When the Predacons crawled out of the oil, they dried off in an area with powerful fans. Switching between forms, they allowed every drop to slip into the drains.
"Wow, you're glowing!" Darksteel called at Predaking.
Predaking rolled his forearms, gawking at how they gleamed. Then he rubbed his palm over his metal, which felt lighter and silkier.
"You must have been filthy!" Darksteel laughed.
"My metal is rougher than yours," Predaking grunted. "Perhaps it is stronger but catches more filth."
All of his brethren shone brighter. Each Predacon dipped their heads and marvelled at their own bodies. They sprang back outside into the night, refreshed by a slap of cold air.
"What should we do now?" Ripclaw looked to the starry sky. "We just recharged, there is no construction at the moment…"
"We could go to the mountains!" Darksteel cried.
"Now?" Skylynx said.
"Yes! Why not?" Darksteel countered.
Predaking nodded. "Yes, why not go? We are free to do as we please."
He transformed and surged into the sky. After a bath, his tingling metal seemed to feel the air more than ever. It flowed over him like water as he soared over golden and silver buildings, turning to face the moonlit mountains. His brethren swirled behind him. Together, they passed the ruins of Iacon then open plains and smaller cities. Dark creatures chirped and darted in the sky around them while others prowled on the plains below.
Slowly, the triangular mountains swelled to astounding heights. Trying to slip over their summits, the Predacons ascended into chilling winds. Despite the biting cold, the sparkling dust of frost on the metal mountains captivated them. With jaws agape, they glided and stared around in silence. Dark metal forests spilled down the mountain sides like liquid shadows. Eerie howls emanated from their depths, long and slow. The Predacons dipped down, glimpsing lithe, spiky shapes dashing between the needly metal growths.
They landed in a valley beside a lake of energon, startling away a pack of fat critters. For a long moment, they simply soaked in the contrast of the dark forest with the high walls of silver around them. Then, they peered through the strange pillars with branches and drooping soft needles. Tiny animals flashed in and out of sight with glowing eyes and bands of light. Each of the Predacons came closer to better see them and to touch the trees themselves.
To the highest peaks they rose and perched, and to the lowest valleys they sank to lie. Always admiring shadows and lights, while listening to the calls of animals and letting out growls of their own. The Predacons snuggled to share their warmth and they waited for sunlight to transform the scenery.
Darkness sizzled away and the silver mountains warmed to reflect the fiery rays of the sun. The forests turned grey and revealed hidden lakes of oil nestled among them. Taking off, the Predacons flew deeper into the mountain range. The sun rose higher and the cold mountains shone daytime blue. When Predaking had mediated in the calming beauty for long enough, he guided his brethren back to Iacon.
Nothing would be better now than a plunge in the hot oil again. And so, the bathhouse was where they headed.
Predaking and his brethren were content to stay in Iacon for a few days, labouring away as usual after their adventures. The Autobots kept their distance from them, staring, but not engaging. How Predaking preferred it.
But a Vehicon complaint caused Predaking to investigate one Autobot: a police officer who had been lingering outside their stylist Knockout's home. Alone, Predaking stomped up to a blue and white officer not at all trying to hide. The bot sat on the stairs of a house down and across the street from Knockout's, gazing toward it with a shield at his feet.
"What is the meaning of this?" Predaking demanded.
"Of what?" The police Autobot perked up and looked at him. "Oh hey, you're the Predacon leader. Don't slam me like Whirl, I'm just sittin'. Keepin' watch."
"For what reason?"
"Well, someone has to keep watch on the only Decepticon in Iacon."
"He does nothing but remodel Vehicons," Predaking growled. "He is no threat."
"Yeah, I don't think he's suspicious. But the bosses want it."
"He should be left in peace," Predaking muttered. "He has done nothing wrong."
"I won't bother him…" the blue and white Autobot sighed. "I couldn't lay a hand on such a fine finish. What if I scratched it? Primus, did you know a Decepticon could look so beautiful? That glossy red coat… not many Decepticons are so red. And he's a sleek alien sportscar. Wow… he's so exotic. Don't you think? I just want to talk to him… All I can do is watch though, but I'm a happy volunteer. I could watch him all day."
Furrowing his brows, Predaking suddenly didn't know what to say. The last thing he expected was an Autobot, a police officer, fawning over a Decepticon. Yet he stepped back, reporting later to the Vehicons what he had seen. They could see for themselves that the Autobot sitting with a chin in his hand and sighing. That would assure them that their stylist was in no danger.
For another week, Predaking had avoided the new building in centretown that was very popular with the Autobots. They flocked to it every day, especially at night, even filling the street up to it to stand in groups and talk. Maccadam's was the name voiced with awe from the Autobots. But the Vehicons spoke of it with muttered spite, deeming it a rival to their bar in the south.
