"Removing Bumblebee, and replacing him with," Raf replaced an image of Bee with a tap dancing monkey. "Raf, it's great!" Elsa laughed at the monkey. "The tap dancing monkey strikes again!" Jack said, and high fives Raf.
"Bumblebee sightings on the worldwide web are no laughing matter." Ratchet said. Miko and Bulkhead were stretching. The Wrecker had fully recovered from his exposure to Tox-En. "Why can't I just drive from now on?" He asked.
"Because your legs will atrophy if you choose not to use them." Ratchet said. Bulkhead groaned, but he and Miko went back to exercising. "Wait, what's that?" Elsa asked and pointed at a weird meteor entering the atmosphere.
"A Cybertronian escape pod?" Raf asked. "Here, in Earth's atmosphere?" Ratchet asked. Raf displayed the image onto the monitor. "Autobot or Decepticon?" Jetfire asked. "Impossible to tell given the image resolution." Ratchet said.
"In any event, this merits investigation." Optimus said. "Could be a trap, and we're down one 'Bot. Shall we reach out to Wheeljack?" Arcee asked. "I can hear you." Bulkhead retorted. "I don't care if Bulkhead isn't combat ready after, after that revenge stunt he ouleld with Miko, Wheeljack can stay rogue." Ratchet said.
"An Autobot may he in distress. Ratchet, bring your medical kit." Optimus said.
A Ground-Bridge opened in the forest, and the Autobots came through. They followed a spilled Energon trail, right to the pod. Chromia wiped dust away, revealing a red Decepticon symbol. "It is of Decepticon origin." Optimus said. "And the 'Con blew his way out." Arcee said.
Then, a nearby army of Vehicons started shooting them. The Autobots returned fire. Insecticons joined the Vehicons. "All those 'Cons came out of one car?" Arcee asked. "Humans refer to the phenomenon as a clown car." Ratchet said.
An Insecticon transformed and attacked Optimus, but Prime cut it and shot it away. He shot another.
An Insecticon collided with Ratchet and transformed as it raised its bug legs, but Arcee cut the legs off. The Insecticon grabbed her, but she kicked herself free. Arcee and Chromia shoot the Insecticon dead.
The Autobots kept shooting the Vehicons and Insecticons until new erupted from the woods. A blue, red, and white Cybertronian shot the Decepticons. "Incoming!" Arcee said as she and Bee pointed their guns. "Down in front!" The Cybertronian said. He leaped over Bee and Arcee and landed on a Vehicon. He shot the rest of the Vehicons. "Friendly?" Arcee asked. The stranger kept shooting until an Insecticon rammed him, but he jumped back perfectly.
He shot the Insecticon, and one of the blasts hit the Energon pool, igniting it. "Fall back!" Optimus commanded. The Autobots and newcomer hide behind a few rocks as the pod goes up in a giant blue fireball.
"Whoo! Too hot for you, 'Cons?" The newcomer asked as blue fire covered the area. "Friend of yours?" Ratchet asked. Bee buzzed. "Never seen him before." Arcee said. "Torching that Energin leak, pretty good plan, right?" The Cybertronian asked.
"Except that it wasn't your plan, boy. It was a random shot that almost fried us to a crisp." Jetfire said.
"Worked out, didn't it?" The Cybertronian asked. "Thank you, fellow Autobot. Your valor is to be commended." Optimus said. The Cybertronian looked like he had just suffered a Spark-Attack. "I don't believe it! You're Optimus Prime! He's Optimus Prime!" He said.
"Already knew that?"
"Yes, yes, we know."
Bee buzzed.
"What is your name, soldier?" Optimus asked. "Smokescreen, sir!" Smokescreen said. "Welcome to Earth, Smokescreen." Optimus said. "It's an honor to be here. Especially with you." Smokescreen said and shook Optimus' servo.
"Now what? It's not like we can just bring him back to base." Ratchet said. "Wouldn't be the furst time an alley turned out to be a plant." Arcee said.
Optimus noticed Smokescreen's Autobot badge design. "I see that you received your training from Cybertron's Elite Guard." He said. "True enough. Though it wasn't much more than a boot camp by the time I joined. Never even got a proper graduation ceremony." Smokescreen said.
