A massive snowstorm hit Detroit, and Professor Sumdac had just retrieved Megatron's body.
"It's lucky that we found your body in the woods before that storm hit," said Professor Sumdac as Megatron's body entered the lab by elevator. "There's no telling what kind of damage those conditions could have caused. Although this circuitry survived remarkably well, considering how long it was exposed to the elements."
Professor Sumdac then went to work to fix Megatron's body.
"Cybertronian technology can withstand more than this pathetic planet can dish out," said Megatron to himself. Then the lights began to flicker. "What's happening? Is there some kind of malfunction?"
"Until the power comes back on, the entire tower is being run on the backup generators. Apparently, it can't take the overload."
"Then shut down the rest of the building down!" Megatron roared. "Nothing is more important than these upgrades! Do you hear me, human?! Nothing!"
Professor Sumdac was completely taken aback. "But…I—"
"I only mean that any day now, the Decepticons will make their move on your people and this planet," said Megatron calming down. "And I must be ready to battle alongside my… Autobot… brothers and sister."
Sari then appeared on the monitor. "Hi, dad. I tried, hmm… tried to use my key to get the generator back up," the receptionist-bot's head exploded in the background, "but I think it made things worse…"
"I'll be right there," Professor Sumdac sighed and began to leave the lab. "I'm sure I can find a way to the nonessential areas of the tower."
"Will these infernal setbacks never end?" Megatron grumbled. "The child's key contains the power I need to make my triumphant return. But how am I to obtain it when I'm trapped in this lab? Surrounded by enemies." Megatron then just made a realisation. "Unless Lugnut is still online…"
Both Lugnut and Blitzwing were trying to put themselves back together after their battle with the Autobots
"Ungh! Almost…got it!" said Blitzwing finished scotch-taping down the purple shoulder piece onto his shoulder. The weight of it caused him to fall and collapse. "There! Good as new!"
Lugnut then loomed over him. "Fool! That was mine!"
"Yes, but I doubt it'll do you much good at zis point," said Blitzwing.
"Give me that! Or I will pulverise you!" Lugnut roared, bending down to take this shoulder piece back, but Blitzwing held onto it.
Blitzwing's face then turned to his hotheaded personality; he grabbed Lugnut by the head and waist and flipped him over in a toss. His face then turned to his random personality, and he ripped the shoulder piece off and threw it at Lugnut while cackling wildly.
"Are you two rust buckets DONE YET?!" Starscream yelled loudly as he stood strongly before them. "The only reason you yammering metalheads are still online is because of me! The supreme leader you have chosen to crush the Autobots! And lead the Decepticons to victory!"
"You were not chosen!" Lugnut reminded as he got to his feet.
"True, you did threaten us," Blitzwing agreed.
"Silence!" Starscream retorted. "My point is that we stand on the very precipice of destiny! The AllSpark is almost within our grasp, and its power will be mine!"
"Lugnut! My loyal servant," Megatron greeted. "Your leader needs you."
"Master…" Lugnut sighed happily and knelt down.
"Ah, that's more like it," Starscream smiled.
"Please, forgive me for failing you. My liege."
"Um, all right? Just don't let it happen again."
"The past is of no consequence, Lugnut. A much more vital mission is now at hand. That key that the Autobots possess."
"The one that contains the charge of the AllSpark. I remember it well."
"Bring it to me immediately. My triumphant restoration depends upon it."
"And the universe will REJOICE! ALL HAIL YOUR GRAND AND GLORIOUS RETURN!"
"Okaaay, what's his malfunction?" Starscream asked Blitzwing.
"Technical glitch. It happens," said Blitzwing and then changed to his random personality. "A lot, actually! Ahahaha!"
"It is not a glitch!" Lugnut insisted, "It is Megatron. And he commands us to deliver him the key!"
"Megatron?" Starscream gasped. "Did you just say Megatron?! Did he just say Megatron?! THERE IS NO MEGATRON! MEGATRON IS OFFLINE! TERMINATED! I DID IT MY—saw it myself."
