Bright crimson optics met wide blue optics.

"MIKO!"

"Bulkhead! Stand down, soldier!"

The bulky Wrecker ignored the blue mech's bark of command as he rushed forward. Every fiber in Miko's body screamed, ordering her to run to her long-lost friend. But the femme did not move, frozen in place. Then without warning, long claws snatched her arm, breaking her out of her reverie as Shockwave pulled closer to the mech.

Miko yelped in protest as her back was pressed against his front. Before she had a chance to protest, her vocalizer froze as a deadly hum filled the air. Bulkhead saw Shockwave's raised cannon, skidding to a hasty halt, but the huge lug had too much momentum. The bolt of energon collided into the ground at his pedes and he was consumed in an explosion of dirt and fire. The massive mech was sent sprawling, the very earth shaking from the impact.

After seeing their comrade knocked to the ground, Wheeljack and the blue mech (Ultra Maximus, or something?) quickly took cover behind the colossal incubation tanks.

"I would suggest not to fire," Shockwave warned. Mike shuddered as she felt the heat of the cannon next to her face. "It would be most... illogical."

"So you would rather hide behind a sparkling than take us on in a fair fight?" Wheeljack thundered. "Cowardly 'Con!"

"Inaccurate. I simply take the most logical course of action, unlike you."

"Let her go and face me!" Bulkhead roared.

Shockwave's optic flared and his grip on Miko tightened. Suddenly there was the dreaded, familiar tingle in her abdomen. She whined, trying to pull away from her captor, while the shock spread to her arm. Then she realized what her slaver wanted her to do.

"Please... don't," she whimpered.

Shockwave ignored her pleas as he roughly shoved her forward. Without her permission, Miko's servo transformed into a cannon. She saw Bulkhead's optics go wide before she fired.

The Wrecker yelped as he ducked behind his cover. The femme noticed Ultra Magnus creeping forward, and the inhibitor sent another shock. She merely gritted her denta before sending a volley of energon at the commander and he retreated behind an incubation tank.

"You will keep them occupied as I finish the termination codes," Shockwave ordered, his voice cold.

"Termination codes—" Miko repeated, but a shock cut her off from saying more.

She redirected her attention back to the Wreckers. They had emerged from their shelters and were quickly advancing towards them. The femme didn't even realize she had begun trembling, coolant welling up in her optics.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered, so low it was only audible to her own audios. With shaking arms, she opened fire on them again, and the interlopers dove back behind cover.

"Miko, what are doing?" Bulkhead cried. "Stop!"

"Hold your fire!" Ultra Magnus barked, like Miko was his actual subordinate. "Our fight is not with you!"

Wasn't it, though? She had served the Decepticons ever since she woke up in this frame. Here she was, defending Shockwave, shooting at the 'Bots she once called her friends.

"It doesn't have to be this way, kid!" Wheeljack shouted.

"We don't want to hurt you!" Bulkhead shouted, his voice sounding like it was in despair.

But he already had hurt Miko. He promised nothing bad would happen to her, and it did! She had been reduced to Shockwave's puppet. She had no choice, but to obey her slaver. Every time she resisted him, it only ended in punishment and pain.

"Just leave me alone!" Miko retorted, hoping it sounded more like a venomous snarl than a quivering voice.

"No! We're not leaving without you!" Bulkhead thundered. "Come with us!"

His optics were pleading, a servo outstretched as if he could reach her. It only made Miko all the more confused. H-he hated her. Why was he doing this? Didn't he realize that there was no escape for her?

The former human remembered the last time she tried to flee with the Autobots. Only for Shockwave to override her warpdrive and forced her to return to him. There was no doubt he would do it again if she ever slipped from his clutches. And she had learned he didn't even need slave coding to keep her in her place. Because Miko had learned the hard, bitter truth.

She was bound to Shockwave.

Miko dared to glance back at her master, watching as the scientist finished inputting the last sequence into the console. Suddenly a thunderous roar echoed through the chamber as the machine took up the ceiling. Energon coursed through the thick cables, traveling down to each and every incubation chamber that filled the laboratory. There was a series of hums and whirrs as the stasis pods were onlined. Latches unlocked. Liquid preservatives began to drain. Golden optics opened.

