tfrangers

[tfrangers]

Nightscream and Nightwatch, chillin’ out

[tfrangers]

THE CYBERBATS: SPACE CASE, HOOLIGAN, AND SKYJACK

An awful little goon squad, these Decepticons are basically freelance grunts shared by Galvatron, Megatron, and Megastorm- but just as frequently the heirs can’t even find them, since they tend to move constantly and vanish without warning. Small but fast and vicious, these little bats aren’t exactly the most reliable mecha in the game, but they make up for it with enthusiasm and speed.

And INCREDIBLY wild coloration. They refused to give up their jet paintjobs when they became techno-organics.

They also raised Nightscream, so someone actually looked at these three goblins and went yeah, okay, I’ll let them raise a baby.

Though in their defense, they did a pretty good job of it and absolutely adore Nightscream, acting as older brothers/uncles and ensuring that she grew up safe, well-learned, and with the ability to kick some ass when need be.

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So what exactly are Starscream and Soundwave up to in this Au?

Starscream is probably the character who’s changed the most from my initial ideas for the characters in this AU - becoming a tall, lanky noblemech as opposed to a little goblinbat (though I used the goblinbat designs elsewhere) Unlike much of the cast, Starscream has opted not to take a techno-organic form. He’s....functionally a sort of knight, sworn to service, who’s been placed in Megatron’s service, though he’s not particularly fond of her behavior and thinks (accurately so) that she’s a childish brat- which is absolutely fine, because he’s also a childish brat, just a more stuck-up one.

He’s a master swordsmech and in theory had big plans before he was stuck on a planet with a charge he doesn’t care for as punishment. Now his plans mostly involve trying to find excuses to sneak offworld and reclaim what social and political power he’s lost, or just half-heartedly doing whatever Megatron’s decided this week. He changes paintjobs a lot, but favors blues.

Much less of a “NYA HA HA DIE MEGATRON” type and far more just being like :) when her plans backfire or collapse due to her own hubris (or his inaction- can’t have TOO bad of a reputation, after all.)

Senator Soundwave is a well-respected Autobot, a powerful force urging for alliance and peace with the Decepticon forces.

Naturally, she’s also a spy and manipulator for the Decepticons, thoughs he seems to have little love for Megazarak or his heirs. When she arrives to check up on said wayward heirs, she also takes the opportunity to gauge the Autobot rangers stationed on the planet and take advantage of their hospitality.

Optimus has a particular way of sussing things out, though.

She doesn’t mind terribly. He’s smart enough to know that accusing her with no solid evidence is a poor idea, and knows that she’s smart enough to have been playing this game since before he existed. Soundwave rather likes Optimus, given his self-control and restraint, and his leadership qualities.

When she leaves, instead of repairing any sort of communication, she ensures that it continues to be virtually impossible to get messages off the planet, but other than that she’s content to just wait and see how this all shakes out. Maybe some of Megazarak’s awful brats will actually learn a thing or two and be a worthwhile leader.

Soundwave certainly saw potential in others, though.

[tfrangers]

So... um, roster for Slipstream and Flamewar and NovaStorm and Megaempress and Moonheart and Lunaclub and Flowspade and Trickdiamond? my favorite underrated Decepticon girls.

They’re probably running a small planet somewhere. The war is less a war at this point, so much as a large political standoff, with two similar empires warily eyeing each other just waiting for guns to start firing again- as high-ranking Decepticons they’re probably related to Megazarak, Decepticon Emperor, but not direct heirs so they’ve got a moon or colony planet somewhere that they're controlling.

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So do all three Megatrons have the hots Optimus?

Yep! They all have pretty much the same qualifiers for what they like, so them fighting over a prospective berthmate is hardly new. Just one more thing they infight about.

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W-wait. Which megatron is Nightwatch's carrier???

The Decepticon heirs seldom agree on anything, and often try to sabotage each other...but for once, something is up enough that all three of them are in agreement. As far as they’re concerned, they have no connection to this child, and even if they did, they wouldn’t say how.

