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There was a time, long ago, when Starscream was a member of the Cybertronian High Guard. There was a time when he considered it an honor. And under Sentinel Prime, Starscream left the place where the Prime ruled. But Starscream hates Optimus Prime even more than he ever hated Sentinel Prime.
Honestly, it's doubtful whether the previous Primes truly possessed the Matrix. But Optimus Prime, at the very least, must have it. Starscream knows. If not Optimus Prime, who else in this universe would be worthy of the Matrix? That's why Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
Once upon a time, there was a time when Starscream, too, found beauty in the unknown. There was a time when he was more of a scientist than a soldier. Now, Starscream has left that world behind and only believes in what he can understand. Times have changed. Or perhaps, it's just Starscream who has changed. His only friend, Jetfire, left the changed Starscream here and departed... Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
Megatron beat Starscream, the leader of the High Guard, to a pulp and destroyed his voice box. Starscream didn't follow him because he liked Megatron. He followed him to defeat him. It's just that Starscream instinctively knew he belonged with the Decepticons. In a divided world, he would choose to be the leader of the Decepticons, not the Autobots. Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
Optimus Prime defeated Megatron, but that doesn't matter. Starscream hates Megatron, too. Someday, when Starscream becomes the leader, the Decepticons will be different. He won't be dragged around by foolish sentimentality like Megatron. He won't choose a secret coexistence with Optimus Prime. To be honest, Megatron doesn't hate Optimus Prime. He's just unilaterally clinging to him. Starscream is different. Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
The Autobots, followers of Optimus Prime. Starscream hates the Autobots. Prowl, for example, that uptight, obnoxious, paranoid, irritating bastard. He pretends to be rational, but in reality, he's just a malignant stalker of Optimus Prime. Starscream knows. If he hadn't been with the Autobots, Prowl might not have become such an annoying prick. But Prowl didn't know what he had to give up when he wished for a blessing from someone like Optimus Prime. What an idiot. Starscream is smarter than that. Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
Starscream hates the Autobots. Take Bumblebee, for instance. His canary-yellow frame is grating, and it's infuriating how the little runt slips through everything. His cuteness is annoying, too. When Starscream snaps at him to stop acting cute, Bumblebee just rolls his optics and shakes his head. What a cocky brat. And he's just a minibot. Optimus Prime puts his hand on the little guy's shoulder and calls him friend. Jazz? Ratchet? Ironhide? The Autobots are overflowing with high-ranking officers. That lax hierarchy disgusts him. It's always like this. Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
Now, Starscream doesn't believe that there is some mysterious, benevolent force somewhere in the universe. He left that world long ago. Optimus Prime is harmful in that he offers such illusions. To mechs like the old Starscream, or Jetfire, to the foolish Autobots, to the countless mechs who adore or revere him. But Starscream is smarter than them. He doesn't doubt that he made the wrong judgment. He doesn't regret his irreversible decisions. He doesn't look back... Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
As long as Optimus Prime exists, can Cybertron ever truly be unified? If one day Megatron disappears, or if Starscream defeats Megatron, Starscream can become the leader of the Decepticons. But even if he somehow managed to defeat Optimus Prime, he would never become the leader of the Autobots. If he were chosen by Primus, could he defeat Optimus? If some unknown ancient power—a legendary Titan, perhaps—were to choose Starscream, then could he defeat Optimus? ... Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
In truth, it doesn't matter whether someone is a Prime or not. Starscream just hates Optimus. Starscream never knew Orion Pax, but even if he had, he would undoubtedly have hated him. Starscream hates Optimus Prime.
Optimus was a true Prime who appeared in an age that didn't believe in Primes. Starscream knows. If he could, Optimus Prime would try to save even the Decepticons. Whether it's Starscream or anyone else, if there's anyone in this universe who would try to save him last, it would be Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime tries to be a god in an age without gods. And Starscream no longer loves what he can no longer understand.
Starscream hates Optimus Prime.