnus told her and she shook her head denying it and crying—

"No!—NO! NO!!"

"We can't tell if he's one of them because the bodies . . . are so badly mangled," said Ultra Magnus choking it out.

"Then, then he COULD still be alive!!" she gasped grabbing a hold of his chest armor tightly and looking up at him.

"Hhh, there were—a lot of bodies Arcee," said Ultra Magnus. "It adds up to the amount that were abducted."

"No!!" cried Arcee banging her head on his chest as she placed her shaking hands to her trembling lips. "NOOO!! Not my Ratchet!!"

"I'm so sorry Arcee," said Ultra Magnus fearing she'd forget all over again, but she didn't and sometimes she wished she had. "He was a dear friend to me too."


"RATCHET DIED?!" gasped Bumblebee his optics as wide as could be.

"Yea . . . I DIED!!" scoffed Ratchet poking his head out to him then sitting back and crossing his arms. "I'm just a ghost."

"Don't mind Bumblebee, please continue Ratchet," said Prowl.

"Oh—where was I? . . . oh yes," said Ratchet looking up in memory.


It had been years later since the two mounds had been found now the Autobots had extra protection on the medics no matter how dangerous is was to be near them as they headed out in the heat of battle to save just one life. They had just completed the identities of all the medics found in the two mounds. No Ratchet, but now another mound was found and this time it was bigger, with more bodies than they thought they lost. The Autobots swore this was the last mound, but soon another was found and another, smaller, but still dead bodies piled up

Omega Supreme went in a fighting rage and had to be pulled out for his sanity just like Ratchet with Arcee. Losing all these medics and close friends did this to many, especially how poorly they were treated and brutally killed. Ultra Magnuswas now out on the field trying to relieve some of his own grief with his hammer.

It seemed to be working, but after the battle was over there was still rage and Ultra Magnus knew this couldn't get this best of him like some many others. It was probably what Megatron wanted and he was not about to fall into that trap. There would be other battles, other wars, other medics. They were rolling right out of medical school, so young, so scared because of the previous attacks and kills.

But the Elite Guard made sure to change that. They put many guardians with them this time and made sure the medics was as safe as could be. It had been now many millenniums later. The mounds started to disappear, but the search for Ratchet continued seeing how he was still not found.

Few believed him to be alive this long, but he was spunky and very hard-headed to where some made jokes about him just walking back on his own. Those jokes soon fell as the identities came near to an end, but just before it was over and all had been identified there was a great battle with many lost and many medics needed afterwards. As one of the new medics treated a wounded, who would more or likely live seeing he only had a leg wound, something happened that is now considered a miracle. A lone soldier walked into the dead field slowly, but he walked.

He saw the young medic and so slowly made his way to him unbeknowest to the medic. He was just inches away from him wondering why he hadn't tried shooting him. He then managed to speak saying—

"Kid . . ."

At that the medic jumped and shakily took out his gun to point it at the intruder, but once his optics fell upon him he gasped seeing it was an Autobot. Not only an Autobot, but a MEDIC! He held his arm that was barely attached to the rest of his body and all over his body energon began to spurt out from untreated wounds. His knees were shaking trying to hold up the rest of his body. Sparks were shooting out from his joints as they began to fail him and there was a distint cracked head spike apparently from a previous injury.

"Please . . . help," he gasped before his functioning was spend and he fell backwards offline.

"Oh my Primus!!" gasped the young medic coming to him and seeing what a bad condition he was in. "SOMEONE HELP!!"

It wasn't long before a group of Autobots rant to help the Medic, one being Ultra Magnus. Once he glanced on the poor soldier he gasped saying—

"Primus it can't be!!"

What he stared at was a greatly injured Ratchet. He didn't know how he survived, but he didn't want to be the one to tell Arcee how he did die.

"Get him up and to the medical bay STAT!!" ordered Ultra Magnus backing out of the way so they could pick up Ratchet and take him away.

Soon enough Ratchet was being tended to. All Ratchet remembered was his optics coming online while they were working on him and seeing a bright white light and the blurry shapes of Autobot doctors tending to him and trying to save his life. Then they shut off again and he saw nothing, but distinctively remembers the sound of the straight line and then nothing.


