Author's Note: This story is not completely following the Transformers Prime TV show. Events may skip around or be slightly altered so be forewarned!
Chapter 6
Fireclaw ran.
He didn't look back. He could still smell the wafting smoke and see small burning embers drifting past his face on an unseen wind. His clan still screamed war cries behind him, fighting with a ferocious tenacity that would have made Onyx Prime proud, as his village burned.
He shrieked when he heard pursuing paws chasing him. He poured on the speed but slowed when he heard the frightened voice of his childhood friend.
"Fireclaw! WAIT!"
"IceFire! What are you doing here?"
"Running…same as you," he responded flatly in a 'duh' tone of voice as both predlings continued their panicked flight towards the sea of rust.
Fireclaw realized it was only logical that as the two youngest members of their clan that they were both sent to safety while the adults fought tooth and claw to secure their home from the opposing forces. His spark felt more at ease now that he was no longer alone.
A ferocious sounding roar and the rhythmic flap of broad wings shook the air with a chilling revelation.
They were being pursued by one of the invaders.
"RUN ICEFIRE!"
Both predlings ran as fast as their systems allowed, terror racing through their frames. They were thrown off of their paws with pained yelps as the larger Predacon pursuing them transformed, landing with a thunderous 'boom'. The enraged being was crouched in bipedal mode. The invader sneered at them with glowing red optics, a large, jagged ebony sword in hand.
"All those who defy Unicron shall perish!" The Predacon snarled angrily, raising his sword above his head, ready to strike the predlings down.
The young ones transformed with feral snarls of their own, plating bristling like pissed off kittens. In unison, the young predlings opened their maws and let loose their inner power. Fireclaw released a scorching fire that could melt steel like butter, while Icefire spat a steady flow of liquid nitrogen. The adult Predacon bellowed in pain, stumbling back, using his sword to block the ferocious onslaught.
Another bellow filled the air with an enraged battle cry. The ferocious Unicron follower was tackled by Fireclaw's sire, Predaking. While the adults fought, the two young mechs transformed back into beast mode and ran further from everything they once knew and equally held dear.
The sea of Rust was a welcomed sight.
The young Predacons continued to run despite the fact their frames were starting to overheat and their small paws throbbed in discomfort from the sea of Rust's rough terrain. Once the faintest sounds of battle completely faded in the distance miles behind them, the two young ones slid to an abrupt halt. Overworked vents exchanged hot air for cool, as Cybertron's twin moons shone brightly in the heavens above.
The rustling of glitch mice hiding in the metallic terrain around them reached their audials. With any luck, they could catch some for a quick meal before heading deeper into the sea of rust where sustenance was scarce.
The two young hunters began their first hunt together. With intrepid teamwork, Icefire herded the glitch mice into Fireclaw's awaiting paws. Once the glitch mice were grouped together, the two Predacons lunged in for the kill with mewling roars of triumph!
Sharp fangs and claws made short work of the prey and in moments the two young ones had eaten their fill.
They continued their journey deeper into unknown territory. Fireclaw's mother had only brought him on this trip once when he'd still been a hatchling, carrying him most of the way. She showed him where the underground beneath the sea of rust was hidden, a safe haven from unfriendly eyes. He learned the path his mother took by committing smells to memory. Below ground in a small cavern was an emergency stockpile of energon, enough to last them a few orns, and a small supply of weaponry in which to defend themselves should the worst befall their clan.
Fireclaw was thankful for the provisions when they finally reached the safe haven not a few breems later….
The vivid dreams had returned in full force. Memories of a life long past. At first, they confused Fireclaw. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish dreams from reality. Yet the more he remembered, the young Predacon learned even more about himself…or at least his past self. The memories of his mother created a mournful pang within his spark. He was mature enough to understand that his father was a clone of the original Predaking but there was no evidence that his mother Diadem had been cloned as well. It left a part of Fireclaw feeling hollow and incomplete.
He realized that he missed her. A mother he could barely remember but who had once existed all the same. He wished he could tell his Sire about the dreams and wondered, did his father ever dream like he did? Fireclaw promised that he would free himself from Megatron's control and return to his beloved Sire and soon.
That wasn't all that Fireclaw dreamt about. The young Predacon began to see horrible things. Evil things taking wing in the darkness of his master's berthroom while he recharged within such close proximity to the dark energon.
A wicked voice made itself known.
I AWAKEN.
Unicron. The Chaos Bringer.
Fireclaw dreamt of the Earth exploding, being torn asunder as great limbs stretched, turning the world to dust. He saw mountains exploding and raining purple fire, no…dark energon from beneath the crust of the Earth.
