#story takes place after the events of transformers prime

[deceptibots]

In The Wake of Stars (Optimus Prime x Reader): Chapter 2

Summary

In a world torn apart by war and infused with strange, unpredictable magic, the Autobots fight to reclaim Earth from the Decepticons while a human rebellion rises in defiance. Amidst the chaos, you—a skilled mechanic—are thrust into the heart of a secret project involving hybrid human-Cybertronian technology.

Chapter 2: Wrenches and Warnings

<- Chapter 1 - Chapter 3 ->

Upload Schedule

1 to 2 chapters weekly. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:30am ish GMT+13.

Tags

Canon divergent, alternative universe, romance, found family, war, slow burn, angst, tragedy

[solar4seekstron]

Before and So Forth Chapter One:

Transformers One x Cybertronian!GN!Reader

TransformersOne!Megatronus x Cybertronian!GN!reader (Bit of Starscream x reader- kinda)

Chapter One: Megatronus

Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight

Trigger warning: 16+???, Megatronus and Starscream want you, Sentinel eventually. Nonconsensual touching at first…I think that’s it 030

(This is going to be a long one. The story takes place before the events when Sentinel kills the primes and all th High Gaurd have to hide and plan to destroy sentinel. In this story because I enjoy tat sort of yandereish crap I wanted to make it x reader where everyone basically wants that reader cake lmfao. But not in an extreme way. There isn’t many females but I can add a few if so requested. I’m not sure about Solus Prime but I‘ll talk about that at the end. For now it’s mostly Megatronus, Starscream, Soundwave Shockwave, and Sentinel. I’d love to add more females I swear. My DM’s are a safe place if you wish to request any females. Or other males. I’ll do my best.

The plan is once it comes to the death of the Primes. (Weirdly excited to write how that’ll go) I’m going to give myself more work and write different path for the reader like if she doesn’t know what happened and Sentinel lies to them or the reader does know and hides with the high guard. Eventually with the sentinel timeline the reader ends up with Megatronus cause of course. It’s going to be a long one so please be patent….like with this chapter lol.

This chapter won’t have smut but it is spicy. Close to the end. If you don’t like don’t read this page and account is only for people who enjoy these to come to . Dont bully or harass anyone and leave.

Anyway my loves please enjoy and I shall release Chapter two next week. So every Tuesday :D)

Being a part of the High Guard who fought alongside and for the Primes.

Have always been something you felt pride but at the same time almost guilty for. As time in the years went by you began to wonder if you’re even a true part since there were so many others above and even better than you.

Such as Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave. You were a jet. Someone who seeks and plays as a scout most times.

You did the Quintessons hunt most of the time. Sort of gaining a reputation with the others even the ones who didn’t know you that well.

You were in some ways close to Megatronus Prime along with Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave. Megartronus like the other primes would have his own little group of the high guard.

All from his own picking and hopes to have them join him in his deception cause for the far future after the war was over.

Much like how the other primes have their own group of the high guard.

You always had a smile and softness in your voice. And yet you always showed time again and again of your strength.

Along with how you always executed your missions as you often enjoyed either sparring or training by yourself before and after. These brought you joy even as others didn’t understand. You also knew of sentinel but wasn’t that close to him.

You two know each other mostly on speaking terms and after the past cycles as you two continued to work for the primes. He always kept trying to get you to be his. Believing someone “easy” and so “strong” should stay by his side. And not with others who disrespect him.

A guard who uses swords that resides on your side and on your back. You were almost as tall as Starscream. Being a couple inches shorter.

Over time there was a sort of rumor going around. That Megatronus and Solus Prime were currently courting each other but were trying to keep it professional. You didn’t pay much mind to this as although you care for both deeply as they are who you follow.

That feeling of a sort of affection and even lust was something that you know should be buried and kept to yourself. You admired Megatronus as a leader besides Zeta Prime. Same thing to the trio but you never felt the same with sentinel.

At times you and other High Guards would train with Megatronus. Though you notice you were at every meeting and Megatronus seems to enjoy sparring with you most.

One morning as you walked from your recharge. You head to the training area believing you’ll see the other High Guard as you make your way. Once you entered you were greeted by the others as a few have already started training.

Starscream was standing watching the others train as he had a stern look on his voice. Once he noticed you his almost frown turned into a smile. he then greeted you with open arms

”Ah, Y/N glad you can join us. As always, I would appreciate it if you would come early.” You would chuckle and put your hands on your hips as you stand next to him

”Sorry Starscream, but I try to enjoy any amount of time to recharge I can get. My backstrut has been killing me lately.” Starscream would hum and sets his hand on your waist, pulling you a bit closer as his other one rests on his own hip.

”You and me both. All part of being in the high guard. But at least we have you instead of these slow seekers who just keep WASTING MY TIME!”

”Starscream when did we talk about?”

”That energon is meant to eat not to shove down someones-“

”The other thing!”

”Don’t bully other High Guard just cause they’re not as good as me..” He rolls his eyes

”Starscream!”

”To be nice! Ok ok must you scold me every time?” You nod and and put your hand on his shoulder. You two continue to watch the other do their training

After a few mega cycles over the direct private comm was Soundwave reaching you. You then excuse yourself as you walk out. Starscream already sparring 3 v 1 as he yells at them to do better. As you walked out answering within 3 seconds

“Soundwave?”

”Y/N. Needed at Megatronus training quarters.”

”Affirmative.” The call then ends and you make your way over to Megatronus training quarters.

He makes his way to the room. Soon seeing that you were alone. You look around as you look deeper and a begin to wonder where the Prime was.

As you were about to turn around the door you came through then opens showing Megatronus walking in. He stands to be very tall as he towers over you his hand resting on the door frame as he stared down at you. He then speaks, his voice deep and almost roaring as he finally spoke to you.

”More early then I expected. I only hope the others will start taking your lead.”

He finally passes you as you had bowed your head. Your arm and hand over your chest to show respect.

”My Prime-“

”Haven’t I told you, you mustn’t be so formal around me when we’re alone. I thought we were friends.” You two were sort of friends in secret. He respects you as a companion in battle. At least that’s how far you believe his affections is towards you.

”My apologies, Megatronus.” You look down your arm still over your chest. But Megatronus only glances at you as he then puts his spear down and does a few arm stretches. You stand there unsure of the others if they were to join anytime soon

”Remember what I taught you when thundercracker was able to hold you down after an hour long fight?”

”Don’t forget ones weak point around the arm?”

”Yes..I soon found after my last battle with those Quintissons basterds that the same is almost the same with them but it’s with those mouths. Pull at the outer armor hard enough.”

”Uh.. Sir?”

”I wish for you to try your best to defeat me Y/N.”

“So the others?”

”Won’t be joining us. You’ll be at a disadvantage with the large size of the creatures. You know this.” He walked up to you. Staring down at you.

You only stare up at him and just nod your head.

Looking away before backing up to put your swords down. You can feel Megatronus eyes on you. Once you turned around he was soon throwing a punch at you.

You were able to dodge it sort fo flying to the side and quickly grabbing his fast lifting up your body to use your legs to kick the side of his head. You can hear him frown as you then push yourself up on his arm and land on his back. Getting on your arms and pushing yourself far behind him as he turns and look at you in a fast motion.

When he charges at you, you only got on fours moving in a quick motion to left and right dodging his punches as he stands over you.

He was close to fully grabbing your waist. But using you body strength to move yourself. Grabbing his arm with both hands you turned youself upside down your legs landing on his arm.

Then jumping up high so you’re over him about to kick him over the head until he catches your leg.

”Had enough?” He asks his voice booming

”Not even close.” You respond as he then throws you into the ground. But you were fast on your arms and feet again.

Taking in the impact. Something you grew use to whenever you trained under him. A couple mega-cycles go by as you and he keep at it. He was able to throw in a few good punches into you as you did as well. Though he did put in a bit more blows but seems to always avoid your head

Then before you know it your shift for the evening to midnight was in one mega cycle. He had you pinned down by your chest as you tried to catch your breath. He was over you almost out of breath as well

”As always you’re the only one who can get as much of a punch in me as the other Primes. Maybe there’s a Prime in your spark….after all.” You two stay silent for a little while longer until you let out a small sigh

”I should…start heading for my lunch before my shift….Megtraonus..” he seemed almost disappointed. Though it was hard to tell with his mask. But you can see he narrrowed his eyes and leaned down

”Tell me….” He said in almost a whisper. His mask only inches away from your face as he glared

”Do you believe that silly rumor…Of me courting Solus.”

”It’s not my place to care and worry of such things-

“I’ve seen the way you looked at me Y/N. And that ridicules could not be more false…” He uses the hand that was on your chest to move to you face gently cupping the side of your face

”And yet you still said nothing. Do you truly fear me for being a Prime?” You shake you head

”No I-“

”Silence.” He put his thumb over your eyes. You put your hands on his arm only to hear him remove his mask. You then stop. He leaned his head down to be right next to yours as you then feel his breath on your neck

”Megatronus?-“ You’re startled as you feel his lips on your shoulder. You try your best not to move but also wondered if you can even stop him. He kisses your neck slowly making his way past your jaw to your lips. Before he touches you lips he stops for a moment

”Megatronu-“ He interrupts you. Kissing your lips finally as his other hand rests wrapping almost around your waist.

His thumb gently rubbing over your chest. You took note he was very gently givin his large size. Basically covering you with his body as he continues to press kisses on your lips.

You tried your best to not return the kiss but when he gently squeezed his hand around your waist you gave in leaning up closer to return the kiss. He smirks carrying out the kiss.

You the get a direct comm from Soundwave as you tried you best to gain your self control. Your hands gently squeezing his arm. The one that has his hand over your eyes. When you tried to turn your head and even back with the little space you have.

His hand over your eyes only stay firm to keep you in place. Your hands find their self on his chest. He stops lifting his head a little but only a few inches.

”Megatronus I must meet Soundwave. A-and this. We shouldn’t- I- I can’t-“

”You deny my affections, Y/N?“

”No Megatronus I-“

”Will you allow me to court you.”

”Sir-”

”Answer your Prime. If you so deny me..” You struggle with your words. His lips then touching yours once more. This even more passionate in a way. After a moment he pulls away using the hand that rested on your waist to put his mask back on

”Quite lovely. Waited over centuries to finally have you in my hands Y/N. Tell me do you regret our moment. Are the feelings to show daily not so how you feel? Do you not feel these “affections” towards Your Prime.” He removed his hand from ver you eyes as he helps you up.. Him now kneeling as he looked down at you

”…..I do..But it’s not my place to-“

“I shall see you on our next training. Oh and don’t forget.” One of his hands rested around your waist. Bringing you a bit closer

”This stays between us. Although in secret. I shall court you and make you one as a Prime. My word is Truth.”

You just stare up at him. You nod slowly and try to pull away a bit. But he kept his firm grip until he eventually lets go. Letting you go. You bow your head and make your way to retrieve your swords.

Once at the door you look at him. His back to you as only his head was side ways. Glancing at you. You bow your head once more then walk out the door closing behind you.

You then make your way to Soundwave your fists clenching as you scold and continue to overthink what just happened. he was right you loved it and wished for it before. But you wished for it with your other closest friends.

But you disciplined yourself for centuries and now that one of your friends, no your Prime Megatronus has made this move and revealing of his feelings towards you. You start to feel your heart racing. What are you to do if he does make you a prime.

What about your friends. Is he really this attracted to you or is he just using you because of his power. Could he just be doing this to any other High Guard. You stop for a moment knowing you’re alone and let out a breath

”He’ll get bored…..soon enough..” You continue to walk making your way to Soundwave. On 40 minutes (Not sure what the transformers word for minutes is sorry) until your next mission.

Yay first chapter! I swear my writing will get better. I definitely missed something or messed up somewhere. Hope y’all enjoyed it. There will be smut soon. Be patient my dears. NOW REQUESTS!!!!

I also take requests in my DMs. Have a good Morning/Afternoon/Night!

[gardens-light]

In The Name Of Love

Believing that chaos had settled down, you and the Autobots decide to hit the road again. Leaving the abandoned cathedral behind, and moving on- to where? Neither of you knew. For the next plan of action hadn't been thought yet. But chaos never rests. For little did any of you know, that something else was brewing- a danger so much bigger than yourselves was coming after you.

Content: Events takes place in Transformers- Age of Extinction, (Minor spoilers). Mild coarse language. Reader insert. Optimus Prime x F/Human Reader.

Sparkmate Series: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 7 (End)

A small hiss escaped your lips, feeling Tessa's confused stare as you wiggled into a new pair of jeans. Rubbing your behind and upper thighs, as you attempted to soothe the bruising that began to form.  

