"I can't believe he talked me into this."

Bumblebee and Steeljaw muttered simultaneously as they waited by the ship that the Council provided for them. Off the record, of course, because news of this mission is not meant to get out to the public. Only a select few know about any of this.

Not that Bumblebee was complaining. He's glad that this is all private. Last thing he wants is about a dozen or more Cybertronians coming up to him and asking why he is standing next to a lone ship, in a restricted area of the airfield, and with Steeljaw no less.

"What is taking Knockout so long?" Bumblebee whispered, getting antsy waiting for the red mech to show-up. He looked at Steeljaw and noticed he was extremely quiet, and not causing any trouble. "Steeljaw?"

"Hm?" The other mech perked to attention, but he didn't face Bumblebee.

"Is something wrong? You don't seem to be yourself today."

Steeljaw laughed.

"Since when have I given you any reason to worry about me? Ah, wait, let me rephrase that: when have I given you any reason to worry about me, excluding all of the times I tried to make Earth my own while you and your team tried to stop me?"

Bumblebee didn't answer.

"Anyway, are the cuffs really necessary?" Steeljaw added, glancing over his shoulder plate at his bound servos.

"It was either that, or I could have thrown you in a stasis pod and rolled you onto the ship," Bumblebee mused, cracking a smile. "Knowing you, I kind of figured you would prefer to be awake."

silence

"I guess I can live with them for a little while longer," Steeljaw said, seemingly sharing Bumblebee's amusement. "But as soon as I get on that ship, they're coming off."

"Once we're out of Cybertron's orbit, then they'll come off. Promise."

The unmistakable sound of shouting prevented Bumblebee and Steeljaw from continuing their banter. Both mechs turned their attentions in the direction of where the ruckus was coming from. To absolutely no surprise, Knockout had finally arrived, with Starscream and Jazz in-tow. The medic and the Seeker were arguing, and as they got closer, Bumblebee noticed how completely done with this scrap Jazz was.

Once they reached the ship, Knockout took a controller out of his subspace, pressed a button, and entered the ship, still butting-helms and yelling back and forth with Starscream. Jazz made it halfway up the ramp before wandering back down.

"Hey, Jazz," Bumblebee greeted. "You alright?"

Jazz stopped in front of Bumblebee and Steeljaw. He reached for his helm and pressed a digit against the side.

"You say somethin', Bee?" Jazz asked.

"Oh, you shut off your audio receptors."

"Yeah. I could only stand listening to them for so long before I wished I was offline. Since I don't want that to happen anytime soon, I went with the next best thing."

"Understandable. So, what were they fighting about?"

"I don't know. I stopped listening after only a few kliks."

"Well, why don't you go get a good rest, bud? Sounds like… I mean, it looks like you need it."

Jazz smirked at Bumblebee, then left.

"Why didn't you put the loud mouth in a stasis pod?" Steeljaw asked, causing Bumblebee to laugh.

"Ah… I don't know," Bumblebee trailed before grabbing Steeljaw gently by the arm. "Come on, let's go."

After Bumblebee and Steeljaw were onboard, Knockout closed the door and plotted a course for a space bridge that'll take them to a different part of the galaxy. However, there is one thing he still has to do, and has yet to tell the others. The constant bickering between him and Starscream made that impossible.

Well, too late to turn back now, Knockout thought, placing his servo over his subspace compartment. With coordinates set, the red mech activated the ship's autopilot and left the bridge to find the others.

"Alright, Knockout, what is it this time?" Bumblebee asked once everyone was assembled. Steeljaw stood to Bee's left, arms crossed and tail curled around pedes, its tip twitching ever so slightly. Starscream stood to Bumblebee's right, servos bound by stasis cuffs.

"Why did you say it like that?" Knockout asked, then he noticed their faces. They all knew he was about to spring something on them at the last minute, again. "Well, it's more of a thing for Steeljaw and Screamer, but I also thought it would be best for you to know, too, Bee."

"Know about what?"

Knockout opened his subspace compartment and reached inside. He pulled out a dark purple orb with a bright blue/green aura surrounding it. He tossed the object to Steeljaw, who caught it and started looking it over. Bumblebee and Starscream's optics widened as soon as they recognized the device.

"A Lightbender?" Steeljaw said, turning his attention back to Knockout.

