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Post by Optimus Prime on Nov 28, 2023 18:27:30 GMT
Characters Appearing: Optimus Prime Megatron Location (s): Outskirts of Witwicky. Timeline: November 7th. Plot Summary: Optimus decides to finally have a much needed talk with Megatron. And maybe even give him a job offer...
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Post by Optimus Prime on Nov 28, 2023 18:32:00 GMT
As Optimus walked along the outskirts of Witwicky he mentally prepared himself.
He felt he was finally ready to have that much-needed talk with Megatron. To deal with the feelings they'd been grappling with ever since the GHOST prison break out.
And the subsequent reveal GHOST had been torturing Cybertronians.
Optimus hoped the peaceful environment would help with his talk with Megatron. The two had always felt a sense of peace coming here.
Hopefully...
Optimus finally saw his friend approaching. "Hello Megatron..." He said a bit uneasily. It was the voice he had when he was preparing to say something difficult.
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Post by Megatron on Nov 29, 2023 23:27:01 GMT
When Megatron had received the call from Optimus to meet him in Witwicky, the former warlord had been hopeful for a normal, stress free patrol. Or even discussing plans for what more to help for the Terrans. Anything to get his mind off the struggles with GHOST and their conflicting operations and goals. Megatron was having a difficult time keeping his faith in the organization as his old friend had, finding it more fruitful to keep his distance from the headquarters as much as he could.
Plus add onto recent interactions such as with Hot Rod, the former gladiator was finding his patience quickly waning.
Having left a note for Quinn that he would be gone for a little while, the mech had flown off from his home in Autobot City to head towards Witwicky, finding the woodland environment to offer some peace. It didn't take long for the former Decepticon leader to detect his old friend's signal, circling around a few times before he found a clearing in which he could land, transforming above the opening in the canopy before dropping down to the ground. Before long, Optimus' familiar red and blue frame came into view as Megatron made his way towards the Autobot commander, initially offering a greeting smile until he heard the unease in the Prime's tone.
"What is it this time, Optimus?" Megatron's voice became serious and guarded now, red optics narrowing towards the Prime as he crossed his arms. He knew Optimus well enough he could recognize something was off, especially by that tone. "You only ever have that tone when something is bothering you."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Nov 29, 2023 23:38:42 GMT
"Megatron I..." Optimus paused.
What he was gonna say was hard. But Elita and Ironhide were right. He had to confront this head-on. Be blunt.
"Megatron... You will always be my friend. I'm so proud you're making efforts to make amends after the war." he meant it too.
"But I'm worried about you... Ever since the breakout and the GHOST mess you've been on edge. And...I can't just ignore what you did in the war."
There. It was out in the open. For better or worse.
"I wanna be clear about something." Optimus clarified "I don't fault you at all for wanting to break away from GHOST. I understand. I'm actually making plans to break away from them myself. I'm hoping you can be a part of that.".
He hoped his friend would see reason. That he'd understand.
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Post by Megatron on Dec 5, 2023 20:07:21 GMT
"Oh for the love of Primus, do you and the rest of your Autobots strive to be a broken record Prime? Or do you and your protege get so bored you have to regurgitate the same slagging accusations?" Megatron growled softly, his legendary anger flashing in his ruby red optics. For a brief moment the darker side of Megatron shown through his angered expression, a coldness creeping into his voice. He didn't mind Optimus finally being blunt with him, but the sheer fact he had to once again throw the past in his face was getting quite old...
"Like I told Hot Rod, I don't expect anyone to forgive what I did in the past when I barely forgive myself." Megatron stormed up to the Prime, aggressively pointing a finger in his chest. "If you're trying to push my temper Optimus, you're doing a fragging good job of it." The former warlord snarled, his free hand curled into a fist, expecting this conversation may very well turn violent. There was no denying Megatron still had his violent tendencies no matter how hard he tried to keep it contained, but he was trying except in this moment where it was threatening to come out. Though, Optimus' next words managed to give him pause, glaring down his friend for a moment before stepping back.
