Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1

Feeling unappreciated, the Dinobots leave the Autobots just as a fuel crisis sends both armies to a remote island.

At a laboratory, Optimus Prime and the Autobots are being shown a new drone fighter by a human professor. However, Megatron is out to steal the fighter's blueprints from the laboratory. Soundwave and Ravage, who are inside Ironhide, provide a distraction, while Starscream destroys the drone. Prime orders the Autobots to inspect the wreckage for any clues. Shortly after this, the Decepticons attack the lab, but the Autobots arrive and are able to send them packing.

After some fun at the Fun A Rama Park, Spike Witwicky, Carly, and Bumblebee go to pick Sparkplug up at the airport. While there, they discover a Decepticon base in an airplane hangar. Bumblebee calls Prime for reinforcements, but the Autobots with Prime are too far away. Contacting the Autobot base, Wheeljack sends the Dinobots to assist. The Dinobots quickly trash the Decepticons. In retaliation, Megatron orders the Decepticons to blast the planes, causing a massive explosion that damages the Dinobots and allows the Decepticons to retreat. Hoist, Red Alert, and Inferno arrive to put out the fires and take the Dinobots back to base. Ratchet and Wheeljack begin repairs on the Dinobots, while the other Autobots rebuild the airport.

Meanwhile, the Decepticons are flying through the air back to their base. All of a sudden, Ravage ejects from Soundwave, transforms and lands on the ground below. Megatron demands an explanation, but Soundwave says that Ravage initiated the ejection without a reason. Soon, however, the Decepticons fall from the sky, and Rumble begins attacking Megatron, though he doesn't know why and he can't stop himself. Megatron flicks him away and concludes that they are suffering from bad energon. The group heads off to get some new cubes from a powerplant to refuel themselves.

At the Autobot base, the Dinobots are repaired, and Prime, still rebuilding the airport, tries to send them to stop the Decepticons. Grimlock angrily refuses, saying he's tired of taking the Autobot leader's orders and saving the Autobots whenever they need help. The Dinobots leave the base, intending to fight whenever they want to. At the power plant, the Autobots arrive to stop the Decepticons, but both factions begin to suffer from debilitating malfunctions. After an indecisive battle, Megatron orders the Decepticons to retreat.

Back at the base, the Autobots are suffering power failures now, as well as other problems (Wheeljack can't move, Jazz's legs are stuck in alternate mode, and Powerglide is holding his own severed head!). Perceptor concludes that they are suffering from Cybertonium depletion. However, Cybertonium only exists on Cybertron. Fortunately, Shockwave is sending a shipment over the space bridge, but the Autobots are in no condition to retrieve it themselves. Sparkplug, Spike, and Carly decide to track down the Dinobots.

As the three look for the Dinobots, they find that they have been discovered by the Dinobots. Grimlock is less than pleased to have been followed by the humans, and decides to crush them. Sparkplug lays it on thick when he says they need the Dinobots' "brilliant help." Swoop, however, saves the humans from getting smushed because he wants to hear about the "brilliant" part. Sparkplug explains the situation, but Grimlock doesn't care. However, when Spike mentions Cybertonium, Grimlock realizes the Cybertron connection, and decides to help (despite Slag's refusal and Sludge's confusion). The Dinobots attack the Constructicons, who are retrieving the Cybertonium, but the Dinobots simply get into the space bridge and head for Cybertron. Shockwave attempts to stop them. Guess what happens.

At the Autobot base, Sparkplug contacts Grimlock, who refuses to return and help the "bossy Autobots". Carly resolves that she and Spike must head for Cybertron themselves. Prime attempts to stop them, but finally succumbs to the effects of Cybertonium depletion. Sparkplug stays to man Teletraan I to help the kids. Spike and Carly manage to drive past Devastator using Carly's car, but Shockwave is waiting for the two humans on the other side.

—Megatron, surprised by Optimus while piercing through a vault.

—Wheeljack learns that even the Dinobots don't know why they have a bad attitude.

—Starscream as the Dinobots attack the Decepticons' airbase.

—Red Alert and Hoist

— with Megatron suffering the effects of Cybertonium depletion, Starscream makes his most ridiculous bid for leadership to date