Transformers Prime: Convergence is a plot and character-development driven roleplay forum based upon canon material of TFP and RiD, but incorporates characters, elements, and plotlines from various other continuities to craft a unique story. Our community is welcoming, laid back, and dedicated to making each roleplay experience a good one.
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It had been sometime since Moonracer had seen such a side of Override. Sure, she knew all too well that Override was always revved and ready to jump at a challenge, no matter who it was from. It just was not seen as nearly as often as it once was. Before, Moonracer had lost count how many times she had seen that glint in Override's optics, her tires spinning furiously, her engine revving at the prospect of a challenge...
Those were memories Moonracer always kept at spark, what reminded her of those days when racing had been her sole concern, had been her life as much as her Amica's. She couldn't stop the smile breaking her features once more, a genuine happy expression for something remaining constant. "Whatever you say Suprema," She chuckled before her smile was turning to an excited grin, optics brightening and a challenging look coming to them. "Never know, your choices just might make me faster than even you," She teased playfully. Although, a part of Moonracer knew already that was what Override wanted someday.
"But until you handle that authorization, what do you say we finish tearing up this Earth road first?" Moonracer suggested, pointing with her thumb over her shoulder to indicate the road they had just been racing on. But with that look in Override's gaze Moonracer suspected she was all too eager to get going then and there to have this little challenge.
Override blinked, and the glint in her optics had vanished. She smiled wide at Moonracer's teasing comment, placing her arms on her best friend's shoulders, gently shaking her in place, "That's the point, after all. " As if Moonracer didn't know already. She really was the best option for Velocitron's next Suprema, and Override had proudly admitted it. For all her own accomplishments as a Suprema, such as opening the races to both mechs and femmes, reducing the stigma surrounding the speed of one's alt mode, and winning the Asphalt Wars, Override had still found her faults; faults she hoped Moonracer could mend.
Her eyes darted to the stretch of road behind Moonracer, her engine already humming eagerly. The teal Autobot had to have known Override's obvious response the moment she asked, but in case it wasn't clear, the Suprema responded, "I'd be disappointed if we didn't!" Override transformed again, wheels bouncing on the pavement as she started on her way once more.
Moonracer couldn't help the small laugh that left her. She knew very well that was what Override wanted. But the question was to Moonracer herself: was she really going to be ready for it? She could win high circuit races and race Delta all day without batting an optic, but winning the Speedia, much less beating Override herself, were a whole other level than she had ever faced. Well, in terms of racing that was. There was still that lack of confidence she was ready for such a high-stakes race.
"Try to keep up!" Moonracer teased as she took a running start and transformed mid-run, speeding up beside her leader and best friend. Yea, it felt good actually racing at Override's side again, just having her nearby at all. It assured the younger Velocitronian that Velocitron was still standing, that it was still strong. For all her traveling across the universe, which had opened her optics to a whole new set of obstacles to face even in racing, Velocitron would always be the first place she'd ever feel herself again.
But, it also reminded her of the newest obligations she now had to the Wreckers. One of these days she already had a feeling she would have to choose one or the other, be a Wrecker or an ambassador. And that was a day she deep down dreaded facing.
There had been one small detail that Override had neglected to inform Moonracer about until just now, though to any other Velocitronian who kept up with the times, it would've been common knowledge. It would've been better to inform her friend while they were still talking a few moments ago, not in the middle of racing. Then again, there was other time where Override's mind was so sharply focused than in the thick of a race. She kept a steady pace next to her teal friend for a long stretch of road, before admitting it.
"So I know how I said I meant it when I said I wanted you to become the next Suprema, and I know you know I meant what I said..." Override stammered out, her speech hurried and confusingly woven around itself like any fast-talking Velocitronian drawl. "But the next Speedia 500 is in just a few weeks, and I didn't think you knew about it..."
"Moonracer, even if you're not comfortable taking my place, can you promise me that you'll at least join me in the race? It'd mean the world to me."
The moment Override began to stammer, Moonracer was a bit concerned. Sure, talking fast and speaking in confusing, woven sentences happened but for her Amica this wasn’t very common. She had only ever heard Override stammer a few times, most often seeing a more confident, out-spoken racer she had always known. But it soon became clear why her friend was stammering.