Miko watched with fascinated horror as the beasts that had been unmoving for so long, finally began to stir. It was mere twitches at first. Then claws flexed, tails uncoiled, and necks stretched. Then the Predacons began to thrash in their prisons. Talons raked across glass and sharp plating slammed against walls of the tanks. The yellow liquid began to spill across the floor, leaving a mess, but everyone merely stared as the monsters flailed within the emptying tubes. Then the Predacons shrieked, wailing in unseen agony.

Miko could watch in horror. What… what was happening? Suddenly she was ripped away from the terrible sight when a servo seized her by the shoulder and yanked her back.

"We are leaving," Shockwave announced.

Before Miko had a chance to reply, he raised his cannon, firing at the invading Wreckers. Once against they were sent back behind the tanks. Still, the femme's ventilations shuttered when she realized how close they were.

There was only a single tank between Wheeljack and her, while Bulkhead and Ultra Magnus were a couple more rows behind. Looking past the screaming, writhing bodies of the Predacons, Miko could spot their silhouettes through murky liquid. She could even make out Wheeljack's silver armor, the blue glow of his energon cannon—

Then suddenly there was a weapon firing and there was a horrible noise as the Wrecker's incubation tank shattered. A shower of glass fell to the ground, only to be washed away by the torrent of yellow liquid that poured onto the floor. There was a broken roar of a Predacon, followed by a heavy, earth-shaking thud as the beast slammed onto the unforgiving ground.

Miko only had a split-second to process what happened before she felt something hot seared her plating. Her shriek of pain was swallowed up by Shockwave's agonized bellow behind her. His crushing grip suddenly disappeared and his EM field slipped away as the Decepticon reeled away from her. Meanwhile the femme crumbled to her knees, her servo instinctively slapping her side. Only to feel wet, hot energon.

With a gasp, Miko glanced down, only to be greeted by a horrendous wound. There was a gash across her abdominal plating. The edges were glowing red with heat while the metal around it was completely blackened. It took a long moment until her processor digested what happened.

She had been shot.

Wheeljack had shot her. Through the tank.

Miko could only stare at her own bleeding injury in shock. She didn't feel sorrow or rage or shame or hatred. She felt nothing at all.

There she heard a unnatural noise.

Slowly, the human-turned-Cybertronian glanced up. She was greeted with the sight of the ruined incubation chamber, a pool of fluids around it. In the center of split liquid was a seizing mass. The Predacon, a bird-like monster, spasmed uncontrollably—each part of its body, each piece of plating moving independently. Its optics were flickering madly. It let out disturbing, strangled sounds, like it was trying to vent, but it was only swallowing its own energon instead.

Then suddenly, the Predacon gave a final jerk and its entire frame froze. Its broad helm fell to the ground with a strained, weird wheeze. Those brilliant optics flickered one last time, then faded to a lifeless black.

Miko stared. Suddenly the deafening screeches of the other Predacons vanished, and the Autobots were no more. She no longer felt the pain still coursing through her veins. She only saw the husk of the once proud, mighty Predacon.

The beast was one of Predaking's brothers. It had ruled a planet for eons, only to die from a cataclysm. It had been pulled from its slumber and twisted into a freak of nature inside a laboratory, destined to be the mindless slave of a sadist. Only for it to die before it could take its first breath. And the Autobots had murdered it.

Miko found her servos curling into fists. It wasn't fair. The Autobots always talked about how everyone had a chance to live, to choose. But the Predacons never had a choice. They were merely tools of the Decepticons, created to wreak havoc across the Earth. And even if they broke free of their master's clutches, the Autobots would destroy them just for being born.

Scorching heat coursed through Miko's veins, as raw fury washed over her. A red haze covered her vision. She wasn't even aware her fangs were bared and her plating was bristling to give her a wicked-looking appearance. Her claws dug into her palms so hard that they bled. Then Miko screamed, her cry of despair and rage joining the dying Predacons'.

"I HATE YOU!"

Her frame filled with new energy, the femme shakily climbed to her pedes. She shifted her servos into twin cannons… aiming them at Wheeljack.

The Wrecker stood in the same spot as before, his optics going wide with shock and horror as Miko stomped towards him.

"Miko… I d-didn't mean—" he fumbled, taking a step away to keep his distance from the raging femme. "It was meant for him—"

The former human snarled like a feral animal, ready to pounce, but a deep, low groan stopped her.

Miko twisted, only to be greeted by the sight of Shockwave, laying across the floor. He was still conscious, holding himself up with his single servo, but his optic was horribly dim. His cannon-arm hung limply, and the mutant quickly saw why. Energon bled from his shoulder, sparks flying as neural wiring were fried and broken.