"There's a Vehicon bar in the south?" Darksteel had blurted out.
They learned it was Altero's business, called The Fallen Trooper. On the other side of the world, it would have to be a flight for another day. Right now, Predaking thirsted for the drinks of the closer establishment.
Just what would it be like to drink something other than energon?
His disdain for the Autobots had held him back, but after the strange encounter with the police officer, Predaking dared bring himself and his brethren to Maccadam's. Perhaps they would face something other than hostility. Thudding down the street-lit way in bot form, the Predacons attracted only scant looks. When they stepped through the automatic doors, the reactions were the same. The Autobots who were clustered at tables or standing around holding drinks hardly looked at them.
No one minded as the Predacons froze and ogled the spacious room. Many groups of Autobots crammed themselves into large silver booths with stripes of bronze and dark grey. Their voices blended into a general drone while music played sweetly in the background. Down the broad walkway dividing the room, a grand stage was visible presenting a single musician. She stood at a heavy four-legged instrument, her fingers flowing over two staggered rows of keys.
"You can sit anywhere!" A tiny orange two-wheeler skated by with wheels under her feet.
Larger-sized tables rested in the middle of the walkway, ideal for the Predacons. After they sat down, the two-wheeler skated by and tossed menus onto their table.
"Current selection…" Skylynx read. "Hmm, oils…"
"Isn't that what we bathe in?" Darksteel exclaimed.
The two-wheeler slid back in. "Hi, I'm Lickety-Split. Do you need help with the menu?"
"All is new to us," Predaking admitted.
"So, like, oil is a broad term for some of the dark thick fluids of Primus," she said. "And it also matters how it's filtered and prepared. It's not the same as what's in the bathhouse!"
"Ohhh," Darksteel chuckled.
"Oil is great, rich in flavour, hot and filling. But you gotta know that everything under the 'inebriety' section has an effect on the processor!"
"Are we even able to digest these?" Ripclaw asked.
"You can digest any liquid that leaks from Primus," Lickety-Split laughed. "But while it'll give you some energy, it isn't energon. It won't keep your spark aflame, you know? So everything in moderation, dears. These drinks are for the pleasure in taste and effect only."
"What do they do then?" Darksteel asked.
"After a little, you will get giddy, after a lot, you'll get slow. Your wits won't be sharp and your reflexes will get poor. It's temporary, but while it can be fun and relaxing, be responsible!"
"Hmm," Predaking pondered. "I am curious about the flavour of these beverages, but I do not wish to willingly impair myself."
"It takes a lot to impair bigger bots like you," the server replied. "And just like it's my job to inform new patrons all 'bout this, it's my job to make sure you don't overdo it. How about I bring you all classic fine oil?"
"Alright, thank you," Predaking nodded.
Lickety-Split zipped through other patrons hanging around the bar. The Predacons stared after her then at the colourful array of bottles on the back wall. There, the popular Maccadam worked, filling pitchers and laughing with Autobots at the counter.
Minutes later, Lickety-Split zoomed back, dropping off two pitchers of oil then two more.
"Enjoy! And don't forget to heed the signs, okay? No violence in the house!"
The Predacons looked around at the glowing signs hanging on the walls. Lines like Behave and Pay, and You Can Stay! were the theme. Others advised safety:Don't drink then drive, fly... you get it! After giving them a glance, the Predacons gulped their black drinks. They gasped at the rich flavour that slapped them.
"Oh wow!" Darksteel cried.
The Predacons chugged their mugs dry and slammed them down. Lickety-Split almost teleported to their table with more oil.
"How do we pay anyway?" Darksteel asked.
"That's not really important right now," she smiled. "Shanix is only just coming back as a concept. If you got none, don't worry 'bout it."
Again the Predacons chugged their drinks, sighing in satisfaction.
"I feel no effects so far," Skylynx commented.
Their heads turned as the wide gold bot lumbered out from behind the bar. With a beaming smile, he headed straight for the Predacons.
"Well! It's nice to finally meet these legendary Predacons!" Maccadam exclaimed.
Nearby Autobots glanced at their table. Predaking suddenly hated the attention.
"Legendary?" Ripclaw echoed.
"Of course, Ripclaw!"
"You know our names?" she gasped.
"I listen." Maccadam winked. "Ripclaw, Skylynx, Predaking, and Darksteel. You're hard workers, helping rebuild this city."
Now Maccadam gazed around at the other Autobots. They turned back to their drinks.
"I never knew Predacons could transform," he went on, "but it's very interesting to see your kind living among us. You are welcome here, as long as you follow the same rules as everyone else does. Is there anything else I can get you?"