Chapter Text
A few weeks ago the AllSpark resurrected Cybertron and since then Autobots from all around the galaxy had started to return home. Some in better condition, some in lethal.
In which Autobots returned, Decepticons surrendered. Some came peacefully and in hopes of changing sides, as in some were captured and brought in.
Optimus Prime and his team were considered heroes for most of the Cybertronians, but for some they are the cause of Cybertron's destruction. No Council had been made yet, and for now Optimus remained as the highest ranked bot on the planet.
--
The electronic doors to the emergency medical bay opened and two more Autobots were rushed in on stretchers. Ratchet and other medics and nurses were having rough times, most of the returned bots were more or less damaged and needed energon, there was no time to sit around wondering. There were even a few volunteers helping them.
One of the Autobots rushed in was moved to one of the surgery tables, he had severe wounds and needed energon transfer asap. Ratchet ordered two of his nurses to mend for his wounds. The two bots came on the patient's both sides when a third party came over to the left side, next to the wounded bot's head. The third bot checked the patient's optics and if they worked correctly. Then he ran quick small tests to check his state.
"He's stable, but we need to start immediately", the medic spoke, his voice rather charming and a bit intimidating. The patient wasn't able to identify him yet, his view was blurry.
"Pass the tools, will you?" he spoke again, one of his nurses moving the trolley over to him.
"Now, this will only sting if you fear needles."
That second the patient recognised the medic mending for him. The patient screamed and sent his fist towards the medic, he didn't want that needle near him. The medic was taken by surprise and was sent to face the floor.
"De-De-Decepticon!" shouted the patient.
"What's going on?!" Ratchet demanded when he was able to make his way over to the patient. The patient was being held down on the table by the two nurses. He pointed down at the medic and panicked: "He's a Decepticon, sir! He was going to kill me!!"
Ratchet helped up the red coloured bot, telling the patient: "Knock Out isn't a Decepticon anymore! He's an Autobot now!" Knock Out was lucky to be on Ratchet's good side, otherwise he wouldn't have a job.
"I wasn't going to kill you, thank you for the trust", Knock Out murmured and swept dust from his husk. Ratchet called the closest medic to take over and he took Knock Out further from the patient. They came outside the medical bay, to the corridor where numerous bots passed them.
"You have to work on your attitude, Knock Out, if you want your mates to trust you", Ratchet lectured him a bit, that there wasn't the first time someone brought that fact on the table, the fact KO was a Decepticon. Knock Out was still getting used to be an Autobot, and kindness hadn't been one of his strongest sides. It could help his situation if even he tried to be kind to others.
"How am I supposed to trust someone who doesn't trust me? I'm officially an Autobot, the Big Rig himself knighted me!" Knock Out argued back, Ratchet answering: "Start by addressing your leader correctly."
Knock Out frowned lightly. He was accepted by the Prime team, more or less, they were his only friends at the moment. It was hard to make new friends when bots kept reminding him of his Decepticon history. Ratchet placed his hand on Knock Out's arm and said: "Don't give up on them. They'll see what Optimus sees in you- a proper Autobot." There were times when Ratchet didn't completely agree with Optimus, but trusting Knock Out wasn't one of them. He can't believe it himself, but that's just how it is.
"Let's get to work and wrap it up for today. We've earned our recharge", Ratchet said and returned to the bay with Knock Out. The red bot wasn't motivated at the moment, but it had to be done if he wanted to stay on Ratchet's, and Optimus', good sides. Ratchet made the patient Knock Out tried to mend for apologise to him, even if Knock Out tried to tell him that wasn't needed.
--
The day was wrapped up for today. Well, for Knock Out anyway; Ratchet had to stay to take in another dozen of wounded Autobots. It wasn't that Ratchet had told him to go, he would've let him stay to help but the former Decepticon himself said he's going to leave. There was no need for explanations really, Ratchet knew how the bot hated it when the patients mistook him for a Decepticon. Maybe it's better he stayed out of the emergency wing and switched to the first aid or something... that way he'd be able to help the bots and not slow down the emergency patients.
Knock Out was currently driving in his car mode around the uninhabited areas of Cybertron. He liked the quiet and the speed. It would be more exciting to race against others, but now he preferred to be alone.
The sun was setting. Knock Out was far away from the settlements, he had decided to turn back. He had planned on visiting the Acid Wastes, but he didn't reach them for the sunset. He had heard that the sunsets were amazing at the Wastes.
For Knock Out's amazement, somebot was coming to meet him. And not just any bot, but the Big O himself. What business did he have this far from settlements?
