"Your guardian will be Smokescreen."

Smokescreen's optics widened. "Really?!" he asked with such glee you'd think he was a kid opening his presents on Christmas. "Yes," Optimus replied. Instantly the 'bot looked down at Zoey. "So, what do you wanna do, Zoey?" he asked. Zoey thought about it for a moment. "How about a drive?" she asked. "You and I are gonna get along just fine," Smokescreen replied, transforming into his vehicle form. The passenger side door opened and Zoey hopped in without any hesitation. She buckled the seat belt and the door closed before Smokescreen drove out of the base. When he left, the 'bots turned to their leader. "Why Smokescreen?! Wheeljack would be a better choice for her!" Arcee exclaimed. The others voiced their complaints as well. Optimus raised his servo for silence. "I chose Smokescreen because I believe their personalities fit best. He also is the best choice for her based on the amount of free time. Ratchet is busy with his work, especially when there are injured 'bots. Wheeljack is only here for a short amount of time before he will leave again-" Optimus started. "-And you're too busy with your duties as Prime," Bulkhead finished.

"But is he really prepared to have a charge? He's too childish," Arcee added. "That is the main reason as to why I chose him. Being a guardian will force him to act more mature, for the safety of Zoey," Optimus replied. "Well, when you put it that way I guess it makes sense," Wheeljack said. The 'bots moved away to go do what they wanted. The humans went up to the human area and started to play video games while Bulkhead, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee watched. Optimus walked over to Ratchet. "What do you think, old friend?" he asked. "Hmph. It's too soon for me to make a judgment. Perhaps," Ratchet replied. Optimus thought for a moment. Could it really be her? After all these cycles? He was jolted out of his thoughts when he heard a shout from Miko. "HOOYAH! I WON!" she shouted. Ratchet groaned. "Would you keep it down? I'm trying to work!" Ratchet asked grumpily. The humans played more quietly, though it wasn't as quiet as Ratchet would want it. He grumbled something under his breath before going back to work.

A month later, Zoey was becoming much more accustomed to being with the 'bots. School had just ended that day for summer, so everyone was running out of school. She didn't run, she instead speed walked. Jack, Miko, and Raf were by her side as they walked out of school into the parking lot. The four 'bots were waiting there in their vehicle forms. "Race you guys to base! Last one there has to buy the others lunch!" Miko called as she ran to Bulkhead. The other three smiled and ran to their guardians, hopping in/on and driving away. Smokescreen raced ahead of the other 'bots and was the first to base. After Zoey hopped out he transformed, the two laughed along as they knew the others ate their dust. "Where are Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Arcee?" Ratchet asked. "Eating our dust," Smokescreen replied, kneeling down and holding a clenched servo to Zoey, who fist-bumped him. Ratchet sighed and went back to work at a table as Optimus tried to decode another Iacon relic. Key word-tried. Shortly later the others came into base, Miko, and Bulkhead in last. "Hahahaha! Looks like you owe us lunch, Miko!" Jack called to her as he hopped off the motorcycle and Miko got out of the Hummer. "Dang it!" she exclaimed. Zoey laughed.

"Looks like karma got back at ya, didn't it?" Zoey asked. "Shut up, Zoey," Miko replied, glaring. Zoey laughed again, unfazed by the girl's glare. Smokescreen laughed along. After getting the laughs out of their systems, Smokescreen turned to look at Zoey. "Wanna go for a drive?" he asked. "Yeah!" Zoey replied excitedly. Smokescreen smiled before transforming back into his vehicle mode, the passenger door opening. Zoey immediately hopped in and the seat belt strapped itself around her, Smokescreen's doing. The door closed and Smokescreen drove out of the base. Once the two were outside, Arcee turned to Bulkhead. "I don't like how they always go out on drives together," she muttered. "Why? It's not like they're doing anything other than having fun," Bulkhead replied. "That's not the point. The two of them, alone, only one able to fight back against a threat, and an ambush is not a good equation," Arcee said. "Beep boop brrr," Bumblebee chirped. "Bee's right. Smokescreen is able to take care of himself, and, despite his childish personality, will do anything to protect his friend," Raf agreed.

