Transformers #[8]

In "Pretender to the Throne!", the Autobots forge a new kind of warrior by turning human-like Pretenders from stolen Decepticon tech—only to discover that a digital echo of Optimus Prime now leads them, unaware he’s in a real battle, not just a game. With the line between simulation and reality blurring, the fate of Cybertron hangs in the balance as the Autobot Pretenders fight a war they don’t fully understand.

In "Totaled!", the Autobots fracture when Grimlock challenges Fortress Maximus to a death duel for leadership, forcing Blaster—held captive—to step in. With the factions locked in combat on the Moon, the Decepticons strike, turning the battlefield into chaos. As loyalties shift and the Ark lies in ruins, Goldbug escapes with three allies, carrying a crucial disk containing Optimus Prime’s memory—setting the stage for a desperate race across the stars.

In "People Power!", Goldbug, Getaway, Joyride, and Slapdash land on the planet Nebulos seeking help to rebuild Optimus Prime, only to find that two Decepticons have already formed dangerous bonds with two Nebulans who can transform into power packs. As the Autobots work with the Nebulans to restore Optimus Prime—and later forge their own bonds—the team must confront the Decepticons before they can return to Earth.