robothell | [Video] Sad Dad Bad Had

[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.]

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And yet, you still seem a bit lost. Is there...anything I can do for you?

[Oh look who hopped aboard the guilt train. Well he's been there for awhile already, but...

He's never outright asked.]

Because I am lost.

There was a war I missed. I'm still tripping all over myself trying to call you the right name... I don't know.

I need a history book, I guess.

I can help you with that. As...someone who's lived through it all.

[Or most of it.]

I'm sorry if I've been absent to help you. But you've been avoiding me as well...

Sure. Why not. All the movies are old, anyway.

[Silence.]

...

I'm not ... hard to find, Pa-- Prime.

[If You Wanna Talk Come To My Man Cave.]

Then why don't I ever find you by my side?

[There. There's the question.]

[Crap.]

[He's quiet for a moment.]

Sort of figured you'd want someone more... up to date.

[Someone who hasn't let you down-]

Being up to date makes you no more or less my friend.

[He's missed you, asshole.]

I want to make that clear. You've always been important to me.

I...

Look, can we... not do this? Not on this thing?

I'd do it in person, but you tend to hide on me.

[There's the sass.]

I'm by the crater, if you need me.

Oh, hah hah. You're hilarious.

... yeah. I'll head that way.

I'll be waiting for you, then.

[It's not like he has a busy schedule standing here like an idiot GOOD JOB OPTIMUS.]

[VROOOOOOOOOOOOOM off he go.]

[And when Roller finds him he'll be...at the crater, certainly, overlooking the chasm as his eyes flick up in the direction of Earth's sun.

Contemplating.]

[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.

[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...

[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.]

[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.]

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?

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.

He shouldn't have had to choose! I screwed up. I ... did something to drop off the map for millions of years...

[I blame me.]

[I'm afraid for us.]

[Because if Pax wouldn't willingly give him up, but he'd been missing anyway... what had he done? What had happened?]

[It probably shows on his face -- all the indecision and confusion. He doesn't want not to be around his friend. He wants things to be close as possible to how they were, and...]

[He sort of sits down, right where he was standing, looking down at his hands and feet.]

... I'm tired of avoiding you. It's not right. I don't... know what to do. I did something to lose you once...

What if I do it here?

[And that's the worst part of it, Roller. He doesn't know. And you're not the only one on the blame train with that. He couldn't find you--he couldn't stop you from going out to save those sparks.

Optimus is clearly frustrated, although not with Roller, but by everything. Things not adding up, no explanations given from time itself...]

Well.

[He vents a sigh, looking up at Roller.]

All the more imperative that you stick close to me, then.

[He doesn't even have that much. The last thing he remembers is failure. So maybe that's why it's dragging him down so hard.]

[There's a quiet sigh while he pokes at the ground. Trying not to meet his old partner's eyes.]

What'll you do if I screw up again, then?

[A hand goes to the bridge of his nose, trying to vent out what frustration he can. It's like talking to a brick wall.]

Screw up the first time, and then we'll talk.

Because I'm going to say this as simply as possible, Roller. You. Did. Nothing. Wrong.

[You think it's bad now. Just wait until he meets Future Shockwave.]

And maybe if you repeat it enough times, it'll stick.

[Video] Sad Dad Bad Had

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