#rba theory

[novafire-is-thinking]

I’m flattered you think I’m qualified to answer this question of yours. The short answer is yes—I do believe you’re on the right track. However, I must admit I haven’t seen all of RBA yet. I’ve heard a bit about Wedge’s Decepticon history though, so I will attempt to write a long answer based on that and my speculation about post-war Cybertron. The TL;DR is at the end for those who just want the takeaway message.

RBA takes place on the same timeline as TFP, so I’ll start there.

“History is written by the victors.”

- Winston Churchill

By the end of Predacons Rising, it’s assumed that the members of Team Prime (and maybe Knockout) are the first to begin serious rebuilding efforts. Except for KO and a few vehicon soldiers, there were no other other Decepticons willing to cooperate and collaborate, as far as we know.

After Optimus sacrificed himself and the shock wore off, we can assume that news of the war’s end would have spread. However, we don’t know how long it took for older Cybertronians to begin returning. Even then, it’s highly likely that Decepticons were more reluctant to return knowing the Autobots were technically the victors. This would mean there was probably an extremely small Decepticon presence on Cybertron for quite a while.

The way I see it, there were two Cybertronians best qualified to recount the war’s history and write it down for future generations: Optimus and Soundwave. Both were there from the beginning, and the history “books” produced would have been, in theory, more balanced as there would have been perspectives from BOTH sides of the conflict. But ever so conveniently (/s), Optimus was dead for a while and Soundwave was trapped in the Shadowzone.

You’ve mentioned Ratchet’s retelling of events from TFP. That in and of itself was dripping with his personal bias as an Autobot. I’m not sure if you’ve read the Aligned novels, but there’s quite a bit in there that Ratchet left out. The reason Megatronus seemed to resort to violence so quickly is because he thought “reasonable” attempts (aka Orion’s way) were a waste of time and energy. While Orion was convinced change could be brought about through patient seeding of new ideas and ideologies, Megatronus was convinced that he saw what Orion didn’t: That positive change wasn’t going to happen unless it was forced through a violent overthrowing of the system. Personally, I don’t think either of them was fully wrong or right in their assumptions, but that’s a story for another day. The point is, Ratchet unintentionally twisted Megatron’s “true motives” in his retelling of events. It lacked nuance.

“Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”

- from Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Now, fast forward to “present day” Cybertron (pre-RBA), and there would have been many new Cybertronians being “born” and “growing up.” I do agree with you that a history book would have been one of the last things most would have been interested in looking at as they explored their new home and themselves. And even if they’d had an interest in the war’s history, Autobots like Ratchet would have written most of those “books” and unintentionally or intentionally suppressed the Decepticon perspective.

It’s obvious that Optimus came back some time before the beginning of RBA, but I still think that, despite his efforts to be objective, any history he would have written down for the new generation would still have had plenty of Autobot bias. Personal bias is just an unavoidable part of being alive.

The Decepticons who did return would likely have not bothered trying to share their perspectives in many significant ways thinking it would be pointless to go against the majority. I could, however, see them congregating and forming communities and alliances in Decepticon “pockets” around New Cybertron.

A Cybertronian street urchin?

From what little I remember of Wedge from the first half of season 1, he strikes me as a kid with an independent streak. He dislikes being controlled, disrespected, etc. He’s not the violent type though.

I like your headcanon of him having possibly been taken in by some ‘Cons after he emerged from the Well (or a hotspot, if we bring in some IDW lore). If I go with the hotspot theory, I could definitely see “Decepticon communities” having control over a handful of New Cybertron’s hotspots. If Wedge emerged from one of those, he would have been scooped up real quick and given a heavily biased crash course on what a Decepticon was, how to be one, who not to trust, etc. And being basically a newborn, he would have gone along with it to feel a sense of safety, acceptance, and belonging. Or tried to, at least… He probably grew up quickly in that he was forced to rely almost entirely on himself in more situations than he now cares to admit.

Of course, eventually, Optimus being Optimus would have seen potential in Wedge despite his roguish upbringing (and perhaps even because of it) and intervened in some way, convincing the young bot to join the Rescue Academy.

TL;DR History written primarily by Autobots would have almost certainly created issues for the new generation(s). Wedge may have been brought up in one of many “pocket” Decepticon communities that felt helpless to speak up and share their perspectives on the war thanks to overwhelming Autobot influences.

Can I ask a genuine question about RBA? Like, does everyone think that when Wedge revealed that he used to be a decepticon and how the other recruits reacted to it, it was because all info and history about decepticons being majorly altered or erased? I get that in that episode a lot of the choices made were interesting. How each recruit reacted differently to even hearing about what a decepticon was. Especially Hotshot’s being openly critical of decepticons. But I mean……can you blame him?

Put yourself in that kid’s shoes for a second and imagine knowing that an entire race turned against your entire world and plunged said world into a total catastrophe. I don’t even think that many of the older generations even remember why Megatron started the war in the first place. And I mean the REAL reason. I admit Megatron’s intentions were for bettering society, and he couldn’t really accomplish that with his status. Except when you you really look back on the flashback sequence in TFP, he wasn’t really on the “try to reasonably convince these powerful leaders into abolishing a harmful government,” and it was more of a, and correct me if I’m wrong, “fiercely question why the state of this government is absolutely corrupt and make a very violent point about how to correct it immediately,” Okay I think I might’ve botched it a bit. But you get the point right? When Megatron actually wanted to go to war, it wasn’t about freeing the oppressed, it was about proving a point in the most cynical and violent way possible. That’s why when he was freed from Unicron, he actually understood what it meant to be oppressed.

Back on track, now picture a post-war kid being born on Cybertron. Now that they aren’t immediately forced into a caste or function, they get to explore the world around them. Seeing what they like and figuring out who they are and what they want to do, and maybe finding a mentor or two. And seeing what kind of post-war kids this continuity brings to the table, we’re talking about Strongarm, Sideswipe, Wedge, Whirl, Hotshot, Hoist and Medix. We’ve all seen what they can be like.

And I’m theorizing is that in this era in RBA, new-borns are so busy exploring and being well, new borns, I don’t think a history book is what is going to catch their eye first. Instead they learn from the world around them, maybe overhearing a couple conversations, running into the wrong crowds, and maybe being born into a different part of Cybertron where the decepticon influence is more profound.

