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melishade · 2 days

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Attack on Prime: Alternative Scenes Part 1

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So as promised in a previous poll, I did say that I would show the alternate scenes that ultimately got cut or altered from the published AOP work. I'm going to have to break this down into parts because there's a lot to explain and I'm certain I can't fit it all into one post.

So the first thing we're going to talk about is Megatron's breakdown in Chapter 77: Monster. Originally, I was going to have the Warrior Cadets be kidnapped and taken to a military base and Marley would refuse to go get them back despite the Warrior's insistence. Megatron, would feel sympathy for the Warriors' plight, and decides to go and rescue them himself. Colt does try to stop him and this is how the scene plays out.

Colt saw Matthew within the weapons, equipping himself with guns and bullet. He gasped when he saw the man reaching over towards a sword hanging on the shelf, coming to the conclusion that he was seriously doing this.

“Matthew, what are you doing?!” Colt whispered. The teen jolted when Matthew aimed the rifle at him, but immediately lowered it once he recognized him.

“Colt, go home,” Matthew ordered as he continued gathering weapons.

“Matthew, you can’t be serious,” Colt demanded, “Going into enemy territory on the off chance that they’re all alive.”

“The four of them were specifically targeted and kidnapped,” Matthew declared, “The enemy must be holding them for ransom. They might be Eldians, but they do have value to Marley.”

“And what if you’re wrong?” Colt asked, not wanting to get his hopes up over a whim, “What if they decided to kill them, kill my brother?”

“Then I’ll bring back their bodies so you can bury them,” Matthew answered without hesitation as he strapped the rifle to his back, “Go home, Colt, and keep your mouth shut about this.”

Colt immediately got in front of Matthew. “I’m going with you.”

“No,” Matthew immediately shut down.

“But Matthew-!”

“No,” he repeated in a stern voice, “I’m not going to have another person die because of me. You stay here and you keep your mouth shut.”

“Falco’s my brother!” Colt exclaimed, “Gabi, Udo, Zofia! They’re just kids! Please, I have to try and save them! You have to understand, right?! Wanting so badly to protect your family!”

Colt was worried he might have said the wrong thing and ruined his chances of going with Matthew. Matthew placed his hand on Colt’s shoulder, surprising the boy.

“I do understand,” Matthew proclaimed, “But if Falco is alive, I’m not letting him come back to a dead brother.”

Megatron hit Colt in the back of the neck, causing the boy to collapse on the ground unconscious. He grabbed the boy and some rope before tying him up. He carried the boy on his shoulder before shoving his body within a weapon’s closet. He had to move quick and fast before anything got worse.

----

“Colt!” Pieck gasped as she found the boy tied up, trying to free himself from his bonds. Pieck and Annie began to untie him while Magath stomped over to him.

“You better explain yourself-!”

“Matthew went to save them!” Colt shouted, “He’s going into enemy territory to try and save Falco, Gabi, Udo, and Zofia!”

“Why didn’t you stop him?!” Reiner demanded.

“I tried!” Colt reasoned, “I tried to stop him or even go with him, but he knocked me out before I could do anything else!”

“Do you have any leads?!” Magath demanded.

“No,” Colt whimpered, “I couldn’t get a damn thing.”

Zeke began to tremble as Pieck began to comfort Colt while Annie watched with guilt. This was bad. If Matthew managed to find them in enemy territory, all hell was sure to break loose. No one would be able to survive the flying titan’s wrath.

“We need to find him,” Magath declared, “Search the area and ask people if they saw Matthew. We need to find out exactly where he went.”

The scene was meant to convey Megatron's growth as a character in not wanting to needlessly put anyone in danger. Before he just didn't care or threw his own followers off of the Nemesis, but Megatron is forcefully keeping Colt out of the fight because he didn't want him to die.

The breakdown still happens, obviously, I'm pretty sure that I kept Udo alive in this situation, but I know the end result did play out a little differently.

The Marleyan troops watched in horror at the aftermath of the attack. Bodies littered the front lawn. The grass stained with their blood as their frozen expressions were one of fear and agony. The front doors of the base were torn to shreds. They saw body part remains all over the floor from grenades that went off and bullet holes within the wall.

“What the hell?” Porco breathed, “Did…did Matthew do this?”

“There’s no way he could’ve done this, right?” Colt reasoned.

Everyone jolted as a Middle Eastern soldier came running out of the building. He stumbled in front of them and fell to his knees, lifting his head at Magath to show the tears in his eyes.

