There was a massive snowstorm in the Arctic as Bumblebee,hot rod,drift,Bulkhead, Wheeljack and Jazz ventured their way through the icy landmark.
"Are we there yet, guys?" Bumblebee asked as Bulkhead took a look at a scanner he was holding.
"No, we're not there yet! But it should be just past this ridge, Bumblebee!" Bulkhead told the yellow Autobot.
When the four Autobots arrived at the edge of an icy cliff, they all slid down it and landed back on the frozen ground. They looked around for the source of the signal, but found nothing.
"I don't see anything is this frozen wasteland." Wheeljack told the others.
"You know, this kinda reminds of the time me and Cliff went on that stealth mission in the Sea Of Rust." Jazz admitted. "It wasn't exactly stealthy, but I still enjoyed it."
"I don't get it. These readings are off the meter." Bulkhead said, looking at the scanner.
Bumblebee took a look around the area before he noticed something that was frozen in the ground.
"Guys, I've found it." Bumblebee said, causing the other three to follow his gaze.
They walked up to a frozen ocean area and they all looked down to see a autobot and large Cybertronian pod encased within the ice.
That bot seems familiar drift said.
"Okay, that is one big hunk of metal." Wheeljack commented in surprise.
"Do you think we should take it back so Ratchet can a have a look at it and the autobot?" Jazz asked.
"Probably." Bulkhead answered.
At the autobot base.
When they returned to the Autobot base with the large pod, Bumblebee,Bulkhead,hot rod,drift,Wheeljack and Jazz were sitting on the floor with a few light-blue tubes connected to them so it can help their bodies defrost from the snowstorm.
"I told you, doc. We're fine." Wheeljack said annoyingly as he removed the tubes and attempted to stand up, only for Ratchet to stop him.
"The only way to be certain you're fine, Wheeljack, is to endure slandered defrosting procedure." Ratchet replied firmly. "You know prolonged exposure to subzero conditions can cause permanent system damage."
"Ratchet, have you learned anything more about our Arctic find and the frozen autobot?"Optimus asked as he, Arcee,chromia,grimelock,blurr and Cliffjumper approached them.
"Not yet. The pod can't be opened while it's frozen solid but the autobot is still he needs to thaw." Ratchet said, gesturing to a security footage of the large pod being kept in a secure room.
Within the room, the ice that was encasing the pod had immediately started to melt away.
But then, some banging noises could be heard from within and a small crack stated to appear on it before it was suddenly bursted open by some kind of deadly claw. Whatever it belonged to, it was definitely not friendly.
Meanwhile In the main room.
Ratchet reactivated the Ground Bridge as Optimus,Arcee,chromia and Cliffjumper were already prepared to travel through it.
"Arcee,Cliffjumper,chromia and I will search for any clue which might explain the origin of our Arctic find." Optimus said.
"Only until your sensors sound. Remember, once your core temperature drops into the blue zone, system failures aren't likely, they're imminent." Ratchet explained as he held a controller and made their Autobot symbols glow blue.
The other Autobots then showed up through the main entrance. The realm defenders and their Palismen then exited out of them, allowing the four Autobots to transform back into robot mode.
"What's up, doc?" Gus asked with a cool smile.
"Shouldn't they be at home?" Ratchet questioned.
"While Luz's auntie is at work? There's no way we'd do that." Willow replied.
"We have the whole Monday to spend with you guys." Hunter added, while Luz,Amity,Darrel,kim,Apollo and Lincoln approached their Autobot Guardians.
"We weren't expecting to get picked up by Bulkhead,drift and Jazz today, Arcee." Luz admitted.
"Yeah, what was all that about, Cliff?" Amity asked with a hand on her hips.
"Tag-team, girls." Cliffjumper replied.
"It's our turn for exploration duty." Arcee said.
"That's too bad. The weather is pretty nice outside, today." Luz told her Autobot Guardian with a sly smile. "It'd be a shame to be left indoors instead of going for a joyride."
"Arctic exploration duty." Arcee corrected herself, knowing it'd change the Hispanic girl's mind.
"Indoors where it's warm." Luz said, pointing to another direction and walking off.
"I guess we'll see you two later, then." Amity told the two Autobots before following her girlfriend to where the others were.
"The Arctic? I've always wanted to see snow in the Human Realm." Vee said with a smile as she approached the departing team.
