Bleach Prime Interlude

What's up world? This is the one and only SpartanPrime101 bringing you the next update for my newest story, Bleach Prime Interlude.

First off, my sincere apologies for the lack of updating for some of my other fanfiction stories. Unfortunately, University has had me pre-occupied save for some brief periods of brainstorming.

For the record, I do not own Transformers Prime or Bleach; they both belong to their respective owners and creators.

Well, here is Bleach Prime Interlude Chapter 2

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"Speaking"

'Thought'

'Past-tense'

"Radio/Comlink"

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{Revelations and Alliances}

Previously on Bleach Prime Interlude:

'Leave no stone unturned!'

'Where are their bodies?'

'Stay where you are.'

'ORIHIME, NO!'

'I don't know who you are, but I think it's time someone put you in your place.'

'Welcome to Karakura Town, Mr. Robot.'

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{Jasper, Nevada}

A warzone.

That was what the once populated town of Jasper, Nevada could easily be described as by anyone who happened to pass by the ravaged commune.

As if out of a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film, the small oil-town was now pick-pocketed by crater holes and trenches, with dozens of smoldering buildings, destroyed vehicles and severed power lines littering the blackened highway that once provided the key connection route for the small town.

In addition, just on the outskirts of the ravaged town, the metal carcases of destroyed American tanks and helicopters lay strewn across the cratered desert dunes

And looming high above this killing field, the new Decepticon fortress rose up in the background into the sky like a demonic figure from the very pits of Hell itself. Outlined against the darkened clouds above – of which rumbled ominously with the clashing of thunder and lightning from the smog rising from the smoldering earth below – the

It was from this new, demonic structure that a certain Cybertronian Warlord now watched from – resting his chassis and newly re-attached Fusion Blaster-equipped limb upon his throne – as he spoke with the representative of the human race; a male version of the flesh species named 'Agent Fowler' of the so-called United States of America'.

"A new power dominates your world. Any further attempts to attack me...will be met with greater force. Your leaders should be advised...that my Fusion Cannons possess enough fire power...to decimate any densely populated area of my choosing."

The Decepticon Warlord's optics narrowed as he concluded his 'warning'. "I would in all likelihood set sights on your nation's capital...for starters."

Over the comm. channel, the human representative boldly, and impatiently, retorted to the Cybertronian dictator's proclamations.

"Point taken, now what do you want from us?"

Megatron smirked as he responded, a hint of false innocence in his voice. "Nothing, Agent Fowler. The Decepticons...mean no harm to humanity. We merely desire for a place to call home"

"No offense, Megatron, but I'm having a tough time swallowing all this, since you seem so bent on plastering humankind under molten steel."

Megatron allowed the human to voice his distrust, barely noting the approach of his second in command at the same time, before he countered the human's accusations.

"Agent Fowler; I admit that war brings out the worst in me. But the conflict with the Autobots is now over; and our quarrel has never been with your kind."

"Now that the one true enemy of the Decepticons is no more" Megatron expressed, to which the Decepticon Seeker smirked in humorous arrogance.

"...my only wish is to coexist on this planet with the human race." Megatron than smirked evilly as he finished his sentence, his voice laden with fallacious sincerity:

"...peacefully."

The pause over the comm. channel compelled Megatron to continue. "Together Agent Fowler, I believe that you and I can make that dream a reality."

With that, the former Gladiator disabled the connection, rising from his throne to walk forward towards the edge of his personal platform. As he walked past his second-in-command, the latter gave a brief sarcastic applause.

"You too have a way with words, my lord; I almost believed you myself."

Megatron chuckled darkly at Starscream's near-sarcastic compliment as he marched to the edge of his open view throne perch, with the latter joining him as he looked out over the storm-darkened skies above and below him. "Earth is our planet now, Starscream; and we shall finish what we started."

Looking out at the world beneath them, Megatron formed a devilish smile as he imagined the fate that now loomed menacingly above the heads of the race of 'fleshies' that once dominated this planet; the planet that now was a part of the Decepticon tyrant's Empire.

"Human kind has no idea...what lies ahead for them."

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CUE TRANSFORMERS PRIME INTRO THEME MUSIC

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{Karakura Town, Japan}

Smokescreen gazed out at the blackened clouds in the sky as the storm raged above Karakura Town.

While he was well aware of Earthly weather patterns, and as such knew the human regards to precipitation and lightning, he couldn't help but gap at the monsoon which had arrived so suddenly above Japan.

Of course, the fact that the former Autobot Base was stationed in one of the driest parts of this planet's surface didn't provide much opposition to this quantity of precipitation.

As he watched the heavy rainfall turn the ground to mud, he reflected on what had transpired shortly after his arrival in this country.

Following his brief engagement with the two so-called 'Arrancar' in the park, he was approached by two local residents that claimed to have watched the entire fight from the sidelines. While both had been ready to intervene at a moment's notice, the sudden appearance of a Western style sports vehicle charging in like a battering ram had caught them by surprise.