“Please!” he begged, “I’ll tell you everything I know! I tell you about my informants! Everything! Just don’t leave me alone with that monster!”

“What monster? What are you talking about?” Magath demanded.

Pieck gasped and Annie looked ready to throw up when they saw a red figure step out of the building. Magath turned his attention to the man and realized it was Matthew, and he was…drenched in blood. He was holding a rifle in his right hand, but it didn’t look like he was paying attention. Matthew looked so…out of it.

“Matthew…,” Magath trailed off, “What did you do?”

There was no quip. No sarcastic response. Matthew didn’t say a word, and was clearly lost in his own world.

“Matthew,” Magath demanded in a more stern voice.

Zeke decided to take the risk and walk up to the titan, despite Magath demanding for him to come back.

“Sir!” Reiner hissed.

“Matthew,” Zeke began as he reached his hand out for the titan, “Matthew, it’s us. The fight is over.”

Before Zeke could even touch Matthew, the titan grabbed his wrist and crushed it in his hand. Zeke cried out in pain before Matthew hit him in the face with the butt of the gun, knocking him backwards. Zeke choked as Matthew shoved the gun into Zeke’s mouth. Before Matthew could pull the trigger, Reiner and Porco jumped on him. They tried to pull him off of Zeke, but he didn’t move for a second. Matthew smashed his elbow into Reiner’s jaw before grabbing Porco by the neck and throwing him aside. Zeke began shaking as he saw the expression on the flying titan’s face. It was pure rage. It was pure fighting instinct. The titan believed he was in a dangerous situation and was merely trying to live. To fight for his life. He was pretty much screwed!

“Matthew, stop!” Falco screamed as he and the others ran outside the building, “It’s Zeke! You’re going to kill Zeke!”

Zeke saw that Matthew was hesitating to shoot him, now that Falco made himself known. He glanced over at Falco, but not once did he remove the weapon from his mouth. Zeke glanced over and saw that Gabi and Zofia were carrying and unconscious Udo.

“Please!” Falco begged, “No more killing! No more! You’ve done enough!”

Zeke could feel the gun shaking in his mouth. He could see Matthew coming back to reality before turning his attention back to him and letting the rifle slip from his grasp. Zeke choked on his spit as he grabbed the gun and threw it away from his person. He rubbed his neck and sat up, watching Matthew walk away from him.

Pieck and Annie took a step back as Matthew passed them. Magath held onto his radio while the soldier kneeling down trembled in fear.

“Matthew-,”

“This isn’t my blood,” he finally spoke.

“…How many?” Magath hesitantly asked.

“What does it matter?” he rhetorically asked, “They’re all dead anyway.”

“Matthew, this is psychotic!” Magath proclaimed.

Magath stiffened when Matthew chuckled darkly. “I thought this was what you wanted. War, bloodshed, victory. You and everyone else here have stain your hands with blood, but you glorify it. You say what I did was psychotic, yet you unleash titans on a whim to devour and destroy. You call me a monster? Take a look in the fucking mirror.”

Magath watched as Matthew continued walking forward, leaving behind a trail of blood. Something told him that this was the reason Matthew didn’t want to be apart of the Marley military.

Megatron's dialogue near the end felt a little bit forced. I don't particularly like it. TBH. But Falco was originally supposed to snap Megatron out of his rage, but it ends up becoming Pieck for foreshadowing reasons. Now because Megatron obviously lost his shit and is a danger to be around, Marleyans are actively avoiding him.

Everyone stayed away from Megatron on the train. They clamored at the other end of the cart while Megatron isolated himself on the other end. The titan was curled in on himself. His body curled in the corner next to the window, and he held his knees tightly to his chest. He rested his head on his knees, blocking his face from the rest of them. He was still covered in blood, but the blood had dried onto his clothes and into his hair. It was still leaving stains into the seat, something Magath would have to tell the conductor when they got off.

Pieck wanted to hand him a blanket, and stood up to try and give Megatron one, but Porco quickly grabbed her arm and sat her back down.

“Not now,” Porco whispered, “Not worth it.”

Pieck turned to Reiner who shook his head no.

Magath could only see the man’s rather small form. The confidence and carelessness the man radiated was now gone, and all he could see was a broken man. A broken man…that didn’t want to go to war and now he knew why.

Zofia and Falco kept their attention to Udo while Gabi looked at Megatron’s form. This was all her fault.

Zeke was still trembling as he rubbed his sore neck. He underestimated the destructive powers of this titan, and he knew that was something he had to watch out for when he set his plan into motion. But…why did his state bother him so much?

