To say she was tense was an understatement, the bots were speeding back towards the pyramids to meet up with the military so they could reach Optimus. Saphira held the bag in her hand tightly, it was a grip she would not willingly loosen. Simmons glanced at the bag a few times, he had a lot of doubt whether or not Saphira could bring back Prime with the dust, but she had a lot of confidence that it would work. He didn't want to be the one to be negative, so he kept his mouth shut.

"Do you think the military will spot us?" Wheelie asked as he peered between the front seats, looking ahead of them as the bots approach the pyramids.

"They most likely will, Bee is pretty hard to miss," Simmons responded confidently. "I just hope no one else spots us at the same time. I noticed there is a strange F-22 hanging around in the sky."

Saphira glanced at Simmons in surprise and looked out the window, peering up into the sky. "I don't see anything."

"I can see it on my side, Saphira. You won't see it." Simmons gestured to the window and Wheelie moved to peer out the window. "Starscream is the only one I can think of who could be near."

"Oh no, he is right. I can see it too." Wheelie did not sound very excited by that at all. "I don't think he has seen us. He's not the sharpest decepticon, Megatron loves giving the bot a good thrashing whenever he gets a chance."

Saphira did not like the sound of that at all. "Hopefully, he stays stupid."

"I would not count on it. He did try to snag you in Mission City." Saphira never forgot that, it was very frightening and Starscream was very big. "And he's extremely loyal to his master, so I would expect him to try something again." Simmons hoped he was wrong though.

"I imagine Barricade can give him a good beating." Saphira looked ahead and blinked when she saw something being shot into the sky. "That's them over there, they popped a flare."

"Yeah, yeah, I see it!" Simmons exclaimed with a smile. "Alright, we are very close Bee. Take us over there."

"Right on course, captain," Bee responds through the radio, speeding up to get to the location as quickly as possible.

But as he did so, multiple missiles hit the ground around them. Saphira screamed and covered her ears due to the sound of the impact. The bots swerve to avoid being hit, Seymour yelped in fear as well as a missile hits right by the window and Bee's tyres were slightly airbourne for a brief moment from the blast. Saphira glanced out the window, the F-22 was circling them and firing more missiles at them and she ducked her head as one lands near them again.

"Lose him in the coal mine!" Simmons shouted, Saphira looked up in surprise and saw the mine next to the road. The bots drive off the road towards the massive mine. "He's coming around!"

Saphira clutched the bag tightly to her chest as she peered out of the window as the autobots drive into the mine, swerving and just barely avoided the hits of the missiles. Saphira braced herself against the seat to keep herself centred as the bots swerve. She saw Starscream flying down towards them, transforming and glaring at them gleefully.

"Oh shit!" Saphira screamed as Starscream lands in front of them.

"Got you!" Starscream declared gleefully, reaching down towards Bee to stop him. They hear a roar of an angry engine and a heavy thud, Starscream took a step back and glared. "Traitor!"

Saphira looked out the window as Barricade launched himself at Starscream, tackling the large bot and punching his face. "You dare try to attack me?! You are pathetic Starscream! You always have been!" He laughed at the bot and threw him over his shoulder. "You will never get past me!"

Starscream hissed, glaring at Barricade and arming his cannon. "We will see about that! Megatron will rewards me greatly when I bring him your head!"

"Don't count on it, lap dog!" Barricade mocked as he armed himself with energon swords and ran at Starscream.

Starscream growled and aimed his weapon, shooting past Barricade. The former decepticon glanced back as the shot misses Bee, causing a burst of sand and dust before he swung his arm at Starscream and slicing at his arm.

Starscream yelped in pain and kicked at him. "Coward! You are pathetic!" He spat at the bot and shot Barricade's shoulder in close range. "You are not worth my time!"

Barricade roared in pain, stumbling backwards and holding his shoulder. Starscream shot at the autobots again, running towards them and ignoring Barricade. He growled and armed his own weapons, running after Starscream and shot at his legs, causing the massive decepticon to stumble forward and faceplant into the ground.

"Hide in the dust Bee!" Simmons shouted as Saphira stared out the window with a worried expression. "Use the dust!" He glanced at her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Barricade will live, Saphira, don't worry about him."

