TFP:

Chapter 1

At Cybertron, rebuilding is still taking affect. The autobots are working tirelessly on it's construction and persuading the decepticons to join the cause is somewhat fruitful. Though not for everyone, which they are imprison or exile. Some of the bots were out scavenging, or patrolling, others watch the decepticons incase they were to cause mischief. The ones gone out were trying to found the decepticon fugitives, Starscream and Shockwave. Since the battle against Unicron, they haven't been seen anywhere. Even though they acquire all locations of Shockwave's secret bases, there was one easier way. They thought it would be better to see Predaking to help with the search. Since he's the ultimate hunter and his other brethren were recently created by Shockwave. Bumblebee went to Predaking to ask about where they could be but his brothers weren't with him. Bee remember where Predaking hangs out and to be most humble to him.
"Your majesty, I would like your assistance if you're able." The hunter arose from relaxing, he flew down and change into a robot form to respond.
"After the fall of Unicron, I'm surprise, what is it?"
"I was hoping you would know where Shockwave was since your friends were recently created by him." He look around for Predaking's friends he just mentioned,"Where are they anyway?" "Unfortunately they are no longer here, so I wouldn't know where Shockwave could be." The king declared.
"O, I'm sorry about that, it must be hard on you since you have been alone for some time."
Predaking was please with his consideration,"It is appreciated, but I've got over grieving for my fallen brothers already."
"Then you wouldn't happen to know where Starscream is then?", Bee wonder.
"If I did, I would have destroyed his spark, but no, he too has vanished." He admitted.
Bumblebee nodded,"I see, thank you for your corporation, if there is something you find out there, let us know." "Or if you need any help with anything, we'll be there like you were for us.", Bumblebee assure him.
"I will be of assistance if you ask, you have proven yourself to be allies.", Predaking frowns. "Though I do not believe I'll need anything from you.", and with that, he transform into his predacon form to fly off.

So they went to their original plan, yet haven't had any luck either. They did search a few of Shockwave's bases, only to be empty. They still continue after weeks, but haven't found the fugitives yet or anytime soon. Smokescreen, Wheeljack and Bee were the ones out patrolling, while Bulkhead work on construction. Also to watch the Decepticons with Arcee watching out for them too and for Ultra Magnus. Because he was watching out of their new recruit and previous enemy, Knockout. So the patrollers were at the Sea of Rust, from the data they collected from Dark mount's computer. Shockwave has quite a few labs around here, they already discover some, but there are still some left here. They have been on the roads for awhile, Wheeljack wonder how long will it be so he ask Bee.
"So how far are we to one of those labs?"
"It should be around that hill over there, but the hardest part of this is not finding it but getting inside." Bee acknowledge, then Smokescreen concludes,"Maybe we should have brought Raf with us to hack inside those labs and disable the weapons." "Rafael is a cinch with that, then it wouldn't be too risky.",He added.
"No Smokescreen, it would still be too dangerous for him, besides, Cybertronian tech is too hard for anyone to understand." Bee believe.
"Even for the little brainiac, that's just insulting thinking he's not smart enough and I thought you were best buds." Smokescreen innocently teasing him, Bumblebee responded. "We are, it's just too dangerous for him here anyway, it's not-"
"We're here." Wheeljack announce, they have arrive at the coordinates to another one of Shockwave's labs. They change from vehicle mode that got them here to their original form when seeing the entrance. They didn't get too close because a couple of times they have with the previous labs. They were rig with traps and automatic weapons, it became very dangerous. From that though they've learn to be cautious, even if they got inside there could be traps instead being outside.
Then Wheeljack ask,"So, does anyone have a good plan that doesn't kill us?"
Smokescreen focus his attention to the sky and pointed out,"More like a question, what's that?!" Everyone looks up to where he was pointing, they saw a dark object heading towards them. At first they couldn't make it out, but it became more clearly, it was a small ship.
"It's not a Decepticon ship is it?" Ask Bumblebee.
"It can't be." Thought Smokescreen, the ship got even closer to see what it looks like.