It was too loud. Everything was too loud. Megatron couldn’t hear his own thoughts as the voices drowned them out. He was covered in human blood, but all he could see was energon. He was quiet, but his entire body was trembling. He just wished everyone would just shut up! None of them would shut up! Their screams wouldn’t shut up!

“I would rather die than put my life in your hands!”

“You bastard! You monster!”

“Go! Leave this planet!”

“MURDERER! MURDERER! MURDERER!”

“I never should’ve saved you,”

Megatron’s whole body froze in fear. No. No. No!No!NO!NO! Not this! Please not this! Primus! Unicron! Whatever! Please make it stop!

“I never should’ve taken pity on you in the mines. If I didn’t save you, Cybertron wouldn’t have suffered. Innocent Cybertronians would still be alive. You’ve killed innocent humans. Tried to take over their planet. Your bloodlust couldn’t be satisfied. You twisted hypocrite. Instead of dismantling the Council you became them. I should’ve taken your advice: I should’ve left you to rust in the mines. And it wouldn’t matter then: you didn’t even have a name when I found you.”

Megatron slightly lifted his head to see Cybertronian feet in his vision, but did not raise his head to see the being. But he knew…he knew who that was.

“…please…,” Megatron spoke, “…mercy…”

“You don’t deserve mercy. You deserve to die.”

“…terminus..,” Megatron pleaded.

“Matthew,” Magath spoke as he hesitantly walked up to him. The Commander saw him twitch, but didn’t bother to lift his head.

“Matthew, we are here,” Magath informed quietly.

Magath watched Matthew stand up with his head hanging low. The man noticed the blood on the seats and nearly threw up.

Megatron dragged himself out of the cart and off the train. Before he could react, Pieck quickly placed a blanket over him before backing away.

“T-to prevent stares,” Pieck reasoned, “It’s a bit of a walk and-,”

Megatron walked past Pieck and adjusted the blanket over his head to avoid seeing the stares of the humans. The members there followed close behind and in front of him, keeping a close eye on him to try and prevent him from lashing out.

Megatron wanted to cover his audio receptors. He could hear the humans whispering. They were about him, he knew that. About how he was a monster, and why he was covered in blood. That he was a freak, a demon, a monster. Memories of the war keep crashing into his skull and he just wanted it to stop!

The others kept their eyes on Megatron as they continued walking towards the compound.

This scene ends up getting cut off, but Megatron is walking through the streets and everyone is staring at him in horror and fear. Megatron ends up cleaning himself off and isolates himself. Now, Magath was supposed to feel bad for Megatron as of this moment because of how destroyed he is.

Magath was about to knock on the door to Matthew’s room, but stopped when he felt a presence behind him. He tensed when he saw Matthew standing ominously behind him. He seemed to be wet from his shower. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and Magath could see all of his scars.

“What are you doing here?” Matthew demanded.

“I came to talk to you,” Magath answered.

“No,” he answered as he pushed Magath aside to open the door.

“It’ll be quick,” Magath reasoned.

“No,” Matthew repeated.

“Matthew please-,”

“Shut up!” Matthew shouted, causing Magath to flinch. Magath took a step back as Matthew loomed over him.

“I’m sick and tired of your bullshit,” Matthew growled, “I’m sick and tired of your military bullshit. If it were up to me, I would have killed you all. You all make me sick. Come near me again, and I’ll rip you apart.”

Magath jolted when Matthew slammed the door to his room. Magath sighed as he pulled out a form.

“I’m sorry,” Magath apologized, “I took advantage of you. I forced you into a situation you didn’t want. It was my fault you had to go through something traumatic over a stupid law. If anyone deserves to be ripped apart, it’s me.”

Magath slid the paper under the door. “This form is for a leave of absence. You can fill it out and I’ll come to pick it up. You can use this as a chance to leave Marley. I know desertion is a treasonous offense, but Commander Calvi and I can look the other way. For your sake,”

Magath got up and sighed. “I know it means nothing, but thank you, for all you’ve done to help us.”

Now after this, Megatron ends up confronting Armin. And originally the scene was going to be just Armin. Not Armin and Mikasa because I had built the emotional relationship to be around Armin and Megatron. But after the Hizuru OVA and the impact Megatron had on Mikasa, I had to include her. Prior to all of these events, Armin and Megatron were talking and Megatron was asking how Armin felt about him. After a lot more forceful prodding from Megatron, Armin says this:

“I don’t know!” Armin shouted at him, “I really don’t know how to feel about you!”

