The Beauty and the Predacon {ON HOLD}

Chapter 12

Predaking walks through the corridors heading back to the upper haul deck where he left Arcee recharging. He didn't want to leave her but he needed to talk to Megatron and he didn't want to wake her, he had to lay her down on the floor very carefully so he wouldn't wake her. To his relief, she stayed in recharge as he got up and left. He had just finished talking with Megatron and asked that he see to reviving the entire Predacon species so he could lead them and they could help Megatron revive their homeworld. Megatron said that he would see into it so now he just has to wait.

Predaking starts thinking about Arcee and how she snuggled up against his chest while she was in recharge, he can't deny that she looked adorable like that. He's happy that she felt so at ease in his arms that she could peacefully fall into recharge. He's even more happy that she's still here, he's happy that he was able to catch her before she hit the ground. As far as he can remember he has never felt so much panic and fear as he did at that moment. For once he was actually afraid, he was afraid of losing his sparkmate. It's so strange, when he first saw her she was just an Autobot that he wanted to destroy, he wanted to kill her. But now he can't see his life without her, he needs her to survive and he will do whatever it takes to be sure she stays safe.

He thinks back to when he woke up and saw her sitting on the edge at the back of the ship, he was woken up by a pain in his spark and a feeling of grief. He was very confused about it, he didn't know why he was feeling it. But when he saw Arcee wasn't next to him that confusion turned into panic and worry as he looked around for her. He soon saw her sitting at the back of the ship and his panic increased, he wasn't sure what she was doing.

When the door opens he sees Arcee still lying on the floor in recharge, he walks over to her as the door closes and he kneels beside her. He thinks back to what Shockwave told him about the sparkbonding and what's included with it and he starts to realize why he was getting those feelings. The pain and grief he was feeling were coming from Arcee, but he was still not sure why. He uses their bond and tries to connect with her so he can see what she has been thinking about. All the Autobots start flashing through his processor and he sees memories of times she had with them, he even sees a small weird-looking creature that she used to spend a lot of time with. As all the memories go through his processor he begins to understand, she misses them.

Arcee cares greatly for all of them and really misses them, she wants nothing more than to be able to see them again. This pains him because he wants to make her happy but he can't let her go back to them. What can he do? He feels as though he's already failing as a mate. Arcee wakes up when she feels the ache in his spark and she looks up at him. She sits up as she wonders what's troubling him. "Predaking? Are you alright?"

Predaking watches her as she sits up and he can see the concern in her face, "You really miss your team, don't you?"

Arcee was confused at first but then she realized that he tried connecting with her and he was able to see her thoughts and memories and could feel what she was feeling. She nodded, "Yes, very much."

"I wish there was a way I could take away your pain and make you happy, but I cannot release you. Lord Megatron will not allow it."

Arcee stares up at him, he certainly is not a beast. All she sees is her sparkmate who wants to make her happy but is being held back by the warlord, his master. He doesn't know that Megatron is just using him as a means to get rid of the Autobots, Megatron has no intention to help him with the revival of his kind because he fears them. Megatron and the other 'Cons were behind the attack on Project Predacon, she knows they had something to do with it. She loves her teammates and respects all of them but she knows they would not have found Shockwave's secret lab on their own, it had to have been set up by the Decepticons.

But Predaking can't see this or understand what's been happening, he doesn't know that he's being fed a lot of lies or that he's being used as a pawn. She needs to help him see what's going on, he's her sparkmate now and she's not gonna keep sitting back and let them use him like this. She moves to get on her knees and she reaches a servo up to his face, she rests her servo on his cheek as she looks into his optics.

Predaking felt his spark's pulse quicken as he looks into her optics and he doesn't move when her servo reaches his cheek. He wants that servo to stay there as long as possible. He likes it when she touches him, her touches put him at ease and soothe him. He really should hate the fact that she can so easily calm him and tame him but he just can't hate anything about her.

"Predaking, you've been a far better sparkmate than any of the Decepticons would have been. I'm sure of it. I never thought I would say this, but I'm actually glad that Megatron gave me to you instead of one of his other soldiers."

Predaking could feel his spark fill with rage and jealousy at the thought of her mating with another mech. He would have been outraged if one of the other mechs had mated with her, he probably would have killed them. Though it probably would have killed her too, he guesses given what he's read and was told about sparkbonding. He's happy Megatron let him have her and he didn't give her to another.

They both look towards the door when they hear it open and they see two Vehicons walk towards them, "Lord Megatron wants to see both of you." They both get up off the floor and follow the Vehicons.

They walk onto the bridge and find Megatron standing alone, "You summoned us, Lord Megatron?" Predaking asked as Arcee stood behind him.

"I require your services, Predaking. Since we anticipate an Autobot presence at our next, event."

Predaking places a servo over his chest, "I welcome any opportunity to face the Prime again, warrior to warrior."

Arcee looks down as her spark sinks. He still wants to fight Optimus and the rest of her team even after their talk? Even though he knows how much they mean to her? She needs to remember that he's being lied to and used by Megatron and he doesn't know. Also, he's a Predacon warrior who no doubt wants to get revenge on Optimus for wounding his pride and taking away his victory.

Megatron turns around to face Predaking, "You pride yourself on your evolution!" Megatron starts shouting as he walks towards him, "Yet you have learned nothing! I may have lost my surveillance chief today, the Autobots have expanded their forces while ours continue to dwindle!"

Arcee continued to look down as she put a servo over her mouth to hide her smile, she so badly wanted to laugh in Megatron's face. Her team has really been bringing the Decepticons to their knees, she's glad they're doing so well. She's only upset that she can't be with them to help them bring the 'Cons down or to see what they're doing to Soundwave.

"Then I shall simply battle twice as fiercely!"

"As a beast!"

Predaking turned to leave but saw Arcee standing there with her servo still over her mouth. He looked back at Megatron, "What about Arcee? Why did you summon her as well?"

"So I can watch her while you're away, still need to make sure she doesn't try to escape."

Predaking nods then walks off the bridge. Arcee watches him walk off as her amusement suddenly turns to dread. She hopes Optimus will make it out alright.