ash in metal
By SMYGO4EVA
"The past always matters!"
Ratchet was there when Cybertron fell. He saw. There was nothing he could do when two friends became life-long enemies. But he was there nonetheless.
Megatron was, too. And that's the problem.
Megatron was there.
He was there when Orion became a Prime. He was there when he couldn't fight a bot that was like his brother.
He was there when optics burned crimson…
He was there. He saw. He knew.
He did nothing. Nothing until afterwards. Nothing until all of Cybertron had fallen and in Orion's place was Optimus Prime.
He watched Optimus and the other Autobots up. He made sure they would receive his best medical care. He even researched for new ways to get Energon for megacycles, and now vorns.
But that was after. Not before. And certainly not during.
Ratchet knew that Megatron was beyond redemption, no matter how or why every sentient being would deserve a second chance. He knew that his never-ceasing lust for conquest of entire planets would eat him the Decepticon leader alive, but it would end the war that has lasted for too long, too long for the medic to even see a sliver of decorum in the damned crimson optics.
And sure, he had a taste of power in the synthetic Energon, seeking to take what he could and end the million-year conflict once and for all, and he would gladly tear the spark out of Megatron if he had the chance. But had he delved deeper into such strength, he would never climb out what would have swallowed him whole.
If not now, or in the distant future, Megatron would taste power in the kingdom that Earth would become, the power that Ratchet had held not too long ago.
Power corrupts, and it is ruthless in its destruction, ash in metal permeated.
That is the only thing that the tyrant and the medic have in common.
