//------------------------------//
// Attention All 'Cons 
// Story: Top Of The List 
// by dudenotactive 
//------------------------------//

Shockwave was busy fixing the hole he had made on the wall of the hangar with his blowtorch, one of the many tools the scientist had on him, the others were also doing work as he did so. Starscream, who had his wing returned, was simply gathering old technology for Shockwave to use. Arcee was trying to contact Cybertron with any device she had on her which predictably failed, Shockwave had even told her a minute before yet she chose not to listen. 

As for Smokescreen, he was doing something that doesn't help the group at all. The Autobot was busy with the human and was helping her relocate her camp to the airfield. It was utterly pointless and illogical that Shockwave was tempted to correct the young Autobot. But he knew that Arcee would simply punish Shockwave if he crossed the line. 

Once Smokescreen was done he simply sat down next to Sunset right in front of the campfire. The little human brought out a bag of marshmallows, a snack for the organic creature, but a nightmare for mechanical beings like Shockwave since these marshmallows could easily gunk up their joints. 

The cyclops brought his hand to the holes in his chest, he would need proper materials to fix himself which brings him to the important problem that needed to be solved, they had no energon. 

Their previous experience showed that Earth had some energon, but they were extremely rare to find. That's where Starscream comes in, the seeker had knowledge of untapped energon veins on Earth. One of the reasons he didn't just behead the seeker right then and there. 

"Alright!" Arcee called for their attention. "Looks like we are on our own. Can't reach anyone, and I fear that we could be stranded here for a long time."

"Oh bummer," Sunset shared their feeling of distraught. "I wish I could help."

Smokescreen simply smiled and shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. If anything, this can totally be an epic adventure!"

"Yeah Sunset, there are loads of things to be worried about, but we gotta stay positive." Arcee said as she sat down next to Sunset. 

"But what about food? Do you guys even eat?" Sunset inquired. 

"That will not be a problem." Shockwave spoke up as he approached. "If we are accurately on Earth, then that would mean that there are energon veins that Starscream would know of."

"Did someone say my name?" Starscream entered the conversation with a pile of junk in his arms. "I told you all to address me as lord Starscream."

"I didn't vote for you." Smokescreen quipped. 

Starscream grumbled as he walked away from the fire. And just then, Sunset's phone buzzed to life, she picked it up and checked who would call her so late at night. On the screen was Twilight's name and picture showing who was calling her. Unbeknownst to Sunset, the machines were curious and had taken a peak on who was on the phone and caught a short glimpse of Twilight. 

"Hey Twilight!" Sunset quickly answered. "What's up?"

"Sunset, I came to check on you here at your place but you aren't home!" Twilight was obviously worried. 

"Oh, yeah," Sunset chuckled awkwardly. "funny story. I forgot to charge my phone and just recently received Dash's message. Kinda too late though since I already kinda set up camp."

"Oh, are you alone?"

Sunset glanced over to her new acquaintances. "No, I met some interesting people and they are... friendly."

"Well that's great! So you're going to camp the whole weekend?"

"Yeah, I got some food so no problem. Just want to get to know these interesting people."

"Well I hope that you keep safe. Good night."

With that, the call ended. But something else was in everyone's mind once Sunset was finished with her phone. "What?" She asked, noticing the odd look on Smokescreen's and Arcee's faces. 

"Why was your friend... pinker than usual?" Smokescreen tilted his head to the side. 

"What do you mean?"

"Humans aren't supposed to be as pink as the one on your phone." Arcee explained. 

"And the color of her hair," Shockwave began. "is that natural?"

"Yeah," Sunset nodded. "just like mine."

The Cybertronians recoiled with shock. "What!?" Smokescreen exclaimed. 

Arcee couldn't believe what she was hearing right now. "Woah hold on now, I know that I have been away from Earth for so long, but I'm pretty sure humans just don't get multicolored hair."

"I don't understand, humans always had colorful hairs." Sunset was even more confused. "My friend Rainbow Dash literally has rainbow colored hair. Throughout human history and po- um... stuff, a lot of people had different colored skin as well."

"No..." Shockwave muttered, but it was loud enough for all to hear. 

