So, finally, the last one-shot is here...

As I did with Nightglider, whose brother ends up betraying him, I decided to show how Solar Flare and Knock Out were before, when they still considered each other friends. Plus, this was a great chance to show my other two OCs: Hermes and Starnova, their parents.

Warning: English isn't my mother language, so there might be some grammar mistakes in here.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers franchise nor its characters. It is a registered trademark of Hasbro.


Summary: Long before being a Decepticon, Solar Flare was just another Velocitronian femme. She had two lovely creators, a nice little brother, and a promising future. But, one day, she lost it all… Even herself.

Genre: Angst


-SOLAR FLARE-

Broken

The clinic was one of the few places she disliked the most. It smelt funny, and the medics weren't very nice. Eventually, she asked her sire to lift her up, and the blue and golden mech did so diligently, while offering her a warm smile; then, his optics were, once again, staring at the door in front of them. Right… Carrier has disappeared through it a good amount of kliks ago. What happened? Was everything ok? She should've returned by now…

Sire let out a stressful sigh that made her look at him in worry. He noticed this.

"Everything's fine, Flare. I'm sure everything's fine." He cooed her with a loving smile. Then, he looked at the door once again, as his arms started to rock the sparkling he was holding from one side to the other. He was really anxious by now.

With Solar Flare, their first born, they were looking forward to have an offspring, as most newlyweds does. For so, finding out that Starnova, his bondmate, was carrying wasn't such a shock… But when, a couple quartex ago, his femme called him from the clinic and gave him the news, the poor racer nearly crashed against one of the stadium walls during his daily training. It was totally unexpected, unplanned. They were unprepared for this child. Biting his lip, he rose his eyes pleadingly. "Please, please, please… Let the kid be fine." It was strange for the doctors to delay this much. The hatch should've opened already! Did something happened? Was the hatchling fine? What happened?!

Suddenly, the door swooshed open and a curvy reddish pink femme of deep blue optics and white protoform appeared in sight. Starnova. The mech's spark-beat picked up as he approached his mate, who was tenderly cradling a tiny figure between her arms; and, as soon as he got next to her, the racer and his first child had a perfect view of the new member of their family.

"It's a mech." The femme breathed with a smile, never looking away from the newly born.

He had red armor, silver protoform and white faceplate. The hatchling was cuddled against his carrier's chest-plates with his optics shut, simply trying to get as much heat as he could from the femme's spark; just as any newborn would, by mere instinct. However, seeing that he had no intentions of moving anytime soon, Hermes reached out for the little mech's tiny hand. Even in his slumber the child gripped his sire's digit, making the grownups smile, and Solar Flare arch an eyebrow. Then, the little one stirred and opened his optics ―deep, navy blue, like the bio-lights on his back―, before turn to look at the two strangers who were staring at him.

"He has your optics." Hermes commented to his mate, smiling, his spark at ease now.

"He needs a designation." Starnova reminded her beloved with a sly smirk, and an arched eyebrow.

"Wha-?! I…! You know I have no talent when it comes to names!" The poor racer stammered, optics wide as he stared into his bondmate's face. Then, he glanced his new son's big, bright optics, as the child kept staring at him, trying to decide who he was. "Can't you just…?"

"No. I named Solar Flare; this one is up to you." The femme reminded him of the deal they made, not so long ago.

Hermes deflated. He had been thinking possible designations over the past few quartex; he even made a list of his favorite options, but, now that he was finally able of looking at the little one's face… His processor couldn't think of one decent name. And, then, as he saw the child's shiny armor and astonishing optics, it hit him.

"Knock Out." It came out of his lips so naturally, that there was no room for doubt. It was fitting; and it seemed to please the little hatchling since it gurgled, making his sire chuckle. "What do you think, sweetspark?" Hermes asked his daughter.