Armin rested his hands on the table and took a deep breath. “Megatron, you’re not a good being. You’ve done terrible things. You destroyed your home. You killed people that weren’t involved in your war. You tried to take over another planet full of humans because you saw them as inferior. You made a deal with the devil, a deal that is actually affecting everyone on this planet, because if you die, Unicron might come back.”

“Armin-,”

“You might have been risking your safety to help the humans on the island, but it’s not because you want to be better,” Armin continued, “It’s because you to make up for what you did to Optimus. I don’t fault you for that, but that’s probably the only thing you’re honest about. Tell me something: would you kill me, if I affected your chances of making things right with Optimus?”

“No-,”

“And there’s the problem,” Armin cut off, “We both know you’re lying. You would stoop to any length if it means Optimus can forgive you. Majority of the Survey Corps from the coup are still alive because you see us as nothing more than pawn in that game. And you would kill any of us if we got in the way of that.”

Megatron didn’t respond, allowing Armin to continue.

“Did you know Levi told us you blackmailed him?” Armin brought up, causing Megatron to stiffen, “Levi told us, willingly, about how you were going to tell us he had a connection with Kenny. You were going to get us to turn on him. Humanity’s strongest. Do you have any idea what would have happened if you did that? None of us would be here at all! We would’ve had no guidance! No leadership! Kenny and his soldiers would’ve killed us all! And then-…,”

Megatron was startled when he saw tear in Armin eyes.

“My best friend nearly took his own life because of you,” Armin reminded, “He’s been feeling so worthless, and I’m scared he might just take his life one day. The friend who stood by my side in Shingnashina against bullies, when Reiner and Bertholdt broke down the wall, when we were placed in an orphanage for three years until we joined the military. Damn it, I watched him get eaten alive and I couldn’t do shit about it!”

Megatron reached out towards Armin, but Armin slowly backed away.

“I think I know what I think about you,” Armin proclaimed, “I’m scared of you. I’m so terrified. I have no idea if you’ll kill me because I know your secret, and you think I’ve told someone else. I don’t know if you’ll kill my friends in a pass of anger. Sometimes I look over my shoulder, and wonder if you’ll kill me. And…I don’t know if I’m going to live in the next couple of seconds. That’s how scared I am of you.”

“What are you-,” Megatron stopped himself short when he realized what Armin meant.

Armin thought Megatron would kill him for speaking his mind. He thought that, and Megatron felt disgusted. Hadn’t he proven that he-!...Wait, why was he making this about him? What did he even do to prove to Armin that he wouldn’t hurt him?

He was so secretive because of fear of being taken advantage of. That’s happened with the Decepticons; it was normal for him. But that was no excuse. All he did was yell at him, mock him, physically hurt him, threaten him,he did nothing to prove he could be trusted. And he thought he could come to Armin and ask his opinion of him.

“If you’re going to kill me, please don’t make it look too gruesome,” Armin pleaded as he shut his eyes, “I don’t want my friends to-,”

“I heard enough,” Megatron cut off, “And I’m not going to kill you.”

Armin opened his eyes and noticed a conflicted expression in Megatron’s eyes before he deactivated the holoform.

So when Megatron returns to Armin, he's extremely broken, and Armin is so tired and so done with dealing with him. And some of the dialogue is still the same in the final draft, but the build up is different.

Armin rubbed his eyes in irritation as he dragged himself to his home. It’s been a rough couple of days, what with Megatron and Arcee, and the possibility of there being a fight between the Autobots and Megatron. He knew Megatron did terrible things, but he never knew the extent of them. He knew Megatron destroyed the planet, and that could’ve been argued that the civil war on both sides caused it, but… tearing out someone’s voice?! Killing his own followers who didn’t bother to follow him?! Leaving them in an alternate prison?! What the hell was wrong with him?!

Armin covered his eyes and groaned in anger. To think that he might have defended him?! He saved Eren to get on Optimus’ good side. He helped humanity so Optimus could trust. He blackmailed Levi. He threatened him to keep his mouth shut. He punched Jean. He…told him his truth about why he stayed here, when he didn’t have to. He comforted him when he grieved over Eren’s lifespan. He…advised Mikasa on what to do. He saved his own life when he didn’t have to.

Armin shook his head. No! …no. He’s tired, delusional. He can’t deal with this. He’s not worth it.

