There's not much to say, so I won;t waste your time. Pls pls pls review, tell me if I did anything wrong, or if I didn't. Enjoy!

Saga 7

"Lord Starscream, honestly you can't be serious," Knockout said to the closest, ugliest tree that he could find. He had already spent several hours, just about a day and a half, attempting to come up with a good excuse for not going through with Starscream's evil plan. There was no reason to kidnap the families of the Autobot's children. There was no logical reason at all, other than to be mean. Optimus was out of commission and getting worse hourly, Not only that, but attacking the innocent families was just nasty. And he wasn't nasty. Sure he may be a Decepticon, but he wasn't nasty.

"Starscream.. yes- yes, I know, I should have left by now... I know, but I just... you see, I don't really see the reason behind it... no, of course I'm not turning to the side of the humans nor the Autobots!" the medic shook as the vision of Starscream's reaction to his protest. His Spark itself trembled as he imagined the stabs, scrapes, and torture that the Decepticon 'leader' put him through for releasing Optimus and Bumblebee from the Nemesis.

"That should teach you to back stab Starscream!" The 'con said, walking away from the body. Knockout rolled over and coughed, spitting up some Energon. Groaning, he collapsed again, splashing in the pool of Energon that he laid in.

"That's right, die you miserable traitor to all Decepticons," Starscream hissed. Knockout struggled to breath, everything in his body aching, the Energon leaking up his throat choking him. He reached a shaking arm underneath him and felt his torso, feeling Energon leaking from it. He fell back down, coughing up more Energon and spit it out.*

The medic's body shook with the flashback. Reaching a trembling hand toward his pained face, he gently rubbed it, sensing the calming lack of Energon spewing out of his mouth. Breathing, like then, was troublesome now with quick, rapid gasps as his back slid along a tree, propping him as he leaned against the sprout. It was evil, pure evil that Starscream was.

Closing his optics, he wished that the memories would go away, but remembered what his mother-bot told him all those years ago.

"Knockout, where do you think you're going?" she asked, swinging her hips. The young Cybertronian paused, half of him hanging out of the window in his room. His mouth dropped open in surprise at the unexpected sight of her.

"Nothing," he replied simply, his jaw popping closed.

"Mm-hmm. You weren't thinking of sneaking out to join those disgraceful, unreliable, and atrocious other 'bots as they spread their mischief throughout the unsuspecting, innocent citizens of this fair city?" her long words were no problem for the genus young 'bot to tackle after a moment of consideration.

"No," he replied slowly, his optics searching the room as if he was searching for the words that he wished to throw to her. "We, uh- they, were going to spread their mischief throughout the unsuspecting but otherwise fully guilty buildings of this fair city."

"Knockout, get your bumper back in this room, right now. There will be neither frolicking nor gambling nor loitering tonight for you," she said, walking over and pulling the 'bot back through the window by his arm since he was apparently not moving fast enough for her picky taste.

"But I want to!" he said, jerking his arm back from her grip.

"Knockout," the 'bot sighed, shaking her hand. "Knockout, listen to me. You're a genius, you're smart, intuitive, determined-"

"Orphaned. Cuz apparently my 'rents disagreed with you," the 'bot said, pacing tensely from side to side.

"Knockout, your parents didn't leave you-"

"Oh they didn't! Oh really, is that what they told you, cuz that's not what they told me! Frag, the court even thought that they deserted me!" he yelled, breathing uneasily.

"Young 'bot, I will not tolerate you speaking like that in my-" she demanded with her strong tone.

"In your, what? Orphanage? Yeah, this is an orphanage last time I checked, and you know what that makes? Do you? That makes me an orphan!" he yelled. His Spark pulsed wildly, and he knew that everyone else in the house knew that the smartest and oldest of the orphaned 'bots was having a melt down. Again.

"Knockout. I only want what is the best for you."

"And that's keeping me from my friends!"

"Those are no friends of yours young 'bot, not as long as you live in my house," she tensed, despite her desperate efforts to remain composed.

"Well then maybe I shouldn't live here anymore. Maybe I should just crawl out that window and into whatever rat hole that I was born in!" he fumed with an exaggerated swing of his arm toward the window.

"Knockout, you were not born in a rat whole. You were meant to be something spectacular, something great that every 'bot will look up to one day, with admiring passion filling their optics as your presence brings persistence and determination."

