(Please see all previous disclaimers)
After what felt like a lot of time, but in reality was merely a split second, Slugbug helped transport Lancex, Optimus and Predaking back to the other realm. "My, it is nice to be normal sized again" Predaking said, though he was prevented from roaring.
"Do you want the cons to locate us?" Optimus asked, and Predaking shook his head. "Then we move, quietly." Lancex and Predaking agreed and the three carefully headed back to the Autobot base, unaware that until they reached there, Slugbug had them covered with an invisibility field so that the three had a chance to get to safety. Optimus was a bit surprised that they hadn't been immediately attacked, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak.
After what felt like forever, the three entered the secret Autobot base. They were careful as they entered, unaware yet if they were relatively safe or not. But soon, they heard friendly voices and so they knew that they were in a safe, well, as safe as things got in this crazy war. "OPTIMUS?" Came a voice that sounded familiar.
The three transformed and it appeared that it was indeed Optimus, Lancex and Predaking. "Yes, Ratchet?" Optimus asked. The others looked and were relieved.
"It has truly been our darkest hour, we are glad that you have returned" Ratchet added, waiting until he was alone with Optimus to talk further about things.
"We are so glad you are back. So did you two finally fess up?" Miko asked. Optimus imperceptibly nodded while Predaking just nodded and then headed off, as Lancex appeared exhausted. No one thought anything of it.
"Where were you?" Jack asked.
"We somehow were transferred to another realm. I can't really describe it other than it was where Lancex originally came from, which explained why his statistics were not in the Autobot database" Optimsu explained. The others nodded, but Ratchet stated he wanted to see Optimus in the medical area. Optimus agreed, as he had no idea what going between realms might do to his systems.
Meanwhile, it didn't take long for Predaking to find the Prime's quarters. Lancex was glad that when he saw the berth, and it didn't take long for him to lay down and fall into recharge. And seeing that Optimus was busy, Predaking took up the position of protecting Lancex. Well, protecting him as well as other things that Lancex would likely enjoy, or so Predaking hoped.