xanthousflame

Latest Posts by xanthousflame

in honour of what might have been my first ever childhood hyperfixation, my girl Crysta has officially been added to the jacket!

pattern was based heavily on the fairy from Stardew Valley but sized up with alterations (I forgot to take one of the shoulders off her top for my design but I fixed it in the pattern)

DMC numbers: 162, 310, 347, 817, 963, 3761

also fun fact, I actually live like not very far from the real Fern Gully, not sure if this was common knowledge outside of Australia but the movie is based in a real location, Mount Warning exists and I've seen it irl

  I re-blogged this (the first time) in 2014. Today, I tried half a dozen times to re-blog it, and it wouldn’t work. So, I saved the images and re-posted it. I hope it helps make life a little easier. :-)   The original post is by iraffiruse.

by Laerte Coutinho

go to settings > dashboard > interface and turn on show timestamps. please. do this for me i'm begging

Anybody else got that Evergiven sized writers block

THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN

Teef by Endling.

i like tboy paws

if there is a screen

ao3 will be seen

Ok, crazy idea but what if knockout got dragged through the space bridge with wheel jack at the beginning of the series.

I say this because knockout being TFA team primes former decepticon wine aunt who is very good at dissecting personality traits to accurately insult what you hate about yourself is hilarious and a vibe.

Plus him and tfa Bulkhead would get along I feel like.

Hey! :)

Ah, the “Knockout Comes Back From His Break Early to Find that Everything Has Gone to Shit & Now Partakes in Shenanigans” AU.

I’m just kidding—this never crossed my mind, but I’m here for it. It’s fucking funny.

The UltraJack version was “hey, so: what if we accidentally dropped into the multiverse, dealt with all of our trauma, adopted a bunch of kids, and came home married?”. Classic.

This? This is “dropped into the multiverse with my estranged brother’s goth widow and dealt with his constant sarcasm and morning routine for a decade”. That’s a buddy-cop comedy that we have yet to see, and I want to.

Fuck, I’m the writer-

…

…

…

I’ve spoken before about how I think Wheeljack and Knockout would be on decent terms. They worked on the space-bridge together, Wheeljack didn’t really have a lot of exposure to Decepticon Breakdown or Knockout’s various war-crimes, and—I dunno—I think they’d be good.

Wheeljack hears that Knockout saved Bumblebee and fucking knocked Starscream out by breaking the Immobilizer over his head, and he’s laughing his aft off—and that plus working together opens the door for them to get along fairly well.

That doesn’t mean they’re not making snappy remarks and bitching at each other, though. They are, constantly—but it’s all in good fun.

Knockout’s glad to have someone who he can talk to about Breakdown without overwhelming hard feelings, and Wheeljack’s lack of chit-chat makes him a good listener. That, and they work well together—and gang up on TFP Ratchet, who they’re fond of but he makes it too easy.

So, while we can expect bickering and some rare “oh, right—we used to be on opposite sides of the war. ain’t that funny?” moments, we don’t have to worry about them learning to get along.

They’re alright.

But going into unknown territory together, and being stuck there alone for over a decade? It’s gonna be a lot of time together, even with all of the other stuff that’s going on—and they’re good, but they’re not exactly “best buddies”.

They’re VERY DIFFERENT mechs.

Knockout is a former Decepticon medic who was responsible for the entire Nemesis and grew very paranoid because everyone was always hitting or backstabbing each other, to the point where he stuck around as long as he thought they held the advantage after Breakdown died and switched sides the moment he could—and even when the advantage disappeared, he stuck around because he found a healthier environment. He’s a bit self-centered and skittish, but remains a skilled fighter who can have lots of confidence in a pinch. He’s also brutally honest and not afraid to speak his mind, and cares a lot about appearances.

Wheeljack’s -well- Wheeljack: an engineer and former scientist who has buried that shit deep, a Wrecker who tends to play a little rough and put on a well-crafted mask, loyal to a fault, and an introvert who has to get some distance when he’s overwhelmed. He gets injured and disregards it, he’s confident except for when it comes to talking about emotions or being the center of attention, and he’s also blunt and brutally honest but tends to hold back sometimes in order to assess.

There’s also the fact that Breakdown was once a Wrecker who betrayed the cause, and Knockout put a ring on it. There’s understanding given the benefit of hindsight, but Knockout and Wheeljack haven’t talked about everything and there are some things that they likely just won’t talk about. They’re on good terms, but these two are still not trusting each other completely. It’s early.

This is going to lead to bickering, awkwardness, references or explanations that lead the other wide-opticed or confused, and the “roommate effect” where they sometimes find each other to be insufferable for the stupidest reasons.

So, like I said: it’s a buddy-cop thing.

Knockout: So… it appears that we have something in common.

TFP Wheeljack: ?

Knockout: *smirks* Big blue Wreckers with hammers, hm?

TFP Wheeljack: I will actually murder you in your fraggin’ stasis.

Knockout: *sips Energon* I might have been intimidated, but I heard that from Starscream on a tri-weekly basis.

TFP Wheeljack: *worried* You good?

Knockout: *dry* Seeking a more-creative death threat, but otherwise unscathed.

Now, let’s factor in the TFA Crew.

Wheeljack shows up, that’s tricky enough—he’s a war-frame Autobot from another reality, and the alternate of an influential scientist.

But then, there’s Knockout—with his red optics, claws, and energy-prod and buzz-saw.

He pretty much just stands there with his crossed arms and a deadpan on his face as the TFA ‘Bots prepare to take him down, and Wheeljack has to quickly intervene and vouch for him.

TFA Prowl: That’s a Decepticon.

TFP Wheeljack: Well, uh… Kinda? But it’s okay. He’s a good guy who works with ‘Bots, now. *awkwardly pats Knockout’s head* See? Wouldn’t let me do that, otherwise.

Knockout: *visibly resisting the urge to saw TFP Wheeljack’s arm off* Indeed.

TFP Wheeljack: You are not helpin’.

Knockout: Neither are you.

