CONTENT

[CONTENT]

“Doctor… Are you certain this is what you want? I can’t deny there is a childish amount of excitement - which I believe I am still entitled to for one more segment - to be felt at the prospect of becoming a starship captain. But… Well, to be frank, I’m far younger than most would expect a captain to be. And I can’t promise I will make nearly as many profitable judgements as our dearly departed Captain Oshali. Not to mention… are you sure you want a Zenithian noble brat in any sort of position of power? I am deeply, deeply flattered of course, Doctor. I just… I want to be certain that you are offering this to me because you do believe this to be best, and not because, well, we are currently a crew of two with no other options.”

“I would much rather have someone who acknowledges his shortcomings to be in charge, rather than someone who’s sure they’re always smarter than everybody else. You’re also consistent, like Oshali, just consistent in different ways. I could count on her to put profits first, and I can count on you to put people’s lives first. I don’t have to guess with you as captain. You might be a Zenithian noble brat… but, you’re my friend. I haven’t had a real friend in a long time. Yeah, I’m sure. Even if there’s a dozen of us on a ship, I want you as my captain.”

My son is growing up. Not only is his birthday coming up in game - he’s finally gonna actually be eighteen years old, as he’s been claiming for the past couple years of his life - but he has gone from vent goblin for hire and person with barely enough technical expertise to be of any sort of practical use on a ship, to the bloody captain of a ship. So, to commemorate that, I decided to update his look a bit.

Meet Captain Tomorrow von Tahsin. He doesn’t cover his eyes nearly as much as he used to (though there is a lore reason for why he does that at all), and he’s tied the top of his jumpsuit around his waist now, Portal 2 style, showing off them noodle ass arms more clearly.

Also, he’s now wearing a leather bangle around his wrist and, more importantly, a bullet around his neck. That last little accessory is in memory of a former crew member who outright declared that Tomorrow might as well be his little brother. For many, many backstory reasons, that meant and means the absolute universe to Tomorrow. Said crew member ended up leaving for a better paying career, but Tomorrow kept one of the guy’s bullets to remember him by.

Turning eighteen years old is actually going to come with a world of problems for Tomorrow, but hopefully he can survive them. He’s survived the almost utter annihilation of the House Tahsin, he’s survived traipsing about the Third Horizon as a child parading as an adult, and he’s survived all the havoc that his latest crew has been getting into. Surely he can survive adulthood and the responsibilities of being a captain as well :3

This incredibly handsome piece of art was commissioned from @crystalnovaart! She delivered exactly what I was looking for in terms of Tomorrow’s new look, as well the posing and the ✨ v i b e s ✨ Check her out on Instagram under crystalnova_art - she posts a lot of her absolutely stunning artwork there (and look you can see my son there as well) - and absolutely support her if you can, you will not be disappointed :D

also psst there is still one seat left in this game it is not too late to make your debut :3

[CONTENT]

If You Give a Fish a Family

A children’s book by Gillion Tidestrider, as read in Just Roll With It: Riptide, Episode 94: Back to Zero

(thumbnail source)

There once was a fish born on a very special day.

The day was so special, his family gave him away.

He was taken to a palace, but it didn’t feel like home.

Though everyone there said they loved him, he still felt alone.

The big fish of the palace said, “You must become strong.

“We fish don’t like people, because they are always wrong.”

The big fish brought a target and said, “You’ll be family if you hit this.”

So the fish tried every day, but he always seemed to miss.

Then one day, the little fish made a big mistake,

And the big fish of the palace kicked him out of the lake.

The fish was alone on the shore, sad and beached,

When suddenly out of the sky, a fleshie hand reached!

The fish saw two people with no fins or tails

On a big brown floating thing, hollow and with sails.

The fish was wary. “Is this hell? Did I do a big sin?”

The two laughed. “No, we’re pirates! This our crew, and you’re in!”

They saved a lot of people and committed violent crime,

But because they were together, they had a real good time.

They met a dude: Duke D. Dukem of Dooke,

And a plant with kind eyes that gave them a spook.

They made a new friend, a horse from a Puddle.

The little boy rode and then they became “buddles.”

They also met a Goobleck, who mostly said, “Hee hoo!”

He absorbed one hundred people, but then pressed “undo.”

But one day the man said, “I have a confession, fish. I lied.”

The fish felt so betrayed and decided the man would die.

The next day, the woman’s father came and had a really big frown.

