Disclaimer: I do not own the Transformers. Anyone who wants a second chapter can request so in the reviews.

The Decepticon was hunting.

Knock Out crept silently along the hallway. He glanced around a corner, checking for any sign of a high-ranking officer, before turning and swiftly walking down that one too.

There had to be a Vehicon around here. He was close enough to their quarters for a few to be wandering around, but far enough to stay off the radar. Those Vehicons had a bad habit of telling Megatron everything they saw.

Other than that, they made perfect prey. None of them ever bothered investigating the death of another, simply shrugging it off as yet another battle fatality. They were easy to sneak up on, and never caused too much of a racket as they went down.

Knock Out stalked around another corner, his optics searching around before locking onto his prey.

A lone Vehicon, leaning against a wall. It was making a strange noise that sounded suspiciously like sobbing.

He'd put it out of its misery.

Knock Out crept closer, waiting for the right moment to attack.

Three.

Two.

One.

Knock Out seized his chance, lunging towards the Vehicon, which gave a tiny squeal before its mouth was welded shut.

Knock Out didn't hesitate. Using his claws to hold the silenced Vehicon still, he brought out his fangs and bit down into its throat, sucking up the sweet energon inside.

Five minutes later, the Vehicon's optics dimmed and Knock Out retracted his fangs.

He stood up, and slung the dead Vehicon over his shoulder, before opening a comm link to Megatron.

Another Vehicon dead due to wounds, he sent.

-2.5 weeks later-

Knock Out was hungry.

Hunting Vehicons was usually an easy task. Stalk around until you see one, take the energon, and retreat. Being a vampire, Knock Out only had to refuel on energon every week or so. But this was getting a little too much, even for him.

Two and a half weeks without energon?

Knock Out checked the area around him for any sign of a lone Vehicon. No luck. They were all in their quarters, and Knock Out was certainly not stupid enough to attack the entire army.

So he continued prowling the corridors, hunting.

He was getting tired.

Knock Out, come in, came a comm call.

Yes my lord? he replied.

Come to the brig, a prisoner needs fixing.

Yes sir, replied Knock Out.

It took Knock Out five minutes to get to the brig. Partly because he was dizzy due to a lack of energon, but mostly because he bumped into Breakdown on the way.

"You look dizzy," greeted Breakdown.

Knock Out gulped, trying his best to suppress a sudden urge to bite into his friend's throat.

"I'm fine," he replied shakily, clinging on to Breakdown's arm for support. Upon steadying himself, he mumbled a hurried greeting and continued on his way, only to have Breakdown grab his shoulder.

"What?" he demanded.

"Are you sure you're okay?" the larger mech asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

Knock Out nodded, but stopped when it made him wobble.

"I'm okay. Lord Megatron called me, I'm going now."

"Do you want me to come with you?" asked the ever-caring Breakdown.

"No thanks," replied Knock Out, escaping down the corridor before Breakdown could ask any more questions.

The rest of his trip down to the brig was uninterrupted, save walking into a couple of walls.

"About time, too," scowled Megatron as Knock Out entered the room, while the medic focused on one thought.

I can NOT take Lord Megatron's energon.

"The prisoner's over there," continued Megatron, gesturing towards where Soundwave was standing next to an Autobot, who was wounded, battered, and chained to the floor.

I can NOT take Lord Megatron or Soundwave's energon.

Knock Out unsteadily walked towards the captive. The Autobot was painted mostly white, with a partly blue chest and a spike on his helm, rather like Starscream's, only white.

Smokescreen.

I can NOT take Lord Megatron or Soundwave's energon.

Knock Out frowned. His need for energon was getting harder and harder to suppress.

I can NOT take Lord Megatron or Soundwave's energon.

Not now!

I CAN NOT TAKE LORD MEGATRON OR SOUNDWAVE'S ENERGON!

"We are waiting," stated Megatron.

Smokescreen glared at Knock Out.

