Fluttershy kept fluttering away from the mountains above where Predaking resided. Though she was a pegasus, she wasn't really used to flying at speeds that cleared the clouds above like her closest friend Rainbow Dash. She took the same path down she came all the way up alongside her friends when they were previously assigned to stop the "dragon's smoke" earlier.
Now she was returning to Ponyville. She needed Twilight's help as Predaking requested not too long ago.
"Predaking's gonna enjoy Twilight's help. She's an expert when it comes to magic." She calmly muttered.
Twilight was the best unicorn she knew up for the case. Well sure Celestia and Luna could most likely pull greater feats of magic, thanks to them being alicorn that are centuries old.
But that wasn't the point. Twilight was a close friend of her's, and she'd more than likely help Predaking's problem since he got here. Plus Twilight might even get the chance to study Predaking.
That is, if Predaking would even allow it.
Fluttershy of course remembered that out of everyone he has met so far around here, only herself has actually gotten a little progress getting to know him. The others had opted to stay behind back in Ponyville.
Rainbow wanted to beat her own record in ball bouncing. Applejack probably needed to get back and help Big Macintosh. Rarity wanted to ensure nothing bad happened to her mane from the mission. Pinkie probably muttered something about preparing a "we've discovered predacons" party, or something. And Twilight needed to report to Celestia about Predaking.
Speaking of, if Twilight has just messaged the ruler of Equestria, that would mean that Celestia must've heard about Predaking by now.
"I sure hope the Princess won't be too amazed about Predaking."
Then speaking of once more. As she was fluttering through the road heading back to Ponyville, she found a group right ahead of her. Six in total in fact.
Fluttershy gasped. Not only were all her friends heading towards her, but even the solar princess Celestia was alongside them.
She knew that if Celestia has come, it had to involve something really serious. As the group and herself was close to crossing paths, Rainbow Dash was already ahead of charging at her. The blue pegasus was quick to use her front hooves to hug her hard.
She could feel her strength from the hug alright. "Rainbow? Did you miss me?"
"I'm so glad you're safe Shy." Rainbow Dash said. The rest of the group was approaching as Applejack bit Rainbow's tail, dragging her away, and freeing Fluttershy from her hug to give her a minute to catch her breath.
"Chill out Rainbow Dash. At least give Shy a small breather." Applejack deadpanned. Rainbow glared back at her, clearly annoyed by her being pulled by the tail.
Thankfully Rarity and Pinkie Pie stopped them both before another argument between them could commence. Fluttershy noticed Twilight and Princess Celestia approaching her, with Fluttershy quickly attempting to bow before her.
"It's alright Fluttershy. No need to be formal right now." Her ruler said with a calm expression.
"No offense Princess Celestia, but why was it that Rainbow hugged me earlier? I was just away since this morning to have a little talk with him."
"And by 'him', you're referring to the one known as Predaking yes?" Celestia asked her.
Fluttershy's previous assumption turned out correct. The princess has indeed figured out about Predaking. Though to her confusion, she could hear Celestia's voice being a little sharp when she mentioned Predaking.
Twilight walked right up to Fluttershy. "Sorry Fluttershy. Let me explain what happened earlier. Celestia just came here to speak with Predaking."
"Really?" Fluttershy was indeed surprised of what she just heard. It's only been this long, and Celestia already wanna have a word with him.
Though to be fair, a species never heard of in Equestria would more than likely be something that Princess Celestia is needed for to address.
Celestia cleared her throat quickly. "Fluttershy? Would you please be so kind and show me the way to Predaking? I know Twilight said she would, but since you're more involved with him than she is."
There it was again, Fluttershy could hear the sharpness in her voice when she mentioned Predaking's name once more. Something serious must be going on.
She wanted to ask why, but she might feel like not getting an answer right away, so she felt that it might have to wait for the time being.
"Yes Princess Celestia." Fluttershy turned around to fly back to the mountain, with Celestia following. The others soon followed up on foot, except Rainbow who could fly.
"Why exactly did we, nor Celestia tell Fluttershy about those Predacons again?" Rainbow whispered to her friends. They were at a distance so Fluttershy couldn't hear them.
Twilight shook her head. "Would you really give Fluttershy the shock of her life by mentioning how Predacons were 1000 years ago? We could risk blowing up her chances of befriending Predaking."
"And your chances of studying him egghead?" Rainbow chuckled, with Twilight glaring at her annoyed.
Applejack butted in between them. "Girls, this ain't no laughing matter. If Predaking really is a savage underneath that fancy mouth of his, he might be a threat to all of Equestria."
"You're right Applejack. We mustn't let our guards down when we meet him again." Said Twilight.
On top of the mountain, in the caves, Predaking was remaining inside, awaiting for Fluttershy's return after the promise she made.
Though Predaking wasn't much too keen on promises after his past ordeal with Megatron, he could at least give the pegasus a chance. He has in fact never heard a single living being sound so innocent.
