[ INTRO LOG ]

[robotsatan]

You don't know how you got here. One minute you were walking, sleeping, maybe dead -- then you're here, your feet suddenly carrying you down an empty street. Where's here?

Any Cybertronian would recognize this as their home planet, Cybertron, but it's not a Cybertron they've ever known. It has all the familiar hallmarks, but none of the specifics -- the city isn't one anyone here could identify, and even at a glance it's obvious that no one's set foot on the planet's surface in hundreds of years. The city and its surrounding areas all bear the marks of devastating war, of dust and rust collected over centuries. With no one in sight -- right at first, anyway -- there's plenty to explore. In fact, if you start walking, you'll find that your feet may just carry you in one particular direction.

A) The crater.
On one edge of the city is a massive crater left by some wartime weapon that seems to have taken out a large chunk of the surrounding metropolitan area. At the center of the crater it's broken through the surface of the terrain to reveal what looks like it might be a promising energon deposit. There is some strange but native vegetation growing around the edges, too, that no Cybertronian would be able to identify -- small, metallic, brittle-looking sprouts that bear a curiously organic-looking fruit of some kind that doesn't look like it's intended for consumption by any natives of the planet. In one rocky nook of the crater, light catches on the surface of a pool of water, which seems strangely out of place on Cybertron. On closer inspection, it seems that somehow an underground water source has formed a spring in the crater.

B) The center of the city.
If you follow where your feet seem to want to carry you, you'll find yourself in the middle of the ruined city. It seems that the center of the city was once home to a massive forum, and some of the pillars and structures still stand. At the very center of the forum is a massive, elaborately constructed fountain, although it has now long since run dry of whatever used to fill it. One of the low, inner walls of the forum has a terminal embedded in its surface, although it looks curiously ancient, out of place with the rest of the city, and unlike the rest of the technology still left around, there doesn't seem to be any way to power it on or operate it. There are a few scattered pools of water and a few of the strange metallic plants in the city, too, but they're not quite as plentiful as in the crater.

The planet was obviously once home to a massive network of communication relays, but those have all been long since destroyed. However, with the bits and pieces left behind and a few determined minds, it wouldn't be too hard to build a working, if rudimentary, one...

Comments

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER

[luckyfaceplate]

You're right. It's hard to miss a giant golden shitlord stomping around like he owns the place. And if no one was going to tell him otherwise, he might just make that reality. The moment Optimus sees him, his optics narrow. Sentinel Prime, the one who was rumored to be behind Nominus's death. The one who sent him to the outskirts of Cybertron for stealing the Matrix.

The list could go on with how many things Sentinel had destroyed in front of Optimus's eyes.

He's not afraid to approach him, hands curled into fists just in case Sentinel's not up for talking.

"I'm afraid they won't answer to you, Sentinel."

U IS FOR URANIUM BOOOMBS

[staygoldponybot]

DELICATE STOMPING, god.

At the voice, Sentinel does, in fact, aim his wrist mounted guns at it's source. Mostly because he's still incredibly tense after having come out of a literal warzone. Fortunately, he notices the Autobrand before who's wearing it and drops it almost instantly. Optimus might notice he didn't power it down, however.

Then the golden shitheel realises just who he's looking at. Sentinel cocks his head, sharkfin swinging to the side, "Orion Pax. You would be so sure?"

[luckyfaceplate]

"I have not picked up on their presence either. And if they are here, there's more important things to worry about."

He walks up, shoulders straight and head held high, as always. Sentinel had never frightened him, even when he was Orion Pax. But now...now there's a bitter tone in that voice, as if every word was dripping with poison.

"And it's Optimus Prime."

[staygoldponybot]

Sentinel is afraid of NO MAN. Or... robot. He keeps his optics on Optimus, never relaxing or letting his guard down for a second.

At his name, though... that gets a skeptical optic squint. "It's a crime to falsely claim Prime status. I'm sure an officer of the law is aware of that."

[luckyfaceplate]

Optimus's audials swivel a fraction, eyes fixating on the other Prime. Intensely.

"I'm well aware of the law, Sentinel. So I will say it again, more clearly."

With that he's slowly stepping closer, unable to separate his gaze now.


"You will call me Optimus Prime."

[staygoldponybot]

Sentinel doesn't flinch, glaring down at Optimus. Who is still being identified as Orion on his HUD. Haha, take that asshole

"And why would I do that." He all but growls out, leaning even closer.

[luckyfaceplate]

HUD's can be outdated, stupid. Optimus's optics narrow dangerously, getting up close and personal this time to Sentinel's face, the light of their optics practically bouncing off each other.

It's funny cause Optimus has to look up slightly.

"You don't want to find out."

[staygoldponybot]

Wow asshole it's not his fault he's from the past wooow

"Give me one good reason why I should even consider it."

[luckyfaceplate]

Optimus doesn't answer right away. There's a significant pause as he waits for Sentinel to correct himself, or to back off.

When that doesn't happen, the Prime grabs the larger bot by the arm, twisting it enough (and in turn, twisting himself into vaulting the former Prime over and onto his back in the blink of an eye.

Thank you .1% spark.

His foot lifts up, pressing itself onto Sentinel's chestplate, leaning over.

[staygoldponybot]

Agility is not one of Sentinel's strong points. Nowhere near it. He realises what is happening about 2 seconds after Optimus grabbed his arm but just was simply not fast enough to prevent it from happening.