He rolled his optics at her well composed speech. One that she had given him many, many times. He didn't believe her, how could he? Sure he was a medical brainiac when it came to the science of helping, but no one had helped him. He was born in a rat hole with parents that hated him, purposefully starving him until he passed out to keep him from crying. And when he was old enough not to cry, they would beat him. He couldn't trust anyone, but despite his known longing for some sort of companionship, he would never give them the opportunity to help him. No one but her. She snuck her way in and refused to leave, telling him that he was more than what he was raised in. Keeping her away when he wanted her so much, it was exhausting.

But he found rest later that night. He snuck out after she left, wrapping up yet another 'you're something special' lecture. His friends were waiting for him, and while they were deciding what to do, he suggested a healthy case of arsenal. To the orphanage.

Knockout's watery optics blinked as he saw the images of her, hugging her children as the burning orphanage crumbled around her. Her words echoed in his head. She died that day, and he was the only one at the funeral.

He heard the crunch of leaves from behind and saw Soundwave walk over. "Ah, the quiet giant," Knockout heard his voice crack into the typical tone that it was supposed to be. "Let me guess, I'm supposed to get going to fetch Starscream his little pets? Well you can tell him-" but the medic collapsed back against the tree as his legs failed to support his weight.

"Cancel," the giant 'con played, watching the medic gasp for air as he composed himself.

"What?" he breathed, relieved that he wouldn't have to tell his 'leader' the news personally. "So, then what? Why did you find me?"

"Something that will reunite Megatron with us," the 'con played, pointing a long arm toward the path that Knockout knew all to well.

"Of course, Megatron," he said. His hand reached from tree to tree as he pulled himself toward the real Decepticon leader's body. "What, you don't trust me?" he asked Soundwave, who was following closely. "No wait, lemme guess. Starscream doesn't trust me, and you're the wingman. Literally."

The giant was silent, like always. Knockout sighed as his optics focused on the body. After the crash*, they were pretty much back to square one, with the exception of the technology. Or the lack thereof. "Now there's an idea," the medic mumbled to himself, his optics glowing with a new idea. "Soundwave, while you're here and all, do you mind doing me a favor?"

After a glance for a response, Knockout continued. "Get me the coordinates of the Autobot's base, and I can use their technology to bring back our leader."

Soundwave simply stared at him, mauling the request over.

"Wait a second," Knockout chuckled. "You already know where they are, don't you? And you didn't tell lord Starscream because... Interesting. So what else aren't you saying?"

"I need you to retrieve that data of where the human live from Optimus. And make it as painful as possible..."

"Yes, I know you follow orders, but you've also been know to follow... other things. Like instincts? Listen, there's just one thing I want to know. Everything that Starscream doesn't."

Soundwave thought back to Optimus, and the base where the children would be arriving home just about now.

"WE'RE HOME!" Miko yelled as she climbed out of Bulk's spacious interior.

"Quiet!" Arcee snapped as she transformed into her robot form, barely giving Jack enough time to get off.

"Geez Arcee," he said, stumbling backwards slightly with her unexpected movement. "What's wrong with you?"

"There's just no reason to shout," the 'bot snapped before turning heel and walking off.

"What did you say to her Jack?" Miko asked, swinging her hip.

"What, what did I say? How is this my fault!"

"Well, you did ride her home," the girl's response flowed from her as if it was the most logical thing in the world. Ours and there's.

"But you're the one that yelled, which would cause her to demand silence, like she did," Raf said, carefully testing the waters of the argument.

"So I greeted my what, third home? So what?" the girl said, throwing her hands in the air as she walked off.

The two boys turned to watch Bulk walk off, then glanced at each other.

"Jack," Raf asked, "can I ask you for a favor?"

"Sure Raf," Jack nicely replied.

"Can you make sure Miko stays quiet while I check up on Optimus?"

"Uh, Raf, I was kind of hoping to see Optimus too," Jack said, studying the boy's reaction carefully. When a look of disappointment swept over young Raf, Jack was forced to succumb. "How about this, I'll watch over Miko while you visit Optimus, then we'll swap whenever you're done," he threw out there.

Raf smiled, noting the gesture in all it's kindness. "That will work out great!" he said before running off toward the Energon Chamber. "Oh, and Jack. If you see Bee around, can you let me know?"

"He's still missing?"

