I'M BACK!

Sorry this took so long, I had terrible writer's block.(╥︣﹏╥) But I swear I want to finish this series! ٩(＾◡＾)۶ Also, I know I was talking a bit about doing a short-stories on when Nora was growing up with the Autobots, I think I'm gonna try to tie them in with certain chapters. That way, they're all together.

Alright! Hope you enjoy!

I was so relieved when three months finally pasted, it took FRAGGING FOREVER! But I learned my lesson on not doing impulsive things, (even if they are fun...). My humans friends were allowed back, and we had to catch up on all the gaming and anime watching we missed out on. And with enough begging, I was finally allowed to rejoin missions!

And the first one was tag-team with Arcee! I was so excited, usually with routine missions we'd be in a group of three or more, so having a mission with just us girls seemed liked fun! Until, Ratchet said that is was only a routine recon, meaning no threat. And Arcee, being the 'sort of' kind bot, asked if Jack wanted to tag along. So now our girl time had a extra. But I didn't let it get to me, it was nice just getting out of that base, and breath in fresh air.

The location was in the middle of a large forest. Arcee followed her handheld scanner, while I decided to stay in my techno-mode, but with my helmet and face-mask off. I kept flying beside her, while Jack followed right behind us, complaining about mosquitoes buzzing around him.

"Ah! Really wish I'd pack some insect repellent," Jack groumbled trying to swat one away, "The mosquitoes here on this routine recon are the size of vampire bats. And they drink just as much blood," I tried not to giggle feeling sorry for my human friend, "You having any problems, Nora?"

"Last I checked, mosquitoes drink blood, not energon." I cockily smirked.

"Quite the outdoorsman, aren't you, Jack?" Arcee teased.

Jack smirked right back, "You wouldn't be making fun of my survival kit?"

"Maybe." She smirked.

"Wow, he even comes with his own little accessory." I joined in, leaning on Arcee's shoulder.

"Hey now! I may not have stinger-proof metal skin like you guys, but in a pinch, I can use my multi-function pocketknife, and magnesium fire starter to cook up some freeze-dried mac and cheese." He proudly patted the survival fani-pack on his belt.

"If I get hungry, I'll let you know," I grinned.

Acree chuckled shaking her head at us, "You have your tools. I have mine," Suddenly the scanner started beeping, causing her to raised her brow, "That's odd. Ratchet's satellite scans were accrete, but subterranean energon deposits don't cause this kind of surge."

I leaned in closer, to look, "Maybe it's a relic? Like the one from Greece?"

Arcee swerved scanner side to side, following the signal. We kept on our trail, as the signal got louder and louder, till it lead us to a shocking discovery; a large decimated clearing. A long stretched out trench, that was a few yards deep, like something plowed right into the earth. Trees broken and dug up from their roots were pushed to the side, and signs of whatever made it was burning at the time.

"What happened here?" Jack looked in shock.

"Crash landing," Arcee narrowed her optics, "Both of you, stay behind me, low and close." Arcee ordered.

Following her orders, I pulled back, and lowered myself closer to the ground next to Jack. Arcee stealthily ran ahead of us, to get a better look, we were right behind her. Getting closer, we finally saw it: a large black ship, much bigger then Wheeljack's, and it gave off this eerie feeling. Something wasn't right.

I noticed in the back of the jets energon was leaking out, So what's why the signal was going off, it detected leaking energon... "Is it Autobot or Decepticon?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the ship.

Arcee shook her head, "Can't tell. Wait here. Nora," I looked up, "Watch my back." I nodded, putting on my helmet and mask. Arcee pulled out her blaster and slowly approached the ship.

I flew up on the tree behind Jack, and perched myself on the branch, with my left blaster out, keeping an eye from the high-grounds. I watched as Arcee pressed herself against the side of the ship, before moving to the front, aiming her blaster. The ramp was opened, and she carefully walked inside. I felt my spark beat rapidly, taking glances at Jack to make sure he was also safe. Arcee was in there for only a few moments, before we saw her come out. But something wasn't right... She was staggering out, and leaning her body against the ship.

