Welcome to part two of Airachnophobia.

I feel really bad about ending it on a cliffhanger, so I literally stayed up all night last night trying to finish this one.

Also, I realise this could be a little bit of a change to Silver Sun's previous character interpretation, but hey, has to happen at some point.

Enjoy!

"Family is complicated, yes. But it is in family we learn strength, resilience, patience. It is our greatest purpose and, at some times, our greatest sorrow. It's where we learn to defend what we love, sometimes through enduring what we hate."

- This is why we look to the internet for wisdom.

Chapter Ten: Arachnophobia, Resilience

"I have to go there," Arcee continued to debate with the team, "I can't let Silver take the blame for my mistakes."

Optimus shook his helm, "Arcee, we do not trade lives. There is still hope that we will locate Silver Sun-"

"And do what?" The femme cut him off, unlike her character to do so, "Did we not just see the same message? If we try to rescue her, she dies. If anyone other than me goes as well, she dies. Basically, the only scenario my sister doesn't die is the one where we give Airachnid what she wants."

The Prime sighed. Truthfully, the pacifist medic had grown on him more than he'd realised until the moment she got captured. But he wasn't the only one thinking that.

Ratchet stood at his computer, silently praying that Silver Sun would be alright. Why was he so worried? It wasn't like it was his child in danger, right? But those thoughts had been stirring up a lot of emotions with him regarding the incident of his sparkmate and young son.

He tried to shake himself out of it, attempting to tell his mind that worrying would have no impact on the outcome.

As Arcee and Optimus continued to argue what to do, Bulkhead turned his helm, noticing a certain mech had managed to slip out of the room unnoticed.

A little concerned, the Wrecker walked towards the hallway closest to where the scout was standing a minute before.

He saw a bright yellow flash dart into the library study. Sighing, Bulkhead continued after Bumblebee.

"Bee?" The green mech called to his friend as he reached the training room.

Walking through the door, he spotted Bumblebee, sitting on one of the crates. The scout didn't try to hide the fact that he was upset.

His usually cheerful demeanor was now desolately staring across the room at the stack of datapads he and Silver had been sorting out that morning.

"Hey, Bulkhead," Bumblebee responded dully before glancing up at him, "Any news?"

Bulkhead shook his helm, "Sorry."

Bee turned back to staring into empty space. Realising that he probably wasn't doing enough to help him, the Wrecker hesitantly walked over to the black and yellow mech, taking a seat next to him.

He sighed, "Okay...Uh, Bee, listen…"

Bumblebee gazed up at him, confused, "What's up with you, Bulk?"

"W-Well," He began, "...I'm sure that Silver Sun 'll be back here before ya know it."

"If you're trying to make me feel better, I appreciate it, but I'm fine."

The green mech inhaled deeply, "Bumblebee, remember when she first arrived on Earth? And you saw her?" The yellow mech solemnly nodded, "Well, I'm pretty sure it took awhile for you to snap out of it."

Bee averted optic-contact, "So? Silver's my friend."

"Bee? Do you think that, not saying you have, but maybe you've started to think of her as more-"

"Don't say it."

The scout refused to believe that he was actually starting to fall for the silver femme. Yes, he liked her more than he wanted to admit. But he just couldn't face that fact - especially on a day when losing her to the war was such a huge possibility.

He'd just watch her be tortured; the kids had just watched her be tortured. All he'd been thinking about since was the look in her optics, begging for help. And he couldn't do anything.

Bulkhead noticed his friend's expression - getting sadder and sadder by the second, "I get why you don't want to think about it now. But, you can't just ignore it. When she comes back to base - and, for some reason, I'm pretty sure she will - you gotta tell her."

"But, what if she doesn't feel that way about me? And even if she does, Arcee 'll never let her be with me. And I don't want her to die, Bulkhead! I...I can't lose her."

The green mech paused for a second, "The name 'Nautica' ring any bells?" As the yellow scout shook his helm, Bulkhead reluctantly continued, "Well, she was smart. Smartest 'bot I've ever met. We were close, like you and Silver are now. One day, 'Cons invaded the base on Cybertron, took us by surprise and...well, they got her."

