maributterfly104

[maributterfly104]

TFP Wheeljack in TFA: Season 4, Pt. I

Falling Apart:

Relics:

[maributterfly104]

Ready or Not

There was a hole in the wall.

Sari saw it when Ratchet finally let her leave the med-bay, her father’s arm wrapped around her for security as they walked towards the Plant’s front door—where Optimus was standing, waiting to take them back to the tower.

It went straight through the wall right next to the TV area, leaving a jagged ‘window’ into the hall lined with Autobot bedrooms—and it hadn’t been there before.

There were no scorch marks. It hadn’t been blasted or burned into the plaster and stone, something had hit it.

Or… someone.

Sari could tell from the height that it could only have been one of three Autobots.

It was too big to have come from Optimus.

It was too clean to have been Bulkhead.

Sari’s face fell.

“… We’ll call you when we have a plan together,” Optimus said quietly, and she glanced up at him. “We’re… going to talk.”

Sari just looked at him, then she took a deep breath and stood up straighter. “Not without me.” Her optics narrowed. “I have to be a part of this, Optimus… He needs all of us, for this—I just know he does.”

Optimus sighed. “Sari-“

“Please,” she pressed. “Optimus… I have to know that he’s going to be okay.”

“… Me, too,” the Prime admitted. “And… I know I wouldn’t want to leave—but Sari, you should focus on healing.” He nodded. “Wheeljack would want you to. He does want you to.”

Sari frowned. “That’s because he really sucks at self-care and asking for help. I’m fine.”

“Sari,” Professor Sumdac chided gently, then he sighed and looked up at Optimus with a frown. “… With Sari’s cellphone patched into your comm system, I believe that I can set up a video-call. We can all meet together and talk about this.” He looked at Sari. “And, as long as you get some real rest… we can all be together, when the time comes to try and help Wheeljack through this.”

Sari blinked, then she nodded. “Okay. Okay… Thank you, Dad.”

“Of course, Sari,” the professor told his daughter as they continued walking. “He’s family too, isn’t he?” He blinked, then he glanced up at Optimus. “Say… where is Wheeljack, anyway?”

“Working on the shuttle, again,” the Prime replied. “He’s… really thrown himself into that work, since Sari started getting better and he decided not to tear my head off.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to push him before he’s ready, but… I’m honestly starting to think he might never be ready.”

“He might not be,” Professor Sumdac said, frowning. “But sometimes, help must come even when you want to reject it. It can be when you least want help from others that you need it the most.”

Optimus nodded, then he transformed and opened his doors so that the professor could help his daughter inside and then get in as well. Once they were secure, he started driving.

It was quiet.

They all had a lot to think about.

…

…

…

It was later that day, mid-afternoon.

Five Autobots were returning from their regular patrol. Their Wrecker hadn’t come with them.

Wheeljack hadn’t been seen all day, actually. He hadn’t come out to get his Energon, and he hadn’t met them by the door when it was time for the patrol to start. His signal had been in the Plant, and… they had decided not to push him.

They knew that he wasn’t getting any stasis. Maybe him staying behind was for the best.

“Hey.” Bumblebee raised an optic-brow as he noticed something on the table in front of the television. “What’s that?”

“That?” Ratchet walked over to get a closer look. “That’s-“ He blinked. “… Those are the spark-plugs from the shuttle.”

“Wait, what?” Optimus looked at the field-tech, surprised. “What are they doing here?”

“… Come on,” Ratchet replied, grabbing the spark-plugs and turning towards the hallway door. “Quickly.”

The four younger Autobots were confused as Ratchet led them through the Plant to the loading-dock, where the shuttle was waiting… and the ship was in much better condition than it was in the last time any of them had seen it.

“He’s finally finished the repairs.” Prowl crossed his arms.

“Except for these, apparently.” Optimus gestured to the spark-plugs Ratchet was still holding. “Why would he leave them out?”

“… Get the Sumdacs on the screens,” Ratchet ordered quietly. “Now.”

Optimus blinked. “Ratchet?”

“We’ve waited too long,” Ratchet murmured, and he looked back at the others with a severe expression. “He’s in trouble.”

…

The spark-plugs sat on the chair beneath the monitors, in plain view.

The Sumdacs were visible on the screens, sitting together in their living-room, and the Autobots had gathered beneath the monitors for the discussion.

They were all visibly tense. They all knew that this had to happen, but that didn’t stop the mounting dread.

“Alright, Ratchet,” Prowl spoke up, gesturing to the spark-plugs. “What does this mean?”

“He’s getting worse,” the field-tech replied, his whole frame rigid. “And he realized that, so… he took the spark-plugs out.”

Bumblebee frowned. “And left them out here?”

“The shuttle won’t fly without them,” Optimus remarked, then his face dropped. “… The shuttle won’t fly without them.”

:Oh, goodness.: Professor Sumdac raised a hand to his mouth, his eyes wide.

Sari frowned. :Wait, what’s going on?:

“He wouldn’t run,” Optimus insisted, looking at Ratchet in all seriousness.

“No, he wouldn’t,” the field-tech agreed. “We know that… but he’s making sure we know that.” He sighed. “He’s panicking. He might think that while he’d never run now, he could want to later. He doesn’t trust the headspace he’s in, how he could get even worse.” He gestured to the spark-plugs. “So, he handed over the keys to the shuttle—metaphorically speaking—and cut off his escape route.”

Prowl grew uneasy. “A call for help, then?”

“A last-ditch effort to handle this whole mess himself, most-likely,” Ratchet corrected the cyber-ninja. “Stubborn brat.” He looked away, his expression forlorn. “He’s stuck in all the bad thoughts in his head, with no outlet.”

:… So, he needs to vent it,: Sari decided, and everyone looked at her. :He needs to vent those bad thoughts, until he’s vented enough for us to be able to help him.:

“That means getting him to talk, which is he’ll want to avoid like it’s cosmic rust,” Bulkhead noted.

“He has to,” Optimus insisted. “And he has to know that.”

“I think he does, but… the kind of hurt Wheeljack has experienced does damage to a ‘bot, Prime,” Ratchet tried to explain, then he gestured to the side of his head. “Up here… He probably knows what he should do, what he has to do—but he won’t let himself.”

Optimus blinked, then he sighed and looked away. “… This is my fault.”

Ratchet raised an optic-brow. “What?”

“This is all my fault,” the Prime stated, crossing his arms.

“Prime, come on: Megatron got inside his head,” Bumblebee protested. “You can’t be blamed for that!”

“… Yes, I can,” Optimus told him. “I can because I knew about our Wreckers.” At that, the others’ expressions dropped. “Sentinel told me back when he first came to Earth that they had been wiped out, so… I did some digging in Omega Supreme’s computer databases.” The Prime wouldn’t meet anyone’s gaze. “Wheeljack always calls my history-vids propaganda, but… I never realized just how useless they were until I was trying to use them for research. They just told me that the Wreckers died; they didn’t tell me how it had happened, but… I knew.” He closed his optics. “And if I’d just told Wheeljack, he might’ve been at least a little prepared for what Megatron said to him in that mine.”

No one had the words.

“… Tell me what happened in the mine,” Ratchet said at long last. “No fluff, just… tell it straight.”

And so, they did.

Optimus, Prowl, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead used their combined recollections to piece together what had happened from the moment they had arrived outside of the mine until the moment they had left it.

They cut each other off, corrected each other, added extra details—coming together to create a picture of the battle, and what had happened to their Wrecker.

Everything.

The aggressive tactics that had been mixed-in with his usual protectiveness, how he’d tried to protect them from seeing what he was like unchecked until he had no other choice. How Wheeljack’s battle experience made them all seem sloppy in comparison.

The increased anger and frustration as the other Autobots were captured or lost to the stars, combined with the fear when he had to leave the cavern in order to delay Decepticon reinforcements. How Wheeljack had not messed around on his return, and it had made his team wonder how much he had held back just to keep them comfortable.

The ease with which the Wrecker had taken down so many Decepticons, fighting well and playing tricks… but Megatron had turned that on him, fighting well while also playing dirtier tricks. How Megatron had revealed that he knew of Wheeljack’s origins before he started digging around for the right buttons to push to make Wheeljack self-destruct.

The discussion of the Autobot-controlled Cybertron’s dubious morality and how it conflicted with everything Wheeljack believed in, and how the Wrecker hadn’t denied this but had still managed to make digs at Megatron and come back from whatever shock that one word—“caste”—had knocked him into when Bumblebee has expressed the Autobots’ confusion. How Megatron had revealed information, and how Wheeljack had inadvertently revealed much of himself in return as he became distressed.

The moment when Megatron had started talking about this reality’s Wreckers, and how that had been the end none of them had recognized. How the warlord had described in painful detail who they were, how they were treated, and how they eventually all died by his command before dissecting Wheeljack himself—and how the Wrecker had reacted, how the fight had become one-sided so quickly.

Megatron had gotten inside their friend’s head, dissecting his life and cutting in all of the right places to make him hurt.

The dread that washed over them when Wheeljack was disarmed, then yelp he had let out when he was caught in stasis-cuffs and they hurt, the look the Wrecker gave Megatron when it was revealed that the warlord wanted him alive. How Wheeljack still tried to escape and keep fighting, how he’d gotten some good hits in, and how Megatron shot him and hung him up on the wall with his own sword.

Bumblebee quietly added the part about how Megatron had used Wheeljack’s other sword to pierce a piece of the Wrecker’s own shattered armor.

Prowl remembered how Megatron still kept saying such awful things when their teammate was already down, and how he made sure the Wrecker knew that he was going to be a science project.

Bulkhead’s voice was barely audible when he reminded them that Megatron told Wheeljack that he’d kill someone if the Wrecker even tried to escape.

Optimus noted that the warlord said it would be done with one of Wheeljack’s own swords.

They all recalled the terror on his face, in his optics… and they all knew the moment when they realized that Wheeljack’s optics had gone vacant, that he’d slipped into his head to escape that place… and how he’d pulled himself out and told them that nothing that was happening was any of their faults, because that was how he prioritized even then.

And they all couldn’t forget the look on Wheeljack’s face when he first saw Shockwave, or how quickly he’d tried to conceal his fear as he spoke to Bumblebee, or how that mask had cracked when Megatron and Shockwave started discussing how they were going to examine him and his processor. He had been angry first, then terrified, then… vacant again. And that time, he didn’t pull himself out—not even when Optimus was taken away.

Bumblebee told Ratchet about how he’d had to snap Wheeljack into focus, had to try and keep the Wrecker’s attention because he was scared, and had asked him to help them escape. He described the escape after that, how easy the Wrecked made it look even with a severe injury.

Prowl explained that he had escaped and freed the others before rescuing Optimus while Wheeljack went to retrieve Professor Sumdac.

It got a little awkward when Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Prowl admitted that Wheeljack had stopped them from -well- stopping Megatron from overloading the space-bridge after a few details had slipped his mind in his poor mental state. Professor Sumdac gently reminded them that the Wrecker realized his mistake, and the Autobots finally had confirmation of when the professor had ended-up in Wheeljack’s chest-compartment.

And then, they talked about those moments between the end of the battle and Omega Supreme’s sacrifice. How Wheeljack had caught Optimus with his injured servo, and how he’d revealed that he didn’t know what would happen to him if he died in this reality.

And Optimus confessed what he’d seen in Wheeljack’s optics when he looked at the space-bridge, what he’d stopped the Wrecker from doing. How the only thing, he now realized, that made Wheeljack hesitate in letting go was the fact that he was carrying Professor Sumdac in his chest and he made a promise to Sari to get him home.

Bulkhead and Bumblebee described how they’d gotten the Wrecker out of there, how Wheeljack’s priority again had been their and Professor Sumdac’s safety… even if he’d have to be left behind to ensure that safety. Bulkhead didn’t recall much of the Wrecker’s exhausted mumbles: just “Sandokan” and “I wouldn’t leave, but everyone said-“.

That segued into the Autobots and Sari all compiling everything they had on Wheeljack, and not just from the past few days. Anything they had, any slip of the tongue or story that they suddenly felt might have a darker meaning, was shared until they were all filled-in.

Ratchet had hesitated, not wanting to betray the trust he felt he had with the Wrecker… and the other Autobots felt that there were things he left out, certain details that he kept private… but they didn’t push it.

They took what they could get without pushing each other’s boundaries and causing more pain, and yet… what a picture it painted when they were all through.

Sari had tears in her optics by the time they were done. Professor Sumdac wiped his eyes.

Bumblebee had curled up in his seat, leaned forward and hugging his knees as he stared at the floor. Ratchet of all ‘bots wrapped an arm around him.

Prowl was pacing, his arms crossed as he gazed at the floor. He, much like Ratchet, had been conflicted about sharing too much of what had been told to him in confidence—but he just wanted Wheeljack to receive the best possible help, so he had given in.

Bulkhead had probably been the most telling. He’d revealed that Wheeljack had been hurt by the other him but didn’t place any blame, and the details he gave allowed Sari to put the pieces together and confirm that the other Bulkhead was actually Wheeljack’s best friend: his partner, a fellow Wrecker who had left.

And Optimus felt drained.

This was his teammate, his friend, his trusted mentor… and for so long, he’d only had fragments. Even with what they’d gathered together, it hardly seemed like a complete image. Wheeljack had been careful.

It had only been when someone was at their worst that Wheeljack had gone out of his way to tell anyone anything, and… the most-telling moments were when Wheeljack himself was in trouble. He’d let something go, vent one of the bad thoughts as vaguely as he could… then carry on with a cocky grin on his face as he took care of everyone else.

That was their Wheeljack.

Because even if he came from another universe, he was still theirs.

“… So,” Optimus spoke quietly. “It was Wheeljack’s Shockwave that used this… cortical psychic patch?”

Ratchet nodded. “It was.”

“What do you know about it?” Prowl asked him, frowning. “As I said, Wheeljack would not elaborate when Bumblebee and I tried to get him to discuss it. He only said that it was some sort of means by which his reality’s Decepticons could reach into a mind and extract information.”

“… It’s worse than that,” Ratchet admitted, his voice soft. “The patch lets you push your mind into someone else’s—and if your will is strong enough, you can force control over that mind from the inside. Resist, and it could fry your processor.” He shook his head. “His reality’s Decepticons used it for information extraction, torture… all sorts of things.” He looked back at the others with a grim expression. “… And once, they caught Wheeljack. He was already hurt from a ship crash, but Megatron’s second-in-command tortured him anyway.”

“Starscream,” Bulkhead realized, and Ratchet nodded.

Then, the field-tech looked away again—still expressing that same guilt as he gave so much about his friend away. “When Wheeljack didn’t give him anything, Starscream called in a scientist to use the patch on ‘im… and when Wheeljack woke up, he was being dragged out to execution by smelting pit. Poor kid barely escaped with his life, and it’s a wonder he even had the sense to try.”

“What is a smelting pit?” Bumblebee asked, perplexed. “He’s mentioned it a few times too, but he’s never really told us what it is.”

Ratchet sighed. “Let’s hope you never have to find out, kid. He told me, and… they are the stuff of nightmares.”

“… So, in the mine,” Optimus began. “With his servos restrained, Shockwave planning tests, and Starscream right there…” He looked visibly ill. “It was like Wheeljack was back in that cell, being tortured.”

Ratchet sighed. “For all we know, for a few minutes there, he was in that cell—in his mind, at least. And that’s where it counts.” He shook his head. “And what Megatron told him about the Wreckers, it didn’t help in the slightest. It’s all drowning him.”

“Is he gonna be okay?” Bulkhead asked worriedly.

Ratchet glanced at him, then he looked down at the spark-plugs. “He’s been powering through these last few days. Now, he’s got nothing left to do but think about what happened.” He sighed again. “With all of this context, it’s… hard to say. I knew it would all come down, but there was no way to be ready for this—it’s so much more than I knew, and he’s hurting even more than I expected.”

“Then, what do we do?” Bulkhead pressed, his optics narrowed. “I mean, come on—there’s gotta be something!”

“… I’ll talk to him,” Ratchet decided, and the others all blinked. “And I’ll see if I can open a few doors, get him to let us in enough to start patching things up however we can. For now, just… give him some space, alright?”

The others nodded, and Optimus could just see the field-tech bracing himself.

And honestly, it was understandable.

Optimus didn’t know what Ratchet would find when he went to see Wheeljack, but he already knew it wouldn’t be good.

The Prime looked at the spark-plugs on the chair, and he picked them up.

“… Hold out your servos, everyone,” he ordered, and the other Autobots blinked again before obeying their leader. Optimus then carefully placed one spark-plug into each of their servos, keeping one for himself. “… We don’t talk about this, but… when each of us really thinks that it’s the right time… we can give our piece back to him.” He nodded. “He doesn’t trust himself right now, but… I do. I trust him, and I trust all of you to make this call.”

The others were surprised, but then they each looked down at the spark-plugs resting in their servos as if they were just as precious as Allspark fragments.

…

…

…

The loading dock was still empty, and so was the rooftop.

Two havens down. One to go.

Ratchet didn’t like to intrude on a ‘bot’s personal space. The last time he had been inside Wheeljack’s room, it was when Bulkhead had convinced the team to help him decorate the bare-bones space to make their teammate feel more at home.

He remembered seeing the Wrecker’s wide optics as he looked around the room like a day’s worth of effort was a dream come true, and how the mech had looked back at all of them with a genuine smile.

The field-tech had wondered then how long it had been since Wheeljack’d had a place that he could really call ‘home’.

It had probably been too long, if ever.

Ratchet approached the door with a frown, finding that it had been lowered. He hesitated, then he activated one of his magnets and used it to lift the door open.

There was Wheeljack’s berth with his lob-ball resting against the base, his work bench and his desk with a chair, and his computer and his data-pad. The ramshackle desk was covered in Sari and Bumblebee’s ridiculous splatter-paint, while the ceiling sported a careful reproduction of a starry night sky.

Bulkhead’s art pieces, which Wheeljack had volunteered to “store”, were still hanging on the walls or placed neatly around the room. They were well cared-for.

There was a crate sitting on the work-bench, with a few scattered parts left laying across the surface. The tools, however, had all been put away neatly.

The computer and the the data-pad were both dark, as was the room. The lights had been shut off, so the only illumination came from the hallway.

The room looked empty.

Ratchet frowned, then he checked his scanner. Wheeljack’s strange, pulsating signal was coming from inside the Plant.

He had to be there.

“… Kid?” Ratchet asked quietly, stepping into the room and looking around. “Kid, it’s me. You in here?” He stepped further into the dark room, putting both his magnet and his scanner away. “Kid?”