"Go on," he sassed.

I CAN NOT TAKE LORD MEGATRON OR SOUND-

Wait. But Megatron and Soundwave weren't the only ones in this room. And he had told him to go on...

Knock Out lunged forwards and sank his fangs into Smokescreen's throat.

The shock was evident on Megatron and Smokescreen's faceplates, and Soundwave's (lack of) one. The room was silent in the thirty seconds that Knock Out took to drain the Autobot's energon, except for Knock Out's sucking and Smokescreen's gasping.

Smokescreen's optics offlined, his body falling slack.

Knock Out retracted his fangs and sat up, staring down at the mech he'd just killed.

"Knock Out."

The medic nervously turned to face his master.

"Did it occur to you, that that Autobot could've had some important information to share?" Megatron ask-demanded. He didn't wait for Knock Out to answer before punching him in the face.

The smaller Decepticon screamed as he flew across the room. Megatron advanced towards him, cannon at the ready.

Soundwave stepped in front of Knock Out.

Megatron scowled, as Knock Out shifted a little behind Soundwave.

"You're right, Soundwave," he finally said after half a minute. "Tie him up."

Megatron turned and left the brig.

Soundwave dragged him into another cell and proceeded to tie him up, hanging him from the ceiling and binding his peds in place.

Knock Out looked down at Soundwave.

"Thanks," he gasped. "But why did you save me?"

Soundwave just turned and exited the room, leaving Knock Out hanging, alone.

-2 weeks later-

Knock Out was in a great deal of pain.

He couldn't feel his servos or peds. The chains binding them had seen to that. His processor ached from a lack of energon, and his arms felt like they were about to fall off from supporting his body weight for so long.

He had long since given up trying to free himself. Struggling only made him weaker.

Thud.

Footsteps?

Knock Out raised his helm and gazed down the dark corridor until Megatron came into view, something very loud and wriggly held firmly in his left hand.

"Please, master...don't!" the Vehicon begged.

Megatron ignored it and walked up to Knock Out, unchaining him before throwing the Vehicon to the ground.

"Yours," he scowled.

Knock Out stammered a quick thank-you and hurried towards the helpless Vehicon. He could tell that it had been damaged in battle, but there was no need to dwell on that thought. Knock Out bit into the shrieking Vehicon's throat.

The energon was so sweet, so satisfying...

Megatron swiped his prey away when he'd only taken three draws.

"Come."

Knock Out rose shakily to his peds and followed his leader. Five minutes later, they reached the medbay. Half a squadron of Vehicons were lined up outside. Megatron held on to the bitten Vehicon while the others stared nervously.

"Fix them," commanded Megatron. Knock Out quickly entered the medbay and called the first Vehicon in.

Broken arm. Scratched chest plate. No big bother. Knock Out would usually be able to send this Vehicon out again within twenty minutes.

But today was different. Knock Out's servos were shaking, his eyesight was blurred- where was Breakdown when he needed him the most? Did Breakdown know? He'd be so worried...

Knock Out shook his helm to clear it. Frowning at himself, he hastily patched it up and called the next one in.

This one was far more seriously injured, but not beyond repair. Knock Out was able to fix up most of it before getting a little dizzy again. Hammering a piece of metal in place, he sent this Vehicon on its way.

An hour later, Knock Out finally finished patching up all the troops. Megatron led him back to the brig, where he was once again tied up.

Not before a reward, though.

Megatron gave him one more draw of energon from the Vehicon, before leaving the brig, leaving Knock Out alone once again.

-3 weeks later-

Knock Out coughed harshly, his throat dry after three weeks of energon deprivation. This was torture. He felt as if his spark would soon extinguish. What had he done to deserve this?

Knock Out looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. Perhaps Megatron had brought him some energon.

Please...

Soundwave walked into the cell and directed whatever the Soundwave version of a stare was at him.

