Hi, Blade! Hope you’re doing well!
I'm back with another ask, and I kid you not, while I initially opted for something shorter…let’s just say that it spiraled the more I thought about it, heh. But still, I wanted to bring it to your attention and know your thoughts on it.
In One Shall Rise Part 3, there’s this scene where Bulkhead felt “woozy”, and Arcee determined that it was due to Dark Energon exposure. As a result, she and Bee had to guide Bulkhead for a bit. A little while later, it began to disorient him, causing him to lose his footing and almost fall had it not been for Bee (while it is a nice save, I have to ask…how exactly did Bee, as a smaller bot, not get dragged down by Bulkhead’s bigger frame? Especially after his split–second fall…? Just wondering, is all…)
It’s an overall minor scene, but I thought it was pretty interesting. You’d think that bots with smaller frames (any grounder smaller than SUVs and trucks, as well as Two–Wheelers…not sure what the parameter for “small” is when it comes to seekers/bots with flight modes tbh. I guess Airachnid counts as “small”?) would be more at risk from Dark Energon exposure. But that just wasn’t the case, as it was only Bulkhead that showed the effects of prolonged exposure.
Though, keep in mind that we don’t know how long the group has been walking for. The scenery/background change from One Shall Rise Part 2 to Part 3 does show that they’ve been walking for a while (I’m assuming around an hour or so, but who knows?). That said, I’m still wondering why Bulkhead’s the one showing negative effects of exposure while everyone else was fine. I was waiting for an explanation, only to find none.
But if I had to guess, it probably has something to do with a bot’s size and how much energon they have in their systems. As in bigger bots have more Energon running in their fuel lines, so, they’re more at risk from prolonged Dark Energon exposure (it’s not an apple–to–apple comparison, but I’m guessing it’s kind of like how the Scraplets zeroed in on Bulkhead due to his size and heat signature. More energon = Faster rate of Dark Energon exposure. At least, that’s the only explanation I can come up with). The reason why Optimus and Megatron are fine is because the former’s a literal Prime, while the latter is high on Dark Energon.
Anyways, I kinda like the detail that smaller bots could handle Dark Energon exposure better than bigger bots (if you’re not Optimus or Megatron, that is), meaning that this is one such instance where having a smaller frame is beneficial!
Though, I HC that there are some “exceptions”. And for that, I’d like to bring up Smokescreen! Despite how he technically should’ve been classified as a bot with a “smaller” frame, we see that Smokescreen is actually one of the biggest/tallest sports car among the Autobots, with his height nearly/more or less the same as Bulkhead (an SUV) and Ratchet (a literal Ambulance). And if I may bring up your AU on how he (and Chromia) tower over the rest due to a combination of being Solus’ bloodline and Riptide’s own DNA, then I personally think Smokescreen classifies as a bot with a larger frame despite his sportscar alt–mode.
That said, it’s only natural to assume that he’d fall victim to Dark Energon exposure, right…? I disagree, because I actually think he’d be immune. Frame size aside, I personally think that where you come from also determines your level of immunity/resistance towards “Toxic” fumes (and by extension, Dark Energon). Once again, bringing your AU into this, Smokescreen is from the Mithril Sea, AKA one of the worst places in Cybertron to grow up in. I vividly recall reading your post/fic where Younger!Smokescreen got sick and hid it from Chromia (ouch), but at the same time, I think that growing up under harsh conditions would allow a bot to have a stronger immune system of some sort. Certainly stronger than those who grew up in the better parts of Cybertron imho.
(Note: Additionally, Smokescreen would also be unknowingly “protected” from the Dark Energon due to the fact that he’s a future Prime and the fact that he's "connected" to three Primes…though, at the time, he simply chalks it up to him being a Mithrilian.
But anyways, I know I’m pushing it a bit, but it’d also be pretty neat if standing beside him both protects you from the effects of Dark Energon and clears out your disorientation. Like, had he been present for TFP’s S1 finale in Unicron’s lair, suffice to say that Bulkhead would be pretty confused why he’s suddenly fine the moment Smokescreen stands next to him…only for the wooziness to return when the kid walks ahead…)
Anyways, that’s all from me! It’s a small scene that really made me think. While I’m a bit disappointed why there’s no explanation, I guess that’s all the more reason why we’re there to fill up the blanks, heh. Besides, I get to bring Smokey into the mix, so I’m not complaining!
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on the matter, Blade! Thank you, and hope you’re having a great day! :D
Hi Jazzi! Thanks for the ask! :D
No worries, this is fine. And it's not that long either, so you're good! :) Thank you, I appreciate it!
