(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 and stealthily 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. "Glad that you are all in one piece, though I will have to examine you all."

"If you don't mind, Lancex is exhausted and we were hoping to let him rest" Optimus tried excusing them for just long enough to get Lancex to a bed. Ratchet nodded. Optimus then guided his lovers to his room. Lancex was placed in the berth and Predaking decided to stay while Optimus went to speak with the others. Once that was all set, Optimus headed out and called his team. Then headed to the big meeting room. He figured he would get peppered with questions, but he would be caught a bit off guard with the first question he received.

"We are so glad you are back. So did you two finally fess up?" Miko asked. Optimus nodded in the affirmative, hoping he didn't have to say much more than that.

"Where were you?" Jack asked, curious like the others.

"We somehow were transferred to another realm. It is Lancex originally came from, which explained why his statistics were not in the Autobot database" Optimus explained. The others nodded, but Ratchet reminded Optimus that he was due to be checked in the medical area. Optimus agreed, as he had no idea what going between realms might do to his systems He started to head off when Wheeljack stopped him.

"Come on, you can say more than that" Wheeljack shot off, clearly annoyed at being left behind for this adventure. Optimus stopped at that. They did deserve to know more than he had stated, but just what should he tell them. He needed a moment to gather his thoughts. All waited to hear what he would say.