Title: a huge unnecessary ramble about Jessie's and Buzz' age inside the Toy Story universe AND in their respective in-universe shows (I'm not well)
(And a lot of theories/headcanons about the toys memories when they get out of the box, along with debates about personalities and stuff)
"How much a toy can be a character and how much they can be themselves depending on their life experiences?" - me in other post
I think it's funny (and a bit weird) how Jessie was made around 1959-1967 (during the period when Woody's Roundup was on TV) and Buzz was made around 1995 (his show Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command supposedly was also on TV, because Andy watched the show and liked the character, that's why he wanted the doll), making Jessie a lot older than Buzz, and therefore a little bit wiser/mature due to life experiences.
But the toys that are made based on characters tend often to have the same personality as these characters. There are debates around the "woke up having real memories and not thinking they're toys" thing, because not even the Woody's Roundup gang and none of the other characters except from toys from the Buzz Lightyear collection show that they thought they were real, and this maybe be just a manufacturing defect from the Buzz Lightyear toy collection, or maybe this now happens with the most modern/recent/electronic toys that have wires and reprogramming and all that... anyway, I'm not going deep into these theories right now.
The toys can already know that they're toys, but their personality still matches their characters. Buzz is heroic, kind, analytical, and Jessie is brave, adventurous, confident. Their personalities don't change much from the characters they were based on even after knowing the truth, and what makes two Buzz Lightyears different from eachother are their life experiences, each one having their own life, memories, opinions, and everything, after getting out of the box. Overall, maturity. But I wonder if the characters' "factory" maturity changes anything about this, I believe it does. If an adult character toy comes out of the box with the adult character's mentality, then this toy will be mature and will only become more mature as the years go by, living as a toy; since whether the toy likes it or not, it still has a lot to learn about how things work after leaving their box. In the same way that a child character would have the mentality of a child, and could be matured over time, like the Sunnyside baby, who still acts like a baby to this day, but can understand the world around and have opinions.
The Buzz Lightyear toys are made based on the characters from the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command cartoon (recently a retcon happened and Pixar said that this toyline was actually made based on Lightyear, but I can't take that seriously, since BLOSC had been canon since the year 2000, and the Buzz toy that Andy wanted looks nothing alike with the character from the movie Lightyear). Apparently, Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story remembers himself as the character from the show and looks like he had memories from the show too, somehow. Inside the show, Buzz' character is described, and knows himself, as a guy in his 40s (we know this based on the episode Tag Team and it's also written in his fandom wiki ), which shows that he's experienced in life as a Space Ranger and overall a "mature person" (not that much lmao). Furthermore, he is always shown and described as a seasoned veteran of Star Command while the other characters on his team are rookies. He had a lot of training, a lot of study, and seems more confident and responsible than his teammates, which is fitting for this age.
As for Jessie, we can't watch Woody's Roundup because it was never made into a real, watchable show. But when Toy Story 2 was released, Pixar hired the band "Riders In The Sky" to make an entire album themed around Woody's Roundup and eventually use these songs in the film, many of which were not used but work as bonus content. (By the way, in this album the band added a bonus song, which is a cover from the Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command theme song that was released around the same time, "To Infinity And Beyond", in Woody's Roundup style! I love creative people). In this album, Riders In The Sky made certain theme songs for Woody's Rounduo characters, and telling in-universe Woody's Roundup stories about them, including Jessie's character backstory! The song is called "Jessie The Yodeling Cowgirl" and a fem singer, who is playing Jessie, sings about how she left her home in Oklahoma to move to California to sing.
For me, this all sounds like a story that would happen to her while her character was still young, and Jessie in the Woody's Roundup universe does look quite young indeed. Leaving her homeland, apparently for the first time, to go pursue her dream, added to her appearance and naivety in the show, makes me think her character was not even in her 30's yet. Maybe she was 27? At most?
The average age for woman to get married in the 50s was around 20 years old. Based on that and at the time period, I highly doubt that a show aimed at children made in that highly conservative time would have a fem, strong and tomboy-ish (she wore pants!!!) — and to make matters worse, who is also single in her adulthood because at that time a 20 years old SINGLE woman was almost in her old age in people's eyes, — character as a co-protagonist. Meaning that: they made adult characters with child-like features to appeal to their young audience (because everybody knows that children love to admire adults and wish to grow up, but at the same time, playing and living adventures is a lot more attractive to them than paying taxes, so the creators of the show made adults that act like children which would be a perfect combo to sell well) OR their characters are just that young, young enough to be able to show these child-like features. Which means that Jessie is pretty capable of being like — in this context specifically — 20? To be a young and single lady at that time and still be accepted on TV? Maybe less? Or they're just from that kind of show where the creators never tell the characters ages, ever- like in Barbie Life In The Dreamhouse? I wouldn't be surprised if Jessie's character were a teenager, to be honest, but I prefer not to believe in that because I love Jessie x Buzz so much and their shipp is too cute and healthy for me to make them weird like this
I also find it interesting to note how (back in the 1900s) they made dolls that looked like children but wore adult clothes and little girls would play with them that way. Maybe Jessie is something similar, with an undefined age, because her character in the show is clearly not a child, however she has very child-like characteristics such as big head and big eyes, somewhat innocent behavior at times, adventurous, and someone who would care more about playing and having fun than romance, since the show is targeted at children. If the show were targeted at adults, her character would be extemely different and would probably be more limited in a romantic role because adults already care about that. If her character is indeed in her 20s and still was well accepted on TV... that means that Jessie was a feminist icon in the media from her time and in the Pixar universe??? Oh wow
But oh well, Woody's Roundup looks like a very innocent and soft show to watch, like those cute pre-school cartoons, Sofia The First for example, just so you can get the view, but with a bit of adventure (oh if you knew the amount of adventures that happened in Sofia The First...). Well, the way we make shows and cartoons changed a lot since the 50s and today younger children watch cartoons with more script and drama, but at that time some shows were just innocent and fun like that, with simple premises in each episode and that was enough even for older audiences; that's why I think Emily (Jessie's previous owner) watched a show that today would be classified as for pre-schoolers due to it's simplicity and cute lessons about friendship. I think I just let myself write stuff that came to my head and now I lost where I was at.
Going back to where I was at, I think Jessie's character is naturally very naive since the show, besides being brave and adventurous. Maybe the script, and the characters, and the whole story overall, made the Woody's Roundup characters come out of the boxes like this (despite probably not having memories from their show like Buzz Lightyear does, they still have the same personality as their characters), very naive, much how they already were in Woody's Roundup. I'm trying to voice ny thoughts here, wait
I came to this conclusion based on how the toys have their characters personalities at first and that is slowly changed and shapes them into unique beings overtime due to life experiences. Buzz Lightyear acted like Buzz from the cartoon even after learning that he was a toy, and that will never go away, but will be matured and more explored overtime, to a level that two 15 yo Buzz Lightyears from different places and owners would be really different from eachother. If one is traumatized, he will have to deal with that trauma, when other Buzz Lightyear didn't went through that and does not have to, like Jessie was traumatized by Emily and has claustrophobia, but other Jessies don't. I think that our Toy Story Jessie was like Jessie from the show, naive, when she was straight out of the box, and she learned to have more common sense, opinions and tastes, ability to distrust and read people/situations, much like humans learn with experiences. Which means that the Jessie we know today is probably very different to how she was like when she was new, and not only because of trauma.
