Chapter 10

Optimus heard voices up ahead; slowing his pace he pressed his back against the wall. He withdrew his swords so the glow wouldn't give him away. He could hear Ironhide shouting, finding the edge of the wall he silently pulled himself round, peering down the corridor. In the distance he could make out movement, a light shone brightly in his face causing him to jump back. He stole another glance; Ironhide was being restrained by a much larger mech, profanities poured from his vocal processor. Optimus's gaze landed on the prone form of Ultra slumped on the floor then Megatron came into view. He was the one with the light. Optimus pulled back again his central capacitor cycling rapidly, Ironhide was shouting violently. A sickening thud resounded round the corridor, Optimus's optics widened as Ironhide fell silent.

'Gauge your enemy... strike to kill...' Ironhide's words echoed in his mind. Optimus's face hardened. He couldn't approach them from the front that would be suicide. Ironhide could be heard threatening Megatron again. Optimus knew he had merely astro seconds. Thinking quickly he ran back the way he came, merging into the shadows as Ironhide's spark splitting screams filled the air.

****

Ironhide could only feel a deep throbbing in his head as the large mech held him tightly. Gritting his dentals against the pain, he winced as the mech broke through his mental barriers. He could feel him pushing, probing inside his cortex, his optics flickered as his resistance began to weaken. Ironhide saw the wiry tendril floating towards his chest, his optics widened with horror. The excruciating pain hit as the mech plunged the tendril into his spark chamber. Ironhide roared as his body locked painfully at the sensation as the tendril violated his innermost thoughts and feelings, his spark was raw unable to protect itself against the determined iron will of the telepath. His vision blurred and static roared through his audio sensors, Megatron's voice came to him like a faint memory.

"I enjoy watching you get torn apart from the inside." He leaned closely, Ironhide's optics dilated in an effort to focus on him. "But I want you to live knowing what I am going to do to your Prime." He sneered, his sharp dentals flashing dangerously. Ironhide tried to swipe his arm at Megatron's face he swung wide. Megatron laughed sharply. "Soundwave release his mind."

Ironhide felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, he slumped forward on all fours, steadying himself with one hand. He glanced across at Ultra whose optics watched him weakly. He lifted his head to glare at the smug form of Megatron.

"Did you find out where they're hiding him?" Ironhide listened distractedly to Megatron's questioning of Soundwave. His optics caught sight of movement in the shadows, he squinted as the shadow moved closer, his optics opened wide as he recognised the tall figure coming up behind Megatron, his gun raised.

Subconsciously Ironhide froze as Optimus halted mere meters from Megatron, his gun pointing directly at his head. Ironhide heard the eerie monotonous tone of Soundwave warning Megatron. Summoning his dwindling strength Ironhide tackled Soundwave's legs sending him crashing to the ground as Megatron spun round to face his wanton assassin.

Ironhide pummelled the large mech, before he had chance to right himself. Soundwave uttered a high pitched signal. Ironhide found himself being thrown to the ground, turning swiftly he caught his assailant in mid-leap and began wrestling with the large metallic beast that hissed at him from rows of sharp teeth.

Megatron glared at Optimus, who held the gun steadily at his helm his expression grim, his optics cold. He had to think quickly.

"Surrender brother." Optimus growled it was not a request.

"Been a long time since you called me brother." He answered smugly.

"I will always think of you as such, no matter what you've done." He charged his weapon. "But that does not mean I will shirk my duties." He was composed, determined, echoing Megatron's words from a lesson long ago. Megatron raised his hands in surrender. Red optics flashed dangerously.

"I have taught you well it seems..."

"You have taught me only how to inflict pain, how to punish..." Optimus was no longer fearful; Megatron could see the power, the self control that coursed through his being. He grinned slyly.

"I will show you mercy, where you have shown others none. Call off your warriors."

"You will have to kill me Prime." Optimus was shocked to hear Megatron call him Prime, it was something Megatron had never done. "Or you could accept my previous offer..."

Optimus stared at him fiercely. "I will never spark bond with you." Ironhide uttered a cry of pain and surprise as Soundwave gained the upper hand. Optimus's optics flashed over to him quickly. Soundwave had him restrained, his four legged metallic companion snapped at Ironhide's legs. He had positioned himself behind the already weakened mech, who struggled feebly against his tightening hold. Soundwave's red visor glared dispassionately at Optimus. "Lower your weapon." The deep unfeeling voice ordered.

Megatron took advantage of this moment and took a step towards Optimus who reinforced his stance, pointing the weapon directly in Megatron's face, halting him in his path with a snarl.

"Let Ironhide go, or I send Megatron's spark to the pits." Soundwave glanced at his leader.

"Lord Megatron?"

Megatron never took his optics off Optimus his grin widened. "Kill him."

Optimus's optics widened with horror as Ironhide struggled against the extended tendrils that threatened to crush his very frame. They snaked under his armour, prying it loose, Ironhide clenched his jaw hard and glared at Optimus. "Shoot him..." His plea was ragged a whisper as Soundwave slowly crushed him, tearing at his frame, opening up wounds not yet healed. Energon seeped from his frame and dripped onto the floor.

