The next day, back in the Autobots secret base, Optimus Prime was starting to feel better as he made a full recovery. Ratchet helped remove the Energon infusion tubes before he helped the red and blue Prime get off his berth. He made sure that Optimus wasn't in pain and although he still felt a little bit of pain from the wound in his chest, Prime was able to walk. Ratchet was glad that he managed to repair the damage that Megatron recently gave Optimus to steal the Matrix of Leadership. Optimus Prime then gathered his Autobots for a meeting on what to do before Megatron and his Decepticons would make their next move. Ratchet, Wheeljack, Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee were all gathered in the same room to meet up with their leader.
Except for Smokescreen. Optimus Prime waited for the young Autobot rookie to join the group meeting, but he didn't show up.
"Where is Smokescreen?" Optimus asked his Autobots. "I dunno. Last time we checked, he was in his room," said Wheeljack. "But where is he now?" Optimus inquired. "We're not sure. I went to wake up the kid but he wasn't on his recharge slab or anywhere in here." Bulkhead replied. "You don't suppose that he went outside for a drive this morning, did he?" Arcee asked. Optimus Prime decided to comlink Smokescreen to find out where he is, "Smokescreen, can you hear me?" He called. "Smokescreen, do you read?" He tried contacting him again but there was no response.
Optimus and the Autobots began to search for Smokescreen. When they couldn't find him in their base, they decided to transform and roll out to search for their latest recruit. Meanwhile, back on the Nemesis, Smokescreen was recharging in his new quarters when he woke up and by the time he got out of his berth, he looked at himself in the mirror to look at his new Decepticon insignia. When he heard someone knocking on his door, he answered and he saw Megatron's first lieutenant standing in front of him. "Dreadwing." Smokescreen said. "Good morning, young one." Dreadwing greeted Smokescreen. "Uh, good morning." Smokescreen said. "Lord Megatron wishes to see you at the bridge," Dreadwing informed the young bot. Smokescreen followed Dreadwing over to the main bridge of the Nemesis where Megatron was waiting for them.
"Ahh, Smokescreen. I see that you're finally awake. Did you sleep well?" Megatron said to Smokescreen.
Smokescreen yawned and stretched his arms out. "Yes, sir. So, what's the schedule?" He asked Megatron. "Today is your first day of training, my son. You will follow Dreadwing to the training room where he will be teaching you how to properly master swordsmanship." the Decepticon warlord told the young Autobot-turned-Decepticon mech.
"I'm sorry, swordsmanship?" Smokescreen asked in confusion.
"Do you recall the day we battled inside our warship when you and Optimus were captured, did you not?" Megatron said. "I drew out my blade and you fought me only with a sharp, pointy piece of scrap metal instead of a real sword." he reminded Smokescreen.
"Oh, yeah. I remember that." Smokescreen replied as he recalled his last battle with Megatron.
"Dreadwing. Escort the Prince to the training room and teach him how to properly master the sword." Megatron ordered the leader of the Seeker army. Dreadwing replied, "Yes, Master. Follow me, young prince." He told Smokescreen.
Smokescreen followed Dreadwing to the training room and once they arrived there, Smokescreen saw some training gear and Dreadwing handed him a sword. "Here is your first sword," Dreadwing told Smokescreen as he handed him the weapon. "It's heavier than it looks." Smokescreen said as he held the blade. "Come. Allow me to teach you how to master the art of swordsmanship." Dreadwing told his pupil.
"Uh, okay. But are you sure about this?" Smokescreen asked. "I'm very sure," Dreadwing said as he held out his own sword. Megatron's first lieutenant instructed Smokescreen on how to properly make a solid stance while holding his sword and once they were in a fighting position, Dreadwing tells Smokescreen to begin his melee combat training with him.
"Begin," Dreadwing told Smokescreen.
The young ex-Autobot holds up his sword before he runs up towards Dreadwing and they get into a sword fight with each other. Smokescreen tries to strike at Dreadwing with his sword but he wasn't doing it well as Dreadwing blocks his every attack before kicking Smokescreen and sending him backward as he lands on his rear. "You're doing it all wrong, boy. Get up and try again." Dreadwing lectured at his pupil. Smokescreen gets up and he gets back into sword fighting with Dreadwing. The training seemed to last for an hour as Smokescreen was learning how to master the sword with Dreadwing mentoring him. When Smokescreen managed to defeat Dreadwing in a sword fight, the Decepticon lieutenant congratulated his pupil. "Well played, Smokescreen. Now that you've mastered the sword, you will have to learn on how to fight a larger and much stronger opponent. Like Megatron."