The young, champagne colored femme looked at her new brother… not really sure of what to do. She simply nodded, and her creators went to tell the medics what the mech's name would be. Solar Flare was yet examining the new born, when the old mech who helped him open the hatch were he gestated for the past stellar-cycle walked up to him once again. He seemed troubled by something.

"Um… I'm sorry but, the scans showed a trouble with the little one." He said, cautiously, cerulean optics staring at the two adults who were preparing to leave the clinic.

"What you mean?" Hermes asked, putting his daughter on the floor. The little femme grabbed her sire's hand and, also, stared at the doctor.

"The results… His core temperature is slightly above the normal." The statement made the creators turn to their new child in worry. "It may be nothing, but I would like to run a new scan over him, if you don't mind." The medic hurried to say, extending his hands towards the family in a soothing way.

"Of course." The blue and golden mech agreed with a nod, hoping that it was a simple malfunction of the scanner they used…

But it wasn't. Solar Flare could tell by the looks on her parents that it wasn't a mistake. Something was wrong with her new baby brother… But, what? He looked fine. He even laughed when the doctors examined him! What could be the problem? Nonetheless, all her creators did was thank the medics and take her, and Knock Out, home.

Their house had plenty room, all thanks to her dad's reputation as an undefeated champion. No Velocitronian was faster than him in the tracks, and, for so, he was much respected ―plus, his incomings provided them with everything they ever needed. The front door was bright blue, and had large windows on the sides; they also had a balcony on the first floor, which Starnova liked to ornament with crystal flowers. Inside, the family room was sober, but it was kind of elegant too; on the back was one large glass table on the center, a holo-screen that the adults used to watch the news ―mostly about the races―; on the front side of the room, there were a bunch of couches, and near of them were shelves with datapads. On the back there was, also, the kitchen's door. It was a big room too. They, sometimes, refueled there when they were in a hurry.

There, at the main room, was also a staircase that led to the first floor, where the bedrooms and wash rack were located. There was also an attic, but they used it as a storage mostly… Solar Flare hated to go there, for she believed that monsters and other creepy stuff lived in that room. Besides it was dark, and dusty.

At the time, however, Knock Out seemed too busy in taking in every little detail from his new home. For example: his creators' prizes, which were proudly shown in a corner. Of course he had no clue of what those things were, but anything shiny would automatically call a hatchling's attention… Family holographic pictures were also fascinating for him.

Finally, they took him to his new room, right next to Solar Flare's, and right in front of their creators' one. Everything was already prepared: toys, holographic projectors, and, of course, the cradle. Starnova kneeled down and grabbed one of the little cars from the toys' box, before show it to her new son. At first he seemed a bit shy, until he understood what it was and, soon, grabbed the item too.

Hermes couldn't help but chuckle as the hatchling started to play with his carrier. What the doctors said… No. He didn't care. It was his son. Nothing else mattered. "Come to think of it…" He turned to look at his daughter, his first born, who was yet standing at the hatchling's room's doorframe. Smiling, he gestured her to come closer, and, although a bit slowly, she did as told. Once the little femme was next to him, the racer kneeled down too and placed a hand over his bondmate's shoulder to call her attention; then, he looked at Solar Flare. Understanding, Starnova got closer to her daughter… and handled her the hatchling.

The older child wasn't sure of what to do with her brother. She didn't even know how to hold him! So, she simply kept him there… Her hands under his armpits, and her golden optics staring awkwardly into his big navy blue ones. They blinked a couple times, in silence. She, not knowing what to do with the baby; he, oblivious of whom this new person was. But there was something familiar about her… And, then, just like that, he started to laugh again. He… accepted her. In no time, Solar Flare was hugging her new brother, accepting him too.

Hermes and Starnova gazed each other, smiling, before rest their foreheads against one another's. Just like that, they had two offspring instead of one. It was uncommon; not impossible, of course, but uncommon. Usually, couples never strived to have more than one child. It seemed that Knock Out was more than decided to come into existence… To be part of their family. For some odd reason, they had to have a second. So, they will.

