[Open] The worst is over now...?

[shutupndrive]

WHO: Smokescreen and whoever finds him
WHERE: Near the lake in Alpha Trion's quadrant
WHEN After the events with him and Bulkhead having to kill Optimus.
WHAT: A certain rookie is overcome with grief.
WARNINGS: N/A


Smokescreen had fled.

He probably should have stayed near Bulkhead, stayed with his teammate and helped him with..well..everything but the rookie couldn't handle it. Having to offline Optimus, having to be there when it happened, it wasn't something that sat well with him.

At all.

His spark felt heavy and his mind was a mess, the young Autobot not knowing what else to do but flee. So he did, making a break for the only place he really felt safe on this odd version of Cybertron: Alpha Trion's quadrant. For what seemed like forever he just drove, going in circles and just trying to forget everything that had gone on but things were never that easy. The death of someone he admired, looked up to..it wasn't something easy to just shake off, no matter what war had taught him and eventually he'd worn himself out to the point that he barely managed to transform, sinking down to sit by the edge of the lake.

Smokescreen's doorwings were heavy on his back, hanging almost completely limp as he drew his legs up and wrapped his arms around them tightly. It was childish--he was acting like a sparkling doing this but he just couldn't help it.

Primus did it hurt.

He felt like an absolutely failure, a disgrace to the Autobots because he hadn't been able to do anything to help. Their Prime had needed them--needed him--and in the end, Optimus had died because they couldn't help him. A large part of Smokescreen wished that it had been him, wished that he could have just traded places and been the one to die. Optimus Prime..he was everything to them. He was their hope for the future really and now he was gone.

A shudder coursed through him and Smokescreen dropped his head, optics offlining as he hugged his legs closer to his chest. The same word kept repeating itself over and over in his head, drowning him in the unanswered question...

Why?

Comments

I apologize in advance, but I had to

[deadlydoctor]

Knock Out was trying to find a way out. He spoke to a few mechs qhen he arrived and he didn't really enjoy the news they gave him. Monsters? Glyphless people going insane? People that should stay dead coming back to life? Hm, this was not a place where he wanted to be.

Sadly, there were really no space-bridges available, or ships to use to free the planet no matter how much he looked for them everywhere. Frustrated, he drove until he ended in Alpha Trion's quadrant.

...And then he saw the other bot. He couldn't help but notice how pathetic he looked too. It cheered Knock Out immensely. They had unfinished business and Knock Out was going to take the opportunity to show Smokescreen just how much he enjoyed being stuck on a wall and how grateful he was to him for that.

He was going to show him with his prod. He hold the staff and shot at the Autobot from his position a few feet away from him. Either Smokescreen will get hit or he'll fall into the lake. It would be fun no matter the result.

xD Yessssssssss

[shutupndrive]

His sensors alerted him to the presence of another, the recognition hitting him immediately. Optics lighting up, Smokescreen knew he didn't have time to move so he didn't the only thing he could do.

He activated the phase shifter.

The shot went right through him, giving the young bot a chance to get up on his feet, forcing himself to steel himself, fists clenched as he glared at the cherry red Decepticon.

"What the slag do you want?" he hissed, really not in the mood for this crap right now.

のωの ♥♥♥ Ain't you happy Smokescreen? He remembers you!

[deadlydoctor]

Knock Out blinked and then huffed in frustration, matching the glare with one of his own.

"You still have THAT!?" It was so totally cheating. He had to get himself one of those, it looked really practical. Knock Out hold the prod with his right and leaned against it. His left hand moved to rest on his hips that were cocked to one side in a more relaxed posture. No point on shoot him again if he couldn't even touch the guy.

"I noticed you sulking like a little scraplet and I thought I could come to say hello."

Oh yeah. Thrilled. B|

[shutupndrive]

"I'm not a scraplet, you slagger," Smokescreen snapped, keeping the phase shifter even if Knock Out had relaxed. Why would he trust the other? That would be, like, suicide or something.

Because this was a 'Con they were talking about.

"You've said hello. Now leave. Why are you even here anyway?"

Knock Out can tell.

[deadlydoctor]

"There, there..don't say bad words in front of your elders, kiddo." All things considered the Autobots wasn't much younger than him but Knock Out didn't really care about fact as much as he cared about getting under the other mech skin.