“What happened to you last night?"

"Nothing." You simply spoke, avoiding your sister's gaze as you packed your bag. "I uh... got up to get a drink. Must've lost my footing while going down the stairs."

"Oh really?" Tessa raised a brow, while crossing her arms. "Because I thought you told Dad, that you fell in the pool next door, and Optimus caught you."

A small chuckle left her, as you tried to hide your blushing face. Simply turning your back on Tessa, adjusting the backpack upon your shoulders.

"Th-That's what I meant." You lowly spoke, trying to hide the embarrassment within your tone.

"Here's a tip, Sis." Tessa teased, while patting your shoulder. "One, if you're gonna lie. Stick to one story."

You tilted your head a little, "and the second?" you questioned. Slightly hearing that there was more to your sister's statement.

But all she did was turned and faced you, giving you a cheeky smile. "And two... you're not as quiet, as you think you are..."

--- 

A sudden screech of Optimus’ wheels filled the air, as he swerved from an oncoming attack. Avoiding a missile, by entering the left lane of the highway.  

“What’s happening?” Tessa asked, as her body slid into you. Both of you pressing against the driver's door.   

Innocent bystanders blared their horns, as the Autobot cut them off. Causing his passengers to slide against his passenger door, dodging another attack from an unknown enemy ahead.  

The roaring sound of Drift’s and Crosshairs’ engines caught your attention, watching them overtake their leader with effortless speed. Returning fire at the enemy, while Hound and Bumblebee escorted cars off the highway and into the field upon the left.  

“What the fuck is that?” Shane’s voice yelled.  

Your heart raced a little quicker, breath getting stuck in your throat as your wide eyes gazed at the road ahead. Casually strolling towards the Autobots, an unknown Transformer of gun-metal silver caused your hair to stand on end. From what you could tell, no clear sign of Autobot or Deception marked their mechanical body. The two cannons adorning the metal plates of their forearms, caused your stomach to twist in a sickening knot, as the weaponry put Hound’s to shame.  

A scream escaped your lips, as Optimus harshly drifted towards the left. Tires screeching more and smoke emerging from the back of the truck, as his brakes pressed against the floor. Optimus’ plates began to shift and change, as he slowly rolled out of his altmode, causing Shane and Cade to fall out of the passenger side. Luckily having a somewhat soft landing as their bodies rolled against the grass.  

A low growl escaped the Autobot’s lips, as he clutched you and Tessa against his chassis’ with his free servo, Optimus tore up the tar road as his grip dug into it. Slowing him down just a little, leaving Cade and Shane a few meters behind.  

Kneeling against the torn-up road, Optimus looked down at you and Tessa, as he carefully placed the two of you onto the ground. “Are you girls alright?” 

“Look out!” but your warning came too late, as a missile from the unknown enemy ripped through Optimus’ shoulder. Green energon seeped from his wounds and onto you, as he tried to use his large mechanical body to shield you from the blast.   

“Prime!”  

Fear erupted through Optimus’ Spark, his optics widening in disbelief, as a familiar voice boomed from the unknown enemy ahead. Pain clutched onto his wires, as the sound of your sobbing voice called out to him. A scream escaping your lips, as your terrified gaze watched the Autobot take another hit.  

“Optimus! Optimus, get up!” You pleaded, reaching out for him. The ground trembling as he landed upon his back. His helm crushing the hood of the white SUV behind him.   

“I-I can’t... get out of here. Both of you.” His voice spluttered, groaning in pain as Optimus’ body had trouble moving.  

Looking over her shoulder, Tessa saw Cade waving his arms. Gesturing for you and Tessa to come back to him. Her heart ached from racing, breath stolen from her lungs, as her father’s panicky words filled the air. With tears streaming down her face, Tessa wrapped her arms around your waist tightly. Hugging you from behind.  

“We need to go, Sis!-” 

“I won't leave him!”  

With great struggle, Tessa started to pull you backwards. Forcing you towards the direction of the SUV behind Optimus.  

“We need to hide!” she protested.  

Pushing you into the back passenger seats, Tessa closed the door. Quickly wrapping an arm around your waist, while placing her free hand over your mouth. Muffling your cries.  

“Hello Prime.” 

“L-Lockdown?” Optimus’ worried optics gazed up at the bounty-hunter. Watching his old foe lower himself to the Autobot’s level. “What are you doing here? Who sent you?” 

But Lockdown just gave him a smug expression. “Collecting you... our creators want you back.” 

“Cr-Creators? What in Primus name-” 

“Haven’t you ever wondered where you came from?” a small scoff escaped his lips. “Did you honestly believe you were born? No, Prime. You were built! Built for a purpose. A purpose you’ve strayed from.” 

Lockdown’s green optics narrowed onto the SUV, raising a metal ridge as Optimus tried to discreetly push the veicheal away.  

“I feel sorry for you, Prime. Your allegiance to these humans. The trouble with loyalty to a cause, is that the cause will always betray you...” 

--- 

Cade’s worried gaze helplessly watched Lockdown return to his full height. The bounty hunter’s plates shifting and churning, retracting the cannon upon his forearm and revealing a holo-pad. Cade’s pounding heart jumped into his throat, as a daunting UFO emerged from the overcast sky. Hovering over Lockdown, as a small escape pod broke away from the ship.  

“No... No! Girls!” Cade screamed running down the road, as fast as he could.  

--- 

You and Tessa frantically watched a net deploy from Lockdown’s escape pod. Covering the SUV and Optimus.  The pair of you holding tightly onto one another, both of your voices calling out for Cade.  

“Girls! Girls! Get out!” Cade’s voice yelled, his hands slamming against the passenger window.  

“Dad! Help us!” your sister pleaded. Tears streamed down her face.  

Another slam met the back windscreen. Your wide eyes helplessly witnessed Shane’s bloody knuckles smear against the window.  

The engines of Lockdown’s pod fired up, dragging the net upwards. Causing you and Tessa to roll into the SUV’s trunk.  

“Girls! Girls! Break the window!”  

“I’m trying, Dad!” you spoke. Kicking the rear windscreen as hard as you could.  

As the net lifted higher, pain etched throughout Cade’s fingers as he tried to hold on.  

“Girls! Keep breaking the glass!” 

Tessa’s scared expression witnessed Cade’s sweaty hands. “No! No!” 

“I-I can’t hold on!” the burning caused him to hiss. His clutch begging to be released.  

“No! Dad don’t leave us!” Tessa pleaded.  

“Break! You fucking piece of shit!” your demanding voice roared. As you began to take out all fear and frustration onto the rear windscreen.  

“Break the glass, Y/N!-” 

“Dad!” you and Tessa screamed. As the pair of you watched Cade fall back down... 

In The UFO 

“Take those humans to the trash!” Lockdown ordered his small robotic minions.  

“No!” Optimus protested. Trying to struggle against his restraints, as the bounty-hunter dragged the Autobot by his pedes. “Lockdown! If you harm them, I’ll-” 

“You’ll do what, Prime?” he mocked, barely looking over his shoulder. “Besides, don’t you remember this ship?” 

Optimus took a slight look around. Strange prisons held other lifeforms, their snarls and groans filled the air. Parts of the ship looked broken- or more like torn apart. Gun-metal gray covered everything, like it was Lockdown’s signature colour. 

“It was built for all you Knights. The ‘Great Crusaders’ to explore the universe. But, as you can see I’ve commandeered it! Made it my own personal prison.”  

“Welcome back to the Knights Temeos, Prime.” Lockdown gestured at the center of the ship.  

Optimus barely recognized the once great hall, instead of impressive weapons of old. Circular cages and solid prisons with barred doors took their place. The ancient text long stripped away, allowing room for the decapitated heads of Lockdown’s past foes.   

“Y-You... You have disgraced it.” 

A scoff escaped Lockdown’s lips, as he approached one of the solid prisons. Turning a crank, making the metal bars raise and lock into place.    

“You should be grateful, Prime. This is only for the rarest of specimens.” Lockdown spoke with a smile. “The worst of the worst. It’s taken centuries, but I’ve collected all of the Knights. Including you.” 

Optimus struggled against Lockdown’s vice grip, as the hunter forced the Prime into the prison. The Autobot groaned in pain, as the hunter forced his arms above his head. Inducing further injury to his damaged shoulder. As the chains harshly nestled against Optimus’ wrists, the Autobot’s optics widened as Lockdown tilted his helm to the side.  

A low growl came from the Optimus, as he attempted to shift his body weight away from Lockdown. Trying to stop the hunter’s digits from playing with your iron ring.  

“Don’t touch that!” 

Lockdown examined Optimus’ course expression. His sly smile widening, as the hunter fiddled with the item. Finding pleasure of how much it annoyed his prisoner, “now why would you have something like this?” 

A dark chuckle escaped Lockdown’s lips, “don’t tell me... you’ve interfaced with a human!-” 

“Stay away from her!-” 

“Oh Prime... wait till your Creators hear about this.” Lockdown teased. “All this species mixing with species. It isn’t right... isn’t normal. It upsets the cosmic balance, and the Creators don’t like it-”  

“If any harm comes to Y/N, I’ll have your head!-” 

“You were built to do as you were told, Prime!” Lockdown snapped. “The Creators wants to wipe their chessboard clean and start a new. Beginning with you!”  

Lockdown’s digits wrapped around your iron ring, ripping it away from Optimus’ wrist and throwing it against the floor.  

“No!-” 

“You should be ashamed of how far you’ve fallen, Prime!” the hunter spat while exiting the prison. Turning the crank, causing the metal bars to fall down and lock into place. “For she’s just a human!” 

“She’s more than that to me.” Optimus lowly spoke, his optics watching your ring roll along the floor. Stopping against the barred door, “but I wouldn’t expect someone like you to understand such thing...”  

--- 

You and Tessa remained hidden in the truck of the SUV. Slowly peering over the back passenger seats, frightened eyes looking out the windows. Trying to find some form of familiarity in the alien surroundings.  

Small robot minions dragged the vicheal into a circular room, the space of metal walls and floor was tight and small. As the large furness in the middle took up the space. Mechanical tendrils grabbed parts of random metal and junk, effortlessly pulling them apart and throwing them into the furness. 

“What the fuck is this place?” you whispered.  

“I don’t know.” Tessa climbed over into the back seat, “but I’m not waiting around to find out-” 

“Tessa! Wait!” 

She slowly opened the back passenger door, once the SUV stopped moving. But her scream filled the air as the sight of Lockdown’s robotic minions greeted her.  

A echoey but mechanical scream erupted from the minions, using their claws to try and grab Tessa.  

“Tessa!” 

She tried kicking one of the minions off her leg, as you clumsily climbed over the back seat. Grabbing a crowbar and smashing the minion's face.  

“Get away from my sister!” You yelled.  

Finally, achieving some distance between yourselves and the robotic minions, you grabbed Tessa’s hand and ran towards the nearest exit.  

“Optimus?” 

“Optimus? Where are you?”  

Your voices echoed throughout the large hall. Tessa’s grip refused to let your hand go, as your fingers wiggled. Trying to loosen your sister’s grip, as your palms felt hot and sweaty.  

Your worried eyes scanned your surroundings, trying to sense your way through strange halls and which direction would be best to follow. Please be alright...  

Back On The Ground  

“Come on! Come on!” Cade hurriedly spoke to Shane, as Bumblebee’s tires came to a screeching halt.  

Both exiting the Camero and running towards the railings of Mehigan Avenue's bypass. People abandoned their cars, as their yelling and screaming voices filled the air. The Autobots changed out of their altmodes, following Cade and Shane’s lead, while Lockdown’s ship hovered above the river nearby. 

“This is a bad idea.” Hound grumbled, shrugging his shoulders. “But hey, I’m all for bad ideas.” 

Drift helped give Shane and Cade a boost, climbing onto the roof of the ship. As its thrusters slowly picked up speed. All shakily making their way towards an opening within the ceiling of the ship.  

“This is crazy.” Shane breathed, slightly peering down into the ship’s metal interior. 

“Look.” Cade caught Shane’s attention, “you wanna cut and run? Now’s the time to do so, Lucky Charms.” 

“I’m not here to help your get your daughters.” Shane spoke, finding his confidence, “you’re here to help me rescue my girlfriend, and future sister-in-law.” 

Cade raised an eyebrow. Cocky bastard...   

--- 

“We’re behind enemy lines now.” Hound lowly warned, as he helped Cade and Shane onto the main platform of the ship. “Lockdown’s ship is bound to have booby traps. So eyes open!”  

