Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime Hasbro does. I do own the idea of the story and OC's.
Finesse by Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B belongs to the rightful artist and their respective record label.
Jack, Naomi, and Raf seen a photo of Bumblebee in full alien form racing through a small town. From an online conspiracy website.
"I'm on it," Naomi smirked.
Using Raf's laptop, she removed the picture of Bumblebee and placed it in Raf's personal encrypted folder. She pulled out another picture and placed it in the slot. The trio had a hard time stifling their laughter at a tap dancing monkey.
"The tap dancing monkey strikes again," Jack smirked as the trio shared a hi-five.
"Bumblebee's sightings on the world wide web are no laughing matter!" Ratchet chided from his position at the main computer.
"Seven… Eight… Nine…," Miko counted as she and Bulkhead laid on their sides…doing Pilates.
"Why can't I just drive from now on?" Bulkhead asked, not enjoying the painful aspect of physical therapy.
"Because your legs will atrophy if you don't use them!" Ratchet immediately answered on Miko's behalf.
"One… Two… Three…," Miko began counting again, despite Bulkhead's protests.
"Wait. What's that?" Jack wanted to know as he pointed at the photo that was titled 'Mystery Meteor'.
"I don't know," Naomi shrugged as she zoomed in on the photo.
Fefinr was passing by behind them, she looked then snatched the laptop from her niece-in-laws lap. "That isn't a meteor, that is a-."
"A Cybertronian escape pod," Aireon cut her off, the two femmes looked at the children.
"A Cybertronian escape pod?!" Raf finished in disbelief.
Everyone else heard Raf's cry in surprise and everything seemed to be at a standstill.
"Here in Earth's atmosphere?!" Ratchet exclaimed in surprise.
"Transferring data to main screen," Naomi said as took the laptop from Fefinr's grasp.
"Autobot or Decepticon?" Arcee inquired.
"Impossible to tell given the image resolution," Ratchet sighed.
"In any event, this merits investigation," Optimus proclaimed.
"Could be a trap," Arcee warned, "And we're down one bot, along with a pregnant one."
"I can hear you!" Bulkhead called from his position on the floor sitting cross-legged on the floor.
"I don't care if Bulkhead isn't combat ready! After that revenge stunt he pulled with Miko and Kristen, Wheeljack can stay rogue!" Ratchet voiced his opinion.
"An Autobot may be in distress. Ratchet, bring your medical kit," Optimus instructed.
"Kristen, you stay here. I'm serious," Aireon gave Kristen a stern stare, the pregnant teen groaned but sat down next to her niece and her friends.
Using the GroundBridge, Optimus, Arcee, Bumblebee, Aireon, Stratoslock, Fefinr, and Ratchet arrived at the forest area where the escape pod crash-landed.
"Watch your sixes," Fefinr warned.
When they reached the pod, Arcee removed the dirt and other substances that were covering the insignia. When they saw the red insignia stand out amongst the black and grey of the pod.
"It is of Decepticon origin," Optimus rumbled.
"And the 'Con inside blew his way out," Arcee pointed out.
"Whoever was housed inside may be vulnerable and unable to attack," Optimus stated.
"We will be soon if don't take care of these fraggers," Aireon said as she unstealthed her sword.
The other Autobots heard the sounds of shots being fired and saw what Aireon was talking about.
Decepticons were coming in for an attack.…
"All those Decepticons came out of one pod?!" Arcee said in disbelief.
"Humans refer to the phenonema as a clown car!" Ratchet called over the blaster fire.
Optimus took care of the Insecticon coming to attack he had even took care of the second approaching one.
Ratchet, however, wasn't as lucky as his leader and dearest, oldest friend. He was smashed into a boulder by another Insecticon, who prepared to deliver the fatal blow to the medic. Ratchet's optics widened in horror as he prepared for the inevitable.
