I'm having a hard time having motivation to write this story, and I probably wont for a while still. So, I'd say I'll update once a month. I know it sucks but I don't want to write crappy chapters just to update.

CrystalVixen93: Thank you! I'm sorry it took so long, though.

Alexandria Prime: I love Moana, gosh.

Gry20: That would be cute for the Strongarm / Sideswipe thing. I like the mini-con ideas and the others. I'll try to remember them when I get to those points in the story.

The Whispering Sage: Thank you!

SnowKi: Sorry for the long wait!

Guest #1: It might be but I'm not rushing their relationship but they know they like the other.

Iron Maker2: I hate Starscream but I don't at the same time. If I'm writing / reading an Autobot centric fic I hate him. If it's a 'con fic then I like him. And hmmm I like the idea but you'll have to see.

Guest#2: Haha, at least his personality is consistent.

Guest#4: He'll probably be very confused and surprised, haha. It's not everyday a human turns 'bot.

Anna smiled as she continued gently petting the tabby cat in her arms. She used her holoform to get close to the feline since she was afraid to hurt the thing in her real body. She had to hide while doing this since Grimlock was terrified of small creatures like Sophia. Sophia had been the name she and Russell came up with together since they both loved her. "You're such a pretty girl, aren't you?"

Sophia mewed up at her, arching her back so she rubbed against Anna's hand while purring.

"Here, kitty, kitty." Sophia and Anna turned their heads when Russell exited the RV with a saucer of cream in his hands.

Anna stood up from her hiding spot she carved out behind some boxes Denny piled up full of miscellaneous parts. She hummed as she carried Sophia out to Russell, gently letting her down. "There you go, sweetie."

Russell smiled as he bent down, petting her back and dropping his flashlight. "There you are, Sophia."

Bumblebee walked up to them then, Denny and Fixit behind him. "I've been looking all over for you Darlin." He then smiled down at her, feeling a bit nostalgic at seeing her holoform. He gently picked her up, bringing her up closer to his helm. "Hiding away with the cat again?"

Anna blushed a little before smiling brightly at him, "Maybe."

Russell smiled at his dad who peered curiously at said cat, "We named her Sophia."

Denny sighed, a smile on his face. "I guess you can keep her if she stays around."

Bumblebee chuckled, "I hope she stays away from Grim at least. He's not a big fan of Earth's domesticated animals."

Russell shook his head, not believing it. "How could anyone not like something this cute?"

Bumblebee smiled as he saw Anna's holoform fizzle out in his servo. "Grimlock doesn't do cute."

Anna, in her real body, walked over to them as she stretched out. "It's as bad as me with spiders." She shuddered and moved to her sparkmate's side. "Stupid, creepy little things."

Bee smiled and gently kissed the side of her helm, "I know, Darlin, I know."

Russell then looked at other males, "Where are you guys going?"

Fixit spoke up then, "My nightly scan of the Crown City area picked up some anonymous, autonomous, anomalous signals indicating several Energon deposits nearby."

Bumblebee raised an optic ridge at Anna, "Anna is too stubborn to go with us."

Anna smiled, shaking her helm. "Good try." She looked down at Russell, "I'm gonna stay at base and keep an eye on everyone. I'm also waiting on a call from Jack. He's in a different time zone right now on a mission."

Bumblebee vented dramatically before smiling at her. "Tell him I said hello. I hope he's doing well."

Denny smiled at them before looking down at his son, "How about you? Big plans for tonight?"

Russell nodded, grinning. "The 'bots and I are watching Invasion of the Zombie Vampire Swamp Creatures." He used his flashlight then, aiming it at his chin from below so he seemed creepy.

Denny raised an eyebrow as Bumblebee transformed hitching a trailer to himself to transport the Energon. "Hmm. You sure you want to watch it after dark? It sounds pretty scary."

Russell shook his head, looking confident. "Dad, I don't do scared."

