#ratchet trying to keep everyone from killing themselves

[vytels]

Hi everyone, I wrote something for the Mech AU based off of this post. (Pssst @keferon some angst for your au?? Which I just have to say I’m devouring every morsel of at a concerning rate)

please forgive any spelling mistakes, I wrote this in a rush

<——>

Drift Medical Implant or DMI

The DMI is a medical device that sits between the brain and skull. The size of the DMI is roughly a cubic centimeter and placed against the inside of the occipital bone, adjacent to the Drift-Neural Link Site (otherwise known as DNeLS) when a helmet is worn. This allows the DMI to connect directly to the DNeLS through the skull of the pilot.

The three major functions of the DMI are as followed:

1. Increased Drift Compatibility between pilots with the and their mecha

2. Injection site for Drift Medical Networks (otherwise known as DMeN)

3. Physical protect from surges through the DNeLS

All pilots have been required to have a DMI since the creation of Mecha 7. Various versions have been created over the years, each more advanced than the last. The DMI varies depending on the nation of origin and biomedical makeup of the pilot, but all have the same three functions and must be approved by a Chief Medical Officer before being implemented…(read on).

<——>

Everything is fine, but it wasn’t.

As Roddy gazes down upon his hands, he imagines— no remembers— them flexing out of his control and reaching forward across the controls of his mech. How cool organized breath flooded his mind, sparking at the back of his head, at the back of his helmet, before whipping across his consciousness and strangling the edges. Electronic, cold, lifeless, and so unlike anything he’d ever felt before, as it ripped him away from his body and shunned him into a corner.

He’d been a passenger in his own body, thrown onto some kind of fucked up roller coaster with no end in sight. Arms moved without his commands, but he could feel the phantom touch, the sharp brush of controls through his gloves, he could feel his heart beating. He couldn’t look away as his body moved, as it commanded his mech, as destruction sprang in its wake.

Every second was displayed to him, like a sick and twisted dream.

Even when the cockpit of his mech opened, when his body stood from its seat and stepped out into the inferno it created. A harsh determination filling his tongue, fury like no other, but Roddy knew it wasn’t his own.

“You understand, Ratchet,” He’d said, his voice sounding nothing like his own, “I’m doing this for him.”

And he’d seen the horror in the medic’s eyes as the words bounced across the room, as they seared into the scene. That very moment haunts him, digs its teeth into his mind as fear sits upon his tongue to spill guilt down his throat. He sees Deadlock’s blood, his energon, spread across the floor as the mech balances on his knees. Servos pressed against a wound in his side, a scorching smear disgracing his helm.

And Ratchet standing between them, between Deadlock and Roddy, between victim and attacker.

Yet… he flexes his hand, curling them around his knees, and they listen. His fingers dig into denim jeans, nails scratching as specks of dirt, and his lungs suck in air. Then he kicks his feet, curling his toes as his teeth bite into his lips. Roddy’s mind jumps hoops, tumbling down a list of commands.

His body listens.

But his anxiety whispers, it didn’t then.

Roddy isn’t stupid, he knows what happened and he knows the facts. Someone had drifted with him and shut his mind away in a small little box, so that they could use his body like a puppet. He had felt their thoughts at the edge of his mind, his body bludgeoned with their rage and pain. And they had wanted Deadlock, they needed him, and…

Someone had drifted with him.

Roddy’s hand shoots up to his head, fingers gliding over his skin before combing through his hair. It searches and searches before it dashes over a bump and doubles back. His nails catch over raised skin, over scar tissues, before they begin to pick and pick and pick. Thoughts reel through his head, contracts and procedures bouncing behind his eyes.

The DMI.

A little box in his head.

A little box he’d been shoved into.

A little box that had let another person drift with him, through his body.

Not just his mech.

Their mind stains his thoughts, running through his nerves and searing through his fingers. Hands reach into his own, become his own, and push him forward. They grasp onto his reality as he falls back and back into the void of space, into the passenger seat, into the box and—

He has to get it out. Now.

Fingers dig and dig, nails scraping and pulling as warm blood seeps against his fingers and trickles down his skull. That warmth dribbles down his neck as he curls fingers, pushing his nails further, tearing at the scar raised on the back of his scalp. His hands and fingers run rampant over his skull as his mind spirals, questions flinging their way through his thoughts as panic clutches at his throat.

Who would do this? Why would they do this? What do they want? What if they make me kill someone? What if they make me—

“Damn it, kid!” A deep voice cuts through his ears as hands grasp onto his wrists, yanking his hands away from his head. His eyes jump open and he realizes he doesn’t remember when he closed them, but they jump to Ratchet’s form immediately and soak in the concern and anger like a sponge.

Ratchet clutches his wrists, eyes narrowed and mouth thrown into a frustrated grimace that Roddy has seen a hundred times. It’s backdropped by bright yellow optics, staring through the darkness of night, with the same amount of concern crushing them. It is not his two friends that catch Roddy’s mind, but the blood dripping from his own hands, his fingers, and spreading over the medic’s pale skin. It rockets him back into his own body, even if he can’t feel the pain.

“I need it out, Ratchet,” Roddy finally gasps, air gulping into his lungs, “They put it in me, they knew, they— I need it out!”

“I know what happened, but you don’t know if the DMI let it happen,” Ratchet grumbles, eyes drifting from the mech pilot’s face to blood soaking into his hair.

Roddy protests immediately, “It did! I know it did!”

Ratchet’s brows narrow, lips falling into a purse and Roddy almost expects the grump to agree until he says, “Let’s get you fixed up.”

His tone squashes any arguments before they could tumble from Roddy’s lips. With the grace of experience and the rush of frustration, the old CMO herds the younger man across his home. Roddy doesn’t even get the chance to ask where the medical kit is again before it’s already in Ratchet’s hands and a stool has been placed before him, Deadlock’s small services.

Roddy doesn’t even get the chance to run or complain.

The giant alien robot leans forward, kneeling with his head ducked toward them and one servo hovering to their side. Concern radiates from him, as clear as day across his face: optics intent on the scene before him, lips creating a concentrated line, optic ridges furrowed. It’s like he wants to pick them both up, hold them close, but knows that he can’t.

Fuck, Roddy thinks, I didn’t mean to make Deadlock nervous.

Then hands rest over the sides of temples and tilt his head, forcing him to look downward as Ratchet peers at the back of his head. It’s gentle, warm.

More gentle than the perpetrator had been when they entered his mind.

“You do realize you wouldn’t have been able to claw through your skull?” Ratchet grumbles and moves, grabbing something from the medkit before turning back. “This was incredibly stupid.”

“I know, I just…” Roddy swears his tongue feels numb. “Need it out.”

Ratchet's voice falls icy. “And killing yourself would have been worth it?”

“If it meant they couldn’t use me to kill you or someone else…” Roddy’s words trail off as a sucked in breath fills the air, loud and revving. Deadlock’s reaction.

“No,” Ratchet sighs, voice softer, “Don’t be so idiotic, you’re not.”

Somehow Ratchet’s disappointment stings more than his anger, but Roddy understands. This isn’t just about what happened, not for the medic, it’s about everything that has ever happened between them. And he knows Ratchet’s views on self-sacrifice already, so it shouldn’t be a surprise.

He feels Ratchet’s fingers against his scalp, the way that they freeze for just a moment and a mental countdown begins in the back of Roddy’s head. Five, six, seven…

“What is the DMI?” Deadlock’s voice finally enters the conversation and relief glides through Roddy as his best friend saves him from Ratchet’s incoming lecture.

Instead the medic sighs, fingers beginning to move again, and he says, “It’s a medical device that pilots have. It’s a brain implant that helps them connect with their mechs and protect them from any surges.”

Deadlock hums, and Roddy knows that hum— the overgrown metal cat is pretending that he understands, before he asks, “Then why do you want it out, Roddy?”

“Because someone had to drift with me to control my body,” Roddy replies as another wave of relief lands on his shoulders. He tries to find Deadlock out of the corner of his eye, careful to not move his head lest Ratchet yell at him again. “It felt like I got shoved into a box and whoever was controlling me could do it easily. The DMI helps me drift, it connects technology to my body. If anything could help the neural link conjoin more than just minds, but also bodies, it has to be the DMI.”

“And how are you supposed to get it out?” Deadlock asks, and Roddy thinks Traitor! because he’s bringing Ratchet back into the conversation in the perfect way for the man to lecture him.

“Medical professionals are supposed to do it,” Ratchet’s voice is heavy, aimed right at Roddy’s being, “It requires a surgery, an incredibly risky medical procedure, that only the utmost qualified can perform. Not trying to rip your own skull open with your bare hands.”

Roddy tries not to grimace.

He definitely deserved that remark.

And he is ready for more when Ratchet sighs, only for the medic to ask, “Deadlock, can you…?”

“Of course,” Deadlock practically purrs back to Ratchet before gears turn and metal sings: the telltale sign of a transformation. The Cybertronian sits in his alt-mode now, engine revving before the passenger’s side and driver’s side doors swing open.

For a moment Roddy wonders if he’s third-wheeling for some weird date-thing between Deadlock and Ratchet, but the idea races from his head as Ratchet finally lets go of his head and steps away.

There’s still blood on his hands, Roddy’s blood, and he can only imagine how much blood has dried to his neck and hair. Head wounds bleed so much.

“Go get cleaned up,” Ratchet orders him, “We’re going for a drive.”

That’s enough to get Roddy off the stool, back to his feet, and scrambling across the room. He barely registers Ratchet’s call of, “Don’t pull my damn stitches!” As he careens into the bathroom to wash the blood away. The thought of getting to ride along with Deadlock is too great of a deal to pass up.

And that is exactly where he finds himself a few minutes later, saddled into the passenger seat with his head tilted toward the open window. Happiness jolts from his chest, content and joyous, as they glide through the night. The world passes by in a faint blurr of shadows and light, wind rushing over his face and pushing back his hair. All while Ratchet drives, taking over for the alien car as Deadlock skips through radio channels every few minutes with small huffs of static.

It’s warm and bright, it sinks into the young pilot’s skin and straight into his memories. It reminds him that he isn’t alone, he’ll never be alone, and he can face anything to come. As long as he has his friends by his side.

<——>

Drift Medical Networks is just all the injections and toxins that are given to pilots to make them drift compatible/etc.

Also as I was writing this and remember how much head wounds bleed, I thought Deadlock must have thought that Roddy was going to die with how much blood there was and I just— AHHHHH

[sunrisecaminus]

Ultra Magnus x Government Agent Reader SFW

Summary - Ultra Magnus falls in love with an human Agent after realizing she has a sweet side to her personality.

Warnings: Light Hurt/Comfort

Never have you ever thought you would be seeing real aliens when you first met the Autobots. Being one of the Agents from the US Government, you were assigned to see if Agent Fowler was doing his freaking job. That man has not gotten anything done to defeat the Decepticons that are trying to destroy the world. Now, you have been best friends with Fowler ever since college, but dang from what you have been hearing from your boss, he has been getting lazier and lazier. It was your job to see if he should be fired or not and get a replacement.

After a few months at the base, you have realized two things. One, the Autobots don't have enough recourses to even kill one Decepticon. Two, Fowler has been working his ass off for everyone to survive. Optimus was very kind to you when you arrived and introduced everyone to you. Ultra Magnus was professional, but you can tell he did not like your presence. The US government have been yelling at them about sitting on their afts, while also not providing anything for their survival. He has been warned by Fowler and Prime that humans don't understand what they were going through and so they will be very uncooperative if the bots even tried to explain themselves. "Prime sir, we should not be having anymore interference with these human leaders. Non of them have even came up once to listen to reason." He stared at Optimus with a pleading look, he didn't like to be similar to Ratchet, but he understood why Ratchet hated almost all humans. Optimus looked up from the data pad and gave him a stern look. "Ultra Magnus, I understand your lack of faith my friend, but you have to remember the humans that have helped us so far. Agent Fowler is one of the reasons we have not been kicked from this planet, the children have saved our lives, and Agent Y/n is here to help us get more supplies from the human's government if we give her reason that we are efficient enough."

Ultra Magnus hated that Optimus was right, but he was a bit suspicious of the last sentence. "I am sorry sir, but Agent y/n has not even once reported to the government in three month. I don't think we are up to her standards at all." Optimus closes his eyes to think. Magnus was right about that, you have not been really doing anything around the base except observe everyone's movements and work. Hell Ratchet has been quite annoyed by your presence since he has to stay at the base for most of the missions. He is holding on to you though, giving you hope. Only one person has been supportive of you, and that was Fowler. He told Optimus whole stories about you saving his sorry ass from college professors all the time. He told him many stories of you supporting him and even giving him a place to stay when he needed it the most. Fowler has said though you were a calculated person, and never really showed your emotions a lot. It was hard to tell if you are being nice or just straight cold. "We shall see Ultra Magnus, though I cannot confirm if she is as troubling as you say. I will talk to Agent Fowler once more, so please look over the kids."

When Optimus walked off, Magnus stayed around to make sure Miko wasn't going to prank Ratchet and helped Ralph with any questions he had about Cybertron. He than starts to hear the clicking of heels from the elevator. You had a clip board in hand and was already writing something down. Your h/c (hair color) hair looked all neat and your outfit seemed nice and custom made. Walking over to Ratchet, you ask for his latest findings from last night's mission and both of you started to talk about work. Honestly if Ratchet had a scale for which human was more annoying, you were probably around in the middle. He was able to keep a conversation with you, but from far away he would grumble about things he didn't like that you did. After a few minutes you walked over to Ralph and Ultra Magnus. You stood behind the couch and watched as Ralph was making a nice online form about his cultural findings. Of course, it wasn't public for other humans to see, but if he ever forgot about something he could always click over to his notes and see what he put down. "Ah, you are doing so well Ralph. Although you spells that wrong, the symbol you put down actually has a small line going across the bottom." You pointed out something on Ralph's computer and he gasps. "Oh crap! Your right! Dang I thought I studied that!" Magnus sees you smile for the first time. "Oh it's ok. It's impressive to see you learn so much already after only a week. Better than what I could do."