Arcee went to attack the Insecticon and defend Ratchet, she turned around and watched an unknown figure approaching them. The unknown figure looked like Bumblebee. But, he was red, white and blue and had the patterns of a sports car rather than a muscle car. And from the looks of things, he was on their side.
"Incoming!" Arcee called as she and Bumblebee aimed their blasters at him.
"Down in front!" he called back as he jumped over them and took down a drone.
"He's on our side!" Aireon called before muttering, "I think," Arcee shrugged beside her.
One of this stranger's blaster shots hit the small river of Energon outside the pod, igniting it to explode.
"Great," Stratoslock grumbled.
"The pod's gonna blow!" Arcee yelled.
"Fallback!" Optimus ordered.
Team Prime barely managed to find cover in time before the pod exploded. The force of the explosion left them barely able to stay on their feet, it actually caused Aireon to trip and tumble. Stratoslock snickered despite the situation, she glowered at him as Fefinr helped to her feet trying to hide her smirk.
When the smoke cleared, they saw blue flames attacking the ground and the rest of the trees in the area. There were also no signs of the Vehicons and Insecticons that were attacking them before. It was safe to presume they were killed in the explosion.
Awesome.
The stranger that helped them was the first to emerge from his hiding place. When he surveyed the damage, he let out a loud whoop.
"Whoo! Outstanding! Too hot for you, 'Con's?!" he whooped.
"Friend of yours?" Ratchet asked Bumblebee, Aireon, and Arcee.
He earned a shrug back from Bumblebee.
"Never seen him before," Arcee admitted.
Aireon didn't answer the question. She just stood there and stared, it was like she was having deja vu. And she didn't know why.
"Torching that Energon leak. Pretty good plan, right?" the stranger said.
"Except that it wasn't your plan," Arcee pointed out, "It was a random shot that almost fried us to a crisp!"
"Worked out, didn't it?" he retorted.
"Thank you, fellow Autobot," Optimus thanked as he stepped forward. That caused the young soldier to gape at the Autobot leader, with Stratoslock and Aireon at his side, "Your valor is to be commended."
"I… don't believe it!" he gasped excitedly.
"You're Optimus Prime!" he cried excitedly before turning to the others, "He's Optimus Prime!"
"We know," Arcee said, nonchalantly, Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Fefinr beside her.
"And Stratoslock! Aireon Prime!" Smokescreen stared at Aireon the longest. "I can't believe this."
"Neither can I," Aireon agreed, quietly, still confused.
"What's your name, soldier?" Stratoslock asked.
"Smokescreen, sir!" Smokescreen answered as he saluted to Optimus, Stratoslock, and Aireon.
"Welcome to Earth, Smokescreen," Aireon and Optimus greeted, with signature smiles.
"It's an honor to be here," Smokescreen gushed as he shook hands with Optimus after he stretched out his hand, "Especially with you!"
"Now what?" Ratchet muttered, causing everyone to look at him, "It's not like we can just bring him back to base."
"Wouldn't be the first time an ally turned out to be a plant," Arcee pointed out.
"I see you received your training from Cybertron's Elite Guard," Optimus observed, noticing the special red Autobot insignia with two stripes on either side near Smokescreen's arm rotor.
"Elite Guard?" Aireon asked, shestepped closer to excamine his arm rotor.
"Impressive," Stratoslock said.
"True enough," Smokescreen shrugged casually back at Optimus and his heirs, "Though, it wasn't much more than a boot camp by the time I joined. I never even got a proper graduation ceremony!"
"There was a war going on," Arcee stated dryly, very much with Ratchet on whether or not they should trust the young Autobot standing before them.
"Hey! All I ever wanted was to be a soldier. To serve the Autobot cause. But what I got was security detail at Iacon," Smokescreen grumbled.
"The Hall of Records?!" Aireon asked in surprise.
"Of all places," Ratchet muttered before turning to his leader, "Optimus, do you not find this highly suspicious?"
"Smokescreen, what was your assignment inside the hall?" Optimus inquired.