"But how? His blade is longer and bigger than mine and he's way much stronger and taller than me." Smokescreen said. "What if he hurts me?"
"He won't hurt you. I'm sure that Lord Megatron will only teach you the basic skills on how to beat your opponent with or without your sword." Dreadwing told the young ex-Autobot.
Smokescreen was anxious and uncertain about learning to sword fight with Megatron next now that he's done training with Dreadwing. He remembered just how scared he was when he fought him to save Optimus Prime and get the Matrix of Leadership back from Megatron the other day with just a pointy piece of metal. The young bot wasn't sure how he was going to use a sword to beat the supreme leader of the Decepticons and Smokescreen only preferred using his own blasters, his melee combat, his own race car vehicle mode, and even the Phase Shifter. Smokescreen was not into sword fighting as much as Dreadwing with his katanas or Optimus Prime with the Star Saber or even Megatron with his Dark Star Saber with he made out of Dark Energon while using the Forge of Solus Prime when he switched his arm with that of a deceased Prime like Liege Maximo from when he robbed his tomb on Cybertron.
Dreadwing hears the sounds of the doors opening and Megatron walks in with Soundwave. "Dreadwing. Have you taught Smokescreen how to use a sword to fight properly?" The warlord asked. "Yes, Master. I have to admit, that he is quite the beginner and he still has a lot to learn." Dreadwing told Megatron. "Indeed." The warlord said.
Smokescreen Looked At The Sword, Wondering If Dreadwing Told Him Was Right About Megatron Not Hurting Him, He Swinged The Sword A Few Times, Even Lifted It Up, But He Stumbled Backwards & fell Onto His Back "Ow!" He Cried Out Alerting Dreadwing & Megatron As They Ran Over To Him "Are You Ok, Smokescreen?" Dreadwing Asked "Yeah, Heheh, I'm Fine." Smokescreen Said With A Nervous Laugh As He Gets Himself Up "Just Wondering How Much It Would Weigh." He Said As He Smiled Sheepishly.
Dreadwing Sighed "Yes, Some Swords Like That Can Be Heavy." He Said As Smokescreen Nodded As He Looked At Megatron "Is There Something Going On, Sir?"
Soundwave showed an image of Autobot life signals that are located in Jasper, Nevada near the canyons. Dreadwing saw four Autobot life signals, possibly even more, and Smokescreen was wondering what was going on. "It would seem that the Autobots are searching for their latest recruit. Or should I say, our newest recruit?" Megaton told Dreadwing. "What are your orders, sir?" Asked the Decepticon first lieutenant. Megatron made a malevolent grin as he answered, "Follow them. Make sure they do not see or hear you and make sure that Optimus Prime is with his Autobot team. Don't come out of hiding and attack them or destroy them unless I give the order to! I want us to give them a surprise they won't forget: that Smokescreen is now one of us for he has found his rightful place by my side as my heir to the Decepticon empire. As for Starscream, he is not allowed to go out on this mission with you and the others. He will only ruin our plan with his own stupidity. Soundwave will have my second-in-command in constant surveillance until this mission is all over. Meanwhile, I'm going to be teaching Smokescreen on what it means to be a Decepticon. Now go! And do not fail me."
Dreadwing bowed his head and replied, "Yes, Lord Megatron." Once Dreadwing had left, Megatron walked towards his new adopted son, Smokescreen who was now feeling concerned for Optimus and his team. "S-Sir? I mean, Father?" Smokescreen asked in a shaky tone. "What is it, Smokescreen?" Megatron asked. "You're not going to...to kill Optimus Prime for real aren't you?" Smokescreen asked worriedly. Megatron shook his helm. "I won't kill him unless I have to. Why do you care so much about his well-being let alone worry so much for him?" He asked. Smokescreen was too anxious to explain why he cares for Optimus. Megaton gave him a reassuring look. "Speak up. You don't have to be afraid." He told his adopted son. Smokescreen took a deep breath and answered, "I care for Optimus Prime because...because he's my hero. My idol. I've always looked up to him and I wanted to be just like him one day."