A con that Smokescreen wronged. He will retaliate when the time comes.

"The question of the century, I would like to know that too. I was on Earth, watching Megatron and Starscream gloat about Optimus Prime's defeat and then out of the blue I woke up here."

They'll get along so well. BD ......Except not. cx

[shutupndrive]

Smokescreen's optics narrowed some and he sneered a bit.

"Aging yourself? Fitting, I guess, considering you look like slag," he shot back, not really in the mood to be harassed by this particular 'Con at the moment. His glare intensified a bit as the other continued, the rookie's expression melting from anger to annoyance.

"I meant in Alpha Trion's quadrant, slagger. I figured you had the same story as most of us--the whole, ending up here out of the blue thing. You're tainting Alpha Trion's area though with your disgusting personality," Smokescreen said in a bit of a huff, visibly bristling in a way as his doorwings lifted some.

Best friends forever, clearly >D

[deadlydoctor]

"That's the best thing you can come up with?" If Knock Out was irritated (And he was) he was not showing it in front of the kid. It was almost cute the way Smokescreen got so easily riled up.

"It's a new free Cybertron, isn't it? At least that's what I've been told. I can do whatever I want and I can go anywhere my spark desires." Even more so now that he knew his Megatron wasn't here. "But sorry, did I interrupt your crying? Don't tell me you are like that because of Prime."

[sciencetank]

How on Cybertron did he continue to find himself in a position of... this? Of being the Steady One?

Perhaps because, quite honestly, Perceptor hadn't lost a thing in the Glyphless nonsense. He made few connections, as a rule. So it stood to reason no one he was close with would have been involved in the madness. It also stood to reason, then, that it might fall to him to be the rational one about.

Except he hadn't counted on running across the 'bot Prime had asked him to watch after, on his way back from collecting materials. The tank stopped several feet off, before transforming, and approaching. Slowly.

"The only lakes of this size I've ever witnessed have been made of energon," he said, coming to a stop just behind the young 'bot, his hands clasped behind his back. "Rather fascinating sight, isn't it?"

Right. A perfectly acceptable line of conversation.

Wasn't it?

[shutupndrive]

Tensing when he registered the presence of another, Smokescreen allowed the other to approach as he at least recognized the signature as an Autobot--even if it wasn't one he recognized. His optics came online for a moment, the scout lifting his head to glance over his shoulder at the scientist, looking him over.

Nope. Still not all that familiar.

"....I guess," he murmured, shrugging some, his door wings staying limp as he looked away again, optics dimming though staying online this time.

[sciencetank]

He took that as a better reaction than none. At least the younger 'bot was capable of reacting at all. Some soldiers, suffering severe loss weren't capable of even that.

Perceptor stepped forward, his arms still behind his back, looking, for all intents and purposes, as if he were studying the lake.

"I was tasked with keeping an optic on you," he admitted. It was pretty abrupt, but. No sense in dragging things out. "I suppose it's best to provide you a location, in case you require my assistance."

[shutupndrive]

"...So you're my spark sitter?" Smokescreen muttered, not sounding all that pleased with the idea but, then again, he was also just in a bad state so everything was kind of crappy to him.

He pulled his legs closer, staring out over the lake through narrowed optics, visibly stuck between pouting and being upset.

"Did..he ask you too?"

[sciencetank]

"Nothing of the sort," he answered, scowling out at the water. One hand gestured at the air, little stabbing motions of indignation. "I'd rather study mud for the rest of my existence than become a glorified protoform-minder. I was simply..."

Though the next question cut Perceptor off mid-tirade. He trailed off, falling quiet, arms folded.

"That he did," he admitted. "And while I am many things, being 'above the request of Optimus Prime' is not one of them."

[shutupndrive]

Smokescreen couldn't help but let out a faint, amused sound, the other's rambling and attitude entertaining.

"At least you're respecting what he asked...makes you at least a decent bot," the rookie murmured, vents cycling softly as he slowly loosened his grip on his legs, sitting up a bit straighter.

He needed to pull himself together; needed to get his head back on straight.

[trionicpolarity]

It was not often that he made time to venture outside of his study. With the return of the Refugees there was suddenly much more to learn and much more to record about these neighboring universes and what they signified, and he'd found himself holed up for longer and longer times.

Again.

