A/N

Alright, I know I haven't worked on this a while but suddenly, in an amazing fit a creativity, I pictured almost the entire story for this. Some strange things are going to happen but first things first…something you never wanted to hear…

Chapter 6

"You'll never catch me at this rate, Optimus!"

Sentinel raced ahead with Optimus attempting to stay in range. Putting a few solar cycles between their last arguments, they were on friendlier terms once more. Something still haunted Optimus, but he refused to bring it up, believing it would fade. As assumed, it began to disappear. Sentinel challenged as race home. Optimus only joined in after Sentinel began running too far out in front.

"Sentinel, slow down!" Optimus called.

Sentinel glanced back, a wide smile on his face. It was something of a child's. Optimus felt a memory flash before him but it came and gone before he could grasp it. He watched Sentinel round the corner into their alley way. Optimus slowed to a jog, expecting Sentinel to gloat soon enough. He didn't look back around, as he often did when he when. He would look around the corner and laugh, calling out that he'd won once more.

"Sentinel?" whispered Optimus.

No answer.

"Sentinel!" cried Optimus, running quickly.

Rounding the corner, Optimus found Sentinel standing halfway into the alley. Both hands were clenched into fists. Optimus looked past Sentinel to find their living quarters in shambles. Their supplies were gone. Their shelter destroyed. Everything was gone. Optimus felt a pain in his spark that was all too familiar. He looked over at Sentinel. His friend was so still, barely moving. Then suddenly he snapped.

"I see you! You rotten frag!"

Sentinel leapt from his position and toward a wall. A top the wall was a small bot of fragile stature. He looked at Sentinel with wide eyes. In his mouth were some of the food supplies. Optimus gasped as the young bot jumped from the wall and ran toward the road. Sentinel attempted to follow. He was expecting an objection.

"Let go of me, Optimus!"

With optics closed, Optimus held Sentinel back. The angry blue bot howled in disbelief. Optimus kept quiet, holding him back. Sentinel screamed. The younger bot was fading into the distant, nothing more than a shadow. Sentinel slammed his foot against his objector's side. Optimus groaned. He also released.

"Sentinel no!" Optimus called after as Sentinel darted for the road.

"What is your problem? You're helping that wench!" Sentinel hissed, stopping.

"He's only hungry…" Optimus assured, standing beside him.

"So are we!" shouted Sentinel.

"Would you want anyone to feel as we do?" Optimus whispered.

"Shut up!" ordered Sentinel.

What happened next…happened too fast. There was something that howled. Sentinel didn't realize what was happening; only that Optimus had pushed him back far enough for him to land beside the building. He didn't realize he'd shut his optics. When he hoped them he was horrified. There had been a truck coming. A truck aimed for him. But hit Optimus instead.

"Optimus!"