Notes: In which this collection completely fails to live up to its name. I found a mini scenario generator and plugged in Jack and Predaking. A couple of the results caught my eye, so I'm writing short fills for the prompts. Unless the prompt states otherwise, all of these take place in an AU where Predaking also remained on earth (and Optimus lives, of course). (Fair warning, like half of this was written at three AM, so if things seem off, that's probably why.)
Prompt 1. Jack and Predaking taking care of a bunch of orphan puppies and/or kittens.
Predaking left his room when he heard an argument in the base's main chamber. Jack and Ratchet were in disagreement with each other over a cardboard box that Jack had clutched to his chest. Neither noticed Predaking approaching.
"Ratchet, it's raining. It's a flash flood. If I left them, they might have died!"
"So take them to your house."
"The base was closer. Look, it's just until I clear them with Mom, and the storm dies down."
"Fine, but you're responsible for keeping them contained and cleaning up after them. And they'd better be gone by the end of the day."
"Alright, al—Predaking?"
Predaking was fascinated. He bent over and hooked one claw over the edge of the box, carefully tilting it so he could see the furry mass of mewing bodies within. One creature (a kitten, the internet told him) batted at the claw. Predaking smiled widely at it. "You can be Twinstrike, you can be Lazerback, and you—" he focused on a particularly rowdy feline— "can be Vertebreak. And you—"
"The black and white one is Mistoffelees," Jack cut in.
"Very well... Backlash," He dubbed the final kitten.
Jack set the box down on the floor between them and turned to his motorcycle to retrieve a shopping bag filled cans and fluffy things, "Do you wanna help me feed them?"
"Yes."
Ratchet could only look between the two in horror.
Prompt 2. Predaking is a demon summoned by wizard Jack to do their bidding./Predaking is Jack's hired bodyguard.
There were risks to summoning demons, of course, but Vince had managed it, so how hard could it really be? And Jack needed to do this, Vince's demon kept freaking him out, watching him and threatening him whenever Vince's attention was elsewhere. The summoning ritual protected the summoner from harm, not random acquaintances. Who knew what task Vince had set for her or how long she'd be around, how many shots at him she'd get?
Jack stood back and made sure everything was in place. The circle was perfect, the candles were in the right spots, and the containment seal had been triple checked. All that was needed now was the blood of the summoner.
There was significantly less fanfare than Jack had been expecting. No flashes of light, no smell of sulfur, no plume of smoke, just a figure appearing in the circle between one moment and the next. The demon was obviously draconian, covered in scales with wicked looking claws tipping each finger. He had regal features and the horns on his head looked vaguely like a crown. Something about this was nagging him, but before he could put his finger on it, the demon looked around and spoke.
"You didn't tailor this to any particular demon."
There were two general methods of summoning. One was to call on a specific demon, but that could fail if the spirit in question was already contracted. The other way was to focus on what you needed and, theoretically, whoever was most suited to the task would appear. The downside to this was that you never knew who would appear. While some demons didn't mind being summoned, others loathed being called to the mortal realm, and would hold grudges against the person responsible.
Jack swallowed his uneasiness and replied. "No, the only demons I know who can handle this are already in this realm."
This seemed to intrigue the demon, "Oh, and what are you up to that requires my aid?"
Jack was starting to have regrets, Whoever this is, he's important. He probably expects to be recognized, and he almost definitely expects some sort of grand task. He might think I'm trivializing him when he finds out what I want. Out loud, he said, "There's this demon called Arachnid. One of my classmates summoned her for reasons unknown but she's fixated on me. Maybe for something an ancestor did? I'm not sure. Anyway, I need a bodyguard for as long as she's around."
The demon considered his words for a long moment, and Jack was getting ready to apologize and offer to send him back—although Jack had a sinking suspicion that if this person didn't want to be here, then none of Jack's safeguards would hold him—when the spirit shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Well, it has been some time since I was last in this plane, perhaps the bloodline I favored has died out." He seemed to evaluate Jack before continuing, "Perhaps I should find a new one. I will form a contract with you."
Jack let out a sigh of relief and smiled, "Thank you, what should I call you?"
The demon smiled back, and despite the flash of sharp teeth, it made him seem much more approachable, "I go by Predaking in this realm."
"Oh," How on earth had Jack managed to summon one of the Lords of Hell?
"You have heard of me then."
"I think everyone's heard of you. It's just that no one knows what you look like."
"Well, now you know. Now, on to business..."
They spent the better part of an hour hashing out the details. Jack managed to specify that there would be no assaulting or even threatening random people, even if their ancestors had mortally offended the lord or they were working with an enemy of his. He wasn't going to let Predaking get away with the stuff Arachnid had pulled on him. In return for the restrictions on his behavior, the Lord of the Predacons insisted that the contract would not be considered over until Arachnid was gone and he found a replacement bloodline, which basically meant that he wouldn't leave until he wanted to. Once the last few details were hammered out, Predaking stepped up to the edge of the seal.
