3rd Person POV

Grimlock and Sludge are running down a street in Anima, Grimlock uses his comm link and says.

Grimlock: Grimlock and Sludge here. No sign of Con.

The camera switches to Snarl and Paddles somewhere else in Anima. Snarl answers.

Snarl: Snarl copy. Me and Paddles leaving section 8 to section 9. Still no sign of fugitive.

Paddles: *groans* What Snarl trying to say is, we found zots.

Snarl: What Me doing is using language for soldiers which we are. Something everyone has forgotten.

Snarl runs ahead of Paddles in a clear fit, Paddles then asks herself.

Paddles: What flew up his tailpipe and died?

Back in Amity Satellite, Brains is watching the chase from the monitor and says, slightly frustrated.

Brains: Ah! The Decepticon signal keeps dropping in and out.

Ratchet: Kind of like when Swoop flies too high in the sky?

Grimlock: *over comms* So, maybe our Con is flyer too?

Brains: Could be. Keep your eyes on the sky.

Suddenly, a Decepticon symbol appears on the monitor, Brains says quickly.

Brains: The signal is back, and on the move. Snarl and Paddles are closest.

Back in the field, a large shadow flies over the two Dinobots and Snarl sees it and calls it in.

Snarl: Beta team. Direct contact.

Paddles: *laughs excitedly* Party time!

Paddles transformed into her Dinobot form and then activated her Semblance and started swimming after the Con. Snarl tries to keep up while shouting at Paddles.

Snarl: This ain't a party, it a pursuit! Reg-u-la-tion, 134, sec-tion 2 says: no start high speed chase, unless-

Paddles cuts Snarl off.

Paddles: Wanna follow rules, or bad guy?!

Snarl: In army, we did both.

The camera switches to Grimlock talking into said camera in his office.

Grimlock: Instead of going in Huntsman Academy like Slug or Sludge. Both Snarl and Swoop wanted to join military. Swoop in airforce, while Snarl in tank division.

Grimlock shows a series of graduation photos of Swoop and Snarl from their respective areas in the Atlas Military. Then shows a silent video of Snarl getting angry when Slug didn't follow certain military rules and lashed out.

Grimlock: Unlike Swoop, Snarl is very big rule follower, and Dinobots follow different set of rules. Snarl gets stressed out and bad tempered when rules not followed.

The camera switches back to the battlefield and shows a crow looking Decepticon flap it's wings as it lands on a power line tower. It looked at a electrical conductor, when Snarl and Paddles arrive, Paddles asks.

Paddles: So, how we get that Con down?

As they look on at the Con, trying to think of a way to get at the Con, the Decepticon looks at Paddles' armor which she just polished beforehand.

????: Shiny. *caws loudly*

The Decepticon dives at Paddles and uses her claws on her feet to pin Paddles down.

Paddles: Polly trying to crack me!

Snarl: Over here, bird brain!

Snarl fires his shoulder cannons but soon stops and scratches an itch on his armor. The Decepticon, who is slightly bigger than both our Dinobots, picks up Paddles in one foot before tackling Snarl to the ground with her other foot.

Snarl/Paddles: Scrap!

The Decepticon flaps it's wings and starts to take off with both Dinobots in her clutches, when Grimlock and Sludge are seen coming down the opposite street. Grimlock sees the Decepticon taking off with Snarl and Paddles in her clutches.

Grimlock: Sludge! Fast ball special!

Sludge: Okie dokie!

Sludge grabs Grimlock and spins around to gain momentum before throwing Grimlock at the Decepticon.

Grimlock: Polly crack on this!

Grimlock smashes his body into this Decepticon's face, forcing her to release Snarl and Paddles from her clutches. Grimlock beats the Decepticon while Sludge catches both Paddles and Snarl.

Sludge: Gotcha!

Sludge sets the two down, as a hard punch is heard and Grimlock does a superhero landing as the Decepticon crashes to the ground.

Sludge: Who ready for punchin'!?

Grimlock gestures for everyone to surround the Decepticon as she comes to.

Grimlock: Back in bird cage for you.

The Decepticon gets up and shrieks as she flares her wings before flying back into the air.

Paddles: Where Swoop when you need him?

The Decepticon lands back on the power line tower, it then spots one of the coil conductors.

????: Shiny.

Grimlock knew what might happen if the Decepticon takes that coil and sprints for the tower and starts climbing.

Grimlock: Don't do it, 'Con!