He said, “You are a dumb baby loser, and you’ve let this family down.”

The woman said, “You’re right, papa.” And so she shot the fish,

But before the fish died, he said, “Is that really your wish?”

The woman said, “Wait, no! I wanna be friends with you!”

The man chimed in, “I’m sorry for lying. Me too.”

Their crew is back together and finally free.

Then the fish saw another target. If he hit it, he’d be family.

The fish thought of his family, god, and his friends.

He took one big swing, and the fish missed again.

The fish looked sad, packed his things and said, “Well, I guess this is it.”

But the two stopped him and said, “But you’re already family. And family fucks up shit.”

[CONTENT]

“While they may put forward the appearance of an honest crew of explorers, the truth is that the crew of the Al Musafir has no business interacting with civilized society.”

Oh. My. Word. I get to talk more about that Coriolis campaign I mentioned months ago! More specifically, I get to talk about the absolutely amazing player characters that make up the crew with whom I am playing with :’D

First thing’s first! A few players needed to leave the campaign due to IRL stuff. What that means is that our group now has [1] vacant position. If you happen to have your Wednesday evenings/Thursday mornings (10pm EST) free and have 15 usd a week to spare, more info can be found here on Roll20 or here on StartPlaying

If you wish to join the crew of the newly dubbed Chimera, now under the leadership of young Tomorrow von Tahsin, fight space monsters, make shady deals, or simply feel as though you are playing through Arabian Nights meets Firefly, then the Season 2 premier is open for your debut!

• The crew of the Al Musafir, listed from left to right -

Dessi (former crew member) - A Data Spider -> Analyst who used to be the crew’s data djinn expert. The man definitely had a real wild card streak to him, and strong convictions to match, taking wild risks and somehow always making some kind of bank off of it most of the time. The man also had a past to run from, and unfortunately, could not remain with the crew (and the player had to leave for IRL stuff).

“Doctor” Caspara Aphra - A Scientist -> Archaeologist who ended up being a real jack of all trades. She’s the crew’s medic, pilot, scientist, and current data djinn expert. Considering the real shit hand that life has dealt her since birth, it is little wonder she tends to be on the harder, crueler side. But there are flashes of something softer in there, someone who is maybe, possibly willing to believe that there is some good to be found in the Third Horizon. Just… don’t expect that part to override her scientific curiosity, nor her need for birr.

Captain Oshali (deceased) - The crew’s former captain and an Artist -> Courtesan who had a real sharp eye for both business and pleasure. Incomparably beautiful, artfully seductive, and pragmatic to an almost ruthless degree, one could almost always depend on Captain Oshali to put birr and profits above most else. Morality? Not worth much in the Third Horizon, though it can secure you a better reputation or the occasional ally, which can sometimes be worth the few thousand lost birr. Oshali held on to the teachings of The Merchant to the very end, when she chose to go down with a doomed ship. She died playing the lute, keeping the ship’s AI company, before the ship’s reactor core finally exploded (and the player decided it was a good time to retire the character).

Tomorrow von Tahsin - My character! A young Fugitive -> Mystic, born to high nobility and now a vent crawler for hire. Seventeen years old and disinclined towards violence, it is a true wonder the Third Horizon hasn’t yet chewed this boy up and spat him out. Perhaps his mystic powers have assisted him in steering clear of those who would look to exploit him, or perhaps fate is simply holding his life hostage, waiting until he comes of age before snuffing him out, just like the rest of the noble House Tahsin. Tomorrow personally leans towards the latter - there is recompense to be paid for the sins of his family, and once he becomes an adult, he is no exception to that. Unfortunately for those waiting for Tomorrow’s eighteenth birthday, however, he has recently made a promise to Faridah, his big brother figure on the crew, and Sarai, his little sister and the one other remaining member of the House Tahsin, that he won’t simply roll over and die quietly when the time comes.

Faridah (former crew member) - A Soldier -> Legionnaire whose propensity for violence was matched only by his protectiveness of Tomorrow. Being on the young side, he is perhaps not what some would expect from a Legionnaire at a glance. But make no mistake, with a veteran’s experience under his belt, and with parents and a few older siblings to support and protect from loan sharks, Faridah is an absolute force to be reckoned with. If not for his big brother, little brother relationship with the pacifistic Tomorrow, Faridah probably would have pursued violence indefinitely. As it is, after one last job, Faridah eventually got an extremely lucrative, stable, and relatively safe career as a bodyguard to a noble, leading him amicably to part ways with the crew (and the player had to leave due to school and other IRL stuff).

