I awoke some time later and slowly got up, my stiff joints popping as I stretched. I decided to take a walk and familiarize myself with the various halls and corridors. As I rounded a corner, I felt someone slam right into me, and I looked down to see a very angry seeker.

"Watch where you are going!" Starscream snapped angrily.

"Sorry, Squeakscream, can't see very well from up here." I said sarcastically. "What are you doing down here anyway?"

"None of your business, you idiotic brute!" Starscream snapped.

"Oh please, come up with something more creative like 'rusty dusty bolt bag' or something. Calling me a brute is overused and cliche." I said, cocking an optic ridge. Starscream was stammering as he stared up at me in disbelief. "Anyways, just stay out of my way next time." I then walked around the fallen seeker and continued my wandering until I made it to the outside. I then sat on the edge and closed my optics as I basked in the brilliant sun, the heat feeling amazing against my ancient frame.

I let out a small purr as I continued to bask in the light, a gently breeze tickling my audials and whispering their songs. I found myself softly humming a lullaby my kind once sang to their sparklings. It was in ancient Cybertronian and told the story of two lovers from separate clans who would meet under the stars to run and play all while keeping their love a secret. Then when war broke out between the two clans the lovers were destroyed. Primus took pity on them and turned them into the two brightest stars where they continue to play for all eternity.

As I finished the song I felt like someone was watching and I turned around to see the warlord curiously observing me.

"Is there something you need?" I asked.

"The longer you stay here, the more mysterious you become." Megatron said.

"It is safer to be an enigma. Keeps the prey guessing." I said, slowly managing to stand up.

"What language was that song in?" He asked.

"It's an old language lost to history, dating back to the Great Cataclysm." I said, explaining the story behind the words.

"How did you learn of this song?" He asked, Shockwave and Starscream exiting the citadel and watching the conversation.

"My carrier use to sing it to me when I was a newspark. It was a common lullaby during my youth." I said. I then noticed Starscream rolling his optics in annoyance and looked at him with a cocked optic ridge. "Is there something you want seeker?"

"Lord Megatron, is rhis... old bag of bolts bothering you?" Starscream said. I snorted in response to his failed insult.

"Starscream, Y/D and I were having a pleasant conversation." Megatron growled as he turned to face the seeker. "I expect you to treat him with respect."

"Don't bother sir." I said with a shrug. "He doesn't understand, doubt he even has the processor power to do so."

"Are you calling me stupid?!" Starscream snappedas he stormed towards me.

"If you weren't you wouldn't be needing to ask." I said, a servo on my hip nonchalantly. "How is it that such a small thing like yourself is so full of hot air?" I then hear Megatron chuckle at my commentary, clearly amused by my attitude.

"Well you're just an old crankshaft!" Starscream growled.

"Wow, you're just putting that together? I thought seekers were smarter than this." I said sarcastically. The banter between Starscream and I went on for a few more rounds before Starscream really pushed the wrong button.

"I bet you are some carrierless beast!" He snapped at me.

"Do not call me a beast." I growled, my fangs bared and my clawed servos at the ready.

"As amusing as this was to watch, I have to ask that you stand down Y/D." Megatron said. I growled in response but complied, spotting a very injured Predaking gliding in and landing.

"Oh scrap! Predaking!" I cried out, running to him. Predaking let out a pained whine, several wounds leaking energon. I gently hugged his helm and tried to calm him with gentle tones. "It's okay, did the Autobots hurt you?" I asked softly. Predaking gave me a blink in response to which I understood as a yes. "It's going to be okay, Shockwave will make you feel much better." Predaking then rested his helm on me as Shockwave went to work on the repairs. I then started to speak to Predaking in the ancient language I was taught as a sparkling.

"Easy Predaking, you are wounded. Shall I tell you of our kin from long ago while Shockwave mends your wounds?" I said in the old tongue. Predaking seemed to understand and blinked as a form of nod. "Then let me tell you of what we were so long ago. We were once a proud and powerful kind with stories and legends of our own. We are the true descendants of the Lord of Beasts, Onyx Prime. Despite our primitive origins, we had our own cultures and rituals. We followed the teachings of Onyx Prime, thus being spiritual in nature. We believed that instead of rejoining the Allspark when we passed, we would join our creator in the Eternal Hunting Grounds, a paradise where we can run free with our creator. It is said to be a wild realm with lush forests and always clear skies where we can run play for all eternity." I then looked down at my ancient frame, a pang of weakness in my spark. "I may soon join my kin, but I will not go until I pass down the knowledge and stories to you."

Predaking seemed to sense my condition and nuzzled my chest. I gently stroked his helm, silently reassuring him that I would be okay.

"Why do you speak to him anyway?" Starscream said in annoyance, my helm turning to him and glaring. "He's a poor mindless creature, incapable of even explaining why he failed. I doubt he even understands you."

"You wouldn't understand a damn thing!" I snapped angrily, reverting back to the current language the Decepticons spoke. "Do not call him mindless or speak down to him!" I suddenly felt my spark race wildly in my chest. The anger i was experiencing was putting a massive strain on it. I clutched at my chest and was venting rapidly, my legs buckling in pain as I fell to my knees. "S-scrap! Sh-Shockwave..." I managed to rasp, Shockwave finishing up the repairs on Predaking and quickly rushing to me.

"Y/D, I need you to calm down." Shockwave said. "You are putting a massive strain on your spark."

"It hurts... so fragging much." I grunted, feeling like I was about to purge my tanks. Shockwave then guided me to the floor and had me lay on my back, Predaking resting his helm on my legs with worry.

"What a weak companion you have, Shockwave. Pathetic." Starscream sneered, Megatron shooting him a death glare.

"Shockwave, I shall have Knockout assist you with Y/D." Megatron said, opening a comlink. "Knockout, report to me immediately." Megatron ordered through the comlink. I felt my vision darken as I passed out. The last thing I heard was Predaking letting out a concerned whine.