TFA Bumblebee: Okay, okay—just- We just wanna know if he’s going to murder us.

Knockout: *having fun* Debatable.

TFP Wheeljack: Y’know what? Just kill ‘im.

TFA Optimus: *horrified* We don’t just kill people! He would get a trial on Cybertron!

Knockout: *surprised, then smirking because he’s just realized that he’s actually in no real physical danger* Hello, vacation…

And so, it begins! 😂

While Wheeljack gets to be his introverted self, Knockout is shamelessly extroverted.

Like, he knows that the TFA Crew is reasonably terrified of him—but he’ll be hanging out in the main room with them! He’s just kicking back with some Energon, watching TV, maybe reading a data-pad he snagged from this debatably less-grouchy version of Ratchet. He’s good.

And he’ll put on sly little smiles and make eerie remarks to keep everyone on their toes, and he never hesitates to take a jump-scare opportunity. If he can freak them out, he’s going to—and he’s surprisingly good at it. He’s good at escaping, and all of those years he spent on the Nemesis with Soundwave seeing all taught him stealth.

The only ones the ‘Con medic goes easy on at first are Optimus, Ratchet, and Bumblebee.

Optimus gets it easiest because Knockout does recognize that “hey, a Decepticon got him killed the day we met” and he credits TFP’s Optimus with his full acceptance since it was one of the last things the deceased Prime ever did.

Ratchet and Bumblebee get little smiles after the scares, which helps them to calm down quick and adjust to Knockout’s personality—realizing that he’s mischievous but not ill-intentioned. They don’t know that the medic misses their alternates back home—the first Autobot he was ever friends with, and the elder medic who took him in.

Sari just doesn’t get scared of him. He tries to intimidate her away, but she’s too curious—so, the tables turn and he gets squeamish because he’s still not quite used to humans. He likes their culture, but squishy lil’ organics freak him out and he’d rather not be touched with their smudgy little hands. Sari fucking weaponizes this, since Knockout never threatens her for-real and she thinks it’s hilarious to watch him avoid her.

Settling in is rough.

It gets a little easier when Wheeljack starts to settle as well and eventually makes joking little comments like “stop freakin’ the kids out” to further show that Knockout’s just consciously being a nuisance and not actually a threat.

…

Still, they don’t start to lower their guard around him until after the encounter with Lockdown.

Knockout fights well, as he does—but he’s quiet the whole time, clearly bothered by something.

When it’s over, the medic swats Ratchet away from Optimus and takes care of the young Prime’s wounds himself. Cosmetics and mods are a specialty of his—and while Optimus is tense the whole time he’s being worked on, he finds himself with only minimal discomfort as his grappling-hooks are restored and his armor is carefully patched. Even Ratchet has to admire the speed and care with which Knockout handles it.

When Knockout’s done, he steps back and turns to Ratchet—silently gesturing for him to sit down. Ratchet hesitates, but he obeys—and he watches the former Decepticon ensure that the neural link between his arm and the EMP has connected correctly and that it will cause no pain.

“… You didn’t have to do this, kid,” the old field-tech finally says, and Knockout glances at him. “All those data-pads… You actually read up on our biology, didn’t you?”

Knockout scoffs. “Better that than the useless propaganda documents Optimus had to offer.” He frowns and he keeps working. “… Someone who I cared very much about was captured once, and he had a part of him stolen away. He came back alive, but then… he was stolen away from me again. Butchered.” His crimson optics narrow. “I’m afraid that this incident threatened to bring out the worst in me.”

Optimus is speechless.

Ratchet hesitates, then he gives a small grin. “I saw that hit you landed on Lockdown, after Wheeljack went down.” Knockout glances at him again. “… If that’s the worst in you, I don’t think that this team has anything to worry about.”

“I said threatened,” Knockout reminds him. “I can guarantee I’m still rather awful.”

Ratchet chuckles. “Yeah, well… I don’t think I’m gonna worry too much anyway.”

“Hm.” Knockout raises an optic-brow, then he shrugs. “Whatever you say.” He puts on a little smirk. “You might regret it.”

Ratchet just shakes his head.

…

The assembly line, Meltdown, and Nanosec incidents make Knockout re-evaluate.

He’s so frustrated with Bumblebee, and he goes to vent to Wheeljack—who just looks at him with crossed arms and a raised optic-brow.

Knockout: He just seems to think that he’s invincible! And he won’t stop talking about himself and how skilled he is!

TFP Wheeljack: Uh-huh.

Knockout: He has no regard for the outcome of his actions or the danger that he could bring upon himself and others!

TFP Wheeljack: Oh, yeah.

Knockout: He fails to take constructive criticism until lives are on the line, and then he seems to forget what he learned!

TFP Wheeljack: Really, now?

Knockout: And all of the bragging about his appearance and his speed- *pause* Oh. *optics widen* By Primus, I’m insufferable.

TFP Wheeljack: *clapping him on the back* The truth shall set you free. *deadpan* He’s insecure. Ever tell him to shut up, and I will actually fight you in the parkin’ lot.

Knockout: Duly noted. I’m going to head out there to scream, momentarily.

“Blast From the Past” makes Knockout a little concerned about Wheeljack’s behavior, but he’s more involved in arguing with Prowl.

He insists that, while Bulkhead could use a crash-course in spatial awareness and learning to try and control his strength, he should not be made to try and fight like a mech of an incompatible frame design—and to punctuate his point, he suggests that Prowl learn to fight like Bulkhead.

When Prowl goes to argue and say that he can’t because he’s too small and not strong enough, Knockout gives him a pointed look. Prowl’s taken aback, then he nods in understanding.

Bulkhead asks later why Knockout stood up for him. The medic glances at him, then smiles and merely says “I have a soft spot for larger frames”.

…

Halloween rolls around.

Optimus doesn’t know why both Knockout and Wheeljack won’t tease him about the spiders, or why Knockout looks so sad the whole time.

The medic doesn’t dress up, but he is curious about this “Halloween” he’s seen in movies and decides to accompany the trick-or-treaters.