Credit for this absolutely gorgeous art piece goes to @zhellers, who managed to capture exactly what I wanted with just a handful of visual references and descriptions! I don’t believe they are currently taking any commissions, but you should still go support them by checking out their work!

[CONTENT]

[howlonghaveyoubeenseventeen]

this quiz sorts through characters from like dozens of fandoms and finds the one you’re most like. I’m not even a little bit surprised by my result

[redwingedwhump]

I'VE BEEN READ

RUDE

[beechovenwhump]

Assigned old man at this quiz

[hardygalwrites]

I actually do not recognise this character 😅

So here is the list of characters I did actually recognise/know, picked out of the top 20

Originally posted by peaceful-negotiator-kenobi

Pam Beesley (The Office): 88% - Character 6 out of 2000

Originally posted by greengableslover

Jane Bennet (Pride and Prejudice): 88% - Character 7 out of 2000

Originally posted by districtsonfire

Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games): 88% - Character 11 out of 2000

Originally posted by rainbowkarolina

Meg March (Little Women): 88% - Character 12 out of 2000 i sure hope this gif is of meg look i only ever watched the winona ryder movie

Originally posted by iggy-potter

Eliza Hamilton (Hamilton): 88% - Character 13 out of 2000

Originally posted by where-our-stories-start

Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings): 87% - Character 15 out of 2000

Originally posted by yyh

Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender): 86% - Character 20 out of 2000

According to my sister, these all track, so there’s my personal confirmation lol Anyway, @the-lupine-sojourner, I think you would like this!

[CONTENT]

delightfully useless

Inspired by playing around with this picrew and originally posted under the URL @shsl-whump on October 23rd, 2019

WARNING: implied captivity, emotional bullying, manipulation, gaslighting, lots of tactile contact

—

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“Do you want me to answer correctly or honestly?”

She laughed, turning away from the monitors and towards the person whose hair she had been stroking for the past ten minutes. “Oh, you think you’re so clever…!”

He didn’t budge from his kneeling position beside her chair, but she did note a crease in his brow as she traced the back of her hand from his hair, down his cheek.

“Poor, hapless little pet…”

She continued down his jawline, feeling the skin prickle beneath her touch, until she reached his chin. Gently, she grasped his chin in one hand and tilted his face upward.

“Look at you,” she cooed.

The monitors cast a blue and white glow on his face. The hair pins ensuring his features remain unobscured by those unruly bangs, though bright and colourful, stood out only slightly in the lackluster brown locks. The shadows under his eyes, though noticeable, did nothing to remove from the otherwise undistinguished features. Those eyes, though still barely holding that glint she really should be making more of an effort to remove, still bore the same dull brown hue as his hair. Truly he was…

“So plain, so unremarkable in every conceivable way.” She smiled, giving his cheeks a squeeze. “It’s actually adorable.”

[CONTENT]

archiveofourown.org

365 Drabbles: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee - Drabble 365 - HardyGal - Transformers Prime [Archive of Our Own]

"Now that... That was epic."

Organization for Transformative Works

Originally posted to FFN on the 8th of August, 2017

Simply archiving a writing challenge I did back in 2016 up to 2017 and featuring my favourite writing pieces from each week of the challenge here on Tumblr :]

← Week 52 (Misc.) – END

Cartoon: Transformers Prime / Robots in Disguise 2015

Characters: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee, with appearances from numerous other characters (even ones not featured in the cartoons)

Synopsis: An Autobot Elite Guard rookie, a Decepticon medic turned Autobot, and an Autobot scout turned warrior turned street cop - three very different bots with a wide range of stories to tell. And we are going to spend the next year exploring said stories through daily-written drabbles, be they angsty, humorous, gut-punching, or just plain odd! Who doesn’t love a challenge? (2016 to 2017)

Note: This drabble was partially inspired by the video Transformers Prime AMV: On Top of the World by RintinDestiny. The AMV is over eight years old, and if you are a Transformers Prime fan, it is very likely you have already seen it. But on the off chance you haven’t, you should totally check it out - even after all these years, it never fails to make me giddy and encapsulate a lot about what I love about this show and even this franchise.

—

On Top of the World

“We made it.” Bumblebee laughed - a short but genuine laugh. “Primus. How ‘bout that?”

Smokescreen also laughed as he slowly sat himself down. “Now that… That was epic.”