The field-tech was already making a mental list of other places he could check in the Plant, but they were few.

He had already checked the loading dock and the roof, and Wheeljack wasn’t the sort to trespass in someone else’s room.

If the Wrecker had come out into the main area, someone would have notified him.

The med-bay, perhaps? Unexpected, so maybe it would be worth the risk—but Wheeljack was trying to distance himself from all of his bad thoughts, not face them directly.

Could Wheeljack have hacked the scanners to make it look like his signal was still in the Plant while he was really elsewhere? Ratchet didn’t doubt it, but it seemed like a bit much.

The field-tech sighed, turning back towards the door and shaking his head… then his face fell as the list vanished.

The search was over.

There were many words one could use to describe Wheeljack.

Prowl and Optimus were very fond of “reckless”, but they would never deny “loyal”, “kind”, or “brave”.

Bulkhead and Bumblebee, with Sari in-league, would more-than-likely call the Wrecker “strong” or “awesome”.

Ratchet would go for “experienced” on a good day, and this was not a good day.

But no one ever went for “small”. “Small” and Wheeljack just didn’t go together.

But… it was the first word that in Ratchet’s processor, when he saw his friend.

“… Hey, kid.” Ratchet greeted quietly, walking over and getting down on one knee. “What’s all this about?”

The vehicle parked in that front corner of the room did not respond. The engine wasn’t humming, the lights weren’t on.

It just looked like a lifeless car.

However, Ratchet knew that Wheeljack could hear him. His biolights were still glowing faintly within him, and there was no way that the paranoid mech wouldn’t have been completely aware of someone in his space.

The silence, however, was worrying.

“Hm.” Ratchet frowned. “Kid, this-… This is no place for you.” He gestured over to the empty berth. “Why don’t you-?”

“No.” That got a response, and a backpedal just as quickly. “I mean-…”

“Kid?”

“… It’s better.” The Wrecker’s voice was quiet.

Ratchet blinked, then he slowly nodded. “Okay. Okay… Can you tell me how it’s better?” The silence returned. “Kid, please. I’m trying to understand.”

“… Low.” He was still so very, very quiet. “Not at the center of the room. A tighter space.”

“You don’t like tight spaces,” the field-tech said.

Wheeljack suddenly transformed, and Ratchet stood and backed away.

The Wrecker was well over a meter taller than him, and his optics were narrowed as his fists clenched at his sides.

“No, I fraggin’ don’t,” he agreed with a odd bite in his voice, then he sighed and looked away. Then, Wheeljack sat down—his back against the wall, resting his forearms on his knees… and refusing to meet Ratchet’s gaze. “But I’m just gonna stay here, for a while.”

“… Okay.” Ratchet nodded, getting down on one knee again. “You stay right there, and you don’t move until you wanna.”

Wheeljack scoffed. “I’m not a sparklin’.”

“I know,” Ratchet agreed. “But… you’re someone I want to help, and… whatever works’ll work.” He saw the Wrecker’s servos close into fists, then fall open again. “… I just wanna know that you’re okay, kid. However we get there, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“I’m fine,” Wheeljack insisted.

Ratchet gave a small smile. “I think we both know that’s a load. Even if I didn’t have the context of the last few days, you can’t lie worth scrap. Your poker-face is nonexistent.”

Wheeljack looked up at him, annoyed. “Hey.” He blinked as Ratchet snorted, then he sighed. “… We don’t have time for this.”

“Tough,” Ratchet told him, his optics narrowing as he grew serious. “We’re making time.”

“Why, because tryin’ to fix me will make you feel a little better about all of the other fraggin’ things that’ve gone wrong in the last few days?” Wheeljack asked sharply, then his face fell and he looked away again. “… ‘M sorry. I-… I didn’t mean-…”

“… I know,” Ratchet said quietly. “If you wound something and it gets backed into a corner, it’s going to lash out—even at folks just trying to help it. I’ve seen more than my fair share of that.” Wheeljack closed his optics. “… Sari tells us that, where you’re from, the ‘jam sessions’ you’ve been promising Prime don’t really exist. You just live and fight, mission to mission… so I can only imagine that this has been a long time coming, if it’s even the first time this has happened.” He sighed when Wheeljack opened his optics and looked at him. “Has anyone ever seen you like this, Wheeljack?”

The Wrecker blinked, then he looked away. “… My early days with the Wreckers, I-… I couldn’t stop shakin’. All the time, I was-...” He slowly nodded. “My partner would help.”

“And that was a long, long time ago,” Ratchet decided. “And somewhere along the line, you started acting like others in your unit—playing tough and pushing onward—and you never let that mask drop… when anyone was around to see what was under it, at least.” He sighed. “Not even your partner, ‘cause… he eventually built-up quite the picture.”

“Hm.” Wheeljack shrugged. “That’s just what happens when you go from ‘rookie’ to ‘war hero’, I guess… The only stories they wanna hear are the ones with glory.” He shook his head. “No one wants to hear about how your friends died pointlessly.”

Ratchet gazed at the Wrecker sadly. “… But you have to talk about it, kid. It’ll eat you alive, if you don’t—like cosmic rust.”

Wheeljack glanced at him. “And you want me to unload it all on you?”

“It’s not a weight,” Ratchet told him. “It’s a lake, and you’re drowning in it. If I can help you open up a spillway, let me.”

Wheeljack just looked at the field-tech for a long moment, then he turned his optics down and looked at the floor. “… He wouldn’t tell me about the others. When I finally found him, Seaspray—he-… He wanted to meet up with me, but he wouldn’t talk about the others over the comms.” He slowly shook his head. “And my commander, he and I never talked about what happened to them after I left—not once. He was alone, in that big ship.” He took a deep vent. “He never would’ve left anyone behind, and-… And he was alone.”

Ratchet blinked. “Kid?”

“I wasn’t there,” Wheeljack pressed. “In this reality, I wasn’t there and they all died… and I wasn’t there in mine, either. And there are only three of us left.” At that, Ratchet’s optics widened. “Four now, ‘cause I added the kid. She’s our fourth... Is-?” The Wrecker took another deep vent, and his voice got impossibly softer. “Is it because of me?”

Ratchet’s spark sank. “Kid.”

“Is it because of me, Ratchet?!” Wheeljack looked up at him, turning his servos over in a frantic gesture. His voice was loud and rough, but his optics were wide and searching—he was desperate. “I could’ve gotten the team killed because I froze in the mine, because I left ‘em high and dry when that fraggin’ ‘Con got in my head! So-! So, I need to know!” He let his gaze drop to the floor again. “… Is it because I wasn’t there? Is it because of me?”

Ratchet hadn’t been ready for this.

He knew what Megatron had said, and he knew that Wheeljack—as a Wrecker—would obviously take it badly… but having the exact reason as to why completely threw him off-guard.

This wasn’t just a displacement of emotion across the alternate realities, it was a long-term case of survivor’s guilt that was suddenly getting a twisted validation.

Megatron had to pay for this.

“… Wheeljack,” Ratchet spoke at last, gazing at his friend sadly. “Listen to me, kid… The Wheeljack of our reality might not’ve been a Wrecker during the war—but he was a brilliant scientist who didn’t give a frag about the system, just designing things to save lives.” He gestured to himself. “Including mine, ours… and the Wreckers, too.”

Wheeljack scoffed. “How-?”

“He’s a Science Guild ‘Bot, one who works for the Ministry of Science and whose actions during the war even got him sway in the council,” Ratchet explained. He couldn’t recall if Wheeljack had ever gotten all of the details on his alternate self—and by the look on his face, at least some of that came as a surprise. “Yeah. That’s why the others all-“

Wheeljack frowned. “What did he do?”

“The Ministry of Science was tasked by Ultra Magnus and the Council with constructing weapons of mass destruction,” Ratchet admitted, and he saw his teammate cringe. “… But our Wheeljack? He’s unconventional.” When Wheeljack blinked, Ratchet nodded. “Yeah, it figures… The rumors even say he experiments on himself before he’ll test anything on another ‘Bot, and that his injuries due to his inventions number in the thousands. He’s even more reckless than you are, I’d wager.”

Wheeljack’s optic-brows shot up, then he cracked a grin. “Heh.”

“And during the war, he he could’ve built arsenals. He could’ve built cannons and lasers and bombs,” Ratchet told the other ‘bot. “But… he had a different idea, an unconventional idea.” The field-tech raised an optic-brow. “I believe I’ve heard you say ‘go big or go home’?”

Wheeljack nodded. “Yeah?”

“He didn’t go home,” Ratchet said bluntly, and the Wrecker snorted. “He pushed, and he went big… He was one of the chief architects of Project Omega.” The field-tech gestured with a servo. “Omega Supreme and others like him, including Xantium—they all came from that project. That was our universe’s Wheeljack.” It would have felt wrong to just say ‘our Wheeljack’. “He wasn’t a Wrecker, kid—but he’s the only reason why I’m here, the only reason why any of us are here.” Ratchet nodded, looking right into the other mech’s wide and disbelieving optics. “When war broke out, he made ships that doubled as living and thinking guardians—and when the higher-ups wanted them to be dumb drones that followed their orders without question, he wanted to assign them schoolteachers as mentors.” The field-tech cracked a smile at that. “Heh. It seems that the name ‘Wheeljack’ is always tied to trouble, isn’t it? But only the best kind.”

“I-…” The Wrecker was at a loss. “But-…”

“You can’t save everyone, kid.” Ratchet grew serious. “No one is perfect, even folks with the very best intentions—like you.” The other mech linked away. “Our Wheeljack saved Cybertron and ended the war with the position he took, but there was a price: he wasn’t around to protect the Wreckers. You saved the Wreckers at your ‘Battle of Darkmount Pass’, but your war went on a whole lot longer.”

“… I left them.” Wheeljack’s fists clenched again as he shook his head. “I left them, before the end... and now, they’re gone.”

“And for all we know, you would be gone too if you’d stayed,” Ratchet said quietly, and Wheeljack looked up at him with a shocked expression. “We’ll never know what might’ve been, kid, but… what’s done is done, and who’s gone is gone. There’s no changing that, now—it’s the past.” When his teammate looked away again, Ratchet reached out and rested a servo on his shoulder. “But you’re here. You’re here, with us—and always with the very best intentions.” When Wheeljack looked up at him, Ratchet put on another smile. “And we’re all very grateful for that, Wrecker.”

Wheeljack just looked at him again, then he let his gaze drop. “Hm.”

“Kid.” Ratchet sighed. “Whatever happened to your Wreckers, it really wasn’t on you. It’s not up to you to be some ‘war hero’ who saves everyone. You’re only one ‘bot.”

“They were my family, Ratchet, and I wasn’t there,” Wheeljack protested, his optics narrowing. “Whatever happened to them-…”

The relatively younger mech closed his optics and hung his head, his fists falling open.

“… I’m sure that, whatever happened to them, they were glad it didn’t happen to you,” Ratchet told him. “Because you were a kid, and you were in pain. You needed some space from it all, and you got it.” He gently squeezed Wheeljack’s shoulder. “And if they really were your family, they never would’ve thought you should be there—risking yourself for them, getting hurt for them. They would’ve been worried you were out on your own, but… happy you were safe. That’s all they would’ve been thinking.” He raised an optic-brow. “Wasn’t Seaspray happy when you found each other?”

“He was,” Wheeljack replied. “Right up until a ‘Con blew him to bits with a proximity ordinance meant to take us both out.” He gestured idly. “And then, there were three… then four… as previously discussed.”

Ratchet’s optic twitched as he stared at the Wrecker. “By the fraggin’ Allspark.”

“Yeah.” Wheeljack leaned back and rested his head on the wall, looking at Ratchet tiredly. “I know… Ready to mark me down as a lost cause, yet? You can’t fix me.”

Ratchet sighed. “Kid, you’re not a machine or a weapon. You’re not broken, so you don’t need to be fixed. You’re in trouble—you’re hurting—so you need to get a little help so that you can start healing. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He lowered his servo from his friend’s shoulder. “Don’t let Megatron get in your head. Don’t let anyone in your head.” He cracked another smile. “It’s one of the better heads on this team—and with how quickly things are changing around here, we need that processor of yours now more than ever.”

Wheeljack’s expression had dropped, then it hardened. “… I never let them in.”

Ratchet blinked, then his face fell as his spark skipped a pulse. “… No.” His voice came out quieter and hoarser than he would’ve liked. “No, you didn’t… That was poor phrasing. I’m sorry, Wheeljack.” He blinked again as Wheeljack turned his face away and rested his forehead in the crook of one of his elbows. “Kid?”

“I never let them in,” he repeated, his whole frame seeming to just want to shrink in on itself. “You don’t know-“ He took a deep vent, closing his optics. “You don’t know, Doc-Bot... Just leave me alone.”

The quiet returned—and Ratchet’s spark broke for the Wrecker, who had never looked smaller.

“… No,” the field-tech said softly. “I don’t know. There are a lot of things about you, things you’ve been through, that I just don’t know or understand.” He took a deep vent. “And I so badly wish I knew how to change that, to make it so I knew enough to avoid making stupid mistakes and causing you more hurt.” He shook his head. “But I don’t. It’s just like with your biology. I have to learn what I can, and… flounder through the rest in the most critical moments.” He clenched his fists. “That’s not fair to either of us, kid—but especially not to you. You deserve better than this—whatever you think of yourself, you deserve so much better.” He let his fists fall open. “… I don’t know what you’ve been through, and I honestly don’t know what I’m doing. I just know that you won’t give up without a fight, and that… you don’t have to do this alone.”

Ratchet hesitated, then he reached out and rested his servo on Wheeljack’s shoulder again.

The Wrecker jumped a bit at the touch—and Ratchet pulled back for a moment, worried that he’d done something wrong.

Then, the field-tech carefully reached out and rested his servo one Wheeljack’s shoulder once more—and the Wrecker didn’t jump, that time.

“You don’t, kid,” Ratchet told him gently. “Even if we don’t understand, and even if we’re going to make dumb mistakes… we’re sticking with you, and we’ll learn so that we can do better.”

Wheeljack’s next vent shook. “I can’t expect-“

“It’s not an expectation,” Ratchet stated, frowning. “It’s just how this family works, how every family should work. We care about you, kid—so we’ll do whatever we have to do to help you through this, all of us.” He could feel that the Wrecker was shaking. “As long as one of us has a fight, we’ll all be standing there with ‘em. The fight goes on, ‘til all are one.”

It was a risk, using that line.

He didn’t know if that old war cry crossed the boundaries of realities.

“… ‘Til all are one, Doc-‘Bot,” Wheeljack replied, not raising his head.

The Wrecker’s voice was still soft, and his body trembled. His vents were deep and sounded like they took real effort. He still looked small, which was not right at all.

And Ratchet? Ratchet didn’t know what else to do. His specialty was physical ailments, not psychological.

Should he just leave the Wrecker alone to process, now that the kid had finally gotten some things off of his mind? No, that didn’t seem right—but how long would it be until there was any improvement? Would there be any improvement?

Ratchet was scared, scared for his friend…

“Hey,” a voice spoke, and Ratchet glanced at the doorway in surprise. Bumblebee was there, tentatively peeking in. “Sorry. I just- I wanted to see if he was okay.”

“I told you to wait for my all-clear,” Ratchet reminded the young ‘bot, frowning. “He’s-“

“It’s alright,” Wheeljack cut in, raising his head. Ratchet could already see a mask forming. “I just-“ He blinked as Bumblebee walked over and sat down right next to him, then his expression softened. “Hm.”

“… I’m sorry I caught the wrong ‘bot,” the yellow ‘bot said softly, not meeting anyone’s optics, and Wheeljack blinked again. “Back in boot camp, I mean. I’m sorry I caught the wrong ‘bot, Wheeljack.” Bumblebee’s optics narrowed as he pulled his knees to his chest and hugged them there. “It should be him locked away in the stockade—and-…” His face fell, and he sighed. “I’m sorry that you saw him, and that-… That he wants to help Megatron hurt you.”

“Hey.” Wheeljack frowned. “Look at me.” The yellow ‘bot hesitantly obeyed, and the Wrecker shook his head. “None of that. He tricked ya—used ya, kid.” Wheeljack gave a firm nod. “And we’re gonna get him for that, okay?”

Bumblebee frowned. “Did you get yours?”

“… No.” Wheeljack looked away. “Not yet.”

Bumblebee nodded, then he looked up at the ceiling. “Okay… So, we’ll get him too—and Starscream, all of them.”

Again, Wheeljack looked surprised—then he sighed. “Big job.”

“Good thing we’ve got a Wrecker on our side,” Bumblebee said, giving a small grin. “And we just generally don’t know when to quit. We’re kinda idiots, like that.”

“Heh.” Wheeljack’s face broke into a weak but genuine smile, and he looked back at Bumblebee. “Fair enough.” The yellow ‘bot beamed at him, and the Wrecker gave a little nod. “Thanks, kid.”

“No problem,” Bumblebee replied quietly, then he raised his shoulders. “Just… don’t lie about this kinda stuff, anymore—or, if you feel like you have to, maybe we should have some sorta code-word or hand-sign so that we know you’re in trouble without you having to say anything to us.” He held up two peace-signs and waved them, smirking. “How about this? It’s got some pizzazz to it, dontcha think?”

“Yeah.” Wheeljack snorted. “If you ever see me do that, freely assume that I am a danger to myself and others.” He glanced up at the ceiling. “Because that is clearly a poorly-made doppelgänger. Kill on sight.”

Bumblebee rolled his optics and nudged the Wrecker with his elbow. “Jerk.”

Wheeljack chuckled quietly. “Yeah, I know.” He blinked as he heard footsteps, then he sighed as three more Autobots, a human, and a techno-organic filed into the room. “Oh, boy. Looks like the gang’s all here.” He raised an optic-brow. “What’s this, a flash mob?”

“Oh, be quiet,” Optimus insisted as he leaned against the wall and slid down into a seated position in front of Wheeljack, making sure to give the Wrecker plenty of space to move.

Bulkhead sat next to Bumblebee, and Prowl went and sat next to Ratchet as the field-tech moved from his kneel into a seated-position—all of them forming a bit of a circle around the Wrecker.

Sari and Professor Sumdac sat down between Optimus and Ratchet, joining the circle of seated team-members.

It was strange, having all of them crowded into Wheeljack’s room and seated—and clearly, the Wrecker was thinking that.

“… Can’t be comfortable,” was his chosen comment, his optics wide.

“Nah.” Bulkhead waved it off. “We’re fine.”

Prowl nodded. “Agreed.”

