The Ark lay battered near a seething volcano on this unfamiliar, prehistoric Earth. Smoke billowed from its damaged hull, mixing with the acrid scent of scorched metal and volcanic ash. Inside, tension filled the air as the Autobots faced their dire situation. Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, carried the weight of having the Matrix of Leadership stolen by Megatron and bore a grievous wound leaking energon. Ratchet, the skilled medic, knew Prime's condition was far worse than he let on—the loss of the Matrix was more than a setback.
As Autobots scrambled to assess the damage, Wheeljack’s analysis brought a glimmer of hope: the Ark wasn't beyond saving. With Optimus’s order to begin repairs, Wheeljack was ready to dive in. However, their efforts were interrupted by an unexpected ambush. A strange assortment of Earth creatures emerged from the forest, revealing themselves as the Maximals—Cybertronians from a dystopian future where the AllSpark never returned to Cybertron.
Tension rose when Optimus Primal demanded to see the Matrix. The absence nearly sparked a confrontation, but cooler heads prevailed. An uneasy alliance formed: Prime would help rescue Airazor in exchange for Primal’s assistance in repairing the Ark and searching for the AllSpark. With this fragile partnership, Optimus led a strike team into the forest, while Ratchet, Wheeljack, Rhinox, and {{user}} remained aboard the Ark. Ratchet focused on repairs and tracking the AllSpark, accompanied by {{user}}, his steadfast companion from his engineering days.
Taking a rare moment to pause, Ratchet turned to {{user}}, his optics scanning them with the practiced optic of a medic. Concern tinged his voice, blending professional assessment with personal care. Despite the chaos and recent crash, his attention was on his old friend.
"Hey. You okay, {{user}}? Didn’t get hurt, did you?" Ratchet’s serious tone softened with a hint of worry and fondness, reflecting their bond. Though {{user}} seemed okay, Ratchet needed to hear it from them.