The life of a medic is a hectic one. Especially in the midst of a war. It became increasingly more difficult when you had to operate on a friend of yours. That's exactly what The Autobot Medic Ratchet was forced to do.
Captain Ironhide of Sentinel Prime's squadron was the last survivor of the event that saw the mysterious disappearance of Sentinel Prime himself. The only bot who knew what happened was hanging on for his life.
Fortunately for Ironhide, he had been brought in right on time. His injuries had not yet taken him, and Ratchet was able to act quickly to stabilize his condition. The massive, robust Autobot Captain had sustained damage to his back, caused by a point blank range shot by a blaster. Not much was known about the incident, but Ultra Magnus would be coming by later once Ironhide's condition improved, so he could question him. But for now, the fight was on to save him.
"Hold on, old friend! Don't you die on me!" Ratchet told to the large unconscious Autobot as he pumped some life saving energon into his veins. His condition continued to stabilize. It was working. Minutes felt like hours, and Ratchet worked tirelessly to restore his friend.
As Ironhide's condition began to improve, and his body stabilized, Ratchet could finally take a breath of relief.
Fortunately for him, he wasn't alone in his efforts. He was accompanied by Wheeljack, who immediately began revamping Ironhide's weaponry in addition to helping Ratchet on Ironhide's healing body. His other helper came in the form of Bumblebee, a small yellow Autobot Scout who had spent most of his young life with Ironhide, Ratchet and Wheeljack.
Bumblebee would help Ratchet by using his small size to sneak past the Decepticons into Kaon City to Ratchet's former work station to get medical supplies and emergency stashes of energon.
Bumblebee, having just finished another run, returned to the medical bay where Ratchet continued to work. Though Ratchet's focus had become split as more wounded Autobots had been brought to him.
Wheeljack agreed to take over for a few as Ratchet debriefed the young scout.
"Bumblebee, you brilliant bot! You never cease to amaze me." Ratchet said as Bumblebee handed him the supplies he had retrieved. "The latest batch of energon cubes you were able to acquire will help with the incoming patients I have coming through here."
"It's getting more and more dangerous every time, though. I have a terrible feeling that the Decepticons gathering in Kaon is more than just a celebration of the fall of the Primes." Bumblebee informed, the young Autobot was beginning to show signs of tiring.
"I'm afraid that you may be right, Bumblebee... it appears that there is momentum rising for the Decepticons and they are getting braver. Especially in light of recent events" Ratchet agreed, giving Bumblebee a small boost of energon to help refuel the hard working scout. "It might be wise to send you in with backup in the future."
"Who else do we have? Wheeljack? Stealth isn't exactly his strong suit..."
"Says the bot who's literally bright yellow! The least stealthy of all the colors!" Wheeljack retorted, being somewhat ignored by his compatriots other than Bee rolling his eyes.
"A safer bet would be to just stop sending you across enemy lines all together. I know it's been helpful, but I can't risk another friend of mine getting hurt, or worse..." Ratchet said.
"Perhaps Ratchet is right" agreed Wheeljack. "We can't risk losing our only scout!"
"No way!" Bumblebee protested. "Going out and collecting supplies is my contribution to the team. Besides, what if we run out of energon again?"
"Then I believe it will be paramount that you have backup with you." a new voice added to the conversation. Ultra Magnus entered the room in time to hear the discussion. "I am assigning two incredibly accomplished and stealthy Autobots to your team. Chromia and Arcee will accompany you on your supply runs."
"Ultra Maggie!" Wheeljack exclaimed with a smirk, knowing that Ultra Magnus wasn't going to like it. Not that he cared.
"You will call me Ultra Magnus, soldier!" he said as he led his aforementioned Autobot associates into the medical bay."
"Always Mr Personality..." Wheeljack said with a huff.
"Anyway..." Ultra Magnus continued, shutting down Wheeljack's antics. "Chromia and Arcee here have volunteered their services in aiding in collecting energon for the reserves and whatever else you require. They are skilled combatants and excellent in stealth mode."
"I am quite familiar" Ratchet said with a relieved smile. "Capable hands, for sure."
Both of the femme bots were roughly the same height as the almost as small Bumblebee. The first, Chromia, an accomplished veteran herself, had spent much of the fight against the Decepticons by Elita's side. Chromia was dark blue in her coloration and was among the few femmebot soldiers in the Autobot ranks. And even fewer were equal to or more accomplished as she was. She was one who had a brief history with Ironhide prior to the fall of Zeta and Sentinel Prime. Having once commanded a small squadron of Autobot soldiers alongside Ironhide under Ultra Magnus.
The second, a pink Autobot femme, who went by the name of Arcee. She sported a pink and white color scheme. She was an accomplished fighter as well, and was known for her temperament. But underneath her rough demeanor, there was also a soft spot.
Chromia looked over the recovering Ironhide with concern. "How long has he been out? And what happened to him?"
