Hello my Fanfictioners!

Yes, I know I haven't posted a new chptr in a while,
But there is a reason for this.

I have been having writer's block and all that scrap.
Never a highlight to a writer in their lives.

But also,
I have been getting into a new fanfic category.
Team Fortress 2, have any of you heard of this game?
I find it awesome, even I can't play games like it.

One more thing,
I got a review about why Ember didn't fight back when she was captured and why she loves her pups.
Here is my reason:

Maybe some of you know, and some may not, but there are three responses when you are attack.
1) Is fight.
2) Is flight.
but the last one
3) Is you freeze.

That last one is not as common as the first two but it does happen.

But as to why Ember loves her pups:
Ever heard of the saying 'Blame the parent, not the child'?
Or something along those lines.

What happened to Ember is not her pups' fault,
And she knows this. They are innocent.

Okay,
I have flapped my gums enough.
…

ON WITH THE STORY!

Ember couldn't recall a recent memory where she felt safe. She had finally escaped and was ever so much closer to returning to her adoptive family, and her Bumblebee, but she wasn't out of the woods yet. She knew, deep down in her spark, that until she was being held in her mech's arms would she be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

But after recent events her body demanded that she rest. And rest involved sleeping, which in turn meant that she had to lower her guard down to allow her body the recharge it needed.

She didn't particularly like that Knock Out had to leave her but she knew she was only slowing him down. Her body was weak, after the harsh treatment it went through in bringing her pups into the world, and even though Ember hated to admit it she knew she needed to regain her strength.

So after Knock Out had left, Ember found herself in one of the deepest sleeps she had ever had.

During her rest, Ember thought of nothing but blackness. Everything around her was dark, no images from the past and no odd function that her mind made up, Miko called it dreaming once. Ember was used to not having dreams so this darkness didn't frighten her, what did was what began to form in the darkness.

At first it appeared as a small sliver of light, which grew in size to form a body shape. At first Ember thought that something was wrong but as the image began to clear, as it came closer, Ember couldn't help but smile.

Out of all the darkness around her, the figure turned out to be Bumblebee.

"Bee." Ember spoke as she found herself running up to the black and yellow scout.

"Ember." Bumblebee spoke as he embraced the predacon in a tight hold.

For some time they did not speak, just holding onto each other like they were a lifeline. But after a while Bee pulled back. "It's good to see you smile."

"It's just plain good to see you." Ember said as she ran her servo over Bee's face. "I have missed you so much."

Bee smiled down at Ember but it didn't last. Pulling her servo off him, Bee held the appendage tightly while his free servo ran its digits on Ember face. "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?" Ember asked, confused at how Bee was acting. Normally the scout was always full of energy and had a bouncing persona, but now he acted sad and stiff. "I don't understand."

"Why did you give into him? Why didn't you fight him more?" Bee asked and Ember finally understood why he meant.

"I didn't. He forced himself on me, I was chained up; I couldn't escape." Ember said, a bit hurt by Bumblebee's words. "Do you think I would actually allow myself to be—"

SMACK!

Ember suddenly felt a sharp pain in her left cheek and when she pressed her servo to it a stinging sensation erupted at her touch. Staring at Bee in shock, Ember took a few steps back.

Bee… her Bumblebee… had struck her.

"Don't lie to me!" the bot screamed as he advanced on Ember. "You allowed him to frag you! You allowed him to take you and fill you with his dirty spawn!"

Grabbed Ember by her shoulder, Bee pulled her closer to him and glared at her. "How could you do this to me!?"

"Bumblebee, please listen to me! I never wanted this to happen!" Ember screamed, trying her best to pull herself out of the mech's hold but it proved fruitless as his grip only tightened as she moved. "I love you!"

"Funny way to show love…" Bee said as he shoved Ember to the dark and cold floor.

