Author's Note: Hey guys! Back with the next chapter :) Hoping to get the next chapter ready quicker, but we'll see...life loves lumping me with a lot to deal with :P
But as always, enjoy! Love you all!
Chapter 25 - Savage Encounters
To say Shockwave was unsurprised at the current situation would be entirely inaccurate. In fact, said scientist had planned on some of his old faction hunting him down. His logic never failed him, and right now, it was as on target as it usually was.
As the red mech dashed in, the purple mech barely moved. All he did was watch. Watch as he staggered, watched as he fought off some sort of mental instability, and watched as Knock Out forced himself to speak.
"Shockwave…you understand why I'm here?"
Barely even shifting his gaze, the scientist half turned to his console as he answered. "I am presuming you wish for me to cure you, even though there is little sense as to why I would in such a scenario"
"Oh, I can give you a motive" Knock Out snarled suddenly, baring his fangs threateningly as more instincts rushed him.
The scientist still seemed to ignore it though, really not appearing interested at all in what the red mech had to say.
Without any other words, Knock Out growled loudly, catching the purple mech's attention. "You are not in sound enough mind to demand anything" was all he said before dodging a lunge from the wild mech.
Plating practically flaring, the red mech moved steadily towards Shockwave, his optics flared brightly as they glared dangerously at his newly acquired prey.
"SHOCKWAVE!" Megatron's voice cut in, temporarily making the pair freeze. "You are more than aware of our plans. Either agree to cure Knock Out or face your crimes"
The single optic almost narrowed. Shockwave was silent for a moment, his audial fins lowering as he considered his next words. "Neither of those options seem logical"
Growling and preparing to lash out again, Knock Out once more bared his fangs. "I can… convince you"
Before anyone could react, Knock Out pounced. Landing heavily atop the purple mech only caused the scientist to stagger back, cluttering to the floor as Knock Out snarled loudly.
He batted the red mech away, almost surprised when said mech did not complain about the scratches to his finish. All Knock Out did was rear back up and charge at Shockwave.
"I am beginning to understand his predicament, but what about him motivates you Megatron?" Shockwave spoke as calmly as before, still blocking and dodging Knock Out's savage but sloppy attacks.
A small chuckle was his response, the once warlord grinning dangerously. "I am seeking out those in my ranks who could potentially unbalance the new found order upon Cybertron" and then with a small glance at the red mech, he added "Knock Out has not only changed himself, but also those around him. He has allied the predacons with the autobots, and continues to keep the peace between"
"I see"
The scientist's single optic inspected the once Decepticon medic harshly, spotting subtle hints of his deteriorating control in his stance. Hunched slightly over, the red mech continued to growl at the scientist, all the while he had his sharp talons ready to scratch the scientist.
It was unexpected when he screeched loudly, causing the other's present to cringe as their audios buzzed at the feedback. But perhaps what was more surprising was the shudder that went through the red mech's frame before his suddenly crazed optics locked on the purple scientist.
"Knock Out…" Megatron began, but found the red mech didn't seem to even register him.
Instead, Knock Out shot forward, scratching the purple mech with his sharp talons suddenly and hissing as he was hit away more harshly.
"It is in all our interest to contain him" Shockwave quickly looked to Megatron, "I will agree to see what I can do, but I can only do so if he doesn't eviscerate me"
Megatron wanted to smirk, but he realized his once head scientist was correct. Knock Out had in fact lost control as he had suggested previously. "Agreed"
Soundwave was the first to jump into action after the mutual agreement, and quickly tried to wrap his tentacles around the red mech, finding a vastly different style to the medic's movements than normal. The mech's strength was much more than a mech his size should possess, and something more worrying made the silent mech back off suddenly.
"What is it Soundwave?" Megatron queried, more worried by this than Shockwave.
"Knock Out…predacon…" the silent mech played through recordings, sending a data burst to both present, "Out of control…"
Frowning, the once tyrant looked at the information he was sent. Knock Out had tried to bite Soundwave…had tried to infect the silent mech with his own venom.
"That is not good" Shockwave spoke seemingly calm, but was also backing away from the apparent predacon that was Knock Out.
With another piercing shriek, Knock Out once more shot forward, ready for the kill.
A sudden shudder ran through the dragon king's spark, followed by a delightful savage feeling, but this did not captivate him as much as it usually would.
Something was horribly wrong…
Knock Out's feelings were a sudden mess of contradictions, and what was more worrying was that he was honed in on something…on someone…ready for the kill.
His mate was hunting, much like he had when he was first online.
He couldn't even sense the Knock Out he loved below the mess of instincts coming through the bond, which made him angry. Had it not been for the argument that old autobot medic began with him, Knock Out would have remained by his side and been safe from such problems.
Storming out of the base, he was ready to fly off in pursuit of his lover, but the one mech that continued to irritate him stopped him in his tracks.
"Predaking" Ratchet stated seriously, unsurprised by the burning glare he received as the predacon leader turned hatefully towards him. "I know you are going after Knock Out, but I wish to accompany you"
His glare eased minutely in surprise, but he still wasn't overly happy. "And what would we need of you medic?"
