Normally, the massive Lightning Tag stadium at one end of Calibiri Park in Zone 1 is something of a fortress. It's hard to get into without a ticket or special permission, especially when there's not a match in progress. Today, though, the gates stand open, and there are mechs on stands outside them, calling for one and all to come on in and see
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And there he was. The Starscream from his universe strutting out amongst the other two players, looking as smug and pleased with himself as ever. The pure showmanship made Thundercracker want to purge. What a mockery this was after seeing Starscream lead armies.
Still, the blue seeker stayed and watched, paying close attention. He was unable to find fault in the sport itself or the impressive rigs and stellar players. There wasn't anything wrong with what Starscream had created... it was just the simple fact that this Starscream was nothing more than a rich bureaucrat that made Thundercracker's energon continue to boil. And if he was being honest, it was also how slagging satisfied he was with it.
Thundercracker is standing not far from him now, arms crossed, head down. He knows Starscream can probably see him, but is unable to call out to his brother in greeting.]
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A Seeker wearing his brother's colors? There's no way he could miss that. But just as Thundercracker can't quite bring himself to call out, neither can Starscream. Not weighted down as he is by the knowledge that this is Thundercracker, this is his brother--and his brother had hung up on him.
Didn't...seem to want anything to do with him...
...But it's been so long.]
...Thundercracker. Did...you enjoy the demonstration?
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In the end, he somehow manages to keep his face unreadable as he turns to acknowledge Starscream.]
The sport is...admirable.
[It is said grudgingly- but he feels he must give credit where it is due.]
Your flying skills don't seem to have diminished.
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...Had to keep myself sharp, when it was just me and the lightning. Never saw a reason to stop, even if I'm mostly just flying for myself now.
But...thank you.
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...Everything you're doing is mostly for yourself now, isn't it?
[TC replied, just a bit of an edge to his voice.]
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And he can't lie to him and say he does it for The People or his shareholders, either. Not to his brother.]
...Yes. Ultimately, yes.
It's not like I have anyone else to do things for.
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And you're fine with that? Putting on shows and building little empires on other people's money?
[Folds his arms] ...Of course you are. You don't know what you could have been.
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[He's seen it in the datatracks, he's seen it in the stories the warbirds tell him, he's seen it in the optics of the mechs who try to make him pay for crimes he never had a chance to commit.]
I'm not impressed.
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You weren't there. All you know is observations from others who have grudges against y- him. Do you really believe your future self didn't have reasons for doing what he's done?
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...I don't know, Thundercracker. How could he? How could any of you?
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We did what we had to. I don't think you can really understand war from just reading datapads, Starscream.
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Heh. Not the first time I've heard that, Thundercracker.
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[Shakes his head] At least some things never change.
[TC has a fleeting desire to grab Starscream by a wing and noogie him, like in the old days- but it passes quickly.]
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I've heard that before too, you know. Apparently, Starscreams are pretty consistent across the multiverse, no matter how hard we try to make ourselves stand out.
[He tries so hard not to sound bitter as he says it, glancing over at his brother sidelong.]
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[TC gives him a stern look, arms folding across his cockpit]
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The hurt look on his face even manages to last a few seconds, before he forces himself to subsume it in anger.]
That's not my future self, Thundercracker. None of them are, none of them will be.
I refuse. I will be the anomaly.
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