[Robots and Magic] Between Claws

13. 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘭

As Fluttershy soared through the dense clouds in her jet mode, uneasy thoughts gripped her mind tightly, making her wings quiver with anxious anticipation. The ongoing circumstances added to her apprehension, causing her normally gentle demeanor to tremble with nervous energy. Not only was the cause of conflict between her and her guardian, as well as the painful state of the predacon, directly attributed to her actions, but she was now also disregarding Bumblebee's warnings, further worsening the already tense situation.

Was freeing Predaking without his knowledge the only way? She knew that trying to reason with her Cybertronian friend would be futile. Even if she attempted to explain, he would still refuse and likely become even more furious than he currently was. Was this really the only choice she had? To lie. To betray her close ones just because she wanted to help the injured being.

"No, no, no- what am I thinking?" she whispered to herself in worry. As she spotted a distant uninhabited area which was located around the widespread woods near the city Canterlot, she slowly descended to the ground, her body altering into the sleek form of a robot. While pacing nervously back and forth, the unease was evident as her voice quivered, "This is wrong. I-I can't do it... he will never forgive me after this... I can't set Predaking free." she confessed silently, the weight of guilt creeping in, "Not without Bee knowing... he will never want to see me again. He is going to be so furious- I can't betray him like that but- Preda will-" she held her helm due to the building anxiety inside her, trying to think of another solution, "I don't know what to do..." overwhelmed by despair, she cupped her face-plate with her servos, looking down at the soil underneath her pedes.

As the wind softly blew through the trees, Fluttershy's awareness picked up on some faint rustling sounds coming from the thick bushes behind her. Swiftly, she spun around in search of the source, but saw no one. Her intake quivered in uncertainty as she timidly called out, "H-hello? I-is someone there?" her gaze roved in various directions, her servos delicately clasped together in a defensive gesture above her chassis. She strained her audio receptors, seeking any sign of a response. But the creepy quietness surrounded her, a blanket of stillness that was increasingly uncomfortable, too subdued and profound for her liking.

She began to take a few steps back, wondering if she wasn't alone. Every natural obstacle seemed to conceal a possible threat, making her breath hitch as she struggled to maintain her composure. Despite her best efforts to stay calm, the tranquillity that enveloped her surroundings felt suffocating, heightening her anxiety with every passing second. Suddenly, with a solid thud that reverberated through her back, she bumped into something that was nothing like a tree but a cold, hard metallic surface. With a feeling of impending danger, she hesitantly pivoted her helm, her optics widening in shock as she was face-to-face with the menacing figure of a purple Chompazoid. Fluttershy rapidly got startled and jumped back, instinctively stepping away to create distance from the imposing Cybertronian.