Chapter 40 - Epilogue - Home
Circuit: Welcome to the best news source in Iacon, and today Longtooth and I will be giving you some insight into the mysterious case and trial outcome of a rogue runaway decepticon - Knockout! We'll be gathering opinions on all sides to make sense of this confounding situation! But first - a recording of the official statement by the head of council Cyclonus!
Cyclonus: Thank you for gathering here today. I'm sure you're all very curious about the council's decision - how should we react when the Decepticons in our midst go rogue? I hope you will understand that the council's decision is a very unique one, and in time I believe the public will understand our reasoning for our decision. (Long pause). The council has decided to exile Knockout to Earth, forever. If one won't abide by Cybertronian laws, one must pay the price. We must choose one planet, not split our sparks between two. If Knockout betrays this idea, then he will be forced to live by it - he chose Earth, so now he will stay there. And ultimately, it means one less traitor in Cybertron's midst.
Circuit: You heard it here, folks. Five Earth years after the incident, Knockout's trial is finally complete. Instead of traditional punishment and imprisonment, Knockout has been given the extreme option of exile - but exiled to the place he was arrested for going to! What a strange predicament, and we can't quite grasp the reasoning. Here's some more opinions and takes I've collected from various people on the matter, however instead of shedding light on the matter, it only gets more confusing and mysterious. First up is Drift - the original ex-Decepticon!
Drift: This isn't right. There's an apparent prejudice with how the council's treating him. Notice how they keep calling him a Decepticon? He passed the Autobot certification exams long before he visited Earth. During the war on Cybertron he betrayed the Decepticons and aided the Autobots. What more do you want for him to be branded an Autobot? I wonder, am I still a Decepticon to you all? No matter how much I've changed, and how much I've done for you all? Will stigmas never change? If an Autobot pulled this stunt, it would be a few years in prison with traveling rights revoked. It's a reasonable punishment. But simply because Knockout was a Decepticon in the past, he's sentenced much more harshly. There was no evidence in Knockout's actions that he was anything but an Autobot. Selfish, perhaps, but he even took a missile for a human. This is blinding prejudice at play, and this is something very dangerous for our leaders to have. While I may be an Autobot now and seen as such in most's eyes, there are still those out there who are non-militant Decepticons living in supposed harmony with Autobots on Cybertron, and I fear for their rights every day.
Swerve: You're asking what I think about this? Absolutely wild! Out of this park! I don't know what the council's thinking, but it sure is interesting. The average 'bot gets what, five years locked up and no traveling privilege? But no, he's exiled , just like that! Just bonkers. And you know me, I hear all the rumors, so I'm about to spill my theory to you. You ready? (Circuit makes affirmative noise). Alright, so I heard there's this girl Knocky really cares about, right? Living on Earth. Of course he'll be happy to go back on Earth and see her! I'm betting right now it doesn't seem like a punishment at all to him. But y'know, Human lifespans are super short. And I think the council is playing 3D Chess. He may be happy now, but he'll have to live his life seeing her grow old and die in a very short time, and what will he do then? He'll just be bitter and alone and suffering on Earth, and I think that's what the council wanted for him, no? The loss certainly is more traumatic when faced with the reality of losing her rather than just forgetting the memory of her behind iron bars. I don't even know if a Decepticon deserves something like that. (Wistfully trails off). What? I've spent a lot of time watching Earth dramas. I'm a romantic at heart.
Froid: I've heard rumors about a girl in relation to the case. And let me tell you, I've studied all the facts. While I may not know either of them personally, I question whether they were ever actually friends. Yes, the court's recount of Knockout's time on Earth was dry and objective so that may be swaying my opinion, but I believe Knockout cold and vain enough to be manipulating her all along. While the taking-a-missile-in-the-back thing may be hard to contest, it could also be seen as a form of self-preservation so that he's not executed for harming a human. But I believe - at least initially - Knockout was wholly manipulating a naive girl into doing what he wanted, and it worked. He deserves the harsher punishment.
Ratchet: I'm sick of the media and 'bots hounding me about my opinion on the matter, but I'm also sick of the complete slander of Knockout and my friends, so I'm finally taking a stand, and I'm saying this only once. Yes, Knockout was a pain in my aft. But it was wholly and completely a team effort. Nobody can place the full blame on Knockout, it's completely unfair. It was actually the little rascal Miko that proposed the idea in the first place, and since then it was four humans and Knockout working equally in tandem in order to get him there. They did just about everything else on their own - all Knockout did was drive. These were the same kids that helped save Cybertron. And if you're going to place the blame on the kids, place the blame on me too. Because all along I had the suspicion I knew what they were up to, but when I finally confronted them, I ended up giving them a free pass. And it wasn't just me. Two other undisclosed Cybertronians and two other government agents were bystanders as well. None of us had the heart to stop it - for the most part, it was just innocent fun. So if Knockout's responsible, we're all responsible - because Earth and Cybertron's finest helped him along as well. (Disgruntled sigh). Don't tell him I said this, but I believe he's a true Autobot now. You would think this situation would make one even more untrustworthy. But I think he's proved himself time and time again - dating back to the very first day of his visit to Earth. Where he saved a racer from falling off the cliff. He didn't cause the crash. Nobody would've known about it or blamed him. But he did it from the goodness of his spark, and he did it time and time again.
