Chapter 19

"A rematch?"

Optimus stood in awe at Sentinel. They hadn't made it more than halfway to the barracks before Sentinel finally stated his request. Both still had in their possession the training weapons, probably due to Warpath's carelessness. Optimus had been thinking about the strong feeling he had after beating Sentinel in the match. It must be the feeling he has every day. Sentinel stopped suddenly, turning around and ordered a rematch.

"Yes, a rematch, you idiot!" howled Sentinel. "Now!"

"Now?"

"Must you repeat everything I say!" snapped Sentinel, activating his lance.

"Sentinel, we're not allowed to activate our weapons outside of the training room," mumbled Optimus.

"So stop me," he smiled. "C'mon, stop me."

"Sentinel, please. Not now…"

"No…now is perfect!"

With that Sentinel lunged forward.

"You should've seen it sir! Blue lunged in but the kid was like SWISH and dodged it and turned back and BLAM!"

Ultra Magnus sighed, looking out the window of his office in an attempt to ignore Warpath's description of the battle between Optimus and Sentinel. The commander was getting into the battle story, waving his arms and practically dancing around the office. Ultra Magnus gave another sigh, hoping that the officer wouldn't break anything this time.

"Maybe I should've chosen Kup for this training group," he hummed quietly.

"But the Energon ax, sir, it works perfectly for him. Only bot that'd chose such a stupid weapon though," shrugged Warpath.

"Interesting," shrugged Ultra Magnus, turning away from the window.

Just before he turned completely away from the window, Ultra Magnus caught something in the corner of his optic. A bright flash of light shimmered and faded quickly. He stopped his turn, watching the space for the returning light. The glow returned and faded once more. Ultra Magnus frowned, turning away again. Warpath looked at the commander, quite confused.

"It seems you forgot to reclaim some weapons for the trainees," mumbled Ultra Magnus.

"Scrap…"

"Get going!" he ordered loudly.

Optimus continued to block Sentinel's attacks. The Energon ax wasn't designed for blocking attacks though. The best he could do was using it to hook the lance and jump back. It was like a sudden fire of fury, each blow growing stronger against him. The more Optimus dodged, the angrier Sentinel seemed to get. He simply couldn't understand.

"Sentinel, just calm down!" gasped Optimus.

"Why…wouldn't…you…fight me!" shouted Sentinel.

Using his shield, Sentinel rammed Optimus into the nearest wall. Optimus gasped, choking on the Energon trying to escape the broken internal parts. Sentinel kept Optimus pinned, pressing harder and harder. Optimus couldn't move. Every part of him hurt. Eventually his ax fell from his hand and onto the ground. Sentinel smiled.

"Sentinel…" choked Optimus.

"Sentinel!"

A heavy slam to the head forced Sentinel to release Optimus and stumble to the side. Optimus collapsed. Holding his side, Optimus glanced over at whatever knocked Sentinel to the side. Elita stood, knees shaking, and optics wide with one of the oil buckets nearby. She stared at Sentinel like he was a strange beast. Optimus groaned, staggering to his feet and, standing beside Elita, patted her on the back. She looked over at him, optics still wide.

"It's…okay…" he panted.

"What was he doing? Are you okay!" she gasped, dropping the bucket, and grabbing onto his shoulders.

"I'm…" gaped Optimus, but he couldn't finish the sentence before he began choking on Energon.

"You three!"

The two looked over to see Warpath come marching into view. He looked more unpleasant than usually. Eita, still holding onto Optimus, turned back to Sentinel who had already gotten back to his feet. His optics were shadowed over like his mind was barely in reality. Warpath arrived, glaring at each of the three.

"What is going on here?" he howled.

"Nothing!" gaped Sentinel.

"Nothing?" gasped Elita, storming over to Sentinel. "Nothing! You assaulted Optimus, and you could've killed him!"

"Is that true?" grumbled Warpath, glancing to Optimus.

Optimus couldn't respond, holding his mouth to prevent any more Energon from leaking out. Warpath nodded, calling over two nearby soldiers. They came and nodded, taking Optimus to the nearest medic. Sentinel watched them leave, his face completely emotionless and empty. Warpath snarled at Elita, ordering her back to her room. She left in a hurry, after glancing at Sentinel.

"You want you explain yourself?" Warpath snapped.

"Explain what?"

"Oh, I don't know. I suppose how you smashed that kid into a wall, huh?"

"Hmph…"

"You're coming with me."

The rest of the night for Optimus was a blur, with the occasional shot of pain. Overall, he couldn't recall much. Select words or names like damage, chest, Ratchet, and medic. Other than that, Optimus awoke in his berth among the others in the barracks rather confused. It was more so when he realized all the young Autobot trainees watching him. With a groan, Optimus sat up.

"You're alive!"

"What?" Optimus gasped. "Of course I'm alive, why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know…"

Optimus couldn't make out who was arguing with him. All the same it didn't matter. Eventually though, Jazz and Rodimus found their way beside him. Smiles big, they looked at him curiously. Optimus glanced between the two, completely confused.

"So…" hummed Rodimus.

"So?" Optimus repeated.

"What happened!" gaped Rodimus and Jazz.

"Nothing!" gasped Optimus.

"Not what we heard," smirked Jazz. "We heard you and Sentinel went all out on the grounds. You win?"

"I didn't win anything…" mumbled Optimus, glancing away.

"So you say," shrugged Rodimus, leaving the bedside. "I'm goin' to bed."

"So, Optimus," hummed Jazz, standing up. "You and Sentinel ever fight before?"

"Sure…we fight all the time," nodded Optimus.

"Fight as in argue or fight as in battle?"

"A little of both," he shrugged.

"You ever win?"

Optimus hesitated, considering each and every argument and fight. Thinking everything over, Sentinel never lost against Optimus for long. He always found a way to sneak a win and take charge against Optimus's usually passive nature. Elita won sometimes but never Optimus. Looking over to Jazz, Optimus caught the slight smile on his faceplate. He nodded.

"Thought so," he hummed, leaving the bedside.

Sentinel sat, leaned against a wall, awaiting Warpath's return. He was going to be reprimanded somehow, though Warpath had to pass it by Magnus first. Sentinel found that ridiculous. If someone is going to be punished, do it swiftly and immediately for the best lesson. If he ever was the commander of the trainees, that's what he would do. Eventually Warpath came back, optics gleaming. The punishment was chosen. Tomorrow would be a pain.