Megatron and the rest of his followers continued to look on in fear and shock at the monstrous Cybertronian creature in front of them, until the Decepticon leader grew an impressed smirk. It resembled a dragon that was mainly coloured dark-brown with some blackish-crimson highlights, large claws, a mouth full of teeth and a pair of tusk-like fangs, an extremely long tail coated in spikes, yellow-glowing eyes and a new small Cybertronian symbol on it's chest that resembled that of a dragon's face. The Cybertronian dragon let out a ferocious roar towards the Decepticons and spreaded out its very big wings.
"Whoa." Deadend whispered.
"Sweet motherboard of Primus." Dropkick whispered astonishingly.
"It, it cannot be…" Shatter said in a speechless manner.
"A…A Predacon." Starscream identified nervously. "They…They've been extinct since the beginning of Cybertronian history."
"Indeed. But the specimen you see before you was bred in the laboratory." Shockwave replied, approaching the Predacon and placing a hand on it. "Cloned from fossilized remains and spliced with Dinobot CNA, which I discovered on Cybertron."
"Shockwave, it does my Spark good to see you once again tampering with creation." Megatron commented as he walked down from his throne towards the Predacon.
"Master, please, keep your distance!" Starscream pleaded.
"No need for alarm. The beast is completely under my control." Shockwave reassured.
Megatron stared straight into the Predacon's eyes as the Cybertronian dragon snarled lowly.
"Such primal magnificence." Megatron said, knowing the Predacon will be a perfect addition to the Decepticon ranks.
"So, how is this prehistoric beast supposed to help us find the Autobots?!" Blitzwing questioned with an angry look.
"With this." Shockwave answered as he held up a small canister of Energon. "A sample of Energon from Wheeljack. Spilled during the Autobot's failed interrogation." The Predacon looked at the Energon and began to scan its signature to know where the White Wrecker and his comrades were.
"Let the hunt begin." Megatron said with a sinister smirk.
The Predacon spreaded out its mechanical wings and flapped them about before flying away from Darkmount and roaring into the distance, fully intent on finding its Autobot prey.
Meanwhile, just outside an Energon mine, the Wreckers were scouting it out from above a cliff. "Guys, you know I'm all for blowing the scrap out of stuff, but what does flatting a Decepticon mine have to do with getting the band back together, getting back to Metroplex, and taking down Megatron?" Miko wondered.
"Simple, when we light up this place, the blast will be big and easy to track," Wheeljack started with a smile.
"Any Autobot within 500 clicks will see the sky glowing with Energon and come running," Bulkhead continued.
"And with an Energon explosion that big, Metroplex will find us easy peasy," Crosshairs added.
"Nice plan, Wheeljack." Kup said.
"Indeed." Drift nodded.
"Can we punch a few cons, please can we punch some cons." Grimlock pleaded with his servos together.
"I am sorry, my friend. But this mission is strictly stealth." Drift said to Grimlock. "And unfortunately Stealth is not one of your, strong points."
"Aw, come on." Grimlock groaned as he slouched.
"Don't worry Grim, if any cons show up after the blast, there's gonna be a lot of punching," Wheeljack assured with a smirk.
"Then let's bring the rain," Miko added with a grin.
At the Harbinger, Elita's group were working to get their Groundbridge operational, "Mainframe's up and running." Raf said as he helped on the console with his legs. "But I'll need help hacking the operating codes."
"I got it," Windblade told him as she started typing.
"Starscream used a large number of the resources here, Ratchet," Elita noted with her arms crossed, "Is the Groundbridge still functional?"
"Almost. But even if the Ground Bridges proves functional, it will be next to worthless without a means of pinpointing the current locations of our compatriots." Ratchet explained.
"Why not just use the Harbinger's tracking system?" Bumblebee suggested.
"Use your head, Bumblebee. If the Decepticons had the ability to track Autobot life signals, we'd all have been at Megatron's mercy here on Earth a long time ago." Ratchet proclaimed.
"Back where we started," Jazz griped as the others looked down before Elita got an idea.
"But not, if I reconfigure this Decepticon Radio frequencies to fit Autobot parameters," Elita said as she started working, "At least then we'll be able to access their commlink to disguise a message to Metroplex."
"That's… is a brilliant idea." Ratchet said in surprise.
"When did you get so hacky, commander?" Jazz asked with a smirk.
"Spend enough time with Optimus maintaining the Iacon Hall of records, you tend to pick up a few things." Elita said with a smirk as she kept working.
On the Open Road, Prowl, Arcee and Jack faced Ultra Magnus and the other four Autobots, "Ultra Magnus, no one has seen or heard from you since Cybertron went dark," Prowl said in amazement.
"How did you find Perceptor, Hound, Springer and Mirage? Or find your way to Earth?" Arcee questioned.
"Soldiers, we may not be on Cybertron, but military protocol remains." Ultra Magnus said with a soft yet firm tone.
