-1Both were sound asleep when the Autobots found them, Megatron stretched out on his back, Sarah curled up like a kitten on his chest. Neither woke, even when they were transported back to the Ark. It was immediately evident that Sarah hadn't fully restored Megatron. She had repaired the worst of the damage, leaving behind just enough for an analysis to be made, so they could figure out what kind of weapon had been used. Ratchet wasted no time in doing just that even as he made the final repairs Sarah had left undone. Repaired or not, he was still in pretty bad shape, given the massive shock his systems had taken, so it would be quite a while before he woke up. The same was true of Sarah, since using that much energy while in human form was a massive drain on her.
There could be no doubt about it. The results were conclusive. One alone possessed a weapon that would do that kind of damage. "Jazz," Ratchet said, completely floored. "Jazz tried to kill Megatron?" It was strange how he seemed to be both the likeliest and least likely suspect at the same time. Jazz had never been one to hold a grudge before, but then again he had died at Megatron's hand. "Optimus isn't going to like this…" A soft groan drew his attention. Megatron was waking up. A little bit disoriented but otherwise fine, he looked up at Ratchet, seemingly stunned by what had happened. "He left me out there. He left me." His utterly astonished voice was barely a murmur, but Ratchet heard it anyway. "Who left you?" The traumatized Decepticon couldn't meet his gaze. "…Jazz." It was worse than Ratchet had thought, worse than even Megatron himself knew. Jazz hadn't just abandoned Megatron under enemy fire, he'd actively betrayed his teammate. "Optimus really isn't going to like this…" He was about to go inform the Autobot leader of what he'd just learned when Megatron interrupted him in mid-thought. "Ratchet… don't. I… Jazz was right. What he did… I deserved it. I killed him, after all…" That did nothing to soothe his anger. They'd been teammates for almost two whole years now, fighting side by side, each risking their lives for the sake of the others more times than could be counted… And still Jazz held his grudge, turning on his teammate the moment an opportunity presented itself? Staring up at the ceiling, in deep shock and obviously more than a little depressed, Megatron drew his attention again. "Never," he whispered softly, voice fairly saturated with sheer, spark-crushing agony. "I'll never be forgiven." Ratchet was about to say something when Sarah's small form thrust itself over the edge of the table. "Allow me," she said. "You go do what needs doing, all right?" He nodded and left.
The only time Ratchet had ever seen Optimus any angrier than this was when he told him what Starscream had done to Megatron. He had a feeling that poor Jazz wouldn't be seeing anything other than the inside of the brig for at least several months. That was all right, though. He couldn't say the other Autobot hadn't earned it with his betrayal. At least things hadn't been any worse. Sarah's timely arrival had saved the Decepticon from certain death, as he would otherwise have died long before morning. Megatron would be just fine… physically, anyway. Mentally and emotionally were another story entirely, but Ratchet had a feeling that having Sarah around would be a great help in that regard. Not to mention that her hanging around with Megatron would keep her away from Jazz.
The physical damage was dealt with swiftly, and soon it was as if nothing had happened to him. But it was immediately obvious upon his release from the repair bay that the physical damage was nowhere near as bad as the betrayal's effect on his mind. If it was possible for someone to change more than he had without becoming someone else entirely, none of them had ever witnessed or heard of an example of it. Megatron seemed to withdraw into himself, no longer trying to approach or interact with the rest… even Sarah. Optimus's spark ached as he watched his brother try to sort things out in his mind. He would have had to be blind and stupid to miss all the guilt and pain plaguing the Decepticon. Over all the eons he'd spent fighting the war, he'd seen comrades self-terminate over lesser pains. Even he himself couldn't fully comprehend how painful it had to be to bear the guilt from such monstrous deeds. He wanted so badly to do something, to help his brother through this, but the cold, desolate look he got every time he met Megatron's gaze only reminded him that, brothers or not, they still stood worlds apart. All he could do was hope the Decepticon could get through this on his own.
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