"I haven't seen him, but I'll ask Ratchet if he's dropped by."

"Good thinking. But I'll call you just in case."

"Thanks!"

Entering the Energon Chamber, the child immediately felt a strong sense of drama. "Optimus?" he asked the 'bot, who was tenderly rubbing the wall with his finger, as if he was scribbling something down.

"I am not to be disturbed," the 'bot said, his voice directed and hollow.

"Why not?" Raf wondered, edging closer to the 'bot, studying his hand movements.

"Because I must concentrate," he replied, growing annoyed.

"On what?"

The lack of response was scarier than whatever the huge 'bot could have said. Choosing his steps most carefully, Raf walked a half circle around the 'bot who was still fingering something on the wall. His body was mostly repaired, which was good, but his mind was only getting worse.

"Optimus?" Raf asked again, fearing a lack of answer more than any word.

"Yes Rafael?"

Perking up like a puppy, Raf was grateful that Optimus knew him, but hesitant not to let himself get too happy for fear of being horribly let down. "I'm here Optimus."

"I'm glad, I have something that I wish to ask you."

"Okay," Raf gulped.

But the question never came. Instead, Optimus slowly stood and walked around the small, boring chamber, hesitant to leave the wall. He froze and tensed, however, when he heard Ratchet walk in.

"Optimus," the medic said as he was startled to see his long-time friend.

"I am here Ratchet," the 'bot spoke, his voice strangely opposite than it just was.

"Well, I'm glad," the medic mused, mentally thanking the Spark that Optimus' forgiving nature was still with him. That was about the only thing though, and the once was Prime's recovery was making slow progress, if any.

"What can I do for you old friend?" Optimus' tone bit. Not in any angry way, but in a way that exclaimed how tired, and frail he was, and how much he wished for things to be normal. It pulled at your heartstrings, really.

"I believe that you have recovered enough for me to replace your helmet," Ratchet said, his voice attempting to shed some light on the good but painful news. It was going to be painful, Optimus was not at all strong enough to go into stasis during the operation, so he would be forced to endure it.

Raf's heart leaped into his throat, disallowing him to protest the surgery. If Optimus' helmet was welded back on, then that creature inside him would be all that harder to get too. The child's heart fell into the abyss as he watched Optimus slowly lay himself down onto the medical table. No, he thought. Finally a small squeal left him, but it was easily crushed aside by the clanking of metal. "No!" he yelled, dashing forward as Ratchet fired up the welder.

"What the Spark- Raf what are you doing!" Ratchet yelled angrily, as Optimus reached up and turned the welder off before it welded his eye closed.

"You can't!" the boy panted.

"Why not?"

"Because, that bug- thing, inside. It will eat Optimus up alive!" he stammered, making wild movements with his arms.

"Preposterous," the medic muttered, turning back to Optimus' head.

"Ratchet, listen to me!" Raf yelled over the welding. He watched sparks dance as they mercilessly fled from Optimus' pained face. "Ratchet! STOP!" Raf yelled again, but the medic continued, showing no signs of stopping.

Optimus' groans were not from the welding, but off the probe that dug deeper into his mind to escape the fireworks. It climbed and cut it's way through whatever cords that it hadn't managed to slice before. It's long legs reaching, stabbing, grabbing for anything. In it's mad scramble, it cut a ribbon of wire that it hadn't found earlier. A show of sparks erupted from the wire, but they were replaced shortly afterward with a faint blue glow. Collecting the data from the metallic tube, the probe made it's way over to it, alerting Soundwave that it had found something of extreme importance.

Optimus jerked forward suddenly as the cord was severed, the welder stabbing into his face as he did so, but the sharp, melting pain of his metallic skin was the least of his agony. Roaring in anguish, the 'bot keeled over, only to rear back up when another cord was cut.

"Dig," Soundwave commanded the probe, who raised a long, pointed leg.

Optimus yelled so much so that he was about to pass out, and his vitals read that he should have died long ago.

"Ratchet, what's happening?" Raf asked, his small voice barely audible next to Optimus' yells.

Ratchet worked to steady the 'bot as the others ran in.

"What's going on?" Bulkhead asked, grabbing Miko before she got to close. "Careful Miko, he could crush you," the wrecker warned as Arcee raced over the table.

"What did you do!" she accused Ratchet, who ignored her while he worked.

"Arcee!" Bulk yelled, as Optimus' arm hit her.

