TFP Mercy| Monstrous Heart Storyline| Playable Story Game w Kremzeek Final Boss

by Emperor_Kumquat

Summary:

The Predacons help rebuild Iacon after the War, until the Autobots ask them to join the police force to control Decepticons unwilling to accept peace. Things seem to be going well; Predaking even finds himself becoming friends with the strict and judgmental Prowl. However, an anonymous messenger reveals an Autobot secret to Predaking, shattering his trust and drawing him to the new Cybertronian mafia. Their head: a Vehicon who blends in with the rest.

The storyline to tie them all together! Plunge into the cities where police and politics bring faction tensions to a breaking point. Enter one agent of chaos from beyond Cybertron, eager to stir the pot.

Chapter 1: PART 1 (H)

Notes:

✓✓
This is for the Heart Path version of the story

PART ONE GUIDED PLAYTHROUGH (video versions available on YouTube)

---

Starscream tripped back into the throne, wings falling askew upon impact. Quaking uncontrollably, he lifted eyes as round as the moons in the sky. Large beastly shadows slid over Starscream and several yellow eyes locked onto him. 

Predaking stomped closer while his snarling brethren prowled up behind him. Starscream pressed himself into the throne and shrieked, wriggling about as though he had no means to defend himself. The shadows darkened over him, but still, he made no move to escape. A struggle did not come, despite how every Predacon claw itched to snatch his small leaping body. The missiles on Starscream's arms did not fire, allowing no dramatic blaze for Predaking to charge roaring through.

Closing the distance, Predaking scowled. His gaze flicked over Starscream’s puny grey form with parts so thin and brittle. How easily his neck could be snapped, wings ripped off, and innards penetrated by a single claw… Slowly, Predaking’s fingers spread and stretched for Starscream. 

“Please… do not… terminate me…” Starscream whimpered.

Predaking’s hand froze, sharp fingertips curling in.

---

You chose to let Starscream go

 

His excitement to tear Starscream apart died. As the Decepticon balled up and shivered, he looked so pathetically small. Suddenly, Predaking did not feel like his revenge would be as noble as he had envisioned it. He felt like a brute looming over Starscream. Sighing, Predaking dropped his arm despite the confused growls of Skylynx and Darksteel.

"No..." Predaking muttered.

He dragged out the pause to get Starscream's attention. The Seeker peeked at him through his fingers now covering his face.

"You are too small of a pest. You are not worth our time... We will not dirty our claws with your blood."

Predaking swelled his chest and lifted his chin, looking down at him. To do so filled Predaking with more satisfaction than harming Starscream would have. However, Starscream did not move. He twitched, his red irises constricting into pricks. Predaking wondered if Starscream had even registered what had been said. Wrinkling his brows, Predaking reached out to pluck Starscream off the throne.

A grey blur launched at him. With a screech of metal, thin claws raked Predaking’s face and eye. Hollering, Predaking stumbled back. Blood flooded half of his vision as Starscream crashed into his chest then kicked off it. Darksteel's swiping claws nicked Starscream’s wing, scattering a few drops of energon before the Seeker leapt off the tower and jetted away.

Skylynx and Darksteel skidded to the edge of the tower, glancing back at Predaking with their wings spread. He groaned. Pressing his palm against his bleeding eye, Predaking felt where it had been sliced. He tested his vision with rapid blinks, but it remained blurry. 

This wound is serious and may require medical attention, Predaking thought. 

Had Starscream lashed out in terror or had it all been an act to lower his guard? Predaking's blood boiled at the thought of the latter possibility. His yellow gaze dropped to Starscream’s energon on the floor. Skylynx and Darksteel hissed at the same glowing blue drops. As fast as Starscream could fly, there was nowhere the Seeker could hide when he had left means of tracking him behind.

---

You chose to forgive Starscream and go to the Autobots

 

Darksteel and Skylynx scanned Starscream’s energon before flapping their wings and dancing restlessly on their claws. They stared at Predaking expectantly. While keeping one hand over his eye, he waved his other in an authoritative swipe.

“No, leave him,” Predaking ordered.

Skylynx transformed. “What? We are going to let him go? After everything he did and what he just did to you?”

"We would have destroyed him. Termination exceeds the bounds of justice.”

“So what if he dies?" Skylynx argued. "It would be a favour to everyone. We do not even know the worst he has done!”

"Shall we assume it then?" Predaking growled. His eye seemed to flare with every word he spoke; his patience grew thin.

Darksteel cried, "He treated us like brainless animals and zapped us into obedience. He's awful! We know it!"

Skylynx added, “If we do not terminate him now, he may find a way to terminate us when we least expect it!”

"We have nothing to fear from him," Predaking hissed. His pain spiked and he spun away from them. "Come. We are leaving now."

Skylynx and Darksteel glowered. Predaking sensed them questioning his leadership.

Predaking uttered, “I will have the Autobots mend my optic. Then perhaps, we may join forces with them.”

He transformed but glanced back at Starscream’s spilled energon. After scanning it, Predaking leapt from the tower and took flight.

---

 

Predaking was the first to reach the wreckage of the Nemesis. No Autobots wandered around the site, so he drew them out from the warship with a screech. Most of them poured out: the Prime, the black and yellow bot, the blue and yellow one, the round green one, the white bot Predaking had been tasked to hunt before, and a puny blue one he could have squashed underfoot. Predaking then noticed the red Decepticon in their midst—Knockout, if he remembered correctly—for some indiscernible reason. 

Predaking stumbled closer, clutching his eye. The faces of the Autobots lit up with concern. 

Optimus Prime stepped forward. “What has happened?” 

“Starscream,” Predaking reported. Twin thuds sounded behind him as Skylynx and Darksteel landed. Scowling, Predaking raised his voice. "We pursued and cornered him, intending to exact revenge. However, I deemed that physical harm would be unjustifiable. I let him go. He lashed out at me before he fled."

The Prime said, “I appreciate your decision to cause him no harm. We would prefer that he be captured, so that he may face civil justice.” 

The Autobots ushered Predaking and his silent brethren into the med bay within the warship. There, Predaking spotted Ratchet overlooking a patient. He remembered the medic by name, but he had yet to learn the name of the tall blue and red Autobot in Ratchet’s care—the Autobot whose hand he had crushed. Now, that same Autobot was scorched from fire and pierced by fangs. Predaking glanced at the doorway as Skylynx and Darksteel filled it: only one of his brethren had fangs.

Predaking did not understand why his hide prickled with discomfort to see the tall Autobot in the state he was in. A new emotion began to wash over him…

The Prime calmly told him,  “You will be in good hands.”

Shame. It was shame that he felt, now mixed with embarrassment as Predaking struggled to lie on a berth due to his jutting wings. Without a word, Predaking found a wall and slid down it. He hated all the eyes upon him. Never had he felt so gargantuan and awkward.

“Do you... need my assistance?” Knockout asked Ratchet.

“I’ll manage,” Ratchet grunted. 

The other Autobots lingered to watch. Ratchet swung his sour face to Predaking and walked up to him, before halting. Predaking stared back, frowning, until the medic huffed, “Do you want me to examine it or not?” 

Predaking raised a brow.

“You are going to have to move your arm.” 

Ratchet grasped the large appendage that barred his path; Predaking shifted it aside and allowed Ratchet to step in closer. Sharp eyes suddenly filled Predaking’s vision while cold hands tilted his face.

“I can mend it,” Ratchet commented. “It is not deep, but you were wise to come to me as soon as you did—otherwise, it may have begun to heal improperly and blind you on this side.”

Predaking blinked quickly.

“The surgery will be quick, but I will induce stasis,” Ratchet muttered. “You may believe you are tough enough to handle the pain, but flinch once while I am operating, and you will lose this optic.” 

Predaking nodded, then called out, “Skylynx, Darksteel! Remain here until my surgery is complete.” 

Darksteel retorted sarcastically, "Oh, we wouldn't dare defy your command, Your Majesty."

Ratchet rolled his eyes, then collected a tube with a needle at its end. Once it pierced a vein in Predaking’s arm, he immediately fell into darkness.

---

Predaking woke suddenly, his vision darker on one side. Groaning, he pawed at his eye with a heavy hand and found a smooth translucent cover.

Ratchet said, “I placed a patch over your optic to protect it while it heals.”

Predaking let his hand fall. He slurred, “How long?” 

“Return in ten solar cycles and I will examine your injury again. If you feel any extraordinary pain however, come sooner.” 

Skylynx and Darksteel remained in the room now nearly absent of all Autobots, save for Ratchet and the tiny blue one. Even the tall Autobot and the berth he had occupied had vanished. Predaking's brethren seemed impatient, but neither more so than the blue Autobot and Ratchet, who hastily departed without putting any tools away. 

Predaking rose and wobbled. “What is happening?” 

Skylynx muttered, “They made us lift that tall Autobot outside. Their boss is making an announcement out there that they all have to hear.”

Predaking stumbled out of the room and followed the Autobots outside, but ascertained that the other Predacons trailed him. Dawn broke the long night, washing the silver fields with pink and orange. Beside the warship at the Well of All Sparks, the Autobots and Knockout were gathered in front of Optimus Prime. While the last two Autobots hurried to join the group, the Predacons remained behind at a distance.

The Prime faced them and explained that he now carried the Allspark within himself. Predaking leaned forward in interest and confusion. No one had ever explained to him what these concepts meant, yet somehow, his spark understood. He gaped; the Autobots jolted. Once the Prime revealed that his sacrifice was necessary in order for Cybertron to produce life again, his Autobots broke into protests. They faltered after their leader insisted that his loss was for the greatest good. 

With a quickening pulse, Predaking tilted back his head as Optimus Prime blasted into the air. The leader of the Autobots turned, before shooting down into the Well of All Sparks and disappearing. After a long period of tense silence, a rush of colourful light exploded from the Well. A rainbow storm plumed upward then broke apart into countless fizzing lights. Some of them zipped away as far as the horizon while most others spun loops in the clear sky above them. The sight froze Predaking and for a moment, he felt as though his own spark had left to dance with them.

A few twinkling lights floated down, caressing Predaking's cheek in passing with warmth. He let out a shuddering exhale. Memories of all the darkness in his life rushed at Predaking. How he had hunted, hurt, and hated others, and how he had suffered from Starscream's abuse and the loss of his Predacon army. Within every bot was, however, the same life source. Predaking could not tell which or if any of these sparks were of his deceased brethren or of the Vehicons he had killed. The variety of their colours revealed nothing.

As Predaking wondered if Skylynx and Darksteel were having the same revelations as him, he turned to find that they had vanished. Starting in alarm, Predaking finally heard their wing flaps and caught a glimpse of their silhouettes vanishing into the sky full of sparks.

They have gone after Starscream!  

Predaking gritted his teeth, wondering why his brethren could not shake their desire for violence. Starscream was gone. He no longer had power over them. This was an excessive and a dishonourable use of their strength, and if he did not stop them, they would never respect his command again.

I do not want to fight them. I shall warn Starscream instead of their approach.

Predaking transformed and spread his great wings that would allow him to outfly his brethren. Then, he concentrated on Starscream’s location, only to discover his shocking proximity.

---

 

Had Starscream not known the Predacons were here? Had he been seeking the Autobots’ aid as well?

Predaking glided over Skylynx and Darksteel. Once they spotted him through the zipping sparks, they snarled and furiously flapped their wings. Predaking shot far ahead of them and left them behind. As the wind whooshed over him, Predaking found himself disappointed in his brethren's bloodlust.

When we originally pursued Starscream, I too craved a violent outcome, Predaking thought.

He wanted to deny it. Yet he remembered the violent images which had flashed through his mind. He had wanted to hurt him. He just wanted to feel right about hurting him now.

We are Predacons, Predaking thought with a growling sigh. We must just instinctively crave violence.

A small city sat crumbled in pieces on the flat silver plain. Mist lingered between the blasted and barely standing structures, but slowly dissipated with the rising sun. Down there, Predaking sensed that Starscream was hiding in one of the buildings. Transforming, Predaking landed in bot-form to portray peaceful intentions as he approached Starscream's location. Immediately, red eyes peered out of a destroyed window. Starscream strode out onto an exposed ledge, letting the golden sunlight pour over him. Legs bending, he poised to leap into the air.

“Halt!” Predaking hollered.

Starscream paused. Fidgeting, he stared at Predaking’s eyepatch.

"I have decided not to seek revenge, but Skylynx and Darksteel still seek it," Predaking relayed. "Beware of them."

Starscream blinked and flicked his wings.

“I will not harm you," Predaking assured him.

Starscream's mouth hung. Shaking himself, Starscream closed it and scrutinized him suspiciously.

“This is no trick," Predaking said.

Starscream finally uttered, "Why would you... warn me?"

His eyes flicked to the sky behind Predaking. With a gasp, Starscream launched into the air, transformed, and sped away.

Predaking exhaled. Returning to beast mode, he soared out of the city toward his brethren who now came into view. His eyebrows scrunched as Skylynx and Darksteel continued to flap madly toward him at full speed. Predaking screeched for them to stop, then his eyes widened a moment before both Skylynx and Darksteel ploughed into him.

Fangs and beaks snapped into him while talons slashed his metal. Predaking roared and churned his claws, shredding his brethren's abdomens until they pulled back. Fire burst out between his gnashing teeth. He twisted his neck side-to-side, biting both Darksteel and Skylynx, but Darksteel escaped, slipped around, and latched onto Predaking's back.

A wide sharp beak stabbed his spine and Predaking screeched. As he rolled, Skylynx hurled himself at his chest and grabbed on. Suddenly the writhing mass of Predacons struck the ground with a bang and they scattered in all directions. Darksteel rose, tottered, then fell onto his side, pawing his head. Predaking stood up on his shaking feet, glanced at his bloody chest, then gawked at Skylynx. His brother had already hopped back up, stalking toward Predaking with his beak dripping energon.

Tail sweeping, Predaking waited until Skylynx lunged at him. He leapt to the side but sank his teeth deep into Skylynx's upper arm in passing. Shrieking, Skylynx pulled back and ripped free from Predaking's jaws. He then limped to a safe distance, curling his arm to his body and staring cautiously at Predaking.

Darksteel stared and made no move. When Predaking snapped his glare to him, Darksteel bowed his head. Although Predaking struck a defiant stance, his spark thudded inside his chest. This fight had been far more serious than their last fight had been. The blood dripping from his brethren's bodies uneased him; he felt unsure if he could still think of them as his brethren. 

Skylynx and Darksteel lay down slowly, still growling. Skylynx nosed at his wound and glared at Predaking, but looked satisfied when he identified his own bitemarks on the other's body. Settling down as well, Predaking displayed his disinterest in continuing the fight. As he waited for one of his brethren to transform, Darksteel looked past Predaking and released a loud growl. Predaking swung his neck around to a dilapidated piece of wall where Starscream's face peered through a crack, smugly smiling. Skylynx began to growl as well.

"Is all this fuss over me?" Starscream drawled.

Predaking got to his feet.

"I don't understand you beasts," Starscream uttered. "But I propose we agree to stay out of each other's ways. Wouldn't that be more convenient for us all?"

The Predacons fell silent. Predaking looked from Skylynx and Darksteel, who swung their heads with irritated huffs. Their shoulders sagged.

Finally, Predaking thought. 

Predaking spread his wings and flapped into the sky, turning around and waiting for his brethren to follow him. Haughtily, Skylynx and Darksteel turned their backs on Starscream and flew after Predaking. Their choice of not transforming to even share a word with Starscream meant they all believed it now: Starscream was not worth all this time and trouble.

The three Predacons soared back to the Autobots, leaving Starscream to go wherever else he pleased.

---

 

By the time the Predacons returned to the Nemesis, the beautiful show of sparks had ended. The Autobots now dragged themselves back into the warship with their heads bowed and swaying. At the last moment, they heard the snaps of Predacon wings. They jolted just before the Predacons transformed, landed, and rose over them.

The sorrow in the Autobots' eyes cleared upon noticing the energon oozing from the Predacons' fresh wounds. Those carrying the tall blue and red Autobot set down the berth on which he lay.

"What happened?" the black and yellow Autobot gasped.

Predaking muttered, "We settled a dispute amongst ourselves."

None of the Predacons cared to elaborate.

"Let me guess," Ratchet sighed irritably. "You are expecting me to treat you?"

"Perhaps we can be of service to you: no longer an inconvenience or a threat," Predaking suggested. "We can offer our strength in the reconstruction of the planet."

"That would be useful," the round green Autobot replied. "And I'm sure Optimus would have allowed it."

The black and yellow Autobot nodded slowly. "We should put aside our differences and move on from the past. We welcome you."

Predaking glanced at the berth containing the Autobot whose hand he had crushed. He expected the Autobot to protest the idea, but high-shouldered Autobot's exhausted eyes regarded the Predacons without recognition. Perhaps memories of his Prime occupied his mind, and Predaking nearly pitied the tall Autobot, but reminded himself of what he had done to his brethren on Earth.

Predaking told his brethren, "If their intentions are the same as the Decepticons' were, they will rebuild this world and rule it. By siding with the victors, we may claim a place in Cybertron's future."

"W-we don't intend to rule it," the black and yellow Autobot stammered. "Our goal is to create a peaceful society in which Autobots and Decepticons can co-exist!"

Darksteel muttered, "As long as we don't have to see Starscream stupid face again, I'll go wherever."

The white Autobot with swords asked, "By any chance, are you able to track him right now just like you did me?"

"We will not track him or capture him for you," Predaking grunted.

"So you can track him?"

"We can, but we will not."

The smallest Autobot, a blue two-wheeler, bared her teeth but stayed silent.

The white Autobot continued, "'Scream's a killer and needs to be locked up. He already offed one of our own on Earth, and it won't be long before he tries offing another."

Skylynx huffed, "He isn't worth the time; he's a nuisance. If he does happen to cause serious trouble, then perhaps we'll finish him off then."

Darksteel rubbed at his wounds. "Ow. Can we just forget about him already?"

The Autobots gazed at Predaking. He exhaled, "We will aid you in other tasks apart from pursuing Starscream. For now, mend us then guide us to where we are needed."

The blue two-wheeler began to protest, yet as the Predacons bristled, some of the other Autobots hushed her.

"We'll find him ourselves," the blue and yellow Autobot insisted. "I'll do it myself if I gotta."

"How about we accept the Predacons' offer while it stands?" Knockout tossed in his say. "Think about how much safer we'll be with their protection! As for Starscream, knowing him, he'll probably come back and walk himself right into any other trap you set."

Submitting, the Autobots led the Predacons back into in med bay of the Nemesis. They set down the tall Autobot in his berth back where it had been before, then Ratchet and Knockout split up to weld shut the Predacons' wounds. As the med bay became much too crowded, most of the Autobots evacuated the room and waited in the hall. However, the round green Autobot peeked in once the Predacons' wounds were almost repaired.

He stammered, “Uhh, right now we have two projects on the go: one is building a landing site to welcome returning refugees and the other is restoring the capital cities. Both are important, but you would be doing the same kind of work in either place... So take your pick.”

Skylynx and Darksteel stared at Predaking, and after a pause, Predaking gave his answer to the green Autobot.

---

Choice 1: Work on the landing site..........[Space Adventure Storyline H Path. This has not been written yet.]
Choice 2: Work in the capital cities.......... Continue to PART 2 (H)

END PART 1

Notes:

Art:
Predacon shadows, Predaking bites Skylynx: Simply0Spidey (Ko-Fi)
Starscream on the throne, Starscream scratches Predaking's eye: Emperor Kumquat
Predaking finds Starscream pitiful: artificialangel22 (Instagram, Tumblr)
Drawing out the Autobots from the Nemesis: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Ratchet examines Predaking's eye: Kurxo (Tumblr, Kurxxo on X)
Suspicious Starscream: Skystep1 (Bluesky, YouTube, Skystep_1 on Instagram)
Predaking bites Skylynx: Simply0Spidey (Ko-Fi)
Sky fight close-up: Myst (misfire.missed on Instagram)
The Predacons fight in the sky: Emperor Kumquat
Skylynx stand off: Skystep1 (bsky, YouTube)
Predaking flies through sparks, Starscream peeks: sizu-p (Tumblr, sizu-paolo on X)

Chapter 2: PART 1 (N)

Notes:

This is for the Neutral Path version of the story
✓

PART ONE GUIDED PLAYTHROUGH (video versions available on YouTube)

---

Starscream tripped back into the throne, wings falling askew upon impact. Quaking uncontrollably, he lifted eyes as round as the moons in the sky. Large beastly shadows slid over Starscream and several yellow eyes locked onto him. 

Predaking stomped closer while his snarling brethren prowled up behind him. Starscream pressed himself into the throne and shrieked, wriggling about as though he had no means to defend himself. The shadows darkened over him, but still, he made no move to escape. A struggle did not come, despite how every Predacon claw itched to snatch his small leaping body. The missiles on Starscream's arms did not fire, allowing no dramatic blaze for Predaking to charge roaring through.

Closing the distance, Predaking scowled. His gaze flicked over Starscream’s puny grey form with parts so thin and brittle. How easily his neck could be snapped, wings ripped off, and innards penetrated by a single claw… Slowly, Predaking’s fingers spread and stretched for Starscream. 

“Please… do not… terminate me…” Starscream whimpered.

Predaking’s hand froze, sharp fingertips curling in.

---

You chose to threaten Starscream

 

Predaking released a growling sigh, his claws closing into fists. When Predaking reeled back an arm, Starscream gasped and tried to scramble away. A punch ploughed into his small grey chest and crushed him against the throne, before withdrawing and letting him drop. The Decepticon sat back down, wheezing, while Skylynx and Darksteel widened their eyes and cocked their heads.

Strong fingers tightened around Starscream’s throat. Predaking swung him into the air and Starscream clung to his thick dark arm to relieve pressure off his neck. His kicks and squirms ended swiftly, leaving him hanging with bent legs. Helplessly, he stared into Predaking's stern yellow eyes.

“I have decided,” Predaking uttered. “I will spare your pathetic life. But… consider this your only warning.”

Starscream clucked.

“If you trouble us or anyone else again, we will come for you, and we will exterminate you,” Predaking growled.  “Do you understand?”

He slackened his hold slightly.

“Y-yes,” Starscream croaked.

“Anyone. If we so much as hear that you have been a nuisance to the Autobots, we will end you. You have only one chance, and it begins now.”

Predaking lifted his other hand and crooked a finger. Starscream's eyes tracked its approach, then he flinched as Predaking's claw dragged across his arm.

“I will never lose your trail.” Predaking raised his energon-stained fingertip to show Starscream. “There is nowhere you can hide from me.”

Predaking tossed Starscream behind him. Sliding, he came to a stop at the feet of the other Predacons. When he looked up, sharp beaks spread and snarled over him, sending him racing to the edge of the tower. With wings lowered and tight against his back, the Seeker stumbled before he leapt. For a moment, Starscream vanished, then he rose as a jet rushing into the waning night.

Skylynx's tail lashed as he watched Starscream shrink. Both Predacons kneaded the floor with their claws before transforming and whirling on Predaking.

“What? Is that all?” Skylynx huffed. “You did not even allow me and Darksteel the chance to decide how we should punish him!”

Darksteel muttered, “I wanted to tear one wing off him, at least.”

“No," Predaking answered. “We would have killed him with our combined might. Termination exceeds the bounds of justice."

Skylynx said, “Termination would have been merited, after he harassed and insulted us without considering the consequences.”

“Right.” Darksteel flexed his claws. “We should have shown him what a mistake it was to mess with us!"

The sound of the fleeing jet grew quieter. Predaking gazed at the still-warm beads of blood in his hand and rumbled, “If he has any intelligence, then the lesson has been learned. He will remember my threat and pester us no more."

“Here's hoping he's an idiot,” Darksteel grumbled under his breath. “I just want to sink my claws into him.”

Predaking cast him a stern glare. “You will not attack him without my permission. If or when he does transgress, I will decide his punishment."

"Tearing him limb from limb?” Skylynx blinked.

“Perhaps.”

All mouths closed. They stared off into the distance where all sight and sound of Starscream had disappeared. Then, the endless night broke as the warm light of the sun seeped into the sky. Fatigue crashed down on Predaking and he sighed, shutting his eyes for moment. When they reopened, they gleamed while facing a new morning, a new life, unbound by Decepticon rule. Futures unravelled before him now that he was no longer alone, now that he had new brethren to build a life with. He weighed the possibilities of where they could go, where they could live, and what they could achieve on this wide open world…

---

You chose to live with the Autobots

 

Predaking proclaimed, “We will go to the Autobots.”

"What for?" Darksteel asked.

"If Starscream dares disobey my will, he will trouble the Autobots first. It may be best that we stay close to them in case of that event. In addition, if we aid the Autobots in repairing this war-torn planet, our species may find a place in their future society."

"Society?" Skylynx said. "How do you know that there will be such a thing?"

Predaking replied, "I overheard Vehicon discussion on the warship on the subject of what may occur if the War were won."

"But what do we want to do with society?" Darksteel twisted his face.

"We could make peace with the Autobots if they learn to respect us, not despise us."

"Who needs them though?" Darksteel countered. "We can do our own thing."

Skylynx nodded in agreement.

Predaking growled, "Imagine there is another doomsday event, or simply, another common enemy to defeat. Or, perhaps it would be beneficial for our kind to have more persuasion in the way the world moves forward. Now is the best time to propose a truce. Otherwise, vitriol may burn behind our backs and a horde of Autobots may later try to hunt us to extinction."

"Logical points," Skylynx said. "And indeed, now is the best time for the Autobots to accept us after what we just did for them."

“That big one you mauled will still hate you,” snickered Darksteel.

“That is fine.” Skylynx shrugged. "And the small blue and yellow one might run at the sight of you."

Darksteel cackled, "That'd be worth seeing!"

The Predacons transformed to beast mode and scanned the small scattered drops of Starscream's energon. After which, they launched from the tower and glided toward the Well of All Sparks. The rising sun warmed their sides and unveiled long stretches of silent, dusty plains. Just on the other side of them lay their destination, yet before they reached it, Predaking spared a thought for Starscream's whereabouts. Sensing his proximity to the Autobots, Predaking huffed and glared around the fields. He did not see him, but perhaps, the scrawny Seeker was tucked away behind the lonesome ruins of long gone homes. Walls and roofs spotted the land, only a few, small and insignificant in the shadow of the great tower. Suitable places for the likes of Starscream.

The plains passed and the deep black hole of the Well yawned like a giant mouth. Beside it, the Nemesis lay still and dead. No colourful spots of Autobot armour moved around the grey warship or upon the dreary land. Letting out a piercing shriek, Predaking announced their arrival to draw the Autobots out from the Nemesis. After the Predacons landed and transformed, a group led by the Prime marched outside and met them. Among them, Predaking was intrigued to find the red Decepticon—Knockout—if he wasn't mistaken.

Curious round gazes passed over the Predacons. Darksteel pursed his lips when the blue and yellow Autobot did not shake or cower. He stared at the Autobot, started to raise his hands and spread his claws, but Predaking stepped in front of him. Darksteel shuffled to peek around him while Skylynx stood by patiently.

Predaking's eyes locked with those of the Prime, his yellow widening when they saw no animosity in the blue. The Prime's eyes only displayed calm calculation as he tried to determine why they had come. There was no blatant distrust, no assumptions made; Optimus Prime nodded and asked, "Predacons, for what reason have you returned to us?”

Predaking raised his chin. "We seek to put aside our differences and past disputes. We have come to offer you our strength to be put toward the reconstruction of this planet."

“We will gladly accept your offer,” Optimus Prime answered. “If this War shall truly be considered over, we must make peace with former adversaries and rebuild our home as one. That said, I acknowledge that the damage to our planet was not caused by you three. Therefore, I find it admirable that you would volunteer to repair it."

Predaking puffed his chest and his brethren followed suit.

"However," the Prime continued. "There is one question I must ask. After the battle, we observed you three travelling in the same direction as Starscream. Some time has passed before you returned to us. Tell me, what has become of him?”

Predaking's brows rose, but he answered. “We pursued him to the uppermost level of a great tower and confronted him there. I threatened him and scanned his energon so that he will not dare trouble us again."

Darksteel huffed. Skylynx rolled his eyes. Predaking looked from them to the Prime, whose gaze softened from his words.

Optimus Prime responded, “I am pleased that you did not cause him serious harm. However, since you are able to track Starscream at this very moment, would it not be best to capture him, before he has the opportunity to endanger others or himself?”

Darksteel began, "Sounds right—"

Predaking inquired, “What would you do with him once he was in your custody?”

Optimus Prime replied, “He would face justice for his crimes and remain imprisoned for the safety of others.”

“Indefinitely?”

“I will advise that all future prisoners be enrolled in a rehabilitation program so that they may be readmitted to society at a later time. However, such a program has not been established yet.”

"Hmm," Skylynx hummed skeptically.

Predaking declared, “Although it was given to the likes of Starscream, I will honour my word. I told him that he would be granted one more chance. I recognize that this goes against your wishes, but should he commit a crime, then we will pursue him."

The Autobots gawked, but Predaking scowled back. He tensed his arms and clenched his fists. Behind him, foot claws curled and dragged across the ground with short metal shrieks.

"But that snivelling fool is not worth another moment of our time," Predaking said. Skylynx and Darksteel stopped moving. He continued, "We will take energon, then go to where we are needed."

The smaller Autobots looked beseechingly up at their leader to press the subject. Instead, the Prime welcomed the Predacons into the Nemesis, hushing his followers with just a steady gaze. Predaking gave a pleased nod and lumbered into the fallen warship with Skylynx and Darksteel trailing him. Inside a storage room, Optimus Prime handed him a cube of energon, which he ripped apart and divvied up among his brethren. Once it had been devoured, Predaking waited for instructions.

The Prime gently urged, "It would be the safest option for us all if Starscream were apprehended immediately."

Predaking's face twisted into a snarl. "I will not go back on my word."

"Don't we all know what Starscream is like?" the white Autobot cut in. "He will never change."

The other Autobots nodded grimly while even Knockout shrugged and pulled his mouth to the side.

A tiny blue Autobot spoke, voice tense and bitter. "Is it really going to take one more death before something is done about Starscream?"

Predaking glanced down at the bot shorter than his knee. He huffed dismissively and looked over her.

"Starscream is weak, manageable. You need not fear him," Predaking snapped. "And with us working alongside your faction, he would not dare act against you. He knows that we would do worse than capture him."

Optimus Prime frowned.

Predaking gestured at his brethren. "We Predacons will deal with Starscream my way, and you Autobots may feel free to deal with him your way. End of discussion. Now, tell us where we can lend our strength, before I reconsider my offer."

Skylynx and Darksteel rolled their eyes at each other, then half closed them wearily.

"Very well," Optimus Prime calmly conceded.

He looked to the round green Autobot, who stammered, "Uhhh... There are uh, two projects on the go. Both are equally important I guess so... it's up to you. One is building a landing site to welcome returning refugees and the other is restoring the capital cities. That would be Iacon and Kaon, but Iacon's closer to here, so I'd start you there..."

The green Autobot glanced at his comrades with clenched teeth. He swayed awkwardly until Predaking gave his decision.

---

Choice 1: Work on the landing site.......... Continue to SPACE ADVENTURE STORYLINE PART 2 (N)

Choice 2: Work in the capital cities.......... Continue to PART 2 (N)

 

END PART 1

Notes:

For Space Adventure, you would have to leave this fic and find the correct storyline on my account (a separate fic) to continue the story

Art:
Predacon shadows: Simply0Spidey (Ko-Fi)
Starscream on the throne: Emperor Kumquat
Collecting Starscream's energon, the dawn choice: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Predaking talks to Skylynx and Darksteel: artificialangel22 (Tumblr, Instagram)
Dawn ruins: ARTificial Absinthe (Tumblr)
The Autobots and Knockout gather: chaos_birdie (Instagram and X)

Chapter 3: PART 2 (H)

Notes:

Heart Path
✓

You chose to work in the capital cities 

 

“We know little about our home world,” Predaking said. “There is much we can learn while developing its most important sites.” 

The green Autobot replied, “Right…”

“Tell me which direction we must go, and as soon as we are repaired, we shall depart.”

Once their wounds had been welded, the round green Autobot directed the Predacons toward the closest capital: Iacon. Leaving the Nemesis behind, the Predacons glided north as the sun rose to its peak in the sky. Quiet metal plains glowed wherever rust and grease did not lie, absorbing the warmth of the sun. Thin canals of energon settled in the cracks in the land, a symbol of life in contrast to the grey ruins which rolled beneath the flying Predacons. Old decapitated heads peeked out from charred buildings, impaled on metal beams. 

In the silence, the Predacons could almost believe they were the only living beings in this region of the world. Until, first faintly, then loudly, the clanging of machinery shook the air. Soaring toward the source, the Predacons discovered the largest city they had yet seen. A daunting expanse of blasted buildings covered the plains, but there was movement in its heart like a swarm of purple insects. When they flew closer, they identified half-finished gold and silver buildings covered in scaffolding and toiling Vehicons. As construction machines lifted bundles of materials, the Vehicons carried other supplies and rapidly pieced the buildings together.  

Landing and transforming, the Predacons looked around them in awe. The Vehicons worked like clockwork, sealing walls and building up levels before their eyes.

“Who are they?” Darksteel asked. “Why do they all look the same? Are they living bots or machines?”

A pair of dutifully marching workers carrying a metal plate halted in front of them.

“We are certainly living,” one Vehicon muttered. “We have sparks.”

“Oh! Sorry,” Darksteel said.

“What are you Predacons doing here?” another Vehicon asked. “Are you helping the Autobots too?”

“Indeed,” Predaking answered. “How might we be of use here?”

Looking around again, Predaking noticed that labour had slowed. Identical faces looked down at the Predacons. Machines quieted. The closest Vehicons on the ground snuck closer while those on the lower levels of surrounding buildings leaned in.

“You could… carry things for us…?” the first Vehicon who had spoken suggested. He readjusted his grip on the plate he and his partner were carrying. “If you could get supplies up to higher levels, that’d be a big help.”

Predaking nodded. “Would you like me to relieve you of that plate?”

The Vehicon speaker let out an embarrassed cough. He and his partner began to shuffle away. “We can handle one. We’re not that weak…”

The pair ambled off. The construction around the Predacons resumed once it became clear that they were not a threat to the Vehicons.

Skylynx said, “Well, we came to offer our strength, and those plates look light enough.”

The Predacons followed the trail of plate-carrying Vehicons back to the source. As they passed other clones, who stood no taller than their hips, heads turned and Predaking overheard a few whispers including the word Predacon. When the trio located the pile of metal plates, an titanic rusty vehicle much larger than a Predacon had just finished dropping off a load. It rumbled away with a Vehicon behind the steering wheel.

Predaking scooped up four plates that would have taken eight Vehicons to carry. When Skylynx and Darksteel followed his example, Predaking bent down to add another three to his load. The weight was enough to make him feel a strain, but balancing the slippery stack was the most difficult part. The Predacons marched ahead of the line of Vehicons and arrived at one of the buildings under construction. Although the Vehicons left their cargo on the lower levels, they pointed upward and urged the Predacons to take their plates even higher. Predaking puffed his chest but then struggled to climb up the stairs, his feet not fitting on the tiny steps.

After he reached the top, Predaking dropped his plates and abandoned the idea of working in bot-form. He transformed and leapt off the building, sailing back to the stockpile. Vehicons dashed away, some of them so startled that they dropped their supplies. On the ground, Predaking swiped together a stack of plates and tried to secure them in his claws. When they slipped out of his grasp, he stabbed the metal, assuming that the damage would be mendable.

Skylynx and Darksteel swooped down in beast mode to try his method. Predaking flapped his wings and rushed to the top of the building almost instantly. He slowed with strong downward flaps, keeping steady while he deposited the plates. He didn’t notice the powerful gusts of his wings had blown a few Vehicons off their feet—that is, until he heard their yelps and saw them flailing in the air. One was fortunate enough to have a Seeker’s build, transforming and blasting off. The others, however, were ground-bound and simply fell.

Predaking dropped after their plummeting bodies, but they crashed to the ground before he could catch them. He transformed then placed the groaning Vehicons back on their feet.

“Perhaps I should remain in bot mode,” Predaking suggested, though he knew it would frustrate him. “I apolo—”

A few more hollers came from above as Skylynx and Darksteel blew the next round of Vehicons off the building.

“I apologize,” Predaking finished. 

He hurried over to the other Vehicons who had fallen. Skylynx and Darksteel landed beside them, transforming to bot-form. 

“Whoops,” Darksteel said. “Sorry.”

The Vehicons stood and brushed themselves off. Many workers had stopped construction again to stare at the Predacons. 

“Yeah,” one grunted. “Well… at least you’re sorry. Don’t fly around like that.”

“Understood,” Skylynx said.

For the rest of the day, the Predacons carried materials without causing any more trouble. Turning his head all around, Predaking was awed how quickly building frames grew and walls wrapped around to enclose them. Trucks came and left, bringing in a constant supply of materials. Only at nightfall, the trucks stopped coming and the construction machines powered down. Vehicons lumbered down the scaffolding or came down elevators to assemble on the ground. As a crowd, the workers wandered away and left the Predacons to curiously follow them.

“Hey,” Darksteel asked a Vehicon by his foot. “Where are you going?”

“It’s rest time,” the Vehicon replied. “So we’re going to our residence.”

After many battles and plenty of flying, Predaking was exhausted after the day’s labour. He just was not willing to admit it. He knew his brethren felt the same, since they eagerly trudged after the Vehicons to a new, though plain, silver building. Once the Predacons stepped through the doors, a chilling blue room welcomed them. [A dim light shone off highly polished walls and freshly crafted tables and chairs. From the ceiling, silver and copper decorations hung in the form of curls or wound up balls. Strange rectangular devices stood at the end of the room, which two Vehicons powered on to unleash a flood of soothing sounds.]

Many Vehicons sat down around the tables, starting up mumbled conversations. Other Vehicons squeezed past and waited for their turn at the elevators. Once Predaking spotted a tank of liquid energon being rolled in, he strode into the room. He bumped into the tables, struggling to squeeze through them while his brethren followed him. Already, Vehicons were passing out cups of energon to each other, and when the Predacons reached the tank, cups were handed to them as well. 

“Thanks for the help today,” a Vehicon told them. 

The Predacons gulped down their energon and were offered instant refills.

“What happened to your optic?” a second Vehicon asked Predaking.

“Starscream,” Predaking uttered.

“Is he offline?”

“I let him go,” Predaking muttered.

“Huh, interesting,” the Vehicon said.

“Not as interesting as them working for the Autobots,” a third Vehicon commented. “Don’t you hate them?”

Predaking replied, “I still hold animosity toward the Autobots, for they slaughtered the Predacon clones on Earth. However, the Decepticons orchestrated the slaughter.”

Skylynx’s eyes widened. “There was a Predacon army on Earth?” 

“Indeed. There were to be twenty-four Predacons aside from myself. After I first transformed and revealed my bot mode, the Decepticons feared the intelligence of the Predacons. And so, they lured the Autobots to Shockwave’s laboratory to allow them to murder the incubating clones for them.”

Predaking carefully watched the Vehicons’ reactions. They all shrugged helplessly. One replied, “We were never made aware of that plan.”

Another added, “We thought the Autobots just found the lab somehow.”

[Predaking pulled his mouth to the side.] “I suppose I always knew you were not responsible. The Decepticon command was. However, I unjustly took out my rage upon Vehicon troopers. You stood in my way of vengeance, and perhaps, I saw you as a part of what I wanted to destroy. But for what I have done to your kind… I apologize.”

A Vehicon told him, “We’re used to being killed off. By our own side even. You’re the first to apologize to us for anything though.”

“So none of you harbour ill feelings toward me?”

The same Vehicon replied, “Probably not most of us. We mainly just… go with the flow. What else can we do? Adapting without fuss is how we stay safe. But we dislike the Autobots, that’s for sure. We know that they made games out of killing us. At least you didn’t.”

“I do not comprehend why you serve the Autobots you despise,” Predaking replied with raised brows. “Do you not have the numbers to defeat them?”

“Numbers never helped us. Those Autobots always pull out the most ridiculous weapons that wipe us out. And after they killed Megatron and revived Cybertron, there didn’t seem to be a point in continuing the fight. It was better to do construction instead of dying for no gain.”

The other Vehicons nodded along.

“We were probably like you Predacons,” a jet Vehicon said. “We didn’t have any other plans, so we were just going to settle down, see how allying with the victors would work for us.”

“Why are you speaking in the past tense?” Predaking questioned.

Vehicons titled their heads; Predaking interpreted the gesture as grinning.

“Because Megatron lives again,” the jet Vehicon replied. “I reported it to the workers of Iacon and other fliers have already gone on to spread the word. I’m a newscarrier. I saw the undead Predacon army led by a reformatted Megatron. I stayed at a distance. I watched the battle you fought and saw what you missed: purple energy was drawn from Megatron into a container. That was Unicron, I wager. How else could Megatron be alive? Yes, and then Megatron flew away, far too fast for me to follow him. So, he’s out there.”

“It was Unicron, I can confirm that,” Skylynx told them.

Predaking demanded, “You mean that Megatron lives after the defeat of the Demon Lord?” 

“He lives,” a Vehicon replied. “So now, we await his command.”

Predaking snarled and glanced around them as though Megatron might manifest at the very mention of his name. “You would follow him if he returned to continue his selfish warmongering? Why would you wish to destroy this peace? Did you not just agree that you were tired of death?”

The Vehicons jolted at his outburst. 

“Did Megatron ever respect you any more than the Autobots?” Predaking continued. “Recall how you were created as simple soldiers to be tossed into the battlefield. There is nothing good in being another bot’s weapon of war: a mere tool to serve their agenda. I understand you now, and I know whatever devotion you profess for Megatron comes from deep conditioning and brainwashing. At this moment in time, you all have peace; the Autobots no longer fight or torture any of us. Why would you ruin what you have now to continue your nonsensical war?”

Vehicons hung their heads over their cups. Some took small sips, tilting back their heads and letting liquid pour through a straw into a crack in their faces. Then, the Vehicons began to mumble.

“Well, that’s one way of thinking about it.”

“We’re just tools even to the Decepticons…”

“But what will we do without Megatron’s leadership?”

Predaking told them, “We Predacons and you Vehicons were created to be nothing more than weapons of the Decepticon faction. So, if Megatron tries to enlist you, refuse. You must, if respect is what you seek for your kind.”

The Vehicons fell into pensive silence.

---

Continue to 2_2 (H)

 

Vehicon clubhouse interior:

Notes:

Art:
Iacon construction: chaos_birdie (Instagram and X)
Knocking Vehicons off the building: Chen.withapen (Instagram)
Vehicon clubhouse interior: Jack Netherblack (@jnetherblack)

Chapter 4: 2_2 (H)

Notes:

✓

The Predacons slept on the street outside the residence, balled up with their chins upon each other’s backs.

This is how it must remain, Predaking thought, sweeping his tail around Darksteel. 

A white streetlight burned calmly over them and the cold night lulled them into a deep sleep. The marching feet of Vehicons roused the Predacons at dawn, who blearily watched them pass. Once construction machines rumbled to life, the Predacons slowly rose and stretched. After Predaking transformed, he touched the patch over his eye and wondered how well it was healing. 

What if my sight is not fully restored? Predaking thought. A flicker of anger made him tense and he couldn't help but check Starscream's location: it was distant. No, forget him. My optic will heal. 

The Predacons thumped along to the heart of the construction site, widening their eyes when they spotted the round green Autobot and the white one with swords on his back. The green Autobot showed a tablet to a group of Vehicons, explaining something to them. His companion stood wordlessly at his side, peering at the Vehicons as though daring them to attack.

Darksteel mumbled, “Those Vehicons could take them out if they wanted to, and I don’t see why they don’t. There’s only two Autobots and they don’t have any special weapons on them.”

The white Autobot hadn’t heard him, but he peered at the Predacons with equal suspicion.

They have no functioning systems for communication and teleportation since the warship’s crash, Predaking thought. They are quite vulnerable.

Ignoring the Autobots, the Predacons began to work with the Vehicons. When Predaking saw Skylynx and Darksteel pick up lighter loads, he gratefully carried lighter ones as well. They repeatedly climbed up and down one of the buildings, then halted at the sound of chopping blades and spotted a green copter circling the city. 

“Decepticon? Or Autobot?” Predaking wondered.

A cluster of Vehicons looked at the copter with the Predacons.

“Can’t tell,” a Vehicon murmured.

The copter departed; everyone continued work. The Predacons were back on the ground when the sound of multiple chopping blades struck them. A rumbling of wheels and tank treads followed, which sent Vehicons diving for cover in the buildings. After their disappearance, heavily armoured copters, tanks, trucks, and other four-wheeled vehicles burst into the construction site. Baring their teeth, the Predacons set their loads onto the ground.

“Let’s shred ‘em!” Darksteel cried.

The round green Autobot and his comrade rushed between the Predacons and the army.

“Whoa, whoa!” the green Autobot exclaimed at Darksteel. “No you don’t!”

The army rolled to a halt and the fliers hovered in place. Predaking scowled at the Autobot symbols marking them. Then, every bot transformed.

The green copterbot landed on his feet and lifted his chin. “Everything alright here?”

Both the green Autobot and the white Autobot flashed grins.

“Alright here!” the round green Autobot exclaimed. “And better now that you’re here!”

The green copterbot clasped their shoulders. “Bulkhead, Wheeljack! I'm happy to see you’ve managed to survive after all this time!”

“Same to you,” Wheeljack, so he was called, replied. 

“Your comrades back at the Well warned us about the Predacons.” The copterbot looked at Predaking, Darksteel, and Skylynx. “They haven’t given you any trouble, have they?”

“None, since we joined sides,” Bulkhead answered. “They’re here to help.”

“May I approach them?”

Predaking scrunched his brows.

“Uhh, yeah. They shouldn’t bite,” Bulkhead said.

The Autobot army shuffled up behind the copterbot as he approached the Predacons. Every bot bore their blasters, and although they weren’t pointed at the Predacons, Predaking huffed at their presence. 

“My name is Springer, second-in-command of the Wreckers,” he introduced himself. “We are a team of Autobots who were entrusted with defending Cybertron in the absence of Optimus Prime.”

“Did you… hear the news?” Bulkhead asked quietly.

“We did,” Springer sighed. “We arrived at the Nemesis, apparently just after you had left. They filled us in. Though we mourn his loss, we cannot get distracted now. Megatron may have renounced his cause and deemed that the Decepticons are done for, but we have no assurance that will be the case. We’ll help you search for ‘Cons and rebuild.”

Predaking clarified, “We are not aligned with the Decepticons, though they created us. We will also provide aid with the construction effort.”

A blue copterbot with a single yellow eye called out, “But you fought for them, didn’t you? And ate some Autobots!”

Springer spun around. “Start nothing, Whirl!”

“Heheh, eating Autobots? That’s a funny idea,” Darksteel chuckled. 

“Well you are Predacons,” Whirl growled. “It’s in the name, so why should I trust you?”

“Nah, these three never ate anyone,” Wheeljack confirmed. “They caused us trouble before, but hopefully that’s the end of it.”

Springer put his hand over Whirl’s eye, which constituted his whole face. He then asked the Predacons, “What are you called?”

“I am Predaking.” He swelled his chest.

“Skylynx.”

“Darksteel.”

“Welcome to the Autobots. We look forward to working with you.”

“We are not Autobots,” Predaking growled. “Consider our faction as the Predacons and nothing more.”

“Alright, as you wish.” Springer shrugged and turned to Bulkhead. “Now, how can the Wreckers help in Iacon? Our fastest fliers are already out hunting for Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and other ‘Cons across Cybertron.”

“We’re already glad to have your help with that,” Bulkhead exhaled.

“We had other trouble with the Forged, so sorry we were late meeting up. We had no communication system either—too low on fuel to power anything. We’re just as glad to have you and all the energon you brought back to Cybertron!”

Predaking registered some Vehicon whispers. Turning his head, he noticed orange-eyed faces peeking out from a building.

“Aight, you can all stop hidin’ and starin’!” Wheeljack waved at the Vehicons. “No one’s gonna shoot you. You can get back to what you were doin’!”

The Vehicons crawled back to work while the Autobots spoke more. Following the Vehicons, the Predacons listened to their whispers.

“What did he mean, Megatron renounced the cause? ”

“Are the Decepticons done for? ”

---

Work continued with the Wreckers dispersing and governing the Vehicons. While the Autobots joined in on the labour, their suspicious eyes and broad bodies intimidated the Vehicons into keeping their heads low. However, when one of the jet Vehicons flew out of Iacon, he was spotted.

Springer shouted at Bulkhead and Wheeljack, “One of your workers just fled the scene!”

Skylynx called, “He’s what they call a ‘newcarrier’! I believe he is just spreading information.”

“To other Decepticons?” Springer growled.

“Probably just to the other Vehicons,” Bulkhead said. “That's not so bad, huh? We want them all to hear about what happened to Megatron, right?”

The Autobots continued construction work, but Springer commanded Whirl to watch from the air to discourage other Vehicons from leaving. All this was forgotten when evening came and a massive boom drowned out the racket of construction. An unmarked grey spaceship with yellow windows dropped below the clouds. Autobots drew their blasters and watched the spaceship land at the edge of the city.

“Friend or foe—what do you think?” Springer called.

“I think friend!” Bulkhead shouted. “Arcee and Smokescreen must’ve sent them here from the Hydrax Plateau!”

Darksteel murmured, “I kind of want to see this. Especially if it’s Decepticons and a fight’ll break out!”

Most of the Wreckers headed toward the spaceship. Transforming, the Predacons flew ahead to watch the interaction. Below the parked spaceship, a single white and blue copterbot already waited at the bottom of a staircase. The lone bot heard their wing flaps and saw the Predacons land in the ruins. He covered his mouth, or the vented mask where his mouth would have been, with an unusually long forearm. He started to back up the stairs, but stopped as the Wreckers arrived.

Wheeljack transformed with the other Autobots. He groaned, “Oh, it’s you.”

“Oh joy, a bigger welcome party than the last!” The copterbot threw open his arms. “Now tell me, you see them too, right?”

He pointed his long arm in the direction of the Predacons.

Wheeljack drawled, “Yes, Froid, those are our new supposed Predacon allies. They can transform and talk too. Try not to freak out.”

Froid jolted. “Really now? Were they created by Shockwave?”

“Yep.”

Bulkhead asked, “So, you know him, Jackie?”

“Yeah, I do,” Wheeljack sighed.

Springer said, “I know him too. Froid was the psychiatrist of the Wreckers after you left.”

“‘Xcept we didn’t need no psychiatrist,” Wheeljack growled. “He just sat around drinking up our energon until Magnus kicked him out.”

Froid’s arms fell and his eyes narrowed. “Well dear, not everyone’s forged to be a brute fighter! And yes, I remember you too. Is anyone going to be friendly to me today?”

“Where’d you get this ship?” Wheeljack questioned. “You got anyone else onboard?”

“No one else, and your comrades already checked.”

“Well maybe we wanna check again.”

Froid waved his arms toward the stairs. “Go for it! Just be quick. I’m exhausted and looking for a place to settle down. Do you have any houses yet? I’m looking to re-establish my office for bots that actually appreciate what I do.”

“You’ll get an apartment and be happy with it,” Wheeljack uttered, heading to the staircase.

Bulkhead patted the air. “Don’t you think you’re being a bit too harsh, Jackie? Maybe it’s just your nerves. He’s not a Decepticon, you see?”

“Hard to be sure. Froid’s never killed a Decepticon, so it’s a little suspicious.”

“With these arms and my condition? I couldn’t harm a zap-mouse,” Froid replied. “And no, I’ll need a house. I’m not setting up my office in an apartment. Imagine! No, no. I want to be accessible from the street, easy to reach, you see?”

Springer sighed and shook his head. “Froid’s not a threat. There are bots who can benefit from his therapy too. I say just give him what he wants and use his ship for travel until the Nemesis is fixed.”

Wheeljack marched into Froid’s ship with a drawn blaster, followed by Whirl who spat, “I don’t trust long-arms here either! I tried his therapy thing and it didn’t even work for me!”

Froid called after him, “Darling, you have to come more than once for it to work!” 

Froid impatiently tapped his foot while waiting. A soft crunch came behind the Predacons and they turned to two Vehicons stumbling through the rumble.

“Autobots are returning already,” one of the Vehicons said.

The Predacons transformed to speak.

“So, there are more Autobots in space?” Skylynx asked.

“Probably many more,” the other Vehicon replied. “There were battles on other planets, but we don’t know who won. So either a lot of Autobots will come home, or Decepticons, or both. Since Optimus sent out a message calling Autobots home, we’ll see them first.”

Wheeljack, Whirl, and a few other Autobots exited the ship. For a few moments, they were wide-eyed and shaky, enough to prompt Springer to ask, “What is it?”

The Autobots’ faces returned to normal.

“We didn’t see anything,” Wheeljack reported. “The place was full of arts n’ crafts though.”

“Of?”

“Blue flowers.”

“Is that it?” Springer asked. “Then why did you look disturbed?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wheeljack replied.

“Whirl?” Springer said.

“I didn’t see anything,” he replied.

“I’m just going to take a look for myself…” Springer decided.

He walked inside; the Predacons watched. When Springer returned, his eyes were huge before they returned to normal size.

“There is nothing dangerous within Froid’s ship,” Springer reported. “And no one else.”

“I told you,” Froid stressed. 

“So uh, there are no houses I can give you right now,” Bulkhead told Froid. “We can get started on some though, since we’ll need them anyway for larger Cybertronians…”

Bulkhead glanced at the Predacons.

“We’ll move your stuff into an apartment for now, alright, Froid?”

Froid nodded, then he stalked into the city with the Wreckers carrying his personal possessions for him.

---

Continue to 2_3 (H)

 

Springer:

Whirl:

Froid:

Notes:

Art:
Springer concept: aecholapis (Tumblr)
Whirl concept: simply0spidey (Ko-Fi)
Froid concept: Emperor Kumquat

Chapter 5: 2_3 (H)

Notes:

✓

At the end of the day, the Predacons joined the Vehicons in their residence while the Autobots retreated to their own. This time, the Predacons sat near the energon tank on small chairs that managed to support their weight. Vehicons filled the seats closest to the Predacons, putting their elbows on the tables and leaning in.

“You came back to our hangout,” one of them said with awe.

Darksteel answered, “We must like you more than those Autobots. They’re kind of annoying, aren’t they? So bossy and nosy!”

“Autobots, always so haughty,” a Vehicon grunted. “They think they’re better than everyone else. And now they get to brag about their leader’s sacrifice like they had something to do with it…”

“You know that their Prime is gone now?” another Vehicon asked them.

“Yes, we actually witnessed what had happened ourselves,” Skylynx replied.

"The Autobots can mope…" the Vehicon muttered.

“You wanna know something?” a Vehicon asked suddenly.

“What is it?” Predaking responded.

“They have the workers down south, in Kaon, working on a prison.”

The Predacons blinked back. Skylynx asked, “Do you believe they will imprison you? Perhaps even us?”

“Not us, but any other Decepticon. Decepticons with names…” the Vehicon replied. “But Kaon used to be the home city of many Decepticons, so it’s like the Autobots have taken over the Decepticon capital just to lock up its residents there. It's an insult.”

“Wow,” Darksteel breathed. “The Autobots really hate Decepticons, huh? I wonder why. Shockwave and Starscream never really explained what the war was about.”

“We all had to learn that,” a Vehicon said. “Before we were created, apparently there was an unjust society on Cybertron. It was a caste system. Few bots lived in luxury; many bots were slaves to provide that luxury. Millions worked in dangerous sites like mines and factories, suffering and dying. Many had no names and believed they weren’t valuable, until Megatron told them they had value. Megatron was one of those slaves, but he inspired others like him to rise up against the privileged higher castes.”

Skylynx said, “So the Decepticons were the slaves and the Autobots the ones with luxurious lives?”

“Mostly,” the Vehicon replied. “The slaves teamed up with Cybertron’s military, so that’s how we got Starscream and the Seekers.”

“Yes,” Predaking interrupted. “I suspected that he had lived a privileged life.”

“We were cloned to help the Decepticons seize control of Cybertron and rewrite all the rules,” a Vehicon said. “The cause seemed right to us.”

“But now I’m not so sure what to believe,” another Vehicon chimed in. “After what you told us, Predaking, I feel like the Decepticons used us. They cared so little about our deaths, like the higher castes cared so little about their deaths in slavery.”

Predaking said, “So the Decepticons were, generally speaking, the oppressed faction. Yet they were not victorious, thus the ones who oppressed them are once again in control.”

“Correct,” a Vehicon muttered. 

“Despite this story,” Predaking commented, “the Autobots I engaged with have not seemed so malignant compared to Megatron.” 

“They are still the same Autobots that made games of killing us clones,” a Vehicon pointed out.

“We Predacons will watch the Autobots,” Predaking told his identical listeners. “If they begin to abuse or terminate you, we Predacons will not stand for it.”

Every Vehicon sat a little straighter. 

“You’d actually protect us?” one asked. “You’d do that?”

Predaking’s spark brightened. Warmth spread through him as he imagined heroically putting himself in harm’s way for those weaker than him. 

“I will protect you and atone for killing your brethren in the past. This, I swear,” Predaking declared. “Are we not like brethren ourselves now?”

If the Vehicons could have smiled, he was sure they would have. They stared at him for a few seconds before rubbing their heads and arms in pleased embarrassment. 

“You are noble,” a Vehicon told Predaking.

Predaking felt even taller as he looked over the troopers. Darksteel and Skylynx, seeking admiration as well, joined in.

“I would stand up for you the same,” Skylynx said.

“If they try to hurt you, I’ll rip their heads off,” Darksteel promised.

---

Full of energon and warmth, the Predacons curled up outside the residence like guardians. Resting on his chin, Predaking considered his feelings for the Autobots and the Decepticons. If the Autobots’ past as told by the Vehicons was true, then they had been horrid. Yet Predaking had been treated mostly with kindness and politeness by the Autobot faction since arriving on Cybertron. And Optimus’ sacrifice was undeniably noble.

The Autobots have not been cruel since taking control of Cybertron. I know Megatron and Starscream would have been cruel rulers. Was their cause once noble but they became dishonourable? Have the roles of the factions reversed, or were certain individuals always honourable or dishonourable no matter their faction?

The flapping of many small wings rose all Predacon heads. A dark cloud drifted over the city, which writhed with life. Grey fuzz balls with wings descended and lightly touched down on the streets. As the Predacons lay still, some of the creatures landed on them. Tiny black paws scurried down their bodies and wiry fur brushed them. Predaking glimpsed red eyes and tails like black cables. When the Predacons turned their heads to get a better look at them, the creatures scattered and dashed for cover.

Interesting… they are pure animals, not bots. The type of creature that the Decepticons once believed Predacons to be.

Different creatures flew into Iacon during the night. In the lightest moments of his sleep, Predaking heard the small flutters of wings and the skittering of claws. By the time morning came, the streets were empty as though the creatures had only been dreamed. The routine resumed and machines powered on, supply trucks drove in and out, and Vehicons and Wreckers worked on unfinished buildings.

Spaceship engines roared again as Froid’s ship was piloted away. Later, Predaking noticed that Bulkhead and Wheeljack were missing. Springer held a datapad and directed the workers in their absence, letting the Predacons go where they pleased. They decided to follow some Vehicons and Wreckers heading away from the city centre. 

“What is your task?” Predaking asked a Vehicon.

“We have to clear out old roads and neighbourhoods,” he replied.  “You can transform to knock everything down and carry the scrap to the trucks.”

Every Predacon eagerly transformed. Charging on all four paws, Darksteel crashed into crumbling walls and tore them to shreds. The Autobots and Vehicons leapt in alarm, which delighted Darksteel more. With a growling laugh, he attacked the ruins even more savagely. 

Predaking couldn’t help but smirk before joining him. All three Predacons separated to rush at small buildings and rip them to the ground. Shrieky laughs escaped even Predaking at the chance to destroy everything around him. He latched onto a wall, tearing it down. Then he froze. Tiny fuzzy creatures burst out, now missing their wings and only able to skitter to safety.

An Autobot hollered and pointed. “Frizz-rats!” 

Faces wrinkled in disgust and some Autobots tried to fire at the creatures, but missed. Predaking swung his head and shrieked at them; the Autobots halted, jaws dropping.

“Whoa, don’t be mad…” an Autobot stammered. “It’s just that they’re destructive mechanimals. They’ll chew through walls and wires…”

Predaking narrowed his eyes then transformed. “Right now you are repairing much greater damage than that, caused by yourselves!”

“They’re pests! And we didn’t destroy Iacon; that was the Decepticons!”

“You will leave the creatures be!” Predaking snapped. 

The Autobots rolled their eyes and muttered. Vehicons glanced at each other, wordlessly sharing a single thought. When Predaking returned to beast mode, he was more careful, hoping to not accidentally harm any animals. Skylynx and Darksteel were just as cautious.

---

At midday, a voice in Predaking’s audio receptor startled him.

“Predaking? Can you hear me?”

It was the respectable black and yellow Autobot. Predaking transformed to respond to him.  “I hear you.”

“Great! We just repaired the comm system on the Nemesis. You are still registered to it, so we’ll be able to contact you. Why don’t you bring your friends over here so we can add them into the system too? ”

Predaking glanced over to Darksteel and Skylynx. “... Very well.”

“Stay where you are. Ground bridges are functional again, so we can send you one right now. ”

“A moment.”

Predaking beckoned Skylynx and Darksteel to him and explained the situation.  When a swirling green portal opened beside them, the trio stepped through it into the control room of the Nemesis. At the end of the catwalk at the controls, the black and yellow Autobots smiled at them with Vehicons at his side. 

Power had been restored to the fallen ship, and the main screen was filled with various camera feeds around the Nemesis. Outside were bustling workers: more Vehicons and a handful of unrecognizable Autobots, perhaps more Wreckers. Beside the Well of All Sparks was a table where Ratchet sat with the Autobot with high shoulders.

“You have certainly not wasted time…” Predaking swallowed the awe from his voice.

“Things are rapidly improving with all the help we’re getting.” The black and yellow Autobot headed to them with round, bright eyes. “The Well produced a wave of animal life and is now producing members of a new generation.”

“Is that so?” Predaking perked up. 

“Seven Cybertronians already, who we’re keeping safe in New Spark.”

Predaking said, “I hope there will be naturally forged Predacons in the new generation.”

“The Well has not produced so much wildlife since the Age of Evolution—the age in which the original Predacons were created. It’s possible that we will witness an equal outpouring of life, one that includes Predacons.”

“Well,” Skylynx said. “In any case, there is still that Predacon who was incubating.”

Predaking spun on him. “Another Predacon?”

“Yes, she is likely fully incubated by now. She may find her way here on her own.”

“Why did you not mention this before?” Predaking snapped.

“It slipped my mind.”

“How could such critical information slip your mind?” he cried. “We shall find this Predacon forthwith!”

“Easy now,” the Autobot said. “We can help you find her. You can stay where you are in the city while our fliers search. I promise we will send this Predacon your way as soon as we find her.”

---

Choice 1: Stay in Iacon......................... Go to 2_4 (H)

Choice 2: Look for the Predacon........... Go to 2_6 (H)

Chapter 6: 2_4 (H)

Notes:

✓

You chose to stay in Iacon

 

A free Predacon could defend themself and wouldn’t need his protection. Predaking calmed his impatience and reminded himself of his duty. He had to make sure no harm befell the Vehicons.

“I will entrust you with this task if you swear that she will be delivered safely to us,” Predaking said. 

The black and yellow Autobot assured him, “When we find her, I will calmly communicate with her so there are no misunderstandings.”

“If you are the one to handle the interaction, I trust there will be no issue…”

As he said this, Predaking’s spark fluttered with worry. He had never relinquished control to someone else before. However, the Autobot’s steady blue eyes seemed to promise him that everything would be alright.

Another Predacon…a fourth Predacon! Predaking leaned into his excitement in an attempt to snuff his fear.

“We will return to Iacon and wait,” Predaking concluded.

“Thank you,” the Autobot sighed. “We really appreciate your help there with the construction project.”

The black and yellow Autobot quickly registered Skylynx’s and Darksteel’s sparks, then he punched a comm chip into the metal next to their audio receptors.

“Ow!” Darksteel growled and rubbed the spot. He checked the tips of his claws, expecting that he had scratched the chip away, but it was now buried in a tiny hole in his head.

“If you can still track me,” Predaking said, “then why can you not track Megatron, Shockwave, and Starscream?”

“Shockwave and Starscream seem to have shielded their life signals,” the Autobot replied. “As for Megatron, we were able to track him while he was possessed by Unicron, but since we repaired the tracking systems… nothing. He must have found a way to shield his spark as well.”

Predaking yearned to search for Megatron and finish their fight once and for all. Then, thoughts of the Vehicons he had killed flooded his brain. He had hurt far too many in his rampage for Megatron. Now, he longed to head back to protect them.

“Hm, may your searches yield success,” Predaking told him.

With their business here finished, the three Predacons took the ground bridge back to Iacon.

---

Predaking could hardly stay calm and work on the construction site. His trembling arms and legs caused him to sway, dropping materials right beside Vehicons. They jumped in alarm, and one asked, “Are you alright?”

“Better,” he replied. “There will be a fourth Predacon! The Autobots are searching for her as we speak.”

"Oh, congratulations to you!"

The sun travelled painfully slow across the sky as Predaking kept checking it. Still there was no word. Later however, the voice of the black and yellow Autobot came through the comms of the Autobots.

“‘Bots of Iacon, be alert! A small spacecraft is heading your way and isn’t responding to calls.”

The Wreckers jolted and searched around for Springer. He wasn’t in sight of the Predacons, but his voice replied through the Autobots’ comms:

“I want all fliers to meet on top of the main Autobot residence. Everyone else, stand by. ”

Darksteel said, “I’m a flier—I’m going!”

He transformed and took off. Eager for something to distract him, Predaking flew after him. All the Predacons arrived and baffled Springer.

“Are you here to help?” he asked.

The Predacons growled in acknowledgement.

“Alright… It can’t hurt,” Springer said.

Whirl glared at the Predacons.

“Cosmos is following the ship,” the black and yellow Autobot said on the comms. “It looks like they are going to land in the Kali-Con Plain.”

“Let’s go!” Springer called.

The few Autobot copters headed out with the Predacons following behind. With their mighty escorts, it seemed that Springer felt no need for a ground team. The city of Iacon shrunk behind them and in a large flat silver plain, they found the small spaceship squatting on the land.

That is nothing, Predaking thought. The ship was much smaller than Froid’s had been. He alone could have torn it and the six exiting occupants apart. 

Each new bot was winged, but while Predaking thought, Decepticon Seekers, Springer called, “They’re Autobots! I recognize them.”

The copter Autobots retracted their blasters and peacefully descended vertically. Although they transformed, showing Autobot insignias to fellow wearers of the badge, the Predacons startled the new arrivals.

“Primus! What are those freaky things?” a beige and green Seeker snarled.

“Predacons, I think!” a red Seeker exclaimed.

“Experiments of Shockwave?” the same big beige and green Seeker growled.

Predaking parted his teeth and growled. 

“Our Predacon allies!” Springer called. “Only here as back up as we were unable to contact you.”

“Unable? More like, Sunrunner was too scared to respond,” a black and red flier with wheels chuckled.

“Well I thought it was a trap!” Sunrunner cried. “The message said 'land at the spaceport', but what if that message was Soundwave mimicking Optimus’ voice, huh?”

A green Seeker added, “So we decided to land here instead and have enough time to retreat if trouble came to meet us.”

“It’s alright,” Springer replied. “I assure you, the War is over. Megatron has even renounced the Decepticon cause.”

“Huh? But that message you sent out said he was dead!” Sunrunner shouted. “He isn’t?”

“No, it turns out that he isn’t. But we have control of Cybertron and fresh energon. So we’re going to find the last members of the Decepticon high command and put them behind bars.”

“Better just to kill them,” Sunrunner muttered.

“Our orders are to capture. If you wish to help, then I suggest you join Jetfire on his mission to find Megatron, Starscream, and Shockwave.”

Sunrunner frowned and nodded. “If they are on this planet, I won’t rest until I find them.”

“Jetfire was patrolling the eastern hemisphere. If we get you registered with the Nemesis ’ comm system, then you can get into contact with him and meet up.”

“You have control of the Decepticon warship?” the red Seeker laughed.

“We do, and its ground bridge system.”

“Alright, we’ll take our ship to the landing site after all,” Sunrunner declared. “Then, we’ll begin the hunt for Starscream!”

As the Autobot fliers marched back into their ship, Springer updated all Autobots.

“The vessel was not carrying Decepticons. Sunrunner, Powerglide, Cromar, Highfire, Barrell Roll, and Road Rage did not believe Optimus’ message was legitimate, thus chose to avoid the spaceport. They are heading there now and will then be joining Jetfire’s search for Decepticons on Cybertron.”  

Predaking hoped that with more fliers searching the planet, they may come across his missing sibling. All he could do now was wait, but unfortunately, this meant the rest of the day and night.

---

Continue to 2_5 (H)

Chapter 7: 2_5 (H)

Notes:

✓

The sun had just peeked over the horizon when Predaking received the call.

“Predaking? ”

Predaking’s current load dropped from his hands with a crash.

“Yes?” he responded. 

“We found the Predacon! There was no trouble at all; we had a peaceful interaction and she already knew how to transform. I’ll send you a ground bridge now.”

Predaking dove through the portal as soon as it came. Skidding into the Nemesis, he halted before the Predacon who stood between the black and yellow Autobot and a large Seeker.

Predaking’s eyes skipped over the Autobots to instead soak in the new Predacon’s features. She had a wonderfully savage face, tightly folded red wings, and aquamarine plates decked out with lethal spikes. Her bot form looked much more ruthless than those of their brethren, but as a member of the same formidable species, Predaking could only find pride in this fact. 

Although her biolights were the typical yellow, her red pupils surprised him. They sliced her yellow eyes like red cuts, but as she hurried toward Predaking, they expanded into excited orbs. 

“You are Predaking, are you not?” She grabbed his arms and shot him a smile full of needle-like teeth. “Leader of the Predacons?”

Predaking’s chest swelled and the corners of his mouth lifted. He flashed a pleased glance at the black and yellow Autobot. 

“Indeed I am.” He clasped the sharp plates of her shoulders. “And what shall you be called?”

“Ripclaw,” she answered.

“A strong and suitable name,” Predaking approved.

“My leader, I heard there are others like us and that you would take me to them!”

 “Yes, I will gladly introduce you. But first, tell me about Shockwave. Will he clone more of us?”

“Shockwave…” Her expression softened. “Our kind creator taught me how to transform so that I could communicate with others. He told me to find others like me, that they would care for me…” Ripclaw frowned. “But then he said he was going away to live on his own. I wanted to stay with him more than I wanted to leave. He insisted, however…”

The black and yellow Autobot interjected, “We already sent a group to scout out the location. Shockwave is gone.”

The Autobot Seeker stepped in. Predaking finally glanced his way and was unsettled how his height matched Predaking’s own. “But he couldn’t have gone far. A flier will surely catch sight of him soon.”

“What will you do with him?” Predaking asked.

“Imprison him, until we can give him a trial,” the black and yellow Autobot replied.

The Seeker crossed his arms. “Then promptly lock him back up.”

“Where?” Predaking asked.

The small Autobot replied, “We will soon have some secure cells available. In the meantime, anyone else would have to be put into stasis.”

“Don’t forget, Bumblebee, my inhibitor collars,” the Seeker added. 

“What are those things you just mentioned?” Ripclaw asked. “You will not harm Shockwave, correct?”

Bumblebee replied, “No. We would never intentionally harm a prisoner.”

The Autobot Seeker said, “Stasis locks bots in a state of unconsciousness.”

“And the ‘inhibitor collar’?”

The Seeker told her, “It disrupts T-Cog signals. Decepticons wearing them cannot transform or manifest their weapons. Trying to remove them will cause them to detonate, but of course, we will warn them well of that.”

“You would place such a dangerous device on Shockwave?” Ripclaw’s chest expanded. “He may be your enemy, but he does not deserve such treatment!”

“The Autobots he experimented on would disagree,” the Seeker sighed. “You are too young to understand; he did not make you out of the kindness of his spark. Shockwave created you to take advantage of your destructive capabilities.”

“Go easy on them, Jetfire,” Bumblebee said. “They don’t know the whole story.”

Jetfire nodded. “They don’t. Once the Dinobots have finished their hunt, we ought to arrange a meeting so that the Predacons fully understand Shockwave’s sins against life.”

Predaking could say nothing to defend Shockwave. For all he knew, Shockwave had agreed with Megatron’s plan to terminate the Predacons on Earth…

He turned the bristling Ripclaw around to face him. “Do not argue with them. Perhaps Shockwave is not who he seems, but rest assured, he will not be harmed or killed.”

Ripclaw clamped her fangs shut. Meanwhile, the Autobots relaxed and gazed at Predaking with appreciative blue eyes.

“Predaking,” Jetfire said. “We need to discuss something. We were told that you released Starscream and could potentially be able to track him.”

“My decision is firm. The Predacons will no longer have anything to do with Starscream.” 

“Look at what he did to your optic!” Jetfire urged. “I know Starscream. When he feels threatened, he lashes out and hurts others. He can do worse than what he did to you.”

“Then leave him,” Predaking muttered. “If it is true that Starscream only reacts aggressively when threatened, why pursue him? Regardless, I see no reason to be concerned about him. He is weak and manageable…”

“Once again, there is more you do not know,” Jetfire answered. “There are things Starscream has done—reasons why he should stand trial and face punishment.”

“I am weary of notions of revenge. Perhaps Starscream can be given one last chance to change for the better, and if he squanders it, then he can be captured.”

“This isn’t about revenge,” Bumblebee butted in. “This is about justice.”

“I do not see the difference.” Impatient to leave, Predaking changed the subject. “Does Ripclaw have a communication link?”

Jetfire ground his face into his hand. “Why is he so stubborn? He could locate Starscream at this very moment!”

“We’ve been through this already,” Bumblebee sighed.

Predaking idly sensed Starscream’s distant location, huffed, and continued to withhold the information.

“Do not make me ask again about Ripclaw.”

Bumblebee slouched in defeat. “No, not yet.”

“Have it done. We will return to Iacon following the installation.”

Jetfire grumbled to Bumblebee while he worked, “This is ridiculous. All our forces are spread out and wasting their time tracking these Decepticons…”

Bumblebee didn’t answer and clipped Ripclaw with a comm chip.

“Are we done?” Predaking uttered.

“Yes,” he said.

“Good. Now send us back.”

Bumblebee nodded. Jetfire shifted his jaw as he watched a portal open up for the Predacons.

“Wait, Predaking. One more thing,” the Seeker announced.

Predaking took a step, then paused.

“Thank you for letting Starscream go instead of hurting him,” Jetfire continued. “Though it may be hard to believe—and many would ridicule me for saying so—I never wanted to see him killed. He was my friend long ago.”

A friend of Starscream? Predaking’s frown eased. There really is much I do not know about this war.

Once Predaking and Ripclaw had stepped through the portal, she whirled around and demanded, “So who exactly is this Starscream?”

Predaking gave a basic summary of the War as they strolled around the construction site. Ripclaw furrowed her brows, listening attentively while gazing around at the workers. He even explained to her what had happened to his eye. When he spotted Skylynx and Darksteel at the top of a building, he transformed to beast mode and flew toward them. Ripclaw followed him and together they landed on the rooftop.

“Hello, my brethren!” Ripclaw exclaimed. “Call me Ripclaw.”

The others introduced themselves.

“Call me Darksteel.”

“Skylynx.”

“So, this is where we’ll live?” Ripclaw looked over the edge of the building. “And with these two previously warring factions?”

Predaking said, “For now, there is peace, and we shall help keep that peace.”

“I just don’t get it. The Autobots and Decepticons killed members of our kind, but now they are being nice to us? Did they think killing us was the only way for them to survive?” 

Predaking frowned deeper at the notion, but he hardly wanted to excuse the murder of the Predacons. Yet in his spark, he had already started to understand why the Autobots had done what they had. 

 A jet engine boomed, but Predaking did not look up at first, expecting only a flying Vehicon. 

“Monsters!”

They glanced up at a blue and red jet which now circled them, hurling insults.

“Shockwave’s vile creations! And ancient demons who ought to be extinct!”

---

Continue to 2_8 (H)

 

Ripclaw:

Jetfire:

Notes:

Art:
Meeting Ripclaw: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Bumblebee and Jetfire: corvuskidd (Tumblr)
Ripclaw concepts: Emperor Kumquat (with Misfire for size by Mynametia)
Jetfire concept: demiigod.insta (Instagram)

Chapter 8: 2_6 (H)

Notes:

✓

You chose to look for the Predacon

 

Excitement set Predaking’s spark aflutter. The last thing he had expected was another living Predacon out there, just waiting to be found!

“Skylynx,” Predaking pressed. “Where was she incubated? We will start there.”

“North, somewhere near Iacon, I believe,” he answered. 

“Then we will return there and begin our search. We will need a portal.”

“Before you go anywhere,” the black and yellow Autobot said, “let’s put Skylynx and Darksteel into the system.” 

The black and yellow Autobot quickly registered Skylynx’s and Darksteel’s sparks, then he punched a comm chip into the metal next to their audio receptors.

“Ow!” Darksteel growled and rubbed the spot. He checked the tips of his claws, expecting that he had scratched the chip away, but it was now buried in a tiny hole in his head.

“Come now,” Predaking commanded. “We will begin our search.”

The black and yellow Autobot granted them a portal back to Iacon. From there, Skylynx took the lead. Once the Predacons soared away from the crowds and the noise of construction, suddenly the world seemed massive and eerily empty. To the west, Predaking noticed distant shimmering pyramids, but Skylynx headed straight north to a small expanse of ruins. It was certainly no city, and they passed over strange decaying loops of metal. Predaking wondered what sort of place this had been, until Skylynx led them to a pair of heavy sealed doors. 

They transformed. Darksteel pounded at the doors and yelled, “Hey! It’s us!”

There was no answer. 

“Is this Shockwave’s laboratory?” Predaking asked.

“Yes,” Skylynx replied.

Predaking stepped through them, jammed his claws between the doors, and tore them open. Sunlight slipped into the dark room and dimly lit up objects and surfaces. Stomping inside, Predaking smacked his palms against a cold empty cloning tube. 

“She is already gone,” Predaking uttered.

He peered around as though she might be crouching in the dark. Instead, he saw only hollow energon containers and mostly empty shelves. It looked like Shockwave had packed up whatever he needed and departed.

Where have they gone? Did Shockwave take her with him?

Predaking marched back outside. Transforming to beast mode, he gave the ground and air a sniff. His sense of smell wasn’t strong, but he could tell that Shockwave had driven away in the opposite direction of Iacon. He also detected an unfamiliar Predacon scent, but he could only tell where she had taken off. After that, she was gone with the wind. 

Deciding to follow Shockwave, Predaking galloped after the smell of his treads. The Predacons left the ruins for an open rusty metal plain, but immediately, the sharp odour of rust erased Shockwave’s trail. Growling, Predaking led his brethren into the sky and searched the ground from above. There was no sign of Shockwave or the Predacon. 

Letting out a screech, Predaking hoped that Shockwave or the fourth Predacon could hear them. Maybe it wasn’t too late to find Shockwave and secretly work with him to clone even more Predacons. 

Predaking flew into the cold winds, picking up the pace and shooting over the grey lands. His eyes snapped to everything that moved: flocks of small animals in the sky, crawling animals on the ground, and even flowing rivers or rolling pieces of rubble. Any large lump of metal was examined, but they lacked the elegant wings of a Predacon. When they glided over cities, Predaking shrieked to summon his new sister from the silent dark interiors of old, blasted buildings.

As the sun rolled over their backs then dipped toward the horizon, Skylynx and Darksteel lagged behind Predaking. Darksteel released long, shrieky groans trying to get Predaking’s attention, but he gave him no heed. They pressed on. Eventually, a large black mass consumed the distant land. Chittering curiously, they swept down and landed at the edge of it.

Peculiar structures emerged from the ground, like the larger versions of the green growths Predaking had seen on Earth. Inky black pillars stood taller than the Predacons and formed a roof of branches and dark needles. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the roof, allowing for a hidden dark world where numerous glowing eyes peered back at them.

Wondering if the fourth Predacon could be exploring this unusual place, Predaking let out another screech that bounced off the black pillars. Animals cried out in alarm and scrambled for shelter, but no Predacon appeared.

Skylynx transformed. “Do you not see that this is a vain effort? You cannot even be sure she headed this way.”

Darksteel also transformed. “Yeah. We should’ve just waited for her to find us.”  

“Or for an Autobot to find her,” Skylynx said. 

Predaking changed to bot-form. “We could be close.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Darksteel replied. “But I’m tired, and we could’ve been hanging out with the Vehicons right about now…” He trailed off and stepped into the dark biome. “This place is pretty interesting though. We could explore it a bit while we’re here.”

Predaking suggested, “Perhaps we can see how far it extends, while still searching for our sister.”

Returning to beast mode, Predaking encouraged the others to fly with him over the black mass of spiky growths. The moons in the sky cast powerful silver light over the Predacons. After one more shriek, Predaking hurled a striking orange beam across the night sky. After a pause, Skylynx and Darksteel joined him in slicing the darkness with Predacon fire.

A large spiky shape prowled from the northern edge of the black mass. Yellow lights glowed on its body and a long tail dragged behind it. Giant wings unfurled, allowing Predaking to recognize the figure before she blasted a fourth beam of flame into the sky.

It is her!

She shot into the sky with long velvety wings that reminded Predaking of his own. When she flew into the moonlight, vibrant colours of red, green, and aquamarine struck them. She was as bold as her plating, speeding fearlessly toward them. The red slits of her pupils pierced them and spikes charged from her neck to her tail and down each leg. A long tail swung behind her with a thick pincered end, which looked as though it could snatch up any Autobot or Vehicon.

She slowed and hovered with them, wearing the same Predacon insignia on her chest. Growling excitedly, she flew a circle around them, before the others growled playfully too and gave chase. They formed a ring, flying in circles after each other’s tails both long and short. Each then began to screech and roar in their own cries, flying at each other and engaging in mock battle. But since the fourth Predacon was armed with spikes, they were careful to not stab themselves fighting her.