"Guarding Alpha Trion during what turned out to be the final few days of the war,"He answered.
"You served under the master archivist?" Optimus quired in amazement.
"I wasn't thrilled at first. Watching the back of an old bot instead of kicking 'Con tailpipe!" Smokescreen grumbled, then he earned a look from Optimus Prime, "Sorry. But the Big A turned out to be a good teacher and a true friend. I mean, he was the one who helped the High Council to make you a Prime."
"Rafael, activate the GroundBridge," Optimus instructed over the commlink, convinced enough.
"That's it?" Arcee said in disbelief, "That's all you need to hear before inviting him to the party?!"
"Even I was about of the Decepticons even I find him suspicious," Fefinr added to Arcee and Ratchets protest.
"If my former mentor shared this information, it is because he considered Smokescreen a trusted ally," Optimus pointed out.
That was it before they brought Smokescreen back to the base. Immediately after bringing him back and the necessary introductions were made, Miko ambushed the poor guy.
"We haven't had someone new here since Wheeljack! What's your story, Smoke? Where did you come from? How did you get here? How many blasters are you packing?!" Miko asked eagerly, leaving Smokescreen standing there confused.
"So these are the life forms we're supposed to protect?" Smokescreen asked before turning to Ratchet, "Are they all like this?"
"Fortunately not. But I, too, share Miko's fascination on how you came to arrive on Earth," Ratchet admitted.
"In a Decepticon escape pod!" Arcee piped in as she stepped forward with her hands on her hips.
"And you've still got trust issues, huh? Tough crowd!" Smokescreen remarked before answering one of Miko's question and satisfying Ratchet's fascination, "The main press of combat operations were at least 20 klicks from the Hall of Records. So things had been pretty quiet. But the situation went downhill fast.
"The 'Cons launched a massive surge that wiped out the last line of defenses surrounding Iacon. I was the only thing left to hold them back. And let me tell ya! I was pumped! I mean, this was my chance to see real action for the first time! To prove myself!
"Until everything went back.
The 'Cons took me as prisoner and dumped me on a transport ship. But I managed to give the guard a slip and hop into an escape pod. Apparently, it was a long distance pod, because it knocked me into stasis. Next thing I knew, I'm hitting solid ground. Hard."
"The Decepticon warship must have picked up the escape pod's beacon and guided it to Earth," Ratchet surmised.
"Which would explain Smokescreen's welcoming committee," Kristen piped in.
"Anyone wanna bet that the 'Cons weren't happy about not finding one of their own inside?" Aireon smirked, crossing her arms.
"Smokescreen, do you know of Alpha Trion's fate after the fall of Iacon?" Optimus inquired worriedly.
"I wish I did. But that was the last I ever saw of him," Smokescreen sighed sadly.
"So that's it. My life story. Not exactly the glory I envisioned for myself… until now! Being here with Optimus Prime and his heirs! I knew I was destined for great things!" Smokescreen cried happily, "I mean, now that you have help, how hard can it be to end this war?!"
Smokescreen heard a groan and a growl, causing him to turn around immediately. When he did, he saw Bulkhead limping towards the main room. His left was dragging across the floor, which immediately told him that he was severely attacked during a battle and he was struggling to recover from the injuries. Immediately, he began to regret his last question of ignorance.
"Take a good look, newbie. This is how hard," Bulkhead snarled.
"Smokescreen, I would suggest that you take the time to get acclimated to your new surroundings. A tour of the base would be an excellent start," Optimus suggested.
"Sure thing!" Miko said eagerly, earning a sigh of sadness from Bulkhead, "I mean, Jack here offers a very informative tour!"
"This is what humans call the Information Superhighway?!" Starscream scoffed in disbelief as he used the computers to explore the internet, "A trillion megabytes of data and none of it's useful?!"
Even though he wouldn't admit it, he found the tap dancing monkey that Naomi used to replace the picture of Bumblebee on the conspiracy website highly amusing.
