cutekittenlady - Tumblr blog

[cutekittenlady]

People consistently underestimate and forget how WEIRD Yugioh is.

Context: This grown ass police inspector is asking a teenager to resolve a hostage situation for him

[cutekittenlady]

Earthspark Breakdown Summary Fic part 1

(needs a proper title)

[NEXT]

Another fic idea that there's a decent chance I wont have the time or energy to write. This time for Earthspark featuring Breakdown. Figure I'll do what I tried out awihle ago with a Pokemon fic idea I knew I wouldn't have time to write and write very very brief summaries of how I see the series of events playing out.

Kinda like a heavily abridged summarized fanfic with some stuff I cant figure out or have no ideas for yet skipped over in the interest of just getting the idea out.

Think I'll call it a Summary Fic or whatever.

(Probably going to do this in parts so might as well go ahead and put the necessary pits for a link here)

Takes place after the end of the first season during a rather delicate period between the Autobots, Decepticons, and darn well near everyone for that matter.

G.H.O.S.T. is gone and all their decepticon prisoners freed, and while there are certainly Decepticons who aren't going to let their necessary saving of the world stop their ambitions, they're hiding out atm. Regrouping, gaining resources, and figuring out what to do next.

During this tentative period; Bumblebee and co (whoever is involved in "co" is a work in progress) visit the now abandoned GHOST base in an attempt to potentially gain some information on whatever else GHOST may have been up to as well as retrieving potentially damaging information about Cybertronians.

While there the group is shocked to encounter Swindle, the still armless Hardtop, and Breakdown of all bots picking through the remains of the base. A fight breaks out between the Con bros (my special name for Swindle and Hardtop) and Bumblebees gang before Breakdown breaks up the fight and explains that hes helping Swindle and Hardtop pick through the remains to find parts to build Hardtop a new arm. They "are NOT there to pick fights!" (directed at the bros).

He asks Bumblebee why he is there and, Bumblebee rather carefully tells him about the data recovery mission. Breakdown offers the Cons aid on the mission as recovering the data could benefit him and the rest of Decepticons (former and otherwise) just as much as the Autobots. Swindle and Hardtop try to argue but Breakdown pretty quickly quiets them down, reminding them of an unexplained "deal" that they struck that meant they had to help Breakdown out.

For various reasons (that I can't explain because the magic wand of plot contrivance hasnt produced anything et) Bumblebee accepts against his better judgement (actually its probably because the base still poses dangers. rogue automatic security measures and all that), but makes it clear to Breakdown that anything the Con Bros get up to is Breakdowns responsibility and that he won't hesitate to strike back if they pull anything. Breakdown agrees to the terms and the groups heads into the base.

After some fun actiony stuff featuring the teamed up groups getting past security, they eventually make it to the core server where all the memory storage is. Hashtag, or Nightshade (becuase the Terrans should be there. They're the main characters darn it) manage to access the information and find that it contains, amongst a lot of other things, a complete list of all the known Cybertronians on earth. Both Autobot AND Decepticon. And what GHOST knew about their abilities, whereabouts, status post war etc.

This is, needless to say, kind of a big deal.

Theres a bit of a scuffle as Breakdown and the Con Bros and Bumblebees team have a disagreement of what to do with the information. Bumblebee doesnt trust Swindle and Hardtop at all, so Breakdown asks that he be allowed to see the information without the two Con Bros present. Bumblebee admits that while he WANTS to trust Breakdown, the fact that he's still technically a Decepticon makes it impossible for him to just handover incriminating information about the autobots who might still be in hiding. Breakdown argues he could say the same thing.

Eventually the two agree that Breakdown will be allowed to come and see the information, but only if he comes alone. No Con Bros or anyone else. At a time and place Bumblebee specifies. With both Optimus AND Megatron present.

Breakdown isn't thrilled at the idea of being so disadvantaged, and makes an attempt at appealing to his and Bumblebees old friendship. In the end though, he accepts the conditions. Which surprises Bumblebee prompting him to ask Breakdown why he wants to see the information so badly. Breakdown vaguely answers that there are certain Cons he knew during the war whose fate he'd like to know, and leaves with the Con Bros.