Curling herself into a ball, Ember peaked up to find Bumblebee standing above her but… something was wrong. His body began to fade away; almost as if he were made of dust and a strong wind picked up and decided to take him with it. His expression was one of pain, anger, and sorrow as his form began to dissipate.

"Bee!" Ember screamed as she reached out to him. "Don't go!"

But Bumblebee didn't listen. As the last bit of him blew away, the scout turned his helm at the last second so his gaze was not on Ember. Now alone, in the dark room, Ember began to breathe heavy as fear over took her.

"BUMBLEBEE! PLEASE, COME BACK! I'M SORRY!"

But no matter how much she called, no matter how much she wept, her love did not come back to her. Ember soon found herself laying on the floor in a sad heap, bawling her optics out and staining her face with her tears. Why, why did everything she loved go away? Was she not allowed to ever be happy? Was her life meant for nothing more than pain and bitterness?

Suddenly gasping for breath, Ember shot up like a bullet from her spot on the ground. Looking around, the female predacon found herself not in the dark room but in what appeared to be a cave. The walls were covered in dust, the floor as well, and from the mouth of the cave the setting sun could be seen.

Looking down at herself, Ember found that she was not in her bipedal form but in her predacon one. And lying next to her were her four newborn pups; resting quietly and undisturbed by their mother's jump.

It had all been a dream, Ember tried to tell herself, none of it was real, but it felt like it was. The way Bee had hugged her in the beginning was just the way he did when they were together, and the way he smiled just as kind as ever, but the anger in his words and… the slap… that wasn't like her Bumblebee… was it?

Ember couldn't recall a time when Bee had truly been angry at her, they had their disputes but nothing on the degree like her dream. That could have been how Bumblebee would have reacted, Ember wasn't sure.

Trying to not think on that matter, Ember looked around the area again. She was in a cave, that much was obvious, but how did she get here? Last she remembered she was hidden in a makeshift hideout that Knock Out had constructed for her. Realizing she had been moved, Ember began to worry. Who had brought her here? Was she in danger or her young?

Hearing something from outside, Ember turned to the cave opening and bared her teeth with a snarle. She may not be in the best shape to fight but she would do anything to keep her pups alive.

Waiting for the unknown abductor to make their appearance, Ember slowly rose to her legs and tried her best to stand strong and look fearsome. As soon as the figure came into view though Ember's jaw dropped in surprise and relieved. Blocking the sun from view with his wings and in his mouth a large energon crystal Predaking stood in his predacon form.

:: I see you have awaken ::

Predaking's voice was comforting to hear, even if it was over a bond, and Ember let out a sigh of relief as he ducked down into the cave. Setting the crystal down, Predaking leaned his long neck down to Ember and nuzzled her gently.

:: It has been too long Ember. I was beginning to worry we would never meet again ::

Nuzzling the dragon back, Ember almost forgot about all her troubles with Predaking there. This was her very first protector, the only other predacon she knew when she was first created, and one of the few who had found a place in her spark to be called family. For some time the two did nothing but relish in the other's touch, but after a while Predaking pulled away.

:: We need to talk ::

Following the dragon's gaze, Ember's ears drooped as she found that he was looking down at her pups. Sitting herself back down on the ground next to them, Ember wrapped her tail around her pups before looking back up at Predaking.

:: I know they are not your scout's, I can smell it ::

Lowering her gaze to the floor, Ember could feel her spark racing. She didn't want to say it, not to anyone, not even to Predaking, the wound was still to fresh in Ember's mind. All that pain, all that torture, and… Tombstone. Just the mere thought of that monster made Ember shiver and Predaking must have saw this as he came closer to Ember and sat beside her.

:: Ember, you can tell me anything. I will not think less of you. What secrets you have will be my own and I will not tell another living being ::

At hearing Predaking's truthful tone Ember took in a big breath before she told the older predacon her ailments. She told him how she had been napped and taken away from the bots, how Shockwave had created Tombstone, what he and Darksteel and Skylynx done to her; everything. By the end of it Ember found herself both shaking and crying.