Which also means that the "When She Loved Me" sequence happened when Jessie was much more unprepared, immature and optimistic, that subconsciously thinks that things will always turn out fine because in her show they always do (Buzz was like this, even after finding out he was a toy, he had an absurd sense of optimism, still inside the limits of his character, which is a hero from the cartoon he's in but still very cautious and analytical not to let things go wrong. In Woody's Roundup the characters don't have to be analytical, the script just works for them because it's a very light and simple show. You can take your conclusions from there...). Sorry for ruining your day
Anyway, the conclusion I wanted to get was that even though Jessie's character is younger than Buzz' and their behaviors/maturities follow their characters until a certain point, the fact that Jessie is a lot older than Buzz makes her more mature than him sometimes, which works as a good balance, I guess? Maybe I'm just overthinking. Gosh I wrote so many good (and messy) points here. I need to sleep
TFA MegOp cafe au where Megatron is the type of person that orders like.. 34 sugar, 15 caramel pumps, 12 white mocha, 4 hazelnut, two espresso shot, and a touch of skim milk. And Optimus is always the one who prepares it since he's apparently the only that gets it.
It became like a regular thing too, Megs comes in like thrice a week to order that concuction and Optimus is getting tired at giving this giant of a bulky man, this overly sweet poison.
Optimus kept trying to convince the guy to buy something from their regular menu, but Megatron is adamant on that stupid drink.
It's not even a drink at this point, sometimes Megatron orders for two of those.
And to be honest, Optimus would have easily forgive this, if it weren't for the fact that Megatron is genuinely smart. Like, he's the only customer that not only treats the staff well, but he also tips good! Oh and he's smart and- and *ehem* handsome.
But what's the point in all of that, if Megatron keeps getting that Primus-forsaken drink?!
Optimus doesn't even know if the guy drinks it! He always look confused whenever he see the drink he fragging ordered.
Ugh.. No matter, as long as the guy comes back next week then he shouldn't be worried.. He's just making sure Megatron is still alive, so that he could return the piles of datapad he gave Optimus..
----
"Oh for Primus sake- what is this time, Megatron? What did you-"
"..."
"..."
"40 pumps of sugar!? Who in the right mind would order this!?"
"It's the only way I can hog up the line to talk to him, Strika!"
"Oh! So you can't just ask the bartista for his comm number? Your indecisiveness made you ordered two of this monstrosity!"
"I tried, Strika! I really tried, but he's always busy, and his staff always forced him to do the other orders. I just have to talk to him!"
Yeah, obviously Megatron doesn't drink that horrible concoction he created. I mean, who in their right mind would consume that amount of sugar?
He only did that so tha the could talk to the cute barista.
As much as he wants to ask for his comm link, he knew this point that Optimus in just doing this for some extra shanix, and thar Optimus' main goal as of the moment is to graduate with no failing courses.
And even if he did successfully asked for his comm. The academy will soon find out about the.. Relationship and will promptly put a stop to it.
He didn't even want to go inside the safe. He was just roaming around the streets of Cybertron with his own disguise when he saw Optimus by the cafe's window, reading his momento.
He couldn't help but get inside to specifically ask for his opinion on it... Which led to his current predicament.
Not only did he get his comm link, but he also have to figure out a way to make this toxin he created on a whim edible...
He's pretty sure the whole decepticons have been getting excitable and trigger-happy ever since they landed on this are.. Which is probably Megatron's fault. How would he know that splitting each drink a cube will still cost his soldiers to went haywire?
Well no matter, there's always the next day.
He can ask for his comm link eventually.
...
He just need to uhh.. Make this drinks edible.. He can't throw it away, Optimus made it!
After all this time, I finally finished my Smooth Rider origins comic! If you're new to her, I suggest looking at the Smooth Rider tag in my blog for character ref sheet and some doodles :) I'll provide a ref sheet for Judy and Rosa soon, my hand is too tired rn lol anyways I hope you all like this!
I think I've never shared the artwork I did, so here's all the illustrations I did for the Transformers Animated Season 4 script reading from TFN 2019!
They got almost the entire original cast back together to read these episodes, so if you haven't seen it yet, the whole thing is on youtube!
Was just reading some “Raising Optimus AU Bayverse version” scenarios and suddenly thought:
“Man, TFA Bumblebee would give Bay MegOp constant headaches if he was their sparkling”
Hahahaha, they would still love and adore their baby but would constantly be dead worried about Bee getting in trouble at any second 🤣
And with parents like Bay MegOp? TFA Bumblebee’s recklessness and sometimes arrogance would probably be maximized, he would be even more convinced that he is Elite guard material 😅
Though I can see him being a little more insecure, he’s already small but having such huge and strong parents would surely make him feel even smaller and try to constantly prove himself
You're on to something here; definitely chewing on this idea... hmmm
But yeah, if Bumblebee got adopted and is raised by Bay MegOp he'd probably be convinced he's meant for great. Though mostly because he thinks he has to earn his right to call them his parents considering he's pretty much a nobody compared to them.
The day he got expelled from the academy is his worst day, he was so nervous and think his parents are going to be so mad or disappointed on him once he breaks the news to them or smth. Maybe that's his reason to be part of the space bridge crew; trying to avoid the inevitable of having to see both parents for a lil while longer.
That said; Bumblebee throughout being part of the space bridge crew (in space and on earth) definitely alluded about his parents constantly. The team definitely think Bumblebee's exaggerated some of the details and don't 100 percent believe him when he says some unlikely stuff, along with the fact that when they ask him to explain or say who his parents are Bee just closes off.
Something something; Bee looks like he didn't even realise he was talking about his parents rather than getting caught in a lie something something
The day Bay MegOp come to earth is the day Bumblebee's going to cry and apologize for leaving without saying anything; like a dam bursting, he confesses about being bullied, getting expelled and joining the crew to avoid having to share the news personally.
“What’s another one? Come on, we’re running out of ‘getting to know you’ one-on-one time!”
“Heh.” Optimus shook his head, a fond smile etched across his face. “Bumblebee, we don’t have to stop talking just because we’re going home. I like talking to you.”
The younger mech perked up, looking far more surprised than he should have. “Really?”
Optimus’s expression softened. “Yeah. I do.” He then clasped his servos and leaned forward a bit, grinning. “Okay. I’ve got one.”
And Bumblebee smiled. “Bring it.”
“… The Council and Ultra Magnus weren't my only role models." Optimus said softly, allowing his frame to relax at the seemingly simple admission. “My drill sergeant, the one who named me—he's retired now, and his name is Kup. And before I met Ratchet and the rest of you, he was probably the best person I had ever known."
"Like, an actually good guy-or-?"
“An actually good guy, thanks," Optimus assured him, smirking a bit at the clarification before relaxing again. “Up until we found the Allspark and went missing those fifty stellar-cycles, he still checked in on me every once in a while. He was the one person from my past who never blamed me for what happened to Elita-1, but... I didn't appreciate it, because I blame myself."
"… Why'd he name you Optimus?" Bumblebee asked. "I mean, I got my name because Sergeant Sentinel said I was a 'bumbler’. And Bulkhead, he said he was ‘all bulk, no brain’.”
"Ugh." Optimus shook his head. "One of these days, I swear-" He sighed. “… My first day of boot-camp, he's going down the line. One bot isn't even paying attention to Kup's spiel, so he calls her on it—and she says ‘blah, blah, blah' to his face, and then says that she wouldn't even be there if it wasn't a stepping stone to reach the Ministry of Science's military labs. Kup calls her a snob, and so he names her 'Elita-1’.” Bumblebee got himself comfortable as he listened to the story. "Another ‘bot steps forward and tells Kup to get out of her face, and Kup tries to intimidate him. This second ‘bot, he doesn't move—just stays between Kup and Elita. So, as much as Kup hates his attitude for the rest of our training, he kinda respects the fact that he stuck his neck out for a stranger—so, he decides to call him 'Sentinel’.” Optimus took a deep vent. "And he keeps going down the line, asking while we're all there, and he gets to me. And he asks me, even though he-... Well, he already probably knows the answer.”
"Why's that?"
