Mind Games
By Dannn Sanew

Lightning lit up the sky as the former Predacon known as Blackarachnia ran through the woods. The rain travelled over her metal skin and washed away the mech fluid that flowed freely from her wounds. She didn’t remember what happened to her. The last thing she remembed was walking in the woods with Silverbolt. He wasn’t there when she woke up, so where was he? Why did they leave her behind? Whoever did this was going to pay once she got heal.

Thirty cycles later, she wasn’t running, she didn’t have the energy for that. She felt so weak. She stopped and sat down on a rock, exhausted. Some movement to the right caught her attention. Something was watching her! She drew her gun and shot into the bushes. She didn’t see if it got hit or not, she just ran. She was in no condition of fighting. Her only hope was getting back to the base.

Day turned into night when Blackarachnia saw the Maximal base. She was still had a ten cycle walk but at least she was close to home. Just when she thought she was home free she heard a growl behind her. Gun ready, she saw two red optics appear in the darkness.

She was about to shoot the thing again when it spoke:

"Hey we're on the same team!"

"Cheetor, you slagging…what’s wrong with you! Why didn’t you tell me it was you back there?"

Cheetor gave her a smile as transformed. His transmetal 2 form was more than a little spooky in the night. He seen slightly embarrassed about something.

"Optimus sent me out to find you and my beast mode kicked in. I usually have full control, but once in awhile my beast mode just takes over. I was still trying to regain control when I found you."

"Now I'm glad I shot you. You were the one that attack… where Silverbolt!"

"Hey relax, I didn’t attack anyone. Silverbolt was the one who told us you were still out here. He recovering back at base. Now we should get inside, you're still bleeding and we sitting ducks out here."

Blackarachnia merely nodded as Cheetor helped her into base. Once inside, they put her into a CR chamber. As she shut down she felt safe, but somehow she knew that it was far from the truth.

She awoke two mega cycles later. All of the Maximals were waiting outside for her. They were all looking at her like there was something wrong with her.

"What are you all looking at?"

"Blackarachnia you been missing for eight mega cycles. Silverbolt said that you were knock out when he chased Inferno and Waspinator away. When he came back you, were gone." Optimus explained.

"Meaning?"

"Rhinox is going to run some tests on you to insure that there's nothing wrong with you."

"There’s nothing wrong with me!"

"That’s what you think. The Predacons have more than their share of sick twisted freaks," Depth Charge commented.

"Fine, I’ll let Rhinox check me out."

It took two mega cycles for Rhinox to do every test he could think of on Blackarachnia. Blackarachnia waited in her quarters with Optimus and Silverbolt to hear the results. Rhinox came in and looked her over, maybe hoping his eyes could see something his tests has miss.

"Beside increased mind activity everything seems to be fine. Just to be sure, I want Blackarachnia to stay inside for a few days."

"What, you just said I was fine!"

"It just a precaution. There’s something your brain activity that keeps bothering me."

"You can’t keep me here just because of a hunch!"

"Blackarachnia, we're not going to keep you here against you will. You always have a choice."

"Yes, listen to Optimus, right now Rattrap and Cheetor had found a outpost not too far where you were found. We hoping that they can find any clues there."

"Alright Silverbolt, I'll be a good girl and stay in for a few days. I'm not promising anything more than four days."

Depth Charge called over the comm link before Optimus had time to reply.

"The computer's reporting numerous fires spread over three sectors. Inferno's handy work. Megatron's drawing us out, I can take care of this one myself."

"Alright, go for it, but if things get out of control call for backup."

"Depth Charge out."

"I'm not sure what Megatron's plans for you are, but rest assured we will get to the bottom of this. I'm not sending anyone else outside the base due to our situation. Rhinox double check those test, Silverbolt come with me to the command center. I have something I need to discuss with you."

Blackarachnia already knew what Optimus was going to talk to Silverbolt about. Their relationship and how his duty should come first. Knowing Silverbolt, he'd be a good little soldier until she smacked some sense into him. She was left alone as everyone went about their tasks.

She went about working on her various projects when she felt something calling her outside. She saw a figure turned the corner and followed it. It soon led her to Rhinox's lab. She went inside to find that Rhinox wasn’t there. In his place was Megatron! She quickly took out her gun and shot him. Megatron fell to his knees as her cyber venom took affect. Blackarachnia looked on in disbelief as Megatron turned into Rhinox.

"Why?" Rhinox manage to said before he collapsed.

"No, I didn’t mean to! What’s wrong with me?"

I don’t know why, don’t you tell me.

"Tarantulas, where are you?"

Back inside your pretty little head. I put the link between up back up while you were knock out.

"What do you want?"

EVERYTHING!

"I'm not giving you anything!"

Heeheehee, quiet, puppet, you do as you told. Remember I can make you do anything that I want!

"What do you want?"

I want to enter the Ark and destroy it!

"What? You’re crazy! Megatron wouldn’t allow that, plus you’ll be killing yourself!"

I needed Megatron help to get you alone. That done, I don’t need his help anymore. As for killing myself, I'm not who you think I am! Now move, witch!

Blackarachnia had no choice but to follow Tarantulas orders. She was about to enter the Ark when she was stopped by Sliverbolt. Before she could stop herself she shot him. This time it was a non vemon shot and she watched as Sliverbolt held his arm in pain. He looked confuse, hurt, betray.

"I not playing your games anymore Tarantulas!"

Ah you upset I ruin your boy toy. Hey if he dies you always has me.

"Silverbolt, help me! Tarantulas is controlling me!"

"How? I can never hurt you, my love."

This is so sickening. Either enter the Ark now or I kill you.

"Then end it, I'm sick of being your slave!"

Since you don’t care about your life, I’ll end your boyfriend’s life. Can you imagine that, you killing your own lover? So what will it be?

What was she going to do? No matter what, she'd lose. If she was going to lose, she was going to make sure Tarantulas didn’t win either.

"Goodbye Bolt, it's been a blast," Blackarachnia said as with all her will she put her gun to her head. Her fingers found the trigger and all went dark.

Blackarachnia awoke in a mist of fog. For awhile all that was there was the mist and she seemed like she could never find her way out. A arm reached out of the mist and pulled her out. The sun beamed down as she looked up into the face of Dinobot.

"Everything has it price," The Warrior stated.

"Was it worth it?"

"Yes, that day in the valley was my last, but it was also my first. You did the right thing and I am glad I have the honor of guiding your back."

"What!"

"You still walk among the living. Keep on the right path and I will see you again."

Dinobot soon faded and she awoke. Silverbolt had her in her arms in no time. She saw Rattrap and Depth Charge looking on in disgust. Some things never change.

"What happened?"

"Optimus snuck up behind you and knocked you out before you pull the trigger. After Silverbolt explained what happened and I was repaired I managed to come up with something to make sure Tarantulas stays out of your mind for good."

"Thanks, Rhinox. It feels good to have him out of my head for good."

"You still feel like going outside?"

"No thanks, I think I'll just rest for a few days."