"Though some oddly engrossing," Starscream chuckled before noticing an odd picture with red crystals, "What is this? Ignorant life forms have no idea what they've uncovered! Red Energon! If I can possess its power, not only will I be stronger! But also, faster! Significantly faster!"
"Phase shifter," Jack began kicking off the list of the Iacon relics they possessed as they walked past their storage vaults.
"Spark extractor, Immobilizer," Jack went on.
"This is where we store the Cybertronian relics that we find buried on Earth. And talk about a small universe," Jack remarked, "Because most of them came from…"
"The Iacon Hall of Records," Smokescreen finished as he looked into the vault with the phase shifter, "I remember these. …Whoa! What kind of relic is she?!"
"The kind you don't wanna mess with," Jack warned.…
"If you wanted to replace me, you should have called Wheeljack!" Bulkhead said to Optimus, "I could have lived with that!"
"No one is replacing you, Bulkhead," Arcee promised, "For one thing, Smokescreen's too green."
"While Bulk's as green as can get!" Miko smirked.
"What Arcee means is Smokescreen still has a great deal to learn," Ratchet corrected.
"And once you've got him trained, then what?! He's in! I'm a doorstop!" Bulkhead snapped.
"Bulkhead, your place with us is not in jeopardy. But there is no dispute that we have long required additional firepower. It is essential that our team learns to work with our new recruit. Not against him," Stratoslock roclaimed.
"I hope the hot shot's blasters are as big as his mouth," Bulkhead grumbled, "How hard can it be?"
"Hey, everyone!" Raf called from his position by the computers, "Check this out!"
"Don't tell me it's another Bumblebee sighting!" Ratchet scoffed, before gawling, "Oh my…"
"Red Energon," Optimus rumbled.
"Here?! On Earth?!" Ratchet cried in surprise.
"What's Red Energon?" Raf asked.
"An extremely rare and volatile form of Energon. Refined into fuel, it provides the power of hyper speed," Aireon clarified.
"We must have Agent Fowler clear the dig site of all human presence in the event we are not the only ones to have discovered its location," Optimus proclaimed.…
"Now you're talking!" Smokescreen cheered as he, and Jack walked into the room, "Let's scramble some 'Con circuits!"
"You're not going," Aireon said.
"My daughter is correct. Given your limited field experience, I believe further training is required before you're battle ready," Optimus decreed, something that Smokescreen didn't want to hear.
"Optimus, with all due respect…," Smokescreen began to protest.
"Furthermore, we Autobots live on this planet as Robots in Disguise. You will need to obtain an Earth-based vehicle mode," Optimus told him.
"In order to maintain a low profile," Arcee piped in, "If that's possible for you."
"If you're talking wheels, bring them on!" Smokescreen cried happily.
"Oh my God," Kristen sighed, but she felt a smile pulled at her lips.
Naomi seen it and a black brow raised quizzically at Kristen, she just shook her head before putting a hand on her growing belly.
"The red Energon is mine, humans!" Starscream roared as he jumped through the GroundBridge, the Apex Armor in his hand, "For you are powerless in the face of the mighty Star-! What?! Where is it?!"
In his rant upon entrance from the GroundBridge portal, Starscream had neglected to search the area. It took him awhile to realize what was going on.
There were no humans. The site was deserted. Not even close offmarkers.
And the Red Energon was gone.
Smokescreen, and Jack were lying on their stomachs on top of a boulder overlooking the main highway in Jasper, Nevada. Jack had made it his mission to make sure Smokescreen obtains his vehicle form so when he leaves the base, he's disguised. However, he was having trouble finding a suitable form, turning down every type of vehicle Jack would point out.
"Nope," Smokescreen shook his head at a white car that had driven past, not liking how simple it looked.
"How about that one?" Jack suggested as he pointed to a slow-moving Ute.
"It's more Ratchet's speed, don't you think?" Smokescreen shook his head.