"They say I went offline six times before I was stable," said Ratchet with a faint smile being a bit proud for hanging on and his friends never giving up on him.

"Whoa!" gasped Bumblebee with wide optics. "SIX times?! How is that possible."

"Oh it's possible," said Ratchet shaking his head and glancing at Optimus smiling. "When you're friends know better than to give up."


Ratchet had came back online a year later. Once he asked how long he'd been out he gasped realizing how long it was. Ultra Magnuswas there to answer all his questions and was very happy to see him alive and well, unlike most of the medics. Ratchet even asked how long he'd been gone.

"Six millenniums," sighed Ultra Magnus heavily.

At that Ratchet bowed his head only thinking about Arcee. He knew she said she'd wait and that he'd be gone for millenniums, but now that he's been gone for so long and thought dad she . . . she probably moved on like he told her to. Well he was going to be optimistic like she wanted him to be and think of how happy she is right now. He then asked Ultra Magnus a few more things concerning his friends and was grieved to learn Omega Supreme was in the same state he was when he 'lost' Arcee.

"I would still like to know how you did it," said Ultra Magnus. "Most of the medics that went missing are all dead. How are you still here and how did you escape?"

"Now that," sighed Ratchet with a shake of his head and smile. "Is some story . . . I guess I just found favor with Megatron."

At that Ultra Magnus was confused. Ratchet enlightened him.

"You see when I was taken by those fakers," he grumbled at them. "They brought me before Megatron himself and well, lucky me I was the first medic to see that day. He let me have it to see if a little beating could break me, but—"

"He underestimated what a strong will you have," said Ultra Magnus with a smile knowing him all-too-well.

Ratchet couldn't help but smile as he said—

"Precisely."

FLASHBACK

"Why aren't you afraid Autobot Medic?" asked Megatron as he grabbed Ratchet by the throat and held him up in the air.

"Because," said Ratchet forcing out a smile. "You're not Primus—you don't decide who lives and who dies!"

"Hm, this one's got spark," admired Megatron. "The first medic I've seen since they've been coming in, and probably the only one. Through him in prison, we'll see how well his will holds up a few years of torture."

At that Megatron through Ratchet to his subordinates and they took him away. He delt with the torture as they beat him then gave him the tools and made him fix himself back again. This went on for years till he was brought back to Megatron with other medics this time. The other medics terrified as Megatron ordered all of them to start fixing wounded Decepticons.

"Wouldn't that make us a Decepticon then?" asked Ratchet the only one not afraid to speak up.

"Ah, I see you still have your Primus will," said Megatron remembering him.

Megatron then took out a sword and held it up to Ratchet's through slicing a bit into his wires causing a drip of energon to run down his chest as he said—

"What if I were to cut off your head now if you didn't listen?"

"Then you'd still not get me to listen," said Ratchet the other medic admiring his bravery.

At that Megatronnarrowed his optics and Ratchet smiled seeing he hit a nerve. Megatron just slammed his foot on Ratchet's chest and kicked him across the room. He then turned to the other medics and asked—

"Is anyone as brave as him?"

They said nothing though and at that Ratchet was saddened. They were the same age as him and yet were so scared of Megatron. So was Ratchet, but he knew if he was to die then he was do die. Later Ratchet was forced to fix the wounded Decepticon, but he only fixed them to break.

Megatron grew tired if this Autobot, but enjoyed a challenge and that is why he kept him alive all those years. He wanted him to break. Megatron kept a keen optic on Ratchet trying to find a weak spot and so he thought through time he'd eventually break. Megatron had also taken Ratchet to be by his side and watch as they slaughtered and killed the countless medics that they captured and threw them into a mound like they were useless garbage.

This was one of Ratchet's breaking points, but he didn't give in. He had to stand and watch two others be mounted up. Once another one was and another he then knew it was himhowcaused their lives to be cut short and so he gave in.

"Stop PLEASE!!" cried Ratchet turning to Megatron.

"What?" asked Megatron looking at him with his arms crossed.

"I'll—I'll do what you want, just don't kill any more on my behalf," begged Ratchet bowing his head.

