A/N: In case you're all wondering what happened to Nightsteel; I forgot to mention that she was sent ahead to a military base to deal with the new recruits. (Autobot ones, that is) So she's been gone for a while, and that's the reason. Lol. Also, the bots all talk Cybertronian, unless they're speaking to a human.

NordicAutobotGirl: Well, I can't really help but add humor, so expect more; maybe not in every chapter, but there will be humor! :D I didn't copy Thanator off thanator. It orginally started with me loving the name, so I thought, why not name a OC after it? So, Thanator. The only thing he has that's similiar to a thanator from Avatar (Which is like, MY FAVORITE MOVIE!) is his six legs and four eyes. Other then that, he's different. ^.^

Seeker3: Lol, I love doing stuff like this. Most of my names have hidden meanings or mean something to me, but not all... I do know what they look like, and they already exist on Harsen, but I don't think they'll play any major part in my story. Sorry to disappoint!

"Beast talk"

"English talk"

Thoughts

"Cybertronian talk"

"Comm talk"

The reek of oil made me step back from the Earthen vehicle as it settled down on top of the Autobot base with a thump. The dust, stirred up by the whirring blades, settled into my vents, and I irritably coughed to clean them.

I was to be taken in to the human base for registration, something that had happened to all the Autobots before. Optimus Prime, Arcee, and Wheeljack would be coming along; Optimus wasn't sure that informing the humans that two large armies of nearly unstoppable alien predators were on Earth. So we decided to keep quiet about it for now.

Now came the first problem; fitting me into the Earth vehicles. I was too large in either form to fit into the backs of them. They normally would have the Autobots transform, with the 'bots small, Earth-based vehicle modes fitting in easily. But I had no such thing. I was a Predacon.

The humans debated on whether or not to just have me crawl in, but I admantly refused.

They eventually decided that Ratchet could groundbridge us all, including the humans and their clumsily flying vehicles.

Why couldn't the humans or even Optimus thought of it sooner? Then it hit me almost immediately. It takes Energon! We're already short on Energon as it is...

"Hey, kid." Wheeljack commed me. It might be best if you didn't transform all too much. The human soldiers that are there may not take that as a friendly approach." He chuckled, and I nodded.

Stepping out of the groundbridge onto the base, I immediately wrapped my tail around my waist. Already, humans were staring, mostly at me. I felt shy, and let the others go first. I couldn't help but stare at the large base. The humans, though small and often annoying, were strong, smart in many ways.

My 'tour' was cut off when we entered a large building. A catwalk was build up high enough that the humans could be more level with the Autobots. While Optimus stopped to talk to the man that greeted him on the catwalk, Wheeljack and Arcee led me aside. "Now, just answer all the man's questions." Arcee said.

"And, no trying to start a conversation."

"And-" "Guys!" I held up my servo. "I got it. I am not a sparkling anymore." Arcee shrugged. "I'll stay here."

I stepped forward, still listening to Arcee talk. "I heard from Nightsteel there is some new Autobots here for registration as well. Interesting. I hope it's true, maybe they'll have another femme!''

That worried me; did Arcee not consider me a good friend? Just then a small, short man with something on his face that hooked behind his audios said; "Designation." "Darkflame." "Rank?" "Um... Warrior?" Or maybe you could put down, Queen of a whole predatory alien army?! As the man continued to ask questions; Age, Race, so on and so forth, I couldn't help but look around.

The many vehicles were fascinating, and the humans as well. "We're done." The man said, taking the strange thing off his faceplates. It was glass, save for the metal strips that held the glass over his optics. What a strange device. I thought. It can't do anything; it's glass!

I walked back over to Arcee. "Where's Wheeljack?" Arcee shrugged. "He disappeared a little while ago. Probably ended up showing off or scaring SOMEONE. No doubt the new recruits. Want to go see them?" She smiled.

"I am not sure. Are we allowed to?"

"Sure." She shrugged in a noncomittal sort of way. "Then let's go!"

We exited the building, Arcee chattering on about this and that. I breathed in deep, sifting through the smells. There were many, but the ones that stood out the most was Energon, oil, gasoline, and some strange salty scent.

I followed the Energon trail, trying to be inconspicous with my sniffing. Arcee followed along, silent now. I turned a corner and found Wheeljack telling a story to what appeared to be new recruits for the human army.

Arcee shrugged. "It's just-" Her words were cut off at the shrill yells of the recruits when Wheeljack startled them. He had pulled one of his swords out, and my spark jumped. What was he going to do?

He waved it about, still talking, then placed it back. There were laughs, and I realised it was part of the story. "What shall we do?" I asked Arcee. "Nothing. We leave him in his glory. Let's go find those recruits. I have a feeling I know where they are."