Denny stared at him before giving in, climbing into Bee's driver's seat. "If you say so."

Bumblebee called out to them both as he pulled away, "We'll be back soon you two!"

Anna looked down at Russell, smiling at him. "I'll get the 'bots together if you get the movie ready."

Russell mock saluted her, "Roger that, ma'am!"

{X}

Anna ended up sitting in front of Grimlock since she was smaller, he could see over her. Sideswipe and Strongarm were sitting very close together, holding servos sometimes. Russell was inside the diner, sitting in a booth with a bowl of popcorn. They were almost done with the movie by this point.

Strongarm suddenly looked out into the scrap yard, looking confused. "Did you hear something out there?"

Sideswipe shrugged, watching the TV with a confused expression. "Who can tell? The human on screen has been screaming for the past ten minutes! Doesn't she ever stop to breathe?"

Anna chuckled softly before shaking her head, "This is what you get when you watch low budget horror films."

Grimlock whimpered when another jump scare happened on screen, gripping onto Anna tightly but not enough to hurt her. He relaxed a little bit when Anna placed a servo over one of his, patting it.

Russell shook his head at the 'bots, "Shh!" He turned back to the screen, grinning. "Here comes the best part."

The woman on screen got attacked by one of the creatures, the whole scene being very gory. Sideswipe and Strongarm winced, looking away before looking back as they were curious. Grimlock screamed and covered his helm, only to peek through his digits at the screen. Anna remained unfazed, critiquing the film in her processor.

Russell turned to them, grinning. "I know. Cool, right?"

Strongarm looked down at the human, looking confused and worried. "That didn't frighten you?"

Russel smirked, shrugging, "What can I say? Nothing scares me."

Sideswipe tried to act cool and not scared, which he was. "Me either- "He stuttered, clearing his vocal processor to hide it. "Yeah, me either."

Anna smiled, shaking her helm softly. She looked up when Russell got up, "What is it?"

Russell held up his empty bowl, "I'm going to get some more popcorn, I'll be back soon." He left the diner and climbed into the RV to microwave some more popcorn.

Grimlock then looked at the others, "Russell must be made of stone."

Sideswipe waved his servo in the air, "Ah, he's blowing exhaust about nothing scaring him."

Strongarm smirked at him, "You're one to talk."

Anna laughed at Sideswipe's pout. "She got you there, slick."

Strongarm pointed at Sideswipe, tilting her helm. "You shiver with feat any time there's light traffic."

Sideswipe huffed, waving his arms, "Hey, a 'bot needs to keep moving. Especially me."

Grimlock then looked to Anna, looking quite devious. "I bet we could scare Russell if we really tried."

Anna debated it for a few seconds before nodding. "Okay." She stood up and stretched out a little, "What do- "She paused as she got a call to her com unit, from Jack. "I have to take this call. You three just don't terrify him to death, okay?" She chuckled softly at the worried expressions on the 'bots. She then walked off into the scrap yard, answering the call. "Hello, Jack."

"Anna! It's nice to talk to you again. It's been a while."

"Yes, it has. What's been up with you?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. Missions, more missions. I visited my mom. She and Fowler are really happy together but it's still weird."

Anna chuckled at the thought. She felt the same way but June wasn't her mother. "I know."

"How's the team? You and Bee are good still, right?"

"Bee and I are great. It's a little weird still since we were so in love then had a five-year gap. It's like resuming but not at the same time? The team's a lot better now. They can actually work together."

"If anyone can make it after that, it's going to be you and Bee… I know I haven't stopped by to see you or the new 'bots but…"

"It's painful?"

"Yeah… I miss Arcee, Anna. I miss all of them. I mean we had Ratchet but he wasn't the same after everyone left. I miss Bulkhead, Wheeljack and Smokescreen too. I miss our team, our family."

