Your POV
I have literally no idea what I'm doing.

Your thoughts are a jumble of things, as are your feelings.

Time had passed since you had first started to think about your possible attempt at solidifying the formula for Synthetic Energon, but with no avail, had you succeeded in coming up with a way to replicate or even read the actual formula.

Your previous burst of confidence had dried up.

When you had first started out, you figured it could be done, but as the hours and minutes ticked by, your likelihood of success, as well as your ticket off this warship, plummeted into the ground in a heaping ball of flames.

You sigh heavily, thinking things over as your gaze wanders around the Decepticon laboratory you've been stuck in for what seemed like eons.

This technology is super advanced compared to what we have back at Base...

That thought spirals into something darker, much more hopeless and desperate.

I'm starting to think Starscream was right. Maybe no one is actually coming for me.

You quickly shake your head, vainly trying to shake the dark thought away.

No. They'll come for me. I've just got to hold out for a bit longer.

"How are things coming along, Y/N?" The voice of Knockout sounds from across the room, startling you and pulling you from your thoughts.

The cherry red mech had disappeared for quite some time, his destination unknown to you. Now, he was back and appeared to be quite annoyed.

"What did you just say?" You question, turning slowly to face your captor.

"I asked you how things were coming along?" He replies, confusion evident in his tone.

Funny, he actually used my name...

"I think I've figured things out. Did you get everything we'll need?" You ask, false certainty ringing clearly in your voice, though the Decepticon didn't seem to notice.

Or maybe he just doesn't care.

"Of course it's not like I don't know what I'm doing! You're just here to supervise... Make sure I do things correctly." He mutters, along with something too low he figured you wouldn't hear. "Because apparently, I don't know what I'm doing, according to Scream."

Interesting...

"Well, I'll be here, watching..." You trail off as Knockout gently picks you up and sets your small form on his shoulder, out of harm's way.

Lazily, you watch as the Con' begins the process, your thoughts wandering again.

This reminds me all too much of Ratch... Imagine what he would be capable of with this kind of tech in his grasp...

You wipe a stray tear away quickly, not wanting to show any weakness to the likes of your captor.

"Someone will rescue me. I've just got to have hope..." You whisper, too low for you or Knockout to hear - he was too preoccupied with the task of not spilling anything on his precious finish.

Ratchet's POV
It has been at least three Earth days since Y/N had been taken.

I deactivate the Groundbridge controls with a heavy sigh, my gaze wandering the empty missile silo.

"I can't take action until the Nemesis is located again... If it ever is."

I was starting to feel hopeless.

Optimus hadn't made much of an effort at formulating a rescue party and none of the children had been back to Base since the disappearance of their friend.

First one of them leaves, and now they all leave.

I hated to admit it, but I was missing the buzz of chatter as well as the constant feeling of joy that always seemed to follow the native species.

"Maybe we could negotiate some sort of trade? Energon for Y/N?" I muse aloud, before cursing myself for my stupidity.

We already tried that once, and it ended up with the life-blood of a human on our hands. One of which who was close with Y/N.

I shake my head, desperate to clear the nagging thoughts that seemed to continuously bombard my headspace.

"I'll just have to wait. And hope Y/N can hang in a while longer." I sigh, defeated.

Just as I was about to turn and find something else to do to pass some time, an alarming tone suddenly sounds, causing me to jump slightly.

"That means the Nemesis is back on the scanners! Thank Primus!" I declare, as relief and a sudden wave of anticipation washes over me.

I either go now, and risk running out of Synth-En, or I wait a while longer and by then, I'd have more ready to go...

I cast my gaze over to the now full containers of the green substance, practically begging to be used again.

"It's now or never..." I murmur, picking up the first full jar and beginning the transfer.

Things begin to spin, faster and faster still as the precious seconds tick by.

Sparing a blurred glance at the monitor once more, the small dot marking the Warship's location was still present, and blinking steadily.

They're on the move again.

The second, half full bottle makes it's way into my grasp, the sudden action rendering foggy.

Almost there...

The last of the Synth-En is suddenly gone as my vision swims and my mind becomes even foggier than before.

Push through this... Things'll be clear in a few more seconds...

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the sickening sensation comes to an abrupt halt, only to replaced by almost immediate, somewhat familiar, over powering energy.

Sparing one last look at the Nemesis' coordinates, I activate the Groundbridge.

"Energy efficiency is up 30%!" I cheer, the synthetic stuff clearly yielding the same results as last time.