“Hm.” The Wrecker didn’t seem convinced, but he just rested his chin on his arm and looked down at the floor for a while before closing his optics. “… Okay.”

Optimus blinked, then he frowned as he must have noticed that the Wrecker was still shaking somewhat. “Wheeljack?”

“I’m sorry.” Wheeljack turned his face away and rested it in the crook of his arm, not letting them see it. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“Hey.” Bumblebee frowned, resting his servo on his friend’s arm. “It’s not your fault. None of this is on you, okay?”

“You’re a victim, Wheeljack, just like the rest of us,” Optimus told the Wrecker. “I know you don’t want to be, no one wants to be—but you are, so… for once, don’t be the ‘bot who thinks he has to take care of everyone. We’re family, so… we take care of each other.”

“And that’s not just a responsibility,” Prowl assured him. “It’s a privilege… I told you once: on a team, we aren’t just solely protectors. We protect each other.” He crossed his arms. “You cannot do it all, and you should never try to. You’re our teammate, not our weapon or our shield… and we want you to come home, when the battle is done.” His face fell. “And… I don’t believe you’ve come home from the mines, not yet. Let us help you find your way.”

Wheeljack’s shoulders raised a bit, but he said nothing in reply.

Ratchet could see the worry and distress in the others’ faces.

Wheeljack’s quiet, how small he looked… it was troubling, to say the least.

“… I hope you do not mind, but… once Sari made me aware of the situation, I took the liberty of calling your employers and turning in your resignation on your behalf,” Professor Sumdac spoke up, and everyone looked at him in surprise. Wheeljack even raised his head, his optics wide and his expression filled with disbelief. “Thank you, Wheeljack, for everything you did for Sari while I was… away.” The human scientist nodded. “Allow me to handle things from here. The lights will stay on, and anything any of you need-“ He shook his head. “You don’t even have to ask.”

Wheeljack just stared at the professor, then he slowly looked down again. “Oh, wow. I didn’t even-…” He raised a servo to his helmet, taking a shaking vent as a strange smile broke across his face. “Heh. Frag… All this time, I wasn’t even thinkin’ about work…”

Ratchet’s face fell. “Oh, kid.”

“H-How irresponsible was that?” Wheeljack closed his optics and shook his head. “Just another irresponsible, empty-headed move from ‘Jackie, right?”

“Kid-“ Ratchet blinked as the Wrecker lowered his servo and rested his head on his arm again, hiding his face. “… Kid?”

“I-… I’m fine,” Wheeljack insisted, then he took a deep vent. “I’m fine.”

“No.” Sari stood up, frowning at him. “You’re not… You’re scared, and that’s okay.” She gave a small smile as Wheeljack glanced up at her with a frown. “You can be scared all you want. You’re still the toughest ‘bot we know… and we’re here.” She walked over and rested a hand on his leg. “We’re here, okay? We’ve got you.”

Wheeljack blinked, then his expression softened. “Hm. Kid-“

“Dude, seriously.” Bumblebee gently nudged him. “It’s okay to have help. We’ve got your back!”

“Wreckers don’t call for backup,” Wheeljack said automatically, then he blinked. “I mean-“

Prowl frowned. “What was that?”

Wheeljack got that ‘deer in headlights’ look which was only reserved for the most-special ‘I should not have said/done that’ situations.

Then, he sighed.

“… When I first became a Wrecker, I would watch as the other ‘bots—‘bots who went out of their way to take a rude, inexperienced little brat in—desperately called for help when battles took a turn for the worst,” he began quietly. “But we were the fodder, so… no one ever came.” He looked at the floor. “And that took a toll on them—wore ‘em down, broke their spirits. I watched it happen, and… I felt it happenin’ to me, the more I watched it and the more bodies I saw stacked up. I didn’t wanna die, but I felt like somethin’ could just come any second and that’d be it.”

The air in the room had changed.

It was heavier.

The dark places seemed darker.

Wheeljack’s optics glowed eerily in the dark, duller than usual but still brighter than anyone else’s—alive with Energon, but haunted.

“And one day… as fire rained down from the sky all around us, and we were sure we were gonna die, I-…” The Wrecker shook his head. “I realized that if I was just gonna die anyway, I didn’t wanna die hidin’. That was what I was ordered to do at Kimia, and all of the older scientists—all of my mentors and friends—died. One of my teachers was right outside the door… and he’d told me before he stuck me in there: not a sound. And he died right outside that door, shot by a ‘Con lookin’ for the intel I was holdin’.” He took a deep vent. “He gave it to me because I was a kid, a-and he said that I should have more time. I was young there, and I was young in the Wreckers… and I realized, if it was their choice, they’d do the same damn thing. They would all go down before the ‘Cons got to me.”

The rest of the Autobots and the Sumdacs were all perfectly silent as this grim story unfolded, staring at their friend in disbelief.

All that time, as Wheeljack had been guarding them—calling so many of them “kid”, telling them that they weren’t ready, placing himself alone between them and the worst situations… he had been treating them the only way he knew how to treat younger, less-experienced fighters—how he’d been treated.

He would go down before he let anything hurt any of them. That was all he knew.

Wheeljack’s next vent shook his entire frame like a hurricane-force wind. “They were my family, after all—and I was just some kid scientist who took up Energon and shook after every battle. I was never supposed to be there anyway.” He closed his optics. “… I didn’t wanna die hidin’. I didn’t wanna watch my friends die for me… and I didn’t want them to be scared anymore. They didn’t deserve to die like that, like I’d seen so many others die before then.” He opened his optics and looked back at the floor, looking like he was struggling to focus. “So, I-I said-… I said we didn’t need back-up, that we’d only need to call in for clean-up. That I wasn’t gonna make it easy on the ‘Cons anymore, or our superiors who had sent us into that Pit.” He took another trembling vent. “I timed the blasts… and I just leapt right in and charged, and the others followed me to make sure I didn’t get myself killed… and somehow, we all survived.” He nodded. “We all survived.”

“Wheeljack?” Bumblebee tried.

“The Wreckers were different after that,” the older mech said, lost in his memories. “What I did that day became creed.” He slowly nodded again. “Wreckers don’t call for backup, they call in for cleanup… No friend left in the scrap… If we’re all supposed to be the ones who die anyway, we’re not gonna make it easy on who we’re sent for or the ones who sent us.” His optics were vacant. “We became only a step up from rogues, accepting our missions and just demolishin’ everythin’ in our paths—and somehow: I became a war hero, a legend… and that story was so powerful that everyone forgot the kid scientist who shook and scrubbed his servos long after the Energon was cleaned away.” He shook his head. “I didn’t exist before that battle, and… I’ve had to play by the rules I wrote that day ever since, for everyone.” The shaking stopped as Wheeljack blinked, a spark returning to his optics. “‘Cause… I don’t know what happens if I don’t, anymore.” He looked up at his teammates, frowning. “This-… It’s been more than half of my life, and… it didn’t end with the war.” He looked down again. “How could it? I survived, and… this is who I am now, to everyone I know, so… it can’t end.”

“… You don’t tell your friends anything, back home,” Prowl said quietly. “It’s not just us, you don’t talk to anyone about your struggles. That’s why this is so hard for you.” The Wrecker closed his optics. “Sari said as much about your unit during the war, but… you’ve really never said any of this to anyone, have you?”

“Wreckers also don’t go soft,” Wheeljack said quietly, opening his optics. “That’s another one.” He huffed out a weak laugh. “But y’know somethin’ crazy? I’m the only one who sticks to those rules. I don’t even think the kid knows ‘em all.” He shook his head. “But ‘Jackie? He never changes.” His expression dropped. “I live my life like I stepped outta the glory days, but… the funny thing is that they didn’t seem so glorious while we were livin’ ‘em.”

“… I know you think that we’re not ready for this, for whatever’s in your head,” Optimus began after a moment. “That we’re just kids.” He sighed as Wheeljack looked away. “And… maybe you’re right. Maybe we really aren’t ready for it, Wheeljack.” The Wrecker glanced at him, and the Prime gazed right back in all seriousness. “But you never let us face anything alone, ready or not, so… we’re here for you, no matter what. And anything you need, just tell us. We’re ready to listen.”

“But you shouldn’t hafta be,” Wheeljack protested. “You shouldn’t hafta be ready for this—not just me, any of it.”

Optimus frowned. “Wheeljack-“

“Your Cybertron should have it’s scrap together. It shouldn’t be indoctrinatin’ protoforms with propaganda and conformity and all that ‘stay in your lane’ nonsense that we started the war over in the first place!” The Wrecker told him, frustrated. “Megatron should be dead or he should’ve fragged-off and stayed gone. He shouldn’t be getting anywhere close to conquerin’ planets!” He looked down, his optics narrowed. “Cities full of humans shouldn’t be getting caught-up in our fight. The entire idea was that we were here to protect this planet, not demolish it!”

“If your war came to your Earth, you had to see cities take damage in your reality,” Professor Sumdac argued.

Wheeljack looked at him. “A small town in Nevada was evacuated because the ‘Cons set up a citadel nearby, one that we destroyed within the week. That was the worst our Earth ever got.” He looked away again. “I think I mentioned a few times, a while back, that we were ‘robots in disguise’. Only a special section of the States’ military—Unit E—and a few civilians even knew we existed. We kept our battles away from humans, to keep ‘em safe.” He huffed. “I admit, I was pretty slow on the uptake… but it was what the chief wanted, so the fight was kept remote. No human lives endangered, no human casualties—that was the rule, the one that went above all else.”

“… No one knew you guys were protecting the Earth?” Sari asked softly, her optics wide in disbelief. “Except for a few people?”

“Some things, you keep to your family,” the Wrecker told her.

Bulkhead grew uneasy. “But if someone on your team became one with the Allspark, only a few people would know?”

“Hm.” Wheeljack nodded, then he looked at his friends. “I never met him, but… a few weeks before I arrived on Earth, the team lost one: our Cliffjumper.”

At that, Optimus’s optics widened. “Wait, what? Your Cliffjumper is-..?”

“Oh, yeah.” Wheeljack shook his head. “I’m not gonna go into the details, there. It was a bad way to go, and what happened after-…” He looked away again. “… But that’s exactly my point.” His shoulders raised. “That kinda scrap, the scrap I’ve seen—it shouldn’t be happenin’ here, and you shouldn’t have to face it.” He looked back at his friends again, his optics narrowed. “Sari should get to have her ninth birthday. She should’ve gotten to grow up like a regular kid! All of you should’ve!” He dropped his gaze to the floor. “… Instead, your planet’s lettin’ you down and you’re up against an actually semi-competent harbinger of death while also havin’ to deal with this nonsense because I can’t even keep my fraggin’ head on straight.” He closed his optics as that frustration bubbled up again. “So, don’t you get it?! You shouldn’t hafta be ready!”

A hush fell across the room.

A pin could have been heard dropping.

“… Tough,” Bumblebee decided at last. “If it means that we can help, we wanna be.” He placed his servo on Wheeljack’s arm again. “We wanna be here for you.”

“You aren’t our problem,” Bulkhead went on, frowning. “You’re not our burden.”

“And you don’t have to be a tough Wrecker all the time, Wheeljack,” Prowl pressed. “You’re not a machine. You’re alive.”

“And we’d like to keep you that way,” Ratchet concluded. “Even if that means keeping you from destroying yourself, you stubborn idiot.”

Wheeljack opened his optics, and he stared at the floor with a wide-opticed gaze and a look that was incredulous to the point of distress.

He didn’t know how to believe them.

“… I know that you don’t trust yourself, right now,” Optimus spoke up. “You’re hurting, and you can’t keep your mask up to hide that hurt from us anymore. That scares you.” He opened his chest-compartment and retrieved something from within, lowering his servo as it closed. “But you don’t have to be scared of yourself, or your family.” The Prime took a deep vent. “And until you trust yourself again… know that I trust you completely.”

Wheeljack glanced up, confused, only to freeze as he saw Optimus’s servo extended with a spark-plug resting in his palm. “Prime-“

“It doesn’t mean I think you’re perfect,” Optimus assured him. “That I don’t think there will be bad days, maybe even worse than today.” He gave a small smile. “It means I know you, Wheeljack… even without all of the context… and that I know you would never let us down. You could never let us down, even if you mess up or fail or need help.” He grew serious again. “Just know that it goes both ways… and we’re not going to let our Megatron or Shockwave anywhere near you.”

Wheeljack blinked, then he huffed again. “Still not a sparklin’.”

“And we’re not kids,” Optimus retorted, and Wheeljack raised an optic-brow. “Okay, stop that. I get it: we’re young and inexperienced compared to you, so you- Ugh.” The Prime shook his head. “What I’m trying to say is that we can protect each other, okay?”

“… Yeah.” Wheeljack nodded, and he went to reach out before hesitating.

Optimus grabbed his wrist, turned his servo over, and placed the spark-plug in the Wrecker’s palm before curling his fingers around it. “Yeah.”

Wheeljack blinked again, staring at his servo, then he frowned as he brought it to his chest and held it there.

His optics didn’t go vacant again.

“Hey.” Bulkhead took advantage of the opportunity and retrieved something from his own compartment. “I brought some Energon. I know you didn’t get any, today.”

Wheeljack seemed genuinely taken aback as the canister was held out, then he took it in his free service with a nod. “Thanks.” He glanced around the room. “… You guys really don’t hafta stay here.”

“Too bad.” Sari crossed her arms. “We’re doing some deep stuff, here—way too much to be confined to a normal schedule. That means we have a slumber party.“

“Tch.” Wheeljack rolled his optics, then he gave a little smile as everyone seemed to settle in and get comfortable. “Hm.”

“… Okay, let’s be real,” Sari remarked after sitting down next to her father, her optics narrowing into a squint as she looked up at the Wrecker. “At the last slumber-party I had with you guys, you told a scary story about a zombie chasing three kids and then getting trapped in an alternate dimension. Real or fake?”

Wheeljack snorted. “Real.”

“You’re joking,” Bulkhead disagreed.

“Nope.” Wheeljack shook his head. “As I have mentioned before, my universe does come with zombies.” His expression dropped, his optics going wide. “And vampires, lots of ‘em. Like, a moon full of vampires.”

Bumblebee groaned. “Seriously, why?!”

“Heh.” Wheeljack leaned over and nudged him gently. “‘Cause it’s ‘the Pit 2.0’, and life is a fraggin’ nightmare.”

“Hm.” Ratchet raised an optic-brow. Despite the grim subject matter, Wheeljack was acting a bit more like himself—and he’d opened the Energon canister to start drinking. “What’s a good thing, then?”

Wheeljack blinked, then he lowered the canister from his mouth. “Huh?”

“What’s a good thing from your universe?” The field-tech asked the Wrecker. “Pick something. Anything.”

“… A few months before Darkmount and the patch, I’m trackin’ down a ‘Con who tried to kill my partner,” Wheeljack began, and everyone blinked. “Tryin’ to get even, y’know? I have no leads, but I’m ready to start from scratch. I’ve done more with less.” He looked at his open canister. “I get in my ship and take off, and there’s this noise behind me. I activate my cannon and look back, and there she is: my partner’s kid, this human girl I’d only spoken to a few times almost a year before then.” He gave a small smile. “Miko Nakadai… And I get ready to turn around and take her back, set to grumble about the wasted fuel, but she starts sayin’ that my partner’s her partner too and she wants in.” He let out a soft laugh. “I’m not an idiot. It’s a human kid! She wasn’t supposed to be on that sort of mission, she could get hurt. But then, she tells me that if I let her tag along on the job… she’ll give me the name of the ‘Con I’m huntin’.” He snorted. “Devious lil’ thing… And since I want this over with as quickly as possible, I give in.” He raised his shoulders. “I figure that I’ll take her along and just keep her outta the boss fight, y’know? My partner’d file off my rivets, otherwise.”

At that, Sari grinned. “Heh. Wow. You were somehow way easier and way harder on her than you were with me.”

“This was my first real experience with a human, let alone a human kid,” Wheeljack told her. “I barely knew anythin’ about humans, other than what I’d picked up while travelin’. All I knew was that, on Earth, human lives were the priority—and that if I didn’t keep this one safe, the rest of the team would have me if my partner didn’t wake up and get to me first.” He nodded. “So, we’re flyin’ around—and I take her to a mine and show her how I handle things. She does some recon—and as soon as she tells me the layout and the number of guards, I take the place by storm. Then, I call Megatron-“

Bumblebee’s optics widened. “You what?!”

“I called Megatron,” Wheeljack replied, starting to grin.

Prowl just looked at the Wrecker. “You’re saying you just… got on the phone with the leader of the Decepticons?”

“Yeah.” Wheeljack seemed proud of himself. “I also talked scrap. And threatened him. And made him listen to the sound of his own mine exploding.” Immensely proud of himself. “Heh.”

Bulkhead shook his head. “Wheeljack, you’re insane.”

“Yeah…” Wheeljack chuckled, then he sighed. “Anyway, I tell him I’ll keep blowin’ up his mines unless he sends out the ‘Con I was after to face me. I arrive at the meet-up point, and I leave Miko on the ship.” He gestured. “I tell her where the artillery button is specifically so she doesn’t hit it, ‘cause I want her to hit ‘autopilot’ if anythin’ goes wrong. I set it to take her straight home—while she was sleepin’, durin’ the flight.”

Sari frowned. “Seriously?”

“Before she conked out, she was talkin’ about all of that plans she and my partner had made for the future. They had a list,” Wheeljack explained, then he looked away. “And… I wasn’t around a lot, back then. He needed her, when he woke up.” He raised his shoulders. “And she was just a kid, just this… tiny thing that I was suddenly responsible for in his absence. So, I just did what I thought was best for her.”

Professor Sumdac crossed his arms as he listened to this, gazing up at the Wrecker intently. “Hm.”

“… Now, fight time,” Wheeljack said, a little awkward. “My, uh… My target is an Insecticon warrior called ‘Hardshell’, almost twice my size and definitely twice as ugly. And the fight goes well right up until it doesn’t.” He glanced up at the ceiling. “And I realize I’m fragged… So, I get on the comms and I tell Miko to get the frag outta there—and when the ship lifts off, I assume she’s listenin’. Then, two missiles blow Hardshell away.” At that, all optics and eyes widened. “And one escape from a very angry Insecticon swarm later, we’re both somehow still alive.” Wheeljack shook his head. “She wouldn’t leave. She fought. And it hit me that this little thing that I was so worried about… was more of a Wrecker than anythin’ I’d encountered in a long, long time.” He gave a little smile. “She was family… And I told her so, right then and there. She was one of us.” His face fell. “But with the ‘Con gone, she was just torn-up about our partner—so I just got her home as quick as possible after that… But from then on, I never left her outta anythin’ or let anyone underestimate that stubborn kid.” His small smile returned. “I probably should’ve been more careful, but… she didn’t seem to mind much. I was the one who would let her get away with everythin’.”

