Moonwing was holding the Datapad in his hands off the desk. Gravity harassed his joints, but he locked his arms and kept studying. With the passage of time, his arms began to shake from the light weight. He glared at the screen and tried to forget the struggle. Increasingly more however, the exhaustion was distracting him.

Come on, another page.

He read quickly, then shook his head. He couldn't cheat like that. Ultra Magnus would only give him trouble later. Fingers clenching and stretching, he closed his eyes and forced himself to repeat the definitions in his mind. He peeked back at the glowing screen-

Wrong. Come on, focus.

His arms started to give out. Stifling a groan so that Ultra Magnus wouldn't turn, Moonwing fixed his wide eyes onto the last law. Slamming his eyes closed, he tried again. Then, with a glance and revelation that he had read all that was assigned, he sighed. With an unintentional clang, his arms collapsed onto the table with the Datapad sliding from his fingers.

Ultra Magnus rotated in his chair, glancing to the corner Moonwing had been tucked in.

"What you are doing?"

He politely dipped his wings and held eye contact. "I am sorry for the disturbance, Sir. My arms struck the desk."

The trained response included exactly enough respectful and humble language for Ultra Magnus to pardon him. Moonwing lay his arms out and winced now, the sharpest pain pulsing in his shoulders and elbows. He would surely feel this until tomorrow, but there was a surge of pride that he had read the entire chapter while holding the Datapad in the air.

If I do this whenever I can, no matter how much it hurts, maybe it will get easier. I'll get stronger.

Resting his arms, he reread the chapter while now commanding his legs to move. He searched for the nerves, peeking at his hips as though it would aid him. Like lifeless and kinked rods, his legs disobeyed him at first. Then, there was a fraction of life in them as his legs slid to the side. He tried lifting them, and they budged somewhat, rising just barely over the seat.

Yet his weak core could not hold those legs for long. They collapsed, but Moonwing only focused on his feet next. He kept his ankles twitching and rolling until he announced to Ultra Magnus that he was ready for his quiz. Then, he sat still and serious when Ultra Magnus brought him over to face him, the hovering chair across from Ultra Magnus' mighty armchair.

Ultra Magnus did not cease questioning him about Cybertronian laws until he was certain that Moonwing could regurgitate the codes and words of today's reading. At times, he slipped up, but Moonwing had reached perfection after another while. By the end though, there was no satisfaction for Moonwing to take. Sleepiness had forced him to blink furiously to stay awake throughout it all.

Ultra Magnus knew how damaging the energy in Moonwing's body was, so he did not scold him as long as he tried to stay awake for the lesson. Immediately afterwards, the chair was pushed away and Ultra Magnus plucked Moonwing from it. Always feeling like a toy in the Commander's arms, Moonwing anxiously waited to be placed down in the oversized berth. Once there, his attention was grabbed by the news playing on the television on the wall.

Moonwing collected his presents, the distractions that Ultra Magnus had been placed on a shelf beside the berth. Without touching his legs, Moonwing crossed them slowly with effort. Sitting upright, Moonwing fiddled with his energon carving and gem orb while keeping his focus on the screen.

Ultra Magnus always kept the news on whenever Moonwing came over for his lessons. He didn't know that Ultra Magnus wanted him to watch it just to learn about their world and the criminal activity within it. The intention was that Moonwing would understand justice and punishment for crimes, fearing them, and hopefully Moonwing would be also spooked and appalled by the crimes he saw on the news.

While he listened, the voices of the reporters dropped to cold severity.

"Early tonight in the downtown area of Altihex, two intoxicated visitors were robbed by an unknown Predacon. The perpetrator was described to be dark green and black in colour. If anyone has information about…"

Ultra Magnus muttered, "This is precisely why we need stricter laws regarding their kind."

Moonwing had a sense that Ultra Magnus wasn't just grumbling, but addressing him. So Moonwing probed as necessary, "What are the current laws?"