Armin lifted his head, and wanted to scream his head off at the sight. Megatron was sitting on the steps of his porch with his head hanging low.

Megatron wasn’t worth it.

“What the hell do you want?” Armin demanded, his voice hoarse and tired.

Megatron didn’t responded, and Armin, too tired to care, walked past him to his door.

“I told you that if you wanted to kill me, to make it quick and non-violent,” Armin hissed as he opened the door. He didn’t bother to lock it. Megatron would just break it.

Armin walked over to the kitchen and browsed through the drawers. He was thinking of something hot to eat. If he was going to die, then he would die on a full stomach.

Armin heard footsteps hit the wood floor. He glanced over to see Megatron’s shadow pass by. He heard something press and recognized it as Megatron sitting down on one of the couches.

What was he even going to do about this? Maybe, Megatron was here to kill him. Maybe he wasn’t. He felt the device in his pocket. He had a safety net now. He could press the button, and Optimus would come to his aid. He would just have to stall for time. But…what bugged him the most was Optimus’ proclamation.

Armin grabbed some vegetables from the cabinet and walked over to the counter to cut them up. Looks like he was making soup.

Armin began cutting up a carrot and raised his eyes to see Megatron just sitting on the couch with his head hanging low.

“I do not believe that Megatron will kill you,”

Armin continued cutting the carrot, losing his train of thought.

“Why do you believe that?”

“Because you chose to listen to him. You chose to give Megatron the benefit of the doubt.”

Armin cut through the edge of the carrot.

“I believe that he might trust you,”

Armin winced as he cut his finger and he dropped the knife on the table. Armin cursed under his breath as he saw that his finger was bleeding. He looked up and grew tense when Megatron walked over to him.

“Let me see the wound,” Megatron ordered as he moved his hand to grab Armin’s.

“It’s a cut. Nothing more,” Armin responded as he pulled his hand away.

“I know how to treat wounds,” Megatron informed.

“Doesn’t mean I trust you to do it,” Armin declared.

There was silence between the two as Armin’s attention drifted towards the knife on the table. Armin noticed that Megatron didn’t follow his gaze as he turned back to him.

“Can I eat first, before you kill me?” Armin demanded.

“I already told you I wouldn’t kill you,” Megatron proclaimed.

Armin pushed past Megatron. “I doubt that. I mean be honest: it’s not the first time you’ve lied.”

“Aren’t you bold,” Megatron remarked.

“I’m gonna die; I have nothing to lose,” Armin shrugged.

“I told you I’m not going to kill you!” Megatron exclaimed.

“And I’m suppose to believe that?!” Armin shot back, “After all the shit you put everyone through, you just expect me to believe you when you ‘decide’ to do one nice thing?! The same shit that Bertholdt and Reiner put everyone through but more?! I mean, Reiner and Bertholdt might have sympathy, they might feel guilt! But you?! You don’t even have the guts or the decency to say ‘I’m sorry’! At the very least to the Survey Corps! No amount of apology is going to change the fact that you destroyed the lives of everyone on Cybertron! Including the people you wanted to ‘protect’ from the caste system!”

“You better watch what you say next,” Megatron warned.

“Or what?!” Armin laughed, “You’re going to kill me?! Mutilate my body beyond recognition?! Make sure I can’t walk again?!”

Armin picked up the knife. “Take this knife and shove it in my chest?!”

Armin rammed the blade through the cutting board. “Your tactics work on someone who’s afraid of dying in the most horrific way possible! I’ve already been through enough shit by you and everyone else who was an enemy to the walls! And even if you do kill me, what exactly would that do for you? Huh? Eren would do everything he can to destroy you! So would Mikasa! And Optimus,”

Armin laughed as he mockingly posed for Megatron, which his hand on his chest. “’My greatest enemy and truest regret.’Honestly, I’ve never heard such bullshit. Play nice with Optimus, but treat his allies like shit. What exactly is killing me going to do for you? It’s going to make Optimus hate you all over again. Feel betrayed, feel like shit, cast out all over again. You know, for someone who’s been fighting for over four million years that would be a really stupid move on your part.”

Armin grunted as he struggled to remove the knife from the cutting board. “And to think I would’ve defended you,”

“…you…were going to defend me?” Megatron asked quietly.

Armin yanked the knife out of the board and sighed. “I was, but how could I do that after hearing everything you’ve ever done spill out of her mouth.”

