Transformers Prime: Horizons ((ON HOLD))

Chapter 6: Partners

Nitro wanted to tell her that very night, but when he got back, she (and nearly everyone else) was recharging. 'Tomorrow then,' he thought as he went down to his own quarters. He lay awake in his berth, unable to recharge from all of the thoughts swimming through his helm.

- - - - - - -

That morning, Nitro sluggishly made his way to the command room after a very unrestful night. "Something keep you up Nitro? It's nearly noon," Ratchet commented as the warrior walked in. "Couldn't recharge all night," he admitted truthfully. "Do you often have troubles recharging?" Ratchet asked further, not taking his optics off his work. "Not that often," he fibbed slightly, "Why?" Ratchet paused but shook his helm, "Medic habit. Don't forget your shift." Nitro nodded and looked around for Raven; the reason he bothered to get up in the first place.

But the command room was empty and silent other than Ratchet's rhythmic tapping on the console. "Looking for something?" Ratchet asked when he noticed Nitro standing there looking lost. 'Or someone...' He thought right after. Natalie wasn't the only observant one. "Yeah, where is everyone?" Nitro replied. "Kids are at school, Natalie is at work, Optimus went for a drive, Bumblebee, Arcee, and Bulkhead are somewhere in the base, and Raven is mining energon."

Nitro slumped a bit when he realized he'd have to wait even longer, but he nodded and went to find Bee and Bulk to maybe spar or lob to pass the time. Sure enough, the wrecker and scout were sparring on the second floor.

Bulkhead swung at Bumblebee, but he was too quick. As Bee dodged the blow, he was able to put in a few of his own licks. Bulkhead stumbled, recovered, and suddenly turned around and swung. Bumblebee was one second too slow and ended up on the ground. Bulkhead chuckled as he helped Bumblebee up. "You can put up a fight, I'll give you that, but after a while you get predictable," he commented.

Bee started to beep something sarcastic back when he noticed Nitro enter the room. "Can I join in?" He asked. The duo nodded. "Bee, you first since you lost," Bulkhead added, standing back to watch. Bumblebee rolled his optics and faced Nitro. They defensively held up their balled servos and circled each other for a few moments before Bumblebee made the first move.

He attacked Nitro's abdomen with a few swings and Nitro grunted as he took the blows. He then sidestepped and swung at Bee, but Bumblebee turned on him quick enough so that Nitro only hit his arms, which were shielding his chest plates. It was a half hearted swing, mostly because he was going for a tactic to tire out Bumblebee a bit before he gave it his all. The scout, however, seemed to have a lot more energy than he expected, or the lack of rest was really taking a toll on him, for they went at it for a long six minutes and Nitro already was venting heavily and his frame started getting sore. 'Need to work on my endurance... Or my recharging habits,' he thought as he dodged another set of blows and dealt one of his own. Out of the blue, Bumblebee tripped Nitro up with a quick motion of his ped, sending the tired out warrior face plate first on the ground.

Bee raised his servos and bleeped triumphantly. "Broken ankles?" Nitro said, echoing Bee. Bumblebee shrugged. "It's a human thing," he beeped as he helped Nitro up.

"You seem a bit sluggish Nitro, you sure you still want to go against me?" Bulkhead asked, coming over. Nitro shrugged and subconsciously rubbed his optics. "I didn't recharge all that well last night," he said.

"You could get some extra energon if you're too tired Nitro. I mean, we have more than enough now and I'm sure Ratchet wouldn't care," Bulkhead said. "I guess... Will you two still be up here or are you finishing up?" Nitro asked. "I'm pretty sure Bee has had enough of me for one day," Bulkhead laughed. Bumblebee scowled at him.