You know, my corner of the TFP viewer base had had our own idea about that, but real quick (and I think this is just an animation error), look at this:
Bulkhead's optics changed colors for a bit there. That's weird....but not as weird as 1, Bumblebee not noticing his teammate fall over for 2-3 full seconds, and 2 Bumblebee somehow NOT sliding off the platform along with Bulkhead when that was a VERY smooth surface that he was stretched out on. They both should've fallen to their deaths like that platform had been freshly cleaned and waxed.
(Pardon this aside, but this would've been a much better idea: have Bee and Bulk die while attempting to save Earth, bring Smokescreen and Wheeljack in as "new blood", and carry out new storylines - plus, they don't die for shock value! They die while trying to save their charges' homeworld!!!)
Okay so, the theory my corner had was that all but Bulkhead had been exposed to Dark Energon in the past. For one, don't forget that soap opera-esque faint/near faint Arcee had just by getting a droplet of Dark Energon on her in "Darkness Rising, Part 2". It gets iffy though, in hindsight, when considering the Terrorcon battle and then Bumblebee in "Out of his Head". Because you'd think that, if not being zombiefied courtesy of Megatron's legion of undead, that Optimus and Ratchet would at least suffer more than fatigue in their fight with 'em....but they don't. They're just dog tired, and while it could be Cybertronian adrenaline staving off the affects of Dark Energon, where was that later on? So Ratchet is disqualified by rights of him being stuck at base, while Optimus has the Matrix/Primehood to fall back on for immunity which doesn't jive with the "Cybonic plague" nonsense, especially since it's just a cheap knockoff of Cosmic Rust. Meanwhile, Bumblebee could theoretically be immune thanks to Megatron hijacking his body, grabbing that Dark Energon crystal, and reviving himself, but still.....it's all a real stretch of the imagination after a point, especially with the various plot holes.
So, with your theory of it being the amount of energon running through a 'Bot's veins, it's arguably the best option we've got. For one, the more energon a 'Bot has, the bigger they are and thus the more bodily functions that have their own needs that must be met. And for another...it wouldn't mean that the energon flows through his system faster than the others (unless his Spark rate increased dramatically), but there'd be a larger pool of it for the Dark Energon to negatively affect. So, all in all, I think your idea is the best theory of them all.
And yes, Megatron has immunity due to being high on Dark Energon nearly 24/7 XD.
I like it too, which would kinda line up with "fuel efficiency" in smaller bodies. The energon flows through their bodies at a faster rate, and thus the antibodies and such have their work cut out for them and just kick out the diseases that tries to kill the 'Bots.
You know, that makes sense (and thanks for bringing up my AU :D)! Because the thing is, Smokescreen is canonically very tall, rather broad shouldered (all things considered), and has a sleek, small alt-mode that he can nevertheless comfortably transform into. So he and Chromia, thanks to Riptide and Drift's genetics (but primarily Riptide since he's a born hybrid), are taller, stronger, and have bigger frames than most (sorry that first link didn't work, but I'll reuse the picture from an old topic here.)
Yep, that's true. So, going into my AU, the Mithril Sea was a very "unhealthy" place, there were all manner of fumes/toxins/general unhygienic things that the bodies of most "tougher" or "lucky" 'Bots adapted to and as such, those who survived to adulthood had better immune systems than most. Between that and the storms as well - which, by proxy, would kick up a lot more dirt and grime - the Mithrilians are some of the most resilient to disease found outside of the Mithril Sea. Ironically, Smokescreen and Chromia's immune systems, both from exposure in the Mithril Sea and sicknesses they endured in their youth (yep, and sorry about that), are much better than the likes of Ratchet or Arcee. Bulkhead I think would ordinarily be a bit more immune to disease, but Smokescreen and Chromia are on a whole other level thanks to their background as Mithrilians.
(Good point: being a future Prime and having ties to three Primes - two of whom at least probably have an "aura" about them for some kind of protection - would also shield Smokescreen from the Dark Energon. He wouldn't know it, but in addition to his Mithrilian heritage making his immune system so powerful, Smokescreen's future as a Prime and his bonds with three of the Primes means he's doubly ensured against the Dark Energon.
While that is a bit of a stretch, I can see it working, but only with Smokescreen. Chromia, for example, would be walking along and not bothered by the Dark Energon at all, but if Smokescreen - AKA the future Prime - were standing next to Bulkhead, the Wrecker would likely feel his wooziness abating, then it returns when Smokescreen gets called away for something else.)
Thanks again for this Jazzi, it was good! I really do hate how TFP gives us such golden ideas, then never addresses them or outright leaves it on the cutting room floor. But as you said, that's where we get to come in and fill in the blanks! And yes, bringing Smokescreen in is always fun :D
I hope I satisfied with my answer, Jazzi! You're welcome, thank you for leaving an ask, and I hope you have a great day, too! :D