“She-,”

“Has no reason to lie,” Armin cut off, “Now…I genuinely believe that there is no way for you to make amends with Optimus. I don’t think you even feel remorse for the things you’ve done. And if you really wanted to make up for all the horrible shit you did,”

Armin shoved the knife to Megatron’s chest. “You’d take this and shove it down your throat.”

Armin stormed off to the bathroom, not bothering to look back at Megatron’s reaction. When he reached the bathroom, he slammed the door shut before locking it. It wasn’t going to do much; he knew that.

Armin pulled out the device from his pocket and stared at it. But maybe it could buy him time for Optimus to get here. He might be throwing his life away at the moment, but he didn’t want Eren and Mikasa to suffer because of that.

Armin placed the device on the sink before he began to wash his hands, cleaning his wound in the process. What was he supposed to do right now? He wanted to eat at the very least, but Megatron was probably waiting outside to chop his head off.

Armin slumped to the ground and rested his head on his knees. He could try waiting this out.

Hours past, but Armin couldn’t sleep. Because impending doom was waiting on the other side of the door,…and Armin’s stomach wouldn’t shut up. Armin stood up and took a deep breath before deciding to unlock the door. Megatron was screwed if he killed him or if Armin sounded the alarm.

Armin rubbed his neck as he walked out the door. He didn’t see Megatron as he made it to the kitchen. He noticed that the carrots and the cutting board were gone.

“Well, looks like you do know human etiquette,” Armin remarked, seemingly to thin air, “Let’s hope you didn’t throw the carrots away. That’d be a waste of money.”

Armin noticed Megatron’s leg moving on the floor on the other side of the kitchen. Armin opened a drawer and grabbed a loaf of bread from a bag before shutting it and walking over to Megatron. Armin saw Megatron curled in on himself, clutching his head with both hands and covering his ears.

Armin sat a good distance away from Megatron, crossing his legs and leaning his back against the cabinet drawer. He didn’t bother talking to Megatron or reaching out to him. He’ll just see it as a threat and retaliate.

Armin took a bite out of the bread and chewed. Why was he still here? Why didn’t he just run out the door? Why did he leave the device in the damn bathroom?

Armin decided to test something and stomped his foot on the floor twice. Megatron flinched and lifted his head to see Armin take another bite out of the bread.

“Got hungry,” Armin informed, “Thought the holoform only last 24 hours. What are you still doing here?”

Megatron didn’t respond, causing Armin to roll his eyes in response.

“Right, you need to kill me first,” Armin began.

Megatron slammed his fist into the wall. “How many times do I have to say I WON’T KILL YOU?!”

“Maybe another four million years,” Armin responded, “Again, tell me, how I can trust you with that? You want to make things right with Optimus, sure, but you will go to any lengths to get what you want. You care for Optimus, but you don’t care about us. You don’t even know humankind very well to even pass judgment on whether we get to live or die. We’re just a means to an end.”

Megatron shut his eyes and rested his head against the wall.

“And what about me?” Armin demanded, “You called me ‘Pax’ before I told you not to in order to save your skin. What even am I to you? Am I someone you respect like Mikasa, or am I just a reminder of Orion Pax: someone that is never going to come back?”

“…I don’t know,” Megatron answered.

Armin shook his head. “This is what I mean. Even if you were trying to gain Optimus’ trust or have him forgive you, how would he know that your actions aren’t selfishly motivated? How would you get him to believe that your actions were genuine and not a front? I mean, I know that any kind action towards us is a means to get on Optimus’ good side. So I’ve just learned not to expect much.”

Armin could see the guilt written on Megatron’s face. He was practically an open book at this point. He was genuinely guilty about his actions, but Armin couldn’t be sucked into that. It could just as easily be manipulation.

“…what can I do…to get you to believe me?” Megatron asked Armin.

‘Nothing,’ Armin wanted to answer, but thought it over. Optimus said that Megatron might trust him, but Optimus has known Megatron more as an enemy than a friend. How would Optimus know whether or not Megatron trusted him? Or didn’t want to kill him?

“Why do you suddenly value my opinion?” Armin challenged, “I thought you hated humans.”

Megatron looked down at the floor. “You listened.”

“…you want me to believe you?” Armin began, “Tell me something you have never told another soul. No one on Cybertron, on Earth, not your most loyal followers, or even Optimus. Be raw. Be honest. And maybe I’ll believe you.”

Armin saw Megatron contemplating the request, debating whether or not he should say a word. Armin was ready to call it and contact Optimus. He stood up to move-

“D-16,” Megatron spoke.

Armin stopped and looked down at Megatron, but Megatron kept his gaze to the floor.

