Author's Note: I've come to the realisation that I'm a review whore, and I am begging anyone to take pity and show me some love - give me those reviews! Please! ;P

Also BIG AU elements incoming! I just thought this fight and the end of this movie needed to wrap up some of the closure that Predaking needed from some of his earlier struggles. Plus, he needed some more badass scenes. Let me know what you think!


CYBERTRON IV


They found the Well of Allsparks… but so had Unicron.

As the ship came upon the hallowed ground from which the well cut into the planet surface in a straight tunnel presumably all the way to the core, Predaking and the Autobots saw their opposition in the distance. A haze of shadow and dark energon, like a cloud of smog had festered around the undead to give warning of the unnatural abominations that crawled across Cybertron. On the scanners, it showed a seemingly infinite horde of bodies, their movements jerky and stiff, like puppets on strings. And the puppeteer sat upon one predacon at the very head of the group… one that looked disturbingly like Predaking himself.

The autobots saw it, the skeletal remains of the predacon king – so much larger than all the others, with mandibles hung slack and wings broken and bent at odd angles. One of his horns was broken, the optics disfigured to glow a demonic purple, as well as a single spinal strut missing completely. And sat atop his shoulders was the Megatron/Unicron hybrid, riding the skeleton as if he were no more than a beast of burden. The autobots looked to Predaking, faces filled with concern for his reaction. But to all outward appearances, he remained stoic and undisturbed.

It took all of his willpower to keep up the façade.

Horror and outrage coursed through his frame, so hot he thought he would burst into flame. To see his ancestors treated so was enough to send him into a rage that promised every conceivable torture onto the one responsible. The insult which he was sure was purposeful to him on the part of Unicron was not lost on him and only further made him want to rip the demon's anti-spark out himself. But what was most unsettling was seeing the dead-mirror image of himself, it was as if he were looking into the future of what he would look like when he finally offlined and was left to rust. He was under no illusion that this was the specimen that Shockwave had partly excavated and used to clone him from. In a sense, Predaking felt as if he were looking upon his father, a desperate attempt to try and lessen the shock of looking at himself.

He was too numb to say anything when the Autobots fired upon the zombicon army when they were within range. The warship's cannons blasted through the ranks with no problem, and the bodies disintegrated into ash immediately upon being hit. However, despite the terracons' seeming fragility, the Nemesis couldn't cut enough of them out in one flyby to make any real difference to the horde. There were just too many of them. Even as Bulkhead tried to turn the ship as fast as possible to make another pass, it still took too long and allowed Unicron to launch his counter attack.

The horde took flight, and though the Nemesis tried to shoot them out of the sky, the sheer amount of numbers worked in their favour. Knockout paced back and forth, chewing his servos with anxiety.

"Maybe Starscream had the right idea…" he mumbled. Suddenly a skeletal body slammed into the glass, a muffled death-screech piercing through even the thick walls of the warship. Knockout leapt back with a scream: "Zombiecon! Zombiecon!"

Predaking recovered to bark his commands. "Skylynx! Darksteel! Get out there and keep them off this ship!"

He and his fellow predacons ran out of the ship. The moment they reached the flight deck, they transformed and shot into the air. Their generators burned bright through the night, briefly turning the entire plain to the light of day with every blast of fire. It caused Predaking's spark a small twinge of sorrow every time he had to destroy the bones of his once mighty people.

But just as with the Nemesis, no matter how many the Predacons downed, the Terracons seemed to be infinite in number. Predaking was only aware that things had gone horribly sideways when he realised that whilst he, Skylynx and Darksteel had managed to successfully repel an attack to the front of the warship, a whole platoon had gone to the rear and began to shoot their dark-energon dragonfire at the thrusters. It only took one shot to a very weak thruster. The very one that had been quickly and not-so-well-repaired after Predaking had destroyed it. The one blast was enough to make nearly the entire flank of the ship explode and send it crushing into the ground, just like it had not so long ago.

By some miracle, the actual integrity of the ship was maintained, as it scrapped along the metal ground and came to halt just in front of the well. With the ship downed, the Terracon army seemed to lose interest and returned to their master, as if they didn't have even the basic processor capacity to think for themselves and check to see if their enemies were dead, how Predaking would have. It was just another reminder to him that these mockeries were not the proud beasts they had once been in life.

As if by design, the ship had stopped in the perfect place so as to almost form a blockade to the Well. And not long after, he spotted the Autobots climbing out of the wreckage, carrying whatever weapons had survived on the Nemesis. Predaking snarled to his fellow living predacons, and they followed him down to land with their new allies. They transformed, and quickly checked to make sure that no one was injured. Only then did they all grimly turn to see the impossible odds approaching.