"Lies! Lies! Megatron lives! We must obey! Our supreme leader has spoken."
"Aren't you forgetting something? I AM YOUR SUPREME LEADER!"
"Decepticons, Decepticons," Blitzwing interrupted. "Can't we all just get along? OR SHOULD I CRUSH YOU ALL?!"
"SILENCE!" Starscream roared and aimed his null-ray blaster. Blitzwing quickly ducked, thinking that he was about to fire upon them. Instead, he fired a small beam and began scanning Lugnut's body. "My scanners indicate Lugnut is picking up a communication signal from somewhere."
"Yes! It is our master! You must believe!"
"I believe that someone is trying to deceive poor Lugnut here and undermine my authority! And for that, they must be eliminated." Starscream stopped the scan. "Lugnut! Blitzwing! Do as our mystery caller commands. Track the energy signature and find that key! Meanwhile, I will locate the source of the transmission."
"And locate our grand and glorious leader!"
"Yes, fine, whatever."
"And protect his life force at all costs!"
Starscream watched as the two of them transformed into their vehicle modes and took off.
"Of course. What else would I do?" he said with a sinister smile.
Alarms were going off at the Autobot's base, then Prowl entered the main room.
"Security sensors are picking up increased Decepticon signals," Prowl reported. "Activity levels are higher than we've ever seen on Earth."
"Could mean they're preparing for an invasion," Optimus concluded. Then two planes zoomed down at them.
"Incoming!" Ratchet yelled, activating his magnets and destroying one of the planes.
Seconds later, both Sari and Bumblebee entered the room with remote controls.
"Hey! You made me lose the dog fight!" Bumblebee accused as Sari landed the ever playing with her controls.
"What was that for?" Sari asked.
"We're a little on edge right now, Sari. The Decepticons are mobilising for an invasion," Optimus explained.
"And we are supposed to defend the entire how?" Bumblebee asked. "I mean, I hate to be a downer here but six of us against all of them? The odds aren't exactly in our favour."
"Uh, hello? I make seven," Sari reminded.
"Hey! Maybe the Dinobots can help!" Bulkhead suggested.
"The Dinobots went missing. No one knows where they are, Right?" Optimus reminded him.
"You told me you'd tell him," said Bulkhead looking at Prowl. "He told me he was gonna tell you."
"Tell me what?" Optimus asked.
"Go on. It's Prime. He'll understand," said Bulkhead, then backed away.
"YOU STOLE THE DINOBOTS AND TOOK THEM TO AN ISLAND?" Optimus roared.
"At least he took it well," said Blackarachnia.
"Technically, I rescued the Dinobots," Prowl corrected. "I sensed a spark in them. We are programmed to protect life, not destroy it."
"The fate of the Earth and Cybertron hang in the balance, and all I've got to command is a bunch of undisciplined, insubordinate malfunctions!" Optimus yelled.
"You might want to go a little easier on the young bots," Ratchet suggested.
"Maybe it's not a bad thing! What Prowl did? We could use it to our advantage? I mean, they kinda owe us," Bulkhead suggested.
"Bulkhead and I could go to the Dinobots Island and ask them to help us fight against the Decepticons," Prowl offered
"Fine! But I'm coming with you. To make sure the job's done right this time," said Optimus firmly. "Mistakes are something we can't afford. Too much hangs in the balance, and we need tighter security on every level. Starting with the key."
"What?" Sari gasped.
"It's not safe in Sari's care anymore, and Sari's not safe either. So we're going to guard it from here on out. After all, it's not a toy."
"That's not fair! The AllSpark chose me to take care of it, and I've done a pretty good job of taking care of it so far!" Sari pulled her key out of the toy aeroplane. The plane flew out of her hand and hit Ratchet in the head. "Oops, my bad."
"I think that proves my point. Sari, the situation is getting too dangerous," said Optimus and reached out for the key. "Besides, it's not about you. It's about our future."
