Ratchet tried again to get his leader to talk. "Optimus, what is Alpha Trion saying?" Optimus was silent for a bit longer, until his sword stopped glowing. He dropped down with the weight again, looking down at the ground. Nova jumped from the shoulder and transformed into her Titan mode as she and Ratchet helped him stand back up. "Easy, Optimus."  

"Are you alright?" NOva asked worriedly.

"So, did Alpha Trion try and ask about me?" Smokescreen asked.

Bulkhead shoved his shoulder, "What was the message?"

"It is paramount that we recover the final four Iacon relics, the Omega Keys." Optimus answered

Arcee asked, "Keys?"

"To what?" Ratchet asked.

"To the regeneration of our home planet."

Nova's eyes widened, "W-What? y-you mean..."

"What?!" Ratchet cut in, "are you absolutely sure?" he said in awe.

OPtimus nodded, Ratchet laughed, "I don't believe it!" he cheered.

"Neither do I." Nova said under her breath, "s-so this is like 'Revive the planet going back to your own world' kind of regeneration?" Nova said to anyone in the room.

"It'll be as i remembered it." Ratchet said throwing off her question, "Beautiful."

"Yeah..." Nova said flatly.

"Pack your gear, we're going back to cybertron!" Bulkhead announced.

"I still can't believe we can go back." Bumblebee said.

Ratchet laughed cheerfully, "Well believe it now bumblebee, civilization at last."

"But I just got here." Smokescreen said.

"Remember oil baths?" Arcee imagining herself bathing in one. "First thing I'm going to do planet side is soak for an entire solar cycle." She said fantasying again.

Nova smiled to herself that Alpha Trion must have left a message to Optimus, It would have been ashamed that she couldn't tell them about the 5th key. He told her to keep this information only when the time comes but it wasn't the right moment now.

Smokescreen walked over, "Optimus, keys open doors. Can they really revive an entire planet?"

Optimus turned, "While I am unfamiliar with the lore of these Omega Keys, Alpha Trion knew many secrets, and the Ancients possessed technology that has long been lost to what we consider modern science." Optimus said looking at her as she smiled at him. The other 'bots gathered, "Whatever their function, this much is certain-we cannot restore Cybertron without all four Omega Keys in our possession."

"Which means we can't afford to lose a single one to Megatron." Arcee said understanding.

"Four sets of coordinates from Alpha Trion remain encrypted. It is logical to conclude that each corresponds to the location of one of the Omega Keys. I must not waver until I decode them all, the future of our home world depends on it."

 Later, Nova was back in her human form and still watching Optimus from the couch, even he wasn't paying attention to her lately. Ratchet was welding something in a corner by the where the star saber laid across a table. Optimus slayed away at the screen, decoding. Nova watched him for a few moments before she caught herself falling asleep. She shook her head, pivoting around to look at the bots that had gathered far away from the three of them, standing in a small circle. She enhance her hearing, eavesdropping in.

"I feel funny saying this..." Arcee muttered softly. "But I'm not sure I want to go back,"

"Who knew we'd get so used to our new home?" Bulkhead piped in.

"And the kids.." Bumblebee grumbled, turning back towards the others.

"Yeah," Bulkhead agreed. "I don't think I'd ever want to leave Miko."

"We've made friends here..." Arcee sighed. "Family."

Ratchet scoffed. "We can always ... text them,"

"Besides," Bulkhead growled louder. "I've been fighting for so long I don't know if I could do anything else!"

"You can go back into construction," Ratchet offered from his work. "The power of the ancients may be able to breathe life back into Cybertron's core, but our war - ravaged cities will surely require rebuilding."

"I wouldn't make any travel plans just yet," Arcee sighed, moving forward. "We still have to locate these Omega keys and secure them before the cons do,"

  "H-yeah like that'll be a problem." Smokescreen said with a slight laugh. "Optimus has the star saber now, Megatrons end is in sight."  

Nova heard everything as she felt as though she shouldn't be here, or maybe because she's not contributing of feeling it. 'I should be grateful yet why don't I feel like it...Perhaps maybe I should help in finding the keys, yeah it'll take my mind off... other things anyway.'

So she stood up from the couch as she walked down the stairs past the socializing autobots, there driven leader and totally oblivious field medic and went down the hallway as she transformed into her Titan Mode. Until these keys are found, she will have to remain in her form and focus her duty in restoring Cybertron, She will just keep thinking that.