"My upbringing was... atypical." Optimus said. “And while I knew that I was good at what I was there to perfect, I wasn't very comfortable around my peers—bots my own age or younger—and... I honestly didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. Everyone else seemed to know the plan, but they didn't really clue me in." He shrugged. "So, I just say... I want to be able to help people. And a lot of the other cadets start to laugh at me, but Kup shuts them up—and he asks, and how do you plan on doing that? And I say... however I can. He calls me optimistic, then... ‘Optimus’.”
Bumblebee opened his optics and gazed at the floor. "What the frag did they do to us, Prime?" He spoke like his spark was in his throat. "It didn't-…”
"It didn't have to be this way," Optimus said. "No, it didn't.” He closed his optics. “… We were kids."
“We still are." Bumblebee whispered. “I get why Ratchet and Wheeljack call us ‘kids’, now... They didn't wanna let anyone take that away from us."
“… It’s already gone.”
A moment of silence followed.
“Nah.”
Optimus opened his optics. “What?”
Bumblebee was smiling at him. “Prime, you might not wanna admit it for some reason, but you’re no fossil and you’re no- What does Wheeljack like to call Ultra Magnus, when he’s real fed up?”
“Do you realize how little that narrows it down?”
“Marble statue,” Bumblebee decided, and his leader blinked. “You’re not… stone. Rust. Dead. Done. Y’know? You’re still young, still learning and still growing—just like the rest of us knuckleheads just trying to figure it all out.” He sat back. “… They haven’t taken it away from you. Don’t try to convince yourself that they have, and take it away from yourself all on your own. They… don’t get to control you anymore, remember? They sent us away, and… we realized that was a good thing.” He nodded. “And we are going home, after this—back to Earth, and Detroit, and the lives that we fought for… the lives we deserve, with our family.” He glanced away. “Even if it’ll never be the same, again… They’ll never take it all away.”
Optimus stared at his teammate, stunned, then he managed another tired grin. “And you really wondered why I like talking to you.”
…
…
Armor repaired and polished.
Statements ready. Facts checked.
Bumblebee by his side, ready to act as… ‘scary dog privilege’, as the younger ‘bot had put it.
Optimus appreciates the thoughtful company, though it did not ease his anxiety during the trip to Tigatron Stadium. His spark hammered in his chest, and he squeezed Bumblebee’s servo a little tighter than was probably appreciated as their transport landed—knowing he’d have to let go soon, for the sake of their public appearances.
If his friend minded, he didn’t let on.
Bumblebee just stayed close as the Elite Guard cleared a path for them to enter the stadium, and Optimus moved as quickly as was permissible to get the both of them inside. Detroit had done nothing to make Optimus more comfortable in the face of a crowd, and it was really showing.
The two Autobots were escorted towards a private chamber to await the beginning of the trial, and they were almost there when a familiar face appeared out of an adjacent hallway.
“At ease, Cliffjumper,” Alpha Trion chided gently, and the leader of their escort calmed. “I simply wished to visit with a former student of mine. Would you mind it if I escorted our esteemed guests the rest of the way?”
Cliffjumper seemed conflicted. “Sir, it is my duty to maintain their security—in light of the sensitive testimony they are to deliver.”
Alpha Trion chuckled. “I assure you, they are in safe servos. Why don’t you go and get a good view for the trial? I wouldn’t want you to miss a thing from this historic occasion.”
Cliffjumper hesitated only a moment more, then nodded and took his leave.
“Alpha Trion, sir,” Optimus greeted, his own sense of trepidation not yet ceased.
“Optimus.” Alpha Trion looked at him with that familiar warmth that had always been so strange, among his mentors. “How good to see you.” He looked to the Prime’s smaller companion. “And your name, it is Bumblebee?”
Bumblebee nodded. “Yessir.”
“I need to have a word with you, both of you,” Alpha Trion explained, turning—and the younger Autobots exchanged glances before following the council-‘bot in a continued trek down the hallway. “We must conclude before we reach the chamber. The cameras here record video, not audio—but the chamber is properly bugged.”
“You’re warning us?” Optimus asked, surprised, as he caught up to walk side-by-side with Alpha Trion—with Bumblebee coming to his other side.
Alpha Trion’s optics narrowed. “They know that you removed the monitors from your guest suite, and were not pleased—but not for the reasons you may think. They’re calling for a new Magnus.”
Optimus’s optics widened. “Sentinel?”
“There are some who would prefer that,” Alpha Trion conceded. “But Sentinel is not the one who returned the Allspark to Cybertron and brought Megatron here in chains.”
“… Me?” Optimus felt his fuel tank drop. “No, no. I-I couldn’t be-”
Alpha Trion sighed. “You have been isolated from Cybertron, these past few days—whether you have realized it or not. It is what the public cries out for, young Prime.”
“Ultra Magnus is getting better,” Optimus argued.
“Ultra Magnus’s position has been destabilized, for the first time,” Alpha Trion explained. “There are many who believe that it is time for him to step down. It is only a question of whether he will accept this quietly, and if what will take his place will be for the better.”
Optimus felt uneasy. “What do you believe?”
“Admittedly, I was uncertain until your meeting with the Council,” Alpha Trion said shamelessly. “I knew that you had grown powerful, Optimus. But that? That was strength.” They were approaching the chamber doors. “Our time is up. We shall talk more at a later date.”
“Alpha Trion, sir.” Bumblebee turned to face the elder ‘bot. “What exactly are we walking into?”
Alpha Trion regarded him, then sighed. “… Stay close to each other. Keep your words calm, and measured. Think before you speak. And please, do understand… this is your chance to tell every Autobot the truth. Don’t waste it.” The council-‘bot turned away. “Good luck.”
Optimus and Bumblebee watched Alpha Trion walk away, then Bumblebee looked at Optimus with uncertainty. “I get the feeling that there’s something he wants us to do.”
Optimus nodded. “Me, too.”
“Do you know what it is?”
“Not really.”
“Great.” Bumblebee crossed his arms. “I was worried I was the only idiot here.”
Optimus just shot him a look.
…
The trial of Megatron was exactly as Optimus had feared it would be.
The stadium was packed with spectators, all of them vying to get a glimpse of the Decepticon warlord in chains.
The floor had been formatted into a makeshift council chamber—with proper stations for the members of the Autobot Council, prosecution, defense, witnesses and testimony… an actual cage that was obviously far too large to hold just one restrained Decepticon… and VIP seating.
Optimus and Bumblebee were escorted to sit on the side of the prosecution, in the first row of the VIP section—and from there, they were able to see firsthand why the cage was there.
All of the Decepticons they had ever encountered on Earth or Cybertron were led out and placed into the cage, put on display to watch the public downfall of their leader from behind bars.
The VIPs, who were taking their own seats, took their time to look upon them each with wariness, hatred, disgust, and a morbid curiosity.
Like they were animals in a zoo.
They were Optimus’s enemies, but… this all felt so very, very wrong. He felt sick, and… angry.
Angry, on behalf of the ‘bots he should hate most.
Angry, when Prowl was dead in a casket.
What was the universe coming to?
The High Council members processed and took their seats, with the spot meant for the acting Magnus—positioned above Halogen—left open.
No Ultra Magnus, then.
Why did Optimus feel relived?
Finally, the time arrived.
Sentinel led Megatron out in stasis cuffs and chains, flanked by the Elite Guard’s finest—though Optimus noted the obvious absence of the Jettwins, and he tried not to worry about it.
Or about how Megatron didn’t have a scratch on him, and processed with his head held high.
He didn’t look humiliated, defeated.
Even as Sentinel chained him to a round platform before the Council, he remained on his feet with the posture of someone in complete control.
It unnerved Optimus, especially as he realized that the other Decepticons—like their leader—were not just mended but shining. They also stayed on their struts and kept their heads high.