“Beware of his bone grinders, brain blinders, flesh peelers.” Crosshairs flat tone sounded almost admirable, rather than a warning. As his green optics scanned the main bridge, “also chromosomal inverters, catatonic sludge, black hole trapdoors, and of course, radiation.”  

“We must be quick.” Drift encouraged, “we have the element of surprise. Let’s try and use violence as a last resort.”  

Most of the Autobot’s silently nodded, but a heavy sigh left Crosshairs. “Well, we looked. They’re not here. Let’s go-” 

“What?” Cade challenged, his eyes giving the green Autobot daggers. “Hey! I’m not going anywhere without my daughters-” 

“I’m unclear. What’s in it for me?” 

“What’s in it for you?!-” 

The whirling of Hound’s cannon interrupted Cade, causing him to fall silent and back away from Crosshairs. As the gray Autobot placed the barrel of his weapon, into Crosshairs’ neck. 

“Easy. Let’s use words.” Crosshairs spoke, holding his servos up in the air.  

“What’s in it for you, is that I don’t kill you.” Hound boldly spoke. “We’re getting the boss back, and the girls. Copy?” 

“Okay, okay.” Crosshairs watched Hound slowly withdraw his weapon, “very persuasive. Textbook machismo... well then. We’re going to need to sabotage something.”  

“Better hurry.” Drift warned, “because the dark-matter drives are preparing to take off. I give us... ten minutes.” 

“Is that what that sound is?” Shane’s panicky tone questioned. “The engines filling up? Are you telling me, that this thing is going to be taking off in ten minutes?” 

“Could be nine...” Drift shrugged his shoulders, “worst case... seven-” 

“Cade, Shane. Search the cell blocks.” Hound instructed, “we’ll find Optimus.” 

“Let’s stop this nightmare ship...” 

--- 

“Optimus?... Optimus?” 

Your voice echoed throughout the large hallway, the walls and floor looming over you and Tessa, making you both feel smaller than you already were.  

“Where are you?” 

“So... how did it start?” Tessa randomly questioned.  

You gave Tessa a little side glance, seeing the corners of her mouth turn up a little. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Right...” her teasing tone mocked, “because most people totally go from, ‘I’m going to take this alien apart’ to ‘I’m going to fuck it-” 

“Tessa! What the fuck?” you questioned between coughs, as you choked on your own breath. “What on Earth are you talking about?-” 

“Y/N, I’ve been sneaking around with my boyfriend for months.” Her tone teased, “plus, you’re my sister. I can tell when you’re lying.”  

Tessa lightly chuckled, as she watched the blush form across your features.   

“But seriously... how did it start?”  

A heavy sigh left you, knowing that she wouldn’t stop until you answered her. “I... wouldn’t be able to describe it.” You lowly admitted, trying to avoid Tessa as you felt her smiling gaze. “At first, all I wanted was to figure out how he worked. How I could use their technology to help with Dad’s inventions. Then Optimus came to life, and my thoughts kept reverting back to the reward money you spoke of. So as I begun fixing him, my mind thought that we could gotten more money by handing over a working Transformer, rather than a dead one.” 

“What changed?” 

“I did.” You simply answered, “the more we talked, the more I realized how wrong I was. The Cybertronians, they’re not simple-minded machines that the government would make us believe. They’re living beings with souls, life, dreams. You should have seen how Optimus spoke about his home world, the hurt and pain I saw within his eyes, as he told me about how their war tore it apart. And the joy that just... just radiated from his Spark as I fixed him. It was like, it had been a very long time since Optimus felt such happiness. Such peace...” 

“Kinda sounds like love at first sight.” Tessa spoke. 

A small chuckle left you, “I guess you could say that... kinda like you and Shane being Romeo and Juillet.” 

Tessa gave you a playful nudge, “I can’t wait to see Dad’s face when he finds out-” 

“He’s not- wait. Did you hear that?” 

Both of you stopped in the middle of the hallway, the low sound of growling coming to your ears. Hearts slowly picking up rhythm, as your hair stood on end. Eyes widening as the sight of four, mechanical dogs prowled towards you.  

“Oh shit-” 

“Run. Run!” 

Grabbing Tessa’s hand, almost dragging her as you both ran in the opposite direction. Yelps and screams escaped you and Tessa, as you ran from one hallway into another. The sounds of the dogs snarling indicated that they weren’t far behind.  

“Quick! Through this way!”  

You shoved Tessa through the bars of a cell, following just in time as the dogs tried to bite their way through the bars. The pair of you backed away into a corner, while the dogs continued to bark and snarl. Alerting the minions of your location.  

“What we do, Y/N?” 

“I’m working on it.” 

Both pressed yourselves into the corner, as your terrified expression helplessly watched one of the dogs squeeze itself through the metal bars. The others backed away, allowing the minion to shoot through the bars. Slapping a hand over Tessa’s mouth, muffling her screams as you shoved her into the wall. Using yourself as her shield. 

You closed your eyes tightly, preparing to feel the beast’s claws pierce into your back. As you placed a free hand over your mouth, trying to muffle a high pitch scream that slowly began to bubble in your throat.  

‘Bang!’ 

A gunshot echoed throughout the cell, followed by the sound of a canine whine. You and Tessa froze, breaths trembling as you nervously waited for what followed... 

--- 

“They could be anywhere.” Cade muttered. Looking around at his surroundings, as he entered a chamber just outside of the Knights Tomeos. Climbing over the center piece, weaving in and out of the swords that stuck out, as he tried to get a better view.  

“It’s like finding a needle in a haystack.”  

“We need to find them- whoa! Shit!” 

Losing his footing, Cade quickly grabbed the center sword. Slightly pulling it to the side, trying to stop himself from falling any further.  

Shane gazed at the floor, as a low rumble echoed beneath them. Cade glanced around as the metal plates of the chamber began to shift and change, walls caving in on themselves and statues of armored knights rose from the floor. The large feature wall behind them revealed an array of weapons. 

“Come here! Help me!” Cade shouted, jumping off the center piece and approaching the feature wall. “Grab something that we could use!” 

“Ahh... Cade?” Shane whispered after a while. Wide eyes looking at the red lasers scanning the room. “What’s that?” 

Strapping an unusual looking cannon to himself, Cade peered over his shoulder. Seeing the minions slowly approaching the entrance to the chamber. “I don’t know. But on my signal, run behind that center thing.” 

Silently counting to three, Cade quickly leapt away from the wall. Grabbing Shane and pulling him behind the center piece.  

“I’m not going down without a fight!” he groaned, holding the weapon and placing a free hand upon Shane’s shoulder. “They’re going to turn that corner, and we’re gonna take them! You ready, or you gonna bitch out on me?” 

“No! I’ve got your back!” Shane bravely spoke.  

“Are you ready?” 

“Absolutely!” 

The sound of the minions' footsteps came closer.  Causing Shane’s already fast beating heart to pulse a little more rapidly.  

“Don’t bitch out on me, Romeo! Are you ready?” 

“Yeah! Yeah!” Shane hurriedly spoke. Waiting for Cade’s count down from three.  

“Two! One!-” 

“Wait! Wait!” Shane cried, jumping out of his hiding spot. His terrified expression gazing at the minions who aimed their weapons at him. “I surrender! I surrender!” 

Fucking knew it! Cade’s thoughts hissed. Still hiding behind the center piece.  

Adrenaline running through his veins, Shane threw the weapon onto the metal floor. Quickly hiding for cover again, as the weapon fired. Causing a bullet to ricochet off the walls, and into the minions. 

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!-” 

“What’d you do?” Cade asked, cutting off Shane’s frantic apology. “How’d you do that?” 

“I have no idea!” 

“What my daughter sees in you is beyond me!”  

After fidgeting with the weapon for a moment, Cade’s eyes lit up in excitement as the cannon whirled to life. Lighting up with a purple hue.  

“Stay here, Lucky Charms!” 

Moving away from the center piece, Cade unleashed a wave of gunfire upon the minions. Standing his ground, as his adrenaline beating heart surged excitement through his veins. Allowing the bullets to pierce into the mechanical beings, tearing them apart.  

“I’m so gonna patent this shit!” 

--- 

“That was Dad!” Tessa whispered.  

Tessa quickly maneuvered around the mechanical dog, its whines echoing throughout the cell. It tried to nip at your ankle as you stepped over it. But as you looked down, your heart ached a little as energon pooled beneath its body. A mixture of snarls and whines escaped its throat, orange sparks zapped out of its mechanical joins, causing the creature to wince in pain. 

The glowing of the Matrix caught your attention. Carefully pulling out the pendant from under your collar, eyes shifting between the pendant and the injured beast.  

Sensing your hesitation, Tessa looked over her shoulder. Pulling a confused expression, as she watched you kneel beside the creature.  

“What are you doing?-” 

“Hang on for a sec.” You whispered, “I just wanna try something.” 

Your hand hovered over the dog’s forehead, flinching a little whenever it tried to bite you.  

“That thing isn’t like the Autobots!” Tessa hissed, “Dad’s trying to find us!” 

“I just need a minute.” 

Your fingertips quickly scratched behind the beast’s ear, before bringing your hand back to hover above its nose again. Allowing the dog to catch your sent, between each testing pat.  

“You’re alright, boy.” You cooed, while scratching lightly behind its ear. Using your free hand to remove the necklace, allowing The Matrix pendant to carefully hover over the wound upon its belly. “Let me help you.” 

The Matrix glowed brightly, small blue sparks clashed with the orange ones, that zapped out of the dog’s wound. The beast continued to whine, its body twisting in pain.  

“Good boy. Good boy.” Your voice hummed, gently scratching underneath its chin.  

The Matrix hummed, spinning rapidly causing the chain to twist in your hand. Before a blue flash burst over the beast. A low pant escaped its mouth, as you watched the dog struggle onto its feet. The red glow in its optics fading and changing to a brilliant blue.  

You smiled at the creature, its mechanical tail wagging while barking happily at you.  

You turned back to Tessa, her dumbfounded expression gazing at you as her jaw hung low.  

“What? I’ve always wanted a dog.” You spoke with a smile, placing the necklace around your neck again. “Come along, Torgal.” 

--- 

“Dad!” 

“Girls! Girls! Over here!” Cade yelled, quickly approaching the entrance of the chamber.  

A huge smile spread across his features, as Tessa ran into the chamber. Opening his arms wide, preparing to embrace your sister.  

“Shane! I love you!” her voice cried, flinging herself into Shane’s arms. While Cade stood beside them with an unamused expression, “I love you! You saved me! You came back for me!” 

“Of course, I did.” Shane cooed into Tessa’s ear, running his hand through her blonde locks. “I will fight to the ends of the Earth, just to bring you back.” 

“Oh, yeah. He saved you. Sure.” Cade muttered, a small smile teased the corners of his lips, as your sweet chuckles came to his ears. “Y/N...” 

You wrapped your arms around Cade, feeling him embrace you tightly. “I’m so sorry, Dad-” 

“You have nothing to apologize for, Sweetie.” He cooed into your ear. “I’m just glad to have my girls back-” 

“Optimus!” You cried, catching a glimpse of the Autobot in his cell. As you looked over Cade’s shoulder. 

Cade winced as you accidentally shouted into his ear. Pulling away from his embrace and running into the Knights Tomeos. 

“Can’t you girls be happy to see me for once?” Cade sighed, raising an eyebrow as his eyes watched the mechanical dog follow you.  

You approached the bars, banging your palm against the metal. “Optimus! Optimus, it’s me!-” 

“Y/N?...” Optimus’ optics needed a moment to focus, before realization sunk in. “Sweet Spark!”  

“I’m here! Just hold on!-” 

“Big boy coming through!” Hound’s voice boomed from the hallway, “move! Move!” the Autobot demanded as he stormed through the entrance. Causing Tessa, Shane and Cade to scatter out of the way.  

“Boys! Boys, over here!” you shouted, banging your palm against the cell. As Torgal tried to claw and bite his way through the bars.  

“Nice find, Y/N!” Hound complimented, quickly approaching your side, as his optics roughly studied the barred door. “Alright, Little Lady. Back up-” 

“Hold on, boss! We’re coming!” Crosshairs called out.  

Letting out a grunt, Hound forced the door open. Allowing you to enter, as he quickly got to work of releasing Optimus from his restraints.  

“The arms of this Knight Ship detach.” Optimus spoke. “We can break fee. It’s a separate ship-” 

“Where’s the cockpit?” Crosshairs asked, “right or left?” 

“Right.” 

“I’m on it-” 

“Y/N.” You looked up at Optimus, his helm lowering as he tried to rest against your forehead. “Are you hurt? Did Lockdown do anything?” 