Predaking didn't know what to say. All he felt was anger towards those lowly mechs who had put Ember through this torture but at the same time he felt regret. Regret for not being there for Ember when she clearly needed him most. He should have been there to keep those two predacon idiots in their places, he should have been there to pry that monster who violated Ember off of her, he wasn't there to protect her and now she paid the price.

Not sure what to do, Predaking wrap his wing over Ember and her pups. Letting out a deep but soft purr, Predaking touched his forehead to Ember's and closed his optics.

:: Do not worry. I am here, and I will never leave your side again ::

Allowing herself to cry, Ember moved closer into the much larger beast's embrace. She knew he meant what he said and as of now that was something she desperately needed; someone who promised nothing but safety and care. Predaking may not be Bumblebee but he was right up there on who she cared for most in life.

Finding soon that she had cried all her tears, Ember sniffed loudly and used the back of her paw to rub her soft nose. Looking up at Predaking, Ember saw that his yellow optics were looking down at her with a sadness that she thought could never be held by such a massive being.

:: Are you hungry? It may not be much but I can always go look for more ::

As Predaking reached over and picked the crystal up in his mouth Ember's empty tanks let out a loud groan. Ember wasn't picky about what way she had her meal, if it was an energon crystal and not its tapped form the offered energy was still good. Thinking on it, Ember had to note that before bots walked on Cybertron and during the time of predacons they had to have eaten the crystals; since there was no means back in the days of old to liquefy the rock.

Taking the offered crystal from Predaking, Ember set it down on her front paws as she gnawed at it; breaking off small chunks and swallowing them. It at first didn't sit well but after a bit Ember's body adjusted to the different form of energon and it gave the predacon the energy she needed.

Once she was finished Ember gave Predaking a small smile. Nodding his helm, the dragon lifted his wing, which was still protectively covering Ember and her pups, and peered down at the still resting bunch. Slowly leaning his head his, Predaking nuzzled the blue pup with a worried groan.

:: This one is injured. As well as the yellow one ::

Knowing ever well as to the reason behind her little one's injuries, Ember picked up the blue pup and rested him on her paws. The little mech's face was still bleeding but not as bad as before. Licking away the energon Ember couldn't help but smile as the pup made a surprised yip sound and quickly began to wriggle around. Once he was clean, Ember picked him back up and placed him with his siblings.

Ember was about to grab the yellow pup but stopped at what she saw.

Predaking was leaning very close into the yellow femme's face, tilting his helm to the side as he seemed to be studying her. Watching a bit more, Ember saw as the pup's nose sniffed the air and moved closer to Predaking. Giving the larger predacon a whiff, the small pup suddenly licked Predaking's snout.

Smiling at the scene, Ember would have laughed at the shocked look on Predaking's face as he pulled away.

:: … Curious that one is ::

Nodding her helm, Ember picked up her pup and set her down before her. The wounds on this one's back were just like her brother's; still fresh and leaking their life blood. Cleaning up the mess that the energon had formed on the pup's fur, Ember tried her best to hold onto the femme as she tried to crawl around. Once finished, Ember quickly sat her feisty yellow femme down with her brothers and sister.

By now all of them were up and moving around but being as their eyes had not yet opened they were blind as to where they were going. The blue pup had found himself buried under Ember's tail, the red one on top of Predaking's wing, the little lavender femme was huddled up against her mother's side and shaking, and the yellow pup was lying on top of Predaking's claws.

:: I believe they are hungry. But I doubt such little ones take energon whole ::

Ember had to agree with Predaking, her pups were too young to take energon right from the crystal but how she was to feed them she didn't have a clue.

For a while Ember sat there trying to think of ways to feed her young when she felt something. Looking down at her side, Ember found her littlest pup rubbing her nose against her side. She seemed to be looking for something and after a bit of searching through the white underbelly fur the pup latched onto something. At first Ember was a bit startled at what happened but as the pup began to make a suckling noise it dawned on Ember.