Finally, Predaking slipped away, wiggling through the air in serpentine curls. The others flew after him in swoops, speeding ahead of him, dropping behind, or kicking off his back. The whole way back to Iacon, they played and forgot their fatigue and thirst. Any Wreckers out patrolling at the time shouted in alarm, but the Predacons passed by harmlessly. Predaking, Skylynx, and Darksteel landed outside the Vehicon residence, transforming to bot mode.

[The aquamarine and red Predacon transformed. She was just as large as Skylynx and Darksteel, but looked even more intimidating with a beastly face even in bot mode. She had a thick jaw and a wide mouth filled with sharp silver teeth.]

She asked, “You are Predaking, leader of the Predacons?”

“Indeed, I am.” He clasped the sharp plates of her shoulders. “And what shall you be called?”

“Ripclaw,” she answered.

“A strong and suitable name,” Predaking approved.

The others introduced themselves.

“Mine’s Darksteel.”

“Skylynx.”

“Predaking,” Ripclaw said, “why is your optic covered? Is it still there?”

“It is still there. I received a wound when dealing with a Decepticon. It is nothing to be concerned about; it will heal and the patch will be removed.” He changed the subject. “I see you are already familiar with transformation.”

“Our kind creator taught me how to transform so that I could communicate with others. He also told me to find others like me, that they would care for me…” 

“Where is Shockwave now? Do you know?” Predaking asked.

Ripclaw frowned. “No. He went away, saying he was going to live on his own. I wanted to stay with him more than I wanted to leave. He insisted, however…”

“That is a shame,” Predaking sighed. “I had hoped that he would clone more of us. We are the only four Predacons on Cybertron. However, perhaps more will be forged from the Well of All Sparks.”

“If there were more of us, that would be fun,” Ripclaw replied. “But first, I must acquaint myself with you! And I see that we are not the only bots here. There are non-beastly Cybertronians here, the same kind as our creator.”

“Some of them are our haughty allies, the Autobots,” Skylynx said. “You will meet the more pleasant ones, the purple Vehicon clones.”

They opened the doors and went inside the residence. At this time, most Vehicons had gone to their quarters to rest. However, the few still seated in the room jolted and gasped when the new Predacon entered the room.

“Who are you?” they gasped.

---

Continue to 2_7 (H)

 

Ripclaw:

Notes:

Art:
Ripclaw concepts: Emperor Kumquat (with Misfire for size by Mynametia)

Chapter 9: 2_7 (H)

Notes:

✓

Ripclaw was wholeheartedly accepted by the Vehicons, who gave her a summary of the War so that she would understand the world she had just stepped into. All the Predacons refuelled on energon before lying on the street outside for a quick rest. Ripclaw crept toward their pile of intertwined wings and tails, and the three other Predacons stiffened in apprehension until she retracted her dangerous spikes or lay them flat. 

She wrapped her body around Skylynx and Darksteel. As the pile grew, so did the joy in Predaking’s spark. 

The typical racket of construction woke the Predacons, but they opened their eyes to see Autobots standing before them who had not dared to wake them: Springer, Whirl, other Wreckers, Autobots from Earth like the blue and yellow one and the tiny blue one, and even the red Decepticon Knockout.

Slowly separating, the Predacons stretched and gazed at their audience. Most Autobots went on their way, but Springer remained with the ever suspicious Whirl.

“I see you found a new companion,” Springer observed. 

The Predacons transformed. Springer stepped closer to Ripclaw and nodded diplomatically. “My name is Springer, second-in-command of the Autobot force called ‘the Wreckers’.”

“I am Ripclaw,” she said.

“Welcome to Iacon. Before you get started, Bumblebee wanted to put you in the comm system so you can be contacted at any time or you can contact us in case of emergency. Also, Predaking, there’s an Autobot who would like to talk to you.”

Skylynx and Darksteel elected to stay behind while Predaking and Ripclaw stepped through a ground bridge. The black and yellow Autobot stood once again by the front controls of the Nemesis, but this time beside him was a giant white and red Seeker as tall as a Predacon.                                                                                                                         

“So, you found her!” the black and yellow Autobot exclaimed.

The Seeker stepped forward. “Was she with Shockwave?”

“No,” Predaking replied. “It seems that Shockwave has departed to live on his own.”

“Shockwave couldn’t have gone far. A flier will surely catch sight of him soon.”

“What will you do with him if he is found?” Predaking asked.

“Imprison him, until we can give him a trial,” the black and yellow Autobot replied.

The Seeker crossed his arms. “Then promptly lock him back up.”

“Where?” Predaking asked.

The small Autobot replied, “We will soon have some secure cells available. In the meantime, anyone we capture will have to be put into stasis.”

“Don’t forget, Bumblebee, my inhibitor collars,” the Seeker added.

“What are those things you just mentioned?” Ripclaw asked. “You will not harm Shockwave, correct?”

Bumblebee replied, “No. We would never intentionally harm a prisoner.”

The Autobot Seeker said, “Stasis locks bots in a state of unconsciousness.”

“And the ‘inhibitor collar’?”

The Seeker told her, “It disrupts T-Cog signals. Decepticons wearing them cannot transform or manifest their weapons. Trying to remove them will cause them to detonate, but of course, we will warn them well of that.”

“You would place such a dangerous device on Shockwave?” Ripclaw’s chest expanded. “He may be your enemy, but he does not deserve such treatment!”

“The Autobots he experimented on would disagree,” the Seeker sighed. “You are too young to understand; he did not make you out of the kindness of his spark. Shockwave created you to take advantage of your destructive capabilities.”

“Go easy on them, Jetfire,” Bumblebee said. “They don’t know the whole story.”

Jetfire nodded. “They don’t. Once the Dinobots have finished their hunt, we ought to arrange a meeting so that the Predacons fully understand Shockwave’s sins against life.”

Predaking could say nothing to defend Shockwave. For all he knew, Shockwave had agreed with Megatron’s plan to terminate the Predacons on Earth…

He turned the bristling Ripclaw around to face him. “Do not argue with them. Perhaps Shockwave is not who he seems, but rest assured, he will not be harmed or killed.”

Ripclaw clamped her fangs shut. Meanwhile, the Autobots relaxed and gazed at Predaking with appreciative blue eyes.

“Predaking,” Jetfire said. “We need to discuss something. We were told that you released Starscream and could potentially be able to track him.”

“My decision is firm. The Predacons will no longer have anything to do with Starscream.” 

“Look at what he did to your optic!” Jetfire urged. “I know Starscream. When he feels threatened, he lashes out and hurts others. He can do worse than what he did to you.”

“Then leave him,” Predaking muttered. “If it is true that Starscream only reacts aggressively when threatened, why pursue him? Regardless, I see no reason to be concerned about him. He is weak and manageable…”

“Once again, there is more you do not know,” Jetfire answered. “There are things Starscream has done—reasons why he should stand trial and face punishment.”

“I am weary of notions of revenge. Perhaps Starscream can be given one last chance to change for the better, and if he squanders it, then he can be captured.”

“This isn’t about revenge,” Bumblebee butted in. “This is about justice.”

“I do not see the difference.” Impatient to leave, Predaking changed the subject. “Does Ripclaw have a communication link?”

Jetfire ground his face into his hand. “Why is he so stubborn? He could locate Starscream at this very moment!”

“We’ve been through this already,” Bumblebee sighed.

Predaking idly sensed Starscream’s distant location, huffed, and continued to withhold the information.

“Do not make me ask again about Ripclaw.”

Bumblebee slouched in defeat. “No, not yet.”

“Have it done. We will return to Iacon following the installation.”

Jetfire grumbled to Bumblebee while he worked, “This is ridiculous. All our forces are spread out and wasting their time tracking these Decepticons…”

Bumblebee didn’t answer and clipped Ripclaw with a comm chip.

“Are we done?” Predaking uttered.

“Yes,” Bumblebee said.

“Good. Now send us back.”

Bumblebee nodded. Jetfire shifted his jaw as he watched a portal open up for the Predacons.

“Wait, Predaking. One more thing,” the Seeker announced.

Predaking took a step, then paused.

“Thank you for letting Starscream go instead of hurting him,” Jetfire continued. “Though it may be hard to believe—and many would ridicule me for saying so—I never wanted to see him killed. He was my friend long ago.”

A friend of Starscream? Predaking’s frown eased. There is still much I do not know about this war.

Once Predaking and Ripclaw had stepped through the portal, she growled, “Wasn’t Starscream the second-in-command of the Decepticons? If he hurt you and is such a big enemy to the Autobots, our allies, why not just capture him?”

“I am tired of Starscream. He has been a pest for my entire existence. Now, he can be someone else’s problem.”

“I could find him,” Ripclaw suggested.

“You cannot track him without his energon. Besides, I want you to stay with us in Iacon. We are your brethren; we belong together.”

“Alright…” Ripclaw then said, “The Autobots don’t seem as bad as I was told, at least. The Vehicons say they killed them for fun, but now the Autobots are working with them peacefully. They can’t be that cruel, then.”

Predaking frowned. “They certainly slaughtered Vehicons during the War. And remember what they did to the Predacons on Earth.”

Of course, he had told her. She had been furious last night, but Predaking had urged her to respect the new alliance.

“I just don’t get it. They killed us, but now they are being nice to us?” Ripclaw pondered. “Did they think killing us was the only way for them to survive?”

Predaking frowned deeper at the notion, but he hardly wanted to excuse the murder of the Predacons. Yet in his spark, he had already started to understand why the Autobots had done what they did. 

They looked around for Darksteel and Skylynx, then spotted them at the top of a building. Predaking and Ripclaw flew up to the roof where Skylynx and Darksteel waited. Together, they observed the mixed group of labouring Autobots and Decepticons.

“I understand that we will be rebuilding. But what are the buildings for?” Ripclaw asked.

Predaking had never asked that question, assuming everything would be for housing.

Skylynx pointed around them. “I know. Residence buildings to house bots… Hospital… Over there will be the new public Hall of Records… And over there will be a neighbourhood of houses for larger or needier bots.”

 A jet engine boomed, but Predaking did not look up, expecting it to only be a flying Vehicon. 

“Monsters!”

They glanced up at a blue and red jet which now circled them, hurling insults.

“Shockwave’s vile creations! And ancient demons who ought to be extinct!”

---

Continue to 2_8 (H)

 

Jetfire:

Notes:

Art:
Predacon cuddle pile: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Bumblebee and Jetfire: corvuskidd (Tumblr)
Jetfire concept: demiigod.insta (Instagram)

Chapter 10: 2_8 (H)

Notes:

✓

“Who is that?” Ripclaw snarled.

“Do not engage,” Predaking uttered. “That may be an Autobot.”

“So what?” Darksteel growled.

Ripclaw shouted, “Come here and say all that to our faces, you horrible snob!”

To Predaking’s surprise, the Autobot transformed and dropped down in front of the four Predacons. Fearlessly, he waved a large white gun at them.

“Horrible? Look who’s talking, ugly beast!” the Autobot flier snapped. “You’re just Decepticon weapons! None of us actually want you here!”

She cried, “You think you can just insult us without consequence?”

“I just say the things others are too scared to say!”

Springer rushed up in copter-form and landed between the Predacons and the Seeker. “Devcon! We told you that the Predacons were our allies! What possessed you to aggravate them?”

“Oh, shut it, Springer,” Devcon hissed. “Bloody Predacons? As allies? We should all turn against them and blast them to smithereens! We can take them together!”

“You dare?” Predaking cried.

“I am sorry.” Springer threw out his hands. “Devcon here has a few screws loose. This is the second fight he’s started since arriving last night, and I’ve been needing to keep an eye on him.”

Springer latched onto the Seeker’s arm.

“You’re more trouble than those Combaticons,” Springer growled. “No more flying around. You are coming with me, and that is an order from a superior officer!”

“Scrap that,” Devcon muttered, though he did not pull against Springer’s grip. He raised his voice so it carried down to the bots on the ground. “These are Predacons! These are experiments of Shockwave! I don’t care what Bumblebee thinks, these creatures are carnivorous monsters of the past and the War! Shockwave made them to kill us Autobots! What kind of instincts do you imagine they have?”

“Shut up already!” Ripclaw snapped. “I don’t even know you! I never even fought in your stupid war!” 

“Silence him,” Predaking hissed at Springer.

“Come with me,” Springer commanded Devcon.

The two Autobots transformed and flew away from the construction site.

Darksteel said, “If he wanted to see a monster, I could have shown him one.”

The annoyed Predacons returned to work, this time helping with the construction of Iacon’s new houses. While raising walls, Predaking seethed from their experience with Devcon. If it weren’t for the reliable friendly company of the Vehicons, Predaking might have left the city to either track down Shockwave or live in the wilderness.

---

That night as the Predacons sat in the Vehicon residence, introducing Ripclaw to those who wished to greet her, a new guest entered the building. Short in stature but gleaming to attract attention, all eyes fell onto Knockout. 

“Bonsoir, gentlemen,” he purred. 

He glided through the room and took a seat by the energon tank. Slowly, he filled up a cup for himself, smirking in the silence. After putting a casual elbow on the table and taking a sip of his drink, Knockout spoke again.

“So, any of you interested in body modifications?”

He drank again, letting his listeners process his words. However, he looked only at the Vehicons and not the Predacons. 

“You don’t have to be purple anymore, you know,” Knockout continued. “Decepticon traditionalist colours. On the contrary, you could be any colour you like. Or perhaps, any form you like. What do you say?”

A Vehicon asked, “What exactly are you offering?”

Knockout rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’m offering to change your bodies, however you like. I could change your colours, slim you or bulk you up. Maybe even give you a new alt mode.”

“However we want?” another Vehicon echoed.

If the Vehicons’ eyes could have widened, Predaking felt sure that they would have. They glanced at each other, but then silence dragged on as no one had a response.

A wheeled Vehicon beside Knockout stood up.

“My fellows. For a long time, I never aspired to be different. Same as you. But now that the War is over, and Megatron and Starscream are gone, we are free to be bots of our own.”

The Vehicon’s face split and revealed two rows of sharp orange teeth. Everyone in the room jumped in surprise, save for Knockout. The red bot coolly drank more energon.

“I am a Cybertronian equal to any other. I have altered my appearance to demonstrate my individuality. Call me Altero.”

All other Vehicons froze in place. Something struck them profoundly in a way the Predacons did not understand. Looking around, the Predacons were surprised by how long the Vehicons simply stared at the fanged Vehicon. 

Predaking realized, None of them have ever been named.

Finally, the Vehicons whispered the name over and over.

“Alter… o? What is ‘o’?” Darksteel asked.

Altero lifted a finger. “That would be the masculine suffix in some Earth languages.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, don’t you worry,” Altero hushed. “I just thought that Earth had interesting things to offer. I believe all we Vehicons perused their ‘Internet’ and learned about their cultures, activities, and cinema…  in our boredom. We can borrow from them. And when it comes to names, we can hold names that no other Cybertronian has ever held.”

Altero whisked his arms to point to Knockout. 

“Dream, my fellows. And we will make your dreams reality. I will greatly reward the doctor for his services.”

Altero’s faceplates locked back into place. He looked no different than any other Vehicon around him. It left everyone buzzing from the shock, questioning if they had just imagined everything. Yet there Altero stood, his chin raised higher than any other Vehicon normally held it. Perhaps it was Predaking’s imagination, perhaps not, but his eyes seemed to glow a little stronger. He radiated difference and walked with swagger out the exit.

After the mysterious Vehicon had departed, Knockout headed out as well.

“I’ll be stationing myself in one of those new Iaconian homes,” Knockout said. “You’ll find me. I know you’ll be looking!”

He winked, then vanished.

Whispers of bewilderment rushed from the Vehicons. They bounced in their seats and twisted around, seeking guidance from one another.

Darksteel exclaimed, “That sounds great! I think you should definitely do it. Why not?”

The Vehicons stared at the Predacons.

Ripclaw added, “It sounds like a great idea. You can be whoever you want to be.”

“If you have your own looks,” Skylynx said, “the Autobots will probably respect you more.”

“Most certainly,” Predaking punctuated. “And each of you can become acquainted on an individual level.”

The concept seemed to blow their minds. 

“What colour would we even want to be?” one whispered.

“I suppose you have rarely considered ‘I’, that is to say, personal identities,” Predaking rumbled. 

A Vehicon pondered loudly, “We spent so much time discovering ‘we’, a feat in itself to realize our community and the suffering we face. ‘I’ is new, but it is something we have been discovering. We speak differently, vary in our skills, and have different opinions. We have our own sparks. So, why not be like Altero and show the world that we are each our own bot?”

“Still Vehicons, but individuals,” another Vehicon agreed. 

As Vehicons spoke up and encouraged each other, the general consensus was that they would retain a Vehicon look no matter what modifications they made. They did not want to abandon their community to look the same as the Cybertronians who had looked down on them. 

“I will go first!” one jet Vehicon cried. “And I will be called… Ciel!”

“What’s that?” Darksteel asked.

“The word français for Sky.”

“The what?”

---

Continue to 2_9 (H)

 

Devcon:

Notes:

Art:
Knockout and the Vehicons: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Devcon concept: Darija (darija-morgan on Tumblr)

Chapter 11: 2_9 (H)

Notes:

✓

The next day, the Predacons followed a group of Vehicons in their search for Knockout. They found him waiting on the steps of a red metal house within the new neighbourhood.

“Hello, boys,” Knockout drawled. “I was hoping some of you would show. There's a lot of things I need moved before I can get started.”

As it turned out, this meant carrying Knockout to the Nemesis and transporting his supplies. Knockout looked expectantly at Predaking, who first growled then stopped when the Vehicons looked at him hopefully. After transforming, he sighed in beast mode and let Knockout climb onto him.

On their way out of the city, Whirl zipped after them. “Where do you think you’re going? Is this a revolt?”

“Ha!” Knockout laughed from Predaking’s back. “Do I look like a fine leader, riding on the back of a Predacon?” 

Predaking tilted sharply; Knockout cried out and scrambled to hold on.

Whirl withdrew. Once they reached the Nemesis, the Predacons and Vehicons crowded into the med bay and Knockout’s adjacent personal quarters. They began transporting Knockout’s property outside, but Ratchet surprised Predaking in one of the halls.

“While you’re here, I might as well check how your optic is healing,” Ratchet said.

Ratchet beckoned for Predaking to follow him back into the med bay. Embarrassment crept up on Predaking again as he sat down on the floor of the room. Ripclaw leaned over to catch a glimpse of his injured optic, but Ratchet waved her away.

“Yip yip! Give me space, I’m trying to work here.”

She backed off. Suddenly Knockout made an amused noise by the door and Predaking flicked his gaze to him. He had stopped to spectate, and now, Vehicons were gathering beside him. Predaking looked away hurriedly.

Once Ratchet had pried off the eyepatch, the light of the room assaulted Predaking’s left eye. He blinked until his vision adjusted. Ratchet’s frowning face became clear as he inspected Predaking's healing wound.

“It’s healed well…” Ratchet said. “You should fare well without the patch now. However, as I said before, contact me if you experience any pain or issues.”

“Yes, I shall…”

Ratchet took his leave; Predaking jumped up. In the other doctor's absence, Knockout said, “So, Predaking, I've been meaning to ask if you have any idea where Screamer is now?”

Predaking squinted.

“Just curious. I’m not asking you to capture him or anything,” Knockout continued.

“Do you intend to reunite with your comrade?” Predaking growled.

Knockout replied, “Not really. He’s quite rude, so I think I might be better off without him. Although, I was wondering if he was lurking around.”

Predaking checked Starscream's location, noticing that his ability to pinpoint it was fading. 

“He is far from here,” he uttered.

“He isn’t near here or Iacon?”

“No.”

Predaking envisioned Starscream curled up somewhere isolated and dark, lamenting over his past mistakes. It was a satisfying thought. 

“Let us complete our task,” Predaking announced.

The Predacons and Vehicons finished transporting Knockout’s things outside, then it was up to the Predacons to carry everything to Knockout's house—

“Studio!” Knockout insisted.

—and a jet Vehicon, likely Ciel, lined up first at the door. He went inside as soon as Knockout was ready. Everyone else returned to work on the neighbourhood, not knowing how long the process would take.

Eventually, Bulkhead and Wheeljack approached the Predacons at work. Predaking half expected trouble from them. 

Bulkhead said, “Uh, so this is long overdue… but we just wanted to thank you for helping us fight Unicron. We’re, er, glad to have you on our side now. Thanks for everything you’ve been doing here. Oh also, for not terminating Starscream. Now we can give him a trial… if we can just find him.”

“Hmm…” Predaking smiled slightly. “Of course, joining forces was only logical at the time in order to save this world.”

“Heh heh,” Darksteel chuckled. “You sounded like Shockwave.”

Predaking glanced at him strangely.

“Anyway,” Bulkhead continued, “If you’re interested… you can claim some of the large-sized houses we’ve made. They don’t have any halls or rooms—they're just single large rooms. So you could have a roof over your head in beast-form... a place to curl up.”

“Why would we require a roof?” Predaking replied.

“Well, you know… If the weather gets bad or if you wanna store any valuables in a safe place… There will be locks on the doors.”

“Will the houses be spacious enough to contain us all?”

Bulkhead’s eyes widened. “We’d have to build a very large house in order for that!”

“Then have it done,” Predaking said.

“But uh…” Bulkhead tried to show him a diagram on his datapad. “We already have a plan… There wouldn’t be space for a… mansion.”

“Have it put at the end of the street.” Predaking jabbed the screen.

The Wreckers glanced at each other.

“Alright…” Bulkhead said.

Wheeljack sighed and rolled his eyes.

“We’ll make it,” a Vehicon said. “Anything for you.”

The Autobots glanced up. Wheeljack looked with hostility and Bulkhead with unease at the tightened ring of Vehicons around them, then, they departed.

---

As the sunset’s orange and pink rays stretched across the sky, a light blue jet streaked up from the neighbourhood. Vehicons stopped work and stared at their brother flying loops over the houses.

A Vehicon exhaled, “He did it… He chose his own colours!”

The sky-blue Vehicon transformed and landed neatly on a rooftop. His hands fell on his hips and he puffed his chest in the way that Altero had. His lifted wings were white on the tips while darker blue details patterned the rest of him. And the eye which he gazed at them with was no longer orange, but light yellow. 

“I am like the sky of Earth and Cybertron! My eye is the colour of the suns and my wing tips that of the clouds!” he crowed.

The other Vehicons sighed in admiration. Ciel transformed and jetted off again, twirling and looping over every construction project. Autobots began to notice and gawk at Ciel, while Knockout stood on the steps of his house, smirking at the display.

---

At night, Ciel sat in a lobby chair, stretching back and looking at the other Vehicons pressed in close around him.

“It’s not a paint job; it’s all natural,” Ciel explained. “Knockout has created fashion models. You can change your colours any way you like just by scanning those models.”

However, the other Vehicons were not yet sure what colours or forms they wanted. And if they did want to commit to a change, they wanted to have a name ready like Ciel, before their surgeries.

---

In the morning, grey clouds drifted across the sky and a light rain fell. A few mechanimals loped or flew into the city, taking cover under construction materials. Meanwhile, Autobots complained and headed indoors with their hands over their heads.

“What’s wrong with the rain?” Skylynx called out to them. Even the Vehicons looked confused.

“The rain’s probably acidic!” an Autobot called back. “We don’t want any metal irritation!”

“The rain is damaging?” Skylynx echoed. “Huh. What about the buildings then? Will they sustain damage?”

The Autobot retreated inside.

A Vehicon replied, “I believe the materials get a protective spray at the factories.”

“Ah.”

“The rain surely isn’t that bad for us,” the Vehicon went on.

While water splattered them, the Predacons and Vehicons carried great sheets of metal to a bare area at the end of a street. Vehicons working on other nearby projects abandoned them to join theirs. The Predacons sheltered them under their wings as one Vehicon hunched over a datapad, making a sketch with a stylus while others watched and pitched ideas. By the time their blueprint was complete, the rain had stopped and the sun peeked out. Their materials began to dry and the Vehicons started welding. 

Autobots slipped back outside and watched the Predacons raise the first wall. Bulkhead approached, glanced at the Vehicons’ blueprints, nodded, and waved over his comrades. Burly bodies of various colours mixed with those purple, then materials were passed from strong large hands to small three-fingered ones. Predaking watched with satisfaction until he noticed Whirl hanging back with a few other Autobots, weapons drawn, but under Springer's supervision. He frowned, but at the very least, Devcon was nowhere to be found.

Predaking continued work. Later, the strange lanky Autobot named Froid showed up to watch the construction. He stood almost out of sight, like he did not intend to spy but would be perfectly happy to not be seen either. Fragile jewellery of gold chains and red gems decorated him, but as Predaking thought how they would break in transformation, he rolled his eyes and saw Knockout. He too stayed back and did not lift a finger to contribute.

No matter... Predaking thought.

Ciel and the other Vehicons worked first hesitantly then more confidently beside the Autobots. In the end, they and the Predacons erected a giant lord of a house that dwarfed all others on the street. Head raised, Predaking marched inside in beast mode. The hollow, echoing space was almost large enough for him to spread his wings. All the Predacons tested the room in beast mode, able to fit side by side.

Ripclaw transformed to proclaim, “This place is magnificent!” 

“We haven’t even finished the decorations,” a Vehicon said.

The exterior walls of the house were now coated with a red spray. Maroon pillars and a roof were attached. Thematically, the house began to blend in with the rest of the neighbourhood. Two wheeled Vehicons carefully spray painted a brick pattern on the walls, and as a final touch, a golden Predacon symbol on the great maroon door. 

“You’re so artistic!” Ripclaw claimed.

“We are?” the Vehicons echoed.

“Fantastic work, everyone!” Springer declared. He glanced at the artists, Ciel, and the other Vehicons. 

“Thank you,” Ripclaw told the Vehicons.

Predaking added, “Yes, thank you for building us this grand habitation.” 

Both Autobot and Vehicon workers drifted away. The sun beamed down on the giant new house, inviting the Predacons back in. A keypad had already been installed beside the door, and Darksteel had chosen the password: 1-1-1-1-1.

He had claimed, “Who is going to be stupid enough to rob our house anyway?”

After he punched in the code now, the door slid sideways. He flicked on the energon-fuelled lights, filling the grey space with white light. Running his fingers along an empty shelf, Darksteel asked, “It’s kinda empty. What should we put in here?”

Predaking transformed and settled down in the middle of the room, soon joined by his brethren. Personally, he didn’t think he needed anything else but them in this home. And after the day, his spark felt warm and utterly content in every manner.

The others do not wish for us to be extinct. They have accepted us as fellow Cybertronians in this society. 

Droopy-eyed, Predaking felt calmer than ever considering the termination of his brethren on Earth. Such a thing wouldn’t have occurred if the Autobots had known they were not simple animals. Ultimately, the Autobots had only been afraid of being wiped out by giant powerful beasts.

And we would have certainly wiped them out.

He had tried to hunt down Wheeljack without a second thought right after he had entered this universe. 

I was willing to terminate him.

Predaking growled tiredly, feeling ready to forget the past. The past would not change, but the present had, and now, tomorrow would be better to think about.

But if I ever see Megatron again…

Predaking resisted clenching his claws so that he wouldn’t scratch the floor.

---

Continue to 2_10 (H)

Chapter 12: 2_10 (H)

Notes:

✓

A new appreciation for the city grew on Predaking after their house was built. Working on construction was no longer a repetitive grind necessary for the acceptance of the Predacon species. Now Predaking could look forward to the completion of each building in an honest sense and appreciate their artistic touches.

After another week had passed, the arrival of around one hundred Autobots to Iacon increased the work pace. And each day thereafter, new Autobots would approach the Predacons and ask if they really were Predacons, resulting in many prideful transformations to beast mode.

The Predacons went wherever they pleased, working or exploring. Once the city's hospital was declared complete, the Predacons strolled through the silver halls and peeked into many barren rooms. Hardly more than a few berths could be found in them, but Autobots were carting in supplies.

“Not much to see yet, is there?” A red-faced, white Autobot passed by them. She kept walking, wheeling a cart behind her. “We’re not ready for large-scale emergencies. Not enough equipment or medics… It’s nice to have you here, at least.”

She headed away.

“What did she mean by that?” Darksteel wondered. “We don’t know how to heal anybody. Haha, the opposite in fact!”

Ripclaw wondered, “Maybe she meant that we could stop conflicts.”

Predaking nodded. “Our superior strength may serve an honourable purpose.”

The Predacons walked back outside.

“But I’m not opposed to fighting Autobots,” Darksteel complained. “Are you saying that we can’t fight them at all anymore? What if Devcon comes back and needs a good bite to teach him a lesson?”

“Indeed,” Skylynx said.

“Remember. The punishment must fit the crime…” Predaking trailed off. 

“And what punishment did Starscream really get?” Darksteel huffed. “None!”

Predaking decided not to argue. The sun beamed down on Iacon, warming his spark while a fresh breeze put a spring in his step. The Predacons bounced along to the newly opened library, a tall cylindrical building with glowing silver walls and copper and gold details. Passing under the sign Iacon Hall of Records, the Predacons entered a room with finely polished floors crisscrossed by decorative yellow lights. 

A transparent tube stretched up to the ceiling and lifted an Autobot beyond sight. Darksteel darted to the elevator and hopped inside it as soon as the platform lowered again, ascending to the upper levels. Ignoring him, Skylynx strode ahead and investigated the sparse shelves beyond the elevator. A few datapads stood on the shelves with titles written on their spines. As Skylynx flipped through them with a finger, a soft voice spoke up.

“Please be careful with those.”

Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx looked down. A thin grey Autobot stood below their hips, looking up at them with calm blue eyes.

“What are they, exactly?” Skylynx asked.

“Electronic books,” the Autobot replied. “We started downloading information from the archives onto these datapads. Every book is a compilation of a topic, and this floor is dedicated to history from the War.”

Predaking noticed one book’s title: The Return of the Matrix of Leadership. 

“I see…” Skylynx replied. “So you will expand your collection over time?”

“The second floor will focus on prewar history, including ancient history and mythology. The third floor will be for the sciences, the fourth for cultures and arts, and the fifth is to be determined. But because we haven’t created many books yet, I suggest you search on one of our computers for any information you currently seek.”

He is speaking to us with the courtesy we Predacons deserve, Predaking thought. To be certain, he broadened his shoulders and asked, “Are you aware that those standing before you are those of the previously extinct Predacon species?”

The librarian Autobot blinked a few times. “Ah yes, of course… Why do you ask?”

“I simply wanted to confirm.”

Skylynx began to walk toward the elevator. “I wish to see what the third floor offers.”

“One at a time in the elevator, please!” the grey librarian called. “There is a weight limit!”

Skylynx went first, then Predaking decided, “I will see if there is more information on our species on the second floor.”

Predaking travelled up to the second floor: a huge silent room lit by blue lights. He headed toward the mostly empty shelves, and soon after, heavy Predacon footsteps followed him. Turning, Predaking smiled to see Ripclaw.

“Are you equally interested in our species?” he asked.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” she said. “We’re the only four left of a once numerous species, and we only exist because Shockwave cloned us from fossils… I think it’s fascinating.”

They searched through the few books available, before Ripclaw pulled one off the shelf.

“Predacons.” She held up a book with the same title.

Powering on the book, she began to swipe through the pages.

“Do not rush through; there is much to learn,” Predaking instructed. “I have already studied these archives on the Decepticon warship.”

“I wanted to see how different we could be. Look here!” She paused on an image. “It’s a drawing of a three-headed Predacon!”

Predaking watched her slitted eyes widen into curious red orbs. Going quiet, he let her have her fun. 

“I see a few two-headed Predacons too! So interesting… It must have been common, but none of us are like that. Look! There were Predacons without wings!” 

Predaking glanced at a drawing off a squat two-legged beast. He scowled and looked away from the hideous image. “I have seen such images before, but I am certain the Cybertronians who recorded this were mistaken. Predacons have elegant long forms, four legs, and wings. We rule the ground and the sky. That must be a lesser species.”

Ripclaw continued. “I see other two-legged Predacons. Here are smaller ones with their arms and wings joined together.”

Predaking did not look this time. “They are just like the mechanimals we see outside.”

“I wonder why they thought they were Predacons?” Ripclaw mused. “Well, it does say that they breathed fire.”

“There is more to being a Predacon than possessing fire. Size, strength, four lethally clawed limbs, wings, a tail—”

“Darksteel doesn’t really have a tail!” Ripclaw laughed. “I should tell him he isn’t a Predacon anymore!”

“Ignore that criteria,” Predaking grunted. “Although, a long, bladed tail is certainly an advantage in battle.”

“Suppose these were all Predacons.” Ripclaw indicated the book. “And there were different classes.”

“Lesser classes, perhaps,” Predaking conceded. “Which Shockwave began to clone a few of on Earth, for some illogical reason.”

“It does say the two-legged ones are incredibly fast fliers with bladed wings. That sounds impressive. And the wingless Predacons have the thickest, most indestructible metal. Oh!” She swiped to a new section of the book. “Different Predacon abilities… Ice-breath! Acid spit… Venom…”

She looked up. “I have the feeling that I am the venomous type.”

Predaking raised his eyebrows.

“There is a needle in my tail and I’m fairly certain there is liquid in there,” she elaborated. “Not that I’m going to stab someone to find out though… unless they deserve it.”

She laughed and read on. “The Predacons with the most striking colours were reported as likely to be venomous or acidic. Their colours served as warnings to other Predacons that they were not to be challenged. ”

Ripclaw cracked a massive, tooth-filled grin.

“You see that?”

“I see it,” Predaking muttered. “Nevertheless, remember that nothing trumps strength and ferocity.”

“You must still appreciate that a rarer type of Predacon managed to be revived!” She puffed up.

Predaking sighed, then smiled a little. “You are correct. I am grateful for your existence.”

---

“Why were you curious about the sciences?” Predaking asked Skylynx when they regrouped at the exit.

“This world is full of mysteries. Everything intrigues me and I want to learn how it all works,” Skylynx admitted as they walked back out into the street. “How did Cybertronians harness the power of light?”

He pointed at the street lights.

“How did they create screens and books?”

He spread his arms to the town plaza where large screens hung and displayed peaceful messages like Let’s Bring Back Home and We Can Build the World We Want. 

“Shockwave knew how to create us from the remains of the dead. It all seems magical, but none of these bots are magical. If everything these bots do or make is knowledge-based, then it stands to reason that all I need to do is learn in order to gain the same abilities as them.”

Predaking stopped and stared at him. “I never considered the possibility. Are you saying that in the absence of Shockwave, you may learn to clone more Predacons?”

“Perhaps I could. Unless his knowledge was secret and his alone. Then we must wait until he is found.”

“He doesn’t want to be found. He is gone,” Ripclaw said. 

“This may all be unnecessary if the Well of All Sparks does clone more Predacons as Bumblebee said,” Predaking exhaled. “I believe there will be more Predacons, potentially any cycle now.”

“Aw but there might not be room for them in our house,” Darksteel replied.

Predaking decided, “We will expand ours or have more built. Or we will move to a new land of our own.”

The day continued and ended peacefully. Before the Predacons returned to their home, they went to the Vehicon residence gradually being dubbed as  “the Clubhouse”. All their eyes widened at the burst of pink and red on either side of Ciel.

“Hello, Predacons.” The red Vehicon bowed. “We are the ones who painted your door. I am Acrylic now.”

“And I am Pastel,” the pink one said.

“Congratulations on your new identities.” Predaking dipped his head. “Now, you radiate confidence.”

He genuinely supported the Vehicons. Once they varied more in appearance, Predaking would be able to remember each one and their interests. Suddenly, Predaking wondered what it would have been like if all Predacons had looked exactly the same. As of now, Predaking was learning the differences in personalities between his brethren. He certainly appreciated those differences as well.

Although, if they were flightless… Well, I would rather have flightless brethren than no brethren!

---

Continue to 2_11 (H)

 

The librarian:

The library (interior, 1st and 2nd floor):

Notes:

The librarian is Rung who came with Silverbolt's ship.
Art:
Rung (Gravemaker) concept: HiddenAsAlways (Tumblr)
Library concept: JackNetherBlack (@JNetherblack)

Chapter 13: 2_11 (H)

Notes:

✓

After sleeping together in a pile, the Predacons emerged from their house to start a new day. Small brown and grey creatures hopped across the road and black-feathered animals soared through the air. The Predacons spread their wings and joined them in the sky, before scanning the city for a project to contribute to. Drawn by the bright new colours of Acrylic and Pastel, the Predacons dropped down to work with them and watch them cut sheets of metal into decorative patterns.

Other Autobots also ogled the newly altered Vehicons. Springer lingered nearby, watching them without comment, while Bulkhead and Wheeljack were nowhere to be seen. But then, a familiar Autobot voice spoke through every Wrecker’s comms: the voice of the taller Autobot whose hand Predaking had crushed.

“Autobots in Iacon: Be advised that a small Decepticon vessel is approaching Cybertron with an estimated twenty members onboard. At the moment, it is not heading toward Iacon, but be prepared as it could change course. Superion has been tasked with taking it down. ”

Autobots bared their teeth and curled their eyebrows. As they bristled, large guns popped out from their bodies. They halted work and watched the skies, and the Vehicons did the same. 

Predaking thought, Bots of both factions were expected to return to their home planet. Why must the Autobots “take down” the Decepticon ship by force? Do they consider Cybertron theirs to rule, despite what Bumblebee said?

Over the next hour, Predaking regarded the Autobots with a disgruntled expression. Eventually, the commanding voice spoke through the comms again:

“The situation is resolved. Nineteen hostile Decepticons have been captured and secured in Kaon Prison.”

The Autobots disarmed themselves, shared words of relief, and continued with construction. When the Vehicons resumed their work, it was at a slower pace. Predaking noticed the stiffness in their movements. This event would certainly become a talking point at the Clubhouse that night...

---

As predicted, the Vehicons sitting or standing in the Clubhouse were already clamouring by the time the Predacons walked in.

“Just like we thought—the Autobots would throw the ‘real’ Decepticons in jail as soon as they showed up!” a Vehicon called.

Ciel spoke, causing Vehicons to quiet down and listen. “If that is what Autobots do to Decepticons, then what, are we not Decepticons to them? Just slaves?”

The Vehicons curled their fists.

“You know what a Wrecker said to us today?” Acrylic snarled. “‘Why are the drones getting paint jobs?’”

The Predacons could only stare at the enraged Vehicons, wishing somehow they could ease them.

“Drones?”

“Drones!”

“Why do we have to put up with this anymore? Altero is right! We are Cybertronians like anyone else!”

“We have sparks, just like them!”

The speakers in the back of the room blasted music and every Vehicon jolted. They spun to one lone jet Vehicon who now dialed down the noise.

“I am an envoy of Altero,” the Vehicon said. “And he told me that if you were to get too rebellious, to advise you to wait.”

There was silence. The Predacons blinked in amazement.

“Wait… for what?” a Vehicon near the speakers asked.

“Altero said that an open rebellion would be futile. The planet has the Wreckers, a Combiner, and many other Autobot warriors. Not to mention, the powerful relics we are familiar with from Earth. So don’t be rash, he said. He expected rashness. Altero warned, ‘Once you realize you are an individual deserving of rights, every injustice of the past will hit you all at once. Your spark will burn and urge you to fight. Don’t fight; don’t die. Trust in me and I will bring you justice. Forget Megatron. I can be more than Megatron ever was for us.’”

Shoulders dropped and slow exhales of awe blew over the room like a wind. Predaking and Ripclaw tensed.

“What does that mean?” Ripclaw interrupted. “You aren’t going to start the War again, are you? That would destroy everything we just built!”

“No war,” the Vehicon by the speakers assured her. “He said the war between the Autobots and Decepticons must never start up again.”

“Good,” Predaking muttered. “Violence and destruction is unnecessary at this point. We have a planet to cherish.”

“Not all Autobots are so bad either,” Ripclaw added.

Acrylic and Pastel huffed. 

“Yeah right,” Pastel said sarcastically.

Predaking argued, “Did they not respect you as you worked together constructing our house?” 

“That was nothing really,” Ciel said. “We still remember the past.”

Nevertheless, what the jet Vehicon had said calmed the Vehicons. Predaking could see why: the responsibility of justice was out of their hands, set into the hands of one whom they trusted. Predaking supposed he trusted Altero too, if it were true that he desired no war. He was the king of the Vehicons like Predaking was the king of his own kind. 

“By the way…” the jet Vehicon said. “I’ll be dark green tomorrow. You can call me Pine. I don’t expect you to believe me, but once I hit Optimus Prime in the face with a tree log.”

---

END PART 2 

Continue to Part 3

Notes:

On the timeline, this part ends at the same time as part 2 of the Space Adventure Storyline. This will allow players of the Space Adventure Storyline to switch over to Monstrous Heart in Part 3. You will see two versions of Part 3. You will want to continue from here to Part 3 (H)

Chapter 14: PART 2 (N)

Notes:

Neutral Path
✓

You chose to work in the capital cities 

 

“We know little about our home world,” Predaking said. “There is much we can learn while developing its most important sites.” 

The green Autobot replied, “Right…”

“Tell me which direction we must go, and as soon as we are repaired, we shall depart.”

Once their wounds had been welded, the round green Autobot directed the Predacons toward the closest capital: Iacon. Leaving the Nemesis behind, the Predacons glided north as the sun rose to its peak in the sky. Quiet metal plains glowed yellow wherever rust and grease did not lie, absorbing the warmth of the sun. Thin canals of energon settled in the cracks in the land, a symbol of life in contrast to the grey ruins which rolled beneath the flying Predacons. Old decapitated heads peeked out from charred buildings, impaled on metal beams. 

In the silence, the Predacons could almost believe they were the only living beings in this region of the world. Until, first faintly, then loudly, the clanging of machinery shook the air. Soaring toward the source, the Predacons discovered the largest city they had yet seen. A daunting expanse of blasted buildings covered the plains, but there was movement in its heart like a swarm of purple insects. When they flew closer, they identified half-finished gold and silver buildings covered in scaffolding and toiling Vehicons. As construction machines lifted bundles of materials, the Vehicons carried other supplies and rapidly pieced the buildings together.  

Landing and transforming, the Predacons looked around them in awe. The Vehicons worked like clockwork, sealing walls and building up levels before their eyes.

“Who are they?” Darksteel asked. “Why do they all look the same? Are they living bots or machines?”

A pair of dutifully marching workers carrying a metal plate halted in front of them.

“We are certainly living,” one Vehicon muttered. “We have sparks.”

“Oh! Sorry,” Darksteel said.

“What are you Predacons doing here?” another Vehicon asked. “Are you helping the Autobots too?”

“Indeed,” Predaking answered. “How might we be of use here?”

Looking around again, Predaking noticed that labour had slowed. Identical faces looked down at the Predacons. Machines quieted. The closest Vehicons on the ground snuck closer while those on the lower levels of surrounding buildings leaned in.

“You could… carry things for us…?” the first Vehicon who had spoken suggested. He readjusted his grip on the plate he and his partner were carrying. “If you could get supplies up to higher levels, that’d be a big help.”

Predaking nodded. “Would you like me to relieve you of that plate?”

The Vehicon speaker let out an embarrassed cough. He and his comrade began to shuffle away. “We can handle one. We’re not that weak…”

The pair ambled off. The construction around the Predacons resumed once it became clear that they were not a threat to the Vehicons.

Skylynx said, “Well, we came to offer our strength, and those plates look light enough.”

The Predacons followed the trail of plate-carrying Vehicons back to the source. As they passed other clones, who stood no taller than their hips, heads turned and Predaking overheard a few whispers including the word Predacon. When the trio located the pile of metal plates, a gargantuan rusty vehicle much larger than a Predacon had just finished dropping off a load. It rumbled away with a Vehicon behind the steering wheel.

Predaking scooped up four plates that would have taken eight Vehicons to carry. When Skylynx and Darksteel followed his example, Predaking bent down to add another three to his load. The weight was enough to make him feel a strain, but balancing the slippery stack was the most difficult part. The Predacons marched ahead of the line of Vehicons and arrived at one of the buildings under construction. Although the Vehicons left their cargo on the lower levels, they pointed upward and urged the Predacons to take their plates even higher. Predaking puffed his chest but then struggled to climb up the stairs, his feet not fitting on the tiny steps.

After he reached the top, Predaking dropped his plates and abandoned the idea of working in bot-form. He transformed and leapt off the building, sailing back to the stockpile. Vehicons dashed away, some of them so startled that they dropped their supplies. On the ground, Predaking swiped together a stack of plates and tried to secure them in his claws. When they slipped out of his grasp, he stabbed the metal, assuming that the damage would be mendable.

Skylynx and Darksteel swooped down in beast mode to try his method. Predaking flapped his wings and rushed to the top of the building almost instantly. He slowed with strong downward flaps, keeping steady while he deposited the plates. He didn’t notice the powerful gusts of his wings had blown a few Vehicons off their feet—that is, until he heard their yelps and saw them flailing in the air. One was fortunate enough to have a Seeker’s build, transforming and blasting off into the air. The others, however, were ground-bound and simply fell.

Predaking dropped after their plummeting bodies, but they crashed to the ground before he could catch them. He transformed then placed the groaning Vehicons back on their feet.

“Perhaps I should remain in bot mode,” Predaking suggested, though he knew it would frustrate him. “I apolo—”

A few more hollers came from above as Skylynx and Darksteel blew the next round of Vehicons off the building.

“I apologize,” Predaking finished. 

He hurried over to the other Vehicons who had fallen. Skylynx and Darksteel landed beside them, transforming to bot-form. 

“Whoops,” Darksteel said. “Sorry.”

The Vehicons stood and brushed themselves off. Many workers had stopped work again to stare at the Predacons. 

“Yeah,” one grunted. “Well… at least you’re sorry. Don’t fly around like that.”

“Understood,” Skylynx said.

For the rest of the day, the Predacons carried materials without causing any more trouble. Turning his head all around, Predaking was awed how quickly building frames grew and walls wrapped around to enclose them. Trucks came and left, bringing in a constant supply of materials. Only at nightfall, the trucks stopped coming and the construction machines powered down. Vehicons lumbered down the scaffolding or came down elevators to assemble on the ground. As a crowd, the workers wandered away and left the Predacons to curiously follow them.

“Hey,” Darksteel asked a Vehicon by his foot. “Where are you going?”

“It’s rest time,” the Vehicon replied. “So we’re going to our residence.”

After many battles and plenty of flying, Predaking was exhausted after the day’s labour. He just was not willing to admit it. He knew his brethren felt the same, since they eagerly trudged after the Vehicons to a new, though plain, silver building. Once the Predacons stepped through the doors, a chilling blue room welcomed them. [A dim light shone off highly polished walls and freshly crafted tables and chairs. From the ceiling, silver and copper decorations hung in the form of curls or wound up balls. Strange rectangular devices stood at the end of the room, which two Vehicons powered on to unleash a flood of soothing sounds.]

Many Vehicons sat down around the tables, starting up mumbled conversations. Other Vehicons squeezed past and waited for their turn at the elevators. Once Predaking spotted a tank of liquid energon being rolled in, he strode into the room. He bumped into the tables, struggling to squeeze through them while his brethren followed him. Already, Vehicons were passing out cups of energon to each other, and when the Predacons reached the tank, cups were handed to them as well. 

“Thanks for the help today,” a Vehicon told them. 

The Predacons gulped down their energon and were offered instant refills.

“So what brought you to the Autobots?” a Vehicon asked. “Don’t you hate them?”

Predaking replied, “I still hold animosity toward the Autobots, for they slaughtered the Predacon clones on Earth. However, the Decepticons orchestrated the slaughter.”

Skylynx’s eyed widened. “There was a Predacon army on Earth?” 

“Indeed. There were to be twenty-four Predacons aside from myself. After I first transformed and revealed my bot mode, the Decepticons feared the intelligence of the Predacons. And so, they lured the Autobots to Shockwave’s laboratory to allow them to murder the incubating clones for them.”

Predaking carefully watched the Vehicons’ reactions. They all shrugged helplessly. One replied, “We were never made aware of that plan.”

Another added, “We thought the Autobots just found the lab somehow.”

[Predaking pulled his mouth to the side.] “I suppose I always knew you were not responsible. The Decepticon command was. However, I unjustly took out my rage upon Vehicon troopers. You stood in my way of vengeance, and perhaps, I saw you as a part of what I wanted to destroy. But for what I have done to your kind… I apologize.”

A Vehicon told him, “We’re used to being killed off. By our own side even. You’re the first to apologize to us for anything though.”

“So none of you harbour ill feelings toward me?”

The same Vehicon replied, “Probably not most of us. We mainly just… go with the flow. What else can we do? Adapting without fuss is how we stay safe. But we dislike the Autobots, that’s for sure. We know that they made games out of killing us. At least you didn’t.”

“I do not comprehend why you serve the Autobots you despise,” Predaking replied with raised brows. “Do you not have the numbers to defeat them?”

“Numbers never helped us. Those Autobots always pull out the most ridiculous weapons that wipe us out. And after they killed Megatron and revived Cybertron, there didn’t seem to be a point in continuing the fight. It was better to do construction instead of dying for no gain.”

The other Vehicons nodded along.

“We were probably like you Predacons,” a jet Vehicon said. “We didn’t have any other plans, so we were just going to settle down, see how allying with the victors would work for us.”

“Why are you speaking in the past tense?” Predaking questioned.

Vehicons titled their heads; Predaking interpreted the gesture as grinning.

“Because Megatron lives again,” the jet Vehicon replied. “I reported it to the workers of Iacon and other fliers have already gone on to spread the word. I’m a newscarrier. I saw the undead Predacon army led by a reformatted Megatron. I stayed at a distance. I watched the battle you fought and saw what you missed: purple energy was drawn from Megatron into a container. That was Unicron, I wager. How else could Megatron be alive? Yes, and then Megatron flew away, far too fast for me to follow him. So, he’s out there.”

“It was Unicron, I can confirm that,” Skylynx told them.

Predaking demanded, “You mean that Megatron lives after the defeat of the Demon Lord?” 

“He lives,” a Vehicon replied. “So now, we await his command.”

Predaking snarled and glanced around them as though Megatron might manifest at the very mention of his name. “You would follow him if he returned to continue his selfish warmongering? Why would you wish to destroy this peace? Did you not just agree that you were tired of death?”

The Vehicons jolted at his outburst. 

“Did Megatron ever respect you any more than the Autobots?” Predaking continued. “Recall how you were created as simple soldiers to be tossed into the battlefield. There is nothing good in being another bot’s weapon of war: a mere tool to serve their agenda. I understand you now, and I know whatever devotion you profess for Megatron comes from deep conditioning and brainwashing. At this moment in time, you all have peace; the Autobots no longer fight or torture any of us. Why would you ruin what you have now to continue your nonsensical war?”

Vehicons hung their heads over their cups. Some took small sips, tilting back their heads and letting liquid pour through a straw into a crack in their faces. Then, the Vehicons began to mumble.

“Well, that’s one way of thinking about it.”

“We’re just tools even to the Decepticons…”

“But what will we do without Megatron’s leadership?”

Predaking told them, “We Predacons and you Vehicons were created to be nothing more than weapons of the Decepticon faction. So, if Megatron tries to enlist you, refuse. You must, if respect is what you seek for your kind.”

The Vehicons fell into pensive silence.

---

Continue to 2_2 (N)

 

Vehicon clubhouse interior:

Notes:

Art:
Iacon construction: chaos_birdie (Instagram and X)
Knocking Vehicons off the building: Chen.withapen (Instagram)
Vehicon clubhouse interior: Jack Netherblack (@JNetherblack)

Chapter 15: 2_2 (N)

Notes:

✓

The Predacons slept on the street outside the residence, balled up with their chins upon each other’s backs.

This is how it must remain, Predaking thought, sweeping his tail around Darksteel. 

A white streetlight burned calmly over them and the cold night lulled them into a deep sleep. The marching feet of Vehicons roused the Predacons at dawn, who blearily watched them pass. Once construction machines rumbled to life, the Predacons slowly rose and stretched. Then, they thumped along to the heart of the construction site, widening their eyes when they spotted the round green Autobot and the white one with swords on his back. The green Autobot showed a tablet to a group of Vehicons, explaining something to them. His companion stood wordlessly at his side, peering at the Vehicons as though daring them to attack.

Darksteel mumbled, “Those Vehicons could take them out if they wanted to, and I don’t see why they don’t. There’s only two Autobots and they don’t have any special weapons on them.”

The white Autobot hadn’t heard him, but he peered at the Predacons with equal suspicion.

They have no functioning systems for communication and teleportation since the warship’s crash, Predaking thought. They are quite vulnerable.

Ignoring the Autobots, the Predacons began to work with the Vehicons. When Predaking saw Skylynx and Darksteel pick up lighter loads, he gratefully carried lighter ones as well. They repeatedly climbed up and down one of the buildings, then halted at the sound of chopping blades and spotted a green copter circling the city. 

“Decepticon? Or Autobot?” Predaking wondered.

A cluster of Vehicons looked at the copter with the Predacons.

“Can’t tell,” a Vehicon murmured.

The copter departed; everyone continued work. The Predacons were back on the ground when the sound of multiple chopping blades struck them. A rumbling of wheels and tank treads followed, which sent Vehicons diving for cover in the buildings. After their disappearance, heavily armoured copters, tanks, trucks, and other four-wheeled vehicles burst into the construction site. Baring their teeth, the Predacons set their loads onto the ground.

“Let’s shred ‘em!” Darksteel cried.

The round green Autobot and his comrade rushed between the Predacons and the army.

“Whoa, whoa!” the green Autobot exclaimed at Darksteel. “No you don’t!”

The army rolled to a halt and the fliers hovered in place. Predaking scowled at the Autobot symbols marking them. Then, every bot transformed.

The green copterbot landed on his feet and lifted his chin. “Everything alright here?”

Both the green Autobot and the white Autobot flashed grins.

“Alright here!” the round green Autobot exclaimed. “And better now that you’re here!”

The green copterbot clasped their shoulders. “Bulkhead, Wheeljack! I'm happy to see you’ve managed to survive after all this time!”

“Same to you,” Wheeljack, so he was called, replied. 

“Your comrades back at the Well warned us about the Predacons.” The copterbot looked at Predaking, Darksteel, and Skylynx. “They haven’t given you any trouble, have they?”

“None, since we joined sides,” Bulkhead answered. “They’re here to help.”

“May I approach them?”

Predaking scrunched his brows.

“Uhh, yeah. They shouldn’t bite,” Bulkhead said.

The Autobot army shuffled up behind the copterbot as he approached the Predacons. Every bot bore their blasters, and although they weren’t pointed at the Predacons, Predaking huffed at their presence. 

“My name is Springer, second-in-command of the Wreckers,” he introduced himself. “We are a team of Autobots who were entrusted with defending Cybertron in the absence of Optimus Prime.”

“Did you… hear the news?” Bulkhead asked quietly.

“We did,” Springer sighed. “We arrived at the Nemesis, apparently just after you had left. They filled us in. Though we mourn his loss, we cannot get distracted now. Megatron may have renounced his cause and deemed that the Decepticons are done for, but we have no assurance that will be the case. We’ll help you search for ‘Cons and rebuild.”

Predaking clarified, “We are not aligned with the Decepticons, though they created us. We will also provide aid with the construction effort.”

A blue copterbot with a single yellow eye called out, “But you fought for them, didn’t you? And ate some Autobots!”

Springer spun around. “Start nothing, Whirl!”

“Heheh, eating Autobots? That’s a funny idea,” Darksteel chuckled. 

“Well you are Predacons,” Whirl growled. “It’s in the name, so why should I trust you?”

“Nah, these three never ate anyone,” Wheeljack confirmed. “They caused us trouble before, but hopefully that’s the end of it.”

Springer put his hand over Whirl’s eye, which constituted his whole face. He then asked the Predacons, “What are you called?”

“I am Predaking.” He swelled his chest.

“Skylynx.”

“Darksteel.”

“Welcome to the Autobots. We look forward to working with you.”

“We are not Autobots,” Predaking growled. “Consider our faction as the Predacons and nothing more.”

“Alright, as you wish.” Springer shrugged and turned to Bulkhead. “Now, how can the Wreckers help in Iacon? Our fastest fliers are already out hunting for Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and other ‘Cons across Cybertron.”

“We’re already glad to have your help with that,” Bulkhead exhaled.

“We had other trouble with the Forged, so sorry we were late meeting up. We had no communication system either—too low on fuel to power anything. We’re just as glad to have you and all the energon you brought back to Cybertron!”

Predaking registered some Vehicon whispers. Turning his head, he noticed orange-eyed faces peeking out from a building.

“Aight, you can all stop hidin’ and starin’!” Wheeljack waved at the Vehicons. “No one’s gonna shoot you. You can get back to what you were doin’!”

The Vehicons crawled back to work while the Autobots spoke more. Following the Vehicons, the Predacons listened to their whispers.

“What did he mean, Megatron renounced the cause? ”

“Are the Decepticons done for? ”

---

Work continued with the Wreckers dispersing and governing the Vehicons. While the Autobots joined in on the labour, their suspicious eyes and broad bodies intimidated the Vehicons into keeping their heads low. However, when one of the jet Vehicons flew out of Iacon, he was spotted.

Springer shouted at Bulkhead and Wheeljack, “One of your workers just fled the scene!”

Skylynx called, “He’s what they call a ‘newcarrier’! I believe he is just spreading information.”

“To other Decepticons?” Springer growled.

“Probably just to the other Vehicons,” Bulkhead said. “That's not so bad, huh? We want them all to hear about what happened to Megatron, right?”

The Autobots continued construction work, but Springer commanded Whirl to watch from the air to discourage other Vehicons from leaving. All this was forgotten when evening came and a massive boom drowned out the racket of construction. An unmarked grey spaceship with yellow windows dropped below the clouds. Autobots drew their blasters and watched the spaceship land at the edge of the city.

“Friend or foe—what do you think?” Springer called.

“I think friend!” Bulkhead shouted. “Arcee and Smokescreen must’ve sent them here from the Hydrax Plateau!”

Darksteel murmured, “I kind of want to see this. Especially if it’s Decepticons and a fight’ll break out!”

Most of the Wreckers headed toward the spaceship. Transforming, the Predacons flew ahead to watch the interaction. Below the parked spaceship, a single white and blue copterbot already waited at the bottom of a staircase. The lone bot heard their wing flaps and saw the Predacons land in the ruins. He covered his mouth, or the vented mask where his mouth would have been, with an unusually long forearm. He started to back up the stairs, but stopped as the Wreckers arrived.

Wheeljack transformed with the other Autobots. He groaned, “Oh, it’s you.”

“Oh joy, a bigger welcome party than the last!” The copterbot threw open his arms. “Now tell me, you see them too, right?”

He pointed his long arm in the direction of the Predacons.

Wheeljack drawled, “Yes, Froid, those are our new supposed Predacon allies. They can transform and talk too. Try not to freak out.”

Froid jolted. “Really now? Were they created by Shockwave?”

“Yep.”

Bulkhead asked, “So, you know him, Jackie?”

“Yeah, I do,” Wheeljack sighed.

Springer said, “I know him too. Froid was the psychiatrist of the Wreckers after you left.”

“‘Xcept we didn’t need no psychiatrist,” Wheeljack growled. “He just sat around drinking up our energon until Magnus kicked him out.”

Froid’s arms fell and his eyes narrowed. “Well dear, not everyone’s forged to be a brute fighter! And yes, I remember you too. Is anyone going to be friendly to me today?”

“Where’d you get this ship?” Wheeljack questioned. “You got anyone else onboard?”

“No one else, and your comrades already checked.”

“Well maybe we wanna check again.”

Froid waved his arms toward the stairs. “Go for it! Just be quick. I’m exhausted and looking for a place to settle down. Do you have any houses yet? I’m looking to re-establish my office for bots that actually appreciate what I do.”

“You’ll get an apartment and be happy with it,” Wheeljack uttered, heading to the staircase.

Bulkhead patted the air. “Don’t you think you’re being a bit too harsh, Jackie? Maybe it’s just your nerves. He’s not a Decepticon, you see?”

“Hard to be sure. Froid’s never killed a Decepticon, so it’s a little suspicious.”

“With these arms and my condition? I couldn’t harm a zap-mouse,” Froid replied. “And no, I’ll need a house. I’m not setting up my office in an apartment. Imagine! No, no. I want to be accessible from the street, easy to reach, you see?”

Springer sighed and shook his head. “Froid’s not a threat. There are bots who can benefit from his therapy too. I say just give him what he wants and use his ship for travel until the Nemesis is fixed.”

Wheeljack marched into Froid’s ship with a drawn blaster, followed by Whirl who spat, “I don’t trust long-arms here either! I tried his therapy thing and it didn’t even work for me!”

Froid called after him, “Darling, you have to come more than once for it to work!” 

Froid impatiently tapped his foot while waiting. A soft crunch came behind the Predacons and they turned to two Vehicons stumbling through the rumble.

“Autobots are returning already,” one of the Vehicons said.

The Predacons transformed to speak.

“So, there are more Autobots in space?” Skylynx asked.

“Probably many more,” the other Vehicon replied. “There were battles on other planets, but we don’t know who won. So either a lot of Autobots will come home, or Decepticons, or both. Since Optimus sent out a message calling Autobots home, we’ll see them first.”

Wheeljack, Whirl, and a few other Autobots exited the ship. For a few moments, they were wide-eyed and shaky, enough to prompt Springer to ask, “What is it?”

The Autobots’ faces returned to normal.

“We didn’t see anything,” Wheeljack reported. “The place was full of arts n’ crafts though.”

“Of?”

“Blue flowers.”

“Is that it?” Springer asked. “Then why did you look disturbed?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wheeljack replied.

“Whirl?” Springer said.

“I didn’t see anything,” he replied.

“I’m just going to take a look for myself…” Springer decided.

He walked inside; the Predacons watched. When Springer returned, his eyes were huge before they returned to normal size.

“There is nothing dangerous within Froid’s ship,” Springer reported. “And no one else.”

“I told you,” Froid stressed. 

“So uh, there are no houses I can give you right now,” Bulkhead told Froid. “We can get started on some though, since we’ll need them anyway for larger Cybertronians…”

Bulkhead glanced at the Predacons.

“We’ll move your stuff into an apartment for now, alright, Froid?”

Froid nodded, then he stalked into the city with the Wreckers carrying his personal possessions for him.

---

Continue to 2_3 (N)

 

Springer:

Whirl:

Froid:

Notes:

Art:
Springer concept: aecholapis (Tumblr)
Whirl concept: simply0spidey (Ko-Fi)
Froid concept: Emperor Kumquat

Chapter 16: 2_3 (N)

Notes:

✓

At the end of the day, the Predacons joined the Vehicons in their residence while the Autobots retreated to their own. This time, the Predacons sat near the energon tank on small chairs that managed to support their weight. Vehicons filled the seats closest to the Predacons, putting their elbows on the tables and leaning in.

“You came back to our hangout,” one of them said with awe.

Darksteel answered, “We must like you more than those Autobots. They’re kind of annoying, aren’t they? So bossy and nosy!”

“Autobots, always so haughty,” a Vehicon grunted. “They think they’re better than everyone else. And now they get to brag about their leader’s sacrifice like they had something to do with it…”

“You know that their Prime is gone now?” another Vehicon asked them.

“Yes, we actually witnessed what had happened ourselves,” Skylynx replied.

"The Autobots can mope…" the Vehicon muttered.

“You wanna know something?” a Vehicon asked suddenly.

“What is it?” Predaking responded.

“They have the workers down south, in Kaon, working on a prison.”

The Predacons blinked back. Skylynx asked, “Do you believe they will imprison you? Perhaps even us?”

“Not us, but any other Decepticon. Decepticons with names…” the Vehicon replied. “But Kaon used to be the home city of many Decepticons, so it’s like the Autobots have taken over the Decepticon capital just to lock up its residents there. It's an insult.”

“Wow,” Darksteel breathed. “The Autobots really hate Decepticons, huh? I wonder why. Shockwave and Starscream never really explained what the war was about.”

“We all had to learn that,” a Vehicon said. “Before we were created, apparently there was an unjust society on Cybertron. It was a caste system. Few bots lived in luxury; many bots were slaves to provide that luxury. Millions worked in dangerous sites like mines and factories, suffering and dying. Many had no names and believed they weren’t valuable, until Megatron told them they had value. Megatron was one of those slaves, but he inspired others like him to rise up against the privileged higher castes.”

Skylynx said, “So the Decepticons were the slaves and the Autobots the ones with luxurious lives?”

“Mostly,” the Vehicon replied. “The slaves teamed up with Cybertron’s military, so that’s how we got Starscream and the Seekers.”

“Yes,” Predaking interrupted. “I suspected that he had lived a privileged life.”

“We were cloned to help the Decepticons seize control of Cybertron and rewrite all the rules,” a Vehicon said. “The cause seemed right to us.”

“But now I’m not so sure what to believe,” another Vehicon chimed in. “After what you told us, Predaking, I feel like the Decepticons used us. They cared so little about our deaths, like the higher castes cared so little about their deaths in slavery.”

Predaking said, “So the Decepticons were, generally speaking, the oppressed faction. Yet they were not victorious, thus the ones who oppressed them are once again in control.”

“Correct,” a Vehicon muttered. 

“Despite this story,” Predaking commented, “the Autobots I engaged with have not seemed so malignant compared to Megatron.” 

“They are still the same Autobots that made games of killing us clones,” a Vehicon pointed out.

“We Predacons will watch the Autobots,” Predaking told his identical listeners. “If they begin to abuse or terminate you, we Predacons will not stand for it.”

Every Vehicon sat a little straighter. 

“You’d actually protect us?” one asked. “You’d do that?”

Predaking’s spark brightened. Warmth spread through him as he imagined heroically putting himself in harm’s way for those weaker than him. 

“I will protect you and atone for killing your brethren in the past. This, I swear,” Predaking declared. “Are we not like brethren ourselves now?”

If the Vehicons could have smiled, he was sure they would have. They stared at him for a few seconds before rubbing their heads and arms in pleased embarrassment. 

“You are noble,” a Vehicon told Predaking.

Predaking felt even taller as he looked over the troopers. Darksteel and Skylynx, seeking admiration as well, joined in.

“I would stand up for you the same,” Skylynx said.

“If they try to hurt you, I’ll rip their heads off,” Darksteel promised.

---

Full of energon and warmth, the Predacons curled up outside the residence like guardians. Resting on his chin, Predaking considered his feelings for the Autobots and the Decepticons. If the Autobots’ past as told by the Vehicons was true, then they had been horrid. Yet Predaking had been treated mostly with kindness and politeness by the Autobot faction since arriving on Cybertron. And Optimus’ sacrifice was undeniably noble.

The Autobots have not been cruel since taking control of Cybertron. I know Megatron and Starscream would have been cruel rulers. Was their cause once noble but they became dishonourable? Have the roles of the factions reversed, or were certain individuals always honourable or dishonourable no matter their faction?

The flapping of many small wings rose all Predacon heads. A dark cloud drifted over the city, which writhed with life. Grey fuzz balls with wings descended and lightly touched down on the streets. As the Predacons lay still, some of the creatures landed on them. Tiny black paws scurried down their bodies and wiry fur brushed them. Predaking glimpsed red eyes and tails like black cables. When the Predacons turned their heads to get a better look at them, the creatures scattered and dashed for cover.

Interesting… they are pure animals, not bots. The type of creature that the Decepticons once believed Predacons to be.

Different creatures flew into Iacon during the night. In the lightest moments of his sleep, Predaking heard the small flutters of wings and the skittering of claws. By the time morning came, the streets were empty as though the creatures had only been dreamed. The routine resumed and machines powered on, supply trucks drove in and out, and Vehicons and Wreckers worked on unfinished buildings.

Spaceship engines roared again as Froid’s ship was piloted away. Later, Predaking noticed that Bulkhead and Wheeljack were missing. Springer held a datapad and directed the workers in their absence, letting the Predacons go where they pleased. They decided to follow some Vehicons and Wreckers heading away from the city centre. 

“What is your task?” Predaking asked a Vehicon.

“We have to clear out old roads and neighbourhoods,” he replied.  “You can transform to knock everything down and carry the scrap to the trucks.”

Every Predacon eagerly transformed. Charging on all four paws, Darksteel crashed into crumbling walls and tore them to shreds. The Autobots and Vehicons leapt in alarm, which delighted Darksteel more. With a growling laugh, he attacked the ruins even more savagely. 

Predaking couldn’t help but smirk before joining him. All three Predacons separated to rush at small buildings and rip them to the ground. Shrieky laughs escaped even Predaking at the chance to destroy everything around him. He latched onto a wall, tearing it down. Then he froze. Tiny fuzzy creatures burst out, now missing their wings and only able to skitter to safety.

An Autobot hollered and pointed. “Frizz-rats!” 

Faces wrinkled in disgust and some Autobots tried to fire at the creatures, but missed. Predaking swung his head and shrieked at them; the Autobots halted, jaws dropping.

“Whoa, don’t be mad…” an Autobot stammered. “It’s just that they’re destructive mechanimals. They’ll chew through walls and wires…”

Predaking narrowed his eyes then transformed. “Right now you are repairing much greater damage than that, caused by yourselves!”

“They’re pests! And we didn’t destroy Iacon; that was the Decepticons!”

“You will leave the creatures be!” Predaking snapped. 

The Autobots rolled their eyes and muttered. Vehicons glanced at each other, wordlessly sharing a single thought. When Predaking returned to beast mode, he was more careful, hoping to not accidentally harm any animals. Skylynx and Darksteel were just as cautious.

---

At midday, a voice in Predaking’s audio receptor startled him.

“Predaking? Can you hear me?”

It was the respectable black and yellow Autobot. Predaking transformed to respond to him.  “I hear you.”

“Great! We just repaired the comm system on the Nemesis. You are still registered to it, so we’ll be able to contact you. Why don’t you bring your friends over here so we can add them into the system too? ”

Predaking glanced over to Darksteel and Skylynx. “... Very well.”

“Stay where you are. Ground bridges are functional again, so we can send you one right now. ”

“A moment.”

Predaking beckoned Skylynx and Darksteel to him and explained the situation.  When a swirling green portal opened beside them, the trio stepped through it into the control room of the Nemesis.  At the end of the catwalk at the controls, the black and yellow Autobots smiled at them with Vehicons at his side. 

Power had been restored to the fallen ship, and the main screen was filled with various camera feeds around the Nemesis. Outside were bustling workers: more Vehicons and a handful of unrecognizable Autobots, perhaps more Wreckers. Beside the Well of All Sparks was a table where Ratchet sat with the tall Autobot whose hand Predaking had crushed.

“You have certainly not wasted time…” Predaking swallowed the awe from his voice.

“Things are rapidly improving with all the help we’re getting.” The black and yellow Autobot headed to them with round, bright eyes. “The Well produced a wave of animal life and is now producing members of a new generation.”

“Is that so?” Predaking perked up. 

“Seven Cybertronians already, who we’re keeping safe in New Spark.”

Predaking said, “I hope there will be naturally forged Predacons in the new generation.”

“The Well has not produced so much wildlife since the Age of Evolution—the age in which the original Predacons were created. It’s possible that we will witness an equal outpouring of life, one that includes Predacons.”

“Well,” Skylynx said. “In any case, there is still that Predacon who was incubating.”

Predaking spun on him. “Another Predacon?”

“Yes, she is likely fully incubated by now. She may find her way here on her own.”

“Why did you not mention this before?” Predaking snapped.

“It slipped my mind.”

“How could such critical information slip your mind?” he cried. “We shall find this Predacon forthwith!”

“Easy now,” the Autobot said. “We can help you find her. You can stay where you are in the city while our fliers search. I promise we will send this Predacon your way as soon as we find her.”

---

Choice 1: Stay in Iacon......................... Go to 2_4 (N)

Choice 2: Look for the Predacon........... Go to 2_6 (N)

Chapter 17: 2_4 (N)

Notes:

✓

You chose to stay in Iacon

 

A free Predacon could defend themself and wouldn’t need his protection. Predaking calmed his impatience and reminded himself of his duty. He had to make sure no harm befell the Vehicons.

“I will entrust you with this task if you swear that she will be delivered safely to us,” Predaking said. 

The black and yellow Autobot assured him, “When we find her, I will calmly communicate with her so there are no misunderstandings.”

“If you are the one to handle the interaction, I trust there will be no issue…”

As he said this, Predaking’s spark fluttered with worry. He had never relinquished control to someone else before. However, the Autobot’s steady blue eyes seemed to promise him that everything would be alright.

Another Predacon…a fourth Predacon! Predaking leaned into his excitement in an attempt to snuff his fear.

“We will return to Iacon and wait,” Predaking concluded.

“Thank you,” the Autobot sighed. “We really appreciate your help there with the construction project.”

The black and yellow Autobot quickly registered Skylynx’s and Darksteel’s sparks, then he punched a comm chip into the metal next to their audio receptors.

“Ow!” Darksteel growled and rubbed the spot. He checked the tips of his claws, expecting that he had scratched the chip away, but it was now buried in a tiny hole in his head.

“If you can still track me,” Predaking said, “then why can you not track Megatron, Shockwave, and Starscream?”

“Shockwave and Starscream seem to have shielded their life signals,” the Autobot replied. “As for Megatron, we were able to track him while he was possessed by Unicron, but since we repaired the tracking systems… nothing. He must have found a way to shield his spark as well.”

Predaking yearned to search for Megatron and finish their fight once and for all. Then, thoughts of the Vehicons he had killed flooded his brain. He had hurt far too many in his rampage for Megatron. Now, he longed to head back to protect them.

“Hm, may your searches yield success,” Predaking told him.

With their business here finished, the three Predacons took the ground bridge back to Iacon.

---

Predaking could hardly stay calm and work on the construction site. His trembling arms and legs caused him to sway, dropping materials right beside Vehicons. They jumped in alarm, and one asked, “Are you alright?”

“Better,” he replied. “There will be a fourth Predacon! The Autobots are searching for her as we speak.”

"Oh, congratulations to you!"

The sun travelled painfully slow across the sky as Predaking kept checking it. Still there was no word. Later however, the voice of the black and yellow Autobot came through the comms of the Autobots.

“‘Bots of Iacon, be alert! A small spacecraft is heading your way and isn’t responding to calls.”

The Wreckers jolted and searched around for Springer. He wasn’t in sight of the Predacons, but his voice replied through the Autobots’ comms:

“I want all fliers to meet on top of the main Autobot residence. Everyone else, stand by. ”

Darksteel said, “I’m a flier—I’m going!”

He transformed and took off. Eager for something to distract him, Predaking flew after him. All the Predacons arrived and baffled Springer.

“Are you here to help?” he asked.

The Predacons growled in acknowledgement.

“Alright… It can’t hurt,” Springer said.

Whirl glared at the Predacons.

“Cosmos is following the ship,” the black and yellow Autobot said on the comms. “It looks like they are going to land in the Kali-Con Plain.”

“Let’s go!” Springer called.

The few Autobot copters headed out with the Predacons following behind. With their mighty escorts, it seemed that Springer felt no need for a ground team. The city of Iacon shrunk behind them and in a large flat silver plain, they found the small spaceship squatting on the land.

That is nothing, Predaking thought. The ship was much smaller than Froid’s had been. He alone could have torn it and the six exiting occupants apart. 

Each new bot was winged, but while Predaking thought, Decepticon Seekers, Springer called, “They’re Autobots! I recognize them.”

The copter Autobots retracted their blasters and peacefully descended vertically. Although they transformed, showing Autobot insignias to fellow wearers of the badge, the Predacons startled the new arrivals.

“Primus! What are those freaky things?” a beige and green Seeker snarled.

“Predacons, I think!” a red Seeker exclaimed.

“Experiments of Shockwave?” the same big beige and green Seeker growled.

Predaking parted his teeth and growled. 

“Our Predacon allies!” Springer called. “Only here as back up as we were unable to contact you.”

“Unable? More like, Sunrunner was too scared to respond,” a black and red flier with wheels chuckled.

“Well I thought it was a trap!” Sunrunner cried. “The message said 'land at the spaceport', but what if that message was Soundwave mimicking Optimus’ voice, huh?”

A green Seeker added, “So we decided to land here instead and have enough time to retreat if trouble came to meet us.”

“It’s alright,” Springer replied. “I assure you, the War is over. Megatron has even renounced the Decepticon cause.”

“Huh? But that message you sent out said he was dead!” Sunrunner shouted. “He isn’t?”

“No, it turns out that he isn’t. But we have control of Cybertron and fresh energon. So we’re going to find the last members of the Decepticon high command and put them behind bars.”

“Better just to kill them,” Sunrunner muttered.

“Our orders are to capture. If you wish to help, then I suggest you join Jetfire on his mission to find Megatron, Starscream, and Shockwave.”

Sunrunner frowned and nodded. “If they are on this planet, I won’t rest until I find them.”

“Jetfire was patrolling the eastern hemisphere. If we get you registered with the Nemesis ’ comm system, then you can get into contact with him and meet up.”

“You have control of the Decepticon warship?” the red Seeker laughed.

“We do, and its ground bridge system.”

“Alright, we’ll take our ship to the landing site after all,” Sunrunner declared. “Then, we’ll begin the hunt for Starscream!”

As the Autobot fliers marched back into their ship, Springer updated all Autobots.

“The vessel was not carrying Decepticons. Sunrunner, Powerglide, Cromar, Highfire, Barrell Roll, and Road Rage did not believe Optimus’ message was legitimate, thus chose to avoid the spaceport. They are heading there now and will then be joining Jetfire’s search for Decepticons on Cybertron.”  

Predaking hoped that with more fliers searching the planet, they may come across his missing sibling. All he could do now was wait, but unfortunately, this meant the rest of the day and night.

---

Continue to 2_5 (N)

Chapter 18: 2_5 (N)

Notes:

✓

The sun had just peeked over the horizon when Predaking received the call.

“Predaking? ”

Predaking’s current load dropped from his hands with a crash.

“Yes?” he responded. 

“We found the Predacon! There was no trouble at all; we had a peaceful interaction and she already knew how to transform. I’ll send you a ground bridge now.”

Predaking dove through the portal as soon as it came. Skidding into the Nemesis, he halted before the Predacon who stood between the black and yellow Autobot and a large Seeker.

Predaking’s eyes skipped over the Autobots to instead soak in the new Predacon’s features. She had a wonderfully savage face, tightly folded red wings, and aquamarine plates decked out with lethal spikes. Her bot form looked much more ruthless than those of their brethren, but as a member of the same formidable species, Predaking could only find pride in this fact. 

Although her biolights were the typical yellow, her red pupils surprised him. They sliced her yellow eyes like red cuts, but as she hurried toward Predaking, they expanded into excited orbs. 

“You are Predaking, are you not?” She grabbed his arms and shot him a smile full of needle-like teeth. “Leader of the Predacons?”

Predaking’s chest swelled and the corners of his mouth lifted. He flashed a pleased glance at the black and yellow Autobot. 

“Indeed I am.” He clasped the sharp plates of her shoulders. “And what shall you be called?”

“Ripclaw,” she answered.

“A strong and suitable name,” Predaking approved.

“My leader, I heard there are others like us and that you would take me to them!”

 “Yes, I will gladly introduce you. But first, tell me about Shockwave. Will he clone more of us?”

“Shockwave…” Her expression softened. “Our kind creator taught me how to transform so that I could communicate with others. He told me to find others like me, that they would care for me…” Ripclaw frowned. “But then he said he was going away to live on his own. I wanted to stay with him more than I wanted to leave. He insisted, however…”

The black and yellow Autobot interjected, “We already sent a group to scout out the location. Shockwave is gone.”

The Autobot Seeker stepped in. Predaking finally glanced his way and was unsettled how his height matched Predaking’s own. “But he couldn’t have gone far. A flier will surely catch sight of him soon.”

“What will you do with him?” Predaking asked.

“Imprison him, until we can give him a trial,” the black and yellow Autobot replied.

The Seeker crossed his arms. “Then promptly lock him back up.”

“Where?” Predaking asked.

The small Autobot replied, “We will soon have some secure cells available. In the meantime, anyone else would have to be put into stasis.”

“Don’t forget, Bumblebee, my inhibitor collars,” the Seeker added. 

“What are those things you just mentioned?” Ripclaw asked. “You will not harm Shockwave, correct?”

Bumblebee replied, “No. We would never intentionally harm a prisoner.”

The Autobot Seeker said, “Stasis locks bots in a state of unconsciousness.”

“And the ‘inhibitor collar’?”

The Seeker told her, “It disrupts T-Cog signals. Decepticons wearing them cannot transform or manifest their weapons. Trying to remove them will cause them to detonate, but of course, we will warn them well of that.”

“You would place such a dangerous device on Shockwave?” Ripclaw’s chest expanded. “He may be your enemy, but he does not deserve such treatment!”

“The Autobots he experimented on would disagree,” the Seeker sighed. “You are too young to understand; he did not make you out of the kindness of his spark. Shockwave created you to take advantage of your destructive capabilities.”

“Go easy on them, Jetfire,” Bumblebee said. “They don’t know the whole story.”

Jetfire nodded. “They don’t. Once the Dinobots have finished their hunt, we ought to arrange a meeting so that the Predacons fully understand Shockwave’s sins against life.”

Predaking could say nothing to defend Shockwave. For all he knew, Shockwave had agreed with Megatron’s plan to terminate the Predacons on Earth…

He turned the bristling Ripclaw around to face him. “Do not argue with them. Perhaps Shockwave is not who he seems, but rest assured, he will not be harmed or killed.”

Ripclaw clamped her fangs shut. Meanwhile, the Autobots relaxed and gazed at Predaking with appreciative blue eyes.

“Predaking,” Jetfire said. “We need to discuss something. We were told that you released Starscream and have been refusing to pursue him despite having the means to track him.”

“My decision is firm,” he replied. “I swore to him that I would only pursue him if he harmed anyone. Contact me if he does, for only then will I aid you in his arrest.”

“Help me avert a crisis,” Jetfire urged. “I know Starscream. If he feels threatened, he is likely to lash out and hurt others.”