Anna sat down on a squashed car, looking up at the night sky. "Me too, Jack, me too…" She let her processor drift, thinking about how their friends' lives were going. "But I know they miss us too. Arcee probably misses you to death, Jack."

"Yeah, I know…" His voice broke a little at the end. He was quiet for a bit before sighing softly. "I have to go, Anna. I'll talk to you soon?"

"Of course. Be safe, Jack."

"You too, Anara Prime."

"Jack!"

Anna heard laughter before Jack hung up on her. She rolled her optics, venting. "He knows I don't like to be called that… It's weird." She then realized she was talking to herself. She began walking back to the diner when she saw some marks in the ground. She bent down, seeing a pattern leading up to one of the stasis pods. She followed them until she came to Chop Shop. She grimaced when she looked at him, looking back at the ground. The tracks stopped before the pod but then they were dragged for a few feet before disappearing. She frowned as she tried to imagine what happened. She quickly shook her helm, heading back to find the others. She watched as Bumblebee talking to the others. Grimlock was in a costume, looking like Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

"Not a bad night's work." He glanced at the trailer full of Energon, "Man, the Alchemor must've been carrying quite an Energon reserve when it crashed."

Strongarm raised an optic ridge at Bee, "Anna's kept us supplied with her strain. Why do we keep going after these?"

Bumblebee picked a cube up, looking it over, "Because if the Decepticons need Energon desperately enough they'll try to take it from us."

Denny listened to them before turning to his son, "How was the movie? Terrifying?"

Grimlock chose that time to roar at them again, trying to be scary, especially since Anna had joined them.

Bumblebee chuckled, "Sorry to interrupt, but we have Energon cubes to unload."

Anna smirked at them, "What happened while I was gone?"

Russell looked up at her, "These three-" He got cut off when the alarm blared through the scrap yard.

The team waited in front of the Alchemor's screen while the humans and mini- 'bot went inside. Fixit pulled up the map, figuring out what set off the alarm. "We're picking up life signals from, from, from, from-" His stutter was fixed by Denny patting his back. "From several Decepticons in the cave system near the crown river." He then frowned as the signals grew faint, "Wait, wait, I'm losing them." He then groaned as their signals disappeared.

Anna looked at the map, venting softly. "The signals probably got cut of as they descended into the cave because of the minerals in the ground."

Bumblebee nodded as he listened to his mate, "We'll have to be careful then. It could be Steeljaw and his crew and we can't track them now." He then turned to his team, striking a pose. "Okay, team, gas it up and blow it out!"

Anna placed her servo on her face, rubbing it. "Bee…" The other three were gaping at him, looking very weirded out. "That…"

Bee chuckled nervously, "Uh… yeah…" He shrugged, "It sounded better in my head?"

Anna laughed as she transformed, letting Russell climb into her passenger seat. "That's what you always say." She then raced out of the yard, heading towards the cave. "Russell, one to ten, how bad was that?"

Russell made a thinking face, crossing his arms. "Well… I'll give him an eight for enthusiasm and effort. The cry gets a two out of ten."

Anna chuckled, knowing Bee could hear them. "I agree, though I think a two was a bit high."

"Hey! Whose side are you on?"

Russell laughed with Anna until they began to get closer, everyone getting serious again.

{X}

The team stopped outside the cave, letting the humans out before transforming. Bumblebee remembered the map Fixit showed them, turning to his team to give the game plan. "Fixit's scans suggest it'll take forever to search these tunnels as a group. We might need to split up."

Denny nodded, "I know the caves pretty well, count me in."

Bumblebee nodded, "Thank you, Denny. He then turned to the smallest members of the group. "Fixit, you and Russell stay out here to coordinate communication."

Russell frowned up at him, "Why can't I go? I won't be scared." He then glanced up at Anna, "Please, Anna?"

Anna shook her helm softly, kneeling so they were closer in height even though she still towered over him. "I know you won't be scared, Russell. However, these caves can be dangerous. If we're going to split up you might be hurt and no one be able to find you quickly."