"I would invite you to join us, Vee. But the conditions are much too extreme, even for we Autobots." Optimus replied.
"I… understand, Optimus." Vee sighed in defeat, still keeping her smile on.
"But, I will bring you back a snowball." Optimus assured.
"That would be great. Thanks." Vee said kindly.
Hey where's windblade and grimelock Lincoln asked.
She's staying with the avengers and grimelock is with Sasha visiting her cousin Molly in a town called Brighton chromia said.
Oh okay Lincoln said.
With everything sorted out, Optimus,Chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper walked into the Ground Bridge and vanished on the other side.
"Transport complete." Ratchet said as he was about to turn off the Ground Bridge, only for the controls to suddenly spark out of control. "By the Allspark!"
"So, what do you guys think we should do today?" Willow asked as she and her friends were on the hangout platform with the other Bots beside them.
"How about a video game tournament?" Bumblebee suggested.
"A video game tournament sounds good. Last one standing wins." Hunter said in agreement.
"I'm definitely up for that." Gus replied.
"Bulkhead,Bumblebee,Drift,blurr,Wheeljack,Jazz, here! Now!" Ratchet called out.
"Well, guess we're gonna have to miss out." Wheeljack told the kids in disappointment.
"We'll see you guys, later." Bumblebee added before he and the other Bots went over to Ratchet.
Vee attempted to grab a gaming controller, but Luz got it first and held another one over to Amity.
"I hope you're ready to game with me, sweet potato." Luz said with a sly smile.
"Sorry, Luz. But I don't really feel like it, today." Amity said casually, leaning back against the couch as Ghost slept on her lap.
"Oh, really? Does that mean you're scared of losing to me?" Luz questioned smugly.
"I mean, you were pretty humiliated when kim beat you in that Witch's Duel." Gus reminded with a smirk.
Amity sighed in defeat before she took the controller from Luz's hand.
"Bring it on, Noceda." Amity said with a determined expression.
"No mercy, Blight." Luz replied as they started playing their racing game.
But Willow,Apollo,Anne,marcy,Darrel,Gus and Hunter soon took notice of the saddened face that Vee had.
"Hey, Vee? Are you okay?" Willow asked in concern.
"You want us to ask Luz if she can switch with you?" Gus questioned.
"Or we could try to find you another controller." Hunter suggested.
"No, it's okay. I'll just go for a little stroll." Vee replied as she got off the couch and walked towards the ladder, climbing down it.
While the kids were having their own fun, their other Autobot Guardians approached Ratchet as he was busy working with the Ground Bridge controls.
"You can't boss us around just because the boss is out." Bulkhead said in complaint.
"I need some heavy lifting. The Ground Bridge is down." Ratchet explained.
"Wait, you mean it's busted?" Jazz asked surprisingly.
"What about Optimus and the other three?" Bumblebee questioned.
"Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper made it through just fine. It's bringing them back that concerns me." Ratchet answered before directing them to a panel on the floor. "Now remove those panels, chop-chop."
In the storage area.
Vee was pretending that she was in the Arctic and walking her way through a dangerous blizzard.
"Temperature subzero and dropping." Vee said to herself. "Have to… get back… to base."
But then, the young Basilisk stopped her little imagination game when she heard some noises of things dropping nearby. She looked to her side and saw a big screw on the floor before she picked it up. Vee then started to hear something moving along the area and she looked around to see if anyone else was with her in the storage area.
"Hello?" Vee asked before hearing a loud noise from behind, causing her to quickly turn around and see nothing.
But when she started to walk forward without looking, Vee ended up tripping on something and fell onto the floor. She looked in front of her and saw something surprising. It was a small robot with a big head, purple eyes, a pair of arms and four arthropod legs.
"Aah!" Vee screamed in shock as she scurried away from the robot.
However, the Basilisk girl soon calmed down once she noticed how cute the robot looked and it crawled up to her.
"Heheh. Where did you come from?" Vee asked with a chuckle, standing up from the floor as she looked down at the robot. "The Autobots never mentioned they had their own Palisman."
Vee then got an idea and showed the screw she found earlier.
"You wanna play fetch?" Vee questioned.
The robot happily jumped around and ran in a circle in response, letting Vee know it meant yes. She tossed the screw and the robot chased after it.
"That's it, little guy! Go get it!" Vee encouraged.
