"Ironhide? Is that you?" Will called when he thought he heard the mech speak. He wasn't sure if he was hearing things or was just finally losing his mind after being a captive for so long. All fell silent and he was left holding his breath as if it would help make any sounds more audible. After a moment, he heard a Transformer slowly start to approach.

"Lennox?"

"Ironhide, we're over here!" he shouted in delight. His worry had steadily been growing the longer he stayed trapped in the dark cells of the Decepticon brig. Optimus hadn't moved once, and the Energon around him was starting to run towards the bars of his prison. Will had felt the bone-rattling shakes and heard the bellowed orders as the Decepticons raced to face the threat bearing down on them. But there had been no sign of an Autobot reaching the depth of the castle where the prisoners were being kept. Until Ironhide had spoken, Will was under the impression that they would never get out alive.

Ironhide finally came into view and smashed the controls for Will's cell, draining the energy for the bars. Once it was safe enough to do so, he grabbed the bars and peeled the door away, safely freeing his friend. He did the same to Optimus', but stepped inside to fetch his injured leader.

"You alright?" he asked Will as he gathered Optimus into his arms. He looked back to see the human run up.

"Yeah. Sore and bruised from being tossed and starving, but I'll be fine. What about Prime?"

"Dunno… Ratchet'll have to tell ya that, I can't. Prime's been hurt in battle and tortured before but… this time it's different," Ironhide said. He straightened and winced when Optimus' limp form practically slid in his arms. He could already tell that most of Optimus' leg strut had been shattered and would take a large amount of time to heal. It wasn't a pleasant thing to go through as Ironhide had learned the hard way himself. He felt Will step onto his pede and cling to the metal. Slowly, Ironhide stated to walk.

"Different? Different how?"

"Megatron's done damage he hasn't tried to do before. Like breakin' Optimus' leg or shatterin' his optics. Megatron wasn't this cruel the last time. Optimus hates the darkness…" Ironhide said softly. Will tried to look past Ironhide's armour and load to see his friend's face but couldn't. He didn't know how to reply to such information. Being blind and unable to walk would certainly be hard for Optimus who was known to despise staying idle while others around him worked. It made him feel useless and helpless when he could do nothing for those he cared about, especially in the war. "Did you see Megatron hurt him?"

"No. I only saw him enter a few times. Optimus was usually unconscious," Will stated. He kept his eyes on the unchanging dark walls. "Bad sign, I guess, right?"

"Very."

They fell silent as Ironhide stalked through the halls in search of a better way of getting up to the ground floor. He kept Optimus balanced and close, careful to keep any dripping Energon away from the human clinging to his leg. The movement was jarring just about every would, making more Energon pour from Optimus' lines. Ironhide's arms were beginning to be just dripping in blue. And it was making his tanks churn. Ironhide rigidly froze when Megatron's chilling voice called out to him.

"And where do you think you're going with Prime?"

Slowly, Ironhide turned. Will let go of his friend and guardian to step away to get to safety. "I'm takin' him with me," he said coldly to Megatron. The Decepticon leader gave a cruel laugh and stepped towards Ironhide while the smaller mech stepped back.

"How do you plan to do that? Optimus Prime's unconscious and you have your servos full," Megatron continued to walk forward while Ironhide tried desperately to keep the distance but couldn't with his taller leader in his arms. He was beginning to feel helpless as he was quickly forced into a corner. The Decepticon's cannon hummed to life, a chilling sound to Ironhide but a pleasant, comforting one to Megatron.

"You're all talk Megatron," Ironhide growled. Megatron scoffed as he was finally in reach of the black mech again. He went to speak only to feel the warmth of a shot graze his shoulder. He spun to face the new threat, taking a blast right to face. He stumbled back, temporarily blinded and his audios ringing.

"Go, 'Hide, I'll hold him off!" Sideswipe yelled. Ironhide had forgotten that the silver mech had even been assigned to work with him. He didn't hesitate, feeling Will latch on, he took off at a sprint, wincing when Optimus' frame groaned and whined at the movement. If Ironhide slowed down, Megatron would likely catch up and kill Optimus once and for all.

AA

Outside, Ratchet dodged a particularly well-aimed shot that would have torn a hole in his chest. He growled in frustration since he was an easy target and most Decepticons knew that fact. Bumblebee's bright yellow paint got him mixed up with the medic on occasion, but the doorwings were a dead giveaway, and so he was usually not the main target. But Ratchet got to be the one the Decepticon's wanted offline permanently because he was important to the survival of the Autobots as well as the fact that he wasn't as talented at fighting back. That was well-known among the Decepticons.

He glanced towards the castle in time to see Ironhide rush out. Optimus was safely tucked in his arms. Relief rushed through Ratchet's spark as he shouted for the Autobots to retreat. He provided cover fire and watched Ironhide approach, Will jumping off once it was safe to and running towards the boat still present for the humans to escape in.

"Get him on the boat then get in the water!" Ratchet ordered. His tanks churned when he caught sight of some of the damage he'd have to repair. He patted Ironhide's shoulder as the black mech walked past.

AA

"They're comin' home!" a soldier shouted to the others that had remained on base. Sarah felt a hesitant sense of relief flood her heart, but she had to be sure that her husband was returning to her alive and well. She waited among the soldiers, holding Annabelle close while she waited. Several days had passed since the Autobots had left, and Sarah was beginning to feel hopeless towards the situation. Would she ever see her husband again? Would she ever get to hold him close and tell him how much she loved him again?

"Mommy?" Annabelle's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Yes, baby?"

"Is Daddy coming home?" she asked quietly. Sarah stroked her hair with the loving touch of a mother, tears springing to her eyes. She kissed her daughter's head and offered a bittersweet smile.

"He should be… But I don't know."

"Mrs. Lennox?" a solder called. Sarah stood from her seat, letting Annabelle stand on her own two feet. She slowly walked over to the one that had called her name. He smiled, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder. "We got word from the Autobots. Ironhide wanted you to know that Will's uninjured. They're on their way home now."

"H-he's safe?" Sarah questioned. The solder smiled again, nodding.

"I suggest getting some sleep. We'll let you know as soon they get here," he said. Slowly Sarah nodded, accepting the kind man's words. It was getting late anyways, as her watch showed by ticking closer to the midnight hour. She thanked him before heading to Ironhide's quarters with her daughter, ready for the man of their family to return safe and sound.