Once out of earshot the Con Bros make their displeasure with Breakdowns decision known and threaten to relegate on their deal. Breakdown becomes a lot more intimidating and makes it clear that they're perfectly free to leave and can even take the parts they found with them. Of course that'd mean they'd be left constructing a new arm compatible with Hardtops Cybertronian body and figuring out how to safely attach it without frying Hardtops circuits. Meanwhile he, Breakdown, would have no issue at all going to his old pal Bumblebee and making a new deal with him and the Autobots to get what HE wants. He'd even have information about Swindle and Hardtop to buy admission into the Autobots.

In his own mind Breakdown knows such information is flimsy and wouldnt be enough to get him into the Autobot ranks. But its enough to scare the Con Bros into compliance.

With them placated Breakdown drops the intimidating air a bit and reassures them that he's fully intending to keep up his end of their bargain by finding them an expert who can reattach a new arm for Hardtop. All they have to do is continue giving him a hand when he needs it.

With that they all leave the base with Hardtop asking Swindle under his breath if he thinks Breakdown actually knows such a person, and Swindle answers that even if he doesn't and hes just leading them on they have the advantage over Breakdown in terms of numbers. At bare minimum they'll follow his lead long enough to get all the parts they need and can always ditch him if they get tired of the 'partnership'.

End of segment.

[cutekittenlady]

Earthspark Breakdown Summary Fic Part 2

[Previous] [Next]

((Srsly I need a title for this thing. Willing to take suggestions.))

Opening up on the Maltos House where, after the end of the first season, Bumblebee and the other Autobots have started taking efforts to educate the Terrans about Cybertronian culture and history in more detail. Something Alex enthusiastically takes part in.

(Really this is just an excuse for me, as a fan, to import whatever aspects of the previous lore I find most appealing, as well as inserting some stuff of my own.)

While they are doing this who should finally appear?

Ratchet. Because Ratchet needs to be in Earthspark. I will take no arguments.

(Definitely prefer his characterization as an older more experienced cybertronian medic so kinda going off that here. Generally for this fan speculative Earthspark version of Ratchet I see him, as always, being the Autobots top combat medic as well as one of their most senior and experienced members with a long friendship with Optimus. LIke a lot of the other Autobots, hes accepted Megatrons change of heart but unlike the others he doesnt necessarily get along with him and is not above bringing up past grievances or criticizing Megs for current as well as past decisions hes made. Hes generally a good hearted if grmpy guy, and a highly ethical medical practitioner with strong views.)

Optimus had asked Ratchet to finally come and meet the Terrans both to further introduce them to more potential allies they could rely on and also because it was becoming increasingly important that they finally gain an understanding of how the Terrans health works so that they can best meet their needs if they're ever hurt or in need of any other kind of medical aide.

Cue some adorable moments of Ratchet putting the Terrans through various basic exercises and roping them in when they try to show off their abilities to him while he remains unfazed. The Terrans initially think this means Ratchet doesnt like them, but Bumblebee clarifies that Ratchet is just so used to the various powers and abilities of all the cybertronians hes treated over his millions of years of life that hes almost, quite literally, seen it all. Besides which hes far more concerned with figuring out areas of the Terrans health that might need his attention rather than anything else. Lol obviously cue Ratchet being grouchy and immediately undercutting whatever it is Bumblebees just said.

Eventually the subject of Conjunx Endura (Cybertronian concept like marriage which I believe was introduced in the IDW comics) somehow comes to the Terrans attention and they try asking the various Autobots (and maybe Megatron?) about it but the group gets flustered FAST and plays hot potato with the subject until it comes to Ratchet who takes up the subject while deriding the others for not being able to get ahold of themselves to actually explain one of their most important ceremonies to the kids.