But then it jumped up and grabbed the screw before biting into it.
"No, wait! Don't eat that!" Vee stated worriedly. "You're gonna choke!"
However, the robot finished eating the screw and it seemed completely fine.
"Or… not." Vee said, a little bit surprised.
The robot scurried over to Vee and nuzzled against her leg, causing her to smile happily in response.
"I've gotta show you to the others. Come on." Vee told the robot as she started walking back to the main room, with her new friend close behind.
But, what she didn't know was that there was a broken outlet behind her, like something had bitten into it.
"Come on, come on." Luz muttered as she and Amity continued their racing game.
"You two are nearly there. Just keep it up." Willow told her friends, while Gus,Lincoln,Anne,Darrel,kim,Apollo and Hunter were sharing a bag of popcorn.
In the end, Luz ended up winning the racing game and she jumped from her seat in happiness.
"Yes! I did it! I'm the winner, sucka!" Luz cheered.
"Congratulations, Luz." Amity replied with a smile, rolling her eyes a little bit.
"She's looking a little more cheerful since we got stuck here." Gus admitted quietly.
"I guess Arcee helped her more than we thought." Hunter replied as Flapjack and Emmiline popped out of their popcorn bag with some pieces in their mouths.
But suddenly, the lights in the base turned right off and so did the small television.
"Woah! What happened?!" Willow asked in surprise.
"A power failure." Luz answered.
"Looks like it wiped out our game, too." Amity said, directing her friends to the TV.
"Bummer." Gus replied.
"Hey, I'm not a sore loser, you guys." Luz said with her arms crossed.
"That's okay with us, Luz." Willow reassured before she and the others walked away from the couch to meet up with the Autobots.
Ratchet looked into the Ground Bridge's circuitry panel and pulled out a green microchip, which was badly damaged.
"We most definitely have a problem." Ratchet said. "But what could've caused this?"
The lights began to flicker off and on again, which everyone noticed immediately.
"Or that?" Bulkhead asked.
"Might be the main grid." Ratchet theorised. "Hopefully, it isn't a substation malfunction."
"I don't think it's anything life-threatening. We've got nothing else to be afraid of." Gus replied assuringly.
"Hey, guys! Take a look at what I found." Vee said as she showed up in the room.
"We're busy!" Ratchet stated annoyingly, but then screamed in terror once he saw the small robot that was sleeping in Vee's arms.
The other Autobots became extremely scared when they saw the robot and they quickly backed away while screaming, pulling out their blasters as this caused the Hexside Squad to stand in front of Vee.
"Hey, hey! What's with you guys?!" Amity questioned.
"Scraplet! SCRAPLET!" Wheeljack yelled in fear.
"What's a Scraplet?" Hunter asked confusingly.
"The most dangerous vermin ever to crawl upon the face of Cybertron." Ratchet answered in a scared tone.
The realm defenders looked at each other with very confused expressions before turning to the 'Scraplet' in Vee's arms.
"This? Are you kidding me?" Luz asked in disbelief.
"You guys have gotta be pranking us." Gus chuckled.
"You're all giant robots. Scrappy here is… teeny." Willow said.
"Kids, we ain't joking around!" Jazz stated in nervousness.
"Yeah! You have no idea the damage that teeny thing can do!" Bulkhead added.
"Ah, he wouldn't hurt anything. He's totally harmless." Vee assured with a smile.
But, realm defenders was proven wrong when the Scraplet opened it's eyes and looked towards the Autobots before revealing a huge mouth of razor sharp teeth. It jumped out of Vee's arms and started charging at the Autobots as they immediately started firing their blasters at the small creature, only for it to avoid them all and leap at Bumblebee. It landed on his leg and started chewing on it, causing the yellow Autobot to fall down fearfully as the Hexside Squad looked on in horror and shock.
Bumblebee grabbed the Scraplet and tried to contain it, but the small creature bursted from his grip and began eating his arm. Bumblebee immediately swatted the Scraplet away and it skidded against the floor, but went back to charging at him. But suddenly, the Scraplet was flattened by a huge Abomination fist that was summoned by Amity and she reeled the gooey fist back to see the small creature flattened into pieces.
"And stay flattened." Amity said sternly.
Vee and Hunter gasped when they saw Bumblebee's condition and they rushed up to him.
"Okay, I did not see that coming." Gus admitted, still a bit shocked by what he witnessed.
