(A/N Hey guys!!! Sorry for the late update becoz I have so much things to do. I had to deal with work and thinking some ideas for the story. It took a long time so to make it up to all of you, I updated 2 chapters. Anyway enjoy?!!)

Back with the Autobots

It's been days, there was still no sign of Nova but they kept searching. As he was staring at the screen, Optimus felt a pang on his chest as though he was stabbed. Until, he felt the panic from his charge suddenly vanish. For the briefest second, he thought he heard the words 'Sire.....I'm sorry'.  flicker over the bond before it was cut off from Nova's end of the bond. 

He became worried when her bond was cut. As he forced himself to tap into his bond as hard as he could, trying desperately to feel his ward, and try to workout where she was. But he couldn't feel her properly. It was like there was a sort of static, almost like something was distorting the bond.

Ratchet was the first to noticed when he saw Optimus clutching to his chest with one arm. He asked, "Optimus, Is there something matter?" 

Optimus regained his posture as he said dreadfully, "Ratchet, I have a dreaded feeling something happen to Nova."

Unkown location, somewhere in the forest

'I feel... cold? Numb? No, I feel empty. Like something is missing inside of me. My body is yearning for it, but it doesn't know what it needs.'

A strange and dark unknown female was walking through the forest. Though, she had no idea how she gets there or how she came to be, all she know is that she was in the warship.

20 mins earlier ago

Starscream wandered in the hallway, trying to locate the technorganic until he saw a wave of light coming towards him which hit him, making him fell on the ground. He shook his head, wondering where it came from as he stood up to investigate around the corner, only to find Megatron lying on the ground. "Master, Are you alright?"

Megatron was able to regain his conscious while Starscream turned to see the female he was looking for, was trembling, quaking in the corner while gripping her head harshly. Then, she stopped shaking before getting up and held completely still. She slowly dropped her hands, still has her armblades.

He walked towards her and snarled, "You may have escape from me but you will pay for my humiliation." as he was about to bring claws at her when she roughly grabbed his wrist. Starscream gasped by her gripped until it became tightened. He yelped in pain when he noticed her chest was glowing sickly purple as the strange dark miasma suddenly poured out and covered over her whole body in black with purple highlights and her armblade shine sickly purple. (A/N Like symphogear; where Hibiki became berserk). Suddenly her head shot up, but something wasn't right. She had no emotion to her face, only her bloodlust erupted and her optics, glowed solid purple as she let out dangerous growl. 

The moment she opened her eyes and all she could see was purple. She was feeling angry for no reason! Her rage wasn't containable, she needed to beat something to a pulp! She needed to kill!

She was berserk.

Starscream was completely shocked by her dark form before she kicked him, throwing back to where Megatron stood. He felt a shiver go through his system as he realized something was wrong with her eyes. Instead of having the bold, almost mystical, gaze, her purple eyes were cold and calculating. Staring at them with a penetrating gaze that felt as though she were judging their very existence in the universe. Staring right at the Decepticons, Starscream was beginning to panic while Megatron didn't move because he could feel the bloodlust pouring off from her. 

When two vehicons arrived behind her where she was in front of Megatron and Starscream. "Don't just stand there, shoot her!" Starscream ordered. They pulled out their blasters, waiting to see what her first move would be.

The dark femme turned around and glanced at their guns. A malicious smile crept on her face until her battle mask was covered and suddenly, like a rocket she charged at them. The vehicon didn't have time to react, she swung her blade between his arm slicing it in-half. She then aimed for his face, and stabbed his optics with both blades, he went offline insistently. Pulling her blades to the side, She sliced the head in two. The other vehicon started blasting her, she serpentine, unequipping her blades as a purple lightning sphere formed. She shot both his arms off, before finishing the final blow into the spark-chamber.

Starscream gasped, completely terrified. She was like a mindless puppet, only out to kill. The dark femme slowly turned back at Starscream, ignoring Megatron, who watched.  He finally got a look at her eyes. 'Dark energon...it gives her this power, and indestructibility. All inside this organic human. No, not human, with all this power...she could be ...extraordinary.' Megatron chuckled, then laughed as he said, "So this is what Dark Energon does to a technorganic."

 Starscream aimed his missile at her. "Stop it right now, you mutant!" He fired. In slow motion, Nova raised her hand which made the missile stopped when she curled her hand into fist, causing the missile to explode itself inside a small barrier. He was stunned by her ability before she crashed into Starscream, sending them both into a wall.

Never they knew that she was giving so much dark energy that she was in berserk. So full of rage she would lash out at anyone and beat them into unrecognizable mush without even thinking twice of who it was! So full of rage, her thoughts had stopped and her mind had became blank.

She was so full of rage she was going off pure fighting instinct. The small pain in her side meant nothing.

 The commander groaned in pain falling down in a sitting position, his optics widen and gasped out. She was right in his face, she stared at him, her eyes glowing and was giving off dark energy.

Starscream was shaking. 'How...? I shot her yet she managed to destroy it?! She took down two troops, with one swipe...she's not capable of doing that! not even the strongest of Autobots!'

She looked at him in the optics, before looking down at his chest-plate she was staring at. Transforming her blade, she aimed for his spark-chamber. 'This is it...I'm going to die.... by the hands of this mutant monster...'

But just before she could react his chamber, she was suddenly shot off him. She tumbled down the hall, resting on her side. Starscream trembled, turning to look at the con responsible for saving him. Lord Megatron set his arm blaster down, glaring at the techno-organic. "I order you to stand down." Megatron commanded, hoping he might control her.