Arcee: If you're asking me, it doesn't make any sense. At all. I can see the council's reasoning, but it's shallow and morally unsound, and if I'm going to be honest that makes me nervous for the state of our democracy. (Sigh). First off, let me begin by stating that I do not believe Knockout deserves a harsh punishment. I was skeptical at first, but I do truly believe he's changed. He's a better 'bot now, and I don't think he'd cause destruction on Earth. So that means no, I'm not worried about him on Earth. He's a certified Autobot, and in fact he may even be happier there now. (Serious pause). That brings us to the next topic. I've said this already, I know Knockout isn't a true rogue decepticon and will just continue to peacefully enjoy life with his friends on Earth. But what if Knockout truly was the rogue Decepticon the council claimed he was? Would the right course of action be exiling Knockout to Earth? Of course not! In Earth terms, it's like letting a wolf go free in a pen of sheep. Decepticons hate Earth and humans with a passion. The Autobots are sworn to protect all life-forms, especially Earth and its people. And now the new Autobot councilor is sending a Decepticon to wreak havoc on Earth? A generally harmless Decepticon on Cybertron would be a complete unchecked apocalypse on Earth - so it baffles me that we wouldn't be locking the Decepticon as far away as possible from Earth. It completely violates our principles and makes me wonder who really is in charge here. Our world is heading down a dark path, and I'm afraid where it's going.
Prowl: Hmm. You know what I found odd? That the council purposely censored Knockout's story to the public. A story's a story, whether it's true or not, so it should've been quoted exactly as Knockout said it. Instead… You know how in the courtroom it mentioned Knockout and a human being crippled by an assailant and found like that? Do you know who the assailant is?
Circuit: No? They never announced it.
Prowl: And that's what's odd. Knockout swore up and down who attacked him. And it could've easily been used in court to prove that Knockout is a pathological liar, since it was simply utterly unbelievable. But instead, the council decided to hide the name. Why?
Circuit: Can you tell us? Who attacked Knockout and the human?
Prowl: It's not my place to say. I'm sure the council has a reason for not disclosing the name. There must be.
(Red Alert, garbled but still distinguishable): I'm anonymous, right? Yes? I don't want this being traced back to me. If they know who this is, I'll definitely 100% be assassinated. Okay? Okay, Circuit? (Circuit agrees, prods him to keep talking). Okay, okay! You all know me. I have a lot of theories that I believe are fact. People call them conspiracy theories, but I never think we can have too much paranoia in our life. Especially when the theories make too much sense. Primus, I wish the theories wouldn't make so much sense - (Circuit prods him again). Oh! Right. I think there's counter reasoning behind why they sent Knockout to Earth, and it's painting a much larger and darker picture in my former conspiracy theory. I don't know if you all remember it. A small recap, but I believe the council has been infiltrated by Decepticons posing as Autobots. Why? Oh, many very suspicious things about them and things they've been doing that set off small little red alerts in my head. But somehow, nobody else notices these things! Has anyone bothered to look in-depth at all of the counselors' history? They're either shrouded in mystery or extremely brief and inconsistent with facts. But anyways, I have one more thing to add to my reasoning. I know you've all heard about the DJD, and not just from me. It's a world-wide rumor. The Decepticon Justice Division, out there to find and brutally take down rogue Decepticons - even though the war is over! Although we can't fully determine if the DJD actually exists, we've seen their work on former Decepticons in other galaxies. But the one thing I've noticed - have you ever seen a victim of the DJD on Cybertron? No! They're too scared to come here! And all of the DJD's victims are ex-Decepticons who renounced the title to become Autobots. Knockout went a step further, he betrayed the Decepticons to become an Autobot, even during the war . He has to be at the top of their hit list. If Knockout spends his life jailed to Cybertron, the DJD can never dish out revenge. But if he's forced to unsafely spend the rest of his life in open space where the DJD has free reign… this is a death sentence. Even if somehow the council wasn't infiltrated by Decepticons trying to send ex-Decepticons to their DJD buddies, it's still a death sentence, because the DJD will come after him anyways, and will raze Earth along with it.