"Alright, young lady." The carrier suddenly said, extending her arms to receive the baby. Her daughter complied. "It's past your berth time." She continued, once her son was with her again.

Solar Flare pouted in protest.

"But, carrier…"

"You know the rules, sweetspark." Hermes interrupted, and quickly grabbed a hold on his daughter, before get on his feet. The kid, reluctantly, wrapped her small arms and legs around her sire, who was now supporting her on his arms. "Off you go." He turned to leave, when the hatchling whined.

"See? He wants me to stay." Solar Flare said, looking at her sire in the optics.

The grownup chuckled and shook his head with his eyes closed.

"You two will have plenty time to play tomorrow." He reasoned.

"But…"

"Darling, your sire has training tomorrow morning." Starnova reminded her daughter. "Time to recharge."

She didn't want to… But, when both adults were saying the same thing, it was useless to resist. So, the champagne colored child simply wished goodnight to her brother and let her sire carry her away. Once in her room, Hermes tucked in his first born, and was about to leave when she piped out a question she has been wondering ever since the clinic: what was wrong with the baby? Why the medics seemed so worried? Why sire and carrier were so worried?

Sighing, the racer preferred to explain everything right away, and sat at the berth's brim.

"Something's… wrong with your brother's cooling system." He said. Solar Flare arched an eyebrow, not following. The adult bit his lip and scratched the back of his neck, trying to find a better way of explaining. "You know that our bodies are like puzzles, right?" The sparkling nodded. "And, for a puzzle to work properly, each part has to work with the others; you know… match." She nodded again. "There's a piece called 'cooling system', it makes sure that our core remains at the same temperature at all times. It's an important part; without it, we could either freeze or overheat."

"What does this has to do with Knock Out?" Solar Flare asked.

"Your brother's cooling system is mismatched, darling. It has a glitch that doesn't allow him to regulate his inner temperature properly…" Hermes finally explained. His daughter optics widened in both, understanding and fear. "His core is warmer than it should, and his systems doesn't seem to notice."

"Why didn't the medics cure him?!" The sparkling demanded, making the adult smile sadly.

"They can't. It's not like they didn't want to, it's just…" He shrugged and averted his optics for a moment, looking for words. "Unfortunately, not everything can be repaired. This can't." Then, he grabbed one of his daughter's servos with his own. "Solar Flare, I need you to promise me something, ok?" She nodded. "This glitch will allow your brother to have a normal life, ok? It's nothing too serious… As long as he doesn't race."

"But… Race is all we do." She said, remembering that it was the only thing that Velocitronians seemed to be good at.

Hermes smiled.

"No, is not. I'm a racer because that's what I do best; but there are others who are good at things that I'm not, like your teachers at the institute, the medics at the clinic, or the engineers that keeps our cities going, keeping us safe." Then, his optics changed a shade. The worry was back. "And I need you to help us to keep your brother safe, ok?"

"Ok." She promised.

"That's my girl." Satisfied, Hermes kissed her forehead and got up. "Goodnight, sweetspark."

"Good night, sire…"

… … …

Starnova was cleaning some dishes at the kitchen, when there was some ruckus on top of her, on the first floor. Then…

"Come back here!"

"Catch me if you can!"

Rolling her optics, the femme simply smiled and kept drying the glass on her hands, shaking her head. "Kids…" She thought, as the sound of fast footsteps echoed through the ceiling. They've been like this ever since Knock Out learnt to walk…

Meanwhile, at the family room, Hermes was putting back a data-pad at the shelves, when Solar Flare, who was entering her youngling years, suddenly shielded behind his legs, almost making him lose balance. He looked down to his daughter, before his son came down the stairs calling for his sister. "Not again…" The racer thought, as both sparklings started to chase each other around the house. Apparently, the older sibling took something from the younger one for the tenth time that quartex.

Soon enough, they were in opposite sides of the table.

"I'm not kidding, Flare! Give it back!" Knock Out demanded, frowning.