Knock Out joined Smokescreen with a small scoff. “I admit… I do feel a bond of trust has been built following this adventure. And slaggit if I hope to never re-live it.”

“I’m kinda with you on that one,” Bumblebee chuckled, sitting down alongside him.

“Yeah, I think we all could do with some rest,” Smokescreen agreed.

The three bots hummed in agreement and watched as the sun set on their reborn planet.

[CONTENT]

archiveofourown.org

365 Drabbles: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee - Week 52 - HardyGal - Transformers Prime [Archive of Our Own]

"Y'know, I think we did good."

Organization for Transformative Works

Originally posted to FFN on the 7th of August, 2017

Simply archiving a writing challenge I did back in 2016 up to 2017 and featuring my favourite writing pieces from each week of the challenge here on Tumblr :]

← Week 51 (Misc.) – Drabble 365 →

Cartoon: Transformers Prime / Robots in Disguise 2015

Characters: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee, with appearances from numerous other characters (even ones not featured in the cartoons)

Synopsis: An Autobot Elite Guard rookie, a Decepticon medic turned Autobot, and an Autobot scout turned warrior turned street cop - three very different bots with a wide range of stories to tell. And we are going to spend the next year exploring said stories through daily-written drabbles, be they angsty, humorous, gut-punching, or just plain odd! Who doesn’t love a challenge? (2016 to 2017)

—

It’s a Start

When Bluestreak and Smokescreen met up with him, Prowl was visibly surprised. Nonetheless, he stood as straight as ever and addressed his former charge formally. “Smokescreen.”

“Prowl,” Smokescreen responded in kind, while also extending his servo.

Prowl accepted it, and the two shook servos. “Hi.”

“Hey.”

An uncomfortable length of silence followed, before Prowl suddenly spoke. “You’ve changed.”

“You haven’t,” Smokescreen said, allowing himself a chuckle (mostly out of relief).

Bluestreak stood between the two and clapped both of them on the shoulder. “Okay, good start! Cold and unbelievably awkward, but still! Seriously though, you guys can stop shaking servos.”

We’re Gettin’ There

Ratchet may have been a medic, but he wasn’t a psychologist. Unfortunate, since Bumblebee needed a psychologist more than a medic at this point, but Ratchet did what he could with what little he knew.

Predictably, it wasn’t easy. Bumblebee had adopted a largely sullen, isolated personality, prone to anger and mood swings. But he was getting better, slowly but surely. Anytime Bumblebee interacted socially with the other Autobots, admitted the source of his anger and frustration, or talked even a little about the events at Tyger Pax, Ratchet counted that as a step forward.

Slow, to be sure, but every step counted.

We Have Very Different Definitions of ‘Autobot’

No response. Again. Primus, Smokescreen may have hated his 'team’, but he could usually count on them to answer a slagging comm.!

“Aren’t you the one who made up that 'alternate reality’ theory?” his prisoner spoke up. Again. “I don’t think your bizzaro team is gonna hear your comm. across realities, pal.”

Smokescreen turned and punched the cuffed bot. “Primus, don’t you ever stop talking?”

His copy recovered from the punch and actually laughed a little. “Well, until my team shows up, I don’t have anything else t’ do.”

Smokescreen held back his own laugh. “Why the slag would they come for you?”

It’s Not Dauntless, it’s Just Stupid

“Impressive shot.”

Breakdown chuckled, shouldering the plasma rifle he’d just fired. “Well, if it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t’ve been able to make that shot. Hey, d'you mind goin’ and gettin’ a closer look at my target?”

Knock Out stared at him. “Now?”

“What, y’ scared?” the larger bot teased.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m scared, what matters is that it’s pointless and stupid to walk across a live firing range just to look at your target,” Knock Out retorted sharply. “If this is what you warrior types count as fearlessness, it’s no wonder you end up in medbays so often!”

Look at Yourself Lately?

Managing to control his berserker instincts enough to not tear apart the bot beneath his knee, Bumblebee snarled, *Who the slag are you?*

The bot, who looked almost exactly like him, let out a series of beeps and whirrs in response. *Who the slag are you?*

Bumblebee grabbed the bot’s throat. *Answer me before I crush your obnoxious excuse for a voicebox. I bet you don’t want that, cause by the sound of it, it wouldn’t be the first time.*

The bot’s optics narrowed sharply, and he threw a sloppy punch. When it was deflected, he glared at Bumblebee. *Look who’s not talking.*

We Were Brilliant

Smokescreen allowed himself a relieved laugh as he sat up. “Hey, we made it.”