With her under his control, he could used her to destroy the Autobots however his thoughts beg to differ. She didn't listen before she narrowed her optics at the warlord. She growled lowly, pure rage filled her spark, wanting to rip him out for interfering. She was so focus in destroying him, she didn't notice a dark purple aura around her. Her optics glowing dangerously purple as she was giving off dark energy. 

Megatron noticed that she wasn't backing down as he ordered, "What are you doing?! I said stand down." Trying to command her but she doesn't seem to obey his bidding as she slowly moving towards him, still staring at him with a murderous look.

'What's happening? Why is she not obeying my command?' He questioned as she lunged at Megatron. He was able to evade it on time until she managed to slash her blade on his chestplate, leaving mark on it.

"MASTER!!" Starscream said, watching his master get blasted by the dark femme, sending him crashed into the wall. Megatron was about to get up when he felt the invisible force, lifting him and pin him to the body. He groaned before looking down to the femme who raised her armblade, aiming for his spark chamber.

As she pulls back her blade to stab him, she stops in mid-motion and her eyes lock onto his optics. She could see her reflection in his optics and this triggers something within her as she suddenly starts clutching her head and groans before backing away, much to Starscream frightened look and Megatron's confusion. 

They noticed her optics changing purple to blue, repeating the process. It was as if she was struggling to control before she let out frustrated yell when her wings sprouted from her back as it encased her in a purple sphere. It boiled to such intensity that she felt herself dissolving, traveling away from the warship. Leaving two Decepticons wondering where she disappeared off to.

Back to the present

When she arrived in an unknown location, she was back into her berserk mode as she let out a rageful scream and started slicing every forest she sees until she stops. She looked around to see that half of the trees were cut down in a circle.  The dark power surge was burning through her body that she wasn't unable to contained her bloodlust. Even her anger was filling her up that she wanted to take it out on everything and everyone around her! 

'Kill.....Kill......Destroy.....Destroy....'  that's all she ever heard in her head as it kept repeating those words. She continued destroying everything around her.

Back to the Autobots

Arcee, Bulkhead and Smokescreen were investigating in the forest from Costa Rica, hoping there might be clues in finding Decepticons in hopes of locating Nova. It was fortunate that they found another Decepticon sites who were trying to dig a Predacon bones. They managed to wiped them out cleanly. 

Bulkhead said, "That takes care of that."

"And look, they even dug it up for us...how thoughtful." Smokescreen jokingly.

He laughs and then picks up the bone. It's small and seems like it was either a tooth or a claw. "All this trouble for something so small." Smokescreen state.

"True but at least this makes one less bone for Megatron." Arcee replied.

He take the bone and put it in his sub space and said, "All right let's get out of here."

As they made their way outside the cave, even their objective was achieved but they notice Arcee seem doesn't feel like it.  "I hope Ratchet finds Nova. If only I wasn't fast enough, she....." Arcee said worriedly. 

Bulkhead assured, "Take it easy, Arcee. I'm sure Ratchet is going to find her." Smokescreen added, "Yeah, he'll find her in no time." 

As they were about to commed Ratchet when an explosion occurred from afar. They were startled by the explosion. Bulkhead said, "Woah, What caused that?"

Smokescreen guessed, "Could it be another Decepticon? Or Predacon?

Arcee narrowed her optics as she commed Ratchet, "Ratchet, we saw an explosion in the forest. Any idea what that is?"

She waited for Ratchet's respond until he replied, "Hmm....That's odd. It is faint but this is an extremely unusual energy flux for any planet. Judging from the signature, It seems to be fluctuating very erratically. It's unlike ever seen, you should investigate but be careful, we don't know what we're up against."  Arcee nodded as they head into the forest.

When they reached there, they seem astound by the destruction around them. "Woah, what caused this?" Bulkhead wondered. They heard a crashing sound, coming over the cliff. They trotted there slowly and peaked over the rocks, only to see a black and purple bot slashing the trees as though they were butter.

Smokescreen said, "I guess that answer our questioned."

Ratchet commed, "You three be careful, I detected dark energon signature from your location." much to Arcee and Bulkhead's surprise.

Bulkhead exclaimed, "You mean that's a terrocon. What's it doing here?"

Smokescreen said, "So that's a terrocon, I've heard it from Jack and Nova when they told me about Dark energon. I've always wondered what it looks like." 

Fowler piped in from the comm, "Well, who cares.....We have to contain this situation before we all wind up on the news."

They head down the cliff as they pointed their blasters at the dark bot. It slowly turned to them, with it's purple optics staring at them dangerously.

Smokescreen said, "Woah, that's freaky." The dark bot whirled its body as it let out a growl. They started shooting at it, hoping it might backed down but they were wrong. Instead, it just evaded their attacks then tackled Arcee, passing between Smokescreen and Bulkhead.

"ARCEE!!!" They said unison, watching Arcee slammed into the wall with the thing's hand on her face until she fell unconscious. It growled and was about to stab her when it felt shot from its back before turning to Bulkhead and Smokescreen.

Smokescreen said, "I thought terrocons don't know how to fight or equipped weapons."

Bulkhead agreed, "I thought so too!!"

It growled at them before it charged at them. Bulkhead brought his wrecking ball and planned to smashed it however it stopped him before lifting him up with full strength. Bulkhead exclaimed, "Woah." It spin him around then thrust it on the ground with a slam, showing cracks on the ground.