"Arcee?" Jack and I exchanged looks, before rushing over to her. Getting closer, I could see her body shaking slightly, and her optics were wide with horror, "Arcee, what's wrong?" I asked, landing my feet on the ground next to Jack.

She shut her optics, shaking her head like she was trying to snap out of it, "I know who this ship belongs to..." Reopening her optics, she was now in full solider mode, turning around she trying comm-linking to base, "Arcee to base, I need a ground bridge asap."

"W-Wait. Why? Who's ship is this?" Jack asked, just as confused as I was.

But she ignored us, "Base do you read?" Still no replay. I tried connecting myself but couldn't hear anything either, "Scrap, comm-link's dead." She cursed, and started walking back to the forest, trying to get far away from the ship, "The ship's got to be transmitting a high-frequency scrambler pulse." She kept going, completely ignoring us.

"Arcee, you're kinda freaking us out here." I mentioned out loud, trying to get her attention, as we tried to keep up with her.

But she didn't listen, instead she ordered, "Wait here." I raised my brow, watching her walk back into the woods. This time, we didn't listen, and followed after her. I copied what she was doing; as I looked around I notices the trees had large scratches, I grazed my hand over them, It was almost like they were claw marks, but too large to be done by an animal. Further down, I saw six oddly shaped footprints on the ground.

"Ok... this is starting to get creepy..." walking back up to Arcee, I saw that same scared face on her. And that worried me, "Arcee?" I gently touched her forearm, getting her to snap out of it again.

She looked down at us, and suddenly transformed, "Both of you, climb on." She ordered sternly.

I raised my brow again, finding it weird that she was not giving me the option to fly. I offered Jack to take the front, while I took back. He put his helmet on and I wrapped my arms around him. Acree wasted no time taking off, we held on for dear-life, as she went above her speed limit, hitting bumps that made us jump in our seats, "Whoa- wait! Arcee!" We tried telling her to slow down, but she was on a one-track mind. Then we notice she was driving up to a cannon. Our eyes widened, holding on tight, "ARCEEEE!" We screamed, she jumped over the cannon, landing safely on the other side. Finally coming to a stop, Jack and I quickly got off her, "Okay, was that really necessary?!" Jack yelled, feeling his heart racing.

But she ignored us again, "Arcee to base." She tried a second time, but still no replay, "Scrap!"

I sighed out, my patience finally broke, I wanted answers, "Look Arcee, Jack and I have both seen danger before. What's the-"

"Wait here. I mean it this time."

I scoffed, crossing my arms, "Okay, first you shut me out, and now you're ditching me? I thought I was your partner?"

Arcee transformed, glaring down at me, "No, Nora, you're a kid. And Jack," she turned to him, "you're only here because this was supposed to be no-risk." She leaned over us, with a stern look, "Got it?" Not giving us a chance to object, she transformed and drove back over the cannon, leaving us behind.

I glared, watching her leave. My fist clenching up, and I was exhaling heavily. Jack was just as pissed off as I was, "You gonna listen to her?" He asked.

"Frag no," We walked over the edge of the cannon, it was pretty deep, "Grab on." I offered my hand to Jack. Taking it, I flew above him and held his other, flying over.

"What do you thinks gotten into her?" Jack asked, I set him back down, and we slowly followed Arcee's trail.

"No idea." I narrowed my eyes forward, I pulled out my right master-blade, staying on guard, "I've never seen her like this."

We were quiet for a moment before Jack asked, "Nora, When we first met; the time when you tired to save Cliffjumper, was Arcee..."

"No," I shook my head, "It was scary yes, but more shocking. What happened to him... was barbaric and sad, but she didn't act like this." I frowned, the image of Cliffjumper's dead body moving from dark energon still haunted my brain. I put away those dark thoughts, "No, she said she knew who the ship belonged to, and if I had to guess, it's probably someone she knew back during the war."

"Like how Bulkhead knows Breakdown?"