“We made it,” Prowl agreed, pushing himself up. He laughed.

Smokescreen’s brow furrowed. “Huh. I just realized I’ve never heard you laugh before.”

“I’m not a laugher.”

“That’s for sure.” Smokescreen turned towards the place they’d just left. “Y'know, I think we did good.”

Prowl nodded. “Given the situation we were in and the resources that were at our disposal… I think I’d agree.”

Prowl’s words effectively surprised Smokescreen, but Prowl was already on his pedes before the younger bot could respond. Nonetheless, Smokescreen smiled widely, and followed suit.

[CONTENT]

archiveofourown.org

365 Drabbles: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee - Week 51 - HardyGal - Transformers Prime [Archive of Our Own]

"Give me back my team."

Organization for Transformative Works

Originally posted to FFN on the 31st of July, 2017

Simply archiving a writing challenge I did back in 2016 up to 2017 and featuring my favourite writing pieces from each week of the challenge here on Tumblr :]

← Week 50 (Misc.) – Week 52 (Misc.) →

you would not believe how little these two actually show up on screen at the same time …

Cartoon: Transformers Prime / Robots in Disguise 2015

Characters: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee, with appearances from numerous other characters (even ones not featured in the cartoons)

Synopsis: An Autobot Elite Guard rookie, a Decepticon medic turned Autobot, and an Autobot scout turned warrior turned street cop - three very different bots with a wide range of stories to tell. And we are going to spend the next year exploring said stories through daily-written drabbles, be they angsty, humorous, gut-punching, or just plain odd! Who doesn’t love a challenge? (2016 to 2017)

—

But You’re Not

It frustrated Ratchet when bots came to him saying Bumblebee wasn’t acting like himself. Did they really expect him to just bounce back after what had happened to him? No bot could just bounce back from something like that! Some bots just hid their trauma better than others, and Bumblebee, for all his field experience, had never been through something that required him to learn that skill.

‘Until now,’ Ratchet thought sadly.

He may have been born into this war, but Bumblebee was still a youngling.

'Well… not anymore.’

Ratchet watched as Bumblebee angrily pushed a concerned comrade aside. *I said I’m fine!*

Few is Better than None

Bumblebee nudged his teammate. “C'mon, Smokescreen, what’s wrong?”

Smokescreen sighed. “I don’t wanna sound childish or anything, but honestly, I’m kinda jealous of you guys. Everyone who’s come home so far either knows or recognizes at least one of you as friends, or even heroes. And I know, I know - reputation, being known, that’s not important - but still! That’s something I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember, and I can’t help but feel… kinda disappointed I wasn’t able to get there.”

“…Well… At least  we  know you. And personally, I’m glad we do. That’s gotta count for something.”

“Heh. Thanks, 'Bee.”

War Stops For No Age

Bumblebee was a fine soldier. Inexperienced, a little overenthusiastic, and sometimes even naïve, but he still had the makings of a warrior. That didn’t stop his comrades from teasing him and treating him like the little brother he was (much to Bumblebee’s vocal indigence). Because though Bumblebee’s comrades certainly respected him as a fellow Autobot and soldier, they were also aware that Bumblebee was still a kid. It was all they could do to ensure he kept that youthful enthusiasm for as long as possible.

Because in the end, war doesn’t care who you are. If they didn’t care, no else would.

Who is to Say What is Dark?

“You are not me,” the other bot drawled. “I wouldn’t be caught dead with my finish in that state.”

Knock Out scoffed. The bot looked just like him, barring the paint color, state of the finish, and general demeanor. Honestly, did this bot get any medical work done with the amount of time clearly dedicated to that spectacularly pristine, red finish?

“Perhaps you’re a clone,” the other bot mused, again with that unnecessary drawl. “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I do a little… examination?” He brought out a buzzsaw.

Knock Out sighed. Figures his counterpart in this world would be a maniac.

You Just Made a Big Mistake

The 'Cons outnumbered him significantly, he wasn’t exactly in peak physical condition, and he had absolutely no one to back him up. Bumblebee wasn’t discouraged, though. No, he was angry.

It wasn’t often Bumblebee got angry. Frustrated and annoyed maybe, but not angry. But these 'Cons seemed determined to get a rise out of the young leader. And considering what they’d done, Bumblebee acknowledged that they had succeeded.

