Brainstorming Post

[tfmegaratchmod]

By popular demand, we are opening up a brainstorming post for the community to better facilitate discussion and the flow of ideas for users.

This post will be one of the two pinned posts on the community in order to keep it easy to find.

All users are welcome to use the comments of this post to brainstorm MegaRatch-related ideas.

Please be respectful of each other and the community rules still apply.

Comments

[dustbunny105]

I was thinking recently about a broadly G1, crack-treated-seriously scenario where the 'bots and 'cons have a temporary ceasefire and towards the end of it, Ratchet finally has enough of Megatron's blustering and hauls off and punches him in the face and Megatron catches feelings from it. Then when the status quo is reestablished, Megatron keeps targeting Ratchet during confrontations and interprets Ratchet's refusal to take the bait as playing hard to get and probably thinks Optimus stepping in to defend Ratchet is just jealousy. The Decepticons treat this development as a very messy affair/bad breakup-- Starscream probably tries to declare himself leader of the Decepticons on the basis of Megatron "cheating" on Optimus due to a midlife crisis or something-- and the Autobots are all just bewildered. Ratchet is pissed off and intimidated but also flattered despite himself. Idk where I'd go with this exactly but the idea is fun.

[autobotscoutriella]

Oooh, I've got a weakness for crack-treated-seriously sort of scenarios - I'd absolutely go for this! I think it'd make for some fun contrast between the factions, too, where Megatron is actually being very straightforward about what he wants by Decepticon standards and Ratchet doesn't realize it until some other Decepticon yells about it (probably Starscream, because I think that's funniest).

[dustbunny105]

I love Decepticon nonsense confusing the heck out of Autobots, lol. I imagine they'd still have an understanding of the tension that can develop between nemeses but they would never think of it in terms of an actual relationship. Meanwhile, the Decepticon social structure is such a mess of toxicity that the aforementioned tension is about the healthiest and most fulfilling relationship a lot of them can have.

Anyway, as far as this scenario, I can easily see Starscream giving it away through snide remarks or the pieces finally adding up based on general Decepticon reactions and also the way Megatron treats Optimus after he decides to pursue Ratchet instead. Like. Optimus intercepts Megatron before he can get to Ratchet and is all, "Your fight is with me," and Megatron just sneers and goes, "You had your chance," much to Optimus's confusion. They end up scuffling and Megatron wrestles him to the ground and says, "It's over, Prime," but just turns to leave him there instead of stopping to finish him off. Ratchet arrives to assist Optimus and finds Megatron standing over him and Megatron jumps away yelling about how it's not what it looks like and Optimus means nothing to him anymore. Optimus isn't sure if he should be insulted or what, Ratchet has no idea what Megatron could possibly think this looks like or what else it could be. The rest of the Decepticons have intense debates about whether Optimus is being romantic or pathetic by continuing to pursue Megatron, whether Ratchet is a better match for Megatron or not, whether Megatron is being romantic or pathetic by chasing after someone who's so determined to ignore his overtures, etc. The Autobots keep coming really close to figuring out what's happening but it's so stupid by Autobot standards that they shake it off every time until it gets beyond ignoring.

[autobotscoutriella]

I love it! Cross-faction culture clash is so much fun, and I love the rest of the Decepticons backseat-driving about whether or not it's romantic or pathetic (it's a secret third thing: confused). And I can just see the Autobots taking notes. "Is he actually...? No. No way. This is stupid even by Decepticon standards." Someone makes comparisons to ridiculous bird mating displays. There are memes on the Ark intranet. (And also the Decepticon intranet, but better-hidden.)

I'm also enjoying the mental image of Ratchet finally figuring it out, and being intrigued but also SO annoyed by Megatron's inability to just say something??? seriously??? You went to all THIS trouble?

[dustbunny105]

There are memes on the Ark intranet. (And also the Decepticon intranet, but better-hidden.)

YES. At least a dozen Autobots post the distracted boyfriend meme and not a single one of them has any idea how close to reality it is.

I'm imagining now that it finally comes out when Optimus takes a swig at Starscream during a fight-- something he's done a million times before but because of some Decepticon social context he's not privy to, it's taken this time as trying to use Starscream to make Megatron jealous. Starscream gets super offended and lays everything out plainly.

Ratchet finally figuring it out, and being intrigued but also SO annoyed by Megatron's inability to just say something??? seriously??? You went to all THIS trouble?

Megatron is bewildered and annoyed because what did Ratchet think he was doing?? And Ratchet's just like, yeah, no, that's not a thing we do. That's really a thing you guys do?? Wtf??? No, you and Optimus were never a couple. Jazz immediately starts trying to figure out if they can end the war by convincing Megatron that healthy relationships not built on trying to kill each other are more fulfilling. Ratchet gets pissed but everyone can tell he's intrigued by the idea. Optimus is just trying to figure out if he owes Elita One an apology somehow.

Edit because I meant to add: I also like the idea of this as a LEGO Batman/Joker situation where Megatron is pursuing openly Ratchet as his new greatest enemy, in which case Optimus is legitimately put out and Ratchet is getting called a homewrecker from both sides of the aisle.

[autobotscoutriella]

I love the LEGO Batman/Joker comparison! Honestly, I'd watch this movie, complete with memes. Ratchet being so confused is just...fantastic. "No??? no, we don't do that??? WHAT??" And of course it's Starscream that blows the lid off the whole thing. I imagine his mid-battlefield rant is a thing for the ages.

(Sorry this took me FOREVER, work got crazy.)

[dustbunny105]

The thought of Starscream screeching out a tantrum that explains everything while the Autobots-- and especially Ratchet-- just stand there in mounting disbelief is so funny to me. I imagine Ratchet just staring at Megatron, who's trying to look unaffected, while everyone else stares at him in anticipation of his response and then he just turns around and calmly nopes out of there. The Decepticons retreat immediately without prompting just to blow up the intranet chats, the Autobots kinda wander off in bewilderment and Megatron disappears into his quarters to eat energon ice cream directly out of the tub and listen to sappy sad music.