A/N

Man, it takes me forever to update even when the show airs new episodes. I can't imagine how slow I'm going to be when it's over. -sobs- I don't want it to be over. Anyway...Update!

XVI

He felt his head spinning once consciousness finally came around. He had trouble focusing, the world blurry before him. Though there wasn't much to see. All he could make out was black and darkness. There were no voices or sounds, just emptiness and silence. Kyle groaned, lowering his head. He couldn't quite remember how he got here just that he got a severe pain in the back of his head.

"He's awake," a voice whispered.

Kyle quickly looked up, trying to focus his weary eyes through the darkness. The shadows parted and a person came into view. The voice finally clicked in his head. Breakdown. The image of him slowly became clear. The Decepticon had his arms crossed as he stepped around Kyle. He struggled, finding his hands tied behind him. He was tied to a chair, held hostage by these…Decepticons.

"Let me go! Where am I?" shouted Kyle, struggling.

"You are in a very secure location," assured Breakdown, stepping toward him. "And why would I let you go?"

"Why am I here?" snarled Kyle.

"You know something important," nodded Breakdown, smiling lightly as he leaned one arm on the back of Kyle's chair.

"Not this again," groaned Kyle, rolling his eyes. "I don't know anything!"

"You don't, Kyle," mocked Breakdown. "Knockout does…"

"But Knockout isn't coming out," promised Kyle.

"Says you," hummed Breakdown, stepping away from the chair. "I know someone who knows how to get information."

"Who?" whispered Kyle.

"Scared?" Breakdown purred, leaning in close to Kyle, one hand on the back of the chair. He pressed back on the chair, leaning Kyle back. "I would be. Soundwave is luckily on our side…well…Knockout's side anyway."

The door opened quietly, but loud enough to perk both Kyle and Breakdown's attention. Breakdown quickly pulled away, stepping into the far corner. The door shut behind the new person. A young man, he was dressed in a grey hoodie with practically glowing purple streaks. The jacket's hood was drawn, covering the lines of the mask the man was wearing. A blank mask, it reflected the image in front of him perfectly, reflecting Kyle's shocked expression. His hands, which were previously behind his back, were gloved down into the sleeves of the hoodie. The finger tips were spiked. His pants were a similar color to his jacket, and his boots were pointed.

"Uh…Soundwave," mumbled Breakdown, glancing up at the man. "I was…just about to come get you."

"Just about…to come get you?" repeated Soundwave, turning to Breakdown. The latter went back to the corner he stood in.

Soundwave continued forward, standing before Kyle. The latter struggled harder against his restraints. His head hurt. He could feel Knockout struggling against him. This obviously wasn't someone to mess with. Soundwave nodded, pulling out from his jacket's pocket a syringe. Breakdown peered over his shoulder. Kyle was struggling to lean back, away from the approach syringe.

"Need help?" offered Breakdown.

Soundwave reached out, grabbing Kyle by the neck. Kyle froze. The Decepticon titled Kyle's head to one side, inserting the syringe in deep. Kyle felt the initial prick of the needle going in. Afterward, everything began to blur again. He didn't care anymore. About anything, really. He wearily looked up, into the mask of Soundwave. He was fading. Knockout's thoughts were getting louder and overpowering. In the mask of Soundwave, he watched his eyes turn red and a grin curl. That's the last Kyle could remember as Knockout took over.

"What was that?" perked Breakdown.

"Medicine, my dear Breakdown," hummed Knockout, relaxing in the chair. "A very special depressant that neutralized the conscious mind otherwise known as Kyle…A hand, Breakdown?"

Breakdown smirked, stepped over and undoing the ropes. As soon as they were loose enough, Knockout leapt from the chair. Everything was finally clear. The room was small, barely lit, with reflective walls that traced every movement they made. Breakdown watched as Knockout danced around, celebrating his liberation.

"At last," he cheered, "I've got that fool out of my head."

"I've missed you," nodded Breakdown.

"Oh and how I missed being alive," replied Knockout.

Something screeched against the wall. Knockout and Breakdown turned, watching Soundwave finish tearing his finger down the wall. He turned to them, tossing something to Knockout. The Decepticon medic caught the object instinctually, opening his hand to find a newly filled syringe.

"What is this?" snapped Knockout.

"Medicine," Soundwave hummed, using Knockout's previous words.

"You mean I have to keep taking this?" hissed Knockout, tightening his fist around the syringe. "I'm not free…"

Soundwave simply exited the room. Knockout snarled, listening to the cracking of glass syringe in his hand. Breakdown stepped over, slipping the object out of the medics hands before it shattered. Knockout groaned, turning to the wall with arms crossed.

"We can make this work, Knockout," Breakdown assured.

"It's not true freedom, Breakdown. I still have a chance to lose," whispered Knockout.

"You, lose? Ha! You aren't Starscream," Breakdown chuckled, heading for the door. "You coming?"

"One moment, please."

"Sure thing," nodded Breakdown, exiting the room.

Knockout sighed, then smiled. He watched his reflection in the mirrored wall. He chuckled at the brown eyed reflection. His reflection snarled, pounding on the glass. Knockout shook his head, tapping the glass.

"Sorry, Kyle…I'm afraid you're the reflection this time," he hummed.

"You can't do this!"

"Watch me," he smiled. "For once, I'm in charge."

"No!"

"And first things first," Knockout announced, heading for the door. "I'd like a word with your lady friend."