Sighing heavily, I regain myself, readying for the inevitable fight that would likely ensue the minute I stepped foot on the other side of the portal.

"For Y/N." I declare softly as I make my way through the vortex of green and blue, leaving behind the old missile silo - the place where so much had gone wrong and right.

****

Your POV
This is hopeless. I'm practically dead already.

Hours, if not days - weeks maybe, had passed since you had been captured by the Decepticons, tortured by Starscream and now, trying to make some sort of bogus fancy foreign science experiment.

Not to mention the pain you're currently feeling was becoming nearly unbearable. The bandages on your arms continued to fall loose due to the weight of being saturated in blood.

It would make sense that I'm feeling this way... Who knows what that Energon prod has done to me! For all I know, I could be dying, slowly.

You silently cast your gaze around the lab you're currently situated in. The same four walls that you'd been stuck trapped in for what's seemed like eternities.

Knockout had been summoned by Megatron up on the Bridge, which meant that you're all alone... Other than the one creepy looking bot that just paced back and fourth in front of the door, supposedly guarding you.

Guarding me from what? It's not like there's any hope of rescue now. They'd figure I'd be too far gone by now...

Realization suddenly hits you in the face like a brick.

Doc Knock is on the Bridge... With Megatron... That likely means Screamy is up there too...

"They're coming for me. The Autobots are coming for me!" You yell joyously before realizing your mistake.

The creepy looking purple bot marches toward you, it's visor void of all emotion.

"No one is coming for you, human. Don't get your hopes up." It states plainly, almost in a bored, dull and robotic voice.

At this, you can't help but laugh as a sense of hope and happiness surges through you, numbing the aching and the pain.

Things aren't so hopeless after all...

"You're right, creepo. Maybe no one is coming to rescue me, but I can at least go out knowing I made a great contribution to the Decepticon cause... Speaking of your cause... Doc told me to finish up this Synthetic Energon... I'd just need one last thing... Could you take me to the supply closet please?" You ask, looking up at the Con' with the fakest smile you've ever worn.

"I guess it can't hurt." Comes the reply as the creepy looking Con' lifts you gently in his servo, making his way to the supply closet.

A plan was beginning to form. And all it would take is to find the right chemical...

Something not deadly, just enough to slow them down... Not give the Cons who'd take this Synthetic stuff enough energy to function at peak performance.

As the surroundings around you change, so does your somewhat straight forward plan.

All of these labels! I can't read these!

"Uhm... Out of curiosity, do you know if there's anything in here that could reduce the amount of power in that Synthetic Energon I'm working on? Doc told me it was a bit too strong before he was called to the Bridge." You ask cautiously, choosing your words wisely.

Upon hearing this, the Decepticon that's holding you gently sets you down on the large shelf in front of you before beginning his search.

"There should be something in here... Knockout asked me to grab it the last time. He had a sample of that stuff from some Autobot who was whacked enough to try it. Said it needed a toning down..." The purple, faceless Con' rambles, as your mind wanders.

Ratchet said last time he tested Synth-En, things went horribly wrong... Knockout probably got his sample from poor Ratch...

You shake your head to clear the thoughts suddenly invading your headspace.

"Ah ha! Here it is. This stuff is brutal, but it works like a charm." Your temporary captor suddenly exclaims, holding a small, yet important looking vile that contained a nearly invisible looking substance.

"Perfect! That should do it!" You fake smile back, putting on your best 'I love it here, there's no reason to run' attitude.

Nodding in acknowledgment, the Con' picks you up once more as you head back to your workspace.

It gently sets you down on the table you were previously perched upon, giving you a sudden look of confusion.

Don't catch on. Please. Just don't figure it out.

What the bot said in front of you next, surprised you.

"How are you going to open this? It's not exactly human sized."

You nearly curse aloud at your stupidity.

"You're right! Silly me!" You grin once more, becoming tired of this facade. "Could you help me?"

The only response you get is a simple nod as the Con' unscrews the lid and begins pouring the crystal clear substance into the small opening on the otherwise very large jar, the colour not changing at all.

Perfect. They'll never know what hit em'.

Suddenly, the creepy looking Con' stops pouring.

"All of it?" It questions, tilting its head in confusion.

You just nod.

With wide eyes you watch as the last of the liquid is emptied from the vile, before you silently breathe a sigh of relief you hadn't realized you'd been holding.

You turn to the purple bot, nodding your thanks as it heads back towards the door, taking its position yet again.

I think I've done it. I think I've ruined this batch of Synthetic stuff so bad, anyone who takes it won't be functioning properly for weeks!