((Note: As an inherently asexual species thats nonetheless capable of the full gauntlet of emotions while ALSO living for millions of years, I tend to h/c that to the cybertronians the concept of being in love and married is an incredibly intimate subject that, historically, most younger bots aren't taught about until they're considered experienced enough in other things to grasp the gravity of the subject. The Terrans are, at most, a year old or so. So them asking the various autobots about the subject is, socially speaking, like your toddler asking you where babies come from.))

Ratchet thinks if they're old enough to ask the question, they're old enough to get an answer. Still Dot and Alex insist on being present since a) despite his enthusiasm Alex has no idea what the Conjunx Endura is, b) the terrans are all their adopted children, and c) are themselves insanely curious about what could make the autobots and Megatron so flustered. Which is good, because Ratchet winds up needing their help as his explanation of the concept is incredibly dry and tends to reference a lot of aspects of Cybertronian culture the Terrans just dont know. Dot and Alex, as adults who happen to be married, are able to compare and contrast the concept to their own marriage to help the Terrans understand.

Ratchet does insist that the two are different in various ways though Dot is quick to hammer home that the important part is that its a special ceremony only to be launched with a special person you deeply love romantically. Something Ratchet agrees with and makes clear that while he wants the Terrans to understand what a Conjunx Endura IS, they're far far too young to pursue anything of the like and are definitely too young to learn about the Conjux Ritus, the set of rituals meant to tie two Conjux Endura together.

Alex and Dot thanks Ratchet for letting them learn about something so personal to the Cybertronians but do ask, out of curiosity, why the others were so flustered about it. Ratchet explains that because Conjunx are so personal many consider it an embarrassing subject to broach in mixed and professional company, and asking a bot you dont know really well about their conjunx or whether or not they have one is considered tactless and even rude. When asked why he isn't embarrassed about the subject, he explains carefully that he actually has a conjunx of his own and "after a million years together the embarrassment of the subject just sorta wears off" though he doesnt pursue the subject of his Conjunx any further.

Instead he changes subject and tell Dot and Alex to keep in mind that the Conjunx Endura can go wrong. On Cybertron there were bad actors who would lure unsuspcted bots into forming a Conjunx for favors, gain social standing, or other perks. At best they'd then abandon them allowing the victim to make an appeal and get the whole thing nullified, but at its worse it could trap bots into loveless onesided connections, or a toxic relationship.

Ratchet is surprised to find that Dot and Alex are shockingly accepting of this, saying that sadly marriage amongst humans can run much the same risk.

Alex even making a small comment like, "Just like my soap operas/stories!"

Again they thank Ratchet for telling them all this, and for looking after the kids by making sure they're informed.

Dot tries to prompt the kids to thank Ratchet only to discover most of the group had long since gotten distracted at some point in the conversation with only Nightshade and Jawbreaker really paying attention throughout the whole thing.

Alex tries to apologize but Ratchet responds with some dry humor that having at least 2/5 of young bots fully paying attention throughout the whole explanation is actually a pretty good turnout and that they can try explaining the whole thing to the others again "in due time."

They're then interrupted by the announcement that Breakdown has arrived at the Maltos house.

[cutekittenlady]

Earthspark Breakdown Summary Fic Part 3

[Previous] [Next]

The gang emerges from the dugout to see a bit of a standoff between bumblebee, megatron, autobots, and breakdown. Breakdown staying a ways away at the end of the drive in car mode looking ready to take off at the first sign of provocation.

Bumblebee had already explained the situation beforehand but that doesnt stop things from being awkward.

After some uncomfortable moments of Elita-1 scanning the area to make sure Breakdown has kept his word about not bringing anyone with him, being searched for hidden weaponry and spy devices, etc Bumblebee, and interestingly enough Megatron, vouch for him enough that they let up and Breakdown transforms into his robot mode.

He reiterates that he JUST wants to learn whats happened to some "old pals" of his in the Decepticons. Megatron hazards a guess that he's looking into his old combiner team the Stunticons.

After a moment of hesitation, Breakdown says they "caught him" and that the stunticons are, indeed, some of the cons he's wanting to learn the ultimate fate of and asks to have access to the data they collected from the base.

