Slowly it opened it's optics only to discover it couldn't move, it was trapped in some kind of small space surrounded by liquid. It needed to get out, it could see other objects like it's prison with others floating inside. Something sharp suddenly poked it's side then drew away and it's cell lit up as electricity surged around it. Pain! There was nothing but pain. Then that one red optic face appeared in front of it's view. . .

The Alicorn jerked up in alarm, heaving air through it's vents as it tried to calm down. It shook it's head trying to clear it's thoughts. It was that dream again, of the time before.

It glanced around to see everyone else was still in peaceful recharge. Quietly the Alicorn rose and carefully exited the cave, it glance at the still dark sky before stretching it's wings. Then with a few flaps it's air born. Soaring through the now lightning sky over the forest, it could relax now as the dark thoughts were chased away.

Then it caught that sent.

Another of those blue crystals were here. Diving towards a clearing in the forest it spotted one crystal in the very middle. The Alicorn circled down, it hadn't spotted anything from above but after what had happened yesterday it helped to be careful. It landed and slowly approached the crystal.

"The first thing I believe you want to hear is that I mean you no harm." The Alicorn froze as the tall blue and red being moved from behind a cliff. The Alicorn stood there for a moment before it whirled and ran. "Please, I mean you no harm," Optimus called. To his relief the Alicorn did stop and turned to gaze at him still tense. The Autobot leader held out his hands to show he was unarmed, "I just wish to speak. Can you transform?"

The Alicorn gazed at him as it seemed to ponder that for a moment before the sounds of transforming filled the air and soon a tall, regal femme in white armor with gold and purple highlights stood before him. She had a light silver face, upper arms and servos. And like her beast mode had green optics that were much like Arcee's expect she had purple iris's instead of pink. She had a white helm with a gold and purple crest with gold and purple fin-like antenna on the sides of her helm that gave her the look of wearing a crown.

Optimus was surprised to find that she was almost as tall as him. He actually found himself at a loss for words for a moment. "I. . . greetings. I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots." She crocked her head to the side. "Can you speak?"

"Y-Yes," was the soft reply.

Megatron entered the command deck to see how the search was going, it had been decided to have Laserbeak scout the area alone after the last disaster. "Any progress?"

Starscream turned to him with a annoyed look, "None my lord, and if I may this is nothing but a waste of time."

"Of course you would, Herr Kommandant." Knock Out remarked from where he was leaning against the wall.

Starscream sent him a nasty look before turning back to the silver Warlord, "Really my lord it could be days, weeks, maybe even months before we find them-"

"Laserbeak has found something," Shockwave announced. He didn't noticed Starscream's optic twitch. The screen lit up to show Optimus Prime, and he was talking to the Alicorn Predacon. They all stared shocked as it transformed.

He keep a distance not wanting to crowd her, something she seemed to appreciate. The Autobot leader tried to think of what to say that wouldn't confuse the Predacon, this wasn't like talking to a youngling that had just emerged from the Well of All Sparks. He went for the direct approach, "I'm sure you have many questions."

"I'm not sure where to start," was the honest reply. She still looked so hesitant.

"Ask and I will answer as best as I can."

"What are you. . . what are we. Why are we so different from everything else?" Her servos were shacking.

Optimus took a deep vent, "We are not from this world, are species comes from a planet called Cybertron. I am a Cybertroian associated with a group called the Autobot's and you are a Predacon, an ancient race of beastformers."

She was quiet for a moment, "What about the other's? They were different from you weren't they? The red eyed ones."

"They are known as Decepticons."

"We're they trying to hurt us or you. . . or both?"

"Both are groups I'm afraid," Optimus decided to tell her about the war. "Are species are at war. Have been for a long time, you were created to be a weapon to use against us." He watched as her optics widened. "But I believe when your predecessor showed his sentience the Decepticons decided to destroy you and the others. . . and they tricked us into doing it."

"The heat. . . the shacking, that's what that was?" She looked at him, almost pleading.

He nodded, "I'm afraid so." There was so much to say and he wasn't sure how much she understood, at least she seemed to believe him.

"If-if this isn't are world. . . then why are we here?"

She wasn't meeting his optics, not really looking at anything. "Are world is a desolate place. . . from the war. Cybertroians have taken to the stars." He left out the part about the chance to bring back their home world, he didn't want to give false hope yet. "Several of my Autobot's have settled on this world but the Decepticons have followed us because of this world's rich supply of energon."

