re_alignment | audio || action

Entry tags:

✘ tf: bayverse | sideswipe

audio || action

I've seen enough.

[Well... it's Sideswipe's voice. But it's crawling with static and contempt. More than usual. It sounds almost older somehow. Harsher.]

You let them crawl around your world like it's nothing. Foolish.

Don't worry. I'll clean up your little mess.

[And the line goes dead.]

[LATER]

[A banged-up, paint-scarred Corvette can be found cruising the Haven, its headlights off and engine muted. It acts more like a shark than a flashy sportscar, moving quietly about the area.]

[It's stalking. Searching.]

[As if it knows what it seeks is somewhere nearby, and is tirelessly seeking it out.]

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[Sideswipe's scarred image leaves him appalled.]

Well I'll be a blazin' Bronco. Siders, have ya looked at yourself lately? More roughed up than a rattlesnake in a woodchipper.

[JUST STOP.]

You and me, though, Siders. Partners in crime. Though ya took better care of yourself back home. Some partner rough ya up?

...It's me. Dino.

Since when do you care what happens to me. Since when do any of you care.

[His voice crackles around the edges. Like it's been damaged, but never fully repaired itself.]

[His shoulders draw up, defensively.]

I don't have a partner. I work alone. I have since all of you abandoned me.

And I don't know any Dino.

[Typical Sideswipe? Sorta. Not even he was this broody on a bad day. He takes a step closer, hand on his 'belt'.]

Yer pullin' my leg, Siders. I mean yer a pain in the aft but we still care about ya!

We never abandoned ya, either. You're makin' that scrap up like you're sellin' a cheap car.

And sure ya do. I'm Dino.

[He steps back. Pointedly. In order to keep space between them. This stranger is moving too close -- getting too familiar.]

No. You don't. None of them do. They robbed me and they left me to die.

I don't know who you are, or why you think you know me, but if you're loyal to Prime, I don't have any business with you.

[He notices Sideswipe being distant. And it's bothering him. They weren't on bad terms by any means. Maybe Sideswipe didn't like his accent but...who was he to judge?

He wasn't a ball of sunshine himself.]

Aw shucks, Sideswipe. We didn't rob ya of anythin! Cept maybe some of the spotlight that ya had to SHARE.

And you and I are both loyal to Prime, ya stubborn headed rattlesnake. Now quit yer mopin and c'mon.

You Autobots killed Demolishor! You took that from me!

[He jabs a blade in Mirage's direction, all but snarling. He takes another step back -- despite everything that's happened, he doesn't want to hurt them.]

[They're liars and fools. They're not as bad as Decepticons.]

No.

I'm finished with them.

[And in defense, he gets in position, only relaxing when that blade goes down. This wasn't like Sideswipe at all. And despite the new personality, 'Dino' could see that.]

Whoa there, partner. Let's not go holdin' up a bank just yet. Demolisher's gone. History. Pushin' up daisies. We oughta see that as a victory no matter who shot the last bullet.

C'mon pardner. Let's go explore this place.

Like we did back home.

Stop talking like you know me! Stop acting so familiar!

Killing Demolishor was everything -- and they knew it! You all knew it!

[He shakes his head, sharply, and withdraws another step. His leg twitches as he moves, as if the joint is stiff.]

Don't come near me.

I work alone.

But I do know ya, partner. You're Sideswipe, the rattle to my snake.

The spur to my boots.

My buddy.

[Seriously, what's wrong with you, Sideswipe? He inches towards him, hand outstretched.

Why was he so...wrong?]

I'm nothing to anyone! You all abandoned me! You let your human pets try to kill me.

You're not a friend. You're not an ally.

[More steps backward. He lifts his hands, blades in a defensive posture.]

I don't even know you!

[Dino's eyes widen, shocked at what he's hearing.

That's...that's not what happened. Not in the slightest. It's worse when hep puts up that stance, taking a step back, arms up.]

Whoaaa there, no need to get your boots in a blender. Let's talk this out, buddy.

Roboto-e-roboto.

No. I don't need to talk to an Autobot.

[Another step back. And another.]

[He'll back away until there's space to run, if he can. This makes him uneasy. Upset and uneasy.]

[Which is bound to make him lash out.]

[Sideswipe, you're killing him, here.

How can he help you if--

He wants to run though. Like a Jackrabbit looking at a snake. And...Dino puts those hands on his hips, looking down.]

Go on then, partner.

I won't keep ya. Until we meet again on the horizon, just don't get your hide tanned.

Be a darn shame.

Stop calling me that! Stop it! I don't... know you.

[He keeps shaking his head, only lowering his hands when the stranger lowers his. Every motion is wary. Tense.]

[It's like he expects this to be a trick, really.]

Why do you even care what I do?

[He notices, sees Sideswipe's struggle.

This wasn't like old times. Something was wrong.]

If I told ya the reason, ya'd deny it faster than a drunk with the keys to a carriage bein threatened to have em taken..

[...Wow, that's the worst one yet.]

C'mon, drop this act, Siders. I'm here to help ya.

You're talking like an idiot and you expect me to buy in. No, I don't think so.

[He swats a hand through the air. Thankfully, the blade was withdrawn. Mirage's safe, for now.]

I don't need an Autobot's help!

[It's making him even more uneasy. More off-kilter. Like he's forgotten something he really should remember.]

[Those eyes narrow. It's not like Sideswipe was acting any more mature. If anything, he was the teenager around here. One of those hips pop, the other glancing at his fingers, as if checking them.]

I get it. Ya think you're a loner. That you can just mosey through the desert on your own horse. No one to talk to, no one to getcha hurt.

Lone wolf.

I ain't offerin' it to you as an Autobot. But as me. Dino.

...

There is no Autobot named "Dino". There is no Cybertronian named "Dino".

I don't know you.

Get away.

[Those eyes narrow. This isn't a game anymore.]

Then who is talkin' to ya right now, partner.

Cause it sure ain't anyone other than 'Dino'

[He visibly bristles.]

Stop calling me that! I'm not your partner!

I wouldn't lie to ya!

[This is getting ridiculous.]

I don't believe that for a second.

Who sent you? Ironhide? The old fool still trying to "reign me in"?

[He gets closer, almost threateningly.

Almost.]

Ironhide's DEAD. Deader than a doornail! Pushin' up signposts.

Gone.

[Mirage couldn't have gotten more of a reaction back if he'd punched him. His whole body rocks backward, his expression suddenly... stunned. Shocked. Hurting. Disbelieving.]

[For all his anger, all his disillusionment... that one presence remained a constant. An unwavering force.]

[You could be angry at your father figure, you could hate them, rage at them until you ran out of words. But that didn't change who they were to you. It didn't make them less influential. Didn't erase all they'd done before you started loathing them. They were important -- they were your parent, your teacher.]

[And Sideswipe... had no idea his was gone. It's clear on his face.]

...

What?

[And right then, Mirage's wings droop. His face turns away, looking out into the distance. If there was wind on Cybertron, there would be one to blow his proverbial cape in that direction. As if he were in some kind of cheesy western.

But this was serious. Those eyes sadden as he takes a step back, his voice now quiet.

He knew how much Ironhide meant to him.]

Ya heard me, partner. He's...gone.

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