“What is that? A code?” Armin asked.

“…My first name,” Megatron answered.

Armin widened his eyes in shock. His what?

“Miners were only given codes; not proper names,” Megatron continued, “We were expendable in the caste system. If one died, another took their place. I had no purpose down there. No meaning. I was always stuck underground. I didn’t know what the sun or moon was. There was a mining accident I was caught in. A ‘Bot came in and saved me. He said it was because he was sick and tired of seeing others die in the mines. He…we made an arrangement. I’d helped him and he’d tell me about life outside the mines.”

Armin saw a genuinely sincere expression appear on Megatron’s face. “He never told me how he ended up underground, but he taught me how to read and write. He taught me about Cybertronian history; the life that flourished outside. He was the first Cybertronian I’ve ever met that showed me compassion and kindness.”

The expression on Megatron’s face turned sour and sorrowful. “He was old, and required more repairs and energon intakes. He never took mine, regardless of that. That day…the guards must’ve caught him, and they were prepared to make an example out of him. They were going to beat him, but he would’ve died with how many whip lashes they were going to administer. I tried to intervene, but I was constantly beaten back. Everything happened in an instant after that. I remember grabbing a pickaxe on the ground. I remember attacking the other two guards. I was about to attack the guard hurting him, but I hesitated at the last second. The last possible second.”

Megatron covered his eyes with his hand. “That guard killed him, so I took his own life. I remember hearing the metal crunch as the axe ran through his vital cable. I remembered the energon staining my armor. I remember…being mortified at what I did. I tried running; the other miners were holding the guards off…but I didn’t get very far.”

Armin sat back down on the floor. “…what happened to the body?”

“…they found no use in melting it down for parts,” Megatron answered, “They simply disposed of it.”

“If I were to go to him tomorrow, and ask him who ‘D-16’ was, would he know that it was you?” Armin asked.

“…No,” Megatron responded, “I never told him the details of my life before the gladiator arena. But, I learned a valuable lesson that day: kindness got you nowhere. Sentimentality got you killed. You could never put your trust in someone, because you never know when they’re going to disappear.”

“…I’m sorry that happened to you,” Armin apologized.

Megatron chuckled sadly to himself. “It doesn’t matter in the end. I became those same Cybertronians who oppressed the caste system. I killed so many, and ruined so many lives. I do deserve to die for what I’ve done. I told myself I would continue on and accept whatever the universe threw at me,…but I can’t even handle the weight of my actions or the consequences of it. If I didn’t have Unicron’s blood in my spark, I probably would’ve ended my life long ago. But here I am: a coward. Unsure of whether or not a cold abyss awaits or Unicron taking over my body once more,”

Megatron looked at Armin. “Why are you still here?”

“It’s not like I have anywhere to go,” Armin reminded, “You are in my house after all.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Megatron proclaimed.

“…even if I tried I wouldn’t get very far,” Armin said.

“That’s still not what I meant,” Megatron said, “You really could have left any time. You could’ve told Optimus or someone else that I’m talking with you. You could’ve told and gotten protection. Why didn’t you?”

“…because I’m human,” Armin answered, “With human nature, we’re always destructive; always violent. If the titans didn’t exist and the Eldians weren’t the scapegoats, we’d be clawing at each other. The damage down to Wall Maria and the loss of territory proved that. We sacrificed our own people just to survive. Eren, Mikasa, and I were spared because we weren’t old enough to go, but we were orphaned. We had nowhere else to go but the military. Our lives were ruined because other humans across the sea judged us without knowing us.”

Armin smiled sadly. “Yet, I still believe that we can get along. I believe that there can be peace one another. With the Marleyans we have on the island, maybe there’s a chance. Maybe we don’t have to unleash the Colossal Titans and kill people senselessly. Maybe…this conflict doesn’t have to end in bloodshed.”

“Even though they destroyed the life you knew?” Megatron asked, “Not very wise. Not everyone deserves that chance to do something right. Especially someone like me,”

“Stupid of me, I know,” Armin sighed, “But…maybe I’m just giving the benefit of the doubt.”

Armin rubbed his eyes in irritation. “I’m going to bed. If you’re going to leave, please shut the door. I didn’t hear you shut the door earlier. I don’t want someone coming in the middle of the night.”

Armin stood up and was about to walk back to his room, but stopped when he felt someone grab his arm. He turned to see Megatron’s holoform kneeling down in front of him. He reached out his hand towards him and Armin instinctively flinched. Megatron appeared to have hesitated, but decided to reach for Armin.