"But what will happen in a battle? There's been no 'Con activity since Zoey, and it's a little unsettling," Jack said. "I'm with Jack on this one. I mean, sure, Smokescreen will definitely try to protect Zoey, but what will happen in an ambush or attack?" Bulkhead added. The group fell silent. It was almost as if the 'Cons were planning something, and it was quite unsettling Smokescreen always went out with Zoey. What if 'Cons attacked? Meanwhile, Smokescreen and Zoey were taking a drive. They were laughing as they sang along to songs on the radio station, the scenery speeding by. It was dark when Zoey suggested they head back to base. So there they were, driving back to base when Smokescreen's back tire was shot at. In retaliation, Smokescreen transformed. Zoey was jostled around a bit, but that stopped when Smokescreen ceased to move as he stared up at what had shot at him. Zoey was currently still strapped in with the seatbelt in Smokescreen's chassis. "Hello 'Con," Smokescreen said, aiming his blasters up at Lazerbeak. Before he could fire, he was shot by a sound wave. The force sent him flying about fifteen yards, give or take. He was barely conscious as he looked up at the culprit of the attack, Soundwave. The 'Con reached down, grabbing Smokescreen, and that was the last thing the 'Bot saw.

Zoey was still stuck in Smokescreen's chassis as Soundwave started dragging Smokescreen to a swirling portal of green with hints of blue and purple. She remained still as could be since she didn't know if the 'Con had seen her, and if he didn't, she didn't want him to find her now. They were about to enter the portal when she heard a voice shout, "Smokescreen!" Zoey wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but she was too scared to. The portal closed behind them as Soundwave walked through the Groundbridge, Smokescreen in hand-or tentacles- with no 'Bot behind them. Smokescreen was dragged to a certain table in a certain 'Con's lab, strapped down, with a human stuck inside his chassis. A couple hours passed before Smokescreen's optics slowly opened. He found himself in his current predicament before remembering what had happened. He didn't want the 'Cons realizing Zoey was there. "Wakey wakey," Knockout said with a smirk. Smokescreen looked down at his wrist, finding them strapped down to the table, making him unable to escape. He glared at the cherry-red 'Con. "If you're looking for your Phase-Shifter, finders-keepers," the 'Con added, showing that he was wearing the relic. "Enough prattling, Knockout. Hand me the final Iacon relic. Now," Megatron ordered.

"Yeah, I can't really help ya. That's the only one I was packing," Smokescreen replied, looking at the Phase-Shifter. Megatron's glare darkened before he looked at the silent 'Con behind him. "Soundwave," he said. With that, the picture of Smokescreen which was decoded from the Iacon database popped up on the 'Con's visor. "You got the wrong guy, chief. Optimus is the one who can decode the Iacon database," Smokescreen said. "Ah, but you misunderstand. The final entry has been decoded by us! And according to our findings, it would appear I do indeed have the right guy," Megatron replied as the picture became clear. "The question is; What is it you are still packing?" Knockout asked, holding up a small datapad. He scanned it over Smokescreen before coming to his midsection, where the datapad beeped and a red object showed up inside of the 'Bot's midsection. "Why, hidden treasure, of course!" he exclaimed, optics narrowing with a smirk spreading across his faceplate. The image of what was inside Smokescreen popped up on a screen to the 'Bot's left. "Yet another of these identical relics?" Megatron asked. He turned his optics to Knockout. "Remove it swiftly," he ordered. "With pleasure," Knockout said. His right servo turned into a saw. "I do resent a finish flashier than my own," he added before turning to the 'Bot.

Knockout aimed the saw and it slowly started to inch closer to Smokescreen. He tried to move, to escape the blade, not only because he didn't want that embedded in his side, but because he was afraid for Zoey. The saw suddenly stopped moving and retracted back into Knockout's servo. "Made you squirm," he said with a smirk. Smokescreen glared at the 'Con. Knockout then turned on the Phase-Shifter before putting his servo through his arm a few times. "Trippy," he said. Then he stomped his ped on the floor. "And intuitive. Proper grounding ensures its user won't phase through the floor," he added. "I said swiftly," Megatron cut in, his voice rising. Knockout turned back to Smokescreen and reached inside of Smokescreen's chassis, searching around for the relic. "Get your stinking hand outta my gears!" Smokescreen exclaimed. "Hmmm, and-gotcha!" Knockout said. Knockout then pulled his servo out of Smokescreen's chassis, revealing the relic. "Tell me the function of these relics," Megatron ordered. "Doorstops, shavers, bling? Beats me," Smokescreen replied. "Hmm. A pity this little gadget won't allow me to reach into his brain and pluck out the info," Knockout said, looking down at the Phase-Shifter.

"Fortunately, we possess a device that can," Megatron replied. Knockout quickly set everything up and the cortical psychic patch was started. The memory of Optimus telling the team about the function of the relics popped up on the screen. Knockout watched and listened as Megatron watched from inside Smokescreen's head, Smokescreen unable to do anything to stop them. After finding out what the Omega Keys were used for, Knockout walked over to Smokescreen and grabbed the object on the back of his helm. "And that's a wrap," he added as he deactivated the object, removing it from Smokescreen's helm. A little shock of electricity went through as Smokescreen woke up, putting his head back on the table. Knockout did the same to Megatron. "The power to remake Cybertron as I see fit," he said. Megatron then stood up from the table. "I will pry the other two keys from Optimus Prime's lifeless digits. We must find the exact location of the Autobot base. Patch in and tear apart Smokescreen's processor if you must," Megatron ordered before turning around to walk away. "Of course, Lord Megatron. But, before you leave, there is something else I found," Knockout replied.

