AUDIO;

[thehardway]

[There's a slow, steady exhale. Then, finally, no doubt a familiar voice on the network.]

It's Ultra Magnus.

How long... has it been?

Comments

[Video]

[young_upstart]

Not that I know of. I haven't seen any sign of the few I did talk to back then.

[Video]

[thehardway]

[Oh.

Not that he's disappointed to see Hot Rod, but it does fill him with a bout of anger and despair at this. Hot Rod came back. No one knows why.

Some aren't here. Others he'd failed.]

In any case. [There is no time for him to feel.] You're here now.

Allow me to apologize for failing to help you when you needed me most.

[Video]

[young_upstart]

...sorry.

[He upsets others just being around, what is with this? The frustration that he'd thought he'd managed to finally ditch has begun to rear its ugly head again. He looks away, no wanting to let it show, but it's Magnus' following words that have him look up again.]

No! You don't- look, it's not your fault. You...you tried. And I tried not to give in to it, but I failed pretty bad on that one too.

[Video]

[thehardway]

You deserved better than what I could give, Hot Rod. I will... try to make amends. Even if you feel it is not necessary.

[Video]

[young_upstart]

Hey, don't worry about me! [He forces a smile.]

[Video]

[thehardway]

I'm afraid it comes with the job. You're my responsibility.

[Mostly, it's a personal choice.]

[Video]

[young_upstart]

[Ultra Magnuses everywhere must be the same no matter the universe. ...but in a way, it's a relief having some familiarity around here when everything else is far and beyond.]

Guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear that.

[Video]

[thehardway]

Are you used to it? Or perhaps I'm just that predictable.

[Video]

[young_upstart]

A little of both, I think. Don't consider it a bad thing though. Maybe it's an Ultra Magnus-thing.