The moment she heard the Speedia was only in a few weeks Moonracer was slamming on her brakes this time, kicking up sand and dust off the hot asphalt. “Only a few weeks? Has it really been that long already?!” Moonracer was floored. She had truly lost track of time since the last Speedia had occurred, remembering being a spectator each time since she could remember. Never once had she missed such an important race or to see her friend once more show her racing prowess. But, it appeared she almost did for once, having been so caught up in traveling and helping the Wreckers and the Autobots or performing her ambassador duties on Cybertron or wherever she could.
For a long few minutes, the usually chatty Velocitronian was quiet. She had taken time to look at the database of those who resided on Earth, having been curious to see who else among the Wreckers might be there. More than plenty, more than she had seen gathered in one place in a long while. ‘If something comes up they can handle it, and there are plenty of Autobots too.[/I’] She thought to herself, figuring even if she was called on a mission it could be an easy in and out sort of thing. Complications would happen, but she was confident she would be more than ready for the Speedia.
“For you Override, I will. Perhaps I won’t win, but I will fight my hardest in this race, especially if I don’t get any of those upgrades.” Moonracer promised, her tone returning to a cheery and surprisingly confident tone. What was the worse that could happen by then?
Override hit her breaks once again as Moonracer suddenly stopped to process her request. They'd been doing an awful lot of that since they'd began, and she was starting to think there were better ways of holding a conversation; Override didn't want to believe any of them, though. "We've had a few since you've been gone, actually. By my count, I'm officially the longest-reigning Suprema in our history," she responded, tooting her own horn in the process.
As the silence grew to span a good few minutes, Override began to drive lazy circles around her Amica. She was atrociously bad at knowing when and how to stay completely still, not to mention her head was always clearer while she was moving. Moonracer was taking an awfully big think from the looks of it. Override was worried she'd had an aneurysm, until her best friend finally answered.
She would've been completely fine with whatever Moonracer's decision was, but a healthy portion of Override was ecstatic at the response she'd given. Her lazy circles turned into figure 8's. She hit the breaks once she was square in front of her friend again, with the nose of her vehicle mode pointing right at her. "Thank you Moonracer. This means the world to me."
"A few of them..." Moonracer couldn't help repeating. If she had been in robot mode she would be frowning and disappointed in herself for never thinking about returning home more often. She have never gone this long in missing such an important race, especially one that was so important in deciding who their leader would be. She never doubted Override's abilities in being able to hold the title for so long but it made her spark ache to think she had not been there to see it herself in the years to follow.
"Well, seeming as I'm going to be around for quite some time I wouldn't miss it for the world Override, specially not to miss racing your side again." Moonracer told her, her tone upbeat and full of joy as ever. She rolled forward just enough to bump the nose of her vehicle form against her Amica's, giving her a playful nudge. "But while we are on the topic, I do owe you an explanation for why I've been gone so long. Because truth is it hasn't been from my duties as an ambassador." Moonracer told her, somewhat hesitant to tell Override about becoming part of the reckless team of the Wreckers.
Rolling backwards, she made just enough room to drive up beside Override, "Lets cruise for a bit." With how antsy Override seemed to be a few minutes ago, Moonracer figured it would be best she drive and talk at the same time, moving to a decent pace but enough the two could talk. Once her best friend and leader had returned to her side Moonracer finally spoke, "Override, the reason I've been gone so long, so often, is because I joined the Wreckers. They were in need of another sniper and they approached me about covering the position at the time; it probably wasn't the best move, but the things I've gotten to do, the sights I've gotten to see...Primus I have got to show you my camera log! There is some crazy stuff in the universe!"
If Override hadn't cultivated such a professional attitude over the past few million years, she would've most definitely let slip a giggle from having Moonracer bump her nose. She would've been fine with however Moonracer had answered, but a 'yes' just sent her spark spinning with joy. Her Amica was quick to undercut the happiness with an apparent revelation. While literally switching gears was a skill that Override had mastered on the track, she found it could be applied to conversations too, as the Suprema had gone from jovial to serious in the span of a thought.
Before she continued, Override felt it prudent to add, "If you were racing circuits on other planets without me, then I'd be a little upset."
She followed Moonracer's lead and cruised right up next to her, thinking that spinning one's wheels was much more stimulating for conversation anyway. The Wreckers. She knew what they were after getting a history lesson on what the rest of the galaxy had been up to, courtesy of the Autobots. But Moonracer had been one? Override had about a dozen different responses primed and ready to launch, but her heart kept drawing her back to one in particular.
"You know, if we didn't fight in a war together, I might've been mad. But we did, so I know you can handle yourself."
