The rest of the week went by and the weekend rolled around. The Autobots invited their freshmen friends to the Galaxy City Mall to hang out.
It was Wheeljack, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee and the three freshmen sat together at the food court.
"So how was your first week guys?" Arcee asked.
"Pretty good. It could've been better mind you, y'know with all the scrap that went down, but it was cool. The school is great." Jack replied.
"Yeah, I agree with Jack. I had fun." Raf added.
"Me too! This is the best school in the world! Trust me guys. The Autobots will win the faction war, and I'll help out!" Miko exclaimed.
Bulkhead chuckled. "Glad to hear that Miko."
Miko smiled even wider. The other Autobots smiled back. Arcee leaned over the side of the table when she saw Chromia walking through the food court. She was walking alongside a tall boy with red hair and wore a silver jacket.
"Hey! Chromia! Ironhide!" Arcee waved.
The couple turned towards the other Autobots and they smiled as hey walked over to their table.
"Yo Ironhide!" Wheeljack exclaimed as he raised his hand. The other boy smiled and they high fived. Then the one called Ironhide turned and did the same with Bulkhead.
"What's up guys?" He greeted. "Who're these kids? Freshmen?"
"Yeah. Ironhide meet the freshmen we were guides for. Jack, Miko, and Raf. Guys, meet Irvin Hides. Or as the OG Wrecker, Ironhide." Bulkhead explained.
"Nice to meet you kids." Ironhide said.
"Nice to see you guys." Chromia greeted.
"What're you two doing here?" Bumblebee asked.
"Shopping...well actually I'm shopping and he's going to be my mule for the day." Chromia replied. "He lost a bet."
"Wait, are you two together?" Miko asked.
Chromia wrapped her arms around Ironhide's. "Yep. Me and him."
Ironhide smiled at her. "Yeah. Me and you."
The two kissed.
"Wow. You two." Wheeljack said. "Man, Optimus and Elita are so shy."
"Speaking of Optimus, Chromia told me that you guys saw him. She explained to me that he was bad shape. And the Cons did it. Frag them. One of these days they're gonna get what's coming to them. Hopefully, I'll be the one to do it." Ironhide spoke. "You don't fragging poison a fellow student and just get away with it."
The Autobots nodded at his words.
Chromia rested her head on Ironhide's shoulder with a huge smile one her face, before waving goodbye to their fellow students and leaving.
It was the following Wednesday when Optimus returned to school. He came into the with his body weight hefted up on crutches. His right leg was in a thick cast. Another noticeable difference was his face. His cheeks were slightly sunken in and there were dark lines under his eyes. Speaking of his eyes, which were normally bright and full of life now looked tired and hollow. They were also filled with sadness.
Optimus took the elevator up to the third floor, and when he arrived the Autobots all clapped as he passed by them.
Optimus did his best to smile at them.
"H-hey! If it ain't Oppie Prime! Dude, you look like you went to hell and back!" A dark skinned boy with blue sunglasses and headphones greeted. It was Jay Zeer. Autobot faction name Jazz.
Optimus nodded. "You're not too far off actually Jazz."
"Heh. C'mon Boss cheer up! You're outta the hospital!" Jazz exclaimed as Optimus continued on past him.
Optimus continued on towards the elevator that would take him to the fourth floor, but was met by Ultra Magnus.
"Welcome back Optimus. Good to see you up and about on your feet...or rather foot." Ultra Magnus greeted.
"Yeah, it's good to see you as well Magnus. Now, sorry but I'm gonna have to ask you to excuse me. I've got to get to class, and considering that I currently have a limited range of motion, it is necessary for me to get there as soon as possible." Optimus replied as he continued on.
Optimus was almost at the elevator when several calls came from behind him.
"Optimus!"
He turned around to see Wheeljack, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee, and Ratchet alongside the three freshmen running towards him.
"Optimus! You're back!" Bulkhead exclaimed happily.
"It's good to see you Optimus." Arcee greeted.
"Glad to know you're doing okay." Jack added.
"Optimus. Are you okay? I see you have a broken leg but what about your concussion?" Ratchet asked.
Optimus lifted his hand up to his head. "There're still side effects. Headaches and what not. I'll be fine don't worry. Now, excuse me I have to get to the fourth floor."
Optimus pushed past the other students and continued on to the elevator.
Optimus took out his Matrix Pass and was about to swipe it in the slot when he heard Elita calling him.
"Optimus!...Oppie!...Orion wait!" Elita called as she ran up to him. "You never told me that you were let out of the hospital. In fact, for the past week you haven't called or anything. I've been worried. How are you you?"
Optimus looked at her. "Sorry, I've had other things on my mind lately. I just wanted to be alone for while."
"Well, there's nothing wrong with that I suppose, but you could have told me that over the phone. "Hey, Ellen! I'm doing fine and I'm out of the hospital! Oh, but don't come over. I need some me time!" Was doing that really so hard?" Elita replied.
Optimus shook his head as the bell rang.
"Sorry again." He said as he swiped his pass and entered the elevator. "I'll talk to you later Elita."
When the doors closed Elita was still standing in front of them. She had never seen him so broken down and distant like that before. It was nowhere near his usual self. It was more like a hollowed out shell version of him.
What was wrong with Optimus Prime?
So Optimus is back, but what could possibly be wrong with him?
Let me know what you think! Comment and review!(do you guys think we can hit 70?)