“Then leave him,” Predaking muttered. “If it is true that Starscream only reacts aggressively when threatened, why pursue him? Regardless, I see no reason to be concerned about him. He is weak and manageable…”

“Once again, there is more you do not know,” Jetfire answered. “There are things Starscream has done—reasons why he should stand trial and face punishment.”

“I am weary of notions of revenge. I have given Starscream one last chance to change for the better, and so far he has not squandered it.”

“This isn’t about revenge,” Bumblebee butted in. “This is about justice.”

“I do not see the difference.” Impatient to introduce the other Predacons to Ripclaw, Predaking changed the subject. “Does Ripclaw have a communication link?”

Jetfire ground his face into his hand. “Why is he so stubborn? He could locate Starscream at this very moment!”

“We’ve been through this already,” Bumblebee sighed.

Predaking idly sensed Starscream’s distant location, huffed, and continued to withhold the information.

“I am a Predacon of my word. Now, do not make me ask again about Ripclaw.”

Bumblebee slouched in defeat. “No, not yet.”

“Have it done. We will return to the Hydrax Plateau following the installation.”

Jetfire grumbled to Bumblebee while he worked, “This is ridiculous. All our forces are spread out and wasting their time tracking these Decepticons…”

Bumblebee didn’t answer and clipped Ripclaw with a comm chip. 

“Are we done?” Predaking uttered.

“Yes,” he said.

“Good. Now send us back.”

Bumblebee nodded. Jetfire shifted his jaw as he watched a portal open up for the Predacons.

“Wait, Predaking. One more thing,” the Seeker announced. 

Predaking took a step, then paused.

“Thank you for letting Starscream go instead of hurting him,” Jetfire continued. “Though it may be hard to believe—and many would ridicule me for saying so—I never wanted to see him killed. He was my friend long ago.”

A friend of Starscream? Predaking’s frown eased. There really is much I do not know about this war.

Once Predaking and Ripclaw had stepped through the portal, she whirled around and demanded, “So who exactly is this Starscream?”

Predaking gave a basic summary of the War as they strolled around the construction site. Ripclaw furrowed her brows, listening attentively while gazing around at the workers. When he spotted Skylynx and Darksteel at the top of a building, he transformed to beast mode and flew toward them. Ripclaw followed him and together they landed on the rooftop.

“Hello, my brethren!” Ripclaw exclaimed. “Call me Ripclaw.”

The others introduced themselves.

“Call me Darksteel.”

“Skylynx.”

“So, this is where we’ll live?” Ripclaw looked over the edge of the building. “And with these two previously warring factions?”

Predaking said, “For now, there is peace, and we shall help keep that peace.”

“I just don’t get it. The Autobots and Decepticons killed members of our kind, but now they are being nice to us? Did they think killing us was the only way for them to survive?” 

Predaking frowned deeper at the notion, but he hardly wanted to excuse the murder of the Predacons. Yet in his spark, he had already started to understand why the Autobots had done what they had. 

 A jet engine boomed, but Predaking did not look up at first, expecting only a flying Vehicon. 

“Monsters!”

They glanced up at a blue and red jet which now circled them, hurling insults.

“Shockwave’s vile creations! And ancient demons who ought to be extinct!”

---

Continue to 2_8 (H)

 

Ripclaw concept:

Jetfire:

Notes:

Art:
Meeting Ripclaw: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Bumblebee and Jetfire: corvuskidd (Tumblr)
Ripclaw concepts: Emperor Kumquat (with Misfire for size by Mynametia)
Jetfire concept: demiigod.insta (Instagram)

Chapter 19: 2_6 (N)

Notes:

✓

You chose to look for the Predacon

 

Excitement set Predaking’s spark aflutter. The last thing he had expected was another living Predacon out there, just waiting to be found!

“Skylynx,” Predaking pressed. “Where was she incubated? We will start there.”

“North, somewhere near Iacon, I believe,” he answered. 

“Then we will return there and begin our search. We will need a portal.”

“Before you go anywhere,” the black and yellow Autobot said, “let’s put Skylynx and Darksteel into the system.” 

The black and yellow Autobot quickly registered Skylynx’s and Darksteel’s sparks, then he punched a comm chip into the metal next to their audio receptors.

“Ow!” Darksteel growled and rubbed the spot. He checked the tips of his claws, expecting that he had scratched the chip away, but it was now buried in a tiny hole in his head.

“Come now,” Predaking commanded. “We will begin our search.”

The black and yellow Autobot granted them a portal back to Iacon. From there, Skylynx took the lead. Once the Predacons soared away from the crowds and the noise of construction, suddenly the world seemed massive and eerily empty. To the west, Predaking noticed distant shimmering pyramids, but Skylynx headed straight north to a small expanse of ruins. It was certainly no city, and they passed over strange decaying loops of metal. Predaking wondered what sort of place this had been, until Skylynx led them to a pair of heavy sealed doors. 

They transformed. Darksteel pounded at the doors and yelled, “Hey! It’s us!”

There was no answer. 

“Is this Shockwave’s laboratory?” Predaking asked.

“Yes,” Skylynx replied.

Predaking stepped through them, jammed his claws between the doors, and tore them open. Sunlight slipped into the dark room and dimly lit up objects and surfaces. Stomping inside, Predaking smacked his palms against a cold empty cloning tube. 

“She is already gone,” Predaking uttered.

He peered around as though she might be crouching in the dark. Instead, he saw only hollow energon containers and mostly empty shelves. It looked like Shockwave had packed up whatever he needed and departed.

Where have they gone? Did Shockwave take her with him?

Predaking marched back outside. Transforming to beast mode, he gave the ground and air a sniff. His sense of smell wasn’t strong, but he could tell that Shockwave had driven away in the opposite direction of Iacon. He also detected an unfamiliar Predacon scent, but he could only tell where she had taken off. After that, she was gone with the wind. 

Deciding to follow Shockwave, Predaking galloped after the smell of his treads. The Predacons left the ruins for an open rusty metal plain, but immediately, the sharp odour of rust erased Shockwave’s trail. Growling, Predaking led his brethren into the sky and searched the ground from above. There was no sign of Shockwave or the Predacon. 

Letting out a screech, Predaking hoped that Shockwave or the fourth Predacon could hear them. Maybe it wasn’t too late to find Shockwave and secretly work with him to clone even more Predacons. 

Predaking flew into the cold winds, picking up the pace and shooting over the grey lands. His eyes snapped to everything that moved: flocks of small animals in the sky, crawling animals on the ground, and even flowing rivers or rolling pieces of rubble. Any large lump of metal was examined, but they lacked the elegant wings of a Predacon. When they glided over cities, Predaking shrieked to summon his new sister from the silent dark interiors of old, blasted buildings.

As the sun rolled over their backs then dipped toward the horizon, Skylynx and Darksteel lagged behind Predaking. Darksteel released long, shrieky groans trying to get Predaking’s attention, but he gave him no heed. They pressed on. Eventually, a large black mass consumed the distant land. Chittering curiously, they swept down and landed at the edge of it.

Peculiar structures emerged from the ground, like the larger versions of the green growths Predaking had seen on Earth. Inky black pillars stood taller than the Predacons and formed a roof of branches and dark needles. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the roof, allowing for a hidden dark world where numerous glowing eyes peered back at them.

Wondering if the fourth Predacon could be exploring this unusual place, Predaking let out a screech that bounced off the black pillars. Animals cried out in alarm and scrambled for shelter, but no Predacon appeared.

Skylynx transformed. “Do you not see that this is a vain effort? You cannot even be sure she headed this way.”

Darksteel also transformed. “Yeah. We should’ve just waited for her to find us.”  

“Or for an Autobot to find her,” Skylynx said. 

Predaking changed to bot-form. “We could be close.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Darksteel replied. “But I’m tired, and we could’ve been hanging out with the Vehicons right about now…” He trailed off and stepped into the dark biome. “This place is pretty interesting though. We could explore it a bit while we’re here.”

Predaking suggested, “Perhaps we can see how far it extends, while still searching for our sister.”

Returning to beast mode, Predaking encouraged the others to fly with him over the black mass of spiky growths. The moons in the sky cast powerful silver light over the Predacons. After one more shriek, Predaking hurled a striking orange beam across the night sky. After a pause, Skylynx and Darksteel joined him in slicing the darkness with Predacon fire.

A large spiky shape prowled from the northern edge of the black mass. Yellow lights glowed on its body and a long tail dragged behind it. Giant wings unfurled, allowing Predaking to recognize the figure before she blasted a fourth beam of flame into the sky.

It is her!

She shot into the sky with long velvety wings that reminded Predaking of his own. When she flew into the moonlight, vibrant colours of red, green, and aquamarine struck them. She was as bold as her plating, speeding fearlessly toward them. The red slits of her pupils pierced them and spikes charged from her neck to her tail and down each leg. A long tail swung behind her with a thick pincered end, which looked as though it could snatch up any Autobot or Vehicon.

She slowed and hovered with them, wearing the same Predacon insignia on her chest. Growling excitedly, she flew a circle around them, before the others growled playfully too and gave chase. They formed a ring, flying in circles after each other’s tails both long and short. Each then began to screech and roar in their own cries, flying at each other and engaging in mock battle. But since the fourth Predacon was armed with spikes, they were careful to not stab themselves fighting her.

Finally, Predaking slipped away, wiggling through the air in serpentine curls. The others flew after him in swoops, speeding ahead of him, dropping behind, or kicking off his back. The whole way back to Iacon, they played and forgot their fatigue and thirst. Any Wreckers out patrolling at the time shouted in alarm, but the Predacons passed by harmlessly. Predaking, Skylynx, and Darksteel landed outside the Vehicon residence, transforming to bot mode.

[The aquamarine and red Predacon transformed. She was just as large as Skylynx and Darksteel, but looked even more intimidating with a beastly face even in bot mode. She had a thick jaw and a wide mouth filled with sharp silver teeth.]

She asked, “You are Predaking, leader of the Predacons?”

“Indeed, I am.” He clasped the sharp plates of her shoulders. “And what shall you be called?”

“Ripclaw,” she answered.

“A strong and suitable name,” Predaking approved.

The others introduced themselves.

“Mine’s Darksteel.”

“Skylynx.”

Predaking said to Ripclaw, “I see you are already familiar with transformation.”

“Our kind creator taught me how to transform so that I could communicate with others. He also told me to find others like me, that they would care for me…” 

“Where is Shockwave now? Do you know?” Predaking asked.

Ripclaw frowned. “No. He went away, saying he was going to live on his own. I wanted to stay with him more than I wanted to leave. He insisted, however…”

“That is a shame,” Predaking sighed. “I had hoped that he would clone more of us. We are the only four Predacons on Cybertron. However, perhaps more will be forged from the Well of All Sparks.”

“If there were more of us, that would be fun,” Ripclaw replied. “But first, I must acquaint myself with you! And I see that we are not the only bots here. There are non-beastly Cybertronians here, the same kind as our creator.”

“Some of them are our haughty allies, the Autobots,” Skylynx said. “You will meet the more pleasant ones, the purple Vehicon clones.”

They opened the doors and went inside the residence. At this time, most Vehicons had gone to their quarters to rest. However, the few still seated in the room jolted and gasped when the new Predacon entered the room.

“Who are you?” they gasped.

---

Continue to 2_7 (N)

 

Ripclaw:

 

 

Notes:

Art:
Ripclaw concepts: Emperor Kumquat (with Misfire for size by Mynametia)

Chapter 20: 2_7 (N)

Notes:

✓

Ripclaw was wholeheartedly accepted by the Vehicons, who gave her a summary of the War so that she would understand the world she had just stepped into. All the Predacons refuelled on energon before lying on the street outside for a quick rest. Ripclaw crept toward their pile of intertwined wings and tails, and the three other Predacons stiffened in apprehension until she retracted her dangerous spikes or lay them flat. 

She wrapped her body around Skylynx and Darksteel. As the pile grew, so did the joy in Predaking’s spark. 

The typical racket of construction woke the Predacons, but they opened their eyes to see Autobots standing before them who had not dared to wake them: Springer, Whirl, other Wreckers, Autobots from Earth like the blue and yellow one and the tiny blue one, and even the red Decepticon Knockout.

Slowly separating, the Predacons stretched and gazed at their audience. Most Autobots went on their way, but Springer remained with the ever suspicious Whirl.

“I see you found a new companion,” Springer observed. 

The Predacons transformed. Springer stepped closer to Ripclaw and nodded diplomatically. “My name is Springer, second-in-command of the Autobot force called ‘the Wreckers’.”

“I am Ripclaw,” she said.

“Welcome to Iacon. Before you get started, Bumblebee wanted to put you in the comm system so you can be contacted at any time or you can contact us in case of emergency. Also, Predaking, there’s an Autobot who would like to talk to you.”

Skylynx and Darksteel elected to stay behind while Predaking and Ripclaw stepped through a ground bridge. The black and yellow Autobot stood once again by the front controls of the Nemesis, but this time beside a giant white and red Seeker as tall as a Predacon.                                                                                                                         

“So, you found her!” the black and yellow Autobot exclaimed.

The Seeker stepped forward. “Was she with Shockwave?”

“No,” Predaking replied. “It seems that Shockwave has departed to live on his own.”

“Shockwave couldn’t have gone far. A flier will surely catch sight of him soon.”

“What will you do with him if he is found?” Predaking asked.

“Imprison him, until we can give him a trial,” the black and yellow Autobot replied.

The Seeker crossed his arms. “Then promptly lock him back up.”

“Where?” Predaking asked.

The small Autobot replied, “We will soon have some secure cells available. In the meantime, anyone we capture will have to be put into stasis.”

“Don’t forget, Bumblebee, my inhibitor collars,” the Seeker added.

“What are those things you just mentioned?” Ripclaw asked. “You will not harm Shockwave, correct?”

Bumblebee replied, “No. We would never intentionally harm a prisoner.”

The Autobot Seeker said, “Stasis locks bots in a state of unconsciousness.”

“And the ‘inhibitor collar’?”

The Seeker told her, “It disrupts T-Cog signals. Decepticons wearing them cannot transform or manifest their weapons. Trying to remove them will cause them to detonate, but of course, we will warn them well of that.”

“You would place such a dangerous device on Shockwave?” Ripclaw’s chest expanded. “He may be your enemy, but he does not deserve such treatment!”

“The Autobots he experimented on would disagree,” the Seeker sighed. “You are too young to understand; he did not make you out of the kindness of his spark. Shockwave created you to take advantage of your destructive capabilities.”

“Go easy on them, Jetfire,” Bumblebee said. “They don’t know the whole story.”

Jetfire nodded. “They don’t. Once the Dinobots have finished their hunt, we ought to arrange a meeting so that the Predacons fully understand Shockwave’s sins against life.”

Predaking could say nothing to defend Shockwave. For all he knew, Shockwave had agreed with Megatron’s plan to terminate the Predacons on Earth…

He turned the bristling Ripclaw around to face him. “Do not argue with them. Perhaps Shockwave is not who he seems, but rest assured, he will not be harmed or killed.”

Ripclaw clamped her fangs shut. Meanwhile, the Autobots relaxed and gazed at Predaking with appreciative blue eyes.

“Predaking,” Jetfire said. “We need to discuss something. We were told that you released Starscream and could potentially be able to track him.”

“My decision is firm. The Predacons will no longer have anything to do with Starscream.” 

“Help me avert a crisis,” Jetfire urged. “I know Starscream. If he feels threatened, he is likely to lash out and hurt others.”

“Then leave him,” Predaking muttered. “If it is true that Starscream only reacts aggressively when threatened, why pursue him? Regardless, I see no reason to be concerned about him. He is weak and manageable…”

“Once again, there is more you do not know,” Jetfire answered. “There are things Starscream has done—reasons why he should stand trial and face punishment.”

“I am weary of notions of revenge. Perhaps Starscream can be given one last chance to change for the better, and if he squanders it, then he can be captured.”

“This isn’t about revenge,” Bumblebee butted in. “This is about justice.”

“I do not see the difference.” Impatient to leave, Predaking changed the subject. “Does Ripclaw have a communication link?”

Jetfire ground his face into his hand. “Why is he so stubborn? He could locate Starscream at this very moment!”

“We’ve been through this already,” Bumblebee sighed.

Predaking idly sensed Starscream’s distant location, huffed, and continued to withhold the information.

“Do not make me ask again about Ripclaw.”

Bumblebee slouched in defeat. “No, not yet.”

“Have it done. We will return to Iacon following the installation.”

Jetfire grumbled to Bumblebee while he worked, “This is ridiculous. All our forces are spread out and wasting their time tracking these Decepticons…”

Bumblebee didn’t answer and clipped Ripclaw with a comm chip.

“Are we done?” Predaking uttered.

“Yes,” he said.

“Good. Now send us back.”

Bumblebee nodded. Jetfire shifted his jaw as he watched a portal open up for the Predacons.

“Wait, Predaking. One more thing,” the Seeker announced.

Predaking took a step, then paused.

“Thank you for letting Starscream go instead of hurting him,” Jetfire continued. “Though it may be hard to believe—and many would ridicule me for saying so—I never wanted to see him killed. He was my friend long ago.”

A friend of Starscream? Predaking’s frown eased. There is still much I do not know about this war.

Once Predaking and Ripclaw had stepped through the portal, she growled, “Wasn’t Starscream the second-in-command of the Decepticons? If he hurt you and is such a big enemy to the Autobots, our allies, why not just capture him?”

“I am tired of Starscream. He has been a pest for my entire existence. Now, he can be someone else’s problem.”

“I could find him,” Ripclaw suggested.

“You cannot track him without his energon. Besides, I want you to stay with us in Iacon. We are your brethren; we belong together.”

“Alright…”

Ripclaw said, “The Autobots don’t seem as bad as I was told, at least. The Vehicons say they killed them for fun, but now the Autobots are working with them peacefully. They can’t be that cruel, then.”

Predaking frowned. “They certainly slaughtered Vehicons during the War. And remember what they did to the Predacons on Earth.”

Of course, he had told her. She had been furious last night, but Predaking had urged her to respect the new alliance.

“I just don’t get it. They killed us, but now they are being nice to us?” Ripclaw pondered. “Did they think killing us was the only way for them to survive?”

Predaking frowned deeper at the notion, but he hardly wanted to excuse the murder of the Predacons. Yet in his spark, he had already started to understand why the Autobots had done what they did. 

They looked around for Darksteel and Skylynx, then spotted them at the top of a building. Predaking and Ripclaw flew up to the roof where Skylynx and Darksteel waited.  Together, they observed the mixed group of labouring Autobots and Decepticons.

“I understand that we will be rebuilding. But what are the buildings for?” Ripclaw asked.

Predaking had never asked that question, assuming everything would be for housing.

Skylynx pointed around them. “I know. Residence buildings to house bots… Hospital… Over there will be the new public Hall of Records… And over there will be a neighbourhood of houses for larger or needier bots.”

 A jet engine boomed, but Predaking did not look up, expecting it to only be a flying Vehicon. 

“Monsters!”

They glanced up at a blue and red jet which now circled them, hurling insults.

“Shockwave’s vile creations! And ancient demons who ought to be extinct!”

---

Continue to 2_8 (N)

 

Jetfire:

Notes:

Art:
Predacon cuddle pile: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Bumblebee and Jetfire: corvuskidd (Tumblr)
Jetfire concept: demiigod.insta (Instagram)

Chapter 21: 2_8 (N)

Notes:

✓

“Who is that?” Ripclaw snarled.

“Do not engage,” Predaking uttered. “That may be an Autobot.”

“So what?” Darksteel growled.

Ripclaw shouted, “Come here and say all that to our faces, you horrible snob!”

To Predaking’s surprise, the Autobot transformed and dropped down in front of the four Predacons. Fearlessly, he waved a large white gun at them.

“Horrible? Look who’s talking, ugly beast!” the Autobot flier snarled. “You’re just Decepticon weapons! None of us actually want you here!”

She cried, “You think you can just insult us without consequence?”

“I just say the things others are too scared to say!”

Springer rushed up in copter-form and landed between the Predacons and the Seeker. “Devcon! We told you that the Predacons were our allies! What possessed you to attack them?”

“Oh, shut it, Springer,” Devcon snapped. “Bloody Predacons? As allies? We should all turn against them and blast them to smithereens! We can take them together!”

“You dare?” Predaking snarled.

“I am sorry.” Springer threw out his hands. “Devcon here has a few screws loose. This is the second fight he’s started since arriving last night, and I’ve been needing to keep an eye on him.”

Springer latched onto the Seeker’s arm.

“You’re more trouble than those Combaticons,” Springer growled. “No more flying around. You are coming with me, and that is an order from a superior officer!”

“Scrap that,” Devcon muttered, though he did not pull against Springer’s grip. He raised his voice so it carried down to the bots on the ground. “These are Predacons! These are experiments of Shockwave! I don’t care what Bumblebee thinks, these creatures are carnivorous monsters of the past and the War! Shockwave made them to kill us Autobots! What kind of k instincts do you imagine they have?”

“Shut up already!” Ripclaw snapped. “I don’t even know you! I never even fought in your stupid war!” 

“Silence him,” Predaking hissed at Springer.

“Come with me,” Springer commanded Devcon.

The two Autobots transformed and flew away from the construction site.

Darksteel said, “If he wanted to see a monster, I could have shown him one.”

The annoyed Predacons returned to work, this time helping with the construction of Iacon’s new houses. While raising walls, Predaking seethed from their experience with Devcon. If it weren’t for the reliable friendly company of the Vehicons, Predaking might have left the city to either track down Shockwave or live in the wilderness.

---

That night as the Predacons sat in the Vehicon residence, introducing Ripclaw to those who wished to greet her, a new guest entered the building. Short in stature but gleaming to attract attention, all eyes fell onto Knockout. 

“Bonsoir, gentlemen,” he purred. 

He glided through the room and took a seat by the energon tank. Slowly, he filled up a cup for himself, smirking in the silence. After putting a casual elbow on the table and taking a sip of his drink, Knockout spoke again.

“So, any of you interested in body modifications?”

He drank again, letting his listeners process his words. However, he looked only at the Vehicons and not the Predacons. 

“You don’t have to be purple anymore, you know,” Knockout continued. “Decepticon traditionalist colours. On the contrary, you could be any colour you like. Or perhaps, any form you like. What do you say?”

A Vehicon asked, “What exactly are you offering?”

Knockout rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’m offering to change your bodies, however you like. I could change your colours, slim you or bulk you up. Maybe even give you a new alt mode.”

“However we want?” another Vehicon echoed.

If the Vehicons’ eyes could have widened, Predaking felt sure that they would have. They glanced at each other, but then silence dragged on as no one had a response.

A wheeled Vehicon beside Knockout stood up.

“My fellows. For a long time, I never aspired to be different. Same as you. But now that the War is over, and Megatron and Starscream are gone, we are free to be bots of our own.”

The Vehicon’s face split and revealed two rows of sharp orange teeth. Everyone in the room jumped in surprise, save for Knockout. The red bot coolly drank more energon.

“I am a Cybertronian equal to any other. I have altered my appearance to demonstrate my individuality. Call me Altero.”

All other Vehicons froze in place. Something struck them profoundly in a way the Predacons did not understand. Looking around, the Predacons were surprised by how long the Vehicons simply stared at the fanged Vehicon. 

Predaking realized, None of them have ever been named.

Finally, the Vehicons whispered the name over and over.

“Alter… o? What is ‘o’?” Darksteel asked.

Altero lifted a finger. “That would be the masculine suffix in some Earth languages.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, don’t you worry,” Altero hushed. “I just thought that Earth had interesting things to offer. I believe all we Vehicons perused their ‘Internet’ and learned about their cultures, activities, and cinema…  in our boredom. We can borrow from them. And when it comes to names, we can hold names that no other Cybertronian has ever held.”

Altero whisked his arms to point to Knockout. 

“Dream, my fellows. And we will make your dreams reality. I will greatly reward the doctor for his services.”

Altero’s faceplates locked back into place. He looked no different than any other Vehicon around him. It left everyone buzzing from the shock, questioning if they had just imagined everything. Yet there Altero stood, his chin raised higher than any other Vehicon normally held it. Perhaps it was Predaking’s imagination, perhaps not, but his eyes seemed to glow a little stronger. He radiated difference and walked with swagger out the exit.

After the mysterious Vehicon had departed, Knockout headed out as well.

“I’ll be stationing myself in one of those new Iaconian homes,” Knockout said. “You’ll find me. I know you’ll be looking!”

He winked, then vanished.

Whispers of bewilderment rushed from the Vehicons. They bounced in their seats and twisted around, seeking guidance from one another.

Darksteel exclaimed, “That sounds great! I think you should definitely do it. Why not?”

The Vehicons stared at the Predacons.

Ripclaw added, “It sounds like a great idea. You can be whoever you want to be.”

“If you have your own looks,” Skylynx said, “the Autobots will probably respect you more.”

“Most certainly,” Predaking punctuated. “And each of you can become acquainted on an individual level.”

The concept seemed to blow their minds. 

“What colour would we even want to be?” one whispered.

“I suppose you have rarely considered ‘I’, that is to say, personal identities,” Predaking rumbled. 

A Vehicon pondered loudly, “We spent so much time discovering ‘we’, a feat in itself to realize our community and the suffering we face. ‘I’ is new, but it is something we have been discovering. We speak differently, vary in our skills, and have different opinions. We have our own sparks. So, why not be like Altero and show the world that we are each our own bot?”

“Still Vehicons, but individuals,” another Vehicon agreed. 

As Vehicons spoke up and encouraged each other, the general consensus was that they would retain a Vehicon look no matter what modifications they made. They did not want to abandon their community to look the same as the Cybertronians who had looked down on them. 

“I will go first!” one jet Vehicon cried. “And I will be called… Ciel!”

“What’s that?” Darksteel asked.

“The word français for Sky.”

“The what?”

---

Continue to 2_9 (N)

 

Devcon:

Notes:

Art:
Knockout and the Vehicons: chaos_birdie (Instagram, X)
Devcon concept: Darija (darija-morgan on Tumblr)

Chapter 22: 2_9 (N)

Notes:

✓

The next day, the Predacons followed a group of Vehicons in their search for Knockout. They found him waiting on the steps of a red metal house within the new neighbourhood.

“Hello, boys,” Knockout drawled. “I was hoping some of you would show. There's a lot of things I need moved before I can get started.”

As it turned out, this meant carrying Knockout to the Nemesis and transporting his supplies. Knockout looked expectantly at Predaking, who first growled then stopped when the Vehicons looked at him hopefully. After transforming, he sighed in beast mode and let Knockout climb onto him.

On their way out of the city, Whirl zipped after them. “Where do you think you’re going? Is this a revolt?”

“Ha!” Knockout laughed from Predaking’s back. “Do I look like a fine leader, riding on the back of a Predacon?” 

Predaking tilted sharply; Knockout cried out and scrambled to hold on.

Whirl withdrew. Once they reached the Nemesis, the Predacons and Vehicons crowded into the med bay and Knockout’s adjacent personal quarters. While collecting Knockout’s property, the red Decepticon casually asked Predaking, “So, do you have any idea where Screamer is now?”

Predaking squinted.

“Just curious. I’m not asking you to capture him or anything,” Knockout continued.

“Do you intend to reunite with your comrade?” Predaking growled.

Knockout replied, “Not really. He’s quite rude, so I think I might be better off without him. Although, I was wondering if he was lurking around.”

Predaking checked Starscream's location, noticing that his ability to pinpoint it was fading. 

“He is far from here,” he uttered.

“He isn’t near here or Iacon?”

“No.”

Predaking envisioned Starscream curled up somewhere isolated and dark, lamenting over his past mistakes. It was a satisfying thought. 

“Let us complete our task,” Predaking announced.

The Predacons and Vehicons finished transporting Knockout’s things outside, then it was up to the Predacons to carry everything to Knockout's house—

“Studio!” Knockout insisted.

—and a jet Vehicon, likely Ciel, lined up first at the door. He went inside as soon as Knockout was ready. Everyone else returned to work on the neighbourhood, not knowing how long the process would take.

Eventually, Bulkhead and Wheeljack approached the Predacons at work. Predaking half expected trouble from them. 

Bulkhead said, “Uh, so this is long overdue… but we just wanted to thank you for helping us fight Unicron. We’re, er, glad to have you on our side now. Thanks for everything you’ve been doing here. Oh also, for not terminating Starscream. Now we can give him a trial… if we can just find him.”

“Hmm…” Predaking smiled slightly. “Of course, joining forces was only logical at the time in order to save this world.”

“Heh heh,” Darksteel chuckled. “You sounded like Shockwave.”

Predaking glanced at him strangely.

“Anyway,” Bulkhead continued, “If you’re interested… you can claim some of the large-sized houses we’ve made. They don’t have any halls or rooms—they're just single large rooms. So you could have a roof over your head in beast-form... a place to curl up.”

“Why would we require a roof?” Predaking replied.

“Well, you know… If the weather gets bad or if you wanna store any valuables in a safe place… There will be locks on the doors.”

“Will the houses be spacious enough to contain us all?”

Bulkhead’s eyes widened. “We’d have to build a very large house in order for that!”

“Then have it done,” Predaking said.

“But uh…” Bulkhead tried to show him a diagram on his datapad. “We already have a plan… There wouldn’t be space for a… mansion.”

“Have it put at the end of the street.” Predaking jabbed the screen.

The Wreckers glanced at each other.

“Alright…” Bulkhead said.

Wheeljack sighed and rolled his eyes.

“We’ll make it,” a Vehicon said. “Anything for you.”

The Autobots glanced up. Wheeljack looked with hostility and Bulkhead with unease at the tightened ring of Vehicons around them, then, they departed.

---

As the sunset’s orange and pink rays stretched across the sky, a light blue jet streaked up from the neighbourhood into the sky. Vehicons stopped work and stared at their brother flying loops over the houses.

A Vehicon exhaled, “He did it… He chose his own colours!”

The sky-blue Vehicon transformed and landed neatly on a rooftop. His hands fell on his hips and he puffed his chest in the way that Altero had. His lifted wings were white on the tips while darker blue details patterned the rest of him. And the eye which he gazed at them with was no longer orange, but light yellow. 

“I am like the sky of Earth and Cybertron! My eye is the colour of the suns and my wing tips that of the clouds!” he crowed.

The other Vehicons sighed in admiration. Ciel transformed and jetted off again, twirling and looping over every construction project. Autobots began to notice and gawk at Ciel, while Knockout stood on the steps of his house, smirking at the display.

---

At night, Ciel sat in a lobby chair, stretching back and looking at the other Vehicons pressed in close around him.

“It’s not a paint job; it’s all natural,” Ciel explained. “Knockout has created fashion models. You can change your colours any way you like just by scanning those models.”

However, the other Vehicons were not yet sure what colours or forms they wanted. And if they did want to commit to a change, they wanted to have a name ready like Ciel, before their surgeries.

---

In the morning, grey clouds drifted across the sky and a light rain fell. A few mechanimals loped or flew into the city, taking cover under construction materials. Meanwhile, Autobots complained and headed indoors with their hands over their heads.

“What’s wrong with the rain?” Skylynx called out to them. Even the Vehicons looked confused.

“The rain’s probably acidic!” an Autobot called back. “We don’t want any metal irritation!”

“The rain is damaging?” Skylynx echoed. “Huh. What about the buildings then? Will they sustain damage?”

The Autobot retreated inside.

A Vehicon replied, “I believe the materials get a protective spray at the factories.”

“Ah.”

“The rain surely isn’t that bad for us,” the Vehicon went on.

While water splattered them, the Predacons and Vehicons carried great sheets of metal to a bare area at the end of a street. Vehicons working on other nearby projects abandoned them to join theirs. The Predacons sheltered them under their wings as one Vehicon hunched over a datapad, making a sketch with a stylus while others watched and pitched ideas. By the time their blueprint was complete, the rain had stopped and the sun peeked out. Their materials began to dry and the Vehicons started welding. 

Autobots slipped back outside and watched the Predacons raise the first wall. Bulkhead approached, glanced at the Vehicons’ blueprints, nodded, and waved over his comrades. Burly bodies of various colours mixed with those purple, then materials were passed from strong large hands to small three-fingered ones. Predaking watched with satisfaction until he noticed Whirl hanging back with a few other Autobots, weapons drawn, but under Springer's supervision. He frowned, but at the very least, Devcon was nowhere to be found.

Predaking continued work. Later, the strange lanky Autobot named Froid showed up to watch the construction. He stood almost out of sight, like he did not intend to spy but would be perfectly happy to not be seen either. Fragile jewellery of gold chains and red gems decorated him, but as Predaking thought how they would break in transformation, he rolled his eyes and saw Knockout. He too stayed back and did not lift a finger to contribute.

No matter... Predaking thought.

Ciel and the other Vehicons worked first hesitantly then more confidently beside the Autobots. In the end, they and the Predacons erected a giant lord of a house that dwarfed all others on the street. Head raised, Predaking marched inside in beast mode. The hollow, echoing space was almost large enough for him to spread his wings. All the Predacons tested the room in beast mode, able to fit side by side.

Ripclaw transformed to proclaim, “This place is magnificent!” 

“We haven’t even finished the decorations,” a Vehicon said.

The exterior walls of the house were now coated with a red spray. Maroon pillars and a roof were attached. Thematically, the house began to blend in with the rest of the neighbourhood. Two wheeled Vehicons carefully spray painted a brick pattern on the walls, and as a final touch, a golden Predacon symbol on the great maroon door. 

“You’re so artistic!” Ripclaw claimed.

“We are?” the Vehicons echoed.

“Fantastic work, everyone!” Springer declared. He glanced at the artists, Ciel, and the other Vehicons. 

“Thank you,” Ripclaw told the Vehicons.

Predaking added, “Yes, thank you for building us this grand habitation.” 

Both Autobot and Vehicon workers drifted away. The sun beamed down on the giant new house, inviting the Predacons back in. A keypad had already been installed beside the door, and Darksteel had chosen the password: 1-1-1-1-1.

He had claimed, “Who is going to be stupid enough to rob our house anyway?”

After he punched in the code now, the door slid sideways. He flicked on the energon-fuelled lights, filling the grey space with white light. Running his fingers along an empty shelf, Darksteel asked, “It’s kinda empty. What should we put in here?”

Predaking transformed and settled down in the middle of the room, soon joined by his brethren. Personally, he didn’t think he needed anything else but them in this home. And after the day, his spark felt warm and utterly content in every manner.

The others do not wish for us to be extinct. They have accepted us as fellow Cybertronians in this society. 

Droopy-eyed, Predaking felt calmer than ever considering the termination of his brethren on Earth. Such a thing wouldn’t have occurred if the Autobots had known they were not simple animals. Ultimately, the Autobots had only been afraid of being wiped out by giant powerful beasts.

And we would have certainly wiped them out.

He had tried to hunt down Wheeljack without a second thought right after he had entered this universe. 

I was willing to terminate him.

Predaking growled tiredly, feeling ready to forget the past. The past would not change, but the present had, and now, tomorrow would be better to think about.

But if I ever see Megatron again…

Predaking resisted clenching his claws so that he wouldn’t scratch the floor.

---

Continue to 2_10 (N)

Chapter 23: 2_10 (N)

Notes:

✓

A new appreciation for the city grew on Predaking after their house was built. Working on construction was no longer a repetitive grind necessary for the acceptance of the Predacon species. Now Predaking could look forward to the completion of each building in an honest sense and appreciate their artistic touches.

After another week had passed, the arrival of around one hundred Autobots to Iacon increased the work pace. And each day thereafter, new Autobots would approach the Predacons and ask if they really were Predacons, resulting in many prideful transformations to beast mode.

The Predacons went wherever they pleased, working or exploring. Once the city's hospital was declared complete, the Predacons strolled through the silver halls and peeked into many barren rooms. Hardly more than a few berths could be found in them, but Autobots were carting in supplies.

“Not much to see yet, is there?” A red-faced, white Autobot passed by them. She kept walking, wheeling a cart behind her. “We’re not ready for large-scale emergencies. Not enough equipment or medics… It’s nice to have you here, at least.”

She headed away.

“What did she mean by that?” Darksteel wondered. “We don’t know how to heal anybody. Haha, the opposite in fact!”

Ripclaw wondered, “Maybe she meant that we could stop conflicts.”

Predaking nodded. “Our superior strength may serve an honourable purpose.”

The Predacons walked back outside.

“But I’m not opposed to fighting Autobots,” Darksteel complained. “Are you saying that we can’t fight them at all anymore? What if Devcon comes back and needs a good bite to teach him a lesson?”

“Indeed,” Skylynx said.

“Remember. The punishment must fit the crime…” Predaking trailed off. 

“And what punishment did Starscream really get?” Darksteel huffed. “None!”

Predaking decided not to argue. The sun beamed down on Iacon, warming his spark while a fresh breeze put a spring in his step. The Predacons bounced along to the newly opened library, a tall cylindrical building with glowing silver walls and copper and gold details. Passing under the sign Iacon Hall of Records, the Predacons entered a room with finely polished floors crisscrossed by decorative yellow lights. 

A transparent tube stretched up to the ceiling and lifted an Autobot beyond sight. Darksteel darted to the elevator and hopped inside it as soon as the platform lowered again, ascending to the upper levels. Ignoring him, Skylynx strode ahead and investigated the sparse shelves beyond the elevator. A few datapads stood on the shelves with titles written on their spines. As Skylynx flipped through them with a finger, a soft voice spoke up.

“Please be careful with those.”

Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx looked down. A thin grey Autobot stood below their hips, looking up at them with calm blue eyes.

“What are they, exactly?” Skylynx asked.

“Electronic books,” the Autobot replied. “We started downloading information from the archives onto these datapads. Every book is a compilation of a topic, and this floor is dedicated to history from the War.”

Predaking noticed one book’s title: The Return of the Matrix of Leadership. 

“I see…” Skylynx replied. “So you will expand your collection over time?”

“The second floor will focus on prewar history, including ancient history and mythology. The third floor will be for the sciences, the fourth for cultures and arts, and the fifth is to be determined. But because we haven’t created many books yet, I suggest you search on one of our computers for any information you currently seek.”

He is speaking to us with the courtesy we Predacons deserve, Predaking thought. To be certain, he broadened his shoulders and asked, “Are you aware that those standing before you are those of the previously extinct Predacon species?”

The librarian Autobot blinked a few times. “Ah yes, of course… Why do you ask?”

“I simply wanted to confirm.”

Skylynx began to walk toward the elevator. “I wish to see what the third floor offers.”

“One at a time in the elevator, please!” the grey librarian called. “There is a weight limit!”

Skylynx went first, then Predaking decided, “I will see if there is more information on our species on the second floor.”

Predaking travelled up to the second floor: a huge silent room lit by blue lights. He headed toward the mostly empty shelves, and soon after, heavy Predacon footsteps followed him. Turning, Predaking smiled to see Ripclaw.

“Are you equally interested in our species?” he asked.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” she said. “We’re the only four left of a once numerous species, and we only exist because Shockwave cloned us from fossils… I think it’s fascinating.”

They searched through the few books available, before Ripclaw pulled one off the shelf.

“Predacons.” She held up a book with the same title.

Powering on the book, she began to swipe through the pages.

“Do not rush through; there is much to learn,” Predaking instructed. “I have already studied these archives on the Decepticon warship.”

“I wanted to see how different we could be. Look here!” She paused on an image. “It’s a drawing of a three-headed Predacon!”

Predaking watched her slitted eyes widen into curious red orbs. Going quiet, he let her have her fun. 

“I see a few two-headed Predacons too! So interesting… It must have been common, but none of us are like that. Look! There were Predacons without wings!” 

Predaking glanced at a drawing off a squat two-legged beast. He scowled and looked away from the hideous image. “I have seen such images before, but I am certain the Cybertronians who recorded this were mistaken. Predacons have elegant long forms, four legs, and wings. We rule the ground and the sky. That must be a lesser species.”

Ripclaw continued. “I see other two-legged Predacons. Here are smaller ones with their arms and wings joined together.”

Predaking did not look this time. “They are just like the mechanimals we see outside.”

“I wonder why they thought they were Predacons?” Ripclaw mused. “Well, it does say that they breathed fire.”

“There is more to being a Predacon than possessing fire. Size, strength, four lethally clawed limbs, wings, a tail—”

“Darksteel doesn’t really have a tail!” Ripclaw laughed. “I should tell him he isn’t a Predacon anymore!”

“Ignore that criteria,” Predaking grunted. “Although, a long, bladed tail is certainly an advantage in battle.”

“Suppose these were all Predacons.” Ripclaw indicated the book. “And there were different classes.”

“Lesser classes, perhaps,” Predaking conceded. “Which Shockwave began to clone a few of on Earth, for some illogical reason.”

“It does say the two-legged ones are incredibly fast fliers with bladed wings. That sounds impressive. And the wingless Predacons have the thickest, most indestructible metal. Oh!” She swiped to a new section of the book. “Different Predacon abilities… Ice-breath! Acid spit… Venom…”

She looked up. “I have the feeling that I am the venomous type.”

Predaking raised his eyebrows.

“There is a needle in my tail and I’m fairly certain there is liquid in there,” she elaborated. “Not that I’m going to stab someone to find out though… unless they deserve it.”

She laughed and read on. “The Predacons with the most striking colours were reported as likely to be venomous or acidic. Their colours served as warnings to other Predacons that they were not to be challenged. ”

Ripclaw cracked a massive, tooth-filled grin.

“You see that?”

“I see it,” Predaking muttered. “Nevertheless, remember that nothing trumps strength and ferocity.”

“You must still appreciate that a rarer type of Predacon managed to be revived!” She puffed up.

Predaking sighed, then smiled a little. “You are correct. I am grateful for your existence.”

---

“Why were you curious about the sciences?” Predaking asked Skylynx when they regrouped at the exit.

“This world is full of mysteries. Everything intrigues me and I want to learn how it all works,” Skylynx admitted as they walked back out into the street. “How did Cybertronians harness the power of light?”

He pointed at the street lights.

“How did they create screens and books?”

He spread his arms to the town plaza where large screens hung and displayed peaceful messages like Let’s Bring Back Home and We Can Build the World We Want. 

“Shockwave knew how to create us from the remains of the dead. It all seems magical, but none of these bots are magical. If everything these bots do or make is knowledge-based, then it stands to reason that all I need to do is learn in order to gain the same abilities as them.”

Predaking stopped and stared at him. “I never considered the possibility. Are you saying that in the absence of Shockwave, you may learn to clone more Predacons?”

“Perhaps I could. Unless his knowledge was secret and his alone. Then we must wait until he is found.”

“He doesn’t want to be found. He is gone,” Ripclaw said. 

“This may all be unnecessary if the Well of All Sparks does clone more Predacons as Bumblebee said,” Predaking exhaled. “I believe there will be more Predacons, potentially any cycle now.”

“Aw but there might not be room for them in our house,” Darksteel replied.

Predaking decided, “We will expand ours or have more built. Or we will move to a new land of our own.”

The day continued and ended peacefully. Before the Predacons returned to their homes, they went to the Vehicon residence gradually being dubbed as  “the Clubhouse”. All their eyes widened at the burst of pink and red on either side of Ciel.

“Hello, Predacons.” The red Vehicon bowed. “We are the ones who painted your door. I am Acrylic now.”

“And I am Pastel,” the pink one said.

“Congratulations on your new identities.” Predaking dipped his head. “Now, you radiate confidence.”

He genuinely supported the Vehicons. Once they varied more in appearance, Predaking would be able to remember each one and their interests. Suddenly, Predaking wondered what it would have been like if all Predacons had looked exactly the same. As of now, Predaking was learning the differences in personalities between his brethren. He certainly appreciated those differences as well.

Although, if they were flightless… Well, I would rather have flightless brethren than no brethren!

---

Continue to 2_11 (N)

 

The librarian:

The library (interior, 1st and 2nd floor):

Notes:

The librarian is Rung who came with Silverbolt's ship.
Art:
Rung (Gravemaker) concept: HiddenAsAlways (Tumblr)
Library concept: JackNetherBlack (@JNetherblack)

Chapter 24: 2_11 (N)

Notes:

✓

After sleeping together in a pile, the Predacons emerged from their house to start a new day. Small brown and grey creatures hopped across the road and black-feathered animals soared through the air. The Predacons spread their wings and joined them in the sky, before scanning the city for a project to contribute to. Drawn by the bright new colours of Acrylic and Pastel, the Predacons dropped down to work with them and watch them cut sheets of metal into decorative patterns.

Other Autobots also ogled the newly altered Vehicons. Springer lingered nearby, watching them without comment, while Bulkhead and Wheeljack were nowhere to be seen. But then, a familiar Autobot voice spoke through every Wrecker’s comms: the voice of the taller Autobot whose hand Predaking had crushed.

“Autobots in Iacon: Be advised that a small Decepticon vessel is approaching Cybertron with an estimated twenty members onboard. At the moment, it is not heading toward Iacon, but be prepared as it could change course. Superion has been tasked with taking it down. ”

Autobots bared their teeth and curled their eyebrows. As they bristled, large guns popped out from their bodies. They halted work and watched the skies, and the Vehicons did the same. 

Predaking thought, Bots of both factions were expected to return to their home planet. Why must the Autobots “take down” the Decepticon ship by force? Do they consider Cybertron theirs to rule, despite what Bumblebee said?

Over the next hour, Predaking regarded the Autobots with a disgruntled expression. Eventually, the commanding voice spoke through the comms again:

“The situation is resolved. Nineteen hostile Decepticons have been captured and secured in Kaon Prison.”

The Autobots disarmed themselves, shared words of relief, and continued with construction. When the Vehicons resumed their work, it was at a slower pace. Predaking noticed the stiffness in their movements. This event would certainly become a talking point at the Clubhouse that night...

---

As predicted, the Vehicons sitting or standing in the Clubhouse were already clamouring by the time the Predacons walked in.

“Just like we thought—the Autobots would throw the ‘real’ Decepticons in jail as soon as they showed up!” a Vehicon called.

Ciel spoke, causing Vehicons to quiet down and listen. “If that is what Autobots do to Decepticons, then what, are we not Decepticons to them? Just slaves?”

The Vehicons curled their fists.

“You know what a Wrecker said to us today?” Acrylic snarled. “‘Why are the drones getting paint jobs?’”

The Predacons could only stare at the enraged Vehicons, wishing somehow they could ease them.

“Drones?”

“Drones!”

“Why do we have to put up with this anymore? Altero is right! We are Cybertronians like anyone else!”

“We have sparks, just like them!”

The speakers in the back of the room blasted music and every Vehicon jolted. They spun to one lone jet Vehicon who now dialed down the noise.

“I am an envoy of Altero,” the Vehicon said. “And he told me that if you were to get too rebellious, to advise you to wait.”

There was silence. The Predacons blinked in amazement.

“Wait… for what?” a Vehicon near the speakers asked.

“Altero said that an open rebellion would be futile. The planet has the Wreckers, a Combiner, and many other Autobot warriors. Not to mention, the powerful relics we are familiar with from Earth. So don’t be rash, he said. He expected rashness. Altero warned, ‘Once you realize you are an individual deserving of rights, every injustice of the past will hit you all at once. Your spark will burn and urge you to fight. Don’t fight; don’t die. Trust in me and I will bring you justice. Forget Megatron. I can be more than Megatron ever was for us.’”

Shoulders dropped and slow exhales of awe blew over the room like a wind. Predaking and Ripclaw tensed.

“What does that mean?” Ripclaw interrupted. “You aren’t going to start the War again, are you? That would destroy everything we just built!”

“No war,” the Vehicon by the speakers assured her. “He said the war between the Autobots and Decepticons must never start up again.”

“Good,” Predaking muttered. “Violence and destruction is unnecessary at this point. We have a planet to cherish.”

“Not all Autobots are so bad either,” Ripclaw added.

Acrylic and Pastel huffed. 

“Yeah right,” Pastel said sarcastically.

Predaking argued, “Did they not respect you as you worked together constructing our house?” 

“That was nothing really,” Ciel said. “We still remember the past.”

Nevertheless, what the jet Vehicon had said calmed the Vehicons. Predaking could see why: the responsibility of justice was out of their hands, set into the hands of one whom they trusted. Predaking supposed he trusted Altero too, if it were true that he desired no war. He was the king of the Vehicons like Predaking was the king of his own kind. 

“By the way…” the jet Vehicon said. “I’ll be dark green tomorrow. You can call me Pine. I don’t expect you to believe me, but once I hit Optimus Prime in the face with a tree log.”

---

END PART 2 

Continue to Part 3

Chapter 25: PART 3

Great blackened chunks of metal ringed the city of Iacon. Only a few cleared areas allowed access for vehicles to drive in and out. Like masses of Earthly rocks or ice, the metal piled up taller and wider than Predacons in beast mode. A couple of Vehicons clambered up these hills of rubble, standing with hands on hips and surveying their surroundings. Far behind them, ghostly silver triangles hunched on the horizon.

Predaking asked the Vehicons, “What lies there yonder?” 

Some shrugged; one said, “Those are the Manganese Mountains. I hear they’re huge, but I’ve never been there.”

“We should go there!” Darksteel exclaimed.

“Work first,” Predaking stated.

The four Predacons split, watched by the small group of Vehicons. Every chunk of metal was far too heavy for the troopers to carry safely, even as a team. Predaking hefted up a battered chunk of metal as large as himself, then stomped up to an immense transport truck. High over its spiky, Decepticon-graffitied sides, the black head of a silver Vehicon popped out.

“Don’t you throw those! You could damage the vehicle!”

Grunting, Predaking walked up the ramp and calmly set the chunk down in the back. Exiting, he clapped his hands, letting rust flakes snow. Ripclaw, Skylynx, and Darksteel came in carrying other massive metal chunks. Predaking wandered away to find another, but paused and peered at a giant dent in one of them. Like a row of diamonds, the dent likened knuckle marks. Predaking glanced at his own much smaller knuckles and shook his head.

The Vehicons slid down the rubble hill. 

“There used to be a wall all around Iacon,” one Vehicon said. “That’s what the archives said. We don’t know how it fell though.”

“That is apparent…” Skylynx examined the long stretch of rubble that curved out of sight. Old greasy scorch marks stained the crumbled walls, long tears cleaved them, and many more wide dent marks crunched them.

“It looks like a giant tore it down!” Ripclaw remarked.

“Impossible!” Predaking scoffed. “No bot is larger than us!”

The Vehicons glanced at each other, but before they could speak, someone cackled. Whirl sprang onto the rubble, then pranced across the hill on his springy legs. 

“Buaha! Now that’s just stupid!” he exclaimed. “You really think you’re all that and no one is bigger than you? Ever seen a titan? How ‘bout Primus and Unicron, idjits?” 

Whirl stopped hopping and glared down at the Predacons.

“It was a Combiner that did it. I was there,” he said. “Devastator gone insane, crawling on all fours n’ dragging a dead leg. Oh sure, you’re big strong Predacons. But I’d rather face one of you than Devastator or any other Combiner!” 

Predaking scoffed again, “You truly believe a so-called Combiner could best one of us?” 

“Oh I bet one could take you all out. They are next level, they are.” 

“One could never defeat four Predacons!” Predaking snarled.

As Predaking bristled, Whirl cackled. 

“You mad?” He tapped his feet. “Predakid?”

Predaking transformed and crashed down on all fours. Bearing his teeth and shrieking, he tore up the rubble. Whirl hopped over the other side and transformed, zooming into the city. Behind the decaying pillars of buildings, the copter vanished from sight. Predaking shot after the sound of Whirl’s chopping blades. Fresh golden buildings rose around them before Predaking spotted the blue and orange copter again. Whirl dove for Springer with a group of Autobots, crying out,  “Mad Predacon! Mad Predacon!”

Predaking’s forefoot crushed the copter to the ground. Whirl transformed in his claws and his long limbs flopped out.

“Oh flying scrap!” Whirl hollered. 

Predaking ground Whirl underfoot, until blue and yellow blasts peppered his face. He swung his neck around to face a row of armed Autobots. Springer halted their fire with a spread arm, but addressed Predaking in a tight voice.

“Let him go, Predaking!”

Predaking transformed, his forefoot lifting off Whirl. Before Whirl could peel off his stomach, Predaking snatched him by his thin ankles. He marched over to Springer, dangling Whirl upside down, before dropping him in an undignified heap.

“He insulted me.” Predaking raised his chin and looked down at the Autobots.

Springer prodded the gangly pile with a foot. “What’d you do, Whirl?” 

Whirl sat up quickly. “Oh, I did insult him. I thought it’d be hilarious to call him ‘Predakid’.”

“You mustn’t mind him,” Springer told Predaking. 

“Yes…” a white and black Autobot growled tensely, his blaster still locked on Predaking. “That was an unjustifiably violent response. But expected of your kind.”

Predaking flicked his eyes to the speaker’s yellow visor. At once he hated visors—cowardly, pathetic things. Were they worn to hide the fear in one’s eyes or to make an attempt to intimidate others?

“Your tone is confrontational and insulting,” Predaking growled back. “Cease.”

The other Autobots drew back their blasters, but not this Autobot. He kept his weapon trained on Predaking, but he glanced behind himself at the snap of many Predacon wings.

“I heard alll about you,” the white and black Autobot muttered. “You prehistoric beasts were brought back into existence by Shockwave… which makes you worse. Everything Shockwave creates is violent and can’t be trusted. You must be the worst of all his creations.”

“Even if that is what you believe…” Predaking stomped closer. “What are you going to do about it? Shoot me with your puny blaster to your spark’s content. You cannot harm me.” 

A red Autobot cut between them. “Prowl, let’s not pick fights like this un…”

Prowl shoved his blaster back into his arm, but retorted, “We have Superion; we could handle them. You see, Predacon? Maybe I can’t hurt you, but one way or another, the combined might of the Law will bring you down!”

Predaking huffed. Whirl, still sitting, curved his long neck to tilt back his head. “Ah nah, he’s super arrogant. He doesn’t think anyone is bigger or stronger than him—that’s why I was makin’ fun of him!”

Prowl flinched as the other three Predacons passed overhead. After they landed behind Predaking and transformed, Ripclaw hissed, “Whirl was causing trouble. It’s all his fault!”

“I’m well aware…” Springer muttered.

Prowl puffed up as much as a below hip-height, average Autobot could. “Listen here! We can and will take you down if you pose a danger to innocent Autobots!”

“Innocent?” Darksteel coughed.

Prowl flexed his arms and cried, “If it were up to me—!”

“Oi, Prowl,” the big red Autobot said. “That’s enough.”

“I wouldn’t have your kind anywhere near here!”

“Prowl.”

 “I saw Commander Ultra Magnus’ wounds!” Prowl jabbed his finger at Skylynx. “I can match those teeth marks to that Predacon there!”

The Autobots gawked and didn’t interrupt him now.

“What in the blazes are we doing, working with them after that?” Prowl boomed. “Look at them! Wounding the Commander? Going after Whirl like that just for a lame insult? They’re monstrous bombs waiting to go off! Shockwave’s beasts ought to be caged!”

“Caged?” Predaking snarled.

“I’d go after me,” Whirl interjected. 

“Stop fighting!” Springer commanded. “Sweet Solus Prime, Prowl, do you want them as our enemies or allies? We already have enough to deal with! Besides, the Predacons have been nothing but helpful since the War’s end!”

The other Autobots who hadn’t spoken a word looked nervously at the Predacons, their arm plates shifting, on the brink of arming themselves again. 

“Get the Aerialbots here,” Prowl spat. 

“I care about Ultra Magnus too, Prowl,” Springer lowered his voice. “I’m his second-in-command, after all. But we can’t hold grudges. We want peace. And Bulkhead’s gonna knock you in the head if you destroy everything we just rebuilt in a foolish Combiner battle!”

Another Autobot, white, black, and blue, crossed his arms and stared around himself through a blue visor. “Makes sense to me. Hasn’t Iacon been busted up enough by Combiners? Prowl, you need to chill. I’mma find Bluestreak.”

Prowl whirled on him. “You keep him away from this!”

“Jazz’s right,” the red Autobot said. “Prowl, you blew this up big time. And now you got t’ relax.”

“I’m not crazy!” Prowl snapped.

“Heh heh heh,” Darksteel chuckled.

Ripclaw hissed, “I never once harmed anyone. You have no business calling our kind dangerous!”

“As if you aren’t fanged and clawed…” Prowl growled. “With a name referring to your carnivorous nature!”

Jazz transformed and drove off calling, “Bluestreak? Bluestreeeeak!”

“Eh!” Prowl roared. He started to run after Jazz, then stopped to point at the Predacons. “I’ll be watching you!”

Prowl switched to vehicle mode and his tires screeched after Jazz. Everyone stared after them until they disappeared.

“Primus, I’m sorry,” the red Autobot drawled. “I think I oughta get that bot some therapy.”

He lumbered forward and nodded. 

“I’m Ironhide. I’ll be the chief of police, not ‘im, no matter ‘ow he acts. So I’ll keep him in line.”

Predaking calmed, taking a liking to his accent and pace. Ironhide drawled like he put thought into every word.

Predaking sighed, “He is not the first hostile Autobot we have had the displeasure of meeting. But I will expect the Autobots of rank to keep their underlings in line.”

“Yes,” Ripclaw punctuated.

“Whirl…” Springer looked down. “For at least Prowl’s sake, can you swear to leave the Predacons alone?”

“I’ll do it for Bulkhead’s sake,” Whirl decided. “Yeah, I don’t want his nice new buildings to get destroyed in a fight no matter how epic. And the Predacons aren’t that bad… can’t be when Predakiiing showed restraint. I was testing them too. Wanted to see if we could trust ‘em.”

Ironhide chuckled to Predaking. “Well you really did show you have a lot o’ patience. You ain’t monsters or beasts, nah. Don’t let anyone harpin’ such nonsense get t’ you, alright? Bots are gonna say things but if ya snap, they’ll think you’re just provin’ their point.”

Ripclaw retorted, “We won’t suppress our anger.” 

“Just don’t chase and jump on bots like Predaking did. You’re huge n’ frightenin’. You’ll cause panic ‘n chaos. An’ we got to change our ways now that the War is over. We have to all learn t’ stop blastin’ and punchin’ and cuttin’. Peaceful society needs peaceful solutions. And justice is orderly. You know what it means to be ‘police’?”

“No,” Predaking replied.

“Police officers are the ones entrusted to capture and punish troublemakers for ya. You tell us what happened, we deal with the bot. ‘Cause we’re bound by rules. Aye, we read ‘em and know ‘em. We act in a way t’ cause minimal harm, at least, that’s the objective. When an officer acts like Prowl, we can’t tolerate it. I know we were less than perfect in the past and some departments were downright corrupt, but I wanna make the ideal reality. I’m gonna make Optimus Prime proud.” 

Ironhide watched them with a knowing shine in his blue eyes. 

“Now I see ya stirrin’, you wanna take justice into your own hands ‘n fight who you wanna fight. But it just can’t be like that. Without rules, bots hurt each other as much as they wanna hurt each other. Bots create their own definitions of right n' wrong where they’re right and can’t do no wrong.”

“I’m never wrooong!” Whirl chirped.

“Ya see?” Ironhide said. “Now listen, if you got a strong moral sense, I wouldn’t mind Predacon strength on the force. We can work together. Maybe you can help us if we ever need t’ break up a big fight or take down a nasty strong foe.”

Predaking uttered, “You would have us join you and that vexing officer Prowl? No. I reject your idea of justice and order. Let all know it is simple with us Predacons: treat us with respect, and we will be peaceful. Insult or threaten us, and you will feel our claws and fire.” 

Predaking looked back to his brethren.

“Come,” he said. “The Vehicons await us.”

They transformed, flying off and leaving the Autobots.

---

Continue to 3_2

 

Prowl:

Notes:

Art:
Prowl concept: Roar/Breno

Chapter 26: 3_2

After relaying the recent event and loading up the truck, Predaking asked the Vehicons for their views on the Police.

“Before the War, only the police and military could fight,” one of the Vehicons replied. “The Autobots want it to be that way again to control Decepticons. They’ll say no weapons whatsoever, so show one, and you’ll be locked up.”

Predaking’s brows tilted sharply downward. “No one controls when or whom I fight. I warned them that we Predacons would act in our own way if provoked.”

“The Autobots couldn’t even contain us,” Ripclaw added.

“They would regret trying.” Predaking nodded, but then wondered, “Hmm. What other rules did the Police enforce?”

The same Vehicon replied, “In the past, you could get arrested for things like abandoning your post, robbery, murder… But well, of course the pit fights were allowed.”

“Pit fights?” Skylynx asked.

“Didn’t you hear about them? Higher-caste Autobots loved to watch lower-caste bots slaughter each other in the gladiatorial arenas called ‘the pits’. Even if murder was illegal, the police turned a blind eye if only lesser bots were being killed.”  

“That is terrible!” Ripclaw exclaimed. 

“If you think so, then you could really be a Decepticon after all.”

“Ironhide swears he will do away with the past corruption,” Predaking mused. “He admitted the faults. Perhaps there is hope after all.”

The silver Vehicon called from the driver’s seat of the vehicle, “Autobots are full of scrap!”

Predaking twisted his mouth. He didn’t imagine he could change the Vehicons' minds when Autobots had apparently made games out of killing them.

“May we accompany the vehicle to your destination?” Predaking asked the silver Vehicon. “I crave a break from this city.”

His three brethren perked up.

“I would like to stretch my wings,” Skylynx said. 

The driver replied, “Uh, sure… You can follow, see what the factory’s like.”

“Awesome!” Darksteel yipped.

The silver Vehicon started up the vehicle, which roared and belched out a cloud of stinking gas. Wheels the size of new Cybertronian houses rolled the truck forward on thick black treads. After Predaking transformed, he launched through the smoke and gagged before reaching clean open air. His brethren soared up behind him and together they lazily glided, staying low and slightly ahead of the puttering vehicle.

Curving his neck, Predaking watched Iacon shrink out of sight. His spark drummed with excitement as well as what he hesitated to identify as apprehension. Not a night had passed since their house was built that they hadn’t slept in it. Home was there in Iacon, even among the obnoxious Autobots. Familiarity lay in routine; comfort lay in Vehicon company. The world burst around him like a popped bubble, landscapes sprawling in all directions. Yet the struggle to pinpoint any beauty only tightened Predaking’s chest with more apprehension. Flat grey fields stretched out around him wherein the skeletal remains of cities sat in decay.

His eyes settled on the streams of energon which divided the land. Some long-legged, antlered creatures gathered by one of the streams to drink, and at another, a flock of tiny, winged beasts landed. Relief filled his spark, before vanishing as soon as it had come. A city loomed in their path, growing taller as they approached it. Every hole and blast mark came into focus. The heads of corpses peeked from windows in the buildings. 

Such sights Predaking had already seen with Skylynx and Darksteel on their first journey to Iacon. Yet now, unease trickled into his blood. He imagined how each bot had met their grisly end and wondered who had mutilated them. Fantasy scenes of battle flashed in Predaking’s mind. Then, he envisioned the buildings before the War, where they stood clean and whole with living Cybertronians gazing out the windows.

Darksteel pounced on top of a building and startled Predaking. He hopped from roof to roof, until one caved and he fell through. The other Predacons whipped their heads back, but Darksteel clawed back out, chittering in glee. While Darksteel tested the buildings’ integrity, Predaking checked on his other brethren. Skylynx’s eyes were glazed; he hardly looked around, just down and forward. Ripclaw’s widened eyes and upraised brows unveiled her wonderment and sadness. Predaking nodded to himself in approval, then glared at Darksteel with reproach.

For long, nothing changed. Small devastated cities lingered near or far. The ground spread out in patches of grey, yellow-brown, or silver if lucky. To the sky Predaking looked, seeking blue comfort until clouds concealed it. He was forced to mull over the difficult thoughts pawing at him. 

Everything he had been told about Cybertron could be true, including the giants. And the concept may not be more preposterous than the zombified Predacons he had faced. No one had rebuked Whirl for lying about Combiners. On the contrary, the other Autobots had spoken about them and Prowl had threatened Predaking with something called Superion. 

Predaking stared at the massive transport truck thundering along below. He pondered how he would attack something as large as it. Then, his brows scrunched from paranoia and he dove through the truck’s exhaust to land on its cargo bed. The Vehicon driver jumped and turned. Predaking transformed, stepped up, and sat in a seat behind him.

“These transport trucks are not sentient, are they?” he asked.

“No, not at all,” the Vehicon answered. “They’re just machines.”

“What are Combiners?” Predaking pushed.

“Uh, they are bots that have been experimented on to be able to combine with each other.”

“Is Superion one of them?”

“Yeah, he’s a group of five flying Autobots.”

Predaking sat, calculating. “Just how large is a Combiner? And a titan?”

“A Combiner can be quadruple your size in bot mode, maybe more. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one. A titan is… well, the Nemesis is a dormant titan.”

“The ship was a bot?” Predaking gasped.

“Trypticon. But he got so damaged that he could never change form again or even think. Megatron made him our warship. Funny story actually, one time Megatron fuelled the Nemesis with dark energon and…”

Skylynx landed on the truck and transformed.

The silver Vehicon cried, “Hey, I don’t want to overload this truck! I got places to go, alright?”

Ripclaw and Darksteel headed toward the vehicle.

“Wait!” the Vehicon called.

Ripclaw held back, but Darksteel landed. Nothing happened; the truck kept rolling on. Sighing, the Vehicon waved over Ripclaw and she joined them.

As the clouds glowed orange from the hidden setting sun, the Vehicon shared stories from Earth. The most entertaining were those of Decepticon power struggles, Starscream’s period of defection, and other wild tales of Starscream from him bringing clones onboard to needing surgery to fly again. 

“The ever-changing rank of second-in-command provided so much gossip…” the Vehicon added.

They learned of Soundwave, Laserbeak, Knockout, Breakdown, Airachnid, and Dreadwing. Breakdown, the Vehicons had been fond of because he spoke to them like intelligent beings. The Insecticons, they had feuded with.

“They were like us, being identical to each other, but they thought they were above us,” the silver Vehicon muttered. “Bigger, stronger, giving themselves names… Well, at least we don’t lose our willpower because of an Arachnicon!”

The Insecticons were apparently gone, teleported no one knew where by Soundwave.

“At the time of the horrific zombie-vampire apocalypse…”

Which the Predacons learned all about: shambling undead Vehicons with mouths that split open and spilled pincered tubes.

“Did their mouths split like Altero’s?” Skylynx asked.

“Yeah, a lot like his,” the Vehicon replied. “He took inspiration from that, but the undead didn’t have orange teeth.” 

Darksteel commented, “That’s pretty cool. Does his face unnerve you then?”

“Well, it got our attention. And I’m sure a Vehicon with teeth will startle any Autobot or Decepticon. He likes surprising bots and making statements.”

Predaking politely asked their storyteller, “Have you pondered a name for yourself?”

The Vehicon stared ahead at the darkening road. “Not yet.”

“I see, none yet…” Predaking said. “Although, I recall that Starscream treated you specially. He referred to you as his 'Seeker armada'.”

“It was nice to feel special,” the Vehicon admitted. “Until I recognized it was fake. He grabbed a random number of us, Knockout did his thing to change our colours, and then we were elite. But we weren’t any different than the other troopers. We existed just to make Starscream feel important, replace his old Seekers even.”

“Will you change your colours to purple or anything else?”  Predaking asked.

“Not anytime soon. There aren’t many Silvers left. So we stand out, can meet up with each other, talk scrap about Starscream. Two of them said you slammed Starscream to the ground once. And a human wearing the Apex Armour beat him up. Did you see that?”

“Yes, I did crush him,” Predaking smirked. “I missed the other event, unfortunately. How amusing it sounds.”

The Vehicon’s stories carried on well after the world had darkened and the moons elbowed their way through the clouds. However, he trailed off when an ancient factory sprouted into view. Its walls were round and rusty, but orange heat throbbed through open windows. The truck rolled to a stop beside other parked vehicles being loaded or unloaded by Vehicons. Hopping out of their truck, the Predacons tended to their own burden.

“Put all the scrap on the conveyor belt,” the silver Vehicon instructed as he climbed down the ladder of the vehicle.

The Predacons hoisted wall chunks over their heads and did as they were told.

“Can we see how the metal is processed?” Skylynx asked the driver.

“Alright, but I don’t want to take too long,” he replied.

The Predacons followed the silver Vehicon through the largest doors they had yet seen. Heat blasted them as soon as they stepped inside, but Predaking immediately spied dozens of Vehicons through the shimmering air. Their eyes matched the orange hue burned into every surface of the factory, but their purple bodies stood out, trudging along. Predaking observed the environment with worry and intrigue as scrap metal dropped from conveyor belts into enormous smelting chambers as large as his beast mode. Molten metal poured out from the chambers into moulds, then solidified into new shapes with blasts of frosty air. Vehicons passed through the puffs of frosty clouds, soaking themselves in wet droplets, before returning to the production line to cut and polish new metal.

Over the churning of the conveyor belts, the splash of dropped materials, and the hiss of cooling molten metal, Predaking yelled, “The work conditions are harsh here!” 

“That’s why we take turns!” the Vehicon yelled back. “But there is a rest area in the other building!”

Predaking then noticed a box high up the back wall: a command centre with an Autobot overlooking the whole operation. They were blue and red with the insignia of a broken cross on each shoulder.

Predaking asked, “What is that Autobot responsible for?”

“Fire and medical safety!” the silver Vehicon yelled. “Hot Spot’s alright!”

“So you are cared for here?”  

“You can trust any bot with the four arrow mark! It means they’re Neutral, dedicated entirely to aiding anyone and everyone!”

Predaking nodded, raising his brows. He knew he had seen that symbol before on a hospital bot. He’d never considered they weren’t Autobots like those they had arrived with. Yet sure enough, he couldn’t make out any Autobot insignia on Hot Spot. 

The last of the Iaconian wall chunks plopped into the smelting chambers. Now, the silver Vehicon padded out of the factory with the satisfied Predacons.

“So… are you four coming back with me?” the silver Vehicon asked.

“We shall,” Predaking said.

“Alright… let’s load up and go then.”

The Predacons made short work of the task by shoving stacks of freshly moulded items into the truck. After climbing back into his seat, the driver rolled the vehicle away over the plains. Predaking and his brethren spread their wings under the blazing light of the moons and soared into a pleasant night flight. 

When they approached the first old city in their path, Darksteel dove down onto the vehicle. Predaking swept down to hear Darksteel ask in bot-form, “Do you have any more stories?”

The Vehicon replied, “Oh, plenty.”

Once Predaking landed and transformed, Skylynx and Ripclaw headed down. The silver Vehicon kept quiet until they were all gathered, before he spoke again.

“Listen,” the Vehicon rumbled. “Just as a heads up, there’s a Decepticon I’m supposed to meet on the way back.”

“A Decepticon?” Predaking growled. “Not Starscream, I hope.”

“No, but this one is an important one. I just don’t want any trouble because you weren’t expected to be here. It’s fine, right? You’re not Autobots…”

Ripclaw asked, “What are you meeting this Decepticon for?”

“I’m doing a trade on Altero’s behalf, out where no Autobots will give Vortex trouble.”

“Vortex, huh?” Darksteel prompted.

“Remember the Combiners we talked about…? Vortex is a component of one. He’s very strong, so we don’t want to upset him.”

“What is the trade?” Predaking inquired. 

“Uh… I’m sorry, it’s private. Only the Silvers can know.”

“Is it a weapon?” Skylynx mused.

“I can’t say, but be on the lookout for a big copterbot. And stay down here now so he doesn’t get the wrong message.”

The silver Vehicon went tense and silent for a while.

“Right, a story…” he swallowed. “I forgot to tell you about the Shifter, Makeshift.”

As the Predacons searched the sky for Vortex, Darksteel said, “What’s a Shifter?”

“A very rare sort of Cybertronian with advanced T-cog abilities…”

The Vehicon described Makeshift and his demise, until a large shape crossed the plains carried by a spinning dark halo. A thrumming rompf-rompf of chopping blades grew louder, fighting against the rumbling vehicle to be heard. Predaking eyed the Decepticon with fake disinterest until the hefty flier loomed over the vehicle, battering them with gusts of wind. Then he transformed, landing on the edge with a bang as heavy as a Predacon’s. Now Predaking’s eyes snapped to him, quickly studying the brass and pink-coloured might of Vortex. An emotionless yellow visor stared back at him almost eye-to-eye.

“Who’re they?” the Decepticon barked. Vortex crouched, flicking his stunningly sharp copter blades on his back.

“Allies!” the silver Vehicon gasped. “They’re with us.”

“Oh?” Vortex growled. “But why’d you need to bring them?”

“They aren’t a threat to you.” 

“If they’re a threat to me, all you Vehicons’ll regret it.” Vortex glared at the Predacons. “And I’ll chop at least one of ya to bits before ya kill me.”

Darksteel chuckled from his seat, “Wow, you mean more business than Whirl!”

“Whirl?” Vortex blasted. “I hate that lesser copterbot!”

“They hate him too!” the Vehicon exclaimed. “Now, let us help you. We got the stuff.”

Vortex straightened up. “I got yours too.”

The silver Vehicon bent over and yanked out a box buried beneath his seat. Meanwhile, Vortex opened a compartment in his chest and took out a small box of his own. The Decepticons exchanged gifts, both of them lifting the lids to peek inside. Predaking squinted. The Vehicon had received a green vial and a batch of needles, and Vortex, a glowing purple cube.

“The substance of Unicron!” Predaking shouted.

Vortex shut the lid of the container. “I ain’t gonna use it to poison the Well! Dark energon can be medicine, you know. And we need that. Is that a problem?”

---

Choice 1: Take the dark energon from Vortex.......... Go to 3_3

Choice 2: Let Vortex have the dark energon............. Go to 3_16

Chapter 27: 3_3

You chose to take the dark energon from Vortex

 

Predaking lunged over the seats at Vortex. The Decepticon tried to hop back and shove the box into his chest, but Predaking slapped it out of his hands.

“Why you!” Vortex snarled. 

Leaping back, he transformed into copter mode. He rushed Predaking nose down, his sword-like blades spinning at his face. Predaking dodged sideways, but the copter blades sliced through the horn on his shoulder. Vortex shot past then whirled around, guns popping free from his undercarriage. While the Vehicon hollered for a ceasefire, Predaking transformed over the seats and shrieked at his adversary. 

“Unicron!” Vortex swore. 

Darksteel, Ripclaw, and Skylynx transformed, leaping off the vehicle into the air. Vortex retracted his guns and changed his copter blades to jet wings. With a crack of the sound barrier, Vortex blasted away and rapidly disappeared into the night.

“No!” the silver Vehicon cried. 

The other Predacons began to pursue him, but Predaking stayed behind. He slammed one foot down on the dark energon container and his other on his severed horn. Ignoring the energon beading on his shoulder, Predaking swung his snarling face on the silver Vehicon.

“Why did you ruin it?” the driver snapped. “This was important!"

The Vehicon snatched the container with the vial and needles. After shoving it into his chest, he transformed and jetted after Vortex. Predaking’s brethren flapped in place and let the Vehicon zip by, before returning to Predaking. Immediately, the others changed back to bot mode on the slowing vehicle.

“Your horn!” Ripclaw gasped. “Why did you attack?”

“Yes, why did you?” Skylynx asked. “Vortex posed no threat with that small amount of dark energon, opposed to Unicron himself.”

“Maybe it was only going to be medicine,” Darksteel said.

Shrieking, Predaking swatted the cube off the vehicle then struck it with a blast of fire. A purple explosion buffeted their faces and a metal shard bounced off Darksteel's chest.

Predaking transformed. Holding his horn in one hand, he hissed, “Dark energon is demonic!”

“So you believe they were lying about its medicinal purposes?” Skylynx asked.

“Perhaps it was a lie,” Predaking muttered. “Perhaps not. But all dark energon must be destroyed.”

“But it might have helped someone...” Ripclaw inhaled. “What if you just prevented that?”

Predaking huffed dismissively. He growled, “We must manage this vehicle now and ensure these materials are delivered safely to Iacon.”

“I’ll drive!” Darksteel exclaimed. 

He pushed everyone out of the way to claim the driver’s seat.

Skylynx replied, “Do you—”

The vehicle jolted in sudden acceleration. The Predacons wobbled momentarily on their feet. Darksteel's brethren quickly sat down as the wheels tore across the rough old road and wind howled over their heads.

“Why didn’t we go this fast before?” Darksteel cackled. 

The materials in the back rattled deafeningly. Predaking pulled Darksteel away from the wheel and took his place, slowing down the vehicle.

“Ey, come on!” Darksteel complained.

Gripping the wheel and his horn, Predaking drove them steadily on. However, he turned to gaze across the field where the Vehicon and Vortex had gone.

Will the Vehicons ostracize us because of this? he worried.

The silver Vehicon never rejoined them. Once they finally reached Iacon, Predaking parked the truck by a random construction site then glided to the hospital with his severed horn. Stomping inside in bot-form, he addressed the nearest Autobot he saw.

“I need this reattached.” Predaking held up his appendage.

The Autobot propped an elbow on the counter. “I'm assuming that's not normal for you.”

She looked to the side while activating her comm link.

“Ratchet, I got a patient at the front for ya. ”

Ratchet? Again… Predaking sighed.

Predaking’s brethren lingered behind him silently while they waited. Soon enough, Ratchet hurried to the front but slowed his pace upon seeing Predaking and his horn. Pressing his fingers into his head, he let out a groaning sigh.

“Woken from my recharge cycle for this?” Ratchet dropped his hand. “How often should I expect to see you getting into trouble?”

Predaking blew out between his teeth.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Come on,” Ratchet muttered with a jerk of his head. Predaking and his brethren began to follow, but Ratchet called, “Not all of you!”

Darksteel, Skylynx, and Ripclaw halted in the lobby. As Predaking followed Ratchet alone, the doctor continued to mutter to himself. “Hmpf, they told me Cybertron needed me and this is what I end up doing instead. I should be back on Earth. Couldn’t have called another doctor, could they? Just had to be me.”

Ratchet led him into an operating room and pointed to the floor. Predaking sat.

“Hold the horn in place for me,” Ratchet ordered.

Ratchet worked around Predaking’s fingers to weld the horn back on. Despite his grumbling, Ratchet took time and care to reattach the horn seamlessly. 

“There,” Ratchet stated. “It will be back to normal in no time. Now. I hope you smarten up and stay out of trouble. You’ll be wasting hospital time and resources at this rate. But, I will ask, what happened?”

“I had an encounter with a Decepticon,” Predaking admitted.

“A Decepticon? Which one?” Ratchet’s voice gained an edge.

“Vortex,” Predaking uttered.

“Oh no…” Ratchet stood up and quickly cleaned the area. “That is a Decepticon far too dangerous to be lurking around here. Are you able to track him by any chance?”

“No, as I did not spill his energon.”

“Where did you encounter him?”

Predaking paused. “Out… beyond Iacon.”

“How far out? On what route?” Ratchet demanded.

“On… the way to the factory,” Predaking replied. “But a far distance away.”

“Were you on a transport truck?”

“Yes.”

“Why did he attack you?” Ratchet asked.

“He did not. I attacked him.”

“Because he flew in range?”

Predaking grunted, “... Yes.”

“What was he doing there?” Ratchet pressed.

Predaking stood. “I do not know. I perceived him as a threat to the transport and drove him off.”

“Then how did you learn his name?” Ratchet peered at him.

“I was informed by the Vehicon driver after the matter.”

Ratchet nodded, then started to head for the exit. “This will have to be reported. A search must be conducted.”

Predaking lagged behind, letting the doctor get ahead. Sighing, he then plodded back to his brethren. 

“Took a while,” Darksteel growled.

They returned home before speaking more.

“Did you tell Ratchet everything?” Ripclaw asked.

Predaking replied, “No. I revealed that it was Vortex with whom I clashed, but I spoke not of the dark energon.”

“Good. That would have gotten all the Vehicons in trouble.”

“I am aware…” Predaking grunted.

Ripclaw said, “I still don’t think it was right to take the medicine from Vortex.”

Skylynx and Darksteel nodded.

“It was a lie,” Predaking growled. “I am certain of it now. Do not be naive. That Decepticon was not to be trusted; the doctor displayed a fear response after I disclosed Vortex's name.”

“Hmm…” Skylynx paused to consider.

“Even on the off-chance that it was medicine, it may have been used to repair another dangerous Decepticon.”

“Alright,” Ripclaw exhaled. “I see your point.”

---

Continue to 3_4

Chapter 28: 3_4

Predaking and his brethren briefly rested in their home. Then, an orange evening glow warmed the golden buildings by the time the Predacons flew to the Vehicon clubhouse. Predaking hoped news of what he had done hadn’t spread and tarnished the relationship between his kind and theirs. As soon as they walked inside, the Vehicons near the door turned to them.

“Welcome back, heard you went to the factory,” one said. “How was that?”

“Interesting…” Predaking replied, checking the body language of the other Vehicons. None were hostile. 

“Hot as the pits, isn’t it?” another Vehicon piped up.

“Hot doesn’t bother us much,” Darksteel snickered. Then he pointed at a copper-coloured Vehicon seated in the room. “Wow! Who’s that?”

“He called himself Lucian,” a Vehicon sighed wistfully. 

“Shiny…” Darksteel commented.

“We can all be shinier if we want to,” a different Vehicon carried on. “There’s a bathhouse now pumping hot oil, though, it’s usually crammed with Autobots.”

“A bathhouse?” Skylynx prompted.

“We could show you where it is,” one of the Vehicons offered. “Now could be a good time to go.”

“First, let us refuel,” Predaking replied.

The Predacons squeezed through the tables past purple Vehicons. Only Acrylic the red wheeled one and Lucian the copper jet provided colour variety to the group. Pastel and Ciel weren’t around at the moment and Pine, who had turned dark green, soon disappeared after his change. No silver Vehicons were present, Predaking noticed. 

After drinking their fill from barrels of energon, the Predacons returned to the Vehicons in the back of the room. Three of them rose from their seats and led the Predacons outside.

As they walked, the clanging of fresh construction near the city centre surprised Predaking and his brethren.

“Is something new being built?” Ripclaw asked.

“Yes,” a jet Vehicon grunted. 

They changed course to head toward the construction. Turning the corner onto another street, they all nearly crashed into the backs of Autobots. 

“Wow,” Darksteel inhaled.