I nodded, "Exactly, and clearly this is someone very dangerous." We kept moving forward, slowly, while I kept a look out for anything. The more I thought about the situation, the more upset I was at Arcee, "It's so frustrating..."

"What is?" Jack asked, looking back at me.

"The bots never tell me much about their past lives. I mean, when I was younger, I use to ask simple questions about them. And they would sometimes tell me about their home before the war, but not that much during it. I guess it's because it still haunts them..." My deep thinking made me stop walking and I grasped my left arm over my right, frowning at the ground, "I sometimes wish... you know, talk to me about things. I always do it, and they always listen..." I felt hurt, sure, but I was no different. I still haven't opened up and told the Autobots what had happened to me when I was captured. What the Decepticons did to me for months on end. It was a mix between being embarrassed and ashamed that I let it happened, and my pride getting the better of me. I'm such a hypocrite. I cursed at myself.

Jack frowned, we continued to walked in silence for a moment, before he suggested, "Well, maybe you should tell them that. You guys are a family, and family needs to be open to conversations, on things that are troubling them," He rubbed the back on his head, "That's the best advice I can give. It's something I wish I did back when..."

I frowned, my turned to look concerned, "When your dad... was still with you?" Jack looked to the side, but nodded yes. Unsure what to do, I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave him a friendly smile, "Thanks for the advice. And, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be here."

Jack smiled, almost relived to hear that, "Thanks Nora."

We carried on, following Arcee's tire tracks, finding that she had transformed. I narrowed my eyes at her tracks, and looked around the aria. I was putting all my tracking training in this, "Nora," Jack called up head. He pointed to something, so I quickly caught up. Our eyes widened at the sight before us: a tree had fallen over, but not naturally. On the stump was a green, oozs that burned through the wood, and let off a foul smell, "What is that?" Jack gagged covering his face.

I glared, taking a closer step, "Acid," looking to the ground I saw those same six tracks again, along with Arcee's, "We're close. Stay behind me." I ordered, switching my blade to blaster. We sped things up by running. Till suddenly we heard and attack; metal scraping against metal and grunting cries. I didn't wait for Jack, I took to the air and followed.

Flying past trees, I finally found Arcee down a small dich, and she wasn't alone: Walking on six legs suspended in the air, was a spider-shaped Decepticon. It was a femme, to my surprise; never seeing another girl-bot before, or in this case, a spider-con. The way she stood herself back up, and walked towards Arcee like a insect made my skin crawl. And I thought Soundwave was the creepiest con! I hid behind a tree on top on the dich, taking aim at the spider-con. Now I had to wait.

"Arcee, small universe." The femme con smirked.

"Too small, Airachnid." Arcee glared murderously at her enemy.

The Decepticon named Arachnid was unfazed, as she started curling Arcee, "You're still holding a grudge? The war's been over for megacycles."

"Tell that to the Decepticons."

"These days I travel solo, in pursuit of my new hobby."

Arcee look at her with disgust, "I got a look at your souvenir case."

Souvenirs...? I wondered what that meant, "You mean my trophies?" Airachnid asked, seeming flattered, "I collect endangered species. Or course, they aren't really endangered... until they meet me." I felt the color from my face drain, immediately feeling sick. It didn't take much imagination to get the idea, "And I have a slot reserved for human." My eyes widened in fear. Oh no... Jack!

"Not gonna happen!" Arcee charged at Airachnid, tackling her to the ground, but the con used all six on her legs to grabbed Arcee and push her off. Arcee collided with the cannon wall behind her and fell, but quickly recovered, pulling out her blasters she fired. Airachnid jumped up in the trees, getting the high-ground, and shot - webs? Now she defiantly was a spider. They wrapped around Arcee's blasters, blocking their fire. Using all her strength, Arcee pulled her arms down, pulling Airachnid out of the trees. using her wrist-blades she cut the webs and resorted back to her blaster. Airachnid started firing engeron blasts as well, only through her palms, not transforming them into guns. dodging the blasts, Arcee jumped and parkoured on the trees, getting right above Airachnid, she leaped down and collided her boot on the con's chest, pinning her down.

