Ratchet's Charge

Prologue

Hey, readers! Please keep in mind, this does not follow the series exactly. While characters are in the book, this is not the third season. I will be using some episodes here and there (or at least the concept) but it won't be in any particular order. Just a heads up. Enjoy! Oh, the base isn't destroyed and the Decepticons haven't discovered it.

Ratchet stared at the monitor as he began messing around with different frequencies. Hopefully, he could find an Autobot signal or perhaps an Energon deposit. He briefly glanced over at the small pile of Energon they'd pulled from the storage. It was all they had left. With a heavy sigh, Ratchet turned to face the monitor once again. He changed the frequency again and gasped.

"Optimus!", he called, catching the Prime's attention.

Optimus glanced one more time at the TV screen in confusion before making his way over to his old friend. Ratchet immediately stepped to the side and Optimus' eyes widened in shock.

"An Autobot identification beacon?", he questioned, gaining the attention of the rest of the team, "How did you come across it?"

"I was trying out different frequencies in hopes of finding more Energon when I stumbled upon it.", Ratchet explained, his expression neutral.

"Arcee, you're coming with me. Ratchet, we may require medical aid.", Optimus ordered, and the medic opened the groundbridge, "Roll out!"

One by one, the trio transformed and drove through the groundbridge but not before Arcee warned the children to not follow them. When they arrived at the other side, the bridge closed behind them. It didn't take them long to spot the escape pod and for Ratchet to run over to it. The Autobot medic pried open the pod and stepped back in shock as he stared directly into the visor.

Within seconds, the team was surrounded by Decepticons. Soundwave exited the pod as troopers began running out of the forest and popping out from behind boulders. Megatron dropped from the sky with Starscream following suit.

"So predictable.", the warlord grinned.

Immediately, Bulkhead and Bumblebee came through the ground bridge that opened behind the Prime and it closed seconds after. The team of Autobots stood back-to-back as they each eyed their targets. The Decepticons let out a battle cry after the order to attack came. The Autobots rushed forward to protect themselves and each other.

While Optimus and Megatron fought, Arcee was quick to attack the nearest vehicons then went after Starscream. Before she could get close enough, the seeker had taken off causing Megatron to growl angrily. Bumblebee fought the remaining vehicons while Bulkhead went after Breakdown. Arcee spotted Ratchet struggling with Soundwave and rushed over to assist. While fighting, the team failed to notice an opening ground bridge, despite the fact that Soundwave opened it.

Suddenly, all fighting ceased. Vehicons scattered across the ground either unconscious or dead. The Autobots looked around in confusion before their eyes widened in shock. Shockwave stood behind Ratchet with a syringe in the medic's neck cables, the contents already emptied. The Decepticon scientist pulled the syringe out and Ratchet fell forward onto the ground. Optimus glanced at Megatron, who held a big grin on his face.

The Decepticons walked casually through the bridge, Soundwave being the first with Shockwave and Breakdown not far behind. Several vehicons walked out of the ground bridge and collected the other vehicons. They dragged each one through the bridge, leaving Megatron by himself. The warlord walked over to the bridge, the grin never leaving his face.

"This will be interesting.", he cackled before walking through, the bridge closing behind him.

The second the bridge was closed, as if it were a switch, Ratchet got up. The Autobots were quick to rush over and assist the medic, but he unsheathed his swords with a malicious grin. He began swinging and as soon as the rest of the Autobots were far enough away, he transformed and drove off.

"What happened? Where's Ratchet?", Agent Fowler questioned once the team had returned safely back to base.

"I, too, share the human's curiosity.", Ultra Magnus stated as they waited for the answer.

"We don't know.", Arcee piped up while Optimus walked over to the monitors to attempt to find his old friend, "When we arrived, we discovered it was a trap, hence the request for backup."

"Everything seemed normal at first, then the 'cons just stopped.", Bulkhead continued, "Shockwave injected something in Ratchet, and he passed out."

"Once the Decepticons left, Ratchet got up and was acting differently. He swung his swords at us.", Bumblebee finished, "Then, he transformed and drove off."

"No one knows what was in that syringe.", Arcee stated.

"But whatever it was, it really did a number on Ratchet.", Bulkhead concluded, and the scout nodded in agreement.

What do you think it was? 🤔