"Optimus, don't you think this is going a little too far?" said Blackarachnia.
"No, I don't," said Optimus strictly. "I'm doing what needs to be done, and the key will be far safe in our hands."
"No! I'm in charge of the key! It's my job, not yours," said Sari hiding it behind her back.
Optimus looked at Ratchet. "Take it."
Ratchet looked very reluctant. "Prime, maybe we could—"
"That's an order!"
"Yes, sir," Ratchet sighed sadly.
He activated his magnets and yanked the key out of Sari's hand. She grabbed it and tried to pull it back, but magnetic force proved stronger than her and yanked the key out of her hand.
"Why don't you trust me? I trusted you!" Sari sobbed and then turned and ran away.
"Sari!" Bumblebee yelled and looked back at Optimus. "What's your damage, Prime? Sari's been with us since the day we got here! She's a part of this team!"
"Well, considering your own past mistakes, Bumblebee, I wouldn't exactly call you a great character witness," said Optimus.
"Is that right?" said Bumblebee narrowing his eyes. "Well, let me tell you something, Boss Bot! Considering that we're stuck here on this planet outnumbered, with no idea how we're going to beat an army of Decepticons ready to fry our circuits at any second, I wouldn't exactly call you a great leader! I'm gonna go find Sari."
"Bumblebee! Get back here!" Optimus ordered
Bumblebee just ignored him and walked away.
Blackarachnia then turned to face Optimus. "Bumblebee is right. You're pushing everyone aside and demanding them to fall your example. You're acting just like Sentinel. I'm going with Bumblebee."
She then began to run after Bumblebee.
Sari was running down the street, getting far away from the Autobots as she could.
"Stupid robots. Think they're so much better. Think they're smarter. Well, who needs em?" Sari muttered as she ran down the street.
Then suddenly, she was struck by some webbing and was pulled onto a rooftop where she came face-to-face with Tarantulas.
"Tell me about it, kid," said Tarantulas.
Not far away, Bumblebee was driving down the same street.
"Sari! Where are you?" Bumblebee called.
"Any sign of her?" Blackarachnia asked as she swung in beside him.
"It's like she just disappeared," Bumblebee sighed.
"Bumblebee, Blackarachnia, return to the plant immediately. We have important matters to deal with," Optimus ordered.
"More important than our friends?" Bumblebee said.
"Unlike you, I'm not going to leave anyone behind," said Blackarachnia.
"Bumblebee, Blackarachnia, that's not a request. That's an order!" said Optimus.
"Let them go," said Ratchet.
"Since when is insubordination acceptable, Ratchet?" Optimus asked, looking at him. "We have a job to do, and we're supposed to work as a team! And now my own second-in-command is being subordinate."
"Don't be so hard on them, Prime; we've all been fighting the good fight."
"I know," Optimus sighed. "We've all been pushed to our limits. But we can't just stand around making excuses. Not if we're going to survive. Ratchet take the key and head to the ship. We need to protect the AllSpark if the Decepticons try to make a move." Ratchet nodded, and then he turned to Prowl and Bulkhead. "You two show me this 'Dinobot Island'."
Meanwhile, on a rooftop, Tarantulas had Sari hostage.
"Long time no see, kiddo," he said. "Miss me?"
"Like I miss the chickenpox," said Sari.
"Funny, but as much as I love to trace snappy comebacks with you, frankly, I'm already bored," said Tarantulas. "So why don't you just hand over the key, and I'll be on my way."
"Yeah, well, you're a little too late," said Sari. "They didn't trust me with it anymore, so they took it away."
"Oh, well," said Tarantulas looking intrigued. "Then it sounds if we have something in common."
"Really?" said Sari sceptically.
"You think what happened to my sister was a choice?" Tarantulas snarled. "Everything I have done was for her, and I'll do whatever it takes to cure her."
"Well, the key is not going to help you," said Sari looking at him. "You don't think that Blackarachnia already experimented on that idea? She deemed it far too dangerous, not only for her before everyone around her."
