Hi, Blade! Hope you’re doing well!
A while ago, I saw this really interesting post that talked about the the Prime Autobots and Decepticons optics. The OP’s theories on the size, rings, and colors of one’s optics were really fascinating.
Though, my ask will be about optics colors, and I just had to tie this into Smokescreen with a hypothetical scenario, hehe. While I’ll mainly focus on the Prime bots, I’ll also touch on characters from different Transformers series/games for comparison. Hope you don’t mind the lengthy ask!
So, all of the Prime Autobots have blue optics while the Decepticons have different optic colors. While many, myself included, wished there had been more variety on the ‘bots side…I like to think it signifies uniformity among OG Team Prime (*cough* to an extent *cough*), and a strong desire to further the Autobot cause.
Meanwhile, the different optic colors in the Decepticons side signifies a lack of uniformity and a desire to further their cause that isn’t as strong as that of the Autobots, especially with all that infighting (at least, imho).
Recall Starscream’s desire/attempts to overthrow Megatron, Airachnid’s rogue–ish behavior and objective to snuff Megatron twice, Dreadwing’s demise at Megatron’s hands due to him wanting to avenge Skyquake by snuffing Starscream, etc. (Note: I’m still miffed over Dreadwing’s fate. Couldn’t Megatron just…knock him out using his OWN gun to humiliate him or something? So much for unity.
In contrast, despite how dysfunctional OG Team Prime can be, the worst they can do to one another is argue or engage in a light physical scuffle, which only occurs when someone is under the influence or in Optimus’ absence. (Out of topic, but it’s interesting how Arcee’s raring to go in both scenarios, even if the first one was understandable…moving on).
Meanwhile, if you’re a Decepticon…even a verbal scuffle could get you killed. So, Optimus’ “Autobots do not inflict harm…it is what separates us from the Decepticons” line is 100% true).
That said, I do agree with the whole “optic colors represent one’s factions/characteristics” argument, but only to a certain extent, since I don’t want to generalize the whole “blue optics = good guys, red optics = bad guys” view.
You made a great point in your post on Arcee’s Decepticon–like nature (hypocrisy, insubordination, endangering herself and others in her “revenge stunts” that went nowhere…and that time she killed humans). There’s also how her spiky/porcupine–like frame is uncommon in the Autobots. Lastly, it’s as you’ve said…while it could be a design choice, the purple rings on her optics–which is absent in other Autobots–appears like a mix between Airachnid and Knock Out’s optics.
Plus, let’s not forget about Transformers: One’s Sentinel Prime…
But on the flip side, your AU reminds me of how Armada Red Alert, is an Autobot with red optics.
Blue/red aside, now I’d like to talk about an optic color I find unique; yellow!
Yellow optics are often associated with “neutrality”, meaning you’re neither an Autobot nor a Decepticon (with some exceptions, like G1 Shockwave. Though, I personally headcanon bots with yellow optics to be Outliers, either skill–wise, personality–wise, or both.
I’m mainly inspired from Breakdown’s yellow optics, and how he’s basically an outlier of the Decepticons, with him being the only prominent ‘con with a: ground–based alt–mode (aside from Knock Out), non–claw–like servos/digits, and a possible defection/redemption that was strongly hinted at. Plus, since most of the Decepticons either have red or purple/magenta optics, Breakdown’s yellow optics stand out.
From the Autobots’ side, Outsider from Transformers Universe comes to mind. His optic color aligns with his namesake, and his teleporting/Outlier abilities. (Sidenote: I read a bit about the Outliers, and…they’re apparently persecuted for their abilities. Yikes. Not sure if Jagex intended to tie it into that, but assuming that they did…it explains Outsider’s antisocial lone–wolf personality. Poor guy.)
Some honorable mentions (that I recall), would be AdHoc, Velocity, Skids and Riptide (I’ll go back to him in a bit)! Plus, I have a soft spot for Rescue Bots Optimus, who also has yellow optics. Let’s also not forget about Blades, Boulder, Chase, and Heatwave!
Honorable mentions aside…now I’d like to talk about my hypothetical scenario for Smokescreen! :)
Nothing will change the fact that he’s got a great design, and that I wouldn’t change a single thing. Still, I’m not sure if you know…but Smokescreen’s concept art depicts him as having a yellow visor. No offense, but the visor makes him look like TFU Prowl. Though, I guess it somewhat(?) explains the yellow optics on his Beast Hunters figure.