Miko's optics went wide at the sight. Shockwave, on the ground, helpless. At her mercy, should she so choose to dispose of him. She could scrap him right here, right now. It would be so easy-one swipe of her axe or a shot from her blaster, and her tormentor would be done for.

All the pain, the suffering, would finally be over.

Her spark fluttered madly in her chest, Miko reached forward to grab the mech that had made her suffer so. She willed her arm to transform, to sever the cyclops's single optic from his helm, slaying the vile monster. But she couldn't.

Miko had remembered the last time she was desperate enough to attack Shockwave. He had sent her to the floor, seizing and screaming as the inhibitor had burned her from the inside out. He hadn't even touched her—he didn't even need to touch her. Not when the slave coding ensured she would obey his every command, or the inhibitor would discipline her.

Could it even be removed? What if it was a part of her, forever? Which meant the Autobots could do nothing for her, even if they wanted to. Miko doubted they did. She looked at the dead Predacon, the one that Wheeljack killed. Her side ached, the steady stream of leaking energon reminding her what had happened. And at her pedes was Shockwave, bleeding from a wound from the same attack. Without her permission, Megatron's dark drawl rung in the femme's helm.

"They grew tired of you..."

For so long, Miko had tried to ignore the words, but now she realize. The Decepticon warlord had been telling the truth. The Autobots didn't care about her. Wheeljack had shot her, all in order to get to Shockwave.

Would they leave her here, then? Cold and lifeless on the floor, forgotten? No… Miko didn't want that. She wanted to live.

Even if it meant serving Shockwave.

Then maybe… just maybe… she would find a way to remove the chains he placed on her.

The femme shut her optics tight, gritting her denta so hard she thought they would crack. She hated this. She hated Shockwave. But she didn't have a choice—a slave only obeyed.

Suddenly it was then a powerful hum filled the air and bright light illuminated the gloom cavern. She jumped, armor bristling, as a groundbridge appeared only a matter of feet beside her. The Autobots'? Or the Decepticons'?

Her question was answered as she heard the slow, heavy pedes reverberated from the swirling vortex. For a moment, Miko thought it was Megatron, but the pedes grew louder and louder, until the very earth began to shake. Then the dark, menacing form of Predaking emerged from the groundbridge.

Miko froze in the Predacon's imposing shadow as he loomed over her and Shockwave. His golden optics widened as he stared at the wounded Shockwave for only a moment, until he took in the sight of his dying brethren, still wailing in agony.

"What… what is this?!" It was then Predaking noticed the trio of interlopers, staring at the bipedal Predacon with terror. The dragon's fierce gaze flared with rage, letting out a savage snarl, revealing rows of wicked fangs. "Interlopers!"

With a panicked start, the Autobots leaped out of the charging Predacon. Miko could only watch as the dragon slammed his fist into the ground with such force that the very earth shattered underneath his might. Predaking growled with frustration when he realized his attack missed, but he did not let it deter him. In a movement faster than his great size should allow, he twisted around and lunged at the closest Autobot—Ultra Magnus.

The commander raised his double-barrel cannons, unleashing a volley of energon at the raging dragon. Yet the projectiles did nothing to his heated hide. There was a horrible clang as Predaking landed a powerful punch—right in the center of Magnus's chest. The Autobot was sent sailing across the cavern in an explosion of rocks and debris.

Predaking transformed. His neck expanded and his maw shifted into fanged mandibles. Two legs became four. A tail emerged. Wings extended. In a matter of seconds, the gargantuan mech turned into a colossal dragon. Predaking let out ferocious, audio-shattering roar, lifting his helm high and raising his talons in challenge.

Miko realized now was the chance to escape.

Wheeljack and Bulkhead had turned their attention at the rampaging beast, their back turned to her. The groundbridge was still open behind her. Shockwave had not moved. If anything, his ventilations had become more labored and his optic dimmer. He didn't have much longer.

He would die from an Autobot attack. But if anyone deserved to terminate him, it was Miko. He would die by her servo. No one else.

Steeling her nerves, Miko reached out, wrapping her servos around Shockwave's good arm. The Decepticon winced, more in reflex than in pain, but he didn't resist as she yanked him upward. Even with her strength, it was difficult to pull him onto his pedes. However, Shockwave was more cognizant than she realized, as he seemed to understand her intent. making a conscious effort to stand on his own. He wasn't very successful.