She head back to the main room, baring no expression, nor did anyone notice her. 'I'll help them find these keys, might as well, I can't change the inevitable beside Primus is counting on me to help them.' Nova thought.

Opitmus turned to them a minute later, not noticing Nova, "Autobots, I have decoded the first set of the final four coordinates. Divide into teams in the event that I'm able to decode another before the first team returns."

"I'm on team one, who's with me?" Smokescreen asked.

Arcee spoke up quickly, "I'll go."

  "So am I." Nova said.  Which finally caught Optimus' attention, "you cannot go." He stated.

"I have to....." Nova stopped beside Optimus as she whispered to him, ".....It's my duty." before she headed the groundbridge, much to Arcee and Smokescreen confusion.

As she made it to the other side, She observed her surrounding and recognize the place she saw in the book; She was in Egypt.

 "Huh, I've always wanted to see the pyramid." Nova said to herself.  While she was searching, Smokescreen arrived first as he bore his weapons for any potential threat. "First ones here." He said.

"No locator beacon, which means the relics still buried, right about" Arcee started moving the tracker in a general direction, "...there." she confirmed.

"Let's get going then." He said as Nova headed to the direction of the tracker, shespeed walked ahead of them, making Smokescreen jog up to catch up with her. "Hey slow down will ya." He said.

"We have to be swift if we want to get the omega key before the Decepticons." Nova stated sternly.

"y-yeah but this sand is seeping into my Armour the faster we go." He said shaking his legs.

"So you choose avoiding discomfort then you do the revitalizing of your planet?" Nova questioned. 

"n-no b-but..." he started.

"Have we done something to offend you?" Arcee then spoke up. Nova startled by her questioned, realizing what she just did. "No, Sorry......Let's just keep moving." She replied.

Nova wondered why she was feeling bitter all of a sudden, she didn't mean to be harsh to Smokescreen. Arcee said, "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing..... Let's just focus on our mission." Nova replied, continuing forward, Smokescreen was by her side again as he stared at her, Nova wasn't looking at him as he gave her a grin.

"Are you worried we're gonna leave ya?" he lighted teased which made Nova halted on her track. For some reason, those words seem to stung her as she turned to him with a serious look, "This is not a place and time to be fooling around, Smokescreen." When he saw her face, he seems taken back by her words as he took a step back.

"We're wasting time here....." NOva said as they continuing walking again. Arcee looked at her up and down, "Nova, If this is about the whole cybertron business, I get it......we're all uncertain whether to go back or not, like I said earlier we've made friends and family, this isn't a decision we'll be making lightly."  

Nova didn't respond as she kept on walking.

  "It's just the things we need to consider." She started, "cybertron still needs rebuilding, we can't ignore that, but we can't ignore earth either...we just...we just need to think about this."

Nova still wasn't responding.

 "Please, don't put me on the spot like this. I understand if your upset...."She said still following the tracker, its continuous beeping drove deep into her audio receptors.  

"I'm not upset." Nova then finally spoke, stopping on her track.

"What?"

Nova turned to Arcee, "That was a misunderstanding......I'm not upset at all, I'm just......glad that Cybertron would be  fully restored."

Arcee blinked at her and said suspiciously, "Oh really?"

"Look, I didn't mean to be cold to Smokescreen, its's just we didn't want the decepticons find out about the keys. Who knows what they're going to do with it? Which is why I became serious about the mission." 

Arcee stared at her for long time, Nova was able to conceal her emotions just like before which was impossible for Arcee to see. As she looked at her demeanor look, she let out a sigh of relief and said, "I see....Sorry about that."

"It's alright Arcee. I know the feeling about having your home planet restored."Nova assured. Smokescreen stood beside her, "Huh, No wonder you wanted to come along."

"Yes......It was. I'm just glad you can finally be able go back home at last. Even for a long time......" NOva trailed off. In truth, She really was  upset after realizing what she was feeling becoz she didn't want them to leave though it would be selfish to forced them.  She shouldn't blame them for leaving her behind since they belong on Cybertron. Maybe that's why she was feeling cold to Arcee and Smokescreen.

Smokescreen said to NOva, "What do you mean? Your coming too, right?"

This what caught NOva's attention. "W-What?"

"Well, you were raised here on Earth as human after finding out you were actually Cybertronian from Cybertron. So your going too, right? I mean you are one of us after all?"

Nova taken in by his words and never thought about it. She was half human and half Cybertronian. She couldn't find the answer so she replied, "I-I-I'll think about it. Let's just find the key."  As she started walking with Arcee and Smokescreen trying to keep up her pace.