Bumblebee then motioned at Fixit, "Besides, it's not you we're worried about being scared."

Fixit nodded, shuddering, "It's true." He held out his arms to Russell, "Look, I already have 'bot bumps!"

Russell sighed before nodding, "Okay, I get it."

Denny then took some paint off the truck, holding the cans on his arms, "Here's some luminescent paint we picked up from the Ranger Station a while back. Mark your paths with it so you can find your way back out. My mark will be a D with a circle around it."

Grimlock picked up a can and began to charge towards the cave, smirking. "Enough chatter, Operation Grimlock Butt Whoop is a go!"

Bumblebee quickly jumped in the path, shaking his helm. "Grim, if you find the 'cons, don't engage with them. Call for backup and wait for us."

Anna patted his arm, holding her own can in her right servo. It was terribly tiny compared to the 'bots but it was okay. "You can kick their aft when we re-group, okay?"

Grimlock whined a little, slumping his shoulders. "Okay…"

Denny then tossed something up at the couple, "Heads up!" He grinned when he saw them catch it, looking at each other curiously. "Here's some walkie-talkies so I can stay in touch with you."

Bee nodded, "Okay, team, let's head in."

Denny decided to speak into his walkie-talkie, not realizing how much static it would cause or how loud he was, "Copy that, chief!"

Anna and Bee both winced since they had theirs. Denny still had the others in his hands. "Denny, quietly, please!"

Denny laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck after tossing the others to the team. "Sorry, Anna, Bee."

Bee patted Anna's shoulder, "Be careful, okay?"

Anna kissed his helm softly, "You too." She smiled at the team before walking in after Bumblebee. She split up when the tunnel forked, marking her path with a dog tag. She continued walking farther into the tunnels, being silent. She could tell there was a 'con nearby.

She then frowned as one tunnel was very narrow, she'd have to shimmy through it. The other seemed to curve around to the right. "Well fuck."

"Uh… Anna, Fixit and Russell can here you."

Anna laughed softly, "Sorry…" She then vented roughly, starting to slide through the walls of the first tunnel.

Anna? What's wrong?

Anna relaxed a little when Bumblebee mentally contacted her. She showed him what she was doing, as well as how uncomfortable it was. She could feel some parts of the wall scratching at her armor.

Oh, just trying not to freak out because I'm squeezing through some tunnel in a cave.

You're claustrophobic? I know you have arachnophobia.

I don't like feeling trapped…

Anna could feel Bumblebee trying to comfort her over their bond. She vented softly, trying to relax her tense body.

You're okay, Anna. I'm right here with you. We'll meet up soon. I'm getting closer to you, I can feel it. Can you feel me?

Anna felt like he was babying her but she didn't mind too much at that moment. She felt a lot better with Bee talking to her.

Thank you, Bee… I can feel you getting closer too.

"Ow. Ow. I don't like small, dark places," Grimlock's voice came over their coms.

"You mean like the inside of Strongarm's head?" Sideswipe's voice was teasing but not as harsh as it used to be. He was just playing with the femme.

"Why don't you bring your head over this way and I'll-" Strongarm's voice wasn't as harsh either, a bit of affection in it as well.

Bumblebee vented before calling out to his team, "Keep all your heads on the mission, please."

Anna felt her spark stop thrumming in her chassis when a loud scream was heard over their com's, from Sideswipe.

Bumblebee sounded panicked when he contacted everyone, "Sideswipe! Come in, Sideswipe! Anyone heard from Sideswipe?"

Anna began moving faster through her tunnel, listening to the coms while trying to avoid rocks.

Strongarm: "Lie... You... break… up…"

Grim: "What… penned… swipe?" He paused before crying out again, probably from hitting more rock formations. "Bumble… Anna! Something… scared…"

Anna slid down the tunnel since it was a slope. "Grim!?" She groaned as she didn't hear anything from him again. She yelped as the slope suddenly dropped off, falling to the ground. She didn't land on the ground however, she landed in someone's arms. "Bee!"

