⚡️

willnotgogently:

mightymegatron:

willnotgogently:

willnotgogently:

Rung tensed as he heard the bang of boards against the side of the building, light illuminating everything before a loud snap resounded and all the power was cut off, leaving him with just biolights. His hands shook as he moved slowly to a cabinet, looking for something more to give him light.

“It seems silly, it’s just light and sound outside and it can’t reach me.” Rung spoke softly, moving in closer to him like he could crawl inside Megatron’s armor for extra protection. Swallowing thickly, he shuddered as another rumble of thunder rolled through the air heavily. “I feel like I should tell you, about my alt mode. And about the Senate that used to control Cybertron.”

He felt sick just saying the words but they would need to come out eventually. It wasn’t fair to keep this hidden away as if he didn’t trust his secret with one of the mechs he loved. Bee already knew one small part of what he was so he’d have to explain it to him too. He just hated bringing up old wounds.

Rung’s words and actions didn’t match up, calmly explaining why he shouldn’t be scared while simultaneously attempting to hide in Megatron’s frame. He curled around the minibot as best he could, both arms solidly around him.

He felt the air pressure drop in a way that had little to do with the weather. What echoes of the old Senate could have lasted so long? An old flame stirred, and Megatron’s field became fierce and protective.

“What did they do?” he growled.

Taking a breath, Rung felt himself begin to honestly relax with the tension of arms around him, the fold of a much larger frame making him feel safe. He had his own claws and alternate spiked armor when he needed it to defend himself, he had a staff for more peaceful tactics but none of that could be used to chase off old memories. The Senate was nothing but ghosts now and couldn’t do anything, but old hurts always lingered.

“Here, once the Senate took over fully, they started to impliment a.. belief. Functionists. Your form determined what you could do. If you were a shuttle, you were expected to draw cargo or go into travel, not be a scientist even if you had the apptitude for it. If you were forged a tool, you stayed a tool. My form… I couldn’t… _Wouldnt_ tell them what it entails. So they took me away from my practice, created a story for those who might ask after me to cover for my absence. And they experimented, took me apart and tortured me to try to figure out how I worked, what I was.”

“I am familiar with Functionalism.” It was what had restricted him to the mines, what had dictated that alt-modes built for construction and hauling were somehow lesser than those that supported flight, or were geared towards scientific endeavors. It was what had relegated those with common frametypes like his vehicons to be treated as disposable drones. It was something he had tried his damnedest to kill.

But for all the atrocities he had known the Senate to be guilty of, Megatron hadn’t known them capable of such specific torture. Then again, he had never heard of someone in his own universe with an alt that wasn’t self-explanatory. The very existence of such a person would challenge the very foundation of those prejudicial beliefs.

“Enduring such torment and still holding to your sense of self. Your will is rare and inspiring. That you were put in such a position… if those who held you still function, I would gladly pay them in kind.” Another bolt struck close to the building, rattling the foundation before it faded.

⚡️

willnotgogently:

willnotgogently:

Rung tensed as he heard the bang of boards against the side of the building, light illuminating everything before a loud snap resounded and all the power was cut off, leaving him with just biolights. His hands shook as he moved slowly to a cabinet, looking for something more to give him light.

“It seems silly, it’s just light and sound outside and it can’t reach me.” Rung spoke softly, moving in closer to him like he could crawl inside Megatron’s armor for extra protection. Swallowing thickly, he shuddered as another rumble of thunder rolled through the air heavily. “I feel like I should tell you, about my alt mode. And about the Senate that used to control Cybertron.”

He felt sick just saying the words but they would need to come out eventually. It wasn’t fair to keep this hidden away as if he didn’t trust his secret with one of the mechs he loved. Bee already knew one small part of what he was so he’d have to explain it to him too. He just hated bringing up old wounds.

Rung’s words and actions didn’t match up, calmly explaining why he shouldn’t be scared while simultaneously attempting to hide in Megatron’s frame. He curled around the minibot as best he could, both arms solidly around him.

He felt the air pressure drop in a way that had little to do with the weather. What echoes of the old Senate could have lasted so long? An old flame stirred, and Megatron’s field became fierce and protective.

“What did they do?” he growled.

⚡️

willnotgogently:

mightymegatron:

willnotgogently:

Rung tensed as he heard the bang of boards against the side of the building, light illuminating everything before a loud snap resounded and all the power was cut off, leaving him with just biolights. His hands shook as he moved slowly to a cabinet, looking for something more to give him light.

Megatron had apparently chosen an unfortunate night for a visit. The entire bar shook from the wind, making it creak and groan between thunderclaps. Megatron’s biolights were all covered by his armor so that the only glowing part of him was his optics, but Rung was lit up enough to follow in the darkness. His servo found Rung’s shoulder, smoothing over it with his thumb before sliding down his arm, guiding his hand to the cabinet. Darkness and chaos no longer fazed him. “Do you have a light source in here somewhere? I could charge my weapon to give us something to look by.”