Blackarachnia makes her first appearance, and Wheeljack and Knockout ain’t having it. Between them both having the common sense to see a ‘Con con on-sight, Gay Solidarity, Wheeljack wanting to protect Sari, and Knockout deciding that Blackarachnia being part-spider is enough to activate several layers of fight-or-flight-

Knockout: *twitch* What I’m about to do is actually not personal. I’m working out some things.

Blackaracnia: Uh..?

Knockout: A rogue Decepticon called Airachnid trapped and killed my conjunx, and his corpse eventually became a vampire that turned her into a vampire.

Blackaracnia: *sympathy* Oh. *realization* Oh, frag!

Knockout: *already holding his electro-prod staff*

Wheeljack sends Knockout to help Bumblebee protect Sari while he and Bulkhead hold the Decepticon techno-organic off.

When Blackarachnia shows up anyway, she easily takes Bumblebee down but Knockout doesn’t hold back—and he’s so caught up in other things, he doesn’t even think about it when he picks Sari up to protect her until Optimus arrives.

When it’s over, Knockout gets down on one knee to set Sari down—and she looks up at him with wide eyes as he seems to check her over for any injuries… before he stands up, shakes his hand out, and makes a little grossed-out sound that seems forced. Sari just laughs at him.

…

A very good thing about having Knockout around is that there’s an actual TFP medic is there to help whenever Wheeljack gets hurt.

Sari’s birthday party chokes and dies with the poor Wrecker even getting a concussion, but Knockout is there to lend a hand.

Then, he hears the name “Soundwave” and automatically activates his saw.

Professor Sumdac takes several BIG steps back while Sari is just confused by this.

Knockout leaves Wheeljack to get a look at the toy, his optics narrowed as he gets down on one knee to examine ‘Soundwave’. “Since coming to this reality, I have encountered no familiar faces but many familiar names. Optimus, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, even Starscream…” He looks at Sari. “Soundwave is definitely a name that I could go without hearing ever again.”

“It’s just a toy,” Sari argues. “My dad made it.”

Knockout glances at the professor. “He also made the Dinobots.” He looks at Soundwave again, his armor prickling. “It could be nothing. Just… lock him away at night, and never turn your back.” He glances at Sari again. “And never use your Key on him. We don’t understand it yet, and we saw what happened when the Dinobots were exposed to its mere energy—indirectly… This is not an enemy you want to face. He will never stop.”

“… Gee, Knockout.” Sari deadpans. “You really are just the life of the party, aren’t you?”

Knockout scoffs. “Serves me right, trying to look after the safety of a human for once.”

That’s the first time Knockout openly admits to the fact that he’s grown to care about Sari in any capacity, guised as a bitter remark.

He’s still not used to it.

Humans still make his armor crawl, especially after the CYLAS incident. It’s not easy.

Sari apologizes to him after Soundwave tries to take over the world—and Knockout, recognizing a pattern, will not trust Professor Sumdac.

Certainly not with Sari’s safety, at least.

…

Knockout lets Wheeljack handle Sari during the “oh, gee—guess we’re leaving Earth” moment once Lugnut and Blitzwing arrive.

Ratchet wants him to come and help with the ship while the others hold the Decepticons off, but Knockout ends up awkwardly standing at the shore like… “yeah, about that-”.

Seeing the crisis, he eventually has to intervene and runs across the ice to get right above the ship—and he calls Ratchet to open an airlock before he jumps in. Once the airlock closes and flushes the water out, Knockout is left coughing and shaking on the ground as his systems reject all of the water that got trapped inside.

Ratchet helps him stay sitting up while Sari watches worriedly—and their worry only grows when they learn that this was what Knockout is like after a minute, and Wheeljack was stuck under the water for several minutes.

They team gets their Wrecker and former-‘Con back to shore, and Knockout sluggishly helps with Wheeljack before they sit him down. Ratchet wants them to compare notes, now.

The fact that Knockout, knowing how dangerous it would be, actually jumped into the water just helps to win the team over some more.

That and he told Lugnut and Blitzwing to fuck off.

…

Wheeljack screams when he finds Bulkhead’s severed head. Knockout actually passes out.

Like, he’s the first to elect for dissection in any situation—but he’s still a medical professional and that’s a living severed head. Let him process.

Cue Knockout becoming absolutely obsessed with figuring out how Bulkhead’s head is alive while separate from his body and spark chamber.

Does spark energy move through the body like fuel or electricity, and is he on a time-crunch to get his body back or else perish? Important!

Or, worse: while Bulkhead is separated from his spark, is he undead? Sparkless, yet alive?

Knockout: *squinting*

TFA Bulkhead: Uh… Whatcha doin’?

Knockout: *muttering darkly* Waiting for you to turn on us, sparkless demon.

TFP Wheeljack: *holds up a spray-bottle*

…

Knockout doesn’t do wilderness trekking or camping, so he’s not there for “Survival of the Fittest” and—thankfully—he doesn’t have LOTS of bad memories return in “Nature Calls”.

He still overhear Wheeljack speaking with Prowl and Bumblebee afterwards, but he can’t bring himself to go into detail about his experience.

What he saw on the Nemesis, the volcano of Dark Energon and so many ill Vehicons, Trypticon, Breakdown and the Terror-‘Cons… It’s too much.

…

Megatron returns.

Honestly, Knockout agrees with Wheeljack—they should’ve figured. He always comes back.

And when he sees this Megatron, he’s not very impressed. This is Not His Warlord, at all.

Megatron notices the look on his face—as well as the red optics and obvious aesthetic—and tries to go on a tirade about loyalty and weakness.

Knockout actually yawns. “Are you done?”

I’m not saying that Knockout has him in a fight.

He doesn’t, he totally gets his ass kicked.

And yeah, it kinda freaks him out that there’s any version of Megatron on-scene. He knows better than underestimate any version of him.

But that doesn’t mean he respects this guy. This is not the same gladiator -turned- revolutionary -turned- warlord he knew back home.