Okay, okay, Wedge, we all love Wedge, but I personally headcannon that maybe he wasn’t exactly born AS a decepticon, but maybe he was taken in by a couple decepticons who uh….showed him the ropes. Then blah, blah, blah, a bunch of young dumb crime spree after crime spree and then big man Oppy shows up.

Or maybe if he was literally BORN as a decepticon, that just gave a whole new meaning about how the caste system worked in ye olden days. It also might’ve influenced ACTUAL culture stuff on Cybertron.

I don’t think I’m making any sense. Please help me out @novafire-is-thinking @viewer-of-many @thegirlwhoflies26

[presidentofthelipglossclub]

heatwave and optimus are such an underrated comedic duo. every single time they are in the same vicinity as each other everything immediately goes to shit. this is i think because they are both primus's blorbos, and in true blorbo fashion, must suffer. greatly. anyway this leads to some very fun interactions such as:

heatwave, newly appointed leader of like every rescue bot, on his first day as a secret alien on earth, immediately deciding he wants to leave right after accepting optimus's orders. and when he can't do that, he starts talking to people because he has no fear i guess.

optimus prime, leader of the cybertronian race, chosen by primus, and guy who says "nothing much, double dutch" in response to an extremely casual greeting in a very formal situation in front of his child (heatwave), presumably to embarrass said child.

heatwave, recent student of optimus's old friend who is a respected and decorated war veteran as well as a long time rescue bot, calling optimus (WHO IS FRIENDS WITH THIS GUY) just to bitch at him.

optimus prime, protector of civilians and humanity, fully prepared to watch a game show (created by blades and chase) in which a human child gets electrocuted. (there was a misunderstanding involving the term "lightning round" in trivia).

heatwave, rescue team leader, assigned to protect humans, straight up just driving off a cliff into the ocean with no warning, with his human partner who is screaming, all to win a race.

optimus prime, by now nearly a godlike figure, adopted father of all the rescue bots, also a terrible communicator, ghosting his kids for four years (get it. ghost. bc he died.) and then not explaining ever.

like literally i could go on but they are total messes and it's hilarious. where is all the content of incredibly chaotic and weird father daughter bonding for heatwave and optimus. they are so funny.

(yes i meant to type daughter bc heatwave gives off eldest daughter energy ok. no other reason for the shit he pulls.)

[transformers-bold-bright-brisk]

Does anybody else think Brushfire from RBA would be adopted by Anode and Lug or is that just me?

I mean look at them! I feel like it would be Brushfire’s dream to get mentored by an archeologist and a geologist who are both adventurers.

[transingthoseformers]

So for y'all who weren't here for a few if my Rescue Bots rewatches, I noted numerous design different between RB and RBA— pretty specifically, optic color. It seems like in RB, the Griffin Rock mecha and Optimus Prime have yellow/orange optics when they aren't in "mindless robot mode". In RBA, however, all the teachers we see have blue optics. I'd say this was because it was marketed to an even younger audience than RB, but the cadets' optics are a variety of yellow/green/blue and Laserbeak has pinkish-purplish optics. My hypothesis was that every series in the aligned continuity was "written/interpreted" through the optics of a specific character. TFP by Ratchet, the exodus books by Orion/Optimus Prime, Rescue Bots by Heatwave, RID15 by Bumblebee, Rescue bots academy by Hotshot... Now, would this ever be canon? No likely not. But it's interesting to think about, especially in regard to the tonal shifts. Also now that i realize it this diary theory was subconsciously inspired by the Animorphs series. Am i just this petty and annoyed by such significant differences in what's supposed to be the same exact continuity? A little bit.

[threshersharky]

My running theory for some Decepticons is that they become cons to get away with more.

Warning this becomes a rant about how autobots are just as bad at times but they tend to hide it more or it goes unnoticed, a bit less than halfway down.

fyi this is me over analyzing Prime and Earthspark :3

Some cons just become cons to get away with doing shit they know is bad because I mean, in most shows cons are mostly depicted only respecting higher ranks if they respect anyone at all, and I mean just look at Airachnid, did the Decepticons tell her to drive a bunch of species to extinction? I don’t believe so, did the Decepticons punish her? No, would the Autobots have let that fly? Idk maybe, I mean I haven’t read the comics or played the games but I’ve heard abt autobots doing near as bad or worse, but Decepticons have always been considered bad, so they don’t usually care much if their reputation is stained anymore than it is.

Autobots tend to hide the bad, not wanting it to deter possible allies, take prime for example, in RBA(Rescue bots academy) whirl has no fucking idea what cons are, which means they might not even know what the war was and that means they were either sheltered, had bad education, or Autobots decided to hide the wrong they and the Decepticons have done, I’d like to say Ratchet would not approve of history erasure because he says “THE PAST ALWAYS MATTERS” or something along those lines and despite being an unreliable narrator for the rising of Megatronus and Optimus prime he is correct. The Autobots will take what they can get knowing Decepticons are viewed as evil and the Autobots vice versa. Take the prime kids for example, they would believe ratchets story without question simply knowing autobots are “the good guys” and so they must always be telling the truth right? No Ratchet is an old man in politics, he is very biased, he is going to say Optimus was the better guy.

Prime Wheeljack nearly offs Miko, multiple times may I add, I get Miko was reckless too but Wheeljack knows better, he knew Miko was easy to squish but let her run around while he caused explosions in an energon mine and nearly stepped on her at least a few times that same episode I think, The only reason Miko trusted him not to was because he was an Autobot, just like Bulkhead, they were both wreckers too, so she probably though Wheeljack knew to be careful(obviously he did not because we know Wheeljack is immature, I love Wheeljack but I stand with Maggie because Wheeljack was actively putting Miko in Danger)

And we have the older bots in Earthspark, Optimus put Mo, Robby, Twitch, and Thrash in danger by bringing them to ghost headquarters, you wouldn’t bring a child around a bunch of weapons or Decepticons would you? OPTIMUS PRIME DID DESPITE KNOWING THEY WERE MEANT TO BE A SECRET! I know he expected them to stay in the trailer but did he really? I like to think he acts stupid but in reality is a shady Mech, but I know they just made him a himbo, and I do love that but OP has been around children in his lifetime, he’s been on earth long enough to know kids don’t always behave. Megatron sort of know but at the same time he’s not an Autobot, he’s simply an ally and most don’t hold him to the standards we hold Optimus to simply because he isn’t an Autobot, back around to my point that Autobots are expected to be good while cons are expected to have bad behavior and commit horrid crimes. The adult bots are also a bit careless with the Terrans because they think the Terrans can handle it, I believe the thought process is toughening them up, thinking they can do it because they’re partially Cybertronian, or they haven’t had young around in so long that they just don’t know how to handle it, for example Bee expected them to learn way too quick, and I’ll get to how Bee is just a bunch of teenage angst songs and sad love songs and rare American songs mixed together to create the sentient product of being a child soldier who lived to tell the tale(He was a child in G1, you won’t change my mind don’t try.) The Older bots leave the Terrans house unguarded despite the fact the Decepticons know exactly where they are, and I do like that the cons didn’t just attack there because it would’ve been so easy to just do it and get things over with.