Bee held her securely before gently setting her down, "Are you okay, Darlin?"

Anna nodded, brushing some dirt off her frame, "I'm fine." She looked up at Bee and frowned, "Something's happening to our team though."

Bumblebee nodded, running ahead with his weapon out again. "I know." He then called out to everyone over the coms. "Grim, Strongarm, Sideswipe! What are your positions? Where are you?"

Anna held onto Bee's arm, stopping him. "Shh…" She turned her head, peering at the tunnel behind them. "Something's heading for us."

Bumblebee got his weapon ready, trying to focus in the darkness but his vision or hearing weren't as sharp as Anna's. "'Con?"

Anna gasped as a huge bat-like 'con appeared, heading right for them. "Yes!" She pulled Bumblebee down, the 'con missing as it tried to grab them.

The 'con hissed as it clung onto the ceiling, hanging upside down and facing them. Just as it saw Anna raise her arm to shoot, he let out a piercing scream into the air.

Anna cried out, covering her audials. Bee did the same before quickly slumping on the ground, unconscious. Anna felt pure fear running through her system, trying to block the horrible sound out. She soon felt her vision going black, her system being forced offline.

{X}

"Bee!"

Bumblebee opened his optics to see a red and orange sky above him. He frowned, he should have been in a cave. What happened, where was Anna? He sat up quickly, realizing the voice who called for him was his mate. "Anna?!"

Bumblebee stood up, gasping. The city he was in was all on fire, causing the red and orange sky he saw. He could hear screams from humans, laughter from 'cons he could see far off in the distance. What happened?

"Bee!"

Anna turned his helm, finding Anna leaning on a building. Her chassis had large claw marks on them. The wounds were so deep, Energon was leaking down her body. She had similar claw marks on her legs and arms. She was losing too much Energon he realized, even though he wasn't Ratchet. "Anna!" He quickly ran to her side, picking her up. "What happened? Who hurt you?"

Anna looked up at him, her normally bright optics were duller than his. Her optics didn't hold any warmth for him. He could only see pain, anger and fear. "You… you let this happen… The 'cons overtook Earth. I tried to fight them off…. She coughed up some Energon, her body temperature cooling even further now that she was dying in his arms. "You did this…"

Bumblebee felt tears falling, his spark nearly breaking in his chassis. "I… no! I wouldn't let this happen, I would have saved you!"

Anna chuckled darkly, more Energon spilling from her body from the movement. "Like before?"

"Bumblebee."

Optimus! Optimus could save Anna.

Bee turned to him, looking up at his stern expression. "Optimus! You have to help, Anna! She's…"

"Dying? Yes."

"You have to help her, Optimus. You're both Primes, surely you can do something?!"

Optimus shook his helm, "Only you could have saved her, Bee. You didn't." He looked down at him, narrowing his optics. "I'm disappointed in you, Bee. I chose you to lead this mission. Even with your mate by your side and with her help, you allowed this to happen. You were not ready for command. You are not capable of leading."

Anna looked up at Bee, speaking softly since she was almost dead now. "You're responsible for my death, the death of our team and all these people…"

Bee fell to his knees, feeling Anna's spark stop. "No… I… I wouldn't allow this to happen, Anna! Anna, please, I can't lose you again! ANNA!"

{X}

Bumblebee had tears running down his facial plating, shaking in his cocoon Nightstrike built. "No… Anna… please… No…"

Anna was struggling in her own cocoon, which was stronger than the others. Nightstrike had trouble keeping her under. She broke through her first nightmare and cocoon. He quickly put her under again, wrapping her in three layers instead.

She had tears falling as well, though her expression wasn't anguish, it was pained. She was whimpering and crying out loudly.