"There was a war going on." Arcee said. "Hey, all I ever wanted was to be a soldier, serve the Autobot cause. But what I got was security detail at Iacon." Smokescreen said. "The Hall of Records of all places? Optimus, do you not find this highly suspicious?" Ratchet asked.
"Smokescreen, what was your assignment inside the Hall?" Optimus asked. "Guarding Alpha Trion during what turned out to be the final days of the war." Smokescreen said.
"You served under the master archivist?" Optimus asked. "I wasn't thrilled at first, watching the back of an old 'Bot instead of kicking 'Con tailpipe!" Smokescreen said. The Autobots gaped at him. "Sorry. But the Big A turned pit to be a great teacher and a true friend. I mean, he was the only one who petitioned Halogen in the high council to make you a Prime." Smokescreen said.
"Rafael, activate the Ground-Bridge." Optimus said. "That's it? That's all you need to hear before inviting him to the party?" Arcee asked. "If my former mentor shared this information, it is because he considered Smokescreen a trusted ally." Optimus said.
They brought Smokescreen to Autobot base. "We haven't had somebody new here since Wheeljack! What's your story, Smoke? Where'd you come from? How'd you get here? How many blasters you packin'?" Miko asked as she ran up the stairs to the catwalk. "So, these are the lifeforms we're supposed to protect? Are they all loke this?" Smokescreen asked.
"Fortunately not. But I, too, share Miko's fascination with how you came to arrive on Earth." Ratchet said. "In a Decepticon escape pod." Arcee added. "Still got trust issues, huh? Tough crowd. The main thrust of combat operations was at least 20 clicks from the Hall of Records. So things have been pretty quiet until 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 you, I was pumped. I mean, this was my chance to see real action for the first time to prove myself. Until everything went black. 'Cons took me prisoner and dumped on on a transport ship. But I managed to give a guard the slip and hoped in an escape pod. Apparently, it was a long-distance pod, 'cause it knocked me into Stasis. Next thing I knew, I'm hitting solid ground hard." Smokescreen told.
"The Decepticon warship must have picked up the pod's beacon and guided it to Earth." Ratchet said. "Which would explain Smokescreen's welcoming committee. Bet those 'Cons were disappointed not to find one of their own inside." Arcee said. "Smokescreen, do you know of Alpha Trion's fate after the fall of Iacon?" Optimus asked.
"I wish I did. But that was the last I ever saw of him." Smokescreen said. Optimus stayed silent. "That's it, my life story. Not exactly the glory I envisioned for myself until now. Being here with Optimus Prime? I knew I was destined for great things. I mean, now that you have help, how hard could it be to end this war?" Smokescreen asked. Bulkhead groaned as he came in. "Take a good look, newbie. This is how hard." He said. "Smokescreen, I would suggest that you take some time to become acclimated to your new surroundings. A tour of the base would be an excellent start." Optimus said.
"Sure thing!" Miko said, then Bulkhead groaned. "I mean, Jack and Elsa here offer a very informative tour." Miko said. Smokescreen smiled at them, and they smiled back.
At the remains of the Harbinger, Starscream said, "This is what the humans call the information superhighway? A trillion gigabytes of data, none of it's useful!" The screen stopped on Raf's tap dancing monkey. "Though some oddly engrossing." Starscream said and laughed a little. The screen kept moving until Starscream stopped it on a crystal of Red Energon.
"What is this?" Starscream questioned then laughed gleefully. "Ignorant lifeforms have mo idea what they've uncovered. Red Energon. If I can possess its power, not only will I be stronger, but also faster, significantly faster." Starscream said and held the Apex Armor.
"Phase Shifter, Spark Extractor, Immobilizer." Jack said. "This is where we store the relic things from the Iacon Database that we found on Earth." Elsa said. "And talk about a small universe, 'cause most of them came from -" Jack started. "The Iacon Hall of Records." Smokescreen finished. "I remember these." He said as he looked at the Phase Shifter.
