Street Racer Darling |:| Knockout X reader

Freedom in Flight

         "He might not answer, but I think he at least understands." I said, coming closer to Preda's head. He let me get close enough to touch his metal brow, and I started to pet him, a pass time we both came to love, "Where was your destination?" I asked, and Starscream crossed his lanky arms, grumbling once more.

         "His cage. Shockwave wanted him locked up for now."

         "Well there's your first problem," I glared, "Shockwave claims he runs on instinct and orders alone, therefore, his instinct tells him that a cage is not where he belongs."

         "Maybe so," Starscream argued, "But he was ordered to be in his cage!"

I started walking backwards, my servo gliding over Preda's metal scaling, a beautiful pattern of bronze. He allowed me to go under his wing, and I decided to try my luck and start climbing up his back. He made little effort to stop me, though he was not used to having a passenger as he shifted under my slight weight. The Second in Command stared at me, his mouth agape, and arms no longer folded into each other, instead they dangled at his sides.

         "Well then I reprieve that order. Preda'," he looked to me at the corner of his optic, "Fly."

     We took off into the air, the beast that held me only needing to jump a single time to reach above the war ship. Since it was landed, there was only one other destination we could go to, and that was the open throne room at the top. I felt the power as Preda' beat his wings, and the wind wiped my faceplate so hard I could have swore paint began to peel. The air was cold, but I didn't feel it as the heat from the ancient beast's form warmed me. The thought that such a race could become extinct in just a blink of an optic... it saddens me.

     We rose to the top, and I saw the astonished faceplate of Megatron, which soon turned to annoyance as Preda' landed. I slid off of his back, and patted his side.

         "What is the meaning of this?" Megatron growled.

         "Just dropped in to say 'hi', well, flew in." I giggled as the beast beside me nudged his head into my side.

         "A peculiar method of transport." Shockwave noted, as emotionless as ever.

         "Hey, better than walking all the way up." I shrugged.

         "Starscream was supposed to lock him up on the Nemesis." Megatron noted, turning to sit in his throne, he rested his helm in his servo, tapping the side of his faceplate with a digit... a new habit?

         "Yes, well, Starscream wasn't allowing Preda' to take his time, and was thrown to the side, so I intervened."

         "Preda'?" Shockwave inquired, and I nodded with a smile, "It seems you have made my beast of burden a dwelling companion."

The predacon didn't help what argument I would have had as he nudged me in my side again, and I waved a servo for him to stop, but he didn't, most likely wanting me to pet him again.

         "Yes well, at least he listens-" the giant pushed me, hard, and I corrected my statement, "Well, more like he gives little complaint."

The beast huffed, approving my revision.

         "He doesn't give 'complaints'," Shockwave stated, and both Preda' and I glared at him.

         "He does, you just don't listen or pay attention. Not like you ever did though, oh great Decepticon Scientist."

I must have hit a nerve, because the next moment Shockwave was pointing his canon at me, and Preda' jumped in my way before I could retaliate with my own. A long silence hung in the air before Shockwave lowered his canon, but Preda' stayed in front of me. I could barely see over his form, but I didn't have to stretch to see Shockwave's singular optic. I swear if he could, he'd be glaring at me.

         "My creation has been compromised," he finally said.

         "Perhaps it is time to pull the plug." Megatron stated.

To this, I aimed, carefully, and precisely, at his helm.

         "That would be illogical."

Shockwave and I looked to each other, and though he didn't show it, I knew he was as equally surprised as I was that we said that in perfect unison.

         "I suppose you're right," Megatron admitted, making both of our attentions go back to him, "After all, the Predacon is still a formidable wild card in this game."

         "Seeing him as a simple playing card will backfire on you," I warned, getting onto Preda's back once again, "You'll regret underestimating him, I'm sure of it. Preda'," he looked to me, his bright yellow optics showing trust, and the willingness to comply, "Fly."

     Together we bolted, up into the sky, and over the looming, grey clouds that had taken over the once blue skies of Jasper, Nevada. Here over these grey harbingers of hopelessness, we found the hope of a bright evening sun set, the colors fading into a perfect night sky. I put my servo through the clouds that brushed past us, and examined the droplets of water that stayed after righting myself. Preda' made a similar endeavor as he brushed the tips of his claws to the wet fluff. Lying down on his back, facing the sky, we both enjoyed the freedom, the freedom I exercise daily, the freedom he only was able to enjoy when I could take him away.

         "I'll figure something out," I patted his back as I looked to the brightening stars, "We'll be able to enjoy this freedom forever once I do..." 

(Soooooooo... I have a new Shockwave x-reader one shot in my short stories book! It's called "Apology not Accepted"! Check it out, and tell me if you want more of it! I may make a Ratchet x-reader later on, that way I'll have the Complete Science Squad Set! Thanks for reading!)

(Closer...)