Optimus agrees to allow it. But ONLY if others are in the room with him when he access the database. Breakdown makes a comment about Autobots being incredibly distrustful. Optimus responds that their trust has to be earned, though adds that Breakdown has a pretty decent track record for a decepticon. Not getting up to any real trouble so to speak outisde of illegal racing, saving bumblebee from capture, and helping the Terrans against Mandroid.

All of this is why hes willing to let Breakdown access the information but notes that he'll still have to come down on Breakdown if he tries any "funny business".

Breakdown is surprised by the light praise coming from Optimus and does, in an informal way, thank Optimus for giving him the chance and promises that he's not up to any "funny business".

Ratchet is hanging back with the Terrans looking on at the proceedings and can only give a disapproving look.

With the Maltos residence having become a sort of defacto base of operations for Megatron and the Autobots in Witwicky after the dissolution of GHOST, the data that was gathered was stored on a computer in the Terrans dugout. Since not everyone is able to fit into the dugout safely (and Elita not wanting to leave the outside ungaurded) Bumblebee and Ratchet are the ones who go into the dugout with Breakdown to keep an eyes on him. Hashtag and Nightshade reveal that they had already organized the data files and information so that looking up any particular piece of information would be easier.

Breakdown compliments them on this and moves for the computer only to be stopped by Ratchet. Unlike Optimus, Ratchet doesn't actually say anything to Breakdown about not trusting him. Just abruptly asking him what name he wants them to look up first.

Breakdown sarcastically asks if they seriously don't even trust to type into a keyboard. Even Bumblebee says he thinks Ratchet is going too far. Ratchet doesnt rise to this and just repeats his question to Breakdown about who he wants to look up first.

Ratchet and Breakdown have a staredown before Breakdown says they might as well start with Drag Strip.

As Ratchet is typing in the name and bringing up Drag Strips info, Thrash asks who the Stunticons are.

Bumblebee begins an explanation as Ratchet works on the computer. Occassionally Breakdown stops and cuts in to correct a few of Bumblebees explanations. Pointing out that as HE was a stunticon he knows all about them.

As this is happening Ratchet keeps having to prompt Breakdown to give him more names. Breakdown gives him Dead End and Wild Rider.

Eventually the Terrans ask what a Combiner is.

Breakdown expresses surprise asking Bee if he's seriously never explained to the Terrans what a combiner was. Bumblebee argues that the subject has never come up before.

Ratchet cuts in and point blank asks Breakdown if he wants to looked up Motormaster too. Breakdown visibly flinches but recovers quickly and agrees, thanking Ratchet for helping him find out what happened to his "old group".

One of the terrans ask Breakdown why he isn't with the Stunticons. Breakdown distractedly tells them that the group was dissolved before the end of the war for "various reasons" but does reiterate that they're a five man team.

Bumblebee tries to give a comprehensive explanation of what a combiner is, but the Terrans numerous questions quickly overwhelm him prompting Ratchet to get up and give them a full explanation. Explaining that "combiners" is both a name for Cybertronians born with the ability to "combine" with other cybertronians to create new forms as well as a name for the forms themselves. He explains that two or more cybertronians can fuse together and that the resulting "form" will possess a sort of amalgamated mind made up of the all the minds of the transformers that make it up. As a result of this most first time combiners are extremely unstable and can only remain fused for a short amount of time. With training, practice, mental fortitude, and, most importantly, team work though a group of combiners can fuse together and maintain their shape becoming one of the greatest forces that ever took part in the war.

As this explanation is going on, Breakdown takes advantage of everyone being distracted to type a name into the computer and bring up a file. Unbeknownst to him he's seen by Jawbreaker. However since Jawbreaker heard there were "five stunticons" he assumes Breakdown is looking up their fifth member (it not occurring to him at the time that Breakdown is the fifth member) though he sees the picture of who hes looking up.

Breakdown manages to get away from the computer before Ratchet finishes his explanation by pointedly saying that not all cybertronians are capable of combining and that the ones who can arent always responsible about how they use the ability. THe comment being deliberately aimed at Breakdown.

Breakdown just says that he always went along with what his leader wanted and never thought much about the details. Ratchet responds that thats the whole problem.