Around one hundred Autobots of every size chatted excitedly outside of a short grey building. They pressed in as close as they could to it, or rather, the big plump golden bot standing at the foot of it. Predaking huffed to see Prowl, Ironhide, and other officers around him. Even some of the Autobots from Earth were there. A glowing sign depicting the plump golden bot’s face was then raised by cables. Autobot cheers erupted as screams, which made Predaking shake his head aggressively. 

“Let’s move on,” Predaking snarled.

The Vehicons and Predacons scampered away from the commotion. 

“See, now the bathhouses are free,” a Vehicon pointed out.

Ripclaw inquired, “What were those Autobots all excited about?” 

“Someone named Maccadam. They were saying something about drinking the best drinks again because of him.”

“Is that all?” Skylynx replied.

Predaking retorted, “He must be just another one of their overglorified idols.”

Straying further from the city centre, they eventually came to a low but wide silver building with the sign “Public Wash Area”. After they stepped through the open doors, the Vehicons and Predacons paused and looked around in wonder. Halls both short and tall were marked by signs, indicating size limits. A thick, rich scent saturated the air and a humming shook the building. The Predacons headed down the hall intended for larger Cybertronians, arriving in a grand open space with three long pools. Warmth radiated from the softly boiling brown-black sludge within them.

“Wow, so we go in there?” Darksteel chirped. 

Scuttling, Darksteel beelined for a pool. He leapt in with a splash, disappeared, and then peeked out with the eyes of his beast form. Chittering happily, he urged them to join him. They jogged toward the pool, but Skylynx slipped on some oil, tripped, and fell inside. After each spectacular splash, the Predacons transformed but pushed each other down the length of the pool to make room. 

Predaking dropped his chin on the ledge with a low trill as his entire body relaxed in the hot oil. Echoing his purr, his brethren also rested their chins on the ledge. Their eyes closed and their tails swished under the sludge, brushing against each other. 

Footsteps thudded on the metal floor. Instead of a Vehicon, Predaking opened his eyes to behold a lone average-sized Autobot, one who was blue, red, and grey.

“Wowww, it’s so big in this section!” the Autobot exclaimed, spinning around. He then glanced over the Predacons. “Oh haha, you are cute in a line.”

Predaking raised his neck suddenly, looming over the Autobot.

“Oh, did I say something wrong? I’m sorry…” The Autobot rubbed the tip of his foot into the floor. “I only wanted to meet you. I didn’t get the chance yet… I think Predacons are cool! I used to find them so fascinating to read about, but I never lived during their, or uh, your? time. Yeah, but you can talk like us so it’s even better…! Oh, sorry I’m talking too much.”

Predaking sank back into the pool. He was wavering between being annoyed at the disturbance or pleased that an Autobot was in awe of his species. But Ripclaw transformed to bot mode first to reply to him.

“You like our species?” She crossed her spiky arms over the pool’s ledge. “Aren’t you intimidated by us?”

“Well, not when you’re living among us…” The Autobot held his own hands. “Obviously you’re not going to attack us.”

Predaking transformed to mutter, “We were once your adversaries. I have fought and injured Autobots in the War. So have Skylynx and Darksteel.”

Climbing over the ledge, Predaking towered over the Autobot.

“Your faction terminated twenty-four Predacons on Earth. Many of your brethren insult us at any given chance. It matters not that you like us—it is foolish that you do without knowing us regardless. It matters that I will never like you , although we will live peacefully alongside each other.”

“But I didn’t do anything to you…” The Autobot frowned, saddened instead of afraid. “Some Autobots may hate you, but I don’t. I can see that you aren’t wild beasts. I’m not really a fighter by the way, just an engineer. But I’ve seen that real beasts don’t have a particular look . So I sense the feel of a bot, know if they are dangerous or not. And I know you’re not going to hurt anyone… unless you have to. If you liked hurting bots you wouldn’t be so calm right now. You would have grabbed me by the neck or something! But you didn’t.”

An image flashed through Predaking’s mind of Megatron seizing Starscream by the throat. 

“Yes… I am nothing like them,” Predaking rumbled.

“I’m Bluestreak.” He bowed slightly. “Sorry again that I talk so much. I just get so excited!”

“Bluestreak?” Predaking squinted. “I heard your name before. You have a connection to Prowl.”

Bluestreak let out a long awkward laugh. “Um, yeah. Haha, that’s a funny way of putting it… We’re close. Really close.”

“With him?” Predaking snapped. “He was especially insulting to us!”

Bluestreak waved his hands. “I’m sorry! I know… Prowl is… judgmental. It’s wrong of him. He has a war habit of categorizing bots between ‘dangerous’ and ‘not dangerous’.”

Predaking growled, “As if that is any excuse to be hostile to those he does not know.”

“And based on their species,” Ripclaw hissed.

Skylynx and Darksteel nodded.

“You’re right,” Bluestreak said. “He’s… hostile. The War made him spiral into a state of mind where if he can’t identify all his enemies, he thinks we’ll be killed in our recharge cycles. Spies in our midst, unknown figures approaching our position… it has made him paranoid. He used to be a better bot a long time ago, friendly and conversational with everybody. That was when I was around on Cybertron and he was happy. Then we got separated. He was alone, sad, broken. By the time we reunited, he had changed. For everyone else, except for me. I want him to treat others with the same kindness he treats me with. But the War only just ended, kind of, but who can be sure this peace will last? Prowl is in a survival state and isn’t ready to drop his guard. It’s still Autobot vs Decepticon, group vs group, with traitors hidden everywhere…”

“Why did you follow us here?” Predaking demanded. “Was it just to convince us not to abhor Prowl?”

“Uhm… sort of,” Bluestreak said.

“Ulterior motives,” Predaking uttered.

“No! I-I do think your species is remarkable… I did want to meet you… and make you feel more welcome. Because I know Prowl doesn’t like you. I heard others saying you were dangerous. It isn’t right. We should talk to each other, find common ground…”

“If Prowl wants to apologize to us, you make him,” Ripclaw said. “But we don’t want anything to do with him otherwise!”

“Right… You’re really mad at him, I get it. He was mean to you…”

Predaking huffed. “You best go back to Prowl. I distrust whoever claims to be a friend of his.”

“Al-alright…” Bluestreak said. “I’ll go if you want me to, but…”

Predaking waved him off and the Autobot retreated back the way he had come. Relieved, Predaking slipped back into the hot oil and transformed to beast mode. The silence was sweet and his tail thumped against Skylynx’s and Ripclaw’s again.

---

Continue to 3_5

Chapter 29: 3_5

When the Predacons crawled out of the oil, they dried off in an area with powerful fans. Switching between forms, they allowed every drop to slip into the drains.

“Wow, you’re glowing!” Darksteel called at Predaking.

Predaking rolled his forearms, gawking at how they gleamed. Then he rubbed his palm over his metal, which felt lighter and silkier.

“You must have been filthy!” Darksteel laughed.

“My metal is rougher than yours,” Predaking grunted. “Perhaps it is stronger but catches more filth.”

All of his brethren shone brighter. Each Predacon dipped their heads and marvelled at their own bodies. They sprang back outside into the night, refreshed by a slap of cold air.

“What should we do now?” Ripclaw looked to the starry sky. “We just recharged, there is no construction at the moment…”

“We could go to the mountains!” Darksteel cried.

“Now?” Skylynx said.

“Yes! Why not?” Darksteel countered.

Predaking nodded. “Yes, why not go? We are free to do as we please.”

He transformed and surged into the sky. After a bath, his tingling metal seemed to feel the air more than ever. It flowed over him like water as he soared over golden and silver buildings, turning to face the moonlit mountains. His brethren swirled behind him. Together, they passed the ruins of Iacon then open plains and smaller cities. Dark creatures chirped and darted in the sky around them while others prowled on the plains below. 

Slowly, the triangular mountains swelled to astounding heights. Trying to slip over their summits, the Predacons ascended into chilling winds. Despite the biting cold, the sparkling dust of frost on the metal mountains captivated them. With jaws agape, they glided and stared around in silence. Dark metal forests spilled down the mountain sides like liquid shadows. Eerie howls emanated from their depths, long and slow. The Predacons dipped down, glimpsing lithe, spiky shapes dashing between the needly metal growths.

They landed in a valley beside a lake of energon, startling away a pack of fat critters. For a long moment, they simply soaked in the contrast of the dark forest with the high walls of silver around them. Then, they peered through the strange pillars with branches and drooping soft needles. Tiny animals flashed in and out of sight with glowing eyes and bands of light. Each of the Predacons came closer to better see them and to touch the trees themselves.

To the highest peaks they rose and perched, and to the lowest valleys they sank to lie. Always admiring shadows and lights, while listening to the calls of animals and letting out growls of their own. The Predacons snuggled to share their warmth and they waited for sunlight to transform the scenery. 

Darkness sizzled away and the silver mountains warmed to reflect the fiery rays of the sun. The forests turned grey and revealed hidden lakes of oil nestled among them. Taking off, the Predacons flew deeper into the mountain range. The sun rose higher and the cold mountains shone daytime blue. When Predaking had mediated in the calming beauty for long enough, he guided his brethren back in to Iacon. 

Nothing would be better now than a plunge in the hot oil again. And so, the bathhouse was where they headed.

---

Predaking and his brethren were content to stay in Iacon for a few days, labouring away as usual after their adventures. The Autobots kept their distance from them, staring, but not engaging. How Predaking preferred it.

But a Vehicon complaint caused Predaking to investigate one Autobot: a police officer who had been lingering outside their stylist Knockout’s home. Alone, Predaking stomped up to a blue and white officer not at all trying to hide. The bot sat on the stairs of a house down and across the street from Knockout’s, gazing toward it with a shield at his feet.

“What is the meaning of this?” Predaking demanded. 

“Of what?” The police Autobot perked up and looked at him. “Oh hey, you’re the Predacon leader. Don’t slam me like Whirl, I’m just sittin’. Keepin’ watch.”

“For what reason?”

“Well, someone has to keep watch on the only Decepticon in Iacon.”

“He does nothing but remodel Vehicons,” Predaking growled. “He is no threat.”

“Yeah, I don’t think he’s suspicious. But the bosses want it.”

“He should be left in peace,” Predaking muttered. “He has done nothing wrong.”

“I won’t bother him…” the blue and white Autobot sighed. “I couldn’t lay a hand on such a fine finish. What if I scratched it? Primus, did you know a Decepticon could look so beautiful? That glossy red coat… not many Decepticons are so red. And he’s a sleek alien sportscar. Wow… he’s so exotic. Don’t you think? I just want to talk to him… All I can do is watch though, but I’m a happy volunteer. I could watch him all day.”

Furrowing his brows, Predaking suddenly didn’t know what to say. The last thing he expected was an Autobot, a police officer, fawning over a Decepticon. Yet he stepped back, reporting later to the Vehicons what he had seen. They could see for themselves that the Autobot sitting with a chin in his hand and sighing. That would assure them that their stylist was in no danger.

---

For another week, Predaking had avoided the new building in centretown that was very popular with the Autobots. They flocked to it every day, especially at night, even filling the street up to it to stand in groups and talk. Maccadam’s was the name voiced with awe from the Autobots. But the Vehicons spoke of it with muttered spite, deeming it a rival to their bar in the south.

“There’s a Vehicon bar in the south?” Darksteel had blurted out.

They learned it was Altero’s business, called The Fallen Trooper. On the other side of the world, it would have to be a flight for another day. Right now, Predaking thirsted for the drinks of the closer establishment. 

Just what would it be like to drink something other than energon?

His disdain for the Autobots had held him back, but after the strange encounter with the police officer, Predaking dared bring himself and his brethren to Maccadam’s . Perhaps they would face something other than hostility. Thudding down the street-lit way in bot form, the Predacons attracted only scant looks. When they stepped through the automatic doors, the reactions were the same. The Autobots who were clustered at tables or standing around holding drinks hardly looked at them. 

No one minded as the Predacons froze and ogled the spacious room. Many groups of Autobots crammed themselves into large silver booths with stripes of bronze and dark grey. Their voices blended into a general drone while music played sweetly in the background. Down the broad walkway dividing the room, a grand stage was visible presenting a single musician. She stood at a heavy four-legged instrument, her fingers flowing over two staggered rows of keys.

“You can sit anywhere!” A tiny orange two-wheeler skated by with wheels under her feet.

Larger-sized tables rested in the middle of the walkway, ideal for the Predacons. After they sat down, the two-wheeler skated by and tossed menus onto their table.

“Current selection…” Skylynx read. “Hmm, oils…”

“Isn’t that what we bathe in?” Darksteel exclaimed.

The two-wheeler slid back in. “Hi, I’m Lickety-Split. Do you need help with the menu?”

“All is new to us,” Predaking admitted.

“So, like, oil is a broad term for some of the dark thick fluids of Primus,” she said. “And it also matters how it’s filtered and prepared. It’s not the same as what’s in the bathhouse!”

“Ohhh,” Darksteel chuckled.

“Oil is great, rich in flavour, hot and filling. But you gotta know that everything under the ‘inebriety’ section has an effect on the processor!”

“Are we even able to digest these?” Ripclaw asked.

“You can digest any liquid that leaks from Primus,” Lickety-Split laughed. “But while it’ll give you some energy, it isn’t energon. It won’t keep your spark aflame, you know? So everything in moderation, dears. These drinks are for the pleasure in taste and effect only.”

“What do they do then?” Darksteel asked.

“After a little, you will get giddy, after a lot, you’ll get slow. Your wits won’t be sharp and your reflexes will get poor. It’s temporary, but while it can be fun and relaxing, be responsible!”

“Hmm,” Predaking pondered. “I am curious about the flavour of these beverages, but I do not wish to willingly impair myself.”

“It takes a lot to impair bigger bots like you,” the server replied. “And just like it’s my job to inform new patrons all ‘bout this, it’s my job to make sure you don’t overdo it. How about I bring you all classic fine oil?”

“Alright, thank you,” Predaking nodded.

Lickety-Split zipped through other patrons hanging around the bar. The Predacons stared after her then at the colourful array of bottles on the back wall. There, the popular Maccadam worked, filling pitchers and laughing with Autobots at the counter.

Minutes later, Lickety-Split zoomed back, dropping off two pitchers of oil then two more.

“Enjoy! And don’t forget to heed the signs, okay? No violence in the house!”

The Predacons looked around at the glowing signs hanging on the walls. Lines like Behave and Pay, and You Can Stay! were the theme. Others advised safety: Don't drink then drive, fly... you get it!  After giving them a glance, the Predacons gulped their black drinks. They gasped at the rich flavour that slapped them.

“Oh wow!” Darksteel cried.

The Predacons chugged their mugs dry and slammed them down. Lickety-Split almost teleported to their table with more oil.

“How do we pay anyway?” Darksteel asked.

“That’s not really important right now,” she smiled. “Shanix is only just coming back as a concept. If you got none, don’t worry ‘bout it.”

Again the Predacons chugged their drinks, sighing in satisfaction.

“I feel no effects so far,” Skylynx commented.

Their heads turned as the wide gold bot lumbered out from behind the bar. With a beaming smile, he headed straight for the Predacons. 

“Well! It’s nice to finally meet these legendary Predacons!” Maccadam exclaimed.

Nearby Autobots glanced at their table. Predaking suddenly hated the attention.

“Legendary?” Ripclaw echoed.

“Of course, Ripclaw!”

“You know our names?” she gasped.

“I listen.” Maccadam winked. “Ripclaw, Skylynx, Predaking, and Darksteel. You’re hard workers, helping rebuild this city.”

Now Maccadam gazed around at the other Autobots. They turned back to their drinks.

“I never knew Predacons could transform,” he went on, “but it’s very interesting to see your kind living among us. You are welcome here, as long as you follow the same rules as everyone else does. Is there anything else I can get you?”

---

Choice 1: Have just oil...................... Go to 3_6

Choice 2: Try one of everything........ Go to 3_7

 

Sideburn:

Notes:

Art:
Flying out of Iacon: Myst (misfire.missed on Instagram)
Sideburn concept: simply0spidey (Ko-Fi)

Chapter 30: 3_6

You chose to drink just oil

 

“Let us sample only the oil tonight,” Predaking said. 

“Wise,” Maccadam smiled. “Got to test the effects of inebriety first, eh?”

The large gold bot gathered their mugs and refilled them. 

“Talk to you again in a bit,” he said.

Sipping slowly on their drinks, the Predacons gazed at each other with half-closed eyes. However, Predaking straightened when Bumblebee stepped through the doors. Other Autobots from Earth filed in behind him: Bulkhead and Wheeljack, then the blue two-wheeler and the blue and gold bot. Spying Predaking, Bumblebee jolted then gave him a small wave. His party headed to a table of their own, casting a few more glances at the Predacons.

Predaking ignored them and turned toward the musician to watch her play.

“I wonder how those sounds are produced,” Skylynx mused. “It looks like it requires dexterous skill.”

Predaking flicked his eyes to the side as Bumblebee approached their table.

“Hi, I just wanted to check in on how you’re all settling into Iacon.” His blue eyes twirled curiously.

Predaking’s shoulders lowered with the music’s melody. “We are settling in well, despite some troubles with particular Autobots.”

“Let me guess…” Bumblebee sighed. “Prowl?”

Ripclaw snorted, “Wow, you knew?”

“I saw him when he landed at the spaceport. Prowl hasn’t changed… He’s just as… you know. What did he do to you?”

Predaking answered, “He is one of those who view us as dangerous beasts. Particularly despising us for having Shockwave as our creator.”

Bumblebee nodded. “I’ll see if I can talk to him.”

“Whirl and Devcon were a bother as well,” Skylynx added.

“Ah… I heard about Whirl. We are too familiar with his antics.” Bumblebee jerked his head in his table’s direction. “And Devcon is harassing every Decepticon on Cybertron, including the Vehicons. There are oddballs in our ranks, I’ll admit that. But I hope other Autobots have made you feel welcome.”

“Yes…” Predaking exhaled. “Springer, Ironhide…”

He thought of Bluestreak but did not mention him.

“You’ve been working this whole time?” Bumblebee asked.

“Mostly work,” Darksteel said. “But some exploring too.”

Maccadam waddled up to the table. “Where have you visited?” 

“The factory which lies a solar cycle’s journey from here,” Predaking answered. “And the Manganese Mountains.”

“Ahh, aren’t those new forests beautiful?” Maccadam sighed. “All that was destroyed in the War, you know. Weren’t no plants left, hardly any animals. We’re getting Primus’ second chance! But hey, there are so many gorgeous places to visit if ya know where to go. Seekers say the seas are filled and there are forests of every colour now.”

Ripclaw’s eyes widened. “We should go see them!”

“Oh but you know what…” Maccadam went on. “Maybe they should go to New Spark, right, ‘Bee? Aren’t the Predacons young’uns too? They should be getting a fine education from those teachers!”

“Education?” Skylynx piped up.

“Sure! You’re not doing much else, right?” Maccadam encouraged. “Can’t have young bots stuck doing labour just because they’re strong. No, no, those were the old ways. You can do more than carry!”

Bumblebee stammered, “I’m just not sure it’s a good idea, considering…”

“What?” Maccadam challenged.

“Since the school is in New Spark, the Dinobots’ city…” Bumblebee trailed off, looking apologetically at the Predacons.

“Oh, hooey! You just make those Dinobots get along with them. The world’s too beautiful for any more hostilities!”

Bumblebee spread his fingers. “I can try… if that’s what they want…”

He looked back to the Predacons. 

“Who will educate us?” Skylynx asked.

“There are some teachers there…” Bumblebee began. “We can find one who would be the best for you.”

“And what will we learn?”

“I believe all kinds of things, but basics first…”

Skylynx leaned over the table. “Can we begin tomorrow?” 

“Uh… sure,” Bumblebee gulped. “Meet me in the city square tomorrow morning.”

“Fantastic!” Maccadam cried.

Bumblebee slipped back to his table. Winking at the Predacons, Maccadam headed back to the bar. Meanwhile, the Predacons finished their oil while nodding along with the music.

“Who do you think the Dinobots are?” Darksteel wondered.

Predaking advised, “They will be more trouble, I presume. So prepare yourselves.”

After sitting and enjoying the ambience a little longer, the Predacons headed home for a night of rest.

---

Continue to 3_8

Chapter 31: 3_7

You chose to drink one of everything

 

“Let us sample everything,” Predaking said. 

“Ho!” Maccadam exclaimed. “How eager! Let’s see how you can handle it, big bots!”

The large gold bot fetched bubbly yellow drinks for them all. After those were gulped down, Lickety-Split passed them blue drinks topped with pink foam. Nodding and smiling, the Predacons gazed at each other.

Darksteel grinned. “After this, energon’s almost boring, isn’t it?”

Predaking straightened when Bumblebee stepped through the doors. Other Autobots from Earth filed in behind him: Bulkhead and Wheeljack, then the blue two-wheeler and the blue and gold bot. Spying Predaking, Bumblebee jolted then gave him a small wave. His party headed to a table of their own, casting a few more glances at the Predacons.

Predaking ignored them and relaxed as more drinks kept coming to the table. Sipping them, he turned toward the musician to watch her play.

“I wonder how those sounds are produced,” Skylynx mused. “It looks like it requires dexterous skill.”

Bowls of blue energon pudding were placed in front of them. While the Predacons savoured its sweetness, Bumblebee approached them.

“Hi, I just wanted to check in on how you’re all settling into Iacon.” His blue eyes twirled curiously.

Predaking’s shoulders lowered with the music’s melody. “We are settling in well, despite some troubles with particular Autobots.”

“Let me guess…” Bumblebee sighed. “Prowl?”

Ripclaw snorted, “Wow, you knew?”

“I saw him when he landed at the spaceport. Prowl hasn’t changed… He’s just as… you know. What did he do to you?”

Predaking answered, “He is one of those who view us as dangerous beasts. Particularly despising us for having Shockwave as our creator.”

Bumblebee nodded. “I’ll see if I can talk to him.”

“Whirl and Devcon were a bother as well,” Skylynx added.

“Ah… I heard about Whirl. We are too familiar with his antics.” Bumblebee jerked his head in his table’s direction. “And Devcon is harassing every Decepticon on Cybertron, including the Vehicons. There are oddballs in our ranks, I’ll admit that. But I hope other Autobots have made you feel welcome.”

“Yes…” Predaking exhaled. “Springer, Ironhide…”

He thought of Bluestreak but did not mention him.

“You’ve been working this whole time?” Bumblebee asked.

“Mostly work,” Darksteel said. “But some exploring too.”

Maccadam came by with sparkling silver drinks. “Where have you visited?”

“The factory which lies a solar cycle’s journey from here,” Predaking answered. “And the Manganese Mountains.”

“Ahh, aren’t those new forests beautiful?” Maccadam sighed. “All that was destroyed in the War, you know. Weren’t no plants left, hardly any animals. We’re getting Primus’ second chance! But hey, there are so many gorgeous places to visit if ya know where to go. Seekers say the seas are filled and there are forests of every colour now.”

Ripclaw’s eyes widened. “We should go see them!”

“Oh but you know what…” Maccadam went on. “Maybe they should go to New Spark, right, ‘Bee? Aren’t the Predacons young'uns too? They should be getting a fine education from those teachers!”

“Education?” Skylynx piped up.

“Sure! You’re not doing much else, right?” Maccadam encouraged. “Can’t have young bots stuck doing labour just because they’re strong. No, no, those were the old ways. You can do more than carry!”

Bumblebee stammered, “I’m just not sure it’s a good idea, considering…”

“What?” Maccadam challenged.

“Since the school is in New Spark, the Dinobots’ city…” Bumblebee trailed off, looking apologetically at the Predacons.

“Oh, hooey! You just make those Dinobots get along with them. The world’s too beautiful for any more hostilities!”

Bumblebee spread his fingers. “I can try… if that’s what they want…”

He looked back to the Predacons. 

“Who will educate us?” Skylynx asked.

“There are some teachers there…” Bumblebee began. “We can find one who would be the best for you.”

“And what will we learn?”

“I believe all kinds of things, but basics first…”

Skylynx leaned over the table. “Can we begin tomorrow?”

“Uh… sure,” Bumblebee gulped. “Meet me in the city square tomorrow morning.”

“Fantastic!” Maccadam cried.

Bumblebee slipped back to his table. Winking at the Predacons, Maccadam fetched more items for them to sample. Meanwhile, the Predacons nodded along with the music.

“Who do you think the Dinobots are?” Darksteel wondered.

Predaking advised, “They will be more trouble, I presume. So prepare yourselves.”

---

After tasting everything on the menu, the Predacons stumbled out the doors. The world tilted diagonally and Predaking’s sluggish mind struggled to track movement. An Autobot bumped past him, growling, “Watch it!”

Lumbering down the street, Darksteel transformed and attempted to fly home. 

“We weren't supposed to drink then fly!” Ripclaw called.

Darksteel growled and took off. Wobbling, he soared away.

“I am still in control,” Predaking declared.

Changing to beast mode, he launched into the sky after Darksteel. A moment later, he veered, hit a building, and fell into an alley.

Predaking peeled himself off his side, shaking his head. He paused at a shuffling noise. Glancing up, he glimpsed what he first thought were two bots. Blinking, he tried to make sense of a larger brown bot holding a slumped Vehicon. Blood trickled from the side of the Vehicon’s head. Skinny brown claws curled around the purple body. Long grey-white teeth clenched.

Predaking sprang up and snarled, but suddenly, confusion struck him.

There is nothing there.

As soon as he thought it, he realized it was true. There were no bots in front of him. He was alone. 

You don’t know what you saw. It was nothing.

Predaking stared around himself with furrowed brows. Shaking his head again, he crawled out of the alley. He could no longer remember what he had seen; it was a dark blur now. However, he decided he better drink less intoxicating beverages from then on.

He flew home and forgot how many times he crashed.

---

Continue to 3_8

Chapter 32: 3_8

Under the giant screens of Iacon Square, the Predacons met with Bumblebee in the morning. 

“So, where is this New Spark located?” Predaking asked.

“It's a bit away from here, so we'll ground bridge there.”

Bumblebee made a request for one, peered at the Predacons apprehensively, then led them through the portal. Grey buildings sprang up around them and blue streetlights glowed on the dark empty streets. 

“The sun has gone,” Skylynx commented.

“Sunrise will come soon,” Bumblebee said. “We just hopped further west, so the sun hasn’t come yet.”

They marched to a silver-white building with grey pillars. A sign designated it: School. But the curiosity of the Predacons was curbed by the five imposing figures standing outside it. Four were equal in height to them, one was smaller, but all were glaring, thick-metalled, grey and yellow bots.

“The transforming Predacons,” growled a red-eyed Autobot with a black head. “You want entrance into this school? There are vulnerable youth here. Hurt them, and we’ll make your species extinct again.”

The ground shook when he stomped his foot.

“We aren’t here to hurt anyone,” Ripclaw hissed. “We are here to learn! We were invited.”

The same powerful Autobot muttered, “We’ve fought Predacons on Cybertron: bot-eating monsters made by Shockwave and the Forged.”

“There were more Predacons?” Predaking gasped.

“Don’t sound excited. We’d be a lot happier if we never had to see another Predacon again. One of them ate a poor innocent young one. We took care of that beast. We can do the same to you.”

Predaking’s eyes flared and he clenched his fists. Then, he slouched and relaxed his fingers. “The Predacon… devoured someone?”

“Uh-huh.”

Bumblebee butted in, “Like I said, these Predacons have never devoured anybot. They have been helping rebuild Iacon for almost four decacycles.”

“We’ll let them in,” the smallest Dinobot growled. “But I’ll be sitting in that classroom to supervise. I can already tell you though, no teacher wants them except one.”

Every Predacon scowled and Predaking snapped, “We are not bloodthirsty beasts desperate for a taste of living metal. The very idea is foul to me.”

Bumblebee urged, “These Predacons are different from those you have seen.”

“We’ll see,” the smallest Dinobot said. 

Half of the Dinobots led the Predacons into the building. The other half followed behind, sandwiching them between them. Ripclaw’s shoulder plates clacked in rage as they were escorted into a classroom. Yet once inside, the four Predacons widened their eyes in intrigue. 

A miniature blue-grey bot stood on a desk in front of an electronic board with a long stylus in his hand. A dormant beast face rested on his chest, he lacked wheels, wings, and copter blades, and his hands and feet were clawed. Immediately, Predaking wondered what he transformed into. Before the small beastbot sat many empty tables: four were filled by bright-eyed bots. Although they wore Autobot symbols, they glanced at the Predacons with friendly curiosity. 

“Oo! Are you new students?” gasped a small blue copterbot. 

The little bot with the stylus announced, “Welcome, please sit wherever you would like!”

As the Predacons shuffled in, Darksteel exclaimed, “Are you the teacher! Wow, you’re tiny!”

“Yes, such is the nature of Minicons.” The blue-grey bot grew an amused smile and stroked his beard. “My name is Dominus Ambus. I will be your teacher. Please grant me the pleasure of knowing your names.”

“I am Predaking, leader of the Predacons,” he declared.

The small Dinobot snorted. He passed by and lounged on a container in the back of the room. Meanwhile, the Dinobot with the black face lingered in the doorway. Predaking began to bristle, but then a light blue student trilled, “Wow! What are the Predacons? That sounds cool!”

Predaking’s spark melted and he smiled.

Dominus Ambus waved at the Dinobot at the door.

“You may go, Grimlock. Have no fear.”

“I fear nothing,” he uttered. “Swoop, stay alert.”

Grimlock stomped back. The door automatically shut, and his footsteps thumped down the hall.

“Why is Swoop staying in the classroom?” a small red and white student asked.

Dominus Ambus gripped his stylus in both hands. “Please ignore Swoop; he’s just here to make sure… the class runs smoothly with our new students.”

“It shouldn’t be a problem.” The student blinked at Swoop earnestly. “Dominus Ambus is a great teacher!”

“Thank you, Medix,” the Minicon teacher replied. “Now, who would like to introduce themself next?”

“Wait, you didn’t answer my question!” piped up the light blue student.

“Ah, of course,” Dominus Ambus said. “Predacons are a formerly extinct race of Cybertronians with powerful, fire-breathing beast forms.”

All the other students breathed out in admiration.

“Can we see?” the blue copter cried. “That sounds really, really cool!”

Predaking’s eyes softened and his brethren all smiled now.

“Perhaps at break in a joor,” the teacher answered. “If our classmates are alright with that.”

“Better not,” the Dinobot warned.

“Oh, screws, it’ll be harmless,” Dominus Ambus scoffed. “All students have the right to transform and use their alt-form at recess.”

The Dinobot tapped his arms.

“I’d be happy to show you,” Darksteel grinned at the copter student. “I am Darksteel, by the way.”

“Ripclaw,” she said next.

“You’re very colourful!” the copterbot exclaimed.

“I’m venomous.” Ripclaw beamed.

“Oooo… I wish I were venomous!”

Ripclaw chuckled.

“I am Skylynx…” Skylynx nodded. “I look forward to learning.”

“Welcome, Predaking, Darksteel, Ripclaw, and Skylynx,” Dominus Ambus replied. “And thank you, Whirl Jr., for your enthusiasm. We love to meet all kinds of Cybertronians. Shall we all introduce ourselves?”

“I’m Whirl Jr.,” the blue copterbot giggled. “But he just said that.”

“Are all blue copters named Whirl?” Darksteel blurted.

“Hehe, no, but he’s my mentor!” she exclaimed. “It’s my nickname but I like it a lot! It sounds very silly. And I love my papa. Do you know him?”

Predaking choked, trying not to splutter.

“We have seen him around…” Skylynx coughed.

“Next?” Dominus Ambus sensed the mood and pointed at another student.

The Predacons were introduced to Rubble, Gauge, and Medix. 

“You will spend a lot of time with each other,” the teacher explained. “Classes run every solar cycle from sunrise to noon. You are not obligated to come every solar cycle, but you will graduate much sooner if you do. We have a curriculum. Once you have learned a subject, you get checked off for it. If you miss a subject, you may do an evening make-up class. Complete all subjects, and you will graduate from the basic level!”

“Are there more advanced levels?” Skylynx inquired.

“Certainly, and we’ll have those classes ready by the time you graduate. Right now all we are offering are these classes for the Newsparks. And you, I hear, are young enough to classify!”

“Newsparks?” Predaking asked.

“The term for those fresh from the Well. And the city you are in now is called New Spark! Fitting, isn’t it? Anyway, shall we begin today’s lesson?”

“What are we learning?” Skylynx pulled out a stylus from a slot on his desk.

“We will be expanding our knowledge on basic arithmetic and graphs. But do not worry, my dear new students. I’ll do a quick lecture then come around to teach you about beginner maths.”

As Dominus Ambus began the lecture, Predaking struggled to follow along. But discovering that his desk was interactive, he used a stylus to copy the teacher’s drawings. Predaking picked up on the concepts of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, but he was not quick to calculate formulas. He was fascinated by the concept of visually mapping information in graphs, but no more than Skylynx, whose eyes had never been rounder. 

Forgetting the Dinobot guard, love for the classroom blossomed in his chest. Predaking was thankful for Maccadam for encouraging them to come. Once the lecture had finished, Dominus Ambus transformed into a small creature with a snout, long ears, and a bushy plated tail. He hopped across the desks, releasing giggles from the students. Then he sat on Predaking’s desk, sweeping his head left and right.

“Are you following along alright?” Dominus Ambus asked.

“You can speak in beast mode?” Predaking gasped.

“Yes,” he replied. “I take it that you cannot?”

“It would be great if we could!” Darksteel exclaimed. “So, what kind of Cybertronian are you then?”

“I am a Turbofoxian, a type of beastbot,” he exclaimed. “We are Minicons with the alt-forms of turbofoxes. It makes it easy to blend in with them. Mind you, a turbofox is a common pet, so please remember that we are sapient Cybertronians and petting is not respectful. No matter who it is though, it is best to get someone’s permission before touching them. Remember to mind the sensitivities of others.”

The Predacons nodded and listened attentively to their teacher. He then continued to guide them through basic math. He bounced across their desks, changing to bot mode to draw when necessary. The visuals greatly aided them with concepts like fractions. Once they were managing better, he left them with exercises and checked on the other students.

The time for a break was announced. Dominus Ambus passed them energon candies with a white coating around them, then walked them out the door. Into an outdoor yard they went where other classes played on aerial and ground obstacles, rectangular courts with glowing blue lines, and a great race track. Predaking crunched down on the candy, letting the sweet gem slide down his throat while he watched the other students at play. 

“Can we see your beast modes?” Whirl Jr. asked.

“Yeah!” Rubble chimed in.

“Don’t transform!” Swoop called.

Darksteel laughed and transformed. The students began to cheer until thunderous roars drowned them out. Beside Swoop, two Dinobots transformed into one double-horned beast and one long-necked beast. Both were as broad, tall, and heavy as Darksteel. The monstrous Autobots swiped the ground with their forefeet. 

The horned Dinobot snarled, “Return to bot mode, Predacon!”

Darksteel looked to his brethren, bewildered.

“Told you not to.” Swoop transformed into a winged beast with a long beak.

“But why not?” Medix jolted. “If we get to transform, why not them?”

Dominus Ambus stepped between the Dinobots and Predacon.

“They have my permission,” he enunciated. “Let them.”

“We cannot allow it,” the horned Dinobot uttered. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Exactly,” Swoop growled.

“Dominus!” A tall and thin, red Autobot swiftly strode across the park. “No. No Predacons in beast form here! They shouldn’t even be here at all!”

The students all looked at each other and the Predacons in alarm.

“Nonsense!” Dominus Ambus transformed to his minuscule beast form, lashing his tail. “If you judge them based on who they are and not what they have done, then most certainly, that is discrimination! And this I have faced before the War as a beastbot. We will have none of that here! None of it!”

He growled and yipped.

“These are children!” he cried. “Leave them alone!”

When normally Predaking would defend himself, this time, he stayed mum. Dominus Ambus was clear and his anger measured; he was an idol Predaking suddenly longed to be. As tiny as the Minicon was, he forced a guilty look onto the red Autobot’s face and convinced the Dinobots to return to bot mode. 

“We just don’t want anyone to get hurt…” the horned Dinobot grumbled.

Dominus Ambus’ plates raised, puffing up his Turbofox form into a slightly larger ball. The other older Autobots went quiet.

“This is weird,” Whirl Jr. whispered to the Predacons. “Do you want to go over there and play on the obstacles? ”

Predaking transformed to beast mode and bared his teeth at the scrambling older Autobots. The Dinobots returned to beast mode and the red teacher grabbed at the sword handle on her back. But he swung his neck dismissively and looked to Whirl Jr. She breathed in awe before she and the other students waved for the Predacons to follow them. Tail high but still poofed, Dominus Ambus followed the group. 

Every Predacon transformed to beast mode to explore the larger obstacles. Most were best suited for smaller bots, but they could climb all around a large cage of bars. Predaking felt the eyes of the Dinobots burn into him as all five of them gathered beside the playground. At the same time, the students of the other classes flocked on the game courts away from the Predacons, watching them timidly. 

“There is nothing to be concerned about,” Dominus Ambus told them. “Please, play your games.”

Predaking derived no pleasure from the obstacles under all the offending glares. Crawling down, he lay in a dignified pose with his neck raised. He imagined flying away in a huff, but admittedly, he did not wish to miss the next lesson or disappoint Dominus Ambus. His brethren joined him, curling around him and mirroring his aloof air. There they waited until all the teachers called for their classes to return.

---

Continue to 3_9

Chapter 33: 3_9

I suppose I am a child, Predaking thought. I am new. And yet, I feel as though I am calmer and wiser than those who came before me.

He did not believe he needed to learn how to think. It was only factual knowledge he lacked. Inside the classroom again, the Predacons learned pieces of Cybertronian geography, nature, weather and climate during the “review period”. For the first time, they glimpsed Iacon on a map. It sat near the top of the world while Kaon sat at the bottom. And Dominus Ambus was quite happy to point out every other place the Predacons had been in response to Darksteel’s prompts. 

After passing another break lying down in beast form, the final period was a hands-on lesson. Containers sat by each student’s desk full of metal pieces. An instruction manual was presented on the main screen to aid the students in constructing “adjustable chairs”. Assembling the furniture was another first for Predaking, who had only ever moved construction supplies. Something about piecing everything together made him feel a part of society. He never held the tools or created anything. Though he wasn’t as swift as his experienced classmates, he felt a great sense of pride when he had completed his chair.

“Great work,” said the teacher to the Predacons.

The other students created more chairs and then, all their furniture was taken outside and set on the yard in front of the school. Other classes set out more chairs and tables.

“And that’s how a normal school cycle goes,” Dominus Ambus told the Predacons. “If you are interested in a make-up lesson, you may join me now. I promise to make this one special for you.”

Ground bridges opened in front of the school and some of the students raced toward them. From one of the portals, Whirl the lanky Wrecker stepped through. The smaller Whirl Jr. launched at him as he spread his arms. He embraced her, lifting her up. She hugged his neck and excitedly chattered, “Hi, papa! You got to see my new classmates! They’re huge! And they’re Predacons! Do you know what Predacons are?”

Whirl stared at Predaking and his brethren. “Ya-huh… Papa… works with them in Iacon.”

He glared a warning at them but relaxed his eye into a friendly crescent when Whirl Jr. looked back at him. 

“You had a good cycle?” he asked her and started to walk away into New Spark, still holding her. She chattered on.

Dominus Ambus murmured to the Predacons, “Are you all alright?”

“Fine…” Skylynx turned around. “Let us do the make-up lesson.”

The classroom was much quieter and emptier without the other students. And this time, Swoop only lingered outside the door.

“I am going to introduce you to Cybertronian Sign Language,” Dominus Ambus began. “It will allow you to communicate in beast form through gestures.”

The Predacons sat up.

“Such a language exists?” Predaking gasped.

“It was constructed as a military and police language. But of course, other sign languages had popped up naturally among deaf and mute bots. Because of the War however, CSL has taken over. Nonetheless! A planetary sign language taught in schools would create greater accessibility for deaf and mute bots. Or bots like you who cannot speak in beast mode. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all communicate no matter the circumstance?”

“It certainly would be,” Predaking rumbled. “Please, I implore you to teach us.”

Dominus demonstrated simple signs such as go, come, help, stop, safe, danger, and I understand. Each required only a small movement with one hand. Excitement flared in Predaking’s spark and he desperately wanted to learn more.

The teacher added, “And the language takes into consideration that not all Cybertronians have the same number of digits or range of motion!”

Dominus Ambus taught them a few more words and how to fingerspell Cybertronian letters. Once he deemed that their first lesson was complete, Predaking signed, [I understand. C-S-L good. I like].

Dominus Ambus smiled. “I knew you would! Now, how about I request a ground bridge for you… right in front of the Iacon Hall of Records? They may have a book on CSL you can borrow.”

With bows of their heads, the Predacons thanked their small teacher at the entrance of the school. Then, they hurried through the portal once it came. 

After cramming through the doors of the Iacon Hall of Records, they rushed to the front desk where the grey librarian stood.

“Hello… Can I help you?” he softly asked.

Predaking suddenly noticed a lack of insignia upon this bot. He had only assumed he was an Autobot before, but perhaps he was one of those Neutrals.

Ripclaw announced, “We’re looking for Cybertronian Sign Language.”

“I think we made a book for that…” the librarian said. “Let’s have a look.”

And one book was procured. The Predacons took it to a library table, turned on the datapad, and flipped through the first electronic pages.

“It is sorted by subjects,” Skylynx remarked. “Perhaps ‘description’ words would be best.”

“Wait, let’s see what else there is…” Darksteel flipped through the table of contents. “Oh! Slurs. We have to learn those and use them on the cops!”

Ripclaw snorted.

“Let us learn everything,” Predaking said.

The book provided helpful videos of bots demonstrating signs. The Predacons mimicked them and tested each other, cementing their knowledge. However, Predaking jolted when Bumblebee’s voice came through his comms.

“Hi, I was just checking in… How was your first cycle of school… with the Dinobots? ”

“Troublesome,” Predaking replied. “But we will return, thank you.”

Bumblebee tried to ask more, but Predaking shut him down.

“We may speak later. For now, we shall study.”

And so they continued, until the grey librarian found them and said, “You can borrow that book and take it home, you know.”

“Can we?” Skylynx gasped.

Due to Skylynx’s enthusiasm, Predaking allowed the book to be checked out in his brother's name. It would go to their address regardless.

The four Predacons hopped outside, transformed, and hurried home. Predaking turned his neck around, waved a forefoot for attention, pointed one claw at them, then tapped his head, and touched one claw to his chest.

[You understand me?] 

They raised their forefeet and curled all their claws in the answer [Yes].

Predaking purred and flapped his wings faster. They never transformed once they returned home. At the doors, Predaking signed, [We go to hot… O-I-L?]

He did not know the sign for oil or bathhouse.

[What?], Darksteel signed. [Go where?]

[Hot O… I… L…]. Predaking slowly moved his claws.

[O-I-L], Skylynx signed back.

[Yes], Predaking replied.

Skylynx growled happily. [I understand!]

[What?], Darksteel signed. Skylynx tapped the keycode and placed the book inside their house.

[Come]. Predaking waved his forefoot. 

To the bathhouse they went, and once they slipped into the relaxing hot oil, they signed to each other.

[Hot. I love.], Darksteel expressed.

[Hot good-good-good.], Ripclaw answered along with a soft growl.

[Want drink?], Darksteel asked.

Ripclaw pointed at the bubbling oil incredulously. [This?]

[No-no. Drink O-I… M.], Darksteel attempted. He pointed away at the wall.

[Drink O-I-L?]. Predaking turned his head. Maccadam’s, he assumed.

[Yes!]. Darksteel nodded.

The others bobbed their heads happily and signed that they understood. Tails swished under the oil. Soon they climbed out, dried off, and flew to Maccadam’s. At that point, Predaking regretted returning to bot form when it had felt freeing to stay so long in beast mode. Yet they transformed and went inside, squeezing past bots holding drinks. Tonight, all tables were taken.

Wandering up to the bar, the Predacons asked for mugs of oil and were handed them. And while chugging down the rich dark fluid, Predaking caught a flash of Skylynx’s twisting wrist.

[Good!], Skylynx proclaimed while silently drinking.

Predaking caught Darksteel peering over the patrons for police officers to sign at. There did not seem to be any tonight, at least, none they recognized.

Predaking swallowed. "I will tolerate the hostility we face at that school. What we learn there is much too valuable to miss.”

His brethren nodded earnestly in agreement.

---

Continue to 3_10

Chapter 34: 3_10

Notes:

A song will appear in this chapter. Here is what it is timed to (Lucjo -Gibberish) https://youtu.be/__xVOpePEhY?si=I3R9pXlgafHhHt51

Please play it along!

In a craze for school, the Predacons dropped construction activities for a few days. They completed their regular classes, took more CSL lessons from Dominus Ambus in the evenings, then stayed up late into the night practicing signs. One morning while waiting in the square for their school ground bridge, new Vehicons passed the Predacons by. They were half the normal size, a lighter shade of purple, and had double-banded orange eyes.

“Wow! Did you all get matching surgeries?” Darksteel cried.

The group of Vehicons halted and the smaller Vehicons tilted their heads.

“No, Darksteel,” Predaking replied. “I recognize this class of Vehicon. They worked in energon mines…”

A prick of guilt stabbed his spark as he recalled chasing Wheeljack through a mine with such small Vehicons. There had been an explosion...

“We are miner Vehicons,” one of them confirmed.

“So you are a whole other type!” Ripclaw exclaimed.

“How many of you are there?” Skylynx asked. 

The small Vehicons glanced at each other.

“There were hundreds of us,” one finally answered. “The Autobots just came on the Nemesis and took us back from Earth.”

“Wow, construction is going to go a lot faster, huh?” Darksteel replied. “Ah… I would love to work with you new bots! Maybe missing a solar cycle of school wouldn’t hurt.”

“But we would miss too much,” Skylynx argued.

“Come with us,” Predaking said.

“Aw but we can just make it up later!” Darksteel protested. “Come on, we can study the CSL at home. I just want to get out and move, take a break from studying all the time!”

Predaking was about to push him to join them, but Ripclaw interrupted, “Well, do whatever you like then. We’ll see you at home.”

When Darksteel grinned, Predaking did not have the spirit to command him. The ground bridge opened, leaving the Predacons to say their goodbyes. Darksteel stayed behind while Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw headed to class with their escort of Dinobot guards.

At the very least, their guards didn’t press as close as before. While Dominus Ambus missed Darksteel, the day carried on with a lesson on Cybertronian anatomy and health, a review of basic astronomy, and the assembling of streetlights outside the school. For their bonus lesson, Dominus Ambus taught them more on the nature of fire.

Afterward, the Predacons waited for Darksteel at their large maroon manor. He came late, with another big grin on his face, and proclaimed, “Sorry! I convinced one of those miner Vehicons to get a colour change!”

They studied and reviewed more Cybertronian Sign Language in their beast forms. When the next morning came however, Darksteel was hesitant about joining them for school.

“I just want another break,” he said. “But I’m learning a lot from the Vehicons too! The ones who had been on the ship anyway. Those little bots didn’t get to browse the Internet down in the caves.”

“What does that word mean?” Ripclaw asked.

“I don’t know, it’s some Earth word. But we have something called the ‘DataNet’ here. It’s the same idea. It’s a collection of pictures, videos, all that, but made by aliens. The Vehicons showed me this video with soft little creatures that stand on two legs like us. Couldn’t understand them, but they were funny.”

And so Darksteel missed another day, and then another. He finally tagged along for one school day, then disappeared for a few more. But he was always bursting with excitement each time they saw him, and they would all share what they had learned either way. As they spoke, they would also show signs in CSL for whichever words they knew.

“So the Vehicons said they don’t know CSL, but they’ve seen Starscream use it with Seekers in the past,” Darksteel said. “That means if we see Starscream again, we can totally threaten him in Sign.”

“Did you… encounter a police officer?” Predaking asked him.

“Ahahaha, yeah. How did I forget to tell you? I signed at Prowl…” Darksteel made a movement with his fingers to mime an explosion and flicked his fingers for flying shards. [GET FRAGGED.]

“How did that go?” Ripclaw chuckled.

“He looked furious, but he was with that chatty Autobot—what’s his name, Bluestreak? That one laughed really hard and asked who taught me that. So Prowl didn’t say anything. Oh, and then I saw Whirl today and told him [GET FRAGGED] too. He also laughed but then said he knows how to make bombs and he knows where we live.”

The Predacons returned to the Vehicon Clubhouse to catch up with the troopers. After their health class in school, Predaking now knew how unhealthy Maccadam’s oil was. Tonight he enjoyed a cup of energon, listening silently to others, until a Vehicon began reading on a small device beside him.

“Is that a tiny book?” Ripclaw asked.

The Vehicon looked up. “No, it’s a phone. Some Autobot is selling them based on popular Earth technology. You use it to communicate by text with others.”

“Is it private?” Predaking asked.

“Said to be, but I doubt that,” the Vehicon said. “Still, it’s nice to have. I can message Altero from right here since I got his number.”

“That’s pretty cool!” Darksteel smiled. “Can I message him too?”

“Let’s not bother him,” the Vehicon warned. “He’s busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Building up his domain, inspiring others.”

Predaking raised his brows. “Domain?”

The Vehicon with the “phone” replied, “A place for Vehicons and Decepticons to thrive on an Autobot-ruled planet.”

“Like a Decepticon-only space?” Ripclaw asked.

“Yes.”

“But we’re allowed in, right?” Darksteel pleaded.

“Of course,” the Vehicon said. The others around nodded.

“Whew…” Darksteel sighed.

Lucian the copper jet Vehicon stepped onto a table between the speakers. In his hand, he grasped a rod with a round black ball on the end of it. Conversations quieted, allowing him to call out, "Pardon me, would you please allow me to sing a song I have prepared?"

All the Vehicons nodded or answered encouragingly. Lucian used a square device to change the music playing from the speakers to something slow with hard beats. His fingers danced nervously around the rod in his hand as he raised it close to his face. But the Vehicons bobbing their heads in tune to the music calmed him. Lucian began to hum, then he breathed out melodiously:

“Faaaallen Troooooper… 

Faaaallen Troooooper… 

 

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands noooow.

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands nooooooow.

 

We’re the ones who roam these streets. 

Here with the moons, under the sun. 

Living ghosts we’re unperceived, 

Like the bodies ‘neath your feet. 

Your absence of guilt while haunted by sins,

Ring unseen hands ‘round your neck.

 

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands noooow.

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands nooooooow.

 

Now you see, scream: where’re you from?

Still faces say just the past. 

Whether now comes dark or light,

Our fallen shall share with you.

It’s time you know what they know, after all,

You blissfully had them learn.

 

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands noooow.

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands nooooooow."

 

Once the song had reached its end, all the Vehicons in the room cheered.

“What a voice!” Darksteel crowed.

“A fine representation of vengeful fantasy,” Predaking remarked. “I can relate to this.”

---

Continue to 3_11

Chapter 35: 3_11

“I got a phone!” Darksteel cried as his brethren walked into their house one evening.

He showed a rectangular device to Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx.

“For what purpose do you intend to use it?” Predaking questioned.

“Actually, I want us all to get them!” Darksteel explained. “Since I’m not always around, I want to still be able to tell you right away when something crazy happens! Also, did you know that we got a reward for all the labour we did before? Shanix! Some kind of number system where the higher the numbers we earn, the more stuff we can get in return.”

Darksteel unclipped something from under his shoulder. He flashed out a card. 

“And check this out! It’s the magic card that holds my shanix!”

“How does it achieve that?” Predaking squinted.

Darksteel shrugged. “I really don’t know. I just tap it to a machine then bots let me have whatever I want. Yeah! So they set up a public market in Iacon today, but the only way to get stuff was with the card. So I figured it all out.”

“A market?” Ripclaw mused. “What sort of things did they offer?”

“Well, I just bought two snacks since I figured it would be more fun going back with you all. But there were decorations I wanted to get for our house that I saw.”

Predaking decided, “Let us go now to acquire these devices and cards, then peruse the market.”

Darksteel eagerly led them into the city in beast form, spinning around in the air and signing, [We go, we go, we go!]

The sun dipped to the horizon as they crammed into a small office with a lone Autobot employee. After the Predacons gave their names, the Autobot matched them on a computer to their bio profiles. Cards loaded up with100 000 credits were handed to them with clips to attach them magnetically to their arms.

At another similar office, the Predacons tested their new cards to pay for their new phones. It really was as easy as a tap, and the phones were theirs. Darksteel then pushed them outside so that he could teach them how the devices worked. After he added them all in as each other’s contacts, he passed the phones back to them.

Darksteel tapped quickly with his claws on the phone screen. With a bling, Predaking’s phone chirped in his hand. Opening it, he read the message:

Darksteel
Hi

Predaking typed and sent:

Predaking
Message received.

Ripclaw and Skylynx chuckled over their phones as Darksteel messaged them.

“I think this will become amusing,” Ripclaw said. 

Although Darksteel enthusiastically flew them to an open area just beside Iacon Square, he growled sadly to see it empty.

[Now, not here], he signed, bowing his head. [Tomorrow?]

---

The next day, Darksteel messaged them while Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx were in New Spark:

Darksteel
They only do the market twice a decacycle. Every Primaday and Microday. Also I just learned that solar cycles have names. Did you know that?

Seated in front of Dominus Ambus, they were able to inquire about this. 

“We name the ten cycle period after all the so-called ‘good Primes’. Minus the Thirteenth Prime since we are not certain of his name. Primaday, Vectday, Triday, Solday, Microday, Alcheday, Nexday, Onyxday, Amalgaday, and Quintday.”

“Who are the Primes?” Predaking asked.

“Oh my, let’s make that your make-up lesson tonight,” Dominus Ambus chuckled.

Thus Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw learned about the original Cybertronians who had battled against Unicron, defeated him, then subsequently fought among themselves. Some perished; the rest scattered. Most intriguing to them was Onyx Prime.

“The first beastformer!” Dominus Ambus lifted his chin. “Our ancestor who scanned the universe for animalistic life of the past and future on which to base us.”

Predaking thought that Darksteel was missing too much. After his brethren recounted the stories of the Primes to him, Predaking pushed him to attend school at least until the next market day. In exchange, all of them would skip school on Microday.

Darksteel urged, “After we go to the market, let’s do some good ol' wreckage clearing!”

The morning sun peeked between the buildings, casting golden rays over the Iacon market. Two lines of tables piled with goods faced each other, tended to by vendors while customers strolled in between. Landing and transforming to bot mode, the Predacons beelined to the closest table.

“Additional lighting to warm up your home?” the Autobot vendor offered.

“Yeah!” Darksteel exclaimed before anyone could think it over. “I’ll take two!”

He tapped his card without paying attention to the price, grabbing two decorative lamps with small dangling models of the moons. They were pretty enough that none of his brethren disputed his purchase. Moving down the market stands, the Predacons obtained treats of many kinds. 

“Aplex fused with energon, straight from Meliflux Fields!” an Autobot flier proudly proclaimed.

“Special pink energon from Cäminus,” a purple and yellow vendor without an insignia offered. “Regular or with sweetrod!”

“We shall try it,” Predaking replied to all and raised his card.

Metal boxes piled up in their arms as they walked along, but at the same time, they couldn’t resist picking out candies from the boxes and popping them into their mouths.

At another table, they discovered thick bundles of interwoven chains as well as intricately carved plant statues.

“What’s going on here?” Darksteel asked. “Oh hey, I remember you.”

The vendor was a white and blue Autobot with long arms and legs.

“Froid,” Predaking said. 

“Oh, I am surprised you know my name!” Froid smiled. “Are you interested in anything here?”

Froid nudged a small sign forward.

“Therapy For All ?” Skylynx read.

Froid explained, “Providing psychotherapy is my specialty: what I have been certified in since before the War. It is a practice aimed to heal patients, improve their mental health and well-being, reduce harmful negative emotions, and aid with struggles such as behavioural or social issues.”

“How do you accomplish that?” Predaking asked.

“Through repeated and consistent personal interactions in which the patient speaks with me about their problems and I provide professional, science-based guidance.”

“I think I’m good, but what about this?” Darksteel patted the chain bundles, squishing them down. “Oo, they feel nice!”

“Oh, those are hand-crafted blankets which you can adjust the temperature for. Hot, cold, however you please.”

“Feel this!” Darksteel called to his brethren. 

Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw pressed down on the blankets.

“Ah, I really like them,” Ripclaw exhaled. “How big are they though?”

She opened one up: it was quite large, nearly three-fourths the size of her bot form. 

“I’ll take all you have, really,” she decided. “This would be really comfy where we recharge. And the changing temperature is a nice bonus!”

Froid jolted. “Wonderful! Thank you so very much!”

“And what are these pieces of art?” Skylynx inquired.

“Ah, they are blue flowers of an alien world I shortly resided on.”

Skylynx said, “They would make nice decorations for our shelves at home. I will take three.”

Once they paid, Ripclaw disappeared behind a mountain of chain blankets in her arms. However, they used one of the blankets to bundle up all their candy in a sac. At another table, Skylynx picked up coloured carvings of energon in the shape of mechanimals. 

“Our house is gonna be awesome,” Darksteel said.

Beyond the buildings ringing the market, the loud roar of an engine turned their heads. A vehicle skidded around a corner and rushed toward the market. Vendors jumped before the sleek vehicle veered, racing laps around the tables.

“Any of you wanna race a Velocitronian?” the bot cried in a twangy accent. 

Everyone gawked; no one answered. But the Velocitronian sped round and round the market, laughing and revving his engines. 

“Okay, that’s annoying,” Ripclaw growled.

Predaking stepped past the tables and stood at the edge of the market. Just as the Velocitronian sped closer, Predaking transformed to beast mode and flopped in his path. The Velocitronian's tires screeched in a panic before he crashed into Predaking’s side. Transforming, the Velocitronian sprawled out in bot form with long smooth limbs.

As the Predacons laughed, even the vendors and shoppers joined in. When another vehicle rolled in, Predaking turned to face it. That white and black vehicle just happened to transform into a disgruntled Prowl.

Predaking ground his teeth. 

“Well, it looks like you took care of the nuisance.” Prowl raised his brows and slowly nodded. “Makes my job easier.”

Prowl pulled up the Velocitronian by his arm.

“Owww, what did I do?” he whined.

“You know what you did! Velocitronians were clearly told upon arrival: no reckless driving!”

“Okay, but define ‘reckless’!” 

“Oh sure, let’s define it at the police station.” Prowl manifested cuffs from his chest and slapped them on the Velocitronian’s wrists. He nodded at the Predacons, then began to drag the Velocitronian away.

“He wasn’t even mad at you?” Darksteel gasped incredulously.

---

Continue to 3_12

Chapter 36: 3_12

The blankets were spread over the floor, the statues and carvings set on shelves, and the lamps placed in the back corners. Once their house had acquired decorations, the Predacons realized how plain everything had been before.

“We need more!” Darksteel declared.

“I need to ask for more blankets in advance.” Ripclaw hummed. “They smell a bit weird, but I still like them.”

She returned to the market to speak with Froid about her request. After which, the Predacons transformed to beast mode and found a group of Vehicons and Autobots collecting rubble. Before any of his brethren could tear down more old rusty walls, Predaking signed to them, [Remember, do slow, safe.]

“Oh, was that Cybertronian Sign Language?” a green Autobot called.

The Predacons swung their heads around. Instead of transforming to answer, Predaking raised his forefoot and curled up his claws. [Yes.]

“Everyone, look at this!” She waved to the other Autobots so that they stopped to look. 

[We learn CSL. Why? To converse in beast form.], Predaking went on.

“What’s he saying?” one of the Autobots said.

The green Autobot replied, “He’s explaining that they’re learning CSL so they can communicate in beast form.”

“Oh, maybe they should work with the police then,” another Autobot replied. “We might need them for the Decepticons slinking back to Cybertron.”

Predaking flashed his teeth in disgust, then furrowed his eyes in disappointment. Why hadn’t all the Autobots learned Cybertronian Sign Language? It was far more useful than just as a police-only tool. And is most certainly wasn’t difficult to learn.

“But you can transform,” another Autobot pointed out. “So why not just do that? It’s faster.”

[CSL also fast…]. Ripclaw snapped her tail side-to-side as she signed. [VERY fast.] 

The green Autobot chose not to translate, which furrowed all Predacon brows further. Yet none of the Predacons wished to transform to argue. They began their careful work of clearing rubble, until Darksteel bounded over with something small clutched in his beak.

[What?], asked Skylynx.

Darksteel set down a rusty hand.

[Now, MINE!]. He punctuated with a strong pat on his chest.

[You want that? WHY?], Ripclaw huffed.

Predaking covered the hand with his forefoot. With the other, he responded, [NOT YOURS.]

[Whyyyy?]. Darksteel dropped his foot dramatically.

Predaking hissed, not having all the words yet to explain. He wanted to refer to the field of fallen Predacons and give a lesson about respecting the dead.

[ATTENTION. NOT YOURS.]. Predaking let out a growl. Picking up the hand, he carried it over and set it at the feet of the Autobots. While they glanced at him in surprise, he quickly turned away. He twitched, remembering making similar deliveries to the Decepticons on Earth.

[You need MORE school.], Predaking signed authoritatively at Darksteel.

Next on their CSL vocabulary list included words about the market and respect. Gathered around their library tablet, the Predacons studied on their blankets by the warmer yellow light of their new lamps. Outside, a storm of howling winds raged, but it could not drown out the voices of hands.

---

They tried to find a balance between school and labour. And Predaking asked Dominus Ambus discreetly how they could teach Darksteel to not be so reckless or how they could entice him to attend school more. Nodding solemnly, Dominus Ambus replied, “Tell him to come tomorrow; we shall go on a field trip to a special region of Cybertron.”

Predaking messaged him.

Darksteel
Where are we going then?

Predaking
You must come to discover that answer.

The four Predacons took the next morning ground bridge, passed by the Dinobot guards, and entered the classroom. Beside each of the students’ desks, however, stood older Cybertronians. Whirl bordered Whirl Jr., but he only cast the Predacons a quick silent glance. Whirl Jr. waved at them before returning to doodling on her desktop. 

“Why are others here?” Darksteel asked.

“To spend special time with their mentees,” Dominus Ambus answered. “Now Darksteel, would you like to know where we are going?”

“Sure would!”

Dominus Ambus pulled up an image on the main screen. All the students gasped and widened their eyes at a grand sparkling city with blue crystalline buildings.

“Wow! Did they just build that?” Darksteel asked.

“This is Crystal City,” Dominus Ambus revealed. “The home of science and engineering.”

He switched the image to one of a shimmering garden of delicate glass artworks. Light poured through them and splashed the ground with rainbows of colour. With brightly glowing eyes, the students soaked it in.

“This is going to be great!” Whirl Jr. exclaimed.

Whirl stroked her shoulder.

“We’ll take a walk through the forest around it,” Dominus Ambus added. “But that, I won't show and will leave as a surprise for you. But be kind to the forest; do not damage anything in any way. Very bad things will happen if you do.” 

Raising their brows, the Predacons glanced at each other. Predaking wondered if there would be a Titan or Combiner guardian.

“Well now, let’s go!” Dominus Ambus turned off the screen. 

Led by the teacher, the students and the mentors ambled to the front of the school. A larger Dinobot replaced Swoop at the back of the group as they headed toward a ground bridge. 

Bright green and blue light blinded Predaking until he fully stepped through the portal. Softer light then soothed his eyes. A gentle clinking summoned his gaze up blue tree trunks to white and pink leaves. Five- and six-sided metal plates swayed on thin branches, glowing with the warmth of the morning sun. Though the air was warm, Predaking sighed, reminded of sun rays stretching across Earth’s snowy lands. 

“Beautiful,” he rumbled.

Laying his hand on a smooth metal trunk, he closed his eyes. Tuning out the gasps of the other students, he listened to the tranquil chimes of the canopy. At the peep of an animal, Predaking smiled.

His brethren shuffled near him.

“We must see these wondrous lands,” Predaking said. “Not just the ruins of cities and the corpses that fill them.” 

“It’s really nice here, like the mountains!” Darksteel exclaimed. “But very different.”

Movement and squeaking in the bushes attracted the other students. They crouched down and squealed in delight, peering through the roots and leaves. The Predacons peeked over them, glimpsing tiny creatures with fuzzy brown wire fur. 

“Looks like we have shcrews here,” Dominus Ambus said while transforming to turbofox mode. Padding ahead, he sniffed the air, then guided them. “See what else you can find along the way.”

The older bots stuck close to their mentees, pointing into the forest at other animals. Following their fingers, the Predacons glimpsed small creatures of smooth or fuzzy bodies, cable or metal tails, and wings or limbs. Predaking’s classmates tittered and hopped along, enticing the Predacons to march with a spring in their step.

Patterns of pentagonal and hexagonal light danced upon the ground. Their classmates jumped on the shapes until the ground disappeared. Everyone’s feet met the edge of a stretch of rainbow sand. Gasping, the students and Predacons stooped to scoop the sand in their hands. Grains of broken glass poured through their fingers, flashing iridescent light.

“What is this?” Gauge asked.

“This is the garden I showed you,” Dominus Ambus said.

“What? No it’s not,” Medix replied. “This is all just glass sand. I don’t see the hanging artwork!”

“Let’s keep going,” Dominus Ambus told them.

Predaking heard the tension in his teacher’s voice. As for the mentors, they walked with bowed heads and reached for the younger bots’ hands.

Dominus Ambus climbed up onto the Dinobot’s shoulder. He whispered to the Predacons, “Go on.”

The Predacons crunched through the glass.

“This is…” Skylynx murmured.

Predaking dipped his head. “Yes.”

“How sad,” Ripclaw breathed.

Darksteel frowned in concentration. “The garden had a lot of glass… then is this…?”

Whirl Jr. tilted her head to Whirl. “Papa… is this the garden?”

Whirl looked down with a worried eye.

“Papa?”

The other students looked anxiously at their mentors.

“Did it get destroyed?” Rubble choked.

“Yes…” Rubble’s mentor murmured.

The jaws of the students dropped. Then they saw beyond the glass sand, an endless field of glossy blue rubble.

“Oh no, is that Crystal City?” Whirl Jr. whimpered.

Whirl wrapped his arms around her. “It’s gone, sweet thing. It was destroyed during the War.”

The students gasped and covered their faces. Predaking’s spark dropped and he looked at his brethren. All gaped and Darksteel bemoaned, “No, why? I really wanted to see it.”

“It was beautiful,” Dominus Ambus sighed. “But it is gone now because its beauty was not appreciated. A lot was lost in the War when bots forgot how to care. More than these cities. Even the forest around us was completely destroyed. Every forest, almost every mechanimal. Gone. But now, we have been given another chance. Primus has grown back the forests, remade the mechanimals. Take a good long look around you now. All this can be lost again. Protect it.”

Golden lubricant trickled from the eyes and joints of the mentees. As they swore to care for the world, Predaking’s pulse picked up and his spark felt ready to burst from his chest.

“I promise to protect the precious nature of this world,” Predaking vowed. “If war once again threatens it, I will be there to defend it.”

“I will join you,” Ripclaw declared.

“Me too,” Darksteel added.

“And I as well,” Skylynx said.

---

Continue to 3_13

Chapter 37: 3_13

When Darksteel did not come to school the next day, Dominus Ambus confided in the three other Predacons: “It is alright if Darksteel seldom comes to school. He is out there, learning in his own way, and enjoying life. He will catch up at his own pace. I just hope that he has learned to be more mindful.”

Predaking slowly nodded.

The Predacons took another flight to the Manganese Mountains to enjoy its nature once more. Then, they parted ways again in Iacon, seeing each other only at night for the next few days.

By the next Primaday, even more Autobots had moved into Iacon. More Cybertronians in bot and vehicle modes filled the streets. New batches of fingers pointed frantically at the flying Predacons. Landing, transforming, and walking into the market, the Predacons had to wade through more astonished bodies than ever.

“Oh, I hope Froid put my blankets aside…” Ripclaw moaned.

Darksteel gasped, “I hope they don’t sell out of candy!” 

The two Predacons pushed ahead to their tables of choice, leaving Predaking and Skylynx to wander behind. 

Skylynx rumbled, “Well—”

A cannon fired and a table vanished in a fireball. Autobots jumped and hollered, just beginning to draw their weapons as a deep roar shook the air. Engines thundering, a thick-wheeled, black vehicle charged the market. 

“KILL YOU ALL! KILL YOU ALLLL!”

Missiles whizzed from the vehicle while blasters fired on its front. Autobots stumbled back, struck by sizzling blasts. Others sprinted away from the missiles curving toward them. Those who did not run, immediately pelted the black vehicle with their own blasters.

The vehicle transformed into a solid black tower of a bot with a large Decepticon symbol burnt to his chest. Vertical stripes of unblinking purple eyes divided his face without a mouth.

“KILL!” he boomed.

The Decepticon swung hefty fists, cracking Autobots below his hips. Predaking transformed and leapt, but Ripclaw slammed into the Decepticon before any Predacon or Wrecker. Hitting the street, Ripclaw pinned him and curled her tail, shot out a stinger, then stabbed him with it. 

The Decepticon’s roar spluttered. His body flounced under her claws before locking up. The other three Predacons bounded over around Ripclaw and the Decepticon. Simultaneously, Wreckers and police bots sprinted in or rapidly approached with wailing sirens.

Ironhide called, “That ‘Con offline?”

Ripclaw transformed to bot mode. “I don’t think so.”

“His optics are still glowin’. I think you jus’ petrified him!” Ironhide exclaimed.

“I was just thinking, ‘I better stop him’.”

“Thank the Allspark you did as fast as you did.”

Ironhide turned his head to where injured Autobots struggled to pick themselves up. Some clenched their teeth from their sizzling burn marks while others held their dented, bleeding metal. 

Springer dropped down beside Ironhide from copter mode. Ironhide told him, “I got the medics on their way, but everyone’ll be alright.”

The uninjured Autobots bristled around the Predacons with their blasters still drawn, but their furious eyes were locked only on the Decepticon. They snarled out insults to the frozen bot who may have still been able to hear them. Wreckers pounded their fists and clubs together.

“Everyone is alright?” Prowl jogged in with other officers.

Ironhide nodded.

“I saw what you did,” Prowl told Ripclaw. “You put an immediate stop to his massacre attempt…”

Prowl looked closer at the Decepticon’s face.

“I know him. It’s Blackwall… and his optics are normally red.” Prowl glanced quickly at Ironhide. “I think he was on dark energon.”

Predaking transformed. “As medicine?”

“What? No, as a berserker drug. It would have been difficult taking him down when he’s stronger and less susceptible to pain… without you. You Predacons, especially you, Green, saved lives.”

Ripclaw beamed.

Jazz stepped in. “We need this kind o’ strength here. Things are only gettin’ more intense and there's a strong possibility of ‘Cons pouring in soon by the hundreds. Do you think you could help us?”

"It would be much appreciated," Springer tossed in.

Ripclaw blinked quickly. “Well yeah, if something like this happens right in front of me again, then…”

“We need you on the force,” Prowl interrupted. “Your strength, your tracking skills, even just the overall intimidation factor you bring. What more, you are learning Cybertronian Sign Language. We can teach you everything else and train you in combat and procedures.”

“Combat?” Predaking uttered. “We have nothing to learn about combat.”

“Oh now, don’t be silly,” Ironhide interjected. “Combat has techniques. Add skill to your strength, and you’ll be even mightier than ever!”

Around them, the Predacons could hear the murmurs of the crowd. 

“‘Cons would think twice of attacking us…”

“They would tear any Decepticon to shreds…”

“I have already rejected your offer before,” Predaking uttered.

Prowl stressed, “Please, join us. You’ll be saving lives and protecting this city you worked so hard to build.”

Predaking pulled his mouth to the side, reconsidering.

“Hmm… Maybe I’ll give it a chance,” Ripclaw said. “If Prowl, you stop being rude to us.”

“You got it,” Prowl sighed. “I take back what I said about you all before. I am sorry. You are not a danger to the Autobots. We need you and would be grateful for your help.” 

“That's it, Prowl,” Springer encouraged.

Predaking raised his eyebrows. “I am impressed by your apology. Because of that, I may give your police force a chance as well. If Skylynx and Darksteel also wish to join, they may. That is their choice to make.”

Darksteel and Skylynx transformed.

“Sure,” Darksteel replied. “Sounds like fun!”

Skylynx nodded. “Perhaps I can make some time for it, but I still wish to attend school.”

“Right,” Ironhide said. “Well, we can try to work somethin’ out. Got to make sure you younger bots get your education too. I understand! Alrighty then, how about for now, you jus’ help us carry this rogue ‘Con to Kaon Prison?”

“We can do that; that’s no problem,” Ripclaw answered.

A portal was called and opened. Predaking seized one arm of Blackwall and Ripclaw the other, then they dragged the Decepticon through.

---

Continue to 3_14

Chapter 38: 3_14

Notes:

✓

Predaking and Ripclaw dragged Blackwall down a hall lined on both sides by prison cells. Skylynx and Darksteel padded behind them. Most cells were empty, but a few hunched bodies sat in the back of some, bearing teeth at the police and Predacons. Glowing bars fizzed and caged the prisoners, their light drenching the hall in red. Ironhide and Prowl led the Predacons to larger cells with thicker bars. They beckoned at one that was open.

“We’ll get a Decepticon doctor to check ‘im out,” Ironhide drawled. “Just put him in for now.”

Ripclaw and Predaking tossed in Blackwall.

“Is this where all Decepticons are held?” Predaking asked.

Ironhide drawled, “Nah, just the high-risk ones. Meaning those most likely to cause problems like Blackwall today. Lots o' ‘Cons will come back, an' we can’t hold 'em all, and we don’t wanna. We’re goin' for a peaceful option, see if we can rebuild Cybertron together.”

“How has that been going?” Ripclaw asked.

“Let’s talk elsewhere,” Prowl muttered. “Too many eager audio receptors here.”

The ground bridge had closed, leaving them in Kaon. Predaking frowned as they took turns riding down an elevator, until all of them crammed into a smaller room. The two police bots sat at the table, inviting the Predacons to do the same.

This was promoted as just one simple task. Predaking sat down. I sense they have something else in mind.

Ironhide told them, “Tryin' to make peace with the ‘Cons has been hard, but we have some Decepticon ambassadors, so to say. They’re helpin' us convince other ‘Cons t' surrender. It’s been helpin' t' keep the factions separate for now, coolin' down and rebuildin' their own cities. Not that anyone’s forced to live in Iacon or Kaon. It’s just where everyone gravitated.”

“Knockout is the only Decepticon in Iacon, as far as I am aware,” Predaking stated. “Not including the Vehicons.”

“Right. So in Kaon you’ll find some ‘Cons 'ere. Besides them Vehicon troopers, not many, but we’re nervous 'bout some big armies of ‘Cons turnin' up soon.”

Prowl spoke up, “You Predacons spend a lot of time around the Vehicons. They like you, don’t they? They would grant you access into their Maccadam’s knock off bar.”

“Yeah, why?” Darksteel asked.

Here it is… Predaking ground his teeth. They already had other plans to use us.

Ironhide continued, “The ‘Cons 're hostile to us ‘Bots who try t' enter the establishment, and we ain’t sure if it's worth rilin' up the ‘Cons for a raid.”

Prowl added, “Since we’re in Kaon now, perhaps you could go in and complete an investigation for us? Look and ask around, but act natural. Don’t let them know you have just joined the police.”

Darksteel growled, “I don’t want to betray the Vehicons.”

Ironhide argued, “This ain’t betrayin’ ‘em! Y’all care about keepin' the peace on Cybertron, right? No matter who it is, we can’t have trouble brewin'.”

“What would trouble look like?” Skylynx inquired.

“Well, plans for an attack t' retake Cybertron for the ‘Cons. Bots who talk ‘bout tryin’ what Blackwall did either alone or together. Arms dealin'. You get it, right? Signs o' danger to the Autobots.”

“Hmm, alright,” Darksteel grumbled. “I doubt we’ll see any of that. But what do we do if we see something?”

Prowl replied, “Keep acting casual, wrap up the interaction in an non-suspicious way, come back here.”

Predaking squinted at the police officers. 

“We had wanted to explore this city regardless,” Skylynx pointed out. “So this task is a fine introduction to police work.”

“This request has come upon us so suddenly,” Predaking growled. “How long have you desired this?”

Ironhide waved his hands. “Oh, we’ve been hopin' just to ask y’all for a while! On account of you gettin' along with them Vehicons. We ain’t askin' you to betray ‘em! Could ya just help Cybertron out, snoop around, and make sure no one’s plottin' slaughter?”

“Very well,” Predaking conceded. “But only as a part of our exploration of this city. We have been curious about it for some time.”

His metal felt prickly as Ironhide and Prowl led them to the exit. Although Predaking had wished to visit Kaon, he felt pushed and used, no matter how sensible the Autobots’ reasons had sounded.

“Take all the time you need,” Ironhide told them.

I do not need your permission. 

Predaking strutted out of the Kaon Prison with his chin high. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Autobot Seeker guards. Their chatter stopped and they stared at them, until Ironhide and Prowl slipped outside to talk to them. Predaking led his brethren past a locked up grey building labelled Kaon Police Station. He quickened his pace. Once they were further away, Predaking lowered his chin and widened his eyes.

The street was eerily spacious and silent. Black triangular buildings sat on either side, short unlike the giant towers of Iacon. Behind them, crumbling brown ruins stood and slowly creaked. Wind whistled through the holes in the buildings and down the street, chilling the backs of Predaking and his brethren. 

“Colder than Iacon,” Ripclaw remarked.

“But no construction here?” Skylynx wondered. “I hear nothing.”

Their footsteps crunched down the smooth black metal road. There was only one road to follow—no others were paved and cleared of rubble. It led toward a neighbourhood of grey rectangular buildings, where more streets branched out, and the first signs of life presented themselves as car engines, voices, and wisps of steam leaving rooftops. Vehicons rolled down the street in vehicle mode, all purple but one yellow. 

They halted and transformed, turning around.

“You came to Kaon!” the yellow one exclaimed.

“We had heard about a Vehicon-run establishment,” Predaking rumbled. “We had since been curious to see it.”

“Oh sure, we’ll show you where it is.”

On foot, the Vehicons led the Predacons right at a fork in the road. Around here, Decepticon symbols marked almost every door and wall. Most of the lighting decorating them were purple, not blue. Thoughts of dark energon slipped into Predaking’s mind. He wondered if Blackwall had received his supply from the Vehicons. Would they have known what he intended to do? Was dark energon ever truly used as medicine, or had Vortex simply lied?

“Here,” the yellow Vehicon announced.

A neon sign, though now powered off, depicted a collapsing Vehicon. Below it was what Predaking could only assume was the bar’s name written in letters he could not read. Two Vehicons lounged outside the entrance, sitting under unreadable graffiti.

“Hey,” one sitting Vehicon said. “Come on in.”

The doors detected movement and slid open. Purple light poured over the Predacons as they trudged over a finely polished floor. An enormous room spread out before them, hosting dozens of tables and chairs. They inhaled in amazement, even if only a few seats were filled by Vehicons and other Decepticons. A bar even longer than Maccadam’s stretched out in front of a wall with four TV screens and seven glowing shelves of different coloured drinks. In another corner of the bar, almost a separate room of itself, Vehicons played a game over purple tables, aiming sticks at coloured balls.

Over the calm quiet music, a voice called, “Welcome, Predacons!”

A Vehicon strode down the length of the bar, chest out and arms swinging. Predaking deduced who he was before the Vehicon’s face cracked to reveal orange teeth.

“Altero!” Darksteel exclaimed.

Altero swept his hand toward the stools at the bar. Coming over, the Predacons adjusted them and took their seats. A few Decepticons sitting further down the bar glanced their way silently. Silver collars were wrapped around their throats.

Those must be the inhibitor collars... Predaking thought.

“I’ve been waiting for you to drop by.” Altero grinned. “Please, allow me to serve you for free.”

The Vehicon grabbed something behind the counter, then slid four metal sheets in front of the four Predacons.

“I insist, take it as a thank you for the kindness you have shown the Vehicons.”

Smiling, the Predacons thanked him back. They read over the menu, but Altero raised his finger. “You know what? Let me make you something absolutely special.”

Altero lined up four tall glasses, took out a small vial from his chest, and added one red drop to each glass.

“Red energon, a rare treat. It will give you a burst of energy.”

“We heard a story about Starscream and red energon,” Predaking mentioned.

“Drink enough red energon, and your body will move at hyperspeed,” Altero affirmed. “But I’ll just give my favourite customers a tiny boost.”

He took bottles filled with pink liquid from the wall.

“And pink energon: a sweeter variation of energon than normal blue.”

After filling each glass to the brim, Altero slid them to the Predacons. Carefully, they picked up the glasses then sipped from them.

“Oh!” Ripclaw cried. “Very sweet!”

Exclaiming agreement, the Predacons couldn’t help but chug their drinks. Predaking’s pulse jumped and he shimmied in his seat.

“Great!” Altero smiled. “It’ll be an expensive drink, but I have to make an exception for you, don’t I?”

“Oh, you don’t have to,” Ripclaw argued.

“What else can I get you?” Altero spoke smoothly and clasped his hands. “Drinks? Biscuits? Ah, both, of course.”

He brought them fizzing energon and blue biscuits with red powder on them. As the Predacons happily drank and ate, Altero pulled out a tiny metal pipe from his chest space. With a click, Altero activated it. Strips of light glowed on its sides while he held it between his fingers.

“So, are you planning on staying in Kaon or is this just a visit?” Altero asked.

“An impromptu visit,” Predaking muttered. “The Autobots bid us to investigate your establishment.”

“No surprise there,” Altero exhaled. “They are quite paranoid… And wouldn’t you say… controlling?”

“Indeed, at times,” Predaking agreed. 

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy getting this place built,” Altero sighed. “Vehicons had to stand up for it. We promoted it as a place of relaxation, of fuel and games… Back there, we even made movie rooms where patrons can watch entertainment in private.”

The Predacons looked at the hall he pointed at with his pipe.

“The Autobots nearly stopped us from building this. Can you believe that?”

Altero tilted his head, reading their guilt as they glanced at each other. When they said nothing, he went on.

“Oh, you probably can. Look at these poor Decepticons, collared and unable to transform. A place like this helps keep them happy. And yet the Autobots just say the worst things about this place...” Altero sighed. “But let’s move on from that. I heard just how heroic you all were today. Thank you, I’m sure you protected Vehicons, taking down that raging Decepticon.”