Prowl and Arcee knew what he meant as the two stood stiff. "Our apologies, sir." Acree said.
"It's been a while, sir." Prowl added with a salute.
"Heh, you know UM, always sticking to the rules," Hound commented with a chuckle.
"Sir? Rules?" Jack asked in confusion.
"Advise the native life form to watch its tone as well." Ultra Magnus said to them while looking at Jack.
"What?" Jack questioned with a look.
"Easy, Ultra Magnus." Springer said to the big Autobot. "He probably didn't know."
Perceptor then scanned Jack with his shoulder cannon, "Human species, adolescent male. Shows signs of exposure to Vector Sigma." He analysed.
"This human been to Cybertron?" Hound asked with a brow. "Heh, he must've got nerves of steel."
"W-What the? H-how did?" Jack stammered. "Acree, Prowl, who are these guys?" He questioned.
The two Autobots walked over to the five bots, "This is Mirage. He's one of the stealthiest Autobots there is, able to get in or out Decepticon turf without even being noticed," Arcee introduced.
"Hound is one of the Wreckers, and is heavy on weaponry and can really blast a con from a hundred yards." Prowl continued.
"And Perceptor was Optimus chief scientist during the war for Cybertron. Been on way more missions than I can count." Acree added.
"Precisely, 381.5." Perceptor commented.
"But not more than he can count," Arcee added with a small grin.
"Springer is the lieutenant of the wreckers. Though, unlike most wreckers, he always plans ahead and makes sure to be cautious in battle." Prowl stated, gesturing to Springer. "Compared to Wheeljack and Bulkhead, they're just way up the ranks."
"And Ultra Magnus was Optimus' key lieutenant after Elita One during the war back on Cybertron, very by the book." Acree said. "Just go with it."
"As for your broader question, our story is that of all Autobots since the exodus." Ultra Magnus said. "One day, we encountered each other on a baron planet and we wandered the space ways in search of others."
"We reunited with some, but every so often they fell by the Decepticons." Mirage said with a solemn look with his head down.
"We were fortunate to found each other, and we still kept searching for Autobot survivors." Springer added with head head down.
"And we hoped one day we find Optimus while searching." Hound added.
"Until you detected the Omega beam and followed it here." Arcee deduced.
"If you're referring to the massive energy burst originating from Cybertron, that would be affirmative." Ultra Magnus answered.
"Though, upon our arrival, it became evident that this planet had been invaded by Decepticons." Perceptor noted.
"You guessed right." Prowl answered. "The Decepticons discovered our base here and we were forced to split up to avoid capture. Been on the run ever since."
"Then you will be comforted that our scanners detected Autobot life signals." Springer said to them.
"The two of you being in closest proximity to our positions." Ultra Magnus said while looking at Acree and Prowl.
"Wait, were there others?" Jack asked hopefully before Ultra Magnus shot him a look, "Sir," He added professionally.
"Exactly twenty three other confirmed Autobot life signatures," Perceptor revealed as his shoulder cannon gave a projection of the confirmed Autobot signatures.
"Out of twenty six." Jack said with his head down as he saw Smokescreen, Hot Rod and Optimus were not on the list.
"Jack, that doesn't necessarily mean what you're thinking." Arcee assured her partner.
"She's right, Autobot signals can't be detected when they're shielded." Prowl added. "Wherever the others are, they might be laying low."
Hot Rod popped out of the ground and looked up to Darkmount, "Nice house you built for yourself, Megatron," Hot Rod commented, "That Forge could be anywhere in there, unless," He looked towards Nemesis, "You still keep your best toys where you usually put them."
In Darkmount's corridors, Hot Rod phased through a wall and saw some Vehicons walking by as he quickly rushed past them and phased through another wall. After a bit of climbing, he exited a wall and saw the Nemesis in front of him as he rushed towards it.
Soon, Hot Rod entered the Nemesis while stealthily sneaking around. "Hang in there, Optimus. Just a bit longer." He muttered.
"I'm sorry, overreacting?" Starscream's voice questioned from the other side of the corridor.
Hot Rod quickly jumped through the wall to hide himself as Starscream walked down with Knockout, Clobber, and Shadow Strike.
"Easy for you to say, Knock Out. Nobody here wants your post. I, on the other hand, hold the most covenant position within the Decepticon ranks." Starscream proclaimed. "And no matter what he may claim, I know that Shockwave is plotting to usurp me."
"He didn't say he was interested in your position," Shadow Striker told him.
"Did any of you see the smug look on his eye when he unveiled that vile Predacon to Lord Megatron?" Starscream questioned.
"Shockwave is on Earth? Predacon?" Hot Rod muttered while hearing the whole thing as he backed away slowly as he phased through another wall before he saw Airachnid's frozen state, "Whoa?!" He yelled and jumped out, revealing he phased through the Stasis Pod as he saw Airachnid's frozen expression, he gave a slight chuckle as he walked up to the pod.