After you turn around, walking back to the railing from across the base to keep writing in your clip board, Magnus looks at Ralph confused. "What were you and Agent y/n talking about?" Ralph looks up at Magnus and shares his screen for him to see. "Oh? Y/n is teaching me how to read your alphabet! She knows a lot about Iaconian and helped me learn so I can surprise Optimus later! Don't tell him though." He couldn't believe what he was hearing. You knew Iaconian?! When did you have the time to learn such a difficult language?! Magnus couldn't help, but be flabbergasted by the fact you took the time to learn Iaconian and finally had enough. Did you like them or not? Why were you not reporting to your bosses and why haven't you left yet? You were only here to stay for a week…why haven't you left yet? He was getting to the bottom of it one way for another. He excuses himself and walks over to you. You see that a shadow surrounds your body and looks up. "Oh, good evening Ultra Magnus." You put your pen away and stood up straight to give your full attention to him. Magnus narrows his eyes and leans down just a smidge to be a bit closure to your frame. Look he may not like you, but at the very least he did not like intimidating people who are not Decepticons. "I need to speak with you Agent y/n. You have been keeping secrets from Prime and the rest of us, but now all of sudden you are learning Iaconian? What is your motivation?"

The smile that grew on your face made him a bit taken a back by the reaction. The smile looked nice on you, but he wasn't going to tell you that. "I have been monitoring everyone's work so I can give a long report to the government if they should give you their energon findings." WHAT?! The government had not only supplies, but they had the one resource they have been dying to get this whole time?! He clenched his hands into fists and looked angry. "You have energon is your procession? That stuff is useless for your species. Why didn't you report us being useful sooner. We could use those energon cubes to help give us more energy to fight for your planet." Before he could get even more angry, you put a hand up to shut him up. "Do not worry, I have already reported to them about you all working your hardest even with such little food. They needed a better report from me just in case you were pretending to be efficient for a week, so they have extended my stay for five months. At the end of my stay I will be in a very important meeting with all the higher ups to give my findings. Then they will happily give you all the crates they have by helicopter or by truck, just matters how much they are willing to give you." He could not believe this right now. This was the worse news he could get from you and he is trying not to go ape shit. "I understand this could be frustrating right now, but understand I am trying to poke them as much as I can to give you what you need. All of you have past the bar. In my book I would have given you everything by now after the first week. Right now I can't do anything but listen to their orders so you can be granted free supplies. Oh, and Optimus told me about where he lived back on Cybertron, I was curious about your culture so I had Bumblebee and Ralph help me learn. I am now known as one of the only human translators for Cybertronians and Humans. Luckily it seems you all already know English, though I would not have minded to be your spokes person."

This kind of made his anger fade…Your voice was not cold to him anymore. It seemed…sweet. This was the most care he has heard from you and it made him feel things he didn't want to feel. "W-well I appreciate you trying your best from what you have." Did he just stutter?! Oh Primus no, he needs to control himself. Why was he feeling such lovely feelings for you now?! He was just pissed a moment ago! You snapped him out of his staring and giggled. "Awe you are too kind. I need to go to Fowler now. I will see you before you all charge for the night, ok?" He nods and watches you leave. Your laugh was so cute. He needs to stop himself from feeling this way before he says something he is going to regret.

...

Bonus: Ratchet glares at Ultra Magnus while he scans him. "So a professional lady who works at the top has taken an interest in our species, her personality is a sweet yet serious person who gets the work done before she does anything else?" Sighing, Ratchet grabs his data pad and walks over to Ultra Magnus who looks at him for an answer to his condition. "You are not sick, you are just an idiot who fell in love with a fleshy."

[dragonridernoobie]

Hiiii how are you. I'm back for a request. If it OK that is I'm not forcing you or I don't wanna come of as if I an I hope I don't but anyways, how about Megatron (from Transformers Prime) finds a hybrid, human and Cybertronian? (Reader)

This is something that has been in my mind. What would Megatron's reaction be? What will he do to them?

(In my mind I see the reader as Raphael's older sister but that'll be up to you since you are the writer)

Yeah I know I wrote a whoooole script but I couldn't hold back sorry if it's too long.

Don't see myself doing raphs sister since it wouldn't really make sense (in my mind) so I'm just gonna use random person who's parents fucked a robot. Sorry it took so long!!!!

TFP Megatron X MixBreed Reader

Megatron found out some of his old soldiers that fled from cybertronian years ago came on earth. They made a life here, and he was pissed. They betrayed him, they left their duties, and they are a traitor to the cause. So, he sent out his drones to find them and be them to him so they could face their punishment.

Soon, his troops found a lot of them, and they were brought back and killed. Though, there were some ex-Decpticons that were no longer online. Though, one of them named EdgeBlade, somehow made a family with a human.

So, he decided to take his anger on their family. When he sent out this order, he had smokescreen in his grasp, so they heard everything. When smokescreen escaped, he told the autobot team everything.

So, the ratchet and Raphael looked up this unknown family and the child of an ex-decpticon. They soon find them, their location, and names.

They only had one child. (Y/N). Somehow, a cybertronian, a completely diffrent species, was able to make a offspring with a human.

So, this was a big deal. Optimus ordered everyone to go get (Y/N) and their father. When the team fled to go find them, they where to late.

Megatron was at the house and found (Y/N). Their father was now dead. The autobots did try to help (Y/N) and rescue them. Sadly, it would not work and Megatron was able to get away from them.

On the warship, megatron demanded to explain themselves and ask how their carrier(Cybertronian version of mother) went offline.

(Y/N) would explain they don't understand intel megatron got tierd of (Y/N) being so clueless, that he decided to end them right there and then.

He charged his blaster and shot. When he expected (Y/N) to be dead, he was bet woth (Y/N) safe and sound. They somehow summoned a energon shield.

You're shield (Not my art)

Megatron was amazed and shocked. A human with the power to make an energon weapon? He has no words.

When he finally gets his grip back, he demands them how they did that. (Y/N) explained that they don't know what he is talking about but megatron ain't hearing about it.

He commands knockout and Shockwave to study (Y/N) and figure out how they summoned a sheild. When knockout and Shockwave did, they found out that (Y/N) is first time ever.

A hybrid. A human cybertronian hybird... how is that possible? Knockout and Shockwave look more into it, making sure they keep (Y/N) alive.

Megatron eventually tells them to stop and takes (Y/N). He demands them to join his cause and in exchange, he will teatch them about their cybertronian side.

(Y/N) with no choice, accepts. Though, (Y/N) has one thing that megatron dosent know about.

They have a phone, and they are sending messages to Raphael, who hacked her phone.

[zanypainterglitter]

Compilation Permanformers:

It all happened in the Functionalist Era, Sentinel Prime's government began to make everything based on the robots' alternate mode, everyone depended on their alternate modes to get a job and even be something in life. Despite what was logical at first, it began to be suffocating and very repressive to the point of corruption of political and powerful people and even Sentinel himself taking advantage of the opportunities and profits that an alternate mode gives them.

Sentinel decided to be able to force and give a use to everyone totally depending on the alternate mode and thus give power to Cybertron, to the military force and to be able to live like a king, he began to do experiments in order to have a way to control the alternate mode of a bot, hiding it from everyone as a charity work, to be able to give the opportunity to bots to change their alternate mode and even improve it they only had to offer themselves and spend several stellar cycles in the laboratories.

There were many people, almost 1 million, but they were not seen for a long time. Some of them were successful and returned to their lives and jobs with almost no memory of what happened, but sooner or later everyone would start to be in danger.

A quarantine would be started, but it would be of no use and the apocalypse would begin. The first known infected would be Shockwave, Whirl, Starscream and Arcee. Sentinel and the council try to do everything to keep the population calm and at peace, even hiding the truth from them. Sentinel is worried that everything that has been built will go down and people will also find out and blame him, although it is true that this would worsen the state and morale of the citizens.

It seemed like a good idea for the council that those who suffered empurata to classify them as criminals would have a kind of "reset" so that they could shape their alternative ways for the good of society.

Shockwave is a tank with the appearance of a dog, with huge legs with long claws like blades, despite being a cyclops that was not a problem for the virus to make a mouth, being able to open his neck forming teeth at the edges and devour whoever approaches, his cannon formerly on his left arm is now part of his tail.

Whirl is a helicopter looking like a feathered serpent (you could say it is a wyvern; a dragon without legs and wings), like Shockwave his neck forms the mouth, he moves like a snake moving violently, and sometimes he gets up to rise in flight but it only lasts about 1 minute and a few meters from the ground.

Arcee was a victim of these experiments for actions of rebellion against the Prime, she is a motorcycle, but below on the sides of the motorcycle she has two arms although small, and the front of the wheels form claws, her head forms a beast just as rebellious as in her last moments.

Starscream was one of those who voluntarily underwent experimentation to improve his alternate mode because he did not feel satisfied with himself, he is a jet similar and behaves like a bird, has long and thin legs.

So far those are the recognized bodies, but there are more and they began to come out of the buildings attacking the others, it seems that those who have an alternate mode will look like common animals of the known fauna but those who are Triple Changer or with more than one alternative mode will become what is known as Chimera.

For now the known Permanent Form Chimeras are only Overlord who tried to impress Megatron and show off but was surrounded and almost devoured by the Permanent Form but not enough to kill him but for him to join them, he is a tank combined with a jet being an eagle with a lion or a griffin.

Orion is determined to reveal and find the truth of all this and even without having proof he is going to go for Sentinel, Ratchet accompanies him to help him and is worried that he will get hurt but with them also goes Deadlock, he told them that he does it for Ratchet since he owes him his life for having saved him from a world of drugs and crime, but he was also under the service of Megatron informing him of the progress and status of how they are.

Megatron has started his movement and practically a coup d'état forming the Decepticons, they took control of the city of Kaon and much of the Tarn territory, they are supposed to protect people, but really they only admit strong people and those who are too injured they leave them on the way since they get in the way and kill everyone infected.

Deadlock would update and keep Megatron informed so that he knows the status of Orion's mission, who despite not telling Megatron since they are very far from the Decepticon base in Kaon and the communication seems to be manipulated, trusts that Megatron will defend the citizens and innocent people.

Soundwave is Megatron's second in command, he is trying a way to communicate with the Permanent Forms in order to understand them, there has been no progressive progress but at least there are results that the Permanent Forms seem to have dreams and another way of speaking.

Spinister is Shockwave's scientific replacement, he seems to be the only one looking for a cure, he is sheltered with the Decepticons, but he is looking for a way to reverse or take advantage of the effects of the virus, he is considering asking for help from some other professional like him, the options being Wheeljack, Ratchet or some doctor.

The Elite Guard has been divided into 2, some who still trust Sentinel or are simply extremely loyal to the Prime, and others who can no longer stand the situation and become independent forming the Autobots led by Prowl who is a strategic leader although cold and professional he cannot simply sit idly by just because a superior says so.

Ironhide helps defend the others but at this point he is tired and eliminates the Permanent Forms once and for all before they become a problem.

Wheeljack and other scientists and builders, make barricades so they don't pass and protect the civilians among them is Bumblebee who is training with Jazz to be able to help with Hot Rod, Wheeljack is considering calling one of the Decepticons to see the situation and find a cure or just a ray of hope.

Sentinel would decide to kill Orion for trying to reveal the origin of the infection but Alpha Trion stops him, when revealing everything Megatron would decide to capture Sentinel, arriving at the place in a hurry without caring who gets in his way, he kidnaps Sentinel with the people who continue to support him and infects them using them as experiments especially Sentinel treats him as a pet and sees the Permanent Form as things, wanting to control them under a single tray so as not to depend on the personalities of others and his Decepticons.

The Autobots are against using the Permanent Form as weapons but they will have to make the difficult decision to eliminate them all regardless of whether they are family or acquaintances, then Orion and Ratchet join the Autobots but Deadlock separates from them to become an assassin in the service of Megatron but remains fond of Ratchet.

A battle of sides would begin:

The Autobots try to rebuild what remains of their home and a cure for the infected, trying a way to re-enter the reasoning of their original forms to the final stages of the Permanent Form.

On the other hand, the Decepticons preferred a way to use those who were once robots like them, trying to control them like dogs and the results go from bad to worse but Megatron keeps him controlling the situation along with his high command.

Megatron wants to do the same thing to Sentinel that he forced the others to go through, being the main guinea pig, even having meetings to agree and talk about how to handle this infection and move Cybertron forward, they still have different ideals and plan to do it their way although Optimus is still willing to work together.

But without anyone knowing, one of Megatron's High Command decides to leave behind the prejudices and hatred/resentment that the Decepticons were carrying against the Autobots to determine the salvation not only of his people, but of Cybertron.

For what I can think of at the end of my au about Transformers infection called Permanformers, I think that Sentinel is infected in stage 3 but seems to be in a rather problematic underdeveloped state but then breaks free forming a Chimera, but not as a mythological beast but as an amorphous fusion full of many parts like arms, legs and heads of Permanent Forms, over time it would have more shape, it is still basically a mass of metallic flesh but now with a more similar shape, like a centipede and clearly they are too diverse, some like animal or bird legs, others are hands or claws, and at first glance it seems to have about 100 heads but no one has the courage to count, this Chimera feeds on other infections like it and thus grows to end the remains of the two armies, having to face the beast together, in the end Megatron could have redemption by seeing how horrible he dealt with the Permanent Forms and could end up worse because of him, and they begin to rebuild their home, although it also occurs to me that Megatron uses the energon dark to control the infected but ends up getting infected and creating a plague that ends up dying and they manage to turn the page on that, or something like that but that's the ending that occurs to me and I wanted to be honest.

