Masks

Cybertron, Pan Pacific, 13th Gygaxian 3224, Iacon, 2:00 am

That night, if it could be called that way, I couldn't recharge. I was so nervous my systems refused to shut down. I was just open optics, looking at the ceiling, going over every kind of combat tactics and moves I knew. I was so immersed into my thoughts that I lost notion of time. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door, somewhere around 02:00 AM, and I must say it almost made me jump out of the berth in shock. I stood up and hurried to open it just to find Prowl standing right on my door frame. I didn't wait for him to say a word. I immediately took my identification, meticulously organised on my desk the day before, and we headed the training room.

We walked in silence at first, as I was deep in my thoughts again, then I looked at my partner, and I saw the cop was really calm, after all, he was experienced, nothing to worry about. I, instead, felt a sting of worry deep in my spark as my helm found out difficult to concentrate on what was about to come.

"So, you ready for the test?" I tried to bring something to talk about.

"Yeah." He shrugged his shoulders grinning. He was so relaxed I even envied him. "What about you, you ready?"

"Yes, sure." I could feel my servos cold, my spark beating hard and my mind rushing. "Ok, just remember to concentrate on the fight, and not letting them to distract you. You have done it before, you can do it again." I tried to cheer him up, but it ended up being more for myself rather than for him.

He chuckled, hugging me close with one arm, as he caressed my nape like a father would do. "Knockout, look at me." Prowl made me stop. "Close your optics."

"We don't have time, we need to be there in..." I tried only to be cut.

"They can wait few clicks." He just said, firmly. "Close your optics and vent in." He instructed. I did as told, trying to calm my systems down. "Vent out... Repeat it again." I started to feel my systems cooler, and my helm colder. I finally opened my optics. "Feeling any better?" I nodded. "Well then, let's go already! You have to beat them all!"

We stood before the training room's doors, and never saw them as big as that day. I took a moment before we went in. I could see there were thousands of Cybertronian in there. Some of them even came from other shatterdomes. Most of theme were really bulky and toned up. On the contrary, Prowl and I were slim and fast, in my case, though I hate to admit it, also short in stature. But from my point of view, bigger Cybertronians were easy to defeat. I was more aware of the smaller ones. I worried about Prowl, who seemed to be far more enjoying himself, unaware of the potential rivals around us. We walked to the front of the mass, where a really tall blue mech with huge shoulders pads and a serious aura was standing. I somehow knew him, he appeared in tv from time to time, but I still didn't know why he was here.

"Who's he?" I asked intrigued.

"He is Ultra Magnus, the Iaconian representer in the R.R.D.C., and the mech who will lead the test alongside Alpha Trion." I nodded, and I decided he looked too serious. I didn't like him. "Ok, Knockout, remind here, I'm gonna talk to them. Let's see what's up lately."

"Can you do that?" I asked astonished, whisper shouting. "You're a candidate, the rest will think you're cheating!"

"Don't worry, Knockout. I'll be fine." He said calmly. "I'll be back in a moment."

I nodded, confused, but I decided I had to dismiss it in order to get focused. I gave a look around, as I wandered through the room, locating potential adversaries that could oppose me. I was being studied too, so I decided to pretend I was weak by folding my shoulder guards flat, looking like I was intimidated. Some Cybertronians chattered, others boasted, while made some fighting moves. I found few reminding silent, apparently shyly.

Nothing was what it looked like, and I knew it. We all had masks, not physical but we had them, pretending to be someone we were not, and only in certain situations like the one in front of us made us reveal our true us. I knew those who claimed to be great warriors wouldn't make it, or at least would have less chances.

Something came to my mind as I thought that. My father once told me something I kept within me for long. "Watch out for the quiet ones." He had said. "You don't know who you're facing 'til is too late. Have silent allies, but never thrust them. Remember that Knockout." Of course he was referring to the Seekers, but yet, the quiet ones were the ones I was aware of now.

I finally turned around and headed the starting point, where I hopped I would find Prowl, but something got me into my way. The big blue mech I spotted yesterday night was there, talking to a rival, wide grin on faceplates. He transmitted me a really calm sensation as we suddenly locked gaze. We stared for few moments, then he just smiled at me and then turned to attend what his talker once again. I dismissed it as I hurried to meet my mentor.