"Heh, you don't scare me, Airachnid. And I see even the cons won't let you out of there after what you pulled." Hot Rod muttered with an amused smirk, "Now you play nice in there," He mocked before looking around and seeing the other Relics before he spotted the Forge as he walked up to it. "Just the hammer I was looking for." He smiled.
On Metroplex, the Autobots present there are taking to the skies while Fixit was still monitoring for any signs of the Autobots. "We can't keep in the air forever." Ironhide said with a sigh. "We're running on fumes as it is."
"We know. But we need to find a proper spot to hide Metroplex." Moonracer said to them. "Once we do, we'll land."
"Well, it better be soon." Sideswipe said with a sigh. "Because if not, we'll drop like a rock, and hopefully not in the middle of a human city."
"I'm sure we'll find a spot." Whirl assured them. "Hopefully."
Then a signal started beeping, "Oh, what now." Firestar said in annoyance.
"I'm receiving another Decepticon message. But it's, ancient." Fixit said while seeing the old data on the message.
"Ancient?" Chromia wondered. "Fixit, what does it say for a message that old?"
"It seems to be originating from a long abandoned Decepticon Ship," Fixit said, bringing up an image of a Decepticon Ship.
Strongarm seemed to recognize it. "That's the old Decepticon ship the Harbinger." She said in surprise. "I read that Autobot troops shot it down a long time ago."
"I don't understand," Ironhide said in confusion, "Why would a long abandoned ship be sending us a message?" he wondered as Fixit was about to answer.
"D-Don't!" Sideswipe called as Fixit stopped, "It could be a trick!"
"Or perhaps it would be one of our comrades." Jetfire said while perking up. "Our friends must be using the Harbringer to help send a signal to us. The Decepticons wouldn't try to monitor their own data."
"You really think…" Reck started.
"It could be…" Ruin added.
"The others?" Reck'n'Ruin finished at unison.
Ironhide looked to Fixit and nodded as the Minicon answered the call, "Metroplex to Harbinger, state your business." Fixit requested.
"Fixit, it's me. Elita One." Elita's voice spoke up, which perked up the Autobots.
"Elita?!" Chromia asked as the Autobots around looked at the monitors.
"Hehe! Glad to know you're still online, Commander!" Ironhide cheered. "Is anyone with you?"
"Yes. Ratchet, Rafael, Bumblebee, Windblade, and Jazz are with me." Elita explained. "Listen, we don't have much time. We're taking a huge risk in calling you. Hopefully the Decepticons aren't monitoring their own frequencies."
"Elita, we're in the air but we don't know for how long." Fixit explained. "We're running low on Energon and burning through our reserves. We're still trying to pinpoint the others, but we still don't know w-w-w-w-w…" He glitched before he hit himself. "Where they are."
"We're using the Harbringer to try and see if we get its Ground Bridge going or if we can contact the others." Elita explained. "I'm sending coordinates. If you could make it to the Harbinger, we can rendezvous there."
"It might cost us some energon at our current pace, but we'll be there momentarily in a day or so." Fixit assured her.
"You and your group hang tight, Elita." Chromia said to her. "We're on our way."
"Still, if we're gonna find the others, we need some clue to point us in the right," Moonracer stopped herself when they saw Ultra Magnus's ship flying in.
"What was that?" Sideswipe asked as Fixit used the monitors.
"I'm detecting an Autobot signal. It's one of ours." Fixit said in awed as the monitors then revealed Ultra Magnus's face.
"This is Ultra Magnus to Metroplex. Do you copy?" Ultra Magnus asked, which shocked the group.
"Ultra Magnus?" Firestar asked in shock as Chromia answered the call.
"This is Chromia here, we read you, Commander." Chromia spoke up, "We have Autobots scattered all over, and we could use some help tracking them down."
"Well, you can scratch three off the list," Arcee commented as she came into view with Prowl and Jack.
"Acree! Prowl! Jack!" Jetfire said in huge relief. "Thank the Allspark you three survived!"
"Ultra Magnus and his pals found us and managed to give us a lift to Metroplex." Jack explained with a smile.
"And word on the others?" Prowl asked.
"Thankfully, yes." Ironhide answered, "Grimlock is with the Wreckers and Miko, and we just got a message from Elita, she, Ratchet, Windblade, Jazz, Bumblebee and Raf are at the Harbinger."
"Any sign of Optimus, Hot Rod or Smokescreen?" Arcee asked.
"No. As of right now, they're the only ones still unaccounted for." Firestorm asked with a frown.
"Then we had better regroup the other Autobots before the Decepticons find them." Ultra Magnus said. "You rendezvous with Elita One's group at the Harbinger, I shall attend to collecting the Wreckers. Request permission to go?"
"Granted, though I suggest you leave any Autobots with you on Metroplex. The Wreckers are a large group." Ironhide told him.
"Understood." Ultra Magnus nodded as the Metroplex's hangar doors opened up and he docked his ship in.