Bumblebee glanced up at his friend, optics full of sympathy, "I'm sorry, Bulk."

"Then you understand why you should tell Silver Sun when she gets back," Bulkhead stood up and began to make his way towards the door. He momentarily stopped, not looking back, "Don't make the same mistake I did, Bee."

Like that, he'd gone, lightly closing the door shut behind him. The scout was left on his own, silently staring at the floor.

He couldn't try to rescue Silver or she'd die.

He couldn't try to comfort Arcee when he wasn't sure himself if her sister would come back alive.

And he couldn't tell anyone how he felt - not really at least.

Bumblebee sighed, remembering what Bulkhead said about when he first saw Silver Sun. Even though he wanted to deny it, a small part of him was fully aware of the truth. But, how could he admit it to Silver when he hadn't admitted it to himself?

Then he recalled her powers. She'd seen one of his darkest recurring dreams but it hadn't affected the way she saw him. He'd never witnessed her telekinesis in action, but knew that it could no-doubt hold off against a Decepticon attack.

Wait a second…

Silver had looked into his processor, heard his thoughts. Did that mean she could still hear them if he let her?

"Primus, let this work," He prayed before mentally trying to reach his friend.

Silver Sun's POV . . .

I lost at 'Truth or Pain'.

Luckily, my will to protect my sister and the team was stronger than my will to be able to watch Spiderman again.

I'd kept thinking of what she'd said about whether I'd activated the blaster rifles or not. Those were normally built in without having to scan anything - but let's face it, what about me was normal?

Still, I tried to activate them as a primary escape plan. Or at least arm blades, like my sister had.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to fight. But if it were a matter of choosing between my sister and my adversity to battle, I had to do something to stop Arcee from coming there.

My entire frame shook with all the cuts and gashes. It was like she knew where to strike, not enough to cause energon to leak and form an energon signal, but just enough to create a surging ache in the spot she hit.

I didn't know where Airachnid had gone, just that she wasn't in the room (or cave, if you want to be technical about it).

As my processor racked with hurt, I thought I heard a voice - kind of in a scary-movie kind of way.

Silver, Bumblebee's voice called out, Are you there? Scrap, this isn't gonna get through to her, is it?

I'm here, Bee, I replied. In that moment, my mental ability was stronger than my physical.

I could sense his relief, Silver? Where are you?

My helm hammered with pain, I don't know. In a cave somewhere. But, Bumblebee please make sure Arcee doesn't come after me, okay?

He hesitated to answer, I don't want her to die though, but I don't want Arcee getting caught either. This would've been so much easier to answer if Bulkhead hadn't-

Bee, I can still hear your thoughts, I said before he thought of anything else.

Oh, He felt a little embarrassed, Sorry.

I sighed, Bee, listen. I'm gonna try and find a way out of here, but you have to promise to keep Arcee at base.

Silver, I don't think there's anyone in this galaxy that could stop her from trying to save you.

Promise me you'll try.

A sigh came from the other side, I promise.

Thank you, Bee, I replied, And don't worry about me.

Yeah that's not gonna happen, He thought, I care too much to just stop worrying about her.

I froze right there and then, Uh...Bee? I can still hear you.

Oh, right, sorry. Still getting used to this, He quickly changed the subject, Listen. I know that you don't like it, but...do you think maybe now is a good time to possibly think about using your powers?

You know, I was actually considering it. I had few options and yes, that was one of them.

Then I remembered what had happened to Firestar back in the academy. If I was capable of that when I was thirteen orns old, there was no telling what damage I could inflict as an adult.

As much as I knew Airachnid deserved to be held accountable for what she'd done to my sister, I didn't want to relapse and let my powers get out of control again.

I'm sorry, Bee, I apologised, But that isn't an option. It's way too risky.

Sil, please-

Bumblebee, you know I'll figure a way out of here, but not like that. Besides, my built-in blaster rifles are almost activated.

Wait-you're gonna use weapons? Bee sounded really surprised - and who could blame him?

Yes, I responded but not nearly as confidently as I wanted it to sound, Well, I think so.

Are you sure you'll be okay? I know it sounds simple to shoot at an evil Decepticon, but once you do, there's no going back.