Arcee looked at the tracker, "the omega keys in there." She said as they looked ahead of them, an ancient looking tomb still fascinating to look upon nonetheless. Nova whistled with fascination as they entered the tomb. Good thing, she was able to pull her wings inside or it'll might not be a closed space. 

Nova let Arcee went in first since she was the only one holding the tracker while Nova used her energy ball to light through the hallway. Smokescreen was behind them as he whispered to her, "Why didn't you use your Long sense to find the key? I mean I heard you can sense Energon."

"True, I can find Energon and other relics. Unfortunately, I tried to locate the keys and for some reason I can't locate them."

Smokescreen nodded what she meant, while they were searching for the keys Nova was feeling conflicted when Smokescreen asked her. Is she going with them? I mean she really is part Cybertronian. Will she leave her friends behind? Although, humans have limited life span but for her is different.....She would outlived through her life as time passed and never changing. Would she really want to leave Earth?

 "Huh nice of the humans to pile all these rocks on top of our relic huh?" Smokescreen jested. Soon they stop at the dead end and see a picture with two figures and something that looks like what they may be looking for.

  "pretty much spells things out doesn't it." Smokescreen commented.  "Come on help me move this." Arcee said pushing herself against the wall. Smokescreen helped as they tried to pushed the wall but it didn't budge. Nova let out a sigh as she pointed at the wall and used her power to make the wall move. Arcee and Smokescreen backed away as they watched the wall slowly move out of the way of it's own.

 And there lay the key, brown, rusty looking. 

Smokescreen turned to Nova, "Nice one, Nova."

Nova nodded as Smokescreen took the key then they headed back out the exit. "The ancient humans must've thought the omega key was a gift from the gods." He stated.

"And in a sense, they weren't wrong." Arcee said.

"and only in a 'sense" Nova added, dispersing her energy ball as they finally got outside but unfortunately were greeted with the familiar figure which Nova feared the worst; Megatron.

  "The relic...now." Megatron demanded. 

"Three against one, we can take him." Smokescreen said confidently. Megatron then unveiled a glowing purple sword, Nova felt the dark energy emitting from it. "Ratchet groundbridge now!" Arcee said frantically.

 Megatron spun himself round with the sword as a purple wave was sent flying their way. They couldn't dodge it as they placed their arms in front of them in a protective manner, a series of 'urgh!' sounds were made as they were thrown across the desert.

 Nova shook her head from the dizziness as she heard blaster fire, she heaved herself up on her knees as she looked to her side to see Arcee was firing at Megatron.

 Nova couldn't see Smokescreen, she looked around, wondering where the key was? But then a purple wave came over her as it was slightly blurred. And rose towards a pyramid.  

"Smokescreen!" Arcee yelled as she looked in the direction of that purple wave.

"Smokescreen?" Nova said, looking at her then she started squinting at the pyramid, there's nothing there. Realizing Smokescreen was gone, she felt a mixture of sadness and anger within her.

She then stood up as her hand sparking dangerously, Nova turned to Arcee who seems weary as though she lost all sense of will. Nova frowned as to what Arcee was thinking she can't mourn Smokescreen while she's still on the battle field! 

She saw Megatron was approaching her as he picked up the omega key as she was now at his mercy. "What manner of treasure did Iacon send us this time?" he asked as he pointed the tip of the blade under Arcee's chin.

Nova ran to her side as she said to her, "Arcee! Arcee!"

"I would slice you in two right now, but I need you to deliver a message, tell Optimus prime that if he wants this relic he must come and claim it himself." He said throwing the key like a dagger into the sand.

Arcee still looked like a weary child, "Arcee?" Nova said to her as she caught up to her.

"It seems the autobots are slowly growing in number." Megatron commented with a slight sound of curiosity in his tone. A groundbridge opened up behind them, Nova placed an arm around Arcee since she seem so dead in her expression, "Come on Arcee, we can't grieve here at the time like this." She was not responding so she shook her, "Arcee! You gotta snap out of it."

"What is your name? Answer me!" Megatron then asked her.

Nova whipped her head to him, It was strange that he didn't recognize her tone, maybe it was the slight robotic sound to it or maybe because they have rarely met each other but still didn't recognize her. 

Though, Nova didn't answer merely trying to snap Arcee from her weary state as she turned her back to him guiding her to the groundbridge, "you dare turn your back on me?" megatron snarled.

"Like I ever answer to you." Nova said back to him, realizing she had overstepped her boundaries. Megatron growled as she took a grab for her arm then pulled her away from Arcee. 