Megatron took another step forward, Optimus didn't lower his weapon. His finger tightened on the trigger, Megatron watched him curiously.

"You can't kill me brother... that is why you're weak..." His tone was soft, sympathetic. Optimus grimaced as Ironhide's struggles lessened and his whimpers of pain faded to muted gasps.

"I will let him live." Megatron glared at him intently. Optimus was torn; his optics darted from Soundwave to Megatron. He couldn't let this happen; this was not how it was supposed to happen. Ironhide had gone limp in Soundwave's grasp, his body twitching as energon now stained his frame.

Optimus suddenly dropped his weapon. "Let him go... please. You came here for me, so take me."

Megatron nodded to Soundwave. Ironhide fell to his knees barely conscious. "No... Optimus... you can't..."

Soundwave approached Megatron who was standing directly in front of Optimus scrutinising him.

"Your willingness to sacrifice yourself for others will be your undoing Prime." Soundwave knew what he had to do; grabbing Optimus roughly he threw him up against the nearest wall. His tendrils crawled across his frame, creeping under his circuits. Optimus felt paralysed as the strange mech approached him. His optics shot to Megatron.

"Let them go Megatron..." He commanded and winced as Soundwave forced his way deeper into his systems. He grunted as his cortex began to slow, his vision blurred as Soundwave entered his mind.

"When you tell me the exact location of the All spark they are free to go."

"The All spark?" Optimus couldn't think straight, he tried focusing all the concentration he could to prevent Soundwave from ripping his mind apart. A ragged cry caught in his throat at the effort. His knees buckled. Megatron was smug. "With the All spark comes the power of Cybertron. I will lead our people into a golden age Prime." He crouched down beside Optimus's quivering form. "Give in, tell me willingly, join me." His tone was insistent. Optimus managed to glare at him. "Never... giving you... the All spark." He gasped through gritted dentals. Soundwave pushed harder against his cortex sending pulses of energy burning through his sensor net. Optimus cried out as his mind began to crumble.

"Don't make me do this Optimus." Megatron's voice was almost pleading; Optimus struggled to speak as Soundwave broke into his inner most thoughts. He gazed at Megatron sadly, defiantly. "You... will... have to rip it... from my... dead... spark."

Megatron stood, his face betraying the disappointment he felt. "So be it." He nodded once more to Soundwave. Optimus's body tensed at the force of his mind probe. His roar of pain filled the corridor. Ironhide could only watch as his leader, his friend was torn apart piece by piece from the inside. He groaned as he caught Optimus's fading optics. 'I'm sorry.' He saw him mouth the words as his body was racked with waves of agony, his cortex finally succumbing to the relentless attack.

Without warning a flash brightened the whole corridor, Ironhide's optics blurred as they registered a blast weapon being fired. He glanced across the floor at the severely injured Ultra, his optics were open he was staring straight ahead; Optimus's discarded weapon was in his hands.

They both struggled to see the scene before them as Megatron crumpled into Optimus. The shot pierced through his armour plating, through his spark chamber. Soundwave uttered a cry of anguish as the shot ran straight through Megatron's frame and punched its way into Optimus's chest. He snatched his tendrils back sharply, staggering against the wall clutching his chest. Ironhide watched as both Megatron and Optimus crashed to the ground. He saw a flash of blue and white light swirling around the fallen mechs. Soundwave regained his composure and hauled the limp Megatron from Optimus; he disappeared into the shadows carrying the injured Megatron with him, the metallic beast leading the way through the darkness.

Ironhide looked back at Ultra who had gone into stasis lock. He crawled painfully, slowly over to Optimus. His optics stared with growing dread at the gaping plasma wound in his chest; his spark was exposed and flickering weakly. A deep swirling blue, fighting to stay alive.

"Fight Optimus." Ironhide growled. "You're going to make it...you have to..." He buzzed Ratchet on his comm. before slumping to the ground beside Optimus.

****

Optimus felt himself drifting when the weight lifted from his mind. A sharp stabbing pain filled his chest but it felt so distant, so far away. His spark felt electrified, he felt like he was floating above himself. He opened his optics and his vision was filled with a swirling bright light, he could see Megatron's face before him, then he could see himself through Megatron's eyes. He gasped as the wave of intense pleasure crashed through his sensor net, he could feel Megatron's rage burning through him, he felt his pride, his jealousy, his desires, he heard himself moan at the intensity as his feelings merged with Megatron's, the light swamped his vision entirely, blinding him. He could hear Megatron inside his head, his own thoughts and feelings subduing his raging mind. A cruel jolt shuddered through his systems as the light faded rapidly, Optimus felt a rip in his spark chamber , he tried to scream as Megatron was torn away from him into the dark, leaving him alone, empty and cold. His vision faded, as he blinked slowly, he could feel his spark exposed, raw, fading. Ironhide's voice floated to him, he gripped onto the sound, following it back into the darkness.