"Nice." I smirked, knewing she could handle it. But just when I thought we had this win in the bag, I spotted my human friend, sliding down the steep hill, "Jack what are you doing?!" I fumed quickly.

The sounds of rocks sliding got the two bot's attentions. Arcee gasped, now distracted which Airachnid used to her adventive. She kicked Arcee off, then shot out more webs, pinning Arcee to cannon hall. Arcee thrash around, trying to get free.

Jack panicked and ran towards her, "Arcee!"

Airachnied hissed grinning at the human, Thinking fast I flew in front of Jack getting right in the spider-con's face. She could only react in shock when she saw me, "What the-" I swung my right leg and kicked her in the jaw. Arcee had freed her left arm, and taking aim shot Airachnied in the back, sending her flying. She landed hard of the ground, passing out.

"I told you two to wait for me!" Arcee quickly scolded us.

I flew down next to Jack, we both frowned at her, "Well, partners don't ditch partners." Jack remined her. Using my master-blades, we started to cut and pull away the webs.

"Get this through your heads - you both are not my partners, you're liabilities."

"I don't believe you!" I shouted back, glaring at my friend, "I can see it in you eyes. You're afraid Arcee, and you're never afraid." That's when I saw her worry in her optics again, her walls came down. She knew I was right. I looked at her with symphony, as she seemed to be in a trance, maybe recalling something from her past. "It's ok to be afraid Arcee. But please, just - tell us what we can do?" I begged.

I don't know if my words broke her out, but she looked down, "You're right Nora, I am afraid... of loosing you. Both of you."

We both blinked in shock, "Arcee..." I suddenly felt tears in my eyes.

"You sure have trouble holding onto your partners, don't you?" Airachnied smirked, now reawaked. Walking on her six legs like a spider, "We both know what happened to Tailgate."

Tailgate? I blinked, was that what Airachnied meant about holding a grudge?

"But I recently picked up some Decepticon radio chatter regarding the passing of Cliffjumper," Arcee's heavy breathing was concerning, I tighten my fists glaring at the con, "At some point you really have to ask yourself, Arcee. Is it them, or is it me?"

I lost it, Pulling out my blasters, I shouted, "YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH, BITCH!" I didn't care if Arcee was afraid of this spider-con, I wasn't!

Airachnied raised her brow, finally getting a chance to examine me. My human face and hair on an Autobot armored body was alarming, "Interesting~, And what pray tell are you suppose to be?"

"Leave her out of this!" Arcee barked.

"I'm a Prime, that's what I am!" I growled.

Airachnied's grin grew, "A Prime hu? I didn't think they came in mini-con form. Although~," She took a glance at Jack, then back at me, "I sense that you are not fully Cybertronian?"

"You gotta problem with that?!" I shouted, heating my blasters.

"So you are one of a kind?~" Her chuckling grew, "Perfect..."

Arcee looked back at us, getting our attention, "Do you two get it now?! She's not interested in me, she hunts indigenous species, and she's on earth. That means humans. You!" our eyes widened in fear, "RUN!"

"But-" I tried to beg, not wanting to leave her, but she cut she off.

"RUN NOW!"

Turning back to Airachnied, she aim her webs again, I quickly dodge into a barrel-roll, as it landed on Arcee. Jack wasted no time running for his life, I on the other hand, pulled on my helmet and mask, and started firing. The spider-con, shield herself with her forearm, chuckling in humor, "Oh~ you will be a prize in my collection..." she aimed her webs again. I leaped into the air trying to get higher ground. I looked between the two femme, Arcee had a look, begging me to retreat. My arms shook, torn between options. She was in danger... but Jack was powerless against a Decepticon. Looking one last time at my friend, and flew to the woods, hearing Arcee scream our names.