Ratchet fell to his knees and mourned for the losses and soon felt Megatron's hand come under his chin and lift his head up to look at him in the face. Ratchet then saw his pleased smile and was only digusted.

"There's a good medic," said Megatron with a smile pleased that this Ratchet finally 'broke'.

And so Ratchet was taken back to heal the wounded Decepticons. He did and by now he was hated by the other Autobot medics that worked by his side in healing the enemy one-by-one. All feared him for if he ever stopped helping then it would cost them their lives. One day though Ratchet was taken to be with Megatron again and watch another slaughter.

Ratchet's optics got so big wondering what he did wrong and Megatron just laughed as he said 'nothing'. Ratchet had 'broken' again. He lunged at Megatron and tried to land a punch on him, any hit. Megatron caught him by the arm and ripped it off causing Ratchet to cry out in pain.

He dropped Ratchet and watched as he cried out in pain for a shot moment. He then smiled seeing Ratchet force himself not to make a sound in front of him and so he smiled as he threw his arm to him saying—

"Here, fix yourself."

At that the Decepticons took Ratchet away and later gave him the tools to do so and he fixed himself. It took him a while, but he did it. He prayed he didn't have to watch another mounting, but the next day he was forced to for what he did.

"This is what happens when you defy me Ratchet," said Megatron looking coldly into the dead mount.

He looked over at Ratchet who only cast his optics down in mourning. It was all his fault and Megatron was getting the best of him. He cast his optics up into the sky and sighed 'oh Arcee' inside knowing if Megatron ever found out about her she too would wined up in the death mound. He was so tired of death and wanted it to stop and so knew if he died perhaps it would.

And so one day as Ratchet was patching up a wounded shoulder he took a sharp instrument and pierced his own spark. The other medics would have stopped and watched, but they were afraid he was defying Megatron again and so they ran to get the Decepticons. Once they came they grabbed Ratchet and took the instrument out and so the medics who hated him had to make sure he lived.

He did and do Ratchet's dismay. He was broke to Megatron once he was online again and Megatron looked at the poor medic who just fell about with each mound and said—

"If you will to die Ratchet then just tell me. I shall do it . . . perhaps."

At that he laughed and Ratchet was taken away. How did Ratchet seem to find favor with Megatron in the first place, oh yea it was that stubborn will he was sparked with. Once Ratchet was better he was back to fixing and watching one last mounting as the last of the medics were slaughtered. Ratchet completely fell apart then.

"KILL ME!!" begged Ratchet falling to his knees. "PLEASE don't show me this again!!"

"What more is there to show?" asked Megatron. "The rest all dead and it was all for you Ratchet."

"No—NO!" cried Ratchet shutting off his optics trying to drown out everything. "Then why still keep me online?!"

"Because," said Megatron bending down to him. "It'quite fun with the rumours going around about the Autobot medic working for the Decepticons."

"I do NOT work for you!!" growled Ratchet getting to his feet.

"That's not what they say," chuckled Megatron as he left.

"YOU SLAGGARD!!" cried Ratchet trying to attack him again, but was stopped by the Decepticon guards.

And so Ratchet was thrown into prison again and his torture just got worse because he refused to fix himself. Megatron had to come in and force him, but Ratchet was deaf to him.

"I ORDER you to fix yourself Autobot!!" shouted Megatron holding up a medical tool to Ratchet's face who was turned from him.

"You're not my commander," mumbled Ratchet so tired to speak.

Megatron then took him in his grasp and tossed him out of his cell crying out—

"Get one of our medics to fix him!! I know you wish to die Ratchet, but that is exactly what will NOT happen."

Megatron then stomped off as they took Ratchet to a Decepticon medic. As Ratchet was strapped to the table so not to escape he just waited. He wanted death, but Megatron was so 'kind' not to let him have it. How did it come to this? Where he, himself, wished death? Oh well, he guessed he'd see Arcee elsewhere, he missed her he did.

Just as soon as the medic came in he was struck down with a flying fist? Ratchet shot his head up in confusion. He then looked as a transformer jumped down and looked at that pathetic transformer who lay on the operation table.

"Hm, you," he chuckled inwardly seeing Ratchet.

Ratchet's optics widened and soon he bared his teeth and tired to get out of his restraints to knock some sense into that transformer.