"Oh, you mean this?" She asked, tauntingly, showing a memory card that she snatched from the younger sparkling when he was distracted. "You want me to give this back?" She pressed, smirking and arching an eyebrow at the item.

Growling, the red sibling crawled under the table to try to catch his annoying sister; unfortunately, she leaped aside, escaping.

"Flare!" Knock Out barked, getting back on his feet, and resuming pursuit. Finally, he caught her by the wrist. Now, all he had to do was get his memory card back… But wrest with his sister wasn't as easy as it looked like. "C'mon, Flare! I need it!" He grunted, stretching out, trying to get a hold on his belongings. Unfortunately, being the older, Solar Flare's arms were longer…

Luckily for the younger sibling, a blue servo snatched the card from the youngling's grasp. When they both looked up, Hermes was staring at them with his arms crossed, and his eyebrows furrowed. Both siblings offered him an embarrassed grin, pretending innocence. The adult rose an optic, before return the card to Knock Out, who thanked him and returned to his room. Hermes watched him go.

"Not so fast, young lady." He warned, smirking…

…and the femme stopped trying to tiptoe her way out of this.

"What did I tell you about messing with your brother's belongings?" He warned, turning to look at her.

She sighed and looked back at him, rubbing her right arm.

"Sorry, papa. I was just trying to make him take a break; you know, have some fun." She explained.

The adult sighed tiredly, and rubbed his forehead, before telling his daughter to go and apologize to her brother. Nodding, Solar Flare agreed and walked towards the staircase. Soon enough, Hermes heard her climbing up.

Upstairs, the youngling went straight to her brother's bedroom and opened the door, finding him back on his computer, working in some science project of his. When concentrated as at that moment, Knock Out looked much older. Sometimes it was hard to remember that he was yet a sparkling…

The red mech suddenly looked to his side, noticing the open door and his sister staring at him; and his reaction was immediate: he saved his work and covered the memory card he had plugged into his computer. Seeing this, Solar Flare rolled her optics and crossed her arms.

"Relax. I'm not going to do that again…" She said, lazily lying against the doorframe. "Actually, I came to apologize for it. I shouldn't have snatched your memory card, I'm sorry."

Although doubtful, Knock Out slowly retreated his hands and dropped his defensive stance; however, his optics never left his sister's figure. It wasn't until she entered the room and sat on his berth's brim that he convinced himself of her intentions.

"It's… ok." He mumbled, sitting on his chair once again. "But don't do it again!" He warned, raising a digit and frowning.

She smiled, and picked up her feet, hugging her knees. The femme dedicated an honest nod to him. The sparkling mimicked her and relaxed; then, he resumed his work. Watch his digits move across the keyboard was mesmerizing. His hands were so fast! "He can't race, but he sure can type ten thousand words per minute…" The youngling thought, staring at her brother's abilities.

Feeling optics on him, the sparkling checked over his shoulder, and, noticing his sister's stare, his fans turned on in embarrassment.

"Flare!" He complained, shutting his optics.

"What?" She asked, confusedly blinking.

"Stop staring! It's weird!"

"Excuse me?" An optic-ridge arched, as her optics narrowed and a sly smirk grew on her lips. Knock Out knew that expression far too well, reason why he started to get up so he could back away. "You're calling me weird?" She pressed, getting off the berth too.

"Flare… No." The mech warned, hands standing out in a defensive position. He knew what was coming, reason why he was trying to stay as serious as possible, but a smile was threatening with crept on his lips any moment now. "No. Sire told you not to…"

But it was useless. Before he could finish his sentence, she sprinted off the berth after him, and a new chase started; but, this time, both of them were laughing. Trying to stay out of reach, Knock Out went down the stairs, returning to the family room, where his creators were placing the plates on the table, preparing everything for dinner. Both adults, noticing his sudden reappearance, focused on him with interest; yet, no explanation came, as Solar Flare soon came into view too, and the little mech dashed out of her reach. She went after him, always minding to give him some advantage.