The sun quickly set, the woods became dark. I kept flying up in the canapes, my eyes scanned for Jack. Till finally, I heard his choppy breathing. Looking down, he was right under me, I quickly landed behind him, wrapping my hand around his mouth, keeping him from screaming, Shhhh..." I quietly hushed him.

Jack relaxed, now knowing it was me, I let him go, "Nora..." he panted, already out of breath. "What are-" Our heads snapped out, when we heard branch a snap.

My eyes scanned around, I could sense her, and she wasn't far, "Ok, here's what were gonna do..." I whispered, keeping my voice down, "You're gonna go ahead on me, I'll distract her, and try to take her out."

"What?" Jack gasped, "No! You saw what she can do-"

"We don't have any other options!" I hissed back, "I can't contact base, and Arcee is trapped... I'm the next best thing." Turning back to the woods, I pulled out my blasters again. The sound's of footsteps were getting closer, "Go now!" Jack didn't argue, and began to run again. I took a deep breath, my spark was beating, I haven't felt this kinda fear in a long time, You got this... sniper style. Flying again, I perched myself on a branch. Watching the spider-con get closer.

She spotted Jack, but didn't seem to notice me, "That's the spirit Jack, play hard to get." She chuckled finding the hunt amusing. Narrowing my eyes, I aimed at one of her six legs, they were thin, maybe I'd have better luck. Taking aim, I shot a direct hit. Airachnied hissed, almost loosing her balance, her head shot to the tree's. I quickly hid, "Nora~, playing hero are we? Arcee must be an inspiration to you." I flew to a different tree, now on her left side, her optics gazed around, and I didn't like she didn't feel threatened, "Risking your own life to save the weaker? This reminds me of Tailgate. Did she not tell you of her first partner?"

My breath became choppy, and my spark wouldn't stop beating in my ears. Pointing my blaster I shot again at her left. Arachnid grunted in pain, wobbling on four legs, Her head shot up in my direction and she fired webs. I ducked behind, barley dodging.

Snap out of it! I hissed, squeezing my eyes, Fear can't control you! I switched out my blaster to my blades. Airachnied, moved closer to the tree, and lunged her spider leg up at me. But I did a quick free-fall, getting low, before firing up my jets, flying fast towards her face, my blade ready. But she quicker, lifting her arm, she swatted at me, I went flying the other way, my body hit the ground hard, and I tumbled. I groaned in pain, my body hurting all over now. My eyes barley opening, as her blurry form slowly walked towards me.

"I'm impressed, you're more skilled then I thought..." She leaned over me, looking like a monster her wicked grin, and glowing purple optics. My body shook, as I tried to stand, leaning on my hands, "I'm almost tempted to keep you alive. Tell me, Nora... What exactly are you? I'm dying to know~."

I grunted through the pain, my head still down, "Someone... who's... gonna, RIP YOUR SPARK OUT!" I shot my head up, glaring daggers at her. I bent my arm, readying to swing my blade at her face a second time. But then, I felt a stuck to my face, followed by a burning sensation on my left eye. Airachnied, grinned, her front spider-leg raised; she had sliced the side of my mask off. My now visible eyes was wide, I looked at her with fear. Raising her arm, she backhanded me again. I rolled, till my back hit sideways on a tree, collapsing to the ground. The acid ate through my armored mask, burning around my exposed skin and eyelid, shutting my eye in hopes not to damage it.

Airachnied chuckled, "Nice try."

NORA!" I heard Jack's voice scream, but I was too weak to turn my head. Airachnied looked off in the distance, grinning. Turning back to me, she shot her webs out, covering my body.

"Be a good girl, and stay, I'll deal with you later. I have weaker pray to catch~." I couldn't keep my other eye open, the burn was agonizing, I slowly lost consciousness, watching the spider-con leave.

I don't know how long I was out, the acid burn still hurt, I felt no strength in my body, I'm sorry Jack... Arcee... I failed... My right eye could only form tears.

"You're so weak..." That haunting voice echoed in my head, "Pathetic..."

I cracked my eyes opened, I found myself floating in a empty, black void. Was I dreaming again? Shut up... I groaned back, closing my eyes, I curled in a ball, not like I could do anything else.