But hypothetically speaking, it got me thinking…what if Smokescreen had yellow optics?
Tying this into your AU, we know that Riptide, who has yellow optics (and who may also be an Outlier), is Chromia and Smokescreen’s father. Assuming that Smokescreen inherited Riptide’s yellow optics (even though I love how he and Chromia inherited Drift’s blue optics)…that would honestly tie into the whole “chosen one/Outlier” and him “feeling out of place” with OG Team Prime.
(Note that I’ll be diving into Headcanon/speculation territory! I hope I don’t step on your toes)
The Mithril Sea had many bots with different optic colors (correct me if I’m wrong). For Smokescreen, it wasn’t a big deal growing up, especially since Aileron, among many, had yellow optics. However, things changed when the war broke out. Around the same time Smokey entered the Elite Guard, I imagine there were many “blue optics = Autobots, red optics = Decepticons” propaganda. While Smokescreen was somewhat spared from it (though, he still got picked on), some of the other cadets were intent on giving Red Alert a hard time.
Smokescreen wouldn’t stand for it. After some time, he, along with Hound, Red Alert himself, would become the Elite Guard trio! (Rocket Plume also makes it a point to support Smokey as he trains under her. I also find it cute that the trio’s optic colors are basically the primary colors, heh).
Though, the most drastic change would come when Smokescreen arrives on Earth. I…think that OG Team Prime (sans Optimus)’s “cold reception” towards him would amplify a bit, which stems how they had been a 5–bot team for a while, and they haven’t seen an Autobot with yellow optics in a long time. Optimus would have 0 issues with it (maybe Smokey would even remind him a bit of Prowl...?). Meanwhile, Bumblebee and Ratchet would be…”okay” with it (Kind of like their “oh, okay” reaction towards Smokey following Optimus’ acceptance of him. Though, maybe Ratchet would be passive aggressive for a bit, while Bee would be a bit more wary…but that’s what I think).
Though, Bulkhead and Arcee would still be hostile to Smokescreen.
But honestly? I think Bulkhead would be torn. On one hand, his hostility increased due to Smokey sharing the same optic color as Breakdown (and his sensitivity from being injured Post–Hurt)…but on the other hand, he’s reminded of his fallen Wrecker pals with non-blue/red optics. If he could be pals with them…what reason did he have to antagonize Smokescreen just for his optic color…? Especially when the kid’s got nothing but good intentions? He’d come around later on…with a REAL apology to boot).
Bulkhead aside…it goes without saying that Arcee’s going to give Smokescreen an even harder time. It certainly doesn’t help that Smokescreen’s optics reminded her of her older sister’s.
We know that Arcee basically projected herself/her fears onto Smokescreen when she unfairly reprimanded him...but he doesn’t know that. As such, her “We need another Autobot” and “Start being an Autobot” lines would hit Smokescreen really hard because, to him, she’ll never see him as a “true” Autobot (and he’d quickly make the connection between her mistreatment of him and his unique optic color). All in all, is Arcee in denial that Smokescreen is an Autobot through and through despite his optic color and not a ‘conniving ‘con like her older sister? Very much so. Will she ever apologize and “come clean” to Smokey about it? …probably not.
…I sincerely apologize for the Smokey angst. To make up for it, I like to think that this would lead to a “Smokescreen being adopted/befriending with fellow yellow–eyed bots!” scenario! Though, I’d like to focus on Breakdown, Optimus, and Outsider! Breakdown’s a no–brainer, especially with your vision of him being an uncle figure to Smokescreen (I recall reading your post on how Smokey would be the first to accept him). Though, to say that Breakdown’s ticked off after hearing the mistreatment he faced from others and his “team” would be an understatement.
…let’s imagine that TFP Optimus has yellow optics like his Rescue Bots version (the different designs, despite being the same bot, is a headscratcher…). Given how your AU’s Smokescreen a Prime–in–training, him and Optimus having yellow optics would mean they’re both “the chosen one/Outliers” to the Primes, in a way. If you want to take it a step further…considering how isolated TFP Optimus was from the rest of OG Team Prime and how they never gave Optimus a shoulder to lean on…Optimus having yellow optics make sense.