Something about him just feels off.

The one thing Knockout does respect is that he tries to kill Starscream on sight. Finally.

Knockout considers his suspicions towards Professor Sumdac validated, but… finds it difficult to relish in his victory, at the day’s end.

Sari Sumdac is eight years-old and alone.

…

The Elite Guard arrives.

Yeah, that’s fun.

Wheeljack has to AGAIN make sure that none of these alternate Autobots hurt Knockout.

Knockout, at this point, has just kinda accepted it. He brought an Energon smoothie. If it’s his time, it’s his time—and he won’t go out stressed.

The calm demeanor seems to calm the Elite Guard down a bit, until Knockout gets bored and opens his mouth to join in on Wheeljack’s taunts.

They leave pretty quickly after that.

And… Knockout finds himself uncomfortable, as he watches the Elite Guard react to humans.

Jazz is alright, but the others? It’s how he is, and… it’s not pleasant, as an outsider looking in.

He readies his saw the moment Sentinel even looks at Sari wrong. It’s just an instinct.

He’s not exactly comfortable around the girl, but he’ll do whatever he has to in order to protect her.

Also, when Sentinel loses his head (or body)? He may not spill to TFA’s far less charming Ultra Magnus, but he absolutely tells the rest of the TFA Crew and they howl with laughter.

It comes down to it that the Elite Guard is planning a departure, and Wheeljack makes it clear that he’ll stay to watch over Sari.

He tells Knockout that he can still go, and the former Decepticon just raises an optic-brow.

His argument is that he’ll probably be killed the moment the ramp raises. No, thank you.

Additionally, he can’t just show up back home without Wheeljack. Talk about suspicious.

In truth, he doesn’t want to leave Sari either—and he won’t just leave Wheeljack alone.

Thankfully, the matter is resolved.

…

Knockout & Wheeljack when they both show up at the underground racing ring:

Knockout insists that he’s in it for the race. He pretends to forget that Sari Sumdac even lives at the Plant… but the ill-begotten wage is collected and deposited every week without fail, and he’s just as exhausted as Wheeljack.

He also complains that he looks hideous with his colors reversed, though not nearly as bad as his companion. Wheeljack humors him.

And they both feel dread settle over them when they realize that this reality’s Allspark won’t help them. Wheeljack asks what will happen if they die here, and Knockout can’t answer him.

That doesn’t stop Wheeljack from nearly dying in an attempt to protect Bumblebee and Prowl. Sari’s failure to heal him with her Key confirms their fears, and Knockout gets to work.

Ratchet watches in fascination, helping as well as he can but finding himself at a loss in places where Knockout seems to thrive.

Wheeljack will be alright, but the scare rattles the team. They want to ensure that Wheeljack and Knockout are safe, going forward.

And Knockout sighs, leaning back against a table and crossing his arms. He’s not against the idea of a protection detail—he would very much like to stay alive, thank you—but he knows Wheeljack will hardly take it well, and knows why.

“… If you think he would ever take it back, you’re not just wrong—you lack even the most basic pattern-recognition skills,” the former Decepticon drawls, and everyone looks at him. “Back home, this is what Wheeljack is known for.” He frowns. “He’s considered by the Autobots to be a war hero, because he joined the Wreckers with an impossible goal: to bring them home alive.” He looks at his unconscious friend. “It was his great superpower, and his great weakness. He would almost always walk away injured, pulling all of those ridiculous stunts… but he kept taking risks, so he must have deemed them worthwhile.” He turns his gaze to Prowl and Bumblebee. “… You are worthwhile. You won’t ever convince him otherwise, so don’t waste time trying.”

“He’s just going to get hurt, again,” Prowl tells him, visibly frustrated.

Knockout nods. “Certainly. He’s a Wrecker, and… a good friend.” He glances away, sighing. “You can’t change him, so just… try to get him home alive, so that I can patch him up.” He looks at Wheeljack again. “I’ll do my best.”

“… We know,” Bumblebee tells him.

Knockout gives a small smile, nodding. He doesn’t say a word, no one does…

But things change, that day.

…

As Wheeljack is recovering, Bulkhead meets the Constructicons and Knockout isn’t having it.

After Sari nearly loses her head, he gets his saw out—and Optimus quickly tries to talk him down.

Knockout nearly lashes out again after the two mechs return for the Allspark, and all attempts to dissuade him leave Wheeljack his opening.

Knockout has to patch the Wrecker up, again—but neither of them have many regrets.

Prowl goes rogue one day and has Wheeljack fly him to the moon, where the cyber-ninja teams up with Lockdown to track down Starscream.

That day ends with Knockout having to tend to Wheeljack’s wounds again, and the Wrecker seeing to Prowl’s mental health afterwards.

Knockout isn’t the best with that, all things considered—and he decides he’s not the one to talk to when it comes to remorse over killing.

Prowl still comes to find him, anyway—to ask about the war, and how he managed to cope.

Honestly, Knockout doesn’t know how to answer him. He’s a medic and a scientist, but he was always better at taking things apart than putting them back together. He never dealt serious damage to any member of his Team Prime, but he came close and wanted it at times—and he scared them, threatened them, made them struggle and squirm for the thrill of it. He chased that high, the power and freedom he didn’t have on the Nemesis—where everyone was waiting to stab everyone in the back, and the eyes of Soundwave and wrath of Megatron were likely the only things keeping their one doctor “safe”.

“How did you do it?” Prowl still asks.

Knockout still doesn’t know his answer, but he replies anyway: “I had a partner, someone who was… better than me… and truly believed in the cause, the original cause, and wanted to look after the other Decepticons… including me. And with him by my side, I was fearless. It was easy because he made it fun. I could do anything, and he had my back—so, it became a game. A rather dark way of coping with the horrors, I know.” He glances at Prowl. “After he died, it… wasn’t the same, for me. The troopers were kind enough, but I realized… I had lost more than I ever really knew I had.” He looks down. “So, I think that made it even easier… After I lost him, I had nothing left to lose—and why shouldn’t I make everyone else lose something? The war seemed like it would never end, and—even if it did, win or lose—my universe would be left burning all around me… So, why should anyone else get a ‘happy ending’?”

