Transformers: Animated: Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 2: Jealousy and Envy

On the imposing bridge of Omega Supreme, Ratchet bustled about with an air of excitement, his movements purposeful as he prepared for the grand reopening of his beloved hangout, McCadam's Old Oil House. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, yet Arcee remained aloof, her reluctance palpable.

"It's not the sort of establishment that a teaching unit would frequent," Arcee remarked, her optics betraying her hesitance.

Ratchet, undeterred by Arcee's reservations, chuckled reassuringly. "Ah, but you'll see, Arcee. The clientele may be lively, but they're all gentle bots," he insisted, his confidence unwavering.

Omega Supreme, however, stood apart from the excitement, his massive frame casting a shadow over the bridge as he voiced his reservations.

"I just don't fit in there, Ratchet," Omega Supreme lamented, his voice heavy with resignation.

Ratchet's response was swift and resolute. "Just because you were built to be a weapon of mass destruction doesn't mean you can't be a valuable member of Cybertronian society," he affirmed, his words carrying conviction.

Yet as they made their way towards McCadam's Old Oil House, the truth of Omega Supreme's words became apparent. "No, I mean I don't fit in there." Omega Supreme said. In his towering robot mode, Omega Supreme stood outside the establishment, dwarfing the building itself. He was quite literally too large to fit within the confines of Cybertron's structures.

Sari Sumdac, the diminutive techno-organic humanoid, scoffed at the sight, her arms crossed in frustration. "Tell me about it. I feel like I need mountain climbing gear just to sit on a footstool," she remarked, her voice tinged with exasperation.

As the Autobots attempted to navigate their way through the bustling streets, a group of irate bots voiced their displeasure at Omega Supreme's presence, demanding that he move and accusing him of blocking traffic. Ratchet rushed to his defense, but Omega Supreme, sensing the discomfort his size caused, transformed into ship mode and took flight, leaving Ratchet to ponder the harsh reality of acceptance among their kind.

"For a supposedly advanced race, we Autobots sure have a tough time accepting anyone that's different," Ratchet grumbles to Arcee.

In the bustling interior of McCadam's Old Oil House, the air crackled with excitement as Optimus and his crew basked in the adoration of the assembled crowd. Every optic in the joint was fixed upon them, and every bot seemed eager to express their gratitude to the heroes who had taken down Megatron and brought back the Allspark. The Autobots were eager to give Optimus Prime and his crew premium oil drinks. Uplink, the ever-present mediabot, flitted about like a mechanical specter, capturing every moment of the Autobots' celebrity status. His incessant recording drew the ire of Sentinel, who sat brooding at a table in the back, flanked by Jetfire, Jetstorm, and his loyal police bots.

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Bumblebee reveled in the adulation, relishing the opportunity to flaunt his newfound fame. With a mischievous glint in his optics, he took delight in needling his old boot camp platoonmate, Ironhide, much to the chagrin of Bulkhead, who attempted to diffuse the tension. Ratchet and Arcee, amid the clamor, attempted to engage in conversation, their voices lost amidst the din of noise. And amidst it all, Sari Sumdac found herself navigating a perilous dance, dodging the giant feet of the towering Autobot.

"Watch where you're going, organic! Why don't you go back to wherever you came from?!" An organophobic Autobot said with prejudice towards Sari. "I wouldn't know anything about that. And FYI, I'm only half-organic!" she shouted to the retreating Autobots, her frustration evident.

As she maneuvered through the crowd, Sari couldn't help but feel out of place. With each step, she lamented the loss of the simple pleasures of her human existence, longing for the taste of a cheeseburger from the Burger Bot amid the whirlwind of Cybertronian adulation. "I could really go for the Burger Bot right now," she confided in Bulkhead, her voice tinged with longing as she struggled to find her footing in this brave new world.