"So you're name is Smokescreen?" Fusion asked.

"Yep." Screen replied, leaning on the walls of the chamber.

"And you're going to protect me?"

"Yep."

"And train me?"

"Yep."

Fusion frowned, he crossed his armored arms.

"Do you ever say more than 'yep'?"

Smokescreen grinned.

"Yep."

Fusion rolled his eyes.

Smokescreen thought for a second. "You know I'm looking forward to this whole mentoring thing."

Fusion smiled.

"Yeah... me too."

Smokescreen thought about the strange message that was on Fusion's cylinder. He remembered the pleading words. He looked at his charge with a thoughtful expression.

"Do you know who your parents are Fusion?"

Fusion hesitated, his shoulders sank. He shook his head.

"No..." He sighed. "But... I can remember my mother's voice. She told me that I was strong, that I needed to find a new home, and learn to fight. So I could defeat Megatron....." He swallowed. "For her."

Smokescreen placed a hand on Fusion's armored shoulder, just below the two curved spikes.

"I never knew my parents... But I knew that my dad was an Autobot hero, and my mom was as well. Even though we had never met, I thought that by working hard to become an Autobot warrior that I would honor them, by doing what they did... fight for life."

Fusion nodded. A spark of purpose flickered in the youth's eyes. He smiled, ready to fulfill his mission. Smokescreen clasped his friend's shoulders.

"I do my best to help you. From now on... we're brothers."

Fusion nodded slowly. He smiled.

"Brothers."

The door behind them opened, Smokescreen turned to face the door. Ratchet entered the chamber, he held a small needle in his hand. Out of the corner of his eye, Smokescreen saw Fusion stiffen. Ratchet approached the two, he nodded in an encouraging way.

"No need to be alarmed, I only need a blood sample. Just hold still."

Fusion let Ratchet remove his armor and lift his sleeve, a look of uncertainty on his face. He kept his eyes fixed on Ratchet. Smokescreen gave him an encouraging squeeze on the arm. Ratchet injected the needle into his arm, on the inside of his elbow. Fusion winced, but he didn't pull away. Ratchet removed the needle. He wrapped Fusion's arm in a bandage and replaced his sleeve and armor.

"You did well..." Ratchet said. He nodded toward Smokescreen. "He nearly fainted the last time I gave him an infection test."

Fusion burst into hysterical laughter, Smokescreen's jaw dropped, he put his hands on his hips.

"I did not!" He protested.

Ratchet smiled knowingly and left. Smokescreen gave him a fierce glare. He noticed the needle was filled with purple liquid Energon, with bluish streaks. He frowned.

Purple? I thought Autobots had bright blue Energon blood.

He dismissed the thought and turned to face Fusion.

"You ready?"

Fusion grinned.

"I thought you'd never ask!" He said.