The Fall and Rise of An Ancient (GOTP story)

6. Aftermath

"You did what!?"

Megatron sat on the berth, sipping on his energon and not speaking a word. Whitefell was doing all of the talking, sharing everything that had happened on their trek out into the jungle; the conversation about scaring the Exatoms away, the attack, the pride the telensi had felt actually fighting back even when he'd been terrified.

The High Gatewatcher was listening closely, nodding slowly and solemnly. Even with all of his experience in war meetings, Megatron found himself unable to tell what exactly the elderly leader was thinking about what he heard.

Stonerook, on the other hand, was easier to read than a simple diagram.

"You went on the offensive!? Have you lost your wits!?" Stonerook's coattails were fluttering behind him as he began to pace back and forth, "Did you even think of what might happen now that they know we might fight back?"

"Is that not what the soldiers did a few days ago?" Megatron asked.

"That was a defensive move! To keep them from getting any further into the city."

Whitefell's tail lashed back and forth, "I tried hiding as instructed and it failed this time! What was I supposed to do? Let it take me and pull my insides out like they did their other captives?"

"I do not know! But not that!"
Stonerook looked to their visitor, his optics blazing. "You, you're the one who started this!"

Megatron hummed, "I did..."

"Enough."
The High Gatewatcher frowned, getting up from his seat. "I think we all knew that this day would come... The Exatoms have plagued us since before our guest arrived here... Sitting here and letting them attack and hunt at their leisure is not going to bring the peace we need."

"Fine. If the Ancient loves war so much, let him take it to the Exatoms, on his own."

That wasn't a bad idea, the old warrior supposed. The Exatoms might not be able to end him, but they certainly wouldn't be kind to him or show him any mercy. He deserved that anyway, endless suffering and pain. "...I-"

"Do not even think of agreeing to that."
The High Gatewatcher's tone and expression was stern, "Regardless of how anyone here feels about you, I am not going to let you throw your life away." He pointed at Megatron's frame with narrowed optics, "Don't think I can't see those gears turning... You want a way out. You, for some reason, can't stand being treated with honor and respect."

Megatron shook his helm, "If you truly knew what I've done-"

Clang!

Megatron stopped, blinking as he looked down at where the elderly bot had smacked him in the chest with his cane. It hadn't even left the slightest of scrapes on his metal, but it still rested on his chest just the same, the other end held by a shaking hand.

"...Hit me back." The old bot remarked with a sly grin, "Come on! I struck first! Go ahead and hit me, as hard as you can."

Stonerook's optics were wide and he took a step towards the elder. "Your highness, you can't be serious!"

Megatron raised an amused brow, "...You would no doubt be smashed to pieces."

"And if you are as dark and irredeemable as you say, why would that bother you?"

Megatron blinked, but did not answer.

"Ha! See? Not so evil and starless as you think..."
The bot hobbled back to his chair with a cackle, "We have a saying: 'Do not wear your dirty blanket to the festival!' Remember that!" He then pointed his cane to a nearby curtain, "Spearen! You have something to say!"