For Dark Infection, why does Unicron give Smokescreen a chance for free will and why's he being all gentle with him? My first thought would be because Smokescreen's interference tipped the scales on a bunch of conflicts in the short time he's been on Earth and the previous things we said about Smokey not trying to control a literal God. Then again, if you have something different. . .
You're half right! Though what you came up with definitely would influence it too
essentially, my thought process has to do with Immortal Pride
Unicron is a God, capital G and everything. He is one of the two original beings, primordial and fundamental, patron of half the things that exist in the known and unknown, and technically speaking partially responsible for the Cybertronian race existing. They are naive, foolish, prideful children to him, not quite vermin or bugs like other species, but still foolish imitations of Primus's children who've existed for only a fraction of the time.
They are mortal, long lived yes but capable of sickness and death and old age. Their love lasts for barely a blink, and their wars look like petty squabbles compared to Primus and Unicron's own conflict. To Unicron they are petty, prideful, arrogant, and young. Most are so firmly rooted in Primus's favor, but worse than them are the ones who claim they are yet do things that more please Unicron. To him, those ones are cowardly and traitorous, not even pronouncing their true loyalties
that isn't to say he doesn't have issues with his own worshippers, because one way Cybertronians are similar to humans is that they inherently Want. Knowledge, energon, love, whatever, and when they want things from the prideful Unicron? Well, we've already seen how he feels about that. Because how dare such tiny beings ask him for something, when he has already given so much. How dare they treat him as an equal when he is so far beyond them they can hardly comprehend it
Megatron took his blood not out of worship or loyalty, but out of a desire for power. He wanted what Unicron had to offer, yet gave none of the faith or worship in return, then had the gall to ask for more, ask to form a partnership as if it would be mutually beneficial
Smokescreen on the other hand.... doesn't do that.
Yes he has Unicron's blood in his veins, but he did not take it or even accept it when offered, it was forced upon him.
Yes he uses some of the powers that blood has given him, but it's only to cause grief to the one who forced it upon him, Megatron, who Unicron already has no favor toward
Yes he was offered Primus's strength and one of the most treasured relics, but he turned it down. Unicron cares not for the reason since the Matrix could've cleansed him and given him power, and yet a member of species he's always seen as greedy turned it down
Smokescreen may not offer him worship, but he still treats him like something divine and powerful, and it's been so long since that was the case so in return Unicron offers him the smallest of mercies