"Cement truck?" Jack offered.
"Yeah. If I were a Constructicon," Smokescreen scoffed.
Smokescreen scoffs, "Seriously! This is the best your planet has to offer?!"
"No. But this is Jasper," Jack sighed.
"I feel for ya," Smokescreen sighed.
"How about that one?" Jacob asked.
"Perfect," Smokescreen smirked as he scanned it into his internal database.
Optimus, Arcee, Stratoslock, Fefinr, and Bumblebee raced through the GroundBridge portal as they arrived at a cargo port. They had managed to trace the Red Energon down to the port.
It had been packed up and lifted by a crane and placed in a freight container to be shipped away.
"Fowler couldn't have a crane operator lower the thing?" Arcee asked, a little cranky.
"The humans must have been preparing to transfer a meteor to a cargo ship when they received his evacuation order," Optimus reasoned.
"Run along home, Autobots!" Starscream smirked at them, causing the Autobots stand in position to defend themselves. "That Red Energon has my name written all over it!"
With those words said, he placed the emblem on his chest and allowed himself to be enveloped in the safety and protection of the Apex Armor. For Optimus, it provided them with the trouble they were going to have defeating the Decepticon rogue.
"And I am more than willing to fight for it," Starscream challenged.
"Secure the Red Energon and have Ratchet bridge it back to base," Optimus instructed Arcee, Stratoslock, Fefinr, and Bumblebee as he prepared to fight Starscream.
When Arcee, Fefinr, and Bumblebee ran off to obey their leader's instructions, the battle between Optimus, Stratoslock, and Starscream began. As Starscream approached the Autobot leader, Optimus began opening fire on the Decepticon rogue/coward. When Starscream was close enough, he began hand-to-hand combat, Optimus' firepower is useless. Starscream was quick to gain the upper hand over Optimus, which was shown by him throwing the Autobot leader into a series of freight boxes.
"Don't tell me you've already forgotten our last encounter, Prime!" Starscream taunted with a smirk.
Stratoslock in his beast mode growled as he stalked toward Starscream as he licked his razor sharp teeth unconsciously. Starscream began praying that the Apex Armor protected him from the eldest Prime heir.
"Keep moving, Bee," Arcee instructed Bumblebee, he had stopped to glance at the battle below.
When Starscream turned to face the freight crane, he noticed Arcee, Fefinr, and Bumblebee climbing up it, they going to take the Red Energon. Deliver it back to the base while he was distracted battling Optimus and Stratoslock. Slowly, and menancing, he approached the crane, thinking of a plan that would stop the trio and possibly destroy them.
"Optimus, is something wrong?" Ratchet asked Optimus worriedly over the commlink.
"Starscream has come for the Red Energon. And I fear he will not be deterred at his quest."
"Starscream?!" Smokescreen repeated in disbelief as he, and Jack walked into the main command centre, "I've heard stories about that stiletto-heeled creep from the Hall Of Records back on Cybertron! Send me in, doc!"
"When Optimus requires backup, he will ask for it," Aireon objected, as she walked back into the command center from checking in on Bulkhead.
"Aw come on! I've got my v-mode and everything! I'm suited up and ready to roll!" Smokescreen protested.
"What part of further training did you not understand?!" Ratchet snapped before resuming his work on the commlink and the GroundBridge.
Smokescreen wasn't one to give up that easy.
"The higher you climb, the higher you fall!" Starscream tormented as he chased Arcee, Fefinr and Bumblebee up the freight crane.
"Suck a fat one," Fefinr grumbled, Arcee snickered quietly and Bumblebee chuckled.
Arcee, Fefinr, and Bumblebee managed to reach the top of the crane. While Arcee decided to go after the Red Energon, Bumblebee and Fefinr made an attempt attack. They haven't battled Starscream with the Apex Armor before.
"Autobots! Such slow learners!" Starscream cackled.
"Optimus! What is your status?!" Ratchet inquired through the commlink, earning no response. "Stratoslock!"