"What?" Sunset asked.

"If what you say is true, then that could only mean that this planet is not the one we know of." Shockwave explained. 

"That would mean..." Arcee gasped. "There is a chance that there's no energon on the planet!"

"What are we gonna do!? We're gonna starve!" Smokescreen nearly broke down and started panicking. 

"Hey look," All eyes turned towards Starscream who held a glowing blue crystal in his hand. "I found a human mine filled with energon nearby!"

"Oh thank the all spark!" Smokescreen sighed in relief. 

"That is right," Starscream smirked as he approached with the crystal. "praise me, I deserved it."

"Whatever Screamer, we have bigger concerns." Arcee crossed her servos over her chest. 

"What's more important than me, Autobot?"

Arcee sighed. "This place might not be where Unicron is."

There was a moment of silence, then the seeker simply chuckled. "I knew that, it was obvious with the inhabitants!"

"What do you mean you 'knew'?"

"You are foolish, Autobot!" Starscream laughed, confusing the others. "I knew from the start ever since I laid my optics on the human that is currently with us. Her skin color is much too orange than ordinary humans, her hair has two colors instead of one, which was obvious by the way. Then there's the stars above us, it looks like the ones you would see on Unicron's Earth, but there are a few constellations missing. And most important of all is that this human and the world we stand on gives off a strange aura. As if there's something inside you, Sunset Shimmer." Starscream hissed as he glared at Sunset.

Sunset shrunk under his gaze, he literally towered over her with his titan size. Those crimson red orbs burned deeply into her soul, as if it was trying to understand what she truly is. 

"I am impressed, Starscream," Shockwave was honestly also surprised that the seeker managed to figure it out before he did. "but how did you know that her skin was natural as well as her hair?"

Starscream simply rolled his eyes and began to walk away. "I am the air commander and I lead the seekers, it is our job to be observant!"

They waited until Starscream entered the hangar with the energon crystal, Shockwave would also follow the one winged seeker to offer his help on liquefying the crystal, even if they did not have the required tools for it. 

But something got Arcee thinking, it was a surprise to be on a planet similar to Earth, but it was strange that there was energon on the planet as well. No matter how much she tries to solve the question, she ends up in a dead end. There was something odd about it, Arcee just needs to know how.




"And then this idiot had the gall to touch me!" Knockout raised his servos in the air to show how disgruntled he was with the event. "What's worse, he fraggin scratched my paint!"

Nickel, who had been leading the medic through the Peaceful Tyranny towards the hangar bay for an important  meeting. The hallway was empty, there were no sound other than the metallic footsteps from the larger of the two Decepticons while the other only used her wheels. The DJD medic was irritated by the larger bot, he had been talking for twenty minutes now and he showed no signs of stopping. 

Knockout still continued retelling his encounter with some Autobot when he was buying oil from the store. Nickel gritted her teeth as he went on and on. She would've silenced him, but Nickel was given clear orders not to harm their new addition to the "team". She scoffed at the idea of working with some egomaniac with fixing any of the DJD crew if they ever get hurt in the field. Much less when her fellow medic was also a stinking turncoat. 

"So," Knockout stopped telling his dumb story and Nickel praised Primus for it but she prepared herself for the question that will come. "how did a small gal like you get a seat in the DJD?"

"I killed a traitor who looks exactly like you." She answered with sarcasm. 

"Ooh, so spicy!" Knockout chuckled. "You know, you reminded me of an Earth creature- what was it again? Oh yeah, a chihuahua! Extremely small, but very fierce!"

Nickel snapped a glare towards Knockout and snarled. "Compare me to an organic creature again and I'll shove my fist in your aft so far up, that I'll be knocking your teeth out of your mouth!"

Knockout was unfazed by her threat and simply smirked. "Right, I don't doubt you, but honestly I'm pretty sure you'd need a step ladder first, sweet cheeks."

"Sweet cheeks?" She scoffed. "Is that an Earth slang you've picked up? Really, why did Tarn pick you of all Decepticons?"

"Knockout,"

Both Cons flinched upon hearing Tarn's voice, fear overridden Knockout's emotion as he turned to meet Tarn who was standing behind Knockout with his servos crossed. 