It was… sort of… admirable.
Sentinel remained at the side of Megatron, his lance and shield ready, poised like the picture of a perfect Elite Guardsbot—but then, Halogen shot him a look and cleared his throat.
Sentinel blinked, then tensed before awkwardly putting his weapons away and making his way up to the position of acting Magnus. He took his seat, seeming uncomfortable—and Optimus felt his anger quietly bubbling up again.
They were turning his friend into a figurehead.
Sentinel was many things—but an office-‘bot content to sit quietly, complete paperwork, make public appearances, and do what he was told?
Never.
“Ahem,” Sentinel began, tense. “The High Council of Cybertron convenes on this day, two million years since the end of the War for Cybertron and the Exile of the Decepticon scourge, to determine the fate of Megatron: Decepticon warmonger. Having once been granted the mercy of exile, Megatron now stands accused of attempting to reignite the war through malicious control over the Allspark—font of all Cybertronian life—as well as authorizing or even participating in attacks on Cybertronian civilians and enlisted Autobots, repeated attempted invasion of Cybertron by the commandeering of space bridges and the original Omega Sentinel, construction of an unregistered space bridge and three Omega Sentinel clones, and the attempted assassination of Ultra Magnus. These are but the chiefest of your expansive list of post-war crimes. How do you plea?”
Megatron’s crimson optics had narrowed. “… We do not attack civilians.”
Sentinel blinked. “What?”
“We do not attack Cybertronian civilians. There is no need,” Megatron repeated as silence fell in the stadium. “And I would have you immediately strike that egregious lie from my record… unless you can produce the evidence.”
Optimus felt his shoulders raise in agitation. The Decepticon warlord certainly had no qualms about the attack of civilians on Earth, after all.
Sentinel checked a data-pad, his optics narrowed, then he blinked in surprise before sighing and glancing up. “Very well. I’m not sure who put that in the opening statement, but… as far as I can tell, we have no record of an attack of a Decepticon on a civilian Cybertronian since the exile. All of the recorded casualties I can find have been officially enlisted Autobots.” He glanced over at the court records-‘bot. “Strike it.”
Megatron watched Sentinel appraisingly, then he nodded. He did not speak again.
“Be that as it may.” Halogen began, glowering at the Decepticon. “You are responsible for mass Autobot casualties since the exile. Decepticon vagabonds have attacked our ships, taken space bridges, infiltrated our ranks—and these past fifty-two years, your efforts to claim the power of the Allspark and bring the war back to Cybertron cannot be denied.” He gestured. “The Council calls upon Optimus Prime, commander of the starship Orion and its staff of space-bridge repair ‘bots, to deliver a brief testimony regarding the events on planet Earth.”
Optimus tensed, having not expected this to happen so soon—then cleared his throat as he stood. “Uh… Define ‘brief’, sir.”
“We want the facts only,” Perceptor replied.
“Very well.” Optimus nodded, then he glanced one last time at Bumblebee before he made his way over to the witness stand—passing in front of Megatron, and feeling that burning gaze.
Optimus arrived at the stand and took a seat, gazing at the microphone before him like it was a live grenade—and not even one of Wheeljack’s.
Alpha Trion was right.
He had one chance.
Just the facts.
Just the truth.
“… Fifty-two stellar cycles ago, my teammates and I were tasked with removing the debris from a space-bridge in remote quadrant within Autobot territory,” Optimus began, straightening his posture. “My team then consisted of five, including myself.” He gestured to his companion, who perked up. “Bumblebee, maintenance ‘bot second-class, and one of the fastest ‘bots you’ll ever meet—both in wheels, and in thinking.” He saw his friend smile. “Our medic was Ratchet: the field-tech who twice rescued Agent Arcee and her codes, and who became the first to mentor an Omega Sentinel. He is the longtime caretaker of Omega Supreme.” Optimus’s spark was pulsing wildly, but he kept going. “We were fortunate enough to have Bulkhead, the galaxy’s top space-bridge technician and someone who is as strong in mind and spark as in body, working alongside us as well.” He took a deep vent. “Lastly, we came across a cyber-ninja named Prowl during our travels, and he joined our team in return for safe passage home at our earliest convenience.” That felt… wrong, despite its truth. “As we worked, the space-bridge behaved erratically and sent debris flying. When it was over, I discovered something glowing among the rocks and uncovered it. The Allspark.” His optics narrowed as he thought of that… thing. “Our ship’s artificial intelligence, Teletran-1, immediately alerted us to an approaching Decepticon ship—and we took action to protect the Allspark at all costs.” He glanced up at Sentinel. “I called for help. Sentinel Prime answered the call, at first disregarding me on account of how fantastic my story seemed, then put me straight through to Ultra Magnus… who told me to sit tight and wait.”
Botanica folded her servos and leaned forward, her optics narrowed. “With the Allspark in your cargo hold and the Decepticons approaching?”
“Exactly my thoughts,” Optimus admitted. “That is why I disobeyed my orders.” He could hear gasps and murmurs from around the stadium. “With Omega Supreme’s weapons’ system disabled, I was forced to get creative as Megatron boarded—but, as fate would have it, Starscream valued killing Megatron more than obtaining the Allspark. I… do admit that it was easier to subdue Megatron after he’d already been blasted apart by one of his own.” A glance at Megatron showed one of the warlord’s optics twitching in agitation. Good. “Between the explosion and interference by the Allspark, we lost all control of the ship and were transported across the universe. We began careening into Earth’s atmosphere, and I saw my opportunity. I opened the hatch in the cargo hold and kicked Megatron out, where he proceeded to burn up on re-entry.”
“Wait, you never told me that part!” Bumblebee stood up, absolutely delighted. “Frag, man—that is AWESOME!”
Optimus sighed. “Bumblebee.”
The smaller mech raised his servos and shrugged. “Sorry, not sorry.”
Sentinel groaned. “Stadium. Live broadcast.”
“Still not sorry, sarge.”
“The ship was still falling,” Optimus continued. “With Megatron gone, my priority was protecting my crew. We entered into emergency stasis, and we only woke up fifty stellar-cycles later because a foreign contaminant alerted Teletran-1.” He glanced away. “No one had found us, or the Allspark. It was nearly a year later when we learned we had been presumed dead.”
Sigil hummed. “Sentinel Prime’s eulogy was rather… stirring.”
Optimus blinked. “Wait, what?”
Sentinel just snorted.
“Continue, Optimus,” Alpha Trion advised, his optics never leaving the young Prime.
“On Earth, my team faced much adversity—from Decepticons, humans, and other forces,” Optimus went on, trying to regain his focus. “And as we faced that adversity, our enemies seeming to multiply by the day, our team and list of allies grew. Sari Sumdac. Jazz. Arcee. Professor Sumdac. The Dinobots. Captain Fanzone. Blurr. Even Wreck-Gar and Scrapper came to help us, when we needed them.” Somehow, Optimus found himself smiling. “And by some twist of fate, an Autobot from another universe fell into our lives—and more than that, he chose to stay and to help. To use his own experiences to guide us, so that… we could win the battles his universe couldn’t… wven the battles that are hard to see.” He looked up, optics narrowed. “And one of his many warnings was that Megatron would return. From a very early time, we knew that something was working against our team—in the shadows—on Earth. There were many inexplicable thefts and acts of sabotage, which all came to a head when Megatron burst out of Sumdac Tower.” He gestured. “A secret study of his remains had allowed Earth’s people to rapidly advance their technology, but it had also allowed the energy of the Allspark to come into contact with him and—while he was just a head hooked up to wires—orchestrate many of our hardships.” He shot a glance at the warlord. “I cannot overstate how dangerous Megatron truly is. He was able to coordinate his own rescue and revival, and then proceeded to target the Allspark once more.” He closed his optics. “Overwhelmed with no hope for reinforcement, with the enemy of the Autobots holding the Allspark in his chest, I did the only thing I could think to… I shattered it.”