"Take it easy," the 'bot came with that pale smile of his. "I'm on your side this time."

"Lockdown you!!" growled Ratchet.

"Uh you might want to say your strength, you'll need it," he said getting Ratchet out of the restraints.

Once he got Ratchet to his feet he had to hold him up seeing how Ratchet could barely stand on his own two feet. Ratchet struggled to be free from the bounty hunter, but Lockdown wasn't letting go.

"Let go!" cried Ratchet.

"If I do I won't get that bounty for bringing back any surviving Autobot medic," said Lockdown with a smirk.

"So that is what this is," said Ratchet narrowing his optics to get a better look at the scum. "I'm not going out without a fight!"

"What can you do?" chuckled Lockdown.

At that Lockdown underestimated him like so many others. Ratchet turned his head and inhaled. Lockdown's optics widened realizing what he was about to do, but was a little too late to stop him.

"HELP!!" cried Ratchet. "DECEPTICONS!!"

At that Lockdown had no choice but to silence Ratchet.

"Sorry about this," he said as he gave Ratchet a punch in the face knocking him out.

He soon heard the scuffling feet of Decepticon soldiers as they came to the cry. Lockdown then ran out with Ratchet and into his ship quickly. As he took off he was fired on by Decepticon fliers, but once he disappeared he was safe. Once Ratchet woke up he found himself on land away from Decepticon territory.

"You're on your own now," said Lockdown. "If you go est you'll be able to find your friends."

"Lockdown you!!" cried Ratchet getting up and trying to attack him.

"Don't do this Ratchet," warned Lockdown seeing Ratchet was in no state to fight anyone.

But Ratchet still tried to fight. Lockdown just took his wounded arm and kicked it out a little. Ratchet cried out in pain as it hung there motionless. Lockdown just sighed and said—

"I warned you. Well, see you later doc 'bot."

At that he left and Ratchet was left to find his fellow Autobots wondering he'd ever ever make it in time before death took him.

END FLASHBACK

"And that's . . . how I remember it," sighed Ratchet.

"Yes, I remember Lockdown coming in after we found you. I didn't pay him till I knew you were going to make it and . . . you did. He left and we havn't seen him since," said Ultra Magnus. "So tell me Ratchet what is the first thing you wish to do. You've earned it."

"I'd like to go on leave if—that's okay with you, see some old friends," said Ratchet.

"Very well, it's granted," said Ultra Magnus.

And so Ratchet was sent on leave and wanted to see Arcee. Now Arcee has changed in the past millenniums. Every year she'd wait at the station to see if Ratchet came back. She still did it even now that she had a job to worry about.

Ratchet was at the station. Six little sparklings surrounding her wondering what or who she was waiting for. The ship then came in and her spark rose with what hope she had left like every other year. Once the young mechs began unboarding she gasped seeing a young medic 'bot whose color was red and white exit and see her.

Her smile got so big that she couldn't contain herself. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him giving him that kiss she's held in since the day he left. Ratchet was caught a little by surprise, but welcomed it all the more. He stopped all of the sudden as he heard young voices going—

"Eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwww."

Arcee blushed as she bowed her head and looked at the little ones. Ratchet's optics widened a bit seeing how Arcee listened to him and had plenty of sparklings.

"Who are they?" asked Ratchet with a doubtful smile.

"Oh, they're mine," said Arcee with a smile.

"All of them?" asked Ratchet in disbelief.

"Yea, I run a daycare along with some other femmes," said Arcee with a warm smile.

"Oh . . . OH!" said Ratchet now understanding he was still the only mech in her life.

"Did you actually think I'd listen to you and love someone else?" asked Arcee hugging him close.

Ratchet couldn't help but smile. All this time, whether he was alive or not, she waited. This just gave him that ever loving thought of getting down on one knee.

Hot Shot's girl: Hey guys 'I can hear the bells' lol, just kidding. Woo, this chp was LOOOONG. Anyways I hope you liked it it took me forever :) I bet you can guess what's gonna happen in the next chp. Yea, about Lockdown . . . I JUST HAD TO DO IT XD I bet you guys were like O.O anyways till next chp bye ;D