“No.” Your calming voice soothed his aching Spark, “I’m alright. I’m not hurt in any way.” 

“Not knowing what happened to you, my Sweet Spark... I feared the worst.” 

You placed your hand upon his cheek, caressing Optimus’ faceplate with your thumb. “Hopefully this would wipe away any fears.” 

A loving hum vibrated through Optimus’ Spark, as your lips softly enclosed over his. Both closed your eyes, as Optimus finally felt his arms fall free from his restraints. Wrapping his servo around your waist, as you melted into his embrace.  

“Break it up lovebirds.” Hound interrupted, “we’ve got a ship to catch.” 

“You’re right, Hound.” Optimus spoke, breaking apart from your lips as his servo lifted you up. Gently holding you against his chassis. “Lockdown would be in Deep Space before he realizes I’m gone.” 

Torgal sniffed at your iron ring upon the floor, barking at you as he got yours and Optimus’ scent. 

The Prime smiled down at the dog, as Torgal carefully picked up the item with his mouth. Dropping it into the palm of Optimus’ free servo.  

“Would you do me the honor of placing this back on?” 

You smiled, reaching for the iron ring and threading it through the cables of his wrist. “Of course, my love.”  

Tag List

@ursamajor17 @crowleysthings @k----a27s @lainekyuu @manticcashew @goreismyforte @imachaoticghost @person101lol @silverelfy-blog @nataliahemsworth @musicalmedli @buena-lili @imobssesedwithtoomanysheet @skylarstormheart @the-unhinged-raccoon @ag3ntsw8n @moonsua1 @unadulteratedwizardrunaway @silverelfy-blog @joanne-uwu

[nerdy-the-artist]

Nerdy the Artist’s Metroid Fanfic Spotlight part 2!

This is something I’ve been needing to do for a hot minute now. As I said last time, there are so many talented writers, artists, and musicians in the Metroid fanbase. The level of creativity and passion for the series is just astounding. Today we will be taking a look at some of the many fanfictions out there. I’ve read these stories myself and can personally attest that they are well worth your time to read. From the cute and fluffy to the grotesque and violent, these stories have earned their place on my recommendations. Without further adue, let’s start this thing.

1. Mostly Just a Power Suit

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17637701

This story, written by Planet_Bryyo, is short and sweet, diving into a fan favorite but rarely explored character of Weavel from Metroid Prime Hunters. In spite of his fan favorite status among the hunters, up there even with Sylux, you’ll be hard pressed to find many fics featuring him. This story shows off his reaction to being transformed into a Non-Zebesian form during his cybernetic reconstruction. The story also spends a great deal of time focusing on the reactions of other Space Pirates seeing this fallen commander, now a lone wolf who is more machine than… man? Alien terminology, ugh. In any case you can see their reactions to this loose cannon in a bar setting. Side tangent, the idea of a Space Pirate bar is actually really unique. We don’t see much of Space Pirates at rest anywhere, so this is actually a welcome touch.

2. Fallen from the Nest

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53675155/chapters/135874063

Going all in on Bounty Hunters this spotlight, I suppose. This story, written by PuriKuma, is much longer than Mostly Just a Power Suit, though still digestible. This is part of a larger series that I do recommend, but I’ll stick to talking about this entry for now. Keeping with the Hunters appreciation, this story depicts a shared mission between Samus and Noxus, the Vhozon Bounty Hunter from the same game as Weavel and Sylux. The mission brief is simple; a criminal organization called the Ashlings, lead by the physically imposing Andron, have taken hostages, including a Federation Senator, to barter in exchange for a precious and expensive ore. Samus is to go after the Ashling secret base while Noxus intercepts the hostages so that the criminals are not rewarded for their efforts. However, what gives Samus pause is the identity of one of their members. From there, the story takes plenty of intriguing twists and turns. The ways in which Samus and Noxus play off each other in this story are extremely entertaining and interesting to watch. It also adds a fair bit to the latter’s character which I have yet to see anywhere else, a sarcastic playfulness in his attitude that bounces well off of Samus’s stoicism. He’s able to taunt and poke fun at the emotional core behind the front that Samus puts on. Their interactions alone would be worth a read, but the plots twists and mysteries involved really take this story to the next level. This story, and the series it’s a part of, are an instant classic for me.

3. A Win

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48254998/chapters/121695439

Sometimes, we all just need a reminder that we’re doing good, that we aren’t a burden, that we are worthy, that our actions have helped people. This story, written by orphan_account, is that for Samus Aran. Taking place after the events of Metroid Dread, Samus is in a bit of a slump after feeling like she’s only seen as a threat or a tool for higher powers. To attempt some soul searching, she journeys to one of the few game settings that is left better than when she arrived; Aether. She wanders through a reinvigorated and rehabilitated world, free from the influence of Dark Aether and Space Pirates, seeing how the world has healed in her time away. Granted, I am not too familiar with Metroid Prime 2, so much of the reader’s catharsis is likely lost on me. Still, even as someone who has little prior knowledge of the past of Aether, this story still is a nice, sentimental journey, with an appearance from some old friends.

4. Hatchling

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29039376/chapters/71275923

Now, back to where it all began. This story, written by MetroidReploid, is a retelling of an old tale we all know, the story of Samus Aran losing everything. This retelling focuses more on Samus’s life as a child, going into detail about the life she lives, so that when the Space Pirates take it all away, we understand what exactly she’s losing. There’s also some further fleshing out of Adam here as well. He shows up as a young, bright Federation Officer with a preexisting connection to Virginia Aran, Samus’s mother, a connection which has strained her relationship with Rodney Aran. Unlike the simple housewife we see in the manga, Virginia is portrayed as a working mom, leading a security firm tasked with guarding K2-L. Rodney, by contrast, is a bitter, angry man who takes his public image, and that of his company, very seriously. It’s a story full of a lot of angst, but it does its job fairly well in terms of adding some reason to why things happen and when.

5. “Sammy”

Link:

Now, if you need a break from all the angst and dreariness, SeleneLawfulGood has you covered! This story is a short and sweet fluff story, featuring a young woman named Thae’Lia finding a tired but very attractive woman at a bar named Sammy. I think we all know the twist so I won’t beat around the bush. It’s really cute (and with some mild lemon toward the end but you didn’t hear that from me) and displays a rarely seen aspect of the series; how do the citizens of the Galactic Federation view Samus Aran? We rarely, if ever, see non-combatant intelligent life in any Metroid game, so we don’t really get much of that. It also gives a view into what the life of a Bounty Hunter is like. It’s a very lonely, tiring existence that, while it pays well when you save the Galaxy, like, 5 times, needs an extra aspect to be fulfilling. For Samus, it’s the moral obligation she feels. It’s a very cute read, and if you need something sweet, this’ll do the job. Also, trans Samus solidarity.

6. Let Me Tell You How Much I’ve Come To Hate You

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45854323

Getting back to Space Pirates, doorstopQuiet has delved into an aspect of the series that even Metroid Prime itself largely glosses over; Ridley’s reconstruction into Meta Ridley. In truth, it was largely not his idea. As the highest ranking survivor of Samus’s rampage on Zebes, Ridley got lobbed with the blame for the cataclysm. The only reason he had survived was a great shame for the Cunning God of Death. He played dead. He let himself sink into Norfair’s magma, slowly burning away his flesh, but at least he had some chance to survive. He was crippled, mangled, burnt to a crisp, but at least she would not kill him. Still, High Command’s punishment, their loathing of the failed god, was almost worse. He would not command armies, he would not have the same autonomy he once did. He would become a machine for their empire, reconstructed as a tool. It’s a great short story, filled with colorful language and allusions to his past to hammer home the gravity of how far he’s sunk. There are also plenty of references and quotations from Man on The Internet’s Ridley theme vocal cover, which I do find entertaining. I find this to be an excellent read, and really reimagines Meta Ridley in Metroid Prime as a fallen god, stripped of his authority, and sent after the one who felled him.

7. Independent Contractors

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40993332?view_adult=true

This story, written by ifThen_doWhile, shows off Samus in a post Fusion Federation, one that has grown far more wary of her. They still have need of her, however, and so an agent of the Federation is sent to hire a Samus who has not been returning digital requests for her services. The agent, named Aiden, is sent in with top of the line weaponry in case things go south, alongside surveillance of the Hunter’s activities. Upon finding her, Aiden is in for a big surprise. This story really hammers home how heart poundingly nerve racking it is to approach the Hunter who has destroyed 3 planets, especially when tensions are running hot. Samus is portrayed as pragmatic but quiet, her demeanor easily misinterpreted as callous indifference, a guise she leans into at times. It’s a very good, suspenseful story that I highly recommend.

8. Metroid: No Other

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59261113

This story, written by @dappercritter , is actually my most recent read. What’s this? An actual Tumblr link? For once, yes. I saw the announcement post on Tumblr that it was out and jumped at the opportunity to read it. It’s quite good, but quite long. Don’t let the 1 chapter limit fool you, you might not finish it in 1 sitting. In any case, No Other starts off with something of a trope among fanfictions; Other M as an in-universe film. I still find it amusing. However, as this story follows on after Dread, Adam comments on Samus not taking care of herself properly, not addressing any of the trauma from ZDR, avoiding social events, and generally withdrawing from the world around her, prompted by an increasing distrust of the Federation, and the Galaxy as a whole. We also see that Samus does not seem to trust Adam, both due to his origin as an AI made to spy on her, and increased by Raven Beak’s mimicry of him. It’s an angle I haven’t seen anywhere else and is a welcome change of pace. In any case, Samus further withdraws from Adam and into what she does best; Bounty Hunting. However, shortly after her arrival to planet Ohma-984, a new threat emerges, intent on bringing out her dark side. Without going into spoilers, the antagonist’s design is absolutely badass, and I might actually draw him some time. The action sequences in this story, likewise, are absolutely brutal and well thought out. There’s a lot of noticeable influences from other franchises like Godzilla, Metal Gear Rising, and Doom that feel well at home in this story and don’t take away from it at all though that may be me simply being a fan of those series. DapperCritter mentioned specifically Shin Kamen Rider, though I’m not a fan of that series, so I can’t attest to how prominent the influence is. Regardless, it’s a thought provoking story with plenty of brutal action packed in as well, plus I love the original character designs, which take from canon while tagging on further additions.

Honorable Mention: Kanden Story Pitch

Link: https://www.tumblr.com/sepublic/759167079922417664/kanden-debut-pitch

I’m putting this as an honorable mention as it is meant as an outline for a story, so it may not scratch the same itch for some people as a fully written out story. This outline, by @sepublic is meant for a hypothetical Metroid animated series, similar to the original Clone Wars series (not THE Clone Wars!) by Genndy Tartakovsky. This one off features another under appreciated Bounty Hunter, Kanden, facing off against Samus over a Metroid which could give him true power unrivaled. It’s an excellent read, though, once again, if you’re looking for something more completed/traditional, I can understand if this doesn’t suck you in as well. However, I am currently working on a storyboard of this story. I won’t be animating it in full, but there will be sound effects, music, and voice acting. So uh… stay tuned for that!

As I said at that start, these stories are great, and really show off the passion these writers have for the series. However, there are plenty more out there. In the comments, share some of your favorite Metroid Fanfictions you’ve read. I can always do with expanding my Metroid reading list and I’m sure some of you feel the same way.

[asimp4bee]

Does Mea have a backstory? If so care to share? And are there different backstories in different continuities?

Ooh this is gonna be a long one so strap in!

Genesis / My TF universe

Genesis is still in working progress but here's what I summed up so far for Mea!

-Everything takes place in the Visayas, Philippines in a small town named 'Alpas' (fictional town I made). Mea had to move to Alpas with her mother and step-father as a young child, her bio-father is out of the picture. She felt out of place in school and didn't have many friends. On the night of her 7th birthday, the Fulmine (Voltage & Zodiac's ship) crashed nearby the compound she lives in.

-She sneaks out the property and goes to check it out where she meets Voltage (at this point Zodiac is still in stasis lock). She later forms a familial bond with Voltage. 12 years pass and Mea is turning 19 years old. For her 19th, Voltage promised to take her on a trip to search for Energon for the Fulmine and it's on that trip where things all started to go wrong for her (I can't say much anymore cause it'll be spoilers for the story 👀)

TFP / Aligned Continuity

I've posted old stuff about Mea's place in TFP but this is the updated one!