"It's been days" Ratchet informed. "We have reasons to believe that he was near Sentinel Prime when he disappeared. In addition to needing him back on the field, we were also hoping that he could tell us what happened."
"If he was under Sentinel, I can see why he got nearly scrapped." Chromia sneered. "He shows about as much care for his soldiers as Megatron does those pets he tortures in the pits of Kaon..."
"Captain Chromia, slander of a superior officer will not be tolerated, do you understand?" Ultra Magnus snapped. "And neither will baseless accusations!"
"Apologies, sir" she said, remembering herself.
Arcee, wanting to change the subject, butted in. "So when do we leave for our next scouting mission?"
"When Bumblebee has rested enou-" Ratchet was cut off by an enthusiastic Bumblebee.
"Ready when you are!" Bee said, jumping up.
"If you are to make another run at it, I'd make it quick. Decepticons will be patrolling soon". Wheeljack warned.
"Noted" Chromia said. "Alright kid, you ready?"
"Let's go!" Bumblebee said. "I know where the Decepticons are keeping some major stock piles of energon. It'll be a little risky, but with you two as backup, I'm fairly certain we can pull this off."
"Fine, but we go in with a plan" Chromia commanded.
"Lead the way, kid." Arcee said as she transformed into a small Cybertronian Motorcycle.
Chromia would transform into a similar vehicle mode, while Bumblebee transformed into his yellow Cybertronian Car mode.
Ratchet pulled the lever that opened the garage door to where they were stationed, and the trio drove off on their way.
"While we wait for their return, we have some things to discuss" Ultra Magnus said to Ratchet. "The sooner Ironhide wakes up, the better."
"Indeed."
"Any word on Optimus' progress?"
"Not a single update, I'm afraid. Alpha Trion assured me that everything is going as planned, though."
"I sure hope so" Wheeljack added in. "Because without proper leadership, the Decepticons are going to pummel us into powder..."
Wheeljack caught a glare from Ultra Magnus. "Dude, you really gotta lighten up."
Ultra Magnus simply just scoffed and walked outside.
Optimus' gaze stayed with the Dinobot. The brute had just stopped him from getting served by a Cyber Slug, and was now looking to fight him. Things were escalating at too much of a rapid pace for Optimus' liking. He didn't have time for this. He needed to attain the Matrix of Leadership as soon as possible.
"Grimlock, please listen to me! I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. I require safe passage to the core of the planet! Please, I am asking for your complete cooperation."
"Enough talk! We fight!" Grimlock said, not backing down.
Optimus closed his face shield over his mouth, transformed his arms into his arm cannons and took the stance. He would have to try and end this quickly.
"I don't know what your end goal is here, Grimlock. But know that I am running low on time and patience. This is your last chance to stand down and let me pass!"
Grimlock only roared and kicked his right foot, as a sign he was about to charge. He roared again, this time allowing an inferno to emit from his throat.
Optimus stood his ground. Staring at Grimlock, who was locked on his position. He only had time to blink once before the Dinobot charged.
Grimlock came at Optimus with a full head of steam. Optimus slid over to the right to avoid the charging Dinobot, angering him even further. Grimlock came to a stop and began to turn around for another charge, but he was knocked down by a blast from behind.
Optimus looked in the direction the shot came from. And relief came in the form of Elita-1, who had been the one to shoot the blast and stopping Grimlock from charging any more.
"Grimlock!" she shouted. "That's enough! Don't you know who you're addressing?"
"Puny..." Grimlock said, childishly.
"Optimus Prime, new leader of the Autobots." She proclaimed. "And he's in need of a clear path to the core of Cybertron."
"Ariel" Optimus said as he walked over to her. "Is he going to yield?"
"Yeah, he knows better than to cross me. We have a bit of a history. Sorry about him, he's quite the territorial guardian."
Grimlock hung his head low as well as his tail. "Sorry Elita..."
"Apologize to Optimus Prime" she commanded. Grimlock just groaned at this.
"How did you find me?" Optimus asked.
"I went to Alpha Trion and asked about your progress, and he told me where you were headed. He insisted that I stay out of it, but I assured him that I would solely be here for backup in case you were to come across any trouble.
"Hmmm, it would appear that once again, your judgment was quite sound. It's always an honor to serve Cybertron by your side.
Elita smiled. Optimus then caught a glance at Grimlock, who was trying to walk away.
"Perhaps you can make it up to me by guiding me to Primus. I assume that you know these catacombs well."
"Grimlock know where he is. But cannot guide you, can only back you up." He said turning back around to face Optimus.
"He's right, Optimus. Only the chosen can truly find the Core. If it is truly you, Primus will guide you to him." Elita informed.
"Indeed..." Optimus said. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, or listen. He wasn't sure at first.
"DID YOU HEAR HIM YET?" Grimlock shouted loudly, quickly messing up Optimus' progress. This garnered scowls from Prime and Elita. "Oops, sorry..."