It’s not what Prowl expects to hear.

It’s not what Knockout expects to say.

“… What was his name?” Prowl asks him.

Knockout sighs. “Breakdown.” Prowl nods. “… You aren’t like me. It was never alright.”

Prowl shakes his head. “It was fun.” Knockout looks at him sadly. “And I could have lost any of you, all of you… How did you escape that?”

“I made new connections,” Knockout confesses. “New ties, people worth protecting as I was once protected… and even worth living for.”

“Hm.” Prowl gives a small smile, starting to relax a bit. “How did that start?”

Knockout laughs weakly. “Oddly enough? I-… I was thanked with a smile. It was fake, but… it was more kindness, more of a genuine effort, than I’d seen from anyone since Breakdown.”

Prowl’s face softens.

Slowly, Knockout is becoming more and more a part of this family—slower than Wheeljack, and different, but no less dear to them.

Wheeljack panics when Swindle freezes the technology in Detroit. Knockout’s face just drops, and—before they make their way to Sumdac Tower—the Autobots see Knockout look back.

He’ll never be as open as Wheeljack, physically affectionate and parental—but he still comes to truly care about them and want them safe.

That makes him one of them.

…

The day Sari is left home alone and the team faces the Constructicons, Knockout feels his shoulders raise as Blitzwing takes it too far.

He looks at Wheeljack, and finds that same barely-contained instinct in the Wrecker.

He doesn’t flinch when Wheeljack blasts the Decepticon’s shoulder to protect Bumblebee.

Now, Blitzwing doesn’t seem to register how big of a threat Knockout is with Wheeljack present.

Knockout doesn’t have blasters, but he has his saws and electro-staff. Plenty to work with.

When Ratchet is taken prisoner, it’s almost too easy for Knockout to get behind the Decepticon and ready his staff. As soon as Wheeljack gets Ratchet clear, Knockout delivers powerful electricity to Blitzwing’s back. He’s down.

Knockout removes his staff and looks at Wheeljack, who nods at him with that calm professionalism seasoned warriors have.

The rest of the team looks astonished.

But Blitzwing gets up and scrambles away, summoned by orders they can’t hear.

And the return to the Plant brings the realization that the rest of the team is truly unprepared for Knockout and Wheeljack’s level of combat—any of it. To many of them, death is an unknown.

Wheeljack falters, but Knockout insists that they will have to be ready for what’s coming.

“I was the sole medic for the Nemesis. I was responsible for hundreds of Vehicons,” the medic insists. “On Earth, we were up against less than ten Autobots at any given time—just five or six for the longest time.” His optics narrow. “Those ‘Bots only succeeded against us because every battle left Decepticons dead while they walked away. In the Earth campaign, only one Autobot died and stayed down—while we lost hundreds to them.” He gestures to Wheeljack. “To him… And there was a time where we would have done the same. If you’re not ready to kill to save yourselves and the people of this city, you will lose.”

“We’re better than that,” Optimus argues.

Knockout rolls his optics. “Don’t give me that ‘holier than thou’ rhetoric! I’ve been in the shoes of your enemy!” He looks at his new team, grave. “I’ve seen what happens to the ones they take alive. Please, don’t encourage it.”

“Knockout.” Ratchet sighs. “They’re kids.”

“And we’re their doctors.” Knockout shoots a look at him. “We don’t conduct our surgeries with bandages alone. We need to get Energon on our servos to save their lives.” He looks down. “… I’ve seen what happens. I’ve done what happens.” He looks at the young Autobots, and he shakes his head. “I won’t watch it happen to you, so send me all of the horrified looks you like. It won’t change my mind. I’ve seen them on my enemies as I’ve prepared to cut them down. I’d much rather see them here, while I’m protecting my allies.”

Wheeljack looks at him, frowning, but doesn’t protest the harsh words that cut like a scalpel.

The young ‘bots need to hear it.

…

Capture is a sensitive subject.

Wheeljack’s been the captive far too many times.

Knockout had someone he loved taken from him.

When Bulkhead is taken, they move—but then, Optimus orders Knockout to assist Ratchet and Sari with their ship. He reluctantly agrees, and is astounded to learn it’s Omega Supreme.

He heard the legends on his Cybertron.

When it’s all over and they flee a collapsing space-bridge, with Omega Supreme and Blurr lost along with Megatron and Starscream, Knockoit moves to start tending to Wheeljack—who is visibly injured, his optics haunted.

His Energon runs cold when Sari screams, and he looks back… and sees sparking circuitry…

“Sari, we need to talk,” her rescued father says, then he blinks as his daughter is scooped up and held away from him.

Knockout doesn’t even realize he’s doing it until he’s done it, and he’s holding a frantic little girl in his servos. He looks down at her, seeing the tech beneath the flesh…

Wheeljack takes her from him gently, looking at Knockout sadly before starting to try and tend to the weeping child.

Knockout is at a loss. His first instinct was to shield the girl, in spite of… CYLAS… Silas… his Breakdown, who-…

What’s happening to him?

Regardless of this turmoil, he backs Wheeljack in Sari’s defense—but doesn’t touch her again. He can’t bring himself to.

It’s different.

He knows it’s different.

Still…

And Sari runs up to him after all is sorted out with her father, grinning as she shows him the blasters in her hands and talks about how Wheeljack’s teaching her.

Knockout just looks at her, and she notices.

“What’s wrong?” She asks, her smile falling into a worried frown. “Knockout?”

“CYLAS, you have earned your place at the table.”

“Lord Megatron, I am honored.”

“Knockout's dissection table!”

“Breakdown would be tickled.”

Knockout takes a deep vent, closing his optics, then he gets down on one knee and looks at the young girl… and he puts on a weary smile for her.

“Did I ever tell you my favorite colors?” He asks her quietly.

Sari shrugs. “I mean, I assume red.”