"You will eventually learn them all in detail, but the law requires that Predacons are prohibited from transforming outside of their district. Which is evidently not enough to curb criminal behaviour."

"…with minor wounds to their arms and torsos…"

Moonwing knew that Ultra Magnus wanted him to speak more. "Wh-what can be done then, Sir?"

"…being treated at the Altihex Main Hospital…"

"The removal of their claws," Ultra Magnus replied, "is still a protested notion. The Predacons absolutely refuse to comply to the laws regulating carried weapons. As their hands are like common blades, they pose risks to the unarmed civilians. The covers for their claws are the current solution, which is not sufficient in the least as the covers are easy to remove in order to impose harm."

Moonwing's eyes widened.

"I am here with Air Commander Air Raid and…"

"But what is important about having claws?" Moonwing asked. "Their only purpose is to harm… They are truly just weapons."

Good, Ultra Magnus thought upon hearing the response. He uttered, "They take pride in their race. Although I can see no reason to find pride in being carnivorous beasts."

"I cannot say enough that there needs to be a change in how the law permits regular citizens to defend themselves." The silver and red Seeker filled the screen and puffed out his chest, broadcasting his Autobot Seeker insignia. "There are currently two-hundred and three registered Predacons on Cybertron, and the increased and increasing population only means more trouble for the rest of us…"

Moonwing thought, How could they be proud? Don't they know their own history?

There was a ball of frustration forming inside him. Moonwing believed that he had never seen a Predacon before, but everything he had learned in history class and the few news stories founded a steel impression of them within him.

They're like beastly versions of Decepticons. Thugs, murders, and apparently supremacists.

Some finished projects of construction were revealed next. As cameras panned over building after building, Moonwing's eyes fluttered. After putting his gifts to the side, he stretched out as far as he could. Advertisements slid in one after the other, all job offers in construction. Moonwing's boredom only made him more fatigued. Tonight, he was unable to watch the news for long before he fell limp, lying with all his aches.

I might be stronger tomorrow. Even if it's just a little bit more.

Moonwing stilled, and his existence in Ultra Magnus's residence was forgotten. He tumbled into a dream about carrying impossibly heavy items that he kept dropping. Moonwing reached for them continuously until he felt himself pawing at real metal. Drifting back awake, he noticed his black hand raised and now sliding off Optimus's chest.

"A-ah… sorry. You're back already?"

Somehow he was back home with Optimus just as he was being lain on his own berth. The window was cold now and showed a view of sprinkled stars twinkling over the lights of the city. Moonwing admired the view while feeling thankful to be secure inside where it was warm. Iacon nights were frigid, moreover splattered with dangerous bots now creeping out from hiding. Just as Moonwing was softening at the thoughts of how comfortable and safe he was in the High Tower, Optimus spoke again.

"I was asked by Smokescreen to give this to you."

While he hadn't been looking, a a spiky metal shape had procured in Optimus's hands. Moonwing promptly remembered it as the most expensive item he had said that he might like but is really too much. Optimus deposited it into Moonwing's hands, which immediately pinned them to the berth. It was a lot heavier than he had expected, but with an inhale, he stabilized it on his leg. Testing it, Moonwing turned and pushed one of the jagged spikes of the 3D puzzle.

He perked up; he had no idea what he was doing. This would occupy him for a while.

"I cannot believe that he would go this far," he breathed. "Well, I can, but… I wish he hadn't gone through the trouble."

Optimus assured him, "It is no trouble. Smokescreen wanted to buy this for you."

Moonwing hmmed, torn between joy and worry. He just had to clarify, "I-I know how much all of you pay for my transportation and how much time goes into my care… Smokescreen might have misunderstood me, but I am thankful for everything. There's nothing I need that you haven't already given me."

Those words spoken in that voice relieved Optimus. He felt the warmth of hope glowing in his chest as he calmly replied, "Gifts are given by those who want to create happiness in the receiver. Even if you do not need the gift itself, what is received is more than the given physical object."