{X}

Anna could feel cold metal underneath her body, something felt off now though. She could heart her heart beating in her chest. Her body felt smaller, less powerful. She had skin, she could feel it now as she touched her own palm. She was human? Was this a dream? Did that bat-like 'con knock her unconscious?

"Ugh… I can't believe he wants me to dissect you some more. You barely survived the first time and it was so messy. I hate humans. You're all so disgusting."

Anna flinched when she heard Knock Out's voice as he entered the room, feeling the little tremors his footsteps caused. She warily opened her eyes, seeing the familiar 'con looking down at her. He was glaring at her before moving down from her, messing with some human-like instruments but were Cybertronian sized. "How… What's going on? You joined the Autobots after Cybertron was saved. Bee said you turned good!" She tried to get free from her binds but couldn't even budge the metal. "Let me go!"

Knock Out laughed darkly, picking up a scalpel and gently cutting her cheek, causing her to go still so he wouldn't hurt her more. "I would never join the Autobots, human. Your stupid bug is mistaken. Cybertron is dead and you will soon be as well."

"Knock Out. I finally got the last Autobot." Starscream laughed evilly as he dragged a body into the room.

Anna turned to look and felt ice fill her veins. "B-Bee?"

Knock Out chuckled as he angled the scalpel, pressing it against her chest. "Let's see if we broke her heart, shall we?"

Starscream smirked, propping Bee's dead body on a berth. The berth was across from her so she could see him perfectly. His optics were open but no light shone in them. He had Energon seeping from his chassis, his spark torn apart. He had burn marks all over from shots the 'cons fired at him. He died a very painful death.

"No! Bee!"

Knock Out smirked, moving closer to the human. "No one's going to save you now, little Anna. Not even Primus himself."

Anna screamed as Knock Out sliced open her chest for the second time in her life. "No!"

{X}

Russel saw something in the dark, running closer. He recognized the symbol as his dad's. "Dad." He then quickly ran around the corner, looking out for his father or the team. He found them when he entered a large cavern, he just didn't expect what he saw.

Everyone was wrapped in some dark goo like substance that had hardened around them. They were all unconscious, groaning in their sleep. Well, except Anna and Bee. Anna was crying out, tears falling from her cheeks. He could tell she had been under for a while, judging by how much liquid was running down her body. Bumblebee was the same way but he looked more broken than Anna. Anna looked like she was in pain.

Russell then spotted his dad who was awake and struggling to get free. He saw Nightstrike walking up to the group, hiding behind a cluster of big rocks.

Nightstrike then walked up to Anna, clicking his glossa at the noise she was making. The nightmare he caused was more powerful than the others due to her second dosage. He then rolled his optics, using lasers in his hands to begin siphoning Energon from her body.

Denny called out to him, glaring, "Why are you doing this to us?"

Nightstrike continued siphoning while he spoke to the smaller creature, "I realize it's an inconvenience, but one does what one must to collect the Energon one needs to survive."

Denny struggled more, "I don't have any Energon! I'm a human!"

Nightstrike sighed, stopping what he was doing as he turned to the human male. "Well, that's unfortunate." He then went back to siphoning Energon from the femme.

Denny looked around before spotting his son behind a rock. He raised his eyebrows, a smile forming on his face. He was so glad his son was alright but he was worried too. His son was the only one able to help them but Nightstrike was a big 'con and Russell was a small human. Denny turned to the 'con again, "There's a rescue party already searching for us!"

Nightstrike vented roughly, stopping his siphoning again. "Really, is it too much to ask for some peace and quiet with one's meal?" He then turned to the human, walking closer. "I sincerely doubt anyone's looking for you." He stood up tall, stretching out his wings. "Although, if company is coming, I had better prepare." He then ran towards the tunnel, jumping into the air before flying out.

"Dad!" Russell ran to his father, feeling of the stuff he was covered in. He then bent down, picking up a sharp rock as his father talked.