It wasn't that he meant to be seclusive, so much as it was that he found it difficult to remember to be inclusive.

He'd been hoping that this new set of Refugees would not bring the ill portents that the previous set had, but he'd also known that such hope was foolish. So long as the chaosbringer remained, so too would remain bitterness, and strife, and anarchy...

And those without Glyphs.

He patrolled, now, aware that they were gone but making his presence felt around his haven regardless. They'd been too close, this time.

There would be aching sparks.

There would be questions.

He, at least, was good at answering those.

"I believe the appropriate phrase here would involve some monetary exchange in return for your thoughts?"

If there was a bot around who embodied questions and aching sparks into one being, it must be this one.

[shutupndrive]

The rookie visibly startled at that familiar voice, having been calmed enough that he hadn't realized anyone was approaching. Now that he had snapped out of his thoughts though, he realized how familiar the presence was and even if this Alpha Trion wasn't his...Primus it still felt good to hear such a familiar voice; the voice of someone he admired and respected just as much as he had Optimus.

He immediately moved to stand, a little bit of brightness coming back to his optics as he looked to the older bot, the familiarity he felt easing his spark a little bit.

At least for the moment.

"Alpha Trion.." he murmured, a relieved sort of note to his voice and it took everything he had not to lunge forward at the other and just cling. Because Primus was the urge strong. "I..." Smokescreen shifted, optics flickering as he glanced away, the tiny little good feeling getting swallowed up by the reminder of why he was here.

"...I was thinking about Optimus, sir."

[trionicpolarity]

Smokescreen has been an interesting enigma, since he arrived. Although Alpha Trion has only seen him through his network posts, he's noticed the way that the young Cybertronian seems at ease in his quadrant, and around his acolytes, and amidst piles of reference books. There aren't many who can say that.

"There are many datapads in my library that speak of the exploits of Optimus Prime," he offers, companionably, catching the relief in Smokescreen's voice and filing that into the other pieces of the puzzle. "He is an impressive mech, and a worthy successor to the title of Prime."

It was an area of study that he indulged in often, curious about his future and about the future of his brothers and sister.

"I am sorry to lose him so soon." His words soften, and he understands the sorrow that Smokescreen must face. There were too many dead, too often.

Slowly, but not uncertainly, he reaches out to place an hand on Smokescreen's shoulder. "Were you close?"

[shutupndrive]

"He's one of the most amazing mechs I've ever met, sir," Smokescreen said without hesitation, though there was a clear look in his optics that said Alpha Trion was right up there on his list as well. There was admiration in the rookie's optics, a look that clearly said he respected the other more than he could properly express.

His own expression falls a bit and he nods when the older mech speaks of losing Prime, glancing away just a bit.

"Losing him...it really sucks, to put it bluntly, sir," he murmurs before starting slightly at the touch to his shoulder. He looks up to focus on Alpha Trion once more, relaxing under the other's touch, seeming almost use to it in a way.

"I..wasn't on Earth long when I joined Team Prime, but I had heard a lot about him from...well from the version of you that I protected back on my Cybertron," he explained, optics dimming a bit. "He was everything I thought he'd be and a lot more."

[trionicpolarity]

"Losing the Glyphless is not an experience I would have wanted anyone to face." It is not the first time, for him. The last time, they'd gotten involved. The last time...they'd tried to save them.

He knows better, now.

That doesn't make the burden any easier to bear, especially for the new Refugees under his care. Swerve, he knows, is also taking this hard. "When there is something important to me, that I believe should not be forgotten, I write it down. Even when it hurts." From seemingly nowhere, he produces a datapad--blank. "Our memories live on that way, and...trust me." He manages the smallest of smiles, handing the data-pad over to Smokescreen. "It's how I've found some of the best stories, too. Remind me to tell you about the one where Optimus left Megatron trapped in gun-mode for two hundred years, some time."

The datapad is an ornate one, gilded in scrollwork but sturdy. It seems to have been crafted with care, at least...and given how he'd spent hours working with Solus to develop it, he could attest to that, himself.

"You have met me, before?"

His contemplation of Smokescreen and Optimus turns to surprise--suddenly, the way Smokescreen has been at ease around him makes sense, in a way he should have guessed at earlier.

[shutupndrive]

Yeah Smokescreen didn't really want to repeat it either. Honestly, he wished there was a way to just..reverse it all and fix things.