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 18: Next Up!

Summary:Barricade is still an asshole.

It was safe to say that we weren’t going to do that again. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were brought back to their tank a day later and seemed to be healing well enough to be left to their own devices. They were acting much more lethargic for obvious reasons and Bee had been bringing their share of the food to them instead of them getting it themselves. Prowl on the other hand was pacing about the tank. Barricade had been practically torn apart and was making things difficult in the med bay for Ratchet and Aid. He had to be sedated nearly all the time because he’d struggle and snap at them. Hissing and glaring whenever they even looked at him. His wing fin had to be rewrapped several times and bled plenty each time he tore it back open. He’d howl and screech each time he ripped it back open and that would set Prowl off. He’d whistle and pop his head out of the water and on occasion he’d even look at me for an answer. Blaster and I had tried to reassure him, but that only went so far.

I didn’t understand why he didn’t just stop. I mean he was only hurting himself. It wasn’t like Ratchet and Aid were doing anything to hurt him. Aid especially was much more caring and easy when it came to taking care of him. But still he threatened Aid all the same. Maybe they couldn’t speak the way we did and maybe they had no clue what we said, but they weren’t stupid. He wasn’t stupid. He knew what he was doing. He knew that they weren’t going to hurt him. He knew and yet out of pure stubbornness he fought them. He clawed at his bandages. Wiped off the medication whenever he got the chance. Tore off the splint that held his wing fin in place.

“What is your Problem?” I snapped at the mer one morning.

He was glaring at me as per usual, but it had a little less bite than normal. He had lost plenty of blood this morning. Again. I didn’t even want to think of what he was costing the facility with his attitude.

“Just what are ya trying to do? What is the point of this?”

My gesturing at him had earned a growl, but I could not care less than I already did. The only reason I was here was for Prowl. Not him. Prowl was upset and if getting him to knock it off would help then I was going to damn well try. As much as I hated it, if Barricade got himself killed just because he was being difficult then Prowl was going to suffer for it.

“This isn’t helping anyone and certainly not ya. What exactly are ya hoping to accomplish? All you’re doing is hurting yourself and Prowl. I bet ya didn’t think about that. Whatever ya do affects Prowl too.”

He didn’t even look slightly bothered by what I was saying. Even if he had no clue what I was saying he knew what Prowl was at least. Prowl had been trying to reach him and since Prowl could hear him from the tank I had no doubt he could hear Prowl too.

“Then there was the thing with the tank. What were ya thinking? Things seemed to be going pretty well from where I was standing. It was your fault that ya got hurt. It is Your fault that you’re in here. Prowl was doing fine with Bee. And ya know what? The other two weren’t even bothered by Prowl. Their only problem was ya and how ya wouldn’t back down. Can’t ya just Not be yourself for five minutes? Things would have gone fine if ya hadn’t of done anything. Ya might even have a bigger pod and be back in the ocean if ya had just left them alone. But no.”

I stopped a moment to glare back at him with a huff. He was not looking good, but he still had to go and growl and glare at everyone. Didn’t he get sick of it? Didn’t it get tiring to keep this up?

“I don’t like ya. I mean I Really don’t like ya. I wouldn’t care too much if ya kicked it, but Prowl needs ya. So ya really need to get over yourself and start being a little friendlier or you’re never going to get out of here. Just quit being an asshole for a while, huh? If not for yourself then do it for Prowl.” With that I turned around and left.

444444444444 Nooooo! The Fours Have Returned!4444444444444

It was hoped that if he was returned to the tank that he would quit ripping off his bandages. Or at least Prowl could convince him to knock it off. But that hope was in vain. He tore at them and on more than one occasion he got around to ripping off the splint that kept his wing fin in place. Prowl had been trying to clean his wounds and even hissed at him for touching the bandages. It seemed that on more than one occasion they were arguing, but since it never turned physical no one tried to stop them. Barricade had made several half hearted swipes at Prowl whenever he had tried to clean or check his wounds, but he always ended up letting Prowl fuss over him. He just lay there and pouted when Prowl rewrapped the wounds.

It was a cycle I’m sure Prowl was getting sick of even with his seemingly unlimited patience. Barricade would rip off the bandages and tear open his wounds again in the process and then Prowl would argue with him and rewrap them, putting pressure on the wounds until the bleeding stopped. Then it would happen again. My little lecture hadn’t done a damn thing and no matter what anyone did or said he refused to stop. Refused to even try to be semi passive. Always growling and hissing and snapping. He was going to kill himself if this kept up. Then Prowl was really going to be alone. Why couldn’t he just stop?

Next

First

Masterpost

patreon.com/BrightDarkness2013

[theoceanoasis]

Catformers soundrod?

Soundwave was an angry kitty. He'd been abused the first year of his life and decided that he hated the world and wanted it to burn. You could just tell by looking at him. He took pleasure in biting and scratching. Someone once said it was like he'd gotten the taste of blood in his mouth and couldn't get enough of it. They always had to make sure his cage was shut anytime it was open he'd lunge at people. Trying to claw at them.

Only Ratchet could feed Soundwave and he'd have to use a cat grabber to keep him from attacking.

It wasn't just humans that Soundwave hated. He hated everyone including his own species. They'd tried giving him a roommate and he'd almost blinded the poor cat.

He didn't have any neighbors next to him because he'd scratch at the glass yowling and trying to break it. Wanting to end the terrified cats.

No one wanted to adopt him of course. He was mean and vicious. Scaring potential families away and traumatizing kids. Which is why his time was coming to an end. They couldn't keep him any longer. It was getting too crowded and Soundwave having no neighbors meant they had less room. It was a hard decision for Ratchet, easy for others but they decided to put him down.

Then one day cops had found an illegal breeder who'd been abusing cats and dumping their bodies in a nearby river. The police had brought them the cars ignoring their protests of no room. Telling them to figure it out. They tried with the best of their ability and ended up being forced to put one of the kitties next to Soundwave. His name was Hot Rod and despite being the smallest he was also the bravest and had already charmed everyone at the facility. Even though he'd just gotten there. They thought since Hot Rod was so cute and likable he'd be adopted in no time and wouldn't have to spend much time around Soundwave.

Placing the kitty inside his temperary home. They all braced themselves for Soundwave scratching at the walls and yowling. Only to be surprised when he carefully walked over sniffing the glass. He stared at Hot Rod who walked over as well and meowed at him. Putting a paw against the glass.

They all waited for Soundwave to attack. Except nothing happened. He seemed to tolerate Hot Rod which was a surprise. Even when the kitty kept bothering him wanting to play and get attention. Soundwave just laid near them and was so calm, they wondered if he'd been switched with another car or maybe possessed.

The facility was still busy but they decided to put off killing Soundwave. Since it seemed he calmed down. Then one day someone new made the mistake of putting Hot Rod in Soundwave's cage. Much to Hot Rods excitement. He bounced around and nuzzled against Soundwave. Who didn't react much to the shock of everyone else. Letting Hot Rod touch him.

Ratchet however was worried about Hot Rod getting hurt and tried to remove him. Soundwave pulled Hot Rod closer practically laying on him as he stared Ratchet down. Making it very clear that Hot Rod was his.

After that no one separated the cats. Letting them do their own thing until eventually they were adopted by an older couple named Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Where they lived together for the rest of their lives.

[moonlight-tmd]

So i was thinking what would happen in Cons Are Good AU and what i said in this post. You should also read this one to know what i’m talking about.

SO- 

After the autobots semi-crash the wedding, Blitz and Bee go somethere for a honeymoon. Somewhere in that time Optimus goes on patrol and bumps into Megatron, they talk and come up with a plan to end the war once and for all.

Optimus and the other autobots know that the council is not saint and with the little true information acquired at the afterparty of the wedding it’s clear that the cons are the real victims. 

Thus- the rebellion is created. Earth cons and bots secretly work together to get the dirt on the council and present it publicly. Whenever the Elite Guard shows up, they all act like nothing ever happened, but the tension between Optimus and Sentinel is certainly bigger with every meeting.

When the time is right, both teams along with the con army and some other autobots arrive on Cybertron. They try not to kill anyone unless necessary. Optimus and Megatron break in the council’s hall and present the truth, all while the speech is heard on the streets over the speakers they hijacked. 

The council is overthrown and Megatron assigns himself and Optimus as respective leaders of the factions.

From then on Cybertron is becoming a better place. Laws are changed and enforced, more houses are build and people can finally relax for once. Everything is as it should be. 

Bonus fun-facts:

> During the preparation period, Bee finds out Longarm is Shockwave. There is a bit of arguing but Shockwave firmly states that what he did with Wasp was to help Bee, as well as many other bots he’s tormented. So they’re good. The other bots find out some time later.

> After everything has been settled and both Magnuses take control, everyone finds their own thing. Blitzwing and Bee are assigned to stay and help out on Earth, they like it there and they hang out with Sari a lot. Megatron and Optimus stay on Cybertron and get things right, eventually becoming closer as well. Prowl and Jazz return to Yoketron’s Dojo and continue their training, eventually becoming Sensei’s themselves. Bulkhead helps out with rebuilding Cybertron and cities become more colorful. Ratchet retires and is living his best life with Arcee. Ultra Magnus retires, Sentinel is still an Elite Guard but he is much lower in rank, karma comes back. Lugnut bonds with Strika and is still praising Megatron, tho now he added Optimus to the list too. Shockwave/Longarm is helping both Magnuses with work and eventually bonds with Blurr.

> The earth autobot team keep contact with each other and hang out on special occasions.

[silver-03]

-End of the World Scenario-

-MTMTE x Human Reader-

• The bots are stuck on a world with no escape, the Lost Light is down, drained quantum engines have them stranded on a desolate planet right in the range of an oncoming dying sun going supernova any minute •

• Rodimus: To say the least, Rodimus was in an initial state of panic. Trying to get his crew to calm down, especially those with PTSD of Cybertron’s war days. However, things got worse. Some had chosen to.. offline themselves in the panicked state they were thrown to. Unable to comprehend the horrid end coming to them. Others had gone to drinking, which was most. The chaos was gone for the moment as the end neared. Swerve’s bar was full with drinks going around and Rodimus was trying to find you. Hoping that no one had killed you amongst the panic or you had done something drastic. He found you outside, on the roof of the ship where it was a common place for bots to go stargazing. You had enjoyed it there as well, he should have known you had come here. The atmosphere was hot, but not hot enough to where you would be sweating. The fiery captain would sit beside you as your empty eyes stared out to the oncoming disaster. “You know,” You began. “I never imagined it would come to an end like this.” There was a flash from afar, signaling there wasn’t much time left. “But I’m glad I got to spend these last few minutes with who I love. With all the stuff we’ve been through together.. the happy times, sad times, everything. It’s all come down to this.” Rodimus showed concern in his optics, he may be pretty heat resistant himself, but the blast of a supernova was too much for even himself. Not even their beloved ship would probably make it. Brainstorm and Perceptor had tried to do what they could with their science, but there wasn’t enough time to come up with anything solid. “Y/N, I wish it didn’t have to end like this. I wish we had more time to enjoy each other’s company.” He said quietly. His usual happy attitude was gone, replaced with remorse. Rodimus blamed himself, he had chosen to come here and now had the energon and blood of everyone on board on his servos. It was his fault, a constant failure. That was his processor currently, but he had to stay strong for now. For you. You climbed into his lap, which he would respond with cradling his arms around you in a tight embrace, not tight enough to hurt you but enough to limit your movement. “I love you, you know that, right?” He whispered, tears forming in his optics with the impeding doom about to hit. The temperature was only increasing around them, and he could feel it. His cooling fans would do nothing, not even click on since he knew it’d be useless. “How could I forget?”

•Ratchet: The medbay was a little full with the bots that had offlined themselves as their situation had weighed down on them. There was nothing he could do to help them, but their frames had been moved there so wherever they had been, they wouldn’t be disturbed. Currently you were with Ratchet, watching him place the last one down in a comfortable position. Their servos placed over their midsection, folded over each other. So peaceful yet.. so disturbing to see. You were used to the chaos of the medbay by now but this seemed to take a toll on you. The sudden death that lingered in the halls and in the hot air. Ratchet looked up to see you staring at the last bot he had placed down. He moved to your side and gently tapped the bottom of your chin to look up at him, pulling you from your emotionless trance. A gentle distraction. “Y/N, don’t focus on them right now. They chose this.” He said lowly. Right now he lacked the strength to call them cowards and anything of the sort for ending their lives so soon. Then again, it was harsh to say that. He understood their panicked state and impulse to do this. It reminded them of their last days of Cybertron and the horrid war that plagued them. You saw Ratchet’s grim face and nodded gently. Tears were at the edge of your eyes as he outstretched his hand, to which you climbed on. The old medic picked you up ever so gently and held you close to his chassis with both his servos, as if shielding you from the heat, to no avail. Even inside the Lost Light, it was getting hot. Ever so slowly. He brought you to his habsuite, letting you step down onto his berth as he sat on the edge of it. He knew there was no escape from this. Unless they could get under the earth, deep into its crust to avoid the heat. There just wasn’t enough time. “I’m sorry.” The medic said, his optics dimmed slightly. “This shouldn’t have happened. I could have.. done something differently. Anything.” Your eyes scanned over his beat frame, exhausted and his mental state crashing down on him. “Ratchet, we can’t do anything to fix this. I’m just-“ You stopped a moment, feeling a cool tear running down your flushed cheeks. “I’m glad that we spent this time together, every second of it.” Your words calmed him ever so slightly, of which he responded by gently wiping a tear from your face. He could tell your body was slowly exhausting itself as you didn’t have the luxury of cooling fans like his kind did. “I am too.”