"Where on Cybertron did you find one?" Bumblebee exclaimed. "Lightbenders are rare, highly prized items. They are far from cheap… how did you manage to afford this?"

Knockout stiffened. He figured Bumblebee knew the facts, and would get suspicious if somebody was in possession of one...

And he was right.

"Knockout, where did you get the Lightbender?" Bumblebee demanded.

"Uh… Perceptor?" Knockout nervously replied. Bumblebee just stood there, dumbfounded.

"I… but… how did you get a Lightbender from Perceptor?"

"He lent it to me? So I have to bring it back when we're done with it."

" . . . Why?"

"I… may have told him that it was for an experiment."

Bumblebee cupped his faceplate in his servos and shook his helm.

"Knockout," the yellow bot groaned.

Meanwhile, neither Steeljaw nor Starscream bothered to hide their amusement.

"What?" Knockout exclaimed. "It's not like I completely lied, exactly. The Lightbender is for an experiment: this mission. I mean, the mission is sort of an experiment, or at least the precursor to one. Besides, with both Starscream and Steeljaw on board, I knew I had to get another one somehow..."

"Wait, you already have one?"

The room fell silent. Bumblebee, Starscream, and Steeljaw were all staring at Knockout. The red mech avoided optic contact for a minute.

Scrap.

"Yeah..." Knockout trailed, rubbing his helm. "About that… that brings me to the other thing that I wanted to bring-up."

Bumblebee looked about ready to knock KO out.

"This is the last, last-minute surprise! I swear! Please don't ruin my finish!"

Bumblebee vented and calmed himself down.

"Alright. Tell us."

"Cons and Gentle-Bot, welcome to Velocitron! My home world."

Knockout's comrades looked over the planet's landscape as their ship touched down onto solid ground. They were surprised by how barren it looked. If it weren't for the countless tracks marking the dust-covered ground, nobody would know that the planet is inhabited.

"I'm surprised you came from such a filthy looking planet, doctor," Starscream commented. "All this dirt must have done quite a number on your finish."

"Sometimes you have more important things to worry about during a race," Knockout rebuked.

"Okay, before there's another shout fest…" Bumblebee started. He waited for Starscream to continue - which he didn't, thank the Allspark - before turning to Knockout. "Are you sure about this?"

"Don't worry, Bee, I'll be fine. Just need to drop some stuff off, pick-up the Lightbender, and speed back here before nightfall."

"That's not what I meant."

Bumblebee and Knockout looked over at Steeljaw. The Lupicon was fiddling with his Lightbender, seemingly not hearing what the other two mechs were talking about. They knew better, though. They knew Steeljaw was eavesdropping on them.

"As long as the Lightbender works," Knockout said. "Besides, Steeljaw doesn't strike me as an idiot."

"He's not, and that's what worries me," Bumblebee admits. "If he tries anything..."

"I'll call you. Got it, Bee. You worry too much."

"You remember my team, right?"

"Oh, yeah. Who could forget them? Come on, Steeljaw! We're heading out!"

Steeljaw didn't say anything as he got out of his chair and followed Knockout outside.

"Alright, let's see how well that new Lightbender of yours works," Knockout piped. "And remember, I need it to be in tip-top condition before I give it back to Perceptor."

Steeljaw rolls his optics and makes a comment way too quiet for Knockout to hear. He loops a thin – nearly invisible – yet extremely strong chain around the Lightbender. Resembling a pendant, he ties it to his neck in a way where it's protected from sight, but is still able to receive, trap, and use light, and activates it.

In the blink of an optic, Steeljaw becomes someone else. Still wolf-like in appearance, the mech appears taller in this form than his true form. Yellow optics, pale faceplate, and cerulean blue tail stand out against a dark-armored body.

"Hmm… not a bad look," Knockout mused, liking Steeljaw's new appearance. "As for your alter-ego's name… how does Thunderhowl sound?"

Steeljaw/Thunderhowl stiffened at the name. This did not escape Knockout's attention.

"Is something wrong with the name? I could suggest another one..."

"No, no, it's fine," Thunderhowl interrupted, already walking away. "Let's just get this over with. Where do we go from here?"

Knockout decided to not push the matter further, as both mechs had more important things to attend to at the moment.

"Just follow me, and try to keep up!"

Knockout and Thunderhowl reached Knockout's old lab without fuss. Fortunately, anyone they encountered, albeit briefly, was too preoccupied with going fast or showing-off to bother them.