Knockout turned on the Phase-Shifter and walked over to Smokescreen as Megatron stopped and turned around. Knockout then reached into Smokescreen's chassis again, feeling around until he felt his digits wrap around what he had found earlier. With a smirk he pulled the human from Smokescreen's chassis, making his optics widen. Knockout held up the girl to show Megatron, who looked closer at her. She didn't back down from the warlord's gaze. "Ahhhh, a human pet. I wonder what information we could get out of her," Megatron said, grabbing her. "Hey! You leave her alone!" Smokescreen ordered. "And who's going to stop me?" Megatron asked before walking out of the lab room, Zoey in one servo and the Omega Key in the other. Knockout turned to a horrified Smokescreen and sighed. "Once more into the processor," he sighed. "No! Not again! Stay outta my head!" Smokescreen cried. "Now now, you'll only make things worse for yourself and that human pet of yours," Knockout replied. He took a few steps to walk by when Smokescreen grabbed the Phase-Shifter, turning it on. "Worse? How?" he asked. Smokescreen stood up, now free from his restraints, and started to pull on the Phase-Shifter. The two wrestled over it for a few moments before Knockout pushed Smokescreen through the wall, Smokescreen falling to the ground. He smirked as he held up the Phase-Shifter to Knockout, now stuck in the wall.

"Well, aren't you the clever one?" Knockout asked. He struggled to free himself from the wall but to no avail. "This ship is miles in the sky, swarming with Decepticons! Do you really think you can escape?" Knockout asked. Smokescreen stood up and turned on the Phase-Shifter. "Who says I'm looking to escape?" he asked before running down the hall. Smokescreen snuck along the halls, looking for Megatron. He had two things he was going to get, the Omega Keys and Zoey. He just needed to find the warlord first. After about a minute of searching, he phased through the wall to see Megatron right ahead of him. But only his right servo was clenched, holding the Omega Key. Zoey was nowhere to be found. This was bad. But Smokescreen had to focus on what was before him, then focus on finding Zoey. He ran forward and turned off the Phase-Shifter, grabbing and taking the Omega Key from Megatron. "Think fast!" he said before turning on the Phase-Shifter and phasing through the door. He quickly grabbed the other Omega Key and phased through a different wall.

Smokescreen ran through the halls, looking for Zoey. He had to find her, and quick. The ship was soon going to become unsafe for him even with the Phase-Shifter if he stayed there any longer. Besides, it was huge. How was he going to find Zoey without a map? Smokescreen stood still for a moment, debating what to do. Either he could run with the two prizes he had, then make a plan to save Zoey with the Autobots, or he could stay on the ship and try to find Zoey, but the risk of him getting caught again would rise with each second, and it could and most likely would affect Zoey. His decision was cut short as he had to start running, heading for the flight deck. 'I'll come back. I promise, Zoey,' he thought. He jumped off the ship, three seekers following, with Megatron close behind. Smokescreen put the Omega Keys secure on his back before he opened his comm. "This is Smokescreen to base. I could really use a Groundbridge," he said. He quickly dodged any blasts from the seekers before turning on his Phase-Shifter and spreading his arms out, making him fly through the Seeker above him. He transformed his servo into a blaster and shot the seeker, destroying it.

"Smokescreen, I am opening a Groundbridge directly below you," Ratchet said over the comm. Smokescreen looked down to see the swirling vortex of green, blue, and purple appear. He turned off the Phase-Shifter. "Brace yourselves. I'm gonna make an entrance," Smokescreen replied. He looked up as Megatron shouted in rage, knocking Smokescreen away from the Groundbridge. "I hope proper grounding on this thing doesn't apply to actual ground," Smokescreen muttered as he turned the Phase-Shifter on. The next few moments were beyond tense as the ground came closer, closer, closer. Finally, he phased right through it. The two seekers that had been following him couldn't pull up in time and crashed to the ground. Smokescreen snuck out from the ground he had been hiding in before whispering into the comm, "Hey Ratchet, I could still really use that Groundbridge." With that, a Groundbridge opened and Smokescreen ran through it, coming into base. The other 'Bots and humans were anxiously waiting when he ran through. "Sweet! You're back!" Miko exclaimed. "But where's Zoey?" Raf asked. Smokescreen looked down at the ground as the Groundbridge closed behind him. "Smokescreen, where is she?" Arcee asked. Said robot sighed.

"The 'Cons took her...."