Grunting softly, the gray and black mech stepped back, listening as Optimus gave observations of his current behavior and what he was striving to do. "Does it really surprise you I'd be so distant Optimus? I warned you regarding my stance on GHOST and what they stood for, and it seems my suspicions weren't unfounded. They tortured my Decepticons, treated them lower than dirt. Our agreement was rehabilitation and finding ways to give them second chances, but it seems my gut regarding most humans and their governments were still right. You're lucky I didn't decide to crush Croft in my own hand for it." There was no hiding the venom in Megatron's voice, not necessarily blaming the Prime since if there was one thing he could give Optimus credit for was usually being true to his word but it seemed more so directed towards Croft and those loyal to her. "I'm distant because it is more fruitful to handle this trouble on my own with the few I trust than put my faith into humans."
So far, there were very, very few humans the mech felt he could trust, much less say without a shadow of a doubt he would trust their word and actions. The Maltos were high on that list especially Dot. But GHOST? He had become wary of their intentions, something Optimus even seemed to have finally taken notice. It was perhaps the only thing the Prime said that smoothed some of his bristling rage. "But, least you're not a total fool as to keep total faith in them. Maybe there is hope for you yet, Optimus." That was one thing Megatron did fault the Prime on, his trusting nature and faith in his foolish dream of all being one. Megatron was living proof even good sparks can go bad depending on inceptive and not everyone was capable of redemption. He never thought he would be.
"But fine, I'll bite Optimus, what part exactly are you hoping I'll play?" He inquired, voice a bit calmer for now.
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Post by Optimus Prime on Dec 5, 2023 20:21:48 GMT
Optimus was afraid of this. At least it seemed like Megatron was still willing to listen to him.
"I'm not trying to push anything Megatron," Optimus admitted. "I just want to deal with these feelings sooner rather than later.". Optimus wanted to mention that he didn't wanna keep them bundled up inside before it was too late and started feeding resentment between them but it was probably best not to mention that.
"Maybe that's the issue? You're being distant when you should be confronting these feelings head-on." Optimus suggested.
Optimus put his hand on Megatron's shoulder. "But you're right. I promised the Decepticons rehabilitation and GHOST warped that promise," he said. "I'm gonna make it right. And I want you to make it right alongside me."
It was finally time to drop the bombshell.
"I've had Skyfire start building a new Prison." Optimus explained, "One hidden away from human eyes on the moon. I intend for it to be focused on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.".
"And I want you to be it's Warden.".
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Post by Megatron on Dec 22, 2023 5:14:39 GMT
"You better strap in then Optimus, because those feelings never go away. Much as you may want them to, much as you may try to tell yourself things will work out, you better be ready to realize they never leave you." Megatron told him bluntly, speaking from personal experience. No matter how much he told himself he could be redeemed, that the darkness in his spark would eventually pass, those feelings continued to linger, continued to plague his mind and spark. "You'll always find the smallest trace of resentment and doubt, no matter what you might try to change."
But, Megatron decided to leave it at that, his tone suggesting he wanted to drop it for now, feeling this was hardly the time or place to be confronting their lingering feelings on his chance or redemption or not.
The ex-warlord scoffed at Optimus' suggestion, "If you value not losing lives Optimus, trust me, this is one of those times facing things head on would do more harm than good. If I had not left the control room that day, the day of the break out, I likely would have been thrown in the slammer myself for murder." The venomous tone quickly returned to the former gladiator's voice, "That woman is lucky you and Elita were around to stop me, because I wouldn't have hesitated to crush Croft in my hand for her treacherous actions." Megatron growled softly, showing the shift in his attitude regarding his former troops yet not hiding the influence of his inner darkness that lingered within.
But for the sake of the situation, Megatron forced back his rage only for it to briefly start to boil again when he gave his old friend his full attention. How exactly did that idea help?! "So, your plan is...what exactly? Majority, if not all, of those who are imprisoned would rather see me dead than ever listen to a fragging word I'd ever have to say again Optimus. Especially Starscream and Soundwave, which may I remind you would never achieve that goal." Megatron was in disbelief at this notion, that Optimus would see him as anything worth being close to a warden. But maybe that's why the Prime considered him for the job, because he knew how the Decepticons thought and could easily handle most of them in combat if they got rowdy.