Especially when said sports vehicle transformed into a 14ft robot after being challenged by the two opposing beings.

Once introductions were finished, the man – Kisuke Urahara as he called himself – suggested that further conversations should wait until after the children were taken to safety; where they could receive proper medical treatment for the injuries inflicted during the fighting.

After the three wounded children were secured in Smokescreen's interior, as suggested by the women, he was guided by the two Soul Reapers to a small local structure, the Urahara Shoten, that was similar to the small businesses his human-teacher 'Jack' had described to him during his 'Driver's Ed' training back in Jasper.

Of course, unlike the missile silo-turned Autobot outpost back in said city-town, the so-called 'humble abode' of a shop (as the male Shinigami had described it) was not the most suited for the requirements of a stranded Autobot.

Nor, more specifically, enable him to avoid further notice by the humans.

Thankfully, while his size prevented him from entering the shop, the vacant space behind said building was wide enough for the young Autobot to transform and – after the construction of a large spiritual barrier with something the women referred to as 'Kido' – take residence without having to worry of his presence becoming known to the humans.

In addition, this allowed him to converse with the 'Soul Reapers' while in his humanoid form, to avoid any potential 'awkwardness' between him and his new 'primitive life form' friends – as Urahara had expressed.

To say that Smokescreen was impressed would be an understatement; he had spent a good ten minutes analysing the Kido shield barrier, comparing it to the anti-detection shielding used at the former Autobot Base in Jasper.

'Too bad we didn't have this when Megatron attacked our base; we could've taken the fight right to the Con's fortress.'

Once the three young teens had received medical treatment and were recuperating in separate rooms, Smokescreen was introduced to the other residents of the small shop: A middle aged man with tanned skin and dark spectacles named Tessai; a small, bratty boy with pointed red hair named Jinta; and a young, dark haired and blue eyed, timid girl named Ururu.

The reactions of said occupants were mixed: Like Yoruichi and Urahara, Tessai was surprised and, understandably weary, even after hearing Urahara and Yoruichi's explanation of what had transpired in the park.

Both Jinta and Ururu, however, only stared at the Autobot in a combination of awe and fear. For most of their lives, the closest they had seen or heard of giant robots were what they had read and /or watched in magazines, comics and anime movies and TV shows.

While introductions were being finished, Urahara had left to do some shopping while Yoruichi attended to the injured teenagers, leaving Tessai to help Smokescreen settle in.

However, while their hospitality was welcomed, Smokescreen could tell that they shared the same feelings that he did.

They were looking for answers to who he was and how he had come to appear in that park in the first place.

Smokescreen turned his attention from the storm towards the store interior as Yoruichi reappeared in the main living area, her face shadowed with worry for the young patients, and as Urahara walked in the main door.

"Hello, I'm home. And I picked up the juice that you wanted." Urahara lifted a bag of supplies up on the countertop as he entered the main area. Upon entering the room, he took note of Yoruichi's expression, his face sharing his partner's worry.

{SpartanPrime101: NO! Not THAT kind of partner, you bloody perverts!}

"So, how are they holding up?" Urahara asked the former Captain of the Stealth Force, who narrowed her eyes in concern.

"All three of them are resting at the moment; they had all sustained severe injuries from their battle with the Arrancars, though they should be fully recovered within a few days."

"Unfortunately, the fact that those Arrancar decided to leave at their own choosing only signifies that we've barely witnessed the full extent of their powers."

Yoruichi turned her gaze towards the towering Autobot kneeling behind them. "It's a good thing that Smokescreen managed to catch them off guard, otherwise they most likely would've killed them then and there."

Urahara contemplated his fellow Ex-Captain's words as he turned his attention to the new arrival. "Indeed; it would seem that luck was on our side today, not only for meeting a new potential ally…"

"…but one who saved our Substitute Soul Reaper and his friends from certain death. And for that, you have our thanks, Mister Smokescreen."

Said Autobot nodded his head in acknowledgment. "No problem; I'm just glad that I could help. Although I gotta admit, I sure didn't expect to see anything like what had happened today. And those guys that you called Arrancar…just who were they? And how did that girl manage to summon that Energon energy barrier?"

Both Ex-Shinigami Captains narrowed their eyes at the Autobot's questions, still unsure whether to fully trust him or not. After a few moments, it was Urahara that spoke up.

"It would seem that we all have questions that need answering. And, seeing as some of our other occupants are still recovering…" Urahara then turned his gaze towards the rooms containing said injured persons.

"…perhaps it would be wise that we hold off your explanations until after they have awakened."

The shop keeper then returned his gaze to the young Cybertronian. "In the meantime, I think it would be best if you understood exactly what you have now become involved in."