-Beginning is pretty similiar to her backstory in Genesis except Voltage isn't present, he and Mea don't get to meet but in his place is Zodiac instead (Mea and Zodiac do not have a familial bond like Mea does with Voltage). Mea runs into Zodiac and his crashed ship on her 19th birthday after she run off during a bad fight with her mother. After getting practically jumpscared by Zodiac, Mea forms a close bond with him.

-(The events here happened before the Darkness Rising episodes). Months pass, Zodiac and Mea always go on trips on the Fulmine whenever she gets into a fight with her mother. On one trip to Jasper however they run into Starscream and the Vehicons. Zodiac put up a good fight with Starscream but he ultimately gets killed by him. The Dagitab relic (new name for the Kyklos relic) is then passed on to Mea who quickly runs off back to the Fulmine.

-Mea didn't know how to operate the Fulmine and so she hides out in the ship for days on in a place she doesn't know up until Team Prime finds her. They bring in Agent Fowler who helps to contact her parents but he can't let her go back home as the Decepticons would surely target her too and so Fowler sets her up with her own personal apartment in Jasper, all expenses accounted for, most of her time being spent in the Autobot base (She doesn't want a guardian despite Optimus' insistence, Mea is still mourning Zodiac's death but she ends up becoming close with Bumblebee).

Transformers:Earthspark

ES! Mea's background is shorter than the first two if I'm being honest sbdhdbf

-Her backstory is similiar to Genesis (Voltage and Zodiac are both alive. Mea and Zodiac had a short relationship before they parted ways. Voltage still lives with Mea). Before the war had ended, Mea was a mechanic and she often frequented on camping trips. That's where she met Bumblebee by accident. The two got close and when Bumblebee had "died", Mea was devastated.

-Fifteen years later, Mea still works as a mechanic but she moves to Witwicky with Voltage (who worked under Ghost). When the news came that Bumblebee was actually alive, Mea was livid with Optimus and the other Autobots for keeping it from her despite knowing the nature of their relationship. Mea was also pissed with Bumblebee but she tries to get over it and forgive him, trying to build back their relationship.

Transformers Animated

Still working out for Mea's backstory here in TFA but here's a basis of it!

-Voltage n Zodiac sadly aren’t alive in the Animated verse. They both didn’t make it in the crash but the relic was keeping Zodiac alive for just a little longer. Mea finds the crashed Fulmine and he ventures inside out of pure curiosity. Once inside, he finds Voltage’s offline body and Zodiac barely holding on. Zodiac sees Mea and he begs for him to take the relic away to end it all. Freaked out, Mea did as asked and he took the relic away, causing Zodiac to go offline for good. Mea takes back the relic back home and tries to make sense of what he found. Should he report it to Fanzone? Go to the Autobots?

-Before he could do anything further, the relic starts reacting and it attaches itself to Mea’s chest. The surge of electricity and power causes extreme pain for him, creating a large scar on his chest. The relic allows him to have a second Cybertronian body, basically making him similiar to a techno-organic but not completely unlike Sari.

And that's about all I've got! For Knightverse and Bayverse, her backstory is a mix between Genesis and TFP. Cyberverse I can't say much yet cause I have to finish watching it first.

[legofanguy]

Transformers G1 Everybody Lives AU

A Transformers G1 everybody lives AU for @augustwritingchallenge event AU August 2024 Everybody lives AU. This story explore if those whose die in Transformers the Animated Movie were actually were in a coma.

Optimus Prime, beloved leader of the Autobots, come online as the medic team cheer and their head doctor said, "Thanks our builders that you come online in time, Optimus." and Optimus said as he step out of the healing pod, "You too, Ratchet. I hope the coma that Megatron and his Decepticons send us was not too long." and Ratchet said to Optimus, "Well, Starscream and the others only hit us with their null rays, so we were out for months. However, Optimus, the injuries you got from battling Megatron left you for a year." Optimus said in surprised, "A year?!? Ultra Magnus has been leading us in my place for a year?!?" A medical officer said to Optimus, "Actually, the current prime is not Ultra Magnus." just as a familar but older looking Autobot in a red and yellow color scheme enter and said with a smile, "Optimus, it's good to see you again." and Optimus said in surprised, "Hot Rod." which Hot Rod reply, "It's Rodimus Pride, sir."

Optimus ask Rodimus, "What about the Decepticons, Rodimus?" and the younger prime said to his mentor, "You see..."

Onboard Sky Lynx, Optimus and Rodimus arrived at Chaar and Blaster said to Optimus, "I managed to get Soundwave to allow us to enter the planet, but that guy threaten to have every Decepticons on that planet to blast us if we try anything funny." and Optimus said, "I understand, Blaster. Still, beside their evil nature, I would never send the Decepticons to a lifeless planet for them to slowly die out." As Sky Lynx landed, Optimus and Rodimus step out, where they see Thundercracker waiting for them and said, "Primes, welcome to Chaar. I can't believe I will welcome the both of you."

Thundercracker take Optimus and Rodimus to Megatron stepping on a throne made of stone and a purple Decepticon with a design similar to Megatron, which Rodimus whisper to Optimus, "That is Galvatron, Megatron's brother. When Megatron too went into a coma after your battle in Autobot City, Galvatron return from deep space and calm leadership." When Galvatron see the two primes, he cry out, "Autobots! They must be destroyed!" and Megatron said, "Calm down, brother. These Autobots are our prisoners for now, Galvatron." and Galvatron said, "Yes.... prisoners...." and Optimus said to his arch enemy, "Megatron, I'm surprised to see you again. What is wrong with your brother?" which the Decepticon leader reply, "You should thanks Rodimus, your fake successor. He throw my brother Galvatron into the lava planet of Thrull where its plasma lava pools damaged his logic circuits that it drove him to insanity."

[transformers-mosaic]

Transformers: Mosaic #614 - "Guiltor vs. Motormaster - Round 1: Irresistible Force"

Originally posted on August 8th, 2011

Story - Curt Lunsford Art - Ibai Canales Letters - Franco Villa

deviantART | Seibertron | TFW2005

wada sez: This is a two-part sequel to the previous Gilthor strip by this creative team, “Independent Actions”. Per Lunsford on deviantART: “As for why they're fighting, well Guiltor could be considered the first Nemisis Prime/Scourge type characters, except he isn't colored black. Similarly, Motormaster in his first few appearances was portrayed as Prime's rival, and he is a black truck. Anyway, Guiltor is commonly mistaken for Prime, as is the case here, so Motormaster attacks him cause well, he thinks it's Prime, who he also thinks is dead. This story is meant to take place after the events of the Manga Transformers 2010 #4, and the '86 Animated Movie. Honestly, I didn't intend to write a deep Mosaic. It's just meant to be a fun fight scene between two G1 characters that may have influenced the whole Nemesis Prime concept.” For the record, Motormaster and Gilthor almost definitely did not inspire Nemesis Prime in any way. On Seibertron, Lunsford specifically noted how Gilthor has lost his Decepticon faction symbol, whatever that's supposed to mean. This storyline’s titles are lifted from a classic paradox.

[optimus-jetpack]

Head Canon for Whumptober

So it'll be my first whumptober and doing some Transformers writing but I wanted to post a main post where my ideas are coming from and where it can be a one stop shop on my page.

So I am going to be writing about Grimlock as my whumper? whumpee? Not sure but he is one of my all time favorite characters and I think the story of War of Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron really makes his story a place to explore as well as the other dinobots!

For this whumptober I will be drawing from a personal head canon I have of that story line with Grimlock and the other dinobots. I am sure there is official lore for some of this stuff but this writing will be more fanfic then anything. But here we go.

Before the Dinobots, in an Era of Peace

Grimlock and the other "dinobots" at this time before the war were not the dinosaur alt forms we know them as. Instead at this time they were a group of mining bots that mainly worked smelting different ores into metals or energon.

The team:

Grimlock (team lead)

Slag (Smelter)

Sludge (Miner)

Snarl (Miner)

Swoop (Utility)

Slash (Transporter)

Skar (medical staff)

Paddles (Just hangs out lol)

Begrudgingly these bots did their jobs day in and day out on Cybertron. Most of the other bots stayed out of their way due to their hot headed nature but together they are a close tight family. Grimlock is that type of bot that is the fasteners to bolts, the wax that sticks to the exterior. He knows exactly how to deescalate Slag's temper, make Snarl feel included and always invites Paddles to the gangs bar outings. He loves his family and knows they are the best team on Cybertron!

During this time, Swoop always admired Grimlock. They are always following Grimlock around, talking and hanging out but too afraid to share their stronger feelings with him. It takes a major event to finally get Swoop to admit their feelings but at this point it might be too late...

When the war begins, Grimlock had his team stay neutral till a group of Decepticons tried to take their hard earned energon stash. Grimlock and the others destroyed them in battle and all of them had an epiphany of sorts. They all loved to fight. Optimus Prime came to them in a time of need and they all gladly joined as long as a fight was promised. Grimlock and his team became elite shock troopers for the Autobot cause. They were the first to fight, clearing path after path for Autobot armies as the civil war kept growing across Cypertron. A bond already forged by iron was now forged by fire as they all engaged in battle together. They were unstoppable, until they weren't.

Disaster Strikes

Near the end of the war Optimus sends Grimlock and his crew to disrupt a Decepticon supply chain, but once they arrived it was actually an ambush planned by Shockwave. For cycles Shockwave was studying the team to learn how to break them and he found that their special constructed mining bodies were perfect for alt form experiments. Shockwave takes them in, separated them into different labs and began to change them into monstrous forms. Sacrificing their minds to give them more servos, more metal, more primal. Upon waking up Grimlock goes into a rampage, frees his team and they escape through a space bridge to a Jurassic age Earth where they have to face their new forms.

Whumptober Writing

So my writing will start at different points in between the small timeline I outlined. I am not sure how many people will actually read this but keep a close eye to the post as I update it next month.

[transformers-bold-bright-brisk]

[INTRODUCTION]

WELCOME TO TRANSFORMERS: BOLD BRIGHT BRISK!

So, since I was super indecisive about which side-plot I wanted to focus on the most, I just made two extra. Yes, all three sideplot story stuff will be posted on this blog.

They all coincide with each other in some way, some events will happen before one sideplot’s events, and others will happen after one other sideplot’s events, so on and so forth.

[TF Media Referenced]

- Rescue Bots Academy

- Rescue Bots

- Transformers Prime

- Robots In Disguise

- Cyberverse

- Last Bot Standing

- More Than Meets The Eye

- Lost Light

- Literally any other miscellaneous information I find on TF Wiki that I insert to fill a couple plot-holes, but aren’t significant enough for me to completely take inspiration from that specific medium

[Overview]

- The war was over between Autobots and Decepticons, and afterwards it was a big celebration while the rebuilding of Cybertron took place. Years after the reconstruction of Cybertron, and it’s newly revised government, there are now many more individual situations that have arisen from the aftermath.

[Asks]

1) Can Accept ✅

- Asks about the lore and characters are very much appreciated!

- I’m also open to do some small sketch requests that pertain to the characters in my Fan Continuity, and characters that are in it but aren’t explicitly mentioned.

- I might answer a few questions with a doodle if I really feel like it, but rest assured I won’t be able to do all of them.

- Oh, don’t worry if your ask sounds a bit “spoilery” I’ll let you know.

2) Won’t Accept ❌

- Sorry, this blog isn’t for role playing with the characters.

- Also any asks that have links to anything without a description or just look sketchy in general, your ask will get deleted.

- Absolutely under no circumstances will I answer any creepy asks like NSFW or anything 18+, it’s just gross to me.

- No bigotry, racism, sexism, or any kind of LGBTQIA+phobia at all in my ask box.

[Tagging]

#sphny speaks (𖦹<𖦹)•*°⊹

- Any and all rambles, reviews, drabbles, or small updates to keep people informed of any “delays” or just small brain farts that happen throughout my day.

#sphny alternates universe (𖦹ㅁ𖦹)•*°⊹

- Whenever I just start to ramble and just start grabbing random info from other TF franchise continuities and alternate them into my universe without a second thought(or many thoughts, depending…)

#sphny arts (𖦹w𖦹)•*°⊹

- Any and all art I make and post, whether it’d be just a draft, concept art, or art dumps that I draw to support my stories.

#sphny reblogs (𖦹Q𖦹)•*°⊹

- On this blog especially, I would usually reblog something from my main, or just self-reblog from my early works, and maybe occasionally something neat I would to add to my blog later on so I don’t forget.

#sphny answers (𖦹0 𖦹)•*°⊹

- Along with asks, I’ll be tagging anything I’ve answered under this tag, just for consistency’s sake.

#sphny originates character (𖦹▿𖦹)•*°⊹

- This rarely ever happens, but on occasion if I were to make an original character I’d make sure to tag it under this so I can be able to track it down easier.