Still, the former warlord scoffed, crossing his arms, "Fine, whatever, not like you or any of your Autobots would be particularly up to the task. Not properly anyway; put someone up there like Hot Rod, you're just asking for trouble." Megatron turned away from the Prime, pondering the idea for a long moment. "But, my conditions are this: if I become the warden of this new prison, I get a say in how its run, who gets to help, who gets access, and if things get out of line we handle it my way." Megatron spoke firmly, giving no room for interference or decision making unless he got the final say. "And I still get to come back and forth to Earth, I won't have you or your Autobot cohorts somehow maneuvering me completely out of being involved in affairs on Earth." Though it wasn't stated outright, it was hard for Megatron not to make a small accusation towards the Prime that there was an ulterior motive for him being chosen. If the infamous, murderous ex-leader of the Decepticons was out of sight and away, it would be easier to monitor him and avoid issues too...
"Accept those terms Prime, and I'll agree." Megatron finally concluded as he turned back towards the blue and red mech, having become calmer but yet there lingered a trace of Megatron once more becoming guarded, even with Optimus.
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Post by Optimus Prime on Dec 22, 2023 5:28:45 GMT
Optimus sighed.
"Megatron I know you're fed up with Croft but we can't go around killing humans." he said "Even her. We have to prove we're better now. You know that."
His frustration didn't help when Megatron didn't seem to get what his plan was. "My plan is to make a new prison away from G.H.O.S.T.'s authority. One where we won't have to worry about them torturing Cybertronian's behind our back."
Still Optimus was glad Megatron was willing to take his offer and he had a brief laugh at the mention of Hot Rod. Much as Optimus loved that bot Megatron was right. Hot Rod was a terrible choice for Prison Warden. But something about Megatron's response made him sad. Did Megatron seriously think he wouldn't let him run things his way? That's the entire reason he wanted Megatron for the job.
"You don't have to worry Megatron," Optimus assured his friend "I always intended to give you full authority."
"And getting back and forth from Earth shouldn't be a problem. I can have Wheeljack start putting together a short-range Space Bridge."
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Post by Megatron on Jan 2, 2024 17:27:43 GMT
Megatron didn't initially comment about Croft and the Prime's words, simply grunting in response at first. Instead, he focused on Optimus' response, noticing the visible frustration his old friend had.
"A prison is a prison Optimus, it won't make a lick of difference who runs it. Its all the same to someone behind bars." Megatron pointed out, the faintest bit of amusement show in his optics and the faintest of smiles showing, "And frustrating isn't it? Someone questioning your intentions, Optimus. Now you might understand a small portion of what I'm dealing with." Was it perhaps petty to mock his old friend? Perhaps. But, Megatron stood firm on his own suspicions and caution. Much as he wanted to believe Optimus held all the good intentions in the world, the former warlord couldn't help poking and prodding at the decision and choices.
Megatron sighed then, "Whether you hold good intentions or not as you always do Optimus, our subconscious has a way of influencing those decisions. You can't be angry with me for poking, prodding, and questioning your motives especially given how isolated the prison will be and it seems to avoid problems with GHOST you'd rather have me far out of the way." Though he decided to be outright with the accusation he had been subtle about a few minutes ago, he felt he might as well be open regarding his own thoughts. "Fact of the matter is, we both have our doubts, sitting at the back of our processors. Truth is, I don't fully trust your good spark with our rekindled friendship knowing what we both did during the war. So, suppose we are both guilty of that." The warrior admitted.
Well, the Prime wanted him to be more open about his thoughts, now he was. But even with that admission, there was no stopping the wedge that had seemed to remain between them, deepened a little by Megatron's own thoughts on the matter. Maybe his friend did mean well, or maybe he didn't realize how his plan might come off. Either way, Megatron was settling for what terms he could negotiate, to cover his own aft in the whole process.
But now for the elephant in the clearing..."She would have deserved it Optimus, some do." Megatron uncrossed his arms, meeting Optimus' gaze with amusement replaced by seriousness. "I deeply regret the path our decisions led us Optimus, and every day I am trying to atone for who I was, what I am. But, there are decisions I'll never apologize for, or the beliefs I still hold. Croft represents everything I feared, what Cybertron was the slave of. The Autobot High Council, the Senate, Sentinel, they all deserved the deaths that came to them, and I would do it all over again, even as the bot I am today, if that meant freeing Cybertron from the caste system."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Jan 2, 2024 19:43:00 GMT
Optimus had to contain his fury. First Thundercracker, and now Megatorn. Why did no one seem to get it?