After all, they both knew that she was faster than that…

So it wasn't a surprise when the youngling finally caught her brother. Both siblings fell on the couch where a tickling battle started. Knock Out, unsurprisingly, found himself pinned underneath his sister.

"N-no! Ha, ha! Flare! Sto-… Stop it!" He managed to plea between laughs, desperately trying to catch her arms to stop the tickling.

"Yield and I will!"

"M-make me!"

"That's enough." A third voice announced, splitting the siblings.

Starnova. With a patience that only a carrier could have, the femme helped her children up, and fixed them the best she could. In the back, both creations could see their sire still holding the camera. The racer was yet smiling, happy of seeing his offspring playing together. His spark was content with knowing that there was no rivalry or jealousy between the siblings; and, through the bond, he could feel similar things coming from his mate's spark.

"Clean yourselves for dinner." The adult femme told her kids, who nodded and went to the wash rack to do as told.

A gentle arm wrapped around the reddish pink femme's waist, as kind lips met the back of her neck. The warmth of infinite love filled the bond she had with Hermes, whose body was now plastered against hers.

"I think we're doing a good job." He whispered to his mate.

"They're yet too young to tell." She retorted, turning to look at him with a smirk.

"Still, I think we may be doing this just fine." Hermes shrugged.

"Time will tell." She finished, placing a kiss on her bondmate's lips.

As an answer, the racer nuzzled his beloved one with adoration. He was so glad for his femme and his offspring… He had everything he ever wanted and more, all thanks to them. He wouldn't change a thing. His arms tightened a bit around Starnova's waist, as the femme lied her head on his shoulder.

Unfortunately, their kids soon returned, ready to refuel… catching the adults' romantic exchange.

"Yuck…" Knock Out muttered in disgust at the sights, while his sister simply chuckled covering her mouth.

Thanks to this, their creators let go from each other ―their sire clearing his throat―, and led their creations to the table so they could eat. "Right… He's still too young." Hermes reminded himself with a half-smile. After all, he was a bit older when he started liking the femmes; at Knock Out's current age, they weren't particularly attractive. And that's when he realized: his son was reaching the age in which he would have to… explain, some matters to him. After all, Starnova did so with Solar Flare a couple stellar-cycles ago; meaning that their son would be his responsibility. Hopefully, he wouldn't scar the poor kid for life.

Amazingly, it didn't. In fact, Knock Out seemed to take biological information much better than his sister… Good. Because the racer didn't want to go through those two joors again… However, the experience made him realize something: his sparklings were steadily growing. Soon enough, his son would become a youngling too, and his daughter would be nearly an adult. Sighing, the blue mech noticed that, even for a species as long-lived as his, time seemed to pass way too fast in some aspects. Especially for Cybertronians, whose bodies changed from sparkling to youngling in the blink of an eye; only when they were fully developed adults they didn't seem to age anymore…

But, no time to think about that now.

"You're doing great, sweetspark. Just go gently on the next curve." Hermes indicated through his communication's channel to Solar Flare.

The young femme was currently training her abilities on the tracks, preparing herself for a race that would take place next quarter. If she could make it to the podium, then, she would be able to enter the next Benefit 500, the first step to become a professional racer… Just like her sire.

Starnova and Knock Out were there too, rooting for the champagne colored youngling, who was now drifting to take the next loop faster. The little red mech was holding a data-pad between his hands, since he thought that he would be able to keep working on his own projects; but, the moment his sister transformed and started to race around, he couldn't look away from her. It wasn't the first time he saw Solar Flare training or racing, but it was the first time she may actually start her own career; so, of course he was excited!

Only one little detail…

"She's loosing stability on the back tires." He noticed, as his sister's showed to be having trouble with her skidding self.

"Yeah… She's repeating your carrier's mistakes…" Starnova commented with a soft chuckle, while wrapping an arm around her son's back. "Remember the first time you saw me, Hermes?" She asked, looking at her mate.

