The Energon Pub

Oh, wow, is it Monday already? Well I guess that means time for the answers to that game. (Feel free to do a drumroll on your lap/desk/whatever.)

I completely forgot Wingthing was a wingthing. And dangit, I thought one was Flip Sides but I forgot to post it!

Sigma Magnus wrote:I completely forgot Wingthing was a wingthing. And dangit, I thought one was Flip Sides but I forgot to post it!

Wanna know what I didn't get? I said who could name them all and nobody named Soundwave!

So sorry for taking forever to post, but poor Ravage kept frikking overheating and apparently I've almost completely maxed out the RAM.


Just because target practice was cut short doesn't mean I missed my chance to shoot at Shockwave. I hate his guts right now... or whatever Cybertronians have for guts...


BG, it's cold in here. Can I sit on you're lap?
It's 61 degrees in here, it's not that cold... *sigh* Come here.




What the-


Uh... guys? Guys, I'm not a pillow...


What? The Bumblebays?


Even Click-Clack? *sigh* At least I have a small collection. ...Do the other guys have to deal with stuff like this?


*sigh*


You know, Soundwave, a month or two ago, I was here - in the same spot - while Bumblebee was on the line. It never... it never occurred to me that the next one with... with his life on the line would be... would be... *sigh*


*ahem*
Oh! Ratchet. And Drift.
...


Please, Ratchet. Please tell me you have some good news.
Chromedome, he was hit with the highest setting that Soundwave's blaster had. He's holding on, but only thanks to intense medications, stabilizers and operations from Drift and I. We're trying, but I'm not sure what the result is yet.
Oh. O-Okay.


Soundwave, can you help me over here for a moment?


What the- "Meet me in the living room"? What?
(Amazing how similar a nudge gun is to a Minicon blaster.)


Drift...?
Sh. And don't be late.

Ugh!
...What're you doing?


The Shockwave pic didn't get damaged enough during that failed attempt of target practice.
So you steal everyone's swords and stab the paper?
Yup! Care to join me?
Uh...
Come on, don't say you don't hate his one-eyed face, too.


...Is this even a weapon?
Does it -ugh!- matter?
Mmm... nah.


Hyah!


Ah, much better, don't you think?


Okay, Drift, I'm here like you wanted. ...Drift?


Yes. Ratchet and I knew we were taking a risk sending a signal like that, seeing as it was possible you wouldn't have gotten it.
So Ratchet's in on this, too? And how did you send that, anyway?


Barely. We both worked on this meeting, but I'm the only one here because Ratchet told me he only did medical investigations, not... criminal ones. And this is a makeshift nudge gun.
It's one of Divebomb's guns. (Which are useless, he can't move enough to even use them.)
Yes, it is. The similarities were remarkable, it was so simple to edit.


But that's not what we're here to talk about. I need to show you...


...this.
Yeah. Tha-that's where Rewind was shot.
Listen... there's absolutely no evidence that either Soundwave or Rewind moved into each other's range mid-fire.
Wh... What are you saying?


*sigh* Oh, Chromedome. What I'm saying is...


...Rewind was shot on purpose.

It's been gettin' quiet 'round here.


No. No, he wouldn't. There's no way he could've-
There's absolutely no evidence suggesting otherwise.


But why would he- why would he ever-
Maybe, I don't know... jealousy?
What? Why?
Come on. Everyone could tell from the second he was out of his box that he had a thing for you. Rewind would be in his way.
My head hurts... I-I need a moment to process this.


That's fine, because I'm leaving. You can stay here and pout all you want about your pathetic "war of the lovers" while I go try to figure out the punishment Screenface back there deserves. You know, for being considered the smart one of this house, it sure did take you a long time to figure all this out.


...Not that you've even figured it out completely.
...


*sigh*




...So apparently he- may I?
By all means.


Thanks. Where was I?
Apparently he...
Oh, right. So apparently he thought Rewind was an obstacle! Rewind! He's not an obstacle. Well, okay, he's small enough to where I used to trip on him occasionally, so there was that, but still!


Mm. You know... it wasn't your fault.
What?
There was a lot of excitement going on. You were distracted - Rewind hadn't even been here a week when the accident happened. For all we know, the whole briefcase prank he thought up could've been just another distraction so he could get what he wants.
The brief- that was his idea?
Well, yes. He told me, I made the case, then I told Bumblebee, and it just kind of... went from there. But that's not the point. The point is, you were preoccupied, and it was very unlikely you would've seen anything like this coming. Anyway, another chip?

Meanwhile...