[antenanotaic3]

(RBA) Is Hotshot's toughness/self absorbed state a bluff?

He talks big all the time. Most of the time. About how awesome he is, about all he can do.

But he was seen to fail. A number of times. And how he took failure?

Well it depends, although he tried to hide it, if he could as often as possible. But what interests me is the moments when he was unable to hide it. How he felt and reacted to when everyone knew he failed. He wanted to run away and hide, he was so ashamed of himself he thought he was truly worthless. If he knew the human expression 'to want to hide in a hole and never come out' he would do it literally.

He may seem at first glance not to care about how his actions may affect things and people, especially by how much he repeats certain mistakes, but that's probably just because he doesn't think that much before he acts. He showed a number of times that when he truly let people down he had a hard time living with himself. Him who can 'move mountains' tripped over a pebble he threw.

So theory time ig... Is his 'awesomeness' some sort of coping mechanism, a way he wants to convince himself and others of his worth? Because if other people's opinion of him matter to him more than his own... Well. Or is it that deep down he has such a low selfesteem that he has to hide it because it's too much to handle? I can't explain otherwise why his winner behaviour crumbles so easily, unless it was a facade of some sort.

And let's not forget that although he admitted he'd never stop being difficult on the teachers, that he also felt bad for them and greatly valued their support. He was always this self aware, but he hardly showed it -except in the moments mentioned above.

S1 finale was particularly interesting because he left his team, although it was truly unnecessary, not only because he believed he had nothing to bring to the team but he was also lead to believe that he had lost his status of a prestigious Cube player, which to him would have meant he had nothing left that makes his existence have a purpose. Well Scorch was pretty much at fault for it but anyways. Just the opinion of someone who didn't know all the things he was capable of during a rescue brought him to the ground within a day.

Ok I don't know how to write a conclusion but you can see where the discussion went. So yeah. I'd like to hear more opinions on this. Cheers!

[sonicnerd]

Idea💡

I don't remember if I actually write this down on Wattpad or what but it's an idea/cute fluff thing-

I like the theory that Glow could be the daughter of Glowstrike , I find it possible and it makes things more interesting to have something else from rid in rba + another ex-con/maybe still con is interesting

So like-

I feel like it would be interesting if she WAS a con, her and wedge can have a bonding moment and then they talk it out and they have their own struggles and bond over that which makes things more Interesting

Please, this idea is haunting me and it's just so cute/fluffy and it's an interesting duo ✨

Have a good day/night!!

December 11/2024

@dragonsgirl572 @asmoteeth @wildlygay @sphnyspinspin & anyone else!!

[voxsecundus]

It sure is going to be interesting seeing what happens to the average person’s politics in Australia.

Cause lots of folks who made perfectly reasonable life choices are getting fucked cause some absolute bastards at the RBA grab the slider labelled “Human Suffering” and nudged it a fair few notches towards despair.

Like this isn’t people who had any of the typical misfortunes that fuck your life up (and isn’t it shit that there are typical ones) these are just folks who a year ago were fine and now they aren’t and the only changes are price gouging and interest rates.

And like the whole “oh no inflation bad must raise interest rates to stop inflation” just doesn’t fly when everyone at this point is aware that:

1. Interest rates are not an effective way to combat inflation

2. Effecting demand does nothing when all the inflationary pressure is supply side and is either due to actually unavoidable circumstances (war, logistics fuckups etc) or more frequently due to companies price gouging

3. Raising interest rates is intended to increase unemployment, given that the social welfare available to the unemployed is well below the poverty line it could be reasonably said that even if this policy worked as intended it would be inhumane to enact

4. Companies are making record profits

5. The only reason any individual cares about inflation is “my money buys less stuff now” adding “also you have less money” is not an appreciated addition

Like at some point i feel like the whole “i am getting the same or less money, that money buys less and everything is more expensive, but all those companies are posting record profits” can’t help but become some amount of [REDACTED]

(Also fuck the entire bullshit economic theory that the RBA is using, i’d be less pissed if they told me they flipped a coin, that would at least have 50/50 chance of outputting the right answer)

I have not provided sources as i am incredibly tired, however you can find several semi-decent analysis articles on the ABC, there is an It Could Happen Here podcast that touches on it albeit from an American perspective, and you could have a brief skim of wikipedia. Obviously none of that is rigorous academic research but also like I don’t ask people to do rigorous academic work to disprove flat earth theory either so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[starseedfxofficial]

