Maximus rips the arm off and throws Simulus further back into the room. He rolls after landing, eventually stopping as he grabs onto the ground with his remaining arm. The old servant almost growls himself as he gets up, forming a replacement arm via simulation. Though the arm is not a copy of his previous one, it belonged to someone else.
“Fine! The plan’s ruined anyways! Playtime is over kid.”
A new hardlight construct appears between the two of them. One Maximus would probably recognize from the history books - Optimus Prime.
Busdrive races to return to his master to assist in the processing power.
RAM receives a signal and fights harder. He tries firing missiles at Spirit to get free.
Maximus transformed to robot mode and ran around the sim-Optimus, ignoring it entirely. He ran straight at Simulus, pulling out his hammer and swinging it to hit his head, using his speed to get in some extra force.
“Yeah, Maximals can be pretty cruel like that. I would know…”
Razorclaw said. Her voice grew cold and distant. @keiththelegokid
As Maximus comes around, the Optimus sim slugs him one before shoulder charging into him. Or I suppose more of a shoulder bash in this instance. Busdrive zips around and gets picked up by Simlulus as it turns into a disk, getting inserted inside.
“Not so fast. The Autobots would like to teach you just what happens to Decepticons and their vile creations.” Stimulator says as his colors change.
RAM does not listen and will do whatever he can to escape. Kicking, biting, and, as he now thinks of it, transforming into his disc form to slip through her grasp.
The disk form is a mistake, as she slips him into her cargo hold. He fits perfectly. He is caught. The welding helped a lot to let her regain some semblance of thought.
He’s able to get his legs out a quarter of the way due to how tight the cargo hold is around him. Letting said missiles loose now would result in heavy damage to himself and his tiny little Ram legs.
Grimlock burst into the tier 3 commons, making quite a lot of noise while doing so. Startling just about everyone inside.
“Me Grimlock here to have fun!”
He shouted. The champion rarely left the room, so to see him here was completely unexpected. Everyone was stunned silent. @Chromeharpoon
Maximus was thrown to the ground. He screamed with anger at what Simulus said.
“YOU’RE NO BETTER!”
He shouted, before jumping up and tracking Simulus.
The Optimus sim has its ax form and tries to side-slash into Maximus’s chest.
“We really aren’t,” Stimulator answers, almost with solemn. His own form seeming to change, switching from various Predacons and Maximals who have been imprisoned here. He walks so that he’s still within sight of Maximus, but getting further away as he circles the room.
“I’ve heard all your complaints, all your secret hatreds and loves,” his changing skins pause for a moment on Razorclaw with that one before moving on. "I know how the pompous Autobots made Cybertron and how their own creation of the future got them removed. Just how awful those ‘heroes’ had been and their decadents have gone. Never learning the lessons of their progenitors, making the same mistakes. How grand and self-important all sides think they are. It’s just so funny.
Ever wonder why the Vex have taken you all? It’s – funny. Entertaining! Watch how righteously these silly, ignorant machines fight each other - all for nothing. Even our good lord Unicron himself saw your drama and wanted a bite of the action. So did I!
So here you are! So here I am! Trapped in this cycle for their kiddie show. But you keep messing up the lines. Keep going off script. I can’t imagine what our stage director, dear old Iota, would think if he learned of it. His new rising star, no longer doing his part of the play! But don’t worry, you have a great understudy to replace you. I doubt Axis will even notice a difference."
He smiles as the hologram changing pauses on a form of Maximus.
Previously, it was open enough to contain RAM just fine, except for his head. Definitely enough room to transform enough and fire his weapons. Though a little damage here wouldn’t mean much, could always be repaired later.
“From what I’ve heard that’s what Maximus has in mind. Unfortunately I got other plans. After we bust out of this joint, I got uh… Friends, that are waiting for me.”
The axe hits Maximus in the side, and he shouts in pain. After expending so much energy, the rage was quickly fleeting from his eyes. He struggled to get to his feet, which was difficult with how much pain he was in. He clutched his side, where the sim axe wound was.