The young one kept his dreams to himself until his master's behavior began to change. There were times Megatron would be in the middle of a debriefing or commanding his underlings on the bridge when he would stop with a loud cry, optics blazing purple, sharp clawed hands grasping at his helm as though in agony. It was almost as if another stronger being were trying to take control of the raging warlord. Fireclaw would know, he'd experienced similar such attacks himself, usually the exact same time that Megatron did.
He approached his Master cautiously and tried to gauge his current mood. Piercing red optics turned on his approaching form and a wicked leer spread across the titan's facial plating.
"Ah, there you are my pet…"
Fireclaw growled, plating bristling in clear warning. He was a mighty hunter of the skies! Not a PET!
"My, my, you do have a temper today," his lord drawled almost lazily.
"I need to speak with you, Lord Megatron. Alone."
The bustling of drones and the patrolling vehicons in the vicinity simultaneously stopped what they were doing to stare at the pair. Fireclaw nearly whined, no…he begged…his master to listen. He felt relieved when Megatron snapped at the staring troopers.
"GET BACK TO WORK!"
The silver mech turned with clawed hands clasped behind his back to regard his young ward.
"And what pray tell, is so important, that you require a private audience with me?"
"It's about–ARRGHH!" Fireclaw screeched and clutched his helm as a vision assailed him. His hearing was drowned out by the rival bellows of two mechs fighting one another. Optimus Prime vs. Megatron at the foot of the mountain that was erupting dark energon. Megatron stomped a giant pede down upon the fallen Prime, raising his glinting sword high in the air preparing to deliver the killing blow–then nothing.
When Fireclaw returned to his senses, his Master appeared to be recovering from a vision himself. Did…did they just share the same sounds and images?
"It's just as I envisioned! Optimus Prime will fall by my hand!" Megatron practically crowed in triumph, optics still glowing an eerie purple. Fireclaw stiffened when the larger being turned his will upon him.
"Come Fireclaw, there is much to accomplish."
The young Predacon whined as his azure optics burned a bright purple, unable to disobey the clear command. He transformed into beast mode and followed behind his Master obediently as they made their way out onto the flight deck. There was a storm brewing above them. Thick, dark rain clouds threatened to release a heavy downpour at any second. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, causing the young Predacon to slightly flinch. He wasn't scared of storms…but he doubted getting struck by lightning would feel very pleasant. Fireclaw took wing just as his Master transformed into jet mode and easily kept pace with the Cybertronian.
When they reached their destination they both landed together at the base of the fiery mountain from the vision! Fireclaw gaped as a Groundbridge portal opened, admitting Optimus Prime onto the field. All ALONE.
Megatron chuckled darkly as he appraised his rival from helm to heel strut.
"So, you've come to meet your doom, have you?"
"No Megatron. One shall stand and–"
"-One shall fall–YOU–Optimus!" Megatron spat the Prime's name like a curse.
Purple lightning streaked across the sky just as the mountain behind them erupted, shooting dark energon out in hot, burning clusters. The two old rivals glared at each other before shouting war cries. They clashed, both landing a brutal punch at the same time. The two combatants skidded away from the blow and regained their balance before leaping back at each other with swords drawn. Weapons struck and clanged upon contact with clashing metal on metal as a thunderous BOOM filled the sky. The Prime was clearly weakening with all of the dark energon raining down all around them. The battle would be over soon.
Fireclaw felt torn. He was loyal to his Master Megatron. Yet he wanted more than anything to help the Prime and possibly escape back into the awaiting claws of his Sire where he truly belonged.
Then, just seconds later, it was over.
Megatron stood triumphantly above Prime, sword poised above his head ready to bring down the killing blow just like in the vision. He heard the Prime ask a very good question…
"Why is dark energon erupting from beneath the Earth?"
"A good question! One that you will take to your grave, Prime!"
Fireclaw lunged forward without pausing to really consider the consequences of his actions. He tackled a distracted Megatron off of Optimus Prime and landed nimbly on all fours with plating bristling. He hissed at his Master in clear defiance. His finials lay flat against his helm when Megatron turned burning purple optics on him.
"You DARE to interfere with my victory?! Fireclaw, DESTROY THE PRIME!"
Fireclaw turned on the weak mech, his own optics burning a violet hue as Megatron dominated his free will. The youngling fought it, managing to dig claws into the Earth beneath him, halting his forward momentum. He snarled, shaking his head in clear refusal. He transformed into bipedal mode a few feet away from Optimus and screamed something that the Prime would never forget.