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Ichigo Kurosaki groaned as he slowly came back to consciousness, his weary mind slowly clearing the haze behind his eyelids. As he slowly opened his eyes, he took note of his current position and location: he appeared to be in a moderately sized room, laying on a futon bed with a light blanket over him to prevent him from catching a fever while he was resting.

After verifying his surroundings he slowly rose forward, wincing as his body twitched from the several bruises all along his back, chest and shoulders.

For a moment he stared at and examined his injuries in confusion, his mind attempting to remember how he had attained said wounds in the first place.

"…He's not even worth the effort of killing him."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed in realization as the afternoon's events came flooding back to him: the two strange Hollows; his friends Chad and Orihime getting hurt while fighting them alone; his Inner Hollow momentarily causing his body to freeze, leaving him helpless to the Hollow's barrage of punches and kicks…

…and his being saved by some strange talking sports car.

A sports car that could transform into a giant robot no less.

On any other day, Ichigo would seek out some medical assistance to see if he was finally losing it. That all those years of his dad constantly causing him grief with his morning wake up calls and surprise welcome home ambushes had started catching up to him.

Slowly lowering his body back down on the mattress, he stared up at the ceiling as the rest of his memories arose to the surface.

And most of them were not pleasant at all.

For a brief moment, an image of him with his cracked hollow mask on his face passed through his mind.

'If it keeps up like this...'

With that, Ichigo rolled over and punched the mattress underneath him, his face transformed into an expression of anger.

"Dammit!"

Seething, he remained near motionless, his conflicting emotions threatening to rip his soul apart in the process. That was all he could do, as his guilt for failing to protect his friends steadily escalated.

Soon he collapsed back down on the mattress, his breaths coming out in slow, painful heaves. While his spiritual pressure aided in the healing process, it did little in diminishing the agony that came with his injuries.

Injuries that, on any other human, would have proven fatal.

As he lay there, he couldn't help but overhear voices talking in the meeting room on the other side of the wall; two of which he easily recognized as belonging to Urahara and Yoruichi.

The third voice however was both familiar and unknown.

While he knew he had heard it before, he couldn't quite place to whom it belonged to.

For a few moments, his inner guilt contested with his curiosity, before the latter eventually triumphed. Painstakingly, he pushed himself up into a sitting position before his legs lifted him up and towards the door. Pushing it open, he stepped out into the hallway just before the entryway to the main living space overlooking the stores patio.

"Hey, you're awake."

Pausing, Ichigo turned his gaze towards the source of the voice that had just spoken...

...to where a certain familiar 14 foot tall robot was kneeling under what seemed to be a makeshift Kido shield barrier that, surprisingly, allowed it/him to stand upright should he desire.

'So, it really wasn't a case of insanity.'

The fact that there was an actual robot looking down at him through the entry way from the back deck would have sent anyone else into a panic. Right now, he was too depressed to actually feel any fear whatsoever.

"Well, look who's finally awake?" Urahara spoke up from the small table in the centre of the room. "How ya feeling, Ichigo?"

Ichigo remained still as his gaze traversed downward in guilt and depression. It was quite obvious to anyone watching, including a certain Autobot, that he was still beating himself for what had happened.

After a few seconds, he turned his head towards the robot before he spoke. "So, you're some sort of alien robot from outer space, right?"

Smokescreen nodded. "Name's Smokescreen; and you're Ichigo Kurosaki."

Ichigo gave a brief nod, before a small smile forming on his face. "…thanks for…saving my friends back there. I…really appreciate it."

Smokescreen smiled back. "No problem; I'm just glad I could help out. And there's no way I was just gonna stand by and let those jerks beat you and your friends around like that" he stated, punching his left fist into his right hand as he spoke.

Still smiling at Smokescreen's declaration, Ichigo sat down at the large table in the center of the room, resting his head on his knuckles as he did so.

Lowering his arms, Smokescreen then began clarifying what he had been told just minutes before. "So, if I'm not mistaken, you are what these guys call a Substitute Soul Reaper!"

Looking up in surprise, Ichigo merely nodded at the Autobot's statement.

"And there is this secret realm called the Seireitei/Soul Society, which is some sort of afterlife world for humans who are deceased, and is protected and ruled by these Soul Reapers who help wondering souls find peace before they become these things called Hollows."

"And these two" Smokescreen looked over at Urahara and Yoruichi, "...are former Captains of the Soul Society before they were framed for something they didn't commit!"

At this, he received nods from Urahara and Yoruichi.

"And this guy Aizen, who was also a former Captain, is planning on starting a war with the Soul Society with more powerful Hollows known as Arrancar, like those we met in the park earlier today. And he intends to attack with a larger army of more of these Arrancar to wipe out every human in Karakura Town so he can awaken something called the Hogyoku; which he intends to awaken in a couple of months."

Another duo nod.