As more gasps and murmurs rang out, Contrail just seemed fascinated. “And Megatron survived that, as well?”
“Evidently,” Optimus replied. “My actions bought us time, but led to a race to collect the fragments as they wreaked havoc upon the human city of Detroit—making technology run rampant, even bringing it to life. Megatron also wrought havoc upon Earth while preparing for his final goal: to overtake the space-bridge network and take Cybertron by storm, with help from teams across the universe and Shockwave here on our own planet. He and his followers damaged the city repeatedly, took hostages, threatened lives, and almost succeeded in their plan. If not for his own rash actions and the heroism of Omega Supreme, he would have.”
Avalon raised an optic-brow. “Hm.”
“But Omega Supreme’s actions to save us and Earth made him vulnerable, and Megatron is well-versed in taking advantage of vulnerability,” Optimus went on. “The trusting, the traumatized, the trapped—he targets them and exploits them. He manipulated Omega Supreme, stole Arcee’s codes, and laid siege on Earth so that he could test his Sentinels out on a human population before he waged war on Cybertron.” He turned a full-fledged glare on the Decepticon warlord. “Again, Starscream’s determination to kill his own leader worked against Megatron—but this time, it was not in our favor. Starscream wanted to blast the Sentinels and everything within a hundred-mile radius of Detroit. Millions of lives, lost in an instant.” He gripped the stand. “Using the recovered Magnus Hammer, I brought one Sentinel down. After Sari and Arcee restored him, Omega Supreme brought down another. One was left. Our plan was to bring together the Allspark and use it to power a shield. Prowl and Jazz chose to use the cyber-ninja art of processsor-over-matter while I held off Megatron.” The stand creaked under Optimus’s grip. “I wasn’t there when… Prowl must have realized that he couldn’t pull in anymore, and… gave up his spark, to give the Allspark the strength it needed to save us all.” He closed his optics. “Megatron was trapped inside the barrier with the Sentinel, and I thought he’d been killed—but he was still alive, and he came after me. He blamed me, for everything… Then, Wheeljack stepped in.”
Halogen grew intrigued. “The Wrecker from another reality.”
“That’s right.”
“He defeated Megatron?”
“To the point where Megatron himself told me to finish him off,” Optimus replied quietly.
Alpha Trion tilted his head. “But you didn’t.”
“No.” Optimus looked up, optics narrowed. “I am not judge, jury, and executioner. I believe that Megatron must face the consequences for his crimes… I wouldn’t help him run away.”
Silence fell once more.
Optimus could feel millions of optics on him: judging him, analyzing, weighing his character.
It was actually scarier than fighting Megatron.
“… You, there. Bumblebee,” Botanica spoke up, and Optimus snapped out of his daze. “Do you stand as witness to your leader’s story?”
And Bumblebee nodded. “I’d stake everything on it, ma’am—and I know any member of my team as well as millions of humans on Earth would, too. You could call any of them here, and they’d tell you that same story—and… that Optimus Prime has gotta be the greatest hero of all time.”
Optimus’s optics widened as he looked over at Bumblebee in disbelief.
But Bumblebee just has a smile on his face. “‘Cause from the day we met, Prime has always been trying to be better. He’ll never think that he’s perfect, he’ll never assume he got it right—and that’s why he’s always been a great leader. He listens, and he cares about us. He sees what makes us different, and how our differences are strengths—no matter how much they drive him crazy.” He shrugged. “It used to drive me nuts, ‘cause I thought he had to be faking it. I mean, no one is just that good and kind and brave—but… Optimus Prime is. He’d give up his life to save strangers and never think twice about it. He’s the one who runs in first, puts his own spark on the line against an unknown danger before he’d even think about sending one of us in.” He laughed. “It actually drives us nuts, ‘cause we know it’s just him now! It’s… what makes him different, what makes him Optimus. No wonder he’s so tired all the time, carrying the weight of worlds on his shoulders—‘cause… he really thinks all of us are important just ‘cause we’re here, and he believes in what we can be. He just needs our help to believe in himself, sometimes.” He looked at Optimus, smiling—then, he winked. “And that’s the Allspark-honest truth.”
One chance.
And that’s how Bumblebee used it.
“We-… We shall take your statement under advisement,” Drivetrain said, having noticed the rest of the Council at a loss. “Where are the other members of your team, now?”
Optimus snapped out of it to resume his testimony. “I’m not currently keeping tabs on them.”
And Halogen snapped out of it as well. “Not even the Wrecker?”
“No,” Optimus replied, his optics narrowing. “Not even Wheeljack.”
“… Very well,” Halogen said, closing his optics, then he opened them and nodded. “The Council thanks Optimus Prime for his testimony. You may be seated.”
Optimus tried to not seem as eager to leave as he actually was. He barely would have noticed Megatron as he passed by the second time, except- “You’ll never stop seeing it.”
Optimus paused, his optics widening, then he shook his head and continued making his way back to his seat.
…
The rest of the trial preceded as expected.
The Council continued to call witnesses to tell their stories about how Megatron’s actions, direct or indirect, had led to their suffering—with heavy emphasis placed upon the “mercy” of the Exile and how Megatron had totally disregarded it.
Megatron did not react to any of the testimonies, merely standing silently as everyone spoke.
Rodimus Prime, representing Team Athenia and those who were harmed by the space bridge raids, got a mere shifting of the optics—a glance.
Everyone noticed Rodimus, though. He was so young, and to be a Prime already?
Optimus knew he had blazed through the ranks after Optimus’s own expulsion from the Autobot Academy. He was a gifted warrior.
Still, the Decepticons seemed genuinely unsettled by something about Rodimus Prime.
It couldn’t have just been his age…
Finally, the witness testimonies came to an end—and the moment Optimus dreaded had arrived.
“Having heard all of these testimonies from those your actions have impacted, I doubt that you will truly reflect upon what you have done,” Halogen stated coldly. “All the same, it is our custom to allow the accused the right to speak on their own behalf. What, pray tell, does the mighty Megatron have to say in the face of such vast and egregious evidence?”
Daylight was fading.
The trial had lasted all day. It hadn’t felt so long.
Artificial light fought to keep the darkness at bay in the massive stadium.
Optimus thought they gave Megatron a spotlight.
The Decepticon warlord closed his optics for a moment, seeming to think on Halogen’s question genuinely, then he opened them and looked up—his head still held high in regal defiance.
“… Good evening, Ultra Magnus,” Megatron spoke at long last, and the Council members actually tensed as the crowd was unsettled. The leader of the Decepticons saw this, and Optimus saw him smile. Was that… a gamble? “Come now, I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist watching this—but you won’t dare show yourself until you’re the image of strength. And I do mean image.” The warlord chuckled to himself. “Honestly, I don’t know why you try. Your loud-mouthed little stooge already circulated the pictures of your completely helpless state. Your people know that you aren’t immortal, invulnerable.” He looked up. “The façade you built is starting to crack.”
Perceptor was not impressed. “You spent fifty stellar-cycles as a lifeless, severed head in a lab.”
“And did I ever deny that? No,” Megatron replied easily, and the crowd grew even more restless. “I called out to my faithful, and they restored me. See, that’s a big ideological difference between Ultra Magnus and myself. He stands back and watches, lording over a battle like a statue—unmoved, in every definition of the word. I am a leader. I do not go on every mission—but I could go on any mission, and I have. I fight on the front lines. I let dirt and dust and Energon coat my frame as I stand beside my faithful.” He raised an optic-brow. “Why do you think, during the fifty years I was away, no new leader rose among them and they continued to follow orders? Loyalty begets loyalty. How long was Ultra Magnus in that hospital room before you sought out a far more gullible, moldable replacement?”