"I'm Onyx Prime's heir! I will not yield!"
Megatron further imposed upon the child's weakening mind, pushing aside logical thought, and swatting Fireclaw's emotions aside as if they were nothing. He forced his overbearing will upon the shaking mechling.
"You will obey me! Destroy him!"
Fireclaw clutched at his helm and fell to his knees and screamed in excruciating pain. It felt like hot, burning claws raked through his mind, until only one command remained. KILL.
The young Predacon transformed back into beast mode and prepared to pounce on the wide-eyed Prime when another vortex opened up just behind Optimus, admitting more of the Autobot nuisances. When they saw Fireclaw poised to strike, they turned weapons on him. Fireclaw barely felt the hot plasma striking his hide, the deep, dark, raging impulse to KILL the weak Prime overriding his pain receptors. He didn't hear Megatron's next command, nor that of the red and blue mech in front of him. All he knew was that his claws were extended, maw wide with razor sharp fangs tingling with the irresistible urge to bite into his foe.
Then everything turned to darkness…
Optimus felt a pang of guilt as he sent an overpowered punch into the predling's helm, sending the small thing into emergency repair stasis. He ignored Megatron's furious shouts as he scooped up the now unconscious Fireclaw and ordered an immediate retreat. Once the last of his Autobots were safely through the groundbridge, he marginally relaxed.
"Ratchet, attend to our young patient. Bulkhead, inform Predaking that we have secured his son."
Optimus grabbed Ratchet's forearm and gave him a look that brooked no argument.
"Restrain Fireclaw. Until we can flush the dark energon out of his systems, Megatron still has control of him."
"Of course, Optimus," Ratchet readily agreed as he carried his small patient into the medical bay, strapping the predling down on a berth with restraints strong enough to contain even the mighty Predaking.
The Autobot chief medical officer had the young Predacon's helm repaired in minutes. Experienced hands worked quickly and efficiently to reverse the damage that had been done. Now all they had to do was figure out a safe way to flush the dark energon out of the small Predacon without killing him…
Keeping the young one restrained, Ratchet returned to his computer terminal to research. It was going to be near impossible to perform an energon transfusion while dark energon still ran through Fireclaw's veins. An hour later, he finally found an answer to the dilemma. They would have to put regular energon in Fireclaw's holding tanks and inject him with a time-delay serum, while simultaneously flushing the dark energon out of his body. They would also have to directly inject already processed energon into the young Predacon's spark to keep it from extinguishing. It was a very risky procedure but it was their best and only hope to free Fireclaw from Megatron's control.
When Predaking entered the medical bay he displayed a side of himself no one had ever seen before. He paced restlessly beside Fireclaw's berth, clawed hands clasped behind his broad back, and facial plates drawn into a solemn, yet worried expression, as Ratchet explained how they planned to save his child.
"Do it. Take my energon if he needs a transfusion," Predaking volunteered wistfully as golden optics locked onto the unconscious face of his son. He growled deep within his throat as he could only imagine the suffering the child endured while under Megatron's influence. The life saving procedure to flush the dark energon out of Fireclaw's body took many hours. Once there was no longer a trace of the dark matter invading the predacon's young body, Fireclaw received two energon infusions. Ratchet worked diligently to keep the child's spark aflame for which Predaking was grateful.
Hours later, Fireclaw's optics snapped open. He strained against the bonds holding him down and began to scream in confused rage.
"NO! You'll never make me!"
"Fireclaw! Son, it's okay. You're alright now…" the deep, rumbling voice of his Sire soothed the distraught predling. Fireclaw marginally relaxed and glanced around as though trying and failing to recognize his surroundings. After Ratchet was satisfied with his patient's scan results, he removed the restraints holding Fireclaw down.
"Sire!"
Predaking released a rare laugh as his son leaped off of the exam berth to give him a bear hug. He embraced the child affectionately and was mildly surprised when his son began to sob.
"I'm so sorry…I didn't mean to hurt anyone…h-he made me do it!"
"It's alright, Fireclaw. No one here holds a grudge against you for your actions while under Megatron's control. It wasn't your fault."
Predaking's embrace around his son marginally tightened as a protectiveness flared within his spark for the distraught child. His son continued to cling to him, as though afraid to let go. Fireclaw didn't care if he was acting like a hatchling right now. He needed to feel his Sire's love for him and to hear the powerful thrumming of his spark-beat. He sniffled and reluctantly pulled away so he could look his father in the optical sensor.
"Sire? Do you ever dream?"
Predaking was taken off guard by such an unforeseen question and raised an optic ridge curiously.