"So what do you propose Megatron?" Optimus asked "Should we just let a bunch of war criminals go? Let justice go undone?! Several of the Decepticons have no desire for repentance or refuse to acknowledge what they did was wrong! Not every con is like you or Thundercracker."
"Like it or not we need a prison for beings like us. You know this."
"I do not want you in charge because I want you out of the way. That is nowhere close to why I wanted you in charge."
"I want you in charge because I honestly want to give those Decepticons fair treatment. Because I believe you're sincere in your desire to atone and make things right with the Decepticons."
"I'm giving you what you always wanted. A chance to help redeem yourself and help the Decepticons."
"And you're arguing with me."
Optimus had to bite back a response about how it sounded like Megatron wished he'd won the war but he held back. He knew Megatron better than that. He understood Megatron's anger at the senate and Sentinel. But was it really worth all this death and destruction?
Optimus got the sense that Megatron himself wasn't sure.
"It sounds like to me you're scared." Optimus noted "You're scared to hope for improvement. You're scared this isn't gonna work out and that this will be another false promise like G.H.O.S.T. was."
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Post by Megatron on Jan 29, 2024 2:50:25 GMT
"Primus, do you not listen? Of course I want improvement, of course I want to see the Decepticons improve! But you don't know them like I do!" Megatron snapped at the Prime loudly, his voice echoing around the trees and causing several of the nearby wildlife to fly away or run in fright. Why couldn't the Prime listen to him just once? "All the prison will be is that, rehabilitation is a pipe dream without any of them wanting to make a genuine change."
The ex-warlord let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes, the worst of the worst should be confined, I'm not saying they should be free. But neither should all Decepticons be penalized and kept behind an energy field for crimes they themselves are trying to atone for. That's the problem Optimus." Megatron tried to point out with frustration. "GHOST is just like the Council, the Senate, punishing the masses and ignoring those trying to make a change. The prison isn't a place for redemption, it'll be seen as another means for Autobots and their allies to control them, keep them under their thumb as things once were. And that's what I'm scared of." It took a lot for Megatron to say that outloud, his own concerns aside from their personal feelings towards one another as friends and allies once more.
"Be honest Optimus, if I were to leave GHOST right this moment, would you put me in their sights? Would I be free to seek my own path of redemption rather than continue to work for those I no longer trust?" He questioned, looking his fellow leader in the optics, tone serious and optics watchful. "Are my Decepticons who are trying to live their lives, who are trying to survive, safe from being confined to this new prison? The breakout certainly has caused a lot of uproar lately, and you can't deny that it seems suspicious none of your more violent Autobots were among them or those like Thundercracker are required to constantly check in when the Autobots are free to do as they please." Megatron had to know the truth once and for all, to see where his friend stood on the matter. Warden or not, Megatron had his suspicions where this could lead, where unspoken conflict might lead them.
Surely even Optimus wasn't blind to the precarious situation they were putting themselves in.
"What I'm scared of Optimus is another war, and this time not by my own words pushing for a movement. I will admit to the end of my function I made a mistake, and no one deserves to be behind bars or six feet under the ground more than me, but I won't stop trying to prevent another." Megatron crossed his arms, thinking about his encounter with Hot Rod and those of similar mind regarding the Decepticons as a whole. He had certainly made the young speedster think about his words, and he would make the same point here as he did to Hot Rod, "Not everyone is of similar mind to you Optimus, and you are right, not everyone is like myself or Thundercracker. Far too many are holding onto what the war wrought, and I can't shake the doubts and feelings that war is looming yet again and that prison will just spark something new."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Jan 29, 2024 3:20:39 GMT
Optimus took in Megatron's words carefully.
He tried to look as sincere as possible. Not because he was lying but because he wanted Megatron to know this was the absolute truth.
"...No Megatron. I would not put you in GHOSTS sights if you left them." Optimus said calmly, "Not just because I don't trust them anymore, but because I genuinely believe that you have changed and you want to do better. I trust you. It's for the same reason I haven't reported Thundercracker leaving GHOST either."
There was no sign of deception in Optimus's voice. No attempt to mislead or trick Megatron. This was what he honestly thought.
"I swear on the Matrix, this prison will not go after Cons like you and Thundercracker and it will not make exceptions for the worst of the Autobots," he vowed.
"I'm scared another war is coming too. But if there is to be another war..." Optimus held out his hand, "I want us to be on the same side this time. Like we always should have been."