Rung was reaching for the cabinet when he felt a large hand settle on his shoulder. Inhaling sharply, he jerked away, turning to look up at Megatron with too bright optics. Realizing who it was made him relax a fraction and a brief shudder rolled down his thin armor.

“You are very quiet, dear spark.” Rung reached out to him, slim arms curling around Megatron as far as he could reach. He was still shaking faintly and wasn’t sure if having Megatron here would make it better or worse but he was optimistic that it would be okay. “I’ve got some lights in the cabinet here, they’re small but they’ll get us by until the power comes back on.”

Rung was normally so unflappable and steadfast that seeing him jump and feeling him shake was more unsettling than any storm could be. A large servo laid across his back to steady him, rubbing his plating. Megatron closed his optics to reach into the cabinet, finding it easier to “see” that way. His digits closed around an auxiliary flashlight, and a shape beside it that felt like it might be a lamp. Without letting go of Rung, he drew them both out, feeling around the side of the lamp to switch it on. 

Outside the storm still raged, another flash lighting up the bar before thunder crashed through the air. Megatron moved until he sat back against the bar, never losing contact with Rung when the poor mech clung to him so. “Rung…” He brushed his companion’s cheek with the backs of his claws. “You don’t seem the type to be frightened by a storm.”

⚡️

willnotgogently:

Rung tensed as he heard the bang of boards against the side of the building, light illuminating everything before a loud snap resounded and all the power was cut off, leaving him with just biolights. His hands shook as he moved slowly to a cabinet, looking for something more to give him light.

Megatron had apparently chosen an unfortunate night for a visit. The entire bar shook from the wind, making it creak and groan between thunderclaps. Megatron’s biolights were all covered by his armor so that the only glowing part of him was his optics, but Rung was lit up enough to follow in the darkness. His servo found Rung’s shoulder, smoothing over it with his thumb before sliding down his arm, guiding his hand to the cabinet. Darkness and chaos no longer fazed him. “Do you have a light source in here somewhere? I could charge my weapon to give us something to look by.”

Attrition mails a long video to Megatron that simply has the title “Rung talks history”. The little orange bot in question seems to be having a lot of fun giggling with Bee as he explains things to the younger bots and, at one point, even muses about sending certain pictures to Megatron again.

The longer Megatron watches, the wider and warmer his smile becomes until he hides it behind his digits. So this was where the history question came from. Oh no, this video is too much. He saves it to a permanent folder and resolves to participate next time. Attrition gets a grateful thank you.

::You are quite knowledgeable, dearest Rung, even when compromised. I shouldn’t have expected any less.:: A moment later, he sends another message.

::And I admit, you have left me rather curious about your future ‘artistic endeavors.’::

( tiny salute ) Any progress on the elections, my lord?

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

Megatron smirks, waving off the salute. 

“Heh, nearly. I’m in the process of drafting a public response to the video. We’ll see how things will go from there, but… I believe I may have found a compromise.” He glares down at his papers. “Unfortunately.”

Fff, I don’t know! (Bee shrugs and smiles.) I don’t really believe in stuff “working” anymore. “Working” implies that there’s a specific end goal that makes everything go perfectly in perpetuity. 

But I do think you’re smarter now than you were in the past. If you think it’s a good decision, do it. If you think it has the potential to go back to bad, you can take the steps to stop it from happening. If nothing else, you can just leave them with a whole new set of problems that are their own issue but much, MUCH better than what there was before.

Megatron shakes his helm after a moment, laughing in his surprise. 

“Ah, your bluntness never ceases to be refreshing… Thank you for that, Bumblebee. It may not work forever, but there are things that can be done if it begins to fail. All that remains is to submit the proposition.”

If you’re in charge, who do you submit it to? 

“Livewire chose to have his message made public, and so will I. I will submit it to the whole of Cybertron and put it into motion. If they disagree, I’m sure I will hear about it in one way or another.”

( tiny salute ) Any progress on the elections, my lord?

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron smirks, waving off the salute. 

“Heh, nearly. I’m in the process of drafting a public response to the video. We’ll see how things will go from there, but… I believe I may have found a compromise.” He glares down at his papers. “Unfortunately.”

“So long as I avoid the word “dictator” I think it may work.” Half of him is teasing, half is serious. He’s already been accused of being one in the negative sense. 

“Ah…” He hadn’t considered retiring. In fact, he realizes that he hasn’t truly considered it at any point. He couldn’t imagine trusting things enough to just leave them to progress on their own, after everything. Was it even possible? What would his soldiers think, what would Soundwave think? What would Rung think? After realizing he’s been staring off into space for a solid klik, Megatron nods.

“…I suppose the final goal would be to create a world that was not in need of revolutionaries.”

Isn’t it weird? ‘Die a villain, or live long enough to be a hero.’

