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Bound and Broken-Homecoming P1

Deviation Actions

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Homecoming Part I
"Prowl, don't do this!" Ratchet pleaded, the medic trying to get a look at the mech behind him through his damaged optic as he limped along. Ironhide's strong arms kept ushering his bonded along with the usual prods of Decepticon rifles to their backs.
Prowl kept his voice silent and his optics downcast as he held the weakly thrashing Jazz in his arms. The undamaged black and white had been escorted to each of their cells by Barricade and informed the prisoners that they would be returning to Autobot territory immediately for recovery and medical evacuation.
He had also, in an almost casual tone, informed them that he would be staying behind as payment for his companion's freedom.
To say they were horrified was an understatement. They all protested loudly in the halls until they were silenced by brute force, which Prowl did not object to. Barricade loomed behind Prowl like a wicked puppet master controlling his innocent victim, and as the other Autobots all but begged Prowl not to do this, that he would be killed and worse, he simply kept restating that 'This is for the better, anyway.' Prowl explained that he had done nothing but cause suffering to the Autobots and that his skills as a tactician were miniscule and could quite easily be replaced.  Barricade occasionally contributed to the tactician's refusal to return with them, telling the Autobots that this was where Prowl belonged anyway.
The only time during their long trek to the exit of the fortress that the Datsun had shown any emotional response was when the Saleen behind him didn't take a comment made by Jazz very well.
"Y-You si-ick bastard…"the Porsche wheezed from panic and depleted energy, "H-he don-n't want ya and ya kno-ow it! L-leave him alo-one!" The tiny grin that had played upon the Decepticon's lips all this time was immediately wiped away and a snarl taking its place. "Wretched little whore!" Barricade reached around Prowl to slap Jazz hard across his faceplates. Prowl whipped his head around to glare at his ex-bondmate with heated anger, so much so that Barricade actually stood down.
As they reached the light of the exit, the Autobots began squirming uncomfortably; both Sideswipe and Sunstreaker looked back at the Datsun regretfully, Skye's wings quivered to and fro, and Red Alert simply twitched.
Ratchet leaned heavily on Ironhide, resting his weight in the weapon specialist's arms. "This doesn't make sense…" Ratchet muttered quietly, drawing his bonded's attention, "They capture us all just to let us go?"
Ironhide's engine rumbled darkly as he mulled Ratchet's words over,'not all'a us…' he thought but didn't dare to say.  "That's a 'Con's mind for ya."
Next to them, Skye's arms tightened around Blaster's stereo form to the point where they could hear Blaster's armor cracking. With Ratchet's help, they had managed to transform the unresponsive mech to make it easier to transport him within Skye's cockpit.
Behind them, Soundwave had reappeared once more, only to silently stalk behind the group; red visor glowing ominously in the dark corridor that was slowly becoming brighter.
The exit yielded a steep slope to the desert below causing the injured Autobots to internally groan; all of their legs had been purposely cut to restrict movement, which would make this hard for them to trek. Jazz and Blaster were lucky to be carried.
The prodding encouragements of the purple-marked soldiers behind them forced their start. Of all the Autobots, Red Alert seemed to be having the hardest time; so much so that Bluestreak ceased his hovering over the defiant Smokescreen to assist the security mech. Ironhide, seeing how Ratchet was having trouble with standing, let alone walking, saw fit to sweep his bonded up into his arms.
Jazz continued to protest as they descended onto the flat, not giving up his attempts to escape Prowl's grip. "S-stop! Do-on't!" He cried desperately.
Desperate. They all were desperate for themselves and each other.
They all eventually reached the flat of the desert on shaky and hesitant legs; all looking at each other nervously.
The Decepticons watched from the rise as the wounded group of Autobots converged around Prowl and Jazz.
"P-Prowler, ple-ease, don' do this…" Jazz cried out brokenly, tears finally erupting at the realization that this was actually happening.
The Datsun smiled grimly, "I'm sorry, Jazz, I have to. You'll all die if you stay."
A sob wracked the saboteur, "B-but He'll k-kill ya if ya l-leave yourself with him…"
Prowl shuttered his optics halfway, looking around at the others, "My only concern is the safety of you and the others."
"Prowl, please, we-" Sideswipe started.
"I-I wanna s-stay with you!" Jazz broke out, interrupting the red twin.