They walked past another storage unit until Smokescreen looked inside. "Whoa! What kind of relic is she?" He asked. It was Airachnid inside the Stasis pod. "The kind you don't want to mess with." Jack said.
"If you wanted to replace me, you should've called Wheeljack. I could have lived with thatm" Bulkhead said. "No one is replacing you, Bulkhead. For one thing, Smokescreen's too green." Chromia said. "Well, Bulk's as green as they get." Miko said.
"What Arcee means is Smokescreen still has a great deal to learn." Ratchet said. "And once you've got him trained, then what? Huh? He's in, I'm a doorstop." Bulkhead said. "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." Optimus said.
"Better hope the hotshot's blasters are as big as his mouth. How hard can it be?" Bulkhead said. "Hey, everyone, check this out." Raf said. He displayed an image onto the monitor. "But don't tell me it's another Bumblebee sighting - oh my." Ratchet gasped at the image. "Red Energon." Optimus identified.
"Here? On Earth?" Ratchet asked. "What's Red Energon?" Raf asked. "An extremely rare and volatile form of Energon. Refined into fuel, it provides the power of hyperspeed." Ratchet explained.
"We must have Agent Fowler clear the dig site of all human presence in the event we are not the only ones who have discovered its location." Optimus said. "Now you're talking. Let's scramble up some 'Con circuits." Smokescreen said. "Given your limited field experience, I believe further training is required before you are battle ready." Optimus said.
"Optimus, will all due respect -" Smokescreen started. "Furthermore, we Autobots live on this planet as robots in disguise, you will need to obtain an Earth-based vehicle mode." Optimus said. "In order to maintain a low profile, if that's possible for you." Arcee said.
"If you're talking wheels, bring 'em on!" Smokescreen said.
Starscream jumped through a Ground-Bridge, holding his Apex Armor. "The Red Energon is mine, humans! For you are powerless in the face of the mighty Star-what?" Starscream asked. The entire site was devoid of life and the Red Energon crystal. "Where is it?" Starscream asked.
"Nope." Smokescreen said as he, Jack, and Elsa lay on a large rock out of sight. "How about that one?" Jack asked and pointed to an old, yellow truck. "It's more Ratchet's speed, don't you think?" Smokescreen asked. "That thing?" Elsa asked and pointed to a cement truck. "Yeah, if I were a Constructicon. Seriously? This is the best your planet has to offer?" Smokescreen asked.
"I don't know." Elsa said. "What do you mean you don't know? You live here, right?" Smokescreen asked. "Smokescreen, Elsa and her younger sister Anna aren't from this world." Jack said. "They're aliens?" Smokescreen asked. "No. They're from an alternate universe. They're humans, but in a different plane of existence. Elsa herself has magic. She can create ice and snow. Then she was kid apled and taken to the Decepticon warship, and Megatron infused her with Dark Energon to take her powers for himself." Jack explained. "Oh." Smokescreen said.
"But with cars, this is Jasper Nevada." Jack said. "I feel for you both." Smokescreen said.
Optimus, Bumblebee, Chromia, Jetfire, Cyclonus, and Arcee traveled through a Ground-Bridge into the night covered shipping yard. They spotted a container glowing red. It was the Red Energon crystal. "Fowler couldn't have the crane operator lower the thing?" Arcee asked.
"The humans must have been preparing to transfer the meteor to a cargo ship when they received his evacuation order." Optimus said. "Run along home, Autobots. That Red Energon has my name all over it!" Starscream made his presence known.
Starscream slapped the Apex Armor onto his chassis, and it began to form over his body. "And I am more than willing to fight for it." The Seeker said. "Secure the Red Energon and have Ratchet bridge it back to base." Optimus said.
The Autobots ran for the crane. Starscream ran at Optimus as Prime fired at him. Prime punched Starscream but was thrown into a container. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten our last encounter, Prime." Starscream taunted.
Bee looked at Optimus. "Keep moving, Bee." Cyclonus said. Starscream saw them and started moving for them.
"Optimus, is something wrong?" Ratchet asked. "Starscream has come for the Red Energon, and I fear he will not be deterred in his quest." Optimus said as Jack, Elsa, and Smokescreen entered. "Starscream? I heard stories about that stiletto-heeled creep back on Cybertron. Send me in, doc." Smokescreen said.