Moonracer couldn't help letting out a soft chuckle, "You know I wouldn't go racing in any major circuits without you Override, it wouldn't be the same without you." Moonracer assured her, bemused by the thought of Override's face if she ever did race without her. The type of racing she was use to and had been doing were two very different things. The only racing Moonracer had been doing was on missions and avoiding joining the long list of Wreckers who didn't come back from missions.
"I'll be honest, not quite the reaction I was expecting," Moonracer admitted, sounding surprised. She had expected a light scolding or Override telling her she was an idiot to have done such a thing. Wreckers were known to die rather quickly, even the most skilled of their ranks. So, she was putting a huge risk on being one of their numbers. But, she couldn't turn away an offer to help a team in need at the time, so she had leapt right at the chance to do it. "We survived our own civil war together, we'll survive another." Moonracer agreed, never losing her enthusiasm.
"Was that it?" Override asked, immensely downplaying the severity of Moonracer's admission. In reality though, she was deeply worried for her friend, but placed enough faith in her skills to quiet her reservations. Wreckers had shorter lifespans than Velocitronians, at least back during Incinerator's reign, which was really a statement. The thought of Moonracer's name scrolling down a casualty list was unacceptable, so Override kept said thought locked down tightly.
She was right though, they'd both lasted through one hell of a war together. While it wasn't the second golden age, Ransack's defeat had ushered in an era of unprecedented peace as Velocitron remembered that racing was much more fun than fighting. Override couldn't even remember the last time she'd had to fire her guns.
"I haven't thought about the wars in so long... oh! You remember the Aeon Speedway blitz, right? Where I had my arm shot off?"
Override paused.
"Because I remembered the cape I was wearing that day, and in retrospect, it was more painful than losing the arm."
Honestly, Moonracer had expected a much different reaction from her friend. Of all the Velocitronians to ever be concerned for the younger racer, she always expected Override to have a far greater reaction to such news, or at least express far more worry than she had. Was her Amica just hiding her fears and worries behind her now calmer persona? Or did she just have that much confidence in Moonracer to not worry about what could come of being a Wrecker?
Personally, part of Moonracer was hoping it was the latter. She didn’t want to worry her closest friend more than she already had.
But, Moonracer inwardly cringed at recalling that day, mostly for the cape though. “Ugh! Don’t even get me started on the cape!” If she had been in her robot mode she would have shaken her head, “Capes do not work for you Override, I think it was the worse thing of that day than losing an arm. But, we did get to kick some skidplate that day too, so there was a positive side.” Well, at least Moonracer and Override could laugh at some of their worse days on Velocitron. “Hell, think I even got revenge on the slagger who did it too I think, but there were so many targets that day I don’t even know.”
For as painful as the war was, it had at least taught Override quite a lot; still, it wasn't a teacher she'd ever recommend. Save for Moonracer and Clocker, she'd lost just about every friend she'd ever had, having had to read about their death on some report, or by meeting them on the battlefield as an enemy. But here she was, still alive and back with Moonracer. Her inspiration. She'd never been privy to that information, however.
"Yeah..." she replied, distantly.
She let the hum of the road take up the silence for a few moments, before the Suprema elected to speak up and break the tension. "The whole reason I came to Earth was to talk to the Autobots... to Optimus, to see if we could get some sort of dialogue between Velocitron and Cybertron going..."
"But, he doesn't even remember me, or Velocitron, or any of us; issue with his memory, I've been told."
"And all of that was weeks ago. But here I am, still on Earth..."
Moonracer became rather silent for a few minutes. Yea, they had kicked some skid plate during their own war, but it had come with a price. In the heat of battle, with so much on the line, they had to do what they had to do despite the reluctance. The former racer would never in a lifetime love the feeling of war and destroying life, but they had learned the hard lessons that war came with sacrifices and costs. She herself knew those who once had been friends had died by even her own hands or had heard the names of those killed in action.
Luckily, Override speaking next broke her attention from her thoughts, listening to the Suprema. She had been hearing the same thing, how Optimus wasn’t himself. Who knew what could have happened to the Prime, but it didn’t sit well when such things happened. Nor did Override’s tone having been on Earth for some time.
Moonracer revved her engine then, doing a half donut that caused her to spin off to the side of the road and transforming to her robot mode this time. “Override, we’re going to Velocitron sooner than later.” Moonracer said firmly, resting her hands on her hips and having a rare stern look. If it was one thing she couldn’t stand it was seeing her Amica and other close friends in a slump, sound distant and saddened. No, she would not tolerate seeing Override down on memories and unfortunate events. “We’re going as soon as we possibly can and we’re going to try those mods, no arguments on my part.”
