Speedwriting Prompts 3
Author's Notes: ::Shrugs:: I realize that none of these are all that long, but I'm pretty happy with the results.
Thanks to Exactlywhat for betaing.
Enjoy!
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Communal Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers.
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Title: Naming
Continuity: G1 (possibly)
Prompt: 2. Flock
"I think they're called a 'cadre.'"
"No, no. I don't think that's it… How about a 'clump'?"
"That doesn't sound right either."
"Point. Well, I suppose there is always a 'swarm.'"
"Don't let's be silly! That's what a group of Insecticons are called, not a bunch of minibots!"
"Fine! You think of something, and make sure it actually fits!"
"A 'flock.'"
"Forget it. What else would we call a lot of seekers?"
"A 'murder'?"
"I don't think so. Crows are always black; Seekers are always bright colours. Nice try though."
"Another one bites the dust… This activity is harder that it first appears."
"Agreed. So, let's give the mini's a pass for now and move on. What should a bunch of Praxians be called?"
"Not a clue. How about a waddle? Oh, and just figured out what to call a group of gunformers."
"A 'waddle'? Where did you get a crazy idea like that? And what?"
"Easy. I googled, 'what is a group of penguins called?' and got that as the result. As for the guns, an 'armory.'"
"An 'armory'? That… actually works. It doesn't make exact sense, but it's close enough and funny. I still don't like the 'waddle' though."
"Fine. In any case, our quest to name groups of beings continues. Who next?"
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Title: Changing History
Continuity: G1
Prompt: 5. Scenario: a space bridge malfunctions and sends your chosen character(s) back in time. What happens?
It was merely supposed to be a routine mission. Take the energon cubes (and his twin) through the bridge, give them to Shockwave, make funny faces at the creeper behind his back, accept any intel, and drive back home (and yes, Planet Dirt counted as home) to give said intel to Soundwave.
So why didn't that happen?!
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Where the heck are we?" The words rushed through Frenzy's head as he onlined his optics and surveyed not Shockwave's ugly mug, but an familiar, adult human male gazing down at him with curiosity and concern.
Obviously noticing Frenzy's shifting, the human spoke up. "Hello, sir. Are you and your friend all right?"
"Not my friend; 'e's my brother," Frenzy muttered, slowly clambering to his feet. Glancing around, he noticed Rumble still passed out on the grass next to him. They were in a well maintained yard with… Is that a train track going under the roses? the cassette thought in disbelief.
Smiling, the human quickly regained Frenzy's wandering attention. "Alright, your brother. Do you have names? I'm Walt. And how did you get here?"
With a look of sheer disbelief, the symbiote answered, "I'm Frenzy; this is Rumble. Why the frag are you not scared of us? I thought all humans knew how us and the Autobots came to your dumb planet."
"Well, I'm afraid that I've never heard of 'Autobots' before," Walt explained. "Nor have I heard of robots being able to properly talk to people. And I pride myself in keeping in tune with the modern world."
Flatly, Frenzy glared at the disrespectful human. "I don't seen how that's possible, human. We've been up and kicking for five of your years now, and the Autobots are soooo concerned with human affairs. They're constantly helping with one disaster or another."
"Really!" Now Walt radiated curiosity, and the cassette's nagging feeling of familiarity grew. "How odd. Because I am positive that I've never heard of them. May I ask where you came from?"
Suddenly, the forgotten piece of info sprang to the front of Frenzy's processor, and he froze. Ignoring the human's question, he tentatively asked, "Have you ever made movies?"
Walt nodded. "Yes, I have. My last name is Disney, and we make cartoons. I'm surprised you've heard of me, but since you have, I suppose you must have come from Earth."
Groaning, Frenzy dropped his helm into his hand. "Yeah. We did. And where we come from, Walt Disney died years before any of us Transformers woke up."
At his feet, Rumble stirred back into wakefulness. "Hey, Frenzy, did you get the name of the Autobot that slagged me up?"
Lightly kicking his brother, Frenzy's growl covered up the yelp he produced. "Wake up, glitch. We gotta problem."
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Leaping out of the temporal anomaly, both twins raced towards their carrier, happiness and relief permeating their thoughts. After docking, they quickly shared what had happened to them with their family.
::So,:: Ravage finally asked. ::How much do you think you changed history?::
::Honestly?:: both of them answered. ::We've talked it over, and other than a couple of unavoidable little things, we think we did good. Besides, the only ones we talked to were Walt and his immediate family.::
They paused, and, taking into account the amount of glee deluging their bonds, their family dreaded what the twins were about to spring on them.
