The sun was low on the vast rainforest, only the light of the stars and the moon illuminated the darkness, save for two pairs of optics and a glowing purple visor.

After walking for what felt like orns to the small seeker, Starscream began to come to his senses, giving a certain red mech the chance to embarrass him.

​"I did not scream like a sparkling when that beast jumped on me!" Starscream shouted.

​"Keep telling yourself that, Scream. We all heard it, I bet even the Decepticons back at base heard your racket, right Soundwave?" Knockout called back to the purple mech, laughing.

Soundwave was walking silently in the back while the two mechs bickered. He nodded a response to Knockout making the red mech laugh harder. "Told ya, even the stuffy one agrees!"

​The silver seeker growled to himself. "Well, if some gigantic rainforest monster sprang out of dark bushes towards your face I bet you'd scream too!" he crossed his arms, huffing.

​Knockout continued to laugh, walking over to the furious seeker, swinging an arm around him.

"Ow!" Starscream hissed.

"Sorry, Scream!" Knockout jumped, removing his arm from the jet's torn backside.

Starscream scrunched his optics shut in pain and then glared at Knockout, who shrugged his shoulders, innocent smile plastered on his faceplates. He still had to be careful from the deep cuts Starscream received from the panthers.

​Soundwave continued walking between the two, Knockout's laughs played over his recordings. Knockout and Starscream scowled at the silent mech.

They both looked up however, when lightning illuminated the sky not far from their location, followed by a loud clap of thunder. The clouds were dark and heavy with rain ready to blow in their direction.

​Knockout sighed, "When did that roll in?"

​Starscream crosses his arms, wings lowering, "The weather here in the tropics is very unpredictable due to the varying temperatures near the equator. A storm could roll in any time here."

​Knockout rolled his optics, "It was a rhetorical question, smart aft."

Starscream shot him a sly grin, "Oh, I'm sorry. I can never tell if you're using sarcasm or you're actually stupid. Easy to get the two mixed up."

Always testing his patience.

​Knockout frowned, "Oh please, I am not starting another argument with you, you little-"

The mech was silenced with a slender digit being pushed to his mouth by Soundwave, whose dark visor was looking out in the distance.

Knockout and Starscream squinted, trying to see what the surveillance officer was looking at when an audio-bursting thunder clap rumbled the ground beneath them. Heavy rain rolled in on three mechs, drenching the land around them, turning the soil soggy and muddy.

​"Urgh! You've got to be kidding me!" Knockout shouted as his otherwise flawless finish got rained on, "It's ruined, utterly, ruined!"

​Starscream grinned and spread his aching wings in the downpour. He sighed, letting the cool rainwater spill in between his tight circuits, and down the tense wiring in his magnificent wings. It'd been quite a while since he received a proper wing care routine.

Well, he didn't like to let his guard down on the Nemesis long enough to receive one anyway.

He splashed his heels in the muddy ground and surprised himself when he let out what sounded like a giggle. The ground felt . . . odd. Odd . . . but fun to watch the puddles splash under his feet.

The small seeker was obviously enjoying himself until Knockout shoved him over into the sludge of dirt.

Knockout laughed while Starscream sat up, dripping with mud. The seeker whipped around and flung mud at Knockout's face earning a loud yelp of surprise. Starscream gave his screechy laugh while Knockout almost fainted with disgust.

"Oh, now you're gonna get." Knockout growled, surprising himself with the rise of excitement he felt when he scooped up another mud ball and hurtled it at his commander, despite the utterly horrendous state of his beloved finish.

They flung mud balls at each other in the pouring rain, though Knockout hesitated almost every time he reached to pick up another one.

Soundwave watched in silence, focusing on the falling raindrops when a large, dirty mudball hit him square in the visor.

There was complete silence as Soundwave wiped the mush from his mask, Knockout and Starscream were frozen solid.

​"He did it!" Knockout shouted pointing at Starscream.

Starscream gasped "No, no...well...yes, but I meant to hit-um..." The seeker laughed nervously, "No hard feelings?"

Soundwave waited a few moments before scooping up a ball of mud and hurling it at Starscream faster than the two mechs could register what was happening.