"You are my friend Megatron. Let us move forward and bring about the change our planet, our kind needs."
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Post by Megatron on Feb 19, 2024 22:04:07 GMT
Megatron looked at the hand Optimus offered then back up at his friend. There was still hesitation to believe his old friend, one of the few individuals who could talk him down since turning over a new leaf. Even given their rocky past he knew Optimus tried to keep his word and not let others override his own dreams and goals, but at the same time Optimus was of a softer spark than him. He was a little more trusting, saw the good in others.
But despite the wedge that remained, what other options did he have.
"Very well Optimus, I'm choosing to trust your word." Megatron conceded with a sigh, reaching out to shake the Prime's hand. "You have always been a mech of your word, no matter how misguided it may seem at times." Besides, if there was a war looming as they both feared then they would need one another and this time as allies, not enemies. Even if Megatron himself had been redeemed there were a number of Decepticons he could think of that would step into the void he left, a number that had been missing in action for years and who would gladly claim the title as leader and lord of the Decepticon empire. His biggest suspicion of course was Starscream, but the Seeker likely was at the bottom of his worried list. There was also Shockwave, Deathsaurus, to name a few. "Depending on the threat that comes our way, suppose we'll need to have one another's backs won't we."
Given the talk of trust however, Megatron decided now would be a good time to bring up his own tentative subject he had promised to broach with the Prime. "Though, while we're on the subject there is something I have to speak with you about, well someone." If Optimus really trusted him, hopefully that also extend to his judgement in others. "I discovered a femme a little while ago, at the Space Bridge Memorial Park. She had just awoken from a long slumber when her stasis pod malfunctioned from age, a...former assassin I once turned a blind optic to under Shockwave's experimentations among many others." Megatron explained the short version, frowning to himself. "Her name is Quinn, and she has a good spark Optimus. I know she's killed many an Autobot under the Decepticon banner, but it was not by her choice."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Feb 19, 2024 22:52:32 GMT
"Yes. We will." Optimus laughed at Megatron's comment about needing to have one another's back.
"When you're ready, report to Skyfire, he's the one in charge of constructing the new prison."
Optimus took in Megatron's words about the femme Megatron had found. About the assassin, Shockwave had found.
"I've heard of her..." Optimus noted thoughtfully, "I'm going to take your word for it she was forced into it by Shockwave. That seems exactly like his style..."
Thinking about Shockwave made Optimus sad. He and Megatron had once been good friends with the bot, but after Shockwave's mutilation by the council, he'd never been the same.
Shockwave had disappeared sometime near the end of the war. No body had been found. That had made Optimus worried.
"I'll talk to her if you want me to. I'd be happy to welcome her. It's good to have another Decepticon who's willing to work alongside us" Optimus said.
"In the meantime, have you heard anything about Shockwave himself recently?"
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Post by Megatron on Mar 4, 2024 17:23:03 GMT
Megatron's expression briefly turned to one of displeasure.
Though Skyfire was of a more logical mind, much like Shockwave, the shuttle didn't exactly lack emotion. And he had never failed to notice the flier's disapproval as some of the other Autobots like Hot Rod. Despite the agreement him and the Prime had come to, there was still a part of Megatron that felt like he should turn his back to GHOST and those Autobots that allied with them, to start the Decepticons fresh for those who were trying to do better. For the time being however he would hold off. "Long as he keeps his thoughts to himself unlike your prized protege then we should be just fine." The former warlord grumbled softly.
Relief returned however when Optimus was willing to give Quinn a chance. Guilt still weighed heavy on his spark for the part he played in her being used as a mere weapon, among a number of others who had not been so fortunate to survive the war. "It's not just his style Optimus, its his MO. Shockwave played Primus at every turn he could get, Quinn was one of the fortunate ones." There was his self-loathing kicking in again, the loathing he felt on a constant basis since coming to his senses. "But thank you for giving her a chance." Megatron thanked him genuinely.
Speaking of said mad scientist..."No, not single peep. No one's seen him since before the final battle." Genuine worry edged into the former warlord's voice, scowling at the thought of the emotionless scientist being left unchecked. But the kicker was there was no telling if Shockwave was alive or dead. "But, that doesn't mean he's not likely out there somewhere Optimus, unfortunately for us."
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