Glancing between the Autobot and Urahara, Ichigo's confusion - and the urge to hit a certain 'hat n' clogs – steadily mounted with every second. "Would someone please tell me what exactly is going on?"

Seeing Ichigo's expression, Urahara smirked as he waved a small fan in front of his face. {SpartanPrime101: Even I don't know how or why he does this!} "While you were unconscious Ichigo, we decided to explain the situation to Smokescreen, including the story behind your becoming a Soul Reaper."

Ichigo stared at the former Shinigami Captain. "So you just told him everything about me? Including how I gained my powers as a Soul Reaper?"

Waving his fan, Urahara smiled at Ichigo's deduction "That's Right!"

BONK!

Only for Ichigo to punch him hard on the head, causing him to collapse on the floor in a jumbled heap.

"For cryin' out loud! Why don't you just tell him my entire family history, why don't ya?"

While this was going on, Smokescreen simply stared at the two Soul Reapers in sheer disbelief.

"Are they always like this?" he asked the female Shinigami, who was still standing beside the now 'floored' shop keeper.

"Unfortunately, you get used to it over time."

Picking himself off the floor, now wielding a signature bump on his head, Urahara turned his gaze up at the Autobot. "Well, it seems that you are officially up to speed; I certainly hope that we've explained everything clearly enough to you."

Smokescreen nodded, only to frown a moment later as he remembered something he had heard Jinta say earlier. "But, if I may ask…what's an ET?"

At this, everyone in the room save for Ichigo face faulted at Smokescreen's question, with Ichigo glancing at Urahara for an explanation. Said shop keeper coughed lightly into his fist before he responded. "You see, Jinta made a...particular comment earlier on concerning whether our new friend was in any way related to a certain Sci-Fi visitor from another world."

Despite the explanation, Ichigo remained confused, deciding that it was better not to think about it.

"Well, seeing that everyone able is awake and accounted for," Urahara declared after checking the extent of his new injury, turning his gaze towards the lone Autobot looking in at the gathered audience.

"Perhaps our new guest can now shed some light as to who and what he is, and how he arrived in our little town."

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Bleach Prime Interlude

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{Jasper, Nevada}

"Yes, General Brice; Special Containment Protocol #G1000 has been executed as planned."

Agent William Fowler, former US Army Ranger-now Autobot liaison to the Pentagon, was currently engaged in one of the most undesired yet essential positions of his career.

Dealing with a bunch of war-hungry Commanders out for revenge, while attempting to provide a cool perspective developed after years of dealing with certain extra-terrestrial residents.

Just hours after the ill-fated assault on the Decepticon fortress, the US military had wisely decided to hold off any further offensive movements against said stronghold. At the same time, it had become evident that the evacuation and protection of civilian populations in the surrounding areas was to be heralded as top priority.

However, this current mood was steadily wearing thin, as a certain government agent was experiencing first hand via telephone link.

"The evacuation of Jasper, Nevada was 100% successful. As far as the citizens and the media are concerned, the threat was a meteor shower and the town is to remain quarantined until the resulting radiation levels can been dissipated."

Fowler listened for a few seconds before he continued speaking, his voice now laced with worry at his superior's current choice of words. "Sir, any form of retaliation would be too risky. I just need more time…Yes, I understand."

With that, Fowler hung up the phone, sitting back down in his chair before placing his head down on his clenched fists in frustration, relishing the moment of solitude and silence.

This silence was erased as a middle-aged women – Nurse June Darby, local medical expert and fellow Autobot associate – entered his office, a checklist in her hands.

And she was not happy.

"Agent Fowler, those medical supplies still haven't arrived. We have wounded men down there who need-"

"Doing the best I can, Nurse Darby!"

The women fell silent as she looked at the former Army Ranger, easily noting the apparent exasperation and frustration in his voice.

"Been a little busy juggling a bunch of Nuke-happy Generals who don't seem to care if they blow Nevada sky high" he exclaimed, pushing himself back out of his chair and paced around his desk in front of the office window.

"…and a Decepticon Warlord who wants to make nice, now that the Autobots are in the scrapyard – Megatron's opinion, not mine. He's feeding me a load of horsepuky, trying to crush our spirits."

Turning his back to her, he didn't see June's stance become frigid with worry.

"Still no word…from anyone?"

Fowler turned his head back towards the Nurse, his expression softening at her evident concern. Turning around, he hesitated for a moment, choosing his next words wisely before he spoke.

"Listen. No contact only means that the main comm. link went down when the base got pounded into pancake batter."

Sadly, the worried mother was still unconvinced. "But if I could just call Jack?"

"You know that's too risky. So do the Bots. The Cons could trace any cellphone signal."

Darby's expression became more determined as she push her argument. "Then take me home. If Jack can't call, that's where he'll look for me."

"Jasper's under complete Con lockdown; No one's getting there. The only ones who can fix this are Prime and his Bot's."