Sentinel was taken aback. “What?”
Halogen stood, seething. “That’s enough!”
“No. It’s never enough,” Megatron retorted. “It was never enough for you Autobots. Our conflict is as old as Cybertron itself, our factions only changing their names with the passage of time.” Optimus’s optics widened. What? His history research never indicated that. “We Decepticons have changed little over the eons. We’re not saints, any of us would admit that much—but you Autobots? You stew in corruption and call it your perfect machine so that the dull-eyed masses stay in line and allow you to shape their entire existence: their bodies, their names, their minds. Anything other than blind obedience and loyalty without question results in expulsion. Fit the mold, or be cast out.” Megatron turned his head, and Optimus froze as their optics met. “You lost some of your best, that way.” Optimus just stared back, then Megatron turned his crimson gaze upon the Council again. “Poor Elita-1, so terrified of what you Autobots would do to her after a tragic accident that she fled to my side and became my chief biological scientist.” Sentinel looked away. “And dear Optimus Prime: a proud warrior and sensible mind, sentenced to a life of maintenance duty. And why? He dared to take responsibility for the fate of his friends.”
Megatron snapped his digits, and the screens around the stadium—having been showing close-ups of the trial for the audience to see—suddenly changed.
:Cadet Optimus! Cadet Sentinel!: Ultra Magnus presided alone over a familiar chamber. :You stand accused of trespassing on an organic planet in violation of Cybertronian law, resulting in the tragic loss of Cadet Elita-1.: His optics narrowed. :Before I pronounce judgement, do you have any final statements?:
A younger Sentinel huffed, looking at his friend in accusation. :I wanted to go back for Elita, sir—but when things got glitchy, Optimus cut and ran!:
:So you’ve testified, cadet,: Ultra Magnus remarked flatly. :But I suspect there’s more to this story than meets the optic sensor.: He eyed the other cadet suspiciously. :Whose idea was it to go to this planet?:
:I was the senior cadet, sir,: a young Optimus said quietly. :Whatever happened was my responsibility.:
Ultra Magnus glanced at the young Sentinel. :Anything you’d care to add?:
:No, sir,: the young mech replied, and the current-day Sentinel looked away in shame.
:Then, you leave me no choice. Cadet Optimus, you are hereby expelled from the Autobot Academy and ineligible for service in the Elite Guard,: Ultra Magnus decreed. :I had hoped that, someday, you would achieve greatness—perhaps even prove yourself a worthy Magnus… but clearly, being a hero is not in your programming.:
The screens halted on that image.
And the stadium exploded in an uproar.
Optimus just stared at the screens in complete disbelief, feeling hollow. One of the very worst moments of his life, broadcast for the world to see—by Megatron himself.
“They did that to you?” A voice whispered, and Optimus felt like he was turning his head in water as he glanced down.
Bumblebee was staring at him. “Prime, that-… That was wrong.”
“Where is that coming from?!” Halogen demanded, regaining both of their attention—and with the microphones catching his voice, the stadium caught on as well.
“From you. From this council,” Megatron told him curtly. “True loyalty, and it was punished to save face. It was punished because Ultra Magnus had an heir apparent and expected him to be willing to do whatever it took to stay in power, to follow in his footsteps, and could not accept that young Optimus valued honor and camaraderie over power. After all, these things have all been long forgotten by your Council—for so very long, you mistake the introduction of cure as corruption.” Megatron’s optics narrowed. “Your perfect machine is nothing but a mountain of crushed sparks for this complete and utter farce of a government to stand upon. You rode on the backs of true talent to keep your power. And history is written by the winner, so your young don’t know enough to ask questions you can’t answer.”
Sigil folded his servos. “Like what?”
“… Why did no one on this council see the front lines of the war? Including Ultra Magnus,” the Decepticon warlord replied, and the Council members were taken aback. “I’ll answer that one for you.” Megatron looked out at the crowd, his face neutral. “That’s not their job. Their job is to sit here and idly watch as they send their freshly-molded fodder soldiers to die for them.” He looked at Optimus again, next. “That’s why Ultra Magnus was so useless, on Earth and against Shockwave—a spy and scientist, not a warrior. He had his precious hammer, and what good did it do? He never even swung the blasted thing, let alone marched into war. That was for lesser creatures.” He turned his gaze to the council once more, and he smiled. “Like the workers drafted to Project Safeguard, perhaps?”
And that, the mention of the Jettwins, snapped Sentinel out of his funk. “Enough!”
“If one could even call it ‘drafted’.” Megatron’s fingers clicked again, and the screens changed-
:They’re just kids, civilian kids,: this universe’s Wheeljack argued, data-pad in hand. :And they’re unconscious, they can’t give consent. They need medical attention, not… this!:
:Energon supplies continue to dwindle. New laborers are molded every day, and these two can easily be recycled if you believe they will not survive the process,: Ultra Magnus replied, visibly unmoved. :I have alotted the resources to be used specifically for Project Safeguard. If you want to save these mechs’ sparks, it will be by this means—and that is final.:
:… I want Red Alert,: this universe’s Wheeljack decided, at a loss. :If-… If we’re going to do this, it can’t just be me and Percy on the project. I want Red Alert, to monitor their vitals and manage the pain, and then… I’ll do it.:
:… Very well. I shall send for her at once. Make the necessary preparations.:
As there was more outcry from the crowd, Megatron was just getting started. “And what of your intentions with the Wrecker? Your plans of reward for his heroism?”
:What is your fascination with the Wrecker from the alternate universe?: Came Perceptor’s voice.
And Halogen’s replied. :An Autobot warframe from another universe, with Wheeljack’s mind and untold power and experience? I’m surprised that you aren’t more fascinated, you don’t need to have emotion for analysis. Ultra Magnus was going to make an emotional decision; he wanted the Wrecker gone, out of fear that his rogue voice could inspire dissent upon the masses.:
:And you do not want him gone?:
:Not until our scientists have wrung even scrap of information and use they can from him—mind, body, and spark. We just have to wait, to find an opportunity—something, anything, that we can use to take him into our custody without stirring up a fuss. I don’t care what we pin on him, I don’t care if he’s injured. We just need him alive… but that rogue voice? I can agree with Ultra Magnus on that much. That can go.:
“What?!” Optimus shouted, standing up—right at the same time as Bumblebee cried out:
“No!”
“This is the true face of your leaders, Autobots!” Megatron announced, using his cuffed servos to gesture to the mortified members of the Council. Even Perceptor’s optics had widened. “They are nothing more than cowardly bigots who cling to power by stifling anyone whose ideals differ from their own.” Megatron bared his fanged dentas, letting his anger show. “They slay, imprison, or reformat anyone who could possibly hope to stand against them. You heard it yourselves! How long will it be, until young Optimus Prime and his brave little teammates start to disappear—one by one? Into the stockade?”
The footage that appeared on the screens next was so horrific, so gruesome, that Optimus froze for a moment to stare in horror before he heard rapid vents and broke his gaze away to see how his teammate was reacting.
Bumblebee was hyperventilating, hugging himself, unable to tear his gaze away—because the images on the screen…
It was Wasp.
“Bumblebee!” Optimus finally kneeled and swept his teammate into his arms, tucking the smaller mech’s face against his chest to shield his gaze despite knowing the horrible sounds would still reach him, then he closed his own optics. “I-… I didn’t know…”
“Or into the Well itself, silenced and sidelined in the annals of history—propagandized for all they’re worth, what they truly represented forgotten?” Megatron went on as the crowd started to truly turn. “This is the restitution for sacrifice, for heroism. All you have ever been taught is a lie. You’re not priceless cogs in a grand Autobot machine. You’re puppets. Experiments. Slaves to the council.” Megatron closed his optics, his shoulders raising. “Just as we all were, before the war. A war which only the Council truly won.” He opened his optics and looked at the leaders of Cybertron with nothing but a lifetime of disdain. “The rest of us all lost.”