Optimus doesn’t press it too far, though. For one, he really doesn’t feel blameless in this, but also...he wouldn’t a single one of these jerks to *hold* a baby, much less raise one. Nightwatch is his regardless, by choice, and that’s what matters- that he’s willing and wanting to raise a mechlet.

NOSE GOES

[tfrangers]

Record, Optimus finding the kid?

The bundle peeps and croons as eyes peer down at it. It’s a bucket- a damn bucket, of all things, stuffed with a blanket and stuffed in the blanket is pale, silvery protometal, still so fresh as to sport visible seams and metallic lines over circuitry, a smattering of pale blue and grey blooming across the soft mesh. Optimus, Moonracer, and Prowl are all standing there, staring down at the bundle, too confused to know what expressions to even make- right now their faces sit somewhere between concern and wonder and genuine distress.

Optimus is very still, save for the twitch of his altmode’s tail, wrapped about his neck. He keeps forgetting to breath, so his breath comes in irregularly, deep and a bit desperate, but it feels almost good, the burn in his vents to match the whirling heat of his spark, going too fast and too hard.

The sparkling makes a little warble of a sound, still sleepy as it’s big yellow optics stare upwards.

Optimus struggles with the simultaneous wave of nausea and a desperate desire to snatch the little thing out of the blankets and into his arms.

“Oh.” Moonracer starts laughing, that sort of nervous-hysterical laugh of someone who usually can deflect with humor, and is suddenly lost for anything else to do in this situation. Then she swears, a few times, and Prowl- who is completely lost for what to do, slaps a hand over her mouth without thinking. “Mmph!”

“Don’t curse in front of the- uh- this- ch.” Prowl has to stop and swallow before she can get it out. “Child.”

Moonracer shoves her hand away. Optimus still hasn’t moved. He can’t quite look away. The sparkling is waking up more, now, and wriggling- it has little finials that wiggle on either side of it’s head, and chubby little partially-formed hands, and it’s optics are so yellow and so bright and it’s squeaking, peeping in that sharp, metallic way that sparklings do to attract attention and call caretakers-

“It’s a sparkling, it’s not like it understand me when I say fu-” Moonracer starts, smarmy, and-

“Moonracer!” Prowl hisses, sharply.

That’s when the sparkling starts to cry. A keening, sharp note that cuts through the air and makes audials itch. Moonracer and Prowl jerk backwards, startled, wide-eyed, and Optimus’ taught self-control breaks and he reaches into the bucket and scoops the sparkling up and out. It cries and kicks tiny incomplete legs and Optimus tries to soothe it, sighing deep and whispering. “Ohhh no no no, shh, it’s okay-” tucking the little figure to his shoulder, and it clutches at his fur. “-it’s okay, there, there.”

It cries until it gets ahold of his tail, and then it soothes itself by nuzzling into fur. There’s no evidence of who left it here, where it came from. Moonracer notes that it certainly looks like Optimus, and given the activities of the last summer...well, it’s source is obvious! Prowl notes that they need to report this. That’s when the argument starts, between them.

Optimus barely pays attention, experiencing a terrifying mix of absolute panic, and a strange sort of contented exhaustion. The sparkling is not happy unless it’s using some portion of his tail as a cuddly toy, and he paces around with the wriggling, soft thing. It’s too young to be out like this- too young to be exposed and without a dedicated carrier or incubator. Curled up, it fits in both his hands readily, and it has no plating yet, feeling delicate and downright fluid. He’s trying not to think about indiscretions months ago, about white fur and sharp claws and rich purrs, and about the fact that the little thing in his hands looks so much like him already.

But he winds up thinking about it anyways.

And you know what? It’s okay. He holds them up. Prowl and Moonracer’s argument has petered out, and it’s stopped crying- though Optimus fears he might start instead.