She ignored him as she watched Barricade hold Starscream down, punching his face multiple times before Starscream turned on his engines and launched from underneath the former decepticon and flew straight into him. Barricade roared as he stumbled into the crane behind him, causing it to collapse on both of them. He grabbed the heavy chain and slammed the hook of the crane into Starscream's wing, yanking on it like it was a lead and Starscream yelped in pain as his wing felt like it was going to pull off.

"Got you now!" Barricade chuckled, charging his gun and aiming it at Starscream's head. "I am still a better fighter than you!"

Starscream glared at Barricade before running at him and launching himself upward, Barricade shot at him and missed. The decepticon landed heavily on Barricade and punched his arm into the right side of the former decepticon, pulling out pieces and causing a small energon leak. He was angry, he slammed Barricade's face into the crane and sneered at him.

"You are a waste of time!" He hissed before transforming and launching himself into the air.

Barricade roared and launched missiles at him, but he missed again and he stumbled. He grumbled and transformed, although his alt form had lost the right doors and he was extremely damaged from the fight. Barricade began to follow the tracks on the ground to catch up to Bee and the twins, he was just relieved he was able to buy them time to get away.

However, Saphira had Bee stop and step out of the car. "We have to split up, Starscream is going to attack you and the others even if I am not with you," She said to Bee as she took deep breaths. "I am sorry, I don't want to leave either. It will be easier for me to get to Optimus on foot."

"Are you sure about this?" Simmons asked as he looked at Saphira with concern. "It is a long run from here. And Starscream may still see you."

"He won't expect me to split from them." Saphira walked up to the hood and placed a hand on it. "You meet up with Barricade and draw their attention away. I am counting on you, Bee. I love you and we will meet up once I get to Optimus."

"You can count on me, sister," Bee responds through the radio. "We won't let you down."

"I'll draw their fire with Huey and Dewey there," Simmons said as he gestured with his thumb to the Chevrolets behind him. "You get to those soldiers." He stepped closer to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I really hope that dust works, kid. Good luck."

Saphira smiled at him. "Thank you."

She turned and began to run, clutching the bag tightly to her chest. She gasped when she heard the sound of Starscream launching into the sky. She glanced at him with wide eyes, worried that Barricade was dead or extremely damaged, but at the moment she had to leave. She made sure to not make herself obvious though, and ran towards empty mine buildings to keep close to as she ran towards a hill. She kept her head forward as she ran, she didn't want to stare at the sky for too long. She could hear the sound of jet engines echoing through the sky anyway.

She glanced at the pyramids in the distance for a moment, she did wonder if there was something significant about them. She had overheard Simmons say they probably were built by aliens. She knew that history would say otherwise. But…if the machine was under one of those, it was a great way to hide it. She looked away from them and stumbled up a hill. She grimaced as some of the sand stuck to her sweaty skin and wiped some away so none would get in her eyes.

She reached the top and took some deep breaths, looking down to see the town several miles from her. She saw many buildings and some monuments in her way. Several more flares were popped and she smiled, she knew where she had to go. However, she was sure the decepticons knew where the soldiers were now. She glanced down and slid down the hill, she was thankful there were no jagged rocks on the way down as she slid or that would have really, really hurt.

She brushed herself off briefly once at the bottom and ran towards the town. She hoped to get there as quickly as possible to hide. She heard Starscream shooting missiles again, she glanced up briefly and it seemed like he was aiming somewhere else, not her. She was relieved, and yet worried at the same time. She knew he was likely shooting at Bee or Barricade, so she hoped he misses.

She ran towards some old monuments to run between, the coolness underneath the sandstone structures were welcoming to her sweaty skin. She longed for a good, cool shower. But her mind remained focused on Optimus. The sun was high at the moment, meaning it was late morning right now. But she didn't care about the time at the moment. She stopped briefly to take a mouthful of water from her water bottle. And to give herself a quick moment to breath. She was no good to anyone if she fainted from the heat.