Lastly, Outsider! I really like your “resident extrovert befriending the resident introvert” take on their hypothetical friendship! I can definitely imagine Outsider, after finding out the extent of Smokey’s mistreatment going: “…If you ever feel like sending someone to the Arctic, let me know” and Smokey would go: “Haha…please don’t.” Also, it’s as you said, a certain someone would be on Outsider’s watchlist.
(Additional note: AdHoc, as a fellow Outlier, would sympathize with Smokescreen’s situation. While I’m unsure what his personality’s like, but AdHoc’s bound to have feelings of alienation with him as the only bot in the Arclight with an aerial alt–mode. But while he can definitely relate to Smokey in terms of “feeling out of place”, AdHoc wouldn’t be pleased to know the extent of Smokey’s mistreatment. Him and Outsider definitely made a pact to watch over Smokescreen imho. Throw Prowl into the mix, and you have the "yellow optics/visor" quartet!).
Oh, and reflecting on some of the previous asks I’ve seen…I can totally imagine Smokey befriending the Rescue Bots! That would’ve been a sight to see, and they’d have a fun dynamic, I bet!
Phew, that got pretty lengthy! Ever since I saw that post, I’ve been thinking about it, and had to share my vision with you.
But anyways, as always, thanks a lot for reading through my ask, and I hope this week treats you well, Blade! Would love to hear your thoughts on this :)
P. S. This is very out of topic...but since you mentioned it twice, and I apologize for only mentioning it now, let me agree with you by saying that Bulkhead referring to Fowler as "fleshy" in the SECOND episode gave me the ick. Um, hello...? Is that not your liaison and your friend...? Have you and the rest of OG Team Prime not known him since you arrived on Earth 3-4 years or so ago? The worst part is that it didn't miss his condescending tone. Ugh). Bulkhead ought to get his "gentle giant" label revoked, which is crazy, because this was the same guy that once apologized to a bunch of fish. Though, this was the same guy that was okay with letting Fowler and Vince be taken away by the Decepticons...so...maybe I shouldn't be surprised...
Here's the funny part; when Bulkhead uses words like "fleshy" or "splattered" when referring to humans...no one (I'm looking at you, Arcee) bats an eye. But when Smokescreen says "humans squish easily" once (while the choice of words could've been better, note that Smokescreen just arrived in Earth 3 episodes prior to this line and "squish" was probably the best word he could come up with), Arcee completely disregards his prior apology and ended her spiel with her infamous "I don't need a rookie on my scorecard" line. I...WHERE DID THAT EVEN COME FROM?!
I...I need to take five from these two and their double standards.
Hi Jazzi! I'm doing well, thank you. How about you?
Huh. That's not a bad post, or bad theories (I'm squinting at the OP for neglecting Smokescreen and his optics, however.)
Hehehehe, cool! That's always fun, and I'm up for it. I don't mind at all!
That's a neat little headcanon, and I agree, it would've been nice to see more variety among the Autobots' eye colors. Personally, I can't help but see the colors as varying attempts at simply sticking with G1 inspired eye colors, especially since Megatron was shown to have blue (or purple?) eyes pre-War, but this is an interesting take on the subject.
Hmm, given how their optics are all different shades/less detailed than others, that's a good point. It's certainly a fun discussion plot point (I too am miffed by Dreadwing's fate. Just like I'm miffed that Beast Wars killed off 3-4 interesting characters simply because Hasbro wanted the series to promote new toys and never gave the writers a bigger budget to keep pre-existing characters in the show. We'll pretend that never happened in this scenario, and in my AU Skyquake and Dreadwing are both still very much alive.)
That is a very good point, but I feel compelled to share this picture.
See that? These two were about to come to blows. Arcee had literally started to move her fists, while Bulkhead was reading to throw a punch. While disagreements might end only in a scuffle with Autobots as compared to Decepticons, things were about to get real there in a hurry ("You're pretty good at stating the obvious, Bulk. Anything else we already know that you feel like mentioning?" Why....HOW is that even relevant to him whining about Optimus' absence?!?!?! I swear, she just wants to get away with anything, and Optimus being gone GIVES HER THAT OPPORTUNITY.....) [Addendum: While I get why she wants to throw down with Ratchet over the Cliffjumper dig, how is it she's the one always getting violent, verbally or physically, with everyone? Gosh, this woman...]