Avalon stood and pointed. “Guards!”
As the Elite Guard closed in, Megatron smiled. “So, Autobots, I must now ask: who do you believe that you can trust? If I may, I can also answer that question… with just two words.”
“Lord Megatron?” Halogen asked, completely outraged. “The Decepticons?”
Megatron’s expression darkened. “… No one.”
A hush came over the stadium.
Optimus looked up, his optics wide.
And then-
BOOM!
The ceiling exploded—and alongside debris, fully-armed Decepticon warriors rained down into the stadium.
The crowd panicked, scrambling to flee, while the Elite Guard flew into action to protect the Council and the VIPs.
They weren’t the target, though.
Optimus watched, still shielding Bumblebee with his own body and petrified in horror, as a warrior with a glass mask over his head removed the restraints holding Megatron—while a much larger warrior freed the other trapped Decepticons.
“Strika!” Lugnut exclaimed in delight upon being freed. “My beautiful, ferocious Strika!”
“The time for a proper reunion shall come,” she told him calmly, then she gestured to the rest of her companions. “Remove their restraints. Give their flight capabilities back, and prepare both Shockwave and Soundwave for transport.”
“Oh, goodie,” Shockwave remarked flatly.
Megatron rubbed his freed wrists, then he looked back—meeting Optimus’s optics with his own for one final time. “Hm. The truth hurts, doesn’t it?”
“Truth?!” Optimus asked. “You’re Decepticons!”
“… And who gave us that name?” Megatron asked quietly, raising an optic-brow.
Optimus didn’t mean to do it.
His gaze shifted, just for a moment. He saw the Council being escorted away by the Elite Guard.
Then, he was looking at Megatron again—and the warlord seemed genuinely surprised… before his expression actually softened, just a little bit. “No going back now, Optimus Prime. You will always see it.” Then, he was the terrifying leader of the Decepticons again—his optics narrowed as he raised his fist towards the sky. “Decepticons! Transform, and RISE UP!”
All those engines at once created a furious wind, casting debris through the destroyed stadium, and Optimus watched the Decepticons ascend and depart even as Autobot reinforcement ships arrived to give chase.
Optimus knew they wouldn’t be caught.
They wouldn’t be caught, because Wheeljack had been right along—about everything, everyone.
Something was starting.
And Optimus… couldn’t protect anyone from it, not himself and not his home and not his family.
Something was starting.
And everything was over.
“Prime? Prime! Optimus!” Optimus looked down to see Bumblebee grabbing his arm, his optics wide. “We gotta go, man.”
Optimus staggered to his struts, and Bumblebee held onto his arm as he turned and ran—and the Prime somehow followed.
They ran, and ran—making it to the hallway they had first come onto the stadium floor from, and Optimus just let Bumblebee lead the way.
His spark thundered, his mind reeled, and-
And someone was suddenly grabbing him and pulling him into a side hallway, slamming his back into a wall and pinning him there.
“Hey!” Bumblebee shouted as he doubled-back to face Optimus’s attacker.
Optimus just stared. “Sentinel?”
“Optimus, you gotta go!” Sentinel snapped, grabbing Optimus by the shoulders and then pointing towards a different door—an emergency exit. “Take your team, and leave this planet!”
Optimus blinked. “What?”
“Things are about to go to scrap in a hurry around here, and I know you. You’re gonna want to play hero,” Sentinel explained as Bumblebee lowered his fists. “This isn’t Earth, Optimus. You’ll just get yourself thrown in the stockade or killed.”
“… You were helping me,” Optimus managed.
Sentinel didn’t look away, he just held on a little tighter. “Yeah, and this is probably the last favor you’ll ever get outta me. The chaos will buy you some time, but you don’t have long before this place goes on lockdown—and if I’m ordered to arrest you, then I don’t have a choice.”
“There’s always a choice,” Optimus argued, reaching up to grab Sentinel’s wrist.
Sentinel glanced at Optimus’s servo, then looked back at him with a conflicted expression before he grew resigned. “… Go.”
“Sentinel-”
“Go!” Sentinel turned and shoved Optimus towards the door, reaching back and pushing Bumblebee forward to follow along as well. “And Optimus? Do yourself a favor… Don’t come back.”
“Prime, we gotta go!” Bumblebee grabbed the larger mech’s arm, his optics wide.
But Optimus couldn’t. “Sentinel!”
“… I know, buddy,” Sentinel said quietly, offering a tired smile. “Me, too.” His optics narrowed, and he pointed. “Now, GO!” Sentinel turned his back, raising a digit to his commlink. “Halogen, this is Sentinel Prime reporting. Optimus Prime and his subordinate are no longer on the grounds… and I’ve lost visual.”
Optimus let Bumblebee tug him along, then he forced himself to turn and run with his teammate—away from the stadium, the crowds, Alpha Trion and the Council, and Sentinel.
They burst through the door, and the Prime raised a digit to his own commlink. “Calling all Autobots! Calling all Autobots!”
…
…
Sari and Arcee looked up from their work as Ratchet picked up an incoming message on Omega Supreme’s monitor.
:Megatron has escaped!:
Sari gasped, covering her mouth with her hands—and Arcee carefully wrapped a servo behind her back before looking at Ratchet in dismay.
The field-tech just stared at the screen in horror.
…
:The Council will declare a state of emergency!:
In the Cyber-Ninja Fortress, Jazz lowered his digit and looked back at Drift—at a loss for words.
…
The Jettwins stared at the barracks’ screen, which had gone from reddened to full of static.
:Cybertron is about to go on lockdown.:
Behind the young warriors, Bulkhead and Wheeljack exchanged wary glances.
:And as of this moment, we are all on the run.:
…
…
Optimus gritted his dentas as he held onto Bumblebee’s servo with everything he had left.
“Regroup at Omega Supreme, and prepare to depart as soon as possible… We are well and truly on our own, now.” The young Prime closed his optics. “Transform, and roll out!”
Danny is Bruce's kid through doner. Bruce doesn't remember ever donating, so that was a bit of a shock, however luckily(or unluckily depending on POV I guess) Danny was the only viable pregnancy. Though Bruce doesn't want Danny involved in the night life, he does want to get to know his son, and Jack and Maddie are 100% okay with that. In fact, they even let Bruce take Danny to Gotham with him for the school year so that they can get to know eachother, Danny is their kid but they also want Danny to know his doner and his family, not to mention they think sending him to Gotham Academy might help get his grades back up. Danny was fine with Bruce and slowly getting to know him, he didn't want to be forced to spend most of the year with him though! But hes a kid so nobody listens to him and now hes in Gotham.
Danny is two-three years younger than Damian, so they go to school together. Damian insists he wants nothing to do with his younger brother, but its kinda obvious to anyone who knows Damian that hes stoked to be a big brother and not be the youngest anymore.
Because Danny is a trouble magnet, he quickly starts getting bullied. Damian of course notices, but doesn't want to step in if Danny has it handled. Except, Danny never defends himself, nor does he go to Damian for help. Damian is certain Danny will ask him for help once they get closer, but still Danny never goes to him. Jon tells him that maybe Danny is embarassed and doesn't want Damian to think Danny is weak or something? Which Damian takes to heart and starts persuading Danny to let Damian teach him self defense. Danny agrees because Damian seems so excited about it, plus he sees it as an opportunity to learn some new moves to use when fighting ghosts.
