I wonder about sg!optimus. For example, he could be coptimus prime, who gains the matrix because the senate sees him as more complicit to their system, as well as easier to side with or use.
There would be propaganda saying megatron turned evil and destroyed cybertronians because he got salty optimus got the matrix and not him.
Sg!optimus would think what makes his killings different from megatron’s is the former does what’s necessary while the other’s gone too far or lost his way. Even though, it’s more the opposite.
Sg!optimus would make these grand speeches about how they’re all cogs of a greater machine, even if it costs them their bodies and spirit.
Absolutely!
I've been thinking about Optimus a lot throughout this whole brainstorming session, because I've been trying to come up with a balance between preserving his original good-hearted and pure personality, while still presenting an intense and abrupt transition into autocratic warlord. It's difficult because I want where he starts to be genuinely moral, and where he ends to be genuinely evil. Where I've kind of landed in that is that the two most important factors in his prewar character would be nativity, and a love of cybertronian culture.
Optimus definitely starts out as a higher class citizen of Cybertron. Probably not a noble, as corruption is more common place the higher up you go, but at least well off enough that he doesn't truly understand what it's like being at the bottom of society.
I think he would become a cop, because he wants to contribute to his home. And I even think he would reach out and support Megatron, for the same reasons! He might be naive, but he's not blind. He knows that things are pretty bad for some people- and he doesn't want that!
But I think his assistance would be founded in a fundamental misunderstanding of what's actually causing his people to suffer.
Whenever I'm writing prewar, I always love to shove Megatron and Optimus as close together as possible, simply for the dramatic irony it causes. We already know how this story ends- which means every tender moment they share is just DRIPPING with angst. There's always tension underlying their interactions, of the audience wondering, where is that point of no return? What event is going to happen to make them go from this to that. There's a tragedy in their friendship that's just so FUN to watch play out.
So I would go so far as to say that Optimus even comes to be seen as one of the heads of the movement. I mean, there is no better symbol of unity than a high class enforcer, working in tandem with a low class miner for the betterment of Cybertron. Their comradery is the very foundation of what the Decepticons are supposed to represent.
So obviously, the Senate decides that the best way to weaken the cause would be to drive them apart. And offering Optimus the Matrix is the best way to do that! It would confirm the fears of every lower caste member of society- that the higher classes don't see them as equals, and will always, eventually, default to power over equality. And what a blow to Megatron! His closest friend, his most trusted ally, becoming the very thing they swore to fight against.
But get this- Optimus refuses. He values Megatron's friendship too much, and while he has the utmost respect and reverence for their holy symbols, he knows what accepting would do to their friendship. And furthermore, what it would do to the cause. (Besides, his goal, as of right now, is not supreme power. While he does think the position of Prime is an honor, he most certainly does not believe himself worthy of it.
And that's that!
Just kidding.
Because then, the functionalist massacre happens. And it's bad. More than bad, it's unprecedented. The Senate has run their society back before their oldest citizen's oldest memories. For the traditionalist upper class, not only is this a massive blow to their power, it's a complete dismantlement to their way of life.
And that's what Megatron wants.
Optimus is horrified.
And the betrayal is worsened by the fact that he wasn't even consulted. In fact, he didn't even learn of the attack until it was over- a purposeful action by Megatron done to prevent his interference. They're supposed to be a team, but all the sudden, Megatron is running the show and Optimus is left floundering. This is a devastation that destroys any trust Optimus had for him- but more than that, it destroys any notion in Optimus's mind that Megatron is doing the right thing.
This is the end of their unity. Permanently.
Right, and then things get even worse. Because yeah, the functionalists sucked, but also, they kinda managed everything? And now their society is missing it's entire government. And the Decepticons mean well, but an early stage revolutionary part isn't exactly suited for bureaucratic administration. So things like uneven energon distribution, and crime rates, and a lack of medical care (which were already problems) get much, much worse.
Basically? Cybertron is crumbling.
And Optimus is realizes somehow has to step up.
So he finds the Matrix. And he accepts the role of Prime. And as pretty much the sole proprietor of Cybertronian justice, he cracks down hard. Restrictions are now worse than they ever were under the functionalists. On the bright side, their cities aren't actively burning down, but it's a HUGE step back for the Decepticons.
Optimus has become exactly what the Senate wanted- a perfect little autocratic puppet for them to control. (Shame they're too dead to enjoy it.)
He is, frankly, traumatized by the quick and jarring loss of stability. He is terrified of losing his home. His worst fear is seeing the culture and traditions he values above all else crumble into anarchy.
Things progress about how you'd expect from there. An ever increasing of the stakes- more crackdowns from Optimus, more push back from Megatron, until their world can't take it anymore and devolves into full on war. A war which, eventually, 4 million years and countless lives later, Optimus will lose- ironically, as the murderer of the very world he sought to protect.
Rough break.
So! In summary.
-Optimus is a naive, yet pure hearted high class citizen who loves and values his home and traditions of all else.
-This blinds him to the oppressiveness, inequality, and deep corruption inheritant in it's system.
-He joins forces with Megatron in an attempt to peacefully and law abidingly assists society's lowest citizens, yet ultimately feels betrayed when Megatron resorts to anarchy as a solution.
-He reacts by violently polarizing, leaning into oppersive policies in an attempt to restore the stability given by law that is the foundation of his world view.
-Unfortunately, this clashing of values between him and his former ally leads to an all out war, that ultimately destroys their home and way of life.
