Chapter Text
Reanimation [ Post-canon divergence immediately after Predacons Rising ] -- Starscream is found dead at Darkmount a few days after the Predacon attack and his spark spontaneously reignites. His frame is brought back aboard the wrecked Nemesis for repairs and to be further studied by the Autobots and Knock Out.
Transformation [ several weeks ] -- Knock Out begins the process of repairing Starscream's damaged frame, discovering that his spark has mutated due to the presence of dark energon in his spark chamber when it reignited. During this time, the Autobots are fascinated by Starscream's spark and begin to study it, experimenting with intent to replicate his immortality outlier. Over the course of several weeks, his frame changes into that of a sparkeater, and Knock Out steps in to help him keep his new condition a secret. The Autobots start becoming more aware of the danger in their midst as the Vehicons begin to disappear at an increasing rate.
Confinement [ several months ] -- The Autobots put the pieces together and deduce that Starscream has been killing and consuming Vehicon sparks, and that Knock Out has been hiding the bodies to reduce suspicion. They place Starscream in solitary confinement in a cell located deep within the Nemesis's lower deck, and Knock Out is confined to quarters. The entire crew are all under strict orders to keep as far away as possible from the lower levels. Starscream is left alone in the dark to starve, wasting away as the Autobots argue over what to do with him.
Stasis [ 15 years ] -- Ratchet proposes safely containing Starscream in a stasis pod until a proper solution for his condition can be worked out. At first, Starscream is reluctant, but eventually agrees it would be better than prolonging his own suffering. He is kept in the medbay where Knock Out tends to the pod and intermittently checks the conditions within it as time begins to pass. The world moves on. The pod is moved from place to place while Cybertron is rebuilt, and all the while Knock Out continues to check in on him from time to time.
Reunion [ 1 year ] -- Knock Out has made a name for himself as a successful aerosurgeon working in newly restored Iacon, but leads a lonely life at the top. Fully aware of the risks, he decides to free Starscream from stasis and brings him home to live in his penthouse apartment, but not before taking him out that night to hunt for sparks. Starscream gets used to life after the war, enjoying the stability and luxuries Knock Out provides him with, but the ceaseless hunger persists. He continues to hunt on the streets of Iacon, the killings not going unnoticed by the enforcers (who already have their servos full in the crime-ridden city). Knock Out contributes when he can, occasionally bringing the sparkeater to his clinic and offering up the sparks of mechs who have been left to expire under the knife. They evade the law for as long as they can, but know that it's only a matter of time until one of them gets caught.
Domesticity [ Present ] -- During one of their late-night hunts, Starscream senses a large gathering of sparks in one place far beyond the outskirts of Iacon. The duo travel out to investigate, discovering that a hot spot has started to grow, with new sparks popping up through the ground ripe and ready to be forged into frames. Its like an all-you-can-eat buffet for a sparkeater, and it eliminates the need to kill living mechs for sparks. A perfect little solution brought forth from the Well itself, moral and ethical concerns aside. The two continue living in domestic bliss, and while keeping Starscream around is sometimes more trouble than its worth, Knock Out is glad to have him back.