maskormenace | 004

Entry tags:

004 | Video

[Hello, Citizens of Heropa. Hope you're enjoying yourselves on this fine day! Because Metalhawk sure isn't. In fact, he was doing the same as you, performing everyday routine in his apartment and getting ready to go to work...and that's when it all went wrong. The feed opens up to show...a little minor structure damage--a broken window and door at most, both of which now have a giant metal wing through them. Sitting in the center is a giant robot, at least 27 feet in height now curled into as tight of a ball as he can, to avoid further destruction.

And boy, does he not look happy.

Looks like you finally got your third (and original) power working, Metalhawk!]

I can't say this is very ideal.

[There's an annoyed sigh, wiggling his wings slightly to try and get them out of the doorway/window.]

Would anyone be free to assist me? If I can just get outside...

[Yeah, that's not happening. You're huge, Metalhawk.

He's so sorry, roomies.]

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[There's a slight wince at the crash.]

Well you can't blame me for that one.

[But he's going to go over, arms stretched out to help Bee up, his voice more gentle.]

You're alright...?

I could, but I won't...

[ taking the offered hands with a groan. Bee's butt hurts, but he's not about to say that. ]

Think my pride took more damage than I did.

[Metalhawk can't help but smile, helping Bee to his feet. He doesn't seem to move away, though, as if preening to make sure the other one's not injured.]

I'm sure you'll more than make up for it. You've got pride to spare.

[Said...oddly fondly.]

[ Bee doesn't do anything to stop Metalhawk from checking him out. chances are that, you know, he'd be doing the same thing if roles had been reversed. so he's patient and amused. ]

Pfft. Since when?

[His preening stops at that question, hand going from his arm to the pendant around Bee's neck.]

Since I got to know Bumblebee the Autobot instead of Bumblebee the Leader.

[ oh... well. coughs a little, shifting his weight. kinda awkward, but he understands the sentiment all the same. ]

Yeah, about that. I got carried away. It's funny because... I never wanted to be the leader.

[ in fact he had been so surprised. Bumblebee hadn't thrown his name in to be voted for at all. ]

I think what started as a desire to do the right thing that I was bound by duty to do, it turned into this obsession.

I think we all did at some point.

[Which he's starting to admit to, especially to Bee.]

But I'm glad to know you outside of that situation. Although I always knew you weren't like the others.

Calling us NAILS didn't really suite you.

I think you're still a little too quick to pass judgment on everyone. Prowl, I can understand. He's my friend, but I understand completely. Some of the others are just good people. ...That goes for some of the 'Cons too.

[ a small shrug. ]

Wheeljack and Ironhide. They were good people too. I went in to save Wheeljack, if you remember.

[As if he's remembering himself.]

But so were mine. Angry and frustrated, but good people.

...Yeah I do. It's just. I wish I could have actually done something.

[ Bee, stop. you are doing the thing. ]

I never blamed your people, Metalhawk. I just didn't want them to blame mine. It's that sort of hate that started this whole mess...

Don't sell yourself short, Bumblebee. You made mistakes. We all did.

That's how a society grows.

I think we were all too busy trying to fix things overnight that we forgot that we have to learn.

[ nods with a little bit of a hum. it's true. so many mistakes had been made... maybe they'll all be better for it in the end. ]

Since we're having these deep little heart to hearts...

[ time to ask what has been eating at him: ]

Turmoil. You said you'd spill.

[His gaze immediately casts away. Not in avoidance, but more like trying to figure out how to word it. His hands let go, folding behind his back as he sighs.]

I was an Autobot, as you know. I fought against Turmoil and Deadlock's forces. And they brutally murdered everyone. I had to watch it, and I realized that when I looked at Deadlock, I saw what could possibly happen to myself.

Autobots, Decepticons, we--they both killed. No matter how good your intentions are in war, you can become twisted. Turmoil...he was twisted in so many ways. And I was...

[A pause, before exhaling. His tone drops.]

I was scared I'd become that. The only way to ensure I couldn't do this was to become a pacifist. Leave the war. There was too much killing.

[ before Metalhawk can get overly worked up, Bee snatches up one of Metalhawk's hands. squeezing it gently for support and comfort. ]

Metalhawk... I don't think you could ever become that twisted. At least with that sort of reasoning, I can respect your decision to step away. [ because we all know that Bee isn't really okay with people that just decided to not get involved to protect a world they claimed to love and called home. ]

I'll admit that you going off about Turmoil surprised me when you didn't seem to be all that riled up concerning Drift. Figured you'd at least try to be impartial based on that.

[ but does... Metalhawk know Drift had been Deadlock? ]

[He's surprised by the hand holding his, although it quickly fades as his own takes it. He'd always shoved away any sort of comfort from Autobots but here...maybe that's what was needed.]

The Decepticon cause had a noble core, Bumblebee. You can't tell me something like that turning people that twisted couldn't have the same affect on me...

[But he pauses.]

What does Drift have to do with this?

Yeah, but... Even Megatron can change and admit that he had been wrong. So if someone like him can come back from that, you don't think you could? But you're really damn stubborn so I don't think it would have been an issue in the first place.

[ rolls eyes. he has to tease just a little while also dishing out a complement. it won't do to flatter the bird too much. ]

Though I thought you knew. Deadlock is Drift. I don't know the details about what happened to him personally to make him change names and sides, but it was enough to convince Kup.

[ sighs and grumbles: ] Should probably apologize to the idiot at some point.

The compliment's...appreciated.

[It really was, although he's still a bit perplexed on the wording. Snark, one day he'll master it.]

...Deadlock.

[His shoulders hunch up, as if the name pains him.]

He's the one who killed all those people, Bumblebee. Only Sunstreaker and I survived.

And it was Sunstreaker that sold us out to the Decepticons. Didn't you just say that both Autobot and Decepticons killed? Are you going to condemn me because, yes, I killed Decepticons?

[ frowning. ]

You gave Starscream a chance when he didn't deserve it. I'm pretty sure you have to at least try to give Drift a shot when he has earned it.

...

[Well, Bee has a point, and it's one Metalhawk has to think about. His eyes soften, though, not wanting to except the truth of it.

But that's what he does. Like a lectured dog.]

I know you're right. More than right, especially about Starscream. If I ever see him...I'll try.

That's all I can really promise.

[ augh it's about time that he FINALLY gets one over on Metalhawk.

while it's not quite the answer that Bee wants, it's one that he can accept. trying is really all anyone can ask for in the end, right? ]

Thanks... And I know, Metalhawk. [ another squeeze. ] I know the sort of hatred you feel and how you don't really want to let it go.

[It's hard to overcome, and it's going to take time. Something Metalhawk has recently had to accept of the Autobots too, with the war.]

I preached it to you, yet I can't do it myself. Not just yet.

[There's a visible wince from the thought, gently squeezing back.]

Not a light I'd like to see myself in.

Hey, the first step to dealing with a problem is admitting that you have one. It's not going to be easy, but it won't be any harder.

[ and Bumblebee gives Metalhawk a little, lopsided grin. ]

You'll work it out.

...

[His eyes look back at Bumblebee, glad to hear that at least this is the brunt of the work. It gets a small smile and nod out of him, heaving out a breath of air.]

Thank you.

For...all of this.