"Yet, she has access to the most powerful energy source in the galaxy at her fingertips. With the power of the AllSpark, I know she could be cured. If you really are her friend, he would help me."
Sari just looked at him, deep in thought.
Ratchet was making his way to the docks when suddenly a bombardment of missiles rained down from above. He skidded to a halt and saw Blitzwing flying overhead.
"I suggest you hand over ze key Autobot!" Blitzwing advised.
Ratchet drove away, but Blitzwing fired more missiles, and he quickly transformed a robot mode as they hit the road. The moment they may contact, ice began to erupt, blocking his path. Then to make matters worse, he saw Lugnut flying towards him.
"Our master will not be denied!" Lugnut roared and transformed into robot mode and used his P.O.K.E attach on the ground.
Ratchet was able to jump back in time, but the shot with the blast slammed him against the wall of a building. He had just picked himself up when Blitzwing transformed into robot mode and landed in front of him.
"THE KEY AUTOBOT!" Blitzwing demanded as he held out his servo.
"You'll have to pry it from my cold offline servo," Ratchet growled, raising his magnets to which the key was still attached.
Blitzwing fired an ice beam that encased Ratchet in ice. He then promptly landed right in front of him.
"Well, it's not exactly offline, but it is serenely cold, ahahah!" Blitzwing laughed as he tore Ratchet's arm off.
"Quickly, the master awaits," said Lugnut.
He and Blitzwing then flew off.
Ratchet watched them fly away. He then broke his icy prison and looked at his missing arm. "Great, now what am I gonna tell the kid?"
Optimus, Prowl and Bulkhead had reached Dinobot Island and were now looking for the Dinobots.
"We've searched every inch of this island, and there's still no sign of the Dinobots," said Optimus.
"Maybe they left," Bulkhead suggested. Optimus and Prowl looked at him dubiously. Just then, the Dinobots stepped out into the open. "Or not."
"Do not fear! We come in peace," said Optimus slowly.
They looked at each other then they transformed into robot mode.
"Intruders! Dinobots destroy!" Grimlock roared, pulling out his sword.
Optimus looked at Prowl and Bulkhead. "Anything else you forgot to tell me?"
"Let me talk to them," Prowl offered. "I helped them before. They know me."
"I think you've done enough damage," said Optimus and turned back to the Dinobots. "We've come to talk. We will not hurt you."
"Dinobots hurt you!" Grimlock roared, and the Dinobots charged, and Optimus and Bulkhead raised their weapons.
"Hold your fire!" Prowl yelled. "Grimlock, stop!" The Dinobots stopped. "There's no need to fear us. We helped you defeat Meltdown. Remember?"
"Meltdown?" Optimus asked, looking at Bulkhead.
"Don't ask," said Bulkhead.
"Cycle, car and spider robots good. Truck robot bad!" Grimlock growled at Optimus.
"Truck robot good, our friend!" Prowl insisted.
"Friend?" Grimlock said and looked at the other Dinobots.
"Evil forces are about to invade this planet and destroy everything in their path," Optimus explained. "If we want to survive, we must join forces and fight them together."
"Dinobots do not need robots to fight! Dinobots destroy robots!" Grimlock growled as they transformed.
"In case you haven't noticed, Dinobots are robots," Optimus pointed out.
Then the Dinobots started to fight each other.
"Prime? It's Ratchet," said Ratchet over the comlink. "The key's been stolen!"
"What? How?" Optimus asked.
"Couple of Decepticon scum ambushed me on the way to the ship. I tried to fight them off but—"
"It's not important now. Just get to the ship and protect the AllSpark. We'll meet you there," Optimus ordered and looked at the others. "Let's rollout."
"But what about the Dinobots?" Prowl asked.
"Looks like we're on our own," said Optimus as the Dinobots continued to fight amongst themselves.
"So, Boss bot, what do we do now?" Bulkhead asked as they walked away.