AUDCAD Double Top: A Hidden Forex Strategy for Precise Profits The Double Trouble Profit Zone Ever felt like the Forex market has a knack for playing pranks on your trades? AUDCAD, that sneaky cross-pair, is no exception. But here’s the kicker: hidden within its charts lies a pattern so reliable it might as well be the golden ticket for savvy traders. Enter the "double top." Imagine catching market reversals like a pro, all while sidestepping those nasty fakeouts that make you feel like you accidentally pressed "sell" on your winning trade. Ready to dive in? Let’s decode the secret sauce behind this technical gem. The Double Top Blueprint: What It Is and Why It Works A double top is like the market’s way of saying, "Alright, I’m done climbing for now." Picture this: prices rally, hit resistance, retreat, and then give it one more go. But… they can’t quite break through. Think of it as a sprinter running out of steam right before the finish line. This pattern screams, “Reversal incoming!” Why It’s Perfect for AUDCAD: Unlike the flashier majors, AUDCAD often trends in measured, predictable ways. This makes it an ideal playground for spotting and trading double tops. If you master it here, you’ll wield the power to conquer any pair. Elite Tactic #1: Spotting the Double Top Like a Ninja 1. Look for the Peaks: - AUDCAD’s double tops often align with psychological levels (e.g., 0.9000, 0.9500). These round numbers act like magnets for price action. - Pro Tip: Use a 4-hour or daily chart to reduce noise and ensure the pattern isn’t just wishful thinking. 2. Confirm the Neckline: - Draw a horizontal line at the lowest point between the two peaks. This "neckline" is your gateway to precision entries. - Ninja Move: Wait for a decisive close below the neckline before entering. Impulsive trades here are like trusting a cat not to knock over your coffee cup. 3. Measure the Target: - Use the height of the pattern (from the neckline to the peak) to estimate the profit potential. - Bonus Insight: On AUDCAD, double tops often yield a 1.5x reward-to-risk ratio. Set those stops wisely! Why Most Traders Fail at Double Tops (And How You Can Win) The truth? Many traders botch double tops by jumping in too early. They see two peaks and think, "This is it!" But Forex markets love teasing with fakeouts. To avoid becoming another cautionary tale: 1. Wait for Volume Confirmation: - Falling volume on the second peak = market exhaustion. Rising volume on the neckline break = game on. - AUDCAD Hack: The pair’s volume spikes are often subtle but consistent. Keep an eagle eye on them. 2. Avoid Overleveraging: - The double top isn’t a golden goose; it’s a calculated opportunity. Overleveraging is like showing up to a marathon in flip-flops—uncomfortable and unwise. Advanced Insights: Hidden Gems in AUDCAD Double Tops 1. The Divergence Secret: - Pair your double top analysis with RSI or MACD. Divergence between price and these indicators adds an extra layer of confidence. - Case Study: In Q3 2024, an AUDCAD double top at 0.9400 coincided with bearish RSI divergence. Result? A swift 100-pip drop. 2. The News Trap: - Economic events, especially from the RBA or BOC, can amplify AUDCAD moves. Double tops formed post-news are often more reliable. - Ninja Insight: If the second peak aligns with a news-driven spike, it’s likely the pattern will hold. Step-by-Step Guide: Trading the Double Top on AUDCAD - Identify the Pattern: Use a 4-hour chart for clarity. - Draw the Neckline: Mark the lowest point between the peaks. - Confirm Volume and Divergence: Check for weakening momentum on the second peak. - Enter Strategically: Place a sell stop order just below the neckline. - Set Stop Loss and Take Profit: - Stop loss: Just above the second peak. - Take profit: Use the pattern’s height to project the target. - Monitor and Adjust: Watch for news or unexpected volatility. From Theory to Mastery Mastering the AUDCAD double top isn’t about luck; it’s about precision, patience, and practice. By spotting the pattern, confirming it with volume and divergence, and leveraging strategic entries, you’ll transform your trading game. Ready to take it further? Dive into our advanced Forex education and tools at StarseedFX. Don’t just trade; trade smart. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[reesedragon]

Big difference between the way scraplets are treated, and the way they behave, between Prime and RBA. Yet the insecticons were chilling on a dying planet surrounded by the things and never got totally devoured.

My theory is they weren't allowed in the cities. Functionists would have treated them like literal trash, just dumping them in the wastes to tough it out. They would have needed some kind of scraplet repellant to survive.

It clearly doesn't prevent sight targeting, but seems to work for scent targeting. Makes the scraplets easier to outrun, less vicious.

After prime, they probably got the formula from any remaining insecticons or stole it from their corpses. The final whimper of their race was having their only means of survival appropriated by their oppressors.

The kids were probably wearing it like sunscreen.

The most angsty Transformers Rescue Bots headcanon you guys could ever come up with?

[krispybluebirdstarlight]

Inflation falling sharply in Australia while the RBA still is out there threatening rate rises – William Mitchell – Modern Monetary Theory

Yesterday (November 29, 2023), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest – Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator – for October 2023, which showed a sharp drop in inflation. This release resolves some of the uncertainty that arose when the September-quarter data came out last month, which showed a slight uptick. I analysed that data release in this blog post – Slight rise in…

[transingthoseformers]

Quintesson anon again, but considering the weighty prospects of the Quintessons being a major antagonistic force in either season 2 or season whatever of Earthspark, especially considering how they've been portrayed in earlier media and what that means for the Transformers in the series. My theory is that the Quints have not only conquered and enslaved the Transformers left on Cybertron, but have been moving forth to conquer any other Transformer species out there. In addition, someone actually mentioned that the Autobots might have known that the Quintessons existed out there given that Mandroid claims he found some kind of information within the Autobot files within the GHOST computer network that he used for the Space Bridge. However, this brings up the rather interesting aspect of the Transformers hiding things from the humans, ie the T-Cog and the Matrix. I can see this being somewhat lampshaded with Dot asking why they would hide the fact that there's a race of judgemental squid aliens out there. Slightly off topic, but I'm also convinced we're going to see more of the other relics and not just the ones that usually hog the spotlight (like all of Vector Prime's swords).

You're so right so far yes yes, it tracks considering what we've seen of the Quintessons (it would be super interesting to see more non Cybertronian alien races in Earthspark, especially considering the somewhat rescue bots influences we do see some in rescue bots and RBA!), especially with the idea of them possibly working with our protagonists??? Yes please?????

Logistically speaking, I see potential for the Quintessons for being an old horror of transformer history coming back, with vague legends / frayed historical accounts of Quintessons available. BUT THE ALLURE OF SOMEONE HAVING BEEN WORKING WITH THE QUINTESSONS BEHIND EVERYONE'S BACKS AND DR MERIDIAN GETTING A HOLD OF THAT INFORMATION

I adore the idea of yes there are things they've been hiding from the humans (after all, they tried to hide that Bumblebee was still alive from GHOST, didn't they?), and that chances are we're gonna end up seeing more of the less famous artifacts from the Thirteen (I see cool uses of the Chimera Stone, Micronus's artifact!)

