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It was dark, and they were cold, & completely lost, two things Ratabite did not need to be right then.
After a Predacon ambush, Ratabite had somehow managed to get themself not only separated from the other Maximals they were with but also entirely lost in the large jungle while they were fighting. And so they were walking in a general vague direction trying to keep an eye out for anything they recognized to get back to the Ark. Ratabite cursed as they walked along, feeling some of the injuries they sustained sting as they moved, they just wanted to be back at the Ark and settle into their warm berth and rest for a few hours, not all alone in this jungle.
A sudden sound from behind them made them stop in their tracks, it was the sound of another bot’s steps, and for a split second Ratabite thought maybe one of the other maximals had found them, maybe they weren’t alone! But the more they stood and listened they realized it wasn’t another maximal, it was something much worse.
They weren’t alone.
Ratabite turned their head slowly as the steps got closer and closer, and the sound of metal on metal got louder and louder until they could see the moonlight gleaming off the white and red silhouette that barely came into view, but they knew who it was.
They wished they were alone.
Ratabite watched as Dinobot II lifted his head and appeared to smell the air, his eyes widening and narrowing as he did so, trying to focus on a single scent. He was hunting.
Ratabite couldn’t move, their processor not doing much processing as they watched the massive skeletal raptor move with precision, scared to move from the spot they were in lest he hear them and know they were there.
Dinobot II suddenly stopped, he’d locked onto something. He turned slowly and Ratabites breath left them completely as they met eyes. The two stood silent and unmoving for what felt like an eternity, both seemed to be thinking about what to do next in this situation they found themselves in.
Dinobot II’s eyes suddenly widen, startling Ratabite into gasping and stumbling back. That was all Dinobot II needed and he started to lunge toward the scared rat, Ratabite themself wasted no time in running off away from the beast.
They really wished they had just been alone!
Ratabite tried their best at bobbing and weaving between trees and rocks to get away from their hunter, but Dinobot II was hot on their transmetal tail. It didn’t help that their injuries were making them stumble about as they ran, it was slightly embarrassing to them, even if the only one seeing it was the clone.
They saw something up ahead that looked like the edge of the jungle, and so they tried to pick up the pace, even if the result was more pain it was better than whatever Dinobot II had in store for them. Ratabite got to the area and was slightly discouraged, it was just a small clearing, they stopped and looked around, panicked, they could hear Dinobot II gaining on them.
Ratabite decided it would be best to take off, with what little energy they had it would be for the better if they just flew out of this situation. They prepared their wings and jets, crouched and then jumped up, taking off towards the sky.
Only to be shot down not too far into their flight.
Ratabite screamed and fell to the ground, landing with a loud thud, now in even more pain. As they struggled to get up they heard a low and metallic laugh and large stomping steps approaching them. They looked up and saw Dinobot II now in robot mode sauntering towards them, smirking all happy with himself. In a fit of anger, Ratabite got up and brought out their hammer in one motion, ready to fight this time. Dinobot II scowled and growled to match it.
“Stupid rat.” was all he said before blasting them again, Ratabite gasping as they were flung backwards, smashing into a tree and groaning as they slid down to the ground. Ratabite tried to get up, but found they couldn’t, no matter how hard they tried they couldn’t get their body to respond.
They looked up at Dinobot II, he was coming towards them with a big toothy grin, ready to do whatever he wanted with them. As he got to them Ratabite bared their teeth and tried to look as threatening as possible, but all it did was make Dinobot II laugh at them again.
“Ooohh aren’t you a scary little creature!” Ratabite hated how familiar his voice sounded. “You’ve got me simply trembling, little one.” oh Ratabite hated that he called them that. Ratabite closed their eyes, angry as ever, and then spat at Dinobot II’s feet, as it was all they could do.
“If you’re going to kill me, kill me,” they demanded. “I won’t go out whimpering and whining like you want. I. Won’t. Do. It.” Ratabite didn’t break eye contact with Dinobot II, making sure he knew they were serious. Dinobot II scrunched his nose a bit at the spit launched in his direction, but quickly got over it, having more things to do with the rat.
“Oh, little one you’re mistaken,” He reviled in the fact they hated being called that, at least by him. “I’m not going to kill you,” Dinobot II grabbed Ratabite by the shoulder and lifted them up, pressing their head against his middle, Ratabite felt it grumble lowly against their cheek, their eyes widening. “You’re my prey , and now I’ve caught you, and now…” Dinobot II lifted them to his face, smirking all the while. “ I feast. ”
Ratabite’s eyes widened further as Dinobot II opened his maw wide, showing off the sharp knives he called teeth, they tried again to move and get away, but all they could manage was weak twitching in his grip.