“I think I rather prefer that version of the quote. Hopefully after evading death… eleven times, I’ve earned that much.” He sorts the datapads again, offering a soft smile. “Do you think this will work?”

Fff, I don’t know! (Bee shrugs and smiles.) I don’t really believe in stuff “working” anymore. “Working” implies that there’s a specific end goal that makes everything go perfectly in perpetuity. 

But I do think you’re smarter now than you were in the past. If you think it’s a good decision, do it. If you think it has the potential to go back to bad, you can take the steps to stop it from happening. If nothing else, you can just leave them with a whole new set of problems that are their own issue but much, MUCH better than what there was before.

Megatron shakes his helm after a moment, laughing in his surprise. 

“Ah, your bluntness never ceases to be refreshing… Thank you for that, Bumblebee. It may not work forever, but there are things that can be done if it begins to fail. All that remains is to submit the proposition.”

( tiny salute ) Any progress on the elections, my lord?

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron smirks, waving off the salute. 

“Heh, nearly. I’m in the process of drafting a public response to the video. We’ll see how things will go from there, but… I believe I may have found a compromise.” He glares down at his papers. “Unfortunately.”

“So long as I avoid the word “dictator” I think it may work.” Half of him is teasing, half is serious. He’s already been accused of being one in the negative sense. 

“Ah…” He hadn’t considered retiring. In fact, he realizes that he hasn’t truly considered it at any point. He couldn’t imagine trusting things enough to just leave them to progress on their own, after everything. Was it even possible? What would his soldiers think, what would Soundwave think? What would Rung think? After realizing he’s been staring off into space for a solid klik, Megatron nods.

“…I suppose the final goal would be to create a world that was not in need of revolutionaries.”

Isn’t it weird? ‘Die a villain, or live long enough to be a hero.’

“I think I rather prefer that version of the quote. Hopefully after evading death… eleven times, I’ve earned that much.” He sorts the datapads again, offering a soft smile. “Do you think this will work?”

( tiny salute ) Any progress on the elections, my lord?

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron smirks, waving off the salute. 

“Heh, nearly. I’m in the process of drafting a public response to the video. We’ll see how things will go from there, but… I believe I may have found a compromise.” He glares down at his papers. “Unfortunately.”

Megatron speaks through his hands, not moving from his position.

“This was why I started the war. Our system was broken. Our leaders corrupt and uncaring. But the only way for everyone to work towards Cybertron’s future and be placated is if everyone is represented, and this is the only way to have that happen without inciting further conflict.”

Maybe they don’t have to be a functional Senate yet! They can be your cabinet of advisors! You can still be in charge. 

“Advisers…” Megatron sits up, relinquishing his helm and pushing forward a datapad with a plan drawn up.

“I had thought of something similar. This… gathering would be representatives of different frametypes and backgrounds, making decisions on behalf of the population, while I would remain in the separate position of Lord High Protector. Not involved in what votes take place, but still at the forefront of the planet’s defense, even if it must be defended from the delegates themselves.”

It is so hard not to call it a council, not to call them senators. He hates it.

See! It’s really… Roman! Like, the stable Roman Empire kind of system, where they answered to a dictator. And once you can trust that they won’t fuck people over, then you can retire to a life with Rung like Dioclecian.

I mean, the Rung part, Dioclecian didn’t date Rung- you know what I mean. 

“So long as I avoid the word “dictator” I think it may work.” Half of him is teasing, half is serious. He’s already been accused of being one in the negative sense. 

“Ah…” He hadn’t considered retiring. In fact, he realizes that he hasn’t truly considered it at any point. He couldn’t imagine trusting things enough to just leave them to progress on their own, after everything. Was it even possible? What would his soldiers think, what would Soundwave think? What would Rung think? After realizing he’s been staring off into space for a solid klik, Megatron nods.

“…I suppose the final goal would be to create a world that was not in need of revolutionaries.”

( tiny salute ) Any progress on the elections, my lord?

the-scrappy-stinger:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron smirks, waving off the salute. 

“Heh, nearly. I’m in the process of drafting a public response to the video. We’ll see how things will go from there, but… I believe I may have found a compromise.” He glares down at his papers. “Unfortunately.”

Megatron speaks through his hands, not moving from his position.

“This was why I started the war. Our system was broken. Our leaders corrupt and uncaring. But the only way for everyone to work towards Cybertron’s future and be placated is if everyone is represented, and this is the only way to have that happen without inciting further conflict.”

Maybe they don’t have to be a functional Senate yet! They can be your cabinet of advisors! You can still be in charge. 

“Advisers…” Megatron sits up, relinquishing his helm and pushing forward a datapad with a plan drawn up.

“I had thought of something similar. This… gathering would be representatives of different frametypes and backgrounds, making decisions on behalf of the population, while I would remain in the separate position of Lord High Protector. Not involved in what votes take place, but still at the forefront of the planet’s defense, even if it must be defended from the delegates themselves.”

It is so hard not to call it a council, not to call them senators. He hates it.