Arcee was still in a state of grief but her eyes widened as she took in the situation, and because of that she must have not realized what she was about to say, "NOVA!" she cried holding out a hand desperately. Megatron furrowed his brow as he looked at her, still with his clawed hand on her arm as she whacked it away, "Let go of me!" Nova hissed.

He then closed his optics as he started cackling, "How desperate." He said as he then began to think. Arcee got back into a normal state as she armed herself again, "you put the slightest dent on her and I'll blow your processor off!"

"I highly doubt that." He mocked as he casually started thinking again, "give him the message, if he doesn't come..." he then looked at Nova, "well i'm sure you can figure it out for yourself." He said as he got out his plasma cannon and directed it her way.

  Arcee's optics flashed with horror but had that look of bitterness as she ran through the groundbridge. As she disappeared, Nova plan to take advantage by attacking Megatron unfortunatley he was too fast that he placed his claw hand around her throat which Nova choked slightly. 

  "To think I didn't recognize you......you may be in a different form, but I can still easily dispose of you." He said beginning to choke her harder. Nova tried to fight against it, pushing his hand from her throat with her both hands, but he merely looked amused at her attempt of strength, "Tell me, do you know the purpose of this...relic?" he asked casually.  

Nova remained silent mainly not wanting to tell him about the Omega Keys.

  Due to her silence, he growled slightly as he got out his sword again and stuck it into her right shoulder without warning which it was a light attack and he retracted just as fast, but it broke into her armor and her metallic skin. It was frightening how easily he could do that much damage with a slight poke of the sword.

 "Argh!" NOva winced as she held her shoulder then looked at her hand as energon stained it. "Is this the only option you take to get your own way?!" Nova hissed through her teeth while clutching to her shoulder.

  "No, there is termination." He scoffed as he picked up the omega key again and dragged Nova towards the direction of the pyramid.  Nova was still holding her shoulder and for some reason her wound didn't fade away. Nova began to wonder why her shoulder wasn't healed yet. She   looked him over as she noticed his arm, like a purple shine to it, and majestic, but it was a horrific sight on Megatron.

 "Who's is that?" Nova asked slightly disgusted.

"An arm of a prime." He confirmed, not even looking at her.

She twitched her mouth slightly though she wasn't surprised, "And Ratchet said you weren't no ghoul, he was giving you more credit then you deserve, now let me guess, you used that so you could wield the Forge of Solus prime and make this...evil sword that sounds like a malicious version of the star saber." Nova theorized.

"Sounds like..." he scoffed, "but yes, it is exactly that except you missed one detail, this was made from Dark Energon, therefore I saw it fitting to name it the Dark Star Saber." He said.

"Dark star saber? Could it be.....? Is that why my wound didn't heal becoz of dark energon?"  She thought to herself.

Nova was feeling tempted to give him a whack in the face it really was, and at that point she could, she even clenched her fist. "Don't even try to attempt; I can snap you in two, either way." He said as he then threw the omega key overhead like a javelin and it landed about thirty meters ahead.

"If you say so." Nova added.

"I do not care for humor and yours wares very thin." He then looked at his blade as a sudden thought came to mind as he suddenly lifted the sword overhead about to bring it down on me, "My sword is dry." He said. Nova slightly grew stunned that she wasn't expecting him to be blunt. 

  Then a slight green glow appeared in front. Very slight, as a figure appeared from it, walking slowly towards our position as Megatron walked towards him. Nova recognize the familiar presence, It was no question that it's Optimus.

  "I want you to witness it." Megatron hissed at Nova. She stood still, she wanted to help but not with her wounded shoulder plus she didn't really want to be caught in a sword clash. 

  "Claim your prize Optimus, if you can." Megatron mocked at him. His optics wandered at Megatons side, his arm, "By the Allspark Megatron, what have you done?!" Optimus said horrified.  

  "This?" Megatron said casually looking at his arm. "I find it affords me certain advantages such as the use of the Forge of Solus Prime." He then unveiled his sword. "My first creation fashioned by the very blood of Unicron, I call it the Dark Star Saber. Slayer of primes if you will." He said as he wasted no time in charging towards Optimus with his sword firmly in hand. Nova also saw Optimus unveiled his star saber as well and charged at Megatron. 