Again the two have a stare down and a moment of silence passes.

Breakdown breaks the silence by thanking Bumblebee for letting him see the information. Saying that it was... interesting to know that his old comrades were all still alive.

Bumblebee asks him what he plans to do with the information, and Breakdown just smirks and asks him if he would believe him if he told him the information was just for his peace of mind before he left Witwicky.

Surprised to hear his friend is leaving town he follows him out of the dugout and asks where hes intending to go. Breakdown cryptically says that he may just drive around the states for a while and keep going after that. Saying that with GHOST gone he's free to explore as much as he wants.

Bumblebee begins a warning, but Breakdown stops him. He tells him that he needn't worry about him doing anything to harm any humans or any of the autobots. Announcing to a surprised Optimus, Elita, and Megatron that he's intending to go "unaffiliated" for awhile. Pointing out that as he has no idea how things are going to develop with a lot of the old Decepticons back at large and GHOST gone he wants to take the opportunity to "sort some stuff out" and figure out where hes going from here. And in order to do that he needs to leave Witwicky.

As hes leaving Bumblebee asks Breakdown if he think he'd ever be willing to join the Autobots. Breakdown responds by asking Bee if, were their situations reversed, would he be willing to leave Optimus and the others to join the Decepticons. Bee responds that thats different, but Breakdown refutes the point. Telling him that there are people hes attached to who, as far as he knows, still identify as decepticons and that he's unwilling to abandon them to switch sides. Though he tells him that if those people are willing to ditch the badge in exchanged for the "protection" the autobots might provide in a post-war post-GHOST situation then he may reconsider.

Bumblebee asks if hes talking about the stunticons but Breakdown ignores the question and drives off. Though as hes leaving Breakdown mutters an apology to Bumblebee to himself that "this" is one thing he can't trust him with. Not yet.

[cutekittenlady]

I feel like the stunticons ARENT happy Breakdown went to work for Knockout

Whaaaat? Nooooo.

Motormaster is TOTALLY stoked that one of his components men left the team at the first opportunity for bigger things in the med ward!

He DEFINITELY isn't angry he can't do anything about it!

He DOESN'T hate Knockout like hell for being one of the few decepticons he isn't allowed to touch due to his role as a combat medic!

And he just looooves how Knockout doesnt show any fear of him in the slightest and isn't afraid to just give him the business whenever he feels like in COMPLETE diregard for his authority!

He ESPECIALLY isn't mad that without Breakdown the stunticons can't form Menasor and therefore their effectiveness in combat decreases significantly.

He's just fine with everything!

Knockout? LOVE that guy! Definitely doesn't want to tear him limb from limb.

Nope.

Not. At. All.

[cutekittenlady]

Does KnockOut know Megatron knows his true history?

On the fence about that actually.

On the one hand if he IS aware that Megatron knows where hes actually from and what he actually used to do, it'd make him very obedient to Megatrons wishes just to avoid him exposing the truth.

On the other the fact of him not knowing could create an interesting reason for why Knock Out and Breakdown wouldnt trust Megatron with the truth about their relationship even after the war and Megatrons changing of his ways since they'd have no idea that he can actually keep a secret and react accordingly.

It can be either since I dont think KnockOut and Megatron were really friends before the war. They were just two guys who happened to both be involved in the gladiator games in different ways. They were aware of each others existence but didn't have much of a relationship beyond that.

Ironically though I do think Earthspark Megatron would have developed a more sympathetic view of Knockouts true history than others who weren't from that walk of life. Though I also see him not entirely approving of him hiding that part of himself, especially from Breakdown after learning of their relationship.

[cutekittenlady]

Honestly my first thought here wasn't that the little guy was lying but that HE thought stepping on the black squares would kill them too. This girl just shattered this little dudes whole world view. Like that expression screams "wtf is going on" to me.

Complete agreement on the "not immediately believing everything your told" addition to the isekai-esque storyline, but just thought I'd raise it by adding the fun that the cute little isekai guide thinks all this stuff is true too and is horrified to discover its not and that their whole reality is a lie.