She leaned against a pillar, glancing around at the sky, she could still hear Starscream flying around, but she could not see him. She waved her hand to try and cool herself off. She jumped when she heard the thunderous sound of engines arriving and she glanced up towards the pyramids. She widened her eyes when she recognized him. She shuddered as Megatron lands on top of the pyramid and Starscream joins him.

The machine must be under that one!

Seeing the decepticons, Saphira glanced around for a second before running, making sure to stick close to the temple until she had to run across. She made sure to not make herself visible as she knew it would only bring them to her. She did hear Megatron shout something though, she couldn't hear the words. Her ears were ringing from the exhaustion she was feeling and she stumbled as she reached the side of a small hut.

She gasped loudly when she saw asteroids flying towards them. She ducked inside the house, yelping as she heard and felt the impact of those giant rocks hitting the ground and shaking the building. She was thankful no one was home. She stayed within the building until the ground stopped shaking. She peered out cautiously and stepped out, she was worried that someone would see her. Thankfully, she could not see anyone for now.

She ran between the houses and spotted some more monuments she could use as well. She ran towards them and stayed among those pillars for the time being. She only stopped when she spotted multiple decepticons walking around, she did not recognize them at all. However, they were clearly searching for something. Her. She trembled a little, but she was not going to let that fear get to her.

She knew she had to be more careful, she ran to a house and kept herself low. She didn't run as quickly as before, she wanted to be more cautious. Especially with more eyes looking for her. She considered looking for something to disguise herself with…but…before she even did that she saw a family running away from one of the decepticons only to be blown to pieces. She grimaced and nearly gagged as she saw their bodies literally being blown to pieces. A disguise was not going to work. It would get her killed.

She walked briskly through a few narrow alleyways before stopping and ducking when she spotted Starscream in the sky. He was flying low and he was clearly looking for her. She frowned, gasping as she felt heavy footsteps approaching her. She glanced around for a moment before ducking into an empty house. She knew they did not see her, but she kept herself as quiet as possible.

She drank another mouthful of water and took deep breaths, glancing towards the wall that had dozens of glass bottles to allow natural light into the home without it being a window. It was rather beautiful. She gritted her teeth as the footsteps get closer, she glanced at the window as a shadow cast over it. She trembled nervously, keeping herself as quiet as possible, hoping that the roof does not get ripped off. As far as she knew, they were not doing that yet. But it will probably happen soon.

She heard the decepticons talking outside, they were speaking in Cybertronian to each other. She was able to recognize Starscream's voice though. He was right outside! She looked around desperately and walked towards a doorway that led into the next room. She tip toes through the doorway into another room with the same wall feature with the glass bottles. She saw a hole in the wall through, it looked like it had been dug out of a blast had destroyed part of the wall. She walked over to it and peered out carefully, she spotted two decepticons looking between houses, she flinched when they shot at the ground which was clearly a way to try and get her to come out. She ducked her head back when she heard Starscream and turned her head to look out the other way. She could see his feet, he had his back towards her and he suddenly tore the roof off one of the houses across the street.

She grimaced as he hissed and glanced around before throwing the roof aside, dissatisfied he did not find her. He walked away and she carefully crawled out of the hole. She thought about crawling to the other house beside this one, she could still hear the decepticons walking around. Once she was out, she crawled into the desk house quietly. However, as she moved to close the door, it creaks loudly. She froze and the footsteps of the decepticons stop for a moment. They heard that too. She remained frozen until the decepticons kept walking. She pushes the door again and it did not creak this time, thankfully. She closed it and took a deep breath to try and calm herself. Her heart was beating really quickly at the moment.

She looked around this house, it too had a wall with the glass bottles as a window. She couldn't see a hole in the wall in this one, but there was a small window to peer out of. She glanced through it carefully and jumped when she saw a decepticon that looked like a giant cat. This was just getting better and better! She shakes her head and walked through a doorway she nearly froze when she saw an open landing from the room and a bridge crossing over an alleyway to the next building. She stepped backwards carefully and nearly yelped as she saw the shadow of a decepticon casting into the building, she heard it looking around and spoke something in Cybertronian.