Judgemental squid aliens

Sdfyu. Yeah. I'm thinking that chances are most cybertronians think the Quintessons are extinct. But I'm remembering the one Fermi Paradox explanation (the dark forest explanation? I'm loading up a kurzgesagt video now to try and gain the words to better explain it). The idea that if humans know about the Quintessons, somehow the Quintessons will know about them and they will come to earth. Which would have terrifying implications.

I also see the possiblity of the initial Quintesson war being something the mecha Do Not Like To Talk About™️ because it was that devastating and horrific and okay coping mechanisms have changed since those times. The "they all forgot about it because it was That Traumatic" explanation of aligned makes me wonder more about this being an orchestrated memory wipe situation which has implications.

[theninjasheeep]

Love in Theory and Practice — A SeruRei anthology

Summary: In their story, the love that binds Marcel and Reiner is the same that once drove them apart. Through years of confusion, longing for each other and affection intertwine with their musical careers and their rise to success, will their love be able to overcome the hustle and bustle of the showbiz?

Read on Ao3

—

Chapter 1: Shatter Me with Hope

Touring had always been liberating for Reiner. When on the road, he was free from the suffocating presence of his beloved mother Karina, and the expectations she placed upon him from the moment he was born. 

She didn’t approve of Reiner’s dream to pursue a career in music. She was reluctant to take him to guitar classes. She never nurtured nor encouraged his hobby, but complied when one of her friends mentioned that the boy could play in their worship and prayers every Sunday. Reiner was never religious, but he made do and took advantage of it, he learned to play the guitar and set himself to be the best, get a scholarship in college, and sign a record deal one day. 

Karina mapped Reiner’s life in her head but Reiner shaped his life around his dreams.

RBAM was his dream come true. The quartet —himself, Bertolt, Annie, and Marcel— signed a record deal in their college days and after a thorough preparation from the label of their sound and identity, they began to be played on the radio and to tour as the opening act for bigger artists until, little by little, they turned themselves into the main act. They were still carving their place within Marley's music industry and hall of fame with exhilarating success with only two albums and a tour. 

Reiner was the band's guitarist and backing vocalist, and every time he took the stage he was the center of attention. When the world’s eyes were on him and the fans roared and screamed his name, agitated by his every move, he felt his chest rise with pride for his accomplishments, he felt fulfilled.

He made sure to stand out and move around the spotlight as much as possible, to be the most approachable, to waltz around the stage, to touch fans’ hands and crowd-surf whenever he got a chance —against every security recommendation—, running high with adrenaline and people’s validation. Some could say he was like the sun, Helos reincarnated, tall, muscular, with porcelain skin and features framed by his golden hair and eyes as deep as honey.

Once he set foot on the arena whenever RBAM had a gig, Reiner took over the stage. Nevertheless, in the galaxy that was the stage, among the myriad of lights, another star rose higher like the sun. Its light was blinding, enticing without question, and it cast a bigger shadow than his. Next to it, Reiner was like Icarus, willingly and stubbornly melting his wax wings to get close to the sun, to reach its light. 

The sun was Marcel Galliard.

And like the sun, there were times when he was eager to feel its warmth upon him, as when spring came after a long winter. Other times, its heat was unbearably great, the same way that prolonged exposure to it could lead to feverish delirium if one was not careful. He sought after it nonetheless. 

Marcel was a constant in his life, he had come to own his heart. Their love story began in college, a passionate and fleeting romance that blossomed naturally as they pursued their dreams of making it big in the music industry. However, as label and contract clauses began to dictate their every move, their relationship was tested by internal band drama, causing them to grow apart despite their honest and growing affection for each other: RBA's management implemented a policy prohibiting band members from dating each other due to concerns about potential tensions arising from their young age and the unpredictable nature of romantic relationships.

And if that hadn’t been enough, Marcel grew somewhat distant following the audition that gave the band their chance of a lifetime. Before Annie, Reiner, and Bertolt joined the band, Marcel made music with his brother Porco in Eldian Star. However, when the audition came and Marcel was left out in favor of Reiner, tensions arose between Marcel and his brother. This strained Marcel's relationship with Reiner, particularly when Eldian Star became RBAM with only four members. The situation added to the stress of everything that was happening, and Marcel felt guilty about being a part of the band when his brother's chance had been taken away from him.

So far away yet so close, Reiner found himself performing alongside the love of his youth, unsure whether Marcel's feelings had changed or remained the same over the years. 

Most days, he was able to play the part of friend and bandmate effortlessly but touring was taxing, long days crammed inside a bus or a plane took its toll on him, and it made him restless and lonely, especially when Bertolt and Annie —sitting in front of him— pretended to be subtle in their public display of affection when their manager wasn’t paying attention. Those days, his honeyed eyes searched for Marcel’s not-so-innocently.  

Nothing ever happened between them while they were on tour, but all that pent-up longing translated to the stage where their chemistry was undeniable. Fans roared excitedly when feeling bold, Reiner put his arm around Marcel to sing along with him when he played on his keyboard instead of moving around the stage with him. Their faces pressed too close for comfort were taken as part of the show, but Marcel’s golden eyes darkened when there was nothing but a microphone between them. 

He shivered every time, hoping something happened backstage, in their tour bus, the hotel... 

It never did. 

—

Entering from the stage, Annie's deadpan sarcasm greeted him before he even saw her, crouched against a wall with a towel around her neck, a donut in one hand, and a bottle of water in the other watching as his eyes opened. Bertolt was sitting nearby, cleaning his bass and watching him with amusement in his deep forest-green eyes. “He’s alive,” Annie quipped. “No need to release a statement.”

Bertolt chuckled and greeted him with a smile. Reiner let out a snort as he entered the room and placed his guitar on the nearest stand. Pleased with himself after successfully crowd-surfing again, he plopped down on the nearest sofa, arms crossed.

Their shared dressing room was spacious and comfortable, with a living room set up in the middle for the band and crew to relax and eat before, during, and after the show. Black furniture, coffee tables, and trays of food and drinks were available. A temporary storage room for equipment and microphones was in one corner, while four doors at the back led to each band member's dressing room, with their names marked on the doors.

After the show, RBAM took time to recharge and rest, waiting for the stadium to clear out before returning to their tour bus and heading back to the hotel for some well-deserved sleep.

“Come on,” Reiner started, “it’s not that ser—”

“Braun!” the gruff voice of their manager, ‘The Owl’, interrupted him with a start, “how many times do I have to warn you not to throw yourself at the goddamn crowd?” 