Moonwing nodded. Inspired, his doubts were dispelled. He stopped considering himself as unworthy because he provided nothing to his caregivers in terms of knowledge or work. He considered the gem and the energon, and he found them already lined up behind him on a shelf. Seeing them brought upon a fire of affection for his teacher and bodyguard. Moonwing struggled with the weight of the gem puzzle, but he put it on the shelf with the other presents for later.

Now his hands fell weakly into his lap. Moonwing stretched out again and flattened his wings back against the berth. There was no holding back now the screaming need to sleep. When rest beckoned him, it was not at all difficult to fall asleep while Optimus was watching him. And since Moonwing was used to being watched while he slept, he hardly minded it at all.

Fire agate.

While slacking off in the language class, Moonwing had discovered the name of the gem Carnation had given him. Black and amber, speckled with rainbow- surely, this was the name of what Carnation had bought. And certainly, the alien gem had been expensive.

At the beginning of the culture class, everyone was required to share their discoveries if they had made some. Moonwing kept quiet however, up until Carnation held his gaze upon him and addressed him.

"Moonwing. Did you find out which one I had given you?"

With that calming tone, he remembered the teacher's previous words. Encouraged, he felt brave enough to speak.

"Fire agate," he disclosed. The students bent back like wind-blown grass, shocked that Moonwing had spoken for the first time in front of them. But Moonwing looked forward at the vehicon, trying to ignore them. He waited for someone to say what his caretakers had informed him of, that he sounded like the Decepticon Starscream. Some of them must have remembered that voice from history class.

Yet the whispers he caught were different.

"So he can speak."

"Why didn't he before?"

No one realized the similarity and harassed or ridiculed him. He relaxed. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as he had believed. He lacked the drawl that chilled him, the voice that hinted that there was always a deeper intention behind the words he fabricated. On the contrary, Moonwing was soft spoken and used the polite grammar forms of Cybertronian, perhaps…

They can't find a connection.

Smokescreen was especially proud, cuffing him playfully in the hall afterwards.

"There you go," he laughed. "Was that really so hard?"

"Definitely."

"Two words?"

"Yes," Moonwing smirked.

"Make it more next time!"

Once back in the garden, Smokescreen walked around to the front of him.

"So," Smokescreen said. "You ready for this?"

Moonwing glanced away at an iridescent Cybertronian butterfly. He absentmindedly watched it spread its six frilly wings while he replied, "You know I haven't tried standing in a long time, so don't expect too much."

"That doesn't matter, you know! Now, give it a go."

Moonwing slid down the chair until his feet touched the ground. Placing his hands on the armrests, he tried to push himself up with both the strength of his arms and legs. His torso toppled forward, but he had failed to find control from his hips to knees. With a gasp, his hands slapped against Smokescreen for a supporting grip. His legs folded and he started to slide down him, but Smokescreen's hands under his armpits soon hoisted him straight up.

"Ah, oh- sorry-"

"No worries." Smokescreen tipped him back so that Moonwing was better balanced on his feet. "I've got you."

Being so high off the ground was not unusual when others carried him, but to be upright like this and tall was another sensation. He was surprised again that he was taller than Smokescreen, and naturally more so if one counted his wings. Moonwing then felt his body panicking to find control over his legs, leading him to wobble constantly.

One knee buckled without warning. Moonwing pressed too much into Smokescreen, tipping him backwards. It took only a step back from Smokescreen to correct the imbalance, but a cluster of titters arose from nearby. Flushed with embarrassment, Moonwing dared not look as he moaned quietly, "They're laughing."

"Pah, don't listen to them. Just a bunch of jerks."