“An enlightened third party. Or as some of the old war bots can tell you…”
The Maximus form drops, once again showing his true form. Though unlike before, it was split down the middle. The right half being grey and dark green with the Decepticon symbol and the other being blue and orange with an Autobot emblem. He stops moving so that Maximus can get a very good look at him.
“…A traitor to all. And if you don’t help me get out, then you’ll at least make it entertaining. One way or another.”
His colors change fully to Stimulator again and the Optimus sim attempts to slug him to the ground with a free fist.
Stimulator scoffs, “Only you want everyone out kid. The others have plenty of hidden surprises for you, but I’m sure you’ll see them one day. For now, sweet dreams.”
The Optimus sim attempts to pummel and beat Maximus until he’s unconscious.
OOC: He’s flip-flopping on what he wants to do, largely in part due to Spirit’s interruption. Simulus is not entirely sure what direction would work best.
With Maximus knocked out for now, the Optimus Prime simulation vanishes, as does any remnants of a grin left on Stimulator’s face. It scrunches and bends, he grabs his chest with the remaining and coughs up some Energon. He lets out some heavy breaths, trying to regain some normalcy. It hurt a lot more than he let on, but there was no time for rest now. He goes around the room and grabs his torn arm.
“I did say to make it convincing, can’t say he didn’t do that. Just too far…”
RAM manages to come limping into the room, getting nothing more than a shaking head from his master. Stimulator picks up his minion, who gives a weakened cry before transforming and getting inserted. He evaluates the arm and the rest of the damage on himself.
Unicron consumed, I can’t fix all this myself. I need Railfire’s handiwork. How am I supposed to do that when…
He looks over at the wounded Maximus, fingers digging into his balling palm until the hardlight construct shattered. The rest of the arm faded away as his optics inwardly burned.
No, this can’t work! You beat him too hard! No-one is going to believe that these wounds are from a wild sim fight. Muhr! And those scrappin’ Minicons! Had they just been able to keep the other bots out, none of this would have elevated…
Fine, fine, forget it. Can’t do anything about it now. Twice now Autobots have failed to kill her. Twice. Gave them every chance and she just has to come in and ruin things. Even if I could explain away Maximus as a major sim malfunction, how could I for two? One is suspicious, two is investigation.
…Can I pit it against each other? No, both would tell of me. With Minicon vouchers to boot…
The disks whirled inside, trying to boost his thoughts. Going over memories from others to get different perspectives. His optics regain focus on Maximus again.
I’ve given myself little choice. Copying attachment, installing file. Opening new port…Overclock, execute new function.
Overclock is launched out of Stimulator and transforms into his robotic form. He rushes over to Maximus and attaches himself around the Minicon port, though not directly to it per say. Maximus’s appearance changes as a light holographic disguise forms over his body. Now making him look like one of several other Predacons and Maximals in the arena. One of the ones that doesn’t stand out, one of the many bots that just blends in with the crowd. Should he speak, it will be pitched differently as well. Not the best disguise, but hopefully would work long enough.
Stimulator uses what remains of his own equipment to change his appearance to look like Maximus. A Maximus with his wounds rather than what the Predacon had received, but it would do well enough. The story would be shaky, but had to do.
The false Maximus picks up the “random Predacon” and slings him over a shoulder. He walks out of the arena and heads for Railfire’s office. Things were going to be complicated.
Railgun is not there to greet the seemingly victorious Maximus. Despite better judgement, he assists Nebula in getting Spirit to Railfire.
Railfire was busy fixing Spirit when ‘Maximus’ came in. Without turning to see who it was who entered, he said
“I’m busy at the moment. Whatever it is you have, I’m sure it’s not as bad as what I’m fixing at the right now.”