“All right, then.” He sighs. Finally he has a name for the emotion that’s squeezing his spark, welling up in his throat. He’s enamored. He’s utterly in love and devoted and attached to this little unformed blob of protometals, in a matter of minutes. “You can be mine. You’re left on my doorstep, after all….you can be mine.”

[tfrangers]

KISS MARRY KILL AGATHA

I love this enthusiasm! It’s right out the gate!!!!! Oh man, though...between these three, how to choose? How can I possibly pick who t-

actually it’s pretty easy for me oh no

KISS: Megatron

“Hah! I’m flattered.”

MARRY: Megastorm

“Wait- me? You have met my siblings, yes? My larger, more vicious siblings? Better poised to take over our creator’s empire? Me? I...thank you?”

KILL: Galvatron. I’m not gonna be able to handle that dude kissing OR in matrimony sorry Galvy.

“AHAHAHA COWARD!”

[tfrangers]

p-por que los dos?

Nightwatch ran into Nightscream by accident, and immediately decided that they were going to be best friends forever! Even if they weren’t supposed to be hanging around, what with Nightscream being raised by the Decepticon-aligned Cyberbats.

Sure is strange how these two kids the same age have similar coloration and no idea where they came from, huh? Weird. That’s not important or anything.

[tfrangers]

Original Continuity Ask Meme!

I made this for Transformers but also I think it works for basically any AU. Even some original projects lol. Before you reblog this, try asking one of these questions to the person you reblog it from, so everybody gets some love!

CHARACTERS

Roster: where is x character in this AU? Who are they, what are they doing?

Figure: who is the/a protagonist? What’s a detail about them you haven’t given us yet?

Fallen: who is the/an antagonist? What’s a detail about them you haven’t given us yet?

Cog: show a design or personality detail about x character that you really like!

Scan: what canon design or personality details did you use for x character?

Prime: favorite character, by personality, design, or something else?

Scrap: least favorite character, by personality, design, or something else?

Bond: favorite pairing in this AU?

Baffle: most unconventional pairing in this AU?

PLOT

Archive: what’s the history or worldbuilding behind x thing or event?

Foresight: point out a piece of foreshadowing you want us to notice (but going full spoiler is up to you)

Snapshot: make a little doodle or drabble one of your favorite scenes!

Backdrop: what’s your favorite place or setting in this AU?

Tip: will x thing in canon appear or occur? How similar to canon will it be? (your answer can be as spoilery as you’d like)

Record: give us an in-character blurb about x thing or event in this AU, from history, from the plot, etc!

DESIGN

Blueprint: what’s a detail in your designs that you like a lot? (you can pick, or I can specify a character/thing)

Spark: what’s the core theme or idea behind this AU? What do you want us to take away from your work?

Jam: what’s the hardest part of this AU, plotting, worldbuilding, drawing, or something else?

Well: where did the inspiration for this character/event/worldbuilding come from?

Party: how did you decide on your main cast?

Spare: how would you fit x thing or character into this AU?

Collide: what inspiration did you take from outside of canon? Other fandoms, personal projects, etc?

Tune: give us a song you associate with this AU, a character, or a plot point!

CURSED

Pick a character and ask them job interview questions. "Where do you see yourself in this AU in five years? What strengths do you bring to the table? Describe a time you have mediated an argument.“

Kiss, marry, kill?

Worst possible ship suggestions for this AU.

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Starscream: originally from Vos, Starscream and his trine were sent to the Safeguard Aerie and immediately press-ganged into being Megatron’s friends. Stuck with a screechy voice prone to breaking, uncomfortable braces, and two annoying siblings, he’s learned to condescend to everyone to make himself feel important. The Academy is the best opportunity he’s ever had, and he plans to use his not inconsiderable intellect to bully his way to a good life. His size 4 seeker frame might look gangly on the ground, but in the air he’s leagues beyond the skill of his siblings or other Safeguard children like Thrust, Dirge, and Ramjet. It would be impressive if, like every other vaguely positive quality he possesses, it did not become the subject of regular boasting, often inciting chiding from his sort-of-friend Windblade.