"Alright, this is just going to be a quickie," Knockout whispered as he transformed. "We..."

"Go in, get out, and attempt to avoid any sort of distraction," Thunderhowl interrupted, transforming behind the red mech. "You've been saying that on repeat for the entire drive."

"I have? Sorry. That must have been annoying to listen to."

"You have no idea."

Thunderhowl's tone made Knockout nervous, or rather, it just added on to his already huge pile of built-up anxiety. While a part of him was happy to be back home, another part was full of nothing. If anyone could call depression nothing.

"Is there a reason why we're not going in?" Thunderhowl hissed.

"It's just… it's nothing," Knockout whispered. Not turning around to look his comrade in the optics, the red mech entered the building.

Knockout could tell things changed for the better. It looked bigger, as if the building had recently been expanded. The metal was sparkling clean. Desks, benches, and tons of new-age technology were all over the place.

"Wow, the old place looks brand new," Knockout said.

"A little flashy, isn't it?" Thunderhowl muttered. "Oh, wait, I forgot who I was talking to."

Knockout made a face, then walked over to the front desk.

"Can I help you?" The receptionist asked.

"I hope so," Knockout answered, his anxiety completely erased by his self-confidence and social skills. "My name's Knockout, and I used to be a medic here."

The mech stopped typing and raised his gaze to look at Knockout. He was quiet for a few minutes.

"Why are you here?" The receptionist hissed. "This better not have something to do with that Allspark forsaken Autobot/Decepticon feud. We already have enough trouble with gangs constantly fighting each other as is."

"By the Primes, no!" Knockout half-lied. "I just want to grab a few things I left behind."

The receptionist stared at him, then shifted his attention to Thunderhowl.

"Oh, yeah. This is my friend, Thunderhowl. He's just here to offer his assistance if it turns out I left behind more stuff than I thought."

silence

The receptionist reached under his desk and unplugged a couple of what looked like mini data pads before handing them to Knockout and Thunderhowl.

"Reactivated medic and medical assistant passes. Both have a built-in map and tracking system, for safety and security purposes. This will allow you access to where you need to go, depending on where your old office is or was located."

"Thank you," Knockout said. "I promise, we won't be long."

"Be sure to bring those back before you leave!" The receptionist added as the two visiting mechs wandered off. Knockout waved his servo at him.

"Finally!"

"You found it?"

"Yes, yes I did! I knew the place wouldn't be the same, but who knew I would get lost on the way to my own office?"

". . . I have so many things I could say right now."

Knockout made a face at Thunderhowl before entering his old office. To the medic, it didn't look any different. Everything's neat and tidy, and clean. Shelves lined with data pads, a table in the corner covered in empty beakers and vials full of chemicals, a large video screen, and picture frames scattered all over the place.

"Okay, I will admit, you know how to keep a place looking good," Thunderhowl admitted, wandering around the room and scanning it for their target.

"Not just places, mind you," Knockout mused, following Thunderhowl's lead in looking around.

"So, remember where you put that other Lightbender?"

"Of course I do."

"Then why are we wasting time… ah, wait, let me guess: you locked it in something and you're looking for the key?"

"No! Of course not!"

"You forgot where you put the key, didn't you?"

". . . Yes."

Knockout walked around his old desk and slammed his helm against it. The picture frame on it shuddered. He looked up at it...

"Um, excuse me, but what are you doing?"

Knockout shot up and rushed to Thunderhowl's side. Standing in the doorway was a lean, turquoise femme - about half a helm shorter than Knockout - with blue optics, clutching a data pad to her chassis. Staring at the young medic, Knockout could've sworn he felt his entire system freeze.

He knew who the femme was.

"Moonracer?"

The turquoise femme stared at the red mech for a minute. Her optics quickly alight in recognition.

"Knockout?"

silence

Suddenly, Moonracer rushed Knockout and pinned him to the ground. The femme wrapped her arms around the mech in an unbreakable hug and cried.

"Blessed be the Allspark, you're alive! I thought you were dead! I didn't think I would ever see you again!"

Knockout returns the favor, and waits patiently for Moonracer to get it all out of her system and calm down.

Moonracer eventually stops crying and gets off of Knockout.

"Sorry about that," Moonracer said, rubbing stray tears from her optics.

"It's alright," Knockout replied. "How have you been, Moonracer?"