Megatron threw a wave of purple as Optimus jumped over it and continued towards megatron, and he in turn spun and threw a blue wave towards him. Megatron threw his sword upon it as he cut the wave in two causing a huge crack in the surface, again he threw another wave of purple towards Optimus who cut it in two also, mere second later Megatron threw another wave as Optimus ran on top of an ancient wall, which acted as a shield for the wave to pass through destroying it completely.  

He then threw himself in the air as he brought down his sword onto Megatron clashing his sword with his, a huge aura of purple and blue surrounded the two briefly because of this, and did so again every time there swords met, another blow was made with each sword as they both held that lock longer causing a slight tremor as the aura of purple and blue grew, a loud humming sound came from it.

Nova couldn't make out the conversation Megatron was making and he then threw a hand around Optimus' neck as the aura had stopped and he had been pinned to another ancient wall. Judging from Optimus' head movement he in turn was talking to Megatron as he abruptly threw his sword at him making him propel backwards onto his back, Megatron recovered quickly as he threw another wave of purple at dad who barrel rolled out of its fury.

Again their swords clashed,

Upwards,

Downwards,

Then Megatron managed to strike Optimus down by the shoulder which must've caused damage as he acknowledged it, again Megatron spoke something else as they hit swords again and with the second blow megatron sent Optimus on his front.

Megatron raised his sword as Optimus quickly recovered and clashed his sword again and in an instant and shocking for that matter, the glowing blue that emanated from the star saber was instantly gone as it fell like glass to the final blow. 

Nova noticed the shards turned black like ash and disappeared altogether as she watched Optimus fell to his knees as, the hilt and a small fraction of the sword was all that existed.  

Nova's optics widened as Megatron lay his sword on Optimus shoulder close to his neck, "What am I doing? I gotta save Sire." Nova thought hastily as she was about to run towards Megatron. But a slight tap on the shoulder got her on edge as she whipped her head around, "Hey." the voice said casually, much to her surprised that it was Smokescreen.

"Smo...." Nova started as he stopped her and motioned towards Megatron.

"...with your head besides my new trophy." They heard Megatron said as they closed in on there position.

"Oh you mean this?" Smokescreen said revealing the key, "Finders Keepers." He jested.

Both of them were stunnedbut Optimus not so much as he used this time to uppercut Megatron and then still using the now broken Star Saber in a struggle to keep Megatron immobilized. Smokescreen charged towards the both of them, "Smokescreen fall back!" He ordered as a wave was accidentally released from the dark star saber, just missing Smokescreen as he dived to the floor.

Then managed to force Megatron to the floor as he continued to keep him pinned. But inevitably Megatron punched him in the face as he fell back but Optimus quickly recovered before he hit the floor and found his feet.

Megatron threw another wave at Optimus, too soon for him to dodge but Smokescreen put his back to Optimus as both of them went through the wave...

"Ratchet, groundbridge!" OPtimus said, Nova ran to the both of them when he said that.

"No!" Megatron announced.

"Missed us." Smokescreen teased.

A groundbridge was finally sent as they made their way for it. OPtimus was in front, then Nova and then smokescreen with a pursuing Megatron not far behind. And that same humming came from behind as they ran through the groundbridge.

On the other side, OPtimus stood there as Nova came up closely from behind, Ratchet led him to the side as Optimus motioned for her to follow, Nova went over to him as a stunned conversation was going on behind about Smokescreen being alive.

She sighed as she stood beside him, "What is it?" Nova asked.

He placed his hand under her chin as his optics traveled over her face, "are you...alright? Megatron did not harm you in anyway?" he asked, trying to examine her whole form. She didn't want to show her demeanor look but his concern forced her face to soften but she was still on her guard.

"I-I'm fine..." Nova said hiding her shoulder as it started trickling Energon again.

"I saw your shoulder so don't bother attempting to hide it." Ratchet butted in physically examining Optimus arm.

He then attempted to try and see it for himself as Nova pushed him away, "Don't..." Nova uttered, shifting away from him.

He tilted his head in concern, "what is..." he started.

"Again?" Ratchet then said in smokescreens direction as he scanned Optimus arm, something about Smokescreen borrowing stuff again. Nova folded her arms with relief and walked over to the computer screen as she looked upon the encryption. Her face became solemn which she was a bit overwhelmed that the fact Megatron has now had the equal power of Star Saber as Optimus. Becoz of that, OPtimus has lost his saber and the battle. Now the balance has shifted once again, making hard for the team.

"You need that examined. In fact, Ratchet should have examined you first." Optimus said following her, and placed both his hand on her shoulder from behind. Nova slowly turned to him, lowering her head and said sadly, "Huh....oh yeah sure."