It was a surprise to all of them when the Datsun let put a humorless laugh, smiling down at the broken saboteur. "You stupid 'bot, have you been listening to me at all? I would never ask that of you."
"Well, I ain't a-askin'!"
Prowl ignored his mate and turned to the other Autobots, "Transform, the lot of you." With glances at each other, they silently obeyed; turning themselves away from the Decepticon base and the two spark-broken mechs.
In a hushed whisper, Prowl continued, "I also can't ask you to forgive me, Jazz, for everything I've caused, but… you're more dear to me than my own life; I love you," The last part of that sentence was spoken softer than the rest."And that's why I have to let you go."
"No!" Jazz cried, his distress escalating with every passing moment.
Prowl's smile widened, but not through elation,"You were better off without me anyways. Just look what I got you into…some bonded I am…"
The Autobot's engines revved to life as Jazz tried to muffle a sob, "Prowl…" The Porsche's once beautiful, baritone voice was choked with unbridled emotion. Prowl memorized that lovely face, only wishing Jazz was sporting his lovely trademark smile and the tears and cracks in that usually bright visor were gone.
"Goodbye, Jazz." He leaned down and brought his mate up a little to place a kiss on the black helm. Skillfully, Prowl slithered his hand up to the wounded neck joint and slipped his fingers around a power line. Jazz realized what the tactician was doing and fought like he saw Unicron, "No! Don't!"
"I'll remember you…" With a swift tug, the line popped out of its port; Jazz froze before going completely limp.
Smokescreen spoke up from his vehicle mode, "Prowl, what are you-?!"
"I've convinced Barricade to release you all; you're free to make it to the border of Autobot territory. Optimus has been contacted and will meet you there with help to get you back home." Prowl droned automatically, not looking up from Jazz's face.
"What about you?" Ironhide's voice actually was drenched with emotion- anguish more than anything.
Prowl's optics shuttered entirely, taking in a shaking breath, "I am home."
Sideswipe's engine revved in protest, "Prowl, no! You-!"
Prowl was apparently not very keen on the idea of letting anyone finish their sentences, for he interrupted yet again. "Ratchet, can you manage?" He asked the silent medic softly, holding out the knocked out saboteur.
"Yeah, sure," Ratchet opened his back door, allowing Jazz inside. "Y…You're serious about this?" Sacrifice was not unheard of in the Autobot army; every 'bot made sacrifices at one time or another, but Ratchet had never seen one like this- A Decepticon bartering away eleven prisoners to obtain one, not for information or value, but for a twisted idea of affection? Ratchet feared for Prowl, he didn't want to leave the mech in the hands of another so deranged and mad.
Prowl nodded, his classic stoic expression claiming his face, "I am. Please go, you all need repairs." Once Jazz was safely tucked inside Ratchet, Prowl reached for the door but paused for a moment to take one last look at his bonded with pained optics. Closing them, he shut the door and stepped back from the convoy.
"…Brother…" Bluestreak whined. If the young gunner had been in bipedal form, he would no doubt be shaking as yet another important person in his life left him.
Prowl mustered the tone of voice he used on the twins whenever they did something stupid, "That's an order." Whether he was choosing to stay or not did not make his rank any less powerful. Even if it was his last order.
It was enough for them to at least honor the command, or perhaps they treated it like a final request, regardless, the Autobots revved their engines and took off at a moderate speed so the wounded could keep up easily. Prowl watched them go, silently praying to Primus that they all made it back to the Ark safely…
Cycling a breath of air to calm his systems, he bid them a muttered farewell as footsteps sounded behind him. A black pair of arms slithered around his waist and a helm nuzzled at his neck, but Prowl did not respond, trying to force back the memories.
"There now, you got what you wanted," Prowl's hands tightened at that soft, deceptively gentle voice "Now for what I get in return…"
The Datsun only held up for a mere moment before he forcibly relaxed and put his own white hands over the claws; utterly surrendering.
He could feel Barricade grin against his neck cables, "That's better." Barricade left his throat to kiss the former tactician's cheek-plate, "Welcome home, dear one."
Barricade didn't notice the trickle on fluids down the opposite side of Prowl's face.
-   -   -
Optimus Prime stood at the border of Autobot territory scanning the horizon for dark silhouettes, around him, the other soldiers murmured quietly amongst themselves, not daring to make any loud noises. For what reason, he did not know.