Smokescreen saw Arcee and Bulkhead were down, leaving him faced the terrocon. "Ok, so you can fight huh? Alright, then I'll just have to faced you then." He said, got into the fighting stance.

It cocked its head at his overconfidence before lunging at him. It threw a punch at Smokescreen. Next thing It knew. He grabbed its fist, careful of the blade and pulled it in close to him, He brought his knee to its chest which it clutched. He then wrapped his servos around the back of its head, and delivered upper cut to its abdomen, then a powerful punch to the face which sent it a few feet away from Smokescreen. It rolled on the ground, before coming to a stop. It held itself for a few seconds before getting back up, sneering at him.

Smokescreen smirked as he charged at the dark bot at full speed and when he got close to it, He raised his leg and nailed it in the torso, It still managed to stay on her feet. "Time to finish the job." Smokescreen said as he charged at her again.

He jumped up high then extended his leg in front propelling towards it. Until something happen when it ducked down as he went over head before completely though it grabbed the top half of his leg and brought him down turning him over onto his front. Smokescreen was shocked the way it brought him down like that but for some reason that move seems familiar.

'How did it do that? The only one who can do that was.....'  Smokescreen looked directly in it's optic until a realization dawn him. "No way it can't be....." He stuttered.

Arcee and Bulkhead regained conscious and saw Smokescreen on the ground with the terrocon , looking down at him, bringing its blade to him. It was their chance when Bulkhead rammed the terrocon to the rock wall while Arcee shot the cliff which cause the rocks to fall on the terrocon.

Arcee rushed to Smokescreen side, to be sure he is alright while Bulkhead pointed his blaster at the spot. Arcee asked, "Smokescreen, Are you alright? That was foolish of you trying to take down a terrorcon yourself." Smokescreen didn't respond, still trying to compute about his discovery. 

Suddenly, the rocks exploded which startle them as the terrocon flew out from the spot, doing spinning maneuver until it was upside down. The terrocon hissed at them with it wing's sprout out. (A/N just to let you know what her wings look like; they're like Homura witch wings)

Bulkhead was mentally freaked out as he tried to shoot it but it evaded the blast before lunging towards him. It landed on his arm which pushes him further, the sound of screeching from the ground till it came to a stop. Bulkhead stared at the terrocon who was in his arm. Arcee aimed her blaster at the terrocon until Smokescreen snapped out of it and saw her, planning to shoot it.

He grabbed her arm which made her missed the target, cutting between Bulkhead and the terrocon who moved away from him before landing on the ground. It snarled at trio for trying to terminate it. "What are you doing, you made me missed it?" Arcee whipped it away from Smokescreen before joining Bulkhead to his side. 

As they were about to shoot at the thing when Smokescreen stopped them. Arcee said, "Smokescreen!! Move aside!!!"

"No, I can't." Smokescreen said defiantly.

"What do you mean? That's a terrocon......"

"No you don't understand.....That's not a terrocon."

"What...?" Bulkhead said, not processing what he meant. Smokescreen looked at them with dreadful look for what comes next. "That's.......Nova!!"

Arcee and Bulkhead were shocked, turning to the terrocon who happen to be Nova, still snarling at them. Arcee said disbelief, "That's crazy....what makes you think that's her?!"

To answer her questioned, Nova unequipped her blade, raised both her arms as it shot out purple lightning blast instead of blue. The trio saw this before they dodged out of the way. Their optics widened when they recognize her lightning power.

Smokescreen exclaimed, "Who else can blast lightning like that?!

They couldn't believe that the corrupted being they were fighting was actually Nova. She released huge amount of lightning then blast at them, making the trio take cover behind the boulder. Ratchet commed, "Arcee, What's wrong?"

"Ratchet, we have a problem.....the enemy we engaged wasn't a terrocon . It's Nova....I repeat it's Nova who is now affected by Dark Energon." Arcee reported. It was silenced through their comm, they must have been shocked back in the base. That's when Ratchet commed, "Listen, you need to restrain her and try not to hurt her."

As Nova stopped blasting, she formed a lightning spear before thrusting towards the boulder they are hiding. The boulder exploded, causing the trio to scattered from the attack. "Hurt her?! What about us?!!" Bulkhead exclaimed before dodging from the lightning attack. However, she managed to struck Bulkhead from the leg which made him stumbled on the ground. He groaned before he looked ahead to see Nova walking towards him, with her hand sparking with electrical current. 

She was about to sent another when Smokescreen stood in front between Bulkhead and Nova. Arcee shouted, "Smokescreen, What are you doing?!" Smokescreen wasn't listening as he called to her, "Nova!! You gotta stop!! Don't you recognize me?!" 

Nova still walking slowly towards them as he continued, "It's me....Smokescreen?! Remember we're buddies."

All of a sudden she stopped as though she seems to respond to his word. She tilted her head with curiosity at the young autobot, puzzling why he was speaking to her. "Yeah that's right Don't you remember?! We were sparring....back in the base." Smokescreen said, noticing her action.

Somewhere deep inside her mind, Nova (in her human form) was standing in the dark void as her eyes were still tainted with dark purple energy. She was fueled with rage and anger that she attack her enemies she encountered. Even in her trapped mind, she is aware of what was happening from the outside world. To her eyes, all she see around her were 3 red silhouettes however one seem to be speaking through her. When she heard that voice, it sounded familiar when he mentioned their name which made her stop.

