(Please see all previous disclaimers)
The next morning, still unaware that Lancex was long gone, Optimus roused from recharge and stretched. It was the first morning in a while that Optimus wokeup in his own berth. While it was once warm and relaxing, now it felt cold and lonely. Optimus sighed. He couldn't believe that yesterday Miko had exposed Optimus and Predaking as having feelings for Lancex. Whether it was true or not, it was not her news to share. Heck, Optimus himself was still wrestling with himself about his feelings. Optimus was also a bit concerned as his spark felt like something was wrong, though he wasn't sure of what it was just yet. He dragged his aft out of bed and headed out.
On his way to the main room, Optimus ran smack into Predaking. Optimus sighed. "You might as well give up, Prime. I will make Lancex mine."
"That is not for you to decide, Predaking. He may choose someone else, like me" Optimus replied. He grew weary of how little Predaking cared about Lancex's choices.
Predaking snarled a bit at that, as he sensed what Optimus hadn't said. "Well, then. Let's go find Lancex and demand to know who he wants" Predaking snapped back.
"I suppose it is only fair" Optimus replied. At that, they headed for Lancex's place, hoping to learn and hear what he had to say. Upon reaching the room, they failed to find him there. Assuming he was still around, they both headed for the rec room.
They reached the rec room and both were a bit stunned that Lancex wasn't there. Maybe he was training, they figured. They both picked up their respective cubes of energon and headed to a table, with Predaking glaring at Optimus, and Optimus silently sighing about being around Predaking at the moment. As they sit there and silently stare at each other, they think about their crush and how to win him over.
Sometime later, much longer than Lancex would typically train for, Optimus and Predaking grew concerned. Lancex was never missing for this long for any reason. At that moment, Ratchet entered the room and revealed that the ground bridge had been activated in the early hours of the morning. When asked who it was, Ratceht revealed two things – it was Lancex and that the coordinates he sent himself to had been deleted. Predaking slammed his hand on the table while Optimsu sighed. This must have been why he felt off this morning. And just at that time, a strange, bright white light flashed. What in the world was that?