"Son, you must realize that Prime and the Autobots are not the heroes or saints that you think they are. Not all of them are as good as you believe them to be. The truth is, there are no good Autobots. All of them are evil. They were the ones who oppressed the lower castes who would later be called the Decepticons. I was merely leading a revolution to overthrow a corrupt system and to fight for freedom, equality, order, and peace. You see, not all Decepticons are evil and not all Autobots are good." Megatron told Smokescreen.
"But it can't be true can it? I was always told that the 'Cons were the root of evil." Smokescreen said.
"What you've been taught all your life was merely Autobot lies and propaganda to indoctrinate you into becoming a soldier for the Autobot army." Megatron told the young bot. "We Decepticons only wanted to seek revenge on the Autobots for all the pain and suffering they have caused us for eons because they were the evil ones who started this war to begin with." The warlord explained before he went on as he said, "Basically, we Decepticons are greatly misunderstood and we are viewed by many as monsters and villains. The reason why I waged a great war on our planet between both sides was due to the fact that I was a freedom fighter who merely thirsted for equality and who only declared peace through tyranny because no one else would accept him."
"So...all my life I've been brainwashed into believing that all Autobots are automatically good and that all Decepticons are automatically evil?" Smokescreen asked, earning a nod from Megatron. "No, this can't be true. Can it?" Smokescreen asked. "Believe me, it IS true. I understand that you're feeling overwhelmed and confused, but you will learn to accept that not all Autobots are good and that not all Decepticons are purely evil." Megatron told Smokescreen.
Meanwhile, at the desert in Jasper, Nevada, Optimus Prime and his team of Autobots were searching for Smokescreen. The Autobots were becoming exhausted from the heat and the traveling when they decided to stop and stretch out their limbs as they transformed back into their robot modes.
"We've been driving around in circles for Smokescreen in cycles, Optimus." Bullhead complained. "I swear, if that kid snuck out of our base without our permission or even telling us where he's going, I'm gonna—"
Optimus interrupted, "Remain calm, Bulkhead. Now, I understand our concern for Smokescreen and that we're all afraid of where he went or where he might be, but we must have a bit of faith that we will find him and bring him back to base." The Prime said.
Team Prime were talking amongst themselves while Dreadwing and the Decepticons were spying on them. It was then that Dreadwing got a com link from Megatron himself. "Dreadwing, did you find Optimus Prime and the Autobots?" The warlord asked. "Affirmative, my liege." Dreadwing answered. "Good. Have the enemy surrounded and keep them busy until I come over to bring a little surprise for Optimus and his team." Megatron ordered. Dreadwing nodded in agreement as he ended the com link before he gave the Vehicons and the Insecticons the signal to come out of hiding and ambush Optimus Prime and his Team.
The Autobots were in shock when they saw their enemies come out of hiding to attack them. "DECEPTICONS! It's an ambush!" Arcee screamed. Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee, and Wheeljack used their weapons to defend themselves while fighting against the Decepticons. When the Insecticons had Team Prime surrounded, they hear a space bridge portal open from afar. Optimus looked around and when he heard evil laughter echoing from the canyon, he turned around and saw his arch nemesis, Megatron, who was standing on a stone bridge looking down on Optimus and his Autobots.
"HAHAHAHAHA! How does it feel, Optimus Prime?! Knowing that you and your Autobots are completely surrounded?!" Megatron taunted his enemy.
"Megatron." Optimus growled as he said the name of his adversary. "Where's Smokescreen?!" Arcee said angrily. "What have you done with him, buckethead!?" Bulkhead yelled. "Oh, him?...Well, I think that you should find out for yourselves." Megatron gloated. "TELL US NOW!" Ratchet shouted. "Yeah! Tell us where he is you coward!" Wheeljack demanded. "I swear to Primus, if you hurt Smokescreen, then I will rip out your spark!" Arcee threatened. Megatron laughed at the fembot before he called Optimus Prime to come over and face him. "If you want to see your recruit alive and unharmed, Prime, then I challenge you and your Autobots to come over to this mountain and face me!" Megatron challenged his enemies.
Optimus Prime and his team of Autobots got themselves away from the Decepticons as they climbed over to the mountain to confront Megatron and find out if he really had captured Smokescreen last night. Megatron waited for the arrival of his enemies and when he felt the presence of Optimus Prime aiming his ion blaster at him, Megatron made a mischievous grin as he chuckled evilly before turning around to face his foe.