Unicron came charging over the horizon, his army at his heels. Even from across the distance, they all could feel his optics upon them, could feel the foulness he carried in his veins like a poison that only became stronger the closer he came.

"We're the last line of defence!" Bumblebee stood, ready like a warrior.

Despite their differences, Predaking had to admit that he admired the Autobot's courage even in the face of certain death. "I would recommend leaving that to those more suited to the task." He suggested.

Bumblebee looked up at him, as if shocked he'd offered to take on such a mission that had no chance of success. And yes, Predaking was more than aware that he was more than likely sending himself and his new brothers into peril that would more than likely mean they would all be terminated. He would never have his revenge, never have his closure. But this was the right thing to do. He knew Miya would be proud of that.

From across the plain, they heard the echo of Unicron's words in Megatron's voice; his command, his challenge and warcry all in one: "My Legion! The time is upon us! Destroy Primus with your dragonfire!"

The horde of Terracon's took to the sky, the beat of their wings enough to create a storm of wind that whipped at the flames that now encased the crashed Nemesis. The Autobots and Predacons watched them come, a flock of death that came ever closer. But Predaking's scanners bleeped a small alert, and directed his attention back to Unicron, where his steed had not taken off. The skeletal reflection was still stood beside its master.

As if he sensed Predaking's eyes, Unicron looked to Predaking and pointed at him. From afar, his words could be heard. "Bring me their Sparks."

With a roar that sounded far too familiar, the skeletal-Pradaking leapt into the air and shot towards the group with all the speed and ferocity that Predaking himself carried when on the hunt to kill. The Autobots quaked, even Predaking was disturbed to watch his reflection, his sire, come towards him. Yet still he knew what must be done, and so stepped forward.

"Skylynx, Darksteel." He said calmly, with as much dignity he could muster without taking his optics from his dead-self. "Take pride in what you are. And fight for this world, fight for your ancestors, and fight for each other. It is the one thing he will not take away from you."

He didn't need to see their spinal-struts straighten with pride and honour, his small speech empowering them as only their love of their king could do. He felt it in his spark, and felt the reconciliation that if this was to be the day that he was terminated, it would be with the knowledge that he had known brotherhood, had known a pack, and had known a family before the end. He touched the green dragon-head on his chestplate, his spark echoed its now familiar requiem. Yes. Today was a good day to die.

"Allow nothing to enter the well!" and with that one last command, he transformed and bolted into the air. One mighty thrust of his wings and he was launched across the space to meet his fate head on.

He tried to blast the undead king with his fire, but as if it anticipated it, the Terracon rolled out of the way and struck at Predaking from below. They clashed in a fountain of sparks. Predaking loathed the touch of the rusted metal that was shaped too similarly to his own, hated to look into the familiar face. For a moment, he was reminded of what it was like to have Unicron take control of his mind, to leave him powerless to his manipulations. His hesitancy was enough to allow his counterpart to dominate him and send them both crashing to the floor. Pain exploded along Predaking's side and he roared. The impact managed to throw his copy off of him, and it gave him the chance to roll back to all fours.

One of the terracon's legs had been broken so that it stuck at an odd angle. But the beast moved as if this hindrance was nothing. It felt no pain and still came at him with all the fury it possessed. It blasted molten dark-energon at him, and the only way for Predaking to be protected from it was to match it with his own fire. The two forces clashed in the middle, a beautiful yet deadly display of purple and orange flames attempting to win over the other. Predaking was so focused on trying to keep the poisonous flames at bay, that he didn't see the side attack come until his dead-twin's tail smashed over his head.

Again and again, the undead-predaking hit him over and over with clobbering blows to the neck and face. Predaking got in his own hits but realised very quickly that he was holding back. It was too unsettling to fight not only one of his own kind that had been defiled into its current state, but also himself with a deathly-face. It felt like he was staring into the face of a self-fulfilling prophecy, and doomed to do nothing to avoid it. He'd known he'd been cloned, a copy of someone from ages passed. But to see it himself, all his genetical memories all came flooding to the surface. All those of what he once was: a king, a hunter, a merciless killer, a leader, a victor, it all rushed through him. And it all made the sad excuse in front of him all the more tragic.

In the face of his past self, something burrowed into his spark and made him doubt everything. The full meaning of the word clone became clear. He was little more than a copy, not the real thing. A shameful attempt to recapture what had once been. A waste considering the fruitless and lacking life he'd had when compared to the ancient bones of this monster that had breathed and lived for decades the true life of a king. He'd been created without permission, taken into being and given life without earning it – this one had been born, whereas he was the seed of a syringe.

He truly was a mere beast.