The stares of the other students pierced into him. Moonwing wanted to retreat to the safety of the chair, but Smokescreen only straightened him up again. He curled his slender fingers into the gaps in Smokescreen's armour and tried to use more lower body strength to hold himself up. He immediately faltered hard to the left, causing Smokescreen to waltz in a circle. Moonwing banged his hip off Smokescreen's gun and dislodged it from his hip.

When it clattered on the ground, Moonwing winced. "Sorry, Smokescreen…"

"It's fine, Moony. Honestly, the amount of times you say sorry…" Smokescreen stumbled, but scooped the gun with his foot and kicked it up into his hand. "You're like that Canadian stereotype."

Moonwing murmured, "What does Canadian mean?"

"From a certain Earth country. The one beside America. You know that one?"

"Oh, er- yes. That's where Team Prime was on Earth."

But the conversation did nothing to distract him. Moonwing glimpsed a group of students collecting in his peripheral vision, curious and amused by their activity.

He whispered, "Smokescr-"

"You wanna try getting to that wall over there?"

Moonwing swallowed his comment. Smokescreen stepped back; Moonwing attempted to drag his leg forward. It scraped across the metal without being able to get off the ground, then stopped short. He tripped again, knocking Smokescreen off balance once more. A correction, then they tried again. The same result. Very slowly Moonwing was dragged to the wall. The longer they persisted, however, the less the students could hide their giggles. It was like they were witnessing a very poorly coordinated dance.

Moonwing tried again, "Smokescreen, we can do this another time? I-it's much too embarrassing with them watching and laughing…"

"Ach, let them laugh," Smokescreen said. "Why are you letting them bother you?"

Moonwing paused because he didn't have a response.

"You can't let others get in the way of your goals. You gotta have what humans call 'thick skin'. Like, thick armour basically. Brush off the bad things other bots say or do to you and keep doing what you want. Like me, I don't let anyone say I can't do something. I do it and make them eat their words!"

"Eat their words?"

"That's like another translation. English phrase about shocking someone else and making them regret doubting you."

Moonwing's spark felt lifted. "Okay, I understand."

"Right! You'll show them, won't you?"

A large smile spread across Moonwing's silver face. They made it to the wall after some more stumbles, but there, Moonwing turned his back to the students and concentrated on the metal before him. Smokescreen transferred him to it, letting Moonwing grab a narrow ledge and try to hold himself up. This was the most strenuous exercise so far. Without Smokescreen supporting his back, the weight of his four wings bent him backwards. When he frantically leaned forward, the weight then reversed its drag and pressed his chest down.

Smokescreen caught him before he would scrape his face on the wall. Moonwing restarted, trying to adjust to his own center of gravity. His knees and ankles groaned and stung, but the pain felt like something that could be tracked. He seemed to find the nerves better with the pain and made minimal progress with his balance. With incredibly low stamina though, he kept falling down with gasps.

"I know it's tiring and hurts," Smokescreen urged him. "But if you keep this up, I'm sure you'll get better!"

Moonwing grit his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, but he believed what Smokescreen had said with all of his spark. He continued practicing with the wall for a while longer, but the agony gradually increased. For Smokescreen and Carnation, he tried to push through the pain just a little longer than he wanted to.

He kept escaping Smokescreen's grip to hold the wall after every slip-up, and the longer he failed, the less the students laughed. Bored of his persistence, they wandered off, chatting and finding places to seat themselves deeper in the garden.

Smokescreen asked, "You going to work on the puzzle tonight?"

"Yes," Moonwing exhaled with strain. "I'll do it on my free nights."

"Tell me when you're done it! I have no idea what shape it's supposed to be."

Moonwing breathed out a chuckle, then scrunched up his face and descended. Smokescreen's conversation had kept him holding on for just a little bit longer, but when placed on the wall again, Moonwing could not straighten his legs anymore.

"Alright now, you did great." Smokescreen hauled him back to his chair. "That's enough for today."

