Little Optimus (TFP Little Series)

~5~

The next day the bots did everything they could to help Ratchet. Bumblebee spent most of the time keeping Optimus occupied and away from the medic as he worked. Ratchet moved the project over to a smaller computer so the main one didn't interrupt him. It was easier to jump between it and the formula as well. He started mixing and concocting in a desperate attempt to save his friend. The others did their best to help, but also stay out of the way. At one point during the day they left on patrol. Optimus came into the room crying.

"What's wrong?" Ratchet asked quietly as he looked at him with concern.

"I can't find Brian." He sobbed as he rubbed his optic. Ratchet furrowed his optic ridges and blinked a couple times.

"Whos Brian?" He asked as he frowned.

"He's my wrench." The sparkling said quietly and looked at him. Ratchet gave him a look and stared at him.

"You named a wrench... Brian?" He asked in disbelief.

"I like the name Brian." He said as he looked at the floor. The medic just stared at him blankly for a few minutes. He looked in his stash for the wrench and handed it to him.

Optimus looked it over and found the indents where he chewed on it. He grinned happily and hugged it tightly. He asked Ratchet to weld the name into the wrench. The medic grumbled something but did. The sparkling hugged his ped then wandered off with the wrench named 'Brian.' He came back a little later.

"What are you doing?" He asked quietly. The medic grumbled something under his breath. Then figured he should answer him.

"Trying to make a cure." He muttered without looking up.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because you need to be... big again." He mumbled.

"Why?" He asked again.

"Because... we need our leader." He muttered and stopped suddenly as he furrowed his optic ridges. Was this a game?

"Why?" He asked as he looked at him innocently, Ratchet sighed forcefully. It was a game.

"I'm not answering any more questions." He said seriously as he glared at the console. It was quiet for a few minutes.

"Why?" He asked. The medic sputtered and looked at him.

"Optimus please. Be still and quiet for a few minutes." He said seriously and looked at the little Prime.

"Why?" He asked quietly and cocked his helm slightly. Ratchet sighed in exasperation and drug his servo across his faceplate. He decided not to answer any more questions.

An hour later, the little Prime was playing with the wrench as he sat on the berth. Miko had joked that it was his teddy bear. No one dared to try and take it. The medic listened to the sparkling play with himself and talk quietly.

After a few minutes it was suddenly deadly silent and he glanced at the little Prime. Optimus was just staring into space as he held the wrench in one servo. His helm twitched and he seemed to be fighting something inside. The medic furrowed his optic ridges and turned back to his work as he gathered a few things.

"Ra.... tch... et." The medic whipped around and looked at the little one. He hesitantly walked over.

"Optimus? Are you... still.... in there?" He asked hesitantly, hope etched in his voice. The sparkling swayed as he sat there and stared at the wall.

"What's.... happ.... en... ing.... to.... me?" He asked weakly. Ratchet realized that the Optimus they knew was becoming too weak to stay in control. He was fading rapidly. The sparkling started to fall over and the medic quickly caught him. He gently laid him on the berth.