In his distraction, he didn't see the purple fire come until it was too late. It blasted across his chest and rolled up his shoulders. He screamed in agony, felt the dark-energon attempt to poison his very spark. It brought him to his knees, by some miracle able to resist the touch of such a dark substance that had sought to extinguish his very life-blood.

Something fell to the ground with a soft clink. Predaking glanced up, and his optics widened with horror. Upon the floor had fallen the little green dragon-head. The fire had dislodged it and now it lay partly melted and decayed on the ground. Predaking's mandibles fluttered in distress, a whimper escaping him as if he could already feel his memories slipping away with this tiny reminder gone.

A shadow came over him, and a skeletal claw smashed onto the ground and crushed the necklace under heel. The death-king stood high and primed for the kill, fangs bared, uncaring for what it had just done.

And that was when Predaking felt something hot stir in his spark. It flittered out through his frame, flooded into his limbs, roared up his neck. A fire burned him, its roar deafened him. He was enraged. This dead king had never known love, had never known the feel of a sparkling held close in his servos. For all his memories of conquest and majesty, he had never known the happiness of having a child. And that was how they were both so different, even with the same skin.

This one had lived for nothing but his own survival. Predaking lived for the survival of others – for his brethren, for his planet, for his Miya.

This one was the beast. Predaking was more than that.

The memory of this predacon had been his jailor, an oppressor on his subconscious to constantly live up to his expectations. And now Predaking was done beings its prisoner.

With a roar, he launched at the Terracon. It attempted to bat him down again, but with surprising ease he shrugged off its attempts to maul him. His claws sliced through its skeleton with no resistance. The creature screeched its death-throes, but Predaking silenced it as his fangs pierced its neck. He shook it like a ragdoll, heard the spinalstruts snap and the neck dislocate from his strength. Claws hooked around each mandible he pulled them apart until the jaw opened as wide as it could go. The Terracon screeched up at him, and Predaking used the opening to blast his fire down the beast's throat. Almost instant, the inside of the creature lit up like a sun, and exploded in a fountain of ash – and was no more.

Predaking slumped, the mental and emotional ordeal more exhausting than the meagre physical test. He looked about, but saw that the field was clear of Terracons… and Skylynx and Darksteel. A feeling of sickening dread filled his spark – they must've been overwhelmed, swept into the Well. He gazed back down at the ground and crooned his sorrow at seeing the now destroyed necklace upon the floor.

An engine roared overhead, and he looked up. A small ship flew over the battlefield. In the distance, the Autobots cheered. A moment later he realised why, when the floor to the ship opened and Optimus Prime flew out. It was as if with the Prime's mere presence, he lifted the spirits of all those who fought for him. The Prime flew straight for Unicron, but when they collided, Unicron's blast of Dark Energon was sent off course and hit the small ship. One of the engines burst and the ship was sent crashing into the ground. Two of the Autobots abandoned the field to search the wreckage.

The Prime fought on against the Destroyer. Predaking watched and felt his anger return. This was the one who had mutilated his species. This was the one who had invaded and humiliated him. This was the one that dared to taunt him with his own image. This was the one who dared to cause the destruction of the last link he had to earth and Miya. No. He would not stand for it a moment longer.

He got up and charged.

"Thank you, Prime," he heard Unicron say with Megatron's voice. "For delivering the Allspark so that I may erase it from existence!"

"Not while I stand before you Unicron." The Prime stood, ever defiant, ever noble.

They launched for each other. Unicron's fist drove into Optimus's helm, whilst the Prime's met the Destroy's chin in an uppercut. Both were momentarily dazed by the force, and then both were at each other again. Predaking took to the air and increased his speed.

As he fought on, punch after punch, Optimus spoke out to the soul smothered within his own body. "Megatron! You and I once united to save a world from Unicron. We must do so again!"

Unicron shook him off, and growled savagely. "Megatron may hear you – but he cannot help you!"

Predaking transformed and dropped out of the sky. "Then I shall!"

His feet smashed right on top of Unicron's shoulders, his weight and impact enough to crush the bot into the ground. Without missing a beat he drove his fist into the back of the Destroyer's head with all his strength. A kick sent the body hurtling a hundred yards. He turned to his former enemy.

For the rest of his days, he didn't think he would ever forget the look in the look in the Prime's eyes. "Thank you, Predaking."

"For Cybertron."

"For us all."

They ran as one together. As if they had fought together for years, as one their fists simultaneously smashed into a recovering Unicron. Optimus then rent for a roundhouse to the enemy's face, and Predaking batted him back when his sharp servos scrapped lacerations a foot deep in Megatron's new chestplate. Unicron tried to hit back and strike for the Prime, but he blocked the blow and punched him backwards. Predaking performed the same move as he had done back on Antarctica, leaping into the air and spinning to kick Unicron in the back of the helm. He transformed mid-flip, and landed on all fours. Prime dodged just in time to avoid the blast of fire that Predaking unleashed onto Unicron. As before, he heard the bot scream and agony as his frame threatened to melt in the superheated inferno that he now found himself in.