It hit Starscream square in the face, sending him splashing back into the mud. Knockout couldn't contain his laughter, doubling over while Soundwave held his chin high, obviously pleased with himself. Starscream flailed in the gooey substance, cursing and scrambling to get to his feet, trying not to slip.

​After a few more mud balls thrown, the three mechs were simply standing in the rain. Soundwave scrubbed mud and grime off his tentacles while Starscream shook himself like a little hummingbird in a bird bath.

Knockout found himself eyeing the sky. After a few weak thunderclaps, the thunder began to grow louder, and Knockout grew wary.

​Knockout spoke up, "Ok guys, I guess it's time for us to head back. I think Lord Megatron will understand that we didn't gather his outrageous energon demands since the storm rolled in." The other two nodded.

​"Indeed, but remember, this was not my doing if he does not understand." Starscream stated, grinning.

Knockout smirked at him, "We'll see about that, commanding officer."

​Soundwave nodded for what seemed like the 100th time. The surveillance drone seemed content to let the other bots do the petty bickering and snide remarks while he simply carried out his masters orders.

Soundwave stepped back to open a groundbridge when a loud rumbling sound interrupted his concentration.

Knockout and Starscream's optics widened.

"What's that noise?" Knockout whispered.

Starscream balled his servos into fists, "Not sure. Soundwave?"

When the two bots turned to Soundwave, they saw the purple drone fixated on a point in the West.

The energon running through Knockout's circuits seemed to grow ice cold at the side.

A churning wave of water was rushing through the trees heading straight for the three Decepticons. Animals and birds were scampering away from the incoming flash flood as it trampled plants and trees with immense force that rivaled that of Megatron's wrath.

​Knockout was the first to react, "RUN!"

He quickly grabbed Starscream's servo and motioned for Soundwave to follow as he sprinted into the forest.

​Knockout could hear the rushing water gaining speed the farther they ran, the plants were getting denser, and the rain clouded his vision, but he couldn't stop or they would be swept away by the current.

Something must have given way. Some crumbling pieces of terrain that was clinging to some rainforest cliff side after Unicron's disturbance must have dislodged from the torrential rain. The water was too powerful.

This almost felt like a visit from dear old Karma. It was the Cybertronians who disturbed this great rainforest in the first place, now the rainforest was taking its revenge on the three who had the audacity to return here.

Knockout was beginning to slow down, he had used all his energy earlier that day running from the panthers and was losing speed. Fast.

He felt Starscream grip his servo, the lithe seeker picked up his own speed, dragging Knockout along with him. He was surprisingly extremely fast, he nimbly snaked his way through the dense foliage blocking trying to obstruct their path. Though, his speed was incredible, he was not exactly built to carry heavy weights and Knockout could feel he was dragging the seeker down.

He knew he had to let go if Starscream would escape.

Why help Starscream survive and let myself die? What did he do to deserve it?

Knockout still didn't know.

He didn't believe he'd ever find the answer.

He began to loosen his digits when another servo grabbed his arm and yanked him forward to keep moving. He turned and saw Soundwave pulling him along, weaving through tree branches and shoving aside overhanging leaves.

"Keep moving!" Starscream hissed sounding quite out of breath as he and Soundwave tugged Knockout along.

"I'm slowing you down!"

"Shut it!"

"Starscream-"

"I said shut it!"

"But-"

Starscream whipped his helm at Knockout, crimson optics blazing, "You've never been a self-sacrificing idiot so don't start now! So move it!"

Something in Knockout's spark cavity tugged at Starscream's tone.

He gripped Starscream's servo tight.

After a few more klicks of panic-fueled running and what felt like gallons of energon loss, the three mechs could hear the water sound dying down in the distance. They soon came across a lake in a clearing of the thick trees. The dark sky above them was still illuminating from time to time with lightning. Thunder continued to clap loudly in their audios.

Knockout checked his fuel supply and groaned when he noticed it was in the red zone. I knew I should've refueled before we left, he thought grimly.

