So, how we gonna do this?
Right. The votes are in and Dreadwing canon becomes Skywarp's.
Here's the new and improved (at least marginally) backstory. Keep in mind that Skywarp right now? Knows NONE OF THIS.
Dreadwing was a Class Alpha Drone who had gained enough sentience to command other drones--a very useful trait in the war, because he brought with him any number of absolutely loyal, fearless troops. He had considerable respect, so was stunned when he wasn't picked to follow the Allspark to Earth, particularly since he was the one who had reported the Allspark's departure, and Megatron's pursuit, to Starscream. This makes him suspicious and bitter towards both Megatron and Starscream, (This is absolutely zero change for Skywarp's current characterization, just...the road how he got there's a bit different.)
He was left behind, too injured from an Autobot concussion weapon. He was repaired and waiting for Starscream's return. He downloaded Frenzy's cortex (so that, technically, ANYTHING Frenzy knew, he knows or will know when he's remembered his past) including the plans for the Allspark. He tried to play loyal to Starscream, simply because had the Allspark worked, Starscream would have had more power. Once it failed, all of his resentment flared to life and he saw the opportunity to take over Cybertron (weak and failing though it was) and exact vengeance on Starscream by proving himself a warrior who should not have been left behind.
The Autobots deactivate his drones, and the tide of battle turns. In desperation, pursued by Starscream, he attempts to kill him using transwarp energy. He thinks he is free when he warps into the Mars station, only to be caught by surprise and (presumably) killed by Starscream.
All that is canon. NOW comes the delicate embroidery of headcanony goodness:
Thundercracker (whom we know is on the ship that made it to Earth) finds Dreadwing's remains and hands them over to Flatline (our handy Mad Scientist type) who refits and reformats Dreadwing into Skywarp. Skywarp retains his warping abilities, but gets a standard Seeker jet frame. To deal with his, you know, loyalty issues, Flatline has installed a complete upmodded personality and skills set. This upgrade is also where he gets his...borderline obsession with proving himself. It's a magnification of his pre-existing personality, turned into a need to be found worthy--sort of like a twist on loyalty programming.
Skywarp has a false history implanted (see his original app, lol) remembering nothing 'real' until his 'arrival' on Earth to help with the cleanup post ROTF. (He's put on simple duty like cleanup because his systems are still a bit fragile and this would be a good chance to work through bugs and glitches.) Part of his false history--something HUGE was required to overwrite Dreadwing's cortex--he was given a strong background in math and physics. (So, that explains why that's there, and why he's a bit smarter than canon-Dreadwing). He's still deglitching the warp-pods.
Major changes to his personality? Eventually, he will realize a) he's dead b) Starscream killed him and c) he's not sure how happy he is to be...not dead anymore. He'll retain his...um...unique sense of humor and his math skills.
Here's the new and improved (at least marginally) backstory. Keep in mind that Skywarp right now? Knows NONE OF THIS.
Dreadwing was a Class Alpha Drone who had gained enough sentience to command other drones--a very useful trait in the war, because he brought with him any number of absolutely loyal, fearless troops. He had considerable respect, so was stunned when he wasn't picked to follow the Allspark to Earth, particularly since he was the one who had reported the Allspark's departure, and Megatron's pursuit, to Starscream. This makes him suspicious and bitter towards both Megatron and Starscream, (This is absolutely zero change for Skywarp's current characterization, just...the road how he got there's a bit different.)
He was left behind, too injured from an Autobot concussion weapon. He was repaired and waiting for Starscream's return. He downloaded Frenzy's cortex (so that, technically, ANYTHING Frenzy knew, he knows or will know when he's remembered his past) including the plans for the Allspark. He tried to play loyal to Starscream, simply because had the Allspark worked, Starscream would have had more power. Once it failed, all of his resentment flared to life and he saw the opportunity to take over Cybertron (weak and failing though it was) and exact vengeance on Starscream by proving himself a warrior who should not have been left behind.
The Autobots deactivate his drones, and the tide of battle turns. In desperation, pursued by Starscream, he attempts to kill him using transwarp energy. He thinks he is free when he warps into the Mars station, only to be caught by surprise and (presumably) killed by Starscream.
All that is canon. NOW comes the delicate embroidery of headcanony goodness:
Thundercracker (whom we know is on the ship that made it to Earth) finds Dreadwing's remains and hands them over to Flatline (our handy Mad Scientist type) who refits and reformats Dreadwing into Skywarp. Skywarp retains his warping abilities, but gets a standard Seeker jet frame. To deal with his, you know, loyalty issues, Flatline has installed a complete upmodded personality and skills set. This upgrade is also where he gets his...borderline obsession with proving himself. It's a magnification of his pre-existing personality, turned into a need to be found worthy--sort of like a twist on loyalty programming.
Skywarp has a false history implanted (see his original app, lol) remembering nothing 'real' until his 'arrival' on Earth to help with the cleanup post ROTF. (He's put on simple duty like cleanup because his systems are still a bit fragile and this would be a good chance to work through bugs and glitches.) Part of his false history--something HUGE was required to overwrite Dreadwing's cortex--he was given a strong background in math and physics. (So, that explains why that's there, and why he's a bit smarter than canon-Dreadwing). He's still deglitching the warp-pods.
Major changes to his personality? Eventually, he will realize a) he's dead b) Starscream killed him and c) he's not sure how happy he is to be...not dead anymore. He'll retain his...um...unique sense of humor and his math skills.