She yelled painfully as the her metallic body slid across the room, only to meet Bulk's waiting hands to help her up.

"Dig," Soundwave's command repeated, and the probe swung several of it's legs, slicing one of the thick cables clean through.

"What was that about!" Arcee growled, jerking her arm from Bulk. They both watched in horror as Optimus tore at his head, trying with all his might to get inside, but failed to reach past the mostly welded on helmet.

"Come on Arcee, you know he didn't-" Bulk began, breaking from the horrific sight.

"Miko, come back!" Jack yelled, diving for the girl, who wormed her way out of his grasp.

"Optimus!" she yelled, running over.

The giant 'bot yelled more, and Raf could see a glow emerge from his dead optics. "Ratchet, is he supposed to do that?" he asked the medic, who dove for Miko to get her away from Optimus' reach.

"Miko, stay back!" he commanded, easily flinging the screaming girl to Bulk.

"Ratchet!" Raf asked, the grow reflecting on his glasses as it grew brighter.

"Miko, are you alright?" Bulkhead asked, looking her over in his hand.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine!" she called back.

"RATCHET!" Raf yelled. The small child was drowned in the blue glow as Optimus looked at him. The 'bot mouthed something that was only seen by the terrified child, as he reached his giant hand forward. His trembling fingers about touched little Raf as a small, blue flare shot Optimus' wrist, causing the 'bot to coil back in more agony, assuming that that was even possible.

Bumblebee ran over and was immediately by Raf's side, blipping repeatedly as he scooped up the small child. Racing away from the 'bot, Bee froze suddenly, sending the child hurdling out of his hands. Bee's Spark reacted to Optimus', causing him to feel a minute portion of the pain, which Bee thought was weird. Slowly, the young 'bot turned to stare at his once was Prime. It was as if something inside him called to something inside Optimus.

It reminded the Scout of Megatron's call to his body when he was inside the 'bot's mind, but this time was a 180 turn different. Bee felt that, first of all, he was in control. It was like a little, inaudible voice spoke to him, making him turn.

He was now, not only looking at Optimus, but walking toward the giant 'bot with sure strides. Bee raised his hand passionately at Optimus, who raised his trembling one back. That little ghost inside Bee made him turn, made him walk, and made him shoot his once was Prime, but not before Optimus shot him first.

Both collapsed now, laying dead on the floor, without a single drop of Energon spilled.

The rest of the team didn't know how to react or who to tend to, making the unlikely assumption that both 'bots were still alive.

Optimus' head stung like the inferno, but his Power was fighting against death. Like it had been. He should have been dead long, long ago, but that cursed Power kept bringing him back. He didn't know why, he was no more special than any other 'bot, and he was halfheartedly hoping that it would just give up resurrecting such a useless soldier.

What good had he done? No matter how long he thought about that question over the past few days, the only answer that was willing to show it's head was the sacrifice that he chose for his fellow Primes. Taking their Secrets and foolishly harboring them in himself, thus killing them, was always believe by him to be his biggest mistake. Yet it registered as his best, if not only, deed that could claim to be good. But why?

And if saving the Power was the best thing that he could ever do, then why was it punishing him by keeping him alive to endure this agony and torment? Did it enjoy sensing the pain that the torture gave him, as if the regret he carried wasn't enough. Were the Powers really good, or did they love anguish so much as to become evil? Were they tempting him with these feelings of happiness and peace concerning his decision to steal them?

He was beginning to doubt everything. His friends, loyalties, trust, heck even his own existence as the good guy was being reexamined.

Bumblebee was suffering much the same thoughts. He considered the little ghost that spoke to him. Did it want this to happen? Did it know? Who or what was it anyway? Was he going to die because he listened? He didn't want to die, he knew that much. But why not? He's never really helped anyone. Anything that he ever did could have been done better, quicker, and more effective he didn't get in the way of progress.

Bee reared back. That wasn't true! He knew, but his Spark told him opposite. Should he trust his head or his Spark? Naturally, the Spark would make more sense, and it couldn't be told down by what your primitive mind thinks that it knows. The Spark had always been the better option to listen too. But wait a nanosec, his Spark is what had told him to do all those stupid and useless things all those times.

Now what (or whom) could he trust? His Spark always served as the right, and true option versus his head, but his head told him that his Spark's choices were all stupid and useless.