Optimus transformed when he neared Knock Out. Knock Out stopped and transformed, Optimus stepped a bit closer. Prime stopped maybe a meter away from Knock Out.
"Well, hello, o leader. What by the AllSpark brings you here, in the middle of nowhere during this hour?" asked Knock Out and tilted his hips to right. He lifted his hands on his hips.
"Whatever brought you here, Knock Out. Ratchet informed me about what happened in the emergency wing", Optimus explained. Well of course Ratchet had spilled the beans. Again. Was now the moment Optimus would rather throw him in statis than let him lay a hand on his kin again? Knock Out was already ready to hear the bad news, he looked away from Optimus and frowned.
"I'm sorry you have to endure that", Prime said, totally taking Knock Out aback. He faced Optimus.
"You're- sorry?" Knock Out questioned, he chuckled.
"Why are you sorry about that? You shouldn't be sorry!"
Optimus squinted his optics, this wasn't exactly the kind of an answer he had thought he'd receive. Fortunately Prime was a patient bot, many others wouldn't have been as forgiving to Knock Out as he was. Then again, you couldn't really blame Knock Out of the unpleasant situations his history had brought up amongst the Autobots. One can't help his past.
"I don't deserve your 'sorry's! You can't undo my past with a simple sorry", Knock Out argued with the leader. Optimus hummed and closed his optics for a moment. Once he opened them he said: "Knock Out. I'm not Starscream." Scrap, why did that statement ache KO's spark?
The red bot sighed and shook his head. No, he's not. Knock Out honoured Optimus over everything, even though it might not be visible enough for even the leader. Starscream was even worse to him than Megatron. The two Decepticons had very different ways of leading and treating their minions. As where Megatron didn't hesitate to kill his minions for betraying him, Starscream on the other hand humiliated and bullied his. He made sure everyone else felt like trash, like nothing, compared to him.
"That's not what I think..." Knock Out mumbled. Optimus looked down at the bot. He knew that Starscream wouldn't have had any difficulties to leave Knock Out for death, and that made the Autobot leader sad. Knock Out wasn't a bad bot, Optimus didn't believe so. He hadn't just had anyone to guide him. Like he said himself; he hadn't had the best of role models.
"Knock Out. Don't he so hard on yourself. These are hard times for everyone, but when Cybertronians have adjusted to the current lifestyle they'll accept you", Optimus explained and gestured with his hand.
"I was once again reminded of what I really am. I'm better at hurting than healing, Big Rig. That was what I was born to do, after all..." Knock Out explained gesturing with his hands dramatically. Prime didn't appreciate it when he wasn't called by his name, but with Knock Out he let it slip. KO curled his lips and sighing he turned sideways towards Prime.
"I am better off as a Decepticon runaway than an Autobot medic. You've- misplaced your trust by trusting me."
Optimus frowned sadly. That's not what he wanted to hear, especially from Knock Out, who he had learned to trust. The final battle against Unicron proved to him that Knock Out had what it took to be an Autobot.
"Everyone makes mistakes. Like any other Cybertronian, I have also had my share of them. But trusting you wasn't one", Optimus explained, Knock Out frowning at the statement. He turned his head just enough to be able to face the Prime.
"We may have been given duties at birth, but in the end the one who determines your worth is you yourself. When I knighted you an Autobot, I knew you'd carry the insignia with proud. Of course, carrying it is your choice and yours alone."
Knockout moved his hand to touch the Autobot insignia on the right side of his chest plate, under the front pieces of his car mode. He was honoured to receive it, he had never felt so proud of himself. Well, there were a few things he was proud of, but those things remained in his Decepticon history. It was time to create new accomplishments to be proud of. During his knighting he finally felt like he really belonged somewhere. After losing Breakdown he had felt so lost and separated from everything else.
Knock Out turned towards Optimus and sighed lightly.
"You're being too good for me", Knock Out said with a grin and a chuckle. He wasn't one to linger in self pity. Optimus was able to smile again. He lifted a hand on Knock Out's shoulder.
"I believe you've just been treated unfairly", Optimus answered him and kept the smile. Knock Out's grin softened to something similar to a smile.
"Come now. Let's get back", Optimus said to him and turned around. Knock Out hummed and asked: "Race me back to the base?" Optimus didn't answer right away, but he did answer: "Maybe not today." Knock Out was a bit disappointed, but he didn't pout. Optimus had given him more than he could ever have asked for. He drove peacefully back alongside Optimus.