"Where is Breakdown?" asked Knock Out, his voice blurred and scratchy.

"Breakdown does not yet know about your condition," replied Megatron, who had entered behind Soundwave, while the latter just kept Soundwave-staring at him.

"He is on the false belief that you have been sent to Planet X-759, where there is supposed to be a Decepticon camp."

Megatron met Knock Out's pleading optics.

"And no, we do not have any energon for you."

Knock Out whimpered and dropped his helm, offlining his optics as two pairs of footsteps faded away.

So this was it.

They were leaving him to die.

Alone.

"Thought I'd find you here," came a voice.

Knock Out couldn't believe his audio receptors. Slowly, he onlined his optics.

"B-Breakdown?" he managed, lifting his helm just enough to be able to see his partner and friend.

"It's okay, Knock Out. I'm here."

Breakdown cut the chains to Knock Out's peds first, before wrapping an arm around his waist and cutting the upper ropes.

Knock Out lay limp in his arms, almost crying in relief. Breakdown had never felt so warm and comforting as he carried him back to the medbay.

"Come on, Knock Out."

"No."

"You've got to drink something. You're running on 1% energon."

Knock Out weakly pushed away the offered energon cube with a small whimper.

"Can't."

Breakdown held him closer.

"Why not?"

Knock Out was stuck. How was he to tell Breakdown that he was a vampire?

A minute later, he settled for "Feel sick." It wasn't entirely a lie.

"Perhaps I should scan you?" suggested Breakdown, gesturing towards the cupboard of medical tools.

Knock Out shook his helm. "No...I'm okay."

"Then have some energon."

"But I'll purge!"

"Knock Out, do you want to starve to death?"

The red mech groaned, both in his processor and out loud. If he had to drink this energon to keep his secret, then he would. Better to get it over and done with quickly, though.

Knock Out gulped the liquid down as his partner forced it into his mouth.

Ten minutes later, Breakdown was treated to the spectacular sight of Knock Out dramatically purging his tanks on the floor.

"Knock Out..."

Knock Out looked up at the mention of his name, only to double over again.

"What?" he choked.

"I'm sorry," Breakdown replied. He stood up and walked over to Knock Out.

"Y-you don't have to be," the red mech gasped. "Not your fault."

Breakdown reached out to place a servo on his friend's shoulder.

Knock Out winced, moving away a little.

"Don't...touch me!"

Breakdown complied, although reluctantly. He really wanted to help, to make Knock Out feel better...but if he didn't want it, he wouldn't go on.

He looked so sick, so helpless...

Breakdown could only watch as his friend sank to his knees, clutching at his tank.

"Done?"

Knock Out weakly nodded.

Breakdown cast a long look at the medic lying, gasping, on the energon-stained floor.

"Wait here," he whispered, heading over to the medbay wash racks to fill the tub with warm water. Five minutes later, he emerged and crouched down beside Knock Out.

"I've prepared a bath for you. Come on."

Breakdown slid his arms under Knock Out's frame and slowly stood up, lifting the smaller mech in his arms. Knock Out gave a small cry, before biting down on his lip.

Breakdown set him down in the water-filled bathtub.

"Just lie here for a while," he whispered. "The warm water will help."

Knock Out whimpered, settling down against the edge of the tub. Through his blurred vision, he could see Breakdown leave the wash racks holding a mop in one servo. He sighed and sank a little lower into the water, one claw over his abdominal plates, the other by his side.

Knock Out felt strange. He should've gone insane by now, from his thirst for energon. Most vampires would've. Of course, Knock Out wasn't exactly the largest of mechs, but-

Oh frag. He should not have thought about it.

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon.

Knock Out winced in pain, trying to fight the beast inside him that was threatening to emerge.

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon.

He could feel consciousness slipping away from him, his mind going with it. No...

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon.

The medic clung to that thought as if it was a lifeline, and he was drowning in the ocean.

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon.

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon.