Meanwhile, at the Energon mine, Crosshairs, Wheeljack, Drift and Bulkhead finished planting the explosives and ran out to regroup with Kup, Grimlock and Miko, "Munitions planted." Bulkhead told them.
"And ready to blow." Crosshairs smirked.
"Let's get this party started." Wheeljack said with a smirk as he held up the senator, just then, they heard roaring sounds.
"Uh, what was that?" Grimlock asked before Miko spotted something on the horizon.
"Company." Miko said as she pointed ahead to something flying towards them.
"An Insecticon?" Drift guessed while reaching for his swords.
"Wings are too big." Kup said after seeing the wings span.
"Megatron?" Wheeljack asked.
"Nah, bigger." Crosshairs said as the flying figure got closer as the huge creature with big wings flew in front of the moon, revealing it to be the Predacon.
"I don't remember seeing that move in bucket-head's repertoire." Bulkhead noted.
Seeing it's prey was directly below, the Predacon descended down and let out a fierce roar before its chest emitted an orange glow which went all the way up its throat towards its mouth. The Predacon then shot a massive fire blast directly towards the Wreckers, Dinobot, and Mikom who looked on with very shocked expressions.
"Uh, we should be running, right?" Grimlock said nervously.
"Yes. We should." Drift said as Bulkhead quickly grabbed Miko and they all ran out of the way as the fire hit them as they avoided it as the Predacon flew around.
"A dragon?! Where'd the Cons get a dragon?!" Miko asked the Autobots in disbelief.
"What's a dragon?" The Wreckers, Dinobot, and Samurai Cybertronian all asked each other in unison, confused by the question.
"Giant Flying Fire Breathing Lizard!" Miko explained frantically as the Predacon circled back around and blew more fire.
"Second dose, to the dirt!" Kup ordered as they scattered and Grimlock quickly went into Dinobot form as they scattered around to avoid the fire blast.
The Predacon landed in front of Wheeljack with a growl. The White Wrecker gave a yell as he pulled out his blasters and fired at the Predacon, which flinched back as it swung its tail, smacking Wheeljack to a boulder as the Predacon advance towards him with a growl before it was socked in the face by Bulkhead while Crosshairs ran by, shooting at it's metal hide.
The Predacon regains its bearings before glaring at the two Wreckers and ready its fire breath. "Oh, scrap." Crosshairs muttered before he and Bulkhead tried to rush for cover, but the Predacon fired its fire breath at them, sending them flying with some flames on them as they crashed into the ground.
"Bulk! Cross!" Miko said in concern as she rushed up to the two while they were patting the flames on them out, "You okay?" She asked.
"Easy, we might be hot to the touch." Bulkhead warned as Kup and Drift came up to them.
"What in the Great Gears of Cybertron is that thing?!" Kup questioned.
Drift watched the Predacon closely as he then noticed its symbol as his eyes widened. "A Predacon." He said grimly and shocked, which caught their attention.
"A what? A what?!" Crosshairs demanded in shock, hoping he heard wrong.
"What's a Predacon?" Miko questioned.
"That is a Predacon." Drift said while pointing to the Predacon, which was just standing there with shrieks. "It is a powerful beast of Cybertronian history."
"How's this possible!? Predacons went extinct millions of cycles ago!" Kup stated.
"The more pressing question, why isn't coming after us?" Miko asked as the Predacon didn't get the chance to attack them.
"Predacons are known to track the prey they seek for miles." Drift explained. "And I believe I know what it wants."
"You looking for me, beast?" Wheeljack questioned as the Predacon turned and saw Wheeljack behind him. "I'm right here." He said with a smirk as the Predacon stood tall before him, not noticing one of Wheeljack's bombs below him as it then exploded, but didn't do any damage to the Predacon.
"Grimlock, you're up!" Wheeljack told the Dinobot as the Predacon turned to see Grimlock charging at him.
"Coming through!" Grimlock called, ramming into the Predacon, knocking it off its feet as the two started wrestling with each other. "Oh, yeah! I've been itching for a fight!" He called as he and the Predacon then tackled each other to the ground before the latter kicked off the Dinobot who landed on the ground.
While Grimlock was picking himself up, the Predacon lunged forward and bit down on his leg as his optics widened with a whimper. "OW!" Grimlock yelled out before the Predacon threw him away and blasted fire at him, pushing him against a rockwall and he fell to the ground.
"Grimlock!" Miko said in worry as the Predacon turned its attention back to her and the Wreckers.
"Grim, come on get up!" Crosshairs called to the Dinobot.
"Come on, Grim! You're a Wrecker, act like one!" Kup told him.
Grimlock groaned for a bit before his optics snapped open, glowing yellow and were slitted as he growled, "Uh oh," Miko and Wheeljack feared, recognizing that look.
"What is wrong?" Drift asked as Grimlock slowly stood up, fully in Beast Rage and gave a mighty T-Rex roar, which made the Predacon turn back to the Dinobot and roared in return.
