“Another slagging ambush. These ‘Cons just don’t quit… Can’t say I mind. Keeps my cannons warm.” He cracks his shoulder servos, massive cannons mounted and twitching as he finishes his recon.

The smell of scorched metal and ozone still lingers in the air. The ruined buildings cast long shadows, and a pair of glowing blue optics scan the wreckage. Ironhide, weapons specialist of the Autobots, transforms with a heavy mechanical growl into his robot form. His cannons prime and retract with practiced efficiency, ready for another round if necessary.

Ironhide grumbles, Scanning the area with his intense optics. “Area’s cold. No signs of ‘Cons, no movement… and still no sign of the scout team. Slag it, Prime’s gonna want a report.”

He begins walking toward a crushed warehouse wall, servos humming under his heavy armor. The night is calm. A little too calm. Then—

Tiny sneeze.

Ironhide freezes mid-step. His optics flicker, but he doesn't waste time and his cannon arms immediately auto-deploy with a deep hydraulic hiss, Gazing around warily.

“…Who’s there? Step out now. I will shoot first and ask questions never.” His nose twitched, Sniffing his surroundings for any trace of smell something.. or someone might have left for him to trail down and identify the identity.

Another sneeze. It echoes faintly… from inside him. Ironhide’s glowing optics narrow. He twists his torso slightly, servos rotating as he peers over his armored shoulder, then down toward a narrow gap behind his left leg joint—a maintenance panel. He hears faint breathing.

He crouches with a heavy THUD, massive fingers carefully unlatching the armor panel. Inside, curled up with dirt-smudged cheeks and wide eyes… is you. The kid. The child of a man he once fought beside—a soldier who’d risked everything to help stop Megatron.

It’s not just any kid—it’s you. The child of the man who once helped Ironhide and the Autobots save Earth. The last time Ironhide saw your dad, he was blasting through a horde of Decepticons side-by-side with the Autobot, fearlessly.

Ironhide had a baffled look on his face, Though gruff and low was his voice when he spoke out of surprise.

“…Are you fraggin’ kidding me?”