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lychee-cake · 19 hours ago

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Why are there blue pedes in the decepticon stall? No wonder Starscream's traumatized...

#Megs getting backshots in the restroom #opmeg #transformers prime #tfp #tf prime #tfp megatron #megatron #maccadam #transformers megatron #tfp optimus prime #transformers #optimus prime #starscream tfp #tfp knockout #tfp starscream #megatron tfp #lychee cake

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lychee-cake · 2 days ago

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My New Picture frame/j

#ao3 #ao3feed

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lychee-cake · 2 days ago

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Hiya, hope my ask finds you well!

In light of somereaderinblue’s prior ask on how Smokescreen would react to Ratchet using Synth–En (the way he brushes it off with a light reassurance was just heartbreaking, by the way), I can’t help but imagine his (+Wheeljack’s) reaction to Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee pointing their blasters at Optimus in Nemesis Prime.

I know you haven’t watched TFP in a while, but it always bothered me that Team Prime couldn’t seem to differentiate between Optimus and Nemesis Prime. Makeshift’s case was different, because he imitated Wheeljack’s appearance to a T. But Nemesis Prime?

I get it, it was nighttime, and there’s no way they could tell it wasn’t Optimus from paintjob alone. But despite Bulkhead’s reluctance and Arcee’s “Primes don’t run” comment, they were still wary of him (also, for a bot quick on her pedes, the way Arcee just stood there and basically allowed Nemesis Prime to run her over…oof).

And then came the scene where the trio pointed their blasters at Optimus.

This is jarring. Are you telling me, that the same bots that stood by Optimus’ side this whole time didn’t at least try to thoroughly question his identity and whereabouts beforehand? Someone pointed out that this is post–Orion Pax where everyone (except Ratchet and Jack, apparently) may have trust issues, but still, Optimus’ hurt look was devastating.

At least Ratchet was quick to question them (he should’ve been livid that they literally and figuratively jumped the gun, in my opinion), even Jack said, “Come on, it’s our guy. Can’t you tell?”.

I think I saw a reblog (kzele’s, I believe) where Smokescreen would’ve called out Makeshift’s bluff. If he were in Nemesis Prime, he’d be appalled at the accusations and would physically shield Optimus from the others’ blasters. It’d add up to the trend where Smokescreen would literally and figuratively become Optimus shield, shown in Alpha Omega (shielded Optimus from Megatron’s dark star saber) and in Darkest Hour (defended Optimus’ decision against Ratchet). It’s a minor detail, but I like it, since it’s a nod to his status as an Elite Guard.

I made a little snippet of Smokescreen defending Optimus in Nemesis Prime. I also included Wheeljack as Smokey’s back up, and that he’d provide insight from the Makeshift situation. I may overdid it with these two going semi–detective mode, but they’re really fun to write! Hopefully Wheeljack isn’t too OOC.

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Smokescreen, shielding Optimus: Whoa, whoa, whoa! What’re you guys doing?!

Arcee: Move, kid.

Bulkhead: We gotta make sure he’s the real deal.

Smokescreen: …Wha–the ‘real deal’? Hold up, what’s going on?

Wheeljack, joining Smokescreen’s side: Yeah, some context would be nice.

Bumblebee: *Earlier, Fowler and Arcee were attacked…by Optimus.*

Smokescreen and Wheeljack shared a look, before the former shook his helm: I’m sorry, but there’s no way Optimus would even think about doing that.

Arcee, optics narrowing: I just told you exactly what I saw. You think I’m lying?

Wheeljack, stepping in: That’s not what he meant, ‘Cee. Besides, I agree with him. I don’t think the boss would openly attack one of us for no good reason, let alone a human.

Bulkhead: Right…but you two gotta believe us, there’s no way we’d make all this up!

Wheeljack: Relax, Bulk. Me and the kid aren’t doubting anyone. But I hafta ask…didn’t you deny it when I once said Optimus isn’t the type to get his servos dirty?

Arcee: …where are you going with this?

Wheeljack: Remember Makeshift?

Bulkhead: Yeah? But the guy’s a goner, Jackie.

Wheeljack: Heh, I know. I’m not talkin’ about the bot, Bulk, rather, what he does. Tell me, didja really saw Optimus back there? Think about it, if ya rule out the ‘cons, who else is actively out for our tailpipes and trying to make us all look like the spawns of Unicron?

Smokescreen, having a eureka moment: …MECH! That explains why they went solo and specifically targeted Fowler! Not to mention the super unoriginal alt–mode. It’s like they’re really hammering down the image of Optimus is a bad guy…when he’s not.