"It's not, take cover!" Wheeljack yell, everyone did as he said, they took cover from whatever was close by. The ship crash landed near Shockwave's lab, yet remains in contact. The lab is still stable, unharmed in anyway, since it hasn't been touched by the crash. The ship was harm from the crash it caused itself but just in contacted as the lab. If Shockwave was in there, he would have reacted to the destruction, but so far nothing. The only living thing to be seen was the life forms coming out of the ship. The Cybertronians slowly went out of cover to take a better look, with their weapons out. There was no point in hiding since the beings would have already saw them from charging in. The autobots saw two huge men from the wreckage, one was covered in tattoos, armor orange and black scheme. His friend lime green with black armor, either way they weren't Decepticons, they look rough and horrid. It wasn't from the explosion, they are like this because they don't belong on Cybertron, clearly. Though the point is if they were friendly or not, Bee question them,"Who are you?"
The green one responded,"Your doom Cybertronian!" They release their weapons out and started shooting! The autobots dodge it and fire back, they headed back to their hiding spots. Still firing back, the orange one came charging in with blades out. The green guy kept them distracted and to avoid hitting his friend as he charged towards the autobots. Wheeljack saw this, so he jumped ahead with swords out and stop the brute from running. The tattoo fellow brace for the impact with his blades, they weren't as long as Wheeljack's or thin, not even curved. They were thick, wider, and pointier, then he kick the autobot away, but he came charging back. The Cybertronians went to help but his friend got in the way, Bee and Smokescreen glance each other for a second. Then nodded as they start charging in, Brimstone begins to bring out his swords. One was bigger than the other, the two bots attack him anyway, believing that with both their strength he'll go down. However he just block the attack with his swords and push them back then ran towards them for a counter attack. They were standing by side till he brought his weapons down at them and both separated as they dodge him.
Meanwhile and moments earlier, the rest work inside of their newly built ship, used by whatever was left from the Nemesis ship. Which was damage from the dragon attack on Cybertron, now it is completely fix into a autobot design. That's where Ultra Magnus and Knockout remain at, and Arcee just driving in. Knockout check for scans of any new life that has shown up whether it being autobot or Decepticon. Also keeping communications open incase there was any trouble with the rest, so far nothing. Though Ultra Magnus came by to see if there is anything to report from Knockout. "Have you found anything Knockout?", He asked.
Knockout sarcastically said,"Nice to see you too, but no, there hasn't been anything yet."
"Is that so?", Ultra Magnus wasn't convinced.
"Yep, you can see for yourself if you want?", Knockout pointed to the computer showing there's nothing to hide.
"And how would I know that you didn't already cloak something of interest to the autobots, like a decepticon?", He interrogated.
Knockout move away from the device to talk to him properly,"You really think I still would side with them after all I've done?"
"Your loyalty is still yet to be seen, there's always a chance you could betray us, no matter how long you've join us, which hasn't been long.", Ultra Magnus notified, which was a fact.
Knockout smile,"Even if I work with you for over a thousand years, you wouldn't trust me I bet."
Magnus clench his fist,"Because trust is earned by actions, not words, you have yet been given any moment to prove yourself." Then Ultra Magnus admitted,"Though maybe even if one thousand years later I still wouldn't trust you, because you might betray us then."
Knockout gesture coolly to show his good will to assure him,"I assure you my loyalty stands here, and I will proof to be a beneficial ally in good time." Knockout added,"I believe I fit well here not just because we're the winning team, but because I actually get some kindness more often..." "At times...", he quietly announce as he looked back at Magnus as to refer to him.
Magnus didn't care, he continued,"That's right, you did just join us to survive, not because you thought our cause is right." He wonder,"So then what will happen if we were to lose to the enemy, will you join them just as easily?"
Knockout quickly responded,"Well I-"
"Fighting again you two?" Arcee interrupted, she wasn't surprised that they were and wouldn't blame them. Ultra Magnus isn't that easy to convince to be worthy, especially from a decepticon. Everyone is still on edge about them, but even more with Knockout since he's been given more privileges than any con would. That's because he's a warrior, a scientist and ex foe, a pretty strong one in fact. So he's been helpful by accessing their medical tools and equipment as well their science gear. Though he has been cooperating, everyone is on high alert when around him. All of them remembering and knowing what he can do and being aware of the advantages he can take. He has been closely watched with no exceptions, after all the things he's done as a con. Yet he suddenly just becomes an autobot when the cons lost, but really because of Starscream. Arcee knowing how horrible he is saw why Knockout would join them just to not work with him again. They both despise Starscream, but Knockout has willingly work with him like a comrade before. It makes them wonder that he can easily do that again, just switch sides like he did with Starscream only to come back again. Or maybe with a new, worser foe, with those ideas in mind is more a reason why Magnus shouldn't take chances. Though they already have, Arcee worries that Magnus might be too hard on him like he is with mostly everyone. They are supposed to be a team and reminds him that Knockout is part of them until he goes rogue again. It will take time though, for all of them, but with Knockout's attitude it'll take longer for Magnus to.
