Monstrous Heart (Mercy)

by Emperor Kumquat

Predaking only wanted the Predacons to live peacefully with the Autobots. Then, a supernatural being tempts Predaking with power and new Predacon brethren. He can have it all, if he only lets them borrow his body. Suddenly, Predaking finds himself in too deep with the new criminal masterminds of Cybertron: the Vehicon mafia. He doesn't know how he got here, but now he can't leave.

2. 1-2

His excitement to tear Starscream apart died. As the Decepticon balled up and shivered, he looked so utterly tiny. Suddenly, Predaking did not feel like his revenge would be noble like he wanted it to be. He felt like a giant brute looming over Starscream. Sighing, Predaking dropped his arm despite how Skylynx and Darksteel growled in confusion.

"No..." Predaking muttered.

He dragged out the pause to get Starscream's attention. The Seeker peeked at him through his fingers now covering his face.

"You are too small of a pest. You are not worth our time... We will not dirty our claws with your blood."

Starscream's fear had been enough. Predaking swelled his chest and lifted his chin, looking calmly down at him. To do so filled Predaking with more satisfaction than hurting Starscream would have. For a while however, Starscream did not move. He twitched, his red irises constricting so tightly that his eyes almost appeared entirely black. Predaking wondered if Starscream had even registered what had been said. Wrinkling his brows, Predaking reached out to pluck Starscream off the throne.

A grey blur launched at him. With a screech of metal, thin claws raked Predaking's face and Starscream crashed into his chest. Hollering, Predaking tottered back as pain seared his eye. Blood flooded half of his vision, before Starscream kicked off his chest and ran. Darksteel's swiping claws nicked Starscream's wing, but the Seeker slipped away from the Predacons and leapt from the tower. He jetted away, leaving only a measly few drops of energon behind.

Skylynx and Darksteel skidded to the edge of the tower but hesitated with their wings spread, glancing back at Predaking. He groaned. Pressing his palm against his bleeding eye, Predaking could feel where Starscream had sliced it. He could still see somewhat, but he worried that without treatment, he soon wouldn't be able to.

Had Starscream lashed out in terror or had it all been an act to lower his guard? Predaking's blood boiled. The latter notion was possible. Maybe he had been wrong and revenge was just for a dangerously cunning bot like Starscream. His yellow gaze dropped to the specks of Starscream's energon on the floor. Skylynx and Darksteel noticed them too and hissed at them. As fast as Starscream could fly, there was nowhere the Seeker could hide when he had left means of tracking him behind.