~Knockout's POV~

         "That's a loaded question, darling." I smiled at her, and she returned it with a serious expression. Sighing, I guessed it didn't hurt to admit it, "When it comes down to your safety: Prime's, but for my faction: Megatron's."

She sighed at this, nodding her helm. Had I not given her the answer she wanted?

         "I'll get you out of that wall... don't worry." She squeezed my servo, changing the subject.

         "Don't worry about me." I said, "Even if you find a way, I doubt Megatron will permit it."

         "Like I care about his opinion," Wildstryke snapped, "Leader of the Decepticons or not, he's not my leader, and never will be."

I watched as her optics flashed with a hidden fury, the small amount being shown not even half of what she was hiding. How can so much torture be captured inside someone for so long? I know her dislike for authority figures comes from more than just the human police force that stops her and my own fun when racing. It's rooted deep into her being, planted there by her mother, and allowed to grow into a toxic, blackened, dead being that now haunts the woman I call mine. If I ever meet this demon in human skin, I will not hesitate to break them, and cause her the amount of pain she inflicted on (Y/N). My street racer darling.

~(Y/N)'s POV~

     We stayed there for quite some time, until Megatron announced that Knockout was to be let free. I hate the reason though.

         "He needs a good tune-up." I huffed as Knockout stretched, "I mean, I get the reason why he let you out of the wall, but he should have gotten you out much sooner."

He chuckled at my rant, and slid my form against his side, kissing the top of my helm.

         "That doesn't matter now." he looked down at me, "What does is that we have all four keys back, and we get to have a little fun."

I huffed once more, still not convinced.

         "Come now, we have a Cortical Psychic Patch to hook up."

At this I smiled, and walked with Knockout to the medical bay, where Megatron and Starscream already were.

         "Hello Stilettos, long time no see."

         "Not long enough." Starscream growled, and I only chuckled as I made my way to the side of the room. This will prove to be interesting.

     I watched as Starscream's memories played out, though the first bit was a little disturbing... That was a whole three minutes I will never get back in my life. It was amusing seeing Knockout try to fast forward. I took him by his servo and patted it, a silent reassurance that Megatron would have to get by me first to get to him. The amusement was short lived as the battle with Skyqauke ensued, or rather, Skyquake's zombified husk. My optics widened, and I realized just how bad of an idea that was on Starscream's part when I heard Dreadwing storm out. I ran after him.

         "Dreadwing, stop!" I called, but received no response, "Dreadwing I will tackle you down."

To this he did stop, and turned to me with a spark-stopping glare.

         "You will mind your own business." He growled.

         "I am, and currently, my business is your safety."

         "My twin died honorably!" Dreadwing bellowed, "And that seeker destroyed that!"

         "Dreadwing please, don't act in haste, I know what it's like to lose a sibling, a close one too."

         "You still would not understand the hurt I feel now." He stated, and I knew he was right.

         "That may be so, but..." I found it hard to keep in the tears, "but please, don't throw your own life away."

I swear I saw a flicker of remorse in his optics, a glimmer of feelings he had forgotten in his time away from his brother, but it was gone as quick as it appeared, and his stone cold facade fell upon his faceplate once more.

         "My brother's honor must be avenged."

He turned without another word, and I watched him go until I could no longer see him anymore. When his figure was no longer in sight, I ran back to the med bay, and upon seeing Starscream up, and looking overly happy for being back in the ranks of the Decepticons, I ran at him, blades out.

         "You cowardly, two-faced, son of a glitch!" I hollered as Knockout held me back, though I fought him with all had, "YOU'RE COSTING ME ANOTHER BROTHER!"

Starscream backed away from me, and I knew he was scared, knowing that I held no decency in my optics, but only the animalistic instinct to offline him. Even Megatron seemed taken aback by my reaction, and a little confused.

         "Knockout control your sparkmate," Megatron finally ordered, the word 'sparkmate' seeming forced, and as if I was Knockout's possession rather than his other half.

         "Please do," Starscream said slyly, "She's acting like a common animal."

         "Oh, you think you're safe behind your leader don't you?" I hissed at him, "I'm nothing compared to the fury to come." Finally wrestling myself from Knockout's hold, I stomped off in search of Dreadwing once more, only to find that he had gone, and that the keys were missing.

     I was sobbing on Knockout's berth when a small tapping brought my attention to the door. Clearing my voice box, I tried to ask who it was, but it came out as a strained squeak. I was glad Roman had gone off on a racing trip.

         "Wildstryke," it was Knockout, go figure, "Wildstryke talk to me."

I gave him no answer as he sat down at the edge of his berth. He was silent for a time, just simply trying to get a glimpse of my faceplate, but I refused to let him as I turned my helm farther away from him.

         "(Y/N), talk to me."

Hearing my human name, I looked to him at the corner of my optic, still not showing my entire faceplate.