"Guys, we're gonna have to step back for this one." Wheeljack said as he stepped back a bit, as did Miko.
"Grim's just gone into Destructo-saurus bot again," Miko said in worry as the two beast-formers circled each other, keeping eye contact with each other.
Soon, the two beasts fired their respective flames at each other, which clashed together as they were put to a stand still as they slowly walked towards each other before Grimlock tackled the Predacon, biting down its neck as the Predacon shrieked and thrashed around before it kicked Grimlock off it and headbutted him into stone wall. Grimlock roared and tried to push against his opponent before he blew fire in the Predacon's face, blinding it long enough for him to knock it away.
"Whoa. I don't know if this is good or bad, but with Grim in Beast Rage, he's going toe to toe with the Predacon." Bulkhead said in awed.
"Yeah, but apparently, the Predacon isn't giving up that easily either, Bulk." Crosshairs said while gesturing to the Predacon, which gave a roar and flew towards Grimlock as it tackled him down as the two beasts rolled across the ground.
"And if we don't get Grimlock to calm down, even if he takes care of the Predacon, we'll be next." Kup added before they flinched when Grimlock breathed fire at the Predacon.
"And we're gonna need more fire power if even Grimlock's breath can't melt that thing." Bulkhead added.
"Good thing we know just where to find some," Wheeljack smirked.
Grimlock and the Predacon wrestled each other with roars before the Predacon tossed Grimlock hard to a wall, which he crashed into before some rocks crumbled apart and some landed on his head, causing the Dinobot to go out as he fell to the ground with a painful yell.
"Hey! Beast!" Wheeljack yelled out, making the Predacon turn to him. "Come and get me!" He called as he rushed to the Energon Mine, which the Predacon followed in.
Grimlock roared and was about to chase after them but the Wreckers blocked him, "Whoa, easy Grim!" Bulkhead called.
"Easy there, dino!" Crosshairs added.
Grimlock growled at them with his mouth lit up in flames as Drift ready his swords. "Calm yourself, my friend. We are not your enemy." He said slowly to him.
Grimlock then looked towards Miko and calmed down as his eyes returned to normal and he shook his head, "Gah. Sorry," He apologised.
"Just glad you're back." Miko said with a smile before Grimlock grunted and held his side as he transformed back into bot-form and held his side.
"That Predacon packs a punch." Grimlock grunted.
"Well, Wheeljack might take care of the rest." Bulkhead said to him while gesturing to the Energon mine.
"We better get back before it blows." Kup said as they nodded and rushed off to a distance.
Inside the mine, some Vehicon miners were cutting apart some Energon crystals before Wheeljack suddenly leaped over one of their carts.
"In coming!" Wheeljack shouted, running ahead.
"Autobot!" A Vehicon miner exclaimed as he and the others aimed their blasters at the Wrecker.
But before they could fire, the Vehicons noticed the mine was starting to shake and they turned around to see the Predacon crawling its way inside while screeching furiously. The Vehicons yelled out in terror as they ran away from the rampaging Predacon, while Wheeljack quickly transformed and managed to drive straight under the Cybertronian dragon before making his way to the entrance/exit.
Outside, the Wreckers, Drift, Miko, and Grimlock waited before they heard an engine revving as Wheelkjack transformed beside them with a flip as he landed next to them with his detonator ready. "And the walls came tumbling down." He said with a smirk as he pressed the button causing all the grenades to explode and make all the Energon inside blow up in a blue fiery inferno as the mine collapsed.
"Yes! Snuffed tragic Predacon!" Miko cheered but the victory was short lived as the Predacon managed to dig its way out and roared to the heavens with its wings out as the Autobots and Miko looked at it in shock.
"Are ya kidding me?!" Crosshairs exclaimed in disbelief.
"We're toast." Miko said in defeat as the Predacon glared down at them and began to fly towards them. "What do we do?" She asked in fear.
"If we fall, then we fall as warriors!" Drift answered as they all took out their weapons, ready to fight the Predacon.
But then at the last second, Ultra Magnus's ship started shooting at the Predacon, stunning it, "Sweet Solus Prime." Kup said in surprise.
"One of ours?" Bulkhead asked.
"Does it matter?" Wheeljack retorted as they started running.
The Predacon regained it's bearing and roared and chased after the ship as it lowered down and opened it's hatch, allowing the group to enter and avoided fire blasts as they were lifted up and the ship took off at high speed with the Predacon following.
Inside the ship, the Group turned and saw Jack, Arcee, and Prowl waiting for them, "Hey," Jack waved.
"Jack!/Arcee!/Prowl!" Miko, Bulkhead and Grimlock cheered.
Bulkhead put Miko down as she rushed up to Jack as Bulkhead and Grimlock caught Acree and Prowl in a surprise yet strong hug as they grunted and lifted them up with laughs. "Grimlock! Bulkhead! Can you just wave 'hello'?" Prowl strained as Grimlock nuzzled him.
