A burned out failure

[stupidhonor]

...

...

By popular decision of the Lords, Ankaia will wage war on Earth. Ishin will be first in line, no doubt using his extraordinary might for great effect.

[Sielje is a mess. She sits with her head lowered, not bothering to change from her fancy dress - now torn and dusty from the fight.]

And it is all my fault.


If only... I was strong enough to face and defeat him...

If... only... I was stronger...!

[Her eyes are full of tears and you can hear pretty undignified sniffing.]

Comments

[tillallareone]

Sielje... you had done your best. That is all that could have been asked for.

You are not at fault.

[stupidhonor]

No! If I tried harder to become stronger, if I challenged Ishin being even slightly more prepared...

Even buying more time would have helped. Buying time, not losing so pathetically. Not like that...

[tillallareone]

Sielje... I suffered a defeat much like this a long time ago. Blaming yourself for not having the strength... it is simply choosing to punish yourself for something unavoidable.

When you fail Sielje... what is the most important thing that must be done?

[stupidhonor]

We need to stop Ishin. Yes, I know... but...

[tillallareone]

That much is known by all Sielje... but what have you learned from fighting him?

...And what worries you?

[stupidhonor]

What have I learned?

... That I am no match for him. Despite trying with all my might... it was as good as nothing.

[That answers both questions.]

[tillallareone]

Sielje... despite what you may believe, the loss of this battle does not mean that you would lose again in the future.

[He sits before Sielje, gazing upon her with the patience only a leader of his many years has gained.]

Raise your eyes to me and wipe away your tears.

A protector defined not simply by their might... but by their will and determination. They are honed through experience and made great by wisdom.

I believe in you Sielje... that when the time comes, you would be able to more than make up for this defeat... That you will transform from the weak warrior you believe you are... into someone truly great. All that you need to do is believe... and hold on.

[stupidhonor]

Experience... I have plenty of. I did not start my life's path yesterday. Nor a year ago.

[Sielje's eyes close - only for her to open them up as she looks up at the Autobot leader.]

How much more? How many more defeats will all have to endure through my own actions?

[tillallareone]

We have all tasted defeat before Sielje... it is not a burden that you carry alone. But ask yourself this... how many more would you allow?

[stupidhonor]

None. But just wishing for it is not enough...

[tillallareone]

There is always more than one way to win a battle than through might... and there will always be a way to do so with honor.

Seek wisdom and knowledge from those close to you. From every victory and defeat. Learn from the lives of others, in the past and in the present.

The rest will follow on its own.

[stupidhonor]

Will there...?

I learnt that in a honorable fight, the stronger will win. If you are weaker than your enemy but your cause is just, you have to become stronger.

What good faith powers you?

[tillallareone]

[Optimus remains silent for a moment before reaching for his torso. Armor and machinery shifts as he withdraws the Matrix from its compartment and lets it rest in his hands and its light illuminate the area.]

This artifact is precious to my people. It is a symbol of leadership... a fragment of times long past. It is a vessel of wisdom and great power that grants its strength and the strength of those who once held it to those it chooses. But its power alone does not ensure victory. The foe I have faced through many millennia of war... Megatron... had slain my predecessor personally. And until this day we are locked in a stalemate.

More than that, Megatron too sought strength and wished to fight for those weaker in his earliest days. He too had been weak. But his desire to completely change the world consumed him, his desire for power toppling his once just cause as he became a tyrant... an emperor of destruction.

What powers me Sielje... is the dream of peace... achieved by means that do not taint it. I seek to protect the freedom of those who cannot protect it for themselves. To support those who fight for it... and ensure neither they or I lose their way in this battle.

The will to carry on, even in one's Darkest Hour... to carry the hope of others no matter the cost. That matters more than simple power.

[stupidhonor]

[Sielje shields her eyes from the light... momentarily. Though intense, the glow does not burn. She stays quiet, listening to the tale with intent. And concentration.]

...

!

[She almost audibly gasps, as if coming to a realization.]

This light...

I may need to apologize.

[tillallareone]

For what reason Sielje?

[stupidhonor]

I... took your words for idealism. For stories shared with others, to cheer them up, with little base in reality...

But...

That is not true. I was the one, who...

Forgive me.

[tillallareone]

I understand how easy it would be to believe as such Sielje...

But there is no need to ask for forgiveness. All I ask is for you to take my words to heart... and remember them.

[stupidhonor]

I will. I...

[Sielje sighs. It pains to admit, but...]

I make no promises about being better. About always finding victory, and learning where there is none. It is not easy. I do not know if I can do it.

But at the very least, I will not forget.