Chapter 20

A/N: I appreciate all the reviews; I cannot answer or respond to some guesses without revealing too much of the plot. So once again I own nothing, now on with the story!

Things had changed drastically for Knockout after Prime left. Among everyone he was still treated the same, but when he was gone whispers were spoken behind his back. He knew it though, he just acted like he didn't.

And the Strikers were as irksome as ever, especially to Bumblebee. They always went silent and held their weapons whenever Knockout passed them. What angered him even more was the fact that Stormfly continued to hang around them, even after what they've done to her friend.

Needless to say 'Bee was beyond disappointed with her, she didn't say a word to defend him when Radar was accusing him…but neither did he. But at least he was trying to make up for it. Fearing the Strikers would go after his best friend, 'Bee appointed himself as Knockout's personal guard; keeping an eye on the Strikers from a distance when Knockout needed time to himself, and being there to make sure he wasn't alone when his friend was in a good mood.

One day 'Bee was riding over to where Knockout and he were going to go hunting, when Stormfly rode out on her new Striker horse stopping in his path. "Just what do you think you're doing?!" she snapped glaring up at him. Her horse may've been fancier than any normal Clan horse, but Nightmare wasn't a typical Clan mountain horse, he was a massive war horse, a breed bred in Kaon for it's speed, endurance, size, power, and beauty.

"Going hunting, what are you doing?" he said calmly rubbing Nightmare's obsidian flank.

"You don't think the Strikers haven't noticed you watching them?!" she hissed.

"You don't think I haven't noticed how it seems like they could attack Knockout at any given moment?!" he retorted harshly.

She sighed. "I've tried to talk to Knockout, but he won't speak to me," she said.

'Bee snorted. "Can you blame him?" he asked. "I can't believe you want to be in a group that's so cruel to him, even though he's done nothing to any of you."

"'Bee, the Strikers exist to fight wizards…it's not personal," she said. "It's disgraceful to have a wizard in the mountains."

"Disgraceful? Storm this is Knockout, he was born in the clans, he belongs here!" 'Bee reasoned as Nightmare began to shift, sensing his rider's irritation.

"When the Wizards invaded they were ruthless, they killed anyone who got in their way, they forced our queen into marriage, and evicted the priests from their temples. Our only refuge was the mountains. If not for that, our people would have been destroyed."

"That was a long time ago," he replied coldly.

"These are dangerous times," she pressed. "We have a weak queen. The power of the demonbloods in Iacon continues to grow. Those of us in the Clans feel less welcome in the city than ever before and we weild less and less influence in Court."

"Prime is the Queen's consort," 'Bee said tightening his grip on his reigns as Nightmare started to get antsy. "Sounds influential to me."

"Appearances can be deceiving," she said. "Radar said it's vital to maintain the traditional borders."

"As if I give a damn about what Radar says!" 'Bee hissed. "So when will you be leaving with them? Hopefully soon."

Stormfly's horse backed up a few steps as it sensed the anger of the other, much larger stallion and its rider. "We leave in a few days…Do you think it's a good idea? Training Knockout as a wizard?"

"What choice does he have?"

"He could learn a trade in the city," she said. "Maybe the magic would just go away?"

Bumblebee shook his head. "He wouldn't last five minutes in the city," he said flatly. "And I don't know a lot about magic, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't just 'go away.'" He moved Nightmare to stand next to the grey mare. "And besides, if it were that easy don't you think Arcee wouldn't need to send him away if it was like that?"

"No…but the Strikers don't want him to go," she said.

Bumblebee started to feel a cold fury build up inside of him. "You and your Primus damned Strikers don't want him here or at the academy! You just want him to disappear!" he snarled. "Is that it?!"

"No! of course not! I love Knockout like my own brother! It's just Radar's worried he'll come back on the wrong side," she said.

"Look, if there's one thing I learned in my time as the Scout Runners' gang lord, is that treating them like the enemy, will make them your enemy," he stated coldly. "Do what you want, but whatever side Knockout's on, that's my side as well."

"All I've ever wanted was to be a Striker…and it seems no matter what I do, I'm betraying someone," she whispered. "I didn't speak up for him at all during the ceremony."

"Neither did I," 'Bee said. "Just remember who your friends are…and who knows, perhaps you may teach the Strikers a thing or two about loyalty. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late to go hunting with Knockout." Turning Nightmare away, he gave the stallion a sharp kick to his side. Rearing up, the raven stallion galloped down the familiar trail, leaving Stormfly sitting there alone on her new horse.

A/N: I know, sucky chapter. I'll admit, not my best work. But don't fear, the chapters shall start to get back to their regular length…I hope. Please review and until next chapter!