"I can't believe you found us. Ha! You are one amazing-"

Russell cut him off, "Later." He then began chipping away at the cocoon he was in. "Let's get you out of here first." Once he began cutting some blue goop seeped out of the cocoon, the stuff probably keeping the 'bots under.

Denny winced as Nightstrike shrieked in the distance, still close enough for it to hurt his ears. "I hate those shrieks."

"Fixit said they affect the 'bot's fear centers."

Denny winced when Anna let out a loud whimper, then crying out. "I don't want to know what her nightmare is…" He winced again when there was another shriek from Nightstrike. "They're giving me a headache. I wish I brought my earplugs." He then broke free when Russell was done, wincing at all the goo still on him. "Ugh, gross."

Russell made a face at the gross liquid before running to Bee. He would be able to free Anna and the others faster than he could. He already knew he wouldn't be able to free her with just two humans. He had just managed to free Bee's Decepticon Hunter when he heard something. Both humans turned to see Nightstrike glaring at them, his helm close to them.

"What's this? This tiny creature is your rescue party?"

Russell threw the rock into the air, grinning at the 'con. "Hundreds of saved and never been caught!" He then ran away, trying to draw Nightstrike after him.

Denny caught the rock, surprised at his son. He then quickly moved to Grimlock, cutting away at his cocoon. Since Russell had managed to cut open Bee's cocoon, some liquid spilled out. That allowed him to wake up from his nightmare. He groaned as he began to come too, his optics slowly focusing. "That… that wasn't real…" He groaned at the headache he had, "What's going on?"

"Nightstrike put you all under with his screams I guess… Russell and I are going to get you guys free."

Bee turned his helm quickly when he heard Anna crying out. He noticed the tears running down her facial plating, how her body was shaking. He could feel the amount of fear and pain she felt. It was enough to make him cry, already forgetting his own nightmare. "Anna! Anna, please, wake up!" He groaned when she didn't even react to his voice. He looked down, realizing he could move his Decepticon Hunter now. The others weren't in reach but the missing 'con of Chop Shop was there beside him. He looked out to see Russell still running away from Nightstrike. He made a decision to let the 'con free, hoping he would save the humans. He activated his weapon, slashing the 'cons cocoon.

Once the spider was free it looked up at Bee for a second. It then turned, beginning to run away. It paused when Bee called out to it. "Wait! I know we're enemies but these humans with us, they're no threat to you. Please, help them before you go." Bee sighed when the 'con began running away again.

Denny was almost done cutting Grim free, at least what he could reach. "Hold on, Grimlock. It's gotta be the chemicals in this cocoon keeping you in a trance." Russell had managed to trap Nightstrike under some rocks, temporarily, running back to the team. Denny had managed to wake Grim up by that point.

Grim groaned as he looked around, "Whoa, bad dream…"

Denny gasped when Nightstrike began running for him, "Shift change!" He threw the rock up in the air before running from the 'con and the team.

Russell caught the rock, chipping away at Sideswipe's cocoon. "Ah!"

Bee smiled when he saw the spider 'con toss the paint on Nightstrike's eyes, disrupting his vision. That gave Denny enough time to jump into a crevice in the floor, just out of Nightstrike's reach. Bee then turned to Nightstrike, "Hey, shrieky!" He waited until the 'con looked at him before continuing. "Why are you messing around with the locals when I have all the Energon you could ever want?" Nightstrike paused before flying towards Bee, crying out. Bumblebee waited for the right moment before striking him with his Decepticon Hunter. Nightstrike fell back, rolling to a stop, not moving.

Sideswipe fell to the ground at that moment, finally free from his cocoon and nightmare. Russell ran up to him, "Sideswipe, are you alright?"

Sideswipe shuddered from the mixture of his nightmare and the nightmarish goop all over him. "Yeah, I'm gonna need a week's worth of detailing though."