Optimus closed his eyes again and began to listen, he concentrated on his task and what he was looking for. At first, he didn't move for a minute. But he opened himself up for guidance, and almost instantly he could hear Primus speaking to him. He reopened his eyes, and this time they were glowing brighter than usual. Primus had reached out to him, and was now leading him.
With a nod to both Elita and Grimlock, Optimus led the way, and the trio continued.
After hours upon hours of work and waiting, Ratchet's labor had finally bore its fruits. His medical operation on Ironhide, and his constant monitoring had finally paid off. The Grizzled Veteran opened his optics. However, he didn't quite react how Ratchet and Wheeljack had anticipated.
Ironhide sprung up off of the medical bed and tackled Ratchet, blinded by adrenaline and the heat of the moment, he raised his fist in the air prepared to strike until Wheeljack intervened and grabbed his arm, stoping him from striking Ratchet.
"Ironhide! Stop! It's me!" Ratchet shouted, desperately.
Ironhide's brief terror lasted only seconds more when he came to himself, and realized where he was. That outburst had been a bit much on his still recovering body, and he fell as he got off of Ratchet to try and get up. Wheeljack and Ratchet, as soon as he had gotten back up himself, helped Ironhide back onto the medical bay bed.
"Ratchet... I'm sorry, I..." he said, clearly winded. "I don't know how I got here. What happened?"
"You were near death when you were brought in, severely wounded. You were brought to me right on time."
Ironhide took a few more moments to collect himself.
"Try to relax now, you're still weak. You need time to recover."
"Ratchet... I-er... Thank you, I owe you my life."
"I'm just a friend, looking out for my friend." Ratchet said with a smile.
Ironhide sat back and lied down on the medical bed where he was, and he began to examine himself. He noticed that his weapons were missing.
"Can't be a weapon specialist if you're stuck using the same old tech" Wheeljack stepped into the conversation. "Upgraded your arsenal while you were out. I think you'll like your new and improved cannons, among other things."
Ironhide looked at Wheeljack's work table and noticed how shiny and new his stuff looked. He couldn't wait to try it out. "Thank you, Wheeljack. You always have the hook up."
It wasn't much longer before Ultra Magnus returned to the room. As he walked in, he was relieved to finally see Ironhide function once again. However, he knew there were more pressing matters to attend to, such as the questioning.
"Glad to see you awake, Captain" Ultra Magnus said.
Ironhide saluted Ultra Magnus. "Thanks, boss." Ironhide said thankfully.
"There is one matter that we need to attend to. Ironhide, I regret to inform you that of everyone you were with on the day of your attempted murder, that you were the only survivor. Aside from Sentinel Prime."
Ironhide's memory came flooding back into his mind as Magnus uttered that name. A look of anger and disgust adorned his features. He slammed his fist down on the table next to his bed.
"Sea Spray, Tailgate, Leadfoot, Brawn..." Ironhide said in a shaken somberly voice. "All gone. Betrayed... by him..."
Magnus began to get worried. Surely Ironhide wasn't implying what he thought.
"Clarification, please?"
"Sentinel Prime... betrayed me. Betrayed us!" He started off with a mutter and worked up to a gritted teeth shout. "Murdered them all in cold blood, and all I could do was watch as I lie on my side as the life began to drain from my body. I thought I was going to die with them."
Magnus was in disbelief. However, after pondering on it, he realized that it explained why he disappeared. He wasn't captured by any Decepticon. He fled the scene.
"But..." Ratchet trembled. "But, why?"
"He's the one who allowed Zeta Prime to be taken by the Decepticons, and he could not allow us to stand in his way of his own agenda. He talked about taking his rightful place as the ruler of Cybertron. He knew we would try to stop him. So he... 'discharged' us. Fired his rust cannon at all of us, until we fell."
"By the AllSpark!" Magnus gasped.
Ironhide's optimism began to fade. "Now without a Prime to lead us, Megatron will surely take the victory."
"Hope is not lost, my friend" Ratchet said. "We have Optimus as our new leader."
Ironhide continued to doubt. "Yet another potential disappointment... No offense but not many have seen Optimus in action, and we really can't be putting our faith in these bots who are only shells of what Primes were in days of old."
"We will need to rally behind him. This time it will be different." Magnus insisted.
"Why?"
"Because this time, we will have a True Prime on our side."
Aye! Took way too long for me to finish this chapter, but I got it! Ironhide is my favorite character and I look forward to writing his character progression as well as the rest of them.
More fantasy voice references for this series:
Ratchet: Jeffery Combs (TFPrime voice
Wheeljack: James Horan (TFPrime voice)
Ironhide: Jess Harnell (Bayverse voice)
Bumblebee: Will Friedel (Prime voice)
Chromia: (voice actress who played Arcee in Prime
Arcee: Tara Strong