There’s a lot going on in that little critter’s head right now.

[cutekittenlady]

How do you see Knock Out interacting with Bumblebee in Earthspark given he has a history with breakdown in it?

See I actually think that has a TON of potential?

Like in Earthspark Bumblebee and Breakdown were BFFs before the war and Bumblebee even describes him as "more like a brother".

While in my hypothetical "Knockout in Earthspark" au of sorts Breakdown didnt meet Knockout until the war was underway and it was when they were both decepticons. And once they started working together they were just as quick to secretly become Conjunx.

So what this sets up is the very interesting drama of Bee's rather complicated BFF friendship with Breakdown being made more complicated by Breakdown having a decepticon boyfriend/husband that he hasn't told Bee about during all this time.

And thats not even going into the fact that Knockout and Bumblebee have very different personalities that are almost guranteed to clash.

[cutekittenlady]

BDKO Earthspark headcanons

((some headcanons and ideas for a hypothetical BDKO in Earthspark. Some ideas I may use in that summary fic I've been doing.))

Breakdown left the stunticons to work with and be with Knock Out in the medical ward. Motormaster and the others are toootally cool with this! Yep! No lingering grudges at all.

During the war Megs had forbidden his forces from being "indiscreet" with each other in order to maintain discipline. Thus Breakdown and Knock Out became conjunx in secret. (Or alternatively they were junxies in everything but name and were just holding out for a chance to make things official).

Knock Out initially only wanted to recruit breakdown to get back at motormaster over some grudge. Turned out Breakdown was actually pretty good at his job, respected knock outs skills, as well as just being genuinely good company so he wound up keeping him around.

KOs and BDs "courtship" period was hilariously short. It took maybe a few months to a year at most for them to get pretty serious about being together.

Or at least their official unofficial secret courtship was that short. In reality BD had been crushing on KO for awhile and kept finding excuses to go see him. (This could have even been what caused the grudge between Motormaster and KnockOut) Though he only really got to know him after starting to work for him.

While they love each other and are a good couple KO and BD has some pretty significant secrets between them.

KO has let it be known that he was a very accomplished cosmetic surgeon back on Cybertron who was like totally rubbing elbows with all the big names and was Uber rich and hot and everyone wanted him etc etc and joined the decepticons because it was all just too boring. None of this is true.

In reality he was an illegal back alley surgeon from the lowest rung of society who never even went to medical school. He essentially self taught himself medicine and surgery by digging through the scraps of the victims of the gladiator games and illegal racing ring and making money selling and installing the parts. And he joined the decepticons to escape his debt collectors who he owed an arm and a leg. Several arms and legs. Many of them belonging to other people.

Megatron is aware of Knockouts true history due to his own gladiatorial days but doesn't correct his fabricated history since he needs as many combat meds as he can get.

Knock Out is terrified that if Breakdown learns of his real history then he'll think less of him and so guards it carefully.

Breakdown meanwhile doesn't hide anything about his history but does downplay how bad it really was under Motormaster and working with the other stunticons. To say that the team had a toxic abusive dynamic is putting it mildly and BD views leaving them for KO to be one of the best decisions he ever made. Because of that though he never talks about his experiences with the stunticons and hides some of the worst effects.

Beyond that breakdown also just has no real experience with romantic relationships. He lets on that he does but in reality he's a bit immature and doesn't fully know what a serious relationship with knock out would require from his end.

Edit: small edition but numerous people who find out about the twos secret relationship don't initially approve due to things not exactly sounding great out of context and the fact that their courtship period was so short.

Lol just think some drama between them is fuuuun

[cutekittenlady]

Lol what DONT they get arrested for.

That stupid Barbie meme but it’s KOBD

What did they get arrested for? 👀

[cutekittenlady]

lol someone added the "Mr. Smelt is Knockout" theory to the tvtropes WMG page

[cutekittenlady]

I do love it when storylines like doubles dont use huge same episode traits or info to differentiate doubles but rather small long term character traits that both the characters and audience are aware of.

