Breakdown limps back to the Nemesis after MECH’s experiments—scarred, shaken, and quieter than ever. But one thing is unchanged: he hovers near Knockout like a shield. Bulkhead notices this during a skirmish. Breakdown barely fights—he just blocks hits aimed at Knockout. Ratchet, watching from afar, murmurs: “He’s not loyal to Megatron. He’s loyal to him.” This becomes the Autobots’ first strategic revelation: If they want Breakdown, they must reach Knockout. Ratchet never speaks of it, but Optimus knows: Knockout was once Ratchet’s brightest, most infuriating student. A prodigy. A menace. A mech who pushed every boundary Ratchet set—yet Ratchet never gave up on him. A mech who pushed every boundary Ratchet set—yet Ratchet never gave up on him. Knockout left the Academy before the war, chasing thrills and status. Ratchet always feared the war would swallow him whole. And now MECH exists. Ratchet knows Knockout’s frame is cutting-edge Cybertronian tech, far more advanced than most Autobots or Decepticons. If MECH ever got their hands on him… “They would learn things no human should ever know,” Ratchet says. “We cannot let Knockout fall into their grasp.” Megatron has noticed something too: Knockout behaves differently when Ratchet is present. Less arrogant. Less cruel. Almost… young again. Megatron orders Knockout away from any battlefield where Ratchet might appear. He fears Ratchet could pull Knockout to the Autobots with a single conversation. Ratchet intercepts a Decepticon comm burst: “Knockout has not returned from his last mission. He is… overdue.” Ratchet goes still. Optimus sees the fear in him—real fear. “MECH,” Ratchet whispers. “They’ve taken him.” Optimus orders immediate search sweeps. Nothing. For months, nothing. Three months later, Ratchet picks up a faint, flickering Cybertronian signature. Knockout’s. Optimus orders the Autobots to mobilize. Ratchet is already grabbing his med‑kit. And soon the Autobots were walking through the forest when they came across Knockout and Ratchet just froze at seeing Knockout and the state that he is in. (you represent as Knockout)