His legs shook underneath him, and Miko could see why. His chassis was covered in sticky, wet energon. They must have struck the main fuel-line into his cannon. He must have required a lot of energon to power such a massive weapon. The former human took his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, bearing most of his weight. She wheezed. Shockwave was heavy.

"Come on," Miko groaned through gritted denta. "You're not dying here!"

She trudged forward, half-carrying, half-dragging him along towards the groundbridge. Behind her, she could hear the orchestra of battle as Predaking continued to engage the trespassers. Ultra Magnus had re-entered the fray, trying to keep his distance from the beast while Wheekjack and Bulkhead continued to dance around the Predacon.

"Miko, wait!"

The femme didn't know what possessed her to pause, glancing over her shoulder. She was greeted with Bulkhead, optics wide and bright. He almost looked like an oversized, hurt puppy. Part of Miko wanted to speak with him. She opened her mouth to say something—anything—but she never had the chance.

There was a thunderous crash as Predaking sent his tail into Wheeljack's back, sending the poor Autobot skidding across the ground like a ragdoll. The Wrecker skidded to an uncomfortable halt, settling on all fours. With a growl, Wheeljack glanced up, his optics filled with ice-cold fury.

"You wanna play rough, huh?" he snarled, reaching for his subspace.

And pulling out a primed grenade.

Ultra Magnus's optics went wide. "Soldier, wait!"

"Jackie, no!" Bulkhead cried.

But it was too late. Wheeljack tossed the grenade. For a moment, it seemed as if time had slowed to a standstill as the explosive arced through the air, flashing rapidly with a high-pitched beeps. Miko did not watch it fall. Her legs moving on their own, she turned towards the groundbridge. In the shadow of her slaver, she stepped in the light.

"MIKO!"

Then the grenade detonated.

oOo

Twinstrike roared as a blade dug into his side. He reared onto his hind legs, his dual heads twisting around towards his back. He was greeted with the blue-colored runt. The pest had attached herself onto the Predacon's back, her arm-fangs slashing into the gaps of his armored hide.

"Release me!" Twinstrike snarled angrily, snapping his jaws at the vermin.

The runt leaned back and forth, dodging his attacks effortlessly. She only dug deeper into his hide, provoking another pained roar. Finally, one of his jaws latched onto her thin arm, ripping her off his back. Twinstrike flung her through the air in a powerful throw, sending her tumbling across the ground. The runt let out a pained groan as she skidded to a stop.

A feral grin spread across both of the Predacon's lips as he shifted to pounce on his fallen prey. Only when he took a step forward, searing heat struck the plating below his optic. The hydra shrieked in agony, one helm dipping low as the other took its place, golden optics narrowing at his attacker. It was the yellow Chirping-One, which was pointing its fire-starters at him. With a snarl, Twinstrike opened his jaw wide, unleashing a jet of flame at the rude assaulter.

The small Two-Walker leaped out of the way, rolling across the ground and skidding to a stop, staying low as the stream of fire roared over his helm. The blast traveled across the clearing, shattering a boulder dangerously close to Lazerback. The winged Predacon didn't even seem to notice, locked in his battle with the Great-Prime.

Lazerback snarled as he deftly dodged away from the Great-Prime's sword-claw, swiping at the large mech's hide. The Two-Walker groaned as he stumbled back, bright life-blood pouring from the wound. Lazerback took advantage to catch his balance, digging his talons into the earth as the cannon on his back illuminated with a fiery glow as it began to charge. He took aim at the Great-Prime, yellow optics gleaming with zeal.

"Oh, no you don't!" the yellow and blue Bright-One shouted, slamming into Lazerback's side at full-speed

Although the Two-Walker was smaller than the large Predacon, he struck with enough force to knock Lazerback off balance. The blast of his cannon discharged, soaring through the air with a sharp whistle until it fell to the earth. The bolt erupted on impact, sending a column of smoke and fire into the air and leaving a crater in its wake.

Lazerback wailed at his failed attack, but quickly dug his claws into the ground, preventing him from falling over. Growling deeply and optics glowing menacingly, he twisted to face the one that robbed him of his hunt. Twinstrike moved to aid his brethren, only for more little-fires to pepper his hide. He hissed in annoyance, twisting his helms around to face his opponents.

The runt was already back on her pedes, aiming her fire-starters at him she taunted, "Over here, you over-sized lizard!"