Like how here its the fact that the "fake" optimus cant understand Bumblees scrambled speech that reveals him as a fake. Especially since in the series thus far all the autobots being able to understand bumblebee has been an established fact and even small running gag. But it clearly pays off here.

Genuinely the funniest and sweetest way they could’ve set up Nemisis Prime to enter for the final scenes like I wish I was a fly on the wall for when they pitched it

Like the ANGER on Bee’s face?? He was literally shakes with anger😭

He definitely took personal offence to that and of course he did! Silas basically created this Frankenstein version of Optimus and used it to disrespect his image

He was ready to knock Silas out but then of course Silas is still in an Optimus-like body which is stronger and double the size of Bee. He had the right spirit tho so I’m not going to criticise it😂

Also love the little detail of Bee walking really quietly, I love when they actually show his skills as a scout

Just a completely perfect scene, one of my favs out of the whole show

[cutekittenlady]

Dipping my toes into both tf prime and earthspark has created... Ideas.

Like earthspark breakdown finally reuniting with knockout after the war only to discover he's been trapped in vehicle mode and can't even communicate anymore.

Why is KO trapped? Who knows. Maybe someone forcefully removed his tcog or he's in the cybertronian equivalent of a coma, or there's some other thing that's kept him locked in it long term.

Whatever the explanation, Breakdown reacts accordingly. Either going on a violent rampage or going into vehicle mode himself and staying by Knockouts side until it can be reversed. Maybe even both! 💔

[cutekittenlady]

Thrash should meet and bond with Breakdown or Prowl in S2 as a new "big brother"/mentor figure. Depending on how you think that would go

Oh! Or Jazz. Jazz could be a cool option.

The other terrains and their mentors:

Thrash and his… “mentor”..

[cutekittenlady]

fuck it them-centric (re-)post bcus i love these cartoon bastards

[cutekittenlady]

@peak-dumbass I just realized something that would make this even better. Well worse actually, but worse in an angsty way that's good. For us.

Throw Knock Out into the mix.

Breakdown killed Bulkhead to protect Knock Out, only for Knock Out to die over the course of the war anyway. Or alternatively Bulkhead killed Knock Out during a different, or even the same battle, and Breakdown killed him in vengeance.

I woke up today and decided to choose violence which is why I am going to ask everyone eagerly waiting for Earthspark season 2 not which transformers are going to show up, but rather which ones you think are canonically dead in this canon.

I mean it was made clear that a lot of autobots and decepticons straight up died during the war sooooo which ones do you guys think didn't make it out?

[cutekittenlady]

Earthspark Breakdown Summary Fic Part 2

[Previous] [Next]

((Srsly I need a title for this thing. Willing to take suggestions.))

Opening up on the Maltos House where, after the end of the first season, Bumblebee and the other Autobots have started taking efforts to educate the Terrans about Cybertronian culture and history in more detail. Something Alex enthusiastically takes part in.

(Really this is just an excuse for me, as a fan, to import whatever aspects of the previous lore I find most appealing, as well as inserting some stuff of my own.)

While they are doing this who should finally appear?

Ratchet. Because Ratchet needs to be in Earthspark. I will take no arguments.

(Definitely prefer his characterization as an older more experienced cybertronian medic so kinda going off that here. Generally for this fan speculative Earthspark version of Ratchet I see him, as always, being the Autobots top combat medic as well as one of their most senior and experienced members with a long friendship with Optimus. LIke a lot of the other Autobots, hes accepted Megatrons change of heart but unlike the others he doesnt necessarily get along with him and is not above bringing up past grievances or criticizing Megs for current as well as past decisions hes made. Hes generally a good hearted if grmpy guy, and a highly ethical medical practitioner with strong views.)

Optimus had asked Ratchet to finally come and meet the Terrans both to further introduce them to more potential allies they could rely on and also because it was becoming increasingly important that they finally gain an understanding of how the Terrans health works so that they can best meet their needs if they're ever hurt or in need of any other kind of medical aide.