Hellscream: after discovering a shard of the Allspark in a pile of rubble, Starscream filches it for his own use and upgrades into Hellscream, the cunning air warrior and assassin. For awhile he had yet to name himself, coming up with Ulchtar, Pretty Poison, and Winglord, among others, but settling on Hellscream from an Autobot’s commentary. With his siblings Cyclonus and Scourge, he fights as a Decepticon under Galvatron to bring anarchy to the parts of society he takes umbrage with, including the Autobots. His powers include immortality and resuscitation, rapid healing, a disabling hypsersonic screech, superior flying skills, paralyzing null rays, and a tongue as sharp as his talons. His favorite victim is the Autobot flier the Mistress of Flame, although she gives as good as she gets and often leaves him nursing wounds to his body and pride.

Yes, his superpower is screaming. No, I hadn’t yet seen Cyberverse when I designed this. I was inspired solely by that one G1 episode where Starscream is trapped in a forcefield and shrieks like a toddler about it.

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A disastrous trans-universal crossover event puts Optimus’ need to protect and nurture into overdrive when *two* different Orions show up (from mine and @drawma-king‘s Transformers: Toku AU and @thenamesblurrito‘s Transformers: SNAP AU and suddenly having to figure out what to do with two younger versions of apparently yourself alongside your kid being like I KNOW I SAID I WANTED A BROTHER BUT I DIDN’T THINK YOU’D JUST FIND SOME is. A lot.

Optimus is very tired and he needs to figure out somewhere safe to put these kids for a bit until he can figure out how to send them home.

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Windblade: arriving from Caminus as a transfer student to the Academy, Windblade is an eager, devout youngling ready to take on Cybertron. She’s also ready to meet new people, so when her buddies Chromia and Firestar find their own group, she befriends Orion and Minimus, becoming the most passionate of the trio. She’s a size 4 plane with wing rotors, meaning she has the unusual distinction of flight in root mode. The other youngling fliers like Starscream irk her, and she often argues with him as if she can somehow improve his character. Her creators Lug and Anode stayed on Caminus but agreed to host Cybertronian transfer students Lancer and Greenlight, and they make sure to call Windblade every chance they get.

Mistress of Flame: when given the Creation Lathe by Alpha Trion, Windblade draws on her inner fire and upgrades into the Mistress of Flame, a holy paladin and guardian named in honor of one of the ancient Knights of Cybertron. Alongside her friends Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus, she battles evils of all sorts, often leading her to face the Decepticons. Her powers are her fiery lance that can cut anything, blueprints of whatever she can imagine, minor forging ability including the construction of Torchbearers, and an inherent understanding of the city and its needs, called cityspeaking. Normally calm and schooled, she will abandon all composure when faced with her enemy Hellscream, dueling him with both words and weaponry.

And here’s the best girl!!! Now on to the Decepticons…

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Minimus: after a life spent dodging unruly sparklings like Strongarm, his eager elder brother Dominus, and the gleeful attentions of patron Big Convoy of the Ambus Compact, Minimus has developed a very stern, orderly attitude with no allowance for error or fun. As a minibot hovercar, he’s also gotten rather good at dodging larger mecha. It’s no surprise that the Academy accepted him for his diligently high grades, but he is rather startled to find himself friends with Orion and Windblade, both of whom start to teach him how to relax. Perhaps with their influence, he’ll learn how to better tolerate the wilder individuals among the student body, like Hot Rod, or the crazy teachers, especially the ones who encourage those delinquents the Wreckers.