I CAN NOT TAKE BREAKDOWN'S ENERGON!

Knock Out finally gave way to his inner monster. His senses were suddenly sharp, his vision crystal clear. Energy coursed through his frame, from his spark right out to the furthest extremities. Knock Out leapt out of the bathtub, shaking the droplets of water off him as if he was shrugging off a cloak.

The vampire didn't hesitate; he swiftly stalked out of the wash racks and into the main medbay.

I can not take Breakdown's energon, a tiny voice whispered in his processor.

Knock Out barely noticed as he continued his advance towards his prey.

Breakdown looked up from his cleaning at the sound of light footsteps.

"Knock Out?" he frowned. "I thought I told you to-"

Knock Out pounced on the larger mech's frame, pinning him to the floor with his claws and his body weight. He sank his fangs into Breakdown's throat, sucking the fresh energon straight from his energon lines.

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon, the tiny voice kept whispering.

As Knock Out drew more energon from his victim, the voice grew louder. Slowly, his active mind came trickling back to him.

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon.

Slowly, Knock Out stopped sucking at Breakdown's energon lines.

I can NOT take Breakdown's energon.

Slowly, he sat up, releasing his prey.

GO AWAY! he screamed in his processor, banishing the beast from his body. For now, at least. He glanced down at Breakdown as the truth of what had just happened hit him.

Breakdown stared incredulously up at Knock Out. The purplish colour that had taken to the medic's optics vanished, leaving nothing but horror and remorse.

"You're a vampire," Breakdown simply stated, before offlining.

Knock Out stared down at past his servos, at the offline form of Breakdown. How could he have done this? How could he have drunk the life force of his only friend? Knock Out sank to his knees, holding his helm in his claws.

Breakdown...

Knock Out hated himself. Wouldn't it be nice to just leave the Nemesis...

No. He could NOT just run away from his problems. He had to fix this. He was Knock Out. He had the power to do this.

Knock Out picked up his friend (with some difficulty) and set him down on the medberth. After carefully sealing the puncture marks on Breakdown's throat close, he sat down in a chair and began the long wait for Breakdown to wake up.

And although part of him kept saying that it wasn't his fault, Knock Out couldn't resist the tears that streaked down his cheek plates.

-10 hours later-

Breakdown woke up to find himself on the medberth.

Why was he here? What had happened?

Breakdown onlined his optics, looking around. He could hear the sound of someone crying...

Knock Out. Vampires. The events of the night before suddenly came back to him in a rush of thoughts and emotions.

It was amazing, he thought, how the events of one night could so suddenly tip your world upside down.

Breakdown sat up against the wall, checking a monitor that was attached to his left wrist.

Energon regeneration process complete. Excellent. Breakdown reached down with his other servo and unplugged the monitor, which powered down with a whirr.

The noise made Knock Out look up from his misery.

"Breakdown?" he choked, rebooting his optics.

Breakdown nodded, wrapping an arm around Knock Out's shoulders.

Or at least, tried to.

Knock Out scurried back a few paces, shying away. Turning his helm, he burst into tears again.

Breakdown got off the medberth and approached him. He had just placed a hand on the other mech's shoulders when the latter flinched away, backing away until his back was against the wall.

"Don't come closer... I could hurt you again!" Knock Out sobbed, sliding down to the floor.

Breakdown sighed, crouching down beside his friend.

"It's okay, Knock Out. I don't mind," he soothed.

"I'll hurt you," wailed Knock Out, drawing his knees up to his chest.

"Knock Out, listen." Breakdown grabbed Knock Out's shoulders. "It's. Not. Your. Fault. Got it?"

"You...you really don't mind?" asked the red mech, raising his helm.

Breakdown smiled.

"I really don't. You should've told me earlier, though. We could've figured this out together. Now, I need you to tell me everything that happened."

Knock Out nodded.

"Well," he began. "Remember that day we were looking for energon..."