I do also jive with the whole "blue = good guys, red = bad guys" thing, but it does feel kind of confining after a point.
Yeah, between Arcee's hypocrisy, attitude, design, and the below picture of her human kills -
She ain't no angel, and is somewhere between Airachnid and Knock Out after a point.
That link isn't working, but I've got these pictures of Sentinel?
I think I can see a little purple in there, so it tracks! ....I hope.
Yep! Armada (and Cybertron) Red Alert have red eyes, and it ain't got nothin' to do with his allegiances, same for my take on Red Alert!
Oh? I'm more familiar with calling it gold myself, but sweet!
They are, are they? I'm used to associating them (under the name of gold) with heroism based off the fact that gold = heroism in Asia and because Optimus pretty much always had golden optics in anime. Shockwave would definitely be an exception, and in this case, I can see him being the dark half to Red Alert for "subverting eye color expectations". That's a cool idea with the whole Outlier thing, too!
Hmmm, that's a good point. It would also bleed into his Hidden Depths thing going on, as his appearance indicates Breakdown's a mindless brute, but he's actually much smarter than you'd expect him to be!
(Since the Outliers were inspired by the mutants from Marvel as well as the occasional odd ability of characters from G1, it was bound to happen eventually. Though if you make pre-War Cybertronian culture that purist, it does add up. Yeah, Outsider....poor guy really had to have had it rough.)
I'm just gonna use these pictures to save on later image usage, but 1 that's an awesome point (wonder what kind of Outlier ability Adhoc would/should have), and 2 I honestly adore Optimus' golden/yellow optics in Rescue Bots. It hits me in my nostalgia and makes him all the more warm in appearance, now that I think about it more thoroughly. I do like that as well about the Rescue Bots of Sigma-17 having yellow optics (note, Boulder's eyes seem to be orange actually - but still, it's cool.) Y'know, if we go the route of 'Bots having yellow optics marking them as Outliers, then it would explain how Optimus was able to turn into a T-Rex (although you could chalk it up to a Matrix of Leadership thing, too.)
Great, Outlier Optimus is something I'm seriously considering now XD.
Yaaaaaay! Smokescreen time!
In all honesty, I'm not that big of a fan of Smokey having yellow/gold eyes - what we got in canon was perfect if you ask me - it definitely begs a lot of questions for what would have happened had he been born with golden eyes. And that is a cool idea that, had he had them, it would have tied into his arc even more and connected him and Optimus to the Matrix a little more!
(Sweet! I don't think you are, but I thank you for the concern!)
I didn't consider it myself, but I do envision the Mithril Sea as home to some descendants of Predacons/beastformers/others, which - now that I consider it - might mean that those with golden/yellow optics are descended from the "older" races and leans a bit into their durability? Either way yeah, Smokescreen wouldn't have found it a big deal until he entered the Elite Guard. He could put up with the digs at himself, but what did poor Red Alert do? He was born that way, leave him alone!
Indeed he would, and that is how a friendship was born! (Oh yeah, Rocket Plume would support him, and glower at any cadet getting caught up in such crap. Hehehehe, the Mithril Sea-Elite Guard Squad are superheroes confirmed! XD)
Oof, yeah that....wouldn't be a fun time in this scenario. Optimus would totally be the most accepting (nice detail! He probably would, and that would be a lesser reason as to why Optimus is so chill with Smokescreen), while the others wouldn't be. Ratchet would likely grumble a heckton about this, while Bumblebee would be skittish and less than eager to spend time with Smokescreen.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh boy..............
Remembering Rotorstorm and Pyro would definitely make Bulkhead feel more than a little guilty as he's giving Smokescreen a hard time. Between that and recognizing (eventually) Smokescreen's good intentions, Bulkhead would probably own up to things in time. And this time, in this light? I think he would apologize.
