[Video] Sad Dad Bad Had

[optout]

[After seeing Megatron's response, something certainly has been keeping Prime busy. He wasn't wrong--something did have to be done instead of wallowing in the loss (or victory) of a war. And if that meant following Megatron--well...he had to say he wasn't overly enticed by that plan. He knew the bot meant well, and would try not to let the same thing happen twice. But if there's one thing he's learned, it's that trying to change yourself turns you back into what you've been this whole time.

You can't outrun your identity. Optimus knows that now.]

I request an audience with all of you, whether it be in person or over the communications feed. As most of you know, I've talked with Cybertron itself, and although I don't exactly understand it, one part of its message was clear--we must learn to coincide with each other. To get along and make progress.  

Megatron is proposing a start to this. 

[Well, he might as well be honest.]

But there are going to be problems.  One of which is a symbol of the war--me. I am a Prime, and to some of you, I've been the toxin in your systems. The rust in your side. I'm here to dispel one thing--I'm not going to give the title up, as it's part of my identity. I will be commander to those who serve under me, as long as they'll have me. Other than that, however much say you want me to have in this world is entirely up to you.  If me stepping back will cause those who follow Megatron's dream to co-exist peacefully with the Autobots, I will gladly do so.

...

I've only been a Prime during the war. And I cannot look to previous examples for assistance. [Sentinel]

I suppose that's it. I hope that broadcasted nicely. I can never tell.

[Private to Sentinel]

Meet me by the crater.

[ROUND TWO OF REHAB, BUDDY.]

Comments

[tsunclonus]

Primus is not infallible.

[That's all the explanation Cyclonus cares to give. He has his faith, his spirituality, and that's all that matters. Others can believe - or not believe - what they will.]

[orerrible]

Then permit me to carry at the very least this burden.

[ The extremes to which absolute pragmatism took him could not be done justice over the course of one conversation or likely through language itself. And yet he was concerned with at the very least keeping Optimus from taking on guilt that wasn't his own - just once. ]

Yes, well...

[ Now of all times, Shockwave has to work through finding the right words. ]

Maybe now we won't burn that bridge when we get to it.

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[redshitlord]

Why?

Isn't he like... Mega-bad?

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[arnhaid]

But that don't mean you were the one who put anythin' in place. You weren't.

It's stupid to take responsibility for scrap the guys over your head were doin'. I don't blame you.

[So there.]

Then it's a good thing you got a pair of big, bulky shoulders over here to put scrap on, isn't it?

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[optout]

He had a trial and he...pled not-guilty.

[And won. JESUS CHRIST.]

[officerjuicebox]

[He rolls to a stop a few feet from the other bot, idling for a couple seconds before transforming, and padding all the way forward.]

...

Hey.

[optout]

Grimlock.

[His hands go up to calm the bot as best he can, resting on the other's shoulders.]

You're not dead. Just...misplaced.

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[redshitlord]

Are you serious? And you bought it?

[optout]

Well of course. No one can.

[Unless you're Megatron I think he kinda did anything he wanted at one point. But that was during wartime and that was just not fun.]

But you looked to him for advice.

[optout]

Hm. I suppose no one is.

[You know, if you believe in that Primus schtick. Although...even Optimus is starting to doubt that there isn't SOME otherworldly being at work here. Feelings visions can change that.]

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[optout]

I didn't buy it. In all legal matters, he...won. I just had to figure out a way that it could be granted with at little controversy as possible.

[By making him captain of a ship. Clearly.]

[optout]

[He doesn't say anything until Roller speaks, before turning to face him. It's all too familiar to look up at him--a habit he never really grew out of despite the four million year gap.]

It's good to see you, as always...

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[optout]

We all play our parts, Ironhide. No one is infallible.

[But his eyes glisten at the soldier. He appreciates it more than you know.]

I guess I am. But don't forget to lighten your own load at some point. Amnesia is...nothing to shake lightly at.

[optout]

...

[There's no verbal answer, just a simple nod. Which in this case, was the simplest to do. Maybe he did it so he couldn't talk himself out of letting that happen. Just letting Shockwave shoulder some of that burden.]

Crossing it seems like the better option.

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[redshitlord]

Dude, why did he even get a chance to win? He's Megatron, right?

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[arnhaid]

Didn't say you were. Just said you don't gotta take all the blame for what happened. Like I know you're gonna try to.

[He knows you, OP don't even try and lie.]

... yeah, I'm. Really tryin' not to think about that one too hard.

[officerjuicebox]

[At least that hasn't changed. He tries for casual -- a shrug and a smirk, before just... stopping in front of him.]

[Why is it I never find you by my side?]

Hey, I'm not that hard to find. Just listen for the sound of shaking buildings. I keep knocking my head on doorways again.

[ ... Because you deserve better than I can be.]

[optout]

[Those eyes say it all. Optimus didn't need a mouth to express how he felt. He's hurt, and as always, he's carrying the burden as he should. And right now...the guilt of everything is weighing heavily on him.]

I shouldn't have to look for you. Before all this, we were always together.

[That's not up to you to decide.]

[officerjuicebox]

What do you want me to do?

[It's part apology, part demand, and part desperation all rolled up in one little sentence. The edges of the words gone harsh, hurting.]

[It's not his old partner's fault. He... knows that. Abstractly. He's handling this poorly. But the last thing he clearly recalls is letting him down. Losing the bot he was supposed to be keeping safe for him.]

[How can he not be blamed for it?]

It's not... that time anymore. I don't know where you want me, how you want me... if you want me...

Or if you're just putting on your working face because we're friends.

I let you down, Pax. I let Shockwave down. How is that not an issue? At all?

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[optout]

...Mmm.

[He knows Ironhide is right. But guilt is a funny thing when you're Prime, isn't it.]

I'll try not to burden too much of it. After all...if I have such supportive friends, it'd be a shame to let them stand there idly.

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[optout]

Because the people wanted a trial.

Believe me, if Prowl had his way, he'd have chosen the worst method available.

[imatruck]

Gee, how'd you miss me?

[He's pretty big, Optimus.]

Wonder if our Optimus loses this much.

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[redshitlord]

So? He's still alive though! Isn't that... kind of bad?

... Prowl?

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[arnhaid]

Don't you "Mmm" me. You're doin' it. I can see it all over your face.

[So there.]

We got your back, Prime. I mean it. We can handle a little heavy scrap.

[optout]

I've never been unclear in my intentions, Roller. I've wanted you by my side since we arrived--since we saw each other on this planet.

We are friends, and I'm exhausted, Roller. I'm tired of everyone telling me why we shouldn't be friends.

This is my answer. I never blamed you for Shockwave or for what happened when stealing the Matrix. Shockwave gave himself up willingly, and that was his choice. His freedom.

I was angry at the institute for taking him. But don't think for a second that I would willingly give either of you up.