Knock Out frowned, inspecting his energon tracker.

"Nothing here," he told Breakdown, who was smashing through the rocks to his left.

"I can't believe this turned out to be an empty mine!" scowled Breakdown.

Knock Out glanced up at the clear, blue sky.

"Lord Megatron sure won't be pleased," he remarked. "Call Soundwave for a spacebridge. We're not staying any longer in this weather. It's way too-"

Knock Out was knocked out of the way by Breakdown, who had both his hammers and his shoulder-mounted cannon out.

"Insecticon!"

Knock Out looked up, past Breakdown's body, and saw that there was indeed an Insecticon. He transformed his claws into his buzzsaws and moved to stand beside Breakdown.

"Knock Out," growled Breakdown. "Run!"

Knock Out looked up at him. "No! I'll fight with you!"

"Go!"

But Knock Out was persistent.

"I won't go. I'm facing this thing with you."

Breakdown scowled, muttered something and charged towards the Insecticon, hitting it straight in the face with a hammer, before being tossed against a canyon wall. The Insecticon then spun around to face Knock Out. It roared, charging towards him.

Knock Out winced as it pinned him to a wall. It opened its mouth, revealing sharp-looking fangs. The creature moved its head closer to his own, gnashing its teeth.

A deafening roar came from behind the Insecticon as Breakdown attacked the beast once again.

"Run!" he yelled at Knock Out.

This time, Knock Out didn't object. He dashed into a nearby cave, crouching down in a corner and transforming his buzzsaws back into his servos.

He could hear sounds coming from outside. Roaring, stamping, shots going off... It did nothing to boost his confidence that Breakdown would come back in one piece. Or come back at all. Insecticons were known to feed on Cybertronian corpses if they were hungry enough. And judging by the emptiness of this mine...

Knock Out shook his helm to eradicate the thought from his processor.

Tucking his knees close to his chest, he let the tears of worry drip down his facial plates, hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

"Knock Out!" called a voice. "It's me, Break-"

Knock Out ran up to his friend, quick as lightning, and embraced him in a hug.

"I thought you weren't going to come back!" he wailed. Then, recomposing himself, he asked, "Are you hurt?"

Breakdown shook his helm. "I'm just a little scratched up, that's all. You?"

Knock Out's claw found its way up to his throat.

"Breakdown," he gasped shakily. "It-it bit me!"

-Later that day-

Knock Out sat on the couch, watching a movie with a cube of energon.

"I love you," sobbed Maureen, leaning over Benito's dead body. "I won't ever let you go."

"Maureen!" cried Rosalie, running over. She gasped. "Is that- could it be..."

Knock Out was distracted from his movie when he suddenly leant forwards and purged his tanks on the floor.

Breakdown, a few metres away, looked up.

"You okay?" he asked, watching as Knock Out caught his breath.

"I'm fine," the red mech replied, although he knew otherwise. "It's just that this movie I was watching was a little too much for me."

Knock Out switched off the movie, grabbed a mop and started cleaning.

Satisfied with this answer, Breakdown went back to polishing his hammer. Knock Out often overreacted to movies.

Knock Out put the mop back into the cupboard, scratching his claw digit on a hook in the process. He licked the spilt energon off his finger, sealing the wound.

He was surprised when he didn't purge. In fact, he was feeling better...

Knock Out almost offlined in horror at the realisation.

He was a vampire.

"That's it?" asked Breakdown. "What about the month and a half I believed you were on Planet X-759?"

"I don't want to talk about it," replied Knock Out, cringing at the memory. He sighed and leant against Breakdown.

"Breaky?"

Breakdown snaked an arm around the other's waist.

"Knock Out?"

"Why don't you hate me because I'm a vampire? I sucked your energon and-"

Breakdown smiled.

"I will always love you, Knock Out. No matter what happens."

I hate bottom messages, but I'd just like to repeat that if you want a second chapter, say so in the reviews.