She looked up at him, her optics were still dark with everything he had told her. "Energon?" She looked at the crystal, "That's what that is. That's how we survive isn't it?"

She was a quick learner he noticed, "Yes, energon is our lifeblood. It's what sustains us." Before she could ask more he spoke of what this meeting was really about, "But I'm afraid there's something more urgent, the Decepticons won't leave you or your friends alone." She looked at him in alarm, Optimus spoke in a calming tone, "You could come with us, with me. I promise I'll do my best to protect you and your kin."

"Why?"

That caught him off guard, he couldn't quite explain it. When he looked at her he felt the Matrix stir. . . and also in his own spark when he looked at her he saw a fellow being that needed help. "Because in the end we're all of us Primus children."

They stood there staring at each other for several long minutes, Optimus look never wavering, hers unsure but wanting to trust. "I-I don't know," she finally admitted.

Not what he had been hoping for but Optimus knew he shouldn't expect more for the time being, trust needed to be earned. "I understand." He held something towards her, curious she picked it up and examined it. It was a small box with a button in the middle. She looked at him questioningly. "If your ever in trouble push that button and I'll come." She watched him activate his jetpack and he took to the skies.

"A femme. . . A femme!" Megatron shouted.

"Um, yes my lord," Knock Out muttered, "It would appear to be female."

"That is all I need." Megatron looked like he wanted to destroy something. Starscream wisely took a step back. "This needs to be dealt with before Predaking finds out!" At everyone's looks the Warlord continued, "I don't need them to procreate!"

"Well, that may be a problem Big M." Knock Out said. Everyone turned to him.

"Why?!" Megatron demanded.

"Because tall dark and scaly is in the same area."

Several passing Vehicons jumped at the roar that echoed from the command deck.

As the Alicorn flew she had a lot on her mind. Everything Optimus had told her, some was confusing but. . . Suddenly something flew above her, something much bigger. It almost knocked her out of the sky. When she got her bearings back the Alicorn was shocked to see a metal dragon hovering in front of her, it was even bigger than her. They stayed there hovering for several minutes until finally the Alicorn tried to move away. The dragon quickly blocked her, it then motion with it's head down and she realized his intent, he wanted her to land.

After a moment of hesitation she landed on the ground with the dragon quickly following. They stood facing each other, the unicorn unsure while the dragon with an almost excited air. Then he transformed. He was like her.

"You do not need to fear me," he said, "I know you can transform."

Hesitating for a moment she to transformed and his optics lit up with surprised and joy. "We're alike," she said.

The dragon mech smiled, "We are. We are Predacons, a proud race helping the Decepticons to win this war." She frowned a little at that, but there was so much going through her mind she didn't ask. She didn't need to as he kept speaking. "I'm relived I was able to find you in time. We need to gather the others and return to the ship."

She looked at him confused, "S-ship?"

He tried to move close to her, "Yes, the Decepticons ship. They'll be happy to see you alive. After what the Autobots did we can finally have our revenge."

". . . I-"

"I know things are confusing," he spoke again. "But all will be well once you and the others are safely with the Decepticons." He reached for her and she quickly pulled away.

"WAIT!" She surprised herself with how loud she shouted. "I. . . I need a minute, I don't know. . ."

"You can trust me, I am Predaking. I will help you learn what to do but we must go."

"I. . . I don't even know you?" She finally confessed.

He looked at her confused, "You cannot deny the connection between us."

"I don't deny a connection but. . ."

"Good, then lets gather the others." He moved closer and she quickly took a step back, she didn't like how close he kept getting. He didn't seem to notice as he continued talking. "There's no time to wait, we need to hurry and make sure your well."

". . . Well?" She asked confused, expect for some scrapes from earlier they seemed fine. Even after the explosion.

"Shockwave was worried about your growth, he'll need to check your systems when we return to the Nemesis."

"I. . . don't know." This was all so sudden. "I think-"

He waved off whatever she was going to ask, "There's no time, you need to be checked."

"But we're all fine, I'm fine. Look at me."

His gaze did swept over her frame, she didn't seem sick. Still he wasn't taking any chances. "It doesn't matter-"

"It matters to me!" Couldn't the mech listen to her, he barley let her get a word in.

Predaking stared at her stunned, then his features twisted and he gave her a glare. Why was she being so stubborn. "I said it doesn't matter, we need to go."