Vee and Hunter then approached Bumblebee, who had some scrape marks on his leg and arm.
"I'm sorry, Bumblebee!" Vee apologised.
"It's okay, Vee." Bumblebee replied.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Hunter asked worriedly as Flapjack gave his some concerned tweets.
"Only a mesh wound. He'll live." Ratchet assured.
"Now do you believe us?" Wheeljack questioned rhetorically. "All Scraplets do is dismantle machinery and eat anything metal. Especially living metal."
"Tiny Cybertronian bugs that like to eat your bodies? They sound like fairies, only these ones eat metal skin instead of fleshy skin." Willow commented.
Your correct drift said.
"Well, the bug's been squashed. So, everything's okay now." Luz told everyone, smiling in relief. "Right?"
"No. When it comes to Scraplets, there's never just one." Ratchet replied with a firm expression before looking at the back room. "And I fear I know how they got in here."
Everyone then arrived in the large container room, where they found the giant pod from earlier with a big hole in it while the melted ice was dripping around the floor.
"It's a trap. A Scraplet trap." Ratchet said.
"Uh… an empty Scraplet trap." Bulkhead corrected nervously.
And look the bot in the ice it's "skyfire"but he's still thawing out drift said.
"And all the tiny critters inside are loose in our place." Jazz told everyone.
"Most likely ejected into space eons ago.Only to wind up in the Arctic, where the temperature kept them in stasis." Ratchet explained.
"Until we brought the thaw." Amity realised.
"Now they're wide awake and ready to eat." Gus muttered.
We're doomed blurr said.
"So, how many are we talking about?" Vee asked in concern.
"Thousands. The power malfunction and Ground Bridge damage are sure signs that their infestation is well underway." Ratchet said.
In the Arctic.
Optimus was climbing his way down an ice cliff while Arcee,chromia and Cliffjumper stayed at the top. As the Autobot leader a scanner to survey the area, his symbol started glowing blue.
"Arcee,chromia,Cliffjumper, what's your statues?" Optimus asked on the com-link.
The three Autobots looked at their symbols and saw that they were glowing blue, too.
"Our sensors are going off." Arcee replied.
"Guess we should call for pickup before things get chilly." Cliffjumper said.
Yeah let's go chromia said.
Optimus nodded before he switched his com-link to speak with Ratchet in the base.
"Optimus to base, core temperature readings have reached the blue zone. Prepare to activate the Ground Bridge." Optimus instructed, only for him to hear static and become concerned for what's going on at the base.
At the autobot base.
"Ratchet to Optimus, do you read me? We have a situation." Ratchet said to the communication computer, but all the screens kept showing static. "The Scraplets have gotten into the com-link system! If we don't eradicate these creatures immediately, they will reduce the entire base to a scrap heap!"
"I say we bug out of here and let them keep it!" Bulkhead stated fearfully.
Yea they can have the base not us blurr said.
"I've gotta agree with Bulkhead on this one!" Jazz agreed with the same expression.
"Me, too!" Bumblebee said.
"Coulson can always find us a new base." Wheeljack admitted.
No way drift said.
Yeah we can't go hot rod said.
"Evacuation is not an option." Ratchet told them. "If we don't get the Ground Bridge back online stat, Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper will perish."
"They will?" Amity asked worriedly.
Willow stomped over to Bulkhead and looked at him with a stern expression.
"Bulkhead, you never run from anything!" Willow scolded.
"Willow, you haven't seen a swarm of these things devourer a Bot. I have." Bulkhead replied, feeling more dread from just the thought of the Scraplets. "They pick you apart from the inside out, going for the small juicy bits first. Fuse by fuse. Circuit by circuit. Until there's nothing left. And I mean nothing… not even your optics."
"You have to let us help." Luz said as she, her friends and their Palismen walked forward.
"Luz is right. We're not made of metal." Hunter told the Autobots.
I can still use my powers without turning into any metal Lincoln said.
"That means the Scraplets can't hurt us." Gus added.
I'm gonna abandon anyone I care about Apollo said.
"And if they run on Energon like all other Cybertronian creatures, that means I'll be able to drain them before they have a chance to attack." Vee explained.
"Typically, I find your fleshiness to be your least engaging quality." Ratchet admitted. "But it would appear to provide an advantage under these extremes. Especially with your magic abilities."