‘The Owl’ was a tall man with a slender face, pronounced cheekbones, and shaggy dark hair which he kept combed to the side. When he was angry, his face looked grimmer than it usually was, enough to silence Reiner’s protests, albeit temporarily. It wasn't the first time he chewed off Reiner’s ear for not following instructions, and most likely, not the last one. 

“It just felt right!” he defended, “the people at the front were ready to play along, it went well.” ‘The Owl’ rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, undeterred. 

“There won't be enough security if anything were to happen to you, dumbass.”

Reiner opened his mouth to talk back but he came up blank… In his defense, he couldn’t help it, he loved when people caught him on his fall as he sang and the tide moved him from one side of the stage to the other. He enjoyed the attention and the groping. It had been safe in their early years but as RBAM's success grew, so did the risks of crowd-surfing and for that reason, their management had forbidden him to do it to his chagrin.

“Alright,” he sighed in defeat, there was no point in arguing with the older man, “I’m sorry.”

“You better,’ the man chided without missing a beat, “or else I’ll take this to the label.”

Annie and Bertolt froze, Reiner remained silent, throwing daggers at the man with his gaze. With no further ado, the man exited the dressing room and left them alone. Bertolt placed his bass aside and Annie scoffed, cleaning her face with the towel around her neck as she stood and stomped towards the tray of food, fishing another donut and turning her back to Reiner in an attempt not to choke him herself. 

Their manager tended to threaten them with the label every time they strayed from what he deemed to be the right thing to do . It was starting to get on the band’s nerves, but with a signed contract and a record yet to be made, they had to swallow their youthful pride until they could be freed from the man’s influence over their creative and business affairs.

Letting out a deep breath, Reiner sagged against the sofa and then stood, taking his sweaty shirt off and throwing it across the room. 

“Gross,” Annie grumbled but Reiner paid no mind to her. Bertolt put his bass away and watched his bandmates silently, ruminating his thoughts before he dared to say anything. He peeked a glance at Annie, her furrowed brows and angry munching made it clear how she was feeling. Reiner on the other hand seemed to be regaining his bravado and confidence. 

“It’s not that big of a deal,” he blurted out loud enough to be heard by his friends. 

Bertolt shook his head, “Stop making him angry, there are other ways to deliver, Marcel doesn’t throw himself at the crowd, Reiner.”

Scoffing, Reiner shrugged, “he doesn’t need to.”

Just when Annie was about to give the blond a piece of her mind, voices and laughter came from the hallway that led to the stage, and minutes later, Marcel stepped inside as he casually chatted with one of the backstage assistants, Nifa, and the tour manager, Farlan. 

“You did amazing, guys,” Farlan greeted once he saw the rest gathered. Marcel nodded, still drunk with the adrenaline of a good show, failing to realize the mood in the room was way different. 

“Yes, it was a great show!” Nifa inserted himself in the conversation as she batted her eyelashes at Marcel, catching Reiner’s attention. He wasn’t too fond of the girl as she always seemed to be finding a way to cling to his brown-haired bandmate whenever she could, and this time it wasn’t the exception. Jealousy coursed through him when he noticed Marcel was engaged in her flirty banter even when he kept his distance.

Clearing his throat, Reiner shook hands with Farlan and spoke louder than usual. “Thank you, man.” He chimed in, “this couldn’t be possible without you either.”

“Das tru—” Annie managed between the last bites of her donut, “Can we leave soon?”

Farlan snickered goodnaturedly, understanding Annie’s desire to get back to the hotel. He nodded, “Yep, the stadium is almost empty, the bus is already inside, we’ll come sooner than later to pick you guys up.”

Bertolt sighed relieved, “Finally,”

Picking up on his hunched posture and dejected sigh, Marcel raised an eyebrow questioningly his way and mouthed ‘did something happen?’ to him. Bertolt nodded and motioned to Marcel that he would fill him in later, as Nifa's gaze rested on both of them.

He realized then that something seemed off backstage. As he observed Annie's demeanor and Bertolt's eagerness to depart, his attention was suddenly drawn to a shirtless Reiner, and couldn't help but be distracted by the sight.

Reiner noticed Marcel's gaze on him and couldn't resist smirking to himself, feeling good that he still had an effect on his bandmate. But then the moment ended as Farlan's intercom crackled back to life, breaking the silence.

"Hey, Boris, are we all set up?" asked Farlan, pacing around the room and grabbing a chip from a tray.

"We're almost done clearing the area, boss. There are a few stubborn fans still hanging around," came the man’s reply. Farlan motioned for Nifa to join him and they headed towards the door, but before she left, Nifa sent a flirtatious look at Marcel, who just smiled back politely.

"Alright guys," said Farlan from the doorway, addressing the band, "get your stuff ready. I'll send you off in a couple of minutes."

“Yes!” Annie cheered, discarding the towel around hr neck. Bertolt, Reiner and Marcel collectively heaved a sigh of relief and thanked Farlan as he and Nifa disappeared from sight. Once alone, Marcel took his chance to find out what was going on and turned to Bertolt.

"So, did something happen?"

“Reiner tried to talk back to ‘The Owl’ when he was chewing his ear off,” Annie explained, as she stormed past them and slammed the door to her private dressing room shut.

“I swear it’s not that big of a deal. Mars—” Reiner tried to explain but Bertolt cut him off. 

“One of these days,” the tall man interjected as he crossed his arms, “you won’t be that lucky, Reiner, or worse, you could get hurt!”

Frowning, Marcel sat in the nearest chair, “Is this about crowd-surfing?”

Bertolt nodded. Marcel rubbed his eyes, tired. He also didn't think it was a good idea for Reiner to throw himself into the crowd, it was clear that the fans expected it and it emboldened them more, but it wasn't safe. Their management had warned him several times already, it was like a tired tango between the blond and ‘The Owl’ at this point.

“Don’t tell me you agree, Mars.” Reiner asked quietly, hoping he would find an ally in the subject of his affections. His face fell when Marcel shook his head. 

“You should listen to him, Rei,” Marcel remarked dejectedly, “you can’t do that anymore, accept it.”

Scoffing, Reiner mirrored Annie and locked himself in his dressing room without uttering a word. Marcel bit his lip, frustrated. Bertolt shrugged and waited next to him until Farlan called them. 

