When All Lights Go Out II (TFP)

Chapter 22

"Jack!!" Jack flinched as he heard his mother's relieved voice shout at him from the first platform. "I am so glad to see you are safe...and wearing a strange outfit, but safe nonetheless." Jack smiled at his mother as he walked towards the hallway as he knew that they need to go to the med bay. "How is..."

June didn't even have to ask the question as Optimus walked into the lobby, with each step was shaky due to the pain and discomfort the mech was currently feeling. Ratchet, who was waiting in the lobby, widened his optics at the state Optimus was currently in. Optimus was in a lot of pain and discomfort, and while he was unsettled with Megatron helping Optimus into the lobby, he was very worried. The obvious damage to Optimus's exterior due to the dents, ligaments sparking and mesh wounds was hard to miss. But it was the internal damage that he was most concerned about.

Optimus looked at Ratchet with weakened optics. "Ratchet..."

"Don't say anything, Optimus. Get him into the med bay. And..." Ratchet glared at Megatron as the decepticon looked at him. "I still feel unsettled about your presence here, Megatron. If you try anything..."

"I am not a fool, Ratchet. I will keep my word and be here for Azura's rebirth. And help Prime to your med bay. There is not much time to argue about this. He was hit hard multiple times by Mech. So lead the way." Megatron glanced at the humans as they run down the stairs to head to the med bay. He noticed Arcee and Bumblebee weren't in the lobby, which meant they were in the med bay recovering from their injuries. "So long as Azura is born alive and okay, today will end well."

Ratchet just sighed deeply and turned to the hallway. "Fine. But we will be watching you closely, Megatron. No funny business." He glanced over his shoulder at Optimus as he could see Prime was struggling to walk as he was guided into the hallway. "We are almost there, Optimus. You will be fine. Everything has been set up and prepped for you and Azura."

Optimus did not say anything as he was focused on intaking and exhaling heavily. He grimaced as pain rippled through his abdomen, but that was not even his main concern. His main concern was Azura. He almost had tears forming in his optics because he knew that Azura's life started out in such a way that should have happened. And he didn't want a repeat of that. But due to Mech's involvement, it would seem that it would be the case. Optimus lowered his face shield so he could intake easier, even though oxygen was not necessary for Cybertronians.

Jack entered the med bay first and he saw Arcee was sitting up on her berth in the med bay and she looked down, smiling in relief upon seeing Jack. "By the All Spark, I am so glad you are okay, Jack. I still can't believe you thought it was a good idea."

"Yeah, well, I think it was a good idea since I've been able to do something." He walked over to the stairs that would lead to the catwalk overlooking the berths, and he saw the berth that had been set up for Optimus. "And I am okay. I am not hurt, just a bit tired, sweaty and thirsty. And..." Once Jack reached the top, he began to pull off the suit. He was glad that it fit over his clothes. "These suits that Mech wear are just so terrible to wear."

"But at least they give a complete disguise for you." Arcee looked to the doorway as Ratchet ran into the med bay. Bumblebee sat up from his med berth as well. "Ratchet, is there anything we can do to assist you?"

"No, Arcee. I am the only one who can do that anything right now." Ratchet walked over to the equipment to turn them on. He had a large drip set up with a large quantity of energon ready for Optimus. He was well aware that Optimus couldn't ingest anything right now, but Optimus's body was starved of energon at this time. "If I need your help, I will ask for it." Ratchet hummed as he filled a few syringes and Arcee widened her optics as she watched Ratchet get things ready. "And as Optimus needs a little time to regain enough strength to even open his chassis to allow for Azura's birth, it will at least be another hour before the sparkling is out of him."