Fowler turned towards the window, looking out as if trying to spot the Autobots riding in from the desert dunes outside the base.

"I'm sure they're out there, keeping a low profile."

Sadly, the sight of the calm, silent landscape outside the building did little in decreasing his fears of the Autobot's apparent demise.

"They gotta be!"

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{Karakura Town, Japan}

Silence.

That was all that rang through the Urahara Shoten for a good two minutes.

Of course, learning that the existence of Extra-Terrestrial life forms really was more than just fiction, and that said life forms were currently involved in an Inter-Galactic War would leave anyone speechless.

For the past hour or so, Smokescreen had shared what he had learned during his time in the Cybertron Elite Guard and the Iacon Hall of Records: about the rise of the Decepticons and the struggle between them and the Autobots throughout the War for Cybertron; the eventual downfall of the Iacon defences and what he knew of the evacuation of the Ark; and was now describing his partaking in the fighting on Earth thus far.

"It was then that Megatron used our human allies as hostages, forcing us to hand over the Omega Keys to him. He then tried to Cyberform Earth as part of his Decepticon Empire, until Optimus used the Star Saber to destroy the Omega Lock. After that we returned to Earth, only to find that old Crone Dome had discovered the location of our base."

"It was then that the Con's launched a full scale attack against us. For a little while we fought them off, with the help of another Wrecker – Wheeljack as Bulkhead called him."

Recovering from his surprise, Urahara raised his hat in question to smokescreen's descriptions. "I take it that this Wheeljack and Bulkhead are also Autobots, am I correct?"

Smokescreen nodded in confirmation. "Both Bulkhead and Wheeljack were part of an élite Commando unit called the Wreckers: Autobots that took on missions that anyone else would deem as suicidal."

At this, Jinta looked up at the Autobot in sheer disbelief. "Wait! You guys actually had an élite unit called the 'Wreckers'? And no one thought this name sounded even the least bit corny?"

This was met by a sharp whack to Jinta's head, courtesy of Tessai. "It is quite rude to interrupt someone while they are sharing their story with us."

Urahara nodded at his colleague before returning his attention to the Autobot. "Sorry about all that; if you could continue."

"Uh…sure" Smokescreen said before he continued. "But that was when Megatron brought his Warship above the base to wipe us out. To avoid capture and execution, we were forced to evacuate, splitting off through the Groundbridge to different locations around the planet. Soon it was my turn, and I raced through the Groundbridge to safety."

Smokescreen then lowered his head, pausing for a few moments before he continued. "But I couldn't do it. I couldn't let Optimus face Megatron's Army alone. So I snuck back…only to end up here in Karakura Town, stuck in the middle of something you humans call a 'soccer field'."

"After that, I hid in an old industrial facility, waiting to see if the Con's had somehow followed me here. After a while, I snuck through the side wall using the Phase Shifter" Smokescreen described, lifting his relic-bearing arm up to prove his point.

His voice wavered in slight embarrassment as he spoke. "…which I…managed to snag in all the confusion on Cybertron."

Lowering his arm, he finished his explanation. "I was planning on meeting up with the rest of the team, when I saw the fight going on in that park. At first I was surprised to see that girl Orihime summon those glowing energy particles to shield her friend after he was injured…"

Smokescreen's expression hardened as he continued. "But once the larger Arrancar started beating up Ichigo, I knew I couldn't just stand by and watch. So, I transformed and charged the guy head on."

"And the next thing I know, the two Arrancar left and you guys showed up" Smokescreen finished.

Nodding at the Autobot's story, Urahara rubbed his chin in thought. Considering that hardly anyone else was aware of the existence of spiritual beings, the fact that there were life forms on other planets in the galaxy was certainly an extraordinary fact in its own way.

"Well, this has certainly been an eventful day, wouldn't you say Yoruichi?" Urahara said declared. "Our young Substitute Soul Reaper heads out to fight those Arrancar all on his own…"

The hat-clogs man then turned his gaze towards Smokescreen as he continued speaking, his face displaying no surprise at the fact that he was in the presence of an actual sentient being from another world.

"…and manages to befriend an actual alien from outer space in the process."

Looking up at their alien guest, he couldn't help but ask the one question that was at the back of the minds of everyone in the room.

"And if I may ask, exactly how long has this conflict of yours been going on for?"

Narrowing his optics, Smokescreen tried to recall what the Autobot medic Ratchet had told him after his arrival in the Decepticon escape pod.

"Including while I was in stasis lock…about nine million years or so; of course, I had just joined the Elite Guard during the final stages of the war myself."

If the room wasn't silent before, it most surely would've seemed like a graveyard now.

Everyone had literally stopped moving, save for the dropping of six sets of jaws that could've shattered the very ground on which they sat.