"Okay, good. We'll all pair off." Luz suggested. "Two kids and two Autobots for each area. Amity and I will watch Ratchet's back while he repairs the Ground Bridge."
"And the rest of us will go on a bug hunt." Gus finished.
"We'll make sure every single Scraplet is squashed before Optimus, Arcee and Cliffjumper get back." Willow said with a confident smile.
Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Wheeljack and Jazz looked to each other and shuttered in fear.
Meanwhile in the arctic
.
Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper were making their way through a strong blizzard and still trying to contact the base.
"Optimus to base, do you read?" Optimus asked, only for him to receive more static.
Arcee was getting a bit weak from the cold temperature and was about to fall on her knees, but Cliffjumper quickly caught her.
"I've got ya, Cee." Cliffjumper assured.
Hang in their sis Chromia said.
"Thanks, Cliff." Arcee replied before turning to Optimus. "Are you sure a nice long drive wouldn't help, Optimus?"
"I hear Miami's beautiful this time of year." Cliffjumper quipped.
"The nearest temperate climate is too distant. Attempting to reach it would expand too much energy and hasten the freezing process." Optimus explained. "Until Ratchet sends for us, and he will, our best option would be to seek shelter and insulate ourselves."
Back at the Autobot base.
Willow and Gus were walking down a darkened hallway with their witch staffs in their hands, while Bulkhead and Wheeljack followed behind with their blasters ready for opening fire at the Scraplets.
"We get to be your bodyguards for once. How does that feel to you, Jackie?" Gus asked.
"A little… unusual." Wheeljack answered.
"Vee found the first one here, right?" Bulkhead questioned nervously.
"That's what she told us." Willow said. "We just need to keep our eyes open and-."
But suddenly, the lights went out and the group heard a high scream within the darkness. When the lights came back on, Willow and Gus looked at each other with widened eyes.
"Was that you, Willow?" Gus asked, sounding quite surprised.
"Not me." Willow answered before they both turned around. "Wheeljack?"
"Hey, I never squeal." Wheeljack protested.
However, a realisation came to their minds and they looked at the only other member of their group.
"Bulkhead… did you just scream like a little girl?" Willow asked with a smug smile.
"No!" Bulkhead stated, feeling awkward on the inside. "Maybe… can we talk about this later?"
Willow and Gus simply shrugged before moving along with Wheeljack.
"Smooth move, Bulk." Wheeljack snickered with a smile, earning a groan from his Autobot partner.
As they kept on walking down the hallways, Bulkhead and Wheeljack started hearing movement within the vents and became more worried.
"Take it easy, you two." Gus said assuringly.
"Just stay calm and focus." Willow added. "Everything is going to be…"
But when Bulkhead started hearing more movement nearby, he immediately opened fire at the walls at all sides, causing the others to duck and run away. Bulkhead then shot at the ceiling, only for a bunch of huge cables to fall ontop of him and make him scream like a little girl again. Willow, Gus and Wheeljack quickly turned around and were ready to fight off some Scraplets, but they were dumbfounded to see Bulkhead frantically swiping away at the cables while squealing.
"Okay, wish I hadn't seen that." Gus muttered.
"You and me both, Gus." Wheeljack said in agreement. "Bulk's always hilarious when he's like this."
"I can see that." Willow replied. "Bulkhead, you're fine! It's just a bunch of cables!"
Bulkhead stopped flailing around when he heard the Plant witch girl and noticed that it was cables that had landed on him, not Scraplets.
"Oh, right. Cables." Bulkhead said with a sheepish chuckle before tugging a cable down.
However, this caused a lot of Scraplets to shower down on him and Bulkhead once again screamed loudly. Wheeljack started swiping at the Scraplets with his swords, while Willow and Gus immediately used their Plant and Illusion magic respectively to fend off the small creatures.
In another part of the hallway.
Apollo,Lincoln,Hunter,Vee,drift,hot rod,blurr,Bumblebee and Jazz looked down a path on the left. They noticed a bunch of scrapes were on the walls, which was obviously due to the Scraplets.
"They could be anywhere, you guys." Bumblebee warned.
"Don't these things ever stop eating?" Vee asked.
"That's something no one's ever found an answer to." Jazz replied.
The four of them walked down the path and soon came up to a ventilation shaft, which had a hole bitten into it.