[cardboardfoxwrites]

So, the other day I was reading over the first pages of the Covenant. I stopped when I reached Liege Maximo's entry. The underlined part left me thinking.

I believe in the fact that someone has to take a negative role in the order to trigger certain events that bring the civilization/individuals to do something that might later either affect the Universe in some way, or, at a smaller scale, affect the planet in question.

Example - the 'go back in time and kill Hitler' rhetorical question: Basically, I'm a believer that, if one was to return in time and would kill Hitler, another guy would rise to take his place and the story would repeat, albeit somewhat differently.

What does this have to do with Transformers?

We all know that in The Aligned Continuity it was Liege Maximo who orchestrated the Fall of the Primes. I was thinking of ways to redeem him, but then I thought of something:

Liege was smart. He could pick up subtleties, and we know that Primus gave each Prime a certain coding and certain knowledge of things. What if, during the fight against Unicron, he got a vision, maybe they all did but brushed it off as Unicron's manipulation, and only a while after it was over he realize what it meant.

Maybe it WAS Unicron's manipulation and the Manipulator himself fell to it.

That vision was of two things:

1. He saw Quintus create new life using the Emberstone, creating the Quintessons, who in turn would kill him

2. He saw the Well of Allsparks as he entered it, a tunnel to Primus' Core, and saw other sparks rushing by him to get out

Thus, he understood that, the only way to bring new life to Cybertron would be to open that Well of Allsparks.

He thought it over for years, and, in the end, he came to the conclusion that one of them must die in order to open it (maybe through trial and error).

He loved his sibling, but Unicron's corruption made him jealous and blind to any other possibility. So, he began planning on how to make one of the others create the Well.

He didn't plan for that bot to be Solus. Primus below, even he knew that they'll need her.

It was one faithful day when he heard Onyx's cries. He was close to the pits, working on his creatures, which were initially meant to guard the new generation to come. Then Megatronus came, enraged. He immediately realized what was happening and, when the other Primes came, in their blind fight, he hit them with his darts, managing to make everyone see an illusion of himself.

That illusion didn't see the end of the fight. After the fight, they buried what they thought was the original. Liege Maximo watched everything from the sidelines, his spark shuddering like it hadn't since the fight against Unicron. Then the Well opened, and he watched as his brothers descended through it. He watched as the new generation emerged, beautiful stars being born and taking form, like they all must've done in the beginning.

His coding reached the end. He had fulfilled his plans. The Well had been created, the new generation of Cybertronians appeared.

He took a moment to lament the loss of his siblings - so many had paid the price for just one.

After that, the Original remained on Cybertron, unbeknownst to his remaining siblings, who were still affected by the Darts, took upon a new identity, and watched the events happen.

He was there when the Quintessons came. That's when he realized that his plan had been for nothing, and he had been played by Unicron, just like everyone else.

After the Quintessons left, he made his way to become a higher caste mech for the advantages, thus being given access to places, leisure etc.

Then the War started. He night played a part in it as well. He was in Sentinel's inner circle. He tried to make Sentinel to change the Caste System. He even used his Darts on him, but it only made things worse. By the time Sentinel would give in, Orion Pax and Megatron would stand before the Council.

Liege wouldn't be present there, aware of who Orion was, and that, once he would receive the Matrix, he would be able to remember him on sight.

He watched the War taking place from afar, part of him basking in the chaos, while part of him suffering and questioning why this was the wish of his Creator, why Primus created a race so complex that they'd even think to start a war.

He was there to watch his Creator die.

He was there when, millennia after the Well of Allsparks stopped creating new life, 3 or 4 new sparks emerged, receiving their bodies. He felt the presence of his Siblings, although it was faint, barely there, and went to inspect. His spark began racing when he saw a pale purple robot, a Minicon, and a Predacon.

He was there to see Shockwave take them in. He was there to watch, but didn't do anything. What could he? He'd risk getting discovered.

But then... His attention would get grabbed by something else. In two opposite places of the Universe: he felt Unicron waking up, and his transmitter picked up the Quintesson language.

[deceptibots]

In The Wake of Stars (Optimus Prime x Reader): Chapter 1

Summary

In a world torn apart by war and infused with strange, unpredictable magic, the Autobots fight to reclaim Earth from the Decepticons while a human rebellion rises in defiance. Amidst the chaos, you—a skilled mechanic—are thrust into the heart of a secret project involving hybrid human-Cybertronian technology.

Chapter 1: A Mechanic’s Routine

Here - Chapter 2 ->

Upload Schedule

1 to 2 chapters weekly. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:30am ish GMT+13.

Tags

Canon divergent, alternative universe, romance, found family, war, slow burn, angst, tragedy

[pipermca]

I am accepting @altraviolet's challenge (from the post here) for the fic writer questionnaire. This looks like fun! *cracks knuckles*

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

90

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

1,133,042 (holy shit)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

I mostly write for Transformers these days. I do have a little short story cooking for Centaurworld; maybe I'll get that jotted down some day.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

I can definitely see how writing for a popular ship will skew your stats on your fics, and smut gives bonus points. 😅

Frag the Police. Jazz/Prowl, NSFW

Claim Rejected. MegOP, SFW

Peer Review. Starscream/Wheeljack, NSFW

Anamnesis. Jazz/Prowl, SFWish (has plug-n-play interfacing)

Public Indecency. Jazz/Prowl, NSFW

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes! I love comments and I want to pass on that appreciation. 💗

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Hmm. Even my darker stories usually have a bit of light in the end, since I am a sucker for happy (if possibly bittersweet) endings. But the story Atrocity (please mind the tags on that one) leaves Bluestreak in a bad place at the end, and nothing is really resolved.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I have lots of fics with really happy endings! But in terms of having no hanging ends, I think The Renegade and the Hound might be the happiest. 🤗 The last chapter of that fic is all warm fuzzies for the characters.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not yet. 😄 I've gotten some vaguely critical comments sometimes but I wouldn't call that hate.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Ooooh yeah. I write it all. I'll even write the weird stuff there's no terms for. Give me that weird-ass smut.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I tend to write fusions rather than traditional crossovers, but the weirdest one was very recent: The Spark and the Lightning, which is the War for Cybertron game crossed/fused with Dune.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I am aware of.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! The fic Becoming has been translated into Russian.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Sort of? A friend and I tossed little bits of a story back and forth several years ago, each of us building on what the other had just written. I have the bits all collected, but I'm not sure if it'll ever see the light of day.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Bluestreak/Hound. 💗

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

It's in the Alt Modes and Alchemy AU. Basically it's the events of the climax of The Renegade and the Hound and a period immedately afterwards, but from Perceptor's POV. It's written as a half diary/half academic paper. The title is:

On the Restoration of Cybertron: An Analysis and Personal Account, or A Treatise on the Effects of the Destruction of the Matrix of Leadership on Cybertron and its Inhabitants from an Alchemical Perspective, and a Personal Account of said Event as Recalled by Perceptor of Iacon, Head Alchemist of Optimus Prime.

It's hella fun, and I'd love to finish it, but it keeps moving out of my "currently working on" stack into the "shelved" stack. :/

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I'm good at worldbuilding and writing those juicy emotional scenes.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Finishing stuff. 😅 But seriously, I have a tendency to go back and rework stuff I've written (but not yet posted) instead of working forward on getting more words down. I love editing too much I think. >.<

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

It's fine? It should be clear to the reader what the dialogue says without them having to Google Translate it. Anything that stops a reader and takes them out of the flow of the story is a Bad Thing imo.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Hahaha! I think the first actual fanfic I wrote was in the Time Quintet series (specifically after reading A Swiftly Tilting Planet) by Madeleine L'Engle. I think I was about 8 or 9.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Hmm. My favourite long fic is Mind, Body, and Soul (which was long and self-indulgent and I said everything I wanted to say about the Big Themes of the story). My favourite short fic is probably Datastream, mostly because I dipped into Cybertronian brains and weird sci-fi elements, mixed with formatting to help tell the story. :)

That was fun! Consider yourself tagged if you want to play along.

[autobot2001]

Day 27.2; Love At First Sight

Fadnom; transformers Characters: Crosshairs, Drift, Jamie (OC), Bumblebee, Hound, Jayce (OC), J.R. (OC) Rating: T

OC-tober; meeting someone important for the first time Flufftober; swoon ( for my story that takes place between the third and fourth transformers live-action movie.)

The five Autobots couldn't believe what happened. To four of them, this was their first impression of humans. Even if many Autobots have been on Earth for three to five years. Being one of the first on Earth, Bumblebee can't believe the events, but he doesn't want to say all humans are bad. "Seriously?!" Crosshairs argues, "how stupid are you?!" "Really? Because I've - been on - Earth - longer than you." "You played into their lies!" "You dare- disrespect our leader?" "Well, considering we're all targets, don't know who's alive or has been killed; yeah, I'll disrespect Prime for being so stupid!" Drift stops the argument before it turns into a physical altercation. Bumblebee walks away from the group.

Bumblebee: hey, I have bad news. There's a situation here that we need your help with. Jamie: we'll be there in five. Bumblebee sends Jamie coordinates and the group's specific location.

"Something is going on for Bumblebee to tell us to meet outside the city," Jayce comments.

"Get lost before a kill you!" Hound demands. "Too late, they know where we are!" Crosshairs argues. "Stop!" The two hear and realize it's an audio clip from Bumble, "they are - our friends. We can - trust them." The three can't believe what Bumblebee is telling them. "We should have returned sooner," Jayce sighs. "Even I could have —" Jamie comments. "No- you wouldn't have been able to do anything. This happened - during - holidays." "Less soldiers at the base to take down," J.R. points out, "the six months delay after what Sentinel did seems suspicious. There's more going on." "What do you care?!" Crosshairs argues, "you're a human!"

Time skip since this isn't for the story

Crosshairs and Hound still don't trust the three femmes, but the three are allowed to stay. No one questioned why Drift hadn't said anything during the discussion/ argument. The three new Autobots learn how the three femmes are not 100% human as they watch the three fly to get firewood, and Jamie uses powers to light the fire. Drift watches Jamie, feeling something in his spark. He thought it was fear that humans can't be trusted, yet he feels relaxed. The feeling doesn't fade the longer he watches her. Drift thinks about possible times he felt this way. "Drift?" Bumblebee asks, "you haven't - said anything about - them." "You trust them, there's no reason I shouldn't." Drift doesn't want to tell Bumblebee about this feeling.

"I can try to find them," Jamie tells the four Autobots. "Come on - guys - we can save - our friends," Bumblebee insists. "Fine,' Crosshairs and Hound both answer and head off to find places to recharge. Jayce and J.R. do the same. "I can't believe this is happening, Bee. I should have stayed." "You can't - blame yourself." Bumblebee activates his holoform to hug Jamie. Drift watches, feeling as if he's known Jamie for a long time and hates the guilt she feels. Both Bumblebee and Drift worry Jamie will not be sleeping. Drift wonders how not sleeping now affects Jamie and her friends.

The second Drift sees Jamie, the feeling returns. At this point, he's thinking he's being cliché. He fell in love with Jamie, though he met her last night. "What's with you?"Crosshairs asks. Drift says nothing, "you don't trust them? Seems unusual for you." "No, we can trust them." "What's with you then?" "I…" Drift doesn't know what to say. He'll be pissed if I tell him. Drift thinks. And I know I shouldn't be in love with Jamie. She's human. Even if she wasn't, we just met not even a day ago. Crosshairs worries about not knowing if there are any other Autobots alive is starting to affect Drift. He hates he can't say anything to help his worried friend. If this doesn't stop in six months, then I can say something. Drift decides as he continues to watch Jamie, feeling that feeling in his spark.

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

“Monsieur Spade” series (Prime Video)

Monsieur Spade is a TV series directed by Scott Frank in 2024 and based on the characters from the book The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, first published in 1929. The TV series features Clive Owen, Rebecca Root, Oscar Lesage, Cara Bossom, Inès Melab, Luke Tinson, and others.

The series revolves around the detective Sam Spade, created by writer Dashiell Hammett, who has been leading a peaceful retirement in the small town of Bozuls in the South of France. The year is 1963, the Algerian War has recently concluded, and soon Spade’s tranquillity will also come to an end.

The famous detective Sam Spade ( Clive Owen ) is now 60 years old and lives as an expatriate in the south of France in 1963. Monsieur Spade was an original story starring the character, bringing the iconic literary detective out of retirement in the south of France as Spade pursues a tortuous web of criminal conspiracy revolving around a mysterious young man.