Bringing all her pups to her, Ember placed them right next to her and sure enough they all began to make the suckling sound. Ember wasn't sure how she was able to but she was able to feed her pups.

After a bit of silence, Ember looked up at Predaking. The larger predacon was just sitting there and watching the little ones with a curiosity that was very visible. Finally turning his attention to Ember, Predaking wrapped his wing back over the small group.

:: Looks as though we solved that problem… Now I have to ask you something Ember ::

At hearing the stern tone the dragon was using Ember knew that this was something to be taken seriously. Waiting for him to continue, Ember watched as Predaking turned his attention to the setting sun.

:: What I am asking you is something I know you will have trouble deciding but… I only want to protect you so what I am asking is this. Will you stay here with me ::

At hearing this Ember became confused. Predaking knew that she lived with the Autobots, they were her family, so why would he ask her this? She had been away from the bots already long enough and she was eager to see them all, but here was Predaking asking for her to not go back to them.

:: I know what you must be thinking. You want to see your Autobots but think about this, where were they when you were captured? Why didn't they find you? They don't give you enough protection Ember, how do you expect them to protect your younglings when you go back? Stay here with me, and nothing will happen to any of you ::

Ember felt her ears droop at hearing Predaking's words. What he said was… true. The Autobots weren't there when she was captured and they never did find her. The only way Ember escaped was because of Knock Out but what if Shockwave had not ordered him to be captured? She more than likely would still be locked up in her dark cell, being forced to breed Shockwave's army, and never be able to see her children.

Thinking more on it Ember realized that if she were to go back now her pups could be in danger. What Shockwave came back for her, the first place he would look for her would be with the Autobots. What if Tombstone managed to survive? What if he came for her and Ember knew from experience that the bots would not be able to stand up against Tombstone.

But what of Bumblebee?

Ember missed him dearly but… was her dream from earlier an insight on how Bee would react? React to finding out she had brought forth a monster's children. Ember's mind was at war with this wonder, she knew Bee to be a loving and gentle mech but she did not know how he would act to her pups. Would he push her away, attack them, would he try to…

Shaking her head, Ember did not want to think about that; not about that happening to her pups. Letting out a sigh, Ember looked down at her pups who were under the protective cover of Predaking's wing. She knew that the larger predacon could handle many things; he went up against Megatron from what she heard.

Looking back up at Predaking, Ember made the biggest decision in her life. One that she knew she would one day think back and say how silly she was to think all those things. But now, she was thinking for her family; her true family. Not the family she was adopted into, not the one where she was so different, the family who understood what she went through and knew what it was like to be alone.

Nodding her helm, Ember rested herself against Predaking's massive body. She knew there was only one true being who could protect her pups and herself in their fragile state, and that one had to be a predacon.

:: I promise Ember, nothing is ever going to hurt you again ::

.-.-.-.

As Bumblebee and Knock Out drove swiftly in the Sea of Rust the scout could not take his mind off what they were going after. After all this time, Ember had been out here. Here of all places. Out of every place on Cybertron the Sea of Rust was one of the most uncharted areas known. Only about a fifth of the land was mapped and from how far Knock Out and he were driving they were in that other four fifths.

"Bumblebee, slow down!" Knock Out called from behind the speeding mech. "At this rate we'll drive right past her!"

Not really wanting to but knew the medic was right, Bee slowed down enough for Knock Out to drive next to him. Once the red sports car was alongside the muscle one, Knock out began to scan over the area. "We're close to where I left Ember. Keep your optics open for any tall metal slabs."

"Why did you leave Ember along again?" Bee asked impatiently as he scanned over the area as well.

"Like I told you before. Ember was too weak to make it back so I hide her away." Knock Out explained again. "I hide her well enough and the rust storm did all the rest."

"What did Shockwave do to her that could make her not make it back home?" Bee asked as his scanners picked up on something.