"The time you dented the track's safety wall? How to forget? You sure left an impression." The racer laughed… And soon received something landing on his head. "Hey!" He turned, wincing and massaging the back of his helm.

Starnova simply crossed her arms and looked away, while Knock Out tried his best not to chortle out; his data-pad was missing, so the blue adult had a pretty much clear idea of what his Conjux used to hit him.

«What's the joke? What did I miss? » Solar Flare wondered, calling to her brother after seeing him laughing when she passed next to where they were.

"Carrier and sire discussing the day they met." He whispered, trying not to be heard by his creators.

«The dent on the wall? » She chuckled, and laughed at the confirmation. «By the…! Ha, ha! Our sire sure knows how to treat the ladies, don't you think? »

"Enough to bond our carrier…" The sparkling shrugged, kind of entertained by the looks that the adult femme was sending towards his sire, who tried to concentrate on the duty at hand.

«True. Guess that he must have some charm then. »

"For carrier, it seems so…"

The youngling prepared to take the final loop, when she saw something… Or, better said, someone entering the stadium. "Oh, no…" Knowing what was about to happen, the champagne colored femme raced back to her family and transformed; unfortunately, she was too far. By the time Solar Flare completed the turn, the newcomers were already where her family was. She hurried to Knock Out's side. The younger sibling welcomed her protective hug, as his carrier and sire stepped between him and the other mech. It was a racer too, one of deep green paint. His designation was Razorwind, and he was an old competitor of Hermes. In fact, Solar Flare was aware that he once pretended her carrier, back when Hermes and Starnova were just friends. All he got out was a slap on the face from said femme, and a public rejection.

Said episode, plus the fact that she bonded with Hermes, who came out victorious every single time they raced, did nothing but increase the grudge that the green racer had for the blue one, to the point in which it turned into pure hate.

What the champagne colored youngling didn't know was that this bot happened to be the sire of a young mechling: Silverstrike. Also known as the sparkling who has been bullying her brother ever since he entered the Insitute. The youngling could still remember the day she found out about it… Turns out that Knock Out was hiding the scratches of his fights with new coats of paint, and lots of buffing ―Solar Flare happened to caught him red handed. Being discorvered, the little mech confessed everything to his sire and carrier; and his creators went to talk about the bullying that the red sparkling was suffering with the Institute's chairman. As a result, Silverstrike was suspended for over a quartex.

It seems that his sire was now trying to make Solar Flare's take back the charges; but, no matter what he said or yelled, Hermes didn't back down. Staying his ground, the blue racer managed to make Razorwind leave, next to his offspring.

A tender hand on his shoulder made the racer turn away, only to lock gazes with his Conjux, who offered him some comfort through their bond, and a warm smile. She was glad to be his bondmate, and for the two precious sparklings they had together. Starnova didn't need to say it out loud. He understood every silent word, as he returned the smile and rested his forehead against hers for a moment, before turning to look at his kids. Solar Flare was yet embracing her brother in a protective way, while Knock Out had his optics locked on the retreating figure of Silverstrike. Hermes' smile fell...

Starnova patted his chest and gestured to the exit. He nodded with a sigh.

"Alright, how about we stop for some treats on our way home?" He proposed, and the change on his sparklings' faces was immediate.

... ... ...

That night-cycle, Solar Flare heard a soft knock at her door. Immediately after, Knock Out pocked his head inside her room.

"Flare? You awake?" He whispered.

"I am now…" The youngling muttered, sitting up on her berth and yawning. The sparkling walked inside and sat on her bed's brim. "What's up?" She asked, rubbing her optics.

"Can't recharge…" The red bot said with a shrug, looking his dangling feet. "What do you think Razorwind wanted?"

"What he said… To make sire and carrier take back the charges, so Silverstrike can go back to the Institute." Solar Flare answered, matter-of-fact, shrugging and hugging her knees.