The younger, smaller racer hadn’t been this serious in sometime, and someone could say her serious expression was almost adorable due to her young appearance. But, at the same time being serious was extremely rare for someone such as Moonracer. One way or another she was determined to bring up Override’s spirits, more than willing to endure the tedious process of trying upgrades and mods, if only to see Override smile and sound enthusiastic once more.
The sudden stop had caught Override off guard to say the least. Moonracer was rather focused on speaking her mind, so much that she needed to give her tires a rest it seemed. She pulled to a stop slowly, transforming in a rather nonchalant manner. Hearing what she had to say, it almost felt like Moonracer was giving an order; an order to have fun, even. As nice as it was to hear her friend agree to try out a few modifications, she knew it wasn't what she really wanted. The gesture was nice, though.
Override stared into Moonracer's optics for a few solid seconds with about as neutral of an expression as she could manage, before she finally broke it with a small laugh. Despite having the right intentions for her best friend, Moonracer was a bit misinformed. "Oh, I don't really care if you try out a few bodymods or not, Moonracer."
She took two steps to the left of her Amica, looking out over the railing on the side of the road, towards the desert that lay sprawled out before them. "I should've been back home weeks ago; should've headed right back after hearing about Optimus. But, Moonracer..."
"...I kinda like it here."
She stepped away from the panoramic view before her, starting to pace around, "I've sat on a throne in the middle of a moving city for eons now. Sure I solved the energy crisis, took bias out of the racetrack, and brought peace to the whole damn planet."
Override looked down to see she was casting out both arms, as if she were delivering a speech from a balcony. She quickly remedied her oversight. "I never intended to do any of that the day of my first Speedia; I was there to kick aft and drive fast. So fast forward a few thousand years, and we're here."
It was harder than usual trying to find the words to voice her thoughts with, but at least she wasn't talking faster than the speed of sound. They both knew that she didn't mean she felt unprepared for the task of being Suprema. By all standards Override's reign had been Velocitron's most prosperous, and the literal thousands of racers who had tried to best her in the subsequent Speedia's had solidified her as perhaps the greatest racer on the planet.
Then it hit her.
"I don't want to reign as the Suprema anymore, Moonracer."
Moonracer now was the one left quiet for a few moments, eyeing her Amica in wonder. She was mulling over everything said between them in this long hour of driving, wondering if she had completely missed what Override was getting at. But nothing really struck her right away.
Then she became attentive, watching Override with her optics as she began going on about having to return weeks ago, especially knowing the situation with Optimus Prime. Still, Moonracer was confused. She had grown to like this place over time in her stay there, this one area of the world reminding her of home and making her somewhat homesick to be honest. So, she really wouldn’t have minded trying out the mods or doing a few races for fun while she was home. It would be for old times sake and catching up with familiar faces, good and bad alike.
Then, she heard Override’s words reflect her thoughts. And it clicked well before Override had said those words of no longer desiring to be the Suprema any longer. No wonder Override had been so keen on staying there on Earth, just enjoying something other than the duties she had performed for thousands of years, one of Velocitron’s most prosperous times in history. Certainly one of its roughest times at the beginning as well, but they had managed to push through it, make Velocitron the planet it was today. It was then her confusion quickly faded to understanding, the smaller racer moving over to rest a hand on her Amica’s shoulder in understanding, “No I understand now, and honestly I don’t blame you Override.” She gave her one of her bright smiles, “I’ve loved every moment of traveling the galaxy, making my ambassador trips between Cybertron and home. Meeting people not like our own yet similar in some ways...” Moonracer briefly thought of one in particular, briefly wondering what had ever happened to Powerglide before turning her attention back to Override.
“You’ve done a lot for our home, and I can’t guarantee I would ever seriously try to become the next Suprema.” Moonracer turned to look out over the open landscape, recalling how her reputation as being an excellent racer lacking mods and racing Delta had what really solidified her as someone being noteworthy back home. “But, I do desire to race in the Speedia, just once to see what it feels like in a truly high stakes race.” Her smile broadened to a grin as she turned her head slightly to look at Override, “I’ve missed far too many, so the next one coming up I’m entering. I’ll get some mods that fit to my style of racing and I’m definitely dedicating it to your name.” Her grin remained, her wheels spinning in anticipation and excitement as she turned fully back to the Suprema.
“After all, what kind of Amica would I be if my best friend couldn’t share those same experiences.”