She felt as though she was lucky. However, she heard a buzzing flying close to her. She turned her head and flinched in surprise, it was a tiny decepticon. It looked like a bug and she grabbed at it, it squealed and wiggled in her fingers. It didn't seem to recognize her as the decepticons were not alert. She bit her lip for a moment before reaching for the bot's head and ripping it off. She felt maybe that was a bad idea as the decepticons all stopped.

She held her breath, hoping they would not come back. The roof was suddenly torn off, she screamed in shock and turned to see Starscream peering into the house. He grinned and she turned to run out of the room to run across to the other side. Starscream roared and punched the house, causing it to collapse behind her.

She ran up some stairs and covered her head as decepticons shot at her, trying to stop her from fleeing. She felt a mace slamming on the stairs behind her and she reached the end of the roof before jumping across to the next building. She screamed a little and landed hard, stumbling a little and her elbow stung, making it clear she had scraped her elbow.

"That must have hurt!" Starscream mocked as he saw her launching herself across from the building. "Make it easier for yourself, Megatron will take good care of you. He will caress you like no one else ever has."

Saphira grimaced as she scrambled to her feet, running along the building to jump to the next one. She screamed as a blast behind caused her to stumble again and fall between the buildings, thankfully an awning softened her fall to the ground and she scrambled to her feet to keep running. She heard Starscream run towards her and she ducked around the opposite side of the building, gasping as a green decepticon tried grabbing her. She grabbed her bracelet, transforming it into a weapon and shot at his face. He roared in surprise and pain when his right eye is shot at. She had almost forgotten about the bracelet Ironhide gave her, but she turned and ran from the bot and jumped over a low fence and ducking through another house. Starscream roared and she knew he prepared to rip the roof off that one too.

She ran out of the house before he did and weaves through the buildings, relieved that they did not see where she had gone now. She ran into a damaged chicken coop and shooed the chickens hiding here out. She glanced around and spotted the fighting soldiers and autobots, she took deep breaths and looked around for a moment to see where Optimus was. She could not see him and that worried her. She also saw the soldiers pulling back, they were getting overwhelmed it seemed.

I hope I won't be too late…

Saphira took deep breaths and glanced around to see if the coast was clear. So far, it was. However, she could hear Starscream in the sky again. She glanced towards the pyramid, Megatron was still up there and watching everything going on below him. She sighed and looked around before she ran out of the coop to weave between the buildings as much as she could. She hoped she could find a soldier or bot, she knew the femmes were here too and she hoped to find them soon.

She slid down another hill towards another set of pillars, her eyes stung as sweat blurred her eyes. She ran towards the pillars and ran between them, she stopped when she heard the sound of something transforming and yelped as an orange decepticon jumped over the house and lands in front of her. She stumbled backwards, glancing up at the decepticon. He had a snake-like body and the whips it had were tyre wrappings, he slammed his fist into the ground and slaps Saphira's body. She is sent flying into the building and hits it hard. She yelped, falling to the ground and looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Wait, wait, wait!" She screamed as the bot hissed at her with a grin. "You got me! You have me." She took deep breaths, she held the side of her ribs, she was sure one was broken due to the screaming pain she was feeling.

"Saphira Dawn," The decepticon chirped out as his yellow eyes scrutinizes her. "The Key…"

"Yeah, I have it." Saphira held up the bag, slowly standing with her hands raised. "You have me, you don't need to punch or hit me anymore."

The decepticon chuckled softly and Saphira heard something whistling at her. She glanced around for a second and spotted Bumblebee hiding by the building. She acted like she saw nothing as she gazed up at the bot.

"You can take me to him, I know Megatron still wants me. I'll go willingly." The decepticon grinned at that and relaxed his weapons. "See, that wasn't so hard was it?"

The decepticon chuckled and reached towards Saphira just as she saw Bee jump from the building. He kicked the decepticon, causing him to stumble back. Saphira ran to hide by the building, she yelped in shock when she saw Barricade, his right side was still damage and she saw energon leaking from him.

"Are you okay?" Saphira asked him with a concerned expression.

"I should be asking you that, you hit the wall pretty hard." Barricade stepped closer and peered around the side of the building. "Stay hidden." He stepped around her and ran towards the bot. "Rampage!"