Armin shut his eyes, worried that he might have pissed Megatron off even more that would warrant the titan to kill him. He was debating whether or not he should have kept his mouth shut that he didn’t know that Megatron’s hand went behind his head. Armin quietly gasped when Megatron pulled him forward and touched Armin’s forehead with his own. Armin opened his eyes and saw that Megatron’s were closed.

“I am sorry,” Megatron apologized.

“You-…you’re what?” Armin whispered in shock.

“I am sorry,” Megatron repeated, “All I have done to you is hurt you, mock you, and threaten you. I have done nothing to help you and I have hurt the ones you care most. You were one of the few that chose to understand me, and yet…I have done nothing to understand you.”

Armin heard Megatron chuckle sadly to himself. “I have been through too much, and actions like trust and compassion do not come easily to me. I have stood alone for long time. However, that is no excuse for the actions I’ve done, the beings I have killed, and destruction I have caused. Cybertronians like Arcee have every right to despise me and want me dead. You and the Survey Corps have every right to fear me. Armin, you have every right to be suspicious of my actions and my motivations. But know that…,”

Armin felt the hand on his head beginning to tremble as Megatron opened his eyes, choosing to look at the floor instead of Armin. “I trust you. With every fiber of my being, I trust you.”

‘This…this couldn’t be real…could it?’ Armin thought. It had to be. Megatron would never do this. He never even thought Megatron was capable of doing this! But this wasn’t a hallucination or a dream. Megatron just admitted he trusted someone, a human being no less! He wouldn’t have told him this, asked for his advice, or even talked to him if he didn’t. This was real. And he had to do something.

Armin slowly moved his arms and wrapped his arms around Megatron’s abdomen, causing the titan to freeze in shock. Armin removed his forehead from Megatron’s own and rested his chin on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” Armin apologized, “I may not know how you feel. I know what it feels to not be needed, and the fear of the world casting you out.---”

Armin could hear Megatron quietly catch his breath, but did not for a second, turn to look. He wasn’t meant to. At the very least he owed Megatron this.

Yeah, so Armin was a lot more bold and showed Megatron mercy and compassion. However, I didn't feel that was earned enough, so I ended the final chapter with Armin merely saying 'thank you' to Megatron, giving the former warlord hope that he can be better.

Megatron returns to the compound and the Warriors and Warrior Cadets hug him, and Magath out of sympathy and mercy, does this which Megatron refuses:

Magath watched Matthew pet the dog and teach it to sit. The Commander sighed as he walked up to Matthew.

“You could’ve left,” Magath remarked.

“I know,” Matthew said without looking at him.

“Why didn’t you?” Magath asked.

Matthew merely shrugged.

“Well, it is official now,” Magath declared as he handed him the form.

Matthew looked up at Magath before standing fully and taking the paper. “What’s this?”

“I filled it out,” Magath explained, “Commander Calvi approved it. All it needs is your signature and you’re a free man.”

Matthew merely stared at the paper, causing Magath to sigh. “I know we’ve never seen eye to eye. I know that you hate me, but this is my apology, and my way of saying thanks. I know this doesn’t excuse what we did but-“

Magath gasped when Matthew tore up the paper. He kept on tearing it to little pieces as it sprinkled onto the floor.

“What are you doing?!” Magath exclaimed, “That was your out!”

“I can’t leave now,” Matthew declared.

“Why?!” Magath demanded.

Matthew didn’t respond, his gaze moving down to the ground floor. Magath followed that gaze and saw that he was staring at the five kids he was training for the past three years, going through another drill.

“I can’t leave now,” Matthew repeated, “Not when I still have to protect them.”

“Eldians?” Magath questioned.

“Children,” Matthew corrected, “They are kids. Frightened kids that have no business of being in a war. You know this; I know you don’t accept the Marleyan ideology. You know it’s wrong.”

Magath couldn’t respond as Matthew looked him dead in the eye.

“Once I’m sure these children are ready for war, then I’m leaving,” Matthew declared, “I’ll be out of their lives forever.”

Yeah, Megatron was originally gonna tear up the form and choose to stay willingly because he cared. But I ultimately decided against it because anyone seeing Megatron's break would not know how to treat him, and Megatron is so tired he kind of wants to be done.

(So that's enough for right now. I'm nearly broken my tumblr with this post, so I'll make a second part tomorrow. But this was the original thread for Monster and Regrets and Amends.)

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