Starscream was panting beside him, still clinging to his servo. The silver seeker was surveying the area with his shining crimson optics, an exhausted look on his faceplates.

Soundwave was still holding onto Knockout's arm, though the purple mech looked rather grim even though they had found a clearing in the jungle. What was he worried about?

Starscream spoke up in a trembling voice, "D-Do you think it's gone? I d-don't know if we should wait this long here. It could c-come back." The seeker looked up at the sky with frightened optics.

Knockout nodded, gripping the seeker's servo a little tighter to give him some comfort. "You're right. It will be back, but right now I think we should take a little rest."

He began to sit down when Soundwave suddenly grabbed his arm and wrenched the red mech up harshly.

Knockout flinched, "Soundwave, what's wrong?" The purple mech was franticly looking around. Knockout looked around too.

The winds around them were picking up. The thunder was growing louder with every second, and the water in the lake was churning rapidly. Knockout gasped and Starscream yelped.

The water in the lake began to overflow and rush onto the ground toward their peds.

Knockout's optics widened and he turned to Soundwave who was staring at the water at their peds.

"Soundwave," the silent mech turned to Knockout, seeming a bit frightened, "Tell me what's wrong! What's happening?" the red medic grabbed the silent mech's shoulders and shook his friend, receiving nothing in return but a blank visor as the rain ran down the black screen. Knockout was feeling frustrated, they needed to act fast and Soundwave was freezing up! Now?

"Soundwave! Get it together! We can't let Megatron's little game kill us!"

Soundwave grew even more rigid.

"Pull yourself together!" Knockout shouted again, "Is this the first time in your life you actually experienced the receiving end of Megatron's punishments?"

Soundwave shot his head up and even managed looked a little hurt without a face but Knockout didn't care.

Knockout was going to yell at Soundwave again when the water in the lake received a huge gush of downpour rainwater and splashed at the three bots. The force of the water almost knocked them backwards. Knockout held on to Starscream as the skinny mech almost got swept away.

As the water died down, the sound reached their audios. The flash flood was rumbling toward them and there was no time to move.

It hasn't run out of power yet?

The flashing lightning and booming thunder made it hard to see anything, and the lake was already looking like an ocean.

Knockout knew it was futile but if he could buy the bots some time, maybe they could reach another clearing and find a high ledge.

"Come on!" He shouted over all the noise, the red medic started running around the lake towards the trees beyond. It was hard to tell the difference between the lake and land as it all looked dark and watery, but falling into the lake meant the end.

Soon he heard the other two seekers following close behind. Maybe we actually have a chance.

They reached the dark trees and hopped over logs and clawed at vines. Knockout heard a large boom of thunder overhead but he heard the noise of the rushing water fading. It must have gushed into the lake too, it may take a bit to start up again. He had to use the time Primus gave him. Down to the last second.

Then he felt a strange jolt. A tug in his systems.

"What in Primus' name...?"

The medic looked down and noticed little shocks sparking near his headlights. The bursts of electricity running across his frame. Where they sparked, his frame burned.

He didn't know what was coming but Starscream did.

"Knockout!" he screamed.

The seeker bolted towards Knockout, shoving his way through the forest at a speed rarely seen. Knockout was going to question when Starscream leaped and shoved Knockout harshly to the side.

Knockout landed hard on the ground, kicking up mud and dirt, shutting his eyes when he heard a huge crack of thunder that sounded as if an explosion went off in his audio.

A blinding flash appeared the next second along with a hot sensation feeling on the ground he fell onto. He felt a jolt of energy that stung and he heard a scream of pain nearby.

What was that? He felt dizzy, disoriented. What just happened?

"Urgh..." Knockout moaned looking up shakily. "What was-"

Knockout gasped.

Soundwave was sitting up, slowly staring at something in the spot Knockout was moments before.

Starscream was sprawled in the space, smoke was steaming from his circuits and the small seeker had sparks of electricity trailing down his thin body.

Harsh spasms racked his frame and the seeker cried out in agony. Knockout's optics widened with horror and he sprang up, wincing at the sparks coming from his own systems, and rushed to the seeker's side.