"And if I don't want to go?" Again he stared at her shocked. "It's just. . ." should she mention Optimus. "We-I need a little time-"

"There is no time!" He snapped startling her. "You are to return with me NOW!"

She stared at him shocked, then her optics narrowed. "No," was the soft but firm reply.

Disbelief came over the mech's face, then it twisted into rage, "You'd talk to your king like that?!"

"Yes I would," she growled back.

The two stood there glaring at each other, then both transformed at the same time with the dragon lunging at her. The Alicorn was able to dodge the strike and ran, she didn't know if she could out fly him so she used her smaller more agile size to her advantage running through the trees. He just knocked them aside in his pursuit. Soon they came to a cliff face the Alicorn was quick to scale. Predaking tried to snap at her and she retaliated by kicking his head, this gave her the opening she needed and the Alicorn made it over the ridge and ran down the side.

Just as she thought she was free his tail snapped forward catching her front legs causing the Alicorn to trip landing on her face. She skitted several feet until she stopped, dazed she tried to stand only for Predaking to seize her neck in his jaws and lifted her off her feet before he slammed her into the ground.

To stunned to move she could only lay there as Predaking stalked towards her growling.

Megatron grinned as he watched the fight. "It seems are beast will do the job for us."

"Indeed my lord," Starscream agreed.

"A shame to watch the destruction of such a lovely creature," Knock Out spoke up, "But I suppose it's for the best." Soundwave and Shockwave said nothing as they watch the scene unfold.

As he approached her Predaking suddenly regretted what he had done, he hadn't meant to hurt her but he needed to show his dominance. Maybe now she would listen to him. He stopped a few feet from the Alicorn, she opened one dim optic but couldn't muster the strength to lift her head.

Before Predaking could move he became aware of a noise, it sounded like something moving fast through the air. . .

Something rammed into his head from above, slamming the metal dragon's head into the ground. As Predaking laid there dazed the weight on his head jumped off, he opened his optics to see a winged metal horse-like creature glaring at him. It wasn't as big as the Alicorn but it still challenged the dragon. It spread it's wings and puffed it's armor out trying to make itself look bigger and gave a warning growl that sounded like it belonged more to a wolf then a horse.

Quickly shacking it off Predaking growled at the metal Pegasus that snorted back defiantly as it placed its self between Predaking and the fallen Alicorn. Then more growls and snarls came from the trees as the other Predacons emerged and quickly took places besides the Pegasus to stand between their fallen leader and Predaking.

The Baku tried to charge forward only for one of the Fox's tails to wrap around it and pull it back, the smallest Predacon gave a huff of annoyance but stayed where it was.

Soon there was a staring contest between Predaking and the newcomers and it annoyed the dragon that they didn't submit to his leadership. He was the strongest, he also noticed he was bigger than any of these Predacons, even the Alicorn. But still they defied him. He didn't like that.

The Triple Changer that was in it's coyote mode moved first, leaping forward it quickly changed into it's raven form and flew by the dragon's head with a shriek.

Acting on instinct Predaking turned to snap at it, that was when the fox and cat attacked. Together each charged forward and jump on a side of the dragon's neck and dug their claws and fangs into his armor. The cat extended it's fangs doing quite a lot of damage on the metal plates while the fox used it's narrow snout to rip at the wires and tubes under the plating. Predaking shock his head trying to dislodge them but they dug their claws in deeper. Suddenly the phoenix flew in front of him and spread it's wings, a bright flash of light blinded him. While he tried to reset his optics the Pegasus slammed into it's chest actually pushing him back a few feet.

They thought they were beating him but they didn't count on how quick Predaking could recover. His vision cleared enough for him to locate a large boulder nearby, he lashed his tail forward striking it and sending the large rock into the Pegasus knocking it down.

The phoenix shrieked in dismay and suddenly a great heat emitted from it, it's wings looked like they were on fire and it swooped down with a angry shriek. Predaking cried out in pain when one of the wings struck him but he had survived worst, he fired a blast of fire at the bird causing it to veer out of the way and he whipped his head around and struck the Phoenix knocking it out of the sky. The fox and cat were so surprised they loosened their grips and turned to their fallen comrade, Predaking made a sharp turn dislodging the winged cat who didn't have time to flap it's wings. It landed in a heap and before it could move Predaking used his tail to knock it into the phoenix who had tried to get up. The two crashed into each other and rolled several feet before coming to rest in a pile, neither moving.