         "What did Dreadwing say to you?" He put a servo to my shoulder, and I found his touch soothing. I sniffed, and after another minute or two, finally said something.

         "It's not what he said," I sniffed again, "It's what I'm afraid he's going to do."

I started to cry harder, and Knockout gently shushed me as he took me into his comforting embrace. I was so scared. I count Dreadwing as a brother, and I don't want to have to go through the pain of losing one again. This time he wouldn't be able to come back.

         "It's going to be okay." the worried mech tried to soothe me further.

         "We d-don't know that." I cried into his chassis, thinking only of the worst possibilities.

         "You're right, but we can hope."

I laughed weakly at this.

         "I think 'hope' flew out the ship along with Dreadwing."

A knock sounded on the door, frantic, and hurried. Knockout stated they could come in. A vehicon opened the sliding door.

         "Dreadwing is trying to offline Starscream!"

At this I bolted from Knockout's hold, and followed the vehicon drone, maybe a few steps ahead. When we reached the destination, I saw Megatron about to shoot, and I responded with only my fearful instinct to guide me. I cancelled out his shot with my own.

     The air was hot with the battling energies, now scattered, and Megatron stood shocked at my actions. Dreadwing fell to his knee plates, making me turn to him to make sure he wasn't hurt. Starscream scurried over to Megatron, most likely scared, as usual. I saw Knockout at the corner of my optics, but I didn't turn back around to see him.

         "Why... why did you do that?" Dreadwing looked up to me while I knelt down, hugging him around his shoulders.

         "Because not all of your family has left you." More tears threatened to fall, but I wouldn't let them, not while Megatron was around.

I felt tentative arms wrap around me, and I knew it was Dreadwing trying to return the hug. It was cute, how awkward he was.

         "You have much to answer for, Dreadwing." Megatron growled, and I stood up, the bigger mech slowly following.

         "His actions were justified, and you know it!" I argued.

         "He is under my command, and will be punished for this mutiny." Megatron retaliated.

I looked up to Dreadwing, a hidden question in my desperate red optics. I could tell he was thinking about it, and I was relieved when he finally nodded.

         "Not any more."

Dreadwing was Megatron's most loyal of warriors, and the aerial bot took pride in that. It was faction before anything else to him. I was glad he put all that aside to become neutral like me.

Megatron growled once more.

         "You are both enemies the-"

         "Enemies? Your greatest asset in this war?" I scoffed, knowing I was getting on Megatron's circuits, "You don't have the bearings to fight me head on without knowing you had back up."

We both knew this, and with Dreadwing by my side, the war lord knew not to take me on now. We all stood in silence as I stared down the well known warmonger, his cold, angered stare having no effect on me. I had seen such a stare before, and it was from a far scarrier being at the time. I was numb to this kind of treatment and intimidation.

         "My lord you're injured!" Starscream finally noticed, looking to Megatron's arm, the faint stream a stark contrast to his shining silver. He looked at the wound, and seemed unfazed, but I knew that he was surprised, his silence was enough.

         "I never showed you all of my tricks during our battle Megatron." I smirked, and saw a faint glint of... something, pass by his optics after I had said his name. I recognized it from before... he had called me 'dear wildstryke' afterward... despite all my actions against him, he still found that he had an interest in me. He really is twisted.

         "It appears you have not." He finally said, "No matter, Decepticon or not, the attacking of my troops will not be permitted."

         "Don't worry," I assured, "Dreadwing and I will take our leave now." I motioned for him to follow me, and he did, the both of us going to the Medical bay, while Megatron and Starscream had gone somewhere else entirely.

         "Why?" He asked once more, and I smiled up at him.

         "Why not?"

This answer made him smile just the least bit, and we made it to find Knockout with his tools all ready for a basic check up on the both of us, and to take the Decepticon insignia off of Dreading's form.

         "Welcome to the freedom of being neutral," I grinned, "How about we celebrate by going out for a drive? Er... fly?"

Both mechs chuckled, and I shot them a playful glare before leaving to get some energon for all three of us.

     I was half way back when I bumped into Starscream.

         "I noticed you and Lord Megatron are a little, on edge with each other," He noted, a sly grin on his faceplate. I set the third cube in my left servo, and started sipping on the one in my right.

         "Really? To bad it doesn't mean anything for you."

He huffed at this.

         "Once he exhiles you from the Nemesis you will have no place here to influence him as you have, and my rightful place beside him will not be threatened.!"

I glared at him, my cube now gone.

         "You're 'rightful place' means nothing to me, and I know you will only want the throne in the end, no matter how many times you claim you don't. You're a power hungry fiend with no foresight in what your actions may bring. You were a lousy leader before, and you always will be. If it really came down to it, Megatron would choose me over you to take charge if anything happened to him." I paused, and gave the empty cube to a passing vehicon, who took it and bowed before walking off to the mess hall, "All hail Wildstryke, glitch." 

(Ever closer to the best arch ever!! The picture I found funny XD Thanks for reading!)