• Megatron: “After all these years of war, this is how our lives end. From a supernova. How grand.” Megatron’s voice was low as he stared straight into the light of their demise. The both of you were sat in the command center of the Lost Light, watching the red sky turn lighter and lighter. After several attempts of trying to get the systems back online, it failed. He thought maybe he could try one last attempt to redeem himself and save his crew. However, he should have known his bad luck strike was still ongoing. “Really going out with a bang here.” You said, your voice scratchy after yelling in fear earlier. A crazed bot had tried to kill you, blaster forced into your body to crush you into the ground. But before they could fire, Megatron had thrown him off you. And before he could properly deal with them, they offlined themselves. So he brought you here, after helping you bandage yourself. Even though you denied the offer. Megatron insisted to keep you comfortable, no matter how ‘useless’ it seemed. He didn’t care if it was a waste. The two of you were huddled together on a chair, you sat on his shoulder while the two of you watched out the window. “Y/N, I must apologize for my behavior when we first met. For a clear conscience.” The grey warlord said, his voice lowered. “I was rude and my actions towards you were uncalled for. Being so cold and irrational in any given situation. But now I understand what Prime meant all this time. All life should be treated as equals. No matter how different we may be.” He said, turning his stoic face to you. Having no need to hide his emotion behind a mask. Even though his expression seemed the same as always. “Thanks for apologizing at least, its a great time to let out all those hidden emotions. Clear consciences in a time like this is good.” You said in response, gently tracing a seam in his thick armor. He seemed to grin to himself, making an amused huff. “You know, I haven’t shared all my poetry with you. I wouldn’t mind sharing it with you now.”

Let me know if I should continue this scenario with more bots! Sorry for the sadness qwq

[ritsushinbro]

My Critique of Rebuild of Evangelion's Characterization: I originally wrote this post on the Evageeks forum and decided to post it here. It discusses the relationship between Misato, WILLE and the pilots and whether it is realistic and in-character. Warning this post contains spoilers and is very long. Also has references to self-harm and suicide.

With each revelation that comes out regarding the measures WILLE take against Shinji and their own pilots, it becomes more and more unrealistic for me to the point where it's almost comical. Let's go through some of them here:

They wear the explosive DSS chokers 24/7 which will kill the pilots should they risk awakening an Eva.

They are kept in a single room rigged with explosives.

In Shinji's case, he is (intended to be) put in 24/7 solitary confinement with explosives fitted as well.

Shinji is escorted around the wunder whilst restrained on a stretcher. (NOTE: The only time he isn't, is when Sakura takes him to Ritsuko).

It is confirmed in another thread that Misato gave clear permission to the crew for them to shoot Shinji on sight if they suspect he is attempting to get into an Eva. 

Now let me attempt to deconstruct these measures one-by-one:

It is understandable that Asuka and Mari wear DSS chokers because after all they are pilots and there is a risk of awakening. However in Shinji's case, he is forbidden from piloting and so there is no risk of awakening (remember Ritsuko did not think NERV would come after him, so they had no reason to think he would escape). So why place the DSS choker on him? Well we have already established it is simply because they have a resentment against him; there is no special, pragmatic reason. Is this realistic? Well I would say no for reasons I will explain later but I can certainly understand why others may say it is.

I don't think I will understand why they would keep their two main "soldiers" if you will, in an explosively rigged room. I believe others have  stated that from a tactical point, it's an extremely dumb move on WILLE's part. After all, if Asuka and Mari didn't have plot armor, what's to stop Gendo from tricking WILLE into killing their own pilots with these explosives? How would WILLE stop Gendo then? Will they use Shinji? No, for reasons I will state later. And another thing, we know that their rooms were already fitted with explosives so why on Earth would they add extra after the events of Q (when they stopped 4th impact). What do they hope to achieve with more bombs? Make the pilots more "deader" than they already are? In my opinion, this doesn't even come across as paranoid but just plain childish. Is this measure realistic from a story standpoint? No not in my eyes.

We know they intended to put Shinji in a solitary cell as this is what they do in Shin. If it was solitary confinement on it's own, then I believe it would be a realistic measure that would happen in real life. However I believe the writers did not factor in the effects of solitary confinement (especially one that is rigged to explode) on fully grown men; never mind a 14 year old who's just come out of a 14 year coma. Many people think solitary confinement is a walk in the park so I made another post a while ago highlighting why that's not the case:

"I remember when before Shin came out people here theorized that if Shinji stayed on the Wunder, they would eventually softened to him and let him help in ways that wouldn't have involved piloting. However with these revelations it looks like they intended to keep him in an isolated room far from everyone else that is (presumably) rigged with explosives as well as keeping the choker on his neck. Not even allowed to freely leave his cell without WILLE's permission (it is unlikely they would let him out judging from these measures). 

Even though Asuka and Mari were treated like this as well, at least they had each other and were able to leave as they had responsibilities in piloting. But Shinji was forbidden from piloting and was to be kept by himself except maybe being checked up on by Sakura now and again. So judging from these leaks (we will have to wait to properly see the full context) WILLE intended to lock Shinji in solitary confinement.

I have copied and pasted some of the effects of Solitary Confinement from Wikipedia below:

“Psychiatric: Research indicates that the psychological effects of solitary confinement may encompass "anxiety, depression, anger, cognitive disturbances, perceptual distortions, obsessive thoughts, paranoia, and psychosis." The lack of human contact, and the sensory deprivation that often go with solitary confinement, can have a severe negative impact on a prisoner's mental state that may lead to certain mental illnesses such as depression, permanent or semi-permanent changes to brain physiology, an existential crisis, and death.

Self-harm: According to a March 2014 article in American Journal of Public Health, "Inmates in jails and prisons attempt to harm themselves in many ways, resulting in outcomes ranging from trivial to fatal." Self harm was seven times higher among the inmates where seven percent of the jail population was confined in isolation. Fifty-three percent of all acts of self harm took place in jail. "Self-harm" included, but was not limited to, cutting, banging heads, self-amputations of fingers or testicles. These inmates were in bare cells, and were prone to jumping off their beds head first into the floor or even biting through their veins in their wrists. A main issue within the prison system and solitary confinement is the high number of inmates who turn to self-harm. Many of the inmates look to self-harm as a way to "avoid the rigors of solitary confinement."

Physical: Solitary confinement has been reported to cause hypertension, headaches and migraines, profuse sweating, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Many inmates also experience extreme weight loss due to digestion complications and abdominal pain. Many of these symptoms are due to the intense anxiety and sensory deprivation. Inmates can also experience neck and back pain and muscle stiffness due to long periods of little to no physical activity. These symptoms often worsen with repeated visits to solitary confinement.

Social: The effects of isolation unfortunately do not stop once the inmate has been released. After release from segregated housing, psychological effects have the ability to sabotage a prisoner's potential to successfully return to the community and adjust back to ‘normal’ life. The inmates are often startled easily, and avoid crowds and public places. They seek out confined small spaces because the public areas overwhelm their sensory stimulation.”

And this is just for solitary confinement. There are so many other things going on with and happening (or could happen) to Shinji such as the things below:

Shinji being only 14 years old.

Shinji being abandoned and neglected by his father.

Shinji being coerced/emotionally blackmailed to pilot Unit 1.

Shinji seeing girls he cared for "die".

Shinji being in a coma for 14 years.

Shinji being told he has a bomb on his neck.

Being told it is because he is being punished.

Being told he cannot pilot the eva anymore (he is effectively "useless" now).

Have his former co-pilot and friend try and punch him after he thought she was dead.

[Potentially] being told he started NTI and devastated the world.

[Potentially] being told that the girl he tried to save is "gone" and that she was a clone of his mother.

Being imprisoned in a cell (presumably) surrounded by explosives and not being able to freely leave.

Be completely isolated from everyone except when being checked up by a girl who's father he got killed. (NOTE: Mari might want to see him so Shinji at least has her, maybe). 

Have his mother figure (the woman who made him pilot the eva the most) threaten to detonate the choker around his neck and blow his head off when he tries to leave.

With the above list, is it any wonder his head is so messed up? I understand the purpose of these films is all about growing up and taking responsibility but expecting Shinji to willingly allow himself to be subjected to the treatment WILLE had in store for him is pure, unadulterated masochism. Much of what was is written here can safely be considered cruel, inhumane and arguably, torture. 

There is a massive difference between taking responsibility for one's mistakes and just letting the whole world torture you because you did something bad. My main fear and problem with Q and Thrice is that their main theme, which is accepting responsibility, is equated with accepting unreasonably cruel treatment. And I just think that is an EXTREMELY unhealthy message to send to people especially if they are depressed or live in abusive relationships."

When you take all these into account, does it place into perspective how messed up Shinji would have been had he stayed on the wunder? This is assuming that they thought they would never have a need for him, but as we find out in Shin, they needed Shinji in the end to defeat Gendo. If Shinji never left with Mark 09 and Misato successfully kept him "protective" custody, then one of three things would have happened when WILLE actually needed him to save everyone:

A: He would not have been in the mental state to pilot Unit 1 and Gendo would have completely wrecked him due to shit synch ratios. 

B: He would have told Misato and co. to fuck off and die. We've seen this nihilism before from Shinji (after the 5th angel). His incarceration alongside the humiliation and guilt from wearing the choker will have ratcheted up by a million.

C: He wouldn't have piloted because he would have killed himself. There's only so much a 14 year old can take and when subjected to a fate that causes even hardened criminals to resort to self-harm, genital mutilation and suicide, then what chance does Shinji have? 

Now back to my original point, do I think this measure is realistic? I would like to say yes if it was the solitary on it's own, however when combined with the other things, then I think the chances of Shinji commiting suicide is extremely high to the point where it's not believable for him to continue as an anime protagonist. You have to make sure the protagonist goes through difficulty in order to experience growth and change, however if you make it too harsh (to the point of committing suicide) then it seems less believable that they live to continue the story. On a separate note, many people think that Shinji was immature for leaving with Mark 09 the first chance he got and that this is proof that he is, in Asuka's words, a "brat". But let's be realistic, if this story is about Shinji's growth and maturation, then how exactly would WILLE's treatment of him be conducive to that? The truth is WILLE's sheer hostility towards him would have completely stunted any emotional growth and maturation in Shinji and it would have destroyed the point of the film. Also no-one can argue that WILLE would have eventually "come round" or "softened-up" towards Shinji because even after 14 years they still don't trust their own pilots. So yeah, Shinji most likely would have been stuck in solitary with a bomb around his neck until he either killed himself or the war ended (but even this doesn't guarantee his freedom).

Regarding the stretcher business. I don't understand why you have to restrain Shinji on a stretcher when the kid has already surrendered himself and has come voluntarily. Maybe WILLE are just full of bondage fetishists; it would certainly explain the chokers as well. 

If the DSS chokers and the explosive rooms weren't enough, Misato actually gave orders to the crew to shoot Shinji if they thought he was trying to pilot again. At this point, I just think this is just overkill. I mean the kid has a bomb on his neck that prevents him from awakening an Eva, you intended to keep him locked up even though he can't really leave the wunder except with outside help and now you intend to shoot him if you think he'll get into an Eva. The problem with this, is that piloting an Eva requires all the bridge-bunnies to sortie the damn thing. Shinji cannot enter Unit 1 by himself, especially since the thing is being used as an engine so why do they assume that Shinji is capable of being Sam Fisher and sneaking into Unit 1? We see that Sakura and Midori are actually willing to shoot Shinji in 3.0+1.0 and do so when he merely suggests that he pilot Unit 1. But seriously what harm would Shinji have done in Unit 1 considering the fact that Gendo was already going to start another impact anyway? Why actively try and kill (or injure in Sakura's case) the only guy that can save your ass? One cannot argue that they were just being "desperate or panicking" because in Midori's case, she actually takes the time to confirm her orders from Misato. This shows that at least, she was still of lucid mind. This particular altercation just beggars belief in my mind and the fact that Misato actually gave those orders on top of all the other measures is absolutely extraordinary. So as you can imagine, I do not think this was realistically executed.

However, I can already hear some detractors say: "So what? Misato hesitated to detonate the DSS choker and also took a bullet for Shinji. She redeemed herself from putting the DSS choker on him and the kill-order for if they thought he would try and get into an Eva." 

And to those people I say….not really. There is an idiom attributed to Benjamin Franklin and it goes like this: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." How does this apply to Misato and Shinji's relationship? Well Misato wouldn't have had to hesitate to pull the trigger if she didn't put it on him in the first place. Misato wouldn't have had to take a bullet for Shinji, if she didn't give permission for the crew to shoot him in the first place. Let's take this following dialogue for example:

916-929:

Kitakami: "It's a good thing we got Major Shikinami back. But why'd we have to take that disease along with her?"

Aoba: "Just leave it alone. Better than Nerv still being able to use him."

Tama: "If he tries to get into an Evangelion, all hands have permission to shoot on sight. There's nothing to worry about this time."

Kitakami: "Come on, that's all for show. The last time he broke out of here, the Captain couldn't put him down. I've got zero trust about this time either."

Nagara: "He was a kid. I can understand why she'd hesitate."

Kitakami: "That 'kid' caused Near Third Impact and murdered my entire family!"

Hyuga: "Near Third was a consequence of what he did, not his goal. The Captain's doing her best to atone for that too."

Takao: "That's right. She's who Kaji entrusted with Wille, and it's our job to trust the captain."

We learn a few things from this dialogue. Firstly, the older WILLE members are much more understanding to Shinji and Misato's situation: Aoba and Hyuga understand that it's better to keep an eye on Shinji and that he never meant to start NTI, Takao is one who always trusts Misato's judgement and Sumire understands that Misato would have found it difficult to kill a child, especially one that Misato was close with. 

Secondly, it appears that the younger WILLE members (Midori, Sakura and Tama) are the ones that are fearful/hateful towards Shinji (NOTE: Tama is a strange case, he strikes me as the sort of kid that just follows what everyone else is feeling. He might not feel anything towards Shinji beyond what you'd expect). 