Ultra Magnus: when given the Magnus Hammer by Alpha Trion, Minimus takes to it immediately and upgrades into Ultra Magnus, the enforcer of truth and justice named after his relic. Following Optimus Prime and the Mistress of Flame, he stands for freedom as an Autobot. His powers include his enormous war hammer, weather control, encyclopedic knowledge of all laws and legal precedents, a stern glare that stops rulebreakers in their tracks, and a loadbearing spark capable of using other relics. When combating the Decepticons, he often ends up singlehandedly holding back both Cyclonus and Scourge, two mecha of noble words and bearings whom he respects despite their faction.

Another of the main trio. I like to say this is mint chocolate Minimus, and his little stache bits are the chocolate chips.

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Orion: bookish and good-natured, Orion is the only youngling from the Pax Compact to be accepted into the Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology. Within the first day, he falls in with Minimus and Windblade, putting him in the odd position of being the most rowdy of his friend group by default. He also does his best to pursue his former friendship with Megatron, but so far he hasn’t been successful. In a society that dictates he’s destined to be nothing but a simple laborer, he sees this school as an opportunity to pursue his dreams, even though he’s not quite certain what they are yet. He’s a size 3 trailer truck with no known special abilities, but he has gotten rather strong from assisting the Pax Compact’s patron Star Convoy and roughhousing with fellow Pax children Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Bumblebee.

Optimus Prime: when given the Matrix of Leadership by Alpha Trion, Orion learns to harness its power and upgrades into Optimus Prime, a warrior hero and legend named for one of the ancient Knights of Cybertron. He takes up the mantle of leader of the Autobots, a group dedicated to fighting for the freedom of all sentient beings. His powers are a cannon and shield, resuscitation, Matrix power delegation, off-the-cuff inspiring speeches, and a jetpack. Together with Ultra Magnus and the Mistress of Flame, he defends the Academy from the supernatural terror attacks that continue to pop up, as well as preventing the rival group the Decepticons from sowing further chaos. Galvatron in particular seems to draw his slow temper to the surface, and the two titans regularly gravitate to each other on the battlefield.

Protagonist number one! Give it up for this gud boi

[tfrangers]

Three young students at the Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology: Minimus Ambus, Orion Pax, and Windblade.

Three Autobot heroes who mysteriously appear when they are needed: Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime, and the Mistress of Flame.

I wonder if there’s any connection there…?

[tfrangers]

Hey everyone! I’ve been...doing basically nothing oops. But I did do some Shattered Glass renditions of the cast! And if nothing else, they’re all very yummy new flavors.

Optimus: Goes from ‘upstanding young man’ to ‘filthy ditchwater bastard’ - SG Optimus also ran away from potential responsibility, but prefers to block out his connection to the Gods with impulses, drink, and wandering ceaselessly. Do not give this man your wallet. You will NOT get it back. Someone please get him a bath.

Prowl: From cherry to grape, Prowl’s cold, cool attitude becomes the thrill-kill excitement of the hunt of a professional assassin and bounty hunter. Meanie! Moonracer is her secretary and keeps all her appointments and gear in order.

Moonracer: Coming in spearmint and bubblegum, Moonracer goes from excited, competitive little showoff and troublemaker to a meek, submissive secretary. Poor lil bubblegum goat....

Galvatron: This dude just lilac. SG Galvatron is the crowned prince, and heavy is the helm that wears the crown- he struggles to should the responsibilities laid on him by his position and need to protect his siblings and his people. A far cry from standard Galvatron, who is just a raging dick.

Megatron: Manipulative, aggressive, all flipped around and turned into high-performing medic with a spark of gold! SG Megatron has an unfortunate tendency to be a little too trusting and hopeful of people, though, and there’s only so many second chances you should offer.

Megastorm: Green Apple? Strawberry? Whatever! Megastorm is surreptitious and tries to avoid direct confrontation...so his SG Counterpart is a loud, eager champion on the battlefield! Complete with energon-pink deco!

Cyclonus and Thunderblast: What better counterparts for the restrained holy monk and the irreverent partier...than a berserker zealot and a high priestess? After all, in the SG universe, there is no Clavis Aurea. There are merely the chosen of Unicron.