More than Meets the Eye

Russell looks wistfully through binoculars at Crown City's amusement park, and Fixit fails to cheer him up with tales of his solitary existence on the *Alchemor*. Denny suggests Russell check out the football field where the local kids hang out, and provides him with a vintage Bronko Kowalski helmet.

Elsewhere, the Decepticon Bisk has just emerged from a water hazard nearby. Bisk is pleased with his achievements so far, but spots Bumblebee's team incoming. The team quickly pulls together and defeats Bisk by dropping Grimlock on him.

At the football field, Russell finds a group of children playing football. He reluctantly joins them and is introduced to Hank who is impressed with his helmet. As they start playing, Russell becomes confused by their jargon and ends up face down eating grass, before heading off in frustration.

Back at the scrapyard, Grimlock is excitedly relating the fight they just had, and Fixit mentions he'd like to go out in the field someday. Fixit is disappointed at the news it's against regulations, which isn't helped by Grimlock's boasting.

That night, Chop Shop walks through an airfield in search of something. His signal is detected by the Autobots who roll out to investigate. As Grimlock would stand out, the others leave him on a hill near the airfield and enter the airfield, splitting up to search for the Decepticon. Bumblebee hears a noise from one of the hangers and moves in, but is unprepared when Chop Shop splits into his five component arachnid forms and attacks. Sideswipe, Strongarm and Grimlock come to Bumblebee's aid, but the bugs attack them as well. Having obtained the component they need, the spiders flee the scene and down into the sewers before the Autobots can stop them. The team returns to the scrap yard, where Fixit briefs them on Chop Shop's capabilities. The Mini-Con checks local law enforcement databases for thefts, and they figure out Chop Shop's building a spaceship so he can leave Earth. Denny knows of a manufacturing plant that makes liquid oxygen, the last item Chop Shop will need to complete his ship, and since the Autobots will be too conspicuous, they decide to send Denny and Fixit in.

Chop Shop arrives at the manufacturing plant and starts pumping liquid oxygen into a tanker. Russell returns to the scrapyard from football practice to find Grimlock alone in the scrapyard, and confesses he's going to quit, though Hank arrives to talk him into continuing on with football practice.

Denny and Fixit, in disguise, infiltrate the manufacturing plant by driving up in Strongarm and pretending to be safety inspectors. At the scrapyard, as Grimlock tries to talk Russell into going to the football game, Russell kicks his helmet in frustration, and they both watch it go sailing over a nearby building.

At the plant, Strongarm spots Chop Shop filling the tanker and tackles one of his bug components to the ground. Chop Shop attempts to merge, but missing an arm, he instead grabs Fixit and jams the Mini-Con on his shoulder. Decking Strongarm with Fixit, Chop Shop has his spare component take the tanker's wheel and jumps on the back of the vehicle as it drives off. The Autobots set off in pursuit of the tanker, but didn't catch up to him.

Though Chop Shop is long gone by the time they dig themselves out, Strongarm is able to track the tanker using its tire pattern, and they reach the abandoned building Chop Shop is using for a base. The Decepticon jumps the trio and Bumblebee warns the others not to shoot, in case they ignite the rocket fuel. A reluctant Fixit is used to knock the Autobots around and flatten Bumblebee. Denny tries to creep up on one of Chop Shop's components, but his blow with a pipe does nothing, and he's forced to run from the arachnid. Fixit finally finds the strength to fight back, and begins punching Chop Shop, who is forced to jettison the Mini-Con. Bumblebee finishes up by uppercutting Chop Shop into the tanker, which covers the Decepticon with freezing oxygen, though one of the combiner's components scurries off.

Back at the scrapyard, Grimlock is impressed by Fixit's part in the fight. The Autobots head to the football field, where they watch from a discrete distance as Russell punts the ball between the posts. The other kids are happy with their new friend, and Denny and the Autobots celebrate.

To be continued...