#vixendoesstuff

Well, it's more of a crack "AU" idea I have, which can be simplified as, "TFP Smokescreen meeting either his G1 or IDW counterpart (IDK how different those two are, I haven't gotten myself into those yet and I usually see them being 2 differenct categories).

Like- imagine you, meeting a version of yourself who's younger- like probably WAY younger, so exhibits more childlike behaviours and actions than what you would do. Also he's part of the Elite Guard somehow, is the personal Guard of Alpha Trion, and was once offered to become Prime after Optimus?? Like damn kid, what kinda life have you led.

Also hey isn't this technically Hot Rod's role-

Meanwhile here you are, face to face to a version of you from another universe, who's way older--probably as old as Bulkhead or Arcee--so he's like a more mature version of you. Apparrently he's not a Guard, which is weird but whatever. And he's part of some intelligence unit in the army (I'm not sure if this is canon or fanon)--actually nevermind that, he's part of the army. That means he's fought in the war until it's end. That means he hadn't gone to stasis for most of the war.

As the resident Smokescreen expert, I'm curious on how you think about this little idea. Don't gotta think on how they even managed to meet eachother, just- imagine. :)

A U G H

god how do I absolutely love how much of a tragedy TFP Smokescreen's life is. I admit I don't know as much about his IDW or G1 counterparts beside a few clips and looking over the wiki page, but I still Love him <3

I will admit my brain is RAPIDLY bouncing back and forth between the angst and crack options because just. THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO HERE!!!!!

because on one hand, there's the absolute havoc I know these two will wreck if left unsupervised for any allotment of time. There is going to be a lot of racing around, and gambling, and probably several laws being unintentionally and intentionally broken

but on the other hand, the way these two look at the other as some twisted, warped mirror.

G1/IDW Smokescreen looks at this kid. Sees all of his accomplishments, all of his history, but also sees how lonely he is. He's undoubtedly skilled as a warrior, but he lacks the experienced edge every other veteran of the great war has. He sticks out, shiny in a way that almost seems new. He's accomplished so much in so little time and he doesn't even know where to start. Is this what he could've been like? In another world, in another life, could he have kept this innocence and naivety and joy? But at the same time, he can't help but question how? How has he stayed so unstained by everything they've been through? How has this other version of himself come out so- so clean? Was it a moral failing on his own part, or is he missing something here?

and TFP Smokescreen looks up at this other version. Sees his clever words and friendly smile, how everyone seems to love him. How he has the same stride, the same weight as Bulkhead and Arcee and Bumblebee, the weight of a warrior. A real one, one who's fought in the war. He was there for it, and Smokescreen can't help but wonder how many people he's saved, how much of a difference he made to those around him. He's undoubtedly lost people, but he was able to actually do something about it instead of sleeping the war away. He was there to experience terrible, awful, scarring things, but he experienced them yes? He was able to live a life, no matter how difficult, and he was able to bond and grow because of it. Step in step with the people at his side, carving out a place for himself in the world that nobody else could fill

But anyway, I wanna ask, how does the Bergens handle Branch being their "Prince"? Like, obviously, they would be kinda pissed at first, I'd wager, since the person who'll be leading their kingdom is someone they eat each year for a holiday that's been discontinued.

Do they actually respect him at all? I mean, even if they didn't, I doubt they'll do anything in order to not piss off their king who's taken a liking to this gray little goober. Maybe there are a few Bergens who's chill with him (like a certain scullery maid maybe winky face?), but I doubt the majority would accept him at first.

Can't wait to see what else you have in store for this AU! :)

Oh, for sure, the announcement caused a stir at first! Branch didn't even get to make a public appearance right away—the initial announcement was done through paper notices and a town crier only.

But... well, there's a reason that the laws concerning the adoption of other species exists. While they are generally grumpy and view Trolls largely as food, it wasn't as hard for Bergentown to accept Branch as you'd think. Add in the fact that Branch is not only legally considered a Bergen, but also a LOT like a Bergen, and by the time the first movie rolls around he's generally pretty well-liked as a Prince. Oh, there are definitely detractors, but Bergen politics aren't so fractured, and the royal house has a lot of sway.

In the castle itself? Gristle and Branch are practically adored by Bergen standards! Hard for the staff to not care about the Prince who they saw grow up into a King and the Prince who's a) very cute and b) takes being Prince very seriously.

Kragg is still alive and kicking. I mean, when Cole went off to find the other Yeti up the mountain, he didn't exactly bother to properly check the one that he'd just fought.

Anyway, gotta ask about the Early Crash AU; does Cliffjumper live here, or does he still die like in canon?

I say this 'cause, you'd think with the guy who knows Earth like the back of his hand (servo?), who has explored and mapped out every place of interest, would warn them about potential danger spots, I guess?

Like, you said Smokescreen has a good stockpile of Energon back at the silo to live fairly comfortably. So he has visited alot of mines and deposits over the years. Perchance one of those was the place where Cliffjumper got- well, jumped, for the lack of a better word?

What if that place was one of the mines he pointed to Knockout and Breakdown when they asked for info (this was in one of your posts IIRC?). So maybe when Cliffjumper reported about the deposit, Smokescreen jumps in and goes,

"Actually, you might wanna bail or call for backup since that's probably under Decepticon hands now. Just sayin'."

"How do you know this?"

"Uhh, stupidpersonsayswhat-"

"What?"

Anyway, soooo.... whatcha think? Sorry if I'm asking at a bad time, or something of the like

honestly I hadn't put much thought into Cliff :0

For one, like you mentioned with Smokescreen's energon stockpile, the Autobots are going to be doing WAY less scouting for energon that they do in canon. Most of the time they're out in the field it's at the sites he already found to mine as much as possible before the Decepticons find it

so honestly it wouldn't be out of the question for Cliff to not get attacked at all and keep on surviving.

So my question for the Ghost of Darkmount AU; once things calm down a notch, what do the others think about Predaking actually being on their side? Just this humongous flying lizard that's been "hunting them down" for a while is actually kinda nice (if only to Smokescreen)?

And what do Predaking think of the other Autobots in return? Obviously they're better than the Decepticons by a large margin, but other than that, what's his opinion on them? Is it more of a "You are my Preda-prince's kin, so I'll tolerate you, but if you harm me or him in any way, may the fires of the Pit greet you in death", kinda thing? Or something else?

Is the situation on base when Smokescreen comes back like this:

this absolutely made my day I'm so happy I've dragged you into robo-hell with my brainrot about my favorite character :DDD!!!!

and for the Post-Season 3 Shenanigans, you honestly got most of it right on the head

the Autobots are definitely skeptical and wary, but they can't deny that Predaking has helped them a lot. Things are a bit awkward, but they're trying and Smokescreen is there to help bridge any gaps that may arise from potential "culture" clashing

Aside from Smokescreen, Ratchet is actually the most comfortable around Predaking because of how he helped him on the Nemesis. Ratchet was thrown into that room thinking he'd be torn to pieces, but instead was met with gentle hands that could've ripped his plating off instead helping him up and a booming voice asking if he was alright

In a weird way, Predaking kinda reminded him of Optimus. A bit more violent and prideful yes, but not incapable of gentleness and understanding

Predaking on the other hand is more neutral, and kinda like how you described it as. He's definitely got a "I trust in Smokescreen who trusts in you" thing going on, and if there ever came a day he had to pick between the two he would gladly rip them apart to keep Smokescreen safe

but that day has not come, and they have shown him no reason to bare his claws, so he remains civil and courteous. Smokescreen enjoys their company after all, and Primus knows his friend could do with more companionship