"Nova, you have to remember, we're your friends." the male voice said.

"My friends......"  Nova mumbled in the dark.

'.....They're right... Don't hurt your true friends...' 

'Keep firing! Keep destroying!'

The two voices were conflicting against each other again, which made her hard to think properly again. "I.....don't know what...my head....." She said, clutching her head with both hands.

In the outside of her mind, Nova hesitantly aimed her arm at Smokescreen and Bulkhead, but she didn't want to blast it. The arguing voices in her head made it impossible for her to take the correct action.

'They are your friends...'

'They are your enemies!'

'Help them...'

'Kill them...!'

Smokescreen noticed a struggled in her arm before clutching her head with both hands as though she was trying regained control. Even Bulkhead and Arcee was surprised when Smokescreen reached out to her. He knew she could hear him as he slowly went towards Nova. BUlkhead shouted, "Smokescreen NO!! Don't go closer!!" but Smokescreen ignored him.

"Nova, I know you can hear me, whatever this the dark energon did something to you that's making you go crazy, you gotta fight it. I know you don't want to hurt your friends." Smokescreen said, hoping it will bring Nova back into her senses.

'FRIENDS!'

'ENEMIES!'

'FRIENDS!'

'ENEMIES!'

Unfortunately, it was short lived when Nova couldn't take it anymore as she equipped her blade before she charged at Smokescreen at full speed. As they got close to each other, she threw her blade her target when something blur come between.

*SLASH*

Smokescreen thought he was about to be killed when someone come between. Bulkhead and Smokescreen looked in horror and shock as the event unfolded in front of them. Nova's blade went right through Arcee's abdomen, leaking energon which caused her pain.

Smokescreen yelled, "ARCEE!!!"

Which snapped Nova out of her bloodlust when it was then she recognized the figure. Something inside her mind broke as her head suddenly felt clearer. Back in her dark void, her sight shows that the red silhouette was now replaced with Arcee being stabbed, defending Smokescreen.

"Ar....Cee." She said, one tear fell from her face.

Outside her mind, Bulkhead and Smokescreen were surprised when they heard Nova's voice. Arcee looked up through her purple optics and said sympathetic, "It's not your fault, I know you didn't mean to. I'm sorry....Nova." before Nova retracted her blade from Arcee as she watch her fell limp on the ground. Smokescreen went over to Arcee and tried to wake her up.

Smokescreen said, "Arcee, C'mon don't fall into stasis. You have to stay with us." Nova staggered back, shaking her head violently, she seems too shocked what she had done. 

'No...No.....No.....What have I done?!'

 Nova let out a shout before she whirled around and flew off from them. Ignoring the call from behind as she flew farther away into the sky. Bulkhead commed, "Ratchet, we need a Groundbridge. NOW!!!" watching Smokescreen carrying Arcee.

Back in the Base

Arcee has been hooked up in a life support as Ratchet reported that the damaged was not heavy, which was a good thing that Nova barely missed the spark chamber, much to their relief. Bulkhead was in another med bay, having his leg fixed due to the damage from the lightning blast. However, they seem shocked when Bulkhead explained everything what happened. After he finished, they felt a bit shocked and solemn about Nova, even the humans.

Wheeljack said sadly, "Poor kid......"

Jack said disbelief, "I can't believe it.......Nova just stabbed Arcee like that."

Bulkhead said to him, "It wasn't her fault, Jack. It was the dark energon that was corrupting her. If only we didn't realized it....."

Smokescreen said, feeling angry, smashing his fist on the wall, "Blast those Cons, what did they do to her?!"

Optimus never felt angry and worried at the same time that her charge had been affected by Dark Energon. Which would explained that he wasn't able to feel her. After what he heard from smokescreen, he couldn't helped but blame himself for not being there for her. Even with their bond, he was unable to reached out to her either. Ratchet theorizes, "According to my theory, the Dark Energon must've affected her which caused her to go berserk. When Smokescreen said that she seems aware of what was happening, that would mean she still might be in there." 

Smokescreen exclaimed, "So, that means we might have chance to get her back."

Miko wondered, "Wait a minute....there's one thing I don't get is why Megatron isn't controlling her."

Everyone wondered about it, the Optimus and Ratchet recalled back the time Megatron was able to control the terrocons, but why not Nova? 

Ratchet replied, "I'm not sure what to explained.....but we need to be quick. If she keep this up, she'll become a mindless killer. Her rage will continue to grow and soon the dark energon will take over her body and mind."

"Fueled by her bloodlust." Jack finished. 

In the forest

Nova stood in the mountain, trying to restrained her rage but she was unable to as she kept breaking things. The dark energon coursing through her body is making her bloodlust erupted even more. She even used her power to shield her signature so that no one might find her. Her body was trembling and quaking while she gripped at her head harshly. 

 Deep inside her mindscape, Nova (in her human form) was horrified of what she did to Arcee. She was crouching, placing both arms over head while floating in the dark void. 

'Arcee was killed because of me! They're my friends! I couldn't hurt them! That wasn't the real me! I didn't want to hate others and I didn't want them to hate me!'

Nova was regretting herself that she didn't noticed a shadow appearing behind her. Nova thought to herself, "I didn't mean to hurt her, but I can't stop myself. It must have been dark energon, it's causing my bloodlust to released. At this rate, I'll end up hurting them, I know it's not my fault....I need to...."

"Liar....." a voice spoke behind. 