Too late, the Decepticon pulls and tears the metal coil away from the power lines. The cables fall and land on Grimlock, shocking him enough to destroy his Aura and make him fall to the ground.

Grimlock: *pained Roar*

Sludge stood under Grimlock ready to catch him.

Sludge: Me got him! Me got him!

Grimlock instead crashes onto the ground and Sludge looks embarrassed.

Sludge: Me no got him.

Grimlock seemed to recover quickly, though Snarl and Paddles helped him to his feet as the Decepticon flew away.

Back at base, Slug has just arrived.

Ratchet: Ah, Slug. How did your family day go?

Slug: Boring! Some jerk wants to make mom a star by filming her and her scrapyard.

Ratchet was confused and asked.

Ratchet: How do humans know how to make stars?

Slug: *groan* Star another word for famous people. Doc Bot not learn anything from Miko?

Ratchet: *sighs* I tried to ignore her when she tried to start a band in the base.

Slug: She sounds fun!

Ratchet sighs again and turns back to his lab. The camera then pans down to Brains at the computer console and responds to a request for a ground bridge from Grimlock.

Brains: Opening ground bridge.

The portal opens and Grimlock, Paddles, Snarl and Sludge walk through into the base.

Ratchet: How'd it go out there?

Grimlock: Con got away. Need to know who we are facing.

Snarl: Bring up prisoner manifest. Flyers only.

Ratchet does so and flips through various profiles for the Dinobots to look for their fugitive, until Snarl says....

Snarl: That's her.

Ratchet pulls up the full profile and reads the Con's name and crimes.

Ratchet: Hmm, A Corvicon named Filch. She's a compulsive thief, meaning when she sees something, she gets and urge to steal it. Kinda like how Slug gets when he sees an opponent to beat up.

Sludge: She gonna be future punching bag. *laughs*

Grimlock looked at Filch's mugshot and thought back to their encounter. Ratchet then compares notes from law enforcement databases.

Ratchet: Seems she's been stealing everything from water tanks to railroad switches and radar domes.

Grimlock: And putting humans in danger.

Snarl: Filch already be in stasis if Paddles not break protocol.

Paddles becomes offended and snaps back.

Paddles: You been total freak about rules!

Snarl scratches his armor as he responds.

Snarl: Rules how real work get done!

Snarl doesn't say another word as he turns and walks away angry. Paddles defended herself by saying.

Paddles: Me no start it that time.

The camera cuts to Grimlock talking into the drone camera and says.

Grimlock: Me forget that Snarl is heir to Scnhee family and that must put tons of pressure on his shoulders.

Grimlock is concerned with Snarl's recent behavior and follows him to the top of Amity Satellite and sees Snarl holding a hologram picture of a younger Snarl with Weiss, Swoop, and the rest of his family having fun during Christmas Eve.

Grimlock: Man, how long ago was that?

Snarl looked up at Grimlock in slight surprise, but calmed down and looked back at the picture and answered.

Snarl: Before me joined military.

Grimlock sits down next to Snarl and asks.

Grimlock: Snarl feel pressure of expectation?

Snarl sadly nods and says.

Snarl: Yeah. Everyone expect me to look certain way. Act certain way. Talk certain way...

Grimlock: Me know how you feel.

Snarl: *confused* You do?

Grimlock: Yup. Me Grimlock always expected to be best, strongest and have every answer. It makes me mad enough to wanna just pummel mountains. Me got itches often, Bumblebee called it alloy hives.

Snarl: How you get past it?

Grimlock: Me find good outlet to get rid of stress. Me Grimlock find Grimm nests and destroy them. Find stress relief, or bad things happen during fight.

Snarl seems to smile in understanding and nods at Grimlock. Grimlock then gives Snarl a soft punch on his shoulder, before Grimlock stands and leaves Snarl to his thoughts.

The scene then changes to the shiny city of New Mantle, and particularly, the Atlas upper district. The camera zooms out to reveal a building sized statue depicting Optimus Prime with the Star Saber in his right hand and holding the planet of Remnant in his left hand above his head. The camera reaches the top and reveals Filch, in her robot form, looking out over the horizon. Behind her is a pile of shiny junk she's stolen. As dramatic music grows louder, Filch leaps off her perch and transforms into her raven form, screeching as she flies.

Back at Amity base, Brains is looking at the radar screen as a Decepticon signal appears on the screen.

Brains: Filch is on the move. She's headed to New Mantle.