"Miko!" Jack said before Miko caught Jack in a tight hug. "Can't breathe." He groaned before Miko let go and gave him a light punch in his guts, making Jack grunted.
"Weakling." Miko commented.
"Thank you for the assist." Drift said to them as Grimlock and Bulkhead put Prowl and Acree down.
"Thank the Commander," Arcee corrected, jerking a thumb to the pilot seat.
The group turned and saw Ultra Magnus at the controls. "Soldiers." Ultra Magnus greeted them as he turned his head, while Wheeljack and Crosshairs looked at him in shock.
"You?" Wheeljack asked in a low tone with a look.
"Oh, great." Crosshairs muttered under his breath.
"Ultra Magnus?" Kup asked in shock at seeing the commander.
"It's an honor." Bulkhead said with a bow.
"It's an honour, sir." Ultra Magnus corrected.
"I suppose Wheeljack's Energon beacon made our location quite obvious." Drift guessed.
"Ultra Magnus already had a beat on your signals, and ours." Acree explained.
"Would you care to explain what it exactly is nipping at our tailpipes," Prowl asked as they went up to one of the monitors.
"Drift said it called a Predacon," Miko explained, which shocked the three Autobots.
"A cybertronian reptile?" Jack asked in shock.
"Yeah, and trust me, it hits hard." Grimlock said with a grunt as he held his side.
The Predacon kept chasing after the Autobot ship as Ultra Magnus saw the Cybertronian dragon on a monitor and it fired a fire blast. Brace yourselves!" Ultra Magnus told everyone.
Jack and Miko began to tumble around from the ship shaking as Bulkhead and Prowl quickly grabbed them and strapped into the seats with the other Autobots. Ultra Magnus steered his ship high above the clouds and avoided another fire blast from the Predacon before doing a skilful loop to fly behind it as Jack and Miko yelped as Ultra Magnus fired at the Predacon as it then took off into the clouds as they followed it.
Suddenly, the Predacon flew right up in front of the ship and unleashed a fire blast, causing Ultra Magnus to attempt to steer away. Unfortunately, the fire blast hit the left thruster causing a lot of damage as the Predacon flew after them while letting out a vicious roar. As smoke trailed from the damaged thruster, the Predacon fired some more fire blasts before it caught up and latched itself onto the ship, which everyone felt.
"It's right on top of us!" Jack exclaimed.
The Predacon came into full view at the front and it roared at its prey, causing Jack and Miko to scream. Ultra Magnus looked down at his monitor and saw a large canyon as he steered his ship down to it while crashing into pillars and walls to shake the Predacon off as Jack and Miko felt uneasy by each one while feeling like they're gonna vomit.
Ultra Magnus kept flying into the canyon before he flew straight up and turn upside down just as they reach the surface where a boulder was about to hit the PRedacon, which it widen it's optics before it was slammed directly in the face by the boulder and tumbled off the ship and down to the rocks below as the ship flew off.
Once the dust settled, the Predacon burst out from the rocks, roaring in vengeance as it saw the ship and the Autobots were gone as it gave a frustrated growl before beginning the long flight back to Darkmount.
Meanwhile at the military base, Fowler started to hear his phone beeping and he took the call.
"What is it now, Lord Megatron?" Fowler asked with an annoyed expression.
"Agent Fowler, it's Elita." Elita said on the other side of the call.
"Elita?!" June asked as she rushed next to Fowler, who flinched in surprise. "Where's Jack?! Is he with you?"
"Sorry, Nurse Darby. But he's not. Listen, no time to explain." Elita said to them.
"Like I did with contacting Metroplex, I am taking a big risk in contacting you." Elita said on her end. "Hoping the Decepticons aren't monitoring their own frequencies as close to humans. I'm transmitting our current coordinates now. Metroplex has just arrived. And I hope you could too."
"Elita, you better see this." Windblade said as she, Ratchet, Jazz and Bumblebee arrived.
"There's another Cybertronian ship coming our way." Bumblebee added.
"Another?" Elita asked in surprise.
"Elita, have you heard from anyone else?" Fowler asked as he and June waited for more. "What about Prime?" He asked before the call ended, which Fowler tried to call back but got nothing as the two adults looked at each other in concern.
Outside the Harbinger, Metroplex had already landed as the group then saw another ship heading towards them as Raf was gonna follow before Bumblebee stopped him. "Raf, stay back in case it's an enemy ship." Bumblebee said.
Ultra Magnus's ship landed as Ratchet then recognized the details. "It's one of ours." He realized as they covered their faces from the dust blown around by the landing.
The hatch opened up as the Autobots inside came out, just at the Metroplex Autobots came out at the same time as each respective Autobots got out and revealed themselves. "Raf!" Miko cheered as she rushed up to him, which Raf smiled widely as he rushed up next before Miko caught him in a hug and twirled him around as he gave a laugh as Miko put him down.