Nova whirled around, only to see it was her shadow again but different. Instead of blue eyes, she had purple eyes. 'We both know that's not true.....We're the ones who killed Arcee ourselves.'  her shadow said.

"You're wrong.....you and I both know that it was dark energon that's making us do this."

'Still....this bloodlust.....it's ours, isn't it?'

"I........."

'Then, that will make no difference. That is still our doing.'

"Look, it maybe our body but I told you before that I would never harm anyone."

'Then what about our past? Can we ever take back after everything we did? The people we killed.....even Arcee.....'

"That's...." Nova was feeling conflicted that she doesn't know what to think anymore. All of a sudden she felt her head ache that a sphere of tainted purple light appeared on her chest.

'As you said before; I am you, you are me. Even if we forget, our crimes will forever remained in our memories.' Her shadow pressured on.

That's when a dark color dripped and started to develop both her legs. Nova's eyes widened when she see this. She tried to rubbed it off but wouldn't come off

"My legs?" she slowly touched the spots where the darkness began to grow when she began to hear many voices from her past.

'Did you see that fight? Girl's a monster.'

'A real freak.'

'She looks scary'

'She was only trying to help her, you think she be grateful'

'She's just a mindless machine.'

'Don't kill me.'

'Monster'

'Freak!'

As the comments rambled through her head, Nova covered her ears desperate to block out the words, the screamed and cries. 

"Stop....enough....stop.....I can't...." 

'there's no hope for me now. so that means for you too....'

 As more dark tendrils creeping into her body, painting her skin in a deep purple. Nova cried for help but all she ever do was croaked. Her voiced seems cracked as the darkness spread up to her throat. Nova looked up weakly as she reached out one arm as though she wanted someone to save her.

"Someone, anyone, help me....Sire....." her tear dropped from her eye before her vision was engulfed in darkness, encasing her in their dark shade.

Outside of her mindscape, she abruptly stopped shaking and held completely still. She slowly dropped her hands from her head, straightening in posture before raising her head, revealing a pure sickly purple optics. She wanted to stop but her body wouldn't listen. She was falling back into the mindless beast of rage and bloodlust again. Now she is focus in one thing that came to her mind.

Destroy.

Back with the Autobots

Ratchet was in the computer, trying to locate her which lead to a dead end. "Blast this earth tech...." Ratchet said. Bumblebee walked towards to him, "What's wrong? Ratchet, Did you find her."

"That's the problem.....I can't detect her energy signature, she must have cloaked herself so that we won't locate her."

Ultra Magnus said surprisingly, "I didn't know she is capable of doing such a thing."

Bumbleebee stated, "You mean we can't find her like this?"

Miko asked, "But Why would she do that?"

Smokescreen said, "She must have been scared after what happened to Arcee. That's why she couldn't bring herself up."

Everyone stared at Smokescreen statement.  "Whatever the reason we need to find her before she might caused any damage." Ultra Magnus said.

Raf said to her, "How are you going to find her? I mean....she could be anywhere." They have no idea how they were able to find Nova, not even their technology can't locate her.

"No....she won't be." 

Everyone divert their gaze at their leader. "I know where she is." Optimus stated, who seems to be clutching his chest as though he felt pained. Ratchet seems worried when he noticed his condition and puzzled of what he just said. "Optimus, are you alright?" Bumblebee asked.

"I am well....." he assured.

"You know where she is....how?" Jack asked

"I can feel her.....it maybe faint but she is still there." He answered, still trying to reach her.

Everyone became silent all of a sudden as their eyes or optics were on Optimus. They seem confused and puzzled what he just said.

Smokescreen asked confusedly, "Wait.....What do you mean 'you felt her' , OPtimus?"

Optimus didn't want to tell anyone about their bond but he knew he could not hide them any longer. If he wants to save his ward, he has no choice but to tell them.

"Autobots, there is something I have to tell all of you."

They all looked at him expectantly except for Ratchet who had a growing suspicion. before he announced, "I have formed a Guardian bond with Nova."

There were crickets, from the humans because they hadn't the slightest idea of what he meant, however the Autobots.....their optics widened from a sheer shock. Miko spoke up, "What's that mean? Is it some kind of connection or something?"

Smokescreen explained, "Yes but different...... the feelings differ from bond to bond. They have to be compatible with their charge. To be a Guardian is a very serious business. It means you will protect their life with your own and be whatever they need you to be. It is more like a parental guardian bond."

It took time for the humans to figured out until Raf understand what he meant. "So you mean it's like he adopted her." He guessed.

"If that's what you meant then yeah...."

Ratchet said surprisingly, "You formed a Guardian bond with Nova, How?"

Optimus sighed as he explained everything to the team. After that, they seem very surprised about it. Ratchet was staring in disbelief to think that Optimus accepted her as his ward.

Miko exclaimed, "To think Nova became a daughter of a Prime. Sweet!!"

"Do you still feel her? Optimus....." Ratchet said. 

OPtimus replied, "Yes, though it is faint but I can feel her. We must make haste if we ever to save Nova."

Costa Rica

Optimus and his team (Bumblebee, Smokescreen, Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus) scout the forest, searching for her. They head back to the place where they first found her, though they're signs of destruction around them such as falling trees and holes on the ground. Wheeljack said surprised, "Woah, to think Tiny did all this."

Ultra Magnus said cautious, "Yes which more to reason to stay on our guard."

Bumblebee turned to his leader, "We wouldn't harm her, right?"