****

Ratchet's face was the first thing Ironhide saw when he blinked his optics open. The gruff medic was frowning down at him.

"Might have known you'd end up back here." He grumbled before helping him sit up. Ironhide glanced across the med-bay, there was only one other berth occupied. He scowled at the sight of the casing surrounding the berth. Painfully he shuffled over. Placing a hand on the transparent covering he peered in. His optics fell onto Optimus's face, Ironhide smiled at how peaceful he looked.

Ratchet joined him. "He is on a support machine while his body repairs itself. What ever happened, it did a number on his cortex and his sensor net. His spark wasn't strong enough to carry out all the repairs I had to put him in an enforced stasis lock."

"Will he recover?" Ironhide asked, never once taking his optics off his face.

"Yes, a cycle or two he'll be back on his feet." Ratchet sighed. Ironhide turned to him. "What is it?"

"Well Ultra Magnus couldn't shed any light on what happened when the palace was attacked. All he remembers is shooting Megatron in the back."

"Why is it important?"

"Yes. From his injuries I would say that Prime was hit with the same blast. But... did you see what happened after they were shot?"

"It was dark, I couldn't see much. I saw Megatron collapse from the blast, it went through his spark chamber, he fell into Optimus." He shook his head frustrated. "I just remember seeing the hole in his chest, Megatron escaped with that, that Soundwave."

Ratchet's frown softened. "I see."

"What is it?" Ironhide insisted impatiently.

"It appears that Prime's spark was damaged in the blast."

"How is he alive?!" Ironhide exclaimed worriedly. Ratchet grunted. "Well it's one of the most unusual cases I have dealt with. It appears that when Megatron collapsed onto him, with both their sparks exposed, and being damaged their sparks reached out involuntarily for the closest source of energon they could find..."

Ironhide's jaw dropped. "They spark bonded." Ratchet's scowl had returned. "Not exactly, it wasn't a full spark bonding, their sparks connected but the connection was severed before any complete link could be made. It has formed a partial bond between their sparks however, I hate to admit but it probably saved his life." He glanced at Ironhide who was staring down at Optimus.

"He's linked to Megatron? What does this mean, will he still function in the same way?"

"He will be perfectly fine, the only downside I can foresee is that it will be extremely difficult for Optimus to spark bond with another, it is possible but it will be difficult for him to realise it, also... it could adversely affect him if Megatron was to be killed."

"In what way?"

"Similar to a full link, except his spark would survive; he will feel every pain of his death."

"Also it could kill them both if either one of them tries to deliberately sever their partial link."

"Does he know?"

"He will when he wakes up. You need to get some rest Ironhide."

"I want to be here when he wakes." Ironhide didn't look at Ratchet who had opened his mouth to argue before thinking twice. He laid a comforting hand on Ironhide's shoulder before leaving him to his thoughts.

****

Optimus entered the room briskly, his mask up, his cool blue optics scanning the 'bots before him. Ironhide and Ultra Magnus stood to attention. He gave them a brief nod before addressing the loyal mechs in front of him. Ironhide and Ultra Magnus stood to one side. Ironhide watched him closely; it had been several cycles since his recovery. He had observed no unusual behaviour from the young Prime who had subsequently thrown himself dutifully into his role, focusing on nothing else. Ironhide felt pride at the leader he had become, but a deep sadness clawed at his spark as he watched him motivate the newest soldiers. He had no knowledge of his link to Megatron; his memory cache had been damaged by Soundwave's probe. Ratchet had decided that in order to prevent Optimus trying to reject the link that he should remain in the dark. He had pulled rank on Ironhide and ordered him to remain silent.

Optimus had been the same, yet somehow different, stronger, more distant, more composed and determined than he had been before. Ironhide saw no trace of self doubt in his optics when he had looked at him and spoke to him. He was commanding, powerful and at times surprisingly intimidating. He felt no hesitation in giving orders, sending young mechs to fight and die to protect the city, whereas before he would have cringed at the thought of having to take one life. Sure he felt regret and compassion but it did not interfere with his duty, he was Prime, he had to make the difficult decisions. Ironhide felt an ache wash over his sensor net and only hoped that the partial link with his enemy would fade over time. Only he saw the difference in his friend, he knew the truth.

Optimus watched as the 'bots filed out of the room, he was proud of them, their bravery, their dedication to protecting their city. They were not warriors but they had learned to become fighters in a short space of time. He turned to his two most trusted friends. Ultra gave him a quick nod and salute before exiting the room. His optics fell on Ironhide who cast him a wry grin. He smiled thinly beneath his mask. "Nice speech." Ironhide grumbled as he fell into pace beside him. Optimus smirked as they left the room. "I learnt from the best." Ironhide snorted in derision. "Whatever you say Prime." He growled amicably. Optimus kept his focus ahead of him, thoughts already on the battle ahead. His thoughts fell to the mech beside him.

Unbeknownst to Ironhide Optimus knew the truth; he carried the burden secretly, heavily and with dutiful silence.

He remembered everything.