[ti]Ep 2[/ti]Fight Club (closed)

[Deleted]

Smokescreen snorted at Bee's assertion that he'd only won because a head start. "Nuhuh!" he replied. "I won fair and square Bee. In case you've forgotten, you had a bit of a head start yourself and I kept telling you to speed up."

He had tried to egg the other mech on multiple times, after all. If Bee hadn't taken the race seriously, he had no one else to blame but himself. And even when the muscle car had finally stopped fooling around, he hadn't been able to keep up so Bumblebee was clearly slower than Smokescreen. He probably still would have lost, even if he'd been serious right from the start.

Smokescreen was debating pointing that out to his errant, hood riding companion as they pulled into the control room of the Omega base. Fortunately, Bee didn't stick around any longer on top of him, it was a relief when the other mech finally slid off him. No offense meant Bee, but you are heavy.

Even though he was free now of the other mech, Smokescreen didn't transform immediately. Bee was lording it over above him, smugly folding his arms and looking down at him but Smokescreen didn't react to it, he was distracted. He was at the perfect height to observe the other mech's scrapped leg and because he was still sitting in his alt-mode, all four wheels to the ground, he felt the faint vibration of approaching heavy footsteps.

"Hey Bee…" Smokescreen started slowly.

The other mech was looking around now and Smokescreen figured they'd been made. Someone had to be nearby and had witnessed their antics.

He just wasn't expecting who.

Bumblebee straightening up was Smokescreen's only clue. That meant someone with rank was about. He finally transformed, shifting himself back to root mode. The young Autobot peered round Bumblebee, up to the hallway.

Oh.

Optimus Prime!

...Optimus Prime had seen him pull in like that, with Bumblebee stretched all over his hood. That...was embarrassing.

Thanks Bee.

Smokescreen had come out his transformation with a rigid bearing, unsure then just who they were dealing with. Somehow, he made himself a little stiffer at the sight of Prime. Maybe he should chuck a salute for good measure. Bee hadn't...well Smokescreen would make up for that. He briefly saluted Prime before drawing even to Bumblebee's side, listening to the yellow Autobot's stumbling explanation.

"It's true! Nothing to see out there but rocks and dirt." And one very fast McLaren but Smokescreen wasn't going to mention that. He quirked an optic at Bee's mention of cats but continued on. "We'll get to that spar but not before you do something about your leg, so you don't track energon around the base. You're leaking, Bee."

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus watched the two from the elevated platform, standing at ease with a mix of rest and authority that was more akin of a statue than anything else. He wanted to hear what they had to say before he judged the situation in full, knowing that surface impulse decisions could be skewed as he just saw the tail end of the situation and nothing more. Truly though, what was said between the two just cemented what he thought he already knew, his attention shifting to Bumblebee who spoke up first.

Fast talking, anxious, brushing the situation away as childish antics and a bout of fun, before stamping a reminder about the feline he had drug home not terribly long ago. Optimus knew that that cat situation had to still be disappointing to Bumblebee, probably lurking on his processor for him to bring it up in this moment at all. The fact was, the feline could not remain, it would have just caused even more heartache in the future when it would get trapped somewhere, or stepped on, ignoring the countless other possible issues the animal could cause for the outpost.

Alas, Optimus' attention then turned to Smokescreen who had moved up into a crisp salute, flowing into the typical protocol he witnessed in those who were formally trained rather than those who learned everything out on the field of battle. The saluting itself was not needed however, though there was a sharp difference between his actions and those of many other newcomers that made it stand out. What was said next was mostly affirmations, agreeing with Bumblebee to help diffuse the situation.

The one thing they both seemed to readily agree upon, both told to him by tone, words, and actions, was the fact that there truly wasn't an issue here. They were both just being... child like... and having fun. This in itself was a novel concept, new, and odd. Many were beaten down by the conflict, or pull some kind of attitude or forced humor to hide the grim nature of their existence during the war, but these two young sparks where legitimately just goofing around, and did so outside of human interaction where their secrets would remain secrets.

Finally, Optimus spoke, his weight rolling gradually to his left leg, before he eased into a casual stride in the direction of the main corridor.

"Be mindful of the tunnels purpose."