“I don’t know what you want,” Bumblebee said, vocals dangerously low. “I don’t know if this is part of some overcomplicated scheme, or what. And right now, I don’t care. Give me back my team.”

[CONTENT]

archiveofourown.org

365 Drabbles: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee - Week 50 - HardyGal - Transformers Prime [Archive of Our Own]

"Go ahead. Laugh it up. Just remember, I'm the only medic on board."

Organization for Transformative Works

Originally posted to FFN on the 24th of July, 2017

Simply archiving a writing challenge I did back in 2016 up to 2017 and featuring my favourite writing pieces from each week of the challenge here on Tumblr :]

← Week 49 (Misc.) – Week 51 (Misc.) →

Cartoon: Transformers Prime / Robots in Disguise 2015

Characters: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee, with appearances from numerous other characters (even ones not featured in the cartoons)

Synopsis: An Autobot Elite Guard rookie, a Decepticon medic turned Autobot, and an Autobot scout turned warrior turned street cop - three very different bots with a wide range of stories to tell. And we are going to spend the next year exploring said stories through daily-written drabbles, be they angsty, humorous, gut-punching, or just plain odd! Who doesn’t love a challenge? (2016 to 2017)

—

Mistakes Were Made

When news of the vampiric infection carrier’s identity reached Arcee, she predictably didn’t take it very well, and Knock Out was finding it surprisingly hard to remain cool when faced with a furious femme almost half his size.

“Look,” he said quickly. “Some mistakes were made-”

“Some mistakes were made?” Arcee snapped. “You took her already predatory, energon-thirsty nature and ramped it to eleven! That’s not a ‘mistake’, Knock Out!”

“If it makes you feel any better, I can honestly say I regret what I did.”

“That’s not much coming from a bot being made to hunt his own monster.”

You a Gamblin’ Bot?

The club owner pulled on his cy-gar, looking Smokescreen over. “You a gambler, kid?”

“No. Not unless I can at least hope to win.”

“Smart bot,” the owner chuckled. “I gotta say, I wouldn’t have guessed. 'Smokescreen.’ Doesn’t that sound like a gambling name to you?”

“I’m guessing you have a point here.”

“How about we go a quick round, yeah? Just you and me. You win, I tell you whatever you want to know. I win, and I get to take something from you.”

“Like what?” Smokescreen asked warily.

“That’s for me to decide and you not to worry about.”

Fallacy

Everyone watched, horrified, as the bots within the quarantine chamber were torn apart.

“Can’t you do something?” squeaked a more skittish squad member.

“Why the slag are you asking me?” Knock Out snapped.

“You’re a doctor!”

“And your point is?”

The squad commander lunged at Knock Out, pushing him against the wall. “It’s the reason we brought you here, ya slagger, that’s the point!”

“Forget it, sir,” another 'Con snarled. “This slagger doesn’t care about anything.”

Knock Out laughed scathingly. “Now that is a fallacy. If I didn’t care about anything, I wouldn’t be participating in this slagging war now, would I?”

Born in War

The rebuilding of Kaon wasn’t even halfway done, but already the city felt… kinda normal. Or at least what Bumblebee assumed was normal. The streets were alive with activity. The buildings that had been successfully rebuilt were beginning to light up as more and more bots returned to Cybertron. It was actually starting to get rather loud, but not with the sound of gunfire. It was, in a strange way, peaceful.

“Is this what Cybertron was like before the war?” Bumblebee asked, looking out over what he saw as a bustling city.

Bulkhead couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not really. But we’re gettin’ close.”

[CONTENT]

archiveofourown.org

365 Drabbles: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee - Week 49 - HardyGal - Transformers Prime [Archive of Our Own]

"Okay... Maybe not my best escape. How's about we call that the warm-up round?"

Organization for Transformative Works

Originally posted to FFN on the 17th of July, 2017

Simply archiving a writing challenge I did back in 2016 up to 2017 and featuring my favourite writing pieces from each week of the challenge here on Tumblr :]

← Week 48 (BB) – Week 50 (Misc.) →

Cartoon: Transformers Prime / Robots in Disguise 2015

Characters: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee, with appearances from numerous other characters (even ones not featured in the cartoons)

Synopsis: An Autobot Elite Guard rookie, a Decepticon medic turned Autobot, and an Autobot scout turned warrior turned street cop - three very different bots with a wide range of stories to tell. And we are going to spend the next year exploring said stories through daily-written drabbles, be they angsty, humorous, gut-punching, or just plain odd! Who doesn’t love a challenge? (2016 to 2017)

—

I Stand by My Actions

Prowl and that other bot were shouting at each other now.

