Transformers Prime AU (Book 1) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Forty Nine

Knockout made his way to the cell area he remembered Ironhide being in. He wasn't so sure the man was alive, but they wanted to rescue him. He couldn't bring himself to tell them the man was dead. He shook his head slowly and watched a few of the cons as they walked by. He waited and motioned for them to follow. He went down the hall then stopped at the door. He hesitated and entered the code to let them in.

He stepped back and Optimus smiled ever so slightly before going inside. Knockout stood by the door as a few went inside, while the others remained in the hallway to guard them. Optimus hesitated as he walked over to the deathly still form, laying against the wall on the floor. He crouched down and gently brushed some hair out of the man's face. It was indeed Ironhide. He was beaten pretty bad and he couldn't tell if the officer was alive.

"Ironhide..." Optimus said but didn't get a response. He checked for a pulse but couldn't find one. The room fell silent and the father hung his head.

He'd failed him.

"Sir.... we can't stay here." An officer said quietly. Knockout hung his head and clenched his fists tightly. Why didn't he come back to save the man when he could?

Optimus nodded slowly as he fought back tears. He felt horrible and didn't know how to tell Chromia.

"We'll... take... the body with us." He muttered and bowed his head. The other men looked at the floor as they had a moment of silence.

"Who.... ya calling.... a body?" Optimus looked up quickly and stared at his friend in surprise. Ironhide smiled weakly as he barely opened his eyes.

"You're alive." He breathed and a tear fell down his face.

"Will... to live..." he rasped weakly as he tried to move.

"No stay put." Optimus said seriously and had his men make a stretcher out of what they could find. They carefully set the man on it and tied him down so he didn't fall off.

"Took.... ya.... long enough...." he rasped and coughed for a moment.

"Let's get you home." Optimus said as he gently gripped his hand. The man smiled slightly and closed his eyes.

"Home..." he rasped and a tear fell down his face. "Chromia...." he whispered weakly as he faded again. They quickly moved out of the room and headed to the elevator.

~

Heatwave grunted as Shockwave punched him again. The con had found a pipe and was hitting him with it. His younger brother was doing his best to avoid it and protect himself. He was having a hard time staying up at this point. The firefighter hit the wall then fell to his knees as he panted heavily. He wiped the blood from his mouth and narrowed his eyes.

"This is illogical brother." Shockwave said seriously as he caught his breath. "Fighting me won't stop what is inevitable." He said and walked towards him.

"Are you willing to kill your own brother?" Heatwave growled angrily as he fought back tears. Shockwave stopped suddenly and stared at him blankly. The air was still and tense for a moment.

"If it achieves my purpose... yes." He said coldly and raised the pipe again.

Heatwave glared at him as he clutched his side. He couldn't believe his brother was willing to kill him. They kept eye contact as the con raised the pipe higher than hesitated. Someone slammed into him and he stumbled to the side then fell to the ground. The firefighter looked up in surprise at the engineer.

"I was wondering if you needed help." Boulder said as he smiled slightly and held his hand out. Heatwave smirked ever so slightly and let the man help him up.