Grimlock: Snarl, Slug, Paddles, let's go. Ratchet, call Winter for crowd control.

Ratchet: Right away.

The Dinobots start heading for the ground bridge dock when Sludge transforms into his Dinobot form and yells.

Sludge: Let's rumble!

Grimlock stopped Sludge and said.

Grimlock: Sorry Sludge, Dinobots fighting in city. Sludge too big to be in Mantle.

Sludge grew a desperate look as he pleads with Grimlock.

Sludge: Awww. Sludge want to help, please?

Grimlock: No.

Sludge lays down on his stomach bummed out as the ground bridge portal opens. Paddles gently pats Sludge's head as she passes him and follows the others through the ground bridge portal.

The scene changes to the inner city on a main street heading towards a highway bridge. When the Dinobots step onto the road, a car horn is heard.

Grimlock: Watch it!

The Dinobots step aside and watch the car drive past.

Slug: Where's they going in a hurry?

Filch: *Screeches loudly*

Paddles: Paddles guess that why.

Grimlock hurriedly runs down the street avoiding and cars or pedestrians. When they arrive at the bridge, Grimlock sees Filch pulling on a support beam.

Filch: Mine!

The Dinobots get on to the bridge and Grimlock starts shouting.

Grimlock: Do not let her-

Too late, Filch manages to rip off the support beam. She hovers above the Dinobots, but when she spots them, Filch dives right for them. The Dinobots all duck to avoid being hit by the support beam. Grimlock acts first and shouts.

Grimlock: That stay here!

Grimlock leaps up and grabs the support beam, he then digs his heels in and brings Filch to a stop. The two basically tug of war over the support beam.

Filch: Mine! Shiny! *screeches*

Before the other Dinobots can help the bridge starts to sway and crack. Grimlock sees this too and gives orders through strained speech.

Grimlock: Dinobots!.... *grunts* Make bridge stable!

Slug: Sure thing, King.

Paddles: On it.

Snarl: But disaster protocol dictates-

Grimlock: Write Grimlock up later!

Snarl scratches his alloy hives before joining Slug and Paddles below. The ground beneath the bridge is pretty steep. So steep, that Snarl and Slug put Paddles on their shoulders and Paddles holds up the bridge. It works but the three kinda struggle. Grimlock then hears a familiar voice on his comm link.

Winter: *sarcastic* You Dinobots sure love making a mess, don't you.

A Atlas airship appears in the sky and Winter in her General's uniform asks.

Winter: What'd you do this time?

Slug: Why do you think we did it?!

Grimlock ignores the rude question and says.

Grimlock: Bridge unstable!.. *grunts* Keep humans away!

Filch: Mine! Mine! Mine!

Winter complies and sets her airship down at the end of the bridge, before climbing out and giving orders to the cops that just showed up. Grimlock starts pulling Filch back down and gains a more secure footing.

Grimlock: You not going anywhere you overgrown pigeon! So says King Grimlock!

Back at the other end of the bridge, Winter, now in her General's armor, and the cops are trying to keep the crowd away from the fight. But the camera zooms in on a suspicious pair of reporters sneaking past the yellow tape and line of cops. Seconds later, the reporters start filming the battle of Grimlock vs Filch.

Reporter: This is Jill Grant of the Daily News. A battle between the leader of the Dinobots and an unknown adversary is taking place on Transporter Bridge. So far it looks like an even match of strength, but Grimlock has always come out ahead before. But this battle raises a question, are the Decepticons back? And why?

Winter finally notices the reporter and her camera guy and shouts.

Winter: Hey! What are you doing here?!

Winter storms towards these people, but her shiny armor catches Filch's greedy eye.

Filch: Shiny!

Filch swiftly turned around, causing Grimlock to lose his balance and fall off the bridge. He does manage to grab the railing and hang on. Filch then grabs Winter in her beak and flies away with her and the support beam. Grimlock climbs back onto the bridge and watches Filch fly away.

Grimlock: Scrap.

Back at base, Sludge is laying on his back bored out of his mind, when he hears Grimlock's voice over his comm link.

Grimlock: Sludge! We need you!

Sludge rolls onto his stomach and smiles smugly as he says.

Sludge: Grimlock say again. Slowl-

Grimlock: Get your tailpipe down here now!

Sludge: Okie dokie!

Sludge transforms into his Dinobot mode and Ratchet opens a ground bridge for him.