"I'm impressed that you have the bearings to even speak with our medic in such a way, but I must advise that you do not antagonize her or else she'll make true with her threat." Knockout went stiff as a statue when Tarn leaned closer to his face. "Speak to Nickel with respect, or else I'll throw you back on the list."

Knockout smiled nervously under Tarn's gaze. "I-I was just messing around Tarn! It's not like I see Nickel here as someone below me, she's my senior! I truly respect her as a model Decepticon! And I would never ever think of even harming her!"

"Good." Was all he said before turning away and retreated down from where they came from. "Remember Nickel, he's your partner now so try not to break him."

"No promises." She said frowning towards Knockout. 

"Just please try. Now go on and take him to the others, I'll be there in a few minutes. Still got some things to do."

After Tarn turned the corner, the two were finally alone. Nickel turned to face Knockout and she received a mischievous look from the larger Con. "Shut up." Nickel sneered. 

"So, what did he mean 'others'?" He asked as they continued towards their destination. 

"Let me be straightforward, you aren't the only Decepticon Tarn had given a second chance. Most of the time they just grind anyone on the list, but sometimes they make an exception if they proved useful, like you."

"Oh, guess I won't be alone on this, huh?"

Just as their conversation ended, both arrived at the hangar and they stood just close enough for the ramp to go down. As it does, Knockout had finally learned that they were on a small world of grey and craters, which meant that they were probably on the moon or some dwarf lifeless planet. But that wasn't the thing he noticed first in truth, it was the numerous red orbs that glared his way. As the ramp touches the cold planet, Knockout felt all eyes on him, how their glares burned into him like a raging flame.

Knockout chuckled awkwardly and walked off the Peaceful Tyranny leaving Nickel's side, the eyes followed his every move even after he had touched the ground. He simply stood there as the center of attention. Much to Knockout's relief, the eyes moved away as if they were satisfied with what they saw. 

Knockout was honestly surprised to see a large gathering of Decepticons, he scanned through the very diverse group with a cautious eye. There were some familiar faces such as a large number of Vehicons, and even some Decepticons from the war. One who was notable was a one eyed mech with a silver chain around his neck, Nitro Zeus was his name if Knockout recalled, and that Con was currently flexing and showing off his literal guns with a number of spectators.

But since he was so occupied with watching Nitro showing off his metal, Knockout was unable to see what's in front of him and accidentally bumped into someone. A big green Decepticon sneered at Knockout, two cannons were on his back and a pair of four barreled missile launchers on top of both shoulders. Finally there was a very intimidating pair of claws on his left hand which had fresh energon on the blades. 

As soon as he landed his optics on the giant, Knockout already knew who this 'Con was. "Brawl?"

"You must be Knockout," Brawl growled. "heard you were considered a hero back on Cybertron. How's that going for ya?"

"I get free oil baths and waxing for life, other than that, everything's great!" Knockout chuckled. "So what's a good tank like you doing here? And where is your crew anyways? I don't think I see them."

"My reputation precedes me, I guess." Brawl scoffed. "No clue, Swindle went on to who knows where as some space merchant while the rest of us rotted in prison, separated from each other. Luckily Tarn found me after breaking out, sadly not the others."

"Oh, so sad for the Combaticons." Knockout patted Brawl's shoulder with empathy, which the tank disliked. 

"How about Breakdown, heard he works for you and I'm actually itching for a rematch." Brawl slammed his fist into his open palm to show how eager he was for a fight. 

Knockout sighed heavily. "Sadly, Breakdown and his gentle touch are no longer with us. Taken by a dirty traitor, oh how I wish to see her squirm right now."

"My condolences," Brawl's appearance shifted from rough to soft after hearing Breakdown's fate. "he was a good 'Con, and a damn great fighter."

"I know." Knockout smiled. "Say, you wouldn't be interested in a partnership are you?"

Brawl paused for a second, then silently nodded but he was a bit unsure if he really was interested.

"Perfect!" Knockout clapped his hands. "First question though: How gentle are those hands?"

"It isn't." Brawl answered. 