“No.” Knockout shakes his head. “They’re yellow, orange, and blue.” Sari grows surprised, and the medic holds a servo out. She steps on with some hesitation, and he stands. “Now, you little soon-to-be-Wrecker: show me what Wheeljack taught you. I need to be prepared to patch the both of you up should something go wrong.”

“Knockout!“ She complains through laugher, and the former Decepticon snorts as he uses a pointed digit to carefully ruffle her red hair.

Little did he know, he’d actually have to know how to tend to the girl.

After he and Ratchet save Bumblebee following Sari’s unexpected upgrade, the two physicians go to where Sari is on the verge of exploding—and she looks at them with wide, fearful blue optics.

“It’ll be alright!” She tells Ratchet as the old field-tech readies his EMP.

Knockout is disgusted by organics, and techno-organics bring about bad memories.

His servos don’t shake during Sari’s surgery. He’s as steady and diligent as ever.

When Optimus suggests using an uncontrollable Sari against Omega Supreme, he gets a punch in the face and Wheeljack has to set aside his own rage and swiftly haul the kicking medic back.

“I took down a far more competent Optimus Prime on several occasions!” Knockout snaps as Optimus looks at him in disbelief. “So help me, if you lay a digit on that girl-!”

Wheeljack sets Knockout down and grabs his shoulders. The medic is furious, but he blinks when Wheeljack tells him to protect everyone, that that’s his job.

Then, Knockout’s optics widen as Wheeljack steps back and blasts the tunnel entrance shut before driving off to deal with Omega Supreme himself.

He returns to Sari’s side with Ratchet, and the field-tech charges him with protecting the Sumdacs when he leaves.

Knockout is still not fond of the professor, but he’s ready to evacuate them both—or fight off Optimus, if he must.

He dreads Wheeljack’s fate…

But he stands there, his saw ready. He doesn’t put it away when the others return. When Optimus approaches the Sumdacs, it spins.

Wheeljack frowns, holding a servo up. Even he isn’t going that far, he would never threaten the other Autobots.

Knockout holds no such qualms.

“What kinda medic are you?“ Ratchet asks at one point, as he keeps vigil over the Sumdacs with Knockout and Wheeljack.

Knockout glances at him. “One better at tearing than mending, and willing to defend his patients to the bitter end.” He looks down at Sari. “… She wasn’t in control of her own body. He would have taken her autonomy away for sheer ease of victory, as a tactic.” He bares his dentas. “It was wrong.”

Wheeljack glances at him sadly. “Why don’t you take a minute? Go for a drive.”

Knockout huffs and looks down. “No, thank you.”

Knockout’s trust is simply won, easily broken, and near impossible to regain.

Optimus feels this in the air.

He sees it in Knockout keeping his distance, and watching him with Sari like he’s a monster looming over an infant.

When Wheeljack has his night to talk things out and be comforted, Knockout lingers in the hallway but does not enter the room.

Even Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Prowl receive the cold shoulder. Prowl is the first to escape that icy grip.

As Wheeljack starts doing better, Knockout maintains a distance. The Wrecker advises the others to not push it.

“You can’t fix this one with a spark-to-spark,” he tells them softly, resting a servo over his chest. “Some hurts can’t heal, and this whole thing brought back some real bad memories for him.”

“I reminded him of… a Decepticon?” Optimus asks warily.

Wheeljack sighs. “It’s not that simple.” He looks over at Knockout. “He, um… He lost someone real special to him, and how that loss was handled-…” He looks down, then back at the younger Autobots and Ratchet. “Until we were friends, he didn’t really have anyone to talk to.”

Prowl frowns. “Why you?”

“… Because the one he lost was a Wrecker,” Wheeljack replies, and the others go tense. “An… older brother o’ mine, I guess—at one point. So, just… give him some space.”

…

The Elite Guard returns.

Knockout endures Sentinel’s bumbling attempts to capture Wasp and shady back-alley deals with Lockdown, but… then, Blackarchnia comes into play.

And after assuring that the Jettwins are evacuating a poisoned Wheeljack, Knockout heeds the Wrecker’s warnings and goes after Sentinel. He hears their conversation.

“You should’ve gone offline.”

“Breakdown! Where have you-?!

… Breakdown? What happened to you?”

He’s out of it after that. He doesn’t even notice Optimus rushing in.

But then, he hears Blackarachnia say something about changing Wasp to find a cure for herself—subjecting another being to the same fate, and for what?

“This is the human who dissected Breakdown!

Please, my liege… allow me to return the favor.”

“You can’t fix it!” Knockout finally shouts, stepping forward. Optimus, Blackarachnia, and even a weary Sentinel look up at him in surprise. “That’s not how this works! I’m sorry, but a piece of you was taken away—and it’s never coming back!” He steps forward again. “But that is no excuse to put someone else through the same agony! You have no right!”

Blackarachnia stands and glowers at him. “I have no right?! Who are you, to come here and judge me?!”

“At least you survived!” Knockout snaps, and she steps back. “You-… You’re alive.” Knockout’s face falls as his shoulders sag. “Do you have any idea how precious a life is, in any form?”

“I have no life, like this!” Blackarachnia shoots back. “If I had returned to Cybertron, I would’ve been dissected!”

“I will leave no fiber or fiber-optic unexamined.”

Knockout’s fists clench. “And I’m truly sorry about that.”

“My, my, my. What ever have you been inflicting upon poor CYLAS?”

“Ha! Well, anything that merits the need for a living Petri dish.”

“But that’s no excuse to inflict your own pain upon others,” Knockout tells her coldly. “It won’t heal it.”

“Despite your justifiable lack of regard for his human side, it doesn’t trouble you to watch what remains of your former partner endure your scientific endeavors?”

“… Not really.”

He turns his glare on Sentinel. “But you, you have no right to tell someone you claim to care about that they should be dead. If I could-…” He looks down. “… If he came back in any form, I wouldn’t care. If he was just him, that would be enough.” He closed his optics. “Seeing what you do to each other in this nightmare…”

“Besides, CYLAS once has poor Breakdown pinned to his lab table.