Their expressions were also quite understandably featured: Both Jinta and Tessai were frozen in their seats as they tried – emphasis on tried – to reconnect their lower jaw with the rest of their skulls.

Ururu just looked up at Smokescreen, her eyes filled with awe and wonder. Throughout his telling of the War for Cybertron, she could easily imagine the Autobots standing strong in the face of overwhelming odds, making sure to give their all in the fight for freedom. To her, they were like ET versions of actual Superheroes, standing strong to defend the peace and freedom of those around them.

Urahara himself was also caught completely off guard by what the Autobot had just proclaimed. In fact, something had just occurred that had never been done before during his existence as a Soul Reaper and his career in the Department of Research and Development.

Kisuke Urahara, for once in his life was completely, utterly speechless.

'Here's hoping that Kurotsuchi doesn't find out about this; he would go nuts trying to get his hands on one of these guys.'

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In the headquarters of the DR&D, a certain clown-style wigged Captain sneezed hard as he worked at his computer.

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Like her colleagues, Yoruichi couldn't help but gap at the 'young' Autobot in sheer disbelief.

Throughout her career as the Captain of the Stealth Force, she had received her fair share of wise cracks concerning her beauty verses her age, especially from a certain former captain of the Squad 12 Department of Research and Development. And had dealt an equal share of reprisal to said Captain's…private areas.

But actually talking to a sentient life form – albeit it being a living, talking robot – that was part of a civilization that was not only older than the first forms of civilization on Earth, but also the Soul Society and most of its captains, was most certainly not what she had expected to have happen.

However, despite her shock, a devilish smile began to form as she regarded the 'juvenile' Autobot. "Well, I must say, you certainly look well maintained for someone of your age."

Not catching the teasing behind her statement, Smokescreen merely shrugged. "Thanks; although I'm still considered a rookie by some of my former trainers. I mean, I didn't even receive a proper graduating ceremony back on Cybertron."

This caused Yoruichi to face fault, which did not go unnoticed by her hat n' clogged colleague. On any other occasion, he would have made a remark on his colleague's current expression. However, having just experienced Ichigo's wrath earlier, he simply hid his face behind his fan (SpartanPrime101: Seriously, where does he get it from so suddenly?) as he muffled a slight chuckle "cough" snort.

…though not quietly enough, as the former Stealth Captain frowned at the shop keeper for a moment, resisting the temptation to punch him in the face. Shrugging, she reasoned that her usual teasing methods wouldn't have much meaning to the Autobot.

'I guess it makes sense that these 'Cybertronians' would only be attracted to other members of their society. Though considering that they are friends with other humans, it might be possible for some to form attachments outside their own race.'

'Too bad this isn't the case with Smokescreen; I could've had so much fun with him.'

While all this was going on, the last member of the audience was conflicted by his conflicting inner emotions.

On one half, Ichigo could hardly believe what he had heard; that his recent savior was fighting in a war that had been waged over millions of years throughout the galaxy while he had been a Substitute Soul Reaper of Karakura Town for barely a few months. And that, in comparison to other warriors of his race and faction, he was still considered a rookie despite his age (in comparison to those of most humans and Soul Reapers).

In contrast to these beliefs, he couldn't help but feel his guilt increase for having forced Smokescreen to become involved in another conflict that he should have been able to fight on his own. Plus that he was having to worry of finding the rest of his comrades and avoiding capture by a ruthless alien warlord and his legion of soldiers.

If anything, this only served to make Ichigo feel worse than he already did.

His emotions didn't go unnoticed however, as Smokescreen happened to catch his body posture become more frigid and downcast.

Narrowing his optics, Smokescreen felt sympathy for the young orange-haired Soul Reaper. From what he had been told by Urahara and Yoruichi, Ichigo was extremely fixated on protecting all those around him; even going so far as putting his own life in the line of fire for those close to him. As such, when his friends had been hurt and he wasn't able to protect them, it had hit him hard, causing him to become like this.

'He's just like Optimus; never hesitating to risk his own life to help those in need.'

Having also seen Ichigo's expression, Urahara spoke up after putting his fan away. "It would seem that we have much to consider between us. I would suggest that we continue this discussion tomorrow, after we all have a chance to rest and recuperate."

"And perhaps our new friend could escort Ichigo home and, if it's not too much trouble, bring him back here tomorrow morning" the shop keeper requested, glancing towards the Autobot.

While caught off guard by the request, Smokescreen considered the reasoning behind his providing his help: seeing as he was in an unknown country and unable to contact his fellow Autobots, he would most likely need the assistance of his new potential allies.

In addition, considering that the young Soul Reaper was still recovering from both his physical and emotional wounds, it would be wise if he had a guardian to assist him should those Arrancar return to finish what they had set out to do earlier.

And truthfully he was hoping to see more of these Shinigami powers Urahara had talked about for himself, if only to see if it could be used to help them take on the Con's new fortress.