Once his jaw was open as wide as it could go, Dinobot II shoved Ratabites head into it as hard as he could. For as graceful and precise as he was while hunting, his table manners were far from good, as he greedily and quickly crammed the rat into his gullet.
Ratabite made a little ‘aghk’ sound as they had their whole face come in contact with Dinobot II’s tongue, and they were a little surprised at how fast they were going in and down into his body, usually, it was a slower journey. But Ratabite had to remind themself this wasn’t who they wanted it to be. Ratabite attempted to squirm, maybe cause him some discomfort and spit them out, but to no avail.
Dinobot II was making fine progress on his catch, now up to their waist and quickly surpassing it. He could feel his stomach filling as he swallowed and tilted his head back to let gravity help with the rest of the rat’s body.
Ratabite slid down into his tank and was forced into a tightly curled position, the only light in the space was the dim red biolights lining the tank walls and the neon green glow of Ratabite’s own eyes, the tank walls were dark grey, and wet, which was another thing Ratabite didn’t need to be in this entire situation, but on the bright side, at least they weren’t cold anymore.
Dinobot II was quite satisfied with himself, he slumped to the ground to lean back and enjoy the feeling of his catch, helpless within him. It would have been better had they been able to squirm, but his immobilizing beam prevented that, perhaps when it wore off in a bit he’d get what he wanted.
“How are you enjoying your new accommodations, little one?” he teased, taking a hand and pressing it down on his tank, and therefore Ratabite. He heard them make a little ‘squeak’ and a disgruntled grunt at the question, that they did not answer further. “Oh whatever, you’ll get used to it, I’m sure.”
Dinobot II eventually got up, swaying a bit as his balance was a bit thrown off due to Ratabite’s added weight, & then began to transform into his skeletal beast mode to make the trek back to the Darksyde. Ratabite was flipped around inside his tank as he did so, landing on their side, but they couldn’t tell if they were right side up or upside down at this point. Not that it really mattered.
Dinobot II growled lowly as the last of his parts clicked into place, as many of them felt off due to his tank now taking up more space on his beast mode, and it didn’t help that Ratabite was flopping around in there from the motion. And it seemed his tank didn’t enjoy that motion either, as it groaned loudly and threatened to ache. Ratabite took notice.
“Make yerself sick, smartass?” they teased, they heard Dinobot II growl over the sound of his complaining tank.
“Shut-” his tank suddenly clenched around Ratabite hard, forcing gas up and out of Dinobot II’s throat hard. “u- uuURRRAAARRRPPpp - hic - up. Shut up.” Ratabite giggled.
“Sure~”
Dinobot II growled at them again and began the trek back to the Darksyde, Ratabite swaying back and forth gently within his tank.
Ratabite considered themself an optimist, especially in comparison to their brother, who in the situation would just be complaining the whole time. But as Ratabite sat within the belly of this beast they had time to work on internal repairs and whatnot. They had fixed up a few wires here and there that had been bothering them before and were now working on the metal on their back that had been sauteed by Dinobot II’s attack. At least the immobilizing beam had rendered them numb below the neck, and they couldn’t really feel it like they did before. AND luckily the beam’s effects were wearing off, and they had movement back, limited movement, but it was something! All in all, they were doing pretty good for someone who was hunted and eaten and is still in the hunter's gut.
There wasn’t much else to do in there, so while fixing themselves up, Ratabite listened to Dinobot II’s footsteps, trying to gauge where they were. It was slightly hard to tell but they could tell at least they weren’t at the Darksyde yet, they’d hear metal on metal if they were.
“Are you still alive in there, little rat?” the sudden question startled Ratabite a bit, this whole ride he hadn’t spoken to them and now was inquiring about their health. Weird.
“Yeah, sadly,” they replied, a bit of sarcasm laced into their words, not that they wished they weren’t, but they did kinda wish to be literally anywhere else at that moment.
“Hrrm, good, when we arrive shortly I want to present you alive .”
What on earth did that mean?!
Ratabite was so shocked and confused by that they were rendered speechless, a hard thing to do, so they were also impressed a bit. Present you alive . What a string of words, Ratabite thought.