Grimlock burst free from his cocoon, breaking Strongarm free from her own. Sideswipe then freed Fixit.

Bumblebee thanked Grim when he broke his cocoon, "Thanks Grim." He winced when Anna cried out again, "Please, Grim, help her."

Grim whined when he heard Anna whimper before running to her, slashing at her cocoon with his hands, trying to get her free.

Bumblebee watched them before turning to the 'con, glaring at him. "Come on, bat- 'bot. No more surprise attacks, just mech to mech. You hurt my sparkmate so now you're going down!"

Nightstrike smirked at him, looking like he was going to screech at them again. Russell quickly called out to them, "Turn off your audio receptors!"

Thankfully everyone listened because none of them were affected when Nightstrike screamed. Grimlock quickly grabbed his leg when he tried to fly away. He quickly slung him on the ground, stepping on him with just enough pressure to keep him from moving.

Anna slowly began to wake up from her nightmare, Grimlock managing to free her before capturing Nightstrike. She slowly pushed herself up from the floor, the images still running through her processor. She saw all the blue on herself and felt her spark thrumming quickly in her chest, thinking it was Energon, her Energon. "No… No… that was a dream… just a dream…"

Bumblebee knelt beside her, very gently touching her back. "Anna…"

Anna turned to him quickly, her optics looking wild and unfocused. She was shaking and looked like she might faint at any second. "Bee…"

Bumblebee pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "I'm here… You're here… We're okay…"

Anna held onto him tightly, or as tightly as she could since she was very weak. Nightstrike had drained a lot of her Energon. "Starscream killed you and I had to stare at your corpse as Knock Out dissected me again…"

Bumblebee squeezed her more, not caring that everyone could hear them. "Knock Out will never touch you again, Anna. We're not going to lose each other. We're going to be together, forever." He then placed his helm on hers, trying not to cry. "I dreamt that I somehow caused Earth to fall to the Decepticons, everything was on fire. You died in my arms and Optimus said it was my fault, I wasn't ready to lead…"

Anna shook her helm quickly, "These were just stupid nightmares… You're an amazing leader, Bee… Optimus is very proud of you, I'm proud of you. I love you so much, Bee…"

Bumblebee vented softly as he gently rubbed her back, being careful of her door wings. "I love you too, Anna…"

Anna looked up hearing someone whine and finally realized the others were there. Sideswipe and Strongarm were standing beside each other, watching them worriedly. Denny had his arm around Russell, comforting him. Fixit was beside them, watching them sadly. Grimlock was the one who whined, watching her worriedly.

Anna smiled slightly at him, "I'll be okay, Grim…"

Grimlock knocked the 'con unconscious before quickly moving to her, picking her up and hugging her. "I was so worried. You kept screaming in your sleep…"

Anna patted him gently, as much as she could while in a death grip. "I'm sorry to worry you, Grim… I'm okay now, though. I promise."

Grim gently set her down, holding her again when she nearly fell. "Anna?"

Bumblebee gently took her from him, kissing the top of her helm. "Are you feeling okay?"

Denny spoke up, "Nightstrike did drain a lot of her Energon. Maybe that's it?"

Anna nodded softly, curling up in her mate's arms. "That explains it… I just need Energon."

Bumblebee nodded softly, "I'll take you to Ratchet." He spoke over his mate when she began to protest, "No buts, you're ill and he's a doctor. I want you to feel better." He then smiled softly at her, "Can you create two ground bridges? One to the scrap yard and one for us?"

Anna leaned into Bumblebee, venting softly. "Mhmm…" She focused as hard as she could, opening a ground bridge. "Hurry, though."

Once Bee looked at everyone they quickly ran through, Grimlock carrying Nightstrike who was still unconscious. Anna then opened another ground bridge, Bumblebee carrying her through to Ratchet.

"You're going to be okay, Anna." He frowned when she seemed even more out of it now that she created two ground bridges, "You're going to be okay…"