"Uh, yeah; sure thing" Smokescreen said, slowly backing out away from the entrance way before transforming into his vehicle form.

Despite seeing it earlier, Ichigo stared at the newly formed sports car ion awe and disbelief before rising to his feet. Slowly walking forward, he approached the passenger door before grasping the door handle and pulling it open. Smokescreen waited patiently as Ichigo sat himself in the passenger's seat before slamming the door closed and drove out the driveway onto the street.

Both Urahara and Yoruichi watched the transformed Autobot and his passenger drive off into the night, their faces highlighted by the shop's light fixture, until the sports car eventually disappeared around a street corner.

"This certainly has been quite an eventful day, hasn't it?" Urahara said, his eyes shadowed by his hat.

"Indeed" the female Shinigami replied, her voice laden with humor. "It's almost a shame though…!"

The shop keeper looked at his colleague in mock curiosity. "Oh, and why is that?"

"I could've had so much fun with him; Smokescreen and Ichigo are so much alike they could have been brothers."

Beside her, Urahara chuckled in agreement; he too noticed that fact throughout their discussions with their new extra-terrestrial guest.

Her eyes then narrowed with worry as she spoke. "However, we mustn't forget that, despite his increased durability to spiritual pressure, Smokescreen is still as mortal as any of us, if what he told us is true."

Urahara nodded, remembering what Smokescreen had told them about the demise of their former comrade Cliffjumper, who had perished a year before the young Autobot had arrived on Earth.

"And also" Yoruichi hesitated briefly before she continued. "…I hate to say it…but I fear that we have underestimated the full extent of their powers."

Urahara silently agreed with her statement, before he turned back towards the shop.

"Well then…time to get to work"

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{Jasper, Nevada}

On the top of Dark Mount, the Decepticon Medic Knockout approached Megatron's throne after being summoned specifically by said Gladiator-turned Warlord.

While he was pleased to continue serving his master, he couldn't help but feel somewhat uneasy of being called forth so suddenly.

In the past, there were only two specific moments when one was specifically called upon to appear before the Decepticon leader: when they were being summoned for a brutal punishment and/or swift demise for failing to serve their master; and when they were needed to fulfill a certain task during which their services would be most effective.

Thankfully, having not committed any form of failure as of late, the latter outcome was most likely at this time.

"How may I serve you, Lord Megatron?" the Con medic spoke as he kneeled before the Warlords throne.

Megatron clenched his fist before speaking. "Assemble a team and disembark for Cybertron immediately. While hunting Autobots remains paramount…we must not squander the opportunity to recover any Iacon relics left behind...in the chaos."

At that, Knockout glanced up at his master, an eager grin forming on his face plate. He had been itching to recover that Phase Shifter, as he had barely had the chance to have some fun with it, save for when he fished the Omega Key out of that blasted Autobot recruit.

This however went unnoticed as Megatron continued speaking, mostly to himself then to the Decepticon medic before him.

"For all we know, Optimus Prime is out there somewhere…"

As he spoke, Megatron looked out towards the darkened clouds that continued to gather around the Decepticon citadel

"…planning to do the same."

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{Hueco Mundo}

Yammy and Ulquiorra marched – or in the former's case limped – through the hallway of Hueco Mundo, their footsteps echoing loudly throughout the empty corridor.

Immediately after returning from the world of the living, Ulquiorra had demanded a meeting with Lord Aizen and the other Espada. Normally, he would have taken his time, considering that the person they had been tasked to investigate had proven to be a disappointment.

However, with the sudden arrival and intervention of another of his kind, this was a matter which could not wait.

Upon arriving and entering the desired chamber, Yammy kneeled down while Ulquiorra remained standing.

"We have returned...Lord Aizen."

Before him, sitting on a throne, was the leader and ruler of Hueco Mundo. The former Captain of the 5th Division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Sosuke Aizen.

"Welcome, Ulquiorra and Yammy. So, tell me what you have accomplished…here, before your twenty brothers."

"Yes sir" Ulquiorra responded before reaching his left arm up to his face…

…and pulling his own eye right out of its socket before crushing it into spiritual particles.

Said particles flew towards the gathered Arrancar, all of whom closed their eyes as they saw what Ulquiorra had witnessed during his mission to the world of the living:

They saw how Yammy had used his Gonzui to devour the souls of all the humans in the vicinity, save for one teenage girl who had somehow managed to resist having her soul devoured…

…when the humans Chad and Orihime had arrived to stop the two Espada, only to suffer severe injuries at the hands of Yammy's attacks, with Orihime's attack being destroyed in the process...

…how the Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki had arrived and managed to hold of Yammy's attacks for a few minutes, before seemingly losing his nerve and rendering himself vulnerable to the latter's attacks...

...and how some human sports vehicle had arrived out of nowhere, ramming into and injuring Yammy even further, positioning itself between him and the humans...

