A/N: Note that the two Cybertronian relics (Nitro Shock & Dark Nous) in this chapter are my ORIGINAL creations.

Ratchet was alone at base when Luna and Monica arrived. He was keeping a close watch on the monitors. "Where's the team?" Luna asked.

"We have detected two relic signatures at the same time. They split up in hopes of retrieving both."

"Why are these ancient relics on Earth anyway?" Monica asked

"They were transported here, for safe keeping, during the war." Luna explained.

"The purpose was to keep them out of Decepticon reach." Ratchet added.

Suddenly, the monitor went off, locating a third relic signature. Ratchet couldn't believe how much activity the 'Cons were throwing at them today. "I'll go." Luna volunteered.

"By yourself? Are you sure?"

"I think I can handle it." Ratchet gave her a skeptical look. Then she added, "You know I'm capable, Ratchet."

"Fine, fine." The medic agreed, preparing the ground-bridge. He looked at Monica, "Since the team is divided, I'll need help monitoring the emergency channels."

She looked around, shocked. "Me? But I don't know anything about-"

"It's all Earth-based tech. You should be familiar with it."

"Right..." Monica took a seat at one of the computers, studying the information on the screen. It showed five life signals for each Autobot out in the field. It was self-explanatory.

Luna looked back before entering the ground-bridge. Monica gave her a thumbs up, offering a hopeful smile for the both of them.


(Location: Rocky Mountains)

Meanwhile, Bulkhead and Bumblebee were in the middle of battle, and they were in deep trouble. Arachnid and Breakdown possessed the relic known as the Nitro Shock, a powerful scepter with the ability to harness and eject electricity. It was of Decepticon origin. One zap could fry their circuits to a crisp.

Arachnid fired another electric wave at Bumblebee, but he swiftly slid underneath it. She growled, turning her attention to a much easier target. Breakdown and Bulkhead were in an intense lock, trying to break each others hold. Arachnid aimed the relic for Bulkhead. Bumblebee noticed this and immediately tried to stop her. He tackled her, but by then it was too late and electricity burst free. At the last second, Bulkhead forced Breakdown in front of him, and his rival got violently electrocuted. The blue mech groaned and fell to the ground in defeat.

Arachnid kicked Bumblebee off of her and quickly rose, placing the scepter on his chest. "Not another move, bug."

Bulkhead fired his blasters, and Arachnid stumbled when she got hit in the back. Bumblebee then reached for the scepter and tried to pull it from her grasp. She struggled for control as Bumblebee struggled not to let the thing zap him. Another electric surge was released, traveling sideways and striking a nearby tree.

Suddenly, there was a crash of thunder, and the sky filled with heavy, dark clouds. Bulkhead stopped short, "Uh oh."

Arachnid pulled the relic free from Bumblebee's grip. A strike of lightening flashed from the sky, and the scout backed away slowly. Arachnid smiled, "Perfect timing."

The relic was able to attract atmospheric electricity, which is why the thunder storm seemed to come out of no where. Arachnid transformed and flew to higher ground, raising the staff in the air. She was going to harness energy from the lightening. Once that happened, there was a small chance that they would make it out alive.

Bulkhead felt he had no choice but to call the base. "Ratchet, we need to get out of here. Now."

A ground-bridge instantly opened up beside him. Arachnid noticed this, just as there was another loud crash of thunder. "Leaving so soon?! We haven't gotten to the best part!"

Bumblebee buzzed with anger. He transformed and gunned his engine. She was caught off guard when the scout appeared behind her. She thought they had already fled. Bumblebee rammed into her and the scepter went flying into the air. It landed in the middle of the field, piercing the ground so it stuck out vertically.

The three of them froze for a split second before rushing after it. Just then, lightning from the sky struck the relic, absorbing more energy than ever imagined by human kind.

Bumblebee was the first one to grab it.

Arachnid gasped, backing up slowly as the scout held high his new weapon. The scepter released lightning bolts into the sky, showing off its full power. The relic was pulsating with energy. Arachnid growled. She knew when she was beaten, so she transformed and flew off.

"Nice job, Bee." Bulkhead said. "Uh, you can lower the relic now. You're making me nervous with that thing."

Breakdown groaned, seeming to come to his senses. He stumbled as he got to his feet and looked around in a daze. He saw that Bumblebee had the relic. Arachnid was nowhere to be found.