::So really, the only big change is that in the original timeline, Disney never came out with an animated feature in 1962 about two devilishly handsome robots from outer space and their quest to find their family and justice.::
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Title: Fore!
Continuity: Bayverse/Movieverse
Prompt: 4. Choose a character, and write their first experience of a human sport (any sport).
In the parking lot, Ironhide warily surveyed the surrounding area. Not only did he have to watch for Decepticons, but a closer, immediate threat had been confirmed.
This was the first time he had come here, but Annabelle came several times a month. Unfortunately, almost every time she returned home, she sported abrasions, lesions, and one time a broken ankle. As he was finally at the Lennox's residence this time, he had offered to bring her to this place of destruction. Much to his dismay, he severely regretted volunteering now-
"Fore~!"
With an internal grunt, Ironhide managed to stay still as the blasted soccer ball ricocheted off of his hood again.
Running over to grab the ball, nine-year-old Annabelle frantically whispered, "I am so sorry Ironhide! We never kick balls out here this often. I'm sorry!"
"It's fine, sweetspark," he told her gruffly. "Go have fun, but be careful, alright?"
"'Kay!" With a grin, she ran back to her team."
Sighing, Ironhide sank down on his wheels. Only twenty minutes left to go, only twenty minutes left to go…
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Title: Tranquil Cavern
Continuity: G1
Prompt: 3. this image (underwater cave)
Carefully maneuvering through the spire-infested water, Buzzsaw drank in the marvels around him. He didn't mind being immersed in liquids, and when that quirk allowed him to see wonders like he was exploring at the moment, he thanked Primus for it.
He was in an underwater cave. The only light came from a hand-held that Soundwave had temporarily magnetized under his frame. Inside the cavern itself, thin columns stretched up the ceiling, small stalactites appeared to drizzle down towards the ground, and stalagmites tried to stretch their way up against all natural forces.
Letting himself revel in the quiet and the splendor, the small Decepticon simply drifted among the formations, tranquility settling into his spark.
All too soon, Soundwave commed him. ::Buzzsaw, I need you for a mission in the next Terran hour.::
With a sigh, the symbiote answered his beloved carrier. ::All right, boss. Just let me get out labyrinth, and I will be right there.::
::Understood. Do not forget to bring me pictures.::
::I would never!::
::I know, Buzzsaw. I will brief you on your mission once you arrive.::
::Yes, boss. See you soon.::
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Title: Bumblebee's Predicament
Continuity: G1
Prompt: 1. Unwelcome guest
"Ratchet?" Bumblebee called.
"What is it?" the medic answered from the back of the med-bay.
"I… think I have a problem," the minibot answered hesitantly.
Concerned how, Ratchet abandoned his tools and strode towards Bumblebee. The yellow mech rarely had anything wrong with him, and when he did, he normally knew the ailment. "I'm going to need a bit more information than that, kid. What's wrong?"
Fidgeting, Bumblebee managed to stammer out, "Well, um, I don't know exactly. Ah, I feel, well, itchy. And really, the only part of me that's being bothered is where I keep my upholstery when I transform. I know it's not dirt; I made sure to wash really well, but it won't go away!"
"Really." Ratchet activated his scanners and received an answer almost immediately. Trying to conceal his smirk, he put his hand on Bumblebee's shoulder reassuringly. "Well, the good news is I know what's wrong. Also good news is that I can get rid of the problem fairly easily. The bad news is that we need to get in touch with all of the humans that you've carried for the past while.
"Congratulations, Bumblebee. You're the first non-organic being to be infected with lice."
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Title: Oh, No
Continuity: G1
Prompt: 6. "You want to know who your real friends are? Screw up and see who's still there."
That didn't happen.
No, no, no, that didn't happen!
I could never have done that!
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Blank blue optics stared at the wall across from the medbay. He had been sitting there ever since, waiting for Ratchet to come out with news. Any news. Shuddering, Trailbreaker curled into a ball of abject misery. It had been hours since the surgery began, and he had just been left alone in the corridor to wallow. None of the other Autobots would even come near him, only shooting him nasty glares if anything, but he could hear some of their conversations just fine.
"Murderer."
"Clumsy fool."
"Useless, hindering, unfaithful slagger."
With a silent whimper, Trailbreaker felt his already fragile self-esteem shattering. He hadn't meant to, he really, truly, had not meant to what he had. During the last battle, he had taken aim at some grounder Decepticon who had been shooting at the Autobot's teammates.
He had hit Prime instead.