All too suddenly, he's on his back, staring up at Optimus. Vaguely, he wonders if the red bot is on speed boosters.

"Congratulations," he's not worried. One of his shoulder cannons twitches ever so slightly, changing angle towards that masked face. "Now what?"

[luckyfaceplate]

Optimus doesn't move as that cannon aims at his face, pressing down his foot ever so gently a moment.

"I have carried the Matrix, and thus proven my right to be Prime after your downfall."

And just to add insult to injury.

"It was never truly your place, though."

[staygoldponybot]

That... actually makes him take this encounter seriously, for a split second.

"Downfall,"

Headcock, again. "I think you'll have to elaborate."

[luckyfaceplate]

Ah, he can see that got your attention, Sentinel.

"By the time I become Prime, you are one with the Afterspark."

And, as an added bonus.

"Megatron was the one who killed you."

[staygoldponybot]

"Once again, I find myself struggling to find a reason to believe you."

Ooh, 2spooky. He dies!! Wow, try harder.

[luckyfaceplate]

"Sentinel, I'm many things. A nuisance to your so-called Senate, an ex-cop, and an outlaw.

But a liar is not one of those."

His foot removes itself from Sentinel's chestplate, although remains in the air a few feet above the ground, optics narrowing.

"What you did to Shockwave...."

[staygoldponybot]

Sentinel narrows his optics back. There are many things he could say about Shockwave, but saying them at a disadvantage and under an angry so-called-Prime wouldn't be smart. Sentinel doesn't consider himself cowardly - and to be fair he's not - but right now? Now is the time to shut up.

He'd much rather wait until he has more guns aimed at Optimus' face before telling him that he still doesn't give a care. Although, his current body language probably makes that clear.

[luckyfaceplate]

Your body language speaks volumes, Sentinel. And Optimus can see it as plain as if you said it. His foot lowers, allowing for Sentinel to get up should he want.

But not before--as quick as lightning--Optimus stomps on one of those hands, the bottom of his heel digging in as hard as he can, feeling the metal practically twist underneath him. Shockwave wasn't just any person that Sentinel had ruined the life of. Shockwave saw the potential in him before anyone else. Saw what he was capable of.

This...was personal.

"What you did is unforgivable. And now you'll get to know what it was like, being him. Screaming in the Institute."

[staygoldponybot]

In his comparatively (to Optimus, at least) short life, Sentinel has received injuries far worse than having his hand crushed. That isn't to say that it didn't hurt like a motherfucker, though. He makes a short, startled yelp in surprise before forcing down any other pained noises.

He can't even really say what he did was for Cybertron. Maybe as Prime while trying to solve a problem he helped (but wouldn't admit to) create, but everything was in self interest. When Optimus removes his foot, Sentinel pulls himself backwards, leaving a neat trail of energon from his crushed hand.

"And this is your idea of justice?" Wow. Wow. He was gonna shoot you but now he doesn't even want to do that

[luckyfaceplate]

Optimus didn't want to put him in too much pain. Enough to get the point across that Sentinel had made one powerful enemy in what he did. From Shockwave to attempting to radiate those sparks...sending the Elite Guard after him, there's plenty of reasons he wanted to do this.

He watched him scoot away, eyes narrowing as he speaks up again. Justice? Not quite. Granted it was probably deserved, not in the physical pain method, but...

"No. That was just expressing my opinion of the situation. That was from Orion Pax. Personally."

Just try it, man. We'll see who comes out of this alive.

[staygoldponybot]

It being personal... it's hard to figure out how that'll allow for things to develop after this. Personal vendettas are usually better planned than an ordered attack, while and ordered attack is more likely to have dire consequences should it fail. HMMMM.

So there's not a hint of sarcasm when he says, "Good to know."

[luckyfaceplate]

The sarcasm is received, and those eyes narrow even more, almost dangerously. He doesn't bother to help Sentinel up, not unless asked. His head turns, taking a look around before starting to walk past him. Stopping just to the side.

"You'll find Energon around here, and perhaps a medic, if you look hard enough."

...

"If they have hands left."

[staygoldponybot]

Nah he's not gonna ask Optimus for help, Sentinel gets to his feet quick enough. Losing a hand won't make him completely impotent.

Though, that last comment is enough that his face plate snaps up. Just to hide the fact it got a reaction out of him. Wah.

[luckyfaceplate]

Not like Optimus would have offered. Did you give Shockwave that same help? No. What about the outliers when they lost their homes? Where was the extension of help then?

...

When he sees that faceplate snap up, there's a little satisfaction in his eyes. Almost a twinkle

"I might have gotten a tad emotional. But those have always been troublesome for you."

[staygoldponybot]

It comes down again soon enough. Sentinel curses internally, this is about the most amount of times he's ever lost his handle on his emotions.

"Your Autobots must be proud."

Oh, Sentinel. If only you knew.

[luckyfaceplate]

He stands still a moment, contemplating what he said. Proud? Yes, maybe. Others would be angry with him as well. Angry that he left them in order to give them a haven on Cybertron. It's a few moments before he speaks again.


"We all have regrets. It's how we live with them that makes us who we are. Remorse, guilt. It's something I've experienced over my time as Prime. Whether or not you experienced the same..."

He hesitates again.

"That tells you, me, even Cybertron what kind of Prime you are."