"This is why you are weak... you let your organic side take over... It never should have happened..."

What the frag are you taking about..? You don't know me...

"Oh, but I do... I know everything about my creation... And I know... you are more capable then this... Or, have you forgotten what happened three cycles ago?"

Suddenly, my mind was pledged with haunting memories, memories that I tried to burry. Being kidnaped, the experiments, the torture... Stop it... please... I begged.

"Your hands are stained with energon... You are a more powerful being then your realize... All you have to do... Is let me in..."

I felt a gaint, invisible hand touch my hold back, far lager then the regular Cybertronian. The middle finger grazed the center of my back, before plunging trough my skin, reaching for my spark, "GGHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" I hadn't felt pain like that in a long time. My eye's glowed purple, and I felt my brain shut down, the last thing I heard was.

"I can not let you be destroyed... Not yet..."

NO POV

It took a lot in Jack to not run and save his friend. He didn't want to leave her, but he knew he wouldn't be much help. All he could was run, and hope that he was faster. But he was losing stamina, covered in sweat, and out of breath. He tried hiding, which almost got coasted him. By this point Airachnied was started to purposely catch up.

After climb down and up a cannon, Jack kept running, before he hid behind a tree, trying to catch his breath. Arcee was trapped and Nora was injured; he was physically powerless, and he didn't have any options. Suddenly remembering his multi-tool, he pulled it out and opened the knife part, "Oh who am I kidding?" He groaned, looking back, he could see Airachnied coming close again, and bolted.

"You're making this too easy Jack," Airachnied taunted, "And I do not enjoy being board. At least Nora put up a descent fight." Their game of cat and mouse led them back to Airachnied crashed ship. The spider-con hissed in delight, spotting Jack run towards the aircraft. Taking her sweet time, she scanned the area, "Now, where did you scamper off to?"

Unbeknownst to her, Jack was barley twenty feet away, hiding behind a front of the ship. Holding his breath, he watched her climb up the ship. Panting, he looked around, finding himself in front of the ship's ramp, the entrance wide open. Bad idea... He thought, if he hid inside he'd be cornered, and he didn't want to see what she had inside.

Airachnied crawled around the top, making her way back to the entrance. Raising her brow, she transformed mid-jump back on her two legs, "If you wanted a tour Jack, all you had to do was ask~." Grinning, she slowly walked inside, "Did you spot the empty space? I hope you like it. It's where you'll soon hang you head. As for Nora, I'll put her in the center~."

While she taunted inside, Jack slowly stepped around the ship, till he was in the very back of the jets. Looking back to the woods, maybe if he was fast, he could make it back to Nora? She needed to get medical help fast. But he was so exhausted, he couldn't keep up with the chase. What do I do!? Suddenly he felt something wet under his shoes, looking down he saw a blue puddle, leaking from the jets, "Energon..." Following the trial, back up the dripping jet, he remembered what Arcee told him; energon was like gasoline, meaning it was flammable.

Acting fast, he grabbed and branch, and pulled out his fire starter and pocket-knife. Spark lit, trying to start a fire. Unfortunately, the sound caught Airachnied's attention, running out the ship, she leaped on top running to the back. Finally, a fire formed on the branch, picking it up, Jack blew, fueling the frame, before chucking it inside the jet.

Airachnied stopped at the end, seeing the human run, a blazing bright light formed bigger. Her optics went wide, knowing what was about to happen, and it was too late, "Jack!"

Jack made it out in-time, the blast sent out a shockwave, sending him flying out of the trench. He groaned on impact, looking back at the ship, now burning in a blaze of fire and smoke. He sighed, taking a moment before standing up. The ordeal was hopefully over. He lightly judge back into the woods, "Gotta get to Nora..." he told himself. But he didn't get far, as a web suddenly stopped him in his tracks. Gasping in shock, he looked up to see the smoldering body of Airachnied. She was still alive.