—

The tension on the tour bus on their way to the hotel remained as thick as ever, the silence was so heavy that it could have been cut with a knife. While their management and assistants discussed the plan of action for the next day, Bertolt and Annie sat together, holding their pinky fingers under the table as they talked in whispers and glanced up at Reiner from time to time. Marcel had curled up in one of the sofas with his headphones on, shut away from the world and the discussion, while Reiner tried unsuccessfully to fall asleep on the opposite sofa. His eyes kept darting over Marcel, his breathing up and down, his long eyelashes, and the pursed lips.

He longed for him, so tantalizingly close yet frustratingly out of reach. 

Grumbling under his breath, he turned his back to Marcel and tried once more to catch some sleep. There were nights, just when the lengthy touring schedule and loneliness got on his nerves, when Reiner yearned for old times to come back. He wished to be granted one more night to love Marcel the way he used to. For him to get off the stage and push him against the door of his dressing room freely and knock the breath out of him, to hear his desperate, quiet moans as he pulled his hair, begging for more when Reiner went down on him or to be pressed against the car’s backseat beneath Marcel's body as his eyes gleamed like liquid gold, darkened with lust and young love. 

Reiner had been on cloud nine back then. They had fallen hopelessly in love with each other. But since they had always carried their romance in secret, —first out of fear that Reiner's mother would find out and force them apart, and second, because they were both trying to define themselves—, their abrupt and forced separation had hurt tenfold. 

Time had healed some wounds and numbed others.  

He sighed and squeezed his eyes shut, feeling at last that sleep was coming to him as the gentle rumble of the bus soothed him, and perhaps in his dreams he could fulfill his heart's desire.

—

Once the sound check was over, Marcel plopped face down on a sofa. He was feeling a little sore throat and went to get it checked, not about to let a seasonal flu ruin his performance that night. Besides, he was feeling a little bit on edge, after Odiha the tour was heading to Lago, the city his brother Porco lived in. And as much as he was looking forward to seeing him, he doubted that would be the case, deep down he knew Porco wasn't ready to hang out with RBAM.

He sympathized, yet it stung a bit all the same. He wished for his approval and support, but alas.

As the rest of the band and crew made some last-minute adjustments for the gig, he put on his headphones and listened to what had been his former band with his brother, Eldian Star. He still had their recorded demos saved on his phone, and when things got too overwhelming, he liked to play the songs they had written together and let the music strangely comfort him.

They would soon have to go back to the hotel, have some dinner, take a shower and go back to the stadium, but until the others came looking for him, he permitted himself to no longer be RBAM's frontman and just be Marcel, with his turmoil and inner struggles, some of which had to do with a certain Reiner Braun who always wrapped his arms around him on stage and brought their faces tantalizingly close during more than one song.

Groaning, Marcel scrubbed his face against the cushion trying to dispel the intrusive thoughts that were invading him.

After long minutes of silence, he heard some steps approaching. At that moment he became fully aware that he was not alone in the dressing room, but he didn't want to move one bit, busy with his thoughts.

Backstage was always organized chaos. Accustomed to it, he made no effort to move or lift his head. Whoever had entered, got closer with steady, measured steps. It was normal for sound engineers to come in and out to mark or change microphones after each rehearsal, and just as they came in, they went out, there was no need to pay attention.

"Phew, that was intense!" 

Reiner’s deep voice sent shivers down Marcel’s spine. Moving to the side to hide his shuddering, Marcel pretended to be asleep and slowly woke up with a not-so-fake yawn, “How did it go?”

Locking their gazes, they spoke silently until Reiner chuckled and moved to sit on the floor next to Marcel, resting his head against the armrest. Marcel, still groggy from sleep, didn’t hesitate to slide his fingers through Reiner's hair absentmindedly, his index finger following the hard lines of his jaw and the stubble that was starting to show off. 

Stiffening just a little, Reiner leaned on Marcel’s touch and closed his eyes before replying, “It’s going good, Ann and Bertl will take care of the meet and greet today.”

“Good,” Marcel whispered, “I don’t feel like moving yet,”

“Don’t move,” Reiner whispered back, moving his head to the side, his nose almost brushing Marcel’s from how close their faces were, “stay right there.” He was feeling bold, maybe it was Marcel’s openness to his closeness, it made Reiner wonder what would happen if he leaned in a little, if he moved his body to the side... 

What would be Marcel’s reaction? He cleared his throat and turned his head fully, witnessing how Marcel’s pupils dilated and those golden eyes looked back at his honey ones with clear intent, what that longing what he was seeing? Were their feelings reciprocated? The atmosphere shifted but no one dared to speak or move, Reiner’s heart started to beat painfully in his chest when he noticed Marcel’s gaze peeking at the door before looking back at his. 

‘What was happening?’

Marcel scooted closer and rested his weight on his elbow, peering at Reiner from his spot. There was some hesitation in his movements, so Reiner let him approach without further comment, just waiting.

‘What’s gotten into me?’ Marcel mused for himself as he made the conscious decision of scooting over to give Reiner some space to lie next to him on the huge sofa. It seemed like feelings were harder to translate into words when it wasn’t about the music.

Marcel let out a muted groan and looked at Reiner longingly as the blond settled on the couch so as not to crush him with his larger build. He missed being together with him, yet he also missed their friendship. They were trying to make it work for RBAM’s, Annie’s, and Bertolt’s sakes but it was hard, letting him join him and snuggle together in the dressing room was a spur of the moment decision fueled by his own heart.   

Making up his mind, Marcel leaned into Reiner's personal space, but not before giving a cursory glance at the door, after all, they were bound by a contractual clause that forbade them to date fellow bandmates to avoid scandals, at least in theory. There was no contract capable of suppressing someone's feelings or preventing them from caring about each other, naturally —Bertolt was a case in point�� but it was better to be safe than sorry: if no one saw, it didn't happen.

"You look tired," Marcel said almost against Reiner’s lips, "you should rest, Rei."

"I can't sleep well at night," Reiner confessed. Crinkling his nose, Marcel raised his index finger and traced out the bags under his eyes with such gentleness that Reiner had to close his eyes to keep himself from grunting, though his breathing betrayed him.