The Pegasus recovered from the impact and spotted the two going down, it turned to Predaking anger in its stance and dug it's hooves into the ground before opening it's mouth and emitting a sonic shriek that almost blew Predaking's audios out, the force pushed him back several feet before he dug his claws into the ground to anchor himself.

The fox had jumped down to escape the force of the blasts and was joined by the Triple Changer.

Thinking he was to stunned to move the Pegasus charged forward again but the dragon whirled around and struck it with it's tail sending the winged horse several feet across the ground where it left a small crater, before it could rise Predaking charged forward and struck the Pegasus several times with it's tail leaving a bigger crater caused by the Pegasus body and satisfied the horse wouldn't rise to soon Predaking turned to the others.

The fox and Triple Changer who had reverted back to it's coyote mode watched stunned as Predaking almost flattened the Pegasus. When he turned to them the coyote barked and charged at it but instead of jumping on the dragon it ran between it's legs and bit at them, Predaking tried to snap at it but the smaller Predacon was too fast.

While that happened the fox went for his neck again and Predaking turned it's attention to the other being, before the fox could dig it's claws in the dragon snapped it's head back knocking the fox down. The Triple Changer turned to it's comrade giving Predaking time to grab it in it's mouth and sink it's teeth in. The Triple Changer yelped in pain before going limp, Predaking flung it to the side.

The fox was the only one still standing, it had jumped up at the Triple Changer's cry. It looked at it's fallen brethren then it's gaze landed on Predaking. The fox's armor puffed out and it's tails curled over it's back as a savage growl escaped from it's maw. It leaped forward and tried to attack Predaking's neck again but it's attacks were fuelled by rage and were unfocused allowing Predaking to grab one of it's tails and pulled it off before swinging the fox into a rock wall. The canine slammed into the surface before sliding down and landing on the ground like a limp puppet.

The Alicorn slowly tried to reboot, it could sense the others were in danger. It finally opened it's optics to find the Baku looking at her concerned. Painfully the Alicorn transformed to her bot mode and was finally able to look around. Her optics widened in horror. Her comrades, friends, family laid scattered across the battle field with Predaking standing triumphant among them. He started walking towards her.

The Baku bellowed with it's trunk and charged forward before the Alicorn could stop him.

'Push that button and I'll come,' flashed across her mind. She pulled out the box and gazed at it a moment.

The Baku stopped before Predaking who looked down at the little creature unimpressed, the Baku bellowed again but Predaking simply swatted him aside with his head and continued towards the Alicorn.

Seeing everyone was down she knew they had only one hope. She pressed the button.

Ratchet looked up surprised when the alarm started flashing. Everyone was on base at the moment so there was no one to send an emergency beacon unless. . . "Were getting a signal."

Optimus turned to him so fast he almost knocked over Ultra Magnus. "The Predacons?"

"I believe so." Was the reply.

"Ratchet open a GroundBridge!" Everyone looked at him shocked.

Ratchet was the first to recover, "But Optimus. . ."

"Open a GroundBridge!" Optimus ordered. He regretted speaking to his friend like this but he had a bad feeling there was no time to wait.

She looked up as Predaking approached. Transforming back into his root mode he stood over her. "Now you will return with me," he growled.

"You-you monster!" She cried, "You're no king of ours!"

He stared at her shocked, then his features twisted into a snarl and he raised a servo as if to strike her when suddenly the green swirling light of the GroundBridge appeared behind him. The red and blue form of Optimus Prime appeared ramming into Predaking sending him crashing into the ground.

"Gather your people and head into the GroundBridge!" Optimus ordered.

"But. . . "

"Hurry!"

She hesitated for a moment, could she really trust him? Could she trust that he was telling the truth, could she take that risk? "Everyone get into the vortex!" She picked up the still dazed Baku while the Phoenix helped the Pegasus to it's feet. Everyone else somehow made it to their peds and followed her. The cat and fox had to support the Triple Changer.

As she lead the others to what she hoped was safety she glanced back to see Predaking was back on his peds and was glaring at Optimus. Then his gaze slid to her and the yellow optics widened in. . . alarm. "NO!" The Alicorn turned from him and entered the portal with the others. Predaking snarled at Optimus. "YOU WILL NOT HAVE THEM!"

"If that is how you treat your people you have much to think on of being a leader," was the oddly calm reply.

Predaking rose with a growl and lunged while transforming. Optimus dived into the GroundBridge, seconds before Predaking reached it the tunnel of light disappeared leaving the metal dragon to snap at air. Predaking roared in fury.