Relief poured over him to finally be done, but the sense of pride that came was so surprisingly powerful that it quenched the searing pain. He had never tried so hard before, and he had persevered despite the laughing crowd. If he had stopped at the first onslaught of embarrassment, then he wouldn't have accomplished what he just had.

"Smokescreen," he breathed with a weary quiver. "That was amazing. I-I want to do it again."

"That's great to hear! So then, next school day?"

Moonwing nodded.

"Good. Then you can rest up tomorrow for it!"

"There's something else I want to do though," Moonwing admitted. "Besides regaining control of my nervous system, overcoming my shyness in speaking…"

"What is it then?"

"I… I think that if I start talking to others, I might be able to make some friends…?"

"So you want to meet some other bots? That's good, but I'm not so sure about your classmates. They're not very bright." Smokescreen cast his eyes over to those still in the vicinity. "But if you join a club or something, then you'd make good friends. You just need to figure out your interests."

"Oh, hmm…"

"Guess all you do is study. How about something new but not demanding?" he hummed. "How about… reading stories? You like going to the library with Optimus, don't you?"

"Yes..."

"Perfect! Then how about a book club. I know he'll approve."

"O-okay! That definitely sounds interesting."

"Well then, we'll sign up after school. You're not doing anything else tonight right?"

Smokescreen already knew the answer, but he still pretended he wasn't as privy to Moonwing's life as he really was.

"No!" Moonwing huffed in delight. "There's nothing going on tonight!"

Mixed with fear and excitement, Moonwing was taken by Smokescreen to an upper level in the library of Iacon. He quivered in his seat, not sure what to expect.

The doors slid open and revealed a surprisingly large group. The room was spacious and contained approximately forty bots, mostly of the automobile bipedal race. Moonwing had had little contact with other races, and he had only seen other races from afar or on TV. But there were minicons here, even the kind known as a Cyclone, which were known to be vulgar and swift creatures. The one here was silent and still however, too occupied with dragging its beady, amber gaze over a text. Many others had looked up though, including a massive quadruped.

Moonwing knew they were not related to Predacons, but it was beastly in appearance. Spiky, fanged, and with claws carefully handling a Datapad, its black eyes looked up to him. Certainly intimidated, Moonwing accidentally switched his gaze to another uncommon Cybertronian race. It was a thin and sharp being, sitting next to a metal cube. This too looked sort of similar to a Predacon in bot-form, but was thinner and smaller.

Like most of the others, this Predacon-like bot ignored seats and sat on the floor. But Moonwing knew that this bot's race was simply something other than a Predacon. The Predacons on the news were heavily compact, armoured much more thickly than this bot was. Its neck and abdomen were exposed, and it had scrawny arms and legs. But its hands bore claws and there was something sharp hooking over the bot's forehead. Long wings were folded up and attached to its arms, long and feathered and quite different than Moonwing's own jet wings.

Moonwing originally thought he had made a mistake in making eye contact. The bot of the mystery race widened its orange eyes and flung itself to its feet. Wings pressing into each other, Moonwing tensed up as the stranger raced to him.

"Hi, hi! Newbie, right?" his scratchy voice proclaimed. "Come sit with us!"

Slapped with his enthusiasm unexpectedly, Moonwing froze. Smokescreen seemed to hesitate too, which made Moonwing start to believe that Smokescreen was suspicious of something. A second had merely passed, which was strange since Smokescreen was usually quick to reply.

Then Smokescreen responded, "Sure. We'll be right over."

"Oh great!" The creature stamped his taloned foot. "Let's get acquainted!"

He ran back to the quadrupedal and the others who seemed to be a part of his "group". Swiftly but very quietly, Smokescreen leaned in and murmured, "Watch out. Corvicon, a crow Decepticon. Bunch of dumb thieves they all were in the War."

But Smokescreen knew that this creature had passed a trial, or else he wouldn't have been here at a public club. The Corvicon plopped down cross-legged, waiting in complete ease. Knowing it was best to expose Moonwing to other races, as Optimus would have wanted, Smokescreen allowed it. He would just make sure his hand was never far from his gun.