Starscream's body was tense and his metal plating was hot to the touch. One of his heeled peds was particularly badly scorched, with the metal plates shifted in an awkward angle, making energon leak onto the already soaked ground while it was twisted in an odd direction.

The red mech felt panic rising in his spark at the seeker's shuddering chassis and tightly closed optics with gritted teeth.

Knockout was about to grab his friend's servo when Soundwave seized his arm and yanked him back away from Starscream.

The medic turned angrily towards Soundwave, "What is it?" he yelled.

The silent mech pointed towards the massive sparks running up and down Starscream. Knockout would have gotten short-circuited if he had placed one digit on the small mech.

Knockout turned to Soundwave again, feeling guilty for not listening to reason, "W-What happened to him?" was all he could get out.

Soundwave pointed up towards the heavy dark clouds flashing overhead.

Lightning, Knockout realized.

Starscream had seen the charge coming when the sparks were building on Knockout's frame. He dashed over to shove him out of its strike range and took the blow instead. The lightning charge must have escaped him through the heel of his ped, explaining the severe damage there in particular.

Now, all Knockout could do was watch as the Starscream writhed in pain on the muddy ground, gripping his thin body.

Soundwave suddenly let go of Knockout and scooped up a large ball of mud and hurled it at Starscream.

The substance splashed all over the seeker, sinking in between the metal as he gave out a yelp.

Is now really time to play mud ball again, Soundwave? Knockout was about to shout when the purple mech walked over to Starscream and reached down to grab his arm.

Knockout panicked, "Wait, Soundwave, don't!"

Soundwave hoisted Starscream to his feet without getting shocked.

The purple mech brushed some grime off Starscream while Knockout places a servo to his forehead in relief.

Of course, Knockout thought, the dirt canceled out the charges in his systems.

Soundwave slung one of Starscream's arms around his neck as the seeker limply gripped Soundwave's arms and stood up, steam still rising from his form.

Soundwave quickly made his way over to Knockout and gestured to keep running. Knockout nodded, knowing the lightning and the flood would not wait for them to get a head start.

The water was traveling fast towards them and there was no way they could outrun it, especially if Starscream's systems were fried.

"What do we do now?" the red mech asked.

Starscream moaned softly, making Soundwave mind his grip. Knockout watched the silent mech frantically search the area for an escape when his hidden optics rested on a tall, thick, vine infested tree.

Knockout was shielding his optics from the strong winds and felt Soundwave grab his arm and run straight for the nearby tree. The silent mech worked quickly, knowing they didn't have much time.

He thrust Knockout up the tree, the red mech gripping the wet trunk and climbing onto a thick, high branch, digging his shark digits into the rough wood.

Knockout held on against the strong winds and reached down one servo.

"Give him to me!"

Soundwave wrapped his arms around Starscream's burning hot middle and lifted the light seeker towards Knockout. Knockout reached out and gripped Starscream's servo, pulling the small mech close to him. Starscream held on to Knockout's chest while the red mech wrapped one arm around him, the other arm reaching out to Soundwave.

"Grab my hand!"

Soundwave extended his arm, his servo inches away from Knockout's, when the flood came.

The raging waters struck Soundwave hard from behind and he was slammed hard into the tree trunk.

Dazed and possibly damaged, Soundwave was swept away from the tree, completely at the mercy of the strong waves.

The wind forced the water to rapidly run through the jungle and Soundwave was carried far into the forest, obscured from Knockout's view.

"Soundwave!" Knockout screamed out, but there was no response, only the ominous roar of the rapids below. "Soundwave!"

The wind picked up again and the sky boomed with thunder. Knockout could do nothing for the silent mech as the flood raged underneath him.

Starscream's optics were wide with fright but still glazed over with slight pain and shock. The seeker pressed his faceplate to Knockout's chest plate and the red mech wrapped his arms around his trembling companion.

He could not even see his own servo in front of his face with all the rain, let alone a black and purple robot.

Instead, the medic shut his optics and stayed close to the tree trunk, holding the seeker close, and hoping the monstrous storm would show them what he knew Megatron would not were he here right now.

Mercy.