"By your reaction, I am guessing he has worsened. I can help you subdue him if the need arises"
After a long growl, Predaking turned away, "And how would you do that?"
Moving forward, Ratchet stared calmly at the huge mech. "By taking a few lessons from the mech you love" he smiled lightly, unsubspacing the folded down form of Knock Out's prod. "It's the only thing that seems to still sedate him" he added after Predaking turned away with a confused visage.
"Fine" Predaking nodded, "But we still need a cure for him…if he's as bad off as I'm feeling he is, I'm not sure he's going to remain the Knock Out we know much longer"
Ratchet simply nodded in affirmation, and watched almost in shock as the predacon king transformed rapidly. It reminded him of his initial confrontation with Predaking, back when he still believed the autobots were to blame for the massacre of his kind. It did unnerve him a little, the memory of being the beast's chew toy for a short while, but now that was not why he was here.
He was here to help Knock Out.
The dragon roared impatiently, allowing Ratchet onto his back before bolting off. Even if he didn't wish to explain himself, Predaking was kind of happier to have Ratchet there…he was a medic after all.
"Knock Out, calm yourself before I am forced to hurt you" Megatron growled warningly, as the red mech moved ever closer, on all fours as he crept dangerously towards his prey.
A loud shriek from the named mech was all he received.
"I do not believe he is in the correct state to answer you" Shockwave observed, raising his cannon and readying himself to attack.
Unfortunately, Knock Out paid no heed, and quickly rushed the trio, obviously honed in on the scientist more than the other two. As he dove at the purple mech, Soundwave hit him away with his tentacles, quickly retracting them as the wild mech once more tried to lash out at them.
Megatron was next to hit the red mech away, growling in irritation as he watched his once medic quickly recover. He contemplated shooting him with a shot laced with the properties of dark energon, but he knew Knock Out had some exposure to the substance in the past, and thus it may not be as effective as it had been on the autobots.
A shot fired and hit Knock Out in the shoulder, and without even glancing away from the red mech, Megatron knew it had originated from Shockwave's cannon.
With a small howl of pain, Knock Out stumbled for a moment before snarling once more. His optics flaring for a moment, he went to charge Shockwave once more, but quickly dodged another shot from said mech with a low hiss.
Another sound came, but this one drew the red mech's attention away from his prey. Sniffing the air, the red mech screeched loudly and suddenly, bracing himself in place as the sound of a roar was received in return.
The next event was almost to be expected. The ceiling above them was blasted open with a signature fire blast, and the huge form of Predaking flew in, grumbling unintelligibly at Knock Out as the autobot medic promptly got off the beast.
Predaking simply huffed at Knock Out, finding the red mech continue to be mesmerised, if not apprehensive, by his presence alone. With a small grouch, Predaking transformed, still staring at his keep.
"What has happened here?" he demanded tot all present as he never took his gaze off his mate.
Shockwave shook his helm, wanting to turn back to his console, but still bothered by the red mech's presence. "He sought me out as was to be expected. Though he is not in a mentally stable condition, he believes I would be able to aid you in curing him."
"Would you?" Ratchet cut in, moving towards the trio still remaining in place, "What interest do you have in curing him?"
"I have agreed to do so if it means I am allowed to live, but he must be controlled, as he seems intent on tearing me apart" the scientist answered.
The autobot medic glanced to Megatron, who smirked in response.
"I have one other I wish to leave in your capable hands" the once warlord added, and without being asked, he gestured to Soundwave. "I believe it would be in everyone's interests to allow the ex-decepticon communications officer to aid in broadcasting the end of our war"
The silent mech immediately stepped forward, clearly against Megatron's idea as he shook his helm and stood firmly next to his once master.
"Soundwave, though we have been through a lot, I believe there is more for you with them. I am merely here to stop those from destroying the peace we have established, even if it is through unspeakable means"
With a silent nod, Soundwave seemed to concede.
A screech broke their concentration.
Everyone turned to Knock Out and Predaking, quickly seeing the red mech was ready to attack once more.
A loud grumble came from his king, slightly distracting him, but less effective.
"Knock Out, listen to me, I do not wish for this to continue" Predaking growled lowly, ready to stop his mate if need be.
After a small shudder, Knock Out managed to speak, sounding unnatural as he did so. "I…can't stop" he bared his fangs in a sneer as pain clearly raced through him, "It won't let me"
Still crouched and ready to pounce at the four mechs before them, Knock Out growled in discontent over something. His optics still looked crazed, but he was reluctant to even move…a slight pull to Predaking keeping him in place.
"Perhaps it would be best if-" Predaking began to address the others, but found Knock Out suddenly screeched in apparent pain, his form hunching over as he shuddered in place. "Knock Out?" he asked cautiously, stepping closer and bending down to inspect the small red mech who continued to whine in pain.
What he saw he did not like.
Ratchet went to rush forward, but was stopped at Predaking's command. "Stay back, but be ready for anything"
More Notes: Sorry for the cliffy, but it was the best point to stop. What did Predaking see? Stay tuned for more soonish XD