Smokescreen picked Moonwing up from his seat and placed him on the floor, although at a little distance from the Corvicon. Regardless, the one Moonwing was warned of hopped over and sat down in front of him.

"I'm Onyx," he claimed. "I don't remember your name, but you live with Optimus, hey?"

Moonwing was frightened when Onyx leaned towards him, much more taller than expected.

A blue Autobot stated from the side, "That there's Moonwing. That's it, isn't it?"

Smokescreen sat down next to Moonwing. As he did, Moonwing replied, "Y-yeah."

"Shy, ain't you?" Onyx scooted around to his other side and even closer to him. "Well come on, everyone, introduce yourselves to 'im!"

Moonwing was overwhelmed by the names, but he helped himself by examining the differences between the individuals. The more unique they were, the easier it was for Moonwing to learn their names. He classified them by their size in relation to him, by their shapes, and by their colours.

"If you're wondering," Onyx addressed him suddenly. "I may be a Corvicon but, I'm good, see! Otherwise I'd already be in the slammer-o!"

"Of- course…" Moonwing dipped his head and remembered Carnation, trying not to be scared now. "That's true."

Why was he worried then? Moonwing glanced at Smokescreen.

Onyx added, "Spadey though, was always an Autobot, though he's scary-looking."

Spade, the green and silver beast among them, had already introduced himself. That was the quadruped, who looked like a Predacon yet was smaller and had wheels. His voice was not nearly as deep as expected, and up close, his eyes looked gentler. Now he proudly raised his bulk up, showing off a large Autobot police insignia on his chest.

"Tell us 'bout yourself!" Onyx slid into a chummy area with Moonwing and put Smokescreen on alert. "Guess we already know what happened to you but, how are you now?"

"I'm f-fine," Moonwing stammered. "Good."

"You really do sound like Starscream," the police officer, Spade, rumbled. "Though, with a different attitude."

"Funny thing, isn't it?" Onyx laughed. "You 'is reincarnation?"

Smokescreen laughed to dismiss the idea. "No, no, he's not Starscream reborn. He's been online since before Starscream's little accident."

Onyx snickered, "Hmm well, I guess you won't feel a lingering hole then. Am I right?"

Whilst sitting, the Corvicon pretended to run along by pumping his arms. Others smiled and pushed away his swinging, folded wings. Onyx dramatically drawled, "Ooh, I, Lord StAHscream have escaped you miserable Autobots! Gah-!" Then Onyx jolted and pretended to trip forward. He mimed being cleanly impaled, but then growled, "Argggh, have this taken away!"

All who had watched the story snorted and laughed. Onyx pulled a massive grin and sat back up. He implored, "Well, how did y'all interpret the news? This is serious, eh? That's how it happened!"

The police officer's smile was full of pointed teeth, but he calmly answered, "My chief told me he was running with a wing clamp then crashed into the rising spike track. Could have flown over it, but not then. And Starscream didn't surrender, the fool, and didn't stop in time either. But good riddance, anyway."

An Autobot laughed, "I'd have paid so much for a picture. Better yet, a video!"

Moonwing noticed suddenly that Smokescreen had not laughed. Another Autobot chorused his excitement to see the corpse, but the member of Earth's Team Prime, who should have hated Starscream, did not smile.

Someone placed their hand over their mouth and giggled. "Moonwing, can you say something in a Starscream voice? Please?"

Moonwing hesitated, feeling a little sickened after hearing the joy they took in someone's gory death. Yet he wanted them to like him, so he played along. "Oh, sure…"

Someone cried, "I got it, say 'Megatron has fallen. I, Starscream, now rule the Decepticons'. And make sure you say it nice and arrogantly."

Onyx tapped him. "Yeah, yeah, mate!"