…before transforming, for lack of a better description, into a humanoid robotic being that bore the same metallic body structure – as well as a very familiar symbol on his chest plate – as a certain guest currently residing within Hueco Mundo after his first arriving just hours before.

As the spiritual particles dissipated before returning to Ulquiorra, reforming into his missing eye, the atmosphere within the chamber had become edged with surprise and disbelief. Despite most of them having witnessed the same transformation process with their current guest, it was still unsettling to see that he wasn't the only one of his kind to possess the same capabilities.

Although, none of them could claim to have ever believed that his kind even existed before either.

However, while surprised at what had been revealed, Aizen looked down at the Cuatro Espada with a clam, cool expression.

"Well now; this certainly changes things, doesn't it?"

Opening his eyes, Aizen regarded the Cuatro Espada. "Though I understand why you allowed Ichigo Kurosaki to live; you deemed him as not worth the effort of killing him. And as for this new arrival; his presence only proves what our guest has told us: that there are indeed more of them scattered across the globe."

"I say you're soft!"

All the gathered Arrancar turned their attention towards the source of the voice: a tall, muscular man with bright blue spiked hair, fierce green eyes and green strips reaching out from the outer sides of his eyes. And along his right cheek was the fragment of a jaw bone that remained after his turning into an Arrancar.'

"If it were me, I'd have killed both of them with the first strike."

Ulquiorra glanced back at his fellow Espada. "Grimmjow…"

Grimmjow continued his rant. "Just what the Hell were you thinking? If killing him was part of your orders, then obviously that's what should've happened, right?"

Next to him, another Arrancar spoke up. "I agree; it matters not whether or not the boy was worth killing. The boy decided to stand up to you in combat, as did that new arrival. If he does indeed have the same capacities as the other one, he could also become a potential threat to us. I say you should've killed them both."

Grimmjow then leered at the other Espada before them. "And just look at you, Yammy. You're a mess, getting yourself beaten up like that. And yet you come back claiming that neither of them were worth killing. I'd say that you couldn't kill them"

Yammy merely glared back at his accuser. "Grimmjow. It was clear what happened; you saw it. That boy merely caught me off guard, as did that damn robot. Neither of them would have stood a chance against me if I were ready for them!"

"A

So the damn kid and some pile of scrap actually managed to catch you off guard. That's just pathetic!"

That was the last straw.

"PATHETIC? WHY YOU…!"

"Enough."

Ulquiorra raised his arm in front of Yammy, preventing from moving forward, before he spoke again. "Grimmjow; I don't think you quite understand. The boy is not a threat to us…yet."

"Lord Aizen isn't worried of his current rate of power right now. It is his rate of growth that is the true problem. As we have seen, he possesses great potential. Right now, his powers are highly unstable and could possibly become too great for him control. He will eventually be crushed by his own spiritual pressure…or he will become one of our pawns. That's all I'm saying."

"And as for this new arrival: despite his sudden appearance and that fact that he may be acquainted with our guest, he seems to pose little danger to us. Unlike our new company, he possessed very little spiritual energy and lacked the size and strength to pose even a slightest threat in a prolonged battle."

Grimmjow wasn't convinced. "Yeah, well I still say you should've killed them. How can you be sure that the boy won't become a threat to us in the future? And what makes you think that walking tin can doesn't have some sort of special power himself? What will you do then, huh?"

Ulquiorra was blunt. "If either of these events happen, I will personally deal with them myself. Surely you don't have any more complaints, do you?"

Grimmjow sneered, readying another insult…

"Very well" Aizen spoke up. "I shall leave it in your hands then, Ulquiorra."

"Thank you, Lord Aizen" Ulquiorra bowed.

"And one more thing" Aizen spoke out to all those gathered. "I believe it would be best if we kept this new development a secret. We wouldn't want our guest to become suspicious, now would we?"

Throughout the room the gathered Arrancar nodded their consent. Having witnessed their guest's powers first hand, they understood the need to prevent him from developing hostile opinions towards them.

All of them that is, except for two specific individuals. The first of them – a beautiful, tanned skin women with messy blond hair, striking emerald-green eyes – remained silent and stoic throughout the meeting.

The second, Grimmjow, scowled angrily, his entire body quivering in sheer fury at being put down so swiftly.

'Damn you, Ulquiorra!'

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Yahoo. The second chapter to Bleach Prime Interlude is finally finished. I meant to have this updated before the Christmas Holidays, though unfortunately this was not to be.

Nonetheless, I hope you readers like this. And if anyone sees something that needs further editing, please let me know as soon as possible, and I will see to it immediately.

Also, I've put up a poll on whether I should include Grimlock and the Dinobots in Bleach Prime (Interlude). So please vote and we shall see what happens.

Until next time; Cheerio!

And, enjoy this December 31st, 2013 and have a Happy New Year in 2014!