IDW Megatron from the IDW transformers comics.

Dude started out with noble intentions, rallied supporters, things went south after the initial attempt, and then 4-million-years of atrocities (and unlike original G1, IDW Megatron and the Decepticons were fully active during that time). Dude comes back, undergoes tribulations, realizes that he really DID fuck up, and submitted himself for punishment while feeling remorse -- and then through circumstance does NOT immediately get offlined, but put in charge of an expedition to find the people who can legitimately judge him (putting him in a position of power and "respect" over other Autobots). And during that comes to realizations that leads to TRUE remorse and a shift in his thinking (while wrestling with his nature and 4-million-years of habits all the while).

All that stuff up there you just said? I think you just summarized Getaway's position on the whole deal. :) And I don't doubt some angels are thinking the same thing.

*shrug*

I do admit that a flaw in our writing as a collective is that we assume that the worse case physical/emotional scenarios DO NOT HAPPEN if they are not EXPLICITLY stated in the text, because our writing tends to be focused more on the "Non-Nihilistic" aspect and "Better angels of our natures" and we don't want to wallow in angst and think about those cases. And of course we become surprised and dismayed/defensive when not all of our readers think the same way. :/

But anyway.

(In the past few years of reading fiction on other forums, I've noticed this trend of readers poking a lot of holes and worst-casing things, which on the one hand indicates a high level of engagement and investment in the story being told, which is good? But I can also feel for the authors frustrations of "I just want to tell the story, I don't want it ripped to shreds or turn into a pile of suck." ^_-;;; )

--- Philip

	Philip J. Moyer Contributing Writer, Editor and Artist (and Moderator) -- Eyrie Productions, Unlimited CEO of MTS, High Poobah Of Artwork, and High Priest Of the Church Of Aerianne -- Magnetic Terrapin Studios "Insert Pithy Comment Here" Fandoms -- Fanart -- Fan Meta Discussions