A laugh is heard from the hall as a bright red and blue character steps into the scene, “Hey there! Ooo, that looks a bit rough,” Clutchfire looked at Railfire’s current project with a wince, “Well then, that doesn’t look too good,” he glances at the missing arm and gives a hearty laugh, “Hey! Hey! Got into a good fight?” Clutchfire grabbed the false hero with a good shake to the shoulder, “I think there was a little med bot around here somewhere! Want a hand in finding her? I think I recall hearing about her during the war. Pretty good, old friend had to keep her safe during an escort mission back in the day,” he paused, “Huh, who’s that guy?” He pointed with his shovel at the unconscious Predacon, “Looks pretty beat up! You two sort it out? That’s the best way to sort out a disagreement! Sort out a few blows, and then you’re pretty much going to be agreeable after!” He said twirling the shovel about, “I actually don’t know you come to think of it. Name’s Clutchfire! Autobot Joe!”
“Oh,” came a weak reply that sounded much like Maximus.
If there is a free table, he sets the “random Predacon” on it for later patching. He takes a quick, almost remorseful glance at Spirit before finding a seat. Slouching, having his arm in his lap for now.
“I guess,” he continued, “I did a number on her, huh?”
While it would depend on where Nebula is at this point, Railgun is most likely reunited with the rest of his team. Tie-Grabber and Machbreaker, once Ramjet was patched up, finished up their passageways here in the medical wing. The report of which brought a sad smile to Railgun, but it didn’t show. Though the other report of what happened today did catch more attention.
“Almost had the blasted punks, but they got away.” Tie-Grabber growled.
“The Autobot discs were here? Are you certain it was them?” Railgun asked, though clearly more directed at himself.
“It was those stooges, never thought we’d see them again.” Tie-Grabber answered.
“Thank you. This gives me much to ponder,” Railgun said.
“Wonder and ponder what?” Machbreaker asked, not liking how distant Railgun was being at the moment. Sure, he could be overly formal at times, but there seemed to be more than that.
There is a pause, though seeing “Maximus” come in gives some distracted hesitation. Who was that other bot? When did he lose the arm? He wasn’t gone that long, just what did he miss?
Railgun turns back to his brothers and says in whisper, “Maximus can understand us now, so be cautious. As for your question, we witnessed RAM and Busdrive in the training arena earlier today. They were fighting with another bot, but if they’re here then their master might be as well.”
Railgun looks over as “Maximus” takes a seat, eyeing him a bit suspiciously. It didn’t seem like the Predacon had spotted them yet. Or at least didn’t acknowledge them. Maybe he was just tired from the fight? Perhaps he was…
“All that for nothing?” Machbreaker said defeated, saddened to hear they got back in. Granted, they figured they would, just not so soon.
“I thought about that too, but never heard a Stimulator called for fights.” Tie-Grabber whispered in return.
“Disguise of disguise? Early demise?” Machbreaker offered as solutions.
“Let’s keep vigilant, he could even be here and we wouldn’t know it.” Railgun ordered.
“Maximus” is a bit startled by Clutchfire’s sudden appearance and shakedown. Though the insane Autobot continued before he could get a word in.
“I think there was a little med bot around here somewhere! Want a hand in finding her?" Clutchfire continued.
A hand? Is that some sort of sick joke? Oh sure, here, just let me borrow your arm. It would be just as helpful.
"I think I recall hearing about her during the war. Pretty good, old friend had to keep her safe during an escort mission back in the day,” he paused, “Huh, who’s that guy?”
He attempts to answer, but the Joe opened that flippant mouth of his before he could say anything again. He was starting to think it shouldn’t just be the sim version that died.
"Looks pretty beat up! You two sort it out? That’s the best way to sort out a disagreement! Sort out a few blows, and then you’re pretty much going to be agreeable after!” He said twirling the shovel about, “I actually don’t know you come to think of it. Name’s Clutchfire! Autobot Joe!”
“Uh, yeah, hi. I’m Maximus,” he answered, tired and now sounding confused from the whirlwind that is Clutchfire.