Optimus said to him, "No, we won't.....we just need to restrain her."

As they searched around, a purple optics peered through the woods and saw them as it slowly lifted its arm, sparking with energy. Luckily, Wheeljack was able to noticed it when he saw the purple lightning aiming at them.

"Incoming!!" Wheeljack shouted.

As they managed to dodged out of the way, they got on their pedes and looked up, only to see a corrupted Nova emerge out of the shadow, emitting a dark energy from her. Optimus' spark ached once he saw Nova's optics. The sickly purple of Dark Energon had bled into the usual bright blue and had taken her over. He blamed himself for not being there for her.

Optimus said gravely, "Oh Nova, what have they done to you?"

Ultra Magnus said defense stance, "Remember the plan, we need to stop her at any cost."

As they got into their defense mode, Smokescreen went forward to her and hoping to reached out to her like last time. "Nova, its us you remember, right?"

Nova stood there, cocking her head on the side as though she was listening. Smokescreen said, "Listen, I know its not your fault but don't worry we're going to cure you."

Nova stared at him before lowering her head and her arms. Bumblebee said surprisingly, "That was to easy..."

Smokescreen walked towards her slowly, seeing that she's behaved. However, Wheeljack had suspicious look on his face, knowing something wasn't right. The voices in Nova's head kept on chanting repeatedly.

'Kill.....Kill....Kill.'

 As Smokescreen was almost closed to Nova when Wheeljack noticed her hand sparking dangerously. Optimus noticed it as well before he warned to Smokescreen, "Smokescreen, Fall back!!"

Before Smokescreen could turned around, Nova raised her right hand as she shot Smokescreen, thrusting him towards his team. Bumblebee said frantic, "I thought you said she would listen."

Ultra Magnus said, "It would seem the dark energon has taken over her mind."

Nova stopped shooting as she equipped her purple armblades as she lunged at Smokescreen when Wheeljack came in front and blocked her attack with his sword. She growled at him as she continued attacking Wheeljack. However, he didn't have the guts to strike her. He kept blocking her attacks.

Wheeljack said, blocking her blades, "I don't think she recognize us anymore."

As their blades clashed, she kicked him in the torso before a lightning blast shot from her hands. Wheeljack managed to dodge it. She turned to aim at Bumblebee which he activated the shield which deflect her attack.

She kept sending lightning shots at Bumblebee's shield that it was pushing him further towards the wall. Luckily, Ultra Magnus rammed her over which stopped the lightning blast. Nova shook her head as she slowly stood up from her ground, glaring ferociously at the two. She lunged at Ultra Magnus with her armblades when Optimus stopped her.

Nova was pushed back before she attacked again which he kept blocking her attacks. "Nova! Stop it! It's me, Optimus Prime!" Optimus cried.

Seeing that Nova no longer heard his voice, she made a hard blow on Optimus, resulting him to be thrust into wall. Smokescreen rushed to his leader and said, "Optimus!!"

Optimus groaned before looking up to Nova standing as though she was waiting for them to make a move. Wheeljack said, "We can't stop her like this."

Ultra Magnus turned to Optimus, "Sir, we need to execute the plan or she'll finished us."

Optimus looked sadly at Nova, he didn't want to do it but if it means restraining her. He closed his optics, leaving him no choice. Optimus nodded in understanding as the team spread out. Wheeljack was on the left while Bumblebee was on the right, shooting at Nova just to divert her attention.

 "Sorry Tiny, I didn't want to do this....." Wheeljack said, he used his electric whip as it wrapped around her body, restraining both her arms. Nova struggled to free herself, but to no avail. Ultra Magnus shouted, "Now!!"

Smokescreen didn't want to do it but it was the only way as he brought out the sphere as the beam shot from the device. Nova suddenly yells out in pain as a light blur beam of light impacts her chest. "I'm sorry, Nova but its the only way." Smokescreen said sympathetic as he keeps the  beam trained on the technorganic and watches as swirls of purple light pour off from her and into the harvester. Optimus watched Nova screamed in pain while the the device is extracting the dark energon. He didn't wish he could execute the plan Ratchet had.

Flashback

"There's one problem.....How are we suppose to restrain her? Her abilities are stronger and her speed is getting faster to adapt. " Bulkhead questioned.

"Yeah beside we got ourselves whipped by her. I mean....we couldn't even touch her consider she is good." Smokescreen said.

No one didn't say anything until Ratchet spoke, "There is......" he went out to get something before coming back with a familiar sphere. "Wait....Isn't that an Energon Harvestor?" Smokescreen said in recognition. Everyone were shocked to see the harvestor in Ratchet's servo. They recall the time how it works, it could drain energon from other cybertronians. Ratchet replied, "Yes, it was before when Bulkhead almost got drained until Nova managed to damaged it. Luckily, I was able to fix it and it should be functional. I think this might stop her....."

Jack stared at it before he said in realization, "Wait....your not planning to use the harvestor on Nova?! "

Everyone were aghast by that plan as Bulkhead exclaimed, "Are you crazy, Ratchet? We can't do that to her, it' ll extract all her energon."

Ratchet said, feeling the tension atmosphere on the team,"I know that Bulkhead but we're not going to extract her energon. We just needed to weakened her so that it might be easy to restrain her."

Raf said, "But what if it doesn't work?"

"It has to...if we don't, she'll be lost." He replied.

Ultra Magnus turned to his leader, "What do you think, Optimus?"

