"I want to know who you are, where your loyalties lie, and why you seem so attached to my top scientist?" Megatron said, his crimson optics looking over me.

"I am Y/D, my loyalties lie with Shockwave, and I'm attached because... reasons." I said.

"And what would those reasons be?" Megatron asked.

"If you are implying that I am using him for nefarious purposes, you would be far from correct. I do not know why I am attached to him. I just am." I said, my wings becoming stiff. Megatron continued to drill for information such as how old I was, where I came from, and many others. I gave him vague answers to some and more in depth to others, not wanting to reveal my secret to him.

"You are a mysterious one Y/D, I do hope you aren't keeping secrets."

"I don't keep secrets. I'm too old for that." I said with a slightly grouchy huff.

"So you keep telling him." Starscream growled. "Just exactly how old are you?"

"Older than everyone here and then some. Far, far older." I growled in response. "I'd suggest you stop poking for information before I decide to eat your spark."

"Master! Are you just going to let him speak to me like that?!" Starscream cried out.

"Oh shut your intake, Squeakscream. I'm not in any mood or condition to tolerate such ridiculousness from you." I snapped, my joints popping as I stretched to relieve the stiffness I was getting from standing for so long. I then heard several vehicons snicker in amusement at the scene.

"Pfft, Squeakscream. Gotta remember that one." One vehicon whispered.

"Oh shut it, you!" Starscream snapped. Before he could continue to berate the vehicons, the massive space bridge portal opened, and Shockwave stepped on through.

"Lord Megatron, I would like to present the ultimate. Autobot. Hunter." I felt my spark swell in excitement as the Predacon stepped out, his massive wings unfurling and a deafening roar escaping his maw. Megatron stood in absolute shock while I grinned softly at the Predacon. I slowly approached the predacon and gently pat his muzzle.

"Hey there, I'm glad you are finally here." I said softly. The predacon purred at my touch, our helms gently pressed together. I then returned to Shockwave's side, stumbling a little and getting caught by the Predacon who righted me back up.

"Shockwave, it does my spark good to see you once again tampering with creation." Megatron said as he approached.

"Master! Keep your distance!" Starscream panicked.

"Calm your circuits, Starscream. Predaking won't harm you unless you give him a reason to." I said with my arms crossed.

"It is illogical to name him Y/D." Shockwave said. The predacon nudged me, clearly pleased with the name. "However, it seems he appreciates it."

'I know he does.' I thought, watching as Megatron gently stroked Predaking's helm

"Such primal magnificence." Megatron mused.

"All he needs now is an energon sample." Shockwave said, holding up a small vial to Predaking's muzzle. Predaking analyzed the contents and then took off with a roar.

"Let the hunt begin." Megatron said darkly.

"Be careful." I whispered, following Shockwave inside and back to his lab. Shockwave then gestured that I lay down on the examination table, to which I complied, knowing it was time for my treatments. I closed my optics as he drew a sample of energon from me and ran several tests, his audials lowering in a hint of agitation.

"The Cryosis is progressing, I'm afraid." Shockwave said.

"I figured." I said weakly, a wave of fatigue striking me. "I just hope I can hold out long enough to see Cybertron glow once again."

"As illogical the sentiment is, I can understand it." I then looked over to the lavender mech with a small smile. I then relaxed as he injected me with the medication that he had painstakingly developed to slow the Cryosis, a soft vent of relief escaping me as the pain I was dealing with subsided. Shockwave then helped me sit up. His touch was always so gentle with me despite his reputation.

"I appreciate you doing this." I said as he helped me to a stand, my frame buckling with fatigue to which he caught me.

"Do not move too fast. Y/D, you risk injuring yourself." I was far too tired to argue. Shockwave then led me down the hall and to a berthroom that had a large berth inside. "I shall check on you in an hour."

I bowed my helm to him and curled up on the soft berth. The plush material was a huge relief for my aching joints and stiff circuits. It wasn't long before I found myself curled up in a small ball with my helm resting on my arms like a beast. I used my wings like a blanket as I draped them over my frame. It didn't take long for me to go into a recharge, my audials flicking as I dreamt of my youth and then the Great Cataclysm that took my kin away in a purge of fire and ash.

In my dream, I saw the ones I once called my family get slaughtered, my carrier grabbing me and tossing me into a cliff side cavern before she too was consumed. I cried and cried for my carrier, but my cries went unheard. Outside of the dream, I had caught the attention of Shockwave, who was hesitant in awakening me. He then gently placed a servo on me, and I shot awake, my venting rapid and my spark thundering in my chest like a thousand storms.

"Y/D." Shockwave said. "You were having the nightmare again?"

"Yeah." I said, regaining my composure and slowing my sparkrate down. Shockwave handed me a thing of chilled energon to witch I happily drank. "It's been happening more frequently as of late. I believe it is a side effect of the treatment."

"Your hypothesis is logical. However, I will need to run further tests in order to confirm it." Shockwave said. After I finished my energon I found myself leaning against the lavender mech, Shockwave's audials twitching and turning a pale blue. Shockwave then gently guided me back to the berth, where I returned to a dreamless recharge.