The yellow pegasus was in fact the only being he's met that had something in her even he couldn't exactly find fitting. He couldn't feel any cold feelings in her like Soundwave had.
The paranoia Megatron had against him and his fellow Predacons.
The arrogance and pride of Starscream(well the blue equine from earlier wasn't too far).
The closest thing that too wasn't far off this feeling was his earlier treatment he received from Shockwave his creator. He was the only Decepticon who actually gave him the respect he rightfully deserved. But even he turned his back on him eventually.
Predaking gritted his teeth a bit over remembering them. He however managed to keep himself cool. "I have only known this equine for this long, and yet, I feel something odd around her."
The talk from earlier, the very feeling that made even his chest warm up. What exactly is that feeling? Something he hasn't felt ever since Shockwave actually cared for him once. Back when he got petted by his former creator, even he could feel something warm heating up from inside. And it wasn't even the same as when he breathes fire.
"This world is indeed very strange. Nothing like back in the warship."
It was then that Predaking could hear footsteps outside the cave. Only something was different than the past two times earlier. First, he could hear a group of them, only this time, one more was included, but the footsteps sounded heavier and louder than the others.
"Looks like I have company again. It may very well be her associate." Predaking looked out of the cave as Fluttershy and her friends came to view from the entrance.
But there was a seventh one alongside them. One that was considerably larger than the others. While nowhere his size, the seventh was roughly 3 times their size. Her skin was pure white, not unlike the white curly one. On top of her head was some sort of crown. And on her bottom he noticed a bright round insignia located.
Predaking deduced the larger equine may be some sort of royalty. She might perhaps relate to him.
"I do not remember telling her to invite more than just the clever one." He had a feeling that if this royal equine is there, she must presumably be there for him.
He noticed the equine looking a little surprised. She turned to her fellow equines. "I do not understand. I've never seen anything alike."
"But this is Predaking Princess Celestia." The purple pony he needed earlier said, or what Fluttershy called her, Twilight Sparkle.
"He doesn't look like anything the Predacons I saw a long time ago."
That statement put Predaking into a shocking state. This royal equine known as Princess Celestia for some reason knows he's a Predacon. Let alone she even knows what Predacons are.
"That's just the other form we told you about Princess Celestia." Fluttershy said. She was also confused by something else. "And what do you mean a long time ago? Isn't it the first time meeting one?"
Fluttershy could see her friends clearing their throats nervously. She could tell they were hiding something from her, but she didn't exactly know what or why.
It was then that Celestia stepped up next to her. "Fluttershy? Please forgive my rashness for not explaining the situation earlier." Celestia's face was turning serious. "But you must listen clearly what I have to explain next."
Fluttershy was ready to listen. However before the princess could even move her mouth, she along with every pony else felt the ground shake multiple times. She turned over to see Predaking stomping over to them, making everyone besides Celestia and Fluttershy back off.
Predaking lowered his head until it reached Celestia's. "You know of my race? You know of my fellow Predacons?"
Alarmed, Celestia was igniting her horn. Though Predaking has never seen it before, right now he couldn't care less. This Celestia knows something valuable, and he intends to find out.
One way or another.
The princess however was glaring back, showing no signs of fear towards him despite being a few feet away from her. "So it was true that you could indeed speak."
"A compliment has of yet to answer my question. How do you know the existence of my race?" Predaking looked at her what others would presume as threateningly.
Fluttershy had a feeling where this could get going. As she was about to fly up and perhaps talk reason with both, Twilight however used her glowing magic horn to drag Fluttershy away.
"Stay back Fluttershy. This might not end well if you interfere." Said Twilight.
"But-" Fluttershy's words were cut short as Twilight pulled her away safely.
The six friends noticed Princess Celestia and Predaking maintaining their glare towards one another.
"You have as of yet to speak up. Answer me how you possess the knowledge of Predacons?!" Predaking nearly roared. His patience was close to it's limit. He wanted the princess to speak her answer, yet she simply stood there, glaring back, and wasting his time.
Finally Celestia broke her silence. "I can indeed feel you're different from the others. You can speak, yet you might in the end be no different than the rest of them."
"Rest of them? Explain now!"
"I'm afraid I can't allow this to happen. I already had trouble with Predacons from the past. And I shall not repeat that history!" The princess shouted back.
That's where Predaking's eye twitched. He could now feel his anger being build up. Not from the fact that the princess nearly ignoring his questions. Not because she somehow had the knowledge of Predacons.
The true reason lied in her attitude. The voice of paranoia involving his race. The determination to reject his kind. And hiding something he does not know of."
Three things that described one being he despised. Megatron.
As he couldn't contain his anger for a second longer, his right arm morphed into a cannon as he aimed towards the princess, who made her horn glow even brighter. The princess' horn, and the king's cannon were aiming towards one another, not letting either out of sight.
"Have at thee!"
That's where they both fired at the same time.