Depth Charge arrives on Earth, continuing his obsessive quest to hunt down Protoform X.
Tropes featured:
- And This Is for...: Depth Charge pulls this line before jamming Rampage's gun.This is for Colony Omicron!
- Batman Gambit: The Predacons' plan was for Inferno to draw Optimus out into the open by attacking the base and have Rampage then unleash the full might of his arsenal. Between Depth Charge's arrival and Rampage walking off, the whole effort turns into an Epic Fail.
- Butt-Monkey: Lampshaded by Waspinator. When ordered to salvage Inferno, Waspinator laments how no one bothers to salvage him."Why universe hate Waspinator?"
- Cynic–Idealist Duo: Optimus is still holding out some hope that the Maximals Elders will be sending a rescue ship soon. Rhinox bluntly points out they would've already sent one if they knew where to go.
- Deadpan Snarker: After getting a taste of Depth Charge's bad attitude.Cheetor: What's with him?
Rattrap: Eh, probably rust. - Drama-Preserving Handicap: Getting dunked in the water damages Cheetor's jets, leaving him unable to intervene in Depth Charge and Rampage's fight once it's out on dry land. His comlink is also out of commission, so he can't alert the others to the situation sooner.
- Epic Fail: Due to Rampage sensing Depth Charge's ship, an unaware Inferno charges straight at the Maximal base, yelling his head off. Silverbolt and Blackarachnia see this on the monitors and shrug at each other and then Inferno stops when he sees Optimus Primal fly out. Inferno gets out a "BUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNN MAAAAAAAAAAAXIIIIIIIIMAAAAAAAALLLLLLLS!" followed by Blackarachnia pushing a button which drops a boulder on Inferno.
- Establishing Character Moment: Depth Charge is first seen piloting his ship through a sector of space forbidden by the Maximal High Council in his pursuit of Protoform X. This showcases his obsession with hunting down Rampage as well as his habit of disobeying authority that jeopardizes his mission.Depth Charge: Slag the high council.
- Fallen Hero: Optimus refers to Depth Charge as this. He went from someone who could be counted on for the greater good to someone obsessed with revenge.Cheetor: So, you think he'll come back?
Optimus: There was a time he would never have left. Rampage changed that. - Flipping Helpless: Rampage is unable to move after Depth Charge flips him over in his tank mode. He's unable to take advantage of Rampage's vulnerability thanks to being ambushed by Quickstrike.
- For the Evulz: In the final scene, Rampage openly looks forward to all the "fun" he and his old pal will have.
- Healing Factor: After getting impaled in the chest, Rampage simply removes the obstruction and immediately heals up.
- Hypocritical Humor:
- In the face of Rampage's disinterest, Inferno derisively calls him a drone.
- Perpetual snarker Rattrap observing that Depth Charge is rude.
- I Warned You: Depth Charge says he warned the Maximal Council that Optimus would screw up handling Protofom X. Not exactly Optimus's fault, but the result is the same: Protoform X free to cause mayhem.
- Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: After getting knocked off Depth Charge, Rampage takes a stalagmite in the chest.
- It's Personal: Depth Charge towards Rampage for the destruction of Colony Omicron."It's not revenge I'm looking for; it's justice."
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Depth Charge is not the most pleasant person, but he saves Cheetor from the water without a second thought.
- Little "No": Cheetor when he sees the incoming Starhopper about to crash into the water.
- Meaningful Rename:Depth Charge: X!
Rampage: I'm called "Rampage" now. A bit obvious, but to the point, don't you think? - My Significance Sense Is Tingling: Rampage is somehow able to detect Depth Charge's arrival moments before the ship actually emerges.
- Noodle Incident: Rampage's escape at Colony Omicron, and Depth Charge spending four stellar-cycles hunting him down.
- Nothing Is the Same Anymore: As the Maximals work to get their new base operational, Optimus observes how neither they nor the overall universe are the same since when the war started.
- Oh, Crap!:
- Optimus when he hears Cheetor say Depth Charge's name.
- Rampage when he somehow senses the impending arrival of an old enemy.
- Quickstrike right before getting hit with Optimus's missiles.
- Pet the Dog: While searching for Rampage, Depth Charge notices the unconscious Cheetor sinking in the water. He goes out of his way to not only save Cheetor, but waits with him on land until he wakes up, presumably guarding him.
- Sadist: While putting on the squeeze, Rampage remarks he so enjoys Depth Charge's pain.
- Skewed Priorities: The crew tell Depth Charge about the true stakes of the Beast Wars and how they need help, but he'd rather go chasing after Rampage.
- Something We Forgot: The final scene shows Depth Charge's intact Starhopper being destroyed by Rampage.
- Spider-Sense: Rampage can sense Depth Charge's impending arrival even before the Starhopper emerges from the anomaly.
- Squashed Flat: Inferno gets squished by a boulder that Blackarachnia drops on his head with the push of a button. There's even a "squish" sound effect when this happens!
- This Cannot Be!: Depth Charge's reaction upon seeing the Ark.
- This Is Gonna Suck: Inferno groans and hangs his head when he sees the boulder coming towards him.
- Understatement: Optimal Optimus observes he's changed a bit since Depth Charge saw him last.
- Villain: Exit, Stage Left: After Optimus and Cheetor arrive on the beach, they look over Depth Charge and then notice that Rampage has already slinked off. Optimus figures he's had enough for the moment.
- The Voiceless: Neither Silverbolt nor Blackarachnia speak during their cameo.
- We Meet Again: Rampage greets Depth Charge with a hearty "Greetings, old playmate!"
- What the Hell Are You?: Depth Charge's reaction to being face-to-face with Optimal Optimus. It takes Optimus talking for Depth Charge to realize who he is.
- Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Subverted. Rampage notes that Depth Charge used to be terrified of him, but he's clearly gotten over it.