Jack stared at him blankly before he flushed. Oh, right, have to seal the deal.
Quickly, before he could lose his nerve, Jack moved in front of Predaking and pressed a kiss to the demon's lips. To his irritation, he had to stand on his toes to do it. He'd meant for it to be a quick peck, but Predaking had other ideas. As soon as contact was made, the demon seized Jack and pulled him into the circle. He took advantage of the human's gasp of surprise to gain access to Jack's mouth, and didn't pull back until the Jack was breathing harshly through his nose.
"What?"
Predaking smirked down at his summoner and walked past him to explore the house without saying a word, leaving Jack staring after him.
Jack ran a hand through his hair, he'd been too bold, gotten too close. Predaking could have killed him, and Jack was damn lucky (in more ways than one) that the demon had chosen to deepen the kiss instead.. And that smirk! Jack did not like smirks, did not, as a rule, like people who smirked. So why was Predaking suddenly twice at attractive as he was two minutes ago? Jack moved his hand to touch his lips. He was in so much trouble.
Prompt 3. Jack as a vampire feeding on Predaking.
It took longer than Predaking would have liked to confront the creature. The Autobots were convinced that it was harmless, that it was an ally. They were still wary of Predaking. The medic refused to leave him alone with any of the "earthlings". Finally, it came by when the medic was resting.
"The medic is not available," he told it, suddenly unprepared for confrontation.
"I know, I'm here to see you. You've been trying to get me alone, makes a guy wonder about your intentions."
Predaking stared down at the being known as Jack Darby for several seconds before blurting out, "How do they not know what you are? How have your appetites not given you away?"
"What I am?"
"Do not play dumb, sparkeater."
"I prefer the term dynaphage. It's more correct."
"I do not care what you call yourself. What are your intentions?"
"I intend to go on living my life, I do not intend to kill any of the Autobots, Decepticon prisoners, or you. As for your first two questions, it has been a very long time since our two races have been on the same planet, since the Great Cataclysm, I believe. As for the second, the name I gave you gives it away. I eat energy. The spark may be the purest, most delicious source, but there are other ways to sustain myself."
"Have you fed on any of them?"
"Only a little... Don't look at me like that; I am capable of self-control. I'll show you."
"Do not come near me."
"No, look, just run a self diagnostic and watch your energy levels."
"I will kill you if you come into contact with me for more than ten seconds."
"I'll be done in five... How's that?"
Predaking stared at the readout. If he hadn't been watching, he wouldn't have even noticed his energy levels falling, "I didn't feel anything."
"Exactly, I can do subtle. ...So, now what?"
"What?"
"Are you going to run to Ratchet and Optimus with this information?"
"No, but I'll still be watching you."
"Closely, I hope."
"What?"
"Ah, nothing..."
Prompt 4. Predaking knits an ugly sweater and forces Jack to wear it.
"Ratchet, hide me!"
"Predaking's finished with his gift, then?"
"You knew. You knew, and you didn't warn me. Traitor."
"This is your own fault, you know."
"Don't remind me. Besides, you're partly to blame too, you know. None of this would have started if you hadn't told him to get a hobby."
"I'm not the one who suggested knitting, I'm not the one who helped him fabricate the needles, and I'm certainly not the one who spent almost a hundred dollars on yarn for him."
"Maybe I should have paid more attention to the colors I was getting."
"Maybe you should—oh, hello Predaking."
"Oh, hi..."
"There you are. Try on the sweater, so I know if it fits."
"Sure... You know, I was just telling Ratchet about the sweater. He's really jealous, you should make him a hat."
"What? Why would I need a hat?"
"Holiday spirit?"
"It would be good practice for me. I was planning to make Jack a hat to match his sweater."
"What? That sounds... fantastic..."
"Well, in that case, I would love a hat. Do you have enough red yarn left?"
"Ratchet!"
"You started this, Jack. Now come try on your sweater."
Notes: Trying to use more dialogue since I have a bad habit of avoiding it, making my characters act the same, or just wildly out of character. It's... a work in progress. Honorable mentions go to:
Predaking suspects Jack is a werewolf. Jack is actually hiding a more mundane secret
Jack with a hangover, but Predaking is feeling fine
Jack, a knight in shining armor, must rescue the distressed Predaking
Predaking and Jack are Pokemon trainers that cross paths and end up traveling together.
Loved the premises, couldn't figure out where to go with them. For the last, I even started to figure out what teams they'd have—would Predaking have dragons or fossils? Dragons, Shockwave would have the fossils—but couldn't figure out what to do with them. Also, I tried for a bodyswap prompt, I really did, but the characters refused to do anything interesting. Speaking of prompts, feel free to throw some my way. I can't promise that I'll get to them all, but I could always use the inspiration. Thank you for reading!