Ratchet: Good luck, Sludge.

On the other side, Sludge walks through the portal as the camera shows off how huge he is compared to some of the buildings. Sludge looks down at the street and starts walking tentatively.

Sludge: Be quick, but no hurry.

Each step Sludge breaks apart the road beneath his massive weight, causing people to flee in terror. But Sludge keeps going as delicately as he can.

Winter POV

I start to come to and open my eyes to a bunch of shiny scrap metal.

Winter: Ugh, when did I get to Yang's scrapyard?

I stand up and try to find my way out of the pile of scrap and start remembering what happened before getting here.

Winter: This must be that Decepticon's stash spot.

I climb a slightly crushed bus and finally reach the edge. I see the edge and look down to see I am on top of the Optimus statue.

Winter: Well scrap.

I back away from the edge and turn around. Suddenly, I bump into something and fall back on my rear. I rub my head as I wince from the slight pain, and I look up to see the raven looking Decepticon staring me down.

Filch: *screeches* Not shiny.

I slowly reach for my weapon, but don't feel it. Scrap, I must've dropped it when I got snatched. Since I can't beat this Decepticon, I need to get it away from here. I smirk to myself as I get an idea.

Winter: You like shiny stuff right? I know where you can get some.

I point to a car dealership in the distance and say.

Winter: See that? They make lots of shiny stuff there.

The Decepticon looked at the car dealership and then back at me, still distrusting of my presence.

Filch: Shiny.

Winter: Don't worry. I'll take care of your treasure while you're gone.

The Decepticon thought for a moment, but it seems she couldn't hold back her impulses and simply said.

Filch: Shiny.

The Decepticon flaps it's wings and flies away, then I say to myself.

Winter: Hopefully, they're all that dumb.

I reach up for my comm link and call Grimlock.

3rd Person POV

Winter: Winter Schnee to Grimlock. Do you copy? Over.

Grimlock was helping hold up the still unstable bridge when he hears Winter over his comm link, he responds with.

Grimlock: Good copy, Winter. Where are you?

Winter: *voice-over* Your Decepticon took me to her nest on top of the Optimus statue outside the city. And I can't get down on my own.

Grimlock took a moment to try and process this information, when heavy footsteps are heard approaching and Sludge appears behind the other Dinobots.

Sludge: Some Bot call 'bout bridge?

Without another word, Sludge's robot form places a hand on each side of the bridge and easily lifts it back into place on his own. Sludge looks down at the Grimlock and says arrogantly.

Sludge: Sludge could do this all day.

Grimlock: We no have all day. We'll be back Sludge.

Grimlock, Snarl, Paddles and Slug race off towards the Optimus Prime statue and see just how tall it is.

Grimlock: Race you to top!

Slug: *smug* Write him up, Snarl. Grimlock cheating!

Paddles: Yay! A race!

Slug and Paddles take off after Grimlock, Snarl then starts saying.

Snarl: All of you violating Section- *growls angrily*

Grimlock and Slug reached the base of the statue first, but then Paddles used her Semblance to swim up the statue and get ahead.

Paddles: Passing through!

Paddles smiles, but Grimlock notices Filch diving towards them. He quickly orders the other Dinobots.

Grimlock: Secure Winter!

Grimlock activated his faceplate and let Filch tackle him off the statue. Winter, who was watching, gasped slightly as Grimlock and Filch slammed into the ground. At first, Grimlock struggled while Filch used her talons to pin him down.

Filch: Mine!

Grimlock: Not today.

Grimlock freed his right arm and punched Filch across her face then hit her again as Grimlock reeled his arm back. This flung Filch off him and allowed Grimlock to get to his feet. Filch however used her flight to keep an advantage over Grimlock and used her talons to slash at him. Slug and Paddles kept climbing, but Snarl is hesitant to follow, he wants to help Grimlock, but was ordered to help Winter. He unwittingly recites one of his protocols.

Snarl: Reg-ul-ation 1, Sec-tion 3: junior officer never disobey direct order from superior.

Snarl scratches his alloy hives, then looks up at Paddles and Slug already near the top of the statue. He then growls to himself and makes a decision.

Snarl: Ah, nuts to this! *Roars*

Snarl leaps off the statue as Grimlock and Filch look up at Snarl mocking Filch, by saying.

Snarl: Watch the birdie!