Cue some adorable moments of Ratchet putting the Terrans through various basic exercises and roping them in when they try to show off their abilities to him while he remains unfazed. The Terrans initially think this means Ratchet doesnt like them, but Bumblebee clarifies that Ratchet is just so used to the various powers and abilities of all the cybertronians hes treated over his millions of years of life that hes almost, quite literally, seen it all. Besides which hes far more concerned with figuring out areas of the Terrans health that might need his attention rather than anything else. Lol obviously cue Ratchet being grouchy and immediately undercutting whatever it is Bumblebees just said.

Eventually the subject of Conjunx Endura (Cybertronian concept like marriage which I believe was introduced in the IDW comics) somehow comes to the Terrans attention and they try asking the various Autobots (and maybe Megatron?) about it but the group gets flustered FAST and plays hot potato with the subject until it comes to Ratchet who takes up the subject while deriding the others for not being able to get ahold of themselves to actually explain one of their most important ceremonies to the kids.

((Note: As an inherently asexual species thats nonetheless capable of the full gauntlet of emotions while ALSO living for millions of years, I tend to h/c that to the cybertronians the concept of being in love and married is an incredibly intimate subject that, historically, most younger bots aren't taught about until they're considered experienced enough in other things to grasp the gravity of the subject. The Terrans are, at most, a year old or so. So them asking the various autobots about the subject is, socially speaking, like your toddler asking you where babies come from.))

Ratchet thinks if they're old enough to ask the question, they're old enough to get an answer. Still Dot and Alex insist on being present since a) despite his enthusiasm Alex has no idea what the Conjunx Endura is, b) the terrans are all their adopted children, and c) are themselves insanely curious about what could make the autobots and Megatron so flustered. Which is good, because Ratchet winds up needing their help as his explanation of the concept is incredibly dry and tends to reference a lot of aspects of Cybertronian culture the Terrans just dont know. Dot and Alex, as adults who happen to be married, are able to compare and contrast the concept to their own marriage to help the Terrans understand.

Ratchet does insist that the two are different in various ways though Dot is quick to hammer home that the important part is that its a special ceremony only to be launched with a special person you deeply love romantically. Something Ratchet agrees with and makes clear that while he wants the Terrans to understand what a Conjunx Endura IS, they're far far too young to pursue anything of the like and are definitely too young to learn about the Conjux Ritus, the set of rituals meant to tie two Conjux Endura together.

Alex and Dot thanks Ratchet for letting them learn about something so personal to the Cybertronians but do ask, out of curiosity, why the others were so flustered about it. Ratchet explains that because Conjunx are so personal many consider it an embarrassing subject to broach in mixed and professional company, and asking a bot you dont know really well about their conjunx or whether or not they have one is considered tactless and even rude. When asked why he isn't embarrassed about the subject, he explains carefully that he actually has a conjunx of his own and "after a million years together the embarrassment of the subject just sorta wears off" though he doesnt pursue the subject of his Conjunx any further.

Instead he changes subject and tell Dot and Alex to keep in mind that the Conjunx Endura can go wrong. On Cybertron there were bad actors who would lure unsuspcted bots into forming a Conjunx for favors, gain social standing, or other perks. At best they'd then abandon them allowing the victim to make an appeal and get the whole thing nullified, but at its worse it could trap bots into loveless onesided connections, or a toxic relationship.

Ratchet is surprised to find that Dot and Alex are shockingly accepting of this, saying that sadly marriage amongst humans can run much the same risk.

Alex even making a small comment like, "Just like my soap operas/stories!"

Again they thank Ratchet for telling them all this, and for looking after the kids by making sure they're informed.

Dot tries to prompt the kids to thank Ratchet only to discover most of the group had long since gotten distracted at some point in the conversation with only Nightshade and Jawbreaker really paying attention throughout the whole thing.

Alex tries to apologize but Ratchet responds with some dry humor that having at least 2/5 of young bots fully paying attention throughout the whole explanation is actually a pretty good turnout and that they can try explaining the whole thing to the others again "in due time."

They're then interrupted by the announcement that Breakdown has arrived at the Maltos house.