Two hours ago, He had received a private communiqué from Soundwave. The Decepticon had not let him even speak, simply stating that Barricade was releasing the injured Autobots and that they would need assistance at the border to make it home. He also quickly stated that Prowl would not be among them as he was staying as payment. With that, the screen had gone blank, leaving the commander speechless. After he had fought back his shock and anger enough for his to regain control of his body functions he gathered a team and disembarked from their base.
Now he stood with barely bridled emotion which emanated from him, making the others stand away from him. Perceptor and Wheeljack were standing close to one another; probably trying to mask their conjoined hands, which wasn't going so well. Mirage stood with hands on Bumblebee's shoulders, both not speaking or moving. Hound and Trailbreaker were conversing quietly with grimaces and frowns, as were Beachcomber and Hoist. The Dinobots stood impatiently behind them all, waiting for the return of their co-creator; though their true purpose for being there was in case the Decepticons decided to try something…
Although, with his current anger, Optimus would have been more than willing to rip apart one of those purple-marked heathens, for all they had done to his soldiers; the trauma, the pain and humiliation…
Oh! How he wanted to punch something with all his strength! To be rid of all this tense anger and the overwhelming feeling of uselessness! He should have done something sooner; attacked the opposing base and retrieve the imprisoned mechs, bring them back to where they would be safe away from that maniac Barricade! Instead, he had let his friends walk into a living Hell, where only Primus knows what was happening to them; death? Torture?
Optimus suppressed a shudder as visions of blood and gore danced across his mind; not noticing a shout behind him. In fact, he didn't snap out of his thoughts until Hound laid a hand on his shoulder, causing him to jolt and reach for his rifle.
"Uh, you ok, sir?" Hound looked at him with concern.
Optimus cycled a breath of cool morning air and nodded slowly, "Yes, yes…" Letting his tense grip ease slightly, he looked over the equally discomforted green scout.
Hound removed his hand and pointed to the far distance, "Perce just spotted ten bots, coming in slow at ten o'clock."
The commander stiffened involuntarily even though he had been anticipating this since they arrived at the border.
They all watched in silence as the dark blots on the horizon became more idiosyncratic, revealing the lost and missing Autobots, some damaged, others not.
The convoy slowed down from its already slow speed to a complete stop before their comrades, having no more strength to move. Ratchet and Skye relieved themselves of their charges before shifting back into their bipedal forms, as the rest had already done, and they were immediately swarmed by their teammates and helped to the ground.
Wheeljack and Perceptor fussed over Ratchet and Ironhide, mostly trying to repair the medic so he would be able to assist them with the others. Optimus watched as the medic and weapons specialist threw a glare at Wheeljack for some strange reason once Perceptor had rushed to his 'parents'; he also saw Grimlock and the other Dinobots simply standing where they were before, only now more relaxed and at ease. Mirage and Bumblebee raced to Jazz's side, horrified at their commander's state and babbling reassurances to the barely conscious mech. Blaster's cassettes, who had been left behind in the Ark that fateful day the stereo had left on his break, rushed to Skye; despairing as they saw the condition of their creator. Hound assisted Red Alert in carrying the limping Inferno to them while Ratchet had plenty of help making his way to the others. Smokescreen managed to move on his own, though that didn't stop Bluestreak from walking by him to make sure. Since Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were bickering about nothing in particular, everyone assumed they were fine without actually hearing what they were arguing about.
A lone pair of optics looked over the returned Autobots with a mix of bittersweet joy and anguish as they noticed that not all who left had returned.
Optimus regarded his tortured soldiers sadly before closing his optics and looking away as it became all too painful for him. "Autobots, get the wounded situated; prepare to roll for home…"
He turned away from the sight, only to be halted by a weak call of his designation. He turned to see Jazz, struggling past Mirage and Bumblebee. "Y-ya can't…l-leave 'im …"
Optimus watched as the damaged mech struggled to stand on his own, quite literally on his last legs. An ache of parental apprehension pulsed through his spark at the sight of his adopted youngling's blood dripping from his once pristine frame. He saved Jazz effort and hurried to his side, taking hold of the Porsche by his arms. "I'm sorry Jazz, we have no choice." He said as softly as possible.  
Jazz snapped his head up, blood dribbling down his neck, "Liar!" His raspy voice even raspier from the abuse he'd suffered. Even with the visor over his optics, Optimus could still feel the glare the saboteur was leveling at him, and he could not say that he didn't deserve it…
"Jazz, you and the others are badly wounded, you need repairs." He attempted to reason, but it utterly failed.