"Some of them could be in there. Be ready." Hunter said cautiously, gripping his witch staff tightly.
Vee,Apollo,Lincoln,hot rod,blurr,Bumblebee and Jazz nodded as they readied themselves before the yellow Autobot tore off the shaft's door. Everyone got ready to attack some Scraplets, but they saw none inside the shaft. Just then, they all started hearing noises from behind and they turned around nervously to find out that the noises were coming from another shaft on the ground.
"Oh, scrap." Jazz muttered in worriedness.
Before they knew it, a bunch of Scraplets showed up from the vent and they immediately charged at the four Autobots, who frantically fired their blasters to try and keep them away. Apollo,Lincoln,Hunter and Vee assisted them with their speedy teleporting powers,shapeshifting abilities,and draining ability.
With the others.
As the others were busy with the Scraplets, Ratchet was busy repairing the Ground Bridge while Luz,kim,Darrel,Anne,and Amity watched their backs. Luz and kim was holding a decks of Glyphs in both their hands,Darrel took out his staff,Anne pop out her claws,while Amity had a pair of spiky Abomination fists.
"No sign of any Scraplets, yet." Amity said.
Same here Darrel said.
"How's it going over there?" Luz asked the Autobot medic.
"I've repaired the damaged conductors and rerouted the central conduits, but the Ground Bridge still won't receive power." Ratchet said as he punched the floor in frustration.
The three girls and boy then started to hear noises nearby and went on high alert, readying their powers for any attacking Scraplets. After they took a look around, Luz,Anne,kim,Darrel and Amity saw some Scraplets crawling on the wall from a ventilation shaft. As soon as the Scraplets laid their eyes on Ratchet, they revealed their deadly teeth and jumped off the wall before suddenly hovering in the air, much to Luz,Anne,kim,Darrel and Amity's shock.
"They fly?!" Anne asked in disbelief. "You never said they could fly!"
The Scraplets flew over to Ratchet and made him fall down once they latched onto him, causing the Autobot medic to yell out as he tried getting them off.
"Ratchet!" Luz yelled as she an Amity ran up to him.
The Hispanic girl used her Fire Glyphs to burn some Scraplets, kim uses Plant Glyphs to smack some away, while the Abomination witch girl punched some away with her gooey fists.Darrel fired vibe blast shattering some them,Anne was slashing them with them
"Gah! Luz, the fire extinguisher!"Ratchet called out, pointing towards an extinguisher nearby.
Luz immediately grabbed the extinguisher and sprayed the cold mist onto the Scraplets, causing them all to freeze up and deactivate. Amity got the rest of them with her fists as Ratchet laid on the floor in a weakened state, while even more Scraplets flew above them. The rest of the Hexside Squad and their Autobot Guardians then showed up, with the Cybertronians having a lot of bite marks from the Scraplets they encountered.
"Ratchet, get the patch kit!" Jazz said urgently. "We're leaking Energon like-Woah!"
They all immediately saw the Scraplets flying above them. When the small creatures noticed the other Autobots, they flew straight at them as Bumblebee,blurr,hot rod,drift and Jazz fired their blasters at them. Wheeljack and drift slashed some Scraplets in half and Bulkhead slammed some down with his wrecking ball.
"Eat this!" Bulkhead stated, only for him to notice some Scraplets eating his hand and causing him to scream in fear.
The Hexside Squad immediately unleashed their powers on the Scraplets to help out their Autobot friends before they could get eaten. Luz used the fire extinguisher to freeze the Scraplets to death, while her Boiling Isles friends kept on using their magic abilities to take them out. But the Scraplets just kept munching on the Autobots as they collapsed on the floor, feeling absolute pain and agony.
Meanwhile in the Arctic.
Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper had found some shelter for them to use in the blizzard. Optimus noticed that Arcee and Cliffjumper were beginning to drift off.
"Arcee, Cliffjumper, wake up." Optimus said, causing both Autobots to reopen their optics.
"Just resting our eyes." Cliffjumper replied.
"The longer we remain alert, the longer we remain alive." Optimus told them.
"What do you suggest?" Arcee asked.
"How about a game? Let's play… who screwed things up back at base?" Cliffjumper suggested.
"Our predicament could be the result of a simple malfunction." Optimus said.
"Caused by Bulkhead." Arcee finished. "Let's see, no com-link, maybe even no power. The big lug probably tripped over a cord."