I think my former partner would be pleased to be a part.”

Knockout opens his optics and looks up with a scowl. “I have every right! You pin the blame upon each other, but no one is faultless!” He looks at Optimus and Sentinel. “You shouldn’t have gone to that damn planet in the first place, let alone left her behind!” He looks at Blackarachnia. “And whatever your biological makeup, you shouldn’t have EVER damned anyone else to the same fate! That is what makes you a monster!”

Faces drop.

Wasp interrupts them before they can continue, and then he and Blackarachnia are gone.

With Wheeljack unconscious and unable to talk him down, Knockout avoids everyone for the entire trip home—just silently tending to the Wrecker to try and avoid another snap.

Ratchet helps him with a proper treatment back at the Plant, and then Knockout makes his way to his room.

Before they go, Sentinel and Optimus of all ‘bots awkwardly knock at his doorframe. The medic marches over and glowers at both of them.

“Why, if it isn’t the champions of the techno-organic cause?” He asks dryly, and both grimace. “What do you want?”

“… I’m sorry,” Sentinel tells him awkwardly, and Knockout blinks. “It, um… It sounded like you lost someone in a pretty bad way, and… looking back, I can kinda see that I was… harsh.” He sighs. “But she’s-… She’s not the same. It’s-..:”

“Difficult to accept,” Knockout finishes for him, then he sighs. “You and your… awful color-scheme, just leave me alone.”

He shuts the door.

Blue, orange, yellow…

…

Christmas rolls around.

Knockout has seen enough movies to get the gist of this capitalist fiasco populated by magical elves. When he tells Sari that, she doubles-over and wheezes.

She doesn’t correct him.

It’s… actually a pleasant time of year. For Sari’s sake more than anyone else’s, he lets up on the cold front. It’s just for the holiday, after all. He can put on a façade, so long as no one mistakes it for a crack in his resolve.

That all changes when morning comes and the Plant is empty, save for hordes of miniature Soundwave dolls.

And here, Knockout thought that there was no way for this Soundwave to out-creep his version. Enter mind-control.

Knockout wonders if they should just cut the power, but Wheeljack worries that this will fry processors—so, they go to gather some “friends” for the eventual battle.

He goes easy on Scrapper. He knows what it’s like to try and turn over a new leaf.

If Wreck-Gar touches him, Knockout will assume the fetal position. The mech is too innocent to maim, but GARBAGE.

Then, they’re face-to-face with the controlled Autobots and Soundwave. Knockout insists he won’t go easy on them.

He’s a fraggin’ liar.

The closest he gets is when it seems that Optimus will strike Sari, but then he sees the Prime fight back and hesitate.

The fight ends with the Autobots unscathed, and Knockout tending to their wounded substitutes and Wheeljack.

And… the ice breaks.

No one seems to know why, but Knockout’s finally relenting.

Sari and Wheeljack just silently exchange glances.

…

The visit to Cybertron heightens the stress.

Both Wheeljack and Knockout try to talk Jazz into coming with him, and both of them must deal with Alternate Wheeljack and take on Shockwave—but… the big development is between them.

Seeing the condition of Cybertron, all of the anti-Decepticon rhetoric, Wheeljack is left beyond paranoid—and he is taking all of the corners first, a sword in hand.

Finally, Knockout cracks. “Alright, that’s enough! Why do you always try to protect me?!"

It’s true.

Ever since they arrived in this universe, Wheeljack has taken it upon himself to put his body between Knockout and the alternate Autobots—making himself a shield.

As the others watch them warily, Wheeljack looks back at him in annoyance. "Because you're my teammate, my friend—and this reality ain't safe for you!”

"It's hardly safe for you!” Knockout bites back, then he gestures to a poster on a wall. “And I was a Decepticon!"

"So was Breakdown!” Wheeljack retorts, and Knockout freezes. “… And he was my friend."

Knockout blinks, then he frowns. "He betrayed the Wreckers."

“… I know,” Wheeljack says quietly. “But the last time I saw him, he had the biggest smile on his face. I never saw that smile before.” He sighs. “I can never say that I agree with what he did, but... you want your family to be happy.” He nods. “And he was happy with the ‘Cons… With you.”

Knockout is at a loss. “I-…”

“Hm.” Wheeljack looks at him sadly. “You're not just a teammate or friend. You're family. It's the Wrecker way… And Breakdown brought you in.”

Knockout shakes his head. “He wasn't a Wrecker anymore. Our Bulkhead back home, he-“

“Despite what he thinks, Bulkhead doesn't speak for everyone,” Wheeljack tells the former Decepticon.

Knockout stares at him, then swallows thickly and nods.

He’s been told before, “the Autobots are a family”… but this is the very first time he’s believed that he’s truly been welcomed.

…

Knockout is sent to the moon, during the Endgame, to see if he can help with Arcee and Omega Supreme. The devastation that follows makes the leveling of Jasper, Nevada seem tame.

And when it’s all over, Prowl is gone.

The “family” has been torn apart again.

…

Knockout can’t stay on Cybertron.

That becomes clear very quickly. One look at his frame and red optics, and he’s subject to paranoia at best and violence at worst.

He’s sent back to Earth as soon as possible, with Bulkhead, Sari, and Wheeljack with him. They might pass through an alternate universe on the way out. That’s a trip.

It’s a bad time.

Wheeljack completely shuts down, lost in his mourning—and Knockout goes numb.

One night, he distills some cheap high-grade and drinks his fill—and apparently, he tells the rest of the team everything about his life before the war and Breakdown’s fate. What he did to CYLAS in revenge, as well.

He comes back to his senses in the morning and staggers out of his room, feeling drained—and Bumblebee hands him some pure Energon, a sad look on his face.

One thing that doesn’t change between two realities is sympathy for the loss of conjunx endurae, though they’re rare in this universe. That profound pain is legend.

And Knockout is tired of stifling it.