Blades: I know it was a really irresponsible thing to do but... it was mostly harmless, right? The Rescue Bots and I have done things just as clandestine and it's been perfectly fine... well maybe we didn't do it on a national scale... but still. It also sounded like a bunch of fun! I wish I had been called in to... ahem... 'supervise' the situation. All your other Autobot friends were allowed to, unfair the Rescue Bots are always left in the dust… don't forget us next time! I don't think Heatwave will be a big fan but I'll totally- (shuffling on the other side, as Heatwave grabs the mic away from Blades)
Heatwave: As Blades said, what Knockout did was extremely irresponsible. However seeing that he neither completely exposed our secret or purposely endangered humans - in fact he actually saved a couple of lives - I don't see a reason to act too harshly on him. Knockout, if you can hear me, I extend an invitation to the Rescue Bots. There's some potential in you. Very, very unrefined, but potential. Hopefully you'll consider it, since you'll be spending a lot of time on Earth anyways. And if you turn it down, that's fine as well. But I know in time you'll come to appreciate all Earth has to offer. We love living here, and I hope you will too.
Knockout smiled as the Elite Guardsman shut off the radio. Looks like he'd never hear the rest of the news stream, but he didn't really care. He could worry about the future tomorrow. But today, he was heading back to Earth.
There was nothing in the world he wanted more.
"You ready? You have Ratchet's package?" The same two Elite Guard members who carried him through the portal to Cybertron - Crosscut and Roadfire - were now here to escort him through the portal to Earth - for the final time.
Knockout nodded, and they all stepped through the swirling teal teleporter. The doorway to his new home. And in moments he found himself in a half-shed, the hangar door wide open, with a handful of Unit E agents to greet him outside. His view beyond was met with bright sunshine and green grass. He missed this. As much as he loved the city life of Cybertron, he missed how peaceful and organic everything was on Earth. That was one thing he missed those five years locked up in Cybertron. There was also another.
The Elite Guard stepped forward into the sunlight, Knockout still slightly sticking behind them in shadows. But what if she wasn't happy to see him? What if she was hard to find, or didn't want to be found? Earth wouldn't be the same, but he would respect her wishes.
"Here," Crosscut carefully handed a small box to Agent Fowler - which was large in his hands. "Ratchet was able to make something to help with Rylee's lower paralysis. With these exo-legs, she'll finally be able to walk again. He wanted to send them earlier, but Cybertron wouldn't let him. And he deeply apologizes that he allowed any of that to even happen to the girl."
Fowler shook his head. "I'm responsible as well, don't worry. But I know Rylee will appreciate it." He then looked up at Knockout, a slight grin on his face. "Why don't you get him out of those stasis cuffs? Make yourself cozy, you'll be here for a while. And I have a bit of good news too."
Knockout perked up, trying to look at Fowler as Crosscut and Roadfire removed his stasis cuffs. "What? What is it?"
"Well, obviously we can't allow a Cybertronian fugitive to roam free on Earth, can we? Someone will have to keep an eye on you," Fowler pointed out.
Knockout's mouth slightly fell downwards. "I suppose that makes sense." Sharing his life with a random government agent was the opposite of ideal.
"Well," Fowler finally allowed a slight smile. "I'll have you know one of our agents specifically asked for this mission the moment it became known you were coming to Cybertron. The first one in line and the best one, and everyone else knew how much this job meant to her. Nobody even tried to stand in her way." Knockout was slightly confused, until a few Sector E agents moved aside. There, in a wheelchair, was Rylee - five years older, dressed in Sector E officer's uniform, and grinning uncontrollably. She's changed so much since their time at NASCAR, but his eyes met hers and suddenly they were back at Phoenix Ark again, sitting around the campfire spinning tales, and they were quietly giggling rearranging Snakesworth's garage as a prank, and they were passing funny jokes in the race track together, and telling their life stories together, and passing the finish line together. Together. Despite the years, the bond was as strong as before. And now they would be spending the rest of their years together. Knockout finally broke out in a wild grin, lifting her to his hands with a spin as she shrieked with laughter, a joy that could move a thousand moons.
He couldn't have wished for anything better.
I hope you all enjoyed this story! I had a ton of fun writing it, and I'm honestly surprised I finished it. I had full plot of the story in my head before I even wrote it down, so it was planned out beginning to end. I'm really thankful for every and all comments, you mean a lot to me and kept me writing :) You can find me on tumblr ssstarscream if you're curious about my transformers blog and what I'm up to. And thanks again!
Also: I had originally planned on two separate little one-chapter sequels to this, but at this point it probably won't happen. If anyone's interested, I might drop a little synopsis in the comments.
Another Also: If you're a bit confused/curious about the ending, I recommend watching Transformers Prime's sequel, Robots in Disguise. It'll explain some of the plot points in this story and I tried to keep it canon to that show as well.