Shooting another web, she binded him to a tree, quickly climbing down. Growling low, with a wicked grin, she moved close to the human, grazing her sharp talons across his face. She was going to enjoy this. Jack squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for it to end.

But just as she lifted her talons up to kill, a sudden swing of a blade, sliced three of her fingers off. Airachnied's optics widened, seeing a blur of red in front on her, before the stinging pain hit her nerves, "AAAAAHHH!" She screamed in agony, clutching her hand that was bleeding energon. She didn't have time to react when small boot kicked her on the side of her face, sending her flying straight through a tree, splitting it down the middle. The spider-con slowly stood up on her spider-legs, still holding her hand, she was met by a shocking sight.

Standing in front of Jack, the fallen Techno-Organic stood tall, her right master-blade stained with the con's energon. Her chest went up and down, tuning everything out. Her face-mask still had the cut, but her left visible human-eye was solid purple, staring at the Decepticon. Her face was stone cold, no emotions showed.

Jack blinked in shock, he couldn't believe what he just wittiness, "N-Nora..?" She didn't look back, instead, she bent her knee, leaning down before shooting like a rocket back at Airachnied.

The spider-con shield herself with her right forearm, Nora's blade sliced the metal, making it shatter like glass. Glaring in pain, Airachined forced herself to use her injured hand to shook webs, blinding both Nora's arms, before kicking her away. Nora digged her boots in the ground, stopping herself. Not breaking eye contact, she lifted her arms out front, and shredded the webs with her blades. Airachnied felt her spark beat, refusing to believe she was scared on an organic mutant.

Nora flew at her again, hissing Airachnied, tried to swat at her with her spider-leg, but Nora dodge it, and grazed the side of spider-cons face with her blade. Airachnied hissed in pain, it wasn't as painful as loosing her fingers. She watched the Techno-Organic fly up high above her, she flipped backwards, plummeting back down, her two blades in an X aiming for her. There was time to dodge it. Before the impact, the Decepticon breathed out, "What the frag are you..?"

The force was tremendous; Nora cut Airachnied right on her chest-plate, almost reaching her spark-chamber, with the amount of force send her flying a mile across the forest, damaging trees. The spider-con, was dug into the dirt, from impact, before collapsing.

Jack gaped in shock, watching his friend, slowly land her feet down, staring at the damage she made, "W-Wow... Nora, you-" he was about to complement, but when she finally turned to face him, he was taken aback by the wound on her face. her eye glowed bright like an Autobot's. She stared at him, in a way he had never seem before. Almost like she was a different person. "N-Nora..." Without blinking, she slowly walked over to him, her right master-blade dragging down her side. At first he though she would cut him loose, but her dead eyes told a different story. Jack started to worry again, "W-Wait..." she raised her blade above her head, "Nora!"

Suddenly the sounds of a roaring engine got their attention, Leaping off the high-ground, Arcee transformed and landing between the two humans, "Nora stop!" she shouted, kneeling down to her level. The Techno-Organic shield her blade in front of her, narrowing her eyes, "It's ok, everything is ok." Arcee calmly spoke, raising her left hand in defense.

Jack looked between the two, Acree was using her natural calm voice, trying to snap Nora out of her trance. But then he noticed her right arm behind her, transformed into her blaster. why was she hiding it behind her back?

Nora kept staring at the blue Autobot, finally she spoke, "Safe..."

Arcee smiled, "Yes. Jack's safe, I'm safe, you're safe. You saved us... you can rest now." she slowly crawled on her knees closer to Nora.

"Safe... we're... safe..." Nora blinked a flew times, the glow in her eyes faded. Exhaustion hit her like a truck, and her body gave out. Arcee was quick to scoop her in her left arm. She sighed in relief, hearing her gentle breathing. Once she knew the Techno-Organic was safe, she hurried back to her human, "Jack? Are you ok?" Rushing over, she put away her blaster, and pulled the webs off Jack.

"Y-Yeah... oh course." Jack gasped, still trying to prosses what just happened. Looking up at Nora who was cradled in Arcee's arm and chest, "I-Is she...?"