Is Monsieur Spade Based On A Book? Monsieur Spade has interesting connections to a literary work from the 1930s as well as an iconic Hollywood film. Starring Clive Owen as the titular character, Monsieur Spade is a new mystery series from AMC. The show follows the exploits of Sam Spade, a once-successful private detective.

Choosing 1963 France as its main setting, the first season of Monsieur Spade tells a six-episode story that finds its main protagonist diving head first into a murder case. In the story's period, Clive Owen's Sam Spade is years past his prime. Having left the life of a private detective behind years ago, Sam is enjoying the lack of excitement in his everyday activities when he is suddenly forced back into action. As for where this all leads, that remains to be seen. However, this is not to say that Monsieur Spade is a completely original story. It is rooted in the existing material.

Sam Spade is the protagonist of the 1930 novel “The Maltese Falcon”

Sam Spade made his first appearance in The Maltese Falcon, a 1930 novel by Dashiell Hammett, before spearheading a series of short stories by the writer. The book was published as a serial in 1929 and published as a novel the following year. A private detective gets involved in a case to find an expensive but mysterious statuette and indulges with three criminals and a liar.

The novel proved popular enough to be adapted three times in the decade following its publication. While the first two adaptations were not well received, the third adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade is considered not just a great adaptation but one of the great films of the twentieth century.

During this era, stories about “tough detectives” became incredibly popular, with writers such as Hammett, Mickey Spillane, and Raymond Chandler penning some of the best-known entries in the mystery subgenre. Many of them, including The Maltese Falcon, ended up getting the Hollywood treatment.

In 1941, John Huston wrote and directed a film adaptation of The Maltese Falcon and cast Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart in the lead role of Sam Spade. The story, like the book it is based on, saw Spade engage in a multi-part quest to find a seemingly priceless bird statue called the Maltese Falcon. Bogart's performance in the film and Dashiell Hammett's handling of the story helped transform Sam Spade into one of the famous actor's best-known roles.

The events of Monsieur Spade take place well after the events of the book

Although the story told in Monsieur Spade is not based on a book, its protagonist comes from a classic novel. In Monsieur Spade's canon, the events of The Maltese Falcon are in the past. It acts as a sequel to the original 1930 novel. Everything that occurs in the book happened in the series, but it's been decades.

This makes sense considering Monsieur Spade's 1963 setting. Hammett's Sam Spade stories have never ventured this far into Sam Spade's life, meaning that while the show may explore the history of the Maltese Falcon through flashbacks, its overarching narrative must be an entirely new story, making it impossible to predict what happens just by looking at Hammett's work alone.

The series arrived on 14th January 2024

#MonsieurSpade #SamSpade #CliveOwen #AMC+ #TheMalteseFalcon #HumphreyBogart #JohnHuston #DashiellHammett #Hollywood #novel #series #drama

[elfelt-valentine]

beelze.. as someone who recently got into transformers.. where should i start? im thinking about picking up mtmte

Hi Omen!!!

That's a really good question, because TF is such a behemoth when it comes to it's content, there are so many continuities that you really can pick any of them up and go with it! If you're interested in the comics, picking up MTMTE i think is a good way to get acquainted with the idw1 continuity - it takes place after the events of many other comics and goes in parallel with Robots in Disguise, so i think it's good to read them hand in hand, personally. From what I remember, any plot relevant information they provide as well from the word of other characters, so you don't have to worry too much about the fact that you don't know stuff that happened before, if anything it might spark you interest to check it out later!

If I had to personally tell where to start with the comics, talking about idw1, there are three massive phases of their comics before the 2019 reboot - war, post-war, and the third one I don't remember and i havent gotten to it yet, so cant say for sure. All these phase collections are available on readcomiconline.li, that's where i read em! MTMTE and RID are parts of phase two, subsequently.

When it comes to shows, Transformers Animated is also it's own continuity and is very good and fun! It has three seasons 13 episodes each.

Earthspark from what i know is also a standalone show, so far there's one season, but from what i've seen it's very charming and nice (may be a little cheesy for me personally but i dont mind it)

The original G1 cartoon is also a very good way to start if you're into old silly animation and writing, it will give you a ground to stand on i think when you look into other continuities, cuz ultimately all of them take their root from this show, even if a lot of things have changed and aren't aligned with the G1 cartoon anymore. When you watch it and then look into other things like comics you'll have a moment of "i fucking know what you are" whenever a certain writing choice is made, but its just me FGBSFBV It also comes with a movie!

Aligned continuity wraps a huge mass of different mediums as they've been trying to tell this one solid Transformers story, but as far as I'm aware it didn't work and they stopped trying to do it. It includes the Cybertron trilogy games (can pirate them - if you need a link to where i got the games let me know!), a novel (i think) and then Transformers Prime tv show and its sequel Robots in Disguise 2015. I might be missing something cuz i haven't look into it yet, but personally i don't think it's my favorite continuity so far.

There are many other shows that comics and other things take pieces of inspiration from (Beast wars, unicron trilogy, cyberverse i think? and more) but i haven't looked into those yet and can't vouch for them in any way.

So yea! If you want to start, just pick whatever catches your interest the most and you can go from there! You really don't have to read, watch, or play every piece of tf to get in the groove.

[elendiliel]

Far From Home

Like most or all of my Transformers fics, and more than usual, this story and some of the worldbuilding in it were inspired (to put it mildly) by @justawannabearchaeologist's "TFP Wheeljack in TFA" series. I highly recommend it, if it still exists. (Tumblr is claiming that the blog doesn't; is this so, or have I been blocked?)

For a bit of context, Glitch is my Animated OC, a newly qualified field-tech who joined Team Detroit as Ratchet's apprentice shortly after the events of "Endgame". This fic is set in Season 3 of Prime, in the time-skip between "Plus One" and "Thirst", and is the beginning of a series that will eventually tackle the events of the rest of the show. Or, at least, that's the plan.

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“This is definitely not Detroit.”

Not unless the rougher-than-usual space-bridge crossing Glitch had just endured had completely scrambled her sensors, and a quick self-diagnostic soon disproved that hypothesis. The barren, rocky landscape around her was real, then, and certainly not where she had expected to end up.

She was on Earth, at least – probably. Right sun; right gravitational field strength; almost the right atmosphere. The levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants were a shade higher than expected, but not a match for any other planet in her database. She couldn’t seem to connect to the Internet or any other comm network, but out in the middle of nowhere that wasn’t too strange. The only hint of civilisation was the faint sound of some sort of mining operation, just the other side of a rock formation. She headed towards it, hoping to discover exactly where she was.

Unfortunately, the people she found knew what she was, the moment they laid optics on her, and she knew roughly what they were. Strange-looking Cybertronians, perhaps a dozen of them, all with identical purple frames, red optics and the Deceptibrand embossed on their chestplates. And all heavily armed and clearly under orders to shoot Autobots on sight.

Not good. Glitch made it to the shelter of an outcropping of rock just in time, for once thankful for her small stature, but it wouldn’t last. She was outnumbered and outgunned, unable to call for reinforcements, and couldn’t outrun a blaster bolt; she’d have to fight her way out. Her magnets and EMP generator slid into place almost without her thinking about it. They weren’t supposed to be combat mods, but she didn’t have much choice.

The nanoklik her cover crumbled under the enemy’s fire, she brought her magnets into play, forming a makeshift shield as she aimed her EMP generator at the nearest Decepticon. It should have knocked him out painlessly, but for some reason the adverb didn’t apply in that case. The ‘Con collapsed all right, but his scream of agony as the EMP hit him tore at her spark, and her shield nearly faltered as she recoiled from the ‘bot she had accidentally hurt. But there was no time to apologise. As her EMP generator slid back into her arm, a brief, practised magnetic pulse brought her shield mod – which usually covered her left rear hubcap – up to her arm, freeing her magnets for more offensive uses.

Keep moving. Keep them guessing and off-balance. Use every advantage you have – your size, your speed, your mods, your alt-mode, the terrain. Glitch drew on every piece of advice any of her teachers had given her as she fought to stay alive and whole against oversized ‘Cons doing their best to take her offline. At least they seemed to be even less prepared for her… unique… combat style than most of her previous opponents, and while their blasters were powerful, it was quite easy for her to redirect them away from her, and sometimes towards other mechs. She was starting to think she might get away without a scratch when one Decepticon called for reinforcements, and less than a cycle later a strange green portal opened in the air behind her attackers. Even stranger were the reinforcements themselves, ‘bots with insect alt-modes – stag beetles? Jackhammers? Not techno-organic, as far as Glitch could tell; they were pure circuitry, and loud. So noisy, in fact, that as she quelled the desire to cover her audials and braced herself for a fresh assault, she didn’t hear her reinforcements arriving.

***

As Optimus Prime stepped through the groundbridge, Ultra Magnus hard on his rear tyres, one of the last things he expected to see was a lone Autobot just about holding their own against a pack of Vehicons soon to be joined by Insecticons. Especially such a strange Autobot – a bronze-plated, two-wheeled femme even smaller than Arcee, with dark blue eyes and a simpler construction than any Cybertronian Optimus – or, according to the Matrix, any previous Prime – had ever known. Instead of blasters or blades, she was using what appeared to be a pair of miniature polarity gauntlets built into her arms to manipulate parts of her opponents’ frames, and a shield to block any incoming fire she could not dodge or deflect. She also made good use of her fists and feet, and of her Earth vehicle mode – how had she already acquired one? – but had been badly outnumbered even before the Insecticons arrived. He and Ultra Magnus were only just in time. The two senior Autobots barely needed to exchange a glance before charging into the fray, weapons already blazing. Wherever the tiny ‘bot had come from, she needed their help.

They really were just in time. Even as Optimus drew level with the femme, something seemed to short out in her right-hand magnet, clearly not for the first time. With a sigh and a murmur of, “Not again,” she retracted the useless device and transformed her hand into a laser scalpel, before darting forward to strike at the leg of an approaching Vehicon, severing an Energon line. For some reason, the sight of the spilled fuel caused her to shrink back, a look of horror and apology on her face – which did nothing to protect her from the mech she had just angered. Fortunately for her, Optimus’ cannon served that purpose by dispatching the Decepticon.

The Prime barely heard the young ‘bot thanking him over the war-cry of the Insecticons. He and Ultra Magnus took aim at the approaching swarm, but the femme only watched the fliers with a calculating expression, her peculiar eyes flickering, for a few seconds. Without warning, she shifted into her alt-mode – an old-fashioned motorcycle – and drove straight towards, then up, the next-nearest Vehicon, before transforming and jumping from his shoulder to the back of an Insecticon. Her laser scalpel made short work of the beetle-‘bot’s wings; as he began to fall, she was already in the air, ready to repeat her tactics on the rest of the Insecticons and one or two Vehicon fliers that had joined them. The falling and grounded Decepticons were much easier targets for Optimus and Ultra Magnus; within minutes, the three Autobots were the only ones left standing.

“Good work, soldier,” Ultra Magnus commented, “but some warning would have been appreciated.”

“There wasn’t time,” the newcomer shot back. Her voice was quiet and gentle, soft and silvery, but Optimus could hear steel in it as well. “And I’m no soldier.”

“What is your name, Autobot?” Optimus hastened to head off an argument he did not need to be a Prime to predict.

“Glitch. This may be a silly question, but just where are we?” The fembot also seemed keen to avoid certain conversations, at least for the time being, and clearly had not recognised Optimus or Ultra Magnus.

“In the state of Nevada, in the United States of America, on the planet Earth, if any of that holds meaning for you.”

It did. “Right planet, right country, wrong state – that’s fixable. What year is it?” Optimus saw Ultra Magnus’ optic-brows rise, but kept his own face neutral. Even he had long since lost track of the Cybertronian calendar, but the human one might well mean something to Glitch. “2013, common era.”

“About a century too early, but I can work with that. Sorry, I should have asked before – who are you?”

“I am Optimus Prime. This is Ultra Magnus.” Glitch’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh, you have got to be kidding me! I’m not just in the wrong state and the wrong century – I’m in the wrong flipping reality!”

“What makes you say that?” Ultra Magnus enquired, half-distracted by the Predacon thighbone the Vehicons must have just uncovered when Glitch interrupted them.

“I know the Optimus Prime in my reality, and I know of the Ultra Magnus. There’s a resemblance, but you two aren’t they, if that makes any sense. Something must have gone wrong with the space-bridge.” That did make a strange kind of sense to Optimus, given her odd design – even her Autobrand looked more like a decal than his embossed badge – and way of transforming, her choice of weapons and her reaction to spilling Energon. But he was still more than a little alarmed when his eyes fell on a sparking wound to her hip joint. Sparking, not bleeding.