"So, what did you see?" The cop inquired.

"A pair of Tarnian femmes and a Vosian mech may turn out to be formidable. There's also a blue mech that got my attention, but nothing out of place." I resumed shortly. "Anything to know before we commence?"

"Well, few things." He said. "They are looking for sagacious type, but also brute and bulky enough to resit long fighting exposure. I know you are Crystaline, but I strongly suggest you to take that Kaonian part of you out if you wanna have a chance." I nodded thoughtfully. "Of course, they will try looking for someone from inside, someone they know, someone they can trust into. You got a point there, don't miss it, but don't be reckless, pedes on the ground and mind on the combat. Besides, there have being tension between southwest cities lately, something to do with energon resources, what means they will, at all costs, avoid putting Tigerians with Polyhexians in same Jaeger." He paused to look around lightly, getting me closer. "Moreover, Althian candidates have had a more extensive training than us, and Kalisians are getting strong in other Shaterdomes. Watch out, most of them won't play fair, specially..."

"... Kaonians." I completed.

"Precisely. Don't go with it, just as I taught you. Got it?"

I looked into his optics, focused. "Yes. I'm ready."

"Good then, rise and shine, Kiddo. Rise and shine." He grinned proudly, winking at me. "Good luck, though you won't need it." Prowl just added.

Soon, we heard the one known as Ultra Magnus clearing his voice. "Please, I would like you to listen carefully. Those who are not taking the test, go to the grandstands." A lot of people moved aside, Prowl among them.

I was stroke hard by uncertainty as doubts started to rise inside me. What was I gonna do without him? I shook my helm, clearing my thoughts away. I needed to be concentrated. I managed to look around lightly. We were at least about a hundred Cybertronians waiting. I gazed at my left side and I saw him, again. That tall and really toned up mech, painted in pale blue. It had orange faceplates and comforting yellow optics. The mech I saw yesterday laughing and the one that had grinned at me... So, he was a participant, huh? Interesting...

Ultra Magnus then went on. "Doors are closed till the end of the test, no one can come in now. You're allowed to leave whenever you wish, but not to return in, is it clear?" We all answered a 'yes, sir'. "Good. We will proceed to make sure you're in here. As soon as you're named, you'll start battling in your respective tatami."

We were called out as participants moved away to their positions. There were about eight tatamies ready for us to battle. I was deep into my thoughts, analysing the situation I didn't even noticed the blue mech had already started fighting. I could see that even if he seemed to be too big, he moved quite well. Impressive, I had to admit it.

Suddenly I was taken out of my thoughts as I was called by Alpha. I stepped forwards. "Identification, please." I gave it to him. He gave a quick look and then talked silently. "Tatami three. I'm sure you will make it, just remember who you are, Knockout. Good luck." I nodded, nerves killing me.

I was lead to it by Steve, who cheered me up too. I had never seen him working, but I was told he was a really efficient worker of the pilot preparation room, from hangar 2. Once I was placed, I closed my optics for a while, trying to take the warrior out off me. I could hear there was someone in front of me, but I wasn't paying him much attention. I finally opened my optics, and I found a huge green and black mech standing in front of me. He seemed to be Vosian. I vented deep, and closed my optics once again. It was now or never. I could make it. I knew how to fight, thanks to my father's lessons, and I was determined to do it well.

A femme approached and gave us instructions, while I kept my optics shut. "... You're not allowed to cheat, if not, you will be disqualified. You're not allowed to attack your opponent with other than your own frame. No weapons allowed. You will win the point if you throw the opponent out of the ring or if you blocked them on the ground. You will fight up to three points. Is it clear?"

"Yes." We both answered. My initial nerves were suddenly gone. I looked up to lock gaze with him and greeted each other.

"Get ready to be scraped." He spatted mockingly. I didn't reply. Instead, I positioned myself in a defensive position, arms folded up. "A shorty like you should have stayed aside." The signal was given.