The sparkling looked away. Ever since that kid was suspended, classes has become less troublesome; in fact, he was almost happy at the Institute. After all, he wasn't the fastest racer, and never would be; but he was the best student they had, because his processor could assimilate data faster. He was a fast learner.

"I… I've been thinking…" He stammered. "I've been checking out Cybertron's Academy… Through the data-net."

That was enough to make her regain full consciousness.

"What?!"

Fearing that his sister would wake up their creators, Knock Out covered her mouth with both hands, while hushing her. The younger sibling made her promise not to shout anymore before let go.

"Cybertron?" Solar Flare questioned. "But that would mean that you…"

"That I would have to move away from Velocitron, I know, but…" He sighed. "There's nothing here for me anyway. My speed won't take me anywhere, and I don't like the idea of have to deal with my current classmates for the rest of my life. Delta City isn't so big, you know?" He finished with a roll of his eyes. "So… I just thought it would be good to… You know… Check all the options."

Sighing, the youngling dropped back onto her berth's surface, massaging her head.

"And we're having this conversation now because…?" She complained.

The younger sibling shrugged.

"I couldn't recharge, and you're my best friend." He said, surprising Solar Flare. Noticing, he smirked. "Plus, you're my sister, it's my job to annoy you."

Chuckling, she pushed him off her bed and told him to go back to his room. Fighting a laugh, the sparkling did as told; albeit, as he reached to open the door, his sister called him once more. Solar Flare walked up to him and gave her brother a hug, promising that, whatever he chooses to do, he would be fine. Nodding into the embrace, Knock Out told his sister that she was also going to be the best racer there was.

… … …

But she never became a true professional racer…

Razorwind and his goons assaulted her and her brother at the exit of the stadium, right after Solar Flare classified for the Benefit 500. As a result, some of her inner systems suffered severe damage, reason why she was physically unable to compete anymore.

The medics declared her beyond repair.

Racing was her life. And it was taken from her.

So, she ran. She went to Cybertron, and, when the war broke out, she chose sides.

Turns out she chose wrong.

The Decepticons lost. Twice, since Shockwave's and Starscream's plan ended in failure too.

And, to make things worse, right after the disastrous battle, when she was tired and wounded, Solar Flare was ambushed and captured by fleshies. Now, she was being used to test the durability of some Cybertronian-sized puppets. So far, she has defeated them all.

In that place, in constant isolation, Solar Flare couldn't help but revive her memories one by one… And, suddenly, a single phrase started to repeat in loop within her processor: the night in which Knock Out called her his best friend… And suddenly, the moment in which he discovered she was a Decepticon overlapped with said memory. Her spark ached. No. She needed to get out of that remembrance.

But she couldn't.

She missed those days… Velocitron, her creators, her… Her brother. She wished things could be as before.

Solar Flare remembered the battles that she stood with Knock Out ever since she awoke at this planet. In all those occasions, he told her that he didn't want to fight… Not with her… "He's probably one of them now… An Autobot. And, no doubt, that femme, the Wrecker, is with him too." The lieutenant thought with a sigh. She couldn't help but feel like crying as the realization of her solitude started to fall upon her.

… … …

Little she knew that, even after everything that happened, Knock Out was yet trying to find her. Because, deep down, he hoped that there was yet a chance of redemption for Solar Flare, his sister, his childhood's best friend… One of his first heroes.


And, so does Redemption: Afterwards ends. I left it open 'cuz, as I always say, I tend to imagine my stories within the same timeline; so, I was planning a follow-up for this. My other fic Out In the Open was supposed to be said follow-up, since it happens after Redemption, reason why some elements comes from there; but, it also is a completely different story, which main character is now Optimus, not Knock Out. So it's not a sequel, but it keeps exploring the life of the Autobots now that their team has extended... quite a lot.

Thanks to all those who followed both, Redemption and Redemption: Afterwards. Sorry that it took me this long to finish it.

Hope to see you soon!