"Ah, Optimus. You waste no time." Megatron mockingly greeted.
As the red, blue, black and silver Autobot leader glared at the Decepticon warlord while aiming his ion blaster at him, Optimus commanded Megatron in a deep, angry, but calm voice, "Return Smokescreen to us, Megatron." Megatron smirked, "Why would I do that, Optimus? Smokescreen has finally found his place with me and my army. Isn't that right, son?" He turned to look at Smokescreen as he came out of hiding while responding to his new adopted father, "Yes, father." Smokescreen said in agreement as the rookie stood in front of Megatron.
Optimus Prime was shocked and confused when he heard Smokescreen referring to Megatron as his father and when he saw that red Decepticon insignia on the young bot's chest, he realized that Megatron had turned Smokescreen into a Decepticon. "By the Allspark, Megatron! What have you done to him?!" Optimus exclaimed. Megatron smiled wickedly at the Prime as he replied, "What have I done? You should ask Smokescreen that question, Prime. He surrendered himself to us willingly and now he is one of us and he is my son now. Wouldn't you agree, my boy?" He asked his adopted son. "Y-Yes, father." The rookie replied. Optimus looked at Smokescreen as he told him, almost desperately to snap out of whatever phase he's in. "Smokescreen! Listen to reason! Whatever you may believe, you cannot follow in Megatron's footsteps. He is NOT your father! Please, come back home with us." The Prime pleaded. Smokescreen lowered his head and he nodded while having a facial expression that showed his own regret of joining the Decepticons. "I'm sorry, Optimus. But, I am home." The young bot told the Autobot leader. Megatron laughed maniacally and triumphantly as Optimus Prime looked worried about Smokescreen and what he's become.
"HAHAHAHA! Did you not see? I have adopted Smokescreen as my new son and he will be made into a prime example of those who accept the Decepticon way. He will become my worthy successor and he'll eventually lead the Decepticons towards peace and sweet victory over the Autobots." Megatron told Optimus. This angered the red and blue Autobot leader. "You have gone too far this time, Megatron! I will not allow you to keep Smokescreen and corrupt his spark." Optimus angrily said to Megatron before he looked at the Autobot rookie and warned him, "Smokescreen, stay away from him! He's dangerous." Smokescreen wanted to believe Optimus, but Megatron whispered into his audio receptor as he told him, "Don't listen to him, my son. He doesn't understand your greatness and he'll never teach you to become a warrior as I do." Once again, Optimus Prime couldn't handle the fact that his former brother figure, mentor, brother-in-arms, and arch-nemesis would turn even the youngest and purest of Autobots into traitorous Decepticons. "Don't listen to him, Smokescreen! You are making a terrible mistake!" He pleaded once more. Smokescreen nodded as he replied to his former idol and leader, "Forgive me, Optimus Prime. But I must follow my destiny and that is to help us restore Cybertron and put an end to this brutal war." He said in a regretful tone of voice.
The rest of Team Prime behind Optimus Prime couldn't believe what they were hearing and seeing: their latest recruit and rookie, Smokescreen had turned to the dark side, renounced the Autobots, joined the Decepticons and allowed their evil warlord to adopt Smokescreen as his surrogate son and heir to the Decepticon Empire. Arcee spoke in a shocked tone of voice as she became overwhelmed with feelings of shock, anger, and betrayal. "Smokescreen...You can't be serious!" The deep blue, pink, black, and gray fembot said to the rookie-turned-traitor. "Smokescreen, how could you!? How could you do this to us!?" Bulkhead cried. "I'm sorry everyone. I joined Megatron because..." Smokescreen tried to explain but Ratchet interrupted, "Because what!? Don't you realize that Megatron is using you for whatever plans he has at winning this war! Did you even tell him of our secret base!?" The medic said furiously. Smokescreen nodded, "No! He and the other 'Cons don't know your hiding place yet. Believe me, I don't want to put you all in danger. You need to understand that I joined Megatron's side because he told me that he saved my life the day I was born when I lost my parents and he was the mech who cared for me at the nursery when I was just a newborn sparkling before putting me up for adoption. Megatron asked me to join him because he believes that he might help me know about my parents and what happened to them. You can hate me all you want, but I believe that I might be able to try to reform Megatron and maybe even convince him to put an end to this brutal war without destroying lives."