Yeah....there's gonna be so much projecting that it'd be twice as ugly as in canon. With her egotism, insecurities, and pride all combined with a guy who isn't remotely like any of her projections and experiences, Arcee would just nail Smokescreen with the hammer of all her crap, and the poor guy would REALLY feel it in his Spark with hearing a superior of such "repute" telling him what he'd heard back at the Academy...he'd have even more reason to try and cut himself out of the Autobot base on Earth (Arcee wouldn't apologize either, but this time, Smokey's got friends. And fiercely loyal ones at that!)
You're fine, though I'll in a roundabout way be getting back at you with a question or two later, heh. But yes! They would absolutely be friends with him! Aww, thank you, that means a lot! Yeah, Breakdown would understand where he's coming from, and between that and how Smokescreen was the only one kind to him, Breakdown's gonna count him as a close friend/kind of nephew. (Oh he'd be livid, and quite close to violent toward Arcee or Bulkhead for their unfairness toward Smokescreen. Heheh, I can see him just standing behind Smokescreen and giving Ratchet or Bee a glare much like this...)
Yes, please! I'd love that! ("Kiddie" animation vs "mature" animation, plus Hasbro's different branches for cartoons, I assume.) Yeah, it would help parallel and serve as a visual cue to their uniqueness as befits them being worthy of the Matrix. And yeah, taking it that much farther adds on to Optimus' isolation from the team, so.....ouch. Shared experiences much?
Oooo, yes! And aww, thanks. Yeah, once they become friends and learn more about the other's past, Outsider's gonna find a certain someone in his crosshairs a lot. Sorry Smokescreen, you'll probably only really succeed in keeping him from dropping her in the Arctic. Outsider might, however, weaponize the frozen north of Canada though....
(Adhoc would definitely like Smokescreen imo. He probably moreso feels lonely/left out, but he and Smokescreen I feel would get along well. I also see Adhoc as possessing a temper of some degree, so he'd also likely get defensive over Smokescreen. I wouldn't b surprised if he and Outsider figured out how to tag-team defending Smokey, lol - and that's a nice mental image of these three, plus Prowl, being the yellow/golden eyed/visored 'Bots!)
Yes! I'm glad to hear that, and yeah. It would've been soooo much fun to see, and the interactions would have been - heh - golden.
That's okay, it was perfectly welcome, and I thank you for sharing this thought with me. It's been fun! I just have a little question: what do you think of Airazor, from both the last time we talked and the post I made? (I do apologize for going back to that one, she and that post I made have been circling in my head for the past few days.)
You're welcome, Jazzi! It's always fun to chat with you, and I hope I satisfy with my answer. Thank you, and I hope the week treats you well!
P.S. I do apologize for harping on that twice; I both got confused about whether I'd brought it up and was still torqued by it. I mean sure, Fowler's being rather blunt/pushy, but the man is right in reading you all the riot act. And yet, you get pushy back? What's up with this, and why are YOU, Bulkhead, disregarding Optimus' orders on human-Cybertronian relations by insulting Fowler, who ALSO just so happens to be the literal liaison between you and your team and the U.S. government, and the BIGGEST REASON Y'ALL AREN'T ON THE SIX O'CLOCK NEWS?! (That's a good point. He can apologize to fish, but not feel sorry for human deaths? Bayverse is looking better and better for characterizations these days.....)
That is indeed quite suspect....just like how she utterly disregards his apology in favor of "Team Prime can't afford any casualties, human or otherwise." I'm sorry, Miss Jeopardizes Humans 24/7, A), what right have you to say THAT, and B), HOW IS THAT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM RELATED TO SMOKESCREEN'S APOLOGY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE KIDS BARELY DO MUCH OF ANYTHING ON THE WAR-FRONT?!?!?!?!?!?! (Miko only got a chance to shine in "Chain of Command", as "Hurt" is implied to be a reviled situation by all of the Autobots, with maybe the exception of Optimus, while Jack and Raf are simply puppets for Plot Significance via the writers and their favoritism, so their feats really don't count for much of anything.)
Also, I can't help but notice this:
AS SMOKESCREEN TRIES TO APOLOGIZE AND LET HER KNOW THAT HE KNOWS BETTER NOW.
Blast it, WHY ARE YOU SUCH A SELF-RIGHTEOUS, ENTITLED BRATTY HALF-PINT, YOU IMMATURELY SELFISH SNOB?!?!?!