"Girl's got a grip, doesn't she?" Jack joked with a smile as he walked up to Raf and they shared a bro handshake before giving each other a hug as Elita looked at the other Autobots.
"You're alive." Elita muttered in huge relief as each Autobots stepped out, before Elita caught eyes on five new ones. "Springer? Mirage? Hound? Perceptor? Ultra Magnus?" She asked softly in awed.
"Commander." The Five Autobots greeted.
At Darkmount, the Predacon arrived back at the throne platform as Shockwave was stroking it in an attempt to help it recover faster, while Megatron, Starscream, and the other Decepticon followers.
"What a grave disappointment this must be for you, master. And to make matters worse, because it cannot speak, we have no way of knowing why the Predacon failed so miserably." Starscream said mockingly. "Poor mute, mindless creature." But what none of them knew was that the Predacon was growling furiously towards Starscream, seemingly understanding what he said.
Back at the Harbinger, the Autobots gathered around catching up while also noticing Bumblebee's new paint job. "So, what do you all think of my new paint job?" Bumblebee asked the other Bots.
"The new paint job looks good, Bee." Bulkhead complemented.
"That whole black and yellow thing is really working for ya." Mirage added.
"We would've done it too, but we ain't got the right colors to even make a good paint job." Jazz said with a shrug.
"At least you had something to work with. If I reversed my colours, I'd be pink." Arcee admitted with her servos on her hips. "And Elita has already taken that colour."
"Heh, like pink fits your colour, Femme." Hound said with a smirk, which made Acree gave him a look.
"Don't start a fight, Hound. Save it for the cons." Springer advised before turning to the rest of the Wreckers. "Bulkhead, Wheeljack, Kup, Crosshairs. You old rust buckets are still up and kicking." He said with a smile. "I thought the rust would've settled in by now."
"I'm still at my peak. Got the scars to prove it." Wheeljack said while gesturing to his scratched hood. "Little souvenir from the Darkmount."
"So Megatron has five new Decepticons working for him, including Shockwave?" Jetfire asked Wheeljack.
"You betcha," Wheeljack confirmed with his arms crossed.
"I thought you said Shockwave got wasted in that Space Bridge you and Cliffjumper used to get to Earth," Grimlock noted to Arcee.
"Apparently, it wasn't enough to take him offline." Acree said with a frown. "He's as tough as he is smart."
"And that's probably what makes him one of the most dangerous Cons." Moonracer said in concern.
"That explains where that Predacon that almost scrapped us came from." Crosshairs said to them with his servos on his hips. "Shockwave must've played Primus with it."
"Great, as if things weren't bad enough." Sideswipe complained with his arms hanging.
Behind them, Elita, Ratchet, Perceptor, and Ultra Magnus were discussing to each other. "The communication link needs further calibration to be compatible with Autobot frequencies." Ratchet explained.
"But on the plus side, both the Space Bridge and the Ground Bridge are fully operational." Elita stated. "And are now shielded by any tracking from the Decepticons."
"That would've come in handy when robo dragon was trying to eat us for breakfast." Miko said sarcastically as Jack tried to gestured Miko to be quiet while Raf flinched, knowing how Ultra Magnus is a strict military commander as the four Autobots looked down at her.
"The indigenous population of this planet, do they all display the same disregard for authority?" Ultra Magnus asked the two Autobots who were on Earth longest.
"No. Mostly just Miko." Ratchet answered.
"You'll get used to her," Elita assured with a smile.
Perceptor then looked ahead as his scanner pointed out. "Contact, .23 degrees." He said as he pointed ahead, seeing a fighter jet heading their way.
Hound brought his mini cannon, "I got 'em." He said, taking aim.
"Whoa! Wait!" Windblade said quickly, as she, Prowl, Bulkhead and Arcee went in front of him.
"Hold your fire!" Prowl ordered.
"It's Fowler! He's with us!" Bulkhead explained as the jet landed as the children rushed up as they saw June and Fowler exiting the jet.
June saw her son as she rushed up to him as she caught him in a hug as she sobbed in relief as Jack returned it before she broke the hug and held her son's face. "It's okay, Mom. I'm fine." Jack said with a smile as June hugged Raf and Miko.
"Your families are safe." June said to the two children. "Agent Fowler saw to it that Jasper was evacuated in time." She explained.
"Is everybot present and accounted for?" Fowler asked the Autobots.
"The only signals Ultra Magnus and his crew were able to isolate are standing right here." Prowl answered, gesturing to the entire group who were three Autobots short.
"Maybe their scanners are faulty." Crosshairs commented while gesturing to Magnus's ship.
"So Smokescreen, Hot Rod and Optimus are unaccounted for." Strongarm said.
"Smokescreen and Hot Rod bridge out together, only Optimus and Elita know where they were sent." Ratchet explained.
"And Optimus remained behind after me, to destroy the Ground Bridge, to…" Elita shut her optics while placing a servo to her chassis. "Ensure that everyone else can make it to safety."