You can't help but allow yourself to smile - a genuine smile - the pain in your body flaring slightly.

I've gotta get outta here. I need some serious medical treatment.

****
Ratchet's POV
I land on the steel floor of the Nemesis with a thud, causing two nearby Vehicons to turn and stare at me quizzically.

"Well? Are you just gonna stand there or what?" I taunt, activating my blades, staring down the bewildered pair.

They look at each other as if to silently share their confusion before charging at me, weapons drawn and blasters firing.

I do the same, rushing them with such speed and agility I didn't even know I had.

As soon as it had started, it was over. Severed limbs littered the floor, as did two lifeless bodies.

Or so I thought.

Just as I was about to continue my search, the sound of an Ion cannon being charged from behind me reaches my audio receptors, sharper than ever.

Whirling around to face the source of the sound, I begin to laugh darkly.

A Vehicon making one last attempt to snuff my spark.

"I thought I'd offlined you... But you know what, before I actually finish the job, enlighten me on a certain subject matter..." I muse aloud, sarcasm dripping from my tone, my blade pointed down towards the almost lifeless Con'.

"I... I don't kn-" It splutters, using all of it's energy just to speak.

"The human. Where is she?" I press, inching the blade closer.

"I told you! I don't kn-"

"Where. Is. Y/N." I demand, voice steely.

I can't waste any more time with this Con'. If I don't get an answer soon...

"Well?"

My blade was inches away from the Vehicon's neck cables. A single slice to those would likely finish it if need be.

"The human is with Knockout! In his lab!" The trooper splutters once more, voice now falling short of all the necessary energy it needed to continue.

The Vehicon shutters before falling limp, all energy spent.

"Why thank you." I huff, continuing back the way I was previously going, leaving the now lifeless Decepticons in my wake.

I've gotta keep going before someone catches on.

Hallway after hallway, wave after wave of Vehicons.

I defeated them all with ease.

This Synth-En is working even better than last time. Maybe I've become used to it?

I didn't have much time to ponder that question, however, as I was launched back into a fury of blaster shots, accompanied by the sounds of metal hitting metal.

This wave is larger than the last. I must be getting close.

Reaching the end of the mayhem, I pause for a moment, risking a glance behind me.

Like before, lifeless shells littered the floor, spilt Energon was staining the floors blue, and severed limbs lied throughout the wreckage.

What am I doing?

I shake my head in a vain attempt to clear that thought.

I'm here for Y/N.

Time seemed to slow as I resumed my search, rounding the corner to come face to face with an unguarded door.

The door slides open, revealing an advanced looking laboratory and three other familiar looking Decepticons.

Flanked by two Vehicon troopers, Knockout stood calmly in the middle of the lab, seemingly unfazed by my sudden appearance.

"I was expecting someone taller, but to see you... What a nice surprise." The Decepticon Medic jeers as I stand my ground, unmoving.

"Where is Y/N?" I demand, voice steely and void of all emotion.

"She's not far, Doctor. In fact, I have her right here."

Knockout reaches out toward the table beside him, picking up a glass container that I hadn't noticed before.

And in the bottom was a defeated looking human, bloodied and bruised.

"By the Allspark..." I gasp in horror, letting my guard down briefly. "What have you done to her?"

The Decepticon doctor just scoffs.

"You'd really think I'd do this to such a pitiful being?" He nearly laughs, shaking the container Y/N was trapped inside in a rather haphazardly motion. "But that's besides the point, here. I see you're under the influence of the Synthetic stuff, once again. Didn't you learn what the unfortunate side effects are when it runs out from our last little encounter?"

A sudden surge of anger overtakes me.

"I don't intend to leave here without her." I snarl, my guard up once again as I gesture to the glass container.

"So be it."

Almost as if on cue, the two Vehicons that were previously behind Knockout, leap forward, and the battle begins once more.

Your POV

"By the Allspark..." A somewhat distant, muffled voice gasps in horror. "What have you done to her?"

You recognized that voice. Or at least it registered within your exhausted brain. But who the voice belonged to, that was another question.

"I see you're under the influence of the Synthetic stuff, once again. Didn't you learn what the unfortunate side effects are when it runs out from our last little encounter?" Another muffled voice jeers, as you zone back into the voices, having heard they'd started speaking again.

You recognized that voice too. You'd heard it more than the other one as of late.

Knockout.

Groggily, you come to, sitting up slightly as you eyes flutter open.

You take in your surroundings, before realizing your predicament.