"What's the matter, Breakdown? Can't handle a little lightening?" Bulkhead teased.

The 'Con growled, but decided to retreat while he still had the chance.


(Location: Amazon rainforest)

Meanwhile, Optimus and Arcee were making their way through the jungle. Optimus slashed at vines and branches while Arcee followed behind, monitoring the relic's energy signature.

Nova and Knockout had already dug up the relic. It was called the Dark Nous, another scepter with a mystical, glowing orb attached to the top half. It was well-known for its hypnotic powers. Those who use it have the ability to control the mind of any Cybertronian.

"Do you think it really works?" Knockout asked.

From a distance, Optimus and Arcee had discovered their location. Optimus drew his blaster, "Surrender the relic!"

Nova always welcomed a fight against Optimus Prime. It was an opportunity to play games with him. She constantly tried to mess with his head, but Prime would never lose his temper or show any sign of emotion. He always seemed to have everything under control. It was ridiculous. Nova hoped one day she would get him to crack.

"Only one way to find out." Nova said, playfully. "Keep Prime busy."

"Me?!"

"Just for a moment. You can handle it, can't you?"

If he wanted to impress her, he thought now was his chance. Nova focused her attention on the two-wheeler. She was only interested in seeing how Prime would react once she turned his little Autobot comrade against him.

Nova attacked Arcee with the relic in hand. Size difference aside, Arcee knew she didn't stand a chance against the former gladiator. Nova was surprised by how well she fought for a two-wheeler. She actually had to put in some effort. Then she hit Arcee so hard that it sent her flying through the jungle. Optimus saw this and yelled for her, but the Autobot could only groan, looking up helplessly at Nova.

She held out the relic in front of her face, "Arcee, is it? You're tougher than you look. I don't think this will kill you, but no promises."

Arcee stared at her reflection on the glowing orb. She couldn't look away for some reason, it was mesmerizing. There was a bright flash that made everything around her start to fade away. She no longer felt control in her own body. Her optics turned dark.

"Do as I command, Arcee. Attack your leader and show no mercy!" Nova instructed the hypnotized Autobot.

"Nova! Let her go!" Optimus called out.

Arcee stood up with a blank expression on her face. Her hands turned to fists when she noticed Optimus. Nova smirked, stepping aside to watch the show, "She's all yours, Prime."

Arcee extracted the blades on her forearms and attacked her leader. Optimus blocked her, confused and concerned as to why she was doing this. She wasn't holding back. From across the way, he noticed the relic that Nova was holding and quickly realized that Arcee wasn't in her right state of mind.

Nova casually stepped around them as she went over to go stand with Knockout. He grinned at her, proud of himself for distracting Optimus long enough. "Not even a scratch."

The two of them turned to watch as Arcee and Optimus continued to battle. "At least we know it really works." Nova said.

"It is rather amusing to see Optimus Prime so helpless against his fellow Autobot."

Nova laughed, "That was my plan. He could easily take her down, but he won't. Prime shows too much compassion. It's his greatest weakness."

As a ground-bridge opened up beside them, Nova turned to say one last thing, "Play nice, Optimus! I assume Megatron will be eager to turn your entire team against you!"

Optimus didin't know what to do. He couldn't hurt Arcee, even if she was under mind control. He called the base, "Ratchet, I need your help."


After Optimus explained the situation, Ratchet immediately opened a ground-bridge. "I need to help Optimus out in the field. Can you monitor the channels without me?"

"No problem." Monica answered. He had taught her how to set coordinates for the ground-bridge. There was nothing to it.

"You can contact me if there is an emergency." She watched him as he prepared a syringe tube, containing a sedative for Arcee. If they didn't want to hurt her, they were going to have to put her in a stasis.

"Okay . . ." Monica replied, wondering if she should ask what's wrong. Instead she added "Good Luck."

As soon as Ratchet left, Luna called the base for him. "It's just me, Luna. Ratchet went to help Optimus. Did you find the relic?"

"No. I've searched the entire area, but there's no sign of Decepticon activity. And I can't seem to trace the signal. Are you sure I'm at the correct location?"

Monica checked the computer "You're at the right coordinates. Maybe the 'Cons beat you there?"

"That's possible. Something just doesn't feel right."

Luna was about to request a bridge when someone called her name. She recognized that voice right away. Slowly, she turned around to see Megatron standing before her. She fell right into his trap.