Knockout shrugged his shoulders. "We can work on that later, stick around and I can help with those dents." Before Knockout could even list the benefits of working under him, his optics landed on a tall red femme with automobile features and a pair of wings. "Woah, who's that hot rod?"

Brawl followed his gaze, then chuckled. "Who, Shatter? I just met you, but I'm helping you out already. My advice? Forget it."

"Never hurts to try, my good friend." After making sure that sure that he had no speck of dust on him, the medic sauntered over towards the imposing femme.

As he and his new partner made their way towards Knockout's latest interest, Knockout came to notice that she was accompanied by three other Decepticons, ones who looked strangely like Starscream. Two of the Starscream clones were in shades of purple, one of which had blue while the other was just plainly purple. The third jet was simply red.

They looked almost the same as the seeker in subject, but the two purple ones were far smaller and were femme in build, while the other was just taller. Their faces were different, showing that they weren't merely clones but a whole different bot. While the mech had a cone for a head, the two femme wore helmets which fitted them nicely. And lastly two of them had missiles on their arms just like Starscream, but one of the femme jets had machine guns instead, making her much more unique. 

As he approached, Shatter slowly turned to meet him and Brawl as if she was expecting the medic. "Hey there, the name is Knockout, Hero of Cybertron. I'm kind of a big deal."

"Knockout," Shatter's voice made the mech shiver. "I would say it's an honor, but I do not appreciate your choices as a traitor who joined the Autobots of all factions."

"Oh don't be like that," Knockout chuckled. "times changed, I'm here right now to correct my mistakes!"

"Even so, you are an insult to the Decepticons. I am against Tarn's decision of bringing you here and it sickens me that you of all 'Cons have the bearings to speak to me." Shatter faced the Decepticons she was conversing with. "I will take my leave now, my offer still stands." With that, she left, but not before scoffing at Knockout one last time. 

"Playing hard to get, huh?" Knockout smirked. 

"Yeah, I don't think she likes you." Brawl pointed out. "Besides, I doubt Dropkick would let you near her."

Brawl's words did not reach Knockout, he was too busy appreciating Shatter's beauty. "Did you see her engine? What I would do just to feel it purr, really scrumptious."

"So, are you related to Starscream?" Brawl growled deeply as he faced the trio of jets, there was an obvious hostility in his voice which Knockout made a note of.  

The one with the guns scoffed. "Frag no! I would rather be dead than be related to that coward!"

"Good." Brawl relaxed a bit. 

"They call me Slipstream, this is Nova Storm and Thrust." Slipstream made an introduction for her crew. "You a traitor, or a deserter?"

"More like wrongly imprisoned." Brawl answered.

"And what's a 'Con like you hanging out with this Autobot lover?" She sent a burning glare at Knockout for simply being there. 

Knockout rolled his eyes. "I'll have you know that I am here to make things right. Honestly, with the way you're acting I much prefer Starscream over you, wanna be."

"Wanna be!?" Slipstream nearly jumped at Knockout for that remark if it weren't for her underlings. "I am Slipstream, and I currently have Starscream's seekers under my command! I am much more capable than that fool in every way possible!"

"And yet, he was Megatron's second, and you aren't." Knockout pointed out. 

"That's it!" Slipstream shrugged off the seekers that held her back and trained her weapon at Knockout only for Brawl to blindside her with a punch that sent her down.

"No fighting." The larger bot warned her. 

"Thank you, partner." Knockout chuckled as he retreated behind the tank for safety.

"I didn't do it for you, I'm just making sure no fight breaks out. I don't think Tarn would want that." 

"Sure. But just a minute ago you were eager to meet Breakdown, but alright then, Brawl."

"This isn't over Knockout!" Slipstream promised to him as her Seekers helped her up. With nothing else important to do, the trio left to be as far as possible from Knockout. 

"Well ain't she a bundle of fun." Knockout commented. 

Before Brawl could even speak his mind, a giant projection of Tarn himself had been created right in the middle of the Decepticons. The imposing leader of the DJD was the center of attention and every Con waited patiently for what's to come. 

"Greetings, my fellow Decepticons..."