“Wow.” Bumblebee raised an optic-brow. “What happened to that guy?”

“Heh.” Wheeljack was amused at first, then he calmed down. “Hm… A good friend went outta her way to remind me of why I became like this in the first place.” He glanced down at his armor. “She told me that if anythin’ happened to someone I cared about, I’d never forgive myself.” He raised one of his shoulders and tilted his head in a passive gesture. “And she was right. Not just about him or Miko, about my commander and-... Hm.” His gaze dropped to the floor. “… You guys could’ve been killed because I couldn’t keep my head, in the mine.”

“Wheeljack, we all got captured,” Prowl protested. “You were the last one standing.”

“No one blames you for not being able to single-handedly defeat all of the Decepticons,” Bulkhead agreed. “You were alone, and Megatron had a plan for you from the start.”

“We weren’t thinking about you letting us down or whatever you’ve got in your head, Wheeljack. We weren’t,” Bumblebee assured him. “We just didn’t want you to be hurt. We didn’t want you to die.” His face crumpled, and he looked down as his shoulders shook. “When-… When he shot you-…”

Wheeljack glanced at the younger ‘bot, his optics wide, then he sighed. He set his Energon down on the floor, then he wrapped that arm—his right arm—around Bumblebee and tucked him against his side.

The yellow Autobot immediately threw one of his arms across the Wrecker to return the embrace, resting his face against the larger ‘bot’s armor.

Ratchet recalled what Wheeljack had said, about how—when he was young—he couldn’t stop shaking and his partner would have to help him. Now, they all knew that the partner was the other Bulkhead—and if Wheeljack wasn’t very large in his reality, his version of Bulkhead would have to be massive.

So, Ratchet formed a picture in his head: Wheeljack, young and small and shaking after a harsh battle, tucked against a massive green chest with a huge green arm around him.

Then, he blinked—and it was Wheeljack holding Bumblebee, not quite as young but still looking small and barely keeping himself from shaking.

How long had it been since anyone had seen the Wrecker this vulnerable?

“… Like I said,” Optimus spoke up. “We’re not letting Megatron or Shockwave anywhere near you.”

Wheeljack didn’t seem to find that at all believable, which was understandable.

War was unpredictable, and Wheeljack was an excellent fighter with a fierce protective instinct. Couple that with the fact that he was actively being sought-out for examination, and there was no doubt that he would face those Decepticons at some point.

However, those Decepticons would have to get through the rest of the team first.

“That, or we hold them while you punch,” Bumblebee mumbled.

Prowl sighed. “Bumblebee.”

“Heh.” Wheeljack produced a little grin as he looked down at the yellow ‘bot. “We’ll take turns. I think you’ve earned more than a few shots on Shockwave, kid.” He nodded. “And Prime gets a more than a few in with Megatron, Bulkhead too.”

Sari snorted. “Everyone gets to beat up some Decepticons for self-care.”

“Agreed,” Professor Sumdac said, smiling at the Wrecker. “You will allow me to take another shot at Megatron, won’t you?”

“Without a doubt, prof,” Wheeljack told him, then he glanced over at Optimus. “… Alright, I can tell you wanna ask me somethin’. Shoot.”

“Are we helping?” The Prime questioned him, and the Wrecker blinked.

Then, Wheeljack looked down. “Yeah. Yeah, I think so. This is just… different.”

“I think it’s just been too long since you last let anyone take care of you, kid,” Ratchet told him sincerely. “You’ve just been taking care of others and taking care of yourself in the gaps.”

“My commander tried his best,” Wheeljack said, a wistful look crossing over his face. “I never appreciated it like I should’ve, but he always did… This old medic I knew, too.” At that, Ratchet blinked. “And our leader, he was always reachin’ out.” Wheeljack glanced at Optimus again, then he looked away. “But, um… It’d been too long. I didn’t trust it. I’ve been lookin’ after myself most of my life.”

“What about your caregivers?” Bulkhead held a finger up, an optic-brow raised. “I mean, you’re a natural at looking after folks—so you had to learn from somewhere. So, what about them?”

“Heh.” Wheeljack shook his head. “They’ve been gone so long, I can barely even remember ‘em.” At that, the others’ faces dropped. “I know they were low caste, ‘cause I was. I think they were in maintenance. And… there was an accident.” Wheeljack shrugged. “Someone was careless, ‘cause what was the worst that could happen? A couple o’ maintenance workers bitin’ it?” His face fell, too. “Hm. After that, I was on my own until Kimia—worked and proved myself ‘til I made it. I wanted to help people.”

“You do,” Prowl said gently. “And some of those people want to help you back.” The Wrecker looked at the cyber-ninja. “You really aren’t alone, Wheeljack.”

“… Are we really just gonna camp-out on this floor all night?” Wheeljack asked quietly.

“Curling up on concrete and getting back-cramps is evidently a part of how we get our Wrcker some self-care,” Sari replied. “So, yes. Yes, we are.”

“Heh.” Wheeljack bowed his head and closed his optics. “So stubborn.”

Optimus glanced at the Wrecker’s chest, where the servo that wasn’t holding Bumblebee still clutched a spark-plug to his chest, then he looked at his teammate’s face. “Learned it from watching you.”

“No, you didn’t,” Wheeljack disagreed, cracking his optics open and looking at the Prime with a smile.

“Yeah, true,” Bumblebee noted, glancing up at the Wrecker. “But you did make us worse.” He raised his shoulders. “In the best way.”

“Hm.” Wheeljack looked down at him, finally seeming to truly relax. “Sure, kid. Whatever you say.”

A comfortable quiet fell over the room.

The family was all together.

Wheeljack’s mood had improved, and he had gotten some Energon in.

They were all winding down, and -maybe- the Wrecker would finally get some stasis.

It was peaceful, compared to the chaos of the past few days.

And -maybe- that meant that things were getting better.

“… The history vids really are just mindless propaganda, aren’t they?” Optimus asked quietly, raising an optic-brow.

Bumblebee looked at his team leader in exasperation. “Prime!”

Optimus gestured with his servos. “I’m sorry, it just-!”

“Pfft-!” Wheeljack lowered his head, his optics closed as he barely managed to contain himself.

“Ugh.” Ratchet shook his head. “We came in here for a reason. Don’t get distracted.”

“Meh.” Wheeljack looked up, smiling tiredly and shrugging. “I welcome a good distraction.” He hesitated, then he sighed. “… It’s never goin’ away.” He moved his fist from his chest and gestured to his head. “What’s up here, I mean. It’s never goin’ away.” He let his servo drop to rest on his chest-plate again. “It’s this deep, dark pit... and I fell right into it.” He looked away. “Or maybe I was pushed.” He took a deep vent. “So, if-… If you think you can help me climb outta it, and stay outta it for a while?” He looked back at his friends with a frown. “Then… by all means. Hit me with your best shot.”

That was the most vulnerable that Ratchet could remember Wheeljack being with them, ever. Even compared to the others’ stories, this was unique.

The closest would probably be when Wheeljack had spoken to Bumblebee about his friends probably not believing that he would ever come home, and his history with being viewed as unreliable—and there Bumblebee was, hugging his teammate with the Wrecker’s large arm wrapped around him, like how the Wrecker had allowed and reciprocated the affection in the young ‘bot’s story.

Bumblebee had gotten away with two hugs, now three. All three times, according to the youngest Autobot, Wheeljack had returned the show of affection.

Bulkhead had gotten away with a hug or two, in his stories—and Wheeljack had kept an arm around him, on their way back from the mines.

Optimus admitted to hugging Wheeljack once, right on that first day with the Elite Guard on Earth—after the Wrecker spent the day defending him. He didn’t say whether or not Wheeljack had reciprocated the embrace.

Prowl mentioned that he had hugged Wheeljack once, and how he’d done it and pulled away too quickly to give the larger ‘bot the chance to respond to the affection.

Sari, of course, gave and received the most hugs from the Wrecker.

And Ratchet?

Ratchet wasn’t the best with giving physical affection. He would rest a servo on a shoulder, but that was it.

Wheeljack seemed to tie showing affection to showing vulnerability.

If someone—he or someone else—was in trouble, it was okay… but anything more than an arm around the shoulder typically wasn’t initiated by him. Sari was the exception, but someone else would usually have to start it and he might accept.

And Bumblebee, the one who had given the most hugs, got them returned because the Wrecker was in trouble.

He needed something to hold onto.

“… Okay,” Ratchet said quietly, nodding. Then, he put on a small smirk. “You asked for it.”

Wheeljack snorted, then he sighed. He still looked small and weary, exhausted to the core, but he still seemed better somehow.

There was still a heaviness in his optics, but some of it had been siphoned away.

He wasn’t drowning, anymore.

A lot had still gone unaddressed.

They needed to actually talk about what Megatron had done, Shockwave, the cortical psychic patch, and the price that was no-doubt on the Wrecker’s head.

However, Wheeljack was clearly exhausted from his ordeals and even their talk.

Pushing him further would do more harm than good, so… the rest could wait.

Hopefully.

“Hm.” Bumblebee looked thoughtful. “Best shot, huh?” His optics sparked. “Ooh!” He looked at Wheeljack with a grin. “Did we ever tell you about Prowl’s first decacycle on the crew? Boy, was that fun!”

Prowl immediately looked at the younger ‘bot, his shoulders raising defensively. “Bumblebee, we AGREED!”

Before an argument could start, there was a sound that made everyone pause.

It caught them off-guard because of how unexpected it was, but then-…

Then, their optics widened.

Wheeljack had his optics closed, and he was laughing.

That sound was enough to make all rage and frustration melt away—because after the week they’d had and all of the worry for their hurting friend, their Wrecker’s real and unabashed laughter was the most beautiful sound in the multiverse.

So, yeah… Dragging up more of the darkness could wait.

They would know when the time was right, ready or not.

…

…

…

The morning came quietly.

As the Autobots rose from their stasis and the Sumdacs awoke from their sleep one by one, they noticed something that made them all smile and leave wordlessly.

The Energon canister was empty, and Wheeljack slumbered on as they each made their way out of his room—the spark-plug still clutched in his servo. His face was relaxed, and his stasis was deep.

He looked better than he had in days.

“Do you think it made any difference?” Optimus asked quietly once every else had gathered in the main room of the Plant, seated around the television.

“He got a lot off of his chest,” Ratchet replied, gripping his canister of pink Energon. “Not everything, by any means… but I think we managed to diffuse some of the pressure.” He shrugged. “Only time will tell… Just know that this wasn’t a one-time thing. It’s not over, it never will be.” He looked down, sighing. “He can’t carry it all.”

Prowl nodded. “Yes, we-… We truly understand that, now. And we won’t let him.” He sat up a little bit straighter. “We can’t.”

Before the discussion could go on, there were footsteps—and everyone looked back at the hallway door in surprise.

“Ugh.” Wheeljack rested his servos on his back and stretched, cringing. “Yeah. Floor was a bad idea…” He relaxed and opened his optics, and he gave a small smile. “Heh. At least it’s not just me. You all look like the Pit.”

Bumblebee gave a small smile. “Well, it was your idea.”

Wheeljack snorted, walking over and grabbing a blue Energon canister. “You all joined in.”

“No friend left in the scrap,” Sari said, and the Wrecker paused. “Right?”

“… Yeah, kid.” He looked at her, nodding. His little smile returned. “That’s right.” He then cleared his throat and walked over, sitting down on the cement couch. “Alright, what’s on TV? Anythin’ good, or just the usual?”

“Just the usual,” Bulkhead admitted as he flipped through the channels.

“Ugh.” Wheeljack rolled his optics, then he blinked as he saw a demolition derby flash onto the screen. “Hm.”

“How do you enjoy those things?” Prowl asked, more teasing than anything else.

Wheeljack glanced at him, then he looked back at the screen. “… Used to go see ‘em with my partner and the kid, back home.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Guess they’re nostalgic’s all.”

Prowl blinked, then his expression softened.

The openness was surprising, but… it seemed like a beneficial development, an effort.

The work had to go both ways, if anything was to get better. Their Wrecker knew that.

“… Miko,” Sari said, and Wheeljack looked at her again. “You said I remind you of her, a bit.”

“Yeah,” Wheeljack admitted, then he smirked deviously. “And not just ‘cause you’re both reckless little punks in pigtails.”

“Hey!” Sari complained, but she was smiling.

“Heh.” Wheeljack grinned, then he looked down. “Hm… Miko loves music, and she always wants to be included in the action.” He gave a little nod. “And she’s fierce, and brave.”

“… You’ll have to introduce us,” Sari said quietly.

“Oh.” That surprised the Wrecker. “Yeah, I-“

“Count on it,” Bulkead told the young techno-organic. “‘Cause once we warn Cybertron, I figure we can put the space-bridge we’re gonna build to a different use.”

Wheeljack looked at him. “Wait, what?”

“Wheeljack.” Optimus stood, and he looked completely serious when the Wrecker turned his gaze to him. “We promised that we’d help you, so… that’s what we’re gonna do.” He hesitated, then he sighed. “I don’t know how long it’ll take, Wheeljack, but we will get you home to your family.”

Wheeljack blinked again. “… Hm.” He cracked a little grin and shook his head. “You’re fraggin’ impossible—y’know that, Prime?”

“Wait, wh-?” Optimus looked confused as the Wrecker stood to face him, then his optics widened as the larger mech suddenly caught him in a headlock. “Hey!” Wheeljack smirked and started rubbing the top of the Prime’s helmet with his fist, and the younger ‘bot seemed torn between trying to escape and laughing. “Wh-Wheeljack! Come on!” The laughter was winning—and it was contagious, and catching all around the room—which made Optimus a little frustrated despite his obvious humor. “None of us are sparklings!”

“Maybe not,” the Wrecker said teasingly. “But you still have a lot to learn. I mean, come the Pit on!” He released the Prime and rested his servos on his hips as the younger mech stood up. “… You’ve got some serious screws loose, if you think you guys aren’t family too.”

Optimus blinked, then he looked away with some awkwardness. “Oh. I see.”

“Tch.” Wheeljack shook his head. “And you guys think I’m bad at this scrap.”

“You are,” Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Sari drawled without hesitation.

“… Wow.” Wheeljack tapped his chest twice with his fist. “That cuts deep.” He glanced at Bumblebee. “… Five second head-start before you end up like Prime, kid.” The Wrecker got ready to move. “Five! Four! Three! Two! One!”

“Wait, what?!” Bumblebee asked, then he shrieked as he dove over the back of the couch and started running. “Come on! Wheeljack, man—be cool!” The Wrecker placed a servo on the back of the couch and leapt over it to give chase. “Not that kind of cool!”

As everyone else watched the impromptu game in amusement, Prowl took a moment to look at Ratchet. “Is he-?”

“Only time will tell,” Ratchet replied quietly, his arms crossed. “There will be highs and lows, in this… And no matter what, we have to be there for him—ready or not.”

“… We will be,” Optimus insisted.

But for the moment, things were better. Not perfect, never perfect—but better.

When Wheeljack caught Bumblebee, there were accusations of cheating amidst laughter.

And a lost and haunted mech seemed to have come back to life. He was home.

[maributterfly104]

TFP Wheeljack in TFA Masterlist

The Original Post:

Blame this one. ^^^

—————

Early Ficlets:

Wheeljack’s Arrival:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680066296865603584/a-continuation-of-my-previous-post

Scary Stories:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680123037828464640/tfp-wheeljack-in-tfa

Movie Rules:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680342560047284224/movie-rules

Wheeljack Loved Dinosaurs:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680258497846394880/wheeljack-loved-dinosaurs

—————

Season 1 Ficlets:

—————

Season 2 Ficlets:

—————

Season 3 Ficlets:

—————

Season 4 Ficlets:

(Coming Soon)

—————

After Season 4 Ficlets:

(Coming Soon)

—————

Prime Meeting Animated Ficlets:

(Coming Soon)

—————

The Asks/Interactions:

I used to link these, but it unfortunately became too much for me as I ended-up answering several hundred Asks and linking every Art Piece or even meme made for my series. I eventually had to give up. Please, go to my page and select either #ask response, #movie night, or #art if you wish to find these posts. I have filed more-specific posts under tags such as #ultrajack and #strongarm the ultrajack kid, as well as tagged posts with trigger warnings to the very best of my ability.

Thank you so much for your patience. :)

—————

The Memes:

The NONSENSE:

The CURSED Playlist:

[maributterfly104]

I felt the need to do this after seeing some reblogs of one of my latest posts

[maributterfly104]

you all, remember this episode?

[maributterfly104]

Danny has a Cooking channel

Danny is in Gotham for College or whatever and out of boredom starts a cooking channel on YouTube.

So, picture this Danny is cooking like he’s trying to kill somebody. And never refers to ingredients as their name. And constantly cracks jokes about the recipe he’s cooking from.

This is all well and good until ghosts start asking him to make family recipes passed down from generations, now Danny doesn’t know that there family recipes because the ghost thinks it’s the HIGHEST HONOR for their King to want to cook something from when they were alive.

Cue one day on his channel he makes a pie but not just any pie but a pie MARTHA WAYNE herself created.

Alfred is curious about how this young man knows this recipe, meanwhile Bruce is losing his mind because Danny looks like a male version of his mother.

Ps. Look up Dylan Hollis on YouTube to get what I’m talking about

~Danny cooking something~

“Now add a CUP of Lard”

-Danny sarcastically- YOU DEAD WHITE PEOPLE NEED TO STOP. THIS IS WHY THE GREAT DEPRESSION HAPPENED.

-Also Danny-

“And now we add some CINNAM and blind bake til brown”

“Im sending you to summer school” -Puts pie in oven-

[maributterfly104]

Guys hear me out but Earthspark x Prime crossover

This is after Jack meets the bots so he’s about to lose his absolute shit

[maributterfly104]

An Assemblage of Nonsense from My Cursed Transformers Series to Make Up for the Heavier Posts Because I’m Not Totally Dead Inside

If you’re new here and want some context, check the #tfp wheeljack in tfa tag.

If you don’t care about context and just jump right in, then… I am so sorry. 😂

…

TFA Ratchet: *texting* Who else is hiding in the hangar, trying to listen in on Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus’s conversation?

TFA Bumblebee: Me. I'm in the storage bin.

Sari Sumdac: I'm in the toolbox.

TFA Optimus: I'm in the closet.

