(Please see all previous disclaimers)
As Lancex left the base and headed out with his sword back in his hand, he ran into two familiar though not necessarily welcome Autobots. Well, he didn't see them, but they spotted him and followed him as he headed off. They continued following him until they reached a random clearing in the woods outside of the citadel.
Upon reaching the clearing, Lancex stopped and turned around before pointedly asking "why do you follow me?" He was not happy with either bot it seemed.
"I want you to stop hanging around Optimus" Ultra Magnus demanded, expecting his words to force compliance like they usually did.
"And why should I listen to your arrogant aft?" Lancex asked, not liking where this was headed.
"You are unworthy of being his mate. Only I am worthy, as I have watched over him since his days in the academy. He is deserving of a high officer mate, not a lowly swordsman such as yourself" Ultra Magnus arrogantly claimed. That really did not sit right with Lancex. Bots should get to choose or so Lancex felt. Sentinel was caught off guard as the ultra had never indicated this before.
"And has Optimus ever returned these feelings or even indicated he felt such a way?" Lancex asked pointedly.
"Well, no, but he wouldn't dare turn down being bonded to the Ultra. He would grow to accept it" Ultra Magnus replied.
"So you don't actually care what he wants, you just care what is in it for you?" Lancex charged.
"I will do and give anything and everything to make sure he would be happy with me" Magnus angrily answered.
"Sure, you can try, but what happens when he doesn't return your feelings, doesn't want what you offer and is miserable. Would you ever let him be truly happy?" Lancex rebutted. He was rightfully disgusted by what he had just heard.
Ultra Magnus initially did not respond to the accusation, instead ordering Sentinel to prepare his weapon for battle. Sentinel did as asked as ultra Magnus finally said, "We will fight you, and once we defeat you, Optimus will be mine and you will go as a consolation prize to Sentinel and be his mate." Lancex was livid, as was Ryu. True, Ryu wasn't exactly fond of Optimus or Grimlock, but these two buffoons had crossed a line even the dinobot respected. And with that, the fighting commenced. Who would come out on top was anyone's guess.