"Ratchet! They need me! I can do this!" Bulkhead begged as he limped towards the medic.
"Arcee?" Ratchet tried as he ignored Bulkhead, earning static in response, "Bumblebee?! Fefinr"
"Did you hear what I said?!" Bulkhead demanded.
"I heard! And I'm ignoring you! Aireon! This might be your opportunity after all, Smokescreen!" Ratchet remarked, only to notice that the new recruit were missing, "Where is Smokescreen?"
"Uh, he went that way," Naomi pointed to the hallway by the medbay.
Aireon turned to Ratchet and then Bulkhead, they both shrugged.
"That's the one," Smokescreen proclaimed as he opened the vault that housed the phase shifter.
"You there!" Ratchet called as he approached Smokescreen, "What in the name of the AllSpark were you doing?!"
As Arcee raced ahead to obtain the red Energon, Fefinr and Bumblebee fought Starscream. Bumblebee started realize that Starscream was invincible against blaster fire. Starscream easily walked up to Bumblebee and knocking him over the edge of the walkway. The young scout managed to land on the second level and wasn't harmed.
"Time to unload some more dead weight," Starscream smirked as he knocked Fefinr away.
Mking her go over the edge as well, unlike Bumblebee she hadn't landed on the second level, she knocked into it, but she managed to grab a bar. Starscream reached down towards Arcee.
When Arcee looked up, he looked up as well, he saw Stratoslock climbing up towards the top of the crane. Starscream's fight or flight instincts failed him as Stratoslock jumped down and punched the Decepticon rogue. Starscream let out a yell of surprise as he found himself falling. He began fialling for something to grab.
That happened to be the crate with the Red Energon that he had tore open.
His greed overran common sense as he reached up to take it. He was able to grab only half of the crystal supply before he fell to the ground.
"NO!"
With Starscream out of the way, Optimus grabbed the rope and began pulling the crate up. Stratoslock immediately went forward to help his father lift up the crystal.
But then crane began to shake as though it was close to collapsing. Immediately, Optimus and Stratoslock froze. Glancing down, they saw Starscream holding onto the base on the crane. For Optimus and Stratoslock, it didn't take them long to figure out what Starscream was trying to do.
"Watch your steps, Autobots!" Starscream cackled.
Starscream's cackles echoed around the pier as he began to lift the crane. Optimus, Stratoslock, Fefinr, Arcee, and Bumblebee struggled to keep their footing as the crane had begun to topple.
"Hey!"
"Huh?!" Starscream, confused, turned his head.
When he did, he saw Smokescreen and Aireon racing through a GroundBridge portal. Aireon, standing beside Smokescreen as he transformed back from his vehicle mode, unstealthed her sword.
"Apparently, no one defined 'low profile' for him," Arcee muttered to Bumblebee.
"Drop the crane, Starscream," Aireon snarled, her canines sharpening.
Smokescreen looked at Aireon incredulously. To his surprise, Starscream let go of the part and placed it back on the ground instead of pushing it over all the way.
"Ah, Aireon Prime. Long time, no see," Starscream sneered.
"It wasn't long enough!" Aireon sneered.
"Oh look! The Autobots have a new recruit!" Starscream smirked.
"And you must be Starscream!" Smokescreen said, "I thought you'd be taller!"
"This will not end well," Fefinr remarked, but she squatted down to watch.
"Smokescreen! Aireon! Stand down!" Optimus called down in warning, "You are no match for Starscream's Apex Armor!"
"Any last words, Smokescreen and
Aireon," Starscream inquired.
"Just four," Smokescreen shrugged casually.
"Kiss your armor goodbye!" Aireon smirked, as her battle mask closed, her sword drawn.
With those words said, the phase shifter on Smokescreen's wrist activated. Starscream gaped in horror as he realized what was going to happen. He didn't stop Smokescreen from charging at him, even with the phase shifter activated, he would go right through him.