“You already heard?” Skylynx blinked incredulously.

“I hear everything,” Altero chuckled. “As soon as it happens.”

Predaking said, “About that Decepticon… He had taken dark energon.”

“Ah, as a drug?” Altero cocked his head.

“To make himself more powerful.”

Altero held his chest. “You aren’t blaming us for the attack, are you?”

“Well…” Ripclaw hesitated. “Did you give Blackwall that dark energon?”

“Dark energon is medicine; we have saved lives by selling it,” Altero admitted. “But when a Decepticon makes such a rash and violent decision… Then we regret trusting them with it.”

“The risk of misuse is too great. This is why I interrupted one of your trades,” Predaking uttered.

“Mm. I know about you doing that. We settled it in the end, but the clients were quite upset.”

“I think you should stop selling it,” Ripclaw suggested. “No one will be upset in the first place and bad things like what happened today won't happen.” 

“That won’t be a problem…” Altero patted the counter by her claws. “We’ve run out of it. The Fallen Trooper’s shanix comes from honest work now.”

“Oh, that’s good…” Ripclaw blinked.

“I hope there are no more attacks…” Altero muttered. “That was just senseless violence, what Blackwall did. Cybertron doesn’t need that.”

The Predacons nodded along. Yellow smoke began to leak from Altero’s pipe, so he stuck it between his teeth and let the smoke float down his throat. Some of it slipped back out between his teeth, carrying a honeyed scent.

“What is that?” Skylynx wondered.

Altero smiled around his pipe. “Nothing special or harmful; it boils whatever you put in it. This one is mechamomile tea. Would you like any of that as well?”

“Sure,” Darksteel answered.

“I’ll boil some.” Altero started collecting their empty dishes. “Why don’t you go look around? Maybe try out our games?”

Thanking him, the Predacons stood. All around them, Predaking now noticed the Decepticons and Vehicons looking their way. They shifted their attention back to their drinks and the TV screens. 

When the Predacons headed over to the purple game tables, a Vehicon offered, “Want to learn billiards? It’s an Earth thing.”

Two Vehicons explained the rules of the game, then let the Predacons play against each other. Within moments, they shot balls off the table. Resetting the balls, the Predacons practiced a gentle touch before and after Altero brought them their tea. It was hard with the red energon still electrifying their bodies, shaking their arms. A Vehicon dodged one of Predaking’s flying shots again.

Much time passed before any Predacons had won their games. After a third game for a champion, Skylynx emerged victorious. But Skylynx swayed while walking, and his brethren joined his trudge to the movie rooms. Predaking’s insides sloshed from all he had consumed and his eyes began to droop. Once they entered the back hall and picked a room, Predaking plopped down on a massive metal couch. He let the others pick something to watch.

“Oh, they got more Earth stuff!” Darksteel claimed the remote. 

He selected a bizarre animated show in which the characters blabbered in an alien language. Though Cybertronian subtitles accompanied it, Predaking stretched back, too tired to pay it any attention. He dozed off, and his brethren must have as well, for they all woke with the TV paused.

Darksteel stretched. “I didn’t know you could have too much energon.” 

The Predacons stumbled back out into the main room.

“Heading out now?” Altero called. His teeth were hidden now; his face was the smooth one of any other Vehicon. 

Predaking nodded. “We shall. Thank you for everything you generously gave us.”

“It was nothing, just make sure to speak well of us, alright? But oh, don’t tell them about me. You know how they would overreact to hear of one Vehicon leading the others. They would ridiculously brand it as a revolution and jail us all!”

“We’ve never said anything about you,” Darksteel replied. “And we won't ever. It isn’t their business. You’re not doing anything wrong!”

“Thank you, Darksteel.”

Predaking agreed that they would not reveal his identity. Then, he led his brethren back out onto the cold quiet streets, tottering back to the Kaon Prison.

---

Continue to 3_15

Chapter 39: 3_15

Notes:

✓

“Nothing? Are you sure?” Prowl pressed.

“It was real quiet,” Darksteel said. “And nice too. They had movies and games.”

“Too suspicious,” Prowl growled. “Decepticons don’t enjoy such things. It’s a cover. And when more Decepticons return to Cybertron, I sense that place will be where all dark exchanges occur. We need to put cameras in there, do more investigations…”

Altero was right about them overreacting… Predaking rolled his eyes. 

“Won’t that just increase hostilities?” Ripclaw countered. “It would be better to leave them alone.”

“And leave them to their scheming?” Prowl scoffed.

“We’ll leave ‘em alone for now…” Ironhide decided. “If or when suspicious activity occurs, we’ll see if we can sneak in a spy or some cameras.”

Once the Predacons were sent back to Iacon, Predaking let out a heavy sigh. He and his brethren enjoyed a hot oil bath before heading home.

“Ah, I didn’t get more blankets today…’ Ripclaw groaned.

She transformed and curled up on her small nest. Skylynx pulled their library book off the shelf, tempting his brethren to study more Cybertronian Sign Language before they rested. By morning, Predaking looked forward to another day at school. However, he and his brethren stepped outside to a blue and white police officer at their door.

“You were the one spying on Knockout,” Predaking uttered.

“Yep, and the name's Sideburn,” he grinned. “I’m supposed to take you to the station today.”

“We have other obligations…”

“But you haven’t been added to our special police comm link yet!” Sideburn exclaimed. “Or gotten a tour of the department or any rundown of procedures…”

“We can miss another solar cycle of school.” Ripclaw shrugged. “I’m interested.”

Skylynx grumbled, “Could it not wait until later?”

“Come on, this is new!" Ripclaw protested. “Let’s see what it’s all about. Might as well while the Autobots are still treating us decently!”

“Great!” Sideburn transformed to his wheeled vehicle mode. “Follow me!”

The Predacons arrived at the Iacon Police Station, lumbering inside in bot-mode behind Sideburn. The walls and floor around them were silver with stripes of blue. Passing an empty front desk, Sideburn unlocked a door with a passcode. 

Desks with computers sat in the next room, though none were currently attended. A swarm of police officers milled about, digging into a crate and passing out long rifles.

“Ah good.” Prowl spun with a rifle in his arms. “They actually followed Sideburn.”

“And we’re glad to have you,” Ironhide announced, then elbowed Prowl. “Watch that tone now.”

“What are these weapons?” Predaking asked.

“Well, we got a little inspired by Ripclaw yesterday,” Ironhide laughed. “So we turned some ol’ poison shooters into sedative shooters. To take down ‘Cons in a non lethal way.”

“How is Blackwall?” Ripclaw inquired.

“I hear he’s moving again,” Ironhide chuckled. “Don’t you worry.”

Ironhide passed her a rifle to look over.

“But of course, your tail works fine. And if any of ya can just pin down troublesome ‘Cons…” Ironhide rubbed the top of his head. “And well… Ta be honest, we got more news last night about trouble comin' our way.”

“Do tell,” Predaking replied.

“So we had a crew go to one of the war worlds where ‘Bots and ‘Cons were fightin’ over energon,” Ironhide explained. “And now, we know that the ‘Cons won the first n' second worlds. They got a huge combined army sittin’ on that one planet. Though our Decepticon ambassadors convinced the generals t' surrender, well, we’re ‘bout to get hundreds o' ‘Cons comin’ home. So expect chaos.”

Ripclaw widened her eyes. “So does that mean there will be as many Decepticons as there are Autobots on Cybertron?”

“Jus’ ‘bout…” Ironhide grabbed another rifle. “We got t’ make sure we jus’ don’t start fightin’ all over again. Now these two ‘Con generals came back first t' have a trial. If they’re reasonable, great. They can tell their soldiers to calm down. Most may listen, and those who don’t… we’ll be ready for ‘em.”

Darksteel rubbed his hands together. Predaking exhaled, desiring no conflict. Destruction of nature would surely come with it.

Ironhide left his officers with the rifles to fetch the same comm link injector that Bumblebee had once used.

“Only a small pinch, then you’ll be able t' communicate with any of us privately,” Ironhide said. “Just say our name, and the chip’ll hear ya and connect ya.”

Each Predacon knelt to receive their new comm chips.

“If any of ya feel like a little police tattoo, we got ya covered,” Ironhide added. “Some of us really like showin’ off.”

He grinned at Prowl across the room.

“What?” Prowl muttered, having not heard them.

“Let’s meet who we got here…” Ironhide led the Predacons back to the officers admiring the rifles. “Prowl you know. This is Sideburn, X-Brawn, Jazz, Greenlight, Sunstreaker, Javelin, Tracks, Nightbird, and Nightbeat. Nightbird also works as a spy and Nightbeat’s a Neutral detective, investigates alone.”

With their arms crossed, Nightbeat smiled and nodded. Prowl scowled.

“We worked with you before, clearing the rubble,” Skylynx remarked, nodding at Greenlight. 

“I saw your CSL. It wasn’t bad,” she said. “Blastwave could teach you more. He’s down in Kaon now though, and he only communicates in it.”

“You were playing on stage at Maccadam’s.” Ripclaw pointed at the slender, one-eyed Javelin.

“You Predacons are observant,” she replied. “That’s good. A cop needs to be that.”

Predaking and his brethren puffed up in pride.

“With some training, these Predacons will be top-notch officers!” Ironhide beamed at them. “So, should we get started then? Give 'em their first lesson?”

---

END PART 3

Continue to 4_1

Chapter 40: 3_16

You chose to let Vortex have the dark energon

 

“Medicine? How can this demonic, death-reversing substance be medicine?” Predaking growled. “It may be poison!”

Vortex growled back, “Death-reversing translates to incredible regenerative properties on the living. I’ve seen how good this stuff works! We used to take it as a war drug. It fixes wounds, empowers you, makes you unstoppable. But right now, I need it to get a friend off his death-bed.”

Vortex shoved the container into his chest, flipped back, and transformed. Before Predaking could reconsider halting him, Vortex zipped away across the dark field.

“Is what he says true?” Predaking demanded of the Vehicon.

“It is,” he muttered. He shoved his new container into his chest.

“What were you given in return?” Predaking asked. 

The Vehicon gripped the wheel tightly; Predaking could imagine a deep frown on his face.

“Maybe we should forget it,” Skylynx advised. “Medicine isn’t terrible, and it is not like Decepticons can ask the Autobots for medical assistance.”

“A fair point,” Predaking conceded.

The rest of the journey carried on in silence, with the Vehicon no longer telling them stories of the Nemesis. The Predacons lifted off the truck, flying slowly overhead. By the time the vehicle rolled back to Iacon, the sky had eased into a lighter shade of blue. Predaking and his brethren went straight home, curling up in beast mode and letting sleep diminish their feelings of awkwardness.

---

An orange evening glow warmed the golden buildings by the time the Predacons flew to the Vehicon clubhouse. As soon as they walked inside, the Vehicons near the door turned to them.

“Welcome back, heard you went to the factory,” one said. “How was that?”

“Interesting…” Predaking replied, checking the body language of the other Vehicons. None were hostile. 

“Hot as the pits, isn’t it?” another Vehicon piped up.

“Hot doesn’t bother us much,” Darksteel snickered. Then he pointed at a copper-coloured Vehicon seated in the room. “Wow! Who’s that?”

“He called himself Lucian,” a Vehicon sighed wistfully. 

“Shiny…” Darksteel commented.

“We can all be shinier if we want to,” a different Vehicon carried on. “There’s a bathhouse now pumping hot oil, though, it’s usually crammed with Autobots.”

“A bathhouse?” Skylynx prompted.

“We could show you where it is,” one of the Vehicons offered. “Now could be a good time to go.”

“First, let us refuel,” Predaking replied.

The Predacons squeezed through the tables past purple Vehicons. Only Acrylic the red wheeled one and Lucian the copper jet provided colour variety to the group. Pastel and Ciel weren’t around at the moment and Pine, who had turned dark green, soon disappeared after his change. No silver Vehicons were present, Predaking noticed. 

After drinking their fill from barrels of energon, the Predacons returned to the Vehicons in the back of the room. Three of them rose from their seats and led the Predacons outside.

As they walked, the clanging of fresh construction near the city centre surprised Predaking and his brethren.

“Is something new being built?” Ripclaw asked.

“Yes,” a jet Vehicon grunted. 

They changed course to head toward the construction. Turning the corner onto another street, they all nearly crashed into the backs of Autobots. 

“Wow,” Darksteel inhaled.

Around one hundred Autobots of every size chatted excitedly outside of a short grey building. They pressed in as close as they could to it, or rather, the big plump golden bot standing at the foot of it. Predaking huffed to see Prowl, Ironhide, and other officers around him. Even some of the Autobots from Earth were there. A glowing sign depicting the plump golden bot’s face was then raised by cables. Autobot cheers erupted as screams, which made Predaking shake his head aggressively. 

“Let’s move on,” Predaking snarled.

The Vehicons and Predacons scampered away from the commotion. 

“See, now the bathhouses are free,” a Vehicon pointed out.

Ripclaw inquired, “What were those Autobots all excited about?” 

“Someone named Maccadam. They were saying something about drinking the best drinks again because of him.”

“Is that all?” Skylynx replied.

Predaking retorted, “He must be just another one of their overglorified idols.”

Straying further from the city centre, they eventually came to a low but wide silver building with the sign “Public Wash Area”. After they stepped through the open doors, the Vehicons and Predacons paused and looked around in wonder. Halls both short and tall were marked by signs, indicating size limits. A thick, rich scent saturated the air and a humming shook the building. The Predacons headed down the hall intended for larger Cybertronians, arriving in a grand open space with three long pools. Warmth radiated from the softly boiling brown-black sludge within them.

“Wow, so we go in there?” Darksteel chirped. 

Scuttling, Darksteel beelined for a pool. He leapt in with a splash, disappeared, and then peeked out with the eyes of his beast form. Chittering happily, he urged them to join him. They jogged toward the pool, but Skylynx slipped on some oil, tripped, and fell inside. After each spectacular splash, the Predacons transformed but pushed each other down the length of the pool to make room. 

Predaking dropped his chin on the ledge with a low trill as his entire body relaxed in the hot oil. Echoing his purr, his brethren also rested their chins on the ledge. Their eyes closed and their tails swished under the sludge, brushing against each other. 

Footsteps thudded on the metal floor. Instead of a Vehicon, Predaking opened his eyes to behold a lone average-sized Autobot, one who was blue, red, and grey.

“Wowww, it’s so big in this section!” the Autobot exclaimed, spinning around. He then glanced over the Predacons. “Oh haha, you are cute in a line.”

Predaking raised his neck suddenly, looming over the Autobot.

“Oh, did I say something wrong? I’m sorry…” The Autobot rubbed the tip of his foot into the floor. “I only wanted to meet you. I didn’t get the chance yet… I think Predacons are cool! I used to find them so fascinating to read about, but I never lived during their, or uh, your? time. Yeah, but you can talk like us so it’s even better…! Oh, sorry I’m talking too much.”

Predaking sank back into the pool. He was wavering between being annoyed at the disturbance or pleased that an Autobot was in awe of his species. But Ripclaw transformed to bot mode first to reply to him.

“You like our species?” She crossed her spiky arms over the pool’s ledge. “Aren’t you intimidated by us?”

“Well, not when you’re living among us…” The Autobot held his own hands. “Obviously you’re not going to attack us.”

Predaking transformed to mutter, “We were once your adversaries. I have fought and injured Autobots in the War. So have Skylynx and Darksteel.”

Climbing over the ledge, Predaking towered over the Autobot.

“Your faction terminated twenty-four Predacons on Earth. Many of your brethren insult us at any given chance. It matters not that you like us—it is foolish that you do without knowing us regardless. It matters that I will never like you, although we will live peacefully alongside each other.”

“But I didn’t do anything to you…” The Autobot frowned, saddened instead of afraid. “Some Autobots may hate you, but I don’t. I can see that you aren’t wild beasts. I’m not really a fighter by the way, just an engineer. But I’ve seen that real beasts don’t have a particular look. So I sense the feel of a bot, know if they are dangerous or not. And I know you’re not going to hurt anyone… unless you have to. If you liked hurting bots you wouldn’t be so calm right now. You would have grabbed me by the neck or something! But you didn’t.”

An image flashed through Predaking’s mind of Megatron seizing Starscream by the throat. 

“Yes… I am nothing like them,” Predaking rumbled.

“I’m Bluestreak.” He bowed slightly. “Sorry again that I talk so much. I just get so excited!”

“Bluestreak?” Predaking squinted. “I heard your name before. You have a connection to Prowl.”

Bluestreak let out a long awkward laugh. “Um, yeah. Haha, that’s a funny way of putting it… We’re close. Really close.”

“With him?” Predaking snapped. “He was especially insulting to us!”

Bluestreak waved his hands. “I’m sorry! I know… Prowl is… judgmental. It’s wrong of him. He has a war habit of categorizing bots between ‘dangerous’ and ‘not dangerous’.”

Predaking growled, “As if that is any excuse to be hostile to those he does not know.”

“And based on their species,” Ripclaw hissed.

Skylynx and Darksteel nodded.

“You’re right,” Bluestreak said. “He’s… hostile. The War made him spiral into a state of mind where if he can’t identify all his enemies, he thinks we’ll be killed in our recharge cycles. Spies in our midst, unknown figures approaching our position… it has made him paranoid. He used to be a better bot a long time ago, friendly and conversational with everybody. That was when I was around on Cybertron and he was happy. Then we got separated. He was alone, sad, broken. By the time we reunited, he had changed. For everyone else, except for me. I want him to treat others with the same kindness he treats me with. But the War only just ended, kind of, but who can be sure this peace will last? Prowl is in a survival state and isn’t ready to drop his guard. It’s still Autobot vs Decepticon, group vs group, with traitors hidden everywhere…”

“Why did you follow us here?” Predaking demanded. “Was it just to convince us not to abhor Prowl?”

“Uhm… sort of,” Bluestreak said.

“Ulterior motives,” Predaking uttered.

“No! I-I do think your species is remarkable… I did want to meet you… and make you feel more welcome. Because I know Prowl doesn’t like you. I heard others saying you were dangerous. It isn’t right. We should talk to each other, find common ground…”

“If Prowl wants to apologize to us, you make him,” Ripclaw said. “But we don’t want anything to do with him otherwise!”

“Right… You’re really mad at him, I get it. He was mean to you…”

Predaking huffed. “You best go back to Prowl. I distrust whoever claims to be a friend of his.”

“Al-alright…” Bluestreak said. “I’ll go if you want me to, but…”

Predaking waved him off and the Autobot retreated back the way he had come. Relieved, Predaking slipped back into the hot oil and transformed to beast mode. The silence was sweet and his tail thumped against Skylynx’s and Ripclaw’s again.

---

Continue to 3_17

 

Prowl:

Notes:

Art:
Prowl concept: Roar/Breno

Chapter 41: 3_17

When the Predacons crawled out of the oil, they dried off in an area with powerful fans. Switching between forms, they allowed every drop to slip into the drains.

“Wow, you’re glowing!” Darksteel called at Predaking.

Predaking rolled his forearms, gawking at how they gleamed. Then he rubbed his palm over his metal, which felt lighter and silkier.

“You must have been filthy!” Darksteel laughed.

“My metal is rougher than yours,” Predaking grunted. “Perhaps it is stronger but catches more filth.”

All of his brethren shone brighter. Each Predacon dipped their heads and marvelled at their own bodies. They sprang back outside into the night, refreshed by a slap of cold air.

“What should we do now?” Ripclaw looked to the starry sky. “We just recharged, there is no construction at the moment…”

“We could go to the mountains!” Darksteel cried.

“Now?” Skylynx said.

“Yes! Why not?” Darksteel countered.

Predaking nodded. “Yes, why not go? We are free to do as we please.”

He transformed and surged into the sky. After a bath, his tingling metal seemed to feel the air more than ever. It flowed over him like water as he soared over golden and silver buildings, turning to face the moonlit mountains. His brethren swirled behind him. Together, they passed the ruins of Iacon then open plains and smaller cities. Dark creatures chirped and darted in the sky around them while others prowled on the plains below. 

Slowly, the triangular mountains swelled to astounding heights. Trying to slip over their summits, the Predacons ascended into chilling winds. Despite the biting cold, the sparkling dust of frost on the metal mountains captivated them. With jaws agape, they glided and stared around in silence. Dark metal forests spilled down the mountain sides like liquid shadows. Eerie howls emanated from their depths, long and slow. The Predacons dipped down, glimpsing lithe, spiky shapes dashing between the needly metal growths.

They landed in a valley beside a lake of energon, startling away a pack of fat critters. For a long moment, they simply soaked in the contrast of the dark forest with the high walls of silver around them. Then, they peered through the strange pillars with branches and drooping soft needles. Tiny animals flashed in and out of sight with glowing eyes and bands of light. Each of the Predacons came closer to better see them and to touch the trees themselves.

To the highest peaks they rose and perched, and to the lowest valleys they sank to lie. Always admiring shadows and lights, while listening to the calls of animals and letting out growls of their own. The Predacons snuggled to share their warmth and they waited for sunlight to transform the scenery. 

Darkness sizzled away and the silver mountains warmed to reflect the fiery rays of the sun. The forests turned grey and revealed hidden lakes of oil nestled among them. Taking off, the Predacons flew deeper into the mountain range. The sun rose higher and the cold mountains shone daytime blue. When Predaking had mediated in the calming beauty for long enough, he guided his brethren back to Iacon. 

Nothing would be better now than a plunge in the hot oil again. And so, the bathhouse was where they headed.

---

Predaking and his brethren were content to stay in Iacon for a few days, labouring away as usual after their adventures. The Autobots kept their distance from them, staring, but not engaging. How Predaking preferred it.

But a Vehicon complaint caused Predaking to investigate one Autobot: a police officer who had been lingering outside their stylist Knockout’s home. Alone, Predaking stomped up to a blue and white officer not at all trying to hide. The bot sat on the stairs of a house down and across the street from Knockout’s, gazing toward it with a shield at his feet.

“What is the meaning of this?” Predaking demanded. 

“Of what?” The police Autobot perked up and looked at him. “Oh hey, you’re the Predacon leader. Don’t slam me like Whirl, I’m just sittin’. Keepin’ watch.”

“For what reason?”

“Well, someone has to keep watch on the only Decepticon in Iacon.”

“He does nothing but remodel Vehicons,” Predaking growled. “He is no threat.”

“Yeah, I don’t think he’s suspicious. But the bosses want it.”

“He should be left in peace,” Predaking muttered. “He has done nothing wrong.”

“I won’t bother him…” the blue and white Autobot sighed. “I couldn’t lay a hand on such a fine finish. What if I scratched it? Primus, did you know a Decepticon could look so beautiful? That glossy red coat… not many Decepticons are so red. And he’s a sleek alien sportscar. Wow… he’s so exotic. Don’t you think? I just want to talk to him… All I can do is watch though, but I’m a happy volunteer. I could watch him all day.”

Furrowing his brows, Predaking suddenly didn’t know what to say. The last thing he expected was an Autobot, a police officer, fawning over a Decepticon. Yet he stepped back, reporting later to the Vehicons what he had seen. They could see for themselves that Autobot sitting with a chin in his hand and sighing. That would assure them that their stylist was in no danger.

---

For another week, Predaking had avoided the new building in centretown that was very popular with the Autobots. They flocked to it every day, especially at night, even filling the street up to it to stand in groups and talk. Maccadam’s was the name voiced with awe from the Autobots. But the Vehicons spoke of it with muttered spite, deeming it a rival to their bar in the south.

“There’s a Vehicon bar in the south?” Darksteel had blurted out.

They learned it was Altero’s business, called The Fallen Trooper. On the other side of the world, it would have to be a flight for another day. Right now, Predaking thirsted for the drinks of the closer establishment. 

Just what would it be like to drink something other than energon?

His disdain for the Autobots had held him back, but after the strange encounter with the police officer, Predaking dared bring himself and his brethren to Maccadam’s. Perhaps they would face something other than hostility. Thudding down the street-lit way in bot form, the Predacons attracted only scant looks. When they stepped through the automatic doors, the reactions were the same. The Autobots who were clustered at tables or standing around holding drinks hardly looked at them. 

No one minded as the Predacons froze and ogled the spacious room. Many groups of Autobots crammed themselves into large silver booths with stripes of bronze and dark grey. Their voices blended into a general drone while music played sweetly in the background. Down the broad walkway dividing the room, a grand stage was visible presenting a single musician. She stood at a heavy four-legged instrument, her fingers flowing over two staggered rows of keys.

“You can sit anywhere!” A tiny orange two-wheeler skated by with wheels under her feet.

Larger-sized tables rested in the middle of the walkway, ideal for the Predacons. After they sat down, the two-wheeler skated by and tossed menus onto their table.

“Current selection…” Skylynx read. “Hmm, oils…”

“Isn’t that what we bathe in?” Darksteel exclaimed.

The two-wheeler slid back in. “Hi, I’m Lickety-Split. Do you need help with the menu?”

“All is new to us,” Predaking admitted.

“So, like, oil is a broad term for some of the dark thick fluids of Primus,” she said. “And it also matters how it’s filtered and prepared. It’s not the same as what’s in the bathhouse!”

“Ohhh,” Darksteel chuckled.

“Oil is great, rich in flavour, hot and filling. But you gotta know that everything under the ‘inebriety’ section has an effect on the processor!”

“Are we even able to digest these?” Ripclaw asked.

“You can digest any liquid that leaks from Primus,” Lickety-Split laughed. “But while it’ll give you some energy, it isn’t energon. It won’t keep your spark aflame, you know? So everything in moderation, dears. These drinks are for the pleasure in taste and effect only.”

“What do they do then?” Darksteel asked.

“After a little, you will get giddy, after a lot, you’ll get slow. Your wits won’t be sharp and your reflexes will get poor. It’s temporary, but while it can be fun and relaxing, be responsible!”

“Hmm,” Predaking pondered. “I am curious about the flavour of these beverages, but I do not wish to willingly impair myself.”

“It takes a lot to impair bigger bots like you,” the server replied. “And just like it’s my job to inform new patrons all ‘bout this, it’s my job to make sure you don’t overdo it. How about I bring you all classic fine oil?”

“Alright, thank you,” Predaking nodded.

Lickety-Split zipped through other patrons hanging around the bar. The Predacons stared after her then at the colourful array of bottles on the back wall. There, the popular Maccadam worked, filling pitchers and laughing with Autobots at the counter.

Minutes later, Lickety-Split zoomed back, dropping off two pitchers of oil then two more.

“Enjoy! And don’t forget to heed the signs, okay? No violence in the house!”

The Predacons looked around at the glowing signs hanging on the walls. Lines like Behave and Pay, and You Can Stay! were the theme. Others advised safety: Don't drink then drive, fly... you get it!  After giving them a glance, the Predacons gulped their black drinks. They gasped at the rich flavour that slapped them.

“Oh wow!” Darksteel cried.

The Predacons chugged their mugs dry and slammed them down. Lickety-Split almost teleported to their table with more oil.

“How do we pay anyway?” Darksteel asked.

“That’s not really important right now,” she smiled. “Shanix is only just coming back as a concept. If you got none, don’t worry ‘bout it.”

Again the Predacons chugged their drinks, sighing in satisfaction.

“I feel no effects so far,” Skylynx commented.

Their heads turned as the wide gold bot lumbered out from behind the bar. With a beaming smile, he headed straight for the Predacons. 

“Well! It’s nice to finally meet these legendary Predacons!” Maccadam exclaimed.

Nearby Autobots glanced at their table. Predaking suddenly hated the attention.

“Legendary?” Ripclaw echoed.

“Of course, Ripclaw!”

“You know our names?” she gasped.

“I listen.” Maccadam winked. “Ripclaw, Skylynx, Predaking, and Darksteel. You’re hard workers, helping rebuild this city.”

Now Maccadam gazed around at the other Autobots. They turned back to their drinks.

“I never knew Predacons could transform,” he went on, “but it’s very interesting to see your kind living among us. You are welcome here, as long as you follow the same rules as everyone else does. Is there anything else I can get you?”

---

Choice 1: Have just oil...................... Go to 3_18

Choice 2: Try one of everything........ Go to 3_19

 

Sideburn:

Notes:

Art:
Flying out of Iacon: Myst (misfire.missed on Instagram)
Sideburn concept: simply0spidey (Ko-Fi)

Chapter 42: 3_18

You chose to drink just oil

 

“Let us sample only the oil tonight,” Predaking said. 

“Wise,” Maccadam smiled. “Got to test the effects of inebriety first, eh?”

The large gold bot gathered their mugs and refilled them. 

“Talk to you again in a bit,” he said.

Sipping slowly on their drinks, the Predacons gazed at each other with half-closed eyes. However, Predaking straightened when Bumblebee stepped through the doors. Other Autobots from Earth filed in behind him: Bulkhead and Wheeljack, then the blue two-wheeler and the blue and gold bot. Spying Predaking, Bumblebee jolted then gave him a small wave. His party headed to a table of their own, casting a few more glances at the Predacons.

Predaking ignored them and turned toward the musician to watch her play.

“I wonder how those sounds are produced,” Skylynx mused. “It looks like it requires dexterous skill.”

Predaking flicked his eyes to the side as Bumblebee approached their table.

“Hi, I just wanted to check in on how you’re all settling into Iacon.” His blue eyes twirled curiously.

Predaking’s shoulders lowered with the music’s melody. “We are settling in well, despite some troubles with particular Autobots.”

“Let me guess…” Bumblebee sighed. “Prowl?”

Ripclaw snorted, “Wow, you knew?”

“I saw him when he landed at the spaceport. Prowl hasn’t changed… He’s just as… you know. What did he do to you?”

Predaking answered, “He is one of those who view us as dangerous beasts. Particularly despising us for having Shockwave as our creator.”

Bumblebee nodded. “I’ll see if I can talk to him.”

“Whirl and Devcon were a bother as well,” Skylynx added.

“Ah… I heard about Whirl. We are too familiar with his antics.” Bumblebee jerked his head in his table’s direction. “And Devcon is harassing every Decepticon on Cybertron, including the Vehicons. There are oddballs in our ranks, I’ll admit that. But I hope other Autobots have made you feel welcome.”

“Yes…” Predaking exhaled. “Springer, Ironhide…”

He thought of Bluestreak but did not mention him.

“You’ve been working this whole time?” Bumblebee asked.

“Mostly work,” Darksteel said. “But some exploring too.”

Maccadam waddled up to the table. “Where have you visited?” 

“The factory which lies a solar cycle’s journey from here,” Predaking answered. “And the Manganese Mountains.”

“Ahh, aren’t those new forests beautiful?” Maccadam sighed. “All that was destroyed in the War, you know. Weren’t no plants left, hardly any animals. We’re getting Primus’ second chance! But hey, there are so many gorgeous places to visit if ya know where to go. Seekers say the seas are filled and there are forests of every colour now.”

Ripclaw’s eyes widened. “We should go see them!”

“Oh but you know what…” Maccadam went on. “Maybe they should go to New Spark, right, ‘Bee? Aren’t the Predacons young’uns too? They should be getting a fine education from those teachers!”

“Education?” Skylynx piped up.

“Sure! You’re not doing much else, right?” Maccadam encouraged. “Can’t have young bots stuck doing labour just because they’re strong. No, no, those were the old ways. You can do more than carry!”

Bumblebee stammered, “I’m just not sure it’s a good idea, considering…”

“What?” Maccadam challenged.

“Since the school is in New Spark, the Dinobots’ city…” Bumblebee trailed off, looking apologetically at the Predacons.

“Oh, hooey! You just make those Dinobots get along with them. The world’s too beautiful for any more hostilities!”

Bumblebee spread his fingers. “I can try… if that’s what they want…”

He looked back to the Predacons. 

“Who will educate us?” Skylynx asked.

“There are some teachers there…” Bumblebee began. “We can find one who would be the best for you.”

“And what will we learn?”

“I believe all kinds of things, but basics first…”

Skylynx leaned over the table. “Can we begin tomorrow?” 

“Uh… sure,” Bumblebee gulped. “Meet me in the city square tomorrow morning.”

“Fantastic!” Maccadam cried.

Bumblebee slipped back to his table. Winking at the Predacons, Maccadam headed back to the bar. Meanwhile, the Predacons finished their oil while nodding along with the music.

“Who do you think the Dinobots are?” Darksteel wondered.

Predaking advised, “They will be more trouble, I presume. So prepare yourselves.”

After sitting and enjoying the ambience a little longer, the Predacons headed home for a night of rest.

---

Continue to 3_20

Chapter 43: 3_19

You chose to drink one of everything

 

“Let us sample everything,” Predaking said. 

“Ho!” Maccadam exclaimed. “How eager! Let’s see how you can handle it, big bots!”

The large gold bot fetched bubbly yellow drinks for them all. After those were gulped down, Lickety-Split passed them blue drinks topped with pink foam. Nodding and smiling, the Predacons gazed at each other.

Darksteel grinned. “After this, energon’s almost boring, isn’t it?”

Predaking straightened when Bumblebee stepped through the doors. Other Autobots from Earth filed in behind him: Bulkhead and Wheeljack, then the blue two-wheeler and the blue and gold bot. Spying Predaking, Bumblebee jolted then gave him a small wave. His party headed to a table of their own, casting a few more glances at the Predacons.

Predaking ignored them and relaxed as more drinks kept coming to the table. Sipping them, he turned toward the musician to watch her play.

“I wonder how those sounds are produced,” Skylynx mused. “It looks like it requires dexterous skill.”

Bowls of blue energon pudding were placed in front of them. While the Predacons savoured its sweetness, Bumblebee approached them.

“Hi, I just wanted to check in on how you’re all settling into Iacon.” His blue eyes twirled curiously.

Predaking’s shoulders lowered with the music’s melody. “We are settling in well, despite some troubles with particular Autobots.”

“Let me guess…” Bumblebee sighed. “Prowl?”

Ripclaw snorted, “Wow, you knew?”

“I saw him when he landed at the spaceport. Prowl hasn’t changed… He’s just as… you know. What did he do to you?”

Predaking answered, “He is one of those who view us as dangerous beasts. Particularly despising us for having Shockwave as our creator.”

Bumblebee nodded. “I’ll see if I can talk to him.”

“Whirl and Devcon were a bother as well,” Skylynx added.

“Ah… I heard about Whirl. We are too familiar with his antics.” Bumblebee jerked his head in his table’s direction. “And Devcon is harassing every Decepticon on Cybertron, including the Vehicons. There are oddballs in our ranks, I’ll admit that. But I hope other Autobots have made you feel welcome.”

“Yes…” Predaking exhaled. “Springer, Ironhide…”

He thought of Bluestreak but did not mention him.

“You’ve been working this whole time?” Bumblebee asked.

“Mostly work,” Darksteel said. “But some exploring too.”

Maccadam came by with sparkling silver drinks. “Where have you visited?”

“The factory which lies a solar cycle’s journey from here,” Predaking answered. “And the Manganese Mountains.”

“Ahh, aren’t those new forests beautiful?” Maccadam sighed. “All that was destroyed in the War, you know. Weren’t no plants left, hardly any animals. We’re getting Primus’ second chance! But hey, there are so many gorgeous places to visit if ya know where to go. Seekers say the seas are filled and there are forests of every colour now.”

Ripclaw’s eyes widened. “We should go see them!”

“Oh but you know what…” Maccadam went on. “Maybe they should go to New Spark, right, ‘Bee? Aren’t the Predacons young'uns too? They should be getting a fine education from those teachers!”

“Education?” Skylynx piped up.

“Sure! You’re not doing much else, right?” Maccadam encouraged. “Can’t have young bots stuck doing labour just because they’re strong. No, no, those were the old ways. You can do more than carry!”

Bumblebee stammered, “I’m just not sure it’s a good idea, considering…”

“What?” Maccadam challenged.

“Since the school is in New Spark, the Dinobots’ city…” Bumblebee trailed off, looking apologetically at the Predacons.

“Oh, hooey! You just make those Dinobots get along with them. The world’s too beautiful for any more hostilities!”

Bumblebee spread his fingers. “I can try… if that’s what they want…”

He looked back to the Predacons. 

“Who will educate us?” Skylynx asked.

“There are some teachers there…” Bumblebee began. “We can find one who would be the best for you.”

“And what will we learn?”

“I believe all kinds of things, but basics first…”

Skylynx leaned over the table. “Can we begin tomorrow?”

“Uh… sure,” Bumblebee gulped. “Meet me in the city square tomorrow morning.”

“Fantastic!” Maccadam cried.

Bumblebee slipped back to his table. Winking at the Predacons, Maccadam fetched more items for them to sample. Meanwhile, the Predacons nodded along with the music.

“Who do you think the Dinobots are?” Darksteel wondered.

Predaking advised, “They will be more trouble, I presume. So prepare yourselves.”

---

After tasting everything on the menu, the Predacons stumbled out the doors. The world tilted diagonally and Predaking’s sluggish mind struggled to track movement. An Autobot bumped past him, growling, “Watch it!”

Lumbering down the street, Darksteel transformed and attempted to fly home. 

“We weren't supposed to drink then fly!” Ripclaw called.

Darksteel growled and took off. Wobbling, he soared away.

“I am still in control,” Predaking declared.

Changing to beast mode, he launched into the sky after Darksteel. A moment later, he veered, hit a building, and fell into an alley.

Predaking peeled himself off his side, shaking his head. He paused at a shuffling noise. Glancing up, he glimpsed what he first thought were two bots. Blinking, he tried to make sense of a larger brown bot holding a slumped Vehicon. Blood trickled from the side of the Vehicon’s head. Skinny brown claws curled around the purple body. Long grey-white teeth clenched.

Predaking sprang up and snarled, but suddenly, confusion struck him.

There is nothing there.

As soon as he thought it, he realized it was true. There were no bots in front of him. He was alone. 

You don’t know what you saw. It was nothing.

Predaking stared around himself with furrowed brows. Shaking his head again, he crawled out of the alley. He could no longer remember what he had seen; it was a dark blur now. However, he decided he better drink less intoxicating beverages from then on.

He flew home and forgot how many times he crashed.

---

Continue to 3_20

Chapter 44: 3_20

Under the giant screens of Iacon Square, the Predacons met with Bumblebee in the morning. 

“So, where is this New Spark located?” Predaking asked.

“It's a bit away from here, so we'll ground bridge there.”

Bumblebee made a request for one, peered at the Predacons apprehensively, then led them through the portal. Grey buildings sprang up around them and blue streetlights glowed on the dark empty streets. 

“The sun has gone,” Skylynx commented.

“Sunrise will come soon,” Bumblebee said. “We just hopped further west, so the sun hasn’t come yet.”

They marched to a silver-white building with grey pillars. A sign designated it: School. But the curiosity of the Predacons was curbed by the five imposing figures standing outside it. Four were equal in height to them, one was smaller, but all were glaring, thick-metalled, grey and yellow bots.

“The transforming Predacons,” growled a red-eyed Autobot with a black head. “You want entrance into this school? There are vulnerable youth here. Hurt them, and we’ll make your species extinct again.”

The ground shook when he stomped his foot.

“We aren’t here to hurt anyone,” Ripclaw hissed. “We are here to learn! We were invited.”

The same powerful Autobot muttered, “We’ve fought Predacons on Cybertron: bot-eating monsters made by Shockwave and the Forged.”

“There were more Predacons?” Predaking gasped.

“Don’t sound excited. We’d be a lot happier if we never had to see another Predacon again. One of them ate a poor innocent young one. We took care of that beast. We can do the same to you.”

Predaking’s eyes flared and he clenched his fists. Then, he slouched and relaxed his fingers. “The Predacon… devoured someone?”

“Uh-huh.”

Bumblebee butted in, “Like I said, these Predacons have never devoured anybot. They have been helping rebuild Iacon for almost four decacycles.”

“We’ll let them in,” the smallest Dinobot growled. “But I’ll be sitting in that classroom to supervise. I can already tell you though, no teacher wants them except one.”

Every Predacon scowled and Predaking snapped, “We are not bloodthirsty beasts desperate for a taste of living metal. The very idea is foul to me.”

Bumblebee urged, “These Predacons are different from those you have seen.”

“We’ll see,” the smallest Dinobot said. 

Half of the Dinobots led the Predacons into the building. The other half followed behind, sandwiching them between them. Ripclaw’s shoulder plates clacked in rage as they were escorted into a classroom. Yet once inside, the four Predacons widened their eyes in intrigue. 

A miniature blue-grey bot stood on a desk in front of an electronic board with a long stylus in his hand. A dormant beast face rested on his chest, he lacked wheels, wings, and copter blades, and his hands and feet were clawed. Immediately, Predaking wondered what he transformed into. Before the small beastbot sat many empty tables: four were filled by bright-eyed bots. Although they wore Autobot symbols, they glanced at the Predacons with friendly curiosity. 

“Oo! Are you new students?” gasped a small blue copterbot. 

The little bot with the stylus announced, “Welcome, please sit wherever you would like!”

As the Predacons shuffled in, Darksteel exclaimed, “Are you the teacher! Wow, you’re tiny!”

“Yes, such is the nature of Minicons.” The blue-grey bot grew an amused smile and stroked his beard. “My name is Dominus Ambus. I will be your teacher. Please grant me the pleasure of knowing your names.”

“I am Predaking, leader of the Predacons,” he declared.

The small Dinobot snorted. He passed by and lounged on a container in the back of the room. Meanwhile, the Dinobot with the black face lingered in the doorway. Predaking began to bristle, but then a light blue student trilled, “Wow! What are the Predacons? That sounds cool!”

Predaking’s spark melted and he smiled.

Dominus Ambus waved at the Dinobot at the door.

“You may go, Grimlock. Have no fear.”

“I fear nothing,” he uttered. “Swoop, stay alert.”

Grimlock stomped back. The door automatically shut, and his footsteps thumped down the hall.

“Why is Swoop staying in the classroom?” a small red and white student asked.

Dominus Ambus gripped his stylus in both hands. “Please ignore Swoop; he’s just here to make sure… the class runs smoothly with our new students.”

“It shouldn’t be a problem.” The student blinked at Swoop earnestly. “Dominus Ambus is a great teacher!”

“Thank you, Medix,” the Minicon teacher replied. “Now, who would like to introduce themself next?”

“Wait, you didn’t answer my question!” piped up the light blue student.

“Ah, of course,” Dominus Ambus said. “Predacons are a formerly extinct race of Cybertronians with powerful, fire-breathing beast forms.”

All the other students breathed out in admiration.

“Can we see?” the blue copter cried. “That sounds really, really cool!”

Predaking’s eyes softened and his brethren all smiled now.

“Perhaps at break in a joor,” the teacher answered. “If our classmates are alright with that.”

“Better not,” the Dinobot warned.

“Oh, screws, it’ll be harmless,” Dominus Ambus scoffed. “All students have the right to transform and use their alt-form at recess.”

The Dinobot tapped his arms.

“I’d be happy to show you,” Darksteel grinned at the copter student. “I am Darksteel, by the way.”

“Ripclaw,” she said next.

“You’re very colourful!” the copterbot exclaimed.

“I’m venomous.” Ripclaw beamed.

“Oooo… I wish I were venomous!”

Ripclaw chuckled.

“I am Skylynx…” Skylynx nodded. “I look forward to learning.”

“Welcome, Predaking, Darksteel, Ripclaw, and Skylynx,” Dominus Ambus replied. “And thank you, Whirl Jr., for your enthusiasm. We love to meet all kinds of Cybertronians. Shall we all introduce ourselves?”

“I’m Whirl Jr.,” the blue copterbot giggled. “But he just said that.”

“Are all blue copters named Whirl?” Darksteel blurted.

“Hehe, no, but he’s my mentor!” she exclaimed. “It’s my nickname but I like it a lot! It sounds very silly. And I love my papa. Do you know him?”

Predaking choked, trying not to splutter.

“We have seen him around…” Skylynx coughed.

“Next?” Dominus Ambus sensed the mood and pointed at another student.

The Predacons were introduced to Rubble, Gauge, and Medix. 

“You will spend a lot of time with each other,” the teacher explained. “Classes run every solar cycle from sunrise to noon. You are not obligated to come every solar cycle, but you will graduate much sooner if you do. We have a curriculum. Once you have learned a subject, you get checked off for it. If you miss a subject, you may do an evening make-up class. Complete all subjects, and you will graduate from the basic level!”

“Are there more advanced levels?” Skylynx inquired.

“Certainly, and we’ll have those classes ready by the time you graduate. Right now all we are offering are these classes for the Newsparks. And you, I hear, are young enough to classify!”

“Newsparks?” Predaking asked.

“The term for those fresh from the Well. And the city you are in now is called New Spark! Fitting, isn’t it? Anyway, shall we begin today’s lesson?”

“What are we learning?” Skylynx pulled out a stylus from a slot on his desk.

“We will be expanding our knowledge on basic arithmetic and graphs. But do not worry, my dear new students. I’ll do a quick lecture then come around to teach you about beginner maths.”

As Dominus Ambus began the lecture, Predaking struggled to follow along. But discovering that his desk was interactive, he used a stylus to copy the teacher’s drawings. Predaking picked up on the concepts of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, but he was not quick to calculate formulas. He was fascinated by the concept of visually mapping information in graphs, but no more than Skylynx, whose eyes had never been rounder. 

Forgetting the Dinobot guard, love for the classroom blossomed in his chest. Predaking was thankful for Maccadam for encouraging them to come. Once the lecture had finished, Dominus Ambus transformed into a small creature with a snout, long ears, and a bushy plated tail. He hopped across the desks, releasing giggles from the students. Then he sat on Predaking’s desk, sweeping his head left and right.

“Are you following along alright?” Dominus Ambus asked.

“You can speak in beast mode?” Predaking gasped.

“Yes,” he replied. “I take it that you cannot?”

“It would be great if we could!” Darksteel exclaimed. “So, what kind of Cybertronian are you then?”

“I am a Turbofoxian, a type of beastbot,” he exclaimed. “We are Minicons with the alt-forms of turbofoxes. It makes it easy to blend in with them. Mind you, a turbofox is a common pet, so please remember that we are sapient Cybertronians and petting is not respectful. No matter who it is though, it is best to get someone’s permission before touching them. Remember to mind the sensitivities of others.”

The Predacons nodded and listened attentively to their teacher. He then continued to guide them through basic math. He bounced across their desks, changing to bot mode to draw when necessary. The visuals greatly aided them with concepts like fractions. Once they were managing better, he left them with exercises and checked on the other students.

The time for a break was announced. Dominus Ambus passed them energon candies with a white coating around them, then walked them out the door. Into an outdoor yard they went where other classes played on aerial and ground obstacles, rectangular courts with glowing blue lines, and a great race track. Predaking crunched down on the candy, letting the sweet gem slide down his throat while he watched the other students at play. 

“Can we see your beast modes?” Whirl Jr. asked.

“Yeah!” Rubble chimed in.

“Don’t transform!” Swoop called.

Darksteel laughed and transformed. The students began to cheer until thunderous roars drowned them out. Beside Swoop, two Dinobots transformed into one double-horned beast and one long-necked beast. Both were as broad, tall, and heavy as Darksteel. The monstrous Autobots swiped the ground with their forefeet. 

The horned Dinobot snarled, “Return to bot mode, Predacon!”

Darksteel looked to his brethren, bewildered.

“Told you not to.” Swoop transformed into a winged beast with a long beak.

“But why not?” Medix jolted. “If we get to transform, why not them?”

Dominus Ambus stepped between the Dinobots and Predacon.

“They have my permission,” he enunciated. “Let them.”

“We cannot allow it,” the horned Dinobot uttered. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Exactly,” Swoop growled.

“Dominus!” A tall and thin, red Autobot swiftly strode across the park. “No. No Predacons in beast form here! They shouldn’t even be here at all!”

The students all looked at each other and the Predacons in alarm.

“Nonsense!” Dominus Ambus transformed to his minuscule beast form, lashing his tail. “If you judge them based on who they are and not what they have done, then most certainly, that is discrimination! And this I have faced before the War as a beastbot. We will have none of that here! None of it!”

He growled and yipped.

“These are children!” he cried. “Leave them alone!”

When normally Predaking would defend himself, this time, he stayed mum. Dominus Ambus was clear and his anger measured; he was an idol Predaking suddenly longed to be. As tiny as the Minicon was, he forced a guilty look onto the red Autobot’s face and convinced the Dinobots to return to bot mode. 

“We just don’t want anyone to get hurt…” the horned Dinobot grumbled.

Dominus Ambus’ plates raised, puffing up his Turbofox form into a slightly larger ball. The other older Autobots went quiet.

“This is weird,” Whirl Jr. whispered to the Predacons. “Do you want to go over there and play on the obstacles? ”

Predaking transformed to beast mode and bared his teeth at the scrambling older Autobots. The Dinobots returned to beast mode and the red teacher grabbed at the sword handle on her back. But he swung his neck dismissively and looked to Whirl Jr. She breathed in awe before she and the other students waved for the Predacons to follow them. Tail high but still poofed, Dominus Ambus followed the group. 

Every Predacon transformed to beast mode to explore the larger obstacles. Most were best suited for smaller bots, but they could climb all around a large cage of bars. Predaking felt the eyes of the Dinobots burn into him as all five of them gathered beside the playground. At the same time, the students of the other classes flocked on the game courts away from the Predacons, watching them timidly. 

“There is nothing to be concerned about,” Dominus Ambus told the other students. “Please, play your games.”

Predaking derived no pleasure from the obstacles under all the offending glares. Crawling down, he lay in a dignified pose with his neck raised. He imagined flying away in a huff, but admittedly, he did not wish to miss the next lesson or disappoint Dominus Ambus. His brethren joined him, curling around him and mirroring his aloof air. There they waited until all the teachers called for their classes to return.

---

Continue to 3_21

Chapter 45: 3_21

I suppose I am a child, Predaking thought. I am new. And yet, I feel as though I am calmer and wiser than those who came before me.

He did not believe he needed to learn how to think. It was only factual knowledge he lacked. Inside the classroom again, the Predacons learned pieces of Cybertronian geography, nature, weather and climate during the “review period”. For the first time, they glimpsed Iacon on a map. It sat near the top of the world while Kaon sat at the bottom. And Dominus Ambus was quite happy to point out every other place the Predacons had been in response to Darksteel’s prompts. 

After passing another break lying down in beast form, the final period was a hands-on lesson. Containers sat by each student’s desk full of metal pieces. An instruction manual was presented on the main screen to aid the students in constructing “adjustable chairs”. Assembling the furniture was another first for Predaking, who had only ever moved construction supplies. Something about piecing everything together made him feel a part of society. He never held the tools or created anything. Though he wasn’t as swift as his experienced classmates, he felt a great sense of pride when he had completed his chair.

“Great work,” said the teacher to the Predacons.

The other students created more chairs and then, all their furniture was taken outside and set on the yard in front of the school. Other classes set out more chairs and tables.

“And that’s how a normal school cycle goes,” Dominus Ambus told the Predacons. “If you are interested in a make-up lesson, you may join me now. I promise to make this one special for you.”

Ground bridges opened in front of the school and some of the students raced toward them. From one of the portals, Whirl the lanky Wrecker stepped through. The smaller Whirl Jr. launched at him as he spread his arms. He embraced her, lifting her up. She hugged his neck and excitedly chattered, “Hi, papa! You got to see my new classmates! They’re huge! And they’re Predacons! Do you know what Predacons are?”

Whirl stared at Predaking and his brethren. “Ya-huh… Papa… works with them in Iacon.”

He glared a warning at them but relaxed his eye into a friendly crescent when Whirl Jr. looked back at him. 

“You had a good cycle?” he asked her and started to walk away into New Spark, still holding her. She chattered on.

Dominus Ambus murmured to the Predacons, “Are you all alright?”

“Fine…” Skylynx turned around. “Let us do the make-up lesson.”

The classroom was much quieter and emptier without the other students. And this time, Swoop only lingered outside the door.

“I am going to introduce you to Cybertronian Sign Language,” Dominus Ambus began. “It will allow you to communicate in beast form through gestures.”

The Predacons sat up.

“Such a language exists?” Predaking gasped.

“It was constructed as a military and police language. But of course, other sign languages had popped up naturally among deaf and mute bots. Because of the War however, CSL has taken over. Nonetheless! A planetary sign language taught in schools would create greater accessibility for deaf and mute bots. Or bots like you who cannot speak in beast mode. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all communicate no matter the circumstance?”

“It certainly would be,” Predaking rumbled. “Please, I implore you to teach us.”

Dominus Ambus demonstrated simple signs such as go, come, help, stop, safe, danger, and I understand. Each required only a small movement with one hand. Excitement flared in Predaking’s spark and he desperately wanted to learn more.

The teacher added, “And the language takes into consideration that not all Cybertronians have the same number of digits or range of motion!”

Dominus Ambus taught them a few more words and how to fingerspell Cybertronian letters. Once he deemed that their first lesson was complete, Predaking signed, [I understand. C-S-L good. I like].

Dominus Ambus smiled. “I knew you would! Now, how about I request a ground bridge for you… right in front of the Iacon Hall of Records? They may have a book on CSL you can borrow.”

With bows of their heads, the Predacons thanked their small teacher at the entrance of the school. Then, they hurried through the portal once it came. 

After cramming through the doors of the Iacon Hall of Records, they rushed to the front desk where the grey librarian stood.

“Hello… Can I help you?” he softly asked.

Predaking suddenly noticed a lack of insignia upon this bot. He had only assumed he was an Autobot before, but perhaps he was one of those Neutrals.

Ripclaw announced, “We’re looking for Cybertronian Sign Language.”

“I think we made a book for that…” the librarian said. “Let’s have a look.”

And one book was procured. The Predacons took it to a library table, turned on the datapad, and flipped through the first electronic pages.

“It is sorted by subjects,” Skylynx remarked. “Perhaps ‘description’ words would be best.”

“Wait, let’s see what else there is…” Darksteel flipped through the table of contents. “Oh! Slurs. We have to learn those and use them on the cops!”

Ripclaw snorted.

“Let us learn everything,” Predaking said.

The book provided helpful videos of bots demonstrating signs. The Predacons mimicked them and tested each other, cementing their knowledge. However, Predaking jolted when Bumblebee’s voice came through his comms.

“Hi, I was just checking in… How was your first cycle of school… with the Dinobots? ”

“Troublesome,” Predaking replied. “But we will return, thank you.”

Bumblebee tried to ask more, but Predaking shut him down.

“We may speak later. For now, we shall study.”

And so they continued, until the grey librarian found them and said, “You can borrow that book and take it home, you know.”

“Can we?” Skylynx gasped.

Due to Skylynx’s enthusiasm, Predaking allowed the book to be checked out in his brother's name. It would go to their address regardless.

The four Predacons hopped outside, transformed, and hurried home. Predaking turned his neck around, waved a forefoot for attention, pointed one claw at them, then tapped his head, and touched one claw to his chest.

[You understand me?] 

They raised their forefeet and curled all their claws in the answer [Yes].

Predaking purred and flapped his wings faster. They never transformed once they returned home. At the doors, Predaking signed, [We go to hot… O-I-L?]

He did not know the sign for oil or bathhouse.

[What?], Darksteel signed. [Go where?]

[Hot O… I… L…]. Predaking slowly moved his claws.

[O-I-L], Skylynx signed back.

[Yes], Predaking replied.

Skylynx growled happily. [I understand!]

[What?], Darksteel signed. Skylynx tapped the keycode and placed the book inside their house.

[Come]. Predaking waved his forefoot. 

To the bathhouse they went, and once they slipped into the relaxing hot oil, they signed to each other.

[Hot. I love.], Darksteel expressed.

[Hot good-good-good.], Ripclaw answered along with a soft growl.

[Want drink?], Darksteel asked.

Ripclaw pointed at the bubbling oil incredulously. [This?]

[No-no. Drink O-I… M.], Darksteel attempted. He pointed away at the wall.

[Drink O-I-L?]. Predaking turned his head. Maccadam’s, he assumed.

[Yes!]. Darksteel nodded.

The others bobbed their heads happily and signed that they understood. Tails swished under the oil. Soon they climbed out, dried off, and flew to Maccadam’s. At that point, Predaking regretted returning to bot form when it had felt freeing to stay so long in beast mode. Yet they transformed and went inside, squeezing past bots holding drinks. Tonight, all tables were taken.

Wandering up to the bar, the Predacons asked for mugs of oil and were handed them. And while chugging down the rich dark fluid, Predaking caught a flash of Skylynx’s twisting wrist.

[Good!], Skylynx proclaimed while silently drinking.

Predaking caught Darksteel peering over the patrons for police officers to sign at. There did not seem to be any tonight, at least, none they recognized.

Predaking swallowed. "I will tolerate the hostility we face at that school. What we learn there is much too valuable to miss.”

His brethren nodded earnestly in agreement.

---

Continue to 3_22

Chapter 46: 3_22

Notes:

A song will appear in this chapter. Here is what it is timed to (Lucjo -Gibberish) https://youtu.be/__xVOpePEhY?si=I3R9pXlgafHhHt51

Please play it along!

In a craze for school, the Predacons dropped construction activities for a few days. They completed their regular classes, took more CSL lessons from Dominus Ambus in the evenings, then stayed up late into the night practicing signs. One morning while waiting in the square for their school ground bridge, new Vehicons passed the Predacons by. They were half the normal size, a lighter shade of purple, and had double-banded orange eyes.

“Wow! Did you all get matching surgeries?” Darksteel cried.

The group of Vehicons halted and the smaller Vehicons tilted their heads.

“No, Darksteel,” Predaking replied. “I recognize this class of Vehicon. They worked in energon mines…”

A prick of guilt stabbed his spark as he recalled chasing Wheeljack through a mine with such small Vehicons. There had been an explosion...

“We are miner Vehicons,” one of them confirmed.

“So you are a whole other type!” Ripclaw exclaimed.

“How many of you are there?” Skylynx asked. 

The small Vehicons glanced at each other.

“There were hundreds of us,” one finally answered. “The Autobots just came on the Nemesis and took us back from Earth.”

“Wow, construction is going to go a lot faster, huh?” Darksteel replied. “Ah… I would love to work with you new bots! Maybe missing a solar cycle of school wouldn’t hurt.”

“But we would miss too much,” Skylynx argued.

“Come with us,” Predaking said.

“Aw but we can just make it up later!” Darksteel protested. “Come on, we can study the CSL at home. I just want to get out and move, take a break from studying all the time!”

Predaking was about to push him to join them, but Ripclaw interrupted, “Well, do whatever you like then. We’ll see you at home.”

When Darksteel grinned, Predaking did not have the spirit to command him. The ground bridge opened, leaving the Predacons to say their goodbyes. Darksteel stayed behind while Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw headed to class with their escort of Dinobot guards.

At the very least, their guards didn’t press as close as before. While Dominus Ambus missed Darksteel, the day carried on with a lesson on Cybertronian anatomy and health, a review of basic astronomy, and the assembling of streetlights outside the school. For their bonus lesson, Dominus Ambus taught them more on the nature of fire.

Afterward, the Predacons waited for Darksteel at their large maroon manor. He came late, with another big grin on his face, and proclaimed, “Sorry! I convinced one of those miner Vehicons to get a colour change!”

They studied and reviewed more Cybertronian Sign Language in their beast forms. When the next morning came however, Darksteel was hesitant about joining them for school.

“I just want another break,” he said. “But I’m learning a lot from the Vehicons too! The ones who had been on the ship anyway. Those little bots didn’t get to browse the Internet down in the caves.”

“What does that word mean?” Ripclaw asked.

“I don’t know, it’s some Earth word. But we have something called the ‘DataNet’ here. It’s the same idea. It’s a collection of pictures, videos, all that, but made by aliens. The Vehicons showed me this video with soft little creatures that stand on two legs like us. Couldn’t understand them, but they were funny.”

And so Darksteel missed another day, and then another. He finally tagged along for one school day, then disappeared for a few more. But he was always bursting with excitement each time they saw him, and they would all share what they had learned either way. As they spoke, they would also show signs in CSL for whichever words they knew.

“So the Vehicons said they don’t know CSL, but they’ve seen Starscream use it with Seekers in the past,” Darksteel said. “That means if we see Starscream again, we can totally threaten him in Sign.”

“Did you… encounter a police officer?” Predaking asked him.

“Ahahaha, yeah. How did I forget to tell you? I signed at Prowl…” Darksteel made a movement with his fingers to mime an explosion and flicked his fingers for flying shards. [GET FRAGGED.]

“How did that go?” Ripclaw chuckled.

“He looked furious, but he was with that chatty Autobot—what’s his name, Bluestreak? That one laughed really hard and asked who taught me that. So Prowl didn’t say anything. Oh, and then I saw Whirl today and told him [GET FRAGGED] too. He also laughed but then said he knows how to make bombs and he knows where we live.”

The Predacons returned to the Vehicon Clubhouse to catch up with the troopers. After their health class in school, Predaking now knew how unhealthy Maccadam’s oil was. Tonight he enjoyed a cup of energon, listening silently to others, until a Vehicon began reading on a small device beside him.

“Is that a tiny book?” Ripclaw asked.

The Vehicon looked up. “No, it’s a phone. Some Autobot is selling them based on popular Earth technology. You use it to communicate by text with others.”

“Is it private?” Predaking asked.

“Said to be, but I doubt that,” the Vehicon said. “Still, it’s nice to have. I can message Altero from right here since I got his number.”

“That’s pretty cool!” Darksteel smiled. “Can I message him too?”

“Let’s not bother him,” the Vehicon warned. “He’s busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Building up his domain, inspiring others.”

Predaking raised his brows. “Domain?”

The Vehicon with the “phone” replied, “A place for Vehicons and Decepticons to thrive on an Autobot-ruled planet.”

“Like a Decepticon-only space?” Ripclaw asked.

“Yes.”

“But we’re allowed in, right?” Darksteel pleaded.

“Of course,” the Vehicon said. The others around nodded.

“Whew…” Darksteel sighed.

Lucian the copper jet Vehicon stepped onto a table between the speakers. In his hand, he grasped a rod with a round black ball on the end of it. Conversations quieted, allowing him to call out, "Pardon me, would you please allow me to sing a song I have prepared?"

All the Vehicons nodded or answered encouragingly. Lucian used a square device to change the music playing from the speakers to something slow with hard beats. His fingers danced nervously around the rod in his hand as he raised it close to his face. But the Vehicons bobbing their heads in tune to the music calmed him. Lucian began to hum, then he breathed out melodiously:

“Faaaallen Troooooper… 

Faaaallen Troooooper… 

 

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands noooow.

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands nooooooow.

 

We’re the ones who roam these streets. 

Here with the moons, under the sun. 

Living ghosts we’re unperceived, 

Like the bodies ‘neath your feet. 

Your absence of guilt while haunted by sins,

Ring unseen hands ‘round your neck.

 

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands noooow.

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands nooooooow.

 

Now you see, scream: where’re you from?

Still faces say just the past. 

Whether now comes dark or light,

Our fallen shall share with you.

It’s time you know what they know, after all,

You blissfully had them learn.

 

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands noooow.

Faaaallen Troooooper… And the one who stands nooooooow."

 

Once the song had reached its end, all the Vehicons in the room cheered.

“What a voice!” Darksteel crowed.

“A fine representation of vengeful fantasy,” Predaking remarked. “I can relate to this.”

---

Continue to 3_23

Chapter 47: 3_23

“I got a phone!” Darksteel cried as his brethren walked into their house one evening.

He showed a rectangular device to Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx.

“For what purpose do you intend to use it?” Predaking questioned.

“Actually, I want us all to get them!” Darksteel explained. “Since I’m not always around, I want to still be able to tell you right away when something crazy happens! Also, did you know that we got a reward for all the labour we did before? Shanix! Some kind of number system where the higher the numbers we earn, the more stuff we can get in return.”

Darksteel unclipped something from under his shoulder. He flashed out a card. 

“And check this out! It’s the magic card that holds my shanix!”

“How does it achieve that?” Predaking squinted.

Darksteel shrugged. “I really don’t know. I just tap it to a machine then bots let me have whatever I want. Yeah! So they set up a public market in Iacon today, but the only way to get stuff was with the card. So I figured it all out.”

“A market?” Ripclaw mused. “What sort of things did they offer?”

“Well, I just bought two snacks since I figured it would be more fun going back with you all. But there were decorations I wanted to get for our house that I saw.”

Predaking decided, “Let us go now to acquire these devices and cards, then peruse the market.”

Darksteel eagerly led them into the city in beast form, spinning around in the air and signing, [We go, we go, we go!]

The sun dipped to the horizon as they crammed into a small office with a lone Autobot employee. After the Predacons gave their names, the Autobot matched them on a computer to their bio profiles. Cards loaded up with100 000 credits were handed to them with clips to attach them magnetically to their arms.

At another similar office, the Predacons tested their new cards to pay for their new phones. It really was as easy as a tap, and the phones were theirs. Darksteel then pushed them outside so that he could teach them how the devices worked. After he added them all in as each other’s contacts, he passed the phones back to them.

Darksteel tapped quickly with his claws on the phone screen. With a bling, Predaking’s phone chirped in his hand. Opening it, he read the message:

Darksteel
Hi

Predaking typed and sent:

Predaking
Message received.

Ripclaw and Skylynx chuckled over their phones as Darksteel messaged them.

“I think this will become amusing,” Ripclaw said. 

Although Darksteel enthusiastically flew them to an open area just beside Iacon Square, he growled sadly to see it empty.

[Now, not here], he signed, bowing his head. [Tomorrow?]

---

The next day, Darksteel messaged them while Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx were in New Spark:

Darksteel
They only do the market twice a decacycle. Every Primaday and Microday. Also I just learned that solar cycles have names. Did you know that?

Seated in front of Dominus Ambus, they were able to inquire about this. 

“We name the ten cycle period after all the so-called ‘good Primes’. Minus the Thirteenth Prime since we are not certain of his name. Primaday, Vectday, Triday, Solday, Microday, Alcheday, Nexday, Onyxday, Amalgaday, and Quintday.”

“Who are the Primes?” Predaking asked.

“Oh my, let’s make that your make-up lesson tonight,” Dominus Ambus chuckled.

Thus Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw learned about the original Cybertronians who had battled against Unicron, defeated him, then subsequently fought among themselves. Some perished; the rest scattered. Most intriguing to them was Onyx Prime.

“The first beastformer!” Dominus Ambus lifted his chin. “Our ancestor who scanned the universe for animalistic life of the past and future on which to base us.”

Predaking thought that Darksteel was missing too much. After his brethren recounted the stories of the Primes to him, Predaking pushed him to attend school at least until the next market day. In exchange, all of them would skip school on Microday.

Darksteel urged, “After we go to the market, let’s do some good ol' wreckage clearing!”

The morning sun peeked between the buildings, casting golden rays over the Iacon market. Two lines of tables piled with goods faced each other, tended to by vendors while customers strolled in between. Landing and transforming to bot mode, the Predacons beelined to the closest table.

“Additional lighting to warm up your home?” the Autobot vendor offered.

“Yeah!” Darksteel exclaimed before anyone could think it over. “I’ll take two!”

He tapped his card without paying attention to the price, grabbing two decorative lamps with small dangling models of the moons. They were pretty enough that none of his brethren disputed his purchase. Moving down the market stands, the Predacons obtained treats of many kinds. 

“Aplex fused with energon, straight from Meliflux Fields!” an Autobot flier proudly proclaimed.

“Special pink energon from Cäminus,” a purple and yellow vendor without an insignia offered. “Regular or with sweetrod!”

“We shall try it,” Predaking replied to all and raised his card.

Metal boxes piled up in their arms as they walked along, but at the same time, they couldn’t resist picking out candies from the boxes and popping them into their mouths.

At another table, they discovered thick bundles of interwoven chains as well as intricately carved plant statues.

“What’s going on here?” Darksteel asked. “Oh hey, I remember you.”

The vendor was a white and blue Autobot with long arms and legs.

“Froid,” Predaking said. 

“Oh, I am surprised you know my name!” Froid smiled. “Are you interested in anything here?”

Froid nudged a small sign forward.

“Therapy For All ?” Skylynx read.

Froid explained, “Providing psychotherapy is my specialty: what I have been certified in since before the War. It is a practice aimed to heal patients, improve their mental health and well-being, reduce harmful negative emotions, and aid with struggles such as behavioural or social issues.”

“How do you accomplish that?” Predaking asked.

“Through repeated and consistent personal interactions in which the patient speaks with me about their problems and I provide professional, science-based guidance.”

“I think I’m good, but what about this?” Darksteel patted the chain bundles, squishing them down. “Oo, they feel nice!”

“Oh, those are hand-crafted blankets which you can adjust the temperature for. Hot, cold, however you please.”

“Feel this!” Darksteel called to his brethren. 

Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw pressed down on the blankets.

“Ah, I really like them,” Ripclaw exhaled. “How big are they though?”

She opened one up: it was quite large, nearly three-fourths the size of her bot form. 

“I’ll take all you have, really,” she decided. “This would be really comfy where we recharge. And the changing temperature is a nice bonus!”

Froid jolted. “Wonderful! Thank you so very much!”

“And what are these pieces of art?” Skylynx inquired.

“Ah, they are blue flowers of an alien world I shortly resided on.”

Skylynx said, “They would make nice decorations for our shelves at home. I will take three.”

Once they paid, Ripclaw disappeared behind a mountain of chain blankets in her arms. However, they used one of the blankets to bundle up all their candy in a sac. At another table, Skylynx picked up coloured carvings of energon in the shape of mechanimals. 

“Our house is gonna be awesome,” Darksteel said.

Beyond the buildings ringing the market, the loud roar of an engine turned their heads. A vehicle skidded around a corner and rushed toward the market. Vendors jumped before the sleek vehicle veered, racing laps around the tables.

“Any of you wanna race a Velocitronian?” the bot cried in a twangy accent. 

Everyone gawked; no one answered. But the Velocitronian sped round and round the market, laughing and revving his engines. 

“Okay, that’s annoying,” Ripclaw growled.

Predaking stepped past the tables and stood at the edge of the market. Just as the Velocitronian sped closer, Predaking transformed to beast mode and flopped in his path. The Velocitronian's tires screeched in a panic before he crashed into Predaking’s side. Transforming, the Velocitronian sprawled out in bot form with long smooth limbs.

As the Predacons laughed, even the vendors and shoppers joined in. When another vehicle rolled in, Predaking turned to face it. That white and black vehicle just happened to transform into a disgruntled Prowl.

Predaking ground his teeth. 

“Well, it looks like you took care of the nuisance.” Prowl raised his brows and slowly nodded. “Makes my job easier.”

Prowl pulled up the Velocitronian by his arm.

“Owww, what did I do?” he whined.

“You know what you did! Velocitronians were clearly told upon arrival: no reckless driving!”

“Okay, but define ‘reckless’!” 

“Oh sure, let’s define it at the police station.” Prowl manifested cuffs from his chest and slapped them on the Velocitronian’s wrists. He nodded at the Predacons, then began to drag the Velocitronian away.

“He wasn’t even mad at you?” Darksteel gasped incredulously.

---

Continue to 3_24

Chapter 48: 3_24

The blankets were spread over the floor, the statues and carvings set on shelves, and the lamps placed in the back corners. Once their house had acquired decorations, the Predacons realized how plain everything had been before.

“We need more!” Darksteel declared.

“I need to ask for more blankets in advance.” Ripclaw hummed. “They smell a bit weird, but I still like them.”

She returned to the market to speak with Froid about her request. After which, the Predacons transformed to beast mode and found a group of Vehicons and Autobots collecting rubble. Before any of his brethren could tear down more old rusty walls, Predaking signed to them, [Remember, do slow, safe.]

“Oh, was that Cybertronian Sign Language?” a green Autobot called.

The Predacons swung their heads around. Instead of transforming to answer, Predaking raised his forefoot and curled up his claws. [Yes.]

“Everyone, look at this!” She waved to the other Autobots so that they stopped to look. 

[We learn CSL. Why? To converse in beast form.], Predaking went on.

“What’s he saying?” one of the Autobots said.

The green Autobot replied, “He’s explaining that they’re learning CSL so they can communicate in beast form.”

“Oh, maybe they should work with the police then,” another Autobot replied. “We might need them for the Decepticons slinking back to Cybertron.”

Predaking flashed his teeth in disgust, then furrowed his brows in disappointment. Why hadn’t all the Autobots learned Cybertronian Sign Language? It was far more useful than just as a police-only tool. And it most certainly wasn’t difficult to learn.

“But you can transform,” another Autobot pointed out. “So why not just do that? It’s faster.”

[CSL also fast…]. Ripclaw snapped her tail side-to-side as she signed. [VERY fast.] 

The green Autobot chose not to translate, which furrowed all Predacon brows further. Yet none of the Predacons wished to transform to argue. They began their careful work of clearing rubble, until Darksteel bounded over with something small clutched in his beak.

[What?], asked Skylynx.

Darksteel set down a rusty hand.

[Now, MINE!]. He punctuated with a strong pat on his chest.

[You want that? WHY?], Ripclaw huffed.

Predaking covered the hand with his forefoot. With the other, he responded, [NOT YOURS.]

[Whyyyy?]. Darksteel dropped his foot dramatically.

Predaking hissed, not having all the words yet to explain. He wanted to refer to the field of fallen Predacons and give a lesson about respecting the dead.

[ATTENTION. NOT YOURS.]. Predaking let out a growl. Picking up the hand, he carried it over and set it at the feet of the Autobots. While they glanced at him in surprise, he quickly turned away. He twitched, remembering making similar deliveries to the Decepticons on Earth.

[You need MORE school.], Predaking signed authoritatively at Darksteel.

Next on their CSL vocabulary list included words about the market and respect. Gathered around their library tablet, the Predacons studied on their blankets by the warmer yellow light of their new lamps. Outside, a storm of howling winds raged, but it could not drown out the voices of hands.

---

They tried to find a balance between school and labour. And Predaking asked Dominus Ambus discreetly how they could teach Darksteel to not be so reckless or how they could entice him to attend school more. Nodding solemnly, Dominus Ambus replied, “Tell him to come tomorrow; we shall go on a field trip to a special region of Cybertron.”

Predaking messaged him.

Darksteel
Where are we going then?

Predaking
You must come to discover that answer.

The four Predacons took the next morning ground bridge, passed by the Dinobot guards, and entered the classroom. Beside each of the students’ desks, however, stood older Cybertronians. Whirl bordered Whirl Jr., but he only cast the Predacons a quick silent glance. Whirl Jr. waved at them before returning to doodling on her desktop. 

“Why are others here?” Darksteel asked.

“To spend special time with their mentees,” Dominus Ambus answered. “Now Darksteel, would you like to know where we are going?”

“Sure would!”

Dominus Ambus pulled up an image on the main screen. All the students gasped and widened their eyes at a grand sparkling city with blue crystalline buildings.

“Wow! Did they just build that?” Darksteel asked.

“This is Crystal City,” Dominus Ambus revealed. “The home of science and engineering.”

He switched the image to one of a shimmering garden of delicate glass artworks. Light poured through them and splashed the ground with rainbows of colour. With brightly glowing eyes, the students soaked it in.

“This is going to be great!” Whirl Jr. exclaimed.

Whirl stroked her shoulder.

“We’ll take a walk through the forest around it,” Dominus Ambus added. “But that, I won't show and will leave as a surprise for you. But be kind to the forest; do not damage anything in any way. Very bad things will happen if you do.” 

Raising their brows, the Predacons glanced at each other. Predaking wondered if there would be a Titan or Combiner guardian.

“Well now, let’s go!” Dominus Ambus turned off the screen. 

Led by the teacher, the students and the mentors ambled to the front of the school. A larger Dinobot replaced Swoop at the back of the group as they headed toward a ground bridge. 

Bright green and blue light blinded Predaking until he fully stepped through the portal. Softer light then soothed his eyes. A gentle clinking summoned his gaze up blue tree trunks to white and pink leaves. Five- and six-sided metal plates swayed on thin branches, glowing from the morning sun. Though the air was warm, Predaking sighed, reminded of sun rays stretching across Earth’s snowy lands. 

“Beautiful,” he rumbled.

Laying his hand on a smooth metal trunk, he closed his eyes. Tuning out the gasps of the other students, he listened to the tranquil chimes of the canopy. At the peep of an animal, Predaking smiled.

His brethren shuffled near him.

“We must see these wondrous lands,” Predaking said. “Not just the ruins of cities and the corpses that fill them.” 

“It’s really nice here, like the mountains!” Darksteel exclaimed. “But very different.”

Movement and squeaking in the bushes attracted the other students. They crouched down and squealed in delight, peering through the roots and leaves. The Predacons peeked over them, glimpsing tiny creatures with fuzzy brown wire fur. 

“Looks like we have shcrews here,” Dominus Ambus said while transforming to turbofox mode. Padding ahead, he sniffed the air, then guided them. “See what else you can find along the way.”

The older bots stuck close to their mentees, pointing into the forest at other animals. Following their fingers, the Predacons glimpsed small creatures of smooth or fuzzy bodies, cable or metal tails, and wings or limbs. Predaking’s classmates tittered and hopped along, enticing the Predacons to march with a spring in their step.

Patterns of pentagonal and hexagonal light danced upon the ground. Their classmates jumped on the shapes until the ground disappeared. Everyone’s feet met the edge of a stretch of rainbow sand. Gasping, the students and Predacons stooped to scoop the sand in their hands. Grains of broken glass poured through their fingers, flashing iridescent light.

“What is this?” Gauge asked.

“This is the garden I showed you,” Dominus Ambus said.

“What? No it’s not,” Medix replied. “This is all just glass sand. I don’t see the hanging artwork!”

“Let’s keep going,” Dominus Ambus told them.

Predaking heard the tension in his teacher’s voice. As for the mentors, they walked with bowed heads and reached for the younger bots’ hands.

Dominus Ambus climbed up onto the Dinobot’s shoulder. He whispered to the Predacons, “Go on.”

The Predacons crunched through the glass.

“This is…” Skylynx murmured.

Predaking dipped his head. “Yes.”

“How sad,” Ripclaw breathed.

Darksteel frowned in concentration. “The garden had a lot of glass… then is this…?”

Whirl Jr. tilted her head to Whirl. “Papa… is this the garden?”

Whirl looked down with a worried eye.

“Papa?”

The other students looked anxiously at their mentors.

“Did it get destroyed?” Rubble choked.

“Yes…” Rubble’s mentor murmured.

The jaws of the students dropped. Then they saw beyond the glass sand, an endless field of glossy blue rubble.

“Oh no, is that Crystal City?” Whirl Jr. whimpered.

Whirl wrapped his arms around her. “It’s gone, sweet thing. It was destroyed during the War.”

The students gasped and covered their faces. Predaking’s spark dropped and he looked at his brethren. All gaped and Darksteel bemoaned, “No, why? I really wanted to see it.”

“It was beautiful,” Dominus Ambus sighed. “But it is gone now because its beauty was not appreciated. A lot was lost in the War when bots forgot how to care. More than these cities. Even the forest around us was completely destroyed. Every forest, almost every mechanimal. Gone. But now, we have been given another chance. Primus has grown back the forests, remade the mechanimals. Take a good long look around you now. All this can be lost again. Protect it.”

Golden lubricant trickled from the eyes and joints of the mentees. As they swore to care for the world, Predaking’s pulse picked up and his spark felt ready to burst from his chest.

“I promise to protect the precious nature of this world,” Predaking vowed. “If war once again threatens it, I will be there to defend it.”

“I will join you,” Ripclaw declared.

“Me too,” Darksteel added.

“And I as well,” Skylynx said.

---

Continue to 3_25

Chapter 49: 3_25

When Darksteel did not come to school the next day, Dominus Ambus confided in the three other Predacons: “It is alright if Darksteel seldom comes to school. He is out there, learning in his own way, and enjoying life. He will catch up at his own pace. I just hope that he has learned to be more mindful.”

Predaking slowly nodded.

The Predacons took another flight to the Manganese Mountains to enjoy its nature once more. Then, they parted ways again in Iacon, seeing each other only at night for the next few days.

By the next Primaday, even more Autobots had moved into Iacon. More Cybertronians in bot and vehicle modes filled the streets. New batches of fingers pointed frantically at the flying Predacons. Landing, transforming, and walking into the market, the Predacons had to wade through more astonished bodies than ever.

“Oh, I hope Froid put my blankets aside…” Ripclaw moaned.

Darksteel gasped, “I hope they don’t sell out of candy!” 

The two Predacons pushed ahead to their tables of choice, leaving Predaking and Skylynx to wander behind. 

Skylynx rumbled, “Well—”

A cannon fired and a table vanished in a fireball. Autobots jumped and hollered, just beginning to draw their weapons as a deep roar shook the air. Engines thundering, a thick-wheeled, black vehicle charged the market. 

“KILL YOU ALL! KILL YOU ALLLL!”

Missiles whizzed from the vehicle while blasters fired on its front. Autobots stumbled back, struck by sizzling blasts. Others sprinted away from the missiles curving toward them. Those who did not run, immediately pelted the black vehicle with their own blasters.

The vehicle transformed into a solid black tower of a bot with a large Decepticon symbol burnt to his chest. Vertical stripes of unblinking purple eyes divided his face without a mouth.

“KILL!” he boomed.

The Decepticon swung hefty fists, cracking Autobots below his hips. Predaking transformed and leapt, but Ripclaw slammed into the Decepticon before any Predacon or Wrecker. Hitting the street, Ripclaw pinned him and curled her tail, shot out a stinger, then stabbed him with it. 

The Decepticon’s roar spluttered. His body flounced under her claws before locking up. The other three Predacons bounded over around Ripclaw and the Decepticon. Simultaneously, Wreckers and police bots sprinted in or rapidly approached with wailing sirens.

Ironhide called, “That ‘Con offline?”

Ripclaw transformed to bot mode. “I don’t think so.”

“His optics are still glowin’. I think you jus’ petrified him!” Ironhide exclaimed.

“I was just thinking, ‘I better stop him’.”

“Thank the Allspark you did as fast as you did.”

Ironhide turned his head to where injured Autobots struggled to pick themselves up. Some clenched their teeth from their sizzling burn marks while others held their dented, bleeding metal. 

Springer dropped down beside Ironhide from copter mode. Ironhide told him, “I got the medics on their way, but everyone’ll be alright.”