Sadly life was never that nice though.

His focus is completely on Alpha Trion again as the other starts to speak once more, a flicker of surprise going through the younger boy's optics at the appearance of the data pad. (Though it's really not surprising considering who it is that produced it out of thin air.) He takes the data pad when it's offered to him, carefully holding it like it's a prized possession.

Which, really, it kind of is now.

"I do, always, sir. And..I think I may give it a try," he says with a small nod before his optics brightened slightly. "Wait, what? Trapped in gun mode?"

Oh he needed to hear that some time, most definitely.

Tucking the datapad into subspace, Smokescreen nods, offering a small smile.

"Yeah, I was assigned to be your guard at the Iacon Hall of Records. I gotta admit, I wasn't all that excited about it, I really want to be on the front line, you know? But..you taught me a lot and became a really good friend to me back in my universe."

[thehardway]

Finally, at long last, he's had his repairs done. Though physically he feels mostly better, that does so little for the internal pain. For the moment, he focuses more on trying to not focus on that. He knows what Rung said, and he understands, but right now?

He has a sense of duty, and he will at least do what he can now. As he promised Optimus Prime.

Though he really doesn't see himself fit to do this portion. He's a better protector than he is at comfort.

It may not create the best impression, but he does arrive, still wearing the injuries of the battle he'd unfortunately had with Rodimus. Ultra Magnus transforms out of his vehicle mode, rolling his shoulders back once before slowly approaching.

"Smokescreen."

[shutupndrive]

He was just getting all sorts of visitors today wasn't he?

Seated on the ground once more, since the lake really was just a calming place to be and it was helping in the long run, Smokescreen glanced over his shoulder at the bot that was approaching. He recognized him from various transmissions, and from things he'd seen back on his Cybertron even if this wasn't the exact same bot, and he nodded some in a manner of greeting.

"..Ultra Magnus...right?" he asked, doorwings shifting just a bit as he turned his entire body some so he wasn't facing completely away from the other. Like Alpha Trion, he hadn't really expected someone like Ultra Magnus to pay him a visit so he really wasn't sure what to say. Or do.

He just knew to be respectful, no matter how he was feeling.

[thehardway]

"Correct. I know we haven't spoken directly before."

The enforcer goes to one knee; it's close enough for him to be addressing someone this way, due to his size. He's aware of his own above-average height and all.

"I won't take up your time. I imagine there's plenty on your mind." And frankly, if he tried to comfort him, Ultra Magnus is pretty sure he'd fail spectacularly on that front. "But I wanted you to be aware that with whatever I can do to assist you, I will try everything in my power to do so. Optimus requested that I watch over you."

[shutupndrive]

"...You too?"

Was it that Optimus didn't trust him to be able to take care of himself? Or was the other just trying to look out for him? Smokescreen really wasn't sure which, of course, made him wary--in a way--of both Perceptor and Ultra Magnus now.

He frowned a bit, looking away from the larger bot in thought, optics dimming as he considered what the other had said before he finally just shrugged a bit.

"Whatever. If that's what he wanted..then I guess I should just go with it right?" he murmured, not keen on the idea but..he was going to assume the best and if Optimus wanted him to trust his two new guardians, he would.

".....Thanks. For..offering to help and stuff. I appreciate it."

[thehardway]

"I trust Optimus's judgement. You were important enough to him to be mentioned. I'd rather do as he asked, if you'll accept me."

True, he doesn't really know that version of Optimus. But there are more than enough similarities to the one he's spent several centuries with; he can trust that request.

He will do what it takes to keep Smokescreen safe.

"You're welcome. Don't hesitate to call for me if you need it. Whatever it might be."

Slowly, Ultra Magnus pushes himself back to his own two feet.

"Is there anything I can do at the moment?"

[shutupndrive]

There was something about that statement, about the idea that he was important to Optimus in some way that had Smokescreen relaxing a bit, an almost...humble sort of look appearing briefly. If this was what Optimus wanted, so be it.

"Of course...thank you, sir," he said with a slight nod, optics settling on the other again as Magnus moved to stand. Smokescreen was quiet for another moment, debating on whether or not he did need anything but..

Right now there wasn't much anyone could do was there?

"No, I'll be alright. Just needed to clear my head, you know?"