Jazz clenched his dentals, "A-an… what'a 'bout y-you?! Why wo-on't you help 'im?!" Mirage and Bumblebee struggled to keep an even grip on Jazz as he, in turn, struggled against them, trying to get at Optimus.
"Jazz, please, we'll come back for Prowl but everyone needs to be repaired or they'll die!" Bumblebee pleaded. Mirage joined in as he adjusted his grip, "But you are delaying that, Jazz. And if we don't go soon, Ratchet and Blaster may die, as will you…Then who will rescue Prowl?"
Jazz stopped his struggles, and for a moment he was still. But as Optimus attempted to speak, the saboteur began to shudder violently.
Jazz became dead weight, though still online, and almost dropped to the ground, if the three bots hadn't been holding him; the shudders grew more violent until it seemed the mech would simply shake himself apart.
"Wheeljack!" Optimus cried as he lowered Jazz to the ground and lay him on his mostly unharmed back, though both Wheeljack and Perceptor were already running towards them.
The Lancia dropped next to the convulsing mech and helped Optimus hold Jazz down while Perceptor pinpointed the cause of the Porsche's distress. After a quick scan, the scientist forced Jazz's chest plates to open to reveal his spark; which was convulsing and almost stretching this way and that like something inside it was trying to escape.
Perceptor and Wheeljack stared in horror, Optimus shouted to the others to roll out, on the double.
-   -   -
-Meanwhile-
Megatron was not happy. And usually whenever he was unhappy, Starscream was in pain. But not this time. This time; Barricade lay crumpled and bleeding beneath his feet.
The warlord had ruthlessly beaten the Saleen for more than three hours while the rest of the Decepticons had looked on silently out of fear of being harmed themselves. Prowl was watching on as well, being held by Thundercracker and Skywarp in grips loosened by awe; optics half-shuttered and uninterested, but he watched and suppressed a smirk. 'Nothing short than what he deserves.' He couldn't help but think bitterly.
"You stupid, little ingrate! Did you honestly think I wouldn't find out about your little get-together?!" Megatron growled as he delivered a particularly vicious kick to the Saleen's abdomen. "What do you have to say?!"
Barricade coughed up a bit of blood before looking up at his leader, "I was just reclaiming what was mine by any means necessary, my lord."
Megatron snarled and grabbed the black mech by his neck cabling and hauled him upward until they were face to face, "And what makes you think I'll allow you to keep him?!" He gestured for Prowl, who was brought roughly forth by the two seekers, "By capturing the Autobot's third, you've guaranteed their return for his rescue!"
"Scared of a few Autobots, Megatron?" Starscream mocked from his perch in the rafters with the cassetticons and the coneheads.
The warlord, however, was not in the mood to deal with disobedience at the moment. With a glare that could kill, Megatron hoisted his cannon and shot his Air Commander square in the chest, much to Prowl's surprise, before turning back to Barricade. Starscream screeched and squawked as he flailed on the floor, but the rest of the Decepticons ignored him.
The Saleen calmly began speaking again, "He is the offense tactician, my lord, imagine what plans he has stored in his memory banks! He could very well be our key to victory!"
Megatron did not respond and appeared to be mulling it over. Prowl quickly interjected, "I will never betray the Autobots! There's nothing you can do to make me talk!"
Barricade leered at the Datsun, "Or so you think, my dear." Prowl did not like the way he said that, nor how long Megatron had been silently thinking.
After a moment, the warlord narrowed his optics, tilting his head to the side while keeping his vision locked on the restrained Autobot, "Soundwave!"
The blue stereo didn't have to be a telepath to know what his master wanted. "Autobot Prowl: contains vital information. Advisement: detain and extract valuable knowledge."
Megatron snorted and reached over to grab Prowl by the chin and brought both he and Barricade closer to him. "Well, Barricade it seems like your little escapade has both cost and benefited us."
He glanced over to the monitor, where Laserbeak had a firm visual on the retreating Autobots.
"You had better hope they balance out."
Since I dont know how long it will take for me to finish part two, here's part one!
...-Has/Tak
© 2010 - 2024 grey-ghostfreak
Comments8
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GoldstarXD2015's avatar
:3
That
was
so
cool.

I loved it so much. Also, I will send a link to one of my fics. I think it could use some improvement.