She followed the direction of his gaze, but seemed more annoyed than worried. “Blast. One of the stormtroopers must have clipped me. I didn’t even notice it. Shouldn’t take more than fifty nanokliks to fix.” Her eyes returned to his face briefly, but did not appear to read it correctly. “It’s fine. I’m a field-tech. I can handle my own repairs.” She suited her actions to her words, using the same tools she had previously deployed as weapons with a far more delicate touch.

“That was not-,” Optimus decided not to explain. Ratchet could do so more effectively, back at Hangar E. Ultra Magnus had already called for a groundbridge; it opened beside Optimus, and he followed the others into it just as another one brought yet more Decepticons to investigate the battleground.

***

Glitch supposed that day could get weirder, but it was hard to see how. She had already ended up in a different universe, with Decepticons that bled instead of sparking, Autobots taller than Bulkhead, insect-‘Cons and space-bridges – and “ground bridges” – that could open anywhere, not just at other nexi. At least some things remained constant. Such as the look on the face of the red-and-white mech with a sparkbeat pattern on each arm standing at what she assumed were the groundbridge controls when she arrived in what appeared to be a repurposed aircraft hangar. That had to be the other Ratchet.

“Another new Autobot?” Glitch knew her own Ratchet well enough to be able to tell that that one wasn’t as annoyed as he seemed. “I hope this one is less trouble than Smokescreen.”

“I heard that!” called a blue, yellow and white ‘bot working at a terminal halfway down the room.

“Good!” probably-Ratchet shot back, before turning back to his likely commander.

“This is Glitch,” Optimus Prime informed the hangar’s other occupants – Ratchet, Smokescreen, four other ‘bots including a probable Bulkhead, a maybe-Bumblebee and a possible Wheeljack and five humans, one adult of each gender, a boy and a girl around Sari’s apparent age and a younger boy. “She claims to be from another reality, and I believe her.”

Any response Ratchet might have made was forestalled by the human girl, who clearly wasn’t going to let anybot – or any other human – get a word in edgewise. “Awesome! Nice to meet you, Glitch. I’m Miko. Are you really from another universe? How’d you get here? Are you sticking around? Do you have a vehicle mode yet? How many blasters are you packing? How’d you get that scar on your chest?”

“Miko, that’s enough!” the green mech who looked a lot like Bulkhead said, but Glitch didn’t really mind. She was hopeless at starting conversations, anyway. “Konichiwa, Miko-san.” Miko was clearly Japanese by blood, and judging by her accent probably by birth as well, but her English was flawless and Glitch didn’t want to shut the others out, so she switched back to their common language as she knelt down and did her best to meet the girl’s opt- eyes. “To answer your questions in order, yes, as far as I can tell, space-bridge malfunction, if you’ll have me, yes, a motorcycle, none, and a Decepticon ambush.”

“Impressive,” Smokescreen remarked. “Not many of us can keep up with Miko in rapid-fire mode.”

“I’ve had practice,” Glitch told him. “Compared to an intel-bot I know back home, that was slow.”

“Now that’s a frightening concept.” The only ‘bot Glitch couldn’t match to anybot she knew, a blue two-wheeler with pink accents who also happened to be the only other femme in the room, had come forward, taking over from the other Prime and Magnus, who seemed preoccupied with the bone the latter had brought back. “I’m Arcee, by the way. The big green guy is Bulkhead, the black and yellow ‘bot is Bumblebee, that’s Wheeljack over there, the grumpy doctor is Ratchet, and the other humans are Agent Fowler, June, Jack and Raf.” Each person waved as they were introduced. “And I’d say you’re welcome to stay for as long as you need. Seriously, though – no blasters?”

“Where I come from, only Decepticons have them. We rely on other powers and mods. Besides, I’m a field-tech – a medibot,” Glitch added when Arcee looked blank. “I’m supposed to save lives, not take them.”

“Doesn’t stop the Doctor of Doom over there,” Arcee said, indicating Ratchet with what Glitch hoped was a just-kidding expression.

“I heard that.” Ratchet didn’t seem to be too offended by the nickname. “Well, we could certainly do with another medic around here, but if you’re staying I’d like to get a few scans of your biology, in case it’s different from ours.”

Glitch already knew it was – that ‘Con had been bleeding, not sparking – so let Ratchet lead her to the area he had evidently staked out as a med-bay, and held still while he ran his tests, though she was itching to know what that reality’s Cybertronians were like.

“Fascinating.” Ratchet’s optics lit up as he studied the scan results, in a way her Ratchet’s seldom, if ever, did, as Glitch sat up and perched herself on the side of the repair table. “You have relatively little Energon actually flowing through your lines, and much more electrical current. And motor oil, for some strange reason.”

“It’s easier to find on Earth than Energon. I take it you have more circulating Energon and less current?” That explained not only the bleeding Decepticon, but Prime’s reaction to her injury.

“That’s correct. Your Energon is also significantly different from ours, and at a guess much less volatile. I don’t suppose you brought any with you?” There were layers to that question, and Glitch couldn’t see them all.

“A couple of cubes, in my repair kit. Enough for two weeks if I’m careful; by then, if I haven’t figured out how to synthesise it I’ll have to try yours or make do with oil.”

“You could synthesise your Energon?” Again, there were more layers there than the younger medibot could read, so she only answered the top one.

“Possibly. I’ve worked with it before, developing a hyper-stabilised form for use as field rations, but nobot’s really studied the area to my knowledge. The farms produce enough for the whole planet and off-world teams like mine, just about. In fact, I was supposed to be escorting a batch to Detroit from Cybertron when I ended up here. The Energon made it through, but I didn’t.”

Ratchet had been about to ask about Energon farms, Glitch thought, but that question was overtaken by another. “Your Cybertron’s alive?”

“It’s populated, if that’s what you mean – a planet-sized mess, but we muddle along.” Too late, she realised what that question implied about Ratchet’s Cybertron, and her servo flew to her speech synthesiser. “Oh, stars…”

“You weren’t to know. The war between Autobots and Decepticons poisoned our planet’s core, turned it dark, aeons ago. I take it that didn’t happen in your reality.”

She shook her head. “The Great War ended two million stellar-cycles ago, before I came online, with an Autobot victory. And the Allspark War was over so quickly, I don’t think most of Cybertron really knew it was happening. Just that a Decepticon double agent had attacked Ultra Magnus and the ‘Cons were getting restless in exile, until Optimus and his team turned up with a captured Megatron in tow and the Allspark Matrix. Much to our esteemed acting Magnus’ displeasure, I’ve no doubt.”

“I take it “Magnus” means something different to you. Here, it’s just part of Ultra Magnus’ name.” That wasn’t really a surprise, given the way that Ultra Magnus seemed to defer to that Optimus Prime – as did everybot, Glitch thought.

“The Magnus is the commander of the Elite Guard and one of the leaders of Cybertron. The leader, in practice. Technically, it’s still Ultra, but while he’s on spark support thanks to Shockwave, his second-in-command Sentinel Prime has taken over. Insists on being called Sentinel Magnus, and far more trappings of office than any previous Magnus.”

“I take it you don’t like him much.”

“I most certainly don’t. He was Bumblebee’s, Bulkhead’s and my drill sergeant back in boot camp, and a pretty terrible one. Rank and responsibility have not improved him.”

“Medics have to go through boot camp on your Cybertron? I’m beginning to see why you called it a mess.”

“Anybot who wants to be more than a refinery worker or similar does, whether they aim to join the Elite Guard, be a field-tech like me, become a space-bridge technician like my Bulkhead,” that raised Ratchet’s optic-brows, “or do anything else. And yes, that’s one of the worst parts of the system.”

“Why do you call yourself a field-tech, rather than a medic or a doctor?” Ratchet seemed to be choosing a safe subject that wouldn’t cause him to go off on a rant. Probably.

“Two reasons. One, that’s all I can call myself, because that’s what I’m qualified to be. Two, it’s all I want to be. Field-techs serve with off-world teams in peacetime, and on the front lines in wartime. The bravest of us all.” Glitch grinned up at Ratchet. “Including your alternate self. He’s a hero of the Great War, not that he’d call himself that, and still on duty as Team Detroit’s senior medibot. And my mentor, which is literally a dream come true.” Her optics fell to the yellow and black band of paint around her right wrist. “Stars, and he doesn’t know where I am. Nor do any of my team.” She’d been too busy adjusting to think about the ‘bots and half-‘bots she’d left behind.

“We’ll get you back,” Arcee said beside her, making her fellow fembot jump. “Sooner or later, if they don’t manage it first. In the meantime, would it help if you told me about them?”

***

“It might be easier to show you,” Glitch replied, already powering up a basic datapad set into her right arm. Arcee could tell that the tiny two-wheeler was suddenly, badly homesick, but hopefully for her team and their base, not her Cybertron. She had caught the tail-end of the medics’ conversation, and did not like what she had heard. Glitch’s Cybertron sounded a lot like the little Arcee knew of hers before the war into which she had been protoformed. A world nobody, not even the ‘Cons, ever wanted to bring back in its entirety.

The picture that flashed up on Glitch’s datapad, though, was familiar in a very good way. It was a group image of eight ‘bots and two humans, all smiling broadly and toasting the camera with mugs of something. At least, Arcee thought there were eight ‘bots and two humans, but on closer inspection she saw that one of the humans – the girl around Jack and Miko’s age – had Cybertronian optics instead of eyes, and one of the ‘bots – the tallest of the three femmes – seemed to have parts of a giant spider integrated into her design, causing Arcee to suppress a shiver. It isn’t her. It can’t be.

She focused on the other ‘bots. Glitch was instantly recognisable, still the smallest full Cybertronian there, but not by as much as she was in Arcee’s universe. (Scrap, she was a full metre and a half shorter than ‘Cee herself.) Some of the others could be identified by their colour schemes, identical to those of their counterparts. “Bulkhead, Bumblebee – is he your partner?” In more ways than one, or would be in the future, Arcee was sure; the two young ‘bots were holding hands in the image, and Glitch wore her Bumblebee’s colours around her wrist. She decided to leave the issue for another day. “Optimus, Ratchet – who’s that?”

“The other you, believe it or not.” Arcee didn’t at first. “She’s… pink.”

“And a Great War veteran who favours laser swords, and apparently is very good with them. They were meant to be laser pointers, as she’s a teacher now, but Ratchet got carried away.” Arcee noted the body languages of her counterpart and Ratchet’s, and chose not to go there. “Is that Smokescreen?” The next mech’s colour scheme looked rather like the rookie’s original one.

Glitch shook her head. “Jazz. Cyber-ninja, defector from the Elite Guard, generally good news – if you’re not fighting him. And that’s Elita.” She indicated the half-spider.

“Elita-One?” Ratchet was looking over Glitch’s shoulder – not that that was hard for him.

“Not any more. Long story, and not mine to tell, but it’s connected to her being a techno-organic – and to Optimus commanding a maintenance crew instead of the Elite Guard.”

“Seriously?” Ratchet and Arcee asked together.

“Seriously. That’s what my Cybertron is like. If you don’t stay in your lane, if you’re not a good little cog in the machine, you’re nothing. Hopefully that’ll change, now that a team of washouts have done what the Elite Guard couldn’t and actually captured Megatron.” Arcee and Ratchet both flinched at her description of her society, and Arcee at least caught herself wondering how the rest of the team had ended up as “washouts”.

“Who are the humans?” she enquired, suddenly desperate to change the subject.

“Sari and Isaac Sumdac. Sari’s not exactly human; she’s a techno-organic, created when a Cybertronian protoform scanned Isaac’s DNA. We’re still working out how that happened. But she’s someone you want in your corner, with or without the Allspark Key she used to have, or the upgrades it gave her after she found out what she was. Threw a couple of Constructicons out of the base all by herself, pre-upgrades.” Arcee liked the sound of the kid already, but made a mental note to keep her away from Miko at all costs.

She half-expected Ratchet to ask for more details about Sari’s biology, but the medic was looking at the image of the other Optimus. “He looks… young. You all do – except the other me, of course.” Arcee had only seen that expression on the old ‘bot’s face when he was talking about the time before the war, and especially about Orion Pax, before he was Optimus Prime.

“He is, and we are. Ratchet, Jazz and Arcee are the only ones who remember the Great War. Relatively speaking, my Prime isn’t that much older than I am, but he’s still one of the best commanders for whom I could have hoped.” Some things don’t change, Arcee thought. Even for that miniature medibot so very far from home – who was welcome to some of Arcee’s, for as long as she needed it.