As they continued to listen, Ratabite heard the familiar sound of metal on metal, they had arrived at the Darksyde now. Ratabite sighed and went back to their internal repairs, not much else they could do other than accept it, now they were in the belly of the beast, inside the beast's main base, perfect.
Dinobot II tromped through the Darksyde, looking for his leader, he wanted to tell him all about his earlier hunt. He didn’t find him in the command room but did find that ant, Inferno, working at one of the terminals.
“Where is Megatron?” He asked, Inferno didn’t look away from the terminal screen.
“The Royalty is in his chambers, he asked not to be bothered-” Inferno didn’t even get to finish before Dinobot II walked off, he wasn’t wasting his time with Inferno, he just needed to know where Megatron was.
Ratabite snickered a little at the interaction, and it seemed even other Predacons found his constant Megatron brown-nosing annoying. But as they thought about it, Dinobot II’s earlier statement made more sense now, “present you alive”, he wanted to show them off to Megatron as some sort of prize, a captive Maximal after the failed ambush they had today.
Just great , they thought.
Dinobot II made his way to the entrance of Megatron’s chambers, where upon getting there, he cleared his throat and tapped on the doors.
“Megatron?”
There came a grunt from the other side of the door.
“I said I was NOT to be disturbed!”
Dinobot II was unphased by his leader's tone.
“Megatron, it’s me , I have something for you.”
A more thoughtful and happy noise came from Megatron this time.
“Come in then~”
Dinobot II activated the doors and they swooshed open before him, revealing the large room his leader resided in when he wasn’t bossing the Predacons around or out fighting the Maximals. As he stepped in, Dinobot II saw Megatron residing in his modified R-Chamber, taking a soak to relieve any sores, physical or ego-wise, from the earlier failed fight that day with the Maximals.
“Aaahh, Dinobot,” Megatron purred, pleased to see one of his few highly competent underlings. Dinobot II walked up to the side of the R-Chamber to be closer to his leader, that’s when Megatron noticed his swollen tank and made a small coo-ing noise. “Oh my~! Good hunt, I presume?”
“Yes Megatron, very good .”
Ratabite rolled their eyes and made a fake gagging noise, which went unheard by their two captors.
“Now then, what did you have for me?” Megatron said, steepling his fingers and tapping his claws on the side of the R-Chamber.
Dinobot II growled happily, and then transformed, his full tank more visible now. Ratabite once again was flipped around inside the tank, landing more upright this time.
“This,” Dinobot II gestured to his tank. “A captive maximal, the little vermin.”
Ratabite again rolled their eyes, couldn’t even use their name, could he? They pushed against the tank wall, making a visible bulge.
“Hey Megatron.” was all they said, Megatron was pleased.
Megatron motioned for Dinobot II to join him in the chamber, which Dinobot II happily did, situating himself on Megatron’s lap, facing him, the only thing between them was his rat-filled tank. Megatron helped himself to the tank, not that Dinobot II minded, & began pressing his hands against it and rubbing the sides, he could feel Ratabite’s little form in there, curled up and trapped.
“Enjoying your new home, snack ?” Megatron teased as he gave a particularly hard squeeze, which forced a little belch out of Dinobot II.
Ratabite squeaked as they were rubbed and squeezed. It didn’t feel bad, but they didn’t really want it to happen. They pushed back against Megatron's hands, but they didn’t answer him, though.
“Oh whatever, you’ll have to like until we’re done having fun with you, yeeessss~”
Ratabite just grumbled in response.
“Now, Dinobot,” Megatron leaned back in the tub again. “Tell me all about your hunt, I wish to know how you conquered this Maximal, yeesss, and don’t spare any details, I want to hear it all.”
“Oh, Megatron I wish you could have seen it! They didn’t stand a chance against me .”
As the two Predacons spoke, Ratabite was left pretty much ignored inside Dinobot II’s tank; not that they minded at all, gave them time to think at least.
They figured they were stuck in there until the Predacons were done having their fun with them, whether that meant getting let out or some other means. Until then, they’d just have to wait. Despite looking skeletal, Dinobot II was quite formidable and could heal quickly. It would be a little stupid to try and fight their way out.
Ratabite sighed and curled themself uptight & closed their eyes, they could hear and feel Dinobot II continue to regale Megatron with the story of how they were caught, and could feel the occasional rub of a hand along the tank walls against them, it reminded them of, better times, when they and Dinobot would do this and chat. But Ratabite reminded themself again that this wasn’t who they wanted it to be, and despite being surrounded by the flesh and circuitry of another bot,
They had never felt more alone.