Aireon watched in slight amusement with a rised brow as Smokescreen jumped up and kicked. Naturally, he went right through the Apex Armor. Starscream cried in surprise and horror as Smokescreen kicked him out of the Apex Armor.
"A phase shifter?!" Starscream gasped in disbelief as he sat up and gaped at the Autobot's newest recruit.
"Now that was a plan!" Smokescreen cheered as he knocked the still-standing Apex Armor to the floor.
"Sorry," Smokescreen apologized sheepishly, causing Arcee to sigh and roll her eyes.
"You aren't the only one sporting a wrist-mounted device!" Starscream roared as he aimed his missile at the crane Stratoslock, Optimus, Arcee, Fefinr, and Bumblebee were standing on, "Think fast!"
"Starscream! No!" Aireon cried, she lounged toward him.
Starscream ignored her. He fired his missile at the walkway Optimus, Stratoslock, Fefinr, Arcee, and Bumblebee were standing on. They stood there with optics widened in horror.
Smokescreen and Aireon could only watch in horror as the missile crashed into its target and engulfed it in a fiery explosion.
"No!" Smokescreen cried.
Aireon let out a cry as she swiped her sword at Starscream, the shockwave blast hit him square in the chest and he went flying.
Aireon looked up to see Optimus standing on top of the crane, Stratoslock pulling Bumblebee back up. She relaxed at the sight of her father, brother, sister-in-law and boyfriend alive and unharmed.
Smokescreen approached the abandoned Apex Armor. It didn't take him long to figure out that the Apex Armor was a relic evacuated from Iacon.
"I seriously hate Starscream," Fefinr snarled.
"That's not new, Megatron even hates him," Aireon shrugged.
"That's sad," Stratoslock said.
"I told you I just needed to borrow it for a while!" Smokescreen cried, before turning to Optimus when he noticed his confusion, "Doc here thought I was trying to steal your relics."
"Only until you explained your plan, which I then sanctioned. It's called protocol!" Ratchet snapped.
"Ratchet is correct. Standard procedure must be observed by ever member of this team," Stratoslock reprimanded, glancing at his father then at Smokescreen, "However, I also believe that we must commend Smokescreen. You have proven to be a quick study by choosing to place strategy above bravado."
"There's going to be no living with him now," Arcee sighed, glancing at Fefinr.
"Arcee! Admit it. If it weren't for him, you'd be burning to a crisp," Aireon said.
"Okay. I'll give him that," Arcee relented, "But I'm still wary of you!"
"Okay. Smokescreen has proven myself worthy," Aireon says as she smirks at Stratoslock.
Optimus looked at his two eldest heir, they looked at him, they both nodded. The three Primes got into a line in front of Smokescreen.
Stratoslock began, "Do to the lack of a proper pageantry of a proper Elite Guard ceremony. But we just have to make do."
"Congratulations, Smokescreen," Optimus smiled.
"From this day forward, you are officially a member of Team Prime!" Aireon proclaimed.
Smokescreen turned to face Arcee, Bumblebee, Fefinr, and Ratchet. They just stood there like it was a proper ceremony. Glancing at the humans, Naomi smiled at him just like Kristen did, his eyes on her lingered the longest. He saw Jack smile warmly, knowing fully well that the new recruit was struggling keeping his happiness inside.
Hearing a moan of pain and a sigh of sadness, Miko's smile disappeared as she turned around to see Bulkhead holding onto the doorway for support, indicating that his leg was still giving him trouble.
"The newbie did alright," Bulkhead sighed sadly as he glanced at the Apex Armor.
"Don't worry, Bulk. He's got nothing on you!" Miko promised as she raced towards her friend, Bulkhead turned to walk away, "Seriously! Once we get that leg of yours back into shape, Old Smokey's gonna learn real quick who's the top wrecking ball around here!"
Bulkhead ignored her, he continued walking away, unable to stay in the room.
"Bulkhead?"