Everyone's gaze at Optimus, who seems unsure about the plan. The Energon Harvestor is capable of draining energon, even Cybertronians. However, he was worried if something ever happens to Nova, he would never forgive himself. But the dark energon coursing through her is making her into a mindless killer. If he wants to save her, he leaves him with no choice.

He looked up to his team and gave an answer. "Very well....We must try."

End of Flashback

As the harvestor kept on extracting the dark energon out of her, Nova knelt on the ground and began to feel weak. Bumblebee exclaimed, "It's working!!"

Nova kept on groaning in pain and her head lowered down as Smokescreen said to her, "C'mon Nova, your almost there." They believed that the plan was success when they saw the dark aura around became lessened until it was shortlived when Nova slowly lifted her head as her purple optics began to flared dangerously as though they were flames. Wheeljack said, "Is it just me or is her optics in flames?"

To answer her questioned, a purple laser shot from her optics, beaming at the device that Smokescreen was holding which exploded itself. He managed to back away before the device was destroyed. They were shocked that she destroyed the Energon Harvestor. Smokescreen said stunned, "Woah, Ok since when can she do that with her optics?"

Nova growled as the dark aura began glow dangerously before she released an immensely strong energy pulse which made the electric whip dissipated and the team to be thrust back. Optimus grunt when the energy wave rolled towards him, the force pushing him but still able to stand. When the wave hit him, he heard a faint voice.

"Please....stop....."

Optimus seem surprised before looking up to Nova who pounced at Wheeljack then at Smokescreen. She seems so focus in attacking his team that no one noticed the voice. 

"Anyone.....Stop.....me...."

Optimus' optic widened in realization that it was Nova's voice but it seem the technorganic fightning before him, doesn't seem to be speaking, she was still in her beserk state. Somehow it must have been his bond link with Nova since he was the only one who can hear her thoughts. Right now, he could feel the pain in her, the feelings of sadness and deparation that she was trying to call out to anyone.

Optimus was saddened of Nova's state, all this time she wanted to be saved. His thoughts were snapped out when he saw his team was down. Nova hissed at them before turning to Optimus who was still standing.

Optimus said in a low voice, "Nova......"

"I don't want to hurt any of you anymore. I don't want to kill any of you, so please, stop me."" 

He could hear her yet the corrupted technorganic staring before him with a murderous look as Optimus stared at her with a saddened look. Even her weakened state yet she's still standing. Ultra Magnus said weakly, "Now's your chance Optimus, you have to bring her down."

Optimus stared at the commander then at Nova whose seems ready to pounced at her. He shut his optics before switching his servo into a blaster. It was according to the plan that once she's weakened, she needs to be taken down. However, Deep down that he didn't want to hurt her but how was he suppose to reached out to her, to snap her out of her beserk state. That's when it came to him.

Dismissing his blaster as he stood there, hoping his idea would work. Surely, she would remember the concept from before. His team was hoping their leader would neutralize her instead they saw Optimus disimissed his weapon. Their thoughts came to them, 'What is he thinking?!'

Then, Nova let out a shriek as she lunged towards him with both her hands sparked with lightning while Optimus spread his arms as if he was waiting for her to strike. 

The team tried to warned his leader to leave or stop her but for some reason Optimus doesn't seem to heed their words. Everything was in slow motion, When the moment she reached him, Optimus wrapped his arms around her and was pulled into a tight hug. Nova froze in place before she tried hard to wiggle herself free, her increased strength helping, but Optimus refused to let go. Still Nova tried to escape by punching him, much to their team concern.

"Optimus!!!" Smokescreen shouted. However, Optimus still refused to released her despite the pain he received. Feeling full of regret, Optimus held Nova to his chestplate and hugged her tightly and lovingly.

"I know you're in there, Nova. Don't let the dark energon take over you." He said still holding her. "I'm sorry Nova.. it is my fault that I was not there for you when you needed me." He said sadly and squeezing her closer.

"I do not want you to carry the burden alone. As we told you before, You're not alone, I'm here for you. I swear in my spark that I will be there for you, no matter how much your in. I need you.....in our future."

Just like magic, Nova stopped squirming. She didn't move or say anything. She simply stood still. She didn't understand why but her instincts was telling her to attack yet her body refused to move. As if it was telling her to listen.

"Please, I......love you so much that I could not bear to lose you. Come back to me, my child." He said with his optics shut.

Her optics' widened the moment he said that, Nova felt a warm feeling stir inside her, something in response to the familiar words. 

Deep inside her mindscape, Nova was crouching in the darkness where she was still encased in dark miasma with no way of escaping, but somehow she felt something calling out to her. She saw a blue glowing orb shining in the darkness above her head, She tried so desperately reaching out to it with her free- hand; but the darkness kept pulling her back down. By touching the bright orb with her fingertip, she was consumed within its shining aura.

Her chest suddenly glowed brightly as the warm light, blinding the team even throughout the forest. The dark miasma around her appearance began to fade back to her normal self, even her corrupted wings was now replaced with her pure wings. As the light dissipated, a very slowly arms wrapped around him and pulled him into the hug.

"Si-re." She spoke weakly. 

Optimus' optics widened as he look down at her, only to see Nova back to normal with a weak smile on her faceplate however her optics.....her right optic looks blue but the left optic shows a faint purple. Before she felt her body was about to fall, Optimus stumbled backwards, still holding Nova tightly against his chassis. Slowly, he dropped to his knees, gently holding Nova to his arms. Optimus said worriedly, "Nova...."

