(Please see all previous disclaimers, don't own rights to referred characters and place from Wizard of Oz, just using for reference in story)
With the others unaware that Lancex had indeed heard the comment about Optimus and Predaking liking Lancex, Lancex raced quietly backed to his room. His head was spinning with conflicting emotions, even though he thought he was an emotionless bot. This new information seemed to make the bot dizzy, and figuring that the only cure for this was to escape, Lancex made a plan to leave once either everyone was either sleeping or out. But in order to leave, Lancex would need to rest up. And since he no longer felt comfortable with Optimus and Predaking, Lancex locked the door and rested.
Meanwhile, unaware of the damage that the conversation had, Optimus headed out to look for Lancex. While they gave each other glares, they knew he had been training and would likely be tired and so they headed for his room. Upon reaching the room, it was strangely locked. Predaking tried to yank open the door but it would not budge. Predaking was going to kick the door in but Optimus stopped him. Predaking glared at Optimus. "If he locked the door, he must want his space. Let's give him time. We can talk to him later" Optimus explained, not realizing that the later he hoped for wouldn't happen exactly as he hoped. Predaking then relented and the pair headed off.
Later, under the cover of night, when only Bumblebee was up in the base and watching the monitors, Lancex made good his escape. He desperate emotional state driving him to find a way back to where he really came from. He raced under the cover of another ability of his – invisibility. He hid his signature a blasted off. He didn't know exactly where he was headed but, like Dorothy from that earth movie wizard of oz, he needed to find his way home from his own personal land of Oz.
And as if Glenda the good witch had appeared, Slugbug suddenly appeared to the distraught bot. Bug could tell something was bothering Lancex. "What brings you in search of me, Lancex?" Slugbug asked, having thought things were going well.
"I need to go home. I can't stay here anymore" Lancex said in a quiet panic.
"What's wrong? Did you not find what you sought here?" Bug asked.
"I was told indirectly that Optimus and Predaking both liked me" Lancex replied.
"Is that so bad?" Bug asked, not realizing just how scared Lancex was of his own emotions as well as feeling like he didn't deserve the two.
"They deserve someone better than me. I am a nobody. I am sorry I failed the mission you sent me on, but I can't take this anymore. Send me home so I can at least feel in peace" Lancex explained, his voice full of fear and sorrow. He just wanted to be in a familiar place to deal with this.
Slugbug nodded. "As you wish" Bug replied and opened a portal to the other realm. Lancex wasted no time and shot through the portal, which closed right after he went through. Bug shook his helm, as Lancex was a bit more scarred than Bug had realized. But knowing that Lancex would be in some danger in his own realm, Bug knew he had one thing he had to do – he had to find Optimus and Predaking and send them after Lamcex or their would be trouble. Bug just hoped both would listen to him and believe him. Only time would tell as Bug vanished from that spot, as he now had another mission and this one was even more complicated than the last.