"… There's something you should know Bumblebee. About what Ember went through, she's now—"

"There!"

Bee's interruption caused Knock Out to look where the yellow scout was heading. Not too far away was the tall hideout that Knock Out had constructed. At seeing what Bumblebee had, Knock Out increased his speed to catch up with the speeding mech.

As Bumblebee reached the structure first he quickly transformed and stepped in front of it. "Ember! Ember it's Bee!"

When Knock Out finally caught up with Bumblebee and transformed the yellow scout was already picking away slabs of metal from the structure. "Calm down, you'll wake them. They were asleep when I left them here."

But it appeared as though Bumblebee wasn't listening as he tore away one final piece and gazed inside the hideout. His joyful expression turned to one of worry very quickly as he fell to his knees. "She's not here."

"What?" Knock Out asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"SHE'S NOT HERE! LOOK!" Bee screamed as he stood back up and began to kick the piece of metal he had taken off earlier; screaming in a fit of anger and spitting out a few Cybertronian curses.

Rushing to the opening, Knock Out silently gasped at seeing… nothing. The spot where he had left Ember was empty now; nothing left but a few strands of red fur. Bending down Knock Out grasped the red tufts of predacon fur in his servos, not even caring that some of them had punctured him and drops of energon fell to the ground.

Looking at the fur Knock Out's face twisted into a painful expression. How could he have been so stupid! To think leaving Ember alone in her state was a good idea, what had he been thinking?! This was his fault, he should have stayed with Ember till her strength returned. Now look at what happened, Ember was gone and probably back in the clutches of Shockwave.

"How could you leave her?" Bee's voice came from behind Knock Out. "Why didn't you stay with her?"

Turning around, Knock out only had a split second to react before Bumblebee's fist almost came colliding with his face. But luck was on his side for that moment as the medic dodged at the last second and pushed the scout away. Watching as the yellow mech stumbled from the shove, Knock out brought the tuft of fur to his chest. Bee was in the right to be angry with him, Ember was gone again because of him.

"I thought… I thought…"

"That's just it Knock Out," Bee said as he turned around to face the mech. "You don't think. You didn't think clearly on what would happen if Ember was left alone. Now look, Ember is gone, most likely back with Shockwave, and it's your entire fault."

It wasn't the words that hurt Knock Out the most, because he knew they were true, what did was the tone Bee spoke them with. The scout spoke very softly with a manner that told he was not pleased but at the same time… hurt and saddened.

Knock Out allowed his mind to replay what Bee had said to over and over again. Ember is gone, most likely back with Shockwave, and it's your entire fault. His fault, everything, he had done this. He had ruined Ember's chances of coming back to the bots, and all because he didn't think of all possibilities.

Knock Out didn't respond to Bumblebee, in fear of making things worse than they already were, just held tightly onto Ember's fur.

After a while Bee let out a bedraggled sigh before turning his back to Knock Out. "Come on, we need to tell the others what has happened… so we can start up the search again."

Bumblebee was doing everything in his power to not turn the red mech behind him into a pile of scrap. The idiot had done the stupidest thing he could do with Ember; leaving her alone. And now Bee would have to wait even longer to see Ember again. His spark was screaming for Ember and having her so far away from him was painful.

Transforming, Bee began to slowly make his way back to base. "Come on Knock Out… no use staying here."

It took a moment but soon the red mech was transforming and following behind Bee… at a safe distance. For a while nothing was said and only silence enveloped the two mechs. But something had been nagging Bumblebee for a bit and he had to ask Knock Out.

"Hey, Knock Out."

"… What Bumblebee?"

"Earlier you were saying something about Ember and then you said 'them'. What was that about?"

"…"

"Knock Out?"

"… It was nothing Bumblebee. Just me misusing words is all; an error on my part… like everything else."

Well...
There you have it.

Review please.

Sorry for any grammar/spelling errors I missed.

Until next time,

Girl Supersonicboy OUT!