Nova looked up weakly and spoke, "I'm.....sorry." before she fainted. Everyone crowded around her wondering if she was going to be okay.

BAck in the Base

Nova was laying in the medbay so that Ratchet could scanned her. Everyone was worried about her after the effects of the Dark Energon. Optimus stared at the monitor, her spark beat was slow, he looked at her damaged parts, missing plating, singed metal on her legs, and a dent on her chin. 'I know these injuries.' He thought analyzing them with a palm as he looked to her face, 'Plagued by Dark Energon. But you found your way back.'

After a few minutes, Ratchet finally sighed. "Is she...?" Ultra Magnus started.

 Everyone looked at him expectantly, "She will survive, though she will need rest and to stay off her feet for a day or so. Now nothing too straining." He told Optimus as Ratchet stepped to one side allowing Optimus to move past him. He hovered over her as he lay a hand on her helm, relief she would be alright.

"Thank Primus." Arcee sighed, who recovered from the injury thanks to Ratchet's medical and everyone nodded.

Smokescreen said relief, "Yeah though I hate to admit.....she was bit strong when we try to restrain her."

Bumblebee agreed, "You have no idea."

Wheeljack added, " NOt to mentioned she destroyed the Harvestor, it almost killed her."

Ratchet turned to them, "She would have been.....I was planning to expelled the dark energon out of her but according to my scan it shows that they are diminishing the numbers from her stream."

Bulkhead said, "THat's good news, right?"

"Yes However,  my readings shows that some dark energon is stuck on her spark chamber.

They didn't understand what he mean as Ratchet said, "Don't you see? She's been injected right into her spark." 

The Autobots were shocked by this, even the humans. To think, they injected the dark energon into Nova's spark would caused her to go beserk.

"Injecting  her with Dark Energon..." Arcee utters in disgust. "Those Decepticons..."

"The last time we had a human exposed to Dark Energon, it was from a gun blast," noted Ratchet. "But injecting a refined Dark Energon..."

"Can she be saved?" Jack said.

Everyone falls silent.

"I... I don't know..." Ratchet responded. "It shows that the dark energon is in dormant and it doesn't seem to be active. It's strange that her powers didn't purged the dark energon out of her but It doesn't seem to have negative effects so far."

Miko said, "So its like stuck inside her......Can't you just get it out of her?"

"I would advise against it.....I might accidentally offline her." Ratchet replied.

Raf said, looked sick, "But she's gonna pull through and be fully functional again, right?"

Ratchet nodded, "Yes, she should be and in an accelerated time too. Whatever her abilities are they seem to speed up the healing process. In the meantime, she should get some rest."

They all left the room except Optimus who still did not move from his position, Ratchet told him to rest but he refused. "I want to be here when she wakes up," he declares firmly.

The kids left soon after to get some sleep and the rest of the base soon fell dark too, the only lights coming from the monitor screens. Optimus sit on a crate next to her berth he leaned against the wall, just sitting by her felt better. Closing his optics he smiled when he saw her peaceful sleep on her faceplate. He reached over and held her servo, "I promise.....I won't leave your side."

Laying his helm on her berth he fell into recharge peacefully for the first time in a while, how long had it been since he last uttered those words? He fell into recharge and unbeknownst to him a smile crept its way onto Nova's face.

Later that night, or very early morning, Ratchet had come in to check on Nova and found a sight that warmed his spark. Nova was recharging on the berth with Optimus sitting next to it with his helm next to hers and their servos intertwined. He left the room to grab some Energon for Nova when she awoke and stared at Optimus. Blinking his optics online he felt a gaze upon him, turning he saw Nova awake, "Sire....." She said weakly.

"Nova..." He said.

"Am I.....still dreaming?"

He shaked his head and smiled, "No, Nova you are back.....with us."

Nova slowly smiled at him, realizing that she was back with at the base with the Autobots. 

 "How are you?"

"Better but my mind feels blurry.......All I rememeber was that I was in the Nemesis then......" then her optics widened in horror of realization. "Is Arcee.....?" She asked suddenly.

Optimus replied, "No.....Arcee has survived and was recovered."

Nova sighed in relief before turning away. "I can't believe it..... I almost killed all of you, even though I was aware of myself. I....I....." Nova said regrettably until she was cut off when Optimus calm her down.

"It is alright, Nova. You are not to blame."

"But...."

"Nova, what matter is that I am glad you are safe."

Nova stared at his sincere face which made her feel safe. "Um....Sire....Did you.....?" She asked. Optimus knew what she was refering to as he answered, "Yes, I told them about our bond, how you became my child but not everything unless you are ready to tell them."

Nova nodded in understanding since they are bound to happen. Then, She felt her optics feeling heavy which Optimus noticed it. "You should rest now, Nova." He said as he was about to leave when she grabbed him on the servo. He turned to her, only to see a pleading look on her face.

"Could you.....stay with me? I just.....don't like to be alone." Nova requested.

Optimus stared at her before accepting it as he reached over and held her in a gentle grasp, while being careful of her injuries, he then pulled back and cradled her face in his hands as she smiled at him. Nova sighed contently as she snuggled into his chest more as he leaned over from the chair and held her. Ratchet had returned shortly before and saw them sleeping together, like father and daughter moment. Ratchet smiled at the touching moment before him as he slowly leave the room.

Ratchet said to himself, 'it's good to see him smile like that again.'