Now, in terms of what's actually happening with the bullying? Danny could not care less about it. Listen, Gotham Academy is filled with spoiled rich kids, most of which have never thrown a punch in their lives, their greatest 'weapon' is their words, most of which are barbs about how much richer they they are compared to other people, something Danny could care less about. They're annoying at best, completely forgettable at worst, even when they do try to beat him up, Danny can hardly feel it, they're that weak. Amity Park was way more brutal, completely ignoring the ghosts, the football players were way stronger, and more vicious, chasing him down before beating him up, or stuffing him in a locker, or giving him a swirly ect, ect,- compared to all that, Danny can deal with a few "harsh" words.
Basically: Damian really wants to be seen as a cool older brother, especially when he finds out Danny is being bullied. But, he also doesn't want to overstep boundaries or make Danny inferior by forcing himself into the situation, so instead he teaches Danny to fight. Meanwhile Danny is completely unbothered by the bullying because he's gone through worse back home.
It would be even funnier if Danny straight up did not realize they were bullying him. When Damian brings up the bullying, Danny just says, "What bullying?" With genuine confusion because rich kids attempts at hurting him are so pathetic, he just thinks they are weird and moves on with his life.
Transformers Animated and what the audience brings to a story
I've been thinking about how different people can watch or read the same story and come away with very different impressions of it.
I saw someone describe Transformers Animated as pro-war and pro-military once and was genuinely surprised because that was completely different from my impression of the show.
Yeah, the first episode starts things off with Optimus Prime (who is young and inexperienced compared to most versions) watching war "documentaries" that seem written for recruitment and giving speeches that quote propaganda about being "cogs in the great Autobot machine."
It also has Ratchet, an actual veteran, telling Optimus that the videos were slag and war sucks, and the crew being utterly unmoved by the speech.
Optimus doesn't actually gain the proper trust and respect of his crew until he starts operating outside of the rigid structure of the system and stops trying to run the crew like a military unit.
The team of Autobots we follow acts as good guys in an almost superhero-like way, but they do this outside of the structure of the Autobot army.
When other Autobots who are actually soldiers and the like are involved in the story, it is rarely a good thing. Typically, any autobots who are doing good are either actively defying those in power or going unobserved by them. Anyone "just following orders" is an obstacle at best and a problem in their own right at worst.
What we see of Autobot command is almost entirely bad.
The first glimpse we have of Autobots outside the repair crew features someone mocking Optimus until the seriousness of the matter at hand is revealed and he shuts up and acts professional.
Annoying, but not damning, on it's own. Some people are just like that.
Then we don't hear from them again until the Steelhaven arrives on earth. Now, the difference between the Autobots we've been following and the Autobot Army is thrown into stark contrast.
With the exception of Jazz, this new group of bots is petty and vindictive or callous and uncaring. They don't respect the local lifeforms. They're quick to dismiss the word of the bots on the ground about the situation without even attempting to investigate, and they start gearing up to punish the crew for circumstances beyond their control.
Even when what the crew has told them is proven true, they don't offer aid or support beyond handing over a few sets of stasis cuffs before leaving the crew of repair workers to fend off Decepticon soldiers.
Every subsequent appearance of other Autobots acting in their official capacity goes similarly.
Sentinel and his minions get in the way of deescalating the situation with Wasp, who has been revealed to be innocent and wrongly incarcerated. No one takes the intel about Longarm being a spy seriously. Sentinel continuously gets rewarded for doing everything wrong. What was done to Omega Supreme is horrifying and comes back to bite the bots when the Decepticons prove to be every bit as able to take advantage of his vulnerability.
Even the repair crew doesn't always get to be as good as we might like, often for reasons that can be traced back to The Great Autobot Machine.
When the repair crew saves Cybertron, they're having to fight the other Autobots as much as the Decepticons.
Half of what the repair crew does in the series is learn how to exist outside the bounds of what the great Autobot machine says they should be. Optimus has to step outside his Elite guard training and role as Prime and learn how to lead people instead of commanding soldiers. Bulkhead becomes an artist. Prowl falls in love with the stunning variety of life on Earth. Ratchet has to relearn how to be gentle and kind.
None of them were what they needed to be as cogs in the machine.
Also, there is a distinct undercurrent of "war is hell."
That was my impression, at least. Someone else watched the same show, and came away with the impression that it was pro-military and pro-war.
Jack: Kids, I have news. Your mother has left-
Danny: NOOOOOOOOO AGHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO MAAAAMMAAAAA
Jack: -For her conference.
Danny: Oh.
Jazz: That was an extreme reaction. Can I write about it for my psychology class?
Danny: Perhaps.
Jack: ... Anyway, since your mom is going to be gone for the next two week, I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a trip ourselves. It's been a while since we had a father-child vacation. I want to go to the Wayne Space Experience and the Wayne Psychology conference, which are five days apart, so we can hit both-
Jazz: YESSSSSS AGHHHHHH YESSSSSS PAAAAAPAAAAA
Danny: Huh. We are siblings. Anyway, Dad, I love to go.
Jack: Ha ha, I knew you loved it. It's perfect! Two things you two adore, and I get to spend time with old Brucie.
Jazz: Brucie? Who's that?
Jack: We grew up together! Before your grandfather started pretending I didn't exist, we ran in the same circles. Brucie was one of my best pals. He invited us to his manor-
Danny: Manor? How...does this Brucie have a manor?
Jack: His ancestors built it when Gotham was founded.
Jazz: When Gotham was founded? Only four families can gloat about having manors during the found- Wait. Are you talking about Bruce Wayne?
Jack: Yeah! That's Brucie.
Danny: You grew up with Bruce Wayne!? Because you ran in the same circles?! How!?
Jack: Oh, the Fentons are rich. Like really rich. How else can we avoid worrying about funding or bills for all our experiments? Your grandfather let me access my trust fund, but he doesn't talk or see me. We have not had contact since Mom died.
Jazz: We were rich the entire time!?
Jack: Eh, not really. The trust has some conditions on when I can and can't touch the money. Anyway, Mom died when I was seventeen, and your grandfather was quick to send me away to a different state a day after her funeral. I kept in contact with Brucie through mail, but then he vanished to travel the world. He recently reached out, and you know I miss him, so I thought, why not?
Danny: Why did Grandfather stop talking to you?
Jack: It was something about being an embarrassment with my interest in paranormal. Oh, and the rumor that I liked men and that I was in love with Bruce.
Jazz: But you're straight.
Jack: Yes, but Bruce wasn't. I figured I could shoulder the hate for him, and it wasn't like I was going to keep talking to my father. I'm proud to be a Fenton, but that doesn't mean I'm proud of all the Fentons.
Danny: You're so cool, Dad.
Jack: Thanks, Danny! Now got pack! We have a plane to catch tomorrow!
Jazz to Danny as they walked to their room: Did you notice the rumor was that Dad liked men and was in love with Mr.Wayne? If the first half was true, do you think the second half was also true about Mr.Wayne?
Danny: Nah, I mean it's Bruce Wayne, He can have anyone. Also, what are the chances this is a Fruitloop situation?
Miles away in Wayne Manor
Bruce: Tomorrow, Jack will be here, and I will finally win him over. I will make him mine.
Dick: Doesn't he have kids?
Bruce: I don't mind being a father to more children. Besides, I have a bunch.
Jason: Isn't he married?
Bruce: Not for long! I took her out-
Damian: Why are you allowed to kill when inconvenienced, but I'm not?
Bruce: I didn't kill her. I just sent her away for two weeks. In that time, I will make Jack fall in love with me and divorce her!
Tim: This is a terrible idea, Bruce.
Jason: It is a terrible idea, but you know the upside? I can put this scarlet letter on Bruce now!
Damian: You just carry that around?
Jason: Of course! In this family, I knew I would use it someday. Isn't that right, Mr. I can have a girlfriend as Robin and a girlfriend as Tim?
Tim: Big words from Mr. Can't get a date.
Alfred, watching them all: I need to take up drinking again.