"He's never been too graceful." Cliffjumper said with a small chuckle. "Remember when we first arrived on Earth and Bulkhead walked into those power lines? Heh. Who knew he could dance like that?"
Yeah I wondered the same thing sis chromia said.
"Bulkhead may be… to large for this world. But his inner strength is without bounds." Optimus replied. "One should not be measured by size alone."
Back at the base
After an intense moment, the realm defenders managed to destroy all of the Scraplets as Luz sprayed some with the fire extinguisher to make sure they were permanently offline. The Autobots all laid against the platform while covered in damage marks, groaning weakly.
"Okay, they're definitely offline." Vee said before letting out a small burp. "They've really spoiled me for lunch, too."
"Did we get them all?" Amity asked.
Before anyone could answer, they all began hearing more Scraplets eating metal that was deeper in the base.
"Hardly. These were just scouts." Ratchet said.
"And the Cons say I'm an annoying bug." Bumblebee said before laying back in exhaustion.
"So the rest of them know we're in here?" Bulkhead asked.
"Sure seems like it, Bulk." Jazz answered in a weak tone. "By the time they're done chowing down at the back, they'll be coming for us."
"And if we allow ourselves to become their next meal, Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper will never make it home." Ratchet answered. "We must get the Ground Bridge operational."
"Then we can use it to send the Scraplets anywhere on Earth." Hunter said in realisation.
"But where?" Gus asked.
"Why not back to the Arctic? We already know they can't handle the cold." Luz told everyone, holding up the fire extinguisher.
"Good idea, Luz." Willow replied with a smile. "We'll give them a one-way ticket to Earth's winter wonderland."
"Given the body mass of the Scraplets, subzero temperature should freeze them on contact." Ratchet theorised. "So think, Ratchet, think. If the Ground Bridge is still down, there must be a breach… in the Energon fuel line!"
"That's just perfect." Bumblebee complained, failing to sit back up.
"If we weren't breaching, one of us could get back over there and fix it." Wheeljack said.
"Where do we find it?" Amity asked as she and the other kids showed determined expressions.
"And how do we fix it?" Vee questioned.
"Just tell us what to do and we'll get it done." Gus added.
After the realm defenders was given instructions and tools, they all arrived in the fuelling area and slowly made their way past a bunch of Scraplets that were in the area with them.
"Just remember, none of us are made of metal." Luz said. "They won't attack us."
Good thing maria changed my adamantium to vibranium Darrel said.
As they kept on walking carefully, the children then spotted a ripe in the pipes that was leaking out Energon.
"There's the breach." Hunter said.
"Come on. Let's patch it up so Ratchet can activate the Ground Bridge." Willow told her friends as they rushed up to the leak and started repairing it.
With the autobots.
As the Autobots were lying on the floor to recover from their wounds, a thought popped up in Wheeljack's head.
"So if we get… when we get the Ground Bridge open, do we send the creepy crawlies out or bring our Bots in?" He asked.
"Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper will be fresh meat." Ratchet replied. "If we bring them in first, the Scraplets will have no reason to leave."
"If that's the case, how do we get those buggers out before we bring the others inside?" Jazz asked in concern.
"We'll need bait." Ratchet answered.
"Where're we gonna get bait? The Scraplets already helped themselves to everything in here!" Bulkhead reminded.
Back in the fuelling area.
the realm defenders managed to fix up the leak in the Energon pipes. But then, they noticed that the Scraplets flying off into a vent.
"They're getting ready to feed!" Vee exclaimed.
"We've gotta get back to the Bots!" Amity stated urgently.
Lincoln noticed something in the other room.
In the main room.
The Scraplets then arrived in the main room and hovered over the Bots, who quickly hid away from them with nervous expressions.
"It's official. I hate Mondays." Wheeljack muttered.
Meanwhile in the arctic
Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper had pretty much reached their limit and were laying in the snow in weakened states.
"You know the worst part?" Arcee questioned. "After battling Cons all these years, getting smacked down, shot at, blown up, this is how our lights go out."
I didn't expect it to end like this chromia said.
"By the looks of things, I'd have to say yes." Cliffjumper answered weakly. "But on the bright side, we've had one heck of a time on this planet. Even before we got to meet the kids. I just hope Luz,kim and Amity don't end up replacing us with any new Autobots that end up here."