We turned to go, just as Wheeljack noticed us standing nearby. "Darkflame!" He called. "Come on over! Give these rookies a treat and transform!"

Confused, I turned. "But I thought you said no transforming?"

"No!" He laughed. "I said don't do it too much. Once or twice won't hurt!"

I looked at the rookies. They were staring rapt, not understanding Cybertronian, but still fascinated. "Okay, guys, I think Darkflame here is going to transform for us!" I heard Wheeljack whisper.

"I'm sorry, but we are REALLY busy right now, maybe later, ok?" Arcee said, seeing my hesitation. She grabbed my servo and pulled me away, ignoring the disappointed groans of the rookies and Wheeljack.

"Here." Arcee pulled me into a building. Inside, a femme was bent over something. She was sturdily built, with light orange and pink armor and white servos and peds. She was taller then Arcee, by a whole helm.

"Hi!" Arcee said brightly. "Hi, hi, hi!" The femme said, standing up straight. "Ooh! Are you new here too?"

"No." I said. "We're from the Autobot base."

"Sweet! My designation's Dusk, what's yours?"

"I'm Arcee, and this is Darkflame."

"Ooh, nice! My brother's around here somewhere; his name's Ash, and I would advise staying out of his optic-line."

"Why?" Arcee asked, "Is he really grouchy? Because I knew a guy like that once; he was actually a twin, and his brother was the nicest guy-"

"No, he's not grouchy, he's a really big femme-lover."

Just as Dusk had finished her sentence, a mech appeared. He almost reached my shoulder, and was covered in navy blue armor and green highlights. "Femmes! Are you ready for the best night of your lives?" He called, striding over.

"Nope." Arcee said, stepping back from him. "The name's Ash; what's yours? Wait! Let me guess; YOU," He pointed to Arcee. "Are Lily. And YOU," He pointed to me. I felt like biting his digit off. "Must be Ember!"

"No." Arcee said at the same time as me. Dusk edged forward and pulled Arcee away slowly. "Sorry!" She whispered to me. "I can only save one at a time!"

I until Dusk and Arcee had disappeared, I turned, and walked from the building, hoping that Ash would stay behind. Instead, he whistled, then said something about my aft. I snarled, but kept walking.

He followed.

Xineohp curse him! I mentally snarled. "Hey, Legs, want to go out tonight?"

"No! I do not like you!"

"You're just saying that! Come on, let's flip a coin. Heads I win, tail you lose."

"No."

Out of the corner of my optic, I say Wheeljack start toward me, only for Arcee to leap out of the shadows and hold him back.

Ten minutes later*

Ash had not let up on me, pleading and begging, asking and and everything else to convince me to go out with him.

I refused every time, but it was getting harder and harder NOT to bite his faceplates off. I had commed Arcee several times, asking when we were going, but on the fifth time, she broke the sad news; Ash and Dusk were coming back with us, along with a few others that were busy at the moment.

Anyone could see how annoyed and angry I was, and stayed out of my way, luckily. Ash did no such thing, dogging my steps.

Finally, I couldn't handle it anymore. "Fine!" I snarled. "I will go out with you!" I ignored the triumphant look he wore. "On ONE condition!"

"Name it!"

"We spar. You win, I go out with you. I win, you never bother me, or Arcee, EVER AGAIN!"

"Deal!"

Ash drew a large circle around us in the dusty dirt. "Go out of the circle, and it's considered losing."

I nodded in agreement. "And drawing Energon means losing as well."

Arcee, Dusk, Wheeljack, and two others I didn't know stood around outside the circle. Dusk was behind me, and she whispered, "He uses his speed. He relies on it more than anything else." I nodded, uncurling my tail and let it sway.

Ash's optics widened.

Humans began to gather, Wheeljack filling them in on what was happening. "Ready?" I asked Ash. He nodded, then immediately launched at me. I ducked, rolling to the other side of the circle.

"Is transforming allowed?" Wheeljack yelled in English for the gathering humans' benefit. "Yes!" We both replied. The humans cheered. I clicked my clawed servos together and leaped for Ash. He spun nimbly to the side, bring his ped against the back of my knee. I crumpled, landing on it.

Wincing, I stood, a low snarl building in my throat. He ran at me again, and I set myself and let him run into me. Tripping him with my tail, I then grabbed him and held him with some difficulty upside down.

He transformed, landing in a sleek-looking car and spun in circles around me, then sped across the circle. Ash transformed at a safe enough distance, then settled into a defensive stance as I walked toward him. I let a huge smile cover my face, showing my pointed denta.

"Am I missing something, here?" Ash asked Dusk when Arcee and Wheeljack snorted and laughed gleefully.