At that, he attacked. I just move out of the way, putting my pedde between his legs and making him straggle and fell out of the ring. He growled, standing up straight and getting in again. He charged again, this time aiming his right to my jaw line. I dodged and pushed his arm away, following his motion, in order to destabilise him. But he had something stored as he pivoted over his left, launching his right pede towards me. I bent low backwards, almost losing balance. I had to react fast as he almost knocked me down. I rolled out of the way, standing up immediately. I managed to gain some clicks as we studied each other briefly. This time I didn't wait. I attacked. I ran towards him, and when I was about to punch him, I lowered down on my knees and skidded until I was under him. I elbowed him hard on his knee, making the Vosian struggle enough for me to jump over him, grabbing his right behind his back, and using my natural weight to pin him down.

I let him go as I was given the point. One more and it would be over. I turned to face again my adversary. My face expressionless, crimson optics locked onto him, ready to attack. He charged once more shouting loud, I didn't made any sound as I moved swiftly. I took advantage he had bent lower to gain momentum and I connected my pede with his chest, sending him out of the tatami.

"The fight is over." The femme resumed, "Knockout, you shall go on." She instructed me. We only lasted few breems, though it seemed an eternity. Anyway, I greeted the other mech in respect by bowing and I moved on.

I was lead into the following one. I tried to locate Alpha Trion. He was alongside Magnus on a big table, making notes from the first result. I caught them looking at me and then to their data pad. For my surprise, I also saw that big blue was still standing up. Then I saw The Genius were in there. Ratchet was attending some injured, but still next to the rest of the group. I could also see there was a huge placard with my name on the left, just below Gipsy Danger's logo, and in the right, I saw my Jaeger, and in front of her, there was myself wearing the white suit. They were cheering me up, even Shockwave... In his logical way, of course. I would have laughed at the whole thing, but I didn't let myself being distracted. I just greeted them discretely, and as I did so, they all got up shouting loud in emotion. I failed to notice there was an azure femme looking at me constantly, observing from a corner.

I faced another opponent, Iaconian, for my surprise. I had seen him around the base, and I even had chatted with him, but it wasn't time to think of that. He was determined and so was I. He had won his first round, but I couldn't let him go on the second one, no this was mine. I got ready, and so did he.

We clashed, provoking sparks out of us. I must say I suffered from my paint loss, but that gave me strengths to keep fighting, after all, all knew scratching a Crystalline's paint job was the worst possible idea. I dodged fast returned the blows, only to find this time I was being blocked at every movement. I got frustrated as I found myself pinned against the ground, and yet didn't know how it happened. I stood up. I couldn't allow him to win, no way. I vent deeply as I was giving my back to him as he rushed towards me. I didn't turn around. I waited, optics closed.

I waited just until I felt his fist was about to strike me hard. I just rose my leg up forcefully just to connect with his chest and send him away from me. I just hurried towards him to pin him down the ground. He tried to push me off, unsuccessfully. We stood up again. We got ready once more. The mech in front of me looked intimidated as his face expression changed suddenly. I charged and he backed up, until he was out of the tatami.

"I yield." He said, raising his arms up. I was surprised at his reaction but I just greeted him respectfully and I was led to my next challenge, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Each time I faced a new opponent, the level increased. They were strong, fit. I was receiving more hits that what I expected, but I refused to give up. I almost lost twice, and I couldn't risk to struggle again. Not now. I was getting close and I wasn't giving up, not without trying it. I was used to fight for long periods, but I was getting exhausted, and we were not allowed to refuel. I cursed for myself as I walked towards my last rival. One last fight and it would be over. I rolled my shoulders as I felt one was getting sore. I tried some fighting moves as I walked behind the vehicon leading, trying to loosen my muscles too.

I got into the tatami, I vented and examined the mech in front of me. I looked as exhausted like him, but we were up to the fight. I would have gladly taken off some armour as I started to feel it heavy in me, not good. I took my time to go over him. He wasn't much taller then me, slim, but well built. Young too, around my age maybe? I didn't care right then. Similar opponents, with similar abilities. That would be it. The best one would win.

We got ready, and I tried to spot a weak point. For my disappointment, he seemed to have none, and I was getting slow and tired, as my blows became predictable. I was knocked down to the ground twice, where I stayed, trying to rest my pained frame. Ache felt almost agonising, and the idea of giving up crossed my mind. I was distant to the situation, far away into the void, almost caressing the oblivion.