"Heh. I'm glad you haven't lost your sense of humour, Cliff." Arcee said, giving her partner a small smile.
"What can I say? Some Bots never change." Cliffjumper joked. "Even when their Sparks are about to go out."
"Arcee, Cliffjumper,chromia this may not finish that we had planned." Optimus said. "But if this is indeed the end, if we are to become one with the Allspark…"
Arcee then held her right hand with Optimus', while she held her left one with Cliffjumper's,chromia held her left hands to cliffjumper's right hand.
"It's been an honour serving with you, Optimus Prime." Arcee said. "And, Cliff, I'm glad you were always there to help me out. Even when I didn't want it when we first met."
"Hey, you've helped me out in some ways as well, partner." Cliffjumper replied kindly.
At the base.
As the Scraplets kept flying over the Autobots in their base, the realm defenders then rushed in at a good time.
"Ratchet, we did it!" Luz stated.
"All systems go!" Gus announced.
"Fire it up!" Amity called out.
"Ground Bridge… activated." Ratchet moaned as he managed to stand up and push the lever down, collapsing back onto the floor.
In the arctic
When it looked like they were about to go offline, Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper noticed the Ground Bridge appearing in front of them.
"Took them long enough." Cliffjumper said, smiling in relief.
Bulkhead saw his teammates were too weak to stand back up and looked towards the Scraplets, which were tearing off some railings at the ceiling.
"Bait, Huh?" Bulkhead asked before he determinedly stood up with all his might.
The Scraplets then saw the muscular green Autobot waving towards them.
"Ready for the main course?" Bulkhead questioned as the Scraplets opened their mouths and flew towards him. "Come and get it!"
"Run for it, Bulk!" Willow called out.
Bulkhead began limping his way into the Ground Bridge as the Scraplets followed him straight into it, disappearing once they got deep enough to reach the other side.
Optimus,chromia,Arcee and Cliffjumper helped themselves walked towards the Ground Bridge in their near-frozen conditions. Just then, the three of them noticed Bulkhead walking out of it.
"Bulk?" Cliffjumper asked.
"Down! Down!" Bulkhead called out before falling onto the snow, allowing the Scraplets to fly out.
The small creatures quickly spotted Optimus, Arcee,chromia and Cliffjumper and opened up their mouths so they could make them their next meals. Optimus got in front of Arcee,chromia and Cliffjumper protectively, but then the extremely cold atmosphere ended up freezing the Scraplets to death. They all bashed against Optimus and landed behind the Bots in a huge pile. After the near-frozen Autobots saw that the sun was finally arriving from the separated clouds, they turned their attention towards Bulkhead.
"I'd invite you in, but the place is a mess." Bulkhead admitted.
Back at the base.
After everyone arrived back inside, Optimus and Ratchet laid back against the platform while the other Autobots laid onto some medical tables. The Hexside Squad was working on helping them recover.
"Report bio-circuitry status." Ratchet said.
"Levels are rising, Ratchet." Luz replied.
"Excellent. Augustus, keep a close watch on Wheeljack's electro-pulse monitor. Willow, Vee, check Bulkhead,hot rod,vee,blurr,drift and Jazz's interface patches."
"They're steady." Vee informed.
"It's all looking good." Willow assured.
"They'll be back on their feet in no time." Gus said with a smile.
"Perhaps you should get some rest yourself, old friend." Optimus told the Autobot medic. "You saved quite a few lives, today."
"It… wasn't all my doing." Ratchet replied, looking down at the realm defenders with a proud smile. "We're just fortunate that this incident happened… on a Monday. Especially when you have skilled beings from a world of magic
"Our young friends may be small, but they are strong." Optimus said.
But suddenly, Amity let out a high-pitched scream as her eyes went wide in fear.
"What's the matter?!" Vee asked frantically.
"Another Scraplet?!" Gus questioned as the others prepared their magic abilities.
"Spider!" Amity yelled fearfully before she began running away, looking over herself. "Is it on me! I hate the ones in the Human Realm! Get it off! Get it off!"
"Simplemente genial." Luz sighed before chasing after her girlfriend. "Hold on, Amity! I'm coming!"
"Did she just scream like a little girl?" Hunter, Bulkhead and Cliffjumper asked simultaneously.
Guys skyfire thawed out and why is amity screaming Lincoln said.
Skyfire walked in the main room everyone was shocked to him.