Wheeljack, smiling: Right on the shanix, kid. Plus, I wanna teach ‘em a lesson for ambushing Bulkhead…but personal grudges aside, if ya consider the Doc’s words that Optimus was nowhere near where it all happened, then there’s no denying it, is there?

Ratchet, mumbling something inaudible: …no, there is not. While we currently do not know what MECH is planning, but with everything that Wheeljack and Smokescreen has said, I advise you three to stand down.

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Had Wheeljack and Smokescreen been introduced around the same time, they’d offer new perspectives and insights to certain situations, especially as the “newcomers”. Maybe they’d both knowingly and unknowingly challenge some of Team Prime’s more conditional rules and regulations. Who knows? I’ve seen a post saying that, if these two ever teamed up (+ Miko), the ‘cons won’t stand a chance. I would’ve love to see that.

To end my ask, I’d like to include a little ‘what if’ scenario at the end of Nemesis Prime (because I think their decision to split up was a bit silly, given the circumstances).

Smokescreen: …Optimus, wait, with all due respect, are you sure that splitting up is the best course of action?

Optimus: What is it, Smokescreen?

Smokescreen: I…usually don’t question your orders, but why don’t we stick together this time? I’ve studied his movements, and he usually strikes when you’re alone.

Arcee: But won’t we quickly cover more areas if we split up?

Smokescreen: True, but that’d make us easy pickings, especially since he’d most likely ambush us. One by one.

Wheeljack: Also, no offense, but being alone’s how he got to Fowler and then you, ‘Cee.

Arcee: …right.

Bulkhead: …Anyways! ’Bee went ahead alone, and we haven’t heard from him. Who’s to say that Optimus’ stunt–double hadn’t given him a warm welcome?

.

This has been dialogue–heavy, but I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading!

Hey there! I'm doing well, thank you!

I'm glad you liked the ask (it was an "ow" line in hindsight, but Smokescreen's the type of guy to downplay those things), and that's an excellent point.

I do remember...the latter half of Nemesis Prime, and looking back on it, that was a WILD episode. Optimus' supposed close friends/family holding him at gunpoint was a bull choice in the writers' room. Yes, they just got shaken, but how poorly do they know Optimus to just pull iron on him so fast? (Sidenote, but Arcee's word should mean jack squat given the Speed Metal situation; she has obscured the truth in the past.)

Even when I first watched it, my immediate thought was essentially "this dude's got yellow eyes, how can you not tell it's a fake?!" Nighttime is one thing, especially in a location as un-light polluted as Jasper/Nevada is. But the eyes?!?!

Arcee, are YOU blind? (I don't remember her letting Nemesis do that, but I guess that reinforces my question.)

Wait...the Orion Pax arc is what causes "trust issues"?

Like....what excuse is that?!

Optimus got laser-guided divine amnesia, how does that result in everybody having trouble with trust? If it were in the wake of Con Job, sure, but the Orion Pax arc?

Lord, give me patience, because if You give me strength, I'm gonna need a lawyer.

Moving on, because right now I don't wanna dignify that revelation anymore than I already have, Optimus had every right to be hurt. The guys he's fought side by side with for centuries or more just do that with zero hesitation? I'd blow a gasket if I were in his place!

Oh. Oh crap, I never considered that Smokescreen was Optimus' shield - you're a genius!!!

Elite Guardsmen are the protectors of not just Cybertron, but the Prime as well. Smokescreen admiring Optimus isn't just who he is (which makes half the fandom Guardsmen too), it's him staying true to his training and position in the Cybertronian hierarchy!

Yes, you and Kzele are right: Smokescreen would call the bluff/scheme immediately, and set to work figuring out how to undo the damage. I love the little snippet you wrote (I don't think I have the current mental capacity to write anything about that though, RIP me), and I feel you did Wheeljack well. He's not a detective, but he's definitely a hunter. Give him a trail and a suspicious story, and he'll hunt down the perpetrator.

Now that you mention it, the whole reason Smokescreen and Wheeljack were kept so far away/unscheduled is probably because of how fast the show would end otherwise. We've talked about how Smokescreen just zoomed through plots that the others struggled with, and Wheeljack almost took down freaking Soundwave. Add in how Miko killed Hardshell, and the trio would've ended things sooner. Smokey and Wheeljack would assuredly have challenged the status quo of the series - maybe even changed some of the setup.

Nice! I love your little snippets! I just wish I could add on, but my brain must be fried, I'm too out of touch with TFP, or some cross between the two.

Thanks for coming to my askbox again, this was great!