The uninjured Autobots bristled around the Predacons with their blasters still drawn, but their furious eyes were locked only on the Decepticon. They snarled out insults to the frozen bot who may have still been able to hear them. Wreckers pounded their fists and clubs together.

“Everyone is alright?” Prowl jogged in with other officers.

Ironhide nodded.

“I saw what you did,” Prowl told Ripclaw. “You put an immediate stop to his massacre attempt…”

Prowl looked closer at the Decepticon’s face.

“I know him. It’s Blackwall… and his optics are normally red.” Prowl glanced quickly at Ironhide. “I think he was on dark energon.”

Predaking transformed. “As medicine?”

“What? No, as a berserker drug. It would have been difficult taking him down when he’s stronger and less susceptible to pain… without you. You Predacons, especially you, Green, saved lives.”

Ripclaw beamed.

Jazz stepped in. “We need this kind o’ strength here. Things are only gettin’ more intense and there's a strong possibility of ‘Cons pouring in soon by the hundreds. Do you think you could help us?”

"It would be much appreciated," Springer tossed in.

Ripclaw blinked quickly. “Well yeah, if something like this happens right in front of me again, then…”

“We need you on the force,” Prowl interrupted. “Your strength, your tracking skills, even just the overall intimidation factor you bring. What more, you are learning Cybertronian Sign Language. We can teach you everything else and train you in combat and procedures.”

“Combat?” Predaking uttered. “We have nothing to learn about combat.”

“Oh now, don’t be silly,” Ironhide interjected. “Combat has techniques. Add skill to your strength, and you’ll be mightier than ever!”

Around them, the Predacons could hear the murmurs of the crowd. 

“‘Cons would think twice of attacking us…”

“They would tear any Decepticon to shreds…”

“I have already rejected your offer before,” Predaking uttered.

Prowl stressed, “Please, join us. You’ll be saving lives and protecting this city you worked so hard to build.”

Predaking pulled his mouth to the side, reconsidering.

“Hmm… Maybe I’ll give it a chance,” Ripclaw said. “If Prowl, you stop being rude to us.”

“You got it,” Prowl sighed. “I take back what I said about you all before. I am sorry. You are not a danger to the Autobots. We need you and would be grateful for your help.” 

“That's it, Prowl,” Springer encouraged.

Predaking raised his eyebrows. “I am impressed by your apology. Because of that, I may give your police force a chance as well. If Skylynx and Darksteel also wish to join, they may. That is their choice to make.”

Darksteel and Skylynx transformed.

“Sure,” Darksteel replied. “Sounds like fun!”

Skylynx nodded. “Perhaps I can make some time for it, but I still wish to attend school.”

“Right,” Ironhide said. “Well, we can try to work somethin’ out. Got to make sure you younger bots get your education too. I understand! Alrighty then, how about for now, you jus’ help us carry this rogue ‘Con to Kaon Prison?”

“We can do that; that’s no problem,” Ripclaw answered.

A portal was called and opened. Predaking seized one arm of Blackwall and Ripclaw the other, then they dragged the Decepticon through.

---

Continue to 3_26

Chapter 50: 3_26

Notes:

✓

Predaking and Ripclaw dragged Blackwall down a hall lined on both sides by prison cells. Skylynx and Darksteel padded behind them. Most cells were empty, but a few hunched bodies sat in the back of some, bearing teeth at the police and Predacons. Glowing bars fizzed and caged the prisoners, their light drenching the hall in red. Ironhide and Prowl led the Predacons to larger cells with thicker bars. They beckoned at one that was open.

“We’ll get a Decepticon doctor to check ‘im out,” Ironhide drawled. “Just put him in for now.”

Ripclaw and Predaking tossed in Blackwall.

“Is this where all Decepticons are held?” Predaking asked.

Ironhide drawled, “Nah, just the high-risk ones. Meaning those most likely to cause problems like Blackwall today. Lots o' ‘Cons will come back, an' we can’t hold 'em all, and we don’t wanna. We’re goin' for a peaceful option, see if we can rebuild Cybertron together.”

“How has that been going?” Ripclaw asked.

“Let’s talk elsewhere,” Prowl muttered. “Too many eager audio receptors here.”

The ground bridge had closed, leaving them in Kaon. Predaking frowned as they took turns riding down an elevator, until all of them crammed into a smaller room. The two police bots sat at the table, inviting the Predacons to do the same.

This was promoted as just one simple task. Predaking sat down. I sense they have something else in mind.

Ironhide told them, “Tryin' to make peace with the ‘Cons has been hard, but we have some Decepticon ambassadors, so to say. They’re helpin' us convince other ‘Cons t' surrender. It’s been helpin' t' keep the factions separate for now, coolin' down and rebuildin' their own cities. Not that anyone’s forced to live in Iacon or Kaon. It’s just where everyone gravitated.”

“Knockout is the only Decepticon in Iacon, as far as I am aware,” Predaking stated. “Not including the Vehicons.”

“Right. So in Kaon you’ll find some ‘Cons 'ere. Besides them Vehicon troopers, not many, but we’re nervous 'bout some big armies of ‘Cons turnin' up soon.”

Prowl spoke up, “You Predacons spend a lot of time around the Vehicons. They like you, don’t they? They would grant you access into their Maccadam’s knock off bar.”

“Yeah, why?” Darksteel asked.

Here it is… Predaking ground his teeth. They already had other plans to use us.

Ironhide continued, “The ‘Cons 're hostile to us ‘Bots who try t' enter the establishment, and we ain’t sure if it's worth rilin' up the ‘Cons for a raid.”

Prowl added, “Since we’re in Kaon now, perhaps you could go in and complete an investigation for us? Look and ask around, but act natural. Don’t let them know you have just joined the police.”

Darksteel growled, “I don’t want to betray the Vehicons.”

Ironhide argued, “This ain’t betrayin’ ‘em! Y’all care about keepin' the peace on Cybertron, right? No matter who it is, we can’t have trouble brewin'.”

“What would trouble look like?” Skylynx inquired.

“Well, plans for an attack t' retake Cybertron for the ‘Cons. Bots who talk ‘bout tryin’ what Blackwall did either alone or together. Arms dealin'. You get it, right? Signs o' danger to the Autobots.”

“Hmm, alright,” Darksteel grumbled. “I doubt we’ll see any of that. But what do we do if we see something?”

Prowl replied, “Keep acting casual, wrap up the interaction in an non-suspicious way, come back here.”

Predaking squinted at the police officers. 

“We had wanted to explore this city regardless,” Skylynx pointed out. “So this task is a fine introduction to police work.”

“This request has come upon us so suddenly,” Predaking growled. “How long have you desired this?”

Ironhide waved his hands. “Oh, we’ve been hopin' just to ask y’all for a while! On account of you gettin' along with them Vehicons. We ain’t askin' you to betray ‘em! Could ya just help Cybertron out, snoop around, and make sure no one’s plottin' slaughter?”

“Very well,” Predaking conceded. “But only as a part of our exploration of this city. We have been curious about it for some time.”

His metal felt prickly as Ironhide and Prowl led them to the exit. Although Predaking had wished to visit Kaon, he felt pushed and used, no matter how sensible the Autobots’ reasons had sounded.

“Take all the time you need,” Ironhide told them.

I do not need your permission. 

Predaking strutted out of Kaon Prison with his chin high. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Autobot Seeker guards. Their chatter stopped and they stared at them, until Ironhide and Prowl slipped outside to talk to them. Predaking led his brethren past a locked up grey building labelled Kaon Police Station. He quickened his pace. Once they were further away, Predaking lowered his chin and widened his eyes.

The street was eerily spacious and silent. Black triangular buildings sat on either side, short unlike the giant towers of Iacon. Behind them, crumbling brown ruins stood and slowly creaked. Wind whistled through the holes in the buildings and down the street, chilling the backs of Predaking and his brethren. 

“Colder than Iacon,” Ripclaw remarked.

“But no construction here?” Skylynx wondered. “I hear nothing.”

Their footsteps crunched down the smooth black metal road. There was only one road to follow—no others were paved and cleared of rubble. It led toward a neighbourhood of grey rectangular buildings, where more streets branched out, and the first signs of life presented themselves as car engines, voices, and wisps of steam leaving rooftops. Vehicons rolled down the street in vehicle mode, all purple but one yellow. 

They halted and transformed, turning around.

“You came to Kaon!” the yellow one exclaimed.

“We had heard about a Vehicon-run establishment,” Predaking rumbled. “We had since been curious to see it.”

“Oh sure, we’ll show you where it is.”

On foot, the Vehicons led the Predacons right at a fork in the road. Around here, Decepticon symbols marked almost every door and wall. Most of the lighting decorating them were purple, not blue. Thoughts of dark energon slipped into Predaking’s mind. He wondered if Blackwall had received his supply from the Vehicons. Would they have known what he intended to do? Was dark energon ever truly used as medicine, or had Vortex simply lied?

“Here,” the yellow Vehicon announced.

A neon sign, though now powered off, depicted a collapsing Vehicon. Below it was what Predaking could only assume was the bar’s name written in letters he could not read. Two Vehicons lounged outside the entrance, sitting under unreadable graffiti.

“Hey,” one sitting Vehicon said. “Come on in.”

The doors detected movement and slid open. Purple light poured over the Predacons as they trudged over a finely polished floor. An enormous room spread out before them, hosting dozens of tables and chairs. They inhaled in amazement, even if only a few seats were filled by Vehicons and other Decepticons. A bar even longer than Maccadam’s stretched out in front of a wall with four TV screens and seven glowing shelves of different coloured drinks. In another corner of the bar, almost a separate room of itself, Vehicons played a game over purple tables, aiming sticks at coloured balls.

Over the calm quiet music, a voice called, “Welcome, Predacons!”

A Vehicon strode down the length of the bar, chest out and arms swinging. Predaking deduced who he was before the Vehicon’s face cracked to reveal orange teeth.

“Altero!” Darksteel exclaimed.

Altero swept his hand toward the stools at the bar. Coming over, the Predacons adjusted them and took their seats. A few Decepticons sitting further down the bar glanced their way silently. Silver collars were wrapped around their throats.

Those must be the inhibitor collars... Predaking thought.

“I’ve been waiting for you to drop by.” Altero grinned. “Please, allow me to serve you for free.”

The Vehicon grabbed something behind the counter, then slid four metal sheets in front of the Predacons.

“I insist, take it as a thank you for the kindness you have shown the Vehicons.”

Smiling, the Predacons thanked him back. They read over the menus, but Altero raised his finger. “You know what? Let me make you something absolutely special.”

Altero lined up four tall glasses, took out a small vial from his chest, and added one red drop to each glass.

“Red energon, a rare treat. It will give you a burst of energy.”

“We heard a story about Starscream and red energon,” Predaking mentioned.

“Drink enough red energon, and your body will move at hyperspeed,” Altero affirmed. “But I’ll just give my favourite customers a tiny boost.”

He took bottles filled with pink liquid from the wall.

“And pink energon: a sweeter variation of energon than normal blue.”

After filling each glass to the brim, Altero slid them to the Predacons. Carefully, they picked up the glasses then sipped from them.

“Oh!” Ripclaw cried. “Very sweet!”

Exclaiming agreement, the Predacons couldn’t help but chug their drinks. Predaking’s pulse jumped and he shimmied in his seat.

“Great!” Altero smiled. “It’ll be an expensive drink, but I have to make an exception for you, don’t I?”

“Oh, you don’t have to,” Ripclaw argued.

“What else can I get you?” Altero spoke smoothly and clasped his hands. “Drinks? Biscuits? Ah, both, of course.”

He brought them fizzing energon and blue biscuits with red powder on them. As the Predacons happily drank and ate, Altero pulled out a tiny metal pipe from his chest space. With a click, Altero activated it. Strips of light glowed on its sides while he held it between his fingers.

“So, are you planning on staying in Kaon or is this just a visit?” Altero asked.

“An impromptu visit,” Predaking muttered. “The Autobots bid us to investigate your establishment.”

“No surprise there,” Altero exhaled. “They are quite paranoid… And wouldn’t you say… controlling?”

“Indeed, at times,” Predaking agreed. 

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy getting this place built,” Altero sighed. “Vehicons had to stand up for it. We promoted it as a place of relaxation, of fuel and games… Back there, we even made movie rooms where patrons can watch entertainment in private.”

The Predacons looked at the hall he pointed at with his pipe.

“The Autobots nearly stopped us from building this. Can you believe that?”

Altero tilted his head, reading their guilt as they glanced at each other. When they said nothing, he went on.

“Oh, you probably can. Look at these poor Decepticons, collared and unable to transform. A place like this helps keep them happy. And yet the Autobots just say the worst things about this place...” Altero sighed. “But let’s move on from that. I heard just how heroic you all were today. Thank you, I’m sure you protected Vehicons, taking down that raging Decepticon.”

“You already heard?” Skylynx blinked incredulously.

“I hear everything,” Altero chuckled. “As soon as it happens.”

Predaking said, “About that Decepticon… He had taken dark energon.”

“Ah, as a drug?” Altero cocked his head.

“To make himself more powerful.”

Altero held his chest. “You aren’t blaming us for the attack, are you?”

“Well…” Ripclaw hesitated. “Did you give Blackwall that dark energon?”

“Dark energon is medicine; we have saved lives by selling it,” Altero admitted. “But when a Decepticon makes such a rash and violent decision… Then we regret trusting them with it.”

“Maybe you should stop selling it then,” Ripclaw suggested.

“That won’t be a problem…” Altero patted the counter by her claws. “We’ve run out of it. The Fallen Trooper’s shanix comes from honest work now.”

“Oh, that’s good…” Ripclaw blinked.

“I hope there are no more attacks…” Altero muttered. “That was just senseless violence, what Blackwall did. Cybertron doesn’t need that.”

The Predacons nodded along. Yellow smoke began to leak from Altero’s pipe, so he stuck it between his teeth and let the smoke float down his throat. Some of it slipped back out between his teeth, carrying a honeyed scent.

“What is that?” Skylynx wondered.

Altero smiled around his pipe. “Nothing special or harmful; it boils whatever you put in it. This one is mechamomile tea. Would you like any of that as well?”

“Sure,” Darksteel answered.

“I’ll boil some.” Altero started collecting their empty dishes. “Why don’t you go look around? Maybe try out our games?”

Thanking him, the Predacons stood. All around them, Predaking now noticed the Decepticons and Vehicons looking their way. They shifted their attention back to their drinks and the TV screens. 

When the Predacons headed over to the purple game tables, a Vehicon offered, “Want to learn billiards? It’s an Earth thing.”

Two Vehicons explained the rules of the game, then let the Predacons play against each other. Within moments, they shot balls off the table. Resetting the balls, the Predacons practiced a gentle touch before and after Altero brought them their tea. It was hard with the red energon still electrifying their bodies, shaking their arms. A Vehicon dodged one of Predaking’s flying shots again.

Much time passed before any Predacon had won their games. After a third game for a champion, Skylynx emerged victorious. But Skylynx swayed while walking, and his brethren joined his trudge to the movie rooms. Predaking’s insides sloshed from all he had consumed and his eyes began to droop. Once they entered the back hall and picked a room, Predaking plopped down on a massive metal couch. He let the others pick something to watch.

“Oh, they got more Earth stuff!” Darksteel claimed the remote. 

He selected a bizarre animated show in which the characters blabbered in an alien language. Though Cybertronian subtitles accompanied it, Predaking stretched back, too tired to pay it any attention. He dozed off, and his brethren must have as well, for they all woke with the TV paused.

Darksteel stretched. “I didn’t know you could have too much energon.” 

The Predacons stumbled back out into the main room.

“Heading out now?” Altero called. His teeth were hidden now; his face was the smooth one of any other Vehicon. 

Predaking nodded. “We shall. Thank you for everything you generously gave us.”

“It was nothing, just make sure to speak well of us, alright? But oh, don’t tell them about me. You know how they would overreact to hear of one Vehicon leading the others. They would ridiculously brand it as a revolution and jail us all!”

“We’ve never said anything about you,” Darksteel replied. “And we won't ever. It isn’t their business. You’re not doing anything wrong!”

“Thank you, Darksteel.”

Predaking agreed that they would not reveal his identity. Then, he led his brethren back out onto the cold quiet streets, tottering back to the Kaon Prison.

---

Continue to 3_27

Chapter 51: 3_27

“Nothing? Are you sure?” Prowl pressed.

“It was real quiet,” Darksteel said. “And nice too. They had movies and games.”

“Too suspicious,” Prowl growled. “Decepticons don’t enjoy such things. It’s a cover. And when more Decepticons return to Cybertron, I sense that place will be where all dark exchanges occur. We need to put cameras in there, do more investigations…”

Altero was right about them overreacting… Predaking rolled his eyes. 

“Won’t that just increase hostilities?” Ripclaw countered. “It would be better to leave them alone.”

“And leave them to their scheming?” Prowl scoffed.

“We’ll leave ‘em alone for now…” Ironhide decided. “If or when suspicious activity occurs, we’ll see if we can sneak in a spy or some cameras.”

Once the Predacons were sent back to Iacon, Predaking let out a heavy sigh. He and his brethren enjoyed a hot oil bath before heading home.

“Ah, I didn’t get more blankets today…’ Ripclaw groaned.

She transformed and curled up on her small nest. Skylynx pulled their library book off the shelf, tempting his brethren to study more Cybertronian Sign Language before they rested. By morning, Predaking looked forward to another day at school. However, he and his brethren stepped outside to a blue and white police officer at their door.

“You were the one spying on Knockout,” Predaking uttered.

“Yep, and the name's Sideburn,” he grinned. “I’m supposed to take you to the station today.”

“We have other obligations…”

“But you haven’t been added to our special police comm link yet!” Sideburn exclaimed. “Or gotten a tour of the department or any rundown of procedures…”

“We can miss another solar cycle of school.” Ripclaw shrugged. “I’m interested.”

Skylynx grumbled, “Could it not wait until later?”

“Come on, this is new!" Ripclaw protested. “Let’s see what it’s all about. Might as well while the Autobots are still treating us decently!”

“Great!” Sideburn transformed to his wheeled vehicle mode. “Follow me!”

The Predacons arrived at the Iacon Police Station, lumbering inside in bot-mode behind Sideburn. The walls and floor around them were silver with stripes of blue. Passing an empty front desk, Sideburn unlocked a door with a passcode. 

Desks with computers sat in the next room, though none were currently attended. A swarm of police officers milled about, digging into a crate and passing out long rifles.

“Ah good.” Prowl spun with a rifle in his arms. “They actually followed Sideburn.”

“And we’re glad to have you,” Ironhide announced, then elbowed Prowl. “Watch that tone now.”

“What are these weapons?” Predaking asked.

“Well, we got a little inspired by Ripclaw yesterday,” Ironhide laughed. “So we turned some ol’ poison shooters into sedative shooters. To take down ‘Cons in a non lethal way.”

“How is Blackwall?” Ripclaw inquired.

“I hear he’s moving again,” Ironhide chuckled. “Don’t you worry.”

Ironhide passed her a rifle to look over.

“But of course, your tail works fine. And if any of ya can just pin down troublesome ‘Cons…” Ironhide rubbed the top of his head. “And well… Ta be honest, we got more news last night about trouble comin' our way.”

“Do tell,” Predaking replied.

“So we had a crew go to one of the war worlds where ‘Bots and ‘Cons were fightin’ over energon,” Ironhide explained. “And now, we know that the ‘Cons won the first n' second worlds. They got a huge combined army sittin’ on that one planet. Though our Decepticon ambassadors convinced the generals t' surrender, well, we’re ‘bout to get hundreds o' ‘Cons comin’ home. So expect chaos.”

Ripclaw widened her eyes. “So does that mean there will be as many Decepticons as there are Autobots on Cybertron?”

“Jus’ ‘bout…” Ironhide grabbed another rifle. “We got t’ make sure we jus’ don’t start fightin’ all over again. Now these two ‘Con generals came back first t' have a trial. If they’re reasonable, great. They can tell their soldiers to calm down. Most may listen, and those who don’t… we’ll be ready for ‘em.”

Darksteel rubbed his hands together. Predaking exhaled, desiring no conflict. Destruction of nature would surely come with it.

Ironhide left his officers with the rifles to fetch the same comm link injector that Bumblebee had once used.

“Only a small pinch, then you’ll be able t' communicate with any of us privately,” Ironhide said. “Just say our name, and the chip’ll hear ya and connect ya.”

Each Predacon knelt to receive their new comm chips.

“If any of ya feel like a little police tattoo, we got ya covered,” Ironhide added. “Some of us really like showin’ off.”

He grinned at Prowl across the room.

“What?” Prowl muttered, having not heard them.

“Let’s meet who we got here…” Ironhide led the Predacons back to the officers admiring the rifles. “Prowl you know. This is Sideburn, X-Brawn, Jazz, Greenlight, Sunstreaker, Javelin, Tracks, Nightbird, and Nightbeat. Nightbird also works as a spy and Nightbeat’s a Neutral detective, investigates alone.”

With their arms crossed, Nightbeat smiled and nodded. Prowl scowled.

“We worked with you before, clearing the rubble,” Skylynx remarked, nodding at Greenlight. 

“I saw your CSL. It wasn’t bad,” she said. “Blastwave could teach you more. He’s down in Kaon now though, and he only communicates in it.”

“You were playing on stage at Maccadam’s.” Ripclaw pointed at the slender, one-eyed Javelin.

“You Predacons are observant,” she replied. “That’s good. A cop needs to be that.”

Predaking and his brethren puffed up in pride.

“With some training, these Predacons will be top-notch officers!” Ironhide beamed at them. “So, should we get started then? Give 'em their first lesson?”

---

END PART 3

Continue to 4_9

Chapter 52: PART 4

Beside the crumbled wall surrounding Iacon, the Predacons faced Ironhide and Prowl in their bot modes. 

Should I remain here? Predaking wondered. It still feels like we have not been given much choice in this ‘police’ matter.

Ironhide drawled, “Alright, before we get ya dealin’ with any calls, I gotta see your strength and your control. Fun part first: show me your strength.”

Predaking and his brethren smirked at each other.

Well, if the Autobots wish to witness our power…

The Predacons searched for the heaviest chunks of rubble to lift.

“This is easy— we’ve done this before!” Darksteel crowed, sinking his claws into metal and raising a chunk over his head.

Ironhide whistled as each Predacon lifted enormous, heavy blocks of metal. Prowl’s jaw dropped.

“Can ya throw ‘em too?” Ironhide laughed.

The Predacons growled and lobbed them. The chunks landed with ground-shaking booms. 

Ironhide called, “Alright, show me your beast-form and tear somethin’ apart!”

Transforming to beast-mode, they attacked the rubble. Ironhide then tasked them to melt chunks to sludge. Next, they raced into the sky, made sharp turns in flight, and wove around the closest buildings.

When they returned, Ironhide laughed, “Aren’t they a force of nature, Prowl?”

“Er, yes…” Prowl gulped.

Perhaps it is worth my time to train, Predaking thought with amusement. 

“Alright, Preds,” Ironhide said. He led them to tall and flat pieces of rubble. “All of you in bot-form, punch these as hard as you can. But punch when I say so, got it?”

They lined up.

“Punch!”

Their fists drove pits into the pieces of wall.

“Whew! Could put whole Minicons in those holes,” Ironhide chuckled. “Alright, scoot down to new pieces and listen closely.”

The Predacons lined up again and Darksteel sneered at his brethren.

“Ready? Ok… Pu—stop!”

The Predacons punched their slabs.

“Ah, ah!” Ironhide tutted.

Predaking and his brethren snapped their heads to Ironhide.

“Imagine that was a bot we thought was guilty,” Ironhide said. “But then, oops, we got the wrong bot. The command changed but you were too slow. You just hurt someone innocent!”

The Predacons rolled their eyes at each other.

Ironhide went on, “Okay now, try another set. This time, I want to see you swing at the metal as hard as you can but stop thiiis far away.”

Ironhide raised two nearly pinching fingers.

“Ready? Go!”

They swung but clacked the metal instead of missing it.

Ironhide cried, “Let’s try again! All of your power, cut off at the last moment!”

They continued practice: cutting short their punches and striking the metal with varying degrees of power. 

Ironhide dragged out a short piece of wall.

“Ok, this is an evil little ‘Con. But we’re gonna take them alive. Come up an’ give ‘em a punch t’ knock them over, damaging them as little as possible!”

They practiced small putts with their palms to knock over their chunks. The Predacons pulled out different sizes and weights of rubble to train with in bot- and beast-form and carried on until the afternoon. Then, Ironhide asked Prowl. “Well, would you like to get involved?”

“M-me?” Prowl stammered.

“Sure! You can help ‘em learn how to chase a four-wheeler. How about it?”

Prowl’s eyes likely bugged behind his visor.

“Now here’s the challenge,” Ironhide grinned. “You four aren’t gonna to tackle or pin Prowl. At high speeds, you’re likely to give the target a bad cut swooping down on them. And we don’t want t’ hurt suspects. Maybe Prowl is a bad bot, maybe he is innocent. So we got t’ pretend he’s innocent.”

“Pretend?” Prowl peered at him.

“Haha! Oh, Prowl. So now, you four Predacons should work together. Try t’ block off his paths and box him in!”

“I am not certain they are ready for this!” Prowl argued.

“They’re ready! Predaking caught Whirl and Ripclaw caught Blackwall without mutilatin’ ‘em!” Ironhide winked. “They ain’t gonna touch ya or hurt ya! Unless you said somethin’ to make ‘em angry, eh?”

Darksteel and Ripclaw laughed in a shrieky manner.

“Alright.” Prowl squared his shoulders. “If we are… going to do this… I apologize again for my past behaviour.”

The Predacons chittered and dug their claws into the ground.

Ironhide said, “Prowl, you got to the count of thirty. One…”

Prowl transformed into a white and black vehicle. After a screech of his tires, he tore off alongside the ruins.

Ironhide continued counting, then switched to his fingers while he spoke.

“Predacons! You got a call about a four-wheeled Decepticon with a kidnapped Minicon inside his storage space! He must be apprehended without harm! Go!”

Screeching in delight, the Predacons took flight. Ironhide transformed and trailed them as they shot after Prowl. Predaking shouldered his way to the front, his shadow falling over Prowl as his brethren fanned out to his sides. A fireball rose up Predaking’s throat before striking a spot ahead of Prowl.

“Hey! No fire!” Prowl hollered while veering around burning metal.

It was not forbidden! Predaking thought. 

Skylynx hit the ground and spread his wings. As Prowl skidded to turn, Skylynx swung his claws instinctively but quickly slammed them back down. Transforming to bot-mode, Prowl kicked off Skylynx, then returned to vehicle-mode and drove in the opposite direction. Ripclaw dropped in front of him, flaring her wings and whacking her long tail down in his path. Prowl accelerated, transformed, and leapt to clear her tail.

Prowl zipped away; Ripclaw signed, [FAST!]

Predaking waved for his brethren’s attention. 

[In front of him, I will fall. I will open my wings,] Predaking explained then pointed at Ripclaw. [Behind him, you will fall. Open your wings. We will make circle. He will not see.] Predaking pointed at Skylynx and Darksteel. [Come behind us. If he try leave? Stop him.] 

They signed that they understood. Catching up to Prowl, Predaking crashed down ahead of him and Ripclaw behind him, both spreading their wings. Skylynx and Darksteel landed and prowled around them while their circle of wings tightened. As Predaking and Ripclaw threatened Prowl with fire, he quickly transformed and raised his hands.

“Alright! This criminal wants no trouble!”

The Predacons transformed and retracted their wall of wings.

“Did you like playing criminal?” Ripclaw chuckled. 

“Primus, I need Maccadam’s now…” Prowl uttered. As Ironhide arrived, laughing, Prowl growled, “If there’s a next time, make it Sideburn!”

“Oh, you bet I will,” Ironhide grinned. “And if we pre-warn everyone in Iacon, we can do some street training with the Predacons!”

Ironhide walked around and patted each Predacon on the arm.

“Outstanding work! And don’t think I missed that CSL! I think y’all were made for this!”

Predaking and his brethren smiled at each other.

“I still prefer breaking things,” Darksteel said. “But, that was fun!”

Ironhide nudged Prowl. “So Maccadam’s, huh? Sure, let’s go now!”

---

Part of Predaking wanted to hold onto his spite for the past and refuse, but he came along without a word of protest. As Iaconian police officers moved tables and booths to make room for them all, Predaking’s spark flushed with warmth as he sat with them.

Prowl texted a message on his cellular device and soon after, Bluestreak appeared to sit beside him. 

“Aha, Bluestreak!” Ironhide cried. “Glad you’re here t’ listen to what Prowl had to do today!”

Prowl frowned. Bluestreak hooted and clung to Prowl’s arm. “Ohhhhh what happened todayyyy?”

“Hold on, we gotta order first!” Ironhide laughed.

“Oil?” Ripclaw looked to her brethren.

They agreed. Once everyone’s drinks had come, they chugged them and laughed at the summary of training.

“Aww, poor Prowl!” Bluestreak tittered. “You didn’t spring a leak getting chased, did you?”

“Certainly not!” he growled. Then Prowl pointed at the others. “Laugh now, but next time, it’ll be you the Predacons are after!”

“That’s right,” Ironhide chuckled. “You all gotta help train your new colleagues!”

“I don’t have wheels!” Nightbird protested.

“Even better! The Predacons need to practice chasing flying beast bots! All kinds of Cybertronians!”

Prowl clapped his hands together. “Actually, first I should teach them how to deal with different types of Cybertronians. The Predacons might not even know what variations exist.”

Skylynx replied, “Well, we did learn many types in a biology lesson at school.”

“I can tell you tips and tricks on taking down any of them,” Prowl said. “We can go over their strengths and weaknesses. I wrote a book about this subject during the War.”

Darksteel said, “I mean, what we did today can probably work on any bot.”

Prowl argued, “Today was a simple exercise where none of us were permitted to harm each other! Things will get messier in real life when your targets fight back.”

“That’s right,” Ironhide said. “We know you’re very strong, but we still gotta teach you how to fight against all kinds of bots. Gently, viciously, all levels in between.”

Predaking put down his oil. “We know how to fight. Namely, I have notable battle experience. Out of respect for your Prime’s noble sacrifice, I had refrained from saying this, but I have defeated your leader in battle. What do I have to learn from you?”

The blue and yellow officer, Nightbeat, shook their head. “Don’t be arrogant. There are many factors at play in a battle! A change in your health, a certain opponent, a powerful weapon, a difficult terrain… could be your downfall.”

Prowl asked, “So, you think Predacons have no weaknesses?”

“Nope!” Darksteel exclaimed. “We’re the toughest of all Cybertronians. And terrain isn’t a problem when we can fly.”

“Indeed,” Predaking said.

“I wish I were holding my book to smack you four on the heads,” Prowl growled. “I’m going to prepare a presentation for you. Tomorrow, come back to the police station. I’ll be in charge of this lesson!”

---

Continue to 4_2

Chapter 53: 4_2

The Predacons spent their night at the bathhouse and at home. When they arrived at the police station the next morning, Prowl let them inside. 

Ironhide greeted them, then said: “So, today’s the big trial day of two Decepticon generals. I got t’ go to Kaon to be one of the judges. Prowl’s in charge for the time being. Keep it calm n’ indoors today.”

After Ironhide left, Prowl gave the Predacons a quick tour of the police station. The few officers who were around waved at them. Then, the Predacons sat around a table in the “interrogation room”. Bringing a large tablet with him, Prowl adjusted it on the table to face them.

“Okay, since you seem to get bored easily, I’ll try to make this engaging,” Prowl told them. “Let’s start with a test: how sharp are your optics? I’m going to flash through some pictures. Shout out ‘Bot’ or ‘Con as fast as you can identify them.”

Predaking and his brethren leaned forward as the screen powered on. An image of a red vehicle with a red, almost invisible, insignia appeared.

“'Bot!” they chorused.

Prowl nodded. “Good.”

He showed another image of a four-wheeler, letting them scan for the insignia.

“'Bot!”

“Yep.”

Prowl flicked through the images as soon as each was identified.

“'Con!”

“'Bot!”

“'Con!”

Prowl asked, “How about this one?”

The image showed the back of a grey bot with spiky shoulders; no insignia was visible on them.

“Likely a Decepticon,” Predaking said. “The body resembles Megatron, although, it is evidently not him.”

“Great observation, Predaking,” Prowl replied. “This is most likely a Decepticon. Recognize the ‘brute’ look: bulky, spiky, dull-coloured, murderous look in the optics, sometimes tattooed.”

Prowl showed the backside of a quadrupedal beast bot with a large head. He prompted them, “Now what do you think for the Chompazoid?”

Predaking asked, “Are they experiments of Shockwave?”

“No, naturally forged,” Prowl answered.

“Uh, not sure,” Darksteel said.

“Most beast types aligned themselves with Decepticons,” Prowl explained. “And a large beast bot like this, a predatory species, practically has a sign saying, ‘I am a Decepticon!’”

Skylynx inquired, “Why did beast bots prefer the Decepticons if they were not created by Shockwave?”

“Perhaps the Autobots mistreated them,” Predaking grunted.

Prowl replied, “The unfortunate truth is most large beast types are not like you. You four are different.”

“We are Predacons,” Predaking affirmed. “Perhaps the strongest and most intelligent.”

“Mm, anyway, Chompazoids have feral instincts and a strong urge to devour metal. If I am not mistaken, Predacons do not digest metal. The prey drive is stronger in Chompazoids, so they are a danger to those around them. However, Decepticons would let them run loose without consequence for their actions. The Autobots had rules Chompazoids didn’t like. Number one: Do not cannibalize the enemy…. Primus. Even if energon is scarce.”

“Huh, we did not cover this species in class,” Skylynx noted.

“Oh, there are many kinds of beastformers. Take the Arachnicon…”

Prowl showed an image of a small, multi-limbed black bot.

“What is very important to know about them is that they produce a sticky metal mesh that can bind up your mouths and claws. They can also use mind control to make an army of Insecticons attack you—underground beast bots. Though Arachnicons are small, you must take caution and attempt to catch them by surprise.”

“Interesting,” Predaking said.

“There are too many species of beastformers to cover right now, but note that any beastformer can have acid spit or a venomous bite or sting. Now onto the main point: how to handle beastformers based on their sizes and attributes. And I’ll also tell you how I would try to exploit your size and attributes.”

“Buaha!” Darksteel laughed. “You drove like the wind yesterday trying to escape us! There’s no way you could beat one of us!”

“Incapacitating an enemy requires more than just brute strength,” Prowl said. “You may scoff at the idea that a smaller bot can defeat you, but everybot, including you, has weaknesses.”

Predaking did scoff at the idea. “Predacons have no weaknesses that can be exploited. Even if our optics were targeted, we would still annihilate the enemy in our wrath.”

Ripclaw agreed, “Pain would make me even more ferocious!”

Prowl sighed, “But you admitted that the optics are a vulnerability. And yes, they are. So that’s a start… If a bot was going to fight you and they were smart—”

“Who would be smart to fight us instead of running away?” Darksteel snickered.

Prowl uttered, “A bot who is desperate or very confident in their combat skills. They are who you should fear.”

Predaking replied, “Megatron thought he could face me. I was the superior combatant.”

Prowl’s mouth twisted. “Have you never been harmed in battle? I sincerely doubt everything has just been so easy. If you have the battle experience you say, Predaking, then at some point your arrogance has harmed you.”

Predaking hesitated. “Perhaps… I did not truly have the opportunity to defeat Megatron as I would have, for Starscream shot me in the back like a coward. I was wounded; I did not previously believe him capable of incapacitating me. Although, I was in bot-form in that battle. My weaker form.”

“You may think it is your weaker form. But there are advantages and disadvantages to any body type. So, if you all are ready to listen, I will teach you about large beast types.”

The Predacons watched as Prowl pulled up an image of a feline beast. Prowl pointed at parts of the example Decepticon.

“As with Predacons, any beastformer is most agile in their beast-form. They have maximized their range of motion, increasing their speed and strength as well. Some beastformers are larger in beast-form, but this means that their armour is less compact and their metal is stretched thin. Like it or not, your beast-form is easier to stab than your bot-form. Your vital parts are best protected in bot-form. Your weakest points will be your joints, neck, abdomen, and optics.”

Prowl marked each point onscreen.

“You four have very large exposed joints. Some beast bots have them better covered. Now, don’t look so sour. I am not trying to knock you down, but elevate you. Knowing your weaknesses means you will defend them properly. That will keep you safe and online. If a huge ‘Con swings an axe, you will want to turn a part of your body with more layers of armour into that blow. Assuming that you can’t avoid the blow, of course. Remember that dodging is a valid technique and not cowardly. We’ll practice that in training. If that ‘Con is smart, they will swing at the underside of your neck instead of the top. A bot with a sword could try piercing you through a joint or the underside of your abdomen. To make you hurt, they might swing at the thin joint connecting the tips of your tails.”

“Oh, finally an advantage to not having a long tail!” Darksteel exclaimed.

“Now you’re getting it,” Prowl grinned. “A long tail can be a great weapon, sweeping bots off their feet or slicing and stabbing them, but it can also be a vulnerability to protect. Ripclaw, if your enemy knows of your venom, they will do everything in their power to sever your stinger. Take caution…”

Prowl showed a beast with wings.

“Wings are also a great advantage and disadvantage. Flight allows you a whole other angle to attack from, but they are fragile body parts. I have seen your wings and it would not take much effort to damage them. So, on the ground, you should fight with your wings folded or pressed back. And learn to fight as though you cannot fly, preparing for a situation in which you may lose your flight abilities.”

The Predacons begrudgingly nodded.

“Seekers share this weakness…” Prowl pulled up an image of Starscream. Predaking, Skylynx, and Darksteel leered. “Damage a Seeker’s wings or any of their parts necessary for flight, and they will lose their greatest advantage. As beasts, you can still manage well with your claws, fangs, tails, and size. But many Seekers will struggle or flee if they cannot fly. Seekers often focus all their training on aerial combat and not hand-to-hand combat. Bear in mind that some do train for hand-to-hand combat, and they can be quicker and faster than four-wheelers. Seekers have some of the fastest reaction times of any Cybertronian race and may use jet boosts to increase their speed or pull off unexpected manoeuvres. The smaller the Seeker, the more agile, as a general rule. If you have a large Seeker, their fighting style is closer to tankformers or similar heavy vehicle types…”

Prowl showed images of tank and armoured vehicle Decepticons.

“The heavy classes have the strongest, most compact armour. Perhaps similar to your own. In their alt-forms, it is very hard to damage them. For a tankformer, obviously try to damage their cannon. Otherwise, use your weight to hold them down. In bot-mode, they excel in close combat using their bare hands or brutish weapons. This type is abnormally fearless and they tend to target your head. You can expect a bludgeon to the face that could potentially knock you out!”

Prowl showed two examples for the next type.

“Copterbots have two types. Heavy class copterbots fight like tankformers but with a bit more agility. And of course, they can take off into the air. Delicate copterbots are not typically strong fighters, without strength or speed, unless they are combat-trained. Many copterbots modify their blades to be sharp like swords. Those with that kind of modification will try to slice you with spinning blades.”

Vortex, Predaking thought.

Prowl showed pictures of four-wheeled Autobots and Decepticons.

“Onto the most common Cybertronian: the four-wheeler. Overall a balanced fighter, not the strongest or the fastest by nature. But they have a unique combat style: driving into battle at high speeds and transforming suddenly to perform a move. I think you saw me perform some of those tricks yesterday! Weapon choices are varied among four-wheelers: blasters, blades, bludgeons, etcetera. Four-wheelers are most likely to drive away from you, using sharp turns to evade you in the city, underground tunnels, or in a dense forest. A Seeker would count on speed to outfly you. A four-wheeler may not be as fast as you on an open plain where you can easily catch them, but you are very likely to lose them in a dense area. Take note of that! You chased me in an open plain: the most vulnerable terrain for a four-wheeler like myself.”

The image changed.

“Three-wheelers are typically just like four-wheelers, sometimes slower in alt-mode. However, two-wheelers are typically smaller and weaker than three-wheelers and four-wheelers, but move faster and make unexpected moves. Two-wheelers favour blades due to having weaker blasterfire and arm strength. Minicons and one-wheelers, who are even smaller, are the same. Now the smaller the bot, the more likely they are to employ a strategy based on endurance. They have a lot of energy, carrying less weight. They’ll try to tire you out. And being so small, they can more easily dodge your blows. They will dash under you, attacking your weak points, or climb over you. Their attacks may not do much damage at first, but they will issue many many wounds to bleed you out until you collapse. The best strategy for them is to create distance, don’t let them get over or under you. Use your fire, knock them over with wing flaps, crush them into a corner, to restrict them. This is trickier if they are small and have flight capabilities. But don’t let them climb on you!”

Prowl continued flipping through images.

“Boatformers are most likely to dive for cover in liquid bodies. They have no advantage on land or in the air. Often, boatformers are cowardly and run for liquid bodies instead of fighting. This is troublesome for arrests and it takes other police boatformers to capture them.

“Now, let’s talk mixes. Quadrupeds are four-wheelers without bot-forms. They are beasts and vehicles. They can take you by surprise coming out of vehicle form and suddenly you have a beast fight. 

“Triple-changers are bots with multiple alt-forms who can have blended characteristics or display one trait at one time. And there are Cybertronians who can change into more forms than three. One Decepticon is known to have six modes!

“Now, the wild cards: bots with unusual modes either natural or obtained through experimentation. They may have very unique specialties that can only be discovered by observing them. In combat training, we will start with observation where you tell me what you can gather from an opponent.”

Prowl showed an image of a red bot with metal sleeves standing among the sizzling bodies of Autobots.

“What can you deduce from this image?”

“Everyone looks burnt,” Ripclaw said.

“I cannot tell what he transforms into,” Skylynx commented.

“What might that indicate if you cannot see wheels, wings, or beast parts?”

“Boat…?” Darksteel asked.

Predaking said, “An experiment?”

Prowl clapped once. “Yes, this was a modified Decepticon. What is his ability?”

“Fire?” Ripclaw asked.

Prowl pointed at streaks of black on the floor which spiralled out from where the Decepticon stood.

“Electricity?” Skylynx guessed.

“That’s it! This ‘Con had a devastating electrical attack. Anybot would fall if they were standing too close to him on the ground he electrified. He could also cast lightning through the air to fell fliers.”

“Does his black optics mean anything?” Darksteel asked.

“It was believed he was blind,” Prowl reported.

“He fought while blind?” Ripclaw gasped. “Was that a weakness ever exploited?”

“No one knows what happened to this Decepticon. However, that is one possible weakness to exploit. Now, experiments tend to get grafts from the Lithium Flats infused to themselves. Their metal becomes thick and hard to burn or scratch. So, how would you handle this ‘Con? Can’t hurt him with fire, can’t grab him or stand close to him.”

“Can I drop a heavy piece of rubble on him?” Darksteel proposed.

“Good, I like your thinking!” Prowl said. “This is the point of the exercise. Evaluate your opponent and adjust your strategy. Don’t be arrogant or else you’ll run right up to a bot with an electric attack, poison dart, spark extractor, acid spit, shadowcasting… that means bots who can mess with your emotions or shut your body into powerdown. Mind control powers.”

“Eh?” Darksteel gasped.

“Shadowcasters are real but extremely rare. For them, watch out for strange head ornaments.”

“I will say that electricity does affect us,” Skylynx admitted.

Prowl replied. “Ah, so you can handle fire but not electricity? That is important for you to know.” 

The Predacons sat still and quietly, considering everything they had been told.

“Alright, I’ll leave you with that,” Prowl concluded. “How about you head to New Spark for your regular education?”

---

Continue to 4_3

Chapter 54: 4_3

A ground bridge sent the Predacons to the school. The Dinobots guarding it watched them enter and none followed them inside. At their desks, the Predacons sat and doodled notes like the small, cheery students around them. But during a break, they told Dominus Ambus how they came to begin training with the police.

“But it is dangerous work and you are so young…” he said. 

Ripclaw shrugged. “We’re strong, so nothing is really dangerous for us.”

Dominus Ambus placed a hand on her lower leg. “I know you are strong. But even the strongest can be defeated.”

“Eh, they’re telling us not to be arrogant too,” Darksteel said.

“And yet, are they expecting you to soon participate in police work?”

Predaking answered, “We were already sent to investigate the Vehicon establishment in Kaon.”

“Oh my, right to it then… Would you not rather… explore the world? Come to school? Take your time to figure out your passions and talents?” Dominus Ambus asked.

Skylynx exhaled, “Well… I do not intend to miss much school. I may fall behind in police training, but I wish to continue my education in science here.”

Dominus Ambus asked, “Do you enjoy both? Or just one?”

Skylynx shrugged. “We learned a lot in training so far. It could improve my combat skills.”

The Minicon sighed, “Ah, how I long for a future where combat skills are not a priority. Do what you wish, my students, but please be careful.”

---

A call from Ironhide jolted the Predacons at their school desks.

“All officers of Iacon have been called to the station. I’m gonna send you a ground bridge at the front of the school t’ come back.”

Dominus Ambus furrowed his brows as they stood up.

“Apologies,” Skylynx said. 

“Ooo officers?” Whirl Jr. piped up. “Are you police officers?”

The Predacons departed and arrived at the police station. Around twenty officers were gathered around Ironhide in the lobby. 

Ironhide began, “So, I’m guessing some of you watched the trial on the news. It has been decided that first, all low-risk Decepticons will lose their collars.”

Some of the officers groaned.

“Obsidian and Strika will be free.”

Prowl shook his head. “They fooled you. Telling a sob story and pretending to be tired of war. Just you wait; they’ll be preparing to claim Cybertron!”

“Well Prowl, we’re trying not t’ oppress the ‘Cons n’ aggravate ‘em. We gotta let them be free so it feels like the War’s truly done. Mind you, they’ll probably stay mostly to themselves in Kaon, rebuilding.”

“Getting stronger and eyeing Iacon.”

“See here, Prowl, Ultra Magnus is negotiating with the Decepticon generals for their Campaign army to come back peacefully. We either work with the ‘Cons or they come back here on their own, guns blazing.”

“They have the right to return to their own planet,” Nightbeat said.

“We need more optics t’ make sure Cybertron is in order,” Ironhide continued. “We’ll hire and train any willing Autobot. We will work closely with Minicon spies. Get more cameras down in Kaon. Put the Predacons where they’re needed. And no one goes anywhere without those dart guns in Kaon.”

Dominus Ambus’ words echoed in Predaking’s mind, but Ripclaw looked eager. 

The officers continued discussion and when all was concluded, the Predacons were sent back to school. The other students pelted the Predacons with curious questions, but Dominus Ambus interrupted them with crossed arms.

At the end of the school day, Skylynx asked his brethren outside, “Shall we attend the bonus class?”

“Aw but it’s been a few solar cycles since we hung out with the Vehicons at the Clubhouse,” Darksteel complained.

Ripclaw exclaimed, “Oh yeah, we should check in with them. I hope they aren’t upset that we joined the police!” 

“Is that what we have decided?” Predaking asked.

“What?” Ripclaw replied.

“Do we officially consider ourselves police officers?”

“Why not? You heard them—they need our strength! What else shall we put it toward if not something good?”

Darksteel argued, “Construction?”

“Who are we going to fight doing that?” Ripclaw grinned.

Predaking said, “I am not entirely comfortable with how quickly we were assimilated.”

“They just really need us,” Ripclaw said. “I think it’s been fun and very educational so far.”

“Are we considered Autobots by accepting this role?”

“Pff, no!” Ripclaw laughed.

“Hm,” Predaking grunted. 

“We’ve already been helping the Autobots,” Ripclaw continued. “Right? This is just a step up from what we were already doing.”

Predaking sighed. “I will continue the training. However, I will depart from the police force if it exceeds my comfort level.”

Ripclaw shrugged. “Alright, but I think I’ll stay.”

Skylynx jumped in, “And I shall stay here tonight. You may do as you please.”

“That’s why we have phones, right?” Darksteel chuckled. 

Predaking, Darksteel, and Ripclaw left New Spark. A pang hit Predaking’s spark to leave Skylynx behind, but he relaxed once they settled down in the Clubhouse. Calming music played on the speakers and Vehicons gossiped with cups of energon. 

“The Prowl hunters!” one Vehicon called.

The others laughed loudly. The Predacons started.

“Oh!” Darksteel guffawed. “You saw us?”

“Vehicons see and hear everything,” one of them said.

“Oo, I see some new colours in here!” Darksteel cried. “What’re your names?”

Among the purple bodies, there was an orange Miner Vehicon with red eyes and a dark blue and black wheeled Vehicon.

“Sol,” said the Miner Vehicon.

“Martin,” the black and blue Vehicon replied.

“Your names are always so hard to pronounce…” Darksteel said.

“Did you talk to Chrysanthemum yet? Yellow one?”

“I feel like you’re choosing the hardest alien names just to spite me!”

The Vehicons laughed again. 

Martin asked, “So, you’re cops now?”

“It appears so, for the time being,” Predaking replied.

“Think you can keep those Autobots in check?”

Darksteel told him, “Of course! They aren’t gonna harm any of you on my watch!”

“Good,” another Vehicon said. “You know how they are. And how they collared Decepticons.”

“A barbaric practice,” Predaking uttered. “Thankfully, ended today.”

“It should never have been done,” a Vehicon said.

Ripclaw replied, “It could have stopped Blackwall, though. The big ‘Con who almost caused a massacre at the market. He got his collar off somehow, right? And that’s what he chose to do.”

Predaking gawked at her.

Martin growled, “Maybe he wouldn’t have been so mad if the Autobots hadn’t oppressed him like that in the first place! Imagine you, collared and unable to transform to beast mode!”

Ripclaw muttered, “Well the collars are gone, so if something else happens, they don’t have an excuse now.”

The Vehicons looked at each other. Ripclaw sighed and got Predaking and Darksteel cups of energon to drink. As they sipped their drinks, Darksteel said, “I’m with you Vehicons all the way. I don’t even care about the Autobots—I’m just having fun chasing them and showing off in training!”

Nodding, the Vehicons drank their energon, watched them, or messaged on their phones. The Predacons drained their cups, then waited to join Skylynx at the bathhouse after his class.

---

Continue to 4_4

Chapter 55: 4_4

“Hope you’re awake! ” Ironhide’s voice yanked the Predacons from their slumber. “We need you in Kaon! It’s time for a lotta ‘Cons to come home!”

Darksteel signed with a fatigued paw, [Noooooo why now?]

The Predacons transformed to bot-form and trudged through the ground bridge outside their door. As soon as they stepped into Kaon, their eyes widened in interest to see the city again. Under the moonlight, the rusty dark ruins did not gleam, instead crouching like large shadows around them. The only buildings which shone were the new jailhouse and the police station beside them now. 

Approximately forty officers had assembled. They stared at the Predacons while holding sedation rifles in their arms.

“Alright,” Ironhide began. “Three hundred Decepticons will be returning to Cybertron over the next few joors. They will arrive two spaceships at a time or up to twenty soldiers. First they will go to the spaceport and be screened. Then, they will be coming to Kaon by ground bridge. They will not be collared and they will not be happy to see us. Refrain from speaking to any ‘Cons. Back away from any hostile ones if possible. If not, warn them to stand down, then sedate them if they don’t. Ultimately we just wanna watch them settle into the residence buildings here. And tomorrow the Kaon market is open, so we will want to increase the guard because it will be busy. If we don’t go to war during the night.”

Ironhide began to separate the officers into teams, but paused to call out:

“If things do get messy, the Wreckers are on standby. Lots of them inside the prison right now too. Us officers are being trusted to keep things orderly and civil out in public. The Predacons will stay in bot-form —got that?—but may transform and roar just to scare some ‘Cons out of a fight. All of us will fight the ‘Cons as a last resort. We do not want to be known as the ones who blew the peace!” 

The Predacons were placed with Ironhide, Prowl, and other familiar officers from Iacon. But a new, red-eyed, green and blue Autobot was invited to join them.

Ironhide said, “So Predacons, you might like to meet Blastwave! Maybe he can teach you a few more signs in CSL, huh?”

Blastwave quickly looked at them in interest. He signed something, but too quickly for the Predacons to process.

“Too fast!” Darksteel exclaimed.

A smile cracked Blastwave’s face and he grunted. More slowly he signed, [C-S-L, you learn?]

[Yes!] the Predacons signed back.

Ironhide said, “Haha, let’s get into position and y’all can sign while we wait!”

One group of officers stayed at the station while the others went down the street and spread out around the newly constructed area. Darksteel sighed as they passed the Fallen Trooper. Ironhide’s group settled and Blastwave turned back to them.

[C-S-L, why you have interest?] Blastwave asked.

Predaking’s hands felt slow and awkward in comparison to Blastwave’s flowing fingers. [With C-S-L, we can converse in beast form.]

Blastwave nodded. [Excellent. C-S-L very (?) for (?)]

[Sorry, I not understand,] Ripclaw signed with her brows furrowed. [C-S-L very…?]

Blastwave signed it again.

“Useful for everyone,” Ironhide translated.

The red-eyed Autobot gestured dismissively at Ironhide with the sign [stop] woven in.

“Ok, no translating,” Ironhide said.

[I (?),] Blastwave continued. [Means I cannot speak. (?) means M-U-T-E.]

The Predacons nodded with interest, their eyes locked onto his hands. It took Predaking’s entire concentration to make out the letters Blastwave had spelled.

Skylynx pointed at his own throat. [Here hurt?]

[No,] Blastwave answered. He tapped his head then went on, spelling out any sign the Predacons appeared confused by. [Problem in here. (?) B-I-O-L-O-G–I-C-A-L problem with my processor. (?) (?) S-I-N-C-E  F-O-R-G-I-N-G. I can make (?) S-O-U-N-D but not words.]

The dark officer reviewed the new words for them. Ironhide listened to an authoritative voice as it came through his comm link: “Are you prepared to accept the first twenty Decepticons? ”

“Aye, we’re all in position” Ironhide replied.

“Then I shall send a ground bridge to point 1.”

From the sidewalk, Ironhide’s group watched a portal bubble open. 

Prowl manifested between the Predacons. “Why don’t you practice what I was teaching you? Observe the ‘Cons and their types, think about the strategies you might use.”

The first Decepticon stepped through: a beige and purple Seeker. As soon as he spotted the line of armed Autobots, he halted and stared them down.

“What is this?” he barked. “Why are there Autobots in this city?”

Predaking studied the Decepticon: wings on his back: treads in his legs. He was not just a Seeker, but a triple-changer with a tank form.

Flight-capable. Stronger but slower than Starscream. Comfortable with close combat.

A hulking grey and purple Decepticon lumbered in behind him and boomed, “AUTOBOTS!”

Rapidly, Predaking thought: Heavy-class. Small jet wings. Another triple-changer? No beastly features. Bludgeons and missiles: most likely choice of weapon.

Ironhide ordered, “Autobots, keep your weapons down! Decepticons, you may proceed.”

More Decepticons came through the portal as the beige and purple triple-changer yelled, “Like we need permission, Autobot scum!”

He marched off. A line of Decepticons stretched out after him, some carrying metal packs on their backs. Suddenly, small round creatures skittered through the portal, between the legs of the Decepticons, then toward the officers with excited yipping.

Sunstreaker gasped, “Oh Primus, what are these sweet little things?”

The pudgy metal creatures swirled around them and pawed at them with short legs.

“Ahhhh!” Sunstreaker crouched with his rifle across his lap.

Prowl growled, “Sunstreaker! Don’t touch them!”

One of the creatures wiggled into his lap, knocking out the rifle. Sunstreaker started petting the creature enthusiastically while Decepticons intently watched him.

“They could be dangerous!” Prowl snapped.

The Decepticons snorted and laughed.

Ironhide said, “I don’t think so, Prowl…”

Nightbeat dropped and started to pat the creatures orbiting them.

“Not you too, Nightbeat!” Prowl growled.

Nightbeat ignored him, asking the Decepticons, “Are these your pets?”

“Yeah. Antilian bumble-puppies,” one answered.

“When did Decepticons start keeping the cutest pets in the galaxy?” Sunstreaker laughed as more bumble-puppies started to pile on him.

One Decepticon sneered, “After we killed the other Autobots on our planet.”

The eyes of the Autobots hardened. The Decepticons strutted away, made clicking sounds, and the bumble-puppies rushed to follow them.

“Don’t let ‘em get to ya,” Ironhide told his officers. “We’re gonna have nothin’ but lip comin’ from them for the next hundred stellar cycles. It’s alright if it stays jus’ lip.”

---

Continue to 4_5

Chapter 56: 4_5

Bumble-puppies and harsh words came with the arriving Decepticons, but hostilities did not escalate beyond that.

“The market’ll be setting up soon.” Ironhide watched the sun rise. “Can I get two Predacons to transfer there? Just for now, then we’ll all head over.”

Darksteel opened his eyes. “I’d like to see the Kaon market!”

“I can go as well,” Ripclaw said. 

Predaking frowned to see them leave. But after the last Decepticons were escorted to the residence buildings, every officer walked down to the market of Kaon and surrounded its perimeter. Several rows of tables filled the square, displaying the goods of Decepticon vendors. For now, only a few customers browsed the selection.

Prowl stuck close to the Predacons. “I prefer to see ‘Cons trading in the light. I remember when the Kaon market was underground. A long, cramped, dark, and dirty tunnel system. Things could be found in the branches, terrible things.”

“Oh?” Skylynx prompted.

“I worked all over Cybertron before the War,” Prowl said. “I’ve seen the worst of it all. Things so disturbing that we would try not to let the images and footage reach the public eye. We got to keep a watch on these tables and a watch of the tunnels below the city. I don’t want to see what I saw again.”

After a few moments of silence, Darksteel blurted out, “What was it then?”

“Butchery,” Prowl uttered. “Of the dead, of the living. I know what Decepticons do to the weak. You four have nothing to fear, but smaller bots… In the South, they had to watch themselves walking alone to not get taken.”

“Huh…” Darksteel said.

A group of Decepticons entered the market, glaring at the armed officers.

“You all want more training?” Prowl asked. “Count the heavy class ‘Cons here: the tanks and other armoured vehicles.”

The Predacons swept their eyes over the market.

“Twenty-one?” Ripclaw said.

“Just about. The majority though, right? Count the four-wheelers my size.”

“Two,” Skylynx replied.

“Seekers?”

“Six,” Predaking rumbled.

“Yep. Most Decepticons are brutes, Seekers, and beasts, plus a scattering of sneaky Minicons and hot-headed four-wheelers. Now look at their optics. What’s the most common colour you see?”

“Red,” Darksteel answered.

Prowl nodded slowly. “Red indicates a violent nature. Yellow is the colour of bots who shouldn’t be messed with, good or bad.”

“Hey that’s us!” Darksteel grinned. “And you, haha.”

Prowl smirked.

Ripclaw said, “What colour would you consider my optics?”

“Primarily yellow,” Prowl replied. “You’re fine.”

Ripclaw asked, “Ah, alright. How about the meaning of other optic colours?”

“Blue indicates a spark aligned with the purity of Primus. I find I can trust most bots with blue optics. Green, orange, and pink aren’t always safe colours, just be on guard with those. White—some think it’s pure like Primus but I think the sociopathic have that colour. Purple is a big no—very cruel and evil, they are. It’s sign of closeness to Unicron’s spark.”

“But why would optic colour determine one’s nature?” Predaking asked.

“Primus’ way of allowing us to analyze each other,” Prowl said. 

The Predacons mulled over the information. But Skylynx said, “Our teacher, Dominus Ambus—his optics are red.”

“Then you may want to watch out for that one.”

“But he is quite kind…” Ripclaw’s brows wrinkled.

“Well, for the most part what I say about optic colours is true. Although there are rare exceptions such as Blastwave, Fortress Maximus, and Slingshot for red-eyed Autobots. They are quite fierce, however. It’s just that their ferocity is directed the right way.”

“So, our teacher may simply contain a passionate nature?” Skylynx wondered.

“A ferociously passionate one,” Prowl suggested.

They stared at the Decepticons whose numbers began to swell. Bots large and spiky or short and smooth squeezed past each other to browse the tables. Prowl quizzed the Predacons on identifying more types and brainstorming fighting strategies. 

Eventually Darksteel stretched and asked, “Can we check out the market?”

“What? We’re on duty,” Prowl growled.

“So?” Darksteel blinked. “We can still jump into action when needed. I always got my card thing on me and never really even use it!”

“You shouldn’t mingle with the ‘Cons.”

“Eh, I’m not scared of them. If they bother me, I’ll just transform.”

Prowl snapped, “Do not transform, Darksteel. If you start a panic, the ‘Cons will just attack us all!”

“Okayyy, I won’t transform. I just want to see the lamps down there…” Darksteel broke formation and sauntered toward the tables.

“Darksteel!” Prowl snarled then turned to the other Predacons. “One of you, stop him!”

Ripclaw strode forward. Making a mocking face, Darksteel squeezed between Decepticons and slipped into the market. Ripclaw halted at the edge and looked back at Prowl. He sighed and waved her back while Darksteel pushed through confused Decepticons.

Ironhide lumbered over to Prowl. They grumbled to each other until Darksteel returned with two tall lamps.

“One for each side of the manor!” Darksteel dropped them on the ground.

“You need to learn how to follow orders!” Prowl barked. “Respect the chain of command!”

“I didn’t even do anything wrong, lighten up,” Darksteel muttered.

Prowl’s doors rattled. “If you want to be one of us, then you must respect the chain of command! If everyone did whatever they wanted, there'd be no leadership. There is no coherent strategy or teamwork. One stupid mistake ruins us all! You may find me paranoid or ridiculous at times, but I have seen bots die from arrogant screw-ups like that!”

“Okay, okay, sheesh,” Darksteel muttered. “But you know, I’m probably a lot tougher than those other bots were.”  

Ironhide sighed, “Darksteel…”

Darksteel rolled his eyes. 

Ironhide said, “We don’t know how these ‘Cons will perceive you and they could’ve thought you approaching them was a threat.”

“Well, Prowl keeps saying beastbots fit in well with the Decepticons, so see, they didn’t really even notice.”

“I don’t wanna see that again,” Ironhide warned. “We need to know we can rely on you.”

Ironhide ran into a lecture on the chain of command and the importance of the police before the War. Staring over the crowd, Darksteel reluctantly listened.

---

Predaking and his brethren were called to the police station of Iacon every following day for physical training. They practiced more exercises of restraint and chased other four-wheeled officers outside and within the city.

“Alright, now we’ll see how well you’ve been listening to me,” Prowl began.

[In a torn down section of the city, Prowl stood with the Predacons and faced Ironhide, officers, and Wreckers at a distance. The ground between them was partially smooth, partially littered with rubble.]

Officer Nightbird stepped forward and transformed into a winged beast with a wide beak and two skinny legs. Ironhide fitted her foot claws and beak with a foamy cover.

“What’s your plan for a Corvicon?” Prowl asked the Predacons out of earshot of the others.

“I would try to overwhelm them with my size,” Skylynx answered. “Pin them down. Bite their wings if needed.”

“Perfect. The wings are the main weakness,” Prowl approved. “Since you answered first, you can go ahead. The rest of you, just watch.”

Skylynx transformed to beast-form and Prowl plastered a sticky foamy substance around his sharp edges.

“You have a call of a hostile Decepticon attacking innocents. Take her alive with reasonable force!”

Skylynx thundered at Nightbird with a shriek. She spread her wings but stood her ground until he was nearly upon her. With a squawk, she flapped her wings in his face and rose over his head. Skylynx gnashed his teeth but just missed her as she hopped over his back.

“Oho!” Ironhide cried. “I think she might have just scratched out your optics with that move!”

Skylynx whirled around with a snarl and launched into the air. Flapping circles around each other, Skylynx swatted her body and Nightbird pecked his. At last, Skylynx slammed her to the ground and pretended to bite off her wings.

“Got to be careful, Sky!” Ironhide called. “If you lost your sight, you might not have been able to finish that fight!”

Skylynx released Nightbird and prowled back to his brethren, growling.

A large white and blue Autobot came forward as Nightbird hopped back to the others.

“Who wants to take on Thunderclash?” Ironhide called.

Prowl asked the Predacons, “Analyze him and tell me what you’re thinking.”

Ripclaw replied, “Brute-type, right?”

“Heavy-class for certain,” Prowl said.

“He will hold his ground and hit hard, especially around the head.”

“Good, so what will you do?”

“I’ll try to knock him over, maybe even with my tail.”

Ripclaw transformed and Prowl foamed her claws, fangs, spikes, and the stinger of her tail.

“Alright, you have a ‘Con brute terrorizing the market again. Take him alive with reasonable force!”

Ripclaw charged Thunderclash then spun to whip him with her tail. Thunderclash’s thick arms wrapped around it, but still he was swept off his feet then slammed to the ground. Predaking smirked. However, Thunderclash rolled before her stinger bumped him with its foam tip. Back on his feet, he sprinted in and punched Ripclaw in the thigh joint. 

She roared and kicked her leg. 

“Looks like he isn’t going to hold back,” Prowl commented.

Thunderclash snatched hold of Ripclaw’s velvety wing. Quickly she rolled, but he dropped onto her chest and punched her in the throat. With a grunt, she raked him with her covered claws.

“Oh, you’re cut now!” Ironhide called.

Thunderclash slid off and with a grin, miming energon gushing from his chest. Ripclaw got to her feet, but then the Autobot leapt and punched her in the face. She stumbled back, hissing and shaking her head.

“Come on, Green!” Prowl shouted.

She pounced but Thunderclash dodged sideways. Spinning again, she tried to sweep him with her tail but he ducked under it.

“Faster!” Prowl hollered.

Thunderclash hopped and hit her in the face. This time, she pushed through the pain, snarled, and lunged. Her mouth closed around Thunderclash’s head and he froze.

“Careful, careful!” Ironhide yelled. 

Ripclaw halted, slowly releasing her jaws. Then she slammed down Thunderclash underfoot and ended the fight.

“Whew…” Ironhide breathed. “You scared me there. Thought you were about to pop a cop’s head right off! You alright, Thunderclash?”

The big Autobot rose. “I’m alright. Good fight, Predacon.”

Ripclaw nodded and crawled back.

“Told you they hit harder than you Predacons expect,” Prowl said. “But I’ll admit, those punches that you just took probably would have ended me if I were in your place!”

Ripclaw flashed him a fangy grin.

“Who do I get?” Darksteel asked.

“Hold on,” Prowl grunted.

Ironhide ushered forward a blue Minicon with wide shoulders. “Dropforge!”

“Ha!” Darksteel laughed. 

Prowl warned, “Oh if you’re laughing, I’m just going to throw you out there with no help.” 

“Do I get a nickname too?” Darksteel asked him. “What are you going to call me out there?”

“You don’t even want to know what I want to call you.”

Darksteel transformed and flicked Prowl with his claws. After he stumbled, Prowl scowled and slapped foam on Darksteel’s claws and beak.

“You have a Minicon thief to catch with reasonable force!”

Darksteel shrieked and raced toward the Minicon. Dropforge changed to a ball and rolled straight through his legs. Leaping straight up in surprise, Darksteel tried to locate the Minicon. He screeched to find him on his back foot. Darksteel kicked and landed, but Dropforge whipped out a glowing blue baton and slapped Darksteel’s backside. Everyone heard an electrical zap. Darksteel hopped and turned, blasting fire. While Dropforge zipped away as a ball, Prowl dodged Darksteel’s fire and swore.

Darksteel danced around, trying to catch the speedy ball. Dropforge kept flying into bot-form, slapping him with the electric baton, then escaping. Shrieking in rage, Darksteel burned the ground around him but not fast enough to stop Dropforge from climbing up his side.

Prowl told Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw, “Now do you remember what I said about Minicons?”

Dropforge climbed up Darksteel and zapped him in the wing joints.

“The bigger you are, the harder it is to fight Minicons,” Prowl reminded them. “And on top of that, Dropforge is a damn good fighter.” Prowl called at Darksteel, “Need a tip, Feathers?”

Darksteel aggressively shook off Dropforge and flapped into the air.

“There we go,” Prowl chuckled.

Darksteel breathed a circle of fire from the air and tightened it until Dropforge was surrounded.

“That’s far enough!” Ironhide called.

Darksteel landed and stomped over the steaming ground with a bit of a limp.

“Nightbeat!” Ironhide announced.

Predaking frowned as the blue four-wheeler with a yellow face stepped out with a rifle. 

“Watch that face, King,” Prowl said. “Remember everything I taught you.”

Predaking exhaled and looked over the police officer. “A four-wheeler has a balanced skillset. They can also perform unusual combat moves using their vehicle mode. Nightbeat is also holding a rifle with sedative darts.”

“How many of those do you think you can take before you drop?”

“They may not even pierce my armour,” Predaking answered.

“Wanna bet?”

Predaking transformed and hated the sticky feeling in his mouth as his fangs were covered. Prowl padded his claws and his tail blade as well.

“You have an armed Decepticon with a sedative rifle and possible unknown weapons. Take them down with caution and use reasonable force!”

Predaking charged. The rifle went off and one dart sank into his muzzle, but he did not stop. He was almost upon Nightbeat when they reached into their storage space and flung a ball at his head. It exploded into a net and wrapped around his face. Predaking’s eyes widened, then he shrieked as electricity shocked him. Skidding to a halt, he clawed desperately at the zinging net. 

As the net was torn to shreds, Nightbeat fired darts into his throat. Suddenly, Predaking’s vision throbbed and ringed with blackness. His movements began to turn lethargic.

I will not be defeated by… a mere four-wheeler…!

Predaking summoned the last of his strength into his legs. He pounced but overshot Nightbeat. His chest slammed down on the officer, then Predaking flopped and blacked out.

---

Continue to 4_6

Chapter 57: 4_6

“Well, technically you caught the bad bot, so you won,” Prowl joked.

After training and a check-up by a doctor, the Predacons were invited to drink at Maccadam’s with those they had trained with that day. 

Nightbeat raised their small green glass. “That he did.”

Predaking puffed his chest, collecting his pride.

“Weapons were made to equalize,” Prowl said. “To bridge the gap: give the weak the power to defeat the strong. I hope you learned a valuable lesson today.”

“I understand,” Predaking admitted. 

“The weak?” Nightbeat teased. “That’s what I am?”

“Relative to the Preds,” Prowl laughed.

---

The Predacons underwent a few more days of training with various opponents and surprise weapons. For one session, every opponent was a Seeker. As Prowl had warned them, they were very swift and unpredictable, and difficult to pin down. In an all out chase, they were simply impossible to catch.

Still, there was time in the evenings for school, the Iacon market, the bathhouse, and Maccadam’s with the police. While the Predacons dreamt of real action, for now the Decepticons kept to themselves in Kaon or simply went in and out of Maccadam’s. Ripclaw chased down one speeding Velocitronian before anyone else could catch him, then boasted for an entire evening.

Eager for his own moment of glory, Darksteel leapt at the chance after Ironhide received a call during training.

“Hey Ironhide, a new vendor is selling powerful weapons at the market. Should we confiscate them? ” Javelin asked.

“Aye, best that ya do,” Ironhide said.

“Let’s go!” Darksteel exclaimed.

Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx marched with purpose toward the call while Darksteel hurried ahead. At the edge of the market, Javelin and Thunderclash packed up a vendor’s goods while Darksteel looked lost on the other side of the crowd.

“Oh, hey!” Javelin gasped as the three Predacons approached in bot mode. “Are you here for a practice call?”

[Yes], Predaking signed.

Javelin sighed, “It seems Stiletto here was sneaky about what she brought on her ship back to Cybertron!”

The Predacons glanced at the weapons spread over her table and already packed in the container. Most appeared to be large blasters of some sort, but strange in design with impractical looking dishes and curves. There were also other spherical items and one small bolted capsule.

Stiletto was a glaring-orange and pink bot with thick eyelids and a tight-teeth smile. “What! I didn't do anything wrong, collecting these wonderful weapons for my comrades!”

Javelin accused her, “These look like Quintesson weapons! Bringing these to Cybertron was dangerously stupid!”

Darksteel picked up the bolted capsule and started snapping off the locks.

“Darksteel! Don’t mess with that—it could be a bioweapon!” Javelin cried.

Rattling the capsule, Darksteel said, “Eh, it doesn’t sound deadly!”

“If it’s Quintesson, it won’t be a jewel in there,” Javelin warned.

“Maybe it’s a special shard of energon,” Stiletto grinned. “That’s the surprise for the client!”

Javelin said, “You’re not getting any clients. This stuff can be sent into a distant sun!”

“Wasted opportunity, I’m telling you!” Stiletto clacked her metal lips. “What if Quintessons show up? We could catch them off guard, destroy them with their own weapons!”

Thunderclash spoke up, “Best thing you could have done was donate the weapons, not sell them for profit!”

Stiletto shook her head, her smile still tight.

Darksteel’s claw slid into the capsule’s crack.

“Hey!” Javelin barked.

Thunderclash snatched it from Darksteel’s hands and carefully set the capsule in the container. Meanwhile, Javelin checked Darksteel’s claw for visible contaminants.

“Look, we’ll take it from here,” Javelin sighed. “You can go back to training, Predacons.”

The Predacons walked off, Ripclaw sighing, “Oh Darksteel… Can’t you at least try listening once?”

---

When approximately one hundred more Autobots arrived to Iacon, the police were relieved and recruited a few more potential police officers. Darksteel told his brethren after some training, “Well, maybe they don’t need me now.”

“What are you saying?” Ripclaw gasped.

“I want to go exploring.” Darksteel shrugged. “Spend time with the Vehicons, go down to Kaon. I feel like I don’t have a choice anymore on how to spend my cycles. And uh, the Autobots are getting annoying just telling me do this, do that.”

“I share that sentiment,” Skylynx admitted. “Well, not that the Autobots are vexing me. I would just prefer more command over my daily schedule so that I can include more study.”

“Every training session is so enlightening though,” Ripclaw argued. “You can’t miss one!”

Predaking sighed, “Let them go. That way they may develop skills, not resentment.”

---

At the next session, Ironhide and Prowl were disappointed to see that Darksteel and Skylynx were absent.

“Ah, let’s skip a solar cycle,” Ironhide sighed. “I think I better spend some time on the streets campaigning!”

“Hmm?” Ripclaw prompted.

“Election’s comin’ up,” Ironhide grinned. “Cybertron gets t’ vote for new leaders: five ‘Bots, five ‘Cons, and three Neutrals. Yours truly is thinkin’ he’d be good for one of those spots!”

“We’re Neutral, aren’t we?” Ripclaw glanced at Predaking. “Does that mean we could be voted in as leaders of Cybertron?”

Prowl said, “You wouldn’t want that. Sitting in a room, talking all cycle long. You’re meant for action on the streets. And all of you Preds are just too young.”

The idea of leading Cybertron intrigued Predaking, but he supposed Prowl was correct: the Predacons were meant for action. He would rather crush injustice with his own claws.

“I’m not interested either,” Prowl added. “I want to be out here, facing society’s problems head on.”

“That’s all right,” Ironhide drawled. “Just remember, vote for me so the new High Council has the head of police in it!”

“Should we also vote for a head doctor?” Ripclaw wondered. “Who would that be?”

“Oh the doctors are just too busy,” Ironhide said. “An’ I don’t think they’d be interested! But as a Councillor, I’d listen closely to their concerns. An’ to firebots or Rescue Bots if we can get that force started up again.”

Curiously, the Predacons went to the square of Iacon to watch Ironhide campaign. Officers dragged up a table and set up a sign for him: Ironhide: Police Chief for Councillor!

Autobots taking breaks from construction or who may have just been passing by stopped to talk to him. Predaking perked up when Bumblebee appeared and eagerly spoke to Ironhide.

Bumblebee asked, “I don’t mean to copy your set-up, but do you mind if I give campaigning a shot too?”

“Ambitious, Bee! But maybe you can convince ‘Bots t’ vote for you ‘cause you ran a sword through Meg’s chest!”

“Oh, that’s not the approach I was considering…” Bumblebee rubbed his head. “I just wanted to spread Optimus’ message of peace. I think we can work with the Decepticons. I’d like to work with them at the highest level.”

“Well, maybe even for a younger bot you’ll be popular,” Ironhide said. “Everyone knows you stuck real close to Optimus Prime through the War, learning from him. You brought the Autobot high command hope in tough times too. The Council needs your energy so we ain’t just a bunch of grumbling old-timers! And hey, you’re part of the Nemesis crew right now: an Autobot ambassador! Tell you what, we’ll get you a table and sign, you say good stuff about me, an' I’ll do the same for you!”

Bumblebee smiled. “Thank you, I appreciate that!”

After Bumblebee had set up his table, a few other Autobots copied him and Ironhide. And then more, until a row of candidates formed around the perimeter of the square.

“Okay, now we’re on guard,” Prowl told Predaking and Ripclaw. “Watch out for suspicious behaviour and protect everyone.”

However, the day passed calmly as Autobots stopped by the tables to talk with candidates. Predaking and Ripclaw snapped to attention when small winged balls floated into the square, but Prowl explained: “Camera drones. We got some wannabe reporters already.”

After a while, some of the recorded footage appeared on the screens of the square.

“Who decides what is displayed on the screens?” Predaking asked.

“Ultra Magnus or bots at the Spaceport, for now,” Prowl said.

“Who is Ultra Magnus?” Ripclaw asked.

Prowl turned his head slightly to Predaking. “He is the one whose hand you crushed.”

Predaking jolted.

“He doesn’t even need to campaign. He’s guaranteed to win one of the top five Autobot votes,” Prowl went on. “He is basically the second-in-command of the Autobots. He’s running Cybertron and all the trials already.”

Bluestreak appeared soon after.

“Prowl! Isn’t this exciting?” Bluestreak chirped. “Oh, I wanted to see something like this way back before the War! Look, bots just on the street telling us what good they would try to do for Cybertron! How am I going to pick just five Autobots? I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings… Who are you going to vote for?”

“Me?” Prowl said. “Ultra Magnus and Ironhide of course. Silverbolt, Chromedome, and Kup would all be excellent choices since they won their Campaigns and brought their soldiers home.”

“Aw but isn’t Bumblebee nice? I like what he’s saying about planning a future with the Decepticons and addressing their needs to reduce hostilities.”

“I don’t want an Autobot leader who will bend their knee to ‘Cons,” Prowl muttered. “They’ll take advantage of that.”

“I think I’ll go Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, Kup, Chromedome, and Bumblebee.”

“Why not Silverbolt?”

Bluestreak replied, “Ehh, I don’t know. He’s kind of… arrogant? I don’t know if that’s the right word. I think he might set off the Decepticons.”

“Alright, but did you think about which Decepticons you will vote for? We have to pick five,” Prowl told him.

“Scrap! I totally forgot. Primus, how do I pick Decepticon leaders? Who do you recommend?”

Prowl sighed, “I haven’t made up my mind yet. Decepticons started campaigning earlier and I was trying to watch some of that footage. Primus though, the choices are not good. Obsidian and Strika are guaranteed to win two spots, but I still don’t trust them. Krok and the other Decepticon ambassadors may be slightly more trustworthy than the average ‘Con, so maybe they could work.”

Bluestreak continued, “Hmm okay. For the Neutral seats, I was thinking Override and Ransack because they have leadership experience on Velocitron. And then this really sweet candy maker who came from Caminus: Nautica.”

“I recall Ransack supporting Megatron’s ideals and fighting against Override.”

“But look at them over there now! They’re campaigning together. If they can make peace, then they could help us make peace!”

Prowl exhaled, “And your third choice is… a candy maker?”

“Maybe the mood would be lighter in the Council meetings if someone handed out candy every time!” Bluestreak laughed. “Unless one of the Predacons wants to be a Councillor?”

Predaking and Ripclaw shook their heads.

Prowl repeated, “They are too young regardless.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing!” Bluestreak shrugged. “They’ll be themselves, not acting like how bots think Councillors should act. They don’t know the old norms and rules. They’ll be fresh and maybe they’ll point out how annoying bureaucracy is! Wouldn’t it be so much better without bureaucracy?”

“Order has its merits.”

“Oh, you. Well, I better get back to work!” Bluestreak held Prowl’s hands. Prowl withdrew them and glanced around. Bluestreak patted Prowl’s face and exclaimed, “It’s okay! No enemies here!”

“Cameras, Bluestreak.”

“Not pointed at us!”

Bluestreak transformed and zoomed off. Prowl sighed. Finally, he told Predaking and Ripclaw, “My options for the Autobot Councillors are good though. If you don’t know who to vote for, just copy me.”

---

Continue to 4_7

Chapter 58: 4_7

While Ironhide assigned Autobots onto patrols at the station, Predaking and Ripclaw received Darksteel’s message:

---

Darksteel:
I’m at the farms! You should join me! There are so many things to consume here!

---

“Where are the… farms?” Ripclaw asked.

“Meliflux Fields?” Prowl replied. “Too far away.”

Ironhide wandered over and asked the Predacons, “Now, what should I do with just the two of ya today?”

Ripclaw exclaimed, “Oh! Do you think today I could get the label ‘Police’ on me?”

Sunstreaker clapped his hands. “Oh yes! Can I do it?”

Prowl smirked. “Oh, you want that?”

Ripclaw laughed, “Well if I’m marked officially, there would be less panic when a Predacon like me slams someone to the ground!”

Sunstreaker asked, “Do you both want labels?”

“No,” Predaking grunted. 

“Why not?” Ripclaw asked. “Everyone could know us as the Predacon cops, feared by all criminals across Cybertron!”

“There is only one insignia or mark I wish to bear,” Predaking muttered.

“Your own face?” Prowl pointed at his Predacon insignia. 

The one-eyed cop, Javelin, peered around Ironhide. “Oh my, it actually is his face!”

Predaking expanded his chest. “I did not choose the design, but rather, Shockwave did. However, I am the chosen leader of the Predacons.”

Sunstreaker quickly covered his mouth and Predaking glared at him as he tried not to laugh.

Ironhide said, “We’d be happy to welcome you as an official member, Ripclaw, lettin’ ya wear our proud name.”

“Okay, sit down.” Sunstreaker dashed away and came back with a box. “I already cut out the letters, hoping you all would want this eventually. How is this?”

He picked up yellow metal letters from a box.

“That looks great,” Ripclaw said.

Sunstreaker fluttered his lashes. “Thanks! The yellow is to match your insignia’s colour. Now for you, I think this wide green-blue strip on your chest would be perfect. The text will show in bot- and beast- form.” 

