Chapter Text
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.
You chose to work on the landing site
“The landing site piques my interest,” Predaking said. “That is where we shall work.”
The green Autobot replied, “Uh okay, but that one is far from here, so you're gonna want a map…"
Predaking replied, “Nonsense. We only require verbal directions, for we Predacons are naturally adept at locating targets. Despite the distance from the tower, we had no difficulty relocating the Well of All Sparks."
Darksteel and Skylynx straightened up and slitted their eyes, attaining a snobbish air.
The shuffling green Autobot gave them his best description of how to reach a place called the Hydrax Plateau beyond the Sea of Rust. It lay east of the tower Darkmount—
"We will find it," Predaking interrupted.
He glimpsed the skeptical glances the Autobots cast each other. He tossed his head and stomped to the door. If they thought he would fail, he was eager to prove to them the impressive skills of his kind. With ease, Predaking led his brethren back outside. After transforming, he released a powerful screech and took off into the sky. Skylynx and Darksteel shrieked and rushed up behind him, their feathered wings pounding and yellow eyes squinted in determination.
The trio shot over the familiar dusty plains, eager to see new lands. Soaring at the head of their formation, Predaking began to imagine what the new Cybertronians would be like at the mysterious landing site. Would those Autobots and Decepticons be just as frustrating or abhorrent as those he had already met? Would it be worth gaining their respect, as his brethren had wondered? If the concept of society didn't work out, he figured, he could turn his back on it and disappear with his brethren into the wild. Let anyone just try to hunt them.
Predaking snapped to attention once they had passed the dark tower ominously shrouded by clouds. They turned in the direction Predaking believed to be east, flying until an umber line stretched across the horizon. Their wings beat faster, shooting the three Predacons into the vast new territory. A hot wind buffeted them and caught Predaking off-guard, shaking him in the air until he fought for stability.
Red and brown flakes flew high, slapped their eyes, and blinded them. Blinking, the Predacons dipped their heads and looked down. Small whirlwinds whipped over the ground, peeling off rust and carrying it away. Old bronze and black ruins reached to the sky like broken claws, crumbling and worn by the wind in some places, while jagged and sharp in others. The air was thick with small particles and little sunlight broke through the clouds, thick and yellow here.
Predaking pressed them on, fighting the unpredictable wind which blasted from every direction. Rising, falling, and swerving, he flew as straight as he could. Occasional patches of silver land gleamed despite the lack of sun, not truly gleaming, but simply striking against the filth. The widening of Predaking's eyes was as brief as the existence of those patches. More tornadoes of rust soon swept over them, covering them. He growled, squinting and searching around them. There was no break to the desolation in sight. No sun to guide them. Yet Predaking flew forth.
His wings flapped more heavily the longer they flew. When his brethren dropped behind, Predaking slowed down to stay with them. He glanced back their way, spying their sagging eyes. Predaking screeched then swung his head forward again, searching through the rust storm for a change of colour on the horizon. He strained to hear the sounds of construction, perhaps rolling vehicles and clanging metal, whatever it may be that would lead him to the site. There were the snaps of wing flaps, the howls of the wind, and one consistent high-pitched drone.
Predaking jolted. For so long, the drone had only been part of the wind. But it was right there. He was right there. Predaking curled back his neck and stared into the sky where Starscream flew above them. The jet bounced smoothly up and down, surfing the winds. Skylynx and Darksteel followed Predaking's gaze and shrieked curtly. All yellow eyes expanded before Starscream zipped away, shooting to the ground to transform and hop behind some ruins. Halting, the trio flapped in the air, stared at each other to confirm what they had seen, then broke off into indignant shrieks.
As the three Predacons dove through the rust storm, Starscream peeked out. First he posed to flee, but then he straightened up and crossed his arms behind his back. Despite his nervous twitches, he put on a sneer that seemed very eager to tell them something.
Predaking transformed, landing with a bang echoed by Skylynx and Darksteel.
“Why are you following us?” Predaking snapped.
Starscream's sneer grew. It vanished when Darksteel snarled, "Now can we tear him limb-from-limb?"
"Who said that I was following you?” Starscream drawled. “I was here first, so if we consider my perspective, it is the other way around…”
“You were right above us!” Skylynx snapped.
"Precisely," Predaking punctuated.
“A clever place to hide and watch your every move." Starscream uncrossed his arms and rubbed one of his palms with his fingers. "How could I be following you? It isn't as though I can track your energon.”
Predaking growled, “I sensed your proximity to the Autobots before. You are following us!"
Starscream sneered again. “Let us imagine, hypothetically, that I was following you—say, out of simple curiosity. What about this scenario bothers you, exactly? Surely I am incapable of causing you harm. Unless you are... concerned by my presence?”
“I will not tolerate your arrogance.”
“Would you prefer I treated you with kindness?” Starscream’s eyes shone. “I could do you a favour, if you might grant me one in the future. Since you are so clearly lost in the Sea of Rust, I could help you find the place you are looking for…”
Skylynx and Darksteel snapped their heads to Predaking.
“I do not require your assistance,” Predaking retorted. "I most certainly won't make any deals with you."
"Perhaps we..." Skylynx began, shaking a sheet of rust off his wings.
“The Autobots started a construction project near here,” Starscream continued. “Hmm. Could it be that you are on your way there to assist them? I find it unlikely you would retrace your steps if you were only exploring, and since I am not your primary interest… Pardon me for prying, but would you like to know how to get to the Hydrax Plateau?”
“I want nothing from you." Predaking turned his back on him and stomped off to leave. “Nor will I fall for your tricks.”
When Starscream spoke, Predaking glared at him from the corner of his eye.
“Unless you want to wind up in the Acid Wastes, adjust your course,” Starscream remarked in a bored tone, although his eyes were sharply focused. “The Hydrax Plateau is that way…”
Starscream pointed and Predaking could not resist peeking, although he pretended he hadn't. Shame crept up on him when Skylynx and Darksteel stared openly at Starscream's finger. Predaking grunted, transformed, and flew away just slightly off-course, only adjusting his route once Starscream was further away. He could let his brethren believe he had guided them unassisted.
Predaking's jaw dropped when the umber horizon broke, turning silver. Winds calming, all flakes of rust fell behind. Then, the clanging Predaking had strained to hear before now reached him and guided him toward a construction site bustling with purple bodies. Only the barest frame of a building stood, but around it shone a perfectly polished silver ground crossed by artistic swirls. Compared to the previous wasteland, the landing site of the Hydrax Plateau resembled a marvellous tapestry laid upon the land.
Now, to see what they could accomplish here.
END PART 1
Continue to Part 2 (N)