Oh, no, it's raining. *gasps* Wh-what if it's a thunderstorm?
*thunder rumbles*
*screams*
Woo. bweedoo. (Heh. It's alright.)


So what do you think?
What do I think? I think...


...I think it's time he go back to the medibay.
That's all?
No, sorry. Let me revise that: I think it's time you get some rest and he go back to the medibay. You've had a rough day. I'll bring him back to Ratchet's. You get some rest. Okay?
...Yeah. Yeah, okay.

Got some character development here, wow.

Sigma Magnus wrote:Got some character development here, wow.

Eh, just wingin' it, really.

Come on, Tumbler. It's a car ride. You love car rides.
Mph.
I need to get out real quick. You stay here, 'kay?

Few minutes later...



I'm back.
...What's this?
Chocolate. Keep it, I won't eat it.
Oh... thanks.

TV time!

See? If they weren't identical than he could maybe be Swerve...
There's Rodimus.
Well, duh. And those two are obviously Cyclonus and Tailgate.
Ha! He even looks like Tailgate!
Pffft, yeah, a distant relative of his holo-matter avatar, maybe.
Oh, come on! Just change the eye color from brown to blue and he's perfect.
Eh...


So... have you made a decision?


What?
About Soundwave.
I-I thought that was for Drift to decide...
He's given me one option. I want a second. I think Soundwave should be able to choose.
You're less of a jerk than you think you are, BG.
I'm being sympathetic. There's a difference.
And if you weren't being sympathetic?
I'd disassemble him and feed his remains to Purple Thing In The Tin.
*sigh* I can't.


Sit down. Talk to me.
I can't just throw a punishment on him. That would be like...
...Like Rewind throwing one on you?
...Kind of, yeah. Um... what choice did Drift give?
Three years locked up under my bed with the Cars movie cars.
You mean with the four McQueens?
And others.
Drift is terrified of them. That's a severe punishment.
Drift honestly expects you to come up with something equally as harsh.
What? No, I couldn't.


...Do you feel the same way? About Soundwave, I mean. Do you feel the same way he does?
Hm? Oh, no, no.
But you still don't want him hurt?
Of course not. He's a good friend. Friends don't just abandon each other like that.
Ouch.
Hm?
Nothing.


Tell you what: Since you don't want to, maybe I could figure out a second option myself?
Um... yes. Okay. As long as it's not-
-the "Feed to the Purple Thing" plan. I know. It won't be. Promise.

-Later-

Soundwave, we need to talk. Meet me by Laserbeak, tomorrow morning.
...

Note: This post has nothing to do with the current storyline. It doesn't even coincide with what's going on in real time over here. My dad just left his coffee out and I couldn't miss the opportunity.

Ooh, what's this?


HeyheyDomeyheyDomeyDomeyhey!
Why...

I can do GIFs more often too if you guys want.

I almost spit out my drink.

Sigma Magnus wrote:I almost spit out my drink.

Was it coffee?

...You put the Shockwave picture on your wall?
Of course! Who doesn't want the head of their enemy pinned on their wall?


Thank you for coming, Soundwave.
Let's cut right to the chase: we know what you did.
???
With Rewind.
... ...


Yes, everyone knows you shot him, but we know why.
...accident...
!!!


It was not an accident you went and shot him on purpose you walked right up behind him and shot him in the back and I can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner-
Tumbler... that's plenty. Time to cool down.
...Right, yes. You're right.
I'm always right.


We (and by we I mean BG, I recommended against it) have given you two choices of punishment. One, you can be put in solitary confinement in the box that contains the creatures known as the "Cars Cars".


Or, option two, I can go in and erase all memory of this incident and along with them any... erm, intense feelings towards Tum and any hatred-type feelings towards Rewind.
That's your punishment?!
Hey, very few Bots actually like getting their heads tampered with, especially when it comes to erasing things like this, believe it or not.


... ???
None. Sorry.
Of course not.


... ... ...


...Okay.


Tumbler, here. I want you to hold onto this for a bit.
...Soundwave's gun?
Yes, I don't think he should have it on him until after I've wiped him, you know?


This is what he used to shoot Rewind...
If you don't want it, I can hold on to it mysel-
No. No, that's alright. I'll... I'll keep it.

Y'know...while he was a jerk and used the wrong methods, I still kinda feel bad for him.

Sigma Magnus wrote:Y'know...while he was a jerk and used the wrong methods, I still kinda feel bad for him.

Well, before all this happened, he was the adorable one and apparent fan-favorite. Plus, he's still my squee toy, so...

IT'S BRAINWASHING TIME!!!

Ig89ninja wrote:IT'S BRAINWASHING TIME!!!

You make it sound bad. I approve.