TFA Bulkhead: We accept you, Prime. ❤️

TFA Optimus: No, I'm literally in the closet.

TFA Bumblebee: Love is love. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

…

TFA Bulkhead: Someone's trying to break in. Call the cops!

TFP Wheeljack: *readies cannon* I got this.

TFA Bulkhead: Last week, you fell up the stairs! What do you mean-?!

…

TFA Bumblebee: Why are you like this?

TFA Ratchet: *deadpan* I used too much "No Tears" cleaner as a sparkling and I haven't felt a single emotion since.

…

*the early days*

TFA Optimus: "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."

TFP Wheeljack: ... What a stupid fraggin’ quote. I'm killin’ way more than two people.

TFA Optimus: Wheeljack, no-

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: I just had a long talk with Bumblebee and Bulkhead about hitting, and now they are yelling “it’s my turn to perpetuate the cycle of violence” before hitting each other.

…

TFP Wheeljack: *sniffling* Calm down, I’m probably not sick. It might just be allergies.

TFA Bumblebee: *worried* Okay, tell me this: are you -like- really tired?

TFP Wheeljack: *deadpan* I’m depressed, what do you think?

…

TFA Ratchet: So, Wheeljack, do you have a crush on anyone?

TFP Wheeljack: The only crush I have is this crushin’ anxiety.

…

TFA Optimus: I've made a spreadsheet of all the crime in Detroit.

TFA Optimus: There's so much crime, no one should live here-

…

If TFP Wheeljack’s Kimia mentors survived:

…

TFA Prowl: I've become a bread crumb dealer to four crows at the lake. They pay me with a bit of everything—ike shiny things, fabric, or pens. But recently, they paid me with a twenty dollar bill they found somewhere—so I decided to buy them some more expensive bread. They loved it. So, they understand what to do: give me money. I've probably racked up about two-hundred dollars at this point. Is it morally wrong though? I mean, they're the ones who steal the money from others. Or perhaps they just have a big pile laying somewhere. Should I keep on doing this?

TFA Bumblebee: … You sound like the start of a Batman villain origin story-

…

TFP Wheeljack: What does a winner do when life gives them lemons?

TFA Optimus: Um, make lemonade?

TFP Wheeljack: No, they squeeze them right back into life’s eyes!

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: You’re giving me a sticker?

Miko Nakadai: Not just a sticker. That is a sticker of a kitty saying “me-wow!”

TFP Ultra Magnus: I’m not a sparkling.

Miko Nakadai: Fine, I’ll take it back-

TFP Ultra Magnus: I earned this, back off!

…

TFP Wheeljack: Stop settin’ things on fire because you're curious about what will happen. What will happen is fire.

TFA Bumblebee: But what if something else happens, just this one time?

…

Sari Sumdac, holding a scooter: Ratchet! Can I go outside and play with this?

TFA Ratchet: Sure, whatever. I'm not your parent, okay?

Sari Sumdac, running outside: Thanks, Ratchet!

TFA Ratchet, running out after her: NOT ON THE STREET! STAY AWAY!

…

TFP Wheeljack: This is bad! This is really bad!

TFA Bumblebee: Dude, what is it?

TFP Wheeljack: I kissed Ultra Magnus.

TFA Bumblebee: Whoa… I owe Prowl so much axel-grease-

…

TFA Bulkhead: I feel so burnt out.

TFA Prowl: Don’t worry, it'll be over soon.

TFA Bulkhead: Are you gonna... assassinate me?

TFA Prowl: Well, not if you’re expecting it.

…

TFA Optimus: What’s your biggest fear?

TFA Bulkhead: That I’ll never be good enough for anyone.

TFA Bumblebee: Everyone hates me and talks about me behind my back.

Sari Sumdac: Zombies, BUT they can open doors.

…

TFA Ratchet: *trying to see just how screwed the Wreckers actually were* Do you know the ABCs of first aid?

TFP Wheeljack: A. Bone. Coming out of the skin is very bad.

…

*TFA Optimus sends more than 5 messages in a row*

TFA Bumblebee: I ain’t reading all that.

TFA Bumblebee: I’m happy for you tho.

TFA Bumblebee: Or sorry that happened.

…

Sari Sumdac: Sometimes, I drink milk straight from the container.

TFA Prowl: The cow?!

TFA Optimus: What?!

TFA Bumblebee: Prowl, WHY?!

…

TFA Bulkhead: When I see initials carved into a tree with a heart, I think it’s so romantic. Two lovers on a date... one of them carrying a knife for some reason…

TFP Ultra Magnus: *glances at TFP Wheeljack*

TFP Wheeljack: *spinning one of his swords, totally zoned-out*

TFP Ultra Magnus: *snort* It happens.

…

TFA Sentinel: Hey, guys! Today, Optimus pushed me—so I'm starting a Kickstarter to put him down. The benefits of killing him are that I would get pushed way less-

…

TFP Ratchet: *talking to the TFA Crew about TFP’s mystical bullshit* To perform the ritual requires a sacrifice.

TFA Ratchet: Sacrifice? I nominate Bumblebee.

TFA Bumblebee: Wait, what?!

TFA Ratchet: Because you're little, you'll fit on a barbecue.

TFA Bumblebee: I'm not that small!

TFA Jazz: *feeling a little unsafe*

TFP Ratchet: *done* It's not that kind of sacrifice! Primus-

…

*many eons ago*

The Wreckers: ‘Jackie never stays, but he always comes back!

*meanwhile*

TFP Wheeljack, being held captive deep within a Decepticon fortress:

…

TFP Wheeljack: *texting* Hey, who's this? Sari changed all of my contacts to parodies of movie titles.

Unknown: What's mine?

TFP Wheeljack: Honey, I Shrunk the Bot.

Unknown: SHE’S SO MEAN, I'M NOT THAT SHORT!

TFP Wheeljack: Oh hey, Bumblebee.

TFA Bumblebee: FRAG!

…

TFP Wheeljack: Do you take constructive criticism?

TFA Optimus: Not without crying.

…

TFA Ratchet: Can’t you read?!

TFA Bumblebee: Read what?

TFA Ratchet: The door! It says ‘keep out’!

Sari Sumdac: No, it says ‘go away, idiots’.

TFA Ratchet: … So, it does. Never lose your temper in the middle of a door-sign.

…

TFA Jazz: You have crayons?

TFP Wheeljack: Yes, I have-

TFA Prowl: You're- How old are you?

TFP Wheeljack: (absolutely done) YES, I AM AN ADULT AND I HAVE CRAYONS. I HAVE A BOX OF EMERGENCY CRAYONS IN THE CABINET UNDER THE TV BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEEDS CRAYONS SOMETIMES, OKAY? EVERYBODY NEEDS CRAYONS.

…

TFA Bumblebee: Ratchet told me to stop being immature, so I told him to get out of my blanket fort.

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: My servos are cold.

TFP Wheeljack: Here, let me hold them.

TFP Ultra Magnus: … My lips are cold, too.

TFP Wheeljack: *covers TFP Ultra Magnus's mouth with his servo*

…

TFA Optimus: I just realized something. I had a bad childhood.

TFA Ratchet: Yeah, I know.

TFA Optimus: What do you mean, you know?

TFA Ratchet: Look at you.

TFA Optimus: What do you mean, look at me?!

TFA Ratchet: Look at how you stand. People who had good childhoods don’t stand like that.

…

TFA Bumblebee: Wakey Wakey, Eggs and Bakey!

TFA Prowl: But I'm a vegan.

TFA Bumblebee: Wakey Wakey, Vegetables and Sadness.

…

TFP Wheeljack, to the TFA Crew: You know, Decepticons can be really aggressive, so it's important to take all the necessary precautions when approachin’.

TFP Wheeljack: *blows an airhorn in TFA Megatron’s face* GET FUCKED!

…

TFA Bumblebee: How do tall people possibly sleep at night when the blanket can't possibly cover you?

TFP Ultra Magnus: Bumblebee, it's four o'clock in the morning.

TFA Bumblebee: So, you can't sleep, huh? Is it because of the blanket?

…

TFP Wheeljack: Like they say, "If you can't beat them, curl up in a ball and protect your organs."

…

Miko Nakadai: … Some of us are still ‘it’ from a childhood game of tag.

Sari Sumdac: Way to just fuck me up on a Tuesday.

…

TFP Wheeljack: What goes up but never comes down?

TFA Optimus: The amount of stress you're bringing this family.

…

TFP Wheeljack: *makes a self-deprecating joke*

The TFA Crew:

…

TFA Jazz: If I fall down these stairs, I'm just gonna lie down and accept my fate.

…

TFA Bumblebee: Why do you not believe that ghosts are real?

TFP Ultra Magnus: I have never seen one.

TFA Bumblebee: Okay, well—I mean, there’s a lot of things that you can’t see that are real.

TFP Ultra Magnus: What can’t I see?

TFA Bumblebee: You can’t see gravity. That’s real.

TFP Ultra Magnus: I can drop a rock.

TFA Bumblebee: Frag.

…

TFP Wheeljack: I’m goin’ to the Pit.

TFA Prowl: Probably.

TFP Wheeljack: I'll pick you up?

TFA Prowl: *nodding* Carpool.

…

TFA Optimus: Which way did Ratchet go?

TFP Wheeljack: Well, based on the direction of the wind, the broken sticks in the corner, and the slight disturbance in the dirt… I'd guess he went left.

TFA Prowl: You could really figure it out from that?

TFP Wheeljack: No! For frag’s sake, Doc-‘Bot sent me a text. See?

…

TFA Optimus: So, Prowl is no longer allowed to take the trash out at night.

TFP Wheeljack: Why?

TFA Optimus: Because I've caught him trying to train raccoons to fight five times in a row.

TFA Prowl, arms crossed and pouting: You'll be thanking me when the third raccoon battalion saves your aft.

…

TFP Wheeljack: Do you know that we are made out of atoms? And atoms never touch each other.

TFP Wheeljack: So in my defense, officer—no, I did not punch this fraggin’ asshole.

Captain Fanzone: *deep sigh*

…

TFA Wreck-Gar: *sees TFP Ultra Magnus and TFP Wheeljack together* They're cute. I would put them on a boat!

Sari Sumdac: You mean... you ship them???

…

TFA Prowl: If there’s one thing I learned from Bumblebee, it’s to set people’s expectations very low—so you end up surprising them by practically doing nothing at all.

…

TFA Optimus: Oh Primus, he texted you “Hello.” Punctuation only means one thing, Wheeljack: he’s mad at you.

TFP Wheeljack: *worried* No, it's Ultra Magnus. He’s just being grammatically correct!

*meanwhile*

TFP Ultra Magnus: And then I used a period so he would know that I'm upset with him.

TFP Optimus: *concerned* A period does not say 'I am upset’, it says 'you are dead to me'.

TFP Ultra Magnus: … I stand by my choice.

…

TFP Wheeljack, confused and exasperated: Prowl, how do you plan on tellin’ a bear to go vegan?

TFA Prowl: Politely.

…

TFA Optimus: The last time I went to an urgent care clinic, I checked off 'excessive crying' on the symptom list, and then the medic got really confused and said that was meant for sparklings.

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: This is horrible! This is the most humiliating thing to ever happen to me!

TFP Wheeljack: Even more humiliatin’ than-?

TFP Ultra Magnus: We are not doing this!

…

TFA Bumblebee, to TFA Bulkhead: I mean, I get complimented all the time-

TFA Ratchet: *starts cackling*

TFA Bumblebee: I do!

TFA Ratchet: *laughs harder*

…

*many eons ago*

TFP Ultra Magnus: *standing with a group of Wreckers and doing roll-call after a tough battle, unaware of the harrowing rescue mission he’s about to embark on*

…

TFA Bumblebee: Are pigeons drones?

TFA Prowl: What? No, I'm trying to sleep.

TFA Bumblebee: Think about it. How come you've never seen a baby pigeon? And why do you never actually see a pigeon nest? Because they're DRONES!

TFA Prowl: *crying* Please, let me sleep…

…

TFP Wheeljack: *trying to make a point* It was difficult, so you’ve just given up. You might fail, so why bother trying?

TFA Bumblebee: *nod* Exactly.

TFA Bumblebee, to TFA Bulkhead: I told you he’d understand.

TFP Wheeljack: Kid, no-

…

TFA Jazz: Shh! Here comes Wheeljack!

Sari Sumdac: Quick, Ultra Magnus: start talking about boring nerd stuff!

TFP Ultra Magnus: *frown* You know, nerd culture is mainstream now—so when you use the word “nerd” derogatorily, it means you’re the one that’s out of the zeitgeist.

Sari Sumdac: Yes, that’s perfect. Just like that.

…

TFA Prowl: Can you recommend a book that will make me cry?

TFP Wheeljack: Quantum Mechanics, Golden Age 7th Edition.

…

TFA Ratchet: *done* Your Honor, I hereby submit the following to the court: Wheeljack, what the actual FUCK?

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: Define “dream”.

TFA Prowl: *deadpan* The first thing people abandon when they learn how the world works.

TFP Ultra Magnus: *concerned noises*

…

TFA Bumblebee: I love hearing Ratchet shouting at someone else. It makes such a nice change.

…

Kidnapper: I have one of your Wreckers.

TFP Ultra Magnus: Which one? I have three.

Kidnapper: The loud, annoying, rowdy one who never shuts up.

TFP Ultra Magnus: Which one? I have three.

Miko Nakadai, distantly: HEY!

…

TFA Bumblebee: What's worse than heartbreak?

TFA Jazz: Waking up in the morning and your headphones weren’t charging.

TFA Ratchet: Waking up in the morning.

TFP Wheeljack: Wakin’ up.

…

TFP Wheeljack: The real treasure was the memories we made along the way.

TFA Ultra Magnus: I almost died.

TFP Wheeljack: That was my favorite memory.

…

TFA Prowl: Do you know a turtle's only weakness?

TFP Wheeljack: No... Well, their slowness.

TFA Prowl: Their weakness is they can't roll over when they are on their backs.

TFP Wheeljack: Oh. Well-

TFA Prowl: Now, I have a plan.

TFP Wheeljack: Okay?

TFA Prowl: If I duct-tape two turtles together, they'll be unstoppable.

TFP Wheeljack: Kid, no-

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: The saying “it is better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission” no longer applies to Wheeljack.

…

TFA Ratchet: Damn, the power went out.

Sari Sumdac: Don’t worry, I got this.

Sari Sumdac: *shakes rapidly and starts to light up*

TFA Ratchet: What-?

Sari Sumdac: I swallowed a glow stick!

TFA Ratchet: WHY WOULD YOU-?!

TFP Wheeljack, poking his head into the room: *his optics and biolights glowing* Hey, is everyone okay in-? WHAT THE FRAG?!

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: *to the TFA Crew* First rule of battle: don’t ever let them know where you are.

*blaster fire*

TFP Wheeljack: *in the distance* WHOO-HOO! I’M RIGHT HERE! I’M RIGHT HERE! YOU WANT SOME O’ ME?! YEAH, YOU DO! COME ON! COME ON! *scream* WHOO-HOO..!

TFP Ultra Magnus: … Of course, there are other schools of thought.

…

TFP Wheeljack: You bought a taco?

Sari Sumdac: Yes.

TFP Wheeljack: From the same truck that hit Ratchet?!

Sari Sumdac, with a mouthful of taco: Well, me starving ain't gonna help him.

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: *doing his best* You know, Bumblebee: when you generalize, you tell general… lies.

TFA Bumblebee: … Are you trying to teach me moral lessons through puns?

…

TFA Prowl: I’m not so sure you’re stakeout material.

TFP Wheeljack: I’m a chronic insomniac, I was born for this.

…

How SO MANY of my Concept Drabbles End:

…

TFA Optimus: Be right back, gonna hit the wash-racks for a quick power sob.

…

*family game night*

TFA Ratchet: If we lose, you’re out of the will.

TFP Wheeljack: I was in the will?

*later*

TFP Ultra Magnus: Is Wheeljack always like this when he loses?

TFA Bulkhead: Oh, yeah. You should've been there for the Great Jenga Tantrum of 2057.

TFP Wheeljack: You bumped that table and you know it!

*later*

TFP Ultra Magnus: *perfectly dignified* My goal is not to be the best, but to inspire someone enough to one day surpass me.

TFP Wheeljack: YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THAT EVERY TIME I BEAT YOU AT CONNECT FOUR!

…

TFA Bumblebee: Wheeljack, you’re offered 500,000 dollars—but, if you accept it, the person you hate the most in the world gets 1,000,000 dollars. Would you take it?

TFP Wheeljack: Of course! I mean, why wouldn’t I want 1,500,000 dollars?

TFA Bumblebee: Wheeljack, no-

…

TFA Prowl: Would anyone know any good vendors for professional-quality brass knuckles?

TFA Optimus: I know you’re serious, but you say the scariest shit sometimes.

…

*comments under an image of a really hot knife cutting bread*

TFA Prowl: Imagine stabbing someone with this knife.

TFP Ultra Magnus: It would instantly cauterize the wound, so the person wouldn't bleed—so it's not very useful.

TFP Wheeljack: If you want information, it is.

TFA Bulkhead: Why would you STAB a person when you can have TOAST?

…

TFA Prowl: Just so everyone knows, don't ever try to climb a tree at night carrying a strobe light. Owls DON'T like it.

TFA Bumblebee: … What happened?

TFA Prowl: I made a VERY bad mistake.

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: Everyone, I’ve been meaning to tell you… Wheeljack and I are dating.

The TFA Crew + TFP Wheeljack: *gasp*

TFP Ultra Magnus: Wheeljack, why are you surprised?!

…

TFP Wheeljack: Try not to roll your eyes at me.

TFA Megatron: I don't have pupils.

…

*pre-Earth days*

TFA Prowl: Why does Optimus always clean so loudly?

TFA Bumblebee: So everyone knows that no one helps him out on this ship.

TFA Optimus, in the distance: *slams the washing machine shut*

…

Sari Sumdac: Go to sleep, or you'll hate yourself in the morning!

TFP Wheeljack: I'll hate myself in the mornin’ regardless.

…

TFA Ratchet: You have an impressive pain tolerance.

TFP Wheeljack: Thanks, it's the trauma.

…

*during a battle*

TFP Wheeljack: Come on, Prime! Use those skills you’ve trained so hard for!

TFA Bumblebee: He stopped working out last week! He’s weak!

TFP Wheeljack: What?! Prime! Why’d you stop workin’ out?!

TFA Optimus: I was sad!

TFA Megatron: *wheeze*

…

TFA Ratchet: Coca Cola can remove rust from metal, imagine what it’s doing to your body.