The bot turned his head when he heard Barricade and hissed, slapping Bee across the face to throw him aside. "Traitor!" He roared as Barricade walked towards him with a confident step. "You die!"

It jumped at Barricade to punch him as the former decepticon armed his energon sword and stabbed it into his shoulder, throwing him down into the ground. Bee pulled his helmet down and punched the decepticon's face and grabbed as his whips to try and yank them off. Rampage roared and swung his fist towards Bee as Barricade stepped the arm and twists the sword, breaking the arm in half. Rampage roared loudly and armed a gun, shooting at Barricade's shoulder sending the bot flying into the building.

Saphira stumbled back from the impact onto the building. She wanted to run to Barricade and watched Bee jump up, shooting at Rampage's head and causing him to fall backwards. The bot was disorientated now and he was furious. Barricade stood up and prepared to run at Rampage when Saphira heard the sound of something behind her. She turned her head slowly and the giant, cat-like decepticon was staring at her with it's single eye.

"BARRICADE!" She screamed as the bot prepared to lunge at her.

Barricade turned his head and saw the bot, Saphira scrambled backwards and yelped as the bot jumped on top of her. She managed to hold it back as the claws scrape at her shoulders and snap its teeth at her. Barricade stomped over and grabbed the cat bot from Saphira, only for it to shoot at him with its machine guns on its back. Barricade roared and slammed the bot onto the ground. It roared and jumped at Bumblebee as he threw Rampage to the ground.

Saphira sat up as she breathed heavily, ignoring the pain in her shoulders and side as the cat held onto Bee's shoulders and bit at his head. Bee looked around and reached back, grabbing the cat angrily and pulled it off his shoulders. She watched with wide eyes as Bee pulled the cat's tail, tearing out its spine and seeing the green, gooey energon dripping from the body. Bee threw the front of the cat into a nearby building and used the tail to slam Rampage's head.

"Bee, secure him!" Barricade shouts as Bumblebee as Bee threw himself over Rampage and held onto his arms.

Bee kicked at his back, holding the arms tightly and Barricade slammed his fist into Rampage's chest and gripping at his spark. He pulled it out and crushed it, slamming his fist into the face and breaking it into pieces as the decepticon died. Saphira was relieved, she moved to stand up and wipes sweat from her forehead.

"You guys…you have a knack for great timing," Saphira said breathlessly with a smile.

"Always on time," Bee said through the radio as he walked towards her. "You need first aid."

Saphira glanced at her shoulders, they were stained with blood and they hurt like hell. "There is no time." She waved her hand and shakes her head. "I have to get to Optimus."

Barricade dropped to one knee and extended his hand to her to allow her to rest against his palm, which she was grateful for. "Do you think he would want you dead? You look half dead already."

"I will be fine." Saphira took deep breaths and drank more water. "Look, you being here is going to draw them to me again." She gasped as missiles hit nearby, Barricade covered her with his other hand and she looked at both bots. "Can you draw their fire from me? I have to get to him."

"You can't do everything on your own," Bee said gently through the radio. "Let us help you."

"I am not alone. You are helping me! Just, please direct the decepticons. I am so close." She placed her hands on Barricade's fingers gently with a pleading expression. "Let me go and do this, okay? You must trust me."

"We trust you…but…" Barricade hunched forward as debris scattered over them from another blast. He looked over his shoulder and exhaled loudly. "Fine…we draw away the fire Bee. Saphira got this far without us."

Bee was surprised Barricade said that. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, yes I am." Barricade looked at Saphira with kind eyes and smiled at her. "Thank you for bringing me into your life, Saphira. I promise I will not let you down. Now you get out of here!" He gently nudges her away from him. "The soldiers are in that direction. Keep running, and don't look back."

Saphira nodded at them with a smile. "Good luck to both of you."

She turned away from them and ran, she heard Barricade and Bee run towards the decepticons that had been following her to attack them. She hoped they would be okay. She glanced at the bag in her hand and smiled, she knew she would be okay. She was almost there. The day was half gone already, she had to get there before sundown. She just had to. For Prime's sake, and to safe this world again, she had to.