The Genius were holding their vents, I could see their shocked gazes towards me. And when I was about yield too, I remembered a lesson I learned when I was younger. My sire came to my mind again, this time he just had came closer and whispered. "Seeker does never give up, Knockout. If it worths fighting for, being good at it is not enough, you must be the best." His words echoing in my helm. "Of course, I cannot ask much from a mech like you."

"Like me?" I had replied back then. "What you mean?"

"You're weak." I could remember his expression as he looked down at me, remarking his last word.

"I am not." I had hissed lowly.

"Then stand up, and fight!"

I finally pushed myself up, full of rage, determined to finish what I started. No one said it was easy, but it had to be done. I faced my adversary once again, optics burning bright. Everyone was looking at us, as silence had settled in the room. We were last combatants left, but I didn't mind. I had gathered strengths out of nowhere, and I was ready to go on. There was just one slight difference, I had dropped my mask, unleashing my darkest me.

I locked optics with the mech in front of me, and I hissed, letting my fangs well on view. He didn't let himself being intimidated, so he got ready as I attacked. I moved faster than before. He had a hard time blocking me as I went on. He replied back a in few occasions, but I dodged fast. He managed to push me as I was send forcefully backwards, and I had to stuck my right claws on the ground to stop the skid. I just rose my gaze up and rushed towards him, blowing a kick, connecting with his helm. The mech collapsed down. I just stood there, in guard, but it wasn't until Ratchet made it to us that I realised what had happened. I shook my helm, getting back into reality. I approached lightly to the medic as I was concerned. The mech hadn't move yet.

"Ratchet, did I..." I didn't dare to complete the sentence as angst overtook me.

"Stay away, Knockout." He ordered me, serious tone in his voice. Pharma was there too, assisting the injured one, trying to help even if he wasn't a doctor himself.

I just let myself fall on my knees. I was trembling and I didn't know what could I do. Prowl made it through the multitude gathered around us, towards me, where he just hugged me from behind. I dared to look at him, venting hard. "I've offlined him." I muttered quietly. "I've offlined him." I repeated looking down to my servos, shocked.

"Shh, easy, Knockout. You were too caught up to analyse the situation." He tried to calm me down, but I couldn't stop thinking of what just had happened. "Besides, is still early to know his status. He might be just unconscious." He tried to made me think other, but I couldn't.

Ratchet check the vitals of the fallen as he ran an scan over him, and then, after a while he talked out loud. "He's fine, he just had a power down." He announced as the mech on the ground came back online. "I will get him to the Med Bay. Soundwave, please, open a ground bridge." The green vortex opened immediately.

"Will he recover?" I dared to ask.

"Of course I will recover, you lugnut!" The other mech just replied back, annoyed, as he sat up. "Next time measure you strength, scraphead!" He spatted at me.

"I'll check him up." Ratchet informed. "Just in case, I wanna make sure he doesn't have internal damage." He added, this time more calmed. The medic tried to help the patient up, but this refused by standing on his own. Pharma grabbed him and even if he complained, he was lead to the Med Bay, followed by the medic. The ground bridge just closed after Ratchet.

Ultra Magnus called our attention, so I got up, helped by Prowl. "Despite our little incident here, the test must go on because the Terrorcons won't wait." He started. "We had made our selection. Those who have passed the first event, follow Alpha Trion to the simulation room. You'll be taking the next part in there."

We were called one by one, and as he did so, all the candidates crossed their digits. I was so concerned about what had happened clicks ago I didn't really payed attention to the given names. Prowl shook me lightly, as he got me out of my thoughts. "You have to go now." He whispered. "You have passed."

I just raised my gaze lightly until I understood what he meant. I dragged my pedes, tired, as I positioned myself next to the other candidate. We soon exited the room, towards the simulation room. I took advantage of the moment to approach Alpha, letting the others lightly behind.

"With all my respect, Alpha." I paused, trying to figure out how to say what I had to. He turned his helm to look at me, soft glare on. "I think I should..." I vented deep and let it out, stating it firmly. "I quit."