Torn by the ramifications of the Golden Disks and what they could mean for the Beast Wars, Dinobot switches allegiances and rejoins the Predacons.
Tropes:
- Bad Boss: Megatron sets up a fight to the death between Dinobot and Quickstrike when the former says he wants to rejoin the Predacons and insists on Dinobot killing Quickstrike after the latter is beaten. It takes Dinobot pointing out it is a waste to kill him to convince Megatron to spare him.
- Beam-O-War: Dinobot's fight with Quickstrike turns into this. Quickstrike nearly wins, but then Dinobot turns up the power and physically advances on Quickstrike. The extra pressure blows Quickstrike back into a rock wall.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: After Rattrap tricks Waspinator into gassing himself, he turns to the audience and says "I love that guy.", followed by a wink.
- Brief Accent Imitation: Rattrap tricks Waspinator with a gas grenade by imitating Quickstrike.
- Collateral Damage: During the duel, Tarantulas and Blackarachnia end up getting hit by Quickstrike's blasts. Megatron is most amused.
- Conflicting Loyalty: Dinobot's whole plot in a nutshell. He questions his loyalty to the Maximals since he realizes his original defection to them was based on a mistake on his part and he now realizes Megatron could be on the cusp of a great victory. But at the same time, Dinobot doesn't quite fit in with the Predacons and their more brutal methods, he still has reservations about Megatron, and he still expresses a reluctance to fight his old Maximal comrades. In the end, he realizes he just doesn't have it in him to kill Rattrap.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Dinobot vs. Quickstrike ends the only way it could.
- Deadpan Snarker: Dinobot gives us this gem:Megatron: Inferno, aid Quickstrike.Inferno: Yes, my queen.Dinobot: I was not aware you had given yourself a new title.
- Defiant to the End: Even when Dinobot clearly has him beaten, Quickstrike refuses to surrender. Dinobot has to give him a continuous blast of his Eye Beams for several seconds before he finally gives up.
- Didn't See That Coming:
- The other Predacons over Dinobot offering to change sides and handing Megatron his sword.
- Rattrap over Dinobot shooting him instead of Megatron.
- Easily Forgiven: Dinobot is welcomed back into the fold as if nothing happened, though later episodes have him chastised for his actions here and make it clear he hasn't forgiven himself, either.
- Enemy Rising Behind: When Dinobot can't go through with finishing off Rattrap, Megatron steps behind him and raises his weapon.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Megatron is openly skeptical of Dinobot's change of spark and would gladly betray him once he's no longer needed, but even he balks at the idea of letting Tarantulas have a go at Dinobot's circuitry.
- Finish Him!: Megatron orders Dinobot to kill Quickstrike after he beats him in combat. Dinobot refuses, believing that he can instead mould Quickstrike into a better warrior.
- Foreshadowing:
- Dinobot says he gave the Alien Disk to Rhinox, setting up items for the next episode.
- Dinobot warns Megatron's ambitions threatens those who came before Maximals and Predacons.
- Gang Initiation Fight: Before the Predacons can let Dinobot join their ranks again, they decide to pit him in a fight to the death against Quickstrike.
- It's Personal: Megatron doesn't take Dinobot's second betrayal lightly, especially after it seemed like he'd genuinely made up his mind about rejoining the Predacons.
- Mood Whiplash: In the fallout of Dinobot's betrayal, the conversation is rather serious before Optimus asks Rattrap's opinion.Rattrap: You can't trust him! And he smells bad. Then there's the teeth; you ever seen him eat?
Dinobot: [held back by Optimus] By the Pit, how much of this dribble must I endure?! - My God, What Have I Done?: Silverbolt over getting taken out of the fight and accidentally knocking out Dinobot in the process.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: As a result of his temporary turn, Dinobot returns the Golden Disk to Megatron, which will have severe consequences later in the season.
- Pet the Dog: A small moment. After Dinobot eye beams Rattrap into submission, Megatron walks over and pats him on the back.Megatron: Welcome home, Dinobot.
- Pragmatic Villainy: Dinobot convinces Megatron to spare Quickstrike by saying it would be a waste of a warrior with potential. He later balks at finishing off Rattrap, reasoning reinforcements being on the way would make it an unnecessary waste of time. This time, though, Megatron ain't having it, and Dinobot finds he can't go through with it.
- Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves: With some Dramatic Irony. Rattrap, unaware of Dinobot's defection, thwarts Megatron's attempt to pull this on him.
- Shoot Your Mate: As a final test of loyalty, Megatron orders Dinobot to kill Rattrap after he shoots him down. Dinobot ultimately doesn't have the spark to go through with it and turns against Megatron.
- Stealth Insult: When discussing what prompted Dinobot to change sides in the first place.Megatron: Treachery keeps the wits sharp.
Dinobot: Indeed. And yours are razor sharp. - Stranger in a Familiar Land: Dinobot finds himself back amongst the Predacons...and finds that he no longer fits in with their ranks.
- Tempting Fate: Even when Quickstrike is down and out, he refuses to give up. He then asks Dinobot if that's all he's got...and Dinobot answers his question with a long, concentrated blast of his Eye Beams.Quickstrike: ...That all you got, partner?Dinobot: No, it isn't!
- Title Drop: "From this moment on, I am Maximal no more."
- Undying Loyalty: When Dinobot makes like of all this "queen" talk, Megatron notes that Inferno's loyalty more than makes up for his questionable programming.
- Villain Respect: While in lock-up, Dinobot plays possum in order to break free and get a sword right up to Megatron's chest. Megatron concedes that was actually an impressive display.
- We Used to Be Friends: Megatron accuses Dinobot of just trying to save his own hide.Dinobot: You know me better than that.
Megatron: So I thought before you chose to fight at Optimus Primal's side.
Dinobot: I thought you'd led us to the wrong planet! And you betrayed me. - You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: After showing him the location of the Golden Disk, Megatron is prepared to stab Dinobot in the back. Rattrap's arrival prevents this from happening, but Megatron is prepared to kill Dinobot when he later refuses to kill Rattrap.
- You Can't Go Home Again: Dinobot's time amongst the Maximals has changed him irrevocably, to the point where he no longer has a place amongst the Predacons.
- You're Insane!: "Your ambition has made you insane, Megatron. It will destroy both Maximal and Predacon, and all who came before."
