#tf grimlock

I spent way too long on this.

Snarl is a Junkion, and Junkions are known for being able to put themselves or others back together. If they lose a limb, they can just pop it back on and continue their day like nothing happened. Or if they need to repair themselves, they can just use any scraps of metal laying around

So imagine a scenario where for whatever reason, Grimlock and Snarl are in a battle with someone or something and Snarl’s limbs get blown off. Grimlock is just rushing over to try and help him before Snarl just casually reattaches them and gets back up to fight as normal—Grimlock would be utterly dumbfounded by what he just witnessed. No one could or should be able to normally recover from losing limbs by just… putting it back on?? With no repair tools?? Just raw dogging it???

Snarl is built different, literally. For all we know, he could be made from nothing but scraps. (Also, this is something unrelated but it’s just another small Snarl headcanon I have : His creation is a product of the Junkions watching Jurassic Park and deciding “We really want dinosaurs man I wish dinosaurs were real” so they took random bullshit laying around and built him)

Oh pfft 🤣 I love tropes like that. I think i actually used that in a fan continuity once. Not with Snarl, different former. I mean on his toy, his limbs are connected by ball joints, and while I havent snapped it off (yet), I probably could just snap it back in!

I really liked this interaction. Very cute.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

“Oh yeah? Well, you’re a coward!” 

The human ran as fast as they could, narrowly escaping the imaginary attack they foresaw by clinging to a tree. On second glance, there was never a move made for attack. The bots stood completely silent, whether out of shock or malicious intent. 

“I’m going to eat them, Jet.” 

The shuttle lurched, blocking the other’s view of the tiny human. “If you eat them,” he began, sparing careful glances around their surroundings. “Then are we not giving them a reason to do as they’ve been doing? Don’t you remember Slag?” 

The human, for as smart as they were, couldn’t begin to understand any of the points being made, but they knew one thing: as long as that shuttle guy was around, they’d be safe. 

“Who’s Slag?” 

None of them had expected a voice in that moment, much less that of which belonging to the tiniest among them. Yet, the young human had stepped out from behind the tree, and repeated their question. 

The grey mech stared at them, optics never blinking until an old, weighted sigh was exhausted. “Slag was an old friend of mine. He was as annoying as he was brave.” 

It didn’t take a scientist to notice the past-tense nature used by the bot in reference to this friend. In fact, the human took notice of it immediately, just as they did with the siren barreling down the street. While the two bots flinched, bodies stiff with memories and habits, the human stepped ever closer. 

“That’s just an ambulance,” they had spoken aloud, yet directed the clarification at no one. 

The shuttle, ever curious, was the first to relax, and as he watched the ambulance disappear behind a corner, he focused back on the tiny creature. Careful, he bent down to their level, balancing himself before questioning: “Who are you? What’s your designation?” 

The human shifted from one foot to the other, never lingering too long on the sight of the bot. “My name is Mar and . . . I guess my designation is assistant museum curator?” 

The other, taller bot mouthed those words, as if testing a world where they made sense. Or perhaps he was wondering what all that contributed to the overall flavor. 

“You may call me Skyfire,” the shuttle smiled, extending a finger for Mar to shake in resemblance to the assumed human custom, though they didn’t catch on in time to understand the gesture. “And that is Grimlock.” 

The newly revealed Dinobot made no attempt to show some courtesy aside from kneeling beside Skyfire in hopes of fulfilling his own inquiries. 

“Little one, what do you know of the organization W.O.O.D?” 

Mar stood still, the brisk night air warming in the wake of these massive mechs. “Wood like the material,” they asked, trying to clarify but getting only a shake of disappointment in turn. 

“No, W.O.O.D as in the organization hunting down and slaughtering innocent Cybertronians!” 

Grimlock barely settled again calmly after his outburst. No thanks to Mar, of course. 

“Yeah, I don’t know who or what that is.” Whatever point it seemed they were trying to make was failing the longer they talked. “But if you guys need some place to hide, I might be able to help.” 

What came next was a round of questions to better formulate a plan of action for the safety of these two bots. As Mar was about to leave off towards some mound, they turned for one final question. 

“Can you guys compress yourselves into, I don’t know, my size kind of forms?” 

Skyfire nodded, beginning a deeper, more scientific answer when they disappeared into the darkness. 

— 

The next moment Mar came around, a boney creature trailed behind on a cart. Grimlock, beside the excitement of his shuttle teammate, remained unfazed, and in fact, some could argue disgusted. 

“What is that?” 

Mar grinned, gesturing frantically. “This is a Ciconia maltha. It’s a . . . essentially it’s a prehistoric bird.” 

It was clear that this bird would serve as an alt-mode for Skyfire, but as for Grimlock, Mar had to lead him a ways away. Along the winding pathway, they paused, and a massive, sunken creature was revealed. 

“A Woolly mammoth!” Mar exclaimed, pride beaming in their every gesture. “I know it might not be as exciting or epic as the Tyrannosaurus rex, but it’s big and an icon, so I figured-“ 

A slow, heavy trunk weighed upon their shoulder, and upon turning, Mar found that Grimlock had wasted no time in transforming. In fact, neither had Skyfire, who landed gracefully atop his companion. 

“Thank you, Mar.” 

It was almost uncanny, hearing the voice of the shuttle while seeing only a still-as-a-statue bird and mammoth. Still, they nodded politely, and introduced part two of the plan. 

Hiding. 

Because to this day, I don't understand how they came up with Arcee's name aside from maybe RC car. And Grimlock sounds similar-ish to gridlock, but otherwise I got nothing for where it originated.

So, Grimcee for the win.