"It's not like I'm causing it, I just don't get enough faith around here.", Knockout explain.
"And why shouldn't there be?", speculated 'Cee.
"I've been helpful haven't I?", he asked.
She responded,"Sometimes, but you have a long way for us to gain complete trust in you." "But don't think we don't appreciate everything you have done Knockout.", gratitude Arcee.
"At least I can feel needed by someone like Arcee, though I doubt I'll ever be with you 'sir'", he sass as he looked at Magnus. Then suddenly there's an alert blaring from the computer, everyone's glaze was now fixed on it. Knockout immediately went to check it out and Magnus asked about it.
"What is it?"
Knockout answer,"Seems like we've got visitors here."
Arcee ask as well,"Where?"
"They've landed at where Bee and the rest were going to find Shockwave's lab."
Magnus commanded,"Contact them immediately, they could be in danger!"
Meanwhile the fighting continues, the auto team there is weakening, but they hold their ground. Even when receiving the call they still fight on, Bee answer.
Magnus spoke through,"Soldier, what is your status?"
"We're being attack by two big bots and they don't seem to be from here.", Bumblebee informs him.
"Backup will be there shortly.", Ultra Magnus promise.
The orange bot was able to get a long distance between him and Wheeljack when he threw him. Hoping to break him from that, Wheeljack came right back up beside Bee and Smokescreen. After the two were pushed off by the green one, orange guy gotten ready to attack until his friend stopped him.
"Cannonball, more are coming." The Cybertronians could tell that he heard their conversations. Cannonball turn to look at their enemies, wishing to destroy them there and now.
He didn't, instead he said,"Return to the ship." Which they did, the autobots following behind hoping to take advantage.
"Filthy cowards!", Wheeljack yelled.
"Quickly Brimstone, call the tidal wave for a space bridge!" Which he did, while they ran for their lives. The bots shoot at them as they chase them down, then backup arrives at their backs. A ground bridge comes up and out comes Magnus, Arcee and Knockout. The two strangers turned around as they made it to the base of their ship. They saw that they were surrounded but had plan their way out before even coming to this planet. Cannonball took out a switch that he held as their bridge came out at the wall of their ship behind them. Brimstone went first, as did Cannonball not before smiling as he pushed the switch then quickly went in. The team saw the look he gave and the thing he held, so they stopped at their tracks.
Wheeljack wonder,"What was that all about?" Then they saw the ship lighting up and blicking with loud alarms blaring out.
Magnus warn,"It's a trap, fall back!", without taking a chance, they did as he said. First transforming into their vehicle mode and driving away as fast as possible. They headed for the portal since it's the safest place to be compared to anything else. The ship exploded before they did, Magnus told them to halt at the entrance. Which they did and turn to face the flames behind them. They were at a safe distance from the ship to look back, they didn't want to leave the place yet. The ship wouldn't cause anymore chaos, so there was no reason to run any further. That's what Magnus thought and believe to be, after all... They were sent there to search the area, they still need to and now the ship as well. As soon as the flames clear, they will do that, though the explosion seem to have reach Shockwave's lab. Though it isn't in serious damage, most of it still in good condition, the entrance however isn't. The door being destroyed from the aftermath and collapse to the floor as a result of the impact it took. Even though the autobots were safe, the explosion vibrated the ground. The impact could have sent them flying as it push them forward and almost off the ground.
"Who were those guys?", wonder Bumblebee.
"You tell me.", Knockout wonder back, then they turn to Ultra Magnus. His optics were fix on the wreck ship, then they felt as if he knew something.
"Sir, is there something you wish to tell us?",query Arcee, he look back at them in response, not saying a word.
Until he did after a moment,"I want the area search before I explain things, it'll be much easier this way and to be sure who we're dealing with."
Knockout question,"And they are?", again he was silent, probably because he's not entirely sure what to make of this. He seems to have an idea on what they are but doesn't want to jump into conclusions.