Can you tell us more about Sentinel Prime? You implied he was a worthy enemy - what made him one?
Ah, Sentinel Prime. I remember battling him fondly; his tutelage is the reason why Optimus has survived against me for so long. In a way, he made both Prime and myself who we are today.
I was an up-and-coming warlord then, seeking only to make my name known as ruler of a few minor provinces. Simpler times… Back then, Sentinel Prime was leader of the High Council and Supreme Commander of Cybertron's army. He counted a young Optronix, Hot Rod, and Ariel among his subordinates. Rather than simply delegate his forces to "deal with me", he came himself in hopes of reaching an accord... and when I turned it back at him, he gave me my first defeat.
I thank him for that, for it was that first loss that truly lit the fire of my ambition. With the coming of the Mini-Cons, I recognized the opportunity to increase our powers and took Sentinel and his forces by surprise. Still, I was unable to conquer him, as other Mini-Cons themselves came to his aid. Beginning with himself and the Mini-Con Over-Run, more and more Autobots and Mini-Cons became partners, and our forces reached a standstill.
It wasn't until the battle at the Straits of Yuss that the tide turned. A skirmish between our forces became a one-on-one battle as Sentinel and I both took the field. First, I blasted his locomotive alternate form off its wheels, only for him to transform and blunt my cannon with his neutron hammer. I countered by Powerlinxing with Leader-1, but Sentinel used Over-Run to shoot my Mini-Con out of my hands. He attempted to finish me off with a Powerlinx-fueled punch, but I surprised him by deploying my hidden switchblade, dealing him a mortal wound. Still, he would not fall. In the end, I unleashed a rain of missiles upon him, and he died shielding his Mini-Con with his ruined body.
Sentinel forged me in fire, and for that, I will never forget him. Optimus claims it was his ideals that made Sentinel Prime great, but I know the truth. I saw the warrior he was—it was his weakness in protecting others that cost him his life, showing the true supremacy of my worldview. An ultimately inferior foe, but not an unworthy one.