Finally it appears that most of WILLE crew members are actually reasonable people and are not the extremely desperate and paranoid individuals some people on the forum believe. Remember this is AFTER Shinji started the 4th impact in Q. The fact that some of the WILLE crew members speak of Shinji in this way, show they are capable of understanding. Most actually trust Misato and respect her judgement except for Midori, who questions Misato's capabilities in following through on her threats. 

Which brings me to my next point. Misato has had no hesitation in pulling rank in the past. In 2.0, she even has an altercation with Ritsuko, her best friend, right before they fight the 8th angel. Misato is a woman that will tell even her best friend to STFU, when it comes to doing what she wants. Having said that, (timeskip shenanigans aside) there's no reason why she couldn't have done the same with the younger WILLE crew members. She could have nipped all of it in the bud by telling Sakura, Midori and the rest of them that Shinji was groomed to cause NTI and it was not his fault.

Instead, despite being the captain that everyone loves and fears, she kowtowed to the crew's paranoia and had the pilots fitted with explosive chokers, put in explosively rigged solitary confinement and gave the order to kill Shinji if they feared the worst. This is the sort of thing that drives fully grown men to suicide, never mind 14 year olds that have just come out of a coma. Imagine if Shinji did commit suicide in his cell. Who would Misato and WILLE have turned to in order to defeat Gendo in the end? What if Gendo tricked WILLE into killing their own pilots with the explosives? They would be properly screwed then. If Misato actually cared, as we are led to believe from her hesitation to kill Shinji, then she would have told the rest of the WILLE crew to fuck off, instead of alienating and putting Shinji and the pilots in that much risk. Are we really expected to believe that Misato placed such extreme countermeasures on Shinji just to appease Midori and Sakura? Not likely. This is why I believe that Misato would not have put the DSS choker on Shinji in the first place, and her doing so in Q was extremely unrealistic and out of character, even with anything that happened during the timeskip.

Some of you will say: "Who cares about realism? It's a show about aliens and growing up." While this is true, Anno has proven that he is able to pull the themes off much better when you look at the NGE series. Disregarding the self-contained narrative, it is obvious that the purpose of Q was to bring Shinji to the same point he was at after episode 24 of the series. If we look at how NGE/EOE handled Shinji's depression, we see that it is quite realistic:

The neglect and coercion by the adults in his life, almost dying to angels multiple times, the sexual tension with Asuka, almost killing Touji, finding out Rei is a clone of his mother, Misato putting the moves on him and having to kill Kaworu all culminate towards Shinji's mental state during EOE. Shinji is passively suicidal but it's due to the *situation* and his own introverted tendencies instead of people actively trying to hurt and isolate him. He finds the will to live again due to his mothers words despite knowing just how difficult living might be. If you remove all the Evas and the Angels from the story, the themes that are touched upon (isolation, neglect, misunderstanding) still apply and the audience can still resonate with them. 

The rebuilds however go about it completely differently. They bring Shinji to that same suicidal state by having all the characters/plot actively harm Shinji's mental health by:

Putting him in a coma for 14 years so he is completely clueless. Imagine how groggy you are when you wake up in the morning and then multiply that by a million. 

Have Misato psychologically castrate Shinji by telling him he won't do anything with a look of disdain on her face.

Have Ritsuko make Shinji feel dread by telling him he has a bomb on his neck and it's because he is being "punished".

Not tell him why he is being punished when he asks Misato.

Have Asuka try to punch Shinji after he thought she was dead.

Tell Shinji the girl he saved is "gone”.

Have his "mother figure" threaten to blow his head off for wanting to leave with the girl you just told him is gone.

Have Asuka and Mari attack Shinji in Lilith's chamber even though Shinji was seemingly willing to listen to them had Asuka not kept attacking. (Watch that scene again and you'll see when Asuka learns what Shinji is trying to do, she stops attacking but instead of explaining that he's being manipulated, she just calls him a brat instead).

Even Mari was willing to potentially kill or cripple Shinji with the Anti-AT rounds. (We don't know what the AA rounds are truly capable of because the only time they are used on screen, they don't work. The round cartridges state that they are armor and AT field piercing and have explicit restrictions on their use. The fact that Mari requires Asuka's explicit authorization to use them imply that they are most likely lethal and would have killed/crippled Shinji had he been in a normal Eva). 

Have Shinji's friend's head explode with the device Shinji's "mother figure" actually meant for him. Imagine seeing someone's head explode and then remember that your "mother figure" actually meant that to be for you. That would certainly mess anyone up.

Have Asuka then kick and manhandle him when he is catatonic.

Have Asuka force feed him to the point where he pukes whilst he is still grieving the death of his friend. 

Have Shinji only be escorted whilst tied to a stretcher despite him coming voluntarily.

Have Misato place Shinji in 24/7 solitary confinement in a cell rigged with explosives.

Have Misato tell the WILLE crew to shoot Shinji on sight if they think he's getting into an EVA.

Have people tell Shinji that he's being a brat the entire time for reacting badly to all this.

By having Misato, Asuka, WILLE reject and "punish" Shinji so harshly so it kicks off his isolation and desperation, it makes Shinji's "recovery" seem less believable. Anno himself didn't even know how to make Shinji recover psychologically in 3.0+1.0 and he actually had to ask the voice actors on how to make that happen. The story made the WILLE crew go full scorched-earth and in doing so made Shinji's "growth" and his reconciliation with Misato seem impossible. 

I have already stated that I believe Q represents "Condemnation" and Shin represents "Compassion" and I think both films pull that off brilliantly. But that doesn't mean I think the characters acted in a realistic manner. I do not believe that Misato would have placed such harsh sanctions on Shinji in the first place for the reasons I have stated above. And if she did, I do not believe that Shinji would have easily forgiven Misato (even IF she took a bullet for him) as we see he does in the film. I do not believe that WILLE were merely "scared and desperate" because as the dialogue above shows, they are surprisingly understanding (but still disapproving) of Shinji's situation despite him literally starting another impact. I do not believe that Misato would have bent over to Sakura and Midori's resentment and taken measures against Shinji, just to ease their minds. 

In summary, my main problem with the post-timeskip rebuilds is that I feel they gaslight the audience in thinking that Shinji was just being a "brat" the entire time by having Asuka and Mari say: "You have grown a little/You smell like an adult now." However, the truth is Shinji's been through so much mental suffering perpetrated by the people he cares about, that it's a miracle he's not killed himself. It would certainly break most of us on this forum. The movies seek to show Shinji "finally" taking responsibility when the truth is, the plot went so above and beyond putting him down in such an extreme manner in the first place.

[riderkaitlyn5]

All of this is freaking amazing but you're all sitting on someone with amazing potential:

Rung

Just think about it. This twink is someone no one wants to mess with because he's just a sweetheart and no one really has the heart to do anything to him

Like, he even tries to get the Joker some help and he even makes progress! Until Ratchet runs him over. Then he's just annoyed and scolds Ratchet

The rest of the tf's all kinda respect him and don't go against his orders ("take a break Magnus, it's not good to keep working nonstop like this" "Ratchet, I insist that you take a nap. You're running on fumes!" "Whirl, please put the human down. No, they did not flip you off. He was giving you a peace sign.") so now batman and everyone else thinks that Rung is their leader but in all actuality he's just a nerd who loves making little ships that everyone is fond of. And is god. But, y'know, details

Rung is also probably the only therapist in Gotham who won't try and fuck with you. When he gets ahold of Batman, Bats is done for. Forced therapy for you

Alfred is thankful

On that thread, he and Harley would bond over their most wild patients they've had (Rung would still keep his patients anonymous and wouldn't go into specific details to keep doctor/patient confidentiality) and bond over therapist things

Another thought; he gets kidnapped by some villain from out of town that hasn't gotten the memo that Rung is actually very much beloved and all of Gotham rallies together to free him. And when I say all of Gotham I mean all of Gotham—villains, heros, vigilantes, civils, crooked cops, and even smol children.

They go to storm the villains lair only to find Rung walking free, having being let go from the villain. This madlad bot made friends with the villain after comforting them when he heard their tragic lore, convinced them to turn their life around and they do! They turn themselves in!

Rung is very confused when he sees all of Gotham ready to kill for him

Rung ends up being put in charge of rehabilitating the villains and criminals of Gotham

He has a very high success rate (it'd be a 100% success rate but Ratchet ran over the Joker, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Thank you for coming to my ted talk

Some opinions down below on why I think these specific characters would be funny to see in this scenario;

-Nightbeat is a detective. Gotham is full of crime. See where I'm getting at? Also, it would be funny if he just casually figured out the batfams secret identities, went "neat" and then just moved on to the next mystery.

-Rodimus would 100% try to become a vigilante. Creates a heroic looking holoform (that looks way to flashy for anything in Gotham) and uses his alt mode as his own batmobile. Batman would find out about his true identity by the end of the week.

-I want to see Megatron accidentally create a criminal empire. Like, he tries so hard to appear like a normal human while trying to find a way home, maybe even opens a cafe or some shit as cover, but he keeps on attracting the attention of criminals. Suddenly he's got hundreds of goons devoted to him, following his every order. Call that warlord rizz.

-Whirl for the same reason as Megatron except he does it on purpose. He wanna do crime! Be a rogue (but one of those cool ones like Poison Ivy and Catwoman)! And punch the Joker. Fuck, he really hates the Joker.

-It would just be funny to see Prowl in this hellhole of a city. Gotham's crime rate is 100%, the cops are corrupt, the law is upheld by vigilantes. Look me in the eyes and tell me that he wouldn't have a fucking seizure. Would kill the Joker for stress relief.

-Look, Starscream would hate the city but he would make it work. He'd make his own place, forge connections, create his own criminal empire. And totally try and seduce Bruce Wayne. You know, for the money and power.

-Grimlock gets found by Robin. Robin sees giant, fire breathing, robot t-rex and goes "hmm, yes, you're mine now" and keeps him a secret from the rest of the batfam.

-Brainstorm would fucking thrive in Gotham. He's a mad scientist, he would have so much fun taking apart the weapons and equipment of Gotham's rogues and vigilantes. Not to mention creating his own. He'd steal the batmobile only to return it two days later, upgraded and decked out with the most insane tech.

-Soundwave has an adoption problem. Batman has an adoption probem. You see my vision? Also, I want him to adopt Robin. And Robin just accepts it because now he gets to hang out with Ravage, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak and Ratbat. Alternatively, just Ravage in Gotham because that would be funny too.

-Rewind thinks Gotham is fucking WILD and he's planning on getting it all on tape so he can show his friends later. He stalks the batfam on their patrols, sneaks into the secret bases of rogues, just to get those good action shots.

-Similar to Prowl, Ultra Magnus would be so fucking vexed by Gotham but while Prowl goes "I FUCKING HATE THIS CITY AND EVERYONE IN IT!", Ultra Magnus has a major case of "I can fix them".

[high-off-energon]

What would happen if one of us fans fell into the tfp universe via the bots faulty groundbridge? How would they react to us (the fan) already having a comprehensive knowledge of their history and biology, oh and the fan also freaking out. Also I guarantee that at least once we would try to flirt with a bit, probs ratchet while the others are out on a mission or whatever

They on god think you’re a prophet. They come back from some silly mission that almost gets someone killed and the fan will nonchalantly turn to Ratchet and be like “so you might want to get your supplies and shit ready” and of course he’s like “what?” Then the next thing he knows he gets an emergency call from the group and he’s flabbergasted like??? How tf did you know? Either way he hauls ass to get his stuff together as the team drag themselves through the ground bridge.

The knowledge on their biology and history freaks them out, but it also kind of relieves them that they don’t have to replay it for the newest member. Ratchet is honestly really happy that there’s another person who understands the biology, even if they can’t help. Gives him someone to talk to about it. Optimus is also happy about this because it has been way too long since he’s seen his old friend infodump onto someone who has a grasp on what he’s talking about.

However, they do get used to the fan making predictions in vague ways (they’re smart enough to not just completely change the storyline, but they do help out a lot) and it’s usually when the kids are at school and the rest of the team is scouting out or doing recon that they mess around with everyone’s favorite medic. Ratchet would of course be grumbling over some broken tool or trying to decode something when the fan decides to strike.

“Has anyone told you that you’re incredible?”

All he can do is stare, tool loosely in his hand, jaw slackened. The fan would smile and tilt their head.

“What?”

“You’re amazing! You do so much to keep this team running smoothly and not to mention you look good doing so.” The smirk never leaves their face as Ratchet’s fans kick on. He tries to huff it off, but they can still see the smile that was left on his face for the rest of the day.

[tarklesbehindthescenes]

🔥

Transformers Prime was so disappointing. As I said in tags, I'll try to be nice, but I just. I'm going to put this under keep reading. It will be lengthy. I do have some good things to say about it and I will, but I have so many complaints. Can't say I didn't warn you.

I'm going to start off with: I saw Cliffjumper in the first episode, paused immediately and told my friend that if he got red-shirted in the first five minutes to prove the situation was serious, I was going to be ANGRY. Lo and behold, Cliffjumper died to prove the situation was serious. And what was the time? Oh, around 4 minutes 30 seconds give or take. I screamed. My friend said something to the effect of, "I think they killed him off because his voice actor was The Rock and he was pricey". My response to that is, "Then maybe they shouldn't have hired him and gotten someone else."

My boyfriend came to the conclusion at one point that Optimus Prime sets the tone for the Transformer shows he's in. And I'm inclined to agree. Optimus is an absolute edgelord in this and I can't make myself like him. And the rest of the show follows. All I'm seeing is a show that tries too hard to be dark and gritty. It's like the writers were focused so much on the dark themes that the characters, their personalities and their backstories, they were all just an after thought. To me. Just my opinion.

