Cheetor begins having nightmares following his exposure to the Transmetal Driver, while a ferocious beast begins stalking the Maximals and Predacons.
Tropes featured:
- Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Optimus lifts Cheetor into a big hug after he gains control of his Transmetal 2 form. Cheetor's response. "Optimus, you're embarrassing me."
- Amusing Injuries: Dinobot II slices Waspinator into confetti when he tries to pull rank. The next time Waspinator is onscreen, the only sign of his previous injuries is one of his arms in a sling, and some bandages.
- Badass Boast: "I think it's time to shred some Pred."
- Beware the Nice Ones: Depth Charge learns that there's a limit to how much he can push Optimus when he refuses to tell him what happened to Cheetor:Optimus: You listen, hardhead. Cheetor's gone, and I think you know something, so you will talk, or I will rip out your core processor and extract the information personally!Depth Charge: Well, since you asked nicely...
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Cheetor in his new Transmetal 2 body is moodier, impulsive, and has a deeper voice than his previous body. Rattrap naturally lampshades this:Oh, joy... cyber-puberty.
- Foreshadowing: Blackarachnia remarks she likes the look of a Transmetal 2 and holds up the Driver.
- Rather than use his robot mode’s firepower, Dinobot II engages Cheetor in beast mode, fighting him on even footing, something the old Dinobot would’ve done …
- I Am the Noun: Waspinator orders Dinobot II to not rush in without a plan. His response?I AM the plan!
- "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: When Cheetor is stuck in his feral beast-mode, Optimus reaches out to him to get him to back to his senses.
- It's Personal: Cheetor isn't happy about Optimus taking a hit, but he's relaxed when face-to-face with Dinobot II. It's when Dinobot II shoots an already downed Optimus that Cheetor loses it.
- My Instincts Are Showing: Primal in his ape mode scratches himself, and later reaches for a bushel of bananas, before he and Cheetor begin to talk things out.
- Offhand Backhand: The first thing Transmetal 2 Cheetor does is a gun variant, blasting Waspinator who’s coming up behind him without even looking at him.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Optimus is not mincing words when talking to Depth Charge.
- Our Werebeasts Are Different: Cheetor's transition to his Transmetal 2 mode plays out like a traditional werewolf story, with his nightly transformations and uncontrollable beast-mode.
- Parental Substitute: This episode really hammers home that Optimus is one to Cheetor. Optimus looks in on him while he sleeps, is suspicious over him trying to pull a fast one, and is gushing with praise following an accomplishment. For his part, Cheetor's nightmare sees him panic over Optimus not being around to help him.
- The Power of Friendship: This exchanges covers both friendship and the Power of Trust.Cheetor: Why is everyone givin' me such a hard time?
Optimus: Because we care, and because I think I know the truth. I just want you to trust me enough to tell me. - So Proud of You: Optimus is proud indeed when Cheetor reasserts control over his feral beast mode.
- Taking the Bullet: Optimus shoves Cheetor out of the way, as Dinobot II opens fire.
- Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Dinobot II after struggling against Cheetor and seeing Rattrap and Silverbolt approaching.
- We Will Meet Again: Dinobot II warns Cheetor of this before escaping.