A reminder that Bumblebee's stunt ((while this time harmless to others)) could be dangerous, and not just for the scout and his scuffed knee.

"Relocate downstairs so nothing is broken."

Translation: Go have your fun, but break anything valuable and there could be new issues.

That was about as close as Optimus would get to approving 'in fighting', even though this was pitched as a practice spar and not so much a true fight. Both of them came from very different roots, despite being similar in age, and their conflicting training styles could teach one another much. Bumblebee could learn things from the Elite Guard, and Smokescreen could learn things from intuition combat and instinctual boxing. He held no illusions that their styles would clash, and the practice would be beneficial for long-term survival.

Alas, Optimus would be heading towards the exit, seemingly judging the situation over, and intent to just continue out of the way. He didn't expect they'd immediately frolic to the lift downstairs, and assumed they would make a quick drive by to the Medical Bay to get a mesh patch. While Optimus did not directly address that issue, Smokescreen had made the point for him, and he didn't feel need to do so himself for something so obvious.

If Bumblebee neglected the mend, and tracked Energon, than he would be trading janitorial duties with the one on call.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee side-glanced to Smokescreen as he saluted Optimus. He probably should've done the same, but this situation didn't really call for it – and it was too late for him to do so now, given he'd already spoken and addressed the Prime. Instead, he'd lower his servo from the back of his neck and loop his arms loosely behind his back, standing up a little straighter than he already was, to show he was paying full attention to Optimus.

At least Smokescreen had backed him up on things. Then again it wasn't like he had any reason not to - it wasn't like they were doing anything really bad... They were allowed to spar, and were encouraged to keep up their training! And the race had been done away from humans, on a mostly straight stretch of road. In a way, it'd been a form of training, too! If only because it'd made Bumblebee want to push himself and his alt-mode to be faster than Smokescreen one day. The tunnel thing had been a little silly, but it was really cool, and Bee would like to see Smokescreen do that!

Not that Smokescreen would ever be able to do something as awesome as that – then again it was honestly just good luck that Bee had managed to pull it off himself. Not that he'd ever admit that. To him? All skill!

He'd glance down briefly at his injured leg as Smokescreen mentioned that he was leaking. He honestly hadn't noticed, or at least... Hadn't really cared enough to pay it any mind. It didn't hurt that bad, even though his sensors pinging him about it was kinda getting annoying.

Attention and gaze swiftly switching back to Optimus as he spoke, and a wave of relief washed over Bumblebee at hearing the Prime's words. They weren't in trouble, and had been given the okay to spar! He'd nod, and then would do a firm salute.

--I won't be doing it again, it was a one off! And we'll go downstairs once I'm fixed up!-- He'd lower his arm back to his side once Optimus had begun making his move toward the exit. It was then that Bumblebee would turn to Smokescreen once more.

--I'll meet ya downstairs? I'll go get a mesh patch real quick and then join ya?--

He was really excited to actually get a chance to spar with someone of similar size to him for once. Two days ago he'd had a brief training session with Optimus himself, and he couldn't wait to use what he'd learned on Smokescreen. It was going to be nothing more than a friendly spar, but that didn't mean Bumblebee was going to go easy on the other mech.

[Deleted]

There was a small part of Smokescreen that was vindicated at Prime's reminder about the tunnel. Ha! See? He had been right to slow down and somebody who would forever remain nameless, was wrong to speed up.

"Will do Prime," he answered obediently. He relaxed out of his stance once it became clear that they'd been dismissed and Prime was leaving. Smokescreen switched his attention over Bumblebee as the other Autobot turned towards him.

"Sure thing. There's an empty backroom three halls down from the rec room, you'll find me there."

Bumblebee's excitement was contagious. Smokescreen hadn't had a spar in…well, eons if he thought about it and considered all that time spent in stasis.

…It did not occur to Smokescreen that while he'd been stuck in stasis, Bumblebee actually been out on the front lines and actively fighting, and therefore was far more experienced than him when it came to combat. As far as Smokescreen was concerned, this was going to be just like one of the ones from his training.

Everything was going to be fine.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee nodded at Smokescreen and gave a cheery thumbs up for added measure.

--I know the one! I shouldn't be too long getting fixed up so I'll be down there in a sec! Don't get scared and run off!-- He teased, beeping enthusiastically with a flutter of his doorwings, before quickly swiveling on his heel and marching straight for the Medical Bay with a beepy chuckle.