"I'm not so sure I know anymore," said Optimus. "So far, every decision I've made today turned out to be the wrong one. Maybe Blackarachnia and Bumblebee are right. Maybe I'm not cut out to lead this team."
Starscream had reached Sumdac Tower after tracing the location of the signal.
"Ahhh, the source of the treasonous communication signal," he said and fired a null ray blast at the top floor of the tower.
He then transformed into robot mode and landed on the roof. He then looked down into the laboratory belonging to Professor Sumdac and was shocked to discover Megatron's head sitting there.
At first, he was shocked but then smiled as he entered the lab.
"Well, look what the capacitor dragged in," said Megatron, hiding his displeasure with his eyes glowing.
"Megatron? Alive?" Starscream gasped and then quickly regained his composure, "And looking… magnificent as always."
"Starscream. How good it is to be reunited with such a devoted and faithful subject in my time of need."
"I would've come sooner, oh grand and illustrious leader, but naturally, we'd all assumed you'd perished at the hands of the Autobot scum," said Starscream as he bowed while trying to come up with the right words. "What…great…joy to see you did not."
"Yes, delight is written all over your face."
Bumblebee was driving down a road towards Sumdac Tower with Blackarachnia on his back. They came to a stop when they reached the tower, and both of them quickly transformed to robot mode; the two of them who had seen the explosion went to investigate.
They could see a massive hole within Sumdac Tower on the top floor, and inside the floor was Starscream.
"Autobot alert! Autobot alert!" Bumblebee yelled quickly on his comlink. "Is anybody out there?"
"Bumblebee! It's Prime. What's your status?" Optimus asked.
"Trouble at Sumdac Tower! It begins with a Star- and ends with a –scream," said Bumblebee as he and Blackarachnia ran inside the tower.
"Well, this day just keeps getting better and better," Optimus mutters. "Do not engage! Repeat. Do not engage! Wait for backup!"
"But Sari could be in danger!" said Bumblebee.
"Bumblebee! Stand down! Do you read?" said Optimus.
"Shouldn't we at least find out what he's doing at Sumdac Tower?" Blackarachnia asked. "Last time he was in town, he made a grand showing demanding the AllSpark. At the moment, he does seem to be standing there, and according to the schematics of the building, he's directly inside Professor Sumdac's laboratory."
"Too dangerous!" Optimus yelled. "Wait until we arrive!"
"Oh sorry—kersssh—can't hear you—kra krsssh—must be going through a canyon or something!" said Bumblebee clicking off the comlink.
They stopped when they reached the elevator, and Bumblebee immediately pressed the button. The moment it arrived, the two of them entered, though it was a tight squeeze.
"Looks like it's just us and Starscream," said Bumblebee.
"Hopefully, we will be enough," said Blackarachnia as the door close.
Inside the lab, Starscream was sitting next to Megatron, unaware that he knew about his treachery.
"Oh, what a pity it is, my liege, to see you in such a helpless and unprotected state," said Starscream. "Why practically anyone could just walk right in here and terminate you." Starscream couldn't help but smile at the thought.
Then as if on cue, Bumblebee and Blackarachnia burst through the door and shot several stinger blasts at Starscream. Sadly their attacks had no effect on him, and he merely got to his feet.
"Finished?" he asked.
He then turned and fired his null ray at the two of them, knocking them into the wall. He grabbed Bumblebee and Blackarachnia by the throat with both hands.
"YOU INTERRUPTED MY SPEEEEEECH!" Starscream roared. "But don't worry. It won't happen again."
"Time to learn the price of betraying me, Starscream," Megatron whispered. He used his technokinesis to control a crane. The crane grabbed Starscream, zoomed upward, and threw all three through the roof.
"What is going on here?!" Professor Sumdac ran inside the lab and looked at the carnage.
"Time is short! The evildoers are making a full-scale assault on your world! I need my new body now!" Megatron rushed.
"I'll do what I can!"
