A/N – I kept trying to write a totally different scene for “Angsty,” but the Auto-Berserk plot bunnies kept attacking. Obviously they’re Decepticon plot bunnies in disguise, sent by Megatron to spy on Red Alert!

x-xxx-x

What am I doing? Red Alert shook his head, trying to work through the confused haze that was drowning his thoughts. His vision wavered; Starscream’s snarling face suddenly snapping back into focus.

What am I doing?! What is he saying – I wouldn’t – I didn’t- Primus, what have I done?!

He couldn’t look up. The Autobots were right there. He could feel Inferno’s gaze, imploring, accusing…

Red Alert stared down the barrel of Megatron’s fusion cannon, fighting down another wave of hysteria. All my fault. This is all my fault! I have to fix this, before everyone pays for my mistakes! He stumbled away from Starscream, crawling into the cockpit of the Negavator. I have to fix this… He stared at the controls, a plan forming.

Below him, Megatron opened his mouth to mock Optimus Prime one last time. Starscream cut him off, staring at Red Alert in consternation. “Hey, he’s messing with the controls!”

I won’t let you hurt them, Megatron, even if it means dying myself. “The Negavator is set to self-destruct.” His optics were on the Decepticons, but his warning was for the Autobots. Please, just run, Red Alert begged them silently. Save yourselves.

The explosion, when it came seconds later, threw him off his feet. He lay there for a long moment, too stunned to move.

The bunker was burning. The fire hadn’t reached him yet, but the heat was intense. Red Alert tried to lever himself to his feet, only to fall back as pain shot through his back and legs.

He bit back a cry of pain. There was too much smoke; he couldn’t see if the others had made it out of not. They made it. They have to have. I saw them scatter – Inferno, please be alright! I never meant to hurt you…

The pain in his head and legs made it hard to focus. It was getting hotter, and the building creaking ominously.

I’m sorry, Inferno. I wish-

“Red!” Inferno’s voice rose over the roaring flames. “Red! Can you hear me?”

No… Why do you have to be so brave?

“Inferno-”

The fire truck charged through the smoke, heedless of the danger. “Red!”

“No, save yourself!”I won’t have you die for me! But Inferno ignored his entreaty, rushing to his side. “I don’t deserve to be an Autobot!” Why can’t he see that? Why is he risking his life for me? I don’t even deserve to live! He couldn’t bring himself to look Inferno in the optics.

Then the heavy pipes across the ceiling gave out with the sound of tearing metal. Red Alert flinched, bracing for the impact of several tons of hot metal.

The impact never came. Red Alert stared in amazement at Inferno as the fire truck crouched protectively over him, deflecting the heavy falling debris.

Thank you, Inferno, for not giving up on me. For coming back for me, for caring… “Thanks,” was all he managed to whisper, but Inferno’s answering grin told him that the fire truck understood what he meant.

“What’re friends for, Red?”