"Curses! I'm stuck in those same bottles that Mom was stuck in!" You mutter, banging your fists against the glass, the now ruined batch of Synth-En sitting in the same place it had been before you'd been thrown into this thing.

Wait? Who was Knockout talking to a second ago? "I see you're under the influence of the Synthetic stuff, once again..." The only one who's tried Synth-En is Ratchet...

Your heart leaps as you do a complete 180 in the container you're trapped in, an icy cold wave of realization washing over you.

"No... He can't be... He shouldn't be..."

You nearly scream as you stare at the mech in front of you, optics ablaze with such an intensity that you didn't know how Knockout was keeping his ground.

"Ratchet..." You muse aloud, examining his frame for any signs of injury or harm, only to turn up empty.

The Autobot Medic in front of you didn't look too great. He was covered in freshly split Energon and in other spots, scratches and paint chips. His optics, however, were not your normal blue... Rather, the glowed a sickening green.

"Let me out!" You begin to scream at the top of your lungs, banging on the glass surrounding you once more.

However, your pleas go unheard as the two opposing Medics stare each other down, daring either to make the first move.

Finally, your Guardian spoke, breaking the tense silence that had settled within the lab or rather, soon to be battle zone.

"I don't intend to leave here without her." Ratchet growls, wielding his two blades in somewhat of a readying stance, gesturing to the glass cage you're currently in.

"So be it."

Those were your Captor's words. You could tell by the overconfidence laced within the tone.

Suddenly, two of the creepy purple Cons' jump out of nowhere from beside Knockout, rushing towards your Guardian.

You watch with wide eyes as the mech you'd learned to trust over the past while simply severs the Decepticon troopers, before calmly walking forward, leaving the two now nearly lifeless bodies behind.

"Hand her over, or I'll have no other option but to fight." Ratchet demands, his blades still out and at the ready.

"Is one pesky human being really worth all of this effort?" Knockout asks casually before setting your jar down. Off to the side and out of harm's way.

"These humans are more useful than you'll ever be!" Your Guardian snarls, lashing out at his foe with such speed and agility you had never seen before.

This side of Ratchet scared you. He shouldn't be out here, doing this. He should be back in the lab...

What if things go wrong...

You swallow a lump in your throat, your vision suddenly becoming blurry from unshed tears.

Through the blur, you could tell that the Synth-En was running out. Ratchet was losing his strength, and fast.

The fight between the two Medics continues, neither beating each other down, neither gaining any ground.

One will have to fail sooner or later....

"Autobot scum!" A new, rather familiar, whiny voice declares, followed by the sound of a heavy Ion cannon being charged.

You whirl around to see who had just entered the room.

Annoying voice... That'd be Screamy... But the Ion cannon?...

Another shiver runs down your spine as Starscream advances into the room, wrist rockets ready to fire, followed by someone else. Someone you had hoped and prayed never to see again...

"Megatron." You gasp, your breathing becoming heavier, more erratic as you watch the scene unfold in front of you.

Having been so focused on defeating his enemy at hand, your Guardian hadn't heard or seen the two additional Decepticons enter the room.

You watch in horror as Megatron calmly slides his blade out from under his Ion cannon, before rushing the unexpecteding Autobot Medic from behind.

"Ratchet! Behind you!" You scream, now pounding on the glass, your voice hoarse as the tears begin to fall freely down your cheeks.

The Warlord rushes past your Guardian, stopping a few feet away in front of him, only to watch him crumple to the ground, face suddenly strewn in an excruciating look of pain.

"No! No! No!" You cry, your voice failing you as you continue to pound on the glass.

Smiling wickedly, Megatron swiftly kicks Ratchet's now limp form across the floor, leaving a trail of green mixed with blue.

He's hurt. Bad.

You desperately try to get the Autobot Medic's attention, to tell him you'd find him, to tell him your sorry, to tell him thank you. Anything. Something.

But, with no avail, you watch in utter shock as the Decepticon Warlord tosses your Guardian's seemingly lifeless form out the door and into the hallway, only to be dragged out of your view by two purple bots seconds later.

"No! Bring him back! He needs medical care! What'd he ever do to you?" You shout, continuing your desperate attempt to be heard, only to continue being ignored.

Ratchet's gone... And the rest of Team Prime probably won't even come for me.

The tears stream down your face now, staining your shirt.

I guess Starscream was right... No one is truly coming for me.

As sobs rock your aching body, you curl up into a ball, as if to block out all of the horrible things you'd just witnessed.

My friend, my mentor and my Guardian could be dead... And it's because he came after me.