"As will I!" Megatron pulled up a security screen.
On the roof, everyone was rather shaken, though Starscream got the worst of it.
"Woah, somebody down there likes us," said Bumblebee shaking his head.
"I wouldn't be too sure," said Blackarachnia. "After all, they attacked us as well is Starscream."
The two of them then saw Starscream getting back on his feet and quickly fired their stingers at him, but he easily shot through their attacks with his null ray. Blackarachnia jumped out of the way, but Bumblebee got hit and was knocked off the roof. Fortunately, he was able to grab hold of the ledge.
Blackarachnia then charged at Starscream, swinging some powerful kicks, but he easily blocked them. He then slammed his elbow down on her, knocking her to the ground and then placed a foot on her chest, pinning her down.
"Well, this has been fun, Autobots. But your time is up!" Starscream pointed his blaster at her.
Megatron then activated the tower's defensive, striking a bolt of lightning at Starscream, but in the process, it struck Blackarachnia. Both of them howled in pain as they were being electrocuted.
Professor Sumdac continued working on Megatron's body when suddenly both Lugnut and Blitzwing appeared. The two of them transformed into robot mode and entered the lab.
"We have come for our glorious leader Megatron!" Lugnut announced.
"I am here Lugnut," said Megatron.
"Oh, master!" Lugnut fell on his knees and hands and bowed, "I am not worthy! I am not worthy!" He then realised for the first time that Megatron was only a severed head. "What happened to your body?"
"Long story."
"So you didn't have voices in your head," Blitzwing said and then quickly shifted to his random personality. "You had a dead guy in your head! Ahahaha!"
Lugnut smacked Blitzwing to the ground. "I swore I would not fail you, oh great one! Victory is at hand! And now's the time to crush the Autobots into oblivion!"
"What are you talking about?! Who are you?!" Professor Sumdac demanded as he entered the lab.
Lugnut forced Sumdac to the ground. "On your knees, Earth scum. And bow before the great and glorious Megatron! Supreme leader of all Decepticons!"
"Decepticons? But you told me you were an Autobot!"
"And I hate every moment of that humiliating charade," Megatron admitted. "But no more."
"I can't believe I trusted you. What have I done?"
"Professor Sumdac, you can't leave just yet." Megatron picked him up with a crane and sat him down in his hand. "Don't you want to see the completion of that which you helped to create?"
Blitzwing then bent down to Megatron's head and inserted the key in the slot on the top of his head.
Megatron glowed blue, and energy travelled through his circuits. Megatron's body began to glow, and various equipment, scraps, and pieces of the wall were ripped apart by the energy and darted to Megatron's body, attaching to it. Wires from his severed arm then shot into the ground and linked to his hand.
Professor Sumdac jumped to safety just as the hand was dragged through the floor and reattached itself to Megatron's body. Components then began to attach themselves to his head, and then they began to attach to his body, making him complete.
Upon the roof, Bumblebee managed to pull his way on to the roof, but Starscream aimed his null ray directly at him. In his other hand, he held Blackarachnia by the throat.
The other Autobots arrived at Sumdac Tower and transformed into robot mode.
"Is that Starscream? And Bumblebee and Blackarachnia?" Prowl gasped.
"Guess they didn't listen to you," Bulkhead said.
"Yes, it's becoming quite a habit," said Optimus, and then they saw Starscream tossing Blackarachnia off the roof.
"Blackarachnia!" Optimus shouted.
Blackarachnia quickly fired some webbing at the tower and managed to slow her descent and landing in front of the other Autobots.
"You all right?" Optimus asked, rushing to her.
"I'm all right, but I think we have other problems," said Blackarachnia.
She wasn't wrong, as the entire tower then started to glow red.
"NO! It can't be!" Starscream yelled, horrified.
A huge explosion blasted a hole in the roof and almost blew off Bumblebee and Starscream. A figure burst out of the smoke in a blur, and Optimus looked up in fear because there floated right above them was Megatron.