"Good, I guess. Better than when there was a war going on, anyway. Honestly, I was more scared of you going offline than I was of, well, myself going offline."

"Thank the Primes we're both still online!"

Wish I could say the same for Breakdown… I don't think I could have handled losing another partner, Knockout thought, but didn't say. However, his body language betrayed his thoughts. Knockout noticed that Moonracer noticed, and immediately changed the subject.

"Well, it's quite a relief to see you again, Moonracer. However, my friend Thunderhowl and I have a pretty tight schedule to stick to, so if you don't mind..."

Before Knockout could get up, Moonracer shoved an object into his servos.

"I didn't think you would want anyone touching your stuff until you got back, so I held onto it for you," Moonracer explained, looking at the key in the mech's servos.

"Ah, yes… thank you, Moonracer," Knockout replied.

For the next half hour, everything was completed in silence. Knockout didn't say anything as he left a stack of finished data pads behind and swapped them for the Lightbender that was locked away. He also collected his old, incomplete data pads, and all the picture frames. He took a minute to stare at the photo on the desk before gently placing it in his supspace. Thunderhowl and Moonracer watched from the doorway.

They returned their passes to the receptionist, waved a silent goodbye to Moonracer, and drove off. By the time they reached the ship, it was nightfall. Just in time, as due to the lack of a suitable light source, the Lightbender automatically shut off. Steeljaw looked like his old, original self.

"Care to tell me what happened back there?" Steeljaw demanded, but his tone was far from harsh. It almost sounded like he was worried about Knockout.

"Nothing you need to be concerned about," Knockout replied, sounding just as tired as he looked.

"Considering how horrible you look, I highly doubt that. Besides, if it's affecting you this badly..."

"I know what you're thinking, and no, it won't impede the mission! I promise to deal with it later, when or if it does become a problem. Okay?"

Steeljaw did not look convinced.

"That's a load of scrap."

Knockout jumped back, startled by the voice. A sleek race car came to a quiet halt between the red mech and Steeljaw. It transformed into Moonracer.

"And I know you know that."

Silence fell, neither Knockout nor Moonracer's optics wavering from the other. Steeljaw didn't need to think twice, let alone be told to give them some privacy. When the door to the ship opened, Bumblebee and Starscream were standing by the entrance. They were just about to exit when Steeljaw ushered them back in and told them not to go out there. Knockout and Moonracer waited until they couldn't hear the others.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Moonracer, but what are you doing here?" Knockout asked.

"I'm coming with you guys," Moonracer answered, not skipping a beat. She didn't give the red mech a chance to deny her as she continued. "Before I left the clinic, I told my superiors that I would be taking an extended leave to travel with a patient. I didn't tell them who you are to me. They didn't ask, so I didn't tell."

"Wait, me? You're calling me a patient?"

"You mean as a fully licensed medic, I can't help my former mentor? Nice try, Knockout, but you and basically every other medic I've ever met taught me not to take scrap from anyone if it means helping them get better."

"But there's nothing wrong with me! I'm fine! Better than fine, even. I'm..."

"Breakdown."

Knockout froze. He stared at Moonracer; she stared right back, her gaze unwavering.

"Come again?"

"You heard what I said."

Moonracer vented before walking over to Knockout. The red mech took a step back, but stopped at the femme's firm yet gentle touch.

"Listen, Knockout. When you guys left for the war, I was scared… terrified… of losing both of you. When news spread of the end of the Great War, I couldn't have been happier… and then I heard about Breakdown. I don't remember hearing what happened to you. Maybe I did, but after learning about Breakdown's death… I couldn't. I was too scared to learn what became of you. I believed it would be better to think you were alive than know for certain that you were dead. I just… I couldn't handle it. I wouldn't have been able to. Breakdown was my best friend. I loved him as if he were my split-spark."

Moonracer paused for a minute before continuing.

"However, despite all my emotional pain, and trying to distance myself from it… I am not the only one."

Knockout wasn't looking, but he could feel Moonracer giving his servos a tight yet comforting squeeze, letting him know that she understood him, and that it's going to be alright, because she is there for him.

"I know what Breakdown meant to you… what he still means to you… and I couldn't possibly begin to imagine how..."

Moonracer began to choke-up. She had to compose herself and wrap this all up, not only for her sake, but Knockout's as well. She looked her former mentor in the optics, seeing the pain and agony he felt.

"I'm sorry for your loss."