"Yes." She said, smirking at her brother. "Aww, frag." Ash said, almost ducking under my servo. It clipped his helm, sending him back and down. He transformed, driving circles around me. Occasionally he would ram my peds, and back away before I could grab him. It was hard, trying to grab a car like that, so I decided to transform.

And I did, slamming my front peds down against the ground and snarling loudly. The humans yelled and hollered in amazement. "Fragfragfragfragfragfrag-" I heard Ash, he transformed, shock in his optics. I used that to grab him, tossing him into the air. Catching him with my tail, I dropped him to the earth, sending up a great big cloud of dust.

I placed a clawed ped on his chassis, holding him down. Opening my maw, I let fire build, roaring and snapping. He cried; "Yield, yield!" And cringed, so I swallowed my flames and transformed, pulling him to his peds. "I didn't know you were a Predacon! That's cheating!"

Dusk and Arcee cheered loudly, running to my side. "You won, no more Ash!" Arcee said. Ash sighed, brushing some of the dust off himself. "That was good. Great job. I guess I'll have to find some other femmes and try them." He slipped off, giving me a wink as he passed. I rolled my optics.

I looked around at the crowd that now surrounded me, and realised Optimus was there. Had he seen me fight Ash? Does he care?

I brushed the worries aside. "Hey!" A human yelled from my peds. "Can you transform again and let us look at you?" At his words, the rest of the humans cheered as loudly as they could. I blushed.

"Yeah, come on Darkflame!" Wheeljack smacked my back. "Give these peepers a show!"

"Fine..." I didn't want to admit it, but I liked the humans and how they were impressed with me. I wondered what they would think of Thanator, or some of the others.

A space was cleared around me, and I transformed as slow as possible. I turned in a circle, then opened my wing compartments and spread them out wide, flapping them a few times. Oooohs and Aaaahs rang out, making me blush even more.

"Fire!" Someone shouted, then someone else shouted it as well, then everyone was shouting fire.
"Fire! Fire! Fire!"

I looked at Optimus for permission and he nodded. I took a deep breath, breathing a blast of fire into the air. The humans cheered again. One brave human ran forward once I quit breathing fire, and asked; "Can I have a ride?" Instantly, more humans ran for me. Overwhelmed, I looked with panicky optics to Wheeljack.

"Whoa whoa whoa, you guys, come one! She just finished whooping on Ash's aft, and now you want a ride?" I transformed. "Maybe later." They groaned. "Or, you could ride the others. They have awesome alt modes."

The humans turned to them, and I stepped back. Soon Arcee was zipping around the base, Wheeljack not far behind. Dusk and Ash joined them, Dusk's alt mode being a sleek Lamborghini.

I heard a strange noise, very faint, behind me and turned. Nothing. It was in the sky, I realised, far away. I looked, just as it stopped. There Dunebreaker was, led by Thanator and a few others following close behind. One of them had been roaring.

Panic gripped me, and I transformed, flying into the air. I had no doubt the humans were watching, so I commed Arcee and Wheeljack as I flew.

I met Dunebreaker and Thanator halfway to the base. I knew that the military was probably watching us. "What are you doing here?!"

"We came to make sure you are okay." Dunebreaker said. "Besides, Thanator still has to stay with you."

"Not here he does not!" I hissed angrily. "And why did you bring Sundrop, and ?"

"You never know if you need reinforcements or not."

"Dunebreaker!" I howled. "Stop doing this!"

He stubbornly shook his helm. "At least take Thanator. I do not like the humans, and I do not trust them."

"I am going back to the base soon, and you can not be out here! If a human saw you, everything would go wrong!"

Dunebreaker shifted. "Take Thanator, and we will leave."

I snarled, then turned. "Fine!" I shouted over my shoulder. "But do not ever do this again!"

I flew as fast as I could, landing behind a building. "Thanator, you need to transform here."

He said nothing, but transformed after I did. I walked out, joining Optimus at the groundbridge. "See? Totally fine, and utterly pointless for you to come all that way."

He rumbled, but followed me through the groundbridge. Once through, I exited through the tunnel, throwing a sentence over my shoulder; "I'm going for a long walk."

Dusk waved a cheery goodbye, turning with her brother as Bumblebee started the tour of the base. Thanator followed quietly, as usual, until I reached a certain point. "Thanator." I began, but he interupted me. "I will not stop following you. Her Majesty has given me a task, and I shall complete Her Majesty's orders, for she is still Queen, NOT you, Highness. I may call you Highness, but that is merely out of respect that you are Her Majesty's sister and not Queen yet, should you decide to accept the throne."

I vented, respect blossoming. He made a strong arguement. "All right. But I must ask you to please keep what I am about to show you a secret from all, even my sister."