Tensions had already been high when the other bot accused Prowl of going against orders. The accusation surprised Smokescreen, and the sparkling was prepared to defend his guardian, but it was then Prowl had Smokescreen leave the room. Once outside, however, the sparkling pressed his audial receptor against the door and continued listening in.

Smokescreen heard Prowl slam a servo on his desk. “If you must punish me, then fine! I would do no less! But I believe that what I did was right, and I continue to stand by my actions.”

Careful Who You Mess With

As Knock Out examined the patient, the latter made it clear exactly how he felt about Knock Out’s position as a medic.

Eventually, the patient shoved Knock Out away, snapping, “D'you even know what you’re doing, nurse?”

Before Knock Out could snarl a retort, his mentor stepped in. “Of course he does. Looks like this requires a longitudinal incision. Bring out the buzzsaws, kid.”

The patient instantly backed down.

“Yeah, just remember, pal,” Knock Out’s mentor warned. “Your life’s in our servos, and with an attitude like that, your spark’s in as much danger in the medbay as it is on the battlefield.”

Because Optimism Drives ‘em Crazy

“Woah!” Bumblebee exclaimed. The sparkling stared up at his guardian with awe-filled optics. “That’s gotta be your coolest story yet, 'Hide!”

“You may have 'Bee impressed,” Sideswipe scoffed. “But I’ve heard too many of your stories, 'Hide. And seriously, you’re way too happy for a bot who nearly lost his entire lower body.”

Ironhide chuckled, downing another shot of high-grade. “Kid, there’s a lotta things other bots can take from me - my home, my freedom, my slaggin’ body parts… But my ability to get back up and keep on truckin’ with a smile that’d drive Megatron mad? Heh, that ain’t one of 'em.”

But I CAN Outrun You

Despite Smokescreen’s serpentine driving pattern, a plasma bolt hit him in the side, sending him flying. Smokescreen transformed and landed on his back with a crash. Before he could get up, a large servo clamped down on his chestplates and pulled him up until he was face to face with a living Decepticon sigil.

“Okay…” Smokescreen grunted as his chestplates bent under the pressure. “Maybe not my best escape. How’s about we call that the warm-up round?”

Tarn laughed. “You’re funny, Autobot. I might even consider a quick death if you answer our next question - where can we find Doctor Knock Out?”

The Only Way He Knows How

“I thought the end of the War also signaled the end of potentially being blown up,” Knock Out grumbled as he welded the hole in his colleague’s side.

Red Alert laughed shortly, then winced. “I thought you’d be happy, seeing as you were nearly rid of me.”

“Happy?” Knock Out exclaimed with mock offense. “I’ve only just begun to tolerate you and learn your habits and integrate you into my routine. If a mine  were  to succeed in blowing you up, your absence would be felt, and I would find it incredibly inconvenient.”

Red Alert raised an optic ridge and smiled a little.

No Time To Panic

Sideswipe’s optics widened. “Oh. Oh, scrap. Oh, slag. That’s a lot of energon.”

Bumblebee quickly re-covered the wound in his abdomen, gasping. “Yeah.”

“Wh- What can I do?”

“Call for backup,” Bumblebee snapped.

Sideswipe jumped to it, sending a comm. message to Strongarm and Grimlock. Bumblebee instantly regretted his snapping at Sideswipe - it was clear the younger bot wasn’t used to seeing this much spilt energon. But pain did tend to dull Bumblebee’s patience. Actually, a lot of things were starting to dull right now…

Bumblebee groaned as his internal warning system drew attention to his rapidly depleting energon levels. “Not good…”

What Goes Around

The trip back to Cybertron was uneventful, if rather lonely. When he arrived, Smokescreen considered maybe getting in touch with the rest of the old team - it had been nice seeing Bumblebee again, and Smokescreen honestly missed (most of) them.

The ship powered down, and Smokescreen stepped out.

He found himself surrounded by a crowd of bots, each of them with their weapons drawn and aimed at him. One of them ordered him to surrender in the name of the Cybertronian Council.

“Oh, scrap…”

He should’ve expected this. It was too late now, though. Sighing, Smokescreen raised his servos in surrender.