Transmute

Chapter Four: Reunited

"The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for."

- Bob Marley

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Rafael found that there was not much to do but stare at the ceiling. Still confined to the enormous desk, there was nothing for him to explore, nor was there anything different than just a metal surface.

Knockout had himself stationed in the corner. Out of boredom, the medic had picked up his buffer to polish his finish. He didn't attempt to make conversation with the boy.

Raf had lost all his sense of time. The only slight indication he might have was when he became tired out and fell asleep. But he wondered if that was accurate.

The Decepticon medic suddenly groaned in annoyance. "This was so much easier when I actually had someone to help me buff..."

He paced over to the desk with his buffer, watching Raf. "Think you can help me, fleshie?"

The little boy wondered if he was serious. The buffer alone was bigger than he was.

Knockout chuckled wickedly. "Of course you can't, you're tiny." He poked Raf with a digit. His digits were rather sharp, which made it hurt.

Raf yelped and gripped his stomach. He looked up at the red mech with wide, terrified eyes.

The medic chuckled and taunted him more by jotting his servo out. He watched as the little boy tried to dodge it over and over again.

He amused himself with it for a while, until the door slid open. A Vehicon appeared in the door opening, bouncing nervously on his peds.

"And what do you want?" the medic asked in annoyance. He didn't like to be interrupted in his little game.

Rafael took the chance to catch his breath, bent over with his hands on his knees.

"Uhm, Knockout, sir. Lord Megatron requests that you bring the human down to the cells," the Vehicon said.

"Right, if that's what our liege requests..." Knockout turned to Raf with a sly grin. "Then you're coming with me."

He grabbed the boy by his waist without warning, earning a cry from the human. He ignored it and paced off.

"Watch the lab while I'm gone," the medic said to the drone. "I don't want Starscream getting in again."

The soldier saluted and took his post.

Knockout grinned like it was his birthday. "I bet Lord Megatron wants to have a go with you, fleshie. I hope you're prepared."

Rafael whimpered softly; he wasn't prepared and scared for his life.

They finally got down to the cells, where Megatron himself stood waiting.

"That took you long enough, Knockout," the warlord said, displeased.

The Decepticon doctor opened his derma to protest but was cut off by his leader.

"No matter, follow me. And don't drop the pest."

"As you wish, my liege."

Upon entering the cell, Raf's eyes widened in shock. There, in front of them, lay Bumblebee. Barely recognizable, but it was still his friend and guardian.

"Bee!" the boy whimpered, unable to hold back. He squirmed in Knockout's servo. "What did you do to him?!"

When he heard the boy whimper, Bumblebee lifted his helm. His weary optics landed on the tiny form in Knockout's grasp.