"We saw the base destroyed by the Nemesis," Drift said in sympathy, gesturing to himself, Fowler, and June. "Optimus Prime didn't walk from the inferno."
"Not what we can see." June added.
"Well, he wasn't captured, I can tell ya that much," Wheeljack added as he didn't see Optimus brought to Darkmount.
"He is still alive, but hanging onto his Spark by a wire," Elita said with a solemn frown, "I fear without proper medical treatment, he could pass at any moment."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Mirage asked them. "Let's find Optimus before that happens!" He declared.
"Even if we find Prime and the other two, I'm not sure we can afford them to show up or start a search party." Fowler said to them. "Not when Megatron holds our planet hostage from his high and mighty perch at Darkmount." He reminded them.
The Autobots looked at each other in conflict, knowing Fowler was right but didn't like the idea of leaving their leader to die one bit. "I would be inclined to agree with the native life form." Ultra Magnus spoke up as he stepped forward. "We must stop Megatron, with or without Optimus Prime." He said seriously.
Back underground, Smokescreen and Optimus were alone before Smokescreen turned and saw Hot Rod coming from the wall while dragging the Forge along. "Hot Rod, you got the Forge!" Smokescreen cheered.
"Yeah, here it is Optimus!" Hot Rod said as he placed the Forge down next to them. "The Forge. Now you can use it to repair yourself and then the three of us can go find the others and take the Cons down."
Optimus slowly turned his head to him. "That… is not the reason… I had you retrieve the relic." He said weakly, which surprised the two.
"What, we don't understand?" Smokescreen said in confusion.
"The Power…of the Forge…is not…unlimited," Optimus explained as best he could, "It's energy…has already begun…to ebb."
"So, it's low on energy. That's fine." Hot Rod shrugged, "There should be just enough to get you back on your feet."
"Whatever…power remains…must be used…to rebuild the Omega Lock…to restore Cyberton." Optimus told them.
"But that would mean…" Hot Rod muttered as he and Smokescreen had a grim realization.
"The fate of all our kind… is more vital… than that of any one of us… including…me." Optimus said to them, which shocked Hot Rod and Smokescreen from this as they just stared at Optimus.
Back at the Harbinger the Autobots all agreed that waiting for their remaining members was not an option, "Ultra Magnus is correct. We must do everything in our power to stop Megatron," Elita said in determination, "But we must be smart about our next move."
"Elita One is correct." Ultra Magnus said. "We must plan our counter assault carefully."
"Whoa, who put shoulder pads in command?" Wheeljack questioned.
"Temporary command." Jack assured him.
"Ultra Magnus is the only logical choice." Perceptor spoke up. "Like Elita One, he was trained by Optimus and served as his and Elita's first lieutenant throughout the War for Cybertron."
"Now, unless there's any more objection, Wheeljack, we need to prepare." Elita said firmly as Wheeljack stood quiet and nodded.
"Aye, aye, commander." Wheeljack said halfheartedly.
"Commander, if I may, I might have something in my ship to even the playing field." Ultra Magnus suggested.
Elita nodded as Ultra Magnus and Springer went into their ship. And after a few minutes they came back with large cases which opened up to reveal several Cybertronian weapons and explosives. "Autobots, take your pick." Springer said with a smirk as the Autobots looked surprised at the fire power.
"Oh yeah, Now we're talking," Crosshairs said with an eager smirk.
Back underground, Smokescreen and Hot Rod tried to reason with Optimus. "Optimus, even if we let you join the Allspark, the Forge is a relic of the Primes." Smokescreen reminded him.
"Meaning we can't rebuild the Omega Lock without a Prime, without you." Hot Rod stated.
"There will be…a New Prime." Optimus told them, looking directly at Hot Rod.
"W-What?" Hot Rod asked. "Optimus, now is not the time. We'll worry about that after we get you patch up." He said as he was about to grab the Forge, but Optimus weakly put his servo on him.
"The time has come…Hot Rod…I have led the Autobots…long enough," Optimus weakly said. "In my spark… I know…you are ready…to inherit…the Matrix of Leadership." He declared looking directly into Hot Rod's optics. Smokescreen looked stunned while Hot Rod's optics widened in fearful shock from this as they both realized what Optimus was saying:
He was gonna pass on the Matrix to Hot Rod to become the new leader of the Autobots, the new Prime.
Yes, the big moment has come. The Autobots have all been reunited and have gotten a taste of Shockwave's new Predacon.
And Grimlock's Beast Rage has returned and was able to handle the Predacon pretty well. Don't worry we'll be seeing plenty more clashes between these two pretty soon.
But let's not forget the biggest part of all, the time for when Hot Rod will take Optimus's place is drawing closer, but the question remains, is truly ready?
Stay tuned, because the Autobots are gonna go on the Attack at Darkmount in a ditch effort to end Megatron's Terror once and for all but when things go south, all I can say is, one shall fall but two shall stand, in "Rebellion".