Bulkhead... Why the heck didn't they keep Animated Bulkhead's personality? Why did they make him a generic brute? Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with the generic brute types, but Bulkhead is different. It just feels like a slight on what Bulkhead's character was in Animated. I understand that each continuity has every right to their differences. But it still bugs me.

I don't like Arcee. I don't care about her, I don't like the show's half-hearted attempts to make me care about her, she's so darn bland, and it really feels like she is looking to bring down the moods of anyone around her. "Smokescreen's too cheerful and immature. Time to berate him." Glitch, let him have some fun! Dumping hamburgers on someone's car is not something to be mean to him for. Just roll your optics and leave the mood be.

Ratchet does not hit it for me like G1 and Animated do. Maybe because he's racist? He treats the humans like vermin. And then the show just suddenly shows him with a slight change of heart when Raf gets sick. No warning or build up. Just "You humans are so annoying. Oh crap, this child I suddenly care about is dying!" I may be exaggerating, but that's how it felt to me. I guess an argument could be made that Animated Ratchet is racist, too? So if that's the case, then maybe that's not what rubs me the wrong way. But either way, I really don't care for Prime's Ratchet.

I don't care about Raf or Jack. They're just... there. Jack's blander than Arcee. Raf is just some kid with computer knowledge. How in the world does he understand Bee? This isn't G1, they can't just pass it off with "He just can". And I think you said you like Miko, so I'm sorry about this, but I loathe her. She just grates on every fiber of my being. Why is she allowed to put everyone in danger with no repercussions? If they do acknowledge it, it's usually just a slap on the wrist and she goes and does it again. I consider myself a pack animal, so if anyone was pulling stunts that endangered my family, I wouldn't hesitate to deck 'em and give 'em an earful. I'm sorry.

Starscream feels like a joke... He's so hung up on killing Cliffjumper. Like dude. Surely you killed more than just that one tired and beaten Autobot throughout the entire time the war has been going on. And if you haven't, how the heck did you get your position? People say his design is sexy and I just... don't see it. He's very expressive, and the way he moves his wings is great, but aside from that. His voice actor did a great job. But Starscream having a deep vampire-ish voice is not my cup of tea.

Soundwave really should have gotten more screen time. When I saw him slam down Airachnid, I knew I really wanted to see more Soundwave action. Megatron looks like Shredder's armor grew a face (TMNT). I can't take Megatron seriously whatsoever. From his bulging optics that can't look straight ahead, to his alt mode that shows his head and eyes peaking out at the top.

Can the Decepticons in general just have some more color, please? Knock Out and Breakdown are okay. Skyquake and his bro can get a pass. But most everyone else are just colored black, grey, super deep purple, etc. Airachnid should have died in the explosion caused to the Autobot base.

The Autobots are really not much better than the Decepticons. The amount of vehicon violence. They make it a game. But vehicons are filler, they're there to be cannon fodder, etc. Vehicons are so used to being killed off that the second they get punched, they lay down and pretend to be dead so they don't actually die. And the Autobots just laugh amongst themselves and treat it like some game. G1 treated Decepticon battles like a game sometimes too, I know, but they weren't actually killing their enemies. They were just thrashing their butts. The Prime bots kill off the cannon fodder, but don't kill off the main Decepticon characters when they get the chance? Oh! But Bulkhead smashing Starscream's clone to a bloody pulp and killing him! So unnecessary when the clone was clearly not a threat.

The abuse that Megatron throws at Starscream isn't really addressed in a satisfying way. Nobody tries to comfort him or help him get out of the abuse. It just happens. I haven't gone through all of season 3, so I'm only going off of what I've seen so far.

How. Dare they tease the idea of Breakdown having a change of heart and then kill him in such a stupid fashion. Just as I was getting past the fact that they turned him from a paranoid combiner in G1 to another brute like they did with Bulkhead, and beginning to like him. And he was friends with the vehicons! He was the only one that treated them with respect and gave them the time of day! And the writers killed him off! I will never not be salty about that.

...Okay, I think that does it for the negative stuff. Mostly. Now I can move on to the positive stuff.

Smokescreen is precious and I adore what they did to him. It was not worth waiting two seasons for him, but now that he's showed up, I can tolerate the show a little more. He just wants to be the best he can be and prove himself to Prime. The team does not deserve this ray of sunshine.

Knock Out and Breakdown's dynamic was adorable. It took a bit for them as individuals to grow on me, but in the end, I like them and I like their relationship.

I appreciate that the show gave the Decepticons some wins as well as the Autobots. Really made it feel like an actual war and that the "good guys" weren't overpowered.

Scraplets were a nice touch. I like the concept of some tiny terror being a predator to mechs. Makes the bots feel less indestructible. The bringing in of the Insecticons was kinda nice. Wish the design was different, but I appreciate they were even brought in. They really feel like a threat.

I liked the arc where Earth started being cyberformed. I don't think I will never not like the concept of cyberforming.

June Darby with her crush on Optimus. Oh, how I wish they explored that.

Miko and Bulkhead's dynamic is nice. They have a good friendship. I like the idea of a troublemaker dragging around their dim, but sturdy friend around and getting into trouble.

Ratchet on the synthetic energon was great. Give me more kickass doctor, please. Minus the vehicon torture and slaughter.

Predaking is precious as well. I think his fate has been spoiled for me, but we'll see. Hope I'm wrong.

I appreciate that around season 2 the humans started doing more work. They were no longer freeloading.

The vehicon that knocked Optimus' ass out with a tree trunk. He must have had direct beef with Prime and was training for that moment, because oh my goodness.

There was more that I liked about the show. Hence why I don't hate it. I'm just super bummed that I can't move past all those negative points. It had potential. And I want to enjoy it. Whoever loves Prime, like my sister, that's great. I'm glad you do. Somebody has to enjoy it. But it's not for me.

[ask-prime-starscream]

Okay, so hear me out. How about I change that certain movie a bit? Let’s start right when Unicron-Megatron arrives at the field with the Predacon bones and Starscream gets an orgasm thinking his beloved abuser master is back.

I feel so bad for Starscream. He thinks everything is going to be okay again. Megatron is his protector after all. The only one who bothers to keep him around. What’s getting punched in the face and getting ridiculed from time to time when you aren’t left for dead? At least to Starscream it’s a good deal because he is used to abuse. Sometimes I think about a scene where Unicron not only punches Starscream, but threatens to kill him. If Megatron actually had a slither of fondness for Starscream or at least remembered what a total wild card he can be in the grand scheme of things, he could have tried his mind tricks on Unicron like he did with Predaking before.  I don’t know. Just to humanize him a bit. Think more of Starscream than that he suffers entertainingly. Buuut, let’s keep it as canon as we can. Scrap that scene. Let’s focus on things that actually could and should have happened!

When Unicron revives the Predacons, Starscream flees and Shockwave stays back because he is a slow inferior ground vehicle. Well, remember that Starscream pays back his debts? Remember that Shockwave grabbed Starscream at the end of season 3 and probably saved him from imprisonment or death? (I highly doubt the Autobots would have killed Starscream if he had had the chance to “avenge Megatron”, but Starscream just expects the worst from everyone, so...)  Since a horde of zombies is scary either way, Starscream flees at first, but then he decides to help Shockwave, the bot that kept him company and was his comrade after Megatron’s demise. Shockwave is about to be overpowered, but a few missiles give him some room to move again. Zombiecons really are not much better than Vehicons, Predacons or not. Megatron revived a whole army and Optimus and Ratchet had little problem slicing and dicing them all back in season 1. Dark energon is really overrated. It’s worthless actually. Megatron is a fool.

Anyway, as a nice quote from G1 which we know TF series can’t get enough of, Shockwave climbs on Starscream’s vehicle mode and together they can escape. We know Starscream is strong enough to carry Shockwave. He had no problem flying Knock Out around. Shockwave probably thinks that Starscream’s dangerous move was illogical, but Starscream just tells him to shut up.

What happens next? They try to free Knock Out and the Vehicons of course. The more the merrier. With Shockwave around, Knock Out thinks twice about who is gonna be the winning team here and doesn’t stab Starscream in the back over some petty thing. A petty thing I would call the emergency brake writers pull when A: Starscream gets a friend. Or B: Two male characters get some really nice chemistry.

I personally have no problem with Knock Out basically being a spineless Starscream who believes in nothing but his looks. What I have a problem with is the way he is treated. He is fucking dangerous and came pretty close to killing some members of team Prime. However, “No Autobot except Cliffjumper dies in this series by Decepticon hand” syndrome prevented that. He doesn’t believe in any of the Autobots’s morals. He doesn’t care if humanity gets wiped out. He has no honor, no loyalty. He contributes absolutely nothing in the fight against Unicron. The Autobots shouldn’t have treated him like a longtime member of team Prime. He shouldn’t have gotten away scot-free at the end of the movie as if he was actually good! It’s so unsatisfying and completely unearned! Breakdown, Starscream, even Dreadwing would have been better candidates for the turncoat. But nah, fuck actual character, Knock Out is cute and funny! He shall be good now! WRONG! Knock Out is a chicken shit opportunist, who will follow the faction in power. He would have submitted to Unicron if Unicron wasn’t about complete annihilation. Something like that shouldn’t be rewarded. If RiD did one thing right, it was showing Knock Out to be uncaring about Autobot stuff and just racing around on earth. So. Phew. Rant over. We will have none of that shit here. Decepticons and Autobots are at a standoff. And Bee won’t pull his dumb “Do you believe me or your own eyes?” shit either. Instead we do something else.

Arcee knows that Starscream follows somewhat of an honor code. He had saved her from Airachnid and spared her life. So she tries to actually bargain with him. While the other Autobots are more like “The heck are you trying here, Arcee?”, she starts talking about whether Starscream really wants to abandon Cybertron and lose it to destruction, this time irreversible. After all, he had put so much effort in reviving it, getting the keys and all. Bee maybe catches on and strokes his ego and Starscream is like “Whoah, what you guys say isn’t even that wrong...!” Shockwave is skeptical, Knock Out just wants to be safe, but everyone comes to the conclusion that together, Autobots and Decepticons, they might have a chance. And so they do their all to fight for their home. And with “do their all” I mean it. They use everything. The Autobots free Soundwave from the shadow zone and if there is one good thing about Soundwave, it’s that he follows Starscream’s orders. Without Megatron, Starscream is the leader of the Decepticons, just like he had been in season 1. Also the prospect of beating Unicron out of Megatron’s body might motivate him too.

So they fly with the Nemesis to Primus’s anus and get battle ready. 

In order to give the Zombiecons the smallest attack surface, they position themselves accordingly. Every Iaconic artifact gets used. Immobilizer, phaseshifter, shield... the Nemesis’s cannons... It’s a crazy fight and everybody is contributing. And then Starscream says “I would have never thought I’d die side by side with a grounder” to Knock Out and Knock Out responds with “How about side by side with a friend?” and... Maybe we even get some nice Autobot/Decepticon teamwork. Some really nice, fanservice-y shit. But the battle is hard and even with the Predacons joining them, they are about to be overwhelmed...

Until Prime and Wheeljack show up. Unicron finally enters the battle himself and Optimus and him start an epic fight surrounded by Autobots, Decepticons, Predacons and zombies. It seems like Prime will actually win and the morale is high. Until Unicron throws him to the ground and stabs him, Megatron screaming in his head. That’s not how Megatron had intended for their eon-long fight to end. He is overcome by guilt and regret. After all, his tinkering with Unicron’s blood had caused this outcome. Him, being nothing but a puppet, killing the one he once called his friend. 

The Autobots are devastated and unbelieving. The Decepticons are more like “Oh no, I guess...” Then Bee pulls his leader potential out of his aft since it’s time not for gods and Primes to define destiny, but for the average man! He quickly advises everyone to focus on Unicron and keep him occupied, never letting him target just one and overwhelm them, but having an advantage thanks to their quantity. Wheeljack holds Primus’s spark box like a hot potato asking what to do with it now and Bee says, they’ll get it where it belongs. So all of our good flyers are supposed to get the box to the core. Predaking, Skylynx, Darksteel, Soundwave, Starscream eye each other like “Is that a good idea?”, but there is no better plan. One of them holds the box while the others flank him, protecting him from any potential Zombiecons slipping through the now far weaker protection of the remaining bots. Unicron becomes aware of what is happening and follows them. With his super ultra speed he quickly catches up and the flyers have to throw the box from one to the other in order to get it out of Unicrons reach. Once more they show how important camaraderie, teamwork and friendship is... eh... even if all the flyers are Decepticons and Predacons, lol... Like... Like this is a GOOD moral, okay?! Different species working together, even though they were evil or kinda evil... there is worth in life, even if said life wasn’t always pure.

Eventually, one of them opens the box and throws it in a last ditch effort towards the core, reviving Primus. The sparks burst towards the sky and Unicron’s spirit is ripped from Megatron’s body, carried to who knows where... whatever Primus deems right.

Now, everything is good, isn’t it? Well, not for Megatron. He doesn’t have a place on the new Cybertron and chooses the exile. But Starscream is having nothing of that. Cybertron is theirs to take now, isn’t it? The Decepticons agree and Bee and the Autobots are like “Really?!?”, while the Predacons are like “Whatever... don’t try shit with us, though.”

Megatron is absolutely against any more carnage and says the war had been a mistake. Starscream can’t believe what he is hearing. Everything he ever did, was for nothing? All the losses? All the beatings? He tries to convince Megatron and tells him what he had done in his name. Cloned more Predacons, tried to avenge him. He is loyal for fuck’s sake!! He is like Megatron has always wanted him to be! Now that is all wrong and he had suffered uselessly?

Megatron just says, that Starscream had wasted his time. Then he wants to fly off, but Starscream holds him back, grabbing his arm. How can Megatron leave him now?! Megatron pushes him away and hurts his wing so he won’t get any ideas of following him before he transforms and flies away. 