Heeding the impulse of stupidity that took hold of him, Reiner reached for Marcel’s hand, lacing their fingers together. Yet, to his surprise, Marcel didn't move his hand away. Quite the contrary, he squeezed it a little as a sign of reassurance. Possessed by longing and trying to take advantage of this opportunity, Reiner caressed his dark-haired bandmate’s fingers with his nose, almost kissing them had Marcel not moved his hand at the gesture.

"Rei..." He warned, denying him the chance to kiss his hand. But he didn't sound angry, more like... Flustered? Somber?

"Just this once, Mars..." Reiner blurted out, regretting the words the moment they left his mouth. He was digging his own grave, making the brief moments he got to share with Marcel uncomfortable, but that night he was in the mood to be Icarus and fly as high as possible to reach the sun, his sun. 

Marcel said nothing, and Reiner turned to the side, angry at his stupidity. Marcel's nervous laughter, however, took his breath away and gave him hope.

"Come and get me if you want it then."

What happened next was a blur. Reiner turned back so fast that he was sure he strained his neck, almost crushing Marcel as his muscular, broad build made it almost impossible for him to be stealthy or subtle. Marcel snickered, giving him even more space but Reiner had other plans and pulled him flushed against his chest, and hugged him.

"Is this real?" The blond asked. Marcel blushed at that, hiding his eyes from him for a moment.

"Yes."

"Prove it," Reiner challenged. Not one to shy away from anything, Marcel leaned over and stole a kiss from him. 

“When we’re back at the hotel, you know where to find me.”

Reiner, shell-shocked, tried to kiss him back, to get serious, but he was giddy, he felt like walking on air in the proximity of his first love and former lover, his warmth enveloping him protectively, their bodies entangled. It felt good, it felt right.

Knowing all too well that the dressing room was not the place though, he got up, renewed, heading back to the stage. He smiled broadly to himself, eager to feel the sun’s warmth upon him just as when spring came after a long winter.

[pleasantspark]

Theory: The scraplet Whirl took care of in MTMTE became RBA Whirl.

IIRC It was confirmed that one Whirl is the parent of Whirl RBA.

[dangergirl64]

A Medshot Theory

I believe Hotshot has a bit of a crush on Medix. And here's my evidence:

So we all know this scene from the episode Medix Steps Up To The Bat:

This was the scene where Medix comes in to save Hotshot.

Bear in mind that it's pitch black in the room, so Hotshot couldn't see anything.

Medix saw the predicament Hotshot was in and asked him to "reach for my hand":

But Medix didn't tell Hotshot that there was a literal hole under him, he just got to work and snipped the cables off.

Then for a split second, this face pops up:

Hotshot's looking away from Medix's position but from my experience, I know that's a "blush" face.

Again, it's pitch black, Hotshot doesn't know what's going on below him. Or all around him for that matter. All he knows is that Medix is holding his servo and he's being rescued by him. He doesn't know that there's a hole right under him.

So, I theorize that Hotshot actually believes Medix is holding his servo just for fun. Or maybe comfort.

Which resulted in Hotshot making that cute "blushy" face.

Idk guys being in quarantine has got me thinking about everything atm and this was on my mind BIG TIME since the episode aired. I felt the need to share what my thoughts were.

Feel free to comment!

[guardian-of-fandoms]

So was nobody gonna tell me about the theory that Cody is Onyx Prime Reincarnated

MY MIND IS BLOWN

Like it's absolutely insane but IT ALSO EXPLAINS A TON AND I CAN'T REALLY ARGUE-

Like I love Cody, he's an ADORABLE bean, and probably one of the best human characters in the franchise. he's just a sweet lil bean who genuinely wanted to befriend Cybertronians and managed to single handedly be the ENTIRE reason the team got their act together at all, the ONLY reason Heatwave gave humans a chance, and not only did Heatwave give him a chance, HE BASICALLY FUCKING ADOPTED THE KID.

But EVERYONE I have ever seen is C O N F U S E D as to why. WHY is this Kid gifted with Godly empathy and communication skills that stump and get grown adults and LITERAL ALIENS to change their entire frame of mind, going from ready to fucking throw hands to talking civilly in a matter of seconds!!!! KIDS DON'T DO THAT. CODY IS ONLY EIGHT. YEARS. OLD. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW, 14 BY SEASON 4, AND PROBABLY 16-17 BY RBA.

.... So here's why I love this theory.

IT. EXPLAINS. THINGS.

(after days of obsessive Onyx Prime research)

-Oynx Prime's main abilities were his communication skills/Empathy, something that would probably carry over in Reincarnation. In fact, I've seen TONS of people theorize that Onyx was Reincarnated as Cody for the purpose of guiding the rescue bots, who would ultimately go on to change the course of Human/Cybertronian relations as a whole!

In fact, Cody has connected with Cybertronians SO WELL, Whirl casually dropped in an episode of RBA that sometimes, THE RECRUITS F O R G E T THAT CODY ISN'T CYBERTRONIAN.

THEY FREAKING FORGET THAT HE'S A HUMAN

.... What if Cody happens to fit in so well with Cybertronians.... Because he has a Spark?????

-Onyx Prime has massive wings. Cody is CONSTANTLY associated with Flight across the show. He wears a Bomber Jacket, uses a hoverboard, briefly used those rocket shoe things, and constantly rides along with Blades and Dani.

-Onyx Prime's Alt-Mode is a Griffin. Not only does the show constantly address the mythology of Griffins (and TFP says Predacons were actually responsible for Earth's mythological creatures in the first place), but the show LITERALLY TAKES PLACE ON AN ISLAND CALLED "Griffin Rock"

Lastly, I'm not sure if this counts,

But one thing about Cody has bugged me literally the entire show. Legit, as long as I've loved rescue bots, this has bugged me.

Cody's blonde hair.

i know this sounds stupid, but... THE KID'S HAIR MAKES NO SENSE.

Charlie has been show to have had brown hair when he was younger. Dani and Kade are both bright redheads, Graham is kinda a reddish brown.

if Charlie had brown hair, then than implies that the mom was a redhead, right???

So where's the Blonde come from????

I'm not claiming to be an expert in either Genetics, Reincarnation, or Onyx Prime.

But.......

This is the only answer I have, so, I'M ROLLING WITH IT

Cody Burns, human with a Spark!