Megatron had thrown his nemesis out of the way and straight into Trailbreaker's line of fire. The shot had breached his leader's spark casing and almost killed him immediately. In reaction to his being shot, the other Autobots had thrown themselves into a wild frenzy and forced Megatron to call a retreat scant minutes later with no further (Autobot) casualties. Ratchet had had Prime moved to the Medbay as quickly as possible, and everyone waited with baited in-vents for news.
"Trailbreaker?" At the gentle voice, the black mech's helm tilted up. Hound squatted in front of him, a sympathetic smile on his face. "Have you been out here this whole time?"
"Yeah," Trailbreaker answered hoarsely. His voice felt rusty.
"Well, you need to get out of here and let us take care of you," Mirage put in from their right.
"'Raj has a point. You're not doing anyone, especially yourself, any favours by just staying here in the hallway. Come on, let's get you cleaned up and refueled."
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Trailbreaker's lovers had matter-of-factly seized both of his arms, hauled him to his feet, and proceeded to "fix him up" like they had stated they would, leaving him much calmer and relaxed, although still upset.
Now, spooned together on Trailbreaker's large berth, they were simply enjoying each other's company and waiting for recharge.
::Trailbreaker?::The mech's comlink cut in on the cozy scene.
Jerking upright, Trailbreaker ignored his panic and answered. ::Yes, Prime?::
::I just wanted to tell you that it was not your fault, and I have not hard feelings against our accident.::
At the words, Trailbreaker collapsed backwards, squashing Mirage in the process. ::I… I don't understand how, Prime, but I believe you. Thank you. Thank you so much.::
Somehow projecting his smile through the comm., Optimus answered, ::Of course, Trailbreaker. Good recharge.::
::Good recharge, Prime.:: Closing his side of the link, the much-relieved mech wiggled against the now-slightly-irritated Mirage to make them more comfortable. "Prime just commed me. He actually forgives me."
Hound turned over to face his loves and squeezed Trailbreaker's servo. "I'm not surprised. If it's a genuine accident, then I don't think Prime ever holds any sort of grudge."
"We're both glad that you're happy again," Mirage broke in smoothly. "Now, I think it's time for all of us to power down. Good recharge, the both of you."
"Good recharge, Mirage," they echoed back at him. All three of them finished arranging themselves, and Trailbreaker ex-vented happily. While he wouldn't fully forgive himself for a little longer, all was right with his world again. Settling into recharge, he squeezed both of his loves affectionately. Thank you, Primus, for giving me true friends. And more.
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Author's Notes 2: And here are my clarifying notes.
#2: I got this idea from a question I asked my mom, "Is a group of girls called a school or a gaggle?" After a thoughtful moment, she gave the perfect answer: a giggle. Got my question answered! The reason that no names are mentioned is that I have no clue as to who is talking. It could be Autobots, random humans, stoned Decepticons, or shoot, even a couple of fangirls! I credit 'cadre' to a fic that I know longer remember and "Don't let's be silly!" to Disney's original Alice in Wonderland. And I really did google the answer.
#5: If I was able to meet anyone, alive or dead, I would totally pick Walt Disney. I figure the Cassette Twins would have popped back to about 1958 (Disneyland opened in '55, and he died at 65 in 1966). Although I think I'm good, I apologize if I mangled his character. For those not in the know, Walt Disney really did have a miniature train and track going underneath his wife's roses. In regards to Frenzy calling both factions Transformers, I prefer Transformers to be their species name (like human or Vulcan), while Cybertronian clarifies what planet they were born on (so the Dinobots are Terran Transformers). Oh, and I checked; my using of Walt Disney is in accordance with the rules of FanficNet.
#4: Yeah, I went with kiddie soccer (or football, depending on where ya live). I am not a big fan of sports, though I have little against them, but I do have considerable experience and enjoyment with this. And I realize that 'Fore' is a golf term, but I use it everywhere.
#3: ::Shivers:: It's rather interesting reading the first couple of paragraphs for TransformerWikia entries, but the Decepticon ones can be exceedingly creepy. I'm used to fanon Buzzsaw, but according to TFWikia, he is one scary little bugger. Here's a quote:
"He will kill you. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of where, when, and how painful it is."
Charming, huh? Anyway, I'm using fanon characters. They have so much more depth to them. Oh, and Buzzsaw's little quirk is entirely my own invention.
#1: I guess that's Unwelcome Guests (plural), but it's close enough!
#6: This is for Exactlywhat, since she loves this trio. On an amusing note, the song "You've Got a Friend in Me" came on while I was writing this drabble.