"Come and pick on someone your own size," the Chirping-One chimed.

"With... pleasure!" Twinstrike snarled.

Then with agility that defied his frame, he pounced towards the pair in a flicker of an optic. The runt wailed in pain as his claws gouged into her hide, pinning her peptite frame beneath his great weight. At the sound of crunching armor, the Chirping-One moved to her aid, only to be greeted with Twinstrike's mighty tails. The Two-Walker howled as it went sailing through the air.

His prey squirmed underneath him, baring her blunt fangs at him. Twinstrike opened his jaws wide, ready to rip apart the runt's tender mesh and feast on the life-fluid within. The hunt leaned away as his fangs scraped against her neck, whimpering in fear and rage.

Then thunder reverberated across the air. Distracted from his prey, Twinstrike raised a helm. Even Lazerback paused, the Bright-One still in his claws. Even the other Two-Walkers froze at the odd sound. Twinstike scanning the surrounding area, trying to find the source. He only found that the great-plains-of-the-skies were clear. The sound had been distant. Muffled, even like it was coming from... beneath them.

Then Twinstrike saw a thick, black column of smoke rise from the cave entrance. That lead to—

"The sanctum!" Lazerback cried.

"Our brethren!"

Abandoning his hunt, the Predacon leapt away with a flap of wings, clearing a considerable distance in a single bound. Twinstrike was hot on his heels, ripping away from his attackers and stomping after him.

What had happened? Were the Small-One and the Creator not within? The Great-King had been called away to the great-wingless-stone-monster, but he had promised to return soon. Then… then what was the cause of the eruption? Then Twinstrike remembered. The three large Two-Walkers that had cowardly fled into the caverns, to avoid the Predacons' wrath. Was it them?

A foul stench greeted Twinstrike like a slap to his face, making him hiss. His sight was not much better, as a film of smoke covered his vision. The Predacon tried to listen to detect his surroundings, but he only heard his hammering spark and pounding paws, along with distant rumbles. Robbed of his senses, he could only depend on memory as he ventured deeper into the mountain.

It made Twinstike's hide crawl. He hated the pitch-black darkness, more than anything. After spending grueling centuries within the depths of the Earth, he never wanted to be in such a place again. But the hydra buried his misgivings, forcing himself to venture on with Lazerback at his side. It felt like an eternity passed as they traveled down the long, winding tunnel, skidding to a halt at the cavern that made their sanctum. Only it was all terribly wrong.

A dark, evil haze lingered, illuminated by pockets of raging fire. Crimson embers floated across the air. A couple drifted into Twinstrike's sensitive optics, forcing him to close his inner optic shutter. It made it that much harder to see. He tried to peer through the smoke, searching for the tall, strange-looking eggs.

Instead, he was greeted with grey branches of metal. They were crooked and jagged, filling nearly the entire cavern. The branches twisted around each other in a senseless pattern and they jutted out in sharp, deadly spikes.

"What dark magic is this?" Twinstrike bellowed, recoiling from the evil sight.

"Where are our brethren?" Lazerback demanded. His chemoreceptors flared hotly. "Where is Predaking?!"

Not waiting for a response, the chimera charged forward. With his serpentine body, he squeezed through the crooked branches. Twinstrike attempted to follow him, bodily forcing his way through the tangled metal. Only as they ventured into the twisted nest, walking over shattered pieces of translucent shells and bits of scrap metal.

Then they saw it, both freezing in their spots. The body of a Predacon, sprawled across the ground. The creature's spiked armor rose into the air and its talons were outstretched. Its maw was parted in a scream, but no sound came out, not even the whisper of a huff. Its optics were shuttered, almost like it was in slumber. But it did not move, nor respond to their presence. Rather than the vibrant colors of a Great-Hunter, its hide was a dull, lifeless gray.

"She… she is dead," Lazerback gasped, staring at the husk with horrified optics.

Then there was movement in the corner of Twinstrike's vision. He snapped his helm around with a startled hiss, only to be greeted with a pack of Two-Walkers.

They were all larger than the ones outside. Their brightly-colored hides were marred with black scorch marks and bright-blue life-blood. The green Bulky-One was clutching his helm with his blunt claws, as if in pain. As the White-One crooned to the Two-Walker, the azure Commanding-One eyed the Great-Hunters. His optics were like frigid, unforgiving ice.