In a desperate attempt to be free, Unicron lashed out with a whip of Dark Energon that smacked Predaking straight across the face. It sent him reeling, and before Optimus could cover him, he too was knocked to the ground. The demon-in-Megatron stood over them, furious purple optics focused on Prime as he shook from pain, exertion and fury.

"Your efforts to protect Cybertron's most sacred relic are futile!" he fumed. "My legion is within reach of Primus. Your planet's very core! And we both know that the Allspark cannot thrive in a poisoned world!"

Predaking twisted and sank his fangs into Unicron's arm. He shook him and wrenched with all his might. Unicron cried his outrage and attempted to form his dark-energon hammer around his hand as he had done in their previous fight. Before he could, Predaking threw him into the air and transformed in time so that as the enemy came down, his fist smashed into his faceplates.

Unicron bounced back and came at him with an infuriated scream, determined to destroy him once and for all, Predaking thought. Dark Energon wove into weapons around him, and with every hit, Predaking felt himself grow weaker as the poison sapped his strength. But still he fought. On and on, even with Unicron possessing him, Megatron was still unable to match Predaking for strength. Something he took full advantage of.

Just as it had ended on that fateful day aboard the warship, Predaking found his fists clenched and met halfway with Megatron's. Unicron glared down at him through Megatron's optics across the stalemate. Predaking didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing him weak and slowly stood to his full height until he loomed over the other bot.

"You dare to challenge me?!" the Destroyer seethed.

Predaking bared his teeth. "I dare. And you shall lose, Demon!"

"Oh really? And why is that?"

The predacon smirked. "You are not as cunning as Megatron."

It was only then that the Destroyer realised that Optimus was nowhere in sight. In fact, the bot had flown half way across the plain, away from the ship wreckage, the Allspark clutched in his servos. Instantly, Unicron roared and blasted Predaking away from him with an explosion of energon. Transforming he flew after Optimus in a hunt to possess that which he carried. Predaking rolled back to his feet and launched into the air, wings beating frantically in order to catch up.

Unicron only took a single shot, and fired it straight for Optimus's thrusters. They went out like a light, and the bot crashed into the ground, the Allspark cradled against his chest. Unicron dropped from the sky and wrenched it out of his hands. Predaking felt his spark flutter with panic and pushed a surge of speed to try and make it in time.

"I shall devour your Allspark whole!" Unicron declared and opened the container.

Predaking's optics widened with horror, awaiting to see the great fountain of light and life be destroyed…

But nothing.

Unicron seemed just as shocked: "What?! A trick!"

And then suddenly, he was frozen. His frame shook as dark energon came out from every plate and cable on his body. Purple flames rippled across the body and were sucked down into the container. Predaking was shocked to see a face morph from the energy over Megatron's attempting to hold himself in the world and not be drawn in.

Predaking landed right behind Megatron and transformed. Even as Unicron tried to claw his way back into his host, he knew he couldn't risk it. His claws came up at an angle to slice through under one of the plates of armour and sink into a soft spot. The blow carved him a path straight to the sparkchamber. He felt the energy within try to ward him off, but he clenched his hand around the spark, and with one almighty wrench tore it out of the body in a shower of energon and electricity. The body juddered and jerked as it tried to sustain itself unsuccessfully. With one last cry as his last hold was severed, Unicron's energy shot into the air and was instantly swallowed whole into the container and locked inside.

Megatron's body fell to its knees before falling face first into the ground. Predaking stood over him, Spark still clutched in his hand. "For my Brethren." He spat and crushed it in his fist.

He looked up to see Prime watching him, a sad almost melancholy gleam in his optics as he gazed upon the body of Megatron. He held the container, in which the purple swirling mass of Unicron writher within. The Autobots came around them, their optics wide with awe.

"But… how?" Smokescreen asked.

"As a being comprised of pure energy," Optimus said, "Unicron's anti-spark was vulnerable to this reliquary of the Primes."

"But if he's in there… where's the–?"

"What about the Zombiecons?" Bulkhead asked urgently.

Predaking turned away to speak into his comms worriedly. "Skylynx? Darksteel?!"

There was a moment too long of pause.

And then…

"All the Terracons have been destroyed, Predaking." Came the voice of Skylynx. "Primus remains pure."

Predkaing couldn't help the ever-so-small and exhausted smile. "Well done, predacons. Well… done…"

And then he collapsed.