He sits down on the couch and stares at the Energon, gripping it in his clawed servos as the others squeeze in around him. He’s in Wheeljack’s usual space, and it feels odd.

“… You’re right to fear us, Decepticons,” he tells them softly. “We do terrible things. We can’t even trust each other. All we bring is suffering and death, to everyone around us—even ourselves. That’s our lot in life.”

“I disagree,” Optimus replies quietly. “I think you’ve just been through the Pit, and… that you can change, for the better.”

Knockout huffs quietly. “Optimistic.”

“That’s where my name comes from,” the young Prime admits. “So, that’s not an insult—not to me. I have hope, for you—because, let’s face it… there have been times when you’ve made the right call, and I haven’t.” Knockout glances at him, surprised. “You’re not proof of what we’ve been told about the Decepticons, Knockout… You’re proof that it was wrong.” Optimus huffs quietly. “You’re not the irredeemable monster we feared would slag us in the night if we weren’t perfect… You’re a ‘bot, like the rest of us—fallible, capable of the same joys and same pains… And you’re family, now.”

Knockout nearly drops his canister. Bulkhead makes certain that he doesn’t.

“… Thank you,” Knockout says softly, looking down. “… I miss them.”

Breakdown.

Prowl.

Everyone.

“We know, kid,” Ratchet tells him.

Knockout closes his optics. “… Then, let’s not lose anyone else.” He opens his optics and takes a deep vent, sitting up a little straighter and nodding. “Now, let’s go get the sad sack out of his room—shall we? He is in desperate need of a trip to the wash-racks and a hug. That is my order of choice, but you do as you will.”

That earns some much-needed laughs.

And… things get better.

There’s struggle and hardship, more pain and more loss—but the war ends.

Cybertron is allowed to heal.

And Knockout? Well… he has his family watching his back, and never walks the streets alone.

They seem to worry more than he does, but… it’s their concern that allows him to be confident.

That, and it gets to a point where Knockout just doesn’t care and unloads all of the snark and sass in the multiverse onto anyone who DARES to threaten, mock, or dismiss his family.

Sometimes, the saw still comes out.

Sometimes, Optimus and Wheeljack are both too tired to scold him for it.

…

When the portal finally works, and Knockout and Wheeljack go home, the change there is evident.

They’re completely comfortable around each other, with inside jokes and stories.

And Knockout’s spine is steel. He doesn’t hesitate to stand up for his family, all of them.

Even his brother, that foolhardy Wrecker with a swarm of adopted children he adores.

In… his own way.

*responding to a problem*

TFP Wheeljack, good parent: *rationality first, violence second*

Knockout, wine uncle: *not even trying*

Knockout would also be a gremlin when it came to making UltraJack go canon.

Hey, I don’t make the rules. 😂

I just think that Knockout would have a really meaningful place in this family. :)

DELETE THIS POST

every time i listen to “you’re a mean one mr. grinch” i can’t help but sit there and think “what did the grinch do to hurt you?” because dude just stands there for 2 minutes and 58 seconds and drags the grinch into the dirt

Alright, to ao3's soon to be arriving Wattpad Refugees, a basic guide to general user culture:

1.) Unlike Wattpads vote system that let's you like each chapter, the ao3 equivalent kudos only allows one per work. Everyone is generally quietly annoyed about this. To engage with each chapter, you're heavily encouraged to comment. Trust me, it makes people's day.

2.) Ao3 has no algorithm. By default it's latest updated work first. You can find things to your taste through searches, filters and tags.

3.) 'No archive warnings apply' and 'user has chosen not to use archive warnings' mean two very different things. No archives warnings means the work is free from any content that could require a warning tag (character death, graphic depictions of violence, non-con, etc). User has chosen not to use archive warnings means it could contain any of the warning content, be it hasn't been explicitly tagged. Treat it like an allergen. No archive warnings apply is allergen free. User has chosen not to use archive warnings, may contain traces or whole chunks of the allergen. If you're likely to have a bad reaction, maybe don't take the risk.

4.) Speaking of warnings, ao3 has very few restrictions on the type of work that's allowed. Whatever your personal thoughts or feelings on that are, thats how the site is. You're likely to run across some dark subject matters and a lot of people are uncomfortable with reading that. You're well within your rights not like these works and have your opinion on whether they should be allowed, but harassing the authors of such works (or any works) is more likely to come back on you than them. Ao3 operates on a strong policy of 'don't like, don't read'. Use the tagging system to your full advantage to only engage with the kind of works you want to see.

We look forward to welcoming you all and seeing the fantastic works you create. Happy writing!

i feel like we as a digital society have forgotten the important rules of the internet

Don't feed the trolls

Never give out personal information

Anonymity is the best defense

Don't click suspicious links

Don't click popups and ads

Just because it's written doesn't mean it's true

You are responsible for your own experience

There is porn of everything, act accordingly

OMG YAAAY!!!

Puppers is missing

oh noo I hope they come back safe!

(have you put up any social media posts or asked any neighbors if they have seen the puppers yet?)

Puppers is missing

“But if you forget to reblog Madame Zeroni, you and your family will be cursed for always and eternity.”

has anyone figured out how much art you need to make to make your mental illness go away

You guys do know you're supposed to reblog things, right

does anyone wanna hold hands until we feel a little braver

that "OKAY SO" before someone u love starts infodumping........ most blessed feeling in the world

Zak but when people ask why he can control Cryptids like Kur does he says:

"Kur gave me those superpowers."

"what."

"Yeah so. When your family dedicates their lives to understanding and protecting Cryptids, the whole Evil God of them tends to take notice. Apparently it thinks we're combination priests and emissaries and deserved a power boost."

"huh."

"My Mom can survive in extreme conditions for way longer than she's supposed to. My Dad can instantly figure out the mechanics and exact biology of a cryptid by looking at it. He says it's just years of experience but I don't know who he's trying to fool. My Uncle can befriend any cryptid in like, two seconds."

"no kidding."

PSA from Blobby. Something we should talk about more ❤️

sometimes you need dialogue tags and don't want to use the same four