Snarl transforms into his Dinobot form and swings his spiked tail at Filch's head and then body slams onto her. Filch somehow remains in the air as Grimlock and Snarl try to restrain her. Slug and Paddles see the action below and continue climbing as Paddles says.

Paddles: Me will never understand him.

Paddles reaches the lip of the nest and sees Winter with her arms crossed. Paddles then jokingly says.

Paddles: Oh shiny.

Winter never broke her stoic attitude but responded with.

Winger: Funny. *points* There's the support beam.

Slug looks at the beam, then back down at the fight below.

Slug: Me got idea.

Slug reaches and grabs the support beam and aims it at Filch.

Winter: You sure you know what you're doing?

Slug: *arrogantly* Saw mom do this once. Easy peasy.

He then shouts to Grimlock and Snarl.

Slug: Look out below!

Slug then throws the beam like a javelin. Grimlock sees this and pulls Snarl backwards. Filch looks back but doesn't react in time, until the bed hits her in the head finally knocking her out.

Grimlock: Not bad, Team.

Slug and Paddles reach the ground with Winter in hand as Grimlock orders.

Grimlock: Snarl and Paddles, get Filch back to base. Slug get Winter back to her troops. Me Grimlock get this to Sludge.

Grimlock grabs the support beam and makes his way back to the bridge where Sludge still holding it up with total ease. Grimlock approaches and says.

Grimlock: Need a hand?

Grimlock and Sludge fix and stabilize the bridge and return to Amity base as a new reel of an interview with Winter plays.

Janet: I am here with Atlas General and Council woman, Winter Schnee, who was at the site of today's battle between Grimlock and his Decepticon adversary. *to Winter* So, General, what does this mean for the future of Remnant? Why are the Decepticons back and is there anyone that can stop them?

Winter keeps a stoic expression but speaks in soft and honest tone as she answers.

Winter: For reasons I am unable to disclose at this time, I cannot tell you why the Decepticons are back. We do have emergency protocols in place for anyone that encounters one. Rest assured though that the Dinobots remain our best, possibly our only, defense against the Decepticons and they're planning. You and some viewers might not trust them, but I do, and that should be good enough.

Ratchet: We are lucky Winter continues to support us.

Grimlock doesn't like admitting when he needs humans, but when it comes to Winter, he let's it slide.

Grimlock: Then Dinobots keep doing our job and defeat the Decepticons.

Everyone: Yes sir!

The camera switches to Grimlock talking into the camera in his office/training area.

Grimlock: It good to have rules. It how civilization works, but some times you just need to do what you feel is right. Lives may depend on it. Grimlock out.

The camera switches off....

In the forests of Anima, Steeljaw is seen trying to sneak through the forest in search of other stasis pods. He suddenly stops as he catches a scent, but voice cuts him off.

????: You are a hard one to find.

Steeljaw turns around and sees a large figure obscured by the trees and bushes. He keeps his guard and asks.

Steeljaw: Are you with the Dinobots?

Steeljaw brandishes his claws as the figure emerges and a single red eye is illuminates the area, as Shockwave reveals himself.

Shockwave: Not quite, I am, their creator.

Steeljaw's eyes widen in recognition and lowers his claws.

Steeljaw: Shockwave.

Shockwave: You desire a home world for the Decepticons? I seek the same, but only the Dinobots stand in our way.

Steeljaw didn't want to admit it out loud but his face gave away his frustration.

Steeljaw: They seem to be too strong for us. Judging from my last encounter.

Shockwave: They are impossible to defeat one on one, but they have numbers, something we sorely lack. Unless we join forces now.

Steeljaw: You want me to join you?

Shockwave: You can join me, *raises his cannon arm* or perish here and now.

Steeljaw knew he couldn't take on the Dinobots or Shockwave on his own, so he shook Shockwave's hand and said.

Steeljaw: All right, we can work together.

Shockwave nods before leading Steeljaw into the forest to who knows where. Steeljaw then mutters to himself.

Steeljaw: At least for the moment.

The screen goes black and the credits roll.

(A/N): And Cut! Great work everyone! Take the weekend and stay warm out there.

Hey! All you really wild readers out there! What'd you think? What could Shockwave be planning? And how will the Dinobots respond? Find out as the journey continues....

Hope y'all are doing great. Thank you so much for the love and support, and your eternal patience. It really means a lot that you even like the stories I write and I'm trying to pay that forward, so hope you guys and gals continue to like these stories. Have a great weekend and I'll see y'all, in the next one. PEACE OUT!!!