Are you sure you want to- you're wearing his cannon.
Huh? Oh, yes, I, uh, thought it would be easier than carrying it in my hand. But I-I'll take it off.
No, no! You don't have to. If I can be completely honest, I find that a teensy bit sweet. Anyway, back on topic, you sure you want to come with? I know you aren't very comfortable when I...
I'm sure. I'm going to be there.
Okay. I was just making sure before I dragged you into something you didn't want to do.


What's that?
UV light. You toys are so tiny it can be hard for me to get the same position every time.
So you're looking for the old marks.
Precisely.


Alright, found 'em. Is there anything that needs to be said before I continue? Tumbler? Soundwave?
No.
Alright, then I'll begin the-
... ...
Oh. Of course. In that case, I'll be right back.


...Chromedome, I'm sorry...
I know. In a few minutes it won't matter. Okay?
...You-
I'll still be here. Trust me.
... ... ... *nods*
I'm back. Are we ready?
Yes.
Are you sure you want to watch? I mean, I could easily put you upstairs. You can talk with Ratchet. You know, the one with a lost wh-
I'm staying here.


*sigh* Alright. Soundwave, I'm going to ease you into power down, when you're back online we'll be home, okay?
...
Alright. In we go.

Afterwards...

He'll want this back.
You liked wearing it, didn't you?
I shouldn't have, but... maybe a little.


You took longer than I thought you would.
Well, I'm sorry I'm not a millions of years old Cybertronian master at this, but I'm a human girl and it takes time.
Hey, I'm not accusing you of anything.
Yeah, sure you weren't.

Back at home...

...


???
Here, let me help you up.


...Aren't you going to say something?
... ???
No, I mean like I am. Words. Can you use words?


Soundwave? Can you use words?
...
You don't speak... to anyone?


...
Okay. ...Welcome back, bud.
???
Nothing.

Aw...
Bittersweet. I like that.

Epilogue:

Normal...


Normal...


Aw... I mean- *ahem* Normal... I know I'm forgetting something... Oh, of course.


Don't worry, Rewind...


...Soundwave's been taken care of. He won't hurt you again, I promise.


I know you probably can't hear me, but... I miss you. I'll be waiting for you to recover. ...Goodnight, Rewind.

Hey, the sky is looking pretty clear. Should be a good view of the stars t'night.
Yeah, I saw. No screensaver, no icons - just a full, hi-definition desktop background. Too bad it won't be dark enough for stars until after we all go to bed.
Hey, you wouldn't mind going outside late and snapping a few pictures for me, would you? I never get to see the night sky anymore.
Absolutely.


...Hey, bud. How's it going? *sigh*


I, uh, I went out to see the stars last night. BG let me. Clear sky, the moon just past full. I saw some of our constellations too. Remember the one with Prowl being chased by a swarm of scraplets? *chuckles* On the left side, not the right. You can't see the right swarm this time of year...


...The days have been long, Rewind. Real long. BG's been keeping me lots of company, though. Don't tell her I said so, but I think she feels a bit sorry for me. For us, maybe even.


I-I gotta go. Promise me you'll be back soon, okay?


~Promise me you'll be back soon.~


This place looks like a desert. Are you sure this is a garden?
That's where the cucumber plants are supposed to be. ...They're failing.


Optimus, why do you have your wings out?
Looks more dramatic this way, doesn't it?
...


...Uh, a little help?
Tum?!

Hey, Ratchet.
Chromedome! Um, this really isn't a good time.
Why? Is something wrong? Let me see!


Chromedome, calm down. We're running some tests at the mo-
What the-?


Whoa!
He's under a containment field! Wait, no, it's plastic. But still!
Ratchet, I thought you said no visitors right now.
I did! He didn't listen.


Chromedome. Chromedome, it's just to make sure nothing corrupts the test results, okay? He's alright.


Right. Right, I-I knew that...
Are you feeling okay?
Fine. I'm fine.


Maybe you should head back to BG's bedroom. Take a rest.
But I feel fine!


~Can't I stay for a little longer?~
~Come on, Tumbler, let's go outside.~
~...Fine. Okay.~


Anyway, back to routine. Drift, you will take the morning shift tomorrow?
Hm? Oh, alright.


...What are they?


I don't remember what they're really called. I've been calling them "spark lanterns" for as long as I can remember.
Name makes sense.
(If you can't tell, that's a picture of Tumbler and that shadowy spot in the upper left corner is my head.)

I sense a plot device, (also, cool new Avatar)

Only have enough time for one pic tonight:

Well, guess who my cousin lost again. Yup, Gwumpy Ratchet.