Twinstrike growled deep within his breast, pulling his lips back in a vicious snarl. "Interlopers..."

It was them. They had caused this. They had murdered his brethren!

He took a slow, predatory step forward, flexing his talons to tear into the trespassers. Only for the ground beneath them to tremble as a reverberating rumble echoed.

It was then everyone present, Two-Walker and Great-Hunter alike, froze, turning towards the source. There was a giant shape, silhouetted in the lingering haze. Shadowed, broad wings expanded and brilliant yellow optics flashed in the gloom. A familiar scent tickled Twinstrike's chemoreceptors.

"Predaking?!" he gasped.

The Great-King was in his beast form, covered in wounds and soot. His long claws dug into the ground to steady himself. However, his gaze was fierce as ever, as it locked onto the fallen body of their brethren.

Predaking's body went completely rigid, his wings rising in distress. Slowly, swiftly, the Great-King approached the husk. When there was no response, he nudged the helm of the Predacon, crooning softly. The Great-Hunter did not stir, not even when Predaking shoved his brethren harder. Then the Great-King made a sound Twinstrike never heard before. It was a high-pitched, spark-breaking keen.

Then Predaking spoke, his voice barely audible, "What have you done?"

The Great-King raised his helm, only for his optics to narrow on the trio of trespassers. He pulled his mandibles back in a menacing, ugly snarl. The Two-Walkers shifted at the heated glare, their plating bristling as they raised their weapons. Predaking stepped over the body of their murdered brethren, his scorching optics burning into the trespassers. He parted his maw in a bellowing roar, his mighty voice filling the entire sanctum.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

The Autobots didn't answer. They only stumbled away from the furious Predacon, clumsily stepping into battle stances. Just for Predaking to charge forward with a bellowing roar. Blue-fire shot from the Two-Walkers servos, but it did nothing to slow the rampaging Great-King down.

The dragon barreled into the Bulky-One, sending the interloper soaring. He struck his whip-like tail against the Commanding-One, slamming him until the ground. Seeing his comrade fall underneath Predaking's might, the White-One tried to move away, but the Great-King was faster.

Predaking's mandibles clamped down on the Autobot's shoulder and the dragon effortlessly plucked him into the air. With a snap of his neck, he tossed the White-One away. Only when he did, the trespasser flipped mid-air and landed nimbly on his pedes. He drew a pair of sword-fangs,.

"You want to dance?" the White-One taunted. Suddenly a mask slid over his faceplates, so that only his burning optics were visible. "Let's dance!"

Behind Predaking, Twinstrike and Lazerback engaged in the battle as well. The Bulky-One, who had just climbed to his pedes, tumbled back as Twinstrike charged at him. Meanwhile, Lazerback pounced on the fallen Commanding-One with a shriek.

The White-One surged forward with a burst of speed, twirling his sword-fangs. Predaking spread his mandibles with a hiss, digging his claws into the ground and twisting around. Slamming his mighty tail into the Autobot.

The Two-Walker grunted as he crashed through a tangle of metal branches with a terrible noise. Predaking let out a deep growl, baring his fangs as he stalked towards the White-One. In the corner of his optic, he saw the Bulky-One had shifted his servo into a spikey-sphere, repeatedly banging it between Twinstrike's helms. The air was illuminated in a crimson light as Lazerback unleashed a jet of flame at Commanding-One. The large Two-Walker fled from the heat of the violent attack, sending a volley of blue-fire back at the Predacon.

Assured the Great-Hunters were occupying the interlopers, Predaking continued towards the White-One. The Two-Walker was slowly rising to his pedes with a groan, only to be greeted with the sight of the dragon tansforming back to his bipedal mode to loom over him. With a roar, Predaking swiped his talons at the murderer. Only for the White-One to leap into the air.

With acrobatics that defied his frame, he seized a metal spike and spun around it, twisting in mid-air. Kicking his pedes into the same branch, he launched himself back towards Predaking. The Predacon grunted as the Two-Walker's pedes smashed into his helm, causing him to stumble back into a wall.

Taking advantage of his dazed state, the White-One sent a volley of kicks and punches into the giant. Predaking tried to swipe his claws at his attacker in retaliation, only for the Autobot to flip into the air again, unsheathing his sword-fangs. He twisted them in his grip, bringing them down to skewer the Predacon.