He didn't really want to get fixed up – the scratch was really nothing in his opinion, and it wasn't worth the resources to fix it, nor would it be worthy of Ratchet's time! What if the Medic was busy with something more important? But, sadly, it'd been pointed out by Smokescreen, and now that Optimus had been made aware of it? Well, he had no choice in the matter!

He moved with purpose as he strode into the Medical Bay. He wanted to get this over and done with, as not to keep Smokescreen waiting.

He was right in that it wouldn't take long, at least. One small mesh patch and a gentle nag about being more careful in future, and Bumblebee was on his way.

He moved quickly down to the lower levels of the Omega Base, almost sprinting down the stairs – although being careful, because knowing his luck he'd trip and go aft over head and injure himself again, and he was not going back in the Medical Bay today.

Down the corridor he would quickly strafe left to right, bopping from pede to pede as he shadow boxed the air as he made his way down past the Rec Room. After his spar with Optimus, he was pumped to be fighting with someone who was more of his equal in terms of size and frame-type. Skillset not so much, then again Smokescreen had surprised him with the race, so who knew if he was any good at fighting!

He'd turn quickly and moved into the room where Smokescreen had said he'd meet him. Taking confident strides over to the other mech.

--Aight! Ya ready to do this?-- He chirped, his field full of eagerness and determination.

[Deleted]

"Scared? Pfft!" Smokescreen scoffed. That cemented the matter for him, Bee was going down, just you wait!

While the other Autobot headed off to the medbay, Smokescreen walked towards the rec room. His pace was quick, as if reaching his destination sooner would cause the spar to start sooner when Bumblebee still needed to go and get his leg looked at in the medbay. Smokescreen reached the room with plenty of time to spare.

It was pretty much empty, a use hadn't been decided on it yet. Maybe, if their rate of new arrivals continued, it'd be converted to someone's room. Or if they ran out of space in the store room, an unlikely occurrence as things walked out of the store room almost as quickly as they entered, perhaps this room would become a second store room. As things were, it made for a convenient place to spar as there was nothing to inside it to break accidentally.

Smokescreen wasn't left waiting for long, the sound of Bumblebee's hurried footsteps echoed down the hall just as the mech himself strode in through the door, towards him.

"You bet I am!" Smokescreen responded. He settled himself in a defensive position, planting his legs wide for balance. Smokescreen drew his arms to his sides, curling his fingers into fists. "How about you go first?" he said, with a confident smirk. "Since you lost the last round?"

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee would give a thumbs up to the other mech, and if it weren't for the guard that covered his mouth? Smokescreen would be able to see him grinning. No matter the outcome of this fight? Bumblebee knew this was going to be fun! And if Smokescreen wasn't too upset about losing horribly? Maybe they could make it a regular thing. He was sure Optimus would be okay with that, and would encourage it even!

He'd shift into a fighting stance, holding both arms up in front of himself – servos curled into loose fists. His left leg in front of him and bent slightly, right leg behind him – he wasn't stiff, and infact looked quite relaxed. His field reflecting this, and where there had been excitement? Now was more mellow and neutral. He took a moment to take in Smokescreen's posture and stance. Then he saw the confident smirk. Aaah it was going to be fun indeed, wiping that from his face – especially after the comment which was made.

Tilting his helm left, then right, he would flex and curl his digits before returning them to the loose fist position.

--If ya sure! Ya gonna regret that!-- He laughed, charging forwards.

Going first? What was he expecting? Them to take turns hitting each other? Then again, maybe that'd be smart just to start out – just so they could see how the other worked and moved. He wasn't even sure what kind of fighting style Smokescreen had trained with. Oh well, it was too late for that now!

Bumblebee was fast on his feet. He wanted to show off, and so had no plans of holding back. Once he'd closed the gap between himself and Smokescreen, he'd start to move as if throwing his left arm forwards into a punch, only at the last second he'd fake out and instead throw his right arm toward Smokescreens face. If it made contact it wouldn't be an overly hard punch, while he wasn't holding back any – he could still control his punches and the strength behind them. He didn't want to hurt Smokescreen! At least not too badly, anyway.