TFA Bumblebee: Pfff-! Getting rid of the rust, duh.

TFA Ratchet: THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS!

Sari Sumdac: *playing along for chaos* Hm... I've been drinking soda and my body's rust free... Not sure where you're getting your facts from...

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: Still not over how yesterday, when my flight landed, the pilot said we arrived fifty minutes early because he took some "shortcuts".

TFP Ultra Magnus: Excuse me? We were in the sky, what do you mean???

TFP Wheeljack: *snicker*

…

The Multiverse: *gesturing to TFP Wheeljack* Are you sure you want to keep this one?

The TFA Crew:

…

TFA Prowl, holding an antique bottle: Is this whiskey or perfume?

TFP Wheeljack: *grabs and chugs the entire bottle* … It's perfume-

…

TFP Wheeljack: I'm gonna go work on the shuttle.

TFA Ratchet: Don’t blow yourself up, idiot.

TFP Wheeljack: Pfft-! I won't blow myself up.

*30 seconds later*

TFP Wheeljack, entering the room: *smoking* I blew myself up-

…

TFA Bulkhead: *tired* Alright: Sari, Bumblebee. Let's go over this one more time. If something breaks?

Sari Sumdac: We try to fix it before Ultra Magnus gets home.

TFA Bulkhead: If it doesn't work?

TFA Bumblebee: We blame Jazz.

TFA Jazz: Seriously, guys: what the frag?!

…

TFA Bumblebee: Help! I’m sinking!

TFA Ratchet: Calm down, kid! We’re only in four meters of rubble!

TFA Bumblebee: NOT ALL OF US ARE TALL.

…

*TFP Ultra Magnus is cleaning the Plant and he finds an empty bottle of orange juice*

TFP Ultra Magnus: Clear orange juice?

TFP Ultra Magnus: Oh, it's empty.

TFP Wheeljack, who has been watching the entire time: I live with an idiot. I live with an idiot. I live with an idiot. I’m in love with an idiot. Wait-

…

TFA Ratchet: Wheeljack! Have you no dignity?

TFP Wheeljack: Of course not! How long have we known each other?

…

TFP Wheeljack: Caffeine no longer keeps me awake while I work, so instead I have Ultra Magnus periodically send me texts saying ‘we need to talk’.

TFP Wheeljack: It gives me the right amount of adrenaline and fear I need to keep going.

…

TFA Ratchet: I assume you realize that this kind of idiocy will not be tolerated in this house.

TFA Bumblebee: Is there any kind of idiocy you would be more comfortable with?

…

TFP Wheeljack: Didn't you die?!

TFP Optimus: That was years ago. Things change.

…

*talking about the war in TFP*

TFA Bumblebee: Did you win? Or just not die?

TFA Bumblebee: Either way, hooray!

TFP Bumblebee: … Is "kinda" a valid answer?

TFA Bumblebee: The hooray is redacted, and you frighten me.

…

TFA Optimus: What do you guys do when you're stressed?

TFA Jazz: Try and calm myself down!

TFA Ratchet: Sleep.

TFA Prowl: Give myself even more stress, so that the first reason for my stress gets canceled out.

TFP Wheeljack: Compartmentalize! :)

…

TFP Ultra Magnus: *talking to the TFA Crew* Two years ago, I married my best friend.

TFP Ultra Magnus: Wheeljack and Ratchet are still upset about it, but this reality’s Optimus and I were drunk and thought it was funny.

…

TFA Prowl, hungover: Please, tell me I'm imagining that I claimed I was King of the Ducks.

TFA Ratchet: I would, but then I would be lying to the King of the Ducks.

…

This rendition of the Nonsense series is brought to you in-part by Wrecker-Brand Tissues and Handkerchiefs™️, the proud sponsors of the three-part “Endgame” special of TFP Wheeljack in TFA! For the big jobs, don’t be afraid to call in for cleanup!

…

[maributterfly104]

TFP Wheeljack in TFA Masterlist

The Original Post:

Blame this one. ^^^

—————

Early Ficlets:

Wheeljack’s Arrival:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680066296865603584/a-continuation-of-my-previous-post

Scary Stories:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680123037828464640/tfp-wheeljack-in-tfa

Movie Rules:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680342560047284224/movie-rules

Wheeljack Loved Dinosaurs:

https://justawannabearchaeologist.tumblr.com/post/680258497846394880/wheeljack-loved-dinosaurs

—————

Season 1 Ficlets:

—————

Season 2 Ficlets:

—————

Season 3 Ficlets:

—————

Season 4 Ficlets:

(Coming Soon)

—————

After Season 4 Ficlets:

(Coming Soon)

—————

Prime Meeting Animated Ficlets:

(Coming Soon)

—————

The Asks/Interactions:

I used to link these, but it unfortunately became too much for me as I ended-up answering several hundred Asks and linking every Art Piece or even meme made for my series. I eventually had to give up. Please, go to my page and select either #ask response, #movie night, or #art if you wish to find these posts. I have filed more-specific posts under tags such as #ultrajack and #strongarm the ultrajack kid, as well as tagged posts with trigger warnings to the very best of my ability.

Thank you so much for your patience. :)

—————

The Memes:

The NONSENSE:

The CURSED Playlist:

[maributterfly104]

Some Nonsense from My Cursed Transformers Series to Make Up for the Heavier Posts Because I’m Not Totally Dead Inside

Ahem-

If you’re new here and want some context, check the #tfp wheeljack in tfa tag.

If you don’t care about context and just jump right in, then… I am so sorry. 😂

…

TFP Wheeljack: Your Megatron sucks.

TFA Optimus: And yours didn’t?

TFP Wheeljack: Oh, he was awful.

TFA Optimus: Then-?

TFP Wheeljack: But almost all of his followers were either incompetent, traitors, or both—and he took space-drugs, cut his own arm off, kept Starscream as his second-in-command after multiple assassination attempts, and once accidentally brought his warship to life.

TFA Optimus:

TFA Optimus:

…

TFP Wheeljack: *in the med-bay*

TFA Ratchet: What the frag did you do to yourself, kid?

TFP Wheeljack: *in the fetal position* I invented the Optimus Prime Self-Sacrifice Drinkin’ Game™️…

TFA Ratchet: What the-?! Idiot! Do you wanna die?!

TFA Optimus: I’m right here.

TFP Wheeljack & TFA Ratchet: *together* We know.

…

TFP Wheeljack: You’re teachin’ the kid ‘ninja nerve-blows’ when she’s too small and squishy to hit Cybertronian nerves?

TFA Prowl: Well, then—she can use these tactics on humans.

TFP Wheeljack: But human nervous systems are different from ours.

TFA Prowl:

TFP Wheeljack: You didn’t consider that?

TFA Prowl: Shut up.

…

Given that this is the year 2057-

Tutor-‘Bot: Now, Sari—we’re going to be doing some review of early 21st Century youth culture. Tell me: when someone in the twenty-teens said “yeet”, what action were they typically performing?

Sari: *unsure* Um…

TFP Wheeljack: *optic twitch*

…

TFA Blackarachnia: So, the whole ‘seduction’ distraction-tactic doesn’t work on you?

TFP Wheeljack: Nope.

TFA Blackarachnia: Huh.

TFA Blackarachnia:

TFA Blackarachnia: *gestures to her lab* Wanna see some science?

TFP Wheeljack: *immediately distracted* DO I?!

…

TFA Ratchet: In this universe, you actually built Omega Supreme.

TFP Wheeljack: Huh.

TFP Wheeljack: Guess I’ve got another kid, then.

TFA Ratchet: What?

TFP Wheeljack: *holding Swoop on his shoulder and getting one of his swords out to spar with Grimlock while switching between texting Sari about classes and texting Scrapper about how to care for Snarl, all while standing within sight of the Plant so that he can keep an eye on all of the Autobots*

TFP Wheeljack: What.

…

TFP Wheeljack: Wait, wait—have NONE OF YOU actually scrapped a ‘Con, before?

TFA Ratchet: I’m a field-tech and the rest of them are far too young.

TFP Wheeljack: Oh, Pit. Even my Ratchet had diced more ‘Cons than he could count!

TFA Ratchet: 0_0

TFA Optimus: And how many Decepticons have you -well- scrapped?

TFP Wheeljack: Optimus—if Ratchet couldn’t keep count, do you really think I could?

TFA Optimus: Well-

TFP Wheeljack: I’ve used ‘Con afts as steppin’ stones across a smeltin’ pit!

TFP Wheeljack: With a grenade just like this one, I blasted a cave full of angry Predacon clones!

TFP Wheeljack: I once broke a Vehicon’s neck with my thighs!

TFP Bumblebee: What the-?

TFP Wheeljack: Do you honestly think I was keepin’ count?

TFP Prowl: Well, you certainly kept a ‘Top Ten’.

TFP Wheeljack: What? No. One of those was the Battle of Darkmount Pass not long before the war left Cybertron, and the other two took place within the last few years.

TFA Ratchet: Excuse me?!

TFA Bulkhead: Who hurt you?

TFP Wheeljack: *snorts* I was in a war. Who didn’t?

TFA Cast:

TFA Cast:

…

TFP Wheeljack: *walking by while in the middle of explaining TFP’s Megatronus and Orion Pax to Sari* And they were revolutionaries-

TFA Optimus: *overhearing this* By the Allspark, they were revolutionaries. 0_0

…

TFA Blackarachnia: Okay, I get it! You’re angry because I poisoned your friends, but-

TFP Wheeljack: You did WHAT?!

TFA Blackarachnia: Wait-

TFA Blackarachnia: You didn’t know that I-..? But why are you so angry?!

TFP Wheeljack: *gesturing* You’re leadin’ the Dinobots on to make ‘em your errand-‘bots! The whole spark-play scam you run is gettin’ fraggin’ old!

TFA Blackarachnia:

TFA Blackarachnia: This is about the dinosaurs?

…

TFA Optimus: So, what’s the difference between your Ultra Magnus and ours?

TFP Wheeljack: Your Ultra Magnus is the leader of a planet, he’s never spoken directly to a human, and he threw you out of his Elite Guard and gave you low self-esteem issues.

TFA Optimus: *sighs* Why did I-?

TFP Wheeljack: My Ultra Magnus has a stick up his aft—but he led the Wreckers and never cast me out, he lost his servo while fightin’ side-by-side with me against a Predacon and told me it had been an honor to serve with me when we nearly got slagged, he’s socially-awkward and just wants to be a part of a family, he was our Optimus’s second-in-command and never doubted him for a second, and he actually started crying when Miko accidentally called him “dad”.

TFA Optimus: … So-

TFP Wheeljack: I can’t believe I’m sayin’ this and I will end you if it ever leaves this room, but he is better in every way and you. can’t. have. him.

…

TFP Bulkhead: ‘Jackie never stays, but he always comes back.

TFA ‘Bots, after years of dealing with TFP Wheeljack in ‘Mother Hen’-mode:

…

TFA Prowl: *after a battle* How many grenades do you have?

TFP Wheeljack: I only carry one at a time.

TFA Prowl: That doesn’t answer my question.

TFP Wheeljack: *looks at TFA Ratchet*

TFA Ratchet: *shakes his head before holding two fingers up*

TFP Wheeljack, a scientist: *nods*

TFP Wheeljack: *to Prowl* No, it doesn’t.

TFP Wheeljack: *peace-sign*

TFA Ratchet: *face-palm* Oh, for- We’ve built fifty-seven so far, alright?!

…

TFP Wheeljack: *meeting TFA Arcee* So… pink.

TFA Arcee: And what’s wrong with pink, young ‘bot? It’s the color of Energon.

TFP Wheeljack: … That explains so much.

…

TFP Wheeljack: *casually alludes to his unchecked Prime!verse trauma* :)

TFA ‘Bots: *concerned noises*

…

TFP Wheeljack: *watching TFA Optimus use TFA Ultra Magnus’s hammer to summon a fucking tornado and launch it at the Omega Supreme clones*

TFP Wheeljack, thinking he had seen it all:

…

TFA Ratchet: We can never let Wheeljack know about the shuttle.

TFA Optimus: Why not?

TFA Ratchet: He was just telling me about his piloting skills and he sounded way too excited.

…

TFA Optimus: Seriously, what is it with you and the Dinobots?

TFP Wheeljack: What’s with Professor Sumdac and Sari?

TFA Optimus: She’s his kid, Wheeljack.

TFP Wheeljack: And?

TFA Optimus:

TFA Optimus: *quietly* I really don’t wanna know the context.

…

TFA Bumblebee: *looking at his stingers* … Ever think about the fact that Wheeljack’s the only one of us who gets to have actual guns?

TFA Optimus: Well, that’s because—with the exception of extreme circumstances earning special dispensation through the Elite Guard and the defenses for ships—traditional cannons have been outlawed by Autobots since the end of the war.

TFA Bumblebee: So, why does Wheeljack get them?!

TFA Optimus: You try telling a mech from another dimension that he has to give up his blasters because our Cybertronian government says so.

TFP Wheeljack: *from the next room* HA!

TFA Optimus: *deadpanning* Case in point.

…

TFP Wheeljack:

…

TFP Wheeljack: *runs over to a building edge and jumps* YEEHAW!

TFA ‘Bots: …

TFA Optimus: He’s-?

TFA Ratchet: Older than any of us (and possibly all of us combined), a veteran of war, and a brilliant scientist? Yep.

TFA Optimus: Ah. Great. Thanks for clearing that up.

…

TFA ForceGhost!Prowl: *genuinely concerned about his teammate’s health*

TFP Wheeljack:

…

TFP Wheeljack: *staring at TFA Bulkhead’s severed head*

TFA Bulkhead: … What?

TFP Wheeljack: How are you alive???!!!

TFA Bulkhead: What do you mean?!

TFP Wheeljack: This makes NO SENSE! How can one of you die from gettin’ a hole blasted in you, but survive LOSIN’ your whole body?!

TFA Bulkhead: Uh…

TFA Prowl: *genuinely wondering* Huh.

TFP Wheeljack: Your spark is in your body! What’s even keepin’ you online right now?! PRIMUS?!

TFA Ratchet: … He makes a good point.

TFA Optimus: Yeah…

TFA Bumblebee: … Let’s just hurry up and get his body back so we don’t have to think about this anymore.

TFA Cast: *murmurs of assent*

TFP Wheeljack:

TFP Wheeljack: *internal screaming*

[maributterfly104]

MORE Nonsense from My Cursed Transformers Series to Make Up for the Heavier Posts Because I’m Not Totally Dead Inside

The Thrilling Sequel to the First One!

If you’re new here and want some context, check the #tfp wheeljack in tfa tag.

If you don’t care about context and just jump right in, then… again… I am so sorry. 😂

…

TFA Optimus: What are you doing?

Sari: *genuinely concerned* It started as “Never Have I Ever”, but now: we’re just trying to find something that Wheeljack hasn’t done.

TFA Optimus: …

Sari: We’ve been here for two hours. I think he needs help-

…

…

TFA Bumblebee: *squinting at a chart on a board*

TFA Prowl: *sliding up next to him* … What is this?

TFA Bumblebee: *completely serious* Based on all of Wheeljack’s stories, I’m putting together a theory.

TFA Prowl: … “Which of Us Wheeljack Might Have a Thing™️ For in the Alternate Dimension”? *sighs* Bumblebee-

TFA Bumblebee: I’m out because I already overheard him talking to Ratchet, and I’m just a kid he knows—and you’re out ‘cause he doesn’t even know you.

TFA Prowl: Yes, and-

TFA Bumblebee: But I am convinced that Ratchet, Optimus, Bulkhead, and even -yes- Ultra Magnus himself belong in the possible pool of candidates.

TFA Prowl: *sighs* Why?

TFA Bumblebee: I’m glad you asked!

TFA Prowl: I’m not.

TFA Bumblebee: *points* I overheard Wheeljack and Ratchet talking on the roof! Wheeljack won’t even call Ratchet by the same nicknames he uses for his Ratchet: Doc, and—get this—Sunshine. Plus, when we were playing “Two Truths and One Lie”, he said he’d flirty-winked at the alternate versions of two Autobots he’d met since coming here—and we got him to admit that they were-

TFA Prowl: *intrigued* His Ratchet and Ultra Magnus.

TFA Bumblebee: CORRECT!

TFA Prowl: Hm. He did once tell me that his Ratchet was a maestro, and his trust in that medic’s abilities were enough for him to trust our field-tech implicitly. They also speak often, and-… *blinks* Huh.

TFA Bumblebee: Our next candidate is Ultra Magnus! Definitely picking up some tension there, huh? *gestures* Wheeljack tends to complain about him—but the second he sees our guy, it’s like he can’t stop talking his guy up! Seriously, I’d swap our Ultra Magnus for his in a second based on the descriptions alone—but Wheeljack wouldn’t let us, and then he’d probably start bickering with him again!

TFA Prowl: *murmuring* Like an old married couple.

TFA Bumblebee: Exactly! Plus, THE WINK!

TFA Prowl: *conflicted* Why am I starting to get onboard with this..?

TFA Bumblebee: Next, we have Optimus. Wheeljack tends to avoid talking about him, which is highly suspicious—but when he does, it’s nothing but respect. Also, he protects our Prime with his life—and when our guy makes a bad call, Wheeljack’s not just mad but HURT!

TFA Prowl: *nodding slowly* Because he’s given a sharp reminder that this is a different person and his Optimus is not with him?

TFA Bumblebee: *the peak of drama* Tragic, isn’t it?

TFA Prowl: Now, what is your theory for Bulkhead?

TFA Bumblebee: Okay, look: Bulkhead is the one Wheeljack avoided talking about the longest—and when he did, Wheeljack said that Bulkhead was the best. And he smiled, but he was… sad.

TFA Prowl: *accepting his fate and jumping head-first onto the bandwagon* Or perhaps lovelorn.

TFA Bumblebee: Now, you’re getting it!

TFA Prowl: *perplexed* But which one is it, if any of them?

TFA Bumblebee: *nodding sagely* It could be none of them.

TFA Prowl: *nodding as well* Yes, of course.

TFA Bumblebee: He could be a solo act, one who flirts to mess with folks but has no actual interest in any of this.

TFA Prowl: Indeed.

TFA Bumblebee: … But I have NO IDEA! That’s why I gotta keep putting down evidence until I figure this out!

TFA Optimus, walking past while drinking his Energon: *does a double-take on the chart and an immediate spit-take* Ack!

TFA Bumblebee: We’re collecting evidence here, Prime! Either help us or move along!

TFA Ratchet: *walks up and sees the chart* … What in the-?!

