Transformers Prime: The Swift and Proud (Sequel to Echoes of the Past)

Chapter 6: Captured (Again)

Predaking was tracking an Autobot, and the only Autobot Energon the ‘Cons had at the moment, was mine.  He was coming for me, and if I didn’t get out of the base, Predaking was going to turn the place into a smoldering heap of slag.

I didn’t even think.  I just ran out the back of the base and took to the air, using my jet mode to hopefully lead Predaking far enough away that the ‘Cons wouldn’t find the base.  They had barely escaped the last attack by switching the insignia of the hangars, but that trick would only work once.  If the ‘Cons found the base this time, there would be no stopping them.

I pushed my engines to the limit, using full afterburner in the hopes of outrunning the Predacon for at least a bit.  However, I underestimated his abilities and before I knew it his fireballs were singeing the paint on my wings.  Hoping to become a smaller target, I changed into my beast form and pumped my wings for all my worth, but that decision proved to be my downfall.  In switching from jet to beast mode, my maximum speed had dropped by a large amount, and by the time I realized my mistake Predaking had already positioned himself directly above me in the air.

My instincts knew that he had the superior position, given he could use his claws to separate my wings from my body if he so chose, and as he dropped in the air I had no choice but to fly lower as well.  He pushed me to the ground and landed next to me as my peds came into contact with the desert sand, but as I turned to face him he struck out with a foreped, catching me across the muzzle with his massive claws as he flung his body at my own.  In an instant I was on my back with his larger frame pinning me to the dirt.  His helm lowered so that our muzzles were almost touching, and I looked away in submission as my Predacon half surrendered to his power.

He hissed at me for emphasis before climbing off, allowing me to stand with a lowered helm as a ground bridge opened before us.  I knew where it led and for a split click I hesitated, but as Predaking growled deep in his chest I knew I had no choice.  I walked into the portal and found myself on the flight deck of the Nemesis as I came out the other end, and I spotted a very ticked-off Megatron standing before me as Predaking followed.  The portal closed behind us and for a moment there was nothing but silence, but that only lasted until Megatron finally lost his temper.

He roared as he leapt at me, my surprise at the sudden attack making me freeze as his blade slid from under his cannon.  I couldn’t move as he landed on my back between my wings, and as I turned my helm to look back at him my optics widened in horror.

He had one of my wings in the grip of his free servo, and his lip plates were split into a rage-filled grin.  “I’ll make sure you can’t escape again my pet.”  He raised his blade as I tried to roll, though his grip remained tight as I came back to my peds, “Let this be a lesson to all of those who dared stand against me.” 

With those words, he swung.

As his blade severed my left wing from my torso the pain was unimaginable.  I let out a high-pitched scream that caused even the virtually emotionless Shockwave to cringe, and as Megatron jumped off of me I curled into a tight ball, unable to do anything but continue the horrible wailing and try to stay awake.  My optics were shuttered so tight the cables operating them creaked with tension, and every inch of my body felt like it was being filled with acid from the severed base of my wing.  My remaining limb had pulled tight against my side as I keened, my cries growing softer as my vents ran out of air.  As my cries faded to nothing I simply fell limp, my processor too overloaded to function as I registered the sound of steps approaching me.  I barely felt it as a servo jerked my helm off the flight deck by one of my horns, and for a moment I didn’t recognize the silver faceplate that was less than an inch from my own.