"I will keep it unless she asks outright." Thanator snorted, his four optics looking at me intently. I nodded in agreement, turning and shoving a large boulder aside. Musty air wafted from within, and I didn't go in far before stopping and grabbing a large Energon crystal. Turning, I pushed the boulder back and transformed, flying up over the cliff that rose above the hidden cave.

On the other side of the cliff, was the waterfall. It roared as it tumbled down the rocks, sending spray high into the air. I flew down to land at its base, walking into the waterfall. Though the water was powerful, its pounding didn't deter me as I entered a cave hidden behind the waterfall. Thanator HAD been with me when I discovered it, but he had remained outside, after scanning the cave of course.

Which made me wonder; how had he missed what the cave had contained?

I continued walking, optics adjusting swiftly. The Energon crystal held in my jaws was set down, and I allowed Thanator to stand beside me for a moment before stepping forward and letting out a low chirr, followed by a click of my mandibles.

There was a instant reaction. A scrambling, clicking, chirping bundle of wings and metal landed on my helm. Thanator snarled, lunging for it. I roared in reply, swinging my helm out of his reach and blasting fire in his direction.

He stumbled to a halt, confusion in his optics as he beheld what I was protecting.

A Predacon sparkling.

It had been hard, keeping this secret. I had only told it to Predaking, who, after some thought, agreed to us taking care of the sparkling. Thanator was the big problem; what would he do? We decided to keep him in the dark for the time being, but that was harder still, sneaking away from a trained assassin/bodyguard.

Difficult as it was, I made it work. For my sparkling.

We named him Smokescreen. It was more like he was already named, and we knew it. We never decided on it, really. We just started calling him Smokescreen. It fit. He didn't seem to be able to produce flames, only smoke. So that was what he would do. Smoke constantly poured from his mouth, and at first, it worried me.

So I went to Ratchet, requesting sparkling-care datapads, and anything on Predacons he had. He was very curious, asking me more then once if I was sparked. I always replied with a vehement NO.
After all, I was not!

There was nothing on Predacon sparkling care, so I made do with what I found. Crushing Energon crystals before giving them to the sparkling was the first thing I learned and did. Before, I had fed him solid crystal, which made him sick and me nearly so from worry.

But now we were past that, with Smokescreen trained that he should hide unless we gave him a signal.

So that was how I managed to hide a sparkling. And I am still hiding it, from almost everyone.

And so it shall continue.

A few hours later I heard Predaking stalk through the waterfall. He was surprised at Thanator's presence, but I reassured him. "Thanator has promised to keep our secret. He will also protect the sparkling when we are around, as he won't leave my side."

Smokescreen pounced at Predaking, mandibles clicking as he attempted to bite Predaking's ped. "Toshnin flava." I reprimanded, pulling the little white sparkling away. "Biting hurts."

Predaking snorted, curling up around me. While we weren't sparkmates yet, we would soon be, just as before. And this time, I will not lose him!

"I was at the humans' military base today. We have four new recruits." I chuckled at the memory of Ash. "One was convinced that he could manage to ask me out by acting like a sparkling." Predaking's chuckle was darker, a note of jealousy in it. "What did you do?"

"I challenged him to a spar; If he won, I would go out with him. If I won, he would have to leave me alone. I, of course, beat him."

Predaking's laughter was warmer now. "You should have told him you have a... how do the humans put it? Boy-friend."

I grinned. "Ah, even if I wasn't supposed to let anyone know?" My smile turned into a grimace as Smokescreen bit into my tail. "Toshnin flava oojo foksish!" I gave him a light smack on the helm with my bitten tail.

He squeaked, pouncing on it again and biting it.

"Ow!"

"Oooh!" Dusk squealed. "I never got to meet this mech before!" She danced around Thanator, who looked uncomfortable. "He looks exciting! What's his designation? Where did he come from? I know I saw him before, but why did-" I placed a servo over her mouth. "Not so fast."

She grinned, pulling my servo away. "Sorry!"

"His designation is Thanator. He came from Harsen, and he can't speak anything other then Predastandard."

Dusk smiled. "Can he transform?" She looked expectantly at Thanator. "She wants to know if you can transform."

"Does it matter?"

"No, but she would be impressed."

I saw something flicker in his yellow optics just before he transformed. "Nice!" Dusk nodded admiringly, walking in a circle around him. "Love the colors!"

"She loves your colors and is impressed." Thanator grunted, transforming back and leaping into the rafters that groaned under his weight.

"Tell me," Dusk whispered into my audio. "Is he single?"

A/N: I'm loving Dusk! She's so fun to write! ^.^ Also, sparkling Predacon Smokescreen! Yay! Please, leave a review!