It's obvious that Airachnid isn't going to be talked out of this. If I have to choose between saving my sister using force or just letting Airachnid get her way, then it's time I finally step up and be a real Autobot.

He sighed regretfully, You're brave, Sil. Just please...don't get hurt.

I laughed lightly, C'mon, Bee. You know me. When do I ever not get hurt?

"What're you laughing about?" Airachnid's voice echoed from the darkness.

Scrap! I thought, Bee, I gotta go. She's back.

Wait, don't-

I immediately cut off the telepathic connection, hoping it wouldn't be my last time talking to Bumblebee.

Her magenta optics were just about visible in the pitch-black darkness, "I hope you haven't been communicating to your teammates. Because I made it 4quite clear how I felt about any rescue attempts."

I shook my helm quickly, "N-No, I just thought of something funny is all."

Unfortunately that was the best excuse I could come up with on the spot.

"Well, here's 'something funny' for you," Her smirk was audible in her tone, "Three Earth minutes left for your team to decide. Though, I'm fairly certain it won't take much convincing from Arcee."

"Don't hurt her," I warned.

A mocking laugh came from the darkness, "Firstly, you aren't in much of a position to make demands."

The thought of Arcee being killed was an ever-present fear in my processor - we were in a war for Primus' sake and she was one of the fiercest warriors. But, the thought of Airachnid interrogating her again, after already offlining Tailgate...I couldn't take it.

I silently waited for the final alert that the rifles, or at least the arm blades, were ready.

"And secondly," Airachnid continued, "I won't 'hurt' you sister: I'll kill her. Slowly. Remorselessly. Painfully. As soon as her spark is extinguished, I'll hunt you down. Then you two can be forever out of my way."

A familiar feeling came back to my processor: bad familiar. I closed my optics, knowing that if I opened them the same feeling could easily escape.

"If you hurt Arcee, I will not forget it," I repeated, a little more strength in my tone.

I sensed her smile, "Oh, dear Silver Sun. I hope you don't forget. I want you to remember the feeling of being so helpless to fight and yet still apart of the battle. How do you think everyone on your team will react, knowing they had to trade the epic warrior for the weak medic?"

"Shut up!" I screamed, "Shut up and leave my sister alone!"

It never crossed my mind to keep that thought to myself until I realised I'd just shouted at the Decepticon who could offline anybot if she really wanted to.

Her silence should've scared me, but - for some reason - I wasn't afraid.

"Look who suddenly grew a backbone," She said, slightly surprised.

I opened my optics, glaring ahead of me, "If you're going to kill me, get it over with."

I heard her step back a little, looking straight at me, "Intriguing."

"What?" My tone became less serious and more confused.

"Pure-white optics," Her words made me tilt my helm, "My, you are full of surprises."

Blade one and rifle one activated.

As soon as the signal went off in my processor, I narrowed my optics at her, "Yeah, and here's another little 'surprise'."

Knowing how to transform my arms from Med-class, I immediately did so. The blade sliced through the webbing like it was paper being cut by scissors. As that arm freed, I just as quickly changed it again into a rifle and shot at the spider femme before she could react.

To this day, I don't know I managed to shoot her in the abdomen. It was a pretty powerful blast, since all that energon ammunition had been building up inside of me. Powerful enough to send her flying across the room and hitting one of the walls with a painful thud.

"Oh...Primus," I whispered, my mouth hanging open at what I'd just done.

But, sure that she was out cold, I cut away any remaining web and ran over to the computer transmitter. Luckily, it was just in time.

Back at Base . . .

The team assembled together, preparing to negotiate with Airachnid regarding Silver Sun. As the transmission activated, Optimus began speaking, assuming the spider-bot was there.

"Airachnid, we agree to your terms," He began reluctantly, "We will send Arcee to you-"

"Like PIT you will!" A familiar voice cut off the surprised Autobot leader, "Erm, pardon my language, sir."

Bumblebee smiled to himself as the others remained shocked.

"Silver?" Arcee beamed, disbelievingly, "Wha- how did you get out?"

"Um..." Silver Sun trailed off sheepishly, "Not important. I'm not really sure where I am, but I've activated the computer's highest wavelength, if it helps."

Optimus turned to Ratchet, "Can you get a fix on her coordinates?"

