A Turnabout

This story follows the Transformers: Prime third season episode 'Prey.' As of this writing, I have not seen episode 4.

Optimus wheezed a little bit, "As I was saying, I think that Autobot leader stands before me."

Smokescreen gasped, "You can't be serious, maybe one of the others. Not me, Optimus, not me."

Optimus exhaled, "No, it's you." Optimus opened his chest cavity and began to remove the Matrix.

"But Optimus, I'm the rebellious rookie character, I'm not worthy," answered Smokescreen.

"Nor was I, but one day an Autobot will rise from our ranks and use…the power of the Matrix…to light our darkest hour," continued Optimus. "Come to think of it, I have already done that once in this series. Never mind, it's still important for you to take it though."

Smokescreen watched as Optimus tried to hand him the Matrix, but he failed and dropped it. Smokescreen caught it and held it up to the little light there was down in the chasm. It gleamed briefly.

"And now, arise Rodimus Prime!" said Optimus.

"What?" asked Smokescreen, startled.

"Yes, we need to retain the trademark. Did you think you would be Smokimus Prime? Or Primescreen? Ha! That's funny. No, Rodimus, this was your destiny. This is what Alpha Trion picked you for," answered Optimus.

Smokescreen, uh Rodimus, went quiet as if he was deep in thought. Then he shoved his fist into the ground.

"So, back to slipping away here, until that day…when all are one…" answered Optimus.

"No!" yelled Rodimus, yeah we'll go with Rodimus. "I am tired of being a plot device. I am tired of having Hot Rod's background, Jazz's colors, and the voice actor of Cliffjumper from FALL OF CYBERTRON. Everything about my character was misleading, which actually is an homage to the first Smokescreen! Now I am to be Rodimus Prime? Because the writers of the show could not actually let anybody predict what would happen if they introduced a Rodimus? No way. You made me Prime, right?"

"Well, yes, but I should be dead right now," answered Optimus.

"Then I make the rules!" answered Rodimus. He grabbed the Forge of Solus Prime and began banging away at Optimus.

"What are you doing, I told you that the forge only had enough power to rebuild the Omega Lock!" demanded Optimus. Before he knew it he was better and he ripped the forge from Rodimus.

"Yes, but as Rodimus Prime, the Matrix commanded me to repair you and give it back to you when I was done. Besides why would you want to repair the Omega Lock anyway? It could potentially turn all worlds into hunks of metal, not just the Earth," said Rodimus.

"Wait, the Matrix talks to you?" asked Optimus.

"Of course it does," said Rodimus, tossing the Matrix back to Optimus and reverting to Smokescreen. "Now take a look at yourself."

Optimus looked at his new form with its more pronounced chest cavity and beefier arms, "This feels right somehow. More old school, perhaps." He placed the Matrix inside his chest and felt the might of its power and knowledge return to him.

"Our leader is back," stated Smokescreen.

"And nothing in the universe can stop me," responded Optimus Prime with the light glistening off of his green windshields.

"Not even Predacon dragons?" asked Smokescreen.

"Megatron has Predacon dragons?" asked Optimus.

"Somehow I think so, even though I am not supposed to know that information," said Smokescreen.

"Maybe the Matrix told you," replied Optimus Prime.

"We'll go with that," echoed Smokescreen.

"Ok let's find the others. Autobot, transform and roll out," ordered Optimus Prime.