TFA Bumblebee: EITHER HELP US OR MOVE ALONG!

TFA Bulkead: *walks up, looks at the chart, snorts, turns and keeps walking*

*silence*

TFA Bumblebee & TFA Prowl: *exchange glances*

TFA Prowl: … Bulkhead, your “move along” privileges are revoked!

TFA Bumblebee: *already running* GET BACK HERE!

TFP Wheeljack, walking in after driving Sari to school: Hey, what’s-? *shouts and jumps back to avoid getting knocked over by the two sprinting mechs* … Do I wanna know what happened here???

TFA Prowl: *flipping the board around and standing in front of it* No.

TFP Wheeljack: Ah. Right. Got it.

…

Teacher: *looking out the window* So, um… For an eight year-old, Sari’s been doing really well in math and science.

All of the Autobots, standing in the parking lot and listening attentively: *immediately start cheering*

TFP Wheeljack: *raising a fist* THAT’S OUR GIRL!

Teacher: *awkwardly turns their gaze inside*

Fanzone, the ever-exhausted chaperone: *sighs, crossing his arms* First-time parents.

…

Professor Sumdac: I believe I have finally found a solution to your water problem!

TFP Wheeljack: *snorts* What, giant water-wings?

Professor Sumdac:

Professor Sumdac: *discretely kicks an air-pump under his desk*

…

TFA Bumblebee: I’ve got it. Never have I ever called-up Megatron and sassed him!

TFA Bulkhead: Ooh! Good one!

TFA Prowl: I’d say you got him.

TFP Wheeljack: *looks TFA Bumblebee dead in the optics as he takes a sip of his Energon*

*silence*

TFA Bumblebee: Okay, WHO ARE YOU?!

…

TFA Blackarachnia: Alright, Mr. Scientist. If you’re so smart, how do you suggest that I get rid of my organic half?

TFP Wheeljack, not sure what else there is to say to her after she’s nearly died to every single “plot of the season” and trying to make the best of things… but also Absolute Shit™️ in these situations:

Later:

TFA Optimus: *deadpanning* Really?

TFP Wheeljack: *nursing the Cybertronian equivalent of a black eye* Yeah. Not my finest moment.

…

Reporter-‘Bot: Excuse me, but exactly how many children are you raising right now?

TFP Wheeljack: *about to make Miko proud across the dimensions* Wouldn’t you like to know, weather-boy?

Reporter-‘Bot: … Where is your leader?

…

TFA Sentinel: Are you actively vying for the title of “Most Annoying Autobot in the Universe”?!

TFP Wheeljack: *without missing a beat* As defending champion, are you nervous?

TFA Optimus: *The Laugh™️*

…

*everyone is standing around a broken Energon refiner*

TFP Wheeljack: So. Who broke it? *pause* I'm not mad, I just wanna know.

*silence*

TFA Optimus: ... I did. I broke it.

TFP Wheeljack: *sighs* No. No, you didn't. Bumblebee?

TFA Bumblebee: Don't look at me. *points* Look at Bulkhead.

TFA Bulkhead: What?! I didn't break it!

TFA Bumblebee: Huh, that's weird. How'd you even know it was broken?

TFA Bulkhead: … Because it's sitting right in front of us, and it's broken.

TFA Bumblebee: … *squints* Suspicious.

TFA Bulkhead: No, it's not!

Sari: *clears throat* Ah-he-hem. If it matters—probably not—then… Ratchet was the last one to use it.

TFA Ratchet: What?! No, I wasn’t! You little-

Sari: Oh, really? Then what were you doing by the refiner earlier?

TFA Ratchet: *gesturing to TFP Wheeljack* Restocking our supply for the next time our local idiot decides to bleed out on us! Does that satisfy your curiosity, Sari?!

TFA Optimus: Okay, let's not fight. I broke it. Let me help you rebuild it, Wheeljack.

TFP Wheeljack: No! Who broke it!?

*silence*

TFA Bumblebee: *leans over to whisper* Wheeljack... Prowl's been awfully quiet.

TFA Prowl: REALLY?!

*everyone starts arguing*

Later:

TFP Wheeljack, being interviewed: I broke it. I burned my servo, so I punched it.

Sari, behind the camera: *gasp*

TFP Wheeljack: I predict—10 minutes from now—they'll be at each other's throats with warpaint on their faces and a Headmaster Unit on a stick.

*crashing sounds behind him get louder*

TFP Wheeljack: *smirks* Good. It was getting a little chummy around here.

…

Sari: *kicks a soccer-ball and gets a goal*

*the stands erupt in cheers*

*VIOLENT HONKING AND SIRENS FROM THE ADJACENT PARKING LOT*

Sari: *smiling awkwardly and waving* Thanks, guys…

…

TFA Ratchet: Let’s try this again. What are some good reactions when you’ve been stabbed?

TFP Wheeljack: *about to make this field-tech pop an Energon line* Ahem... “Rude”, “That’s fair”, “Not again”, and “Are you going to want this back?”.

TFA Ratchet: Oh, for-

…

TFA Prowl: *trying to come up with something ridiculous* Never have I ever killed a Decepticon with my bare hands.

TFP Wheeljack: Hm…

TFA Bulkhead: You might’ve got him.

TFP Wheeljack: … Do bare thighs count?

The TFA Cast: 0_0

TFA Bumblebee: *sighs* Frag, just take the shot-

…

…

TFA Ratchet: *gesturing to TFP Wheeljack* This guy just dropped in from another reality. Are we really just gonna -what?- keep him?

TFA Bumblebee: *shrug* We kept Prowl.

…

TFA Optimus: What’s the biggest adjustment to living here?

TFP Wheeljack: You’re not gonna like my answer.

TFA Optimus: *worried* Why? Are you okay?

TFP Wheeljack: Yeah, ‘course.

TFA Optimus: Then-?

TFP Wheeljack: It’s just-… Every day, I have to wake up and wonder: “is there going to be an even bigger chin?”.

TFA Optimus: …

TFP Wheeljack: It keeps me up at night, I tell ya.

…

*at school*

Kid: So, what’s it like—living with the Autobots?

Sari: Imagine an average family. Got that in your head?

Kid: Yeah?

Sari: Throw that out the window.

Kid: ?

Sari: There’s a grumpy grampa who cares about all of us more than he likes to admit and fought in an intergalactic war (also, the spaceship is his son), one older brother who teaches me ninja nerve-blows but takes me bird-watching on weekends, another older brother who can be a little clumsy and has a wrecking-ball for a hand but is really nice and REALLY into art, a best friend who is constantly blasting music and beating me at games but he also helps me break the rules which is very nice, one sweet dad who makes the rules and is still trying to figure things out because the people who raised him gave him All of the Insecurities™️, and one super-protective dad who won’t admit he’s soft and has everything figured out but would probably teach me how to commit tax fraud if I asked him to.

Kid: 0_0

Sari: One of my dads also has three adopted kids who are robot-dinosaurs and he comes from another dimension. Also, he’s older than Grampa.

Kid: Which-?

Sari: The tax fraud dad.

Kid: Ah.

Sari: Get what I’m saying?

Kid: I mean… *shrug* Sounds like an average family to me?

…

TFA Bulkhead: *focusing* Never have I ever-… Uh… Hm. *squints* With you, I gotta be specific…

TFP Wheeljack: *snort*

TFA Bulkhead: Got it! Never have I ever faced Soundwave and NOT pretended to be taken-out by one of those painful sound-attacks he does!

Sari: Nice one, Bulk!

TFP Wheeljack: *deadpans, takes a drink*

TFA Cast:

TFP Wheeljack: It was a bad day, okay?

…

Alternatively-

…

TFA Bulkhead: So, was there anything like oil where you’re from?

TFP Wheeljack: Whaddya mean?

TFA Bumblebee: *awkwardly* Well, you know… Not Energon, just something you’d drink for fun?

TFP Wheeljack: … *blinks* Have you guys been gettin’ drunk with Sari in the Plant?!

TFA Bulkhead: Huh?

TFA Bumblebee: Wait, what?!

TFP Wheeljack: I had no fraggin’ idea that you guys drink oil like it’s high-grade! What in the Pit, guys?! We’ve got a kid!

TFA Bulkhead: And that means… no oil?

TFP Wheeljack: Yes, that means no oil! Do caregivers drink around sparklings on your Cybertron?!

TFA ‘Bots: *shift awkwardly*

TFP Wheeljack:

TFA Optimus: Well, I don’t even know mine, so… I can’t really speak to this.

TFP Wheeljack:

TFA Ratchet: *cautious* You alright there, kid?

TFP Wheeljack: … *quietly* The day I set foot on your Cybertron, there is gonna be a warrant out for my arrest within an hour. I hope that all of you know that.

TFA Prowl: Honestly, we’d be surprised if it took you that long.

TFP Wheeljack: *still quiet* No drinkin’ around the kid.

TFA Bulkhead: Okay?

TFP Wheeljack: *nods*

TFA Bumblebee: … So, what’s high-grade?

TFP Wheeljack: *locked on target* Why the FRAG were you even drinkin’ in the first place?! You’re practically a sparklin’!

TFA Bumblebee: Hey!

…

TFA Optimus: What are you doing?

TFP Wheeljack: Buildin’ grenades.

TFA Optimus: In the base?! That’s not safe!

TFP Wheeljack: I’m puttin’ em in a box.

TFA Optimus: A box?! What’s a box going to do?!

TFP Wheeljack: *shrugs and tosses a finished grenade into the box*

TFA Optimus: *recoiling* By the Allspark, are you insane?!

TFP Wheeljack: Prime, it’s fine.

TFA Optimus: No, it’s not! You are throwing explosives around in the middle of our base, and- *blinks* What is that?

TFP Wheeljack: *rigging a massive bomb inside of an empty oil-drum* Oh, this is for when things get really hairy.

TFA Optimus: What if Sari walked in here?!

TFP Wheeljack: *dry* I’d ask her why she wasn’t at school.

TFP Optimus: I-

TFP Wheeljack: Hey, I’m somehow the responsible one whenever she’s here. Weekdays from 8 to 3 are ‘Jackie’s Time. *gestures* Now, hand me that tool there before this loses pressure and Lake Erie gets a new bay.

TFA Optimus: *blinks* Wait-

TFP Wheeljack: *calmly* Seven… Six… Five…

TFA Optimus: 0_0

…

Professor Sumdac: So, in your reality, you left in Earth’s 2013 CE?

TFP Wheeljack: *nods* Yeah, pretty sure.

Professor Sumdac: Fascinating! Forty-four years in the past!

TFP Wheeljack: So, what’s changed on Earth since then?

Professor Sumdac: Wait, what?

TFP Wheeljack: Well, I have a lot of friends on my Earth, so… I’m genuinely curious. What’s changed on Earth since 2013? Any major events, or-..?

Professor Sumdac:

TFP Wheeljack: Like, the kids are excited for the “twenties”. So, how’d that go?

Professor Sumdac, probably a Millennial: … *starts crying*

…

Sari: Okay, that tears it! *looks at TFP Wheeljack in annoyance* Never have I ever fought a dragon!

TFA Optimus: *watching in confusion* Aren’t those mythical creatures? I thought it had to be something it was at least a little possible for him to have-

TFP Wheeljack: *gestures to his Energon canister* Question: is that more of a “in general”, or do I have to take a drink for every single time I fought a dragon? If so, I’m probably gonna need a refill.

TFA Cast:

Sari: *quietly* Yeah, this game is banned.

…

Alternatively-

Alternatively-

Alternatively-

Alternatively-

[maributterfly104]

[maributterfly104]

a little doodle of Peter from Dark Matter by Mysterycyclone on ao3!

I love him so much ❤️❤️❤️

[maributterfly104]

Just another TFA x TFP Crossover idea Pt. 2 - The Decepticons

Alright, let's get back into this AU

https://www.tumblr.com/ofskysanddragonsandstars/750146665691906048/just-another-tfa-x-tfp-crossover-idea?source=share

So, I left off with Team Prime. It's time for the Decepticons.

Knockout joins the autobots in Predacons Rising, we all know that. But trust takes time, and memories last long. The autobots don't accept him, even if Team Prime has some trust with him. So, the Decepticons label him a traitor, and the autobots don't allow him in their ranks. What is he to do? He takes off his decepticon badge but does not wear the autobot. With his knowledge of medicine, he makes the first clinic on cybertron with the support of Ratchet. Customers reluctantly come for his aid. But he never turns anybot anyway. He soothes the worries of his fellow decepticons and shows the autobots that not all decepticons are like Megatron or Starscream. His clinic is the first place where autobots and decepticons can coexists. Once Ratchet joins him, it becomes a place of scrutiny of the council. The clinic is proof that autobots and decepticons can work together. The council - and some autobots - do not like that. So, once Ratchet is publicly blacklisted, Knockout and the clinic becomes blacklisted too. The clinic becomes a blackmarket medical practice. Former decepticons start to only use his clinic, boycotting council funded clinics. Team Prime was patched up by Ratchet countless times as well, so they still go to his clinic. And once Optimus is discovered as resurrected, Knockout's clinic is the only one he goes to so that no other medic will notice his identical spark signature. But to the council, the clinic is underfunded and will eventually no longer be working. But underground, it remains the safest and most trustworthy. Knockout's clinic becomes the start of the new rebellion. It's not officially the decepticon cause, but it is against the council.

Starscream has always been arrogant and ambitious. That doesn't change. But after escaping Predaking, he is stuck on Cybertron with no spaceship that can take him to another planet. So, he remains underground, sowing dissent with the autobot regime, speaking whispers of the evil Team Prime for killing Lord Megatron and latter banishing him after his resurrection, for blacklisting their former medic, for not advocating for true equality. And the decepticons listen to him. Afterall, Starscream learned a thing or two under Megatron, the lord of deception himself. He eventually forms a following, taking up the decepticon name, but their ranks are very small and there is hardly anything the can do without being thrown in jail. They start a black market, but avoid Knockout's clinic when they learn he also treats autobots. Starscream stills holds a grudge for that hit from Knockout. They sell illegal blasters to other decepticons and form rallies against the council. However, the council uses them as a political move to say that any decepticon - former or not - are evil and are secretly forming a plot to take over the planet. Once again, Starscream just causes problems. His followers have no politicians on their side so they have no way to advocate for their cause and ideals, and they are perceived by the public as bots who cannot leave the war behind them.

Shockwave is severely damaged after the terrecons. But he survived a groundbridge explosion, and shot in the optic by Arcee, and he is a scientist. So he changes his form to be something bigger. Stronger. But he stays underground, using his secret labs that Bumblebee did not fully uncover from Darkmount. But before the Great War, he was a senator. So he notices what the tyranny of the council. But this time he changes tactics. He becomes Longarm, a kind bot with the goal of the intelligence corp. Bootcamp in TFA goes the same, even with contacting Megatron. It is Shockwave who finds out that Bumblebee's and Bulkhead's memories have been wiped, and he informs Megatron. Setting up Wasp to take the fall as a spy was a great way to secure his position, but it means he gets the trust of Bumblebee, the scout who can take out his leader. Shockwave hopes to get Bumblebee on his side. Politically, if Bumblebee supported the decepticon cause, it would influence a lot of autobots to switch sides. But first, he must restore his memory. Good thing he created the cortical psychic patch. And he has a test subject he can use it on first to make sure it works - Bulkhead. But he never gets the chance to try it out since both Bulkhead and Bumblebee get stationed off world. And who would be smart enough to figure out Shockwave's plan? Wheeljack, the chief engineer. Now, for more drama, Wheeljack does not know Longarm's true identity, just that Shockwaves has a plan to use science similar to the cortical psychic patch to restore his friends' memories. Sure, Wheeljack could allow Shockwave to proceed, but he is not an idiot. The cortical psychic patch is not good, so no way is he letting his teammates go through that. Besides, Shockwave could make new memories for the two that would support the decepticon cause. He cannot let that happen. So, he reaches out to Ultra Magnus, revealing that his memories are still intact but Bulkhead and Bumblebee need to get off world before Shockwave hatches his plan.

Megatron left Cybertron once free from Unicron. And with Optimus dead and his most loyal Soundwave stuck in the shadowzone, he has no one left. He fully understands that he lost the war and oppression is wrong. But slowly, through decepticons who are unhappy with the political climate of cybertron leave the planet to find him, he hears of an autobot council that discriminates, that supports functalism, that oppresses free speech. He calls them fools, that in the end, he was correct. He becomes extremely bitter. The cybertron he left was in the ideals of Orion Pax. and Megatronous. But with Optimus Prime's death, those ideals are lost. It's time for the decepticons to rise up.

But he takes a different approach. As the leader of the decepticons, he is banished from cybertron. But that doesn't stop Shockwave from getting in contact with him. Together, they form a plan to covertly overthrow the council with Shockwave acting as Longarm. Initially, Megatron wants to just stop the council, and stay in the shadows, and not start another war, not become the leader. He initially allows Ultra Magnus to remain in his position, even if he is no Optimus Prime. But through Longarm's information, he learns that Magnus is too militaristic, even if he is at the mercy of the council. Megatron is militaristic, and look where he ended up. So, Magnus has to go. Or, perhaps that is more Shockwave's influence. I have not yet decided yet.

The tipping point is when he learns that the scout who killed him had his memory wiped. He resents that scout, but Bumblebee is a very capable warrior, and any warrior who can take him down deserves the utmost respect. The council crossed the last line in taking away Bumblebee's memories. He rallies the decepticons that left cybertron, either in search of him or a new home off cybertron. This causes a rift between him and Starscream. However, for one mission, they work together and that is to take the Allspark off world. The cybertron Optimus sacrificed his life for is no longer their homeworld. Optimus would be ashamed of what cybertron has become. Or that's at least what Megatron thinks and uses to justify his actions. And maybe that is true. The point is, Megatron takes action. With information from Shockwave and Starscream's underground network, they steal the Allspark off world. But in TFP, the Matrix of Leadership is combined with the allspark from Optimus, so the mission goes ascrew, and the Allspark is lost in space.

And a certain space bridge repair crew happens to find it. Or maybe it is fate for Optimus Prime to protect the Allspark.

