As the Dinobots' shuttle disintegrated, the crew were thrown clear through space towards a nearby planet. Hot Rod found himself falling into wide sea on the planet surface. Instantly, he had to defend himself from a shoal of ferocious metallic fish, sea weeds, and a giant squid.
Fighting his way clear, Hot Rod found the scattered remains of his friend Kup who had been mangled by the sea creatures. Gathering the pieces, Hot Rod reassembled his old friend at the shore. Kup stood up carefully and tried all his moving parts.
But his efforts were in vain. The warriors transformed into evil crocodile creatures and attacked the Autobots. Kup and Hot Rod were dragged into a large complex where they were locked up in a barred cage. Another prisoner named Kranix in an adjacent cell told the Autobots this was Quintessa- the ruthless land of the Quintessons and Sharkticons. Before he could say anything more, the guards took him away. He was made to stand trail before the 5- faced Quintesson judge and was never seen again.
Soon it was the turn of Kup and Hot Rod to stand trail. The pair stood on a blank above a pool churning with Sharkticons, hungry for their next meal. The prosecutor waved long tenacles and addressed the Quintesson judge on the throne:
"Has the Imperial Majester delivered a verdict?"
"I have." the Judge replied.
"Guilty or innocent?"
"Innocent."
At this, the platform dropped, hurling Kup and Hot Rod towards the watery pit below.
The pair were soon attacked by the swarm of Sharkticons as they hit the bottom of the pit. They had to take out as many Sharkticons as they could. Realising there were more Sharkticons than their photon charges, the Autobots transformed to vehicle modes.
"Let's hold a demolition derby!" cried Kup.
The Autobot cars dived to the bottom, and raced around the edge, creating a whirlpool and raised the water level.....until it was high enough for them to drive out onto dry land. Hot Rod and Kup rammed into many Sharkticons, but were hopelessly outnumbered by the vicious sea creatures. The Sharkticons kept appearing! No matter how many they blasted, ten more appeared.
Things looked bleak until the Dinobots bursted through the door, crushing a few Quintesson guards along the way. The mighty mechanical monsters took control of the situation. Grimlock led crushing Sharkticons underfoot. Soon it was all over as the Sharkticons retreated. The Dinobots introduced Kup and Hot Rod to Wheelie, a boy they encountered while searching for the pair. Wheelie pointed out a strange Quintesson ship the Autobots could use to leave the planet. They blasted off.
Go to Part9.