Failing to hide his relief, the medic nodded and started to locate his young apprentice, "Silver Sun, I'm opening a Ground Bridge a few metres outside of the cave."

"Okay, but I gotta find a way out of this place first," She replied.

"If there's a path north-east within the cavern, that would be the quickest way out," Ratchet told her.

Silver Sun's POV . . .

"Thanks, Ratchet," I said gratefully as I looked around the cave, "I think I see daylight from one of the passages."

"I'll give you roughly five minutes before we open the bridge," He replied.

I nodded, "Ok, five minutes should be enough time."

A shiver travelled through my spine as an all too recognisable voice hissed from behind me, "By the time I'm done with you, you'll need more than a medic to piece you back together."

I spun around and dodged just in time as Airachnid swiped at my helm. She narrowly missed me, but consequently hit the computer instead. The spider talon sent sparks shooting around the broken technology.

"Silver?" My sister's voice managed to break through the crackling static as I backed against a wall, "Are you still there?"

"Not for long," Airachnid snarled, her sharp razor-like servos glistened in the spewing light of the smashed computer, "Say goodbye to your sister, Arcee!"

At the last word, she lunged at me. I swiftly leapt out of the way as her dagger-talon stabbed the wall behind me, simultaneously trying to remember what Arcee had taught me in training.

Blade two and rifle two activated.

I thanked Primus and the Thirteen before transforming. My bike mode shot towards the exit. But I felt something latch onto my back tyre.

It didn't take my powers to guess what it was.

I transformed again, frantically trying to pry the spider webbing from my leg. I would've cut off the web, but it was way too precise. Glancing up, my optics darted around the room to try and locate the spider-bot.

"You know," Her voice echoed from all directions, "When I first met you, I thought you'd be a weak opponent. And you're proving me right. Dying, like any untrained youngling."

Time seemed to almost slow down in that moment. A rippling pain erupted from my centre, starting with my back and going all the way through to my abdomen. The unwantingly-familiar talon broke its way through momentarily, but just as quickly retracted itself.

My optics closed shut as I clenched my teeth. I tried to ignore it, but the pain became more and more prominent, especially when I heard a voice whisper to me.

"And I won't pretend not to enjoy it," She hissed.

Energon began to cough up from my mouth - a side effect of being stabbed in the back (literally). I knew I had to get out of there as soon as possible. I covered the wounded area in an attempt to stop the bleeding, but it had little effect.

"Silv...answer...pleas..." Arcee's voice came through the computer system once more.

I coughed as a glint caught my optic, "Ener...energon."

A shard of energon was visible as it stuck out from the darkened wall.

"Speak up," Airachnid demanded, "I'm sure your sister will want to hear your last words."

Did I think this plan through enough? No.

But I wasn't thinking about anything other than keeping Arcee safe. What kind of Autobot would I have been if I had just stood by and done nothing to stop Airachnid? As long as she was alright, I didn't care what happened to me.

The arachnid 'Con continued to mock me, "There's no way you're getting out of here alive."

"Then..." I transformed my servo unto a blaster, "...I won't get out."

As her optics widened, I aimed my rifle at one of the many open energon veins in the walls.

I closed my optics, thinking one last thing.

I'm sorry.

Almost there.

Sorry, guys. I underestimated just how long this chapter was. It's so weird, I never know how much I've written until it becomes seventeen pages long on Google Docs.

Question: Is it too soon for Silver Sun and Bee to be together?

Also, I felt inclined to give you guys this because I was feeling extra hyped from this new film I just saw tonight.

It's called 'The Hate U Give', if any of you recognise it. Definitely the best representation I have ever seen of oppression. But it truly is an emotional rollercoaster (For the record, I did tear up a little, but not full-on sobs).

Got a little side-tracked there, sorry. I'm just really hyped.

Speaking of hyped, 61 days 6 hours and 37 minutes until the release of the Bumblebee Movie!!!

You know what? The Bay-verse is undeniably getting better. And now they've lured in all Transformers fans, G1 to Bayverse, by including the original form of Optimus Prime. If you haven't seen the trailer yet, please watch it :-)

'Til All Are One,

GreyroseLegacy