"Sometimes."
"What do you dream about?"
"Why the sudden interest?"
Fireclaw seemed to deflate a little and he shrugged half-heartedly.
"I dunno, I guess because I do. All the time. Every time I close my optics."
Predaking sat down beside the exam berth, placing his young son on his knee. He tenderly cupped one of Fireclaw's cheek plates in his hand and rumbled his answer, as his own optics took on a distant gleam.
"I dream of flight. And of the hunt. Sometimes I see things, things that never happened before in the waking world. What do you see?" He looked down at his son with all seriousness.
"I dream of my mother. And of Onyx Prime. W-when I was with Megatron my dreams were scary…"
"Go on," Predaking encouraged gently.
Neither father nor son noticed that they'd garnered the full attention of the Autobot commander himself who listened intently a short distance away.
"I would have night terrors about Unicron's return. He destroyed entire worlds. He wants to do so again! I'm scared. I'm scared that he's coming back."
"You have nothing to fear, my son. Should the Unmaker return, we will deal with him."
Fireclaw slowly nodded his head in silent agreement. They couldn't worry about the Chaos Bringer now. They had to first deal with Megatron. He looked back at his father when Predaking softly spoke in a low rumble.
"What about your mother? What was she like?" Predaking's voice turned wistful as sadness entered his eyes.
"She was beautiful…and strong and wise. I've only seen her in my dreams. I wish she was here now. I…I miss her."
"As do I, my son."
At that moment, the main console near the silo entrance sounded a brief alarm. Ratchet and Prime were there in seconds to silence the computer and to determine the cause of the alert. Fowler immediately appeared on the screen with a worried frown.
"Prime! Have you been outside recently?"
"No, Special Agent Fowler, why?"
"Mother Nature has gone haywire! Does Megatron have a weather machine we don't know about?"
Ratchet's fingers flew over the keyboard pulling up weather reports on the other monitors. Sure enough bizarre and very dangerous weather patterns were prominent all over the Earth. The old medic pinpointed and found that the recent earthquakes all over the world did in fact originate from the Earth's core.
"These readings are strange…" The CMO mumbled to himself as he continued to tap away at the touchscreen.
A loud 'HONK' got everyone's attention. The Autobots and two Predacons glanced over at the tunnel entrance to see a sedan approaching. A lithe woman with raven colored hair stepped out, followed by three human adolescents.
"Have you guys been outside?! The sky is turning green…very serious tornado looking weather," the human female shouted as she ushered the three younger humans closer to the stairwell.
Miko paused and stared at the newcomers and then released a startled squawk.
"Woah! Since when do Predacons come in small size?"
"I'm not small! You are!" The affronted Predling snapped back with a smoldering glare.
"What's your story? Where did you come from? Can you breathe fire like Predaking?!" The Japanese girl questioned as she jogged fearlessly towards the young Predacon.
Fireclaw was taken aback by the small human's tenacity. He admired her spirit. He was amused by the human's questions. Before he could answer her, Ratchet gasped and exclaimed, "By the Allspark! If I turn these data points into audio files…"
The medic did just that and silenced everyone.
"LISTEN."
THU-THUMP…THU-THUMP…THU-THUMP…
"A Cybertronian heartbeat?" Jack questioned with wide eyes.
"How is that possible?" June demanded and then continued, "A heart pumps blood, there is nothing inside the Earth to pump except for—"
"The blood of Unicron…Dark Energon" Fireclaw interrupted the human femme with wide optics as the realization dawned on him.
"Wait, are you telling me that Unicron is inside the Earth? Why not dig a hole all the way down to where this uber Con buried himself and fill it full of explosives?!" Fowler demanded with fervor.
"I do not believe that Unicron tunneled his way down to the Earth's core but with time and gravitational force…" The Prime serenely spoke in his majestic baritone.
"Unicron IS the Earth's core," Raf spoke up with wide eyes as he understood where Optimus was going.
"Precisely."
"So what do we do? What CAN we do?" Ratchet questioned his leader incredulously.
"I do not know." the wise sage answered gravely.
"Well, we have to do something!" Fireclaw growled.
"So what happens when Unicron awakens from his billion year nap? He stretches his limbs and KA-POW! Earth poofs to dust?!" Miko gestured animatedly.
Predaking bristled at the notion. Like it or not, Earth had become their new home while they remained stranded from Cybertron. He shared a parent-child bond with his son and he knew that Fireclaw felt the same way.
"Not if we can help it!"
TO BE CONTINUED!
Author's Note: So it begins lol. Thank you for reading! Please review.