"When Optimus requires backup, he will ask for it." Ratchet said. "Ah, come on! I got my v-mode and everything! I'm souped up and ready to roll!" Smokescreen complained. "Yep, yep. What part of 'further training' did you not understand?" Ratchet asked.
"The higher you climb, the harder you fall!" Starscream taunted as he followed the Autobots. Arcee and Chromia make it to the top, and the others shoot Starscream, but the Apex Armor was unphased by them. "Autobots. Such slow learners!" Starscream said.
"Optimus, what is your status?" Ratchet asked. "Ratchet, they need me. I can do this." Bulkhead said. "Arcee? Chromia?" Ratchet asked. "Did you hear what I said?" Bulkhead asked. "I heard, and I'm ignoring you. This may be your opportunity after all, Smokescreen." Ratchet said, but noticed Smokescreen was gone. "Where is Smokescreen?" He asked.
Smokescreen opened one of the storage units, revealing the Phase Shifter. "That's the one." He said. "You there! What in the name of the Allspark do you think you're doing?" Ratchet asked.
Bee, Cyclonus, and Jetfire shot Starscream but were all slapped away. Arcee and Chromia reached for the Red Energon crystal until Starscream appeared from behind. "Time to unload some more dead weight." He said. Arcee and Chromia noticed something on Starscream's left. Starscream turned and saw Optimus climb another crane and fly at him, punching him off the crane.
Starscream grabbed the canister, ripping it open. He reached for a Red Energon crystal but fell. No!" He cried as he hit the crates with the crystal. Optimus grabbed the cable and pulled the other crystal up. But it stopped moving. Starscream was below. "Watch your step, Autobots!" He laughed as he started pushing the crane, but then a Ground-Bridge opened, and a racecar drove out.
"Apparently, no one defined 'low profile' for him." Arcee said. The car transformed into Smokescreen. Starscream put the crane down. "So the Autobots have a new recruit." He said. "And you must be Starscream. I thought you'd be taller." Smokescreen taunted. Starscream scowled.
"This will not end well." Arcee said. "Smokescreen, stand down. You are no match for Starscream's Apex Armor." Optimus called. "Any last words, Smokescreen?" Starscream asked. "Just four, kiss your armor goodbye!" Smokescreen proclaimed and held the Phase Shifter.
Smokescreen ran at Starscream and phased through the armor, kicking Starscream out in the process. "A Phase Shifter?!" Starscream gasped. "Now that was a plan!" Smokescreen said as the Apex Armor fell down.
Arcee scoffed. Starscream stood up. "You aren't the only one sporting a fancy wrist-mounted device!" Starscream aimed a missile. "Think fast!" He said and fired the rocket at the crane. "No!" Smokescreen gasped as debris rained down from the flaming crane. Starscream took the Red Energon crystal.
Smokescreen looked up and saw that the Autobots were okay. He approached the Apex Armor.
The Autobots returned to base. "Told you I just needed to borrow it for a while. Doc here thought I was trying to steal your relics." Smokescreen said. "Only until you explained your plan, which I then sanctioned. It's called protocol." Ratchet said and snatched the Phase Shifter from Smokescreen.
"Ratchet is correct. Standard procedure must be observed by every member of this team. However I believe we must also commend Smokescreen. You have proven to be a quick study by choosing to place strategy above bravado." Optimus said. "There's gonna be no living with him now." Arcee said. "While this may lack the pageantry of a proper Elite Guard ceremony, I wish to welcome you to Team Prime." Optimus said to Smokescreen.
Smokescreen smiled, and then Bulkhead came in. "The newbie did all right." He said as he looked at the Apex Armor. "Don't worry, Bulk. He's got nothing on you." Miko said as she ran down the stairs. Bulkhead started limping away. "Seriously, once we get that leg of yours back in shape, old Smokey's gonna learn real quick who the top wrecking ball is around here!" Miko said.
Bulkhead ignored her. "Bulkhead?" Miko asked, but her voice fell on deaf audio receptors.