Predaking sighed and stepped back. Sunstreaker welded the word Police on one side of her chest, then after some discussion, a second time on her other side. 

“Fantastic!” Ripclaw bounced onto her feet and puffed her chest.

Prowl grinned. “Looks good on you, Green.”

Ripclaw shifted under the light back and forth so her words glinted. “Yeah, this is right for me. I’m sorry Skylynx and Darksteel aren’t really interested in… joining us.”

“You’re plenty,” Prowl said. “Now I wonder if we can hold onto big King, huh?”

The smiles and bright eyes that gazed at Predaking evaporated his moodiness. He nearly smiled himself, but only replied, “I will offer my strength in keeping peace on Cybertron, but do not expect me to wear the label.”

“Fair, I don’t wear it either!” Sunstreaker laughed. “It looks great on you Ripclaw, and it’s super practical like you said, so bots don’t misunderstand your intentions when you fight. But me, I’ve never wanted my appearance to scream cop. I want to be a pretty face, kind, welcoming: someone a victim is comfortable talking to.”

Ironhide nodded slowly. “We need all kinds on the force.”

“Let’s take a tour around Iacon, show everyone your new mark,” Prowl smiled. “Then Kaon later to scare those ‘Cons stiff!”

“Yes!” Ripclaw crowed.

Predaking followed Ripclaw and Prowl outside. Sunstreaker peeked out to see Ripclaw transform to beast-form, displaying Police on both sides of her chest. He squealed then hopped back inside. Predaking transformed as well, crawling behind Ripclaw and Prowl through Iacon. They passed by construction sites and all apartments, public places like the library, hospital, bathhouse, and Maccadam’s. Prowl and Ripclaw locked gazes with any Decepticon that crossed their path, receiving needled glares but no barked threats. 

The Vehicons stared at them. Predaking’s spark twisted; he had no intention of intimidating them. When Predaking lagged behind, Ripclaw signed at him, [What?].

Prowl was watching, so Predaking did not respond. At that moment, a voice came through their comms:

“We got a Bot-Con brawl in the Wash Area! Requesting back-up.”

“Let’s go!” Prowl transformed and raced away.

Prowl beat them into the bathhouse. Predaking and Ripclaw charged inside in bot-form to the sounds of yelling and crunching metal. Prowl was in the thick of it, uppercutting a larger Decepticon’s chin. His opponent slipped and fell into the shimmering bath. Beside him, Greenlight threw down a Decepticon face-first into the oily floor while X-Brawn pinned a third Decepticon. By then, the remaining Decepticons were outnumbered and pinned down by other Autobots.

Ripclaw fished out the Decepticon from the bath and held them up.

Greenlight’s Decepticon snapped, “Fragging Autobots! I’ll kill ya!” 

She popped out cuffs from her chest cavity and locked them on the Decepticon’s wrists.

“You’re in trouble now!” Greenlight huffed. “You all just booked a trip to prison!”

As the cops cuffed every Decepticon, X-Brawn’s captive snarled, “Those slagheaps started it! They fragging started it!”

The other Autobots in the bathhouse roared back at the Decepticons and an argument broke loose. 

“Ironhide, we apprehended the ‘Cons at the bathhouse,” Greenlight reported. “We’ll need a ground bridge outside to the prison and six open cells.”

“This is scrap!” the Decepticon in Ripclaw’s hand shouted.

The Autobots dragged the struggling, bleeding Decepticons outside. One Autobot guest explained to Greenlight, “Those ‘Cons are liars! They started it, looking at us all wrong. We were defending ourselves! We just knew they were about to attack us, we knew it!”

“Mm,” Prowl hummed in agreement.

“Big scrap!” a Decepticon yelled.

“Enough,” Prowl ordered. “I don’t want to hear it. We’ll talk to one side then hear yours.”

“These glitches ain’t gonna believe any side but their own,” a Decepticon hissed.

“Oi!” X-Brawn called. “Don’t talk to an officer like that. We’ll take that as a threat!”

Many curses spilled from the Decepticons' mouths. The officers walked through the ground bridge, tossed the Decepticons into cells of red-fizzing bars, then returned to Iacon shaking their heads.

“Typical ‘Cons,” X-Brawn drawled.

Prowl waved over the Autobots from the brawl. “So, tell me what happened.”

“Well, just like she said,” one Autobot gestured to the other. “We were relaxing in a pool and the ‘Cons looked at us all wrong. We called them out and we got out of the bath. They stomped up to us; we pushed them.”

“So they approached you first,” Prowl nodded deeply.

“Yeah, they were just looking for an excuse to fight,” another Autobot muttered.

“Yep,” Prowl sighed. “They’ll be doing a lot of that in the near future. A video of Megatron defecting doesn’t matter to them: they still want to keep up the fight.”

“We need to ban them from here,” an Autobot urged. “How can a bot relax in some hot oil with ‘Cons in the same room?”

“I hear you,” Prowl said.

Prowl asked their names and eventually, all the officers involved returned to the station to report to Ironhide. After hearing it all, Ironhide sighed deeply and said, “Aye, now begins our daily lives.”

---

Ripclaw and Prowl headed to Kaon while Predaking excused himself to go to school. No one stopped him, but the police looked at him with disappointment. When Predaking flopped into the desk beside Skylynx, he felt guilty about how at ease he felt. Everything was quiet and still, so peaceful and relaxing, yet only because of the Dinobots guarding the school. 

Perhaps I should not enjoy this, he thought. If it is my duty to fight and uphold peace, then I am wrong to be here.

Dominus Ambus stepped onto Predaking’s desk in his turbofox form. 

“Are you alright, Predaking?” he murmured.

“Yes, my apologies.” Predaking straightened and wrote on his desk.

With a little claw, Dominus Ambus wrote above Predaking’s note: You can talk to me after class about anything.

---

Predaking did not. He broadened his chest and returned to police training and work.

Strength is my most important attribute. I must employ it. To fight for a noble cause is what I was meant to do. 

Predaking and Ripclaw met up with Skylynx that night; Darksteel was still out on his adventure. They drank energon from Maccadam’s, studied from the CSL book, then slept. Though peeking an eye open, Predaking watched Ripclaw’s soft content expression as she nestled in her chain blankets.

They woke to a call of a violent fight in Iacon. One Autobot and one Decepticon tussled with blasters and blades, trying their best to kill each other until Ripclaw hurled them to different sides of the street. Back to powerdown she then went, plopping down quite pleased with herself.

The next day there was a fight within the library. This time, Predaking was first to grab the Decepticon by the neck and carry her out. Then came the night and a brawl outside Maccadam’s. Predaking, Ripclaw, and other officers arrived to find Autobots standing over beaten down Vehicons.

“You wouldn’t believe the nerve!” one Autobot cried. “They said, ‘You want to take this outside?’”

Predaking gaped as the purple Vehicons twitched.

Maccadam himself stood at the doors. “Now I don’t know what happened here, but I am very disappointed. You knew I don’t allow fighting inside my establishment, so you thought it alright to take it only as far as my doorstep!”

“We’re sorry, Sir, it’s just these Vehicons… They really had it coming!”

“What did they do?” Predaking demanded.

Jazz hushed, “Don’t worry, King, we’ll ask the questions.”

“They sat too close to us!” an Autobot exclaimed. “That was already suspicious, but then they started harassing us. One of them ‘accidentally’ knocked over my oil on me! So I said if I weren’t in Maccadam’s right now…!”

A Vehicon propped himself up on his elbows and stared at them.

“I think you should all go home,” Maccadam warned. “Cool down, and come apologize to me later if you want to be let back in.”

The Autobot stained with oil growled, “How are you going to know if the right one is apologizing to you?”

He gestured at the wheeled Vehicons on the ground. 

“Enough now,” Maccadam uttered. 

The Autobot patrons sighed.

“You want us to take in these Vehicons?” Jazz asked them.

“Nah,” the Autobot covered in oil said. “I think they learned their lesson.”

The Autobots stalked off as Prowl and other officers drove in.

“What happened?” Prowl asked.

Jazz explained. Predaking reached down and helped the Vehicons stand, asking them, “Do you require medical assistance?”

The Vehicons shook themselves from his grasp. Saying nothing, they transformed and drove away. Predaking’s spark stung to watch them go.

“What if they truly did not start that fight?” Predaking wondered.

“Could be possible,” Maccadam said. “But they didn’t deny it, did they?”

“No, they didn’t,” Jazz agreed.

---

Continue to 4_8

Chapter 59: 4_8

The blasting, foul-mouthed voices of the Decepticons grated more on Predaking’s audio receptors and he noticed all the patterns Prowl had taught them. Many red-eyed bots were tossed into cells and now, whenever he saw red-eyed Decepticons prowling around Iacon, he knew later that day there would be a call. He stalked them like he would have if Starscream had manifested on the streets. 

Predaking led Ripclaw and Tracks after a large dark Decepticon with beady red eyes.

“Go to the pits, Predacons!” the Decepticon shouted back.

“That’s no way to talk to an officer,” Ripclaw growled.

The Decepticon flipped them off with a blaster then walked into the library. The officer Tracks exclaimed, “We can’t let him bear that in the Hall of Records!”

Tracks and the Predacons followed the Decepticon inside, but by then, his blaster had been tucked away. 

“Frag. Off!” he snapped.

They let the Decepticon travel up the elevator, but they hung around on the ground floor. When the Decepticon came back down after some time, he drifted eerily close to Tracks.

“Watch it,” Tracks warned.

“You’re vermin,” the Decepticon hissed in his face. “Military vermin. Won’t be long before we shoot you up like retrorats!”

Ripclaw slammed the Decepticon to the desk and Tracks cuffed his wrists. The librarian behind it skittered far out of their way.

Tracks scoffed, “You should have stopped at ‘vermin’ and I would have let that slide.”

“You pompous cop!” the Decepticon spat. “You only protect your own! You don’t care that two of ours went missing in Iacon! Bet you’re behind it anyway!”

“No ‘Cons have gone missing in Iacon,” Tracks said. “And we certainly wouldn’t have killed any!”

“Liars,” the Decepticon uttered. “You killed them when no one was looking. They came into Iacon for shots at Maccadam’s and never came home!”

“Maybe they went exploring.” Tracks hauled up the Decepticon. “Autobots don’t murder and hide bodies. That isn’t our way as much as you're used to that behaviour from your own side.”

“That isn’t our way,” the Decepticon mocked. “Scrap that. I’ve seen what you’d do to Decepticons on the field. The way you’d play games for the highest kill count. Counting those you killed who were already lying down n’ wounded.”

“That is appalling. I have never heard of anything of the sort from my faction!”

“Then you weren’t paying enough attention.”

“What’s your name?” Tracks asked.

“Derail. I’m a doctor.”

“Doctor, huh?” Tracks unlocked the cuffs. “Fine. I’ll let you off with a warning this time. Watch what you say in Iacon.”

Derail puffed and lumbered out the door.

“Have Decepticons truly gone missing in Iacon?” Predaking asked. “Is this something we neglected to investigate?”

Tracks shrugged. “We heard some rumours on the DataNet, but it’s a Decepticon conspiracy theory. We searched and asked around. We patrol all the time. You know we hear every Autobot-Decepticon showdown. Those Decepticons probably went out to explore Cybertron without telling anyone.”

Predaking took his word for it. It certainly seemed that Decepticons would craft any excuse to fight Autobots. He couldn’t even imagine how an Autobot could kill a Decepticon in the city without a sound or without someone glimpsing them dragging away a large body. Where would a body be kept or disposed of regardless?

“Really, what nonsense!” Tracks glanced back at them. “You hear them talk. Who do you think the homicidal faction really is?”

“Not you,” Ripclaw sighed.

---

After many interruptions to their recharge cycles, Predaking and Ripclaw led themselves home early to rest. 

“Maybe I could sniff around the city for blood energon,” Ripclaw said. “Just in case Devcon did something, though I haven’t seen him in a while.”

She punched in the door code and they stepped inside their spacious house. All Darksteel’s lamps flicked on with the switch, illuminating a bot in the corner of the room.

Ripclaw cried, “There’s someone—!”

The dark bot raised a gun and shot one dart into her chest and another into Predaking’s. The door shut behind them as they collapsed.

“Wh-what…” Ripclaw choked. 

Both Predacons twitched but their bodies failed to obey them.

“They’re down,” the bot reported in a whistling accent. “Send the ground bridge.”

“What…” Predaking also slurred.

The bot ripped out the darts as a ground bridge opened. Predaking summoned all his strength, yet his body remained numb and unresponsive. Panic boiled his blood and he flicked up his eyes before bulky Decepticons stomped through the portal and grabbed hold of him. Grunting, they dragged him through into a cold grey room before bringing in Ripclaw. Then, the ground bridge closed and home disappeared. There were only bare walls, the floor, and a ring of six Decepticons. Among them was Vortex.

A burly beige Decepticon with a magenta visor exclaimed, “Oh ho, this is why you’re number one, Lockdown! Just look at them!”

Ripclaw’s eyes flicked to Predaking's. Her T-cog groaned deep in her gut but she did not transform.

“Don’t bother,” the black and green Decepticon—Lockdown—drawled. “My drugs could nearly knock out a titan. You aren’t going anywhere.”

The largest Decepticon in the room, blue with thick plates around his neck, stomped up to Predaking and roughly lifted his head up by the horns. “Playing cop, were you, Predacons? I think we better put an end to that here and now.”

“Boss’s right,” grunted a pale green tankformer. “We don’t want you playing this game.”

A brown and purple flier proposed, “Should we combine and stomp out their processors?” 

“Whoa now!” the beige and magenta bot protested. “Do you know how much their parts could be worth? We have to terminate them gently to harvest everything in perfect condition! Their pyrovalves are worth a fortune to anyone who wants to breathe fire like a Dinobot! And come on, don’t you think the vibrant hide of that one would make for beautiful tiles or decorations? And both of them have silky wings, why, I could sell precious fireproof cloaks made out of them!”

Lockdown prowled up to Ripclaw and brandished his hook for a hand. “I could gut them for you, Swindle. It’ll take longer than usual, but I can do it without damaging the goods.”

Ripclaw trembled and looked wildly around.

Vortex said, “Go ahead. They deserve it for almost ruining the chance of reviving Blast Off.”

Lockdown's hook swung into her gut. Slowly, he cut upwards while Ripclaw quivered and released cut off mewling sounds.

“Tough metal, although, what else would you expect with Predacons?” Lockdown said.

His hook switched to a saw blade. A high-pitched whirling filled the room before the blade worked up Ripclaw's abdomen. A gush of energon sprayed and both Predacons screamed silently.

“There we go,” Lockdown laughed.

“Careful now!” Swindle tutted.

Predaking's arteries threatened to burst from stress. No matter how much he willed his body to move, he could do nothing but helplessly watch without the choice to shut his eyes or shift his pupils. Lockdown turned the blade horizontally and made another cut. As more of Ripclaw's blood washed the floor, she began to twitch.

“Huh, you're losing your drug there, Lockdown,” the tankformer pointed out.

“Mm.” Lockdown continued cutting until he pulled all the plates from Ripclaw's abdomen. Now she was able to whimper from pain and leak golden tears from her eyes and joints. While she could not see, Predaking witnessed some of her internal organs now. Swindle leaned over, started pondering prices, when her claws swung at his face.

“Whoa!” Swindle yelped.

“Ah okay, this is excessive. I'll just make it quick.” Vortex removed his sharp blades from his back.

No!

Vortex sliced Ripclaw's neck, severing her head from her body.

“Want some mercy?” Vortex looked into Predaking's eyes, then swung the blades down on his neck.

---

Game Over: The butcher shop

Chapter 60: 4_9

Beside the crumbled wall surrounding Iacon, the Predacons faced Ironhide and Prowl in their bot modes. 

Should I remain here? Predaking wondered. It still feels like we have not been given much choice in this ‘police’ matter.

Ironhide drawled, “Alright, before we get ya dealin’ with any calls, I gotta see your strength and your control. Fun part first: show me your strength.”

Predaking and his brethren smirked at each other.

Well, if the Autobots wish to witness our power…

The Predacons searched for the heaviest chunks of rubble to lift.

“This is easy— we’ve done this before!” Darksteel crowed, sinking his claws into metal and raising a chunk over his head.

Ironhide whistled as each Predacon lifted enormous, heavy blocks of metal. Prowl’s jaw dropped.

“Can ya throw ‘em too?” Ironhide laughed.

The Predacons growled and lobbed them. The chunks landed with ground-shaking booms. 

Ironhide called, “Alright, show me your beast-form and tear somethin’ apart!”

Transforming to beast-mode, they attacked the rubble. Ironhide then tasked them to melt chunks to sludge. Next, they raced into the sky, made sharp turns in flight, and wove around the closest buildings.

When they returned, Ironhide laughed, “Aren’t they a force of nature, Prowl?”

“Er, yes…” Prowl gulped.

Perhaps it is worth my time to train, Predaking thought with amusement. 

“Alright, Preds,” Ironhide said. He led them to tall and flat pieces of rubble. “All of you in bot-form, punch these as hard as you can. But punch when I say so, got it?”

They lined up.

“Punch!”

Their fists drove pits into the pieces of wall.

“Whew! Could put whole Minicons in those holes,” Ironhide chuckled. “Alright, scoot down to new pieces and listen closely.”

The Predacons lined up again and Darksteel sneered at his brethren.

“Ready? Ok…. Pu—stop!”

The Predacons punched their slabs.

“Ah, ah!” Ironhide tutted.

Predaking and his brethren snapped their heads to Ironhide.

“Imagine that was a bot we thought was guilty,” Ironhide said. “But then, oops, we got the wrong bot. The command changed but you were too slow. You just hurt someone innocent!”

The Predacons rolled their eyes at each other.

Ironhide went on, “Okay now, try another set. This time, I want to see you swing at the metal as hard as you can but stop thiiis far away.”

Ironhide raised two nearly pinching fingers.

“Ready? Go!”

They swung but clacked the metal instead of missing it.

Ironhide cried, “Let’s try again! All of your power, cut off at the last moment!”

They continued practice: cutting short their punches and striking the metal with varying degrees of power. 

Ironhide dragged out a short piece of wall.

“Ok, this is an evil little ‘Con. But we’re gonna take them alive. Come up an’ give ‘em a punch t’ knock them over, damaging them as little as possible!”

They practiced small putts with their palms to knock over their chunks. The Predacons pulled out different sizes and weights of rubble to train with in bot- and beast-form and carried on until the afternoon. Then, Ironhide asked Prowl. “Well, would you like to get involved?”

“M-me?” Prowl stammered.

“Sure! You can help ‘em learn how to chase a four-wheeler. How about it?”

Prowl’s eyes likely bugged behind his visor.

“Now here’s the challenge,” Ironhide grinned. “You four aren’t gonna to tackle or pin Prowl. At high speeds, you’re likely to give the target a bad cut swooping down on them. And we don’t want t’ hurt suspects. Maybe Prowl is a bad bot, maybe he is innocent. So we got t’ pretend he’s innocent.”

“Pretend?” Prowl peered at him.

“Haha! Oh, Prowl. So now, you four Predacons should work together. Try t’ block off his paths and box him in!”

“I am not certain they are ready for this!” Prowl argued.

“They’re ready! Predaking caught Whirl and Ripclaw caught Blackwall without mutilatin’ ‘em!” Ironhide winked. “They ain’t gonna touch ya or hurt ya! Unless you said somethin’ to make ‘em angry, eh?”

Darksteel and Ripclaw laughed in a shrieky manner.

“Alright.” Prowl squared his shoulders. “If we are… going to do this… I apologize again for my past behaviour.”

The Predacons chittered and dug their claws into the ground.

Ironhide said, “Prowl, you got to the count of thirty. One…”

Prowl transformed into a white and black vehicle. After a screech of his tires, he tore off alongside the ruins.

Ironhide continued counting, then switched to his fingers while he spoke.

“Predacons! You got a call about a four-wheeled Decepticon with a kidnapped Minicon inside his storage space! He must be apprehended without harm! Go!”

Screeching in delight, the Predacons took flight. Ironhide transformed and trailed them as they shot after Prowl. Predaking shouldered his way to the front, his shadow falling over Prowl as his brethren fanned out to his sides. A fireball rose up Predaking’s throat before striking a spot ahead of Prowl.

“Hey! No fire!” Prowl hollered while veering around burning metal.

It was not forbidden! Predaking thought. 

Skylynx hit the ground and spread his wings. As Prowl skidded to turn, Skylynx swung his claws instinctively but quickly slammed them back down. Transforming to bot-mode, Prowl kicked off Skylynx, then returned to vehicle-mode and drove in the opposite direction. Ripclaw dropped in front of him, flaring her wings and whacking her long tail down in his path. Prowl accelerated, transformed, and leapt to clear her tail.

Prowl zipped away; Ripclaw signed, [FAST!]

Predaking waved for his brethren’s attention. 

[In front of him, I will fall. I will open my wings,] Predaking explained then pointed at Ripclaw. [Behind him, you will fall. Open your wings. We will make circle. He will not see.] Predaking pointed at Skylynx and Darksteel. [Come behind us. If he try leave? Stop him.] 

They signed that they understood. Catching up to Prowl, Predaking crashed down ahead of him and Ripclaw behind him, both spreading their wings. Skylynx and Darksteel landed and prowled around them while their circle of wings tightened. As Predaking and Ripclaw threatened Prowl with fire, he quickly transformed and raised his hands.

“Alright! This criminal wants no trouble!”

The Predacons transformed and retracted their wall of wings.

“Did you like playing criminal?” Ripclaw chuckled. 

“Primus, I need Maccadam’s now…” Prowl uttered. As Ironhide arrived, laughing, Prowl growled, “If there’s a next time, make it Sideburn!”

“Oh, you bet I will,” Ironhide grinned. “And if we pre-warn everyone in Iacon, we can do some street training with the Predacons!”

Ironhide walked around and patted each Predacon on the arm.

“Outstanding work! And don’t think I missed that CSL! I think y’all were made for this!”

Predaking and his brethren smiled at each other.

“I still prefer breaking things,” Darksteel said. “But, that was fun!”

Ironhide nudged Prowl. “So Maccadam’s, huh? Sure, let’s go now!”

---

Part of Predaking wanted to hold onto his spite for the past and refuse, but he came along without a word of protest. As Iaconian police officers moved tables and booths to make room for them all, Predaking’s spark flushed with warmth as he sat with them.

Prowl texted a message on his cellular device and soon after, Bluestreak appeared to sit beside him. 

“Aha, Bluestreak!” Ironhide cried. “Glad you’re here t’ listen to what Prowl had to do today!”

Prowl frowned. Bluestreak hooted and clung to Prowl’s arm. “Ohhhhh what happened todayyyy?”

“Hold on, we gotta order first!” Ironhide laughed.

“Oil?” Ripclaw looked to her brethren.

They agreed. Once everyone’s drinks had come, they chugged them and laughed at the summary of training.

“Aww, poor Prowl!” Bluestreak tittered. “You didn’t spring a leak getting chased, did you?”

“Certainly not!” he growled. Then Prowl pointed at the others. “Laugh now, but next time, it’ll be you the Predacons are after!”

“That’s right,” Ironhide chuckled. “You all gotta help train your new colleagues!”

“I don’t have wheels!” Nightbird protested.

“Even better! The Predacons need to practice chasing flying beast bots! All kinds of Cybertronians!”

Prowl clapped his hands together. “Actually, first I should teach them how to deal with different types of Cybertronians. The Predacons might not even know what variations exist.”

Skylynx replied, “Well, we did learn many types in a biology lesson at school.”

“I can tell you tips and tricks on taking down any of them,” Prowl said. “We can go over their strengths and weaknesses. I wrote a book about this subject during the War.”

Darksteel said, “I mean, what we did today can probably work on any bot.”

Prowl argued, “Today was a simple exercise where none of us were permitted to harm each other! Things will get messier in real life when your targets fight back.”

“That’s right,” Ironhide said. “We know you’re very strong, but we still gotta teach you how to fight against all kinds of bots. Gently, viciously, all levels in between.”

Predaking put down his oil. “We know how to fight. Namely, I have notable battle experience. Out of respect for your Prime’s noble sacrifice, I had refrained from saying this, but I have defeated your leader in battle. What do I have to learn from you?”

The blue and yellow officer, Nightbeat, shook their head. “Don’t be arrogant. There are many factors at play in a battle! A change in your health, a certain opponent, a powerful weapon, a difficult terrain… could be your downfall.”

Prowl asked, “So, you think Predacons have no weaknesses?”

“Nope!” Darksteel exclaimed. “We’re the toughest of all Cybertronians. And terrain isn’t a problem when we can fly.”

“Indeed,” Predaking said.

“I wish I were holding my book to smack you four on the heads,” Prowl growled. “I’m going to prepare a presentation for you. Tomorrow, come back to the police station. I’ll be in charge of this lesson!”

---

Continue to 4_10

Chapter 61: 4_10

The Predacons spent their night at the bathhouse and at home. When they arrived at the police station the next morning, Prowl let them inside. 

Ironhide greeted them, then said: “So, today’s the big trial day of two Decepticon generals. I got t’ go to Kaon to be one of the judges. Prowl’s in charge for the time being. Keep it calm n’ indoors today.”

After Ironhide left, Prowl gave the Predacons a quick tour of the police station. The few officers who were around waved at them. Then, the Predacons sat around a table in the “interrogation room”. Bringing a large tablet with him, Prowl adjusted it on the table to face them.

“Okay, since you seem to get bored easily, I’ll try to make this engaging,” Prowl told them. “Let’s start with a test: how sharp are your optics? I’m going to flash through some pictures. Shout out ‘Bot’ or ‘Con as fast as you can identify them.”

Predaking and his brethren leaned forward as the screen powered on. An image of a red vehicle with a red, almost invisible, insignia appeared.

“'Bot!” they chorused.

Prowl nodded. “Good.”

He showed another image of a four-wheeler, letting them scan for the insignia.

“'Bot!”

“Yep.”

Prowl flicked through the images as soon as each was identified.

“'Con!”

“'Bot!”

“'Con!”

Prowl asked, “How about this one?”

The image showed the back of a grey bot with spiky shoulders; no insignia was visible on them.

“Likely a Decepticon,” Predaking said. “The body resembles Megatron, although, it is evidently not him.”

“Great observation, Predaking,” Prowl replied. “This is most likely a Decepticon. Recognize the ‘brute’ look: bulky, spiky, dull-coloured, murderous look in the optics, sometimes tattooed.”

Prowl showed the backside of a quadrupedal beast bot with a large head. He prompted them, “Now what do you think for the Chompazoid?”

Predaking asked, “Are they experiments of Shockwave?”

“No, naturally forged,” Prowl answered.

“Uh, not sure,” Darksteel said.

“Most beast types aligned themselves with Decepticons,” Prowl explained. “And a large beast bot like this, a predatory species, practically has a sign saying, ‘I am a Decepticon!’”

Skylynx inquired, “Why did beast bots prefer the Decepticons if they were not created by Shockwave?”

“Perhaps the Autobots mistreated them,” Predaking grunted.

Prowl replied, “The unfortunate truth is most large beast types are not like you. You four are different.”

“We are Predacons,” Predaking affirmed. “Perhaps the strongest and most intelligent.”

“Mm, anyway, Chompazoids have feral instincts and a strong urge to devour metal. If I am not mistaken, Predacons do not digest metal. The prey drive is stronger in Chompazoids, so they are a danger to those around them. However, Decepticons would let them run loose without consequence for their actions. The Autobots had rules Chompazoids didn’t like. Number one: Do not cannibalize the enemy…. Primus. Even if energon is scarce.”

“Huh, we did not cover this species in class,” Skylynx noted.

“Oh, there are many kinds of beastformers. Take the Arachnicon…”

Prowl showed an image of a small, multi-limbed black bot.

“What is very important to know about them is that they produce a sticky metal mesh that can bind up your mouths and claws. They can also use mind control to make an army of Insecticons attack you—underground beast bots. Though Arachnicons are small, you must take caution and attempt to catch them by surprise.”

“Interesting,” Predaking said.

“There are too many species of beastformers to cover right now, but note that any beastformer can have acid spit or a venomous bite or sting. Now onto the main point: how to handle beastformers based on their sizes and attributes. And I’ll also tell you how I would try to exploit your size and attributes.”

“Buaha!” Darksteel laughed. “You drove like the wind yesterday trying to escape us! There’s no way you could beat one of us!”

“Incapacitating an enemy requires more than just brute strength,” Prowl said. “You may scoff at the idea that a smaller bot can defeat you, but everybot, including you, has weaknesses.”

Predaking did scoff at the idea. “Predacons have no weaknesses that can be exploited. Even if our optics were targeted, we would still annihilate the enemy in our wrath.”

Ripclaw agreed, “Pain would make me even more ferocious!”

Prowl sighed, “But you admitted that the optics are a vulnerability. And yes, they are. So that’s a start… If a bot was going to fight you and they were smart—”

“Who would be smart to fight us instead of running away?” Darksteel snickered.

Prowl uttered, “A bot who is desperate or very confident in their combat skills. They are who you should fear.”

Predaking replied, “Megatron thought he could face me. I was the superior combatant.”

Prowl’s mouth twisted. “Have you never been harmed in battle? I sincerely doubt everything has just been so easy. If you have the battle experience you say, Predaking, then at some point your arrogance has harmed you.”

Predaking hesitated. “Perhaps… I did not truly have the opportunity to defeat Megatron as I would have, for Starscream shot me in the back like a coward. I was wounded; I did not previously believe him capable of incapacitating me. Although, I was in bot-form in that battle. My weaker form.”

“You may think it is your weaker form. But there are advantages and disadvantages to any body type. So, if you all are ready to listen, I will teach you about large beast types.”

The Predacons watched as Prowl pulled up an image of a feline beast. Prowl pointed at parts of the example Decepticon.

“As with Predacons, any beastformer is most agile in their beast-form. They have maximized their range of motion, increasing their speed and strength as well. Some beastformers are larger in beast-form, but this means that their armour is less compact and their metal is stretched thin. Like it or not, your beast-form is easier to stab than your bot-form. Your vital parts are best protected in bot-form. Your weakest points will be your joints, neck, abdomen, and optics.”

Prowl marked each point onscreen.

“You four have very large exposed joints. Some beast bots have them better covered. Now, don’t look so sour. I am not trying to knock you down, but elevate you. Knowing your weaknesses means you will defend them properly. That will keep you safe and online. If a huge ‘Con swings an axe, you will want to turn a part of your body with more layers of armour into that blow. Assuming that you can’t avoid the blow, of course. Remember that dodging is a valid technique and not cowardly. We’ll practice that in training. If that ‘Con is smart, they will swing at the underside of your neck instead of the top. A bot with a sword could try piercing you through a joint or the underside of your abdomen. To make you hurt, they might swing at the thin joint connecting the tips of your tails.”

“Oh, finally an advantage to not having a long tail!” Darksteel exclaimed.

“Now you’re getting it,” Prowl grinned. “A long tail can be a great weapon, sweeping bots off their feet or slicing and stabbing them, but it can also be a vulnerability to protect. Ripclaw, if your enemy knows of your venom, they will do everything in their power to sever your stinger. Take caution…”

Prowl showed a beast with wings.

“Wings are also a great advantage and disadvantage. Flight allows you a whole other angle to attack from, but they are fragile body parts. I have seen your wings and it would not take much effort to damage them. So, on the ground, you should fight with your wings folded or pressed back. And learn to fight as though you cannot fly, preparing for a situation in which you may lose your flight abilities.”

The Predacons begrudgingly nodded.

“Seekers share this weakness…” Prowl pulled up an image of Starscream. Predaking, Skylynx, and Darksteel leered. “Damage a Seeker’s wings or any of their parts necessary for flight, and they will lose their greatest advantage. As beasts, you can still manage well with your claws, fangs, tails, and size. But many Seekers will struggle or flee if they cannot fly. Seekers often focus all their training on aerial combat and not hand-to-hand combat. Bear in mind that some do train for hand-to-hand combat, and they can be quicker and faster than four-wheelers. Seekers have some of the fastest reaction times of any Cybertronian race and may use jet boosts to increase their speed or pull off unexpected manoeuvres. The smaller the Seeker, the more agile, as a general rule. If you have a large Seeker, their fighting style is closer to tankformers or similar heavy vehicle types…”

Prowl showed images of tank and armoured vehicle Decepticons.

“The heavy classes have the strongest, most compact armour. Perhaps similar to your own. In their alt-forms, it is very hard to damage them. For a tankformer, obviously try to damage their cannon. Otherwise, use your weight to hold them down. In bot-mode, they excel in close combat using their bare hands or brutish weapons. This type is abnormally fearless and they tend to target your head. You can expect a bludgeon to the face that could potentially knock you out!”

Prowl showed two examples for the next type.

“Copterbots have two types. Heavy class copterbots fight like tankformers but with a bit more agility. And of course, they can take off into the air. Delicate copterbots are not typically strong fighters, without strength or speed, unless they are combat-trained. Many copterbots modify their blades to be sharp like swords. Those with that kind of modification will try to slice you with spinning blades.”

Vortex, Predaking thought.

Prowl showed pictures of four-wheeled Autobots and Decepticons.

“Onto the most common Cybertronian: the four-wheeler. Overall a balanced fighter, not the strongest or the fastest by nature. But they have a unique combat style: driving into battle at high speeds and transforming suddenly to perform a move. I think you saw me perform some of those tricks yesterday! Weapon choices are varied among four-wheelers: blasters, blades, bludgeons, etcetera. Four-wheelers are most likely to drive away from you, using sharp turns to evade you in the city, underground tunnels, or in a dense forest. A Seeker would count on speed to outfly you. A four-wheeler may not be as fast as you on an open plain where you can easily catch them, but you are very likely to lose them in a dense area. Take note of that! You chased me in an open plain: the most vulnerable terrain for a four-wheeler like myself.”

The image changed.

“Three-wheelers are typically just like four-wheelers, sometimes slower in alt-mode. However, two-wheelers are typically smaller and weaker than three-wheelers and four-wheelers, but move faster and make unexpected moves. Two-wheelers favour blades due to having weaker blasterfire and arm strength. Minicons and one-wheelers, who are even smaller, are the same. Now the smaller the bot, the more likely they are to employ a strategy based on endurance. They have a lot of energy, carrying less weight. They’ll try to tire you out. And being so small, they can more easily dodge your blows. They will dash under you, attacking your weak points, or climb over you. Their attacks may not do much damage at first, but they will issue many many wounds to bleed you out until you collapse. The best strategy for them is to create distance, don’t let them get over or under you. Use your fire, knock them over with wing flaps, crush them into a corner, to restrict them. This is trickier if they are small and have flight capabilities. But don’t let them climb on you!”

Prowl continued flipping through images.

“Boatformers are most likely to dive for cover in liquid bodies. They have no advantage on land or in the air. Often, boatformers are cowardly and run for liquid bodies instead of fighting. This is troublesome for arrests and it takes other police boatformers to capture them.

“Now, let’s talk mixes. Quadrapeds are four-wheelers without bot-forms. They are beasts and vehicles. They can take you by surprise coming out of vehicle form and suddenly you have a beast fight. 

“Triple-changers are bots with multiple alt-forms who can have blended characteristics or display one trait at one time. And there are Cybertronians who can change into more forms than three. One Decepticon is known to have six modes!

“Now, the wild cards: bots with unusual modes either natural or obtained through experimentation. They may have very unique specialties that can only be discovered by observing them. In combat training, we will start with observation where you tell me what you can gather from an opponent.”

Prowl showed an image of a red bot with metal sleeves standing among the sizzling bodies of Autobots.

“What can you deduce from this image?”

“Everyone looks burnt,” Ripclaw said.

“I cannot tell what he transforms into,” Skylynx commented.

“What might that indicate if you cannot see wheels, wings, or beast parts?”

“Boat…?” Darksteel asked.

Predaking said, “An experiment?”

Prowl clapped once. “Yes, this was a modified Decepticon. What is his ability?”

“Fire?” Ripclaw asked.

Prowl pointed at streaks of black on the floor which spiralled out from where the Decepticon stood.

“Electricity?” Skylynx guessed.

“That’s it! This ‘Con had a devastating electrical attack. Anybot would fall if they were standing too close to him on the ground he electrified. He could also cast lightning through the air to fell fliers.”

“Does his black optics mean anything?” Darksteel asked.

“It was believed he was blind,” Prowl reported.

“He fought while blind?” Ripclaw gasped. “Was that a weakness ever exploited?”

“No one knows what happened to this Decepticon. However, that is one possible weakness to exploit. Now, experiments tend to get grafts from the Lithium Flats infused to themselves. Their metal becomes thick and hard to burn or scratch. So, how would you handle this ‘Con? Can’t hurt him with fire, can’t grab him or stand close to him.”

“Can I drop a heavy piece of rubble on him?” Darksteel proposed.

“Good, I like your thinking!” Prowl said. “This is the point of the exercise. Evaluate your opponent and adjust your strategy. Don’t be arrogant or else you’ll run right up to a bot with an electric attack, poison dart, spark extractor, acid spit, shadowcasting… that means bots who can mess with your emotions or shut your body into powerdown. Mind control powers.”

“Eh?” Darksteel gasped.

“Shadowcasters are real but extremely rare. For them, watch out for strange head ornaments.”

“I will say that electricity does affect us,” Skylynx admitted.

Prowl replied. “Ah, so you can handle fire but not electricity? That is important for you to know.” 

The Predacons sat still and quietly, considering everything they had been told.

“Alright, I’ll leave you with that,” Prowl concluded. “How about you head to New Spark for your regular education?”

---

Continue to 4_11

Chapter 62: 4_11

A ground bridge sent the Predacons to the school. The Dinobots guarding it watched them enter and none followed them inside. At their desks, the Predacons sat and doodled notes like the small, cheery students around them. But during a break, they told Dominus Ambus how they came to begin training with the police.

“But it is dangerous work and you are so young…” he said. 

Ripclaw shrugged. “We’re strong, so nothing is really dangerous for us.”

Dominus Ambus placed a hand on her lower leg. “I know you are strong. But even the strongest can be defeated.”

“Eh, they’re telling us not to be arrogant too,” Darksteel said.

“And yet, are they expecting you to soon participate in police work?”

Predaking answered, “We were already sent to investigate the Vehicon establishment in Kaon.”

“Oh my, right to it then… Would you not rather… explore the world? Come to school? Take your time to figure out your passions and talents?” Dominus Ambus asked.

Skylynx exhaled, “Well… I do not intend to miss much school. I may fall behind in police training, but I wish to continue my education in science here.”

Dominus Ambus asked, “Do you enjoy both? Or just one?”

Skylynx shrugged. “We learned a lot in training so far. It could improve my combat skills.”

The Minicon sighed, “Ah, how I long for a future where combat skills are not a priority. Do what you wish, my students, but please be careful.”

---

A call from Ironhide jolted the Predacons at their school desks.

“All officers of Iacon have been called to the station. I’m gonna send you a ground bridge at the front of the school t’ come back.”

Dominus Ambus furrowed his brows as they stood up.

“Apologies,” Skylynx said. 

“Ooo officers?” Whirl Jr. piped up. “Are you police officers?”

The Predacons departed and arrived at the police station. Around twenty officers were gathered around Ironhide in the lobby. 

Ironhide began, “So, I’m guessing some of you watched the trial on the news. It has been decided that first, all low-risk Decepticons will lose their collars.”

Some of the officers groaned.

“Obsidian and Strika will be free.”

Prowl shook his head. “They fooled you. Telling a sob story and pretending to be tired of War. Just you wait; they’ll be preparing to claim Cybertron!”

“Well Prowl, we’re trying not t’ oppress the ‘Cons n’ aggravate ‘em. We gotta let them be free so it feels like the War’s truly done. Mind you, they’ll probably stay mostly to themselves in Kaon, rebuilding.”

“Getting stronger and eyeing Iacon.”

“See here, Prowl, Ultra Magnus is negotiating with the Decepticon generals for their Campaign army to come back peacefully. We either work with the ‘Cons or they come back here on their own, guns blazing.”

“They have the right to return to their own planet,” Nightbeat said.

“We need more optics t’ make sure Cybertron is in order,” Ironhide continued. “We’ll hire and train any willing Autobot. We will work closely with Minicon spies. Get more cameras down in Kaon. Put the Predacons where they’re needed. And no one goes anywhere without those dart guns in Kaon.”

Dominus Ambus’ words echoed in Predaking’s mind, but Ripclaw looked eager. 

The officers continued discussion and when all was concluded, the Predacons were sent back to school. The other students pelted the Predacons with curious questions, but Dominus Ambus interrupted them with crossed arms.

At the end of the school day, Skylynx asked his brethren outside, “Shall we attend the bonus class?”

“Aw but it’s been a few solar cycles since we hung out with the Vehicons at the Clubhouse,” Darksteel complained.

Ripclaw exclaimed, “Oh yeah, we should check in with them. I hope they aren’t upset that we joined the police!” 

“Is that what we have decided?” Predaking asked.

“What?” Ripclaw replied.

“Do we officially consider ourselves police officers?”

“Why not? You heard them—they need our strength! What else shall we put it toward if not something good?”

Darksteel argued, “Construction?”

“Who are we going to fight doing that?” Ripclaw grinned.

Predaking said, “I am not entirely comfortable with how quickly we were assimilated.”

“They just really need us,” Ripclaw said. “I think it’s been fun and very educational so far.”

“Are we considered Autobots by accepting this role?”

“Pff, no!” Ripclaw laughed.

“Hm,” Predaking grunted. 

“We’ve already been helping the Autobots,” Ripclaw continued. “Right? This is just a step up from what we were already doing.”

Predaking sighed. “I will continue the training. However, I will depart from the police force if it exceeds my comfort level.”

Ripclaw shrugged. “Alright, but I think I’ll stay.”

Skylynx jumped in, “And I shall stay here tonight. You may do as you please.”

“That’s why we have phones, right?” Darksteel chuckled. 

Predaking, Darksteel, and Ripclaw left New Spark. A pang hit Predaking’s spark to leave Skylynx behind, but he relaxed once they settled down in the Clubhouse. Calming music played on the speakers and Vehicons gossiped with cups of energon. 

“The Prowl hunters!” one Vehicon called.

The others laughed loudly. The Predacons started.

“Oh!” Darksteel guffawed. “You saw us?”

“Vehicons see and hear everything,” one of them said.

“Oo, I see some new colours in here!” Darksteel cried. “What’re your names?”

Among the purple bodies, there was an orange Miner Vehicon with red eyes and a dark blue and black wheeled Vehicon.

“Sol,” said the Miner Vehicon.

“Martin,” the black and blue Vehicon replied.

“Your names are always so hard to pronounce…” Darksteel said.

“Did you talk to Chrysanthemum yet? Yellow one?”

“I feel like you’re choosing the hardest alien names just to spite me!”

The Vehicons laughed again. 

Martin asked, “So, you’re cops now?”

“It appears so, for the time being,” Predaking replied.

“Think you can keep those Autobots in check?”

Darksteel told him, “Of course! They aren’t gonna harm any of you on my watch!”

“Good,” another Vehicon said. “You know how they are. And how they collared Decepticons.”

“A barbaric practice,” Predaking uttered. “Thankfully, ended today.”

“It should never have been done,” a Vehicon said.

Ripclaw replied, “It could have stopped Blackwall, though. The big ‘Con who almost caused a massacre at the market. He got his collar off somehow, right? And that’s what he chose to do.”

Predaking gawked at her.

Martin growled, “Maybe he wouldn’t have been so mad if the Autobots hadn’t oppressed him like that in the first place! Imagine you, collared and unable to transform to beast mode!”

Ripclaw muttered, “Well the collars are gone, so if something else happens, they don’t have an excuse now.”

The Vehicons looked at each other. Ripclaw sighed and got Predaking and Darksteel cups of energon to drink. As they sipped their drinks, Darksteel said, “I’m with you Vehicons all the way. I don’t even care about the Autobots—I’m just having fun chasing them and showing off in training!”

Nodding, the Vehicons drank their energon, watched them, or messaged on their phones. The Predacons drained their cups, then waited to join Skylynx at the bathhouse after his class.

---

Continue to 4_12

Chapter 63: 4_12

“Hope you’re awake! ” Ironhide’s voice yanked the Predacons from their slumber. “We need you in Kaon! It’s time for a lotta ‘Cons to come home!”

Darksteel signed with a fatigued paw, [Noooooo why now?]

The Predacons transformed to bot-form and trudged through the ground bridge outside their door. As soon as they stepped into Kaon, their eyes widened in interest to see the city again. Under the moonlight, the rusty dark ruins did not gleam, instead crouching like large shadows around them. The only buildings which shone were the new jailhouse and the police station beside them now. 

Approximately forty officers had assembled. They stared at the Predacons while holding sedation rifles in their arms.

“Alright,” Ironhide began. “Three hundred Decepticons will be returning to Cybertron over the next few joors. They will arrive two spaceships at a time or up to twenty soldiers. First they will go to the spaceport and be screened. Then, they will be coming to Kaon by ground bridge. They will not be collared and they will not be happy to see us. Refrain from speaking to any ‘Cons. Back away from any hostile ones if possible. If not, warn them to stand down, then sedate them if they don’t. Ultimately we just wanna watch them settle into the residence buildings here. And tomorrow the Kaon market is open, so we will want to increase the guard because it will be busy. If we don’t go to war during the night.”

Ironhide began to separate the officers into teams, but paused to call out:

“If things do get messy, the Wreckers are on standby. Lots of them inside the prison right now too. Us officers are being trusted to keep things orderly and civil out in public. The Predacons will stay in bot-form —got that?—but may transform and roar just to scare some ‘Cons out of a fight. All of us will fight the ‘Cons as a last resort. We do not want to be known as the ones who blew the peace!” 

The Predacons were placed with Ironhide, Prowl, and other familiar officers from Iacon. But a new, red-eyed, green and blue Autobot was invited to join them.

Ironhide said, “So Predacons, you might like to meet Blastwave! Maybe he can teach you a few more signs in CSL, huh?”

Blastwave quickly looked at them in interest. He signed something, but too quickly for the Predacons to process.

“Too fast!” Darksteel exclaimed.

A smile cracked Blastwave’s face and he grunted. More slowly he signed, [C-S-L, you learn?]

[Yes!] the Predacons signed back.

Ironhide said, “Haha, let’s get into position and y’all can sign while we wait!”

One group of officers stayed at the station while the others went down the street and spread out around the newly constructed area. Darksteel sighed as they passed the Fallen Trooper. Ironhide’s group settled and Blastwave turned back to them.

[C-S-L, why you have interest?] Blastwave asked.

Predaking’s hands felt slow and awkward in comparison to Blastwave’s flowing fingers. [With C-S-L, we can converse in beast form.]

Blastwave nodded. [Excellent. C-S-L very (?) for (?)]

[Sorry, I not understand,] Ripclaw signed with her brows furrowed. [C-S-L very…?]

Blastwave signed it again.

“Useful for everyone,” Ironhide translated.

The red-eyed Autobot gestured dismissively at Ironhide with the sign [stop] woven in.

“Ok, no translating,” Ironhide said.

[I (?),] Blastwave continued. [Means I cannot speak. (?) means M-U-T-E.]

The Predacons nodded with interest, their eyes locked onto his hands. It took Predaking’s entire concentration to make out the letters Blastwave had spelled.

Skylynx pointed at his own throat. [Here hurt?]

[No,] Blastwave answered. He tapped his head then went on, spelling out any sign the Predacons appeared confused by. [Problem in here. (?) B-I-O-L-O-G–I-C-A-L problem with my processor. (?) (?) S-I-N-C-E  F-O-R-G-I-N-G. I can make (?) S-O-U-N-D but not words.]

The dark officer reviewed the new words for them. Ironhide listened to an authoritative voice as it came through his comm link: “ Are you prepared to accept the first twenty Decepticons? ”

“Aye, we’re all in position” Ironhide replied.

“Then I shall send a ground bridge to point 1.”

From the sidewalk, Ironhide’s group watched a portal bubble open. 

Prowl manifested between the Predacons. “Why don’t you practice what I was teaching you? Observe the ‘Cons and their types, think about the strategies you might use.”

The first Decepticon stepped through: a beige and purple Seeker. As soon as he spotted the line of armed Autobots, he halted and stared them down.

“What is this?” he barked. “Why are there Autobots in this city?”

Predaking studied the Decepticon: wings on his back: treads in his legs. He was not just a Seeker, but a triple-changer with a tank form.

Flight-capable. Stronger but slower than Starscream. Comfortable with close combat.

A hulking grey and purple Decepticon lumbered in behind him and boomed, “AUTOBOTS!”

Rapidly, Predaking thought: Heavy-class. Small jet wings. Another triple-changer? No beastly features. Bludgeons and missiles: most likely choice of weapon.

Ironhide ordered, “Autobots, keep your weapons down! Decepticons, you may proceed.”

More Decepticons came through the portal as the beige and purple triple-changer yelled, “Like we need permission, Autobot scum!”

He marched off. A line of Decepticons stretched out after him, some carrying metal packs on their backs. Suddenly, small round creatures skittered through the portal, between the legs of the Decepticons, then toward the officers with excited yipping.

Sunstreaker gasped, “Oh Primus, what are these sweet little things?”

The pudgy metal creatures swirled around them and pawed at them with short legs.

“Ahhhh!” Sunstreaker crouched with his rifle across his lap.

Prowl growled, “Sunstreaker! Don’t touch them!”

One of the creatures wiggled into his lap, knocking out the rifle. Sunstreaker started petting the creature enthusiastically while Decepticons intently watched him.

“They could be dangerous!” Prowl snapped.

The Decepticons snorted and laughed.

Ironhide said, “I don’t think so, Prowl…”

Nightbeat dropped and started to pat the creatures orbiting them.

“Not you too, Nightbeat!” Prowl growled.

Nightbeat ignored him, asking the Decepticons, “Are these your pets?”

“Yeah. Antilian bumble-puppies,” one answered.

“When did Decepticons start keeping the cutest pets in the galaxy?” Sunstreaker laughed as more bumble-puppies started to pile on him.

One Decepticon sneered, “After we killed the other Autobots on our planet.”

The eyes of the Autobots hardened. The Decepticons strutted away, made clicking sounds, and the bumble-puppies rushed to follow them.

“Don’t let ‘em get to ya,” Ironhide told his officers. “We’re gonna have nothin’ but lip comin’ from them for the next hundred stellar cycles. It’s alright if it stays jus’ lip.”

---

Continue to 4_13

Chapter 64: 4_13

Bumble-puppies and harsh words came with the arriving Decepticons, but hostilities did not escalate beyond that.

“The market’ll be setting up soon.” Ironhide watched the sun rise. “Can I get two Predacons to transfer there? Just for now, then we’ll all head over.”

Darksteel opened his eyes. “I’d like to see the Kaon market!”

“I can go as well,” Ripclaw said. 

Predaking frowned to see them leave. But after the last Decepticons were escorted to the residence buildings, every officer walked down to the market of Kaon and surrounded its perimeter. Several rows of tables filled the square, displaying the goods of Decepticon vendors. For now, only a few customers browsed the selection.

Prowl stuck close to the Predacons. “I prefer to see ‘Cons trading in the light. I remember when the Kaon market was underground. A long, cramped, dark, and dirty tunnel system. Things could be found in the branches, terrible things.”

“Oh?” Skylynx prompted.

“I worked all over Cybertron before the War,” Prowl said. “I’ve seen the worst of it all. Things so disturbing that we would try not to let the images and footage reach the public eye. We got to keep a watch on these tables and a watch of the tunnels below the city. I don’t want to see what I saw again.”

After a few moments of silence, Darksteel blurted out, “What was it then?”

“Butchery,” Prowl uttered. “Of the dead, of the living. I know what Decepticons do to the weak. You four have nothing to fear, but smaller bots… In the South, they had to watch themselves walking alone to not get taken.”

“Huh…” Darksteel said.

A group of Decepticons entered the market, glaring at the armed officers.

“You all want more training?” Prowl asked. “Count the heavy class ‘Cons here: the tanks and other armoured vehicles.”

The Predacons swept their eyes over the market.

“Twenty-one?” Ripclaw said.

“Just about. The majority though, right? Count the four-wheelers my size.”

“Two,” Skylynx replied.

“Seekers?”

“Six,” Predaking rumbled.

“Yep. Most Decepticons are brutes, Seekers, and beasts, plus a scattering of sneaky Minicons and hot-headed four-wheelers. Now look at their optics. What’s the most common colour you see?”

“Red,” Darksteel answered.

Prowl nodded slowly. “Red indicates a violent nature. Yellow is the colour of bots who shouldn’t be messed with, good or bad.”

“Hey that’s us!” Darksteel grinned. “And you, haha.”

Prowl smirked.

Ripclaw said, “What colour would you consider my optics?”

“Primarily yellow,” Prowl replied. “You’re fine.”

Ripclaw asked, “Ah, alright. How about the meaning of other optic colours?”

“Blue indicates a spark aligned with the purity of Primus. I find I can trust most bots with blue optics. Green, orange, and pink aren’t always safe colours, just be on guard with those. White—some think it’s pure like Primus but I think the sociopathic have that colour. Purple is a big no—very cruel and evil, they are. It’s sign of closeness to Unicron’s spark.”

“But why would optic colour determine one’s nature?” Predaking asked.

“Primus’ way of allowing us to analyze each other,” Prowl said. 

The Predacons mulled over the information. But Skylynx said, “Our teacher, Dominus Ambus—his optics are red.”

“Then you may want to watch out for that one.”

“But he is quite kind…” Ripclaw’s brows wrinkled.

“Well, for the most part what I say about optic colours is true. Although there are rare exceptions such as Blastwave, Fortress Maximus, and Slingshot for red-eyed Autobots. They are quite fierce, however. It’s just that their ferocity is directed the right way.”

“So, our teacher may simply contain a passionate nature?” Skylynx wondered.

“A ferociously passionate one,” Prowl suggested.

They stared at the Decepticons whose numbers began to swell. Bots large and spiky or short and smooth squeezed past each other to browse the tables. Prowl quizzed the Predacons on identifying more types and brainstorming fighting strategies. 

Eventually Darksteel stretched and asked, “Can we check out the market?”

“What? We’re on duty,” Prowl growled.

“So?” Darksteel blinked. “We can still jump into action when needed. I always got my card thing on me and never really even use it!”

“You shouldn’t mingle with the ‘Cons.”

“Eh, I’m not scared of them. If they bother me, I’ll just transform.”

Prowl growled, “Do not transform, Darksteel. If you start a panic, the ‘Cons will just attack us all!”

“Okayyy, I won’t transform. I just want to see the lamps down there…” Darksteel broke formation and sauntered toward the tables.

“Darksteel!” Prowl snarled then turned to the other Predacons. “One of you, stop him!”

Ripclaw strode forward. Making a mocking face, Darksteel squeezed between Decepticons and slipped into the market. Ripclaw halted at the edge and looked back at Prowl. He sighed and waved her back while Darksteel pushed through confused Decepticons.

Ironhide lumbered over to Prowl. They grumbled to each other until Darksteel returned with two tall lamps.

“One for each side of the manor!” Darksteel dropped them on the ground.

“You need to learn how to follow orders!” Prowl barked. “Respect the chain of command!”

“I didn’t even do anything wrong, lighten up,” Darksteel muttered.

Prowl’s doors rattled. “If you want to be one of us, then you must respect the chain of command! If everyone did whatever they wanted, there'd be no leadership. There is no coherent strategy or teamwork. One stupid mistake ruins us all! You may find me paranoid or ridiculous at times, but I have seen bots die from arrogant screw-ups like that!”

“Okay, okay, sheesh,” Darksteel muttered. “But you know, I’m probably a lot tougher than those other bots were.”  

Ironhide sighed, “Darksteel…”

Darksteel rolled his eyes. 

Ironhide said, “We don’t know how these ‘Cons will perceive you and they could’ve thought you approaching them was a threat.”

“Well, Prowl keeps saying beastbots fit in well with the Decepticons, so see, they didn’t really even notice.”

“I don’t wanna see that again,” Ironhide warned. “We need to know we can rely on you.”

Ironhide ran into a lecture on the chain of command and the importance of the police before the War. Staring over the crowd, Darksteel reluctantly listened.

---

Predaking and his brethren were called to the police station of Iacon every following day for physical training. They practiced more exercises of restraint and chased other four-wheeled officers outside and within the city.

“Alright, now we’ll see how well you’ve been listening to me,” Prowl began.

[In a torn down section of the city, Prowl stood with the Predacons and faced Ironhide, officers, and Wreckers at a distance. The ground between them was partially smooth, partially littered with rubble.]

Officer Nightbird stepped forward and transformed into a winged beast with a wide beak and two skinny legs. Ironhide fitted her foot claws and beak with a foamy cover.

“What’s your plan for a Corvicon?” Prowl asked the Predacons out of earshot of the others.

“I would try to overwhelm them with my size,” Skylynx answered. “Pin them down. Bite their wings if needed.”

“Perfect. The wings are the main weakness,” Prowl approved. “Since you answered first, you can go ahead. The rest of you, just watch.”

Skylynx transformed to beast-form and Prowl plastered a sticky foamy substance around his sharp edges.

“You have a call of a hostile Decepticon attacking innocents. Take her alive with reasonable force!”

Skylynx thundered at Nightbird with a shriek. She spread her wings but stood her ground until he was nearly upon her. With a squawk, she flapped her wings in his face and rose over his head. Skylynx gnashed his teeth but just missed her as she hopped over his back.

“Oho!” Ironhide cried. “I think she might have just scratched out your optics with that move!”

Skylynx whirled around with a snarl and launched into the air. Flapping circles around each other, Skylynx swatted her body and Nightbird pecked his. At last, Skylynx slammed her to the ground and pretended to bite off her wings.

“Got to be careful, Sky!” Ironhide called. “If you lost your sight, you might not have been able to finish that fight!”

Skylynx released Nightbird and prowled back to his brethren, growling.

A large white and blue Autobot came forward as Nightbird hopped back to the others.

“Who wants to take on Thunderclash?” Ironhide called.

Prowl asked the Predacons, “Analyze him and tell me what you’re thinking.”

Ripclaw replied, “Brute-type, right?”

“Heavy-class for certain,” Prowl said.

“He will hold his ground and hit hard, especially around the head.”

“Good, so what will you do?”

“I’ll try to knock him over, maybe even with my tail.”

Ripclaw transformed and Prowl foamed her claws, fangs, spikes, and the stinger of her tail.

“Alright, you have a ‘Con brute terrorizing the market again. Take him alive with reasonable force!”

Ripclaw charged Thunderclash then spun to whip him with her tail. Thunderclash’s thick arms wrapped around it, but still he was swept off his feet then slammed to the ground. Predaking smirked. However, Thunderclash rolled before her stinger bumped him with its foam tip. Back on his feet, he sprinted in and punched Ripclaw in the thigh joint. 

She roared and kicked her leg. 

“Looks like he isn’t going to hold back,” Prowl commented.

Thunderclash snatched hold of Ripclaw’s velvety wing. Quickly she rolled, but he dropped onto her chest and punched her in the throat. With a grunt, she raked him with her covered claws.

“Oh, you’re cut now!” Ironhide called.

Thunderclash slid off and with a grin, miming energon gushing from his chest. Ripclaw got to her feet, but then the Autobot leapt and punched her in the face. She stumbled back, hissing and shaking her head.

“Come on, Green!” Prowl shouted.

She pounced but Thunderclash dodged sideways. Spinning again, she tried to sweep him with her tail but he ducked under it.

“Faster!” Prowl hollered.

Thunderclash hopped and hit her in the face. This time, she pushed through the pain, snarled, and lunged. Her mouth closed around Thunderclash’s head and he froze.

“Careful, careful!” Ironhide yelled. 

Ripclaw halted, slowly releasing her jaws. Then she slammed down Thunderclash underfoot and ended the fight.

“Whew…” Ironhide breathed. “You scared me there. Thought you were about to pop a cop’s head right off! You alright, Thunderclash?”

The big Autobot rose. “I’m alright. Good fight, Predacon.”

Ripclaw nodded and crawled back.

“Told you they hit harder than you Predacons expect,” Prowl said. “But I’ll admit, those punches that you just took probably would have ended me if I were in your place!”

Ripclaw flashed him a fangy grin.

“Who do I get?” Darksteel asked.

“Hold on,” Prowl grunted.

Ironhide ushered forward a blue Minicon with wide shoulders. “Dropforge!”

“Ha!” Darksteel laughed. 

Prowl warned, “Oh if you’re laughing, I’m just going to throw you out there with no help.” 

“Do I get a nickname too?” Darksteel asked him. “What are you going to call me out there?”

“You don’t even want to know what I want to call you.”

Darksteel transformed and flicked Prowl with his claws. After he stumbled, Prowl scowled and slapped foam on Darksteel’s claws and beak.

“You have a Minicon thief to catch with reasonable force!”

Darksteel shrieked and raced toward the Minicon. Dropforge changed to a ball and rolled straight through his legs. Leaping straight up in surprise, Darksteel tried to locate the Minicon. He screeched to find him on his back foot. Darksteel kicked and landed, but Dropforge whipped out a glowing blue baton and slapped Darksteel’s backside. Everyone heard an electrical zap. Darksteel hopped and turned, blasting fire. While Dropforge zipped away as a ball, Prowl dodged Darksteel’s fire and swore.

Darksteel danced around, trying to catch the speedy ball. Dropforge kept flying into bot-form, slapping him with the electric baton, then escaping. Shrieking in rage, Darksteel burned the ground around him but not fast enough to stop Dropforge from climbing up his side.

Prowl told Predaking, Skylynx, and Ripclaw, “Now do you remember what I said about Minicons?”

Dropforge climbed up Darksteel and zapped him in the wing joints.

“The bigger you are, the harder it is to fight Minicons,” Prowl reminded them. “And on top of that, Dropforge is a damn good fighter.” Prowl called at Darksteel, “Need a tip, Feathers?”

Darksteel aggressively shook off Dropforge and flapped into the air.

“There we go,” Prowl chuckled.

Darksteel breathed a circle of fire from the air and tightened it until Dropforge was surrounded.

“That’s far enough!” Ironhide called.

Darksteel landed and stomped over the steaming ground with a bit of a limp.

“Nightbeat!” Ironhide announced.

Predaking frowned as the blue four-wheeler with a yellow face stepped out with a rifle. 

“Watch that face, King,” Prowl said. “Remember everything I taught you.”

Predaking exhaled and looked over the police officer. “A four-wheeler has a balanced skillset. They can also perform unusual combat moves using their vehicle mode. Nightbeat is also holding a rifle with sedative darts.”

“How many of those do you think you can take before you drop?”

“They may not even pierce my armour,” Predaking answered.

“Wanna bet?”

Predaking transformed and hated the sticky feeling in his mouth as his fangs were covered. Prowl padded his claws and his tail blade as well.

“You have an armed Decepticon with a sedative rifle and possible unknown weapons. Take them down with caution and use reasonable force!”

Predaking charged. The rifle went off and one dart sank into his muzzle, but he did not stop. He was almost upon Nightbeat when they reached into their storage space and flung a ball at his head. It exploded into a net and wrapped around his face. Predaking’s eyes widened, then he shrieked as electricity shocked him. Skidding to a halt, he clawed desperately at the zinging net. 

As the net was torn to shreds, Nightbeat fired darts into his throat. Suddenly, Predaking’s vision throbbed and ringed with blackness. His movements began to turn lethargic.

I will not be defeated by… a mere four-wheeler…!

Predaking summoned the last of his strength into his legs. He pounced but overshot Nightbeat. His chest slammed down on the officer, then Predaking flopped and blacked out.

---

Continue to 4_14

Chapter 65: 4_14

“Well, technically you caught the bad bot, so you won,” Prowl joked.

After training and a check-up by a doctor, the Predacons were invited to drink at Maccadam’s with those they had trained with that day. 

Nightbeat raised their small green glass. “That he did.”

Predaking puffed his chest, collecting his pride.

“Weapons were made to equalize,” Prowl said. “To bridge the gap: give the weak the power to defeat the strong. I hope you learned a valuable lesson today.”

“I understand,” Predaking admitted. 

“The weak?” Nightbeat teased. “That’s what I am?”

“Relative to the Preds,” Prowl laughed.

---

The Predacons underwent a few more days of training with various opponents and surprise weapons. For one session, every opponent was a Seeker. As Prowl had warned them, they were very swift and unpredictable, and difficult to pin down. In an all out chase, they were simply impossible to catch.

Still, there was time in the evenings for school, the Iacon market, the bathhouse, and Maccadam’s with the police. While the Predacons dreamt of real action, for now the Decepticons kept to themselves in Kaon or simply went in and out of Maccadam’s. Ripclaw chased down one speeding Velocitronian before anyone else could catch him, then boasted for an entire evening.

Eager for his own moment of glory, Darksteel leapt at the chance after Ironhide received a call during training.

“Hey Ironhide, a new vendor is selling powerful weapons at the market. Should we confiscate them? ” Javelin asked.

“Aye, best that ya do,” Ironhide said.

“Let’s go!” Darksteel exclaimed.

Predaking, Ripclaw, and Skylynx marched with purpose toward the call while Darksteel hurried ahead. At the edge of the market, Javelin and Thunderclash packed up a vendor’s goods while Darksteel looked lost on the other side of the crowd.

“Oh, hey!” Javelin gasped as the three Predacons approached in bot mode. “Are you here for a practice call?”

[Yes], Predaking signed.

Javelin sighed, “It seems Stiletto here was sneaky about what she brought on her ship back to Cybertron!”

The Predacons glanced at the weapons spread over her table and already packed in the container. Most appeared to be large blasters of some sort, but strange in design with impractical looking dishes and curves. There were also other spherical items and one small bolted capsule.

Stiletto was a glaring-orange and pink bot with thick eyelids and a tight-teeth smile. “What! I didn't do anything wrong, collecting these wonderful weapons for my comrades!”

Javelin accused her, “These look like Quintesson weapons! Bringing these to Cybertron was dangerously stupid!”

Darksteel picked up the bolted capsule and started snapping off the locks.

“Darksteel! Don’t mess with that—it could be a bioweapon!” Javelin cried.

Rattling the capsule, Darksteel said, “Eh, it doesn’t sound deadly!”

“If it’s Quintesson, it won’t be a jewel in there,” Javelin warned.

“Maybe it’s a special shard of energon,” Stiletto grinned. “That’s the surprise for the client!”

Javelin said, “You’re not getting any clients. This stuff can be sent into a distant sun!”

“Wasted opportunity, I’m telling you!” Stiletto clacked her metal lips. “What if Quintessons show up? We could catch them off guard, destroy them with their own weapons!”

Thunderclash spoke up, “Best thing you could have done was donate the weapons, not sell them for profit!”

Stiletto shook her head, her smile still tight.

Darksteel’s claw slid into the capsule’s crack.

“Hey!” Javelin barked.

Thunderclash snatched it from Darksteel’s hands and carefully set the capsule in the container. Meanwhile, Javelin checked Darksteel’s claw for visible contaminants.

“Look, we’ll take it from here,” Javelin sighed. “You can go back to training, Predacons.”

The Predacons walked off, Ripclaw sighing, “Oh Darksteel… Can’t you at least try listening once?”

---

When approximately one hundred more Autobots arrived to Iacon, the police were relieved and recruited a few more potential police officers. Darksteel told his brethren after some training, “Well, maybe they don’t need me now.”

“What are you saying?” Ripclaw gasped.

“I want to go exploring.” Darksteel shrugged. “Spend time with the Vehicons, go down to Kaon. I feel like I don’t have a choice anymore on how to spend my cycles. And uh, the Autobots are getting annoying just telling me do this, do that.”

“I share that sentiment,” Skylynx admitted. “Well, not that the Autobots are vexing me. I would just prefer more command over my daily schedule so that I can include more study.”

“Every training session is so enlightening though,” Ripclaw argued. “You can’t miss one!”

Predaking sighed, “Let them go where they please. That way they may develop skills, not resentment.”

---

At the next session, Ironhide and Prowl were disappointed to see that Darksteel and Skylynx were absent.

“Ah, let’s skip a solar cycle,” Ironhide sighed. “I think I better spend some time on the streets campaigning!”

“Hmm?” Ripclaw prompted.

“Election’s comin’ up,” Ironhide grinned. “Cybertron gets t’ vote for new leaders: five ‘Bots, five ‘Cons, and three Neutrals. Yours truly is thinkin’ he’d be good for one of those spots!”

“We’re Neutral, aren’t we?” Ripclaw glanced at Predaking. “Does that mean we could be voted in as leaders of Cybertron?”

Prowl said, “You wouldn’t want that. Sitting in a room, talking all cycle long. You’re meant for action on the streets. And all of you Preds are just too young.”

The idea of leading Cybertron intrigued Predaking, but he supposed Prowl was correct: the Predacons were meant for action. He would rather crush injustice with his own claws.

“I’m not interested either,” Prowl added. “I want to be out here, facing society’s problems head on.”

“That’s all right,” Ironhide drawled. “Just remember, vote for me so the new High Council has the head of police in it!”

“Should we also vote for a head doctor?” Ripclaw wondered. “Who would that be?”

“Oh the doctors are just too busy,” Ironhide said. “An’ I don’t think they’d be interested! But as a Councillor, I’d listen closely to their concerns. An’ to firebots or Rescue Bots if we can get that force started up again.”

Curiously, the Predacons went to the square of Iacon to watch Ironhide campaign. Officers dragged up a table and set up a sign for him: Ironhide: Police Chief for Councillor!

Autobots taking breaks from construction or who may have just been passing by stopped to talk to him. Predaking perked up when Bumblebee appeared and eagerly spoke to Ironhide.

Bumblebee asked, “I don’t mean to copy your set-up, but do you mind if I give campaigning a shot too?”

“Ambitious, Bee! But maybe you can convince ‘Bots t’ vote for you ‘cause you ran a sword through Meg’s chest!”

“Oh, that’s not the approach I was considering…” Bumblebee rubbed his head. “I just wanted to spread Optimus’ message of peace. I think we can work with the Decepticons. I’d like to work with them at the highest level.”

“Well, maybe even for a younger bot you’ll be popular,” Ironhide said. “Everyone knows you stuck real close to Optimus Prime through the War, learning from him. You brought the Autobot high command hope in tough times too. The Council needs your energy so we ain’t just a bunch of grumbling old-timers! And hey, you’re part of the Nemesis crew right now: an Autobot ambassador! Tell you what, we’ll get you a table and sign, you say good stuff about me, an' I’ll do the same for you!”

Bumblebee smiled. “Thank you, I appreciate that!”

After Bumblebee had set up his table, a few other Autobots copied him and Ironhide. And then more, until a row of candidates formed around the perimeter of the square.

“Okay, now we’re on guard,” Prowl told Predaking and Ripclaw. “Watch out for suspicious behaviour and protect everyone.”

However, the day passed calmly as Autobots stopped by the tables to talk with candidates. Predaking and Ripclaw snapped to attention when small winged balls floated into the square, but Prowl explained: “Camera drones. We got some wannabe reporters already.”

After a while, some of the recorded footage appeared on the screens of the square.

“Who decides what is displayed on the screens?” Predaking asked.

“Ultra Magnus or bots at the Spaceport, for now,” Prowl said.

“Who is Ultra Magnus?” Ripclaw asked.

Prowl turned his head slightly to Predaking. “He is the one whose hand you crushed.”

Predaking jolted.

“He doesn’t even need to campaign. He’s guaranteed to win one of the top five Autobot votes,” Prowl went on. “He is basically the second-in-command of the Autobots. He’s running Cybertron and all the trials already.”

Bluestreak appeared soon after.

“Prowl! Isn’t this exciting?” Bluestreak chirped. “Oh, I wanted to see something like this way back before the War! Look, bots just on the street telling us what good they would try to do for Cybertron! How am I going to pick just five Autobots? I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings… Who are you going to vote for?”

“Me?” Prowl said. “Ultra Magnus and Ironhide of course. Silverbolt, Chromedome, and Kup would all be excellent choices since they won their Campaigns and brought their soldiers home.”

“Aw but isn’t Bumblebee nice? I like what he’s saying about planning a future with the Decepticons and addressing their needs to reduce hostilities.”

“I don’t want an Autobot leader who will bend their knee to ‘Cons,” Prowl muttered. “They’ll take advantage of that.”

“I think I’ll go Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, Kup, Chromedome, and Bumblebee.”

“Why not Silverbolt?”

Bluestreak replied, “Ehh, I don’t know. He’s kind of… arrogant? I don’t know if that’s the right word. I think he might set off the Decepticons.”

“Alright, but did you think about which Decepticons you will vote for? We have to pick five,” Prowl told him.

“Scrap! I totally forgot. Primus, how do I pick Decepticon leaders? Who do you recommend?”

Prowl sighed, “I haven’t made up my mind yet. Decepticons started campaigning earlier and I was trying to watch some of that footage. Primus though, the choices are not good. Obsidian and Strika are guaranteed to win two spots, but I still don’t trust them. Krok and the other Decepticon ambassadors may be slightly more trustworthy than the average ‘Con, so maybe they could work.”

Bluestreak continued, “Hmm okay. For the Neutral seats, I was thinking Override and Ransack because they have leadership experience on Velocitron. And then this really sweet candy maker who came from Caminus: Nautica.”

“I recall Ransack supporting Megatron’s ideals and fighting against Override.”

“But look at them over there now! They’re campaigning together. If they can make peace, then they could help us make peace!”

Prowl exhaled, “And your third choice is… a candy maker?”

“Maybe the mood would be lighter in the Council meetings if someone handed out candy every time!” Bluestreak laughed. “Unless one of the Predacons wants to be a Councillor?”

Predaking and Ripclaw shook their heads.

Prowl repeated, “They are too young regardless.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing!” Bluestreak shrugged. “They’ll be themselves, not acting like how bots think Councillors should act. They don’t know the old norms and rules. They’ll be fresh and maybe they’ll point out how annoying bureaucracy is! Wouldn’t it be so much better without bureaucracy?”

“Order has its merits.”

“Oh, you. Well, I better get back to work!” Bluestreak held Prowl’s hands. Prowl withdrew them and glanced around. Bluestreak patted Prowl’s face and exclaimed, “It’s okay! No enemies here!”

“Cameras, Bluestreak.”

“Not pointed at us!”

Bluestreak transformed and zoomed off. Prowl sighed. Finally, he told Predaking and Ripclaw, “My options for the Autobot Councillors are good though. If you don’t know who to vote for, just copy me.”

---

Continue to 4_15

Chapter 66: 4_15

While Ironhide assigned Autobots onto patrols at the station, Predaking and Ripclaw received Darksteel’s message:

---

Darksteel:
I’m at the farms! You should join me! There are so many things to consume here!

---

“Where are the… farms?” Ripclaw asked.

“Meliflux Fields?” Prowl replied. “Too far away.”

Ironhide wandered over and asked the Predacons, “Now, what should I do with just the two of ya today?”

Ripclaw exclaimed, “Oh! Do you think today I could get the label ‘Police’ on me?”

Sunstreaker clapped his hands. “Oh yes! Can I do it?”

Prowl smirked. “Oh, you want that?”

Ripclaw laughed, “Well if I’m marked officially, there would be less panic when a Predacon like me slams someone to the ground!”

Sunstreaker asked, “Do you both want labels?”

“No,” Predaking grunted. 

“Why not?” Ripclaw asked. “Everyone could know us as the Predacon cops, feared by all criminals across Cybertron!”

“There is only one insignia or mark I wish to bear,” Predaking muttered.

“Your own face?” Prowl pointed at his Predacon insignia. 

The one-eyed cop, Javelin, peered around Ironhide. “Oh my, it actually is his face!”

Predaking expanded his chest. “I did not choose the design, but rather, Shockwave did. However, I am the chosen leader of the Predacons.”

Sunstreaker quickly covered his mouth and Predaking glared at him as he tried not to laugh.

Ironhide said, “We’d be happy to welcome you as an official member, Ripclaw, lettin’ ya wear our proud name.”

“Okay, sit down.” Sunstreaker dashed away and came back with a box. “I already cut out the letters, hoping you all would want this eventually. How is this?”

He picked up yellow metal letters from a box.

“That looks great,” Ripclaw said.

Sunstreaker fluttered his lashes. “Thanks! The yellow is to match your insignia’s colour. Now for you, I think this wide green-blue strip on your chest would be perfect. The text will show in bot- and beast- form.” 

Predaking sighed and stepped back. Sunstreaker welded the word Police on one side of her chest, then after some discussion, a second time on her other side. 

“Fantastic!” Ripclaw bounced onto her feet and puffed her chest.

Prowl grinned. “Looks good on you, Green.”

Ripclaw shifted under the light back and forth so her words glinted. “Yeah, this is right for me. I’m sorry Skylynx and Darksteel aren’t really interested in… joining us.”

“You’re plenty,” Prowl said. “Now I wonder if we can hold onto big King, huh?”

The smiles and bright eyes that gazed at Predaking evaporated his moodiness. He nearly smiled himself, but only replied, “I will offer my strength in keeping peace on Cybertron, but do not expect me to wear the label.”

“Fair, I don’t wear it either!” Sunstreaker laughed. “It looks great on you Ripclaw, and it’s super practical like you said, so bots don’t misunderstand your intentions when you fight. But me, I’ve never wanted my appearance to scream cop. I want to be a pretty face, kind, welcoming: someone a victim is comfortable talking to.”

Ironhide nodded slowly. “We need all kinds on the force.”

“Let’s take a tour around Iacon, show everyone your new mark,” Prowl smiled. “Then Kaon later to scare those ‘Cons stiff!”

“Yes!” Ripclaw crowed.

Predaking followed Ripclaw and Prowl outside. Sunstreaker peeked out to see Ripclaw transform to beast-form, displaying Police on both sides of her chest. He squealed then hopped back inside. Predaking transformed as well, crawling behind Ripclaw and Prowl through Iacon. They passed by construction sites and all apartments, public places like the library, hospital, bathhouse, and Maccadam’s. Prowl and Ripclaw locked gazes with any Decepticon that crossed their path, receiving needled glares but no barked threats. 

The Vehicons stared at them. Predaking’s spark twisted; he had no intention of intimidating them. When Predaking lagged behind, Ripclaw signed at him, [What?].

Prowl was watching, so Predaking did not respond. At that moment, a voice came through their comms:

“We got a Bot-Con brawl in the Wash Area! Requesting back-up.”

“Let’s go!” Prowl transformed and raced away.

Prowl beat them into the bathhouse. Predaking and Ripclaw charged inside in bot-form to the sounds of yelling and crunching metal. Prowl was in the thick of it, uppercutting a larger Decepticon’s chin. His opponent slipped and fell into the shimmering bath. Beside him, Greenlight threw down a Decepticon face-first into the oily floor while X-Brawn pinned a third Decepticon. By then, the remaining Decepticons were outnumbered and pinned down by other Autobots.

Ripclaw fished out the Decepticon from the bath and held them up.

Greenlight’s Decepticon snapped, “Fragging Autobots! I’ll kill ya!” 

She popped out cuffs from her chest cavity and locked them on the Decepticon’s wrists.

“You’re in trouble now!” Greenlight huffed. “You all just booked a trip to prison!”

As the cops cuffed every Decepticon, X-Brawn’s captive snarled, “Those slagheaps started it! They fragging started it!”

The other Autobots in the bathhouse roared back at the Decepticons and an argument broke loose. 

“Ironhide, we apprehended the ‘Cons at the bathhouse,” Greenlight reported. “We’ll need a ground bridge outside to the prison and six open cells.”

“This is scrap!” the Decepticon in Ripclaw’s hand shouted.

The Autobots dragged the struggling, bleeding Decepticons outside. One Autobot guest explained to Greenlight, “Those ‘Cons are liars! They started it, looking at us all wrong. We were defending ourselves! We just knew they were about to attack us, we knew it!”

“Mm,” Prowl hummed in agreement.

“Big scrap!” a Decepticon yelled.

“Enough,” Prowl ordered. “I don’t want to hear it. We’ll talk to one side then hear yours.”

“These glitches ain’t gonna believe any side but their own,” a Decepticon hissed.

“Oi!” X-Brawn called. “Don’t talk to an officer like that. We’ll take that as a threat!”

Many curses spilled from the Decepticons' mouths. The officers walked through the ground bridge, tossed the Decepticons into cells of red-fizzing bars, then returned to Iacon shaking their heads.

“Typical ‘Cons,” X-Brawn drawled.

Prowl waved over the Autobots from the brawl. “So, tell me what happened.”

“Well, just like she said,” one Autobot gestured to the other. “We were relaxing in a pool and the ‘Cons looked at us all wrong. We called them out and we got out of the bath. They stomped up to us; we pushed them.”

“So they approached you first,” Prowl nodded deeply.

“Yeah, they were just looking for an excuse to fight,” another Autobot muttered.

“Yep,” Prowl sighed. “They’ll be doing a lot of that in the near future. A video of Megatron defecting doesn’t matter to them: they still want to keep up the fight.”

“We need to ban them from here,” an Autobot urged. “How can a bot relax in some hot oil with ‘Cons in the same room?”

“I hear you,” Prowl said.

Prowl asked their names and eventually, all the officers involved returned to the station to report to Ironhide. After hearing it all, Ironhide sighed deeply and said, “Aye, now begins our daily lives.”

---

Ripclaw and Prowl headed to Kaon while Predaking excused himself to go to school. No one stopped him, but the police looked at him with disappointment. When Predaking flopped into the desk beside Skylynx, he felt guilty about how at ease he felt. Everything was quiet and still, so peaceful and relaxing, yet only because of the Dinobots guarding the school. 

Perhaps I should not enjoy this, he thought. If it is my duty to fight and uphold peace, then I am wrong to be here.

Dominus Ambus stepped onto Predaking’s desk in his turbofox form. 

“Are you alright, Predaking?” he murmured.

“Yes, my apologies.” Predaking straightened and wrote on his desk.

With a little claw, Dominus Ambus wrote above Predaking’s note: You can talk to me after class about anything.

---

Predaking did not. He broadened his chest and returned to police training and work.

Strength is my most important attribute. I must employ it. To fight for a noble cause is what I was meant to do. 