Starscream is devastated. He has a breakdown. He reaches for his hurt wing and Knock Out is the first by his side, hearing him cry: “I can’t be alone again!” Knock Out shakes his head, smiling faintly. “But you have us.” Indeed. Even Soundwave was just disillusioned by Megatron’s sudden antics. There is no use following such a coward.

Autobots and Decepticons form a shaky peace agreement for now, everyone having to deal with the losses of their leaders and their almost destruction. The tone is somber, but Cybertron lives again. It is time for a new beginning...

[adabofblessings]

How does Dadimus comfort each of the kids after a particularly bad day and how would they repay the favour after he has a bad day himself?

Oof! My heart!

All three of them have different ways of showing when they need comfort. Optimus is good at reading people and knows when one of his comrades is in the dumps. However, he isn't considered a comforter, per say. Millions of war has kind of taken away the basic emotions of Optimus or Orion used to have.

He still has those gentle tones and understanding empathy, but he is in no way of a physical or emotional comforter, but damn does he try when it comes to his family.

Lets start, shall we? :)

Miko

I wanna think Miko knows what she needs. Shes firm if she wants to be alone and I think Optimus knows it. However, being firm can be a huge misunderstanding sometimes. Shes firm about hanging out or doing something together, not because shes being forceful, but because she needs someone to talk to. She wants someone to listen to her and hear her. But she also knows that her friends can't always do that. And her parents are miles away from her. So where does she go?

To Optimus.

And after awhile of Miko practically pleading to him to hang out and do whatever, he starts to see how Miko expresses her needs through activities. It takes a moment and he wasn't sure why she was asking him to draw him or paint on his frame, but he realizes that she talks a lot about things team Prime don't know except him and Jack and Raf.

It really does sadden him when he sees this precious teenager go through life and have a different approach on how she expresses her challenges. Most people can't see that and it destroys them immensely. But he tries to be there every step of the way.

He always notices that Miko's hands are always doing something whenever hes with her and theres a revelation to that little hint. Its some thing that distracts her while she's pouring out her life. But Optimus knows it to keep her grounded while she's talking.

They seem to know a secret code of some sort. There's always a day where Miko will walk up to Optimus and ask him to do something, and it clicks to his processor that she needs a hearing ear. And hes always on point of that. He'll drop everything to help her. Be a ear or just someone to near her. He'll let her hang around his shoulder plate or let her hug his digit whenever she needs physical affection.

Jack

Jack is a lot like Optimus in many ways. He suffers through silence and wont talk about his difficulties. Hes never mentioned about his life problems, but everyone has breaking points and Jack is no different.

There's a moment where Jack comes to the base with tiredness etching his pale face. Arcee notices, Ratchet and then everyone does, but he flat out refuses to say anything. Stubborn boy.

Optimus is the only one that hasn't asked about what was wrong with him, because he can practically see what the boy is doing. He's no stranger to this type of suffering. It kills him inside because this suffering silence is a slow kind of painful type. It destroys from the inside and out.

He notices that Jack takes it slow and prefers it that way. It takes a lot of time but he finally cracks a little part of Jack. The fruits of his labor is finally here and he wouldn't want it any other way.

It starts out small but Optimus knows how wary Jack is with this personal information. He just nods and listens. The thing is that Jack isn't venting, he just seems lost and confused and thats what makes Optimus understand him more.

Jack is that kind of person who is always seeking for advice. Its difficult because he doesn't have a father to teach him those advices. His mom has always been his steady rock but things become unsteady when it becomes the world growing men.

And while Optimus is no where near Jack's species, he does try his best to give fatherly advice. Though it comes out natural than what Optimus think it sounds like. Jack feels a lot better after the talk between him and Optimus and rather enjoys there time together. However he isn't really the one to verbally ask for help, so Optimus always have to keep an Optic out when Jack is one of thise predicaments. They're not very affectionate but Jack does pat Optimus' pede. And though it's not much, Optimus knows that it's Jack way of affection and he cherishes it greatly.

Raf

Raf is those kids whose teachers and his parents have to go to him when hes troubled. Even though Raf will say hes fine every time someone asks him if he's okay, hes not really. It frustrates the crap out of Ratchet and it concerns Bumblebee. Eventually they'll give up and let the kid come to them, but the Prime knows;he sees it. And he doesn't like it.

The more they try to pry it out of him the more he seals his problems. He doesn't want to cause more trouble from what he's experiencing. At first, Optimus is light and soft. But then after awhile of not being able to get Raf to open up, he has to be firm. Why.

Raf is shrugging at the question and simply gives him a very vague answer. Like "just school" or "just tired" but Optimus knows that its more than that. Hes patient as ever and let's Raf play that game. Soon enough, there's a snap in Raf and it completely unfolds. He's tired, he's frustrated, he wants someone to hug him and just comfort him.

It breaks Optimus' spark but he knows that letting go will help him. He sits through the tears and frustrated talks and just listens. Soon, Optimus finds himself expressing more physical affection towards the youngest team member. He's scooping up the poor and tired boy and letting Raf rest of his tired head against his warm chassis, allowing his spark to beat soothingly against Raf's ear. It takes a lot out of the boy but he relaxes and finds himself at peace. Whenever Raf is need of attention, Optimus understand and learns that Raf is a boy and needs the affection that he lacks of. Unfortunately, Raf isn't the person to ask, so whenever he and Raf are alone, he'll scoop him up and allow the boy hang around or nap on him if he's tired.

Optimus

After hes all done dealing with lovable children, hes all alone and ready to greet the inescapable sound of silence. Hes willing to sit by himself and contemplate life and the consequences he's experienced during his long years. Unfortunately (fortunately) all three children see him alone and that will just not do! Sure, hes older than millions of lives combined but that doesn't mean that their dad won't suffer alone.

Optimus very surprised when he sees Jack, Miko and Raf climbing him and perch themselves on his shoulder. Miko and Raf wraps their arms around Optimus' face while Jack is placing a hand on the side of his faceplate. It's simple but Optimus finds himself closing his optics and leaning to their small hugs.

He feels at peace, enjoying the comforting presence of his human children. His children is all it takes for his demons to flee and it takes just a minute to feel determine to defeat this war and bring peace to his world, just as the human children gave him.

[transformer-imagines]

Happy Together

No one asked for this, but I’m the one in control of the aux cord on this blog and I wanna indulge myself with some cute Dinobot shenanigans

Sludge (G1) x Bot!Reader (sfw)

2672 Words

Everyone and their creator knew that the Ark’s med bay was understaffed. Ratchet was the only one qualified enough to consider a doctor, so mechs tried to help out however they could. Being in the war for the better part of your life, you had picked up what medical knowledge you could in order to aid your comrades; you couldn’t offer much, but you tried to help Ratchet as much as you could. Normally this translated into running errands, taking basic vitals, or doing some patch work.

It was all hands on deck in the med bay today. A particularly nasty skirmish sent so many bots your way that anyone in non-critical condition was asked to sit on the floor. You were scurrying about between them, jotting down names and conditions on your datapad. Even the thick platted Dinobots hadn’t come out of the fight clean. The aspiring team medic, Swoop, was one of the few permitted a seat on an exam table, Wheeljack working to reattach his wing. He was the only Dinobot that you had ever really spoken to, being in and around the med bay so often. He was an excitable and enthusiastic young bot, not something anyone would be able to tell with the way his vocalizer was whining static.

His brothers had tried valiantly to remain with him in the med bay but were shooed out by Wheeljack; there were just too many injured bots for them to be taking up all that space. Only Sludge was allowed to stay, waiting to get patched up with the other mechs on the floor. You were saving him for last, not overly eager to face him; his intimidating size dwarfed most bots and the Dinobots weren’t well known for their friendly dispositions.

Eventually, you could put it off no longer. You tried your best to exude confidence and professionalism in your EM field as you approached. Sludge took notice, straightening up from tracing absentminded patterns on the floor panels to send a curious look your way. Oh Primus, he was sitting down and you barely even reached the top of his chassis.

“So, uh, you’re name’s Sludge, right? I’m Y/N.” He gave a hum in response, nodding his head in agreement that yes, his name was in fact Sludge. “Can you show me where you’re hurt?” He nodded again, moving his right pede out for you to inspect. What you could make out as his alt dino casing was shredded, jagged metal torn and fraying out from the wound.

“Right next to big explosion. Took out him Swoop. Lots of shrapnel, tore off wing and hit me in side.” He turned slightly and gestured to the kibble on his back. “More here.” You gestured for him to turn fully so you could inspect the damage as you jotted down his abridged account on your datapad. He was lucky his plating was so thick, as the force of the explosion probably would’ve hit major energon lines in any other bot. Most of his damage was superficial, deep as it was, though the shrapnel had managed to nick a few minor energon lines.

“There wouldn’t have been an explosion in the first place if it wasn’t for you ditzy dinos!” You finished jotting down the damage before looking sharply in the direction of the whiny outburst. Of course it was Huffer. “If you hadn’t given us away, none of us would be in here!”

“We’re all on the same team, Huffer,” you said with a wave of your servo. “So stop harassing patients or I’ll turn off your vocalizer.” A resounding laugh sounded from behind you.

“You must have a glitch in your memory core, Huffer,” said Hound. “The Dinobots gave us away by saving your tailpipe!”

“I could’ve taken care of it!”

You left the two to their bickering, patting your patient on his knee plating to get his attention. “You’re not too badly damaged. Since I got to you last for diagnostic, I’m gonna go ahead a patch you up first, okay?” You offered Sludge a kind smile, trying to provide better bedside manner than Huffer. He took it, returning your smile with one of his own and moving to expose the damage on his leg more as you fished around subspace for your welder and some titanium patches.

It certainly wasn’t the last time you saw Sludge. He had a knack for denting his plating, either over the course of sparing with his brothers or while out in the field. You would’ve thought that he’d just get Swoop to take care of it, but more and more frequently he would be stopping by the med bay; he said he liked how much quieter it was there than in the retrofitted cave the Dinobots had claimed as their own.

It was almost laughable how intimidating you found Sludge when you first met. He had a gentle spark, reserved and well-intentioned. Sure he didn’t have the fastest processor, but you couldn’t keep up with Perceptor either; and what was a smart mech worth if they weren’t also kind? You’d much rather spend time with Sludge than Shockwave. It didn’t hurt that he was a good listener, too. Despite what other Autobots might suggest, he had a good memory, asking for updates on personal projects that you had mentioned offhandedly the last time you saw him. And he had a creative mind! Swoop had been talking to you about how Sludge had recently taken up two-dimensional etching and drawing. And he had a handsome face, delicate touch when getting your attention, and –

Wait what? Hold on, were you…did you have a crush on Sludge? Oh Primus, this was just what you needed in the middle of a war. Still, you could do worse. And the spark wants what the spark wants… So what, maybe you did have a crush on him. You might as well try and see where it goes; in this war you had to make what joys you could.

“Is it just me or does Y/N look like they’re trying to court somebot?”

It was gossip time in the empty corridor, two mechs making good use of the late hour and lack of nearby audio receptors to concern themselves with the lives of others.

“You just noticed? Yea, I caught em in the wash polishing like it was going out of style,” Cliffjumper gave a short laugh at the memory. “You’da thunk I’d caught em sneaking extra rations with the way they bolted outta there.”

“Any ideas who the lucky mech is?” Powerglide didn’t give the minibot a moment to answer before continuing. “I overheard from Doc Ratch one of the Dinobots has got a lil crush; maybe we’ve got some love-birds on base?”

“Primus, I hope not. No one deserves to have a dumb dino on their tail; they’re so stupid and clumsy, they’d wind up melting the poor bot down! Honestly, I think Y/N deserves better than getting slagged by Slag.”

“You’re just jealous you aren’t getting any,” the plane sniped.

“Powerglide, I’m just a realist. I can’t help that your processor is full of that romantic scrap.”

“Cliffjumper, I can’t help that you have an incurably abrasive personality.” Powerglide gave the Porsche a hearty pat as he began walking further down the hall. “Come on, maybe we can get Ratch to fix that personality component of yours! Or at least we can sit down; my struts are killing me!”

“I do not have an abrasive personality, you silicon sanded showboat!”

Neither took notice of the saddened giant on the other side of the corridor, watching the retreating mechs from around the corner.

Sitting in one of the metal booths stuck to the far wall of the Rec Room, you found yourself thinking it all through. Lost in the swirling liquid of your energon cube, you wondered if you had been reading the situation wrong. You thought that Sludge had reciprocated your feelings, but he hadn’t really responded to your efforts. He never mimicked your attempts at posing or polishing. Maybe he was just unaware of Cybertronian flirting? It would make sense, as he was made on Earth, but even then you would’ve thought someone would take pity on him and explain your efforts. It wasn’t like you were being subtle, even in non-Cybertronian terms. You even got advice from Carly, trying to figure out how she’d won over someone as oblivious as Spike. You tried to be as obvious as possible, complimenting his skills and appearance and inviting him to recreational activities. But even then, he would look flustered and come up with some reason to turn you down. Maybe he was just trying to let you down on amicable terms, ignore your advances but maintain your acquaintanceship. Maybe he-

“Hi! Room here to sit?”

The scratchy voice startled you out of your reprieve; you must’ve really been in your own processor not to notice the dinobot flyer approaching.

“Oh, Swoop! Yeah, of course, take a seat,” you gestured across the table. It was almost humorous watching him try to squeeze himself into the clearly too small booth; being the smallest dinobot still made him one of the biggest Autobots. Finally situating himself, he flashed you a mischievous smirk and his optics flashed in mirth. “How’s it going?”

“Good! Had to get out of Dino Den, though; too loud for reading when Grimlock and Slag fighting.” He emphasized his point by producing an anatomical datapad and setting it on the table.