The Great-King raised his broad arms in defense, snarling in pain at the sword-fangs skewered his limbs. He grinded his denta and wrapped his talons around the weapons. He yanked them free, a trail of energon gushing out from the wound. But the discomfort was insignificant to the anguish the Autobots had brought upon his brethren.

Predaking would make them pay.

With a roar of fury, the Great-Hunter reached out, snatching the White-One by the throat. Before he had a chance to squirm, Predaking threw his catch into the ground with such force that the stone cracked. He curled his claws into a fist, sending it into the Two-Walker's chest. Then he sent another and another and another.

One for each and every Great-Hunter the Autobots had desecrated. Sparks flew into the air, like the fiery breath the Predacons would have rained upon the world. Energon splattered, just like the Predacons when they were betrayed and hunted and slaughtered into extinction.

They had a chance to be reborn.

And the Autobots took it away!

"Rraaagh!" Predaking roared, raising another fist to bring it back down right into the White-One's spark.

Only for agony to erupt across his helm.

Predaking crashed onto the ground with a mighty slam, skidding across the stone until he crashed into a tangled mess of metal. The Predacon's vision was splintered by static, forcing him to reset his optics. He could only see on a large, blurry shape above him, until his focus returned to make out the Commanding-One. Aiming his cannon at the Great-King's helm.

Only for a crimson beak to clamp down on the Autobot's arm. The interloper let out a grunt of protest as Lazerback yanked him away from Predaking. The Two-Walker was too heavy for the chimera to lift, so he dragged his opponent across the ground before half-throwing, half-pushing him away. The Commanding-One tumbled until he crashed into the Bulky-One, the pair skidding into a wall in a tangle of limbs.

Twinstrike's helms roared as one as the Predacon stormed forward, the very earth quaking with each step. The Two-Walkers had barely managed to get to their pedes by the time the hydra was upon them. The Autobots ducked and twisted away from the dual assaults of his helms, having deadly fangs sink into empty air.

The Bulky-One sent his spiky-sphere into the Predacon's jaw. Twinstrike shrieked in pain, recoiling back and unknowingly giving his prey room to fight back. Moving as one, the two Autobotos pushed forward, sending strike after strike at his twin helms. Then the Commanding-One delivered a powerful kick at Twinstrike's breast.

The hydra roared as he was flipped over from the attack, the back of his helms falling to the ground. He let out a moan as he was forced into stasis. Before the Autobots had a chance to celebrate their victory, however, there was a furious screech above them. The Bulky-One glanced up, only for his vision to be filled with fire.

Flame spewed from Lazerback's beak, raining down onto the interlopers. Unable to find shelter, the pair was forced to take the brunt of the attack. The Two-Walkers could only grit their denta in pain, shutting their optics tight. Their arms were raised in defense and their heels dug in the ground to stay in place. The fire heated the metal of their armor until it began to glow from the heat of the inferno. The surrounding metal branches slowly began to melt.

Finally, Laserback shut off the jet of flame. Steam rose from the Two-Walker's charred bodies, optics filled with agony and disorientation. Only for the chimera to descend upon them. The Bulky-One grunted as Lazerback's claws sunk easily into the heated hide, swiftly drawing out energon.

The chimera then dug his beak into a gap on the green mech's shoulder, tearing armor, wires, and protoform. The Autobot bellowed in agony, his frame trembling from the trauma before his leg stabilizers failed him. The Two-Walker collapsed, Lazerback settling his weight on top of his hunt. But his prey had not fallen completely.

Grinding his denta, the Bulky-One gazed up at his assaulter with squinted optics, forcing his servo to curl into a fist. And with all the strength left in his body, he sent it into Laserback's underbelly.

The Predacon made a terrible, high-pitched shriek, the sound echoing across the cavern and shattering audio receptors. He slumped forward, only for the Bulky-One to catch him in his servos and roughly shove him off. A wing bent at an awkward angle as he landed heavily on his side with a dull, metallic thud. Lazerback did not move, only able to let out a low moan as he curled in himself.

"NO!"

Predaking rushed forward to aid his fallen comrade. Noticing the Predacon's approach, the Bulky-One clumsily scrambled to his pedes and shifted to a battle stance, twin maces primed, even as his body shook horribly. Predaking moved to attack at his enemy, only to freeze when he noticed Twinstrike flat on the ground, unconscious. Unable to defend himself to any that chose to attack him.

Helpless.

Just like the rest of his brethren, just before they perished.