The council, ashamed that they let the allspark be taken off world, use the attack as justification to banish all Decepticons. And since Cybertron can no longer produce life without the allspark, the council allows protoform molds to be made. These new protoforms are different. They are products of the well of the allspark, but they have limited autonomy. The just seem to have no drive to pursue goals or have any ambition. It's severely concerning to any good medic, especially Knockout. Remember, it was his clinic along with Ratchet that found out Optimus had been resurrected. Once again, life on cybertron slows down. New generations are not being created. And Knockout, who initially joined the decepticons, so slowly being reminded about why he joined them in the first place. With the help of Ratchet, he keeps to his cause as a nonpartisan medic, but once Ratchet is forced to join Teletran-1, Knockout's support dwindles. Starscream notices, and tries to recruit him to his cause, but both mechs hold bitter resentment towards each other for their time on earth and dealing with Unicron. They become reluctent allies - Knockout treats Starscream's decepticon's at a very low rate while Starscream promotes Knockout's clinic to other bots, helping it to stay in business. It is very transactional, but for former decepticons, a bot has to do anything to survive.

Eventually, news of Knockout's fame in the underground world reaches Wheeljack. Remember, Wheeljack is hiding his memories from the council as their chief engineer. But he needs his own stability and a way to fix Arcee, Bulkhead's, and Bumblebee's memories. So he begins to looks at the black market. Initially, he just needs scientific equipment, but that turns into the need for a full lab, which Knockout has. Wheeljack does like the idea of working with decepticons (former or not) but he has little say in the matter and he would do anything for Bulkhead. And, Wheeljack hates to admit it, but Knockout knows his way around labs, medical or not. And with lethal weapons being banned for most bots except the Elite Guard, he needs a place to hide his lethal creations and his bombs. With Knockout's connection to the blackmarket, together they form an underground network of various supplies. Knockout has never been a fan of the cortical psychic patch, so he agrees to help Wheeljack restore Bumblebee's and Bulkhead's memories before Shockwave. Afterall, Shockwave was demeaning to him on the nemesis while they were making cybermatter, and the autobots gave him a chance to be a new bot. He chooses the autobots over the decepticons. Once Starscream gets involved, the partnership between Wheeljack and Knockout almost goes nonexistent. Wheeljack will never forgive everything Starscream has done. They eventually work together again once Megatron is fully back in the picture. Knockout likes his independence and not feeling fear for failing Megatron, so he is not jumping at the chance to be a decepticon again. Wheeljack is an autobot through and through. He wants Megatron out for good.

So, to set the stage for out decepticons: Starscream and Megatron each lead a faction of decepticons - one on Cybertron and another in the stars, Knockout is an underground/black market medic with the grounds to start a new rebellious movement while working with Wheeljack, and Shockwave is a spy and still extremely loyal to Megatron.

Wheeljack is becoming the star of the show. He has knowledge that the council thinks has been wiped, connections with Knockout and eventually Ultra Magnus, and figured out Shockwave's plan. I'm still figuring out what exactly I want to do with him that keeps in line with is TFP personality and his G1 engineering.

There is one thing I forgot. In Predacons Rising, Optimus mentions that the Matrix of Leadership cannot be passed down. So when the council wants to grant Primehood to Ultra Magnus and then Bumblebee, both bots know it is impossible. That is how they know the council is not in the interest of all cybertronians.

As we get into TFA storyline, TFA Megatron is very different from TFP Megatron. TFA Megatron has no interest in learning the names of his adversaries, is more soft spoken - almost like a Moriarty character - while TFP Megatron is quick to anger and likes to show force and is obsessed with Optimus Prime. Both are very clever and know how to use words to their advantage. So, here is how I will explain this character arc. TFP Megatron is lost without having a worthy adversary, and that was Optimus Prime. With his death, there is no one else worth learning the name of. So, a little red a blue autobot that if he looked closely enough, would resemble Orion Pax? No, he refuses to think about it. Optimus is dead. That is why in TFA he does not care to call Optimus by any name, just refers to him as autobot. Ironic, since autobots don't seem to have autonomy. He always just calls them autobots in a twisted way to remind them that they are autonomous beings, called autobots, like how TFP Megatron explained to Orion Pax that they are called Decepticons because "if saying the truth is deception, then they are gladfully guilty" (such as good line!). It doesn't seem to work through, but Megatron keeps trying, even if his method is a little messed up.

Other TFA decepticons, such as Lugnut, Stricka, and Blitzwing are some of the decepticons that leave cybertron to find Megatron. They are generally the same as TFA. I'm still struggling with Blackarachnia/Elita-1. On one hand, Elita-1 in G1 is really cool, not just the love interest of Optimus Prime. In TFP, there was a cut line by Ratchet in "Stronger, Faster" that Elita-1 was killed on Cybertron. And I already have it that Optimus is resurrected, why not Elita-1? Or, this could be a fully TFA lore for her, making it more tragic that Optimus has a chance at a new life with new friends his age (Sentinel) and a love interest (Elita-1). So what does that mean for him when his memories are returned? Lockdown is still a bounty hunter, but I think he would use both Starscream and Megatron. The Starscream clones would be how Starscream keeps his decepticon forces a threat. Obviously, with Megatron's return, many decepticons changes to follow him, But Starscream likes his power, so his clones are a way to even the odds against both Megatron and the autobots.

There is still a lot with this AU, and I hope my rambling makes sense. Next up is probably more on Optimus as a sparkling to disgraced Prime.

[maributterfly104]

Just another TFA x TFP crossover idea...

I know almost every long lasting transformers fan has done this, but here is my hot take.

So we know TFA takes place in the 2050s, and TFP fans assume TFP takes place in the 2010s when it was released. So instead of alternate dimensions, what about futuristic AU/reincarnation AU? Granted a LOT of the characters are different, so adjustments are going to have to be made, so bare with me.

Let's start with the war.

TFP ends with Optimus Prime sacrificing himself so that Cybertron can produce life with the Allspark, and with the Allspark returned, Cybertron is habitable again, and Megatron leaves, thus ending the war, which I will now refer to as the Great War. It is up to Team Prime to start rebuilding Cybertron. And naturally, they look to Ultra Magnus.

As bots return to Cybertron, both Autobot and Decepticon have a lot of animosity towards each other. Afterall, this war lasted centuries. But with one leader dead and the other AWOL, they have to figure out how to coexist. But it is easy to fall back on old habits, so a council is but back in place, and unfortunately, it is most autobots. Once the decepticons heard that Megatron is still alive but off world, some decide to leave and find him. Some decide to remain and try to fix Cybertron for the better. So the council promotes mostly Autobots to positions of power, thus leaving out bigger decepticons starting the warframe fear. As for the protoforms, the council creates molds for new sparks, thinking hey, the war is over, why do we need fighters? We need bots who can fix things (construction), laborers, teachers, and so Cybertron starts to use the frase "cogs in the machine". Oops, here comes functionalism.

But those closest to Optimus Prime? The ones who fought with him and followed him because of what he stood for? The ones who were put on a pedestal for their actions on earth with Prime even though they don't care for any recognition? They notice it immediately. And they hate what Cybertron is becoming. But it is hard to do anything since they just finished a war. Rebuilding is at the top of the list, not idealism. But wasn't that what the whole war was about? Rising above your station, having opportunities, abolish the caste system, and no bot is better than the other. Well, Primus has a plan for that. Primus is frustrated with their children. They keep making the same mistakes, forcing them to choose a Prime. And their last Prime had to sacrifice his life for Primus and all Cybertronians. Well, if the children want to redo their past mistakes, might as well send back their latest Prime. But Primus and the Allspark can only create sparklings, not full bots. So, Primus and the Allspark places the spark of Optimus Prime in a protoform sparkling. We will get to that later.

So, we have a Cybertron that is rebuilding back its bad habits, Team Prime struggling to stop it, and decepticons leaving (of course that will come back to haunt us).

Now onto the Autobots.

Ultra Magnus, the right hand man of Optimus Prime, is naturally looked at for leadership. But he never wanted to the # 1. He truly believes in the ideas of Orion Pax, before he was Optimus Prime. But his understanding of legality and chain of command make him the perfect candidate to lead Cybertron towards order. But after his time on Earth, he has learned that maybe the most strict policies are not the best solutions. However, the council insists and public pressure wants a strong leader, so how can he say no? The only thing he can do is refuse the title of Primacy. He will not take on that mantle. He knows the type of bot who deserves Primehood, and it is not him. But the council needs some title, so why not use his name? Magnus means "big, large, great" - nomitive conjugation - (Latin nerd, I know), so why not use his name as a title? Thus, the title of Magnu begins to be synonymous with "ruler". Ultra Magnus finds this to be a slap in the faceplates. But at least they stopped inisting on Prime. So, with great reluctance (please laugh at that joke) he accepts the position. As to what exactly his position means, well, the council wants to appease the public yet remain in control. The council will surely write up the specifics later. But, I mentioned it before, Ultra Magnus knows the Law, so he takes it into his own servos. He writes up his own limitations and abilities, he just needs the council to sign off. They don't hurry to sign it. This is the beginning of Ultra Magnus' problems.

Ratchet will probably be the easiest to crossover. Both TFA and TFP characterize him as an old medic that has fought in the war from the beginning. After Predacons Rising, he shuffles back and forth from Earth and Cybertron. But Earth hasn't faced decepticon attacks in years so Fowler isn't around much anymore (and the man had a long career in the Army and as a special agent - it's time for him to retire), the Earth kids eventually grow up, so they don't need him anymore. As much as it pains him (even though he will never admit it), he returns back to Cybertron for good and sets up a clinic for war vets. Probably with Knockout. Which many autobots don't like. That's a problem. But as the oldest friend of Orion Pax, he lashes out against the council and their policies, which unfortunately causes him to be blacklisted further. His reputation as a war hero plummets. He almost wants to laugh at the similarities from before the Great War.

Bumblebee is going to be the hardest. In TFP, he has a character arc of young scout to experienced warrior. Yet in TFA, he is a young Elite Guard wash out and a comedic. Well, the only answer I can currently think of is memory wipe. But let me backtrack. Bumblebee technically killed Megatron in TFP, and news of that travels across autobot channels before Predacons Rising, thus before Unicron revives Megatron. So, autobots that begin to return to Cybertron consider Bumblebee as the hero who ended the Great War. But Ultra Magnus is orderly, so he keeps the autobot channel updated with Megatron being revived but AWOL. But communication can be tricky galaxies apart, so some autobots don't get the full message. Unfortunately, the council capitalizes on that, and since Ultra Magnus won't accept Primehood, maybe the scout who served under Optimus Prime for so long will. And if Bumblebee accepts the council's wishes, perhaps he will remain under their watchful optics. But the new warrior looked up to Optimus, no way can he take his mentor/father-figure's place. And Smokescreen is Bumblebee's friend, one who turned down the Matrix of Leadership when it was freely offered. This angers the council. With functionalism getting in place yet Team Prime against it, they need someone from Team Prime to endorse functionalism. And what better bot than the scout who ended the war. With using a similar science from the cortical psychic patch, they wipe his memory of earth, his friends, and serving with Optimus Prime. How do they get that science? Well, TFA Shockwave was the spy Longarm in the council. More on that later. There is going to be a lot of repercussions for that.

Smokescreen is the new rebellious teenager in TFP. His character arc goes from hot head that is unsure of his place in the galaxy to a steady bot with a close friendship with Bumblebee. There is a foil with Alpha Trion both being a mentor to Orion Pax and Smokescreen and both working in the Archives. And Cybertron needs to remember its history. Smokescreen becomes the new Head Archivist, following after Alpha Trion. He could keep with the Elite Guard, perhaps one day truly becoming a Prime, but after Predacons Rising, he knows that there needs to be another path. And who else knows the Archives better than him? He is no Orion Pax - or an archivist - but watching over Alpha Trion makes a mech learn a thing or two. Surprising everyone but Bumblebee, he starts to rebuild the Archives. He takes reports from returning bots, both autobot and decepticon, and organizes it. Returning bots also bring recovered treasures that Alpha Trion shipped off world during the Great War. Thankfully, he remembers where they went. He gets so caught up in restoring the Archives that, like Orion Pax, he notices re-occurring problems from before the Great War, but it is too late to stop it. The best thing he can do is publish every document to a public platform, no matter which faction it came from, so that bots can resist the council. But the public is tired from the Great War, it is too soon to read documents about it. And Sparklings are shielded from those documents, caretakers claiming it is too violent. But what is violent about a critical analysis of the caste system written by a gladiator? Exactly the fact that it was written by a gladiator turned tyrant. He is threatened with removal of his position by the council. Afterall, they happen to like their elite status and have no interest in giving that up. And he knows that if he is removed, the council will fill his position with a bot that will promote council propaganda. The honorific of Prime is no longer so significant nor synonymous with Primus and the 13 due to the council trying to justify Ultra Magnus as the leader, even though he is under their thumbs, and wanting to keep authoritarian government, bestowing bots who graduate council specific requirements at an academy the title of Prime, and it frustrates Smokescreen. He considers it a disgrace to Optimus Prime. But he stays quiet, yet secretly, when he sees a young bot interested in the Great War and before, he shows them the truth. Slowly yet surely, young bots start to question what the Great War was even for.

Arcee TFP and TFA actually have a lot in common for backgrounds. In TFA, she was a teacher and an intelligence officer, and in TFP episode "Sick Minds" she makes an offhand comment about knowing how to do research. I headcanon that before the Great War, Arcee was in an analytical job, and since I'm crossing over with TFA, she could also at one point have been a teacher. Perhaps the equivalent of a grad student while teaching? With rebuilding Cybertron, she brings back those skills and starts some sort of intelligence organization. Perhaps it is in correspondence with Smokescreen and the Archive. She is also a great mentor to Smokescreen and she easily takes leadership role in the field when necessary. Arcee is the one who finds out Bee's memory gets wiped. She is quick to anger - as we see in her interactions with Starscream and Arachnid - and demands the council to return Bumblebee's memories. This does not go as planned, and the council retaliates and she goes into a comatose state, bringing us into TFA. But she has friends, and they notice her absence.

This brings in the Wreckers. With Cybertron going backwards, Bulkhead returns to construction. At first, he doesn't mind. Afterall, he has the knowledge for it, and in Predacons Rising, he currently is all they have. Unfortunately, this comes to haunt him as it allows the council to make a case for functionalism. All that fighting, wasted. Bulkhead never gets the chance to be something new. Until Wheeljack reaches out. With his knowledge in engineering, Wheeljack becomes the chief engineer on cybertron. Meaning that he is in charge of building space bridges, figuring out planetary weapons systems, communication technology, space travel, ect. Meaning, he figures out what happened to Arcee. And Project Omega. Wheeljack has learned that going solo isn't always the best move. But he keeps things Wrecker style. Since he knows the council listens in on his new communication network, he reaches out to Bulkhead and Ultra Magnus on the old Wrecker channel. It is time to bring the band back together. Or so they think. The rescue mission of Arcee fails, Bulkhead's memory is also wiped, and Ultra Magnus forced into a deeper corner of the council. They try to wipe Wheeljack's memory, but he is the chief engineer who suffered torture under a cortical psychic patch, he is able to retain his memories, but hides that fact. Even Ultra Magnus thinks his memory has been wiped. Wheeljack keeps a low radar with the council and remains the chief engineer. But he is rebellious, so he informs Ratchet.

So, to sum up our main characters: 2 have lost their memory, 1 is comatose, 2 are in political peril, 1 is undercover, 1 is disgraced, and 1 is dead.

Now we get to the plot of this AU.

Ratchet is disgraced by the council and autobots don't like that he works with a decepticon, former or not. His ability to do anything is greatly hindered. But he is still a medic with a valid practicing license and naturally, Sparklings need check ups. Enter the revival AU. Ratchet never thought his deceased friend and leader would ever return, but science is indisputable and he is very good at medicine and he patched up the Prime hundreds of times. He knows Optimus' spark signature when he sees it. How is it possible? Well, Ratchet never considered himself religious, but after battling Unicron and seeing a revived Megatron, perhaps religion has some merit. And Spark signatures are unique to individuals. There are no accounts of repeat spark signatures. The only logical explanation is this is the work of Primus. But Ratchet has no love of the council, so with the help of Knockout, they meet with Ultra Magnus secretly. So, only those 3 know Optimus has returned. But he is only a sparkling, and hasn't Optimus sacrificed enough? So, Optimus is returned to his caretaker to live a life free of his past hardship. Like Optimus Prime said before he entered the Well, it is up to them to rebuild Cybertron for the better. If only they could do some serious changes.

So, little Optimus grows up in a Cybertron rebuilding and no one talking about the Great War. All he has is the propaganda the council gives out. So why would he need to go to the Archives to learn? He has his teachers and he knows his function will be to put out fires or haul things due to his size, even though a part of him desires to be an Elite Guard. He eventually joins the academy and here we have TFA fully kick in. He befriends Elita-1 and Sentinel the same, catches the attention of Ultra Magnus the same way (or so he thinks. The mech is the leader of Cybertron, of course he has his ways to keep tabs on the former Prime) gets kicked out after losing Elita-1 (or so he thinks - Ultra Magnus wants him away from the council, so kicking him out was the best he could do), yet Ultra Magnus, with the help of Wheeljack, pulls a few strings to get Optimus' crew. Team Prime is almost back together. Afterall, it's not like the council wants Ratchet on the planet, and how would they know it is the very same Optimus?

The TFA plot mainly stays the same, except the Allspark is a little different. Here, the Allspark was supposedly returned to the Well. How it gets into space, I am still working that out. I might have to bring in TFA lore for this, intertwining it with the return of the decepticons and Megatron. But Ratchet has a fit when they find it ("Optimus sacrificed his life so that relic would return to the Well! And this is the thanks he gets?) he almost is glad when it gets shattered into pieces. But the Allspark also terrifies him after seeing his friend give his life for it. Ratchet does his best to keep Optimus away from the Allspark, even though Primus seems to find a way for Optimus to keep interacting with it.

Now this is getting long, so I'm going to end it here. But there is still a lot more to cover in this AU! Specifically the Decepticons. And how does Bumblebee and Bulkhead get their memories back? Wheeljack? Does Ultra Magnus tell Wheeljack of Optimus' true identity when he helps put his crew together on Teletran-1? How does Ultra Magnus change from being a kind SIC to the strict military leader of Cybertron? Does he get redeemed? Or is he the example of a tragic tale of political bargaining? What happens to Smokescreen? Do the TFP kids meet Sari Sumdac? Do they meet the autobots in Detroit, or does Ratchet warn them to keep their distance? What changes happen with Sentinel's and Optimus' friendship once his former life is revealed? When happens when Optimus learns the truth?

[maributterfly104]

My friend, after reading the fic: Okay so, Optimus has one feisty and one energetic child now Me: Omg wait I have to draw this-

Parenthood ain't easy

[maributterfly104]

¨Sir, you forgot your hammer¨

I'm sorry but this could not leave my head jdhskf

@bluekat12345 Steve, Heatwave, and Chief in the background proud