Predaking and Ripclaw met up with Skylynx that night; Darksteel was still out on his adventure. They drank energon from Maccadam’s, studied from the CSL book, then slept. Though peeking an eye open, Predaking watched Ripclaw’s soft content expression as she nestled in her chain blankets.

They woke to a call of a violent fight in Iacon. One Autobot and one Decepticon tussled with blasters and blades, trying their best to kill each other until Ripclaw hurled them to different sides of the street. Back to powerdown she then went, plopping down quite pleased with herself.

The next day there was a fight within the library. This time, Predaking was first to grab the Decepticon by the neck and carry her out. Then came the night and a brawl outside Maccadam’s. Predaking, Ripclaw, and other officers arrived to find Autobots standing over beaten down Vehicons.

“You wouldn’t believe the nerve!” one Autobot cried. “They said, ‘You want to take this outside?’”

Predaking gaped as the purple Vehicons twitched.

Maccadam himself stood at the doors. “Now I don’t know what happened here, but I am very disappointed. You knew I don’t allow fighting inside my establishment, so you thought it alright to take it only as far as my doorstep!”

“We’re sorry, Sir, it’s just these Vehicons… They really had it coming!”

“What did they do?” Predaking demanded.

Jazz hushed, “Don’t worry, King, we’ll ask the questions.”

“They sat too close to us!” an Autobot exclaimed. “That was already suspicious, but then they started harassing us. One of them ‘accidentally’ knocked over my oil on me! So I said if I weren’t in Maccadam’s right now…!”

A Vehicon propped himself up on his elbows and stared at them.

“I think you should all go home,” Maccadam warned. “Cool down, and come apologize to me later if you want to be let back in.”

The Autobot stained with oil growled, “How are you going to know if the right one is apologizing to you?”

He gestured at the wheeled Vehicons on the ground. 

“Enough now,” Maccadam uttered. 

The Autobot patrons sighed.

“You want us to take in these Vehicons?” Jazz asked them.

“Nah,” the Autobot covered in oil said. “I think they learned their lesson.”

The Autobots stalked off as Prowl and other officers drove in.

“What happened?” Prowl asked.

Jazz explained. Predaking reached down and helped the Vehicons stand, asking them, “Do you require medical assistance?”

The Vehicons shook themselves from his grasp. Saying nothing, they transformed and drove away. Predaking’s spark stung to watch them go.

“What if they truly did not start that fight?” Predaking wondered.

“Could be possible,” Maccadam said. “But they didn’t deny it, did they?”

“No, they didn’t,” Jazz agreed.

---

Continue to 4_16

Chapter 67: 4_16

The blasting, foul-mouthed voices of the Decepticons grated more on Predaking’s audio receptors and he noticed all the patterns Prowl had taught them. Many red-eyed bots were tossed into cells and now, whenever he saw red-eyed Decepticons prowling around Iacon, he knew later that day there would be a call. He stalked them like he would have if Starscream had manifested on the streets. 

Predaking led Ripclaw and Tracks after a large dark Decepticon with beady red eyes.

“Go to the pits, Predacons!” the Decepticon shouted back.

“That’s no way to talk to an officer,” Ripclaw growled.

The Decepticon flipped them off with a blaster then walked into the library. The officer Tracks exclaimed, “We can’t let him bear that in the Hall of Records!”

Tracks and the Predacons followed the Decepticon inside, but by then, his blaster had been tucked away. 

“Frag. Off!” he snapped.

They let the Decepticon travel up the elevator, but they hung around on the ground floor. When the Decepticon came back down after some time, he drifted eerily close to Tracks.

“Watch it,” Tracks warned.

“You’re vermin,” the Decepticon hissed in his face. “Military vermin. Won’t be long before we shoot you up like retrorats!”

Ripclaw slammed the Decepticon to the desk and Tracks cuffed his wrists. The librarian behind it skittered far out of their way.

Tracks scoffed, “You should have stopped at ‘vermin’ and I would have let that slide.”

“You pompous cop!” the Decepticon spat. “You only protect your own! You don’t care that two of ours went missing in Iacon! Bet you’re behind it anyway!”

“No ‘Cons have gone missing in Iacon,” Tracks said. “And we certainly wouldn’t have killed any!”

“Liars,” the Decepticon uttered. “You killed them when no one was looking. They came into Iacon for shots at Maccadam’s and never came home!”

“Maybe they went exploring.” Tracks hauled up the Decepticon. “Autobots don’t murder and hide bodies. That isn’t our way as much as you're used to that behaviour from your own side.”

“That isn’t our way,” the Decepticon mocked. “Scrap that. I’ve seen what you’d do to Decepticons on the field. The way you’d play games for the highest kill count. Counting those you killed who were already lying down n’ wounded.”

“That is appalling. I have never heard of anything of the sort from my faction!”

“Then you weren’t paying enough attention.”

“What’s your name?” Tracks asked.

“Derail. I’m a doctor.”

“Doctor, huh?” Tracks unlocked the cuffs. “Fine. I’ll let you off with a warning this time. Watch what you say in Iacon.”

Derail puffed and lumbered out the door.

“Have Decepticons truly gone missing in Iacon?” Predaking asked. “Is this something we neglected to investigate?”

Tracks shrugged. “We heard some rumours on the DataNet, but it’s a Decepticon conspiracy theory. We searched and asked around. We patrol all the time. You know we hear every Autobot-Decepticon showdown. Those Decepticons probably went out to explore Cybertron without telling anyone.”

Predaking took his word for it. It certainly seemed that Decepticons would craft any excuse to fight Autobots. He couldn’t even imagine how an Autobot could kill a Decepticon in the city without a sound or without someone glimpsing them dragging away a large body. Where would a body be kept or disposed of regardless?

“Really, what nonsense!” Tracks glanced back at them. “You hear them talk. Who do you think the homicidal faction really is?”

“Not you,” Ripclaw sighed.

---

After many interruptions to their recharge cycles, Predaking and Ripclaw led themselves home early to rest. 

“Maybe I could sniff around the city for blood energon,” Ripclaw said. “Just in case Devcon did something, though I haven’t seen him in a while.”

She punched in the door code and they stepped inside their spacious house. All Darksteel’s lamps flicked on with the switch, illuminating a bot in the corner of the room.

Ripclaw cried, “There’s someone—!”

The dark bot raised a gun and shot one dart into her chest and another into Predaking’s. The door shut behind them as they collapsed.

“Wh-what…” Ripclaw choked. 

Both Predacons twitched but their bodies failed to obey them.

“They’re down,” the bot reported in a whistling accent. “Send the ground bridge.”

“What…” Predaking also slurred.

The bot ripped out the darts as a ground bridge opened. Predaking summoned all his strength, yet his body remained numb and unresponsive. Panic boiled his blood and he flicked up his eyes before bulky Decepticons stomped through the portal and grabbed hold of him. Grunting, they dragged him through into a cold grey room before bringing in Ripclaw. Then, the ground bridge closed and home disappeared. There were only bare walls, the floor, and a ring of six Decepticons. Among them was Vortex.

A burly beige Decepticon with a magenta visor exclaimed, “Oh ho, this is why you’re number one, Lockdown! Just look at them!”

Ripclaw’s eyes flicked to Predaking's. Her T-cog groaned deep in her gut but she did not transform.

“Don’t bother,” the black and green Decepticon—Lockdown—drawled. “My drugs could nearly knock out a titan. You aren’t going anywhere.”

The largest Decepticon in the room, blue with thick plates around his neck, stomped up to Predaking and roughly lifted his head up by the horns. “Playing cop, were you, Predacons? I think we better put an end to that here and now.”

“Boss’s right,” grunted a pale green tankformer. “We don’t want you playing this game.”

A brown and purple flier proposed, “Should we combine and stomp out their processors?” 

“Whoa now!” the beige and magenta bot protested. “Do you know how much their parts could be worth? We have to terminate them gently to harvest everything in perfect condition! Their pyrovalves are worth a fortune to anyone who wants to breathe fire like a Dinobot! And come on, don’t you think the vibrant hide of that one would make for beautiful tiles or decorations? And both of them have silky wings, why, I could sell precious fireproof cloaks made out of them!”

Lockdown prowled up to Ripclaw and brandished his hook for a hand. “I could gut them for you, Swindle. It’ll take longer than usual, but I can do it without damaging the goods.”

Ripclaw trembled and looked wildly around.

Vortex said, “Oi mates, don’t get so excited. I thought we were just gonna give them a warning, yeah? These two didn’t interrupt that dark energon deal so they aren’t all bad.”

Swindle protested, “Oh Vortex, you’re really ruining a good thing here. Think of how much they’re worth!”

“We owe them a little for letting us revive Blast Off.” Vortex jerked his head toward the brown and purple flier.

“Just a little…” Lockdown repeated while drawing a line up Ripclaw’s gut. The cut welled with energon and she choked, still unable to do more than twitch her claws. Lockdown ran his hook up her neck, over her jaw and around her eye. Then he drew back his arm and slashed her chest. Pieces of the letters Police flew with beads of energon. He sliced again and again on both sides until the letters were torn and the top of her chest raked with bloody cuts. 

Hook dripping with energon, Lockdown approached Predaking. 

“Four is just too many Predacons working with the police. We just couldn’t allow it to go on, you see?”

The hook scraped around Predaking’s face, his sister’s energon mixing with his.

Swindle cried, “Please, Lockdown ol’ pal—just let me have those wings at least!”

“That’s fair, isn’t it?” Lockdown looked at the large blue Decepticon. “It won’t kill them and it will create less problems for us in the future.”

Lockdown walked around Predaking’s back. He tried to writhe but could only shiver. A hand fell on Predaking’s wing joint; his spark pounded.

Blast Off pulled off Lockdown’s hand. “They'll get one chance. One single warning to leave the police and abandon the Autobots. They don’t listen; we take everything from them.”

The bulkiest Decepticon uttered, “Right. Send the ground bridge. They’ve been warned. We’re sending them back.”

Once the ground bridge came, the Decepticons dragged the Predacons back into their house. 

“Tell the other two,” the blue Decepticon uttered. “If we see any Predacon playing cop again, we’ll be back.”

They exited through the ground bridge. After it closed, the Predacons lay frozen under the calm light of the lamps. Predaking and Ripclaw locked terrified eyes over her blankets upon the floor. Both struggled to speak but as time passed, clucking growls escaped their throats. As their limbs started to stir, the keypad at the entrance chimed. It opened, and Skylynx stumbled in with a gasp.

---

Continue to 4_17

Chapter 68: 4_17

Predaking and Ripclaw lay on hospital berths, shifting and gasping after their energon was flushed and replaced. Whenever the doctors came in and out of the room, they heard the concerned voices of Skylynx and Ironhide. Slowly, doctors welded their cuts closed, more time needed for Ripclaw’s slashing wounds. The flat pieces which housed the words Police twice were now warped silvery scars.

At last the doctors stepped outside and those waiting flooded in: Skylynx, Ironhide, Prowl, Sunstreaker, and Jazz. Behind the officers came Bluestreak. 

Prowl approached Ripclaw first. She sat up quickly and leaned away.

“I don’t know if I can interact with you,” Ripclaw choked. “We can’t be associated or else they’ll…”

Prowl took a step back. “Who did this to you? A black and green bot with a white face? Black eye tattoos?”

Ripclaw closed her eyes and nodded.

“Lockdown. We know only one bot who can craft drugs that powerful,” Prowl told her.

“There were others…” Predaking mumbled and sat up. “Vortex… Swindle… Blast Off, and two others whose names we did not hear.”

“You saw the Combaticons!” Prowl gasped sharply. He looked back at Ironhide.

“They gave us a warning…” Predaking jerked and his eyes drifted to the window. Suddenly the shine of streetlamps reflecting off building walls entranced him. 

“They don’t want Predacon police officers,” Ripclaw breathed. “They said they’d kill us… They, they almost did kill us… I felt so helpless. I couldn’t move; it happened so fast…”

As her voice broke, Predaking looked back to her distraught expression. His own face contorted and his pulse pounded as he slipped back into the experience. Prowl crept closer again to Ripclaw.

Ripclaw wheezed, “One of them kept talking about selling our parts… They were going to cut us open and we-we couldn’t move… Oh, Prowl, everything you told us about them was true!”

The visor of Prowl’s face lifted, revealing small and soft yellow eyes. He reached her side, opened his arms, and Ripclaw dove into them. Her weight nearly crushed him, but Prowl bent his legs and held on. 

“There is evil in this universe, Green,” Prowl said. “I’m sorry. I’ve been there too.”

Her large face buried into his shoulder. “You have?”

“Many times. I’ve gone too deep trying to rid this world of crime. I got the biggest target on my back out of anyone in the force.”

She lifted some of her weight off him to look at him. “How did you survive it?”

Prowl sighed, “I adapted to their tricks, became more cautious and observant.”

Prowl stroked her forehead.

Ironhide spoke up, “It’s alright if you want t’ leave, Ripclaw. This was scary, we understand.”

Skylynx added, “School would be safer to return to.”

“Maybe, yeah…” she breathed. 

Sunstreaker asked, “Predaking, are you okay?”

The yellow officer came over and stroked his hand. Everyone in the room drew closer to the Predacons in their berths. Spark still pounding, Predaking gazed over them all.

“Looks like he still needs time to process,” Jazz said. 

“You’ll be safe now,” Ironhide told him. “Whether you want to go back to construction and school, that’s up to you. If you want to track down those scummy ‘Cons with us, we’ll do everything to keep you safe too. You can think about it.”

Predaking stared at them with a frown.

Ripclaw said, “I just… don’t feel safe going home right now.”

Skylynx gazed at her sadly.

“Do you want to come over to our place?” Bluestreak murmured. “It’s small but… a lot safer.”

Ripclaw stammered, “B-but I don’t want those ‘Cons to think…”

“You won’t be doing police work,” Bluestreak said. “You can just come over, rest, have something to drink… I built a disruptor rod in our apartment: it stops ground bridges from opening in our home. And there are sensors and alarms, all sorts of things to alert us of entry when we’re out. Prowl’s thorough.”

“So there’s no chance of anyone hiding in there…”

“That’s right,” Prowl answered her.

“Okay… Okay, I’ll come…”

“King?” Prowl turned his head. “You want to spend some time there too?”

“I suppose…” Predaking rumbled. 

Skylynx said, “Go ahead. I’ll wait for Darksteel; he’s on his way.”

Ironhide offered, “If ya don’t want to be seen crossing Iacon with cops, we can ground bridge you closer. If you’re comfortable.”

Predaking and Ripclaw agreed. After Ironhide made the call, he told them, “We are so very sorry this happened to you both. We’ll do everything in our power to catch those Combaticons.”

“If you can tell me more, it might help,” Prowl said while guiding them through the portal.

They popped outside of a grey apartment building before trudging in. After rising up an elevator, Prowl showed them their dwelling.

“This is what I do when coming home,” he murmured. He waved them to the side, dropped his visor over his eyes, bore a blaster, and typed in the code. He left the door open for a moment to listen before he rolled inside. The Predacons peeked in as he spun a circle then swiftly glided around the windowless room, following the walls and checking around furniture. A scanner emerged from his arm and swept every surface with red rays. At last he returned to another keypad on the interior of the apartment, typing in a code without letting them see.

“Alarms are down,” he reported. “No one is here, no cameras or bugs either.”

Bluestreak said, “Go ahead and sit down.”

The chairs were non adjustable but wide enough for their hips. Both Predaking and Ripclaw eased into them, stretched out their legs, and tucked their wings to the side.

Bluestreak brushed past Prowl. “Warm energon?”

“Sure,” Prowl murmured, lifting his visor once more.

While Bluestreak prepared drinks, Prowl sat in one of the other chairs which faced the Predacons. 

“Do you feel safe right now?” Prowl asked them.

Predaking felt that his pulse had slowed, but he was embarrassed to nod with Ripclaw.

“Is it alright if we walk through what happened?” Prowl continued.

Predaking sighed, “We entered our manor as usual… As soon as we turned on the lights, we spied the one known as Lockdown… He shot a dart into each of our chests which had an immediate, incapacitating effect.” 

Prowl nodded along.

“A ground bridge opened… No, Lockdown requested a ground bridge. Then came five heavy class Decepticons who dragged us into a grey room. There were no windows or features to note. Simply…”

“So…” Prowl said. “Lockdown called someone through some sort of comm link… and whoever that was, provided the ground bridge. Likely someone who wasn’t a Combaticon, since the room was featureless: no tech.”

“Someone else…” Predaking echoed.

Prowl exhaled, “We can check our own logs for a traitor, but it is also possible the Decepticons built their own technology and are operating off it. Hmm. And the room, did it look newly built?”

“Yes,” Ripclaw mumbled.

“Any wall decals?”

“Everything was smooth, no decorations or details,” she said.

“That helps more than you know,” Prowl replied. “There aren’t many freshly constructed buildings on Cybertron, only so few with plain grey rooms… We could probably figure out where you had been taken. I don’t expect the Combaticons would still be there, but it would help to know who constructed that room. It must have been built for such a dark purpose as this.”

Bluestreak slipped in and put pleasantly hot cups of energon into everyone’s hands. Predaking and Ripclaw sipped at their cups as Bluestreak wiggled into the same chair as Prowl.

“We… helped the Combaticons before,” Ripclaw mumbled. “That’s why they let us live this time.”

“What do you mean?” Prowl asked.

She sighed heavily. “One time… we went with a silver Vehicon to a factory. On the way back, Vortex met him on the truck. The Vehicon gave him dark energon in exchange for needles and a vial. We didn’t… interrupt. They said the dark energon was medicine… we felt bad. We let it happen. I’m so sorry…”

“Thanks for telling me,” Prowl murmured. “It’s okay, Green. I’m not mad at you.”

Predaking muttered, “We should have captured Vortex then.”

“Any of us would have,” Prowl said, “but because we know who he is. You didn’t.”

“I almost interrupted the exchange,” Predaking growled. “I… despise dark energon as the evil substance that it is. But at the time, I was confused. I did not want to betray the Vehicons whom I had grown close to. I wanted to do the right thing…”

“You know better now.”

“Most certainly…” Predaking clenched his cup then reminded himself not to crush it. 

“Have Vehicons been trading dark energon with Decepticons?” Prowl asked.

“Yes,” Ripclaw muttered. “They are responsible for Blackwall.”

“That is big news,” Prowl uttered. 

“We confronted them about it at the Fallen Trooper…” Ripclaw ground her teeth. “No, their leader. The Vehicons have a leader who calls himself Altero.”

“Alter…o,” Prowl pronounced slowly.

“He looks like a normal wheeled Vehicon. But his face cracks open, revealing orange fangs,” Ripclaw elaborated. 

“What she says is true,” Predaking confirmed. “He once introduced himself in the Vehicon residence in Iacon. We spoke to him behind the bar at the Fallen Trooper. Although, Altero explained that they had sold dark energon to fund… their establishment. He claimed that now, they have no more dark energon.”

“That could be a lie, you know,” Prowl said.

Predaking scrunched his brows. “It… could have been…”

“You’re young and learning. Bots lie, a lot. And the south of Cybertron has a deep dark history. Going there, know everyone will lie to you and plan how to stab you in the back.”

Bluestreak murmured, “Do you think that Vehicon, Altero… commands the Combaticons?”

“I find that unlikely,” Prowl sighed. “Just based on their pride… But, I don’t want to ignore the possibility. Perhaps the Combaticons were employed… because the Predacons knew too much. The things you are telling us now… may be exactly what Altero didn’t want revealed.”

“Oh…” Ripclaw ventilated.

Predaking stared into the energon of his cup as his spark seemed to stop.

“The Vehicons… betrayed us?” he whispered.

“It looks that way,” Prowl said. “I’m sorry. It is what it is, for they are Decepticons even if we forget it sometimes.”

“Darksteel is friends with them. I feel so sick,” Ripclaw growled. “But I knew they didn’t like me. Because I was challenging them, remember?”

Predaking nodded.

“We don’t want you to get in trouble,” Prowl said. “We’ll find Altero discreetly, pretending we know nothing.”

Bluestreak said, “Nightbeat is a Neutral detective, maybe they could spend some time down in Kaon…”

“I don’t trust Nightbeat enough, they barely ever arrest a bot,” Prowl uttered. “Even if Altero revealed himself right in front of them. But we’ll figure something out. What do you think you want to do now, Predaking and Ripclaw?”

“I do not want to live in fear,” Predaking muttered. “This, I know. No one dominates us. Predacons are the mightiest of all Cybertronians. They attacked me and I witnessed the torture of one of my brethren. They will regret what they have done.”

“Do you wish to storm the Fallen Trooper now?” Prowl asked. “Maybe we could end it all.”

Just as Predaking considered the option, Bluestreak exclaimed, “P-Prowl, we can’t make that choice! And that’s… the Decepticon hangout. If we barge into that, hundreds of Decepticons will take that as an invitation for war! We can’t, we can’t… not when Autobots and Decepticons nearly equal each other in number and each side has a Combiner. There might even be more Decepticons than Autobots if you count the… Vehicons…”

Prowl rolled his joints. “Scrap. Then, there is no other way, is there? We must find and capture Altero discreetly.”

---

Continue to 4_18

Chapter 69: 4_18

Predaking’s phone blinged:

Darksteel
I’M BACK

Then again:

Skylynx
Darksteel is back in Iacon.

Predaking
Meet us at Maccadam’s.

---

Predaking and Ripclaw crept to Maccadam’s, heads turning to check all around them. Upon spotting Skylynx and Darksteel at the entrance, they rushed over.

“Oh no, your faces!” Darksteel cried. “Yeesh, so… what happened really happened?”

“Let us go somewhere private,” Predaking rumbled. “Outside Iacon.”

“No, we can go home; it’ll be safe. I’ll go in first if you want.”

“I would rather not.”

“Aw so you don’t want to go back… ever?”

“Maybe if we change the door code and get a disruptor rod,” Ripclaw exhaled.

“What’s that?” Darksteel asked.

“It blocks portals.” 

“Follow me,” Predaking commanded.

A red line cut the horizon as the Predacons touched down and transformed on a plain beyond Iacon. 

“Darksteel,” Predaking uttered. “It seems Altero sent the most dangerous Decepticons on Cybertron to threaten me and Ripclaw. We were nearly assassinated.”

“What!” Darksteel yelped. “No, that can’t be right! Why?”

“We were ordered to quit the police force and cease aiding the Autobots.”

“But Altero didn’t mind! Remember? Yeah, the Vehicons are happy because we’d stand up for them!”

Ripclaw retorted, “Well, we didn’t stand up for them when they started a fight at Maccadam’s. And were we supposed to? And should we get punished for that?”

Predaking wondered, “Do you believe it was that which caused the Vehicons to turn against us?”

“The Vehicons haven’t turned against us!” Darksteel protested. “They’re my friends! We have so much in common with them, right? And even when knowing we were cops, Altero treated us so well in Kaon! If he wanted to hurt us, he would have then, wouldn’t he have? Why do you think he sent bots after you? Maybe those bots acted alone!”

Predaking said, “We knew about the crimes of the Vehicons and the existence of their leader.”

“We’ve known that for a while! Come on, he asked us nicely not to tell the Autobots! He gave us good reasons too.”

Ripclaw snapped, “I think Altero is a liar! He told us he had no more dark energon to send us away, but I bet he’s paying ‘Cons like our kidnappers with it!”

“You’re just saying things without proof!” Darksteel growled. “I haven’t seen or heard of more darkened ‘Cons lately! And! Who's to say this isn’t all Starscream, hmm? Did you ever think of that? Predaking let him go and he’s been missing ever since! You don’t think he might want us out of his way?”

“I do not believe he is behind this,” Predaking said.

“It wasn’t the Vehicons,” Darksteel huffed. “Maybe you haven’t been spending enough time with them but with those preachy Autobots instead.”

“Maybe you’ve been spending too much time with the Vehicons,” Ripclaw hissed. “And they’re brainwashing you with Decepticon ideals!” 

Skylynx interrupted, “Let us not accuse each other of holding biases.”

“Yes, let us not argue,” Predaking sighed. “An investigation will be conducted to track down those who assaulted us.”

“What are you going to do now anyway?” Darksteel asked. “Are you really gonna stop being cops?”

Ripclaw clenched her claws and seethed. “No, I don’t think so. I want nothing more than to tear those ‘Cons to shreds! How dare they make us afraid and hurt us like that? I don’t want to be controlled! I want to find them!”

“Although,” Predaking sighed. “This puts us all at risk. If one of us becomes an officer… we may all be assassinated and butchered for parts.” 

“Grah, let them try!” Darksteel snarled. “Let’s all be officers! Look, I’ll stay here for now right beside you. Let’s go out there and police up Iacon! And we can visit the Clubhouse and you’ll see that the Vehicons didn’t plot any of this!”

Predaking asked, “Are you certain you wish to challenge the Decepticons who paralyzed me and Ripclaw?”

“We can be extra alert. If they fail to paralyze all of us at once, then they’ll be dead!”

Skylynx said, “We could either challenge our foes or cower.”

“Correct,” Predaking agreed.

“Let’s go home. I hope they’ll be stupid enough to return!” Darksteel exclaimed.

---

Darksteel entered first, confirming that no bots were in their house. Ringing around Predaking and Ripclaw, Skylynx and Darksteel allowed them a quick well needed rest. Then, the four of them marched to the Iacon Police Station where Ironhide stood alone at the front desk and jolted to see them.

“We’re not leaving,” Ripclaw announced. “Get us a disruptor rod for our home. We’re going all in.”

“Well!” Ironhide’s brows flew up. “Just when Prowl told me you might be leaving things to us!”

“How can we help? Do you want us to go to the Fallen Trooper?”

“Easy,” Ironhide said. “I know you’re eager. We started off with sending Nightbeat there. And Prowl’s reviewing the prints of every new building. Cops down south are checking buildings and dropping bugs and cameras…”

“We can go south,” Darksteel said.

Ironhide made easing motions with his hands. “I don’t want you to get hurt, being too excited. If you really want to take the risk of being a cop, then alright, start with easy stuff. Whatever calls we get today. Alright?”

“Very well,” Predaking replied.

The Predacons clustered in the lobby, shifting. Ironhide sighed, “Go ahead and sit down inside.”

Behind the locked door, Prowl sat alone with his visor locked onto a screen. At their entrance, he gasped, “You’re back?”

“We want revenge,” Ripclaw growled. “No one gets away with treating us like they did.”

“It will be dangerous living your life like mine,” Prowl said. “And exhausting to always be alert, analyzing, planning ahead. There are things you must hide as well… how much you care. Your enemies know you’re bonded with each other, that’s why they threatened to harm Skylynx and Darksteel.”

Predaking uttered, “I will eliminate those who threaten my kind.”

“With the population of Cybertron so low right now, for the first time, I do feel like we have a chance to wipe out the most evil criminal masterminds. Before their influence spreads like a web. A drop of their energon would be enough for you to seal their fates behind bars. So all I need to do is get us just close enough… for that, at least.”

Prowl raised his visor for them.

“I will get you a disrupter rod which will block ground bridges within and around the vicinity of your home. Apart from that, you must practice situational awareness. I started to teach you how to observe, now take that to the max. Autobot, Decepticon, Neutral: watch the eyes, the hands, what they seem to be doing. Check high and low, in alleys… suspect scrap bins and any hiding place.”

Prowl slid the visor back over his eyes and tapped it. “If possible, get some of these. Don’t let your enemies know where you are looking. Trust me, this has made my assailants fumble in hesitation to attack me. They couldn’t tell if I had already seen them or not.”

“That could be hard; my face changes a lot in transformation,” Ripclaw said.

“Mine as well,” Skylynx added.

“Sunstreaker or Bluestreak could design something, I bet.”

They went silent to let Prowl continue his research. 

“Let’s go to the Clubhouse, see how the Vehicons act,” Darksteel proposed.

“The what?” Prowl asked.

Predaking clarified, “The lobby of the Vehicon residence in Iacon.”

“They likely wouldn’t be expecting that. And many would not be present there at this time of day. But what do you hope to accomplish?”

Darksteel argued, “I want to prove it wasn’t them! I hang out with Vehicons all cycle every cycle, so they would never wish harm on me! I personally think Starscream is behind this!”

“Starscream, huh…?” Prowl paused to give the idea some thought. “With the pointed hatred toward you being police, it doesn’t feel like him.”

Prowl typed.

“Well, you should be safe to go. Should be, meaning likely, but never assume completely safe. I doubt the Vehicons will harm you, but if they perceive your entrance as a challenge, then they’ll send their friends again later. Please keep me updated through the comm link. If I don’t hear back, we’ll storm that 'Clubhouse'.”

---

“Prowl, we’re making entrance,” Ripclaw reported.

Darksteel burst in to a warm welcome, but the cheer in the Vehicons’ voices faded after Predaking and Ripclaw walked in. The four Predacons sat in the back of the room, surrounded by silence and bodies which leaned away from them.

“What’s going on? We’re all cool, right?” Darksteel exclaimed.

There were new colours of Vehicons in the room and some old familiar ones.

“Well…” a maroon Vehicon said. “It’s just with some of you being…”

“Cops?” Ripclaw challenged. “You have a problem with that?”

“Yeah, when you break a promise!” Ciel snapped.

“What are you talking about?” Ripclaw uttered.

“Autobots beat some of our own outside Maccadam’s, and what did you do? Side with the Autobots!” Ciel growled.

“You started that fight!”

“Us? They told our fellows that drones didn’t belong in their space! So one of them knocked a drink on them and they all headed out!”

“One of you challenged the Autobots to a fight outside!”

“Why would any of us do that?” Ciel cried. “Did you ever stop to wonder that? No! You believed Autobot lies and never asked our fellows their side of the story!”

“And just like that, you called your Altero?” Ripclaw accused.

“What do you mean?” Ciel muttered.

“I will not be deceived by Decepticons. You hate us now and want us gone.”

“We’d rather you stood up for us.” Ciel twisted his head to Predaking. “You swore to us. You said we were like brethren!”

A pang hit Predaking’s spark. “These words I did speak.”

“Did you not mean them?”

“I meant them… But I acted with incompetence that night.” 

“Yeah.”

“Let me apologize to Altero,” Predaking said.

Ciel crossed his arms. “If you want to apologize to someone, come back here tonight and do it to those dented Vehicons!”

---

“Good try,” Ripclaw whispered while walking out. 

Darksteel protested, “You still think just because they were upset, they…?”

“At the very least, their leader did,” Predaking growled lowly. 

Darksteel argued, “Come on, why go after you before actual Autobots? Who else hates us so specifically except for Starscream?”

“I have my suspicions, but I will apologize to those Vehicons I failed to give justice to,” Predaking replied. “Perhaps me doing so will grant us protection during the investigation.”

Ripclaw reported the incident to Prowl before they returned to the station to stand by his side. At one point, Bluestreak came to hand them their disruptor rod.

---

Indeed that night, Predaking and his brethren returned to the Clubhouse and met with the beaten Vehicons. Predaking bowed and apologized, seeming to please them. Yet he found that his spark once tender for the Vehicons had now hardened. He suffered from the guilt of breaking a promise, while unable to determine if those he had sworn to protect had plotted his demise.

Darksteel hurled himself into their house, but still, there was no one to fight. Transforming, the Predacons lay down to rest with the comfort of the disruptor rod. The lamps stayed lit and Predaking gazed over Skylynx’s statues and borrowed CSL book. At the same time, Predaking longed to study it but could not imagine he and his brethren gathering around the book as though nothing had happened.

He was not the slightest bit tired. After lying down too long stewing in fearful and enraged thoughts, Predaking transformed and grabbed the book from the shelf. His brethren looked at him, but did not react as he sat down and powered on the tablet. The old videos and images comforted him, carrying his mind away from the urges which screamed at him to lash out at everyone.

For long he read, until the softest bling sounded from the phone hidden under his shoulder armour. He did not know why it had been so quiet, but his energon ran cold. He watched his slumbering brethren, the only ones who ever sent him messages before. Prying his phone from his shoulder, he dared view the message.

137 000
Hi! Sorry if I’m disturbing you. I think I can help you, if you’d let me.

There was only a number for this unsaved contact. Reading the message several times over, Predaking tried to calm down. Maybe it was not Lockdown or any other trying to threaten him. Perhaps it was an officer like Nightbeat.

Predaking
Who is this?

137 000
You don’t know me yet, but please don’t worry. I’m a helper. You helped me, so now I’ll gladly do you a favour.

Predaking
How did I help you?

137 000
I think you could guess who I am if I told you that… I’m sorry, I’m a bit afraid to reveal myself.

Predaking wondered if this were a Vehicon afraid to betray Altero. Although, had he helped any Vehicon enough to deserve one risking their safety for him?

Predaking
Are you certain that I am the one with whom you mean to speak?

137 000
You’re the leader of the Predacons, right? Predaking?

I know what happened and I know you’re scared. I can make things better, keep you and your brethren safe. Really, I owe you one. Tell me… do you want me to find those who hurt you?

---

Choice 1: Show your brethren the messages.............. Go to 4_19

Choice 2: Don’t show your brethren the messages..... Go to 4_20

Chapter 70: 4_19

You chose to show your brethren the messages

 

Predaking roused his brethren one by one, then told them, “I am receiving messages on my device from someone who wishes to aid us.”

First they peered at him strangely, then at his device’s screen.

[Nothing,] Skylynx signed. 

Predaking turned his phone to his own face. Blinking rapidly, he could not change what he saw: there was no new chat history. All one could see were three contacts from his brethren.

[Tired? Stressed?] Skylynx suggested.

“Have I become delusional?” Predaking’s spark sank. So desperate for rescue?

[Rest,] Ripclaw signed. [Everything will be fine.]

“I apologize for disturbing you…” Predaking sighed, checking the screen once more before clipping his phone under his shoulder armour. He put Skylynx’s book away, then transformed and tried to rest.

What is wrong with me? How could I have believed something so farfetched? 

He worried about the state of his mind. Most importantly, he did not want to worry about the state of his mind. What had happened to him could not be allowed to frighten a Predacon like him.

But… my brethren are in danger. I cannot lose a single one of them.

Eventually, he thought he heard his phone bling softly again.

Did I really just hear that? Or is my mind playing tricks on me…?

Predaking tried to ignore it. There was a second bling.

I will see that there is nothing there, he decided.

Predaking transformed; briefly his brethren cracked open their eyes, looked around the room, then flopped back down. Drawing out the phone again, Predaking checked it.

---

137 000
Sorry, I deleted it all. I am too afraid of what will happen if others find out I’m doing this.

---

Predaking flashed his eyes around the room.

---

Predaking
How did you know what I was about to do?

137 000
Okay I admit, I can see you. But I can see a lot of things, that’s why I’m offering to find your enemies. I can find anything I want on Cybertron in a joor, maybe a cycle, at most a decacycle.

---

This does not seem like a Vehicon, Predaking thought.

---

Predaking
Did you put a camera in this room?

137 000
I’m afraid I can’t share my secrets just yet! Maybe after this is over, I can tell you who I am. It’s just very important right now that you don’t tell anyone I’m helping you. Beings have a long history of trying to capture me and use my abilities. 

---

Predaking’s mind went through all recent events, trying to pick out who might have felt thankful to him. An Autobot with special skills, perhaps? Whom he had pulled out of a fight? Although, he couldn’t say he had rescued any Autobot since all had been holding their own against the Decepticons.

Who is this? Predaking thought.

---

Predaking
If you can tell me where the Combaticons are located, then I would be most thankful. However, how do I know this is not just a trap?

137 000
Smart question!
I’ll be in touch soon. Whether you want to believe me or not by then, that will be up to you.

---

After Predaking had read the message, the entire chat vanished before his eyes.

---

During the night, Predaking sat awake and decided he had not imagined anything. No, what had happened was a Decepticon with alarming tech skills was trying to manipulate him into a trap. 

I shall report this, Predaking thought. Perhaps Prowl can identify that number.

Proudly the Predacons flew to the Iacon police station over the construction workers, keeping a high distance from them and looking for suspicious weapons instead of tools in their hands. If Predaking wasn’t mistaken, there seemed to be even more Autobots now as though another army had returned. 

The city will be safer for that, Predaking thought.

The Predacons landed and marched inside the station.

“Any news?” Ripclaw asked.

Prowl and Nightbeat turned to them, but a furious expression was etched into Prowl’s face.

“Well, this detective apparently spoke to Altero themself! And didn’t arrest him on the spot!” Prowl snarled.

“What!” Ripclaw cried.

Predaking and the other Predacons jolted.

“Listen,” Nightbeat urged. “He claims no responsibility for what happened—”

Prowl barked, “He lied right to your face!”

“We need to address the larger issue tightening tensions to a breaking point,” Nightbeat urged. “If we don’t take action now, the War could start again. The threat against the Predacons was just a symptom. It is not the biggest issue.”

“Not the biggest issue? Our new recruits were kidnapped and almost butchered by the Combaticons! How dare you downplay what they went through!”

“N-not like that…” Nightbeat gulped. “I’m worried that it will just get worse… Every cop being targeted for assassination. We’ve never been so vulnerable. They could try to eliminate police as a concept right here and now before Cybertron establishes a government. If we can’t prove ourselves as a useful, moral, vital part of peace for the new society—”

“We have been useful! We are vital! Those ‘Cons are just criminal and we have no choice but to jail them when they threaten us!”

Ironhide watched them argue with crossed arms.

Nightbeat pushed, “We are failing the Decepticons and making them more hostile.”

“Failing them?” Prowl scoffed. “Who is expecting us to help them? They don't want our help!”

“Two Decepticons went missing in Iacon. And now, Altero has told me that it’s more than that. Vehicons have disappeared in Iacon too.”

“How could they even know?” Prowl huffed. “One of the coloured ones? Otherwise, they all look the same!”

“We have to take Decepticon rage seriously,” Nightbeat said. “We have to show them we are investigating. What if, Prowl, Autobots are murdering Decepticons in Iacon and we’re doing nothing about it?”

“The Autobot faction does not murder!”

“No, individuals do,” Nightbeat uttered. “No matter what symbol they wear. Every side has their monsters. The Dinobots reported an Autobot cannibal on Cybertron: Airwave. Your faction is more than capable of murder.”

Darksteel interrupted, “If Vehicons are going missing, we have to investigate!”

“We have nothing to go off…” Prowl muttered.

“Put effort into this,” Nightbeat ordered. 

“My priority was arresting Altero and interrogating him! You let a potential dark energon-dealing crime boss walk free!”

Ironhide rumbled at last, “That’s right. We needed that one, Nightbeat.”

“I would have lost all trust from the Decepticon faction,” Nightbeat muttered. “I can’t break my neutrality like that.”

As the argument continued and the Predacons watched, dismayed, a soft bling came from Predaking’s shoulder. No one noticed except him.

I can show them now, Predaking thought.

He took out his phone and read.

---

068 000
Ask them about the fifth Predacon left to starve in a Decepticon bunker outside Kaon.

---

Predaking’s spark seemed to plunge through his body to the core of Cybertron. As soon as his eyes flared and his jaw parted, the message disappeared.

Skylynx peeked at him and the screen. “What is it?”

Trembling, Predaking thought, It is all a Decepticon trick, no more! There is no fifth Predacon. This is a lie…

But there was only one way to prove it.

Predaking interrupted, “Is there a fifth Predacon whose existence you have been hiding?”

He expected confusion and offence. That he received from Nightbeat and other officers, but not from Ironhide and Prowl. Their eyes flew open in horror.

Now, Predaking’s spark shot up into the sky.

“Is it true?” Predaking hollered, his sudden shout making every Autobot jump.

“W-who told you?” Ironhide gulped.

Predaking stumbled back as the room spun, then he clenched his fists and roared, “THERE IS A FIFTH PREDACON THAT YOU HAVE HIDDEN FROM ME?”

“Easy, Predaking, easy!” Ironhide gasped. “This one’s feral, not like you—”

“NOT LIKE US?” Predaking boomed.

“It ate bots!” Prowl cried. “Decacycles ago, Bumblebee and the Dinobots managed to trap it—”

The names struck him like a blade. Predaking’s quivering pupils slid down to the empty phone screen with nothing to say. He placed it on his shoulder.

“Who messaged you?” Prowl blasted. “Who?”

“Take me. To. That. Predacon,” Predaking hissed.

His hiss sharpened into a sound feral in itself. Suddenly, old friendly faces looked fearful and plates shifted as Autobots debated drawing their weapons.

“If we let that Predacon loose…” Ironhide spoke slowly. “It will kill bots.”

Ripclaw said, “Predaking… calm down.”

“Calm down?” He whirled on her. “I thought you cared about the revival of our species! The Autobots have lied to us! And for what? To quietly kill one of our kind?”

“It’s an old killer,” Ironhide breathed. “An experiment of the Forged: the disciples of Shockwave. Made only to hunt and kill Autobots… same as you… except it’s been doing its job for a century or so. It is a beast of pure instinct now: a predator.”

“They are no beast!” Predaking shouted. “They can transform and speak just like us, if shown that they can! I demand that you take me to them. Now.”

Ironhide and Prowl gawked at each other.

“Do it,” Nightbeat said.

---

Continue to 4_21

Chapter 71: 4_20

You chose to not show your brethren the messages

 

Predaking stared at his brethren a little longer.

---

137 000

Wait, please don't show them. I am too afraid of what will happen if others find out I’m doing this. I'll have to delete these messages.

---

Predaking flashed his eyes around the room.

---

Predaking
How did you know what I was about to do?

137 000
Okay I admit, I can see you. But I can see a lot of things, that’s why I’m offering to find your enemies. I can find anything I want on Cybertron in a joor, maybe a cycle, at most a decacycle.

---

This does not seem like a Vehicon, Predaking thought.

---

Predaking
Did you put a camera in this room?

137 000
I’m afraid I can’t share my secrets just yet! Maybe after this is over, I can tell you who I am. It’s just very important right now that you don’t tell anyone I’m helping you. Beings have a long history of trying to capture me and use my abilities. 

---

Predaking’s mind went through all recent events, trying to pick out who might have felt thankful to him. An Autobot with special skills, perhaps? Whom he had pulled out of a fight? Although, he couldn’t say he had rescued any Autobot since all had been holding their own against the Decepticons.

Who is this? Predaking thought.

---

Predaking
If you can tell me where the Combaticons are located, then I would be most thankful. However, how do I know this is not just a trap?

137 000
Smart question!
I’ll be in touch soon. Whether you want to believe me or not by then, that will be up to you.

---

After Predaking had read the message, the entire chat vanished before his eyes.

---

During the night, Predaking sat awake and decided he had not imagined anything. No, what had happened was a Decepticon with alarming tech skills was trying to manipulate him into a trap. 

I shall report this, Predaking thought. Perhaps Prowl can identify that number.

Proudly the Predacons flew to the Iacon police station over the construction workers, keeping a high distance from them and looking for suspicious weapons instead of tools in their hands. If Predaking wasn’t mistaken, there seemed to be even more Autobots now as though another army had returned. 

The city will be safer for that, Predaking thought.

The Predacons landed and marched inside the station.

“Any news?” Ripclaw asked.

Prowl and Nightbeat turned to them, but a furious expression was etched into Prowl’s face.

“Well, this detective apparently spoke to Altero themself! And didn’t arrest him on the spot!” Prowl snarled.

“What!” Ripclaw cried.

Predaking and the other Predacons jolted.

“Listen,” Nightbeat urged. “He claims no responsibility for what happened—”

Prowl barked, “He lied right to your face!”

“We need to address the larger issue tightening tensions to a breaking point,” Nightbeat urged. “If we don’t take action now, the War could start again. The threat against the Predacons was just a symptom. It is not the biggest issue.”

“Not the biggest issue? Our new recruits were kidnapped and almost butchered by the Combaticons! How dare you downplay what they went through!”

“N-not like that…” Nightbeat gulped. “I’m worried that it will just get worse… Every cop being targeted for assassination. We’ve never been so vulnerable. They could try to eliminate police as a concept right here and now before Cybertron establishes a government. If we can’t prove ourselves as a useful, moral, vital part of peace for the new society—”

“We have been useful! We are vital! Those ‘Cons are just criminal and we have no choice but to jail them when they threaten us!”

Ironhide watched them argue with crossed arms.

Nightbeat pushed, “We are failing the Decepticons and making them more hostile.”

“Failing them?” Prowl scoffed. “Who is expecting us to help them? They don't want our help!”

“Two Decepticons went missing in Iacon. And now, Altero has told me that it’s more than that. Vehicons have disappeared in Iacon too.”

“How could they even know?” Prowl huffed. “One of the coloured ones? Otherwise, they all look the same!”

“We have to take Decepticon rage seriously,” Nightbeat said. “We have to show them we are investigating. What if, Prowl, Autobots are murdering Decepticons in Iacon and we’re doing nothing about it?”

“The Autobot faction does not murder!”

“No, individuals do,” Nightbeat uttered. “No matter what symbol they wear. Every side has their monsters. The Dinobots reported an Autobot cannibal on Cybertron: Airwave. Your faction is more than capable of murder.”

Darksteel interrupted, “If Vehicons are going missing, we have to investigate!”

“We have nothing to go off…” Prowl muttered.

“Put effort into this,” Nightbeat ordered. 

“My priority was arresting Altero and interrogating him! You let a potential dark energon-dealing crime boss walk free!”

Ironhide rumbled at last, “That’s right. We needed that one, Nightbeat.”

“I would have lost all trust from the Decepticon faction,” Nightbeat muttered. “I can’t break my neutrality like that.”

As the argument continued and the Predacons watched, dismayed, a soft bling came from Predaking’s shoulder. No one noticed except him.

I can show them now, Predaking thought.

He took out his phone and read.

---

068 000
Ask them about the fifth Predacon left to starve in a Decepticon bunker outside Kaon.

---

Predaking’s spark seemed to plunge through his body to the core of Cybertron. As soon as his eyes flared and his jaw parted, the message disappeared.

Skylynx peeked at him and the screen. “What is it?”

Trembling, Predaking thought, It is all a Decepticon trick, no more! There is no fifth Predacon. This is a lie…

But there was only one way to prove it.

Predaking interrupted, “Is there a fifth Predacon whose existence you have been hiding?”

He expected confusion and offence. That he received from Nightbeat and other officers, but not from Ironhide and Prowl. Their eyes flew open in horror.

Now, Predaking’s spark shot up into the sky.

“Is it true?” Predaking hollered, his sudden shout making every Autobot jump.

“W-who told you?” Ironhide gulped.

Predaking stumbled back as the room spun, then he clenched his fists and roared, “THERE IS A FIFTH PREDACON THAT YOU HAVE HIDDEN FROM ME?”

“Easy, Predaking, easy!” Ironhide gasped. “This one’s feral, not like you—”

“NOT LIKE US?” Predaking boomed.

“It ate bots!” Prowl cried. “Decacycles ago, Bumblebee and the Dinobots managed to trap it—”

The names struck him like a blade. Predaking’s quivering pupils slid down to the empty phone screen with nothing to say. He placed it on his shoulder.

“Who messaged you?” Prowl blasted. “Who?”

“Take me. To. That. Predacon,” Predaking hissed.

His hiss sharpened into a sound feral in itself. Suddenly, old friendly faces looked fearful and plates shifted as Autobots debated drawing their weapons.

“If we let that Predacon loose…” Ironhide spoke slowly. “It will kill bots.”

Ripclaw said, “Predaking… calm down.”

“Calm down?” He whirled on her. “I thought you cared about the revival of our species! The Autobots have lied to us! And for what? To quietly kill one of our kind?”

“It’s an old killer,” Ironhide breathed. “An experiment of the Forged: the disciples of Shockwave. Made only to hunt and kill Autobots… same as you… except it’s been doing its job for a century or so. It is a beast of pure instinct now: a predator.”

“They are no beast!” Predaking shouted. “They can transform and speak just like us, if shown that they can! I demand that you take me to them. Now.”

Ironhide and Prowl gawked at each other.

“Do it,” Nightbeat said.

---

Continue to 4_21

Chapter 72: 4_21

The rage that had once thrust Predaking into a killing spree on the Nemesis flamed in him now. Images filled his mind of grabbing every smaller body in the room and smashing them off the floor and walls. He wanted his sink his claws through Prowl’s chest and blast away the vexing look of concern on Ironhide’s face.

Ripclaw pulled Predaking outside. The officers insisted they would take a ground bridge there, but for the moment, Predaking wanted to kill the Autobots more than see the fifth Predacon. Right there stood the betrayers: the Autobots who again tried to eliminate his brethren.

Nothing has changed! Predaking’s mind screamed. This is no different than what occurred on Earth!

No matter what Bumblebee had said. No matter what kindness the Autobots seemed to have extended to his species after learning that Predacons could transform and speak… they were just animals to be feared or used.

The Autobots have used me like the Decepticons… in an all more deceptive way!

The ground bridge opened; Ripclaw pushed him through it.

A cracked grey plain surrounded them. Now Predaking transformed and bounded forward, sharply looking around himself. A large collapsed ruin was visible in the distance; spreading his wings, Predaking launched toward it and left all others behind. 

“Wait!” Ironhide called.

Predaking crashed onto the ruins, attacking it with claws and fire. A guttural roar unlike any Predacon he had ever heard halted him. The ground shook and he turned to five Dinobots in beast mode charging him. Predaking spun and hissed, warming fire in his throat. When Ripclaw landed in front of him, he swallowed it.

[Stop!] she signed.

He turned back to the rubble and hurled pieces aside. 

“It ain’t there, Predacon.” Grimlock transformed to bot mode.

Predaking froze, then raised his snarling head.

“Get out of here,” Grimlock uttered. “This beast ain’t one you wanna let loose.”

Predaking’s sign language was too basic for him to express himself now. Transforming, he yelled, “This Predacon is no beast! They are a bot like us and shall be treated accordingly!”

“There ain’t no bothood left in those feral optics,” Grimlock growled. “But we c’n make it easier. Let you see, then kill the beast once it goes mad.”

Grimlock pointed to a large black hole in the ground. At once, Predaking transformed and raced to it, diving down into a tunnel. The yellow light from his body bounced off the walls and illuminated blasted, crumbled walls ahead. Shrieking, Predaking mauled the rubble with his pulsing spark harassing the confines of its chamber. Thick chunks of wall flew back as Predaking cared not for the heavy footsteps lining up behind him. Once a small hole was made, Predaking shoved in his head and wrestled his shoulders through. A dark hallway opened up with dead black computers to the sides and an open doorway ahead.

Beyond that doorway, a pale blue Predacon lay watching him with slitted pink eyes.

Predaking rushed forward and nuzzled the Predacon. The other growled weakly and rolled his head. A large black blast wound left a hole in his side, crusted with energon and showing his organs. Predaking growled and nuzzled the Predacon again, who hissed softly and draped a copper wing over his wound. Walking around him, Predaking seized his tail and dragged him down the hall. Over the bumps of rubble, the Predacon whined, then went silent when dragged past the Dinobots. 

Hatred poured from the blue and copper Predacon’s eyes, which Predaking could only match.

Once Predaking dragged the Predacon up the tunnel to the surface, he found the Autobots anxiously waiting with the ground bridge now behind their backs.

“Wow!” Darksteel cried.

Predaking transformed. “He needs urgent medical attention. Now.”

First, the blue and copper Predacon gawked at Predaking. Then, he growled at the Autobots and made them skitter closer to the portal.

Swoop flew out of the tunnel while the other Dinobots stomped up.

“It can get that once it’s in cuffs in prison,” Grimlock uttered.

Louder growls spilled from the Predacon’s throat before erupting into a shriek. He flipped onto his claws and dove at Nightbeat, who sprang back into the portal. Everyone saw a fanged beak snap onto the detective’s leg before they disappeared.

“NO!” Grimlock boomed.

The Dinobots shoved Predaking and the police aside then jumped through the ground bridge. 

They will kill him!

Predaking transformed while leaping. When he hit the street of Iacon, he clawed a Dinobot then looked around. Nightbeat lay on the street among horrified officers, and above, the blue and copper Predacon sat on a building, rapidly devouring a blue and yellow leg. Energon gushed into his mouth and stained his beak until Swoop struck him like a missile. Dropping the remains, the Predacon tumbled out of sight. Swoop zoomed back to bear his blasters, but Predaking shot into the air.

“Gah!” Swoop yelped.

Bloody scratches tore across Swoop’s back. Predaking's hand zinged off him. Watching, the blue and copper Predacon raised his head and struck the Dinobot with a beam of fire.

“Swoop, fall back!” a Dinobot called.

Predaking’s flame joined his brother’s. Hollering, Swoop swept low before Ripclaw rose to take his place.

[STOP NOW!] Ripclaw commanded. 

Predaking landed at his brother’s side and screeched. However, the blue and copper Predacon turned and launched off the building. Feathers flat, he accelerated toward the Iacon Square. Ripclaw and Predaking raced after him, claws and wings slapping each other to push the other away. The Autobot screams began when the new Predacon crashed into the square and pinned two bots underfoot. Just as he was about to bite one, the tangle of Predaking and Ripclaw struck him.

All three Predacons rolled and scattered. Ripclaw was up first, diving on the blue and copper Predacon with claws whirling. Cuts tore his metal and her spikes stabbed his neck and arm. He shrieked and snapped at the underside of her throat, but Ripclaw lowered her neck and let her spikes pierce his face.

Her tail curved and revealed its stinger. Predaking leapt onto Ripclaw and they rolled away. Her green spikes popped through his armour but he hardly felt the pain. His back foot pinned her tail as he landed on her and locked his blazing eyes with hers. Their jaws spread and shrieked at each other’s faces before fire shot out. The power of the beams exploded sideways with a cloud of flame. Through the blinding orange light, Ripclaw’s tail got loose. Predaking jumped into the air and saw the stinger stab where he had just been. Ripclaw’s fire shot past then cut off like his did. Both Predacons landed and screeched at each other, bounding back and forth to test reactions. Ripclaw’s tail curled and menaced him, the needle shooting toward his face every time he tried to bite her.

The blue and copper Predacon scrambled after fleeing vehicles. Spinning, Ripclaw dove and struck him to the ground. As Predaking leapt for the pile, so did Darksteel and Skylynx. All four crushed the other Predacon. While the blue and copper Predacon snarled, Ripclaw’s tail whipped around and stabbed him. 

No!

Predaking screeched. Skylynx and Darksteel pulled back Predaking's flailing body and he tore their metal. The Dinobots thundered in and Predaking fought harder. Pupils narrowed to thin slits, Ripclaw looked at Predaking as he broke free. Her tail whipped again and the stinger sank into his shoulder. He watched it enter and leave, horror carving itself onto his face. In a final act of desperation, he transformed before his body locked and fell over the fifth Predacon.

---

Continue to 4_22

Chapter 73: 4_22

Though he could not move, he heard everything:

The Dinobots wanted him dead.

His brethren fought back to defend him.

The voice of Ultra Magnus ordered the arrest of Predaking and the new Predacon.

Eyes locked open, Predaking saw his brethren drag him into the prison of Kaon. Now he was thrown behind the fizzing red bars alongside the Decepticons they had apprehended days ago. The blue and copper Predacon was shoved into a cell beside him. 

A silver Seeker dropped in front of Predaking’s face.

“This is an inhibitor collar,” he uttered. “It prevents transformation. Try to take it off, and your head will explode.”

It was snapped around his neck. Predaking’s wrists were then cuffed and chains wrapped all up his arms and legs.

This will not hold me!

“I am sorry, Predaking,” Ripclaw’s voice said. “We’ll sort this out so you can be released. Think about what you’ve done. The Autobots were right to imprison that dangerous Predacon.”

If that Predacon is feral, then I am as well, Predaking thought. He too wanted to tear Autobots apart.

Predaking heard the other Predacon be restrained.

“Now what’s the point in this?” the silver Seeker’s voice could be heard. “This Predacon’s just an animal! And far too dangerous. We should terminate it now so it doesn’t break free and harm someone!”

“He isn’t an animal,” Ripclaw said. “He needs to be punished like the Decepticon he is.”

“He will not survive long without treatment,” Skylynx commented.

Ironhide sighed, “Aye, let’s get him treated for now. Maybe we can get ‘im to transform n’ talk to us later.”

Autobot doctors were summoned for both Predacons. Internally, Predaking seethed as their hands worked on sealing his wounds and refuelling him with energon.

Deceivers! he thought.

Prowl’s feet stopped by Predaking’s head. “I told you.”

Predaking wished he could scream and crush the legs beside him.

“Someone could have died today. Do you realize what you have done?”

You lied to me.

“There is hardly anything left salvageable from Nightbeat’s leg. That’s an officer down because of you.”

I do not care. It should have been you.

“You’re done. You’re off the force.”

I have already made my decision.

“I will look after the others,” Prowl muttered, then walked away.

Every Autobot in his cell departed. Outside the cell, the occasional shuffle told Predaking that he was being watched. 

“Predaking,” came an authoritative voice. “I have no time for this. Cybertron is in a fragile state and we are plagued by greater threats.”

Ultra Magnus… I should have crushed more than your hand.

“We need no wild Predacons causing chaos in the streets,” Ultra Magnus uttered. “Remain in your cell until you have proven you understand the error you committed. Break free, and you will be labelled as a high-risk threat. You will receive no protections. Superion will take you offline or online.”

“Up to my mood,” the silver Seeker said. 

You cannot defeat me. As for Ripclaw’s venom, however…

Predaking felt deep betrayal. What she had done to him was not so different from what Lockdown had done.

Over time, the venom wore off. Predaking’s limbs loosened and he could move again. However, he waited until his full strength was back before ripping his arms and legs sideways. The cuffs snapped in the middle and chains popped link by link. As they did, Predaking’s phone blinged loudly.

“Hey!” the silver Seeker barked.

Five Autobot Seekers charged to his cell but by then, he had stopped. The chains slid down his limbs and he stared at them.

What does that message say?

If he reached for his phone now, the Autobots might order him to surrender it.

“I shall be comfortable,” Predaking announced.

Swallowing his wrath, he sat loudly on the floor. Then, he waited until their suspicious glares turned snobbishly satisfied and they walked away.

---

054 000
I am sorry the truth hurt you so deeply. Once I realized what they were hiding though, I couldn’t let it go on. You deserved the truth, don’t you think?

---

 Predaking typed with the quietest of touches.

---

Predaking
Who are you, the one whom I must thank? Are you Autobot, Decepticon, or neither?

---

As long as he held open the chat, it made no sound from the messages.

---

054 000
Neither.

Predaking
Will you reveal your name to me?

054 000
You are not upset with me, are you?

Predaking
No… I suppose you may be one of the few I can trust now. If you truly are neither Autobot nor Decepticon.

054 000
Good… And yes, I have never had a faction. You can trust me as one unaligned individual to another.

Predaking
So, you will not tell me your name?

054 000
Well… what would you think if I told you I wasn’t Cybertronian?

Predaking
Are you Velocitronian?

054 000
Not Velocitronian, but something else. Alright, actually, I’ll give you just my name for now. But tell me you won’t break out of prison, deal? Haha yes… I can see you. Please keep calm in there; I’m sure you will have an opportunity for revenge sometime soon if you’re patient. And maybe I could help you, since I’m shaken by that deception as well. I can’t believe they pretended to be your friends but thought so little of your kind all that time! I don’t judge one by their species.

Predaking
Alright. I will feign understanding so that they release me from prison. What should I then do to exact revenge?

054 000
Honestly? It’s just the Autobots you should be mad at. That’s the whole reason the Decepticons hate them and now you get it. Altero was not behind the Combaticon kidnapping. Go to him and he will provide you with truth and opportunity.

Predaking
You appear like a Decepticon suggesting that.

054 000
I’m not. Right now it seems you and him are feeling the same way. You know what? Altero doesn’t like Decepticons either. Yeah, only his own kind. He’s neutral too, same as us, just pretending and wondering how he’s going to get back at those who mistreated Vehicons.

Go ahead and look me up when you get out. You won’t find any Decepticon of this name:
Kremzeek.

---

END PART 4

Continue to Part 5

Chapter 74: PART 5

Messages came from Predaking’s brethren to his phone in jail. His narrowed eyes flicked over the words instructing him on how to apologize to the Autobots. Ripclaw even insisted that they could fix things.

---

Kremzeek
I’m sorry that they don’t understand. But I do. The Autobots left your poor brother to die in pain… How could you ever forgive them?

---

Predaking did not answer Ripclaw, Skylynx, or Darksteel… only the random phone numbers that identified themselves with that strange name. Without Kremzeek, he would have begun to wonder if he were in the wrong. His spark stayed firm, understanding the full cruelty and betrayal of the Autobots. He would not be led astray.

The growls of the blue and copper Predacon leaked into the prison hall.

“I am here for you, brother,” Predaking told him.

The bonds of the Predacon creaked as he weakly pulled against them. Often a large Autobot Seeker would stomp down the aisle, checking on them to make sure both Predacons stayed docile. If Predaking said more than a few words of reassurance to his brother, prison guards appeared at his cell to shout at him.

Predaking thought, Is this the existence the Decepticons we arrested were condemned to? Trapped in tight spaces, unable to transform, unable to speak? How long must prisoners exist in this timeless punishment?

Predaking tapped at his collar and waved his hand near the fizzing electric red bars of his cell. Yet as soon as he did anything of the like, a text from an unidentified number would advise him against a jail break.

Heavy footsteps stomped toward them. Autobot Seekers surrounded a red bot half their size who was streaked by black tattoos. 

A new prisoner?

The group stopped in front of the other Predacon’s cell, receiving a hiss. Predaking pressed up close to the bars of his cell to watch them.

“See?” a red-eyed Autobot Seeker guard growled.

The smaller bot, who seemed to be a Decepticon, sighed in a sharp accent, “Aye I see, a poor injured bot in restraints!”

“Poor?” snarled another Seeker guard.

The tattooed Decepticon ignored their snappy replies. She sat on the floor, setting down a case marked by the sign of the medics. 

“Preddercons can transform to bots,” she said. “Did ya know that?”

“We know that,” the silver Autobot Seeker retorted.

The small Decepticon stared ahead with soft white eyes.

“In beast-form, ya can’t talk. But I wish I could talk to ya. I wonder if ya gotter name? Or if ya would like t’ choose ‘un.”

She took long slow blinks. Each time her eyes closed, Predaking felt his own spark calm.

“I’m Hoverbolt,” she murmured. “I’m a Decepticon medic. I volunteered t’ look over your wounds properly. I think they rushed yesterday t’ lock ya up, eh yeah? You’re probably in pain. I can help ya, how ‘bout it? Can I come in? Growl for yes; hiss for no.”

“It’s not going to understand you,” a yellow-eyed Seeker rolled his eyes. “You barely speak Cybertronian yourself!”

Predaking glared at the Autobots. But then, the other Predacon growled.

“He understood me just fine!” Hoverbolt exclaimed.

“No he didn’t, that could just be normal growling,” a red-eyed Seeker said.

“Grssh, just let me in already. He’s bound up, ain’t he?”

The silver Seeker grunted, “Fine, but you’re at fault if he breaks free and eats you. We’ll activate the bars if he gets out of those bonds, even if you’re still inside.”

A scanner passed over the silver Autobot’s chest before the red bars of the cell dropped.

“Step back.” The silver Seeker twisted his head to Predaking.

“Oi, leave him alone,” Hoverbolt said. “He’s just watching his brother.”

Predaking blinked as the medic picked up her case and slipped into the cell. He heard her kneel, set down the case, and breathe to the other Predacon.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Can I touch ya? I’ll try not to hurt ya.”

There was a gentle growl and the sound of a hand caressing metal. 

“I got ya.”

For long she worked, fiddling with her tools behind the wall. All Predaking could see was the row of Seekers watching her with crossed arms. 

“It ain’t fair, keeping him like this,” Hoverbolt declared. “He should be in bot-mode at least, able to talk. Right for a trial.”

“We’re not freeing it anytime soon,” the silver Seeker said. “We don’t need another problem right now.”

“Aye, aye…” she sighed.

“You better pack up soon, ‘Con.”

She did, then shuffled back the way she had come with the Seeker guards. Her white eyes met Predaking’s as they passed. He leaned closer to the bars to glimpse her back, but singed his cheek on the red bars. With a hiss, Predaking pulled back.

---

Ironhide and Springer strolled up to Predaking’s cell, settled their weight, and crossed their arms.

“Hello, Predaking,” Springer greeted him.

Predaking glanced right, but none of the guards had followed them.

“Don’t worry,” Ironhide drawled. “I wanted to talk to ya without the Aerialbots huffin’ an’ puffin’ beside us.”

Predaking’s blood began to boil, but he willed a calm expression onto his face. “I understand my error in judgment.”

“Oh?” Ironhide said.

“I should not have released the Predacon. I let my fury cloud my judgment. I am sorry that Nightbeat was gravely injured because of my actions.”

Ironhide and Springer glanced at each other in surprise.

“Thank you for coming to that realization,” Springer replied. “We needed to hear that.”

Ironhide prompted, “You understand why we kept the Predacon locked up, don’t you?”

“Yes. So that he would not attack the public.”

Ironhide and Springer dropped their shoulders and arms.

Ironhide sighed, “So, you know he’ll have to stay here a while longer, right?”

“I understand,” Predaking said.

“He’ll get a trial, but we got bigger problems happening right now. It just will have to wait.”

“So be it.”

Springer and Ironhide stared at each other and slowly nodded.

“We can let you out now,” Ironhide told him. “Get that collar off you too.” 

They opened his cell. Predaking padded toward them and knelt, letting Springer fiddle with the collar until it dropped off him. Standing, Predaking took a step to look into his brother’s cell.

“Ah, ah…” Ironhide said.

The blue and copper gazed at Predaking, his expression wide-eyed.

“Take me outside,” Predaking mumbled.

Springer and Ironhide walked him past the “Aerialbots”. Their suspicious and hateful eyes followed him to the elevator.

“We can get you a ground bridge back to Iacon,” Springer told him.

Predaking ventilated slowly. He waited until the elevator opened before he said, “That will not be necessary.”

He strode ahead; the confused Autobots caught up to him.

“What do you mean?” Springer strained.

“I wish to spend time away from Iacon.”

After emerging out into the night, the Autobots stopped as though he would as well to converse with them. Instead, Predaking marched down the cold, black metal road toward Kaon’s centretown.

“Predaking!” Ironhide called. “Where’re you off to?”

Ironhide and Springer trailed him, but backed off as they came closer to the populated neighbourhood. Decepticons bared their teeth at the Autobots, but let Predaking pass through them. He marched alone to the Fallen Trooper.

Two Vehicons leaned against the wall on either side of the entrance to the bar. Predaking paused to look them over: they were slimmer than the usual warrior-class Vehicons. They had lost two of their wheels though gained decorative wing-like plates on their shoulders and backs. Coloured cables sprouted from their heads. One of the two-wheeler Vehicons was a lilac shade of purple with short drooping orange hair and a bright orange eye. The other was orange with yellow eyes and long green and yellow cable hair trailing over her chest.

“Yeah?” The orange, green, and yellow one challenged him. Her voice sounded different than most Vehicons: higher.

“May I enter?” Predaking asked.

“Don’t know,” the lilac and orange Vehicon answered, her voice also higher than most Vehicons. 

Decepticons on the street stared at Predaking. 

“What are your names?” Predaking asked.

The Vehicon two-wheelers perked up.

“Manitoba,” said the lilac and orange Vehicon.

“Saskatchewan,” replied the orange, yellow, and green one.

“Have you heard what I have done?” Predaking continued.

“Yeah, everyone heard that you and another Predacon got violent in Iacon.”

Predaking said, “I will no longer collaborate with the Autobots and their deceitful officers.”

“And?” Manitoba questioned.

“Please, allow me to speak with Altero. I believe he and I may now share aligning beliefs.”

“We’ll see,” Manitoba concluded.

She tossed her hair as she jerked her head toward the door. Predaking dipped his head to them and trudged into the polished bar. More tables than before were filled with the many types of Decepticons which Prowl had taught him to judge. Even now Predaking read their forms and postures as aggressive. Their eyes, many of them red, seemed sharp and untrustworthy. Conversations in accents Predaking had thought harsh and uneducated quieted momentarily whenever he passed.

He reached the bar where regular purple Vehicons poured drinks.

“Are any of you Altero, perhaps?” Predaking asked.

The Vehicons glanced at him without answering. A random Decepticon seated on a stool huffed in amusement. As the Vehicons went back to work, Predaking watched them for signs of Altero’s swagger. 

Predaking stared around the establishment, his jaw going slack. Vehicons and a few Decepticons played at the purple billiard tables, aiming sticks at the coloured spheres. One of the Vehicons was a Silver. Sighing, Predaking approached him.

“Predacon.” The Silver stood straight and stepped ahead of the purple Vehicons. 

“Please, inform Altero that I wish to speak with him,” Predaking uttered.

“What do you want from him?” the Silver muttered.

“Vengeance.”

The Silver’s unblinking red eye stared at Predaking, his still black face revealing nothing.

“Vengeance, huh?” A purple Vehicon slipped around Predaking and the Silver. “How quickly things change.”

The Vehicon took a stick off a rack and stood beside the billiard table, popping his hip to the side. The other Vehicons quickly snapped into action, digging balls from pouches and fitting them into a triangle rack on the table.

“Want to play?” Altero asked. “You remember how, don’t you?”

The Silver lifted the triangle; the balls were set.

“I’ll break,” Altero said.

His mouth stayed closed so he looked like any other Vehicon at play. Yet the way he smoothly rolled the white ball into his starting position, confidently leaned over the table and aimed, told Predaking exactly who he was.

After a crack, the white ball struck the others and scattered the balls around the table.

“No luck; it’s still open,” Altero drawled.

The Silver passed a stick into Predaking’s hand. Predaking aimed at an easy target, but flicked his eyes at Altero watching from the other side of the table.

“Tell me,” Altero said. “Everything they did to you.”

Predaking’s brows furrowed. He shot and a solid yellow ball sank into a rattling chain pouch. As he sought his next target, he began to tell Altero how a mysterious advisor had told him of the hidden fifth Predacon.

“I wonder who that could have been,” Altero said. “An Autobot whistleblower? A Neutral?”

“I do not know,” Predaking lied. “However, what is certain is that now there is no Autobot I can trust. I recognize their deception and corruption. Their cruelty.”

“Cruelty… I am glad that you said the word.”

“I should have protected the Vehicons from the officers. I was misled. They had me believe their judgment and morality was pristine. They spoke as though they already knew everything upon arrival at a scene. But it was not wisdom; it was prejudice.”

“Go on.” Altero played after Predaking missed a shot.

“Never did they open their audio receptors to the other side. They stared at their own faction with tender optics, nodded along with them before much was said. Then they cast Decepticons to prison without a second thought. Now, I have been there. Behind the bars, without freedom, shouted at by enraged guards. Surely, they knew where they were sending those Decepticons. Yet after sending them there, the officers joked with camaraderie about the action they experienced. In their jokes and camaraderie, they assured themselves. They felt no guilt, because each told the other that they had done right.” 

Altero sank one striped ball after the other into the pouches. “You do see now.”

“Though I despise the Autobots, I am not fond of the Decepticon faction either because of Megatron’s actions on Earth.”

“Megatron…” Altero clicked. “Oh, Megatron. So many Decepticons would rejoice if he returned now to restart the War…”

His voice lowered until it was barely audible.

“But me? I would get close to him and put him to sleep.”

Altero sniped another ball into a hole.

“You despise him?” Predaking rumbled.

Touching his throat, Altero said, “Hush now.”

Now, it was Predaking’s turn. He aimed, but asked, “Do you consider yourself unaligned?”

“I do. But my partners are Decepticons; the faction who may follow my vision.”

“I assume, you won your best partners through trades of dark energon?”

“I would rather ask you questions, as you came to me,” Altero said. “What would vengeance look like to you, Predaking?”

“Perhaps a reversal of power,” Predaking replied. “And roles, temporarily.”

“So that they understand their own acts of injustice,” Altero said. 

“Precisely.”

“But first, you would like the other Predacon released from prison, wouldn’t you?”

“Is there any possible way to free him now?” Predaking asked.

“Oh, more than one way… but the question is which way comes with the least repercussions? You haven’t been the only one dreaming of jailbreaks. That Combiner Superion though, that’s a problem.”

“I am willing to assist you any way that I can.”

“I still would like to know that I can trust you,” Altero said. “What will you do to prove it?”

“What would you have me do? Perhaps, I can guard your establishment from the police who aim to plant cameras in here.”

“I’ll tell you what,” Altero continued. “We’ll start with that, and I’ll get back to you.”

Predaking agreed and looked back to the table.

“I sunk the black,” Altero chuckled. “My win.”

---

Continue to 5_2

 

The medic called "Hoverbolt" ... Known to others as "Dead End"

Notes:

Author's note:

I just wanted to give you all a peek as I continue working on this story! Because of the amount of characters and the complexity of the politics/manipulation in this storyline, I have to plan and write very carefully. More chapters will be released soon!

Art:
Dead End/Hoverbolt concept: Unusual Crow (unusual_crow on Instagram)

Chapter 75: 5_2

Predaking stepped outside to where the colourful Vehicon two-wheelers stood guard. Altero slipped out behind him.

“Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Predaking will be joining you. Treat him well,” Altero drawled. “And give him my number.”

“Sure, boss,” Saskatchewan answered. 

The door shut after Altero.

“You only text him when it’s important,” Saskatchewan told Predaking. “Most often, he’ll text you first.”

The yellow- and green-haired Vehicon turned up her palm and flicked her fingers. Hesitantly, Predaking dropped his phone in her hand and allowed her to add a new contact. She had named it only as “A” before handing back his phone.

Manitoba asked, “Are you going to guard in bot- or beast-mode?”

Predaking transformed and stretched out his body. Momentarily, he unfurled his wings and extended them higher than the Fallen Trooper. 

“Jail was the pits, wasn’t it?” Manitoba said.

Predaking growled and stood tall. Decepticons coming up the street slowed down, transforming and approaching the bar warily. 

“Nothing to worry about,” Manitoba chuckled. “He’s with us.”

The Decepticons grinned and entered. 

Perhaps the average Decepticon is not so nefarious, Predaking thought. They only react with aggression when provoked. Not so different from myself. 

A heavy spiked figure stomped down the street, but its striking red, green, and aquamarine colours struck Predaking. He transformed back to bot-mode.

“Predaking!” Ripclaw snarled. “What are you doing?”

Saskatchewan zipped into the Fallen Trooper.

Predaking snapped, “I will no longer work with the Autobots: the true deceivers and agents of cruelty!” 

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Ripclaw yelled, pounding closer. “That Predacon was dangerous! He literally ate Nightbeat’s leg and attacked the public on sight! Of course they captured him! And why didn’t they tell you about him? Because of how you would react!”

“They were willing to terminate him! And now, they have him restrained in that prison!”

“Good!”

Vehicons and Decepticons began to pour out of the bar.

“That prison is a torture chamber!” Predaking hollered.

“They didn’t hurt you in there!” Ripclaw growled. “Don’t be dramatic!”

“You are ignorant! Your mind is warped by Prowl!”

Decepticons began to holler at Ripclaw:

“Prowl’s pet!”

“Fragging police Pred!”

“Get out of here!”

“Frag off!”

Ripclaw stopped in front of Predaking and stared him in the eyes. “You are stupid for coming here! How could you align yourself with those who kidnapped us?”

“I am not the one in danger here,” Predaking uttered. “You are.”

As the Decepticons continued to yell at Ripclaw, her shoulders rattled.

“I should just drag you back to Iacon!” Ripclaw boomed. “You’re no match for me! I’ll paralyze you!”

“You dare challenge me?” Predaking growled.

All the Decepticons began to bear their weapons.

“Green, get out of there!” Prowl called through Ripclaw’s comm. 

“You’ll regret your decision,” Ripclaw hissed before transforming and launching into the sky. 

Eyes narrowed, Predaking watched her head in direction of the Kaon Police Station and the prison. The Decepticons continued to hurl insults at her, then muttered once she was out of sight. 

“She is not welcome here,” Altero announced by Predaking’s knee. 

Predaking looked down and muttered, “No. She is a police loyalist who would condone any of their actions.” 

Another deep voice beside him proclaimed, “It is refreshing to see a powerful Neutral stand up to Autobot tyranny.” 

Predaking beheld a blocky purple and yellow Decepticon with a golden head fan. Beside her was a smaller black, red, and gold Decepticon with wings and rotors.

“Indeed,” the darker Decepticon said.

Other Decepticons voiced approval before they drifted back inside.

“Come in, Predaking” Altero invited him. “It would be worth your time to meet General Strika and General Obsidian.”

The patrons of the Fallen Trooper regarded the group with interest as General Strika, General Obsidian, Predaking, and one important Vehicon crossed the room. They walked to the back hall, entered a room titled Staff Room, and sat around a table with adjustable chairs. By then, Altero bore his orange fangs in a smile.

“Consider them the current leaders of the Decepticon faction,” Altero said. “Not as horrendous as the Autobots would make you believe, wouldn’t you say?”

“You are too humble, Altero,” General Obsidian said. “You are responsible for uniting the Decepticons in Lord Megatron’s absence. And you have built our headquarters.”

“I have heard little about you both.” Predaking dipped his head. “Apart from a trial they conducted on you.”

“Ah, the trial,” General Obsidian sighed. “There was much I passionately relayed in it, yet, the Autobots have not seemed to have learned. How oppressive they continue to be.”

“Indeed, General,” Predaking agreed.

“You may call us by our names,” Strika said. “Let us be equals here.”

She raised her thick-fingered hands to face him. He stared at them.

“An old greeting,” she rumbled. “You may touch my servos with yours.”

Turning up his claws, Predaking touched his hands to hers, then to Obsidian’s delicate ones with spindly red fingers. 

“Your eloquence surprises but delights me,” Predaking declared.

“Yours comes as a surprise as well,” Strika said. “For one with infamous bouts of rage.”

“I show polite formality to those who respect me. May all fear an occurrence when my disposition changes.” 

“Bear something in mind, Predaking,” Strika said. “Eloquence, or ‘high class speech’, is a classist construction. Why are certain accents or patterns of speech elevated? Who decides what is correct Cybertronian and what is not? I speak only the way that I do because in the far past, I had hoped it would grant me respect. Yet my appearance betrays my origins, thus, it is Obsidian whom they would rather hear. Be wary, Predaking, of what you have learned in Iacon.”

“I apologize for causing offence,” Predaking sighed. “I suppose I too have chosen my manner of speaking in order to separate myself from the image of a beast. To garner respect.”

“We understand, Predaking. You are in the right place,” Strika replied. “We Decepticons are the most familiar with the pressures of society.”

“It looks like you have defined me as well,” Altero said. “Although I expect that Predaking and I took inspiration from Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and Knockout.”

“What a shame that Lord Megatron had needed to expand his vocabulary to attain the attention of the higher castes,” Obsidian drawled. “Although he kept his Kaonian rasp. Predaking—let us speak as simply as we like. Simplicity equals remarkable clarity: delightfully raw emotion which will not shamefully hide behind buffer words.”

“Good luck,” Altero chuckled to Obsidian. The dark Decepticon tilted his head and squinted his eyes in amusement.

Predaking said, “Many decacycles ago, Vehicons had explained the Decepticon cause to me. It seemed noble to me, yet I struggled to understand why the Decepticon high command was ignoble.” 

“Lord Megatron began with the most noble of goals,” Strika said. “He demanded societal reform, but those in power refused to step down. How long must one speak before one yells? How long must one yell before one must act? The cruelty of the Autobots, before they called themselves Autobots, drove Lord Megatron to take aggressive action. The more they did not yield, clinging to their cruelty, the more he pushed. Any wrongdoing on Lord Megatron’s part was caused by the Autobots. We have heard Lord Megatron turned desperately hostile in the end, planning to destroy Earth to create a new Cybertron. We do not condone that. But it was the oppressors which had driven our Lord to madness.”

“I despise Megatron regardless of the reason for his madness,” Predaking hissed.

“As you may,” Strika replied. “He no longer matters. He has abandoned his cause, but it marches on. So long as there is classist oppression, there will be Decepticons.”

“Hm. What do you think of Starscream? Do you excuse him as well?”

Strika and Obsidian laughed.

“Starscream was liked by few Decepticons,” Obsidian explained. “He was hardly one of us. Lord Megatron used him as a military commander: an essential ally, no more.”

“I see,” Predaking grunted.

“Ultimately,” Altero said. “We have much in common. We all feel the same about the Autobots. But you do not have to be a Decepticon, Predaking. We know your status as neither Autobot nor Decepticon matters to you. You wear your Predacon insignia with pride as though you have founded a third faction. But this is good, very good. Being neutral could help us more.”

“How so?” Predaking asked while Strika and Obsidian looked at Altero with new interest.

“It struck me that we have an election on hold, which seeks three seats for Neutrals,” Altero continued. “Override and Ransack are projected to win two. Wreck-Gar is likely to win the third. Now, Ransack has always been closer to the Decepticon faction. We can expect him to vote in our favour. Override is Autobot-leaning. Wreck-Gar is unpredictable but more Autobot-leaning as well. Wouldn’t it be better if we had two Decepticon-leaning Neutrals?”

Strika and Obsidian sat up very straight.

“Any council vote would come to a six-to-seven split in our favour,” Obsidian remarked.

“Exactly,” Altero said. “Predaking, if we guaranteed you a seat in the High Council, you would have the power to change the world. You could erase injustice by punishing the guilty. You and the Decepticon Councillors could all simply vote to free your new brother from prison. The Autobots could not stop it.”

Predaking’s eyes flew open and his spark pounded.

“Yet how could I surpass other Neutrals Cybertronians in votes?” he gasped.

“I will make every single Vehicon vote for you,” Altero said. “And if Strika and Obsidian endorse you, you will win every Decepticon vote. That sort of coordination should allow you to surpass Wreck-Gar.”

“Clever, Altero,” Obsidian chuckled. 

Predaking gaped, his mind spinning as he imagined all he could do with such power. Leader of the Predacons he had accepted, but leader of all Cybertronians including those who had wronged him…

“I would accept the position if I can obtain it.” Predaking hardened his jaw.

“We would like to see you on the council, Predaking,” Obsidian said. “There is much we could accomplish, fighting for the same goals. Strika’s and my greatest concern has been that prison. We want it demolished. The cells, those collars—violate Cybertronian rights. Don’t let the Autobots manipulate or deceive you any longer. Side with us in spark if not faction and we’ll free your brother.”

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