Predaking bared his fangs and his optics flashed brilliantly. He threw his helm back and let out a terrible, long roar. His cry sounded like mighty thunder as he transformed into a Great-Hunter, spreading his wings to their full length. It turned into a menacing growl as he raised his haunches, his predatory glare trained on the Bulky-One. Before the Autobot could react, the Great-King pounced, opening his mandibles wide.

Only he never made it to his prey. Suddenly a solid, azure wall materialized before him Predaking's jaw clamped around a broad-golden-stick.

"Fall back!" The Comming-One cried out, using every bit of his strength to hold Predaking at bay.

The other Two-Walkers stayed in place, watching the stalemate with wide optics, as if they were torn between aiding their alpha or fleeing. With a snarl, Predaking pushed forward. The Commanding-One dug his heels in as he was forced back, groaning with effort.

He still summoned the strength to glance at his comrades, bark in a ferocious bellow, "GO! NOW!"

The shout seemed to jolt the Autobots from their trance. Shakily, slowly, they forced their ruined frames to move, leaning on each other for support. Watching his army's murderers escape filled Predaking with righteous fury.

No! They would not get away!

The Great-King bit down on the broad-golden-stick. Hard.

There was a distinct crack as the weapon splintered between them, golden dust rising into the air. The Commanding-One stumbled back, losing his balance, staring at the broken thing with wide, horrified optics.

Predaking did not hesitate, surging forward with great speed, catching the interloper off guard as he was thrown to the rocky floor. A grunt of pain left him, but Predaking would not be satisfied with a pitiful whimper. The Autobot attempted to climb back to his pedes, outstretching his servos to push himself up. Allowing Predaking to stomp on his exposed appendage.

The Commanding-One screamed as his servo was brutally crushed underneath the Predacon's great weight, swallowing up the awful sound of shattered metal. Predaking removed his paw, but only broken pieces and wires remained, surrounded by a pool of life-blood that poured profusely from the Autobot's severed arm. The Two-Walker clutched his ruined limb, holding it close to his chest, but did not have the strength to move any further.

"Prepare to perish," Predaking growled lowly, fire building in the back of his throat to finish the Two-Walker once and for all.

Only he never had the chance.

Suddenly a clap of thunder reverberated and something powerful slammed into him.

Predaking let out a moaning roar as the force sent him rolling across the ground. His serpentine body tangled with the metal branches and spikes painfully dug into his hide. His processor swam, dazed from the brunt of impact. It took him a long moment for his optics focus on a large, robust figure. It was the Great-Prime, carefully cradling the fallen Commanding-One in his arms. The other Two-Walkers were stumbling behind him, cowering in the protective shadow of their ruler.

Suddenly there was a flash of brilliant light. Colors swirled together, looking like dancing-stars. A groundbridge, but it did not belong to Decepticon's.

The Great-Prime turned to his subordinates and barked, "Retreat to base!"

"No!"

Even as he leaked precious life-blood, Predaking was fueled by rage. No, they could not get away! He would stop at nothing to destroy the murderers!

With a determined growl, Predaking wrestled free of his metal prison. The Bulky-One and the White-One had vanished, swallowed by the dancing-stars, and the Great-Prime turned to join them. The Great-King let out an audio-splitting screech as he lunged. A gust of wind blew through the cave as he gave his wings a mighty flap, sending him forward in a burst of speed. But it still wasn't fast enough.

The Autobot, the interloper, the murderer, slipped into the groundbridge—and disappeared from existence. Predaking's claws brushed against the edge of the vortex just as it, too, dissipated into nothingness.

The bright colors were replaced by dull, lifeless shades. Predaking had to spread his wings to slow to his flight, extending his claws to bury them into the ground. He skidded across the stone with a horrible noise, coming before finally coming to a halt.

It was only then that there was deafening silence.

Predaking turned, surveying what was left of the sanctum. Lazerback and Twinstrike lay across the ground, forced into stasis. Pockets of flames still raged throughout the cavern. There were several broken, charred husks strewn across the cavern, ruined beyond recognition.

The Predacons were dead. His people were gone. They were promised life, and instead they were given extinction. And their murderers still lived.

A deep, savage growl bloomed from Predaking's chest as his lips pulled back in a menacing snarl. He raised his helm to the heavens and unleashed a great jet of flame. Light illuminated the darkness and the firestorm consumed the shell of what was once Shockwave's laboratory.

Predaking let out a long, broken roar of rage and despair.