Moonwing smiled, the words seeming so silly that he started catching onto their amusement. He forgot about Smokescreen and raised his voice the loudest he had in a long while. He tried to move dramatically too, to entertain the others like Onyx had. With an arm flying out, Moonwing flared out his wings and drawled, "Hear me. Your leader, Megatron, has fallen, and I, StaHscream, now rule the Decepticons!"

"Oh Sweet Solus Prime!" Onyx cried. The group, and now the extended group who had heard him, fell back roaring with laughter. Moonwing was shocked by the effect when he opened his eyes. He had never made a group laugh before, but they were cackling and slamming the ground. He still forgot about Smokescreen, not seeing that he was not laughing along. Rather, Smokescreen had been thrown into fearful shock that he was trying not to show on his face. He had not wanted to hear that specific voice coming from gentle Moonwing, but it had been more than good. It had been a flawless imitation.

He couldn't have remembered anything, right? Smokescreen thought with anxiety. No, it's too soon. He can't… But maybe I should ask for Ratchet to check on him again. It wouldn't hurt.

A new bot entered the room at that moment, a tiny two-wheeler carrying an agenda. Stiffening, the bot looked all around the room.

"Goodness," he breathed. "What did I miss?"

"The new guy," Onyx struggled to say. "It's Moonwing- th-haha, Optimus's resident. Remember th-that story about this lil' Newspark getting that shock bomb thrown at 'im?"

He wrinkled his brows. "Yes…?"

"I mean he don't look like silver Screamer anymore but, he can do a bang-on impression! We just had him say something, ahaha!"

"Right… okay." The club director shrugged off the event. "If everyone could settle down now please, we'll start." He then walked to a large container and inserted a key. "We're at the end of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."

As the one in charge of them all passed out Datapads to loan, Onyx whispered, "Hey, you're really cool, Moonwing. What's your number?"

Moonwing whispered back, "I don't have a phone."

"No way, seriously?" The Corvicon carefully tapped the back of his hand on Moonwing's arm. "How're we gonna hang out sometime after?"

Moonwing's spark felt lighter and brighter than ever.

I did it! I've met someone who wants to be my friend!

He looked to Smokescreen with joyful, shining eyes. "Smoke', you wouldn't mind sharing your number, right? Just so he can reach me?"

Smokescreen stared at his face for a few seconds, then said, "Alright then. I guess you can make your plans through me…"

Then at least I'll know exactly what he says to you, he thought.

"Really? thanks!" Moonwing inhaled.

After passing off the number to Smokescreen, Onyx trilled quietly, "Great! I know some really cool places and all, and I'm just dying to show them to others!"

Moonwing blithely chirped, "That sounds fun!"

"I'm glad you think so!" he started to whisper now. "Not many bots want to actually hang with me. But you're cool, aren't you? Even though I'm a Corvicon?"

And thinking of Carnation again, Moonwing nodded. He felt he could trust the crowbot, a former Decepticon, but someone who also had a personality far greater than those labels.

"Love you, mate," Onyx nodded back profusely. Moonwing watched the gleaming hook of his beak moving with his head. "But stay tuned. This book's a zinger about magic humans and beasts, and we're finishing today! Nothing that we're going to miss, you and I. I'm a hyper sort of bot, but reading club- I'll shake the life outta you if you don't take it as seriously as me! You'll be confused, but ask to take the story home after. Sweet one like you'll enjoy it if you read from start to finish."

The group settled and fell into the purest of silences. Moonwing held the Datapad and read from where everyone else did, indeed finding himself immediately confused. Moonwing was struggling with the characters and new words, but he then paused to catch Smokescreen staring at his phone once again. He flicked an eye over to peek, but Smokescreen's hand was cleverly folded so that he nonchalantly blocked the screen from Moonwing's view.

Otherwise, he would have caught sight of the profile Ultra Magnus had just sent Smokescreen of the Corvicon Onyx, the construction worker and former robber of museums and tombs.