But just as she was about to explain, they were drilling behind them. Airachined had gain consciousness, digging into the earth to retreat, "Airachnied!" She growled, but it was too late, she was long gone underground. Arcee sighed, "So much for closure.

"Now Airachnied's stuck here on earth," Jack stared down the tunnel, "I'm not sure if that's a good thing."

Acree frowned, looking down at Nora's sleeping form, her head resting on her chest-plate, "I'm sorry you two had to face my demons today. You both were pretty fearless today." Smiling down at her human.

Jack smiled back, "Actually, I was terrified. Mostly for you and Nora." he looked to his Techno-Organic friend, and frowned, "Will she, be ok?"

"Hopefully her wounds are too severe." Looking at the scared face-mask. Arcee turned back at Jack, seeing that he wanted answers, "Jack, you need to swear to me, never, tell the others this happened. Not to Miko, Raf, or Nora.

Jack blinked up in shock, "B-But... what about-!"

"I know!" she raised her voice, before sighing, "I never wanted you to see this, and I know you have questions, but they are not mine to give." Jack knew what she meant; Nora was Optimus' daughter. All answers come from their leader, "Ratchet, we need a bridge asap, Nora got hurt, she needs medical treatment."

Jack tuned Acree out, focusing on his friend. He had seen her in action multiple times, he knew she was strong, but what just happened a moment ago... was not his friend. And if Arcee hadn't calmed her down... would she had shot her?

Nora POV

The first thing I noticed when I awoke, was that I could only open one eyes, and that my hole body was in agonizing pain. I whined, trying to take a deep breath in. Slowly lifting my left hand up, I saw small bandages, before touching bandaged left-eye.

"Good, you're awake," Came a gruff voice to my right. Turning my head, where I was greeted by Arcee and Ratchet.

"How long was I out..?" I groaned, thinking I could sit up, but quickly found that that was a bad idea.

"Sixteen hours; your body experienced mild internal damage, and the acid was second-degree, most of it was saved by your helmet and mask. Thankfully, the acid only hit your skin, so there is no damage on your left cornea. It won't leave a scar, but your vision my be blurry for a while." Ratchet listed off.

"Aw, bummer..." I smiled, thinking it be cool to have a scar over my eye, then again, my body never left any scars. Arcee lightly chuckled while Ratchet rolled his optics, wishing I would take my injuries seriously. Looking around the base, I then ask, "Is Jack-?"

"Safe at home, I made sure." Arcee reassured me, rubbing my hair with her hand.

I sighed in relief. I thought back to last nights fight, the thought of Airachnied still out there sent a shiver down my body, "I'm sorry Arcee, I failed... I couldn't... keep Jack safe..." I breath went chopping, I placed my right forearm over my eyes, only my left formed tears.

Arcee gently hushed me, "No, don't be. I'm sorry you had to deal with my demons. But you and Jack showed tremendous bravery today. We're all so proud of you."

I shook my head, "No, this was fight was different. I didn't have the same feels as I did from Megatron... I was terrified..." I couldn't hold in my crying.

Ratchet and Arcee frowned, taking a glance at each other. Arcee then said, "Jack told me about the conversation you two had. I know you care deeply for all of us, and I know you want to help us with our problems. That's what makes you so wonderful Nora." She gently rubbed my head again, "I'll try to be more opened to you."

I moved my hand away, looking at my friend. Even though I was raw with emotions, my spark fluttered with joy, "Wow... when did you become preachy?" I lightly joked, making her chuckled.

"Sense I became a babysitter for seventeen years." She joked back. I felt my cheeks blush with happiness, as she wiped my eye dry, "Just promise your try to do that same." I nodded in agreement.

"You should continue to rest," Ratchet finally spoke up. "I will be here watching."

I took a few deep breaths, relaxing my body, "Ok..." Resting my arm over my chest, I looked back at my two Autobot's who smiled, and closed my eyes. But before I could allow sleep to take over, I heard in the back of my mind.

"Soon..."