"Have you lost your mind!? Megatron can NEVER be reformed! He will not stop until he wins the Great War and get everything he wants!" Ratchet said aggressively at Smokescreen. "Can't you see that he's using you!? Everything that Megatron said to you while we were saving Optimus and your sorry tailpipe was completely false!" Arcee told Smokescreen in a harsh tone.
"I'm sorry." Smokescreen apologized, tearing up.
"Sorry doesn't cut it! We knew that you couldn't be trusted!" Arcee snapped. Megatron aims his fusion cannon at the fembot, "That's enough!" The warlord shoots at Team Prime as the other Decepticons joined in to continue the fight. Dreadwing and the Vehicons defend Smokescreen from his former Autobot comrades as Optimus Prime fights Megatron. The battle lasted for an hour until Optimus finally defeats his opponent as Megatron falls to the ground on his back and Optimus Prime draws out his blade and points it at Megatron's throat. "FINISH HIM, OPTIMUS PRIME! DO IT NOW!" Bulkhead shouted. "No more, Optimus Prime! Grant me mercy, I beg of you!" Megatron pleaded. "You, who are without mercy now plead for it?" Optimus questioned. "I thought you were made of sterner stuff. I was hesitant to destroy you for far too long, Megatron. But this time...this time, I won't allow you to live." He told Megatron.
Megatron watched in horror as Optimus Prime was about to deliver a final killing blow when suddenly, Smokescreen intervened as he immediately used his own sword that Dreadwing taught him to save Megatron before Optimus would stab him in his spark chamber. "NO!" Smokescreen yelled as he blocked the Prime's blade with his sword before it could kill Megatron. Optimus' cyan blue optics widened with shock as he looked at Smokescreen who looked at him with fear as his former leader looked at him angrily. "Smokescreen, get out of the way!" Optimus told the rookie. "No! I won't let you kill him!" Smokescreen replied. "I didn't want to fight you, Optimus. But you left me no choice!" He said. As Smokescreen starts to fight Optimus Prime, Megatron got himself up and he laughed maniacally as he watched the two mechs fighting each other.
Optimus Prime didn't want to harm Smokescreen and neither did he and yet here they are fighting at the canyon. When Smokescreen won the battle and he defeated Optimus, the young bot puts away his sword and then aims his blaster at both him and the Autobots while Megatron was pleased with how well his new adopted son fought. Megatron then encourages Smokescreen to finish off his former friends to prove his loyalty to the Decepticons who are his new family.
"Go Ahead, My Son, Finish The job." Megatron Ordered As Smokescreen Looked At The Autobots, Even Optimus Prime Who Is still Shocked About His Choice Of Becoming A Decepticon, Smokescreen Was About To Shoot Him With His Blaster When His Memory Of The Conversation With Him & Optimus Made Him Shook His Head & Move The Blaster Away From Him "...I Can't" He Said As He Looked At Optimus "I Just Want To Change Megatron's Mind About You Guys & His Plans For Both Cybertron & Earth..."
That Made Optimus Confused Until He Noticed That The Autobots, Except For Bumblebee, Were Furious At Smokescreen For Denouncing The Autobots & Called Him A Traitor, This Breaks Smokescreen's Spark & His Tears Went From Sadness To Anger As He Begin To Lash Out.
"If You Want Me To Be A Traitor, FINE! I DON'T CARE! You Autobots Just Brushed Me Off As A Reckless Sparkling Who Doesn't Know Any Better When I Had Potential Of Becoming An Autobot Warrior & I Denounced The Autobots & Join The Decepticons, Because I Want To Know What Happened To My Parents! Can't You Understand What I'm Going Through Right Now? NO! You DON'T!" The Autobots Went from Anger To Shock As They Look At Each Other, They had Never Seen Smokescreen This Mad Before, Even Arcee As She Tried To Reason With Him, "Smokescreen, I-"
"DON'T! Stay Away From Me! I WILL NOT SEE YOU EVER AGAIN! NEVER!" He Yelled As He Transformed & Drove Off To The Groundbridge With Megatron Looking At The Autobots With An Evil Smirk "Until We Meet Again, Autobots" He Said As He Followed Smokescreen. Arcee Tried To Catch Up To Smokescreen, But Optimus Stopped Her "Give Him Some Space." He Said As Arcee Looked Down With Regret In Her Eyes.