“Well that’s too bad,” you said. “How’s everyone else doing?”

“Him Snarl hog TV all day, watching Nurse Whitney.” His tone held a slight annoyance at the distraction it must’ve posed to his own studying; you knew he was quite fond of the show, and probably found it near impossible not to be watching it. His optics lit up in sudden remembrance, a squawk making its way past his vocalizer as he straightened his posture. “Sludge work on project! Big art project!”

“Oh?”

“Yes! It pretty, very pretty! Him Sludge good at art. Best Dinobot, maybe even best Autobot! And good at other things too!” Swoop emphasized his point by holding aloft a digit, helm held high with a self-assured expression. “Him strong, very strong! Last fight, him take out twenty, no, thirty Decepticons! Him good at keeping others safe, protecting. Oh, and him best fisher of Dinobots! Good provider! Patient and quiet and-”

“Wait, what’s fishing?”

“Fish earth animals, live in water. Humans and Dinobots like catching fish, very fun and -”

It was hard not to notice the lumbering form of Sludge entering the Rec behind the chatty Pteranodon. His sweeping optics seemed to stop in the direction of your booth (though you suppose it would be hard not to notice Swoop, what with his crest and loud voice), his optics seeming to blink out for a second. Swoop continued on, oblivious to his brother’s presence.

That is until Sludge began stomping his way over. You quickly grabbed onto the table, thankful that it was bolted into the wall as the ground shook under his weight. It wasn’t often you were reminded of his tremorous step, but it seemed that whatever had gotten under his plating was enough for him to have forgotten the virtue of gentle pedes. You didn’t expect to see his normally soft features so soured, mouth drawn into a tight line and optics darkened into a furrowed glare. With his massive stride, it didn’t take long before Sludge reached you. His servo came to rest behind Swoop, the back of the booth’s bench groaning under his weight as he leaned down, optic to optic with his brother.

“What you Swoop think you do?” His voice seemed edged with a nervous worry.

“Me just talking to Y/N,” Swoop answered, flashing the Brontosaurus the same mischievous smile he had given you earlier. “You know they want go fishing? Me say you should take them!”

“Yeah,” you interjected, ignoring the fact that you had never discussed joining the Dinobots on their fishing exploits. “I think it sounds like fun!” You couldn’t help the eagerness that steeped into your EM field, hopeful that you might finally get an opportunity to spend some true quality time with him outside of the occasional med bay visit.

Sludge seemed to soften a bit at your reply, gifting you with a gentle smile before his brow furrowed. His smile turned to a slight pout as his gaze drifted down, seeming to be a bit lost in thought. He exvented sharply, lugging Swoop out of his seat and maneuvering the now indignant mech around to carry him under one arm. Ignoring his squirming brother, he turned to you with a sad smile that he tried to mask with a projected air of confidence in his EM.

“Me Sludge think on it. Would be fun. Uh, him Ratchet ask to talk to him Swoop, so we see you Y/N later.” With the lame excuse, he turned to leave the Rec. With a loud squawk, Swoop made his opinion on the matter known.

“No! Him Sludge like Y/N! Like whole bunch!” That seemed to stop the brontosaurus dead in his tracks, grip loosened enough in shock that the loud flyer was able to transform out of his grasp. He seemed stuck in place as his processor caught up with the situation. In contrast, you and Swoop seemed to be a flurry of movement, standing up from your seat in the booth as the Pteranodon perched himself on the back of the bench.

“Really?” Your response, lackluster as it might’ve been, was all you could dumbly muster up at the revelation.

“Yes, him won’t shut up about it! ‘Oh, them Y/N so nice, very sweet. Pretty face, pretty smile. Feel like me Sludge melt when they look at me. So smart, so kind.’” Swoop’s impression left quite a bit to be desired, but that was the last thing on your mind, your gaze drifting to the gentle giant in question as you took in his words. Sludge had sheepishly turned halfway towards you, optics firmly locked to the ground and servos fiddling together nervously. “Us Dinobots try talk to him about anything, him always distracted or drawing you.” That seemed to catch Sludge’s full attention. “Him have big project now, draw y-” A large servo suddenly came to rest on the Pteranodon’s beak, clamping it shut before anything too embarrassing could be shared. You craned your helm up to look at Sludge, his cheek plating positively painted with the glow of his optics and lips drawn into a pout.

“Sludge, is that true? Do you really like me?” His optics bashfully locked on the ground again, answering you with a soft nod. He dared a glance at your face before averting his gaze again. “You know, I like you a lot too.” That seemed to win his attention, finally maintaining some real eye contact. He nodded again with a hum and you frowned. “You knew? Why didn’t you say anything?” That stung, knowing that he was aware of your advances all along and hadn’t done anything. Especially when he apparently liked you too.

He opened his mouth before closing it, brow furrowing. You gave him a moment to formulate his thoughts.

“You Y/N deserve better than Sludge.” He spoke slowly, thinking hard on his words. “Deserve someone smart and not clumsy or stumbly. Deserve someone not hurt you.” You frowned at that.

“Sludge, you are one of the gentlest mech’s I know. You haven’t hurt me yet and I don’t think you will,” you said, stepping closer to him. “And in any case, I think I would know better than anyone else what I deserve. I think I deserve to be happy and getting to spend time with you makes me happy. You make me happy. Do I make you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s be happy together.”

 BONUS:

“SQUAWK! Let Swoop go! No want to see smooches!”

[repentantsky]

9 Things I’d like to see at E3, 2021

So E3 2021 is a thing. It’s gonna be all digital, and several companies have already signed up to join, sounds like a good deal, but the question is, will it be what we normally expect out of E3, or will it be more like Summer Game Fest Last Year, where everything that looked like it was gonna be great, but just turned out to be okay? Who can say, but I have some...suggestions, that might make it better, along with some game announcements, that might make it all it should be cracked up to be. 

9. No low quality, at home interviews during the main show 

E3 has had a history of doing interviews during game shows to try and break pace a little, and keep people from being too excited, only to potentially be let down later. However, possibly the worst problem with Summer Game Fest last year, was the at home interviews, which broke pacing during game announcements in a way I can’t imagine was on purpose, and for many, was the time to take a bathroom break, or simply look away for a while. It’s important of course to hear from developers about their projects, and they can divulge some interesting information about games, that either puts something confusing into context, or is accidently leaked, but when we watch shows about game releases, we want to see the games. Interviews should be held in between shows, or better yet, the days following the conferences themselves. 

8. Nintendo finally talks about the big three 

While it’s safe to say Nintendo has done some banger numbers over the last year espeically, due to better console availability, which I never thought I’d say about Nintendo but here we are, it’s also safe to say that fans have been waiting for literal years on Bayonetta 3, Metroid Prime 4, and Breath of the Wild 2. While some have been more patient than others, and of course I understand there’s a flipping pandemic going on, Nintendo told us far too long ago about these games, or the restart of their development, and Breath of the Wild 2 was promised to at least get an update this year, and E3 seems like the best place to do it, especially after their last direct, one that was more than a year in waiting, and left so many people disappointed. And this is coming from someone who had literally only hoped to be excited about one thing, and it didn’t happen The future of how they present games, almost feels like it’s in question after such a show, which did not justify itself, so hopefully, they can finally let everyone walk away happy, and talk about the projects that have been generation the most excitement, for literal years now.

7. Space things out better

You might now know this, I only made one list about it after all, and literally no one reacted to it, but I’m a huge wrestling fan, and one of the promotions I watch, is WWE. Now, WWE is about to launch WrestleMania, their equal to E3 in a lot of ways, and are splitting it up over two days, and that goes for their third brand NXT as well, because they have a history of making the show sometimes 8 hours long. For fans of video games, watching The Game Awards, which can be two to three hours long, is arduous, and tiring, and E3, can also have that same effect. I remember in 2019, I literally fell asleep watching Bethesda’s conference, because I was so tired trying to write about the previous shows in between them, never mind actually watching them, that I was burnt out. Since E3 is going fully digital this year, and everyone is going to be in that same boat, it would be nice if we didn’t have too many shows, spanning over a near 12 hour period, which was happened before, making people stay up late to enjoy what they want to, or you know, work, which is free promotion for whatever gets announced. Spacing the shows out to no more than three a day, and giving people enough time to get their thoughts together, would just be really nice. 

6. Devolver Digital, tries a different style

Look, I don’t hate Devolver Digital’s approach to talking about games at E3, but what I do hate, is them telling the same jokes over and over again, and expecting everyone to laugh, because you know, it’s so funny when something that’s already been said, or shown, is modified ever so slightly for years on end. I’m not saying they can’t still tell jokes, please do, E3 is as much a good time as it is stressful depending on who you are, so the change of pace can at times be a lot of fun, but the last time they had a “conference”, it was a slog, and generally left me feeling annoyed, and I can’t help but feel I’m not the only one. They want to be different, I say that’s great, but they need to do it in a way that for one, is actually different, because their style has become a cliché in and of itself, and where they don’t spend time talking about fake games, because it’s hard to know at times what’s real and what isn’t. I honestly thought the last time they did one, the final game they talked about was just a play on the “one more thing” trope conferences have, and when I later realized it wasn’t, I never got that first sense of hype, and so lost interest, and that’s not a good business model. We don’t even know at this point if they’re going to declare for E3, and since it was announced late, it might be too hard to get a show at all, but if they do show up, or even when they next do a conference, it would be nice if they considered this line of thinking.

5. Drop the “Exclusive Online Portal” idea

Yeah I don’t know what the ESA was thinking with this one, but they mentioned that E3 will be streaming from an exclusive online portal, and not only do we not know what that means, but no one flipping cares! We’re all going to watching it on YouTube, Twitch, or dare I say it but it’s possible, Facebook Gaming, and any other platform is completely useless. We are all tired of hearing, download a new program to do a thing you can already do on other platforms, PC gamers especially, stop releasing new flipping launchers and...sorry, that’s for another list in the future perhaps, but the point stands. You might get streamers to download, or go to whatever site they need to, to watch the shows, but everyone else, is either going to watch those streams, or as it often happens, watch the highlights at a later time, so to add a potentially extra step to that process, is just not going to go anywhere, and since E3 will be free to watch, it’s not like this is going to be a good way to make money, unless you do plan to do the following...

4. Throwing flipping ads at everyone between shows or otherwise

Look, I get it, even an online show that’s going to be talking about games costs money to make, and so money must be made by other means, many of which are not available to the ESA without people actually being present, but the thing about E3 is, as much as we all love it, it is one massive ad, and even though it’s an add we like, it’s not one that needs too many ads thrown at it beyond what it already has. There are other, less annoying ways to make money, like having products from the games announced be available at a store online that people can access, that sees them getting part of the profit, or something of that nature, but this portal that was mentioned, seems like a place where the ESA can just throw ads at people all day, and that just seems like a horrible idea. A lot of people don’t see E3 as an ad, even though it absolutely is, and blowing away the smoke and mirrors that it’s not, by throwing countless ads at people for the sake of trying to make money, might be the end of E3 as we know it. 

3. Don’t spend too much time talking about games that are coming out close to the event, or just came out

Like I said, E3 is one big, massive ad, and for the most part, that’s totally alright, but E3 also has a habit of sneaking in little bits talking about games, that are coming out during the week of, or very close to the shows, to the point of being annoying. Most of the time these ads are short, show nothing new, and generally kill the pace of the conferences on display. While it’d be one thing to try and shadow drop a game this way, because we all love a good shadow drop, we really don’t need ads for games like FF7 Intergrade, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, or flipping Mario Golf: Super Rush. We know those games are coming, we are paying attention, give us a little credit, and save that for games that could use the push like Neptunia: ReVerse, Legend of Mana, or maybe even Scarlett Nexus who actually in way, has to compete with Mario Golf. This might be more a developer problem, and E3 itself might actually have little to no control over this, but whoever does it, needs to do it right.

2. Xbox needs to stop lying, and go big

I love Xbox, I really do, for whatever reason it’s become my go to place for physical indie games, and whenever I want to play a shooter, I start thinking green, but in their conferences, Phil Spencer has a tendency to oversell what Xbox is going to show, by talking about how many games are going to be at the show, or by constantly mentioning how Xbox is more powerful than it’s competitor consoles, like it does any good for the bottom line of the company. I don’t want to hear Phil say they are going to show off 80 games during their show, and have half of them be ports, or shown off in a montage. Doing that means everyone has to go look up a large portion of what they actually announce to learn anything, and that’s no fun. I don’t want montages during E3 at all, and while I’m at it, Xbox espeically needs to bring in the big guns. I’m talking Halo Infinite, Gears 6, the next Forza game, and maybe, finally, a Japanese exclusive title that will get people really hyped. Xbox might just have free reign over the show on the day they present, but another show that has extremely mixed opinions like in 2019, might not be the best thing ever. 

1. GET. SONY. 

Obviously we know that Sony and the PlayStation brand haven’t been associated with E3 for a while now, and I get it, it’s kind of hard to justify going down to L.A. every year, when an online digital show, saves a whole bunch of money, and can get people just as hyped as if they had been there, but this year, everything is online, and Sony’s State of Play’s have been a mixed reaction as a whole. Taking them to E3 not only sets up more hype for them, but it also gives people something they really need right now, something close to the norm, with all of console developers, showing off their best. E3 2019, just felt weaker, and too safe without Sony there, and last year was a total, long winded disaster because of Summer Game Fest. If the ESA is really going to go for this, and give it an earnest shot, and give us the best that they can, they need Sony to show up and blow our minds with, I don’t know, God of War 2, Spyro 4 (hopefully) and a new IP or two to really get the show to being considered one of the best. E3 will probably be alright regardless of if they are there or not, but if they are, the chances of it being truly great, go up in spades. 

And that’s my list, did I miss anything else you can think of? Let me know in the comments below, like this list if it interested you, reblog it if you love it, and have a wonderful day.