re_alignment

Entry tags:

!event: glyphless

VIDEO

[ He intended for this to be audio, but he's not in the best of ways at the moment. Tailgate's outside, but it's hard to say where with the way the feed keeps juddering about. What is clear is flashes of Tailgate, covered in energon. ]

I-I can't-- I didn't--

No no no no no no no I didn't mean to I didn't want to--

Please make it stop m-make it stop I hurt him I hurt him so bad and I can't stop it I c-can't--

[ He breaks off in a ragged sob, grabbing at his head with energon-soaked hands, curling in on himself. ]

Stop it stop it stop please I wanted to do it I did it and I want to do it again and it won't stop make it stop please please PLEASE!

[ There's another sob and Tailgate takes off, running in some direction. ]

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm so fragging sorry please I don't want to do it again I don't--

[ The feed cuts out. ]

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[Okay. Why not.

Ultra Magnus had seen the network post by Tailgate as soon as he'd left to claim Hot Rod's body. But it seems a detour is now needed.

So he's on his way. Once Tailgate is in sight, Magnus transforms.

The enforcer is already damaged. Many parts of his plating have been torn off, melted, or gripped hard enough in various locations to have bent. There's utter exhaustion, but here he is anyway.]

Tailgate.

Magnus--!

[ There's a sharp rush of relief, followed by something darker, that insistent screeching in his processor to rip, to tear, to hurt, to kill.

Tailgate freezes in place, his limbs trembling as he tries to hold himself back. ]

No no no you can't be here you can't I'll hurt you please please I don't want to hurt anyone!

Tailgate.

[Ultra Magnus kneels down and looks at him carefully.]

I know you don't. That it was not your own action.

Whose energon is that on you?

[ Tailgate's voice is little more than a tremulous, pleading whisper. ]

Please Magnus. I want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt you. I can't-- It won't stop I just want to tear everything apart and--

Please please make it stop I don't want to hurt anyone again I--

Swerve-- I'm covered in-- It's in my head and it won't stop and it won't stop and I can't stop--

[ He sobs, taking an abortive step toward Magnus, his hands grasping at air at his sides. ]

[It doesn't show very much, but his spark. It clenches as he listens to Tailgate.

Reluctantly, he retrieves his pistol with one hand, the other held out to Tailgate.]

I know.

I should have been able to stop this. I will finish it here.

Come here, Tailgate.

[ He takes another step forward, hands reaching up before he can stop himself, reaching for Magnus--

But then he stops, pulling his hands to his chestplate, shaking. ]

I don't wanna die but I hurt him, I wanna hurt more people, I can't stop it--

[ He looks even smaller than usual, chin tucked low, nearly hugging himself as he trembles, trying to suppress the urge to hurt. ]

Magnus, I'm scared.

There is no shame in feeling fear.

[The offered hand settles to Tailgate's shoulder.]

Shut off your optics. I want you to count to ten in your head. Just focus on counting.

[ The hand just makes it worse, at once comforting and urging on the strange compulsion to damage and kill. ]

I'm sorry.

[ His optics offline slowly, his shaking growing worse. ]

I'm so sorry.

It's all right.

[Steady and careful, he aims his pistol to Tailgate's forehead.]

I'll take care of the rest.

[He pulls the trigger.]

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